Guyana Times - Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Over 1300 jobs to be provided by Exxon’s Yellowtail development P7

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4812

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

Govt constructing core homes in Sophia

PRICE

See story on page 7

…contractors warned against substandard work …as $136M in contracts inked

President Ali holds meeting with Barbados trade delegation See story on page 3

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: With PAC in limbo

Speaker summons PAC Chairman, Govt Chief Whip to discuss way P2 forward

Man stabbed to death over "sharing" of intimate photo …wanted bulletin issued for suspect

P9

Over $4.7M in ganja P14 unearthed by CANU, Police

...as grouping sees potential for trade in construction aggregates with Guyana

Armed bandits invade Corentyne home, escape “Flood-prone areas with car, should brace themselves” valuables Page 15

…“Something must be done about these bandits” – overseas-based Guyanese

Page 11

– CDC on heavy rainfall

…as more rain expected, no reports of major flooding

Health Minister worried over “slow off” in vaccination among children See stories on pages 9 and 12

…as 2 more unvaccinated persons die, 37 new cases recorded

Man admits to 2017 Christmas Day killing P8

Canawaima Ferry Service resumes P16 P13 Guyana cannot afford to be left behind – PM on digitisation

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

With PAC in limbo

Speaker summons PAC Chairman, Govt Chief Whip to discuss way forward W

ith statutory sessions of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) currently in limbo due to health issues experienced by critical staff, a meeting is planned between the Speaker of the National Assembly and the two sides to determine the way forward.

This was confirmed when this publication made contact with Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Issacs on Monday. He ex-

plained that Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir will be meeting with PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira and Chief Whip of the Government side, Gail Teixeira. Moreover, Issacs noted that there is a possibility that a new Clerk can be provided for the statutory meeting.

“The Speaker will be meeting with the Chairman and Chief Whip on Wednesday to discuss the way forward… I’ve

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira

Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

identified another Clerk of Committee, but I’m waiting for the Speaker to have the discussion,” the Clerk explained.

Statutory meetings of the Public Accounts Committee, which is examining the Auditor General’s 2016 report, are usually held on Mondays. However, the meetings were postponed because the Committee Clerk became ill due to “high stress levels” at previous meetings.

In a letter from Issacs to the PAC Chairman, it was also indicated that other clerks were unwilling to take up the job due to the unprofessionalism of unnamed members of the parliamentary committee.

Only recently, Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira warned that a No-Confidence Motion could be looming to have Figueira removed from the post. This was after the two sides of the House had a disagreement over a motion to increase the sittings of the PAC. Figueira, who had only taken over as Head of the PAC in July after the previous Chairman, David Patterson, was removed by a NCM, wants to increase the sittings of the PAC since it is only still reviewing public spending from 2016.

But Minister Teixeira has contended that it is difficult to meet more than once a week, since Government parliamentarians and heads of constitutional agencies

have other work to attend to.

“A decision was made on October 11 in the Committee, without any discussion or any attempt to reach consensus on having meetings twice weekly… they attempted this before and they knew the Government was not in support, neither the constitutional body heads. I brought a motion to rescind the motion of October 11, in keeping with the standing orders. And although hotly debated in the beginning, Figueira did agree he needed more time to review it,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.

According to Teixeira, Figueira agreed that the motion would come back at the next statutory meeting of October 25. This was agreed to, after which the PAC continued dealing with the 2016 Auditor General Report.

“Regrettably, when we came near to the end, Mr Figueira shut off the live stream, told the media to leave and proceeded to adjourn until Friday, October 22. Despite him being reminded he had made a commitment to October 25, the statutory meeting on Monday. He proceeded to walk out the meeting…

This is reminiscent of what we went through in the PAC with Patterson as the Chair. Once again, APNU/ AFC cannot be trusted with anything, even a simple motion to rescind a decision… so we will now start down a road that is familiar and if this behaviour continues, we have no qualms of going to the House once again to remove the Chairman of the PAC,” Teixeira contended.

However, PAC Member and APNU/AFC Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul released a statement in which he was adamant that Figueira was not bound to hold the next meeting on October 25, like he had agreed. He also argued that the twice weekly meetings are necessary considering the PAC’s backlog. (G3)

NEWS

3

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Tuesday, Oct 26 – 09:00h – 10:30h and Wednesday, Oct 27 – 09:30h – 11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Oct 26 – 07:30h – 09:00h and Wednesday, Oct 27 – 08:25h – 09:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers during the day.

Expect light cloud and light rain showers at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Southerly to West North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:27h and 19:36h reaching maximum heights of 2.31 metres and 2.36 metres.

Low Tide: 13:11h reaching a minimum height of 0.97 metre.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

03 09 12

13 14 15

FREE TICKET

28 Bonus Ball

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

04 17 18 20 21 LUCKY 3

9

6

5

5

Afternoon Draw

0

3

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03 05 13 14 16 19 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021

02 04 05 07 12 13

09 10 15 16 21

0

1 Afternoon Draw

3X Afternoon Draw

1

3 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$85.99/barrel

+0.53

Rough Rice

$246.02 /ton

-0.04

London Sugar

$500.60/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1804.90

$1805.90

Low/High Change

$1796.40 -2.50

$1711.50 -0.14%

President Ali holds meeting with Barbados trade delegation ...as grouping sees potential for trade in construction aggregates with Guyana

A

delegation from Barbados, in Guyana to explore opportunities for trade, paid a visit to Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and were so impressed with what they witnessed in the construction aggregate industry that they believe opportunities for trade lie right there.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill met the Barbados delegation, which was led by his Bajan counterpart Minister Dr William Duguid. During a meeting at the Watooka Guest House in Linden, Dr Duguid spoke of his observations and areas of opportunity in Guyana.

“I’m very happy to be here in Linden, in Guyana to do a fact-finding mission and look for opportunities for us to not only be able to invest, but to strengthen our trade relations between Guyana and Barbados. We’ve done a lot of travelling around in various locations, sawmills,” Duguid said.

“And we’re going to also see what is available here from a quarrying point of view. Looking for sources here for sand, for granite and crusher run for our road construction. And also looking for opportunities, when we get those commodities to Barbados, what we will then put on the barge or ship coming back then to Guyana.”

According to Duguid, one commodity Barbados could trade with Guyana is cement since the Caribbean island has a cement plant.

Other possibilities include bitumen, which is used in road construction, once they can get the right chemicals.

“All the other opportunities to be able to strengthen our trade relations and develop stronger ties with our sisters and brothers in Guyana. And so far, we’ve seen lots of promise. And lots of opportunities for synergies in both nations. The way I see it, just like how the future of Guyana looks so bright, the future of our trade relations looks so bright as well that we have to wear shades,” Dr Duguid also said.

Meanwhile, Minister Edghill in his comments attributed the Barbados delegation’s presence in Guyana as testimony that the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and its ideals of greater integration are working.

“Secondly, not only that Caricom is working but when we have leaders that have the political will to engage and rise above past challenges and obstacles, we can get somewhere. We have seen that with President Ali and President Santokhi out of Suriname. And now this is the second demonstration of an engagement that started

President Dr Irfaan Ali during his meeting with members of the Barbados delegation on Monday

between President Ali and Prime Minister Mottley.”

“And here we are, at Cabinet level, Ministers exploring and following up on those discussions to ensure they become reality.

Whatever we’re doing, we want to ensure it benefits all of our people. It must lend to the development of Caricom.

It must strengthen the resolve that we have to make the Caribbean a zone that is free from poverty,” Minister Edghill said.

According to Edghill, the ultimate aim is to turn the Caribbean into a first world zone, with the commensurate standards. To this end, he noted the importance of

continued collaborations between Caricom states.

The delegation’s visit was born from bilateral talks that took place between President Dr Irfaan Ali and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, earlier this month. President Ali himself met the delegation on Monday, at State House.

At Monday’s meeting, President Ali was accompanied by Minister within the Housing Ministry Susan Rodrigues and the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Elisabeth Harper.

Also part of the Barbados delegation which was led by Dr Duguid was of

the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Maintenance Permanent Secretary Timothy Maynard, Senior Housing Planner Kelly Hunte, National Housing Corporation General Manager Ian Gill, Chief Technical Officer Ian Foster and Planner Raymond Lorde.

The Barbados Investment and Development Corporation was also part of the delegation and was represented by its CEO, Mark Hill; Business Development Officer for Guyana, Sharon Walton; Director, Marina Taitt and Manager, BioEconomy, Paul Waithe. (G3)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

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

Clean environment

T

he issue of recycling is becoming a major concern for both the general public and the economy. Scientific research has suggested that due to lifestyle patterns of citizens, the earth’s natural resources are being depleted too quickly to sustain a healthy balance. The earth’s natural resources are being consumed at a rate that reinforces the idea that we are living for today; and future generations will be paying for the consequences that result from our lifestyle choices.

For years now, calls for citizens here to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner have fallen on deaf ears, and the build-up of garbage in and around the city continues to be repeated.

Governments and businesses all over the world are realising how serious the problem is, and are taking steps towards putting policy mechanisms in place to ensure that the environment is protected from various forms of pollution.

Recycling, along with reducing consumption, has proven to be an effective way to counter the damage we have been doing to the earth for centuries.

A major part of recycling relates to how best we can recycle much of what we use, instead of turning it into unusable waste. For the sake of emphasis, recycling is important as a means of reducing poisonous emissions into the atmosphere, and also to postpone depletion of our natural resources.

Guyana has indeed taken some time to get “on board”, while many companies and individuals in other parts of the world are improving their recycling habits by coming up with more ways to reduce and reuse what they use. In essence, while there has been much talk about the need to recycle certain products to save our environment from further damage, in a practical sense, the concept has not as yet taken much root here. Only a handful of companies have shown that they are really serious about moving in this direction.

For example, in a bid to support the efforts to sustain and maintain a clean and healthy environment through the provision of proper disposal mechanisms and technology, one local company had launched a line of bio-degradable products called Eco Pak. The Eco Pak products consist of biodegradable table wares, including bowls, boxes and cups, which are all environmentally-friendly products because of the materials and the process utilised to manufacture them.

If we are serious about maintaining a healthy and clean environment, consumers must demand that businesses engage in practices that are more eco-friendly. For example, consumers must be encouraged to purchase from companies that manufacture more eco-friendly products.

As part of efforts to spread the message of recycling, a comprehensive education and public awareness campaign would need to be carried out, using every available means.

Following this, the authorities should explore setting up recycling centres across the country, since it makes no sense preaching about recycling if the necessary infrastructural support system is not present.

In addition to its positive impacts on the environment, recycling brings in a lot of money for many countries.

Companies make huge sums from basically utilising the materials that could otherwise have been thrown away.

We believe there is need for lifestyle changes among our citizens, and it would be very helpful if the schools, religious organisations and local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities in every region start the conversation with citizens about recycling. This should be done with direct involvement of the decision-makers. Certainly, everyone prefers products that are manufactured in an ecofriendly manner, and wants a better, cleaner, and healthier environment.

Guyana Police Force Band celebrating First Lady Arya Ali’s birthday at State House. The band played renditions of the Happy Birthday song, national songs and some of the First Lady’s favourite Soca songs (Office of the First Lady photo)

Spend more time envisioning a prosperous future

Dear Editor, Guyana is no longer a “heavily indebted poor country” but for many, the mindset that was programmed during the PNC/Burnham era is difficult to shake.

Despite Guyana’s exit of HIPIC II in 2006 after years of prudent financial management and tough debt-forgiveness negotiations, many are still slaves to the mental begging bowl perception of self. This has to change for Guyana to progress into a first-world nation; for we cannot until a critical mass of our population changes their standards, expectations, and behaviors.

Guyana’s recent participation in firstly, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC, Texas) and Expo 2020 (Dubai) has attracted criticism as social media postings from many have highlighted

our vibrant Guyanese presence at these events. Joe Harmon is reported to have said that OTC was a “friends and family junket” implying that those in attendance had their tickets and expenses paid for by the Government of Guyana; Harmon is a prisoner to his perception based on his experiences when in Government, however, apart from a small contingent from GO-Invest (who operated the Guyana Booth) and a handful of members of Government, the Guyanese contingent so loudly and proudly represented paid their way (myself included).

OTC, like all such conventions, attracted businessmen from all fields looking to invest, and conversely, for investors; connections made at OTC have/will flourish to the benefit of our nation for many years to come.

Similarly, the Guyanese presence at Expo 2020 attracted criticism including that of Leon Suseran who made assumptions that all who posted from Dubai were/are there on the taxpayers’ dime.

Suseran well knows the adage about what assumptions make us but forged ahead bravely because he (Suseran) does not yet comprehend a Guyana where we (Guyanese) can afford to travel on their earnings; Suseran and Co must seek to be more responsible in the future as opinions such as this affect how others treat us in the shark tank of business, a perception from our own that our business class is incapable of paying their expenses for a trip to Dubai (or elsewhere) immediately puts Guyanese at a disadvan-

tage in any negotiation. To those making assumptions, a simple Guyanese adage applies “nah tek yuh mattie eye fuh see”.

To the Guyanese who have embraced the firstworld future and who are utilising every possible resource to deliver quality goods and services, I salute you and look forward to you being rewarded for your efforts; to those among us that are yet to grasp the vision, I suggest you spend more time in the present envisioning a prosperous future and less time mired in the HIPIC past. For those yearning for those “good old days of poverty and want,” there is always the palm tree waiting to take you there.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

Changes needed at registrar’s office Dear Editor, The Registrar General (RG), on September 24, 2021, and in response to criticism of his department’s sloth in issuing birth/death/marriage certificates, tried to justify this deficiency by blaming the pandemic and the need to have these certificates authenticated. But he admitted that all records had been digitised, which would allow remote work, and a DPI report informed that authentication of digital certificates were in practice since May 2021. So, another letter writer quite correctly admonished the RG response and characterised

it as “making excuses”.

But the General Register Office (GRO) problems go beyond one of productivity and extends to communications. Despite the RG, in his letter, suggesting that customers contact his department through social media and its website, using these means are a waste of time and result in non-responses. My experience is a case in point.

I needed a death certificate, so I went to GRO website which was promoted by the RG in his letter. One can download a birth certificate application form and a few others but not a death

certificate application form. So, I sent an email to GRO’s address provided requesting an explanation and a form. This was on September 28, 2021. On October 5, 2021, I sent a reminder, and repeated on October 13, no response.

On October 13, I tried a different approach. The department had by then installed a complaints form on its website which was completed and submitted.

After an initial problem, which appears endemic with the entire website indicating a lack of adequate testing, my complaint was delivered. I immediately received a notification of

its receipt and an assurance that it would be answered shortly. Today is October 25, 2021, and still no reply.

Lack of performance seems to be a feature of GRO. Guyanese deserve better. The job is not rocket science.

It’s recording certain events in a database and querying/extracting/printing this information when needed, a straightforward clerical function. Yet it is presenting the current management with a challenge.

Changes are needed.

Yours faithfully, Louis Holder

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

5

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

Recent TIP bust shows good work by the lawmen

Dear Editor, Being on top of Trafficking In Persons must be maintained. No slackness must be entertained. I have heard of TIP rings in Guyana, and it seems true as I read recently of the two sting operations, one at Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, and the other at the Benhab Bar and Night Club, Better Hope North, East Coast Demerara. The report stated that a total of seven female foreign nationals were picked up and interviewed.

This is indeed good work by our law enforcers and they deserve credit for doing this kind of work.

In England, back in November, seventeen people were arrested in raids across east London in an international human trafficking investigation. At the

end, 29 women aged 20 to 40 were rescued in the operation. The potential victims were taken to a “place of safety”, and the suspects, 14 men and three women, were being processed for the courts. My point is that TIP is a crime of international concern, and all countries must do their part.

According to the US Department of State’s 2021 Trafficking In Persons Report, Guyana is indeed doing its share to combat this horrible crime. The report highlighted that Guyana retained its Tier 1 ranking for its efforts in combatting human trafficking for the fifth consecutive year with an anti-trafficking hotline in Spanish (the first of its kind in the country), and a total of 204 victims identified and given government assistance.

What was commendable is the fact that Guyana and The Bahamas were again, the only two Caribbean countries to attain the Tier 1 ranking, as most of the other Caribbean countries are on Tier 2. This is something to really feel good about.

Just recently here, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Counter Trafficking In Person (C-TIP) unit hosted a twoday training for Special Constables. So, I guess that the fruit of this input is already becoming obvious. During the training, it was stressed that trafficking issues must go all the way to the courts, and I am most pleased that this bust seems to be headed in this direction. Guyana is a melting pot in this new ‘oil and gas’ era, and the relevant

authorities are well tuned to be prompt with anything to do with this horrible crime.

To be questioned more in this bust are a bartender, proprietor and a taxi driver, who were detained by the Police to assist with investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

This point about really stepping up on trafficking was really pressed home

by Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security. During the workshop, she made it clear that “Identifying the traffickers is the biggest problem, but if they’re not stopped more will join them.

The only way to end this is to put these people behind bars; if they feel they can get off, they won’t stop.

Let’s go out there stron-

ger together. Trafficking in Persons is a heinous crime against people.”

Concerning the seriousness of this crime, no other than the Attorney General himself, Anil Nandlall, back in June made some strong statements, and these align with the sentiments of Minister Vindhya Persaud.

The AG was emphatic, explaining that Guyana has an international obligation to curb the occurrence of human trafficking, regardless of what stage it is being done here. He stated that “Guyana is part of a global village and Guyana, as every country in that village, is required to sign on to international conventions and is expected to execute certain protocols which are required internationally.”

As we have been noticing more and more, lots of

foreigners are coming here to Guyana. Most of them are quite vulnerable, as they were forced to flee here because of some bad home situations. I think of the Venezuelans in this regard, and Guyana must not allow these people to be exploited in any way at all. Neither must they themselves be allowed to exploit one another, by colluding with rapacious ring leaders.

I hope that this taste of success by our lawmen will inspire them to keep a tight noose on the situation. I also hope that it will dissuade those who are contemplating being involved in this crime, and those who are currently in it, to really clean up their act and live honourable lives.

Yours truly, Prescott Mann

Universal prayer by Education Ministry not “same one” used in National Assembly

Dear Editor, In its statement on the question of the prayer recited on the occasion of the declaration of the 2020 CXC results, Ministry of Education admitted that its intention and policy regarding prayers are at times subverted. This surprises no one. What is surprising is the insistence that the prayer is, “a universal one,” the very “same one,” recited at the sittings of the National Assembly. This is a blatant untruth.

Two significant changes, inclusion of “heavenly fa-

ther,” and “amen” the signature ending of Christian prayers, which are not in the National Assembly so-called universal version, were sneaked into the prayer read by Mr Bhedesh Persaud. Clearly, not the “same one” used in the Assembly.

Why those responsible for perpetrating this mischief have chosen to ignore the changes and repeat the lie is known only to themselves, but the changes, especially the first one, “heavenly father,” are critical from a purely Christian

theological perspective and simply cannot be swept away by this deception.

It is also clear that both the decision to Christianise the prayer and the decision to exclude others were intentional. It is for this reason that we feel that attempts now being made to pass off it as “the universal prayer” doubles the insult to those who have been so ignored and marginalised.

Let it be clear that I do not have any problem with the prayer invoking “heavenly father,” and ending with “amen.” Every person

is free to pray in whatever manner she or he chooses.

But we are talking about Christian only prayers at an important State function in a supposedly secular society in which there is no official State religion and in which no religion is accorded a privileged status. This scenario perpetuating dominance of one religion reminds one of Orwell. All of us are equal but some of us are more equal.

Let us also remember that we are dealing with the department of Government that is responsible for edu-

State should stop prayers at all Govt functions

Dear Editor, For some days now I have seen quite a few letters regarding prayers in schools.

This debate has been raised from time to time for some years now.

Indeed, this issue of separation of the state and religion became a big issue during the 1960s.

It is my view that we should cease having prayers of any kind in schools. The

purpose of schools is not to propagate religion but to educate our young people. The question involves freedom of conscience, which is a fundamental human right.

Religion is a private matter for each individual and it should be kept that way.

Nothing should be done to offend a person’s religious beliefs.

Therefore, to ask the Ministry of Education to cre-

Corroborative means will have to be found as livelihoods are at stake

Dear Editor, The call that roadside vendors will have to relocate or find alternative jobs, is well intended. Sure, safety and traffic hazards are of major concerns as is effective drainage of the roadways. Further the point is well taken that these persons should seek to better themselves with the numerous programmes offered by the Government through the Social Security Ministry.

However, it has to be recognised that the persons engaged in this type of activity are indeed single par-

ents. Many are females and for them vending is all they know to earn a living for their families. The advent of the Christmas season where many look to increase their earnings, should not arbitrarily be shut down to deny persons a chance of earning at this lucrative time.

Certainly, collective and corroborative means will have to be found in the spirit of compromise as livelihoods are at stake.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

ate a universal prayer is a mission impossible. Our country does not only have three religions, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.

People also have other religious beliefs and practices.

For instance, we have the Rastafarians, Bahais and others whose religious convictions should be respected as well Freedom of conscience also means the right not to believe, the atheist. That right should be respected too.

This issue should not be

confined to schools. The State as a whole should stop these practices at all Government functions and the so-called universal prayer at the National Assembly should be discontinued.

This is how we can pay proper respect to the religious convictions or lack of religious convictions of all our people.

This is the only truly democratic way.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

cation of the nation’s children, an education, one expects, founded on truth and on not causing pain and hurt to others, both of which, unfortunately, have been casualties in this sordid affair. It is now only left for us to ask, in despair, if our department of education would engage in such distortion and manipulation, what hope is there for the future?

Finally, on a different note, both the National Assembly prayer and the MOE variant have a curious line that needs to be urgently examined and expunged, that is the line seeking God’s guidance for “the maintenance of true religion” in the Assembly version and, “the maintenance

and extension of true religion” in the MOE version.

What on earth is meant by “true religion?” Who decides this and on what basis?

True religion versus false religion, true God versus a false God, true Prophet versus a false one - these are coded constructions embedded in a religious language of hate and violence. If not the entire prayer, which is nothing but an abomination bereft in heart and soul, lacerating the grandeur and beauty of Tagore’s “Where the mind is without fear,” at least the line on “true religion” must be expunged forthwith.

Sincerely, Swami Aksharananda

6

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

Page

T

he women’s suffrage movement was a decades-long fight

Foundation to win the right to vote for women in the United States. That campaign would

influence simliar efforts all around the globe. It took activists and reformers nearly 100 years to win that right, and the campaign was not easy: Disagreements over strategy threatened to cripple the movement more

than once. But on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was finally ratified, enfranchising all US women and declaring for the first time that they, like men, deserve all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

By Paul Laurence Dunbar We wear the mask that grins and lies, It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,— This debt we pay to human guile; With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise, In counting all our tears and sighs?

Nay, let them only see us, while We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile Beneath our feet, and long the mile; But let the world dream otherwise, We wear the mask!

Paul Laurence. Dunbar, "“We Wear the Mask.”" from The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. (New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, )

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt constructing core homes in Sophia …contractors warned against substandard work …as $136M in contracts inked

T

he Government through the Housing and Water Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has inked approximately $136 Million in contracts for the construction of core homes in Sophia and installation of street lights.

On Monday the contracts were signed under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

Apart from the core homes, street lights will also be installed at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The contracts were signed at CH&PA’s boardroom, in the presence of Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal; Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves; Permanent Secretary, Andre

Ally and Director of Projects, Omar Narine.

In his charge to the contractors, Croal explained that these projects are important, particularly for the enhancement of low-income and vulnerable communities and families, as he warned then against substandard work while urging that they complete the works to the best standards.

“There are persons who are waiting to benefit from this programme, those persons have been identified already and so I want to urge you to follow all the guidelines, ensure that you engage our technical staff if you are having difficulties, and to ensure that we have a timely delivery of this project,” the Minister said.

Croal also expressed contentment at the pace of the AHUAP, noting that over

the past year more than $600 million has been invested in Sophia for infrastructure upgrades, the construction of a multipurpose facility, and the disbursement of home improvement subsidies.

Approximately $1 Billion in contracts have also been signed for similar projects in La Parfaite Harmonie.

As the agency continues to push the programme, he also noted that capacity building will be ongoing for the Community Development Department – Special Projects Unit, which has oversight of AHUAP. Giving a breakdown of the contracts signed on Monday, Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally, further explained that twenty-five core homes will be constructed in Sophia under the Construction of Core Homes contract, which was

Housing Minister Collin Croal (centre) flanked by Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves; Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally and contractors following the signing on Monday

awarded to AJM Enterprise.

This contract consists of five lots, with five houses on each lot, at a total value of $111.8 Million, with $22.3 Million per lot.

Moreover, the contract for the Supply and Installation of Solar Integrated LED Street Lights at La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD was awarded to N. Balgobin & Sons Contracting Services for two lots. Lot One is valued $12.6 Million, while Lot Two is $12.5 Million.

AHUAP is an InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) funded programme, aimed at improving the quality of life in urban and peri-urban Georgetown through better access to adequate housing and basic infrastructure for low-income populations, and through improved accessibility and mobility services.

The programme previously encompassed communities from Georgetown to Grove on the East Bank of

Demerara, up to La Bonne Intention on the East Coast of Demerara and Westminster, Onderneeming, Recht-DoorZee, Lust en Rust, and Parfaite Harmonie Phase II on the WBD. The Ministry recently expanded the boundary to include nineteen communities on the East Coast of Demerara, stretching the boundary to Victoria.

Similar works will commence in these areas, as the programme continues. (G3)

Over 1300 jobs to be provided by Exxon’s Yellowtail development

U

S oil giant ExxonMobil’s proposed Yellowtail petroleum development could provide some 1300 jobs across its four phases.

This is according to a non-technical summary document circulated at the first public hearing on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the project, held at the Umana Yana, Kingston, on Monday afternoon.

In the first stage of the project, called well drilling, approximately 540 persons are expected to be employed at peak. The second phase involves the mobilisation, installation and hookup of the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel and Subsea, Umbilicals, Riders and Flowlines (SURF). It is projected that this phase will provide approximately 600 jobs at peak, depending on fi-

Some of the persons who attended the first public hearing on the EIA held at the Umana Yana, Kingston

nal construction/installation and support vessel selection.

Both the first and second phases will occur in the years leading up to 2025.

The third stage, production operations, which include the FPSO and oil tankers, will employ approximately 100-140 persons at peak, with an additional 25-30 persons onboard the

tanker.

The final phase, called decommissioning, would occur at the end of the project’s life cycle, and is projected to employ approximately 60 persons at peak.

The first public hearing was jointly hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ExxonMobil’s local subsid-

iary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

Officers from ExxonMobil and the drafters of the EIA presented on the specifica-

tions of the project, and its studied environmental impacts.

Attendees, DPI reported, were also afforded an opportunity to make comments and ask questions on matters included in the EIA scope.

The Yellowtail development, for which approval is being sought from the EPA, would be situated 126 miles from the shore, where ExxonMobil made its 13th discovery in the Stabroek Block. The development plan includes up to three drill ships drilling up to 67 wells, the FPSO vessel and SURF production system, with tankers taking the oil to global markets.

Its initial production phase would commence in 2025, with optimum production capacity of 250,000 barrels per day, and would continue for 20 years. The FPSO is designed to have a storage capacity of two million barrels of oil.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the Stabroek Block. Its partners in the consortium are Hess Corporation and CNOOC Limited.

If approved, Yellowtail would be the fourth development project for ExxonMobil and its partners in the Stabroek Block.

This would cause the oil production capacity offshore Guyana to surpass 870,000 barrels of oil per day.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man admits to 2017 Christmas Day killing

B

evon Stephon Griffith, called “Kevin” and “Spoony”, a mason, 24, formerly of Pike Street Kitty, Georgetown, will be sentenced on November 11 for the 2017 Christmas Day killing of Celwyn Allen which occurred at C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Initially indicted for the capital offence of murder, Griffith appeared before Justice Jo Ann Barlow at the High Court in Demerara on Monday and pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Griffith was charged

Confessed killer: Bevon Stephon Griffith

with the killing on December 29, 2017, and re-

manded to prison.

A Police report said that Allen, 35, of Cummings Park, E Field Sophia, reportedly “interfered” with a friend of Griffith who reportedly rebuked him for doing so. As such, Griffith allegedly confronted Allen whom he stabbed several times with a knife before making good his escape.

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by a Police patrol but was pronounced dead on arrival. A Police report said that Griffith admitted to the crime at the time of his arrest. It was reported that Allen’s girl-

ss

The race is not to the swift…

Dead: Celwyn Allen

friend was also injured during the attack. (G1)

A

…but to the one with backing! s predicted, while Granger has coyly kept his FACE out of the PNC’s leadership picture, it’s clear his FINGERS aren’t. Yesterday, it was reported that he doesn’t want the Party’s Congress to meet in December to elect the (new?) leader. And yes…he said with a straight face that it’s because he’s really concerned about the health of those who are gunning (literally?) for his job! After all, he said sanctimoniously, there’s the COVID pandemic still creating havoc and might just nip some of them in the (wilted?) bud! What a guy!! All heart!!

But YOU know, Dear Reader – just like your Eyewitness knows – that Granger has his horse (placeholder?) in the race . And whatever he does henceforth we should know, it’s to get that horse across the tape!! And that horse ain’t no dark one, but for a decade has been his chosen heir apparent – Lil Joe Harmon. We know that both came out of the army so their paths had to’ve intersected for decades now. Then again, with Lil Joe in charge of GDF Intelligence operations, we can be sure he worked very closely with Granger “carrying news” for the political hierarchies!! He gotta know where a lot of skeletons are buried!

Lil Joe’s so close to his Brigadier that he could literally sign off for him when he hired that US PR/lobbying firm when they were trying to rig the last elections! And could say that Granger was a US citizen!! Intelligence, bro!!! Anyhow, whatever the nexus is, while there are some snickers about Harmon’s phlegmatic personality… yes, yes, yes…he’s deadly dull – that’s not necessarily fatal!! With the leader of the Party in his corner, does he REALLY need charisma??

When you come down to it, this is the Party of Burnham – meaning that the leader has a heck of a lot of power in his hands. Granger has already flexed his muscle by indicating that Harmon’s opponents – Aubrey Norton and Dr Richard Van West-Charles – plus Mortimer Mingo and Winston Felix – shouldn’t be on the team to handle logistics. And what disqualifies them? These were the fellas in the CEC who voted to censure him!!

And this is how it’ll play out: Granger will use the levers of the party – plus the young’uns he sent to Parliament – to ensure Lil Joe rises to the top of the pecking order in the PNC. Norton and the rest will huff and they’ll puff, but they won’t be able to blow down the house to which Granger has the keys. Their dilemma is they’re also in the same house and can’t afford to puff too powerfully!!

Cause the PPP’re licking their chops!!

…to who has the drive Some Bajan business types recently came on down to our dear mudland to explore opportunities out there for them to exploit. Your Eyewitness saw that their hosts from the Government exposed them to our bountiful forest products and construction boom. He was a tad confused about this move, since Barbados has suffered an economic meltdown because of the collapse of their tourism market due to COVID. Who’s going to drive their housing market? Or do they intend to start construction down here? They’re used to better quality construction!

Anyhow, your Eyewitness welcomes our Bajan brothers. He doesn’t hold any hard feelings towards them – even though he spent many a frustrating hour on that “Guyanese Bench” at Grantley Adams Airport!!

But really, they should be looking at our Agricultural potential. Wasn’t there that Bajan company that launched rice cultivation in the Rupununi? There’s a whole lotta acreage in those savannahs!!

Maybe they’ll inspire some of us to also seize the opportunities!! …but to who have Guyanese partners Your Eyewitness had suggested that our Local Content Law should’ve demanded that all furriners must acquire Guyanese partners if they want to set up businesses here.

Dare we hope the Govt will take the hint?

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

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 more unvaccinated persons die, 37 new cases recorded

T

he total number of COVID-19 deaths in Guyana climbed to 897 after the deaths of two unvaccinated men. The Health Ministry on Monday reported that the men, aged 66 and 80, died on Sunday while receiving treatment at a medical facility. The 88-year-old man hailed from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), while the 66-yearold man resided in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam.)

According to the Health Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard, 37 new COVID-19 cases were recorded from 337 tests. The total number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 35,104 – 16,596 men and 18,508 women. There are 22 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There are three persons in institutional quarantine, 104 in institutional

isolation, and 3326 in home isolation.

One of the new COVID-19 cases was recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); two in Region Two; four in Region Three; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) had 12 cases; Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), six cases; Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) recorded one case; Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), one case; and Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), 10 cases. To date, some 30,755 persons have recovered from the deadly virus. Guyana has conducted 347,387 COVID-19 tests thus far.

As of Monday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that 242,688,319 confirmed cases were recorded globally along with 4,932,928 deaths. WHO also reported that in the Americas,

the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 92,640,794, while the death toll is at 2,272,988.

The Health Ministry continues to appeal to the public to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures which remain in effect until October 31.

The measures, among other things, emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home, the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene.

Anyone displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needing any additional information, is kindly being asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health. gov.gy.

Man stabbed to death over “sharing” of intimate photo …wanted bulletin issued for suspect

A

48-year-old man was on Sunday evening stabbed to death after he allegedly shared a photo on social media of the suspect and his girlfriend being intimate together.

Dead is Carl Cameron, a vendor, of Lyng Street, Charlestown, Georgetown Reports are that about a week ago, the suspect and the victim got into a spat over the alleged sharing of the photo.

However, at about 18:00h on Sunday night, Cameron was in the front of his yard selling confectioneries, when the 30-year-old suspect approached him with an ice pick and stabbed him five times.

He received three stabs to his chest and two to his back.

Cameron was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The suspect then made good his escape and remains at large.

On Monday, Cameron’s reputed wife Samantha Castello told Guyana Times that her husband was not stabbed over the sharing of a photo. The woman noted that the issue was nothing but a misunderstanding.

She explained that on October 16, the suspect’s family had a party which Cameron attended, and was using his phone to video the party.

The following day, she said one of the suspect’s relative asked Cameron if he had “the video.”

Castello alleged that later that day, the suspect told her, “The same cartoon movie y’all looking and laughing, it gone turn a horror movie”.

Castello said she subse-

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD OCTOBER 25, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

37 104 3326 22

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

3

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

18,508

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

16,596

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

35,104

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

30,755

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

375,640

FULLY IMMUNISED

235,081

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

895

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1597

REGION 2

1410

REGION 3

4778

REGION 4

16,727

REGION 5

1261

REGION 6

2537

REGION 7

1732

REGION 8

559

REGION 9

2440

REGION 10

2063

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

Dead: Carl Cameron

Wanted: Kevin Hendricks

quently spoke with one of the suspect’s relatives who explained that the suspect believed there was an intimate video of him and his girlfriend circulating on social media. According to the woman, she thought the misunderstanding was resolved.

“So, is like he take a week to think of what he had to do, to do it yesterday (Sunday),” Castello expressed.

The dead man’s wife recalled that on the day of the incident, she heard a commotion in the yard but by the time she reached to her husband’s aid, he was already on the ground in a pool of blood.

“I was on the verandah… ‘wah I do you boy, wah I do you’… that’s all I hear and I rushed downstairs and I saw my two daughters with him [Cameron]. When I go to him… he was lying at the front like fuh catch the road, and he said to me “Shorty…that boy jook me up bad girl,” she explained.

Cameron was immediately escorted by his daughter to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

The woman stated that

she and Cameron were together for some 19 years and she needs justice.

“That’s a great loss for me…he is not a fighty person. He always home, he looks out for everybody… every afternoon he and the boys them would sit out there, would drink but not to an extent to get drunk or into any story,” she recalled.

“I want justice, me and the family (of the suspect) doesn’t have any problem or anything…he’s not a dog for him (the suspect) to take his life like that,” the reputed wife cried.

Cameron had no biological children but shared a home with his reputed wife and two stepdaughters, as well as a son-in-law.

Twenty-four hours after the stabbing incident, Police issued a wanted bulletin for the suspect who was identified as Kevin Hendricks, 30, of Lyng Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Kevin Hendricks is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 672-1390, 227-0968, 226-6978, 225-8196, 911 or the nearest Police station.

The probe into the incident continues. (G9)

10 NEWS Teen motorcyclist killed in hit-and-run accident TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…“selfish” driver should face full force of the law – sister

Dead: Romeo Edghill

A

sorrowful ambiance rattled through the home of the family of 17-year-old Romeo Edghill, a welder of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who lost his life to a road accident along the Ogle Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Sunday.

It was complete chaos as family members rushed to the scene after hearing the news of the accident.

Reports are that at about 21:00h, Edghill was riding motorcycle CH 6584 on the Ogle Railway Embankment Road, and was proceeding east along the northern side of the road whilst a motor car was proceeding in the same

direction in front of him.

Police said Edghill was in the process of overtaking the motor car when the vehicle suddenly made a right turn onto the Ogle Access Road.

In the process, the car collided into the rear portion of the motorcycle, causing the teen to lose control and fall onto the road’s surface.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist who was not wearing a helmet, received injuries to his head and other parts of his body.

The car then fled the scene of the accident.

The motorcyclist was picked up in a conscious state, with help from public-spirited citizens, and placed in an ambulance which took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“Selfish” driver

On Monday Guyana Times spoke with the sister of the dead teen, Candace Edghill, who said that her brother had left home on Sunday afternoon and did not say where he was going.

Later that evening, she received a telephone call that the teen was involved in an accident.

The woman said as she rushed to the scene, she saw her brother lying motionlessly on the road. She fur-

“Why, why would you hit him down and drive away and leave him there. Why are you so selfish to do something like that and just leave him lying there? If you he had taken him to the hospital, I am sure he would have made it” – sister ther posited that her brother was left lying at the scene for some time before help came.

“I was told that he was lying there for some time.

Nobody wanted to take him to the hospital so they had to wait on the ambulance.”

The dead teen’s sister also said that she is disappointed with the driver who struck her brother and did not render any assistance.

She said the driver is “selfish” and should face the full brunt of the law.

“Why, why would you hit him down and drive away and leave him there. Why are you so selfish to do something like that and just leave him lying there? If you he had taken him to the hospital, I am sure he would have made it,” the tearful woman said.

Twenty-year-old Candace added that she and her brother have been living alone with their father, who has been battling a number of illnesses for a few years.

She added that her brother had been working to make

ends meet since their father is unable to work.

“To be honest my dad has a stroke, he has blood pressure and a lot of other things…it is just a lot. My brother works at a shop in Plaisance, and we work to assist our father in whatever way we can. I am older than him so I work and I would provide for them…”, she explained.

She added that her brother was in school but dropped out due to the pressure of the

pandemic and decided to get a job.

“My brother was a very nice and friendly person and did not deserve this. It was just me and him alone.

We have other siblings but they don’t live with us. Like why?”, the woman said.

As the family demands justice, checks are in progress for the said motor car as investigations continue.

(LaWanda McAllister)

Conductor found with ganga in crotch on $100,000 bail

A

minibus conductor who was allegedly found with a quantity of marijuana stashed in his crotch was on Monday released on $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty to a drug trafficking charge.

Warren Broomes, 33, of Lot K7 Edon Street, Tucville Housing Scheme, Georgetown, was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on October 22, at Macaw Road and Arapaima Street, Tucville, Georgetown, he had 44.5 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

He was represented by lawyer Paul Fung-a-Fat,

On bail: Warren Broomes

who petitioned the court for him to be released on reasonable bail.

Last Friday, ranks from

the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were conducting operations in the vicinity of Turning Point Sports Club at Tucville, Georgetown, when they searched Broomes.

A release from CANU said that a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems were found in Ziploc bags in the man’s crotch area. As such, Broomes, a father of three, was arrested pending charges.

A conditionality attached to bail requires the drug trafficking accused to report to CANU Headquarters every Friday until the hearing and determination of his trial.

Broomes is due for another court appearance on November 22. (G1)

NEWS

11

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Flood-prone areas should brace themselves” – CDC on heavy rainfall …as more rain expected, no reports of major flooding

Region Two Prime Minister Representative Arnold Adams assessing the flood situation in Lima

By Amar Persaud and Raywattie Deonarine

W

ith thundershowers anticipated in the coming days, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is urging residents along the coastland to take all precautions to prevent flooding of their homes. Over the past few days, the country has experienced heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds. Some areas across the country have already experienced various levels of flooding. CDC’s Public Information Officer Patrice Wishart on Monday said that so far, there has not been reports of major disasters in any of the regions.

“No reports of flooding in any areas, nobody has reported anything of such.

However, some areas along the coast, especially low-lying and flood-prone areas should brace themselves. For instance, this evening’s weather forecast has intermediate rain along the coast, so it is very possible that some areas might be flooded, with a little bit of water maybe in the morning or during the course of tomorrow,” Wishart explained.

“We share infographics on our Facebook page that share precautionary steps on how to prepare for a monumental or eventual flood,” she added.

According to the Hydromet Office forecast which was issued on Monday, “rainfall is expected between 30.0 mm to 50.0 mm over Regions 1 to 5, with the highest expected over Regions 1 and 2.

Between 10.0 mm to 20.0 mm is likely elsewhere within a 12 hours’ period.”

homes and putting sandbags at their doors to reduce the flow of water.

However, residents of Lima village reported that their kitchen gardens and lower flats were under approximately three inches of water.

Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit, who overlooks Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) in the region, said that several pumps are operable and all sluices are working except for the Lima drainage pump. He said too that a team from the regional administration’s D&I department is monitoring the situation and every eight hours an assessment is made.

Regarding flooding on the Essequibo Coast, Oodit informed that four drainage pumps were put into operation along with a mini-excavator to clear clogged drains at Charity and Sparta following reports of flooding in several communities.

He said while the continuous rainfall has resulted in a high accumulation of water, the conservancies at the Unu Creek, Riverstown and Good Hope are open. This, he explained, will ensure that the floodwaters in these residential areas recede.

Additionally, he informed that the team is working tire-

Flood water in homes at Lima

this year, heavy rains resulted in widespread flooding across the country, affecting thousands of households.

The devastation included submerged buildings and vehicles with adverse effects on crops, livestock and health.

It has been noted that the rainfall experienced in May alone was recorded as the second highest level of rainfall across the country in the last 40 years. All ten administrative regions in Guyana experienced varied levels of flooding, causing President Dr Irfaan Ali to officially declare the situation as a Level Two disaster.

Following extensive fieldwork, the President had announced that $7.8 billion in flood relief assistance would be provided for citizens and

receive $50,000 each and households excluding homestead and kitchen garden will receive 50,000 each.

The President explained that the combined assistance to homestead farmers, kitchen gardens and households for these categories will be in excess of $3.5 billion. He acknowledged that whilst some large-scale farmers were severely affected, especially in the rice and poultry sectors, the ceiling of assistance will not exceed $10 million for individual farmers. With regards to the rice sector, where 50,000 acres of farmlands and 2000 farmers were directly affected, President Ali announced that farmers with harvest ready rice that were destroyed will receive $80,000 per acre and

An excavator clearing clogged drains in Lima

The forecast also warned that “in areas of heavy showers and thundershowers, persons are advised to exercise precautionary measures, given that the soil may have reached saturation and additional rainfall may result in water accumulation and flooding in these locations.

Hilly areas may experience landslides”.

The forecast for October 26 to 29 also indicates that “rainfall intensities will vary across these locations with heaviest over Regions 1 to 3. Rainfall is anticipated between 30 mm to 70 mm within a 24 hours’ period, highest in Regions 1 to 3. All other areas will see occasional cloudy spells in the mid to late afternoon with scattered showers and thundershowers. Rainfall between 10 mm

to 30 mm within a 24 hours’ period”.

When asked if, based on the CDC’s assessment, the current weather pattern will result in a similar level of flooding as the country experienced earlier this year, Wishart could not say.

“We can’t anticipate what exactly the rain would do to the low-lying and flood-prone areas but I would say that we are prepared to deal with it in any eventuality,” he noted.

Meanwhile, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), several communities have been inundated following heavy and continuous rainfall over the last few days.

Residents of Lima, Sparta, Hampton Court, and Charity were busy over the weekend and early Monday morning bailing water from their

A resident standing in his flooded yard

lessly to ensure that the floodwater in all areas recede so that life could return to normal for residents.

Officials of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) visited several areas along the Essequibo Coast to assess the situation. Also assessing the flood situation was the Prime Minister’s Representative of Region Two, Arnold Adams, who visited several affected residents in Lima, Sparta, Hampton Court and Charity.

Between May and June

farmers who were affected in all 10 administration regions by the rains and flooding that beset Guyana earlier this year Approximately 52,000 households were affected in categories of homestead farmers, kitchen gardens, and households exclusive of farms/gardens. In these categories, the Head of State noted, farmers within the context of a homestead will receive $100,000 each, those with kitchen gardens will

rice sowed and lost in the autumn crop, these farmers will receive $65,000 per acre. For land that was completely prepared but was not sowed, $45,000 per acre will be given to these farmers.

In addition to this support, 60,000 bags of seed paddy will be made available. The combined assistance in these four categories will be in excess of $3.2 billion. So far, some $2.5 billion in flood relief grants have already been distributed.

12 NEWS Health Minister worried over “slow off” in vaccination among children TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as over 5000 children tested positive for COVID-19 to date

H

ealth Minister Dr Frank Anthony has expressed concerns about the sudden “slow off” in children being vaccinated against the deadly novel coronavirus.

“For the children, we initially saw a rapid uptake of the vaccines, and these are the Pfizer vaccines. However, I think over the last week we have started to see a slow off, where not as many children are coming forward to get vaccinated,” said the Health Minister during Monday’s COVID-19 update.

Anthony said that if the vaccination rate among children continues like this, it is going to take a long time for them to safely return to school. To this end, he urged parents to take their children to get vaccinated. The Health Minister added that as pregnant and breastfeeding women become educated about the benefits of the Pfizer vaccine, more of them are coming forward to take their jabs.

He noted that Guyana still has a lot of work to do in terms of vaccination and now is not the time to become complacent. “We need that final push to get the [vaccination] numbers up so that we can get closer to herd immunity,” the Health Minister added. Last week,

Dr Anthony announced that Guyana has, in stock, an adequate number of COVID-19 vaccines to achieve herd immunity.

“Herd immunity”, also known as “population immunity”, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection.

With the Delta variant of the coronavirus circulating, Dr Anthony said that Guyana must fully immunise at least 90 per cent of its population to reach herd immunity. There are currently 110 vaccination sites across the country. The COVID-19 vaccines available are AstraZeneca (second dose only), Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Pfizer (both first and second doses), and the single-dose Johnson and Johnson.

According to Dr Anthony, the least he can do is continue to encourage persons to get inoculated. “We just have to keep encouraging.

I know that there is a lot of nonsense people read on the internet and because of that, they become hesitant. We have some persons locally as well, who have been shar-

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony during Monday’s COVID-19 update

ing a lot of misinformation.

I think people have to be a bit more discerning and they have to be smart.”

From all the scientific evidence, the Health Minister stressed that the COVID-19 vaccines offer protection and make persons safe from contracting a severe form of the virus that would require hospitalisation. “If you are vaccinated, you will get the milder form of the disease,” he reminded.

Infection among children

As of Sunday, the Health Minister disclosed that 5594 children have tested positive for the coronavirus. And according to him, they range from the 0-4, 5-9, 10-14 age groups, and right up to age 19.

“We are seeing children testing positive, and a subset of them can have compli-

cations as we have also seen because if they have underlying issues just like with the adults, when that is compounded with COVID, they can have a more severe form of the infection and that can lead to several problems.”

He explained that when children become infected with COVID-19, they would contract a milder form of the disease. He also dismissed reports that children cannot become infected as being “far from the truth.”

Anthony also addressed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which according to Mayo Clinic, is a serious condition that appears to be linked to coronavirus disease.

Anthony confirmed that there has been no case of MIS-C in Guyana yet, and although it is a very rare con-

dition, it is something health workers have been constantly looking out for.

He explained that MIS-C is something that was first observed in Europe and since then paediatrics around the world have been asked to keep a close eye on it. “When children test positive for COVID, or even if they have a history of COVID, you have to look out for the signs and symptoms of MIS-C.” The WHO has set aside six criteria that should be met for a diagnosis of MIS-C, he said.

Significant drop

Meanwhile, Anthony reported that there has been a significant drop in the number of COVID-19 cases.

There are presently 92 persons hospitalised at various hospitals countrywide.

Fifty-nine of these persons are at the Infectious Disease Hospital. Of these 59 persons, 22 of them are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while there are four maternal cases at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

While there are sufficient vaccines available, the Health Minister, again, said that persons are not returning for their second dose.

Considering this, he pleaded with them to do so.

“What we are seeing is that persons have received their first dose vaccine, but they are not coming back for their second dose, and we want to encourage those persons who have received a first dose to come forward and get their second dose…”

“We have vaccines that are available, and we want to make sure that people come and get vaccinated because if they don’t then we are going to have where the unvaccinated persons are the ones who are predominantly ending up getting sick with COVID, ending up in the hospital and of those, some of them are dying because they have not been vaccinated,” he added.

Additionally, the Minister revealed that there are persons who have not even taken the first dose of a vaccine. “We still have a number of persons who should come forward to get their first dose vaccines, and in every region we’re still not at that 80 per cent, except for Region Four, where we are at 82 something per cent, all other regions are below 80 per cent. Therefore, there is still a lot of room for persons to come forward and get one of the COVID-19 vaccines,” the Health Minister said. (G1)

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana cannot afford to be left behind – PM on digitisation through sustainable land management; increased energy access for hinterland

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips during the meeting with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Guyana Jairo Valverde and Senior Advisor Jose Eguren at his office

“E

liminating the digital divide is a part of development in any country…

COVID has forced accelerated digitisation on the entire world and Guyana cannot afford to be left behind,” Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips said on Monday.

He made the comment while meeting with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Guyana, Jairo Valverde and Senior Advisor Jose Eguren at his office.

According to the Prime Minister, ICT access and e-Services for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities project is of

extreme importance.

He said that the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the importance of technological advancements and has forced its acceleration.

The e-Services project is a collaboration between the Office of the Prime Minister and the UNDP. Prime Minister Phillips said that the “project has the potential of having us achieve the goal of connecting our hinterland, poor and remote communities and we have identified 200 of those communities to be connected and to benefit from everything that comes under the umbrella of e-governance”.

Valverde said that once fully implemented, the project will not only be reward-

ing but will significantly boost the ICT environment across the country.

“The impact of the project will go beyond what we have been able to imagine, because once those communities have the hubs and once the Government’s e-services are developed, it’s going to improve the integration of all Guyana,” Valverde is quoted by DPI as saying.

The officials also discussed several UNDP projects in Guyana and future collaborations.

UNDP’s support for Guyana currently targets capacity building and the strengthening of legal and institutional frameworks; the phasing out of ozone depleting substances; the mitigation of land degradation

communities; enhanced biodiversity protection in the gold mining sector; and the

strengthening of capacities in disaster response and risk reduction.

14 NEWS Over $4.7M in ganja unearthed by CANU, Police TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

At the station, a search was conducted on a 44-yearold male passenger where three wrapped parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found in the travelling bag which he had in his possession.

He was told of the offence, arrested, cautioned and admitted possession of the said suspected cannabis.

A further search was carried out in the minibus where a green and grey hav-

The ganja that was found by CANU

T

he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) acting on information received, intercepted a motor car in the vicinity of Rahaman Park, Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on Monday and found eight bulky parcels containing suspected cannabis.

The discovery of 15.566 kg of foreign and local cannabis valued at over $4.7 million resulted in the arrest of the driver, 39-yearold Duvendra Sukhdeo of lot 14 Republic Park, EBD. Meanwhile, on Sunday Police arrested two men after they were busted with some 15lbs of marijuana

Arrested: Duvendra Sukhdeo

The marijuana that was found in passengers’ possession

at around 11:30h along the Seafield Public Road, West Coast Berbice.

Reports are that a Police

mobile patrol acting on information received, stopped a minibus and escorted it to the Weldaad Police Station.

ersack was seen in the trunk belonging to a 23-year-old male passenger. That too

contained three bulky parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The passenger was told of the allegation, arrested and cautioned and he denied possession of the said narcotics.

The suspected cannabis was weighed and those found in the first suspect’s possession amounted to 3175 grams while the second set of cannabis weighed 3853 grams.

Both suspects are presently in custody assisting

with investigations.

Only two days ago CANU nabbed a minibus conductor with 44.5 grams of cannabis.

The bust was made while CANU was conducting operations at Macaw Road and Arapaima Street, Tucville, Georgetown, near the Turning Point Sports Club.

Prior to this incident, a 33-year-old nail technician was intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, with 6.232 kilograms (13.71 pounds) of cocaine last week.

The woman was an outgoing passenger on Copa Airlines destined for Panama with an onward connection to the John F Kennedy International Airport, New York.

CANU in a previous report stated that a search was conducted on one of the passenger’s check-in luggage during which the cocaine was found in two bowls – one with curry and the other with pepper pot.

Following the discovery, the woman was arrested and escorted to the CANU headquarters where the cocaine was weighed and amounted to 6.232 kilograms. (G9)

2013 Mash Day murder

Accused takes manslaughter plea, to know fate next month

D

evon Thomas, the 28-year-old man for whom a retrial had been ordered over the 2013 Republic Day murder of a businessman, on Monday pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Thomas was brought before Justice Jo Ann Barlow at the High Court in Demerara.

He was initially indicted for the February 23, 2013 murder of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman Kumar

Acquitted: Randy Isaacs

Confessed killer: Devon Thomas

Mohabir, but opted to plead to manslaughter. His sentencing has been deferred to November 11 to facilitate the presentation of a probation report.

He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Surihya Sabsook, while the case for the prosecution was led

by State Counsel Sarah Martin. Reports are that Mohabir was with his family partaking in Mashramani celebrations at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, when he

was attacked by a group of men.

The men, who were armed with bottles, stabbed Mohabir after he stepped on their feet. Both Thomas and 25-year-old Randy Isaacs were initially tried for the man’s murder in 2015. The jury, then, had found them guilty, and they were each sentenced to 75 years’ imprisonment by Justice Navindra Singh.

Dead: Kumar Mohabir

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

NEWS

15

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Armed bandits invade Corentyne home, escape with car, valuables …“Something must be done about these bandits” – overseas-based Guyanese A

58-year-old overseas-based housewife and her son, a 31-year-old security guard, were robbed by two armed men who invaded their house at Number 73 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), during the wee hours of Monday.

Police said the family of two had attended a wake in the community and at around 00:45h, the 58-yearold woman, Shamwattie Naipaul, returned home and went to take a nap while waiting for her son, the security guard, to return home.

According to Naipaul, a cousin was with her and had also fallen asleep as her son had gone to drop persons from the wake home.

She said she was awoken at about 01:20h by someone trying to take two rings off of her finger.

“When I open my eyes he was standing over me and had a gun pointed to my head and he told to be quiet.”

Overseas-based Guyanese Shamwattie Naipaul

She said one of the rings was her wedding band which she has been wearing for more than 30 years.

“He start to pull the chain off my neck and I tell him that I will take it off because he might burst it… he was standing by my head and the other one was standing by my cousin foot; he had a gun pointing at her. This one with me ask me for the money and I tell him that I don’t have money. He say give me the money quick before I do something to you.”

She said the men then

ransacked the house and in addition to the jewellery and car, the bandits also carted off with some pieces of clothing, a pair of sneakers, and some electronic games.

“And they make off with whatever they get. How much things they want they take.”

She said that as her son was approaching, they could see the car’s headlights reflecting from the street and then she heard someone running up the step and urged the two intruders to leave.

Accused takes manslaughter...

They subsequently mounted an appeal against their conviction and sentence. Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal allowed their appeal, thereby setting aside their conviction and sentence. As such, their case was remitted to the High Court for a new trial.

Dozens of witnesses testified at that trial on behalf of the prosecution and defence including Police ranks who investigated the killing, relatives of the now dead man, and a pathologist who con-

ducted a post-mortem examination on the remains of Mohabir. Further, they had both professed their innocence.

“I told them [Police ranks] I don’t know what you are talking about. I come in prison as a teenage boy. With all due respect, members of the jury, I know to my heart, God knows my heart, that I am innocent, I am really innocent,” Thomas had said in his unsworn statement.

Meanwhile, Isaacs in a similar statement, said,

FROM PAGE 14

“They [the Police] told me that I was going to be placed on an ID parade. I told them that I don’t know anything about any murder. I am innocent of this charge. I did not bore anybody; I did not kill anybody. I would like to get my freedom to go and take care of my mother”.

In July, the jury found Isaacs not guilty. The jurors were unable to arrive at a verdict for Thomas, and in light of this, he was further remanded to prison pending a new trial. (G1)

The hole that was cut in the fence by the bandits to gain entry to the yard The house the armed bandits invaded

However, as her son approached, he noticed that the door was wrenched open and he immediately fled the scene, leaving the car with the ignition on.

“He run towards the guys that he had just drop off, so they (bandits) jump in the car and drive away with it… Yes, Police did come but till after 3 o’clock, a man and a lady Police come.”

The car was discovered on Monday, abandoned a few villages away.

It was later discovered that a hole was cut in the fence to gain entry to the

yard. Naipaul explained that there was a bright light under the house but it did not act as a hindrance to the bandits using a screwdriver to pry open the front door.

Naipaul is in the country for her brother’s funeral.

Police are said to be investigating.

On October 2, two overseas-based Guyanese were also victims when armed bandits terrorised a family at Number 68 Village, also on the Corentyne, and escaped with cash and jewellery.

That attack was carried out by four masked men, three armed with handguns and one armed with a knife. They escaped with over $1 million in cash and valuables after beating some family members including a 2-year-old child.

Naipaul said these attacks on Guyanese who return home is becoming more frequent.

“You can't even come here anymore. You got you house and you have everything. Something must be done about these bandits,” the frustrated woman said.

(G4)

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Canawaima Ferry Service resumes …as 36 persons arrive in Guyana, 34 depart

T

he Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service will now operate on a daily basis following the return of the Canawaima on Monday.

Some 36 persons arrived in Guyana from Suriname on the ferry while 34 departed for Suriname. In addition, five vehicles arrived and six departed on the newly refurbished vessel.

The vessel which is owned by the Dutch speaking territory had been in dry docks for more than a year.

The Moleson Creek crossing was closed in March 2020, owing to the emergence of the novel coronavirus that had quickly developed into a pandemic. But even with the reopening of Guyana’s major airports and borders, the resumption of the GuyanaSuriname ferry service was stalled after it was reported that a number of Cuban refugees had been camping out at the Suriname end of the border, waiting to travel to Guyana.

The MV Canawaima was also taken into dry docks in March 2020 when the service was suspended due to the coronavirus; the vessel has been plagued with problems.

On October 5, discussions on resumption of the Canawaima Ferry Service

The Canawaima ferry

were held with officials from both Guyana and Suriname who met to iron out outstanding matters concerning the ferry.

Guyana’s Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, met with his Surinamese counterpart, the Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, Albert Jubithana, for the discussions.

In February 2021, the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service had recommenced operating for residents travelling between the two neighbouring countries, following months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That changed in April of this year when the Public Works Ministry, in conjunction with the management

of the Canawaima Ferry Service, had announced a suspension of all leisure travel to Suriname until further notice. The Ministry had stated at the time that only repatriation trips and health emergency evacuations would be allowed during the lockdown.

The Canawaima Ferry Service Inc was introduced to Guyana on October 28, 1998, under the Companies Act, Number 29 of 1991, of the Laws of Guyana.

It is jointly owned by the Governments of Guyana and Suriname, as each country owns 50 per cent of the issued share capital. Under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, some $488 million was spent to re-

habilitate the MV Kimbia which serviced communities along the Berbice River and the North West District.

Additionally, major upgrades were done at the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service - upgrades that included repairs to the manager’s office and VIP lounge; removal of vents and installation of doors; removal of windows, repairs to the washroom and waiting area, and some other works in the canteen and waiting area. The project, which commenced on May 30, 2017, was executed to the tune of $9.2 million by Kascon Engineering Services of Region Six. For years, the GuyanaSuriname Ferry Service served as a critical and legal link between the two countries, mutually improving economic and cultural relations. Without the ferry service, scores of persons in Suriname and Guyana usually resort to the alternative “backtrack” routes.

Earlier this year, three Guyanese met their demise while attempting to return home via the backtrack route. Reports are that the three were dropped off in waist-high waters and left in the dark of the night to manoeuvre their way to land, which was nowhere in sight. The trio eventually drowned.

Duo busted with ganja at Lovers Lane

T

The cannabis that was found in the duo’s possession

wo men are now in Police custody after they were caught with 42 grams of ganja at Lovers Lane Public Road, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, on Sunday.

Reports are that a party of Police were on patrol duty when they acted on information received and stopped motor lorry GXX 2450, which was driven by the 35-year-old suspect who was accompanied by a 21-year-old male.

As such, the ranks requested to conduct a search, to which the suspects

agreed, and while in the process of the search, one green cellular phone box containing 31 zip lock bags containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa was discovered.

Both men were told of the offence committed, cautioned and arrested.

They were escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station where the cannabis was weighed in their presence and amounted to 42 grams.

Investigations are ongoing (G9)

NEWS

17

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US Govt unveils new COVID vaccine, testing requirements for travel into US

T

he Biden administration on Monday released updated guidelines for traveling into the United States, including stricter requirements on U.S. citizens who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 as well as some exceptions for foreign travelers.

Beginning Nov. 8, unvaccinated U.S. citizens and longterm residents will have to present a negative Covid test taken a day before re-entering the country, and unvaccinated foreign nationals will be able to enter only in limited circumstances, an administration official said Monday.

Fully vaccinated Americans will have to be tested three days before travel.

For foreign nationals, the

Previously, all travelers, including U.S. citizens, were required to produce a negative viral test result within three days of travel to the United States regardless of their vaccination status. Travelers from 33 countries were barred from entering the U.S. even if they were fully vaccinated.

Proof of vaccination and testing will be required before

administration announced in September it will require all visitors to be fully vaccinated before entering the country, but on Monday outlined exemptions to that requirement.

People coming from countries with vaccination rates under 10 percent, for example, will also have to provide a compelling reason for why they are

traveling to the U.S., a senior administration official said.

Other exemptions include visitors under age 18 since children aren’t yet eligible for the vaccine yet in many countries, those with certain medical conditions, clinical trial participants and those traveling on short notice, the official said.

boarding the plane and it will be up to the airlines to enforce the measures, including confirming that the record was issued by an official source and meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's definition for fully vaccinated.

The official said the U.S. will accept any of the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization even if they are

2 killed, Police officer among 4 injured in US mall shooting

No plea deal for Jah Cure in Netherlands stabbing case

T

here will be no plea deals for reggae singer Jah Cure as he faces a Dutch court to answer to charges in relation to an alleged stabbing incident.

"In Dutch law we don't have such a thing like a plea deal. Once the criminal investigation is complete, the public prosecutor must decide whether to proceed to a full prosecution and trial," Franklin Wattimena, press officer of the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service, told OBSERVER ONLINE last week.

The Love Is singer has been behind bars in the Netherlands for the last three weeks, following the alleged stabbing incident involving a popular promoter.

He was expected to know the court's decision in the matter after appearing in the Council Chamber on Monday.

The entertainer, whose real name is Siccature Alcock, appeared last week in the Council Chamber — part of the Amsterdam court — and was detained for another seven days.

Jah Cure was arrested following the stabbing incident in Dam Square in the city centre of Amsterdam on October 1, allegedly involving the concert promoter.

Police reports suggest that after the incident, the alleged victim reported the matter to the police and, after a quick investigation, the police arrested Jah Cure on October 2.

Jah Cure marked his 43rd birthday behind bars on October 11. (Jamaica Observers)

not cleared in the U.S., including Russian and Chinese vaccines — which have limited data on their effectiveness against the Delta variant.

To help with CDC contact tracing, airlines flying into the U.S. will be required to keep on hand contact information to be able to follow up with air travelers if they are potentially infected. (NBC News)

Boise Towne Square Mall on Monday afternoon that left five people and an officer injured (KTVB photo)

T

wo people were killed and at least four others were injured, including a police officer, in a mall shooting Monday afternoon in Boise, Idaho, police said.

Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee said officers responded at 1:50 p.m. local time to the Boise Towne Square mall and encountered a person matching the suspect; gun-

fire ensued, an officer was among six people initially injured and the suspect was later detained.

Two of the people initially reported injured have since died, Lee said.

"At this time, the majority of the mall has been cleared. We're still actively clearing the mall to both look for any additional concerns, and any additional victims,

but at this time we believe that there was only a single shooter involved and that there is no ongoing danger to the community at large from this incident," Lee said at a press conference Monday afternoon.

"Those injured in today’s unthinkable shooting at the Boise Towne Square Mall are in my prayers," Idaho Governor Brad Little said in a tweet. "The State of Idaho stands prepared to assist the Boise Police Department as they investigate the shooting."

Speaking at the press conference, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean praised the Boise Police Department and first responders: "You came quickly and you showed compassion to so many people that were scared at a really tough moment. And you did everything you could to keep people safe." (NBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

Regional

Colombian shelters prepare Cuba-US tensions mount over pending protests on for migrant influx as Venezuela reopens border Communist-run island

S

helters in Colombia are preparing for increasing numbers of impoverished migrants arriving on foot after Venezuela reopened its border with its Andean neighbour, many of them children in need of food, medical attention and the chance to play again, aid workers said.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s leftist Government said this month it was reopening its side of the 2219-kilometre (1379mile) border with Colombia, which was closed in 2019 over political tensions.

Colombia’s right-wing government reopened its side of the frontier in June after closing it for 14 months amid the coronavirus pan-

demic.

On Monday, a Reuters reporter in the Venezuelan border town of San Cristobal saw dozens of migrants heading across the international bridge between the two countries on foot.

Colombia has for years been the top destination for people fleeing Venezuela’s economic and social collapse, with some 1.8 million migrants living there.

Even when the frontier was officially closed, thousands of migrants streamed across remote informal border crossings.

Many migrants trek to destinations in Colombia or even further afield on foot, despite ragged clothes and holes in their shoes.

They often lug suitcases and must care for children, who made up just over one-third of walkers seen by the International Rescue Committee – an international aid organisation – between June and September.

Meanwhile, millions of students are back to class in Venezuela after a long closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Children dressed in uniforms of blue pants and red shirts and wearing masks filed into schools in the capital Caracas starting at 07:00h (11:00GMT) on Monday, as teachers dispensed hand sanitiser.

(Excerpts from Reuters and Al Jazeera)

C

uban President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned the US Embassy in Havana against fomenting protests by dissidents on the Communistrun island, the latest flashpoint between the longtime rivals ahead of fresh rallies slated for November 15.

Cuba has said the planned demonstrations – scheduled for the same day the Caribbean island will reopen its borders to tourism – are illegal and blames the United States for underwriting them. The United States has threatened Cuba with further sanctions should the Government jail protesters.

In a speech to Communist party stalwarts late on Sunday, Diaz-Canel

doubled down on allegations of US subterfuge, accusing the US Embassy of playing a role in fanning protests.

“Their embassy in Cuba has been taking an active role in efforts to subvert the internal order of our country,” Diaz-Canel said. “US diplomatic officials meet frequently with leaders of the counterrevolution, to whom they provide guidance, encouragement, and logistical and financial support.”

The Embassy could not immediately be reached for comment.

The US diplomatic headquarters in Havana has operated with a skeleton crew since 2017, after employees fell ill with what

is now known as “Havana Syndrome”.

Scaled-back operations have hobbled diplomacy between the two Cold War foes and have forced Cubans seeking consular services from the Embassy to travel to Guyana instead.

Diaz-Canel said the Embassy was, nonetheless, leveraging social media communications to criticise Cuba in “open interference in the internal affairs of our country”.

The Embassy in recent weeks has highlighted on social media the cases of several Cubans detained and jailed following the biggest anti-Government demonstrations in decades on July 11. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Thousands of Nicaraguans go to Chutney star KI in mourning, mom dies Honduras border for vaccines C

N

early 8000 Nicaraguans received COVID-19 vaccines at two customs border crossings with neighbouring Honduras in recent days, Honduran health authorities said on Monday, as supplies of the inoculations in Nicaragua have run low.

Promoting the vaccines for Nicaraguans, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez wrote in a post on Twitter that “the solidarity and brotherhood of Hondurans crosses borders”.

He added that up to 500 dos-

es were being given out daily to Nicaraguans.

Honduran health authorities also pitched the cross-border assistance as a way to help beat back the risk of more infections at home.

“They don’t have access to vaccines in Nicaragua and that becomes a risk for us due to the significant movement of people along the border,” said Honduran regional health official Jose Maria Paguada.

Officials in Nicaragua did not immediately respond to a

request for comment.

The border vaccines doled out in Honduras’ south-western Choluteca department utilise donated inoculations made by Moderna and Pfizer, and will go through November 6 for first doses, with second doses to follow, Honduran officials said.

To date, Honduras has confirmed more than 370,000 coronavirus infections and nearly 10,200 deaths as a result of the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the virus. (Reuters)

Peru’s Congress mulls whether to confirm new moderate-left Cabinet

President Pedro Castillo of Peru shakes hands with Mirtha Vasquez after her swearing-in as the country’s new prime minister, in Lima, Peru, October 6, 2021

P

eru’s Opposition-led Congress on Monday was weighing whether to confirm a new Cabinet nominated by Socialist President Pedro Castillo, his first big reshuffle after less than three months in office.

Prime Minister Mirtha Vasquez, a moderate leftist, told Congress earlier in the day that she was seeking a new “governability pact”, in

a speech that lacked significant new proposals.

She said the Administration would support private investment and submit a tax reform proposal meant to fund social programmes. Peru is the world’s number two copper producer, and the mining sector is a key source of tax revenue.

Castillo asked Guido Bellido to resign as Prime

Minister on October 6 following a period of political instability. Bellido had threatened to nationalise Peru’s gas sector, with the sol currency falling to record lows during his tenure.

The sol bounced back following Vasquez’s appointment the same day.

Under Peruvian law, Congress must confirm or reject a new Cabinet in the weeks following its nomination.

The result of the vote also remains unclear.

Castillo has strained ties with the Marxist-Leninist Free Peru party that helped him to power, with some lawmakers saying they will vote to reject the new Cabinet.

Vasquez is a former Head of Congress, but does not belong to the Free Peru party.

Bellido, a senior Free Peru member, was confirmed in August by Congress in a 73-50 vote.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

hutney star Kris “KI” Veeshal Persad and his family are mourning the loss of its matriarch, Maya Persad.

Persad, 62, died on Sunday morning in her sleep, he said.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, KI said, “Hey…I don’t know how to type this.

With heavy heart I’m letting you know of the passing of my mom this morning Maya Persad. Love you mommy.”

In a phone interview with Newsday on Monday, he described his mother as being the “sweetest woman in the entire world” and being instrumental in the life of him and his brother, Rich Veeshan Persad.

In 1982, Persad, then Sahadeo, was the second runner-up in the Miss Trinidad and Tobago contest for the Miss World international pageant. She was a photographer at the Express newspaper from 1983-1986, he said. KI

Maya Persad, formerly Sahadeo, was the second runner-up in the Miss Trinidad and Tobago contest for the Miss World international pageant in 1982

said his father, Veerendra Persad met his mother when Veerendra won T&T’s Mastana Bahar show in 1985.

The family moved to Toronto, Canada in 1995, he said.

Veerendra is the founder of the music band 3veni which evolved to KI The

Band. KI said when his father travelled with the band, his mother was there raising them.

“It was a lot of sacrifice. She did a lot especially when it came to music and making sure that we learned academically.

“She kept this entire family together,” he said.

KI remembered his mother’s generosity, saying for Christmas she would make his father dress up as Santa throughout the years to go around to neighbourhoods and give gifts to children.

“This is what life was like growing up with mum.

It was always just what can you give to people, what can you give to people,” he said.

Persad was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and had gone into remission. KI said up to a month ago tests were done and there was no indication of cancer.

(Excerpt from Trinidad News)

Jamaica: Port Royal to welcome its largest cruise ship to date

T

he Nieuw Statendam from luxury cruise line Holland America is scheduled to call at Historic Naval Dockyard, Port Royal in November.

It will be the largest cruise ship to date to visit Port Royal as Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) intensifies the restart to cruise shipping activities after a 17-month suspension due to COVID-19.

In a release, the Port Authority said the visit should augur well for cruise shipping activities in Port Royal and its environs if the port becomes a staple on the cruise line’s

itinerary. The ship’s capacity is approximately 3000 passengers; however it will call in November at 50 to 60 per cent capacity in accordance with the ship’s COVID-19 protocol, the release stated.

Additionally, according to the PAJ, the call will demonstrate to the global cruise market Port Royal’s capacity to facilitate larger ships. It will also provide an opportunity for Port Royal and by extension, Kingston to showcase its sought-after heritage, culture, entertainment, and other unique offerings that distinguishes its cruise passenger ex-

perience from any other. A boost in cruise shipping activities in Port Royal especially when underscored by larger sized ships and an increased passenger count should redound positively on businesses, commercial activity as well on the economic development in Port Royal and Kingston, the PAJ said.

The Port Authority added further that it has secured a number of calls for the upcoming season which signals an uptick in cruise shipping activities across all cruise ports islandwide.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices reach multi-year highs on tight supply

O

il prices reached multi-year highs on Monday before steadying, as tight global supply and strengthening fuel demand in the United States and beyond supported

prices.

Brent crude futures gained 46 cents to settle at US$85.99 a barrel. The contract reached a session high of US$86.70 a barrel, its highest level since October 2018.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were unchanged at US$83.76 a barrel after reaching US$85.41 a barrel, the highest since October 2014.

Both benchmarks have climbed by around 20 per cent since the start of September. US crude has risen for nine straight weeks, while Brent has risen for seven.

"The global energy supply crunch continues to show its teeth, as oil prices extend their upward march this week, a result of traders pricing in the ongoing rise in fuel demand – which amid limited supply response is depleting global stockpiles," said Louise Dickson, senior oil markets analyst at Rystad Energy.

Goldman Sachs said a strong rebound in global oil demand could push Brent crude prices above its year-end forecast of US$90 a barrel. The bank estimated gas-to-oil switching could contribute at least 1 million barrels per day (bpd) to oil demand.

After more than a year of depressed fuel demand, gasoline and distillate consumption is back in line with fiveyear averages in the United States, the world's largest fuel consumer.

Oil prices have also been bolstered by worries over coal and gas shortages in China, India and Europe, which spurred fuel switching to diesel and fuel oil for power.

"The reason we're seeing strength today is many fold, but amongst them is fuel switching," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho.

In India, refiners' crude oil throughput in September edged higher from the previous month, government data showed on Friday, as refineries boosted output to meet surging demand.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Around the World

Some Russian regions shut workplaces as daily COVID-19 cases hit new peak

R

ussia reported its highest single-day COVID-19 case tally since the start of the pandemic on Monday as some regions imposed a workplace shutdown to combat a surge in infections and deaths.

Faced with worsening disease rates and frustrated by the slow take-up of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine by its own population, authorities are introducing stricter measures this week to try to slow the spread of the pandemic.

President Vladimir Putin last week declared that Oct 30 to Nov 7 would be paid non-working days but said every region could extend that period or start it earlier depending on the epidemiological situation.

Six regions, including the Samara and Perm regions east of Moscow, began their non-working days on Monday, TASS news agency reported.

From this Thursday, Moscow will introduce its tightest lockdown measures since June

2020, with only essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies remaining open.

The measures are not popular among some Muscovites who question whether the disruption is justified.

Moscow schools are also closed, and unvaccinated over60s in the capital have been ordered to lock down for four months starting Monday.

Authorities in St Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, said COVID-19 restrictions would not be lift-

T

he United States has suspended US$700 million in aid to Sudan after a military takeover and urged the immediate restoration of a civilian government.

“The civilian-led transitional government should be immediately restored and represents the will of the people,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.

Earlier on Monday, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said that

three people had died and at least 80 others were injured on Monday after being shot by security forces during protests against the military takeover.

Thousands of protesters poured into the streets of the capital, Khartoum, and its twin city of Omdurman following the early morning arrests of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other senior officials by security forces in the country.

Hamdok was moved to

ed until at least 80 per cent of its population was vaccinated, RIA news agency reported. Nationwide, only about a third of the population has been inoculated.

Putin has ordered a series of measures including increased testing, tighter monitoring of mask-wearing and social distancing and an acceleration of the vaccine campaign, with employees to get two paid days leave as a reward for getting inoculated.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Greenhouse gas levels hit record, world struggles to curb damage

G

reenhouse gas concentrations hit a record last year and the world is "way off track" in capping rising temperatures, the United Nations said on Monday in a stark illustration of the tasks facing UN climate talks in Scotland.

A report by the UN World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) showed carbon dioxide levels surged to 413.2 parts per million in 2020, rising more than the average rate over the last decade despite a temporary dip in emissions during COVID-19 lockdowns.

WMO Secretary General Petteri Taalas said the current rate of increase in heat-trapping gases would result in temperature rises "far in excess" of the 2015

Paris Agreement target of 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average this century.

"We are way off track," he said. "We need to revisit our industrial, energy and transport systems and whole way of life," he added, calling for a "dramatic increase" in commitments at the COP26 conference beginning on Sunday.

The city of Glasgow was putting on the final touches before hosting the climate talks, which may be the world's best remaining chance to cap global warming at the 1.5-2 degrees Celsius upper limit set out in the Paris Agreement.

Under countries' current pledges, global emissions would be 16 per cent higher in 2030 than they were in 2010,

according to a separate analysis by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

That is far off the 45 per

an undisclosed location after he refused to issue a statement in support of the coup, said the Information Ministry.

The Chairman of Sudan’s ruling body General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan later announced the dissolution of the transitional government and the sovereign council and declared a nationwide state of emergency.

Sudan has been on edge since a failed coup plot last month unleashed bitter recriminations between military and civilian groups meant to be sharing power following the toppling of the country’s longtime leader Omar al-Bashir two years ago.

The coup also comes just weeks before the military was supposed to hand the leadership of the council that runs the country over to civilians.

Sudan’s information ministry said that the transitional constitution gives only the prime minister the right to declare state of emergency and that the military’s actions are a crime.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A

stronomers have found hints of what could be the first planet ever to be discovered outside our galaxy.

Nearly 5000 "exoplanets" - worlds orbiting stars beyond our Sun - have been found so far, but all of these have been located within the Milky Way galaxy.

The possible planet sig-

out digital currency

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria joined a growing list of emerging markets betting on digital money to cut transaction costs and boost participation in the formal financial system.

“Nigeria has become the first country in Africa, and one of the first in the world to introduce a digital currency to her citizens,” President Muhammadu Buhari said in televised speech at the launch in Abuja, the capital.

“The adoption of the Central Bank digital currency and its underlying technology, called blockchain, can increase Nigeria’s gross domestic product by $29 billion over the next 10 years.”

The International Monetary Fund projects GDP for Africa’s largest economy to be US$480 billion in 2021.

The issuance of the digital currency, called the eNaira, comes after the Central Bank earlier in February outlawed banks and financial institutions from transacting or operating in cryptocurrencies

cent reduction by 2030 that scientists say is needed to cap warming at 1.5 degrees and avoid its most devastating impacts. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Signs of 1st planet found outside our galaxy

US suspends aid to Sudan Nigeria becomes 1st after military seizes power African nation to roll

People gather around as smoke and fire are seen on the streets of Khartoum, Sudan, amid reports of a coup, October 25, 2021, in this still image from video obtained via social media Rasd Sudan Network via Reuters

19

as they posed a threat to the financial system.

Since the launch of the eNaira platform, it’s received more than 2.5 million daily visits, with 33 banks integrated on the platform, 500 million c (US$1.2 million) successfully minted and more than 2000 customers onboarded, Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele said at the launch.

Central Bank digital currencies, or CBDCs, are national currency — unlike their crypto counterparts, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are prized, in part, because they are not tied to fiat currency.

The eNaira will complement the physical naira, which has weakened 5.6 per cent this year despite the central bank’s efforts to stabilise the currency.

The digital currency is expected to boost cross-border trade and financial inclusion, make transactions more efficient as well as improve monetary policy, according to the Central Bank.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

nal discovered by Nasa's Chandra X-Ray Telescope is in the Messier 51 galaxy.

This is located some 28 million light-years away from the Milky Way. This new result is based on transits, where the passage of a planet in front of a star blocks some of the star's light and yields a characteristic dip in brightness that can be detected by telescopes.

This general technique has already been used to find thousands of exoplanets.

Dr Rosanne Di Stefano and colleagues searched for dips in the brightness of X-rays received from a type of object known as an X-ray bright binary.

These objects typically contain a neutron star or black hole pulling in gas from a closely orbiting companion star. The material near the neutron star or black hole becomes superheated and glows at X-ray wavelengths.

Because the region producing bright X-rays is small, a planet passing in front of it could block most or all of the X-rays, making the transit easier to spot.

The team members used this technique to detect the exoplanet candidate in a binary system called M51ULS-1.

"The method we developed and employed is the only presently implementable method to discover planetary systems in other galaxies," Dr Di Stefano, from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, US, told BBC News. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Live up to your promises and finish what you start.

Initiate personal changes that will make you feel good and ready to conquer the world. Put your energy where it counts, and don't let your emotions spiral out of control.

Go about your business and do what makes you happy. If you overreact or shut down because someone chooses to head in a different direction, you will miss out on something very valuable.

Pay attention to detail. Set high expectations and do whatever it takes to finish what you start. An opportunity to advance is within reach. Add to your skills, then forge ahead.

Emotions will step in and take control if you let the little things get to you. Stick close to home and to those you love. Don't get involved in a debate that can lead to an argument.

If you don't like something, speak up. Offer an alternative and put in the effort to ensure things unfold your way. Romance will enhance a meaningful relationship.

Reach out to people who make you smile. Getting together with someone who motivates you will result in an unexpected offer that encourages you to use your skills differently.

Pick up the pace, gather information and set a path that will encourage you to expand your mind. Look for efficient ways to run your life and home. Make sure to include loved ones in your plans.

Pick up the pace, and don't stop until you are satisfied with the results.

Take a different path, and you'll learn something new.

Kindness will lead to a helpful interaction.

Keep your emotions under SAGITTARIUS wraps when dealing with a (Nov. 23professional situation. Let Dec. 21) others do the talking while you organize your thoughts.

Once you have a clear picture, you will make better decisions.

Do something that sparks

CAPRICORN your imagination. A creative (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

endeavor, a lifestyle change or associating with people who enjoy the same pastimes as you will help build enthusiasm, confidence and friendships. Choose patience over frustration.

A change someone makes may not be welcome, but if you carry on and do what makes you happy, you will come out ahead. Pay attention to joint ventures, shared expenses and replacing outdated methods.

Take a break and do something that will lift your (Feb. 20spirits. Reach out to someMarch 20) one who puts a smile on your face. Insights gained from a festive event will push you to make a positive change.

PISCES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

21

Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s five-for, batters' onslaught help Afghanistan crush Scotland by 130 runs

C

hasing down 191 was never going to be easy for Scotland, but no one would have expected them to collapse in the manner they did.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman rocked their chase with a three-wicket over, and went on to complete his maiden five-for in T20Is, finishing with figures of 4-0-20-5.

The lower order then stood no chance against Rashid Khan, who picked up 4 for 9 in 2.2 overs as Scotland were bundled out for 60 in 10.2 overs. The margin of victory – 130 runs – was the biggest for Afghanistan in the format.

Earlier, after Mohammad Nabi had opted to bat, Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad provided Afghanistan with a blazing start, with the fifty coming up in just 5.1 overs. Najibullah Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz then added

87 in 52 balls for the third wicket to lift the side to a total that proved well out of Scotland's reach.

A power-packed powerplay Coming into this match, Shahzad had scored 309 runs in six T20Is against Scotland at an average of 51.50 and a strike rate of 148.55. In four of those games, he was the Player of the Match.

Shahzad was playing his first game for Afghanistan since June 2019, but it didn't seem to matter, as he started in his typical aggressive manner: smashing the first ball he faced, from offspinner Michael Leask, over long-off for a six.

Two balls later, Zazai targeted the deep-midwicket region for his first six. That was the shorter side of the ground as well. But soon the dimensions stopped mattering. In the fifth over, Zazai

took on the longer boundary and smashed Brad Wheal for a 101-metre six, the longest in the tournament so far.

Shahzad fell to Safyaan Sharif for a 15-ball 22 on the penultimate ball of the next over, but the onslaught from the openers meant Afghanistan ended the powerplay on 55 for 1, the joint-most by a team in this World Cup. Watt applies brakes before Zadran, Gurbaz re-accelerate After the powerplay, Zazai hit only one boundary – a six off Chris Greaves – before Mark Watt bowled him with a 107 kilometre-per-hour yorker.

On the other hand, Gurbaz took seven balls to open his account. At one point, he was on 15 off 20 balls and it started looking like Scotland could pull

MCYS, NSC conclude 12-hr developmental table tennis coaching course in Bartica … programme heading to Essequibo

T

he Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) conducted a 12-hour Development Table Tennis Coaching Course for Primary/Secondary School Teachers in which 10 teachers participated.

The venue was the Bartica Community Centre. The training commenced on Wednesday, October 13, and concluded on Friday, October 15.

The aims and objectives of the programme are: * To enable each teacher to become self-supportive by developing an infrastructure of administration, coaching and officiating with clear developmental plans in place, which will ensure sustainability of initiatives * To create an integrated coaching structure that incorporates teacher education and player development at school level * To create an umpiring structure that incorporates umpire education, participation

and development at the school level * To motivate and encourage schools and players to join forces and work in partnership.

The programme facilitator was Linden Johnson of the NSC and the organisers from Bartica were Timothy Cornelius, Teacher/President of Bartica Table Tennis Sub Association, and Mark Ambrose of the Education Department of Bartica.

The participating teachers were Michael Augustus of Itaballi Primary School, Kameshwari Dhanrajh of St Anthony’s Primary School, Narresha Williams of Agatash Primary School, Fanela Gounga Thomas of Holy Name Primary School, Amanda Grant of St John-the-Baptist Primary, Colleen Corrington of 2 Miles Primary, Naomi Tobin of Potaro Primary, Ronella Joseph and Orin Blair of Bartica Secondary, and Dax Holder of 3 Miles Secondary.

The programme was a bit of a challenge as most of the

teachers were first timers, but they gradually developed an understanding of the sport and hoped that the knowledge could be transferred to the students, since it is the main objective of the programme to have the students benefit through the reintroduction of table tennis into schools.

The programme provided the teachers with the ability to be self-supportive and develop a coaching and administering perspective. To add to the promotion of the sport, each participant received table tennis rackets and 20 table tennis balls which can be used in the schools.

Next, the MCYS and the NSC will be conducting a 12hour Development Table Tennis Coaching Course for Primary School Teachers and 18 teachers are catered for, at a venue to be named in Essequibo.

It is scheduled to run from Wednesday, October 27 to Friday, October 29.

things back.

That wasn't to be the case though, as Zadran kept finding boundaries at regular intervals.

The hundred came up for Afghanistan in the 13th over, and soon Gurbaz too found his touch. After moving to 23 off 27, he helicoptered Josh Davey over deep-midwicket before launching Wheal for two more sixes in the 17th over.

Watt, who had conceded only 10 from his first three overs, bore the brunt too, with Zadran hitting him for a four and a six in a 13-run over. Gurbaz fell for 46, but Zadran didn't miss out on the half-century, bringing up the milestone off 30 balls and helping his side to a daunting total.

Mujeeb rocks Scotland's chase George Munsey started Scotland's chase with a reverseswept four followed by a reverseswept six off Mohammad Nabi in the first over. And Munsey tried the same shot against Mujeeb in the next over, but the bowler's pace didn't allow him to connect his attempts.

Kyle Coetzer hit two fours off Naveen-ul-Haq to take the side to 27 for no loss after three overs.

That was the last time anything went Scotland's way as Mujeeb picked up three wickets – all off googlies – in one over.

Coetzer was the first to go, bowled through the gate. Calum MacLeod lasted just one ball and was lbw. Richie Berrington survived the hat-trick ball, but lasted only two more balls as Mujeeb snared him lbw on the last ball of the over.

Mujeeb completes five-for, Rashid cleans up the tail From the other end, Naveen had Matthew Cross caught behind, Shahzad diving fullstretch to his right to take the catch.

Mujeeb then rattled Munsey's stumps from around the wicket to leave Scotland 36

for 5, with Rashid still to come into the attack.

Rashid struck with his third ball, this time Leask failing to read the googly and being lbw. In the next over, Mujeeb completed his five-for by bowling Watt with a carrom ball before Rashid polished off the tail.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD AFGHANISTAN INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Hazratullah Zazai b Watt 44 Mohammad Shahzad † c Greaves b Sharif 22 Rahmanullah Gurbaz c Coetzer b Davey 46 Najibullah Zadran c Wheal b Sharif 59 Mohammad Nabi (c) not out 11 Extras (lb 3, w 5) 8 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 9.50) 190/4 Did not bat: Asghar Afghan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ulHaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Mohammad Shahzad, 5.5 ov), 2-82 (Hazratullah Zazai, 9.5 ov), 3-169 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 18.3 ov), 4-190 (Najibullah Zadran, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Brad Wheal 4-0-42-0 Michael Leask 1-0-18-0 Safyaan Sharif 4-0-33-2 Josh Davey 4-0-41-1 Mark Watt 4-0-23-1 Chris Greaves 3-0-30-0 SCOTLAND INNINGS (TARGET: 191 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) George Munsey b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 25 Kyle Coetzer (c) b Mujeeb

Ur Rahman 10 Calum MacLeod lbw b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 0 Richie Berrington lbw b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 0 Matthew Cross † c † Mohammad Shahzad b Naveen-ul-Haq 0 Michael Leask lbw b Rashid Khan 0 Chris Greaves lbw b Rashid Khan 12 Mark Watt b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1 Josh Davey lbw b Rashid Khan 4 Safyaan Sharif not out 3 Brad Wheal b Rashid Khan 0 Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5 TOTAL (10.2 Ov, RR: 5.80) 60 Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Kyle Coetzer, 3.2 ov), 2-28 (Calum MacLeod, 3.3 ov), 3-28 (Richie Berrington, 3.6 ov), 4-30 (Matthew Cross, 4.3 ov), 5-36 (George Munsey, 5.3 ov), 6-38 (Michael Leask, 6.3 ov), 7-45 (Mark Watt, 7.5 ov), 8-53 (Chris Greaves, 8.5 ov), 9-60 (Josh Davey, 10.1 ov), 10-60 (Brad Wheal, 10.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammad Nabi 1-0-11-0 Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4-0-20-5 Naveen-ul-Haq 2-0-12-1 Rashid Khan 2.2-0-9-4 Karim Janat 1-0-6-0

Fempower overcome Zorg in breast cancer awareness female match

F

empower beat Zorg by 25 runs in a specially-arranged female breast cancer awareness exhibition 10-over match, held recently at Zorg Ground, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Fempower rattled up 1419 off the 10 overs and then restricted the hosts to 116-8.

Kumarie Persaud led the way for Fempower with an enterprising 69, laced with five fours and four sixes. Kesandra Phillips also batted well to score 46.

During Zorg’s time at the crease, Analisa D’Aguiar and Nickesha Narine made 48 runs apiece.

The match was organised by former national youth player Devon Ramnauth, who is currently residing in Canada.

Ramnauth is also the founder of Region Number 2 Development Youth Cricket League, which was inaugurated in 2020. Other sponsors for the day’s event were Sports Journalist Ravendra

The victorious Fempower team strike a pose after the encounter with Coaches Anthony Adams and Debbie Daniels

Madholall and Trevis Simon, the President of the Central Essequibo Cricket Committee.

Ramnauth, in a brief comment, related that he was happy with the match and female cricket on the coast was the real winner.

Ramnauth, who hails from South Essequibo, also acknowledged the effort the ladies put out to bring awareness on breast cancer.

In commenting on the event,

Madholall declared that female cricket has gained tremendous popularity around the cricketing world and he would support any cricket games on the coast.

Meanwhile, during the game, the Coaches – Debbie Daniels, national left-arm spinner Anthony Adams and female supporters Sony Maesh and Divine Ross – were on hand to witness the action and help out with the organisational aspect of things.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

Batting in focus as West Indies and South Africa look to get back on track S outh Africa and West Indies will hope the worst is out of the way after poor batting displays saw them lose their tournament openers.

South Africa's under-par 118 for 9 came first on Saturday, to end a winning streak which lasted seven matches and dates back to the last time they played West Indies, in July. South Africa won that series 3-2 in a decider, which may give them an advantage going into this match especially after the way West Indies performed in their first game.

Kieron Pollard's men were dismissed for just 55 in a lacklustre display which may have made South Africa feel a little better about their showing.

Even though West Indies' form has been patchy leading up to the tournament, the magnitude and manner of their defeat to England were embarrassing, a word they themselves have used in assessment. West Indies have to get up, and get up quickly, and South Africa will know that.

Temba Bavuma's men will have to bear the brunt of an opposition's desire for redemption and meet it with their own desperation to turn things around.

Akeal Hosein has come into the T20 World Cup high on confidence

It's too early for either team to panic, but whoever loses will be in a difficult position, especially with strong subcontinental opposition to come.

aerial strokes against England so a bit of tightening up may be in order. South Africa were

In the spotlight It's hardly surprising that the batting on both sides will come under the microscope after their opening match blowouts. With only one West Indian, Chris Gayle, getting into doublefigures, all their players have points to prove, particularly when it comes to shot selection.

Six of the West Indian top seven were dismissed playing loose,

Lady Jags go down in 2nd friendly to Puerto Rico women

intriguing battle of the containers.

Maharaj has become an almostpermanent fixture in the South African T20I XI, operating in the powerplay and in the crucial middle overs. He doesn't give much away and often picks up a wicket or two and will seek to frustrate West Indies' big hitters.

Hosein was given the new ball against England and did his bit to rattle their nerves, with two good catches off his bowling and a return of 2 for 24. South Africa are known to be hesitant against spinners and he may have an opportunity to poke holes in the line-up if their confidence is low.

Team news With no middle-order batters

WI will be looking to make up for their horrendous loss in their first game

less guilty of carelessness, but undone by accuracy and pace from Australia's quicks. A focus on footwork would not go amiss, especially in these conditions.

If any of the batters manage to get going it will be up to Keshav Maharaj and Akeal Hosein to keep them quiet, setting up an

on the bench, it's difficult for South Africa to find a solution for David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen's lack of form. The only thing they can do is insert toporder player Reeza Hendricks into the line-up, and potentially move Aiden Markram lower down to accommodate that. They may also re-look at the seam-bowling

SA will be looking to book their first win

all-rounder position and opt to leave one out completely, in favour of three quicks.

South Africa: (probable) 1 Quinton de Kock (wk); 2 Temba Bavuma (Capt); 3 Aiden Markram; 4 Rassie van der Dussen; 5 David Miller; 6 Heinrich Klaasen/Reeza Hendricks; 7 Kagiso Rabada; 8 Keshav Maharaj; 9 Lungi Ngidi; 10 Anrich Nortje and 11 Tabraiz Shamsi.

Although Coach Phil Simmons did not go so far as to say he regretted leaving Roston Chase out, he indicated West Indies may consider including the offspin bowling all-rounder to balance their side. Chase's inclusion would necessitate a change at the top of the order, with either Lendl Simmons sitting out and Gayle opening with Evin Lewis or – someone call Curtly Ambrose – leaving Gayle out entirely.

West Indies: (probable) 1 Lendl Simmons; 2 Evin Lewis; 3 Chris Gayle; 4 Shimron Hetmyer;

5 Nicholas Pooran (wk); 6 Kieron Pollard; 7 Andre Russell; 8 Dwayne Bravo 9 Akeal Hosein; 10 Obed McCoy and 11 Ravi Rampaul.

Pitch and conditions Despite West Indies' collapse on Saturday, the match between India and Pakistan showed that there are plenty of runs on offer in Dubai, provided batters apply themselves. As will be the case throughout the tournament, it will be hot and humid, with no risk of dew in the early game.

Stats and trivia South Africa and West Indies have faced each other three times at T20 World Cups, in 2007, 2009 and 2016 and West Indies have only won the last of those.

West Indies lowest score in a T20I is 45, against England in March 2019. South Africa's lowest score is 89, scored against Australia in February 2020.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Lucknow and Ahmedabad become home to the 2 newest IPL franchises

The Lady Jags and staff in Puerto Rico

C

oming off a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Puerto Rican women on Wednesday last, the Lady Jags again suited up to take on their vanquishers, in a second and final international friendly on Saturday last.

While the Guyanese Women’s National Football team suffered another loss in that encounter, they managed to keep the score at 2-1, signalling a much-improved performance on the pitch.

Playing at the José Antonio Figueroa Freyre Central American Stadium, Guyana fielded a starting XI of Brianna Desa, Natalie Nedd, Annalisa Vincent, Samantha Banfield, Audrey Narine, Serena Mc Donald, Shamya Daniels, Gabriella Salvadore, Tiandi Smith, Ghilene Joseph, and Hasha Holder.

Puerto Rico started their scoring early with a goal in the second minute of the game. Charging in from well outside the 18-yard box with Guyana’s defence on her heels, Nickolette Driesse took a lucky shot and got it past the reach of Guyana’s goalkeeper, Nedd for the first goal.

The Puerto Ricans had seemed to have lost the urgency they played with

in the first friendly which resulted in a 1-1 score by the half.

What was supposed to be a casual pass to the goalie by a Puerto Rican defender turned out to be Guyana’s first and only strike in the 27th minute. Following the pass, Narine hustled the goalkeeper for possession of the ball and made an independent charge to the goal, in order to add one to Guyana’s tally.

In the second half, the encounter remained intense as both sides hunted a second and potentially winning goal.

However, the expertise of both of the goal custodians kept the score locked.

As the minutes died away, it appeared as though Guyana would hold on for a 1-all draw, but it was the repeat of a previous mistake that cost the Lady Jags the game. In the 83rd minute , Sophia Muetterties took a shot, similar to that of the first goal, to connect with the back of the net for the win.

The friendly matches were part of a one-week encampment exercise for the Lady Jags, as they prepare for the CONCACAF Women’s Championships next year.

I

n what will be seen as a watershed moment in the business of cricket, two business houses – RP Sanjeev Goenka Group (RPSG) and CVC – have bid staggering sums of money running over a billion US dollars to buy the two new Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.

On Monday, at a walk-in bidding event, RPSG paid INR 7090 crore (US$944,551,849) to buy the Lucknow franchise while CVC, a private equity fund, bought the Ahmedabad franchise for INR 5625 crore (US$749379993).

"It is good be back in the IPL and I am delighted," RPSG owner Sanjiv Goenka told ESPNcricinfo.

"It is an initial step. We now have to build a good team and perform."

The RPSG bid was 250 per cent more than BCCI's base price of INR 2000 crore (US$270 million approx). The corresponding figure for CVC was 160 per cent. In all, 22 companies had purchased the tender document, but only nine were eventually present at the walk-in bid event held in Dubai that lasted over six hours on Monday.

The bids, enclosed in a sealed envelope, were opened after a lengthy technical evaluation process. The entire process was overseen by the IPL Governing Council as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) top brass lead by Board President Sourav Ganguly, Secretary Jay Shah, Treasurer Arun Dhumal,

Vice President Rajeev Shukla and Joint Secretary Jayesh George.

"It is heartening to see the inclusion of two new teams at such a high valuation, and it reiterates the cricketing and financial strength of our cricket ecosystem," Ganguly was quoted as saying in a BCCI release. "The inclusion of two new teams will bring more domestic cricketers from our country to the global stage.

"The ITT process included two interested bidders from outside of India, which strongly emphasises the global appeal of the IPL as a sports property. The IPL is proving to be a wonderful instrument in globalising the game of cricket. I am keenly looking forward to IPL 2022."

Both the franchises will need to pay the entire amount over a 10-year period. To ensure that the owners have a solid foundation, the BCCI had put stringent norms in the bid document. A bidder needs to have a turnover of at least INR

3000 crore (US$399,669,330) per year for a minimum of the last three years.

Measured in terms of net asset value (assets minus liability), this number was pegged at INR 2500 crore (US$333,057,775) per year over the last three years. In the case of a consortium, the BCCI had put a cap on the number of investors totalling to not more than three.

Both Ahmedabad and Lucknow were part of the six cities shortlisted by the IPL in the bid document along with Cuttack, Dharamsala, Guwahati and Indore. Bidders were permitted to tick more than one city, but would get the rights to own just one franchise. RPSG is understood to have also bid for Indore, while CVC also went for Lucknow.

A day after India's crushing loss to Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, the buzz quickly shifted to the IPL franchise bidding; the topic becoming a top trend on Twitter in India.

Among the nine bidders to eventually put their hat in the ring were Lancer Capital, who own Manchester United football club; Ahmedabad-based Indian infrastructure giant Adani Group, Aurobindo Pharma and Torrent Pharma along with the two winners.

This is the second stint for RPSG, who earlier ran the Punebased Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 and 2017, when Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals served a two-year suspension in the aftermath of the 2013 IPL corruption scandal.

A passionate sports lover, Goenka wore his emotions on his sleeve and even replaced MS Dhoni as the Supergiant Captain ahead of the 2017 season, when they finished runners-up. RPSG, which calls itself a diversified business conglomerate, also has wider interests in sport. They own the Atletico Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League and have owned teams in table tennis and boxing previously.

CVC, meanwhile, are an international conglomerate with offices throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. They were previous stakeholders in Formula 1 and recently took a minority stake in La Liga, the topflight football league of Spain.

Their home will be the world's largest cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium, that has an advertised capacity of 132,000 people. (ESPNcricinfo)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Gokarn Ramdhani remembered for stellar contributions to sport at memorial T

here was an outpouring of emotion last Saturday evening as those who were close to him came to grips with the untimely loss of Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) President Gokarn Ramdhani.

The GBA President suffered a heart attack in Canada, and subsequently succumbed approximately two weeks ago.

Gathering at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) for a memorial service were past and present players, sport administrators, and students along with family and friends of the late Ramdhani.

Ramdhani, after playing the sport since his high school days at Queen’s College, went on to become one of Guyana’s national players. In the 1980s, he turned to coaching at the Yonex Badminton Club, which he was the President of, up until his death.

As such, not only had Ramdhani met scores of persons along his badminton journey around the globe, he also introduced many Guyanese to the sport. While only a fraction of the persons he came into contact with could have been present at the

Chet Bowling

CASH on Saturday, the tributes paid were profoundly heartfelt and painted Ramdhani’s jovial character in great light.

Guyana Table Tennis Federation (GTTF) President Godfrey Munroe presented his tribute on the behalf of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), hailing Ramdhani’s dedication to the sport of badminton.

“On behalf of the executive committee of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), we would just like to extend our condolences to you, Emily [his widow] and family at this point in time. Gokarn truly epitomised someone who is an exemplar sports administrator – proficient, pragmatic, effervescent

and very dedicated and committed. We’ve lost a true administrator, a true friend and someone who truly loved and committed his life to sport,” Munroe noted.

Lusignan Golf Club Secretary Chet Bowling, who is also an avid badminton player and personal friend of Ramdhani, spoke of the positive example he has set in every aspect of his life. Crafting his tribute in the form of a letter, Bowling shared many fond memories of Ramdhani and his knack for wearing many hats.

“I cannot end this letter without telling you how much your dedication and passion for badminton was an inspiration to me and many others. In the words of one of the club members, you are a friend, a mentor and a father figure to many. We will miss you dearly; rest in peace, my brother,” a visibly distraught Bowling said.

One of many players who were introduced to the sport by the late Ramdhani, Mishka Beharry expressed her gratitude for the guidance that the Coach showed in the sport and everyday life.

… earns free entry into GTT Guyana Open

Godfrey Munroe

“I’m thankful that you have chosen to come to remember how wonderful, kind, caring, friendly and heart-warming Coach Ramdhani really was.

He really meant a lot to me. He was an excellent role model, disciplinarian and always performed his job well,” the

T

he stakes were high last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) as golfers came out in droves for the final tune-up tournament sponsored

by C&V Shipping.

Eureka Giddings kept a cool head and edged out a strong challenge from Hardeo Ganpat and Roy Dhory and 44 others, to earn best net and the overall win.

Both Giddings and Ganpat had net scores of 66; however, Giddings won on a countback.

Saturday’s win also meant Giddings earned the highest number of points and will be rewarded with free entry into this weekend’s two-day GTT Guyana Open golf tournament – which will crown Guyana’s best male and female golfers for 2022.

At the end of Saturday’s play, it was becoming clear who the favourites were, heading into this weekend’s Open. On the men’s side, Avinash Persaud once again stamped his authority to win best gross for the second time in

three weeks and is in good form going into this weekend’s major event. The winning female golfer will have to go through Shanella London, who has played her best golf this year and has emerged favourite to win ahead of what is expected to be strong challenges from a very determined Dr Joann Deo and young veteran Christine Sukhram, who is returning home to reclaim her old title as Guyana’s best ladies golfer. A title which went unchallenged for several years.

The winners on Saturday received trophies and cash vouchers: * 1st: Eureka Giddings – Net 66 /Gross 95 * 2nd: Hardeo Ganpat – Net 66 /Gross 92 * 3rd: Roy Dhory – Net 67/ Gross 91 * Best Net Front-9: Mahesh Shivraj – Net 32 * Best Net Back-9: Eureka Giddings – Net 31 * NTP Ladies: Joann Deo * NTP Men: Mike Mangal

* Longest Drive Ladies: Shanella London * Longest Drive Men: Parmanand Persaud (Max) * Best Gross Ladies: Shanella London * Best Gross Men: Avinash Persaud Director of C&V Shipping Jennifer Prashad thanked all the golfers and staff at the Lusignan Golf Club and emphasised the company’s continued commitment to community outreach. Partnering with the LGC meant bringing together a shared vision to give back to the community.

“Our group of companies prides itself on offering the highest-tier service to its customers and, therefore, recognises the past and recent efforts that the Lusignan Golf Club has made in improving accountability and inclusivity.

C&V Caribbean Shipping offers its tournament sponsorship proudly to the Lusignan Golf Club,” Prashad said.

a friend. I’ve known him as Coach for more than half of my life and in many ways, he’s been like a dad to myself and my sister,” a tearful Perreira explained.

She continued, “Badminton was my saviour.

Coach, in many ways, was a saviour. Because of him, and his passion for badminton, our lives, like so many others, have changed. Badminton helped me stay fit, focused, connect with others and we all know that Coach had a tenacity for making people connect. He brought everyone together.”

Gokarn Ramdhani is remembered as an outspoken, opinionated, and passionate pioneer of the sport of badminton in Guyana.

KFC Marketing Representative Pamella Manasseh hands over the cheque to GABF President Michael Singh

B

The winners pose with their trophies

emotional teenager stated.

“Only recently, he took the time to speak with me personally, to encourage me to stay focused and keep on the right path, and this is one of the many examples of how Coach really cared about us. Not only was he a great role model to me, he was a great role model and father to Priyanna and Narayan,” Beharry shared before being reduced to tears.

Also sharing life-altering sentiments was Dr Anna Perreira, who used the sport as an escape from many of life’s challenges, thanks to the late Ramdhani.

“Each of you here know him in a different capacity: as a father, a husband, an uncle,

eharry Holdings Inc, through KFC Guyana, on Monday delivered its sponsorship package to the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) as Guyana prepare to compete in the inaugural AmeriCup 3×3 Basketball Tournament.

Men’s and women’s teams will represent their countries in what will be a basketball festival from November 12-14 at Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida.

To ensure Team Guyana’s participation in the tournament, KFC Guyana presented $1 million to Federation President Michael Singh at its Vlissengen Road location, as part of its corporate social responsibility mandate.

While wishing the players and the Federation well, Pamella Manasseh of the Marketing Department of KFC Guyana expressed gratitude to those who have supported the brand, thereby making the sponsorship a reality.

“Because without you, we can’t do it,” Manasseh said.

On the male side, Guyana will be represented by Timothy Thompson, Ryan Stephney, Nikolai Smith and Travis Burnett, while for the female championship, Spain-based Joy Adams, Petal Leacock, Kesann Charles and Jada Mohan will suit up for the country. Akeem Crandon and Stanton Rose are

the male substitutes.

“With these complements we intend to put a good showing in Miami. We don’t want it to be a one-sided affair; we’re going there to compete. As you know, the calibre of teams will be significant,” Singh pointed out.

In accepting the sponsorship, the GABF Head labelled KFC Guyana as a “core supporter” of basketball in Guyana.

“They’ve been very supportive on the youth level for a number of years,” he said.

“Organisations such as mine, especially when we’re trying to honour two international engagements per year – El Salvador earlier in April and making a tournament of this calibre in November— it’s always tough to put together a budget and honouring all the commitments of that budget. KFC today has assisted us tremendously and we promise to ensure we fly that KFC flag very high in Miami.” (guyanabasketball.com) Qualifying Draw (Men) Group A – Uruguay, Haiti, Jamaica Group B – Guatemala, Barbados, Aruba Group C – Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Guyana Should Guyana top Group C in the Qualifying Draw, they will earn a spot in Pool D alongside

the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

Qualifying Draw (Women) Trinidad and Tobago Guatemala Jamaica Guyana The winning team will qualify in Pool D alongside Brazil and the Dominican Republic.

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE House and Land situated at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. Tel# 500-1313

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

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

WANTED One Male Scrap Yard assistant. Must have motor cycle. Preferably from East Coast Demerara. Requirements: C.X.C English and Maths, Covid-19 Vaccinated and Valid Police Clearance. Call: 681-8140 One (1) live-in Housekeeper. Must know to cook and iron. Preferably from out of town. Requirements: Covid-19 Vaccinated, Valid Food Handlers Certificate and Valid Police Clearance. Contact: 681-8140

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

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

Pg 23

Pg 22

Eureka Giddings emerges winner of C&V Shipping Golf Tournament … earns free entry into GTT Guyana Open

Page 23 GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.

Pg 23