Guyana Times - Tuesday, November 8, 2022

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5186

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Opposition lambasted for “walkout” during debate on Constitutional Reform Bill – as Bill passed, paving way for nationwide consultations Page 3

Guyana, EU to sign €5M MoU to protect, restore forest

Page 9

Elections CoI

Party Agents testify about data discrepancies after missing GECOM flash drive recovered

Page 7

…recall being arrested, threats hurled at ABCE observers

Press Association, Pregnant Berbice Govt condemn housewife APNU/AFC’s attacks chopped to death on media workers …Minister McCoy calls on Police to take action

Page 13

See story on page 2

– APNU/AFC refutes claims

by reputed husband

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

“We produce enough” – P10 Mustapha says Govt to clamp down on importation of fruits & vegetables

Pedestrian killed while attempting to cross Agricola Public Road P16 Heavy downpour causes major flooding in P16 Charity

Campaign P14 launched to strengthen vaccination coverage in Guyana, Brazil National Assembly passes Bill to P11 toughen laws on drunk driving – Restorative Justice, Suicide Prevention Bills also passed

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pregnant Berbice housewife chopped to death by reputed husband

A

n alleged misunderstanding between a Berbice couple led to the demise of a 30-year-old housewife between Sunday afternoon and early Monday morning. The incident occurred between 19:00h on Sunday and 04:40h on Monday.

Dead is Oma Davi Virasamy of Lot 171 Bloomfield New Housing Scheme Corentyne, Berbice, while her reputed husband, 35-year-old Mahendra Paltoo also called “Ajay”, is in Police custody assisting with investigations. Guyana Times understands that the now dead woman was pregnant at the time of her demise.

Upon his arrest, the suspect told investigators that his wife was in the process of making up the bed for their child when she slipped and fell on a cutlass.

The cutlass was reportedly hidden between two mattresses in their bedroom.

Oma Davi Virasamy

Nevertheless, he related that the woman received a cut on her right ankle, and as such, he assisted her to dress the wound after which she retired to bed.

He further claimed that

he woke up at about 04:40h on Sunday and discovered his wife lying motionlessly.

However, after interrogation, Paltoo confessed that he and his now dead reputed wife had a misunderstanding after she accused him of being unfaithful. At the time, he had collected a bottle of alcohol from a neighbour.

He claimed that during the argument, the woman pushed him, and in retaliation, he armed himself with a cutlass and dealt her several blows about the body.

She sustained injuries to her right ankle and other parts of her body, including under her left eye. After the confession, he took the investigators to the area in the house where he committed the act. He was taken to New Amsterdam Police Station where he is being further interrogated.

Meanwhile, at the home of the suspect on Monday, his father Mukish Paltoo

The house where the murder occurred

told Guyana Times that after learning that Virasamy had died, he handed over his son to the Police.

The man explained that his son contacted his wife at about 04:00h and told her that Virasamy was injured and requested for them to take her to the hospital. The man stated that he initially declined on the basis of his fading sight and suggested that his son seek the assistance of a neighbour.

The father, who lives in Hampshire which is about five miles away from his son, attempted to solicit assistance from a neighbour but it proved futile. Nevertheless, he and his wife travelled to Bloomfield.

“When we reach me ask what happen and they say the girl was dead, so I tell my wife that I got to carry this boy to the station. I take him and carry him to Whim Police Station and he go and meet the policeman come and see what happen and he tell me that I can’t be around,” the father revealed.

According to the senior Paltoo, on their way to the Police station, he enquired from his son what transpired.

“He say the girl fall on a cutlass… that she go to tie the netting and the cutlass de brace on the wall and she fall on it. That is what he tell me.” The couple has an 18-month-old daughter

who is physically challenged.

Paltoo also has a 17-year-old son.

The senior Paltoo said he was not aware of any issues between the couple. The suspect was released from prison last year after he was convicted of assault.

At the dead woman’s house, her uncle Deodat Arjuman explained that the mother of one lost her mother a few months ago. “All I know is that she move out and go and live with this boy.” He said the family wants a thorough probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, Police have also taken the suspect’s 17-year-old son and his mother into custody.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Tuesday, Nov 8 – 04:15h – 05:15h and Wednesday, Nov 9 – 04:15h – 05:15h.

– as Bill passed, paving way for nationwide consultations

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Nov 8 – 16:00h – 17:30h and Wednesday, Nov 9 – 16:35h – 18:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light cloud and light rain showers during the day. Expect thundery showers at night.

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 16:18h reaching a maximum height of 2.76 metres.

Low Tide: 09:54h and 22:16h reaching minimum heights of 0.58 metre and 0.43 metre.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

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Opposition lambasted for “walkout” during debate on Constitutional Reform Bill

T

he Government on Monday opened up debates on the Constitutional Reform Bill in the National Assembly.

The Bill was eventually passed, but the absence of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) came in for heavy criticism.

On Monday, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir informed the House that APNU Member Jermaine Figueira had requested leave to ask an oral question without notice. Nadir explained that the question did not meet the requirement for urgency and as such, the request would not be allowed.

Afterwards, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton explained that his motion pertains to a clean voters’ list.

When the Speaker refused to allow the motion to be heard due to its lack of urgency, Norton immediately led his party members out of the chambers.

Subsequently, speakers who debated on the Constitutional Reform Bill lambasted the Opposition for not making a single contribution to the debate.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, in whose name the Constitutional Reform Bill was laid, reminded that APNU/AFC had made numerous promises about constitutional reform.

“I hope that the people of this country are looking on and are seeing that we have made a promise and we are in the process of delivering on that promise. The other side made a similar promise a decade ago. From 2011 to 2015, though in Opposition, they controlled the National Assembly with a one seat majority vote. They did nothing for constitutional reform,” Nandlall said.

“From 2015 to 2020, they made compelling promises to the people of Guyana to start constitutional reform with great immediacy. Five years after, they did nothing. In the first half of the Irfaan Ali Government, this manifesto promise is halfway down the road. We cannot travel the other side. And I want the people of Guyana to understand that. I hope the empty benches to which I’m speaking, is not a forbearing of what is to come in this process.”

Alarming

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Sanjeev Datadin also expressed concern over the Opposition’s absence from discussions on such a critical matter as constitutional reform.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

“The absence of Opposition Members from this House is alarming. It is worrying and it doesn’t auger well. The genesis of this process and the way it is set out in the rules is that in Parliament, as you well know, there’s a Constitutional Reform Committee that members from both sides of the

terms of contribution, in spite of many opportunities being given by the Attorney General who chairs that committee… he was openly begging for contributions from the Opposition of any kind. And he received none.”

Deputy Speaker and Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) MP Lennox Shuman, meanwhile expressed disappointment over the actions of his Opposition colleagues. For its part, APNU/AFC subsequently sent out a statement attributing its walkout to their motions not being allowed on the floor because they did not meet the threshold for debate.

Bill passed

The Bill was eventually

LJP MP Lenox Shuman was the lone member of the Opposition present during the debate

Reform Commission.

Shuman, in his presentation, had called for the inclusion of an Indigenous representative on the commission. Nandlall assured that the Government is committed to inclusionary policies when it comes to

APNU/AFC MPs during their walkout

House, sit,” Datadin explained.

“Interestingly enough, at meetings of that committee, the Opposition members were again absent. In

passed, with only one member of the Opposition present, in the form of Shuman.

Among the provisions in the Bill, is the creation of a 20-member Constitutional

the Indigenous people.

He also assured that the Government would not attempt to influence the work of the commission.

TURN TO PAGE 5

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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

Signs of domestic violence

D

omestic violence has been described as “…behaviour which causes one partner in a relationship to be afraid of the other.

Domestic violence can take the form of physical or sexual abuse, and forced social isolation away from friends and family members.”

However, domestic violence has many victims besides spousal partners.

The laws of Guyana prescribe one’s rights regarding this issue, which are laid out in the Domestic Violence Act (1996) as “recognised under the law and law enforcement agencies, such as the courts”, and stipulates that the Guyana Police Force must help to enforce the rights of, and offer protection to, any man, woman, or child who may be experiencing domestic violence.

Some signs of domestic violence are described as persistent verbal abuse such as quarrelling and cursing (one can add to that derogating one’s character and making unjustifiable insulting remarks about one’s self and one’s loved ones); threatening the person with physical violence (threatening to hit the person with hands or objects), as well as actually hitting the person; damaging the property of a person (such as breaking a person’s cellphone, tearing or burning a person’s clothing, among other things); following a person from place to place, even though that person does not want to be followed; hiding clothing or property used by the person (for example, hiding a person’s cellphone, their clothing, their identification card, their passport, and even their money); making persistent and/or unwelcome contact with the person (such as calling the person on their cellphone or home phone many times per day, watching the person’s house, waiting for the person to leave work or place of study, following the person from home or work, even though that person does not want to be followed or watched); and using abusive language to a person, or behaving towards a person in such a way that could result in that person being ill-treated. For example, cursing and quarrelling with a person in front of others, and then encouraging others to do the same.

An initiative by the APNU/AFC Administration to deal with the scourge of domestic violence suggested actions one should take to protect oneself (and possibly others) from domestic violence, and to provide a descriptive analysis of a Protection Order. One of the suggestions made is to make a report to the nearest Police station, and therein lies a conundrum.

Those who are supposed “To Serve and Protect” most often have provided the catalyst for a tragedy to occur by their attitude, attention – or lack thereof, and plain don’t-give-a-damn behaviour when a complainant drums up the requisite courage (most often with great difficulty) and lodges a complaint.

Many victims of continuous abuse are killed because of the complacency of a few members of the Police Force, who refuse to investigate complaints and lay charges, or take the actions necessary to protect the victim from further abuse.

Guyanese have stopped being our brothers’ (and sisters’) keepers, because, in many communities, neighbours witnessing a continuum of, and escalating instances of, abuse refuse to become involved. They prefer to enjoy the enfolding tragedy, even adding to it with malicious rumour-mongering and strife-making, because the titillation of feuds and wars within families finds a corresponding resonance in the dark nuances resident in every soul, and the average person refuses to rise above their more decadent equivalencies to achieve a higher plane of thoughts and actions, enough to maybe intercede and probably save a family from ultimate destruction. And one wonders what part the church bodies and religious leaders play in melding communities into units cohesive enough to fashion strategies for interventions within families and the general society in efforts to divert energies into more productive and peaceful approaches to conflict resolution – even to the point of empowerment.

The acceleration in violence-prone conflicts within families and societies is spiralling out of control, to the extent where many lives have been lost, with many more dislocated, and there seems to be no end in sight.

Unless there is a holistic, proactive approach where all stakeholders in the nation are made aware that this cause and this fight is a national one, every effort made – valiant and committed as they may be – will prove woefully inadequate, because domestic violence is a national tradition entrenched in the Guyanese psyche.

Persons within communities most often do not think it is their business to report instances of abuse, and many women and children have suffered violations and even been murdered when a timely intervention could have saved someone’s life.

Evil can only perpetuate if good people think it is not their business to confront it, so unless we return to the era when each of us was our sisters’ or brothers’ keepers, there will be many more victims who would suffer even more tragic outcomes to their lives

A hillside view of the blazing sun sweeping down on the vast savannah of North Rupununi as it slowly falls behind the mountains creating an Art of imprinted shadows (O'statia Simon photo)

Memorialising the victims of COVID-19 infection in NYC

Dear Editor, Under a cloudy sky and with a soft cool breeze caressing the trees that still have on most of their green and somewhat warped leaves, the famous Smokey Park of Richmond Hill, New York City, was enlivened by an historic moment when a special tree was planted on the southern side of the Park in tribute to those who have fallen to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as for those who have suffered as a result of this deadly virus. A crowd of about 100 people representing several Mandirs, the Gurdwara, NYGM, and other NGOs of NYC watched with intensity as the tree was planted and blessed with appropriate mantras and the sprinkling of flowers at its roots. To complete that ritual, each member of the crowd was invited to throw a handful of dirt onto the root of the tree.

Acharya Ram Hardowar,

Spiritual Leader of the Surya Narayan Mandir and President of the Federation of Hindu Mandirs (FHM) said that a plaque would be placed at the side of the tree to remind visitors of its symbolic nature. He then noted: “We honour and cherish the 71,000 New Yorkers who were casualties of COVID-19 ….and we express our community’s gratitude to the countless healthcare and frontline workers who fought gallantly to save lives and putting their own lives on the line.” The Acharya also indicated that there were 1.05 million COVID-19 deaths in the USA and 6.53 million worldwide as of November 22, 2022. Dr Parmeshwar Mohabir spoke emotionally about his sister’s COVID-19 infection and on his advice for his sister to take the experimental monoclonal treatment, and it worked. His sister survived. Dr Mohabir also in-

dicated that Acharya Ram Hardowar was also infected with COVID-19 virus but survived.

Why was a tree planted to memorialise the fallen COVID-19 victims?

According to Acharya Pt Ram Hardowar, a tree represents life, it represents growth, it represents prosperity, it represents food for consumption (a tree does not eat its own fruits), it represents longevity, and it gives off oxygen to sustain human and other forms of life. The idea of planting a tree also has its origin in Nobel Laurette Rabindranauth Tagore’s philosophy; “When anyone plants a tree, he/she will

not necessarily take shade from or benefit from it, but it would benefit others.”

This is the embodiment of compassion. Acharya Ram said that they plan to conduct an annual visitation to the site of the tree which symbolises healing and a new path ahead.

The programme’s Chair, Dr Sanjay Ramkissoon delivered an eloquent speech in which he stated that it was a bitter-sweet day for him and others because “we are here to commemorate and reflect upon the lives lost, the pain, the suffering, the anxiety, and the wrath that COVID-19 infection has inflicted upon us.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

5

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

There is need for tighter security at CJIA Vote in US Elections Dear Editor, The recent theft from a private jet at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, highlights the fact that there needs to be tighter security at this institution.

International airports are high-security areas and as such must receive top security at all times.

At the present moment, this is not the case. The Cheddi Jagan Airport is not properly secured, with the people of the nearby squatting area having free access to the airport.

This lawlessness has to stop and the time for the Government to do something about it is now.

In this regard, those squatters located in close proximity to the airport must be removed immediately. It is a key feature of the security of the area that must be handled swiftly if some decency and order is to be maintained. I

know the Opposition would readily jump on this issue with their usual racist remarks, but that foolishness should not stand in the way of the Government getting the airport in top security mode. They have to do what it takes and not be deterred by those who are bent on impeding the progress of our nation.

And I speak with the firm conviction that those persons living within close proximity to the airport are up to no good. One would recall some years ago when a duffle bag filled with cocaine was thrown over the airport fence. That bag was thrown there by one of the elements of that community of squatters. There is no question in my mind about that. I don't think anything came out of that matter. With such a major breach in security, heaven knows what else could have been taking place there.

Opposition lambasted...

FROM PAGE 3

“Government will not attempt, in any form or fashion, to influence the work of the Commission.

The Bill, which becomes law, however, mandates the Commission to do public consultations across the country. That is the only mandate they have in terms of how they will regulate their business,” Nandlall explained.

Back in August of this year, the Government presented the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill 2022 in the National Assembly, which seeks the establishment of a Constitutional Reform Commission to review the country’s supreme laws.

According to the provisions of the Bill, the commission will review the Constitution to provide

for the current and future rights, duties, liabilities, and obligations of the Guyanese people. It is mandated for that purpose to receive, consider and evaluate submissions for the alteration of the Constitution, and report its recommendations to the standing committee for transmission to the National Assembly.

In conducting the review, the commission will also consider the full protection of the fundamental rights and freedom of Guyanese under law, the rights of Indigenous people of Guyana, the rights of children, eliminating discrimination in all forms, and improving ethnic relations while promoting ethnic security and equal opportunity.

In short, squatters and other dwellers in that area ought to be removed and the manning of security cameras be done effectively, so as to ensure

that maximum security is maintained at all times Respectfully, Neil Adams

Memorialising the...

FROM PAGE 4

Who would have imagined a virus with no brain, no spine, and no thinking has the power to cripple the world?” Dr Sanjay continued; “during the pandemic, there was chaos at home, at hospitals, and at funeral homes.......the frontline workers put their fears behind them and rose to the challenge.” He also noted that the Surya Narayan Mandir organised face masks, hot meals, grocery, gloves, face shields, and sanitisers for distribution to all communities. They also joined with other mandirs in donating over 125 pints of blood for patients infected with COVID-19. Mr Vishnu Mahadeo was also praised for his efforts in distributing regularly, COVID-19 protective gear as well as organising food hampers. A few political leaders including Assemblyman David Weprin, District Leader Richard David, and Community Board 9 Chair, Ms Sherry Algredo, were part of the proceedings. Mr Weprin had just lost his mother but still found the occasion too important to miss, and he praised the community for how they reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that he is proud to represent them in the NYS Assembly. Richard David

said that Richmond Hill (zip codes 11418 and 11419) had the highest COVID-19 infection rate in NYC at one period. He also noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Guyanese sought refuge in Smokey Park, and the tree will be there to offer some form of relief.

Words of comfort for families who lost loved ones as well as those persons who were afflicted with the COVID-19 virus were delivered by Pastor Matthew Singh, Acharya Ram Hardowar, Guru Hagbir Singh, and Pt Prakash Persaud. They all pleaded for unity and for reaching out across race boundaries. Pt Prakash Persaud also highlighted the need to focus on the state of mental illness within our community. The vote of thanks was given by Mr Doodnauth Dasrat, who expressed gratitude to the NYC Parks Department, the USA Pandits’ Parishad, the FHM, the Desi Society, all the other participating organisations, and the attendees. It was a momentous event. It is a visionary project! And it was a wonderful day for the Guyanese community in New York!

Dear Editor, Today, Tuesday, November 8, is Election Day in America. Guyanese American and other Caribbean American and Indian American people cannot afford to be left out of the election voting process that occurs today.

Their vote determines the outcome.

Guyanese Americans are a very small group in terms of the overall percentage of voters but constitute an important chunk of voters that are enough to tilt the balance in close races, providing they come out to vote. They must vote and make a wise choice on the party or candidate best positioned to further their interests not only in New York State, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Georgia but in other states as well.

The Guyanese, Caribbean, and Indian Americans are urged to come out and vote for the party or candidate that would best serve their interests.

People are hurting financially, and thus the economy voters would influence how they vote.

Today is Election Day in America where hundreds of

thousands of Guyanese are settled and their voter turnout in 2020 is the highest so far in the history of their presence in America going back to the late 1960s. The outcome hinges on turnout in the swing states, where several thousand Guyanese are present.

Guyanese are in the thick of the electoral contest in America, not as candidates or campaigners but as voters and poll workers and their votes matter in the swing states. There is a lot of enthusiasm among Guyanese voters, and many actually voted early all over the country while others tell this writer they will vote today. Few Guyanese volunteer for or donate to the election campaign as this writer did for decades.

Several Guyanese have been working at poll stations over the last two weeks for early voting and several will be on duty on November 8 at schools and senior centres. Schools are closed to facilitate the election process, but it is not a national holiday.

Go out and vote for the party that will govern you!

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:30 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Page

Foundation

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L

ook at the family of symmetrical curves below, one of which is featured in Farris’ book as a “mystery curve”: Each of these curves has an ordered pair of numbers associated with it, shown at the lower left of the curve. These two numbers determine the type of symmetry and complexity exhibited by the curve, and a simple mathematical relationship between the two numbers is required to generate the curve’s pleasant symmetry. In the second question below, we’ll give you the precise way these numbers are used to generate their curve. Without looking ahead, ponder these numbers and try to get an intuitive sense of how the curves change as the numbers do. Then look at curves A and B below and see if you can match them to the correct pairs of numbers, from the 10 choices given. Give your reasons for choosing your particular pairs and describe what you think the relationship is between the two numbers.

Choices: 1. (5, –19) 2. (6, –19) 3. (7, –17) 4. (7, –12) 5. (7, –19) 6. (8, –20) 7. (8, –12) 8. (8, –13) 9. (8, –19) 10. (6, –24) How are the numbers related to the curves, and how can we generate other similarly graceful curves?

The “mystery curve” from Farris’ book is the second one (6, –14) The “mystery curve” from Farris’ book has a fivefold symmetry, which you can clearly make out in the image at right. Here’s the expression that generated this curve: (cos(t) + cos(6t)/2 + sin(14t)/3, sin(t) + sin(6t)/2 + cos(14t)/3).

Note that this is a parametric equation — the first half gives the x-coordinate and the second part the y-coordinate as the parameter t goes from 0 to 2π.

Exercises: 1) Regarding the “mystery curve” from Farris’ book, the mystery is this: What do the coefficients 6 and 14 have to do with generating fivefold symmetry? Why did we use –14 instead of 14 in the example?

(Adapted from quantamagazine.org)

R

Sidewalk petroglyphs

ock carvings (petroglyphs) can be found throughout the world. In ancient times, humans painted or carved their stories on cave walls or rocks using pictures.

What you’ll need

• Spray bottle with misting nozzle • Cornstarch • Food colouring 1. Gather up items that have interesting shapes: leaves, small kitchen utensils, plastic animals – and your hands! You could also cut shapes out of heavy construction paper. These objects will be used as your sidewalk stencils.

2. Mix 6 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1 cup of water until dissolved. Stir in a few drops of food colouring.

3. Pour the mixture into your spray bottle and shake (you’ll need to re-shake often to keep everything well mixed).

4. Set your found objects on the sidewalk and spray around each. Lift up the objects to reveal the “petroglyph” underneath.

(Excerpt from startwithabook.org)

CONTINUED FROM MONDAY

By The Brothers Grimm

TO BE CONTINUED

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Elections CoI

Party agents testify about data discrepancies after missing GECOM flash drive recovered …recall being arrested, threats hurled at ABCE observers

Former ANUG Executive Jonathan Yearwood testifying before the CoI on Monday

A

s the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 General and Regional Elections continued on Monday, party agents testified about the controversial removal of the flash drive from the tabulation room at the office of the Region Four Returning Officer (RO) which was housed at the Ashmins Building, Hadfield and High Streets, Georgetown.

Former Executive Member of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Jonathan Yearwood; and Executive Member of The New Movement, Dr Josh Kanhai recalled witnessing data that did not match the Statements of Poll showing up when the flash drive was returned to the tabulation room.

The election was marred by controversy for months following the polls. On March 5, party agents and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) were busy with the verification process for Region Four when Data Clerk Enrique Livan complained of feeling tired.

It was agreed that a break would be taken but upon resuming, the Clerk said he could not function anymore and took a laptop along with a flash drive and left the room.

The tabulation numbers were required to be displayed on a screen for par-

ty agents and GECOM officials to correspond and verify the data from the Statements of Poll (SoP).

It is in this case, the flash drive was being used to input the verified data.

In his testimony, Yearwood said he saw Livan taking the flash drive that was recording all the information that was being fed to him.

“I saw him take the flash drive from the desk that was recording all of the information that he called out onto a big screen…

That flash drive was taken by Mr Livan when they left the room,” he told the Commission.

Yearwood recalled that sometime after, he left the verification room and went to another with other party agents. There, he saw three GECOM employees inside including Livan who had a laptop with him.

Livan appeared to have been sitting at the computer, working on a document.

The flash drive, believed to have been taken from the other room, was being used.

Upon seeing this, Yearwood said party agents raised suspicion.

“He gave little or no response to our questions or anything…He had a disparaging look on his face.

He was being accused of working on the document that was recording the Statements of Polls. He just

denied that he was doing anything wrong…He was also accused of removing the actual laptop used in the tabulation room and using the same laptop.”

During the process, the testimony revealed that it was ‘rowdy’ owing to the many persons crowding the room with Livan. Police Commander Edgar Thomas later intervened as tensions brewed.

After some back and forth, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield subsequently took the flash drive and returned it to the tabulation room. However, as the flash drive was reinserted, the statistics for the South Georgetown area showed up on the screen but at the time break, officials were verifying the East Bank Demerara area numbers.

Meanwhile, Dr Kanhai during his testimony explained that it was PPP/C party agent, Sonia Parag who raised the alarm that the flash was missing.

When it was found in Livan’s possession, it was the contention of Lowenfield that the flash drive was not the same. As the contents were later viewed, it was confirmed to be the missing gadget.

However, startling to the officials was the fact that the numbers on the spreadsheet did not match those of the Statements of Poll that were in possession of the party agents.

The TMN Executive recalled, “He’s (Lowenfield) saying it is not the same flash drive that was in the room and that it is a different flash drive. I basically asked him how could you be so sure. Eventually he gave in and said let’s look at the content of the flash drive.”

He added, “Mr Livan inserted the flash drive into the laptop in the room and it was projected onto a projected screen, showing us a spreadsheet. We started to see numbers which were not corresponding to the Statement of Polls and the entire room went into an uproar.”

He further stated that for the entire night, he stayed with other party agents at the Ashmins building, having felt like the documents were not secured. The verification pro-

cess could not continue.

“Given all that had happened that night, I felt like a lot was amiss and very suspicious. The Statements of Poll and other documents for Region Four were in the tabulation room which was at the eastern end of the building. They were in boxes and they didn’t seem secure. So most of the parties asked an agent to stay,” Kanhai noted.

On the afternoon of March 6, Kanhai recalled Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo attempting to make the declaration, despite the fact that the entire verification process was not completed.

This led to objections from all of the stakeholders.

“There were bomb threats so the [verification] process had stopped. Given the amount of verification we still had outstanding, there was no way that afternoon that the entire list could have been completed.”

Arrests and threats

On the said day, the TNM Executive said that GECOM’s Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh was nowhere in sight. Upon inquiries, some persons claimed she was not in the building while others communicated otherwise.

That evening, Kanhai noticed a detective rushing to the second floor and was pleading with Police officers to let him onto the third floor. The officer claimed

Josh Kanhai giving his statement

that the Chairperson was his relative and she had summoned him.

“They were barricading it so no one could enter the third floor. He was pleading with the Police officers to let him through but they were being difficult about it. They were saying it is prohibited at this point.

He continuously said the Chairwoman was his relative and she was calling him saying that she was not feeling well. They didn’t seem to care about that.”

Soon, the detective was allowed to enter and the ambulance also arrived. Kanhai said persons forced themselves through the barricade and went up to the third floor after the paramedics.

“They were looking throughout all the rooms.

One room was opened and they were trying to ask the man in that room where the Chairwoman was...We noticed a door that had all of its locks missing but it was secured…Given my medical empathy, I decided to have a go at that door.”

“I got through that door.

The door broke lose. There was a room within a room.

I looked straight ahead and pushed a room door opened, I saw Madam Chair seated on the couch with Ms Roxanne Myers sitting on the handle and about 12 men in that room,” Kanhai recalled.

Kanhai described the GECOM chair as looking “flustered and pale” and “she didn’t seem well”.

Shortly after, Kanhai was arrested and charged.

TURN TO PAGE 9

8 NEWS DPP issues notice for 35 witnesses in trial of accused Ponzi scheme couple TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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he Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has issued a notice for 35 witnesses to testify in the trial of Ponzi scheme accused, Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his wife Ateeka Ishmael, who are facing 100-plus charges for obtaining monies by false pretence.

The witnesses are to appear at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The witnesses are Seodat Sookdeo of Mon Repos, ECD; Sumatie Ramcharran of La Bonne Intention (LBI), ECD; Naimonie Khan of Lusignan, ECD; Gavin Doodnauth of Annandale, ECD; Stephen Gopaul of Triumph, ECD; Jennifer Pearce of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown; Sakichand Jagdeo of Lusignan; Kevin Adolphus of Enmore, ECD; Lolita Singh of Enterprise, ECD; Shalomie Ramdhanie and Sankar Ramdhanie of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD); Parbattie Jadunauth of Middleton

Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his wife Ateeka Ishmael

Street, Georgetown; Hemant Chowtie of Three Friends, Region 10 (Upper

Demerara-Berbice) and Onisha Cameron of North Haslington, ECD.

The other witnesses are Deoraj Samaroo of De Endragt, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Deonarine Jagmohan of Eccles, EBD; Haroon Baksh of Lusignan; Mandisa Bowen of Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, Alifa Sancharra and Hameraj Sancharra of Good Hope, ECD; Carla Cassiano of Cummings Lodge, ECD; Savitri Narine of Montrose, ECD; Veekadai Tomby of Enmore; Mohamed Farad Jamalodeen of Lusignan and Aubrey Norton of Coldingen, ECD. Reginal Mendes, Nateram Meghoo, and Mohani Makhan of Non Pariel, ECD; Goutam Boodhoo of South Better Hope, ECD; Rhonda Robers and Sean Roberts of Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown, Nalini Gordon of Annandale, ECD; Parbatie Persaud of Helena, Mahaica, ECD; Surujpaul Balkissoon of Lusignan and Vedisha Samaroo of Good Hope, are the remaining witnesses.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

A dust-up… …in National Assembly

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ell, the National Assembly will be in session today and your Eyewitness wonders what’ll be in store for us. He’s got his popcorn out to see the action in that arena. And yes…while he likes to keep up with matters political, he’s more interested in the new pugilistic element introduced by the PNC/APNU/AFC (hereafter the “PNC”) Opposition to the verbal jousts that’s the usual fare in that “hallowed” hall!!

Remember when the PPP- tabled National Resource Fund (NRF) was on the order paper earlier this year? The PNC showed up, behaved real ghetto to literally “bruk up the place”!! One grabbed the Mace of parliamentary power and ran outside with it with a Parliamentary staff in hot pursuit!! Catching up with the miscreant female PNC MP, he attempted to wrest it away from her – but was thrown to the floor and straddled menacingly as the MP screamed “house slave”!! The PNC – as usual – clearly saw the parliamentary goings-on as a “race thing”!!

Inside the Chamber some PNC MPs were blowing whistles – yeah whistles! - into the ears of the PPP Finance Minister who doggedly tried to explain their rationale for the Bill. PPP MPs rushed to defend him and your Eyewitness was hopeful a fistfight was in the offing! It was later revealed that one PNC MP had strategically stormed the Communications Centre and ripped out the equipment!!

This, of course, was unlike what’d happened when the PNC was illegally in office (as pronounced by the CCJ after they refused to accept the No-Confidence Motion) and in protest, the PPP merely stayed away.

So, what will it be?? Fireworks again, or back to the Marquis of Queensbury Rules?? The Order Paper informs there’re gonna be three subjects debated: the ground rules for Constitutional Change (CC); Suicide Prevention and criminal justice reforms. Now you’d think that CC would be the biggie, wouldn’t you? But in Guyana, this topic’s become a joke: the PNC talks the talk about it, but refuse to walk the walk. Like politicians the world over, it’s all about seeking changes to ensure they get power!1 The PNC had made CC the Centrepoint of their 2015 manifesto. But ensconced in office, went through an elaborate charade with a committee taking submissions and such like – only to have everything disappear in the maws of their parliamentary machinery!! Your Eyewitness thought they would’ve taken the opportunity to introduce the “power sharing” they’d been talking about for years. But having tasted power perished THAT thought!! Now they’re out of power and seeing the PPP waltzing into their “own” constituencies doling out “encouragement” for votes, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll be insisting on changes to introduce power sharing!!

Maybe some desk thumping?? …in New York??

And in the meantime, over in Region 11, NYC, things are heating up for AG Leticia James and the Democrats in their mid-term elections. It’s turned from a shoo-in to a shoo-out!! And James must be rueing the day she decided to identify with (“brother from a different mother”!) and support an extremist Guyanese grifter to cuss out the Guyanese Government!! She’d spent most of her term disagreeing that cashless bail must be eliminated to decrease crime rates in the state.

But her democratic NYC Mayor had charged that the “insane broken system of bail laws” puts criminals back on the street who then tend to get back to committing crimes.

He pointed to statistics that show double-digit jumps in recidivism in most crimes. Now Trump has just denounced her explicitly, “You have a corrupt, racist, weak-on-crime Attorney General Letitia “Peekaboo” James!!

The Democrats might just lose the Governorship and their majority in the House. Let’s see who’ll threaten sovereign nations next!! …in Egypt Reps from two hundred countries have shown up in Egypt for COP 27. For the first time, they have compensation for poor countries that have suffered from the polluting profligacies of the rich countries, on the agenda.

Don’t hold your breath!!

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

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

9 Guyana, EU to sign €5M MoU to protect, restore forest NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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he Government of Guyana and the European Union (EU) will sign a “Forest Partnership” Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today on the sidelines of the COP27 Summit which is currently being held in Egypt.

The MoU will be signed between the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Government of Guyana – in particular Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharat who is representing Guyana at the event.

The MoU underlines the 50-year genuine partnership

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharat

Party Agents testify about...

“I felt myself being pulled out of that room by Police officers. We were pulled out of the room…We were questioned and there for about an hour. We were taken onto the second floor and lined up there. We were escorted down by a large group of officers…Myself and an AmCham observer were taken to the Brickdam Police Station.”

Later into the morning hours, Kanhai said they secured bail. Since then, he has not received any notifications to go to court.

Meanwhile, Yearwood also told the Commission of an incident where he was also arrested.

He recalled that it started on March 13, 2020, during which figures were being called out by RO Mingo but

they did not match those on the SoPs. This was met with objection by party agents and threats were thrown by APNU/AFC counting agent, Carol Joseph.

“She threatened Pauline Chase, who was the Guyana Bar Association observer and she threatened Kit Nascimento, the private sector observer. She also threatened the heads of the ABCE Heads of Mission in Guyana. She also threatened them with physical harm.”

He added, “She (Joseph) threatened to stomp her (Chase) in the face. She (Joseph) threatened to spit in Nascimento’s face.

Shortly after, they got up and left the room…She basically told them to get out of Guyana.”

That same afternoon, Yearwood said Carol Joseph rushed at him and in his defence, he pushed her away.

He was then arrested and escorted to the Brickdam Police Station.

“When she rushed at me, I defended myself and pushed her away. I was immediately surrounded by five or six heavily armed Police and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

She was sitting maybe three or four rows back. I was walking to the exit. She left where she was and was running, rushing to me. She said that I’m going to get you,” he testified.

The CoI continues today where several pieces of video evidence will be presented to the commission.

(Rupa Seenaraine)

DPP issues notice for 35...

The couple was the principals of Accelerated Capital Firm Incorporated (ACFI), the company allegedly behind a major Ponzi scheme in which hundreds of Guyanese were fleeced of some $4 billion by reportedly trading on the international stock exchange. Concerning the Ponzi scheme, they are facing several counts of obtaining monies by false pretence, and are out on over $30 million bail.

Sometime in 2020, ACFI ceased all operations in Guyana after authorities discovered that it was operating without a licence from the Guyana Securities Council (GSC).

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act prohibits businesses from operating as financial institutions without the necessary registration for regulation and supervision by the regulatory authorities. On October 12, 2020, the couple had begun reimbursing persons who had invested in their company.

However, the refunds came to an unexpected halt

a few days later after ranks from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) – an arm of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) – raided their home at Coldingen, ECD, and seized several pieces of equipment the couple claimed were vital in processing the refund transactions.

They had disclosed that their company’s mode of business is trading on the international stock exchange. According to them, the company trades with international brokers such as IQ Options and FX Choice.

They had said that the mode and operation of the company are that investing parties, having entered into a legally binding contract with ACFI, are permitted to invest a certain amount of capital. They had said, too, that either the investing party or ACFI can then deposit money with the brokers which would then be traded on the international market.

They had also said that the investing party subsequently receives 40 per cent to 50 per cent on their investment based on the in-

FROM PAGE 7

FROM PAGE 8

vested amount and the terms of their contract.

between Guyana and the EU and will focus on longterm sustainability. It is a reflection of the unwavering commitment of Guyana to protect its unique rainforest.

In fact, the Forest Partnership with the EU places Guyana at the top of the world in terms of its protection of the rainforest. It is timely and underscores the strong commitment to continuing the bold ambition and innovative programme on climate, environment, and forests.

The MoU comprises four main objectives including increasing the area of protected, restored or sustainably managed forests, including mangroves; increasing the number of forest-related jobs; maintaining the close-to-zero annual rate of deforestation of natural forests and looking for ways to facilitate investment and trade in legal and sustainable wood products between Guyana and the EU. However, EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes stated that Guyana is unique in that it is one of the few countries in the world that has a negative carbon footprint. He outlined that Guyana is an example for the world and the forest partnership is a recognition of the sustained efforts by the country in preserving its forests and ensuring that timber harvesting is regulated.

On the other hand, President Dr Irfaan Ali explained that Guyana remains committed to fighting climate change and developing sustainably. He pointed out that Guyana’s development is structured in a Low Carbon Development Strategy, which will help

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Guyana to build a global model for forest climate services and other ecosystem services.

“The forest partnership is a win-win for Guyana and the EU. With an initial EURO 5 million grant from the EU for activities, immediate results are expected in supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities, supporting small-scale producers, promoting sustainable trade in forest and agriculture commodities and building capacity to drive behaviour change. Youth and women are expected to play an important role in the planning and implementation of activities related to the partnership,” a release from the EU stated.

Reflective of its continuing strong stewardship of forests, climate, and the environment, Guyana launched its visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.

The LCDS sets out how forests and biodiversity can be maintained, whilst the

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes

country expands green jobs, transitions the domestic energy supply to clean and renewable energy sources, and adapts to the impacts of climate change.

In recent years both the EU and Guyana have already implemented several forest-related actions.

Building on the strong engagement in and motivation for forest conservation by the Guyanese Government, both sides are increasing their cooperation on forests to make an important contribution to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Climate change is one of the world’s main concerns and affects Guyana as it threatens the very existence of this coastal low-lying rapidly developing state.

Guyana and the European Union aim at supporting the role of Guyana’s forests in sustainable development and addressing challenges related to deforestation, forest degradation, climate change and loss of biodiversity.

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“We produce enough” – Mustapha says Govt to clamp down on importation of fruits & vegetables

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griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has announced that better systems will be put in place to guard against the unnecessary importation of fruits and vegetables into the country – which, he surmised, can have a dire impact on local farmers.

He made the remarks on Friday last whilst addressing farmers from Belladrum, Foulis, Profit, Rising Sun, and surrounding communities during an outreach at

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha engaging farmers

Profit Community Centre, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

“We are clamping down,” Mustapha declared after a farmer raised his concerns about the large amounts of imported tomatoes and cabbages on the local market.

“The importation of the tomatoes and the cabbage them…is affecting us a lot… the prices, they sell at a lower cost. We produce suffer to sell. Fertiliser expensive…manual labour, them man want $6000 – $7000

a day…,” the farmer expressed.

In response, Minister Mustapha explained that there is no need for the importation of fruits and vegetables that are being produced locally, especially when there is enough local produce to meet the local demand.

“We know for a fact that we are producing enough in Guyana. When you look at the statistics, every single morning I have coming

on my desk, the price list and the production data and when you look at production, every week you’re seeing an increase in production but there are some unscrupulous people who are trying to create an artificial shortage, trying to use that to bring in things from Brazil and flood the market,” Minister Mustapha said.

He went on to note that, “they are going so far to create artificial shortage to increase the price too.”

According to the

Government official, “the same $200 bora you purchase” in markets like Port Mourant, Rosignol, Leonora and Diamond “are being sold for $600 in Stabroek and Bourda Market”.

He blamed the “middlemen” for unnecessarily increasing the prices, a move which brings significant hardship for locals. Minister Mustapha noted that this is why the Government is promoting farmers’ markets in every region on a monthly basis.

Moreover, to address the substantive issue of the unnecessary importation of fruits and vegetables into the country, Mustapha said “permission must not be granted to anyone who wants to bring in fruits and vegetables in this country, we are producing enough for every single Guyanese.”

Chairman of the Foulis United Farmers Association, Shaknauth Singh welcomed the announcement by the Minister. “I think it’s a good venture…,” he said.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National Assembly passes Bill to toughen laws on drunk driving – Restorative Justice, Suicide Prevention Bills also passed

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Attorney General Anil Nandlall

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on Monday passed a slew of revolutionary pieces of legislation through the National Assembly, in the absence of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) who continued their day-long boycott of the 50th sitting.

Among the Bills passed was the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022, which is aimed at toughening existing laws to prevent drunk driving and the carnage on the road it results in.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, in his presentation on the Bill, stressed the need for the nation to change its mindset. He noted that preventing drunk driving cannot be viewed only as a Police problem, but a problem for the entire society to come together and solve.

“This can’t be the Government’s job alone, and legislative changes alone can never be able to curb this horrendous, tragic loss of human life in our

country. Every member of society, every responsible organisation in this country must join hands with our Government, as we begin to chart a new course of making our roads safe,” Nandlall said.

According to the Attorney General, the Bill is about reclaiming the roadways from the chaos and the destruction that drunk drivers cause with their vehicles, which become lethal weapons when they get behind the wheel.

“Our Government’s priority is the protection of our citizens. Public safety is an important objective and security priority, of our Government. An integral factor in the equation of public safety is [the] safety of our roadways. We must be able to traverse our roadways. Our children must be able to traverse our roadways.”

“Our citizens must be able to traverse our roadways with a sense of security and psychological peace of mind that some erratic, drunken driver is not using his vehicle as a lethal

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

weapon along the roadways of this country. We must have that sense of security,” Nandlall also said.

He was supported by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, who noted that the Bill is even more significant because it comes at a time when Guyana has reported a 28.8 per cent decrease in road fatalities.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand also lent her voice to the debate.

“That is what we seek here to do today, keep our human resources intact.

Look after them, offer them opportunities and see them thrive and grow in this new Guyana that we envision,” Minister Manickchand said.

In a bid to ensure safer roadways, draft amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, as well as the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill were approved by the Cabinet in March of this year, with a view to toughening up the penalties for drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them.

The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act sought to

$300,000 for second-time offenders.

Also passed during Monday’s sitting was the Suicide Prevention Bill 2022, which contains measures such as a National Suicide Prevention Commission to advise the Minister of Human Services and Social Security on legislation and regulations surrounding suicide prevention and mental health support.

The commission will also be responsible for the preparation of a National Suicide Prevention Plan, and the planning, design and implementation of public programmes to reduce suicides and suicide attempts in the country. It also has to carry out sensitisation and

amend the Principal Act and put in place a new Section, 35A. This new Section makes causing the death of someone through drunk driving a case of vehicular manslaughter.

The draft Bill also amends Section 39A of the Principal Act – the penalty for driving while over the alcohol limit – replacing the $7500 fine with $200,000, and the sentence of 12 months with 24 months.

It has also been proposed in March that the penalty for driving under the influence and losing control of your vehicle be increased from its current $30,000 to $60,000 fine/imprisonment for 12 months to $200,000 for first-time offenders and

awareness training on suicide and suicide prevention and establish Suicide Prevention Centres across Guyana.

The Restorative Justice Bill 2022 was also passed, paving the way for the establishment of a body that will administer the new Act, as well as educate the country and its citizens on the relatively new concept of restorative justice in the justice system.

The Restorative Justice Bill will give more prominence to the cases of victims of criminal offences and offenders and accentuate the injury it has caused to the persons involved, rather than the violation of the law.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt tables Bill to increase sitting of Guyana CoA

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Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

he Government on Monday tabled a Bill during the 50th sitting of the National Assembly to increase the number of sitting Judges of the Court of Appeal to not less than five and not more than nine. The Bill was pre-

sented by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC. The Court of Appeal (Amendment) Bill 2022 seeks to amend Section 34 (1) of the Court of Appeal Act, Cap 3:01, which presently provides that the Judges of

the Court of Appeal shall include not less than two and not more than five Justices of Appeal.

Early last month, the Attorney General announced that the Government was consulting with the Judiciary and the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) to amend the law to increase the complement of Judges at the Court of Appeal in Kingston, Georgetown.

In making the announcement, Nandlall had explained the current complement of Judges, which is not less than two and not more than five, is inadequate having regard to the caseload that is leaving the High Court.

The Court of Appeal has one courtroom and is presided over by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, and Justices of

Court of Appeal

Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

From time to time, the Chief Justice, who is an ex-officio Justice of Appeal, along with High Court Judges, are called, if necessary, for a full bench sitting of the Court of Appeal.

Nandlall had also disclosed plans to make the Court of Appeal itinerant.

Once the appellate court becomes itinerant, while there is a complement of

Judges sitting in Demerara, there will also be a complement sitting continuously in Berbice and Essequibo.

Commenting on the transformational changes taking place in the justice system, he had said, “After 50 years of independence, we cannot continue doing things the way we have been doing them conventionally.

The litigation load has increased one thousand times from independence to now

and therefore as an institution, the Judiciary will also have to be innovative.”

Construction works are ongoing at the Court of Appeal to accommodate another courtroom. The PPP/C Government has always maintained that it considers the administration of justice central to Guyana and an important factor in the country’s democratic, economic and social progress.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Press Association, Govt condemn APNU/AFC’s attacks on media workers …Minister McCoy calls on Police to take action – APNU/AFC refutes claims

Public Affairs Minister Kwame McCoy

M

inister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, and the Guyana Press Association (GPA), on Monday, condemned the reported attacks and intimidation by the APNU/ AFC on two cameramen attached to the National Communications Network (NCN).

On Monday, the NCN said that the APNU/AFC continues to attack and intimidate its employees. The latest incident, it disclosed, was on Sunday, November 6, at Arcadia Four Corner, Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD), where the main parliamentary Opposition held a public meeting.

In the course of executing their duties to provide coverage of the meeting, it said the cameramen were attacked and intimidated by APNU/AFC Member of Parliament (MP) Nima Flue-Bess.

“MP Flue-Bess demanded that the cameramen present their IDs. Upon stating their place of employment, the cameramen were told there was no need for them to record the event. This was in spite of other cameras that were in place to cover the said event,” a release from NCN said.

Having stood their ground to execute their duties, NCN said that MP FlueBess then called the Police officials present to have the cameramen removed. The Inspector and Sergeant on the scene engaged the cameramen and threatened to seize their equipment if they record the event.

According to a press statement from NCN, it was only after the intervention of a senior Police officer that the cameramen were able to proceed with the execution of their duties.

The NCN noted that this is not the first time its staff has been attacked and intimidated and denied access to events hosted by APNU/ AFC. During the National Toshaos Conference in

July, another camera operator who arrived to cover the Opposition’s reception of the leaders at Bookland Gardens, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, was turned away by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton.

Then, in May this year in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), the NCN team was again attacked during a poorly attended walkabout the Opposition had in Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Last month, it revealed that a member of the news team posed a question to the Opposition Leader over his threats to remove Jermaine Figueira as the APNU/ AFC’s Region 10 Chairman after he shook hands and interacted with President Dr Irfaan Ali while on a walkabout in Linden. After evading the question, Norton instead attacked the company’s coverage of his party’s events.

“NCN forthrightly condemns these attacks by the APNU/AFC on its staff and views it as a direct attempt to intimidate and prevent them from performing their duties at a public event.

This exposes a glaring double standard by the APNU/ AFC which claim that NCN withholds coverage of their events. NCN has since lodged a formal complaint with the Police Force and has informed the GPA.”

Must not allow this behaviour

Minister McCoy, on the other hand, made it clear that this type of behaviour by the Opposition will not be condoned. “We have seen the attempts by Norton and his cabal to bully the media and to intimidate them, even at press conferences.

We have seen their avoidance of the media while in Government,” said the Minister in a video-recorded statement on Monday.

Now that the APNU/AFC is in Opposition, he added that he believes the party does not want the media at its public outreaches because it would highlight its “poor leadership” and that the meetings are sparsely attended. According to the Public Affairs Minister, the coalition’s actions are serious enough to attract the condemnation of all civic-minded Guyanese.

In this regard, he emphasised that the press and everyone who believes in the right and freedom of the press must not allow this behaviour by the APNU/AFC or any group trying to intimidate and bully the media for their own selfish reasons.

Concluding, Minister McCoy said he looks forward to the Police taking action and offered words of encouragement to the media workers who executed their

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

duties, despite attempts to make them feel unwanted at a public event.

Set tone of relations with media

Meanwhile, the GPA in denouncing this “most reprehensible act of harassment and intimidation” of media workers, called on Norton to first and foremost set the tone of relations with the media by being forthcoming with proper and detailed answers rather than being abrasive and evasive when asked for details and supporting evidence.

The press body reiterated that media workers are to be respected by all and called on politicians as well as other members of the public to respect the need for media workers to operate in an environment free of intimidation. As the country approaches another election cycle, the GPA said it expects that the media would be allowed to operate without intimidation, and resentment and free from abuse, especially from those who hold political offices.

“Gone should be the era when a television news camera is snatched and taken to Congress Place, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, media workers are labelled vultures or identified in an unflattering manner by political figures at public meetings,” the GPA’s statement highlighted.

Refute

The APNU/AFC has, however, dismissed NCN’s claims while saying that it was intended to create conflicts.

“We categorically refute these assertions as completely defamatory, mischievous, and intended to create conflict between the political party and the media as a feeble attempt to justify NCN’s refusal to allow the Opposition equal airtime,” asserted MP Flue-Bess, who said that at no time were media operatives attacked by her colleagues, party supporters are any person at the public meeting.

According to her, she and the party’s public relations officer approached two men who were attempting to record the meeting without a press pass or any form of identification and asked them whether they were media workers and to which media entity were they attached.

She said that, in the presence of Police ranks, the men were warned against impersonating the media and were allowed to record the public engagement without interference.

“Astonishingly, the National Communications Network now claims that the gentlemen are within their employ contrary to the said employees stating that they were employed by another news agency.

Despite the untruthful and ill-intent claims, the fact remains that despite the alleged NCN employees failing to comply with standard regulations for members of the media, they were

Guyana Press Association President Nazima Raghubir

APNU/AFC Parliamentarian Nima Flue-Bess

allowed to document the meeting. Further, we call on the State-owned agency to follow all journalism and media coverage ethics, and equip persons with the necessary means of identification…”

Coalition MP Flue-Bess added that it is unfortunate that the GPA did not contact the political party before issuing its statement, espe-

cially when it is known by the public that NCN is not a fair and objective media entity but is subjected to the full political directive.

She nevertheless reaffirmed her party’s commitment to a free press. “We assure all Guyanese that the coalition will continue to champion the cause of free speech and the right to information.”

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali to be Chief Guest at 17th PBD Convention in India – to be bestowed with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

Prime Minister Modi and President Dr Irfaan Ali

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he Government of India will host President Dr Irfaan Ali as the Chief Guest of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention (Indian Diaspora Day) between January 8 and 10, 2023, at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

This announcement was made

by Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr K J Srinivasa, who explained that “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas commemorates January 9, 2023 - the day when Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa to India in 1915.

To mark this day, the tradi-

tion of celebrating the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas started in 2003.

The first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was organised on January 9, 2003, to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.

“Since 2015 under a revised format, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organised every two years. Sixteen Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conventions have been organised to date.

Owing to the pandemic, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was conducted in the

virtual setting with the theme “Contribution to Atmanirbhar Bharat” in 2021. In 2023, the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be held with the theme of “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal,” the Indian High Commission stated in a release.

In a message during the website inauguration for the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, External Affairs Minister of India Dr S Jaishankar stated that “Even during testing times of the pandemic, our diaspora displayed great devotion and commitment towards their motherland. During the forthcoming 17th PBD Convention, the diaspora will have the opportunity and the platform to share its ideas and sentiments about India’s future development.”

As such, he invited and urged all diaspora brothers and sisters to visit India and participate in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2023.

The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention programme will involve a Youth PBD Convention on January 8, 2023, for the Diaspora Youth. Hon Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament from Australia, will be the Guest of Honour for the Youth PBD Convention which will involve active participation of all the diaspora youth in seminars, plenary sessions, cultural programme etc.

The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention will be inaugurated by Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and

Mahatma Gandhi

President Ali. The programme will include a PBD inaugural session, plenary sessions, cultural programme as well as a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi and dinner hosted by External Affairs Minister of India.

The second day of deliberations will include plenary sessions, a valedictory session and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award ceremony. The award ceremony will be graced by Her Excellency Smt Droupadi Murmu, President of the Republic of India.

The Government of India will be bestowing President Ali with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award during the ceremony on the basis that he is of Indian diaspora origin from Uttar Pradesh/ Bihar region of India and has also studied in India during 20022003.

It may be recalled that for-

mer Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar were Chief Guests of previous Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conventions and were bestowed with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards in 2004 and 2015, respectively.

The Indian High Commissioner to Guyana stated that “India and Guyana are currently strengthening their partnership in many sectors including healthcare, pharma, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, renewable energy, education, capacity building and skills development.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Convention 2023 will provide a huge platform for further solidifying this relationship and will also provide opportunities to promote Guyana as an investment destination in India. He urged Indo-Guyanese diaspora members to participate in the event in big numbers.

Campaign launched to strengthen vaccination coverage in Guyana, Brazil …aimed at keeping borders free from vaccine-preventable diseases

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he Health Ministries in Guyana and Brazil have launched a joint multi-vaccination campaign titled “D” Day in Bonfim, Brazil aimed at strengthening vaccination policies in national and international border regions and ultimately improving vaccination coverage.

It will also offer services to the general population, regardless of a person’s nationality.

Attending the cross-border event at Fazenda Buritizal Grosso were

Region Nine Chairman Brian Allicock, Hinterland Coordinator Michael Gouveia, Consul General of Guyana in Boa Vista Rodger King, Foreign Affairs Technical Consultant Fernanda Manara, Bonfim Vice Mayor Mario Nicacio, and Director of the Epidemiological Surveillance Department of the State of Roraima, Jose Vieira Filho among other officials.

The “D” Day campaign concludes on November 12, targeting people of all

Officials from Guyana and Brazil at the launch of the joint vaccination campaign

ages residing in the town of Lethem and Bonfim. All vaccines that fall under the national immunisation calendar will be offered during the campaign period, with the Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV) now being extended to adult men and women.

During her remarks,

Guyana’s Maternal Child Health Officer, Dr Oneka Scott shared that the Guyana and Brazil collaboration on vaccination dates back to 2002 and both countries’ primary focus has always been one that is aimed at keeping their borders free from vaccine-preventable

diseases.

“This year’s Vaccination Week in the Americas was yet another venture, where our two countries demonstrated continued solidarity for this common cause when we united to venerate the launch of a special week of activities with a focus on

giving life,” she stated.

She thanked healthcare workers for their continued support and commitment towards all vaccination efforts led by both countries.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, Dr Narine Singh boasted about Guyana’s continued success in its expanded immunisation programme, while pledging the Ministry’s full support in assisting Brazil to increase its vaccination rates.

“The vaccination programme in Guyana is one of our flagship programmes, one that has been attaining over 90 per cent in all antigens, especially in the under-five age group,” the CMO outlined.

He expressed gratitude to the Brazilian health authorities for their continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health over the years, especially during COVID-19 for their assistance in supplying us with personal protective equipment.

15 Natural Resources Minister arrives in Egypt for COP27 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– to focus on financing for small states to combat climate change

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atural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat arrived in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, for the 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - COP27.

Minister Bharrat is joining over 100 world leaders at what has been dubbed the

“Africa COP” where there will be a renewed focus on the concerns of Africa and other developing countries.

Speaking in advance of Monday’s opening ceremony, Minister Bharrat related “Guyana has long been a global leader in the fight against climate change.

This has not changed due to our new role as an oil pro-

ducer. In fact, our new realities increase our ability to fully understand the challenges the international community must address – including how to align the need for climate security and energy security and balancing the need for food security with maintaining the world’s forests. And at the core of everything we do in

the coming days will be ensuring that we act in solidarity with developing countries from all over the world – to ensure that progress is made on their priorities, especially around finance.”

The Minister is expected to focus on Guyana’s climate priorities – including engaging in discussions around promoting the LCDS 2030

Regulation for foreign-issued driver’s licence presented to National Assembly

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ome Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Monday formally presented to the National Assembly the regulations which grant permission for the use of foreign-issued driver’s licences while driving on Guyana’s roadways.

“A person not resident in Guyana shall be permitted to drive on the road for a period of sixty days after his/[her] entry into Guyana without a driver’s licence as required by Section 23 (1) provided that he/[she] is the holder and in possession of a valid driver’s licence…” the Minister said.

The Minister exercised this authority in issuing “Regulation 21 of 2022” granted to him by the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (Cap 51:02) of Guyana.

Foreign drivers wishing to make use of this new initiative by the Government must ensure they possess a valid driver’s licence issued by the relevant authority in their home country, along with the documents that establish the date of entry into Guyana.

In August of 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced the initiative by the

beyond the 60 days includes completing a Foreign Licence Application Form, accompanied by the original driver’s licence as well as a copy for GRA, (if in a foreign language translation must be provided) and must include a copy of the driver’s passport.

Drivers are reminded by GRA that after they have expended the 60 days’ permission from the date of entry, they can apply for a Foreign Driver’s Permit, which is valid for an additional four weeks and cost $2000 Guyana dollars.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

Government, after the relevant legislation was amended to effect the change.

This was done as the Government continues to align policies that reflect the changes needed with the continuous influx of visitors to Guyana.

Previously, visitors desirous of driving in Guyana were required to obtain a driving permit from the Guyana Revenue Authority

(GRA).

Earlier in September, to facilitate this change in the law, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as the State licensing entity, published the requirements for this new regulation.

GRA stated that after 60 days, a person must apply for a Foreign Driver’s Permit to continue driving on the roadways.

The extension process

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat in Egypt

which was first launched

by President Irfaan Ali in October 2021.

The LCDS 2030 is the successor to the 2008 LCDS, which was launched by then President Bharrat Jagdeo and was the first low-carbon development strategy from a developing country. In particular, Minister Bharrat is expected to support the formation of global partnerships to promote actions on maintaining the world’s forests, citing Guyana’s experience as an example. He is also expected to join oth-

er countries in advancing the framework for increasing the scale of global carbon markets as outlined in LCDS 2030.

As well as promoting Guyana’s national objectives, Minister Bharrat is expected to add Guyana’s voice to those of Caricom and other developing countries in calling for increased support for developing countries’ investment in dealing with climate change, and “loss and damage”, which is being addressed as part of a COP for the first time.

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Heavy downpour causes major flooding in Charity

One of the pumps installed to drain the water

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The flood water in one of the business places

eavy rainfall and poor irrigation in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) resulted in severe flooding to households and businesses in Charity on Monday. The water forced businesses to close their doors for the entire day.

The Charity/Ursara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the regional administration have assessed the situation and a tractor pump was installed to drain the floodwater.

However, several stall

owners at the Charity Market went to ply their trade on the busiest day of the week but were greeted by several inches of water due to the continuous downpour.

In addition, due to flooding, consumers were forced to discontinue shopping, which ultimately resulted in stalls being closed prematurely.

One vendor, Sarita Fredericks, stated that the water started to rise and within seconds, the water was about five inches above

her ankles. She added that business was terrible because her regular customers were turned away due to the water level.

Additionally, the lower flat of the popular Xenon Hotel, Purple Heart Restaurant and Bar among other business places were inundated with water and as such had a negative impact on the business since they were forced to close.

However, Xenon Hotel was only able to accommodate overnight guests due to the high level of water in the The water continues to rise

lower flat of the building.

Meanwhile, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Odit visited the area on Monday and had a first-hand look at the situation. He noted that pumps and the sluice are operational and also, two additional tractor pumps were installed in the area to assist in draining the excess

water.

He also pointed out that the flooding is caused a result of persons dumping their garbage into the waterways which ultimately caused the pump to clog.

Odit added that the water level in the Pomeroon River was very high thus causing it to overtop.

“The regional team is working on the ground in Charity to help drain excess water on the land. Vendors and other persons after selling throw their garbage into the drains and waterways, causing it to clog up so when it rains heavily the village always floods,” he said.

(Raywattie Deonarine)

Pedestrian killed while attempting to cross Agricola Public Road

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pedestrian met his demise on Monday after he was struck down by a motor car while attempting to cross the Agricola Public Road, Greater Georgetown.

Dead is 66-year-old Imtiaz Isahack of Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The accident reportedly took place at about 8:10h in the vicinity of the Agricola Police Outpost.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the motor car involved in the accident – PYY 1162 – was being driven by a 50-yearold resident of Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The driver alleged that the pedestrian “walked into his path” without looking, thus resulting in the front left of the vehicle colliding with the pedestrian, causing him to be flung into the

air.

The pensioner, who sustained several injuries to his head and body, was pronounced dead at the scene by Emergency Medical Technicians. His body was taken to the Georgetown

Public Hospital’s Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

A breathalyser test conducted on the driver showed no trace of alcohol in his blood. He was, nevertheless, arrested and is assisting with investigations.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

AG Report 2021

Govt implemented 72% of prior year recommendations in 2021

– shows just 17% of recommendations from AG implemented back in 2019

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he 2021 Auditor General report was on Monday laid in the National Assembly. In it, it is revealed that in the year 2021, the first full year with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government in power, over 70 per cent of prior year recommendations were implemented.

Every year, the Audit Office of Guyana makes recommendations in its report on how to improve the system so that financial and other breaches do not keep

reoccurring. Back in 2020, 548 recommendations were made. According to the 2021 Auditor General report, 397 or 72 per cent of these recommendations have since been fully implemented.

Meanwhile, 92, or 17 per cent of these recommendations were partially implemented, and 59 or 11 per cent were not implemented at all. It is a dramatic improvement, because, in 2020, only 38 per cent of prior year recommendations were fully implemented.

In the 2019 report, a

mere 17 per cent of prior year recommendations were fully implemented. Auditor General Deodat Sharma had previously had cause to complain that a mere 24 per cent of the 454 recommendations made in 2017 were implemented by the then Government.

“In many instances, recommendations are repeated each year without appropriate action and as a result, weaknesses and issues that impacted negatively on Government’s governance and accountability mecha-

Election-eve lawsuits target US ballot rules

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ours before US midterm voters head to the polls today, courts were hearing a handful of last-minute lawsuits that could govern election rules and the counting of ballots in battleground states.

The lawsuits, filed in states with key races, mark the tail-end of a months-long legal push by Democrats and Republicans to define the rules for voting in today’s election. Attorneys are also preparing for post-election challenges in the days and weeks after the midterms.

US Senate candidate John Fetterman and other Democrats sued in a Pennsylvania federal court on Monday to force officials to include undated mail-in ballots in the state’s vote count.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of voting rights groups in Pennsylvania on Friday.

Last week, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted a Republican

request to block the ballots from being counted, but gridlocked on whether doing so would violate civil rights law.

In Georgia, the ACLU and lawyers for Cobb County were also in court on Monday, finalizing an agreement for a judge to extend a ballot delivery deadline until November 14 for hundreds of voters who requested absentee ballots but did not receive them.

The agreement, signed

by Cobb County Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill on Monday, followed an ACLU lawsuit on behalf of some 1036 voters. Those voters will now have the option of using an alternative write-in form typically used by members of the military overseas whose ballots are late.

Cobb County has been overnighting ballots to affected voters and estimated on Monday that 276 voters had yet to receive a ballot. Officials said their goal was to get them to voters by Tuesday so the ballots can be postmarked by Election

Day. In Arizona, a Judge on Monday blocked officials in Cochise County from conducting a hand count of all ballots cast in Tuesday’s elections, finding that the county board of supervisors that ordered the count had “no authority” to do so.

Lawyers aligned with both Democrats and Republicans have brought waves of lawsuits over the rules for the upcoming election.

Tuesday’s vote will determine political control of Congress for the next two years, defining the second half of President Joe Biden’s term and the federal government’s policy priorities, as well as control of governorships in swing states.

While none of the lawsuits threatens sweeping changes to Election Day rules, they could affect close races, like those for US Senate seats in Pennsylvania and Georgia, that will help determine party control of the Senate.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Cardinal Ricard among 11 French bishops accused of abuse

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rench Cardinal JeanPierre Ricard has been named by the Church as one of 11 serving or former bishops accused of sexual violence.

In a statement, the cardinal said he had abused a 14-year-old girl when he was a parish priest 35 years ago and would now withdraw from his functions.

A year ago, a panel found evidence of thousands of paedophiles operating in the French Catholic Church for decades.

All 11 accused face either prosecution or disciplinary action in the Church.

The latest revelations came during the French bishops' conference in

Lourdes in south-western France.

Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort told reporters the 11 included a former bishop of Créteil, Michel Santier, who retired last year after he was accused of committing sexual abuse two decades earlier.

He read out a letter from Cardinal Ricard, who said he had behaved in a "reprehensible manner" with a 14-year-old girl and his conduct had inevitably caused her serious and lasting consequences.

In its report in October 2021, an independent commission set up by the Catholic Church in France found that some 216,000

children had been abused since the 1950s, largely boys aged 10-13.

The head of the panel said there was evidence of up to 3200 abusers and evidence had been handed to prosecutors in 22 cases where criminal action could still be launched.

France is one of many countries where sexual abuse allegations have rocked the Roman Catholic Church. Last year, Pope Francis changed the Church's laws to make sexual abuse, grooming minors for sex, possessing child pornography and covering up abuse a criminal offence under Vatican law. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The Audit Office of Guyana

nisms continue to occur.”

“Once again, I encourage the Government, through the Ministry of Finance, the Accountant General’s Department, and the respective Heads of Budget Agencies to take appropriate actions and put measures in place to address these recommendations,” the AG had said.

Some of the annual issues on which the Audit Office has been providing recommendations over the years include overpayments. According to the Auditor General, breaches of several relevant legislations, which include the Stores Regulations, the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act, and Circularised Instructions, continued to

dominate the findings. In fact, Sharma noted that these recommendations are viewed with grave concern.

Sharma found that a total of 411 contracts were examined in respect of the Ministries and Regions for the year under review.

Overpayments amounting to $52.996 million were made on measured works on thirty-seven contracts administered by Ministries and Regions in 2021.

“Sums totalling $14.853M were in relation to Ministries of which the entire amount was recovered at the time of reporting. Whilst sums totalling $38.143M was in relation to Regions of which $21.046M still remained outstanding in respect of four projects for Regions 7, 9 and 10,” the AG

said in the report.

The findings in the report show that improvements are being made at the procurement level because in 2019, overpayments amounting to $199.381 million were recorded with respect to four contracts administered by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Guyana Defence Force and Transport and Harbours Department.

“Included in the $199.381M are amounts totalling $145M and $25.529M, which were overpaid on the rehabilitation of the Leguan Stelling, and expansion of offices at the Civil Defence Commission Headquarters, respectively,” the 2019 report found.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

UNC wants details on US charges Haitian gang leaders for 2021 local government reform missionary kidnapping T

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he United States has unsealed charges against a group of Haitian gang leaders, including three men involved in last year's kidnapping of US missionaries, the Department of Justice said on Monday.

Joseph Wilson, known as Lanmo Sanjou, and Jermaine Stephenson, aka Gaspiyay, of the 400 Mawozo gang that took responsibility for the October 2021 kidnapping, were charged with hostage taking and conspiracy to commit hostage taking.

Vitel'homme Innocent, leader of a Kraze Barye gang, worked with 400 Mawozo on the kidnapping, the DoJ said.

The US State Department said it was offering a reward of US$3 million for information leading to the capture of the three men.

The 16 Americans and one Canadian – including five children – were taken hostage while on a trip to Haiti organised by the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries.

The group has said ransom money was paid for the release of the captives, but a

People are seen at the Christian Aid Ministries compound after the organisation announced the release of three missionaries who were kidnapped along with others in October, in Titanyen, on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, December 6, 2021 (Reuters/ Ralph Tedy Erol file photo)

dozen had escaped on their own.

"When a US citizen is kidnapped abroad, the Justice Department will bring to bear the full reach of our law enforcement authorities... to hold accountable those responsible," said Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The DoJ also unsealed charges against four other Haitian gang members for separate kidnappings involving US citizens, who it did not identify.

Earlier this year, Haiti's Police said that 400 Mawozo leader Germine Joly, aka “Yonyon”, was extradited to the United States following a request by the US authorities.

Haiti's gangs have grown in strength since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with large portions of the capital and much of the countryside no longer controlled by Government authorities. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Snap General Election for Dominica on December 6

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rime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Sunday night announced December 6 as the date for a snap general election in Dominica, three years after he led the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to a convincing 18-3 victory in the General Election of 2019.

In a radio and television broadcast, Skerrit said Nomination Day would be November 18.

The DLP is expected to face a challenge from the main Opposition United Workers Party (UWP), which held three seats in the last Parliament, and whose leader, Lennox Linton, resigned from the position of party leader last month.

“We need a refreshed Dominica Labour Party team, for these very unpredictable, unprecedented and very challenging times.

Following the changes we made in 2019, there shall next time around be other changes, to ensure the continued renewal of our Labour Party frontline, and maintain our continued relevance and the achievement of the visionary goals that we have set ourselves and our country.

“The Dominica Labour Party must continue to be the beacon of hope. It must be the option for those who wish to see our country progress. The challenges that we face are now…they are already upon us. We cannot

take chances with the future of this country,” Skerrit said, adding that “we have set ourselves on a progressive path of development and growth that will see prosperity for our people and our country”.

“I shall be honoured to use the benefits of my 22 years’ experience in politics, to lead the Dominica Labour Party and this country, through this period of global social, political and economic uncertainty. We shall be the change that the country requires as we continually reshape, adjust, and correct course, as we move steadfastly towards that Dynamic Dominica, a resilient Dominica.” (Excerpt from CMC)

Spencer wants Holness to speak on dead babies issue

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hairman of the People's National Party's Region Five, Kern Spencer is calling on Prime Minister Andrew Holness to address the nation about the recent deaths of 12 babies during a bacterial outbreak over a fourmonth period at Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH).

"We want a public address to Jamaica. We are tired of the silence. I hear the babies crying and I want the Prime Minister [to speak] because I know that something must be wrong why he cannot be speaking, and the Andrew Holness

that I know, something is holding his mouth. And I say to the Prime Minister, don't let anybody muffle you. Come out and speak…" a placard-bearing Spencer said near the entrance of the Mandeville Regional Hospital on Saturday.

The Opposition has been calling for the resignation of Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton following reports that 12 neonates died in a recent outbreak of klebsiella pneumoniae infections at VJH, Jamaica's only all-maternity hospital.

In a statement in the

House of Representatives last Tuesday, Dr Tufton said he learnt of the bacterial outbreak at the end of August and said the situation was eventually brought under control.

Despite the calls for his resignation, Minister with responsibility for information, Robert Morgan told the post-Cabinet press briefing last week that the Cabinet had confidence in Tufton.

However, Spencer has warned that the protests by the Opposition will continue unless there is a satisfactory move by the Government. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

he Opposition United National Congress (UNC wants) answers from Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi about what kinds of improvements could occur at local government level by extending the life of local government corporations for one year.

At a news conference on November 3, Rural Development and Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi said under the Miscellaneous Provisions (Local Government Reform) Bill 2020 – which will be par-

tially proclaimed today – the terms of all councillors and aldermen would end on December 3, 2023.

He said this extra year provides time for the rollout of the local government reform package and there was a three-month period after this date within which local government elections can be held.

Prior to this change, the councils’ term would have ended on December 3, this year, and elections would have been due within three months.

Al-Rawi said, “Within the extra year, we will be able to build out all the relevant sec-

tions of the law, including taking councillors who are executive members and making them into secretaries similar to the THA; operationalising 13 separate divisions inside local government divisions, including planning, engineering, audit and accounting, sporting and recreation, etc.”

He also said under the amended Municipal Corporations Act, local government corporations would be able to handle the collection of residential property tax in their jurisdiction.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Mexico City Mayor accuses State Prosecutor of covering up femicide

People take part in a protest demanding justice after the death of Ariadna Fernanda Lopez, a 27-year-old woman who was found dead on a highway in Morelos state, in Mexico City, Mexico, November 7, 2022 (Reuters/Raquel Cunha)

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he Mayor of Mexico City on Monday accused a State Prosecutors' office of covering up the killing of a young woman found dead on a Morelos highway last week, after the office reported the 27-year-old had died of alcohol intoxication.

Morelos Attorney General Uriel Carmona

had told a news conference Friday that an autopsy of the body of Ariadna Lopez showed no evidence of violence, but an investigation

by Mexico City Prosecutors later concluded she had died of multiple force trauma.

The Morelos Prosecutors' office could not immediately be reached for comment.

According to the sec-

ond investigation, security footage showed a man who claimed to be Lopez's friend carrying a body from a Mexico City apartment after she disappeared on October 30.

Cyclists found Lopez's body in neighbouring Morelos state days later and shared photos online to help identify her.

"In this case it is evident the Morelos Prosecutors' office wanted to hide the femicide, presumably because of links with the presumed killer," said Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum.

"It was the duty of Morelos' Prosecutors' office to carry out the investigation," she said. "Without the intervention from Mexico City, this femicide would have gone unpunished."

Authorities said two people linked to Lopez's alleged killing were in Police custody.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Dominican Republic floods: At least 6 killed

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t least six people have been killed after torrential rains caused havoc in the Dominican Republic.

On Friday, some areas of the capital, Santo Domingo, saw twice the monthly average rainfall in one day.

Meteorologists said that while they had been aware of heavy rains approaching, they had been surprised by the strength of the sudden downpour.

Poor drainage meant that the water accumulated quickly, turning streets into quick-flowing torrents.

In some parts of Santo Domingo, 232mm (9.1in) of rain fell in a matter of hours, twice the estimate for the month, Weather Bureau Director Gloria Ceballos said.

Several people are still

The President declared a state of emergency following the torrential rains

missing. Of the six people who died, two drowned, two were electrocuted, and two were crushed by collapsing walls.

Hundreds of homes have been damaged and the agricultural sector has also been hard hit.

President Luis Abinader said an estimate of the dam-

ages would be released today.

He added that poor drainage had compounded the flooding in the capital: "It's a problem that continued to grow, the city and greater Santo Domingo area grew without a real drainage system."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Ukraine says Russian forces looting, occupying homes in Kherson

Oil falls in choppy trade on mixed China COVID signals

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il prices fell on Monday, paring gains after rising to more than two-month highs, on mixed signals over China, the world's top crude importer, potentially relaxing its strict COVID-19 restrictions.

Brent crude futures fell 65 cents to settle at US$97.92 a barrel. Earlier in the session, they rose to a session high of US$99.56 a barrel, the highest since Aug 31.

US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 82 cents to settle at US$91.79. It earlier rose 74 cents to a session high of US$93.74 a barrel, the highest since Aug 30.

Prices climbed during the session on news that Chinese leaders are considering reopening the economy from strict COVID-19 restrictions but are proceeding slowly and have set no timeline, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.

"The market seems to be thinking that if China opens the economy, that would tighten supply significantly and put further upward pressure on prices," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

However, weighing on futures, Chinese health officials at the weekend reiterated their commitment to strict COVID containment measures.

Meanwhile, China's imports and exports contracted unexpectedly in October, but its crude oil imports rebounded to the highest level since May. Adding some price support, the US dollar sank against the euro on Monday and sterling was supported by risk-on sentiment and a rally in European stock markets. A weakening dollar makes greenback-denominated oil less expensive for other currency holders, helping push prices higher.

Oil prices have also been underpinned by expectations of tighter supplies when the European Union's embargo on Russia's seaborne crude exports starts on Dec 5, even though refineries worldwide are ramping up output.

"For a lot of folks, it looks like there is going to be a scramble for barrels come December, in particular in the euro zone," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

US oil refiners this quarter will run their plants at breakneck rates, near or above 90 per cent of capacity. China's largest private refiner Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co (ZPC), meanwhile, is raising diesel output.

Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Co (KIPIC) said on Sunday the first phase of its Al Zour refinery had started commercial operations, the KUNA state news agency reported. (Reuters)

Rescue charity to take Italy to court over migrant boats standoff

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erman charity SOS Humanity said it will go to court to try to overturn efforts by Italy’s new right-wing Government to prevent some of the people the non-profit group had saved from the sea from stepping onto land.

“It is unlawful to allow only some of the survivors ashore,” the charity said on Monday on Twitter.

The non-profit announced its intention to sue as two rescue vessels – the Germanflagged Humanity 1 and the Norwegian-flagged Geo Barents – were given permission to dock in Catania, Sicily, at the weekend. They were allowed to let off about 500 migrants, mainly women and children, leaving about 250 still on board.

The Government has ordered the ships to return to sea, but their captains have so far refused. Two other boats from non-governmen-

tal organisations, the Ocean Viking and the Rise Above, are still at sea off Sicily carrying about 300 refugees.

The Cabinet of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, known for her anti-migrants stance, has accused the charity ships of acting as a de-facto taxi service for migrants seeking a better life in Europe. It is threatening 50,000-euro (US$50,000) fines if the boats refuse to leave port.

Rome has insisted that the countries whose flags these NGO boats are flying should bear responsibility for the migrants and refugees on board.

Bottom of Form The charities, including France’s Doctors Without Borders, which operates the Geo Barents, say they play a vital role saving lives along one of the world’s most deadly migration routes and accuse Italy of breaking international law. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Civilians evacuated from Russian-controlled territory in the Kherson region of Ukraine [Alexey Pavlishak/Reuters]

U

kraine has accused Russia of looting empty homes in the southern city of Kherson and occupying them with troops in civilian clothes to pre-

pare for street fighting ahead against Kyiv’s army.

In recent days, Russia has ordered civilians out of Kherson in anticipation of a Ukrainian assault to re-

capture the city, the only regional capital Moscow has seized since its invasion in February.

Kherson, with a pre-war population of nearly 300,000, has been left cold and dark after power and water were cut to the surrounding area over the past 48 hours, both sides said.

Russian-installed officials blamed Ukrainian “sabotage” and said they were working to restore electricity. Ukrainian officials said the Russians had dismantled 1.5km (0.9 miles) of power lines, and electricity probably would not return until Ukrainian forces recapture the area.

Kyiv has described the evacuation of the area as a forced deportation, a war

crime. Moscow says it is sending residents away for safety and denies abusing civilians.

Kherson lies in the only pocket of Russian-held territory on the west bank of the Dnieper River that bisects Ukraine. Recapturing it has been the main focus of Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the south, which has accelerated since the start of October.

Ukrainian forces on the nearby front line have told the Reuters news agency in recent days that they expect a bitter fight against Russian troops determined to exact a blood price before being forced out.

The situation inside Kherson could not be independently confirmed. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Lab-grown blood given to people in world-first clinical trial

B

lood that has been grown in a laboratory has been put into people in a world-first clinical trial, UK researchers say.

Tiny amounts - equivalent to a couple of spoonfuls - are being tested to see how it performs inside the body.

The bulk of blood transfusions will always rely on people regularly rolling up their sleeve to donate.

But the ultimate goal is to manufacture vital, but ultra-rare, blood groups that are hard to get hold of.

These are necessary for people who depend on regular blood transfusions for

The lab-grown blood kept in a facility in Bristol

conditions such as sickle cell anaemia.

If the blood is not a precise match, then the body starts to reject it and the treatment fails. This level of tissue-matching goes beyond the well-known A, B,

AB and O blood groups.

At the moment, there are only three units of the "Bombay" blood group first identified in India - in stock across the whole of the UK. This is how it works:

They start with a normal donation of a pint of blood (around 470ml); Magnetic beads are used to fish out flexible stem cells that are capable of becoming a red blood cell; These stem cells are encouraged to grow in large numbers in the labs; And are then guided to become red blood cells.

The process takes about three weeks and an initial pool of around half a million stem cells results in 50 billion red blood cells.

These are filtered down to get around 15 billion red blood cells that are at the right stage of development to transplant. (Excerpt from BBC News)

World on highway to climate hell, UN chief Guterres tells COP27

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nited Nations chief Antonio Guterres has warned world leaders gathered at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt that humanity faces a stark choice between working together or “collective suicide” in the battle against global warming.

Nearly 100 Heads of State and Government are meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, facing calls to deepen emissions cuts and financially back developing countries already devastated by the effects of rising temperatures.

“It is either a climate solidarity pact or a collective suicide pact,” Guterres said, urging richer polluting nations to come to the aid of poorer countries least responsible for the emission of heat-trapping gases.

But a multitude of other crises, from Russia’s in-

vasion of Ukraine to soaring inflation and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised concerns that climate change will drop on the priority list of governments.

Guterres, however, told leaders climate change could not be put on the “back burner”.

Current trends would see carbon pollution increase 10 percent by the end of the decade and Earth’s surface heat up by 2.8C (5F).

Despite decades of climate talks – the Egypt COP is the 27th Conference of the Parties – progress has been insufficient to save the planet from excessive warming as countries are too slow or reluctant to act, he noted.

“Greenhouse gas emissions keep growing. Global temperatures keep rising.

And our planet is fast ap-

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (first row, left) is pictured with world leaders at the COP27 climate summit in Sharm elSheikh, Egypt [Mohammed Salem/Reuters]

proaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible,” he said. “We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator.”

The UN chief asked countries to agree to phase

out the use of coal, one of the most carbon-intense fuels, by 2040 globally, with members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) hitting that mark by 2030.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Make your up mind and follow through with your decisions. Dedicate time and energy to learning. Keep an eye on those you live and work alongside, and you'll figure things out.

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(Feb. 20-March 20)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

21

Wakenaam residents excited by improvements of sports facilities

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ulture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr has made good on a promise to install lights at the Wakenaam Community Centre Ground in Good Success.

On Sunday, during an outreach programme, the Minister visited the venue, where the Wakenaam Cricket Committee was hosting a franchise T10 tournament.

Ramson Jr told the residents that the equipment to install the lights would be at the venue before the

One of the light poles at the venue

day was out, and shortly after he left the island for another stop in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the equipment arrived at the facility, and work commenced following

community was elated by the commitment from the Government.

He added that Minister Ramson Jr came, saw and immediately delivered to the people of Wakenaam

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr with boxer Elton Dharry (right) and Sheikh Ahmad at the Wakenaam Community Centre Ground the final of the T10 compe- and expressed gratitude to the Minister. Thomas is extition.

Residents expressed tremely pleased with the gratitude to the Minister initiative and lauded the and the Government. Boxer Government.

Elton Dharry, whose father Minister Ramson said hails from Wakenaam, was the lights were of qualipresent at the venue and ty and within the last two welcomed the initiative. years they would have inDharry said it would en- stalled lights at 20 grounds courage more participation across Guyana. in sports and the youths He noted that this was would benefit tremendous- a very important venture ly since they would be able to President Irfaan Ali and Bharrat to train after classes in the Vice President evening.

Jagdeo.

Former Wakenaam "You should feel that opening batsman Claud level of development and Thomas stated that the the lights will be here this

Archery Guyana gets new affiliate club, ProArchers Guyana

Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (right) and Nicholas Hing from Archery Guyana present the Certificate of Affiliation to Narda Mohamed-Mangra (left). Looking on is Vishal Manbode, Executive Member of ProArchers Guyana (far left)

A

rchery Guyana, the governing body of archery in Guyana and the sole entity affiliated to World Archery, the international governing body for the Olympic sport of archery, on Thursday granted affiliate status to Pro Archery Guyana. This is part of Archery Guyana’s mandate as a national member association of World Archery, to administer the sport at a local level.

Archery Guyana Secretary General Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and

Director and Head Coach Nicholas Hing presented the official certificate of registration and affiliation of Pro Archers Guyana to Coaches Anand Mangra and Narda MohamedMangra, its founders.

The club was founded in October 2020 and has since introduced archery to persons across the length and breadth of Guyana.

They currently train at the National Stadium, the National Racquet Centre, and the Gandhi Youth Organisation (Woolford Avenue, Georgetown) on

weekends and during the week.

Members of ProArchers Guyana will now access the substantial benefits of Pro Archery Guyana, being an affiliate club. Individual members may affiliate separately to Archery Guyana if their club does not wish to affiliate, but as Secretary General Persaud-McKinnon urged, “I encourage more clubs that have been recently formed to affiliate, since this expands participation opportunities for club members.”

coming week," he added.

"We have an additional $3.8 million to programme for this ground, so we could get a really enhanced facility here. So, within another month or so the lights will be installed, so you can have various events here, and we want this facility to be a lot more encouraging for females," Ramson said.

The ground is the main facility for sports on the island.

Minister Ramson addressing the crowd

Trophy Stall supports Project Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana

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nother young cricketer has benefited from Project Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana.

This time it is 15-yearold Khishun Khedaroo of Number 35 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Khedaroo is a student of JC Chandisingh Secondary School and recently joined the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club cricket team. He was the recipient of one box, one thigh pad and one arm guard, compliments of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market with branches at Port Mourant, Berbice and City Mall, South Road. The project is a joint initiative

by Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry, Executive Member of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

At a simple ceremony held recently at Trophy Stall’s Port Mourant branch, Khedaroo said: “I am crazy about cricket and I am thankful for this help and promise to do my best to realise my dream of representing the West Indies one day.”

In response, Chitra Bedessie, a representative of Trophy Stall, stated that “ Ramesh Sunich, the owner of the company, is happy to be part of this project and [to be] given the opportunity to help this kid. He is also pleased with the work of the initiative and its level of accountability and mileage sponsors have benefited from.”

Total cricket-related items collected so far: $270,000 in cash, two trophies, 12 cricket shoes, 19 pairs of batting pads, 25 bats, 15 pairs of batting gloves, 20 thigh pads, one pair of wicket-keeping pads, three arm guards, two boxes, six cricket bags, and three helmets.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth of gear was

Chitra Bedessie (left) with Khishun Khedaroo

donated by Sheik Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper-batsman.

To date, 43 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from three junior gear bags, two trophies, three arm guards, 17 bats, two boxes, three helmets, 12 pairs of cricket shoes, 10 pairs of batting pads, one thigh pad, one bat rubber and 12 pairs of batting gloves. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. The Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each while Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club received two boxes, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicketkeeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board and the town of Lethem also benefited.

Under the Project, cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline, and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent- spotting is being done across the

country and club leaders also assist to identify same.

Progressive and well-managed clubs will also benefit.

The organisers expressed thanks to Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of the USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Kelvin Brijlall, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Dennis Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo, Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies, Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Gajanand Singh, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Ameer Rahaman, Chin Singh, Denesh Chandrapaul, Dr Cecil Beharry, Davo Naraine of the UK, and Latch Mohabir and family.

Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on 1-718664-0896.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Chance lands MVP Sports endorsement for 2023 season – says athletes need tangible support to succeed

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uyana’s national indoor 400m record holder and University of South Carolina standout, Arinze Chance has landed his second major endorsement in Guyana, while joining the chorus of those who have called for substantial support for local athletes.

Chance received the endorsement of local sports equipment and apparel giant MVP Sports over the weekend, and called on the local administration of sport to do more for athletes.

Powerade, which is distributed by Banks DIH Limited, has also endorsed Chance.

“For any athlete to succeed, they need support, and financial support is the most important form of support; athletes need encouragement,” Chance indicated, adding that his experience gained from competing across the world has taught him some valuable lessons about the sport. He said that the importance of incentives for athletes could not be overstated.

“I learnt that athletes from other countries get an incentive before they even attend those games. We are lacking this in Guyana, there is no support before, during, or after competitions and there is no incentive for doing the sport we enjoy,” the outstanding student-athlete said.

He related that his counterparts right here in the Caribbean – in Trinidad and Jamaica among others – were far more incentivised and supported at all levels than local athletes here in Guyana and the results could be seen in those countries’ performances internationally, along with the add-

ed national benefit of sports tourism there.

According to Chance, Guyana loses a lot of athletes along the way as a result of this lack of more tangible support; he believes the lack of support is the missing link for greater success from sport generally, and affects Guyana’s ability to develop a national identity.

“Sports assist in helping a country develop and also help in achieving national identity; knowing certain countries, you know they are identified by certain sports.

We can do the same if we have the kind of support like athletes from those countries,” he said.

“We need solutions, athletes need to find comfort in representing this country.

It’s not only about national pride, but sustenance for themselves; athletes need to get money. Once athletes get an incentive to compete, they will do well, once the athletes do well, the association and the country looks good,” the national sprinter continued Chance believes that associations need to work closer with the Private Sector to learn more about the business of sport. He said that both of his endorsements were achieved through his individual mobilisation, when the association should be the vanguard.

According to him, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) are like parents, and “the president and administrators need to consider the needs of their athletes, like therapists and gears, for instance”. He said these parents need to “treat their ath-

England women to tour West Indies in December

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ngland's women will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20 Internationals against West Indies in Antigua and Barbados in December.

The ODIs in Antigua will form part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's Championship, in which England are yet to get off the mark following their 3-0 defeat by India in September.

The tour runs from December 4 to 22, which means it will be concurrent to the men's Test tour of Pakistan, which gets underway in Rawalpindi on December 1, with the third Test in Karachi ending on December 21.

England are likely to be able to call upon the services of Nat Sciver, who withdrew from the India series for a

mental-health break in the summer, while their captain Heather Knight is also hopeful of being fit after undergoing hip surgery during the summer.

"We're happy to be able to release the schedule for the tour of the West Indies," Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women's cricket, said. "It's always a great place to visit and with a new head coach soon to come on board, it's the beginning of a new cycle for this team.

"The West Indies series sees our first overseas round of the ICC Women's Championship and it's key we get some points on the board. The tour also plays an important role in preparing for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup early next year."(ESPNcricinfo)

letes like their children”; like it is the association’s responsibility to take care of them, and not like a “liability”. Chance also indicated that since his return from the Commonwealth Games in August this year he has been trying to meet with the Minister of Sport or officials at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports but so far those attempts have been futile.

Chance believes that athletes and the association that governs the sport can have a “mutual beneficial relationship”, instead of the often-strained relationship owed in a lot of instances to the athlete’s mistreatment.

He related that the recent Keevin Allicock story was a big embarrassment to the country and the athlete, but it was just one instance where such mistreatment was publicised. Chance informed that there were many instances of administrations failing athletes that go unpublished.

“The whole issue with Keevin at the South

MVP Sport CEO Ian Ramdeo (left) hands over the endorsement package to Arinze Chance at the store’s Giftland Mall location

American Championships is just the first time it is actually being publicised for many persons to understand how athletes are being treated. It was an embarrassment and wake-up call,” he observed.

Chance was awarded a full athletics scholarship to the University of South Carolina in 2018 and broke the school’s 16-year-

old 400m indoor record a year later. His personal best outdoor time is 46.05 seconds in 2019 while his indoor best is 46.15 that same year. His season best this year is 46.66 seconds as he sets his sights on the World Championships in Hungary.

Chance, who competed at the Commonwealth Games

in Birmingham, England, indicated that he could not thank MVP Sports enough for its timely gesture. He said that training and competing in the United States and anywhere is expensive and MVP Sports would help him cover those expenses since his goal was to compete in as many events as possible leading up to the World Championships.

“MVP Sports is definitely putting me closer to where I want to be with regards to support, being able to get to more competitions and being able to support myself as an athlete in the United States.

It’s not just about living expenses, supplements etc; it’s more than that, like therapy, so I am definitely grateful for what MVP is doing for me,” he said.

The elite athlete, who recently competed at the Joint Services event in Guyana over the weekend, before winging out to the United States of America, “extended gratitude” to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo for his support.

Courts U-11 Pee Wee…

North G/town, St Pius, Enterprise, Marian book spots in semis

I

n fine fashion, Marian Academy, North Georgetown, St Pius and Enterprise Primary School stormed into Courts’ Pee-Wee Under-11 football semi-finals, following victories on Saturday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Guyana’s budding footballers did nothing short of entertain, last Saturday afternoon during the quarter-final round.

North Georgetown’s resilience and Marian Academy’s all-round class on the pitch that lit up the day’s proceedings.

In the first quarter-final game, Enterprise Primary romped to a comfortable 3-1 win over Soesdyke Primary.

Toshan Haynes opened the scoring for Enterprise in the fifth minute, but Nathan Roberts was quick with Soesdyke’s reply in the sixth minute. Dontay Kowlessar added to Enterprise’s tally in the 13th minute and Haynes completed his brace in the 19th for the win.

The contest between former champions West Ruimveldt and North Georgetown Primary was entertaining and ended with an upset no one saw coming.

West were clinical as usual, but could not seem to finish well, resulting in a stalemate at the end of regulation and extra time. As such, the game went down to penalty kicks, and when they remained tied 4-4 at that stage, sudden death kicks were employed.

It was North Georgetown’s goalkeeper Akel Junior, who took the final kick for his team and seconds later, the winning save for the victory.

St Pius edged Redeemer Primary with a couple of last-minute goals. A

22nd minute strike from Redeemer’s Adiel Hamilton put them firmly in control when it looked like the game was near its end, but St Pius’ Aron Vasconcellos brought just what the doctor ordered, a brace in the 28th and 30th minute for the 2-1 victory.

Also into the semi-finals are Marian Academy, who manoeuvred a 4-0 drubbing of Ann’s Grove Primary.

The scoring was shared evenly between Nyal George, Maxwell Viapree, Christian LaRose, and Ezon Bulkan in the 3rd, 5th, 9th and 29th minutes.

Earlier in the day, sever-

North Georgetown’s supporter hoist goalkeeper Akel Junior after his game-winning efforts (Jemima Holmes photo)

decided on penalties.

There, Timehri Primary got the upper hand on their opponents, sinking three penalties as opposed to Craig’s 2.

2022 at the same venue.

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A look at the contest between Marian Academy and Ann’s Grove (Jemima Holmes photo)

al other teams played for positions in the plate competition.

All it took for Colaaco Primary to get past Tucville Primary was one goal. The game-winner came off the boots of Darrel Hickson in the 16th minute of their encounter.

Craig and Timehri Primary were both steadfast in taking home a win, resulting in an exciting encounter between the two. With the scores remaining tied at the end of regulation and extra time, the winner had to be

The following game also went down to the wire and saw Winfer Gardens Primary prevailing over Smith’s Memorial Primary.

From the penalty mark, Winfer Gardens were able to net three penalties, compared to Smith’s Memorial’s two.

In the last plate game of the day, Den Amstel Primary were treated to a walkover, thanks to Mocha Primary.

The Pee-Wee Under-11 action will continue this Saturday, November 12,

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Bramble, bowlers lead Harpy Eagles to easy win … TT, CCC game end in no result

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he action continued in the CG Insurance Super50 Cup at Tarouba as the Guyana Harpy Eagles registered a comfortable win over the Windward Islands Volcanoes. This victory was thanks to a brilliant half-century by Anthony Bramble and excellent defence by the bowlers to give the Guyanese side some valuable points.

Heading into the much-anticipated chase, the Windward Islands Volcanoes set themselves a total of 191 off 300 balls for victory. The Harpy Eagles

ship between Sunil Ambris and Kaveem Hodge settled their nerves. But Ambris departed for 43 and a few wickets fell. However, Hodge remained strong as the last barrier of the Volcanoes innings, until he fell for a 97ball 38. Romario Shepherd 2-26, Clinton Pestano 1-23, Veerasammy Permaul 1-21, Sherfane Rutherford 3-25 and Gudakesh Motie 3-31 all led the charge as they put up a strong defence. In the end, the Volcanoes were dismissed for 129 all out in 38 overs.

Earlier in the innings, the Harpy Eagles posted

Gudakesh Motie picked up 3-31 made an early impact as they had them reeling at 6-2, but a 66-run partner-

a meagre 190 all out in 43 overs. The only highlight of the innings came off the

perb 4-53, Jason Mohamed, Terrance Hinds, and Yannic Cariah supported with two wickets apiece.

Heading into the chase, Kjorn Ottley was the main man as he led the charge with ease, despite Joshua DaSilva falling for 22, Mohammed and Ottley continued to lay the foundation for the Trinidadians.

However, the rains came

and when they ceased, the game was reduced to 26 overs, but the rains had already had their say, thus the game ended in a no-result. Ottley remained unbeaten on 43 and Mohamed 23 not out as T&T remained on 97-1.

SCOREBOARD

Anthony Bramble and Tagenarine Chanderpaul put together a 93-run partnership bat of Anthony Bramble, ly the damage was already who smashed a scintillat- done. Hodge managed to ing 60 off 58 balls, Kevin pick up 3-9, while Preston Sinclair (36), Tagenarine McSween (2-46) and Ryan Chanderpaul (30), and John (1-32) closed out the Shimron Hetmyer (37) were Harpy Eagles innings. the only other players to step into double figures. At T&T v CCC the beginning of the innings, The morning game was Bramble and Chanderpaul affected by the rain. Batting put together the Harpy first, Combined Campuses Eagles’ best partnership and Colleges posted 200 innings of 93 runs. After all out in their allotted 50 Bramble fell, Chanderpaul overs. The innings was led followed suit and after that by Kristian Kallicharran the Harpy Eagles crumbled with 37, he was ably supunder pressure, more so the ported by Odain Mcatty bowling of Justin Greaves as (28), Matthew Forde (25) he snagged 4-39. Hetmyer and Romario Greaves (22). and Sinclair stuck around Bowling for T&T was Imran for some time, but ultimate- Khan, who led with a su-

Guyana Batting Tagenarine Chanderpaul (LHB) c Walcott b Greaves 30 Anthony Bramble (RHB) b Greaves 60 Tevin Imlach (RHB) c Edwards b Greaves 8 Leon Johnson (LHB) c Walcott b Greaves 7 Shimron Hetmyer (LHB) c John b McSween 37 Sherfane Rutherford (LHB) c Greaves b John 4 Kevin Sinclair (RHB) c Athanaze b Hodge 36 Gudakesh Motie (LHB) c Athanaze b McSween 2 Romario Shepherd (RHB) b Hodge 1 Veerasammy Permaul (RHB) c Walcott b Hodge 1 Clinton Pestano (LHB) not out 1 Total (10 wickets, 43.0) (3 extras) 190

Windward Islands Batting Alick Athanaze (LHB) c Bramble b Pestano Johnson Charles (RHB) c Bramble b Shepherd Kavem Hodge (RHB) c Bramble b Rutherford Sunil Ambris (RHB) b Rutherford Andre Fletcher (RHB) b Moti-Kanhai Justin Greaves (RHB) c Shepherd b Permaul Tevyn Walcott (RHB) c & b Moti-Kanhai Larry Edward (LHB) lbw b Moti-Kanhai Ryan John (RHB) lbw b Shepherd Preston McSween (RHB) c Hetmyer b Rutherford Kenneth Dember (RHB) not out 1 Total (10 wickets, 38.0) (7 extras) 129

Windward Islands Bowling Bowler O-M-R-W Preston McSween 10.0-0-46-2 Ryan John 7.0-1-32-1 Kenneth Dember 5.0-0-24-0 Justin Greaves 8.0-0-39-4 Larry Edward 10.0-0-40-0

Guyana Bowling Bowler O-M-R-W Romario Shepherd 8.0-0-26-2 Clinton Pestano 4.0-0-23-1 Veerasammy Permaul 9.0-1-21-1 Gudakesh Motie 9.0-0-31-3 Sherfane Rutherford 8.0-0-25-3

Kavem Hodge

3.0-0-9-3

4 2 38 43 0 19 2 0 1 12

Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers League…

Classy Christianburg clinch Guyoil championship

C

hristianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) are now twoin-two for school football tournaments this year, after a dominant performance on Sunday night led the Linden outfit to lift the Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers League trophy.

After three years of competing in the Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers school football league, it was re-

first Guyoil title, having come eerily close in the past two editions.

Although being unlikely finalists, Golden Grove looked good for the title, up until the final game, where they appeared lopsided and disorganised.

CWSS were quick to adjust, and capitalising on this, Linden’s Lamar Jules converted a freekick from Captain Kelvin Hintzen, for

his name on the scoresheet next, playing his signature long-range shot from the brink of the 18-yard box.

A dancing Warner again took aim at the goal in the 34th minute and watched as it was almost scooped up

by Golden Grove’s keeper, Emanuel Lewis, but his mistimed dive gave the ball just enough space to roll into the back of the nets.

The first half finished

A look at the third- place play-off earlier on Sunday afternoon demption at last for CWSS, as they held their nerve in the 3-1 affair to win their

their first goal in the seventh minute.

Demoll Warner etched

2-0, but Linden were quick to add a third in the second segment, after being hand-

ed a penalty opportunity in the 68th minute. Taken by Captain Hintzen, the shot into the top left corner of the net was faultless.

Golden Grove, though the win was out of their reach, saved themselves of absolute embarrassment with a consolation goal in the 69th minute. A heated sprint side by side with the CWSS defenders, was won

by Omarion Burrowes and when the lad caught the goalkeeper, Jamil James, off his mark, he tucked in the ball for Golden Grove’s only goal.

In the third-place playoff, a last-minute goal snatched Cummings Lodge’s dreams of capturing a runner-up trophy or prize. Cummings Lodge were the first to score in the 37th minute with a goal off the boots of Fabian Figueria. They held off their opponents, President’s College, for much of the remaining minutes, but a handled ball in the box gave PC the scoring opportunity they needed.

With Michael Joseph connecting the penalty, PC were able to finish the encounter 1-1. The draw was

Demoll Warner(left) and Lamar Jules (right ) – both in red – were responsible for CWSS’s first and second goals in the final just what the boys in purple needed to end the league in third place.

In individual prizes, CWSS’s Hintzen and James were adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and best goalkeeper respectively, while Dolphin’s Jequan Cole was the highest goal scorer with 10 goals. The most disciplined school in the tournament was determined to be Friendship Secondary.

While Christianburg Wismar’s 18 points in the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers League ensured they would go back to Linden with the $500,000 grand prize, Golden Grove had to settle for the $300,000 second place prize. President’s

College received $200,000 for their third-place effort while fourth-place finishers Dolphin Secondary grabbed a $100,000 prize. The prize monies will go towards projects for the schools.

In addition, coordinators of the tournament, the Petra Organisation, conducted a social media competition, which was won by PC. By virtue of finishing first and second in the Guyoil League, CWSS and Golden Grove will go on to play in Petra’s Invitational International Schools’ football tournament, which is set to feature teams from Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. (Jemima Holmes)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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