Guyana Times - Wednesday April 28, 2021

Edghill orders emergency works P21 on river breaches

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

Issue No. 4631

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

ExxonMobil strikes 19th oil discovery offshore Guyana

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

PRICE

See story on page 3

Govt reviewing Amaila Falls financing options – Jagdeo See story on page 5

...says cost for project likely to be significantly lower Page 6

…25% adult population vaccinated – Dr Anthony

Guyana-Suriname ferry service suspended – only health, repatriation trips allowed

WHAT'S INSIDE: Sophia fatal stabbing

Dead youth was previously threatened by girlfriend’s relatives – P19 grandmother …says they were not in agreement with the relationship

– Govt says as many as 10 FPSOs possible

2 more die from COVID, death toll now stands at 291

$80 VAT INCLUDED

No May Day Parade this year – GPSU

See story on page 22

See story on page 17

“Biggie” P21 confesses to murdering Charlestown youth

Neglected road networks being fixed under PPP/C Govt – Min Croal P18 Saleswoman attacked, P17 robbed by cutlass-wielding bandits Berbice man nabbed with over 60lbs P16 ganja

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NEWS

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BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 28 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Thursday, April 29 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

ExxonMobil strikes 19th oil discovery offshore Guyana – Govt says as many as 10 FPSOs possible

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 28 – 17:20h – 18:50h and Thursday, April 29 – 05:40h – 07:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers and thundery showers during the day. There will be thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 17:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.83 metres.

Low Tide: 11:13h and 23:27h reaching minimum heights of 0.23 metre and 0.45 metre.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021 DAILY MILLIONS

04 07 10 24 26 LUCKY 3

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

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The well was drilled by the Stena Drillmax

il giant ExxonMobil has made its 19th oil discovery offshore Guyana at the Uaru-2 well in the Stabroek Block, a feat that has been lauded by the Government of Guyana even as it adds to the approximate nine billion barrels of oil estimate.

According to a statement from ExxonMobil on Tuesday, 120 feet of high-quality oil was discovered at the Uaru-2 well. It was explained that the well was drilled in 1725 metres of water, approximately 11 kilometres south of the first Uaru well.

The statement also carried a quote from Exxon’s Senior Vice President of Exploration, Mike Cousins. He said that the find enhances their efforts to sequence the Stabroek Block developments. Additionally, Cousins pointed out that progressing investments and exploration plans to discoveries is vital for the continued development of Guyana’s oil potential.

“The Uaru-2 discovery enhances our work to optimally sequence development opportunities in the Stabroek Block.

Progressing our industry-leading investments and well-executed exploration plans are vital in order to continue to develop Guyana’s offshore resources that unlock additional value for the people of Guyana and all stakeholders,” Cousins said.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat released a statement in which he praised the find. According to him, the find means that as many as 10 floating production storage and offloading vessels could be launched.

“The Uaru-2 discovery will add to the previously announced gross discovered recoverable resource estimate for the block, which is currently estimated to be over 9 billion oil-equivalent barrels.

Drilling at Uaru-2 encountered high-quality oil-bearing reservoirs including newly identified intervals below the original Uaru-1 discovery.”

“This new development in Guyana increases the potential to as many as 10 floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSO) with an increase of the estimated recoverable resource given by operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL),” Bharrat said in his statement.

The Minister also noted that the Government remains committed to the sustainable development of Guyana’s resources, in a way that will ensure the funds from the sectors transform the traditional pro-

ductive sectors and the lives of all Guyanese.

Oil was found in the first Uaru well in January 2020, making it Exxon’s 16th discovery in Guyana’s waters.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027.

In March 2021, ExxonMobil secured a sixth drillship, the Noble Sam Croft, for exploration and evaluation drilling activities offshore Guyana.

A fourth project, Yellowtail, has been identified within the block with an anticipated start-up in late 2025 pending Government approvals and project sanctioning. This project will develop the Yellowtail and Redtail fields, which are located about 19 miles (30 kilometres) southeast of the Liza developments.

The start-up of Liza Phase 2 remains on target for 2022, as the Liza Unity FPSO prepares to sail away from Singapore to Guyana later this year. The Unity FPSO has a production capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates. The hull for the Prosperity FPSO vessel, the third project at the Payara Field, is complete, and topsides construction activities have commenced in Singapore with a startup target of 2024.

These new projects continue to drive investment in the

Guyanese economy. More than 2300 Guyanese are now supporting project activities on and offshore, which reflects a more than 20 per cent increase since the end of 2019.

ExxonMobil and its key contractors have spent approximately US$388 million with more than 800 local companies since 2015.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

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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

COVID-19 guidelines’ violators

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s health authorities continue to plead with Guyanese to adhere to the national COVID-19 guidelines, there seems to be no significant heed by many citizens of the danger to which they are exposing themselves and other persons when they continue to blatantly disregard these rules.

Since the beginning of this year, the COVID-19 cases and death toll have continued to increase consistently.

Guyana’s death toll now stands at 291, with 53 of those persons dying in April so far. This month has turned out to be the deadliest month since Guyana’s Patient Zero in March 2020.

While the Joint Services has finally begun to up its enforcement of the national curfew and guidelines which were put in place to help curb the spread of the deadly virus, some of its own ranks are violators themselves.

The situation with its own ranks is so grave that the Joint Services has had to issue a warning to its own on Tuesday. In its warning, the hierarchy of the Joint Services said: “Members of the Joint Services have been partnering with civilians to hold events in contravention of the COVID-19 Regulations, with the civilians, on some occasions, assuming sole responsibility when the Police intervene. Condign action will be taken against the civilians as well as the members of the Joint Services whenever they are found culpable of breaching the laid down COVID-19 Regulations.”

This comes just as the Joint Services had finally stepped up, after much criticism of the lack of enforcement, to help health authorities manage the enforcement of the COVID-19 guidelines.

While, for many months, law enforcement officers have been dispersing crowds, not many persons were charged for breaching the guidelines. In one blatant instance, Joint Services ranks over on the West Coast of Demerara had to arrest and charge 14 persons who were among 200 at a party. Despite being wrong and breaking the law, some of these very persons took to social media, criticising the law enforcement officers’ actions. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony was quite candid when he said Guyanese have dropped their guard in taking precautions and following national guidelines to protect themselves from COVID-19. He had also pointed to the level of complacency currently seen, which is contributing to rising cases.

There is no doubt non-adherence to precautions as outlined by health officials has reached an all-time high.

Every day, persons are going about their daily routine as if they are not bothered at all about COVID-19 and its deadly effects.

We have supported, and continue to support, the move by Government to make it mandatory for persons to wear masks while out in public, which was implemented since August 2020. Authorities have made it clear that it is not the Government’s intention to have persons locked up or fined for not wearing a mask while out in public.

However, now that law enforcement is getting tough for adherence to the guidelines, this is one of the areas in which they would also need to ensure full compliance.

It must be noted, too, that COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. For this reason, it is important that everyone wears a mask in public settings, and practise social distancing. Everyone wants the virus to be contained, so that they can get on with their daily lives, but this would not be possible if citizens are complacent or continue to ignore the health guidelines.

We support the Health Minister’s statement when he said: “You will see more people being charged for not wearing masks, and those businesses that are not complying with the guidelines will see stricter penalties coming their way. All of this can be avoided if people do the right thing. If we keep violating these things and allowing people to do the wrong thing, we are going to see spread.”

The APNU/AFC has moved itself towards a circus of political self-destruction Dear Editor, In declaring that the constitutional mandate of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) “is very wide”, the APNU/ AFC has moved itself toward a circus of political self-destruction, when Chief Justice Roxane George on Monday dismissed the APNU+AFC election petition (88/20P) which challenged the legality of the 2020 election.

In her ruling, Justice George said the March 02, 2020 election was conducted lawfully, and there were no breaches, violations, or non-compliance with the laws of Guyana by GECOM. As a consequence of her decision, both Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act and Order No. 60 of 2020 have been found to have been executed under the proper authority. She also laid to rest the petitioners’ contention that the Statements of Recount could not replace the initial declarations made by the 10 Returning Officers, declaring that it can, and did in fact do so.

She also mandated that the Statements of Poll and Statements of Recount which are currently in the custody of the High Court for safe keeping remain there until all appeals are heard

and determined.

However, APNU/AFC continues to mislead its supports and the people of Guyana, telling its supporters that these were the petitions that would bring the PPP/C down and the PPP/C would be ousted from office… They promised that within months the PPP/C would be thrown out, knowing fully well that neither of the petitions had any reasonable prospects of success. The Opposition APNU+AFC allowed its supporters to protest on our city streets on Monday shortly after the ruling of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, a ruling that essentially dismissed the first election petition filed by the Coalition.

Knowing fully well that the petition held no merit in a court of law, the APNU+AFC launched personal line attacks against the Chief Justice, an act that must be condemned by every sound- minded Guyanese.

Opposition Leader and APNU+AFC leaders must desist from looking to put in their supporters’ minds a false sense of confidence and misconceived expectations that the rule would be in their favour.

APNU-AFC leaders!

Why are you promising people things you can-

not deliver? and continue to tarnish the image and reputation of our judges and the institution called the Judiciary simply because you cannot win a case which has no merit.

It must be clear to every Guyanese that the compulsive egoism which has engulfed the APNUAFC leadership and has obfuscated its judgment now makes it incapable, weak, undiscerning, incompetent and irrelevant. Undoubtedly, it is the worst political party ever seen in Guyana over the last few years.

The APNU/AFC continues to move itself toward a circus of political self-destruction, leading its supporters into the political wilderness of shame and disparity as it continues to gas-light its supporters with the self-serving notion that it had won the March 02 2020 Regional and General Elections.

The ruling from Chief Justice Roxane George on Monday dismissed APNU+AFC’s elections petition (88/20-P) which challenged the legality of the 2020 elections. The APNU/AFC supporters and the people of Guyana must now see the leaders of the coalition exactly for who they truly are: an abject group of leaders who are weak and incomprehensible failures

that epitomise a virulent incompetence that is an embarrassment to their supporters and the people of Guyana.

Despite this clear ruling and plans to improve on the system, we will have these same APNU/ AFC leaders misinterpreting the law and disregarding the rulings in a bid to trample on the democratic credentials of our country.

Monday’s ruling means that both petitions filed by the coalition have been dismissed by the High Court. This second petition suffered a similar fate. The truth is that neither of the petitions should have been filed.

This unequivocal demonstration of catastrophic failure by the APNU+AFC leaders must provoke awe, wonder, incomprehension and shock in their supporters, the plethora of court cases by the APNU+AFC was procedural to find solutions, but in the same vein, the goal was to invade and assault the courts because they appeared corrupt and compromised as the final arbiter. In the contestation of power, the courts are the final stop on dispute resolutions. Please understand that APNU/AFC leaders.

Sincerely, David Adams

Let good sense prevail Dear Editor, Immediately after it was announced that the APNU/AFC won the election and was sworn in, Guyana looked on in amazement as they divulged into a massive spending spree for their own personal comfort, and embarked on a worldwide tour instead of sticking around to meet the people of Guyana. To date, we are still looking to see how their tours benefited Guyana.

When the PPP/C took over the reins of Guyana, the Ministers and officials instead dedicated themselves to visit the various villages/communities and started various programmes to assist wherever they went.

The PPP/C’s move

strangely seems to win over many people’s confidence, especially those who were reluctant to see them. I’ve been observing massive crossover, and more people are convincing themselves and others that the PPP/C are far better to be at the helm than the APNU/AFC after their dismal performances during their time in office.

Editor, what is admirable with the PPP/C is that even though the deadly pandemic is traversing Guyana, the PPP/C could be seen taking the risk and going around Guyana still to see the needs of the people, and providing.

Watching what is occurring in India presently with the 2nd wave of

the deadly COVID-19 is very heart-wrenching.

Whilst everyone was expecting the 2nd wave, we could clearly see that they were not prepared for such devastating effects.

Similarly, our neighbour Brazil is feeling the deadly effects of the COVID-19. To date, there’s still speculation as to the spread of this deadly disease, and what sort of precaution should be taken.

Whilst the PPP/C Government is working with all to help this nation to protect themselves from this deadly plague, I’m asking them to consciously rethink their strategy and seek an alternative. Whenever they are going around places,

their presence is drawing crowds, thus they are putting themselves and others in danger. I understand that they have an obligation to fulfil, but for the interest of Guyana, they should reason what is better.

It’s okay to see the Police going all out to help everyone protect themselves and others by disbursing crowds and gatherings whilst the Ministers are going places and crowds gather to meet with them, and the Police cannot disburse them. Sanitation and wearing masks do not seem to be working properly. Kindly do what is right…

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Govt reviewing Amaila Falls financing options – Jagdeo ...says cost for project likely to be significantly lower

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The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

he Government is relooking at the financing options for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo revealing that the project is likely to cost even less than the price quoted during the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) previous term in office.

During an engagement on Monday with publishers, media house owners, editors-in-chief and senior media workers at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Jagdeo explained that global interest rates have fallen in

light of global events.

“We’re looking at it, but no decision has been made as yet. But we’re relooking at the numbers though, because the project cost was just over US$500 million.

The rest of it was financing cost,” Jagdeo said.

“And now, because interest rates have come down so low globally, we believe we could get the numbers to come down significantly on Amaila, because the cost of financing should be lower now. But we’re examining that and we’re starting to look at it soon.”

The Vice President noted that bad press and misinformation was primarily responsible for killing the AFHP, which had the potential to supply 165 megawatts of power to the national grid.

This would have been renewable power at that, which would have gone some way in Guyana’s efforts to use greener and cleaner energy sources.

“You recall what happened in the newspapers.

They said that Amaila Falls, the price will go up for power and it was 10 cents per kilowatt per hour and at that time we were generating at 20 cents. They said there would be a $2 billion debt and really, there was zero debt.”

“It was $750 million of contingent liability. So that is why, when APNU came into office, Norway did a study. Because they were claiming corruption and all of that. And they found that Amaila Falls is still the best project. That was done by Norconsult. So that killed that project. Bad politics and bad press that is not factual-

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

ly based.”

Jagdeo recalled that then National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Head Winston Brassington and then President Donald Ramotar had the requisite documents tabled in the National Assembly.

“The stacks of studies we had. We had environmental studies, maybe $16 million was spent on project preparation. Went down the drain. They said we wouldn’t have water, the river. But you (can) build reservoirs,” Jagdeo explained.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which has in the past been plagued with sporadic periods of unreliability, heavily relies on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). This is despite the advice of industry experts who have long recommended Guyana integrate renewable energy into its power grid.

The AFHP, a brainchild of the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which would have done just that, was shelved soon after the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government came to office.

The lack of investors was cit-

ed.

PPP has contended that the AFHP could have been generating about 50 per cent more electricity than the entire GPL supply. Indeed, the 165-megawatt project has the potential to eclipse GPL’s current supply of 120 megawatts to the grid.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for energy, has, however, said that the Government intends to complete the AFHP. In the meantime, the Government is also forging ahead with its gas-to-shore project which will generate close to 200-megawatts.

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$65.42/barrel

+1.16

Rough Rice

$242.37/ton

+0.35

London Sugar

$461.20/ton

-0.26

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1769.00

$1770.00

Low/High Change

$1766.10 -6.80

$1786.60 -0.38%

6 NEWS 2 more die from COVID, death toll now stands at 291 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…25% adult population vaccinated – Dr Anthony

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he Health Ministry on Tuesday reported that two more persons died from COVID-19, thus taking the total death toll to 291. With at least two days remaining in the month, 58 deaths were already recorded, making it the deadliest month since the virus was detected in March 2020.

The latest fatalities as two males; a 48-yearold from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 57-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara). They both died while receiving care at a medical facility.

Along with the two new fatalities, a total of 72 new cases were detected in one day, taking the total confirmed positives to 12,826.

The number of persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is 14 with 76 persons in institutional isolation, 1501 in home isolation and 15 in institutional quarantine. Recoveries stand at 10,944.

To date, 6492 males have contracted the virus as opposed to 6334 females.

A regional breakdown

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

of the new cases showed that three were reported in Region One (BarimaWaini); two in Region Two

(Pomeroon-Supenaam); eight in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 56 in Region

Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Other regions did not witness an increase in cases – which stood at 374 in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), 1020 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 254 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and 519 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Meanwhile, a higher uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the country has resulted in 25 per cent of the adult population taking their first doses in a matter of weeks. This translates to about 124,000 individuals.

This was revealed by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday, who stated that since the age eligibility was lowered to 18 years and above, many per-

sons have taken the opportunity to get inoculated.

With 25 per cent of the adult population taking their first of two shots, health authorities are aiming to reach closer to the 50 per cent mark by this weekend. The Minister had previously said that approximately 500,000 persons are qualified to take the vaccine, since it is not available for children.

“About 25 per cent of our adult population has been covered with first dose of vaccination but we want that to even be better. So, we’re hoping that we can get more people coming out so that by the end of the week, probably be closer to 50 per cent of our population. So, we continue to work and we encourage all age groups to really come out and get their vaccines,” the Minister added.

Special emphasis was placed on the older population taking their vaccines, as the mortality statistics point to more deaths for this subset of people.

“Based on our mortality statistics, we have seen the majority of people who died so far have been older persons and we know this vaccine, once you take it, it protects you from dying from COVID and that’s why we’re encouraging older people, especially to come out and get their vaccine.

But we want everybody, those who are 18 years and above, to really come out and get the vaccine.”

There are over 100 fixed sites around the country that offer vaccines, along with mobile units that visit various locations. Dr Anthony said working hours have been extended in some instances to cater for the working group.

He further stated, “In some areas, our health staff has extended the hours of work so rather than closing off at three o’clock, they have extended that to six o’clock so more people that are coming off from work would be able to get access to those vaccination sites. In addition to that, what we have done is apart from fixed sites, if there are NGOs or a faith-based organisation that wants to work with us and do special outreaches, we have worked with a number of them.”

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Stoking…

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…the (political) fires he PNC entered the March 2 elections kicking and screaming. It took god-knows-how-many-trips to the three levels of the judicial system to get them there.

They’d complained about the voters list for a year…the list drawn from the same National Register on which they’d won the 2015 elections!! They proudly boasted about the efficiency of the voting process on March 2, which was overseen by individuals hired and trained by the GECOM Secretariat.

Everything was hunky-dory until late in the evening, as the votes were counted and the SOPs were sent up to the GECOM Regional Offices, AND TO THEM (and the other parties), and they realised they’d lost the elections!!

From what we now know, they decided to “cock the works” at the Reg 4 RO. This was under the control of their man Mingo, staffed with some loyalists and directly accessible to their second-tier leaders to conduct disruptions under which the count could be questioned and rigged.

The rest is (sordid) history, recapitulating the repeated political onslaughts of the PNC and their destruction of Guyanese democracy. Luckily, they were headed off at the pass by the International Community - who arrived like the cavalry in those old US westerns of yore! But did the PNC accept they were rejected by the majority of Guyanese? No siree Bob…that’s not the PNC way! Like Hoyte in 1997, they went to the courts, claiming the elections were flawed.

And when the most eminent Chief Justice Desiree Bernard threw out their petition on Jan 12 1998, the massed PNC supporters in front of the High Court rampaged through the streets of Georgetown - especially Regent Street - beating supposed supporters of the PPP - read “Indian Guyanese”.

Well, on Monday, we almost had a repetition! Following in the footsteps of Hoyte, the PNC hierarchy led by Harmon and Granger kept up the incendiary rhetoric of “we wuz robbed”, and “regime change” by outside forces. Their first petition had already been rejected by CJ George - for legal incompetence in not serving Granger, one of the parties to the action!!

So, to no one’s surprise, after Chief Justice Roxanne George delivered her flawlessly reasoned judgement, that the PNC had not produced the evidence that the election was so flawed it had to be overturned, the massed PNC supporters marched through Georgetown, especially down Regent Street. The one thing that saved us from a full-scale riot was the prescience of the Police, who deployed so many ranks on the ground with the PNC protestors they just couldn’t escalate into “rampage” mode.

But, as Rowley, the prophet predicted, this will not end well.

Did you read Harmon’s incendiary post-verdict diatribe? …resistance to gas for power There’s been so much kvetching by the naysayers - led by the newly “woke” publisher of the old Muckraker - on the gas-to-shore power generation project (GTS-PGP) at Wales, that VP Jagdeo, leading the initiative, summoned all the publishers and editors in the land to address all their concerns at one time. Their complaint was that there must be “studies” conducted to show the feasibility of the project.

So, right off the bat, the VP informed them that the Govt had been informed by FIVE STUDIES - all extolling the feasibility of the GTS-PGP!! But did that satisfy the assembled critics? Nah! And why? Well, that the studies had been commissioned by the APNU/AFC administration - from reputable institutions like the IDB. So these gatekeepers who’re also baying for the PPP to cooperate with their predecessor regime - are now insisting that the PPP reject everything the PNC did?!

Makes your Eyewitness wonder if it’s not the GTS-PGP but Jagdeo these folks don’t like! …COVID-19 spread Your Eyewitness has been pleading for months that we take this COVID-19 pandemic seriously. He feels no pride that our numbers are proving his concerns to be spot on.

Ultimately, it all comes down to “we, the people,” doing our bit.

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

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his Special is dedicated to providing our discerning readers and interested persons with the current options they have available to them when it comes to homeownership and the ancillary services provided therein.

With this Government, through the auspices of the Housing Ministry, currently opening up new housing schemes and working with the Private Sector to make homeownership more accessible to Guyanese, a housing boom is expected.

The incumbent Administration is currently working to provide young professionals with the op-

tions that they are so badly seeking when it comes to homeownership and is actively encouraging persons to come in to the Housing Ministry and apply either for land or their turnkey homes.

To ensure that you are equipped, we will be featuring the best institutions that persons can approach to aid them in their homeownership endeavours.

The inception of any project, whether it be buying a car or buying a house, is acquiring financing.

While there are persons who would have the capital upfront to invest in buying or building a home, most

Guyanese would have to to obtain the necessary to

borrow amount own a home.

This is where the banking institutions come in.

As you peruse our Special, you would see one of the best banks featured that you could approach for that housing loan. The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) is one of the most popular in Guyana right now and is currently offering a very competitive housing loan package.

Provided that you are successful in acquiring the loan to finance your dream home or you have the cap-

ital upfront to proceed with the acquisition of same, then the next step would be to either purchase an already existing home or build from scratch.

If you are contemplating the latter, then this is where Pacific Development Inc can help. In addition to providing the contracting services necessary to build a home from scratch to suit your vision, it can also help you to acquire the land. Having in excess of 20 years of experience in the business makes Pacific Development Inc a trusted company that can be utilised to your benefit.

Home building can only

be done properly if quality products are used in the construction and finishing of same. One of the best businesses for construction-related materials, where the focus is on quality, is David Persaud Investment Inc. It stocks quality building materials from the steel you would be using to build your structure to the tiles you would need to finish your floors.

Moreover, when it comes to wiring and lighting your home, SPR Enterprises is your go-to business for quality American-made products that you are guaranteed to be satisfied with.

Silvie’s Industrial Solutions is another great business that sells quality products that contractors, homeowners, and aspiring homeowners can acquire to make their lives easier.

You might be asking yourself, with all the purchasing that is required, what will you be using to transport your products.

Well, if you don’t have your own vehicle already, now is the perfect time to head down to Transpacific Motor Spares and Auto Sales Inc and pick up that dream ride. They make car buying easy.

While Trophy Stall might not be on the top of your mind for things housing related, they can create that custom signage or lot number that you would need to identify your property. Why take the hassle of doing it yourself when they can get it professionally done for you?

Finally, when all is said and created, you would obviously need to stock your newly-acquired home with groceries. This is where Coss Cutters Supermarket has you covered. They have a wide variety of produce and their prices are always competitive. Check them out for regular specials on your favourite products.

We do hope that the information provided in this Special is helpful to you.

Home-buying tips you need to know before you buy: Should you rent instead?

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ometimes buying can be the better decision, but there are times when renting can fit a person’s situation much better.

Buying a house can have a lot of positives, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right step for everyone.

To determine if renting is better for you, you’ll want to think about things such as: * How long you think you’ll live in the area. * Whether or not you’re ready to purchase a house, financially and/or responsibility wise. * Buying a home sometimes may be cheaper than renting, and the other way around.

Nearly everyone says that a house is a good investment. Many people will even go as far as to say that doing anything other than owning a house would be a complete waste of money.

However, I don’t agree with that at all.

Buying a house isn’t for everyone. You shouldn’t just jump at the opportunity to buy a house, especially any ol’ house. And, you should think about all of the factors before deciding that buying a house over renting one is the best and only decision for you.

Set a budget before you look at homes “What’s the smartest way to buy a house?”

The smartest way to buy a house is to first think about your budget.

One of the first things

you will want to do is to set a budget – you can’t go very far in the home buying process without one. It’s how you will know what you want to be pre-approved for, and a realtor will need that information to really help you shop for homes.

You will want to set yourself a budget when it comes to the home as well as all of the other expenses that go along with owning a home.

You will want to look at your overall financial situation and analyse: * The income you earn. * The stability of your job. * The amount of money you have saved for the down payment, other home expenses, etc. * Your credit history and credit score. * The total monthly amount you feel comfortable paying for a home.

Make sure you look at all the costs involved! * Your total amount of debt.

When buying a house, it takes realising all of these factors to understand what you can truly afford and be comfortable with.

However, many people justify buying a house that is over their budget, but that is a bad plan.

See, banks often pre-approve people for a mortgage payment that is higher than what they can afford to pay. Your pre-approval number is not a good gauge of what you can afford because it doesn’t factor in the total cost of the house.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Home-buying tips...

What you can afford takes that above list into consideration, not just the number a bank gives you.

Because of that, it can be a very bad idea to go over the number the bank pre-approves you for. You should always stick to an amount that you can afford.

When determining what you can afford, you will want to think about all of the costs that come with buying a house and living in it. This means that your research should not end with the purchase price of the house – it actually goes way past that, as discussed in a later section of my home buying tips.

Think about what you want in a home.

If you are like most people, you’ve spent years thinking about what you want in a home.

Now is the time to make a list of those things. This is an important step when it comes to home buying for beginners.

Buying a house can lead

to a crazy number of new feelings – happiness, stress, excitement, and more. This can sometimes make every house you look at seem like the perfect one, and that’s because they all seem so new and exciting. This even happens with houses that don’t have everything you need. And, it definitely happens with ones that have more than you need.

Before you put an offer on a house, you should think about the reasons why you want a specific house. This is one of the first steps to finding a house that’s right for you, as this can make sure you are getting exactly what you want and need, rather than just being happy with any home.

I recommend creating a wishlist that includes all of the things you want in a home. Your wish list could include things like: * The square footage of the home * Size of yard * If you want a fencedin yard * How many bedrooms and bathrooms you desire * The age of the home * The quality of the schools * The parking situation and whether or not there is a garage * The size of the kitchen * Pool or no pool * Style of home * Whether you want to be in the country or the city * Your budget, and this one is extremely important!

And, you’ll also want to create a list of things that you want to stay away from, such as if you don’t want a place with a pool, a home with a lot of yard maintenance, a home that is a fixer-upper, and so on.

By having this wishlist on hand, you’ll know exactly what you should be looking at, and what you should avoid.

Research all of the expenses

Like you just read, the listing price of a home is not all that you should look at.

When you find a home that you think is right for you, you need to make sure that you can afford all of the costs that come with that home.

Just because you can pay the monthly mortgage payment doesn’t mean that you can afford everything else that goes with it. There are ongoing costs when buying a house, which is something that many homebuyers forget about.

These include things like homeowners insurance, property taxes, and utilities. So, this is one of the best home buying tips to help you stay out of a bad financial situation.

Before making a home purchase, you should think about how much the home will cost you in the long run. There are many ways to think of this, such as: * Property taxes. These vary widely from town to

FROM PAGE 10

town. You may find yourself looking at two similar houses with similar price tags, but the property taxes may vary by thousands of dollars annually. That is a lot of money. While it may seem small when compared to the actual home purchase price, remember that you have to pay property taxes annually. * Electricity. Generally, the bigger your home, the higher your electricity bill. * Sewer. This isn’t super expensive. * Trash. This isn’t super expensive either, but it does cost money. * Water (and possibly irrigation). Depending on how you use water and where you live, water bills can vary widely. I know many who live in areas where the average water bill is a few thousand dollars each month. * Home insurance. Home insurance can be cheap in some areas but crazy expensive in others.

Don’t forget to look into the cost of earthquake, flood, and know that it can add up quickly depending on where you live. * Maintenance and repairs. No matter how old your home is (even brandnew homes), repair and maintenance costs will eventually come into play, including house cleaning, yard care, gutter cleaning, carpet cleaning, and pressure washing. But, don’t forget about things like needing a new roof or other repairs that may come up!

Those are big expenses that you will need to be able to save up for. * Home furnishings. Furnishing your home can be done cheaply, but I know some who buy huge homes and can’t afford to put anything in them, such as a table, a bed, and so on.

Always remember to add up the total cost when deciding to buy a house!

Do you really need or want that home?

“How do you make sure you get the house you want?”

Finally, the last of my home buying tips is to think about whether or not you actually need the house you are about to buy. It sounds easy enough, but many people do not even think about asking this question. When in fact, it is one of the most important questions to ask when buying a house (or any large purchase for that matter).

Really dig deep and ask yourself this simple question. Sure, you might think you want the house, but have you also been able to spend time thinking about the rest of my tips?

Do you know the full cost of the house? Are you okay spending that much?

Does the house have everything you need?

Purchasing a home is a huge investment, and it deserves a lot of time and thought for you to make the best decision.

15

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Enough is enough – go away PNC, you are a blight on this nation

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nother election petition has been thrown out. The PNC (APNU/AFC) resorted to thuggery and bullyism, threatening, as Hoyte’s PNC did in “slow fyah, mo fyah”, that they cannot be held responsible for the actions of those who feel disenfranchised. Joe Harmon, speaking as Leader of the Opposition, stated ominously that “all options are open”. In all of this, they still refuse to present their copies of the Statements of Poll (SOP) to show they had won, as they claimed.

Those poor supporters, the handful of them they could have persuaded to protest, were out in the streets, putting their lives at risk to COVID-19 because the PNC leaders told them they had won the March 2020 elections. One would have expected that the PNC leaders, together with their poodles in the AFC and WPA Dr Leslie Ramsammy and those other one-man political parties, would prove to their supporters that they had won by producing the SOPs. Where are those SOPs? Why is the PNC so scared to show people the SOPs? The big question is have other APNU and AFC leaders ever seen those SOPs? The Chief Justice on Monday threw out the second election petition filed by APNU/AFC. The Chief Justice had already thrown out another petition filed by APNU/AFC. When the Chief Justice threw out the first petition, APNU/AFC appealed that decision.

Now, after the decision was handed down on Monday, rejecting the petition, APNU/AFC had a small band of its supporters protesting in Georgetown, trying to close down the business area, trying to create mayhem in the streets of Georgetown.

Most of those in the small group of protesters had no mask on, flouting the public health measures in place to stop COVID-19.

It was reckless, even though it was also comedic. The court’s decision was not surprising, it was actually expected by all, since there was no merit to the petition. But the response from the PNC (APNU/AFC) was also not surprising. We all expected that they would try their best to create mayhem in the streets.

The petition was based on the PNC’s claim that the recount order was unconstitutional. David Granger himself, signing as President and Leader of the APNU/AFC Coalition, had signed the order, known as Order 60, mandating a total recount. After Mingo’s fake spreadsheet tried to discount the authentic SOPs for Region 4, it was Granger himself who agreed to a recount of the Region 4 ballot boxes. But APNU/AFC reneged on that agreement and demanded a total recount.

They tried their best to rig that recount also by trying to remove ballots from being counted, claiming dead people and phantoms voted in the ballot boxes. Failing to change the numbers in the recount, they then tried throwing out the election by claiming the constitution did not permit any recount.

The Chief Justice has stood tall. Joseph Harmon, as Leader of the Opposition, has rejected the ruling of the Chief Justice, the same one he praised last week when she ruled that two PPP parliamentary secretaries were improperly appointed. Now the same Harmon is denouncing the Chief Justice, demonising her, claiming that she is in effect a puppet of the PPP. Granger/Harmon and APNU/AFC have the right to appeal. It would be a waste of the court’s time, but they have the right to appeal the decision. The right they do not have is the right to create mayhem in the streets of Georgetown or anywhere else in Guyana. Enough is enough. The PNC, Granger, Harmon, and the rest of the APNU/AFC must not be permitted to hold Guyana under siege. Instead of threatening violence and mayhem, they should now focus on doing the job the people of Guyana have elected them to do - act as a legitimate and effective parliamentary Opposition. Thus far, they have failed as an Opposition party. Thus far, they rank as Guyana’s worst Opposition party.

The ominous warning from Harmon that “all options are open” is another way of stating what Desmond Hoyte threatened in 1997: “slow fyah, mo fyah”. Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking as the Leader of the PPP, was in no mood to tolerate the threat. He called on the Police to ensure that law and order are maintained.

The Police must not allow mayhem in the streets of Georgetown or anywhere else. The Police must act decisively and condignly.

People have a right to peaceful protest.

We must defend that right, whether we agree with the protesters or not. But right now, all COVID-19 rules must be adhered to. Peaceful protest must be like the protests the PPP conducted when the PNC were trying to thief the elections. No one molested anybody. No one blocked streets and roads. No property was damaged.

In the coming days, anyone not protesting peacefully must be arrested and charged. In the coming days, anyone blocking streets and roads must be arrested and charged. The Police must not tolerate nonsense from the PNC any longer. Guyana has had enough. Enough is enough.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice man nabbed with over 60lbs ganja F

orty-one-year-old Wesley Antonio Barry of AA Kingston, Little India #79 Village, Corriverton, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), was on Monday arrested by agents of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) following the discovery of a quantity of cannabis.

Based on reports received, CANU ranks acting on intelligence swooped down on the property of Barry and carried out a search during which several well-labelled packages containing the ganja were unearthed.

The cannabis was confiscated and weighed in the presence of Barry. The illegal drug amounted to 25.9 kilograms. He was taken into custody and is assisting with investigations. He

Wesley Antonio Barry

is expected to make a court appearance before the end of the week.

Just about a week ago, 25-year-old Daquan Wills of Meadow Brook Drive,

Georgetown, and Joel FungA-Fat, 39, of Forshaw Street, Georgetown, were intercepted with a quantity of cocaine and cannabis along Lance Gibbs Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

The duo was reportedly travelling in a motor car, PVV 6706, which was under CANU surveillance.

It was reported that as CANU ranks attempted to intercept the vehicle, the driver sped away. As such, agents gave chase and the vehicle was eventually intercepted at Lance Gibbs Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

During the chase, the ranks observed a cocaine brick being tossed from the vehicle which was subsequently retrieved and when weighed amounted to 1.054 kilograms.

The cannabis that was found during the raid

Upon their arrest, the two suspects reportedly led CANU ranks to an aban-

doned range house at Stone Avenue Campbellville, Georgetown, where another brick of cocaine and a bag containing a quantity of cannabis were discovered.

The cocaine retrieved at Stone Avenue amounted to 1.048 kilograms while the

cannabis weighed 17.956 kilograms. The two men, along with the cocaine and cannabis. were escorted to CANU headquarters.

The duo was subsequently charged and granted bail in the sum of $300,000 each.

NAMILCO hosts COVID-19 vaccination drive

Health Advisor, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and others at the vaccination drive

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he National Milling Company of Guyana Inc (NAMILCO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health hosted a COVID-19 vaccination drive on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at the company’s loca-

against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) currently plaguing the world.

All employees were given the opportunity to get vaccinated to safeguard themselves, co-workers and families.

In atten-

Staff members at the vaccination drive

tion at Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The exercise was a further demonstration of the company’s commitment to take all precautionary measures necessary to fight

dance were Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Dr McWatt, Dr Lall and other MoH officials.

NAMILCO thanked the Ministry and its staff for facilitating the drive.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana-Suriname ferry service suspended – only health, repatriation trips allowed

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he Public Works Ministry, in conjunction with the management of the Canawaima Ferry Service, has announced a suspension of all leisure travel to Suriname until further notice.

The Ministry stated that only repatriation trips and health emergency evacuations would be allowed during the lockdown.

“This measure has been implemented by our Surinamese partners in their bid to curb the COVID-19 cases,” the Ministry said on Tuesday.

Effective until May 2, only one round trip per week will be facilitated to allow for repatriation. This

means that only Guyanese in Suriname can cross over to Guyana and only Surinamese will be able to cross into Suriname.

“Additionally, only a person authorised by Surinamese officials will be allowed after receiving prior approval. No international incoming or outgoing travel will be allowed during the weekends in Suriname due to the lockdown. The mandatory quarantine formerly instituted will no longer be required, as well as COVID-19 test results for Surinamese required to return home at this time,” the Ministry stated.

In February, the GuyanaSuriname ferry service re-

Saleswoman attacked, robbed by cutlasswielding bandits

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resident of First Bridge, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was on Monday evening attacked and robbed by three cutlass-wielding bandits.

The incident occurred around 19:30h as the woman was making her way home from work.

Police said 34-year-old Nikita Mohabir, a salesperson, was robbed of $280,000 in cash, two cellphones, and important documents.

Based on reports received, one of the perpetrators pointed a cutlass at the woman and told her to stay calm. He then grabbed her handbag containing the cash and other valuables.

After committing the act, he and his two accomplices made good their escape.

The matter was reported to the Police, and an investigation was launched.

No arrests were made in connection with the incident.

Miner robbed of gold, cash at Black Water Landing

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37-year-old miner of Second Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was on Tuesday evening robbed of a quantity of gold, cash, and other items by two men, one of whom goes by the name “Natty”.

Brandon Persaud was relieved of $228,000 in cash, eight pennyweight raw gold valuedat $120,000, and one Zia cellular phone valued at $18,000 at Black Water Landing, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

The victim told Police that he had received information that “Natty” was accusing him of stealing mining equipment.

As he was heading to the

Black Water Landing to purchase diesel for his employer, he saw the suspects. He told Police that he went to “Natty’ to clear up the misunderstanding, but it was then the suspects allegedly held on to him and relieved him of the items. He was also dealt several lashes about his body with a piece of wood.

After beating him and taking the items, the men made good their escape.

Persaud later made a report at Bartica Police Station, and was subsequently escorted to the Bartica Hospital, where he was treated and sent away.

Police are on the hunt for the two men

commenced operations for residents of the two neighbouring countries following months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month, the Surinamese Government had revised its COVID-19 protocols for arriving passengers, and the new requirement had mandated quarantining for seven days after entering the country.

This was after the country witnessed a spike in cases locally.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Neglected road networks being fixed under PPP/C Govt – Min Croal

W

hen the current Administration took office in August 2020, a system of neglected road networks and other infrastructure was inherited – an issue which authorities are now trying to fix.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal appeared on a recent Globespan programme, noting that these efforts were undertaken in collaboration with the Public Works and Local Government Ministries.

On this note, the Minister noted that the Housing Ministry has diverted its attention to the creation of new roads in the developing schemes.

“What has happened is that there was a total neglect…

There is a lot of catching up to do, but already, you can see, there have been responses to a lot of neglected areas or streets… There is now a committee established to examine various communities for which they will have infrastructural work for road rehabilitation, maintenance, etc. Our initial programme is now focusing development of new infrastructure work,” Croal detailed.

The Minister stated that even as rehabilitation works continued, there was a challenge when heavy vehicles traversed community roads. He contended that these structures could not support such heavy weight and would ultimately become damaged.

“Some of them are too big for the community roads, so it’s an ongoing issue even for the Ministry of Public Works. The Minister of Public Works has had that issue again with the recent breakage of the bridge at Pirara…Certainly, it’s the

same for the community roads, because obviously, those sand trucks are pretty heavy. It’s a lot of weight.”

He added, “That is why sometimes in the initial phase when we’re developing areas, we’re putting the surface, allow those trucks to traverse initially and then we put on the additional bitumen that is required on the final stage.”

Nevertheless, Croal pointed out that the livelihoods of persons were also taken into consideration when analysing the situation.

“Everyone has a role to play to ensure that the community is kept in a particular manner.

This is not only a Government implementation. On the other side, we also have to look at the bread-and-butter issue of individuals who want to have construction within some of those communities because you’ll have additional cost,” he said.

In some villages, local organs have erected barriers to prevent large vehicles from entering the community. The Minister said this idea could be implemented by such entities in the respective communities.

Presently, the Housing Ministry is developing several new schemes in keeping with the promise to deliver 50,000 house lots within five years.

It was outlined that preparation of the areas take time, given the fact that it is virgin land that is being developed.

“The areas that we are developing for housing, it is basically virgin land. These are lands that have zero infrastructure work prior to us taking over that space, unlike where we would have to do infrastructure work under public works.”

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sophia fatal stabbing

Dead youth was previously threatened by girlfriend’s relatives – grandmother …says they were not in agreement with the relationship

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wenty-year-old Devon Xavier, of La Penitence Street, Albouystown, Georgetown who was brutally stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s cousin on Saturday evening was previously threatened by her family who reportedly did not agree to the relationship.

Xavier reportedly met his demise about 21:30h on Saturday while he was visiting his teenage girlfriend at her Sophia, Greater Georgetown home.

According to Police, Xavier was talking to the teenager when her father and her cousin approached them.

Upon seeing them, the girlfriend told Xavier he needed to leave, since her relatives were not in agreement with their relationship.

Subsequently, her father instructed the teenager to

Dead: Devon Xavier

Vanlonge, who practically raised him. The woman was devastated by news of her grandson’s murder.

“I was made to understand that my grandson had a relationship with this girl and I warned Devon about this girl. On Sunday, my son-inlaw come and tell me that Devon get jook and I said

Xavier after he was stabbed

go into the house while her 39-year-old cousin grabbed Xavier and stabbed him to the chest.

The suspect then made good his escape, but was later apprehended by Police at Cummings Park, E Field Sophia. The father was also taken into custody.

On Tuesday, Guyana Times visited the home of the now dead man and spoke to his grandmother, Veronica

‘way he deh’, and he tell me ‘he deh in the mortuary’, and right away I don’t know what happened,” the grieving woman said.

“When I go to the house there, I see all of them crying and all sort of things. They destroyed my 20-year-old grandson. A nice little boy, two men, two big men, they could have beaten him, they shouldn’t have killed him.

The Doctor said his heart

Motorcyclist injured after being struck by drunken driver

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46-year-old motorcyclist Abaqal Johnas of Courtland Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is now suffering head injuries after she was struck by a drunken driver on Monday evening.

The collision reportedly occurred on the Bolam Public Road, Corentyne about 17:00h on the day in question.

Police said that at the time of the incident, the motor car bearing registration number HC 7057 was being driven by a 41-year-old man of Sixth Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne.

Reports indicate that the driver was proceeding along the roadway at a fast pace, causing him to lose control of the vehicle which slammed into the motorcyclist.

As a result of the collision, Johnas reportedly fell on to

the roadway and sustained several injuries about her body.

The injured motorcyclist was picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where she was admitted.

Police say Johnas remains a patient at the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she is suffering from head injuries.

Meanwhile, according to the Police report, a breathalyser test conducted on the driver proved that he was above the legal limit of alcohol consumption.

Both the motorcycle and the motor car are lodged at the Albion Police Station, where they will be examined by a Licence and Certifying Officer. The driver remains in custody as investigations continue.

cut, his lungs cut; the Doctor said he couldn’t have lived.

The girl grandmother even said they bought the Rambo knife especially for him,” she said.

Vanlonge said ever since her grandson and the teenager started dating, his family kept threatening him to end the relationship, since they too were not in agreement.

“I threatened to put him out if he continues seeing the girl. He told me he was done with she… my daughter even called me and told me that

Devon is not losing this girl,” she said.

Vanlonge recalled that on one occasion, the girl’s family members had beaten him severely.

“I get a small grandson and he come to me and say that they [the girl’s family] catch him and put on a boxing-up and a licking on he.

But when he come home the night, I see he face swell and I say ‘boy, what happened’, and he told me some wood knock he… they did him all kinds of things, they even threatened to chop him, all

The dead man’s grandmother, Veronica Vanlonge

kinds of things,” she related.

She added that her grand-

son was a very quiet and peaceful person who always had a smile on his face and never troubled anyone. She said he did not deserve to die in such a manner.

“I am hurt; I am really, really hurt, because these people bigger than my grandson.

They pulled him in the yard and jook he up. He was little fine boy… this was planned, it was a planned something.

But I need to see they go to jail; I need to get justice and I will get justice… we will go all out to get justice,” the woman said.

20 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Brawl over bicycle lands neighbours in court

T

wo sisters and their neighbour found themselves before the court on Monday after they were involved in a brawl over a missing bicycle.

Appearing before Magistrate Sherdell IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts were 27-year-old Rihanna Baptiste and her 18-year-old sister Anastacia Baptiste along with their 25-year-old neighbour Kevin Nero.

Anastacia denied the charge which stated that on March 29, 2021, at Laing

Avenue, Georgetown, she made use of threatening language towards Kevin Nero.

Similarly, her older sister Rihanna also denied the charge read to her by the presiding Magistrate. The charge alleges that on the same day and place, she

made use of abusive language towards Kevin Nero.

Meanwhile, Nero admitted to verbally abusing Rihanna Baptiste. He apologised for his behaviour but noted that his bicycle was missing and that made him angry. He further said that when he approached Rihanna, she threatened him and as such, he retaliated.

However, he denied abusing a relative of the sisters, and as such, he pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that on April 3, also at Laine Avenue, he made use of abusive language towards Shirley Baptiste.

The Police prosecutor

told the court that on the day in question, Rihanna, Anastacia and Kevin had a misunderstanding and as a result, they all abused each other with a series of abusive language. Following the brawl, they were all charged and placed before the court.

Rihanna and her sister were each released on bail in the sum of $5000 while Nero was granted bail in the sum of $20,000.

He was also placed on a bond to maintain the peace for the next year with a default of six weeks’ imprisonment. The trio is expected to make their second appearance in court on May

10.

Also appearing before Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus was 42-year-old Alex McPherson of Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt.

McPherson pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that on April 19 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he made use of abusive language towards Sheba Chase.

Following his plea, he was granted bail in the sum of $10,000. The defendant was also placed on a bond until the conclusion of the matter with a default of three weeks’ imprisonment.

The matter has been adjourned to May 18.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Edghill orders emergency “Biggie” confesses to murdering works on river breaches Charlestown youth

Works ongoing to mend breaches at Riverview Koker (Photo credit Ministry of Public Works)

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ublic Works Minister Juan Edghill on Tuesday visited New Hope, Craig, Grove and Little Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), Riverview in Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Wales on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) where he ordered for emergency works to commence on river breaches.

He said that this approach has been taken as a preventative measure against the current spring tides.

“I ordered emergency

works which is ongoing currently, we are in the midst of our spring tides. It is expected to last until Thursday,” he explained.

The Minister added that due to the spring tides, many areas were faced with flooding and overtopping and as such, all measures will be taken to rectify same.

“We have hundreds of sandbags which are being filled to prevent flooding to homes as well as to roadways,” he added.

Meanwhile, Edghill ex-

plained that even as works are ongoing, the team is being faced with many challenges with respect to the location of houses on dams, thus preventing the machinery from getting access to some areas.

“We know once the place is flooded no amount of hampers can compensate for damages, we are monitoring across the country,” he posited.

Nevertheless, Edghill said that the team will continue works and explore all options to ensure works are completed.

On Monday, it was reported that almost 130 residents from Little Diamond, EBD, were affected after water from the Demerara River flooded their homes on Sunday and Monday morning.

Owing to the spring tide, and a breach that existed where the koker is currently being constructed, many homes were affected.

Residents complained of being unable to save much.

Following the flooding, the Civil Defence Commission visited the area where hampers were distributed to those affected.

Murdered: Odinga Anthony Haywood

M

ichael Lenroy Forde also called “Biggie”, who was arrested for the shooting to death of Odinga Anthony Haywood has confessed to the heinous crime. Haywood was shot and killed on April 21, 2020, at Charlestown Georgetown.

During interrogation on Tuesday, Forde in a written statement confessed to the murder and told Police that the incident stemmed from a robbery committed on February 2021 on “Big Head” who is known to the now dead youth.

Based on reports received,

on the date in question, Forde claimed that he was on Broad Street in a car when he saw Haywood on a bicycle.

As such, he exited the motor car and walked to the now dead man’s home where he waited for him. However, as Haywood arrived at home, Forde reportedly confronted him and started to ask questions about “Big Head”.

It was at that time, the suspect reportedly whipped out a gun and discharged several rounds at Haywood.

After committing the act, he told the Police that he ran to Lombard Street where he caught a minibus which took him to Stabroek Market.

He then boarded a Route 42 minibus and went home at John Fernandes Scheme, West Ruimveldt.

Nevertheless, the next morning, he caught a taxi and travelled to the Georgetown Stelling where he boarded a boat to Vreed-en-Hoop.

He then made his way to Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBD), and onto Batica, Region Seven.

He told detectives that

Confessed murderer: Michael "Biggie" Forde

while in Bartica, his girlfriend joined him and they went to her home. Guyana Times understands that on the same day, the Police went to the girlfriend’s address but the couple was not seen.

The suspect later admitted that he and the girl, upon seeing the Police, ran into the nearby bushes and hid there until they left.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to hide his identity, the suspect cut off his hair after which they boarded a boat to North West District (NWD) where they were arrested. Forde is expected to be charged shortly along with his girlfriend for harbouring a criminal.

22 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No May Day Parade this year – GPSU

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he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has cancelled its annual May Day parade this year, in wake of the extant pandemic circumstances that have limited social contact.

At a press conference on Tuesday, GPSU President Patrick Yarde informed that a decision was taken not to host the annual parade and rally for Labour Day, celebrated on May 1.

“We will not have the normal social that we would have. There is no parade.

There is no rally that we have decided to participate in. There will be no social gathering as such, but we’re looking at the possibility of providing those persons who will have to work, if the Government does not come forward to do that, with a meal and refreshment,” Yarde stated.

This is the second consecutive year that the parade has been cancelled owing to the COVID-19 pandem-

has been displaying ‘sensitivity and generosity’ to other sectors and matters of concern.

The statement added, “Public servants have been providing quality public service for the past years without any meaningful economic improvement in their earnings and are being pres-

The May Day Parade will not be held this year

ic. Thus far, Guyana has recorded over 12,700 cases and some 291 deaths.

Normally, every year on Labour Day, hundreds of workers are decked out in red, carrying banners as they march along the streets of Guyana to show solidarity for workers’ rights.

On the aspect of workers’ rights, the Union has expressed its intention of pursuing a wage increase aggressively. Employees of the public service last received an increase in 2019.

Union member Dawn

Gardener said at the press briefing, “The GPSU recognises that all workers have a right to a living wage and as the representative of the public sector workers, the GPSU has sought to be as non-confrontational as possible, but candid and strong in its representations for good governance, national unity, human rights, fair treatment and even-handedness.”

In keeping with its obligation to members, GPSU has asked for Government to address the issue, as it

sured to perform in an increasingly deadly environment.”

Last February, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed “false claims” that there were to be no wage and salary increases in 2021 for public servants. He went on to disclose that billions of dollars have, in fact, been

set aside for wages and salaries for the public sector.

“The fact is that over $10 billion has been budgeted in the estimates under the head, ‘Revision of Wages and Salaries’. A huge part of that sum will go towards salary increases for public sector workers,” Jagdeo had explained.

Grove man nabbed with cocaine

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hair Khan of Nazarene Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was on Monday arrested after he was found with 7.2 grams of cocaine in his possession.

Based on reports received, the man was seen acting in a suspicious manner and as such, a search was conducted of his person during which the cocaine was found.

He was told of the offence and escorted to Grove Police Station, where the cocaine was weighed, amounting to 7.2 grams.

The cocaine that was found on the Grove resident

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rugby at a standstill

“The players can’t wait to get back out there,” says GRFU President Ryan Dey

By Timothy Jaikarran

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he 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely done its share of damage to sports in general. At one point, things had eased down and there was a resumption of some sports, and Rugby was ready to have its moment.

However, like a thief in the night, the pandemic sneaked up and again things are at somewhat of a standstill.

President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), Ryan Dey, while noting that Rugby is at a standstill, is adamant that the GRFU is optimistic of a restart once the vaccination roll-out has been completed. In an exclusive interview with <<Guyana Times Sport>>, Dey answered a series of questions, and concluded by urging everyone to remain safe.

Q: How is rugby going at the moment?

A: Rugby is at a standstill, we understand that the country has been seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, and we don’t want to add to that. Maybe when most of the population has been vaccinated,

we will look for the return of play.

Currently, things are tough on the guys. It’s been a year since we had competitive rugby in Guyana, and the guys can’t wait to get out there again.

Q: What do you think can be done to make the sport even more COVID-friendly, as other countries with more cases have resumed playing?

A: I think more testing of players is one of the ways in which we can get to play; and, of course, if more people take the vaccine, we can get back to play.

That, coupled with us, the union, keeping all the safety protocols prescribed by the task force.

Q: How do you feel the leadership is doing at the moment?

A: I think that they are doing a good job, all things considered. There’s always room for improvement, however. I tell the guys and girls to adhere to the COVID 19 guidelines, that’s the best way to stay safe.

Q: During this time of your presidency, tell how you have handled the highs and lows of the job.

A: Well, the high of my tenure is us getting the recognition from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and them making us a core sport. And, of course, the low is that we haven’t had a chance to have any rugby played.

Going forward, the GRFU boss has noted that RAN (Rugby Americas North) is looking to hold a sevens tournament in late November.

The location and date are to be determined.

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23

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

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

To St Kitts we go!

A neighbourly collaboration! SKN to host CPL 2021 …MACORP, GFF partner for footballer scholarships

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very once in a while, neighbours share a spot of sugar or a cup of rice; and even though the ingredients may not be the same in this instance, MACORP and the GFF are now locked in a similar agreement.

In collaborating with the Guyana Football Federation, Machinery Corporation of Guyana’s biggest question was, “What about life after football?”

With the corporate entity’s head office being in close proximity to the GFF’s National Training Centre at Providence, MACORP is all too familiar with the plight of some players, and, as such, on Tuesday signed with the GFF a Memorandum of Understanding that can change the course of several footballers’ lives for the better.

MACORP will be offering scholarships for two courses, and CEO Guillermo Escarraga emphasised the importance for these courses in the need for life after football.

“We know the Guyana Football Federation is doing a

fantastic job giving them skills to perform on the field, but there’s life after the football career, and we want to make sure we make a contribution and we help them have a career that can sustain their families, that can assist them getting jobs once their football career has ended, or during the time they represent Guyana,” Escarraga explained.

Further, Escarraga highlighted the new work sectors that have been recently introduced to Guyana, and explained that the training MACORP is offering would fit right into those areas.

The MACORP CEO stated, “This training is important more than ever, because there’s a new industry starting to flourish in Guyana, and there are needs for new skills and people that know new fields, and this is something that we’ve been doing for quite some time now.

“But now it’s very important because the demand for skilled personnel is high, and it’s going to increase.

We see there’s a lot of construction projects that are in the pipeline that will require definitely really good operators to ensure the quality of work is up to the highest standards.

“MACORP has always led the way in bringing the latest technology to the country, and we know we have a responsibility to train people,” Escarraga said as he expounding on the job opportunities that are imminent.

Beaming with gratitude towards the company, GFF President Wayne Forde posited that this MoU would see positive trickle effects in the generations to come, and he urged other corporate entities to mirror MACORP’s generosity.

“We know that if someone is given the opportunity to learn and to earn, the trickledown effect of that would be children that are given the opportunity to have a stable home, a good education, and then themselves will go on to lead productive lives and

continue to produce members of society that will be making positive contributions,” The GFF boss posited.

Forde went on to state, “I believe the example that is being set here today by MACORP is one that I would like to suggest other corporate giants across this land consider.

And not just for football, for every sport. There are too many young men and women who would have served their country (with) distinction and, soon after their career would have ended, they are relegated to a life of (destitution).

“So, I think it’s important that we put the historical significance of what we’re doing here today,” Ecarraga said.

The two courses being offered to male and female players are the Excavator Operator, and Technicians for the Caribbean. The first would entail theoretical pass and simulator exercise practical on the machine, while the latter is an 18-course programme that can be completed virtually.

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he “biggest party in sport” is back, and while it’s too early to tell if that’s ‘better than ever before’, it will certainly be better received by the fans of the Caribbean’s T20 league.

As had obtained in 2020, the entire tournament will be hosted exclusively in one Caribbean territory, and St Kitts and Nevis is that lucky country. However, to add some groove to the already catchy melody, 50% fan capacity at the hosting stadium (Warner Park, Basseterre, St. Kitts) has been greenlighted by the island’s government.

The highly anticipated announcement of the tournament’s venue came on Tuesday morning during a virtual media engagement with CPL officials, SKN Government personnel, and media operatives from around the region.

Last year the tournament was successfully staged in a biosecure bubble, and the Hero CPL operations team would again be working closely with the tournament’s medical advisors, local agencies, and the St Kitts & Nevis Government to ensure the health and safety of all those involved in the tournament, as well as the local population.

St Kitts & Nevis has largely been bypassed by COVID-19, and is one of the safest places to visit in the Caribbean.

Warner Park has been the scene of some of the most iconic matches in Hero CPL history, and this quick-scoring ground will be an ideal venue for the tournament. Thus, fans can expect explosive cricket.

From Chris Gayle’s brilliant hundred against the Jamaica Tallawahs in 2019 to Andre Russell’s even more explosive century against the Trinbago Knight Riders in 2016, Warner Park has had some classic individual performances.

There have also been some amazing matches, not least the game that went to a Super Over finish between the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and the Knight Riders in 2019.

Hero CPL has provided outstanding exposure for the Caribbean, with each season bringing a huge positive economic impact and highlighting the region as one of the must-visit tourism destinations. With the tournament set to take place in St Kitts & Nevis in its entirety, the Federation of SKN can look forward to even more focus on what makes it one of the world’s premier tourist destinations.

This year’s tournament takes on extra significance with it taking place in the lead up to the ICC T20 World Cup, and West Indies and overseas players will be using this

opportunity to push for selection to their international teams.

Highlighting that SKN has registered only 44 COVID-19 cases to date, with no deaths, the country’s Minister of Sport, Jonel Powell, took the opportunity to make the announcement.

“And so we’re confident in our ability to contribute to sport, and in this regard, the CPL. It is my pleasing duty to announce that yesterday, (Monday) the Federal Cabinet of St. Kitts and Nevis approved the hosting of the entire 2021 CPL tournament here in St. Kitts and Nevis, to be held here in Warner Park, Basseterre,” Powell shared.

“We look forward to partnering with CPL. We look forward to the tremendous economic benefits that will flow from having the entire tournament held here, and the continued cricket development that ensues from the relationship between us, the CPL, the SKN Patriots, and the whole local cricket association.”

Continuing during the virtual media engagement on Tuesday morning, Powell explained what the fan situation would be like at CPL 2021, and the requirements for such.

“As of the 15th of May 2021, St Kitts and Nevis will be allowing patrons to attend all sporting events to the capacity of 50% of the venue. Those patrons will have to be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine. This will extend to all sporting events, and will include CPL,” the Sport Minister proudly announced.

CPL Chief Operating Officer Pete Russell shared his elation at being back in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, and revealed when the tournament would bowl off.

“From a CPL perspective, we’re thrilled. Delighted to be back in St. Kitts. As the Minister alluded to, we have a great history going back to 2014, and I have no doubt that the games this year will be as exciting and well attended,” Russell commented.

“And I’m thrilled to hear this year that we’re going to get 50% attendance; because, as you know, we’ve missed the crowds.

So we can’t wait to get started, and as I stated, the first ball will be bowled on Saturday, August 28.”

According to Russell, Whether or not players would have to be vaccinated is still a matter that would be determined by the Chief Medical Officer.

The COO also hinted at many surprises in the player draft, which is tentatively set for May 26 for the 33-game tournament.

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