Guyana Times - Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Teen arrested for murder of Port Kaituma miner

about 00:30h.

According to information received, a 64-year-old farmer, who was traversing near his home at Four-Mile Village, reportedly stumbled on Benjamin’s lifeless body in the grass, with blood oozing from the head.

Ateenager is now in custody for the murder of 21-year-old Shimron Benjamin, whose

lifeless body was found in the wee hours of Tuesday at Quarry Top, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini).

The young man was reportedly last seen in the company of the 17-yearold, imbibing ‘high wine’, at

The farmer immediately contacted the Toshao, Royston Bumbury who arrived at the scene on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) which he subsequently used to transport the vic-

tim to the Port Kaituma District Hospital. Benjamin was pronounced dead on arrival. His face was reportedly bashed in. At the scene, the Police found a piece of rock with bloodstains suspected to be the murder weapon. Meanwhile, preliminary investigations have led to the arrest of the teen, who is presently assisting with investigations. The miner’s body is at the Port Kaituma District Hospital’s Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The bloodied piece of rock found at the scene

Police at the scene on Tuesday morning

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, Mar 29 – 10:00h -10:45h and Thursday, Mar 30 – 00:30h – 02:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Mar 29 – 09:05 – 10:35h and Thursday, Mar 30 – 10:55h – 12:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 09:28h and 22:29h reaching maximum heights of 2.10 metres and 1.93 metres.

Low Tide: 15:48h reaching a minimum height of 1.14 metres.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana pursuing greater partnerships with St Lucia, twin tourism package

– as St Lucia offers Guyana assistance with tourism & hospitality sector

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister

Oneidge Walrond is currently in St Lucia for a two-day official visit, and among the things she will pursue is greater bilateral partnerships between the two countries.

During the ceremony to mark British Airways’ first flight to Guyana, Minister Walrond spoke of her impending visit to St Lucia. She explained that the launch of the flight represented more than a direct flight between Guyana and the United Kingdom. It also represented increased opportunities between Guyana and St Lucia.

“The introduction of this flight also represents opportunities for partnerships. This evening as I leave for St Lucia, reciprocating the support that St Lucia family is showing us today, we will examine while there are opportunities for greater collaboration that may arise from

sharing this route.”

“Because not only does this flight open travel between the UK and our respective nations, but it also presents opportunities for travel between St Lucia and Guyana, as we seek to boost our inter-regional tourism,” Minister Walrond said.

Minister Walrond noted that both countries have attractive tourism options for their citizens to enjoy, such as St Lucia’s Jazz Festival and Guyana’s Rupununi Rodeo in Region Nine, and the Cricket Carnival.

“We have additional options for Guyanese wishing to experience the St Lucia Jazz Festival. Similarly, it will also promote our local events such as the Rupununi Rodeo and the Cricket Carnival to the St Lucia market.”

“Recognising the potential, we have begun tourism twinning with St Lucia, combining two distinct appeal-

ing experiences and bringing the best of two worlds into one package,” the Minister further said.

St Lucian counterpart

St Lucia’s Minister of Tourism, Dr Ernest Hilaire, was also present in the audience at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday. With St Lucia’s renown as a tourism destination, Hilaire noted that there is much his country can share with Guyana on the sector.

“St Lucia has a lot it can share with Guyana, as it relates to tourism and hospitality. We are the leading destination for honeymoons. And the Caribbean leading destination for adventure. But when we speak of adventure, I don’t know that anywhere in the Caribbean can match what Guyana has to offer.”

“So, we’ve developed a product in St Lucia. And we certainly look forward to working with you. We’ve met with your Minister. And I’m sure that under the leadership of your Minister,

Guyana tourism will go very very far.”

Hillarie recalled that in the 50s and 60s, many St Lucians came to Guyana to earn a living, while in the 70s and 80s many Guyanese went to St Lucia to do likewise. The relations between Guyana and St Lucia, therefore, have always been strong and according to Hilaire, can only grow stronger with the direct flight.

“I cannot recall there has ever been a direct flight from Guyana to St Lucia. So just as this is a milestone for you, the flight returning is a milestone for St Lucia. And we’re really grateful to have this gateway between Guyana and St Lucia,” Hilaire said.

“We need to start thinking about multi-destination marketing. So, you can come to Guyana, stay in St Lucia. You can come to St Lucia and come over to Guyana, with the ease that this flight offers. So, I’m really pleased… I look forward to the strengthening of the bonds of friendship and solidarity between Guyana and St Lucia.”

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond (right) and her St Lucian counterpart, Dr Ernest Hilaire with other officials upon her arrival in St Lucia

According to Dr Hilaire, there is much his country can share with Guyana when it comes to tourism

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Trauma associated with DV

This issue of domestic violence, its trickle effects and impact on society has, on numerous occasions, been reported in Guyanese media; but, unfortunately, domestic violence continues despite awareness efforts. In several cases that have been reported locally, some women and even family members used the mechanisms available to help domestic violence victims, but in many instances, all systems failed.

Domestic violence has been described as “behaviour which causes one partner in a relationship to be afraid of the other. Domestic violence can take the form of physical or sexual abuse, and forced social isolation away from friends and family members.”

There is more than a subtle irony in the continuance of this societal scourge in spite of the relentless efforts and the plethora of available mechanisms to inform and educate. The problem appears much larger that is reflected in the news, as many cases go unreported. This speaks to the reality of the problem being underestimated.

Many reasons have been made known for what can deter an abused victim from seeking the intervention of the law. Among them are aspects of culture, shame, dependency and its redounding lack of empowerment for some, and the absence of confidence in law enforcement, precipitated from the reported trivialising of the issue in some instances.

The magnitude of the impact cannot be underestimated. Many persons have cruelly been made witnesses to the horrific assaults. Those ghastly images, especially when life was snuffed out, are not only lasting, but profoundly traumatising.

While it is always heartening to hear that surviving victims and witnesses to such horrific incidents would be counselled, it would be very informative for all to know the extent of what is available and offered. While expectations would be for what obtains in the developed nations, realistically, there must be something tangible in keeping with available resources, with upgrades foremost in planning.

This is not, in any way, suggesting that there is not an effective mechanism. However, counselling can be an extensive process for some, depending on the circumstances. Given the plethora of incidents that unfortunately continue, and which would make added demands on the system, the question of adequacy of trained staff, needed facilities, and support systems becomes more pertinent.

While there is a disadvantage in accurately quoting figures based on extensive research, if available, on the amount of people lost, injured and disfigured, and those scarred for life as a result of domestic violence, they must be extremely high in proportion to our population. Clearly, the highest number would be those who are left traumatised.

This therefore must be seen as a serious cause for concern, and a compelling reason for consideration for declaring domestic violence a national priority. This is an apolitical issue, and it is not confined to any one group, thereby making it less difficult to garner national support. In small societies such as ours, the impact permeates throughout.

As this newspaper had previously said, persons reading and learning about incidents through television and social media are in many ways impacted too, especially if one of their own is affected. In the context herein, the pervasiveness and impact of trauma cannot, and must not, be underestimated. Its mitigation has to uncompromisingly be immediate, holistic, effective and sustained. Persons within communities most often do not think it is their business to report instances of abuse, but proper and timely intervention could have saved someone’s life.

Corporals Jones and McBean, who are attached to Regional Division 4 ‘B’, spearheaded a kite distribution exercise at the Craig Primary School, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Tuesday

Reply to Mr Hamilton Green – Part 1

Dear Editor, A good friend of mine sent me a video clip of Mr Hamilton Green attacking a billboard erected on the East Bank, hailing Dr Jagan as the Father of the Nation. In that video, Mr Green gave several reasons for his positions.

From the outset, let me say that almost all the points he made were distorted, and some were downright untrue. The first point he made was that the PPP Government in June 1953 did not go to meet the Queen in Jamaica after her coronation. Mr Green called it a mistake. Perhaps it was.

However, it was not Dr Jagan alone who held that position. Burnham, who was then Chairman of the PPP, was of that view as well. In fact, in that period, Mr Burnham used to describe himself as the only Marxist in the PPP. Other leaders of the PPP who took that position were Martin Carter, Rory Westmaas and Sydney King, among others. They felt it was enough that the colony was represented in London at the crowning.

To now blame Dr Jagan alone for that decision is incorrect by a long shot. That was a collective decision.

The other “mistake” he spoke about was the solidarity given by the PPP to Julius and Ethal Rosenburg, who were sentenced to death in the US for allegedly spying for the Soviet Union. Here, again, Mr Green is very misleading.

It is true that the PPP Government passed a motion in the Legislative Assembly calling on the President of the USA to exercise clemency for them. At that time, people all over the world felt it was persecution, and that the couple were innocent. It was at a time when McCarthyism was rampant in the US, and many people, communists and non-communists, were being persecuted. Those included Paul Roberson and the famous film writer Trumbo. Many innocent people were destroyed by the extremism of Senator McCarthy.

So, the PPP was not alone in calling for clemency for them; it was on the side of progressive people the world over, demanding this and giving solidarity to the couple. This included the Pope!

How this was a mistake is a mystery. Indeed, it was an act of humanism and solidarity.

He then accused Dr Jagan of not joining the Non-Aligned Movement, suggest-

ing that Jagan was hostile to it, and that he had an opportunity to join and did not. That is totally untrue.

Cheddi Jagan held the Non-Aligned Movement and its founders in very high esteem. But how could the country join that movement when we were (a) still a colony and (b) even if it were possible for a colony to join the NAM, the PPP was not in office in 1955, the Constitution having been suspended in 1953.

So, Mr Green is creating his own circumstances, and then using those to criticise Dr Jagan. This is certainly an attempt to deliberately mislead people.

It is true that it was Mr Burnham who established the Non-Aligned Park in Georgetown in the mid-1970s. The PPP supported it fully. This was when Burnham was working to change his image as a pro-colonial and pro-imperialist for his role from 1955 to 1970.

If, according to Green, Burnham was so enamoured with the NAM, why did it take him so long after Independence to join that movement?

Let me add that Dr Jagan’s position on international relations of an independent Guyana was known from the inception. He reiterated this is an interview he gave in January 1957. In answer to a question on foreign policy, he said. “…we would pursue a policy of strict neutrality and friendliness to all nations…” Later in the 1960s, he even said he was ready to sign such a neutrality pact as the Austrian model. He was opposed to having any foreign military base here.

The other distraction Green tried to pass off is that Kennedy asked Jagan if he was a communist and Jagan could not answer. Where he got that from is a total mystery. This is sheer nonsense!

He spoke about Cheddi’s position on the West Indian Federation. Let me say that the PPP’s position on the Federation was decided by the party from its inception. That was when Burnham was the Chairman of the PPP.

That position was that a PPP Government would be supportive of Federation if the region became independent, or at a minimum enjoyed internal self-government. It also stated that, before joining, a referendum would be held.

That position of the PPP came out of a meeting of the Caribbean Labour Congress, which was held in the late 1940s and attended by the English-

speaking countries. The minimum conditions were never met when the Federation was formed; therefore, the West Indian Federation was aglorified crown colony. That is what the PPP was opposed to. Incidentally, the PPP was not alone. The British were trying to establish Federations in various regions of Africa (West Africa, etc) and they were rejected by African leaders for the same reasons that the PPP rejected the West Indian Federation. They refused to be gloried crown colonies to please the colonialisters and to make it easier for London to subjugate the colonies.

Cheddi Jagan should be praised for saving the integrity of the region by the PPP’s position. The progressive forces in the region always rejected such a status.

Had Mr Green done his homework, he would have known that the Government of Belize fell because the leading Party there changed its position on the Federation! Opposition in many of the Caribbean islands was strong, Jamaica is one example. Hamilton Green then moved to talk about Cheddi’s position on the Independence Conference in London in 1963. What he failed to say is that Burnham’s role was less than honourable. I am being kind here.

Burnham changed his position constantly on Independence. From 1950 to 1955, while in the PPP, he was a strong advocate for Independence. There were no differences between him and Dr Jagan in that period.

He began to shift in the late 1950s. By 1960, at the first Independence talks, he dropped the demand for independence and advocated internal self-government instead.

In the run-up to the 1961 elections, he again called for independence. In fact, it was on this issue that he and Sydney King fell out.

He agreed that whichever party won the 1961 elections would lead the country to Independence. He was confident of victory because of his collaboration with the British colonial masters, and he was aware that the boundaries were being changed to give the PNC a win. Things did not go accordingly to his and the British plan.

Sincerely,

Donald Ramotar Former President of Guyana

Trust & security guarantees needed for shared governance

Dear Editor, As was reported recently in our local press media by PPP General Secretary, “No Shared Governance Without Trust” herein, I would like to share my views on power-sharing, especially in Guyana’s context.

According to studies, the term power-sharing covers a wide range of political arrangements for sharing power with opposition groups per se. As such, it can be difficult to state a coherent description (and as per constitutional mandate) of the term power-sharing, especially in Guyana’s political environment; as it can be applied broadly to cover a variety of different political divisions of power. The purpose of political power-sharing arrangements provides the platform for important security guarantees for an elected Government and the Opposition parties of whom shall be offered a place in central Government.

Furthermore, such canon of power-sharing is premised on power asymmetry between participants, as with the majority and minority parties, as one of the major problems in collaborative governance and proposed power-sharing as a solution to the problem. However, the challenges in the process of sharing power can vary, depending on set objectives and expectations or outcomes as follows:

1) This can be compounded by time-consuming process for building trust as being the most critical factor towards power-sharing.

2) The possibility of stalemate and inaction caused by poor implementation of power-sharing agreements.

3) The degree of unwillingness to collaborate or even withdrawal from collaboration due to actual reluctance of power-sharing.

Of course, a shared governance model built on trust should be able to crystalise and ensure that the relevant

Day 8: Maa Mahagauri

Goddess Shailaputri, who was worshipped on Day 1, was very fair and was extremely beautiful. She later came to be known as Maa Mahagauri because of her beauty. The Goddess mounts a bull; therefore, she is also known as Vrisharudha. She is depicted with four hands - carrying a Trishul and making the Abhaya Mudra with the right hands, and in the left hands she holds a Damru and keeps the other in Varada Mudra.

People also perform Kanya Puja, or Kanjak, on Ashtami by welcoming nine young unmarried girls into their homes. They are considered divine manifestations of Maa Durga, and are worshipped by devotees.

She is also known as Shwetambardhara, as she always wears white clothes. She symbolises purity, serenity and tranquility.

security guarantees are useful towards ending conflict, by allowing the main Opposition to be part of the governance structure. However, power-sharing is often criticised for:

1) Rewarding violence and political vandalism in the name of discrimination and inequality of groups.

2) Entrenching the divisions at the heart of conflict by translating it into new political dispensations and institutions that may overshadow majority constituencies.

3) Focusing on an elite pact, which leads to the exclusion of any social contract and the actual will and rights of the working class or groups.

In conclusion, the means for shared governance should not be at the whims and fancies of any political party. Indeed, the trust which is needed for power-sharing must transcend partisan politics, and there should be a national call by the Guyanese people for recognizing and apologising for all rigged elec-

tions (between 1968-1985 including the 1978 fraudulent referendum & the attempt to rig 2020 general elections) in Guyana, and at the same time pledge the guarantees for no recurrence in the future.

Truly yours, Paul

Ramrattan

Is UG positioned to promote "Inclusivity, Diversity, and Fairness?"

Dear Editor,

Given the pre-occupation of a segment of the population with allegations of racism and discrimination, the University of Guyana, as the leading educational institution in the country, thought it appropriate to launch on November 3, 2021, the “Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Policy “Unit (IDEP) to provide leadership on this area. In theory, educational institutions at all levels are well-positioned to play a key role in mitigating harsh racial attitudes and promoting tolerance, and understanding. Civil discourses, views, and evidence of racism and discrimination must be ventilated, and in cases where injury has been inflicted and established, appropriate to protect remedy must be instituted. We must move beyond words onto deeds.

It is noted that the formation of any organization or Unit to enhance inclusivity, diversity, and equality of access to opportunity must be set on the right platform. This has not necessarily been the case with the launch of the University of Guyana’s IDEP Unit. Social commentator Ms. Fatimah Mohammed believes that it was not well grounded as the Unit itself lacks inclusivity and diversity.

Notes Ms. Fatimah: “The Unit is composed of 10 people and only one is an IndoGuyanese. The Unit’s executive comprises mainly ethnic Africans, with only one token Indo-Guyanese. There was a total disregard, by the University of Guyana and the Unit, for the diversity of the Guyanese society, which

is proportioned 40 percent East Indians; 30 percent Africans; 20 percent Mixed; and 10 percent Amerindian descent.” (Pride: 12/1/2021).

To show how the composition of the Unit reflects a broader pattern, she says that 80% of the staff at UG are Afro-Guyanese.

While I have been unable to verify this proportion, a content analysis conducted by a colleague shows that 70% of the statutory and academic support staff are Afro-Guyanese. For the teaching and support staff (in the Faculties of Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Medical, Education, and Humanities) Afro-Guyanese account for 57.3%. There is some evidence of gender diversity at UG, as females occupy 56.2% of the staff positions in the four Faculties.

The main point that Ms. Fatimah is making however is that while there have been frequent allegations of racism and discrimination in other sectors of the economy such as in the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Housing and Water in the award of large contracts, little attention has been given to the practice of fairness and diversity at the country’s premier educational institution, where one ethnic group that occupies statutory, administrative, and teaching positions does not reflect the inclusivity and diversity that the University purports to embrace.

Critics are quick to point out perceptions of inequality and bias in a few areas such as contract awards, but they also overlook the diversity

and fairness that exists in the housing, education, and other sectors.

Both the Prime Minister, Hon Brig. (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and the Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Hon Susan Rodrigues, for example, have stated that 50% of the 20,800 house lots allocated have gone to AfroGuyanese. Furthermore, upholding gender diversity as a top policy priority, Minister Susan reports that 8,000 of those house lots were allocated to single women. With respect to the first 6,000 GOAL scholarships, Aaron Pires’ analysis shows that 39% were awarded to AfroGuyanese students and 41% to Indo-Guyanese, while Mixed and Amerindians accounted for 20%. Obviously, there has been no discrimination against AfroGuyanese in house lot allocations and scholarship awards. Their grants and awards were higher than their proportion in the general population which is 29% (based on 2012 census).

How would UG’s IDEP Unit achieve inclusivity, diversity, and fairness is a

massive challenge. To be credible, they should consider overhauling the staff composition of the IDEP Unit to reflect the diversity of the country. I know that they fully understand that images could be even more powerful than messages. As the country’s foremost educational institution, UG must send out the right signals.

While I believe in diversity, inclusivity, and fairness, I also recognize how Guyanese society has evolved and no one can easily dismiss the social stratification that conditioned occupational gravitation in specific pathways. Afro-Guyanese, for example, had gravitated mainly from plantation society to government jobs, while IndoGuyanese gravitated mainly towards business and farming. Not to unsettle and to respect this historical pattern of occupational stratification, it is reasonable to posit that for now and in the future inclusivity, fairness, and equality of access to opportunity must be accorded priority for all Guyanese.

Sincerely,

Dr Tara Singh

20:30

21:00

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Colour: Red

Mahagauri Mantra

Ya Devi Sarvbhuteshu Maa Gauri Rupen Sansthita|

Namastasyee Namastasyee Namastasyee Namo Namah|

Joinder parties notify GECOM to have Dr Asha Kissoon replace Shuman as MP

as Deputy Speaker Shuman formally resigns

former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MPs Joseph Harmon and Nicolette Henry were replaced by current Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and Volda Lawrence.

This publication was meanwhile able to confirm with Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, that a letter of resignation was received from Shuman. When it comes to the Deputy Speaker position, he indicated that members of the National Assembly from both sides of the aisle will have to vote on it.

from Parliament

ing to him, the country’s first peoples are largely unrepresented in the National Assembly. Constitutional reform was also on his agenda.

“I know that constitutional reform is big on the agenda for us; so is the revision of the Amerindian Act and the legalisation of small amounts of cannabis for personal use and large amounts for industrial use; and for a

change in the fiscal management structure in Guyana, so that it transfers into a regional structure,” he had explained.

“We said it time and time again: our position is the people’s position; if it’s good for the people, then there should be no reason why we should not support it; if it’s bad for the people, then we will obviously not be in a position to support it.”

So far, steps are being taken to revise the Amerindian Act of 2006 by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. Last year, it was announced that a committee would be established that would spearhead consultations in 2023. And while not legalised, the Government removed custodial sentences for small quantities of marijuana last year. (G-3)

The joinder parties - the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), The New Movement (TNM) and A New and United Guyana (ANUG) - have taken steps to replace Deputy Speaker and LJP Leader Lenox Shuman, in the National Assembly, beginning with writing to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

According to reliable sources at GECOM, the electoral body has received a letter from the joinder parties. That letter formally requested that GECOM extract the name of Dr Asha Kissoon from the list of candidates so that she can replace Shuman as a Member of Parliament (MP).

The process for replacing an MP involves the National Assembly writing to the head of the party list to whom the seat belongs, once its occupant has submitted a formal resignation. The head of the list is tasked with informing GECOM which party candidate name to extract and submit to the National Assembly.

It is a process that was followed last year when

“Yes, his term is going to be up at the end of March. This is the normal process. If someone resigns from the House, then the Speaker will inform GECOM… GECOM checks if the person nominated is qualified to be elected and then issues a certificate to us.”

“At the next sitting of Parliament, that person could be sworn in. The Deputy Speaker is elected by all the Members of Parliament. But normally comes from the Opposition,” the Speaker further explained.

The three joinder parties collectively won a single seat in the 65-seat National Assembly following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. The number of votes indicated that of the trio, LJP secured the most votes with 2657, while ANUG and TNM secured 2313 and 244 respectively.

The duration of the terms, according to the joinder agreement, had stipulated that LJP in the form of Shuman would occupy the seat for two years, six months, and 20 days, while ANUG would serve for two years five months, and TNM

for 80 days. The three parties had previously committed to acting as a broker between the Government and the main Opposition.

When he was first elected, Deputy Speaker Shuman had previously told this publication that he would use his voting rights at the legislative branch in the interest of all Guyanese, but he has particularly committed to advocating for Indigenous peoples’ rights, since accord-

Deputy Speaker & LJP

MP Lenox Shuman

TNM Leader, Dr Asha Kissoon

Parika man gets 5 years, fined $5.4M for possession of imported ganja

Thirty-year-old Andy Jainandan of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), who was busted with $1.8 million of imported ganja was on Tuesday sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

Jainandan appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where

he pleaded guilty to possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and was fined $5.4 million.

The accused was arrested on Saturday with 12 lbs of “poppy” during a Customs Anti-Narcotics operation at Zeeburg Public Road, EBE.

It was reported that on the day in question,

Striking back…

…at the Empire

Ahh…we’ve come a long way, haven’t we?? From the days when Britain would send out their flotsam and jetsam to rule over natives like us in their Empire!! What does it mean that, right now, the Prime Ministers of Britain and Ireland (Rishi Sunak and Leo Eric Varadkar) – as well as the First Minister of Scotland (Humza Yousaf) – are all of Indian/Pakistani origin?? Will curry now be served at all official functions?? Being all second generationers, will their common experience of being hassled as “outsiders” trigger inclusivity programmes??

Jainandan was carrying a haversack when he was intercepted by CANU officers. A search was subsequently carried out on the haversack during which five brick-like parcels suspected to be cannabis were found.

As such, Jainandan was cautioned and taken to CANU Headquarters where the suspected cannabis was tested and positively identified as imported cannabis known as “poppy”. The narcotics were weighed and amounted to 5.36 kg with a street value of approximately $1.8 million.

Does this willingness (?) to be governed by spawns of formerly despised natives mean that Britain have now moved beyond the racism they did so much to inflict on the rest of the world?? At a certain level, we gotta concede that this elevation of “wogs” means some things have changed positively. But your Eyewitness still believes we’ve got an even longer way to go before we can start singing kumbaya!! Incidentally, did you realise that “kumbaya” is of creole origin – “come by ya” or “come near me”??

While each of them will take – and have taken –progressive views on minorities (Varadkar’s also gay), they’re still representing the views of populations that feel strongly about those matters. So, they’ve all had to bow to the harder line on immigration, for instance. It’s all about the votes they’ll need to garner if they hope to return to the office. On Brexit, Ireland’s Varadkar is opposed, since it’s made relations with the North more problematical. Sunak stoutly harks to the Brexit line, but, on Northern Ireland, has struck a deal with the EU that the tough-as-nails N Irish DUP haven’t approved.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Yousaf might have to sit across from Sunak to negotiate his country’s demand that they rejoin the EU, for starters - and secede, for enders!! Will they see this as a recapitulation of the “two nations theory” that split Pakistan from India – and then Bangladesh from Pakistan?? Ahh…what sweet irony!! The Brits split India to keep the latter distracted and amenable to western manipulations. Will the three upstarts be motivated to repeat history as farce??

For us in the Caribbean, it’s interesting that Sunak and Yousaf have a nexus with Africa. The former’s grandfathers on both branches of their family tree are Indian - through many generational sojourns in Kenya and Uganda. Similarly, Yousaf’s mom is through Kenya. Even anecdotally, they’d have been told of anti-Indian racism from Africans - so they’ll appreciate many folks have to take some planks from their eyes before moving towards racial rapprochement.

Interestingly, Yousaf has identified strongly with Scotland’s Muslim community, and Sunak with England’s Hindu community.

Will they import the India-Pakistan divide when they sit across from each other??

…at machines??

Ahh…what a complication it is, trying to carve out a decent life as humans!! Sometimes your Eyewitness thinks it would’ve been so much simpler if we were still hanging out in caves – hunting and gathering!! Look at what a hard time we’ve had every time we try to make “progress”. Was it better settling down and planting crops rather than eating off the land?? If yes, why are we spending so much on “paleo diets”??

Then we created machines like steam engines “to make life easier”. But ended up with an “Industrial Revolution” that made life more nasty, brutish and shorter than the jungle!! No wonder some folks – called “Luddites” – took to breaking up machines and factories because they were doing work folks did using their hands!

But it looks like we’re in for another confrontation between man and machine – with this Artificial Intelligence (AI) stuff that’ll make a whole lotta people redundant!!

Maybe Putin will bomb us back into the Stone Age to “save us”??

…at Opposition propaganda

Basically, what the PPP GS is saying is that, with smart phones, everybody can offer their views over social media. On the Opposition claiming discrimination and racism etc, he’s suggesting PPP supporters speak their truth to the Opposition’s propaganda!!

People’s powah!!

The imported cannabis found in the haversack

Sentenced: Andy Jainandan

DDL records $5.3B after-tax profit for 2022, over $30B turnover – Chairman

...says US$100M to be spent on capital projects in grand expansion

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has recorded a total after-tax profit of $5.3 billion for the year 2022, alongside a turnover of $31.4 billion, all results that came despite global crises… the ramifications of which were felt even in Guyana.

DDL Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Komal Samaroo made the announcement during an event to mark the signing of a US$22 million loan with the International Development Bank (IDB) investment arm.

“In 2012, 10 years ago, the group turnover was $15.8 billion. Our audited accounts will show that it was $31.4 billion, almost

double last year. Its profit after tax in 2012 was $1.3 billion. In 2022, it was $5.3 billion, a four-fold increase,” Samaroo said.

“In 2012, shareholders received dividends of 40 cents per share. In 2022, subject to the approval of the annual general meeting, they will receive $1.75, more than four times. And in 2012, the debt to every $100 of equity was $53, compared to $1 for every $100, that I said earlier.”

When it comes to how the company will use the money secured from the loan, Samaroo revealed that the company has a grand expansion plan in which $100 million will be spent on capital projects. This sum, ac-

Businessman makes donation to 7-year-old cancer patient to travel overseas for treatment

cording to Samaroo, will go a long way towards the company’s diversification agenda.

“In recent years, DDL group has been funding from self-generated funds its entire expansion, which in the last two years was in the region of US$25 million. Notwithstanding that, at the end of 2022, the company’s debt-to-equity ratio was a mere $1 for every $100 of equity.

However, given the present high inflation around the world and other supply chain challenges, the group must commit more resources to its working capital at a time when it plans to step up its pace of expansion.”

“Based on projects currently at various stages of implementation and planning, across the group, we estimate over the next three years to commit in excess of US$100 million for capi-

tal projects. The loan agreement will provide the resources required to fund projects in pursuance of the diversification strategy of the group and the transition to renewable energy,” Samaroo said.

Meanwhile, Samaroo mentioned other initiatives that DDL will be implementing for their staff, including the setting up of a medical centre, intensifying and expanding training, and pursuing the procurement of house lots for staff in need, with the relevant authorities.

At the halfway mark last year, DDL had announced that the group recorded $1.801 billion profit after tax. Meanwhile, its turnover for the period – January 1 to June 30, 2022 – was $14.17 billion.

Samaroo had highlighted at the time in their mid-year report, that the Group managed to maintain a robust level of performance despite a challenging background caused by global crises –most of which were external in nature but adversely affected the results for the period.

Samaroo had further highlighted that the first half of 2022 was extremely challenging for the DDL Group, as it battled to overcome a series of overlapping crises.

The Group’s turnover for 2021 was more than $27.6 billion compared to almost $24.7 billion in the previous year, 2020. Profit After Tax for the 2021 Financial Year was $4.789 billion, reflecting an increase of $896 million or 23 per cent over that in the previous year.

In that report, the Chairman noted that the DDL Group continues to invest in the expansion, diversification, and upgrade of its production capacity to take full advantage of the positive economic environment while ensuring international competitiveness in the segments in which it operates. (G-3)

Seven-year-old Munesh

Narayan, who has been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, is one step closer to receiving the treatment he needs after a contribution by businessman Azruddin Mohamed.

Team Mohamed’s in a Facebook release stated that Mohamed met with the child’s mother and a representative from the SHEA Organisation on Tuesday.

The advanced treatment and technology necessary for Munesh’s recovery are not available in Guyana and are estimated to cost between US$100,000-$300,000.

The SHEA Charity, a non-profit organisation that supports children in need of medical treatment abroad, continues to work tirelessly to help those who are in similar situations as Munesh.

The organisation’s efforts are often supported by ordinary working-class individuals who contribute what they can to help those in need.

However, Mohamed joined with the organisation and Munesh’s mother to call on the business community in Guyana to step up and take their corporate social responsibility seriously.

“It’s disappointing that those who can afford to con-

tribute to such causes are often not doing enough. If 15-20 of us each make a contribution of about US$4000, little Munesh will be able to get the help he needs.”

“Let’s join hands to support more children and people in need. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it the most,” Mohamed added.

Anyone who wants to assist the child can do so through Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/donate/943985820070229/; Demerara Bank - Lori Narine

- Account: 6002041325 or through the SHEA Website: https://savinghandsemergencyaid.org/ munesh-narayan

DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo

Seven-year-old Munesh Narayan

Businessman Azruddin Mohamed along with the mother of the child and a representative from the SHEA Organisation

CA$2.5M project launched to tackle maternal, neonatal mortality in hinterland regions

old – Canadian Professor

ACA$2.5 million project was on Tuesday launched with the main aim of decreasing maternal mortality and increasing the survival of children under the age of five in the hinterland.

The project “Maternal, Newborn and Child Health” is being funded under Global Affairs Canada and executed by McMaster University and Giving Health to Kids. It will be implemented over five years.

The project is aimed at complementing the Government of Guyana’s efforts to increase the quality and availability of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) care in the hinterland: Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

Associate Clinical Professor at McMaster University, Dr Narendra Singh underlined that there is a gross discrepancy between the level of service offered to mothers in the hinterland versus those on the coast.

“If a mother delivers a baby in [the hinterland] today, does that mother have the same chance of survival? Does that mother, that baby have the same chance of survival as if that mother delivered that baby a GPHC? And the answer is no. That’s why we’re here today because of that gross discrepancy between the rural and the urban areas,” he reasoned.

He noted that 75 to 80 per cent of deaths were babies under 28 days old.

However, engagement with President Dr Irfaan Ali would have led to the procurement of equipment which will soon arrive.

“With the President’s vision of building this new maternal child facility, we need to train as many subspecialists as possible. Not only physicians, but also nurses.”

Neonatologist and Board Member of Giving Health to Kids, Dr Leif Nelin underscored that the Child Mortality rate is 28 per 1000 live births and the neonatal mortality rate, which is part of the child mortality rate, is 17 per 1000 live births.

Dr Nelin told stakeholders, “Neonatal mortality, which is the death that occurs in the baby before they reach age 28 days, is the ma-

jority of deaths that cause the Child Mortality Rate to be 28 per 1000, so we will need to work on neonatal mortality in this project….

The problem is the same as for many countries, and that is that there’s a discrepancy a disparity between urban health and rural health.

There are fewer people in rural areas, there’s less access to healthcare. There’s less infrastructure available for healthcare.”

The idea is to train health workers to provide high-quality care as they would at GPHC and provide the necessary equipment for antenatal testing with resources for post-partum care.

The intermediate outcome is to have increased access to and utilisation of health services that respond to the needs of poor women, pregnant women, mothers and infants in the regions outlined. An indicator is also having 78 per cent of pregnant women having their first check-up within 12 weeks by 2028; and also has 50 per cent of deliveries conducted by skilled birth personnel during this period.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman expressed, “The launch of this project comes at a strategic time, in which we’re seeing affirmation of the importance of gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls through achievements

and sustainable goals…And throughout the world, in-

cluding in developed countries such as Canada, we see

that accountability, affordability, sustainability, all of the accounting and availability of health services targeted towards women without discrimination continues to be an issue and challenges in many places.”

Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy outlined that achieving the target of 75 years of life expectancy by 2030, in alignment with the SDGs, can be done but will require work.

“We are confident that we will achieve that target but we will not be able to unless our indicators of maternal mortality and child mortality are dramatically improved to what it is today. No strategy or plan that we put together to bring life expectancy to the same as what exists in Caricom will succeed unless we have a robust programme to ensure that mothers could deliver

their babies safely and that we are able to keep our babies alive.”

Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony emphasised that more than a decade ago, neonatal care was not available in Guyana. Now, this project would build on the foundation to have adequate care in the different regions.

Last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali turned the sod for specialised €149 million Paediatric and Maternal Hospital that will be constructed at Goedverwagting on the East Coast Demerara. The low-rise Paediatric and Maternal Hospital will have 256 beds and will be a referral centre for women and children. It will specialise in maternal, neonatal, and paediatric care with a huge imaging suite for services such as CT scans and MRIs, a modern laboratory, and surgical suites.

...75% of deaths were babies under 28 days

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony observes as High Commissioner Mark Berman and Associate Clinical Professor, Dr Narendra Singh sign the agreement

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

LGE in June are a political nightmare for Opposition

The President last Saturday was in Region Three, inspecting infrastructure work. At the same time, the Prime Minister and almost half of the Cabinet Members were on the East Coast, with outreaches in Victoria and surrounding communities. On Sunday last, the President, the VP, and almost the whole Cabinet were at Babu Jaan to pay tribute to Cheddi and Janet Jagan. Thousands were there to celebrate two inspiring lives, clearly embracing the notion of Cheddi Jagan as the Father of the Nation.

These events add to the trauma and anxiety of Aubrey Norton, the PNC, the AFC, and the WPA. They know that these events serve as a barometer for the soon-to-be-held LGE, and how much disdain their own supporters hold for them. They know that the PPP’s popularity in traditional and non-traditional support areas has never been higher.

Ten weeks from now, LGE 2023 will be held. Already, the AFC and the WPA have cowered out of the elections. The PNC is in a bind, desperately searching for a way out, facing a horrendous dilemma. The PNC is fearful that boycotting the elections would mean that, in their traditional strongholds, the PPP will take full control if the PNC does not contest. Contest across the country, and it will take a brutal whipping, totally rejected by the people; or boycott and give up control in the few NDCs and municipalities it has any chance of maintaining control.

The PNC’s greatest fear is that in its traditional strongholds, such as Linden, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Buxton, Victoria, etc., the PPP will make inroads and expose the PNC’s weakness among the electorate. It is for this reason that some of their leaders want to boycott the elections. But this move would mean that the PPP would take control.

The PNC is between the proverbial rock and a hard place. All the signals at this juncture point to an overwhelming PPP victory in LGE 2023. It would not be shocking that, in certain municipalities the PPP has never won, this time around the PPP emerges as the winner, whether the PNC contests or not. New Amsterdam is one such place. But the PPP is likely to make serious inroads in Georgetown, Linden and Bartica. In the last Local Government Elections in 2018, the PPP won 65% of all the seats up for grabs.

The way things look right now, the PPP is likely to win even more seats than it did in 2018. It would not be shocking if the PPP wins in excess of 70% of all the seats available in LGE 2023. Just as the LGE 2018 signalled victory at the 2020 elections, it is unlikely, almost impossible, for the PNC to overcome the trashing it is likely to endure in LGE 2023. Norton himself is trembling in his boots as the LGE 2023 gets closer and closer, because the LGE is a referendum, not just on the PPP’s term in government so far, but also on the leadership of Aubrey Norton.

The WPA and the AFC know that the people of Guyana, including the less-than-a-handful who remain as their supporters, do not, in any way, believe the reasons the WPA and the AFC have given for opting out of LGE 2023. The AFC claimed it cannot contest with the existing voters’ lists. The WPA claimed its nonparticipation is resistance to the PPP Government. The real reason for the WPA’s non-participation is that there is genuine doubt it can put up a slate in a single community in this country. It tried to hold two public meetings, in collaboration with the PNC, in Mocha and Buxton. Other than themselves, no one came out to listen to them.

If the WPA shamelessly tried to show it is still alive, the AFC is even more morbidly scared of any public event, because it knows that such a gamble would expose how prophetic Khemraj Ramjattan was when he predicted that any concubine relationship with the PNC would leave it as “dead meat”. The AFC, much like the WPA, is a dead party.

The PNC is in an even more invidious circumstance. Like the WPA and the AFC, the PNC would very much like to navigate its way out of LGE 2023. It knows it would be brutally trashed in LGE 2023. It is having a horrendous problem finding candidates willing to go on its list in many communities. Even in its traditional strongholds, many of its staunch activists are reluctant to be listed on the PNC slate. No one wants to be a loser, and in every which way, the PNC looks like and feels like a loser.

The PNC’s resort to race politics is a desperate ploy to hold on to some sort of meaningful support. Participation in LGE 2023 is a risk it does not want to take, but its options are limited. Non-participation means that the next mayors of Georgetown, New Amsterdam, and Linden are PPP mayors. It is a thought too dreadful for Aubrey Norton to contemplate. He therefore is forced to participate, knowing that the results would create discourse as to the PNC’s capacity to remain one of the two major parties in Guyana. One thing for certain is that, after LGE 2023, there would be only a single major party in Guyana. The destruction of the PNC would be Norton’s legacy.

MoH hands over 23 vehicles to improve health care delivery

The Health Ministry on Tuesday distributed a number of vehicles to several regions to improve healthcare delivery. These include four ambulances, 16 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and three boats.

The regions that benefitted are Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

“The boats, ATVs and ambulances that we’ve

been able to hand out would certainly help the medical staff to deliver better healthcare in those regions,” Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said at the handing-over ceremony.

Five of the ATVs were given to Region Eight, four each to Regions One and Seven, and three to Region Nine. In addition, two boats were handed over to the officials of Region Nine and one to Region 10.

Further, Region Two received two ambulances while Regions Six and Nine received one each.

“These ambulances are going to enhance transportation of patients within these regions,” Dr Frank Anthony said, adding that this donation complements the fleet of ambulances the Ministry handed out over the past two years.

In 2021, The Health Ministry handed over a new ambulance, valued at approximately $11 million to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Through the United States (US) Government, the Health Ministry also received vehicles and medical equipment worth $24 million and two vehicles valued at $7.5 million from the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana in 2022.

Only recently, President Dr Irfaan Ali related that the Government is embarking on several initiatives to ensure the healthcare sector is modernised, including the introduction of telemedicine which has resulted in two

lives already being saved.

According to him, by 2030, Guyana will offer healthcare services that are internationally recognised.

“In the next seven years, we are not trying to, by the grace and help of God, in

the next seven years we are building in Guyana, a firstworld healthcare system for our citizens and a healthcare system that is fit for purpose and one that will provide global healthcare services for the rest of the

world. Mark this night,” the Guyanese leader declared. “There is no rest in this sector in getting it to where we want to be.”

Moreover, he said as more and more innovations take place in the sector, he called in financial and medical specialists as well as policymakers to start discussions on modern health insurance plans.

Meanwhile, the Government is moving ahead with the construction of seven new hospitals that will deliver quality health services to Guyanese in all regions.

These include a maternal hospital at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) along with general hospitals at De Kinderen, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Little Diamond, East Bank of Demerara (EBD); Enmore, ECD; Bath Settlement and Number 75 Village in Berbice.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

The vehicles that were handed over on Tuesday

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and regional health officials at the handing-over ceremony

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Grandson remanded for murdering 88-year-old woman

Twenty-seven-yearold Yannic Gilpin, a handyman of Russel Street, Georgetown, was on Tuesday arraigned for the murder of his 88-yearold grandmother, Patricia Bovell, whose body was found wrapped in a sheet among a pile of garbage.

Gilpin appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on March 22, he murdered Bovell.

As such, he was remanded to prison until April 11. It was reported that Gilpin, who is unemployed, during

interrogation reportedly told investigators that Bovell, would often accuse him of

stealing her personal things, and that he had made several complaints to other relatives but they told him that she was old and that he should not take her on.

The grandson, however, recalled that on the morning of Sunday, March 19, at around 04:00h, he was in the bottom flat of their shared Russel Street, Georgetown home when he heard a sound emanating from the upper flat, which the elderly woman occupied alone.

As he went to enquire, he heard his grandmother screaming “Murder!” and “Thief!”, but after checking around, he did not see or hear anything unusual.

He recalled that at the time his grandmother did not have on any clothes, and she was sitting on the floor with her dentures close by.

Gilpin explained that as he was leaving the upper flat, his left foot accidentally struck his grandmother in the head, thus causing her to fall onto a rug on the floor, where she sustained injuries.

At that time, he realised that the woman was motionless and she was not responding. He reportedly panicked, wrapped the woman’s body in a sheet, took it down the stairway and placed it on an old fridge.

Still in shock and fear, the man waited until the course was clear before he took the body and dumped it among the garbage across the street from the house.

However, his cousin went to the house hours after the incident and enquired about the elderly woman, but the grandson reportedly told him that he had taken her to the Georgetown Public Hospital after she com-

plained of feeling unwell.

Checks at the hospital for the woman proved futile. As such, the suspect was arrested, and upon initial questioning, he related the same story he told his

cousin.

Meanwhile, Bovell’s body was discovered last Wednesday morning. It was following the discovery that the grandson confessed to the crime.

Remanded: Yannic Gilpin

Dead: Patricia Bovell

Persons to benefit soon from low-income units in Reg 3

– as 154 houses in various stages of completion

Contractors are working to complete the first batch of two-bedroom low-income units in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), as the Housing Ministry forges ahead with its housing drive to ease the backlog of applicants.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal; Republic Bank’s Managing Director, Stephen Grell; Permanent Secretary Andre Ally and Central Housing and Planning Authority Chief Executive Officer Sherwyn Greaves toured the two locations where the units are being built.

While the houses are all in various stages of completion, Minister Croal noted that within the coming weeks, some 20 beneficiaries are expected to be pre-

sented with the keys to their new home. The Minister also lauded the work of the contractors, as he expressed his satisfaction with the quality of work being done on the units.

“So, this is just not a happy moment for the beneficiaries but these activities stimulate growth in economic activities, we are talking about job creation for skilled workers, the transportation sectors and the list goes on,” Croal detailed.

Meanwhile, Greaves also expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the project, noting that even as contractors continue to work on the units, the agency has begun the beneficiary selection process from its database. Already, a number of persons who had indicated their interest in the units

have been sent to commercial banks to be pre-qualified for the homes.

“We’ve been working with, persons to ensure that

they pre-approved so as to ensure they can get in their homes as quickly as possible as we see the rapid development of communities as a

significant benefit to the region’s economy,” he updated.

The Managing Director of Republic Bank also on the

occasion, noted his pleasure with the pace at which the works are going. He said the bank is pleased to be a part of a venture of this nature and aid the Government in its housing drive.

The 600 square foot units are being constructed on lands valued at $300,000 while the units are being sold for $5.2 million. It features two 10 by 10 feet bedrooms with toilet and bath amenities.

Back in July 2022, an MoU was inked between the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority for the construction of 500 low-income housing units in Region Three. The units are being constructed at Anna Catherina, Edinburg and Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

Housing units under construction in Region Three

“More stringent systems” in place at Lusignan Prison to keep out illicit items

As prisoners take up accommodation in the new Lusignan Prison facilities on the East Coast of Demerara, a slew of measures has been taken to ensure that illicit substances are kept out, especially those that cause smoke.

Officer-in-Charge of the Lusignan penitentiary, Deoraj Gyandat explained that the facility and cells are now equipped with alarms that are triggered by the presence of smoke.

“The building is designed with a fire suppression system so in the event of a fire, we could activate that. Additionally, there are smoke detectors in each of the cell respectively. In the event of a prisoner smoking, that would go off and it would also send off an alarm in the control room where the offi-

cers are,” he shared. As a result, there are additional mechanisms to prevent an instance of prisoners smoking, thus

preventing any triggers to the new system.

“We have put more stringent systems in place because prisoners will

always seek to have stuff to smoke. If they want to get stuff to smoke, they would have to get lighters. We have put more systems in place because the alarms would go off.”

The building is reinforced concrete and well-secured. Persons in the towers are monitored both day and night for any suspicious activities.

This week, 689 incarcerated individuals were successfully relocated from the holding bay to the new Lusignan corrections facilities – a move that followed the completion of the three new state-of-theart prisons.

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot said the holding bay facility will now be remodelled into a trade-shop setting to encourage reintegration. In this light, he called on stakeholders to support these

initiatives, whether from the private sector or other organisations.

“Two trade shops will be built. Work will commence this week. A contract would have already been signed and this will see prisoners being exposed to various types of vocational skills training programmes such as tailoring, carpentry, joinery and auto mechanics. We’re calling on the private sector and all other non-governmental organisations to join us in the quest of promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners,” Elliot told the media.

Back in 2020, pandemonium broke out at the Lusignan penitentiary after a fire was reportedly set in one of the holding areas by protesting inmates. This was after a team was dispatched to probe the discovery of narcotics.

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot speaking to the media

NY men convicted of 2017 robbery, murder of visiting Guyanese

At that time, defendant Smith drove up to them and got out of the car with a raised gun, and fired multiple times at the two victims. He struck the younger Kalisaran brother in the arm and back as he ran and the older victim in the chest, lower torso, and leg. At some point, Allen picked up the younger victim’s cell phone and wallet from the ground, then both defendants got back into the car and drove off.

Cell site evidence ad-

duced at trial showed that the defendants fled the crime scene and drove to Cohen Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park. In addition, video surveillance showed defendant Allen discarding Sonny Kalisaran’s phone and wallet in a sewer prior to entering the hospital, where Allen was treated for his stab and slash wounds.

Later that day, the Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in a rear parking lot on 186th Street and 104th

Avenue in Jamaica.

As Police arrived, they identified the burnt vehicle to be a Mercedes-Benz coupe registered to Smith’s girlfriend. Video surveillance footage showed Smith purchasing gasoline and setting the car on fire shortly before it was discovered.

After the robbery, both victims were taken to a nearby hospital. The older victim, Rocky Kalisaran, died later that day of his gunshot injuries.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Monday stated that Shakim Allen and Dreshaun Smith were convicted of murder and other charges for shooting two brothers, killing one, during a Richmond Hill robbery in January 2017.

District Attorney Katz related that “One of the victims, who was visiting from Guyana, lost his life trying to protect his younger brother. This family has experienced tremendous grief and I hope this conviction provides them with a measure of closure. The defendants face long sentences for their callous actions.”

Allen, 29, of Merrick Avenue, and Smith, 29, of

160th Street in Jamaica, Queens, were convicted by a jury in Queens Supreme Court of murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and tampering with physical evidence. Allen was additionally convicted of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, while Smith was additionally convicted of arson in the third degree.

The defendants face possible sentences of more than 50 years to life in prison by Queens Supreme Court Justice Ira Margulis on April 25.

It was reported that on

January 2, 2017 near the corner of 124th Street and Liberty Avenue, defendant Allen got out of a two-door Mercedes-Benz driven by defendant Smith and pointed a gun at 24-year-old Sonny Kalisaran.

Kalisaran attempted to run away. The victim’s brother, 31-year-old Rocky Kalisaran of Guyana, who was waiting nearby, saw the confrontation and ran to his brother’s aid. Allen then pursued both men as they fled.

However, Allen caught up to the brothers and wrestled with the older victim over his gun, which discharged. The younger victim yelled for help as he used a keychain pen knife to stab and slash Allen several times in the face.

Police yet to make arrests in recent shooting incidents in Sophia

One week after two shooting incidents at B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, the Police are yet to make any arrests, according to Division Commander Simon McBean, who further confirmed that detectives are on the hunt for the suspects. Reports are that the businesswoman, who is battling for her life, was reportedly a witness to a murder that occurred in her shop.

This, however, was not confirmed by the Commander.

On Thursday last, at least three men armed with guns stormed a shop in the area and opened fire. In that inci-

dent, a 34-year-old businesswoman and her reputed husband, a 47-year-old minibus driver, were shot.

It was reported that the businesswoman was sitting in front of their shop in the company of her friend while her husband was reportedly in the shop.

The man reported that he observed an unknown, heavily-tinted motor car stopping in front of the shop, and soon after, three men exited. They were all armed with handguns, and their faces were covered with masks.

The armed men reportedly approached the business-

woman and discharged several rounds at her, after which they turned their attention to the husband and did likewise.

After committing the act, the men re-entered the car, and it sped off the scene. Both victims received multiple gunshot injuries and are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the GPHC.

The woman was shot to the right-side face, the right arm, and to the left elbow while her husband was shot in the back. In another incident, a 39-year-old vendor was shot during a home invasion. He too, was hospitalised.

The burnt car used by Allen and Smith to commit the robbery Murdered: Rocky Kalisaran

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“One Health” agenda central for advancing Guyana’s food production drive – Food System Advisor

The “One Health” agenda will significantly help to advance Guyana’s food security efforts, even as the Government continues to accelerate its food agenda.

The initiative is a collaborative multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach at the local, regional, national, and global levels, aimed at achieving optimal health outcomes.

This means that the approach has a close connection with the nation’s agriculture sector, which is a priority of the PPP/C Government.

The Government also made efforts to create a strong national health strategy, to harmonise and advance the country’s food chain towards meeting international standards.

Advisor on Caricom’s Agri-Food System, Dr Richard Blair on Monday, underscored that there can be no food security without safe food, noting that food and nutrition are paramount in health discussions.

“The one health agenda is central for advancing Guyana’s massive food production drive. Trade would become increasingly important…everything that we eat comes from agriculture,” he stated.

Dr Blair emphasised that the one Health process will

provide services to bolster the country’s food production and enhance opportunities for exports.

“You want to reduce imports; it requires that you increase production. Soya and corn are very important ingredients for feed for livestock. Poultry is one of the most important proteins for sources in the Caribbean and Guyana. So, where does all of that bolstered production go? We eat some and some will have to be exported,” Dr Blair explained.

Guyana remains dedicated to preventing and limiting the spread of zoonotic diseases while safeguarding the country’s food security.

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recently concluded a

Mabaruma father of 4 beaten to death

A38-year-old man from White Water, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini), has succumbed to injuries he received less than 24 hours after he was badly beaten by another villager.

Dead is Aaron Conyers, a father of four who worked as a wildlife trader. Reports are that Conyers was at a shop at Black Water Landing last evening, consuming alcohol when he got into an argument with the owner of the establishment.

During the argument, Conyers was badly beaten with a piece of wood. The man then went home, but later in the night, he started to bleed through his mouth and nose. He was taken to the Mabaruma Hospital where

he died on Tuesday whilst receiving medical attention.

Investigations are ongoing.

three-day simulation exercise on High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) to strengthen Guyana’s emergency response capabilities to zoonotic illnesses.

The concept of One Health could contribute positively by promoting traceability and strengthening standards.

“We are really aiming at a collaborative, multisectoral process in assessing Guyana’s capacities to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to public health risks,” the agriculture advisor stressed.

He disclosed that the Agriculture Ministry is on board and will continue to take its responsibility seriously, as a key partner in this collaborative platform in ensuring the success of the One Health initiative.

With all of its natural resources, Guyana continues to lead in agriculture diversification, which is led by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to reduce the Caribbean’s high food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organisation

(FAO) Representative in Guyana, Dr Gillian Smith lauded the initiative, noting that some of the work has already begun.

“We are very happy to have been working with GLDA on the laboratory, laboratory assessments, and the veterinary services assessment. And we will continue to be here to work along

with you,” the FAO representative stated. By promoting collaboration and coordination across governance frameworks of human, animal, plant, and environmental health programmes, one Health is a policy that seeks to avoid and prepare for present and future health concerns at the human-animal-environment interface.

Guyana now equipped with helideck inspector – GCAA hands over Prosperity FPSO helideck licence

sion, he had two other sessions to complete before becoming a fully certified helideck inspector. “Today, we can happily say that Guyana has its first helideck inspector.”

However, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill stated as Guyana sees itself on the verge of becoming a significant oil-producing nation, the need for trained and qualified aviation professionals evolves, one of which includes a helideck inspector.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Tuesday officially handed over the helideck licence to Exxon’s Prosperity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

In addition, Adrian Bassier was issued with his instrument of delegation which makes him the first certified helideck inspector in Guyana. In fact, Director General of the GCAA, Lt Col (ret’d) Egbert Field explained that back in 2016, Guyana had to request the assistance of Ghana to inspect the helideck of the first

FPSO.

“In 2016, when the first helideck for the first FPSO had to be certified, Guyana was deficient in a helideck inspector. I called the Director General of Ghana requesting his assistance and the MoU which exist between our parties that give him the authority and allowed him to assist us by lending us his helideck inspector who had to travel to Singapore in order to conduct that helideck inspection.”

It was during the same time, Bassier travelled to Singapore to understudy him and after that first ses-

“Investment in human resource development as Guyana develops this new sector is important. Who would have thought that in the aviation section in Guyana, we would have been talking about helideck inspections? But here it is that a whole new section has developed. We are now putting in the third FPSO and based upon the programme that we have gotten from the developers, we can very well see within the next few years, at least two others.”

He noted, however, while Bassier is the first, it will be the first in the set of experts that Guyana will develop to ensure that it has the inhouse capacity. He nevertheless hopes that Guyana’s search and rescue capacity is

boosted. “We have to ensure that the monitoring mechanisms are in place.”

Meanwhile, Bassier related that this achievement is not only personal but also a cause for pride for Guyana overall, and that he recognises the responsibility he holds.

“As the oil and gas industry expands, it is expected that you have more vessels with helidecks coming and we have to ensure that those helidecks are operated in a safe manner,” Bassier said. “We need to do our best to ensure that safety is always paramount.”

Cyclist succumbs to injuries received in Canje Bridge accident

A pedal cyclist, who was injured after a drunken driver crashed his car on the Canje Bridge on Monday evening, succumbed whilst receiving medical attention.

Dead is Glen McLeod, a 61-year-old security guard attached to the New Amsterdam Technical Institute. He resided at New Area, East Canefield, East Canje Berbice.

The driver of the motor car was taken into custody following the accident which occurred at around 22:30h.

Police stated that the car, PWW 511, was being driven by a 25-year-old man of Mahaica, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

According to the Police, the driver was proceeding west along the northern drive lane at a fast rate of speed, when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with the cyclist who was proceeding in the said direction.

As a result of the impact, McLeod was flung into the air and then onto the road. The car then collided with

the southern rail of the said bridge and turned sideways. At the time of the crash, the driver and two occupants were in the car.

The driver and occupants of the car received injuries; they were picked up in conscious condition by public-spirited citizens and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. Police say two breath alcohol tests were done on the driver which read 54 and 49 BAC, respectively.

McLeod was reportedly on his way to work and his

wife, Nandranie, stated that after the accident, she was able to speak with her husband.

“When I got the message, I went to the hospital and they sent me so I asked him ‘Glen what happened?’ Then he tell me that he was coming down and the car was racing on the road and hit him. That is all that he tell me. After that, the nurse put me out because they carrying him to the theater,” she stated while adding that on Monday evening, she was informed that McLeod’s leg

was broken and he was suffering from head injuries.

McLeod, who formerly worked as a factory worker at the Rose Hall Estate, had taken up the security job after the estate had closed. He was the breadwinner for the family.

His wife referred to him as being an amazing person who had a kitchen garden and a few chickens which he took care of.

The couple had been married for 31 years and has seven children together.

Advisor on Caricom’s Agri-Food System, Dr Richard Blair

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in Guyana, Dr Gillian Smith

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

Dead: Aaron Conyers

GCAA Director General, Lt Col (Ret’d) Egbert Field hands over the helideck inspector’s certificate to Adrian Bassier

Dead: Glen McLeod

DCB U19 Inter-Association tournament…

EBD, ECD bag victories

In the Demerara Cricket Board’s (DCB’s) Under-19 Inter-Association tournament, sponsored by Ariel Enterprise, Trophy Stall, Ramchand’s Auto Spares and Cricket Equipment Inc, East Bank Demerara outplayed Georgetown by 5 wickets as Krsna Singh spun his way to a six-wicket haul; while East Coast Demerara overcame West Demerara by 2 wickets.

In play at the Queen’s College Ground, Georgetown won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 122 all out in 25.1 of their allotted 50 overs. West Indies Under-19 batter Mavindra Dindyal and national wicketkeeper Shamar Yearwood scored 26 each, while Rivaldo Phillips chipped in with 21.

Off-spinner Krsna Singh ripped through the Georgetown batting line-

up, grabbing 6 for 37; while Dravid Manohar collected 2 for 32 and Josh Charles and Anthon Lim each claimed one wicket.

In reply, East Bank Demerara marched to their target, scoring 123 for 5 in 37.1 overs. Anthon Lim scored 27 not out, while Marlon Ramsurace contributed 25 and Dravid Manohar 20.

Ezekiel Wilson was the lone wicket-taker, claiming 2 for 16. East Bank Demerara won by 5 wickets.

And at Meten-MeerZorg, East Coast Demerara won the toss and opted to bowl first. West Demerara took the opportunity to bat, and scored a well-composed 176 all out from 43.3 overs.

Middle order batter Rezekiel Renee scored a brilliant 51 not out, while open-

Berbice Volleyball Assn tournaments 2023…

Hopetown, Rollers, BHS reign supreme

er Anthony Sanchara scored 30 and Nityanand Mathura chipped in with 24.

Left-arm spinner Chanderpaul Ramraj claimed 3 for 36, while Rudranauth Kisson, Nicholas Chan and Sasenarine Harrichan each collected 2 wickets: for 26, 28 and 29 respectively.

In reply, East Coast Demerara raced to their target, scoring 180 for 7 from 28.1 overs. Lawrence Pellew top-scored with a well-composed 64, while Romel Datterdeen and Rudranauth Kissoon contributed 32 and 35 respectively.

Udesh Seetaram was the

most effective bowler, grabbing 4 for 30, while Vishal Persaud took 2 for 38. East Coast Demerara won by 3 wickets.

In the second round

of the DCB Under-19 Inter-Association tournament, sponsored by Ariel Enterprise, Trophy Stall, Ramchand’s Auto Spares and Cricket Equipment Inc.

East Coast Demerara will battle East Bank Demerara at Farm Ground, while West Demerara will take on Georgetown at GCC today, Wednesday March 29, 2023.

The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) successfully convened a 3way volleyball tournament on Sunday, March 26th 2023 that saw 9 teams participating in the three-way tournament in different categories.

Three female teams participated, namely: GuySuCo Training Centre, Hopetown and Rollers. In the B division male category GuySuCo Training Centre PM1 (GTCPM1), Rollers and GTCPM2 were the contenders. While in the One Guyana Academy male category, GTCPM, #47 Challengers and BHS were the participants.

Results of the day’s proceedings were as follows:

In the female category, the Hopetown females emerging as winners, after defeating GTCPM by scores of 2520 and 25-12; and Rollers by scores of 25-19 and 25-15. As such, Hopetown females received the first prize trophy

and medals. Rollers, the 2nd prize winners, also received a trophy and medals. Rennia Liverpool of Hopetown females received the accolade for Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Rollers males won the B division category by defeating GTCPM 25-16, 10-25, 15-13 in the finals. Rollers received the first prize trophy, while GTCPM received the 2nd prize trophy. Errol Chase of Rollers received the MVP award.

In the One Guyana male Academy category, BHS won after defeating #47 Challengers by scores of 2624, 25-23 in the finals. The GTCPM were knocked out in the round-robin stage of the tournament. BHS received the first-place reward, which came with the customary trophy and medals, while #47 Challengers received the 2nd place trophy and medals. The MVP of that category went to Javed Haniff of BHS.

Rezekiel Renee Krsna Singh

Lawrence Pellew

A look at the participating teams

CAC Senior Table Tennis Championships 2023…

GTTA President, players contented with medal haul

Besides securing a spot in the Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games, Guyana’s men’s and women’s table tennis teams are currently on a high, having finished in the top three at the recently concluded Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation’s (CRTTF) Caribbean Senior Championships.

Both teams ensured a bronze medal would stay on Guyana’s shores, having missed out in the semifinals on Saturday last.

Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) President Godfrey Munroe has expressed contentment with the accomplishments of the teams over the past week, and has praised the efforts of the young campaigners.

“I think, ‘Yes’,” Munroe responded to the question of whether he is contented with Guyana’s performance.

He reasoned, “It’s in context too. While we know there’s a lot of work to do to get to that level where Cuba is - because you had

in the qualification event Venezuela, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and those teams - we were able to do it.

“In the Caribbean Championships also you had Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic with their strong teams, and we were still able to maintain that [medaling], again whilst transitioning. I think it’s all positives,” he declared.

“This was premised also on a transition that we’re having with the young players. Typically, you would have a dip when you’re trying to transition younger players with older players, but I think the young lions came through. Young Jonathan, Elishaba, Shemar played exceptionally well. We had a great performance against Dominican Republic,

Shepherd fireworks, Joseph five-for...

Shepherd survived two chances in that time - he edged Wayne Parnell, but Quinton de Kock could not hold on; and then he skied a chance off Rabada, but Heinrich Klaasen lost it in the lights at fine leg.

Shepherd finished the innings with a massive six over long on, a pull through mid-wicket for four, and an aerial drive over Rabada's head in an over that cost 26 runs. Shepherd finished unbeaten on 44 off 22 balls.

All square in the Powerplay

South Africa started in fairly circumspect style, with only seven runs off the first two overs of their reply, before Quinton de Kock picked up the pace. He steered Cottrell past third man to open his boundary count, and then took three fours off Roston Chase's second over, to signal South Africa's intent. De Kock was profiting off the slower bowling, but misread when Joseph put the brakes on, and cut to Chase at third.

As he left the field, de Kock told Rossouw the ball was sticking in the pitch a bit, but that seemed to mean nothing to the #3 batter. He hit the first ball he faced over extra cover for four, and then sent Joseph over point for six, and through the covers for another four.

Rossouw scored 19 runs off the first six balls he faced, and South Africa finished the Powerplay on exactly the same score as West Indies: 61, but had lost one fewer wicket.

Six of the best

Unlike de Kock or Rossouw, Hendricks finds his runs with finesse over

fury, and he has found a lot of them that way. He brought up his sixth T20I half century in his last eight innings with a six. Hendricks pulled a Shepherd slower ball over deep mid-wicket, showing off his strong use of the wrists and the power he finds through placement, and then decided it was time to show off his big-hitting. He threw his bat at the next ball and sent it swirling to deep extra cover, where it slipped through Brandon King's hands.

South Africa needed 92 off 46 balls at that stage. Hendricks's lifeline emboldened him, and he went aerial in the next over too, but the ball fell short of mid-wicket, and Hendricks survived again. He went on to score a career best 83, and was at the crease until the penultimate over.

South Africa needed 35 runs off 12 balls, and Hendricks tried to muscle

and it just shows (that), with much more investment, getting our players to high-yield centres, what can happen

for us; and we’ll be pushing in that direction,” Munroe went on to add.

Both teams acknowledged that their victories were hard-fought, but pointed out other notable accomplishments on the road to their bronze medals.

“Every year, we try to make podium, especially in the team events. It’s always good to put Guyana on the map in table tennis. You know, this tournament was a very tough one, and to finish in the top three, it’s always a good feeling and a good accomplishment; and I think it’s testament to the many years’ work and planning for the women’s team. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls’ performance,” Chelsea Edghill OLY, said about the

Development in local boxing…

FROM PAGE 23

them there by going over long-on, but hit Joseph to Powell on the fence.

Joseph gets another five-for Joseph removed de Kock in his first over, and Miller in his third, but his biggest task came in his final six balls, with South Africa's big-hitters at the ready to get big runs.

Hendricks was out off the first ball from Joseph, then Klaasen walked across his stumps and hit him for six. Joseph could have been overawed, but he wasn't. He pulled back the pace and presented Klaasen with a full slower ball that he sliced skyward. Cottrell took a good running catch to send South Africa's last recognised batter back. Then Joseph got the gas back and sent a full, fast ball to Wayne Parnell, who swung and missed, and Joseph recorded his first T20I five-for.

(ESPNCricinfo)

women’s team’s achievement.

Shemar Britton shared this about the Men’s team: “It was a very tough competition. We had three world class teams in Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Those are the teams we call the cream of the crop in the Caribbean, and for the men’s team especially, it was a hurdle to finally beat one of them, and it was a tremendous achievement to overcome the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals.”

With the CAC Senior Table Tennis Championships done and dusted, the GTTA now turns attention to the Caribbean Junior Championships, also being played at the National Gymnasium.

Moore takes on IBA training in April

Another chapter in the development of boxing in Guyana has been written with the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA’s) thrust to empower its technical officers: trainer Clifton Moore will participate in the International Boxing Association’s (IBA’s) Online 1 Star Coaching Course, which is slated for April 2023.

Moore’s participation has been confirmed by an official release from IBA Development Officer Chris Roberts, OBE, which states, “We are pleased to inform you that your coaches have been selected to participate in the 1-Star Coaches Certification course organized by the International Boxing Association (IBA). Congratulations on taking this important step in their coaching career.”

The IBA 1 Star Coaching Certification is the beginning pathway for emerging trainers to ascertain international accreditation under the governing body.

Moore, who hails from the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym in Region #3, will be among 39 participants at the prestigious forum. Among the countries that would be represented are Belgium, Bermuda, Cape Verde, Chinese Taipei, England, Iran, Italy, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zambia. The course would be run from April 4–12 via the online platform Zoom, with March 30 scheduled as the final date for confirmation by the respective national associations.

According to GBA President Steve Ninvalle, “This is another tangible example of the association’s unwavering pledge to empower its technical officers, who in return will impart the knowledge acquired to the benefit of the sporting landscape. We

believe that qualified teachers will naturally develop competent students, and certification and accreditation via international channels is pivotal to the development of the discipline. This is the only way that a collective approach to development can occur.”

He further stated, “Because the Caribbean is only represented by a small cadre of trainers at this forum, Moore’s participation is even more important, and evident of the GBA’s push to certify its trainers. This is a pillar in our developmental agenda, a synergy that exists in the advancement of both athletes and coaches, and this will be a constant objective and mantra for the foreseeable future.”

Coach Moore, who is tasked with leading a squad of boxers at an international assignment in St. Lucia in the final days of April, is the second technical officer from the GBA to participate in IBA certification training within a month.

Three-star coach Sebert Blake was afforded the opportunity to participate in the IBA Cutman’s Technician Course which has just been concluded. It was held at the Women’s World Championship in New Delhi, India from March 15–31. Blake, who is part of a small cadre of Three Star coaches in the Caribbean, was the first

ever Guyanese to participate in such an important seminar. At the time of the seminar, Blake served as the trainer for the Caribbean Junior Champions: siblings Alisha and Abiola Jackman, at the prestigious competition.

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Guyana’s men’s team receiving their accolades

Clifton Moore

Alzarri Joseph bagged another five-for

WI vs SA: T20I Series 2023, Game 3 of 3…

Shepherd fireworks, Joseph five-for seal series for West Indies

Romario Shepherd's unbeaten 44 off 22 balls, and his ninth-wicket partnership of 59 off 26 balls with Alzarri Joseph, who went on to take his first T20I five-for, secured a series win for West Indies to end an entertaining series.

Shepherd and Joseph gave West Indies the third-highest score at the Wanderers, and the highest total without an individual fifty since Australia's 221 for 5 against England in

to Netherlands at the World Cup in November, Ngidi may have thought things could only get better, but they didn't for him.

He bowled a decent delivery first up, but then erred down the leg-side to the powerful Brandon King, who helped the ball on its way over long leg. Ngidi adjusted to outside off stump with his next ball, but King launched it onto the roof over deep mid-wicket, and forced Ngidi to think of something else.

complete a 22-run over.

Kagiso Rabada was given the ball immediately after Ngidi, and he made amends. He bowled Mayers with a full, fast delivery that knocked the West Indian opener off his feet, as it found the stumps.

He then brought the centurion from SuperSport Park, Johnson Charles, down to earth with a firstball duck. Charles didn't move his feet to a ball that nipped back into him and inside-edged onto his stumps

SCOREBOARD

West Indies (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B Brandon King b Nortje 36 25

Kyle Mayers b Rabada 17 10

Johnson Charles † b Rabada 0 1 Nicholas Pooran c †de

Kock b Ngidi 41 19

Rovman Powell (c) b Markram 11 4

Raymon Reifer run out (Miller) 27 18

Jason Holder c Miller b Nortje 13 9 Roston Chase c Klaasen b Ngidi 6 5

Romario Shepherd not out44 22

Alzarri Joseph not out 14 9

Indian to be bowled.

West Indies were 108 for 4 at the halfway stage, after which Ngidi redeemed himself when he had Nicholas Pooran caught behind.

Shepherding the tail

West Indies needed a strong finish after losing 3 for 21 between the 13th and 16th over, with not much batting to come. Shepherd and Joseph put on the highest ninth-wicket partnership at the Wanderers, and took 52 runs off the last three overs to ensure West Indies topped 200.

Extras (lb 3, nb 2, w 6) 11

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 11.00) 220/8

Did not bat: Sheldon Cottrell

Fall of wickets: 1-39

(Kyle Mayers, 3.2 ov), 2-39

(Johnson Charles, 3.3 ov), 3-94

(Brandon King, 8.3 ov), 4-107

(Rovman Powell, 9.3 ov), 5-110

(Nicholas Pooran, 10.2 ov), 6-141

(Jason Holder, 12.6 ov), 7-149

(Roston Chase, 14.2 ov), 8-161

(Raymon Reifer, 15.4 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Bjorn Fortuin 2-0-22-0

Wayne Parnell 4-0-43-0

Lungi Ngidi 4-0-45-2

2007. They were able to defend that score in challenging conditions, with plenty of dew greasing up the ball, and against a determined South African line-up.

Reeza Hendricks notched up a career-best 83, and put on 80 with Rilee Rossouw for the second wicket, but the required run-rate ballooned on South Africa, and their batting line-up appeared a little light.

The result means West Indies have now won a second successive T20I series in South Africa, eight years after taking the trophy in 2015. Sheldon Cottrell and Jason Holder are the only members of the current squad who played in that series.

Ngidi's nightmare start

Having last played a T20I when South Africa lost

He tried pace with his fourth ball, but King spotted it and sent it over mid-wicket for four.

In frustration, Ngidi overstepped for his next ball, and had to bowl it again. His extra delivery was a low fulltoss that Kyle Mayers hit over extra cover for four, to

as South Africa roared back.

Anrich Nortje returned in the ninth over, and saw Mayers walk across his stumps, so pitched it on leg stump and took it out. Aiden Markram joined in the fun when Rovman Powell opened his stance and missed a slog, and became the fourth West

CONTINUES ON PAGE 22►

West Indies celebrating on the podium after sealing the T20I series

Nicholas Pooran smacked four sixes in his 41

Romario Shepherd was instrumental in getting West Indies past the 200-run mark