Guyana Times - Tuesday August 11, 2021

GMSA lauds Govt for $4.8B reduction in shipping taxes

… benefits to trickle down to consumers - FITUG P7

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

Issue No. 4736

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

PRICE

GECOM meeting

APNU/AFC Commissioners bolt before Lowenfield, Mingo & Myers can be fired Page 3

…but cannot delay decision in Thursday’s scheduled meeting

Pregnant women, children exempted from vaccine travel protocol – Health Minister …3 more die, 81 new COVID-19 cases recorded

Guyana strikes off criminalisation of cross-dressing from law books Page 14

See stories on pages 11 & 13

Security guards, soldier remanded for multimillion-dollar gold heist

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Driver in Agricola horrific accident walks free P12

Cashier claims robbery after gambling away company’s P12 money 2 charged for killing US-based Guyanese P10

Page 8

Palm Court donates 2…Police cars to GPF looking to partner with Page 15

Private Sector to fight crime – Benn

CEO of Palm Court Ravin Prashad handing over keys to the vehicles to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn. Also in photo is Police Commissioner, Nigel Hoppie

Page 2

$80 VAT INCLUDED

National Assembly adopts Walter Rodney COI report …Opposition urged to accept PNC's role in assassination

Caribbean must work towards renewable energy – P15 Minister Bharrat GRDB's Burma Research Station workers picket for better working conditions P16

Provide better service to P9 customers – Govt to GPL contractors

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National Assembly adopts Walter Rodney CoI report …Opposition urged to accept PNC’s role in assassination

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fter a marathon session that ran into the night, the National Assembly on Monday adopted the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the 1980 assassination of political activist and Working People’s Alliance (WPA) founder Dr Walter Rodney.

The CoI report into the 1980 assassination of Dr Rodney was handed over since 2016 to then Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland. However, the report was only adopted on Monday, as per a mo-

tion moved by Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira.

Teixeira urged the main opposition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) to come to terms with the facts in the report. This is especially so since the report implicated the then People’s National Congress (PNC) led Government in Rodney’s death.

“Here is one moment where this House can say that we adopt the report.

Adopting the report doesn’t

mean you like it, but you recognise what it stands for in terms of the evidence and record and who gave evidence.”

“If you didn’t like the evidence, why didn’t you bring your people to bring evidence at the CoI? If you had a different narrative, a different story. You had the opportunity. But also, you had the opportunity to stand by the recommendations. We believe that the time for healing and whether (the Opposition) comes to term with the past and you

had fled to French Guiana and is reported to have subsequently died in 2002.

APNU/AFC

Governance Minister Gail Teixeira

step on the road to national unity.”

Teixeira also outlined all the steps the PPP Government took to ensure that Walter Rodney’s killer could be brought to justice.

This included the then Dr Cheddi Jagan-led People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government seeking the extradition of Gregory Smith, the alleged perpetrator who

The main Opposition APNU/AFC meanwhile contended that they have always supported an inquiry into Dr Rodney’s death.

According to APNU MP Ganesh Mahipaul, back in 2005 during the 8th Parliament there was bipartisan support for such an inquiry.

“At the 68th sitting of the 8th Parliament, the honourable Gail Teixeira at the time Minister of Home Affairs and acting Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, moved a motion titled enquiry into the death of Dr Walter Rodney.”

“That was the motion in 2005 moved by a sitting member of Government, the honourable Teixeira. In the presentations made at the sitting of the National Assembly, all the Members of Parliament supported the call for the inquiry,” Mahipaul said.

In fact, Mahipaul went on to reference an amended motion brought by late MP and AFC co-founder Sheila Holder, for an international inquiry. According to Mahipaul, this motion resulted in 17 MPs from the then Opposition voting for this amended motion.

Meanwhile, there were members of the APNU/ AFC who felt that the motion should not be before the National Assembly at this time. As APNU MP and Public Accounts Committee Chairman Jermaine Figueira put it during his presentation, “we need to use this Parliament as an instrument to better people’s lives, not to debate the dead over and over. Those who continuously want to do such, should join the dead.”

Assassination

Dr Walter Rodney, scholar, political activist and staunch critic of then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, was assassinated on June 13, 1980, by a bomb disguised as a walkie talkie which had exploded in his lap as he sat in his car at the corner of John and Hadfield Streets.

He was in a car with his brother, Donald Rodney, when they were testing of the device which was built by electronics expert and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Marine Corps Sergeant, Gregory Smith.

The CoI found that Smith gave Donald Rodney an anti-personnel device namely, a remotely controlled explosive in what appeared to be a walkie-talkie, a communications device. Smith was encouraged in providing that device by prominent members of State agencies.

The CoI findings read

WPA founder Dr Walter Rodney

that: “We find on the balance of probabilities that Walter Rodney had intended the walkie-talkie to be a communications device which would have permitted him to be in relatively easy contact with fellow WPA activists and for no sinister purpose. The point must be made at this stage that telephones were not easily available and there was discrimination in the distribution which was controlled by a State agency and which, in all likelihood, would have been denied the WPA.” “We find, further that Donald Rodney, whose testimony we accept, was on the night of 13th June, 1980, doing no more than accompanying his brother, Walter, to collect what they thought would have been a walkie-talkie. There is no evidence before us to suggest that the reason for collecting the device was other than indicated by Donald.

Further, we are satisfied on the evidence presented that Smith was protected by the State and this inference is strengthened when it is borne in mind: That within a matter of hours after the explosion and resultant death of Walter Rodney, Smith was taken to Kwakwani in a Defense Force aircraft; he was given a passport, not in the name of Gregory Smith which name he carried as a member of the Defense Force, but in the name of Cyril Milton Johnson.”

The CoI also explicitly stated that Rodney was executed by the State and the Commissioners have “no hesitation in holding that Gregory Smith was responsible for Dr Walter Rodney’s death on 13 June, 1980 and that in so doing he was acting as an agent of the State having been aided and abetted so to do, by individuals holding positions of leadership in State agencies and committed to carrying out the wishes of the PNC administration.”

Meanwhile, the CoI’s recommendations were for the improvement of the professionalism, speed and efficiency of the operations of the Guyana Coroner’s Department. It was also recommended that the operations of the Guyana Police Force, and Guyana Defence Force be improved. (G3)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM meeting

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, Aug 11 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Thursday, Aug 12 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Aug 11 – 05:50h – 07:20h and Thursday, Aug 12 – 06:30h – 08:00h.

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

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

Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:20h and 18:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.74 metres and 2.67 metres.

Low Tide: 12:17h reaching a minimum height of 0.5 metre.

APNU/AFC Commissioners bolt before Lowenfield, Mingo & Myers can be fired …but cannot delay decision in Thursday’s scheduled meeting

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he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) nominated Commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) aborted another meeting on Tuesday, further delaying the firing of the infamous GECOM trio.

In an interview with this publication, GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj explained that the Commission was able to debate the motion for the dismissals of Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, his Deputy Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

But problems arose when it came time for an actual vote on the motion. Gunraj explained that the Opposition

Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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nominated Commissioners raised objections to how the motion was worded and eventually, Vincent Alexander and Desmond Trotman disconnected from the virtual

21 Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, AUGUST, 10, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

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8

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Afternoon Draw

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7 Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 05 06 08 12 13 18 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2021

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Friday, August 6, 2021

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$70.63/barrel

Rough Rice

$242.60 /ton

-0.20

London Sugar

$468.20/ton

+4.00

Live Spot Gold

+2.25

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1732.20

$1733.20

Low/High Change

$1717.60 +3.40

$1738.50 +0.20%

meeting, leaving only Charles Corbin to represent the APNU/AFC side.

“We have moved the position on the motion to a simpler position, that is to say we are moving towards termination of the contract, rather than termination for cause,” Gunraj explained to this publication.

“So, the motions were debated and when came time to vote on it, the people on the other side are objecting because apparently, they don’t want us to make any reference whatsoever to the skulduggery those people carried on with for all those months after elections. They wanted to focus on form rather than substance.”

As a result of this, another meeting has been scheduled for Thursday. Gunraj was optimistic that at this meeting,

Three Opposition Commissioners. From left are Desmond Trotman, Vincent Alexander and Charles Corbin

some finality could be brought to the issue by GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

The APNU/AFC nominated GECOM Commissioners had similarly walked out of another meeting of the com-

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

mission on July 20, when they had met to deliberate on the motion to dismiss the GECOM trio.

TURN TO PAGE 9

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 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

Education and empowerment

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 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 childcare givers – are disadvantaged by domestic responsibilities; and many men abdicate their responsibilities in regard to 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 wellbeing 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. Most of the ills in society are caused by delinquent fathers and spouses.

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 Dr 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 to 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 being of less worth 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 sociopolitical 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.

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

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh chatting with a Queen’s College student during the distribution of the “Because We Care” cash grant at that learning institution (Finance Ministry photo)

Attention needed at Kwakwani river crossing Dear Editor, For effective, truly equitable and sustainable development, there is a need for the PPP/C Government to place special attention on the Kwakwani river crossing in the Berbice River.

The barge service provided an important lifeline for transportation crossing over the Berbice River for many years, transferring goods to many small communities in Kwakwani.

Floodwaters and unreliable service in recent months have some residents worried about the future of the service they now receive. The barge services this season is the worse residents have seen in recent years. The owners operate whenever they feel like, and hold the community to ransom at every level of operation. It has reached a point where the fuel truck has to spend long hours - even a day - before crossing to Kwakwani to deliver needed essential fuel for the Power Plant.

The barge service has been a lifeline to many people who live and work in the western and eastern territories of Kwakwani, but within recent months, with residents’ goods being left on the other side due to the delayed or missed barge, and passengers and even visitors sleeping in

their cars on the western side with no information on when they would be allowed to cross, the situation has become alarming, and the community leader has been left in doubt about the reliability of the river barge system.

It’s like being a kid at a candy store. Once they get the candy, they don’t care about anything else around them. Kwakwani residents face challenges due to their remoteness, lack of direct access to their communities, significant distance from the central market place, lack of any direct link to anywhere.

It is time to have that conversation about a bridge linking the western side to Central Kwakwani, which would bring sustainable economic development to Kwakwani and contiguous communities.

A bridge provides connections for communities to access the services they need safely and conveniently. Unfortunately, a bridge and other infrastructure are nonexistent in Kwakwani. The PPP/C Government is all about building connections to development.

Residents of Kwakwani must have safe and easy access to critical external resources like healthcare, education or employment,

which are hampered by the mighty Berbice river.

With a single innovation, a bridge can have an impact on households across multiple dimensions.

Rural communities surrounded by bodies of water are required to find alternate methods across those bodies of water if no bridge exists. heavy rainfall and floods can create such dangerous conditions that people can’t cross safely. The lack of a bridge means residents are either stranded, without access to necessary resources, or are faced with the risk of a potentially life-threatening crossing.

Structurally sound

bridges provide developing communities with safe and direct access points throughout the year.

Bridges are a critical component of a nation’s infrastructure.

It can have a powerful impact when an area that has a large money supply is connected to one that has goods or services to sell, or people who need work. The same is true when a community that has raw materials gains easy access to another that has factories that are able to convert them into usable goods.

Sincerely, David Adams

Shenanigans at GECOM continue Dear Editor, The shenanigans at GECOM continue, with more frustration of its work.

The same way the declaration of results was frustrated, so, too, is the work of the commission.

Was the court case discontinued just so the inevitable could be frustrated and delayed?

It is still puzzling why the vote could not be taken? Up to time of the vote, the meet-

ing was constitutionally convened. All of a sudden, the meeting becomes unconstitutional, even though there is a legal chairperson.

So it seems the chair is not in control of meetings, or run meetings, but rather the Opposition commissioners. They decide when to adjourn meetings. They simply walk out or log out.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

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

Freight adjustment Whose interest will Dr Adams serve?

by Govt welcome Dear Editor, The Region Three Private Sector Inc (R3PSInc) commends the Government of Guyana and President Dr Irfaan Ali on the timely decision to reduce the adverse impact of increased freight costs on customs duties, excise taxes and input VAT calculations by reverting to pre-pandemic estimates.

The R3PSInc will work with all its members to ensure that all cost-saving measures are transferred to the relevant sectors under its purview, and by extension consumers, as the concession apply to all invoices dated 01 August 2021 and will be in effect until 31 January 2022.

These measures will not only help lessen the econom-

ic burdens on the general public, but also stimulate consumption and help local businesses to recover.

The ultimate result of this adjustment to customs duties, excise taxes, and input value-added tax (VAT) on goods imported would be the return of $4.8 billion to the pockets of consumers and the business community over the next six months.

The R3PSInc anticipates and expresses its willingness to work with the Government of Guyana in ensuring fruitful bilateral relations for the significant social and economic advancement of all Guyanese.

Additionally, it is noteworthy to mention that Government has developed several measures and poli-

cies designed to enable the diversification of the economy, as well as resuscitate the major productive sectors – such as the agriculture, infrastructure, and energy sectors - to rapidly develop capacity for future undertakings.

Further, President Ali must be commended for his leadership, vision, and foresight in assisting all Guyanese in every way possible to enjoy the good life.

The R3PSInc would like to urge importers to not behave in a deceitful manner by exploiting the measures designed to ease the burden on the Guyanese people.

Sincerely Head of R3PSInc Halim Khan

GECOM must waste no time Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission must finally let go of Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Meyers, and Region 4 Officer Mortimer Mingo.

The way is clear, with the court action removed or stopped. After all, Stabroek News of 10th August 2021 reported that “Granting permission to discontinue the proceedings and discharging the interim injunction pre-

viously imposed against the Commission, Justice Barlow declared the matter ended.”

GECOM has no more excuses, and no legal or administrative thing that it must do except for firing the trio. GECOM commissioners Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick, as well as the other Commissioner, can vote on the motion.

Since the election fiasco, they should have exited GECOM. I am feverishly waiting to hear when they

are terminated. GECOM needs to breathe freely again and move forward.

The local government elections depend on the trio’s departure. This election will take place under new management and watchful eyes.

The Opposition Commissioners have held the process up for far too long.

Let them go!

Regards, Suraj Singh

Dear Editor, I could not help but notice that a section of the media is pushing a narrative that the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams, is a non-political public servant who was removed unfairly following the change of Government.

With so much evidence to the contrary available in the public domain, the newspaper has taken on an almost impossible task, which would only damage its credibility in the long run.

The first thing I would like to point out is that Dr Adams is part of the leadership of the Alliance for Change (AFC) party, which is one of the major parties of the coalition. He was also part of a five-man AFC team that renegotiated the Cummingsburg Accord with APNU in the run-up to the March 2020 elections.

While being the head of EPA, Dr Adams spoke at several APNU/AFC campaign events, and appeared on coalition TV programmes. He was very critical of the PPP/C and its 2020 Manifesto. How, then, could he be considered a non-political professional as this media house wants us to believe?

Given his disposition, as outlined above, whose interest will Dr Adams serve?

The Government of the day, whose plans, as outlined in its manifesto, he opposed,

or the party he leads, which is opposed to those plans?

A good example would be his silence on flaring while the APNU/AFC was in office, as against his very vocal public opposition to it when the PPP/C returned to office. He took no action or uttered not even a sound even though he was empowered by the law to do so when the coalition was in government but became very vocal after. It is anyone’s guess why.

Secondly, the media house attempts also to cloak Dr Adams with sainthood flies in the face of reports of breaches of established procurement and financial procedures of the EPA during his tenure. In excess of US$47,000 of the entity’s money was used to

pay for private medical expenses for an official of the entity. Dr Adams also approved millions of dollars in payment to a coalition financier and accepted the end of liability and defects period for the entity’s new building without ensuring the company completed and fixed the many structural and other defects that were discovered.

It is clear that by his own actions that Dr Adams is not quite the “consummate professional” as is projecting him to be. What is not clear are the reasons why the newspaper risks eroding its credibility by pushing this false narrative.

Sincerely, Thomas Cole

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

Page

Foundation

By Mariana Llanos

our children in the line of fire scrambling for their lives while we dreamily polish our guns reminders ofw the good old days when we lived in the wild west when war was a synonym of greatness when guns didn’t fire eight hundred rounds a minute we cherish the smell of red brass and gunpowder as our children practice hiding in closets learning to shiver and cry in silence instead of multiplication facts we pat our sweet babies’ heads and send them off to the line of fire Source: Poetry (March 2021)

WORD SEARCH

7 GMSA lauds Govt for $4.8B reduction in shipping taxes NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…benefits to trickle down to consumers – FITUG

President Irfaan Ali GMSA President Shyam Nokta

T

he Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has joined in lauding the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government for the reductions that were announced to duty and tax rates, reverting them back to pre-pandemic levels.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Association noted that a number of factors including COVID-19, have had a debilitating effect on the economy.

This includes the imbalance of supply and demand for maritime services, which has led to exorbitant increases in transportation costs that further threaten Guyana’s manufacturing, services, commerce and trade activities.

“The GMSA therefore commends the Government of Guyana and His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali, on the timely decision to reduce the adverse impact of increased freight costs on Customs Duties, Excise Taxes and Input VAT calculations, by reverting to pre-pandemic estimates.”

“With the impending amendment of the Customs and Value Added Tax (VAT) Acts to reflect this essential concession, the GMSA is confident that the Manufacturing Sector in particular, will be regenerated to a more competitive position for regional and international trade, with an exponential increase in exports,” GMSA also said.

According to GMSA,

which is headed by Shyam Nokta, the removal of VAT on the various commodities that are necessary for production and exports, demonstrates the Government’s commitment to sustainable development and the growth of local businesses and the economy.

“These benefits encouraged more upstream manufacturing, and assisted companies to remain operational, despite the challenges over the past year. Further to the Government’s assurance of monitoring the cost of goods and services, the GMSA intends to work with its members to ensure that all cost-saving measures are transferred to the relevant sectors under its purview and by extension, consumers,” GMSA said, reminding that the effects are in effect from August 1 to January 31, 2022.

FITUG

Meanwhile, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) released a statement of its own in which it acknowledged that this latest measure by the Government is aimed at reducing the cost of living. According to FITUG, the cost of important and essential commodities has taken a steep hike in the past few months.

“We recognise that, to some extent, those increases are linked to events outside of Guyana, more particularly regarding freight costs. At the same time, it is not lost on

FITUG President Carvil Duncan

us that some businesses have sort to profiteer from the situation.”

“Such unscrupulousness and we daresay fleecing of our hard-working and unwitting Guyanese should not be countenanced more so given the challenges of our contemporary times. We recognize that the through the decision of the Government, nearly $5B in revenues will be foregone,” the Union said.

According to the Union, it is expected that these savings will directly benefit the Guyanese people. This, they said, includes the decline of mounting prices over the next few days and weeks, while workers’ wages and salaries will be able to have more value.

“Undoubtedly, such expectations we do not believe are farfetched nor outlandish. The Federation also looks in the coming weeks to a continued monitoring of the situation

to ensure that workers and all Guyanese are benefitting from the Government’s initiatives.”

“The FITUG believes too that some examination of the fuel prices should be examined to further reduce the costof-living. We urge too that other, more direct measures be considered in an effort to offering further reliefs to our beleaguered working people and their families,” FITUG said.

The Union also noted that in light of the President’s recent announcement of pay rises to all public employees, the time has arrived to consider the long outstanding increase in the national minimum wage. According to FITUG, this is likely to go a long way to assist hard-pressed workers.

With the aim of cushioning the high shipping costs due to the global pandemic, a statement from the Office of the President had on Monday an-

nounced several reductions to shipping-related charges to the tune of $4.8 billion in order to bring relief to citizens and businesses.

“In this regard, we have recognised the marked increase in shipping costs from some countries which has moved from an average of 2500 to as much as 15,000 US dollars per 20-foot container and from 3500 to over 20,000 USD for a 40-foot container.”

“Duties, Excise Tax and Input VAT are calculated

utilising the cost, insurance and freight of imports, thereby allowing for the increased cost of freight to be passed on to the consumer by the importer,” the statement said.

According to the Office of the President statement, in light of this the President has instructed that further reliefs be granted and the freight charges be reduced to pre-pandemic levels when calculating Custom Duties, Excise Taxes and Input Value Added Tax (VAT) on imported goods. (G3)

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Security guards, soldier remanded for multi-million-dollar gold heist

T

Delroy Jackson

wo security guards along with a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant were on Tuesday arraigned for the multimillion-dollar robbery committed on Wallison’s Enterprise.

Charged are 36-yearold 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 GDF Sergeant.

They made their appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where the charge was read to them by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

Police stated that on Thursday, August 5, 2021, 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 and $38 million in cash.

In addition, Police stated that they robbed Fernanda Carmicheal of a cell phone valued $350,000. Further, it is alleged that the men robbed Francis Santos

Peon Lee, also called “Nino Brown”

Lumes of a gold chain valued at 140,000, a gold ring valued at $60,000, and $14,000.

Finally, they were accused of robbing William Da Silva of a cell phone valued $60,000. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded to prison and the case will continue on August 24.

The three men had confessed to robbing the gold establishment on Thursday last of a quantity of gold valued $20 million and $38 million in cash. In addition, they escaped with several highend mobile phones belonging to staff members who were bound and gagged during the robbery.

It was reported that on the day in question at about 10:00h, three armed men went to the Lot 23 Gordon Street business and indicated that they had gold to sell.

However, within minutes of entering the establishment, they held several staff members at gunpoint and demanded that they open three safes where the money and

GDF Sergeant Keyon King

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 white motor car, the cashier managed to free herself and raised an alarm.

The Police were called in and immediately one of the two security guards was arrested. Based on intelligence and information received, the detectives went to a house in B Field Sophia 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, interrogated 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 substan-

tial was found.

Nevertheless, 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.

The bucket was reportedly wrapped in two black garbage bags while the money was neatly packed in transparent bags. The operation was conducted by members of the Major Crimes Unit and members of the business community, especially the gold industry.

Following the successful operation, the Sergeant along with his wife were arrested. During interrogation, he told investigators that he was part of the initial plan to rob the gold establishment but he was not one of them who committed the act.

The Sergeant also related that his wife was not aware of the robbery and as such, requested for her to be released.

The Police were subsequently told that the other two robbers are ex-military personnel. As information became available about their whereabouts, the Police went to a village on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) but no arrests were made.

On Sunday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had stated that Police were hunting for the driver of the motor car, along with the two other men who were caught on camera during the daring robbery.

Acknowledging…

Y

…our Indigenous Peoples our Eyewitness was a tad surprised to discover that, last Monday, Aug 9, was “International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples”, yet there was hardly a word mentioned in the various media. Now this is more than passing strange, since, in the severely polarised politics of Guyana, our Indigenous Peoples form one of the “swing” blocks of votes that are fervently courted by the two major parties. But we know the PNC keeps shooting itself in the foot when it comes to courting crossover votes!!

But the governing PPPC probably didn’t see the need for a “message”, since, through their actions, they’re already fulfilling the theme for the “Day”: “Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract.” Actions do speak louder than words!

The HIES survey of 1992 - when the PPP had taken office - showed that Indigenous Peoples were by far the poorest of the poor in their native land. And since that time, they’d determinedly started programmes to bring them at least up to the level of the coastal residents.

Schools, medical centres, playgrounds, roads, and other social services were built and provided. Improvements in communications technology allowed them to finally have access to phones and televisions in some communities.

The major challenge to their development, however, was their seclusion in the interior - whether in the forests, mountains or savannahs. While this saved them from the colonial exploitation for their labour, it kept them locked in subsistence-level economic activities. The PPP launched a number of concrete initiatives to improve their lot: farming equipment to make their efforts more efficient, and introducing new crops like rice in Reg 9.

Most significantly, the Amerindian Act was given effect to demarcate Indigenous Lands. It had been part of the Independence Act, but was never implemented by the PNC during their 28 years at the helm. However, in the five years of PNC-coalition rule from 2015, their development started to lag even as some PNCites begrudged the Indigenous People’s land. The irony that all other Guyanese people are ultimately squatting on their lands that were expropriated

by Europeans was completely lost on them!!

Serendipitously, however, the PPP had finally been allowed to take office after five nail-biting months just a week before last year’s “Indigenous Day”. And they’d garnered the majority of the Indigenous votes, which helped reverse their loss of 2015 and put them over the top. Since then, they’ve been working assiduously to continue their hinterland development programme to continue levelling the playing field for Indigenous Peoples.

The Linden-Lethem Highway, scheduled to kick off later this year, will be a game changer to bring Indigenous Peoples on par with coastal Guyanese. …the PNC radicals’ plan Your Eyewitness is much too busy making a (subsistence!) living to keep up with all the goings-on beamed over social media platforms. So he’s very thankful for his friends who send him clips of stuff they think he might be interested in. Like the frenzied efforts of the radical fringe of the PNC to gain some traction to take over that party. They’ve all subsumed their differences - ideological, class, rural-urban, gender, etc - to take on Granger.

But kicking a man when he’s down can backfire especially when you’re all from the same constituency, and some whom they’re courting may still harbour affection for the Sanctimonious Gangster! All they can say is the man wasn’t enough of the “gangster” and too “sanctimonious”!

So, the firebrands have turned their artillery on what really unites them all - hatred for the PPP!!

Your Eyewitness wasn’t surprised when one of the radicals competing for space called for the PPP Government to be “overthrown”!

Expecting fame by courting arrest? Too transparent!! …faults In his interview, PPP leader Jagdeo acknowledged arrogance, losing touch with their base, and complacency for their 2015 loss. The present lot were put on notice not to fall into the same rot.

The transgressors (who know themselves) are forewarned!!

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

9 Provide better service to customers – Govt to GPL contractors NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

G

overnment is urging the Guyana Power and Light contractors to provide better services to its customers.

This call was made by Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar during a meeting with the disconnection and reconnection contractors of Guyana Power & Light Inc at the Agriculture Ministry’s Complex, where he urged them to avoid altercations with customers and to provide better services.

The meeting also saw the Minister attempt to understand the placement of

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar

GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal

the contractors throughout the country and the timeframe of their responses to calls from customers.

The Minister reminded contractors that when they

go out in the fields, they are ambassadors of GPL and should conduct themselves as such when dealing with customers.

“GPL is a Government-

APNU/AFC commissioners bolt...

The GECOM trio was before the court for a variety of electoral fraud charges when Gunraj and fellow Government Commissioners Manoj Narayan and Bibi Shadick brought motions for their dismissal from GECOM. The motion had said that the CEO, in spite of protests from contesting parties other than the APNU/AFC, deliberately chose to neglect the complaints of discrepancies in relation to Mingo’s numbers.

In the case of Myers, that motion was submitted in the names of Shadick and Narayan. They argued that she aided Lowenfield in the commission of all his infractions, and even went out of her way to facilitate a meeting in a GECOM facility by then Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings, where she threatened to revoke the accreditation of international observers.

Myers’s purported order to have the Guyana Police Force remove Commissioner Gunraj and political party representatives from the GECOM Command Centre during the tabulation of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) is

also listed as one of the reasons she should be dismissed from her substantive post as DCEO. The grounds for Mingo’s dismissal surround his tabulation of the SoPs in which he manufactured numbers to reflect a win for the APNU/ AFC. It also concerns his conduct and defiance of the court orders mandating that he follow the outlined statutory process to acquire his final tally of the SoPs. However, Lowenfield countered with a court case seeking to block Gunraj and Shadick from exercising their constitutional power in the motion. In his court documents, Lowenfield sought “an order restraining Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick from participating as adjudicators in the hearing of the motion for dismissal of the applicant brought by the said Sase Ganraj and Bibi Shadick.”

He was also seeking “a declaration that the complainants Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick in the motion for dismissal of the applicant cannot properly participate, hear and determine their own

FROM PAGE 3

complaint against the applicant.”

Further, he wanted “a declaration that the respondent, having determined that there shall be a hearing of the motion for dismissal of the applicant brought

by Commissioners Gunraj and Shadick, is bound to provide the applicant with a fair hearing, including the protections of the rules of natural justice.”

However, these legal proceedings that were filed by Lowenfield have since been withdrawn.

GECOM had unanimously decided to send Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo on leave, pending a debate on the motions calling for their dismissal. The GECOM Chairperson was supposed to fix a date for this debate at the time Lowenfield decided to move to the court.

Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo are all before the courts for a number of electoral charges for their attempts to sway the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then ruling APNU/ AFC Government. (G3)

Disconnection/reconnection contractors of GPL

run institution, and you have to make sure the customer is treated fairly,” the Minister stated.

He went on to say, “We want GPL to have a positive view out there and it starts with us. We’re the ones going out to deal with the difficult confrontations; we have to make sure we don’t get into arguments with people.”

They were also encouraged to conduct honest work and not charge customers for services they should not be paying for.

Indar also made known his satisfaction that GPL has been placing contractors all across the country in an effort to provide better and faster responses to calls from customers.

In light of the pandemic, customers owing below

$50,000 within the past 18 month are currently not being disconnected.

Rather, they are informed and encouraged to make outstanding payments at the soonest time possible to avoid disconnection.

Meanwhile, contractors complained that they are often times verbally abused by hostile customers while performing their duties.

In response to this, Chief Executive Officer of GPL, Bharat Dindyal in his remarks reminded the contractors that the company is providing a service and while nine out of 10 times they may not engage hostile customers, the one time that they do is what reflects on the company and they are also

putting their own safety at risk.

“I’ve always said to contractors, while you’re there to execute an order on behalf of GPL, you’re also conscious of your own safety, and your safety comes first… If you’re in a situation which you know can escalate to some harm coming to you… disengage and come back to the office, let us deal with that.”

The disconnection and reconnection contractors at GPL comprise four external contractors namely, Cummings Electrical, Williams Electrical, Rudolph Electrical and Quality Connections.

Additionally, there are 14 internal contractors and three teams for emergency purposes.

10 NEWS man found dead in coconut 2 charged for killing US-based Guyanese WCB field drowned – autopsy A WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Murder accused Malisha Dutchin

Murder accused Mario Bissoondyal

wo persons – a man and a woman – were on Tuesday arraigned for the murder of 62-year-old US-based Guyanese, Hemraj Pardesi, who was found dead in his Berbice home on Tuesday last.

The duo, 23-year-old Malisha Dutchin of Reliance Settlement, East Canje, and 32-year-old Mario Bissoondyal appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and

were not required to plead to the indictment.

Police stated that on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, they murdered Hemraj Pardesi. The charge was read to them by Magistrate Renita Singh, who remanded them to prison until September 9, 2021, and the matter was transferred to the Reliance Magistrate’s Court.

It was reported that Pardesi called “Prem”, of Lot 9 Reliance, East Canje,

T

Murdered: Hemraj Pardesi

Berbice, was attacked in his yard by two suspects after his close associate who had accompanied him to the bank earlier in the day had left.

His lifeless body was found at the bottom of his outdoor step. He was bleeding from his nose with duct tape around his neck. Upon checking, the Police found the upper flat of the house ransacked.

Guyana Times had reported that on the day the man was murdered, he had

visited a local bank and made a withdrawal of an undisclosed sum of cash.

The money was intended to pay for some renovation that is being done on the now dead man’s home.

However, following the discovery, the Police had arrested several persons in connection with the murder. During interrogation, one of the men reportedly confessed to being a part of the heinous crime.

He told detectives that he only carried out the robbery but at no time did he hurt the elderly man. In the same breath, he implicated several mothers, two of whom remain on the run.

post-mortem performed on the body of 64-year-old Clive Skeete who was found dead in a coconut field at Rising Sun, West Coast Berbice, proved that he drowned.

The autopsy was performed my Dr Brijmohan at Anthony's Funeral Parlour, Fort Wellington, and gave the cause of death as asphyxia and drowning.

Skeete also called “Bungo” of Seafield, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was found on Friday last with blood oozing from his mouth and nostrils.

Police had stated that on the day in question at about 11:30h, ranks re-

ceived a report via telephone that the motionless body of a man was found in the area.

Upon receiving the report, a team of policemen visited the scene where they observed blood on the man’s mouth and nostrils.

In addition, a bag of unpeeled coconuts and a metal bar was found about 30 feet from the body.

Following the discovery, the man’s body was identified by his son, Leon Skeete, who told detectives that his father was last seen alive at his home about two weeks ago. Meanwhile, his body has been handed over to relatives for burial.

Convict nabbed with ganja in long boots

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convicted prisoner who is presently serving a 12-month sentence for simple larceny was on Monday nabbed with a quantity of ganja in his long boots at the New Amsterdam penitentiary.

Police stated that on the day in question at about 17:30h, members of the New Amsterdam Prison Task Force conducted a search on the 24-year-old prisoner during which a black plastic bag containing five trans-

parent plastic bags comprising the cannabis was found in his long boots.

The matter was reported to the Police at Central Police Station, who on arrival weighed the suspected cannabis in the presence of the convict which amounted to 144 grams.

He is expected to be charged shortly for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

In March, a total of 2465 grams of cannabis was found

within the walls of the New Amsterdam, Berbice Prison during regular checks.

The narcotics were subsequently weighed and handed over to the Police. It was reported that the ganja was found in the kitchen area.

Following the discovery, several kitchen staffers were questioned since it was believed that one of the cooks might have been involved in smuggling the marijuana into the prison.

NEWS

11

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pregnant women, children Unidentified man killed in exempted from vaccine travel Better Hope accident protocol – Health Minister

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regnant women and children are exempted from Guyana’s travel requirement which necessitates the possession of a vaccination card before they can enter the country.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony disclosed during Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing that pregnant women would have to provide proof of their pregnancy and will be exempted. This also applies to persons under the age of 18, since vaccines are yet to be introduced locally for this age group.

Presently, it is a requirement for travellers entering Guyana to be vaccinated and present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.

“There are some exemptions. If you’re below the age of 18, you’re not required to have vaccination because in Guyana, we’re not administering vaccines as yet to persons below the ages of 18, so we have not made that a requirement. Another exemption would be for women who are pregnant must show proof of their pregnancy and we can exempt them. There are some women, who during their pregnancy did not want to take the

vaccine and that’s really their choice,” said the Minister.

When asked if there will be a vaccination site at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, it was pointed out that this has not been established since persons would not be allowed onboard a plane if they’re unvaccinated.

“We have not set up that facility but it’s something that we can do. We don’t expect persons would be coming in without vaccination…Now that there’s this additional requirement of getting the vaccine, if you don’t have it, you will not be allowed on [the plane] so it’s a simple thing. We can’t put you on the aircraft and then you come here.”

Speaking on the risks involved in travelling during the current pandemic, the health official acknowledged that once precautions are followed, people can keep themselves safe.

However, it was advised that if it can be avoided, then one should.

Dr Anthony cautioned, “Once you take precautions, I think travel is relatively safe. It also depends on the destination that you’re going to. Some of these destinations might have

surges in cases and if you’re not careful, you can get infected. One would have to be very cautious and if you can avoid travel, then do so. If you cannot, take the precautions.”

He added that a fully vaccinated person has a significantly higher degree of protection.

In that same breath, persons with doubts were asked to seek clarity from a medical professional at any vaccination centre. “Once you’re fully vaccinated, then you get all the benefits of that protection. If you’re only partially vaccinated, then you would not enjoy the full benefits of the immunisation…If there’s anybody who probably got some hesitation, any doubts, you can come to any one of the vaccination sites, you can engage the staff there and find out a little bit more.”

One day ago, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill told the media that Guyanese living abroad will have to be vaccinated before they’re accepted into the country. With positive cases rising every day, he pointed out that millions of dollars are being spent to treat these patients.

“It is costing millions and what we have is a lot of anti-vaxxers who reside in North America who want to use the regulations that are now in place to satisfy their vacationing in Guyana without having to be vaccinated, making noises that they’re not foreigners, they’re Guyanese. That’s where the issue is but the immigration will be able to determine.

When you leave Guyana, you have a stamp,” the Minister said. (G12)

A

The car that was involved in the accident

n unidentified man was on Monday evening pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was struck down by an alleged speeding car along the Better Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The accident occurred at about 20:20h and involved a motor car bearing registration number PZZ 9593, driven by a 23-year-old man of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Based on information received, the motor car was reportedly driving along the roadway at a fast rate of speed when it is alleged by the driver that the now dead pedestrian was attempting to cross the road and walked into the path of his motor car.

As a result, the car collided with the pedestrian, thus causing him to fall onto the roadway where he received injuries about his body.

He was picked up in an

unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by the Police where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body is at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting identification and post-mortem. Meanwhile, the driver was taken into custody and a breathalyser test was administered but there were no traces of alcohol in his system.

H remains in custody assisting with investigations.

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Driver in Agricola horrific Cashier claims robbery after gambling away accident walks free …as Chief Magistrate upholds no-case submission

Freed: Danion Welcome

The accident scene back in 2019

ore than two years after a horrific accident at Agricola, Greater Georgetown, which claimed the life of sevenyear-old Ciara Benjamin, the driver of the truck that was involved in the accident was on Tuesday set free after a no-case submission was upheld.

Danion Welcome was represented by Attorney-atLaw Dexter Todd during the trial before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The Chief Magistrate upheld the sub-

mission after the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence.

In September of 2019, 39-year-old Welcome appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the charge which detailed that on June 1, 2019, at Agricola Public Road, Georgetown, he drove motor lorry GWW 962 in a manner dangerous to the public causing the death of Ciara Benjamin.

During his arraignment, Welcome was represented

by Attorney-at-Law James Bond, who asked for his cli-

M

company’s money

Dead: Ciara Benjamin

ent to be released on reasonable bail and if bail was granted, he would ensure that Welcome adheres to the conditions attached.

In addition, the lawyer informed the court that his client was unable to work since the ordeal, due to the injuries he received by the hands of residents of the Agricola community, who beat him mercilessly.

Bond had told the court that his client had to seek medical attention abroad for his injuries, after being advised by a local doctor.

It was reported that on the day in question,

the child was attempting to cross the road with her aunt, Samantha Barry, at about 16:45h in the vicinity of the Independence Arch at Agricola.

During that time, the truck was heading to Georgetown when the driver allegedly swerved to avoid hitting a vehicle and ended up in the path of the pedestrians.

Upon impact, the woman was flung some distance away while the truck remained fixed on the median with the child pinned underneath. A light pole was unearthed from the impact and collapsed on the roadway.

Hundreds of people flocked the roadway and streets to witness the aftermath of the tragic accident.

With the truck lodged in the middle of the roadway, Police officers made efforts to clear the streets to allow for the body to be removed.

About one hour later, a forklift and crane were used to lift the vehicle and remove the child’s remains. Her body was completely severed in two. Several months after, the driver was charged and granted bail in the sum of $500,000.

The money and other items found in the washroom

A

22-year-old female cashier attached to a Superbet outlet at Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was arrested and is expected to be charged shortly after she made a false report to the Police of the establishment being robbed by a lone gunman.

Investigations revealed that the woman concocted the story after she gambled away some $300,000 in cash belonging to Superbet.

The woman initially alleged that the lone gunman, who invaded the establishment at around 19:30h on Monday evening, carted off with some $450,000 in cash as well as jewellery and a cellular phone.

The cashier claimed that she was in the building balancing her cash records when the suspect walked in and requested $2000 in

Superbet credit.

The woman claimed that as she was about to transact the business, the perpetrator pulled out a firearm and held her at gunpoint.

He then allegedly demanded cash and other items.

The woman said she complied, after which the suspect ran out of the Superbet outlet and escaped on a motorcycle.

A report was later lodged at the Wales Police Station but as Police continued their investigation, the cashier reportedly confessed to never being robbed and related that she gambled out the $300,000.

She eventually took Police to her residence where the money and other articles that she claimed had been taken by the gunman were found hidden in a washroom.

Charges are expected to be laid shortly.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 more die from COVID-19, 81 new cases recorded …almost 30% Guyanese fully vaccinated

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hree more persons have succumbed to the novel coronavirus in Guyana – a figure that has hiked the death toll to 564.

The Health Ministry announced the deaths on Tuesday, stating that the patients 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.

Among the fatalities are a 63-year-old woman from Region Six who died on August 9, a 54-year-old woman from Region 10 who died on August 8 and a 66-year-old man, also from Region Six, who died on August 7.

The revised dashboard showed a rise of 81 new cases, as total confirmed cases in the country move to 23,075. There are 15 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 77 in institutional isolation, 691 in home isolation and five in institutional quarantine. Some 21,728 individuals have since recovered.

An analysis of new cases showed one in Region One (Barima-Waini), four in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 21 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 37 in Region Four (Demerara-

Mahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), four in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), and 13 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Cases did not increase in Regions Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

In Guyana, 271,121 persons or 55.7 per cent of the adult population have received a first dose – 144,965 or 29.8 per cent of which are completely immunised.

Regional first doses show 69.9 per cent for Region One, 48.9 per cent in Region Two, 53.2 per cent in Region Three, 58.9 per cent in Region Four, 55.8 per cent in Region Five, 61.6 per cent in Region Six, 57.1 per cent in Region Seven, 39 per cent in Region Eight, 64 per cent in Region Nine and 18.3 per cent in Region 10.

In terms of second doses, the breakdown shows 29.2 per cent for Region One, 30 per cent in Region Two, 26.4 per cent in Region Three, 33.2 per cent in Region Four, 32 per cent in Region Five, 31.3 per cent in Region Six, 28.5 per cent in Region Seven, 23 per cent in Region Eight, 26.9 per cent in Region Nine and 9.3 per cent in Region 10.

“Just over the last 24 hours, persons coming to our vaccination sites, we have about 4613 who received vaccines at the various vaccination sites. We have 113 of those sites operating…I want to really encourage people to come out and get vaccinated. I’m so happy that more and more people are coming out. This would protect people and once they get their first dose, I also want to encourage them to come back and get their second dose,” said Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony during Tuesday’s coronavirus briefing.

Persons can choose from either the Sputnik V, Sinopharm of AstraZeneca vaccines.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 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. (G12)

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD AUGUST 10 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

81

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

77

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

691 15

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

5

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

11,841

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

11,234

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

23,075

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

21,728

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

260,403

FULLY IMMUNISED

143,302

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

564

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1317

REGION 2

647

REGION 3

2651

REGION 4

10,390

REGION 5

770

REGION 6

1933

REGION 7

1282

REGION 8

380

REGION 9

2144

REGION 10

1561

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.

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana strikes off criminalisation of cross-dressing from law books …as National Assembly passes amendment

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ith at least two members of the Opposition voting in favour, the National Assembly in the wee hours of Tuesday morning passed the amendment to the

Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act effectively complying with the 2018 orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

In November 2018, the CCJ struck down

Section 153 3(1)(xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act after it was challenged by Quincy McEwan, Seon Clarke, Joseph Fraser, and Seyon Persaud following their ar-

Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall

rest and subsequent conviction under that section of the law. That section prohibits every person who, “being a man, in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose, appears in a female attire; or being a woman, in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose, appears in a male attire.”

On June 10, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall

Former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

Opposition Member of Parliament Richard Sinclair

ruling.

Citing Articles 1 and 8 of the Constitution, the AG said those two provisions mean that Guyana’s Constitution is the supreme law of the country and that every law that is inconsistent with the provision is void to the extent of the inconsistency.

“It also means that our nation is democratic and that terminology has been interpreted repeatedly by our courts to mean that in-

Opposition.

“We have a duty not only to enact new laws or to amend existing laws but to remove, from our legislative architecture, those provisions that may have been pronounced to be repugnant and repulsive to our Constitution, and we are simply delivering on that discharging that responsibility,” he said.

Explaining the intricacies of the case that resulted in the law being struck

Quincy “Gulliver” McEwan, Seon “Angel” Clarke, Joseph “Peaches” Fraser and Seyon “Isabella” Persaud at the CCJ following the historic ruling

tabled the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Amendment Bill of 2021 to formally remove Section 153 3(1)(xlvii) off the law books.

The bill’s explanatory memorandum states that the amendment gives effect to the CCJ’s judgement and signals the Government’s commitment to fulfilling the human rights of all Guyanese.

“The Government rightly acknowledges and agrees with the CCJ that this archaic law, which is inconsistent with the Constitution of Guyana,” it explains.

The debate on the bill began around 01:10h Tuesday morning during the marathon 31st sitting of the 12th Parliament with Nandlall putting it on the floor.

During his opening statement, the AG reminded the House that the amendment is in keeping with the CCJ’s

herent in our Constitution is the doctrine of separation of powers. And under that doctrine the Judiciary is tasked with the constitutional responsibility of not only reviewing executive actions but reviewing the actions of this House, the Parliament to ensure in compliance with Article 8 of the constitution. If there's any law that is inconsistent, then that law is void and to the extent of that inconsistency,” Nandlall proffered.

He further explained that it is the duty of the House, having been directed by the orders of the CCJ, to remove the “repulsive” provision from the laws of Guyana and that is exactly what the Government is seeking to do.

Nandlall said that since the amendment was merely functional, he was not expecting a line-up of four speakers from the

down, Nandlall said that McEwan, Clarke, Fraser and Persaud, who are members of LGBTQ+ community, were caught attired in female clothing and subsequently prosecuted. They then challenged the law under which they were charged because it was perceived to be impugning on their rights and freedoms enshrined in Guyana’s Constitution. Also, they had successfully argued that the law was too vague.

“Freedom of expression is a broad, varying and embracing freedom. It includes freedom to speak, it includes freedom to worship, and it also includes freedom to dress. One of the findings of the court was that the law then offended that right to dress and express oneself in terms of one's attire,” Nandlall informed the house.

TURN TO PAGE 16

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Palm Court donates 2 cars to GPF VACCINE IS MOST POWERFUL TOOL …Police looking to partner with Private Sector to fight crime – Benn TO STOP COVID-19 – GTU AND GPSU’S OBJECTIONS HYPOCRITICAL

I

ncreasing vaccination rates is Guyana’s most immediate and best hope of reaching herd immunity against COVID-19, beating the pandemic and returning to normalcy. The commonsensical, proven defense measures include vaccination, PCR COVID-19 TESTING, wearing masks, staying home. Combination of these represents an effective barrier against COVID-19.

Courts have consistently ruled that the autonomy of an individual cannot jeopardise the health of the collective. Vaccines have proven to be a powerful defense against many viruses and bacteria. Guyana today is polio-free, measles-free, whooping cough-free because of vaccines. Many diseases that used to kill thousands of children in Guyana and around the world have been eliminated because of vaccines.

The small numbers of people who, for one reason or the other, have chosen not to take the COVID-19 vaccines have no Dr Leslie Ramsammy right to jeopardise the health of others.

If people refuse to take vaccines that could prevent illness and death, then they need to take alternative measures to ensure they do not endanger their own lives and the lives of others. The alternatives have been clearly outlined – stay at home, or take a COVID-19 PCR test.

With COVID-19 being the worst pandemic in more than one hundred years, vaccines now stand as our main, most effective weapon in defending ourselves against this deadly virus. Ever since vaccines became available in December 2020, COVID-19 has become mainly a pandemic of the unvaccinated. More than 96% of the COVID-19-positive cases in the world are among the unvaccinated people. More than 98% of the hospitalised COVID-19 cases in the world are among the unvaccinated people. More than 99% of the COVID-19 deaths in the world are among the unvaccinated.

In Guyana, we are unaware of any COVID-19 death among persons who are fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines. The Government of Guyana has acquired and has more than 400,000 first doses of three COVID-19 vaccines. More than 270,000 Guyanese have received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Government has received more than 300,000 second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. So far, more than 145,000 Guyanese are fully vaccinated. But many Guyanese adults have hesitated to take the vaccines even as scientific evidence mounts that the vaccines are critical in the fight against COVID-19.

Government offices and many private sector entities have now announced vaccine mandates – for those who have not received at least one dose of vaccine, they must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result for entry into public places such as offices, restaurants etc. This vaccine mandate does not make vaccines compulsory. It merely presents people with conditions that must be met in order to fully participate in everyday activities. As citizens, we have a choice – participate fully in everyday activities through taking a COVID-19 vaccine, or by taking a PCR test. Some individuals, including some APNU/AFC MPs, and some entities such as the Guyana Teachers Union and the Guyana Public Service Union, have objected, claiming these conditions infringe on the fundamental rights of citizens. They are being dishonest. We all accept that, in the fight against COVID-19, it is not business as usual. We have had to wear masks for more than a year now. We have had a curfew for more than a year now. Vaccines have become another weapon, and now represents the most powerful weapon the world has to fight against COVID-19. It is being offered to people, and the majority of people have come forward in solidarity, so we could present a barrier that has proven effective in Guyana and around the world.

For those who refuse to take the vaccine, nothing in the Government’s policy and nothing that the private sector entities are doing compels anyone to take the vaccine. Alternatives are provided for. In this case, people can choose to stay home, or they can take a PCR test; and, if negative, they can participate equally as those who take the vaccines. Every citizen is asked to take defensive actions, and these are the available defensive actions. Freedom to choose which of these is the most comfortable option for each of us is still available. What is not permitted is a citizen refusing to be responsible. Public health is the responsibility of everyone. The greatest of fundamental rights is that we all have a fundamental right to health. No one can exercise a fundamental right if it jeopardises the health of others. It is the reason why people can choose to smoke, but they can only do so in specified areas, so that they cannot expose others.

There is a clear case of hypocrisy in the GTU and the GPSU, and those MPs who have argued that the policy being preferred right now in Guyana and around the world violates people’s fundamental rights. In March 2020, then President David Granger issued a public health order under the Public Health Ordinance, 1934. That Order allowed for people to be forcibly removed from their homes, properties destroyed etc. Not a single one of these persons objecting today to the recommendation to either take the vaccine or take a PCR test objected then that the APNU/AFC Government was violating people’s fundamental rights. It is sheer hypocrisy, and it is injecting toxic politicising of the public health response to COVID-19 at the expense of ordinary people’s lives.

Palm Court CEO Ravin Prashad handing over keys to the vehicles to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn.

Also in photo is Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie

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alm Court on Tuesday donated two Peugeot motor cars to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in an effort to assist law enforcement officers to fight crime.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, CEO of Palm Court, Ravin Prashad encouraged other Private Sector companies to get involved to help the Police fight crime.

“We need to help the Government keep the street safe, they can’t do it all we have to step up and we all have to play a part,” Prashad stated.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn explained that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is facing new challenges in fighting crime, both in terms of dealing with seasoned criminals as well as younger lawbreakers.

“We have new challenges in terms of firearms on the streets, younger persons who are riding motorcycles and others, perhaps more seasoned bandits,” the Home Affairs Minister told reporters on the side-lines of an event.

In this regard, he said the GPF is looking to partner with the Private Sector to aid in the countrywide crime fight.

“We are looking for a partnership where we would have private businesses put up cameras which would be linked into the Police Force system so that we can review, we can track and we can follow and can have a significant impact in relation to fighting crime in our country,” Benn explained.

According to the Minister, serious crime has increased.

He said from 2020 to date, serious crime decreased by 20 per cent whereas it was previously down by 30 per cent.

On the issue of challenges, Benn said authorities are constantly trying to weed out rogue elements from the Joint Services. His remarks come in light of a serving Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant as well as two former soldiers being involved in a multimillion-dollar heist committed on a Brazilianowned gold business.

The Minister explained that new recruits go through necessary training which encourage them to desist from criminal behaviours. He noted too that throughout their life in the various Disciplined Forces, ranks are reminded of the need to serve with integrity.

“At all level of these

Forces, there has always been training, information given, re-enforcement of the integrity, values of those organisations for people to behave properly. You can all have situations seemingly like this one where you have deviant behaviour which brings great embarrassment to a Force and institution such as the Police or Prison Service or the Army. It is the function of the

The cars that were donated by Palm Court

management, the top leadership and ourselves too, at the Ministry of Home Affairs and other places who have responsibilities to instil, iteratively, repeatedly, and re-enforce the culture which is required for service in those organisations,” the Minister explained.

He noted too that even though the necessary training is provided, it is impossible to identify all persons who

can tarnish the reputation of the various Forces.

“Every person in Guyana is subject to the laws of Guyana and if a person, whatever area, has committed a crime as serious as this one [the gold heist], they have to face the full brunt of the law,” the Minister said.

Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie expressed his gratitude for the donation of the vehicles.

Caribbean must work towards renewable energy – Bharrat

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ombating climate change and managing ecosystems for future generations has led to calls from Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat for the Caribbean to adopt renewable energy policies and other sustainable efforts.

The Caribbean Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the University of Guyana’s 22nd biennial conference brings into focus the necessity of renewable energy and the environment in order to tackle climate change and manage ecosystems. It rounds up talks on how science and technology can be used to achieve sustainable development.

In his feature address, Minister Bharrat pointed out that like any other Caribbean country, Guyana is not excluded from any climate-related issue. As such, he noted that it is incumbent upon leaders to establish a greener region, by reducing the use of fossil fuels.

While it is a monumental feat to be achieved, it was positioned that Guyana is committed to making this a reality.

“If every country and island in the Caribbean community uses more renewable energy, we will have a greener, cleaner and stronger Caribbean. However, like any other Caribbean country, Guyana still has a far way to go with regards to the use of renewable energy since it is not cheap and cannot be easily accessed by the average citizen. This shift will not be easy but we are committed as a Government to working assiduously to achieve a greener country,” he told the panel during Monday’s opening ceremony.

He went on to say that advancement in science, technology and innovation has made it easier to take on a re-

Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat

Minister

newable approach to energy generation and consumption.

“The use of more renewable energy is inextricably linked to us achieving our sustainable development goals. With the use of technology, alternative sources of energy that are environmentally friendly have been created, such as biomass, geothermal resources and hydropower.

The use of renewable energy not only saves the environment but also helps us as a nation to achieve sustainable development.”

In terms of renewable energy sources for Guyana, the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project is in the making.

When it comes to the scope of work, the project entails the construction of a 165 MW installed hydro dam, plant and related works, as well as transmission lines and structures from Amaila Falls in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) to Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Some 230 kV substations in Linden and Sophia, as well as a 23 square km storage reservoir are also needed. The revival of the 165-megawatt project was one of the promises made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in its manifesto.

Over the past seven

years, Guyana has saved some $488 million in energy costs, with the installation of solar panels on Government buildings across the country as it moves closer to sustainability.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Mona Geoinformatics Institute at the University of the West Indies, Dr Parris LyewAyee noted that Guyana’s oil windfall will create opportunities for advancement in the sciences.

“Right now, Guyana is having an oil bonanza and your oil bonanza is going to create multiple cross-science multi-disciplinary opportunities in the geosciences, economics, mathematics, planning and so on. Of course, you have vast natural resources there in Guyana.”

He added, “Climate change is an opportunity. We as a region are a collection of sovereign Small Island Developing States and Guyana and Belize.

We’re close to the US and Canada. There are opportunities there for science and scientists. There’s also another opportunity that we should harness and that’s the entrepreneurial university concept that is sweeping the globe where universities can embrace business concepts and techniques in order to become more impactful.”

He cautioned that oil can bring risks and threats to science, which should be addressed in a sensible approach.

“More insidiously, you have the rise of popularism and anti-science and that’s a cause for concern. We have to push against that. We have to guard ourselves and be formidable opponents to those who are messing up the products of humanity.

COVID-19 is also a threat.”

(G12)

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GRDB's Burma Research Station workers picket for better working conditions

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bout 40 workers attached to the Guyana Rice Development Board Burma Research Station at Mahaicony on Tuesday picketed the office demanding better working conditions.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), which earlier this year started representing some of the workers, has intervened to get several of the workers' concerns addressed.

Previously, the workers were represented by the Union of Allied and Agricultural Workers (UAAW).

GAWU New Amsterdam Supervisor Harvey Tambron on Tuesday said the workers have no proper place to take their meals and have to sit among the garbage and weed

where chemicals are also exposed. He added that some workers’ pay is being reduced for reasons unknown to the Union.

The workers said on Tuesday that they are forced to use tractors and trailers with no seating accommodations.

The toilets for the workers are also non-functional.

“The Union had intervened and some of them were repaired but there are so many things that are left unresolved including the trailer, the shed that they use to take their meals. They need a proper place to change their clothes,” Tambron said while noting that there is no bond to store hazardous chemicals, thus putting the workers at further risk.

Some of the protesting workers on Tuesday outside the Burma Research Station, Mahaicony

Some of the workers expressed disgust at the conditions they are forced to work under, explaining that they now have no confidence in the management of the research station.

According to Lovely Ram, a single mother of six, who has been working at the research station for the past six years, on many occasions workers have to work in muddy water and also sit there to take their meals.

Another female worker, Claudette Verbeke, explained that when they work in the rain they have nowhere to change and so must remain in those wet clothes.

Climax Williams, another worker, said that on May 13,

he filed a form seeking to have a one-day compassionate leave after his father-in-law passed away, but this was denied.

Meanwhile, Sherwin Mingo, the workers’ representative said they can no longer tolerate the treatment by management.

He said he met with the management of the research station on several occasions to address workers’ concerns but nothing positive came of it.

“We need better management because nothing has been put in place their concerns,” Mingo said, pointing out that there are no first aid kits on the premises.

During the protest, some members of the management team drove past the workers who had blocked the gate holding placards in protest. (G4)

Sophia labourer gets 36 months Guyana strikes off criminalisation... for break and enter and larceny

FROM PAGE 14

− Corriverton man slapped with 6-month sentence for simple larceny

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hirty-three-year-old Gregory Ellis, a labourer of Pike Street Kitty, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Tuesday sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment on three counts of break and enter and larceny.

Ellis made his appearance at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court where the charges were read to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

He pleaded guilty to the charges which were committed earlier in the month but he was only arrested on Friday last.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ward, 30, of No 78 Village, Corriverton, Berbice, was sentenced to six months in jail on a simple larce-

Jailed: Gregory Ellis

Jailed: Anthony Ward

ny charge. He appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

He reportedly pleaded guilty to stealing household appliances totalling $78,100 from a 54-year-old market

vendor.

The Police stated that the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied which allowed him to plead to the charge and as such, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

Citing Article 149 of the Constitution which states “No law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself, or in its effect and no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person, by virtue of any written law, or in the performance of the functions of any public office of any public authority”, the AG repeated that freedom from discrimination is enshrined in the supreme law of the country.

He went on to explain that freedom from discrimination guarantees, regardless of gender, the right to dress as they wish.

“This bill is not only against the liberal ethos that is sweeping across the world, and would be considered anti progressive, but it is also futile. There's nothing you can do about it, not only because we have the votes on this side but because the court has already ruled. Even if we are not to bring this bill, if we were not to bring this bill here, the state of Guyana, the prosecutorial arm, the investigative arm of the state of Guyana can no longer enforce this law. It no longer exists by virtue of judicial declaration. It is invalid. It is null, void and of no effect.

“I'm told that some people have some strong Christian views in a liberal secular society, in a democratic nation, you are entitled to those views. But the Constitution says, civil liberties, say that those people are also entitled to dressed as civilization and democracy compels a peaceful coexistence of those, what you may describe as competing interests,” Nandlall added.

‘God's laws are supreme’ Speaking directly after the AG, Opposition Member of Parliament Richard Sinclair followed by his colleague and former government Minister Annette Ferguson, who both argued that the laws of Christianity are supreme to that of any nation.

Sinclair, quoting a number of scriptures from the bible, argued that men should not be parading around in frocks since it is not what god intended for them.

“I believe that man was created by God in his image and likeness. This is according to the book of Genesis…as the Lord brought forth from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. In other words, Mr Speaker, christians believe in a holy book called the Bible and it speaks to our Creator creating genders both male and female as alluded by the honorable Attorney General and therefore Mr Speaker, the word of God forms a clear distinction of what or dress code should be,” Sinclair said.

He argued that the laws of the Christian god is supreme and that it should be followed.

However, not every on in the Opposition argued on the premise of their religious belief. Former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan at the opening of his statement said “my god is a compassionate god” before throwing his support behind the amendment.

He noted that it is important the logical conclusion to the CCJ’s ruling be brought and the archaic section be deleted. He added that Article 154 of the Constitution speaks to the protection of human rights and entrenches the equality provision on the covenant of political and civil rights.

On that accord, Ramjattan added that the courts must also take into account the conventions Guyana signed on to when dealing with the issues of the protection of human rights.

“We will very much support this, at least I am supporting it, to the extent that it is logically concluding that episode of where crossdressing is an offence

because it violates the human rights of the persons who want to cross dress and especially in the context of when they are not creating any harm. So, I would like support it but also signal that that which is very much a personal liberty issue, a freedom of choice issue comes into play and we must remember that,” Ramjattan explained.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Ramjattan’s colleague Dineshwar Jaipersaud also threw his support behind the amendment.

The debate, the Nandlall thanked both men for their support for the amendment while emphasizing that Guyana remains a secular state and while it recognizes religion as well as non-religion, it will not be governed by those rules.

Quincy “Gulliver” McEwan, Seon “Angel” Clarke, Joseph “Peaches” Fraser and Seyon “Isabella” Persaud was arrested and charged on February 9, 2009. They appealed the law banning their mode of dress, resulting in then acting Chief Justice Ian Chang in September 2013 said that while the act of cross dressing was not a crime in itself, when for an “improper purpose”, it constitutes an offence. That ruling was also appealed at Guyana’s Appeal Court, but their case was similarly dismissed in 2017.

The four persons who were born male and later opted for a transgendered way of life took their case all the way to the CCJ, citing their treatment was discriminatory, based on their position that the law violated their constitutional rights to equality and non-discrimination and freedom of expression. The Justices of the Trinidadbased authority agreed with the applicants. They, therefore, declared the 1893 law unconstitutional and ordered that it must be struck from the laws of Guyana. (G2)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

EPA embarks on biodiversity project to tackle mercury use in mining

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u y a n a ’ s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has embarked on a Biodiversity Mainstreaming Project “strengthening the enabling framework for biodiversity mainstreaming and mercury reduction in smallscale gold mining operations” which will be tackling the use of mercury in small scale gold mining operations within mining districts in Guyana.

This project is set to be carried out for a duration of 84 months, beginning in the mining districts of communities in Puruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Mahdia/Konawaru area; Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and is said to be funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to the tune of US$4.5 million.

This project, which saw the signing of a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Finance in February, was officially launched on July 1.

This cleared the way for the implementation of the project.

Environmental Officers within the Mining Division of the EPA Romario Hastings (left) and Colis Primo (centre) with programme moderator Ladonna Kissoon (right)

During the August edition of the EPA’s “The Environment Matters”, representatives of the EPA, Senior Environmental Officer within the Mining Division of the EPA Colis Primo and Environmental Officer within the Mining Division of the EPA Romario Hastings gave insights on what the project will entail and highlighted the different agencies that will be working along with the EPA in getting the best results out of the project.

These agencies are namely, UNDP, Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission

(GGMC), Amerindian Affairs Ministry, and Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission.

Primo explained that “the project is expected to look at the legal institutional frameworks that are existing in the partnering agencies and to build capacity in terms of the miners so that they can undertake much more environmentally-sound mining practices so as to protect global significant biodiversity to reduce mercury contamination and also to improve local livelihood and health of persons that may come into contact with mining/mining-related activities.”

Guyanese author celebrates “50” with virtual “fireside” chat

Guyanese fashion icon Sonia Noel

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uyanese fashion icon and author Sonia Noel will soon celebrate her 50th birth anniversary and to commemorate this milestone, she has planned a virtual fireside chat for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs.

Several well-known persons are expected to be on the panel including President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana Inc Zulfikar Ally.

The event is open to males and females between the ages 16 and 35 from any geographic location. At the end of the event, eight participants will receive mentorship and four of the eight will receive financial assistance to expand their

business.

Noel will also be sharing her experience and Fashion Impresario and Creative Industry Specialist Richard Young will be the moderator for this fireside chat.

In addition, there will be a 25-50 per cent discount on all her books and she will also extend the Breadbasket project to provide 50 dinners for the underprivileged family every week for 50 weeks.

The supper and storytelling programme will also be launched where stories will be shared about the lives and dreams of what we will like our lives to be.

“I am super excited about everything that is happening for this month but this one excites me. The first family will be a grandmother and her grandkids.

I met the mom while visiting the prison and the dad is also incarcerated,” Noel noted.

The Sonia Noel Foundation has been hosting blood drives in collaboration with other agencies. However, one is in the making which will see in excess of 50 units of blood donated on August 14 in Georgetown and her hometown, Bartica, on August 25.

The celebration does not end there; 50 ham-

pers will also be distributed to the less fortunate.

The Foundation will also collaborate with Giftland Mall and Urban Life to host an exhibition featuring 50 small and start-up businesses.

Noel is very passionate about imparting her knowledge about confidence and self-esteem because of her lack of confidence growing up. She will be giving 50 persons the opportunity to register for free.

On August 27, she will host a takeaway tea party and proceeds will go towards the breadbasket project.

Further, another initiative, “50 is The New Awesome Brunch” will be held on August 29. The ticket is a t-shirt and only 50 women can attend.

Every person will bring a gift of various personal care items and those gifts will be given to 50 underprivileged women.

Meanwhile, Noel only recently hosted the media to breakfast. “The media has been very supportive in assisting me to get my message out to people and I am grateful,” Noel added.

The month comes to a climax with a thanksgiving virtual service. Email beyondtherunway1@gmail. com if you will like to join the celebration.

Laws and guidelines The roles of the agencies are to make sure the laws and guidelines of said agency that are set in place are followed and upheld by the miners within the regions identified for the implementation of the project. More so, making sure that their legal documentations are adhered to and that there is compliance on the part of the miners.

“We know that mining has a significant impact on, for example, forestry so we would expect the Guyana Forestry Commission would ensure that the code of practices for forestry are maintained; the laws for forestry are maintained and there is a good working relationship between the miners – in the area of project implementation – and the Guyana Forestry Commission. In

the case of the GGMC, they will be responsible for ensuring that their aspects of the codes of practice for mining, and similarly their regulations are implemented and carried out by the miner,” Primo further explained.

Hastings further added that “the general idea behind this collaboration that you have between the different agencies, it’s quite important for the project… especially with the objectives that the project has, it must ensure that all of these are on board… when we’re speaking about mining, it involves other sectors as well and especially given that the intervention areas in the hinterland – this is where you have quite a challenge in monitoring, so we would – of course as an agency, we’re still trying to build capacity here and in so doing, we need the other stakeholders involved… because often you find there are multiple uses of these very areas of interests that are involved in mining. So, for the project, having them engaged is super important.”

The objective of the project is said to strengthen the regulatory framework and institutional capacity for the management of small-scale gold mining and to promote greater adoption of environmentally responsible mining techniques in Guyana in order to protect globally significant biodiversity, reduce

mercury contamination, enhance local livelihoods and human health.

Additionally, the project also sets out to improve the environmental management of small-scale gold mining in Guyana which is known to be the major cause of deforestation and degradation in the country and contributes to the loss in biodiversity, land degradation and contamination.

From the implementation of the project objectives, some expected global impacts that will be achieved include the phasing out of 10.2 metric tonnes of mercury in project intervention areas, 1235 miners (10 per cent are women) are implementing environmentally responsible mining practices reducing mercury use, deforestation and safety and occupational threats, and increasing gold recovery and incomes, 8032 persons benefitted through awareness raising, training and reduced exposure to mercury, to name a few.

Mercury is said to not only have a negative impact on the environment, but it also has a negative effect on human health.

The successful implementation of this project is expected to give support to current projects that are being implemented by the Government of Guyana, Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

Regional

Brazil military parade at Presidential Over 18,000 children recruited by Colombia’s FARC rebels – court Palace rattles politicians

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razil’s armed forces put on an unusual display of military hardware for far-right President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday, ahead of a likely setback in Congress for his plans to alter the country’s voting system.

Politicians of all stripes called the parade of navy tanks, armoured personnel carriers and amphibious vehicles a form of intimidation hours before lawmakers are expected to vote against a constitutional amendment backed by Bolsonaro.

The navy said the parade was planned long before the vote in the lower house of Congress was scheduled and it was meant to invite the President to an annual military exercise on Sunday.

With his popularity flagging amid the world’s second-deadliest COVID-19 outbreak, Bolsonaro has insisted in recent weeks on adopting paper ballots for the 2022 election, based on unproven claims of fraud in Brazil’s electronic voting system.

Brazilian Navy tanks pass next to flags with the image of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro at the Esplanade of Ministries after a military parade in Brasilia, Brazil August 10, 2021

He has threatened not to accept the results of next year’s presidential election, which polls show him losing to former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Neither of them have officially announced their candidacies.

The sight of tanks by the presidential palace unsettled Brazilians who lived under the 1964-1985 military dictatorship.

Lawmaker Arthur Lira, speaker of the lower chamber of Congress, called the military parade ahead of a major vote a “tragic coincidence” and did not accept an invitation to attend the armed forces’ exercise.

Other lawmakers said the unusual military presence in front of the presidential palace was meant to intimidate them. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Haiti chooses Judge to probe President Jovenel Moise’s killing

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fter weeks of struggling to fill the job, a Judge has been named to lead the probe into the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise, a senior Magistrate has announced.

The dean of the Court of First Instance in Port-auPrince, Bernard Saint-Vil, said that Judge Mathieu Chanlatte had been chosen for the job.

Chanlatte “will not be intimidated,” said Jean Wilner Morin, President of the National Association of Haitian Magistrates.

“It is an investigation that will take time. We also hope that the authorities

will put all the necessary resources at the disposal of Magistrate Chanlatte and will also ensure his safety,” Morin said.

A hit team burst into the presidential residence on July 7 and shot Moise dead. His wife Martine was wounded but survived.

Human rights defender Pierre Esperance said he hoped Chanlatte would treat the case “with the law as a compass, without falling into political persecution.”

Minister of Justice and Public Security Rockefeller Vincent said his Ministry would take all measures necessary to guarantee the safety of Judges as well as court-

room evidence.

Police say they have arrested 44 people in connection with the killing, including 12 Haitian Police Officers, 18 Colombians who were allegedly part of the commando team, and two Americans of Haitian descent.

The head of Moise’s security detail is among those detained in connection with the plot allegedly organised by a group of Haitians with foreign ties.

Moise had been ruling the impoverished and disaster-plagued nation by decree as gang violence spiked and coronavirus spread. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

t least 18,667 children in Colombia were forced to join the now-demobilised FARC guerrilla group and subjected to abuses and treatment considered war crimes over a 20-year period, the country’s transitional justice court (JEP) said on Tuesday.

The JEP’s investigation, which will see 26 former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) called to testify, relates to case 07, which concerns the former rebel group’s recruitment and use of minors.

Children were used in

many ways by the FARC as part of a systematic policy that was systematically implemented, JEP Magistrate Eduardo Frentes said at a press conference.

“A provisional estimate, which could be even greater, of 18,667 boys and girls used in the conflict by the FARC is, without a single doubt, one of the most terrible acts that could have happened during the conflict,” he said.

The tally came from analysing 31 data bases compiled by victims groups and the state, as well as testimonies from 274 people who were forcibly recruit-

ed, said Lily Rueda, the JEP Magistrate leading case 07.

As the investigation which focused on the recruitment of minors between 1996 and 2016 - advances, the JEP will also look at associated sexual and gender-based violence, and forced disappearances, as well as murder, torture, and cruel and degrading treatment.

Elsewhere in Colombia underage children continue to be used by other illegal armed groups, who use them as fighters, human shields, and sex slaves, according to the Government. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chile’s record-breaking drought makes climate change “very easy” to see

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punishing, decade-long drought in Chile has gone from bad to worse due to a scorching July, a month which typically brings midwinter weather showering the capital Santiago in rain and snow.

But a lack of precipitation this year has left the towering and typically snowcapped Andes above the city mostly bare, reservoir levels low and farm fields parched.

The scenes, Government officials say, are clear evidence of global warming.

On Tuesday, a central Santiago weather station had recorded just 78 mm (3 inches) of rainfall so far this year compared to last year’s 180 mm and an average amount of 252 mm, according to Chile’s Meteorological Service.

Science Minister Andres Couve told Reuters on Tuesday that the steady decline in water reserves due to climate change was now a “national priority.”

He added the Government was address-

A cow is seen on a land that used to be filled with water, at the Aculeo Lagoon in Paine, Chile January 9, 2019

ing the crisis by investing in water conservation and storage, creating a post for a subsecretary of water and establishing a scientist working group on water management, as well as a climate change observatory.

“We already have overwhelming evidence and it is climatic evidence,” he said.

“We are seeing a very significant decrease in rainfall and that is generating water shortages.”

On Monday, United

Nations climate scientists warned that extreme heat waves, which not long ago struck once every 50 years, are now to be expected once per decade.

Droughts and downpours are also becoming more frequent, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report said, and humans are “unequivocally” to blame through greenhouse gas emissions. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Body of missing woman found in shallow grave Mexican drug cartel threatens to kill TV reporter

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our days after Police zoned in on a forested area off Warden Road in Sangre Chiquito on the outskirts of Sangre Grande in search of missing 34-year-old Analisa Gookool - they unearthed a four-foot grave containing what they believe to be her remains.

Investigators told Guardian Media the body was in a state of decomposition. They said based on the description that they had been initially given as well as a tattoo found on the corpse’s right upper arm with the words, “Dave, Jeremy, and Kaithlyn,” they strongly suspect the body is Gookool’s.

The body was found just after 10 am with the assistance of a backhoe operator who was helping Police with clearing the heavily forested area.

Police sources told Guardian Media that the

female’s body still appeared “intact” leading them to believe that although Gookool was last on June 6, and reported missing to the Police on June 9, it was quite likely she may not have been dead for more than a few weeks.

The body was later taken to Forensic Sciences Center and pending a positive identification- a post-mortem will be performed to ascertain the cause of death.

A senior source familiar with the investigation believes that Gookool of Toco Road, Vega De Oropouche, was lured to the area where she frequented with the other two suspects and may have been shot in the head and later buried.

Senior investigators are working on the theory that Gookool’s disappearance stemmed from the sharing of the spoils from the illicit activity.

Investigators say that Gookool’s father and brother had been murdered seven years ago in St Helena.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

M

en claiming to speak for Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel have released a video threatening to murder a prominent female

More guns than cane, laments Judge

B

arbados seems to have exchanged sugar cane and the resulting cane fires for firearms and people firing at each other, said Justice Carlisle Greaves.

However, he added, the Judiciary is determined to put a stop to the illegal activity.

“There is the prevalence of these firearms in society.

We seem to have more firearms in this country now than we have sugar cane.

Sugar declined and firearms increasing. Less cane fires

and more firing arms. We [will] stop it. We’re determined to stop it. You all will drop these guns or we [will] drop some prison in you,” he declared on Monday.

The Judge was speaking as he slapped self-confessed gunman Shane Jabar Joseph with two forthwith fines in the No 3 Supreme Court.

Joseph, 35, of Chapman Lane, St Michael, was back for sentencing after he had pleaded guilty to having a .22-calibre rifle and rounds of ammunition in 2012.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

news anchor over what they deem to be unfair coverage.

The warning was made by a man who said it was on behalf of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG).

He complained that Milenio Television was favouring so-called self-defence groups organised to resist the CJNG. In the video, journalist Azucena Uresti is threatened directly.

“I will make you eat your words even if they accuse me of femicide,” the masked speaker, who is surrounded by six heavily armed men, warns.

He accuses Uresti and the Milenio network of being biased in their coverage of the battle between the cartel and vigilante groups.

Uresti is one of the

best-known TV anchors in Mexico and presents Milenio TV’s nightly news programme.

She gained further visibility when she anchored some of the presidential debates ahead of the 2018 election and was widely praised for her questions to the candidates.

Groups representing journalists have come out in her support and demanded that the Government offer her protection.

Speaking during his daily morning news conference, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that Uresti “was not alone”.

The President said the threatened journalist “could count on us” without providing further details of what the Government would do to protect her.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil up more than 2%, boosted by forecast for US fuel demand growth

O

il prices rose more than 2 per cent on Tuesday, rebounding from recent losses on signs of rising fuel demand in the United States despite a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Brent crude rose US$1.59, or 2.3 per cent, to settle at US$70.63 a barrel and US oil climbed US$1.81, or 2.7 per cent, to end the session at US$68.29 a barrel.

Both contracts dropped around 2.5 per cent on Monday, and last week notched their biggest losses in months as infections surged in major global oil consumers.

"Predicting short-term price swings has become extremely difficult given the arduous process of predicting the impact of the Delta variant on forward global oil demand, particularly in countries such as China where data is much less transparent than that of the US," said Jim Ritterbusch, President of Ritterbusch and Associates LLC in Galena, Illinois.

The rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus has pushed cases and hospitalisations in the United States to a sixmonth high.

Still, US job growth and increasing mobility have boosted gasoline consumption so far in 2021, the US Energy Information Administration said in a monthly forecast.

US gasoline consumption is expected to average 8.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2021, up from 8 million bpd in 2020. Still, the EIA said US gasoline consumption will remain below 2019 levels through 2022 due to the proliferation of people working from home.

US crude, gasoline, and other product inventories are likely to have dropped last week, with gasoline stocks forecast to fall for a fourth consecutive week, a preliminary Reuters poll showed.

Crude stocks fell by 816,000 barrels for the week ended Aug 6, according to two market sources, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Government data on inventories are due at 10:30 am ET today.

The US Senate on Tuesday passed a US$1 trillion infrastructure package that could serve as the nation's biggest investment in decades in roads, bridges, airports and waterways. If enacted, the bill would boost the economy and demand for oil products, analysts said.

Successful vaccination programmes in the West and encouraging economic data come in sharp contrast to rising infections in the East.

In Australia, Police are on the streets to enforce COVID-related restrictions. Some cities in China, the world's top crude oil importer, have stepped up mass testing to fight a new surge of the virus.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Death sentence for Canadian upheld as Huawei executive fights extradition

A

Chinese court upheld on Tuesday a Canadian man's death sentence for drug smuggling, prompting condemnation from Ottawa, a day before another court is due to rule on the case of a Canadian accused of spying.

The court proceedings for the two Canadians come as lawyers in Canada representing the detained chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei make a final push to persuade a court there not to extradite her to the United States.

Robert Schellenberg was arrested in China in 2014 for suspected drug smuggling, convicted in 2018 and jailed for 15 years. The High Court in the north-eastern Chinese province of Liaoning heard his appeal against the death sentence in May last year and confirmed the verdict on Tuesday.

Schellenberg was initially condemned to death by a court in Dalian in January

2019 - a month after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested at Vancouver International Airport on a warrant from the United States.

She was charged with misleading HSBC Holdings Plc about Huawei's business dealings in Iran, potentially causing the bank to violate US sanctions against Tehran.

Meng, who has said she is innocent, has been fighting her extradition from Vancouver. Her bail conditions mean she can leave her residence during the day and the evening under supervision but must stay home at night.

Canada's ambassador to China, Dominic Barton, told reporters the proceedings against Canadian citizens were not a coincidence given the Vancouver case.

Since Meng's arrest, China has sentenced at least three Chinese-born Canadians to death for drug offences.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

New York Governor Cuomo resigns amid sexual harassment claims

N

ew York Governor Andrew Cuomo has resigned after a state investigation found he had sexually harassed 11 women, leading to mounting legal pressure and widespread calls for him to step down from fellow Democratic legislators and President Joe Biden.

“Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now, is if I step aside and let Government get back to Government, and therefore, that’s what I’ll do, because I work for you, and doing the right thing is doing the right thing for you,” Governor Cuomo said, addressing New Yorkers directly in televised remarks on Tuesday.

Cuomo has served since 2011 as Governor of the fourthmost populous US state. He

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who gained prominence for his handling of COVID-19, has fallen from power [New York Governor's Office/Handout via Reuters]

made the surprise announcement one week after New York Attorney General Letitia James released the findings of a five-month probe.

Investigators said he sub-

jected women to unwanted kisses; groped their breasts or buttocks or otherwise touched them inappropriately; made insinuating remarks about their looks and their sex lives;

and created a work environment “rife with fear and intimidation”.

Cuomo vehemently disputed the findings of the state’s investigation and signalled he would fight the claims. In the end, his fall from power came with head-snapping speed.

Cuomo also became the latest powerful man taken down in recent years following the rise of the #MeToo social movement against sexual abuse and harassment that has shaken politics, Hollywood, the business world and the workplace.

New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will take over from Cuomo in 14 days, becoming the first female Governor of the state.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Virginia Giuffre: Prince Andrew accuser files civil case in US

A

US woman who alleges she was brought to the UK aged 17 to have sex with the Duke of York has filed a civil case in New York claiming he abused her.

Virginia Giuffre, who was an accuser of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, claims she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew in London and New York.

A spokeswoman for Prince Andrew, 61, said there was

"no comment" on the case, which was filed under New York's Child Victims Act. He has consistently denied the claims.

The case alleges the prince sexually abused Giuffre - then known as Virginia Roberts - at the London home of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and at Epstein's homes in Manhattan and Little St James in the US Virgin Islands.

It claims the prince en-

gaged in sexual acts without her consent, knowing how old she was and "that she was a sex-trafficking victim".

The case also says the "extreme and outrageous conduct" continues to cause Giuffre, now 38, "significant emotional and psychological distress and harm".

"In this country no person, whether president or prince, is above the law, and no person, no matter how powerless or vulnerable, can be

deprived of the law's protection," the documents read.

"Twenty years ago Prince Andrew's wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her. It is long past the time for him to be held to account."

Speaking about Giuffre's allegations in 2019, Prince Andrew said they "never happened". (Excerpt from BBC News)

Taliban control 65% of Afghanistan, EU official says, after series of sudden gains

T

aliban insurgents tightened their grip on captured Afghan territory on Tuesday as civilians hid in their homes, and a European Union official said the militants now control 65 per cent of the country after a string of gains as foreign forces pull out.

Pul-e-Khumri, capital of the northern province of Baghlan, fell to the Taliban on Tuesday evening, according to residents who reported Afghan security forces retreating towards the Kelagi desert, home to a large Afghan army base.

Pul-e-Khumri became the seventh regional capital to

Anger as Nigerian diplomat manhandled in Indonesia

T

he Nigerian Government is demanding punishment for Indonesian immigration officials who were filmed assaulting a Nigerian diplomat.

Footage circulating on social media showed Abdulrahman Ibrahim, a consular officer based in Jakarta, being held down in a vehicle by several men.

Nigeria called it "an egregious act of international delinquency by the Indonesian state".

It vowed to review bilateral relations with the south-east Asian nation.

The video showed one of the officials putting his hand on the diplomat's head and pushing it back against a seat.

Between yells of protest, Ibrahim repeated: "I can't breathe."

Later in the one-minuteand-30-second clip Ibrahim

was heard saying: "My neck, my neck."

Ibrahim had been detained on a street in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

The incident has caused anger in Nigeria, with many saying it shows the disdain that other countries hold for Nigerians. Some are calling for a full explanation from the Indonesian Government.

Nigeria's Foreign Ministry had previously sent a letter of protest to the Indonesian Government saying the mistreatment Ibrahim endured was "against international law and the Vienna Conventions governing diplomatic and consular relations between states".

Indonesia's envoy to Nigeria was also summoned on Monday over the incident and apologised on behalf of his Government, the Foreign Ministry said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

An internally displaced child from northern provinces, who fled from his home due to the fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces, sleeping in a public park that they use as shelter in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 10, 2021

come under the control of the Taliban in about a week, though the White House said on Tuesday the United States did not see a Taliban takeover of the entire country as inevitable.

President Ashraf Ghani called on regional strongmen to support his Government, while a UN official said advances made in human rights in the 20 years since the hardline Islamists were ousted from power were in danger of being erased.

In the national capital Kabul, Ghani's aides said he was seeking help from regional militias he has squabbled with for years to defend his Government. He had also ap-

pealed to civilians to defend Afghanistan's "democratic fabric".

The Taliban, battling to defeat the US-backed Government and reimpose strict Islamic law with peace talks at an impasse, swept into Aibak on Monday meeting little resistance.

The Government has withdrawn forces from hard-to-defend rural districts to focus on holding major population centres, while officials have appealed for pressure on neighbouring Pakistan to stop Taliban reinforcements and supplies flowing over the porous border. Pakistan denies backing the Taliban. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

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ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Set the record straight with anyone who tries to put words in your mouth.

Standing up for your rights, beliefs and reputation will impress someone who can see what you can bring to the table.

You know what's best for TAURUS you, so don't put yourself in (April 20- an awkward position unMay 20) necessarily. Concentrate on personal growth, physical fitness and the people and pastimes that bring you joy.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

You'll be forced out of your comfort zone if you let someone put you on the spot or take advantage of you. Refuse to indulge others or take risks that can upset your emotional or physical well-being.

Observe what's going on, and offset anything that could make you look bad or upend your plans. It's up to you to bring about change when necessary. Don't be reluctant to act. Now's the time to strike!

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Look for a unique way to spend your spare time.

How you relax or spend your cash will affect your peace of mind. Commit to a longterm plan. A financial opportunity looks promising.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Pursue knowledge that will encourage positive change. Let your imagination wander, and you'll come up with a unique plan that will lead to better relationships with friends, relatives or loved ones.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Make a difference. Do something to help your community or someone you care about. Look for exciting ways to use your skills to raise your profile and awareness of issues that concern you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Touch base with people who have something to offer. Make a proposal that can change the dynamics of a meaningful relationship.

Lower your overhead, and it will ease stress.

You have a vivid imagiSAGITTARIUS nation. Don't jump to conclu(Nov. 23sions or show your gullibility.

Dec. 21) Take time to think, and you'll recognize when someone is trying to take advantage of you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

You must be reasonable today. Consider positive changes at home that will add to your comfort and make your tasks and responsibilities easier to achieve. Do something special for a loved one.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Pick up the slack and finish what you start. A unique connection with someone will lead to an unusual relationship that offers insight into different lifestyles. Leave nothing to chance.

PISCES

Become the instigator and pursue your goals. An opportunity will manifest if you are disciplined, organized and apply reason and intelligence to whatever challenge comes your way. Don't back down.

(Feb. 20March 20)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

21

Messi completes PSG move as he signs two-year contract

L

ionel Messi will be presented as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Wednesday after signing a two-year contract on Tuesday. The deal includes an option to extend by a year, and gives the forward a net salary of about €35m (£29.6m) with bonuses factored in.

Messi flew from Barcelona and was greeted by a PSG tweet that confirmed he was joining, and welcomed a “new diamond in Paris”.

The 34-year-old waved to crowds of celebrating fans from a window at Le Bourget airport, north of the capital.

He had boarded the plane in one T-shirt and emerged at the window in another, with the club’s trademark “Ici c’est Paris” on the front.

Messi, his lawyers and his father Jorge had been in talks with PSG since Thursday, when the player’s plan to stay at Barcelona collapsed because of the club’s financial situation.

Messi had agreed a fiveyear contract with Barcelona worth about €20m a season.

Jorge Messi had

confirmed to the Spanish television station La Sexta at Barcelona airport that his son would sign for PSG on Tuesday, and was asked whose fault it was that his son was leaving the Camp Nou. “Ask at the club,” he replied.

A press conference and presentation are planned for 11am Paris time on Wednesday (today). The

move enables Messi to link up again with Neymar, a former Barcelona teammate who has been working to convince the Argentinian to join him in Paris, and gives PSG attacking options of Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Ángel di María.

On Tuesday, Neymar posted “Back together” on Instagram above a montage of his and Messi’s best goals

and assists from their time together at Barcelona. Messi wept on Sunday at a farewell Barcelona press conference

at which he said he had wanted to stay at the club where he has spent his whole career.

On Tuesday images of Messi on the Camp Nou facade were taken down.

A statement on PSG’s official Twitter account said: “Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the signing of Leo Messi on a two-year contract with an option of a third year. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is justifiably considered a legend of the game and a true inspiration for those of all ages inside and outside football.

“The signing of Leo reinforces Paris SaintGermain’s aspirations as well as (provide) the club’s loyal fans with not only an exceptionally talented squad, but also moments

of incredible football in the coming years.”

For PSG, beaten into second place in Ligue 1 by Lille last season, and knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals by Manchester City, confirmation that Messi has accepted their offer is a major coup.

Mauricio Pochettino, who has spoken to Messi as part of the process, has already had his squad bolstered by the signings of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Ramos and Georginio Wijnaldum. The goalkeeper Donnarumma told Sky Italia regarding Messi: “He is the best player in the world. I am excited and happy at the thought of having him in the team.” (Guardian Sport)

Racist abusers to be banned from all Premier League matches

Paris 2024 organisers pledge ‘new model’ for Olympics

Leicester and Crystal Palace players took the knee before their Premier League match in April

F The next Olympic Games will be hosted in Paris in 2024

A

s the Tokyo Olympics bade farewell on Sunday, a year later than planned, organisers of the 2024 Paris Games looked forward to welcoming the world to France in three years’ time.

Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, a three-time gold medallist in canoe slalom, praised everyone involved with the Tokyo Games for managing to hold the event amid a global pandemic.

As the Olympic flag was passed from Tokyo to Paris on Sunday, though, Estanguet talked up his team’s plans to host their first Summer Games since 1924.

“We waited an extra year

for this moment, but we are already waiting 100 years to bring the Olympic flag back to Paris, so the excitement is very strong in our team and back home in France,” Estanguet said.

The Paris bid, awarded in 2017, features venues familiar to any tourist, with competitions to be held at the Place de la Concorde, Champs de Mars, Les Invalides and the Palace of Versailles, among other high-profile spots.

“Every host city must bring something new and contribute to the evolution of the Games,” Estanguet said. “With Paris 2024, our ambition is to offer a new model to open the Games to

more people. This starts with offering the Games to the city.

“Our plan is based on taking sport out of its traditional spaces and putting competitions at the heart of the city, in front of the most famous Parisian landmarks: the Eiffel Tower for beach volleyball, wrestling and judo, and equestrian at the Chateau de Versailles.

“The ambition is simple: invite the world, including the hundreds of millions of viewers, into the very heart of Paris.”

Thanks to that one-year delay, the welcome will occur relatively quickly. On July 26, 2024, Paris will take centre stage. (Sportsmax)

ans who engage in racist abuse or other forms of discriminatory behaviour will be banned from all Premier League grounds under measures announced ahead of the new season.

Supporters are set for a full return to stadiums this weekend, as the English top flight returns. The sentiment that “football is nothing without the fans” has been matched by a determination, led by players, to stamp out discrimination that persists both online and on the terraces.

The league confirmed that new sanctions are to be added to their “No Room for Racism” strategy, joining up punishments that were formerly administered only by individual clubs. It accompanies an increased focus on identifying abusive behaviour, both in the stands and through the league’s online discriminatory abuse reporting system.

Punishments will be accompanied by new educational efforts: matchday stewards will be trained to identify discriminatory behaviour, while a video asking supporters not to boo the taking of the knee before matches this season is to be released this week. Last week, the players renewed their commitment to the protest, with the league “wholeheartedly supporting” the move.

The developments came as Twitter announced the results of its own analysis into the online abuse directed at England players during the Euros. social media platform said it had removed 1,622 messages containing racist language from its platform in the 24 hours during and after the final between England and Italy.

It also claimed that the greatest number of abusive messages came from the UK, and that only 2% of the

messages received more than 1,000 views by users.

Another claim made by Twitter was that 99% of the accounts suspended by the company for offensive content were publicly identifiable. One of the main demands from the football industry is for platforms to hold more identification information on their users, but Twitter said such figures showed “ID verification would have been unlikely to prevent the abuse from happening”.

Twitter did not share information on the total number of accounts suspended, nor if any accounts were permanently removed.

The Premier League do not believe that attempts to drive racist abuse off platforms have reached an impasse, and will continue to work with the social media companies over the forthcoming season.

(Guardian Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 , 2021

Imran Moakan elected BCUA President Bolt’s dominance – Foster unveils assistance programme for Berbice umpires

was bad for athletics, says Edwin Moses

U I

BCB President Hilbert Foster posing with the new executives of the BCUA after the elections

mran Moakan was last Sunday elected President of the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) when that very active association held its biennial elections at the head office of the Berbice Cricket Board.

Moakan replaces long serving President Joseph Simon, who died recently after serving for close to eight years.

Moakan is the youngest son of former President Roshan Moakan, who himself died in 2014 after decades of service to the ‘Ancient County’.

President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster, served as the returning officer for the elections at the invitation of the association.

Others elected to serve were Vice President Shawn Coojah, Secretary Moses Ramphal, Treasurer Ingram Johnson, and Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Muntaz Alli.

Those elected to serve as Committee members were Ameer Rahaman, Abbas Hussain and Martin Johnson.

Speaking to the members of the association, Moakan said he expects full cooperation from each one of them, and committed himself to leading by example. Noting that Berbice cricket is on the rise,

he urged his colleagues to play their part to maintain the high standard.

The newly elected President also congratulated Foster on his outstanding leadership of the county’s cricket and for making sure that every stakeholder had a place at the table.

In remarks after the swearing of the new executives, Foster said the BCUA and BCB have enjoyed a close and very cordial relationship under his leadership, as he strongly believes in building bridges.

Working together with a common objective is the key to achieving success, and Foster committed to working along with the Umpire’s Association to improve the standard of umpiring in the future.

Meanwhile, he announced a development fund of one hundred thousand dollars for the BCUA from his cricket board, which would be used for the training of umpires and the daily operation of the association.

The BCB President also committed to assisting the umpires with 20 umpiring t-shirts and caps, while the BCB would also establish a Hall of Fame to honour outstanding umpires from the county. The Hall of Fame is scheduled to be launched on

Sunday, September 11th, in the BCB’s Charlotte Street, New Amsterdam office.

As such, the BCUA has submitted the following names to be the first inductees- Rohan Chandan, Roshan Moakan, Joseph Simon, D Somwaru, Rafeek Latiff and Jaipersaud Hardeo. Hardeo, Simon and Moakan are all deceased, but served as umpires for decades; while Somwaru, who once served as President of the Guyana Umpires Council, is the only Berbician to have stood in a first-class game, and also served at the international level.

Chandan was the founding President of the BCUA, while Latiff served as a standby umpire at several first- class matches and as a respected umpire for decades.

The BCB committed to assisting the BCUA with attracting new members and acquiring sponsorship for a proposed Day of Fun, which would include a 20/20 cricket match against their Demerara counterparts, besides a domino tournament.

In addition, the BCB would sponsor an Umpire of the Year Award at the cost of $25,000, and provide a Christmas hamper for every Berbice umpire.

ICC to push for inclusion of cricket in 2028 Olympics

A

wait of more than a century could come to an end in the 2028 Olympics with the ICC confirming that they have set up a working group to bid for the inclusion of cricket in the Games to be held in Los Angeles.

The last time cricket was a part of the Olympics was in 1900, when Great Britain played France. But it could become a permanent fixture in the games, with the ICC hoping to see it included in Brisbane 2032 as well and beyond.

“Our sport is united behind this bid,” ICC Chair Greg Barkley said in a press release on Tuesday, “And we see the Olympics as a part of cricket’s long-term future.

We have more than a billion fans globally, and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics.

“Clearly, cricket has a strong and passionate fanbase, particularly in South Asia, where 92% of our fans come from, whilst there are also 30 million cricket fans in the USA. The opportunity for those fans to see their heroes competing for an Olympic medal is tantalising.”

ECB board Chair Ian Watmore will lead the ICC Olympic Working Group, and will be joined by

the ICC independent director Indra Nooyi; Chair of Zimbabwe Cricket, Tavengwa Mukuhlani; ICC Associate member, director and vice-president of the Asian Cricket Council, Mahinda Vallipuram; and chair of USA Cricket, Paraag Marathe, who believes the time is ripe for an Olympic bid.

“USA Cricket is thrilled to be able to support cricket’s bid for inclusion in the Olympics, the timing of which aligns perfectly with our continuing plans to develop the sport in the USA,” Marathe said. “With so many passionate cricket fans and players already in the USA, and a huge global audience and following for the sport around the world, we believe that cricket’s inclusion will add great value to

the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, and help us to achieve our own vision for establishing cricket as a mainstream sport in this country.”

There has been a concerted push for cricket to partake in global sporting events in recent times. It already has a place in the Commonwealth Games coming up in 2022, and there came a big boost in April when the two boards which have historically had reservations about cricket in the Olympics - the ECB and the BCCI - came together and made room for the possibility while building the 2023-2031 international calendar.

Though nothing has been finalised regarding format, there has been growing support for the T10 version. (ESPNCricinfo)

sain Bolt’s dominance of the sprint scene was bad for athletics, as certain track and field events did not get the coverage they deserved, according to former hurdles star Edwin Moses.

Jamaican sprinter Bolt won 19 major titles – eight gold medals at the Olympics and 11 at the World Championships – before bringing an end to his career in 2017. The 34-yearold won the men’s 100m and 200m at three successive Olympics, setting a record time in both events.

But while Bolt changed the sporting landscape over a medal-laden decade, Moses told Stats Perform it was good to see other disciplines take centre stage at Tokyo 2020.

discus was outstanding, as was the women’s triple jump.

We need to have all these athletes getting massive backing from the federation in order to have a really good sport, because it’s a worldwide sport.

“No one wants to just watch the 100 metres and the 200 metres and then tune out on everything else and switch the channel – you have to be able to keep people’s attention.”

Italy’s Marcell Jacobs became the first 100m Olympic champion of the post-Bolt era with a time of 9.80 seconds in Tokyo, falling short of the Jamaican’s record of 9.58s.

All six finishers in the

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Edwin Moses in his heyday

“I think the sports somewhat suffered when Usain was always winning,” he said. “A lot of the meets wouldn’t even get television coverage unless he was coming into the race. That started happening back in the 80s, when TV kind of got addicted. They wouldn’t cover the sport unless they had someone going for a world record.

“Track and field is like a three-ring circus, it takes a family in order to have a good track meet. I was really impressed with the shot put this year and the women’s triple jump. You have to have all these things going on. It’s not just about who’s going to be the fastest man or the fastest woman.

“I was very pleased to see the 400 metres hurdles really be the marquee event of the Olympic Games, the men’s and the women’s. When I was running it was a marquee event. There was a lot of focus on the 100 metres with Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis back then, but finally the 400 metres hurdles is at the peak of its history.”

Moses added: “I just think you have to have about 15 good stars, well-known stars that hopefully become household names. When I was running, we had Jackie Joyner, Willie Bags. We had just a tonne of athletes from all over the world that were doing really, really great they won all the time.

“The field events are just as important as the running events. That men’s shot put was outstanding. The women’s

100m final went under 10s; and Moses, who set the world record four times in 400m hurdles, believes Bolt’s record can one day be broken.

“It’s possible. It’s possible.

The men’s 100 metres this year didn’t come anywhere close to what we expected,” he said. “I think people were expecting like a 9.65 or something.

“The time wasn’t actually that great, but then you have the heat and humidity and all the rounds that they have to run. It’s a crapshoot, you never really know.”

One of the more remarkable moments of the 2020 Games was Karsten Warholm’s victory in the men’s 400m hurdles, the Norwegian knocking a huge 0.76s off his World record.

Sydney McLaughlin took 0.44s off her world record in the women’s equivalent, while Athing Mu and Keely Hodgkinson broke the American and British records in the 800m event.

That has prompted concerns over the design of the Tokyo track, which is said to give athletes a one to two per cent performance advantage compared to previous years.

“I’ve seen at least three articles on that,” Moses said.

“I think that at some point they’re going to have to deal with the shift in paradigm because of technology issues.

“In track, there’s been a lot of debate, I guess, over the last two to three years about that, so I’m not in tune with what they go through. I’m sure they’ll revisit it.” (Sportsmax)

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23 Hero Caribbean Premier League associates with Rario for exclusive digital collectibles WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– Cricket fans to buy, collect and trade exclusive Caribbean Premier League (CPL) digital collectibles on cricket NFT platform Rario

Rario, the world’s first cricket-based digital collectibles platform, today announced an exclusive partnership with the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), one of the most popular Twenty20 competitions in the world. In this firstof-its-kind association, Rario is licensed to mint unique digital collectibles of memorable moments, not just from the upcoming tournaments, but also from the last eight editions.

By immortalising the league’s iconic instances, these collectibles give fans a chance to claim singular ownership over their favourite moments in a tangible, verifiable way.

This association would

Ankit Wadhwa

also provide the platform for the global launch of the Singapore-based tech company Rario, with their first pack drop of collectibles scheduled for 29th August 2021, right at the beginning of CPL 2021.

Announcing the

partnership, Ankit Wadhwa, founder and CEO of Rario, said, “We are delighted to work with the Caribbean Premier League to usher in this new era of cricket fandom and consumption.

This partnership further cements the huge potential and increasing demand for digital collectibles in this sport. We are confident that, together, we can revolutionise the fans’ experience and give them an opportunity to engage with the game like never before.

“We are also looking forward to finally introducing our platform on the world stage, and making digital collectibles accessible to cricket fans from around the globe.”

Pete Russell, Hero CPL

CEO, further added, “Hero CPL has always been at the forefront of innovation, and we are delighted to lead cricket’s journey into the NFT space via this pathbreaking partnership with Rario. With it, our fans will be able to express their passion for the CPL by, amongst other things, literally owning a piece of the action. We look

forward to a very successful collaboration.”

Digital collectibles are gaining popularity among sports fans globally, with NBA, NFL, FIFA and Formula 1 taking first steps in this direction. This technology has found an ideal audience among passionate sports fans who are eager to own a bit of sports history, be it

in the form of an image, an audio, or video. Based on blockchain technology, digital collectibles ensure that each token is unique, and cannot be duplicated or spent.

Rario is the first platform to introduce this in cricket, and provide a platform for fans to engage and invest in tangible cricketing moments.

(CPLT20)

“The Academy is the main pillar of development,” says VP Lambert Windies Women to host …as the EBFA gears up for ATC programme

– T20I and CG Insurance ODI Series from August 31 to September 19

EBFA Vice President Clayton Lambert Snr

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) last week handed over the reins of the Academy Training Center (ATC) programme to their nine Regional Member Associations (RMAs), and with it went a host of equipment for their use.

As the RMAs move to take up their new role, the East Bank Football Association has already figured it out, according to Vice President Clayton Lambert Snr, the East Bank Football Association has a lot of ground to cover in taking charge of the entire corridor in order to rally all the clubs within their scope.

However, he said, the Academy Training Center and its resources are key to their development.

In an interview with this publication, Lambert explained that the GFF’s donation would assist them in going into farreaching areas and discovering new talents.

“Well, this donation will help us to continue to rise. It will help us to broaden the programmes we have, because, as I will tell you, the East Bank Association starts at Houston and goes all the way up to Yarrowkabra, Kuru Kuru area on the highway.

So, this equipment will go a long way with those areas, discovering new talent, bringing them to the central point, or even carrying on tournaments in those areas,” Lambert Snr commented.

He added, “So it’s going a great way towards that.”

In explaining why he thinks the ‘Academy is the main pillar of football development’, Lambert shared that the EBFA would be utilising the services of the ATC coaches in order to boost development at their clubs.

“The Academy has a specific programme that we’re going to work out, especially

SA Women in 8-match series in Antigua West Indies Women will be back in action in the coming weeks when they host South Africa Women in an eight-match series at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, as they build up to the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers later this year.

Following their CG Insurance T20I and CG Insurance ODI wins over Pakistan in July in the whiteball formats, the West Indies Women will now face the Proteas in three T20 Internationals and five CG Insurance One-Day

Some of the equipment handed over by the GFF last week for the restart of the ATC programme

at weekends, starting in the mornings right through the whole day. We have different age groups, and we’ll carry them through their drills and then they have what you call an intra-Academy competition to look forward to,” he explained.

“Not only practice, they have games to look forward to, and the Academy is the main pillar of development,” Lambert explained.

He said, “Also, the association plans to give assistance to the various clubs in terms of the Academy’s coaches going out and doing workshops with the clubs and helping them to develop, because the stronger the club is, the stronger the Association is, the stronger Guyana is.”

When probed about their plans for the restart of football

in Guyana, Lambert disclosed that the EBFA will be ready at the sound of the whistle.

He answered, “Well, first of all, I would say we need to get them right now in some physical programmes, of course observing COVID-19, but they have been down for a long time. They keep coming at us, asking when is football.

They look at the TV and see that football is being played and wonder why we can’t play in Guyana.

“So we advise them to just keep fit, keep doing your individual exercises, drills, and then just wait for us, because we are waiting to start as soon as the GFF says ‘GO’.”

The GFF is said to be investing $18 million in staffing and $12 million in equipment for its ATC programme each year. (Jemima Holmes)

Internationals. The upcoming series will run from Tuesday, August 31 to Monday, September 19.

West Indies will use the CG Insurance ODI Series as part of their preparations for the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers, as they look to secure a spot in the ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand next year. The marquee 50-over tournament

will see 31 matches being played from March 4 to April 3, 2022. Eight of the world’s best cricket nations will go head-to-head in six host cities: Auckland, Tauranga, WI Women’s Hamilton, Wellington, Captain Stafanie Christchurch and Dunedin.

Taylor Ahead of the matches against South Africa, West girls up to speed,” Walsh said.

Indies Women will hold their third “We were fantastic against High Performance Training Camp Pakistan last month, and we this year under the guidance of want to bring that winning Head Coach Courtney Walsh, momentum into this series of as Cricket West Indies (CWI) matches as well. We are going in have significantly increased the right direction with the way investment in the West Indies we want. There is a lot to play for, and we will be up for the challenge.” (Windies Cricket) FULL MATCH SCHEDULE (with start times) * Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground – SVRCG * Coolidge Cricket Ground – CCG Sunday, August 29: Intrasquad warm-up match Tuesday, August 31: 1st CG Insurance T20I – SVRG (2pm Eastern Caribbean/1pm Jamaica) Thursday, September 2: 2nd CG Insurance T20I – SVRCG (2pm Eastern Caribbean/1pm Jamaica) Saturday, September 4: 3rd CG Insurance T20I – SVRCG (6:30pm Eastern Caribbean/5:30pm Jamaica) Tuesday, September 7: 1st CG Insurance ODI – CCG (2:45pm Eastern Caribbean/1:45pm Jamaica) Friday, September 10: 2nd Women’s preparations and in the CG Insurance ODI – CCG (10am Women’s game overall.

Eastern Caribbean/9am Jamaica) “We are delighted to have Monday, September 13: 3rd more cricket on the horizon, CG Insurance ODI – CCG (10am as this will be a vital part of our Eastern Caribbean/9am Jamaica) preparations for the ICC World Thursday, September 16: 4th Cup Qualifiers. We are at a CG Insurance ODI – SVRCG (10am crucial juncture as we prepare Eastern Caribbean/9am Jamaica) for this big event, and again we Sunday, September 19: 5th want to thank CWI for organising CG Insurance ODI – SVRCG (10am this camp, the T20Is and the CG Eastern Caribbean/9am Jamaica) Insurance ODI Series to get the

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2021

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

Messi completes PSG move as he signs two-year contract

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Hero Caribbean Premier League associates with Rario for exclusive digital collectibles – Cricket fans to buy, collect and trade exclusive Caribbean Premier League (CPL) digital collectibles on cricket NFT platform Rario Page 22

Imran Moakan elected BCUA President – Foster unveils assistance programme for Berbice umpires

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