Guyana Times - Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Excel Guyana P seeking over 200 employees for mining operations

18

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5068

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

Govt reviewing applications from several merchant banks – VP ...says Guyana will see increase in non-depository institutions See story on page 3

Govt to address river, road transportation issues identified

by Toshaos COVID-19 mutations warrant grave need to get vaccinated –…asHealth Minister US donates 12,870 more Pfizer vaccines

See story on page 7

JULY 12, 2022 UPDATE

facilitated – GuySuCo

Page 17

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Man posing as a “doctor” being investigated P2 …“If you don’t act, you will encourage this type of behaviour” – Ramsammy on charges

Massy recalls Jergens P11 Moisturizer over bacteria presence Man abandons vehicle after dumping P9 ganja

‘Romance scheme’ man charged for defrauding woman on P8 Facebook

See story on page 9

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

$100 VAT INCLUDED

See story on page 11

Uitvlugt sugar Unvaccinated 79-year-old succumbs to COVID-19 workers strike …184 new cases recorded over GuySuCo’s GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD default on Holiday-WithPay commitment …1-week grinding before HWP can be NUMBER OF NEW CASES

PRICE

184 34

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

779

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

5

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

5

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

37,017

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

31,392

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

68,409

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

66,328

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

444,911

FULLY IMMUNISED

343,698

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

1263

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

Berbice man charged for killing P16 neighbour

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man posing as a “doctor” being investigated …“If you don’t act, you will encourage this type of behaviour” – Ramsammy on charges

T

he Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) on Tuesday distanced itself from one of its volunteers who allegedly pretended that he is medical doctor.

A post that was made on the foundation’s Facebook page by its President, Bibi Saeedah Akhtar Hassan began circulating after the foundation was inundat-

ed with complaints that the man pretending to be a doctor was in fact an imposter.

“Guyana Cancer Foundation wishes to notify the General Public that

Mikhail Radius McLennan

Mikhail Radius McLennan is not a doctor and they are no records showing he is registered at the Medical Council of Guyana,” the post read.

According to the GCF’s President, McLennan had asked her to volunteer with the Guyana Cancer Foundation some time ago.

She said several persons, including media personnel reached out to her and advised her that McLennan was not a doctor. She said that this prompted her to launch an investigation.

“Persons called to confirm that he is not a doctor.

I questioned him about his medical degree and he refused to send a copy of it to us. He said he is working as a medical officer/pharmacist

Mikhail Radius McLennan ‘treating’ a patient

at ROK Pharmacy and there is no such pharmacy that exists,” she said.

As such, the woman said McLennan is no longer affiliated with the Guyana Cancer Foundation.

Hassan also posted photos of the man’s alleged Curriculum Vitae (CV) that stated that he attended Queen’s College, Texila American University, and the University of Guyana.

He also claimed to hold a Degree in medicine, a Diploma in Theatre Arts, and a certificate in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher.

The man also claimed

he worked at several institutions including the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, New Amsterdam Family Health Centre, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and the ROK Pharmacy. The man listed Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on his CV as a reference.

However, after the news of the Guyana Cancer Foundation started to circulate, McLennan issued a statement on his Facebook page, apologising and confirming that he is indeed not a medical doctor.

TURN TO PAGE 7

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, July 13 – 02:30h – 04:00h and Thursday, July 14 – 03:00h – 04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, July 13 – 16:20h – 17:50h and Thursday, July 14 – 17:00h – 18:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be light cloud during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Westerly to North North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:28h reaching a maximum height of 2.57 metres.

Low Tide: 09:57h and 22:14h reaching minimum heights of 0.48 metre and 0.66 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS M

09 11 15

18 21 22

16

FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

03 08 18 21 24 LUCKY 3

8

2

4

5

Afternoon Draw

7

9

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

08 09 15 16 19 20 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

01 07 13 15 16

01 10 13 16 18

13

8

2 Afternoon Draw

FP Afternoon Draw

4

0 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$99.49/barrel

-7.65

Rough Rice

$295.61/ton $578.60/ton

-0.12 0.00

London Sugar

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1726.90

$1727.90

Low/High Change

$1722.60 +1.80

$1740.50 +0.10%

Govt reviewing applications from several merchant banks – VP ...says Guyana will see increase in non-depository institutions G

uyana is on the cusp of seeing an influx of non-depository financial institutions entering the local market, with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo saying that the Government is currently reviewing applications from several merchant banks.

During the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) dinner on Tuesday evening, Jagdeo, who was the feature speaker, said more and more merchant banks are stepping up to seek approval for their applications, considering the aggressive need for financing.

"How do we get a greater flow of financing to people who already have contracts to the oil and gas companies or the first-tier contracts? We’re looking at (meeting) with the bankers. We may need to even change the bank supervision rules. But if the current commercial banks are not fit for purpose or are not aggressive enough.”

“We’ve already licensed one new commercial bank.

And we have applications for several merchant banks now, that will specialise in discounted invoices and even providing some limited financing based on contracts signed with the multilateral companies here,” he said.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Liberal

Jagdeo made no bones about the Government’s intentions to be very liberal with financing non-depository institutions.

As such, he noted that Guyana would be seeing several new institutions of that nature in the next few years.

It had been reported earlier this year that Finance Professor Floyd Haynes, who was a contributor to the Local Content Panel that came up with the Local Content Policy, would be launching a merchant bank of his own… subject to regulatory approvals.

With the growth of the economy, there has been an increase in the demand for financing.

In fact, this very thing was alluded to by GMSA President Rafeek Khan during the GMSA dinner.

According to Khan, he has been informed that there

has been an eight per cent increase in lending from commercial banks.

The World Bank had estimated earlier this year that Guyana’s 2023 economic growth rate would be over 34 per cent.

According to their semi-annual report for the LAC called “Consolidating the Recovery; Seizing Green Growth Opportunities”, which was released in April, the World Bank projects that Guyana will register a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 34.3 per cent in 2023.

This rate of growth is actually the most in the LAC region and the only one in double figures. The second highest growth rate projected for next year is St Vincent and the Grenadines, at 7.3 per cent.

When it comes to the forecast for 2022, the World Bank in its report had projected an econom-

ic growth rate of 47.9 per cent for Guyana. In this case, only Barbados, with a projected growth rate of 11.2 per cent for 2022, crosses over into double figures.

In the World Bank’s “Global Economic Prospects” report from January 2022, it was projected that Guyana will register growth of some 25 per cent for 2023. This was an improvement on the previously predicted 23 per cent.

The World Bank’s economic growth projection for Guyana marks it as the only country within the LAC with growth figures to cross into double figures, once again highlighting the importance of oil exploration to the economy.

Since these projections, however, the Government through the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr Ashni Singh, has actually upped the growth projections.

While addressing the Guyana-Saudi Arabia Investment Engagement that was held in the dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Saturday, Singh had revealed that the projected growth for Guyana is now at 57.8 per cent. According to him, Guyana’s economic growth will outperform both regional and global averages. (G3)

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

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

Reducing ecological footprint

O

ver the past few years, there has been much talk about climate change and the devastating impact it is having, and is likely to have, on communities and the world as a whole. However, while Governments and policy makers are busy debating the issues at the national and international levels, many believe that enough is not being done in terms of designing and implementing critical projects at the community level to encourage and sensitise individuals about the need to play their part in mitigating the effects of climate change.

In fact, it could be argued that, on the global level, not many persons are educated about the issue, especially as it relates to the kind of impact climate change has on the environment and on individuals themselves. Citizens still do take the issue for granted, and do not pay much heed to the various messages about the need to change lifestyle patterns and so on.

Scientists have argued that the planet is indeed threatened by lifestyle patterns of individuals, and if persons continue to use resources the way we currently do, the planet’s reserves would be exhausted at an increasingly rapid pace. For many countries, there is still the challenge of getting everyone to not only understand and appreciate the idea of the need to work towards sustainable consumption, but also to take practical steps to move in this direction.

Certainly, Governments can set the framework with their policies: set targets, define standards, give incentives to make companies go green. Businesses and industries, together with researchers, can provide the solutions; but, in the end, the consumers have the power of the purse, whether they buy green products or not.

In essence, achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. As stated by UNDP, the efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic wastes and pollutants are important targets to achieving this goal.

Based on statistics, the world’s population is growing rapidly, as more than a billion new people would enter the middle class by 2050. Experts have predicted that if citizens do not change their consumption patterns, the global use of resources would be multiplied by 15, which is considered dangerous for our planet, as it would not be able to satisfy the needs of everyone.

At the individual level, every individual does play a crucial role in defining his/her own consumption pattern, and can, in a way, also contribute to the fight against climate change.

For example, we can reduce the level of energy utilised, and the money that is saved on energy could be used instead to develop climate-friendly technologies and appliances.

Official records show that, on a global level, more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are related to household consumption. While it is accepted that it is not an easy task to get persons to change lifestyles and to work towards a climate- friendly environment, the task would be much easier if they are educated about the role they can play and the benefits of their own action.

Here, in Guyana, we still continue to dump garbage carelessly. For example, persons continue to dispose of plastic items in a reckless manner, resulting in the clogging of drains and trenches, thereby leading to flooding etc.

The flooding, over the years, has exposed our vulnerability, and should serve as a big wake-up call for us to treat the environment differently.

President Dr Irfaan Ali met with award-winning international artiste Samuel Medas, international recording artiste Calvin Burnett, and international producer Joel Browne on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the trio’s proposal and involvement in the expansion of the "One Guyana" initiative (OP photo)

No resurrection for the AFC

Dear Editor, The Alliance for Change feels that by parting ways with the APNU that it can salvage the damage done to the Guyanese people, especially its former members and supporters. But it is apparent that they want to restore their own damaged image. Some within the AFC realised this and as early as 2021 some of the Party’s Executive had received a 17-page proposal which recommended that the AFC leave the coalition with the APNU. Did this proposal come from the financiers of the party?

This proposal was put to the AFC’s National Conference this year and at the end of that Conference it was reported that it was agreed by the new Executive body to break the relationship this year end when the Cummingsburg Accord which came to life on Valentine’s Day 2015 would have come to an end. The voice of the financiers had decisively spoken or so it seemed.

According to Mrs Catherine Hughes, the Chairman of the AFC, there will be no renewal and the Party will focus on rebuilding and walking on its own feet and getting back on the ground, however, it will be open to coalescing with other parties.

I could vividly recall that the AFC had proffered many reasons why the coalescing with the PNC was necessary.

The main reason being the removal of the ‘corrupt’ PPP/C Government so that Guyana could achieve its full potential, given its huge natural resources. According to Ramjattan, the PPP/C was siphoning off more than 20 per cent from each contract awarded.

Guyanese has witnessed that the coalition during its tenure in Office became the most corrupt Government ever and the

Reserves, the Consolidated Fund and the Treasury were ruthlessly and repeatedly raped. Corruption became the order of the day and the Auditor General’s Report is replete with factual evidences.

The AFC’s Natural Resources Minister, Trotman gave away of our oil patrimony, a ‘legacy’ which the current Government is now bombarded to renegotiate. Where is Trotman? Has he gone back to the PNC mission accomplished? Where were these voices which are so vociferous now? Was the AFC blind at that time? The AFC presided and gave approval to all of these nefarious acts. The AFC even approved all the constitutional breaches which Granger perpetrated.

I could also distinctly recall that the AFC for a number of years after its formation in 2005, repeatedly lambasted the PNC for rigging the elections from 1968 to 1985 and mentioned volumes of the atrocities committed by the PNC. Ramjattan and Nagamootoo were at their oratory best at public meetings and no one would have envisaged that a day would come when these two very persons would dumbly stood by and witnessed for 5 months the barefaced attempts by the PNC to rig the 2020 elections. They became part and parcel of what they had condemned: corruption, cronyism, mismanagement and squander mania, and eventual an attempt to rig an elections. It was all about money and power, never the people and the country. Now that the rigging failed, they are now singing a different tune. Guyanese want to hear the AFC condemning this rigging. But this will never happen.

Now they want to ‘rebuild’.

Is this not an admission that

they destroyed their founding principles? The AFC wants to ‘walk on its own feet’. Is this not an admission that they were walking with the ‘feet’ of the PNC? The AFC wants to get ‘back on the ground’. Is this not an admission that the AFC have lost contact with their membership and support base? Is this not the ultimate act of betrayal? They enjoyed the corrupt life offered to them by the PNC on a platter completely neglecting the people of this country and nearly plunged this nation into a dictatorship once again and now they are begging for acceptance by the people they trampled on and betrayed. The real Ramjattan and Nagamootoo have been exposed and both being completely pleased with their ignoble acts and omissions, the latter has crept and disappeared into oblivion. They have lost all their ideals and principles which

Guyanese had witnessed when they fought the PNC dictatorship.

Those whom they betrayed would like to be given the true reason for the breaking of that unholy alliance with the PNC, but this will never be forthcoming since the main reason is to once again give parliamentary co-operation to the PNC to make this country ungovernable and frustrate the developmental thrust of the PPP/C Government. History is repeating itself. This was what transpired after the 2022 elections and if given that opportunity it will happen again.

The Alliance for Change is not capable of change and it should never be given an opportunity to resurrect. This time the result will be more devastating and catastrophic.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Is there more than what meets the eye?

Dear Editor, I read the GuySuCo advertisement appearing in the July 10, 2022 newspapers, wherein the company spoke about its need to purchase articulated tractors.

I was around when GuySuCo used Cameco tractors. I remember we used to describe time as lazy and thirsty. They hardly worked, and used a lot of fuel.

As a concerned observer, I shall be grateful if GuySuCo could answer the following questions: 1: Is it true that Game tractor company has not made a profit in the last three years?

2: Is it also true that the

Game tractors are used for haulage, and not tillage?

3: Also, isn’t it true that, since the late 1990s, the GuySuCo Board and Management banned the use of articulated tractors for tillage?

Editor, I was around the sugar industry in those times. I remember we had many renowned engineers and personnel who studied this matter. I have to wonder why we are going back to a failed past? Is there more to this matter than what meets the eye?

Yours sincerely, Dharmendra Ramgulam

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

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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

Dispute settlement in conduct of labour and industrial relations

Dear Editor, In the field of Industrial Relations, effective means of settlement of labour disputes have evolved through third-party interventions; namely, conciliation/mediation; adjudication by way of arbitration; and labour courts, or other judicial means of settlement.

Since conflicting demands in industrial relations often result in disputes, it is important to utilise effective methods of dispute settlement.

These “should aim at peaceful and orderly settlement of disputes, so as to make it unnecessary to resort to strikes and lockouts”, or other forms of industrial action.

Conciliation, mediation, and arbitration are valued dispute resolution methods used in the settlement of industrial disputes, and have special significance for the social partners, Government agencies, and representatives of trade unions and employers. These methods have been frequently and intensively utilised in Industrial Relations, and have been permanently established in many countries with a long tradition and history of success.

C onci l iation /med iation and arbitration have also been used in the field of International Relations, civil society, family and community relations, and in the commercial world in place of costly and time-consuming litigation.

Frequent and prolonged labour disputes could have a negative impact on industrial growth, economic development, and overall socio-political stability of any country.

Effective and improved dispute settlement procedures and machinery are crucially important for the national

economy and the general good of the population.

In many countries, the labour relations policy of the state is concerned not only with the settlement of labour disputes through established dispute-resolution machinery, but also with the prevention of disputes. Some states are actively involved in the promotion of improved relations among the social partners and their organisations and institutions.

Conciliation/mediation in industrial disputes, whether it is a dispute of interest or a dispute of rights, is an essential process in the field of Industrial Relations. The conciliation process seeks to encourage disputing parties to discuss their differences with a view to assisting them to develop their own proposed solution as an extension of negotiations.

The Ministry of Labour in the English-speaking Caribbean, as in many other countries, is the principal third party dealing with individual and collective labour disputes, and provides a free, voluntary conciliation service. The Dutch-speaking countries in the Caribbean provide this service through a state-funded independent mediation service.

The ministry or mediation service embodies the concept of non-political conciliation /mediation, and must maintain a role of non-partisan conciliation/mediation if it is to enjoy the confidence of the social partners. It must function with credibility, impartiality, professionalism, and integrity whether or not the service is located within or outside the Ministry of Labour.

From the ILO perspective, “conciliation and mediation

are regarded as equivalent terms, referring essentially to the same kind of third-party intervention to promote voluntary settlement of disputes”. Technically, conciliation is limited to encouraging employers and unions to develop their own proposed solutions through rational discussion of their differences. Mediation, on the other hand, is a stronger form of third-party intervention, in which the mediator can offer to the parties proposals for settlement of any industrial dispute. In practice, however, the technical distinction is blurred, or disappears, as both words are used interchangeably in some countries to express the same process of third-party intervention.

In some other countries, the two words – conciliation and mediation - denote different forms of intervention for voluntary settlement of disputes, in which mediation is the stronger form of third-party intervention than pure conciliation. The Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries use the term “mediation”.

It should be noted that ILO guidelines use conciliation and mediation interchangeably, while at the same time recognising distinct national practices in the use of these words.

"Conciliation can be described as the practice by which the services of a neutral third party are used in a dispute as a means of helping disputing parties to reduce the extent of their differences and arrive at an amicable settlement or agreed solution. It is a process of rational and orderly discussion of differences between the parties to a dispute under the guidance of the conciliator."

"As a process of

GAWU saddened by death of Comrade Jankie Persaud

Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has been saddened to learn that former Union President Comrade Jankie Persaud had passed away.

Jankie served as GAWU President for several years up to 1997, when he became Honorary President. He had also held the positions of Vice President and Treasurer in the union.

Jankie hailed from Enterprise, and, at age eighteen (18) was employed at the Enmore Estate as a cow pen boy. He later became a trench cleaner and cane cutter. Jankie emerged as a workers’ leader after he began to express concerns about the problems and grievances that affected workers in his gang.

He was always able to summon the courage to speak to the estate’s managers on issues that he set out to address.

This trait never left him, and he remained committed to uplifting the lives of his fellow men and women.

As a sugar worker, he became a member of the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), the forerunner to GAWU. During that time, he participated in the 1948 struggles which gave rise to the Enmore Martyrs. Jankie was involved, over the years, in several major battles of the sugar workers. This undoubtedly steeled him in struggle, and fortified his beliefs that, through unity and collectivism, our objectives could be attained.

In 2009, at the Union’s 19th Delegates’ Congress, Jankie was honoured for his outstanding contribution to the GAWU and work-

ers’ struggles. He always remained interested in GAWU’s activities and work. He would often boast of the GAWU, of which he remained eternally proud.

At this time, the GAWU extends its deepest sympathies to the relatives and friends of Comrade Jankie Persaud. Indeed, he lived an outstanding life, and his contribution to the GAWU and the workers will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

peace-making in Industrial Relations, conciliation aims to bring about the speedy settlement of disputes without resort to strikes or lockouts, and to hasten the termination of work stoppages when these have occurred. The steps that a conciliator may take to bring about an amicable settlement vary from one country to another, but always the function is to assist the parties towards a mutually acceptable compromise or solution”.

The use of the conciliation/ mediation service may be required by law, and/or by a collective labour agreement, or at the intervention of the conciliation/mediation service.

This is usually the procedure required before resorting to adjudication through arbitration or labour court for final settlement.

In the Caribbean, the conciliation/mediation services are state institutions/ state-funded institutions and agencies which provide free

services to employers and unions.

Conciliation and collective bargaining

“The practice of conciliation in industrial disputes has developed mainly in connection with disputes arising from the failure of collective bargaining, ie: the negotiations between the parties with a view to the conclusion of a collective agreement. Conciliation has thus been described as an extension of collective bargaining with third-party assistance, or simply as “assisted collective bargaining”.

The ILO uses the following definition for conciliation/ mediation in its training manual: “Conciliation/ mediation is ideally a voluntary process in which the services of an acceptable and independent third-party are used in a conflict as a means of helping the parties to arrive at an agreed outcome”.

The Labour Conciliator is

not an arbitrator, and cannot substitute his judgement for that of the parties. The conciliator cannot impose a settlement; it is for the parties to agree to a solution under the guidance and skill of the conciliator, who must maintain a strictly impartial and neutral attitude towards the two parties. The conciliation function requires independent judgement, and a conciliator should not be swayed by external pressures. The conciliator must endeavour to bring about an agreement.

However, if it is not possible to obtain agreement, the conciliator should persuade the parties to agree to submit the dispute to binding arbitration, or to another procedure for dispute settlement in keeping with the national law or practices in the process of conflict management.

With thanks, Samuel J Goolsarran

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

Page

Foundation

◄

Estimating Products T T o estimate products, begin by rounding. Then multiply the two rounded numbers.

Example: Estimate 62 x 48 Step 1: Round 62 downward to 60 and round 48 upward to 50.

Step 2: Multiply 60 x 50

he rule of thirds is a guideline commonly used in painting, photography, and design. The rule of thirds means that the subject isn’t centred; rather, the main focal point can be to one side or at the top or bottom of the image. It’s a tool to help artists draw the viewer’s eye into the composition, rather than just glancing at the centre. Georgia O’Keeffe was aware of this principle, which can be seen in the artwork below. Lines overlaid on an outline of the painting show how she organised the composition.

Materials: Drawing paper and drawing utensils Take a look at Georgia O’Keeffe’s painting called “Black Place III”.

LET’S TRY IT! On your sheet of paper, draw four equally spaced lines to create nine areas on your paper, as seen below. This breaks the space into three horizontal and three vertical sections. The four points where the lines meet are visual “hot spots” – good areas to position things you want the viewer to focus on. When the grid is ready, draw your own unique landscape. (okeeffemuseum.org)

When multiplying two numbers that both end in zero, start by ignoring the final zeros. To multiply 70 x 50, just multiply 6 x 5 = 30.

After you have done that, restore all the zeros that you ignored to the right side of the product. 60 x 50 = 3000.

Remember: When you round both numbers downward, you know your estimate is less than the actual product. If you round both numbers upward, your estimate will be more than the actual product.

See how the composition is roughly divided into thirds:

By

Exercises 1) 18 x 15

4) 45 x 10

2) 85 x 50

5) 14 x 9

3) 175 x 8

6) 250 x 125

the

Brothers Grimm

"Husband," said she, "why should we stop at being emperor?

I will be pope next."

"O wife, wife!" Said he, "How can you be pope? There is but one pope at a time in Christendom."

"Husband," said she, "I will be pope this very day."

"But," replied the husband, "the fish cannot make you pope."

"What nonsense!" Said she. "If he can make an emperor, he can make a pope - go and try him." So the fisherman went. But when he came to the shore the wind was raging and the sea was tossed up and down in boiling waves. The ships were in trouble, and rolled fearfully upon the tops of the billows. In the middle of the heavens there was a little piece of blue sky, but towards the south all was red, as if a dreadful storm was rising. At this sight the fisherman was dreadfully frightened, and he trembled so that his knees knocked together. Still he went down near to the shore, and said, "O man of the sea!

Hearken to me!

CONTINUED FROM TUESDAY

My wife Ilsabill Will have her own will, And hath sent me to beg a gift of thee!"

"What does she want now?" said the fish. "Ah!" Said the fisherman. "My wife wants to be pope."

"Go home," said the fish; "she is pope already."

Then the fisherman went home, and found Ilsabill sitting on a throne that was two miles high. She had three great crowns on her head, and around her stood all the pomp and power of the church. On each side of her were two rows of burning lights of all sizes; the greatest as large as the highest and biggest tower in the world, and the least no larger than a small rush light. "Wife," said the fisherman, as he looked at all this greatness, "are you pope?"

"Yes," said she, "I am pope."

"Well, wife," replied he, "it is a grand thing to be pope; and now you must be easy, for you can be nothing greater."

"I will think about that," said the wife. Then they went to bed, but Dame Ilsabill could not sleep all night for thinking what she should be next.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to address river, road transportation issues identified by Toshaos

A

fter a two-year hiatus, the return of the National Toshaos Conference (NTC) to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) has been hailed by the newly elected Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Derrick John.

John, who is the Toshao of Moraikobai, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), in a sit down with the State-owned NCN spoke about the importance of the NTC conference. John was only on Monday elected Chairman of the NTC, taking over from Nicholas Fredericks.

According to John, the conference allows the voice of Indigenous leaders to be heard. And their voices have been loud, with several Toshaos calling for issues affecting them at the local level to be addressed.

“This conference is very important, because for the past several years, we didn’t have an executive body for the National Toshao Council. And so, this council will bring together and re-establish an

New NTC Chairman, Toshao Derrick John

Executive body. Because we need to have the voices of our Indigenous brothers and sisters be heard, nationally and globally.”

John, in his third term as Toshao, also spoke about his plans for Moraikobai and the support he has thus far received from the Government.

One of the things he spoke of is an all-weather road linking his region to Region 10.

“I have several things I hope to accomplish in my

tenure in office. One of the things is the road connectivity. Linden is the closest town to Moraikobai, that is connecting Region 10 to Region Five. We have trail now that is very adventurous and I hope that my dream can be realised by having an all-weather road linking Linden to Moraikobai.”

“That will serve the purpose of having our farm produce be transported to ready market, which is a town.

And also, to the capital city of Georgetown. It will also enhance tourism in our community,” John further explained.

Meanwhile Toshao Micah Davis of Toka village in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was also appreciative of the conference, as well as the investments being made in his community. He mentioned the progress that has been made, in the areas of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), potable water and tourism.

“It’s a long-awaited conference that we’ve been

Man posing as a “doctor”...

“First off let me start by apologizing to everyone that’s been affected by this. I acknowledge that I made a huge mistake and I would at least try to explain my side. I did start the University of Guyana in 2016 to pursue what was and still is my passion to become a Medical Doctor. My mom was my only means of support and when she got ill and could not support me any longer. I had no choice but to drop out.”

“I did try everything else to make my dream a reality, some of which I’m not so proud of, but when it did not work out, I was too embarrassed to tell some of my

closest friends and family of my situation. In my heart and many hearts, I am a doctor because that’s my passion so I did insert myself into circumstances which allowed me more knowledge in this field even if it was not in the classrooms.”

“I know I went too far by calling myself or introducing myself as a doctor and for that, I sincerely apologize. I do not know where I will go from here but my aim is to the top. I’m only human and I’m still a work in progress,” the statement read.

Charges

Guyana Times under-

FROM PAGE 2

stands that the actions committed by the man are considered a criminal offence. It is unclear if charges will be instituted against him.

When contacted for a comment on the situation, Advisor to the Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy noted that he has since advised the Chief Medical Officer to contact the Medical Council of Guyana on this matter. He explained that the Medical Council has the authority to call in the Police to investigate the situation.

“If you don’t act, you will encourage this type of behaviour,” he noted. (G9)

Toshao Micah Davis of Toka Village

Toshao Kingsley Baptiste of Three Brothers Village

Senior Councillor Phillip Harris from Seven Mile Branch

waiting for. And I think we have a lot to share here. And we will be looking forward for a successful outcome after this conference,” Davis said.

“Some of the development that we’ve started with, along with the help from the Government, we have the drill well, where we are now having some proper water system in the community. Which we’ve been suffering from for all the years gone by.”

get some emergency cases and boat does gotta go from Mabaruma to where I live, it’s like 60 miles. That’s the one health hut. And the next one is about 80 or more.”

“So, when we get incidents and emergencies, boat does gotta go from Mabaruma to there… and we don’t want small engines.

We have small engines but it takes about six to seven hours to get out. So, we need big engines,” Baptiste said, noting that there are cases where people get snake bites or fall and cannot get the emergency care they need, in time.

In an interview with this publication, Senior Councillor Phillip Harris from Seven Mile Branch Road, Moruca (Region One), said one of the biggest issues his community faces is the state of the roadways.

While he praised the initiative taken to hold the NTC, he was hopeful that tangible outcomes including help for his community could come out of it.

“As a Senior Councillor,

we have a lot of issues there.

The main issue in the area is that we need our road to upgrade. Many times, people promise, Toshaos they come and promise us, we will see about the road. And they never do. They come into positions and on to this day, that road is really bad. It’s in bad condition.”

“People, especially on Saturday they do the market, they carry their produce. They bring their stocks. The vehicle can only meet by me, which is only halfway the road. And they have to fetch the stocks from there,” Harris said.

The five-day conference runs until Friday and has attracted the participation of hundreds of village leaders. Other than Toshao John’s election, two persons tied for the position of Deputy Chair, and this will be sorted later by the Executive. Karrau Toshao, Shane Cornelius was elected NTC Secretary, while Michael Thomas, Toshao of Aishalton was elected Treasurer. (G3)

Grievances

This publication spoke to Toshaos and village leaders who gave a summary of some of the grievances in their communities. Toshao Kingsley Baptiste of Three Brothers Village in Region One, also told this publication that while the NTC is a good initiative, there are issues in his village that need addressing, particularly in the area of transportation.

“The transportation for the health workers in there, we need transportation. Because sometimes we

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

‘Romance scheme’ man charged for defrauding woman on Facebook

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n East Bank Demerara (EBD) man was on Tuesday charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) with three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.

Jaffon Hinds, of Downer Street, Grove, EBD, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Zamina Ally and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Based on reports received by SOCU, Hinds, who is a production administrator at Caribbean Containers Incorporated, collected a total sum of $502,340 from the victim. The payments were made on three separate occasions. He was alleged to have acted as a third party for another person who befriended the victim via Facebook .

The victim claimed she sent the money to Hinds using a Western Union money transfer after she was instructed to do so by her Facebook ‘boyfriend’, who promised her a huge package with lots of expensive items.

To date, she said, she has never received any package and her Facebook ‘boyfriend’ has since ceased contact with her. The matter was investigated by SOCU, and Hinds was arrested and charged. He was granted $30,000 bail on each count by Magistrate Ally.

The matter was adjourned to August 15, 2022.

In April, SOCU Head, Assistant Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh warned of a sharp rise in cases where suspected Nigerian nationals who are

Charged: Jaffon Hinds

in the country illegally, as well as some outside of Guyana, are working with local accomplices to carry out scams and pyramid schemes on unsuspecting persons.

Karimbaksh indicated that “Package Delivery” and “Romance” scams became more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic as scammers targeted primarily women via several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp,

as well as online dating sites.

He explained that the modus operandi used by the scammers is to befriend unsuspecting women via the digital platforms using fake profiles of Caucasian men with luxury vehicles and large sums of cash.

“After communicating with the victim for some time to build trust with their `new friend’ or `love interest’, the scammer promises the intended victim, some form of assistance,” he said, noting that in most instances it is supposedly a package containing valuable gift items, such as designer clothing, jewellery, televisions, cell phones, other electronic devices, and money.

The Head of SOCU explained, “The victim is usually contacted by a local associate of the scammer, confirming the arrival of the package and requesting their personal contact and other information. The intended victim is subsequently contacted again and requested to deposit money to a specified local bank account or send it via a money transfer agency or the Guyana Post Office Corporation”.

He said they inform the victim that the payment is required to cover brokerage fees, customs duties, penalties, and/or shipping charges for the package(s), which are supposedly found on inspection to contain high-value items.

Once the payment is made, the scammers discontinue all contact with the victim(s) who are being robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars. (G9)

Milestone...

S

…for Sparrow

linger Francisco, universally known as the “Mighty Sparrow”, is 87!! Imagine that!! That sly, impudent skewer of pretentions, and commentator on all things West Indian since WWII, is still with us…albeit in New York. But then, for us West Indians, that’s home away from home, no?? What mightn’t be so well known is that Sparrow - he was that looooong before the leering “Captain Jack Sparrow” – spent quite some time here pre-independence, when we were just B.G. – for “British Guiana”.

In fact, he wrote one of his top hits - “BG War”immediately following our Black Friday on Feb 16, 1962, when the PNC burnt down half of Georgetown in their opening salvo to remove the PPP Government. With war drums sounding in the background again, his take is very relevant: “Well they drop a hydrogen bomb in B.G./ Lord have mercy, They drop a hydrogen bomb in B.G./ Lord have mercy, Riot in town mama/ Ah hear the whole place on fire, From Kitty to the waterfront all that/ Burn down flat, flat, flat.”

Then the Master gave his take: “I ain't care if the whole of B.G. burn down; I ain't care if all of Bookers burn down/ But they will be putting me out meh way, If they tackle Tiger Bay/ And burn down the hotel, Where all meh wahbeens does stay!!” Tiger Bay was then a hive of urban slum life, with dozens of “hotels” – pronounced “hut-tel” - with rentals by the hour!!

“They lock up over a thousand people; Well that was trouble/ They send for Policemen in the country To bring unity; But Police and all afraid/ Stand up and they watching stores get raid; Walk in the store take everything/ And when you done set fire to the building… .A woman walk in a store on main street Slippers on she feet/ Dirty petticoat, long time straw hat; And she smelling worse than that!/ But she walk out like a lady; High heels, glasses, jewelry/ The straw hat she had on wearing before/ She take matches and she burn it inside the store!” Reminds you of Mon Repos??

“They send for soldiers quite up in England; With big confusion/ They bring down warships with cannon like peas, To shoot Guyanese/ But Burnham said all right now, I'm the only man to stop this row/ He give we the signal and that's the case, Now we have peace and quiet in the place.” This, of course, was Sparrow’s sly dig at Burnham, who’d replied, “He who calls off the dog owns the dog” to the request of the Governor to quell the riots.

Everybody and their uncle – including Sparrow – knew Burnham was behind the mayhem. They couldn’t say the PPP had infiltrators!! …in cultural resistance Talking about the “wabeens” of Tiger Bay, reminds your Eyewitness of one of the unique features of our early urban landscape in what was dubbed the slums. According to one historian, “in the decades after emancipation, one of the ways in which the Afro creole resisted complete cultural domination was that in defiance of the Victorian social norms of modesty, dignity, orderliness, productivity and decorum, they exhibited counter values of gregariousness, bravado, loudness, ribaldry, rowdiness, aggression and even coarse vulgarity.

“This manifested itself was in the practice of 'cussing' and 'buseing' which he contended was a manifestation of their poverty and deprivation. …It was the women of the ghettos like Tiger Bay for whom this yard culture provided the means to resist white cultural dominance and to fight back against social injustice and racial discrimination.” …for the “Tigress” A contemporaneous magistrate, Henry Kirke, in his book “25 years in British Guiana”, wrote: "The black women are as strong as the men, taking the average, I should say they were stronger and quite ready for a fight at anytime.

“I remember one woman who was called the Tigress of Tiger Bay was a match for any three Policemen and was a terror in the neighbourhood"!!

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

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

9 Unvaccinated 79-year-old succumbs to COVID-19 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…184 new cases recorded

U

nvaccinated against the novel coronavirus, a 79-year-old woman is the latest person to succumb to the deadly disease.

According to the Health Ministry on Tuesday, she hailed from Region Seven and succumbed on July 10. To date, the confirmed death toll

in Guyana is 1263.

Statistics also showed a stark jump in new cases to 184 within one day. Confirmed cases are now at 68,409 – a breakdown of 31,392 males and 37,017 females.

A dissection of new positives reflects 11 in Region One (Barima-Waini); 14 in Region

Man abandons vehicle after dumping ganja

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JULY 12, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

184

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

779

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

5

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

5

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

37,017

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

31,392

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

68,409

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

66,328

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

P

The car that was abandoned by the suspect

olice in Regional Division 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) are looking for a man who abandoned the vehicle he was driving and escaped after dumping a bag that contained a quantity of ganja on Tuesday.

It was reported that about 10:00h at Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, a Police vehicle patrol was on duty in the area when the ranks observed the driver of a motor car acting in a suspicious manner.

The purple vehicle, which bore registration PRR 3003, was intercepted by the Police ranks who requested a search of the driver.

However, as the ranks approached the motor car, the driver sped off along the Burnham Drive Public Road, Wismar, causing the ranks to give chase.

The suspect managed to drive through ‘Poker Street’, and threw a plastic bag through a window of the car. Shortly after, the suspect exited the motor car and made good his escape on foot

34

FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2630

REGION 2

3005

REGION 3

8505

REGION 4

34,040

REGION 5

2498

REGION 6

6578

REGION 7

2539

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4101

REGION 10

3627

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

444,911 343,698

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1263

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

The ganja that was thrown out of the car

through a nearby alleyway.

The plastic bag was retrieved by the ranks, who, upon searching it, uncovered leaves, seeds, and stems of cannabis. A search was also carried out on the abandoned vehicle and the document found revealed that the motor car is registered to Aubrey Ettiene of Victory Valley, Wismar.

The motor car and the plastic bag with its contents were taken to the Wismar Police Station where the cannabis was weighed. It amounted to two pounds or 907.184 grams.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 12 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 94 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); eight in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); two in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); 13 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),

and 20 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There are five patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 34 in institutional isolation, 779 in home isolation and five in institutional quarantine.

Recovered cases have reached 66,328 with some 666,957

samples tested for the virus.

Latest vaccination figures show that so far, 441,120 doses or 86.6 per cent of adults have taken a first dose, while some 343,901 or 65 per cent are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, over

35,100 or 48.2 per cent of them have received their first dose, and of that amount, some 25,693 or 35.2 per cent are fully immunised. In the 5 to 11 age group, over 4200 children are inoculated. Administration of the second shot is now due for some persons. Moreover, approximately 68,000 persons have returned for their booster shots thus far.

Guyana is currently utilising Johnson and Johnson, Sinopharm, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to inoculate the population. Jabs are available for the five to 11, 12 to 17, and adult cohorts.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony positioned in the latest COVID-19 briefing, “What we have circulating now is the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants. Even if you were infected with Omicron BA.2 previously, you can get reinfected.

Fortunately, we have not seen a lot of hospitalisations but there is still people who are coming into the hospital.”

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health. gov.gy.

Global figures show that 552 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.3 million have died. In the Americas, more than 164 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths. (G12)

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NEWS

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COVID-19 mutations warrant grave need to get vaccinated – Health Minister …as US donates 12,870 more Pfizer vaccines

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espite having enough COVID-19 vaccines in Guyana, authorities are confronted with vaccine hesitancy and a slowed uptake of primary and booster jabs.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony cautioned on Tuesday that the virus is mutating with higher transmissibility, and he has underscored the need for protection by virtue of immunisation. He shared this position as the United States Government handed over 12,870 doses of the Pfizer

vaccines as part of an ongoing pledge to fulfil the country’s vaccine demand.

“When other countries are struggling still to get access to vaccines, we have all the vaccines needed that this country would really require…I know that people have grown very complacent because it’s about two years now since we’ve been doing this. Some people feel that they don’t need to get a vaccine shot. But the virus itself is mutating,” the Minister noted.

Additionally, the Health

Massy recalls Jergens Moisturizer over bacteria presence

The Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizer lotion has been recalled

T

he Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) on Tuesday notified all consumers that the Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturiser lotion, manufactured by KAO USA Inc and distributed

by Massy Distribution, has been recalled due to possible health risks.

The affected lot number: ZU722771, poses a risk due to the presence of a bacterium known as Pluralibacter gergoviae, which typically poses little medical risk to healthy people. However, people who have certain health problems, such as a weakened immune system, may be more susceptible to infections.

Symptoms of Pluralibacter gergoviae infection include respiratory problems, weakness, fever, nausea and vomiting.

While most people experience no more than a temporary rash from exposure, those with immune system deficiencies or bacterial allergies may become severely ill. Small children can also become acutely ill.

This bacterium is of special interest to the cosmetics industry, as it displays resistance to parabens, a common antimicrobial agent added to cosmetic products.

The GA-FDD has urged consumers to discontinue

use of the specified recalled lotion, with lot number ZU722771, as a precautionary measure, or to be on the alert when purchasing, since this product may still be in circulation.

Consumers who have the product from the recalled lot should contact the distributor on the following telephone number: 592-220-8198 (extension 179), and assistance would be provided for the product’s return. In addition, any adverse events due to the use of this product should be reported via gafdd. dnigs@gmail.com or call 592222-8857/9.

A few days ago, the GAFDD also alerted consumers of a voluntary recall of Häagen-Dazs Plain Vanilla ice-cream products, manufactured by General Mills and imported by Massy Distribution (Guyana) Inc. These products ranged from the vanilla pint, minicup and bulk formats. Only the products listed were affected by the product’s recall, which applied to batches with “best before” dates up to and including May 21, 2023.

The recall was based on the detection of ethylene oxide in the implicated products. Ethylene oxide is a chemical that in gas form has been found to cause irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory passages. (G12)

Ministry is tasked with countering misinformation that is circulating around communities.

Healthcare workers have been engaged in sharing verified and accurate information to debunk such myths and rumours.

“We know we’ve had some challenges in some communities here in Guyana, where people, because of misinformation, might still be a little hesitant to take the vaccines. The project we’ve had through US-AID, to go out and talk to healthcare workers to keep them better informed, I think that has been working,” Minister Anthony has said.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, has highlighted that since Guyana’s vaccination campaign started, the US has contributed over 301,000 shots. Assistance has also extended to other areas of COVID-19 management and

capacity building.

Over US$793,500 in COVID-19related assistance has been sent from the US Agency for International Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Defense.

With vaccines made available in the country, the diplomat has underscored the importance of higher uptake.

“Having the vaccine doesn’t mean getting vaccinated. We continue to encourage people to come out, get your shots, and if you have already gotten your initial vaccinations, please get your boosters. It’s very, very important,” Ambassador Lynch admonished.

This consignment will be followed by additional shipments in the coming months.

By next week, 50,000 additional shots are slated to arrive in the country through this arrangement.

The Pfizer vaccines donated by the US Government

Less than one week ago, the Government of South Korea also delivered 40,800 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to Guyana. For now, authorities are contending, there is enough vaccines in the country to continue the immunisation campaign.

Dr Anthony has contended that, for now, persons should get boosted.

“When we’re looking at our

numbers, we’re stuck now with 69,000 people having their booster dose. We have to change that if we are going to protect people. With the vaccines that we’re getting, we really want to appeal to everyone, if you’ve had your last dose more than six months ago, please come and get your booster shot,” the Minister told media operatives.

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NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Mason jailed for 2 Many good reasons why the PPP will remain the party of and for Amerindians

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fter disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toshaos Conference is now back in 2022, and has stirred much excitement among the Amerindian people. Absolutely no doubt, the PPP remains the political party which the majority of Amerindians support. Election after election since 1992, the majority of Amerindian voters sided with the PPP. There can be little doubt that, in the two years since the PPP returned to Government, the Amerindian people are even more solid in the PPP camp. Moreover, in less than two years, President Irfaan Ali has amassed confidence among the Amerindian people, who see him as a President with genuine interest in the welfare of Amerindian people. Amerindians President Dr Irfaan Ali found an ally in Cheddi Jagan.

Bharrat Jagdeo continues to be a hero among young and old Amerindians. Now President Ali is assuming rockstar status among the Amerindian people.

The conference was started under the PPP, and has, year after year, gained greater prominence and greater significance. Because this is where the leaders of the Amerindian communities across Guyana gather as a group, it has garnered political attention. The Amerindian leaders and the Amerindian communities in Guyana recognise that, as a group, Amerindian voters play a huge role in determining who governs Guyana. No ethnic group has the vote power to, by itself, assure a political party of victory in any free and fair election. Without the support of the majority of Amerindian people, no political party can win a free and fair election in this country; at least, as of now. The truth is that since Guyana’s first free and fair elections post-independence, in 1992, the majority of Amerindian people have voted PPP. There are good reasons why the party of choice has been, and continues to be, the PPP for the Amerindian people. Some Amerindian people have, over the years, believed they could form a purely ethnic party and win over the Amerindian votes. The latest person who tried that strategy was Lenox Shuman, who is now the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. He did not win a seat on his own, and the Amerindian people, by a vast majority, chose the PPP and rejected all the other parties that vied for their support. They almost unanimously rejected even the LJP of Lenox Shuman.

As the Toshaos Conference 2022 rolls along this week, there are many reminders why the PPP has become the party of, and for, the Amerindian people. At the opening of the conference, President Ali, dressed in a traditional Chief’s headwear, presented two absolute grants and five certificates of title to villages from Regions 2, 7 and 9. Capoey and Mashabo received absolute grants, while titles were given to Region 2 villages of Mainstay-Whyaka and St. Monica, Region 7 villages of Tassarene and Kangaruma, and the Region 9 village of Yupukari. In 1966, the Independence Declaration included granting Amerindians titles to their land. The law to permit this was not done until ten years later, by the PNC Government in 1976. But for the rest of the PNC time in their brutal dictatorial rule, they ignored and betrayed the promise to Amerindians, and did not grant them titles. In was after 1992, under Cheddi Jagan -- a process accelerated under Bharrat Jagdeo -- that real, genuine, serious efforts to grant titles to Amerindian lands started. The PPP Government allocated real funding to allow for demarcation and granting of titles. Dozens of communities were demarcated and given titles. This was halted by David Granger’s APNU/AFC Government. Now that the PPP is back in Government, the titling programme is back on track.

While land titling has been one of the many reasons why the PPP secured the confidence of the overwhelming numbers of Amerindian people, it represents only one of many reasons why Amerindians find a comfort zone within the PPP. President Ali, like his predecessor PPP presidents, have shown a keen interest in addressing the welfare of the Amerindian people. When President Ali announced that Toshaos would receive a 50% increase in their stipend, moving the monthly stipend from $30,000 to $45,000, it represented the first time an increase was granted since 2014. It was the PPP under Cheddi Jagan that introduced the stipend. It was Bharrat Jagdeo that increased the stipend several times until it reached $30,000 in 2014. Between 2015 and 2020, the PNC, then under the disguise of Granger’s APNU/AFC, did not add a penny to the stipend. Increases were also announced for the stipends of Deputy Toshaos and Councillors.

No doubt, Aubrey Norton would counter that it is not enough. But where were the PNC leaders when not a cent was added to the stipend for five years?

Amerindians know that the PPP has been their ally and friend, and that PPP presidents have always paid keen interest in their welfare. In just two years, President Ali’s PPP Government has invested more than $50B in Amerindian communities. More than $1.7B in direct economic investments has been made.

During Conference 2022, the PPP announced an investment of US$100M, or Gy$20B, to develop four state-of-the-art diagnostic centres by 2025, to provide better health care for the people in Regions 1,7,8 and 9. With unprecedented numbers of Amerindian professionals, with more of the Indigenous communities accessing education and training, the Amerindian people are being empowered. There are good reasons why they will continue to vote PPP. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

years on B&E charge R omano Hamblin, 24, a mason of Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was on Tuesday charged with Larceny in the Dwelling House contrary to Section 187 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter, 8:01.

The accused appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where he admitted to the offence.

Hamblin admitted that between May 27 and July 1, 2022, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Quinessa Kitt. This is not the first time he has been charged for such an offence.

Charged: Romano Hamblin

Last July, Hamblin was charged with break and enter and larceny, contrary to Section 229 (a) of the Criminal Law Offences Act, Chapter 8:01, which was committed on Angelina Yearwood, at Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

The defendant had also appeared before Magistrate Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read out to him and disposed of summarily.

Hamblin pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in prison. To this most recent charge, he again pleaded guilty and was jailed for two years. (G9)

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Berbice man charged for killing neighbour

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42-year-old Berbice man was on Tuesday slapped with a murder charge and appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh.

Bhola Jaipersaud was charged for killing his neighbour, Rameshwar Sydney, on July 8, 2022, at Bush Lot village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Jaipersaud was remanded to prison and the case will continue on August 11.

It is alleged that Jaipersaud stabbed Sydney to death.

Reports are that Sydney returned home from his farm and was having lunch when the neighbour went over and asked the farmer to go over by him to “gyaff” [have a conversation] and he went.

An eyewitness claimed that in a matter of minutes, Sydney ran out of the neighbour’s yard with a knife stuck in his neck. A security guard from the Bush Lot Secondary School, who was passing, saw Sydney collapse to the ground with

Dead: Rameshwar Sydney

blood pouring out of the wound.

The injured man’s wife was contacted and he was subsequently taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to the dead man’s brother – Ganish Sidney – Rameshwar had just consumed lunch which their mother had prepared when his friend came and called him to have a drink.

“As usual, when he want to drink he does come

and call me brother; not he alone, other body and thing.

So me brother decide to go with he. When he go [that] side me neighbour say he see me brother push the door and run out as de blood spilling from his neck like if a pipe running and he start to holla.”

According to the older Sidney, when he arrived at the scene his brother was lying on the ground panting for breath.

He said his neighbour was very aggressive earlier in the day.

According to the 47-yearold Sidney, the suspect and his brother were conversing prior to the incident and he heard both of them laughing.

He explained that he was eating at the time of the stabbing.

“We call the doctor and the doctor call the Police and tell we to put a cloth in the hole to stop the bleeding. Is just one stab but he pull the knife and make a big cut,” he explained.

Sydney was a father of five children.

NEWS

17

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Uitvlugt sugar workers strike over GuySuCo’s default on Holiday-With-Pay commitment …1-week grinding before HWP can be facilitated – GuySuCo

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he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) are again at loggerheads.

This time over the Holiday With Pay (HWP) entitlement for the first crop of 2022.

On Tuesday morning, workers of Uitvlugt Estate staged a picketing exercise outside the estate calling on GuySuCo to honour its HWP obligations for the first crop of 2022.

According to GAWU, the holiday-with-pay is paid to workers in lieu of annual leave and is provided at the end of each crop to qualified workers.

The Union said on Tuesday that the 2022 first crop at Uitvlugt was truncated arising from issues within the factory; however, workers continued to work and were quali-

fied to receive their entitlements which is in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement between GAWU and GuySuCo. “The estate contends that the workers are not entitled to the HWP payments.

At the same time, other sections of the employees continue to receive their full annual leave entitlements.

For the workers, this is disturbing as they all benefited similarly from the support of the Government,” the Union said, adding that previously, the workers indicated that the management informed them that certain computations were being undertaken towards addressing the payments.

Without any forewarning, the Corporation changed its position, the Union noted, and only offered HWP to workers engaged in planting tasks.

GuySuCo concerned

However, GuySuCo, in response, expressed grave concern in relation to the strike action.

According to the Corporation, with the factory having only ground for 14 hours in the first crop due to a mechanical failure, the grinding operations for the second crop were set to commence on Tuesday. “…however, disappointingly, the factory workers decided to proceed on strike.

The workers are demanding Holiday with Pay (HWP) for the first crop of 2022.

Management had earlier addressed this issue at a meeting held on May 31, 2022 with the GAWU’s union representative attached to the estate. At that meeting, the Estate Manager informed the Union Representatives that for HWP to be facilitated, a factor will have to be established which re-

quires at least one (1) week of grinding,” GuySuCo said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Estate, it said, is fully ready to commence grinding operations for the second crop in pursuit of a sugar production target of 10,800 metric tonnes (MT). The sugar company said that 223 punts of cane were in dock. It said that this cane was ready to be crushed, pointing out that the strike action by the factory workers did not augur well for the Estate and the Corporation.

“The Corporation, therefore, urges all employees of Uitvlugt Estate to work harmoniously and would also like to call on the GAWU to provide the support needed at this time,” the entity said.

Sugar shortage

On July 7, it was announced that Uitvlugt

Sugar Estate factory is gearing up to begin producing 1000 bags of sugar per day from last weekend – a move which was expected to bring some relief as citizens continue to complain of an apparent shortage of sugar on the local market, a situation which is driving up prices where the commodity remains available.

Citizens have been complaining of an apparent shortage of sugar on the local market, something

which has persisted for some two months.

On social media, hundreds of persons have shared their experiences of a sugar shortage at their local shops, and in some cases, supermarkets.

Guyana Times also spoke to several persons, who indicated that none of their local shops are selling the product. One individual told this publication that she resorted to buying imported white sugar.

18

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Excel Guyana seeking over 200 employees for mining operations E xcel Guyana Inc is now recruiting qualified candidates to fill over 200 positions for all levels of mining operations from attendant to

foreman and shift supervisor. Administrative and operational support positions such as logistics, lab technician, security, as well as health and safety personnel

will also be available.

“We are excited to bring over 200 new jobs to the region, for Guyanese candidates. We are committed to building Guyana’s future through strategic partnerships that elevate our local and international clients, partners, and the commu-

nities that we serve,” said Excel Guyana Inc Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kris Sammy.

“We are looking to build a diverse team that is committed to working with integrity for all our stakeholders. There are numerous opportunities for both en-

try-level workers and established mining professionals to be on the ground floor of an exciting project that will support our country’s continued economic success,” said Ewan Shanks, Vice President of Client Services and Recruitment at Excel Guyana Inc. All positions offer a competitive salary and benefits package, with health and life insurance. Reliable transportation will be provided for shifts that include short rotations to the mining site, which is located on shore.

Excel Guyana will facilitate both on-the-job training as

well as continuing education and career training opportunities. This project is expected to expand rapidly, offering plenty of room for career growth and upward mobility as new projects come online.

Job seekers are invited to bring their resumes for onsite interviews from 09:00h to 15:00h (9am to 3pm) on July 23at the Georgetown Club. Preregistration is not required, but candidates can submit questions ahead of time to resumes@excelguyana.com.

For a full list of career opportunities, visit www.

ExcelJobsGY.com.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Brent crude settles below US$100/bbl on higher dollar, weak demand outlook

G

lobal benchmark Brent crude tumbled US$7 on Tuesday to settle below US$100 a barrel for the first time in three months on a strengthening dollar, demand-sapping COVID-19 curbs in top crude importer China, and rising fears of a global economic slowdown.

Ukrainian rockets hit Russian-held area as Kyiv readies southern counter-attack

U

kraine said on Tuesday it had carried out a long-range rocket strike against Russian forces and military equipment in southern Ukraine, territory it said it is planning to retake in a counter-offensive using hundreds of thousands of troops.

The strike hit an ammunition dump in the town of Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson region and killed 52 Russians, Ukraine's military said. It came after Washington supplied Ukraine with advanced HIMARS mobile artillery systems which Kyiv said its forces are using with growing efficiency.

A Russian-installed official in Kherson gave a different version of events. He said at least seven people had been killed and that civilians and civilian infrastructure had been hit.

Ukrainian military paramedic attends resident Nina Trofimenko, 86, who was wounded during shelling near the frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the Donbas region, Ukraine, July 12, 2022

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield accounts.

The area Ukraine struck is one that Russia seized after launching on Feb 24 what Moscow called "a special mil-

itary operation" in its fellow ex-Soviet neighbour and is of strategic importance with Black Sea access, a once thriving agricultural industry and a location just north of Russian-annexed Crimea.

Ukrainian Government officials have spoken of efforts to marshal up to 1 million troops and of their aim to recapture southern parts of the country now under Russian control.

"Based on the results of our rocket and artillery units, the enemy lost 52 (people), an Msta-B howitzer, a mortar, and seven armoured and other vehicles, as well as an ammunition depot in Nova Kakhovka," Ukraine's southern military command said in statement.

An official from the Russianinstalled local administration said that Ukraine had used HIMARS missiles and that they had destroyed warehouses containing saltpetre, a chemical compound which can be used to make fertilizer or gunpowder. A large explosion resulted. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“A new era”: NASA unveils more Webb Telescope images of universe

The sharp drop followed a month of volatile trading in which investors have sold oil positions on worries that aggressive interest rate hikes to stem inflation will spur an economic downturn that will pull the rug out from oil demand.

Brent crude futures settled US$7.61, or 7.1 per cent lower, at US$99.49 a barrel, its lowest since April 11. US West Texas Intermediate crude was down US$8.25, or 7.9 per cent, at US$95.84, also the lowest in three month.

"I think it's pretty critical just from a psychological point that we hold at US$95 a barrel," said Rebecca Babin, senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth US. Oil prices are facing extreme pressure "as a defensive posture continues with consumer sentiment still in a depressed mode along with a COVID re-surface in China," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president for trading at BOK Financial.

A record high dollar is triggering more selling liquidation, Kissler added. Oil is generally priced in US dollars, so a stronger greenback makes the commodity more expensive to holders of other currencies.

The dollar index, which tracks the currency against a basket of six counterparts, earlier on Tuesday climbed to 108.56, its highest level since October 2002. Investors tend to view the dollar as a safe haven during market volatility.

Investors have been dumping petroleum-related derivatives at one of the fastest rates of the pandemic era as recession fears intensify. Hedge funds and other money managers sold the equivalent of 110 million barrels in the six most important petroleum-related futures and options contracts in the week to July 5.

Close-to-close volatility on Brent and WTI is at its highest level since early April. Lower liquidity typically results in a more volatile market with drastic price swings.

Renewed COVID-19 travel curbs in China weighed on oil prices too, with multiple Chinese cities adopting fresh restrictions, from business shutdowns to broader lockdowns, in an effort to rein in new infections from a highly infectious subvariant of the virus.

US President Joe Biden will make the case for higher oil production from OPEC when he meets Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia this week, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday.

However, industry insiders, sources and experts have questioned whether, with current output of at least 10.5 million barrels per day, Saudi Arabia really has another 1.5 million bpd up its sleeve that can be brought online quickly and sustained.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in Asia to discuss ways to strengthen sanctions against Russia, including a price cap on Russian oil to limit the country's profits and help lower energy prices.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol said that any price caps on Russian oil should include refined products.

Western sanctions imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation," have disrupted trade flows for crude and fuel.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) forecast that world oil demand will rise by 2.7 million bpd in 2023, slightly slower than in 2022. Spare capacity within OPEC is, however, running low, with most producers pumping at maximum capacity.

The US Energy Information Administration forecast a rise in US crude production and petroleum demand in 2022. (Excerpt from Reuters)

H

ours after people around the world got a glimpse of “the deepest, sharpest infrared view of the universe” ever taken, the United States space agency has released other detailed photographs taken by the James Webb Space Telescope.

NASA said the images from Webb, a joint collaboration with the European and Canadian space agencies and the world’s largest and most powerful space telescope, have ushered in “the dawn of

a new era in astronomy”.

One of the photos released on Tuesday morning showed a cloud of dust and rays of light surrounding a dying star known as the Southern Ring Nebula, located approximately 2500 light-years from Earth, while another offered a glimpse of a galaxy cluster called Stephan’s Quintet.

“New details like these, from the late stages of a star’s life, will help us better understand how stars evolve and transform their environments,” NASA said.

The US$9.7 billion Webb observatory was designed to peer through the cosmos to the dawn of the known universe, ushering in a revolutionary era of astronomical discovery.

The first batch of full-colour, high-resolution pictures, which took weeks to render from raw telescope data, were selected by NASA to provide compelling early images from Webb’s key areas of inquiry and a preview of science missions ahead.

The Webb Telescope set

out from French Guiana on South America’s northeastern coast on December 25, 2021, before reaching its final destination 1.6 million kilometres (one million miles) from Earth less than a month later.

Once there, Webb underwent a six-month process of unfurling its various components, aligning its mirrors and calibrating instruments – and more discoveries are expected to be unveiled over the coming weeks. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Panama’s President reduces Venezuela holding 3 petrol prices following protests Americans accused of entering anama's President June at US$3.95 per galcountry illegally – sources Laurentino Cortizo lon.

P

has announced a reduction in petrol prices.

The cost of fuel for private vehicles will be lowered to US$3.95 per gallon from Friday, a 24 per cent drop from the price at the end of June.

The announcement came after eight consecutive days of protests.

Demonstrators say that they want the Government to do more to curb inflation after the cost of food, medicine and electricity, as well as fuel, shot up.

In a televised statement, President Cortizo said the price rises were due to the "effects of the [COVID] pandemic and the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine".

He added that as well as reducing petrol prices for private vehicles, his cabinet would cap the price of 10 basic products, without specifying which ones.

The cost of fuel for public transport had already been capped at the start of

Panamanian media have described the measures as an attempt by Cortizo to "retake control" amid the worst crisis since he came into office three years ago.

The protests coincided with a week-long absence of the President, who had travelled to the United States for medical tests.

In his TV statement he said that his condition, a blood disorder known as myelodysplastic syndrome, was "low risk" and could be controlled with medication.

Cortizo said he had been across the events in Panama and understood "the dissatisfaction of various sectors with the situation".

Teachers were the first to take to the streets at the start of July, but they have since been joined by construction workers, students, and members of Indigenous groups.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

V

enezuela arrested three US citizens earlier this year accused of trying to enter the South American country illegally and is currently holding them, according to the US State Department and people familiar with the matter.

President Nicolás Maduro's Government has sought to keep the three Americans' arrests quiet while continuing nascent diplomatic contacts with the Biden Administration, one of the sources said.

The men being detained are in addition to eight other Americans known to have been jailed in Venezuela, including five former executives of Citgo Petroleum, a US-based unit of Venezuela's State oil company PDVSA, held since 2017.

The Venezuelan Government did not respond to a request for comment. The Associated Press was first to report on the ad-

ditional prisoners.

"We can confirm the arrest of US citizens in Venezuela in January and March of this year," a State Department spokesperson said. "We take seriously our commitment to assist US citizens abroad. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment."

The US Government considers the men, all arrested in separate incidents, to be wrongfully detained, according to the person familiar with the matter.

Los Angeles lawyer Eyvin Hernandez, 44, and Texas computer programmer Jerrel Kenemore, 52, were both detained in March, while a third unnamed American was taken into custody in January, the Associated Press reported.

They are accused of crossing into Venezuela illegally and of other unspecified offences, sources said. The State Department declined to confirm their names.

(Reuters)

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Tread carefully. Not everyone will be on your side. Be aware of insincere gestures. Don't react to something without sufficient evidence; take a moment to discover the truth firsthand.

(March 21-April 19) Tread carefully. Not everyone will be on your side. Be aware of insincere gestures. Don't react to something without sufficient evidence; take a moment to discover the truth firsthand.

DILBERT

(April 20-May 20) First, take care of money, contracts and medical issues. Set priorities that help support your efforts. A sustainable lifestyle will highlight your best traits. Be open, honest and reliable

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Don't settle for less or take on too much. Evaluate your position and what others expect, and you'll come up with a rational alternative. Set boundaries, limit your spending and keep a cool head.

Distance yourself from unreliable people. Consider what you want, then look at the best way to reach your target. Doing things for yourself will promote discipline and help you get the best results.

You'll be open to suggestions and will get the support and help you require to fulfill your needs. Be creative with investments, contracts and how you handle health concerns.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Make a point to study the broader view of whatever situation you face before narrowing things down. Say less and do more to avoid any potential issues. Be true to yourself.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Take charge before someone tries to beat you to it. If change is required, start doing what's necessary to get to where you want to go. Speak up, and take a firm hand with meddlers.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Set your sights on what you want, and don't stop until you are satisfied with what transpires. Set partnership rules and keep communication flowing. Cool heads will be required.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Be a good listener, and you'll know exactly how to have an impact on others. A change at home will help bring you closer to your desired lifestyle. Pay attention to your work/life balance.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Observation will reveal what's going on around you. Bide your time, watch for signs and symbols, and make plans geared toward better health and happiness. Express your feelings and intentions.

Offer help, and you'll receive the same in return. Associate with people who share your concerns. Take the initiative to come up with and present a unique way to make improvements.

Trust your gut.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

21

FIDE chess Olympiad in India…

“MAKE YOUR NATION PROUD” – Indian High Commissioner encourages local players

T

he High Commissioner of India to Guyana, His Excellency Dr K J Srinivasa, has given words of encouragement to Guyana’s delegation to this year’s FIDE Chess Olympiad, which is being held in India from July 28.

Last Monday, July 11, he took time out from his busy schedule to commend the players for their dedication to the sport, and share advice and encouragement for their trip to Chennai, India, where this year’s event will be hosted.

High Commissioner Srinivasa has said to the players, “Make your nation proud”, as they go on to represent their country against the best players from around the world.

The Guyana delegation was at the time visiting the Indian Embassy to secure their visas to visit India. The High Commissioner added as well that India is the birthplace of

Guyana's chess team posing with the Indian High Commissioner (7th from right)

chess, with the game originally being known as chaturanga, and used to craft war and political strategies. He noted that oldest references to it exist in Hindu statesman and philosopher Kautilya’s Arthashastra (“The Science of Material Gain”) – a Sanskrit providing insight into

the ancient Indian anthology of political wisdom, theory, and the art of statecraft.

The team also took this opportunity to share their goals heading into the tournament.

While noting that the major goal of the Olympiad is to provide much needed experience and

exposure to the relatively young team, team Guyana is also aiming to improve the country’s overall ranking in the sport.

Guyana is currently ranked at 146 in the world, but is hoping to break through to the top 100.

This tournament also gives untitled players a chance to

win titles, and titled players the chance to gain higher titles from winning matches.

Twelve-year-old Anaya Lall, who is the first deaf chess player to represent Guyana at this event, will be accompanied by her mother, who will act as a translator. Mrs. Lall’s travel is being supported by the Deaf Association of Guyana, and is also seeking assistance through a GoFundMe Campaign (https:// www.gofundme.com/f/guyanachess-federation).

High Commissioner Srinivasa has been greatly impressed with the team, and especially with Anaya, for her exceptional performance as she goes on to make history for Guyana.

He noted as well that India has made significant improvements in the care and support of persons with disabilities over recent years, so he is excited for Anaya to visit his country.

President of the Guyana

Chess Federation, Frankie Farley, has said, “His Excellency Dr K J Srinivasa’s guidance and pep talk was indeed inspiring to me and to the entire team. The High Commissioner of India extended his hospitality, and gave his confidence and assurance that our team will excel at the Olympiad. It is necessary that our team leave the shores of Guyana with a combination of high spirits and optimism that I'm certain will transfer into success.”

The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to express its sincere gratitude to His Excellency for his hospitality and generosity in issuing the visas for the Olympiad team’s trip to India. The ten chess players have been training for the tournament with Slovenian Grand Master Georg Mohr ahead of their departure later this month.

WI Emerging Players hard at work NAMILCO on board with RHTY&SC Cricket Academy and annual magazine enjoying time “in the middle” – support pours in for cricket development programme

T

he West Indies Emerging Players have started their intense work programme, and have already seen benefit from their training time at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG).

Graeme West, CWI’s HighPerformance Manager, has indicated that the players have all expressed great enjoyment a week into the programme, and he says he is also seeing this manifested in the way they go about their sessions.

“It has been really encouraging to see the energy and enthusiasm of all the players.

They are keen to improve their game, as they recognise this is a really good opportunity for them. All the coaching staff have been really impressed with the ability to listen and take on board the ideas, and reinforce some of the things they would have come across before having been involved in West Indies U19 programmes, some with the first-class franchises, some with CPL franchises from before.

It is a young group, but they are experienced,” West told CWI Media.

“We have had a really encouraging, positive start. We have brought together a group of players where many have been together before. In terms of their recent experiences, a couple have flown in from the UK, where they were playing club cricket, several were involved in first-class cricket in Trinidad, and several have been going to the USA to play T20 cricket there. So, we are bringing them together as a group, and we have a lot lined up for them here at CCG.”

T

West added that the players have been going through their drills with great professionalism, and this has led to great camaraderie. The plan for a CWI Emerging Players Academy was first announced in March.

It is a nexus between regional junior and senior teams, while supporting the development of talented players between the ages of 19 and 25.

The Academy has five primary objectives: * Building capacity of players, support staff and highperformance resources. * Management of talent. * Personal development – develop person first, and then the player. * Demonstrate best practice, including recruitment, selection and preparation. * Accelerating player development and increasing readiness of players for international cricket.

The 15 players participating in the academy have been picked after the Selection Panel met

and made recommendations on a formula which included consultations with each of the six Territorial Boards.

This first Emerging Players camp (academy) has several objectives, and the main focus during the initial period is to ensure the management of talent; players’ personal development – especially creating a breeding ground for leaders in the game; accelerating development – reinforcing the importance of knowledge of the physical components; as well as increasing the readiness of the players for the international stage – with a focus on specific skill sets identified by the Head Coach of the Senior Team.

FULL SQUAD: Kevlon Anderson, Keagan Simmons, Kirk McKenzie, Kevin Wickham, Teddy Bishop, Ackeem Auguste, Ramon Simmonds, McKenny Clarke, Johann Layne, Kelvin Pitman, Ashmead Nedd, Joshua Bishop, Nyeem Young, Joshua James, Leonardo Julien

he National Milling Company of Guyana Limited (NAMILCO), long-time sponsor of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS, on Friday came on board to support the club to host its annual cricket academy and also to publish its first full-coloured magazine.

At a simple presentation ceremony held at the company’s head office in Agricola, East Bank Demerara, NAMILCO Managing Director Bert Sukhai handed over a cheque for sponsorship of the foregoing activities to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster.

During the month of August, the RHTY&SC would be publishing a forty-page, full-colour magazine to highlight its major achievements over the last five years, and also to promote its list of promising players, which includes Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jermey Sandia, Sheneta Grimmond, Shakabi Gajnabi, Junior Sinclair, Matthew Pottaya, Romesh Bharrat and Christopher Deroop.

The magazine, to be edited

by Foster and the club’s Public Relations Committee headed by Jonathan Rampersaud, would be distributed free of cost across Guyana, the Caribbean, and North America as part of a massive outreach programme.

The magazine would also feature the club’s main achievements over the years since its formation in 1990 by threetimes Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee the St Francis Youth Club, while several major developmental programmes would also be unveiled.

The RHTY&SC, over the years, has won a total of 101 cricket

RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster receiving sponsorship from Bert Sukhai of NAMILCO in the presence of Fitzroy McLeod and another NAMILCO executive

tournaments at all levels, and has produced 111 players for either Berbice and/or Guyana and/or the West Indies. The club currently has four players in the national under-19 team playing in Trinidad, and has the only fully activated female team in the country.

NAMILCO which sponsors the club’s strong under-21 and firstdivision teams, also announced that it would be assisting the club’s annual cricket academy with 110 school bags as part of the team’s “Say Yes to Education” programme. The bags, along with educational materials, would be handed out to every youth attending the two-week cricket academy, which bowls off on July 18.

The academy would be conducted by a battery of cricket coaches, while several senior players of the club would make special appearances. Foster and senior executives of the club are also slated to conduct a series of classroom lectures to the students.

Foster has expressed gratitude to NAMILCO for its continued confidence in the club, and has hailed NAMILCO as one of

the RHTY&SC’s success stories.

NAMILCO Managing Director Bert Sukhai has said NAMILCO is pleased to be associated with the RHTY&SC, and has announced that sponsorship for the two teams would shortly be renewed for the next year, while new uniforms for the first division teams would be handed over as well.

Meanwhile the club continues to attract support from the general public as it steams ahead with plans for the cricket academy and Grade Six Summer Camp. Friends of the club, including Housing & Water Minister Collin Croal, Donna Todd, Sheik Mohamed, Canadian Surplus, Food for the Poor, Flavio Rose, Arlington Hazel, Joel Pike, Dirk Figueira, Indira Jafferally, Kevin Sinclair, Kevin Darlington, Roy Hanoman, Keith Hicks and Andy Lampkin, are among dozens who have assisted the club’s organising committee.

Outstanding members of the two programmes to be held by the RHTY&SC would carry home several prizes, including bicycles, tablets, food hampers, educational grants, household items and kitchen utensils.

22

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Braithwaite, DBU impressed with Guyana’s developing football infrastructure …MoU extension likely

DFU Executive Secretary Mikkel Bjerg GFF President Wayne Forde

By Jemima Holmes

T

he National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, EBD is, without doubt, the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) pride and joy. The facility has been highly rated by Barcelona and Denmark forward Martin Braithwaite during his visit here, as the GFF look to extend their partnership with the Denmark Football Union, the DBU, with an eye on infrastructure.

This all-weather facility, current venue for several national team practices and League games for both men and women, was commissioned back in 2019 as part of the FIFA Forward project. It caught the eye of Denmark’s Martin Braithwaite, who visited Guyana last month.

Prodded about their thoughts on the facility, both Martin Braithwaite and Mikkel Bjerg, Executive Secretary of the Denmark Football Union (DBU), have said they have been quite impressed.

“I feel this is a good start, this is a really good start. And I feel there is potential. You have this foundation but, of course, you need to build on from that,” Braithwaite told Guyana Times Sport exclusively.

He added, “Guyana is a big country, so we need to find a way to reach all the talents from the country and make it even for them to get the resources and the training that they need. So, those are the parts and things that we’re working on, but when we’ll get there we’ll get there.”

And Bjerg has expressed, “I’m really impressed by it. It’s a really good turf, I just went down and had a look. It’s fairly similar to the one’s I’ve played on in Europe back in the days, so it’s really, really good, and there’s some good initiatives and projects in the works here as well.”

Taking kindly to the foreigners’ remarks was GFF President Wayne Forde, who reasoned that their feedback

Martin Braithwaite visited Guyana last month

would do well to not only develop infrastructure, but the game in Guyana.

“Well, it’s not just a professional player, he would have been raised in a totally different football space than we have here in Guyana. He would have been playing on the best pitches, training at the best facilities. So, for him to have such a positive thing to say about the work we are doing here at the NTC, that’s very encouraging,” Forde shared with this publication.

“I took some time to take him around and show him what’s happening. I discussed with him some plans we have for the ongoing works, and he was keen on asking me some questions, based on his own experience. He shared with me some concepts that they have in Europe on how they set up gyms and all of that,”

Forde added.

The GFF Boss further posited, “I’m sure, as we continue to talk to Martin and he gets more and more involved as the ambassador of the partnership, we will learn a lot from the

knowledge and experience that he brings. But not only that, from the network that he’s now going to be opening up for the GFF.” With infrastructure development being a key part of the GFF-DBU partnership, all eyes are on the extension of the MoU, which Bjerg thinks is likely.

“It’s looking good. I know that there’s some meetings in the book, so the talk is already going on with UEFA and the

Danish FA. So, I think it’s a very good prospect to continue the cooperation,” the DBU Executive Secretary told this publication.

This is also a prospect that Forde is eager about. On the topic of the partnership extending, he disclosed, “We’re really, really happy about the partnership, and I want to feel confident that, at the end of this 5 years, it’s possible that we enter into a longer-term partnership.”

The ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival…

BOWMAN HAILS SBF AS SUCCESSFUL

…says plethora of activities on YBG calendar for 2022

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival concluded on Sunday with Kwakwani winning the Girls division, President’s College the U16 division, and Aroaima the U18 division of the competition.

And Co-Founder of the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG), Chris Bowman, has hailed the festival as great and competitive, while giving insight into the YBG agenda for 2022. Speaking with this publication, he had the following to say on the conclusion of the finale: “It was a great competition overall, it was competitive for sure. The pandemic or lay-off for the two years definitely affected the competitiveness in terms of outcome or results, but the competition was definitely good.

“The tournament was great!

We were definitely excited for our students from across Guyana who are inclined and love to play basketball, as they had the opportunity this year. So, this was really a tremendous success for Youth Basketball Guyana and

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for youth basketball in general; so, we are very pleased with the outcome overall.”

Speaking about the grand finale in the three respective categories, Bowman posited that there were some good matchups for the finals. He opined that Queen’s College getting to their first finals against Kwakwani in the Girls division was always going to be a challenge for the developmental group that Queen’s College is nurturing, as compared to the more experienced Kwakwani unit.

He predicted that despite the result, the Girls’ basketball division would continue to improve as time progresses because, come 2023, there would be much tighter competition in that category.

For the Under-16 category, Bowman said it is his belief that the best crop of players could be found there, as they are competitive and have lots of talent, and thus YBG is very pleased with what the under-16 division has produced.

As it relates to the Under-18 category, Bowman opined that there clearly was one team that was far above everyone else in the competition. He was referring to Aroaima Secondary, who dominated President’s College 103-52. He pointed out that four players from the Aroaima team got double-digit scores, which showed the fluency, efficiency and excitement they brought to the game.

Asked to comment on the crowd support, Bowman said, “We are excited about the type of community that Youth Basketball is building. We introduced, a few years ago, ‘best fan-support award’ and President’s College has won that title two years in a row. It was very close, as both Queen’s College and Bishops’ High School had good fan support.

“The unique thing is that

the out-of-town teams such as Linden, when they come to play, supporters come all the way from Kwakwani to support them, and this says that the community of…is very responsive to the quality of basketball that Youth Basketball Guyana is putting out on the basketball court.”

The YBG Co-Founder explained that this makes the organisation very proud, as fans can come to a basketball game and be engaged, have a good time, and have something to take home, compliments of the sponsors. Bowman relayed that there were lots of giveaways from ExxonMobil throughout the tournament, and even from Edward B Beharry and G-Boat, among other sponsors.

Regarding what is next, Bowman related that the YBG would continue to focus on basketball at the grassroots level, and the YBG Academy will continue, as would a number of summer basketball camps in several regions.

“Later this year, in partnership with ExxonMobil, we will be completing a tertiary knockout tournament. We have had the Tertiary League earlier this year, and later in the year, (we will have) the Knockout League. We also plan to host, later this year, a Student Athlete Pathway Conference,” Bowman explained.

He also said there are plans in the works to roll out a Youth Basketball Curriculum, which would then be followed by the Youth Basketball Guyana Titan Bowl at the end of the year. The Titan Bowl will be YBG’s final tournament for 2022, and while the National School Basketball Festival has been YBG’s main event for the year, Bowman touted that there will be other activities and programmes in which the children would be involved as the year progresses.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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WI vs Bangladesh: ODI Series, Game 2 of 3… for the second game, but it is difficult to bat on, especially in the morning period.

"Again, cricket is one of those games we have to adapt as quickly as we can, and regardless of the situation, you have to score more runs than the other team to win," Hope explained.

After the early morning rainfall, this Barbadian, the most prolific ODI player in the team, had an extended net session on the eve of the match.

"I am feeling good. I love to bat, it is important for me to keep

Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette

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angladesh are enjoying success in the One Day International (ODI) format of their tour of the West Indies, but it is the opposite situation for their hosts. Having lost their last nine ODIs against Bangladesh, the men in maroon will be eager to turn things around in today's second ODI,

Shai Hope walking off after an extended session

Asked what went wrong, Hope said: "Conditions had a bit to play. It was a difficult pitch to start on as a batter, but we have to find a way to score, whether in picking up singles, finding more boundary options; but it is important for us to learn as quickly as we can.

We must find ways to score more freely and put bowlers under pressure, and find more runs for our bowlers to bowl at.

I think we will change pitches Some Bangladesh players on the ground on the eve of the match

being played at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

According to ODI vicecaptain Shai Hope, the West Indies MUST find a way to score runs, and he noted that innovation is the way to go. "It is important for us to put the remedy right and make sure we find a way to tick all the boxes and get victories," Hope told the local media at Providence on the eve of the second ODI.

hitting it and spend time in the middle, and I usually have that time in the middle," Hope said.

West Indies will be concerned about how they batted in the first half of their innings in the last game. They played 88 dot balls in their first 20 overs, which later resulted in them losing a cluster of wickets.

Batting in partnerships and rotating the strike would be key for West Indies.

West Indies (probable XI): 1 Kyle Mayers, 2 Shai Hope, 3 Shamarh Brooks, 4 Brandon King, 5 Nicholas Pooran (capt

& wk), 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Akeal Hosein, 9 Gudakesh Motie, 10 Anderson Phillip, 11 Jayden Seales.

Bangladesh are most likely to keep their winning XI intact, barring any last-minute injuries.

Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Tamim Iqbal (capt), 2 Liton Das, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Afif Hossain, 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Taskin Ahmed, 9 Nasum Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman.

GTTA grateful to Coach Garcia as coaching stint ends

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Coach Osdani Romero Garcia

King and Carty after the nets

he Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) held a simple gathering after the final training session on Tuesday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The purpose was to express gratitude to Coach Osdani Romero Garcia, whose second coaching stint had come to an end.

Led by Shemar Britton and parents during this time, there was an outpouring of gratitude from the players, notably from Daniel Thomas, who testified to the impact of having the national

Shemar Britton expressing his gratitude to Coach Garcia

teams in the same training environment, where knowledge was shared from the seniors to the juniors, and how it impacted their growth over that period.

GTTA President Godfrey Munroe summarised the entire period by highlighting the areas of growth and improvement based on the coach’s assessment of players over the three-month stint.

It was also iterated that the table tennis academy

would continue as scheduled, inculcating the systems put in place by the coach and adding other dynamics as the association seeks to produce more rounded players.

Members of the GTTA again thanked Coach Garcia for his services over the last three months, and indicated that they are looking forward to another engagement in the near future, whenever he becomes available.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2022

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

WI vs Bangladesh: ODI Series, Game 2 of 3…

Pg 23

Getting Ready! With less than two months remaining before Guyana hosts its first Cricket Carnival (September 16 - October 2) during Hero CPL 2022, His Excellency President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday received an update from the Cricket Carnival Planning Committee at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson; Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, and representatives of the respective Ministries were present.

Guyana will be hosting the final 11 matches of this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), including the highly anticipated championship clash

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