Guyana Times - Tuesday December 8, 2020

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4493

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

Guyana, Suriname sign historic open-air agreement See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Contractor gunned down during P7 robbery on Garnett Street

– as Govt aims to make Guyana a hub for regional travel “Kill Quick” P8 remanded for murder of Linden street vendor

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill signs the Air Services Agreement alongside Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism of Suriname, Albert Jubithana

Uitvlugt Estate ends 2nd crop with 18,600 tonnes sugar Page 13

Opposition Leader declines to meet outgoing Canadian diplomat

Prison officers disciplined after inmates busted with contraband at Lusignan P16

Page 11

Page 16

DPP appeals Magistrate’s decision to – cites “urgent political commitments” as reason – accuses envoy of breach of diplomatic protocol among other matters free Gary Best

Chinese manufacturers being flown in to repair GPL submarine cable – ships to be blocked from entering area

Page 7

Another Region 4 resident dies from P12 COVID-19 – death toll now 154, 32 new cases recorded

Teenager arrested following discovery of over 11lb ganja P2 under bed

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

arrested following discovery Elderly man killed in Teenager of over 11lb ganja under bed Mahaicony hit and run A R

ohit Tooknauth, 64, of Huntley, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Sunday evening killed in a hit-and-run accident along the Huntley Public Road.

A resident told investigators that he was at home when he heard a loud bang,

and upon looking out from his window, he saw a hat on the roadway. Upon further investigation, he observed a body on the parapet.

Tooknauth was picked up and taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital in a conscious condition and was admitted.

However, he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

At the scene, investigators observed a blue leftside rearview mirror.

The area was checked for Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, but none were found. Investigations are continuing.

East Canje man found dead in trench

P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 52-year-old man, whose body was on Monday morning pulled from a trench along Number Five Bramfield Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

The dead man has been identified as Chubbylall Kumar of New Area Canefield, East Canje.

Reports are that

Dead: Chubbylall Kumar

Kumar, who was formerly employed as a plumber at the Rose Hall Estate until it was closed by the previous Administration, went missing on Sunday.

His body was discovered in the trench around 07:30h. There were no marks of violence on his body. A post-mortem examination will be performed. Investigations are ongoing.

14-year-old female was taken into Police custody on Thursday last following the discovery of more than five kilograms (11 pounds) of ganja at her West Ruimveldt, Georgetown residence.

Based on reports received, after being tipped off, the Police ranks swooped down on the premises which were solely occupied by the teenager.

However, shortly after the Police arrived, they were approached by a 26-year-old female who purported to be the daughter of the owner of the property and the sister of the teenager who was taken into custody.

The Police in a statement on Monday stated that upon arrival at the premises, ranks gained entry into the house via a door that was left opened.

As they entered the home, they observed the teenager on a bed, and proceeded to conduct a search. The illegal substance was reportedly found hidden in a washing tub under the bed on which the teenager was lying.

As a result, the juvenile was questioned in the pres-

The ganja that was found under the teen’s bed

ence of her sister during which she stated that she lived at the home with her 41-year-old mother who was out of town.

The juvenile was subsequently escorted to the East La Penitence Police Outpost, where the cannabis was weighed, amounting to 11.352 pounds.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) reiterated that the detention of the juvenile was in keeping with its Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs); that at no time was the juvenile placed in the lock-ups;

that at no time was the juvenile questioned by any male detective and that at no time was the juvenile handcuffed.

The Police further stated that the file in relation to the matter had been completed and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

The teen was subsequently released into the custody of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) after numerous efforts to have her released into her mother’s custody proved futile.

DPP withdraws charge against woman accused of killing husband

D

irector of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Senior Counsel Shalimar Ali-Hack has withdrawn a murder charge against 51-year-old Milaimi Alli, who was accused of killing her husband back in 2009.

In April 2019, Milaimi Alli was charged and placed on remand for the murder of her husband, Ramzan Alli, a fuel dealer, which occurred between July 11 and 12, 2009, at Coldingen Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

On Monday, the woman appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who dismissed the charge against her based on the course taken by the DPP. Milaimi Alli was represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva.

Based on reports, Milaimi Alli of Queens, New York, had arrived in Guyana mere days after a wanted bulletin was issued for her arrest. Upon her arrival, she was arrested and taken to

Ramzan Alli

Milaimi Alli

the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters where she was grilled after which the murder charge was instituted.

Investigators had received new information that the woman paid her lover $7 million to kill her husband, which led them to reopen their investigation. Thirtyeight-year-old Zaheed Mitchell of Foulis, ECD, has also been charged with the businessman’s murder.

Ramzan Alli’s body was discovered in a rent-

al car trunk with a plastic bag duct-taped to his head on the Coldingen Railway Embankment Road on July 12, 2009.

He was last seen alive by relatives when he left his Good Hope, ECD home on July 11, 2009, in the rental car for an unknown location. Reports are that the fuel dealer was slain on the same day that he was preparing for a religious function for his brother, Akbar Alli, who was murdered the previous year.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, December 8 – 11:00h – 12:30h and Wednesday, December 9 – 00:30h – 02:00h and 12:30h – 14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, December 8 – 10:50h – 12:20h and Wednesday, December 9 – 12:00h – 13:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect sunshine during the day. There will be partly cloudy conditions and clear skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to East NorthEasterly to North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 10:48h and 23:18h reaching maximum heights of 2.28 metres and 2.32 metres.

Low Tide: 16:46h reaching a minimum height of 0.95 metre.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020

DAILY MILLIONS

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Guyana, Suriname sign historic open-air agreement – as Govt aims to make Guyana a hub for regional travel

G

uyana and Suriname have inked an openair agreement that will remove restrictions on flying between the two countries and increase market access, in a historic move aimed at helping to make Guyana a regional hub for air travel.

The signing was done at the Pegasus Hotel on Monday, between Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and his Surinamese counterpart Albert Jubithana.

During his address, Edghill spoke about the agreement and how it would help Guyana in its quest to become a transport hub.

“We must be able to operate flights within Caricom and also outside of Caricom.

So apart from allowing our people to move across the border by way of the new bridge, air transportation is also important,” Edghill said.

Edghill explained that the agreement will see all restrictions being removed from market access. It will also result in airlines being given more leeway when it comes to their routes and freedom of the skies. The agreement will release restrictions on aircraft time and restrictions on aircraft cargo among other benefits.

“In this agreement, we have agreed to remove all restrictions on market access, capacity and pricing, to create for a more open market and to give route rights for our respective airlines,” the Minister said.

“This agreement is important for our Government’s strategy and policy in making Guyana a hub for air travel. Suriname has good connectivity to Europe and the Dutch Caribbean. And Guyana has good connectivity to the Caribbean and North America.”

Meanwhile, Transport Minister of Suriname, Albert Jubithana hailed the signing as a testament to the bonds between the two countries.

He explained that the agreement was prepared within 10 days and came from talks

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Public Works Minister Juan Edghill along with his colleague Surinamese Transport, Communication and Tourism Minister Albert Jubithana and other Surinamese officials after the signing of the openair agreement on Monday

between President Dr Irfaan Ali and Suriname President Chan Santokhi.

“The open skies air services agreement signed today is one of our foremost achievements during the visit. It will connect our communities, create economic growth and contribute to sustainable development on both sides of the Corentyne River.”

“The open skies policy will benefit both local and foreign airlines, economically. Each air services agreement can be seen as a solid airbridge between countries.

Today, between Guyana and Suriname,” Jubithana said.

The Suriname Minister of Transport quoted the famous saying “without connectivity, there is no productivity”.

Against this backdrop, he pointed out that the framework has been set for productivity.

The signing of the agreement comes just a few weeks

after President Ali visited Suriname and held discussions with his Surinamese counterpart.

Preparations are currently ongoing for a bridge connecting Guyana and Suriname at the Corentyne River to be built.

Recently Minister Edghill and Suriname’s Public Works Minister, Dr Riad Nurmohamed, had paid a visit to the site of the proposed Guyana-Suriname river bridge across the Corentyne River.

With the recent commitments to bridge Guyana and

Suriname over the Corentyne River within five years, this project is expected to open up the pathway for other major developmental projects including the much-anticipated deep-water harbour project in Guyana.

The bridge will not only link the two neighbouring countries but also open up access to greater economic opportunities beyond them into French Guyana, and through the road network being developed into Brazil, and eventually further into South America.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 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

Being responsible

W

e are currently in the height of the festive season and even though we are in the midst of a pandemic, some persons are behaving as if they could not be bothered at all. There are daily reports of bar owners and patrons being charged for breaching the COVID-19 regulations. Just recently, it was reported that the police were forced to break up a party with about 300 persons at around 5am on the West Coast of Demerara. Persons are still being seen consuming alcohol in large groups openly on the roadways and other areas. And if that were not enough some persons even proceed to drive to their destinations after they are in a drunken state.

While we expect that individuals would be involved in merry-making, it is our hope that they do so in a responsible manner. The authorities have pleaded with citizens to limit their social gatherings to private homes involving family members and close relatives to reduce the spread of the virus.

In addition to taking the precautions to guard against the coronavirus, it is also an opportune time to remind persons of the need to be cognisant of the extremely harmful effects of alcohol on persons. Like in everything else, it is always wise for one to exercise good judgment when he/ she is indulging since there can be serious consequences for behaving irresponsibly.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), alcohol kills a whopping three million people worldwide each year — more than AIDS, violence and road accidents combined. WHO’s global status report on alcohol and health 2018 presents a comprehensive picture of alcohol consumption and the disease burden attributable to alcohol worldwide. The alcohol death rate for Guyana is 5.95 per 100,000 (globally ranked 70).

The negative effects of drinking too much alcohol can be divided into short term and long term. The short-term effects of drinking too much alcohol are loss of judgment, loss of coordination, blurred vision, slurring of speech, and loss of balance. These negative effects can cause one to make bad decisions while being under the influence. The long-term effects include loss of brain cells, liver failure, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer, epilepsy, nerve damage, and heart failure. If the abuse of alcohol does not cause immediate problems, then excessive use over a period of time can cause major problems down the line.

Further, alcoholism contributes to a range of social problems, for example; there has been an increase in cases of domestic and other forms of violence in our society.

Official statistics show that one in four Guyanese women have been physically abused in a relationship. In addition, alcoholism contributes to suicide which has been, and continues to be, a major social problem in Guyana. Official statistics show that suicide deaths average between 150 and 200 annually.

Also, one cannot ignore the countless number of road deaths in recent years. The newspapers’ pages are splashed almost daily with reports of fatalities and injuries due to reckless and irresponsible behaviour of motorists, some of this is due to driving under the influence of alcohol.

The effects of alcohol abuse are well known. Citizens should, therefore, be encouraged to make better judgment in every situation in the interest of one’s self, family and community. While it is not our intention to place the blame for all our problems on alcohol, one cannot dispute the fact it is indeed a contributory factor to some of the social ills we face in our country today.

The holiday period is here and we again urge all stakeholders to redouble their efforts and step up the campaign to spread more awareness and education about the dangers of alcohol abuse. The message to be responsible is even more needed now, considering the world is facing a tough battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the Government must play a crucial role in designing the relevant programmes and policies and putting in place the necessary legislative framework aimed at addressing the harmful use of alcohol, this burden must also be shared by other stakeholders too; such as religious groups, the Private Sector and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge on Monday handed over a cheque to the tune of GY$32 million to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony for the acquisition of 20,000 COVID-19 antigen testing kits.

Over the past several months, the company has contributed more than GY$75 million to several organisations, including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); Rotary Clubs of Guyana; Salvation Army and National Centre for Educational and Research Development (NCERD) for various projects that provided relief to those in need

PPP/C Government to enable a level playing field for persons with disabilities

Dear Editor, President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured our nation that persons with disabilities will not be excluded from Guyana’s development.

The President gave this commitment to commemorate International Day for Persons with Disabilities 2020, which was observed last Thursday.

President Ali said this year’s team recognises the disadvantageous effects which the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, particularly to persons with disabilities. In this regard, he assured all, “our Government is committed to establishing a more inclusive democracy”.

According to our President, the PPP/C Government is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities are entitled to, and enjoy the full benefits of citizenship and public services, including education, health, and access to electricity, housing, water, telecommunication, and justice.

This is a significant step taken by our Government because physically challenged persons are often not able to get the benefit of reservation in education and employment because they might not be able to meet the

general standards. Persons with disabilities face multiple barriers, not just social attitudes but barriers in infrastructure, information, communication, administration and the judicial system.

Our PPP/C Government has demonstrated once more that it is the duty of

Everyone has a right to an education appropriate to his or her talents and needs.

The PPP/C Government guaranteed education to students with disabilities.

That guarantee extends through high school, while covering undergraduate and graduate students (without

the PPP/C Government to enable a level playing field where persons with disabilities can participate on an equal basis with others. People with disabilities have, in the past, often been denied access to services of various kinds – from childcare or mental health counselling to help in retail stores to entertainment – either due to lack of physical accessibility or because of discomfort, unfamiliarity, or prejudices regarding their disabilities.

discrimination) Everyone should have the right to fully participate in community life, including attending religious services, dining in public restaurants, shopping, enjoying community park facilities, and the like.

Even where there are no physical barriers, people with disabilities still sometimes experience differential treatment. However, while there are requirements with many (ADA) provisions that must be met at public and Government facilities, cit-

ies and towns, educational institutions, employers, and service providers, they need to make reasonable accommodations to serve people with disabilities.

“Reasonable accommodation” means making changes that don’t cause unreasonable hardship to the party making them or to others that party deals with (students, customers, employees, programme participants). It must be conveying that people with disabilities are not objects of charity, but have this same rights and dignities we all do.

The challenge lies in changing the mindset of many Guyanese - to start we need to see more people with disabilities in leadership and decision-making roles in Government and companies We need to all keep in mind that disabilities do not discriminate, any one of us can join the disabilities community at any point in our lives, we must remember it’s not about them, it’s about us.

Sincerely, David Adams

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

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The perils of a taboo – gender-based violence

Dear Editor, In the back of our minds, there has always been the burning (childish?) question of, is the world coming to an end and if so, when and how?

Recent space developments and the advent of daily technology being improvised, suggest gross uncertainty if not certain doubt. The world is encountering varied speculations regarding the advent of the deadly COVID-19 and entertaining far-fetched reactions towards its repercussions.

Space X success in launching its 100th successful flight to the Space Station and the arrival on earth of the Japanese probe with asteroid dust, reflect mankind’s ingenuity in advancing the race for trying to understand the mystery of the universe with the help of science. Sceptics also wonder if this is not man’s interference beyond the sublimity of mankind’s domicile. If so, then, this intrusion may translate into strange encounters and unprecedented circumstances.

The world is engrossed with climatic changes.

Economic and political injections create social implications. While dictatorship and discrimination derail many societies, the freedom of expression and the fight for equality continue to gain momentum. The increase of poverty and suffering highlight the attention for attraction. Is this cyclic wave a result of inhumane behaviour or the effect of an intervention from a higher order?

Leaving the door open is making room for a sleepless night.

Maybe this chain reaction may explain this rush of violent madness which is gripping Guyana’s shore and creating a havoc with family life. Is there something in the air which is controlling people’s minds and gripping the hands to plunge knives into the bodies of partners? Does hallucination contribute as a grey area for concern? How delusive can the imagination become? What excuse encourages this gravitational pull towards eruptive be-

haviour? Are the social and economic implications the only explanation for this rampant upheaval? There is no comfort in reflecting on Guyana’s figures relating to gender-based violence. One death is one too much and seventeen is simply preposterous and atrocious.

The United Nations call for 16 days of activities to bring awareness to this agitated furore is being met with Guyana launching its “enough with the violence” campaign by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. First Lady Arya Ali is also involved along with other women’s organisations to render services in this direction.

A quick look at some discussed forms of domestic violence include: 1. Physical abuse – an intentional act of applying force to someone’s body in an attempt to harm that person.

Included but not limited may reflect kicking, biting, choking and hitting.

2. Financial deprivation – the event of an abuser controlling or taking away the victim’s money in order to suppress them.

3. Emotional/psychological abuse – this display unfolds in the forms of verbal attacking, belittling, insulting or ridiculing someone.

Also inclusive is undermining their self-image, selfworth and self-confidence.

Even intentionally disregarding or downplaying someone and their efforts, are regarded as abusive.

4. Sexual abuse – forcing a partner into undesired sexual acts may include incest, rape or inappropriate touching.

Experts’ reviews recognise a cycle of violence as documented: In an abusive relationship, there is a repeated cycle involving domestic violence: - Tension Building Phase leading to an Abusive Incident to follow the Honeymoon Phase and ending up back again with the Tension Building Phase.

Tension Building Phase – tension increases and there is a breakdown in communication. The victim becomes

fearful or feels like they are “walking on eggshells” around the abuser.

Honeymoon Phase – the abuser may apologise, buy gifts, or be extra affectionate to “make up” for the abuse. Promises are made to change, stop abusing or making a commitment that it will never happen again.

But once this phase is over, the Tension Building Phase commences again and the comforting promises the abuser made will be broken.

There are some warning signs one can become wary of to protect oneself and also others. Psychologists pinpoint your partner/spouse mistreats or abuses you by doing one or more than one or all of the following: 1. Accuses you of having an affair constantly.

2. Criticises everything you do, including name-calling.

3. Punches the wall, throws objects, and seems mentally unstable.

4. Threatens to hurt you, kill you or your children/family.

5. Makes you feel worthless, stupid and yells as the main form of communication.

6. Controls every single aspect of the family’s finances without your input.

7. Even though you work, you’re given an “allowance” where you must justify every single expenditure.

8. Stops you from wanting to work outside the home.

9. Stalks you, checks where you are and who you are with at all times.

10. Hits, pushes, pulls hair, punches.

11. Locks you inside the home until their return.

12. Forces you to have sex.

Trained professionals advise some norms for consideration for female behaviour that may work against women becoming abusers, especially when alone or far away from immediate help: 1) Defer to men.

2) Be nice – you can “catch more flies with honey.”

3) Adapt to things you don’t like; endure what you can’t control.

4) Soothe other people’s anger.

5) Shut up! Keep your feelings to yourself – especially anger.

6) Keep the peace.

7) Keep the family together.

8) Take responsibility for how men treat you.

9) Don’t be too “demanding.”

Discussants opine possible resolutions to be adopted and implemented as solutions: While we struggle to find the solutions, women continue to cower in fear, tell doctors that they fell down the stairs to explain injuries from merciless beatings and lawyers and caseworkers should continue to plead with them to stay away from their perpetrators.

1. Citizens can do better to bring awareness to the situation by being responsive and responsible.

2. Representative for the United Nations (UN) Women Multi-Country Office in the Caribbean Toni Brodber said teaching youth positive conflict resolution techniques can help prevent violence in relationships before they begin.

3. All must work in every home, school, office, church, society, organisation, community, in every part of our country to expose violence against women where it exists, support the women, work with the perpetrators, create safe spaces, educate persons and share the solution.

4. A zero-tolerance campaign against violence against women can bring an end to the seemingly unending wave of violence.

5. Join the movement on social media.

6. Establish an emergency hotline, which will link survivors to agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, public-private

skills employment database matching and offer immediate help to extricate them from violent situations.

7. 24-hour hotline operators will offer support, referral to victims and survivors, family, friends and professionals via an integration of the services available at both the Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency.

8. For couples who ‘live home’ even after children are produced in the relationship - Are there signs of an abuser that can be discerned early on in a budding relationship, which can then be nipped in mandatory pre-counselling before matters proceed too far?

9. Most abuse and violence are committed by “significant others”. We bear much of the responsibility for choosing them. Let us become educated for the signals sent out by abusers.

10. Report every incident of violence, since by doing that you can save a life.

It was Maya Angelou who advised, “If you are going down a road and you don’t like what’s in front of you, and look behind you and don’t like what you see, get off the road! Create a new path because hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.”

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

Page

Foundation

Æsop’s Fables

◄

FOR CHILDREN

Types of angles

S

ometimes, two angles can be defined by their relationship to each other.

Supplementary angles are two angles that form a line. Their sum will be 180o, so if you know the measure of one, you can figure out the other. Note that angles can sometimes be called by one letter, placed near the vertex.

Exercises: Identify whether supplementary

the following angles are

T

If angle a = 120O, what is the measure of angle b?

Step 1: Think: A straight line = 180o Step 2: Subtract: 180 – 120 = 60 So angle b = 60o

What you need: 1/4" (6mm) drinking straw thin rubber bands Scissors, tape Instructions: Print cut out the template. If you’d like, you can use the dotted lines and fold the paper in half lengthwise so you can cut both sides of the bird out at once.

– Take the plastic straw and cut off one inch, then tape it in between the bird halves, using tape loops.

– Apply glue or tape to the rest of the bird and fold in half, sticking both sides together.

– Cut a thin rubber band (the thinner the better) and thread it through the straw. Now start pecking!

Monday’s answers 1) Acute angle 2) Right angle 3) Obtuse angle 4) None of the above. It is a straight angle.

To make it go, get the woodpecker toward the end of the rubber band that the head points to. Stretch the rubber band vertically. Make sure your hand is not near your eye, so the rubber band will not snap your eye if it breaks.

Shake your hands up and down a few times, then suddenly hold them still. The bird should keep on bobbing... and bobbing...and bobbing all the way down until its potential energy is exhausted.

Note: If the woodpecker won't work, you can experiment with making the diameter of the straw smaller by slicing the piece of straw lengthwise. The cut edges will overlap a little, decreasing the diameter. Tape so it stays overlapped as much as you want it. (Excerpts from MadebyJoel. com and sciencetoymaker.org)

here was once a wolf who got very little to eat because the dogs of the village were so wide awake and watchful. He was really nothing but skin and bones, and it made him very downhearted to think of it.

One night this wolf happened to fall in with a fine fat house dog who had wandered a little too far from home.

The wolf would gladly have eaten him then and there, but the house dog looked strong enough to leave his marks should he try it. So the wolf spoke very humbly to the dog, complimenting him on his fine appearance.

“You can be as well-fed as I am if you want to,” replied the dog. “Leave the woods; there you live miserably. Why, you have to fight hard for every bite you get. Follow my example and you will get along beautifully.”

“What must I do?” asked the wolf.

“Hardly anything,” answered the house dog. “Chase people who carry canes, bark at beggars, and fawn on the people of the house. In return, you will get tidbits of every kind, chicken bones, choice bits of meat, sugar, cake, and much more beside, not to speak of kind words and caresses.”

The wolf had such a beautiful vision of his coming happiness that he almost wept. But just then he noticed that the hair on the dog’s neck was worn and the skin was chafed.

“What is that on your neck?”

“Nothing at all,” replied the dog.

“What! nothing!”

“Oh, just a trifle!”

“But please tell me.”

“Perhaps you see the mark of the collar to which my chain is fastened.”

“What! A chain!” cried the wolf. “Don’t you go wherever you please?”

“Not always! But what’s the difference?” replied the dog.

“All the difference in the world! I don’t care a rap for your feasts and I wouldn’t take all the tender young lambs in the world at that price.” And away ran the wolf to the woods.

WORD SEARCH

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Chinese manufacturers being flown Bharat Dindyal returns to helm of GPL in to repair GPL submarine cable – after outgoing CEO opts not to renew contract

– ships to be blocked from entering area

By Jarryl Bryan

C

onsultants from China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC), which laid the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) 69 kV submarine cable that is now damaged and inoperable, are expected to arrive in Guyana this week.

This is according to Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, who was asked by this publication for an update on the cable. He explained that the consultants are expected to leave China on Wednesday to come to Guyana for what he described as a very technical job.

“That cable, for you to repair it is a very technical job.

We have to bring in consultants from China, from the manufacturers to do that job. They should leave on Wednesday to come to Guyana. In light of COVID, they had to get vac-

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar

ships stay far away from the cable. He acknowledged that anchoring is a problem where the cables are concerned. He also explained that there is another, smaller 13.9 kV line that they will have to take steps to protect.

“We put some very strict

The 69 kV submarine cable

cines to come to Guyana,” Indar said.

“They told me as soon as they start, they’re looking at two weeks to repair that cable.

But it’s a completely severed cable. We have to get subsea divers to go on the river bed.

It’s a very technical job,” he explained.

In the meantime, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has been tasked with ensuring that a buffer zone is kept to ensure

systems in place with MARAD, in terms of having ships anchor in area C in the Demerara River, which is an anchor area which is where line six comes from, Vreed-En-Hoop to Kingston. So MARAD has been instructed not to have any ships anchor in that vicinity. And they will be putting additional processes in place for monitoring.”

“So, if any ships go there without permission, they will be moved away quickly. So, no

anchoring will be happening in that area. But there’s also another line, which is the 13.9 kV line that we have to also protect. So, it’s not just the big one that brings over baseload power. The 69 kV cable is the one that was severed. So, we have to protect that one too,” he explained.

The 69 kV cable was recently damaged by a vessel in the Demerara River, following which GPL had announced that while the best option would be to rebury the cable at a suitable depth, the necessary dredging equipment would have to be sourced.

GPL had nevertheless explained that a meeting was held with MARAD and a number of “Measures to Prevent Reoccurrence of Vessels Damaging GPL’s 69kV Submarine Cable”, short-term preventative steps that can be immediately implemented, were agreed upon.

The steps include creating an additional 200-metre buffer zone on either side of the cable crossing, the details of which will be published to Mariners.

Additionally, MARAD agreed to reinforce bridge watches, which will see vessels at assigned mooring points having an officer on watch.

Last year, GPL had to conduct remedial works on the 69 kV submarine cable, after the armour and insulation protection of the cable, which extends to the conductors, was damaged at two locations in June and August 2019 by vessels traversing the Demerara River.

The 69 kV cable, which rests along the upper Demerara River within proximity of Craig, East Bank Demerara, was dislodged by a barge sailing along the Demerara River in June.

Due to the extent of the damages, two repair kits had to be sourced from CMC, the company that first laid the cable in 2012.

JetBlue to commence operations in Guyana on Friday

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s Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill announced that Government has intensified its discussion with Suriname’s Fly Allways for return to Guyana, JetBlue is set to touch down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri for the first time on Friday.

As such, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) is making preparations to welcome the new carrier to Guyana. The renowned airline will be providing non-stop services between CJIA and the JFK International Airport, USA. It was previously announced that the airline will operate four weekly flights

out of the CJIA with its new A321neo Airbus.

Guyana is the fourth country in South America that JetBlue serves and offers flights to 40 destinations worldwide.

Vice President of Route Planning at JetBlue, Andrea Lusso had stated “JetBlue is a leading airline in Latin America and the Caribbean and we remain committed to expanding our route map to Guyana as demand returns and border restrictions ease across the region. Guyana service introduces a diverse and underserved destination to the JetBlue route map, and a very important one for New York City. Our nonstop service will

benefit a variety of travellers – especially those visiting friends and relatives – and provide our industry-leading experience to travellers this holiday season.”

New York is home to a significant Guyanese-American community, so much of the route will be targeted to origin and destination passengers categorised under visiting family and relatives (VFR) travellers.

Meanwhile, the Surinamese airline launched its inaugural flight from Guyana to Barbados in August 2016 with officials boasting that safety and comfort give the carrier the edge over its competitors.

The airline provided three non-stop flights per week from Guyana to Suriname to Barbados. Nevertheless, after a short stint, the airline pulled out of the Guyanese market.

Now that it has reapplied, the GCAA had asked the citizens to submit written objections or representations.

GPL CEO Bharat Dindyal

F

ormer Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal is back at the helm of the State agency, after outgoing CEO Albert Gordon declined to have his contract renewed.

This was confirmed in an interview with Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar. Additionally, GPL had sent out a statement informing that Dindyal had been rehired and had taken on his duties as of Monday.

According to Indar, GPL advertised for the position after Gordon, a Jamaican who has been the CEO since 2018, declined to renew his contract. Indar explained that Dindyal was among those who applied and as such, was reappointed and took up his duties on Monday.

“There was a process, as

you know. Outgoing CEO Albert Gordon did not wish to continue. He did not wish for his contract to be renewed.

And so, GPL went out and advertised. And they went through the process of interviewing and evaluation. And they have rehired Mr Dindyal as the CEO of GPL. That took effect from this morning,” Indar explained.

Dindyal has over 26 years’ experience in engineering services and operation of electric utilities and formerly worked with GPL until 2015, when he was fired by the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government. He was brought on as a management consultant back in October 2020 following the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) return to office.

His reappointment comes at a time when the PPP has embarked on an aggressive drive to build capacity within GPL. This includes bringing in a number of generating sets that are expected to boost GPL’s capacity by 9.6 megawatts.

The six generators, which are each 1.6-megawatt (MW) caterpillar units, were procured for some $475 million in an effort for GPL to shore up its capacity ahead of the

Outgoing GPL CEO Albert Gordon

Christmas season. It is understood that three of them will be installed at GPL’s Sophia substation.

The other three will be installed at the company’s Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice location. Additionally, it is understood that four other units with a total capacity of 6.4 MW will be on standby in case any of the six units fail.

Work is also ongoing at GPL’s East Bank Demerara (EBD), Garden of Eden site, for a dual firepower plant that will utilise both heavy fuel oil and gas. The initiative is one of GPL’s largest generation projects to date. Five Wartsila generators earmarked for the project arrived in Guyana on November 5, after leaving Finland on October 13.

Contractor gunned down during robbery onGarnett Street

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father of four was on Monday evening gunned down during a robbery in front of the Red Bar located at Garnett Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

The dead man has been identified as 60-year-old Peter Gonsalves of Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

The incident reportedly took place about 21:00h.

Based on reports received, two armed men opened fire on the contractor moments after he and a worker arrived at the bar. The worker, whose name was given as Ravindra, escaped the attack unhurt.

A Police source has confirmed that the man was shot at least three times about his body. After receiving the gunshot injuries, Gonsalves reportedly collapsed and died almost immediately.

At the scene, one man who asked to remain anonymous stated that he was standing a short distance away when

Crime scene officials at the scene on Monday evening

he heard the sound of gunshots and as he looked up the street, he saw someone on the ground.

“As the man fall on the ground, I see one of the men who was on a motorcycle jumped off and collected the injured man bike and they ride away. None of them had on masks ,but one was wearing a hat,” the man stated.

He added that persons in

the vicinity of the scene scampered to safety. The Police were contacted, but by the time the ambulance arrived at the scene, Gonsalves was already dead. The Police are in the process of reviewing CCTV footage retrieved from the establishment.

Several persons were questioned, including the owner of the bar, as Police continue their investigations.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Kill Quick” remanded for murder of Linden street vendor T hirty-one-year-old Larry DaSilva, also known as “Kill Quick”, of Lot 19 J Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden was on Monday arraigned for the murder of Linden street vendor Dwane Williams.

The accused appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him, but he was not required to plead to the indictment.

Police stated that between November 26 and November 27, 2020 at Wismar Housing Scheme, DaSilva murdered Williams. He was remanded to prison and scheduled to make his next court appearance on January 11, 2021 for report and fixture.

It was reported that the body of the 54-year-old street vendor of Lot 52 B Wismar Housing Scheme, was discovered by residents near the Housing Scheme on the morning of November 27, 2020 with several stab wounds.

A post-mortem conducted on his remains indicated that he died as a

Changing...

I

Dead: Dwane Williams

Murder accused: Larry DaSilva

result of an incise wound to the neck.

A relative said the now deceased man visited his mother’s home at One Mile, Wismar, at approximately 21:00h on the evening of November 26. He spent a few minutes there, before he told family members that he was leaving to go home and prepare

his meals.

The relative further stated that about 05:45h the following morning, the family received information from persons in the area that his body was seen lying behind a shack. A knife suspected to be the murder weapon was found in a nearby drain.

...weird political logic f there’s any doubt about it, the ferocious disputations among our people following our March elections should confirm the old saw that “people hear what they want to hear and see what they want to see”. Even though all sorts of contrary information may be thrown at them, these are all evidently filtered out by their mental sieves.

“Confirmation bias” it’s called. Alluding to the infamous “brainwashing” that produced the Jonestown tragedy, other folks nowadays talk about the deluded having drunk “cool aid”!

But it’s not as simple as that, is it? The thing is, we’re all affected by the phenomenon to a lesser or greater degree.

So we gotta be constantly on guard about the “truth” of what’s going on around us. So how do we not drink the “cool aid”? Well, we can try the rules of logic that have been around ever since Aristotle applied some grey matter to the same question thousands of years ago. So let’s apply logic to think about our elections, which supporters of the PNC deny there’s even been any attempt to rig it.

We first have to ask whether they concede that the voting on March 2 was conducted above board. Well, the entire PNC leadership, including Granger, certainly thought so at the end of the day! As did all the observers from across the world. What this means is that the PNC agreed that all the ballots that were cast and in the ballot boxes were kosher. Now the dispute arose after Mingo changed the manner in which he tallied the SOPs that summarised the ballots in the boxes. He came up with different totals than those of the other political parties, including the PPP! And while the PNC refused to make their SOPs available – they yet accepted Mingo’s numbers, which showed they won!!

The other parties agreed to Granger’s requested Caricom observed recount, which showed numbers that matched theirs and NOT Mingo’s. Meaning that Mingo HAD to’ve fudged the count!! Rigging attempt!! Now you’d think that would settle the dispute, wouldn’t you?

But the PNC camp followers heard only what they wanted to hear. Which was a new PNC story. To wit, that unlike what they’d accepted on March 2nd, they now claimed that “massive anomalies” had occurred through dead and migrated people voting!!

Voila! No rigging attempts!! The Mingo numbers?

Never mind...just focus on the “anomalies”, which they insisted were inherent in the system and which that nasty PPP have always exploited! So how come the PPP lost in 2015 under the same system? Never mind!! Just focus on the anomalies!!

And what about all those observers’ observations?

Never mind...they just hate “black people”!! ...cityscape President Ali’s certainly not giving the PNC any chance to regroup with his blitzkrieg of game-changing initiatives since August 2. If it’s a new day, it’s a new PPP initiative!

Poor Sanctimonious Gangster! Ali’s latest bombshell was announcing a planned “secondary city”, somewhere up the soon-to-be-completed Lethem-Georgetown Highway – with links to the projected Deep-Water Harbour off the Berbice River.

With all the talk of rising seas in the wake of global warming – that’s certainly not going to abate with the refusal of the developed countries to adhere to the stipulations of COP-25 – we can’t put all our urban eggs in the under-the-sea-level Georgetown. So the choice of our “Hilly Sand and Clay belt” is more than hedging our bets: it’s the beginning of the realisation of our continental destiny!

Why spend all that money on servicing the hydraulics of Georgetown? Those efforts are like that of the little boy with his finger in the dyke!

Go south young Guyana! ...moustache Not having seen the fella in a while, your Eyewitness was jarred by Ramjattan’s visage on the front page of one of the dailies.

What’s the name of that sliver of hair on his “philtrum”?

Certainly NOT “moustache”!

Mugabe-tache ?

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

9

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Political deal reached on new EU-Africa, Caribbean and Pacific partnership agreement

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uyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that the chief negotiators of the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) have arrived at a political deal for a new agreement to replace the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.

The agreement was arrived at on December 3, 2020.

The deal, which will require initialling, signature and ratification by the parties, was a culmination of two years of intense negotiations covering several areas of mutual interest composed of a common foundation.

According to the Ministry, the common foundation sets out shared values and principles and indicates the strategic priority areas for the partnership.

Among those are human rights, democracy and governance; peace and security; human and social development; environmental sustainability and climate change; inclusive sustainable economic growth and development; and migration and mobility.

The new partnership agreement also allows for an unprecedented regional focus by combining the “common foundation” with three specific, action-oriented regional protocols (Africa-EU, Caribbean-EU, Pacific-EU) which focus on the priorities of each region.

The regional protocols will be annexed to the common foundation and contain their own specific governance to manage and steer

the relations with the EU and the different regions involved, including through joint parliamentary committees. There will also be an overarching joint OACPSEU framework with a strong parliamentary dimension.

Serving in the capacity of vice chair of the OACPS Central Negotiating Group and Lead Negotiator for the Caribbean-EU Regional Protocol at Ambassadorial level, Guyana, through its Embassy in Belgium, played a leading role towards achieving convergence on several sensitive issues throughout the negotiating process.

Following the political deal, the text will be subjected to legal verification before the agreement is initialled by the chief negotiators, marking the end of the negotiations.

The signing of the agreement will take place in Apia, Samoa, in the second half of 2021. To facilitate this process, the Cotonou Agreement which should have expired on December 31, 2020, will be extended to November 30, 2021.

Together, Member States of the EU and OACPS represent over 1.5 billion people and more than half of the seats at the United Nations.

Upon its entry into force, the new agreement will replace the Cotonou Partnership Agreement as the legal framework to inform political and economic cooperation between the European Union and the 79 member countries of the OACPS and equip them to address emerging needs and global challenges over the next 20 years.

Victory Valley man remanded on narco-trafficking charge

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ennis Bewster, 58, of Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden, was on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate Wanda Fortune when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on a narco-trafficking charge.

Police stated that on Saturday, December 5, 2020, Bewster had 12,247 grams (12.247 kilograms) of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

During his court appearance on Monday, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remand-

Dennis Bewster

ed to prison until January 11, 2021.

NEWS

11

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Opposition Leader declines to meet outgoing Canadian diplomat – cites “urgent political commitments” as reason – accuses envoy of breach of diplomatic protocol among other matters

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pposition Leader Joseph Harmon has written to outgoing Canadian High Commissioner Lillian Chatterjee denying her request for a farewell courtesy call planned for December 9, 2020.

In his letter, Harmon cited “urgent political commitments” for his refusal to engage Chatterjee but on the other hand highlighted matters of concern during her tenure in Guyana.

“During your tenure in Guyana, a matter of concern was the role which the High Commission played in facilitating the departure of Charrandas Persaud from Guyana immediately after he had voted against the APNU+AFC Coalition in the National Assembly. Of equal concern were the breaches of Diplomatic Protocol which took place during the electoral count of votes for the March 2020 Elections,” the missive to the Canadian envoy stated.

High Commissioner Chatterjee is scheduled to take up her post in Barbados in the new year and has

Outgoing Canadian diplomat Lilian Chatterjee

been meeting with public officials.

Despite refusing to meet with her, Harmon said that he hopes the good relations between Guyana and Canada can continue and added that he anticipates a meeting with Chatterjee’s successor.

Following the December 21, 2018 vote of no confidence against the then APNU/AFC Government, the Canadian High Commissioner played an instrumental role in get-

ting Charrandas Persaud out of Guyana after he voted against his party in Parliament. Persaud is a Canadian citizen and would have expressed fear for his life after he voted against the then incumbent.

He sought refuge at the High Commission and was subsequently transported out of the country to Canada where he remained until recently when he returned to Guyana.

Chatterjee and her fellow diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union, played an integral role in the restoration of democracy in Guyana following the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

What was going on was the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s refusal to demit office, after losing the March 2 General and Regional Elections by more than 15,000 votes.

In fact, Chatterjee and her three ABCE diplomatic counterparts (former British High Commissioner

to Guyana Greg Quinn, US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch and European Union Ambassador Fernando Ponce-Canto) had to be vocal in their calls for democracy to prevail in Guyana, and for the will of the Guyanese people as expressed in the polls, to be respected.

The Western diplomats had walked out of the tabulation process for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) – Guyana’s largest voting district – after deeming it as lacking transparency and credibility.

As the electoral impasse continued months after the March polls, the ABCE diplomatic community continued mounting pressure on

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

the former Government to concede defeat, warning of Guyana facing isolation and consequences.

In fact, the United States had gone ahead to impose visa sanctions against several Government and electoral officials and their immediate family members for their role in the controversy.

The UK, Canada, as well as the EU had also indicated that they were considering doing likewise. Eventually, the former Government finally demitted office.

Just last week, during an interview with Guyana Times, Chatterjee admitted that those five months saw a number of threats being made against her.

She revealed that at the insistence of the Canadian Government, her security was even beefed up to a 24/7 security detail.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Another Region 4 resident dies from COVID-19 – death toll now 154, 32 new cases recorded

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ne hundred fifty-four Guyanese have died as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) with the latest fatality being a 34-year-old woman who succumbed on Sunday.

The woman hailed from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica). She died at a medical facility while receiving treatment.

On Sunday, it was announced that two men; an 81-year-old from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and a 55-year-old from Region One (Barima-Waini) also died after contracting the virus. Both men died while receiving treatment at prescribed medical facilities.

The Ministry has been in contact with the families of the victims in an effort to conduct contact tracing.

However, the latest statistics released on Monday showed that 32 other Guyanese tested positive for the virus within a 24-hour period, thus bringing the to-

tal number of positives to 5697.

Of these, 2491 are males while 2756 are females.

The statistics also revealed that four persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 40 in institutional isolation, 720 in home isolation and 44 in institutional quarantine. A total of 4779 persons would have recovered completely as 764 remain active.

A breakdown showed that three new cases were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); 11 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); three in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); seven in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and three in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

The cases in Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Five

(Mahaica-Berbice) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) remain at 413, 42 and 181 respectively.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony noted that the situation in Region Six is improving significantly. Over at Bartica, there was a small increase over the past week.

“With St Cuthbert’s Mission, we still don’t have zero transmission. There are still a few cases there.

We’re about 20 cases in St Cuthbert’s. In Siparuta and Orealla, we have about five cases each so those are coming down nicely but we will have to remain vigilant in all three areas. In terms of Bartica, we have seen a slight increase and so, as of today, we now have 79 cases. We had 62 cases last week. This has gone up,” the Minister shared.

For the month of December, the national COVID-19 measures have

been extended and the curfew has remained from 10:30 pm to 04:00 am. It states that no one is permitted to host or attend a private party, banquet hall, bar and club among others. Failure to comply with the mandatory mask requirement would make persons liable under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance.

This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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

Foreign Affairs Minister reaffirms commitment to regional integration

Minister Hugh Todd addressing his regional counterparts during the virtual Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the PROSUR forum

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inister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd on Monday reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to regional integration as he met with Foreign Affairs counterparts from various countries for the Progress and Integration of South America (PROSUR) forum.

“We are resolute in our commitment to working with the membership of PROSUR to advance the programme of work under the six thematic areas: infrastructure, health, energy, security, defence, and disaster risk management,” Minister Todd said.

Further, he noted the importance of democracy in the region, while recognising the consequences of violating such.

“The consolidation of regional integration requires the practice of democracy and the implementation

of democratic principles

by Member States through free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the respect of human rights and other fundamental freedoms…Failure to adhere to these practices can have consequences,” he continued.

This meeting was held in preparation for the Summit of the Heads of State of PROSUR, which will be held on December 12, 2020.

PROSUR was launched in 2019 following division amongst Members States of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). The regional mechanism provides a platform for the integration of South America through dialogue, coordination, and regional cooperation among the body’s eight Member States: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay.

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Uitvlugt Estate ends 2nd crop with 18,600 tonnes sugar tire week of rainfall at the beginning of the month was to be blamed for it missing its production target of 90,000 tonnes sugar.

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

The downsizing of the sugar industry saw only the

Uitvlugt parked Bell Loaders due to heavy rains and flooded fields

Mechanics at the Uitvlugt Estate repairing machinery

W

ith just about two weeks remaining in the second crop, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has announced that the Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD) factory recently wrapped up its production cycle with just about 18.5 tonnes of sugar.

To date, GuySuCo has produced 85,531 tonnes of sugar and it is on course to achieving 89,000 tonnes before the crop closes. On this note, Uitvlugt Estate was the first to wrap up production for the second crop with a total of 18,599.4 tonnes.

Uitvlugt Manager Yudhisthira Mana explained that while the Estate experienced several challenges, employees must be commended for working diligently to harvest all of the available sugar cane. He added that there are no canes to be carried over into the first crop of 2021.

The Uitvlugt Estate cultivates and manages a total of 6006 hectares of sugar cane of which several members of the Private Cane Farmers’

Association are controlling 1750 Hectares.

In outlining the challenges of the second crop, the Estate Manager informed that as a result of the massive factory downtime earlier in the crop (some 430 hours mainly due to lack of spares), sugar cane grinding was stalled for more than eight days which impacted the tonnes cane to tonnes sugar ratio.

However, all technical issues are actively being addressed going forward with the support of $3 billion in capital investments from the Government of Guyana.

In 2021, there will be a continuation of these capital investments after three years of minimal investments under the prior Administration.

During the latter stage of harvesting, sugar production at the estate was also threatened due to the inclement weather that prevailed, resulting in the fields being inundated and the inability to burn the canes before harvesting and operation of the Bell loaders.

Baramita woman slapped with attempted murder charge

T

he Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack on Monday advised the police to charge Otina Scott for the attempted murder committed on 35-year-old Joanna John of Baramita, North West District (NWD).

Scott, also of Baramita village, is expected to make her appearance at the Port Kaituma Magistrate’s Court today.

John was stabbed multiple times about her body during an argument with Scott on Saturday. According to Police, on the day in question, the now-injured woman and Scott were imbibing at a shop in the area when an argument broke out between them.

However, the suspect armed herself with a broken bottle and dealt John several stabs about her body, thus causing her to collapse.

The police were sum-

Onica Scott

moned to the scene and John was picked up and taken to the Baramita Health Post where she was admitted a patient, but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she remains a patient in a serious condition.

Following the incident, the suspect was arrested.

The corporation assured that all measures would be taken to improve both infrastructure and other conditions for 2021 and beyond. At present, Uitvlugt Estate employs a total of 1403 workers.

Back in November, GuySuCo said that the en-

Badly damaged infrastructure in the field

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

The corporation is eyeing the reopening of Enmore and Rose Hall Estates by 2022.

It is expected that the Rose Hall factory will be the first to become operational, while the Skeldon factory will be returned to operation by 2023. The Wales factory will be divested.

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New Canadian High Commissioner to take up post in January

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ark Berman, who worked as the Director General for Global Affairs Canada, will replace Lilian Chatterjee as Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana and he is expected to arrive in Guyana in January 2021.

His Excellency Mark

Berman will also function as Canada’s Representative to the Caribbean Community.

However, in the interim, Counsellor for Development Cooperation at the High Commission, Janine Cocker will function as Chargé D'affaires until the new High Commissioner takes

up his position.

This was revealed on Monday during a courtesy call by outgoing High Commissioner Chatterjee on Prime Minister Mark Phillips.

During the meeting, Prime Minster Phillips expressed his gratitude to

Outgoing Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee in discussion with Prime Minister Mark Phillips

the High Commissioner for her dedication to Guyana throughout her tour of duty.

The Prime Minister said he was especially grateful for her commitment to democracy in Guyana and her unwavering support for the democratic process to be maintained during this year’s national elections.

On the other hand, the outgoing High Commissioner assured Prime Minister Phillips that Canada will continue to work to build and maintain its excellent relationship with Guyana.

“We spoke about all the various sectors where we have provided support

New Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman

in the past and are willing to work with the Prime Minister to do so in the future,” Chatterjee stated.

Her Excellency Chatterjee will depart for Barbados to serve as its new Canadian High Commissioner shortly.

15 Appeal Court affirms 20-year sentence for “Dusk Till Dawn” murder convicts T NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he conviction and 20year jail sentence for Joshua Persaud and Raphael Morrison for the June 3, 2012 murder of 18-year-old Marlon Ramcharran, was on Monday affirmed by the Guyana Court of Appeal.

In April 2014, a jury found Persaud and Morrison guilty of the crime.

They were each sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by Justice Diana Insanally. It was reported that the three men were at the “Dusk Till Dawn” night club when an argument ensued among them.

Reports are that things escalated into a fight during which Persaud and Morrison dealt the Tain, Corentyne, Berbice teen several chops about his body with a cutlass.

An autopsy gave his cause of death as shock and haemorrhage resulting from multiple incised wounds.

Being dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court, Persaud, 28, and Morrison, 26, filed an appeal asking for their conviction and sentence to be set aside and/or reversed.

In the alternate, the convicts had asked the court to order their immediate release even if their sentence and conviction was affirmed, as the six-year delay in the hearing of the appeal is a breach of their constitutional rights.

Murder convict: Raphael Morrison

In support of this ground, they referenced Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana and a ruling by the very Court of Appeal in the case of Mark Fraser vs the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Persaud was represented by Attorney-atLaw Murseline Bacchus, while Attorney-at-Law Kim Kyte-Thomas represented Morrison. Senior State Counsel Mercedes Glasford appeared for the State.

The appeal was heard by Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

In delivering the court’s ruling, Justice CummingsEdwards rejected the convicts’ contention that the trial Judge erred in law

when she refused to uphold the no-case submission made on their behalf which among other things, questioned the credibility of the witnesses called by the prosecution.

The Appeal Court agreed with submissions proffered

by State Counsel Glasford in which she argued that the prosecution submitted sufficient evidence which required the trial Judge to send the case to the jury for deliberation on a verdict.

Citing case laws, the Chancellor pointed out that is not the duty of the trial Judge to weigh the evidence to decide “which witness is speaking the truth and which witness is not speaking the truth.”

The Appeal Court further rejected the convicts’ contention that the trial Judge did not give the jury adequate directions, guidance and warning on how to treat the inconsistencies and discrepancies in the prosecution’s case.

Relying on the records of appeal, the Chancellor said that the court was of the view that the trial Judge provided the jury with adequate directions on how they should deal with the case of the prosecution and defence.

The Chancellor noted that the records show that the trial Judge reminded the jury of their duty to reject part or all of a witness’s testimony.

Murder convict: Joshua Persaud

According to Justice Cummings-Edwards, evidence related to the identification of Persaud and Morrison was an important ground of appeal.

During the hearing of the appeal, both defence counsels challenged the evidence led by the prosecution’s two main witnesses, who testified to seeing when Persaud and Morrison attacked the teenager.

The Chancellor held that the trial Judge properly directed the jury on how they should deal with the evidence by these witnesses. She noted that the trial Judge recapped their testimony about the lighting conditions at the time of the attack and the distance they were from the beating.

Justice CummingsEdwards noted that the tri-

al Judge cautioned the jury that if they had any doubts that it was Persaud and Morrison who committed the crime based on the evidence led by these two witnesses – one whose sense might have been impaired due to alcohol consumption – then they had to set them free.

On the appeal ground of fair trial within a reasonable time, while Justice Cummings-Edwards conceded that it has “some merit”, she pointed out that the defence counsel failed to justify that the six-year delay in the hearing of the appeal amounted to an abuse of the court process.

The judge admitted that all appellants are faced with delays in their appeals as a result of the case backlog the Judiciary is facing.

Lawyers for the murder convicts had asked the court to stay any further imprisonment if the conviction and sentence were affirmed.

They cited the local case of Mark Fraser vs the DPP. While Fraser’s appeal against his conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, the court agreed that the delay in proceedings breached his Article 144(1) right to a fair hearing within reasonable time. As a result, the court stayed any further imprisonment.

The Appeal Court, however, noted that the circumstances in this case and

Murdered: Marlon Ramcharran

Fraser’s are different. Also, the appellate court held that the 20-year sentence imposed on the convicts was duly served. Accordingly, their appeal against conviction and sentence was dismissed.

The appellate reduced the convicts’ sentence, in so far, to reflect the time they spent on remand in keeping with the principles outlined in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) case of Romeo Da Costa Hall vs The Queen.

The CCJ, in that case, held that full credit should be granted for the time an accused person spent in pre-trial custody. It was further ordered by the court that the sentence imposed on Persaud and Morrison will take effect from the time of their conviction in April 2014.

Guyana is one of Exxon’s golden jewels

By Arthur Deakin – co-director of AMI’s energy practice

I

n Vienna last week, the 23 members of OPEC+ agreed to increase oil production by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) starting in January 2021. As they observe improving market fundamentals for oil, they decided to gradually reduce their record cuts of 7.7 million bpd to 7.2 million bpd. Although the number is negligible, equivalent to less than 2 per cent of OPEC’s daily production in November, it indicates that the demand for oil is beginning to improve.

As demand increases, it is likely that there will be a continued rise in the price of Brent crude. Promising COVID-19 vaccine news, the end of newly imposed European lockdowns, and a rebound in personal travel will all contribute to higher oil consumption. Oildependent countries that require higher oil prices to balance their budgets will gasp in relief.

Despite a more positive outlook, the past nine months have been brutal for major oil producers. In fact, The Economist predicted that the “golden age” of oil producers has come to an end. It estimates that Brent crude’s price will remain around US$50 a barrel, a far cry

from its historic highs. BP’s Energy Outlook also outlines three potential scenarios for oil consumption in the upcoming decades. In its most optimistic scenario for oil, BP forecast demand increasing slightly until 2030 and then declining continuously after that. Just last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the pandemic could cut business travel by 36 per cent – permanently. Many have predicted the “decline of oil” in the past, but never before has it been done with such scale.

Suffering from this year’s decline in crude prices and a collapse in oil demand, ExxonMobil recently announced it would incur a US$17 to US$20 billion write-down of its North and South American natural gas fields, the largest writedown in its history. Despite the magnitude of the numbers, Exxon is not alone.

The eight largest oil companies in the world have written off US$80 billion dollars since Q4 2019. These companies also expect to cut employment and capital spending during the next couple of years.

The silver lining is that Exxon will prioritise nearterm spending of “advantaged assets with the highest potential future value.”

This includes its chemical

Arthur Deakin

business, the US Permian Basin, Guyana, and targeted exploration in Brazil.

Brazil and Guyana, which can be considered Exxon’s “golden jewels,” have relatively low breakeven costs at below US$35 a barrel.

They are also known to have high-quality crude, providing a lower sulfur content that satisfies stricter fuel emissions in ships. Both of these factors are highly coveted by oil companies as they adapt to changing global demand and stricter environmental policies.

Guyana, specifically, continues to announce new offshore discoveries in its Stabroek Block, bringing its oil resources to an esti-

mated 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Exxon is the lead operator of the 6.6 million-acre Stabroek Block, in addition to the neighbouring Kaieteur Block, where it continues to explore new wells.

Within just five years of its first major offshore discovery, Guyana is already producing 105,000 barrels per day (bpd) from its Liza Field. This month, they expect to commission the natural gas injection system which will allow the field to reach its peak production capacity at 120,000 bpd.

Phase 2 of the Liza Field development will utilise the Liza Unity FPSO, a floating vessel used to extract hydrocarbons from the bottom of the ocean. First oil is projected by early 2022, with an expected 220,000 bpd at peak production. This will be followed by the commissioning of the $9 billion Payara Field, a project recently approved by the new Government. The start date for Payara is scheduled for 2024, and it will bring in another 220,000 bpd. By 2024, two more FPSOs will be operational as production grows to 560,000 bpd.

By mid-2030, Guyana’s total production is projected to be 1.4 million bpd, placing it within the top 20 oil producers in the world.

Just this week, in Guyana’s Oil and Gas Summit, President Irfaan Ali welcomed local and foreign investors with open arms. He also said that they are developing a local content rule in such a way that local businesses will have “optimum participation” in the sector. Although local participation is essential for any country, Guyana should develop a local content framework that is balanced; one that fosters local participation while simultaneously encouraging foreign investment.

With the recent approval of the Payara permit and Ali’s commitment to not pursue any changes to the original Stabroek contract, investors should feel more comfortable operating in Guyana. The Guyanese people should also be pleased that Exxon has reiterated its commitment to developing the resources in the country, regardless of crude price fluctuations and cuts in capital spending. Exxon’s large resources and proven experience allows it to effectively weather any storm, reflected by its limited disruption during the pandemic.

Despite encouraging signs of a business-friendly Government focused on cutting red tape, Ali is expected to take a firmer stance on fu-

ture oil contracts as new discoveries are announced. As large revenues start flowing, the public will naturally increase its pressure for tangible results, especially when it comes to improved education, infrastructure and income growth. Prior to the pandemic, consultancy Rystad Energy projected that the Government’s income from oil could reach $10 billion a year, a large chunk of cash for a country whose annual GDP in 2019 was a mere $4.7 billion. The public deserves to see its society develop, and the Government would be remiss to squander that money.

Greater transparency and governance are also lacking among this new Government. Despite the development of a Petroleum Commission Bill – meant to limit political influence in managing the oil industry – the current structure of the oil Sovereign Wealth Fund allows the President to have the final say on how the monies are spent. This creates the opportunity for resources to be misused for political or personal purposes – instead of the development of the society. Without independent and unbiased oversight of the funds, the PPP’s corruption track-record will be the country’s biggest concern moving forward.

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana to increase PCR testing capability to 1500 per day

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A sample being taken

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday stated that Guyana’s capacity to conduct PCR testing has increased significantly, with the arrival of new equipment. After installation, a total of 1500 tests are expected to be conducted per day.

Dr Anthony reminded Guyanese that the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is still the gold standard for testing.

The new automated machines will provide an extra boost in the country’s COVID-19 testing and detection.

“The PCR test is still the gold standard for testing. We still have that and the capacity to do that. We have increased that capacity because we have constantly been adding equipment and so forth at the National Lab. Over the weekend, we brought over two PCR machines and additional reagents. These are all automated machines. So, we would now be able, once we install the machines, to do more than 1000 PCR tests per day. I would say we can comfortably do around 1500 tests,” Dr Anthony explained.

Guyana also has the ca-

pacity to conduct rapid antigen tests, and has facilitated training for health officials in this regard. The Minister shared that the Ministry will employ protocols issued by the World Health Organisation and this type of test will only be done on persons displaying symptoms associated with the virus.

“We have the antigen tests that are much faster and cheaper to do. We will be deploying them but there are conditions for the deployment because they are a little bit less sensitive.

At the beginning of someone getting infected, they’re not as effective to detect the infection. If you wait a few days, then they become more effective at detecting the infection. With the antigen test, our protocol and the WHO protocol suggests that you use them when somebody displays signs and symptoms of COVID-19.”

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, dry cough, tiredness, sore throat, headache, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath among

Emergency works to commence on Conversation Tree Street this week – Edghill

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and an engineer at the site last week

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mergency repairs on Conversation Tree Street are set to start this week, following severe damage by a heavy-duty truck. Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill visited the site last week to inspect the damage.

“We will get this resolved and fixed so that this thoroughfare can be usable again. It is being acted on as a matter of an emergency,” he said.

Sections of Sheriff Street were closed to facilitate the ongoing Sheriff-Mandela road expansion project.

However, the Minister said heavy-duty vehicles must be mindful of the load-carrying

that are carrying weight on our roads, there are specifications of tonnage for axle and tonnage for wheels.

When we overload the vehicles, rather than the weight being on the axle and on the wheels, that weight is transferred to the actual road,” Minister Edghill explained.

“These are not the heavy-duty asphaltic concrete roads like the Rupert Craig Highway that can carry 40 to 50 tonnes at a time.

These are basic community roads.”

To this end, Minister Edghill appealed to drivers to observe the weight limits of the community roads, which are costly to rehabilitate. Further, he said, conducting emergency works pushes back scheduled repairs and upgrades to other roads.

Conversation Tree Street was closed to vehicular traf-

COVID-19 or not, by identifying fragments of the virus.

It is the third type of test to be rolled out here, after the PCR and antibody tests. It will be used in combination with the PCR test across the country.

The Ministry’s rapid antigen testing capacity for COVID-19 received a major boost with the donation of $32 million from ExxonMobil Guyana on Monday. This was handed over to Minister Anthony

by President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge.

Teenager disappears after leaving for school on Friday

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16-year-old student of La Bonne Intention Secondary (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) has been reported missing since Friday last, after she left her uncle’s home.

Felisha Singh, who resides at Good Hope, ECD, had left home in the morning to attend school. After she did not return, her uncle went over to the school to pick her up but she was nowhere around.

An aunt of the missing teenager explained that the teen’s father died while her mother left some time ago.

Singh and her five other siblings were staying with her grandmother in Good Hope but recently moved in with an uncle at Chateau Margot, ECD.

Missing: Felisha Singh

“Since they are babies, they have been living with the grandparents but she left a few months back to live with her father’s brother. School had reopened so

she went there to stay. On Friday, she left for school and after the time pass and she didn’t come home, he decided to get her but they didn’t,” she shared.

The relative shared that the teen would usually disappear whenever she is reprimanded, but would make contact after to indicate that she was safe. This time around, they did not receive any call. The family has no indication as to where she might be.

“They give us problems and when we try to caution them, they would run away. This went too far because when she run away, she would make contact or we would have to go look for her,” she added.

Prison officers disciplined after inmates busted with contraband at Lusignan

rum, one tropical mist water bottle containing Guinness, one small bottle vodka and one bottle hard wine.

Following the discovery, the police were called in and an investigation was launched.

In addition, three prison officers are under specific investigation with respect to the incident.

While the police investigations are continuing, three

Some of the cigarettes found in the bins

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The road at Conversation Tree in a deplorable state

capacity of roads.

“Trucks, cargo hauliers, auto cars, tractor-trailers

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

others.

“Once people are displaying these signs, we will be able to do the test. It’s a very simple test to be done.

Just like a PCR, you have to swab the person…It’s very simple and you could see it as it unfolds. So, we thought that it is important to use it, especially in some of the areas where it’s challenging to do the swab and then send the swab out to the National Lab,” he shared.

This type of testing gives an immediate indication of whether a patient has

fic on November 18 after the incident.

lmost one month after the discovery of a quantity of prohibited items at the Lusignan penitentiary, the Home Affairs Minister was brief on the situation. The contraband items were found hidden in bread bins/containers on November 17, 2020.

Based on the report from Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, on the day in question at about 14:50h, two prisoners, under the supervision of a prison officer, were transporting four bread bins from the prison’s kitchen to the holding bay.

However, a search was

conducted on the items by a gate officer during which the prohibited items were found.

A m o n g them were 553 Some of the contraband items grams of ganja, a quantity of “Fronto” leaves, one car- prison officers have been toon “slow burner”, 10 packs charged departmentally for of “Bamboo”, a quantity of neglect of duty.

Meanwhile, the departsmall ziplock bags, 15 cartons of cigarette, five lighters, one mental charges will in no cellular phone charger, four way prevent the officers from packs of Winterfresh gum, being charged criminally if one tropical mist water bot- the investigations find they tle containing five-year-old were involved in the illegal act.

NEWS

17

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

DPP appeals Magistrate’s decision to free Gary Best D irector of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Senior Counsel Shalimar Ali-Hack has filed a notice of appeal against a decision by Magistrate Rhondel Weever to dismiss a causing death by dangerous driving charge against former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff Rear Admiral Gary Best.

Last Thursday, Best, an Executive Member of the PNCR, was freed of the charge which alleged that on February 8, 2020, at Georgetown, he drove Land Cruiser PRR 8182 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of former national cyclist, 41-year-old Jude Bentley.

Magistrate Weever upheld a no-case submission made by Best’s lawyers, Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels and Sophia Findlay.

In her 30-page reasoning, Magistrate Weever held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Best for the offence.

In doing so, Magistrate Weever held that the prosecution’s case contained many gaps that the court cannot fill, and to do so would be inviting the court to speculate. According to the Magistrate, a crucial element in the prosecution’s case was not established, that is, whether Best was driving dangerously on the day in question.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the trial Magistrate, the DPP in a Notice of Appeal to the Appeal Court said: “take notice that this Court will be moved on a day and at an hour of which you shall be informed by the Registrar

by Mrs Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, Director of Public

Following the dismissal of the charge against the former army chief, relatives

of Bentley expressed their dissatisfaction. Several discourses were also generated on social media about the Magistrate’s decision to free him. This resulted in Best’s lawyers issuing a press statement highlighting keys aspects of the Magistrate’s ruling.

According to Hughes, in her ruling, Magistrate Weever noted that a police rank testified that the breathalyser test results obtained from Best were unreliable since the machine was not calibrated every six months. The breathalyser device in this case had not been calibrated in over one year, the lawyer pointed out.

Hughes said that there was no eyewitness to the accident and as a result, the police relied on video evidence.

“In the ruling, the Magistrate referred to the video footage as “the silent, trustworthy, unemotional, unbiased and accurate witness,” Hughes added.

The prominent lawyer added that the Magistrate explained that the video footage did not disclose how the accident occurred as the view of Clive Lloyd Drive was obscured by the fence and tree at the old Russian Embassy in Georgetown.

“There were 51 seconds unaccounted for between the time the cyclist entered Clive Lloyd Drive and when the vehicle emerged in the view of the cameras,” Hughes said Magistrate Weever explained in her decision.

Concerning the place of collision, Hughes noted that the accident occurred on the right lane of the road.

According to him, the Magistrate said that when Bentley entered Clive Lloyd

a result of the thieves taking their mangoes to the capital city thus creating a shortage of ripe mangoes in the market.

Guyana Times understands that villages between Numbers Three and Five are considered the largest mango producing area in the region.

Nevertheless, a farmer detailed that the thieves would use bicycles to carry out their raids and, in some instances, they are armed.

“Sometimes they forced us to pick the coconut and then peel it and fetch it out for them,” he added.

Another farmer, Darshney Kissoon, a cash crop farmer, related that the intruders would intercept and rob them as they make their way to the farm.

Because of the constant attacks, she and her husband have had to give up the farm and seek employment in other places where they earn a meagre $300 per day.

Meanwhile, another cash crop farmer, Muhamed Ayube, said he reported the matter to the Blairmount Police Station but no assistance was provided.

Upon listening to the farmers, the Minister said he was in utter shock to learn that farmers were forced to reap the fruits, vegetables and fetch them out of the farm for the thieves. He said his Ministry will launch an investigation.

“This is a very serious matter, and I want to assure you that I will raise it at the highest forum within the Government so that we can deal with it and try to resolve this problem,” he told the farmers while noting that it has the potential to create serious conflict.

“We have to work on both sides. We have to talk to the comrades at Number Five and we have to also protect the crops of our farmers because when you are farming and putting all your resources and labour in producing and when you see the fruits of your labour being taken away or stolen from you that can cause you to do anything.”

The Minister promised to have the matter brought to the attention of the Home Affairs Minister and others to see how the farmers’ crops can be protected.

Former GDF Chief-ofStaff Gary Best

Prosecutions, Counsel on behalf of the Appellant that the decision given in the above matter by Her Worship, Magistrate Weever at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on December 3, 2020, set aside and/or reversed the Respondent be made to pay the costs of this appeal.”

Reacting to the dismissal, Best had expressed that he is happy that the matter has now come to an end. He said, “I just hope that both families can move on – my family and his family – and I hope that we can now move on. We have gone through a lot, and I am happy about the court’s decision.”

“At the time that the accident occurred, I did say that I regret the fact that Jude Bentley died. It was an accident but, of course, the fact laid out in court shows that I was not driving dangerously in any way and that I did not deliberately cause his death,” he added.

Unreliable, no eyewitness

Farmers frustrated as thieves create havoc in WBB

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number of farmers on the West Bank of Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) are at the mercy of thieves who constantly raid their farms and steal their produce.

This was brought to the attention of Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during an outreach in the area on Sunday. The Minister, however, assured the farmers that the matter would be investigated.

The farmers have stated that not only fruits and vegetables are stolen but coconuts and other crops as well.

According to one of the farmers, initially, their farms would be raided at night but of recent, the thieves are turning up at any time and making their demands.

“These people coming down to Rosignol, they don’t have one bora plant but you can see them with canter load going down to Georgetown with coconut,” a farmer whose coconuts were stolen told the Minister.

He also disclosed that recently, mangoes were being sold at the Rosignol Market at a cost of $50 each. This price, he explained, was as

dence to refute the driver’s oral statement to the police about how the accident occurred,” Hughes said as he highlighted aspects of the ruling.

Flashback

Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack

Drive, he was riding on the northern (left lane) of the said Clive Lloyd Drive.

“There was no indication of how or when the cyclist changed lanes from the northern lane to the southern lane of Clive Lloyd Drive.

The right lane of the highway is the lane reserved for overtaking (Section 46 (1) of Chapter 51:02 of the Laws of Guyana). There was no evi-

According to reports, Bentley was struck down and run over by the vehicle driven

by Best on Clive Lloyd Drive near the Russian Embassy turn in Georgetown. The accident occurred at around 04:00h.

Reports are that both Best and Bentley were travelling in an easterly direction. It was alleged that Bentley, who was at the time cycling along Clive Lloyd Drive in Georgetown to meet a group of cyclists, suddenly appeared in front of Best’s vehicle.

Best had claimed that he applied brakes but the right side of the front of his vehicle collided with Bentley, who was knocked onto the roadway. Investigators found that Best was driving under

Jude Bentley

the influence of alcohol.

After the accident, Best was taken into custody but later complained of feeling unwell. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted. He was also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol; this charge is still pending before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Stabroek Market vendors decry lack of security measures amid Christmas rush

Stalls on the outskirts of Stabroek Market

does sleep in here and then go home Saturday night. I does got to pay somebody to watch here cause I keep load for people,” she expressed.

Apart from the lack of security, there is also the issue of accumulated garbage and poor sanitation. During the visit on Monday, it was evident that some roadside sellers are also blocking the entrance into the stalls, resulting in loss of revenue.

he absence of security mechanisms at the Stabroek Market and its environs has been labelled as the most serious concern for vendors as shopping in the area rapidly picks up for the Christmas season.

Guyana Times visited the area on Monday, where many complaints were raised about the state of affairs at the marketplace, especially for stallholders who were relocated from the wharf.

At that time, there was no City Constabulary presence to monitor activities or protect persons from the frequent petty crimes.

Speaking with this publication, one seamstress, who requested anonymity, shared that there were several small robberies on Monday, whereby a handyman and other sellers were relieved of their earnings.

She said there is an absolute need for stronger measures by the Mayor and City Council, to ensure that Guyanese can conduct their Christmas shopping in a safe environment.

“We don’t have no proper security. This morning, some people get robbed out there. The boys that fetching the cart, they robbed them too. We have no safety here. We have to frighten when doing business…

“We don’t have proper system for people coming in and buy. They have people selling on the road and blocking the entrance.

Nobody is coming in and the place is very filthy. Nobody is on our side,” she complained.

Guyana Times contacted Mayor Ubraj Narine for a comment on the matter. He refused to comment but noted that the Council had sent out a press release on their plans for the holiday.

A notice issued by Clerk of Markets, Sherlock Lovell had stated that from December 10 to December 16, the markets would be opened from 07:00h to 17:00h. From December 17 to December 23, it would be opened from 07:00 to 18:00h.

On Christmas Eve, markets would be opened from 07:00h to 20:00h.

T

There are also complaints of garbage build-up

We would like to know that they have constables walking around during the day and even police,” the woman shared.

During this period, many persons are using the opportunity to make purchases and get the best deals for the holidays. It is customary for the crowds to increase in number, leading up to Christmas Day. In previous years, there was an exacerbation of robberies during this time.

Meanwhile, another vendor stated that she has been forced to sleep in her stall five days a week in order to protect her goods. It is a situation which she would like to see improve through proper security mechanisms to protect stalls and valuables.

“There is no security when the night come.

From Monday to Friday, I

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

Regional

US, EU say they do not recognise Venezuela’s parliamentary vote

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he United States, the European Union, and more than a dozen Latin American countries said on Monday they would not recognise the results of a parliamentary election in Venezuela, which saw allies of President Nicolás Maduro win a majority.

Just 31 per cent of 20 million eligible voters participated in Sunday’s election, the electoral council said early on Monday, less than half the turnout rate in the previous congressional elections in 2015. The Opposition had boycotted the vote, calling it a farce meant to consolidate a dictatorship.

The results nonetheless return the congress to Maduro’s control, despite an economy in tatters, an aggressive US sanctions programme, and a mass migration exodus. An alliance of parties called the Great Patriotic Pole that backs Maduro won 68.9 per cent

An alliance of parties called the Great Patriotic Pole that backs Maduro won 68.9 per cent of the votes cast

of the votes cast, according to figures published on Monday.

“The United States, along with numerous other democracies around the world, condemns this charade which failed to meet any minimum standard of credibility,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday.

The EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said the election “failed to comply with the minimum internation-

al standards”, while a group of Latin American countries, including Brazil and Colombia, issued a statement saying the vote “lacks legality and legitimacy”.

Earlier in the year, the Supreme Court had put several Opposition parties in the hands of politicians expelled from those same parties for alleged links to Maduro – one of the major reasons the Opposition had called the vote a sham.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

São Paulo sets 1st date in Latin America to start vaccinations

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razil’s most populous and affluent state will start vaccinating its 46 million residents against COVID-19 on January 25, in the first concrete announcement of its kind in Latin America.

Shots of the Chinese developed CoronaVac will first be given to healthcare professionals, people over 60 years old and the Indigenous population, Governor Joao Doria said at a press conference on Monday. The priority groups, which make up about nine million people, will start getting the shots on January 25 – the anniversary of the state’s cap-

ital city — with the second dose coming on February 15.

Vaccinations of the elderly population will go until late March, with dates varying depending on age.

São Paulo, which recorded the first case of the virus in Latin America and has been the epicentre of the pandemic in Brazil, is leading the region when it comes to obtaining a vaccine. The local government closed an agreement with China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd to import ready-made vaccines and produce more locally in partnership with Instituto Butantan.

In the rest of the coun-

try, a national immunisation plan is in the final stages of preparation, Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello said last week. The first batches of AstraZeneca Plc’s shot should begin to arrive in January or February, he said.

While the São Paulo Government has said the shot is safe and effective, results from a phase 3 trial are still not ready. State health officials expect to file paperwork with the nation’s health regulator Anvisa by December 15, later than the initial timeline of the first week of December. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Persad-Bissessar retains leadership of UNC

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ncumbent United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla PersadBissessar on Sunday night claimed victory in the UNC’s internal polls, saying there was a clear trend that her Star slate was going to win when the official results come in.

Her leadership challenger Vasant Bharath conceded shortly after she spoke saying, "Members of United National Congress have voted in the National Executive election, and the Lotus Team accepts their decision. We congratulate the Star Team of candidates, led by incumbent Mrs Kamla PersadBissessar, and wish them all success during their term of office.

“We offer to be of assistance in the urgent and extensive exercise of rebuilding and renewing the UNC. “ Bharath, however, strongly slammed a number of irregularities which he claimed occurred in the election.

UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar shows her finger after voting

Persad-Bissessar spoke around 21:30h Monday night when the majority of votes coming in from polling stations around T&T showed her slate was ahead of Bharath's Team Lotus slate.

UNC election management team Chairman Ramesh Persad-Maharaj told Guardian Media the trend was that the Star slate was the winner.

Persad-Maharaj declared the first position for the Star slate around 19:30h.

Star candidate Bheemal Ramlogan won the post of Tobago regional coordinator with 13 votes.

Lotus team contestant for the same post, Barrington Thomas, polled two votes.

Approximately 120,000 voters were eligible to vote at the 78 polling stations located in T&T’s 41 constituencies.

Persad-Bissesar said her team would be monitoring proceedings until the wee hours of Monday, "But the trend is very, very clear that the Star team will win this election – a trend....but we must await the official final results from many of the stations.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

ECLAC improving supply of medical products in LAC T

he Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on Monday convened a dialogue between the health, industry, and science and technology sectors in the Region with the aim of preventing interruptions in medical product supplies during future health emergencies.

“The scarcity of medical products can cause disruptions in health care and put health and life at risk,” said PAHO Director, Dr Carissa Etienne.

“That's why it's a priority for health, science and technology, and industry to work together to ensure

equitable access to medicines and other essential technologies not only in peacetime, but also during future emergencies,” the Dominica-born PAHO Director said.

ECLAC Executive Director Alicia Bárcena, said that “the health industry is a strategic sector and we are challenged to combine its social objectives of meeting the health needs of the population with its regional economic development possibilities”.

“Integrated health, science and technology, and industrial policies guided by this challenge and mission, and under a public-private partnership, are essential to this,” she added.

The two organisations said the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated structural weaknesses in health systems in the Region and the basis for rethinking development, as well as the vulnerability of global supply chains, with import restrictions and insufficient availability of medical products and health technologies to meet large increases in demand.

In addition, the Region has a health manufacturing industry which, with some exceptions, is not well developed and has low levels of technological sophistication, leading to high dependence on external products. (Excerpt from CMC)

Bermuda issues tougher COVID-19 rules

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he Bermuda Government ordered bars and clubs to close at midnight on Saturday under tougher regulations aimed at combating a continuing surge in COVID-19 cases.

The two-hour cut to opening hours came after Saturday’s latest batch of 1062 test results included 10 new confirmed cases.

According to health officials, there has been an increase of 66 cases in the past 22 days with local transmissions mushrooming. In addition, two people are in hospital with one in intensive care.

Last week, the Government announced new fines, starting at US$500 – for people who fail to wear face masks as required, with double the fine on the cards for repeat offenders.

Plainclothes Police Officers are to be deployed to check that businesses are complying with COVID-19 regulations.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes

Health Minister Kim Wilson

said it was one of the steps being taken as part of a “proportionate” response to make sure rules are followed.

“Again, this is about compliance. It’s not about tricking people, it’s not about tripping people up,” he said.

Bars and clubs will also not be allowed to reopen before 08:00h.

Sale of alcohol between midnight and 08:00h, except drinks delivered to guests in their hotel rooms,

has also been banned.

“With the increase in locally-transmitted cases of COVID-19, we felt it prudent to amend the regulations to minimise the time where people may be socialising together inside of a closed space,” said Health Minister Kim Wilson.

“Also, as we all know, increased alcohol consumption can lead to poor judgment calls and slips in protective health measures.”

(Excerpt from CMC)

T&T man charged with sexual assault on girls 6, 13

A

San Juan man was expected to appear before a Port of Spain Magistrate on Monday after he was charged with assaulting a six-year-old girl and her 13-year-old cousin last Thursday.

A Police media release on Monday said the Child Protection Unit (CPU) arrested the 33-year-old man on Thursday after the 13-year-old girl reported that the man, whom they did not know, had attacked both her and her cousin.

The girl told Police that her cousin had awakened

her and asked if she knew the man, who was standing in the doorway of their house.

The man then covered her face with a towel and assaulted her in front of her cousin.

Police investigated and

arrested the man, whom the girls identified.

He was charged with one count of sexual penetration of a minor and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil falls amid surging virus cases and US-China tensions

O

il prices fell around 1 per cent on Monday as surging coronavirus cases and heightened tensions between the United States and China undermined the positive impact from an OPEC+ deal on production.

Brent crude fell 46 cents, or 0.9 per cent, to settle at US$48.79 a barrel. US crude fell 50 cents, or 1.1 per cent, to settle at US$45.76 a barrel.

Prices came under pressure after Reuters exclusively reported that the United States was preparing to impose sanctions on at least a dozen Chinese officials over their alleged role in Beijing’s disqualification of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.

Rising tensions between the United States and China, the world’s top oil consumers, have weighed repeatedly on the market in recent years.

China, the world’s top crude oil importer, has helped support crude prices this year. In the first 11 months of the year, China imported a total of 503.92 million tonnes, or 10.98 million bpd, up 9.5 per cent from a year earlier.

The country’s November oil imports rose from the prior month, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

Globally, a surge in coronavirus cases has forced a series of renewed lockdowns, including strict measures in the US state of California and in Germany and South Korea.

US gasoline consumption fell during the Thanksgiving holiday week to the lowest in more than 20 years, OPIS said, as fewer Americans travelled during the pandemic.

Both oil contracts gained around 2 per cent last week after OPEC+, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, agreed to increase output slightly from January but continue the bulk of existing supply curbs.

“They’re remaining a bit stingy, in terms of supplies during the peak northern hemisphere winter,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC in New York.

Capital Economics, an economic research company, said in a report it expects OPEC+ output will rise by less than the new agreement allows because of compensatory cuts and weak first-quarter demand.

Following OPEC+’s deal, Morgan Stanley increased its longterm Brent price forecast to US$47.50 a barrel from US$45 and revised up its long-term WTI price forecast to US$45 a barrel from US$42.50.

Elsewhere, Iran has instructed its Oil Ministry to prepare installations for the production and sale of crude oil at full capacity within three months, state media said on Sunday.

“Adding to the pressure on oil prices is the potential Iranian increase to production in three months,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA. “Iran is optimistic the U.S. will ease restrictions if they return back to the 2015 nuclear deal.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

UK, EU leaders to meet face-to-face to try to seal Brexit trade deal

B

ritish and EU leaders will meet face-toface to try to seal a post-Brexit trade deal after failing again to narrow their differences on Monday, increasing the chance of a disorderly parting of ways at the end of the month.

With just over three weeks before Britain completes its journey out of the bloc, a senior UK Government source said there was “every chance we are not going to get there” and EU officials said, if anything, negotiations had gone backwards.

Since Britain left the European Union in January, the two sides have been stuck over three issues,

Brussels to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the timing of which has yet to be confirmed, in what some say will be a last roll of the dice to secure a trade deal.

(NPCSC), the top decision-making body of the Chinese legislature.

The action was widely seen as part of an effort by outgoing President Donald Trump to cement his toughon-China legacy and also box President-elect Joe Biden, before he takes office on Jan 20, into hardline positions on Beijing at a time of bipartisan anti-China sentiment in Congress.

The Trump Administration earlier slapped sanctions on

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the Asian financial hub’s current and former Police Chiefs and other top officials in August for what it said was their role in curtailing freedoms in a crackdown on the territory’s pro-democracy movement.

Hong Kong’s Beijingbacked Government last month expelled four opposition members from its legislature after China’s Parliament gave city authorities new powers to curb dis-

sent. The move triggered mass resignations by pro-democracy opposition lawmakers in the former British colony.

The sanctions prohibit the 14 individuals and their immediate members from travelling to the United States. Any assets the officials might have within the United States will be blocked and US individuals and companies will be banned from dealing with them. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The British Union Jack and European flags fly in front city hall, in Sangatte, France, March 13, 2019

US slaps sanctions on 14 Chinese officials over Hong Kong crackdown

T

he United States on Monday imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over their alleged role in Beijing’s disqualification last month of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.

The move, which was first reported by Reuters overnight and sent Asian stock markets lower, targeted the vice chairpersons of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee

Ethiopia scorns guerrilla war fears, UN team shot at in Tigray

E

thiopia’s Government denied on Monday that northern forces whom its troops have fought for a month would be able to mount a guerrilla insurgency, while diplomats said a United Nations team was shot at while trying to visit a refugee camp.

Coronavirus test kits run out in Gaza as “collapse” fears grow

H

ealth officials said Monday that they could no longer carry out coronavirus tests in the Gaza Strip because of a lack of kits amid a spike in cases in the besieged Palestinian territory.

The Health Ministry called for urgent action “to provide the necessary equipment” to screen the population for the virus.

The only laboratory in the territory able to analyse COVID-19 test samples had ceased its work “due to a lack of equipment”, the Ministry said in a statement.

“We haven’t received any of the testing materials for the last four days,” said Ameed Mushtaha, director of the lab.

He said the Health Ministry asked the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations, and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately send medical supplies to Gaza.

But the PA, which rules the Palestinian territories in the West Bank, is suffering from its own shortage of tests and has also turned to the WHO for more.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has warned that the Gaza Strip’s health system could collapse if the number of cases continues to rise.

raising the prospect of what many businesses say is their nightmare scenario - no agreement to govern around $1 trillion in annual trade.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to

But he is not expected to time his trip to coincide with an EU summit on Thursday and Friday.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said negotiators face a Wednesday deadline, ahead of the summit, to prevent a “nodeal” scenario when the UK leaves the EU’s orbit on Dec 31, which would hit both sides’ economies and compound the pain of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leaders of the 27 EU member states have agreed to step up contingency planning for the effects of a “nodeal” on their economies when they meet for the summit. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A Palestinian health worker puts the body of a coronavirus victim in an ambulance in the northern Gaza Strip [Mohammed Salem/Reuters]

The PA will receive COVID-19 vaccines from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX). Gaza will get a share of those, but it is not yet known when.

In mid-August, Gaza recorded only about 100 coronavirus cases, but the past two weeks have seen a steep deterioration in containment.

Hamas on Thursday announced a lockdown on weekends lasting from December 11 to the end of the month. It also closed schools, universities, kindergartens and mosques. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Federal troops have seized the regional capital Mekelle from the former local ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and declared an end to their month-long offensive.

But TPLF leaders say they are fighting back on various fronts around Mekelle. Ethiopia experts fear a drawn-out insurgency with a destabilising impact around east Africa.

“The criminal clique pushed a patently false narrative that its fighters and supporters are battle-hardened and well-armed, posing the risk of protracted insurgency in the rugged mountains of Tigray,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in a statement.

“It also claimed that it has

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during a media conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 29, 2018

managed to undertake strategic retreat with all its capability and regional government apparatus intact.

The reality is the criminal clique is thoroughly defeat-

ed and in disarray, with insignificant capability to mount a protracted insurgency.”

A UN security team seeking to access Shimelba refugee camp, one of four for Eritrean refugees in Tigray, was blocked and fired at on Sunday, two diplomatic sources said.

The sources declined to give more details, saying the full circumstances were unclear. There was no immediate comment from the Government or the TPLF. In New York, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters he was aware of the reports about a team being shot at, but “for a variety of reasons I’d rather not comment at this point”.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

WHO against mandatory coronavirus vaccines

T

he World Health Organisation has said that persuading people on the merits of a COVID-19 vaccine would be far better than trying to make the jabs mandatory and said it would be down to individual countries as to how they want to conduct their vaccination campaigns.

Indonesia has received its first shipment of coronavirus vaccine from China with over a million doses, with

another 1.8 million expected to be sent next month.

And in the UK, the first doses of the Pfizer/ BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are set to be administered today.

Meanwhile, millions of people across California prepare for strict restrictions within hours as the US state records more than 30,000 cases in a day.

Globally, COVID-19 deaths have surpassed 1.5 million with more than 67

million infections.

The World Health Organisation does not foresee countries making it mandatory for citizens to take the new COVID-19 vaccines which have been developed, an official said.

“I don’t think we envisage any countries creating a mandate for vaccinations, ” Kate O’Brien, WHO’s Director of Immunisation Vaccines and Biologicals, told a news conference.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Liberate your mind, take action and make your dream come true. Stop thinking and start putting your plans in motion. Join forces with someone you love.

Embrace what’s going TAURUS on, and turn chaos into or(April 20der. Consider what you are May 20) aiming to achieve, and don’t stop until you reach your objective. Turn any negative you face into a positive.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Learn from the experiences you have endured, and you will stumble across a better way to handle similar matters. Question motives, ask questions and rely on facts.

Add value to your home, or make an investment that will encourage you to use your skills. Personal growth and physical improvement will lead to positive results.

Romance is on the rise.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Learn all you can before you commit to someone or something. Expect underlying problems to surface.

Back away if you feel pressured. Taking a risk will leave you in a precarious position.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Distance yourself from people who are a terrible influence. Put your time and effort into self-improvement and honing your skills.

Personal growth will lead to better relationships.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Associate with people who have something to offer, who make you think and who provide mental stimulation. Refuse to let negativity take over or push you in a confusing direction.

SCORPIO

Stick to familiar people, places and projects, and offer a unique spin that will lead to new trends and possibilities. Take expert advice and find new ways to use it to your advantage. Set the pace.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Create a designated workout room, creative corner or comfortable place to kick back with someone you love. Your effort will make a difference to your emotional well-being.

Keep your emotions under control and your mind on what you are trying to achieve, and bring about the changes that will help you reach your objective.

Show compassion and understanding.

If you want to make a change, update your resume to suit the current job market. Be bold, and discuss your ideas and concerns. Don’t take a risk with your health.

Ask what you can do for others, not what others can do for you. Refuse to get entangled in a situation that is divisive or misleading. Stick to the facts and do your best.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

21

South Africa v England: ODI series called off after COVID-19 tests E

ngland's tour of South Africa has been abandoned after a number of positive coronavirus tests.

A South Africa player and two members of hotel staff tested positive while England say two members of their party returned "unconfirmed positive tests".

A three-match T20 series was completed, but a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series has been postponed.

A statement said the tour was called off to "ensure the mental and physical health and welfare of players".

England are still waiting for ratification of their positive tests, with the two people affected scheduled to be tested again on Monday.

The results will not come before today at the earliest, and the tourists will not leave South Africa before they have been received.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) said they would look to reschedule the ODIs, which form part of the International Cricket

Council (ICC) Super League.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: "We have always maintained that the welfare of our players and management is paramount.

"We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments might have on the well-being of the touring party, and so after consultation with Cricket South Africa, we have jointly made the decision to postpone the remaining matches in this series, in the best interest of the players' welfare."

Acting CSA chief executive Kugandrie Govender said: "The concern over the mental health impact of recent events on all involved is not one that we as CSA or the ECB take lightly, and the decision to postpone the tour is the most responsible and reasonable course of action for us."

England also released a statement rejecting any suggestion that their use of nets at Newlands in Cape Town was a factor in the outbreak, saying their decision to practise in the nets came as a result of "unacceptable"

Kibiwott Kandie smashes half marathon world record in Valencia

K

enya's Kibiwott Kandie has set a new world record for the half marathon in a race where the top four finishers all beat the previous record in Valencia.

Kandie took 29 seconds off the mark, set by compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in Copenhagen last year, to complete the 13.1 miles in 57 minutes 32 seconds.

The 24-year-old won by five seconds from Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo.

Rhonex Kipruto was third, 17 seconds down, with fellow Kenyan Alexander Mutiso fourth at 27 seconds back.

In the women's race, Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba won by 21 seconds with a time of 1:05:18, with Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui second and Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia third.

On Sunday, World Athletics also amended its rules to allow prototype shoes to be used again in races except those in the Olympics or World Athletics series.

In January, athletics' world governing body had ruled that any new shoe technology developed after April 30 would have to be available on the open market for four months before anyone can use it in competition.

There is a ban on any shoes that have a sole thicker than 40 millimetres (mm) .

Kandie was using Adidas shoes that have 39mm of foam.

His record is the latest in a run of world records in recent months, which have mainly been broken by athletes wearing Nike shoes.

Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei smashed the men's 10,000m world record and Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey set a new benchmark in the women's 5000m in Valencia in October.

Britain's Mo Farah and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands broke the men's and women's one-hour records respectively in Brussels in September. (BBC News)

facilities.

England used the nets on Thursday, the day before Friday's first ODI, which was called off after a South Africa player tested positive for coronavirus.

The nets are next to a building site at the Kelvin Road End of the ground and were not designated for use during the series.

"On arrival at Newlands on December 3, we advised the venue the three nets provided on the main pitch were not of a standard for conducive practice," read an England statement.

"We requested with Cricket South Africa we would like to use the practice nets and that we would create a security cordon to ensure the players and coaches could enter the facility safely, as done previously on November 28.

"This was confirmed by England's security team, the team operations manager and the team doctor. We were satisfied with this outcome and we were able to practise in the net facility safely."

From positive tests to abandoned tour – how it all unfolded

As of Monday morning, the two unnamed members of the England party who tested positive for COVID-19 were self-isolating in their rooms at their hotel in Cape Town.

Whereas there was a time on Sunday when all players and staff were in isolation, those with negative tests were allowed to use the open spaces of the hotel's grounds on Monday.

The hotel forms part of the 'bubble' in which the series was being held, with players only leaving to train and play.

All three matches in the

T20 series were unaffected, despite two South Africa players testing positive for coronavirus and another two being placed in isolation.

However, Friday's first ODI was postponed when it emerged an unnamed South Africa player had returned a positive test, with Sunday's game called off after the hotel staff tested positive.

Later on Sunday, England announced two members of their touring party had given positive tests.

At the time, England said a decision on the rest of the matches in the series would be taken after the positive tests had been independent-

ly ratified.

However, Monday's game was cancelled on Sunday, and the tour was abandoned on Monday.

This was England's first overseas trip since their tour of Sri Lanka was cut short in March because of the spread of the pandemic.

England were able to fulfil their entire home summer schedule by playing matches in a bio-secure environment at grounds in Manchester and Southampton.

They are due to tour Sri Lanka and India in the new year, with the squad for Sri Lanka departing the United Kingdom on January 2.

(BBC Sport)

All proceeds go towards...

This is the third year that the Orphanage has benefited from support though the efforts of the golfing community and current President of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), Pur Persaud expressed his feelings to Director Finlayson saying "we definitely have to do more activities like this and I am glad that Aleem continues to push to get this done and I will continue to support his efforts. But at the end of the day, the real hero is you who works every day to take

care of these kids."

Hussain lauded the immediate response from entities such as Maraiko Bay Resorts, Hits & Jams 98.1 Real Radio, the Guyana Critic, Toolsie Persaud, Assuria General, New Trend Auto, AR Printery, Banks DIH, Crown Mining, the Shafura Hussain Foundation, and Panko Steel who helped to bring it into reality in a very short time.

The Guyana Golf Association, under Hussain's leadership, has been active

FROM PAGE 22

Coaches Avinash Persaud and Dr Joaan Deo share a light moment with Director of the Orphanage, Kenneth Finlayson

The coaches with their students after a game of golf

in creating events to promote the sport and assist worthy causes. The current location in the heart of Georgetown lends to the ability to pull off well-attended events and many more are planned for the near future.

Being able to provide food and beverages along with golf in an open air, COVID-19 compliant manner has given the Academy a great opportunity to promote the game to new players and that was evident by the wide spectrum of people who attended.

Information on how you can learn the game or host an event at the Nexgen Golf Academy is available on its Facebook page or by calling 645-0944.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

Roach, Dowrich miss 2nd WI v NZ Test

…Da Silva added to WI squad

T

h e Cricket W e s t Indies (CWI) Selection Panel has advised that fast bowler Kemar Roach and wicket-keeper-batsman Shane Dowrich are unavailable for the second and final Test match against New Zealand.

Both players Kemar Roach will return home — Roach on account of the death of his father and Dowrich for personal reasons.

Additionally, left-hander Shimron Hetmyer is still under concussion protocol following the blow to his head sustained in the second T20 International, while all-rounder Keemo Paul is still being treated for a groin injury. They are both being closely Joshua Da Silva monitored by the team's medical staff, and decisions on their availability will be made at a later date.

The Selection Panel has called up young wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva as a replacement for Dowrich while middle-order

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h

batsman Nkrumah Bonner and left-arm fast bowler Preston McSween will remain with the squad as cover.

The second Test will be played at the historic Basin Reserve in Wellington, starting on Friday (Thursday, 6pm Eastern Caribbean Time/5pm Jamaica Time). West Indies trail 0-1 after New Zealand won the first match by an innings and 134 runs.

WI SQUAD FOR 2nd TEST Jason Holder (Captain) Roston Chase (Vice Captain) Jermaine Blackwood Kraigg Brathwaite Darren Bravo Shamarh Brooks John Campbell Rahkeem Cornwall Joshua DaSilva

Shannon Gabriel Shimron Hetmyer Chemar Holder Alzarri Joseph Keemo Paul Standby: Nkrumah Bonner, Preston McSween

NexGen hosts successful Curry Q…

All proceeds go towards Enmore Orphanage Christmas Party

W

hen faces light up, all lights dim in comparison and that was evident from the look of sheer joy on the faces of the children from the Enmore Orphanage at Sunday's Curry-Q hosted by the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy.

The successful event saw several hundreds of Guyana's top businesspersons, expats and members of the diplomatic corps expressing their support for the Enmore Orphanage by enjoying a day of relaxation, food, fun, and golf in the heart of Georgetown.

The Curry-Q was proposed by Ramesh Dookhoo and Christopher Ram, and Aleem Hussain of Nexgen Golf Academy quickly ad-

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Property Mexico's Ambassador to Guyana, José Omar Hurtado Conteras and members of the Enmore Orphanage

compliant event to relax, learn to play golf absolutely for free all day, and support a worthy cause.

Director of the Orphanage, Kenneth

Avinash Persaud coaches one of the children

opted the idea to host it at the Academy on Woolford Avenue. Persons were able to experience different types of curries and also had the opportunity to participate in a COVID-19-restrictions

CLASSIFIED ADS

Finlayson summed it up in brief remarks: "We wish to thank everyone and especially Mr Hussain, for all you did on Sunday for our children. The children really enjoyed the golf experience and

the meals that were provided when they got home. God bless you all for caring for the less fortunate children."

Prime Minister Phillips was unable to personally attend owing to a last-minute schedule conflict, but expressed his gratitude and support for the activity that he felt was important, especially at this time of the year.

Mexico's Ambassador to Guyana, José Omar Hurtado Conteras, who attended with his family and benefited from golf lessons with Avinash Persaud, Guyana’s 10-time national champion, said: "This is one of the most important things we can do for the less fortunate children, give them the opportunity to be treated as a family and open our hearts to them. I am grateful to my good friend Aleem who allowed myself and family to

be part of this event."

Hussain said: "The tireless efforts by a dedicated team who worked together was the reason this

DIH Special Events Team, members of the Queenstown Mosque, Andrew Ramcharitar and Ramsey Ali, Scouts Association of

for

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SPIRITUALITY

The children enjoying the game of golf

event was a success and they are the ones who really deserve the thanks – Rudy Ramalingum, Michelle Codrington, Al Junior Wilson, Nadia Kalika, Ashley Chu, Philip Haynes, Niketa Ashby, Reaz, Richard, Vicky, Banks

Guyana, Steve Mohitram and family, Panco and staff, Coretta McDonald and the Executive of Guyana Teachers Union, Yogindra Arjune and Team Assuria, and golf coaches Avinash Persaud and Joaan Deo." CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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23

Hero CPL wins for “Best Use of Social Media” at International Sports Awards

T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has won the award for “Best Use of Social Media” from the prestigious International

Sports Convention (ISC) at the annual International Sports Awards for the league’s social media and content strategy during 2020.

The tournament took place between August 18 and September 10, 2020, and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic it was played behind closed doors. Because of this, the use of social media to keep fans engaged was more important than ever. CPL achieved great results, with over one million new followers added and over 300 million social media video views achieved during the tournament period alone.

From the time that the lockdowns started earlier in 2020, Hero CPL worked tirelessly to keep fans entertained. From broadcasting archive matches with new commentary from the likes of Tom Moody and Ian Bishop, to arranging for the player draft to be done remotely with a world-class punditry panel, keeping fans entertained and engaged was at the centre of

the tournament’s thinking.

During the tournament itself, live CPL games were broadcast into 77 countries on Facebook and YouTube as well as sending out highlights clips worldwide. The tournament also worked with broadcast partners Sunset+Vine to create fun

and engaging content so fans could learn what it was like inside the tournament’s bio-secure bubble.

Hero CPL also launched the “Life Stories” films on the tournament’s social media channels. These beautifully-made films focused on the lives of up-and-coming

Caribbean cricketers and won plaudits from around the world.

Hero CPL has also started sharing content on a number of new social media channels such as TikTok, Twitch, Triller and Instagram Reels.

(Sportsmax)

Sanasie confident players can Matarkai Sports Council extends bounce back from pandemic logo competition deadline

L

ike many other sports in Guyana, cricket has begun a slow but steady restart amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), for the past few months, was keen on keeping some activity going and did so through virtual training programmes. However, nothing compares to the real on-field action.

As such, GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie, speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport shared just how much of a toll the COVID-19 pandemic took on local cricket and plans of the GCB going forward.

“COVID-19 has affected almost everything throughout the world and Guyana, and Cricket West Indies has been no exception. However, I should say where our actual tournaments are concerned, the only tournament we were not able to run off this year was the Boys’ U-19 three days and 50-over version,” Sanasie shared.

The GCB Secretary went on to add that some of the most adverse effects of the pandemic came in the loss of revenue from regional and international tournaments and the hindrance to training programmes.

While sharing that there have been cuts throughout the system, like the GCB re-

M

Guyana Cricket Board Secretary Anand Sanasie

ducing staff to alleviate the pressure of cutting salaries, Sanasie revealed how the players were affected financially.

“One of the effects too is not being able to have recontracted the customary academy players that we would contract. And the actual contract players had to take a cut in their salaries.

We hope in January we can go back to normal,” he stated.

While admitting concern about the fitness of some players, Sanasie also expressed his confidence in their ability to bounce back convincingly.

“What I’ve noticed is that the physical fitness of the players has not been up to par and this may very well not have been under the supervision of the coaching

and the strength and conditioning. Luckily, we have restarted training at the LBI, so physical training is ongoing, they’re currently using the indoor facility and the outfield at LBI.” He went on to assert his confidence saying, “The players are professional athletes. They are coming up to par very fast. The Coaches are now running some tests to ascertain the level of fitness and then they would have a short time to get back up to where they should be.”

The first tournament that the GCB is hosting since the restart is the Tropical Springs Over-40 T20, which will be followed

by GCB/Hand In Hand Under-19 Inter-County Three-Day and One-Day 50 Overs Tournaments.

atarkai Sports Council (MSC) is asking all artists, including novices, to submit logos that meet the criteria listed as the logo competition deadline is now extended to Wednesday, December 9, 2020.

The MSC expressed gratitude for its sponsors’ generosity in providing the following prizes: 1st prize: $25,000 + trophy 2nd prize: $15,000 + trophy 3rd prize: $10,000 + trophy The cash prize for first place was donated by International Imports and Supply while the trophy was contributed by Fran Store and Variety. The second-place cash prize was contributed by Sunshine Lady Enterprise and the trophy was contributed by Fine Man Workshop, while the cash prize for third place and trophy were donated by Brian Thomas.

Special thanks were also extended to Andre Gamell, Harry Barber Shop, Melanie Leung De Oliveira, Eon Phillips, Delon Spare Parts And Mining Equipment, the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and Five

One of the prizes

Sisters Hotel.

Criteria for MSC Logo Competition: 1. The competition is open for submission of a logo artwork generally.

2. The Guyana Coat of Arms must be included in the submission.

3. The name of the Council must be included in the submission.

4. All the areas of the Council (sport disciples) must be represented in the submission.

The artist’s name and

telephone number must be included when submitting logos.

Logos must be submitted to Matarkai Sports Council electronically.

Please WhatsApp all logos with the first name, surname and telephone number of the artist to MSC Secretary Linden Green on 603-5369. All logos will be published on December 10 through December 12 on MSC’s page where members of the public will vote for logos.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 23

Sanasie confident players can bounce back from pandemic Pg 23

Hero CPL wins for “Best Use of Social Media” at International Sports Awards NexGen hosts successful Curry Q…

All proceeds go towards Enmore Orphanage Christmas Party

Sponsors of the event and members of the Enmore Orphanage

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