Guyana Times - Tuesday, September 14, 2021

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Issue No. 4770

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

VP Jagdeo arrives in Suriname to coordinate climate change strategy ahead of COP26 See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Anna Regina businessman, son injured during home P2 invasion

Man falls through P17 deplorable City Hall flooring

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo met President of the Republic of Suriname, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi; Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation Ambassador, Albert Ramdin and Minister of Spatial Planning & Environment, Silvano Tjoong-Ahin at the Presidential Palace in Suriname. Also in photo is Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

Amid COVID-19 pandemic

CJIA records steady increase in flights, passengers – almost 268,000 passengers processed since airport reopened – with 53 scheduled flights weekly Sophia double murder

Carpenter arraigned for murder of soldier, girlfriend Page 8

See story on page 7

81% of August COVID-19 deaths were unvaccinated

Page 16

…so were all 36 last week

Unvaccinated mother, daughter die from See story on page 10 COVID 7 days apart – family urges vaccination to save lives

PNCR P17 Executive, several others arrested for illegal procession

FITUG calls out Guyanese for lax attitude towards COVID measures P9 High Court refuses to grant injunction P15 suspending Town Clerk’s appointment

2 NEWS Pomeroon man dies after crashing boat into tree A TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

22-year-old labourer tragically lost his life on Sunday after he reportedly crashed the boat he was driving into a tree in the vicinity of Dredge Creek, Upper Pomeroon, Region Two. Dead is Raul Sandy of

Dredge Creek.

Based on reports received, the now dead man was reportedly returning home from funeral of a relative when he lost control of the boat, which was powered by an outdoor engine, and slammed into a tree.

The highly intoxicated man reportedly fell overboard, resulting in him receiving injuries.

However, after about 30 minutes, his body was pulled from the river. His face, Guyana Times understands, was disfigured.

Alleged alcoholic found floating in trench

T

he lifeless body of 51-year-old Seeree Tarawattie of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, was discovered floating in a trench in the area on Monday.

At the time of the discovery, he was clad in his underpants.

However, Guyana

Times understands that Tarawattie was an alcoholic and might have been drunk when he fell overboard. He reportedly lived alone.

According to residents, the man was last seen alive at about 19:00h on Sunday evening. They said that the

man was intoxicated and heading home.

Following the discovery, the Police did not find any mark of violence about his body. The body was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Dead: Raul Sandy

He was taken to the Oscar Joseph Hospital in

The tree that the young man crashed into

Charity where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body was then

transported to the Suddie Hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Anna Regina businessman, son injured during home invasion

Sanko Grocery Store located at Anna Regina

The injured businessman after the robbery

P

olice on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), are on the hunt for two men who brutally beat and robbed a businessman at Anna Regina on Sunday evening. Janack Darry Sanko, 55, was relieved of a Samsung A11 cellular phone, one pair of gold bangles and $700,000 in cash.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, at about 19:00h on the day in question, the businessman

was in his grocery store attending to two customers when two armed men confronted him.

He was reportedly held at gunpoint and taken to the upper flat of the building where he was severely beaten to his head as the men demanded cash. At the time of the robbery, his wife and son were also terrorised by the gunmen.

However, Sanko, who feared for his life, reportedly led the armed men to the lower flat of the building where he opened a safe and handed over the cash.

Not satisfied, the men took the man’s cellular phone, the gold bangles and a quantity of phone cards before making good their escape. After the men left, the businessman and his family raised an alarm and the Police were contacted.

The businessman reportedly suffered injuries to the head while his son, who fought off the bandits, was also injured to his leg. They were taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where they were treated.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Tuesday, Sept 14 – 11:00h – 12:30h and Wednesday, Sept 15 – 00:30h – 02:00h and 12:00h – 13:30h.

VP Jagdeo arrives in Suriname to coordinate climate change strategy ahead of COP26

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

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

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High Tide: 10:12h and 22:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.18 metres and 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 16:01h reaching a minimum height of 1.1 metre.

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Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and his Surinamese counterpart Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk in discussions on Monday

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo has arrived in neighbouring Suriname where he is expected to, among other things, coordinate a common strategy to deal with issues of climate change and the environment ahead of the COP26 Summit.

Jagdeo arrived in the Dutch-speaking nation on Monday and was greeted by his Surinamese counterpart Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk and Natural Resources and Forestry Minister David Abiamofo.

During the three-day working visit, Jagdeo is expected to engage a number of Surinamese Government officials. He is accompanied by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat.

Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and several of his Cabinet members made his second State visit to Guyana back in August where the leaders of the two South American nations discussed a number of areas of cooperation. One of the commitments was that Vice President Jagdeo would lead an expert mission to Suriname for bilateral discussions.

It is expected that the two countries will work together to develop a common strategy to deal with issues of climate change and the environment.

This visit is expected to be conducted before the COP26 Summit which is billed for November 1 to November 12 in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

President Dr Ali had told reporters during a joint press conference with his Surinamese counterpart that “both Guyana and Suriname recognise that we have a valuable asset in Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in this field of environment.”

As such, the Head of State announced that Jagdeo will soon “lead a delegation to Suriname before COP26 to look at the coordination of our strategies, and also to work with our counterparts in Suriname in coming up with a common strategy in dealing with climate change and the environment.”

According to a joint communique subsequently issued by the two Presidents, a working group will be established which will seek to come up with concrete proposals for a joint gas strategy. This will include the gas-to-shore infrastructure and a gas plant.

The COP26 Summit, which will be held in Glasgow, will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

When President Santokhi

and a Surinamese delegation arrived in Guyana in August for a four-day State visit, VP Jagdeo was attending the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. During the joint press conference, a Surinamese reporter asked President Ali about Jagdeo’s absence.

In responding, the Guyanese Head of State pointed out that “when you’re in Government, you have many competing demands. When you’re in Government, you don’t deal with a single task in a single day. And don’t for a moment believe that for us, this is the only task we’re dealing with.”

President Ali added “this strategic dialogue has always been at the level of the President and the Cabinet, so it’s just a matter of coincidence that the Houston conference was at the same time with this visit.”

President Ali further expressed that the issue being created over Jagdeo’s absence is an “invented nuance”. “There is nothing to it,” he affirmed.

In fact, he had reiterated that the Vice President would be in Suriname very soon to

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat interacting with Natural Resources and Forestry Minister of Suriname David Abiamofo

further talks with his counterparts there.

“The Vice President who is leading a delegation to Houston will be in Suriname to work with his counterparts on issues of the environment,” Ali had related.

COP (Conference of the Parties) are the 197 Parties (196 countries and the EU) that are signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a treaty agreed to in 1994. UN climate change conferences are among the largest international meetings in the world. The negotiations between governments are complex and involve officials from every country in the world, as well as representatives from civil society and the global news media.

Activity at a COP takes place in two different zones – the Blue Zone and the Green Zone.

The Blue Zone is for people registered with the UN body tasked with coordinating the global response to the threat of climate change. In the Blue Zone, delegates from countries meet for both formal negotia-

tions and informal consultations.

Participants may also take part in meetings with other delegations to clarify their positions and interests with the aim of reaching agreement or overcoming a negotiating deadlock.

The UNFCCC will also host a range of events, including technical briefings, to support the negotiations. The Green Zone is for the general public. There will be a wide range of events, including workshops, art exhibitions and installations, as well as presentations, demonstrations of technology and musical performances for participants to attend.

Vice President Jagdeo is expected to lead Guyana’s delegation to COP26.

In 2010, then President Jagdeo was awarded Champion of the Earth Award by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Just recently, United States Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presented Jagdeo a Certificate of Congressional Recognition in honour of his commitment to the environment, sustainable development, and green energy.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 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

Women and opportunities

O

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

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

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

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

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

There is a dire need for men to create behavioural change in their domestic and child-rearing engagements: the accrued benefits to the entire family would be manifold; and the satisfaction and happiness of family togetherness would redound to the well-being of everyone, not least the children.

If they grow up in an environment of caring and sharing, most likely they would become rounded adults, and incidents of juvenile delinquency would be reduced.

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

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

Through initiatives like “Women of Worth”, Government, in partnership with institutions like GBTI, has proven that providing enabling mechanisms can make a tangible impact on the lives of vulnerable women and, consequently, their children. By removing financial obstacles, the partnership with GBTI helped women realise their true potential through building businesses.

Through the WoW initiative, women used their acumen to grow local communities, build wealth, and ultimately contribute to making Guyana better as a whole.

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

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

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

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

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

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo arrived in Suriname on Monday and was greeted by his Surinamese counterpart Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk. During the three-day working visit, Jagdeo is expected to engage a number of Surinamese Government officials in several high-level discussions. He is accompanied by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

Responsibility of the Government for the greater good Dear Editor, I wish to state at the outset that I write this letter not as a lawyer but as a citizen of Guyana. A legal opinion on the factors that govern this topic is not appropriate here as it will be too lengthy.

COVID-19 and its variant off-shoots are now rooted in Guyana and we all need to be cognisant of this and its effects as the disease has no respect for anyone.

The Government has the responsibility to ensure that the nation is safe and in order to do this, regulations have been passed from time to time in which the freedom of assembly, freedom of association and the freedom of movement which are enshrined in Articles 147 and 148 of the Constitution of Guyana have been restricted.

The Government has promulgated regulations in which only vaccinated members of the public and employees are allowed into offices, banks, institutions, malls, supermarkets etc. If not vaccinated then an appointment has to be made by members of the public to be attended and a State employee has to produce a certificate of being COVID-free periodically. Article 149 A of the Constitution states that no person shall be hindered in the employment of his or her right to work, that is to say, the right to free choice of employment.

The question to be asked is whether the constitutional rights of the citizens of Guyana have been breached.

To answer this question, one has to look at the responsibility of a Government and at the Constitution. It is stated that a Government

is an institution through which leaders exercise powers to make and enforce laws. A Government’s basic functions are providing leadership, maintaining order, providing public services, providing national security, providing economic security, providing economic assistance and safeguarding the public health.

The effect of the restrictions employed by the Government is aimed to protect the public health of the nation by indirectly forcing everyone above twelve years of age to be vaccinated. Some members of the public are against the restrictions that they must be vaccinated so as to be able to work and that if they are to produce a certificate periodically to show that they are COVID-free then they demand that the Government should bear this cost.

They argue that they have a freedom of choice to be or not to be vaccinated.

They say that they have a freedom to enter and work even if they are not vaccinated and the concerns of those persons who are vaccinated and would wish to work in an environment that is COVID-free is no great matter. Those teachers who are not vaccinated and who are in the ranks of protesters seem to see nothing wrong for them to be with children who are not vaccinated.

I would wish at this point to refer to the Constitution of Guyana at Chapter 11 which is headed as follows – PRINCIPLES AND BASES OF THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEM where at Article 25 it is stated – Every citizen has a duty to participate

in activities designed to improve the environment and protect the health of the nation. Article 149 J states as follows – (1) Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to his or her health or well-being. (2) The State shall protect the environment, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures designed to – (a) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; (b) promote conservation; etc.

These Articles in addition to the case laws of what occurred in several other jurisdictions is the basis for what the Government is doing.

It is my view that the Government is correct to take the measures that necessitate vaccination and restrict the entry into public spaces unless a certificate of being COVID-free is produced periodically. When you live in a society of persons, you are subjected to restrictions. You just cannot do as you please and whether you recognise it or not, we all have been living with restrictions for centuries now.

You cannot walk naked on the road.

You cannot curse or abuse or slander a person publicly, you have to drive on the left side of the road, you have to be vaccinated for polio, chicken pox and other diseases as a child in order to attend school. You have to queue up to be served, to enter into a plane, to pass through immigration and customs, to drive a motor vehicle, even to build or reconstruct on your own land. You have to pass exams before you can practice as a doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher

and other professions.

Our daily life is full of restrictions which we do not recognise as such and they are not breaches of our constitutional rights. If you want to live in a society, you have to abide by the rules for the greater good. If not then find an island and live there.

The Government has to traverse a thin line between protecting the collective health and well-being of the public and curtailing the constitutional rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution. Our Constitution gives to the Government the responsibility of ensuring that the environment is not harmful to the health of the citizens.

The term environment can be safely argued to also mean that the Government must enact such laws that make the citizens safe from such diseases, pollutants, viruses or other matters that may be in the environment. Without a doubt, the COVID-19 virus is also being spread in the air and as such is in the environment.

The duty of the Government is to take such action so as to eradicate or minimise the spread and would be failing in their duty, if they did not.

However, when constitutional rights and freedom are being curtailed then there must be trust and solidarity between the Government and the public where both parties take responsibility. Unfortunately, one has to ask the question whether politics is playing a part in some persons and organisations which are resisting the measures taken by the Government.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

5

News Int’l, regional carriers

Airline applications to operate in Guyana with Minister – GCAA Director T

he various regional and international airlines that have expressed an interest in operating out of Guyana and have expressed same to the Government, are currently still going through the approval process at the ministerial level.

This is according to Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Egbert Field, when he was asked on the side lines of a recent event for an update on these airlines.

“It’s now at the ministerial level. InterCaribbean, they are receiving some favourable reviews. But it’s at the ministerial level. And the Minister will make the pronouncement on that,” Field explained to the media.

Guyana Times had previously reported on statements made by the then acting Director General of the GCAA, Chaitrani Heeralall, who had revealed that seven

airlines had signalled their interest in operating here.

The air service providers are Fly AllWays, InterCaribbean Airways, One Caribbean Limited, Jetair Caribbean, Skybus Airlines, Sky High Aviation Services and Guyana Rotorcraft Services Inc. Heeralall had explained that following the reopening of the airports last October, JetBlue Airways commenced operations, while American Airlines added New York along with its Miami route.

Meanwhile, Director of Air Transport Management, Saheed Sulaman had said at the time that before the airlines start operations in Guyana, they must complete an economic, safety and security assessment.

“In terms of the timeline for the process, a complete submission for the economic requirement, we can do that in a matter of two weeks, maximum three weeks. For the

GCAA Director, Lt Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field

safety assessment, the regulations require that applicants give us at least a minimum of 90 days’ notice for that; if they submit a complete package, it could be shorter. And for the security programme, in a matter of a month, I think, the guys could turn that around,” Sulaman said.

Additionally, he had said the timeline is dependent on the applicant submitting adequate information. Sulaman

said that once the internal review and processes are completed, a recommendation would be made to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who would then take it to Cabinet for approval.

Back in May of this year, InterCaribbean Airways Limited, based in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Fly Allways – two regional airlines that had expressed an interest in establishing flights

to and from Guyana – received Cabinet approval to operate locally.

At the time, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had revealed during an engagement with some other airlines that there were a number of other operators lined up to provide a service to the country.

“There are applications for other airlines that we’re considering. We’re continuing the conversation with Virgin, which has to go to the next level. The next stage is a call between the CEO of Virgin Atlantic and myself, to see if we can get some accommodation on the way forward,” the Minister had explained.

A number of commercial carriers have reintroduced flights to and from Guyana since the Government moved to reopen the airports in October. One such airline was American Airlines, which restarted late last year.

Eastern Airlines also introduced four flights weekly from

Miami and New York, while COPA Airlines started three flights weekly from Panama.

Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) also started flying between CJIA and the Lester B Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada.

JetBlue also launched its commercial flight between New York and Guyana in December of 2020. The airline had originally announced the new route between New York City and Georgetown in September 2019, but temporarily paused the sale of seats and adjusted the launch schedule in response to changes in global travel demand.

Local authorities had closed the country’s borders – including the two main international airports – since March 2020, after the first imported case of COVID-19 was detected. From then to August, the CJIA recorded losses of over one billion dollars due to the pandemic.

A point of view on mental health Responsibility of the...

FROM PAGE 4

Dear Editor, Picture for a moment: you have a physical illness and your doctor tells you your treatment will be based on archaic, out of date guidelines and principles, rather than modern procedures based on international standards. You have no choice, you will be deprived of your liberty and your rights taken away, if you don’t comply. Imagine the outcry, protest from the public and professions, and using all means necessary to challenge what is being done to you.

Yet, there has been a deafening silence from the public, professionals and advocates over the years, when it comes to mental health. In Guyana, it seems mental health is viewed by many as a Cinderella service, of low priority, underfunded and not deserving of advocacy. Even the Attorney General in a press report in Guyana Times, August 28, 2021, has reiterated that mental health prior to incarceration must be assessed. That’s the reality of psychiatric care for many in Guyana, today. You can be detained without an assessment.

To understand what is happening today, we must reflect on the inactions of past, the failure of various authorities and a lack of vision by policy makers to reform the mental health leg-

islative framework – The Mental Health Ordinance of 1930.

Thirty years ago, The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) – the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) (1990) adopted the Declaration of Caracas.

This Declaration states that national legislation must be redrafted if necessary, so that, the human and civil rights of mentally ill patients are safeguarded. This should be applied without any discrimination of any kind, to all persons who are admitted to a mental health facility.

Countries should implement these principles through appropriate legislative, judicial, administrative, educational and other measures, which they shall review periodically. Thirty years later, after people with mental ill health have been stigmatised, labelled and described as deranged and idiots, the Ordinance of 1930 is being redrafted by Guyana Government.

So what of the future?

I am hopeful the redrafted bill will include the voice of the user, people with mental ill health who have experience in using mental health services. That the redrafted bill has: • a charter of mental health rights to counter the discrimination, inequality and stigma prevalent in Guyanese society today;

• a mental health commission is created to supervise, monitor and carry out audits on detained mental health patients with an easily accessible appeals process.

• a safeguarding agency to protect rights, preserve safety and promote best practice in terms of assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of people with mental ill health both in hospitals, community residential services, in the public and private sectors.

• a centralised training analysis and matrix developed, to ensure people are supported by staff and agencies that have the appropriate and relevant knowledge and core skills to do the job for which they are employed.

Aside from the redrafted bill, Chapter 8:01 Section 96 of the Criminal Offences Act needs reform too, as it criminalises people with mental ill health who attempt suicide. It’s ironic that by seeking help you are potentially committing a crime on a Government sponsored hotline. That is why mental health in Guyana needs root and branch reform, and the redrafted bill is a good place to start.

Sincerely, Devv Ramdas – The Caribbean Voice Technical Team

It looks that way at times.

My body, my choice! My right to choose! You cannot tell me what to do! The public relations in the fight against the disease have been poor! Not enough education has been done! These are some of the points that those who oppose vaccinations have been touting. I have seen and heard a lot of education and encouragement in favour of the vaccine in the media and perhaps a new look at what is being published should be looked at.

Science is in favour of the vaccine and this has been recognised universally from the WHO to the United Nations.

As far as I am aware, no country has stated that the vaccine is not recommended. Those who are against it should produce their scientific materials so that it can be examined. I saw in the media recently, a Member of Parliament from APNU downgrading vaccination and touting that herbal remedies can fight the disease. Others have asked him to produce the scientific data to back his assertion and I also join, to ask him to please educate us. I wish to ask him if he has been vaccinated and if so, why? Please tell us! My last question is to those persons who do not want to be vaccinated. That is your choice and I respect it but if you get the disease and have to be hospitalised at the public institutions and more so at the COVID Hospital, who should bear the cost of your treatment?

I estimate that if you were to be a patient and being

treated at a private hospital, your bill will be in excess of $100,000 per day. Why should the State bear this cost? If you infect others and they have to be hospitalised, why should you not be responsible for the costs and loss that they suffer? I would be grateful for the answers.

Lastly, I cannot sup-

port the contention that the Government or any Private Sector employer should pay for periodical testing of employees to certify that a person is COVID-free. What absolute nonsense.

Sincerely, KA Juman-Yassin SC, AA

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Page

Foundation

By Sarah Josepha Hale

Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow; And everywhere that Mary went The lamb was sure to go.

Pole race At the turn of the 20th century, explorers and scientists raced to be the first to reach the North and South Poles.

Robert Scott of Great Britain and Roald Amundsen of Norway both mounted expeditions to the South Pole in 1910. Captain Scott, a commander in the Royal Navy, planned to conduct scientific experiments and place an English flag at the Pole. Amundsen told his investors that he would just be studying the polar sea, but secretly planned to be the first to reach the South Pole.

Amundsen announced his intentions by sending a telegram to Scott’s ship: “Beg leave inform you [I am] proceeding [to the] Antarctic.” The race was on. After arriving in Antarctica, both expeditions set up base camps. Amundsen’s camp was closer to the South Pole, he did not carry heavy equipment to conduct scientific experiments, and he used dogs to pull his four sledges across the icecap. Able to travel quickly and carry less weight, Amundsen reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911.

Describe a typical day in the camps.

It followed her to school one day, Which was against the rule; It made the children laugh and play To see a lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned it out, But still it lingered near, And waited patiently about Till Mary did appear.

Why does the lamb love Mary so?

The eager children cry; Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know, The teacher did reply.

Source: The Dorling Kindersley Book of Nursery Rhymes (2000)

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Amid COVID-19 pandemic

CJIA records steady increase in flights, passengers – almost 268,000 passengers processed at CJIA since airport reopened – with 53 scheduled weekly flights

S

ince the reopening of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) late last year, flights and passengers have steadily been ramped up to the point where almost 268,000 passengers have been processed.

Statistics on the airport’s operations were provided on Sunday by CJIA Chairman and Member of Parliament, Sanjeev Datadin. According to Datadin, 267,996 passengers have been processed since the airport reopened in October of last year. This represents a 68 per cent increase in passenger movement.

“Since we’ve reopened the airport, a total of 132,935 persons have arrived since the reopening. Of that number 108,943 were this year, 2021. The total number of passengers processed since the reopening of the airport is significantly higher.”

“It’s 267,996 passengers, with 225,406 being this year, 2021. Compared to 2020, passenger move-

ment are up 68 per cent.

And we’re at approximately 51 per cent of our 2019 numbers,” Datadin said.

According to Datadin, there are currently 52 scheduled passenger flights per week out of CJIA. This includes American Airlines with seven flights weekly to the JFK airport and the Miami International airport each.

Additionally, Jet Blue operates seven flights weekly to JFK, while COPA Airlines operates four flights per week. Caribbean Airlines, meanwhile, does six flights weekly to JFK, two to Toronto and one flight to Miami.

“In terms of flights, we’ve had 2473 in international flights recorded since October 2020, which is when we reopened the airport. International landings, which we’re very keen on since that is where we make money, are up 85 per cent over 2020 and its only 18 per cent lower than it was in 2019.”

Guyana closed its borders, including the CJIA and Eugene F Correia airports, back in March of 2020 days after the country recorded its first COVID-19 case. Since then, local authorities had granted approval for special repatriation flights to be operated out of CJIA to bring home Guyanese stranded overseas as well as to take home foreign nationals stuck here.

The airports were reopened to international commercial flights in October, though with various protocols in place to guard against the virus.

There were preconditions including the necessary accreditation from the international oversight bodies and strict guidelines to guard against the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In addition to the mandatory protective gears that had to be worn onboard the aircraft, passengers would also have to be in possession of a negative PCR test which can be done in two cate-

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport

gories. The first had to be within 72 hours of the flight which, if negative, would see the passenger being processed and allowed to leave freely; while the second had to be within seven days of travelling.

In August 2020, CJIA had reported an over $1 billion loss in revenue since its closure in March that year.

Minister within the Public

Works Ministry Deodat Indar had said that the airport corporation lost approximately $200 million per month.

Chief Executive Officer of the CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, had confirmed to this newspaper that the CJIA Corporation lost just over $1 billion in revenues up to August 2020.

This, he noted, could be attributed to income gener-

ated from both passenger movement and airport operation.

Ghir had explained that operations for the first three months of the year were good, but during the period April to July 2020, passenger traffic declined by 228,936 persons, or 95 per cent of passenger traffic when compared to the same period in 2019.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sophia double murder

Carpenter arraigned for murder of soldier, girlfriend

Dead: Daniel Fraser

Dead: Sheniqua Hodge

ollowing an alleged confession, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has charged 23-yearold Koabe Grant with the murders of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal and his girlfriend, which occurred on September 1. The double murder accused was arraigned before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool on Monday at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Grant was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on September 1, at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he murdered 26-year-old Daniel Fraser and his girlfriend, Sheniqua Hodge. He was remanded to prison until October 30.

Georgetown home, and went to the residence of the alleged rape victim.

He said he later left the relatives home on a black BMX bicycle and was on his way to visit a friend when he saw Fraser imbibing at a shop in C Field, Sophia. He claimed that the now dead man threatened him while making derogatory remarks about his relative whom he allegedly raped.

As such, grant reportedly told ranks that he went back to his mother’s house and collected a handgun which he found some time back at the Black Bridge in Sophia. He then went back to the friend’s home and while approaching a bridge that leads to C Field Sophia, Fraser and a few other persons were about to cross the said bridge, and as such, he turned back and went to B Field, Sophia.

Shortly after, he reportedly saw Fraser and Hodge on a motorcycle. Another man was behind them on another motorcycle, he added. He related that upon seeing him, Fraser shouted, “Look he deh hey.”

At that time, Grant reportedly told ranks that he whipped out the gun from the crotch of his pants and discharged several rounds

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Confession

Police Headquarters said that Grant confessed to killing the soldier and his 23-year-old girlfriend.

During interrogations, he reportedly told detectives that Fraser and two other men allegedly raped his close relative, and ever since the now dead man was in the habit of disrespecting and threatening him.

He reportedly told ranks that at around 20:30h on September 1, he left his mother’s Meadow Brook,

in the direction of the couple.

After committing the act, he claimed that he dropped the gun and escaped into A Field Sophia, where he took off his clothes, left them on a dam, and went back to his mother’s home, where he remained until he was arrested last week Wednesday.

Guyana Times understands that investigators were able to confirm that Grant’s relative did make a report on May 27, 2021, that she was allegedly raped by Fraser and another member of the GDF. In that report, she claimed that the incident took place in February 2021, but out of embarrassment, she had refused to seek medical attention. The rape matter is still being investigated.

Police report

Fraser, of Lot 598 A Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and Hodge, formerly of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and of Barbados, were riddled with bullets moments after leaving a party in C Field Sophia.

In fact, a post-mortem performed on their bodies proved that Fraser died from one gunshot injury to the chest, while his girlfriend died from multiple gunshot injuries.

It was reported that on the day in question, the now dead couple was at a party at C Field Sophia, but left for home at about 23:30h on motorcycle CK 9296. As they were heading along the last street in B Field Sophia, they were confronted by a man on a bicycle, who discharged several rounds at them before fleeing.

Police initially stated that Fraser died on the spot, while Hodge succumbed on the way to the hospital. He reportedly sustained two

T

Murder accused: Koabe Grant

gunshot wounds to the chest in the vicinity of the heart, while Hodge received three gunshot injuries – one to the chest, one to her right knee, and one to the right-side abdomen.

Hodge reportedly arrived in Guyana in July to sort out some documents to join the Barbados Defence Force.

Relatives had told Guyana Times that after she arrived in Guyana, she and Fraser met for the first time, but before that, they would communicate over the phone.

Investigators had stated that the now dead woman is the mother of a four-yearold boy from a previous relationship which ended. After the relationship came to an end, the child’s father had threatened to kill the woman several times after she and Fraser started a relationship.

After the shooting incident, the man was arrested and questioned. During interrogation, he held out that he was not involved in the execution-style killing of the two young people.

Fire Chief on bail for removing fireman’s name from promotion list

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ire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo was not required to answer to a private criminal charge filed against him by fireman Neville Cumberbatch, who is challenging the removal of his name from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) promotion list.

Edoo was arraigned on Monday before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Cumberbatch alleged that Edoo, having statutory and general superintendence of the GFS, unlawfully discriminated against him on or around JuneAugust 2021, by removing his name from a list of persons deemed eligible for

Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo

consideration for promotion which was approved on

January 29, 2021, by former Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle.

Cumberbatch deposed that he was removed from the promotion list based on disciplinary infractions, while other ranks facing equal or more egregious disciplinary infractions were retained. He contended that his removal is contrary to Section 5 (2) (d) of the Prevention of Discrimination Act. Edoo, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj, was released on $10,000 bail. His next court date is October 11.

Cumberbatch has retained lawyer Eusi Anderson.

According to reports,

Moving on…

Cumberbatch is among 30 firefighters who had moved to challenge a decision by the Home Affairs Ministry to block their promotion.

They said that their promotion was blocked due to disciplinary actions levelled against them for which they have not been given a hearing.

The ranks said that their colleagues were retained on the list despite their disciplinary infractions. The Fire Service ranks said that the removal of their names from the promotion list is “arbitrarily, capriciously and unlawful” and have threatened to file a constitutional action against the Fire Chief.

TURN TO PAGE 15

…with Caribbean unity he Caribbean was the crucible for the European experiment to create a world order based not just on economic “accumulation by dispossession”, but by conquering the minds of the “natives” to create Brother Bob’s “mental slavery”. So after granting us “independence”, we should’ve suspected that such a state of being wasn’t gonna be that easy. Across the Atlantic, Nkrumah had warned of “neo-colonialism”, but, of course, he was soon overthrown for his boldness!

Anyhow, here in the West Indies – or “Caribbean” if you’d have it – after Jagan and his communist alternative were similarly deposed, the “independent” leaders attempted to float several “unity” initiatives to break out of their underdevelopment status. There was the freetrade CARIFTA (1968), closer Caricom (1973) and finally the “community” aspiration of the CSME (2002). They were, of course, ironically cogging wholesale from their erstwhile European masters and ignoring that their circumstances were clearly completely different!! But then the mental slavery convinced our leaders we were “European” in everything but colour, hadn’t it?

Anyhow, CSME was quickly placed on “pause” – remote control for electronic devices had obviously reached the Caribbean with their “pause” buttons!! – when absolutely no progress was made after a decade of talk, more talk and “agreements”. So what to do? Well…do as the British did for centuries whenever there was a spot of bother and the natives were getting restless – appoint a Commission to look into the matter and make recommendations!!

So, as the ROAR FELLA outlined in his column last Sunday, a “Caricom Commission on the Economy” was duly established in 2019 to suggest how the integration goals of the CSME could be jump-started. The brain trust of 10 eminent world-class experts concluded it wasn’t that the leaders didn’t know what to do…there were reams of analyses gathering dust in various repositories!! The failure of implementation was due to them just not having the “will power”!! In their Report, they suggested there were just too many “Little Caesars” – your Eyewitness’s words!! – in Caricom (15!) to get consensus – too many cooks! Maybe a like-minded few could take the lead in a smaller “enhanced” Union!!

What the ROAR fella noted was that Guyana and Suriname had already taken some bold steps to integrate their economies. There was the bridge across the Corentyne, coordinating their climate change response and their oil and gas development with its attendant local content mandates and a slew of deepened financial integration that lubricates modern economies’ insertion into a globalised world.

Trouble is…they just don’t have the experience with an oil economy. But – voila! – next door Trinidad has 100 years of it!!

Just invite them to join up!! And watch the rest get into line!! …with Cricket With the COVID-19 pandemic becoming a tsunami, the pall hanging over our heads keeps getting darker. Your Eyewitness being a cricket fanatic, it’s only the “glorious game of uncertainty” that keeps him going when he’s “feeling down and wearin’ a frown”! So when the powers that be decided to call off the Test between England and India he was thrown for a loop. Especially after that doozy that preceded it!!

But we can’t take our chances with this Covid, can we?? The infections in the Indian camp made the decision a no-brainer. But good for your Eyewitness, there’s still his favourite team the Guyana Amazon Warriors in that most exciting of tournaments – the CPL – once again justifying his faith!! Last night, for a few hours, they were on top of the standings your Eyewitness didn’t waste much time, but celebrated to the max!! They’re now into the semis and this is gonna be their year – it’s written in the stars!!

Just look up – and say a prayer!! …with CJIA They say that “good things come to those who wait”.

Well, we’ve been waiting for the modernised CJIA since 2013, so we know this is going to be very, very good!!

Third “opening”?

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

9 President Ali conferred with Paul Harris Fellow Award NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali was on Monday conferred with the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award at State House, Main Street, Georgetown.

President Ali, who received two pins and a certificate from President of the Rotary Club, Ramona Singh, credited the not-for-profit organisation for its continuous and sustained approach to improving the livelihood of communities.

He said that Rotary has led by example in fighting hunger and other social issues.

President Ali received the award from President of the Rotary Club, Ramona Singh

“I was very pleased to see members of the Rotary playing a leading role in the vaccination drive for the children. I think that these things are great examples, not only for us as leaders but great examples for the rest of Guyana as to how we support each other, how we can work together in helping each other and making our society more humane and making our society one in which humanity wins at the end of the day.”

Singh stated that the award is a tradition of the Rotary Club of Georgetown that started with Guyana’s

first President Arthur Chung. In addition, she pointed out that the Paul Harris Fellow Award holds special meaning to the club and it coincides with the Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.

Along with becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, the President also received a pin as a patron of the Rotary Club of Georgetown. The Paul Harris Fellow Award is one of the highest honours the club can bestow on a person.

Harris was the founder of the not-for-profit organisation.

FITUG calls out Guyanese for lax attitude towards COVID measures

– says only way out of pandemic is inoculation

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he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has expressed concern over the rising number of COVID-19 infections and deaths being recorded in Guyana.

It added that though not confirmed, Guyana is now gripped by the Delta variant which is more virulent than previous variants and is at the root of the rising infections.

FITUG said that despite several warnings, it has observed that Guyanese continue to adopt a lax attitude when it comes to adhering to the COVID measures which are in place to protect them from the virus.

“It is disturbing that many mature individuals have taken such a relaxed approach, potentially exposing themselves and their family members to the dreaded virus. Additionally, we are concerned about the hosting and organising of gatherings which can pro-

mote the rapid spread of the virus. Given the rising spate of cases, it is prudent in our view to ensure that gatherings are kept to a minimum and appropriate restrictions be enforced to protect the health of all Guyanese,” FITUG said.

It added that the way out of the pandemic is linked to inoculation, adding that it recognises that there are many who continue to spread misinformation to the detriment of the vaccination programme. The Union body said that it is a scientific fact that vaccination reduces the risk of severe infection.

“We have learnt recently that most who have become critically ill or have succumbed either have not been vaccinated or not ful-

ly vaccinated. The FITUG again urges all Guyanese to take advantage of the Government’s vaccination programme.

“Linked to the question of vaccines has been the recent expressions regarding regulations on unvaccinated Guyanese. This is a matter that is now engaging the attention of the Judiciary.

As a responsible organisation, the FITUG will refrain from offering any comment but await the decision of the courts. In the meantime, we believe, as individuals we must take every precaution to protect ourselves. We urge social distancing, regular sanitation and wearing of appropriate masks correctly. Such efforts together with vaccinations could lead us out of the pandemic and

allow our lives to return to what they once were.”

In response to the rise in COVID-19 deaths and cases, the Government has mandated that any person wishing to enter a public building must be vaccinated.

Any unvaccinated person who wants to enter a public building must make an appointment and present a negative PCR test.

Since the Government’s COVID-19 immunisation programme began in February this year, a total of 334,333 adults have received their first jab of a vaccine, representing 65.2 per cent of the population.

On the other hand, 33.9 per cent or 173,999 persons are fully vaccinated.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said from these numbers, Guyana still has a long way to go to achieve herd immunity.

In the case of the Johnson and Johnson jabs, these are single-dose vaccines which are primarily

being used in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Meanwhile, with regards to the children population, 21.5 per cent have received their first jab of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine. This represents 18,299 persons.

To date, of the 687 persons who have died as a result of the virus, 384 are males while 303 are females.

In the last week, the country registered 36 deaths – all of whom were unvaccinated.

There are currently 129 persons hospitalised with the virus, 29 of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

House Speaker to address Unvaccinated mother, daughter India’s Parliament on die from COVID 7 days apart International Day of Democracy – family urges vaccination to save lives

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir and Speaker of the Parliament of India’s Lok Sabha, Om Birla

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peaker of Guyana’s National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir has been invited by Speaker of the Parliament of India’s Lok Sabha, His Excellency Om Birla, to make a presentation on International Day of Democracy which is celebrated on September 15, annually.

To commemorate the momentous occasion, the Lok Sabha has organised an online conference on September 15, 2021, at 20:30h on the theme, “Role of Legislature in Fostering Effective and Meaningful Democracy”.

International Day of Democracy creates an avenue to evaluate the current

state of democracy in the world. Civil society, the international community, national governing bodies and individuals participate to foster the greater good of a living democracy for everyone.

The conference will be attended by the Speaker, virtually.

A

jay Persaud, a 38-year-old taxi driver of Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is struggling to come to grips with the fact that both his mother and sister have died as a result of the novel coronavirus.

Bibi Persaud, 68, died on August 31 and then on

September 7, her 47-yearold daughter, Davita Wong, met her demise.

Persaud, who was a mother of six, was hospitalised for some 14 days and died whilst receiving care at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (Ocean View facility) at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Wong, a mother of five, also died at that facility.

They were both unvaccinated.

Reports are that sometime in early August, the mother started to experience symptoms associated with the virus, particularly the loss of smell. During the same period, the daughter, who usually visited the mother, started to develop similar symptoms – the most prominent being shortness of breath.

The mother and daughter were encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 and when their results returned positive, they were immediately isolated.

In an interview with Guyana Times, the devastated Persaud explained that the deaths of his mother and sister have shocked the entire family.

“It was hard, it was really hard, you make joke fuh lose your mother and sister one time, it nah was easy,” he expressed.

In the case of the 68-yearold woman, she suffered from hypertension (high blood pressure) which compounded her condition.

On the other hand, Persaud said he spoke to his

sister and medical personnel on the morning of her demise, and was informed that she was in stable condition.

However, about an hour later, he received the dreaded news.

“Come on, they not telling we the truth! You telling we the people them come around, everything alright and next thing you gon call back and tell we them dead,” the man expressed.

While Persaud could not provide a reason for his family members not taking the vaccine, he believes if they had at least one dose, maybe they would have been alive today.

“If they had the vaccine, they would’ve had a better chance because nuff body that I know get this corona and get them vaccine and they recovered,” he explained.

The aggrieved man, who is fully vaccinated, is pleading with the public to play their part in the fight against the pandemic, by taking the vaccine and following all protocols such as washing hands, sanitising, social distancing, and wearing masks.

“All what I telling people is to just go take them vaccine and take precautions.”

To date, a total of 687 persons have died as a result of COVID-19 since the virus was detected in Guyana on March 11, 2020. For the month of September, a total of 62 persons lost their lives to the deadly virus – all of whom were unvaccinated.

(Amar Persaud)

Woman tied up, robbed after gunmen storm home

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43-year-old woman of Lamaha Park, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is now traumatised after four armed men invaded her property in the wee hours of Monday and carted off with several items.

The robbery took place at about 03:00h. The men reportedly escaped with a television set, a wood drill and three Samsung cell phones.

Police stated that at about 03:00h on the day in question, the woman who lives

alone was asleep while her bedroom door was left open.

However, she was awakened by the four armed men, who were pointing guns at her.

The men then demanded money and valuables as they tied the victim’s hands with her bedsheet. They then ransacked the victim’s house during which they found the articles. The men then made good their escape in an unknown direction.

The Police were subsequently contacted and an investigation was launched.

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High Court refuses to grant injunction suspending Town Clerk’s appointment H

igh Court Judge Jo Ann Barlow has refused to grant the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown an interim injunction against the Local Government Commission (LGC) suspending a decision of the latter to appoint Candace Nelson as Town Clerk.

In a ruling handed down on Monday, Justice Barlow also dismissed an application filed by the LGC to strike out the M&CC’s claim.

Arguing that they were not consulted on Nelson’s appointment and that she is not qualified for the post, the M&CC is contending that her appointment is unlawful.

With the court refusing to grant the injunctive relief, it will now proceed with hearing the substantive application. The M&CC and LGC are being represented

by Attorneys-at-Law Teni Housty and CV Satram, respectively.

The LGC was granted 14 days from Monday to file its defence.

However, the M&CC was granted seven days to reply if necessary. The matter comes up again on October 6 at 15:00h for Case Management Conference (CMC) at the Demerara High Court.

Satram has countered submissions by the M&CC of Nelson’s appointment being unlawful. According to counsel, the LGC, as a constitutional body, exercised its independent mind to the question of eligibility and suitability when it ap-

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

pointed Nelson to the post of Town Clerk.

But M&CC’s lawyer, Teni Housty, said that no consultations were held with the relevant stakeholders regarding the appointment.

“The context of consultation to which we refer is linked to Section 37 of the Local Government Commission Act. In so far as a decision is being made in relation to the staffing of thousands of Local Government organs, the impact of the decision makes the [M&CC] liable to be consulted,” he had submitted.

The lawyer said that the minutes of previous meetings held by the LGC show that consultations were held in the past concerning the appointment of a Town Clerk. He said, “In the minutes, in their own [LGC] affidavits they have demonstrated a previous practice of consultations. They have

highlighted the duty of cooperation that is enshrined in the statute.”

He contended that the M&CC should have an input in the process of identifying a person to serve as Town Clerk. Asked whether this takes away from the independence of the LGC in selecting and appointing a Town Clerk, Housty said, “No please your honour.

What it does is adds further strength to their process.”

Last month, the M&CC instituted judicial review proceedings against the LGC challenging its “unilateral” appointment of Nelson.

In a Fixed Date Application (FDA), the M&CC submitted that it was not included in consultations on her appointment, and as such, she “is acting without lawful authority,” and continues to disrupt the smooth and efficient functioning of the Council.

The M&CC cited Nelson for taking disruptive actions which pose serious ongoing and continuing breaches that compromise the sanctity of the Council’s operations. She is also being accused of influencing the records of the M&CC’s statutory meetings by deleting matters from minutes of meetings and seeking to dictate the contents of the agenda of later meetings.

Court documents state that she suspended a tendering process that began months before her appointment and has potentially compromised the ability of the M&CC to honour its con-

Fire Chief on bail...

Police promotion

Last December, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus challenged a decision of the now-defunct Police Service Commission (PSC) to promote several Police Officers who have pending disciplinary matters ahead of him. Following the initial challenge, several other senior officers were added as interested parties.

Among other things, Brutus contended that he was bypassed for promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner even though he was recommended for promotion by the Top Cop and due to frivolous allegations of indiscipline against him for which he has not been called upon to defend.

According to Brutus, his colleagues who were promoted in front of him are facing serious allegations of indiscipline.

On June 28, Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, dismissed Brutus’ application and held that the court could not say that the PSC acted unlawfully in taking into

consideration disciplinary matters. “There is nothing unfair in the Commission or any employer for that matter taking into consideration disciplinary issues in determining whether an employee should be promoted,” she underscored in her ruling.

“It would not be for this court to determine what is a minor or serious infraction.

This would require the court to embark on a fact-finding investigation that is solely within the power of the Commission. These matters will have to be addressed by detailed regulations on promotions,” Justice George had noted.

In her decision, Justice George stressed the need for a comprehensive regulation governing disciplinary and promotion procedures in the Guyana Police Force. Hours after the case was dismissed, the PSC released its promotion list for 2020 which the Government rejected as “unlawful” and “illegal”.

In doing so, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, had reminded that the PSC was suspended by President

FROM PAGE 8

Dr Irfaan Ali on June 16, in accordance with powers conferred upon him by the Constitution of Guyana.

The PSC was suspended by the Head of State after its Chairman, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe, as well as its Commissioners, were slapped with fraud charges.

The PSC, however, argued that its suspension is unlawful and unconstitutional and has filed proceedings in the High Court to have it quashed. Among the respondents in its application is President Ali. But the Attorney General has filed a Notice of Application in which he seeks to have the President struck from being a party to the proceedings.

Being immune from suit, Nandlall argued that the President ought not be named in the action, as it contravenes Article 182 of the Constitution as well as Section 10 of the State Liability and Proceedings Act. Justice Gino Persaud will rule on Nandlall’s application this Friday.

Candace Nelson

tractual and other financial obligations. She is also being accused of failing to facilitate a proper handover of the M&CC’s assets.

Unless Nelson is removed, the M&CC said she will further disrupt the Council’s business.

Nelson was appointed after the LGC wrote to then acting Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick and instructed her to return to her substantive position of Assistant Town Clerk, effective July 27. LGC Chairman, Julius Faerber had recently said the decision to remove Jerrick was a unanimous one.

“That decision was unanimously voted in favour of, and when I said unanimously, there were seven Commissioners who were present at that time, and all seven of them voted in favour of having Ms Jerrick return to her substantive position. That was the situation that occurred,” he had told a news conference.

According to Faerber, the decision to appoint Nelson is in keeping with the authority vested in the Local

Government Commission under Sections 12 and 13 of the Local Government Commission Act. Specifically, he pointed to Section 13 (2), which states: “The Commission shall have the power to deal with all matters relating to the staffing of Local Government organs, and in particular shall be responsible for employment, transfer, discipline, and dismissal of staff.”

Nelson left one of the Council’s recent statutory meetings after Mayor Ubraj Narine indicated that the Council would not recognise or include her in the proceedings. Meanwhile, an earlier meeting of the Council was aborted after the Mayor and Councillors protested her appointment and demanded that she leave but Nelson did not budge.

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

partners with 81% of August COVID-19 GCCI GOGEC to organise GEC-X deaths were unvaccinated …so were all 36 last week

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tatistics have shown that 81 per cent of the COVID-19 deaths for the month of August were unvaccinated, ratifying warnings from health officials that unimmunised persons are at serious risk.

Records showed that 76 persons died in August. Of the 76, 62 persons who were unvaccinated succumbed to the virus.

The data showed that 16 per cent of deaths (12) received partial vaccination or one dose, while three per cent (2) were fully-vaccinated. A breakdown of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions for the month were 81 per cent unvaccinated persons, 14 per cent partially vaccinated and five per cent fully vaccinated.

Previously in July, 94 per cent or 61 persons who were not vaccinated succumbed to the virus while three per cent (2) received one dose of a COVID vaccine while another three per cent (2) were unvaccinated. 65 people were victims of COVID-19 in July.

The ICU admissions for the same month was 95 per cent unvaccinated, two per cent partially vaccinated and three per cent vaccinated.

However, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony announced on Monday that the 36 persons who succumbed from the virus last week were all unvaccinated as well, raising the burning question as to why people haven’t taken their jab.

“What is important to note is that in the last week, the 36 deaths that we have had, all of them were unvaccinated. It begs the question of why is it that people are not getting vaccinated because we know that if you’re vaccinated, then you wouldn’t be getting the severe form of the disease and coming into the hospital,” he said.

To date, there have been 687 reported deaths between when the pandemic first started in March 2020 to present. A breakdown showed that 55 per cent or 384 persons were male and 303 were females.

A few weeks ago, the Minister had warned that unvaccinated persons are at very high risk of get-

ting infected and hospitalised. This variant, which was first detected in India, is said to be the most contagious yet as authorities continue to track the spread which it has caused. In fact, the transmissibility is said to be twice higher than the UK’s Alpha variant.

“This one is very severe and what they have noted is that people who are unvaccinated would be the persons who would be getting infected with this variant more often. So, unvaccinated persons are going to be at higher risk of getting infected with this particular variant. There is also that possibility that even if you had an infection before, that you can get reinfected,” he was quoted as saying.

Since the virus was first detected in the Wuhan province of China, there have been several mutations.

From the first-discovered Alpha strain in the United Kingdom last year, authorities have moved to trace the Beta and Gamma variants.

However, the Delta variant has been dominant in many countries, including the US and UK. It has caused a resurgence of infections in Portugal and current spikes in Russia.

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he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has partnered with the Guyana Oil & Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) to organise the Guyana Energy Conference & Exhibition (GEC-X).

GCCI, in a statement, announced that it is being supported by the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), the Private Sector Commission of Guyana (PSC) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association (THAG).

The GEC-X is slated for February 14 and 15, 2022.

It seeks to embrace full local content in its planning, organising, production and delivery. The partnership of the GCCI with GOGEC, with support from the GMSA, PSC and THAG, creates the first locally organised and executed energy conference in the history of Guyana.

“This watershed moment is buttressed by the confer-

ence’s use of local suppliers which will ensure that maximum benefit accrues to the local Private Sector through ensuring in-country value retention. Further, all surplus made from the conference will remain in the coffers of the local Business Support Organisations (BSOs). This will be channelled towards supporting the organisations’ Private Sector development programmes and continued work to lift the standards and capacity of the local Private Sector,” GCCI said.

The organising entities anticipate full support for the conference.

The GEC-X is expected to be held under the theme “Powering the Future”. It is intended to move the energy discussion beyond oil and gas, by bringing together foreign and local investors and the Government in productive engagements to seek collaborations that will lead to transformative energy projects.

Multimillion-dollar gold heist

Newspaper vendor remanded for allegedly harbouring wanted man

From left charged: Peon Lee, Keyon King, and Delroy Jackson Wanted: Antonio Maraj called “Pluckin” or “Thuggy”, Jamal Hazel and Dequan King called “Titus” or “Quanie”

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North East La Penitence, Georgetown newspaper vendor has been remanded to prison for harbouring a man who is wanted by the Police for a multimillion-dollar robbery committed on Wallison Enterprise which occurred early last month.

On Friday, Akeem Rajkumar was brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on August 7, at Leopold Street, Georgetown, while knowing Antonio Maraj called “Thuggy” and others committed an armed robbery, he received, comforted, and harboured the

said Maraj. The defendant was represented by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade.

Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummel told the court that Rajkumar admitted to the offence. As such, she made serious objections to him being released on bail. After listening to submissions from the prosecution and defence, acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus remanded Rajkumar to prison.

The case will be called again on October 19.

Already charged

Thirty-six-year-old Delroy “Bug” Jackson and

Peon Lee also known as “Nino Brown”, both security officers attached to the business, and 32-year-old Keyon King, a serving Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant, have already been charged and remanded to prison for the robbery.

They are facing four joint charges for robbery under arms.

Police alleged that on Thursday, August 5, while being armed with guns and in the company of each other, they robbed Francis Santos Lumes of 60 ounces of raw gold valued at $20 million, $38 million in cash, a gold chain valued at $140,000, a gold ring val-

Wanted

Remanded: Akeem Rajkumar

ued $60,000 and $14,000; Fernanda Carmichael of a cell phone valued $350,000, and William Da Silva of a cell phone valued $60,000.

A few days after the trio was charged, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued wanted bulletins for Maraj called “Pluckin” or “Thuggy” of Leopold Street, Georgetown; Agricola, Greater Georgetown, and Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Jamal Hazel, a former GDF rank of Guyhoc, Georgetown and Dequan King called “Titus” or “Quanie” of Lot 20 D Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and 435 Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown.

It was reported that on the day in question at about 10:00h, three armed men went to Wallison

Enterprise’s Lot 23 Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown office and indicated that they were there to sell gold.

But within minutes of entering the establishment, they held several staff members at gunpoint and demanded that they open three safes where the money and gold were secured.

After committing the robbery, the armed men bound and gagged the cashier and two other staff after which they locked them in a room.

Moments after escaping in a white motor car, the cashier managed to free herself and raise an alarm. The Police arrived and immediately arrested one of the two security guards.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

NEWS

17

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 more unvaccinated persons PNCR Executive, several others arrested for illegal procession succumb to COVID-19

P

…123 new cases detected – 9 pregnant women being monitored

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

123

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

153

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

3011

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

26

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

16

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

14,636

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

13,463

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

28,099

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

24,222

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

334,333

FULLY IMMUNISED

173,999

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

687

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1394

REGION 2

971

REGION 3

3496

REGION 4

13,315

REGION 5

947

REGION 6

2157

REGION 7

1446

REGION 8

429

REGION 9

2268

REGION 10

1676

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.

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eaths continue to rise as a result of COVID-19, with four more persons succumbing to the virus as of Monday. The status of these persons was listed as unvaccinated.

This has contributed to Guyana’s death toll rising to 687 – 62 of which are for the month of September thus far.

The Ministry stated that the victims were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care at medical institutions. Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive tests.

The fatalities are four females: a 78-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and an 87-year-old from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) who died on September 13; and a 62-year-old from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and a 46-year-old from Region Three, who died on September 12.

However, new statistics showed that in one day, a total of 123 new positive cases were detected, thus taking the confirmed cases in Guyana to 28,099.

There are 26 patients seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, 153 in institutional isolation, 3011 in home isolation and 16 in institutional quarantine. In total, 24,222 persons recovered completely.

Since the start of the pandemic, 288,782 individ-

uals were tested – of which 14,463 males and 14,636 females were positive.

The Ministry also stated that there are 129 hospitalised cases across the country: 11 at the West Demerara Regional Hospital; seven at the Mahaicony Hospital; five at New Amsterdam Hospital; three at Bartica Hospital; two at Wismar Hospital and 92 at the Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Nine maternal cases are being monitored at the Georgetown Public Hospital and six at the Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Responding to reports of the Ocean View facility being understaffed, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said, “As far as I am aware, we do have adequate staffing for the number of patients that we have at the facility.

We have a complement of doctors, other medical personnel who are required to be there like physiotherapists and laboratory people and so forth. Of course, we have nursing staff. We have a full complement of staffers at the Ocean View facility.”

In Guyana, 334,333 persons or 65.2 per cent of adults have taken their first doses; with 173,999 or 33.9 per cent taking both doses.

Vaccination figures show first dose uptake at 73.6 per cent in Region One (BarimaWaini), 54.2 per cent in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 61.6 per cent in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 71.9 per cent in Region

Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 64.1 per cent in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 68.1 per cent in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 65.5 per cent for Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 42.8 per cent for Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 65.5 per cent for Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 26.3 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

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

eople’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive Member, Aubrey Norton along with several others were arrested on Monday for being a part of an illegal procession.

The men were reportedly arrested along Regent Street, Georgetown, and taken to the Brickdam Police Station where they were charged and placed on 10,000 bail each.

They are expected to make their court appearance later in the week. The Police, however, did not release information about the arrests but according to Norton, he was wrongfully arrested.

He told a section of the media that he was walking along Regent Street, Georgetown, when he was arrested. He claimed that he was not a part of the procession that was coming on Vlissengen Road.

“I don’t know why they arrested me…the Police they came and just arrested me,” he told a section of the media.

He also claimed that he along with the other men were placed in a bus and taken to the station. When questioned about the reason for this arrest, he was told

the Commander would inform him. His arrest coincides with calls to shut down Georgetown in protest of the vaccination measures put in place by the Government.

On Sunday evening, the Guyana Police Force through the media stated that there will be no “lockdown”. In fact, it reminded the public that the curfew imposed throughout the country, as part of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 21), remains in effect between 22:30h and 04:00h.

“During this period, persons are required to remain within the confines of their homes and yard space except as otherwise provided for in the COVID-19 Emergency Measures,” a statement from the GPF on Sunday evening detailed.

The Guyana Government had updated the measures, in the first instance, to include vaccination requirements for persons seeking to access any Government services such as at Ministries and other State agencies.

Pushback against this comes from various sections with unvaccinated persons, with the support of the co-

Man falls through deplorable City Hall flooring

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n employee attached to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was injured after he fell through the floor of the dilapidated building in a construction zone.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, came up for discussion during the Council’s statutory meeting where it was revealed that the worker suffered a fractured wrist.

Reports are that the employee, Michael Fraser, was walking within the City Engineering Department when he stepped on a board that was marked for removal.

As he stepped on the board, it snapped under his weight, causing him to fall one storey down where he landed on the first floor of the building. The man was treated at a city hospital.

When contacted, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton said the matter is engaging his attention and that officers will be dispatched to City Hall to conduct an investigation.

The City Hall building is long overdue for rehabilitation works. The structure has suffered much neglect

The boards missing from the flooring after the incident (Andrew Weekes photo)

over the years even though millions of dollars have been allocated to facilitate repairs, including some $20 million in 2012.

In August, it was announced that a project to restore it to its former glory was in the works, with tenders for a contract that will cost over $600 million being opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

According to the particulars of the contract, which the tender documents state is being executed under the Ministry of Local Government and Regional

Newspaper vendor remanded...

Based on intelligence, the detectives went to a house in B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, where they conducted a search and found some personal items belonging to the owner of the business.

There, another security guard was taken into custody. The security guards were, however, interrogat-

alition Opposition, protesting the new guidelines. In fact, last Monday, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) – a stronghold of the APNU/ AFC – went into lockdown to oppose the new measures.

This was after there were several protest demonstrations in the region.

However, the situation has since worsened after Government last weekend updated these measures. The new gazetted orders stipulate vaccination requirements for persons entering any public building, both State-owned and privately-owned, including restaurants, supermarkets, places of worship, schools, Government buildings, banks and so on.

Nevertheless, the Police Force in Sunday’s missive urged citizens to comply with the Emergency Measures implemented, as they continue with the enforcement of these guidelines in efforts to safeguard the health of the nation during this pandemic.

The Police are also reminding the public that those persons found in breach of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures will be prosecuted accordingly.

ed during which one of them confessed to being part of the plot to rob the establishment.

Following leads, the detectives turned up at the home of the GDF Sergeant at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), where a search was conducted in the house but nothing substantial was found.

During a search in the yard, the detectives noticed a disturbed piece of land and decided to dig.

It was then a bucket was found buried, which, when checked, contained $15 million in $5000 notes and an additional $3 million in $1000 notes. Sometime later, Police found the car that was used in the robbery

Development, it is estimated that restoring City Hall will cost $630.4 million.

Three companies bid for the contract when the bids were opened: Fides Guyana Incorporated, Bulk & Timber Works Incorporated and OM Custom Wood Working & Restoration.

In May of this year, Central Government had also given City Hall a $30 million injection into the coffers of the Mayor and Councillors of the city of Georgetown. This money was intended to support the construction of an administrative building for that entity.

FROM PAGE 16

parked in front of the home of King who Police have identified as the getaway driver.

It was reported that King left for the interior after the robbery. Before leaving, he took home a truckload full of household items, which were purchased the day after the robbery.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Regional

OAS delegation to observe election in The Bahamas

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he Organisation of American States (OAS) has deployed an Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the General Election in The Bahamas scheduled for September 16.

The OAS said Secretary General Luis Almagro has appointed Denis Godwin Antoine as chief of mission.

Antoine is the former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Grenada to the People’s Republic of China (20162019) and Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Grenada to the United Nations (2013 to 2015).

According to the OAS, he served as Grenada’s Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the OAS, and non-resident Ambassador for Grenada to Mexico and Panama concurrently, from 1995 to 2009.

The OAS said the mission began its deployment on September 9 and comprised 17 experts and observers from nine countries.

“While the majority of the mission’s members are working in-person, some are carrying out their duties remotely,” the OAS said.

“In The Bahamas, they will meet with Government officials, electoral authorities, political leaders, candidates, representatives of civil society and other relevant actors, which will allow for a comprehensive analysis of the process.

“The mission will focus its work on the examination of issues related to electoral organisation, electoral tech-

nology, electoral boundaries, electoral registries, political-electoral financing and the political participation of women,” the OAS added.

It said this is the third time that it has deployed an observer mission in The Bahamas.

After the elections, the OAS said the mission will present a preliminary report with its observations and recommendations “aimed at contributing to the continued strengthening of the electoral process in the country”. (CMC)

Peru ponders fate of Shining Path leader’s body

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eruvian officials were expected to decide later on Monday what to do with the body of Abimael Guzmán, the founder of the Shining Path rebel group, who died in prison on Saturday.

Almost 70,000 people died or disappeared in the conflict between the Maoist group and the Peruvian state.

There are fears that if he were to be buried, his gravesite could become a rallying point for extremists.

Peru’s Justice Minister said he would like to see the body cremated.

“The most appropriate

thing would be a cremation so there’s no place at which certain Peruvians can pay tribute to this person,” he said.

But Prime Minister Guido Bellido stressed that the decision would be up to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and that the Government would respect whatever decision is taken.

Guzmán died at the age of 86 while serving a life sentence for terrorism and treason in a maximum security jail.

He died just a day short of the 29th anniversary of his capture in the capital,

Lima, and his body is currently in a morgue in the city of Callao.

Peruvian law stipulates that the remains of a prisoners should be handed over to his next of kin.

In the case of Guzmán, that is Elena Iparraguirre, his second-in-command in Shining Path whom he married in prison in 2010.

But as Iparraguirre is serving a life sentence for terrorism and Guzmán has no other living direct relatives, the matter has landed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Argentina primary results spell trouble for ruling party

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surge in support for Argentina’s main Opposition party during a primary election could spell trouble for President Alberto Fernandez and his ruling centre-left coalition.

The conservative Opposition led by about five percentage points in the key province of Buenos Aires following the compulsory open primary vote on Sunday, often considered a nationwide dress rehearsal ahead of the November 4 midterm elections.

About 84 per cent of votes in the populous region – once considered a bas-

tion of Fernandez’s party – had been tallied as of early Monday.

Other results showed the governing party falling back, a phenomenon that could presage the Government losing its majority in the Senate and its largest minority position in the lower Chamber of Deputies.

There are 127 seats in the Chamber of Deputies up for grabs out of a total of 257 in November, as well as 24 seats out of 72 in the Senate.

“The ruling party lost 1.2 million votes compared to the 2019 [presidential election]; this brings them to a level that, if repeated in

November, leaves Alberto Fernandez very weakened,” Mariel Fornoni, director of consultancy Management & Fit, told Reuters news agency.

Many voters feel let down by the main political parties.

A series of crises – including a lengthy recession, rampant inflation, and a poverty rate that has risen to 42 per cent – have hurt public support for the Government, despite recent signs of an economic recovery, falling coronavirus cases, and a successful vaccine rollout. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Woman Police Corporal dies of COVID after giving birth in Trinidad

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he Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has now lost 14 of its officers to COVID-19 with the latest being Woman Police Corporal (WPC) Anisa Khan, who was last assigned to the Cunupia Police Station.

Guardian Media understands that Khan succumbed to the virus on Saturday night.

Speaking to the Guardian Media briefly on Sunday evening, TTPS President Gideon Dickson said that while he did not have the details on Khan’s passing, he confirmed that as of Friday 13 Police Officers had died from COVID. Taking to social media, several of Khan’s colleagues expressed shock and sadness over her passing.

One colleague indicated that Khan had tested positive for the COVID-19 while pregnant and disclosed that both of them were pregnant at the same time and even had the same due date.

The colleague described Khan, who gave birth recently, as her “comfort and strength” during her pregnancy.

“We did clinic and almost everything together. We even planned our baby showers together. You wanted an elephant team and I wanted a bear team. We were due the same time and expecting our boys to be best of friends. You always looked out for me.

We were each other’s strengths, because we both knew what we were going through. I love you my dear Khan,” the colleague wrote

WPC Anisa Khan, who was last assigned to the Cunupia Police Station

on Facebook.

She indicated that two weeks ago during a visit to NIS together Khan complained of feeling unwell and was then diagnosed with COVID-19.

According to the Health Ministry, over 300 pregnant women have contracted COVID, including one who died soon after her baby was delivered. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Killings of Colombian environmental Prosecutor invites Haiti’s activists hit record, NGO says, PM to a meeting despite Govt promises

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aiti’s Chief Public Prosecutor, Bedford Claude has invited Prime Minister Ariel Henry to meet with him in the coming days as part of an ongoing investigation into the slaying of President Jovenel Moïse.

Claude noted that Henry spoke with one of the main suspects in the case just hours after the killing.

The invitation noted that Henry had multiple phone calls with fugitive Joseph Felix Badio, who once worked for Haiti’s Justice Ministry and authorities say had a key role leading up to the July 7 killing of the President at his private home.

Claude, Port-au-Prince’s

Chief Prosecutor, said two of the calls occurred at 04:03h and 04:20h on July 7 just hours after the killing. He said evidence shows that Badio was in the vicinity of the President’s home when the calls were made.

Claude told the Prime Minister that he was requesting a meeting with him to verify the content of those conversations, although he implied it was not mandatory.

“The head of the criminal prosecution would be grateful, if you so wish, taking into account the restrictions given your status as a senior state official,” the invitation read.

He added that the invitation issued to Henry

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Prime Minister Ariel Henry

was justified given what he called a “case of extreme gravity for the nation” and a power vacuum that prevented authorities from obtaining prior authorisation from a President to request that Henry appear at the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The invitation sent to Henry comes as authorities seek to arrest additional suspects in the slaying, including Badio. (Excerpt from CMC)

n environmental activist in southern Colombia’s steamy jungle province of Putumayo was preparing to run some errands earlier this year when she received a warning from a contact, she said.

“He wrote me a message saying it’s better I don’t go outside...They’ve sent someone to kill you three times already,” she recalled, referring to crime gangs operating in her village. Reuters could not verify the content of the message.

The woman, who has protection from Government bodyguards, is one of scores of activists under threat in Colombia, the world’s most dangerous country for environmentalists.

She fled her village last October after her activism and opposition to drug crops that damage the Amazon rainforest made her a target for crime gangs.

For her protection, Reuters has not named the activist nor the criminal group, though her story was corroborated by a United Nations Development Programme team.

One of democracy’s fundamental pillars is under attack and under scrutiny across the world.

A record 65 environmental defenders were killed in Colombia in 2020, according to a report published on Monday by advocacy group Global Witness, nearly onethird of the worldwide total.

Colombia’s government is working across departments, including efforts from the Environment Ministry and Attorney General’s office, to mitigate conflict and tackle violence, the Environment Ministry said in a statement.

“The Environment Ministry will work to provide the country with solid management mechanisms for prevention, protection, and guarantees for non-repetition (of violence),” the statement said.

Colombia’s government has blamed crime gangs and leftist rebels involved in drug trafficking for the rise in activist killings. Reuters was unable to contact the armed groups.(Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises to 6-week high as US supply concerns dominate

O

il prices rose to a six-week high on Monday as US output remains slow to return two weeks after Hurricane Ida slammed into the Gulf Coast and worries another storm could affect output in Texas this week.

Those price gains came even though the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) trimmed its world oil demand forecast for the last quarter of 2021 due to the Delta coronavirus variant.

Brent futures rose 59 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to settle at US$73.51 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 73 cents, or 1.1 per cent, to settle at US$70.45.

That was Brent’s highest close since July 30 and WTI’s highest close since Aug 3.

“Hurricane Ida’s impact is lasting more than the market expected and as some oil production capacity remains shut this week, prices are rising on supply not being restored and therefore not reaching refineries that have restarted operations quicker than producers,” said Nishant Bhushan, oil markets analyst at Rystad Energy.

Further disruption from bad weather could be around the corner, with the US National Hurricane Center projecting Tropical Storm Nicholas will scrape along the South Texas coast on Monday and make landfall near Corpus Christi later tonight.

Royal Dutch Shell began evacuating staff from a US Gulf of Mexico oil platform and other firms began preparing for hurricane-force winds.

Even though OPEC said further oil demand recovery would be delayed until next year when consumption will exceed prepandemic rates, analysts noted OPEC and its allies, including Russia, a group known as OPEC+, were still increasing output.

“Despite near-term risks to the demand outlook, OPEC+ is continuing to increase its output by 400,000 barrels per day each month, in line with what it agreed in July,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst, UK & EMEA at OANDA. In addition to the OPEC demand forecast, other bearish factors weighed on Monday’s oil price gains, including rising US shale output, potential supply increases from planned releases of oil from strategic reserves in the United States and China, and the possibility Iran could be closer to selling oil to the world again.

US oil output from seven major shale formations is expected to rise by about 66,000 bpd in October to 8.1 million bpd, the highest since April 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration’s monthly drilling productivity report.

Traders noted China’s planned release of oil from strategic reserves could boost supplies available in the world’s the second biggest oil consumer.

The US Government agreed to sell crude oil from the nation’s emergency reserve to eight companies including Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Valero, under a scheduled auction to raise money for the federal budget.

Hopes of fresh talks on a wider nuclear deal between Iran and the West were raised after the United Nations atomic watchdog reached an agreement with Iran on Sunday about the overdue servicing of monitoring equipment to keep it running. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Donors pledge $1.1 billion for “collapsing” Afghanistan

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onors have pledged more than $1.1 billion to help Afghanistan, where poverty and hunger have spiralled since the Islamist Taliban took power, and foreign aid has dried up, raising the spectre of a mass exodus.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, speaking halfway through a UN conference seeking US$606 million to meet Afghanistan’s most pressing needs, said it was too early to say how much had been promised in response to the appeal.

After decades of war and suffering, Afghans are facing “perhaps their most perilous hour”, he said.

“The people of Afghanistan are facing the collapse of an entire country — all at once.”

A family from Afghanistan walk next to fence to cross into Pakistan at the Friendship Gate crossing point, in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border town of Chaman, Pakistan September 6, 2021

He said food could run out by the end of this month, and the World Food Programme said 14 million people were on the brink of starvation.

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan according to their strict interpretation of Islamic law from 1996-2001 and were toppled in an in-

vasion led by the United States, which accused them of sheltering militants behind the Sept 11 attacks.

They swept back to power last month in a lightning advance as the last US-led NATO troops pulled out and the forces of the Westernbacked government melted

away.

With billions of dollars of aid flows abruptly ending due to Western antipathy and distrust towards the Taliban, donors had a “moral obligation” to keep helping Afghans after a 20-year engagement, several speakers in Geneva said.

Neighbours China and Pakistan had already offered help But UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, also in Geneva, underlined the Western misgivings. She accused the Taliban of breaking recent promises by once more ordering women to stay at home rather than go to work, keeping teenage girls out of school, and persecuting former opponents.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Naftali Bennett makes COVID-19 vaccine 1st visit to Egypt by an boosters not widely Israeli PM in a decade needed, say scientists

I

srael’s Prime Minister has made an official trip to neighbouring Egypt for the first time in a decade.

Naftali Bennett described his talks with President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in the Red Sea resort of Sharm elSheikh as “very important and very good”.

Egypt said they had discussed regional issues, including ways to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Bennett, who succeeded long-time Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu in June, was invited to visit last month.

Netanyahu was the last Israeli head of Government to make an official visit to Egypt in 2011, when he met then-President Hosni Mubarak just over a month before he was ousted by a popular uprising.

He was reported to have also travelled secretly to Egypt in 2018 for unofficial talks with Sisi, who led the military’s overthrow of

Mubarak’s democratically elected successor in 2013 following mass protests. They also met on the side lines of the UN General Assembly in New York several times.

Egypt became the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, but relations between the neighbours have often been cool.

The details of Bennett’s trip to the Sinai Peninsula on Monday were shrouded in secrecy for security reasons, and his meeting with Sisi was only announced shortly before it started.

According to a spokesman for the Egyptian presidency, Sisi “affirmed Egypt’s support for all efforts aimed to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution and in accordance with the international legitimacy resolutions, which contributes to enhancing security and prosperity for all the peoples of the region”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

A

dditional COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are not needed for the general population, a group of international scientists has said in a new report in a medical journal.

The report, published in The Lancet on Monday, concluded that even with the threat of the more contagious Delta variant, “booster doses for the general population are not appropriate at this stage in the pandemic.”

“Any decisions about the need for boosting or timing of boosting should be based on careful analyses of adequately controlled clinical or epidemiological data, or both, indicating a persistent and meaningful reduction in severe disease,” the scientists wrote.

The scientists said more evidence was needed to justify boosters, and that vaccines remain highly effective against severe symptoms of COVID-19, across all the main virus variants including Delta.

“Taken as a whole, the currently available studies do not provide credible evidence of substantially declining protection against severe disease, which is the primary goal of vaccination,” said lead author AnaMaria Henao-Restrepo, of the WHO. She said vaccine doses should be prioritised to people around the world still waiting for a jab.

“If vaccines are deployed where they would do the most good, they could hasten the end of the pandemic by inhibiting further evolution of variants,” she added.

That view runs counter to US Government plans to begin offering another round of shots to many fully vaccinated Americans as soon as next week, contingent on approval from health regulators.

The authors acknowledged that some individuals, such as those who are immunocompromised, could benefit from an additional dose.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UK PM’s mother dies at 79 Gunmen attack Nigerian prison;

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harlotte Johnson Wahl, the mother of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has died at the age of 79.

The portrait painter passed away “suddenly and peacefully” at a London hospital on Monday, the family said in a statement shared with the Daily Telegraph.

The Prime Minister has previously described his mother as the “supreme authority” in the family. At his first Conservative party conference in 2019, Johnson said his mother had taught him “the equal importance, the equal dignity, the equal worth of every human being on the planet”.

Born in 1942, she was the

Charlotte Johnson Wahl with her son Boris Johnson in 2015

daughter of the barrister Sir James Fawcett, who was the President of the European Commission for Human Rights in the 1970s.

She read English at Oxford, but interrupted her studies to travel to the US with Stanley Johnson, whom she married in 1963. She later returned

to complete her degree, becoming the first married female undergraduate at her college, Lady Margaret Hall, and achieving second-class honours.

She made her name as a professional portrait painter. In 2015, she told the Telegraph: “My older sister was terribly clever, as was my younger brother.

My parents didn’t know what to do with me so they gave me some paints and I turned out to be good at it. Once I started I couldn’t stop.”

She and Stanley had four children: Boris, Rachel, Jo and Leo, before they divorced in 1979. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

240 inmates freed

Heavily armed men raided a jail in southcentral Nigeria and after blowing up the perimeter fence, freed 240 inmates – almost everyone in the prison.

The attackers started a gun battle with guards late on Sunday at the medium-security prison at Kabba in Kogi state, southwest of the federal capital Abuja, a spokesman for the Correctional Service said.

“The medium-security custodial centre in Kabba, Kogi state, has been attacked by yet to be identified gunmen and 240 inmates forcefully released,” spokesman Francis Enobore said.

The gunmen destroyed three sides of the prison’s perimeter fence with explosives and then overcame a team of 35 security officers, officials said.

Enobore said two correctional officers were killed during the attack, and only 54 of the inmates were unable to escape.

According to the Interior Ministry, another two guards were missing.

It was unclear who the gunmen were but central and northwest Nigeria have been terrorised by criminal gangs for years.

Haliru Nababa, Nigeria’s controller general of corrections, took charge of an inves-

tigation into the attack and ordered all the inmates to be recaptured.

A total of 294 inmates were in custody at the time – 224 pre-trial detainees and 70 convicted, the prison service said.

The jail was established in 2008 with a capacity of 200 inmates.

Suspects can spend years in pre-trial detention in Nigeria.

Human rights groups say prisons are often overcrowded and legal procedures inefficient.

The attack was claimed by the Boko Haram group who said they freed members being detained in the prison.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

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CALVIN AND HOBBES

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SUDOKU

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Stay on track. If you let your emotions interfere with your objective, you will lose time, money and confidence.

Put your energy where it counts, and avoid getting into a pointless debate.

Take the lead and do your own thing. Change begins with you. Following in someone’s footsteps will not satisfy your needs. You’ll never know what you can do if you don’t try.

You are heading in the right direction. Don’t let anyone lead you astray or tempt you with something that will deter you from reaching your objective. Broaden your scope and push yourself.

Consider what’s being said and make decisions based on your needs. Anger will not solve a problem, but being rational and making your preferences known will pay off.

Don’t let money slip through your fingers. Generosity will lead to trouble. Slow down and think before you promise the impossible. It’s OK to say no when you are not up to what someone asks of you.

Count your blessings and choose to be positive. Put your energy where it counts.

Bring about changes that will make a difference. Don’t get involved in someone’s negativity or poor decisions.

Think outside the box, and choose a plan that helps you overcome negativity brought on by someone who lacks vision. Don’t share your goals until you’ve worked out all the details.

Peace and love prevail.

Approach everything and everyone with kindness and compassion. Don’t take a health risk or give in to someone putting unrealistic demands on you.

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Refuse to let anyone twist (Nov. 23your words or interfere with Dec. 21) your plans. Trust only those who give you the freedom to follow the path that feels most comfortable.

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Follow your heart, put your thoughts in motion and do what’s best for you. A chance to use your strengths to get ahead will unfold. It’s time to accept an opportunity to take on something new.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

T

he action continued in the Caribbean Fest 40 Overs Playoff Season 2021, as a six-wicket haul from Avi Dhanpaul and brilliant half-centuries from Suraj Seepaul and Derick Narine ensured that Majestic CC defeated Everest ACS to book their spot in the semi-finals. They will face off against Liberty CC next Sunday.

Majestic CC won the toss and elected to bat. They were able to post 260 all out in 37.4

overs. This was thanks to the batting efforts of the inform Narine, who blasted 50 at the top of the order, inclusive of five boundaries and three maximums. But a few wickets began to fall and this pegged back the Majestic innings. They were on the verge of being bowled out for a very small total, but in came Suraj Seepaul and just like that he blasted 90 off 48 deliveries; the innings was inclusive of five classy boundaries and eight

Anthony Joshua: “I need to fight Tyson Fury, we need it for boxing”

T

he WBO, WBA (Super) and IBF champion takes on Oleksandr Usyk later this month at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and is hopeful he can fight Fury next.

"Do I need Tyson Fury on my record? I need it," Joshua tells Steve Bunce on the 5 Live Boxing podcast.

"Fight good fighters and they bring out the best of you."

Talks over an undisputed title fight collapsed during the summer, but Joshua says a showdown with Fury is hugely important to him.

"We need it for boxing," he adds.

"Training camp is hard. To get better is very difficult in boxing. To fight Tyson Fury is a big challenge.

"I'm going to put that pressure on myself to actually get better. But it's what we all need, I need it. Come on, let's see how good I am.

"Let's see how far I can t a k e m y self during t h i s period. It'll be a good challenge mentally.

Not about him, but because I actually want to do well.

"When I wake up in the morning early and I'm tired, my body's battered, I still go out and do what I do. It's great rewards

and only someone like Fury can give that to me."

Fury fights Deontay Wilder in their trilogy clash next month and both heavyweights will need to win their respective bouts for the undisputed bout to go ahead next year.

Usyk, 34, was an undisputed champion at cruiserweight and has two wins at heavyweight, including a points victory over veteran Derek Chisora.

"The pressure's back on," Joshua said of their forthcoming meeting.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host boxing's first major stadium fight in the United Kingdom since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

With over 60,000 fans expected, Joshua revealed he had just one regret in his boxing career.

"When I watch my first fight against Emanuele Leo, I was so bad," he said.

"I wish I started earlier – I'd be much better. If I had started in 2000 then by 2010, I would have been a lot better. And when I started my pro journey, in three years I would have been t h e man I am today. " I w o u l d h a v e been more experienced, more seasoned." ( B B C Sport)

21

Derick Narine scored a 50 at the top of the order

Avi Dhanpaul (6-12) and Suraj Seepaul (90) led their team to the semi-finals

towering maximums that shifted the game in favour of his team. The Everest bowlers had no reply to this onslaught as they fumbled for answers.

Bowling for Everest ACS were Yuvraj Dayal (4-43); Keshram Seyhodan (2-51); and Zamin Amin (2-17).

Everest needed a miracle,

they needed to start striking the ball from the get-go in order to book their spot in the semi-finals. But Dhanpaul had other plans: his line and length were impeccable, and the batsmen had no answer for him as he recorded the best bowling figures in the tournament for 2021 with 6-12. In the end, Everest were

bundled out for 94-9 in 19.4 overs as Terry Hastoo was unable to bat. The only batsmen who were able to contribute were Alvin Gangadin with 52 and Dayanand Roopnarine, who scored 29. Supporting Dhanpaul in the bowling department were Robin Rooplall (2-19) and Chris Patadin (130)

In-form Lee leads South Africa Women to 3-0 series win

L

izelle Lee was once again the woman to watch as she aided South Africa Women to a 3-0 series win in the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series.

Lee ended on an unbeaten 78; she was also supported by Laura Wolvaardt (53) to have South Africa win the third ODI by eight wickets.

Chasing only 158 for victory, the Windies

Women’s poor form continued in the ODI series. No bowler could make an impact as South Africa ended on 158-2 in 36.4 overs. Quiana Joseph managed to bag 2-24, but it was a little too late. Wolvaardt and Lee put together a 122run partnership that practically turned the game in South Africa’s favour. The South African women exhibited class and patience, showcasing that they could play both the offensive and defensive hand, hence the better team won the series.

Earlier in the game,

the Windies Women went in to bat and found themselves in all heaps of trouble.

Rashada Williams’s 37 at the top of the order was needed, but she was given no support from the openers.

Deandra Dottin chipped in with 71, but even that wasn’t enough to save the women in maroon as they w e r e bowled out for 157 in 4 8 . 4 overs.

Bowling for South Africa were Shabnim Ismail (3-31); Sune Luus (2-25) and Ayabonga Khaka (2-22).

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES WOMEN INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM) Hayley Matthews c & b Ismail 2 Rashada Williams † c sub (T Brits) b Luus 37 Chedean Nation c van Niekerk b Kapp 1 Deandra Dottin c †Chetty b Khaka 71 Kycia Knight lbw b Luus 6 Shabika Gajnabi c Sekhukhune b Ismail 0 Qiana Joseph b Ismail 8 Anisa Mohammed (c) c Goodall b Khaka 9 Shakera Selman run out (Sekhukhune/†Chetty) 2 Karishma Ramharack run out (Ismail) 0 Shamilia Connell not out 1 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 17) 20 TOTAL (48.4 Ov, RR: 3.22) 157 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Hayley Matthews, 2.6 ov), 2-9 (Chedean Nation, 5.4 ov), 3-86 (Rashada Williams, 29.1 ov), 4-101 (Kycia Knight, 33.1 ov), 5-102 (Shabika Gajnabi, 34.5 ov), 6-141 (Qiana Joseph, 43.2 ov), 7-153 (Deandra Dottin, 46.6 ov), 8-156 (Shakera Selman, 47.5 ov), 9-156 (Karishma Ramharack, 47.6 ov), 10-157 (Anisa Mohammed, 48.4 ov)

BOWLING Shabnim Ismail Marizanne Kapp Ayabonga Khaka Tumi Sekhukhune Dane van Niekerk Sune Luus

O-M-R-W 10-0-31-3 9-1-30-1 9.4-2-22-2 7-0-29-0 6-0-18-0 7-1-25-2

SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN INNINGS (TARGET: 158 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) Lizelle Lee not out 78 Laura Wolvaardt c Kycia A Knight b Joseph 53 Sune Luus b Joseph 2 Dane van Niekerk (c) not out 18 Extras (b 2, w 5) 7 TOTAL (36.4 Ov, RR: 4.30) 158/2 Did not bat: Shabnim Ismail, Mignon du Preez, Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune, Marizanne Kapp, Lara Goodall, Trisha Chetty † Fall of wickets: 1-122 (Laura Wolvaardt, 28.4 ov), 2-130 (Sune Luus, 32.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shamilia Connell 5-1-26-0 Hayley Matthews 9-1-28-0 Shakera Selman 5-0-21-0 Anisa Mohammed 6-0-26-0 Karishma Ramharack 4-0-31-0 Qiana Joseph 7.4-2-24-0

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Showtime!

daunting for the Warriors, but Pooran has brushed aside this notion, highlighting that the team were still looking to find their consistency at that time.

The positive wicketkeeper-batsman commented, “To be honest, it doesn’t matter if the Patriots got the better of you in the first couple games. That’s okay, that’s fine. As I said, we struggled to find momentum and we struggled to find consistency, but again, it’s just another game.

Doesn’t matter if you bat first or bat second, you just have to do both properly.

“Again, it’s another game, what has to be will be.

W e

Dwayne Bravo

By Jemima Holmes

F

r o m Romario Shepherd’s allround pyrotechnics to Roston Chase’s 367 runs to Ravi Rampaul’s 18 wickets to Andre Russell’s fastest CPL half-century, or the centuries witnessed from Faf du Plessis, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Evin Lewis, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021 has not been short of excitement.

The most exciting part yet, is that there is still more to come.

While we are now at the business end of the tournament, it can only be expected that the four teams who have worked assiduously enough to make it to the top four will see their next match as especially crucial, and for us, the spectators, it will translate into more riveting T20 action, that happens to unfold in the most nail-biting way possible.

After a weekend of thrills, four teams in the Hero CPL are one step closer to clinching the 2021 title. While it would be enticing to go on and on about the way these teams secured their spots, right on the top of the points table at the end of the group stage were the Trinbago Knight Riders, followed by the Guyana Amazon Warriors, then the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, and in fourth, the St Lucia Kings.

As the CPL stipulates, first place will thrash it out with fourth place, while second and third do the same and either way, it makes for some mouthwatering cricket in the shortest format.

In routine fashion, the Captains of these teams shared their expectations for this year’s CPL and as one would predict, optimism is the trend.

Guyana Amazon Warriors For the local franchise, Captain Nicholas Pooran is elated to have made it into the top four and hopes the team find their groove.

“We’re very happy and satisfied that we’ve qualified.

To be honest, we haven’t had the best of tournaments when it comes to consistency, but we’re happy we can put some wins together in the last couple days,” a visibly relieved Pooran shared on Monday during a media engagement.

“I do hope so.

To be honest, as a team, we are generally good. Guys are putting their hands up and putting in some brilliant performances, can’t ask for anything better, just hoping for that complete team performance.”

Having lost twice to the Patriots this year, it may appear

can’t control what happens in the semi-finals, but again, it’s just to enjoy it, have fun. We’ve been working hard for the last three weeks, you know, if we deserve it, we’ll go out and play for it,” he added.

Pooran was not too shy to admit that the team have not necessarily shone, collectively, with the bat. However, he has been grateful for those who have stuck to the plan and played hero.

“At some point in time, we are struggling with the bat and someone is putting their hand up and that’s fantastic to see.

But we can’t control certain things, we can only sit and plan and hope to execute,” a less-thanworried Pooran confessed.

In the s a m e breath, he shared a

message to his team, that went a little like this: “Nothing different, to be honest. Just have some fun, be responsible, if it’s your day, it’s your day, simple as that.

We can’t do anything different at this point in time. You know,

Faf du Plessis

we take it one day at a time, one game at a time and we just need to continue doing what we’ve been doing, no additional pressure.”

history in the semis and are currently riding on momentum.

“There’s nothing to give us extra confidence, I mean, this is a one-off game: this is a semifinal, it’s not a league game.

So, there’s additional pressure, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots On the contrasting end of muscle memory will give us the the Amazon Warriors’ hopes edge because they will be aware sit the St Kitts and Nevis that we beat them, but they will Patriots, who were exceptional also know that it’s a semi-final during the first half of the ninth and history shows that they edition of the tournament, have more success than St Kitts but have since won a single playing in play-off games,” the match in the second “Champion” DJ said.

He continued, “So, they are half. A weakness the Warriors can exploit, on good momentum, they won their last two games. It’s a game maybe? that we can’t rely on what took place in the league games. It’s a fresh start and whichever team turn up best tomorrow (today) Patriots deserve to win.”

Captain The Patriots Captain also Dwayne took the opportunity to clear Bravo has a the air on Chris Gayle’s similar view persistence in the squad. to that of “There’s nothing Pooran’s I could tell the best “just a player in the world; he talks to us. So, at the end of the day, we are not concerned about his form, it’s a team sport and he’s just one individual. So, we’re happy to have him in the dressing room and that’s more important than his form,” Bravo said when questioned about Gayle’s form.

“Again, our aim was to get to the play-off, from the start of the tournament, we are here now, we have a very tough game tomorrow (today) against Guyana and Nicholas Pooran all of us have to come and give our best in order for us to be successful. So, we’re not concerned about Chris Gayle’s form, we will never be concerned about his form and I don’t think anyone should be concerned.”

On the team’s spirit and his leadership, he added, “We just wanted to get to the play-offs, which we did.

It was a great team effort, great achievement by all of us. From not making the playoff last season to being game”, in the top four this season noting that was good.

“In a tournament that is the wins will not matter so jam packed, a lot of games, tomorrow, admitting that not much days-off or time to the Warriors have a successful recover, you have to be smart

with your squad, Kieron Pollard you have to have a good bench strength and I believe in all my teammates and for me as a captain, it’s just to instil that kind of positive energy needed to win the game for us towards the group and give them to go through, but then, things opportunities.” were looking grim there at 607, so we did change our support Trinbago Knight Riders towards Jamaica ‘cause we know The other semi-final also that if they could win by a big promises to be a margin, it would go the other blockbuster as Kieron way,” he said with a laugh.

Pollard faces off “I think on few occasions against Faf du Plessis. we didn’t bowl as well as The Trinidadian we would have liked.

Captain was keen to admit Obviously, as I said on a that there were aspects few occasions, of their game to there’s a address, but they simple plan were in good that if you can spirits. execute it well “Being able on the field, to finish at the you can limit top of the table, the damage a in any tournament little bit. But in in the preliminary saying that, every stage, I think it’s a good single time a batsman achievement. Halfway got himself in, it’s hard through the tournament we to stop them,” he added, in spoke about what we needed speaking of St Lucia’s personal to do to improve, ‘cause at that challenges. halfway stage we were at fifth Du Plessis went on to stress position and we just tried to that the Kings are not a one-man continue to improve as a team, show and expressed hope that each and every time,” the twin- their match winners could show island Captain began, when it up collectively, for the knockout was his turn to face the music. games.

“The reality of things and the “Obviously, form is a big thing, nature of our job is that all that so the nice thing about us is that becomes irrelevant now, when we’ve had different guys perform we have the semi-final tomorrow at different games, so, obviously [today] to play.” young Ros (Roston Chase) has When probed about the had a great competition and he’s aspects that the team may need been excellent for us, deservedly to work on, Pollard answered, got that call-up to the World Cup “For us, you know I think it’s just squad, but apart from that, it’s about improving each aspect been small contributions from of our game. As a bowling unit different players in the team.” we’ve done well throughout the “I think that is our strength entire tournament, the highest as a side: we don’t rely on one score one team would’ve gotten guy or one superstar to carry us against us is that 160 St Kitts through the tournament. Every got the other night, so I think guy needs to perform his role that was fantastic. Fielding, and if we can do that as a team, again in the night we played a we play our best cricket.” couple matches in the night and “So, if we can do that in the dropped a couple catches.” game tomorrow [today] and He added, “We can definitely possibly in the final, then we’ll be sort of try to improve from a right up there at the end of the batting perspective, I guess it’s competition,” the Captain of the just the situation and the guys 2020 runners-up concluded. showing their mettle when that The Knight Riders will take situation arises.” on the Kings from 10:00h this “Hopefully, we can put the morning, while the Amazon pieces of the puzzle together Warriors will do battle with the tomorrow [today],” the Captain Patriots at 14:30h (2:30pm). of the reigning champions concluded.

St Lucia Kings On the other hand, Captain Faf du Plessis initially shared a chuckle about the St Lucians’ swaying support during Sunday’s game featuring the Amazon Warriors and the Jamaica Tallawahs.

“Obviously, we were supporting the Warriors at first ‘cause we

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bryion Bowen – “We started off the tournament well as a unit, but I think we can do way better in the batting department. The bowling is spot on. I don't think we have a problem with that, with the likes of [Imran] Tahir, [Shoaib] Malik, Naveen [ul-Haq], Odean [Smith], and [Romario] Shepherd, but the batting department is inconsistent and I think we should work more on that.”

Kenroy Joseph – “Amazon Warriors team hasn't been playing good this season. And they are missing "big hitters".

The team administration isn't addressing the issue of a high dot ball consumption, so the team batting will continue to fail.

Hence, it is highly unlikely that Warriors will make it past St Kitts in the semi-finals.”

Avi Dhanpaul - “They didn’t play their best match yet; the top four need to click in the semi if they are going to make the finals.”

Mohamad Nasir – “I think the Guyana Amazon Warriors have had a decent run thus far in the competition, but still haven’t clicked all the boxes to produce the almost close-to-perfect game. Getting to the playoffs will increase the confidence of the unit to hopefully take it further to the finals and winning the competition.

“The batting department needs consistency; I don’t think any batter had two good scores in a row. That to me is a challenge. Good performances from [Chandrapaul] Hemraj, [Brandon] King, [Shimron] Hetmyer and [Nicholas] Pooran are needed to help the team get over the line.

"The bowling department continues to produce year after year; and to me, [Gudakesh] Motie and Odean are our best finds for 2021.

Shepherd continues his good work with ball and bat and that is good heading into the play-offs.

"I expect good things from this franchise over the next two days. Let’s bring it home, boys!”

Kavita Singh – “I think the Warriors will win this year. I am enjoying the performances of Odean Smith, Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd. Once the Warriors play to potential and put a collective effort in, we will win it for sure this year.”

23

Kizzy Toney – “The Warriors played well so far in CPL 2021, but if they were more consistent in the batting, I felt like they would’ve finished on top of the table.

Nevertheless, their bowling was exceptional so far as usual. Going into the semi-finals and the finals, I believe good batting performances from them will take them over the line, because that has been their downfall and the last three games they would’ve won showed that it was indeed, so if they can get that right, I know their bowlers won’t let them down and in the end, we can finally say yea “is we year”, the moment we are all anticipating.”

Colin Bynoe – “As a true fan of the Guyana Amazon Warriors throughout the years, we always have a season where we scrape our way out of the league stage. This year, we haven't clicked all the boxes collectively. I'm hoping that we do so in the semi against SKNP. Fingers crossed that experienced players like Malik and “Hetty” can step up at this critical juncture. It would certainly be a competitive one, ‘cause Warriors went down twice to them earlier. I have that faith that we will be in the finals again this year. As we GAW fans would say, "this year is we year" definitely this year.”

Simon Naidu – “Being an Amazon Warriors fan for over the past years, I will say we always have that good combined team effort, but at some part in the tournament, we always lose that and I do hope this year – which we always say every year – we gonna win. Let’s hope that the boys keep the momentum going and let’s bring that trophy home – stay focused, guys, all the best.”

Joshua Ramnarine – “As a fan of Warriors, I am really impressed by a couple players. The best all-rounder in the CPL, Romario Shepherd has really impressed with bat and ball. His death-over bowling is superb and his power hitting has been great too. The young Odean Smith has impressed with his fast-pace bowling, his ability to take wickets and put pressure on the opposition.

The team has gelled together well in the last few league games after quite a few hiccups in the first half of the tournament – looks more stable and everyone adapted to their role really well. On the negatives, I think "Hetty" needs to push on, sometimes getting starts and not carrying on. Shoaib Malik isn’t scoring the amount of runs we would like, but due to his experience I think he will come good in the final stage of the tournament. If they continue to play good cricket, they can win it this year.”

Melissa Jupiter – “I think the Warriors are performing great. I mean our batting hasn’t been up to standard, but our bowling has been on point.

Heading into the semi-finals I know that we will work all the kinks out and emerge victorious. And then win the finals.”

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

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

GCB denounces CWI’s selection process …questions competence of selection panel

T

he Executive and members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) wish to once again express our extreme concern with the continuous omission of Guyanese players from representative teams of Cricket West Indies (CWI) as well as from the players’ retainer contracts of CWI. On May 17, 2021, the GCB had cause to issue a strongly-worded press release and also a letter to the CEO of CWI, Mr Johnny Grave, detailing our concerns with the selection process.

We requested that CWI furnish the GCB with the criteria used for the retainer contracts as well as the selection of our players to CWI representative teams.

In response to a request by the GCB Directors (CWI), CEO Johnny Grave stated that there was no requirement or obligation for CWI to explain the decision(s) of their selection policy. The present selection process appears riddled with inconsistencies, clearly subjective, and discriminatory.

Because of the noticeable omission of our players – Romario Shepherd, Sherfane

Romario Shepherd

Sherfane Rutherford

Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul and Chandrapaul Hemraj, we reiterate our call for an explanation of the reasons for these omissions together with the selection policy information used. The impression is created that there is no selection criteria document or it is a closely- guarded secret that cannot stand up to scrutiny.

The GCB is perplexed with the contention by CWI selectors that Sherfane

Rutherford is unfit. CWI should advise the Caribbean cricket public regarding the standard and schedule for fitness tests for regional cricketers. The GCB holds the view that Rutherford is game-fit as clearly indicated by his outstanding performances in the 2021 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and his selection to the Sunrisers Hyderbad team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The GCB regards the issue of

Veerasammy Permaul

Rutherford’s fitness as an excuse to exclude one of the talented young cricketers in the Caribbean.

The CWI selection panel has disappointed Guyana and the Caribbean at large.

The GCB (as a shareholder of CWI) is insisting that the selection panel be accountable

to all cricket institutions and stakeholders in the region and to justify this latest selection fiasco. Failure to do so, the GCB calls on CWI to dismiss the selection panel and to replace it with a more competent one which will represent the best interests of West Indies cricket.

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