Guyana Times - Wednesday, July 28, 2021

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Environmental Health specialisations added to UG’s curriculum Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4722

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

Local businessmen to set up US$600M shore base, container terminal

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Uitvlugt taxi driver killed 2 weeks before son’s wedding – driver released on $300,000 bail

P7

Govt working with NDCs P15 to identify deteriorating community roadways Page 3

– 1000 Guyanese to be employed

Urgent drainage works to be undertaken in Buxton-Friendship Page 17

Colwyn Harding a no-show;$80M lawsuit against State, cop dismissed …failed to comply with court Page orders, to pay $1M in costs 8

APNU/AFC admits approved $400M never handed over to GuySuCo

Deportation likely for Guyanese in scheme to defraud Sprint of US$1.3M in iPhones P15 P7 SheriffMandela Road project extended to October 31 St Lucia P18 Labour Party ousts 1-term Chastanet

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…but claims sugar company never requested money

Page 2

Vaccine awareness introduced in Indigenous, foreign languages – Health Ministry Page 12

…53 new COVID-19 cases recorded

…calls out City Hall for “laid-back” approach to Georgetown roads

P10 Girl, 15, allegedly raped by 21-year-old man

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2 NEWS APNU/AFC admits approved $400M never handed over to GuySuCo WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…but claims sugar company never requested money

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hile it has been revealed that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) never received $400 million allocated in the 2016 budget for it, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has admitted that indeed, the money was never given to the entity but claimed that it was never requested.

The matter was addressed by the Public

Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday, when former Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary George Jervis was called before the committee.

According to Jervis, the monies were approved for GuySuCo. But he said that the monies, which were intended for purchasing machinery and equipment that would be used for harvesting and land prepara-

tions at the Albion, Rose Hall and Uitvlugt Estates, were never released by the Government to GuySuCo. During a press conference on Tuesday, former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan admitted that the monies which were sourced from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) were not released. But Ramjattan, now the shadow Agriculture Minister in the Opposition

benches, attributed this to GuySuCo and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

“Prior to the coalition Government’s taking office in 2015, the IDB and the PPP was working out a loan for the agricultural sector.

A portion of that loan sum, which was agreed to by the IDB, was for the trial of mechanisation of harvesting in the sugar sector. In the preparation of the 2016

budget, GuySuCo had requested that a $400 million capital allocation be made available for the mechanisation of the Uitvlugt and Enmore Estates,” Ramjattan said.

“These monies were then obtained by the then Government from IDB for allocation towards this capital purpose. Consequent upon discussions, this sum was never requested from the Government although the allocation was there.

Firstly, the argument was that since these are the wettest estates in the country, mechanisation must be put

er used for the purposes it was secured. The previous APNU/AFC Government itself had admitted that between July 2018 to February 2020, $9.7 billion was disbursed from the bond to GuySuCo to fund its operational expenditure – much of which was outside the terms of the bond.

Back in 2016, the former APNU/AFC closed the Wales Estate, and the following year, shut down the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates, putting over 7000 sugar workers on the breadline.

Many of those workers have not been able to secure permanent jobs and remain on the breadline years later.

The downsizing of the sugar industry resulted in only the Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion Estates in operation.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), during the 2020 election campaign trail, had promised to reopen those estates and rehire those sacked workers. Since the PPP/C Administration assumed office in August 2020, they have been put-

on hold until further data is accumulated on the wetness of the land and specifications of the machinery to be acquired.”

Additionally, he said that GAWU had wanted to know how many workers would be displaced by mechanisation. According to Ramjattan, GuySuCo did not request the monies, nor did they answer the questions posed by the Union.

He said this caused the monies to revert to the IDB as unspent.

It would not be the first time that monies that were for a specific purpose for GuySuCo were, in fact, not used for that purpose. In 2018 the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), through Republic Bank, arranged a $30 billion syndicated bond at a rate of 4.75 per cent interest and a five-year repayment period to recapitalise GuySuCo. However, a significant part of the bond was nev-

ting systems in place to reopen the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates.

Some $5 billion was allocated in the 2020 emergency budget, which would be injected into the sugar industry for the phased reopening of the closed estates. GuySuCo was allocated a further $2 billion in Budget 2021 by the PPP/C Government for capital works to be undertaken at the various estates to help in the turnaround of the sugar industry.

Due to the deteriorating state of the Wales factory, that estate will be converted into the Wales Development Authority – an industrial facility that will see the development of not only agriculture but agro-industries, processing facilities, manufacturing and other sectors to drive economic activities.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Government, through the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has already moved to rehire over 700 sugar workers. (G3)

Shadow Agriculture Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, July 28 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Thursday, July 29 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, July 28 – 07:05h – 08:35h and Thursday, July 29 – 07:40h – 09:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers and light rain during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Easterly to South-Westerly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 07:19h and 19:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.56 metres and 2.47 metres.

Low Tide: 13:17h reaching a minimum height of 0.69 metre.

SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

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FREE TICKET

21 Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$74.48/barrel

-0.03

Rough Rice

$243.50 /ton

+0.33

London Sugar

$454.70/ton

-0.37

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1806.90

$1807.90

Low/High Change

$1793.10 +8.20

$1808.00 +0.46%

Local businessmen to set up US$600M shore base, container terminal – 1000 Guyanese to be employed

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ith the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) having screened their project and found no significant risk to the environment, a consortium of local businesses that is aiming to construct a multi-million US dollars shore base and terminal has been given the greenlight to commence construction.

EPA referenced Andron Alphonso in its notice granting exemption from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the construction of a shore base at Foreshore Plantation Best on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD). Information reaching this publication is that the principals are looking to start the first phase of the project in November 2021.

According to a notice issued by the EPA, the applications for these projects were screened and it was determined that they will not significantly affect the environment. EPA also noted that minor issues can be addressed through “appropriate and practical environmental safeguards at the respective proposed location and its environs.”

While it noted that an EIA is not necessary, the EPA said that an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) is needed to address specific issues that were identified during the screening process. Additionally, mitigation measures must be detailed.

Based on the project documents, the project is being carried out by the NRG Group, a local consortium with a combined 100 years of experience doing business locally. Shareholders of the group include National Hardware Limited, Hadi’s World Inc and ZRN Investments Incorporated. The construction of the project will be done

by Jan De Nul Group - an overseas-based company with years of experience in this field.

According to the documents, it is a US$200 to US$600 million investment that will include geotechnical and environmental studies, engineering works, dredging operations, reclamation, and the construction of wharf, storage, warehouse, and safety facilities.

It will also occupy 400 hectares of coastal and nearshore land and water at Best, WBD. According to the documents, the area consists of both natural and manmade sea defence structures, mud bank and beaches and 60 hectares of mangrove forests.

According to the project document, most of the mangroves will be left intact.

“It must be noted that the proposed project does not contemplate large scale removal of the mangrove forest in the area. The plan is to leave the existing forest intact as far as practical. There may be some minor impacts due to clearance for example access road, but these are expected to be insignificant. The final de-

A conceptual design of the proposed facility

signs will articulate the level of footprint expected,” the documents stated.

When it comes to employment, approximately 150 to 200 persons will be employed during construction and 50 to 100 persons will be employed for the basic operation and maintenance of the base port facilities.

“It is further expected that once phase 1 components are fully operational, inclusive of service providers, approximately 1000 persons will be employed. This number is expected to double with phase 2 components completed and operationalised,” NRG stated.

Phase one of the project will see the deepening, widening and dredging of the access channel, as well as land reclamation. It also includes an offshore terminal, dry dock facility and fabrica-

tion yard spanning 65 hectares. Meanwhile, phase two involves deepening the dredging of the access canal and expanded reclamation.

The announcement of NRG’s impending construction of a shore base facility that will service Guyana’s burgeoning oil sector comes in the same month that Canadianowned company CGX Energy Incorporated, which only recently started drilling for oil in the Corentyne Block offshore Guyana, commenced construction on a deep-water port in the Berbice River.

The CGX deep-water harbour project has been in the works since 2010, when the company secured a 50-year lease on the property. But it wasn’t until late 2020 that GCIE began advertising for a number of senior positions related to the deep-water har-

bour project, including the positions of Project Manager, Civil Engineer and Health, Safety and Environmental Officer.

Through the construction of its deep-water port, CGX has said it hopes to support Guyana’s rapidly growing oil and gas sector, as well as agricultural exports, container imports and exports. In addition, the deep-water harbour is expected to facilitate cruise ship docking and regional shipping.

Additionally, Guyana Shore Base (GYSBI), a Guyanese-owned port company that currently serves as a crucial conduit between ExxonMobil’s operations offshore and the supplies on shore, had said in April that it will complete the US$16 million expansion of its facilities in October.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Addressing mental health and the pandemic

T

he World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners: United for Global Mental Health, and the World Federation for Mental Health, recently pointed to the fact that mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health.

According to the health partners, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’s mental health. In their recent report, WHO and its partners note that close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol, and one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds.

However, in spite of the magnitude of the mental health crisis, relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services. According to the health partners, in low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental, neurological and substance-use disorders receive no treatment at all for their condition. Furthermore, stigma, discrimination, punitive legislation and human rights abuses are still widespread.

The health partners explained that the limited access to quality, affordable mental health care in the world before the pandemic, and particularly in humanitarian emergencies and conflict settings, has been further diminished due to COVID-19, as the pandemic has disrupted health services around the world.

For this reason, WHO, together with partner organisations United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health, has called for a massive scale-up in investment in mental health.

According to the health partners, countries spend on average only two per cent of their health budgets on mental health. “Despite some increases in recent years, international development assistance for mental health has never exceeded one per cent of all development assistance for health. This is despite the fact that for every US$1 invested in scaled-up treatment for common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, there is a return of US$5 in improved health and productivity,” they explained.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many countries are bracing themselves to deal with a host of accompanying social and economic problems, which no doubt are taking a toll on communities everywhere. The lockdowns implemented, even though they were necessary to contain the further spread of the virus, come with their own challenges; and countries, including Guyana, must immediately plan how they will address the huge negative social impact this will have on people as much as possible.

We have already reported on the notable worldwide spike in cases of domestic violence due to increased tensions in the household, resulting from the huge impact the virus is having on families. The United Nations recently pointed to reports from countries around the world which suggest that “restrictions in movement, social isolation, coupled with increased social and economic pressures are leading to an increase in violence in the home”.

It should be noted that in Guyana, long before the COVID-19 pandemic, households were experiencing extremely tough economic times. In addition to destruction of the mining, rice and manufacturing sectors, the previous Government’s closure of the sugar estates had caused thousands to be jobless and in poverty.

This resulted in a host of social problems affecting communities across the country.

Worldwide, data also confirms that medical professionals and other key frontline workers are experiencing significant mental health problems linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A key part of the UN appeal is for mental health care to be incorporated into all governments’ COVID-19 strategies, given that national average expenditure on it is just two per cent.

Importantly, the WHO and its partners have called on everyone to do something life-affirming: as individuals, to take concrete actions in support of our own mental health, and to support friends and family who are struggling; as employers, to take steps towards putting in place employee wellness programmes; as governments, to commit to establishing or scaling-up mental health services; and as journalists, to explain what more can and must be done to make mental health care a reality for everyone.

Brazil’s Gabriel Medina crashes on a wave during the bronze medal heat of the men’s surfing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan (AP photo)

President & Housing Ministry praised

Dear Editor, President Irfaan Ali and the Housing Ministry come in for kudos in their handling of housing issues, according to an opinion poll I conducted over the last week. Respondents express confidence in the work of both Ministers.

Expectations for a house lot or public housing is very high throughout Guyana; demand is not being met as quickly as the public desires and backlog has been rising. Respondents in the poll showed paperwork of a waiting period for a house lot exceeding ten years and, in some cases, longer. The respondents are pleased with the progress being made by the Irfaan Ali-led Administration in meeting house lots demand and hope their turn for a lot or public housing would

come sooner rather than later.

Providing public housing or house lots has been one of the greatest challenges facing all Governments.

Many families have turned to squatting or informal housing and or living with extended families or rentals. The Government has been working to address the backlogs.

Based on the findings of the surveys, the public is overwhelmingly pleased with the efforts being made

by Ministers Colin Croal and Susan Rodrigues to meet housing shortage, making house lots available and constructing lowcost houses for middle and low-income families. Both Ministers have been very active on the ground meeting communities all across the country and in distrib-

uting house lots or turn key homes.

The respondents of the latest July poll say that the PPP Administration has done more to meet housing shortage in less than a year than the predecessor coalition regime did in five years.

Almost everyone believes that ensuring the public has a safe, affordable place to live should be a priority of Government.

They also say they are very grateful to the President and the Housing Ministers for the action taken since last August to address housing shortage. House lot distribution has been peaking since last August.

Respondents note that housing affordability is a problem. While people almost unanimously agree that affordable housing is

very important, they are very concerned about the rising costs of housing.

Greater attention should be paid to the cost of housing or the materials for construction. Lower income people say more needs to be done to make housing more affordable for them and to rein in prices for materials.

The poll also reveals that the public expects the Government to continue to play an important role in making sure that housing is affordable and that communities are safe. They also feel that Government should give incentives to the Private Sector to engage in community housing development to meet rising demand.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Sherod Duncan cannot speak for a majority of Guyanese Dear Editor, Sherod Duncan’s hatred for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic is well known.

Recently, he was on his programme talking about the current cost of living which allegedly has skyrocketed. He was also saying that the Government is not doing what it should for the people of Guyana. He ended his feral blast by further alleging that the PPP “installed” regime is corrupt and lacks transparency.

If anyone listens to Mr Duncan, they are bound to think he is knowledgeable and knows the mood of the people. They would also think that his party, the APNU/AFC is beyond reproach and has an unblemished record when they were in office recently.

Editor, I want to make it clear that Mr Duncan cannot speak for a majority of the people of Guyana.

Secondly, Mr Duncan cannot speak even confidently on behalf of the supporters of the Opposition party, the PNC and APNU. Thirdly, the views expressed on the programme which is aired on his social media platform are not the views per se of even the AFC’s membership on the ground.

He thinks he is being effective by constantly launching a diatribe against the PPP Government. He is not, because the facts, media and reality are not on his side.

The truth of the matter is Guyanese know that they are experiencing a silent revolution that is sweeping away all of the things

that the APNU/AFC did in office for themselves and their cronies. The mood of the people is with the PPP Government because it is showing the people that it cares about the little things that Mr Duncan and the big boys don’t or didn’t. The Government is honouring commitments it made while in Opposition to the people.

It is still keeping all the promises while handling the Government and governance issues at the same time.

This Government has earned my respect for its approach to several issues. Just look at how the Government is handling the COVID-19 crisis and the floods at the same time and how it has boosted the levels of confidence of the Private Sector.

The ratings will go up for good governance in my book. One year of full growth and development is not at all bad. I am not saying the cost of living has not gone up but this is not influenced by local policies, rather, COVID-19 and its effect on the world has played a major role in the skyrocketing cost for certain items. The recent unprecedented flooding which brought untold devastation in the farming communities was also a major factor.

This Government is good for Guyana. The sooner Mr Duncan and the Opposition recognise this, the easier it will be to hold talks about other things.

Sincerely, Attiya Baksh

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

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

AFHP will bring about immense benefits for us all

Dear Editor, Just recently, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Government announced that it is looking to revive the 165 Megawatts (MW) Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP). I strongly believe that this is a good move that will benefit hundreds of thousands of Guyanese and as such, I write to you to express my views regarding same.

Through several media reports, I have taken note of the fact that the Office of the Prime Minister is cur-

rently looking for a partner to develop the project and it has published a request for proposals which outlines two options for the project’s development. The project’s construction is intended to commence in 2022 and is expected to be completed by 2025. In this regard, I want to emphasise that once this project is completed in the next four years it will bring an end to the electricity woes which we as Guyanese face ever-so-often. I cannot think of any reason why such a project would be bad

for the country especially since the end result will be significantly beneficial to every single household.

However, it is to be recalled that the APNU/ AFC, while in Opposition and during their tenure in Government, did everything possible to stymie this necessary initiative. They even liaised with certain media houses to feed false narratives to the Guyanese people regarding the AFHP. I recall clearly that Kaieteur News in particular parroted false

claims with sensational headlines and even published outlandish claims of its own, time after time again to support the coalition’s stance on the project; a stance which is focused on hindering progress and development.

No sooner than the announcement of the PPP/C Government’s intention to restart this initiative, Kaieteur News is at it again. In its July 26 editorial under the headline “Return of the dragon - Amaila Falls Project”,

the newspaper rehashed its usual negative and speculatory nonsense, much like it has been doing in relation to the oil and gas sector. I urge all the readers to recall the many things along similar lines printed by the Kaieteur News about the construction of the Marriott Hotel, Hope Canal and other infrastructural projects undertaken by the PPP/C Government and juxtapose them against the opposite reality today. All of the initiatives which Kaieteur News has criticised over

the years have been successful. On that note, I urge every Guyanese reading to ignore the negativity being published by such media houses as their only focus is to paint the Government in a bad light. The AFHP will bring about immense benefits for us all and it is time we lend support to projects and initiatives that are geared at bettering our lives and developing our country at the same time.

Respectfully, Erin Northe

OAI informed all new sub-lease fees will attract 10% charge to GL&SC Dear Editor, I write on behalf of Ogle Airport Inc (OAI).

The Managing Director of Air Services Limited, Capt A Mazahar Ally, has, once again, written a rambling, incoherent letter of complaint to the media, about the administration of the Eugene F Correia International Airport (EFCIA) by Ogle Airport Inc, which makes little or no sense.

Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) has always considered and approached the management and development of the Airport as a Public Private Partnership with public aviation facilities regulated by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

In fact, the Airport’s obligations and responsibilities are clearly defined in the lease Agreement for the Management, Operation and Development of the Airport with the Government of Guyana and which include the right of the Airport Operator to lease space on the Airport for purposes clearly set out in the agreement, approved in advance by the Government, in accordance with an Airport Development Plan.

The Airport had also entered into a lease of Government land for commercial purposes, issued by the Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission (GL&SC), which sets out

the boundaries of the Airport, which was regularised and finally settled in 2008 under the Public Corporation’s Act for 407.8 acres and, in 2018, the Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission issued a lease for “commercial purposes establishing and maintaining an aerodrome” for a period of fifty (50) years which was registered and adjusted to 401.89 acres.

There is absolutely no legal restraint to the renewal and extension of these lease agreements at a time and for a period mutually agreed between the Government and OAI. The land lease also provides that “the Lessee may sublet its interest in the

lands comprised in this lease or any part thereof in accordance with the provisions of the State Lands Regulations for the time being enforced”.

When OAI entered into this agreement, it committed to and has completed financing all of the infrastructure and equipment at the Airport. Capt Mazahar Ally is well aware of these facts.

Consistent with directives of the Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission, both from the previous and current Government, OAI has informed the lessees that all new sub-lease fees will attract an additional 10 per cent charge to the GL&SC which will be re-

flected in their new lease rates and, given the fact that the Airport now has a new lease, all sub-leases are required to be informed accordingly.

It is surprising that Capt Mazahar Ally is unhappy with the new and extended lease since, as a lessee, his company is a direct beneficiary, vastly increasing the value of their investments in the Airport.

Nevertheless, Air Services Limited retain the option of not extending their original lease and avoid paying the new lease charge which will apply only to renewed leases.

It seems hardly necessary to point out that Ogle Airport Inc is in partner-

ship with the Government of Guyana and, therefore, not only complies with the requirements of the Government of the day in office at the time but keeps the Government updated and informed. In this regard, Ogle Airport Inc’s management have long since met with the new President, Vice President, the Minister of Public Works and the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works with regards to the future development plans for the Airport.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento Public Relations Consultant Ogle Airport Inc

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄ Past NGSA questions

By Kim Stafford The design committee for making the world had stalled with the problem of drought.

“We have the sea over here, the desert over there—how many roads do we need, how many trucks, how many miles of pipe?”

At the back of the great hall stood the daughter of the doorman, who had brought him supper.

She pulled him down to whisper in his ear her dream of the mystery of mist. “My child,” he whispered, “that makes no sense at all.”

Source: Poetry (March 2021)

WORD SEARCH

7 Sheriff-Mandela road project extended to October 31 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

he Sheriff Street to Mandela Avenue road project has been extended to October 31 after the August 4 deadline is no longer achievable.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar confirmed this during a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday.

He stated that a new objection was obtained from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which the project is being funded by at a tune of US$31 million, after requests were made by the contracted company, Sinohydro, for an extension.

When asked about the reason for the extension, the Minister stated that the rainfall the country has been experiencing is a main

contributing factor. “…you can’t do construction work in that environment,” he stated.

Apart from the uncontrollable weather, Minister Indar indicated that there is currently discussion with regards to the type of drain that is to be installed.

He further noted that the Government wishes for it to be a concrete drain, rather than the initial design which is supposedly an “earthen drain”.

“That’s what we’re discussing… how we are going to deal with that,” he stated.

“Remember it’s a highway so we don’t want it to have earthen drain…we don’t want that.”

The Minister explained that the initial design is being revisited so as to get the most suitable drains for the

The Sheriff Street to Mandela Avenue road project

highway.

He also indicated that if there is an approval for the concrete drain, the overall project cost may surpass the

initial amount.

The project, which covers approximately seven kilometres of road between Sheriff Street and Mandela

Avenue, involves the relocation of utilities; the installation of lane and shoulder improvements; placement of sidewalks and paved shoul-

ders; traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage; a pedestrian overhead walkway; culverts, bridges, and a roundabout.

The project was launched in 2018 but faced many setbacks under the former APNU/AFC Administration.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had explained that when the PPP/C took office in August 2020, there was no work being done due to the COVID-19 pandemic and because of non-compliance with environmental standards which resulted in the IDB being forced to cease disbursements to the project.

The project was eventually restarted in September 2020 and the Dr Irfaan Aliled Administration had anticipated an August 4, 2021 completion.

Uitvlugt taxi driver killed 2 weeks before son’s wedding – driver released on $300,000 bail

Dead: Kenneth Smith

By LaWanda McAllister

F

ifty-four-year-old Kenneth Smith, a taxi driver of Ocean View Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), who was struck down and killed by a University of Guyana (UG) student at the De Willem Public Road, WCD, was preparing for his son’s wedding when he met his demise.

On the day in question at about 17:45h, motor pick-up bearing registration number GPP 8150 driven by 39-year-old Sahadeo Singh of Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was proceeding along the

De Willem Public Road in a line of traffic when the driver alleged that he indicated that he was making a turn into Harry Kissoon Street.

In the process of doing so, the UG student who was driving PZZ 9052 lost control of his vehicle and collided with the motor pickup before crashing through a concrete fence and eventually colliding with smith and 43-year-old Rampaul Sursen who were standing in the yard.

As a result of the collision, both men sustained injuries about their bodies.

Smith, however, succumbed while receiving treatment at the hospital while Sursen remains hospitalised.

Meanwhile, on Monday Smith’s wife Sharada Lall told the media that her husband left home to purchase a lottery ticket, and promised her that he would be returning very shortly. Ten minutes later, his wife received news that her husband was involved in a horrific accident.

“Me and he was sitting there in the afternoon, and he told me that he going and by the lottery… he said he coming just now, he coming back now. We ordered two sheep and so the person

soul, he will live within me, all the day of my life. It is really, really hard to face this…”, she explained.

The dead man’s wife said her husband was a provider and a great father, and deserved to see his son get married.

“He was preparing for his son’s wedding two weeks from now. He always talked about his son’s wedding. He was preparing, he was cleaning, he was doing everything. This is hard, this is really, really hard.”

Smith’s wife, Sharda Lall

was bringing the sheep and he tell me that the person taking too long so he gone.

He said if they come before, call him and he gon come… less than ten minutes I get message that a car hit him down,” the tearful woman said.

Lall said her husband was an exceptional man and should not have met his demise in such a manner.

“My husband had no impression of death… as my religion I believe in untimely death, and I know that my husband time didn’t reach. I am telling you through my heart and

The woman is calling for justice to be served.

“I need justice, I want justice to prevail. I don’t want anything; I don’t want sympathy from nobody. My husband is already gone. I don’t want nobody to come and do nothing, I don’t want nobody money, I am not in need of anything because this nonsense needs to be stopped because they are killing innocent lives on the road…”, the woman said.

Meanwhile, the driver

of the car at the time of the accident, Tyree Li-A-Ping appeared at the Vreed-enHoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday where he was slapped with a causing death by dangerous driving charge.

He reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

As such, he was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 and will make his next court appearance on August, 11, 2021.

8 NEWS Colwyn Harding a no-show; $80M lawsuit against State, cop dismissed WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…failed to comply with court orders, to pay $1M in costs

Colwyn Harding

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olwyn Harding – the man who alleged that the Police had sodomised him with a condom-covered baton back in November 2013, lost his chance to have the dismissal of his lawsuit against the State recalled after failing to comply with the Judge’s order.

In February 2021 High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh had dismissed the two lawsuits filed by Harding against Constable Devin Singh and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, on behalf of the State.

However, Justice Singh had subsequently recalled his judgement on the condition that Harding pay the two respondents $150,000 each in costs by July 16, 2021. It was an opportunity for Harding to escape from the weight of the judgement… an opportunity Harding did not take.

According to a state-

ment from the Legal Affairs Ministry, Justice Singh was forced to officially dismiss Harding’s case when it came up before him on Tuesday, because Harding never paid the court awarded costs.

Additionally, Harding failed to show up at all on Tuesday. Back in February, it was Harding’s lawyer who had failed to show up.

According to the statement, Harding will now have to pay $1 million to both parties.

Harding had contended in the lawsuit that he was viciously assaulted by several members of the Guyana Police Force who entered his home on November 15, 2013.

He also claimed that Police Constable Singh 19175 had inserted a foreign object into his anus, triggering a need for corrective surgery, and that the said rank repeatedly assaulted him in the Timehri Police Outpost between November 15, 2013 – November 18, 2013.

As a result of the injuries sustained during the alleged assault, he developed an intestinal hernia and had to undergo multiple surgeries. Constables Devin Singh and Rosell Tilbury were subsequently charged with assault causing actual bodily harm against the then 23-year-old man. Both officers have since been cleared of the charges due to insufficient evidence.

In the two lawsuits filed back in 2014, one was against the two cops, whom Harding alleged assaulted and battered him, causing him to sustain injuries. However, the State had denied these

A Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Justice Navindra Singh

claims. Specifically, the State asserted that the medical evidence did not support Harding’s contention of a foreign object being inserted into his anatomy, and that any surgical procedures undertaken were as a result of a medical condition which he had developed.

Harding was asking the court to grant him damages in excess of $100,000 for assault and battery between November 15 and 22, 2013, at Timehri, and exemplary damages. Meanwhile, the second suit was filed against the Attorney General in which Harding alleged that his fundamental rights were breached as a result of the actions of the Police ranks.

He had asked the court to grant him damages in excess of $80 million for breach of his fundamental right to protection from torture and/or inhumane and degrading treatment as guaranteed by Article 141 of the Constitution of

the Cooperative Republic of Guyana between the 18th day of November 2013 and the 24th day of December 2014 at Timehri.

Additionally, he sought damages in excess of $100,000 each for breach of his protected fundamental right to protection from inhumane treatment; for breach of his fundamental right to protection against an arbitrary search of his person as guaranteed by Article 143 of the Constitution; for breach of his right to protection against torture and other inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment as provided by Article 154 (a) of the Constitution; and for breach of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by Article 139 of the Constitution, along with exemplary damages.

Harding had also asked that the defendants in each action pay the costs of his legal fees for bringing the actions.

Miner arrested after tossing marijuana through window

The compressed marijuana retrieved by Police

The ganja being weighed

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36-year-old man was taken into custody after he was caught tossing a quantity of marijuana through his window at Tamakay Landing, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), on Monday.

Police stated that on the day in question, a team of Police ranks were on patrol duty at Tamakay Landing, Middle Mazaruni River, and based on information received, the suspect was contacted at his living quarters.

However, the ranks re-

Almost a year ago…

quested to carry out a search on the suspect’s apartment to which he agreed.

Nevertheless, during the process, the man was seen throwing a parcel through a window.

The parcel was subsequently retrieved, opened

and a quantity of ganja amounting to 508 grams were found.

The suspect was told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested, and was escorted to Enachu Police Station. Investigations are ongoing.

…PNC held us hostage fter the PPP was installed into office exactly five months after the March 2, 2020 elections – putting us into the Guinness Book of Records for the longest delay in declaring an election result – the Govt did promise us an inquiry into what exactly went down in that time.

We’re still waiting since in the meantime, the PNC and its myrmidons are blithely creating a narrative about how “they wuz robbed”!! And still won’t release their SoPs of the voting they’d praised for being the most well-conducted!!

The country was in a nail-biting funk as we waited for Granger’s latest Hail Marys (do Anglicans offer Hail Marys?) to have the Courts sanction his blatant elections rigging by his GECOM insiders – who’re all before those same Courts today!! Payback’s a bitch, ain’t it? One Misenga Jones from Tucville – who’d have us believe she was just a disinterested citizen even though she was an APNU COUNTING AGENT!!

– had appealed Justice George’s decision that GECOM’s declaration must be based on the recount figures and not from Lowenfield’s concoctions. Jones insisted that the order for the recount – requested by Granger! – was unconstitutional!! There were two days more to go for the Appellate Court’s decision and tempers were getting frayed and the temperature was rising precipitously.

The Sanctimonious Gangster, of course, had kept shifting the goalposts ever since the morning of March 3. In this case, he’d first requested then committed – to Caricom’s Chair Mia Mottley, no less! – that he’d accept the recount. He then switched to insisting that the recount be an “audit” that included all the fabricated and arbitrary “objections” of the PNC agents. He then flipped to saying he’d accept the GECOM Chair declaration – whatever it might be. Then to saying he’d accept her “legal” declaration.

He, of course, was the self-appointed arbiter of the Guyana Constitution. He’d once pronounced after a judgement by the Chief Justice that “she was entitled to her OPINION”, but so was he!!

Around this time last year also, past PNC strongman Hamilton Green – who’d opposed Desmond Hoyte’s acceptance of the 1992 elections – was trying to extricate his foot from his mouth. He’d advised that Granger “put aside the Constitution, put aside the laws” and keep on ruling!! Now he insisted, “it’s just a “lapsus linguae” (slip of the tongue)”!!! It was a slip all right…a Freudian slip, which revealed what was in his mind!! Today, we know that’s the reason Granger’s leadership is being challenged!! Finally, there was a raging debate about what would GECOM Chair Claudette Singh eventually do.

Over the five months, she’d developed a “hold me, loose me” attitude in executing her constitutional duties.

Nail-biting, all right!! …the West stood tall Your Eyewitness is aware of – and supports - -the realist principle in international affairs: “there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies – just permanent interests”.

So he won’t break a lance over claims that the West’s support for the democratic process after March 2nd served their interests. But why is the PNC assuming there can’t be instances where the West’s interests and “doing the right thing” coincide. And March 2 was one of them.

The PNC wants to have us forget what we all saw with our own eyes unfold at the Ashmins Building and later at GECOM HQ, where Mingo did the dirty with that stained bed sheet! (Your Eyewitness always wondered where he got that sheet! Maybe the Inquiry will look into this!?) This is the age of conspiracy theories, but isn’t the PNC brigade clutching at straws for suggesting that 10,000 Lowenfieldhired employees conspired to allow the dead and migrated vote in such numbers as to vitiate the elections?

Gwan da side, PNC! …some PNCites discovered democracy?

Did you notice, Dear Readers, that those challenging Granger leading their party are using all the arguments the Opposition used to unseat him from the Presidency?

Maybe all isn’t lost for democracy from that side!!

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

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GEA takes fuel importer to court over illegal imports …importer counters with protest in front of agency

The protest in front the GEA office

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he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has taken to court fuel importer Dorwain Bess of SBF International Incorporated, even as the importer is leading protests in front the agency over restrictions on his business.

A summons was issued against Bess based on complaints filed by GEA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Mahender Sharma on behalf of his agency. He is being represented by Attorney-atLaw Arud Gossai. According to the summons, Bess will have to appear before the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court on August 17, 2021. The summons was issued on July 19, 2021.

According to the complaint, Bess is accused of importing fuel without an import or importing wholesale licence that was issued

by GEA. According to the complaint, this is a breach of Regulation 4(2) (b) of the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations 2014.

The complaint states that “The defendant between

3rd and 4th November, 2020 at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, imported petroleum products to wit approximately 155,000 litres of diesel without authority to do so under an import or an importing wholesale license.”

Importer

Meanwhile, Bess on Tuesday led a small group of protesters outside the GEA’s office on Quamina Street, Georgetown. In an invited comment to the media, Bess said that the protesters want to go back to work considering Guyana is in the middle of a pandemic.

Bess had contended in sections of the media that billions of dollars in investment were at stake because of GEA’s action to cancel his fuel import licence, prompted by issues with a purportedly altered date on his lease agreement for his fuel storage facility and the GEA’s inability to carry out its lawful duty to mark the fuel because they were refused entry to SBF’s Linden

facility. Bess, a US citizen, has contended that he is being victimised and has in fact reached out to the US Embassy for assistance.

Bess was served with a notice of cancellation in August 2020. But the fuel dealer has said that prior to the cancellation of his licence, a fuel shipment had already been ordered and paid for in part. Bess has contended that the shipment arrived on September 2, 2020, days before the cancellation was supposed to take effect.

Arrest warrant

Meanwhile, reports that an arrest warrant was withdrawn against Bess because it did not follow the correct legal process were debunked by the GEA, in a statement on Tuesday. According to GEA, the warrant was issued because of failure to serve summons on Bess.

According to GEA, Bess’ case concerning the illegal dealing of fuel came up before the court on April 30,2021, where it was revealed that all attempts

to serve the company’s Directors at all known addresses failed.

“The address on East Street, the address of the registered office contained in the documents filed in Commercial Registry, and the address at which the GEA had previously successfully sent mails to the company while it was a licence holder, no longer appeared to house the company.”

GEA said that as a result, attempts were made to serve each Director at his personal address as stated in the documents filed in the Commercial Registry along with all other addresses associated with the Directors based on various communication submitted by those Directors.

“All such attempts failed.

The Agency even attempted service at the registered office of another company, Alpha Petroleum Trading Inc at which Bess was stated to be a Director, however, this too proved futile.”

As a result, an application was made by GEA for an arrest warrant, which was granted by the Magistrate. GEA said that this application was granted on the basis of apparent attempts to avoid service of the summons. GEA noted that should Bess wish to challenge this warrant, this can only be done through the legal channels and “not through the media.”

“The matter was again called on July 2nd, 2021 and a further adjournment to July 30th, 2021 was granted as the warrant had not

The summons that was issued

been issued. Prior to the adjourned date, the defendant Bess presented himself in court, seemingly having been told of the warrant’s issuance and the warrant was recalled. GEA was not present on court that day, as it had no knowledge of the defendant’s intention to appear,” GEA said.

“The recalling of warrants where defendants

present themselves is a usual practice and ought not to be represented as an act of malice or impropriety on the part of the complainant or the honourable court, as the defendant Bess has sought to imply. Again, if Mr Bess was dissatisfied with the issuance of the warrant there is legal recourse open to him of which his unnamed attorney must be aware.”

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Girl, 15, allegedly raped by 21-year-old man T

he Police are on the hunt for a 21-yearold man who allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl between July 7 and 16, 2021, in Region Nine (Upper Takata-Upper Essequibo).

Police stated that after

the report was made, an investigation was launched and efforts are being made to arrest the suspect.

Only last week, a man was apprehended after a 16-year-old girl reported that he raped her in April

at a store in Region Seven.

As such, the Police had arrested the 25-year-old man who has been accused of the crime.

Police stated that the teen was at a store in Region Seven when she was ap-

proached by the suspect, who demanded that they have sex. After the teen refused, it was reported that the suspect persisted and then committed the act before escaping.

Also last week, a 32-year-

old man was arrested in Region One (Barima-Waini) following allegations of sexual assault and rape against a 15-year-old.

Police had stated that after the matter was reported, the suspect was contacted, told of the allegation, arrested and placed in custody.

Over 1kg ganja found in empty lot at Plaisance

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The cannabis that was found in the empty lot

he Police unearthed 1140 grams of ganja in an empty lot at Britton Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Tuesday.

Based on information received, a party of policemen from Regional Division 4 C conducted an operation at the location

during which the cannabis was found.

As such, the ganja was retrieved and taken to the Sparendaam Police Station where 439 Ziploc bags were counted. The drug was weighed and amounted to 1140 grams. No arrests were made as Police continue their investigations.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GFS reminds Guyanese of precautionary measures to prevent fires

Farm EBE fatal accident

Mother of dead child slams Police for tardiness I in investigation

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Dead: Varshanie Ramroop

ore than a month after 12-yearold Varshanie Ramroop was killed by a speeding vehicle at Farm, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), her mother is not pleased with the manner in which the Police are handling the investigations.

On the day of the horrific accident, the now dead child was heading home from lessons.

It was reported that the child had just disembarked a minibus on the southern side of the road and was in the process of crossing the road when she was hit by a motor pick-up (GXX 7522), owned and driven by Benjamin Parks of Windsor Estates, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The child received se-

Grieving mother Reshma Ramroop

vere head injuries and was picked up by Police and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Sometime after the accident, the driver of the motor pick-up was charged for driving an uncertified, and an unlicensed motor vehicle. He was fined $10,000 for each charge and was later released on bail.

However, when contacted on Tuesday, the mother of the child, Reshma Ramroop, vented her disappointment with the slothfulness of the Police investigations.

“Nothing is happening so far, every time we call the Police keep saying that the story deh as an inquest and nothing in going on. Other cases after this one is com-

ing up, and other people are getting answers,” the woman said.

The mother of two said she is uncomfortable knowing that the driver who caused her daughter’s death is on the road and the Police are delaying the case.

“Right now, I feel so frustrated because is so long and nothing in doing. Something has to be done because other cases calling…”, she explained.

She added that since her daughter’s death, the entire family is left traumatised and this is just adding to the injury.

“It is hard. We are still traumatised up to now because it was a shock and nobody didn’t come back to us and didn’t say anything,” the grieving mother said.

n light of the devastating fire in Wisroc Linden (Region 10) in the wee hours of Monday that claimed the life of 83-year-old Norma Semple, the Guyana Fire Service is urging Guyanese to take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent a fire.

The Fire Service is encouraging citizens to ensure that all appliances are turned off and unplugged before leaving a room or building.

In a release issued to the press on Tuesday, the Guyana Fire Service further reminded: “Never leave children unattended or within the reach of fire starters and flammable items; never leave cooking unattended; always keep children a safe distance from the cooking area; desist from overloading electrical sockets e.g., overloading of drop cords and power strips with various appliances.”

In addition, the Guyana Fire Service is recommending the installation of smoke detectors in all homes and businesses so that persons can be alerted in the event of a fire. Finally, the release stated that portable fire extinguishers can be effective in fighting small contained fires and urged citizens to

The aftermath of the fatal fire

keep them in an accessible area and ensure that they are trained in its use.

Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into the circumstances that led to the fatal fire. The fire department noted that it would have received the report of a fire at about 2:20h and as such, a water tender along with water bows-

er from the Linden Fire Station were dispatched to the location.

The fire was extinguished at 3:10h. Investigation also revealed that another house sustained damages to the windows, PVC guttering and pipes due to radiated heat from the building of origin. The investigation is continuing.

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Vaccine awareness introduced in Indigenous, foreign languages – Health Ministry I

n widening sensitisation and improving COVID-19 vaccination rates across the country, the Health Ministry has been translating their various campaign messages in Indigenous and foreign languages to reach bilinguals and non-English speakers.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony informed during Tuesday’s briefing that these efforts are geared at ensuring improved immunisation numbers across communities.

Translators have been on board with the Ministry to offer these services.

“Persons in those communities understand and

speak the language. In an effort to get over and spread these messages, the Ministry has been able to hire someone who translated messages pertaining to vaccination, the importance of vaccination, the safety of vaccines in all of the Indigenous languages.

We have been playing these as PSAs on the various radio stations and when people go into the community, they have PSAs that they can walk with, so as to explain to people. We hope that would help,” the Minister detailed.

Apart from the Indigenous dialects, there is also a significant Portuguese and Spanish-

File photo: A group of Indigenous Guyanese dancers

speaking population, which the Ministry is also targeting.

“In some of the regions, apart from our Indigenous languages, there are persons who would speak perhaps a mixture of Portuguese and English or Portuguese. In other parts, people are speaking Spanish and so we have persons who have been able to work in those communities who are bilingual or trilingual.”

But while language barriers have proven to be a concern, health officials are also facing instances where persons are influenced by their faith-based leaders

not to take the vaccines.

“Apart from putting out the right messages in different languages so that people can understand, we’re still confronted with a problem in some communities where people who have influence in those communities, some of the faithbased leaders, have been telling their church members not to take the vaccine. We want to urge these leaders and the churches that they’re affiliated with nationally to talk to them about the importance of vaccination.”

Dr Anthony shared that national dialogue with the various religious leaders

have shown support for the country’s immunisation programme and this should trickle down to community leaders.

“The meetings that we have had nationally with all the different faiths have supported the vaccination programme and we need that message to filter down to the pastors and so forth in the various communities. In some communities, these church leaders have a very dominant position and people listen to them.

If they tell them not to take the vaccine, unfortunately we’re finding that a lot of people in those communities are not taking the vaccine,” he also outlined.

With tremendous progress in the vaccine administration campaign, vaccine hesitancy is still a challenging factor, especially in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

In fact, it was reported this week that misinformation is playing a leading role in augmenting the current vaccine hesitancy.

Regional Chairman Deron Adams noted that the region is still lagging behind, with just over five per cent of people in the region taking both doses. He had expressed that this is painting a worrying picture for health officials, as they reinvent newer ways of sensitising the public. (G12)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

500 hectares of mangroves restored since 2010 – Agri Minister

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ome 500 hectares of mangroves have been restored since the 2010 launch of the Government’s mangrove restoration project which is aimed at protecting and conserving these natural resources.

This was shared by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

as Guyana observed International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems on Monday. The project was piloted under the previous PPP/C Administration and continues to receive full support under the Irfaan Ali-led Government.

Executed under the

stewardship of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Mustapha related that these actions will contribute to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and achievements of international commitments linked to the Sustainable

Development Goals and Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

Since its inception, the mangrove restoration programme has implemented a range of interventions along the coastlands in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

“This has resulted in the restoration of over 500 hectares of mangroves which now provided added protection to coastal communities from rising tides and increased incidents of storm surges. Local communities have benefitted and will continue to benefit from income-generating activities such as community seedling nurseries, community tourism and beekeeping.”

As Guyana positions itself for transformative development, the Government through the LCDS initiative said it will continue to provide environmental stewardship, and this will include restoration and conservation of the man-

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

grove ecosystem. This year, $51 million has been committed to the Mangrove Management Capital programme to support the construction of rock and geotextile tube groynes that will serve to create a suitable habitat to support the restoration of the mangroves along Beterverwagting, La Bonne Intention and Non Pariel on the East Coast of Demerara.

The 2021 Mangrove Capital programme will also support the completion of topographic surveys to monitor shoreline elevation in Regions Two and Four. To support long-term planning and management, NAREI is working to develop an updated National Mangrove Management Action Plan with support from partners at Conservation International-Guyana. The new Action Plan will provide a road map to guide Guyana’s mangrove conservation and management for the next 10 years.

“Mangrove Ecosystems play an important role in the flood protection of vulnerable coastal communities. They also provide important ecosystem services such as maintenance of fisheries, coastal biodiversity, livelihoods and food security. In Guyana, the mangrove ecosystem provides a range of services to local communities, these include fisherfolk, farmers, beekeepers, coastal ecotourism operators and Indigenous communities,” the Minister added.

Duo busted with ganja during Police operation

The cannabis sativa plants that were found during the Police operation

A

n 18-year-old boy along with a 43-yearold man were arrested on Tuesday following

the discovery of a quantity of processed cannabis and five plants at Paradise, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The processed cannabis

Police stated that an intelligence-led operation in Paradise, ECD, led to the discovery of cultivated narcotics and the apprehension

The motorcycle that was seized by the Police

of two suspects.

The cultivated prohibited narcotic was found along with 449 transparent plastic bags and one black plastic bag containing processed ganja. The cannabis along with a motorcycle were seized.

The Police stated that the five cannabis plants measured between 6-14 inches while the processed ganja was weighed and amounted to 950 grams.

The suspects were taken to the Cove and John Police Station where they were placed in custody. An investigation is underway.

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Environmental Health specialisations added to UG’s curriculum we know that food safety is one of the biggest threats to mankind now in the world.

More people die of hunger in the world than they die of certain diseases and this is not something that we focus upon a great deal. The question of food safety and that BSc in Food Safety is very important. It dovetails very nicely with this new institute that we’re standing up now and that’s the Institute for Food and Nutrition Safety.”

Meanwhile, Director of the School of Allied Health, Dr Davon Van-veed assured that more programmes will be developed in the near future to add to their current assortment.

T

he School of Allied Health, College of Medical Science at the University of Guyana has now advanced its sweep of academical pursuits, offering four more scopes at the Bachelor’s Degree level.

The School of Allied Health now presents the opportunity for students to pursue a first degree in Environmental Health, with four concentrations; namely Food Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Engineering and Vector Control.

Vice Chancellor of UG,

Professor Paloma Mohamed said the introduction of such programmes forms part of the institution’s wider goal and fits into its blueprint of solving some of the country’s key problems in the education sector.

“Guyana’s global planetary importance is becoming more and more internationally accepted and nationally focused upon. When we spoke about that second aspirational goal of UG helping to solve these grand challenges, we had isolated eight areas. Interestingly enough, you have several of them kind of articulated in

the way the Environmental Health programme with these four specialisations has been addressed,” she told the panel on during Monday’s launch.

Particularly, she noted that the Food Safety specialisation comes at a time when the University is placing increased emphasis on agriculture and aquaculture.

Moreover, an institute for Food and Nutrition Safety is being created under the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.

“We wanted to focus our technical capacity on agri and aquaculture because

“We started out as just a few courses offered by the Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and look at us. In 2021, we’re a whole college with six scopes. And I can assure you, we’re not finished growing or advancing the school or the college.”

Dean of the UG’s College of Medical Sciences, Dr Cecil Boston outlined that a 2019 meeting in Jamaica saw several specialised persons around the world sharing their input on standardising environmental education, which was used in the crafting of these specialisations locally.

“Environmental health practitioners from across

the Caribbean and around the world met to discuss how we standardise environmental education. This was done in collaboration with PAHO and it basically focused on how we standardise environmental health education and how we make it a bit more focused in dealing with the environmental determinants and threats to health, looking at how we tie climate change and environmental health together…What we have here is four comprehensive programmes that would meet all the academic standards that are necessary for whichever pathway is chosen by students,” Dr Boston detailed. (G12)

woman’s assistance, thus leading to a heated argument between the now injured man and suspect. The argument, however, turned physical and it was at that time, the suspect armed himself with a cutlass and dealt Griffith one chop to his arm and one to his head.

He was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex

where he was examined, treated and admitted a patient in a stable condition.

Meanwhile, after committing the act, the suspect turned up at the Linden Police Station to report the matter and instead, he was arrested.

An investigation has been launched into the chopping incident.

Linden man chopped after intervening in fight

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labourer of MacKenzie was on Monday chopped to his head and arm after he intervened in an argument between a woman and the suspect. The incident reportedly occurred at about 17:00h and the injured man is 36-year-old Keno Griffith of Old Kara Kara, MacKenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Based on reports received, the 26-year-old suspect and a female resident had a misunderstanding during which the man allegedly squeezed her breast.

In retaliation, the woman spat on the suspect and as such, he got angry and threw a bucket of water on her.

Upon seeing the commotion, Griffith went to the

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Govt working with NDCs to identify Bringing Govt to the people everywhere in Guyana

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ore than 70 years after its formation, the People’s Progressive Party has never been more popular than right now. Whether the PPP is in Government or in opposition, their hallmark signature is their involvement and engagement with the people. As an Opposition party, this was true for Cheddi Jagan’s PPP (1964 to 1992), as it was true for the Bharrat Jagdeo’s PPP (2015-2020). As a Government, this was true for President Cheddi Jagan’s PPP Government, as it was true for President Bharrat Jagdeo’s PPP Government, as it is now true for President Irfaan Ali’s PPP Government.

In Government, the PPP’s strength is its consistent efforts to bring Government to the people, everywhere in Guyana.

Whether it is in a Region that represents its stronghold or in a Region that is consistently hostile to the PPP, the President and the Ministers are always Dr Leslie Ramsammy among the people, taking Government to them, sitting with them, trying to resolve issues, seeking to bring relief for people.

Just a cursory review of the activities of the Government this past week reveals how the PPP is bringing Government to the people.

Presently, every single Minister and senior Ministry official are out in the various communities distributing the “Because We Care” education cash grant. More than $3.2 billion is being transferred from the Government’s account into the pockets of ordinary families across Guyana. Ministers of Government have been in different parts of the country and will be in the next few weeks as cash grants for more than 172,000 children are handed out in the presence of these Ministers. Government officials, officials from the Auditor General, the media, teachers, parents, and children are witnessing Government in action, in big communities, in small communities, in communities in the remotest parts of the country. During these interactive sessions, citizens get to interact with Ministers and other officials, with Regional Democratic Council officials and NDC officials. During these interactions, citizens seize the opportunity to raise issues and seek solutions to problems they are encountering.

For example, on Monday morning while representing Minister Priya Manickchand at Cornelia Ida Primary School, a young mother with an autistic child related to me her struggles getting help for the child. I arranged for several persons to meet her in my office so that together, between the Health and Education Ministries, we can sort out help for this young mother. This is what bringing Government to the people means.

While the “Because We Care” education cash grant is being rolled out across Guyana, Minister Ashni Singh and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who themselves are engaged in the cash grant rolling out, are also engaged in National Insurance Scheme (NIS) outreaches.

Over many decades, the NIS either has misplaced, cannot locate or never had records of contributions made by people. There are many families around Guyana who have retired and now cannot get their NIS benefits. The President Irfaan Ali-led Government has embarked on a formal outreach programme, led by Ministers, specifically Ministers Ashni Singh and Anil Nandlall, and including senior officials from NIS and from among employers, like GuySuCo, in an effort to resolve once and for all the problems that people have encountered for decades. After years of hoping the NIS gets its act together, the PPP Government has decided the time has come for drastic action.

Having given NIS an opportunity to resolve people’s problems by themselves, the PPP Government is now ensuring they are part of the process to bring an end to decades of back-and-forth between the NIS and people.

This past week also saw Minister Collin Croal leading a team from the Ministry of Housing and the CH&PA in an outreach at the National Stadium tarmac to distribute 1000 low-income house lots in Region 4. This is the latest outreach in which the Ministry of Housing is engaged in a public interaction with people, handing out house lots. Last week, the PPP Government had a similar outreach in Linden (Region 10). Before that, outreaches had been held in Regions 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. In less than one year, more than 5200 house lots have been distributed. When the PPP promised during the campaign that a minimum of 50,000 house lots would be developed and distributed during this first term, some doubted that this was a realistic promise, but in less than one year, more than 5000 house lots have already been distributed. This is more than what the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government distributed in five years.

In recent months, Guyana has experienced severe weather conditions that have led to massive flooding in all Regions of Guyana. Throughout these difficult times, the President and Cabinet members have been in the communities leading response efforts.

The presence of Government in the communities could not stop the rains and could not stop overflowing rivers and canals. But the presence of Government among the people provided reassurance that the affected communities were not alone. The Government was present to do whatever could be done to reduce the impact of flooding conditions. Now the Government is preparing to go back among the people to provide support for recovery from the devastation of the flood. This is how we bring Government to the people.

deteriorating community roadways …calls out City Hall for “laidback” approach to Georgetown roads

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ngineers and my technical team engaged the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and we went across this country, and every NDC and every municipality had to identify areas/ streets of priority that need to be addressed.”

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Tuesday during the simple commissioning ceremony of the recently constructed Owen and McDougall Streets in Campbellville, Georgetown, lauded the fact that the Ministry has been and is continuing to go through a process of consultation in regards to getting works done.

He stated that the felt needs of the people are being addressed.

Contractor of XL Engineering, Zahir Khan, who also hails from the community was contacted to

complete the street.

A total of $39.5 million was spent on the completion of the newly constructed streets.

This saw to the road being widened from 11 ft to 13 ft, concrete drains being installed to the northern side of the street, along with speed bumps being put in place.

The Minister stated that within the three times he visited to check up on the works being done on the newly constructed road, he is satisfied with what he saw and commended the contractor on a job well done.

He pleaded with the residents to take care of the road. “…don’t fall to the trap of driving on the edge of the road… or digging our own drains and leaving debris so that when the falls, the water can’t drain off the road.”

The project was complet-

ed within five months.

More than 20 roads are said to be on the verge of completion, while others have already been completed, as of now to July 31, works that were undertaken since the Irfan Ali-led Government had taken up office.

This, Minister Edghill described as a continued cycle of development in fulfilment of the 2020 budget.

He stated, “…and while we are completing a number of these roads which were financed through the 2020 budget, we have now gone out for a number of other community roads along with major roads from the 2021 budget.”

Edghill called out City Hall for their laidback approach since the Ministry has taken up the mantle of doing the works that City Hall should have done.

It was stated that a total of five contractors were

engaged to do maintenance work on the roads around the city, with some $66 million being spent to do so. “…with the last rainy season we had, a lot of roads would have deteriorated – potholes would have emerged, some small holes would have developed into craters,” the Minister expressed.

“Last December we had make a significant intervention to do drainage, desilting, clearing of the tunnels and the outfalls, just to ensure the city don’t flood.”

Some $100 million was spent to remedy those issues.

The Minister stated that Central Government will not sit and play the blame game of “is the City Hall and they ain’t doing nothing” while the people of Guyana suffer.

He, however, noted that, at the same time they have to come down on City Hall to “up their game”.

NA Prison inmate busted with ganja

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azam Shaw, an inmate at the New Amsterdam Prison was on Monday busted with 83 grams of cannabis in his possession.

Based on reports received, prison officials conducted a search on Monday in the prison and found two parcels wrapped with transparent plastic. An inspection on the same day revealed a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems.

The matter was reported to the Police at Central Police Station and the cannabis was weighed and

The cannabis that was found in the prison

lodged.

Just a few days ago a search of the Georgetown Holding Bay and the Lusignan Prison carried out by ranks of the Joint Services has led to the discovery of a number of contraband items, including improvised weapons.

It was reported that several improvised weapons, lighters, cell phones, a quantity of zip lock bags, metal objects, cell phone cases, cell phone chargers, a quantity of wires, cannabis, and scissors were unearthed.

Deportation likely for Guyanese in scheme to defraud Sprint of US$1.3M in iPhones

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New York City area man is likely to be deported to Guyana after serving his sentence for his role in a scheme to defraud Sprint out of iPhones valued at US$1.3 million.

George Ernest Bobb, 37, was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. Middle District Court to 33 months in prison followed three years of supervised release if he’s not deported.

The scheme involved the purchase or attempt to purchase 1,630 iPhones valued at US$1,338,247 using fake accounts. Only 888 phones were shipped, so Sprint’s actual loss was US$705,803, of which US$339,804 occurred during Bobb’s participation.

Judge Matthew W. Brann ordered him to pay as restitution his share of the US$339,804 with the other defendants.

Andrew Craig Herdsman, 34, and Horace Henry, 43, like Bobb pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Ian Keith Thompson, 31, of Brooklyn, is awaiting trial.

Bobb, Herdsman and Henry admitted ordering phones to addresses they were not associated with, track the delivery times and be there to pick them up when delivered either by showing the driver a fake ID or by removing them from the porch.

The phones, which retailed for US$749 each, would be taken to New York City and sent overseas where they were sold.

The identities of 390 individuals in 14 states were stolen including residents of Centre, Mifflin, Montour and Northumberland counties, Assistant U.S. Attorney

George J. Rocktashel said at their guilty pleas.

Centre County was a hotbed of activity in January 2019. Bobb claimed he received US$400 to pick up phones in Maryland and Delaware but said he never was in Pennsylvania.

His sentence gives him credit for four months he received in Delaware on similar charges. He also is facing charges in Maryland, New York and New Jersey, Rocktashel said.

The judge rejected a defense argument Bobb was a minor participant in the scheme and, citing his 16 prior convictions, for a sentence below the guidelines.

Bobb claimed he was in the United States legally on a “green” card that he said lapsed since being detained 22 months following his arrest. His wife and children

are U.S. citizens, he said.

Rocktashel, when he outlined the scheme previously said: Personal identification information was obtained and used to create false Sprint accounts, open service contracts and obtain counterfeit driver’s licenses and college student IDs. Pre-paid gift cards were used for down payments or sales taxes required to activate the accounts.

Phones were shipped to residences, many of which were for sale.

Tracking numbers were used to determine when the phones would be delivered so they could be picked up.

Henry, Herdsman and Thompson are Jamaican citizens and also could be face deportation. (Pennsylvania Patriot News)

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Finance Minister visits Emerge BPO facility – says Govt will continue to promote Guyana as premier destination for BPO operations

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uring a tour of the Emerge Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) facility located at Camp and Robb Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown, on Tuesday, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh lauded the efforts of the proprietors for their hard work and vision which have allowed for the current employment of approximately 700 in the BPO industry, including 500 in Guyana.

He was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment, Peter Ramsaroop.

However, during the visit, the Minister met with Director of Operations Dalgeish Joseph and Director of Client Services, Aisha D’Abreu. He encouraged the businesspersons to

ensure the expansion of operations to other regions, reiterating that the BPO sector has the potential to create jobs, generate income, spur economic activity and improve lives.

Minister Singh alluded to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government’s (PPP/C’s) effort prior to demitting office in 2015, promoting Guyana as a destination for BPO business which had proven to be a success.

He noted that this effort will continue once more by Government during its current term.

The Minister further commended the businesspersons for their investment in Guyana as he once more alluded to the fact that the current Irfaan-Ali led Government strongly supports any effort by business-

es which aligns with its vision of diversification of the economy, part of which includes promoting Guyana as a premier destination for BPO business. This, he noted, will also contribute to ensuring the country maintains a stable macro-economic environment.

“In the pre-2015 period, we had already recognised the vast potential for BPO service, and we had invested a lot of policy effort into the sector,” Minister Singh said, explaining that Emerge BPO is yet another example of what can be achieved by persons willing to invest in Guyana.

The Minister had echoed similar sentiments during his visits and tours of Express International Incorporated located in Georgetown and Qualfon at Providence on

Minister Singh, Peter Ramsaroop and other officials at the facility on Tuesday

the East Bank of Demerara, both being BPO facilities.

He had referenced the fact that many businesses internationally are recognising Guyana as a prime destination for BPO services especially with its Englishspeaking population, its ed-

ucated workforce and its close proximity to the United States of America and Canada.

“As a Government, we would like to see the BPO sector continue to grow as it will allow for the creation of jobs and the generation of in-

come,” the Finance Minister posited.

Emerge BPO commenced operations in 2008 and provides a variety of outsourcing services to clients with agents operating from Guyana, North America and Honduras.

Pedal cyclist injured after colliding with pick-up

A A staff at work during the tour of the facility

Trio freed for 2017 murder of Corentyne domestic worker

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he prosecution has failed to provide sufficient evidence against three men who were accused of murdering 45-year-old domestic worker, Lelawattie Mohamed.

Oliver Permaul, 39, of Tain; Andre James also called “Andy”, 29, a tattoo artist of George Street, Rose Hall Town and Rohan Johnson also called “Jamakie”, 41, a carpenter of Second Street, Rose Hall Town, were all set free by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow on Tuesday during the Berbice Assizes.

Mohamed was killed execution style on February 7, 2017, at her Lot 149, Sixth Street, Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice home.

The trio along with Permaul’s wife, Shabikie Albert, and Nazeema Permaul were charged with the murder of the domestic worker.

Albert was freed in September 2018, during the Preliminary Inquiry at the Whim Magistrate’s Court, while Nazeema, who was considered the mastermind, was freed by the High Court in May 2019.

It was reported that Nazeema Permaul was the mastermind of a plot to kill Mohamed. She had allegedly paid $400,000 to have the woman executed.

Mohamed was involved in an extra-marital relationship with Permaul’s husband.

Murdered: Lelawattie Mohamed

However, following the presentation of the prosecution’s case, the defence made a no-case submission which was upheld by the trial Judge. The trio was represented by Attorneysat-Law Ravindra Mohabir, Tanya Warren-Clements and Sasha Roberts.

69-year-old pedal cyclist is currently hospitalised in serious condition after he collided with a pick-up driven by a drunken man on Monday evening along the Fort Ordinance Public Road, East Canje, Berbice.

Police stated that the motor pick-up with registration number GSS 1447 was driven by a 32-year-old resident of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice, when the pedal cyclist, Dharanpaul Outar also called “Paul”, collided with him.

Police stated that the pick-up was proceeding south along the Fort Ordinance Public Road, East Canje, Berbice, at an alleged fast rate of speed, while the pedal cyclist was proceeding along the said road.

The driver of the pick-up is alleging that the pedal cyclist was riding towards him on the right-hand side, and as they were about to pass each other, the pedal cyclist collided with his vehicle.

As a result of the collision, the pedal cyclist fell onto the road’s surface and received injuries about his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital by the said

driver, where he was treated for multiple injuries about his body.

He was then admitted as a patient and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a semi-conscious state where he remains a patient.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver which proved the he was above the legal limit of alcohol consumption. He remains in custody as investigations continue.

NEWS

17

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Urgent drainage works to be undertaken in Buxton-Friendship

A farmer making a point during the meeting Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha meeting with Buxton farmers on Tuesday

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armers of Buxton/ Friendship, East Coast Demerara (ECD), will soon benefit from much-needed upgrades to their community’s drainage and irrigation system.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha made this disclosure during a recent visit there.

Over the past few months, the Minister has been engaging farmers’ groups in a bid to resuscitate and develop the village’s agriculture sector.

On Tuesday, Minister Mustapha met farmers from various farmers’ groups to discuss projects needed to improve agriculture in the community.

One farmer said that there was need for major improvements to the village’s drainage system. He also said that farmers’ groups should work together so that a more comprehensive approach can be taken when

executing works in the community.

“We want to reach with other farming groups in Buxton so that we can have one body because if we are fragmented, we will not be able to utilise the little resources that are available.

I hope when the engineer visits, members of the other group are made aware so that they can be a party to that visit.

“My impression is that most of the farmers do not understand the layout of the village and its drainage and irrigation system and how it was designed. So collectively, I think we could use the information we have available and get better results.

All of the farmers did suffer from the water during the flooding. I want to suspect that there was some overtopping by the estate at Annandale and beyond the crown dam. There are about

400 acres of land beyond the crown dam that was used as a pasture. I don’t think the structure is in place for that right now. I do hope when we are addressing this the other groups are involved so that a more comprehensive approach can be taken,” he said.

The farmer also told Minister Mustapha that members of the various farmers’ groups have been in discussion with officers from NAREI to identify a piece of land that can be used as a demonstration plot so that farmers in the village can be taught how to properly grow and manage the cultivation of crops like ginger, turmeric, and other non-traditional crops.

Another farmer said that works were done, but were discontinued abruptly in the early parts of 2019, and that since then, maintenance works on the drains have

not been carried out.

Minister Mustapha told farmers that there are a host of opportunities available for all farmers, more so small-scale farmers in Guyana under the PPP/C Administration.

“Right now, there are a lot of opportunities that exist in the agriculture sector for small farmers. We are pushing for the production of a lot of crops. Our extension officers are working with farmers to enhance their production and in a smarter way. With climate change taking place, we cannot do agriculture the way we used to. We are also building a number of packaging facilities so that farmers can package their produce and make it more value-added.

If we are going to really develop the sector we cannot work in isolation. We have to involve everyone. If farmers need help, as Minister of Agriculture, I will work with you,” Minister Mustapha said.

The Minister also welcomed the suggestion of having all the farmers’ groups in the village work together.

“When the groups are consolidated and they come as one body, then stronger representation can be made.

I will work along with you to ensure these things that you are requesting get done. We may not be able to do everything at once but we will do works to develop agriculture in the villages.

“I’m happy that you recognise the importance of developing agriculture and that you are willing to work with the Government to develop the sector in your community. I am prepared to work with you and give you the kind of help to get things going. Right now, the most important thing to do is the drainage system in the community,” Minister Mustapha said.

The Minister told residents that the Ministry, through the National Drainage and Irrigation

Authority (NDIA), will be working to restore the drainage and irrigation system in the village.

“Our engineer will be coming back tomorrow to do a comprehensive report with all the works that are needed. We will do the side-line trenches and all the drains in the community. Once I have that report, I will give instructions for the works to commence. I am making that commitment. If we have to send in a machine or two to do the work or get a contractor, we will do it.

“When the major works are completed, we will be employing community groups to do the maintenance works through the CDCs. My Ministry will work with you to develop your agricultural production. As Minister of Agriculture, I will not discriminate. I’m willing to go to every agricultural community to enhance production,” Minister Mustapha said.

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

Regional

St Lucia Labour Party ousts 1-term Chastanet Bolsonaro turns to centre-right

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he main Opposition St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) has claimed victory in the general election on Monday as St Lucian voters stuffed their frustration into the ballot boxes and rejected the Allen Chastanet Administration after only one five-year term in office.

In addition, voters created history in the Caribbean by electing two independent candidates to the 17-member Parliament among them being the former Prime Minister Stephenson King, who quit the ruling United Workers Party (UWP) to contest the Castries North constituency, which he has been representing for nearly three decades as an independent.

SLP leader Phillip J Pierre, speaking on Choice TV said that he was “elated”, and thanked also his supporters in Castries East who ensured that he won the seat for the sixth consecutive occasion, defeating Fortuna Belrose.

Senator amid drop in popularity

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Phillip J Pierre (GP)

“Here we are; we have won the government and I intend to be a Government for the entire country. A Government of inclusion, a Government that will listen to people, a Government of tolerance and we are hoping to take this country all the way from…the division and conflict it is in now”.

Preliminary results indicate that the SLP, which was trounced 11-6

by Chastanet’s UWP in

the 2016 general election, could win as many as 12 seats, with Chastanet being among the three successful candidates.

Among the casualties are Dr Gale TC Rigobert, the Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development and Sarah Flood Beaubrun, the Minister with responsibility for External Affairs.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

US curbs work with Guatemala after anti-corruption leader removed

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he United States has said it will pause some cooperation with Guatemala’s criminal prosecutor after the head of a unit charged with fighting corruption in the Central American nation was sacked late last week.

US State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter told reporters on Tuesday that the US was pausing programmatic cooperation with Guatemala’s Public Ministry, which is responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases.

The move comes after Guatemala’s Attorney General Maria Porras on Friday removed anti-corruption leader Juan Francisco Sandoval from his post as the Head of

Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI).

Hours later, Sandoval fled the country.

The FECI was originally created to tackle investigations spearheaded by the United Nations-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), but was removed from the country in 2019.

The decision to remove Sandoval “fits a pattern of behaviour that indicates a lack of commitment to the rule of law and independent judicial and prosecutorial processes”, Porter said on Tuesday.

“As a result, we have lost confidence in the Attorney General and her intention to cooperate with the US Government and

fight corruption in good faith,” Porter said.

The US has been a vocal supporter of Sandoval’s work, which included investigating and litigating cases against former officials, Presidents and business leaders in Guatemala.

The State Department declared him an “anti-corruption champion” in a February award.

Washington committed to helping Central American countries fight impunity for high-level lawbreakers, with US Vice President Kamala Harris pledging more support for anti-corruption efforts during a visit in June.

Meanwhile, Sandoval’s sacking has met opposition and protests in Guatemala.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

razilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whose popularity has plummeted amid the country’s continuing COVID-19 crisis and recent corruption allegations, has named a Senator from the largest bloc in Congress as his new chief of staff.

Senator Ciro Nogueira, a leader of the centre-right Progressives Party (PP), tweeted on Tuesday that he accepted the job and is expected to be sworn in this week as Bolsonaro’s closest Minister, replacing a retired general.

“I have just accepted the honourable invitation from President Jair Bolsonaro to take over the Civil House,”

Nogueira said on Twitter during a meeting with the President in Brasilia.

He will be the first heavyweight politician to enter Bolsonaro’s inner Cabinet as the embattled President seeks allies to shield himself from calls in Congress for his impeachment and a Senate investigation of alleged irregularities in the Government’s purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.

Nogueira belongs to the same party as House Speaker Arthur Lira, who has refused to take up any of the dozens of impeachment requests filed against Bolsonaro.

“The appointment solidifies the presence of this key

party in the Government and gives Bolsonaro some peace of mind,” Lucas de Aragao, a partner at Brasilia consultancy Arko Advice, told the Reuters news agency.

During the past weeks, Brazilians have protested in large numbers against Bolsonaro’s handling of the pandemic; COVID-19 has killed more than 550,500 people in the South American nation, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

For the first time since the crisis began, a poll earlier this month showed that a majority of Brazilians supported a legislative effort to impeach Bolsonaro.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Top security official for slain Haitian President arrested by Police

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top security official of slain Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was arrested by Police on suspicion of involvement in the assassination plot, his lawyer said on Tuesday, as another aide’s apparent account of the event was leaked on social media.

Presidential Security Coordinator Jean Laguel Civil was arrested on Monday, lawyer Reynold Georges told Reuters, nearly three weeks after Moïse was killed on July 7 in the middle of the night at his private residence in Port-auPrince by a group of more than 20 mostly Colombian mercenaries.

Civil’s arrest followed the earlier detention of another senior member of Moïse’s security detail, Dimitri Herard.

On Tuesday, a July 10 memo signed by Herard setting out the events of the assassination night was leaked on social media. Reuters

A view of the port and the area around Champs de Mar, near the presidential palace, after Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was shot dead by unidentified attackers in his private residence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, July 7, 2021

could not immediately confirm its authenticity.

In the three-page document, Herard said he had received a call for help from Moïse at 01:39h on July 7, whereupon he made for the President’s residence and ordered reinforcements.

Herard noted he received word of “many detonations” near Moïse’s home and advanced on it with other officials. Near the entrance they were confronted by men

dressed in black who ordered them to retreat, saying they were part of an operation by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), he added.

Due to the fact his group was outnumbered and concerned that the men might have the President, Herard’s group retreated. They began planning an assault on their adversaries after learning just after 03:00h that the President was dead, he added. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Contagious Brazil COVID-19 Jamaican Govt tightens measures variant confirmed in Tobago amid climb in new COVID-19 cases T

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arely a month after announcing relaxed COVID-19 measures, the Jamaican Government was Monday forced to back-pedal, pushed by rising infections numbering an average 135 new cases per day with a staggering 1318 new cases already recorded for the month of July alone.

C o n s e q u e n t l y , Jamaicans would, beginning Tuesday for the next two weeks at least, experience tighter curfew hours as the Administration seeks to reduce the amount of time allowed for movement.

The new measures attracted mixed reactions among the business sector, with some people saying

that they would negatively affect operations, while others argued that the Government had no choice and did the right thing.

Only last Tuesday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness had hinted that, based on the uptick in cases islandwide, the Government would have to rein in nationals earlier than August 10 when the latest set of measures were set to expire.

Addressing the nation Tuesday afternoon, Holness said, based on the rapid increase in infections being seen, it was clear that the Government “needs to act now”.

He further warned that

on August 11 when the preliminary measures which took effect on Tuesday expire, the Government might introduce even tighter measures if the infection rate shows no sign of slowing.

According to Holness, health officials are concerned that all key indicators are showing rapid increase signalling the onset of a dreaded third wave.

Already officials are expressing discomfort with the general hospitalisation occupancy with seven entities in the red alert zone (over 80 per cent occupancy) and four in the amber zone (greater than 74 per cent occupancy). (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

obago has recorded its first confirmed case of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant, also known as the gamma or P1 variant.

The Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development made the announcement on Tuesday, noting this variant was more contagious than the original virus.

It said the Division and Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) are ramping up testing and will continue to provide updates if any new variants are detected in Tobago.

“Additionally, systems are being prepared to deal with the delta variant, which is now the dominant strain globally,” the divi-

sion said.

“The delta variant is responsible for all major spread and most unvaccinated deaths in the United Kingdom, United States and other countries. We now have 4.16 million COVID-19 deaths globally and more than 194 million cases.”

The division urged the public to continue to follow the health protocols, and get vaccinated.

“Personal responsibility and vaccination is paramount.”

County Medical Officer of Health Dr Tiffany Hoyte said the Brazil variant is contributing to an increase in cases on the island.

As of Tuesday, there were a record 357 active cases on the island. The

division reported 52 cases on Thursday – the largest daily tally.

“The gamma variant circulating in our community is contributing to the rise in cases,” Hoyte said.

“The presence of this variant means that the fight to save lives and to reduce the spread of the virus will become more difficult. Since it is more contagious than the original virus, we expect more cases, and with more cases comes more deaths.”

She said the aim is to save lives and prevent people from being hospitalised, noting that the key to achieving this was to get most of the population vaccinated.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Blast in German industrial park kills 2, several missing

Oil prices steady as A virus spread counters tight supplies

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il prices held steady on Tuesday ahead of the release of US inventory data as investors worried that global demand could be dented by surging COVID-19 cases, even though supplies are tightening and vaccination rates rising.

Analysts polled by Reuters expected the data to show US crude stocks fell by about 2.9 million barrels and gasoline stocks fell by 900,000 barrels in the week to July 23.

"The API inventory data may jolt crude prices back into life," said Craig Erlam, senior analyst at OANDA. Brent futures slipped 2 cents to settle at US$74.48 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 26 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to settle at US$71.65.

That was the first decline for Brent in six days.

"The problem right now seems to be the Delta variant of the coronavirus, which is holding the market back even though all the evidence right now suggests a dramatic tightening of supplies," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. He said that tightness otherwise should cause prices to "break out to the upside."

Britain reported its highest number of deaths and people in hospital with coronavirus since March. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was set to recommend fully vaccinated Americans wear masks indoors in some instances, sources said.

The United States issued travel warnings to Spain and Portugal because of rising COVID-19 cases.

Olympic host city Tokyo was on track to report a record number of coronavirus cases even as athletes continued to compete.

Global economic growth prospects remained strong, even though most economists in Reuters polls were worried about new variants of the coronavirus.

The International Monetary Fund maintained its 6 per cent global growth forecast for 2021, upgrading its outlook for wealthy economies but cutting estimates for developing countries struggling with surging infections.

US consumer confidence inched up to a 17-month high in July, with households' spending plans rising even as concerns about higher inflation lingered.

Analysts tracking mobility data remain confident about fuel demand, counting on vaccinations.

Global oil markets are expected to remain in deficit despite a decision by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies, collectively known as OPEC+, to raise production.

"Robust road traffic data across most major regions suggests rising infections are having minimal impact," ANZ Research analysts said.

US gasoline futures rose to their highest since October 2014 in intraday trade after gaining almost 10 per cent over the past six days. That boosted the 3-2-1 and gasoline crack spreads - a measure of refining profit margins - to their highest since May. "Gasoline strength represents a bullish consideration across the complex as it has begun to translate to stronger Brent premiums against WTI," said Jim Ritterbusch, President of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois.

The premium of the Brent front-month over WTI rose to its highest since May. (Excerpt from Reuters)

n explosion in a German industrial park on Tuesday killed at least two people and injured 31, setting off a fierce blaze that sent a pall of smoke over the western city of Leverkusen. Several people were still missing.

Emergency services took three hours to extinguish the fire at the Chempark site, home to chemicals companies Bayer and Lanxess, that flared up after the blast at 9:40 am (0740 GMT), park operator Currenta said.

Police said five of the 31 injured people were affected seriously enough to need intensive care.

The area and surrounding roads were sealed off for much of the day.

Smoke billows following an explosion in Leverkusen, Germany, July 27, 2021

Police told residents living nearby to stay indoors and shut doors and windows in case there were toxic fumes.

South, North Korea reopen hotlines as leaders Deadly landslides, seek to rebuild ties flooding hit Rohingya

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outh and North Korea have restored hotlines that Pyongyang severed a year ago when ties deteriorated sharply, and the two countries' leaders are renewing efforts to rebuild relations, Seoul's presidential office said on Tuesday.

The decision on the hotlines was made by South Korean President Moon Jaein and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who have exchanged multiple letters since April when they marked the third anniversary of their first summit, said Moon's press secretary, Park Soo-hyun.

North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, also said all inter-Korean communication channels resumed operation at 10 am Tuesday (0100 GMT) in line with an agreement between Moon and Kim. The hotlines are a rare tool to bridge the two Koreas, but it was unclear whether their reconnection would expedite any meaningful restart of negotiations aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and

missile programmes.

KCNA touted the reopening of the hotlines as "a big stride in recovering mutual trust and promoting reconciliation."

A senior official of the US Administration, which has sought unsuccessfully to persuade North Korea to return to talks over its nuclear programme, welcomed the announcement.

"The United States supports inter-Korean dialogue and engagement," the official said. "Diplomacy and dialogue are essential to achieving complete denuclearisation and to establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula."

United Nations spokesman Farhan Haq said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the announcement.

"The Secretary-General fully supports the continued efforts of the parties towards the improvement of their relationship, sustainable peace and complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“Grabbed, beaten, tased”: Police testify in US Capitol riot probe

A

special committee of the US House of Representatives charged with probing the January 6 storming of the US Capitol heard testimony Tuesday from four officers who faced off with rioters.

The hearing capped months of debate in Congress over launching an independent, bipartisan investigation modelled after that created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Such a commission was blocked by Senate Republicans in May. Instead, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, announced the House panel in June, composed primarily of Democrats and two Republicans chosen

by Pelosi and largely boycotted by Republican leadership.

In an emotional testimony, Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone recounted to the panel how law enforce-

Currenta said locals should also turn off air conditioning systems while it measured the air around the site for possible toxic gases.

Chempark's Friedrich said it was not clear what had

caused the explosion, which led to a fire starting in a tank containing solvents.

"Solvents were burned during the incident, and we do not know precisely what substances were released," Friedrich added. "We are examining this with authorities, taking samples."

Sirens and emergency alerts on the German civil protection agency's mobile phone app warned citizens of "extreme danger".

Leverkusen is less than 50 km (30 miles) from a region hit last week by catastrophic floods that killed at least 180 people.

Bayer and Lanxess in 2019 sold Chempark operator Currenta to Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets for an enterprise value of 3.5 billion euros (US$4.12 billion). (Excerpt from Reuters)

ment was overrun by the rioters egged on by former President Donald Trump and bent on stopping the congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory.

“I was grabbed, beaten, tased – all while be called a traitor to my country,” he said. “I was at risk of being stripped off and killed with my own firearm, as I heard chants of ‘kill him with his own gun.'”

“I could still hear those

words in my head today.”

He added he was later told he had suffered a heart attack during the riot, while also being diagnosed with a concussion, a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Fanone angrily lamented that there are Republican members of Congress who are publicly downplaying the violence that he and his fellow officers experienced while fighting off the rioters.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

camps in Bangladesh

Some 740,000 Rohingya fled their Rakhine state homes in August 2017, escaping a clampdown by Myanmar security forces

A

t least six Rohingya died on Tuesday and thousands have been relocated in refugee camps in Bangladesh’s southeast after monsoon rains triggered landslides and flash floods in the hilly settlements, officials said.

Five Rohingya, including three children, were buried and killed after part of a hill crushed their bamboo-and-tarpaulin shanties in Balukhali camp, refugee commissioner Shah Rezwan Hayat said.

“Days of heavy rains caused the landslides,” he told AFP news agency.

Another Rohingya child died after he drowned in a stream in the nearby Palong Khali refugee camp, the official said, adding that all streams in the camps were raging due to flash floods.

“We also have rescued two injured people and sent them to hospitals,” he told AFP, adding thousands of Rohingya families

had been relocated within the camps to keep them safe.

Rohingya refugees mostly live in shacks made of bamboo and plastic sheets that cling to steep, bare hills, and flooding has further worsened their living conditions.

“Monsoons and landslides are making our situation even more precarious,” Rohingya refugee, Mohammad Ismail, told Reuters news agency.

The Bangladesh weather office said it expected heavy rains to continue for the next few days.

Last month two refugees were killed in separate landslides during heavy rain.

Some 740,000 Rohingya fled their Rakhine state homes in August 2017, escaping a clampdown by Myanmar security forces.

UN investigators have concluded the operation was executed with “genocidal intent”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

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CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Look for new possibilities. An adventure will lift your spirits and get you excited about something you’ve never experienced. Make freedom and happiness your goals.

Don’t leave anything to chance. Size up situations, ask questions and direct your energy to suit your needs. A physical change will boost your morale and give you added confidence.

Live and learn. Don’t let outside influences interfere with your long-term goals.

Say no to indulgent situations or behavior. Work harder and smarter, while also taking some time to relax.

Keep your thoughts to yourself. A situation will not be what you think, and responding too quickly will result in regret. Slow down, observe, and concentrate on personal gains.

Look for a moneymaking opportunity. It’s up to you to make decisions to help you achieve the lifestyle you want. Keep your eyes open to discover a practical way to excel.

Press on courageously.

Seize the moment and embrace exciting prospects.

Don’t be afraid to nudge anyone who is holding you back. A passionate attitude will help you get your way.

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Speak up and share your thoughts. Take part in events that address matters that concern you. Don’t hesitate to become a spokesperson or act on behalf of an organization that shares your beliefs.

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Observation is favored.

Listen, gather information, formulate a plan and prepare to make adjustments that free you from things that are standing between you and what you want to achieve.

Stick close to home. Put SAGITTARIUS time, effort and money into (Nov. 23making your surroundings fit Dec. 21) your lifestyle. Change begins with you, and a challenge will spark enthusiasm to turn your dream into a reality.

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SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Keep your guard up, your mind open and your emotions under control. You have plenty to gain if you focus more on what you are trying to achieve and less on what others do or say.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Set goals and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results you achieve.

Discuss concerns with individuals who have insight into something you want to pursue. Do your part.

PISCES

Assess your health, financial situation and personal life, and you’ll come up with a plan that will help you tweak whatever isn’t working for you anymore. A lifestyle change will promote better relationships.

(Feb. 20March 20)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

21

Krunal Pandya tests positive for COVID-19, 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka postponed by a day K runal Pandya has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the second T20 International between Sri Lanka and India, scheduled for Tuesday evening, to be pushed back by a day.

Pandya’s positive test result came not too long before the scheduled start of play – 8pm local time – and eight other members of the Indian contingent have so far been identified as Pandya’s close contacts and asked to isolate in their hotel rooms.

It is understood that Pandya complained of a sore throat on Tuesday morning, after which the Indian medical staff asked him to take the rapid antigen test, which came out positive. It is also understood that Pandya also underwent the RT-PCR test, globally recognised as the gold standard in COVID-19 testing, and that came out positive too.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah said in a media release that the entire Indian squad would also un-

dergo the RT-PCR test to “ascertain any further outbreak” in their camp. The BCCI did not identify the eight people who had been asked to isolate along with Pandya, but a Board official told PTI that the majority of those were players. “The reports (of today’s tests) will come in the evening (around 6pm) and if everyone is in the clear, we can have the match on Wednesday (today).

Maximum among the eight close contacts who are also in mandatory isolation are play-

ers.”

It could not be confirmed how long Pandya and the eight others are going to be in isolation, but one person privy to the discussions in the camp said that the period would be determined based on the strain of COVID-19 in question.

There are no reports of positive results among the Sri Lankans, who were scheduled to be tested next this morning.

Professor Arjuna de Silva, who oversees the Sri Lanka

the day and sometimes you just have to step back.

“I didn’t want to go out and do something stupid and get hurt. ?I feel like a lot of athletes speaking up has really helped.

“It’s so big, it’s the Olympic Games. At the end of the day we don’t want to be carried out of there on a stretcher.”

In May, Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open to protect her mental health, a move publicly supported by several sportspeople, including heptathlete Katarina JohnsonThompson and basketball player Stephen Curry.

Biles is the most successful US gymnast of all time, and winner of four gold medals and a bronze at Rio 2016.

The 30-time Olympic and World Championship med-

allist needs four podium finishes in Tokyo to become the most decorated gymnast – male or female – in history.

She has reached all five individual finals and is undecided on whether she will compete in her next event on Thursday, when she will attempt to become the first woman to retain the Olympic all-around title since 1968.

“We’re going to see about Thursday,” she said. “We’re going to take it a day at a time and see what happens.”

The US were the favourites for the team gymnastics gold in Tokyo after winning five successive world titles – in 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 – in addition to their back-to-back Olympic gold medals in London and Rio. Jordan Chiles stepped in to replace Biles and the United States were beaten to gold by the ROC, with Great Britain taking bronze. (BBC Sport)

F

our-time Olympic gold medallist Simone Biles said “I have to focus on my mental health” after pulling out of the women’s gymnastics team final.

The American left the arena after the vault, but later returned to support her team-mates as they claimed silver behind the Russian Olympic Committee.

Biles, 24, scored 13.766 – her lowest Olympic vault score – before withdrawing from the event.

“After the performance I did, I just didn’t want to go on,” she said.

“I have to focus on my mental health. I just think mental health is more prevalent in sports right now.

“We have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do.

“I don’t trust myself as much anymore. Maybe it’s getting older. There were a couple of days when everybody tweets you and you feel the weight of the world.

“We’re not just athletes.

We’re people at the end of

Cricket (SLC) bubble protocols for international tours, told ESPNcricinfo that it remained a mystery as to how Pandya could have contracted COVID-19, as there have been no reports of the bubble being broken, nor any other significant irregularities. The series has been played behind closed doors and both teams have been operating out of a bio-secure bubble with their movements restricted to only the team hotel and the ground.

The India team have a

N

aomi Osaka saw her Olympic gold medal dream shattered by a third-round defeat to Marketa Vondrousova at Tokyo 2020 on Tuesday.

Osaka lit the Olympic cauldron on Friday and was widely hailed as the “face of the Games”, with enormous expectation that she would go on to triumph for hosts Japan.

The early exit of world number one Ash Barty seemed to help her case, but Osaka lost 6-1 6-4 to her Czech opponent in an hour and eight minutes.

Osaka played a dis-

hotel – the Taj Samudra – to themselves, and even the staff working in the hotel are essentially in the bubble, and undergo frequent testing. de Silva said that no one else, including staff, had tested positive so far.

This is the second time COVID-19 has forced SLC to tweak the itinerary of the sixmatch series. The One-Day International (ODI) series was originally meant to commence on July 13, but had to be pushed to July 18 after a few positive cases emerged in the Sri Lankan group.

This is also the second time in the last week that an international match has been postponed because of a positive COVID-19 test: the second West Indies v Australia ODI in Barbados had to be postponed after the toss had been conducted because a non-playing member in the West Indies camp had tested positive.

As things stand, the second and third Sri Lanka T20Is will now be played back-to-back on today and Thursday. Though Pandya

and some other players are likely to be unavailable for the last two games following the latest developments, India have enough back-up to field an XI, as they have travelled with an expanded squad of 20, plus five reserve bowlers.

Though the series will end on schedule despite the postponement, the Indian team’s return home, slotted for Thursday, is likely to be delayed. The development is also set to impact plans for Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav, the two batters who were selected to join the Indian Test squad in England. Shaw and Yadav were scheduled to travel to England at the end of the tour of Sri Lanka.

India, who earlier won the three-match ODI series 2-1 – despite being in Sri Lanka with a squad missing many first-choice players, who are in England to play a five-Test series in AugustSeptember – are 1-0 up in the T20I series following their 38run win in the first fixture.

(ESPNcricinfo)

mal opening set, but then looked to have raised her game a notch in the second, establishing an early break.

However, that did not herald a full-blown fightback as former French Open runner-up Vondrousova soon got back on level terms and forced Osaka to serve to stay in the contest.

From 15-40, Osaka saved two match points, but Vondrousova soon had a third opportunity and her spirited defence won out.

Osaka flung a backhand wide this time and

Vondrousova had her prized scalp, securing a place in the quarter-finals at the expense of the world number two.

It was an untidy performance from Osaka who made 32 unforced errors to just 10 from Vondrousova.

This was Osaka’s first tournament since pulling out of the French Open at the end of May, in the wake of a first-round win.

She cited depression and anxiety issues in Paris after announcing she would not take part in news conferences during the tournament. (Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

Kieron Pollard: Pitches “absolutely ridiculous, unacceptable for international cricket”

W

est Indies Captain Kieron Pollard took a fierce swipe at the pitches produced for the One-Day series against Australia in Barbados, calling them “absolutely ridiculous”.

While acknowledging that his team did not bat well in making 152 all out in the decider – which followed their 123 all out in the first match – he said that the fact that batting was difficult for both sides was a sign that the surfaces were not good enough.

In the third One-Day International (ODI), Australia knocked off their target with 19 overs to spare to take the series. Australia also made comfortably the highest team total of the series with 252 for 9 in the first match. The pitch for the first match was used once, with the second two matches on the same surface.

“Coming here to Barbados, I think both teams struggled on the pitch and I think that’s unacceptable for international cricket,” Pollard said at the presentation.

“We’re not going to make excuses. We accept that we batted badly, but I don’t think the scores that we

West Indies white-ball Captain Kieron Pollard

have gotten in this threematch series, for two top international teams, I think that’s very embarrassing for us as a people. Coming from St Lucia to this, I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

When asked to elaborate on the conditions, he said: “It was plain for the world to see. If I continue going on about it, it’s going to be headlines, ‘Pollard this, Pollard that.’ That’s fine with

me. But the reality is, we as players sometimes we get the brunt of the accusations and all the bad stuff. But give guys the opportunity to come and play on some good cricketing wickets.

“It goes back even to our regional cricket as well.

I think as a whole we need to do better, and we as individuals need to do better as well. So, we’re not going to cast blame. We’re going

Rukhram fires Assassins to victory at Dassy softball tournament

to accept responsibility as well. But I think as a holistic approach and holistic view to move forward.”’

Unsurprisingly, the victors were able to reflect on the challenge in a more sanguine way.

Mitchell Starc, adjudged the Player of the Series, praised how Australia’s batters adapted after slumping to 45 for 6 in the second match.

“I feel like this wicket we played on in the last two games has probably been ready to go 10 days,” Starc said. “We knew it was going to take turn, obviously Ash Agar comes into the team for this game. It was difficult for

both teams, I thought with the bat, but certainly I think our batting group took some learnings from the last game where we probably struggled quite a bit against spin.

“So, to learn a bit from that and transition into this game, that partnership especially at the end there with Matt Wade and Ashton Agar, and with Alex Carey and Wadey in the middle, was fantastic.

Player of the Match Agar, who took 2 for 31 before an unbeaten 19 in his first match of the series, claimed his first wicket with a delivery that disturbed the surface to Shai Hope. West Indies’ shot selection was also questionable in a situation where 200 could have made it a contest.

“It’s pretty favorable conditions for a spinner,” Agar said at the presentation. “You just had to get your length right. As long as you were hitting the stumps for the right-hander and pitching the ball to a left-hander, where it’s spinning in and hitting the stumps to bring all modes of dismissal into play, that’s all you can do and you let the pitch go to work.

“Really difficult conditions, really interesting style of cricket that was played. You don’t get many pitches like that and I hope we end up seeing a lot more like that in the future.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Ramoutar slams 100* in Masters Softball tournament

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Assassins strike a pose with their trophies after the game

A

ssassins emerged victorious in the Dassy 10-10 one-day softball extravaganza on Saturday at Keele Top, Toronto where they beat Challengers in the sixover final.

Challengers took first strike at the invitation of Assassins and they only made 58-2 off the six overs while Assassins, in reply, reached the target without any fuss and 10 balls to spare.

Left-hander and Canadabased Guyanese Avish Rukhram led the way with an enterprising, unbeaten 53 laced with six sixes and two fours while Damodar Daesrath was with him on five, much to the celebration of their teammates and vocal supporters.

When Challengers batted, there was no big scorer as Riaz Kadir, in a captain’s performance, grabbed two wickets for seven runs from two overs, delivering for Assassins, who beat a starstudded SCC in the semis.

The day began with 11 sides competing for the trophy and cash incentive of CDS$4000.

The day’s event started with a 10-over a-side contest, but

was reduced to eight overs at the semi-final stage and then six overs in the championship showdown under rainy skies.

At the presentation, organiser Daesrath, a former Guyana First-Class player who represented Canada at the highest level, thanked all the teams for their participation and also expressed similar sentiments to the sponsors.

Special mention was made of the family of the late Johnny Bujan, who was remembered as a servant to Cricket Canada.

According to Daesrath, the games were played in memory of Bujan, who met his demise in 2016 in a vehicular accident in his native Trinidad and Tobago. His son Joshwa Bujan was very thankful to Daesrath and another organiser, Tony Ramdass, for pulling off such a terrific softball tournament in the midst of a pandemic.

Joshwa also took the opportunity to congratulate the winners and presented a cheque of CDN$1000 towards charity.

Meanwhile, at the presentation, the winners received the trophy sponsored

by I&R General Contracting

Inc, while Challengers took home one compliments of Dent Wizard. A trophy was given to Rukhram for being the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the final, thanks to Canadian Surplus Guyana. He also copped the best batsman prize, a trophy sponsored by Tropical Nights Restaurant.

Kadir got a trophy for the most wickets in the championship contest, courtesy of Caribbean Lyme Restaurant while Daesrath won the trophy for the most runs of the day , the trophy was donated by Flavour Restaurant. Kadir also took home the trophy for the most wickets of the day, which was donated by B Boy Transportation LTD. Edward Morrison was the player with the highest individual score and he got a trophy and bat, courtesy of T&S Enterprise.

Leguan Boys was the side to record the highest team’s score and they collected a trophy, compliments of 24 Hour Glass. Best catch went to Prince Younge and he took home a trophy sponsored by JDG Tooling and the trophy for the biggest six went to Rukhram, thanks to PGI.

Anil Ramoutar

C

anada-based Guyanese Anil Ramoutar slammed a magnificent, unbeaten 100 to spur Canadian Legends to a commanding six-wicket win over Pegasus in the latest round of the 2021 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs 20-over tournament on Sunday.

Playing at Woburn Collegiate Institute ground in Scarborough, the right-handed Ramoutar hit nine sixes and three fours as Canadian Legends reached 188-4 with two overs to spare in response to Pegasus’ challenging 185-6 (20).

Ramoutar, who also represents Masters Cricket

Club in round-arm competition, got good support from Mohan Harihar, who made 35 not out, while opener and former Guyana and West Indies youth batsman Hemnarine Chattergoon contributed 25.

Earlier, Pegasus won the toss and decided to bat first.

Ex-Guyana First-Class opener Krishna Arjune cracked a belligerent 48-ball 76 laced with eight sixes and three fours. Veteran batsman Jai Singh supported with 27 and Jito Narine, 21. Nishal Dass grabbed two wickets for five runs from three steady overs.

The competition will resume on August 8 with a series of matches.

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fowler finishes 4th in Olympic heat

G

uyana’s Andrew Fowler gave it all he had in the pool on Tuesday morning with a 55.23s swim, finishing fourth in the first heat of the men’s 100m freestyle race.

The Guyana Police Force member, clocked 26.12s in his first 50m before the turn, after which he clocked another 29.11s to finish at 55.23s. Fowler’s heat was won by Nepal’s Alexander Shah in 53.41s, but no one

from that heat advanced to tomorrow’s semi-final race.

Out of the 70 swimmers participating in the nine heats, only 16 have moved on to the semis.

“First, I would like to thank Jesus for being the

main reason for this successful moment, wasn’t anything close to my best, but I’m still grateful,” the swimmer wrote in a social media post on Tuesday, following his race.

He continued, “Starting

23

my journey at 18+ Andrew Fowler in the pool on Tuesday with the grace of Abrams, who will be suitGod and determination, I was able to accom- ing up for the women’s plish this dream just in six 100m sprint. The heats for that event are scheduled for years.”

Next up for Guyana in Thursday, July 29 at 20:00h the Olympics is Jasmine (8:00pm) local time.

ECC throws support behind Wong West Indies to lock

horns with Pakistan today …“We expect competitive cricket from Pakistan,” says Simmons

Pakistan Head Coach Misbah Ul Haq

T

Miguel Wong

he Everest Cricket Club (ECC) on behalf of its table tennis arm became the latest in a line of sponsors enabling table tennis player Miguel Wong to attend a high-performance training camp ahead of the Junior Pan American Games.

Wong has been aiming to make his best showing yet when he gets to Cali, Colombia for the first-ofits-kind event.

In order to do so, the 20-year-old has his eyes set on a training camp in the United States that would adequately prepare him to be on top of his game.

Thus far, a number of corporate entities have shown their support over the past few weeks for the player, as has the ECC, with the blessing of its President, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir.

Speaking at the simple ceremony at the Club on Tuesday, Ramdeo Kumar explained why the club got on board.

“What we’ve done is helping Miguel Wong on his journey to the Pan Am Games and hopefully with our small contribution, he can benefit from very good training, or coaching in

Everest’s Javed Khan

the USA. “Because that’s our aim, to take him to the USA to have at least a month’s camp, or how much time he can spend before the actual games in Cali,” Ramdeo explained.

A n o t h e r member of the Club and former table tennis player, Javed Khan in wishing Wong well, highlighted that Everest was elated to be part of his support system.

“As a former table tennis player, I’m very happy to be a part of the group here, the table tennis arm of Everest to support Miguel,” Khan related.

“We know that he’s a very, very promising player and we know that with this training he’s going to embark on, he’s going to certainly make us proud.

And we’re just happy to

play a very small part in contributing to his success.”

Khan concluded, “So Miguel, we wish you all the best, make the best of the camp. And we look forward to supporting you more in the future.”

In turn, the table tennis player expressed his gratitude while vowing to do well at the games, scheduled for November 25 to December 5.

“I just want to start by saying thank you, very much to the Executives and the members of the Everest Cricket Club and the Everest T a b l e Tennis Club.”

“This support is very much welcomed and I’m so honoured for you guys to be a part of my journey. Heading into these camps, in the USA, I’m trying to hope for the best and put my best foot forward in preparing and to represent Guyana well at the Pan American Games,” he shared.

Wong is currently looking at spending time at the Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy in Akron, Ohio as part of his preparation.

the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and Chris Gayle who have all had rest. With them having that rest, it will now be a boost West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons as they return to the s time draws closteam any way you look at it,” er for the T20 World Simmons added.

Cup, the West Indies Simmons also said that cricket team will be lookwhile there was a huge rivaling to bag a few victories to ry between the two teams, it boost their morale. They realways brought out the best cently came off a 4-1 series results.

Simmons was adawin over the Australians and mant that while the rivalry will be looking to do the same was there, the friendliness when they duke it out with Pakistan today at 10:00h was there as well and both at the Kensington Oval, coaches were looking forward to playing against each other.

Bridgetown, Barbados.

“We have been lookIn an interview, Windies ing forward to play against Head Coach Phil Simmons Pakistan and we are expectindicated that the team have ing a tough but yet competbeen trying to get better evitive series,” Simmons reery game, owing to the fact layed. that they have an excellent Pakistan Head Coach record in the shorter format Misbah Ul Haq added: “West as compared to the longer Indies team is a good team esformat of the game. He went pecially the way they played on to state that when someagainst Australia.

They are thing is being built, there is the defending champions; a plateau but the West Indies must continue to push on. they have a lot of experienced Simmons noted that while players who have played difthe West Indies 2-1 loss to ferent leagues throughout Australia in the 50-over ver- the world. They have the abilsion of the game was sad, it is ity and we are aware of that his belief that the T20I squad and we know we have to play top-quality cricket. Knowing is clicking.

“As you saw in the T20I they won the last World Cup series the squad is clicking in Asia, I think we need to be and the players returning right up there at our best to have had a bit of rest. It’s al- play against West Indies.”

West Indies won the oneways going to be a huge mooff T20I match between the tivation for the players with two sides in 2011, Pakistan

A

have held the upper hand since. Overall, out of 14 T20I matches, Pakistan have maintained a stranglehold with 11 wins and a mere three defeats. Of these, seven matches have been staged in the West Indies, with Pakistan winning five and losing two.

In the 2018 T20I series that was staged at the National Stadium Karachi, Pakistan won the threematch series, 3-0.

The last time the two teams played a T20I series on Caribbean soil was in 2017 with the visitors winning the four-match series 3-1.

In the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20I Team Rankings, Pakistan are fourth place with 261 points while the Kieron Pollard-led West Indies are placed seventh with 235 points.

Among the batters, Pakistan Captain Babar Azam is currently ranked number two while his opening partner, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is ranked seventh.

West Indies opener Evin Lewis is at number eight.

Fabian Allen, the West Indian left-arm spinner, is ranked number 10 among bowlers while Pakistan leftarm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is at the number 13 spot in the rankings for T20I bowlers.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

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

Fowler finishes 4th in Olympic heat

Page 23

Page 23

West Indies to lock horns with Pakistan today …“We expect competitive cricket from Pakistan,” says Simmons

ECC throws support behind Wong

Pg 23 Everest’s Javed Khan hands over the sponsorship to Miguel Wong in the presence of Ramdeo Kumar and Krista Norton

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