Guyana Times - Wednesday, June 30, 2021

8 orphanages "adopted" through First Lady’s Office, Private Sector partnership

P5 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4694

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

Isaiah Henry’s brother, 3 accused accomplices charged for killing Haresh Singh

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Mining pit caves in, kills 1 at Blackwater Backdam P14 – Labour Ministry launches probe into fatal incident

See story on page 2

Murdered: Haresh Singh

Fishing industry contributes 3% to Guyana’s GDP – Min Mustapha P17 ...as World Fisherfolk Day is observed

Gladston Henry

Joel Gittens

Charles Scott

Region 2 businesses benefit from business development P13 training

Phillip Anderson

CJ rules against NICIL over termination of GuySuCo land leases Page 3

– injunction granted preventing NICIL from evicting lessees … NICIL to present reasons on other grounds

June’s COVID Silvercorp snaps death toll jumps up 15.2% shares in Omai Gold Mines to 70 with 2 – to now own 4.4 million shares more fatalities with option to purchase more – 68 new cases detected in 24h

Page 10

Brazilian P16 businessman found dead in city guest house Gun, narcotics found at Charity P17

Norton Street man remanded for stabbing P8 brother to death

Page 12

PSC discusses security concerns with Top Cop

Page 5

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Isaiah Henry’s brother, 3 accused accomplices charged for killing Haresh Singh

T

he brother of slain Isaiah Henry and cousin of Joel Henry, whose mutilated bodies were found at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB), in September 2020, along with three other men were on Tuesday arraigned for the murder of 17-year-old Haresh Singh.

Those charged and remanded to prison are 29-yearold Phillip Anderson of No 3 Village, WCB, who confessed to the heinous crime following his arrest; 27-yearold Joel Gittens also called “Bolo” of Jangotown, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Gladston Henry also called Gladwin Henry, known

Gladston Henry

Joel Gittens

Charles Scott

Phillip Anderson

as “Soldier man”, 27, of No 3 Village, WCB and Charles “Bucko” Scott, 21, of Jarvis Street, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice (WBB).

The men appeared virtually before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court. They were not required to plead to the in-

dictable charge, which stated that on September 9, 2020, they murdered Haresh Singh at Number 3 Village, WCB. They were remanded to

prison and will make their next court appearance on July 12 at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court.

The men appeared before the Magistrate moments after the Major Crimes Unit received legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Tuesday to institute murder charges against them.

Anderson, Scott and Gittens were arrested one week ago after Police had intensified their investigations. During interrogation, Anderson reportedly gave the detectives a confession statement implicating Scott and Gittens along with Gladston Henry, the brother of slain Isaiah Henry and cousin of Joel Henry.

In his confession, Anderson reportedly told detectives that a few days after the badly battered bodies of the Henry boys were found, Gladston Henry went to his home and told him that Singh's relatives were the ones responsible for his brother's death and that "they got to die," as a form of revenge.

He said that Gladston Henry asked that he accompany him on the road where they were joined by Gittens and Scott. As they were heading towards the road, they armed themselves with pieces of wood.

Anderson stated that they went straight to Haresh Singh's house and accused his relatives of killing his brother and cousin. They reportedly started to verbally abuse the family and threatened to kill them.

After the confrontation, they left and went to the back of Isaiah’s home then to a dam at No 3 Village.

He said there, they crossed a bridge and went to the other side where they saw Haresh Singh approaching on his bike. As such, the four men instructed him to stop and Singh complied but refused to come off the bike when he was told to do so.

An angered Gittens reportedly grabbed Singh from behind and pulled him off the bike after which he bent him

over and it was then Henry’s relative dealt him one blow to the head.

After receiving the blow, Singh was thrown to the ground where he groaned in pain, the man told Police. Still full of anger, Gittens then picked up a piece of wood and repeatedly lashed Singh to his head.

Upon seeing this, Anderson told detectives that he walked away but subsequently learnt that Singh had died and his bike was set on fire.

Anderson, admitted that from the inception, he was working in cohort with Henry’s relatives, “Bucko” and “Bolo” but after witnessing the brutal attack on Singh, he regretted being involved.

He has since apologised

Murdered: Haresh Singh

for being involved in the heinous crime especially after he found out that Singh's family was innocent and had nothing to do with the Henry boys' murder.

Singh's body was found on September 9, 2021, three days after the badly chopped bodies of Isaiah and Joel Henry were found.

Following the discovery, there were countrywide protests calling for justice for the boys. The Police initiated their investigations and shortly after they were joined by a team of overseas experts.

They all concluded that the Henry boys were murdered at a location other than the area their mutilated bodies were found since no bloodstains or weapons were found at the scene.

The murder of Singh stemmed after several of the now dead teen’s relatives were arrested and questioned for the murder of the Henry cousins on September 6, 2020. Three days after that gruesome discovery, Haresh Singh’s battered body was found at the No 3 Backdam along with his burnt motorcycle.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, June 30 – 09:00h – 10:30h and Thursday, July 1 – 09:30h – 11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, June 30 – 08:25h – 09:55h and Thursday, July 1 – 09:25h – 10:55h.

CJ rules against NICIL over termination of GuySuCo land leases – injunction granted preventing NICIL from evicting lessees …NICIL to present reasons on other grounds

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers during the day. There will be thundery showers and clear skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 08:35h and 21:09h reaching maximum heights of 2.38 metres and 2.28 metres.

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Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

T

he National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), which was taken to court after revoking a number of leases last year, on Tuesday had its attempts to defend itself dashed out by Acting Chief Justice Roxane George who ruled in favour of the claimants.

Among those who had contested NICIL’s revocation of their leases was Cevons Waste Management and Ankoko Equipment Rentals incorporated, as well as a number of private citizens who were joined in the proceedings.

They had claimed that NICIL’s Notice to Quit was in breach of their lease agreement and had sought an order staying the State entity’s attempts to evict them from the land. But NICIL in its counterclaim had sought the court’s dismissal of their challenges.

NICIL claimed in its application that the matter should be one for arbitration and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain their case. NICIL had also contended that the lands which were allocated to these lessees, most of which are part of the Enmore Sugar Estate and owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), were needed by the State for sugar cane cultivation.

The leases, however, provided for three to 12 months’ Notice of Termination to be served on the lessees and according to the acting Chief Justice in her ruling on the cases involving Edwards, Baggott, Austin and Austin, Henry, Lawrence and Walters vs NICIL, NICIL has to consider its contractual obligations before terminating a lease.

She pointed out that it is only after issuance of a breach notice and a failure to comply, that Notice of Termination can be given. Additionally, she noted that the lessee has to be given an opportunity to rectify said breach.

“I do not agree with the submission that NICIL has a right of election as to which clause it can utilise to terminate leases.

Nor do I agree that it can do so at will. This reasoning also applies to the Wales estate.

Thus, I have concluded that the termination of the leases is void as being in breach of the lease agreements.”

“It is this court’s ruling that the… grounds to termi-

nate the leases and the provisions of clause 9 as a whole would have to be complied with. There is no factual circumstance that NICIL has established that permit the termination of the leases. NICIL cannot now rely on what appears to be a self-imposed frustration of contract based on an alleged policy change.”

The CJ did agree with NICIL’s contentions that public law was not applicable to its termination of the leases. Here she cited the judgement of late Chief Justice Ian Chang, in the case of Edward Singh, 113 M of 2003, before granting NICIL’s application to strike out Statement of Claim (SOC) 231 of 2020.

Ultimately, the Chief Justice also granted a permanent injunction restraining NICIL or anyone acting on its behalf from enforcing the Notices to Quit that were served on the claimants or in any way interfering with them.

When it comes to Cevons Waste Management and Ankoko Equipment, the CJ noted that the arbitration clauses are applicable. She pointed out that Sections 3 and 5 of the Arbitration Act show that an application for this form of alternative dispute resolution can be made in this context.

“The burden is on the claimants to show cause, why the court should not give effect to the arbitration clauses, which are part of the leases they executed… while I

National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited

agree with (Attorney-at-Law Devindra Kissoon, appearing for NICIL) that clause 10 of the agreement of lease does not speak to the forum that is to adjudicate, I do not consider that the (Notice of Application) from the State has merits.”

“I have concluded that these are cases which call for an interpretation of the lease agreements as a matter of law, whether the letters of termination from NICIL properly terminated the leases given the termination clauses of the contract,” the Chief Justice said, noting that the NOA for the

stays are dismissed.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice indicated that NICIL can present reasons on other grounds for its revocation of a number of leases in 2020.

Senior Counsel Edward Lukhoo, in association with Senior Counsel Timothy Jonas, appeared on behalf of the personal parties, while Senior Counsel Neil Boston appeared on behalf of Cevons Waste Management and Ankoko and Solicitor General Nigel Hawke appeared on behalf of the Attorney General as the second named respondent.

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 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

Elderly Abuse Awareness

T

he United Nations has sought to bring awareness to issues affecting mankind globally and June 15 was identified by that body as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”.

Elder neglect and abuse are increasing in the modern construct of families, converse to traditional norms of most societies. Every family configuration in Guyana evolved from strong structures where elders were respected members of the family; their advice integral to preserving family values and traditions. However, in the modern family configuration, older family members are sent to nursing homes where they live out their lives.

Some are pining for the company and the familiarity of home and family; or they are left to fend for themselves, with no help proffered by their children.

An example of such loneliness is the case of a grandmother who decided to take her own life. According to news reports, the grandmother had been living in the upper flat of her own home while relatives occupied the lower apartment – rent-free.

Neighbours revealed that she had been eking out an existence off the Government pension, which had apparently not been enough to pay her bills and provide her with sustenance for survival. After paying her utilities she was not left with sufficient funds to purchase enough groceries on which to subsist; so hunger drove her to take credit from the grocery store, which, of course, left her in debt that she could not repay. Caught in a vicious cycle of financial straits from which she could not extricate herself, in desperation she ended her life.

With rare exceptions to the general norm, this current generation seems to think that the elderly are disposable commodities, only for use as convenient babysitters, without being accorded any status of respect or care as an elderly family member.

It is absolutely heart-breaking for a child to sit down at a laden table without considering that the mother who provided the wherewithal for his/her every need until he/ she could fend for him or herself, is going hungry – to the extent where she decides that death is preferable to slow starvation, and loss of dignity through having to credit basic foodstuff in desperation, in full knowledge that she most likely would not be able to pay for the items.

Recently, a former educator, a nonagenarian, was raped and beaten in her dilapidated home, where she was subsisting without electricity and other necessary amenities.

Guyana Times reported, on Saturday last, that a man was stabbed to death by his brother after hitting his mother.

Religious leaders should be pivots around which communities circumnavigate their social dynamics – and elders, single parents and children should be under community watch at all times. It was the way of all our cultures; but, sadly, we all seem to have lost our way, as a nation of diverse cultures that once held dear the elders of our society.

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Political Declaration adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in April 2002 marked a turning point in how the world addresses the key challenge of “building a society for all ages”.

Guyana’s interactive community lifestyles have eroded to the point of non-existence. This contretemps is the primary factor that contributes to most societal ills; of which parental neglect – and even abuse – is merely one component of sick, fractured societies.

Minister Vindhya Persaud asserted “We have decided to work with our Elderly Commission and to look at programmes where we can improve the lives of the elderly outside of the regular ones like pension.”

The elderly in societies are often taken advantage of and relegated to the sidelines of life. Minister Persaud’s promise is comforting.

Children of Perseverance-High Dam Community, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) participated in a career day exercise during a community outreach by officers of the Department of Education (Education Ministry photo)

Creating antipathetic reactions

Dear Editor, Government has expressed concern over the volume of transient migrants, surmising that a human trafficking ring is involved, with great justification. During the torturous 2020 pre and post elections saga, there was ample evidence of the facilitation of human trafficking by leaders of an identified political configuration.

Allegations were rife that large sums were being expended from the nation’s coffers to facilitate travel, house and support illegal aliens and to provide them with Guyanese identity documents such as birth certificates and national identity cards, with Guyanese names.

A news item published on November 14, 2020, headlined “Five in custody after 26 Haitians ‘discovered’ in suspected smuggling ring” related those 26 Haitian nationals were placed in protective care after Police, during multiple operations, discovered them in a suspected smuggling racket at a city hotel and a minibus on the Linden-

Mabura Road.

In protective care are 10 men, nine women, and seven children (two boys and five girls).

The children were proven not to be related to any of the adults in the party, which is alarming as revelations are circulating worldwide of incidents of kidnapping of persons for body parts, as well as for the usual reasons persons, including children are kidnapped, primarily as slave labourers and sex slaves.

Making one’s country an in-transit hub to facilitate incursions by human aliens into neighbouring countries goes against international protocols and can create antipathetic reactions from the country being invaded.

For instance, the Government of Brazil has complained to the Government of Guyana about this country being used as a transhipment point for illegal aliens entering Brazil.

Several incidents reported by the media of Suriname last year referenced a surge of Haitians entering Suriname illegally

from Guyana.

The 26 Haitians had provided false information to immigration officials on their arrival in Guyana, which caused suspicion of human smuggling, so a deportation order was sought and granted by Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in December 2020.

However, the Chief Justice, on December 3 last, issued a conservatory order halting the deportation of the 26 Haitians, in an action filed by Attorney Darren Wade against AG Anil Nandlall, contending that the order for deportation issued by the Magistrate was arbitrary, and in violation of the fundamental rights of his clients.

After the Chief Justice issued the Conservatory Order, the Attorney General informed her that their passports would be returned and they would be delivered to a location of their own choosing. This was done and within days they had disappeared, validating the Government’s contention that their move-

ments were facilitated by a smuggling ring operating out of Guyana.

Subsequently, it was reported that Allandres Archer had withdrawn his name from representing the 26 Haitians. Archer claimed “I was contacted

by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade to give an affidavit to be a witness and it ended up I was the person who was taking the Government to court… I never agreed to that; I never wanted no (sic!) part of it, I received the people from the airport.

I brought them to the hotel, I checked them in, then we got arrested and that was basically what I agreed on: But to take the Government to court or to fight on behalf of the Haitians was never my intention.”

It is important to note, as a matter of great significance, that the lawyer who went to great lengths to champion the cause of the 26 Haitians who breached Guyana’s immigration prerequisites is a staunch PNC member.

Dear Editor, I know some people are getting impatient while waiting on the Government and the Ministry of Health to get the shipment of vaccines so they can have their second shots and boost their immune system response further against the COVID-19 virus.

And while that’s understandable, I believe the safest thing to do while we wait, is to continue taking measures to protect ourselves.

Don’t become complacent. Don’t blame the Government. Don’t listen to Harmon or the Opposition’s dubious claims. Just wait quietly.

I say so because I too am waiting on the second dose of the Sputnik V to be fully immunised.

The guidelines and regulations are still in force. You still need to practice social distancing and wear your masks properly when in public places. Do not forget

to wash and sanitise your hands.

And you need to be familiar with the time that you have to wait.

The Sinopharm vaccine’s first dose lasts for 21-28 days until the second dose while the Sputnik V vaccines can provide coverage for 4-12 weeks until the second dose is available. The AstraZeneca is 4-12 weeks at most.

This information is according to the Ministry of

Health and the health officials dealing with the COVID-19 vaccines and process.

I want this vaccine disparity to end and the global shortage to be eliminated. I believe the Government is working, in overdrive, to get us the shots we need.

Keep reading and you will know when the vaccine comes to Guyana. Be safe!

With regards, Todd A Morgan

Stay safe while we wait

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

5

News PSC discusses security concerns with Top Cop S

ecurity concerns faced by the business community were on Tuesday discussed with the Police Commissioner, as officials from the Private Sector Commission toured the Guyana Police Force’s Command Centre – the main monitoring unit for crime and other activities.

The PSC delegation was led by Chairman, Paul Cheong and accompanied

by Vice Chairman of the PSC, Krishnand Jaichand; Chairman of the Governance and Security SubCommittee, Retired General Norman McLean; President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Timothy Tucker; National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia and other members of the Private Sector.

Conducting the tour of the facility was Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie; Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum and other Police officials.

Critical interventions discussed were robberies around Georgetown, traffic violations, Police training, protection of businesses, crime-fighting capabilities and areas for collaboration.

During the tour of the facility, discussions focused primarily on the role of the Command Centre in combatting crime around the country. The Commissioner of Police in brief noted that the Command Centre has strengthened not only the forensic and criminal investigative techniques of the Force but its ability in crime detection. This is through the use and application of several cameras around the country. Commissioner Hoppie indicated that ranks are undergoing continuous training to ensure the effective functioning of the Centre.

The Centre currently boasts several television monitors that are used to trace incidents and to link

Top Cop Nigel Hoppie with members of the Private Sector during a tour of Guyana Police Force’s Command Centre

these with ambulances, fire service, and Police service responses. The Commission endorsed and commended the efforts of the Guyana Police Force and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate to advance peace and security in Guyana.

A few months ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali had revealed that the Government is in the process of crafting a robust anti-crime strategy that will safeguard the interests of both citizens and the Private Sector.

“We recognise the harmful effects of crime on businesses and we are formulating a robust anti-crime strategy to better protect businesses, communities, and citizens,” the President had outlined.

At the end of 2020, the

new Administration was working with the Private Sector in developing an anti-crime strategy.

“We recognise the need to improve public security.

We’ve begun to strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Police Force to combat crime and improving the capacity of the Guyana Revenue Authority to arrest contraband smuggling…My Government will work with the Private Sector in developing an anti-crime plan aimed to better protect the business community and citizens,” President Ali was quoted as saying to the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) during its Annual General Meeting.

The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry was also working on an electronic transaction bill that would provide the facilitation of secure electronic communications and transactions.

8 orphanages “adopted” through First Lady’s Office, Private Sector partnership

E

ight orphanages in Guyana are the first to benefit from the “Adopt an Orphanage” initiative, a flagship programme under the Office of the First Lady, where Private Sector entities have come on board to offset financial obligations at these homes.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the seven businesses and two individuals on Tuesday at State House, assuming the responsibility of financial aid to eight orphanages.

Those to benefit over the next couple of months include Joshua House, Bless the Children Home, Ruimveldt Children’s Home, St John Bosco Children’s Home, Canaan Children’s Home, Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanage, St Ann’s Orphanage and Prabhu Sharan Orphanage.

First Lady Arya Ali underscored that this initiative came about during an interaction with Guyaneseborn singer and songwriter, Carlos St John Phillips – who is known professionally as SAINt JHN. She noted that intervention was needed, having found that many homes are underfunded and there are necessities beyond meals are utilities.

“After putting some thought into it, I proposed a sustainable solution, which should guarantee continuous support for these institutions. I discussed with my team, the idea of using my office to create a link between these orphanages and corporate Guyana, what we now dub the Adopt

First Lady Arya Ali and Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud with the donors and recipients

an Orphanage initiative.

Businesses would play a meaningful role in supporting these orphanages and helping to alleviate some of the financial burdens which pose challenges in the provision of quality services,” Ali expressed.

The First Lady related that many of these children are in circumstances which make it difficult to have a normal childhood, and the benefit of adequate resources at their disposal.

“Every child is born with specific needs. Some of those critical needs include food and shelter, security and education; and the knowledge or belief that one is of value to themselves and others. Most if not all of us have enjoyed the comfort of our biological family and the benefit that affords.”

Meanwhile, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud outlined that these children must have every basic need, as she lauded the new programme.

“The needs are always manifold. Those needs in-

clude utilities. They include the nitty-gritty of basic life. But we want children to have much more than the necessities and this is where this initiative will allow those who benefit to utilise the funds that they would have had to divide between the necessities and what the children can benefit from in addition,” Dr Persaud noted.

In a video message, Grammy-winner SAINt JHN added, “They shouldn’t have to decide between

books and bikes…I visited about four or five places and I said I want to help them. So, I sat down with the First Lady…This was something that we wanted to happen and it happened.”

Stakeholders who came on board with the initiative are the Guyana Shore Base Incorporated, Atlantic Ventures Incorporated, Innovations America, Sammy’s, Oasis Café, Demerara Bank, Taslim Baksh and Neal Sukhlall.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Question 1

Tuesday’s answers

[“The eager note on my door said, ‘Call me,’”]

By Frank O'Hara The eager note on my door said “Call me, call when you get in!” so I quickly threw a few tangerines into my overnight bag, straightened my eyelids and shoulders, and headed straight for the door. It was autumn by the time I got around the corner, oh all unwilling to be either pertinent or

Design a maze C

reate a marble maze out of large straws and other materials.

This activity gives you room to try a challenge multiple times and many different ways, and gives you the opportunity to solve a problem creatively.

bemused, but the leaves were brighter than grass on the sidewalk!

Funny, I thought, that the lights are on this late and the hall door open; still up at this hour, a champion jai-alai player like himself? Oh fie! for shame! What a host, so zealous! And he was there in the hall, flat on a sheet of blood that ran down the stairs. I did appreciate it. There are few hosts who so thoroughly prepare to greet a guest only casually invited, and that several months ago.

WORD SEARCH

7 Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo slapped with more electoral fraud charges NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– released on bail; to make further court appearance next month

G

uyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, his Deputy Roxanne Myers, and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo have all been slapped with more charges in relation to their alleged attempts to rig the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The trio was each released on $100,000 bail when they appeared before Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday. They were not required to plead to the charge and are expected to return to court on July 14.

The charges alleged that between March 2 and August 2, 2020, at Georgetown, they conspired with each other and with Volda Lawrence, Carol Smith-Joseph, and others to defraud the electors of Guyana by declaring a false account of votes for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Lowenfield is already before the court on three counts of misconduct in public office, and three counts of forgery. Myers is before the court on two counts of misconduct in public office while Mingo was charged with four counts of misconduct in public office.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Meanwhile, Lawrence and Opposition activist, Carol Joseph are also before the court on electoral fraud charges.

In light of these charges, Government-nominated Commissioners at GECOM had tabled three motions calling for the dismissal of the trio. While no decision has been made on the motions, GECOM last week unanimously decided to send Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo on their annual leave.

The motions were 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 Karen Cummings

Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers

where she 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 pro-

cess to acquire his final tally of the SoPs. Justice Singh had written to both Lowenfield and Myers asking them to provide, in writing, respons-

Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

es to the motion indicating why they should not be dismissed from their substantive posts. Those responses were received and the officers were all sent on leave last week.

The decision to send the trio home on paid annual vacation leave was a unanimous one that had the full agreement of the Chairperson and all six Commissioners - Gunraj, Shadick and Narayan on the Government side, Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman from the Opposition.

However, no decision has been made on the motions.

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh is expected to make a decision on the way forward regarding the motions.

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Norton Street man remanded for stabbing brother to death T we nt y - s e v en-y earold Quincy Chase of Norton Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown, was on Tuesday arraigned for the murder of his brother when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Chase was not required to plead to the indictment which stated that on June 5, 2021, at Cummings Street, Bourda, he murdered Paul Chase.

As such, he was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on July 22, 2021.

It was reported that on the day in question, as per normal, the two men turned up at their mother’s house to have breakfast.

However, while there, the woman reportedly questioned Reynolds about a burnt spot on a mattress.

This angered him and

Upon seeing this, the now dead 24-year-old man confronted him and a heated argument broke out between them.

It was at that time, Reynolds armed himself with a knife and stabbed Chase once to the chest and once to the neck. As

Murdered: Paul Anthony Chase

as such, he began to shout at his mother in the living room. The suspect then dealt one cuff to his mother’s face, causing her to receive injuries to her left eye.

a result, Chase reportedly collapsed and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect was arrested with what appears to be a bite mark to his neck. He was later charged for the heinous crime.

GT man remanded for murder of Moruca miner during argument

T

hirty-year-old Charles Griffith of Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, was on Tuesday arraigned for the murder of Shane Blake when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the

Murder accused: Charles Griffith

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was not required to plead to the indictment which stated that on June 22, 2021, at Apaiqua Landing, Middle Mazaruni River, he murdered Shane Blake.

Griffith was remanded to prison until July 27, 2021, and the matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Blake, 30, a miner of Hymakabra, Moruca, Region One, was killed inside of an abandoned building at Apaiqua, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven.

It was reported that on the day in question, the victim was asleep when he was awakened by the armed suspect who ordered him to put on his clothes.

Upon being told so, the victim armed himself with a cutlass and chopped the suspect to his shoulder. The suspect retaliated by firing a shot in the victim’s direction, which struck him in the upper left chest area. The suspect subsequently fled the scene.

The victim was escorted by public-spirited citizens to a health post where he succumbed to his injury. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged for the heinous crime.

Flexing…

B

…(PNC) muscles in GOF y now your Eyewitness hopes his dear readers appreciate that in all of life happenstances, there’s the TEXT but more importantly, there’s the CONTEXT! Everything is context. So let’s look at the context of what’s going down between the President and the Police Service Commission (PSC). The latter is a CONSTITUTIONAL Commission governed by rules so that it’s not unduly influenced by outsiders – especially the Executive.

So far so good. But as Burnham was fond of pointing out, there are many ways to kill a cat. He, of course – as was his wont – illustrated his point for gory effect – you can give them mange, you can wring their necks, etc…etc. In the case of the GECOM Commission, we saw how Granger followed his mentor Burnham in unilateral appointments to control it.

With the PSC – which has three-year terms – Granger couldn’t appoint one of his minions who he could control immediately since it was appointed by Ramotar in 2015.

So, he did the next best thing for him – even though it was illegal and unconstitutional to boot. In 2017, he simply ORDERED the PSC – after “consulting “with Jagdeo as Opposition Leader –- to halt the appointments the CoP had recommended. In the meantime, chess player Granger brought up some cockamamie issue about the top ranks of the GPF not taking seriously an “assassination plot” on him as the reason for his order!

He appointed a one-man CoI in the person of retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe, who’d crossed swords on more than one occasion with the previous PPP Home Affairs Minister. There were no doubts about his leanings – just as there were none about past Police Commissioner Winston Felix who moved seamlessly from his Police office into Ministerial Office under the PNC. Anyhow, Slowe’s CoI duly presented his report and the Police Officers’ heads who Granger wanted out – rolled!

It didn’t surprise anyone when a year later, Slowe was appointed as Chair of the new Police Service Commission that dealt with all appointments below CoP and Assistant CoP. The new Granger-appointed CoP had submitted a welter of proposed appointments, but they were challenged by one officer who claimed he was unfairly bypassed. Then the PNC was outed and this same Slowe was caught with his hands allegedly in the cookie jar and dismissed by President Ali. The Court just ruled that the reason given for bypassing the officer – disciplinary infractions – was procedurally a valid one even though there was no substantive decision.

But in the meantime, the entire PSC – which was dismissed

by Pres Ali – with Slowe refusing to move on, has insisted its appointments are valid.

The President says they aren’t.

It’s all politics by other means!! …by PNC on Haitian abuse Now that the PNC and its Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix are out of office, the dirty underside of the trafficking in Haitian migrants is coming to light. Some folks love to go on about the historic revolution by Haitians between 1793 and 1802 to defeat the French Empire and free itself from slavery. But they should explain that apart from the machinations of the Europeans and Americans, the Haitian leadership also have played a big role to keep them as perennial “poorest country in the Western Hemisphere”.

But for the grace of God that would’ve been our fate under Burnham – but luckily, he passed on an operating table in Georgetown. By which time we were perched precariously just above Haiti. In his last decade, fully a quarter of our population fled to every country under the sun – legally and illegally.

So we should be sympathetic to the plight of the Haitians.

But unlike the PNC, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to their exploitation by coyotes. …against anarchy The PNC’s agog on the Regional Support Team that’s being formed to address security challenges. Under the Joint Services, it’ll deal with both internal and external threats.

So why’s the PNC getting its Buckta in a knot?

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

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS Silvercorp snaps up 15.2% shares in Omai Gold Mines WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– to now own 4.4 million shares with option to purchase more

C

Omai Gold Mines

anadian company Omai Gold Mines, which recently made a deal with fellow Canadian company Silvercorp Metals to sell 15.2 per cent of its shares, has officially concluded the transaction.

According to Omai Gold Mines, the company has closed its deal with Silvercorp Metals, which made the lead offer. This means that Silvercorp will now own 4.4 million shares, and an option to purchase additional shares over a 36-month period.

The deal grants Silvercorp a 15.2 per cent stake in Omai Gold Mines, which has its operations in Region Seven. The money generated by the deal will be used by Omai for its expanded exploration activities.

However, the shares issued will be

subject to a four-month, one day hold based on Canadian laws.

When the deal was first announced, Omai Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mario Stifano had expressed pleasure at the deal that was procured. He had noted that the potential to significantly expand the open pit potential for minerals is great.

“We are delighted that Silvercorp is maintaining its pro rata ownership in Omai Gold Mines. The positive results from the ongoing drilling and assaying program at the Wenot target that we previously announced – including 16.0 meters of 9.0 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, 32.1 meters of 3.6 g/t gold, and 14 meters of 9.1 g/t gold, indicates the potential to significantly expand the open-pit mineralization at

Wenot while it remains open at depth and on strike,” Stifano had said.

“Given the location on the prospective Guiana Shield that is home to other major gold discoveries, Omai exhibits excellent potential to host near surface as well as high-grade gold mineralization such as hole OMU-28 which drilled 101 meters of 34.91 g/t gold at the Fennell deep target.”

Omai has said previously that the proceeds from the Offering will be used for additional drilling under the Wenot deposit in Region Seven. It will also be used for the preparation of the company’s inaugural 43-101 resource estimate for Wenot, and to advance new high-priority exploration targets at Omai, including Broccoli Hill.

Omai Gold Mines, which has already started a 5000-metre drilling programme in the Wenot pit, had announced in April the presence of highgrade gold in the first two holes that extend at least 100 metres below.

The company only returned to the Wenot and Fennell pits at the Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) site in 2020 after leaving Guyana in 2015. It had announced in December that it would be pressing forward with the 5000-metre drilling programme.

It was only last November that Omai Gold Mines, which is aiming to reclaim its place as Guyana’s top gold producer, had announced the impending resumption of trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange, following the recent reverse takeover of Avalon Investment Holdings.

GCCI, UG sign MoU to strengthen industry-academia collaboration

GCCI President Timothy Tucker and Vice Chancellor, Dr Paloma Mohamed-Martin with other officials at the signing of the MoU on Tuesday

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he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the University of Guyana (UG) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of bridging the gap between industry and academia.

The MoU was signed during a simple ceremony held at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus.

GCCI President Timothy Tucker and Vice Chancellor of the tertiary institution, Dr Paloma Mohamed-Martin, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.

Under the long-term academic collaboration agreement, the GCCI and the University of Guyana will cooperate in the areas of education, training, and research.

The University of Guyana will work closely with the GCCI to provide and maintain a database of students seeking employment in the Private Sector, develop relevant programmes that align with industry needs and requirements,

offer professional training to GCCI members, and provide research assistance through the involvement of its students and faculties.

In return, the GCCI will work with its membership to provide internships and training opportunities, secure sponsorship and scholarship opportunities for students, facilitate research, and participate in guest lectures and other professional activities aimed at imparting industry knowledge and skills. Under the agreement, the GCCI will also serve on the Advisory Board of the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI).

The GCCI noted the importance of its partnership with the University of Guyana as a step towards bridging skills gaps in the workplace and strengthening Guyana’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing world. The GCCI looks forward to working closely with the University of Guyana to prepare a skilled workforce and further promote innovation and entrepreneurship among Guyanese youth.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

June’s COVID death toll jumps to 70 with 2 more fatalities – 68 new cases detected in 24h

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he Health Ministry on Tuesday announced that two other persons who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, thus taking the death toll for June to 70.

Since the pandemic started, 468 people have lost their lives to the deadly virus. The latest fatalities are a 38-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica). They both died while receiving care in a medical facility.

However, new statistics provided by the Ministry showed that 68 persons tested positive within a 24-hour period. Now, the total confirmed cases have jumped to 19,959 with 9742 males and 10,217 females.

Fifteen persons are still seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, with 13 in institutional isolation, 1508 in home isolation and nine in institutional quarantine. Guyana has swabbed 187,309 persons, of which 17,879 of the positive patients have since recovered.

Meanwhile, a dispersion of new cases showed two were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); four in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); eight in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 31 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 13 in

Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) and seven in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Cases in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) remain unchanged, after no new cases were reported.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has moved to a house-to-house approach for its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in several regions, aimed at targeting vaccine hesitancy and increasing the current figures.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday stated that the house-tohouse approach which was first rolled out in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has been undertaken by health workers in other regions.

Along with fixed sites, this additional initiative is expected to engage people who may have doubts about the vaccine, and overall increase the Ministry’s reach.

“We have started to do is some house-to-house, going to the various communities, walking from house to house, talking to people and encouraging them to get vaccinated. We also, on those outreaches, have vaccination teams that would be mobile so that as they go through the house-to-house exercise, if there are people that would like to get their vac-

cines, that they will be able to get it there,” he expressed.

In Guyana, 232,599 persons have taken the first dose of the vaccine, which translates to approximately 47.8 per cent of the adult population. Second doses have reached 107,421 or 22.1 per cent. Work is continuing with the Private Sector and other community leaders.

“We are working on different approaches. We have seen a slight improvement in the numbers in Linden. We would like to see those numbers go up and we have to continue to work with community leaders in Linden to make sure there is a better understanding and appreciation of how vaccines work.”

Dr Anthony lamented that recent actions from the Opposition have contributed to heightened vaccine hesitancy in some areas – a scourge that health workers are now tasked with eliminating. It has also created a setback in the country’s campaign.

“Now that you have a vocal Opposition telling people not to get vaccines and calling for the suspension of the Sputnik V vaccine in Guyana has in some ways contributed to people becoming a little hesitant.

It’s making the work of the health workers a little difficult to try to undo the damage that was done by the Opposition.

Nevertheless,

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JUNE 29 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

68

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

91

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

1508 13

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

9

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

10,217

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

9742

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

19,959

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

17,879

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

232,599

FULLY IMMUNISED

107,421

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

468

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1204

REGION 2

554

REGION 3

2277

REGION 4

9176

REGION 5

663

REGION 6

1533

REGION 7

1264

REGION 8

379

REGION 9

1505

REGION 10

1404

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.

the professionals that we have on the ground has been working to make sure and to get people to understand the importance of vaccination,”

he vocalised.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any addition-

al information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or www.health.gov. gy.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 2 businesses benefit from business development training

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uyana Office for Investment (GOInvest), Small Business Bureau, Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) hosted a two-day Business Development Workshop in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) focused on helping to establish and develop small businesses as a strategy for creating more and better employment.

The workshop, which commenced on Tuesday, was hosted at the regional office boardroom, Anna Regina.

Among the focus of the training was to educate entrepreneurs and other persons who would like to join the business community.

Speaking during the opening of the workshop, Senior Export Promotion Officer KibbyAnn Chester enlightened entrepreneurs on the mandate of GO-Invest.

She noted that the main objective of the programme is to educate Essequibians on business development, adding that GO-Invest was established with the focus of contributing to Guyana’s economic development.

Chester stated that the services provided by GOInvest have evolved to meet the needs of investors and will continue to provide the services offered to Essequibians.

Also, during her presentation, she noted that there are nine steps in the procedure of exporting which include;

Some of the persons who attended the first day of the business development training in Region Two

registering the business, Taxpayers’ Identification Number where exporters must be registered with GRA for a TIN certificate. She said that the next procedures are to identify source product(s), identify external markets, packaging requirements, acquiring an appropriate licence that includes wildlife.

However, in acquiring the appropriate licence, an Environmental Protection Agency licence is also required. In continuing the procedures, Chester added that the next steps are to identify the mode of transport, whether it’s by air/sea, identify a broker, and lastly is to export.

Business proposal

“When acquiring incentives for new and expanding projects, investors are required to complete and submit the GO-Invest Expression of Interest (EOI) from a business proposal… returning investors and those who are expanding their businesses are required to submit a Progress

Report on their business in addition to a new EOI and an updated proposal,” Director of Investment Samara Watkins explained.

Watkins added that after an investor has made the decision to embark on a business enterprise and wishes to access fiscal incentives, a business plan and an expression of interest form must be submitted in triplicate to the agency.

She educated those at the training on best practices when writing a business pro-

posal.

Packaging and labelling

Meanwhile, the Assistant Agriculture Development Officer for Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) Amit Parbat explained that countries have specific packaging and labelling requirements for retail products, and as such it is important that products are properly packaged and labelled whenever leaving Guyana and also being marketed.

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mining pit caves in, kills 1 at Blackwater Backdam

– Labour Ministry launches probe into fatal incident

A

21-yearold miner only identified as “Vibes” of Four Miles Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), was on Monday killed after the mining pit in which he was working caved in at Blackwater B a c k d a m , Cuyuni River, Region Seven ( C u y u n i Mazaruni).

Based on reports received, the victim was in the company of four other workers who were jetting in the mining pit when the dam from the tail end broke, causing the slush to run down.

An alarm was raised and the victim was seen “pinch-

ly injured and as such, the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department has since commenced its investigation.

The investigation is being done in collaboration with the Guyana Geology

and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Seven persons have died due to similar incidents thus far in 2021.

Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton continues to express concern about the fa-

talities and has stressed the need for continuous OSH awareness programmes in these communities.

The Minister further extended his condolences to the grieving family and friends of the deceased.

CH&PA donates street lights to Lima Sands

R ing” the hose. He started to run in an attempt to escape.

However, the slush caught and covered him. He was pulled from under the slush in a motionless state.

“Vibes” was placed on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and taken to the Bartica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body is at the hospi-

tal’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Meanwhile, the Labour Ministry has launched an investigation into the fatal accident in order to determine the circumstances leading to the man’s death.

In a statement, the Ministry said they are aware of the incident where the miner was fatal-

esidents in Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), have benefitted from street lights.

Last week, during the "Dream Realised" housing drive in the region, 30 street lights were donated to the community by the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Housing and Water Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues along with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA Sherwyn Greaves, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, and a member of the Lima Sands CDC, were in attendance of the handing over.

Speaking to residents at the "Dream Realised" housing drive, Croal said "earlier this year a request was made by the community for the street lamps, road rehabilitation works, and transportation. Through an in-

A technician installing street lamps at Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast

ter-Ministry intervention, these promises will be fulfilled by the Ministry of Public Works as they have undertaken to carry out the road rehabilitation works."

He further stated that he was pleased that the CH&PA was able to deliver on this promise in such a short space of time, add-

ing that this is a clear indication of the Ministry’s commitment to build wholesome communities with all the necessary amenities.

Gratitude for the donation was expressed by members of the community development group as the lights will benefit some 1200 residents.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations 30 tablets, 5 computers donated Opposition's public mischief is a major factor in vaccine hesitancy in Guyana

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he Opposition has a significant role to play in Guyana's development. It cannot do so by embracing public mischief.

Joseph Harmon's Opposition appears clueless and does not seem to be able to function as an effective Opposition. Instead, it seeks to gain attention and demonstrate it is functional by seeking, on a daily basis, to create public mischief. When it is not Harmon himself, it is one of his MPs. The latest APNU/AFC MP to join in creating public mischief is Jermaine Figueira. He chose this week to join his leader, Joseph Harmon, in creating doubts in people's minds about Guyana's successful and effective COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Everything that Joseph Harmon, speaking in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition, has said about the COVID-19 vaccines, specifically about the Sputnik V vaccine, is fake news and he knows it. Jermaine Figueira, in the same deliberate way his Dr Leslie Ramsammy leader has done in the past several weeks, decided to put out another fake story about the Sputnik V vaccine.

Before addressing Figueira's bogus story, it is necessary to outline upfront what the Ministry of Health has very clearly stated - there is no expired vaccines being used in the vaccination programme. There is no such thing as thousands of doses of vaccines that will expire on July 1. Having dismissed that fake story, the latest malicious fake news coming from APNU's MP, Jermaine Figueira, is that the Sputnik V vaccine in our possession will expire on July 1. I know we have not a single dose of Sputnik V vaccine in our bond that will expire on July 1, 2021. None of the vaccines in Guyana will expire on July 1. This is blatantly public mischief intended to derail the successful COVID-19 vaccination programme in Guyana. Jermaine Figueira is guilty of public mischief, just as the Leader of the Opposition has been for the past few weeks. The Ministry of Health and the Minister of Health himself have already assured the Guyanese people that at no time has the Ministry of Health ever utilised expired vaccines in the vaccination programme.

Mr Figueira has joined other colleagues in the Opposition as they try every angle to halt the success of the vaccination programme. None of the false stories they have concocted have gained traction. They tried questioning the price, the authenticity, the source of the vaccines and none of these false assertions and insinuations gained acceptance by the public.

Having failed with those stories, they now make up a story that the vaccines will expire on July 1. Like all the other stories, this is also fake news. It is very reassuring that the Ministry of Health has not allowed people like Jermaine Figueira to spread false and reckless stories.

Mr Figueira prefaced his false story by highlighting the danger of the Delta variant of COVID-19 entering Guyana. Indeed, our gravest danger right now is the possibility of the Delta variant entering Guyana. Already in many countries, the Delta variant is the dominant form of the COVID-19 virus. We already know that the Delta variant is more efficient in transmission and deadlier than the original COVID-19 virus. In countries with high vaccination rates, the Delta variant is finding those without vaccines, making them very sick and raising death rates once again in these countries. It is clear that as of this time, the most effective weapon to stop the Delta variant from entering and spreading in Guyana is COVID-19 vaccination.

The question for Mr Figueira is what is he doing as an MP to help stop the Delta variant from coming to Guyana and from becoming the dominant COVID-19 virus in our country? While Government has the lead and most significant role in fighting the virus, every citizen must contribute. When that citizen happens to be an MP, no matter which side of the House he or she sits, that citizen has even more responsibility. Surely Mr Figueira cannot believe that he plays a positive role by spreading fake stories about the very vaccines that can save lives in Guyana.

Every time MPs like Figueira deliberately or unknowingly spread fake stories insinuating bad things about the vaccines, they help to promote vaccine hesitancy.

Mr Figueira is an APNU/AFC MP from Region 10. Region 10 is a stronghold of APNU/AFC. Region 10 has the lowest vaccine uptake in the country. If there is a region in which vaccine hesitancy is a big problem, it is in Region 10. While Regions One, Four, Five and Six have surpassed 50 per cent of adults with at least one dose of vaccine, while Regions Two, Three, Seven and Nine have surpassed 40 per cent and are rapidly reaching 50 per cent of their adult population with at least one dose, and while Region Eight has surpassed 32 per cent, Region 10 has not yet reached 15 per cent of adults with at least one dose.

There are many factors for vaccine hesitancy, but in Guyana, one major factor is the deliberate promotion of vaccine hesitancy by APNU/AFC. Vaccine hesitancy in Guyana is not something that APNU/AFC invented. But the public mischief by APNU/AFC MPs is helping to nurture and promote vaccine hesitancy. In doing so, the APNU/AFC MPS are heartlessly, shamelessly, recklessly putting people's lives at risk.

to Mashabo Primary School

I

n an effort to ensure access to learning at its alma mater, the Guyana-Jamaica Friendship Association (GJFA) donated 30 tablets and five laptops to the Mashabo Primary School, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

President of the Association, Frank Denbow told this publication that the organisation decided to adopt a primary school in each country and targeted rural and less affluent areas. However, after a careful search, the team settled on Aeolus Valley All-Age School in Aeolus Valley, St Thomas, Jamaica, and Mashabo Primary School in Mashabo on the Essequibo Coast in Guyana.

"With this in mind, we decided to donate to Mashabo Primary School, 30 tablets for the children as well as 5 laptops for the teachers to use...We feel that with these devices we can help bridge the digital divide between the affluent and not so affluent in the society We know that all children can learn and the potential for these students is the same as any other students regardless of financial background...Our experience at Mashabo has borne out that fact and we will continue to work with the students, teachers, and parents in order to continue the upward trajectory of the school, the community, and Guyana as a whole," Denbow explained.

The tablets were donated to assist students and teachers to master the learning gap created by COVID-19 and the resultant remote learning environment.

Denbow handed over the tablets to the Head Master of Mashabo Primary School, Modi Beepat.

During an interview with Guyana Times, Beepat expressed gratitude to the or-

The electronic devices that were donated to Mashabo Primary School

ganisation for this timely donation. He stated that the organisation has motivated the pupils, teachers, and parents to work assiduously in improving the students' pass marks at the National Grade Six Examination. He noted that the timely donation will benefit a total of 30 Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils along with 10 teachers in the preparation of the NGSA exam.

Beepat further noted that staff along with himself have decided to upload lessons on the tablets from the Guyana Learning Channel and YouTube based on the consolidated curriculum whilst they are awaiting internet connectivity. He also told this publication that the entire staff is working assiduously in preparing pupils for the upcoming NGSA scheduled for August 4 and 5.

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Policeman caught on camera assaulting civilian at Wales Police Station under close arrest

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he Police Constable who was caught on camera using excessive force on a civilian who was allegedly resisting arrest at the Wales Police Station, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), has been placed under close arrest.

The incident took place on Friday last and involved the Constable, who was later identified as Constable Elliott.

The Police stated that they are cognisant of the video which showed the officer physically assaulting a man who was in Police custody by throwing him off his feet and dragging him into the lock-ups.

“The Guyana Police

nor mistreatment of persons taken into custody by Police ranks.

“Urgent investigations into this matter are being conducted by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility, the results of which will be made public.”

The recording that was seen by this newspaper showed the policeman dragging a man into a cell.

Based on information received, the man [the victim] allegedly drove a car into a canal at Wales on Friday evening and while patrolling in the area, he was picked up by ranks and taken to the

The man being dragged by the Police

Force is informing the public that the policeman involved has been placed under close arrest while the man was released from custody and sent away the same night”, the statement read.

The Police described the act as “unsavoury and unacceptable”, while stating that the GPF does not condone the excessive use of force

Wales Police Station.

Whilst there, he was asked to take a breathalyser test, but refused and became abusive. It was then the officer tried to arrest him.

The video recording further showed that the man was being arrested by the officer but resisted and in retaliation, the officer walked up to the man, chained both of his legs and pulled the chain forward, resulting in the man falling onto the ground, hitting his head and back.

The officer then dragged the man into the cell and locked the door. At that time

the man’s family was heard screaming and telling the officers that the man hit his head on the ground.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has ordered that an immediate investigation be launched into the incident.

While speaking with another section of the media, the Minister said the actions of the policeman toward the victim is “very concerning and uncalled for”.

On Tuesday, all efforts made to contact Regional Commander Errol Watts to get an update on the manner proved futile.

Brazilian businessman found dead in city guest house

T

The man’s body being taken away from the scene

he body of a Brazilian man was discovered in his apartment at a Regent Street, Georgetown guest house on Tuesday.

The dead man has been identified as 53-year-old Beto Coutinho.

Though Police have not issued a report on the discovery, Guyana Times understands that the man managed a restaurant at the bottom flat of the hotel.

He was reportedly found dead by relatives in one of the apartments in the guest house at about 15:00h.

Dead: Beto Coutinho

According to reports, friends and family decided to check on the man after he was not seen all day and the restaurant was closed. Upon checking, they found the man’s motionless body.

Based on reports, the man had reportedly owed persons sums of monies, and due to this, it is believed that he may have taken his own life. No marks of violence were seen on his body.

An investigation is underway.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fishing industry contributes 3% Gun, narcotics found at Charity to Guyana’s GDP – Min Mustapha T he Police have launched an investigation into the discovery of one 9mm pistol, 40 grams of cannabis and 42 grams of cocaine on Monday evening at a stand at Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Based on reports re-

...as World Fisherfolk Day observed

The items that were found at the scene

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

T

he Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday joined the rest of the world in observing Fisherfolk Day under the theme “Promoting Social Responsibility to Safeguard Fisheries Resources and Livelihoods.” The event was held at the Georgetown Cricket Club grounds which saw less participation when compared to previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the event, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha reported that the fishing industry contributes 3 per cent to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and $11.3 billion to Guyana’s export, which is 6 per cent of total exports.

He further revealed that over 15,000 persons are directly and indirectly em-

Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors President Reuben Charles

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation representative, Dr Gillian Smith

ployed by the fisheries industry.

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation representative, Dr Gillian Smith noted, “it comes here in 2021 when things have not been easy and despite this fact, fisherfolk continue to work arduously.” Citing the theme, she stated that it also promotes “social responsibility that safeguards the fish stocks on which we all are dependent”.

President of the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors Reuben Charles related that these are serious times and changes have been and have to be made in order to keep the industry alive.

“The Association always likes to boast that unlike the sugar and rice industry,

they (Fisheries Industry) receive little to no aid and they market their own products,” Charles added.

However, in responding to Charles, Minister Mustapha pointed out that there are processes and procedures that need to be followed in order to access governmental aid, and moving forward letters for aid should be addressed to the Ministers directly so that there can be swift actions in providing the necessary assistance.

In 2020, Guyana produced more than 34,000 metric tons of seafood. Due to the weather conditions and the effects of COVID-19, work has been a bit slow, but fishermen across the country still managed to provide for the country and ensure the security of the industry.

Jehovah’s Witnesses to host annual convention virtually

D

ue to the unexpected arrival of the global COVID-19 pandemic, this year the Jehovah’s Witness community will be holding its annual conference virtually.

The convention started on June 28 and will run until August.

Breaking away from a century old tradition, which normally reaches over 240 different lands and 500 languages, almost 6000 conventions were cancelled due to the effects of COVID-19.

Since the 1940s the Jehovah’s Witness convention has been held in

Guyana annually. In 2020, the pandemic unexpectedly interrupted that tradition, resulting in the international religious organisation cancelling in-person conventions throughout the world and launching a global virtual event.

This was a first for Jehovah’s Witnesses, who have held public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centres, and theatres around the world since 1897.

The risk of bringing thousands of people together from across the world made the organisation de-

cide to use a virtual platform for the second consecutive year. This change, however, has not diminished the enthusiasm for the annual event, and congregations from across the globe will be tuning in to join in on the historic and momentous occasion.

All are invited to attend the event by going to JW.ORG on the web or JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library iOS or Android app, or on streaming platforms like ROKU TV, Apple TV, and others. The programme is free and accessible to all.

The items were found in close proximity to this hotdog stand

ceived, a party of Police ranks acting on information received went to the Charity Nursery School Street where a search was carried out in

the area.

During the search, a black plastic bag was found in close proximity of a hotdog stand. As such, the bag was inspected and the 9mm

pistol and four transparent plastic bags containing a quantity of ganja and cocaine were unearthed.

A further examination of the firearm revealed that the serial number was removed.

The items were taken to Charity Police Station, where the ganja was weighed and amounted to 40 grams while the cocaine amounted to 42 grams. No arrests were made in connection with the discovery.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

Regional

Brazil issues fire ban, redeploys Court says Honduras to blame military to fight Amazon blazes for trans woman’s murder

A

s Brazil reels from its worst drought in decades, President Jair Bolsonaro has issued a broad 120day ban on unauthorised outdoor fires ahead of the annual burning season in the Amazon rainforest.

The decree, published in the official government gazette on Tuesday, comes a A woman holds a placard that reads “Bolsonaro you are burning our future” day after Bolsonaro during a protest outside the Brazilian embassy in Colombia in 2019 amid redeployed the mil- wildfires in the Amazon rainforest itary in an effort to stop deforestation resources and faces inter- Rondônia. Previous deployin the world’s largest rain- national outcry that Brazil ments were for the entire forest. is not doing enough to stop Amazon region.

Deforestation has soared destruction of the Amazon, Bolsonaro authorised the under the far-right lead- a vital bulwark to climate current deployment until er, hitting a 12-year-high change. the end of August. in 2020 as an area seven Neither policy has previPreliminary INPE data times the size of London was showed deforestation rose ously been effective in lowcut down, according to the a further 25 per cent in the ering deforestation or forest National Institute for Space first five months of 2021 fires. Generally, criminals Research (INPE). Last year, from a year ago. first cut down the valuthe region also recorded the The Brazilian military able timber and later set most fires since 2017, the deployment will be restrict- fire to the area, clearing it agency said. ed to 26 municipalities in for future agricultural use Bolsonaro has been wide- four states – Amazonas, in speculative land grabs. ly criticised for his “exploit- Mato Grosso, Pará and (Excerpt from Al Jazeera) ative” approach to natural

A

regional human rights court has ruled that Honduras was responsible for the murder of a transgender woman in 2009.

In its landmark ruling, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordered the Government to pay reparations to the family of Vicky Hernández, 26, who was fatally shot in northern Honduras.

The country has also been ordered to enact new measures to prevent violence and discrimination against LGBT people.

Campaigners have hailed the decision as a watershed moment for Honduras.

The ruling, made on the anniversary of Hernández’s death, will set a legal precedent in Latin America; however, the Honduran Government has not yet commented on the court’s decision, and it is not clear how or when it will enact the court order.

Rights groups say Latin America is one of the most dangerous regions in the world for transgender people, and has seen a wave of violence and discrimination against the LGBT community since a coup in June 2009 which ousted then-President Manuel Zelaya.

Almost 500 transgender women were killed in

Latin America between 2014-2019, according to Sin Violencia, an LGBT rights organisation in the region.

Vicky Hernández, an HIV-positive sex worker, was shot in the head with a single bullet on the night of the coup, when a curfew was in place and only military and police were allowed outdoors.

Her body was found on a street in the city of San Pedro Sula the next morning.

Two transgender women reported that a Police car had driven up to them and Hernández. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Venezuela enables Opposition coalition to participate in elections

V

enezuela will allow a coalition of major Opposition political parties to field candidates in upcoming elections, the head of the electoral council said on Tuesday, as the Opposition and Government prepare to enter into a negotiation process.

The South American country’s supreme court in 2018 ruled that the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), which groups large Opposition parties, could not participate in elections, arguing candidates could not be members of both the MUD and the individual political parties that form it.

The lifting of that ban by National Electoral Council (CNE) President Pedro Calzadilla comes after several actions by President Nicolás Maduro seen by some diplomats and analysts as olive branches to the opposition of state and local elections

A man, wearing a protective mask, walks in front of Venezuela’s National Assembly building in Caracas, Venezuela, January 7, 202

in November in the midst of a years-long political crisis.

Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó has not said whether or not he believes Opposition candidates should take part in the upcoming vote, after the mainstream Opposition boycotted presidential and parliamentary elections in 2018 and 2020, respectively, arguing they were rigged in favour of

Maduro’s ruling socialist party.

The Opposition, backed by the United States and most Western democracies, labels Maduro a dictator who has clung to power through rigged elections and persecution of opponents. Maduro, supported by Russia and China, labels Guaidó a puppet of Washington seeking to oust him in a coup.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

As infections rise, Cuban doctors fan out to encourage COVID jabs

T

here is a health clinic on every corner in Havana, each with a family doctor and nurse.

Over the last weeks, these health workers have been out visiting their patients in the Cuban capital, from the solares – warren-like buildings where whole families live in single rooms – to smarter apartments in crumbling art deco buildings where memories of wealth still show in grand windows looking out over the Florida Straits.

They have been telling residents the coronavirus vaccine has arrived and giving out appointments for jabs. This scene has been re-

peated across the city, and – so long as there are enough syringes to administer doses – will soon be repeated across the country.

In the story of the pandemic, Cuba is beginning this new chapter on a cliffhanger. Having spent 2020 largely keeping the virus beyond its shores, the number of infected patients is now rising fast, with a record-breaking 2698 new daily cases on Saturday, and a seven-day average now above 2000. Cuba is facing the biggest surge in the Caribbean.

And yet, last week the country announced that Abdala, one of the five vac-

cines Cuba has created in its own laboratories – a hugely impressive achievement for a country of 11 million with catastrophically stretched resources – has an efficacy of 92.28 per cent. This compares to Pfizer-BioNTech’s 95 per cent, Moderna’s 95 per cent and AstraZeneca’s 76 per cent.

Earlier this month it claimed another of its vaccines, Soberana-02, had an efficacy of 62 per cent after two doses. On Thursday, its scientists said that a booster would bring this up to between 85 and 95 per cent (Abdala also comes in three shots). (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS OPEC bullish on oil market recovery; virus variants pose risk

G

lobal oil demand will rebound strongly in the second half of 2021 with oil inventories shrinking, OPEC's chief and experts said on Tuesday while warning that coronavirus variants pose a risk to the recovery.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, together known as OPEC+, meet on Thursday and sources and market watchers have said they expect the group to discuss a further gradual easing of existing oil production curbs from August.

OPEC watchers have said the group could boost output by more than 1 million barrels per day (bpd), a more modest 0.5 million bpd or even leave production levels unchanged.

OPEC+ sources said no unanimous decision or recommendation emerged from OPEC+ expert consultations on Tuesday.

OPEC+ will now hold the joint ministerial monitoring committee (JMMC) meeting on July 1, a day after it was previously planned, a letter seen by Reuters showed.

Demand in 2021 was expected to grow by 6 million bpd, with 5 million bpd of that in the second half, OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo told Tuesday's meeting of experts, known as the Joint Technical Committee.

"The current 'wild card' factor is the 'Delta variant' of the pandemic that is resulting in rising cases and renewed restrictions in many regions," he said in a speech, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

Barkindo said oil demand growth in the second half would show "a significant increase, even if uncertainties and associated risks would be factored in", with preliminary May data showing inventories in OECD industrialised economies falling below the 2015-2019 level.

Bringing oil inventories in line with the five-year average is one of the main goals of OPEC+.

Barkindo also said soaring sovereign debt levels fuelled by fiscal and monetary stimulus programmes were a concern because they could contribute to rising inflation in the coming months. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ex-President Jacob Zuma sentenced

by South Africa's top court S outh Africa's former President Jacob Zuma has been sentenced to 15 months in jail by the country's highest court.

He has been given five days to hand himself in to Police. Failing that, the Police Minister must order his arrest.

The sentence comes after the Constitutional Court found him guilty of contempt for defying its order to appear at an inquiry into corruption while he was President.

Zuma's time in power, which ended in 2018, was dogged by graft allegations.

Businessmen were accused of conspiring with politicians to influence the decision-making process.

H

igh numbers of Chinese students at Australian universities have created an environment of self-censorship with lecturers avoiding criticism of Beijing and Chinese students staying silent in fear of harassment, Human Rights Watch said.

Some parents in mainland China had been questioned

by Chinese Police about the activities of students in Australia and Hong Kong Police had questioned a returning student about pro-de-

I

Israeli security force members walk past a house during clashes with Palestinians which erupted over Israel's demolition of a shop in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem, June 29, 2021

thorities have earmarked the land for a park and say the shops and homes have been built illegally.

Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Arieh King said "around 20" buildings in Silwan which Israel refers to by its Hebrew name Shiloach - had received demolition orders. Around another 60 buildings there were in violation of Israeli zoning laws, he told Reuters.

Palestinians in Silwan say it is near-impossible to get building permits. They

The former President testified only once at the inquiry into what has become known as "state capture" but then refused to appear subsequently.

The inquiry - headed by Justice Raymond Zondo asked the Constitutional

Court to intervene.

Acting Chief Justice Sisi Khampepe was damning in her ruling. Zuma refused to come to the court to explain his actions, she said, and he "elected instead to make provocative, unmeritorious and vituperative statements

Chinese censorship, surveillance found at Australian universities – rights group

Police, Palestinians clash as Israel begins demolition in Jerusalem's Silwan

srael demolished a Palestinian shop in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan on Tuesday, triggering scuffles between Police and protesters who accused authorities of discriminatory enforcement of building permits in the holy city.

Palestinians seek East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in a 1967 war, for a future state. Israel deems all of Jerusalem its capital - a status not recognised internationally - and has encouraged Jewish settlement of predominantly Palestinian areas.

A bulldozer escorted by Israeli Police flattened Harbi Rajabi's butchers’ shop in the neighbourhood which is overlooked by the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine in Islam and the most sensitive site in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The shop is one of at least eight properties that residents said were slated for demolition. The residents say many have been there for decades, even from before 1967. The au-

Jacob Zuma stepped down from the presidency in February 2018

that constituted a calculated effort to impugn the integrity of the judiciary.

"I am left with no option but to commit Mr Zuma to imprisonment, with the hope that doing so sends an unequivocal message... the rule of law and the administration of justice prevails."

The former President was not in court to hear the majority ruling and has repeatedly declared that he was the victim of a giant political conspiracy.

In a separate legal matter, Zuma pleaded not guilty last month in his corruption trial involving a US$5 billion (£3 billion) arms deal from the 1990s.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

see the demolitions as designed to drive them from Jerusalem. Disputing this, King said the municipality had approved hundreds of new Palestinian homes in Silwan.

Palestinian medics said 13 people were injured in Tuesday's confrontations in Silwan. Police said two officers were hurt by stone-throwers and that three people were arrested for disorderly conduct and assault. (Excerpt from Reuters)

mocracy activities, the group said in a report released on Wednesday.

Self-censorship has worsened as universities have adopted online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Chinese students joining class from behind China's "Great Firewall" system of internet censorship, the group said.

The trend compromised the academic freedom of all students in the class, the report's author, Sophie McNeill, told Reuters.

"It erodes Australia's academic freedom," she said.

In one example, an online course removed references to the bloody Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, she said.

Human Rights Watch interviewed 24 students with "pro-democracy" views attending Australian universities, of whom 11 were from mainland China and 13 from Hong Kong. It also interviewed 22 academics.

The rights group verified three cases where family in

China had been warned by Police over a student's activity in Australia.

"If you protest against CCP abroad, they will find people you love to make you pay.

Even if you are in Australia," a student not identified in the report told Human Rights Watch, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

Half of academics interviewed by Human Rights Watch said they self-censored in the classroom, the report said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Spend more time enjoying the company of people who share your interests. A physical challenge will motivate you to get into shape.

Romance will enhance your life. Get energized!

Don’t share personal information or plans. Focus on what you can accomplish without drawing attention to yourself. Be observant and use the information you have gathered to get your way.

Put your ideas into play.

Don’t hesitate because someone doesn’t agree with you.

Surround yourself with like-minded people who will assist you, not hold you back.

Change begins with you.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Examine every angle before you agree to something. The information you receive will be tainted or deceptive. Make plans to proceed alone and to do things your way. You’re the best judge of things right now.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Put your energy where it counts. Don’t make unnecessary changes. Get along with your colleagues and people who can help you. Honesty will be crucial if you want to work well with others.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Question what you hear.

Find out what’s expected of you before you volunteer to help. Build relationships on trust, justice and fair play.

Too much of anything or anyone will lead to trouble.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Get involved in something that will benefit you.

Take on responsibilities that reflect your beliefs and will make a difference. A personal or physical change will fetch compliments.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Think outside the box.

Don’t limit what you can do or let a friend, relative or loved one meddle. Take control of your happiness. The sooner you let go of what isn’t working for you, the better.

A little solitude will help SAGITTARIUS you work through any un(Nov. 23certainty. Distance yourself Dec. 21) from people who confuse you or try to manipulate you.

Concentrate on personal growth and monetary goals.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY'S WORD - HUARACHES

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Look for alternative ways to use your skills. Social events will lead to deception and an unrealistic sense of what’s risky and what’s safe.

Don’t take anything or anyone for granted.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Nothing will pay higher rewards than hard work and discipline. The satisfaction you get from a job well done will boost your confidence and encourage you to take on more.

PISCES

Fix up your surroundings.

The more comfortable and convenient you make your living space, the more accessible your goals will become. If you can dream it, you can make it happen.

(Feb. 20March 20)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

21

RHTY&SC’s Namilco Thunderbolt teams honour …under Say Yes to outstanding nursery school teachers Education programme The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s Namilco Thunderbolt Under-21 and First-Division cricket teams on Wednesday last honoured four outstanding nursery school teachers under their Say Yes to Education programme.

The teachers were drawn from the Rose Hall Town Nursery School and they are the first from the township to be honoured, with others at the primary and secondary levels to follow.

RHTY&SC Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster stated that the club over the past 26 years has hosted a highly-successful Say No/ Say Yes programme which

The four awardees pose with their Head Mistress

has targeted over 70,000 youths urging them to say

no to drugs, crime, suicide, premarital sex, tobacco

Australian cricketers arrive in West Indies with majority of squad vaccinated for COVID-19

A

Team Australia have arrived in the Caribbean

ll but two of the Australian squad that left on Monday for the Caribbean have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The players and staff have arrived in St Lucia for the first leg of a tour that includes five Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals before heading to Bangladesh for a further five T20Is. Most of the squad and accompanying staff have received two doses of the vaccines available to them, but one player and one member of the coaching staff were unable to complete the full vaccination process before leaving Australia due to the timing of their late call-ups.

Cricket Australia confirmed they will receive their second dose while overseas.

In contrast to the Australian athletes heading to Japan for the Olympic Games, the cricketers were not given preferential treatment in the allocation of vaccines.

As Government-approved international travellers,

they were able to procure vaccinations despite being in the younger age bracket that is largely ineligible in the general population.

The squad is spending three days in hotel quarantine before preparations begin for the first T20I against West Indies on July 10.

Seven players withdrew from the winter tour after returning to Australia from the ill-fated Indian Premier League (IPL).

The absence of Pat Cummins, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson opens the door for others pushing for selection in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup. The second half of the year is shaping up to be extremely congested for the Australian men’s teams and may involve difficult decisions for individuals as well as management.

There is also the question

of timing and quarantines which could have an impact on selection.

The remainder of the suspended IPL is expected to be played ahead of the T20 World Cup. While dates for both tournaments are yet to be confirmed, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has told Indian media that the World Cup, originally to be held in India, will move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman and finish in midNovember.

Australia will play a Test against Afghanistan in Hobart from November 27 and the first Ashes Test starts on December 8 in Brisbane.

While CA has maintained its support for players suffering from bubble fatigue, Chair of Selectors Trevor Hohns has made it clear players are expected to prioritise international duty over the IPL in the lead-up to the World Cup. (Cricket Australia)

and alcohol and yes to life, education, sports, culture, and religion. The club, on an annual basis, hosts award ceremonies for teachers across the Lower Corentyne area, but this year decided to host award ceremonies for schools in the township of Rose Hall.

The Tribute to Nursery School Awards ceremony would be followed by similar ones for primary and secondary teachers who work at the Rose Hall Town Primary School and Lower Corentyne Secondary School respectively.

The main objectives, Foster stated, are to identify and honour outstanding teachers, to provide role models for other teachers to emulate and to encourage teachers in the three schools to maintain high standards.

He noted that the RHTY&SC was very grateful to the three schools for producing all-round students who have gone on to become members of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation. The club strongly believes in the promotion of education as it is the key to success, and it is very important that youths involved in sports have an academic background.

Foster urged the teachers to uphold their high standards and to redouble their efforts to make sure that a solid foundation is laid early in the minds of the children. He committed the club and the Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under-21 and First-Division teams to sponsoring the award ceremony annually and assisting the school with

educational materials on a regular basis. The teachers honoured were Kaajal Devi Nankooma (24 years of service); Padmani Bishun (8 years of service); Felicianne Rahim (8 years of service) and Kamachi Pasamen (3 years of service).

Head Mistress Minerva Thomas Rodney hailed the support that the school has received over the years from the club, and committed the school’s management and staff to upholding the high standards the institution has

over the past two decades, has produced hundreds of students who have gone on to represent RHTY&SC at different levels.

The RHT Namilcosponsored team are widely considered Berbice’s leading First-Division team and currently hold all the titles at that level while the Under-21 team are the current Berbice champions after defeating Albion in the Elizabeth Styles Under-21 finals earlier this year. Among the members of the two teams are Clinton

Felicianne Rahim receives her award from Head Mistress Minerva Rodney

set in the past .

Teacher Rahim expressed thanks to the Namilco team for the morale boost and wished the players more success on and off the cricket field. The Rose Hall Town Nursery School,

Pestano, Eon Hooper, Shawn Perriera, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Jonathan Rampersaud, and Keith Simpson.

Wimbledon: Tearful Serena Williams forced out through injury

S

erena Williams is out of Wimbledon in the first round after injury forced her to retire in the early stages of her match with Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

The American, who was seeking a historic 24th grand slam title at the return of an event she has won seven times, was tearful as she had to withdraw from the match.

Williams had broken Sasnovich and led 3-1, appearing to be in full control of Tuesday's contest on Centre Court.

But she suffered an ankle injury in the fifth game after seeming to slip while playing a forehand.

With her movement clearly limited, Sasnovich broke back and Williams left the court for treatment as she took a medical timeout.

She re-emerged to huge applause and bravely tried to continue, but was visibly

in severe discomfort.

The 39-year-old soon had to call a halt to proceedings with the match level at 3-3, having let out a scream of pain as she tried in vain to reach the ball. (Sportsmax)

22 West Indies, Pakistan women’s senior and A teams to lock horns today GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

W

est Indies women's senior and A teams will commence their T20 International (T20I) series against their Pakistani counterparts today in Antigua.

The A teams will do battle at 09:00h while the senior teams will duke it out at 14:00h. The Captains for the sides are Stafanie Taylor (West Indies Women); Javeria Khan (Pakistan Women); Reniece Boyce (West Indies Women's A) and Sidra Nawaz (Pakistan Women's A).

In a brief interview with the Captains of the West Indies and Pakistan senior sides, the WI skipper related

… Taylor, Boyce confident ahead of 1st match-up

West Indies Captain Stafanie Taylor

that the team were in a good space as they geared up to face their opponents.

“We’ve been here for 60 days and everyone is feeling good and in good space and

Fernandes cites positive takeaways from Pan Am indoors

T

hough the Guyanese women had a disappointing run in the recently-concluded Indoor Pan American Hockey Cup, Coach and Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) President Phillip Fernandes is content with some of the takeaways from the tournament.

“This year was particularly challenging for Guyana at the Pan Am Cup. We had a young team and we’re in the process of rebuilding,” the GHB President said.

The female indoor hockey team suffered four major losses over the last weekend, preventing them from advancing to Sunday’s final or third-place play-offs. Noting the loss of a few players before the tournament began, GHB President Fernandes highlighted some of the positive takeaways.

“We tried to see what we could do, in terms of preparing a team with some experience and some youth to contest our skills against the top nations of Pan Am,” Fernandes noted.

He went on to elaborate, “Going into a competition like this, at this level – Pan American competition, with big nations like USA, Canada, Argentina and Uruguay, to go into those kinds of competition without a goalkeeper is almost an impossible task.”

Fernandes shared how

A glimpse of the female hockey team in action over the weekend

they took a chance for the betterment of the team and utilised the services of team manager Princessa Wilkie as the new goalkeeper.

“There was some deliberation whether we should withdraw the team from the competition, but we thought that the benefit to the young players in particular was still great enough, that having spent the funds to come all this way, we should still, in fact, still expose them. So that in two years’ time, in four years’ time, we’ll have a team that has some international experience under their belt, that has what it takes to get to the next level,” he said.

“And, so we took a chance to step forward knowing that the odds were stacked against us.”

In an assessment of the four games, Fernandes highlighted that it was a tough challenge, especially in a situation when they needed to bounce back from early goals.

“I think that the games themselves were challenging; they were tough. Even though in some cases, we held strong and we were matching the opposition, at least somewhat, and it really is difficult when a few easy goals go in early in the game, it changes the mindset of the opposition, it also changes the mindset of our young players where they start to disbelieve

themselves, they start to disbelieve the ability of the team,” the GHB President explained.

He continued, “And throughout the match we have to try to rebuild that, to get them back to the level they’re capable of playing.”

Despite the losses, the GHB President has noticed higher morale in the team and even development in certain areas.

“Going into the second day, I thought that the game against Canada and subsequently the game against Uruguay was much better for Team Guyana. You know, the score was beyond us, but I think that it showed some learning, it showed that the girls began to believe in themselves once again and it showed that the young girls were able to change and modify what they’re doing, adapt to the conditions and advance their play.

“And I think that’s the ultimate objective of tours like this, to try to see what development and learning you can get out of it,” the Coach added.

On Friday last, the Guyanese ladies lost 20-2 to USA and 14-0 to Argentina.

And then on Saturday, Guyana were defeated 13-0 by Canada, but managed to bring down the margin of defeat to 7-1 against Uruguay. (Jemima Holmes)

are getting ready for our first game. We have a lot of games and for us is taking each game at a time. We haven’t played for a while and this is something new and the girls are in a good space and for us is taking each game at a time.

We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves as Pakistan has been playing some good cricket,” Taylor said.

She added that in terms of the A team playing a series alongside the senior team, she believes it is a good idea, and the senior players are excited and will come out and support the A team. Taylor went on to say this venture was good for West Indies cricket as it aimed to improve and develop the game going forward.

Adding her bit on the first match-up, Pakistan Captain Javeria Khan stated that her side has prepared well and has had some intense sessions.

She said it was her hope to get the best results.

Also present at the press conference was Reniece Boyce, who will be taking her first outing as A team captain.

Boyce noted that while it may be her first time, she knows she has the support needed as there were players in the team with international experience. Hence, she was confident that the A team

would do well.

Boyce shared that she would be dependent on players such as Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, and Sheneta Grimmond among others to bring their experience to the game.

She added that the team have been working on their technique and batting for longer periods. “…

I'm nervous b u t

West Indies A Captain Reniece Boyce

excited, but I am accustomed to challenges,” Boyce stated.

Sharing her thoughts as well was Pakistan A team Captain Nawaz, who said that her team were excited to be a part of this occasion and would be looking forward to playing good cricket.

The West Indies women’s teams return to the field in the Caribbean after a 19-month absence owing to the impact and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WI Women last played an international match in September 2020, against England.

The senior team will play three CG Insurance T20Is against Pakistan from June 30 to July 3, with the West Indies Women’s A Team also playing a historic, first-ever three-match T20I series on the same dates. Antigua’s Coolidge Cricket Ground and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium will host the series, with the A team matches preceding the senior team matches in back-to-back double-header fixtures. The teams will then switch gears as they head into a five-match CG Insurance One-Day International (ODI) series and three-match CG Insurance A Team One-Day series starting on July 7 and July 10 respectively.

The CG Insurance T20Is and ODIs will be streamed live along with radio commentary via the Windies Cricket YouTube channel.

T20 World Cup moved from India to UAE and Oman

T

he T20 World Cup will now be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman rather than India this year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed on Tuesday.

Australia was originally scheduled to host the 2020 tournament ahead of India staging it this year. However, the pandemic forced the ICC to postpone last year's tournament, giving Australia hosting rights for 2022.

A second surge in cases of coronavirus in India has now forced a major change to the 2021 competition, which will still be hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The ICC had asked the BCCI to decide on the feasibility of staging the tournament, with BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, saying on Monday it had opted against remaining as hosts.

October 17 remains the start date for the competition, which will end with the final on November 14.

The Dubai International Stadium, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Stadium, and the Oman Cricket Academy Ground will be the four World Cup venues.

The first round of the tournament, comprising

eight qualifying teams, will be split between Oman and the UAE. Four of those teams will move into the Super 12s round, joining eight automatic qualifiers.

ICC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Geoff Allardice said: "Our priority is to deliver the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 safely, in full and in its current window. Whilst we are incredibly disappointed not to be hosting the event in India, the decision gives us the certainty we need to stage the event in a country that is a proven international host of multi-team events in a biosecure environment.

"We will work closely with the BCCI, the Emirates Cricket Board and Oman Cricket to ensure fans can enjoy a wonderful celebration of cricket."

India has recorded over 30 million coronavirus cases since

the start of the pandemic, the second highest number in the world behind the United States. Nearly 400,000 people have died from the disease in the country.

The UAE has had nearly 629,000 cases with just over 1800 deaths.

West Indies are the defending champions having claimed a dramatic victory over England in the 2016 final in India. (Sportsmax)

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

“Uncompromising” West Indies hand South Africa series lead

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Obed McCoy bagged 4-22

e asked for a nailbiter and we got it. South Africa defended 19 runs off the last two overs; Kagiso Rabada defended eight off the last two balls as South Africa took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

For the third match in succession, Kieron Pollard put South Africa in to bat, and like in the previous game, West Indies stumbled in a chase of 160 plus; they have only managed to chase this score

overs between them and worked their variations well after West Indies seemed to be on course at 96 for 3 at the halfway mark of their 168 target.

Earlier in the afternoon, Quinton de Kock proved to be their nemesis again in topscoring with 72, before Obed McCoy and Dwayne Bravo shared seven wickets between them. McCoy ended with career-best 4 for 22, which did not prove to be enough.

Fabian Allen's left-arm spin, something South Africa had been reluctant to do in the previous two matches.

He also put together a 60-run stand for the fourth wicket with Rassie van der Dussen, the best of South Africa's innings. It appeared as if he'd bat through, but he moved outside off stump to try and pull Dwayne Bravo over square leg, but handed Lendl Simmons a simple catch in the 18th over.

50 in his 50th The effects of unburdening de Kock from the captaincy have been obvious on this tour. He followed up his career-best 141* in the first

The Real McCoy The ever-impressive leftarmer McCoy bettered his career-best 3 for 25 from the second game with figures of 4 for 22. Apart from a beamer down the leg-side that cost five runs, he made a mark. He struck in the fifth over when Reeza Hendricks pulled a short ball straight to a running Allen at deep backward square, and then deceived South Africa Captain Temba Bavuma with a back-of-the-hand slower ball.

Looking to go over the top, Bavuma sliced this with Shimron Hetmyer running across from mid-off to take the catch. South Africa ended the powerplay on 51 for 2, their lowest in the series so far.

McCoy would have a third, but for Jason Holder shelling a running catch at long-on off de Kock. McCoy made up for it in the penultimate over when he bowled George Linde with a slower ball and had van der Dussen caught at short third, trying to smack it over longon. McCoy's pace left South Africa about 15 runs adrift of what Bavuma thought would

Dwayne Bravo supported with 3-25

twice in their last 11 games.

While South Africa may not be entirely pleased with all elements of their batting, especially their middle order, their attack help them get out of jail. Tabraiz Shamsi turned in the most economical effort of his career so far (2 for 13 in four overs) while Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi conceded 52 runs in seven

Test with 96 in the second, two scores over 25 in the first two T20Is and then a seventh T20I half-century here in his 50th T20I appearance.

He set the tone in the third over when he took 15 runs off Andre Russell's opening over, courtesy of two fours and a six.

He rebuilt with Aiden Markram after McCoy's double strike in the fifth over and attacked

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be a par score.

5 for 17 plays 3 for 14 South Africa lost momentum in the last three overs of their innings when they lost five wickets for 17 runs. That was the difference between a score under 170 and one closer to 200 and remains a cause for concern, especially sans a seambowling all-rounder.

But West Indies also have their problems in the middle.

They promoted Holder to number three for the first time in his career and while he took on Linde and Markram, he miscued an Ngidi slower ball to end the experiment.

Hetmyer, playing for the first time in the series, also targeted Linde and Markram, but could not get Shamsi past Rabada at point. And Pollard failed for the second successive time in the series when he yorked himself by charging Rabada and missing a flick to leave the lower order to do the rest.

Final flourish, and squeeze West Indies needed 44 runs off the last four overs, and Andre Russell transferred pressure onto the South African attack with back-toback sixes off Nortje before mishitting an attempted third maximum and being dropped by a back-pedalling Bavuma at extra cover. The rest of that over brought just two runs and the wicket of Russell to put the ball back in the batting team's court.

Nicholas Pooran, who has had a poor series so far, smashed Ngidi over midwicket

for six off the second ball of the 18th over but with only three more runs off the remaining three balls, West Indies still had work to do. It was Nortje who put South Africa in the pound seats with an over that cost just four runs and brought the wicket of Pooran,

Quinton de Kock top-scored with 72

who missed a paddle and was out lbw, and left Rabada with 15 to defend in the last over.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Quinton de Kock †c Simmons b Bravo 72 Reeza Hendricks c Allen b McCoy 17 Temba Bavuma (c) c Hetmyer b McCoy 1 Aiden Markram c Allen b Bravo 23 Rassie van der Dussen c Hetmyer b McCoy 32 David Miller c Simmons b Bravo 2 George Linde b McCoy 0 Kagiso Rabada not out 4 Anrich Nortje run out (Sinclair/Holder) 0 Tabraiz Shamsi not out 0 Extras (b 4, lb 2, nb 1, w 9) 16 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.35) 167/8 Did not bat: Lungi Ngidi Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Reeza Hendricks, 4.1 ov), 2-44 (Temba Bavuma, 4.6 ov), 3-87 (Aiden Markram, 9.4 ov), 4-147 (Quinton de Kock, 17.1 ov), 5-150 (David Miller, 17.3 ov), 6-151 (George Linde, 18.2 ov), 7-161 (Rassie van der Dussen, 18.6 ov), 8-164 (Anrich Nortje, 19.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Obed McCoy 4-0-22-4 Jason Holder 3-0-18-0 Andre Russell 2-0-25-0 Kevin Sinclair 3-0-29-0 Fabian Allen 2-0-23-0 Dwayne Bravo 4-0-25-3

Kieron Pollard

2-0-19-0

WEST INDIES INNINGS (TARGET: 168 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Evin Lewis c van der Dussen b Shamsi 27 Lendl Simmons c †de Kock b Linde 22 Jason Holder c Markram b Ngidi 16 Shimron Hetmyer c Rabada b Shamsi 17 Nicholas Pooran † lbw b Nortje 27 Kieron Pollard (c) b Rabada 1 Andre Russell c Markram b Nortje 25 Fabian Allen not out 14 Dwayne Bravo not out 0 Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 14) 17 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.30) 166/7 Did not bat: Obed McCoy, Kevin Sinclair Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Lendl Simmons, 6.5 ov), 2-57 (Evin Lewis, 7.4 ov), 3-90 (Jason Holder, 10.1 ov), 4-97 (Shimron Hetmyer, 11.4 ov), 5-104 (Kieron Pollard, 12.3 ov), 6-140 (Andre Russell, 16.6 ov), 7-153 (Nicholas Pooran, 18.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W George Linde 3-0-33-1 Aiden Markram 2-0-24-0 Anrich Nortje 4-0-29-2 Lungi Ngidi 3-0-23-1 Kagiso Rabada 4-0-41-1 Tabraiz Shamsi 4-0-13-2

E-Networks makes financial contribution GBA names 4-member to Olympics-bound boxer Allicock team for Youth Qualifiers

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-Networks Inc on Tuesday presented boxer Keevin Allicock with a sponsorship cheque of $250,000 ahead of his departure for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The Games will be held from July 23 to August 8. Prior to the Games, the 22-year-old will engage in a high-level, three-week training camp in Russia, compliments of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

“Allicock’s Olympic qualification is the first for Guyana in 25 years, and E-Networks recognises this as a proud moment for our country,” the company said in a press release.

“We believe sponsorships like these allow our local athletes to perfect their craft, gain exposure, and reach their full potential – all while representing Guyana on the world stage.

E-Networks is thrilled to lend our support to Keevin and we wish him well on his journey to this year’s Tokyo Olympics.”

Allicock, a 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist, will join boxers from Antigua, Jamaica,

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Caribbean champion Alesha Jackman

Keevin Allicock (left) receives the sponsorship from E-Networks’ Marketing Coordinator, Ashley John

and Trinidad and Tobago as Caricom representatives in Tokyo. He has long been touted as a potential Olympic medallist, given his exploits in regional and international competitions

for Guyana.

He is currently ranked number 19 in the world and seven in the Americas, rankings that were crucial in him qualifying for the global Games.

To date, Guyana has won only one Olympic medal, which, incidentally, came through the sport of boxing in 1980 when bantamweight fighter Michael Parris won bronze in Moscow.

uyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle on Tuesday afternoon confirmed to Guyana Times Sport that a five-member contingent, comprising four boxers and one coach, will be heading to Mexico in the new month for the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Youth Qualifier.

Caribbean Youth Champion Alesha Jackman will headline the team that also feature Travis Inverary, Wayne Castello, and Patrick Harvey. The team will be accompanied to Guadalajara, Mexico by three-star Coach Terrence Poole, MS. The event is scheduled to run from July 11 to July 19.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

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

See story on page 23

“Uncompromising” West Indies hand South Africa series lead

Kieron Pollard’s poor performance continues

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