Guyana Times - Wednesday June 9, 2021

FFTP gifts 10 houses to Essequibo Coast families P15

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4673

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

Govt secures purchase of 100,000 Sinopharm vaccines – Dr Anthony

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Inaugural P13 Speaker’s National Youth Debating Tournament launched

…Sputnik 2nd doses to arrive by next week; 100,000 1st doses delivered Monday

Enmore Sugar Estate will become hub for employment on ECD – Jagdeo

Keith Lowenfield to face more electoral fraud charges today Page 16

Page 7

…large-scale industrial complex in pipeline

12-year-old killed by P11 &12 pick-up in EBE accident …as cyclist dies in Linden Highway accident

Brothers jailed for Rose Hall $5M robbery

“We care about you” – Ali to Mahaica Creek residents

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…reiterates support for all flood-affected persons Page 12

Teens busted with gun, P10 ammo, stolen bike

Guyana will make HIV discrimination illegal, protect LGBTQ+ persons – President tells UN …urges sustained int’l support in fight against HIV

Page 3

“Answer the calling of innovation” to solve Guyana’s problems – US Ambassador tells entrepreneurs Page 14

Murder convict, B&E accused escape from Lusignan P8 Prison

…as AmCham launches YEP initiative

P9 5 more succumb to COVID-19, 87 new cases

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, June 9 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Thursday, June 10 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, June 9 – 16:15h – 17:45h and Thursday, June 10 – 16:50h – 18:20h.

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 light rain showers and thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:01h reaching a maximum height of 2.47 metres.

Low Tide: 09:35h and 21:45h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.76 metre.

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Guyana will make HIV discrimination illegal, protect LGBTQ+ persons – President tells UN …urges sustained int’l support in fight against HIV

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uyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday assured a United Nations HighLevel Meeting on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that his Government is committed to universal health care, to making discrimination against the virus illegal and to protecting vulnerable groups such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) persons.

According to the President in his address, the Government of Guyana is fully committed to providing universal access to prevention, care and treatment for everyone living with HIV or those who are especially vulnerable to HIV infection.

He noted that the Government was intent on not only making discrimination against those infected with HIV unacceptable, but also illegal and punitive – policies that will be enforced throughout society, including Government, the Private Sector and civil society.

At present, Guyana has a Prevention of Discrimination Act that does not specifically address discrimination based on someone’s HIV status. Other laws, however, do speak to the equal rights of persons living with HIV, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act. President Ali explained that the Government was also intent on reaching vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+ persons, sex workers and immigrants; integrating mental health into all HIV policies and programmes and transforming the current paper-based HIV monitoring system into an Information Technology (IT) system. It is an assurance that comes as the world ob-

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$72.22/barrel

+1.01

Rough Rice

$236.30 /ton

-0.11

London Sugar

$459.30/ton

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$1894.30

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223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

serves pride month.

Ali explained that Guyana, which he noted has one of the best HIV programme results in the Caribbean, is keen on ensuring that these areas of focus are reflected in the 2021 Political Declaration made by the UN. In recounting the strides Guyana has made, the President admitted that the country missed the UN’s 2020 90-90-90 target.

The 90-90-90 target speaks to a UN goal that countries had aimed for, that by 2020, 90 per cent of all HIV-infected people would know their status, 90 per cent of them who know their status would receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90 per cent of those persons would have viral suppression.

“A total of 95 per cent of those living with HIV have been diagnosed, while 73 per

cent who are aware of their HIV status are on treatment, and almost nine out of every ten of these were virally suppressed. Over the past 20 years, Guyana has reduced new HIV infections by more than half…. In the 2021-2025 period, Guyana is committed to reaching the new UNAIDS global 95-9595 goal.

“Guyana has already embarked on a comprehensive Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis programme, ensuring that anyone, anywhere in Guyana, who is at risk of an HIV infection, can access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

Another innovative focus of our comprehensive response is increasing self-testing,” he said.

According to the President, Guyana has already integrated testing, diagnosis, and treatment for sexually transmitted diseas-

es into the primary healthcare system. In addition, the Government is committed to the elimination of gonorrhoea and syphilis in our maternal population. But he also urged the international community to step up its support in order to end the HIV pandemic.

“As we gather again for another High-Level Conference on HIV, as we observe the 25th anniversary of the formation of UNAIDS, the global inequity that facilitated AIDS to leave a trail of death for 40 years is very much evident as we combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The truth is we still live in two very different worlds.

COVID-19 vaccine inequity is a moral dilemma.”

He noted that the 2021 Political Declaration emanating out of the meeting must ensure funding for UNAIDS and the Global Fund, adding that the 2021 High-Level Meeting must become a trigger for concerted and sustained action over the next decade so as to root out the conditions which contribute to and fuel the HIV pandemic.

The High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, which was launched in accordance with General Assembly resolution 75/260, runs from June 8-10, 2021, in the General Assembly Hall, at the UN Headquarters in New York.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 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

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

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compassionate human being cannot fathom the drivers of malevolence that impel anyone, especially world leaders, to instigate aggression between individuals; within families and communities; even civil war in nation states, where brother has been known to fight against brother to death, and between countries.

The United Nations designated June 4 as “International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression”.

According to a UN blog, the purpose of this day is “to remember, acknowledge and address the violence committed against children worldwide through war, terrorism, abduction, sexual abuse, killing, assault on schools, and denial of humanitarian aids.”

On August 19, 1982, the UN General Assembly held an emergency meeting and decided to henceforth observe June 4 as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression on an annual basis.

A UN article informed, “In 1996, independent Mozambique’s first Minister of Education and Culture, Graça Machel, presented a report to the United Nations General Assembly, in which she highlighted the extent of damage that armed conflicts have on children. Machel was well known for her humanitarian work, particularly with refugee children, for which she had received the Nansen Refugee Award from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).”

The Machel report led to the adoption of the 51/77 resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on February 20, 1997.

The report talked about providing safeguards to children from all forms of exploitation, violence and diseases, as per the Convention on the Rights of the Child of the UN. The United Nations website sets a target that aims to secure a brighter tomorrow for children. The target is “to put a stop to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect in all their forms, against children.”

A worldwide campaign called #ACTtoProtect has been launched by the UN’s Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral for Children and Armed Conflict to protect war-affected children.

However, in a perpetual cycle, children worldwide are subjected to violence and abuse in various ways, even at the hands of parents and/or primary caregivers.

Conflict zones have been increasing, creating an estimated 250 million child-victims who have been directly affected by the conflict. The United Nations recognises, as adumbrated in its website, that more needed to done, so that rights of the children are protected.

There are numerous instances of harm caused to children in areas of conflict – be it in family, community, societal and national constructs; or worse, in war zones, where weapons of mass destruction achieve just that – mass destruction. The consequences of such horrific carnage are children who are left homeless and becoming refugees, orphans; wounded in body, mind, heart and soul; left to the mercies of paedophiles and predators of every ilk.

The UN describes abuse to children as including sexual violence, death, addiction, and denial of humanitarian access; abduction, attacks on homes, schools and hospitals.

Observing this designated day is a tiny step in a ladder of need spanning miles to acknowledge the pain suffered by children across the world, which is caused due to any kind of abuse, including mental, physical and emotional trauma.

Awareness and action in observation of the international Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression include, but are not limited to: 1) There’s no excuse for child abuse; 2) Aggression is the 1st step on the slippery slope to selfish actions and chaos; 3) Children are not anyone’s punching bag, they deserve protection, love and care; 4) Bruises can heal, but the real hurt is concealed within sick souls; 5) Neighbours and teachers/caregivers should be vigilant always and observant of behavioural patterns of children that could signal abuse.

The casualties of children wounded severely or killed in wartorn countries are escalating instead of decreasing, with no end in sight.

Horror stories of children beaten, killed, emotionally or psychologically battered proliferate in media reports worldwide.

The sad reality is that many of the perpetrators are primary caregivers such as teachers and nannies, close relatives, or even parents.

From left: Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, Justice Damone Younge and Justice Brassington Reynolds share a photo as the Supreme Court of Judicature in its drive to help break the chain of transmission of the dreaded COVID-19 virus encourages all to #getvaxxed! (The Supreme Court of Judicature photo)

“Wild men” cannot see compliance with rule of law, even if it hits them in the face

Dear Editor, There is in existence a grouping whom former leader of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Robert Corbin, once famously described as a “bunch of wild men.” Their public views are extremist, sometimes seditious, and often calculated to excite racial hostilities in this land. Frequently, they attempt to varnish their verbiage with a repugnant veneer of warped interpretations of law and the constitution, acquired autodidactically.

During “the five (5) months of madness” which succeeded the 2nd March, 2020 elections, the nation heard them repeatedly calling on President David Granger to “discipline” the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for not accepting Clairmont Mingo’s fraudulent declaration of the results of the elections for District No. 4 and Keith Lowenfield’s perverse Report of the final results of the National Recount, as well as advising the President to “ignore” the elections’ results declared by GECOM and to remain in Government “in the best interest of the nation.”

Such verbal idiocies, and the depraved minds from

which they emanate, have no place in modern civilisation.

They resonate from an era to which modern Guyana would never revert, but their authors are so delusional that this self-evident truth is lost upon them.

One eminent member of this rogue gang cannot apprehend the possible lawful existence of criminal proceedings in the justice system and departmental disciplinary proceeding being maintained simultaneously against the same individual. As a result, with blissful ignorance, he attacks the Chairperson of GECOM for directing the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer for Region 4, Clairmont Mingo, to show cause why they should not be removed from office consequent upon motions being laid before the Commission seeking their removal. That the Chairperson is affording to these individuals the facility of natural justice completely eludes this obtuse mind.

The truth is that there is sufficient evidence within the personal knowledge

of the Commission - including acts of attempted fraud, dishonesty, insubordination, and willful refusal to comply with clear statutory provisions - that ought to render these persons dismissed instantaneously with cause over nine months ago! In this regard, the Commission itself is guilty of dereliction of its constitutional duty to the people of Guyana for not acting decisively and condignly on this matter, but that is a debate for another time and place.

This reckless critic of the GECOM Chairperson’s actions blatantly refuses to recognise that both the Constitution and the Elections Law Amendment Act expressly mandate that GECOM’s employees are to be hired by the Commission, and must remain at all times subject to the direction and control of the said Commission. During the “5 months of madness”, when the Chief Elections Officer went rogue, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Caribbean Court of Justice pronounced that he is not a “lone ranger”, but is subject to the direction and control of the Commission, citing the very constitutional and statu-

tory provisions to which I have made reference. The Courts further emphasised that the Commission reserves the power to discipline and dismiss officers as it sees fit. There is no obligation known to law which enjoins the Commission to await the determination of any criminal proceedings before it activates its lawful powers of dismissal.

This self-same “wild man” views the activation by the Prime Minister of a constitutionally-provided mechanism, which the Prime Minister is expressly empowered to do in respect of the members of the Police Service Commission, as a violation of the law and of citizens’ rights. Such irrational insipience is unworthy of a response.

In the end, an absurd irony becomes clear: these “wild men” are so accustomed to ignominiously advocate for abrogation of the rule of law that they cannot see compliance with the rule of law, even if it hits them in the face.

Yours faithfully, Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC, MP Attorney General & Legal Affairs Minister

City Hall should be ashamed over GFS decision Dear Editor, The news that the Guyana Fire Service has had to condemn and deem as a public hazard Guyana’s most famous and picturesque nineteenth-century Gothic Revival building, the City Hall of Georgetown, would have been funny if it were not so sad.

Imagine, the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown - the entity that has responsibility for ensuring the structural soundness of all edifices in our capital; the agency that has been condemning and demolishing buildings in the Garden City over the years

- has had its headquarters condemned and sealed off from occupation by another agency due to its absolutely dilapidated state.

It is simply mind-blowing that this agency, which has on its bloated payroll tons of Engineers, Building Inspectors and other personnel primarily concerned with designing and constructing buildings, has allowed its headquarters building to not only be allowed to deteriorate to this ruinous state, but to be recklessly and negligently occupied until the Fire Service was forced to step in.

It is incomprehensible how

the administrators there - at the risk of life and limb of the scores of persons occupying that building, both staff members and visiting members of the public - could have heedlessly and negligently allowed business to be carried on as usual each day at that facility. What were they waiting for? A major disaster to strike? How could the City’s Fathers and Mothers attend almost daily meetings and be filibustering whilst the building was falling apart one chunk at a time? Indeed, there continues to be a considerable risk being posed to pedestrians and motorists using the area contiguous

to City Hall to commute, particularly now with heavy winds and rainfall.

In other societies where high levels of ethics and morals exist, the senior officials of the Council - who sat day after day, year after year without ensuring that monies were put aside in each year’s budget and expended on the maintenance of City Hall - would have been deemed to not have been operating in the common interest and public good of society.

Instead, these are paid super salaries and treated as if they as assets to the City.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

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High level of arrogance, naivete M&CC needs to redeem itself Dear Editor, It is beyond embarrassing. I am reading that, “In two years, GWI spent $103M on overseas travel and food.”

The former boss, Dr Van WestCharles, explains that “…it was for studies and overtime meals.”

On one level, this kind of wanton waste speaks of corruption, and to flippantly state that the purpose was for food and studies is to display a high level of arrogance and naivete.

As expected, by August 2020 GWI was on the verge of collapse, and one of the reasons for this was the “reckless spending” that characterised GWI during the tenure of the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change).

When I go through the list of spending, it is most immoral in nature: In 2018, $26.8M was spent for overseas travel; In 2019, $26M for over-

seas travel; In 2019, $50M in meals, and ‘enough is enough.’

I think that the atmosphere at GWI, under Van West-Charles was one of happy travelling and eating.

Let us remember that GWI was essentially cash-strapped to the point where it could not pay its electricity bill for a year, and had owed Guyana Power and Light (GPL) some $7B for the period 2018 to 2020. If on hand we had wanton waste, on the other side it was a classic example of not knowing how to prioritise.

I really hope there is a legal way of calling to account those responsible for the financial mess that GWI was left in, which it is now trying so hard to disentangle itself from.

This GWI fiasco makes me recall what transpired with an APNU/AFC supporter who was paid $500,000 separately for a Director of Parks position, even though the man

was out of Guyana. He also was the one who spearheaded the controversial park project, and claimed that he was also the President and Secretary of a defunct Florida-registered company that was paid to print birth certificates.

Usually, it was local printers who produced Guyanese birth certificates. So, when the former Government had moved away from this long-standing practice, a bad smell was detected, and that led to a whole lot of unsavoury discoveries.

I have my doubts regarding whether many of these improprieties would ever be fully dealt with. But for now, the GWI is being cleaned up, and when surplus employees are sent home, I hope the supporters of APNU/AFC will not cry foul.

Regards, Alvin Hamilton

Food safety is everyone’s business

Dear Editor, Celebrated on June 7 every year, World Food Safety Day aims to spread awareness; detect and prevent foodborne risks; contribute to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.

The Caribbean region joins with the global community in celebrating World Food Safety Day, which is also aimed at drawing attention to, and inspiring action at, all levels and from all sectors to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks.

The Caribbean region shares a responsibility to contribute to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, access to regional and international markets, tourism, and sustainable development.

This year's theme, “Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow”, highlights the need of sustainable production systems to ensure the health of people, the planet, and the economy in the long term. It is important to recognise that

the health of people, animals and the environment is interconnected, and that any safety-adverse event may have a global impact on public health, trade and economy. This can pose rather detrimental effects to the sustainable development of Caribbean States.

The observance of World Food Safety Day is jointly facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites are infectious and toxic. They can enter the body through contaminated food and water. It is therefore important during this flooding period to ensure that food stays safe at every step of the food chain, from production to consumption.

With an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, unsafe food is a threat to human health and economies. It disproportionally affects vulnerable and marginalised people, especially women and children, populations affected by conflict,

and migrants,” mentions the United Nations on its website in recognising the global burden of foodborne diseases, which affect individuals of all ages, in particular children younger than 5 and people living in low-income countries and communities.

The FDA says that “Food safety is a shared responsibility between all governments, producers and consumers.

Everyone has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and healthy. Through World Food Safety Day, WHO works to mainstream food safety in the public agenda, and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases globally.

The FDA promotes and protects public health by helping to ensure that food supply is safe, sanitary, wholesome and honestly labelled.

In keeping with the spirit of World Food Safety Day, the agency also collaborates with global partners all year long to strengthen food safety.

Sincerely, David Adams

Dear Editor, Georgetown’s biggest eyesore happens to be no other than the City Hall Building itself. Recently, the Guyana Fire Service conducted a survey on the City Hall Building, and this resulted in its condemnation, deemed to be a public hazard as per their inspection report.

The Mayor, His Lordship Yubraj Narine, himself had confirmed that the building was even condemned since in 2016, as they continued to occupy it. Some well-known personalities who served as mayor for the City of Georgetown include LFS Burnham, Claude Merriman, John Ford, Patricia Chase- Green, and Hamilton Green.

Notably, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has always remained under the dominance of a PNC-controlled body, and by extension is one of its surrogates. Aligned in the jurisdiction of Region 4, this region is predominantly influenced by a PNC affluence, and has always been one of the strong arms of the party, with their supporters residing in the vicinity.

Plagued with a history of corruption, scandals, collusions, financial misappropriations, fraud, money-squandering, bankruptcy, payment delays to contractors, court proceedings, poor management, malpractices, neglect, unaudited reports, bullish and dictatorial attitudes, an unhealthy public relationship, and non-co-operation with PPP/C administration, this consistency has resulted into a “Garden City” being run down to a “Garbage City.” The building itself is in such a poor state of condition that its shabby appearance makes the small man’s hut look like a castle in comparison to this disdainful and despicable sight.

But, then again, the people in charge of the city and its administration are progeny of a PNC elite group who are pronged for a type of organisation which can break only, rather than make reputation. They have skillfully established a blatant track record for the reverse Midas Touch. Anything they put their hands on turns not to gold, but old. The PNC

Urgency necessary in reaching out to flood-affected Guyanese Dear Editor, The move is indeed most necessary, and I hope that it would be totally automatic. I speak here of “When the National Assembly resumes sittings on Thursday, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government will be using the occasion to seek supplemental funding to the tune of $10 billion to assist with flood mitigation measures throughout the country.”

We just cannot wait.

The devastation is unprecedented, and I am all for the Government in its move to make pre-emptive plans to aid those affected by the torrential rainfalls and flooding that have plagued communities, particularly in Regions Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and 10.

Let me state clearly that nothing should stand in the way of reaching out from a national standpoint. It is the duty of the Government

of the day, and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is obligated to take the necessary steps, and, hopefully, will not be stymied in this planned effort.

I add that experiencing damage caused by extreme weather such as storms or flooding is not easy to deal with. At the mental level, there can be an increase in the chances of facing mental health problems such as stress and depression by 50%.

Data can be accessed to show that a quarter of people who have been flooded still live with these issues, at least two years after the event.

So, when the Government goes to the Parliament for supplementary provisions to address the flooding issues, seeking $10 billion in supplementary provisions, I hope that all Guyanese would be able to grasp the magnitude of what has happened, and what must be done.

According to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, “It (the money) would help us to give enough to the farmers, the miners, all of those who have had their livelihoods disrupted, so we can give them some help to get back to productive activities. And, of course, it would assist us in continuing to provide immediate assistance.”

In this regard, it is essential we be certain of a few realities for life after flooding: Find out if the water supply is safe to drink before consuming water. Avoid floodwaters, as they may be contaminated.

Drive cautiously, as roads and dams are prone to be undermined after flooding.

I like the fact that the Vice President brought up the study done by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on the 2005 floods and its economic impact. As we can all see, it was found

that Guyana lost approximately 59 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). So, quite wisely, Jagdeo stated that “We have to plan for the future. We have to find solutions by building bypass canals, where if we want to open up more lands in the inner depth of the country so you can bypass the settlement and take inner water into the Atlantic Ocean. And we’re considering that even now.”

Readers must appreciate that torrential rainfalls and flooding leave almost permanent scars one way or another: uprooting of lives; disrupting livelihoods of persons as well as communities; and the setting back of sectors such as agriculture and mining.

The onus is on the Government to alleviate the issue, and corporate Guyana must lend full support.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

party is internationally known to be an “eat, drink and be merry” party, incapable of being spendthrift and known to live for the current day only. They lack any concept of planning for the future, and remain visionless. Trust them to squander every penny they inherited and then turn around and beg, borrow or steal, as evident by the many years the PNC has been in power ruling the nation and ruining the country to economic disaster.

The M&CC has always been in need of a bailout situation.

It is unimaginable how all the revenues collected cannot suffice for the running of the City’s administration. So often eyebrows are raised when the question of finance arises, giving way to seeded speculations as a result of gross inefficiency and defective controlled mechanism. Too much of a relaxed and laid–back attitude incorporating the “bullish standoffishness” from management and the politically secured barrier barricading legitimate reproach from exterior sources contribute to the M&CC remaining as an impregnable fort. This laxity was not only condoned by previous mayors, but was more so encouraged by the previous PNC Government.

All of the City’s mayors have been a mouthpiece for the PNC party, and so they do no wrong in the eyes of all the years of PNC administration.

The Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali, had stressed on the swearing in

of the mayors and their deputies last March that, “Councils are facilitators of development, and should not be barriers, creating unnecessary bureaucracy.” Unfortunately, this advice fell on some deaf ears, as seen recently by the heavy rain fall and the flood.

There were obvious reasons for insinuating that mischief was afoot, and those guilty are agencies of the enemy within the state.

Former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, now Vice President, appeared this week on a social media programme and adumbrated that the Government remains committed to helping the M&CC towards the restoration of the City Hall Building. He mentioned that $100M would be available towards this programme, but the money would not be handed over to them, thus denying them its control.

This action speaks volumes and underlines the unscrupulous behaviour of the mayor and his management deficiency. This is certainly a slap in the face, and confirms that honesty and integrity must form an integral part of the M&CC infrastructure. Trust is certainly one of the missing elements in the equation, and as long as the mayorship remains under the fold of the PNC, this flock will never have the confidence of any PPP/C administration.

The M&CC needs to redeem itself. Can it do so?

Respectfully, Jai Lall

City Hall should be...

There is an old proverb that says, ‘A stitch in time saves nine’. Had a mere ten million dollars been allocated each year and honestly used to maintain that structure, there would never have been the situation now, where rehabilitation is pegged at a whopping one billion dollars.

But no, instead, hundreds of millions were wasted on building unfinished presidential parks; a ‘Hair Stylists/

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Cosmetologists Row’; wholesale vending spots that resemble dog kennels; a petting zoo; all on the Merriman Mall, which are a complete disgrace and eyesore, a white elephant car Park on East Street between Middle and New Market Streets, a still incomplete Kitty Market, and so much more.

Faithfully, Mark Roopan

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Foundation ◄

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Tuesday’s answers

"This living hand, now warm and capable"

By John Keats

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must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by. — John Masefield, Poet Describe how the sea and sky are alike.

This living hand, now warm and capable Of earnest grasping, would, if it were cold And in the icy silence of the tomb, So haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood So in my veins red life might stream again, And thou be consciencecalm’d–see here it is– I hold it towards you.

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Enmore Sugar Estate will become hub for employment on ECD – Jagdeo …large-scale industrial complex in pipeline

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has some major plans for the Enmore Sugar Estate that was closed under the former Administration of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) but would now be transformed to serve as an employment hub for the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who – during an appearance on the Globespan Show on Monday – revealed that the Government was mulling a large-scale industrial complex at Enmore that would go beyond sugar production.

“We just had, a couple weeks ago, a discussion on the entire masterplan for five years of turning around sugar. It would involve a number of things including packaging more processed sugar. We’d have to make a determination between Enmore, because Enmore, and other areas are slated for industrial development too.”

According to the Vice

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

President, this development is not “necessarily just sugar-related, but to absorb employment that people lost jobs. So, we’re looking to Enmore for a broader scale industrial (complex) that would employ people from the East Coast. East Coast, parts of Region Five. To shift more employment into the lower areas, Haslington, Golden Grove, all of these areas, Cove and John, Foulis.”

He further explained, “So, we want to do that.

So, we’re deciding now, since Albion as you correctly pointed out is the area that produces the most sugar and at a fairly lower cost

compared to other areas, that to do more packaging at Albion. So that study (is ongoing) now to see if we can’t install some packaging (plant) at Albion and upgrade the one at Blairmont.”

The former APNU/AFC Government had closed the Wales Estate in 2016, and subsequently shut down the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates. This resulted in thousands of jobs being lost and only Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion Estates being in operation.

After taking office last year, the PPP/C Government announced in the 2020 Emergency Budget presented in September 2020, that some $5 billion would be injected into the sugar industry for the phased reopening of the closed estates.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was allocated a further $2 billion in Budget 2021 by the PPP/C Government for capital works to be undertaken at the various estates to help in the turnaround of the sugar industry.

The PPP/C had promised on the campaign trail

The Enmore Estate

to reopen these estates, and within weeks of being in office, had taken steps in this direction. In fact, last September, the Irfaan Aliled Administration had invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from investors.

According to the invitation for EoIs, “a joint venture, partnerships, or a leasing arrangement on the now re-opened vested sugar estates at Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon, and also on the operational sugar estates at Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion…” were be-

ing sought. The notice invited “…interests from the Private Sector to participate in different forms in the ownership or operations of GuySuCo.” It was reported last November that, along with one local entity, some nine international companies from Asia, North America, South America and the Caribbean had submitted EoIs. At least three of those foreign companies were Indian.

GuySuCo has been eyeing the reopening of Enmore

and Rose Hall Estates by 2022. It is expected that the Rose Hall factory will be the first to become operational, while the Skeldon factory will be returned to operation by 2023. The Wales factory will be divested.

With the efforts to revive GuySuCo, the Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion Estates recorded the highest daily production for 2021, as well as 2020 when it was announced that the sugar company had produced 710 metric tonnes of sugar on March 11. (G3)

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Murder convict, B&E accused escape from Lusignan Prison Shazam Kalil who was convicted for murder. He was serving a life sentence.

More than two months ago, Taje Singh, 45, who was serving a sentence for unlawful wounding and larceny of a water pump, had

escaped from the Lusignan penitentiary by jumping a fence.

He was later found at a location in Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), some 12 hours after he had escaped.

Brothers jailed for Rose Hall $5M robbery Prison escapees: Andrew Chaung and Shazam Kalil

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anks of the Guyana Police Force have launched an investigation into the escape of two inmates from the Lusignan Prison, East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Prison authorities are yet to determine how the men made their escape. The men were discovered missing at about 07:30h on Tuesday during the unlocking of the prison’s quarantine section which was supervised by a

duty officer and four other ranks.

The matter was reported to the Officer in Charge who immediately ordered a roll call, following which it was confirmed that two prisoners were missing.

Those who escaped are 26-year-old Andrew Chaung whose last address was New Road Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. He was remanded for break and enter and larceny; and 24-year-old

T

Jailed brothers: Leron and Deron Lashly

wo brothers were on Tuesday jailed for the $5 million robbery committed on the A&S

Store at Rose Hall Town, Berbice.

The siblings, Leron and Deron Lashly, appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court where Deron was sentenced to 12 months while Leron was sentenced to three years and seven months in jail.

Reports indicated that the owner of the business, Amirah Hamid, closed the door to the business at about 18:30h on Thursday last. However, she reportedly opened the business on Friday at about 08:15h and observed a metal door at the back of the building open.

As she looked closer, she realised that the door was wrenched open.

This prompted her to make checks in the store, where she observed several highend phones along with electronic devices and money missing.

She immediately raised an alarm and the Police were summoned. A relative of the businesswoman had told this publication that after the bandit removed the articles, they reportedly used Methylated Spirits to wipe off any visible fingerprints.

In addition, she related that the burglars escaped with 12 iPhone 12s valued $2.4 million, five iPhone 12 Pro Max valued $1.6 million, 35 Samsung Galaxy cell phones valued $1.5 million, one Digi Tronic tablet valued $65,000 and $20,000 cash.

Police would have conducted a search on the home of one of the suspects in Williamsburg Village, Corentyne, Berbice, on Saturday and he led ranks to a location where he hid several mobile phones in relation to the robbery. As such, 23 cell phones were recovered and have been lodged as evidence. Further investigations led to the arrest of another male. The phones were all identified by the businesswoman.

Release...

T

…the Rodney COI Report his Sunday will be 41 years since Walter Rodney was ASSASSINATED. But, even more amazingly, FIVE YEARS AFTER the Report of the COI into that assassination was handed over to the then PNC coalition Government - which included the WPA - it never saw the light of day, much less being released officially to the people of Guyana!! In Nov 2019, Dr Pat Rodney, widow of the slain martyr, poignantly called for the release of the Report - and denounced his mute erstwhile “comrades” in the WPA. She insisted, “There must be strong resistance to those who would attach themselves to Rodney’s legacy in order to reap narrow political dividends in the present”. The “political dividends”, of course, were the Ministries and other governmental appointments handed out to WPA members and executives by the PNC. There is, of course, the precedent of a fella names Judas Iscariot who did accept “30 pieces of silver” for betraying his leader, who was also fighting for the freedom of his people!

Very sadly, this wasn’t the first time that the memory of Rodney was besmirched by the WPA on the altar of political expediency to save the PNC’s blushes. In 2005-6, the then PPP attempted to constitute a COI into the assassination, but the efforts were torpedoed by WPA leader Rupert Roopnaraine. He insisted that Rodney’s widow didn’t give her approval, because the PPP would make political capital to benefit themselves in the upcoming 2006 general elections. Mrs Rodney later denied this assertion. We can now see that, even back then, the WPA was playing footsies with the PNC, with whom they would merge into “APNU” in 2011.

Your Eyewitness knows that the PPP Government is transfixed by the two major crises confronting the nation right now – COVID-19 and the Floods. But they must find some time to release the Rodney COI Report, since it concerns an even greater crisis we’ve faced since 1958 - the PNC. The Report was quite clear that Rodney’s assassination was conducted by agents of the Government - especially the GDF, of which Granger had just been made head - and that Burnham, the leader, certainly was aware of the plans. This will remind all Guyanese - including PNC supporters - of the lengths that party will go to prevent freedom of thought - the essence of democracy.

This is a party whose leader, Burnham, was arrogant enough to warn the WPA (the “Worst Possible Alternative”) to “make its will” because the PNC’s “steel was sharper”.

The reminder of a “will” is another reason for the release of the COI. Rodney’s death certificate insists that his cause of death was by “misadventure”.

Rodney’s family was never able to collect his life insurance. …restraints on COVID-19 vaccines Your Eyewitness was very elated when, a month ago, US President Biden said he supported a temporary waiver of patents on COVID- 19 vaccines. The EU quickly agreed.

This, of course, would’ve allowed countries across the world to churn out the vaccines, so that the entire planet could achieve herd immunity. Meaning, like with polio, we would’ve stopped this deadly pandemic cold in its tracks.

But Big Pharma rose up in unison, and raised all sorts of specious objections - like quality control - which they implied the “poor countries” wouldn’t be able to maintain.

They cynically ignored the fact that, at present, so many vaccines - including those for measles and polio, etc. are manufactured in these same countries. And the initiative seems DOA. The bottom line are money and profits.

But while your Eyewitness is a card-carrying member of the free enterprise system, he sees no contradiction in insisting that the system be guided when necessary to serve the greater good.

The “invisible hand” doesn’t mean “no hand”! …audit of all Govt depts We all know that working for the Government is automatically equated with having permanent paid vacations. “Government workers” being a contradiction in terms!

But GWI under “Baby Jesus” has made the “vacation” analogy redundant!!

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

NEWS

9

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

5 more succumb to COVID-19 …87 new cases GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JUNE 08 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

87

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

95

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

1649

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

17

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

3

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

9027

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

8778

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

17,805

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

15,628

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

212,541 77,980 416

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2022 REGION 1

1154

REGION 2

490

REGION 3

2070

REGION 4

8412

REGION 5

602

REGION 6

1209

REGION 7

1228

REGION 8

370

REGION 9

1025

REGION 10

1245

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.

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he Health Ministry on Tuesday announced that five more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus have died, hiking the death toll from the pandemic to 416.

The latest fatalities are a 72-year-old woman from Region Four; a 66-year-old man from Region Three; a 56-year-old woman from Region Three; a 70-year-old woman from Region Four; and a 65-year-old man from Region Five.

They died at a medical facility while receiving treatment. For the month of June, there have been 18 reported deaths.

On Monday, two women: a 70-year-old female from Region Two and a 65-yearold from Region Four also succumbed to the virus. On Sunday, four persons also died.

On Tuesday, 87 new cases were detected from 1078 tests. An updated dashboard saw the total confirmed cases moving up to 17,805.

There are 17 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 95 in institutional isolation, 1649 in home isolation and three in insti-

tutional quarantine. Some 15,628 persons have since recovered.

Since the pandemic started, 163,866 individuals were tested – of which 8778 males and 9027 females were positive.

From the new cases, 11 were from Region One (Barima-Waini), three from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 31 from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two from Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), 12 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 20 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper

Essequibo) and 10 in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

There were no new positives in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) as cases remained at 490, 1228 and 370, respectively.

It was clarified on Tuesday that some coronavirus-related deaths are announced quite some time after the person would have succumbed because a PCR test result is needed to determine whether the person was COVID infected.

TURN TO PAGE 10

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teens busted with gun, ammo, stolen bike Essequibo Coast man

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wo teenagers are in Police custody after they were busted with an illegal gun and ammunition as well as a stolen

bike at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Reports are that the teens, ages 16 and 18, were on a motorcycle on Monday

about 16:30h when they were ordered to stop by Police ranks on patrol. However, they attempted to escape by riding south on Tucville Turning Point and proceeding south into High Palm Drive, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown.

The ranks gave chase and the two males were intercepted on High Palm Drive.

A search was conducted on the 18-year-old rider and a .38 Taurus revolver containing four .38 rounds

of ammunition were found in his pants crotch. A search was also conducted on the 16-year-old pillion rider.

They were both arrested and taken to East La Penitence Police Outpost, where the motorcycle was lodged.

Further investigations revealed that the motorcycle was stolen during an armed robbery on June 5 at North Road by two men.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

Bandits hijack taxi

A

53-year-old taxi driver was on Monday robbed by two men of his car at gunpoint whilst at Rasville, Georgetown.

Reports are the driver was at the Georgetown Public Hospital at about 23:30h when he was approached by the suspect who was posing as a “passenger”. Police said the man entered the vehicle’s front seat and requested to be taken to “Back School in West”.

The suspect then made a call as he arrived at the requested location and then asked to be taken to the New Guyana School.

Upon arrival of the location, another suspect emerged and placed a gun to the driver’s head and ordered that he exit his car, which he did.

The taxi driver was also relieved of $8000 and a Samsung cellular phone valued $35,000. Both suspects then entered the car and made good their escape.

Investigations are in progress.

About two weeks ago, a 41-year-old taxi driver was robbed of his motor car at Mount Sinai Village, West Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

It was reported that the victim parked his motor car on the parapet along the Mount Sinai Village Public Road and when he went to get the vehicle the following morning, it was nowhere to be found.

The motor car is a White Toyota Carina 212 with registration plates HB 8987, and an estimated value of $1.4 million. A Police report was made and an investigation has been launched. (G9)

caught in bestiality act

A

57-year-old taxi driver was caught in the act of bestiality by cattle farmers in Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Reports are that farmers saw the man committing the act with four cow calves at Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, PomeroonSupenaam, on Monday and

called the Police.

While at the Police Station the man confessed to the act, claiming that his doctor advised him to engage in sexual intercourse with animals after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He remains in Police custody pending his court appearance today.

5 more succumb...

FROM PAGE 9

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony detailed in the coronavirus update, “We do have persons who would pass away in one of the regions. When those deaths are made known to us, if the person would have displayed symptoms or signs of COVID, then a swab is taken and that swab has to be processed. So, it takes some time before we can definitively say that this person was infected with the SarsCoV-2 virus…While the person might pass away on a

particular date, the confirmation on what they died from might be delayed until we have a PCR test done.”

May 2021 is still the deadliest month for Guyana with 99 deaths, followed by last April with 66.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy. (G12)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt secures purchase Cyclist killed after of 100,000 Sinopharm colliding with pick-up on Linden Highway vaccines – Dr Anthony …Sputnik 2nd doses to arrive by next week; 100,000 1st doses delivered Monday

H

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday announced that Government has secured 100,000 doses of the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm vaccines, which are expected to arrive in the country in the near future.

Sinopharm vaccines, which have an efficacy of about 79 per cent, have already been used in Guyana’s vaccination campaign after 20,000 doses were donated by the Chinese Government earlier this year. The Minister said US$15 is being paid for each dose, with an additional cost attached to each jab to cover transportation.

“We have purchased 100,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. That approximates to about US$15 per dose and we have to add another US$23 from the transportation of the vaccine. You normally factor that in as transportation for the vaccine. That would be the cost of what we’re paying for those vaccines,” he communicated during the COVID-19 briefing.

Just Monday, 100,000 first doses of the Sputnik V vaccines arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport – the fifth batch that has

so far accumulated to 305,537 jabs from a State purchase. Dr Anthony explained that the delay for second doses will end by next week, as another consignment is on track for arrival.

“In terms of the Sputnik V second dose, we continue to work with the supplier to see how fast we can get those second doses in. We have already paid for these second doses.

It is just a matter of getting the supply in Guyana. Hopefully, we’ll get that by the end of this week or early next week. But again, I just want to remind people that for second dose Sputnik, again it’s between four weeks to 12 weeks…The longer you delay in getting that second dose, the more robust or longer the immunity would last.”

Government had first purchased 200,000 doses and then secured another 600,000 for Guyana. The shots continue to arrive in tranches, enabling immunisation for 400,000 persons. Unlike other vaccines, Sputnik V immunisation uses two slightly different versions for the first and second dose. Produced by the Gamaleya National Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology,

the efficacy has been proven to be about 92 per cent.

COVAX is also close to delivering on its promise of 100,800 doses; adding to donations of 80,000 AstraZeneca from India, 20,000 Sinopharm from China and 3000 AstraZeneca from Barbados.

As of June 7, 212,541 persons received their first dose of the vaccine while 77,980 are completely immunised. This is about 15.6 per cent of the adult population.

With the slowest recorded uptake in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), Prime Minister Mark Phillips recently urged residents of Coomacka to take advantage of being vaccinated against COVID-19.

He said Guyana is presently one of the few small countries in the world where the Government has decided to purchase vaccines to be given free of cost to its population. Scores of Venezuelans and other nationals are also getting immunised.

“The Venezuelans are taking the vaccine. We got about forty thousand Venezuelans living in Guyana.

They’re coming forward and taking the vaccine. In Lethem, we have the Brazilians who are coming over to Guyana and taking the vaccine. We want the Guyanese to take the vaccine too, wherever you are…Because the more people take the vaccine is the better for us as a population to get past this COVID-19 disease,” the Prime Minister had said.

On Monday, Director General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also maintained, “In countries with the greatest access to vaccines, we are seeing a decline in mortality among older age groups.

In these countries, the public health and social measures that have helped to protect people are being eased, but they must be eased cautiously, and adjusted in line with viral circulation and response capacities.” (G12)

The bicycle that was involved in the accident

A

48-year-old man is now dead after the bicycle he was riding collided with a pick-up on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway in the vicinity of Loo Creek.

Dead is Kumar Persaud of Seventh-day Adventist Camp Site, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Reports are at around 18:20h the pick-up with registration number GSS 7395 was driven by a female Barbadian national who was proceeding north along the western side of the road when the fatal crash occurred.

It is alleged by the pick-up driver that the pedal cyclist who was in front of her made a sudden turn into her path.

The woman told Police that on seeing such, she pulled further east to avoid a collision but despite her efforts, the vehicle collided with the pedal cyclist.

As a result of the impact, the pedal cyclist fell onto the road’s surface, where he received injuries to his head and body.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited citizens and the Police and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver is in custody as the body of the deceased is now at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

This accident happened just a day after a three-vehicular accident at the Dora Public Road, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, which resulted in the death of 48-year-old minibus driver, Mark Ault and left three others suffering various injuries.

Based on reports received, the accident involved a minibus driven by the now dead man and two motor cars – a Toyota Corolla and a Carina 212.

The two motor cars were heading to the mining town of Linden while the minibus was heading in the opposite direction. However, in the vicinity of Long Creek, the white Corolla motor car was reportedly driving in the middle of the road when it collided with the minibus.

As a result, the minibus toppled several times and, in the process, collided with the other car. The driver of the minibus was reportedly flung out of the vehicle and landed on the roadway where he died almost instantly. (G9)

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“We care about you” – President to Mahaica Creek residents

…reiterates support for all flood-affected persons

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has promised residents of Big Baiboo in Mahaica Creek to do all in his power to help them and the other communities throughout Guyana affected by the current floods.

The Head of State and a team of officials, including Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall were in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) to assess flood-affected communities.

At Big Baiboo, Ali explained that the entire Government machinery has been in the fields and reiter-

ated that they will look after the needs of all communities affected in the short-term, medium-term and long-term.

“Today we are here to let

you know that we are with you in this and that we are not going to disappear, that is not how we are going to operate.”

The President empathised with the plight of the residents, noting that he is heartbroken with their current situation and those

12-year-old killed by pick-up in EBE accident

A

12-year-old girl is now dead after she was struck down by a pick-up truck at around 15:15h on Tuesday on the Farm Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

She has been identified as Varshanie Ramroop of Parika, EBE. Police said a notice of intended prosecution was served on the driver of motor pick-up GXX 7522, who is a resident of Windsor Estates.

Reports are that the girl had just disembarked a minibus and was in the process of crossing the road when she was struck down by the motor pick-up.

As a result of the collision, she fell onto the road’s surface where she received severe head injuries.

She was picked up in an unconscious state and escorted by Police to Leonora Cottage Hospital where she was seen, examined, and pronounced dead on arrival.

facing similar issues in other communities.

“We care about you; we care about your losses and we intend to take action to help you…. I am here to let you know that from the level of the Presidency itself, that we are committed to helping, we are committed to working with you so that we can help you in the medium and long term also.”

The immediate needs, according to the President, are food, shelter and access to health facilities, while systems are currently being put in place to allow more longterm solutions.

“We’ll be having a comprehensive assessment; our priority is to see all possible ways in which we can get the water off this land as quickly as possible…We know the medium- and long-term is-

sues have to be dealt with and those issues include how do we get back to the farm.

The losses you have occurred and how the Government will help you to get back on your feet again.”

The visit to the affected community is one of several the President was expected to make in the region on Tuesday.

After Mahaica, he and his team, which also includes the Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, were scheduled to visit several riverine areas of Mahaicony.

Over the last two weeks, President Ali has visited a number of flood-affected communities across Guyana, including some in regions Two, Three, Five, Six, Seven, and 10.

Lusignan Prison clerk busted with ganja

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22-year-old data entry clerk attached to the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Tuesday morning busted with 80 grams of marijuana in his possession.

The prison employee, who resides at Mon Repos, ECD, is currently in Police

custody as investigations continue.

Reports are that the illegal drug was concealed in a food supplement bottle, which was in the suspect’s haversack. It was discovered after the employee was subjected to a mandatory search.

NEWS

13

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Inaugural Speaker’s National Youth Debating Tournament launched

S

peaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir in keeping with his belief of involving youths at every step of the democratic process, on Tuesday launched the inaugural Speaker’s National Youth Debating Tournament in the Parliament Chambers.

The competition is as a result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and would see 16 youth groups from across the country participating in a mix of virtual and in person clashes. It will run from June 15 to July 19.

The Speaker said that the tournament is in keeping with his vision to promote the culture of democracy and the work of democratic institutions among all Guyanese. He added that the competition was birthed out of his belief in having youths participate in the democratic processes of the country.

Speaker Nadir said that the inaugural debating competition falls in line with the other parliamentary youth initiatives namely the National Youth Parliament involving students from the University of Guyana and the National School Parliament initiative with students from the public education system across the 11 school districts.

“Youth Parliaments and debating competitions are not new to our society. In 1993, I remember as a young person then being very involved in organ-

ising the Caribbean Youth Festival Youth Parliament here in Guyana. The opening ceremony was held on the lawns of the public buildings and attended by then Leader of the Opposition Desmond Hoyte, then Mayor of Georgetown the late Mr Compton Young, and also gracing that occasion was His Excellency, the President Dr Cheddi Jagan, all standing on the same platform in the National Assembly.

“At that time, there were over 300 delegates from 26 countries participating in a Youth Parliament. The Youth Parliament itself was held at the Pegasus and names that many persons may recognise today were involved in that Youth Parliament, the Honourable Attorney General Anil Nandlall was the delegate, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud was a delegate, former President of the University of Guyana’s Students Society Jonathan Adams was a delegate and also a member of the organising team,” he recounted.

He reminded that now Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy also organised a Youth Parliament which took on its own life to promote parliamentary procedures among young people.

Then in 2015, Speaker at the time Raphael Trotman introduced the National Youth Parliament which catered for students of the University of Guyana and the National School

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

Parliament comprising of students from the public school system in the 11 school districts.

“What was constricting was the Youth Parliament only saw us pulling young people from the University of Guyana and my contention was that young people moving on to the University of Guyana only constitute a very small percentage of the young people who are in our wider population. For example, we know this year, some 13 to 14,000, teenagers are writing CXC but maybe only 10 per cent of them may move on to tertiary education. The others choose different avenues. And so, the thinking behind this National Youth Debating Competition was to reach out to youth clubs, youth organisations,” he explained.

“One of the rationales behind the selecting of the groups and the locations will have to have to be availability of internet access, because the competition

will be a hybrid one between in-person presentations, and also virtual presentations. Our team, they are assiduously working to ensure that we can have both virtual and persons who want to do a physical presentation using facilities that we will make available, that that can happen,” he added.

The participating youth groups are: Oronoque Sports Group, Queens Town

Youth Group, Anna Regina Youth Group, West Bank Young Achievers, Small Steps Big Impact Youth Group, Young Professional, Grove/Diamond Youths in Development, Berbice Development Youth Group, Golden Om Youth Group, No 58 Swing Star Youth Group, Angoy's Avenue Youth Group, Mahdia Youth Group, Linden Super Star Youth Group, Kast Talent Management, Cummings Lodge Youth Movement and University of Guyana Student's Society.

The teams were randomly paired using a software.

They will face off in in four rounds – round one will see 8 groups going home after their loss, round two will serve as the quarter finals, round three, semi-finals and round four finals.

There will be a lot of prizes for everyone participating with the best debater claiming a “high-end lap-

top”.

The competition will be judged by 9 judges – former Lecturer, University of Guyana (Chief Judge), Dr Valarie Goorsammy-Smith; Editorial Consultant, Journalist Neil Marks; former Youth Parliamentarian and Best Speaker (Junior Category), Breanna Ramnarain; Distinguished Toastmaster, Cacique Toastmasters Club (Chief Judge), Delon Fraser; Chief Administrative Officer, Parliament Office, Monette Garnett-Christopher; Assistant Director of Sports, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa DowRichardson; President of the Guyana Press Association (Chief Judge), Journalist Nazima Raghubir; Head of the Committees Division, Parliament Office Sonia Maxwell; and former Youth Parliamentarian and Best Debater (Senior Category), Rayon Miller. (G2)

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Answer the calling of innovation” to solve Guyana’s problems – US Ambassador tells entrepreneurs …as AmCham launches YEP initiative

U

nited States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch on Tuesday underlined the importance of innovation, as she called on local entrepreneurs to use their skills in finding solutions to the country’s current challenges.

The diplomat was at the time speaking at the launch of the Young Entrepreneur Programme, pioneered by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) with support from the United States Embassy and other partners.

“Now it is your chance to answer the calling of innovation to the problems that Guyana faces today and the problems it will face tomorrow. From infrastructure to energy, from the environment to food security, to disaster management, it is all waiting for you to innovate and to solve with the tools you already have and with the skills that this programme and others will provide,” she shared.

According to the envoy, the United States Government has shown its

support for promoting capacity building in the country, through its various training platforms that were introduced over the years.

“The US Government is interesting in promoting prosperity for all Guyanese and that includes the youths of Guyana. The Embassy has several initiatives geared at building capacity among youths in areas of leadership…The US Embassy has also greatly emphasised invoking an entrepreneurial spirit among youths.”

However, Ambassador Lynch warned that while development will attract investors, transparency and predictability will be essential in retaining such resources, enabling them to build trust with Government and other parties.

“At the end of the day, economic development is all about trust. Attracting investors is just one step in building Guyana. You have to retain them and that means businesses have to be predictable and you have to be transparent. Predictability is critical to planning to legislation to investor relations and

to process. Transparency is necessary so that there is a level playing field for all that are hoping for success. All of that builds trust in systems, trust in institutions and trust in Government,” the envoy asserted.

Iman Khan-Cummings of AmCham Guyana said they have already seen a mix of entrepreneurs who have dabbled in their various innovative ideas and are ready to put these trials to the test.

“We need to provide the environment for them to reach their full potential.

We need to guide them so that their innovative ideas can flourish and usher in a larger Private Sector that will match ideas and reach with their counterparts in the region and around the world. We have to continue working hard towards the goal of nurturing a knowledge-based economy, fostering innovative and technological culture in the community,” she outlined.

In order to create a “healthy ecosystem” for entrepreneurship, she noted that there is need for

Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch with Ministers Charles Ramson and Oneidge Walrond and other officials

Private Sector input to support and finance emerging small businesses.

“For new enterprises and start-ups, Guyana at this point in time provides the ideal place for you to life off, to grow and to thrive…

AmCham has committed to work with its membership to support and promote public and private initiatives to facilitate young entrepreneurs, to unleash their creativity…The world will not wait on us to catch up and neither will our young people wait on us to deliver.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge

Walrond underscored that on Government’s end, there are existing efforts to provide financial assistance and open access to markets.

“I am extremely passionate about youth entrepreneurship. That is why the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce continues to examine ways of assisting our young business people in developing business ideas and expanding existing operations.

With this focus, aiming to better inform our policy decisions and approaches, the Ministry embarked on a youth entrepreneurship survey in order to gain more

insight into the entrepreneurial desires of our young people,” Walrond detailed.

In addition, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson lauded these efforts as a medium for progress in the country.

His Ministry is also planning similar efforts for the coming months, targeting youths up to 35 years of age.

This new programme is expected to provide young entrepreneurs with the mentorship and other resources that they would need to successfully own, develop and innovate their businesses while increasing output. (G12)

NEWS

15

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations FFTP gifts 10 houses to Shameful and shameless – Vincent Alexander's effort to shield Lowenfield and others

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ake no mistake, there was a reprehensible conspiracy to rig the March 2, 2020 elections in Guyana. Hopefully very soon, the terms of reference would be laid out and an international commission of inquiry would be appointed to identify what happened and who were responsible, and to recommend ways and means to ensure that the shameless events surrounding the attempt to rig the March 2, 2020 elections would never again happen in Guyana. We need the commission of inquiry now, without too much delay. But even as we await the appointment of the commission of inquiry, other things need to be done.

Changes in GECOM are an imperative.

Three GECOM Commissioners have submitted a motion for the removal of the Chief Elections Officer, the Deputy Chief Elections Officer, and the Returning Officer for Region 4. The Chair of GECOM has written to all three persons Dr Leslie Ramsammy to show cause why GECOM should not terminate their services. For the vast majority of the Guyanese people, including many who did not vote for the PPP, the termination of the contracts for these three persons should have been done a long time ago. For those who observed Guyana's elections, this is the natural consequence for persons who recklessly – in full view of the whole world – tried to change the election results.

Serving and past Prime Ministers from CARICOM saw with their own eyes the attempt to manipulate the results. It was mindboggling to see how brazen the attempt was, and it was shocking for them to see that the then incumbent Government, the then incumbent President, the then incumbent Prime Minister gave tacit endorsement to the effort to rig the results.

Finally, GECOM has made a move to address the presence in the management leadership of persons who were actively engaged in election skullduggery between March 3 and August 2, 2020. There is no doubt among objective persons in and out of Guyana that there was a conspiracy to rig the March 2020 elections’ results. There is unanimous agreement among certified observers that there was an attempt to manipulate the elections results. Clearly, the persons leading the manipulation were the most senior people in management in GECOM – the Chief Elections Officer, the Deputy Elections Officer and the Returning Officer for Region 4. All these officers are now in Court facing serious charges for fraud and conspiracy to change the elections’ results.

I know leaders of APNU/AFC were part of the conspiracy. I know they were among the intellectual authors. Whether or not Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo were part of the authorship I do not know, but they were the ones who were the implementers of the reprehensible scheme to manipulate the results of the elections in Region 4, which would have changed the overall national results. And they were aided and abetted by other players in GECOM. Unfortunately, Vincent Alexander and two other GECOM commissioners, at the very least, stood by and gave a pass to those trying to manipulate the elections’ results. In the face of a motion to remove the three leading persons in the aborted attempt to rig the results, Vincent Alexander has come out insisting that there is only one reason for the motion – it was motivated by race. According to him, the GECOM commissioners who placed the motion have absolutely no basis to request that the contracts for the Chief Elections Officer and his colleagues be terminated. Alexander pretends nothing happened, there was no attempt to rig the results. This is the same Alexander who voted for, and diligently worked to achieve, the dismissal of Mr. Boodhoo, the then Chief Elections Officer, because of a miscalculation of seats in the 2011 elections. There was no attempt to change the election results, and Boodhoo corrected the seat allocation at the same meeting during which he presented the results to GECOM. But it was enough to fire him.

Now we have three GECOM senior staff who brazenly and shamelessly tried to change the elections’ results by altering the numbers in the Statements of Poll, and when that did not work, Lowenfield tried to remove more than 115,000 votes as votes from phantoms and dead people. Even as they were doing that, people showed up and exposed them. These persons were not phantoms, and they did not arise from their graves.

For Alexander, these things did not happen. What the world thought they saw was just an illusion; these things that the media in Guyana documented each day, even the media that is normally anti-PPP, is another fake story. What the EU, Caricom, the OAS, the Carter Center, the local Private Sector, and several new political parties saw and rejected was just a figment of their imagination. what the courts, including the Caribbean Court of Justice, rejected never happened.

It had to be only one thing behind the motivation to fire Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo – their race. The majority of the GECOM management staff and the majority of the persons working at GECOM are from one ethnic group in Guyana. No one is firing all of them; the only ones are those fingered in the rigging of elections’ results while being live streamed. It is shameful, and Alexander is shameless.

Essequibo Coast families

T

en families in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) were all smiles on Tuesday when they collected the keys to their brand-new homes built by Food for the Poor (FFTP).

The beneficiaries were six families of Queenstown village and four families of Onderneeming. The houses, which were partially furnished, has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, dining and living room areas.

Beneficiaries of the Food For The Poor (FFTP) houses on Tuesday at the handing-over-ceremony

One of the houses built by Food For The Poor (FFTP)

At a simple handing over ceremony on Tuesday, Senior Project Manager of the NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), Andrea Benjamin related that the organisation continues to assist families who are in need. She noted that beneficiaries were living in other people's homes. She stated that the aim of the organisation is to make families happier and more comfortable in a better home that is well furnished. The houses that were handed over are well equipped with household items and solar panels to generate electricity.

Benjamin explained that FFTP built several houses for families along the Essequibo Coast including Amerindian villages and other communities throughout the region to make families more comfortable and happier.

Speaking to the residents of Queenstown was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NGO, Kent Vincent, who related that FFTP is always at the front line to assist less fortunate persons around Guyana.

He also stated that the organisation will assist families with proper shelter and make them more comfortable in a better home. He added that the aim of the organisation is to see children develop, grow and be educated because education brings them out of poverty. As a result, it will help to contribute to society and help to build the region.

“I am thankful for this collaboration of support of housing to our communities and as you know the Food for the Poor and the regional administration is passionate about reaching out to our less fortunate… Moving from one stage to the next is not limited because you are not that fortunate …you can reform your lives in such a way in order to get that right type of transformation you need. I have a component in me for humanitarian service and I would love to see lives improve. I would like to extend a big thank you to the FFTP team for blessing families with their desire for a home and making them feel more comfortable and hap-

pier,” Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva said.

One of the beneficiaries, Kenisha Walcott of Queenstown village, was elated to have her new home and expressed gratitude to FFTP Guyana Inc. “About two years ago, I was living at my grandfather’s residence along with my daughter, but my life wasn’t easy at all…thinking about my daughter and not wanting her to go through the same life I’ve been through. I recall everything that happened to me in the past… so I decide to pray and after I’ve got a call from FFTP then the project manag-

er comes to find the location for the house and so on…I couldn’t believe I was getting a home…

I’m so happy and thankful for FFTP for filing my application and giving me a well-furnished mansion that I can turn my own keys in.”

Also expressing gratitude was the President of Queenstown Development Association, Fitzroy Fredericks. He related that he is happy for the 10 families that received their homes.

Other beneficiaries echoed similar sentiments, praising FFTP Guyana for their timely intervention.

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Keith Lowenfield to face more electoral fraud charges today

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is expected to institute additional charges against embattled Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield for his controversial role in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

According to a senior Police source, Lowenfield will be slapped with at least two additional charges of conspiracy to defraud today.

This will be added to the plethora of other charges Lowenfield already faces for his role in attempts to sway the results of the elections in favour of the then ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

Lowenfield is currently facing three counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office. He has been placed on $300,000 bail. His Deputy, Roxanne Myers, has meanwhile been slapped with two counts of misconduct in public office and has been placed on $300,000 bail in relation to both charges.

These two were charged along with GECOM officials including embattled Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, who is on $600,000 bail for charges similar to what Myers is facing. It is understood that both Lowenfield and Myers were invited down to Police headquarters on Tuesday.

Efforts to contact their legal counsel was futile.

Additionally, People’s

National Congress Reform Chairperson Volda Lawrence and APNU/AFC activist Carol Joseph are also before the courts on electoral fraud charges. There are also electoral fraud charges against GECOM clerks Denise BobCummings and Michelle Miller and GECOM Elections Officer Shefern February and Information Technology Officer Enrique Livan. They, too, have been released on bail.

In addition to these charges, motions seeking the dismissal of the three senior GECOM officials were tabled last week by GECOM Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Manoj Narayan – all lawyers – before GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

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 APNU/AFC, deliberately chose to neglect the complaints of discrepancies in relation to Mingo’s numbers.

The motion notes that he also failed to adhere to a court order, issued by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, to prevent him from declaring the results of the election until Section 84 of RoPA had been complied with. Rather, Lowenfield

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield

prepared a final report pursuant to Section 99 of RoPA containing all of the unverified votes as declared by Mingo, ultimately declaring the APNU/AFC as the winners of the elections.

He also sought to have the GECOM Chair convene a meeting to approve his fraudulent numbers.

The motion said that

on June 13, in breach of Paragraph 12 of Order 60 of 2020 (the recount order), the CEO submitted a report in which he disregarded the votes cast for each list of candidates as established by the recount process and instead produced revised totals of votes cast after he had deducted scores of thousands of votes in favour

of the PPP/C list of candidates on grounds of alleged “irregularities and anomalies”.

“In short, he failed and/ or refused to produce the report as he was lawfully required to do as the CEO and instead, he was purporting to act as a Judge of the High Court hearing an elections petition,” it added.

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 where she threatened to revoke the accreditation of international observers.

Myers’ order to have the Guyana Police Force remove Commissioner Gunraj and political par-

ty representatives from the GECOM Command Centre during the tabulation of the 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 clearly manufactured numbers to reflect a win by the APNU/AFC. It also concerns his conduct and defiance of the court orders mandating that he follow the outlined statutory process to acquire his final tally of the SoPs. Justice Singh has since written to both Lowenfield and Myers asking them to provide, in writing, responses to the motion indicating why they should not be dismissed from their substantive posts. They have until June 15 to show why they should not be dismissed. (G3)

Grade Six mock examinations to start today

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rade Six students across Guyana will begin the first of two National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) mock examinations today.

On Tuesday, the Education Ministry said that over 90 per cent of students will be writing the examination in their classrooms while the remaining students have opted to write the examination at home.

This, the Ministry added, will be the first time in 13 months that prima-

ry-aged pupils will be attending school, with the exception of the NGSA last year.

“The examination will be conducted under strict COVID-19 guidelines.

Students, teachers and staff of each school will be sanitised and have their temperature checked before entering the compound or classroom,” the Education Ministry said in a statement, adding that during the day other sanitisation exercises will take place to

ensure a safe environment for students and teachers.

The two-day examination will be treated as a diagnostic test by teachers as they work to prepare students for the official examinations to be written on August 4 and 5.

The second mock examination is scheduled for July 2021.

Some students will not be writing the first mock examination on the scheduled dates due to some communities being placed on

lockdown due to COVID-19 while others are flooded, making schools and homes inaccessible.

As part of the Ministry’s efforts to assist parents and students to sit these examinations, each student would have received a care package containing masks, pencils, eraser, sharpener, a ruler, hand sanitiser and vitamin support. Teachers and support staff will also receive hand sanitiser, face masks, face shield and vitamin support.

17 Hundreds of animals, crops dying as flood worsens in EBB NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

er cultivating land at Brother Village. He farms with his brother-in-law and cultivates 30 acres with fruits including soursop, bananas and plantains.

He has lost all.

“Over 200 soursop trees and orange all underwater,” he added.

Sahadeo said even if he

Meanwhile, livestock farmers said that their losses are significant. Culvis Sam is a small sheep farmer and many of his animals have died.

Sam explained that his animals would go and graze and return home in the evening but he is now missing 30 of them.

Asked how he knows that the animals died and were not stolen, Sam said he has gone searching for the missing ones and found their bodies.

Additionally, some farmers like Asgar Insaff Ali have been trying to get some of the young animals out of the water. His success is very limited.

He told this publication that those he was able to locate in the savannah and take home have all died.

“I try bringing then on the dry land and they still ain’t make it.”

In addition, he said that about 40 heads of cattle also cannot be accounted for.

Shahabadeen Ali, who is himself a cattle farmer, told

would have been able to afford it to get new planting material for the bananas and plantain it would be difficult because of the scarcity. However, he explained that the current price is too high for him.”

The cash crop and fruit farmer said 100 shoots will cost $30,000.

Guyana Times that he has been on a search for his animals for days and has been able to identify some of the carcasses as being his animals.

“When I walk when this dam is [covered by water] I see about three of four cow lie down dead one place,” the

By Andrew Carmichael

H

undreds of animals as well as thousands of acres of rice and other crops are dying as flooding worsens in the East Bank of Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), as residents and farmers call for intervention of authorities to save their livelihood.

Farmers situated on the Lower East Bank Berbice said that they were successful in getting an excavator to go to the area when the floods had just hit and after four days of working, they were told that the machine had to be removed and taken to the Black Bush Polder.

The machine had been clearing one canal and had not reached halfway when it was relocated.

Over 5000 acres of rice

Canal with thick overgrowth

“And we might lose all. Is between 21 to 30 days since we shy paddy and we aren’t seeing anything (new plants

Agriculture Ministry extension officers feeding sheep in the area

farmer said, adding that he owned between 30 to 40 heads of cattle.

According to him, of the scores of dead animals he has seen, four belongs to him.

“I don’t know where the rest are because I am not

He said he personally went along with other farmers seeking assistance from regional authorities.

The Agriculture Ministry has been providing and transporting free feed to affected farmers at Cookrite

Dead cattle in the back lands of the East Bank of Berbice (Region Six)

land is currently underwater.

This is in addition to several acres of fruit trees and cash crops which are inundated.

Moreover, hundreds of head of cattle have died and others continue to fall under the harsh conditions of living in two feet of water without grass to eat.

Radish Ramkarran has over 1000 acres of rice land – all underwater. He said that 270 acres have already been cultivated.

growing), all the rice underwater. It is not only me; they have other farmers here on the East Bank and we have thousands of acres of rice and nobody doing anything,” the farmer said, pointing out that they have approached several regional officials to no avail.

According to Ramkarran, the single active drainage canal cannot adequately drain the seven villages stretching from Lansdale to Khotbradt.

Deolall Sahadeo is both a cash crop and fruit farm-

Linden woman found dead in home …son in custody

P

olice in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman who was found dead in her Kara Kara, Mackenzie home on Tuesday afternoon.

While details of the discovery remain sketchy, the body of the woman, who has only been identified as “Wanda” was found by Police at around 17:00h after neighbours who suspected that something was amiss summoned them.

Her son, said to be in his twenties, was taken into custody for questioning. He is reportedly of unsound mind.

Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter said someone went to check on the woman and discovered that something was amiss. He noted, however, that the body did not appear to be decomposed.

According to the Regional

Commander, there have been conflicting reports as to when was the last time the woman was seen alive.

“We just have to inves-

tigate and find out exactly what transpired in relation to those issues,” Winter said on Tuesday evening.

Cattle in the Savannah surviving the harsh conditions

seeing them. Is all over flood and the cows have no grass to eat.”

Savannah, which is the hardest hit section of the Black Bush Polder.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

Regional

Peru election: Fujimori cries Antigua & Barbuda signs foul as she falls behind in count bilateral agreement with Russia

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he right-wing candidate in Peru’s presidential election, Keiko Fujimori, alleges there have been “signs of fraud” in Sunday’s run-off election.

“There is a clear intention to boycott the popular will,” she said without offering detailed evidence.

She made the allegation after her left-wing rival, Pedro Castillo, pulled past her in the vote count.

With 97.3 per cent of the votes counted, Castillo had a razor-thin lead of less than 0.5 percentage points.

In a news conference, Fujimori alleged that there had been a “strategy by Peru Libre [Free Peru, the party of Castillo] to distort and delay the results which reflect the popular will”.

Peru Libre rejected the accusation, tweeting that it had “never resorted to electoral fraud, to the contrary, we’ve always been victims of it”.

After accusing her rival’s party of fraud, Fujimori

A

Keiko Fujimori is running for President for the third time

struck a more optimistic note, saying that the tables could still turn once the votes from Peruvians abroad were counted.

The votes that are still to be counted come mainly from remote rural areas in Peru and from Peruvians who cast their ballots in consulates across the world.

Castillo has strong support in rural areas, but Fujimori has done well with Peruvians living outside their homeland, making the

final result extremely hard to predict.

Whoever wins will have a tough task ahead bringing together a polarised nation which has seen its economy crumble as it was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

After changing the methodology of how it registers COVID deaths, Peru became the country with the highest per capita death rate from coronavirus in the world.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

ntigua and Barbuda signed a treaty on basic relations with Russia on Tuesday, that both countries said would further enhance their cooperation in a number of areas.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signed the treaty allowing for cooperating in trade, the economy, culture, education, sports, healthcare, science and technology, as well as the mitigation of natural disasters among other areas.

Browne told the virtual signing ceremony that St John’s was looking forward to further strengthening relationship with the Eastern European country.

“Russia is one of the leading nations in the world and we felt that it is important for us to strengthen the bilateral relationship so that we can also strengthen the level

of collaboration in the international fora,” Browne said.

“As you are fully aware, we have been collaborating on many issues, including climate change, which is the most significant threat facing our common humanity and we would have had very strong bilateral relations.”

“It is a relationship that is mutually beneficial and I believe that by the execution of this treaty on ba-

sic relations that it will further strengthen our relationships and certainly our commitment to the principles of good governance, to democracy and the rule of law, the protection and promotion of human rights, as well as the fundamental freedoms of our peoples.”

Browne said the accord would also allow for the focus on the socio-economic development of the people.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Mexico bans influential ex-Minister Ecuador secures US$550M to from holding public office finance vaccination campaign

Then Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray in Mexico City, Mexico, October 9, 2018

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former Mexican senior Cabinet Minister, Luis Videgaray has been banned from holding jobs or positions in public service for 10 years for failing to properly disclose his assets while in office, the Mexican Government said on Tuesday.

The Public Administration Ministry (SFP) said it had applied the maximum possible sanction against Videgaray for making incorrect declarations for three years run-

ning during his time as Finance Minister and later as Foreign Minister.

Videgaray, who was widely viewed as the most influential Minister under Mexico’s previous President, Enrique Pena Nieto, denied that he had made improper disclosures, saying on Twitter that he would appeal against the decision.

Videgaray, who has rejected any allegations of wrongdoing, said in a statement the SFP had identified omissions in his asset declarations relating to bank ac-

counts.

Videgaray said these were in fact credit cards which he had mentioned in an annex to his declarations, and they had no outstanding debts on them at the time.

“The declarations are correct and there was no intention to hide information about assets from the SFP,” he said, adding that the SFP had acknowledged in the notification sent to him that he had obtained “no benefit” from the alleged omissions.

The SFP later responded to Videgaray’s remarks, saying that the omissions were bank accounts, which contained sums of money that should have been declared.

The SFP said it had opened a probe in 2019 into Videgaray over his possible involvement in the 2014 purchase by State oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) of a fertiliser plant known as AgroNitrogenados, which later caused a scandal.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Trinidad: Woman raped after refusing money for sex

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41-year-old woman allegedly was raped after she refused to accept TT$400 cash to have sex with her rapist, on Sunday.

According to a Police report, the woman reported that about 23:30h on

Sunday, she was in a room at an apartment building located at Mayfield Road in North Valsayn, Trinidad when a man who was unknown to her came into the room and offered to pay her TT$400 to have sex with him.

The woman told Police

she refused the man’s demand, and he reportedly held her down on the bed, took off her underwear and had sex with her against her will.

Investigations continue.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

E

cuador has secured US$550 million in financing to carry out its coronavirus vaccination, an essential step to begin reviving its pandemic-hit economy, Economy Minister Simon Cueva said on Tuesday.

President Guillermo Lasso, who took office on May 24, has pledged to vaccinate nine million of Ecuador’s population of 17.5 million in the first 100 days of his Government, and is seeking to accelerate nego-

tiations to buy more vaccine doses.

“We already have US$550 million assured,” Cueva told reporters. “We want to revitalise the economy, and the first measure to do this is the ongoing mass vaccination plan.”

Cueva said the financing was being provided by various multilateral organisations, without giving more detail.

The Government expects to finish negotiations for vaccine purchases from

China and Russia in the coming weeks.

Ecuador’s economy was already struggling when the pandemic broke out, leading it to seek a US$6.5 billion financing agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year.

Cueva said the Government remained in contact with the IMF to seek a “revision of goals”, and that officials were pursuing other financing opportunities with multilateral organisations. (Reuters)

Bahamas says it maintains its sovereign right to determine tax structure

T

he Bahamas Government said it was conducting an assessment of the impact of the proposals announced by the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations in a landmark deal that could help countries collect more taxes from big companies and enable Governments to impose levies on US tech giants such as Amazon and Facebook.

In a statement, the Finance Ministry said it was also examining the implications the proposals “may have for the domestic tax regime of The Bahamas”.

“The discussion on reforming the international taxing structure for multinational entities is being directed by the 24-member OECD/G20 Steering Group of the Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS),” the Finance Ministry statement said

The Bahamas said it was conducting an assessment of the impact of the proposals announced by the G7 nations in a landmark global tax deal

“These discussions have been ongoing since 2018. The Bahamas has been an active participant in the process. Not only is The Bahamas a member of the Inclusive Framework on BEPS, but the country also has representation on the Steering Group with

the election of Stephen Coakley Wells of the Ministry of Finance to the Steering Group, last year.”

The Government said, notwithstanding agreement by the G7, the framework proposed by the Steering Group would require the consensus of the 139 countries of the Inclusive Framework on BEPS before going on to the G20 Finance Ministers for ratification later this year.

“The Ministry of Finance is conducting an assessment of the impact of these proposals and what implications they may have for the domestic tax regime of The Bahamas,” the statement said.

“The Bahamas reasserts its sovereign right to determine the tax structure best suited for the ongoing development of the country.” (Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises as Iranian supply not seen returning soon

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il prices rose on Tuesday, settling at the highest in more than two years after the top US diplomat said that even if the United States were to reach a nuclear deal with Iran, hundreds of US sanctions on Tehran would remain in place.

That could mean additional Iranian oil supply would not be re-introduced into the market soon.

"I would anticipate that even in the event of a return to compliance with the JCPOA (2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), hundreds of sanctions will remain in place, including sanctions imposed by the Trump Administration," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Brent crude rose 73 cents, or 1 per cent, to close at US$72.22 a barrel, the highest it has settled since May 2019.

Us West Texas Intermediate oil rose 82 cents, or 1.2 per cent, to settle at US$70.05 a barrel, highest since October 2018.

"Blinken is looking at the reality of the situation and saying even if we do get a deal, there’s a long way to go," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. "All those people expecting a flood of oil are going to be disappointed."

The United States told Iran on Tuesday that it must let the UN atomic agency continue to monitor its activities, as laid out in an agreement that has been extended until June 24, or put wider talks on reviving the Iran nuclear deal at risk.

Barriers to the revival of Iran's nuclear deal remain ahead of talks due to resume this week between Tehran and world powers, four diplomats, two Iranian officials and two analysts told Reuters.

Futures were pressured by data showing China's crude imports were down 14.6 per cent in May from a year earlier.

Crude prices have risen in recent weeks, with Brent up by nearly 40 per cent this year and WTI even more on expectations of demand returning as some countries vaccinate populations against COVID-19.

Restraint on supply by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies has also buttressed prices.

US crude oil production is expected to fall by 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2021 to 11.08 million bpd, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said, a smaller decline than it forecast last month.

US crude inventories fell by 2.1 million barrels last week, two market sources said after settlement, citing American Petroleum Institute figures. Gasoline inventories rose by 2 million barrels and distillate stocks climbed by 3.8 million barrels.

"The fundamental environment on the oil market remains favourable: fuel demand is recovering strongly not only in the United States, but also in Europe following the (partial) lifting of restrictions," Commerzbank said.

Some still question the demand recovery's trajectory. For instance, some doubt Britain, one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, will lift all restrictions as previously planned on June 21. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Macron slapped in the face during walkabout in southern France

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man slapped President Emmanuel Macron in the face on Tuesday during a walkabout in southern France.

Macron later said he had not feared for his safety, and that nothing would stop him carrying on with his job.

In a video circulating on social media, Macron reached out his hand to greet a man in a small crowd of onlookers standing behind a metal barrier as he visited a professional training college for the hospitality industry.

The man, who was

W

ket countries argue is needed to expand vaccine access, Malpass said: "We don't support that, for the reason that it would run the risk of reducing the innovation and the R&D in that sector."

The comment puts Malpass, a Trump Administration nominee, at odds with the Biden Administration, which is supporting text-based WTO negotiations for vaccine intellectual property rights, led

by US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Major vaccine makers and the pharmaceutical industries have opposed the waiver from the WTO's agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of

dressed in a khaki T-shirt, then shouted "Down with Macronia" ("A Bas La Macronie") and slapped

dio that Macron urged his security to "leave him, leave him" as the offender was being held to the ground.

Two people were arrested, a Police source told Reuters. The identify of the man who slapped Macron, and his motives, were unclear.

The slogan the man shouted has been co-opted in the past few years by royalists and people on the farright in France, Fiametta Venner, a political scientist who studies French extremists, told broadcaster BFMTV. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ANOM: Hundreds arrested in massive global crime sting using messaging app

M

ore than 800 suspected criminals have been arrested worldwide after being tricked into using an FBIrun encrypted messaging app, officials say.

The operation, jointly conceived by Australia and the FBI, saw devices with the ANOM app secretly distributed among criminals, allowing Police to monitor their chats about drug smuggling, money laundering and even murder plots.

Officials called it a watershed moment.

Targets included drug gangs and people with links to the mafia.

Drugs, weapons, luxury vehicles and cash were also seized in the operation, which was conducted across more than a dozen countries. This included eight tonnes of cocaine, 250 guns and more than US$48 million (£34 million) in various worldwide currencies and cryptocurrencies.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the operation had "struck a heavy blow against or-

ganised crime" around the world.

European Union police agency Europol described Operation Trojan Shield/ Greenlight as the "biggest ever law enforcement operation against encrypted communication".

The FBI began operating an encrypted device network called ANOM, and covertly distributed devices with the chat app among the criminal underworld via informants.

The idea for the operation came after two other encrypted platforms were tak-

en down by law enforcement agencies, leaving criminal gangs in the market for new secure phones.

In total, some 12,000 encrypted devices were used by around 300 criminal syndicates in more than 100 countries.

Officers were able to read millions of messages in "real time" describing murder plots, mass drug import plans and other schemes.

In total, some 9000 Police Officers around the world were involved in the sting.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Tigray conflict: “We have Belarus introduces no food, we face death” prison sentences for

P

eople in a district of Ethiopia's Tigray region have told the BBC they are on the verge of starvation.

"We don't have anything to eat," a man in Qafta Humera said, saying their crops and livestock had been looted during seven months of war.

He added that they were being prevented from seeking aid by a militia fighting with Government forces.

The testimony comes as UN chief António Guterres has warned that parts of

World Bank opposes vaccine intellectual property waiver as WTO talks resume

orld Bank President David Malpass said on Tuesday the bank does not support waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organisation out of concern that it would hamper innovation in the pharmaceuticals sector.

His comments on the subject, made during a call with reporters on World Bank economic forecasts, came as WTO negotiations over the proposed waiver resumed in Geneva.

Asked whether he backs a WTO vaccine IP waiver, which India, South Africa and other emerging mar-

French President Emmanuel Macron

Macron on the left side of his face.

He could also be heard shouting "Montjoie Saint Denis", the battle cry of the French army when the country was still a monarchy.

Two of Macron's security detail tackled the man in the T-shirt, and another ushered Macron away.

Another video posted on Twitter showed that the President, a few seconds later, returned to the line of onlookers and resumed shaking hands.

The local Mayor, Xavier Angeli, told franceinfo ra-

Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), arguing that it would stifle innovation and do little to effectively increase vaccine supplies constrained by trade barriers, shortages of components and a lack of manufacturing capabilities.

Malpass on Tuesday reiterated his calls for wealthy countries to quickly donate their excess vaccine doses to the developing world as quickly as possible.

The World Bank said its global growth forecasts, raised to 5.6 per cent for 2021 and 4.3 per cent for 2022, could be higher if vaccinations can be accelerated in developing countries. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Tigray are on the brink of famine.

A conflict erupted in November between the Ethiopian Government and Tigrayan rebels, forcing close to two million people from their homes in Tigray, a region that was already food insecure.

The Ethiopian authorities insist that order is now being restored across the region and humanitarian access expanded.

But last week, the UN warned of a repeat of Ethiopia's devastating 1984 famine and called for an immediate ceasefire in Tigray.

A local administrator appointed for the area in the wake of the conflict told the BBC that no federal aid was available and only limited assistance was coming through for neighbouring Amhara.

Guterres warned the situation would "only keep getting worse" unless funding was increased and humanitarian access was improved.

The government says international humanitarian workers have been allowed into most parts of Tigray.

Months after the conflict begun, many critical services have not been fully restored. Dozens of health centres and hospitals have been destroyed or looted. (Excerpt from BBC News)

taking part in protests

B

elarusian President A l e x a n d e r Lukashenko on Tuesday signed into law prison sentences for people taking part in protests or insulting State officials, part of an unprecedented crackdown by the veteran leader since a disputed election last year.

In a series of amendments to the criminal code, Lukashenko also for the first time introduced a four-year prison sentence for people found guilty of spreading false information that discredits the state.

The Russian-backed President also introduced tougher penalties for resisting the Police and using protest symbols.

Under the new law, anyone who has been detained at least twice for taking part in a protest, or insulted a Government official, faces up to three years in prison, whereas previously they were subjected to detentions or fines.

In power since 1994, Lukashenko launched a violent crackdown against mass protests after winning an election in August that his opponents say was blatantly rigged.

Lukashenko did not comment on the new measures,

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko

which Parliament had first adopted last month, but in March he had warned of a tougher response to opposition.

Lukashenko has previously signed amendments on laws governing the media, allowing the Government to close down media outlets without needing a court order as before.

The European Union is preparing new sanctions on Minsk following the May 23 arrest of dissident Belarusian blogger Roman Protasevich after the forced grounding of a Ryanair plane while on a flight from Greece to Lithuania.

In a statement, the delegation urged Belarus to stop its "inhumane treatment of peaceful protesters and political prisoners". (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Turn up the volume and do your happy dance. If you let the little things get you down, you’ll have trouble accomplishing what you set out to do. Dismiss anyone trying to disrupt your plans.

Indecisiveness will disTAURUS rupt your day. Use your (April 20- imagination and skills to overcome any doubts that May 20) surface. A personal change will boost your confidence and give you a needed push.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Don’t labor over the impossible. Concentrate on how to use your skills and knowledge to move forward with your plans. Discipline will help you promote the changes you want to implement.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Put an emotional matter to rest before you miss out on something special. Make whatever adjustments are necessary to fit something unique into your schedule. A partnership is favored.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Rely on your stamina and ingenuity to get you through your day. Don’t let what others do unsettle you. Align yourself with people who are upbeat, share your beliefs and want to bring about positive change.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Be cautious when dealing with partners, superiors or joint ventures. Someone will not be forthcoming with valuable information. Do your due diligence before you sign up for a new venture.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Avoid anyone who agitates you. Put your energy into learning and communicating with people who have something of interest to share with you. Avoid taking a health risk or taxing yourself physically.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Look for a cost-efficient, easy-to-handle opportunity, then proceed. Don’t get involved with ventures that you cannot control. Someone will mislead you if you are too eager or gullible.

Gravitate toward indiSAGITTARIUS viduals who offer stabili(Nov. 23ty and security. Choose a Dec. 21) healthy, moderate lifestyle that puts your mind at ease and encourages you to look and do your best.

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

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Push for what you want.

Conversations that address pending matters will help you clarify your position and resolve issues that make you feel uneasy. The more direct you are, the better.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Size up situations before you respond. Keep your input moderate and practical.

Refuse to let emotions escalate into something you cannot control. Rely on your experience and ability.

PISCES

Indulgence will drag you down. Take time to review what you have, what you want and what it will take to reach your goal. Actions will speak louder than words.

Keep your promises.

(Feb. 20March 20)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

21

Key findings from Women in Basketball survey…

GABF determined to produce gender equality, says Haynes

F

IBA is committed to having more ‘women in basketball’ across all sectors of the sport, and has published a comprehensive survey that provides critical insight into the current state of the women's game.

The baseline survey, presented to FIBA's 213 National Federation members, has enabled FIBA to measure and

evaluate the global landscape of women's basketball, the purpose of the review being to aid in informing and tailoring strategic implementation plans for FIBA. FIBA's aim is to increase the number of women playing, coaching and officiating in order to grow the number of fans of the women's game, and to ensure that more women are involved in the governance of the sport

within the FIBA family.

In 2019 FIBA identified eight strategic objectives for the 20192027 cycle at its congress. As part of the strategic priority, women in basketball, FIBA has published the Women in Basketball Survey Report 2020, which provides updates on key activities for FIBA's regional offices, fact sheets detailing specifics for each national federation, as well as a

Pakistan Super League 2021 moved from Karachi to Abu Dhabi

E

leven days and 14 matches into the 2021 edition of the Pakistan Super League in FebruaryMarch, the tournament had to be postponed due to several COVID-19 positive cases.

The decision to put the tournament on hold was taken during an emergency meeting on March 4, with 20 more matches still left to play.

From March to early June, there were several hurdles to be crossed as the PCB worked hard on re-starting the sixth edition of the PSL. It is finally slated to resume today, June 9.

Journey to Abu Dhabi The PCB announced in early April that the tournament would resume on June 1, with all matches to be played in Karachi.

But the board was forced to revisit its decision to play the matches in Pakistan when a fresh surge of COVID-19 cases hit that country.

The franchises preferred UAE as the destination to host the remaining games, and the PCB wrote to the Emirates Cricket Board, finally getting the green light to host the tournament in the Emirates.

Less than two weeks before the start of the tournament, the PCB faced a major roadblock in Abu Dhabi, where they were supposed to play the remaining matches.

They eventually overcame the problems, and the PCB confirmed that it received all approvals and exemptions from the UAE Government to stage the remaining 20 PSL matches in Abu Dhabi.

But then came the problem of flying personnel into Abu Dhabi, with some players and officials even being sent to their respective homes as they awaited visas. There was confusion with chartered flights and commercial flights, while the players were in limbo.

Bringing in different crews from different parts of the world also posed a problem for the PCB. But they eventually overcame all that, and finally revealed the schedule for the remainder of the competition.

Schedule Of the 20 matches remaining, 16 are league phase games, to be played from June

9 to 19, which includes five double-header days. After a break on June 20, The Qualifier and Eliminator will be held on June 21, while the second Qualifier will be played on June 22. The final is slated for June 24.

The new schedule also means the Pakistan squad that was set to fly out for England on June 23 would be able to do so only on June 25 - which also needed a tweak in the bilateral tour fixtures which the England and Wales Cricket Board obliged.

Player availability A replacement draft was conducted on April 27, with the teams signing as many as 19 overseas players to make up for those who would not be able to participate in the competition.

Andre Russell, Martin Guptill and Usman Khawaja were among the major picks, as were the Bangladesh trio of Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah and Liton Das, who later pulled out to participate in their country's domestic competition.

Another mini round of player replacement draft was held on May 22, with the franchises allowed to expand their squad size from 18 to 20.

Shimron Hetmyer and Johnson Charles were both signed up by the Multan Sultans, while Rashid Khan rejoined the Lahore Qalandars.

A couple of days after the draft, Multan's veteran allrounder Shahid Afridi was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury, while Anwar Ali was out after he was tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of his integration in the bio-bubble.

Naseem Shah was initially denied permission to participate in the tournament after he had breached the protocol by submitting a non-compliant RTPCR Test. He was then admitted into the pre-departure bubble after undergoing another test.

Overseas players out of the original squads: * Islamabad United - Alex Hales, Lewis Gregory, Phil Salt * Karachi Kings - Colin Ingram, Mohammad Nabi, Dan Christian, Joe Clarke * Lahore Qalandars - David Wiese, Joe Denly, Tom Abell, Samit Patel * Multan Sultans - Chris

Lynn, James Vince, Adam Lyth, Carlos Brathwaite * Peshawar Zalmi - Mujeeb ur Rahman, Liam Livingstone, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ravi Bopara, Saqib Mahmood * Quetta Gladiators - Tom Banton, Dale Steyn, Ben Cutting Overseas players coming in for Abu Dhabi leg: * Islamabad United - Usman Khawaja * Karachi Kings - Martin Guptill, Najeebullah Zadran, Thisara Perera * Lahore Qalandars - James Faulkner, Tim David, Callum Ferguson, Seekuge Prasanna * Multan Sultans - Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Obed McCoy * Peshawar Zalmi - Fabian Allen, Rovman Powell, Fidel Edwards * Quetta Gladiators - Andre Russell, Jack Wildermuth, Jake Weatherald, Zahir Khan The points table situation: Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi, who have three wins out of five matches, currently occupy the top two spots on the points table.

Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars are third and fourth respectively, with both teams on six points, having played four matches each.

Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators have each only managed a win, leaving them with two points and plenty of catching up to do.

Karachi leg's highlights reel: Sharjeel Khan scored the lone century in the Karachi leg of PSL 2021 when he struck a 59ball 105 for Karachi Kings against Islamabad United. That knock, however, went in vain, thanks to a collective batting effort from United.

Peshawar Zalmi captain Wahab Riaz bagged 4-17 against the United, registering the only four-wicket haul in the Karachi leg. Zalmi also recorded the only 200-plus total, getting 202 for 7 in a chase of 199 against Quetta Gladiators.

Just a few days before the tournament came to a halt, Paul Stirling struck a 21-ball fifty for United against Gladiators, recording the fastest fifty of the edition.

GABF General Patrick Haynes

Secretary

global snapshot focusing on how the survey results would feed into the goals of the Women in Basketball strategy.

The survey featured 130 questions which covered several topics, from players and national teams, clubs and domestic competitions to governance, communications, marketing, and operational structures.

The online survey was sent to all national federations in May

2020, and was completed by 172 members, with data-collection finishing in November 2020.

The data received regarding competitions and national federations’ status referred to the season of 2019/20, prior to the COVID outbreak.

Some of the key highlights from the report include: • 83% of national federations have a senior women's national team • 3x3 popularity is growing incredibly fast, with 23 nations represented at the first season of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series in 2019, with stops at 15 different locations around the world • 8.1 million fans on FIBA's women's events websites in 2019 • USA tops the standings with 1.8 million licensed female players registered by their national federation, with Japan,

France, Spain, Australia and Russia GABF General Secretary Patrick Haynes has said: "The GABF is determined to promote gender equality in basketball, and to use the potential of the sport to promote equality in its broadest sense.

“We intend to use this report as an invaluable input into the GABF's strategic priorities. We are confident that will lead to the implementation of a women's national championship and increased number of women playing basketball and 3x3 basketball in Guyana."

The survey report gives detailed insights into the current state of play, and will be used to develop future initiatives to further increase the role of women across all levels of the sport.

Focus on discipline

– as inexperienced Proteas eye series win

S

outh Africa bowling coach Charl Langeveldt believes his inexperienced side can still pull off a series win against West Indies, but they would have to be disciplined enough to execute the right things “for longer periods” during the two-Test rubber.

Speaking on the first day of full practise after the entire travelling party had returned a second negative COVID-19 test to end their quarantine, the former South Africa seamer underscored the value of “boring cricket” if the Proteas were to extend their excellent record against the home side.

West Indies have not beaten South Africa in a Test series since the oneoff Test in Bridgetown nearly 30 years ago, which marked the tourists’ readmission to international cricket. “[Our] Test cricket we want to turn that around,” said Langeveldt, best remembered in the Caribbean for his sensational hat-trick at Kensington Oval in a OneDay International in 2005, which earned South Africa a dramatic victory.

“A win – a one-nil [maybe].

A two-nil would be even better, but we’ll take any win if we can play good cricket for longer periods, put West Indies under pressure, and keep that discipline for longer periods. We can achieve that.”

He added: “For me, it’s getting the actions repeatable – doing the same things for longer. The captain [Dean Elgar] speaks about playing boring cricket for long, and in Test cricket that’s what you want to do, day in and day out.

“It’s a process. If you want to improve yourself, you have

South Africa bowling coach Charl Langeveldt

to be able to have these disciplines and do the same things for longer periods.”

South Africa finds itself in a rebuilding phase for the tour, with the likes of veterans Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis all having quit the longest format in recent years.

It means the selectors have chosen six uncapped players in the 19-man Test squad, with Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Prenelan Subrayen, Marco Jansen, Sarel Erwee and Keegan Peterson all newcomers.

Elgar is the most experienced on tour, the toporder batsman averaging 40 from 67 Tests, and leads a tested quartet comprising Quinton de Kock who averages 37 from 51 Tests, vice-captain Temba Bavuma who averages 32 from 44, and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada who has taken 202 wickets from 45 Tests.

Langeveldt has said both the playing XI and the reserves need to be intense in their buildup, so tour selectors had a well-prepared unit to choose from.

“I think my demeanour is very calm. I’m a very laid-back person, but I want to bring the energy,” Langeveldt said.

“I always say to the guys,

‘You never know what can happen days before leading into a Test match’. Guys can have a lack of form, so you need to be always pushing the guys in the playing XI. You always look to better yourself by having good energy at the practice, [and] attitude.”

He continued: “We have a young team here, guys that haven’t played a lot of firstclass cricket, haven’t played a lot of international cricket; so it’s all about competing and bringing that competition into the nets, into the warmup games.

“This is how you can improve yourself and say to the guy that’s in front of you, ‘I’m not just here to tour, I’m here to push you’.”

Langeveldt, who played six Tests and 72 ODIs, said winning the five-match T20 International series would be a more difficult prospect, but remained positive about South Africa’s chances. “[The] T20 cricket is going to be a tough one. They have quite a strong team,” he noted. “It’s going to be a good competition. I think we’ve got a 3-2 [win], but it’s all leading up to the World Cup, so we want to have a good T20 series as well.

“Five games are a lot, and it’s against a good quality West Indies team, so it will be a good challenge for our guys.”

The first Test is scheduled to bowl off here next Thursday at the Daren Sammy National Stadium, with the second Test getting underway on June 18 at the same venue.

All five T20 Internationals will be played in Grenada from June 26 to July 3. (CMC)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

Infrastructural work ongoing at Everest Cricket Club – Bank of Baroda, Chinese Embassy make donations

By Timothy Jaikarran

I

n a simple ceremony held in the members pavilion at the Everest Cricket Club, both the Bank of Baroda and the Chinese Embassy made valuable donations to the Everest Cricket Club for infrastructural works ongoing there.

The Bank of Baroda’s donation would help to upgrade the Billiards Room. It would then be renamed the Bank of Baroda VIP Lounge.

The Chinese Embassy has also provided a hybrid solar system that would help to power the club during the day.

Representing Bank of Baroda was Managing Director Arun Kumar Gupta, alongside High Commissioner of India His Excellence Dr KJ Srinivasa; and from the Chinese Embassy was Charge d'Affairs Chen Xilai (Chen See-lai).

Opening the floor in his address at the appreciation ceremony was Indian High

High Commissioner of India, Dr KJ Srinivasa

Commissioner His Excellency Dr KJ Srinivasa, who said, "As you all know, we are very proud of Bank of Baroda. It's the third largest public sector bank in India. They have been serving hundreds of millions of customers. And for us, it’s a proud moment, because Indian Bank of Baroda has recently signed up for low-cost housing schemes where they will be contributing to the low- and middle-class people who want to own a house; and at the same time, as you all know,

Bank of Baroda Managing Director, Arun Kumar Gupta

cricket is a religion in India, and for us, coming to such hallowed grounds, which is over 107 years old, I believe this is the place where I think the legend from India played once in the 60s and the 70s. So, I think this will be a valuable addition by the Bank of Baroda, to the cricket ground."

Also sharing his sentiments was Bank of Baroda Managing Director Arun Kumar Gupta, who noted that while cricket is a popular game in Guyana, he is grateful that the Everest

Tokyo 2020 Board talks about vaccines, but not a word on further delay

President of the Everest Cricket Club, Manzoor Nadir

Cricket Club has played its part in taking the game a far way.

Gupta also went on to state that Bank of Baroda has been in Guyana since 1966, and both these institutions have been serving Guyanese people, and thus it is very natural for Bank of Baroda to have a strong bonding relationship with the club.

Charge d'Affairs Chen Xilai of the Chinese Embassy related that while the Club boasts a strong cricketing background, table tennis is also played,

Chinese Embassy Chargé D'Affaires Chen Xilai

and he has played with Club President Manzoor Nadir. He noted that it goes to show that cricket and table tennis can co-exist as well as different cultures.

Xilai said the embassy has been supporting sports in Guyana for over the last decade, and is hopeful that in the future things would be better for all athletes in Guyana.

In closing the proceedings, Everest Cricket Club President and Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir,

was very grateful to the two institutions for their timely donation to club.

“We are very honoured to be supported by these two institutions, the Bank of Baroda and the People's Republic of China. Two very significant projects in the renovation of the Everest Cricket Club, improvement in the facilities is more particularly preparing our club so that once there is an ease, and a relaxing of the COVID protocol, persons can make full use of the facilities,” Nadir said.

Nadir went on to state that with the donation of the hybrid solar system, things would be much better than before, as sports organisations have to pay electricity at the commercial rate, and not the residential. Hence, with the timely donation in two months’ time, the Everest Club would be powered by solar during the day.

Edghill inks long-term contract with Smalta

J

apan's 2020 Olympics committee may seek further vaccine donations to make the rescheduled Games as safe as possible, Tokyo 2020's CEO said after a board meeting on Tuesday, stressing that there had been no talk of further delays.

The Olympics have already been postponed by a year amid global concerns over how organisers can keep volunteers, athletes, officials and the Japanese public safe when they begin on July 23 after a fourth wave of infections.

Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto flatly denied there had been any talk of a cancellation or further postponement at the executive board meeting.

"There was no talk on that whatsoever," he told reporters.

Instead, he spoke of possibly seeking further vaccine shots, adding that "there is an ongoing discussion on whether we should be vaccinating Olympic-related staff more widely".

Most people in Japan oppose holding the Games at all, several polls have shown, and a top Japanese virologist and government adviser was quoted on Tuesday as saying it was impossible to have a riskfree Games.

Tohoku University professor Hitoshi Oshitani was an architect of Japan's "Three Cs” approach to the pandemic, which advises avoiding closed spaces, crowds and close contact.

“It’s 100 per cent impossible to have an Olympics with zero risk...of the spread of infection in Japan and also in other countries after the Olympics," the London Times quoted Oshitani as saying.

"There are a number of countries that do not have many cases, and a number that don’t have any variants. We should not make the Olympics (an occasion) to spread the virus to these countries," he added, noting most countries lack vaccines.

However, a former Olympian turned public health expert said she believed the Games can be pulled off with an acceptable level of risk.

"There will be cases, but having one case or a couple of cases doesn't mean that it was a failure," Tara Kirk Sell, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told Reuters on Tuesday.

Playbooks from event organisers detailing testing regimes and movement restrictions for athletes and other visitors "outline a good strategy" for minimising contagion, Sell added.

PRAYING FOR SAFE GAMES Media arriving from abroad to cover the Games will be closely monitored to ensure they don't leave pre-registered areas such as hotels and sports venues, Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto said. She also said Japan's Olympics-related staff were expected to start getting vaccinated in mid-June. "... we are still in a very difficult situation, but we have seen a gradual decrease of infections in Tokyo, and I am praying that the pandemic is brought under control as swiftly as possible," Hashimoto said at the start of the Tokyo 2020 board meeting.

Japan has been spared the explosive outbreaks seen elsewhere but has recorded over 760,000 cases and more than 13,600 deaths. Tokyo and other regions are under a state of emergency as the nation battles a fourth wave which is

straining hospitals.

The government's top medical adviser, Shigeru Omi, said last week medical experts planned a statement on the Games by June 20, when the state of emergency is set to be lifted.

A labour union in the northern island of Hokkaido, where the Olympic marathon will be held, petitioned its governor on Monday calling for the Games to be cancelled, media said.

Japanese Olympic Committee board member Kaori Yamaguchi, a judo bronze medallist at the 1988 Games, said on Friday Japan had been "cornered" into pressing ahead with the Games.

Japan's public remains divided about holding the Games, although opposition appears to be easing somewhat. A poll by broadcaster TBS this week showed 55% wanted the Games either postponed or cancelled - down 10 points from last month.

Sell, a silver medallist swimmer at the 2004 Games in Athens, said accelerating vaccinations and ebbing case numbers in Japan were positive signs the Olympics can go ahead.

"These Games are very much a symbol of the whole world emerging from this terrible, global pandemic," she said.

"If we wanted to be as safe as possible, we'd never leave our house." (Reuters)

The Smalta and CBL team during the contract signing with Chelsea Edghill

N

ational Table Tennis sensation Chelsea Edghill is Smalta’s newest Brand Ambassador, having yesterday inked a long-term contract with the beverage ahead of her Olympic voyage to Tokyo.

The former Under-21 Caribbean Champion and 2018 National Sports Woman of the Year recently got her ticket for the Olympics, a first for the sport of Table Tennis in Guyana.

The contract will not just be for the Olympics, but will also last until 2022, as Smalta aims to foster a significant partnership with the rising star.

The Lindenwood University graduate expressed her gratitude to Smalta and highlighted during the contract signing that this is probably a first for any athlete in amateur sports who is aspiring to be a professional in Guyana.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with a brand like Smalta.

I’m happy with this route that this brand has taken as it pertains to supporting athletes.

The investing approach is a pioneering one.

This partnership will go a long way with supporting my efforts at home and abroad to achieving the goals set for the future.

“This opportunity also

paves the way for future athletes of Guyana who will one day aspire to greatness.

Once again, I’d like to say thank you to the Smalta brand for seeing the potential and acknowledging my abilities as an athlete and individual,” Chelsea noted.

Country Manager of Carib Brewery Limited (CBL) Kelvin Singh, noted that this was a significant moment for Smalta.

“We are extremely happy and proud to partner with Chelsea Edghill as a Brand Ambassador to the Smalta Brand. This a strategic partnership we are looking to continue beyond the Olympic Games and the next 12 months, as Chelsea continues to evolve and take her career to the next level.

“Also, we would like to thank Chelsea and her team for working with us to finalise this agreement within such a short timeframe. All engagements and communications have been great. On behalf of the team, I would like to wish Chelsea safe travels to her various destinations to reach Tokyo, and best of luck for the Olympics! Do continue to inspire, motivate, and make your fans, family, and country proud.” Singh expressed during the contract signing.

Further, Brand Manager for Smalta, Gabriell Lopes,

made it clear that Smalta views sport development as critical to the brand.

“Chelesea has persevered, and your hard work is paying off. And Smalta is proud to partner with you. Smalta believes in the development of our youths and sports, and we want to show our support (for) Chelsea as she heads to the Olympics.” Lopes stated.

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA,) in a statement, shared that such relationships between corporate Guyana and athletes foster development of the athlete.

“This is ground-breaking and pioneering move on behalf of the company in the sponsorship approach and agreement with Chelsea in terms of the long-term arrangement….

It gives Chelsea the scope to engage with multiple sponsors of non-competing product lines and with simple athlete contribution elements… the GTTA would like to truly express our gratitude to Smalta and all the management and staff of this caring company for partnering with Chelsea in her quest for excellence.” The statement said.

Edghill is set to depart for Portugal where she trains, before heading to Tokyo for the Olympics, which begins on July 23.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Seales picked on promise, Hope on consistency

23

– Roger Harper on squad selection

first-class p l a y Shai Hope ers were

By Brandon Corlette p l a y ing. He performed well, better The West Indies selection than a number of first-class panel named a 13-man squad players who have been playfor the first Betway Test ing for over a number of years. against South Africa start- If he can perform well in those ing on June 10 at the Daren games, he has the potential to Sammy National Stadium in transfer that in the Test seSt Lucia. ries,” Harper explained.

That squad features new“At this point, we think bie Jayden Seales, while that Seales is best placed Test recalls were awarded to among the fast bowlers to Kieran Powell, Shai Hope and serve the purpose we are Roston Chase, who missed the looking for at this moment,” Sri Lanka and Bangladesh se- Harper noted. ries in 2021. Darren Bravo Meanwhile, Harper said and Shannon Gabriel missed the consistent Hope broke his out on selection. way into the Test team based on strong performances and Harper on Seales, Hope current form. “Shai was seSpeaking to the media in lected because of the form in a virtual press conference fol- the red-ball matches he played lowing the squad’s announce- leading up to this point. That ment, Lead Selector Roger indicated he is producing in Harper said, based on sol- red-ball cricket,” Harper said. id performances in the Best v Best matches, 19-year old Harper on Bramble, Hamilton Trinidadian Seales was seA lot of questions have lected. been raised in relation to Seales, who played one Jahmar Hamilton’s involvefirst-class match, has been se- ment in the West Indies lected ahead of other prom- teams, since his performancising fast bowlers with good es in first-class cricket is not first-class performances. superior to many. However, Harper also said current Hamilton, according to CWI, form is important for selec- has met the fitness standards. tion, hence the inclusion of Responding to a question Seales. “I saw a young bowler posted by this daily publicaperform in games where Test tion, Harper said: “We have players and the best of our considered guys who met the

Jayden Seales and Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick

minimum standard of 40 in the fitness test, so a number of guys excluded themselves by not making that mark,” Harper posited.

In first-class cricket, the 30-year-old Hamilton played 89 matches and scored 4117 runs at an average of 26.56 with six centuries and 24 fifties. The gloves-man has 186 catches and 12 stumping.

Anthony Bramble, in contrast, played 66 first-class matches and scored 2742

runs.

The 30-year-old Guyanese played 23 matches less than Hamilton, and has three centuries and 12 fifties, averaging at 30.46. Bramble has 224 catches and 23 stumpings.

The Lead Selector also said that the axed Darren Bravo is a quality player, and he missed out on the squad because other players performed better. Harper said he will always remain in contention once he performs.

Harper on Nial Smith

Speaking on the promise and skill of his fellow Guyanese Nial Smith, Harper said he is one for the future and has a lot of potential. Harper indicated that Head Coach Phil Simmons spoke highly of the seamer.

When asked by this publication if there was a toss-up between Smith and Seales, Harper said: “With what we have seen in the Best v Best

games prior to the Sri Lankan series and here, we think that Seales have an edge over the (fast) bowlers”.

Smith, who impressed in the Best v Best matches, has played seven first-class matches and has 20 wickets, including 6-55 on debut. The 25-year-old Smith has also impressed in List A cricket, finishing the last Regional Super50 with eight wickets.

During that tournament, Smith captured the attention of West Indies greats, including Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Clive Lloyd. Smith has also gained selection in the Hero Caribbean Premier League for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

West Indies squad for first Test reads: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.

FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers…

Puerto Rico needle Golden Jags in final game

By Jemima Holmes

G

uyana’s Senior Men’s National Football Team, the Golden Jaguars, ended their FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers on a disappointing note, as they failed to score a single goal in a 2-0 encounter against ‘The Blue Hurricane’ Puerto Rico on Tuesday afternoon.

For this final fixture, Head Coach Marcio Maximo gave Osafa Simpson the nod for a first half start, while Stephen Duke-Mckenna, Keanu March-Brown, Omari Glasgow, Daniel Wilson and Job Caesar floated between middle and forward positions.

The defense was the same

once again.

The Golden Jaguars opted for a peculiar string of plays in the first 5 minutes of the encounter, allowing Puerto Rico to command possession.

Guyana’s lackluster approach finally got the better of them when McKenzie-Lyle failed to hold on to an attempt by the Number 7-clad Puerto Rican player.

Oblivious to the action in front of them, Wilfredo Rivera capitalised on the loose ball, tucking it in for Puerto Rico’s first goal in the 12th minute.

It was as though the goal was a wakeup call for Guyana’s packed midfield, as they automatically tightened up their plays. However,

The Golden Jaguars in action against Puerto Rico

as Liam Gordon, Matthew Briggs, Terence Vancooten, while Miguel Scarlett held the back line. Kai McKenzie-Lyle was the man with the gloves

Puerto Rico had a remedy for this, traversing the wings frequently to get their plays executed.

Tuesday’s starting lineup

Stephen Duke-Mckenna especially stepped up to the plate, even hanging back in the defense positions to ward off Puerto Rico. In the meanwhile, Liam Gordon showed glimpses of Guyana’s first chance at the goal, taking a shot from the corner of the box that was scooped up by the opposing goalkeeper.

As the time moved into the 20’s Puerto Rico once again became antsy with anticipation as they edged closer to the goal. Their chance eventually came in the 25th, as Miguel Scarlett trailed a Puerto Rican player in the box.

A soft push on his oppo-

nent followed by an innocent raise of hands from Scarlett was all it took for the referee to call a foul inside the box, making way for a penalty.

The chance was taken by Isaac Angking, who made no mistake, unlike Guyana’s keeper Mckenzie-Lyle, who dived in the opposite direction of the ball’s course.

Two forward attempts by Osafa Simpson in the space of two minutes revealed the urgency that now flowed between the Guyanese players. In Simpson’s attempts, one was cleared by a Puerto Rican defender and the other was held tightly by the goal-

keeper. But these plays may have been irrational in the eyes of the Coach Maximo, as Simpson became the first substitute of the game, in the 31st. his exit made way for Nathan Moriah-Welsh’s entry.

Another chance came for Guyana in the 45th, a freekick just metres outside the box. However, the shot from Omari Glasgow went well over the crossbar for a wasted opportunity.

The beginning of the second half saw a recovery from their lackadaisical start for Guyana. Job Caesar was soon substituted by Javier George.

As Guyana continued in their

attempts to stifle Puerto Rico, they appeared to be a better functioning unit in the second segment.

Another freekick opportunity came and went unyielded in the 55th, just before Duke- Mckenna put on a one man show in the middle as he edged closer to his target.

However, it went awry in the finishing phases.

The next substitution came in the 65th, as Marcus Wilson got his first run as a Senior Men’s Player for Guyana in place of Daniel Wilson. Also entering the game was Kelsey Benjamin, as Glasgow headed for the bench.

While Guyana focused on preventing Puerto Rico from registering a hattrick of goals, their possession went up, but it did nothing for their goalscoring.

The time eventually expired quietly, as both teams failed to connect with the back of the net.

Although the win granted Puerto Rico another 3 points, it would not affect the outcome of the Group, as St Kitts and Nevis have already secured enough points to be the only team to advance to the next round.

Guyana will now focus on their CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification process, for which they will play

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

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

Seales picked on promise, Hope on Infrastructural work ongoing consistency at Everest Cricket Club Page 22

Page 23

– Roger Harper on squad selection Pg 22

– Bank of Baroda, Chinese Embassy make donations FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers…

Pg 23

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