Guyana Times - Tuesday November 23, 2021

P13

Huawei donates 1000 Internet boxes to Guyana Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4840

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

PRICE

President demands timeliness, quality work from contractors …lays out Govt’s expectations

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Weeks after accident

Veteran aviator Malcolm Chana-Sue dies P2

Page 3

More males involved in fatal accidents – P2 Health Minister Taxi driver charged for strangling security guard to death P8 High Court P12 ordered execution of 4 convicted murderers this year

Govt, Opposition to meet Page 7 this week on appointment of Public Procurement Commission

…backlog of complaints awaiting Commission – PAC Chair

Tuschen man electrocuted while helping accident victim Page 8

Govt holds meetings with Ghanaian investors, Private Sector – as delegation in Guyana to explore opportunities

P13 Mother, children homeless after fire guts home

See story on page 14

Venezuelan migrants

Malaria detected among adults, chronic malnutrition in more children …can access health services at Port Kaituma Hospital See story on page 11

P11 Teen motorcyclist, pedestrian killed in accidents

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More males involved in fatal accidents – Health Minister

A

closer look at the statistics of fatal accidents has shown that four out of five persons involved are males, with the remainder accounting for females.

This stark trend was highlighted by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony during the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

It was reported that there was a 29 per cent decrease in fatal accidents for 2021 compared to 2020. While there have been 81 fatal accidents with 88 deaths, last year’s figures showed 114 accidents and 124 deaths.

He also underscored that a majority of individuals in-

volved in these accidents are youths, who are often under the influence of alcohol when driving.

“You would see that among the persons who died or involved in these fatal accidents, about four males to maybe one female when you look at the stats. So, more males end up in these fatal accidents than females.

And when you look at the age category, they’re generally between 25 and 49 years of age. A lot of these cases, when you do the analysis even further, many of these young men have been drinking,” the Health Minister shared.

He said a lot of accidents can be prevented with re-

sponsible actions from those who are imbibing and others involved in these activities.

“Get somebody as a designated driver who would avoid alcohol and be able to take you home safely. If you see a person who has been drinking and you know they have had too much, then don’t put them in the car for them to drive home. Call a taxi or get somebody to take them home. If we start to adopt these types of responsible behaviour, then I think we’ll have a reduction in the number of fatal accidents that we’re seeing on

our roadways,” Dr Anthony cautioned.

Another common concern, he identified, is the growing plague of cell phone users while driving. With reduced focus on the roadway, this is often a recipe for accidents and fatalities.

“People are driving and they believe they can multitask. While they’re driving, somebody calls them and they pick up the phone, and they’re not paying attention to what is happening on the road. Because of that, you can get into accidents. Sometimes when

they’re driving, they believe they can drive and text at the same time. That’s a crazy thing to do because you’re distracted.”

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn also recognised the importance of identifying these warning signs to curtail accidents.

Benn noted, “The more important thing is to catch beforehand, the warning signs, the indiscretions, the bad behaviour, the bad practices which leads us to points where we have accidents and serious accidents

which results in serious injuries and loss of life”.

Additionally, he posited that regardless of who is involved in a road incident, the integrity of the country’s laws must be upheld with zero interference.

“We are accountable under the laws and we should not unnecessarily intervene in issues which would bring things and ourselves into disrepute. This is very important. The integrity of the system relies on the integrity of the persons doing the work.” (G12)

Weeks after accident

Veteran aviator Malcolm Chan-a-Sue dies

V

eteran aviator Malcolm Chan-a-Sue has died at the age of 82 – almost one month after he was seriously injured in a road accident with a speeding minibus.

The accident occurred on October 30, at the intersection of High and Barrack Streets, Georgetown. At the time Chan-a-Sue’s wife Margaret Chan-a-Sue was in the vehicle with him.

Veteran aviator Malcolm Chan-a-Sue

CCTV footage of the incident revealed that the couple’s motor car had stopped at the intersection before attempting to proceed east of Barrack Street but in the process, the car which was already in the middle of the intersection, was hit by a speeding minibus which was heading north.

The car was badly damaged leaving both Chana-Sue and his wife hospitalised. Chan-a-Sue, who received life threatening injuries, passed away on Monday while recieving medical care.

Chan-a-Sue was the founder of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School – which is a regionally recognised institution.

He was also the recipient of the Medal of Service and the Arrow of Achievement, which he received in 2015 for his long, dedicated service and outstanding service in the field of aviation.

Chan-a-Sue had over 60 years of experience in the field and has been hailed by many in the industry as an iconic Guyanese figure who contributed immensely to the development of his country.

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in a statement said it is saddened by the passing of veteran aviator.

It noted that the Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, the Chairman and Board of Directors, the Director General, Management and Staff of the GCAA extend sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the late Captain.

“Guyana has lost another stalwart in aviation,” GCAA said.

Treasured and “iconic” Guyanese

National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia on Monday expressed his remorse in a statement on social media, highlighted the contributions of Chan-a-Sue, noting that he was a stickler for standards.

He was a treasured and “iconic” Guyanese figure, who has contributed immensely to the development of the aviation sector including the Eugene F Correia “Ogle” International Airport, Gouveia said.

Meanwhile a statement from Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School, noted that Chan-a-Sue had dedicated 25 years (1993-2018) of service, business insight, consultation, expertise and professionalism as founder, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the institution.

Additionally, Aircraft Owners’ Association of Guyana (AOAG) said that it is deeply saddened by the untimely death of Captain Chan-a-Sue. “Captain Chan-a-Sue’s contribution to the development and progress of aviation in Guyana is second to none and truly immeasurable…he played a major part in the growth and development of what is today the ‘Eugene F Correia International Airport’ at Ogle and continued as an active consultant to the airport at the time of his death.”

Captain Chan-a-Sue was the holder of a Private Pilot’s Licence, Commercial Pilot’s Licence, and the Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence with several type ratings for various aircraft including the single engine and multi engine land and sea type aircraft. He was qualified to operate the Britton Norman 2 Islander, Grumman G21A, Dakota C47, DHC 6 Twin Otter, DHC 4A Caribou, HF748 and the Boeing 737 aircraft.

He worked with the former Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) and was one of the founding members of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School (AWHWAES).

Captain Chan-aSue worked with the AWHWAES from 1993 to 2018 in various capacities including Chief Executive Officer and remained a Director after retiring as CEO in 2018.

NEWS

3

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Tuesday, Nov 23 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Wednesday, Nov 24 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

President demands timeliness, quality work from contractors …lays out Govt’s expectations

Tuesday, Nov 23 – 06:30h – 08:00h and Wednesday, Nov 24 – 07:10h – 08:40h.

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 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

A section of the contractors at the meeting President Irfaan Ali during the meeting

Winds: South-Westerly to Northerly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 06:26h and 18:34h reaching a maximum height of 2.41 metres and 2.5 metres.

Low Tide: 12:09h reaching a minimum height of 0.5 metre.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

08 10 15

FREE TICKET

19 20 21

25 Bonus Ball

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

01 04 17 18 19 LUCKY 3

9

1

2

9

Afternoon Draw

0

5

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 02 05 07 15 17 18 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021

02 03 05 06 17 13

08 14 15 16 21

3

6 Afternoon Draw

3X Afternoon Draw

0

9 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$79.70/barrel

+1.02

Rough Rice

$259.56/ton

-0.48

London Sugar

$512.60/ton

-0.77

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1811.40

$1812.40

Low/High Change

$1801.80 +6.90

$1849.50 +0.38%

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday hauled in a number of contractors executing works throughout the country for a meeting, laying down his Government’s expectations while at the same time listening to concerns.

The meeting was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Monday afternoon, with contractors currently executing major capital projects and relevant Ministries and Government agencies.

During the meeting, the President discussed his Government’s expectations when it comes to the execution of the projects and the quality of work. He also took the opportunity to remind the contractors of the rapid developmental trajectory that Guyana is on and pointed to the future where there will be a significant increase in capital projects both from the public and Private Sectors.

The President was joined by the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and Attorney General and

Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who also addressed the meeting.

Also present were the Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal and heads and representatives from the various Government agencies.

There is a plethora of ongoing contracts being executed. There is work on the Sheriff-Mandela road extension, as well as work on a roundabout that will connect the four-lane highway being built under the Housing and Water Ministry from Eccles to the Mandela four-lane highway, providing commuters with alternatives to the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). In fact, President Ali paid a visit to the site of the four-lane highway only a few days ago.

The expansion project, which covers approximately seven kilometres of road between Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue, involves the relocation of utilities;

the installation of lane and shoulder improvements; placement of sidewalks and paved shoulders; traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage; a pedestrian overhead walkway; culverts, bridges, and a roundabout.

The project was launched in 2018 but faced many setbacks under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had explained that in August 2020, there was no work being done due to the COVID-19 pandemic and because of non-compliance with environmental standards which resulted in the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) being forced to cease disbursements to the project.

The project was eventually restarted in September 2020 and the Dr Irfaan Aliled People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration had anticipated an August 4, 2021 completion. That has since been pushed back to the end of November.

There is also work on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), which is being ex-

ecuted by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). Shortly after taking office last year, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government had entered into an agreement with the contractor for additional works to be carried out at the airport. Having missed several timelines already, it was agreed that these works would be completed by December 31, 2021.

Applications from the Chinese company for extensions have been denied.

The new works involve an extension of the airport’s boarding corridor in order to accommodate two more passenger boarding bridges, providing the airport with a total of six boarding bridges capable of servicing aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Dreamliner, the AirBus and similar trans-Atlantic aircraft.

It would also see the terminal building being extended to provide accommodation for additional commercial space, such as food courts and duty-free shops. The extended building would feature a modern airport façade covering the full length of the departure terminal. (G3)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

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

Effort needed to curb road fatalities

A

s Guyana joins the international community for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn made a pertinent call. He called for more to be done to reduce road fatalities.

We support the Minister’s call for drivers to observe and report the signs of dangerous driving before it results in road carnage. More importantly, his colleague minister, Dr Frank Anthony announced that an examination of the statistics of fatal accidents has shown that four out of five persons involved are males.

To quote him: “So, more males end up in these fatal accidents than females. And when you look at the age category, they’re generally between 25 and 49 years of age. A lot of these cases, when you do the analysis even further, many of these young men have been drinking.” This is startling and alarming.

These revelations come as Guyanese continue to express concern and shock over horrific accidents that have occurred on the roadways. A common theme appears to be the unnecessary taking of risks, alcohol and speed, factors often lamented as causes.

Historically, the shock, concern and caution that follow a fatal accident seem to be fleeting, and the major contributory factors are seemingly swiftly resumed despite public outcry. However, given that those accidents are occurring on our roadways, and judging from sentiments expressed on social media, it seems that a large number of Guyanese are outraged and are calling for drivers to slow down.

While that is encouraging, only time will tell if public pressure would indeed make a positive impact. Social media wields tremendous influence, and traffic violations by some irresponsible drivers have been captured and have attracted the attention of the Police.

There were instances when some drivers imbibed alcoholic beverages while in the process of transporting members of the public. The conductors randomly stick their hands out to demand that the bus be allowed to cut in front of vehicles, without considering the risk involved.

The said drivers literally drive on the parapets at times to illegally undertake, just to avoid staying in lanes and to reach their destinations within the shortest possible time. They also blatantly block turning lanes while ignoring the pleading horns.

The end result is that those who respect the traffic laws are made to spend much longer commuting, and are left at the mercy of those inconsiderate drivers. This in no way suggests that all minibus drivers are reckless; however, many are noticeable offenders across the country. Sadly, their unacceptable behaviour has been allowed to continue, seemingly encouraged by both the travelling public and the Police to an extent.

While some passengers have objected to the overall despicable behaviour of minibus operators, and were in the process abused, there is an urgent need for a collective and robust approach to denounce what has, unfortunately, become a culture of disrespect to both passengers and traffic laws.

There are times when the Police act and times when they seemingly turn a blind eye. Serious consideration must be given to the fact that some Police Officers own minibuses. Every day, roadways – including those in some villages that are not approved on the road service – are used by minibuses.

The Police cannot be oblivious of that, for, in some cases, when they are managing the flow of traffic, they allow those buses to reenter the main thoroughfare. That can only be seen as encouraging a transgression of the said road service. Also, on a daily basis, many minibuses are crammed with passengers, exceeding the legal limit.

There are times when the Police intervene, and commendations must be given; however, there is a lack of much-needed consistency, not just for the minibus drivers in question, but for all others.

The situation has worsened, and will further decline if no meaningful and sustained intervention is made. If the working traffic lights were to be configured to best suit the rush hours, then more ranks could be freed up to deal with traffic violations.

In addition, there should be consideration for more stringent mechanisms, including raising the required age to obtain a licence to drive a minibus or taxi, and higher costs. Penalties for traffic violations must be more punitive, possibly even for minor offences.

In whatever review that may now take place, maybe a protocol on how minibuses owned by Police Officers should be treated in the context herein, and to simplify a complaint process for the public, needs to be established.

The bottom line is that this issue must be addressed immediately and holistically, since a lack of sustained action would be continually interpreted as encouragement for the lawlessness.

As December nears, the famous Christmas tree at Rahaman’s Park, Houston is already taking shape as Guyanese prepare for the festive season (Abel Harris photo)

Salary increases and other measures

Dear Editor, It is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about severe challenges for countries. Every country, including Guyana, has been dealing with the economic implications of COVID-19 which continues to affect them negatively.

Since coming into office and inheriting the situation, the PPP/C Government has remained focused on providing support and assistance to the Guyanese people. The most recent effort to give back to the people is the announcement of 7 per cent salary increase which will be retroactive for all public servants, plus $400 million which has been set aside for a one-off payment to frontline workers. I know that a lot of people were expecting more but given the fact that we are still dealing with the pandemic as well as supply chain issues which the President discussed at his last conference, a 7 per cent retroactive increase and a one-off payment for frontline workers is commendable. I applaud the PPP/C Government for ensuring that public servants and frontline workers receive something sizeable especially for the holiday season.

I have been following the work of the Government for quite some time and one thing that is evident through their actions is that they are working assiduously to cater for the needs of the people. For instance, many people were unable to work because of the pandemic.

The Government recognised that and stepped in to offer the $25,000 one-off payment to every household across Guyana. As far as I am aware, that initiative amounted to $7.5 billion and

provided much needed support to thousands of families. Then, the Government saw the need for frontline workers and the Disciplined Services to be rewarded for their hard work last year and as such, offered a yearend bonus to them totalling $1 billion. Notwithstanding, public servants were also provided with a one-off payment of $25,000 in December, 2020 amounting to $2 billion. I mention these measures because I want everyone to know that even amidst the pandemic when countries were/are suffering, the Government of Guyana stepped in to offer assistance as best as they can using the resources that were available.

I also want to point out that with the rise in prices of goods and services; everyone is looking to have more disposable income so that their spending power can increase. The Government has recognised that and as a result, has implemented several other measures to provide citizens with more money in their pockets. For instance, the old-age pension was increased from $20,500 to $25,000 and all recipients received a one-off grant of $25,000 just recently.

Public assistance payment also moved from $9000 to $12,000 and the recipients also received the $25,000 one-off payment. In addition to these, the Government reintroduced the Because We Care cash grant which provided $19,000 to families for every single child. This meant that families did not have to dig into their own pockets to provide their children with school supplies.

The Government covered that expense for the most

part. Of course, these are just a few of the many publicly documented measures that were implemented to provide people with more disposable income which is a desire for almost everyone at this time.

I will conclude by saying that the 7 per cent salary increase and the $400 million that was set aside for frontline workers will assist a great deal. Thousands of public servants and front-

line workers will be able to have more disposable income and more spending power because of this. In my opinion, rather than complaining, it is best to look at it in the sense that come December 2021, public servants will be 7 per cent better off. I commend the PPP/C Government in this regard.

Yours very truly, Anson Paul

PNCR-led coalition misled sugar workers Dear Editor, In his trenchant critique on the direction and operations of GuySuCo, Mr Samuel Gittens has made a few startling comments.

Here is one. “The coalition did not fool the workers. It closed down four estates and vowed to dismantle them.”

In response to PPP/C’s claim that the PNCR-led coalition will close the sugar industry if they win power, the coalition insisted, “sugar is too big to fail,” and if elected, they would offer sugar workers a 20 per cent pay increase. The sugar workers fell for that ruse, and it was their votes at the 2015 polls, along with those of rice farmers (estimated at 11 per cent) that helped to secure the PNCR coalition’s victory.

Mr Gittens continued to raise several other issues. “Is Government really interested in rehabilitating GuySuCo? Or is the plan to allow it to collapse and then re-distribute the land to friends, families, and cronies?” “Is the CEO retained to guarantee the failure of the company?” Apart from these questions he stated, “capital

money invested in GuySuCo has been squandered; and that money given to some displaced workers is simply to appease them and reduce their wrath as Government allows GuySuCo to collapse.”

On the issue of squandering money, it is noted that there has been no accountability by the PNCR-led coalition for G$20.574 billion of the G$30 billion bonds they negotiated for GuySuCo. To express deep concerns about the financial viability and future of GuySuCo, including management, is understandable. What is not comprehensible is to assert at this time that sugar’s survival is based solely on profits. While the sugar industry has been going through some difficult years mainly because of the lack of diversification, modernisation of plant and operations, plus the dramatic reduction of European Union (EU) pricing by 34 per cent, these negative forces should not allow critics to write-off the industry that has contributed significantly to the overall development of the country.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

5

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

Do not fall prey to Opposition misdirection Dear Editor, I write this letter to you to express my views on the recently announced seven per cent salary increase for public servants.

Since the announcement was made, I observed the Opposition lashing out at the Government on social media for giving the workers seven per cent as their increase. I found many viewpoints from the Opposition members to be riddled with inaccuracies, all with the intent of attacking the Government.

I make reference to posts from Juretha Fernandes, Aubrey Norton and the APNU/AFC Facebook page along with other MPs like Sherod Duncan and Coretta McDonald to say that these people are not serving in the best interest of their constituents. Allow me to explain.

The entire Opposition has been criticising the 7 per cent increase saying that the Government is cruel to the public servants as they deserved a higher percentage increase.

They continue to divert all

their efforts into comparing this 7 per cent increase against that which they gave during their tenure.

Some of these very MPs even went further to say that the APNU/AFC not only gave sizable increases but also increased the minimum wage. However, I am not seeing a single one of these individuals highlight the fact that during their tenure, they were not dealing with the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also very silent on the fact that even though they gave salary increases higher than 7 per cent, they also implemented hundreds of tax increase measures which placed additional pressure on the Guyanese people.

The reality was that during their tenure, even though the minimum wage was increased and salary increases were given, only a small number of the Guyanese people benefited as the majority of us were taxed to death by all the tax measures that were rolled out.

The APNU/AFC placed VAT on electricity, water,

education, health services and so much more and for this and other reasons they were voted out of office.

In just over a year of the PPP/C Government being in office, measures were rolled out in every single area that you can think of so as to bring relief to the people. This was all done even though the Government was dealing with the negative effects of the pandemic on the country. I think it is important for people to be aware that the Government has reversed most of the harsh tax measures that the coalition rolled out between 2015 to 2020. In fact, Guyanese are now benefitting from tax-free water and electricity, one-off cash grants and even increases in old-age pension, public assistance, and the Because We Care grant.

What the APNU/AFC is trying to do is get people to ignore these things and just focus on the 7 per cent increase. Their stance is that a higher increase should be given so that public servants would have greater monetary gains. However,

PNCR-led coalition misled...

FROM PAGE 4

There is still a viable market for refined white sugar in Caricom (estimated 200,000 metric tonnes annually) where Guyana could get as much as US$600 per tonne of sugar. On the question of management, the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo assured that it would be strengthened.

Food security necessitates that most countries, including the European Union, the United States, and India, subsidise their agriculture sector of which sugar is a major crop. The Caribbean Development Bank stated (2014): “… it is economically viable for GOGY [Government of Guyana] to continue subsidising and protecting the cultivation and harvesting of sugar cane and processing of sugar for export and local consumption.” The average annual subsidy to GuySuCo over the period 2011 to 2020 was equivalent to 3.1 per cent of the national annual budget. To subsidise a key sector is considered good public policy (saving 7000 jobs and livelihood of 35,000 persons) as such a measure has also prevented (prior to 2017) massive social and economic dislocation in the sugar belt and beyond.

After the sugar estates’ closure in 2017, the anticipated social and economic woes overwhelmed the dismissed sugar workers whose lives were plunged into disarray (ILO:1/21 Report). It is noted that the average annual per capita subsidy for bauxite workers is 4 times more than the average per capita subsidy for sugar workers.

Certain industries like sugar and bauxite are deeply interwoven in the commu-

nities in which they operate.

The sugar industry brought workers’ fore-parents as either slaves or bonded labour into the country, and that link (social, cultural, psychological, financial) to sugar has endured for countless decades and would not be easily broken. Another redeeming feature of sugar is captured by GAWU; “the industry provided other support, some of which continues, such as drainage and irrigation and health services.... our habitation of the low-lying coastal belt is made possible by the network of canals, dykes, sea defences and water conservancies which were built primarily for the sugar industry.”

The PPP/C Government is committed to diversification and structural transformation of the sugar industry. However, these were not priorities of the PNCR coalition Government under whose rule the sugar cane fields, the factories, and infrastructure were allowed to deteriorate. The Minister of Agriculture said that they expect the Rosehall Sugar Estate to begin production in early 2022. The lead time is necessary since the factories became non-operational from 2017. To weaken further the industry, the PNCRled coalition was planning to get rid of huge chunks of sugar estate lands. The rationale offered was that they would sell the lands to raise G$35.9 billion to help pay off GuySuCo’s debts. And the prospect of advancing mechanical means of harvesting cane to lower costs was derailed by the coalition which rejected a CDBfunded Sugar Industry

Mechanisation Project Loan.

The eagerness to dismantle the sugar industry was most evident at Wales where the destruction was so surreal (irreparable) that the PPP/C Government decided that it could not be rehabilitated. Instead, it has created the Wales Development Authority to serve as an industrial hub, to restore back that community and beyond to productive economic life. The non-production of sugar at Skeldon at present is not necessarily a deterrence to privatisation or to joint-public-private partnership. In addition, there is still immense value in its co-generation capability (energy). The Skeldon Energy Incorporated (SEI) reported that in 2016 it had done “US$45M (G$9.45B) in energy sales to the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL).”

One should not forget that sugar had been able to rescue all sectors of the economy when they were struggling. Former Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that over G$92 billion (derived from the sugar levy) had been allocated to other sectors over the period 1976-2000.

Sugar workers also contribute G$1.2 billion annually to NIS. However, these positives do not mean that concerted attempts must not be made to progressively reduce subsidies and enhance productivity. The Government projects that within the next four years, the sugar industry will bounce back to economic viability. Thus, the challenge ahead for GuySuCo is formidable.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

I want to ask the coalition this: Would you have preferred that the Government offer a double-digit increase and leave the tax measures like VAT on water, electricity, healthcare, education and so forth, unchanged? Would that have given you the satisfaction you’re looking for or would you have then sought to

criticise the Government for offering the double-digit increase and not addressing the high taxes and not offering assistance in the other areas like education and healthcare?

This 7 per cent salary increase should not be looked at in isolation.

Instead, it must be examined alongside all the oth-

er measures which the Government rolled out to reduce the burden on citizens and offer them more disposable income. I urge my fellow Guyanese to look at the bigger picture and not fall prey to APNU/AFC misdirection.

Respectfully yours, Brian Azore

A little bit of something is better than nothing Dear Editor, I know that as of recent all everyone is talking about is the salary increase for public servants. I have seen so many arguments from both sides of the political divide justifying their stance on the increase and I thought that I would share my opinion as well. I kindly ask that you permit me to do so in your publication.

First and foremost, Guyana, just like all the other countries in the world, is facing economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries are being crippled and people are suffering a great deal. This is not only because of the rise in cost of living everywhere, but also because millions of people are out of jobs. Looking at our very own Caricom countries, we can see how severely they are affected and how their people are crying out.

Take for instance Trinidad and Tobago. In August 2021, the TT Guardian carried a story which was headlined “6000 businesses face permanent closure, won’t reopen Monday”. This meant that thousands of people in Trinidad and Tobago were going to be unemployed simply because of the economic implications of the pandemic. Fortunately, in Guyana, our people are not facing such hardships and that is attributed to the efforts of the PPP/C Government. I say this confidently because had the APNU/AFC coalition been in office, we would have more than likely been in a similar situation like Trinidad and Tobago.

In just the same way it should be criticised for its misteps, the Government should be commended when it has done well and I am of the firm view that the way it has provided relief to the people of Guyana in order to cushion the effects of this pandemic is commendable.

As soon as they took office, they began rolling out measures like the one-off payment to frontline workers and the Disciplined Services, the one-off cash grant to every single household across Guyana and the increase in old-age pension and public assistance. Immediately after, we saw the removal of VAT on electricity, water,

education, basic necessities and so much more. This was all done whilst the pandemic was ravaging throughout the country. The Government offered support to businesses so as to ensure that they catered for the needs of the people even when the world was facing supply chain issues. In addition to all of this, thousands of jobs were created and many new businesses have been opened even though other countries were dealing with the opposite reality.

The countless measures implemented have benefitted thousands of Guyanese.

Now with the 7 per cent ret-

roactive salary increase, thousands of workers will be able to have more money to improve their livelihood especially during this pandemic which has made things increasingly difficult. I believe that the salary increases coupled with all the other measures that have been put in place have assisted Guyanese tremendously and the Government ought to be applauded. In closing, I quote the words of Dan Millman, “A little bit of something is better than nothing”.

Sincerely, Erin Northe

6

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Adding or subtracting fractions with like denominators

T

o add or subtract fractions with unlike, or different denominators, you have to change them into fractions with common or like denominators. This process is called finding the common denominator.

Example: Add 1/2 + 1/12 = 6/12 + 1/12 = 7/12 Subtract 1/2 - 1/12 = 6/12 - 1/12 = 5/12 To find a common denominator in these fractions, first: look at the denominators, 2 and 12. What number is a multiple of both 2 and 12? A simple way to find the common multiple is to multiply the two numbers. 2 x 12 = 24. In some cases, there is a smaller number that is a common multiple that would be easier to work with. In these examples, 12 is a lower common multiple than 24, so it will work as your common denominator. In each fraction, multiply the original denominator to make it become the common denominator. Then multiply the original numerator by that same number.

Exercises: Add or subtract fractions

1) 3/2- 2/3

4) 2/24 -3/21

2) 8/4 + 17/12

5) 25/10 - 3/7

3) 2/4+ 11/4

6) 6/3+ 18/10

stir up the leaves.

Take plastic wrap off and place paper coffee filter strip into rubbing alcohol. Make sure just one end of the strip is in the alcohol and the other end is near the top of the jar.

Let the paper Instructions: strip sit in jar for Break the all the leaves into tiny an hour. Then make pieces and put them your observations. in the jar.

How it works: Pour rubbing In this science alcohol over the e x p e r i - ment we leaves until they u s e d t h e are just covered.

Mash and stir r u b the leaves into the rubbing alcohol until the r u b bing alcohol turns s l i g h t l y green.

Cover the jar with plastic wrap.

Put the jar bing in a bowl of hot wacohol ter for 50 minutes. a l energy Gently swish the jar a n d every 10 minutes to ( h o t water) to s e p a - rate the colours. You likely saw green, and Materials: 3 green leaves from the same tree Rubbing alcohol 1 glass jar Plastic wrap Paper strip from a coffee filter Small bowl with hot water in it

depending on your leaf type, maybe red, yellow, or orange. Chlorophyll gives leaves their green colour and is so dominant it hides the other colours in the leaves. But in the fall, chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down allowing the other colours to finally shine through and show their beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges.

Extra experiments: How do the results change if you leave the leaves in t h e rubbing alcohol for an hour and a half instead of 50 minutes?

How do the results change if you start with leaves that no longer are green?

How do the results change if you use needles from an evergreen tree? (scienceisfun.org)

WORD SEARCH

7 Govt, Opposition to meet this week on appointment of Public Procurement Commission NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…backlog of complaints awaiting Commission – PAC Chair

W

ork to set up the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which has the vital role of overseeing contract approvals and mediating contractor complaints, will begin in earnest when a subcommittee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meets this week.

During Monday’s sitting of the PAC, Opposition member Ganesh Mahipaul raised the issue of the appointment of the PPC. The PAC is responsible for approving members of this commission, as well as requesting background checks on candidates.

But since the life of the five-member commission ended in October of 2020, a new commission is yet to be appointed. There was a contentious exchange between the Government and Opposition side on Monday in the Parliament chamber, during which the media was asked to leave.

Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

Subsequently, PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira explained that a compromise was reached with Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira. This compromise will see the two sides meeting at a still to be determined date this week to iron out issues regarding the

appointment of the commission. “…she has committed that we will be meeting sometime this week, so that we can start again the process of shortlisting and hopefully come to some finality.”

Meanwhile, Figueira also explained that there are approximately 24 individuals on the candidate list, all of whom were given background checks by the Commissioner of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

“When the first list came, I think six members that would have also satisfied the deadline, we missed that.

So that had to be sent to the Commissioner of Police for him to do background checks on those individuals. All of that was done.”

“So here is where we are, to do the shortlisting.

And hopefully, we agree on an arrangement where the commission is a concoction of three, two, Government

three, Opposition two members and we have it operationalised,” Figueira said.

In the meantime, Figueira revealed that a backlog of complaints exists for the new PPC to sift through, when it is appointed. He noted that prominent contractors have been making their complaints known to members of the PAC, on an unofficial basis.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact Teixeira, who serves as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, for a comment on this issue were futile.

Among the PPC’s key functions are, according to the Procurement Act, to “Monitor and review the functioning of all procurement systems to ensure that they are in accordance with law and such policy guidelines as may be determined by the National Assembly; promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special

requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, constructors and public bodies; safeguard the national interest in public procurement matters, having due regard to any international obligations; monitor the performance of procurement bodes with respect to adherence to regulations and efficiency in procuring goods and services and execution of works; approve of procedures for public procurement, disseminate rules and procedures for public procurement; and recommend modifications thereto to the public procurement entities.”

The PPC has in the past intervened in contracts when there was a discrepancy with the procurement of the contractor. One of the most famous cases of this was the sole-sourced consultant for the design and feasibility study of the new Demerara River Bridge.

The Procurement

PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira

Commission conducted a probe into the award of the feasibility study and design contract and had flagged the then Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the $148 million contract be sole-sourced. This subsequently resulted in them calling in the Auditor General. (G3)

Construction of 70m ferry earmarked for Region 1 on course for completion …keel-laying ceremony held in India with Guyanese officials of the ocean-going passenger and cargo vessel to ply Region One (Barima-Waini) has saved Guyana US$2.8 million ($588 million).

The savings, he had stated, would be invested in the construction of new stellings at Morawhanna, Kumaka and Port Kaituma, North West District. At the time, the Minister had also posited that the design-build nature of the contract would provide the Ministry with the opportunity to review and approve every plan or drawing subOfficials during the ceremony. In the background is the keel of the 70-metre vessel

W

ork is well underway on an Indiafunded ferry vessel earmarked for coastal and riverine areas in Region One (North West District), with reports coming out of India indicating that the keel has been laid for the 70-metre-long vessel.

The work on the “OceanGoing Passenger cum Cargo Vessel” is being executed

by Indian company Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE).

In a statement, it was announced that the keel-laying ceremony was held in the presence of a delegation of both Indian and Guyanese officials.

During the ceremony, Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, Rear Admiral VK Saxena spoke of the opportunity the contract presented to his company to leverage its experience and demonstrate its shipbuilding ability to the world.

“The success of this project stands dedicated to the untiring efforts of team GRSE and synergy among all stakeholders despite of the ongoing pandemic. This vessel aims

to create a new benchmark in the field of passenger and cargo movement in Guyana.”

“This project is a harbinger for more cooperation between our friendly nations in the maritime domain in near future. GRSE is proud to contribute towards friendly bilateral relations between the two nations,” he also said.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Captain Stephen Thomas expressed satisfaction over the progress of the project. According to him, the project is a testament to Guyana’s stable and longstanding partnership with India.

“This project is a distinct enterprise for the Government of Guyana designed to provide smart transportation of passengers and cargo. Catering to the needs of our people, the vessel will prove to be an efficient mode of transport for the passengers and cargo movement in Guyana. This cooperation with India’s leading shipbuilder GRSE, highlights our stable and long-term relationship with India,” he said.

Also present were Chargé d’affaires, AI, of the Guyana High Commission in India Ronalda Edwards-Horatio, as well as Directors of GRSE and other senior officials of GRSE and Transport & Harbour Department, Guyana.

GRSE bagged the order for this vessel on competitive bidding, and the contract was signed with the Transport and Harbours Department Limited (T&HD) of Guyana on January 13. The 70-metre long, 1700-tonne vessel will be propelled by 2 Caterpillar engines and twin-disc gear boxes to achieve a maximum speed of 15 knots.

Fuel-efficient, it is intended for the vessel to carry passengers and cargo in the coastal and riverine areas of the North West District of Guyana. The ship is designed to carry 276 passengers and 14 crew members, along with 14 cars, two trucks, 10 containers, and four refrigerated containers.

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill had related earlier this year that the award of a US$12.7 million ($2.6 billion) contract to GRSE for the construction

mitted by GRSE before construction of the vessel commences.

It also provides for the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) to travel to India periodically to carry out inspections of the vessel before payments are disbursed to the shipbuilder. Additionally, the training of pilots, engineers and other crew members on the navigational, safety and other aspects of the new vessel was also included in the project.

The new vessel will en-

sure that future travels to the North West District and other parts of Guyana are faster, safer and more efficient. Moreover, the vessel would be modern and built according to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Classification Society and will meet every single requirement for maritime operations.

Funding for the ferry was sourced through a $3.6 billion combined grant and line of credit from the Government of India. (G3)

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Taxi driver charged for strangling security guard to death

S

ixty-two-year-old Kirk Beaton has been remanded to prison for the murder of Indira Lall, the 52-year-old woman who was strangled to death on Monday last.

Lall, a security guard of Affiance, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), arrived home dead in a taxi which was driven by Beaton.

A post-mortem conducted on the woman found that she died as a result of manual strangulation.

Beaton appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Monday where he was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on November 15, 2021, he killed Lall. The case was adjourned to December 12 for statement and trans-

Dead: Indira Lall

ferred to the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

On the night of the incident, Beaton had dropped off the woman at her daughter’s house where he informed that the security guard was

feeling unwell and needed to go to the hospital.

When the daughter went to her mother’s aid, the woman was already dead and froth was coming out of her mouth.

The daughter, Rashma Lall, said she tried to “wake up” her mother but there was no response. She then asked the taxi driver to take them to the hospital but he reportedly refused, claiming that his car light was not working.

As such, the daughter made alternative arrangements to take her mother to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The woman’s son, Vicky Lall, said he last spoke with his mother at around 19:00h that evening but everything seemed normal.

The taxi driver of

N

Remanded: Kirk Beaton

Reliance Village, is known to the family since he would often transport the now dead woman home from work whenever she was on the night shift. (G14)

Tuschen man electrocuted while helping accident victim

A

28-year-old man who was providing assistance to an accident victim on Sunday evening died as a result of electrocution.

Dead is Seeram Jainarine, also known as “Akash”, of Tuschen North, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Jainarine, who operated a canter truck with crane, was summoned to the location along the Zeelugt Public Road, EBE, to remove a pick-up which was damaged in an accident earlier in the day. He had an assistant with him who was operating the truck.

In a statement, Police said Jainarine was standing at the side of the canter operating the crane when it came into contact with a Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) electrical wire, “causing the wire to spark and Seeram Jainarine was pitched to the ground”.

After this happened, the assistant transported Jainarine to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Jainarine was contacted by a 70-year-old man of Sophia, Greater

The canter truck with crane which Seeram Jainarine was operating

Georgetown – who was driving the pick-up at the time of the accident.

Reports are that the pick-up was pro-

ceeding along the roadway when it suffered a blow-out and ended up in a trench.

Teen son to stand trial for killing father

Dead: Collin Joseph

N

ineteen-year-old Rashane Joseph was on Monday committed to stand trial for the unlawful killing of his 41-yearold father, Collin Joseph.

Rashane called “John

Crow” of Spencer Street, Ithaca, West Coast Berbice, has not been required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that he unlawfully killed his father on August 16, 2020.

At the end of a Preliminary Inquiry, Magistrate Peter Hugh, sitting at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court, ruled that a prima facie case was made out against him to put him on trial for the offence at the Berbice High Court.

Accordingly, the accused killer was committed to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Berbice Criminal Assizes. Rashane remains on $100,000 bail pending the hearing and determination of that trial.

It was previously reported that Collin called “Underdog”, a father of four, was pronounced dead on ar-

Accused killed: Rashane Joseph

rival at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital after his son inflicted injuries on him with a cutlass.

Reports are that the cattle farmer and his teen son had a misunderstanding on

One step forward…

the day in question during which they accused each other of using each other’s belongings. They also reportedly threatened to kill each other.

They later had another confrontation after which the teenager went home and was followed by his father.

This led to an argument during which both of them armed themselves with cutlasses.

As the argument escalated, the now dead man threw his cutlass at his son, but it missed him. In retaliation, the son threw his cutlass at the father and it struck him in the right side of his chest.

Collin started to bleed profusely and then collapsed. It was reported that the teenager suffered years of abuse at the hands of his father. (G1)

…two steps backwards at COP26 ow that not only the world leaders but the Sherpas and activists have departed from COP26 at Glasgow, what’s the biggest takeaway for your Eyewitness?

Apart from learning that the people who live there are called “Glaswegians” and the men don’t wear those plaid miniskirts all the time, that is!! Well, firstly, that with all the hot air spewed during the speeches, talks, negotiations, press conferences, protests and such like, the climate had to’ve warmed up a notch!! And this doesn’t include all the CO2 spewed out from all those jet engines bringing in the big wigs!!

So, another takeaway? Well, the reaffirmation that when you’re an elephant among pygmies, you can sit anywhere you damn well please! Including ON the pygmies! And that’s what the elephants in the room at Glasgow – the US, China and India – pretty much did on burning the worst pollutant of them all – coal. They kicked THAT can down the road by diluting a resolution from “phasing it out” to “phasing it down” by 2050!! Slick, ain’t it? So, between now and 2050 you can expect the RATE of burning coal to reach – or surpass! – the historic levels back when America was literally steamrolling its way to the top of the economic heap!!

And the same thing’s gonna happen with the production of oil and gas!! The organisers of COP26 had barely shut down their mikes – after the Chair, Alok Sharma broke down in tears over “what could’ve been!” – when each oilproducing country such as the US, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Brazil, Russia started ramping up their production! Yet our very woke Climate and Environmental activists in our dirtpoor Mudland stamped their feet and shrilly demanded that we shut down all production here right now!! Or else?

But that’s grist for another mill!

Another takeaway that was reaffirmed from COP25 was that don’t believe any promise on donations to poor countries by the rich countries to help the former cut back on emissions. Or take mitigating measures to deal with rising seas and hurricanes that they caused with their profligate pollution!! Poor countries were fooled once five years ago at COP25 in gay (as in happy!) Paree, when the big shots promised US$100 BILLION! Not even a fraction was delivered and then that fraction was mostly loans rather than grants!!

And as such, the last takeaway is we can all expect “Mercury Rising” going forward. Forget the 1.5C limit and maybe double it and you’ll get an idea where we’re heading. So, where does that leave us?

Drill, baby, drill! Let’s get as much money from our oil and build that Silica City ASAP!!

Head South, young men (and women)!! …into a hole in India Gandhi famously said that India lives in its villages.

Sadly, more than half-a-century later, it remains true.

China, in the meantime – once just as poor as India – has far surpassed India in urbanisation. And, not so coincidentally, has also outstripped it in development, manufacturing and growth. The problem is, notwithstanding Gandhi waxing lyrical about the virtues of village life, villagers are generally resistant to change. Even when it’s in their interest.

Take the farmers’ protests over the last year that forced the Government to back down on three Farm Bills it’d passed to liberalise the agricultural sector. The bottom line was that, for instance, commodities would’ve been traded across state lines, forward contracts could’ve been negotiated and the base prices that become top prices would’ve been removed to allow supply and demand to set prices.

This is how the rest of the world operates – including China. But Indian agriculture will remain inefficient to satisfy the traders who mediate farm products.

Hope Guyanese farmers see the light!! …on City Hall In preparation for restoring City Hall, a fence has been built. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to tear down the entire derelict structure and rebuild it from “scratch”??

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

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Persons immunised with Sputnik V can get J&J booster shot

…as 1 more death, 31 new COVID cases recorded

T

he rollout of booster shots for the population this week will see different combinations of vaccines being used, in order to boost protection against the deadly coronavirus.

Guyana’s immunisation campaign has seen usage of Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and J&J vaccines.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony informed on Monday that a person immunised with Sputnik V can take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as their booster dose. Meanwhile, those with Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Sinopharm are required to take the same vaccines respectively.

Since Moderna booster shots are unavailable, Pfizer doses can work. For the AstraZeneca-immunised subset, either the same vaccine or Pfizer can be taken.

“This is the regiment that we will be using. Anyone who wants to get their booster can come to any one of our facilities and ask for the booster.

We require you to bring your vaccination card so that they write the dosage into the card,” he outlined.

Along with persons 50 years and older, healthcare workers and persons with comorbid conditions are eligi-

ble for the booster jab. It can be taken six months after complete immunisation.

In terms of vaccination, 396,042 adults have taken a first dose, accounting for 77.2 per cent. Meanwhile, 269,791 or 52.6 per cent are completely immunised.

Another 28,709 or 34.9 per cent of children have been covered for first doses; with 19,905 or 27.4 per cent taking their second dose.

New cases and death

As of Monday, there was one more reported COVID-19 death in Guyana – an unvaccinated 48-year-old female from Region Four. She died while seeking medical attention, taking the country’s death toll to 977.

Along with deaths, confirmed cases also took a hike to 37,366 with the detection of 31 new cases.

There are nine persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 75 in institutional isolation, 1729 in home isolation and two in institutional quarantine. As such, active cases are now down to 1813.

From the 17,598 males and 19,758 females that tested positive, 34,566 have recovered completely. Guyana has conducted 381,997 tests to date.

A breakdown showed one new case in Region One (Barima-Waini), six in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), nine in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and 14 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

No increases were reported in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until November 30, 2021. This order emphasises 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 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Data from the World Health Organisation shows that there are over 256 million confirmed cases of the disease globally, with over 5.14 million reported deaths.

The Americas account for 95.9 million cases and over 2.3 million deaths. (G12)

$145M fraud

Convicted former GRDB accountant gets January trial date

F

ormer accountant at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran, who was found guilty of omitting some $145 million from the agency’s ledger and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, will go on trial for similar offences from January 26, 2022.

Ramcharran, who was jailed for the crime last year February by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, has filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

He was granted $2 million bail by a High Court Judge pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

Ramcharran whose last known address is reported as Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was slapped with 39 fraud-related charges upon his extradition to Guyana from Canada in 2019.

The offences were committed between 2011 and 2015. And they were in relation to the falsification of the agency’s accounts and omitting to enter some $414 million into the ledger.

He was found guilty on one set of charges by the Chief Magistrate. As it relates to the remaining charges, he is scheduled to go on trial in the new year before

Peter Ramcharran

Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. The charges against him were filed by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Ramcharran is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes. When a hearing for the pending charges against him came up on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers asked the court for time to sort out the case file.

This is in light of Saturday’s fire which destroyed a section of the Eve Leary, Georgetown building which houses the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Police prosecutor was given until January 19, 2022, to do

so. The DPP’s office remains closed indefinitely.

The DPP, Shalimar AliHack, SC, said that many court cases will have to be rescheduled until the office is back up and running. The DPP’s office, according to its Communications Officer Liz Rahaman, was able to save 98 per cent of its files from the blaze.

But the hundreds of paper documents are in disarray and will have to be reorganised. At the fire scene, the DPP renewed her calls for the digitisation of records.

“It is something I have been asking for, for years now, to digitise the system. This shows the wisdom in having a digitised system,” Ali-Hack told reporters. (G1)

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD NOVEMBER 23, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

31

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

75

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

1729 9

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

2

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

19,758

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

17,598

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

37,356

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

34,556

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

396,042

FULLY IMMUNISED

269,791

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

977

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1654

REGION 2

1529

REGION 3

5044

REGION 4

17,599

REGION 5

1385

REGION 6

3066

REGION 7

1778

REGION 8

620

REGION 9

2473

REGION 10

2208

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.

10

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

11

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuelan migrants

Malaria detected among adults, chronic malnutrition in more children …can access health services at Port Kaituma Hospital

C

ases of malaria have now been detected among adult Venezuelan migrants, who were recently found living on the river banks at Anabisi, Region One (Barima-Waini), in poor living conditions.

More children among the group are also suffering from chronic malnutrition.

A follow-up visit was made to the community on Sunday, one day after authorities went into the area to assess the situation; and provide relief and medical attention.

Health Minister, Dr

Frank Anthony gave an update on the matter on Monday, noting that when the team arrived in the community, 25 more children were examined. Cases of upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhoeal diseases and rashes continued to be the predominant conditions along with chronic malnutrition.

“They were able to review about 25 more children, going through more detailed checkups and so forth. Of those 25, we found that some of them again had similar illnesses: upper respiratory tract in-

fections, diarrhoeal disease and we had a number of children with skin rashes; and of course, the chronic malnutrition,” he detailed.

Medical staffers would have provided treatment and explained how to use some of the drugs and solutions delivered. Meanwhile, 42 adults were examined where malaria was detected.

“We saw similar types of illnesses among the adults, in addition to which we were able to detect among the group, some cases of malaria and they were given treatment based on the medical

Teen motorcyclist, pedestrian killed in accidents

The motorcycle and the car that were involved in the accident in Region 9

A

lex Ferreira, 19, of Culvert City Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), was on Sunday night killed in an accident along the Tabatinga Bridge.

The 59-year-old driver of a motor car which was also involved in the accident has been taken into police custody.

Reports are that at around 23:00h, the driver was proceeding north along the western side of Tabatinga Public Road and on approaching another nearby bridge, he reportedly observed the motorcyclist traversing from the opposite direction in a reckless manner.

The driver alleged that upon seeing the motor car, the

motorcyclist applied brakes but lost control of the bike. As a result, he collided with the motor car and subsequently fell onto the road’s surface where he received injuries.

The young man was later picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited citizens and taken to Lethem Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver and no trace of alcohol was detected.

Meanwhile, a 51-year-old pedestrian, who was struck down by a motor car on Saturday last has died.

Dead is Deosaran Moonilall of Fairfield, Mahaicony, East Coast

Demerara (ECD).

Reports are that on November 20 at around 18:00h, the pedestrian was crossing the Fairfield Public Road from north to south when he was struck down by the motor car.

As a result of the collision, the pedestrian fell onto the roadway where he received injuries to his head and about his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition by the said driver and taken to Mahaicony Public Hospital where he was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The man died on Sunday whilst receiving medical attention. Investigations are ongoing.

conditions that we have.”

It is estimated that some 198 persons are currently residing in the community – located about 15 minutes from Port Kaituma. There are about 25 families. Due to unhygienic living conditions, jerrycans were distributed to filter the water used from the river.

“Because of the unhygienic conditions, they’re using the same water from the river and they’re using the same water to wash and do other things there. The water is not of good quality. We gave them some jerrycans which have filters in them so when they take the water from the river, they can do some level of filtration which would help to purify the contaminated water, making it better for them to drink and which would prevent some of the diarrhoeal disease that they’re experiencing,” Dr Anthony shared.

Arrangements were made for hammock-nets for the migrants, in order to protect from mosquitoes. Persons in the community will be selected to liaise with the Port Kaituma Hospital and regional officials to address any medical challenges in systematic way. With this mechanism, settlers would also be able to access other healthcare needs. A senior environmental health officer would have also briefed individuals on how to dispose of their garbage in a specific area.

“I think, by a large, the interventions that were made

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

were very timely because it would certainly help the community to get better healthcare. The CDC, through the Prime Minister’s Office and the regional officials there also took in a number of hampers and these were distributed to the families so that they have essential things to cook and to make sure that they have enough food for a number of weeks.”

The Minister said these persons have settled on uninhabited land, and are not affecting residents within the area. For now, their challenge is to secure jobs to obtain food and key necessities.

He zeroed in, “I don’t think they are directly affecting anybody within that area. I think their challenge is how to maybe access food, get some jobs. We were told that some of them would go to Port Kaituma to look for jobs so they’re trying to make a living and basically to get some earning.”

When asked about COVID-19 immunisation, it was underscored that the primary focus was to tackle

pressing medical conditions.

At a later date, a team can return to immunise the migrants.

He expressed, “The immediate thing was to figure out what were the predominant medical problems in the community and once we knew that, to rectify those as quickly as possible. We can always go back to do COVID-19 [vaccination] and other things. They’re not far away from Port Kaituma.”

Following reports of the discovery in sections of the media last week, the Office of the Prime Minister had stated that several Government agencies immediately responded to provide the necessary emergency interventions. These agencies would have provided immediate medical and food relief to the migrants.

The group is said to be of Warrau origin and originated from Venezuela, having fled to escape economic hardships. There was no indication of starvation as reported, officials later confirmed.

(G12)

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

High Court ordered execution of 4 convicted murderers this year

Dominic Bernard

Habiboodean

By Feona Morrison

their throats slit. The woman’s body was found on a bed with Afridi on top of her. Jadon was found on the floor near a bed.

Caesar was only apprehended for the murders in 2016 after his then reputed wife, Zoey Phillips, told Police that he confided in her about killing the woman and her sons after they woke up while he was stealing money from their home.

Phillips was the prosecution’s main witness. She testified that after Caesar returned home from the woman’s house, he had a cardboard box containing several $20 and $100 notes which amounted to $3000.

According to her, Caesar told her that “he had to kill Jennifer” because she knew him very well and she woke up and saw him in her home. She said he told her that he had to kill the children because “they wudda wake up and cry”.

When asked why she kept quiet for so long, Phillips explained that she was afraid of Caesar because he was very abu-

F

our persons including a woman were ordered executed this year by High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon after a jury found them guilty of the capital offence of murder, according to records kept by this newspaper.

In April, 36-year-old Abishai Caesar, a barber of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was arraigned on three counts of murder at the Demerara High Court over the killing of his neighbour and her two young sons. He was found guilty on all three counts at the end of May and handed three death sentences.

On September 24, 2012, at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD), he murdered 41-year-old businesswoman Jennifer Persaud and her sons Afridi Bacchus, six; and 18-monthold Jadon Persaud.

It was reported that Persaud, who owned a liquor store and bar, along with her two sons were discovered in their home with

sive. Caesar has since filed a Notice of Appeal, listing four grounds on which he is seeking to have his conviction and sentences overturned.

In the document filed at the Court of Appeal, the killer not only claimed that his sentences are severe, but that he had an unfair trial.

Seeking to set aside his conviction and sentence, Caesar argued that he was given “poor representation” during his trial. Also, without outlining any details, he complained that a conflict of interest arose during the trial.

Linden Lewis

Aaron Hing

Abishai Caesar

Bibi Nazeela Habiboodean

both discharged in 2009 owing to insufficient evidence following a Preliminary Inquiry.

The murder of the pensioner had gone cold for several years, until 2016, when Police received new leads which led to the arrest of his daughter and the hitman.

That year, Lewis was arrested for questioning about the murders of Good Hope, EBE rice farmers Mohamed and Jamilla Munir.

Police said he confessed to being the hitman in Habiboodean’s murder and implicated Habiboodean’s daughter as the plotter. She later surrendered to the Police.

In a caution statement, Lewis confessed to killing the businessman on the instruction of the businessman’s daughter, who had promised him $6 million, a house, a car, and a piece of land. But he said he only received $5000 after committing the act.

Lewis, too, has applied to the Court of Appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence. No such records, were, however, found for Bibi.

However, on October 4, George pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment

by Justice Kissoon. He becomes eligible for parole after 35 years. Hing, on the other hand, went to trial and was found guilty.

Dominic Bernard, called “Dom”, 18, had travelled to Guyana from England on October 14, 2015, for a three-week vacation, and was reportedly picked up from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) by Hing and George in a rented car.

From there, the trio had gone to a restaurant to have some food. They later left for the backdam in Berbice.

Once they arrived there, they walked to the shallow grave that was dug days before Dominic Bernard had arrived in Guyana.

Hing confessed to detectives that he wanted to “get back at” his godbrother, whom he claimed caused him to be arrested in London. Hing then hatched a plan with his friend to rob the teen who arrived in Guyana with money and other valuables.

Dominic Bernard was scheduled to fly back home on November 5, 2015; but after he did not return home, his father Andrew Bernard contacted Hing to enquire about his son’s whereabouts. But Hing denied picking up the young man from the CJIA. In light of this, the elder Bernard travelled to Guyana on January 2, 2016, and contacted the Guyana Police Force for assistance with finding his son. Hing was arrested by the Police six days later at a hotel in Georgetown.

Ruby businessman

On October 1, Bibi Nazeela Habiboodean and Linden Lewis were each sentenced to death for the 2008 murder of her 76-yearold father Habiboodean (only name given).

Bibi, who is said to be in her 50s, had contracted Lewis, called “Bullet”, 34, to beat her elderly father to compel the elderly man to sign over his property to her.

It was reported that the businessman, of Ruby, EBE, was badly beaten at his home on February 14, 2008. The elderly man, who owned a gas station, died the following day while receiving treatment at a private city hospital.

Shortly after the businessman was killed, the Police had arrested Bibi and Terry Lewton, who was employed by her now dead father. However, they were

British teen

Meanwhile, Aaron Hing of Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), the mastermind in the 2015 murder of his godbrother, British teen Dominic Bernard, was given the death penalty on November 5.

In January 2016, Hing called “Neutral” and his friend, Staymon George were jointly charged with the murder of 18-year-old Bernard of Epsom, England.

But before arresting him, Police had found a shallow grave with a decomposed body, which was later identified as the remains of Dominic Bernard following DNA testing.

An autopsy revealed that Dominic Bernard, a young aspiring filmmaker, sustained a fractured skull and a broken neck.

Hing hid the teen’s camera and other items at the back of his house, and later asked his “child mother” to remove them. He also asked one of his friends to retrieve the said items from the mother of his child and throw them away. The persons who allegedly assisted Hing have been charged with accessory after the fact.

They were each released on $300,000 bail pending their trial at the High Court.

Legal challenge

Presently, there is a case before the Court of Appeal challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty that has been mounted by three death row inmates.

The case was filed by three former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard ranks – Sherwyn Harte, Devon Gordon, and Deon Greenidge – who were each sentenced to death in 2013 for the 2009 murder of Bartica gold miner Dwieve Kant Ramdass.

In the landmark case before the appellate court, Trinidadian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes and Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Latchmie Rahamat are arguing that the punishment of death is unconstitutional as it is arbitrary, irrational, disproportionate, and contrary to the principles of the rule of law.

The Death Penalty Project – a London-based non-governmental organisation that has, for over three decades, been providing free legal representation to those facing the death penalty – has facilitated the submission of expert reports from leading academics for the case before Guyana’s appeal court.

They include Professor of Criminology at the University of Oxford, Carolyn Hoyle; Professor of Law at Middlesex University, Williams Schabas; and Professor of Law at Columbia University, Jeffery Fagan.

The court has reserved its ruling on whether it has jurisdiction to hear the case.

A de facto moratorium on the death penalty has been in place in Guyana since 1997.

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother, children Huawei donates 1000 after internet boxes to Guyana homeless fire guts home

> P

C

Prime Minister Mark Phillips along with China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan; CEO of Huawei’s Caribbean Office, Jin Zhefeng and other officials on Monday

P

rime Minister Mark Phillips on Monday received 1000 internet boxes from several representatives of Chinese multinational technology corporation, Huawei.

The boxes (500 for indoor use and 500 for outdoor use) are capable of transferring 4G and 5G networks outdoors at over 300 metres and just below 100 metres indoors to more than 100 users at a time.

Prime Minister Phillips said that the donation will assist his Government in its aim to bridge the digital divide by providing access to ICT throughout the country.

“I can assure you that this equipment will go a far way in helping us to achieve an important part of our plan for the people of Guyana—that is to bridge the digital divide in the area of ICT connectivity,” the Prime Minister said.

Corporate social responsibility PM Phillips noted that the donation from Huawei is an excellent show of corporate social responsibility, while he called China an important development partner for Guyana.

CEO of Huawei’s Caribbean Office, Jin Zhefeng, meanwhile said that the gesture is a part of the company’s COVID-19 support measures, since the pandemic has accelerated the need for technological advancement.

“The digital economy contributes more and more to national development.

Digital ICT infrastructure and talent with digital skill are the two driving wheels for this transformation. Huawei is committed and will continue with our efforts in supporting Guyana’s digital development with leading technol-

ogy.”

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, was also present at the simple handing-over ceremony.

She spoke highly of bilateral ties between China and Guyana, noting that the two countries will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2022.

The ambassador also said that she is pleased to see the importance with which the Government has been treating the ICT sector.

“I’ve noticed that the Guyanese Government has attached great importance to ICT. Since taking Government, it has pushed forward with the formulation of a national ICT development plan aimed at improving connectivity bandwidth and enhancing connectivity in the hinterland.”

She said that China

will continue to work with Guyana to deepen coordination with regard to the belt and road initiative, the Low Carbon Development Strategy, the expansion of pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister, Derrick Cummings and senior managers within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for ICT, were also present at the ceremony.

The building was burnt to the ground

A

mother and her three children, along with her grandchild, are now homeless after fire completely gutted their home at Ladern’s Ville, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Upper Berbice River, on Monday.

Reports are that the fire occurred about 14:00h, but no one was at home at the time.

Guyana Times was told that the homeowner, Shellon Sampson works in Georgetown and would usually return home every weekend.

According to Sampson’s

niece, Mickelicia Sampson, who lives next door, the fire is suspected to have been electrical in nature as there was a fluctuation of voltage in the area at the time it started.

The woman’s niece said she rushed to the scene, but upon her arrival at 14:15h, the one-storey house was already gutted.

According to Mickelicia Sampson, her aunt is a single parent and she would be grateful if she could receive assistance to rebuild her home.

Efforts made to contact Shellon Sampson proved futile.

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mashabo Govt holds meeting with Ghanaian investors, Private Sector Primary gets …as delegation in Guyana to explore opportunities 100 storybooks

President Irfaan Ali and high-level members of his Government, during the meeting with the Ghanaian Private Sector

F

ollowing up on months of bilateral engagements between Guyana and Ghana, particularly in the area of oil and gas and local content, President Dr Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet on Monday held a meeting with a visiting Ghanaian delegation of private sector representatives.

The high-level meeting was held at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. The visitors, who represent several groups, including West Coast Gas Ghana Limited, met with President Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and sev-

eral other Ministers of the Government.

According to a short statement from the Office of the President, it is expected that over the next two days, the Ghanaians will have further discussions with a number of Ministers, Government agencies and local Private Sector entities.

Ghana's President, Nana Akufo-Addo, had paid a two-day visit to Guyana in June 2019.

Accompanied by a 43-member delegation, the Ghanaian leader held a series of engagements with the then Government as well as then Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and other stakeholders

during which he committed to lend assistance to Guyana in the petroleum sector.

Following the change in Government, President Akufo-Addo had recommitted to lending technical cooperation in oil and gas and to enhance relations during a bilateral meeting in September 2021with President Ali at the 76th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Since then, visits have been made by representatives from both countries.

For instance, Vice President Jagdeo paid a three-day visit to Ghana in October and held talks with his Ghanaian counterpart Dr Mahamudu

Bawumia. Following these discussions, he had announced that Ghanaian experts would be reviewing Guyana’s draft local content legislation.

During Jagdeo’s meeting with the Ghanaian Vice President, they had also spoken about the initiatives that Ghana implemented to further their industrial agenda and develop its non-oil economy.

According to Jagdeo in a subsequent interview, Guyana, with its vast arable lands in the savannahs and the prevalence of fresh water, is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the agricultural sector and the global demand.

The Vice President was accompanied on his visit to Ghana by a member of the Advisory Panel on Local Content in Guyana, Floyd Haynes; the Natural Resources Ministry’s Gopnauth Bobby Gossai Jr, and career diplomat Hamley Case.

Ghana has been producing and exporting crude oil since 2011, having discovered the resource in commercial quantities back in 2007. Guyana begun producing oil in December 2019 in the Stabroek Block offshore, where there is said to be some 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The two countries officially established diplomatic relations on May 14, 1979. (G3)

Some of the storybooks that were donated by the GJFA to Mashabo Primary School

T

he Guyana Jamaica F r i e n d s h i p Association (GJFA), through the Education Ministry, recently donated over 100 storybooks to Mashabo Primary School in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Head Teacher Modiram Beepat said the donation came at an opportune time when learners in the Amerindian community are facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. She added that the donation also comes at a time when the pupils of Mashabo Primary School have attained the best performance at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) since its establishment.

“Reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible. With this in mind, the Guyana Jamacia Friendship Association has played a pivotal role in our success over the years and I would like to extend a big

thank you to the Chairman, Dr Frank Denbow and all the other members of this organisation,” Beepat said The Headmaster said that GJFA was one of the school’s major stakeholders in providing educational resources over the years. He said that due to the organisation’s continuous encouragement and motivation, the school secured passes for the “A” list secondary for four consecutive years.

Meanwhile, President of GJFA, Dr Frank Denbow, told Guyana Times that the main focus of the GJFA is health and education matters within Guyana and Jamaica. As a result, they have adopted two schools – one in Guyana and the other in Jamaica.

The organisation had previously donated sport equipment, helped in the establishment of the school’s library and earlier this year donated 30 tablets and five laptops to the school.

Jamaican-born woman to receive US Presidential Lifetime Award

T

he United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is to be bestowed on Jamaican immigrant Rev Dr Marilyn Grant at a ceremony in Connecticut on December 11, 2021.

The annual award seeks to hounour people “who exhibit outstanding character, work ethic, and dedication to their communities”, and was established by executive order by former President George W Bush in 2003.

Grant has been involved in charitable and religious work for over a decade, helping displaced women, in particular, “to get a second chance of a good education, build self-esteem, and find affordable housing” among other notable programmes.

A member of the Church of God denomination for more than 18 years, Rev Grant says she continues to be part of that religious entity, even after launching her own Women for Christ Outreach Ministries.

She also runs a programme

mentoring women and men, which she hosts at the University of Connecticut.

The Hopewell, St Mary, native who attended Marlborough Primary and Richmond Secondary (now Richmond Technical High) schools in the parish, holds a Master of Arts degree in Divinity from the Heart and Bible Institute University (HBIU) in Connecticut and a Doctorate in Theology from the same institution.

Most of her work, she said, is undertaken through Women for Christ Ministries, a non-profit organisation, which she serves as executive director. Rev Dr Grant also disclosed that she is involved in offering scholarships to needy students through The Marilyn Grant Scholarship Programme.

She also plans to replicate the programme to benefit students at Marlborough primary.

Rev Grant, who migrated to the United States in 1985, said she was “grateful for the education I received

Rev Dr Marilyn Grant, presidential lifetime awardee

at Marlborough early in my life. It helped to shape who I am”. For that reason, “I am determined to assist at least one student currently attending the school.”

The Life Time awardee who also serves as a member of the faculty and staff of her alma mater, Heart Bible Institute University (HBIU), is also involved in measures aimed at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Jamaica Observer)

NEWS

15

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Labour Ministry opens OSH training to Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee promote safe working environments endorsed by Japanese consumers

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton and other officials at the opening session of the two-day Joint Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee Training Programme

S

ome 15 persons are receiving training in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), geared at promoting safe working environments for citizens.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, who was at the opening session on Monday at the Pegasus hotel, said OSH plays a significant role in the labour force.

“We have two choices in this matter, either we continue our merry way and we prepare to go wake houses and play dominoes

and cards and to attend funerals or we change…All of us in this room and beyond we have a role to play in this matter and we cannot see this narrowly, it has to be objectively; it has to be expansively and recognise that what you are doing it is for the national good,” the Minister is quoted by DPI as saying.

The two-day programme will train members of the Joint Workplace Safety and Health Committee established with Exxon to

execute their mandate in the workplace as required by the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:10.

It will also equip participants with basic knowledge and skills to enable them to develop and maintain safe systems and safe methods to minimise workplace accidents.

Additionally, for the very first time in Guyana, an OSH officer will be assigned on a floating production storage and offloading

(FPSO) unit.

Hamilton said the Government will continue to make the necessary investments in its people to improve their lives.

“We will continue to do our very best. We will continue to work diligently through the length and breadth of Guyana. We will continue to expend money to train our officers at all levels and we’ve already started that, this is only one of those trainings. All the senior officers, we’re exposing them to international training,” the Minister said.

Exxon Mobil’s Safety Security Health and Environment Manager, Brad Edlington highlighted the importance of health and safety in the work environment.

“For Exxon Mobil, there is nothing more important than the health and safety of our work force, the people that visit us, and the community around us…We embrace this opportunity to be able to spend some time with the leadership in the Ministry in order to ensure that we understand the expectations of the OSH Act and the best practices that you are able to share with us,” he said.

Pastor, mother die hours apart at home from COVID-19

Pastor Shivanan Bhadai, 64, and his mother Kusmawate Bhadai, 83

L

ess than 20 hours apart, the Bhadai family of Barrackpore lost two of its members – a pastor and his mother, both from the covid19 virus.

Pastor Shivanan Bhadai, 64, and his mother Kusmawate Bhadai, 83, both died at the family home on Wednesday. Without going into details, a relative

told Newsday on Sunday that the two got the virus a week earlier and were at home in quarantine.

Bhadai, the father of two, was the first to die at around 1.30 am on November 17. His mother died at around 6.50 pm.

Both were unvaccinated, relatives said.

Bhadai was the pas-

tor at Throne Room Of God, a full gospel church in Barrackpore. Although mother and son died in the same house, Kusmawate was not aware that her son had died hours earlier, when she took her last breath, the relative said.

The relative added, "Both were very humble, caring and giving people.

Even though they were sick, they wanted to make sure everyone else in the family was healthy. They were well-known and respected in the community."

Condolences have been pouring in for the bereaved family on social media.

A Facebook user said, "This is so heartbreaking.

I cannot imagine the pain the rest of your family feels.

I can only pray that their souls rest in eternal peace."

Another social media

posted, "Our condolences to the bereaved family from the ministers and members of Miracle Church, Barrackpore.

May the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort you all."

The funerals for the two have been set for Friday at Guides Funeral Home in San Fernando. (T&T Newsday)

J

amaica’s world-renowned Blue Mountain Coffee has received ringing endorsements from residents of the Japanese City of Tottori who participated in a seminar on Friday (November 19) which included tastings of the coffee hosted by the Jamaican Embassy in Japan, in collaboration with Sunaba Coffee, the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association (JCEA) and the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory and associated brands.

According to the JCEA, the goal of the seminar was to continue to market Blue Mountain Coffee to the Sunaba Coffee chain, which has gained prominence across Japan as a competitor to American chain Starbucks.

In explaining the background to the thrust to popularise Blue Mountain Coffee to Sunaba, JCEA president and Mavis Bank CEO, Norman Grant, explained that the company rose to prominence in April 2014, as at the time Tottori was the only Prefecture (Japanese term for City) without a ‘Sutaba’ (The common abbreviation in Japanese parlance for Starbucks).

“Governor Shinji Hirai

announced that Tottori didn’t have a ‘Sutaba,’ but was home to Japan’s only ‘Sunaba.’ The following year Starbucks opened its first store in Tottori, challenging Sunaba Coffee for its market share. But with a spirit of vitality and innovation, Sunaba used this opportunity to expand its brand and operations, becoming a symbol and specialty product of Tottori Prefecture.

“In May 2015, Sunaba Coffee gathered together with local cafes, teahouses, businesses and interest groups to form the Tottori Coffee Culture Promotion Association. In August of the same year it began its ‘Support Jamaican Coffee’ campaign, followed by its ‘World Coffee Summit’ held in Sept- Oct 2016. Through such campaigns and events, it aims to promote and further coffee appreciation and café culture throughout Tottori,” Grant noted.

Japan is Jamaica’s largest importer of Blue Mountain Coffee absorbing some 70 to 90 per cent of exports, JCEA figures say.

“Our focus is on sustainable quality and sustainable price,” said Grant, as he urged the Japanese to prepare to buy more Jamaican coffee. (Jamaica Observer)

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

locks down, Merkel T&T cop, Coast Guard Austria says new steps needed as shoot, kill each other Europe faces COVID freeze

Dead: PC Jomo Golston

A

policeman and a Coast Guard officer shot and killed each other in an incident on Sunday morning.

Dead are Coast Guardsman Jabari Francois of Waterwheel Road, River Estate,

Diego Martin and Special Reserve Police (SRP) officer PC Jomo Golston of Upper Irvin Street, San Juan.

Police reported that at about 2.20 am, PC Golston dropped off a female friend at North Post Road in Diego Martin when Francois approached him and knocked on the window of the policeman's car. The two argued over each other's perceived disrespect before Francois pulled out a gun and opened fire on Golston.

Golston, who was also armed, drew his pistol and shot back, killing Francois on the spot, before driving off and crashing his Nissan AD wagon. He died at the scene of the crash.

The killing is reminiscent of a shooting that took

Dead: Coast Guard Jabari Francois

officer

place three years ago in which two police officers shot each other.

A police corporal was cleared of any wrongdoing in that shooting, which left Sgt Darrell Honore dead.

(T&T Newsday)

Brit Awards scrap male and female categories

D

ua Lipa and J Hus will go down in history as the last stars to win best female and male at the Brit Awards.

That's because, from next year, the two categories will be combined into a single prize for best British artist, organisers have said.

Artists like Sam Smith and Will Young had previously called for the change, saying the current system excludes non-binary artists.

Smith, who is non-binary, missed out on a nomination at this year's awards.

Their album, Love Goes, reached number two in the UK chart, but they felt unable to enter the gender-based categories.

Writing on Instagram at the time, the star called for awards shows to be more "reflective of the society we live in". "The Brits have been an important part of my career," Smith said in a now-deleted post. "Music for me has always been about unification not division.

"I look forward to a time where awards shows can be reflective of the society we live in. Let's celebrate everybody, regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexuality and class."

The Brits have awarded prizes along gender lines since they began in 1977.

Organisers promised to review the way the prizes in 2019, but kept the male and female categories intact until now.

"If you were starting the awards from scratch today, you'd probably do it on these terms," said Gennaro Castaldo, a spokesperson for music industry body the BPI, which runs the awards.

"Why shouldn't the likes of Adele and Ed Sheeran be able to go head-to-head and be judged as artists... assuming they're nominated?"

The shift will also be reflected in the international category, where the best international male and female awards - won by The Weeknd and Billie Eilish this year - will be replaced by a single best international artist prize.

Dua Lipa's manager, Ben Mawson, said he approved of the change.

"It's good to see the Brits continuing to make progress to a more inclusive awards show that puts talent first," he told the BBC. "It's a step that we welcome." When the change was first suggested in 2019, there were concerns that it could margin-

Dua Lipa won best female and best album at this year's Brits

alise female acts. But the experiences of other music awards suggest that should not happen.

The MTV Video Music Awards replaced its best male and best female prizes with an overall best artist award in 2017 - since when the winners have been Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.

The Grammys also merged the male and female categories for best pop vocal, country vocal and R&B vocal performances in 2012. In the 10 years since then, the prizes have been split exactly 50/50 between men and women.

(Excerpted from BBC)

A person walks along abandoned tables of a closed restaurant as the Austrian government imposed fourth national coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown in Vienna, Austria, November 22, 2021.

(REUTERS/Lisi Niesner)

A

ustria became on Monday the first country in western Europe to reimpose lockdown since vaccines were rolled out, shutting non-essential shops, bars and cafes as surging caseloads raised the spectre of a second straight winter in deep freeze for the continent.

Germany will also need tighter restrictions to control a record-setting wave of infections, outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel was quoted as saying, remarks that erased gains on European stock markets and sent bond yields down.

With Europe once again the epicentre of the global pandemic that first prompted lockdowns in March 2020, new restrictions and vaccine mandates are expected to spread nearly two years after the first COVID-19 case was identified in China.

"We are in a highly dramatic situation. What is in place now is not sufficient," Merkel told leaders of her conservative CDU party in a meeting, according to two participants, confirming comments first reported by Bloomberg. German Health Minister Jens Spahn, urgently calling on people to get vaccinated, said he was certain that by the end of the winter everyone in Germany would be "vaccinated, recovered or dead".

Austria told people to work from home if they can, and shut cafes, restaurants, bars, theatres and non-essential shops for 10 days.

People may leave home for a limited number of reasons, such as going to workplaces, buying essentials or taking a walk.

The Austrian government has also announced it will make it compulsory to get inoculated as of Feb. 1.

Many Austrians are sceptical about vaccinations, a

view encouraged by the farright Freedom Party, the third biggest in parliament.

"It's like a luxury prison. It's definitely limited freedom and for me it's not great psychologically," said Sascha Iamkovyi, a 43-yearold entrepreneur in the food sector, describing his return to lockdown on a chilly, overcast day in an unusually quiet Vienna.

"People were promised that if they got vaccinated they would be able to lead a normal life, but now that's not true."

The return of severe government restrictions in Austria had already brought about 40,000 protesters to Vienna's streets on Saturday, and protests turned to violence in Brussels and across the Netherlands over the weekend. The Czech Republic and Slovakia banned unvaccinated people from services including pubs from Monday.

Around a third of Austrians are unvaccinated, one of the highest rates in western Europe, and authorities mainly blame the unvaccinated for the current COVID wave, though protection from vaccines given early this year is also waning. Inoculation greatly reduces the risk of serious illness or death, and reduces but does not prevent viral transmission or re-infection.

Austria's conservative-led government imposed a lockdown on the unvaccinated last week, but daily infections kept rising far above the previous peak, requiring this week's full lockdown.

In many parts of Germany, including its capital Berlin, Christmas markets opened for the first time in two years on Monday. But states bordering Austria

and the Czech Republic that have Germany's highest case numbers have introduced stricter rules, cancelling Christmas markets, barring the unvaccinated from restaurants and bars and imposing curfews at night.

Water cannon and tear gas Eastern European countries where vaccination rates are even lower have been experiencing some of the highest death tolls per capita in the world, with hospitals becoming overrun in countries such as Bulgaria and Romania.

In cities across the Netherlands, riots broke out as police clashed with mobs of angry youths who set fires and threw rocks to protest at COVID-19 restrictions. More than 100 people were arrested during three nights of violence, which saw police open fire at rioters in Rotterdam on Friday.

Police and protesters clashed in the streets of Brussels on Sunday, with officers firing water cannon and tear gas at demonstrators throwing rocks and smoke bombs. In France, proof of vaccination or a recent negative test is required to go to restaurants and cinemas. President Emmanuel Macron said last week more lockdowns were not needed .But violence erupted last week in on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe amid protests over COVID-19 restrictions such as the mandatory vaccines for health workers.Police have arrested at least 38 people and dozens of stores have been looted.

Macron said on Monday the protests had created a "very explosive" situation as a general strike entered a second week on Monday and many stores remained shuttered. (Reuters)

NEWS

17

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NYC airports expecting rush of Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed vows Thanksgiving travellers, busiest to lead army "from the battlefront" weekend since pandemic began E

N

Moving through LaGuardia Airport (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

ew Yorkers should brace themselves for long lines at the city’s three major airports over Thanksgiving weekend, Port Authority officials warned Monday.

The holiday weekend is traditionally the busiest for domestic travel — and this year is expected to be the busiest for U.S. airports since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Port Authority estimates more than 1.4 million air travelers will funnel through New York and New Jersey airports from Wednesday to Sunday — triple the 500,000 travelers the airports handled last year, but down about 17% from the the 2019 holiday weekend, when there was a record 1.7 million travelers.

Huntley Lawrence, director of aviation at the Port Authority, advised last week that travelers arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights if they want to make it to their gates on time.

“People coming out of COVID are really ramping up to go visit family members,” Port Authority chairman Kevin O’Toole noted last week. “There seems to be a real focus that there are going to

be individuals in record numbers going out of the airports.”

Lines at airports could be especially long if the Transportation Security Administration faces a staffing shortage in the wake of a federal mandate for the agency’s employees to be vaccinated taking effect Monday. TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said approximately 93% of TSA workers were in compliance by the deadline.

Escaping the city by car is expected to be even more challenging. The Port Authority estimates roughly 3.5 million vehicles will use the agency’s six bridges and tunnels between New York and New Jersey from Wednesday through Sunday, up from the 3.4 million over the holiday weekend in 2019.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is recommending New Yorkers take mass transit instead of driving. Transit officials said the agency would run additional Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road trains over the holiday weekend to help with the crunch. The agency will also provide free service on the Q70 select bus, which connects the 74 St- Broadway subway station in Jackson Heights, Queens to LaGuardia Airport. (NY Daily News)

thiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister has said he will lead his country’s army “from the battlefront” beginning on Tuesday, a dramatic new step as the year-long conflict moves closer to the capital Addis Ababa.

“Starting tomorrow, I will mobilise to the front to lead the defence forces,” Abiy Ahmed said in a statement posted on Twitter late on Monday. “Those who want to be among the Ethiopian children who will be hailed by history, rise up for your country today. Let’s meet at the battlefront.”

Tens of thousands of people are estimated to have been killed in the war between Ethiopian and allied forces, and fighters from the country’s northern Tigray region, who dominated the national government before Abiy took office. The United States and others have warned that Africa’s second-most populous country could fracture and destabilise the rest of the region.

The statement by the 45-yearold prime minister, a former soldier, did not say where exactly he will go Tuesday. His spokeswoman, Billene Seyoum, did not respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press news agency.

Abiy’s comments came as the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel group continued to press towards Addis Ababa, claiming control of the

town of Shewa Robit, just 220 kilometres (136 miles) northeast of the capital by road.

It also followed a meeting of the ruling Prosperity Party’s executive committee to discuss the war.

Defence Minister Abraham Belay told state-affiliated media after the meeting that security forces would embark on a “different action” without providing details. “We can’t continue like this, that means there will be change,” Belay said.

“What happened and is happening to our people, the abuses being meted out by this destructive, terrorist, robber group, can’t continue.”

The spokesman for the Tigray forces Getachew Reda tweeted that “our forces won’t relent on their inexorable advance towards bringing (Abiy’s) chokehold on our people to an end.”

The Tigray forces say they are pressuring Ethiopia’s government to lift a months-long blockade of the Tigray region of some six million people, but they also want Abiy out of power.

The prime minister’s statement also claimed that western countries were trying to defeat Ethiopia, the latest pushback against what his government has described as meddling by the international community. Envoys from the African Union and the United States have continued diplomatic ef-

forts in pursuit of a ceasefire to the fighting and talks without preconditions on a political solution.

Shortly after Abiy’s announcement, a senior State Department official told reporters that the US still believes “a small window of opportunity exists” in mediation efforts.

In the space of a year, Abiy’s government has gone from describing the Tigray conflict as a “law enforcement operation” to an “existential war”. With Ethiopia’s military reportedly weakened in recent months, and with its retreat from Tigray in June, ethnic-based regional forces have been intensifying their campaign, and Abiy’s government has called on all able citizens to join the fight. Earlier this month, the government declared a sixmonth state of emergency.

Abiy’s announcement brought shock from the man who nominated him for the Nobel, Awol Allo, a senior lecturer in law at Keele University in Britain. “The announcement is replete with languages of martyrdom and sacrifice,” he said in a tweet. “This is so extraordinary and unprecedented, shows how desperate the situation is.” Abiy was awarded the Nobel for making peace with neighbouring Eritrea, on whose border he fought while stationed in the Tigray region.

The terms of that peace deal have never been made public.

(Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

Regional

Port-au-Prince jazz fest postponed Venezuelan Opposition says it must rebuild after due to Haiti gang violence T heavy election loss

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó addresses the media in Caracas, Venezuela, September 29, 2021

V

enezuela’s Opposition needs to rebuild and reflect on its strategy after suffering a heavy defeat in regional elections at the weekend, its leader, Juan Guaidó said on Monday, calling for unity among the fragmented movement’s leadership.

Venezuela’s ruling party won at least 18 governorships out of 23 states, according to updated election results published by the National Electoral Council (CNE) on Monday.

The electoral authority had earlier declared the ruling party victorious in 20 governorship elections. But close elections in Barinas and Apure states, which traditionally back the Socialist party, led the CNE to later say those results remained to be confirmed.

Opposition politicians have so far won just three states.

The main Opposition parties had boycotted presidential elections in 2018 and congressional polls in 2020, arguing a fair ballot was impossible because of interference from President Nicolás Maduro’s Government and violent gangs loyal to him.

But they returned to the

ballot box this year amid frustration over the failure of US sanctions to dislodge Maduro despite prolonged social and economic hardship.

Sunday’s vote was seen as a test of strength ahead of presidential elections scheduled for 2024. The Opposition was also emboldened by the presence of election observers from the European Union.

A preliminary report from the mission is due today, but there were no major reports of disruptions.

However, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken accused Maduro’s Government of holding flawed elections that “skewed the process” to pre-determine the result in his party’s favour, citing harassment and bans of Opposition candidates, voter roll manipulation, and censorship. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Far-right candidate through to Chile’s presidential run-off

I

n Chile, the election for a new president will go into a second round on December 19 after none of the seven candidates managed to secure the necessary 50 per cent needed to win outright.

Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast will face left-wing former student leader Gabriel Boric in the run-off.

The election is one of the most polarised in recent decades and comes after mass anti-Government protests.

Kast described it as a choice between “liberty and communism”.

Boric, meanwhile, said

he was fighting “for democracy, for inclusion, for justice”.

With 97 per cent of the votes counted, Kast was in the lead with 27.94 per cent, followed by Boric with 25.75 per cent.

Economist Franco Parisi, who lives in the United States and did not travel to Chile to campaign, won a surprise third place, but only the candidates placed first and second will dispute the second round.

Kast and Boric will now try to woo those who voted for Parisi and the other unsuccessful presidential candidates.

The two men differ greatly both in their backgrounds and their plans for Chile’s future.

If successful, Boric would become the youngest President of Chile in centuries at 35 years of age.

His youth and moderate left-wing stance have proven attractive to Chileans favouring progressive ideas.

Speaking after he progressed into the second round he said: “We have been entrusted to lead a dispute for democracy, for inclusion, for justice, for the respect and dignity of all.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

he Port-au-Prince international jazz festival, traditionally held in late January, has been postponed indefinitely due to gang violence that has plagued the Haitian capital for months, event organisers said Monday.

“We can’t take the risk, either for the 150 musicians or for our teams, or for the public,” Milena Sandler, director of the Haiti Jazz foundation which organises the festival, told AFP. “We have been thinking for a while now that it would be difficult, even morally, to stage a festive event in this context,” said the head of the

Police Officers stand guard as firefighters remove dead bodies found by residents in a mangrove forest after a Police operation in an impoverished favela community outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday [Ricardo Moraes/Reuters]

A

t least eight bodies, including some showing signs of torture, have been found in a mangrove swamp outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil following a gun battle involving Police.

Rio de Janeiro State

Police said officers were investigating the grisly scene alongside forensics experts in the poor favela neighbourhood of Salgueiro, about 35 kilometres (20 miles) northeast of the beach city.

Residents, who declined

citizens living in Haiti have an emergency plan to leave the country.

Sandler, nevertheless, remained hopeful that the “Papjazz” will take place sometime in 2022.

“If the situation in the country does not allow for the usual format of concerts over eight days, we will still have something and it won’t be virtual,” she said.

“If it must be for one day, it will be for one day,” said Sandler, adding that the Haitian and international partners of the festival were considering a programme for the end of June. (Excerpt from AFP)

BoJ to roll out digital currency next year

T

he Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) says that it is slated to commence national roll-out of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) platform during the first quarter of 2022.

Deputy Governor with responsibility for Banking, Currency Operations, and Financial Markets, Natalie Haynes says it is anticipated that by then, additional deposit-taking institutions (DTIs) will be onboarded to enable the issuing of wallets to facilitate an expansion of the number of individuals and businesses utilising the currency.

The National Commercial Bank (NCB) is currently the sole DTI participating in the CBDC pilot, which commenced in

The Bank of Jamaica

June and is slated to conclude in December.

Speaking during the BoJ Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) digital quarterly media briefing on Friday, November 19,

Haynes said the NCB has developed its wallet and has begun testing the facility.

She indicated that the bank is doing so with staff and their family members, adding that, “we’re going to roll that out, before year end, to other account holders, namely individuals and small merchants”.

The Deputy Governor said these merchants include vendors, hairdressers and barbers, adding that, “they will be doing testing, in terms of person-to-person and person-to-business [transactions]; in addition, they are going to be testing cash-ins and cash-outs at the [automated banking machines] ABMs”.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Rivals for Honduras presidency hold final rallies before vote

T

he top two contenders to be the next President of Honduras held boisterous

Brazil: Bodies found in mangrove following Police gun battle to be named, told Brazilian media outlets that they expected more bodies would turn up following an “intense” gun battle in the community.

“The bodies were all thrown in the mangrove swamp. They had signs of torture, people tossed one on top of the other. It has all the signs of a massacre,” a witness told Brazil’s Globo TV on Monday.

The station, one of Brazil’s most popular networks, showed rolling images of unidentified cadavers draped in white sheets at the edge of the swamp.

Police said clashes first erupted in the area on Saturday when a Police Sergeant on patrol was

festival that brings together musicians from more than a dozen countries every year.

Long confined to the poorer districts of the capital, gangs have in recent months extended their reach and increased the number of kidnappings.

Their sway over the capital regularly prevents secure access to oil terminals, and the resulting fuel shortages have severely disrupted the transport sector, as well as forcing hospitals, businesses and schools to drastically reduce their activities.

In this chaotic context, the United States and Canada have recommended that their

killed in an attack. Rio’s Police Special Operations Battalion, or BOPE, then launched a raid on Sunday.

Rights groups regularly accuse the elite force of indiscriminate killing and excessive violence in its hard-hitting operations against drug gangs in the favelas.

“The BOPE executed an operation in Salgueiro Sunday after receiving information that one of the individuals involved in Saturday’s attack was believed to be wounded and hiding in the area,” Police said.

“The team came under attack near a mangrove swamp, leading to an intense confrontation.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

final rallies over the weekend, one week ahead of an election that could end diplomatic support for Taiwan in the Central American country if the leftist candidate wins.

On Monday, a visiting US diplomat called for “free, fair and transparent elections” following a meeting with Honduran electoral authority CNE, in a fresh sign of American interest in the November 28 vote.

Should poll leader Xiomara Castro, of the leftist Opposition Libre Party, beat the ruling National Party’s Nasry Asfura and put an end to its dozen-year run in power, she would also become the first woman to be President in Honduras.

“We’re going to take out the dictatorship,” she thundered on Sunday, before thousands of supporters in downtown Tegucigalpa, in a nod to the bitterly disputed re-election of outgoing

President Juan Orlando Hernandez in 2017.

Castro is running on an anti-corruption platform, while also favouring a partial legalisation of abortion and a diplomatic opening to China, which would mark a major shift from the country’s current embrace of Taiwan over Beijing.

“As a united Opposition, we say enough to so much thieving, so much corruption, and drug trafficking,” said Castro, who has also pointed to the conviction of Hernandez’s younger brother on drug charges in the United States earlier this year.

In a visible reminder of the united Opposition backing her, Castro’s crowd was also peppered with the flags of the party of her running mate, television host Salvador Nasralla, the 2017 runner-up who describes his views as centre-right.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

19

Around the World

Police name victims after car OILNEWS OIL NEWS Wisconsin: ploughs into Waukesha Christmas parade International energy group sees OPEC+ sticking with output increases

O

PEC and its allies are expected to stick with their current plan of gradually increasing output monthly, unless disrupted by unforeseen external factors, said Joseph McMonigle, Secretary General of the Riyadh-based International Energy Forum (IEF).

OPEC+, as the wider group is called, has said it intends to stick to plans for a gradual increase in output of about 400,000 barrels per day each month. The IEF is the largest international organisation of energy ministers, with 71 member countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United States.

"I see them sticking to their current plan in light of the supply surplus for next year, which is typical for oil markets in the first quarter," McMonigle told Reuters Monday. "If they are going to make a change, it will be because of unforeseen external factors, such as these lockdowns in Europe, any kind of strategic release, and shifts in jet fuel demand."

The oil market rose on concerns the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies could withhold barrels in response to a release of strategic petroleum reserves.

The move was attributed in part to a Monday press release from the IEF that included comments McMonigle made in a conversation with Japanese officials, where he stated that unexpected events could cause OPEC+ to alter its course.

He said a swifter-than-expected return of long-haul international flights would be another factor that could alter the view of OPEC+.

"If that comes back quicker, and more robustly, as everything associated with COVID has, that is something they [OPEC+] will take into account," he said.

"To the extent there's anything unforeseen, they will respond, because they don't think it's in their interest for prices to climb sharply," he told Reuters. "They want to see the global economy recover and it's important for their customers, at the end of the day." (Excerpt from Reuters)

W

isconsin officials have identified five victims, aged between 52 and 81, who were killed by a speeding vehicle that ploughed into a Christmas parade.

Police also named Darrell Edward Brooks Jr, 39, as the driver of the SUV that injured 48 people, including several young children, in Waukesha.

Officials are seeking five counts of intentional homicide. Police say he had been fleeing a domestic disturbance.

They added that Sunday's incident was not an act of terrorism.

The victims named on Monday were: Wilhelm Hospel, 81; Virginia Sorenson, 79; Leanna

Video posted online showed the vehicle as it was about to hit the parade in Waukesha

Owens, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Coolidge, 52.

Dozens remain in hospital. Police said the injured were taken to six area hospitals by first responders as well as other residents who were at the parade.

Germany COVID: Health Minister's stark warning to get jabbed

G

ermany's Health Minister has issued his starkest warning yet on the importance of getting vaccinated.

"By the end of this winter everyone in Germany will either be vaccinated, recovered or dead," Jens Spahn told a news conference in Berlin on Monday.

Germany is in the grip of a fourth wave of coronavirus. Cases are rising rapidly and many hospitals are full.

It has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, with 68 per cent of people fully vaccinated.

Germany's infection rate is at its highest since the pandemic began, and health

experts have warned this wave could be the worst yet.

In the past 24 hours, there have been 30,643 new infections - 7000 more than a week ago. This is among the highest rates in the world.

Tighter restrictions are to be brought in which will see the unvaccinated excluded from certain venues, and some of Germany's famed Christmas markets have been cancelled.

Spahn said he was against making COVID vaccines compulsory, but that it was a "moral obligation" to get the jab because it impacts on other people.

"Freedom means taking responsibility, and there is a duty to society to get vac-

cinated," he said.

The Minister said the highly contagious Delta variant is driving the latest wave and that "anyone who is not vaccinated will, over the next few months, become infected and lack pro-

with our international obligations, and I think it's been clear all along that public health and refugee protection could coexist," said Maureen Silcoff, a refugee lawyer and past president of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, which took the government to court over the policy.

Silcoff said it did not make sense to allow tourists entry, as Canada has begun to do, while barring people seeking protection.

An unknown number of asylum-seekers turned back were taken into indefinite US immigration detention and at least two were deported, refugee lawyers working on their cases say.

Exemptions have been available since the policy began, and in August Canada began allowing more turnedback asylum-seekers to return and file refugee claims as part of what it called a "managed approach to reopening the border." (Excerpt from Reuters)

The US for the first time was included on a list this week of “backsliding” democracies, in part due to a slew of state legislation passed in recent months that make it harder for some voters to cast their ballots [Mikala Compton/Reuters]

Afghanistan: Taliban ends COVID-19 policy unveil new rules banning Canada turning back asylum-seekers women in TV dramas between border crossings

W

omen have been banned from appearing in television dramas in Afghanistan under new rules imposed by the Taliban government.

Female journalists and presenters have also been ordered to wear headscarves on screen, although the guidelines do not say which type of covering to use.

Reporters say some of the rules are vague and subject to interpretation.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in mid-August and many fear they are gradually imposing harsh restrictions.

The militant Islamist group, which took control following the departure of US and allied forces, almost immediately instructed girls and young women to stay home from school.

During their previous rule in the 1990s, women were barred from education and the workplace.

The latest set of Taliban

guidelines, which have been issued to Afghan television channels, features eight new rules.

They include the banning of films considered against the principles of Sharia - or Islamic - law and Afghan values, while footage of men exposing intimate parts of the body is prohibited.

Comedy and entertainment shows that insult religion or may be considered offensive to Afghans are also forbidden.

The Taliban have insisted that foreign films promoting foreign cultural values should not be broadcast.

Afghan television channels show mostly foreign dramas with lead female characters.

The Taliban's earlier decision to order girls and young women to stay home from school made Afghanistan the only country in the world to bar half its population from getting an education. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Eighteen children were admitted after the incident, the Children's Wisconsin paediatric hospital told reporters on Monday.

Care providers described the incident as one of the state's largest mass casualty events involving

children in recent history. Physicians said some children sustained serious head injuries and broken bones.

The injured range in age from three to 16 and include three sets of siblings, medical staff said. Ten children required treatment in the intensive care unit.

The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies said some of its members "were impacted and we are waiting for word on their conditions".

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee said one of its priests, multiple parishioners and students at a local Catholic school were also among the injured. (Excerpt from BBC News)

C

anada is ending its pandemic-era policy of turning back asylum-seekers trying to cross into the country between ports of entry, according to a revised policy document released on Sunday.

Canada turned at least 544 would-be refugees back to the Unites States between March 2020 and mid-October. The government did not immediately respond to questions regarding why it was ending the policy now and what if any quarantine rules would apply to asylum-seekers who are not vaccinated.

Canada had said the measure was necessary given health concerns during the coronavirus pandemic. But refugee advocates argued attempts to claim asylum should not be considered "discretionary travel" and pointed to class exemptions Canada made during the pandemic for professional athletes, among others.

"It's a relief to see the measures for refugees align more

tection".

Since the start of the pandemic, more than 99,000 people in Germany have died, and more than 5.4 million have been infected with COVID-19. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Voting rights of minorities denied in parts of US – UN expert

A

United Nations human rights expert has denounced measures in some parts of the United States, including Texas, that he said may undermine democracy by denying millions of people belonging to visible minority groups the equal right to vote.

Speaking on the final day of a two-week official visit to the US, Fernand de Varennes said on Monday that Texas legislation has resulted in “gerrymandering” and the dilution of voting rights of ethnic minorities in favour of white people.

“It is becoming unfortunately apparent that it is almost a tyranny of the majority where the minority right to vote is being denied in many areas, in parts of the country,” de Varennes, the UN special rapporteur on minority issues, said during a news conference.

De Varennes called for a “New Deal” to overhaul legislation. There was no immediate US reaction to his preliminary observations, which the UN expert said he had shared with US Department of State officials earlier in the day.

His comments came after the US was included for the first time on a list of “backsliding” democracies, in part due to a slew of state legislation passed in recent months that make it harder for some voters to cast their ballots.

“Research indicates that some states’ voter registration and voting laws, either recently approved or currently under discussion, end up disproportionately affecting minorities in a negative way,” the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance report found. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 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)

You can think what you want, but don't blurt it out.

Diplomacy will help you get things done. Focus on results, and stay away from anyone looking for a fight. Don't take a risk with your health.

You'll be ready to make a change, but before you do, consider the pros and cons, along with the cost involved.

Turn your vision inward; consider starting with small yet meaningful personal improvements.

Learn from your experience and avoid putting your reputation at risk. Don't share personal information if you want to avoid being put in a vulnerable position. Look for a unique opportunity.

Do something that makes you think and prompts you to get involved in events that reflect your concerns.

Speak up and become part of the solution, and you will make new contacts.

Check deadlines. Don't feel pressured to make a change or move because someone else does. Look for healthy alternatives when faced with choices.

Physical and mental activities are encouraged.

Reach out to someone who always lifts your spirits. A networking function will lead to information that will help you redefine what you have to offer. Pick up skills that will boost your qualifications.

Take a moment to find out how others feel and think.

Don't give up; find common ground that gives all the key players a reason to participate. Working with others, you can accomplish much!

Embrace what life has to offer and explore the possibilities that come your way.

Personal growth will lead to a lifestyle change. Have faith and go with the flow. Welcome the unexpected!

Look over your finances SAGITTARIUS and consider what you can (Nov. 23do to achieve the life you Dec. 21) want. Contemplate how to sell off what you no longer need, and invest in something that brings you joy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

Put everything into doing the best job possible. An energetic approach to life, love and happiness won't disappoint you. Make positive changes at home and work that will give you a new lease on life.

Listen and learn. Don't fall prey to a glib sales pitch.

You don't have to make a move if you aren't ready.

Following someone will not help you achieve what you want out of life.

You'll get a financial boost if you are energetic in your (Feb. 20pursuits. A physical improveMarch 20) ment will draw attention and the interest of a loved one.

Watch your successful peers for helpful examples.

PISCES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

21

Sir Curtly commends CWI for investment in youth F ast bowling legend and assistant/bowling coach for the U-19 West Indies team, Sir Curtly Ambrose has commended Cricket West Indies (CWI) for the effort it is putting behind the youths.

Ambrose’s comments come just a few days after it was revealed that the team will play a series of warm-up matches against South Africa in preparation for the Region’s hosting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup slated for January 14 to February 5.

According to Ambrose, these cricketers are the future, and it is a delight to see the difference in effort throughout the years by the

regional cricket body.

“It’s a bit of a change because many years ago, just prior to a tournament, maybe a couple of weeks before a tournament they would gather the guys together for training together and then go into the tournament, which was never adequate preparation. So, I am quite happy to see Cricket West Indies really investing in its youngsters. We have had a couple of camps before, we toured England, we are here again with another camp getting ready for the World Cup, so I am really, really happy to see that CWI is investing in its youngsters, because they are the future, and we have to take care of them and get them to be the best possible

Westbrook and Davis lead Lakers rally after LeBron ejection, Curry mild in Warriors win

T

he Los Angeles Lakers overturned a 17-point deficit and a chaotic third-quarter brawl which led to LeBron James' ejection to trump the lowly Detroit Pistons 121-116.

James was ejected after an elbow to the eye of Pistons centre Isaiah Jackson, who reacted angrily, leading to a wild melee in Detroit on Sunday.

Jackson repeatedly charged at James and had to be restrained by teammates and coaches. Both players were ejected, with the latter's elbow deemed a flagrant 2 foul.

The Lakers were trailing by 12 points at the time of the incident early in the third quarter, before Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis led a rally on the road.

Westbrook (26 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds) had 15 points, six assists, and five rebounds in a final period dominated by the visiting Lakers 37-17.

Davis had 30 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, five blocks, and four steals – the star becoming the first Laker with a 30/10/5/3/5 game since Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal in 2001.

James, in his second game back after an abdominal injury laid him off for two and a half weeks, played 21 minutes for 10 points and five as-

sists before his ejection as the Lakers improved to 9-0 for the season.

Number one draft pick Cade Cunningham registered his first career triple-double for the Pistons with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Suns maintain hot streak

The Phoenix Suns recorded their 12th straight win as Cam Johnson had a career-high and game-high 22 points off the bench, including four triples in a 126-97 rout of the Denver Nuggets, who were without MVP Nikola Jokic (shoulder injury) for the second successive game.

Chris Paul (nine points a n d 10 assists) h a s had 47

games with 10-plus assists and 0 turnovers since entering the league in 2006.

He has the most such games since 1985.

Paul George hauled the Los Angeles Clippers past the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks 97-91 with 29 points and six assists.

Doncic was out with a knee/ ankle injury.

DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points in the Chicago Bulls' 109-103 victory over the New York Knicks. Julius Randle posted 34 points for the beaten Knicks, who led entering the final quarter.

cricketers that they can be,” Ambrose said.

West Indies will contest Group D of the tournament and will face competition from Australia, Scotland, and Sri Lanka.

The semi-finals and final of the tournament will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua. The semis will be contested on February 1 and February 2, with the fi-

Mark Cavendish: British cyclist suffers 2 broken ribs and a collapsed lung in crash

Mild Curry returns

Stephen Curry returned from a minor hip issue, but was well down on his usual output with only 12 points, making two of 10 field-goal attempts and one of six beyond the arc in the Golden State Warriors' 119104 triumph over the Toronto Raptors.

(Sportsmax)

M

Russell Westbrook

nals scheduled for February 5.

With the promise of new upcoming talent, the concern of what happens to these cricketers post- tournament was put to Ambrose.

He agreed that in the past, many of the U-19 players were left without any support or training which resulted in only a handful of them making it to the senior team.

This issue, Ambrose explained, is one that the coaching staff has looked at, and he revealed that they would be making a few recommendations to CWI to address it.

“Well, that is something that we as a coaching staff talk about a lot, and so we are going to recommend to the CWI that we don’t want to do what we did in the past; you know, where plenty of guys come from the Under-19 set-up where only a few of them have made it to international level, but between the ages of 19-23 we lose a lot of cricketers. So, we are trying to change that mind-set and after U-19, have these guys in some kind of programme so as to get them into FirstClass cricket, so we don’t lose them. That is something that we are going to recommend, and something we are working towards, because there is a lot of talent still around,” Ambrose added.

The Antiguan mentioned that the aim was to keep the players involved in cricket at the highest level even after the pending tournament. (Antigua Observer)

ark Cavendish suffered two broken ribs and a collapsed lung in a crash at the Six Days of Ghent on Sunday.

The British cyclist was competing in the Madison when Olympic and world champion Lasse Norman Hansen crashed in front of him.

The 36-year-old then rode into the Dane's bike,

sending him crashing to the floor.

After initial treatment, Cavendish was able to walk, but was then taken to hospital on a stretcher.

In a statement, Cavendish's team Deceuninck-Quick-Step said: "Examinations showed that Mark has suffered two broken ribs on his left side and has a small pneumothorax [collapsed lung], both

of which have been treated with medication. He has been kept in the hospital for observation.

"It is expected that Mark will be discharged either later today or tomorrow morning, and will then undergo a period of recuperation."

On Sunday, Cavendish's wife, Peta, said he was spending the night in intensive care. (BBC Sport)

22

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sri Lanka on top again as Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama run through West Indies …despite Chase's five-for, visitors are 273 runs behind

W

est Indies worked themselves back into the game in the first two sessions, taking Sri Lanka's last seven wickets for 105. But then they gave up all the ground they had gained in the evening, losing six wickets for 54 runs.

Essentially, what this means, is that despite Roston Chase's five-wicket haul, West Indies are 273 runs behind Sri Lanka, with only four wickets remaining.

They bat deep, but the pitch

Ramesh Mendis bagged 3-23

is already taking substantial turn, particularly for Sri Lanka's spinners. So dominant were the slow bowlers of both sides on day two, that no batter could make a half-century; Dinesh Chandimal and Kraigg Brathwaite came

closest, hitting 45 and 41 respectively.

Sri Lanka lost their overnight pair in the first hour, and lost the remainder of their batters either side of lunch, but still, it was the last session of the day that was most dramatic. West Indies had restricted Sri Lanka to 386 – a good score, but not the gargantuan one that the hosts had threatened at the end of day one. Brathwaite and makeshift opener Jermaine Blackwood (he was taking the place of the concussed Jeremy Solozano, with concussion substitute Shai Hope to come in at number four) made a half-decent start, too, putting on 46 for the first wicket. But as is often the case in Galle – though often not as early as the second day – once one partnership is broken, several wickets fall in quick succession.

Blackwood was the first to be dismissed. He had been lbw on 2 against Dushmantha Chameera, but the umpire turned down the appeal and Sri Lanka did not review. He had seemed to have become comfortable at the crease, particularly against Lasith Embuldeniya, whom he launched for a straight six, but then missed a straightening delivery from the same bowler, and was correctly adjudged lbw (Blackwood burned a review).

Four overs later, Praveen Jayawickrama – the other left-arm spinner in Sri Lanka's XI – got a ball to erupt from the straight, and

after Cornwall anticipated and intercepted a reverse sweep. Chase dismissed Embuldeniya to complete his fourth five-for in Tests.

At the time, it had seemed like West Indies had clawed themselves to near parity by keeping Sri Lanka's total under 400. (ESPNcricinfo)

Jomel Warrican chipped in with three wickets

take Nkrumah Bonner's glove on the way to slip, where Dhananjaya de Silva took a sharp catch to his left.

Offspinner Ramesh Mendis then took two wickets in two big-spinning balls, split across two overs. His first victim was Brathwaite, who was caught at leg slip.

His second was Hope, who was snaffled at short leg – both batters having been out off the inside edge.

Mendis would also have Chase caught at short leg before the day was out, after Jayawickrama had nightwatchman Jomel Warrican caught behind. Although West Indies have Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers at the crease, and Joshua de Silva and Rahkeem Cornwall to come, it is not guaranteed, on what has suddenly become such a devious surface, that they will surpass the follow-on score.

The first dismissal of the day, however, had been the strangest. de Silva had added five runs to his overnight 56 and seemed to be batting nicely, when he was a touch

late playing a defensive shot to a back-of-a-length Shannon Gabriel ball. He made a good connection, but the ball dropped by his feet and seemed to be bouncing into the stumps, so he turned around to swipe at it. He only nicked it the first time, and had to swipe again, but on that second occasion, dislodged the bails with his bat, and was out hit wicket.

Dimuth Karunaratne, who was on 132, had started the day nervously, and was out to some excellent wicketkeeping having added only 15 to his score – Joshua da Silva whipping off the bails after Chase had drawn Karunaratne forward with a loopy offbreak.

Warrican, who had gone wicketless on day one, took three wickets either side of lunch – the dismissal of Ramesh, whose glove Warrican collected with a delivery that leapt off the surface, being the most spectacular of the three. Chandimal, who had battled the spinners as well as anyone on day two, was out to Chase,

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS Pathum Nissanka c Cornwall b Gabriel 56 Dimuth Karunaratne (c) st †Da Silva b Chase 147 Oshada Fernando c Bonner b Chase 3 Angelo Mathews c Holder b Chase 3 Dhananjaya de Silva hit wicket b Gabriel 61 Dinesh Chandimal † c Cornwall b Chase 45 Ramesh Mendis c † Da Silva b Warrican 13 Suranga Lakmal lbw b Warrican 11 Dushmantha Chameera c Brathwaite b Warrican 3 Lasith Embuldeniya c Blackwood b Chase 17 Praveen Jayawickrama not out 8 Extras (b 5, lb 6, nb 8) 19 TOTAL (133.5 Ov, RR: 2.88) 386 Fall of wickets: 1-139 (Pathum Nissanka, 49.1 ov), 2-164 (Oshada Fernando, 57.3 ov), 3-170 (Angelo Mathews, 65.1 ov), 4-281 (Dhananjaya de Silva, 94.4 ov), 5-296 (Dimuth Karunaratne, 99.5 ov), 6-331 (Ramesh Mendis, 112.6 ov), 7-355 (Suranga Lakmal, 124.4 ov), 8-361 (Dinesh Chandimal, 127.4 ov), 9-361 (Dushmantha Chameera, 128.1 ov), 10-386 (Lasith Embuldeniya, 133.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shannon Gabriel 19-2-69-2 Jason Holder 19-9-24-0 Rahkeem Cornwall 27-3-91-0

Captain Taylor wants strong start as West Indies face Ireland in World Cup Qualifiers

T

he West Indies Women open their International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's Cricket World Cup qualifying campaign today against Ireland Women at the Old Hararians Ground in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The West Indies have a very experienced team with a number of players who have done well at the international level and are being considered one of the favourites to capture one of the three qualifying spots available.

According to Captain Stafanie Taylor, they won’t be taking their opponents lightly, and will be going all out to win every match.

The West Indies Women are confident coming off a 3-0 One-Day International (ODI) Series victory against Pakistan Women in Karachi, and Captain Taylor is hoping to carry that momentum on.

Taylor said on Monday: “We had a good series against Pakistan and I would love to see more good performances, not just for tomorrow’s game but throughout the competition.

We've been playing some good cricket and getting some really good scores and I want to see us

Windies Women’s Stafanie Taylor

Captain

continue from where we left off in Pakistan.

“The expectations are pretty high for us to finish number one or at least in the top three and be one of the eight teams in New Zealand next year. With that being said, we’re not taking any team for granted. We’re going to go out there and play our best cricket.”

Taylor added: “I believe the all-round ability of our team is our strength, our batting is peaking at a good time heading into the Qualifiers, which was exemplified with two centuries in the recent series against Pakistan. Our bowlers are showing that they can defend the scores posted by the batters. So, we are looking forward to a competitive but enjoyable tournament.”

There have been four centuries in a calendar year from the top three batters on the team, a first for West Indies Women in ODI cricket.

Taylor scored two of them while Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews made for the other two. The team also see the return of wicketkeeperbatter Shemaine Campbelle, who was very reliable with the bat and the glove on the recent trip to Pakistan.

Full Squad

Stafanie Taylor (Captain) Anisa Mohammed (Vice Captain) Aaliyah Alleyne Shemaine Campbelle Shamilia Connell Deandra Dottin Sheneta Grimmond Chinelle Henry Qiana Joseph Kycia Knight Kyshona Knight Hayley Matthews Chedean Nation Shakera Selman Rashada Williams

Travelling Reserves

Cherry-Ann Fraser Shabika Gajnabi Karishma Ramharack

Kyle Mayers 3-0-9-0 Jomel Warrican 32-5-87-3 Roston Chase 28.5-3-83-5 Jermaine Blackwood 1-0-6-0 Kraigg Brathwaite 4-0-6-0 WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c) c Nissanka b Mendis 41 Jermaine Blackwood lbw b Embuldeniya 20 Nkrumah Bonner c de Silva b Jayawickrama 1 Shai Hope c Fernando b Mendis 10 Roston Chase c Fernando b Mendis 2 Jomel Warrican c † Chandimal b Jayawickrama 1 Kyle Mayers not out 22 Jason Holder not out 1 Extras (b 3, lb 9, nb 2, w 1) 15 TOTAL (42 Ov, RR: 2.69) 113/6 Yet to bat: Jeremy Solozano, Joshua Da Silva †, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shannon Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Jermaine Blackwood, 20.1 ov), 2-51 (Nkrumah Bonner, 23.5 ov), 3-80 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 31.6 ov), 4-83 (Shai Hope, 33.1 ov), 5-86 (Jomel Warrican, 36.5 ov), 6-100 (Roston Chase, 39.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Suranga Lakmal 5-1-6-0 Dushmantha Chameera 4-0-8-0 Lasith Embuldeniya 15-4-39-1 Praveen Jayawickrama 12-4-25-2 Ramesh Mendis 6-1-23-3

CLASSIFIED ADS BUSINESS Business Opportunity of a lifetime.

Earn extra cash. Part-time/Full-time.

Tel: 656-2682

FOR SALE Do you have Cancer and need a very effective Herbal Treatment? Then call Miracle Herbs Products on 6128944/688-3663. This treatment have cured more than 40 persons.

PRODUCTS

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 Schedule

All matches start at 09:30h (9:30am) local time (03:30h (3:30am) Eastern Caribbean Time/02:30h (2:30am) Jamaica Time) Group A: West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands Group B: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Zimbabwe, USA

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 – West Indies Women Group A Fixtures

November 23 – West Indies v Ireland, Old Hararians November 27 – West Indies v Sri Lanka, Old Hararians November 29 – West Indies v Netherlands, Sunrise Cricket Club

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 – Super 6 Fixtures

December 1: Super 6 Match 21 – Old Hararians Super 6 Match 22 – Harare Sports Club Super 6 Match 23 – Sunrise Cricket Club December 3: Super 6 Match 24 – Old Hararians Super 6 Match 25 – Harare Sports Club Super 6 Match 26 – Sunrise Cricket Club December 5: Super 6 Match 27 – Old Hararians Super 6 Match 28 – Harare Sports Club Super 6 Match 29 – Sunrise Cricket Club

Would you like to lose weight/gain weight? Lose belly fat? Have Digestive Health? Low Energy? Improve Your Immune System?

Tel.: #656-2682

TAXI SERVICE Elegant Cabs. 231-1494 / 2264277, Cell #: 625-6600. 24 hrs.

A

VACANCY

Driver for water delivery canter on the East Coast Demerara. Call or whatsapp 680-3863.

Pump attendant Rubis Bel Air – Full Time call or whatsapp 680-3863.

Experienced Cashier, Counter Server, Roti/Puri Cook, Handy Boys. Apply Hack’s Halaal Restaurant with written application at Lot 5 commerce Street.

VEHICLE FOR SALE 2001 Toyota Mark 2 in Excellent condition. Low mileage. Clean interior. Call: 617-8424

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

T

he number in Guyana’s delegation for the first-ever Pan American Junior Games has gone up to 30, inclusive of Coaches and officials, as the Games are set to begin later this week in Colombia.

Guyana’s contingent for the Junior Pan American Games was, last Friday, named by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), and includes Chef de Mission Deirdre Baynes Edghill and physiotherapist Jana Edghill.

While the locally-based players on the team are expected to depart Guyana between Monday evening and today, GOA President KA Juman-Yassin had a special charge for the young athletes, urging them to be good ambassadors of Guyana.

“I want to tell you, going there, you are representing Guyana. You are representing Guyana and as such, you have to conduct yourself in such a way that when persons see you, they will say ‘yes that is a [good] person, where is she from? She’s from Guyana, they are good people, they are people who behave themselves’,” JumanYassin stated, speaking directly to the athletes.

The GOA boss went on to urge, “So, I ask you, ensure you conduct yourself in a way that would not

GOA President KA JumanYassin

Chef de Mission Deirdre Baynes Edghill

be disrespectful to the society of Colombia and that would be respectful, as we would want it, in Guyana.”

Meanwhile, Chef de Mission Baynes Edghill said that it was a personal honour to be a part of the team and encouraged the athletes to also appreciate the significance of the inaugural event.

“As we prepare to depart on this journey at the first Junior Pan Am Games, I wish for everyone to understand the experience when you get it, the next level where you would go. This is an honour to serve in this capacity as Chef and I hope to get all the cooperation possible,” Baynes-Edghill stated.

Along with a number of the Guyanese athletes present at the GOA’s Liliendaal headquarters for the briefing were the various Guyanese Coaches.

“All I can say is that it’s an Under-23 competition, my team is very

young, but we’ll do the best that we can,” Squash Coach/Manager Garfield Wiltshire shared.

On the other hand, Athletics Coach Johnny Gravesande noted, “I’m very proud to know I [was] named the Coach of the athletics team and I’m willing to work hard for our country.”

Boxing Coach Terrence Poole, who is confident about what his team will be able to produce, opined, “So, I think Guyana have a fairly good chance in medalling in the boxing arena. I expect to see medals come in; I expect to see podium finishes, but the boxer is there to go and do it. The medal is waiting there, but they have to go and collect it.”

Another confident Coach/Manager was Narayan Ramdhani who explained, “They’ve been training very hard, all the time. They’ve been playing international players and

A few of Guyana’s Junior Pan Am athletes across the disciplines

stuff; they’ve been to tournaments. So, I’m looking for a good showing from them.”

Meanwhile, Swimming Coach Paul Mahaica shared one challenge that his team may face.

“I’m excited to see what these children will do. The only problem I have is with the high altitude that they would be going into, ‘cause we all know Guyana is below sea level and they will be going at a different altitude. But they’re training hard and they’re ready to go and perform at their

best,” Coach Mahaica said.

Guyana’s team consists of: Athletics Coach Gravesande and athletes Chantoba Bright, Keliza Smith, Kenisha Phillips, Revon Williams and Noelex Holder; Badminton Coach Ramdhani and players Priyanna Ramdhani, Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey; Boxing Coach Poole and boxers Alesha Jackman, Travis Inverary and Patrick Harvey; Squash Coach Wiltshire and players Shomari Wiltshire, Michael Alphonso and Samuel

Ince-Carvalhal; Swimming Coach Mahaica and swimmers Aleka Persaud, Leon Seaton, Patrice Mahaica and Paul Mahaica Jr; Table Tennis Coach Idi Lewis and players Miguel Wong and Jonathan Van Lange; and weightlifting team Esther Nurse and Sean Cozier.

The Junior Pan American Games are scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 25 and will run until Sunday, December 5. (Jemima Holmes)

Shavkat Rakhmonov v WI v SL: “The guys are Carlston Harris added to looking forward to the UFC Fight Night on Feb 5 challenge,” says Brathwaite A D

ay two action in the Sri Lanka v West Indies series saw the Caribbean side once again show their weakness against quality spin. While Roston Chase and Jomel Warrican were the standout bowlers in the first innings, the batsmen did not step up to the plate. Further, debutant Jeremy Solozano was hit on the head while fielding on the first day of the opening Test and was replaced by Shai Hope as his concussion substitute.

Nevertheless, Captain Kraigg Brathwaite has stated that the team are looking forward to the challenge.

Solozano spent the night in a hospital in Colombo and will now be transported to his hotel to commence the appropriate protocols.

Captain Brathwaite labelled the situation unfortunate: “Tough situation; obviously we heard at least he is doing good; the scans came back good and [we] will be supporting him 100 per cent.”

Brathwaite was impressed with the bowling of Chase and Warrican who

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was dismissed for 41

snagged 5-83 and 3-87 respectively. He said he was impressed with the effort of the duo, but more importantly, the effort of the entire team owing to the fact that on day one only three wickets were taken.

However, Brathwaite stated that the players came back and restricted their opponents to 368 which means the West Indies bagged some seven wickets for 105 runs on day two.

Addressing the issue of the top order struggling against spin, Brathwaite said, “Well, I mean, obviously, Shai was a little bit

unlucky as the offspinner bowled some good balls. But I mean, obviously, we’ll sit and review how we can do better. Especially with the offspinner who got three scalps today, but you know, obviously, the guys are looking forward to the challenge. We know it won’t be easy, but we just got to keep supporting.”

In closing the Windies Captain did note that he did feel good about his innings of 41, but was disappointed that he was unable to carry on, so the next time he will make it his duty to rally on.

battle between welterweight prospects is the latest addition to UFC Fight Night on February 5.

Shavkat Rakhmonov (140 MMA, 2-0 UFC) will take on Carlston Harris (17-4 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in an event which doesn’t yet have a publicly-known venue or location.

Two people with knowledge of the match-up recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking, but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Freak MMA Instagram page was first to report the booking.

Unbeaten in his pro MMA career, Kazakhstan’s Rakhmonov is 2-0 to kick off his UFC tenure, submitting Alex Oliveira at UFC 254 and Michel Prazeres in June.

He has finished all 14 of his wins.

Since punching his ticket to the UFC on “‘Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight”, Harris has picked up back-to-back first-round finishes over Christian Aguilera, and more recently, Impa Kasanganay in September. (MMA Junkie) With the addition, the

Carlston Harris signs the contract

current February 5 line-up includes: * Marc-Andre Barriault v Chidi Njokuani * Phil Rowe v Jason Witt * Jailton Almeida v Danilo Marques * John Castaneda v Miles Johns * Denys Bondar v Malcolm Gordon

* Hakeem Dawodu v Mike Trizano * Sam Alvey v Ian Heinisch * Bryan Battle v Tresean Gore * Nick Maximov v Punahele Soriano * Carlston Harris v Shavkat Rakhmonov

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2021

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

…as Juman-Yassin urges athletes to conduct themselves well Pg 23

Page 23 Page 23

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.