Guyana Times - Wednesday December 30, 2020

P2

US VP-elect receives COVID-19 vaccine from nurse of Guyanese heritage Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4514

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

PRICE

"Dream Realised" initiative

WHAT'S INSIDE:

300 more house lots distributed in Region 6 …as Govt surpasses 2020 target

$80 VAT INCLUDED

See story on page 3

Speaker tests positive for P2 COVID-19 again

$600M for road rehabilitation approved P7 …at least 100 roads to be fixed

US sends naval vessel to patrol off Guyana’s coast

9-year-old P13 struck down by speeding car Armed bandits terrorise, rob P2 Chinese couple

…to boost maritime security in region

501 teachers graduate from CPCE

Page 2

Page 7

Supplementary funds were "needed urgently" – Finance Minister

Cuban national confesses to killing mother, daughter

Bill for adult immunisation to fill gaps P10 in current legislation – Health Minister …3 new COVID-19 cases from 168 tests

Page 15

…duo died from blunt trauma to head, incised wound to neck – PME …killer to face murder charges today Page 8

Released prisoners completed P12 significant portion of sentences – GPS

Miner stabbed to chest during argument P12

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

VP-elect receives 501 teachers graduate US COVID-19 vaccine from from CPCE nurse of Guyanese heritage …principal hints at full online operation

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he education sector will see an addition of 501 teachers in its cohort, after they successfully graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Tuesday.

At the 86th graduation exercise, Principal Viola Rowe shared that 127 are from the early childhood programme, 166 from the primary level, and 208 from the secondary level. In keeping with the online classrooms, their graduation was also held virtually.

This year, eight percent of the students graduated with distinction, 91 percent with credit, and one percent with pass. A gender breakdown shows that 87 percent of the graduates were females, while 13 per cent were males.

Principal Rowe shared that despite COVID-19, CPCE continued to cherish the opportunity to fulfil its mandate in delivering quality teachers to the nation.

She regards the college as a ‘powerful’ learning institution, which will continue to function efficiently and offer superior education. In the coming years, there is an intention to establish all activities of the institution virtually, to facilitate online training.

The college currently operates 19 centres across the country, with a student population of 1340. Some of the challenges faced during this academic year include difficulty in recruiting full time staff for the humanities programme, completing the de-

CPCE Principal Viola Rowe

livery of some curriculum due to the pandemic, and the lack of infrastructure to transition immediately onto an ICT platform.

“What the pandemic has done (is) it revealed the college’s vulnerability…It cannot be business as usual in chartering new waters using data,” she noted.

However, in recognising the need for information sharing, the college has been engaging the student bodies on a weekly basis. The college was compelled to restructure its teaching approach and build capacity.

She said the college will remain demand-driven and will continue to collaborate with its regional centres in offering a targeted approach to their needs.

Rowe lauded the in-

tervention of Education Minister Priya Manickchand for her successful negotiation with the Commonwealth of Learning to open more tools for teacher training.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Dr Marcel Hutson is encouraging efforts to have all aspects of teacher training online, in order to benefit a wider cross section. He said he regards education as the ‘key to open all doors’ and give the potential to realise dreams.

He challenged the administration to produce better results in the future, with the requisite tools and support that they need. He called upon teachers to develop systems to help students with difficulties, and not to let them ‘fall through the cracks’. (G12)

As such, her husband went to inquire, and he saw a male carrying a long gun.

Without hesitation, he ran into the restaurant and locked the door, leaving his wife and child outside.

Police investigations revealed that three armed men, all dressed in dark-coloured clothing, confronted the woman and dealt her several blows to the head with a knife.

They then took her into the living quarters and demanded money, and out of fear for her life and that of her son, she handed over $330,000 in cash. Not satisfied, they confiscated the woman’s Iphone 7 before they made good their escape.

The Police were subsequently summoned and commenced their investigations.

Up to press time, no arrests were made.

Armed bandits terrorise, rob Chinese couple

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hree armed men executed a daring robbery on the Su Ping Chinese Restaurant at Reliance Settlement, East Canje Berbice on Monday evening.

Based on information received, at about 21:00h on Monday, proprietor of the restaurant, Shoa Mei Li, was bathing her son in the yard when a strange sound was heard emanating from the yard.

I

ncoming United States Vice President Kamala Harris, on Tuesday, received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from a Guyana-born nurse.

According to a CNN report, Nurse Patricia Cummings, who hailed from Bartica but migrated when she was six, administered the Moderna vaccine to Harris at the United Medical Center in southeast Washington, DC. Cummings, a clinical nurse manager, has been working at the hospital for the past 15 years, according to US media reports.

Harris got vaccinated against the novel coronavirus on live television.

Harris’s parents were also born overseas – her father in Jamaica and her mother in India.

“I urge everyone, when it is your turn, get vaccinated.

It’s about saving your life, the life of your family members and the life of your community,” Harris said.

She got vaccinated a

US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris receives a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at United Medical Center in Washington, DC, USA, December 29, 2020 (Reuters photo)

week after the Presidentelect Joe Biden took a shot of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine on December 21, 2020. He was administered the vaccine at Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware.

Later, he took to Twitter to thank the scientists, researchers and all frontline workers who have tirelessly worked throughout the year to battle the novel coronavi-

rus.

“Today, I received the COVID-19 vaccine. To the scientists and researchers who worked tirelessly to make this possible – thank you. We owe you an awful lot. And to the American people – know there is nothing to worry about. When the vaccine is available, I urge you to take it,” he tweeted.

Speaker tests positive for COVID-19 again

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he Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) for a second time.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Nadir confirmed that a test was conducted on Tuesday, and the results have indicated a positive reading. He noted that other relatives also tested positive.

Nadir explained that he had been feeling unwell since Sunday, and opted to appear virtually the following day for the Parliamentary session. After monitoring his condition and noticing that it was not improving, he decided to get tested.

“I wasn’t feeling well since Sunday; I was having headache and fever. So, I decided to stay at home and do the session from home…

After my condition wasn’t improving, I got tested,” the House Speaker said.

He is currently follow-

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

ing an isolation period of 14 days.

However, the Speaker is urging anyone who is experiencing symptoms to get tested as early as possible.

“I think a lot of people should get tested as soon as they detect any symptom or so,” Nadir told this publication.

In early September, Nadir had tested positive for COVID-19, but was asymptomatic. Due to this, he presided over the 2020 National Budget presentation virtually. Later that month, 14 parliamentary employees also tested positive for the virus out of 126 that were tested.

(G12)

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 30 – 04:00h-05:30h and Thursday, December 31 – 04:30h-06:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 30 – 16:15h-17:45h and Thursday, December 31 – 05:20h-06:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light to thundery rain showers are expected in the morning hours, with cloudy skies and sunny intervals in the afternoon. There should be partly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Westerly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 16:43h reaching a maximum height of 2.65 metres.

Low Tide: 10:18h and 22:46h reaching minimum heights of 0.73 metre and 0.55 metre.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2020

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

Dream Realised initiative

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

300 more house lots distributed in Region 6 …as Govt surpasses 2020 target

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fter less than five months in office, the Government, through the Housing Ministry, has been able to deliver 3600 house lots to citizens of Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam); Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

This disclosure was made

by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal on Tuesday at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus on the Corentyne in Berbice, where the ‘Dream Realised’ housing project was again housed and an additional 300 house lots were distributed to residents of the region.

The house lots were distributed at Number 75 Village, Corriverton, Williamsburg, Hampshire and Ordinance Fort Lands.

According to Croal, the Ministry has now surpassed its target for this year. He noted that, initially, having taken office in August, the Government had set a target of 3000 house lots to be distributed for the year. However, with the 300 distributed on Tuesday, it now brings the total to 3600.

As part of its five-year plan, Government has set a goal of 50,000 house lots to be distributed.

When the Coalition Government took office in 2015, the Housing Ministry was reduced to a department, but it has been restored under the PPP/C administration.

According to the Housing Minister, the focus is on applicants who had been waiting for years.

“So when you take into consideration ongoing works in Region Six and the minimal work that is required in 2021 for the allocations that are being made, we are talking about $1.2B into the economy of Region Six on infrastructure work for roads, drainage, water connection and electricity…”

Croal said, noting that this is separate and apart from the construction of houses, which will see the creation of a number of opportunities for employment as well as wealth generation.

“We are also encouraging persons to start the process to ensure that you are on your way to building your own home,” Croal added.

“Among the many things that we will be focusing on is to ensure that our regional offices can respond to many of the issues that are confronted in a timely manner, and not just have persons waiting for information or having them travel to Georgetown. So, across the country, there are other activ-

Residents of Berbice take lot numbers from Housing Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues during the Dream Realised housing initiative in Region Six on Tuesday

ities of Central Housing and Planning Authority for which we will be strengthened, and our regional offices is one such programme that we will target.”

Croal noted that early in 2021, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) residents will be among those that would benefit from the ‘Dream Realised’ initiative. “…by the end of January or early February in 2021, we will be conducting an outreach activity along with the staff of CHPA in Region Five,” Croal committed.

Meanwhile, while the current focus is on applicants who have been waiting for years, Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, is optimistic that the Ministry would be able to deal with the

backlog along with the new applications.

“Just use our track record for the past four months and you can say comfortable to your family and your friends, or those who you know are waiting for their allocation, that it is coming. Let them know that it is coming, because if we can

do what we have done over the past four months, then in the next five years we will be able to deliver house lots to all those who desire such,” she said.

The Dream Realised initiative have seen the distribution of land titles and transports that were stalled for years.

(Andrew Carmichael)

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

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

Support for Diaspora

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he incumbent Government is once again making a pitch for Guyanese in the Diaspora to return home and take advantage of the many opportunities here. President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a virtual address at an event, recently made a passionate appeal to Guyanese residing in Canada to explore the various business ventures available, and “take the bold step” and return here.

In making the pitch, President Ali presented his vision of the country he intends to build. One that is inclusive, modern, robust, and with a diversified and resilient economy capable of delivering economic prosperity, which he explained would later contribute to higher levels of employment and improvement in the quality of life for citizens.

The President, since taking office in August, has taken a very proactive approach in managing the affairs of the State, and has on more than one occasion committed to ensuring that Guyanese in the Diaspora are not left out of the discussions as to how they could also be part of this transformative process.

Many huge developmental projects are in the pipeline, and will, no doubt, spur interest from the Diaspora.

For example, the President pointed towards the completion of the East Coast Demerara Highway; the resurfacing of the East Coast Railway Embankment from Sheriff Street to Enmore; the remodelling of the Linden to Lethem Highway, and work on the Linden to Mabura Hill section.

President Ali also pointed to the construction of a road link between Ogle and Diamond; the development of a four-lane highway between Georgetown and Timehri; a road link between Parika and Rockstone; and a new, high-span bridge across the Demerara River - which is expected to be completed before the end of 2024.

He added that a deep water harbour; a new international airport at Lethem; industrial parks and free-trade zones would integrate Guyana’s economy with more powerful markets, and convert the country into a major economic hub in the Western Hemisphere.

Guyana’s emigration rate, which skyrocketed in the 1960s due to the hardships created by the then LFS Burnham-led Peoples National Congress (PNC) Government, is one of the highest in the world. According to a recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the first-generation immigrant Guyanese diaspora today is estimated to be approximately 550,000 worldwide, not including their descendants. Experts believe that the capacities and expertise of the Guyanese diaspora, if properly understood and engaged, could become an important factor contributing to the growth and development of Guyana.

We have stated several times before that there is much the Diaspora can do to help in moving our country forward, once the necessary systems are put in place for them to do so. First, there needs to be a proper mechanism through which such engagement could become operational. The mechanism must include major components, such as effective follow-ups, monitoring and feedback.

Some experts have suggested that Guyana should weigh the differences between a stand-alone ministry, as seen in India, and some formal structure, such as a “diaspora advisory council,” as seen in the Dominican Republic.

The key recommendation presented in the CSIS report, which was directed at both the public and private sectors and at Guyanese Diaspora communities around the world, is to work collectively to establish broader communications, engagement, and collaboration between Guyana and the diaspora through a “Guyana Global” initiative.

Having recognised the importance of tapping into the investment potential of the Diaspora, the incumbent administration, while in office, has always pushed incentivised measures, such as land allocations, as well as concessions within the mining, technology and manufacturing sectors, to encourage foreign investment, whether it be direct or through multinational corporations.

This tried and tested approach to development was abandoned in favour of increased taxation under the APNU/AFC government.

The PPP administration’s move to re-introduce vigor into this developmental aspect by reversing a plethora of tax requirements under APNU/AFC’s tutelage has been seen as a good start. However, other forms of engagement and support must be explored, to ensure that those who are willing to return can do so with little or no hassle.

We are pleased that President Ali has recognised that much more needs to be done from a governmental perspective in making easier the process for Guyanese to return home.

Science has delivered, will the WTO deliver?

TRIPS waiver proposal from India, South Africa and other members

By Brajendra Navnit, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to WTO

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proposal by India, South Africa, and eight other countries calls on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to exempt member countries from enforcing some patents and other Intellectual Property (IP) rights under the organisation’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, known as TRIPS, for a limited period of time. It is to ensure that IPRs do not restrict the rapid scaling- up of manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

While a few members have raised concerns about the proposal, a large proportion of the WTO membership supports the proposal. It has also received the backing of various international organisations, multilateral agencies, and global civil society.

Unprecedented times call for unorthodox measures. We saw this in the efficacy of strict lockdowns for a limited period, as a policy intervention, in curtailing the spread of the pandemic. International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its October 2020 edition of World Economic Outlook states “…

However, the risk of worse growth outcomes than projected remains sizable. If the virus resurges, progress on treatments and vaccines is slower than anticipated, or countries’ access to them remains unequal, economic activity could be lower than expected, with renewed social distancing and tighter lockdowns”. The situation appears to be grimmer than predicted, we have already lost 7% of economic output from the baseline scenario projected in 2019. It translates to a loss of more than US$6 trillion of global GDP. Even a 1% improvement in global GDP from the baseline scenario will add more

than US$800 billion in global output, offsetting the loss certainly of a much lower order to a sector of economy on account of the Waiver.

Merely a signal to ensure timely and affordable access to vaccines and treatments will work as a big confidence booster for demand revival in the economy. With the emergence of successful vaccines, there appears to be some hope on the horizon.

But how will these be made accessible and affordable to global population? The fundamental question is whether there will be enough of COVID-19 vaccines to go around. As things stand, even the most optimistic scenarios today cannot assure access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics for the majority of the population, in rich as well as poor countries, by the end of 2021. All the members of the WTO have agreed on one account that there is an urgent need to scale-up the manufacturing capacity for vaccines and therapeutics to meet the massive global needs. The TRIPS Waiver Proposal seeks to fulfil this need by ensuring that IP barriers do not come in the way of such scaling up of manufacturing capacity.

Why existing flexibilities under the TRIPS Agreement are not enough The existing flexibilities under the TRIPS Agreement are not adequate as these were not designed keeping pandemics in mind.

Compulsory licences are issued on a country-by-country, case-by-case and product-by-product basis, where every jurisdiction with an IP regime would have to issue separate compulsory licences, practically making collaboration among countries extremely onerous. While we encourage the use of TRIPS flexibilities, the same are time-consuming and cumbersome to implement.

Hence, only their use cannot ensure the timely access

of affordable vaccines and treatments. Similarly, we have not seen a very encouraging progress on WHO’s COVID-19-Technology Access Pool or the C-TAP initiative, which encourages voluntary contribution of IP, technology and data to support the global sharing and scale-up of the manufacturing of COVID-19 medical products. Voluntary Licenses, even where they exist, are shrouded in secrecy. Their terms and conditions are not transparent.

Their scope is limited to specific amounts or for a limited subset of countries, thereby encouraging nationalism rather than true international collaboration.

Why is there a need to go beyond existing global cooperation initiatives?

Global cooperation initiatives such as the COVAX Mechanism and the ACTAccelerator are inadequate to meet the massive global needs of 7.8 billion people. The ACT-A initiative aims to procure 2 billion doses of vaccines by the end of next year and distribute them fairly around the world. With a two-dose regime, however, this will only cover 1 billion people. That means that even if ACT-A is fully financed and successful, which is not the case presently, there would not be enough vaccines for the majority of the global population.

Past experience

During the initial few months of the current pandemic, we have seen that shelves were emptied by those who had access to masks, PPEs, sanitizers, gloves and other essential COVID-19 items even without their immediate need.

The same should not happen to vaccines. Eventually, the world was able to ramp up manufacturing of COVID-19 essentials as there were no IP barriers hindering that.

At present, we need the

same pooling of IP rights and know-how for scaling up the manufacturing of vaccines and treatments, which unfortunately has not been forthcoming, necessitating the need for the Waiver.

It is the pandemic – an extraordinary, once in a lifetime event – that has mobilised the collaboration of multiple stakeholders. It is knowledge and skills held by scientists, researchers, public health experts and universities that have enabled the cross-country collaborations and enormous public funding that has facilitated the development of vaccines in record time – and not alone IP!

Way forward

The TRIPS waiver proposal is a targeted and proportionate response to the exceptional public health emergency that the world faces today. Such a Waiver is well-within the provisions of Article IX of the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO. It can help in ensuring that human lives are not lost for want of a timely and affordable access to vaccines. The adoption of the Waiver will also re-establish WTO’s credibility and show that multilateral trading system continues to be relevant and can deliver in times of a crisis. Now is the time for WTO members to act and adopt the Waiver to save lives and help in getting the economy back on the revival path quickly.

While making the vaccines available was a test of science, making them accessible and affordable is going to be a test of humanity.

History should remember us for the “AAA rating”, ie, for Availability, Accessibility and Affordability of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and not for a single “A rating” for Availability only. Our future generations deserve nothing less.

A case of legitimate expectation

Dear Editor, The Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), since its formation in 1976, has been one among the very few autonomous state corporations that have consistently made a profit each year of its operation. It also has the unique distinction of consistently paying company employees a bonus each year of its existence, without missing a break.

The question that has always been on the lips of GuyOil employees is not whether or not there will be a bonus, but rather, how much will it be? Would it be two, three or four weeks?

To read the announcement that GuyOil would not be paying a bonus

or a salary increase for this year to the employees was a real disappointment.

The payment of the bonus based on the profitability of the company each year has created a legitimate expectation in the minds of each employee, and will serve as a major disincentive if not paid.

GuyOil is an autonomous state entity, and, as such, it can independently pay bonuses outside of any other Public Service agreement. However, GuyOil has always been treated as a political football. When it suits the Government, it is an autonomous entity, as in the case when it refuses their application for duty free concession on

vehicles because of the said autonomy; but when it comes to higher wages and bonuses, its employees can get only what public servants receive, because that is now their convenient classification.

In this time of COVID-19, it is more than a legitimate expectation of the employees to receive a bonus; it is the corporate, responsible, humane thing to do, especially in light of GuyOil continuing to be a highly profitable State Enterprise. The bonus should be paid forthwith.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

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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

GAWU welcomes further support to sugar industry

Dear Editor, At this time, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) welcomes the release of additional financial support to the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) from the Government of Guyana. The approval of the sum of $4B on December 28, 2020 by the National Assembly, to support capital expenditure in the industry, comes at a critical time.

During the period of the coalition Government, capital replacement, notwithstanding the $30B bond, was reduced to a trickle, and many important and necessary works were simply shelved. The absence of the required investments has snowballed, pushing efficiency of the industry to record lows, as is evidenced

by the miserable production levels recorded.

The Union also recognises that many of the usual suspects have lined up to offer criticisms to this latest level of support to the sugar industry. Frankly, the GAWU is not really surprised by the utterances of those who have sought to denounce the assistance to the industry.

Some of them, we recollect, when they had occupied the seat of power, did their utmost to sideline and ostracize the industry, and more so the tens of thousands who depend on it for their wellbeing. Undoubtedly, leopards never change their spots.

This is most disheartening, though the GAWU continues to remain at a loss regarding the reason/s for their vehement attitude to the sugar industry, which

has made, and continues to make, several tangible and worthwhile contributions to the nation.

While the GAWU is heartened by the latest support, we urge that the monies now approved be properly and prudently utilised by the Sugar Corporation.

Indeed, we are aware that there is a great deal of work to be done if we are to arrest the decline of the industry and begin to chart the path back to sustainability. We know, too, that the process will not happen overnight, and will come with hard work and dedicated efforts.

It is in this light that we see the sugar workers playing a pivotal role in the march to sustainability.

It is a widely known fact that the workers suffered significantly at the hand of the

Dear Editor, As we continue the debate about Guyana’s ethnic diversity and the ethnic conflict which has afflicted our society, there are those who attribute our problem solely to the politicians, and there are those who differ.

In furtherance of, and as a contribution to, the debate, here are three pertinent quotations from eminent scholars.

1. “The plural society owes its existence to external facts; it is a unit of disparate parts, and it lacks a common social will. There is a medley of peoples who mix but do not combine. The dif-

ferent sections of the community live side by side, but separately, within the same political unit. Even in the economic sphere, there is division of labour along ethnic lines. The members intermingle and meet as individuals, but the union is not voluntary; it is imposed by the colonial power and by the force of economic circumstances”. (J.S Furnivall, Colonial policy and practice a comparative study of Burma and Netherlands India. Cambridge University Press, 1948.)

2. “Demographic pressures and technological innovations have caused a

scarcity of work on the plantations, which is not compensated for by the growth of new industries. As more and more East Indians searched outside the plantations for jobs, the area of competition between the East Indians and AfroGuyanese sharpened.” (Paul Singh, Guyana: Socialism in a Plural Society. Fabian Research Series 307,1972) 3. “During the period of British hegemony, any conflicting national interest of East Indians and Afro-Guyanese were kept in abeyance by parallel status deprivation and their common opposition to colonialism. With the advent

coalition Government. They hadn’t received any raise in pay between 2015 and 2019, and several of their benefits were simply suspended without rhyme or reason. Apart from that, massive increases in the cost-of-living, brought about by onerous taxes, further eroded their living standards. The GAWU had computed that between the end of 2014 and the end of 2019, sugar workers’ real and nominal wages had fallen by 46 per cent. This was and is a massive blow to them and their family’s wellbeing.

While we know that efforts have been made to reduce the burdensome taxes, and this will bring some reprieve, successive years of wage freeze have taken their toll.

Against that background, and as much as we are

pleased by the investment in physical capital, we urge some level of investment in the industry’s workforce, who have been deemed its most valuable asset.

Undoubtedly, the workers at all levels have a significant contribution to make, and will play a sterling role in the reversal of the industry’s decline. Already, we have seen the efforts of the workers, who, despite many adversities, continue to persevere and give their best.

This is laudable, and we have recognised the Corporation acknowledging the workers’ contribution.

At this time, the GAWU and the GuySuCo continue to remain in talks regarding the outstanding 2019 negotiations. The Corporation, in a letter in February, 2020, acknowledged that the discus-

sions remain outstanding.

For its part, the GAWU has signalled a willingness to find a settlement, and is prepared to listen to any reasonable proposal from GuySuCo. The Corporation, we gather, has transmitted our concerns to its shareholder. We are hopeful that good sense can prevail and the parties can together work towards finding an amicable solution.

Undoubtedly, it would be a significant boost to workers’ morale and commitment, as the industry seeks, in 2021, to begin to correct many of its shortcomings and turn a new leaf as it advances along the pathway to sustainability.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

Resolution of ethnic conflict should be our ultimate goal of independence, the latent conflicts emerged in terms of political competition, job allocation and increased prejudice.” (Paul Singh, Guyana: Socialism in a Plural Society. Fabian Research series 307, 1972).

The first quotation establishes the conceptual framework for the identification of a plural society. Is that applicable to Guyana? The second quotation identifies an occasion when the differences assumed antagonistic proportions. The third quotation identifies the suppressant, as well as the awakening, of the conflict, albeit it does not factor-in all of the ethnic groups.

Let the debate continue, as we seek the truth about, and consensus on, the casual factors of our ethnic conflict. The identification of those factors will go a long way in determining how the

conflict can be resolved. The resolution should be our ultimate goal.

Yours truly, Vincent Alexander

COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

US$ $51.09/barrel $224.694/ton $411.80/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change % +0.45 +0.27 +0.78

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1884.30

$1885.30

Low/High Change

$1871.70 +5.90

$1887.90 +0.31%

6

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

Foundation ◄

Page

Double-Line Graphs

A double-line graph often compares how information changes for two or more persons, places or things as time passes.

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Exercises: Interpret 1) What can you say about the supply and demand of ice cream from the double-line chart?

Example:

2) What conclusion can you draw from the double-line graph about students’ grades and how much TV they watched?

In which year were the most dolphins seen in Guyana and Suriname?

A

Step 1: Look for the highest point on the graph for the Guyana data (80) and then the Suriname data (100).

Step 2: Look along the horizontal axis for the time that point relates to: 1999 (Guyana) and 1997 (Suriname).

Tuesday’s answers

1) 2)

Seventeen students took 20 minutes to locate library materials.

Saturday and Wednesday are the two most popular days for consuming potatoes .

New Year's Eve party popper craft Materials Marker pens Coloured cardstock Tissue paper confetti rounds Ribbon Glue Scissors Sticky Tape Instructions Colour the template above or design your own then cut it out.

Fold the two outer edges under and sticky tape a short length of ribbon onto the back to make your pull cord.

If you are making a greeting card, fold a piece of A4 cardstock in half and glue the small party popper onto the front using the folded tabs. If you are making a picture, you can stick the larger party popper onto a piece of unfolded cardstock. (Remember to glue the party popper low on the background so that you have room to add your confetti explosion.)

shepherd, counting his sheep one day, discovered that a number of them were missing.

Much irritated, he very loudly and boastfully declared that he would catch the thief and punish him as he deserved. The shepherd suspected a wolf of the deed and so set out toward a rocky region among the hills, where there were caves infested by wolves. But before starting out he made a vow to Jupiter that if he would help him find the thief he would offer a fat Calf as a sacrifice.

The shepherd searched a long time without finding any wolves, but just as he was passing near a large cave on the mountain side, a huge lion stalked out, carrying a sheep. In great terror the shepherd fell on his knees.

"Alas, O Jupiter, man does not know what he asks!

To find the thief I offered to sacrifice a fat calf. Now I promise you a full-grown bull, if you but make the thief go away!"

WORD SEARCH Glue on your tissue paper confetti rounds. (You could use glitter or sequins if you prefer.) Finish the card or picture as you wish. (kidscraftroom.com)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US sends naval vessel to patrol off Guyana’s coast …to boost maritime security in region

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n keeping with efforts to increase maritime security in the Atlantic Ocean, the United States (US) Navy has sent a brandnew cutter vessel that will patrol offshore a number of countries in the region, including Guyana.

According to a statement from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), the warship, which is called the USCGC Stone (WMSL 758), was sent from Pascagoula, Mississippi in the US just ahead of Christmas.

The ship in question is a Legend-class cutter, considered one of the most technologically advanced ships in the US Coast Guard’s fleet with a range of 12,000 nautical miles. They usually measure 127 metres, with a 54-foot beam (width at the widest point of the ship) and can reach a top speed of over 28 knots.

It was explained by DVIDS that the ship will be on a multi-month deployment to the South Atlantic

Ocean and will be tasked with countering illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, while also strengthening relationships for maritime sovereignty and security throughout the region.

“The brand-new Legendclass national security cutter, one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s flagships, will provide a presence and support national security objectives throughout the Atlantic. This patrol is the cutter’s initial shakedown cruise following delivery in November,” the statement said.

It was also noted in the statement that this is the service’s “first patrol to South America in recent memory, and is being undertaken with support from Guyana, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Portugal. The cutter has embarked a ship rider from the Portuguese Navy under a non-binding international agreement.”

According to the statement, Operation Southern Cross is being conduct-

ed in conjunction with US Southern Command. It is charged with managing operations in Central and South America by collaborating to ensure the security of the Western Hemisphere.

It was only in September that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Guyana and signed a maritime patrol pact with officials in Guyana to guard against narcotics and other regional security threats.

President Dr Irfaan Ali had explained that the maritime pact would see joint patrols to interdict narcotics trafficking. The President had also noted that it would allow for the improvement of technical and human capabilities in monitoring Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone. That move, he had noted, would augur well for stronger collaboration and broader technical assistance to help combat both domestic and transnational organised criminal networks.

“In relation to our

$600M for road rehabilitation approved …at least 100 roads to be fixed

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he National Assembly on Tuesday approved $600 million in supplemental funding for road upgrades and construction, with Public Works Minister Juan Edghill revealing that the deplorable state of roads in Guyana is one of the major problems the Government inherited from the last administration.

During the sitting of the National Assembly, Edghill was asked about the $600 million allocation in financial paper # 2 of 2020. He explained that some of the monies sought will go towards paying the mobilisation advances for the contractors to begin work.

Edghill reminded the other side of the house, including his predecessor David Patterson, that when the Government entered office, it found the road network to be in need of urgent fixing. He noted that many Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) reached out for help with their roads.

“Since assuming office, one of the biggest issues that have affected the lives of people across the country is the deplorable state of their roads. The requests have been (coming). Region 10 requested my Ministry’s help with their roads. So, we have gone out, using the procurement process, to fix at least 100 roads,” he said.

According to Edghill, the contracts will either be awarded at the Ministerial or National Tender Board level, depending on the amount.

The Minister explained that every region would receive attention from the Ministry

for the initiative.

“In this emergency budget, where works were (approved) and undertaken, every single region is receiving attention from the Ministry of Public Works when it comes to the upgrade and rehabilitation of roads; without exception, in a non-discriminatory manner, through consultations with the NDCs and the RDCs,” he said.

“Roads have been selected as priority one and two.

And these 100 roads that are being done are the priority ones requested by the communities. In 2021, we’ll have to come with a new tranche of roads. So, this $600 million is to accelerate services to ensure the livelihood of our Guyanese people are improved in a timely manner.”

Under questioning from A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Members of Parliament, the Minister gave examples of some of the roads that will see works being done from the $600 million allocation.

“In Region Three, rehabilitation of Koker Street and Charles Street in Parika. The road cost $77.3 million. The mobilization advance would be $15.4 million. Independence Street, the road cost $81.6 million,” the Minister revealed.

“We come to Region Four.

Charlotte Street, Enterprise.

The road cost $23 million. The mobilization advance would be $4.6 million.

Region Five, rehabilitation of Mangrove Street in Cane Grove. The road cost $62 million, the mobilization advance is $12.4 million.”

The minister also was at pains to assure that all pro-

curement laws would be adhered to. Additionally, he noted that contractors would be held to account, to deliver in keeping with their workplans, something the former government was repeatedly flagged for failing to ensure.

One stark example was the Hunter Street contract, for which a contractor signed an $86.6 million contract in 2019 but proved unable to complete the project.

In fact, the Audit Office of Guyana had found that the Government rewarded the contractor’s missed deadlines and abandonment of the site with contract extensions.

“I can assure this honourable house that every financial transaction that will be done for the award of contracts of any nature by the PPP/c government will be in strict adherence to the law, Because we believe in good governance,” Minister Edghill explained. “We will not be awarding contracts and signing agreements after, as has been the case in the past. We will not be signing contracts and up until now the works have not been completed. I am currently fighting to get contracts that were signed on December 31, 2019 implemented in 2020. And some of the works have not yet been completed. Some of it, you can’t even find the contractor on the site.”

The 2019 Audit Report had raised a number of issues pertaining to lack of transparency and accountability at the Ministry. According to Edghill, he has instructed his Ministry to ensure that there is no repeat under his administration.

The USCGC Stone (WMSL 758) ship (Photo by HII Shipbuilding)

Exclusive Economic Zone, it is not only from a maritime perspective, because we would have raised also with the Secretary radar coverage of our Exclusive Economic Zone, which is critical at this time. We have had various difficulties, and I think we welcome any help that would enhance our security, that would enhance our ability to protect our borders and, importantly, enhance our capability and ability to ensure that we go after criminal elements. And this allows us to do that. It strengthens our capacity

and it builds that partnership and gives us that additional capacity that is so needed,” President Ali had said.

At present, Guyana and Venezuela are locked in a dispute wherein the Spanish-speaking country has laid claim, without cause, to more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass, the Essequibo region, and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which more than eight billion barrels of oil have been discovered…offshore Guyana.

Having ruled via majority that it has jurisdiction to hear the border controversy case between Guyana and Venezuela over a week ago, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has set January 15, 2021 for case management.

During this hearing, the World Court, which is located in The Hague, Netherlands, is expected to decide on the time to be allocated for the different elements of the hearing – presentation by the two sides and responses, then deliberation by the judges.

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cuban national confesses to killing mother, daughter …duo died from blunt trauma to head, incised wound to neck – PME …killer to face murder charges today

Nabbed for murder: Yoel Rodrigues Barientos

C

uban national Yoel Rodrigues Barientos aka “Joel Rodrigues”, who has been arrested for the murders of his 34-year-old partner Tara Krishnaran and her 11-year-old daughter Larissa Singh, has since confessed to

the heinous crime.

The Cuban national was apprehended on Monday in Amelia’s Ward, Linden after the Police had issued a warrant for his arrest for the murders.

During interrogation, Barientos told detectives that on Christmas Night he got angry after the now dead woman informed him that she was going to visit a relative. This, he noted, led to an argument, and it was then that he picked up a hammer and dealt the woman several blows to her head.

She collapsed on the bed and died instantly.

He further told detectives that the crime was witnessed by the dead woman’s daughter, and in order to prevent her from testify against him, he attacked and stabbed the 11-year-old to the neck and body with a knife.

She died moments after her mother. He, however, denied that he sexually molested the

Dead: Larissa Singh

Dead: Tara Krishnaran

child. According to a post-mortem examination, Krishnaran died of blunt force trauma to the head, and her daughter of an incise wound to the neck and blunt force trauma.

After committing the acts, Barientos reportedly went into his ailing father-in-law’s room and stole an undisclosed sum of money, which he used to travel to Linden. His intention, he stated, was to cross the border

into Brazil.

He is expected to be arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court today.

It was reported that the bodies of Krishnaran and Singh were discovered at about 21:00h on Boxing Day at their Princes Street home in Lodge, Georgetown. Based on initial reports received, the father of the dead woman told Police that the suspect and his daughter were heard arguing at about 17:30h on December 25. This was followed by a scuffle between them.

However, the man did not take it seriously, since the couple would normally fight, and, as such, he retired to bed. At about 08:00h on December 26, the father woke up, but did not check on his daughter and granddaughter, since he thought that she had gone to work and had taken her daughter with her.

At approximately 20:30h, the man went to his daughter’s room to check on them, and it was then that he made the gruesome discovery.

His daughter and granddaughter were lying motionless on a bed and on the ground respectively.

Wounds were discovered at the back of the woman’s head, left temple and left side of the face, while the child sustained a stab wound to her neck. It is suspected that she was also raped. A blood-stained hammer and a knife were retrieved from the scene.

At the home of the dead woman on Sunday, her brother Amar Krishnaran narrated what he was told had happened to his sister and niece.

“Normally, when they go to work, they does make he [our father’s] food and put it on the table…he didn’t see the food on the table and didn’t know what happened…as the time was going by during the day, he didn’t see the little girl coming out to feed the puppy…,” he said.

Amar said his father waited for hours for his daughter, and he did not see her or the child come in, so he decided to go to the room to check.

“He went and pull the blind and he saw my niece lying on the ground right there… She was motionless and the room was dark, so whatever glimpse he saw of the mother on the bed, that was it…so he took his foot and touched her [the child’s] hand, and there were no movements,” the tearful man said. It was then the 69-year-old man realised that something was amiss.

He tried to make his way to the door to get help, and realised that the doors were locked from the outside and the keys were missing. He then managed to get his phone and call relatives to the scene.

Guyana Times understands that Krishnaran and Barientos had been living together for about 10 months, and had been dating for just over a year. They had worked at the same establishment in Georgetown.

As the world copes…

C

…with COVID-19 ountries of the developed world are in the throes of vaccinating their citizens as fast as they can: the US has already gone past the 1 million mark, and we’ll see those numbers accelerate stratospherically in the new year. But as fast as they can vaccinate, their rates of infection are spurting faster upwards. Why? Well, there might be any number of reasons, but the sentiment of half of the country gives a clue. After 19.4 million infections and 335,000 deaths, that demographic who refused to wear masks are now insisting they “won’t be taking no vaccine”!!

Yes, dear readers, there are still people who believe that the earth is flat!!

And they like saying that WE “natives” are backward!!

But what’s most interesting is that these same developed countries have not only arranged for vaccines to be produced and stockpiled to cover every man, woman and child in their borders - and then some. They’ve prevented their pharma companies from supplying us in the Third World!! Vaccines, vaccines everywhere, and not a dose for us! So, what will they do with all those extra vaccines even as millions of us wait anxiously?? After all, they have expiration dates! Your Eyewitness predicts that, like with their stockpiled wheat and butter to benefit farm prices etc, we’ll be getting the leftovers. You just watch and see!

We’re now hearing that we won’t be getting our COVID-19 shots till mid next year. But that “arc of justice” that we hear about definitely operates to balance out things: as our infection and fatality rates keep falling, those in the developed world are careening out of control. Let them go figure! And, of course, they’ll be the guinea pigs for us on the vaccines that will eventually trickle down to us. then again, your Eyewitness hasn’t even gotten around discussing the even more deadly mutant varieties that are sure to pop up - as one already has in Britain.

Now, dear reader, you may be thinking that your Eyewitness is reveling in an uncharacteristic bout of schadenfreude - and you’ll be absolutely right! While he’s a great believer in the free market and all that, he does believe that the “invisible hand” in such a market doesn’t mean an “absent hand”. It simply means that - like the Wizard of Oz - we just shouldn’t be able to see it working to ensure that there’s some equity. The arc of justice includes distributive justice.

In the meantime, it would appear that our “backwardness” in the Third World might be helping to keep our infection rates down.

Some say the TB vaccine we all had to take - and the First World had developed beyond - is the reason. …the Govt helps Even as PNC Leader David Granger collected his $25,000 COVID relief, and complimented the Ali Administration for the initiative, some in his erstwhile constituency have been crying “wolf!” about the Government “discriminating” in the roll out of the programme. But when the line Minister (Social Security) gave out the numbers, it was clear they were using the time-proven “Hot Cook Up” strategy for distribution. You start with the outlying regions, and finally come in to the two populous ones - Reg 4 and Reg 6 - on the centre!

Now, Guyana has at least 210,000 households, according to the 2012 census, and 153,376 of them have already received their cash. Reg 1: 8,124, Reg 2: 13,675, Reg 3: 44,097, Reg 5: 20,857, Reg 6: 3,509, Reg 7: 752, Reg 8: 364, Reg 9: 7,503, and Reg 10: 13,996. In this way, all the distributed manpower can now be focused on the two largest regions.

But the complaints show that the PNC alarmists didn’t even check with Ramjattan to see if Berbice had been serviced!

…change beckons Well, there’s one thing we know for sure: things will never be the same when we finally get past this COVID- 19 pandemic.

The home office - and working in pyjamas - will be standard!

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

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bill for adult immunisation to fill gaps in current legislation – Health Minister …3 new COVID-19 cases from 168 tests

H

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony is working to table a bill in the National Assembly in the new year that will provide for adult immunisation.

This, he noted in Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, will seek to fill the gaps that exist since the current laws only provide for immunisation in children. Once this document is brought to Parliament, it will be scrutinised and read several times.

“Our current legislation only provides for immunisation of children. It does not allow for the immunisation of adults…We have drafted a special piece of legislation that deals with immunisation of adults…Early in the new year, we want to bring that bill to Parliament and I suspect once it’s laid as it is with all bills, you would have a minimum of seven days for everyone in the Parliament to peruse the

bill,” the Minister shared.

He said there can be ventilation of ideas in the National Assembly, to determine what the bill should encompass. However, the Minister clarified that in order to exit the pandemic, vaccination is essential. He added that this coronavirus was different, in the sense that older people were in need of vaccination, having analysed the risks.

“It’s really trying to fix that gap that we have in our legislation, so I don’t anticipate too many challenges with it, so you never know…

These bills are not developed in a vacuum. They’re developed out of real problems, real things that people see can become problems and they’re designed to fix those. “ Dr Anthony added, “In this context, we know that the only way you can exit this pandemic is if people are immunised and one way you can get immunity is through a vaccine. If the leg-

islation in the country does not provide for adults to get a vaccine, then I think we have a challenge there. That is why we want to make sure that we have that legislative framework.”

Guyana has been identified as one of the countries eligible for coverage under COVAX, a body of organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO) that will ensure there is equal access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines when they become available on the market.

New cases

From 168 test samples, the Health Ministry on Tuesday revealed that only three returned positive results. This moved Guyana’s total confirmed cases to 6301.

The latest statistics shows the total positive cases were divided between 3260 males and 3041 females.

There are seven patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, five persons in institutional isolation, 348 in home isolation and 17 in institutional quarantine. The active cases were brought down to 360 as recoveries now stand at 5777.

A breakdown shows

that one new case each was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

There are still 187 cases in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 2694 in

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), 95 in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), 304 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 537 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 194 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and 396 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). (G12)

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President receives Vital360 medical device from US-based Guyanese doctor

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hief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Mercy Catholic Medical Center at Mercy Fitzgerald Campus in Pennsylvania, USA, Dr Deon Vigilance on Tuesday presented President Irfaan Ali with a Vital360 multipurpose medical device.

The hand-held Vital360 has the capability to check six different vitals, including blood pressure, blood glucose and blood oxygen, which can then be sent to any doctor or family member. The information can also be logged to electronic medical records.

Dr Vigilance told the President that the device was revolutionary in the medical field and he was involved in the early stages of its development. He said too

President Irfaan Ali receiving the device from Dr Deon Vigilance.

Also in photo is Georgetown Public Hospital Cardiologist, Dr Mahendra Carpen

that after eight years of development, the product was

in its final stage of approval, which is US Food and

Drug Administration certification.

The company is expected to be granted the necessary approval within the second quarter of 2021.

President Ali expressed appreciation for the gift and was treated to a mini-demonstration, following the presentation, at State House.

“If you are at home and you check your blood pressure and it is at 180/100, you know what it is, but also immediately once you know, your doctor will also know,” Dr Vigilance said.

He also told the President that the device could be

used on a large scale once it passed the requisite certification tests.

“You can go to a village as well and check the health of the entire community and keep a medical record of that, so you know where your baseline is and you can store that information and over the years you can see how they are doing,” a statement from the President’s Press Unit quoted Dr Vigilance as saying.

He noted that the gift to the President is reflective of the fact that the Head of State could lead the charge in saying “I am concerned about my health”.

Released prisoners completed significant portion of sentences – GPS

A

ll prisoners who were released early had already served a significant portion of their sentences.

This was revealed by acting Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, who, in a statement on Tuesday, said the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has noted, with some concern, attempts by some persons on social media to deliberately misconstrue and to cast aspersion on the act of the Special Remissions granted to the former inmates.

Back in November, the Prison Service had released some 65 prisoners as part of the Special Remissions Programme, and it is now clarified that those former inmates had almost completed their sentences prior to being released.

Elliot added on Tuesday, “The Guyana Prison Service wishes to clarify that the Special Remission was granted as required under the Prison Act, Chapter 11:01, the Laws of Guyana,

to deserving inmates based on the time served, good behaviour, and rehabilitation.”

He noted that the Special Remission was delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of the Prison Service, and also arising out of the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the time remaining for the respective sentences served by released inmates was below three months for all cases considered.

Special Remission was granted for five major, nine serious, and 51 minor offences.

“The Prison Directorate wishes to reiterate that the inmates were selected based on the time served in prison, and are considered not likely to be of a risk to society. We hope that this information clears up any doubts surrounding the releases,” he declared.

On Wednesday last, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn said in Parliament that all 65 of the prisoners who were re-

leased have served one-third of their respective sentences and have displayed commendable behaviour.

The inmates were serving time for a number of offences, including manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, abduction, armed robbery, robbery, unlawful and malicious wounding, unlawful assault, trafficking in cannabis, and trafficking of cocaine, among other offences.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, had said the decision was taken to provide more space for prisoners as the Prison Service implements the COVID-19 measures.

In October, more than 290 inmates of the Lusignan Prison had tested positive for the coronavirus disease.

Several prison officers were also affected. The affected inmates were isolated, and some were relocated to other facilities to ensure adequate spacing among prisoners, to stem transmission of the disease.

Miner stabbed to chest during argument

A

miner is now hospitalised after he was stabbed during an argument with another man at Eye Lash Backdam, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) on Tuesday.

The injured man has been identified as 53-yearold Thomas James of Eye Lash Backdam.

Based on information received about 07:00h on the day in question, the suspect and the victim, who are known to each other, were involved in a heated argument. The suspect subsequently armed himself with a piece of wood with a sharpened instrument attached to it and dealt the victim one stab to the right side of his

chest.

As a result, James fell to the ground and started to bleed profusely.

He was picked up by his daughter and taken to the Pakera District Hospital at Matthews Ridge where he was admitted.

His condition is regarded as stable. An investigation is underway.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Consumers can now protect themselves 9-year-old struck from contractors’ substandard works down by speeding car …as CCAC releases comprehensive homebuilders guide

T

he Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) on Tuesday launched an extensive and comprehensive Homebuilder’s Road Map, which was designed to allow ease of building homes, through guidelines to prevent substandard works and enable value for money.

This initiative was birthed after complaints raised issues of land buying scams, and inferior works by contractors among other challenges. After consultations with various entities and research, the roadmap, which can be found online, was created.

It presents information and the steps involved from purchasing land, hiring an architect, approval of works, recruiting a contractor, financing and the actual construction works.

CCAC Director Feyona Austin-Paul explained that this would ensure that wise decisions were made when building a home.

“The classes of complaints brought to the CCAC concerning domestic construction have revealed the

CCAC Director Feyona Austin-Paul

abuse of consumers through shoddy works done by contractors in the industry, so much … as it threatens the safety of consumers. The Commission, therefore, recognises that we needed to take an approach by empowering consumers to make wise decisions before and even during the building process,” she noted.

She underscored that the lack of information made persons vulnerable when building their home. This will change with the data

that has been provided and potential homebuilders are encouraged to utilise these tools.

“We want to empower consumers. We want to bring knowledge in the hands of consumers. We want them to be proactive themselves.

So, when they enter into this negotiating game, they have the knowledge. It was indeed a rewarding journey for the CCAC in creating this initiative…It is the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission’s aim to

ensure that consumers always receive adequate protection across all sectors ad we know that this initiative is one step closer to ensure that consumers always have value for money,” she added.

In going one step further, persons are asked to bind their contractors via a contract, stipulating what materials should be used along with other requirements. As such, if a complaint is made for subpar works, this can be used as reference.

Guyana’s Consumer Affairs Act came into effect on September 27, 2011, to provide protection to consumers. It also outlines the legal requirements that apply to all transactions between a consumer and seller; and stipulates the penalties to be instituted against contractors for inferior works.

If a contractor is found liable to compensate consumers and fails to do so, the Commission can move to prosecute them through the courts. However, some 70 per cent of the 25 complaints per year have been solved at the investigative level. The others are pending. (G12)

P

olice are investigating a serious accident which occurred on Monday, during which a nine-year-old boy was struck down along the Canal Number One Access Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Based on information received, the accident occurred about 16:00h. The motor car, driven by a 38-year-old man of La Jalousie, WBD, was proceeding east along the northern side of the road, allegedly at a fast pace, while the pedestrian was standing on the northern corner of the road.

The driver alleged that while in the process of passing the pedestrian, the child stepped forward and hit the

left front fender and wing mirror. As such, the child fell to the road surface and parapet some distance away and received injuries about his body.

Police said that the driver then stopped the vehicle, picked up the child, who was conscious, and took him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. He was seen by a doctor, and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted. His condition is regarded as stable.

Two breathalyser tests were conducted on the driver, but they registered no signs of alcohol. He was taken into custody and was currently assisting with the investigation. (G12)

Linden toddler recovering after Boat captain succumbs after ATV accident successful heart surgery in Cuba O

Recovering: Tafari Jacobis

L

inden toddler Tafari Jacobis recently underwent successful heart surgery in Cuba. He was recently taken to Cuba for the life-saving surgery

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

after his family was successful in securing funds to offset expenses.

The two-year-old’s family had sought assistance from the public in raising $5 million. Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, his mother Latoya Jacobis said the surgery was conducted last Tuesday after various tests were done, including blood, echocardiography (ECG) and X-rays.

Jacobis noted that the surgery lasted for approximately four hours and was carried out by a team of specialists.

“At present, he’s recovering good, thanks to God and generous donors who made the trip possible. Upon his full recovery, he will be re-

turning to Guyana,” the delighted mother stated.

Jacobis had previously indicated that the child had a hole in his heart, along with other complications.

She said she started noticing strange symptoms in the child when he was just seven months old and he was later diagnosed with various heart conditions, including a heart murmur.

The mother had also noted that the child’s condition had worsened over time.

Through the help of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Chairman Deron Adams, the Health Ministry, and various fundraisers, the family was able to garner the necessary funds for the surgery. (Utamu Belle)

n Christmas Day, 53-year-old Clarence Williams of Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD) in Region One (Barima-Waini), sustained serious injuries after the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) he was driving toppled.

Less than one week after the accident, he succumbed on Monday at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Police on Tuesday informed

that he died about 18:50h and his body was transferred to the hospital mortuary to await a post-mortem examination.

On the day of the accident, Williams was driving an unregistered ATV. Reports are that Williams was proceeding north along the western side of Floor Access Road at Port Kaituma, at a fast pace, and while negotiating a right turn, he lost control of the ATV and it toppled in

a north-westerly direction.

Williams was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited citizens and placed in a passing motor vehicle, which took him to the Port Kaituma District Hospital. As a result of the injuries he sustained, he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for treatment. An investigation was subsequently launched into the accident.

(G12)

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Full Court admits 5 new Senior Counsels to Inner Bar … lawyers must not use, abuse law in pursuit of sinister agendas – AG

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and Attorneys-atlaw Jamela Ali, Roysdale Forde, Timothy Jonas and Stanley Moore were all admitted to the Inner Bar on Tuesday at a special sitting of the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature.

The sitting was presided over by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice Roxane George, Appeal Court Judges and Judges of the High Court.

Nandlall and Jonas were appointed Senior Counsel

by President Dr Irfaan Ali after consultation with the Chancellor, with effect from October 30, 2020, while former President David Granger named Forde, Ali and Moore Senior Counsels on December 31, 2019.

Senior Counsel and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, presented Nandlall’s petition to be admitted to the Inner Bar before the Full Court, where he said there are no known reasons why the AG should not be admitted to the Inner Bar, since he has demonstrated incomparable passion for the law.

he was nevertheless a young man with a noticeable passion for law and legal practice. He was made for the legal profession… Today, no one who reads his submissions or listens to his arguments fail to be impressed by the magnitude of his efforts and scholarship, the volume of authorities, the depth of analytical skills, and the compelling and persuasive conclusions, even if the courts do not always agree with him,” Ramkarran informed.

Nandlall received his secondary education at Queen’s College, and his tertiary education at the University of Guyana. He then went to the Hugh Wooding Law School where he received the LEC, and now serves as AG, Member of the Twelfth Parliament, Secretary of the Guyana Defence Board, and member of the National Security Council. He entered into practice in Guyana under the wings of the late Vic Puran, and now has his own Law Firm – Mohabir A Nandlall and Associates.

He served at Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Member of the Tenth Parliament from December 05, 2011 to May 18, 2015. He also served in the Ninth Parliament from 2006 to 2011.

He appeared in at least

From left, standing: Registrar of the Supreme Court, Sueann Lovell; Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran; Director of Public Prosecutions, Senior Counsel Shalimar Ali-Hack; High Court Justice Nareshwar Harnanan; Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senior Counsel Anil Nandlall; Senior Counsel Jamela Ali; Senior Counsel Timothy Jonas; Senior Counsel Stanley Moore; Senior Counsel Robin Stoby; Appeal Court Justice Brassington Reynolds. Sitting from left: Chief Justice Roxane George, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Appeal Court Justice Dawn Gregory

“I learnt that the law is a jealous mistress, but I have learnt that when you serve her well, the law becomes a generous mistress.

Everything I achieve is because of my practice of the law…the law is the greatest of all professions,” he added.

Nandlall called on lawyers to ensure that they understand the great responsibility that devolves upon them by merely being members of the legal fraternity. He reminded that lawyers have a responsibility to

The new Senior Counsels adorning their “Silk” robes

He noted that they are cognizant of the recent ruling by High Court Justice Nareshwar Harnanan in the case wherein Jonas challenged the appointment of Senior Counsels by the President. Based on the judgment, Ramkarran told the Court, while the appointment followed a specific process, the sitting of the Full Court cannot be regarded a merely formality.

“From the time Mr Nandlall was admitted to practice on 21st October, 1998, and began to appear in the Supreme Court soon thereafter, it was difficult to ignore him. Without an imposing stature or a resounding voice, not having yet developed his recognisable facility with the English language that he deploys today,

15 reported cases, including the first appeal heard by the Caribbean Court of Justice (and first out of Guyana) – Brent Griffith vs Guyana Revenue Authority in 2006, Ramdass and Jairam of 2008, which saw the entire bench of the CCJ sitting to hear the landmark case on agreements of sale in immovable property; Rudisa Beverage vs State of Guyana, and other constitutional cases.

Meanwhile, Nandlall presented the petitions on behalf of the other Senior Counsels, and expressed his gratitude to the various mentors he had had had over the years. Nandlall, who has 22 years of service in the legal profession, credited everything he has achieved to his practice of the law.

not use and abuse the law in pursuit of their sinister agendas.

The newly-minted Senior Counsel said that judges must be able to enforce their decisions, and rule in accordance with the law.

“I appeal to the profession to do as much pro bono work as possible. Throughout my career, I have done this,” he proffered.

Senior Counsel Robin Stoby welcomed the newly silken members to the Inner Bar, and applauded them for their accomplishments.

He advised them of the responsibilities that come with their new stature in the administration of justice.

He was also joined

by President of the Bar Association, Teni Housty,

who congratulated the new Senior Counsels and called upon them to continue contributing to the development of the practice of law in Guyana.

Senior Counsel Jonas was called to the Bar in 1996, having studied law at University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. He joined the AG Chambers in 1996, and immediately became involved in lecturing law, which he did for the advanced level law programme at QC and University of Guyana from 1996 to 2002. During that time, his interest in legal aid was piqued, and it saw him serving as the Managing Attorney at the Legal Aid Clinic in 1998.

At the same time, he joined the Law Firm of de Caires, Fitzpatrick and Karran, and is now Managing Partner and head of the Chambers.

He fought several cases before the CCJ and Supreme Court; namely, Ross and Sinclair, Guyandin v Republic Bank 2014, Dipcon v Attorney General 2015, Rodrigues and the New Building Society in 2018, Ramsahoye and NICIL in 2018, and Christopher Persaud v Tulsi Persaud in 2019, among others.

Jamela Ali came into practice in 1989. She was attached to the AG Chambers, where she later completed her Masters of Law in Legislative Drafting in 1997 before moving into private practice in 2002. She moved into practice at the Law Firm of Rex McKay, where she still practises. She holds the record for most female lead appearance before the CCJ for the region.

She appeared in cases such as James Ramsahoye v Linden Mining Enterprises Limited and Bauxite Development Company Limited 2014, and Walter Ramsahoye v Glenn Lall in 2016.

Forde completed his law

degree at UG, and then went to Hugh Wooding Law School. He was called to the Bar in Dominica in 2005 and Grenada in 2004, and has founded the Law Firm of Forde, Amsterdam and Lewis. He fought in several high-profile cases, such as Attorney General v Caterpillar Americas Company, Ganga Persaud and the Chief Elections Officer in 2016.

Moore obtained his LLB in London in 1962 and his LLM in 1968. He was called to the Bar in Guyana and England in 1970; Grenada in 1971, and Antigua in 1989. He established the firm McKay and Moore in Guyana, where he presently practices.

He served as a Magistrate in 1973 in Guyana, acting High Court Judge in 1979, resident Judge in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court between 1992 and 1996, Senior Resident Judge in the British Virgin Islands in 1996; Justice in the Supreme Court in the Bahamas in 2000, Senior Judge of the Supreme Court in the Bahamas between 2001 and 2002; Justice of Appeal in the Republic of Botswana in 2004-2012, and in the Kingdom of Swaziland between 2010-2014.

He also served as Attorney General in Montserrat between 1990 and 92, subsequently acting as Governor.

In Guyana, between 1981-82, he served as Minister of Home Affairs and Member of Parliament.

He also acted as Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the absence of Dr Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Greatest honour

In remarks before the Court, all the new Senior Counsels said receiving silk is the highest and greatest honour they could have had.

They credited their support system for standing by them

throughout the journey.

Chief Justice Roxane George highlighted that collectively, the five new senior counsels have over 150 years of experience in the practise of the law, and she impressed upon them that the honour of being bestowed with silk should not be taken lightly.

“The conferment of silk carries with it a number of responsibilities. These include standing up for the rule of law and what is right in the administration of justice…Senior Counsels in the past have written positively and negatively in the administration of justice, lending the weight of their status as silks in making interventions for betterment of the system… Where necessary, Senior Counsels have had to defend judicial officers who, as you know, do not have a voice in the public domain.

This may be necessary, more so now given what has unfortunately become an unwholesome norm of personal attacks on judicial officers because of their decisions,” the CJ said.

Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, impressed that the title of Senior Counsel is an important one, and is only conferred after consultations with the Judiciary.

“As a Senior Counsel, an attorney is publicly recognised, even internationally recognized, and allowed certain privileges. For instance, you’re allowed to wear the distinctive silk gowns, hence the name silk, or receiving silk. You have the right to free audience and precedence in court and at the Bar. Hence, you’re allowed a special seat in the courtroom before other attorneys, and your matters are called before other attorneys’ matters,” Justice Cummings-Edwards related.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Supplementary funds were "needed The media – the fourth estate – stood tall in 2020 in defence urgently" – Finance Minister of Guyana's democracy T

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oday brings us within 48 hours of seeing 2020 behind us.

We wish everyone a blessed and rewarding 2021. As we say adios to 2020, we recognise the brilliant role the Guardians of Democracy played in ensuring Guyana enters 2021 as a free nation, still among the family of democratic nations. We particularly commend the Guyanese Media and recognise them as the Guyanese Entity of 2020.

Last week, this column named Bharrat Jagdeo as Guyana's Person of the Year, mainly for his resolute, calm leadership in defending Guyana's fledgling democracy, ensuring Guyana stays on the path of a democratic future. As 2020 comes to an end, this week, recognition is extended to the indispensable role the media - print, radio and television - played in defending Guyana's democracy, ensuring the David Granger-led APNU+AFC failed in thieving the March 2020 elections.

The Guyanese media, over the years, has been criticised for Dr Leslie Ramsammy not living up to the ideals of the fourth estate in a democracy.

But across the board - leaving out the Chronicle and NCN, which are owned by and are subject to control by the Government - the Guyanese media stood resolute during the five-month siege, early firmly standing on the side of democracy, regardless of which party won the elections. The eventual concession of David Granger and APNU+AFC, five months late, allowing a legitimately-elected Government to take control in Guyana, occurred not because Granger and APNU+AFC willingly abandoned efforts to thief the elections, but because of intense pressure from many fronts. The Media was one critical front, and for this reason, this column deems the Media the Entity of the Year 2020.

Led by newspapers like the Stabroek News, Guyana Times, Kaieteur News, and TV newscasts such as the Neil Marks-led News Room, the media was daily reporting the latest bizarre thieving attempts by Granger's APNU+AFC. Between March 3 and August 2, every bizarre and outlandish new attempt to thief the elections was documented for the Guyanese people and the world. Some of the media operatives put aside their years of affiliation with Granger's APNU+AFC and blitzed them with exposure. Some of APNU+AFC's most ardent media supporters turned their backs on APNU+AFC. They did so not in support of President Irfaan Ali and his PPP, but in support of democracy. At crunch time, the media played its role as the fourth estate of democracy.

This column unconditionally names Guyana's Media as the Entity of 2020, for its role in being an indispensable part of the Guardians of Democracy during those five months when democracy was under siege.

The international press played a role, as did the ABCE diplomatic corps. CARICOM stepped up, and the personal investment of CARICOM leaders cannot be understated. No one can deny the role of the US State Department, the UK Foreign Office, and the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All these were part of an international effort to stop dictatorship in Guyana.

But the role of Guyana's media convinced Guyanese early that Granger and APNU+AFC were on a mission to thief the election, because the Media exposed APNU+AFC's bogus claims of dead people and phantom voters. That supporters of Granger and APNU+AFC early saw through the bogus claims is a measure of the effectiveness of the media. Given that many APNU+AFC supporters had come to see Stabroek News, the Kaieteur News and entities such as NEWSROOM as either neutral or leaning towards Granger and APNU+AFC, their exposure of electoral theft gained traction among APNU+AFC supporters.

Thus, by August 2, when Granger was forced to concede, the expectation that APNU+AFC supporters will erupt in violent protest did not happen. This is because by the time the concession came, and President Irfaan Ali took his rightful place as Guyana's President, the Guyanese people had known the truth. GECOM's official declaration of the real results on August 2 was nothing the Guyanese people did not know - the media had already told them the truth. The daily shenanigans of APNU+AFC, with bogus claims that dead people and people who were never in Guyana voted, were daily exposed, not only by PPP and the newer political parties' representatives, but also by the media. NEWSROOM interviewing of people who were supposedly dead, Kaieteur News reporting on Mingo's false numbers, Guyana Times’ daily highlighting the riggers like Lowenfield, Stabroek News showcasing the recklessness of APNU+AFC leaders on a daily basis conditioned APNU+AFC supporters to the truth.

The Washington-based Freedom House has documented the regression in democracy around the world for fourteen years in a row. America, one of the world's most stable democracies, is seeing a weakening of democracy, where the losing incumbent is trying to stay in power with claims of dead and phantom voters voting.

Guyana experienced one of the world's most egregious and brazen attempts to thief an election. Freedom House's Democracy Index for 2020 is sure to mention the brazen attempt in Guyana to thief the 2020 elections. But Guyana's media stood tall in defending Guyana's democracy. Thus, when President Irfaan Ali was sworn in, it did not come as a shock to any Guyanese, more of a relief among the supporters of APNU+AFC because, long before then, they knew the truth. For this, the Guyanese Media earns the title the Guyanese Entity of 2020.

he $17.4 billion Supplementary Budget approved by the National Assembly on Monday was “needed urgently” to address the well-being of people and deficiencies in State agencies.

This was disclosed by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Dr Singh explained that the funds go to the core of the well-being of Guyanese people and the capabilities of Guyanese institutions to perform their functions. These include supporting the village economy of Amerindian villages, COVID-19 relief cash grants, the rehabilitation of roads and infrastructure development of housing areas. Monies were also approved for the revival of the sugar industry, building the capacity of the Joint Services and to clear the indebtedness of public agencies to the Guyana Power and Light.

“These are initiatives, many of them are ongoing, many of them are extreme-

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

ly critical, as a matter of fact I would say all of them are needed urgently… The necessity for the financial paper was occasioned by discovery of the gravity of the situation we are facing and also our recognition of an aggressive implementation schedule,” Dr Singh stated.

“Given how many things were happening at that time, I am not sure we had the most comprehensive picture.

Some pieces of the picture are still being discovered as we do more audits and we do more reviews of agencies and so on, I would not be sur-

prised as we probe some of these agencies more closely, we discover even more about the state of their finances,” the Minister added.

Financial Paper Number Two of 2019 totalling $4.15 billion was also approved and focused on Contingency Fund advances that were inappropriately drawn down by the previous Administration. Dr Singh explained that the advances were required to be cleared by the National Assembly. This was delayed owing to the political developments in 2019 and 2020, he said.

“It is notable to mention

that all of the expenditure, totalling $4.15 billion, all of it was drawn down from the Contingency Fund during a period while the APNU/AFC [A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change] Government was illegally in office,” he stated.

“In fact, then President (David) Granger had acknowledged that his Government was a caretaker Government. So, it is highly unusual and some would go as far to say it is highly improper and legality is questionable whether a Government in caretaker mode should be operating in this manner, because it is clearly not a period of business as usual. They were outside their legal period of existence, so there are many who would question the legality of the recourse to the Contingency Fund,” Dr Singh pointed out.

The funds utilised by the coalition Government included both Current and Capital Estimates at approximately $223.2 million and $3.9 billion respectively and covered the period June 13, 2019 to December 3, 2019.

Conservancy Dam squatters pose no threat – probe finds

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ousing Minister Collin Croal has said the Government has no plans to relocate more than a dozen families residing along the Conservancy Dam in Canal Number One Polder, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

In a report by the Department of Public Information (DPI), it was stated that the Minister said that the families have been there for decades and a recent assessment revealed that their presence did not affect the integrity of the dam, nor were they in imminent danger.

He made the announcement at the 15th sitting of the National Assembly on Monday in response to questions posed by Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan. Duncan asked why provisions were being made for the Conservancy Dam squatters if they were living there illegally.

Croal said that the residents were “not directly on the Conservancy, it is on the east of the Conservancy and it is not directly affecting the Conservancy and the dam of the Conservancy”.

“The Ministry of Public Works as well as the Central Housing and Planning [Authority] team visited that area and have already identified that the area is not affected by those persons,” Croal is quoted as saying.

Croal and Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, in late August, had visited the community to conduct assessments, following an earlier visit by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Subsequently, provisions were

A section of houses along the Conservancy Dam, Canal Number One Polder, Region Three (DPI photo)

made to provide some residents with first-time access to potable water and electricity from the utility companies.

Moreover, Croal said the Government was actively working on a relocation plan for squatters in Success, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who are on lands owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). The Minister made this statement in response to MP Duncan’s queries about the provisions for these squatters.

Squatters began occupying the land some months back, which resulted in thousands of cane varieties being destroyed and the potential loss of billions of dollars in earnings. GuySuCo

has been seeking the removal of the squatters to utilise its land as the Government seeks to revitalise the sugar sector.

The Minister also said that the Broad and Lombard Streets squatters’ relocation programme is continuing.

A $36 million relocation and resettlement project saw 20 families receiving keys to new homes in Prospect, EBD in February. The project was funded by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and Food For The Poor Guyana. The remaining 31 families are expected to be given houses in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More than 150,000 households 2100-foot Eteringbang receive COVID-19 cash grant airstrip to be upgraded

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ore than 153,000 households across Guyana have so far benefited from the Government’s $25,000 per household COVID-19 relief cash grant initiative, the National Assembly heard on Monday.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud revealed this figure while making a presentation on the supplementary request for $2.5 billion to continue the initiative. The National Assembly passed the Government’s proposed $17.4 billion Supplementary Budget to offset expenses between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Dr Persaud said distribution in nine regions was almost completed and distribution is ongoing in Region Four with communities along the East Coast of Demerara, East Bank of Demerara and in Greater Georgetown currently bene-

fiting.

“This allocation is to facilitate the current process in Region Four, which will not include the pink slips because we are still in the process of doing the first phase in Region Four…It was the primary household that was included in the first phase.

Even if it’s a home and they have three other households, they should receive the ‘pink’ slips and they will be captured in the second phase,” Dr Persaud is quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI).

To date, 8124 households in Region One (BarimaWaini) have received their cash grants; 13,675 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 44,097 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 20, 856 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 35,009 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 7052 in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); 3064 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni);

7503 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 30,996 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Additionally, some 16,075 pink slips/query forms have been filled out.

The Minister said physical verification was ongoing in Region Four, while the second phase, which involves the pink slips, is ongoing in the other regions.

Staff are also visiting homes that may have been missed during the first phase of distribution. Persaud further explained that owing to the absence of accurate data, the Government had to rely on the Regional Democratic Councils and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to do physical verification of these households.

“At the regional level, a list of households is compiled and certified by the Regional Executive Officer (REO).

Based on this list, the REO submits a request for support from the Government.

So, it’s not done ad hoc, the request, once verified, and funds are subsequently transferred to the REO, the REO is tasked with ensuring a transparent accounting system is in place to document and record the distribution grants.”

She added that the grant was serving its purpose, alleviating much hardship in households that are struggling. Even former President David Granger lauded the initiative, she noted. The Minister told the National Assembly that an audit of the process would be conducted.

In the first instance, $4.5 billion was allocated for the initiative under the Ministry’s Old Age Pension and Public Assistance Programme. With the approval of the $2.5 billion in additional funds, the Government would be paying out $7 billion to households countrywide.

MoU signed to advance medical education in Guyana

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tripartite agreement for the advancement of medical education in Guyana has been signed between the University of Guyana (UG); the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Health Ministry.

A nine-member committee has been set up to continuously review the policy regarding clinical training of medical students and other areas.

“The joint committee that was mentioned by the CEO [Chief Executive Officer] … would now have to meet now on a regular basis and move this pro-

cess forward … The three of us here – CEO, myself and Vice Chancellor, we would be monitoring the process of what the joint committee will be doing … periodically we want to have reports and updates on the progress of this MoU,” Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated.

The agreement also ensures the university’s medical programme retains its accreditation.

“When I became Minister, I was approached by both the University of Guyana and GPHC for us to start working on this MoU, and I was just wondering what was the rush, and they

said to me this is very important, if we are going to maintain our accreditation for the University of Guyana medical programme, and so a team was put together that comprises persons from the University, persons from GPHC and the Ministry, and they set about working very steadfastly for us to have this agreement.”

Minister Anthony said the group also engaged the Attorney General’s Chambers for assistance with the legal drafting of the agreement.

Medical school comprises a classroom and a clinical component, with the latter

to be done at an accredited institution. The GPHC is that institution for UG medical students.

Meanwhile, Dr Anthony described the signing as a move in the right direction.

“I see this as a stepping stone, as we move forward in terms of doing more for medical education and maybe this might be one of many agreements that we will have with the University of Guyana. Apart from doctors’ education we want to look at nurses and other categories of medical personnel, and I think this would give us a good template on which to work with the University.”

The MoU was signed by Health Minister Anthony; GPHC CEO, Brigadier (ret’d) George Lewis and UG’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Paloma Mohamed Martin.

– Public Works Ministry

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and a technical team inspecting the Eteringbang airstrip

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he 2100-foot airstrip in Eteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will soon be upgraded.

This was revealed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during a visit to the area on Tuesday.

In a release from the Public Works Ministry, it was

has overturn several parts of the facility. As such, Edghill suggested that the maintenance team explore marking the area and possibly spraying the grass for a permanent solution, which will also allow for drainage on the 2100-foot runway.

Additionally, a meeting with residents in the area

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill chatting with some residents of Eteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

stated that during his visit, the Minister expressed concern over the maintenance of the airstrip as vegetation

was also facilitated during which they suggested that laterite should not be used since it is a temporary measure. They explained that they would like the structure to be paved with concrete. The Minister assured residents that their suggestions and requests would be properly ventilated when discussions on an improved facility occurred.

He, nevertheless, charged the "skilled men" in the area to complete a full cleaning of the airstrip to prove their competence. This project will see the airstrip being cleared of all vegetation to allow for drainage. The team said the work would be completed by Monday, once the weather was conducive.

Edghill was accompanied by Assistant Aviation Inspector Alphonso Mangah; Chief Transport Planning Officer Patrick Thompson; Senior Engineer Dionne Amsterdam and Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Chief Inspector, Aerodromes and Ground Aids, Adrian Bassier.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Black Bush Polder flooding being assessed …farmers complain of losses, inadequate drainage

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he Agriculture Ministry will assess the extent of the current floods affecting cash crops and livestock farmers in the Black Bush Polder area of Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

The Polders of Johanna and Yakusari have been hardest hit, with livestock and poultry farmers suffering losses.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who

Mustapha is hoping that the two polders will be drained within the next 48 hours.

“What we want to do is to put long-term measures in place for the drainage and irrigation system," he explained.

Residents reported that the sluices and pumps had not been working as per schedule. As such, the minister called on residents to identify persons in their

their farms, resulting in flooding to the residential communities. Residents complained that, for some time now, much needed maintenance of the drainage system has not been done.

In response, Mustapha said that, as of today, machinery is expected to be on the ground to clear drains, which are referred to as “front and back drains” in the two polders.

Meanwhile, farmers

Farmers meeting with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

visited the four polders on Tuesday, explained that the Black Bush Polder is like a basin, draining all of the surrounding highlands into the polder. He said the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority would be examining ways to remedy and/or improve the current infrastructure. “…because we cannot continue having farmers suffering in such a way,” Mustapha said on Tuesday.

community to monitor the sluices and pumps, adding that once this is done, the Ministry would employ the persons. This arrangement is expected to last until the rainy season ends.

“We are going to put systems in place so that in the future residents will not (encounter) these difficulties."

In residential communities, persons have complained that cash crop farmers have been pumping water out of

Cocorite Savannah into the Polder will have to be sealed until the water level in the two polders drops.

The National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute’s (NAREI’s) Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will also be conducting the survey.

The Agriculture Minister said he is hopeful to receive that report by Thursday in order to determine and analyse the extent of the damage. He committed to offering assistance to the affected farmers.

Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman David Armogan told this publication that the issues affecting both residents and farmers in the two polders of Johanna and Yakusari are considered serious.

He noted that the current situation is as a result of incessant rainfall.

who have their animals at Cocorite Savannah has been releasing the water directly into the polder in an effort to prevent their animals from dying. Back in 2016, hundreds of cattle died as a result of floods at Cocorite Savannah due to rainfall.

Engineers from the Agriculture Ministry are expected to be in the area today to assess the situation.

Mustapha explained that all the tubes leading from

COVID-19: US reports first known case of highly-infectious variant

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he first reported US case of the highly-infectious Covid-19 variant that emerged in the UK has been confirmed in the state of Colorado.

The patient, a man in his 20s with no recent travel history, is currently in isolation.

State health officials said they were working to identify contacts and other potential cases of the new variant.

It came as US Presidentelect Joe Biden criticised the Trump administration’s distribution of vaccines.

He said the programme was falling behind schedule.

The US has recorded more than 19 million infections and more than 337,000 deaths from coronavirus, the highest figures in the world.

The new variant is considerably more transmissible than previous strains but not necessarily any more dangerous for those infected, experts say.

US health officials said last week that they believed it was already in circulation in the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, Colorado governor Jared Polis said the infected patient was in isolation in Elbert County near Denver.

Public health officials

“We have not only developed the vaccines, including putting up money to move the process along quick-

Health officials in Denver, Colorado, are trying to trace the infected person’s contacts

were carrying out “a thorough investigation”, he said, and no infections had been discovered among close contacts so far.

Cases of the new variant have been appearing around the world. The first two known infections on the North American continent came to light in Canada at the weekend.

Two coronavirus vaccines - one by Moderna and one by Pfizer - are currently being distributed and administered across the US. The government had aimed to vaccinate 20 million Americans by the end of December. But so far, only 2.1 million have received

shots, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

President-elect Biden said the vaccine drive was the “greatest operational challenge we’ve ever faced as a nation”. “The Trump administration’s plan to distribute vaccines is falling far behind,” Biden said in a speech on Tuesday. “I’m going to move heaven and earth to get us going in the right direction.”

Responding to Biden in a tweet, President Donald Trump said it was “up to the states to distribute the vaccines” once they had been delivered by the federal government.

ly, but gotten them to the states,” he wrote.

Biden has pledged to vaccinate 100 million

Americans during the first 100 days of his presidency when he takes office on 20 January. (BBC)

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

Regional

Argentina on the cusp of historic vote to legalise abortion

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rgentina is marching towards what could be a historic moment as the Senate considers a bill to legalise abortion that, if approved, would make the Latin American country a leader on reproductive rights in the region.

“I have a quota of optimism, because I think we, Argentine women, deserve it,” said Marta Alanis, a member of the campaign to legalise abortion in Argentina and among a group of women who has been waging the pro-choice battle for decades.

“The feminist movement has worked with all polit-

ical parties for all the laws that have to do with women’s rights,” Alanis told Al Jazeera. “We deserve to have a law that accompanies

women at the hour of deciding to terminate a pregnancy.”

The issue remains a divisive one in the predominant-

ly Catholic country, with the Argentine Episcopal Conference issuing a call this week for Catholics and Evangelicals to unite in prayer and to fast against the legalisation, “imploring for respect and care for the unborn life”.

The bill to legalise abortion up until the 14th week of pregnancy passed its first hurdle earlier this month in the lower House of Deputies. It was put forward by President Alberto Fernandez, who adopted much of the language and ideas championed by the feminist movement for 15 years.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Mexico (120,000).

The milestone came 12 days after Europe passed the half-a-million mark.

It takes the total worldwide deaths to more than 1.78 million, with the US and Canada accounting for over 350,000 and Asia topping 217,000.

Almost 82 million people worldwide have contracted the virus, including more

than 15 million in Latin America – the third largest after Europe (26 million) and the US and Canada (20 million.)

Brazil has the largest number of cases in Latin America with more than 7.5 million.

Latin America was the first region to reach 400,000 fatalities.

On Tuesday, Argentina

joined Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica in becoming the fourth country in the Region to begin a mass immunisation programme, although it used the controversial Russian Sputnik V vaccine.

The other three countries began vaccinations last week with the jab developed by Pfizer/BioNTech.

(AFP)

dents to stay away from the area at this time.

He said there was not enough data to determine whether magma would continue to slowly build or ac-

tivity would increase to the point where there was an explosive eruption. In the meantime, they will continue to monitor the situation, and working in conjunction with NEMO, will put more equipment to collect data.

During the briefing, Dr Gonsalves received correspondence from Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of National Security Stuart Young, giving clearance for Robertson and two others to leave the twin-island republic, where the SRC is located, to go to St Vincent. Gonsalves said once they had the COVID tests, an aircraft from the Barbados-based Regional Security System would collect the team and equipment. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Head of UNEP's Marine and Freshwater Branch.

“Humanity must act with evidence-based urgency, ambition and innovation to change the trajectory for this ecosystem, which is the canary in the coalmine for climate's impact on oceans, before it's too late,” she added.

UNEP said coral reefs were “incredibly important

and sustain a wide variety of marine life”.

They also protect coastlines from erosion from waves and storms, sink carbon and nitrogen, and help recycle nutrients.

“Their loss would have devastating consequences not only for marine life, but also for over a billion people globally who benefit directly or indirectly from them,” it

A woman holds a sign reading “legal abortion now” during a protest in favour of legalising abortion outside the National Congress [File: Agustin Marcarian/Reuters]

Latin America and Caribbean top 500,000 COVID-19 deaths

L

atin America and the Caribbean on Tuesday became the second region after Europe to top half a million deaths from COVID-19, according to an AFP count based on official tallies.

There have been at least 500,800 deaths among the 29 countries in the Region, with more than half of those in Brazil (192,000) and

Brazil donates COVID-19 test kits to OECS

T

he Government of Brazil has donated 6000 COVID-19 test kits to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), in a bid to help countries in the sub-region in the fight against the pandemic.

When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, the OECS embarked on a rigorous response to mitigate its effects on Member States and this response included renewed partnerships with development agencies, a new partnership with the Private Sector, and support from bilateral friends.

Earlier this month, the Government of Brazil donated US$100,000 to the OECS in support of their response to obtain testing supplies.

So far, 8000 swabs/sample kits have already been distributed to the nine participating Member States of

the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Services (PPS).

Of that amount, 2000 PCR test kits have been donated to St Lucia, while another 2000 have been earmarked for Grenada given the recent cluster of COVID-19 cases.

The remaining test kits will be kept in storage to assist Member States that may need them in future.

Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to St Lucia and the OECS, Anuar Nahes, said this initial donation was just the beginning of Brazil's willingness to assist the OECS region.

“The Brazil Cooperation Agency has asked me to convey to you that they are ready to do more. With the exception of vaccinations, they are ready to share much-needed supplies with the OECS and its Member States.” (CMC)

Jamaica: Minister says reports of hunger strike at prison false

St Vincent on alert as seismic activity increases at La Soufrière

R

esidents of St Vincent and the Grenadines were warned to stay away from La Soufrière volcano after increased seismic activity was detected in the dome over the weekend.

Volcanologists Dr Erouscille Pat Joseph and Professor Richard Robertson of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC), joined Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves in a live address to the nation on Tuesday evening to provide an update on the activity.

“This is what we call an effusive eruption going on at Soufriere, which essentially means magma is coming slowly out of the earth and building a dome,” Robertson said.

It is similar to what occurred in 1971-72, after which the volcano went dormant. La Soufrière last had an explosive eruption in March 1979, and the ash rained on parts of Barbados.

Robertson said there was minor seismic activity in November and again on December 16 and 23, but on December 27 a NASA satellite detected a hot spot in the crater.

They contacted the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) and arranged for the Soufriere Monitoring Unit to visit the site on Tuesday. The magma is

La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent

slowly building on the existing dome.

Robertson said sulphur-rich gases would be released into the atmosphere and warned resi-

Minister without portfolio in the National Security Ministry, Senator Matthew Samuda speaking during a virtual press conference

M

inister without portfolio in the National Security Ministry, Senator Matthew Samuda, says reports of a hunger strike at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Facility are false.

In a statement released by the Department of Correctional Services, Samuda described the reports in the media as “rumours and unfortunate mischief making”.

“I have instructed Deputy Commissioner of the

Department of Correctional Services, Dr Marc Thomas, to invite representatives of INDECOM and the Office of the Public Defender to visit the institution, undertake independent investigations, and inform the public of their findings urgently,” Samuda added.

“The relevant investigative arms of the State will be mobilised and their pronouncements are expected to dispel the misinformation in the public domain,” the Minister said. (Jamaica Observer)

Caribbean could lose coral reefs by end of century, UN environment agency warns

T

he United Nations E n v i r o n m e n t Programme (UNEP) has warned that the Caribbean, among other places, could lose its coral reefs by the end of the century unless there are drastic reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions.

“In the face of inaction, coral reefs will soon disappear,” said Leticia Carvalho,

said. “When water temperatures rise, corals expel the vibrant microscopic algae living in their tissues.”

This phenomenon is called coral bleaching — bleached corals are still alive, and they can recover their algae, if conditions improve.

“However, the loss puts them under increased stress, and if the bleach-

ing persists, the corals die,” UNEP warned.

It said the last global bleaching event started in 2014 and extended well into 2017.

UNEP said it spread across the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, and was “the longest, most pervasive and destructive coral bleaching incident ever recorded”. (Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices continue climb on large crude draw

T

he American Petroleum Institute (API) reported on Tuesday a draw in crude oil inventories of 4.785 million barrels for the week ending December 25.

Analysts had predicted an inventory draw of 2.100 million barrels for the week.

In the previous week, the API reported a build in oil inventories of 2.70 million barrels, after analysts had predicted a draw of 3.135 million barrels.

Both Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) were up on Tuesday morning before the data release on hopes of a larger round of stimulus checks signed off on by President Donald Trump and the House on Monday. Gains continue to be capped, however, by OPEC's plans to gradually increase oil production after the start of the year despite lockdowns and depressed demand.

Moments before Tuesday's data release, WTI had risen by US$0.41 (+0.86 per cent) to US$48.03, up US$).80 per barrel on the week. The Brent crude benchmark had risen on the day US$0.44 at that time (+0.87 per cent) to US$51.30 – up roughly US$1 per barrel on the week.

US oil production held steady at 11.0 million bpd for the week ending December 18, according to the Energy Information Administration – 2.1 million bpd lower than the all-time high of 13.1 million bpd reached in March. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Russia opens new criminal case against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny

R

Alexei Navalny

ussian State investigators said on Tuesday they had opened a new criminal case against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, accusing him of fraudulently spending public donations to organisations he controls on his personal needs.

The move is likely to be seen as the latest sign that the Kremlin does not want Navalny, who is convalescing in Germany, to return to Russia after what Berlin and other Western nations say was an attempt in August to murder him with a nerve agent.

Navalny is one of President Vladimir Putin’s leading critics and the Kremlin has said he is free to return home just like any other Russian citizen, something he has said he plans to do.

It has said it has seen no evidence he was poisoned however and has de-

nied any involvement in the August incident which saw him collapse on a plane before being airlifted to Germany.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which looks into serious crimes, late on Tuesday accused Navalny and unnamed individuals of large-scale fraud, saying he and others had spent 356 million roubles (US$4.81 million) donated to organisations he controls on their personal needs.

That, it said in a statement, included purchasing goods and services and covering personal expenses such as overseas trips.

Navalny responded to the case on Twitter, saying it was fabricated and looked like a hysterical action ordered by Putin.

He said he had predicted that the authorities would seek to jail him after failing to kill him. (Excerpt from Reuters)

7 dead after Croatia earthquake, rescuers search rubble for survivors

A

magnitude 6.4 earthquake has struck central Croatia, with reports of many injuries and at least seven deaths.

A 12-year-old girl was killed in Petrinja, the Prime Minister said as he visited the town.

Five people died in the nearby town of Glina, his deputy said. A seventh victim was found in the rubble of a church in Zazina, State media reports.

Petrinja's Mayor said around half the town had been destroyed and people were being pulled from the rubble.

The earthquake could be felt in the Croatian capital Zagreb, in neighbouring

Some of the injured were evacuated to Zagreb

Bosnia and Serbia, and as far away as Italy.

One woman was pulled alive from the rubble of the town hall in Petrinja, Croatian media reported.

"We are pulling peo-

ple from the cars, we don't know if we have dead or injured," Darinko Dumbovic, the Mayor of Petrinja, told regional broadcaster N1.

"There is general panic, people are looking for their

loved ones."

The Mayor was speaking to reporters on Tuesday when Petrinja, home to 20,000 people, was hit by another, weaker tremor.

"All the tiles in the bathroom are broken, all the dishes fell out," one resident, 72-year-old Marica Pavlovic, told AFP news agency. "Even if we wanted to, we can't go back in, there is no electricity."

People were also injured in the nearby town of Sisak. National broadcaster HRT said the local hospital there was struggling to cope with the number of casualties arriving for treatment. (Excerpt from BBC News)

COVID-19: UK surge in cases an “extreme concern”

A

surge in coronavirus cases in the United Kingdom is of "extreme concern", a health boss says, as a record number of cases was reported for the second day running.

On Tuesday, 53,135 new COVID-19 cases were recorded as well as 414 more

deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

Not all data was reported in full over the Christmas period, leading to a lag in some data, but Public Health England said there had been a "real increase".

The Health Secretary said the National Health Service

Egypt jails harassing student who sparked MeToo campaign

I

n a rare victory for women's rights in Egypt, a 22-year-old student has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexually harassing two women using social media.

Ahmed Bassem Zaki was arrested in July in Cairo, where he attended the elite American University.

Accusations against him sparked a wider MeToo campaign as women reported their experiences of sexual harassment.

Such harassment has been illegal in Egypt since 2014.

The court, which tries cybercrimes, found Zaki guilty of sending pornographic pho-

tographs and texts to the women's phones. He can appeal against the verdict, reports AFP news agency.

He also faces charges of assault and blackmail against three underage girls, which will be tried in a criminal court in January.

The case began in July when a succession of women posted anonymous allegations against Zaki on an Instagram account called Assault Police.

Many of them were his classmates and they alleged rape and assault as well as blackmail, including against girls as young as 14. (Excerpt from BBC News)

(NHS) was facing "unprecedented pressures".

Ahead of an announcement on any changes to England's tier restrictions on Wednesday, Matt Hancock added in a tweet: "We must suppress this virus to protect our NHS & save lives until the vaccine can keep us safe."

Hospitals in England and Wales are now treating more COVID-19 patients than at the peak of the first wave in April.

Dr Susan Hopkins, senior medical adviser at PHE, said: "We are continuing to see unprecedented levels of COVID-19 infection across the UK, which is of extreme concern, particularly as our

hospitals are at their most vulnerable.

"Whilst the number of cases reported today include some from over the festive period, these figures are largely a reflection of a real increase."

Dr Hopkins said it was "essential, now more than ever" that people follow social distancing rules to help drive infections down and protect the NHS and vulnerable people.

It comes a day after more than 40,000 daily virus cases were announced for the first time in the UK, although it is thought infection rates were higher earlier in the year, before mass testing.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

North Korea prepares for major party congress amid growing challenges

Brexit: Landmark UK-EU trade deal to be signed

T

he United KingdomEuropean Union post-Brexit trade deal will be signed in Brussels today by EU chiefs – before being flown to London for PM Boris Johnson to sign.

Downing Street said an RAF plane will transport the international treaty, accompanied by UK and EU officials.

It will come a day before the UK severs ties with the 27-nation organisation.

The UK Parliament is being recalled to vote on the agreement, which sets the rules for a new trade and security relationship between the UK and EU. The deal was agreed in Brussels on Christmas Eve, following nine months of

negotiations.

The European Parliament has begun its scrutiny of the agreement, but will not get a chance to ratify it before the UK leaves the EU single market and customs union at midnight on Thursday.

The deal has, however, been given the unanimous backing of Ambassadors from the 27 nations and the Member States gave their written approval earlier on Tuesday.

That paves the way for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel to sign the treaty this morning in Brussels.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Seventh Central Committee of the Workers Party in Pyongyang, in this undated photo supplied by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 30, 2020

N

orth Korean leader Kim Jong Un chaired a politburo meeting on preparations for a rare congress that is expected to set new economic and political goals as the country faces growing challenges, State media said on Wednesday.

The Eighth Congress comes amid the presidential transition in the United States, which North Korea has yet to comment on.

President Donald Trump had engaged in a number of

historic meetings with the leader of the reclusive State during his administration and it is not yet clear what Joe Biden’s presidency will mean for relations between Washington and Pyongyang.

North Korea has faced a number of challenges in 2020 with COVID-19 and a series of typhoons putting more pressure on an economy already battered by international sanctions aimed at stopping its nuclear programme.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

Concentrate on what’s important to you, and nurture meaningful relationships. Honesty regarding joint finances and ventures will help bring you closer to your goal.

You’ll learn something valuable if you observe what others are experiencing. Make a change that will help you avoid getting caught in an expensive tax implication. Leave nothing to chance.

When in doubt, ask questions and make adjustments.

A last-minute change someone makes will turn into a learning experience for you.

Have alternatives ready.

Listen to an offer and mull over what’s in it for you. Dissatisfaction breeds contempt, so make your demands clear. Honesty and innovation will help you persuade.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Plan how you will bring in the new year with health in mind. Taking a risk will put you in jeopardy. Keep your plans simple, doable and only for those within your immediate circle.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Information you discover will give you a better idea of what’s possible. Listen to a passionate plea, but don’t buy into something that may put you or someone you love in jeopardy. Abide by the rules.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Do your part to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Changes at home or work will set off emotions. Spend more time on self-improvement, not trying to change others.

SCORPIO

Inside information regarding a trend that can help you get ahead will come your way. Don’t invest in someone else. Take the initiative to do your own thing.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

SAGITTARIUS Refuse to let anyone disrupt your plans or talk you (Nov. 23into something that isn’t Dec. 21) worthwhile. Put more energy into fitness, nutrition and preparing for endeavors.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Engage in changes that will encourage you to look great and to perform flawlessly. Refuse to let the past bring you down. Stay focused and strive for perfection.

Make decisions based on what’s best for you. Step into the limelight, voice your opinion and follow through with what makes you happy.

Check and see who is excited about your plans and eager to pitch in and help.

Planning a virtual gathering will lead to interesting conversations and possibilities.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

21

Brian Ramphal Awards Programme…

BCB President calls on executives to rededicate themselves – unveils massive 2021 list of programmes P

resident of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster, last Sunday urged his fellow executives to rededicate themselves to the task of taking Berbice Cricket to another level.

The challenge was made as he was delivering remarks at a special BCB/ Brian Ramphal Awards Programme to honour former West Indies opener Clayton Lambert and several other Berbice senior players.

Foster praised the support he has received from his executives, but noted that much more work remains to be done, and he said it would require a collective team work to be effectively discharged.

He warned that there is no place for laziness, and said each executive must perform to the best of their ability once they accept the position. Foster, who took over a cricket board in turmoil, told the attentive gathering that over the last two years, much has been achieved but more work has to be done in the future.

He used the opportu-

BCB Executives pose after the Awards with former Berbice opener Clayton Lambert

nity to unveil his administration’s plans for 2021.

Among them are the hosting of 30 cricket tournaments at the Under 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 levels; and at the internal zone, intermediate, double-wicket, schools, female and first division levels. The tournaments would include the historic Semi-Professional League, two-day first division, and 20/20 and 40over tournaments in each of the five sub zones: Berbice River, Upper Corentyne,

New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower/ Central Corentyne and West Berbice.

Special emphasis would also be placed on coaching across the county, especially one-on-one sessions with some of the most talented junior players. Two hundred youths would benefit from donations of cricket gear, bicycles, cricket uniforms and educational materials, while two more University of Guyana scholarship would be offered to cricketers.

The fitness assessment will be conducted at the LBI facility

CGI to begin year with fitness assessments

A

s Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) prepares to bowl off cricket activities in early January 2021, the Guyana Jaguars will lead the way with fitness assessment activities, to be conducted on Monday, 4 January 2021 at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) ground.

The fitness assessment

will be for contracted franchise players as well as potential Academy players.

The assessment of the potential academy players is essential, since CGI intends to contract players for the remainder of the 2020/2021 Regional Cricket Season.

Further, in preparation for the Guyana Jaguars’ participation in

the Cricket West Indies (CWI) CG Insurance Super 50 Tournament, which will be held in the month of February 2021, the CGI franchise players will first engage in three practice matches at the LBI ground from 0900 hours, on Friday 8 January 2021, Sunday 10 January 2021 and Tuesday 12 January 2021.

The BCB would, moreover, be working to obtain a wide array of coaching equipment, a grass-cutter and to upgrade its New Amsterdam office even more. Every functioning cricket club would receive

cricket balls, the Berbice Cricket Academy would be hosted in July, while smaller ones would be held in Upper Corentyne (Scottsburg) and West Berbice (Bush Lot).

Other major plans include the continuation of the financial scheme for youth/female national players, inter-county cap system, inter county MVP programme, inter county Man of the Match System. A forty-page magazine highlighting the top forty Berbice players would be published, the board would be working along with the Ministry of Sports to improve some of the cricket grounds in the county, while an indoor practice centre would be built within Region Five.

The BCB expects to work along with the Ministry of Labour to host skills training sessions for school drop-

out cricketers, and also work together in a massive Say No to Child Labour/ Child Abuse programme for Berbicians.

Foster expressed confidence that Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jnr would fulfill his promise to assist the BCB with two full time coaches and provide sponsorship for some cricket tournaments.

Foster said that more developmental plans would be disclosed in the future as sponsorship is secured.

One of the BCB’s main objectives in 2021 would be to reduce administrative expenses by obtaining major sponsorships for internet access, a photocopier for the office, meals for finals, trophies for finals, and medals; while solar lights would be installed at the BCB’s office to reduce the consumption of electricity.

LA Lakers lose to Portland, as Atlanta Hawks overcome Detroit Pistons

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BA champions the Los Angeles Lakers lost for the second time in their opening four games of the new season, as Damian Lillard inspired the Portland Trail Blazers to a 115107 victory over them.

The Lakers, playing for the second time in as many nights, led 85-84 going into the final quarter at Staples Center, but Lillard's 31 points were supported by 28 from Gary Trent Jr as Portland made it two wins from three matches.

"I thought we came out with great energy," said Lakers coach Frank Vogel.

"When they made their runs, we weren't able to sustain the energy we began the game with."

Atlanta Hawks win again

Elsewhere, the Detroit Pistons fell to a third successive defeat as the Atlanta Hawks made it three wins from three encounters with a 128-120 victory.

Jerami Grant and Josh Jackson both hit 27 points for Atlanta, as Pistons

coach Dwane Casey chose to rest key players in Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose early in the campaign.

"We didn't want to run them to the ground because of the back-to-back. That's the reason," said Casey. "I don't want to say this is going to be the plan throughout the year. Their bodies and how they feel will lend a lot to how we want to do it."

Donovan Mitchell sank the winning basket with seven seconds left, lifting Utah Jazz to a 110-109 win at Oklahoma City; while Nikola Jokic had 19 points, 18 assists and 12 rebounds

in Denver Nuggets' 124-111 win over Houston Rockets.

The Memphis Grizzlies' first win of the season came at a cost, as Rookie of the Year Ja Morant limped out with a sprained ankle in the first half of a 116-111 overtime success over Brooklyn Nets.

Morant, who averaged 36 points in the first two games of the season, was taken from the court in a wheelchair, and watched the closing stages in a protective boot as Kyle Anderson drained three of four free throws late in overtime to amass 28 points in all. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

Romario Shepherd sponsors Under-13 tournaments for BCB – BCB launches another Mortimer George book on Berbice cricket

“Y

ou are a gem of Berbice Cricket, a positive role model, and it is a good feeling for all of us at the Berbice Cricket Board when our players who we have invested so much in pays it forwards”.

Those were the words of BCB President Hilbert Foster to West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who last Sunday came on board as an official sponsor of Berbice Cricket. The Tucber Park all-rounder joins his fellow West Indies team mate

Foster had approached the tall medium pacer for the sponsorship during the West Indies tour to New Zealand, and the player readily agreed to the request. The tournament, which would start in the first quarter of 2021, is expected to attract about twelve teams with the players’ cut-off date of birth being 2008-09-01. The players have to be attending school, and teams would be expected to provide proof of their players’ dates of birth when required. Only Berbicians would be allowed to play in the tourRomario Shepherd handing over sponsorship to Clayton Lambert

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff presenting Clayton Lambert with the first copy of Mortimer George’s book, “Know Your Heroes”

Shimron Hetmyer as sponsors of a Berbice Cricket tournament. Hetmyer sponsors the Berbice Intermediate tournament, while Shepherd would now sponsor an Under 13 tournament.

nament.

Clubs have until the end of February to inform the BCB Competition Committee about their participation, BCB Competition Committee Chairman Leslie Solomon dis-

closed that teams which play overage players would be disqualified from the tournament and face a stiff financial penalty.

All players are expected to be uniformed in white.

Teams would be divided into two zones, with the top two in each zone advancing to the semi-final. Foster stated that the BCB intends to host a minimum of thirty cricket tournaments in 2021 at the different levels: Under 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, Female, Second Division, Internal Zone, Intermediate and First Division.

The BCB has already secured sponsorship for some of the tournaments, including an Under 13, Under 15, Female and a two-day first division.

The BCB President has expressed confidence that the

Marketing Committee which he headself would raise funds for all of the projected tournaments and development programmes for 2021. He reassured Shepherd, who recently scored his 1st first class century against New Zealand “A”, that the tournament would be well organised and would achieve all of its objectives.

Shepherd, in brief remarks, said he is pleased at the state of Berbice Cricket and is delighted to invest in the development of youths. He committed himself to assisting in the future.

Former West Indies opener Clayton Lambert received the sponsorship from Shepherd, and congratulated him on remembering his roots.

Meanwhile, the proactive BCB on Sunday also launched

another publication by its former Secretary, Mortimer George. The 169-page magazine has been published under the title “Know your HeroesBerbice Cricket”.

George, who was Secretary from 1975 to 1983, is a prolific writer on Berbice Cricket, and has published several books and magazines, including special ones for the BCB 75th and 80th anniversaries in 2014 and 2019. President Foster hailed the publication of the magazine as another red-letter day in the rapid development of Berbice Cricket, and said he expects it to play a major role in educating youth cricketers on the history of Berbice Cricket and its heroes.

Chapters in the magazine are titled: The Magnificent Ten, Rising Stars, List of Windies Cricketers, Hall of Fame Inductees, West Indies female cricketers from Berbice, Life Members, Berbice Test Cricketers, and there are featured articles on Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Leslie Amsterdam, Lennox Phillips, Ancel Hazel, John Trim, Alvin Kallicharran and Duncan Stuart.

The BCB President expressed gratitude to George for his investment in Berbice Cricket, and urged him to continue doing so, as it is important that the history of the game in Berbice be recorded for future generations.

RHTY&SC completes largest-ever Christmas Outreach Programme – Christmas Village described as outstanding success

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19 and Intermediate along with the Namilco Thunderbolt Flour First Division and Under 21, were responsible for the outreach programme.

The teams achieved all of their objectives with the distribution of 1000 food hampers, 5000 Christmas toys, 500 special Christmas packages and 300 Christmas breakfasts; while schoolbags, footwear, clothing and educational materials were shared out as well.

Foster expressed satisfaction at the overall success of the programme, which was well supported by local and overseas-based friends of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation. The teams supported a wide range of churches, NGOs and cricket clubs with donations of special Christmas gifts, toys, educational materials and food hampers.

Among the churches which benefited were the St. Francis Roman Catholic Church, St. RHTY&SC’s Sohan Harry making a donation Agnes Anglican Church, Rose to the Port Mourant Public Hospital Hall Town Wesleyan Church, Maranatha Faith Ministries, September, was to make a positive dif- RHT Kali Temple, Deeper Life ference in the lives of youths, the el- Assembly, Elohim Adventist, Living derly and less fortunate.

Water Assembly; while the Blairmont, The sixth annual Rose Hall Town Achievers, Paradise, Rose Hall Canje, Christmas Village was hosted from Edinburgh, Port Mourant, Whim, the 22nd to 24th December in the Albion, Tucber Park and Bush Lot compound of the Rose Hall Primary Rising Star cricket clubs were among School, and was described by the 25 clubs to receive food hampers.

Management of the club as an outNon-governmental organisastanding success. tions that also benefited included Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stat- Dream for Kids, Little Angel Feeding ed that every member of the Club’s Programme, while the Berbice Police management and ten cricket teams Force B Division, Williamsburg Health worked beyond the call of duty to Centre, Port Mourant Hospital, Alpha make the events a success. The ten Children Home, Canaan Orphanage, teams- Poonai Pharmacy Under 12 Camal Children Home, Berbice River and 13, Farfan and Mendes Under Cricket Association also received do15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second nations.

Division, Metro Females, Pepsi Under The St. Francis Xavier Roman he 30th annual Christmas Outreach Programme of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, which concluded on Boxing Day, has been described as the largest of its kind for the club.

The main objective of the programme, which started on the first of

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Donation of toys to the Camal Children Home

Catholic Church received a financial contribution along with food hampers and toys, while club members also received a Christmas breakfast and a special Christmas package.

The ten teams also co-sponsored a female football tournament on the East Bank of Demerara, and donated Christmas gifts to the St. Agnes Anglican Church.

All members of the club received a food hamper, while several players received cricket gears to assist in their development. The teams also fulfilled the wishes of dozens of less fortunate kids who specially requested toys, and made special donations to the children of the No 65 Squatting area.

Meanwhile, hundreds of families visited the sixth annual Christmas Village and enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The village was held under very strict COVID-19 guidelines and received permission from the National COVID-19 Task Force. The main attraction at the 2020 Christmas Village included the Nativity Scene, a 20-foot Christmas Tree, Christmas Chimney, Christmas Star, Children’s Toy Houses, The Nero Sisters Children’s Home, Family Bridge, numerous inflatable Christmas charac-

ters and children’s games.

The teams handed out holiday bags and educational materials to children on the first two nights of the ‘village’, which over the last six years, has developed into Berbice’s most popular Christmas event. RHTY&SC Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu expressed gratitude to the numerous individuals and companies who supported the Outreach Programme and Christmas Village. They include KSM Investment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Farfan and Mendes Ltd, Namilco, DDL, Panthera’s Solutions, De Sinco Trading, Bounty Farm Ltd, Office of the Prime Minister, Toucan Industries, GNNL, Nand Persaud & Co. Ltd, Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, Dr. Puran Singh, HA Snacks, The Gift Centre, John Lewis Styles, Andana Homes, Lomenzao Johnny family among others.

Among the cricketers of the RHTY&SC, MS are Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Kevin Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Jonathan Rampersaud and Delbert Hicks.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEST INDIES NAME TEST AND ODI SQUADS FOR TOUR OF BANGLADESH…

T

Holder, Chase among high-profile players who declined Bangladesh tour

matches in West Indies ICC he Cricket World Cup Super League West Indies campaign, with the oppor( C W I ) tunity to qualify for the ICC Selection Panel toWorld Cup 2023. day named the West The following playIndies Test and Oneers declined the opDay International portunity to tour (ODI) squads for the due to COVIDupcoming tour of related concerns Bangladesh. or personal West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs and two Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka.

The West Indies touring party are due to arrive in Dhaka on January 10, and the series will Jermaine Blackwood run until February 15.

The two Test match- fears: Jason Holder, Kieron es will form part of the Pollard, Darren Bravo, International Cricket Shamarh Brooks, Roston Council’s (ICC) World Test Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Championship, and the Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Hetmyer and three ODIs are the first Shimron

Nicholas Pooran.

Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are unavailable due to personal reasons.

The CWI COVID-19 policy allows any player to opt out of selection for an overseas tour only when based on the player’s own safety fears or concerns. Such decisions will not impact their consideration for future selecKraigg tion.

Braithwaite T h e Test squad as vice-captain. Former will be led by the experiTrinidad & Tobago and enced Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies A team captain with Jermaine Blackwood Jason Mohammed will lead the ODI team, with Sunil Ambris as vice-captain.

Kavem Hodge, the right-handed top-order batsman, has earned a maiden call-up in the Test squad; while left-handed opener Shayne Moseley and all-rounder Kyle Mayers will be touring in the Test squad for the first time, after making trips to England and New Zealand as reserves t h i s year.

Mohamed’s Enterprises backs "Bounce back" tournament

Mayers made his T20I debut against New Zealand last month.

Two players have earned their first call-up for the ODI squad — Akeal Hosein, a left-arm spinner allrounder; and Kjorn Ottley, a left-handed top-order batsman.

Roger Harper, CWI’s Lead Selector, said: “Kavem Hodge will be on his first tour with the team.

He has been around for a few years and has made a case for himself, and he now gets his chance. The fact that he also bowls left arm spin has certainly helped his cause.

“We also have Kyle Mayers and Shayne Moseley, who have both toured with the team to England a n d N e w Zealand as reserves, being selected in the Test Squad for the first time.

Moseley

coming off successful ‘A Team’ games in New Zealand, and Mayers who has performed well in each of the CWI regional tournaments and also the CPL, over the last year."

Harper added: “The absence of several more experienced play-

Sunil Ambris

Jason Mohammed

ers has certainly provided an opportunity for the left-handed Kjorn Ottley, who has had a good Super50 tournament last year. He will be very keen to make his mark.

“Tours of Bangladesh are never easy, as they always play well in their own conditions. Although a number of the senior players are missing in both formats, I expect our teams to be very competitive. I expect our players to play with purpose, with passion, and with the desire to prove that they belong at this level.”

West Indies Test Squad

Nazar Mohamed making the presentation to GFF President Wayne Forde in the presence of Aubrey "Shanghai" Major

W

23

ith competitive local football having ‘bounced back’ into action, Mohamed’s Enterprises was eager to get in on the highly anticipated action.

Managing Director of the company, Nazar Mohamed, said yesterday he is “certainly happy to see the sport is back.”

Mohamed, who presented a sponsorship cheque to GFF President Wayne Forde to aid in the ‘Bounce Back’ tournament which got underway last night, also commended the principals for staging the event.

“I am happy that the Minister of Sport, the GFF, and the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation

have taken this initiative, and I am happy to be a part of this competition,” he said.

The business magnate pointed out that he has been sponsoring sports events for the better part of three decades, and highlighted that sport is a very important part of bringing people together.

He wished the tournament, the players and the organisers success, and wished them a Happy New Year.

Meanwhile, the ‘Bounce Back’ tournament kicked off yesterday at the National Stadium at Providence with Linden All Stars tackling the East Coast All Stars in the curtain-raiser of the double- header.

The GT All Stars also took on the Westside All Stars in the headliner of the first football tournament staged here amid the pandemic.

The two-day, four-team competition is a collaborative effort involving the Guyana Football Federation; the Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Organization; and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

It will be held without spectators and will conclude on January 1, 2021.

The two final teams will play on New Year’s Day, and the action will be broadcasted live on NCN, E-Networks and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’ Facebook page.

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain) Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain) Nkrumah Bonner John Campbell Rahkeem Cornwall Joshua Da Silva Shannon Gabriel Kavem Hodge

Alzarri Joseph Kyle Mayers Shayne Moseley Veerasammy Permaul Kemar Roach Raymon Reifer Jomel Warrican

West Indies ODI Squad Jason Mohammed (captain) Sunil Ambris (vice-captain) Nkrumah Bonner Joshua Da Silva Jahmar Hamilton Chemar Holder Akeal Hosein Alzarri Joseph

Kyle Mayers Andre McCarthy Kjorn Ottley Rovman Powell Raymon Reifer Romario Shepherd Hayden Walsh jr

FULL TOUR SCHEDULE January 10: West Indies arrive January 18: One-day warm-up match, BKSP, Savar January 20: 1st ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka January 22: 2nd ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka January 25: 3rd ODI, ZACS, Chattogram January 28-31: Four-day warm-up, M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chattogram February 3-7: 1st Test Match, ZACS, Chattogram February 11-15: 2nd Test Match, SBNCS, Dhaka

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Linden All Stars draw first blood in ‘Bounce back Classic’ Story and Photos by Jemima Holmes

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inden did as Linden does when it comes to football.

Linden did it in the opening game of the Bounce back Football Classic on Tuesday evening.

It was no easy feat for the Lindeners, but they made it look like a day at the office as they schooled the East Coast All Stars, whom they defeated 4-2 in the tournament organized by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF); Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) and Kashif and Shanghai (K&S).

The East Coast All Stars were put at an early disadvantage owing to a hard tackle in the goal area in the 8th minute.

The East Coast goalkeeper came crashing down in the 18-yard box, and with him the hopes of the East Coast team to reach Friday’s final.

East Coast player Shamar Scott could’ve had the first goal, but the crossbar stood in his way following an assertive shot in the 20s.

Western Tigers’ Cortez Kellman was eventually the first man to

er

Quincy Adams taking on a head

Jamar Harrigan (on ball) fending off Kurtez Kellman

take advantage of the East Coast goalkeeper’s severed ability, when he capitalised on his charge towards him, outfoxing him to sink the first goal of the tournament in the 34th.

The second strike came soon after, as GDF’s Abumuchi Benjamin made goal scoring look easy-peazy

with a simple touch into the nets.

Omari Glasgow opened the scoring in the second half, giving East Coast their first goal following a series of simple plays from his teammates. Jamar Harrigan kept the ball on the wings before passing inside to Glasgow, who was tasked only with making a simple straight

shot into the nets.

Although they changed their goalkeeper for the second, the new custodian was caught slipping like the first when Jermain Junor tried and scored. Benjamin made it a brace to his name in the 57th following up in an assist from his teammates inside the box.

With the score now at 4-1, urgency and confusion rose in the East Coast camp, the players scrambling to up their tally.

A handled ball inside the box assured EC of their second goal after being awarded a penalty. Shot taken by Jamar Harrigan in the 78th, the Linden goalkeeper, Sese Norville, who had been impeccable up until this point, gave up in the save even before the ball met him, giving away the goal.

Up to press time, the second encounter on Tuesday evening between the Georgetown All Stars and the West Demerara All Stars stood at 1-1.

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WEST INDIES NAME TEST AND ODI SQUADS FOR TOUR OF BANGLADESH…

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