Guyana Times - Wednesday, June 23, 2021

More to be done to address discrimination, LGBT rights – Canadian High Commissioner P14

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4687

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

PRICE

Electoral fraud charges

Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo sent on leave from GECOM …Chairperson to decide on way forward on full removal Page 3

Russian manufacturer confirms authenticity of Guyana’s Sputnik V doses

Page 7

…Health Ministry demands apology from Harmon

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P15 Annette Ferguson hit with $20M lawsuit …as AG seeks damages for slander over E-Day ID card distribution claims

Father drowns after car plunges into outfall P16

Crime reducing in most categories in Region 5 – Commander P9

Countrywide flooding

Islamic Development Bank to mobilise support for Guyana Page 2

Guyana lauded for extending COVID-19 COVID -19 vaccines to migrants Page 10

…over 5000 refugees assisted since 2020

Pensioner dies in Essequibo River boat collision P8

Social events can develop into ‘super spreaders’ – Health Minister …as 3 more succumb to warns COVID-19; 90 new cases Pages 9 & 11

Vendor robbed by lone knifewielding P12 bandit Foiled Republic Bank robbery

Suspects freed as Magistrate upholds no-case submission P18

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Countrywide flooding

Islamic Development Bank to mobilise support for Guyana …Head of State discusses national disaster with Bank President

President Dr Irfaan Ali

T

he Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), having met with President Dr Irfaan Ali, has committed to organising support for Guyana in the wake of the floods that have besieged the nation over the past few weeks.

According to a statement, President Ali met virtually with IsDB President Dr Bandar Hajjar and his team on Tuesday to discuss intervention measures and the Bank’s support in the wake of the recent floods across Guyana.

During the meeting, the Head of State raised the need for aid to farmers to restore their productive capacity, support for drainage and irrigation initiatives and further strengthening of the national drainage system.

“Discussions also centred on assistance for the affected hinterland and riverine communities.

These areas, the President explained, depend predominantly on

the mining and forestry sectors.

Other critical interventions identified were the restoration of river dams, hinterland roads and bridges, many of which were destroyed and remain submerged,” the statement said.

The statement further said that the IsDB President assured that no effort would be spared to support Guyana’s rebuilding efforts and enable more resilient infrastructure. Dr Hajjar added that a technical team would be in contact with Guyanese officials to develop the response mechanism and to mobilise resources needed under these very “urgent circumstances”.

“The Head of State said that a technical team from Guyana would mobilise and gather all the necessary information to accelerate the implementation of the interventions raised. He also thanked The Islamic Development Bank for its commitment to working with the Government and the people of Guyana and for its overall support,” the statement said.

Earlier this month, President Ali had officially declared the widespread flooding currently affecting Guyana throughout the country a national disaster. His proclamation was recorded in the Official Gazette.

The document states that as of June 7, 2021, a total of 28,228 households were affected by flooding, some with water entering their homes, or domestic animals

the scale of this disaster is misunderstood by those in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which is facing the least impact of the floods caused by the heavy rainfall over the past two weeks.

hardest-hit communities in the country and it was reported that at one point water levels were at some 12 feet owing to the overflowing of the Berbice River. More than 850 residents in the region

IsDB President, Dr Bandar Hajjar

and livestock in distress or farmlands inundated.

Guyana has been inundated by heavy rains since May, which have caused widespread flooding. The devastation includes submerged buildings and vehicles with adverse impacts on crops, livestock and health. It has been noted that the rainfall experienced in May alone was recorded as the second highest level of rainfall across the country in the last 40 years.

As a result, relief efforts to affected Guyanese have been nonstop, through various public, private and non-governmental collaborations. In fact, Government recently sought and was granted supplemental funding in the National Assembly to the tune of $10 billion to assist with flood mitigation measures throughout the country.

According to the President,

Region Two villages under floodwater

There are varying levels of flooding in communities. Those in riverine areas are facing the most severe challenge with rivers and creeks overflowing onto residential and farm land across the country.

Kwakwani in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is one of the

have been affected.

President Ali has been on the ground along with other Ministers and teams from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), and assessments of the severity of the floods and the impact on residents were done.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, June 23 – 03:00h-04:30h and Thursday, June 24 – 03:30h-05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, June 23 – 15:25h-16:55h and Thursday, June 24 – 16:15h-17:45h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected until mid-afternoon, when thundery showers are expected into the evening hours, followed by clear skies. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 15:33h reaching a maximum height of 2.59 metres.

Low Tide: 09:04h and 21:20h reaching minimum heights of 0.47 metre and 0.64 metre.

SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

06 09 21 22 23 28

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FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

04 10 22 23 24 LUCKY 3

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Afternoon Draw

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DRAW DE LINE

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$74.81/barrel

-0.12

Rough Rice

$236.034 /ton

+0.06

London Sugar

$418.70/ton

-1.64

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1782.50

$1783.50

Low/High Change

$1772.20 +3.70

$1790.50 +0.21%

Electoral fraud charges

Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo sent on leave from GECOM

…Chairperson to decide on way forward on full removal

T

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) has unanimously decided to send on leave Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; his deputy, Roxanne Myers and Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, pending a decision on their future at the electoral body in light of the fraud charges currently against them.

The decision to send the trio home on paid annual vacation leave was made at a GECOM meeting on Tuesday. It is a decision that had the full agreement of the Chairperson and all six Commissioners – Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Manoj Narayan on the Government side, with Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman on the Opposition’s.

Motions calling for the removal of the trio from GECOM were supposed to be debated on Tuesday.

However, Gunraj explained to reporters that when the Commission met, objections were raised by the Opposition Commissioners.

“The meeting this afternoon was intended to debate the three motions which were filed. The three Opposition Commissioners objected to the motions being debated, and, in fact, suggested that the Commission ought not to debate and hear the motion, rather, it should be heard by an independent tribunal.

“Obviously, it was our contention that the Constitution allows the Commission to deal with motions for this sort. In fact we are constitutionally mandated to be the authority to do that. There is no power in us to delegate such hear-

From left: GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield, DCEO Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

ings,” Gunraj said.

He explained that there was some discourse on the issue. Ultimately, GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh will have to rule on the way forward. In the meantime, however, the three officers were sent on their annual leave.

It was explained that Lowenfield has 42 days annual leave, Myers 120 days, and Mingo 35 days.

Gunraj was optimistic that a decision could be made in the soonest possible time. Indeed, a subsequent GECOM release stated that this would be the aim of the Chairperson.

“I am hoping that these matters are determined in short order and that it does not serve to delay the holding of elections or any electoral business,” Gunraj said, a possible reference to the Local Government Elections (LGE) which are expected to be held this year.

Motions for the removal of the three officers were previously tabled by

the Government-aligned Commissioners Gunraj, Shadick and Narayan – all lawyers – before the GECOM Chair. The motion to dismiss Lowenfield from his substantive post as CEO was tabled by Gunraj and Shadick, and listed 20 grounds on which he should be dismissed.

The motion explained that the CEO, in spite of protests from contesting parties other than the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), deliberately chose to neglect the complaints of discrepancies in relation to Mingo’s numbers.

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

of international observers.

Myers’ purported order to have the Guyana Police Force remove Commissioner Gunraj and political party representatives from the GECOM Command Centre during the tabulation of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) is also listed as one of the reasons she should be dismissed from her substantive post as DCEO. The grounds for Mingo’s dismissal surround his tabulation of the SoPs in which he manufactured numbers to reflect a win by the APNU/AFC. It also concerns his conduct and defiance of the court orders mandating that he follow the outlined statutory process to acquire his final tally of the SoPs. Justice Singh has since written to both Lowenfield and Myers asking them to provide, in writing, responses to the motion indicating why they should not be dismissed from their substantive posts. They have until June 15 to show why they should not be dismissed. (G3)

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 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

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M&CC and flooded city

ince the unprecedented rainfall led to catastrophic flooding countrywide, Government Ministers heading teams, led by President Irfaan Ali, have been fanning out to assess damage and proffer shortterm assistance as and where the need arises with immediacy. This is as assessments are being made for long-term assistance and solutions for those facing the quandary of disastrous losses of personal resources – of both household effects and income-generating assets.

One indicator of the tireless work of Government Ministers and other officials in efforts to alleviate the distress of affected citizens was a Facebook post by a team member of Minister Zulfikar Mustapha’s, who wrote, inter alia: “We visited about 13 villages along the East Berbice Corridor (Region Six)… another seven villages in Region Five (The MMA area) - total of 20 villages in two days…

Machines are being mobilized for these areas as well to assist with works that will help to reduce the impact of the heavy rains. Agencies such as NAREI, GLDA, GRDB will continue to monitor and conduct a thorough assessment of these farming areas in order to take further action.”

However, the recalcitrant Mayor and City Council seems determined to derail Government’s unrelenting, indefatigable efforts to bring relief to residents of the city and environs.

In an unscheduled, unheralded late-night inspection of pumps and sluices/kokers in areas where management is mandated to the M&CC, President Ali discovered attendants asleep while pumps were left shut-off and kokers were left closed and unmanned, even as unprecedented levels of rainfall were inundating the city and surrounding communities. Hapless city-dwellers also had to contend with inner drainage systems that were blocked by piles of garbage.

One city resident wrote: “This garbage dumping (referring to pic of a garbage pile-up) is one of the many places in the city that were done by wicked people who are (seemingly) in bed with the City Council, conspired to create major flooding in the country. It was evident just before May month, you could find huge amounts of garbage all over the city #wickedppl...; sabotaging of the city’s pumps, and station personnel neglect of the maintenance of pumps and kokers in order to create major flooding in the country.”

It could be recalled also that the M&CC and the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had embarked on a massive citywide clean-up campaign in Georgetown and its environs.

Those efforts produced fairly good results regarding the general appearance of the city and its environs, but suddenly the M&CC has stagnated it work.

This comes even as Central Government has been trying to mend its differences with the always-cashstrapped Mayor and City Council (M&CC). The constant lack of finances by the M&CC is hardly surprising, as, over the years, this entity has always been cash-strapped and mismanaged.

The Government certainly cannot keep pumping tax dollars into the operations of City Hall without putting the necessary safeguards in place to ensure that public monies are accounted for.

Perhaps a reason why the M&CC seems to think that it can always depend on Central Government for a bailout is because it is under no pressure to perform. The leniency that has been afforded the Council must stop if there is to be any improvement at City Hall.

We reiterate support for President Ali when he said that there were no excuses for the irresponsibility displayed by the M&CC and its staff, who neglected their duties, causing major flooding in the city.

President Dr Irfaan Ali met with Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson (left) and former national cricketer Steven Jacobs (right) at State House. President Ali said that “It was great listening to these young men. Their vision, ideas and love for country should serve as a motivation to every young person.” (Office of the President photo)

Govt will continue to intensify educational infrastructure

Dear Editor, Guyana’s future would be a bright one, but it would require a robust, transparent and results-oriented infrastructure development programme; a system of efficient and effective public administration; business-friendly tax and regulatory policies to spur business attraction, retention and expansion; along with a dependable and strong finance and banking sector.

According to the latest World Bank Doing Business report, Guyana ranks 134 out of 190 countries worldwide, and in the Caribbean, behind Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. So, there’s much work to be done.

The challenge of human capital and economic development in Guyana cannot be met and overcome by money alone. It would require individual, cooperative and collaborative dedication and effort by the Public and Private Sectors and Civil Society. As a Guyanese business owner and activist declared: “You have to respect what money and success give you, then have the responsibility that goes with that.”

For Guyana, at this moment in history, it starts with responsibility. As Guyanese, we highly value education, and that bodes well, as our country seeks to capitalise on its oil and gas largesse and finally build a nation that all Guyanese have hoped for since Independence in 1966.

An encouraging development along these lines is the recent announcement

by our PPP/C Government that 20,000 online scholarships are on offer to prepare Guyanese for the energy sector. The training is intended to be very practical, tied to industry, and aimed at local human capital development, since petroleum-related jobs are presently staffed by foreigners. Scholarship recipients have a choice of more than 80 programmes offered via GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning), including the University of the West Indies.

With ExxonMobil indicating it would establish training facilities in Guyana, one should hope that other energy companies engaged in Guyana’s energy sector - such as BP, Total, Shell - would also come forward and support human capital development in our country, whether it be for their specific industrial sector or for other sectors.

Hess and CNOOC have made a commitment to spend some G$20 billion (US$100 million) over the next ten years to significantly expand capacity-building efforts and promote sustainable economic development in Guyana.

Under a new enterprise, called the ‘Greater Guyana Initiative’, the companies would work with several organisations, including the University of Guyana (UG), the Centre for Local Business Development, and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions.

The ‘Greater Guyana Initiative’ aims primarily to expand ongoing capacity de-

velopment efforts by supporting education, job training, healthcare and agriculture.

It also aims to offer collaborative programmes to develop a diversified workforce and businesses.

At present, our country ‘s workforce skills’ profile and labour market structure are poorly aligned with the needs of the oil sector. As indicated by the World Bank, workers with technical skills that can be employed in the oil sector are currently engaged in construction, transportation, and agro-processing, which are closely linked to agriculture.

The latest projections from the World Bank indicate that the oil sector is expected to create 3,850 direct jobs, and 23,100 indirect ones by 2025, employing 0.7 and 3.9 percent of the workforce respectively. While our PPP/C Government is keen on ensuring significant local content, the job-creating potential of the oil sector is limited by its capital- and skills-intensive nature; and Guyana’s small and undiversified manufacturing base is not capable of producing many of the specific inputs the sector requires.

Guyana’s human capital and workforce development are required for a productive, efficient and high-quality oil and gas sector. The same is required for the non-energy sectors, where as a country we have the potential to compete in global and regional markets. However, one should note that there is the risk of pulling away high skilled hu-

man capital from other important sectors before training can catch up. However, our PPP/C Government must continue to intensify our educational infrastructure — primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational-technical - for the skills development required for a competitive 21st century workforce, allowing all Guyanese to position themself in the non-resource sectors to take advantage of the huge economic growth trajectory that is destined for Guyana.

As Guyanese, we all need to ride the wave of higher value-added service industries, such as business process outsourcing, IT and software design, communications/media, hospitality and tourism, renewable energy and the commercialisation of agriculture and natural resources.

These all have great potential. Even light manufacturing, such as wood-based home accessories, provided small producers can form a cooperative to produce the volume and scale necessary to compete effectively.

The blessing of oil in our dear Guyana also comes with a curse, namely the invariable overreliance on that commodity for economic growth.

We have a great opportunity to establish the true relationship between education and the increased levels of economic growth in the future, as outlined by the by PPP/C Government.

Sincerely, David Adams

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 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

Health of the nation is the wealth of the nation Facts speak for themselves

Dear Editor, Vaccine hesitancy is of mounting concern around the world, and local politicians that add fuel to such a negative cause are setting their supporters up for suffering and death, although global leaders have embraced vaccination, which has saved thousands of lives.

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon has shown poor leadership and lack of care for Guyanese who have taken his advice to not get vaccinated, while making disparaging remarks about the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme that has been successful so far.

President Irfaan Ali has condemned as “reckless and immature” a call by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon to suspend administration of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.

Political leaders who oppose the development and safety of the citizenry are selfish, and will be judged accordingly in the history books.

As at Monday last, the Health Ministry shared, Guyana had vaccinated close to 50 per-

cent of its adult population with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and about 20 per cent of the adult population have received their second dose, making them fully vaccinated.

President Irfaan Ali has mandated that the Health Ministry vaccinate all adults by the end of 2021.

Government has reiterated on many occasions that Guyana will not be deterred by vaccine price or other barriers. The Government has declared that it will invest as necessary to protect the Guyanese people.

The Region Three COVID-19 Task Force hosted its first ‘drive-thru’ vaccination on June 19 at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac, West Bank Demerara, and the next is expected to be held at the Synthetic Track and Field Facility at Leonora.

The Region Three Chamber of Commerce is encouraging and advocating for all right-thinking Guyanese to take advantage of the vaccination process that is currently being administered freely by health care profession-

als, as, in the future, those who did not receive their vaccine would have to pay at private entities for the same vaccine.

So far, Guyana has been able to secure vaccines and donations from: COVAX, Barbados, China, India, Dubai and the African Union/Caricom Agreement.

This is available to benefit all Guyanese, but misguiding citizens with cheap politics will only cause the Opposition to haemorrhage further, as veteran People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Thandi Mc Allister has this month also resigned from the party that she served for over 25 years, after highlighting that the Opposition has a poor vision for youths and the nation.

The Opposition Leader has openly declared that in vaccinating 223,659 persons with a first dose and the 92,157 fully vaccinated persons so far, the price paid was not worth it. No one that is fully vaccinated in Guyana has ended up in the ICU, and none has died. This investment in our people is entirely worth it.

The world must emerge from this pandemic with as many people as possible vaccinated. To achieve that, people in politics must leave judgements on vaccination safety and efficacy to the independent experts that they have entrusted with making these decisions.

Harmon must be reminded that if he is interested in the next elections, dead supporters will not assist him in any way.

Currently, Government is embracing all religions, races, sexual orientations and everyone in society to take the vaccine to safeguard themselves and their families.

Mr Harmon should rethink his posture, and instead advocate for all to take the vaccine, since he is not a scientist, and should not be making claims about the vaccine without any foundation of a scientific nature.

Sincerely, Halim Khan President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce

What a relief Irfaan Ali-led Govt could conduct affairs of nation without hindrance

Dear Editor, After approximately 10 years of the PNC-led coalition holding majority in Parliament, another PPP/C administration is governing the country with equity and fiscal prudence.

For approximately two decades post-elections 1992, the PPP/C worked unremittingly to reverse the destruction and devastation visited upon Guyana and Guyanese by the former PNC regime, first under Burnham, then Hoyte’s governance, with magnificent success, with socio-economic development in this country poised to catalyse dramatically within the future from a base laid by the unrelenting efforts of former President and current Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who is now aptly referred to as ‘The architect of modern Guyana’.

The gains in the nation reversed toward a downward trend when the Government of the newly elected Donald Ramotar administration found itself in a quandary when the PPP/C lost its parliamentary majority to a vengeful joint Opposition in the November 2011 General and Regional Elections.

The ludicrous irony of persons who had no input into Guyana’s wealth creation, even those who destroyed Guyana and left it a deeply indebted country, arrogating to themselves the right to abrogate that wealth disposition to the

nation and drive the workers of the country into joblessness, sent shockwaves rippling throughout the country as the implications of the budgetary cuts slowly sank into the unbelieving minds of the nation.

Even the Private Sector was distressed because, apart from other constraining factors, they realised that disposable incomes would be severely reduced in many families and Government-run institutions, thus hampering purchasing power, with severe, deleterious ripple effects on the business community.

There was no logic to the madness as the Opposition wielded its Sword of Damocles on the painstaking work of the Finance Minister, his supporting aides, and the various stakeholders in the nation’s economy.

The stunned disbelief of Government MPs was replicated in the faces of even Opposition media operatives, who could not believe the socio-economic dislocations the Opposition collective was prepared to visit upon the nation merely for vindictive spite and for showing the then Government, in Granger’s own words, “who is boss”.

A stunned Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, covered his face in agonised dismay as the Opposition did the unbelievable, cleanly cutting the budget for the Government’s flagship in hinterland develop-

ment, the LCDS, with all the resultant implications.

Former Amerindian Affairs Minister, then Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodriques-Birkett, sat next to him in solemn anguish as she contemplated the dire consequences of that vindictive budgetary slash to her people, who have always been oppressed by the PNC in, and now out, of Government.

The Amerindian communities and persons who consequently suffered, with many losing their jobs as a consequence of this irrational budgetary massacre, were described as “collateral damage” by Khemraj Ramjattan.

However, this should not have been an unexpected eventuality when the joint Opposition determinedly, exulting in its collective power vested through its one-vote/oneseat majority during the earlier sitting, when supplemental financial paper No 7 was laid in the National Assembly, voted against its passage, thus leaving incomplete the country’s accounting records, which would be recorded as unresolved in the AG’s audit reports for the budget agencies in which the monies had been spent. According to legal and financial experts, this has never before happened in any other part of the world.

So, what a relief that the Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration could once

more conduct the affairs of the nation without hindrance, except for a lot of foul hot air emanating from the Opposition benches.

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

Dear Editor, In response to the WPA spokesperson who stated that he was not referring to Wales, which we all know the closure thereof was a GuySuCo board decision.

Please note what the WPA leadership stated, as quoted in the Chronicle (the Government-controlled paper): “The proposed courses of action are to amalgamate [merge] Wales Estate with Uitvlugt Estate and reassign its cane to the Uitvlugt factory, since the estate is operating at 50 percent capacity. Sixty percent of its drainage and irrigation infrastructure is in a dilapidated condition. The corporation furthermore seeks to divest itself of the Skeldon Estate. The estates of Albion and Rose Hall are to be amalgamated, and the factory at Rose Hall is to be closed.”

It is clear that the restructuring of GuySuCo cannot be discussed without including the decision made on the closure of the Wales Estate.

Furthermore, the CoI into the future of GuySuCo, which is supposed to be the basis of the white paper submitted to the Cabinet and laid before Parliament, has to have the input of the GuySuCo Board. The Board was Chaired by WPA leadership, and the creation and presentation of the white paper was led under the guidance of WPA leadership.

Let’s speak to the facts, and not avoid the very serious discussion as to why such a biased (anti-Indian) and reckless decision was made under the leadership of the WPA. A number of

pro-worker alternatives existed to make the industry profitable, many of which were not implemented under the WPA leadership.

The recent biased commentary in the media and on social networks by WPA leadership has also shown clearly how anti-Indian their organisation has become.

During the last Administration, the WPA leadership implemented hefty wage increases for themselves while GuySuCo was struggling to pay their workers and cover their financial obligations. Such selfish acts preceded the closure of sugar estates in predominantly Indian communities. The WPA cannot, with a clear conscience, state that the workers in the fields and the factories were their top priority while the Board took home inflated wages during the making of these reckless pro-management decisions.

One would think that these decisions, which have a significant impact on the political future of the WPA, would not have been unilaterally made.

For the record, this is not commentary on specific individuals. It is CRG’s perspective and impression of the actions taken by the WPA leadership during the last Administration. Many other Guyanese also share this perspective.

The WPA leadership neglected the workers and Rodney’s legacy to fill their own pockets, while implementing an anti-Indian agenda.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

Disappointed with Opposition Leader’s position on vaccines Dear Editor, Over the last week, I have paid keen attention to the issue regarding the procurement of the vaccines with which thousands of Guyanese people like me have gotten vaccinated. I ask that you permit me to share some thoughts which I have on the matter, so that others can become better informed and get themselves vaccinated as well.

Last week in Parliament, Mr Harmon made some comments about the source of the vaccines which were purchased by the Government, and the price at which they were procured. I admit I was very intrigued by his comments, and waited patiently for a response from the Minister of Health and other officials, so that I myself could get some clarity. After tuning in to the Minister of Health’s press conference last Friday, I felt more comfortable knowing that the vaccines were safe and were procured through proper channels, which were available at the time. The

clarification which Health Minister Anthony offered was definitely needed, and I am sure other Guyanese felt the same.

According to the many statements, comments and press conferences I focused on recently, the Government initially explored their options with sourcing vaccines from the United States, Europe, and multi-lateral COVAX facility. However, their efforts were futile. Nevertheless, they recognised the need for Guyanese to have access to the vaccines, hence their efforts to source the vaccines from other suppliers.

It was found that the Prince of Dubai, who had visited Guyana, had connections with a source of the vaccine supply. With existing bilateral rapport, the Government requested access to the supply chain, and was readily accommodated. But the disadvantage was that the price which the vaccines were selling for was higher than that of the recommended WHO price.

I fully support the

Government’s decision to go ahead with the procurement of the vaccines despite it being more costly, because I personally know how serious this pandemic is. I lost one of my siblings recently to COVID-19, and therefore I know that the only way to prevent losing anyone else is to get vaccinated. The fact that the Government did what they had to do to give us Guyanese access to the vaccines should be commended, rather than criticised.

Therefore, I find it disappointing that the Opposition is going to such lengths to chastise the Government for giving Guyanese access to the vaccines, the very vaccines which they themselves have taken. It would appear that they are politicising the pandemic to gain some sort of cheap political mileage, and that does not sit right with me. In fact, it ought to be condemned by all Guyanese, as their actions are grossly irresponsible.

Respectfully, Attiya Baksh

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Question 1

Tuesday’s answers

by

Tom Clarks

A

bout 2500 years ago, Greece was one of the most important places in the ancient world. The Greeks were great thinkers, warriors, writers, actors, athletes, artists, architects and politicians.

The Greeks called themselves Hellenes and their land was Hellas. The name ‘Greeks’ was given to the people of Greece later by the Romans. They lived in mainland Greece and the Greek islands, but also in colonies scattered around the Mediterranean Sea. There were Greeks in Italy, Sicily, Turkey, North Africa, and as far west as France.

They sailed the sea to trade and find new lands. The Greeks took their ideas with them and they started a way of life that’s similar to the one we have today.

Imagine you are an Ancient Greek boy, write a fact-based account of a day in your life. (Adapted from BBC.co.uk)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Russian manufacturer confirms authenticity of Guyana’s Sputnik V doses …Health Ministry demands apology from Harmon

General Director at the RDIF Corporate Center, Alexander Chistyakov

T

he Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) on Tuesday confirmed the authenticity of the Sputnik V vaccines currently being used in Guyana’s nationwide immunization campaign.

General Director at the RDIF Corporate Center, Alexander Chistyakov, dispatched a letter to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony confirming this information.

This development comes amid recent public remarks made by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon which sought to insinuate that the vaccines are fake – a statement which was already condemned by Government and other entities.

In the document, released to the media, the RDIF stated, “We would like to confirm, hereby, the authenticity of the shipments of “Gam-COVID-Vac” adenovirus vector vaccine, containing Component-I: recombinant serotype-26 adenoviral particles containing the S-protein gene of the SAR-CoV-2 virus and containing Component II: recombinant serotype-5 adenoviral particles containing the S-protein gene of the SARS-CoV-2 (Sputnik-V).”

It noted that batches were dispatched to a company called Aurugulf in the United Arab Emirates, which received authority to sell and distribute Sputnik V shots to other countries, including Guyana. All documentation relation to the batch release, certification of analysis and packing list were also provided.

After receiving backlash from several entities, officials and President Irfaan Ali, the Opposition Leader on Monday backpedalled from his posture last week and said it can be “reasonably presumed” that the Sputnik V vaccines that were procured are authentic.

Harmon, who also ques-

tioned the price which Government paid, also acknowledged that vaccine scarcity was a problem and that the PPP Government, like any Government would, found itself in a difficult position when it came to procuring vaccines. According to him, if the coalition Government was in the PPP’s shoes it would have been “equally desperate” to secure the vaccines.

In light of the RDIF’s confirmation, the Health Ministry said, “The letter dismisses Mr Joseph Harmon’s malicious and reckless statements that the Sputnik V vaccines in Guyana are fake. The batch numbers issued by the RDIF (match those) of the vaccines received by the Ministry of Health. So now that there is no doubt about the authenticity of the Sputnik V vaccine in Guyana.”

In light of this, the Ministry has called on the

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

Opposition Leader “to publicly withdraw his reckless and irresponsible statements and to issue a public apology to the Guyanese people for the irreparable harm that he has done to the national vaccination program, the distrust that he has created, and the vaccine hesitancy that he caused which has indirectly put at risk the lives of many Guyanese.”

Previously, the Ministry had maintained that Guyana has not imported any vaccine without the requisite registration and approval for emergency use by Guyana’s regulatory agency, which is the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD).

It was explained that authorities had previously engaged other cheaper manufacturers to secure vaccines, but to no avail. Through the Office of Admed Dalmook Al Maktoum in Dubai, the Sputnik doses were sourced

directly from the Russian manufacturer.

“In every instance, the Ministry of Health has followed the established process and has established legally binding contracts to ensure the timely delivery of these vaccines…

The Ministry of Health rejects the Leader of the Opposition’s mischievous and malicious attempt to derail the COVID-19 vaccination program in Guyana.

Instead, we will again encourage him, stop his divisiveness, stop undermining the vaccination drive, and ask that he encourage everyone to take their vaccines,” the Ministry had previously said.

President Ali had also called on Guyanese not to fall prey to political gimmicks, moreso since Harmon was vaccinated with both doses of the Sputnik V jab.

“I implore Guyanese not to fall prey to the political selfishness of Harmon, not to fall prey to the shameful recklessness and self-serving interest of Harmon…He is doing this at a time when he himself took Sputnik.

This level of irresponsibility, this level of selfishness, is beyond anything that a leader or someone who has prided himself with the values of leadership can demonstrate,” the Head of State had opined last week.

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Health Ministry, former Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, on Monday lamented that after ‘a failed

whisper campaign’, the Opposition Leader is now moving to question storage of these jabs. However, he dismissed such claims, noting that the temperature is monitored in real time.

“Last week he claimed,

without an iota of evidence, that the Sputnik vaccine was fake. Now he says the vaccines are authentic and good, but that it was not stored properly. There is nothing wrong with storage.

We monitor in real time

what the storage temperature is. This man is desperate to stop the vaccine. He is reckless in questioning the vaccine,” Ramsammy said on his social media page.

(G12)

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pensioner dies in Essequibo River boat collision

R

ichard Bowen, an 87-year-old pensioner of Karrau Village, Essequibo River, died after his small wooden boat, powered by a 15hp engine, collided with a passenger boat in the Essequibo River near Bartica.

Reports coming out of Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) state that the incident occurred on Monday at about 10:45h.

Investigations revealed that the passenger boat was captained by a 50-year-old man of Parika East Bank Essequibo (EBE). He told Police that at about 09:45h, he departed Parika Stelling in his boat with 23 passengers enroute to Bartica. whilst nearing Bartica, he saw Bowen’s boat about 700 metres in front of him, also heading towards Bartica.

He claimed that as he reached closer to Bowen’s boat, Bowen suddenly changed course, and collided with his boat, the impact of that collision causing Bowen’s engine to fall off the stern and into the water.

A boat that was nearby

at the time rendered assistance and took the injured pensioner to the Bartica Hospital, where he succumbed whilst receiving medical attention.

His body is awaiting a post mortem examination, and Maritime Administration (MARAD) has been informed of the incident. The captain of the passenger boat has since been taken into custody.

Only two days ago, Police launched an investigation after a boat captain and a 38-year-old businesswoman had gone missing after the boat in which they were travelling capsized in the Takutu River, Lethem, Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Missing are Walletta Rigby, a businesswoman of Blueberry Hill, Wismar,

Linden and an unknown Brazilian man who was the captain of the boat.

Reports are that Rigby and her friend Shaunette Gonsalves, 48, a housewife of Beverly Hills, Lethem, Central Rupununi, had crossed the Takutu Bridge and went to Bonfim in Brazil to purchase some items.

The women had reportedly boarded a small wooden boat captained by the Brazilian national on Brazil’s shore. Whilst they were crossing the said river, the boat capsized as a result of the weight and strong current of the river, and they reportedly went under water.

Gonsalves, however, managed to grab on to a branch of a tree, and as she looked up for the others, they were nowhere in sight. She was rescued, and reported what had transpired to ranks at the Lethem Police Station.

A search was conducted on Saturday for the missing persons, but there were no signs of them. Up to Tuesday, the missing persons were still missing. (G9)

Remembering...

O

…our June past f recent, there’s been a whole lot of looking back (with anger?) during this month of June. Notably, about the five sugar workers gunned down at Enmore back in 1948 and Walter Rodney’s assassination

by Burnham and the PNC in 1980. Seems to be human is to continuously “remember” our past to simulate continuity in our lives! Remember Proust’s aphorism: “Remembrance of things past is not necessarily remembrance of things as they were”?

There’s a lot to unpack in that pithy statement. At the most mundane level, we’re now assured that memory does, in fact, lie “in our heads”. There, three specific organs - the hippocampus, the angular gyrus and the precuneus - retain and coordinate our memories. Remove the hippocampus and you don’t remember anything at all - either from the distant or immediate past. The angular gyrus, however, has a role in how vividly we can recollect particular memories, while the precuneus provides that subjective feeling as to how well we remember. Or not.

So, whenever we remember, we literally RECONSTRUCT that memory - based on sights, sounds and other sensations and feelings that were stored separately and have to be retrieved by the three organs.

And as Proust posited, we can reconstruct them quite differently from what “actually” happened. Someone might’ve told us something different about the same event; we might’ve read some additional “facts”, and these are added as grist for our “minds” to put together and retrieve. Yep…all of those form our own memories of our own experiences!

So, imagine what happens when we “remember” events like the two mentioned above, where we didn’t experience but only heard about them! Aren’t we at the mercy of those who did the telling and then our reconstructions?? How can we be sure we were told everything that happened. Take, for example, Rodney’s assassination. We know that from the sixties at UWI in Jamaica - when he started “grounding” with what were considered by the authorities “disreputable” characters - the Rastafarians and “rude boys”, for instance - he came under surveillance. And this continued in London when he studied there, and when he went to work in Tanzania.

Did these spies plant anyone in the WPA when he returned in 1974, and hooked up with them? Remember this was the height of the Cold War, which was very, very HOT in the Third World!! In Guyana, the ideological question loomed quite large, and unlike as with Burnham, the powers-that-be would’ve known that Rodney was no opportunist spouting Marxist revolutionary rhetoric just to sound “progressive”! This was one serious brother committed to root-and-branch change.

This isn’t an idle question, ‘cause many of the players (and possible plants) are still in play!! …the provocateurs of violence.

Remembering Enmore reminds us that most of the “uprisings” before the 1960s were spontaneous against their direct oppressors. But, in 1962, the Black Friday arson and riots of Feb 16 were instigated by foreign operatives using their well-honed tactics. Like spreading a rumour in the massed crowd in front of Parliament that a baby had been killed by tear gas! The mob went berserk!

This became the new norm: the 1963 strikes and violence, ditto in 1964. Fast forwarding to 1997, the PPP was accused of “stealing” the elections, which segued into “slow fyaah; mo fyaah” leading to the “African Resistance” in the 2002 post-Mash Day Jailbreak. It didn’t end until 2008, after hundreds had been killed and the “Freedom Fighters” had been wiped out.

Today the rumours are being repeated by a new bunch of provocateurs, following news that the Government was facilitating a “Regional Joint Support Team” (RJST) by the Joint Services to buttress their crime fighting capabilities!

Those who forget…

…our cricket, glorious cricket Hang down your heads, fans of West Indies cricket.

Hang down your heads and cry. For it surely seems that unless something is done - and QUICK - our cricket is gonna die.

Where’s the pride?

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

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 more succumb to COVID-19; 90 new cases GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JUNE 22 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

90

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

106

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

1396

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

21

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

7

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

9825

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

9409

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

19,234

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

17,241

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

227,690 98,635

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

452

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1171

REGION 2

535

REGION 3

2211

REGION 4

8929

REGION 5

650

REGION 6

1442

REGION 7

1243

REGION 8

379

REGION 9

1391

REGION 10

1353

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

T

hree more persons have succumbed to the novel coronavirus in Guyana, moving the country’s death toll to 452.

This marks 54 deaths for

the month of June. Among the latest fatalities are a 74-year-old female from Region 10 (Upper Demerara– Berbice), a 32-year-old female from Region Nine

(Upper Takutu– Upper Essequibo) and a 48-yearold male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Additionally, the revised dashboard showed a rise of

Crime reducing in most categories in Region 5 – Commander

R

egion Five (MahaicaBerbice) is reporting an increase in serious crime. According to the Regional Commander, Woman Superintendent Carol Harding, serious crime has shown an increase, with murders up by 33 per cent when compared with the corresponding period last year.

There have been four murders in the region so far for the year, compared with three for the corresponding period last year. Of the four, one is still to be solved.

Regional Commander Harding told this publication, “Robberies are not something that we see in Region Five, and we are grateful. Robbery under arms is also something we do not see in the region.”

While no statistics were readily available on domestic violence, Commander Harding said domestic violence is everybody’s business, and if it is not curbed, it can result in many other social issues developing in the society.

The region has reported only one case of larceny for the year, compared with two for the corresponding period last year. Incidents of rape have been reduced from eight as in last year to five this year. Break and enter and larceny stand at 12 incidents, as against 10 for the same period last year. There has been one case of burglary reported in the Region so far this year, as against three incidents for the corresponding period last year.

The commander expressed some concern over the one case of larceny from

Superintendent Carol Harding the person which has occurred in that Region this year. “Last week we had persons from the Mahaicony River parked their boat with the engine, and two of the engines disappeared.”

That incident, she noted, is worrying since, it is not something which occurs in Region 5, since most boat operators in riverine communities relate well with each other.

“With the flooding in the area, we are watching the trend and pattern to see what would happen, because the livelihood of most persons who are farmers and those who rear cattle would not be earning. So, we are looking to see if there will be a trend in larceny, but as long as they have their basic needs met, I don’t think there will be an increase. To my knowledge, the Region and the Government are working assiduously to ensure that relief is being given to those persons who are most affected,” the Commander said.

While noting that other serious crimes are not on record in that Region, Harding said there has been camaraderie between the Police and citizens.

“We are also planning to have some face-to-face meetings with the communities, so that we can have conversations with persons to understand what affects them most, and where the Police can interact with them to see what we can do to have better cooperation,” the Commander noted. (G4)

90 new cases, as total confirmed positives in the country move to 19,234. There are 21 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 112 in institutional isolation, 1414 in home isolation, and seven in institutional quarantine.

Some 17,241 individuals have since recovered, and the country has tested 178,614 persons.

An analysis of new cases shows eight in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 64 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), eight in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 28 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and five in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) are

at 1171; 535 and 349 respectively.

Vaccination continues

Vaccination continues across health facilities, where over 228,000 persons, or 46.9 per cent of the adult population, have received their first dose. Meanwhile, close to 100,000, or 20.5 per cent of the adult population are fully vaccinated.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday outlined that any nationality living in Guyana can receive the vaccines, since Government does not have a policy against such. He added that herd immunity can be achieved only if people are immunized.

“We have a very open policy. We don’t check to see that nationality you are before you can get a vaccine.

Our policy has been very open, and I think a lot of Caribbean nationals who were here in Guyana would

have benefited from the vaccination programme. For us to achieve herd immunity, it means the people who are here should get vaccinated, and if they reside in Guyana, we don’t have a problem giving them the vaccine,” he clarified during the coronavirus briefing.

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

Persons are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene. (G12)

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana lauded for extending COVID-19 vaccines to migrants …over 5000 refugees assisted since 2020

T

he acute strain brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has put an even greater disadvantage on refugees around the world, but this must not limit them from access to health care services or, importantly, vaccines.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, organised by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) on Tuesday, acting Head of Office at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Suenanica de Rozario, pointed out that displaced people should be able to acquire basic services, and especially healthcare in the times of a pandemic.

She lauded Guyana for opening its vaccination campaign to migrants in an effort to ensure they are immunised.

“COVID-19 has flooded with a strain on health care, tools, and our communities.

We have all had to do our part to keep each other safe,

Acting UNHCR Head of Office, Suenanica de Rozario

and despite the challenges, refugees and displaced people have stepped up. Given the chance, refugees will continue to contribute to a stronger, safer, and more vibrant world…Everyone forced to flee must have access to health services, medication, and vaccines. Access to health care and medical support saves lives. We thank the Government of

Guyana for the inclusive approach in providing equal access to all to obtain the COVID-19 vaccination, and together we work, and we work to ensure better access to services and education for all,” Rosario noted.

In the UNHCR’s recently released Global Trends report, it is stated that one in 95 individuals is forcibly displaced. When this happens,

many struggle to access services for their children. Now, COVID-19 has also exacerbated these circumstances.

“COVID-19 has interrupted education for children around the world, and made remote classrooms necessary. However, many refugees are unable to afford internet or phone for children to study remotely. We must support them.

Those who left school during the pandemic are at risk of never returning. Some were forced into early marriage or work to support their families. And we believe that no family should ever have to choose between the best interests of the children or putting food on the table.”

She said the agency is planning to continue its work, offering registration, education, child protection, prevention of gender-based violence, and livelihood enhancement resources to help persons thrive in their host communities.

Statistics show that 80

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

million people are displaced globally, while one per cent of the world's entire population is no longer able to reside in their homes and their communities. Neighbouring Venezuela has become the second largest displacement event in the world, with a staggering 4.6 million people leaving their home country due to a lack of security, food, and basic rights.

HIAS Country Director Alex Theran has said that, in Guyana, the organisation has provided support for the most vulnerable, Venezuelans and other nationalities.

“Since 2020, HIAS Guyana has supported over 5000 people, and we are committed to being here as long as the community needs what we offer…Refugees are resilient, some can succeed on their own, some need a little help. But there's more intensive assistance. All refugees were given access to rights and opportunities to live, work and learn, and safety and freedom can rebuild their lives, and (they can) thrive.”

US support

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, committed her Government’s con-

tinued efforts to assist migrants with the injection of significant sums into various programmes.

“State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration is the lead US agency mandated to respond to refugee and migration crises, in close coordination with other US agencies, including USAID. In 2020, the United States provided nearly US$5 million for the Venezuelan response in Guyana, including $435,000 specifically earmarked to respond to COVID-19.

The United States currently supports UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, the Pan American Development Foundation and HIAS, and (plans) to implement activities in Guyana to respond to the protection needs of vulnerable Venezuelan migrants and asylum-seekers,” the diplomat noted.

Funding in Guyana includes ensuring access to basic needs, including food, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, health, and psychosocial services; improving access to inclusive and quality education services; supporting access to formal livelihood opportunities through vocational education and community-based initiatives. (G12)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Social events can develop into ‘super spreaders’ – Health Minister warns …as “errant” behaviour continues

L

aw enforcement has continued to detect incidents of errant behaviour which violate the COVID-19 guidelines, and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony is calling on people to discontinue the errant behaviour.

During the COVID-19 update on Tuesday, it was highlighted that there are recent instances in which people are gathering for social events, putting themselves at risk. Operation COVI-CURB is still in effect, bringing together the Joint Services and other bodies to detect such violations and enhance sensitisation.

“Through operation COVI-CURB, the Police and the army have been out monitoring, looking at the bars to ensure people are complying, and we have found a lot of people who are very errant, people who still want to have parties

and all kinds of things that you know would put yourself at risk, but nevertheless you’re doing it. We’re working,” he outlined.

The Health Minister cautioned that such practices can give rise to a super-spreader, hiking the positives in Guyana. In Guyana, there are over 1500 active positives – 85 of which are hospitalised.

“We would like to appeal to the good sense of people, because you don’t know who you’re inviting to these things, or who invited themselves to it. These events could quickly turn out to be a super-spreader event, where someone who is there can pass the virus to others.”

With hotspots in Regions Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), he noted that this might be linked to movement between villagers, which causes the infec-

tion to spread. Otherwise, there are restrictions imposed by Toshaos, preventing visitors from entering.

“What I know is that, in Region Nine, a lot of those Toshaos have had restrictions imposed on their villages, so they’re not allowing a lot of people to enter their villages. Villagers tend to move from one area to another, and if they go to an area and they get infected, they probably would bring the infection back to their villages.

“I would say that’s probably how transmission is occurring, because if you’re not taking the relevant measures, then you will have challenges with transmissions,” the health official underscored.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 has already killed more persons than SARS and MERS coronaviruses combined. Both

infections were fuelled by super-spreader events.

“Understanding transmission dynamics associated with SSEs and their control during other coronavirus outbreaks can help inform current public health approaches to SARS-CoV-2.

Anticipated heterogeneity in transmission should be used to plan disease control programs and risk-stratify populations for public health interventions.”

It added, “Countries should develop and implement protocols for implementation of rapid identification, diagnosis, and isolation of patients; effective infection prevention and control practices in healthcare facilities; and timely and relevant risk communication. Such measures can mitigate the impact of SSEs, which have been major drivers of recent epidemics.”

Just recently, Regional

Commander for Region Four ‘C’ Police Division, Khali Pareshram, had declared that the time for educating the public about the COVID-19 guidelines is over, and ranks are now focused on prosecuting violators.

Initially, Police officers had adopted a more lenient approach in light of the fact that the COVID-19 situation was novel. However, he noted, enough time has elapsed, forming the conclusion that persons should now be fully aware of when they are breaking the rules.

Police enforcement operations are oftentimes conducted in collaboration with ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). The Commander explained that special courts have been established in his district to deal with cases of COVID-19 violation. The Commander has expressed surprise at the number of persons who are still flouting the guidelines, especially by participating in large gatherings and putting themselves at risk of contracting the life-threatening virus. (G12)

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Vendor robbed by lone Man nabbed after knife-wielding bandit throwing ganja over fence

A

vendor who usually plies her trade at the Plaisance Market, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was robbed of a quantity of cash by an armed bandit.

The 32-year-old woman was robbed of $35,000 about 11:20h on Sunday.

According to reports, the vendor was walking and selling in the market when she was approached by the lone bandit.

She told Police that as she was in the process of selling a customer, she was confronted by the suspect who was wearing a black face mask, black shirt, and short

pants.

The vendor said that the bandit approached her from behind, placed a knife to her left side, pushed his hand into her pocket and took out the $35,000. He then made good his escape.

An investigation has been launched.

Only a day ago, Police reported an incident whereby a 15-year-old boy of Phase Two Area A, Good Hope, ECD, was relieved of one blue Samsung Galaxy cell phone and $7000 by four males.

The teen reportedly put up a fight , but two of the suspects dealt him several punches about his body, and he reportedly ran from the scene. The matter was subsequently reported to the Police.

Two of the suspects were arrested and remain in custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.

A

The ganja that was found in the bag that was thrown over the fence

man was arrested by Police minutes after he was seen throwing a bag which contained cannabis over a fence.

According to reports, the man was intercepted at Britton Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Monday after he was seen throwing a yellowish plastic bag over a fence into a yard.

Police then retrieved the bag and uncovered several transparent ziplock bags with cannabis.

The man was escorted to the Sparendaam Police Station, ECD, where the cannabis was weighed, amounting to 218 grams. He remains in custody as investigations continue. (G9)

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More to be done to address discrimination, LGBT rights – Canadian High Commissioner

…teams up with EQUAL to celebrate Pride Month

T

he High Commission of Canada, in partnership with Equal Guyana, unveiled a 12x19ft painting of the Progress Pride Flag on the driveway of the Canadian High Commission on Monday in observance of Pride Month.

The unveiling was done

by High Commissioner Mark Berman, along with the Managing Director of EQUAL Guyana, Anil Persaud, and EQUAL Guyana members Raiza Khan and Scott Singh.

High Commissioner Berman has said he is proud to have the painting at the High Commission. “…I am extremely proud to unveil this painting in the High Commission com-

The Progress Pride Flag

pound as a symbol of LGBT rights and the progress that has been made thus far.

However, it is also a very bold reminder that there is still a lot more to be done locally and globally to address discrimination and LGBT rights, but Canada will remain a strong advocate for the human rights

of all, and the freedom to be yourself,” he said.

The painting was done in celebration of Pride Month and as part of the High Commission’s activities to support the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in Guyana.

The High Commission

of Canada and EQUAL Guyana recently signed a project agreement to promote gender equality with the focus of establishing LGBT rights through engagement, education and empowerment. In a statement, the High Commission of Canada said it believes in the protection and promotion of the human rights of the LGBT people globally, and believes that everyone should enjoy the same fundamental human rights regardless of their sexual orientation and their gender identity and expression.

Later in the month of June, EQUAL Guyana will partner with the High Commission again, but this time for a social media take-over where EQUAL Guyana will use the High Commission’s Instagram platform to engage with the followers and share information about the importance of pronouns for the LGBT community and why using the correct pronoun is important.

The High Commission also commended the

Canadian High Commissioner Mark Berman along with the Managing Director of EQUAL Guyana, Anil Persaud, and EQUAL Guyana members Raiza Khan and Scott Singh at the unveiling

Government for the recent announcement of its intentions to strike out the law against cross-dressing, in keeping with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling.

“Canada will continue to support education and dialogue to address stereotypes and prejudice against LGBT persons locally, and will continue to encourage Guyana’s civil society and political leaders to embark on a process of engagement and change with the aim of decriminalising intimate same-sex relations,” the

statement related.

Pride Month is observed in June in support of LGBT rights, and it gives a platform to LGBT voices to highlight issues still facing the community, progress made, and LGBT culture. The Progress Pride Flag was designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018, and includes new additional colours to the standard pride flag. Black and brown stripes were added to represent people of colour, and baby blue, pink and white to include the transgender flag in its design. (G2)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Annette Ferguson hit with $20M lawsuit If delusional were a person, Granger and Harmon would be leading candidates

I

f delusional were a person, there would have been a fierce battle for the title between David Granger and Joe Harmon. During his term as President of Guyana, Granger was either mostly missing in action (MIA), or, whenever he surfaced, taking insane positions. Now, as the Leader of the APNU/AFC Coalition and Leader of the PNC in Opposition again, he has been totally MIA. The fleeting moments he has surfaced in the last year have been to make a couple of absurd, absolutely insane statements.

As for Joe Harmon, he has solidified his position as the worst Opposition Leader in Caricom, and the worst in Dr Leslie Ramsammy Guyana's history. He proves every day that he is clueless.

The hapless supporters of the PNC and the APNU/AFC Coalition are shaking their heads and leaving. It is no coincidence this week that a senior member, Ms. McAllister from Region 3, left the PNC, joining a long list who have done so in the last year. It is no coincidence also that there is now a growing list challenging Granger for leadership.

Last week, in one of his rare occasions of surfacing, Granger insisted that APNU/AFC, as the Opposition party, is guaranteeing the Guyanese people the "good life". Remember that in 2015 the "good life" was their election promise. For five years in Government, they kept promising the "good life", but every day the Guyanese people looked for the "good life", they only saw that it was for Granger and his Cabinet and high Government officials. The Guyanese people saw that Granger guaranteed the "good life" for his Cabinet and high officials at the expense of the ordinary Guyanese citizens, at the expense of workers, at the expense of the Private Sector. He did not deliver the "good life" as the President of Guyana, now he is guaranteeing them that APNU/AFC will deliver the "good life" from the Opposition benches. Yes, I heard your exclamation - delusional!

When Granger and his Government decided in 2015 that the first beneficiary of large salary increases would be his ministers, some with over 100% increases, the then Prime Minister told the Public Servants their turn would also come. Five years later, the Public Servants were still waiting for their increases. While Nagamootoo could only lie to the Public Servants that their turn would come, Granger's justification for salary increases only for his cabinet and high Government officials was that it was necessary to prevent corruption. Imagine, Granger as President justifying giving his cabinet big salary increases, because he insisted that if he did not, they would thief. The result between 2015 and 2020 was that, for that period, Guyana had the most corrupt Government in our history. People were left with their mouths open in shock that Granger is living in some bubble, coming out from hiding to tell his supporters he would deliver the "good life" to them.

But what came out from his mouth next was so absurd that he shocked even his own supporters even more. He told the nation that the APNU/AFC is an even stronger coalition than it was when they started on Valentine's Day 2015 and during the five years when they wielded unlimited power in Government between 2015 and 2020. His proof they are stronger - the coalition added two more one-person parties to the list of one-man parties that make up APNU. Jaipaul Sharma resigned from the PNC, formed a knock-off party from his father's Justice Party (to be fair CN's Justice Party is made up of a handful of people). Jaipaul Sharma's party is called Equal Right Justice Party (ERJP) and it is another of the forgettable one-man parties that make up APNU. Then there is an APNU MP, Sarabo-Halley, who resigned from APNU, formed a party called Guyana Nation Builders Party (GNBR), or something like that, and then promptly joined APNU again. So, two parties the Justice Party and the WPA - left the coalition, both literally with only a handful of members. Then two one-person parties formed by persons who are already members of the PNC have now joined the coalition. David Granger is insane if he thinks his coalition is stronger - it is the laughing stock of the nation.

But Granger's delusional has made Harmon jealous, it seems.

Harmon appears determined to prove he is more insane than his boss. After taking the Sputnik V vaccine - and he had a choice of which vaccine he wanted - he turned around to demand that Government suspend the deployment of Sputnik V because the vaccine is fake. He took his "fake vaccine" story forward after people ignored his advice not to take Sputnik V because it was too expensive. He made up some story why he believed that Sputnik V was fake. Then people laughed at him. Now Harmon has decided that the Sputnik V vaccines in Guyana are authentic and good vaccines, but the Government is not storing and transporting the vaccines safely. Each day Harmon opens his mouth, he sounds more insane.

So now the question in and out of Guyana is: who is more insane - the leader of the PNC, APNU and the APNU/AFC Coalition, David Granger, or the Leader of the Opposition, Joe Harmon?

…as AG seeks damages for slander over E-day ID card distribution claims

F

ormer Junior Housing and Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson, who has been on a recent lawsuit filing streak against various persons for alleged libel, has herself now been hit with a lawsuit from Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, who contends that she defamed his character.

According to Nandlall’s Statement of Claim against Ferguson, she is alleged to have made a defamatory statement against him on March 22, 2021 during a Round Table discussion hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Center (ACCC) by the European Union (EU) Observer Team that participated in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections.

Nandlall said the defendant spoke and published, through a microphone, loudly and for all at the forum to hear, the following defamatory statement: “You have persons who are sitting in this room that were found distributing ID cards on elections day, not the APNU/AFC. It is the very Attorney General, Mr. Anil Nandlall, who was found distributing ID cards in the lower East Coast corridor.”

He noted that Ferguson’s words were said in the hearing of a number of persons, including representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), the United Nations (UN), Canadian and British High Commissions, the United States Embassy, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), several political parties, and members of the media.

“In their natural and ordinary meaning, and by way of innuendo, the (defendant’s words) were meant to mean (a) that the claimant committed an electoral and criminal offence punishable by imprisonment (c) that the claimant is guilty of elector-

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

al irregularity (d) that the claimant was actively aiding and abetting persons to commit electoral and criminal offences punishable by imprisonment (h) that the claimant was perverting the electoral process (j) that the claimant was unfit to hold public office.

“The aforementioned words complained of were calculated to disparage the claimant, and intentionally done to embarrass, humiliate and injure the reputation and standing of the claimant in his profession and office. The defendant published the aforesaid words knowing them to be false.”

According to the Statement of Claim, Nandlall’s reputation suffered as a result of these statements, and unless restrained by the court, Ferguson will go on to publish the same or similar slanders against him.

Nandlall is seeking general damages of more than $10 million for slander, and aggravated damages of more than $10 million, as well as

an injunction restraining the defendant, or anyone acting on her behalf, from publishing the same or similar defamatory statements against the Senior Counsel.

He is also seeking costs and any other orders the court decides to grant.

Ferguson has herself filed and been granted judgements for libel against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, whom she sued back in January 2020. She had claimed that Jagdeo, who was at the time Leader of the Opposition, made defamatory statements in which he questioned her acquisition of a house lot and the construction of her home at Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara.

On March 11, Justice Sandra Kurtzious had rendered a default judgment after Jagdeo’s lawyers at the time failed to file a defense within the time prescribed under Art 12:01 (2) (d) of

Opposition MP Annette Ferguson

the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR).

The judgement that was granted against Jagdeo was upheld by Justice Kurtzious, but she recently recalled her previous award of $20 million in damages. The Judge has since invited the parties to file submissions ahead of a hearing for assessment of damages by July 7, which will be followed by a ruling on July 28. (G3)

16 NEWS Father drowns after car plunges into outfall WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By LaWanda McAllister

J

ust over a year after his wife died, leaving him with three children, the lifeless body of a 44-year-old fisherman of Little Abary, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) was fished out of

the Abary River mouth near the Atlantic Ocean, after his car reportedly slid into the sluice as he was reversing.

Dead is David Benimadhoo, also known as “Fisherman”.

On Tuesday, the man’s daughter, Sabrina

Benimadhoo, told <<<Guyana Times>>> that her father went to the sluice area on Monday, to buy fish so that he could resell it on Wednesday to make money.

She said after leaving their home in the morning, her father returned short-

ly, after which he had lunch, watched television and then left.

Some time later, Sabrina said she received a telephone call informing her that her father’s car had slipped overboard, and they had to get a tractor to retrieve it. She said that the family was not told that her father was trapped in the car.

“A boy pass and tell me that me father car slide in the sluice and if I can get a tractor to pull it out… I sent my small brother to check and see if it’s true, and then meh brother call me and tell me seh somebody tell he that he try to turn around back, and after rain fall and the place muddy, the car skate,” she related.

The man’s daughter said they rushed to the scene, and upon their arrival, they were told that Benimadhoo was in the car, and the car was nowhere to be found.

A search was conducted all through the afternoon, but on account of the hide tide, the search team was unable to find the man and the car.

Dead: David Benimadhoo

“The koker was opened and we had to wait to let out the water. About 10 o’clock the koker close, and some guys was searching, but after the water was so big, they couldn’t find him.

This morning [Tuesday], like 2 o’clock some of the guys go back and they continued to do a search, and up to 7 o’clock they were still searching. Around 9 to 9:30, they found the car…,” Sabrina said.

And Benimadhoo was discovered in the backseat.

His daughter said even

though they had found her father, and his car, they had difficulty getting him out.

“They had to take like a wedge thing and put in on a boat, and they tried to pull him up. When the car came out, the Police came and they took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead,” she explained.

Sabrina said her father’s death came as a shock. She said this was a big loss for her and her siblings, since they were yet to get over their mother’s death, which occurred about a year ago.

“We and our father did everything together, we would go with him when he goes for fish except for Wednesday. Only a year and something, our mother passed away. Whenever he goes out, whatever time he come back, we would sit and wait up for him. We talk about what fish we get and all that… Now our grandmother will have to come and live with us,” the grieving daughter said.

Benimadhoo leaves to mourn his three children ages 21, 19, and 13.

17

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

18

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

News

Excel Guyana welcomes VP of Foiled Republic Bank robbery client services, recruitment Suspects freed as Magistrate

E

xcel Guyana on Tuesday welcomed Ewan Shanks as Vice President of Client Services and Recruitment.

According to the company, as a member of the executive leadership team, Shanks will be responsible for growing the organisation’s local and international recruitment division to support businesses expanding in Guyana.

Excel Guyana Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kris Sammy said that Shanks brought a wealth of experience in placing the right people, in the right jobs to help businesses grow.

The company noted that with 28 years of experience in local and international recruiting, business development and client services, Shanks is an objective professional, connecting businesses with skilled and qualified talent.

Excel Guyana VP of Client Services and Recruitment, Ewan Shanks

Originally from Guyana, Shanks strongly believes in recruiting, training, and advancing local employees before sourcing internationally in keeping with the Local

Content Policy. Throughout his career, he has built an extensive network of resources for local and international talent at all levels from the c-level suite to the general labourer.

Speaking about his appointment, Shanks said: “As our recruiting division grows, one of my personal passions is to work with and encourage organisations to invest in outplacement services, which will allow them to assist their laid-off or retrenched workers. This service includes assistance in updating resumes, training on interviewing skills and job relocation assistance if necessary. In this way, we can support our community.”

Prior to joining the Excel Guyana team, Shanks honed his skills working with two of the largest and most successful executive search firms in Toronto, Canada.

Corentyne man nabbed with gun, ammo

The gun, along with the ammunition, that was found

A

54-year-old man was arrested by Police on Monday at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) after he was found with an illegal gun and matching ammunition in his possession.

Reports are that acting on information received, ranks

in the division went to the home of the suspect at approximately 18:40h and conducted a search. During the search, a one 12-guge shotgun and six matching bullets were found in the lower flat of the building hidden in a black tire tube between several pieces of clothing.

Further searches were

made and a plastic bag containing the six shotgun cartridges were found, Police said.

The suspect was told of the offences committed, cautioned, and arrested while the firearm and ammunition were lodged at the Springlands Police Station.

(G9)

upholds no-case submission

From left: Shawn Grimmond; Gladston George (white); Anfernee Blackman and Keron Saunder

S

enior Magistrate Leron Daly on Tuesday freed the men accused of attempting to carry out a daring robbery at Republic Bank’s Water Street, Georgetown branch on July 4, 2017.

Those charged are former Police Constables Anfernee Blackman of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Gladston George of Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown; former Republic Bank employee Shawn Grimmond of Kitty, Georgetown; and Keron Saunders of Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Another former employee of the Bank, Jamal Haynes, was also slapped with charges of attempting to commit a robbery and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was sentenced to a total of six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the charges at his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in July 2017.

During the attempted robbery, 23-year-old Elton Wray, an agronomist, was shot dead by the Police. He had been a beneficiary of a Government of Guyana scholarship to study in

Shot dead: Elton Wray who was killed by Police during the robbery

China, and had graduated with a degree in agronomy.

At the time of his death, he was serving the second of his five-year obligatory contract.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Daly upheld the defence’s nocase submission and ordered the men, except Saunders, to be freed. Saunders was told to lead a defence on July 14, 2021 when the matter is called again.

It was reported that Haynes and Grimmond

knew that businesses would have deposited substantial amounts of cash into the chutes through night deposits. As such, a plan was hatched for the robbers to grab that money which would have been emptied into a canister by a female employee.

However, things went awry when their accomplices broke into the bank without knowing that they had received a text message from Grimmond who was already at work informing them to hold off since the employee who was supposed to open the canister was not at work.

After receiving reports of the robbery, Police responded promptly. The bandits engaged the officers in a shootout, which resulted in the death of Wray. Haynes was also shot as he attempted to evade the lawmen.

Saunders subsequently surrendered and was taken into Police custody.

The others were all implicated in the robbery by Haynes and were later arrested. Police said that three high-powered pistols were recovered from the crime scene.

5 homeless as fire destroys south Georgetown home

The house that was destroyed by fire on Tuesday

A family of five, including children, are now homeless after a fire gutted their Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown home on Tuesday.

Guyana Fire Service Station Officer Clive McDonald, told the media that they received a call at the

operations room about 14:30h, notifying them of a fire at Jasmine Lane, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, and immediately dispatched a fire tender from the West Ruimveldt Fire Station, and two from the Central Fire Station.

He said upon their arrival, the

two-storey wooden building was engulfed in flames and his ranks immediately went into action to stop the fire from spreading.

“Subsequently, two tenders from Central Fire Station arrived and they also went into action to contain the fire… a great work has been

done, because the massive destruction has only taken place from the roof, it was collapsed, and the internal of the building…” he explained.

As it relates to the origin of the fire, McDonald said they have some theories and would work to determine the cause. He added that the

Fire Service would have to conclude their investigation.

“Preliminary, it looks as though the children were playing with matches… the fire started from the north- eastern corner of the building and investigations so far have proven that some children were in that area before,” he said.

However, the family is claiming that the fire may have been of electrical origin, and was not caused by the use of matches. <<<Guyana Times>>> was told that one of the adult occupants of the home was downstairs with the children as they were playing with a bird they had purchased, when the house went up in flames.

Based on reports received, family members were unable to save anything.

There were no reports of injuries.

(G9)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil settles slightly lower as OPEC+ discusses raising production

C

rude oil prices settled slightly lower on Tuesday after Brent rose above US$75 a barrel for the first time in over two years, as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+, discussed raising oil production.

Brent crude futures settled down 9 cents to US$74.81 a barrel after hitting a session high of $75.30 a barrel, the strongest since April 25, 2019.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 60 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to US$73.06 a barrel.

OPEC+ is discussing a gradual increase to oil output from August, but no decision has been taken on the exact volumes, an OPEC+ source said on Tuesday.

OPEC+ is already returning 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) to the market from May through July as part of a plan to unwind last year's record output curbs gradually as pandemichit demand recovers.

The group meets next on July 1.

Both benchmarks have risen for the past four weeks in response to the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations and an expected pick-up in summer travel. "(Because) of tight physical markets and healthy demand perceptions, the risk remains skewed to the upside," oil brokerage PVM said.

BofA Global Research raised its Brent crude price forecasts for this year and next, saying tighter oil supply and recovering demand could push oil briefly to US$100 a barrel in 2022.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Officials count ballots after Ethiopia's election, new fighting reported in Tigray

Election officials empty a ballot box during the Ethiopian parliamentary and regional elections, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 21, 2021 (REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo)

O

fficials in Ethiopia counted ballots on Tuesday after a parliamentary election billed as the first free vote in the country's history, but marred by an Opposition boycott, war and reports of irregularities in some areas.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hopes the national and regional elections will show the success of democratic reforms he launched after being appointed by the ruling coalition in 2018.

But the vote also reflects a messy reality in the country of 109 million people.

Authorities could not hold polls on Monday in four of Ethiopia's 10 regions, according to the election board. Voters in one of those regions, Sidama, went to the polls a day late on Tuesday, after logistical problems.

War has displaced two million people in the Tigray region, where Abiy sent troops last November to battle regional authorities that once had dominated the federal government in Addis Ababa.

Residents said new fighting had flared in recent days north of regional capital Mekelle. The Ethiopian military denied reports that fighters loyal to the former regional ruling party had entered several towns in the area.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Abiy wrote: "All sections of society have gone out to cast their vote in our nation's first free and fair election."

Late on Monday, he said in a statement: "Democracy is not built in a day. We are laying it brick by brick."

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Senate Republicans block Democrats' election bill

U

S Republicans have torpedoed a Democratic bid to implement nationwide election rules, a cherished priority of President Joe Biden's party.

The bill – which sought to make it easier to vote by post and increase transparency on certain campaign contributions – failed by 50-50.

Some Democrats accuse Biden of not fighting hard enough for the bill.

Advocates say the bill would have been the most far-reaching election measure since the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Republicans in the United States Senate blocked

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republicans are refusing to allow Senate debate on a sweeping, Democraticdrafted election reform bill [Joshua Roberts/Reuters]

debate Tuesday on sweeping election reform legislation proposed by Democrats and backed by President Biden setting the stage for a confrontation between the two top political parties over US election

law.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had brought legislation titled For the People Act to the Senate for debate, a move that requires 60 senators to agree.

Republicans, however, who control 50 of 100 Senate seats have lined up against the legislation. All 50 Republicans voted against opening debate.

“They don’t even want to debate it, don’t even want to debate it because they’re afraid,” railed Schumer in Senate floor remarks before the vote.

“They want to deny the right to vote, make it harder to vote for so many Americans.

And they don’t want to talk about it, sweep it under the rug and hope that Americans don’t hear about it,” Schumer said. (Excerpts from BBC News and Al Jazeera)

Merkel receives Moderna dose after first AstraZeneca shot

G

erman Chancellor Angela Merkel received a Moderna coronavirus vaccine as her second jab, after getting the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, a Government spokesman said on Tuesday.

The 66-year-old took her first dose of AstraZeneca’s vaccine in April, more than

two weeks after German authorities recommended the use of the jab only for people aged 60 and above.

Millions of doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been safely administered in Europe, but concerns linger over a rare type of blood clot seen in an extremely small number of recipients,

Spain pardons Catalan leaders over independence bid

T

aliban fighters have seized dozens of districts in Afghanistan as they step up attacks during the final withdrawal by foreign troops, the United Nations has warned.

The insurgents have taken more than 50 of 370 districts since May, UN special envoy Deborah Lyons told the Security Council, warning of "dire scenarios".

She said increased conflict "means increased insecurity for many other countries, near and far".

The US and Nato are still aiming for a complete troop pullout by September 11.

However, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the situation remained "dynamic" and, although the Taliban gains had not changed the withdrawal, there was still the flexibility to alter its "pace and scope".

The hardline Islamist group's recent advances were the result of an "intensified military campaign", Lyons told the 15-member UN Security Council in New York.

"Those districts that have been taken surround provincial capitals, suggesting that the Taliban are positioning themselves to try and take these capitals once foreign forces are fully withdrawn."

The Taliban also captured Afghanistan's main border crossing with Tajikistan on Tuesday, officials said.

The crossing stands in the northern province of Kunduz, where fighting has escalated in recent days.

Taliban fighters say they have control of the whole

province, with only the provincial capital – also named Kunduz – retained by the government. But the Defence Ministry in Kabul said Afghan forces had recaptured some districts and operations were ongoing.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

The 66-year-old took her first dose of AstraZeneca's vaccine in April [File: Annegret Hilse/ AFP]

meaning that some people in early priority groups due to their age or pre-existing health conditions have been holding off on getting it, preferring to wait for another vaccine.

Dozens of countries paused the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in March or restricted them

to older adults. However, several of them – including Germany – have since resumed use either fully or with restrictions after health regulators said the benefits of the shot outweigh any risks.

Germany recommended in April that people who received a first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine should receive a different shot for their second dose. Several other European countries made similar decisions.

After a stuttering start, Germany’s vaccination rollout has sharply accelerated in recent weeks. As of Tuesday, one in two, or 51.2 per cent of the population have received their first dose. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Pursue something you enjoy doing. Do the best you can; you will make a difference. Educational pursuits will pay off. The effort you put forth to reach your dreams will be noticed.

Put your heart into your responsibilities. Others will notice your ability to get things done. Strive to advance. Leave nothing to chance, and you will excel.

Share your thoughts openly and compassionately. Change begins with an idea and the art of persuasion. Use your charm to attract attention. Discipline, honesty and hard work will be necessary.

Look for a unique way to get things completed within budget and on time. A change may be frustrating at first, but you will overcome any minor setback you face if you are diligent.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Look at all sides of a situation and follow your heart.

Don’t let anyone talk you into something indulgent.

Channel your energy into something tangible, and you will find the right path.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A pragmatic approach to an emotional situation will help you find a solution. A unique offer will intrigue you.

Nurture an important relationship with a colleague.

Romance is on the rise.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Learn as you go; you will accomplish all that you set out to do. Discipline and an ambitious approach to life, learning and personal growth will take you down an exciting, engaging path.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Remain calm and in control, regardless of what others do or say. Stick to the truth, consider what you enjoy doing most and concentrate on exploring the possibilities available to you.

Be open and honest about SAGITTARIUS your feelings. Expand your (Nov. 23relationships with people who Dec. 21) share your concerns and are heading in a similar direction.

Change your surroundings to suit your lifestyle.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) YESTERDAY'S WORD - PARADIGMS

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

It’s OK to do things differently. Focus on home, family and setting up your house to add to its comfort and convenience. Strive to reach your goal and to stabilize meaningful relationships.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Don’t make promises you cannot keep or give a false impression about your feelings. An intelligent explanation will help you sway the opinion of someone who can help you reach your goal.

PISCES

Head in a direction that makes you stretch your imagination. Strive to discover what you can do, keep an open mind and walk away from anything or anyone that isn’t in your best interest.

(Feb. 20March 20)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

21

Intriguing final day awaits in World Test Championship final A

– as Williamson, Shami and Southee shine on penultimate day

defensive masterclass from Kane Williamson all but eliminated a defeat for New Zealand in the World Test Championship final, but India were resolute in the session they got to bat, losing just the two wickets and ending the penultimate day 32 runs ahead. It needed Tim Southee's genius to prise out the openers in arguably the best conditions of a Test that has proved to be torrid for batters - so torrid that a result is still possible despite only 225 overs of play in the five regulation days of the Test.

As was the case in the twoTest series between these two teams in New Zealand, the contribution from the lower order proved to be the difference: New Zealand's last five wickets added 114, compared to India's, which added 61. Yet, their lead was only 32.

New Zealand began the day - an hour after time because of a drizzle - 116 behind with eight wickets in hand, but India's bowlers made sure New Zealand didn't run away with the game. It was a masterclass in controlled bowling in helpful conditions, giving New Zealand nothing to score off and finding enough wicket-taking deliveries in between.

In the second half of the innings, though, Williamson found support from Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee, whose risks against a nowtiring three-man seam attack came off. New Zealand's last

Kane Williamson picked up his scoring pace in the second session

five added 114 in 29 overs, which defied the prevailing run rate of around two in the rest of the match.

Before the lower order got away from them, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma put in quite

Mohammed Shami bagged 4 wickets

a shift to make sure New Zealand didn't bat them out of the contest. They did it

SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND 1ST INNINGS Tom Latham c Kohli b Ashwin 30 Devon Conway c Mohammed Shami b I Sharma 54 Kane Williamson (c) c Kohli b I Sharma 49 Ross Taylor c Shubman Gill b Mohammed Shami 11 Henry Nicholls c RG Sharma b I Sharma 7 BJ Watling † b Mohammed Shami 1 Colin de Grandhomme lbw b Mohammed Shami 13 Kyle Jamieson c Bumrah b Mohammed Shami 21 Tim Southee b Jadeja 30 Neil Wagner c Rahane b Ashwin 0 Trent Boult not out 7 Extras (b 4, lb 16, nb 6) 26 TOTAL (99.2 Ov, RR: 2.50) 249 Fall of wickets: 1-70 (Tom Latham, 34.2 ov), 2-101 (Devon Conway, 48.4 ov), 3-117 (Ross Taylor, 63.1 ov), 4-134 (Henry Nicholls, 69.3 ov), 5-135 (BJ Watling, 70.2 ov), 6-162 (Colin de Grandhomme, 82.1 ov), 7-192 (Kyle Jamieson, 86.6 ov), 8-221 (Kane Williamson, 93.6 ov), 9-234 (Neil Wagner, 96.3 ov), 10-

249 (Tim Southee, 99.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Ishant Sharma 25-9-48-3 Jasprit Bumrah 26-9-57-0 Mohammed Shami 26-8-76-4 Ravichandran Ashwin 15-5-28-2 Ravindra Jadeja 7.2-2-20-1 INDIA 2ND INNINGS Rohit Sharma lbw b Southee 30 Shubman Gill lbw b Southee 8 Cheteshwar Pujara not out 12 Virat Kohli (c) not out 8 Extras (lb 4, nb 1, w 1) 6 TOTAL (30 Ov, RR: 2.13) 64/2 Yet to bat: Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant †, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Shubman Gill, 10.4 ov), 2-51 (Rohit Sharma, 26.5 ov) BOWLING Tim Southee Trent Boult Kyle Jamieson Neil Wagner

O-M-R-W 9-3-17-2 8-1-20-0 10-4-15-0 3-0-8-0

the hard way: not looking for magic balls, but drying up runs with sustained, intense, good bowling. Between them, they bowled all the overs in the first session, followed by a half-anhour lull leading to the second new ball in the second session.

A good indicator of the quality of bowling and the surface is the rate at which Williamson is scoring, because he is a masterful batter who plays according to the situation. His 49 off 177 balls was his slowest innings of 20 or more balls. The last time New Zealand scored fewer than their 152 here in the first 80 overs in an innings was way back in 2002.

In the whole first session, you could count the number of ordinary balls on one hand: two inswingers down the leg side from Ishant that went unpunished, and a half-volley each from Shami and Bumrah.

Just 34 runs came in that session for the wickets of Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling.

Taylor swung hard at the sight of the first full ball he got, and ended up chipping to mid-off. Nicholls followed an around-the-wicket awayswinger. Watling got a peach from Shami, which pitched middle and hit top of off.

At the start of the second session, India had to relent a little, as the new ball was seven overs away. This is where the scoring rate started to turn, but with the new ball, Shami trapped Colin de Grandhomme with an inswinger from wide on the crease to make it 162 for 6. Jamieson, though, used his reach well to go after the bowlers. A ball after he hit the first six of the match, he topedged a hook to fall to Shami for 21 off 16.

New Zealand were still 25 behind, and Williamson now upped his intent a little. He upper-cut Shami for a four, started looking to open the face a little whenever allowed to go back, but still picked boundaries only off poor balls, which increased now that the three fast bowlers were close to bowling two sessions just by themselves.

Williamson will be cross with himself that in such a

situation he followed a wide ball from Ishant with an attempted back-foot drive, possibly leaving a few runs out there. Southee, though, made sure they took the lead past 30, hitting two sixes, going past Ricky Ponting to move to No. 15 on six-hitters' list in Test cricket.

However, it was Southee the bowler who kept New Zealand in the hunt for a win with highly skilful bowling.

India began batting with the final session of the day, a situation reminiscent of their defeat in Christchurch, where they lost six wickets in the last session of a day after the first innings of both sides had practically cancelled each other out.

That pitch had steep and uneven bounce. This one was now finally settling down going into the third day of use. There wasn't anything off the pitch available for the New Zealand bowlers, but the swing with the dukes was still a challenging proposition. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill

Tim Southee celebrating the dismissal of Rohit Sharma

looked in control, but Southee was just a little better.

Gill was removed in the 11th over when Southee followed up three outswingers with a change in seam position at the last moment, bowling his wobble-seam delivery, which swings in. Gill looked to flick to midwicket, which meant he was beaten on the inside edge and trapped in front.

Rohit looked more assured, and, in the company of Cheteshwar Pujara, was headed for stumps when Southee came back for a

testing second spell. They had had to endure the Jamieson examination before Southee took over.

Fifteen minutes before stumps, he took Rohit out with the inswinger, but this time with a seam-up delivery, only with the shiny side outside.

Rohit padded up, and was given out lbw.

Virat Kohli and Pujara played out the tricky last 15 minutes, but knew they had serious work to do on the final morning, the reserve day.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Olympics Tokyo 2020 President defends decision to allow spectators amid public frustration

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ith 30 days to go until the start of an Olympic Games dogged by the coronavirus pandemic and by controversy, Tokyo Olympics President Seiko Hashimoto has defended the organisers' decision to allow spectators into Olympic venues.

Japanese medical experts said last Friday that banning spectators was the least risky option, but also included in their report recommendations on how to host the Games if spectators were admitted.

Organisers said on Monday that up to 10,000 domestic spectators would be allowed into venues. Foreign visitors are banned. "We decided that it would be better to do the best preparations we can for a Games with spectators," Hashimoto said at a media roundtable attended by Reuters on Tuesday. He said the decision was in line with the medical experts' recommendations.

"Of course, I understand that holding the event without spectators would lower the risk, but there is evidence that there have been no clusters at other events and tournaments," Hashimoto said.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has still not ruled out holding the Games without spectators if Tokyo is put back

Tokyo Olympics Seiko Hashimoto

President

under a state of emergency, from which it emerged only on June 21. The Games' opening ceremony is set for July 23 (today).

Over the past year, organisers have pushed ahead with preparations for the Games, postponed from 2020 because of the pandemic, despite strong concerns among the Japanese public that hosting thousands of delegations from across the globe could result in further outbreaks of COVID-19 infection.

Many Japanese remain skeptical about the possibility of holding even a scaleddown Games safely during a pandemic.

The announcement on spectator caps, and media reports that organisers were considering allowing alcohol consumption in Olympic venues provoked a public backlash on Tuesday, with the hashtag "cancel the Olympic Games" garnering tens of

thousands of tweets.

Tokyo 2020 decided against selling alcohol at the venues following the backlash, Kyodo news agency reported late on Tuesday.

In another blow to the organisers' pledge that the Games would be safe, a member of the Ugandan delegation who arrived in Japan on the weekend tested positive for coronavirus, despite having been vaccinated and testing negative for COVID-19 before arrival.

The nine-strong delegation cancelled their plans to train, and are currently quarantining in a hotel, local media reported.

Hashimoto said the incident was proof of the effectiveness of the coronavirus measures in place. "We were able to identify this person at the border precisely because we have the proper border measures in place," she said.

But the arduous preparations for the Olympics also appeared to have taken its toll on organisers. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike was hospitalised on Tuesday, Kyodo reported, citing unnamed sources. The metropolitan Government said earlier on Tuesday evening that she would take the rest of the week off due to fatigue. (Reuters)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

RHTY&SC hosts first ever Tribute to Municipality Workers programme for Rose Hall Town – receives donation from GK Inc

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he 11 cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club last Friday hosted their first Tribute to Municipality Workers programme as the club blazes away to fulfill its target of holding 700 activities for 2021.

Brainchild of Club Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster, the programme’s main objective is to recognise and honour the outstanding workers of the Rose Hall Town Council who, on a daily basis, work beyond the call of duty in the development of Guyana’s smallest township.

A total of 10 workers were honoured - five from the junior staff and five from the administrative section. Those honoured were Town Clerk Natasha Griffith; Head of Market Section, Shelly Clarke; Head of Security, Sharon Mc Allister; Head of the Works section, Travis Mc Allister; and Treasurer Seromanie Ramdhial, along with Miranda Rodney, Esther Fraser, Leonard Cooper, Drupattie Peters and Stephen Ramsingh.

In a short presentation, Foster said that since the club was established in 1990, it has benefited from the services of

Awardees of the Tribute programme pose with Mayor Dave Budhoo

the Town Council, and despite some rough periods, it has also enjoyed a good working relationship with the Council and its leadership.

He recalled that management of the club had committed to working along with the Council to make a positive difference in the township at the start of the year, and has fulfilled that commitment with several major donations and the installation of close to 40 street lights across the town.

In the past, the club had spearheaded the restoration of the Area H Ground, constructed a children’s playfield, raised

funds for an all-weather court, erected street signs, constructed a charity kitchen and a 175th monument, among numerous community projects in the township.

Residents have also benefited from numerous medical outreaches, youth fairs, musical evenings, cleanup campaigns, Christmas villages and job fairs, while the club has organised the town’s anniversary celebrations on five different occasions, including a 2017 memorable 175th celebration of the formation of Rose Hall Village.

Foster, one of the selected

Sammy appointed newest member of CWI Board of Directors

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Former Windies Captain Daren Sammy

ormer West Indies cricket Captain Daren Sammy, OBE, is the newest member of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Board of Directors following his appointment as an independent non-member director by the CWI Board at a meeting held last Thursday, 17th June 2021.

With over 14 years of international cricket experience, Sammy is celebrated by many in the region and across the world as a charismatic and inspirational figure, renowned for leading the West Indies to back-toback ICC T20 World Cup titles in 2012 and 2016, Daren is the first international cricketer from his native Saint Lucia, where the national stadium has been named in his honour.

He has captained the Windward Islands cricket team in addition in several domestic T20 leagues both regionally and internationally.

Sammy is an awardee of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and is a Goodwill Ambassador for St Lucia. He is also the current Head Coach of Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League, and is a Cricket Consultant for the St. Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Sammy’s appointment to the CWI Board of Directors

is in keeping with two of the fundamental principles which have guided the CWI improvement strategy for the past two years – increased utilisation of regional technical expertise and the implementation of a Cricket First Policy. It is expected that Mr Sammy’s appointment will add a fresh and more youthful perspective, as well as a high level of updated cricket know-how to enhance the existing expertise in the CWI Boardroom.

Commenting on Daren Sammy’s addition to the Board, CWI President Ricky Skerritt said, “I am delighted to welcome Daren Sammy as an independent, nonmember Director whose role will be to ensure that all the right questions are being asked while contributing to the shaping of new ideas and solutions. Daren’s fairly recent experience as a twotime World Cup-winning captain will bring with him a much-needed modernday cricketer’s perspective which should add valuable insights to Board discussions and decision-making. His appointment is testament to our commitment to strengthen CWI’s governance, and to utilise expertise from across all stakeholder groups.”

On his new appointment, Sammy said, “It is an honour to be appointed as a CWI Director; this is another great opportunity for me to give my best to West Indies cricket in a new way, off the field.

All my local, regional and international experiences have prepared me to make a significant ongoing impact in West Indies cricket. I am excited and thankful for the chance to serve, and look forward to giving back to the sport and region that I love so much.”

Sammy’s appointment is one of three (3) made of Independent Directors approved at last Thurday’s CWI Board of Directors’ meeting to serve for the next two years. He joins Trinidadian Attorney Mrs. Debra Coryat-Patton and Jamaican Surgeon and University Administrator Dr. Akshai Mansingh, who were both re-appointed to serve a second term.

CWI’s Articles allow for up to four (4) non-member directors, which means there is one (1) slot remaining which the Board intends to fill in the near future. All directors’ appointments will expire in 2023 at the conclusion of CWI’s Annual General Meeting of that year.

few from the township to have received a national award from the Government of Guyana, has urged the awardees to uphold their high standards, and to always be courteous and polite while serving the residents of the town.

He congratulated the Town Clerk and Mayor Dave Budhu on their outstanding leadership of the town with the limited resources at their disposal.

He recommitted the club to assisting the council as much as possible, and announced that the RHTY&SC would continue to sponsor the Tribute programme in the future.

Town Clerk Natasha Griffith said the council is delighted to work along with the club, which is a household name across the county. She hailed the cooperation of the management of the club in the development

of the small town.

Mayor Budhu said the council is very grateful for the club, and would join hands with it to host the first Major’s Tribute programme for workers. He said the RHTY&SC had expanded the programme at the last stage to include more workers after the initial propose to honour just four workers.

He wished the cricket teams all the best in the future, and saluted them on being outstanding ambassadors of Rose Hall Town.

Each of the awardees received a medal of excellence, framed certificate of excellence, a food hamper and a special gift.

On the request of the mayor, the club would next month donate a microwave oven to the council.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Georgetown-based GK Inc visited the office of the club

and held a fruitful discussion with Secretary Hilbert Foster and his deputy Simon Naidu on plans to make a difference in the lives of youths using the forum of sports and education.

Managing Director of the company, Mr Ramdeo Kumar, has said he was impressed with the work of the club, and would like to collaborate with it to make sure that youths who are involved in sports also understand the importance of education.

Kumar handed a quantity of medical supplies to Foster for distribution. The items included face masks, face shields and blood glucose monitoring systems. The company also made a financial contribution of fifty thousand dollars towards a house restoration project, the club is currently undertaking for one of its junior members.

Fully vaccinated fans in Grenada get chance to see West Indies vs South Africa T20I action

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ricket fans in Grenada will get the chance to see the reigning World T20 Champions, West Indies, in action against South Africa in the upcoming five-match T20 International (T20I) Series.

Following the request from the Government of Grenada to explore the opportunity to have fans at the matches, the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Grenada Cricket Association (GCA) and Cricket West Indies (CWI), has made provision for fully vaccinated spectators to attend the five-match series.

Fully vaccinated fans would need to have received their second vaccine dose 14 days before the game that they wish to attend in order to be eligible to purchase tickets.

The first match will be at the Grenada National Stadium on Saturday June 26, with subsequent matches on Sunday June 27; Tuesday June 29; Thursday July 1; and Saturday July 3. First ball daily is at 2pm local time (1pm Jamaica Time).

Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI, has said: “Following the return of fans during the second Betway Test in St Lucia, we are delighted to gradually welcome back fans into the stands at the Grenada National Stadium.

“We know they will have a great time watching our World Champions take on our visitors from South Africa. This is a step in the right direction, and we again want to thank all the health officials and organisers who made sure all systems are in place to keep everyone safe for what promises to be an exciting series.”

Fully vaccinated fans would need to have received their second vaccine dose 14 days before the game they are attending. In order to be eligible to purchase tickets, fans must produce their vaccination documentation and national ID to be able to purchase a ticket.

Fully vaccinated fans would be seated in the top

tiers of the Junior Murray/ Rawl Lewis Stand and the Members Stand.

The price per ticket is EC$50 per match day. Fans can purchase a five-match season pass for EC$200 at a special promotional price, essentially getting one match ticket for free when they purchase four.

There is also a special offer of any three matches for EC$120 applying to the matches from the second to the fifth. Tickets for all matches go on sale from Tuesday, June 22, and will run daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the main ticket booth at the Grenada National Stadium until July 2.

This venue will be used for ticket sales on NON-MATCH DAYS. Details for ticket sales booth on match days will be announced at a later date.

Fans would need to wear facemasks to gain entry to the venue, and then keep wearing masks throughout the match. They will also need to remain socially distanced at all times when seated. A limited number of vendors will be selling non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, and fans will be able to take their own small coolers into the stadium.

For fans to get a ticket and gain access to the National Stadium, the following steps must be taken to meet COVID-19 match protocols Tickets will be available only to those who have been vaccinated two weeks in advance of the game that they are attending. * Fans must bring their

vaccination documentation and national ID when purchasing tickets, with tickets issued at the box office on non-match days * Fans can purchase tickets for a maximum of 4 friends and family if they bring the vaccination documentation and national IDs for the family members they are purchasing tickets for. * All fans must bring their vaccination documentation, national ID, and valid ticket to gain entry. * All fans must wear masks/face shields, and be socially distanced at all times. * Fans can bring in 12”x12”x12” coolers with: * Food and non-alcoholic beverages in plastic/non-glass bottles * No glass, no alcohol, no knives/sharp metal objects * Ice in bags (not loose) to allow for security searches * Security will be searching coolers for the above items * Tickets are nontransferable * No patron under the age of 18 would be allowed in.

(Windies Cricket)

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23

Holder, Kellman return in Golden Jags 23-man Gold Cup squad

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ead Coach Marcio Maximo, and by extension the GFF, quite early this time around released a 23-man squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminaries, a week and five days before the Golden Jaguars take to the field.

A handful of notable changes have been made in the Senior Men’s National Team that would represent Guyana next weekend at the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 p re l i m i n a r y

qualification round. The 23-man squad is comprised of 12 local players and 11 foreign- based players.

The Golden Jags will be tasked with defeating Guatemala on July 3 in order to move on to the next round of qualification games for the Gold Cup. As compared to their last World Cup 2022 roster, Defenders Miguel Scarlett and Bayli Spencer-Adams, midfielder Pernell Schultz, and Forward

Osafa Simpson have been dropped from the team.

On the other hand, Bolton Wanderers FC defender Reiss Greenidge and Bournemouth FC forward Connor Kurran-Browne have been recruited, with Midfielder Curtez Kellman and forward Sheldon Holder making their long-awaited returns.

after being listed as a forward in Guyana’s last four matches.

McKenna was dominant in Guyana’s midfield during their encounters with St. Kitts and Puerto Rico earlier this month.

The remaining players on Guyana’s 60-man provisional tournament squad list will be placed on standby. According

The remainder of the team reads: Goalkeepers Akel Clarke, Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Shawn Adonis; Defense: Marcus Wilson, Matthew Briggs, Liam Gordon, Terence Vancooten, Nicholai Andrews, Kevin Layne; Midfielders: Nathan MoriahWelsh, Javier George, Daniel Wilson, Job Caesar, Stephen Duke-McKenna; and Forwards: Keanu Marsh-Brown, Omari Glasgow, Kelsey Benjamin, Trayon Bobb and Emery Welshman.

In the staff positions, Wayne Dover has been added as an Assistant Coach alongside Assistant Coach Charles Pollard, head Coach Marcio Maximo and Goalkeeper Coach Eon DeVieira.

Some other prominent changes in the Golden Jags squad see Marcus Wilson being moved from midfield to defense, the position he plays for Santos FC. Stephen Duke-Mckenna has also been bumped up to the midfield,

to the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), “After the deadline for submission, changes will only be allowed in the event of force majeure or injury up until 24 hours before each team’s group stage first match. All changes must be approved by CONCACAF.” The Golden Jaguars meeting with Guatemala is scheduled for the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 9.30pm local time, and should they make it over that hurdle, they will turn their attention to the winner of the Guadeloupe vs the Bahamas fixture on July 6.

Winning that game will guarantee entry into Group C of the Gold Cup, which is set to run from July 10 to August 1. Group C currently consists of Costa Rica, Jamaica and Suriname.

Motie’s all-round brilliance leads Galaxy to comfortable win – Bishoo contributes to the cause

Contributing to the victory in a reduced capacity but with both ball and bat was Devendra Bishoo.

In the game, Galaxy CC won the toss an opted to bat Devendra Bishoo supported with 49 first. From the get-go, the handy runs and a wicket for 23 runs Galaxy side found themselves in a spot of bother, as they n action in the Caribbean lost wickets in quick succession.

Fest 40 overs tournament on Sunday, the Galaxy The score moved from 9 for 1 to Cricket Club defeated the New 28 for 5, and then saw respite York Kings, thanks to a brilliant before progressing to 77 for 6.

It seemed as though the all round performance from Galaxy side would be bundled Guyana Amazon Warriors player Gudakesh Motie. out for less than 100 runs, but

I

The victorious Galaxy Cricket Club

that was before Motie came to the crease with something to prove, and smashed a rather aggressive 57 which included 5 boundaries and 2 maximums at a strike rate of 116.33.

The revival was far from over as, even though Motie’s wicket fell, former West Indies player Devendra Bishoo played his part and contributed a handy 49. And just when the Kings thought they had wrapped up the game, Telson Johnson blasted a quickfire 62 off 36 deliveries, his innings including 3 boundaries and 6 maximums to take the Galaxy score to 216 all out in 34.4 overs.

Bowling for the Kings were Maninder Jakhu, who took 3-44; Sanjeev Rahull Kumar, who took 5-29; and Anmolpreet Singh, who snared a wicket for 35 runs.

Needing 217 runs to win – an achievable goal if they put their minds to it - the Kings soon found themselves faring worse than their opponents, as the score moved from a wicket

Trinidadian boxer to visit Guyana enroute to Tokyo Olympics

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or the next week or so, Guyana will play host to Trinidadian boxer Aaron Prince, who is in full preparation mode for the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

The 35-year-old middleweight pugilist is expected in Guyana this evening, alongside his Coach and first Vice President of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association, Reynold Cox. According to Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle, the one-week stay will entail Prince’s preparation for the upcoming international event.

“We’re happy that they could’ve chosen Guyana.

There are many other countries in the Caribbean they could’ve chosen. It also shows the close alliance that we have,” Ninvalle shared in an invited comment.

This is Prince’s first time qualifying for the Olympics after 4 tries. His journey to the World Games has been stretched out over 13 years, and he is only the fourth Trinidadian amateur boxer in history to qualify for the Games.

Keevin Allicock, who is bound for the Olympics, and Coach Sebert Blake

Russia Bound!

Giving an update on Guyana’s own Olympic representative Keevin Allicock, the GBA boss shared that Allicock is expected to depart the Land of Many Waters next week enroute to Russia for a high- performance training camp.

“On the other hand, Keevin Allicock is preparing to leave Guyana early next week for Russia, to engage in a three-week training camp, and then leave from Russia to go to the Olympics,” Ninvalle informed this publication.

As expected, the 22-yearold Allicock, who hails from Albouystown, will be

accompanied by his long-time Coach Sebert Blake, who has had a great influence on his career.

“Of course, we will be writing the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) for his release, so that he can accompany Keevin. As a matter of fact, Sebert has been with Keevin almost entirely through his boxing career, so it’s just appropriate that Blake should accompany him to the Olympics and to the training camp,” Ninvalle shared.

Keevin Allicock is one of 5 Guyanese athletes who have thus far qualified to participate in the July 23August 8 Olympic Games.

Gudakesh Motie took his team over the line with 57 brilliant runs and 4 wickets for 25 runs

without a run recorded to 93 all out, thanks to the bowling efforts of Motie, who was undeniably excellent in terms of line and length.

Motie picked up 4-25, ably supported by Hemindra Ramdihal with 4-18 and Devendra Bishoo with 1-23.

Motie has thus far played a total of 4 matches, and has scored 57 runs at an average of 28.50. He has also shown his worth with the ball in bagging 8 wickets at an average of 6.75 and an economy rate of 3.12.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021

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

MHS, CWSS boosted by ‘Shuttle Time project’ A

s promised after their trip to Berbice, the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) made their way to Linden to further extend the Shuttle Time Project.

Mackenzie High School and the Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School were graced with the presence of Guyana Badminton Association President Gokarn Ramdhani, Vice President Ayanna Watson, Secretary Emelia Ramdhani and National Champions Narayan an Priyanna Ramdhani as they participated in the ‘Shuttle Time Project’ 3&4.

Only recently, the group travelled to Berbice over the past weekend, where they carried out projects 1&2 at two secondary schools; namely, Berbice High School and the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School.

The ‘Shuttle time Project’ is geared at introducing children to the sport of badminton while simultaneously developing the sport in Guyana.

Organised by the GBA, student athletes Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani are the ones to conduct the

Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani taking a photo opportunity with students of the CWSS

introductory sessions.

Aside from the sessions, the GBA presented each school with Shuttle Time kits, which include rackets, shuttlecocks and nets, in order to keep the sport active in the respective schools.

The Ramdhani siblings have once again made a personal donation of 11 rackets to potential players.

In a statement, the Badminton Association

extended its gratitude to a number of persons who made the engagement in Linden possible.

“The GBA would like to thank the Headmaster Haslyn Small, Deputy Head Auja Sealey and Physical Education (PE) Teacher Shavin Green of Mackenzie High School, and the Headmistress Shellanne Craigwell and Physical Education (PE) Teacher Selon Peters of the Christianburg-

Wismar Secondary School, for arranging the large turnout of students for this Shuttle Time Project at their respective schools,” the Association wrote.

They added, “The GBA would also like to thank Lindley Langhorn (Head Physical Education Allied Arts) for arranging the two schools so that we were able to execute the Shuttle Time Project.”

GBA President Gokarn Ramdhani making a presentation to MHS Headmaster Haslyn Small

A global project instituted by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the

Shuttle Time Project was first launched in Guyana back in 2017.

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