Guyana Times - Tuesday November 16, 2021

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Issue No. 4833

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

President Ali discusses modernisation of Guyana’s health care with NY’s Mount Sinai See story on page 2

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana-Brazil crossing now open for travel Mondays to P15 Fridays

Van WestP8 Charles wins $10M defamation judgement against Kaieteur News

President Dr Irfaan Ali and team meeting with officials of New York-based Mount Sinai Health System on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC)

2016 Audit Report

Engineer admits to PAC he falsely certified works in fear of losing job under ...says was sent on 52 days’ leave after APNU/AFC initially refusing to sign documents

See story on page 3

Lowest rate of Govt mulls serious crimes in procuring 10 years – Crime COVID-19 pills Chief …highest cocaine seizure over same period — no deaths recorded, 55 new cases detected Guyana has 8.5GW of hydropower potential in 33 plants – LCDS 2030 ...2nd plant to be identified by 2025 See story on page 11

See story on page 7

Page 2

De Clou siblings admitted to local Bar P14

Police issue wanted bulletin for murder P7 suspect

Berbice teen allegedly raped while returning from shop P15 Man chopped during P15 argument over women

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali discusses modernisation of Guyana’s health care with NY’s Mount Sinai

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali met with an executive team from the renowned New York-based Mount Sinai Health System on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown .

The Head of State was joined by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.

Discussions centred the modernisation of Guyana’s healthcare system.

The visiting delegation included Mount Sinai international President Szabolcs Dorotovics, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs

President Dr Irfaan Ali greets a visiting delegation from Mount Sinai international including its President Szabolcs Dorotovics, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs Richard Amiraian, Executive Vice President Arthur A Klein, and Manager Amar Dhanraj

Richard Amiraian, Executive Vice President Arthur A Klein, and Manager Amar Dhanraj.

After the meeting, Dr Klein said that healthcare would be key as Guyana continues to develop.

“One of the most sophisticated investments the country needs to make in its people is healthcare and we are here to work with the President in defining a plan in development of more sophisticated healthcare, also healthcare access improvement. What we can do not only in Georgetown but in the rest of the country.”

The Executive VP noted

that both parties were enthusiastic about the collaboration.

“I think we all walked away with the President’s enthusiasm with working with us. I think he walked away with our enthusiasm with working with him and we both walked away with the

sense that there is a lot of work to do.”

In NY, the hospital network is structured around eight hospital campuses and includes more than 6600 primary and specialty care physicians and 13 ambulatory surgical centres.

Guyana has 8.5GW of hydropower potential in 33 plants – LCDS 2030 ...2nd plant to be identified by 2025

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant

T

he Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 states that Guyana has 8.5 gigawatts of hydropower potential from 33 hydropower plants.

From this lot, the 165 MW Amaila Falls Hydropower plant will be built, as it has been identified as the best option to begin Guyana’s energy transition.

Building on Amaila, the PPP/C Government will seek to build a second largescale plant. This will be identified by 2025, and will be purposed to provide more than double the capacity Amaila will provide.

Hydropower plant #2, LCDS 2030 states, should provide 370 megawatts of capacity by 2035, and another 150 MW by 2040.

The PPP/C Government is positioning hydropower to serve as the most significant renewable contributor to Guyana’s clean energy transition.

The Government sees hydro as uniquely positioned to provide a cheaper solution than any other technology, due to its long average lifespan of 100 years.

It is projected that 67 per cent of Guyana’s capacity will

come from renewable sources by 2035.

The comprehensive diverse energy mix will provide cleaner energy at a globally competitive cost, reducing the cost of living and making Guyana a more attractive investment destination.

Natural gas will power Guyana’s economic revolution in the short to medium-term, through the gas-to-energy project, while investments into renewables will build traction.

However, over the medium- to long-term, the Government’s vision is for hydropower and other renewable energy options - solar, wind and biomass to take over.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said, “The world has come to the realisation because the pace of renewable is not keeping pace with the demand, that the introduction of renewable is not keeping pace with the growth of energy demand, that you need a transitional fuel, which is the gas - using gas to generate power because gas reduces the emissions by 50 per cent from burning, say, bunker c”.

Government expects the gas-to-energy project to last for some 25 years.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Nov 16 – 02:30h – 04:00h and 13:30h – 15:00h and Wednesday, Nov 17 – 03:00h – 04:30h and 13:30h – 15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Nov 16 – 14:40h – 16:10h and Wednesday, Nov 17 – 15:05h – 16:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

2016 Audit Report

Engineer admits to PAC he falsely certified works in fear of losing job under APNU/AFC

...says was sent on 52 days’ leave after initially refusing to sign documents

Winds: West North-Westerly to North NorthWesterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 14:45h reaching a maximum height of 2.52 metres.

Low Tide: 08:20h and 20:42h reaching minimum heights of 0.77 metre and 0.68 metre.

PAC member Gail Teixeira

S SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

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FREE TICKET

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 DAILY MILLIONS

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hocking revelations were made during Monday’s sitting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), as one accounting officer admitted he signed off on documents falsely certifying works as complete, in fear of losing his job under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) regime.

Monday’s PAC sitting dealt with matters raised in the Auditor General’s 2016 Report about the Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) regional administration. From a budget of $248.2 million that was allocated for maintenance of buildings and infrastructure in the region, cases of overpayments on various contracts were flagged.

The engineer, who would have served in 2016, Latchman Singh, was present during the PAC meeting. He admitted that the works department did not conduct site visits as they should have, to verify the works.

Despite this, Singh signed off on the documents certifying the works as complete. According to him, however, he signed those documents under duress.

And he blamed the Regional Executive Officer (REO) at the time. The REO in 2016 was Rafael Downes, who was ultimately fired from his post in 2017.

“The payments were generated based on instructions from the REO at the time…

I don’t have any documentation. But Mr Chairman, I have a documented letter that I wrote to the REO to say that I am signing these documents under duress.

Because I’m not having an opportunity to travel,” he said “The first time I refused to sign a voucher without

visiting and verifying… because it was not truthful and factual. I was sent on 52 days of leave. After returning from lunch one day, I was called to the admin office and handed a letter saying I have to proceed on 52 days annual leave,” Singh said.

While acting PAC Chairman Ganesh Mahipaul expressed doubt at what was relayed by the engineer, PAC member Gail Teixeira reminded Mahipaul that all the officers are legally bound to tell the truth.

She therefore noted that the engineer should be given the benefit of the doubt at the present time and asked to provide the letter.

More drama would follow when PAC member Juretha Fernandes was given the floor and remonstrated with the officer.

“I have a difficulty with the way in which this discussion is progressing.

When someone is employed, they have job description.

It is unacceptable for someone to come before this committee and say they signed a document because they were forced to sign a docu-

Engineer Latchman Singh

ment.”

“Nobody could force you to do something illegal and you go ahead and do it,” Fernandes said, prompting Teixeira to interject by asking “Really?” At this point Mahipaul threatened to have the mikes of those on the virtual platform muted unless they are about to make a presentation.

Among the buildings where work was done was the Kato Guest House and the Administration Building

Acting PAC Chairman Ganesh Mahipaul

for Kato. Additionally, work was done to upgrade the Kato playfield, although there were overpayments totalling $150,000 in this case.

There was even a contract for repairs to a revetment at Kawa creek, in the sum of $1.4 million. But despite the full sum being paid to the contractor in 2016, no work was started at the time of the report and the sum was not recovered.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Behavioural change

O

ne of the best ways by which individuals can be empowered is by an appropriate education and creation of empowerment programmes to enable equitable opportunities for upward mobility for every citizen, yet disadvantaged women and youths proliferate not only in Guyana but in the Caribbean and further afield as well.

Societies in general are veering away from male domination in workplaces, and Government and the Private Sector are determined to provide equal opportunities for employees – regardless of gender.

The issue of women and their role in development has always been a topic of interest, and debates have centred around the challenges women face in getting access to the same opportunities as men, and, in a general sense, programmes and policies that could be implemented to ensure their economic and social advancement.

Women, over the years, have made tremendous progress not only in terms of their own advancement but by playing key roles in the development of their own communities, and, by extension, allowing other women opportunities to develop themselves. However, many challenges remain, and these must be tackled to ensure that women have access to the opportunities and resources needed to allow them to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

However, women – the child-bearers and primary childcarers – are disadvantaged by domestic responsibilities; and many men abdicate their responsibilities in parenting and being equal partners in the home.

There is a dire need for men to create behavioural change in their domestic and child-rearing engagements: the accrued benefits to the entire family would be manifold; and the satisfaction and happiness of family togetherness would redound to the well-being of everyone, not least the children. If they grow up in an environment of caring and sharing, most likely they would become rounded adults, and incidents of juvenile delinquency would be reduced. Most of the ills in society are caused by delinquent fathers and spouses.

Despite many attempts by successive Governments to empower/educate women and youths in diverse ways, there are still great numbers of women with leadership skills and business acumen who are constrained by diverse circumstances from optimising their potential for wealth and job creation.

Some years ago, under the Administration of then President Bharrat Jagdeo, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), launched the “Women of Worth” (WoW) loan programme, which helped single-parent women start and/or expand their businesses. This initiative was driven by then subject Minister Priya Manickchand.

Through initiatives like WoW, Government, in partnership with institutions like GBTI, has proven that providing enabling mechanisms can make a tangible impact on the lives of vulnerable women and, consequently, their children.

By removing financial obstacles, the partnership with GBTI helped women realise their true potential through building businesses. Through the WoW initiative, women used their acumen to grow local communities, build wealth, and ultimately contribute to making Guyana better as a whole.

Before their advent into politics in then British Guiana, local women were treated as less by the colonial overlords.

Women could not work in the Public Service after marriage, and they certainly could not vote, among a multiplicity of human/women’s rights constraints.

Over the years, intrepid women fought for equality, and after much struggle and countless engagements at various fora, women were permitted greater freedoms in the sociopolitical dynamics of the nation. Today, women proliferate in leadership roles in every sphere of activity in the nation.

One of the most pressing needs for working mothers is the provision of safe childcare facilities in communities and workplaces. There are innumerable retired nurses and teachers who would certainly happily accept employment in such facilities.

The President Irfaan Ali Administration is off to a great start in addressing pressing social issues, and, hopefully, projects slated to empower women in the society are yet to unfold.

Ongoing works on the Eccles to Mandela Avenue four-lane road. The deadline for completion of the project remains the end of 2021

Suicide should not be seen as a personal family misfortune, but as a societal problem

Dear Editor, “Every problem has a solution,” say many secondary school students. Some students note; “life is a gift of God that must be cherished,” and “life is wonderful.” Yet other students emphasise: “talk, talk, and talk about problems,” and “everyone has a purpose in life.” These represent a spectrum of views from students who constituted a sample survey on the suicide problem that afflicts Guyana. The project was conducted by NYGM with logistical support from the Ministry of Education.

The fleeting optimism that prevailed when the reported suicide rate declined (by about 21 per cent) between 2016 and 2020 partly in response to initiatives linked to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2015-2020, (NSPS), has dissipated as the para-suicide (attempt) rate has been moving aggressively in the opposite direction. While in 2012 the para-suicide rate was 2.5 times higher than the suicide rate (WHO), survey data for 2014 indicate that para-suicide had continued to increase at a rate of 6 times higher than that of suicides. The escalation of the para-suicide rate has continued to the present. The Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, reported at the recent “Mental Health and WellBeing” (MHWB) Conference that for every suicide case there are about 20 para-suicides. Guyana is still ranked among the top five countries in the world with one of the highest suicide rates.

Consistent with the WHO’s Mental Health Plan of 2013, which has suicide pre-

vention as an essential component (with the goal of reducing suicide by 10 per cent by 2020), Guyana produced the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, 2015-2020 after consultations with stakeholders, including health professionals, healthcare providers, and civil society. What role did empirical research findings play in the development of this strategy is not clear.

Neither were young people involved in the process of consultation. Notwithstanding, even the few reports on mental health and suicide that were prepared have not been acted upon, lamented Dr Harry Bhairo at the Guyana MHWB conference.

Given their first-hand knowledge of this problem, students could play a vital role in suicide prevention.

The NYGM survey of 111 students drawn from 7 secondary schools and comprising all ethnic groups with an average age of 15.4 years, illustrates an awareness and concern of the suicide problem among this constituency. For example, 38 students (34.2 per cent) reported that suicide victims were their friends; 14 (12.6 per cent) said the victims were their extended family members; while 5 (4.5 per cent) students indicated that the victims were villagers.

Students have been touched directly and indirectly by cases of suicide. They have, accordingly, recommended the introduction of special TV, radio, and recreational programmes to address the suicide problem as well as emphasised the need to identify risk factors and having the service of guidance counsel-

lors in each school.

Of the suicides committed by Indo-Guyanese 84.7 per cent are by Hindus while 15.3 per cent are by Muslims (Kay Shako: 2015). The Hindu rate is 2.7 times more than that of Muslims. No information is available for Christian Indo-Guyanese. An interesting question emerges. If IndoGuyanese Muslims and IndoGuyanese Hindus grow up in a similar cultural milieu and socialised in the same way, why is there this wide disparity in suicide rates between Hindus and Muslims?” Is it a question of differential access to counselling or better opportunities? Research is needed to study this phenomenon.

Another perplexing issue pops up. Guyana, which has an almost similar ethnic structure of population and cultural background as Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), has a suicide rate 2.3 times more than that country. Could this difference be explained by the factor of economic distress? For example, T&T has a per capita GDP that is 2 times more than that of Guyana? Or could the difference be explained in terms of the greater rate of urbanisation in T&T compared with Guyana? Urbanisation reduces the risks of suicide in Guyana. Or are there other forces at work?

While the NYGM survey was conducted a few years ago at the Anna Regina Multilateral School, the main results are applicable to existing social conditions. Updates to this survey have been made from information derived at subsequent workshops, interviews conducted with para-suicides, and content anal-

ysis of secondary source data, including newspaper articles/ letters.

Findings include: (i) the most common method used by both suicides and para-suicides are hanging and poison; (ii) the suicide rate among Indo Guyanese is 56 per 100,000 compared with 8 per 100,000 for AfroGuyanese.

Indo-Guyanese rate is 7 times more than Afro-Guyanese rate; (iii) suicides are committed mostly by rural residents, they are under 40 years, are mostly males (except that in cases of para-suicides, most are females), are pre-dominantly (80 per cent) Indo-Guyanese, are of working class (irrespective of ethnicity) with low educational background; (iv) suicide and para-suicide is either planned or spontaneous; (v) mental illness (bipolar disorder) is linked to many suicides (quantitative data not available); (vi) blocking the easy access to poison and other lethal weapon reduces suicide: (vii) precipitatory (contributory) factors include hopelessness (anomie), loss of status, poor health, rejection, alcohol and drug abuse, isolation, low self-esteem, and a genetic connection; (viii) most students (85.4 per cent) are optimistic that suicides and para-suicides are preventable with timely intervention and counselling.

Suicide should not be considered as a personal family misfortune but as a societal problem that cries out for greater understanding and humane action.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

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Can’t have the cake and eat it too: The post-2017 cost audit

Dear Editor, I’ve noted with much amusement and perplexity the rather fatuous obsession by certain sections of the media with the post2017 cost audit. In fact, the bombardment has become a media frenzy that has blown out of proportion and has now become a political football. Even those utterly oblivious to the process and the industry in its eternity have now become leading critics.

The main contention that seems to be at play is the delay by the Government in auditing the post-2017 cost recovery audit. While I fully agree that this is a critical exercise and must be judiciously and objectively executed, I beg to differ on the

urgency of the exercise.

First, this Government has the oil companies on a short leash for those who are not aware. That is, we dictate, and they follow.

While of course we now have to deal with a burdensome PSA because of the APNU/AFC Government, this Government is putting things in place to ensure that Guyana gets its fair share of wealth from the oil and gas industry.

Amongst others, local content backed by legislation is critical.

Somewhere around February of this year the President and the VP and several senior Cabinet members launched the revised draft Local Content Policy document for public consultation. Thereon, lo-

cal content has remained on the front burner for the many stakeholders, especially the Private Sector.

The general consensus is that local content is critical for national development and will play a crucial role in stimulating local business activities. However, one of the likely shortfalls is our lack of capacity to fully benefit from these opportunities.

Having recognised this looming impediment, the Government is pushing aggressively to bring the policy to finalisation and have in place a legislation that would ensure enforceability. In tandem with this legislative agenda, plans are also afoot to execute a mass training programme and attract some of the

most talented to our shore in a bid to fill the imminent supply void of skilled labourers.

The post-2017 local content audit is a prime example of how this Government intends to treat local content. Critically, in order to build local capacity in this area, our locals must partake, even in collaboration with external firms. Hence, currently local firms are in the process of partnering with foreign companies to commence the post-2017 cost audit. Not only will Guyanese rest assured that our own in-country experts are joining the battle to ensure that we get our fair share of the pie, but a few years from now our own financial experts would be more than capable to do

Wrong impression conveyed

Dear Editor, I refer to an article captioned, ‘Guyana begins to import fish, shrimp’ and skillfully connects this with Exxon’s operations. The article made a comparison with the first 6 months of

2019, 2020 and 2021 and concluded that for the past 2 years fish and shrimp production has been declining.

The Bank of Guyana Mid-Year Report 2021 states as follows: ‘The fishing industry recorded mixed

GECOM needs all unblemished characters

Dear Editor, Like many persons in the diaspora, I have been watching the race for Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO) and Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) from New York. I would like to register my unwavering support for Pandit Deodat Persaud, who I believe is the best candidate for either of the two roles. He is qualified, experienced, and most of all—unblemished, with no political history or

being tainted by either of the two major political parties—something essential to leading the GECOM. Going forward, GECOM needs all the unblemished characters and untainted people in the world to move it forward, hence Deodat Persaud can be that person that can truly restore the organisation to some sort of dignity it lost during the fracas of March-August 2020.

Sincerely, Leon Suseran

output performance, resulting in a smaller contraction of 6.6 percent compared to the 12.1 percent recorded in June 2020. Prawns’ production increased significantly by 42.4 percent, which resulted from greater efficiency in the operation of prawn vessel operators. However, there was a decline in catches of fish and shrimp by 22.1 percent and 11.8 percent, respectively, due to a reduction in the operation of fishing vessels.’ It is clear that the contraction of the fishing industry in 2021 is smaller than in 2020, indicating an improvement. But the article failed to mention this.

In addition, the Report specifically stated that ‘the de-

cline in catches of fish and shrimp was due to the reduction in the operation of fishing vessels. This was completely ignored in the article.

The BoG Reports have clearly indicated that the Sector was grossly mismanaged by the Coalition, namely, by an incompetent Minister of Agriculture and his equally incompetent Government. The Agriculture Sector is now under the most competent Agriculture Minister ever and the improved progress in the Sector will undoubtedly continue. Let’s await the Year-End Report.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

the job in its entirety. This is an accomplishment that we as Guyanese should all be proud of.

In this age of information, ignorance is a choice. Just recently, a leading figure in the opposition political camp has self-promoted himself to the stature of lead ignoramus by claiming that (based on his own calculations) “Guyana could have recouped approximately US$1.1 billion (GYD235.2 billion) from the audit of the oil giant’s expenses in the prolific oil concession” (KN, Nov 9, 2021).

Unfortunately, these ill-informed types of comments have become the norm from members sitting in the opposition camp. It is downright preposterous to speculate, even before the commencement of the process, Guyana could have earned US$1.1 billion.

These types of comments reveal the kind of intellectually shallow individuals that are vying for supremacy. However, inter alia, I think part of the issue surrounds relevance. Oil and gas is presumably the most discussed topic in Guyana, and the media seem to be infatuated with the indus-

try. Therefore, any negative comment quickly gets blown out of proportion and pontificate upon at length.

Those who are familiar with the audit system know it’s almost impossible to speculate with absolute certainty the outcome of an audit before the completion of the process. Second, there must be credible evidence that there is a breach in the accounting system, followed by a successful litigation process before the disputed amounts could be withdrawn from the cost bank.

Until such, any comment on the actual amount of cost that could be deducted is mere wild speculation.

Even if we managed to slash US$1.1 billion from the cost back for some reason, that doesn’t mean we (as in Guyana) are entitled to the equivalent amount.

The main advantage of reducing cost would be seen in a reduced payback period, and higher profit sharing. To suggest that the entire amount would go to Guyana is grossly incorrect.

Sincerely, Mark Sammy

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

T

Estimating Products

o estimate products, begin by rounding. Then multiply the two rounded numbers.

50, just multiply 6 x 5 = 30.

After you have done that, restore all the zeros

Set in box 42 Example: Estimate 62 x 48 Step 1: Round 62 downward to 60 and round 48 upward to 50.

Step 2: Multiply 60 x 50 When multiplying tow numbers that both end in zero, start by ignoring the final zeros. To multiply 70 x

that you ignored to the right side of the product. 60 x 50 = 3000.

Set in box Remember: When you round both numbers downward, you know your estimate is less than the ac-

W

rite a letter to the candy company suggesting ways to make its products healthier.

tual product. If you round both numbers upward, your estimate will be more than the actual product.

Exercises 1) 18 x 1 2) 48 x 1000 3) 175 x 4 4)

450 x 1 5) 14 x 9

6) 250 x 125

Materials: Piece of string, about 6 inches (kite string works great) A pencil or popsicle stick A paper clip (or large plastic bead) 1 cup of water 2 cups of sugar A glass jar (mason jars works good) Instructions: Tie one end of the string to the middle of the popsicle stick or pencil.

Tie the other end around bead or paper clip.

Next, lay the popsicle stick or pencil across the top of a jar so that the string hangs down the middle of the jar. You want to make sure that it is not touching the bottom of the jar, but you do want it close. Also make sure that it is not touching the sides of the jar either. If it hangs down too far, just roll the string around the pencil a few times to shorten the string. The string will act as a seed for the crystal. Now that the string and pencil are ready remove them from the jar and set them aside.

This next part requires hot water so please get an adult’s help.

Pour the water into a pan and bring it to boil.

Add 1/4 cup of sugar to the boiling water, stir it until it dissolves.

Repeat this step until all of the sugar has been dissolved. This will take time and patience and it will take longer for the sugar to dissolve each time. Be sure you don’t give up too soon. You are making a “supersaturated solution!”

Have your adult helper carefully pour the hot sugar solution into the jar and fill it almost all of the way to the top. Go ahead and put your pencil or popsicle back on top and lower the bead or paperclip back inside of the jar, just like you practised before.

Allow the jar to cool and put it someplace where it will not be disturbed.

Next comes the waiting part. Check on it every day to see the crystals start to grow, but be very careful not to disturb it. The longer you wait, the bigger it will get. You can also place a coffee filter or paper towel over the jar so nothing falls in.

How it works: When you mixed the water and sugar you made a super saturated solution. This means that the water could only hold the sugar if both were very hot. As the water cools the sugar “comes out” of the solution back into sugar crystals on your string. The string and paper clip act as a “seed” that they start to grow on.

With some luck and patience, you will have a tasty scientific treat!

Enjoy!

WORD SEARCH

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lowest rate of serious crimes Police issue wanted in 10 years – Crime Chief …highest cocaine seizure over same period

T

he year 2021 has seen a successful reduction in serious crimes committed, standing at the lowest figure recorded over a 10-year period.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum revealed during a press conference by the Guyana Police Force on Monday that 1700 serious crimes were committed for the year. It was recorded as the lowest, with the highest being 4204 in 2013.

During this period, the lowest number of robbery murders was recorded, with the highest being recorded in 2019. There were five execution murders, 72 disorderly, 18 domestic and 14 unknown. The murder rate, he noted, is also the third lowest. Current clear-up rate for murders is 68 per cent.

When compared to 2020, there was a 19.4 per cent decrease in serious crimes this year, moving from 2109 to 1700. A breakdown showed murders decreasing by 10.5 per cent, from 133 to 119.

Robbery under arms also decreased by 29.8 per cent; larceny from person by 56.6 per cent; burglary by 36.4 per cent; break and enter and larceny by 17.2 per cent; and robbery with other instruments used by 56.6 per cent.

On the other hand, there was a rise in robbery under violence by 8.1 per cent; while rape cases increased by 55.8 per cent. There were no cases of kidnapping.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum

As it relates to robberies, 638 were committed for the year. This is also the lowest figure in 10 years, with the highest being 1531 in 2013.

For the month of August, 200 serious crimes were committed – the highest for 2021. It has been on the decline since then and for November thus far, 20 have been reported. statistics show that 153 robberies were committed on the streets, 100 at homes and 70 at business establishments.

From 2012 to 2021, 272 persons died as a result of gun-related crimes.

Recently, a proposal was submitted to the National Security Council to have a Gun Court established

in Guyana to bring down gun-related crimes.

The Crime Chief expressed concerns over youths involved in serious offences, noting that law enforcement cannot be blamed for issues which stemmed at the family level.

“We have a number of persons and these are young persons committing serious crimes. We’re speaking of murders and other serious offences. This is something that we need to address urgently. We cannot continue to lock up persons, hoping that this is going to be a solution to solve crime or to prevent crime.”

Blanhum indicated that youths are influenced by social media and “hardened” criminals, introducing them to the life of crime. However, the Force is devising plans to ensure that young persons do not come into contact with the justice system or land themselves in prison.

Narcotics and seizures

For 2021, the highest cocaine seizure was recorded, standing at 536.3 kilograms. The lowest was 2018 at 11.1 kilograms.

Through narcotics interdiction efforts, 1693 kilograms of cocaine and 34 grams of cannabis were seized at the Eugene F Correia International Airport. Some 112 fields of cannabis plants were de-

stroyed, spanning 93.5 acres. The trend of trafficking cocaine through aircraft has continued.

As it relates to firearms, 65 were taken out of circulation when compared to 136 in 2020. An analysis showed 45 per cent originated from Brazil, followed by 34 per cent from the United States.

Within the course of one year, the prison population has moved from 1667 to 1907 inmates. Blanhum said this is a reflection of more persons being prosecuted for crimes committed.

Challenges

Challenges faced by the Force in conducting their duties include repeat offenders getting bail, ranks colluding with criminals, inadequate investigators, poor quality surveillance footage and dismissed cases due to Police absence.

However, the implementation of their current strategy, which includes full company of the CCTV centre on a 24-hour system and recordings have been successfully used to prosecute criminals.

Enhancements in intelligence gathering, sting operations and the deployment of resources based on spatial analyses have proved useful. Roadblocks, choke point controls, anticrime patrols, policing groups and auxiliary forces are also supporting the GPF. (G12)

bulletin for murder suspect

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for Genelson Alves Olivera for questioning in connection with the murder of Gilson Carlos da Cruz Carvahlo who was stabbed to death during an argument over gold at Central Baramita, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).

Olivera, 36, is a Brazilian whose last known address is Baramita, North West District (NWD).

It was reported that the victim and the suspect were involved in a gold-mining operation at the GuyanaVenezuela border, and whilst working there, they had had a misunderstanding over a quantity of raw gold.

This had resulted in frequent threats being made to each other, but the matter was not reported to the Police.

However, on October 21, 2021, the victim and the suspect were consuming alcohol in the vicinity of the Johnny Phillips’ Hotel at Central Baramita, NWD, when an argument broke out between them. During that argument, the 35-year-old suspect, who is also a Brazilian,

Wanted: Genelson Alves Olivera

whipped out a knife from his pants waist and dealt the victim several stabs to his chest and ribs area, before dropping the murder weapon and making good his escape.

The victim was taken to the Baramita Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a medex.

His body has been taken to the Port Kaituma Mortuary to await a post-mortem.

A report was made to the Baramita Police Station, and the alleged murder weapon was recovered at the scene. Olivera has since fled the scene and remains in hiding.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Van West-Charles wins $10M defamation judgement against Kaieteur News

F

ormer Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Richard Van West-Charles has been awarded $10 million in damages after High Court Judge Navindra Singh recently found that he was defamed in several articles published

by Kaieteur News.

On August 5, 2019, WestCharles, through his lawyer Rexford Jackson, filed a Statement of Claim, claiming damages for defamation against Kaieteur News and the newspaper’s publisher Glenn Lall. The publications in question are articles carried by the newspaper on January 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, and 22, 2019. They were followed by articles published on February 2 and March 27, 2019.

The articles were in relation to Atlantic Fuels Incorporated (AFI) which West-Charles owns. In court documents, West-Charles argued that the publications meant and were understood to mean that he is involved in criminal conduct, including under-invoicing of fuel purchases to evade taxes, smuggling of fuel, corruptly obtained a fuel licence, and unfit to hold public office.

He submitted that the publications were false and caused significant harm and injury to his reputation and lowered his standing in Guyana and the international community and brought him into public odium. On January 8, 2019, his lawyer had written to

Richard Van West-Charles

the newspaper informing that the article was libellous. Notwithstanding, the newspapers published more articles.

Kaieteur News, through its lawyer Shaunella Glen, pleaded the defences of justification and fair comment.

During the trial, Lall testified the necessary investigations as responsible journalism dictates, were carried out before the stories were published.

In his ruling, Justice Singh noted that the particular justification linking West-Charles to fuel smuggling as pleaded by the newspapers in its defence is “nonsensical and does not even pretend to justify the article”. He said the articles intended to convey that the businessman was involved in criminal activities to defraud Guyana of revenue

through under-invoicing and tax evasion.

The High Court Judge was keen to point out that Kaieteur News failed to provide any evidence that WestCharles or his company submitted a falsified invoice to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

“The court finds that the publications clearly attacked [West-Charles’] character, labelling him as a dishonest person that engages in fraudulent or criminal practices and in highlighting that he was a senior Government official implied that he was not fit to be a public officer,” Justice Singh held.

He, therefore, ruled that the publications are defamatory and would tend to lower the standing of WestCharles in society in the estimation of right-thinking members of society and bring his business into disrepute.

According to Justice Singh, the nature of the libel was bound to cause him distress, hurt, and humiliation.

He added that the publications were disseminated via the internet which has the widest distribution while noting that it is a well-established fact that materials published on the internet are available for public consumption for eternity.

Justice Singh noted that the newspapers did not even apologise or express any regret over the publications and persisted with the publications despite being in-

Fighting in the clinch…

Y Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

formed by West-Charles’ lawyer that the content of the articles was false.

“This demonstrates a reckless disregard for the harm that false reporting can cause and a stout refusal by [Kaieteur News] to engage in ethical and fair reporting and rather seem prepared to publish scandalous articles to boost the sale of the newspapers,” the Judge underscored.

In the circumstances, the High Court further awarded interest on the $10 million judgement at the rate of six per cent per annum from August 5, 2019, to November 5, 2021- the date the ruling was rendered and four per cent per annum thereafter until the sum is fully paid.

Costs were awarded against the newspaper in the sum of $1,650,000.

Agriculture Ministry condemns theft of winches from critical sluices in Region 3

R

egion Three’s regional officials have reported that on Saturday last, the winch that is used to open and close one of the sluices in the Nismes, West Bank Demerara (WBD) area, was stolen.

Subsequently, it was discovered that sometime between Sunday night and early Monday morning, another winch was stolen from another sluice located in the La Grange/Nismes area.

Given the location of the structures and the size and weight of the winches, officials have said that it is most likely that the person or persons carrying out these heinous acts gained access to the structures my means of the Demerara River when the tide is high.

Regional officials have since been working to acquire winches to replace the

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

ones that were stolen.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, after learning about the situation, is urging persons to desist from such acts. He noted that tampering with Government structures is a criminal offence and persons found deliberately tamper-

ing with any such structure will be made to face the full force of the law.

“It is quite alarming that this has occurred twice in three days. This is very serious and can easily have a very negative effect on the lives of farmers and residents in these and other

surrounding areas. We will be ramping up our surveillance operations at all of the structures in the region to try and ensure this does not occur again,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha also noted that the areas that are drained by these structures are now in a very vulnerable position should there be any heavy rainfall for an extended period given the fact that the structures cannot function until the winches are replaced.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been working with Region Three officials to remedy the situation as soon as possible.

Sluices are the main structures used to avert flooding in most of the coastal regions in Guyana.

…after PNC nominations our Eyewitness is a boxing buff…even with the steady deterioration of the heavyweight division!

Tyson Fury? Really? So, he looks at the fight for the PNC leadership playing out – and sees it in terms of a boxing match. And right now, we’re in the “weighin stage”. You know…where there’s a lot of trash talking, self-promotion and put-downs. Now don’t get confused that there’s supposedly three persons in the ring – this isn’t a tag team sport!! This prize fight – and what a prize it is!! – is between Joe Harmon and Aubrey Norton.

Your Eyewitness has been saying this from the beginning and he repeats it now –not to say “I told you so” – but because the fundamentals of the PNC party dynamics haven’t changed since Granger was made leader of the PNC in 2011. Whatever we may say about the PNC, we must appreciate that even though it was founded by a maximum leader, he was doing it at a time when the masses were being mobilised for the first time.

They needed to be LED! But it was always a MASS party at its core – with that core dominated by matriarchs from the African Guyanese community.

That Burnham was at its helm for TWENTY-EIGHT years (from 1957 to 1987) was fortuitous since it left a firm institutional memory as to what the party was all about when it came to leadership. And the essence of that relationship was that the leader must be seen as being in command through making strategic decisions for whatever challenges the party was facing at the time.

While some claim that Hoyte wasn’t “the grassroots” party type, he was at Burnham’s side after he entered the latter’s law firm since the early sixties. And he knew what was to be done strategically.

So, let’s look at the two contestants in the ring – Harmon and Norton. From all the endorsements he’s received, Norton appears to be an unstoppable force.

And mainly because he’s seen as the man of the hour who could CONFRONT and take down a PPP that’s firmly in control. But this was how Corbin was seen when he took over when Hoyte passed away in 2002. But eventually, he himself had to concede that his style and persona failed.

He then remade the PNC-as-APNU with a PNC-man-fromthe-outside (Granger) who did bring home the bacon!!

Now that the two heavyweights are locked in a clinch, expect a lot of inside fighting. But the winner will be the one who can convince the base that they have the strategy for the times.

And the capacity to execute it!! …and fighting dirty?

There’ve been some strange goings on from inside the PNC’s camp. And one of the strangest to your Eyewitness was the decision by Volda Lawrence not to contest for the leadership. Even if she didn’t want to do it for herself, she’s let down the (feminine) side by suggesting that – even as women seek to break through glass ceilings - they mightn’t have the necessary fire in their belly! Even toughas-nails Janet Jagan did this when back in 1999, some felt she wilted under pressure from Desmond Hoyte.

Another anomaly was the endorsement by the two Lindeners who’d been suspended by Granger – Sharma and Kissoon – of Richard Van West-Charles!! Now if they “had a grouse” against Harmon – who might be seen as a stalking horse for Granger – what about their fellow Lindener Norton?? Doesn’t being a “landsman” count anymore? Or is it that a prophet isn’t honoured in his own town?? But Norton did stand by them back in 2011 at the PNC Congress.

O tempora!! O mores!! …with contributions?

With the AML/CFT law, your Eyewitness does believe that the banks and money-transfer companies are overdoing the “letter of the law” – and ignoring the “spirit”.

Could Norton really launder money or finance terrorists with US$500?

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

9

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police called in over millions in payments to Parika supplier for phantom goods – no evidence of Tender Board approval or goods received, no charges laid

T

he Public Accounts Committee (PAC) heard on Monday that the Police had been summoned to the Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) regional administration, over payments that were made to a supplier despite no evidence of the goods being received or even Tender Board approval.

Back in 2016, the Audit Office of Guyana had found that a $2.4 million cheque from the Region Eight administration was cashed by a Parika supplier. But when the Auditor General checked, there was no evidence of a cheque number, the Regional Tender Board’s approval or even evidence of the items being delivered.

It had been recommend-

ed at the time that the matter be referred to the Guyana Police Force. Accountant General Jennifer Chapman explained to the PAC that the Police were indeed called in. However, despite what Chapman described as a total breach of the law, no one was ultimately charged.

“This particular matter, it was a total breach. One would assume based on the investigation of the Auditor General, there was collusion at the time. And this matter was put before the Guyana Police Force as well. But unfortunately, the person was not charged,” she explained.

Emile McGarrell was the Permanent Secretary for the then Ministry of Communities, while the

Former PS Emile McGarrell

Regional Executive Officer (REO) at the time for Region Eight was Rafael Downes.

The PAC heard from

McGarrell that officials like Downes, who wasn’t fired from his post until 2017, were kept on the job because their shoes were too big to be filled. McGarrell also cited public service rules and the fact that no one was charged.

“Until we have a matter where a person is brought before a court, the public service rules indicate that whoever the officers involved, they had to still remain in the system.

Administratively, we would have tried some way to manage their involvement.”

“But you cannot do anything until a determination is made by the Police. And that never came as it relates to this matter. But it was referred to the Guyana Police Force, on the advice of the Auditor General,” McGarrell said.

However, PAC member Gail Teixeira was incredulous at the claim being put forward by McGarrell, that competent staff were so hard to find. She noted that provisions could have even been made for staff in another region to be transferred on a

Accountant General Jennifer Chapman

temporary basis, to fill the void.

In his 2016 report, the Auditor General had highlighted that Cheque ?.

793752 dated July 29, 2016, for $2.432 million was encashed by a supplier residing in Parika. Included in this sum was an amount of $1.934 million in relation to field items purchased.

“However, the payment voucher bore no evidence of Accountant General’s examination, no cheque number,

no evidence of the items being entered into the Good Receive Book nor any evidence of Regional Tender Board approval. However, this voucher was passed for payment. In addition, audit checks revealed that the prices quoted per item on the Requisition to Purchase were higher than other suppliers the Regional Administration usually purchased from,” the Audit Report had said.

The Auditor General had also found that there were 60 payments totalling $33.6 million relating to purchases from the same supplier.

However, only 10 of these payment vouchers totalling $9.5 million were presented for audit examination.

“At the time of reporting in September 2017, the Audit Office was conducting further investigation into this matter; and c) Payment vouchers ?. 78A1887 and ?. 78A1888 amounting to $187,612 and $497,995 respectively bore no evidence of being examined by the Accountant General Department,” the report said.

NEWS

11

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt mulls procuring COVID-19 pills – no deaths recorded, 55 new cases detected

H

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said Government is examining whether it will be procuring any of the two anti-viral COVID-19 pills which have been recently developed.

Paxlovid, developed by Pfizer, and Molnupiravir,

by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, have proven to significantly reduce both hospitalisations and deaths.

“We’re looking at the pills. There are two right now that have recently been spoken about…

Both of these pills are yet to receive Emergency Use Authorisation by the FDA and the United States.

However, Molnupiravir have been granted Emergency Use Authorisation in the UK so we’re looking at how these pills have been licensed and ultimately to see whether or not we would be able to source some of these tablets to come to Guyana,” the Minister explained.

The Minister sought to explain that the pills work to interrupt the life cycle of the virus by hampering its replication. The enzymes can produce enough errors to render it incapable of infecting people.

“Both of these drugs, what we know is that you can use it for five days and it’s really giving it to people who would have been infected with COVID-19 and because of the risk factors that they have, we expect them to progress to get hospitalised and even get the worse form of COVID. If we analyse that risk and know that they’re going to progress, it is good to start them on these medications,” he added.

Nevertheless, the Minister reported that a total of 261,811 adults, or 51 per cent of the targeted adult population, have been fully vaccinated thus signalling that Guyana is inching towards herd immunity.

In addition to the percentage of people fully vaccinated, the Minster reported

that 391,521 adults or 76.3 per cent of the population, have received at least one COVID-19 dose.

On this note, he gave a breakdown of the vaccination exercise in each region.

Region One (BarimaWaini): 43.2 per cent Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam): 41.6 per cent Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara): 48.9 per cent Region Four (DemeraraMahaica): 58.5 per cent Region Five (MahaicaBerbice): 51.9 per cent Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne): 49.8 per cent Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni): 46.9 per cent Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni): 34.8 per cent Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo): 53.4 per cent Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice): 22.3 per cent

New cases

As of Monday, there were no increases in the country’s death toll, which is 959.

In one day, an additional 55 persons tested positive, leading confirmed cases to 36,872.

There are 15 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 56 in institutional isolation, 2244 in home isolation and 11 in institutional quarantine. Since the pandemic, 372,785 individuals were tested – of which 17,376 males and 19,496 females contracted the virus.

Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of new cases showed one for Region One (Barima-Waini); 11 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); 23 for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 13 for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and nine for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There were no increases for Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (MahaicaBerbice), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD NOVEMBER 15, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

55

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

56

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

2244 15

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

11

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

19,496

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

17,376

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

36,872

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

33,598

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

391,521

FULLY IMMUNISED

251,811

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

959

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1646

REGION 2

1508

REGION 3

4983

REGION 4

17,395

REGION 5

1357

REGION 6

2960

REGION 7

1770

REGION 8

613

REGION 9

2459

REGION 10

2181

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Wear a face mask.

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

There are 28 active cases in Region One, 90 in Region Two, 1014 in Region Three, 765 in Region Four, 69 in Region Five, 266 in Region Six, 34 in Region Seven, 21 in Region Eight, five in Region Nine and 120 in Region 10.

Latest adult vaccination statistics show 391,521 persons or 76.5 per cent first dose coverage; with 251,811 or 51 per cent second dose uptake.

In light of concerns about unvaccinated persons in the hinterland who wish to return to the coastland, the Minister said a team will be sent to vaccinate those persons in the respective village. He reminded that the

Ministry would have visited almost every community in Guyana to deliver vaccines but some persons had refused.

lem, we’re willing to send in a team to get people vaccinated,” he noted.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene.

“Unfortunately, when we visited some of these communities, people refused to be vaccinated. Nevertheless, if there is a particular prob-

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Anna Regina Secondary top CSEC student receives pre-med scholarship from TAU A

nna Regina Secondary School top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student, Kelly Sankar was on Monday presented with her scholarship from the Texila American University.

Due to her exceptional performance of achieving 16 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos, Sankar was granted a full tuition pre-medical scholarship by TAU to pursue studies for the Doctor of Medicine programme at the University.

Dean of the College of Medicine at TAU, Dr Dheeraj Bansal told Sankar

at a ceremony hosted at the university that her experience at the university will be like no other. He said that the university is very proud of the diversity of its student body.

“This kind of diversity is rare to be seen and it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about different cultures and to respect different cultures, this will help you develop as a global citizen because not everyone in the world has the opportunity to have such close interaction with different concepts and beliefs from different parts of the world,” Dr Bansal said.

He urged that during her time at the university she not only develop compassion for people in the profession but during the day-to-day life. He said that studying medical education is not only about studying all the time but it is also about the development of one’s personality to become a good person and that the programme at the TAU is designed to achieve this.

Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr Marcel Hutson, who presented the scholarship to Sankar said that the university has been instrumental in promoting the study of medicine

Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson presenting the scholarship award to Kelly Sankar

in Guyana. He said that it is incumbent on new students to keep a rich tradition alive by desiring to be the best doctor they can be.

He told Sankar that she can serve as a catalyst for change to draw more students of high quality and standard to the institution so that it will continue to grow and expand. Dr Hutson also urged her to remember to give back to her community when she is successful.

He thanked the university on behalf of Education Minister Priya

Dean of the College of Medicine at TAU, Dr Dheeraj Bansal

Manickchand and staff of the Ministry for awarding

the scholarship to the student.

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Licence Revenue Office Robust presence in shopping areas, choke points for Christmas season – GPF to be temporarily …as day and night patrols activated

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum

T

he Guyana Police Force is adopting a “no resources spared” campaign during the Christmas season to clamp down on the anticipated criminal activities which will surface, and thus protecting citizens as they conduct their business.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum outlined that the Force has a comprehensive plan for the holiday period, with heightened patrols, Police presence and investigative capacity.

The campaign, which commenced from November 15, will see the utilisation of real-time information from the Command Centre. The Police are planning to increase “visibility” at the Cheddi Jagan and Eugene F Correia International Airports. There will be day and night patrols and heightened attention to com-

mercial banks, busy shopping areas and night spots.

“We will expand our operational and investigative capacity to all the regions.

We will continue to have robust presence on the choke points, checkpoints and border locations,” said the Crime Chief.

During the Christmas holiday, there is a high risk of robberies, simple larceny, larceny against businesses and patrons, congestion and accidents especially in Georgetown. In light of this, the capital city has been divided into 15 sectors, where 24-hour vehicle patrols will be conducted.

Each sector will be commanded by an officer or inspector along with adequate ranks. Foot and bicycle patrols will be done between 08:00h to 18:00h daily.

Motorcycle patrols will start from 06:00h and conclude at 18:00h.

Giving a detailed presentation these plans, Regional Commander of Region Four A, Simon McBean related that foot patrols will be conducted in several highrisk streets in Central Georgetown, Stabroek Market, the minibus parks and the ferry stelling areas.

According to him, persons should be aware of their surroundings at all times and be mindful to not carry valuables which may attract criminals.

“Cell phones are one of the most prevalent things that are taken in our street crimes. Conceal your valu-

A Division Commander Simon McBean

ables such as cell phones. If you can shop in groups, that will help the situation. Plan your trip ahead. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or clothing that may draw attention to you,” McBean indicated.

For Georgetown, ranks will be stationed at several key areas of high traffic and business entities. Areas of concern for Georgetown are Regent Street, Robb Street, Camp Street, Water Street, Bourda Market, Stabroek Market, Lombard Street, Vlissengen Road, Homestretch Avenue, Main Street and Sheriff Street.

Traffic concerns around this time incude speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, double parking, lorries traversing during peak hours, and increase in vehicles within Georgetown.

As such, container

trucks are to operate within Georgetown between 22:00h and 05:00h. Businesses have been advised to offload containers at the terminals and then transport these goods using lorries to their respective locations.

Fixed points for Police presence on the East Bank of Demerara include the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Soesdyke Junction, Eccles traffic light, DSL traffic light and Gafoors entrance.

On the East Coast, it is Plaisance and Mon Repos Markets.

Over on the West Coast, traffic will be controlled at the Vreed-en-Hoop Junction; and for the West Bank of Demerara, it is Schoonord, the Harbour Bridge and La Grange. Tuchen, Parika Junction and Market are also fixed points on the East Bank of Essequibo.

For Berbice, Rose Hall and Central New Amsterdam have been identified; along with Anna Regina, Charity and Supenaam for Essequibo.

Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie has assured, “At each policing region, they are rolling out their Christmas policing posture.

Over the weekend, some would have already been roll out. So, countrywide, it covers each of the 10 regions and the 12 policing divisions…We will also be working with private security services”.

Canine patrol will also be activated at busy downtown areas.

relocated to Camp and Lamaha Streets

The Licence Revenue Operations office at Smyth and Princes Streets, Georgetown

T

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be moving its Licence Revenue Operations from Smyth and Princes Streets, Georgetown, to the GRA’s Parking Lot at Lamaha Railway Embankment, Camp and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown. Operations at this new location will take effect from November 29.

In order to facilitate the relocation, the office at Smyth Street will be closed on November 26 from 12 noon. This move is temporary and stems from the need to demolish the existing structure at that location. A new and modern facility will be constructed with more functional office space for the comfort of both staff and customers with optimised service.

The hours of operation at the Railway Embankment facility will be: Mondays to Thursdays from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm and Fridays from 7:00h to 14:30h. However, auto-dealers will be granted three half-hour slots daily to complete their transactions. The allotted times are: Mondays to Thursdays 7:00h to 7:30h, 11:30h to 12h, and 15:00h to 15:30h and Fridays 14:00h - 14:30h.

Services, which will be available at this location, are motor vehicle registration, change of registration, transfer of registration, motor vehicle examination, and motor vehicle licence. A drive-through system will be in place for persons whose only transaction is purchasing motor vehicle licence(s).

TURN TO PAGE 14

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

De Clou siblings admitted to local Bar T

wo siblings - Ama, 25, and Delonte De Clou, 23, were admitted to the local Bar on Monday at the Victoria Law Courts in Georgetown. For them, it was perseverance and team spirit that brought them to the end of five years of legal studies.

The studious duo is following in the footsteps of their mother, Gloria De Clou who is a practicing lawyer in Jamaica, and their aunt, Louise Blenman who sits as Justice of Appeal at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, officially accepted the petitions of Ama and her younger brother - both recent graduates of the Hugh Wooding Law School.

Their petition to practise law in and before the courts of Guyana was presented by Senior Counsel Rafiq Khan. Justice of Appeal Blenman joined the Bar call via Zoom.

Ama and Delonte completed their Bachelor of Laws at the University of Guyana (UG), passing with credit and distinction, respectively before enrolling at the Trinidad and Tobago-based law school.

Quoting an unknown author, the Chief Justice said, “Life is a journey; it is not where you end up but how you get there”. With this, she told the siblings that they

have come to the end of one part of life’s journey to becoming lawyers.

Justice George said to them that how they have reached this far is evident from their excellent academic performances which demonstrate their industry and commitment to excellence. To this end, she urged them to “let how” they got here be foremost in all their endeavours as attorneys-at-law.

While nothing that she believes there is a Blenman-De Clou dynasty in the making, the Chief Justice told the siblings that they are very fortunate to have an aunt who is a Justice of Appeal and a mother who is an excellent attorney-at-law.

In light of this, Justice George reminded the siblings that they have “big shoes” to follow and expressed that she does not doubt that they will live up to expectations given their pedigree, background, and obvious industry.

Justice George said she senses that the two young lawyers fully understand and appreciate the importance of the ethics of the legal profession. She explained to them that law is a noble profession that requires a higher standard of integrity.

“When you give your word to the court, your fellow counsel, or to your client, it must be your

Attorneys-at-Law Ama and Delonte De Clou

word,” she said to Delonte and his sister. She told them that mistakes will always be made since they are only humans, but what is important, she noted, is that they own up to their mistakes and try to correct them.

Justice George also urged them to always be frank with the court and their clients.

She added, “We expect that you will be respectful to the court, respectful to your colleagues, and very importantly respectful to your client whomever they may be.”

In closing, Justice George urged them to contribute to the region’s jurisprudence.

For the De Clou siblings, it was perseverance and faith that led to them successfully making it through law school. Although they credited each other for their success, they also acknowledged the continuous support of their parents, relatives, and friends to whom they said they are forever indebted.

They also chronicled their journey to the Bar during which they highlighted many of their ups and downs. Ama and Delonte, nevertheless, expressed that they are overjoyed to become members of the Bar and vowed to uphold the high standards of the legal profession and the rule of law.

Licence Revenue Office to be... ANSA Motors Guyana launches Hyster and Yale brands FROM PAGE 13

All registration and examination services at this facility will be rendered by appointment. This includes hire cars in corporate yellow and minibuses to be registered in “G” series.

Requests for appointments can be facilitated through an online mailbox lroappointments@gra. gov.gy or WhatsApp on 655-0806 during the aforementioned business hours.

Upon receipt of a request, a confirmation notice will be sent.

Persons visiting this location to lodge documents for motor vehicle registration purposes must also present the said vehicle(s) on the date of the appointment. In the case of motor vehicle transfer transactions, both parties must be present for the processing of the said transaction.

Customers will access the facility from Camp Street, using the inner lane of the eastern carriageway that flows south towards Lamaha Street. The first

gate, near to the northern side of the facility will be used for entry, while the other gate further south will be the exit point.

GRA wishes to remind taxpayers that the COVID-19 Emergency Measures published in the Official Gazette are in effect, and encourages all to comply with them. This includes the wearing of face masks at all times, sanitising of hands, and practicing social distancing.

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NSA Motors Guyana on Thursday last launched the Hyster and Yale brands at the Ansa Motors Showroom located at Beterverwagting, East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

The representatives of ANSA Motors Guyana affirmed at the launch event that their goal with the Hyster and Yale forklift brands is to promote growth and expansion of many industries, in the commercial and industrial sectors in Guyana.

From ports to large warehouses, the Hyster and Yale brands intend to help customers and stakeholders move their equipment to the next level.

ANSA McAL Guyana Country Head, Beverley Harper welcomed guests to the ANSA Motors’ showroom and Hyster and Yale launch event where she stated that “Four years ago, ANSA Motors Guyana was launched with the Suzuki dealership, since adding Fuzo and Freightliner trucks, and now completing the portfolio with the Hyster Yale brands.

“ANSA Motors’ intention is to partner and support businesses and clients that require lift truck equipment from the newly launched Hyster and Yale product lines offered under the ANSA Motors Umbrella.”

ANSA Motors Guyana Operations Manager, Sajid Ali-Baksh briefly spoke to the hard work and dedication of the ANSA Motors team to launch the highly anticipated Hyster and Yale brands. “We look forward to

The Hyster and Yale brands

meeting the needs of customers who are eager to advance their lift truck fleets as Guyana’s fast-paced development is increasingly requiring improved technologies and equipment,” AliBaksh asserted.

A representative of the brand, Rishi Basdeo expressed what the market can expect with specific reference to the Hyster lift trucks.

“With lifting capacities ranging from 2000 to 115,000 pounds, Hyster lift trucks combine award-winning designs, industrial-strength components, and high-tech manufacturing to deliver versatile and dependable solutions,” Basdeo stated.

Director of ANSA Motors, Alexander Sabga stated that “ANSA Motors Trinidad has been responsible for supporting both its local and re-

gional clientele with sales, rental, and service of the wide range of Hyster Yale products for decades and we will continue to enlarge our regional footprint through the launch of the Hyster Yale brand in our ANSA Motors Guyana branch.”

Further, he conveyed, “The dealership in Guyana will strengthen our presence in the country and help to solve many of the local material handling issues.

Whether it be at the port or the warehouses, our experienced sales and service staff will be there serving and assisting in any way possible.”

With the Hyster and Yale brands added to their growing product lines, ANSA Motors Guyana looks forward to serving and assisting the Guyanese business community and the industrial sector moving forward.

15 3-vehicle smash-up Guyana-Brazil crossing now open for travel leaves 1 injured Mondays to Fridays F NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ifty-seven-year-old Deolall Mohan of Lot 80 Blankenburg Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, was injured following an accident involving three vehicles along the main access road on Saturday evening.

Police stated that on the day in question at about 20:45h, a motor car bearing registration number PRR 3572, driven by Rakesh

Nandalall, 42, was proceeding along the Blankenburg Public Road at a fast rate of speed when it collided with the left side front of Mohan’s car, PLL 3626.

As a result of the collision, Mohan collided with motor pick-up GTT 5608, which was parked facing west on the northern side of the road.

After the accident, Mohan was taken out of his vehicle in a conscious state by pub-

lic-spirited persons and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where he was seen and examined for the injuries received to his head.

He was later admitted at a private hospital for observation. A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of motor car PRR 3572 but there were no signs of alcohol in his system. Investigations are continuing.

Man chopped during argument over women

J

ohn Mark Nascimento, 46, of Kilmarnock Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was on Sunday evening chopped during an argument over women at Cromarty Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Police stated that on the day in question at about 23:30h, the victim was reportedly at a popular shop in the area imbibing with two women but later left and was heading home when he was confronted by the suspect. This led to an argument between them over the two women.

As a result, the suspect, who was armed with a cutlass, dealt Nascimento

several chops about his body, causing him to receive injuries to his neck, hand and head after which he made good his escape.

The victim then made his way to the Whim Police Station where he made a report and was escorted to the Port Mourant Public Hospital.

At the hospital, he

was treated and later transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he is currently admitted as a patient in a stable condition.

Checks were made for the suspect but he has not yet been arrested.

Investigations into the chopping incident are underway.

Berbice teen allegedly raped While returning from shop

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29-year-old man is presently in Police custody for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl on Saturday in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Police stated that on the day in question at about 10:50h, the victim left home and went to make a pur-

chase at a nearby shop.

However, as she was on her way home, the suspect attacked her from behind, pulled her into a clump of bushes and forcibly committed the act.

As a result, the victim started to scream during which a male passer-by

raised an alarm which caused the victim to escape.

The victim was seen and examined medically by a doctor while the suspect was contacted, told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested and placed in custody pending further investigation.

Jury empanelled to try accused in 2007 murder of gold dealer

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n Monday, a jury was empanelled

by Justice Jo Ann Barlow to try Neville Chandrawattie called “Sunil”, who is accused of the 2007 murder of gold and diamond dealer Dharam Chanmangra.

He is alleged to have murdered the man on April 21, 2007, in Essequibo during the course/furtherance of a robbery. Upon Chandrawattie’s arraignment at the Demerara High Court, he pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is being represented by lawyer Siand Dhurjon.

State Counsel Cecilia Corbin is leading the case for the prosecution.

Media reports are that on the day in question, gunmen carried out a robbery

Murder accused: Neville Chandrawattie

at El Dorado Trading at Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini). During the ordeal, Chanmangra was shot and killed.

It was reported that the men escaped with cash and millions of dollars in raw gold. Chandrawattie was

initially charged with the man’s murder in 2013.

Following a preliminary inquiry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in 2017, a Magistrate found that there was sufficient evidence against him to warrant a trial at the High Court.

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The Lethem to Bonfim crossing

ational Emergency COVID-19 measures have allowed for the Lethem Crossing to be open from Mondays to Fridays to facilitate the movement of people between Guyana and Brazil.

The measures have been renewed, and will take immediate effect.

Initially, the crossing was only opened for commute on Fridays but a release from the task force on Monday has given the green light for the crossing to be opened between Monday and Friday.

Before any person is allowed to enter Guyana, whether by land or sea, that person shall present to the relevant authorities a negative Molecular PCR test taken within 72 hours of their arrival, along with proof of vaccination.

These emergency measures are made pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) (b) of the Direction by the President, given under the Public Health Ordinance, Chapter 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement – B, 16th March,

2020.

It was reported that after a rapid assessment of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted by the Government, it has found the measures are needed to keep the population safe.

The Order notes that the current measures are extended to allow for further assessments and consultations to develop updated protocols to aid in the combating of the COVID-19 spread.

Meanwhile, the curfew will continue from 23:30h to 04:00h throughout the month of November. There is still restriction on social activities, where no one shall host or attend a private party, banquet, ball, reception, hotel swimming pool or waterpark, wage, vigil, club, discotheque, social club, civil organisation or association; fraternal society or any other social activity. Sporting events require approval from the Ministry of Health.

For the public and Private Sectors, employers shall ensure that the appropriate COVID-19 guidelines are prepared and implemented to re-

duce the risk of infections.

This includes vaccination, rotation of workers, screening, preventative measures before and after work, preventative measures while using transportation, sanitisation, social distancing, continuous monitoring, use of PPE, among others.

The measures have remained unchanged for essential services to operate 24 hours a day, and these include hospitals, pharmacies, the Judiciary, Parliament, diplomatic corps, Disciplined Services, solid waste management, airports, hotels or other accommodations, energy services, mining operations, security services, telecommunication providers, fisherfolks, limited port operations, construction, post service and freight, funeral homes, among others.

Meanwhile, casinos, betting shops or cinemas can still operate, but only at forty per cent capacity of the building or seating area. Patrons will only be allowed entry upon possession of a vaccination card to show their immunisation status.

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Finance Minister meets potential int’l investors in agriculture sector — says Govt committed to aggressively expanding non-oil economy

I

n keeping with the Government’s drive to aggressively expand the non-oil economy, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh held a follow-up meeting with potential international investors who have expressed an interest in Guyana’s soya bean and corn industry.

During the meeting, Minister Singh explained to the officials of the company in question, Elite Agro LLC of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), that traditionally, agriculture has been an extremely important anchor in Guyana’s economy and today will still be an important anchor in the non-oil economy.

He also indicated that with Guyana looking to expand the agricultural sector currently, two big streams of opportunities are available to Elite Agro LLC either to be a direct investor or to facilitate trade in agricultural commodities to other export destinations.

“Guyana has vast expanses of very rich and fertile land for agriculture. We have been for a long time a large-scale producer for specific agricul-

tural crops such as sugar and rice, but we are now exporting a number of other commodities which are ready for large-scale cultivation and other crops that are poised for rapid expansion as well. We also produce a wide selection of livestock and meat for consumption,” Dr Singh pointed out.

Expanding further on the agricultural sector under his portfolio during his presentation to Elite Agro LLC, Minister Mustapha indicated that with the emergence of oil and gas, it is expected that the oil and gas sector will complement the non-oil sector and Government will invest in infrastructure to support the development and expansion of the agricultural sector.

Wrapping up the meeting, Minister Singh indicated that his Government alongside the Private Sector is aggressively pursuing investment as quickly as possible as this will aid in the expansion of Guyana’s economy as well as facilitate job-creation.

“We are a very stable environment, both politically and economically. Guyana is now

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh along with members of his entourage during the meeting with the UAE company

a place where we are having conversations with all of the big companies of the world (and not just in agriculture) and this is a signal of how attractive we are for investment,” the Finance Minister concluded.

The company in question, Elite Agro LLC, was represented by Business Development Director Chandra Pratap Singh and Chief Operating Officer Emil Moukarzel. During the meeting, Singh was accompanied by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Tourism, Industry

and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, as well as Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Paul Cheong.

A consortium of existing investors in corn and soya bean in Guyana was also represented there by the head of the consortium, David Fernandes. Sachin Singh, who heads another Private Sector consortium dealing with the expansion of the seafood sector, was also there.

During the meeting, the Private Sector representatives provided extensive and detailed presentations to Elite

Agro LLC on agriculture (including corn and soya bean) and seafood along with the available opportunities for investment in these areas.

The meeting was a follow-up to earlier meetings held between President Irfaan Ali and officials of Elite Agro LLC (one of the UAE’s leading agriculture companies, having large scale integrated farming operations and currently engaged in growing, sourcing, importing and marketing of agricultural products).

Also present at Monday’s meeting were Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Sharon Roopchand, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr Peter Ramsaroop and Technical Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture Aditya Persaud.

It was only last week that harvesting began at a 115acre cultivation located in Ebini, approximately 70 miles south of Georgetown along the Berbice River. The ranch is being developed by a consortium

of investors that includes the owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd, Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd, along with the Brazilianowned NF Agriculture.

Back in April, Assistant Managing Director of Bounty Farm Limited, David Fernandes had explained the group’s vision for the project. During his presentation, Fernandes said that Guyana has long been touted as having the potential of being the bread basket of the Caribbean and that in recent years there has been a greater appreciation of the high dependence on imports for livestock feeds.

With Guyana spending close to US$25 million annually on proteins just for the poultry sector, Government, since taking office, has taken steps to promote domestic cultivation of grains like corn and soya bean. Government, in its 2020 Emergency Budget, removed Value-Added Tax (VAT) on agricultural machinery, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and pesticides, making it more feasible for such investments.

Tourism Minister urges greater Private Sector involvement to drive tourism T

ourism Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond on Sunday led a team of senior tourism officials and stakeholders to Linden, Region 10, on an outreach aimed at fostering tourism development there.

The Minister first met with the Region 10 tourism committee at the Watooka House, where officials raised several concerns and issues regarding tourism in the region.

Minister Walrond told stakeholders that she would like to see more Private Sector involvement in tourism.

“Every single region has something to offer and Region 10 has been particularly vibrant in terms of your tourism offerings, and I would like to see more Private Sector people involved in the tourism committee. This is not to replace but to augment, the eating places, restaurants, tour guides, more of you involved,” Minister Walrond said.

This move, she said, will bring more “buy in” and more coordination from the promotion products.

“The development that is contemplated for Region 10 and indeed for every single region in Guyana, cannot be done by Government alone, it has to be Private Sectordriven, it has to be Private Sector-funded,” she continued.

The Minister noted that there are interests from investors in Dubai and Qatar, however, there is a challenge in finding local partners in the sector.

“It has been a real disappointment for me, that I cannot present to the Qataris who come here with billions of US dollars to invest in projects,

Region 10 Tourism Committee Chairman Devin Sears presents Minister Walrond with a T-shirt

and we couldn’t find Private Sector tourism products that were ready to present as a proposal to these businessmen, to the people who come here looking for opportunities… we really need to get our act together, that we are not running a cake shop, with the development that we are talking about for the region and indeed for the rest of Guyana, we want it to be big, we want it to be spectacular.”

The Minister noted that coordination is important and that “there are no consortiums, it has to be a collective effort.”

She noted too, that Government only supports projects that benefit the people in the community, continuing that much could be accomplished in the region if a serious approach is taken.

“We had nothing to offer, or very little to offer in terms of actual projects, proposal that is done.”

She urged the stakeholders to bring “big” proposals.

“It has to be a local partnership. We are not going to have investors come in and

they run the project themselves. We are insisting, as Government, that local people have to be partners, so you don’t have to worry that it’s gonna be taken out of you, so we really have to step up our game in terms of this business of tourism, and to make it profitable for the people it has to be a bigger vision,” Minister Walrond noted.

“There is no doubt that Region 10 is beautiful, but need to up the game in terms of the vision for the region and the types of vision that we have.

Start to dream big, think of the larger projects, think of the multimillion USD projects, and then we can advance them as phased projects.

“The kinds of vision that we have for Guyana in the tourism industry, we can’t do it and what we are doing is laying an enabling environment, in terms of doing the infrastructure works, bringing in the investors, when we go out there it is us selling Guyana,” Minister Walrond noted.

“The idea of this trip is to

basically get to the locations that are yet undiscovered, that are under the radar and to shine the spotlight on this gem that is the tourism product of Region 10,” Minister Walrond told DPI. Following the meeting, the Minister and her team visited several tourist sites around the town, including the Blue Lake and Wayne’s World.

Proprietor of Wayne’s World, Wayne Rodrigues told DPI that he was happy and grateful for the visit and said he looks forward for Government’s support to improve his business.

Chairman of the Regional Tourism Committee and Member of Parliament, Devin

Minister Walrond kayaks with guidance from proprietor of Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours, Deon Anderson

earlier today of which we expressed some of our concerns and made suggestions moving forward.”

Ministers Walrond and McCoy interact with owner of Wayne’s world, Wayne Rodrigues

Sears spoke with DPI about the visit.

“We are extremely elated and happy and thankful that the Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce, along with the representatives from GTA made this trip, because many times, unless you see things, you don’t understand its value or what it’s worth and I believe that’s what this engagement was all about. We had a meeting

Deputy Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority Kamrul Baksh noted that the visit to Linden was part of a countrywide outreach being conducted to boost tourism development in Guyana.

He noted that it was an opportunity to formally meet the Region 10 Tourism Committee and the Linden Beach Committee to “define a way for tourism structural-

ly here”.

Baksh said that there currently exists several attraction sites and tour operations in the region that could be further developed.

“What we want is for Region 10, not only Linden, but for the entire region, to be structurally developed, and to have a recognised and fully operational tourism circuit, so that’s why we are here to initiate the conversations and to formally give support to the tourism committee here,” Baksh Said.

He noted that the GTA will work more closely with the committee, in various ways including identifying relevant and key training to empower the people in the region.

And, while work was already done in hygiene and sanitation and delivering quality service, there will now be additional training in tour guiding, culinary and first aid, among others.

The GTA will also assist in developing tourism products in the region. Baksh said he wants to also ensure that there are many options for visitors to enjoy.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Urgent action is needed to make agriculture greener and more resilient E

liminating world hunger by the end of the decade requires urgent action and innovative solutions to the way we produce, distribute and consume food, QU Dongyu, the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has noted.

The number of undernourished people rose to 811 million last year, and the climate crisis is just another major driver of malnutrition and poverty along with conflict and other humanitarian emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has extended the list, pushing the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals further away.

“If we want to meet our global commitments to end

world hunger by 2030, we need to accelerate the transformation to greener, more inclusive, resilient, efficient and sustainable agri-food systems,” Qu said in a video message to the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow which ended over the weekend.

Our agri-food systems – the systems by which our food, feed and fibre are grown, produced and distributed – is responsible for about a third of all greenhouse gas emissions. But they are also extremely vulnerable to climate change, particularly in countries where food security is already low.

The degradation of our ecosystem and the loss of biodiversity are also increasing at an alarming rate, providing

Biden signs US$1T infrastructure bill into law

Improving the resilience of agri-food systems while reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires combining supply-side actions with demand-side interventions

additional threats to our agrifood systems and the people depending on them.

That is why “we need innovation and technology to help us produce more with less”, Qu said in a keynote address to the 12th Sustainable Innovation Forum, a side event at COP26 whose participants included business leaders, experts, and representatives of at-risk countries, such as the Small Island Developing States.

The FAO Director General said the forum had highlighted the vast, “untapped poten-

tial for technological innovation and digitalisation” that can help us build green and climate resilient agri-food systems”.

“We need innovations that span across agri-food systems, from food production to consumption and waste management, as well as policy and financing,” Qu said.

As a knowledge-based institution, FAO is already leading a number of projects and initiatives in the area of technology and digital innovation.

These include: The use of drones, satel-

lite imaging, remote sensors and mobile applications to help smallholder farmers improve productivity and access to markets The Green Cities Initiative, which aims to improve the livelihoods and well-being of urban populations The 1000 Digital Villages Initiative, which boosts farmers’ use of digital technologies Earth Map, a real-time big data tool developed in collaboration with Google (Hand in Hand initiative) An International Platform for Digital Food and Agriculture to harness digital tools Green and climate resilient agriculture The Director General also addressed Green and Climate Resilient Agriculture – Supporting action at global level and on the ground, a COP26 high-level event that also featured keynote speeches from John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Xie Zhenhua, China Special Envoy for Climate Change.

Qu emphasised the role of leveraging finance, noting FAO’s close relationship

with the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, and other key international financial institutions and partners. Over the last 15 years, FAO and the GEF helped more than 130 countries access US$1.2 billion to tackle agri-food systems and environmental challenges.

Improving the resilience of agri-food systems while reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires combining supply-side actions such as efficient production, transport, and processing with demand-side interventions such as modification of food choices, elimination of deforestation and reduction of food loss and waste. Innovative practices such as climate-smart agriculture, biotechnology, sustainable forestry, fisheries and soil management, and disaster risk management are part of the solutions.

“We can help lay the groundwork,” Qu said. “Let us work together for the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.” (FAO)

Space junk disrupts astronauts, forcing them into docked capsules US President Joe Biden signs the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act", on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, US, November 15, 2021

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resident Joe Biden signed into law a US$1 trillion infrastructure bill at a White House ceremony on Monday that drew Democrats and Republicans who pushed the legislation through a deeply-divided US Congress.

The measure is designed to create jobs across the country by dispersing billions of dollars to state and local governments to fix crumbling bridges and roads and by expanding broadband Internet access to millions of Americans.

The bill-signing ceremony, held in chilly weather on the White House South Lawn to accommodate a big crowd, was an increasingly rare moment when members of both parties were willing to stand together and celebrate a bipartisan achievement.

Biden, whose job approval ratings have dropped because of his handling of the economy and other issues, heard supportive chants of "Joe, Joe, Joe" from some in the crowd and got a standing ovation as he stepped to the microphone.

Biden said the bill's passage showed that "despite the cynics, Democrats and Republicans can come together and deliver results".

He called the bill a "blue-collar blueprint to rebuild

America".

"Too often in Washington, the reason we don’t get things done is because we insist on getting everything we want. With this law, we focused on getting things done," Biden said.

Speakers included Senator Kyrsten Sinema, the centrist Arizona Democrat whose opposition to some tax increases has forced a scaling back of a companion piece of legislation, Biden's US$1.75 trillion "Build Back Better" social safety net plan.

Sinema and fellow Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who also attended, have angered some in their party for resisting a number of items sought by progressives in the social spending bill.

Sinema appeared to refer to the criticism in her remarks.

"Delivering this legislation for the American people – this is what it looks like when elected leaders set aside differences, shut out the noise and focus on delivering results on the issues that matter most to everyday Americans," she said.

Republicans attending included Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

S

pace junk has threatened seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) – home to four Americans, one German and two Russians, forcing them to seek shelter in their docked capsules and disrupting their work.

The US Space Command said on Monday that it was tracking a field of orbiting debris, the apparent result of a satellite breakup. The situation had the debris coming uncomfortably close to the space

station on subsequent orbits, and required the astronauts to close and then reopen several compartments, including the European lab, every 1 1/2 hours until bedtime.

Experts say anti-satellite weapons that shatter their targets pose a space hazard by creating a cloud of fragments that can collide with other objects, which in turn can set off a chain reaction of projectiles through Earth’s orbit.

“We are actively working to characterise the debris field

and will continue to ensure all space-faring nations have the information necessary to manoeuvre satellites if impacted,” US Space Command said in a statement.

Mission Control said the heightened threat might continue for several more days and continue to interrupt the astronauts’ science research and other work. Four of the seven crew members arrived at the orbiting outpost Thursday night.

The US military said it was aware of a “debris-generating” event in outer space and one official said it appeared that Russia had carried out an anti-satellite weapons test.

The US Department of State said Russia tested an anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites, which generated debris, jeopardised outer space and showed that Russian opposition to weaponisation of space was hypocritical. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Nigeria plans mass vaccination drive, considers booster shot

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igeria will start a mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign later this week, aiming to inoculate half of its targeted population by the end of January, Government officials said.

Africa's most-populous country has a goal to vaccinate 111 million people to reach herd immunity.

Under the initiative to start on Friday, 55 million doses or more than a million a day will be administered. The country has to date vaccinated only 2.9 per cent of those eligible to get vaccines.

The plan will see vaccine sites set up at private health facilities, universities, colleges, stadiums, motor parks and shopping malls among other venues.

Boss Mustapha, head of

People wait after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the National Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria March 31, 2021

the presidential steering committee on COVID-19, said the Government "has enough vaccines in the pipeline to vaccinate about 50 per cent of the target

population by the end of January 2022."

He also said the Government was making efforts to secure booster shots "so as to build a

healthy level of antibodies." He did not provide details.

Faisal Shuaib, executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, said Nigeria received about 5 million AstraZeneca shots last month from the COVAX global-sharing facility, both purchases and donations. Nigeria also had commitments for 11.99 million and 12.2 million doses of Pfizer Inc/ BioNTech and Moderna Inc COVID-19 vaccines, respectively, he said.

The Government has purchased nearly 40 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses, which would be coming in batches, said Shuaib.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

Regional

US slaps sanctions on Nicaragua Cuba cracks down on dissent officials, citing ‘sham’ election ahead of protest march T A

he United States on Monday slapped sanctions on nine Nicaraguan officials and the Public Ministry of Nicaragua, citing “sham national elections orchestrated by President Daniel Ortega” and his Vice President Rosario Murillo.

“The Ortega regime is using laws and institutions to detain members of the political Opposition and deprive Nicaraguans from the right to vote,” said Office of Foreign Assets Control Director Andrea M Gacki in a statement posted on the US Department of the Treasury website. “The United States is sending an unequivocal message to President Ortega,

Vice President Murillo, and their inner circle that we stand with the Nicaraguan people in their calls for reform and a return to democracy.”

The Treasury said nearly 40 Opposition figures including seven potential presidential candidates were arrested and jailed in the run-up to the November 7 election, which saw Ortega re-elected for a fourth consecutive term.

The Public Ministry of Nicaragua is the federal public prosecutor’s office. The Biden Administration accused it of being “responsible for or complicit in” the arrests of Opposition politicians who wanted to run for President.

Among the nine officials

blacklisted by the US on Monday were Nicaragua’s Vice Minister of Finance and Public Credit, Jose Adrian Chavarria Montenegro; Minister of Energy and Mines, Salvador Mansell Castrillo; and Mohamed Farrara Lashtar, Nicaragua’s Ambassador to Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

On Friday, the General Assembly of the Organisation of American States voted in favour of a resolution declaring that “the elections on November 7 in Nicaragua were not free, fair or transparent and have no democratic legitimacy”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Cuban man who had organised pro-democracy rallies to take place on Monday has been blocked from leaving his home by State security agents.

Security forces surrounded Yunior García’s home and those of other leading activists on Sunday.

The ruling Communist party has banned the protests, which it says are a US-backed attempt at overthrowing the Government.

Hundreds of people were arrested following protests in July.

Unauthorised public gatherings are illegal in Cuba and those who turn out to march risk being

jailed.

The fact that thousands of people joined July’s protests chanting “freedom” and “down with dictatorship” showed the level of discontent many in Cuba feel after more than six decades of communist rule.

In the wake of the July protests and the arrests which followed, García set up a group on Facebook called Archipiélago, which sought official permission to organise peaceful demonstrations in the Cuban capital, Havana, and other cities to demand “rights for all Cubans” and the release of political prisoners.

Permission was denied, but dissidents have insist-

ed that their protest will go ahead as planned.

The BBC’s Cuba correspondent, Will Grant, says that they insist people will show their exhaustion with communist rule.

Our correspondent says that there is also defiance on the part of the Government and its supporters that what they consider a US-backed attempt at an overthrow will not be permitted to gather momentum.

García had planned to walk to Havana’s waterfront promenade, the Malecón, carrying a white rose a day ahead of the main protests. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Augustine: PDP will introduce Ecuador prison and armed transparency in THA forces chiefs resign after riots

P

rogressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) deputy political leader Farley Augustine says the party’s main priority, if it wins the December 6 Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, will be to introduce transparency in its operations.

“Our first priority will be to transform the way we do business in Tobago, and begin immediately to open up Government in a kind of transparent way so that the people of Tobago will be confident that their Government is using their resources properly. That would be the first priority of the PDP-led THA,” he told reporters after filing nomination papers at the Pembroke Community

Centre.

Augustine, who was accompanied by fellow deputy political leader Dr Faith BYisrael, is seeking to retain the Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside electoral district for a third consecutive term. He has been selected to lead the PDP’s campaign for the upcoming election and is the party’s choice for Chief Secretary.

Confident of victory, Augustine said, “I would not be elected just as the representative for L’Anse Fourmi/ Parlatuvier/Speyside but as the next Chief Secretary for the Tobago House of Assembly.”

Augustine, a SeventhDay Adventist, added, “With

God, I am always confident.

I am confident that God has this covered for me. And so, I am not worried by anything at all. It is a democracy and there will always be challengers in a democracy.

“In fact, I will be disappointed if there were no challengers at all. It means that I am actually doing something good too, because not only do I have challengers but I have been able to teach people who are confident enough to even challenge the teacher. That is a sign that I did an excellent job as a teacher, because that is every teacher’s dream for their charges.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Son of ex-Panama president extradited to US from Guatemala

G

uatemala has extradited a son of former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli to the United States, where he and his brother face brib-

court in Brooklyn, New York.

Luis and his brother Ricardo Alberto Martinelli were arrested in July 2020 in Guatemala City as they attempted to board a flight to

Luis Enrique Martinelli (centre), being escorted out of prison for extradition to the United States [Guatemalan Interior Ministry/ via AFP]

ery and money laundering charges linked to Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht.

Luis Enrique Martinelli on Monday morning boarded an extradition flight bound for the United States, where he is wanted by a federal

Panama. Ricardo Alberto’s extradition process is still pending in a Guatemalan court.

The US Department of Justice alleges the Martinelli sons were intermediaries for the payment of some

US$28 million in bribes from Odebrecht to a high-ranking Panama official when their father was President of Panama between 2009 and 2014.

Denis Cuesy, a lawyer for Martinelli, said US lawyers were now handling the case, when asked about the accusations.

Former President Martinelli has spent the past few years embroiled in various criminal probes and was last week acquitted for the second time of wire-tapping charges linked to his time in office.

Martinelli has not been convicted of any crimes, but he remains subject to certain travel restrictions due to a separate continuing investigation concerning Odebrecht.

Odebrecht admitted in 2016 to paying US$788 million in bribes over a decade to secure contracts in a dozen countries in Latin America.

It agreed with the US Justice Department to pay a record US$3.5 billion fine.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

E

cuador prison and armed forces chiefs resign after riots The head of Ecuador’s prison system and the country’s armed forces chief have resigned following a fresh gang fight which left 68 inmates dead in a jail in the city of Guayaquil.

The deadly fight happened at the same prison where 119 inmates were killed in September, also in gang warfare.

It took 900 Police Officers to restore order after the latest incident.

The spike in prison violence has cast a shadow over the first six months in office of President Guillermo Lasso.

In a BBC interview earlier this month, President Lasso said that prison guards needed to be armed in order to be able to confront highly-organised gang members.

“There is no way that prison guards who only carry batons can confront

Empty coffins were being delivered to the morgue where most of the bodies have been taken

mafias which have drones and explosives,” he said.

The most recent incident happened during a 60-day state of emergency the President had declared inside the prison system.

The state of emergency means that extra funds can be allocated to fight violence inside the jails and also allows the military to assist guards and Police in securing the prisons.

Despite the extra measures in place, another deadly fight broke out in the Litoral Penitentiary on

Friday night.

Analysts have blamed the spike in prison homicides on the infiltration of Ecuadorean gangs by powerful transnational crime cartels.

They say that the acts of extreme violence – such as decapitations and the use of explosives –- seen at Litoral Penitentiary were inspired by the tactics used by Mexican criminal organisations such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

PM Holness says criticism of Police must be balanced with reality

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness says despite criticisms that crime-fighting strategies have failed, the Jamaica Constabulary Force should be commended for bringing to book some of the most dangerous gangs in the country, using limited resources.

He said the arguments about ineffectiveness of the Police and lack of resources must be balanced with reality.

“This Police force has brought several of the most dangerous gangs –

gangs that were formerly protected, when we could have taken action to undermine them, erode them, displace them. But this force, even without the exceptional powers of an SOE (State of Emergency), invested significant time and resources to build cases. I don’t think the public understands that an entire Police Division has to be built, then put to investigate, for months [and] years, then we have to put up witnesses and protect them, then we have to properly document and

build a case and take it to court. When was that done before?” Holness said on Sunday, during a press conference where he announced the declaration of states of public emergency in seven Police Divisions.

The Prime Minister said there was no question as to whether the Government is investing in standard policing but this will not bring instantaneous results and in the interim, the murder rate continues to skyrocket. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

OILNEWS OIL NEWS As energy prices soar, supply chain snags threaten US oil output gains

U

S oil producers are struggling to find enough crews, vehicles and equipment to take advantage of rising global demand and a seven-year high in crude prices, say executives at oilfield service firms.

The problems are preventing the world's top oil producer and consumer, the United States, from responding to higher prices and could mean it takes longer for global output to match demand recovering from the coronavirus pandemic. That would result in oil firms draining inventories and in turn contribute to higher prices.

Higher energy prices are fuelling consumer inflation, which last month hit 6.2 per cent, the highest in 30 years.

The Biden Administration has urged oil producers to pump more oil, signaling it might release US emergency stockpiles if prices keep rising.

The drillers and service firms that bring new oil and gas to market are confronting shortages and delays in everything from trucks, electronics, pumps and skilled workers. Workarounds so far have kept a crunch at bay, but shortages are hitting oilfield service results and could short-circuit US production gains early next year, they said.

Logistics snags have cut access to specialised steel, submersible pumps that boost well pressures, and pickups that ferry workers and equipment. US oil production figures show output remains 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) below the peak reached nearly two years ago while global demand is forecast to exceed pre-pandemic levels by June.

Nearly two-thirds of Texas business executives polled by the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank recently disclosed difficulties getting needed supplies, with nearly half saying problems have become worse. It could take seven to 12 months to ease, said roughly half, with 18 per cent expecting shortages to last more than a year.

Pressure on supplies is not as bad as it might have been because many shale oil producers have pledged to restrain new spending for output and instead use cash generated by high prices to pay dividends and reduce debt.

Equipment shortages and lengthy delays are driving up prices for what is available. Denver, Colorado-based oil service firm Liberty Oilfield Services took a US$12 million hit to third quarter earnings because costs rose faster than it was able to raised prices, its CEO said.

Fredrick Klaveness, CEO of NLB Water LLC, which developed a membrane-driven technology to treat and recycle wastewater from oil and gas production, has been waiting since June for US$200,000 worth of orders that have not shipped because suppliers are also waiting on certain components.

"One small piece of the puzzle stops everything," said Klaveness. If the ordered membrane modules are not received in time, NLB may lose an important contract.

"Parts probably worth less than $5,000 are holding up the entire order. Those parts are not microchips or something fancy, but basic components made out of materials like stainless steel and titanium."

A heavy-duty Dodge Ram pickup he ordered in June took five months to arrive, Klaveness said. His workarounds to keep business flowing include buying supplies from Canada and at one point, picking up galvanized steel from several Home Depot stores in Colorado and hauling it to West Texas where it was not available. (Excerpt from Reuters)

19

Around the World

Poland border crisis: EU to widen Belarus sanctions as row intensifies

T

he European Union is to step up sanctions against Belarus in response to an escalating migrant crisis on the border with Poland.

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed the move, saying that vulnerable migrants were being exploited in a "hybrid war" that is "intensifying".

Belarus is accused of pushing migrants towards its eastern borders to undermine security, a charge it denies.

On Monday, hundreds of migrants were blocked at a crossing by Polish troops.

A video filmed at the border by the BBC showed migrants sitting down on a road in front of barbed wire

Pictures show many hundreds of migrants camped at the border, shivering through bitterly cold weather as they try to get into Poland

and Polish forces in a tense stand-off.

Those migrants came from a large makeshift camp at the Kuznica crossing, where thousands have settled in tents just inside Belarus.

"Goodbye!" called out a smiling girl, flashing a peace sign as she, and hundreds more, streamed towards the border, hoping to get through.

But they are trapped between Polish guards on one

side and Belarusian guards on the other. The migrants cannot get into Poland, but are also being prevented from retreating back into Belarus, according to Polish authorities.

"All these babies are crying for milk, for nappies," one man was filmed saying to the line of heavily armed Polish guards. "We... have nothing, please come and help these people," he pleaded, speaking through the barbed wire from the Belarusian side.

The Polish border guard said it expected a forced attempt to breach the border, describing the presence of the Belarusian forces in the area as "worrying". (Excerpt from BBC News)

COVID: Austria UK raises terror threat to severe after introduces lockdown Liverpool hospital blast for unvaccinated

T

he United Kingdom has raised the national terror threat level after a blast near a hospital.

Police were called on Sunday morning about reports of an explosion involving a taxi at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Photos showed a vehicle in flames near the hospital’s main entrance.

A man had brought a homemade bomb with him into a taxi and asked to be taken to the hospital. As the car pulled up at the facility, there was an explosion. The passenger died. The taxi driver was treated for injuries but has been released.

Police named the dead man as 32-year-old Emad Al Swealmeen. They did not give further details.

Four men have been arrested under anti-terrorism laws; their ages ranged from 20 to 29. They were detained in the Kensington area of the northwest England city under the Terrorism Act.

Merseyside Police said in a statement that the vehicle, a taxi, “pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred”.

“Work is still going on to establish what has happened and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything,” the statement said.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson, from CounterTerrorism Policing for the North West, said the man who died had asked to be taken to Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

The explosion occurred just before 11:00 GMT on Remembrance Sunday, the time people across Britain pause in memory of those killed in wars.

The explosion has been declared a terrorist attack and the UK raised the terror threat level from substantial to severe, meaning another attack was highly likely.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A

bout two million people who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have been placed in lockdown in Austria as the country faces a surge in cases.

"We are not taking this step lightly, but unfortunately it is necessary," Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said.

Unvaccinated people will only be allowed to leave home for limited reasons, like working or buying food.

About 65 per cent of Austria's population is fully vaccinated - one of the lowest rates in Western Europe.

Meanwhile, the seven-day infection rate is more than 800 cases per 100,000 people, which is one of the highest in the region.

Overall, Europe has again become the area most seriously affected by the pandemic and several countries are introducing restrictions and warning of rising cases.

However, the UK, which has one of the highest COVID infection rates, has

yet to reintroduce restrictions, despite health leaders calling for rules like mandatory face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces to be brought back to avoid a winter crisis.

The measures introduced in Austria on Monday, which come amid growing pressure on the nation's hospitals, will initially last for 10 days.

Children under the age of 12 and people who have recently recovered from the virus will be exempt.

Over the weekend, hundreds of people protested outside the chancellery in the capital, Vienna, waving banners that read: "Our bodies, our freedom to decide."

But Prof Eva Schernhammer, of the Medical University of Vienna, said the measures were needed, warning that hospital intensive care units were filling up. "It's already projected that within two weeks we'll have reached the limit," she said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Russian anti-satellite weapons test “dangerous and irresponsible” – US

A

n anti-satellite weapons test by Russia against one of its own targets has generated debris that is a risk to astronauts on the International Space Station and other activities in outer space, the US State Department said on Monday.

Experts say weapons that shatter satellites pose a space hazard by creating clouds of fragments that can collide with other objects, setting off a chain reaction of projectiles through the Earth's orbit.

"Russia's dangerous and irresponsible behavior jeopardises the long-term sus-

State Department spokesman Ned Price

tainability of ... outer space and clearly demonstrates that Russia's (claims) to oppose the weaponisation of space are disingenuous and hypo-

critical," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

The Russian missile generated more than 1500 pieces of "trackable orbital debris," Price added.

At the Pentagon, spokesman John Kirby said the most immediate concern was the debris but the test showed the need for norms in space.

The United States performed the first anti-satellite tests in 1959, when satellites were rare and new.

Last April Russia carried out another test of an anti-satellite missile as officials have

said that space will increasingly become an important domain for warfare.

The US military is increasingly dependent on satellites to determine what it does on the ground, guiding munitions with space-based lasers and satellites, as well as using such assets to monitor for missile launches and track its forces.

These tests have also raised questions about the long-term sustainability of space operations essential to a huge range of commercial activities, including banking and GPS services. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Go over the pros and cons of difficult situations and relationships. Knowing what you are up against will help decide what and who are worth your time and effort.

Keep an open mind.

You may know how a game is played, but don't expect everyone to play fair.

Keep your eyes open, don't hesitate to ask questions, and be sure to cover your tracks or get everything in writing.

Big ideas followed by sound judgment and hard work will pay off. Don't let anyone discourage you or meddle in your affairs. Work at your own pace, and don't share what you are doing until it's ready.

Put restrictions on entertainment, spending and over-the-top behavior. You can have fun without going into debt. Do something that appeals to your creative side. A unique path will lead to enlightenment.

Avoid costly ventures or donations you cannot afford.

Doing something spontaneous will lead to setbacks.

Stay focused on what's attainable and put your heart and soul into everything you do.

Information you gather will lead to a change of mind and direction. Don't let the unknown frighten you. It's time to branch out, try something new and explore what the world has to offer.

Back up and let things unfold before you take sides or let your thoughts be known. Get out and do something that will broaden your outlook, and you'll discover you have more options than you realize.

Step out of your comfort zone if that's what it takes to help make positive changes.

Don't live a lie or be a martyr. You owe it to yourself to do what's best for you.

Get your facts straight SAGITTARIUS before you decide to start a (Nov. 23debate. An emotional inciDec. 21) dent will bring you closer to someone you think is special. Honesty will help you keep the peace.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

Give credit where credit is due. Take the high road when faced with an ethical choice. Don't be afraid to use your skills and experience to bring about positive change.

Think things through before you make a decision that can influence what you do next. Get the proper documentation or qualifications in order before starting something new. Listen to others.

When in doubt, ask questions. A new look or image (Feb. 20will lift your spirits. A proMarch 20) fessional change will allow you to use your skills more efficiently. Romance is encouraged.

PISCES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

21

T20 World Cup: Warner, Buttler and Babar named in ICC Team of Tournament the Proteas beat Australia in the Super 12s. An unbeaten 51 from 26 balls against West Indies and 52 off 25 against England were, though, not enough to help South Africa progress.

Josh Hazlewood (Australia) Like his team-mate Warner, Hazlewood did not top any individual tables, but came through with big performances when they were needed. His 11 wickets included a 4-39 against West Indies that played a big part in sealing a semi-final place, before the paceman took a ruthless 3-16 in the final.

Moeen Ali (England) England's ever-reliable all-rounder took seven wickets from his 14 overs during the tournament, as well as hit 92 runs at an average of 46.

Moeen's bowling figures included 2-17, 2-18 and 2-15 to heap pressure on opponents throughout, while his batting performances included a fine 51 from 37 balls against New Zealand in the semi-finals.

Trent Boult (New Zealand) Boult was the top wicket-taking seamer at the tournament (13) and played a huge role in getting the Black Caps to the final. His average of 6.25 runs conceded per over was impressive considering he was mostly used during powerplays and at the death.

Babar Azam scored the most runs

D

avid Warner, Jos Buttler, and Babar Azam are among those to have been named in the Official International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup's Team of the Tournament.

The T20 World Cup came to a close on Sunday after Australia beat New Zealand by eight wickets in the final in Abu Dhabi.

The team was selected by a panel of commentators and Journalists.

"As with any team selection, there will be varying opinions, and robust discussion on the final composition of the squad," one of those panellists, Ian Bishop, told the ICC's official website. "The panel respects that, and we encourage the strong debate that will ensue.

"This team was incredibly difficult to select over such a highly-competitive tournament. Selections were based predominantly on the Super 12 onward to the final.

"We endeavoured to select players as close to their initial team position where possible.

This intention was not always a reality, as some compromises had to be made.”

The team include players from champions Australia, runners-up New Zealand, as well as England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.

David Warner (Australia) Arguably the most obvious selection was the man who was the ICC's Player of the Tournament. Despite questions about his form before the World Cup, Warner scored an impressive 289 runs at an average of 48.16.

tributed with the bat, striking a vital 71 against Ireland in the first round and a defiant 34 from 21 balls against England in the Super 12s.

Although he did not top the table for most runs, highest innings or highest average, Warner's impact was unquestionable. His 65 against Sri Lanka, 89 not out against West Indies, 49 against Pakistan in the semi-finals and then 53 in the final were vital for the champions.

Jos Buttler (England) David Warner was the man of the series The hard-hitting Buttler was the only player to score with 16, three ahead of Adam a century at the tournament, Zampa and Trent Boult in Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) while he finished fourth in joint second.

L e g - s p i n n e r the list for most runs. His This included a hat-trick tally of 269 included a fan- Hasaranga was comfortably against South Africa, but like tastic 71 from 32 balls in top of the wicket-taking chart Moeen, Hasaranga also conEngland’s Super 12 victory over Australia, as well as his 101 not out against Sri Lanka.

Babar Azam (Pakistan) The top run-scorer and only player to break the 300run mark (303), Babar has been named as Captain of the ICC Team of the Tournament.

He scored four fifties at his first T20 World Cup, starting with his 68 not out against old rivals India, which helped lead Pakistan to a memorable 10-wicket victory.

Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) Asalanka came fifth in the list for most runs, which is impressive when you consider Sri Lanka exited at the Super 12 stage. The 24-yearold scored 231 runs at an average of 46.2, including an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls against Bangladesh.

Aiden Markram (South Africa) Moved to a middle-order role for this tournament, Markram seemed to thrive as his 40 off 36 balls nearly saw

Adam Zampa (Australia) Another spinner who could not be left out, Zampa took 13 wickets and averaged just 5.81 runs against per over, often keeping the run rate down impeccably in the middle overs.

The 29-year-old, whose captain, Aaron Finch, labelled him the Player of the Tournament, can also boast the best figures of the World Cup with a tremendous 5-19 against Bangladesh.

Anrich Nortje (South Africa) Nortje took a wicket in every match he played at his first T20 World Cup, taking nine overall at an average of 11.55. His most noteworthy contribution was an explosive 3-8 from 3.2 overs against Bangladesh to help skittle the Tigers out for just 84.

12th man: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan) The 21-year-old burst into the World Cup with his pace bowling, removing Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli in Pakistan's opening game against India. Afridi took seven wickets overall, earning him a spot as first reserve in this star-studded team. (Sportsmax)

Adil Rashid corroborates Azeem Rafiq's racism claim against Michael Vaughan

A

dil Rashid has backed Azeem Rafiq's accusation that former England Captain Michael Vaughan made a racist remark during the trio's time together at Yorkshire.

Vaughan revealed earlier in November that his name appears in a 100-page report into institutional racism at Yorkshire, but strongly denies the allegations against him.

Rafiq brought allegations against Yorkshire, which has already led to the resignations of Chairman Roger Hutton and chief executive Mark Arthur.

Vaughan, who played for Yorkshire between 1993 and 2009, allegedly said to a group of Asian team-mates that there were "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it".

Rafiq's version of events

was supported by fellow former Yorkshire player Rana Naved-ul-Hassan and now England star Rashid, who had been playing at the T20 World Cup, says he heard Vaughan's alleged comment as well.

In a statement to The Cricketer, Rashid – a

Yorkshire player since 2006 – said: "Racism is a cancer in all walks of life and unfortunately in professional sports too, and is something which, of course, has to be stamped out.

"I wanted to concentrate as much as possible on my cricket and to avoid distractions to the detriment of the team, but I can confirm Azeem Rafiq's recollection of Michael Vaughan's comments to a group of us Asian players.

"I'm encouraged by the fact that a parliamentary committee seems to be trying to improve the situation, whether that's holding people accountable or getting changes made at an institutional level.

"These can only be positive developments. I will, of course, be more than happy to support any official efforts when the time is right.

"For now, though, these

matters are of an intensely personal nature and I will not be commenting on them further. I ask you to respect my privacy and allow me to focus on my cricket.

"I want to thank the ECB, the fans and especially my teammates for all of their support. We didn't get the result we wanted in this World Cup, but I hope that the unity of our dressing room and the leadership of our captain will propel us forward to achieve what we deserve in the future."

Stats Perform has approached Yorkshire, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Vaughan's representation for further comment.

Rafiq is expected to give evidence in front of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee today. (Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

Briton John wins LonLam Classic open category

… Stewart, Spencer among others register wins in respective categories

T

he action continued on Sunday, November 14, 2021 as the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycling Club launched the fourth annual LonLam Classic.

The highlight of the day was the Racing Cycle Open, which consisted of 16 laps; this saw Briton John of We Stand United defeat Foundation’s Jamual John.

In third was Paul DeNobrega while Walter Grant-Stuart, Marcus Keilier, and Curtis Dey closed out the category.

In the veterans’ Under-50 category, Grant-Stuart of Continental Club copped

first place while Kwame Ridley and Nigel London took second and third. In

charge. Sherwin Sampson and Aaron Newton came in second and third.

Clivecia Spencer and Susan Hamilton claimed the top spots for the ladies

Part of the action

Walter Grant-Stuart won the veterans’ U-50

the veterans’ Over-50 category, Andy Spencer of Team Evolution took first place while Garfield Lorimer and Nigel Carrington came in second and third. In the BMX Boys’ U-19, Marvelous London was the winner while in the juniors category, Alexander Leung of We Stand United led the

Warriors streak snapped at 7, Young's 42 sinks Giannis and Bucks as Clippers succumb to Bulls

T

he Golden State Warriors had their seven-game winning streak ended by the Charlotte Hornets, who prevailed 106-102 in the NBA on Sunday.

Boasting the league's best record, Golden State (11-2) were upstaged in Charlotte, where Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier helped take down the high-flying Warriors.

Rozier made two key free throws down the stretch while outleaping Draymond Green on a late jump ball as he finished with 20 points – all in the second half – and Bridges had 22 of his own for the Hornets (8-7).

In his annual homecoming to Charlotte, Warriors superstar Stephen Curry put up 24 points and 10 assists, while team-mate Andrew Wiggins scored 28.

The Los Angeles Clippers also had their seven-game streak snapped after falling 100-90 to the

rampaging Chicago Bulls.

DeMar DeRozan maintained his MVP-calibre play with 35 points, and Zach LaVine added 29 to top the Clippers on the road, where Paul George's double-double (27 points and 11 rebounds) was not enough.

Hawks soar thanks to Trae

Trae Young's season-best 42 points fuelled the Atlanta Hawks to a 120100 win over reigning champions the Milwaukee Bucks.

Young also had 10 assists, eight three-pointers and eight rebounds as Atlanta ended their six-game skid.

In NBA history, only James Harden (three times); George; Russell Westbrook and Young have managed a performance of 40-plus points, 10-plus assists, eight-plus rebounds and eight-plus threes. Giannis Antetokounmpo returned for the stuttering Bucks, registering 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

Patty Mills was red hot as the Brooklyn Nets routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-96. Mills made nine of his 12 three-pointers for 29 points. He broke the record for the most threes off the bench in franchise history.

Kevin Durant top-scored with 33 points as Harden had 16 points and 13 assists.

The Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 114-106 behind double-doubles from Anthony Davis (34 points and 15 rebounds) and Westbrook (14 points and 11 rebounds).

Blazers routed in Denver

Playing without star Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers were put to the sword by Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets 124-95. Portland had no answer for Jokic, who narrowly fell short of a triple-double after posting 28 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. (Sportsmax)

In the BMX Boys’ Open, Samuel Bellamy was first, while Julian Gordon and

Jahame Henry were second and third; they all represented Linden Bauxite Flyers. For the juniors/juveniles, Jedjuan Hnesords led the pack, following him were Sorren Frank and Steve Burnette. For the Females’ open, Team

Coco’s Clivecia Spencer outrode her competitors, with Susan Hamilton and Shenika Teixeira settling for second and third. For the juveniles, Akon Europe was the winner while Mark Lewis and Nivonne Wilson followed.

Phil Simmons and Kraigg Brathwaite back Joshua Da Silva to return to form against Sri Lanka

W

est Indies Coach Phil Simmons and Captain Kraigg Brathwaite have both backed wicketkeeper-bats-

Since that time, Da Silva’s form has dipped significantly.

He had scores of 1 and 20 in the second Test against

man Joshua Da Silva to return to form during the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka later this month.

In nine Tests, the 23-year-old Trinidadian has scored 372 runs at an average of 23.25 and has two half-centuries to his credit.

He made his debut against New Zealand in Wellington in December 2020, making 57 in the West Indies second innings.

Scores of 42, 20, 92 and 20 followed against Bangladesh in February this year as well as 46 against Sri Lanka in March.

The 42 was made in the first innings of the first Test at Chattogram during a 99run sixth-wicket stand with Jermaine Blackwood and his second innings 20 was made in a 100-run sixth-wicket stand with Man of the Match Kyle Mayers.

In the second Test at Dhaka, Da Silva made 92 and featured in a sixth-wicket partnership of 88 with Nkrumah Bonner which was followed by a seventh-wicket partnership of 118 with Alzarri Joseph, notwithstanding the latter’s contribution of 71 as the West Indies secured a 2-0 series win.

Sri Lanka in March and followed in June with a disastrous series against South Africa against which he had scores of 0, 9, 7 and 0 and then 21, 13, 6 and 15 against Pakistan in August.

However, his form away has been more encouraging averaging 39 while his home average is just under 14.

Asked during a recent press conference whether he was concerned about the form of his wicketkeeper, who had played major roles in match-winning partnerships in Bangladesh earlier this year, Simmons said the good news is that Da Silva seemed to bat better away than at home.

“A dip like that is always a concern, but his away form is a lot better than his home form, so we hope that that is not a coincidence and that that is a strength of his, so we are away now and hopefully, he lives up to how he started the year. Hopefully, he finishes the year like that,” Simmons said.

Brathwaite, meanwhile, believes Da Silva would see a return to form with the right type of support from the team's leadership.

“He has been doing a superb job in times before with some very important part-

nerships. One of the keys to situations like this, for me, is making sure you have good communication with him, just let him know that he can do it, it’s as simple as that and for him to believe in himself,” Brathwaite said.

“I know he is fully capable of doing well. Obviously, we all go through little slumps. We all still learning as players, but I think he has been putting in some good work and we look forward to him doing well.”

The first Test begins at the Galle International Stadium on November 21.

(Sportsmax)

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23

U-20 Lady Jags drawn in Group F for CONCACAF Championships

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he Under-20 Lady Jags have been pitted against some powerhouses in the CONCACAF region, as the draw for the Under-20 Women’s Championships 2022 were conducted Monday in Miami, Florida.

Guyana’s Under-20 women’s team were on Monday morning drawn in Group F of the CONCACAF U-20 Championships, set for February 2022. The group is seen as a tough one, with Mexico, Honduras and Panama being drawn alongside Guyana.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off February 25, 2022 in the Dominican Republic and run until March 12, 2022.

Group E consists of the United States, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua; Group G

– Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, El Salvador, Saint Kitts & Nevis and Group H – Haiti, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Cuba.

The tournament will commence with a 16-team group stage, with teams competing to top their groups. The top three teams from each group will advance to the next round of play, where they will meet the teams that came through the qualifying tournament.

Those teams are: Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curaçao and Suriname.

In the following round, the teams will play to stay alive in the competition, as a straight knockout format begins.

The Under-20 Lady Jags team did not have to participate in the qualifying tournament, which was

held back in September, owing to their ranking in the CONCACAF region.

Ranked 10th out of 41 female teams in CONCACAF (Women's Under-20

Rankings as of March 31, 2020), Guyana were exempted from the qualifiers, thus heading straight into the Championships.

The highest ranked 16

teams in CONCACAF were given automatic entry to the group stage of the Championships.

The winner of the CONCACAF 2022

Under-20 Women’s Championships, along with the second- and thirdplace finishers, will book their spot in the 2022 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica in August of 2022. Additionally, the same three teams that will qualify for the World Cup will join hosts Costa Rica as CONCACAF’s four representatives in the global event.

In the 2020 Women’s U-20 Championships, the Lady Jags team made it as far as the quarterfinal stage for the first time in Guyana’s football history.

Prior to that, Guyana finished second in their group after that stage; eventual runners-up Mexico topped the group, with Puerto Rico and Nicaragua finishing third and second respectively. (Jemima Holmes)

BCB hosts successful oneday Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Academy in West Berbice

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Prime Minister Mark Phillips poses with O-50 champs Regal Legends

he PM T20 Cup definitely closed out with a bang; it had all the necessary fireworks, even surpassing the previous edition. Three finals and a combination of eager teams and an electric crowd definitely made the Providence

“What we are doing now is giving out prizes to the teams that emerge at the top of the pile, so we have winners and those at the top of the pile. We had good weather over the past three days; we had no complaints and we look forward to the

an exciting tournament, as well as the sponsors, and was optimistic that they would come on board in the 2022 edition.

The winners of the tournament were Regal Legends (O-50), Fisherman Masters (O-45) and Ariel

PM Phillips stands with the Open winners, Ariel All-Stars

Stadium come alive while all COVID-19 protocols were being followed.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips graced the patrons with his presence and interacted with the other spectators. He congratulated all the teams that participated and deemed them all winners irrespective of whether they won or lost.

same in the next edition of the tournament come 2022,” Phillips said.

He further related that he was extremely grateful to the players and teams who conducted themselves with discipline throughout the entire tournament.

Phillips also praised the organisers and management for putting together such

All-Stars (Open). The Manof-the-Series Award for the open category went to Quintin Sampson of Ariel for his 231 runs and eight wickets. While in the masters’ category, Keith Fraser was deemed the MVP. In the legends category, the MVP was awarded to Unnis Yusuf for his 181 runs and two wickets.

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Cricketers at the academy pose with the coaches

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday hosted a one-day cricket academy at the Cotton Tree Cricket Ground for close to 40 youths in West Berbice.

The academy is the second of four that would be organised across the county by the Board under the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme. The first one-day academy was held on November 7 at the East Canje Ground for youths in the New Amsterdam-Canje area.

BCB Public Relations Officer (PRO) Simon Naidu expressed delight at the success of the academy and hailed the hard work of the West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA) in organising the event. Naidu noted that the hosting of the academies was being done in conjunction with a so-

cial skills developmental seminar in each of the four sub-associations.

The BCB, for the first time, also used the services of three local cricket coaches – Travis Hardcourt, Shamal Angel and K Sejoc. They were guided during the day

by Senior Coach Leslie Solomon.

The three coaches expressed gratitude to BCB President Hilbert Foster for fulfilling his commitment to use local coaches in the area as part of a developmental plan to allow them to grow. Special emphasis was placed on batting stance, bat grip, running between the wickets, fielding, bowling run-up, physical fitness and wicket keeping. The coaches were also on the lookout for any special talent for recommendation to the Berbice junior selectors for the upcoming inter-county Under-15

tournament. Foster, who is personally spearheading the organising of the academies, stated that his board was committed to making sure that every potential talent is given the opportunity to excel and follow in the footsteps of Rohan Kanhai and Basil Butcher.

The coaches also used the coaching manual published by the BCB and among the topics covered during the day were mental preparations, attributes of a batsman, ways of dismissals, and the importance of discipline and leadership.

Head Coach Solomon and WBCA President David Black led the off-field lectures on the different topics. Solomon shared that the vibrant Board not only wanted to develop outstanding players on the field but produce role model ambassadors for others to emulate.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021

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

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U-20 Lady Jags drawn in Group F for CONCACAF Championships Pg 22

Briton John wins LonLam Classic open category … Stewart, Spencer among others register wins in respective categories

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