Guyana Times - Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Entrepreneurial app for women P20 launched to enhance financial equality Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4771

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

PRICE

Int’l Day of Democracy

Safeguarding democracy is a collective effort – …pledges to strengthen pillars President Ali of Guyana’s democracy Page 3

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Caricom reiterates full support for Guyana Page 17

“Our ICU is filling up” – Health Minister warns as COVID-19 persists Page 9

…4 unvaccinated, 1 partially vaccinated deaths recorded …135 new cases, over 1700 active cases in Region 4

Page 7

…GT Mayor sole member of APNU to condemn attacks

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Businessman Maxwell Thom dies from P2 COVID-19 …was partially vaccinated

1 dead, 5 injured as 4-runner turns turtle at Buck Hall P16 Constitutional agencies’ budgets

…urges Venezuela to participate in lawful ICJ process

APNU/AFC condemned for sexist attacks on Priya Manickchand

$80 VAT INCLUDED

Full Court P11 dismisses Opposition’s appeal to block scrutiny Wakenaam murder

Son charged for hacking P19 father to death

Page 18

Fire destroys WBD masjid

Education Ministry now managing teachers’ P2 scholarships, duty-free concessions …as complaints pile up over GTU threats

2 NEWS Education Ministry now managing teachers’ scholarships, duty-free concessions WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as complaints pile up over GTU threats

I

n light of the threats some teachers have been receiving and continuous complaints of having their scholarships revoked for their non-participation in the ongoing protests against the Government’s vaccination policy, a decision was taken to have the scholarship and duty-free concessions for teachers initiative managed by the Education Ministry.

In a statement by the Education Ministry on Tuesday, it was stated that these benefits were “meant to serve teachers. Not to attack them. Not to discriminate against them. The Government of Guyana is

hereby reverting these two programmes to the Ministry of Education. Hereon the Ministry of Education shall conduct and manage this programme as obtains in other Government agencies

with similar benefits.”

The Government through the Education Ministry had established a facility along with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) to offer 50 scholarships and 100 duty-free concessions to the nation’s teachers. This programme was intended to assist and further serve teachers and provide them with additional benefits as they continue to provide excellent service to the educational system.

The complaints which are said to have once stemmed from the mismanagement of the system by the Union, have now elevated to the benefits being used as weap-

ons to threaten teachers to participate in activities organised by the GTU, failing which, members are informed openly and subtly that they will not be a recipient or continuing recipient of a scholarship nor of a duty-free concession.

These reports are said to have come from teachers who are duly qualified to receive these benefits.

However, the strike action by some teachers which started last Wednesday, led by executives of the GTU and A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) parliamentarian Coretta McDonald, who is also the GTU General Secretary, due to the new requirement of teachers having to be vaccinated or present a negative PCR test in order to resume

face-to-face learning, led to teachers that would have been vaccinated and refused to join the movement being somewhat subliminally or openly threatened with having their scholarships taken away.

To this effect, the Ministry made it clear that these benefits will continue to be granted to teachers, as they will still be able to access the scholarships and duty-free concessions at the

stated amount per year and will continue to benefit from these programmes, thus realising the true intent of the programme, but in an organised, fair and transparent manner.

After being closed for more than a year, some schools in Guyana reopened on September 6 for face-toface classes. The Union said that unvaccinated teachers were locked out of school buildings. The Union, however, is also against the reopening of schools until safety protocols are agreed with the Union for the protection of teachers and students. Pointing to the rise in COVID-19 deaths and positive cases, the GTU said it believes that it was unsafe to fully reopen schools for face-to-face learning.

Businessman Maxwell Thom dies from COVID-19 …was partially vaccinated

Businessman and broadcaster Maxwell Thom

B

u s i n e s s m a n and broadcaster Maxwell Thom died of COVID-19 on Tuesday while receiving care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Thom was the owner of the 93.1 Real FM radio station and Wireless Connections, a cellphone and electronics store.

A health official confirmed that the business-

man, who only received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, was initially under home isolation after he tested positive for COVID-19, but was taken to the hospital a few days ago.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy in a statement on Thom’s passing, said “to lose someone with such zest, zeal and love for country to the dreaded corona-

virus reinforces the fact that COVID-19 is real and that it must be taken seriously. The death of a loved one is a painful experience and Maxwell Thom was undoubtedly loved by many”.

The Minister added that “Max, as I grew to call him due to the professional friendship we developed, has made nothing but meaningful contributions to any area he set his sights on. Many may recall that thousands of Guyanese were afforded the opportunity to own a cellular phone because of his pioneering ability”.

That ability, McCoy added, was translated to sober and uplifting messages Thom exuded on his morning broadcasts and by extension on his radio station, adding that as an executive of the Guyana Broadcast Owners’ Association, he played his part in efforts to develop the industry in Guyana.

Thom was also an athlete and a dancer. He is the third media worker who has died as a result of COVID-19.

The other two were Namela Henry and Mondale Smith.

NEWS

3

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, Sept 15 – 00:30h – 02:30h and 12:00h – 13:30h and Thursday, Sept 16 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 13:00h – 14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Sept 15 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Thursday, Sept 16 – 13:00h – 14:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: West South-Westerly to North NorthWesterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 11:39h reaching a maximum height of 2.1 metres.

Low Tide: 17:30h reaching a minimum height of 1.17 metres.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS E

02 03 06 09 17 24

FREE TICKET

11 Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

07 10 11 20 24 LUCKY 3

5

2

6

2

Afternoon Draw

0

8

Int’l Day of Democracy

Safeguarding democracy is a collective effort – President Ali

…pledges to strengthen pillars of Guyana’s democracy

D

escribing the safeguarding of democracy as a collective effort, President Dr Irfaan Ali has used the United Nations (UN) designated “International Day of Democracy” to pay homage to those who safeguarded Guyana’s.

In his message on the occasion, President Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to stay on the democratic path while joining the international community in observing the day.

The President noted that the UN had affirmed democracy as a universal value, based on the will of the people.

“We pledge on this International Day of Democracy 2021 to strengthen the ramparts which protect our fragile democracy: the rule of law, the independence of the Judiciary, freedom of expression and constitutional rule,” the President said.

Democracy, he added, is predicated on respect for freedom and human rights and respect for the will of the people through free and fair elections held at periodic intervals, adding that as the Caribbean Court of Justice has observed, “elections that are free, fair, transparent and accountable are the lifeblood of a true democracy.”

The President noted that Guyana was once the victim of rigged elections and authoritarian rule that included human rights abuse and the derailment of economic development.

This is likely a reference to the Government of former President Forbes Burnham, who was in power for over 20 years.

According to the Head of State, “many were forced to scamper from our beloved motherland in order to es-

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02 06 10 11 12 16 17 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

01 05 06 11 14 13

04 05 07 10 15

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$74.00/barrel

+0.54

Rough Rice

$244.53 /ton $484.70/ton

-0.32 +4.35

London Sugar

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1803.00

$1804.00

Low/High Change

$1780.60 -1.60

$1809.70 -0.09%

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

cape persecution. A threat to free and fair elections represents an assault on democracy. Guyanese have a duty to zealously guard the country’s democracy.”

“For almost two and a half decades in the past, our people were deprived of the right to elect a Government of their choice, and one year ago, there was an attempt to subvert the will of the electorate. That plot was repelled because of the heroism of our people, who stood defiant against the plot to rig our elections. Democracy prevailed, and our nation was rescued from the tentacles of dictatorship.”

He therefore applauded those patriots, both at home

and abroad, who stood for democracy in Guyana during those difficult days.

According to the President, that experience served to strengthen the country’s resolve to ensure that democracy is never again put in jeopardy.

“Let us, therefore all commit, on this International Day of Democracy to ensure that the democratic will of our people is never again threatened. May we all lend our efforts towards fortifying our country’s democracy!”

“Democracy requires all to be involved; religious leaders, civil society and every citizen who value highly freedom and the ability to choose. All of us must en-

sure that democracy is safeguarded every day of our lives,” the President said.

President Ali’s affirmations come in the wake of one of Guyana’s most sordid experiences with electoral fraud, namely the attempts to alter the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

In the aftermath of the controversial five-monthlong elections, a number of high-ranking Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials had been investigated by the Police and slapped with various charges for misconduct in public office and for forgery.

They included former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, his former Deputy Roxanne Myers and former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

All have since been fired from GECOM. Last month, the President had reaffirmed his Administration’s aim to establish a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to examine the attempt to steal the 2020 General and Regional Elections. He had said that the process had commenced to engage various stakeholders in finding suitable names that can be part of the Commission. (G3)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

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

A champion of democracy

T

oday, as Guyana joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Day of Democracy, we take a look back at the life of former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, who put up a fierce fight for Guyana’s democracy following the March 2020 General and Regional elections.

Arthur, Barbados’s longest serving head of Government, led the country for an unprecedented three consecutive terms, from 1994 to 2008, having served as Member of Parliament for the constituency of St Peter from 1984 to 2013.

Even after his career in politics had ended, he continued to offer service to his country and the region. Weeks prior to his death in July 2020, he served in a number of key areas, including the Jobs and Investment Advisory Council. This came after his work in the last year, as he helped the Barbados Government in the forging of a new industrial policy and in the review of the international trade options of Small Island Developing States. He was also still very actively involved in helping to forge regional integration.

Arthur was indeed the chief architect and intellectual guide of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). In many respects, he was a titan of regional integration, and a most distinguished son of the Caribbean. For many in the region, he will be remembered as a true Caribbean man.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley had put it this way: “His intellect was larger than life, believe you me. His love of country as constant as a northern star. He discharged his duty as Prime Minister of Barbados and as a Caribbean leader with distinction.

He shall remain in that pantheon of Caribbean leaders”.

Certainly, in days to come, there will be a more detailed analysis of Arthur’s contribution to his country and the wider Caribbean Community.

Here, in Guyana, Arthur’s name will forever be among those who have maintained the fight to ensure that democracy and the rule of law prevail.

Arthur headed the Commonwealth Elections Observer Team in Guyana for the March 2 General and Regional Elections. His task was not an easy one. Perhaps he even expected some of what he was exposed to, due to his knowledge of our political and social history.

However, he stood up to the “forces”, as described by Mottley, who were bent on subverting the elections. When caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings threatened to revoke the accreditation of International Observers, he challenged her and did not back down. He made it known in no uncertain terms that he would not be bullied in the face of attacks.

Also, when he was attacked and ridiculed by APNU/AFC’s strongman Joseph Harmon, now Guyana’s Opposition Leader, for making his views known regarding the attempts by persons within the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the APNU/AFC, he again took the APNU/AFC to task. He was never afraid of saying it as he saw it. For him, citizens must have a right to choose their leaders in a democratic process, and nothing or no one should come in the way of their ability to do so.

As was stated by Vincentian Prime Minister and Caricom Chair, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, prior to Arthur’s brief hospitalisation, he was deeply agitated about the imminent threat to democracy in Guyana. He said Arthur reserved some of his finest and most biting barbs for those in Guyana who, without right reason or principle, verbally abused Prime Minister Mia Mottley and himself because of their stance in defense of free and fair elections.

Arthur had firmly stated that there are instruments of governance on which all relationships in Caricom, as sovereign countries, are based. He had explained that Guyana, along with other Caricom countries, is a signatory to the Charter of Civil Society, and this places an obligation on countries to ensure that they follow key democratic practices – a main element being the holding of free and fair elections.

He was very concerned about Guyana being portrayed as a “pariah state”, and had cautioned all the political leaders here to put country first. Sadly, to this date, the APNU/AFC has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the call by Arthur and the world to concede in order to allow the country to move forward.

We salute the late Owen Seymour Arthur for his selfless service to our country on this International Day of Democracy!

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo shares a light moment during a meeting with Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. The Vice President is currently on a three-day working visit to the neighbouring country (Office of the Vice President photo)

Getting back to normal Dear Editor, As COVID-19 deaths reached an alarming number, I sat many days trying to figure how our dear country can better address this crisis.

I think it’s important for us Guyanese to see this pandemic as a national crisis, and nothing more. There is nothing political or racial about it. The Government’s vaccine mandate is similar to that of other countries around the world. The drastic increase in infections due to the Delta variant and a slowdown in vaccinations have pushed many governments to make COVID-19 shots mandatory for their people. Last week I read that leaders of the seven countries which are part of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are considering amending their respective constitutions to promote laws requiring their own citizens to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Countries including the USA, Turkmenistan, Poland, Canada and France, to name a few, have instituted mandatory vaccination. The Government of Guyana is no different, and I do believe its intention is good.

If the Government were to remove vaccine mandates but require, as is now the case, that a vaccine passport must be presented to conduct business, then I think people will understand the importance of being vaccinated.

When Guyana received the first set of vaccines through Caricom, I am sure every Guyanese wanted to

be vaccinated. What has changed now? The problem came after the Opposition Leader made a statement about the Sputnik vaccine.

Pandemonium broke out. I think what is needed at this time is for the Government and the Opposition to work together as national leaders and explain the importance of citizens being vaccinated.

I think the hesitancy is not because citizens mistrust the medical science, but rather because of fraught relations between the state and citizens. We need to unite if we want to eliminate COVID-19.

Every day, we hear how many people are dying, how many are hospitalised at Liliendaal, and how many are in the ICU. Recently, Dr. Carpen shared some stats on how many are infected with COVID-19 and are fully vaccinated, and those who received the first shot, compared to the majority…over 85 percent who are not vaccinated. While the data was not surprising, it was disheartening to read.

Last evening, I read about a couple in the USA who contracted COVID-19 and died within weeks of each other, the sad reality is that five children under the age of 7 are now orphans. Right here in Guyana, a mother and a daughter lost the battle to COVID-19, leaving five children behind.

If we continue to be irresponsible with our actions, we could end up with many orphans and vulnerable children. Let’s look at how we can proactively address this situation,

I believe the Government should institute either a full lockdown or a partial lockdown; if not, move the curfew to 6 am to 6 pm, close our borders, encourage employers to adopt a rotation system, use our soldiers and Police officers to patrol communities, and stop large gatherings and parties. Go back to outdoor dining, enforce the no more than 10 persons gathering, and do whatever is necessary to reduce the infection rate.

While this is in place, use influencers and popular opinion leaders, especially those on social media, to promote the science of the vaccine, and encourage people to be vaccinated.

For the citizens, do your own research, don’t listen to propaganda, be aware of misinformation, and visit the CDC and PAHO websites for your information. We are a small population, we can’t afford to lose more of our loved ones

to COVID-19. Every death means a child is left without a parent, a mother or father without an offspring, a loss that you will never understand if you have never lost a loved one.

There are many other important matters, like the border issue with Venezuela. I am sure we all read about the Venezuelan Government and Opposition committing to fight for our dear Essequibo. Why can’t our Government and Opposition do the same with COVID-19? Don’t be distracted, too much is at stake for Guyana.

“Guyana is we own”, let all hands be on deck to protect our country from Venezuela, as we do the same to protect each other against COVID-19. I am sure all citizens are looking forward to the return to normalcy.

Sincerely, Shaundell Shipley

Citizens are collateral damage of City Hall’s actions Dear Editor, Following the court ruling on the Town Clerk’s appointment issue, ‘critical support’ was offered. But should this be, when the court’s ruling did not impose any limitations or conditions to the functions and functioning of the TC? The judge must be commended for the strong decisions taken in this matter with the hope some normalcy can return to City Hall.

This it seems might not be.

The injunction sought was denied, but impositions by the Council continue, which will ultimately prove disruptive to the smooth functioning of the office of the TC, and by extension the affairs of the city. Is this a war of attrition, it has to be wondered?

In the meantime, citizens continue to be collateral damage.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

5

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

Opposition is not interested in inclusive governance Dear Editor, It is clear that the Opposition is not interested in ‘inclusive governance,’ but in ‘absolute governance’. This is not about accepting the legitimacy of the PPP/C’s Government, this is about the PPP/C accepting the Coalition’s spurious claims that the PPP/C not only attempted to ‘rig’ the 2020 Elections, but actually rigged it.

Is the PPP/C Government at fault for rejecting such a factitious claim? Is it not the Opposition which is actually rejecting Article 13?

We must recall that although the PNC rigged all the Elections from 1968 onwards until 1985, the PPP in Opposition, led by Dr Jagan, lent ‘critical support’ not only when our national

sovereignty was threatened

by Venezuela, but it was an intent to support all positive initiatives by the PNC in favour of progress of Guyana.

But, sadly, the PNC not only rejected Dr Jagan’s proposals, but labelled him an ‘opportunist’. Imagine the rightful President being called an ‘opportunist’ by a rigger and a dictator.

We must never lose sight of the fact that the growth of our economy, the eradication pf poverty, and the health and wellbeing of our people have always take precedence over selfishness and greed for power. The PPP/C never placed power over the Guyanese people and Guyana.

The Coalition attempted for 5 long months to rig the 2020 Elections in full

view of the world, and until now has been trying to hoodwink its supporters that it was ‘cheated, not defeated’ and they must take to the streets outside of Parliament to reinforce such claims.

That is all the Coalition wants - power at any and all cost – even at the expense of the lives of Guyanese, it does not matter!

We now have a deadly pandemic which is slowly decimating our population, and yet the Opposition and its agents have failed to meaningfully support the Government in its vaccination drive. Would the PPP/C have done this? I say NEVER! The Teachers’ Union, the GTU, is in the forefront protesting the Government’s vaccina-

tion drive when it should give effect to its motto of ‘Moulding Our Nation’ and support the Government.

This is a great shame.

In this month to date, 62 persons have died, including a mother and her daughter just one week apart. These were reported as being unvaccinated. I am sure that many of these anti-vaxxers are already vaccinated. Those Coalition officials who went to the protest in Brooklyn are all vaccinated!

I was utterly disappointed when I saw some of the posts from persons who are teachers, and they are peddling false and dangerous claims backed by videos.

These teachers need to educate the people who look up to them for accurate infor-

Looking forward to fruitful, cordial working relations

Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL), for the first time in nearly five (5) years, met at the bilateral level last Thursday (September 09, 2021) to discuss several issues.

The resumption of discussions followed the intervention of Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton and other Ministry officials. The DTL had been refusing to engage the GAWU although the Union was the bona-fide representative of the workers employed by the company. It was seeking to mini-

mise interactions through the exchange of writer correspondences.

The Union contended that the DTL’s stance was a breach of the Trade Union Recognition Act, which obligates discussions between the parties. The GAWU also pointed out that the Recognition and Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement between the Union and the Company required the DTL to engage on a face-to-face basis.

Through the Ministry’s intervention, the DTL relented and agreed to resume bilateral discussions with the Union. At the

meeting, both parties expressed a willingness to work together to advance the Company’s operations, while seeking to improve the workers’ benefits and conditions of work.

During the meeting, the Union made several proposals and sought to have the Company soberly consider them. The DTL has undertaken to consult its managerial team before responding to the Union.

Additionally, the GAWU and the DTL have agreed to collaborate on a few matters, including operationalisation of a health centre at Mabura Hill and towards

the improvement of water supply in the area. On some matters, the Company has agreed with our proposals, and in other instances have begun to address the issues.

The GAWU is of the view that the meeting was positive. We look forward to re-engaging the DTL soon to continue our discussions. We believe that our working together could meaningfully assist the company and the workers.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

mation.

In the past 5 months, YouTube has removed more than 30,000 misleading COVID-19 vaccination videos, and in the past year, more than 800,000 videos have been removed for COVID-19 misinformation.

They contradicted the vaccine information from the World Health Organization.

These include false claims that the vaccines kill people, cause infertility, and conspiracy theories. Many included false claims on non-existent ‘cures’. This would include Coalition MP Jermaine Figueira‘s “cure” of jumbie umbrella and bush tea. Are our people aware of these falsehoods?

Have our teachers tried to educate our students and parents about the misinformation on social media?

NO, some of these teachers have been busy on the social media, sharing these videos to the same students and their parents.

There must be a distinction between issues of

bad governance and holding a government accountable, and those which are of paramount national interest. However, it’s a crying shame that the Opposition in Guyana is using the COVID-19 vaccination to further its political agenda for want of real issues, when it should be truly supporting the vaccination drive.

President Ali and his Government have been fulfilling their responsibilities under the Constitution, and it is time that the Coalition does the same. If the Coalition chooses to be out of the decision-making processes of the State, then clearly the President and his Government are not at fault. The integrity of the Opposition is being tested. I conclude with this, ‘There is no better test of a man’s integrity than his behaviour when he is wrong’.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

6

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

Page

Foundation

Building Ornaments

By Robert F rost

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.

The work of h unters is another thing: I have come after them and made repair Where they have left not one stone on a stone, But they would have the rabbit out of hiding, To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean, No one has seen them made or heard them made, But at spring mending-time we find them there.

I let my neighbor know beyond the hill; And on a day we meet to walk the line And set the wall between us once again.

We keep the wall between us as we go.

To each the boulders that have fallen to each.

And some are loaves and some so nearly balls We have to use a spell to make them balance: ‘Stay where you are until our backs are turned!’

We wear our fingers rough with handling them.

Oh, just another kind of out-door game, One on a side. It comes to little more: There where it is we do not need the wall: He is all pine and I am apple orchard.

My apple trees will never get across And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.

He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.’

Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder If I could put a notion in his head: ‘Why do they make good neighbors? Isn’t it Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.

Before I built a wall I’d ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offense.

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That wants it down.’ I could say ‘Elves’ to him, But it’s not elves exactly, and I’d rather He said it for himself. I see him there Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.

He moves in darkness as it seems to me, Not of woods only and the shade of trees.

He will not go behind his father’s saying, And he likes having thought of it so well He says again, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.’

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC condemned for sexist attacks on Priya Manickchand …GT Mayor sole member of APNU to condemn attacks

Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips

Governance Minister Gail Teixeira

Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

rime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips was on Tuesday among the senior members of Government

by agitators to make light of matters of national importance and to disrespect our female leaders only serve to create a wedge between our

Commissioner to Guyana Lilian Chatterjee.

Teixeira also questioned the silence of women’s rights organisations, in the face of these sexist attacks on the Education Minister. She noted that all Guyanese, in fact, should be outraged by the escalating behaviour of the parliamentary Opposition

media page in which she urged an end to the vulgarity and the universal condemnation of the song that was released by Duncan.

“In a world where we are all fighting for the rights and respect of women everyday, it is contemptible that an MP who sits in the highest forum of the land will

P

“It is disappointing that some sections of society may find it entertaining to target the Minister of Education with such distasteful messages…such divisive actions by agitators to make light of matters of national importance and to disrespect our female leaders only serve to create a wedge between our people” – PM Mark Phillips taking the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) to task for the sexist attacks that prominent members of the party have condoned and even participated in against Education Minister Priya Manickchand.

These attacks, which reached new heights during recent protests sponsored by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), culminated in a song titled “Priya is a Wild Hog”, which was shared by APNU/ AFC Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan on his social media page on Tuesday.

In a statement, Phillips condemned these attempts to malign the Education Minister, especially at a time when she and her Ministry are hard at work trying to curtail learning loss and ensure children can be educated safely amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

He pointed out that the Government as a whole has gone to great lengths procuring vaccines to achieve herd immunity as soon as possible. This has included trying to get children 12 years and older vaccinated. Phillips expressed disappointment at the campaign to target the Education Minister – a campaign seemingly supported by the APNU/AFC. “It is disappointing that some sections of society may find it entertaining to target the Minister of Education with such distasteful messages. Most disturbing is that a sitting member of the National Assembly, Mr Sherod Duncan, has shared this revolting song on his social media platform.”

“We must all join in condemning Mr Duncan for doing so. Such divisive actions

people.”

The Prime Minister reminded that the Government is committed to ensuring that social cohesion and tolerance prevails.

Therefore, he described efforts from agitators to cause division amid the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic as unacceptable and urged persons to reject such toxic behaviours.

Ministers

In a strongly worded statement, Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Gail Teixeira slammed those who condone the depraved attacks on the Minister and the creation of the song, which uses lyrics that featured in chants by teachers who took part in a recent GTU-sponsored protest outside the Ministry of Education.

“The latest video/song posted on Sherod Duncan’s Facebook “Priya is a Wild Hog,” is another act that illustrates the depths of depravity that permeate the PNC/APNU/AFC and Guyana Teachers Union circles.”

According to Minister Teixeira, these attacks are the latest in “incidents of bullyism, sexism and misogyny on social media and in street protests” that have grown since the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections.

She also recalled the utterances of former Ministers in the then APNU/AFC Government, which included personal attacks against professional women and diplomats including US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and former Canadian High

“The latest video/song posted on Sherod Duncan’s Facebook…another act that illustrates the depths of depravity that permeate the PNC/APNU/AFC and Guyana Teachers' Union circles” – Gail Teixeira and those linked to them.

“This is the time for all to condemn this behaviour as unacceptable and to dissociate publicly from all who promote this depravity, and, threaten the safety of all women and girls in our country,” Minister Teixeira said.

Differences

Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud also released a statement from her social

spew and share this level of nastiness against a woman,” Persaud said.

“I understand that there may be opposing views on many issues, but to descend to this level of vulgarity is unacceptable and these perpetrators must be called out.

I condemn this utterly disgusting kind of behaviour and I hope those who speak out on respect for women will join me in condemning this.”

Meanwhile, Georgetown

Mayor Ubraj Narine was the sole member of the APNU/ AFC to speak out against the song and the attacks against Manickchand. In a statement on Tuesday, the Mayor called for the removal of the song from circulation and for an end to persons, including those from his party, using women for cheap political points.

“I have stumbled on a vile and repugnant song which is purported to be directed at the Minister of Education, the lyrics of which are gross and distasteful. Our women must be protected and must not be used or abused for cheap political points.

The people of Guyana must not be exposed to such crass behaviour despite political

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

are directed to develop our country for all of Guyana to benefit. We must ensure that our constitutional

“Our women must be protected and must not be used or abused for cheap political points.

The people of Guyana must not be exposed to such crass behaviour despite political differences” – Mayor Ubraj Narine differences. Unfortunately, this song serves no other purpose than to foment an already fragile society,” Narine said.

“I am disappointed by this social media post and encourage that our energies

rights are safeguarded and that our citizens especially our women feel safe. I pray that good sense prevails, and this song is removed from circulation,” the Mayor also said. (G3)

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS

Mahaica man slapped with gun, ammo possession charges

T

wenty-four-yearold Kevin Barnwell, also called ‘Bull,’ of Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has been remanded to prison on firearm and ammunition charges.

He appeared in a Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

The Police have said that Barnwell was arrested on September 9 with an illegal firearm and ammunition without being the holder of the relevant licences.

He has been remanded to prison by acting Chief

Charged: Kevin Barnwell

Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs, who set October 10 for his return to court.

Rape charge dismissed against 26-year-old man

A

charge brought against a 26-yearold man for raping a 15-year-old lass was on Monday discharged by Principal Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court after the victim told the court she does not wish to continue the proceedings.

The Police have said that a report was lodged on April 24, 2017 against the accused, and as such he was arrested and charged for rape of a child under 16 years old, contrary to section 10 of the Sexual Offences Act Chapter 8:03.

On January 25, 2021, the accused appeared at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court

before Principal Magistrate Allan Wilson, where the charge was read to him and he was required to plead to the indictment.

As a result, he was placed on $75,000 bail.

Meanwhile, the accused made another court appearance on June 18, 2021, but the victim indicated to the court that she does not wish to proceed with the matter, and laid an affidavit of declaration to withdraw the report made against the 26-year-old.

Subsequently, advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions, and on being advised, the matter was discharged against the accused on Monday.

Who do they think they’re fooling...

P

…with the protests?

NC-wannabe-leader Aubrey Norton was nabbed by the Police on Monday for allegedly “leading an illegal procession”. He and a dozen others were detained briefly and released on $10,000 bail each. But the old warhorse stoutly denied the charge. In fact, he claimed he was merely taking a morning stroll down Regent Street, which begins a stone’s throw away from the Square of the Revolution. It was presumably merely coincidental that Opposition protestors had responded to well-publicised calls to “shut down the city” and gathered there! They were protesting the (“installed” and “illegal cabal”) Govt’s measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus various and sundry other gripes.

But Norton had to’ve seen the protestors at the Square, since they were in front of his eyes!! He insisted he was alone on his perambulations, and was SPONTANEOUSLY joined by some of them who espied him taking his morning constitutional!! He was no Pied Piper!! So, who organised the protests? “Wasn’t me!!” shouted Mr Norton and other PNC leaders like the newly appointed Opposition Leader Roysdale Forde, SC! Never mind that all of them had been appearing on the now ubiquitous social media platforms extolling past protests in Linden, East Coast Demerara and Georgetown, and calling for the complete shutdown this week!!

No…the protests were all “totally unplanned” - Jumbie Umbrellas, if you will!!! - sprouting overnight! But Norton had to’ve also known in advance, because while doing his Shaggy impersonation, he mentioned he was far from “the procession coming down Vlissengen Street!” Now, THAT procession had been blocked by the Police half-a-mile away! How’d he know about it?!!

The whole manoeuvre was clearly planned from the beginning to be more effective that the attempt last week, when another wannabe leader wandered off from the protest at the Square and went down Brickdam to picket the Ministry of Education! That protest de jour was the reopening of schools, and it fizzled like a damp squib!! The PNC clearly wanted to create a bigger blast, and decided to bring in Regent St - the metaphor for PPP and Indian ascendancy - into the picture.

It the concerns were about COVID vaccine “mandate”, the Ministry of Health is literally just across the Square!!

Norton didn’t have to wander over to Regent Street to await protestors from the East!! This “protest” also fizzled because these fellow “radicals” are too clever for their own good. Yes, some of their constituents are “vaccine hesitant”. And yes, the Government’s efforts to act in the public good on vaccination rubs them the wrong way. But even more are convinced that vaccination’s the way to go.

And the mixed signals will ensure mixed reactions!

…egging on Venezuela?

Your Eyewitness returns to the Venezuelan threat as the Opposition continues to weaken us from within.

We want to reiterate that Norway and the other states that inveigled Maduro and his arch foe Guaido to kiss and make up by using our Essequibo as bait are playing a dangerous game. They should remember that ends are merely realised means. And using Guyana’s territory as bait to gain a respite for Venezuela can end up as a Venezuelan consensus to seize the rest of Essequibo - as they did Ankoko back in 1966.

This sort of transactional and coldly opportunistic “quid pro quo” approach in the international arena can only lead to chaos. How can facilitators Norway, Netherlands, Mexico justify thumbing of their noses at the World Court, which has confirmed jurisdiction on the Venezuelan controversy? On recommendation of the UN Good Officer process for dispute resolution in the international arena?

So, what will they suggest at the Sept 24 meeting?

Carpet bombing Guyana?

…with their misogyny One PNC social media activist is really taking things too far with his attacks on Min of Education Priya Manickchand.

Your Eyewitness just received a clip with a ditty, “Priya is a wild hog”.

So who is he? A Buxton bore?

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

NEWS

9

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Our ICU is filling up” – Health Minister warns as COVID-19 persists …4 unvaccinated, 1 partially vaccinated deaths recorded …135 new cases, over 1700 active cases in Region 4

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

135

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

149

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

2841

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

31

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

20

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

14,708

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

13,526

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

28,234

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

24,521

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

337,030

FULLY IMMUNISED

175,037

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

692

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1398

REGION 2

973

REGION 3

3511

REGION 4

13,380

REGION 5

955

REGION 6

2169

REGION 7

1460

REGION 8

430

REGION 9

2272

REGION 10

1686

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

H

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has sounded a warning to Guyanese about the seriousness of the coronavirus disease locally, where many persons are now being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with a more severe

form of the virus.

In Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing, it was disclosed that active cases have now spiked to 3092 - 139 of which are hospitalised. There are 104 patients at the Infectious Diseases Hospital and of this number, 31 are in the ICU.

“The ICU is filling up and we really want to urge people to be cautious, to wear their masks, to keep social distancing, to sanitise their hands when they’re in indoor environment, to be in a ventilated environment.

All these things help so it’s

not just about vaccination, which is very important, but it is all the additional measures that you have to use,” the Minister warned.

Works are ongoing to further expand the Infectious Diseases Hospital intensive care capacity to accommodate a surge. Recently, the ICU was expanded to cater for an additional 10 patients – a bed capacity of 38. Thus far, there is adequate supply of oxygen for the facilities.

“We have taken some additional measures of increasing the oxygen capacity at the Ocean View facility. Previously, where we were utilising 1000-pound cylinder of oxygen, we have now put in a bulk tank that was specially designed and brought in to cater for such needs. That tank, we replenish it every 24 hours.”

Several other contingency plans are in place in case there is a shortage but the Minister said this situation is not anticipated at this point in time.

New cases, deaths

On Tuesday, five more reported deaths raised the country’s death toll to 692.

A 72-year-old woman and 34-year-old man – both of whom hailed from Region Three – died on September 1 and 3, respectively. Then, an 85-year-old woman of

Region Six also succumbed on September 6. A 64-yearold woman and a 54-year-old man from Region Four later died on September 13.

They all died while receiving medical care and four out of the five persons were unvaccinated, with the fifth being partially vaccinated.

There were 135 new cases in one day, according to the Ministry’s dashboard, with the total confirmed cases in the country moving 28,324 – 13,526 males and 14,708 females.

A total of 31 are in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 2841 in home isolation, 149 in institutional isolation and 20 in institutional quarantine. The data showed that 24,521 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus.

A breakdown showed four new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), two in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 85 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 65 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), seven in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 12 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 14 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), four in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 in Region

10 (Upper Berbice).

Demerara-

Hotspots

The Health Ministry has reported 460 active cases on the East Bank of Demerara: 80 in Diamond, 62 in Eccles and 48 in Timehri. On the East Coast of Demerara, there are 588 cases, with Mon Repos and Enterprise as the recent hotspots.

Meanwhile in Georgetown, there are 682 cases with spikes in Kitty, Lodge and Sophia among others. Some 91 positives are being monitored in Region Five, 82 in Region Six and 65 in Region Seven.

When asked about his Government’s take on more stringent measures, the Minister pointed out that it is more of a behavioural problem across the populace, where adherence is necessary at all times.

“We’re constantly evaluating but again, it’s not about we as the Government can do. It’s what people should be doing because this is a behavioural thing and it is more about attitude. The Government can’t go Police somebody if they’re not wearing their mask. We’ll try but really this is an individual’s behaviour. We wouldn’t be there at all times with somebody seeing how they wear their mask.” (G12)

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Constitutional agencies’ budgets

Full Court dismisses Opposition’s appeal to block scrutiny

T

he Full Court, comprising of Justices Brassington Reynolds and Sandil Kissoon, dismissed Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul et al’s appeal which sought to block the Government from scrutinising the monies requested by various constitutional agencies.

The judgement was handed down on Friday, September 10, 2021.

In early March, Mahipaul, APNU/AFC parliamentarian and Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) General Secretary Coretta McDonald, Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) First Vice President Dawn Gardner, Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Michael Somersall, Police Service Commission (PSC) member Clinton Conway, the Police Service Commission (PSC), and Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Chairman Allan Munroe, filed an appeal to have the March 5 decision of High Court Judge Nareshwar Harnanan set aside.

On February 22, Mahipaul and a number of persons filed an application against the Attorney General, Minister of Finance, Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the Supreme Court of Judicature, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Human Rights Commission, Public Service Appellate Tribunal, Teaching Service Commission, Public Procurement Commission; Women and Gender Equality Commission; Public Service Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, Indigenous Peoples Commission, Rights of the Child Commission,

Justice Brassington Reynolds

Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Auditor General, and Parliament Office.

He asked the court for a declaration that the constitutional agencies are to function independently, impartially and free from the exercise of any control by the Executive and or any other entity; a declaration that the inclusion of the constitutional agencies as Budget Agencies in the schedule to and under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act Cap 73:02 is inconsistent with the independence assured to those constitutional agencies in the Constitution; and a declaration that the inclusion of the agencies as Budget Agencies under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act Cap 73:02 is wholly inconsistent with the independence and financial autonomy contemplated and provided for in Article 222A in particular and the provisions of the Constitution.

The court action had stemmed following the passage of the Fiscal Management and

Accountability (Amendment) Act 2021 in order to streamline the budget process so as to improve efficiency and the effectiveness with which Parliament can consider the budget of the various constitutional agencies.

The amendment of Chapter 73:02 of FMAA was to allow for the correction of a number of anomalies relating to the budget process for the constitutional agencies.

When Mahipaul and his supporters approached the High Court, he asked for eight conservatory orders, seeking, among other things, to prohibit the consideration and approval of the 2021 budget for constitutional agencies and the disbursement of budgetary allocations. They contended that those were wrongly laid before the National Assembly.

However, it was all dismissed by Justice Harnanan.

After the dismissal of the case, Attorneys Roysdale Forde, Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Amanza Walton-Dezir, and Darren Wade filed Notice of Appeal and a Notice of Application seeking similar conservatory orders as they sought in the High Court.

The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Finance were represented by Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, and Deputy Solicitor General Deborah Kumar, Senior State Advisor Reanna Clarke, and State Counsels Teakaram Singh, Asasha Ramzan and Chevy Devonish.

The Judicial Service Commission was represented by Stephen Fraser.

The Speaker of the National Assembly and the Clerk

Justice Sandil Kissoon

of the National Assembly were represented by Pratesh Satram and Manoj Narayan.

The parties presented

written submission to the Full Court. Having heard the attorneys for the parties, Justices Reynolds and Kissoon ordered and directed that the Notice of Appeal and Notice of Application be dismissed in view of the fact that the issues raised in the appeal and Notice of Application have been overtaken by substantive events, and, in fact, the substantive Fixed Date Application is fixed for ruling before Justice Harnanan on October 4, 2021.

They also ordered costs against the applicants/appellants to be paid to the Attorney General, the Finance Minister, the Judicial Service Commission and the Speaker and Clerk

Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul

of the National Assembly in the sum of $50,000 each. (G2)

Driver in Mocha-Eccles bypass fatal accident gets bail

T

wenty-two-year-old Jaleel Henry was on Monday slapped with two charges in connection with an accident that occurred along the Mocha/ Eccles bypass road on Saturday evening and led to the death of 23-year-old Ishwar Mohan.

Henry was arraigned in the Diamond Magistrate’s Court on charges of failing to stop and failing to render assistance following an accident. He reportedly pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail in the sum on $20,000 by Magistrate Judy Latchman, who ordered that he return to court on September 27, 2021.

The Police have said that on the day in question, at about 19:00h, motor car PZZ 7322, driven by a 22-yearold, was proceeding along the roadway at a fast rate of speed when the vehicle reportedly ran over Mohan, of Second Street, Success, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who was lying on the road.

The pedestrian was dragged

Dead: Ishwar Mohan

some distance.

The car reportedly failed to stop to render assistance, but instead the driver went to the Providence Police Station, where he reported the matter. He claimed he did not stop because of “security reasons”.

However, the Police immediately went to the area, where the injured man was seen lying on the roadway

in a motionless state. He was pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

At the scene, persons related that Mohan and his relatives are building a house in Farm New Housing Scheme, EBD, and on the day in question, they had been working at the site for the whole day.

Guyana Times understands that after a day’s work, the family and the workers started to imbibe, during which Mohan became angry after he was given high wine to drink while the others were consuming another brand of liquor.

In protest, the now dead man walked onto the main access road, where he reportedly threw himself down and shouted “I want dead!”

His relatives reportedly warned him several times to come off the road, but a stubborn Mohan refused to adhere to their request.

The young man leaves to morning his parents and siblings.

11

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

15

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Fixed sites being established Whose fundamental right must Government safeguard?

M

ore than 340,000 adult Guyanese (66% of the adult population) have taken one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 33% of the Guyanese adults are fully vaccinated. But there are significant pools of Guyanese citizens who, for one unreasonable reason or another, have refused to take the vaccine.

Those who have taken the vaccine understand that the vaccine not only protects them, but also that it protects the collective Guyanese population and helps in stopping the emergence of any new variant. Those who refuse the vaccine claim that it is their bodies, and they have a fundamental right to determine what they put into their bodies. In effect, those anti-vaxxers claim that their individual right is absolute, and cannot be abrogated under any Dr Leslie Ramsammy circumstance.

President Irfaan Ali and the PPP Government posit that these anti-vaxxers are wrong, and that all fundamental rights are based on certain limits, the most important of which is that the exercise of any individual right must not interfere with the rights of others. The PNC-led-and-dominated APNU/AFC is of the opposite view, siding with the anti-vaxxers that rights are absolute. All the leaders in the PNC and APNU/AFC have taken the vaccine, but they are out mobilising those who have not taken the vaccine to protest and ask people to shut down the country. The claim is that the Government, by demanding people become vaccinated or submit to weekly PCR testing, violates the fundamental rights of these citizens. But what about the rights of those who have taken their vaccines? The question before us is whose rights must be rigorously adhered to, and whose rights can be abrogated?

A Canadian professor raised a number of rights perspectives when a student claimed the university’s requirement for vaccination breaches his fundamental right. The professor, in short, laid out the right to travel freely. One needs a passport before he or she can travel from one country to another. Students cannot show up to classes naked, even though they have a right whether to dress or not to dress. Everyone has a right to be given an A in a course, but whether he or she will have an A depends entirely on whether they can satisfy certain conditions to the satisfaction of the professor. Everyone has a right to drive, but needs a licence from the Government, and licensed drivers can choose what speed they want to drive, but must adhere to speed laws. One’s desire to drive at 90 MPH can only be exercised in a place approved for such speeds. Rights are not absolute.

In order for safe socialisation or engagement in everyday economic activities, each of us has an obligation to demonstrate none of us constitute a danger to the public. Police officers remove people who misbehave in public. One cannot show up at the parliament’s gates and decide it is a good place to urinate. It is the obligation of Government to ensure public safety.

At the moment, the best science says that people must wear masks, be vaccinated against COVID-19, or be tested with a negative PCR result. The Government has adapted this science for public participation. A small number of persons are demanding that they be allowed to disregard these Government-mandated rules.

The PNC has decided to use this opportunity to mobilise protests around the country. Teachers are being mobilised through a PNC-led union – the Guyana Teachers Union. The nurses and other health workers are being organised by the GPSU. The PNC, having failed to gain any traction with their stupefied claim of electoral heist by the PPP, now seizes on the opportunity presented to them by persons refusing the vaccine. This is reckless, irresponsible, and frankly criminal behaviour. The lives of innocent citizens have become collateral damage. Not only are the protestors endangering their own lives, they also endanger the lives of those citizens who have taken the vaccine. One protestor wants to know if the vaccine protects, then how is it the anti-vaxxers are placing anybody’s life in danger? The answer is simple – no vaccine is 100% guaranteed, and leaves a small opportunity for the virus to get through the defense people use. But, at the end of the day, more than 98% of all infections, all ICU admissions and all deaths are among those unvaccinated.

One person on Facebook puts it nicely – going to school does not guarantee anyone he or say would not be a dunce, but people all over the world regard education as a fundamental right.

Our constitution asserts the rights of all citizens to safety. It is one reason why seat belts are required for occupants of a vehicle, or why helmets are required in certain work spaces. It is the reason why, other than security personnel, no one is allowed to carry weapons in the parliament or on a plane. Similarly, the Government must use all means whatsoever to ensure opportunities for spreading COVID-19 are limited.

Science says the more people are vaccinated, the safer the environment. In fact, Sweden has now removed all public health measures, such as masking, from the requirement to be in public, because more than 80% of the citizens of that country are fully vaccinated. As a country, we have an obligation to protect the rights of those citizens who have taken their vaccines.

for Pfizer vaccines for children …J&J administration starts in Region 8

T

o continue its rollout of the Pfizer vaccines and make provisions for second shot administration, the Health Ministry is in the process of establishing fixed sites for adolescents to receive their jabs.

During Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated that the intention is

to vaccinate 72,000 youths within the age bracket of 12 to 17, using the 146,250 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines which arrived as a donation from the United States Government. In trials, the double-dose Pfizer component has shown to be around 95 per cent effective, and is one of two vaccines approved for chil-

A child receiving his Pfizer shot

to create a fixed site in every region, where the Pfizer vaccines can be administered.

This comes as the timeline closes in for administration of second doses – which is done within a 21-day interval.

Additionally, he pointed out that health workers will return to vaccination sites to administer second doses.

Since the start of the campaign last month, temporary sites have been created at schools and other locations to allow for the vaccination of youths.

“We’ll be going back to the schools because it might be easier that way. Persons who got their vaccines there can come out and get their vaccines. Just a reminder that the interval is 21 days so we want people to come back and get their second dose. In addition, if you missed the school, we are now working to set up a fixed site in every region so that if you missed where you got the vaccine from, you can come to that fixed site and be able to get your Pfizer vaccine.”

Since the rollout of the Pfizer vaccines, 18,862 adolescents have been immunised, measuring 25.9 per cent of the population.

The Minister noted that as the campaign continues, greater collaboration is needed between communities and the Ministry.

“I think that’s going fairly well. I think we need to, however, have stronger collaboration as we go into some of the communities, alerting people so that they can be there to be able to get vaccinated. When we’re in a community, it’s not just for the children who are attending that particular school but it’s also for the young people within that age group who are in that area. Anybody, whether you’re in school or out of school, you can come and get the vaccine once you meet the age requirement.”

Government is aiming

dren by the Food and Drug Administration.

Meanwhile, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is currently being administered to residents of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

This will extend to Regions

One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

“The J&J vaccine is a single dose vaccine so once you get one shot, you don’t have to get another one. At least, that’s for now. I see there has been discussions in the scientific literature about a

possible second dose but we haven’t seen any movement on that as yet. If there is going to be a second dose, then we’ll follow accordingly.”

Vaccination figures stand at 337,030 or 65.7 per cent for first doses; and 175,035 or 34.1 per cent for second doses as it relates to the adult population. (G12)

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local content, energy to take centre stage at 2022 energy conference & expo …Caricom Heads of State to participate

The participants at the media launch; from left: PR Consultant Alex Graham, Marketing Coordinator Tosheika Logan and CEO of the conference, Angenie Abel

C

onversations on local content and the local energy sector will take centre stage when Guyana hosts the Guyana Energy Conference and Exhibition 2022 (GEC-X), which will bring together the Private Sector, civil society, energy experts and politicians.

Tuesday marked the media launch of the energy conference and expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Public Relations Consultant for the expo, Alex Graham explained that the event will bring together industry experts and investors from all over the world.

“The conference and expo will be a unique forum that will bring together industry players and national and regional policymakers to not only leverage investment and business opportunities, but to make this relevant to a clearly developed policy and regulatory context.”

“In this regard, we’ve already received commitments of participation from

both industry and governments. High level participants will represent the government of Guyana and we have confirmed commitments from countries like Suriname,” Graham said.

Graham also said that some Caricom Heads of Government had given commitments to attend, though when asked by the media he declined to name them.

In addition to local content, Graham assured that energy would take centre stage at the event.

“It’s one of the reasons why this is an energy conference and not an oil and gas conference. And that’s crucial for us. Because while we understand there’s a big excitement, obviously, around oil and gas development, we recognise that for us in Guyana and Suriname especially, we got into oil and gas late. Some experts would say too late,” the PR consultant said.

“But I think we understand that. And that is why we want to ensure our conversations cover the entire

range of energy issues. And the expectations of a people for oil and gas, but the absolute demand globally for a transformation of all energy production. And we’re no different. That’s why it’s important we have policy makers in the room.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the conference, Angenie Abel provided some specifics on what to expect from the exhibition, which will be held from February 15 to 18, 2022.

“We want to ensure that our programme caters not only to companies and business opportunities, but also address capacity development with a special focus on developing our people to adequately take advantage of the opportunities that will arise out of the developments in the energy sector.”

Abel made notable mention of capacity building workshops for young people. She also said that a trade show will accompany the conference. According to Abel, the conference is

1 dead, 5 injured as 4-runner turns turtle at Buck Hall

J

ust about two weeks after former Assistant Superintendent of Police Gordon Mansfield died after the vehicle in which he was travelling turned turtle at Buck Hall, another man was killed in a similar fashion on Monday evening.

In addition, five other persons including a threeyear-old were injured after the driver a Toyota Hilux, GJJ 2153, lost control of it at 49 KM Buck Hall Road.

The dead man has been identified as Damion Culpepper. Based on reports received, the accident occurred at about 21:00h.

It is believed that while descending a hill, the vehicle dropped into a hole, thus

causing the driver to lose control.

As a result, the vehicle toppled several times before coming to a halt. A three-year-old boy was injured along with a woman referred to as “Big Aunty” and her daughter, Zannie, among others.

The pick-up was being driven by Zulficar Boodhoo also known as “Popah”, 24, of Good Hope Village, Essequibo.

The injured persons were picked up and taken to the Suddie Public Hospital where Culpepper was pronounced dead on arrival. The others were reportedly treated and admitted. Their injuries are not life-threatening.

In the latter part of

August, Mansfield died after the vehicle in which he was travelling turned turtle along the Buck Hall Road in Region One (Barima-Waini).

Three others were injured in the accident.

It was reported that a pick-up belonging to Aurora Gold Mines was transporting personnel from the Aurora Mine site to the Buck Hall facility along the Essequibo River, and four persons, inclusive of the driver, were in the vehicle.

The vehicle reportedly encountered mechanical problems and consequently suffered a “blowout”, resulting in it toppling several times before coming to a halt at “Kilometre 33” on the Buck Hall Road.

already attracting local, regional and international exhibitors, while the last day is expected to feature tours of Guyana’s national attractions.

GEC-X, being held under the theme “Powering the Future”, was originally scheduled for September 28

and 29, 2021, but was shifted to February 2022 as a hybrid event. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the lead organiser of the event, had said recently that planning is moving forward in earnest for the conference.

The conference aims to

move the energy discussion beyond oil and gas. It is intended to bring together foreign and local investors and Government decision-makers in productive engagements to seek collaborations that will lead to transformative energy projects. (G3)

NEWS

17

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Caricom reiterates full support for Guyana …urges Venezuela to participate in lawful ICJ process

T

he Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom), in reaffirming support for Guyana in its border controversy with Venezuela, has urged the Spanish-speaking country to participate in the judicial process before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

This was revealed in a statement Caricom released following its 16th Emergency Meeting, which was held on Monday and which saw the participation of President Dr Irfaan Ali and team as well as other Heads of Government.

According to Caricom, it has taken note of the recent round of negotiations in Mexico that was mediated by Norway between representatives of the Government of Venezuela and that country’s Opposition.

That meeting was supposed to be a discussion about Venezuela’s domestic politics, with a number of other countries, including the Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, Norway and Bolivia taking part. But instead, the two sides ratified partial agreements reinforcing Venezuela’s illegal claim to Essequibo.

“As concerns the latter, the Caribbean Community reiterates its firm and unwavering support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty

and territorial integrity of Guyana,” Caricom said in its statement.

“It also reaffirms its support for the ongoing judicial process of the International Court of Justice that is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries and urges Venezuela to participate in the process,” it added.

After a failed good offices process between the two South American neighbours, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in 2018 had referred the border controversy matter to be resolved by the ICJ. Shortly after, Guyana filed a case seeking to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties and that the Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in Essequibo and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which more than nine billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past six years.

The world court ruled last December that it has jurisdiction to decide Guyana’s case that the boundary be-

President Dr Irfaan Ali during Monday’s special meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government. He is flanked by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony (left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd

tween the two States was fixed in the 1899 Arbitral Award. Back in March 2021, the ICJ had granted Guyana until March 8, 2022, to file its written submissions for the case, after requesting 12 months. Venezuela was given until March 8, 2023, to submit its counter-memorial.

But Venezuela has been refusing to accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ and despite the case being still pending before the ICJ, the Spanish-speaking country went ahead and reiterated territorial claims over the Essequibo region last Monday during a meeting between Government and Opposition officials in Mexico City.

However, while in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Friday, President Ali declared that Guyana would not become a sacrificial lamb in any political negotiations between the Venezuelan Government and its Opposition.

“We will not be bullied.

We will not be used as a sac-

rificial lamb in any negotiations currently in Venezuela.

Our position is very clear.

We are very clear,” the Head of State declared while addressing a gathering in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.

The Guyanese leader went on to note that Guyana continued to respect the rule of law and the country was

committed to living peacefully with all of its neighbours and to strengthen the relationships with them all.

But, in the same breath, Dr Ali stated that this position must be reciprocated.

“We’re committed to democracy. We are committed to the rule of law…we don’t waiver our principles.

We don’t waver depending on the season, we don’t waver depending on who is in Government… we have always respected the rule of law. We have always worked in accordance with the rule of law, we have always respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our neighbours,” the President also asserted.

Since Venezuela’s Government and Opposition ratified the partial agreements, both the Guyana Government and the Opposition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) have stood united in reaffirming Guyana’s sovereignty. (G3)

18 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire destroys WBD masjid

Flames emanating from the burning building on Tuesday

A

floor of the building when he heard persons starting to scream, “Fire!”

“When I came out, there was a lot of smoke emitting from the ceiling. So, we’re looking at it (that) maybe it was a fire that is related to electrical,” he explained.

He said he immediately raised an alarm, and the Guyana Fire Service was contacted.

Khan related that the Fire Service took some 30 minutes to respond, and that the firemen encountered issues with accessing water, but they eventually managed to contain the blaze to one location.

However, a section of the masjid which was destroyed had been an extension to the building that was only recently constructed. At the time of the fire, classes were ongoing in a separate part of

n early morning fire suspected to be electrical in origin destroyed a section of the mosque at Sister’s Village, West Bank Demerara

The fire tenders at the scene

(WBD) on Tuesday.

The fire was reportedly spotted at about 8:30h at the back section of the place of worship. Caretaker of the mosque, Reyad Khan, when contacted, told Guyana Times he was on the third-

the structure, but the children were taken to safety.

Guyana Times was told that some $7 million in damage was recorded as a result of the fire. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blaze.

WCB accident leaves 2 injured

A

motorcyclist and his pillion rider were injured on Monday evening following an accident along the No. 3 Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Injured are Joseph Benjamin, 31, of Meer Zorg, Wakenaam, Essequibo Island and Davindra Reeknauth, 48, of Old Road, Cotton Tree Village, WCB. Based on reports received, HD 1497, driven by a 25-year-old man of Section ‘A’ Cotton Tree Village WCB, was proceeding along the No 3 Public Road while motorcycle CK 1542, driven by Benjamin, was travelling in the opposite direction.

For some unknown reason, the motorcar ended up

in the path of the motorcycle, thus resulting in a collision.

As a result, Benjamin sustained lacerations to his forehead while Reeknauth received a puncture wound to his thigh. They were both picked up in a conscious state and taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where they were treated.

Reeknauth has been admitted for observation while Benjamin was transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

A breathalyzer test conducted on the driver of the motorcar showed zero micrograms of alcohol in his breath. Investigations are continuing.

NEWS

19

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wakenaam murder

Son charged for hacking father to death

R

ocky Miguel,26, of Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, who hacked his father Archaelus to death, was on Monday arraigned for the heinous crime at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ali-Seepaul.

He was not required to plead to the indictment, which stated that on September 9, at Great Troolie Island, Essequibo River, he murdered Archaelus Anthony Miguel.

He has been remanded to prison until November 11,

Murdered: Archaelus Anthony Miguel

2021.

It has been reported that the 26-year-old son confessed to the heinous crime moments after he committed the act.

Initial reports state that Miguel and the suspect had left for the backdam, but after some time, the son returned and claimed that he was unwell. He also claimed that his father was in the backdam, but upon making checks for the man, only his pants and a cellphone were found.

The suspect reportedly

travelled to Troolie Island, where villagers further questioned him, and it was then he related, “I chop he up, caz he de troubling me”.

He was arrested, and subsequently took ranks to the scene. On arrival, he pointed to the area where he allegedly chopped his father, thence to the area where he had dragged the body and hid it under some branches. The body bore multiple chop wounds on all parts, including the face.

Guyana Times was told that the now dead man and

Murder suspect Rocky Miguel

Several injured in 4-vehicle smash-up in city thus colliding with the front portion of that vehicle.

As a result, the motorcyclist Logan fell onto the road surface and received injuries about his body. The hire car driver then lost control of his vehicle, and it collided with motorcar PLL 8208, which was parked at the time, and then slammed into motorcar PRR 1355, which was also stationary.

The three passengers of the hire car and the motorcyclist were picked by

S

The vehicles that were involved in the accident

everal persons have been injured following a four-vehicle collision at Albert and Croal Streets in Georgetown on Monday.

Those injured are Victor Logan, 32, of Semple Street Hopetown, West Coast Berbice (WCB); Stephanie Daniels, 20, of Public Road Ruimzeight, West Coast

Demerara (WCD); and Emanuel Daniels, 17, and Christine Daniels, 22, of Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The accident reportedly took place at about 13:00h, and involved hire car HC 7448 driven by Dawane Sobers; motorcycle CK 4968 driven by Victor Logan; and motorcars PLL 8208 and

PRR 1355.

The Police have said that hire car HC 7448 was proceeding along Croal Street while the motorcycle was proceeding south on Albert Street, and as both vehicles approached the intersection at Croal and Albert Streets, the motorcyclist reportedly failed to stop, and drove into the path of the hire car,

an ambulance attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but the passengers left the hospital without being examined.

The driver of the motorcycle was, however, admitted with a fractured left hip and abrasions about his body.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the hire car driver, but no trace of alcohol was detected in his system.

his son Rocky would work all day until 16:00h, but on the day in question, his son requested to leave at about 15:00h.

His employer thought something was amiss, since he was acting in a strange manner. As such, the owner of the farm reportedly instructed him to wait until his father returned before leaving. After some time had elapsed and the man did not return, the owner summoned several relatives to assist in searching for the man, but it proved futile.

Instead, the employer told Guyana Times, the man’s cell phone, some of his tools and his pants were found on the ground.

At that time, the woman informed relatives and residents that Archaelus Miguel was missing. Upon questioning the man’s son, he confessed to the heinous crime.

Meanwhile, an autopsy performed on the remains of Archaelus Miguel revealed that he had sustained a total of 24 chop wounds to the head and other parts of the body.

20 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Entrepreneurial app for women launched to enhance financial equality

British High Commissioner Jane Miller, First Lady Arya Ali and US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch at the launching on Tuesday

S

ponsorship from the ExxonMobil Foundation has led to the introduction of “HerVenture”. An app for women, aiding them in the tools and resources needed to successfully enter and thrive in the business world.

The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women’s “HerVenture” mobile learning app has been developed specifically for women who own micro, small and medium sized enterprises in low- and middle-income countries. It now brings vital entrepreneurial skills

and support for women and ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc (ACI) is the local delivery partner that will spearhead implementation.

The app is currently available in Vietnam, Indonesia, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, having supported over 41,000 women since its launch in 2018.

Now, with support from the ExxonMobil Foundation, it comes to Guyana at zero cost and targets at least 3000 women.

The launch on Tuesday at the British High Commissioner’s residence

was attended by First Lady Arya Ali, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud; British High Commissioner Jane Miller and Exxon President Alistair Routledge among others.

With COVID-19 drastically changing the way entrepreneurs work, advancing further into a digital world has been the key move. This idea was brought to life after realising that women must be equipped with the knowledge and resources to move online.

In response, the

Foundation has added new learning modules to HerVenture in business resilience, digital marketing and e-commerce, supporting women to navigate the “new normal”. Supporting the growth of women-owned enterprises provides Guyana with an important opportunity to generate sustainable economic livelihoods, reduce poverty and grow the economy.

According to Manager of Community Relations at ExxonMobil Guyana, Suzanne De Abreu, the enhanced knowledge will translate to greater success for the entire country.

“ExxonMobil invests heavily in female entrepreneurship globally. We know from empirical research that when we move forward, the world moves forward. We believe that investing in women is not just a nice thing to do as a corporate social responsibility. It’s the right thing to do from a business perspective. As a global energy company, we know that we succeed and are sustainable when nations and communities are prosperous,” the Exxon official outlined.

HerVenture aims to reach at least 3000 of these women entrepreneurs by the

end of January 2022, benefitting families, local communities and the economy.

Emily Scott, Director of Programmes, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women added, “Following HerVenture’s positive impacts on tens of thousands of women’s businesses across the world, we are delighted to bring our flagship app to Guyana. By partnering with corporates and their foundations like ExxonMobil Foundation, and expert local organisations like ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc, we can support huge numbers of women entrepreneurs in low- and middle-income countries to fulfil their potential and make progress towards our shared goal of closing the gender gap in economic participation.”

This vital initiative comes at a crucial time when Guyana ranks 105th out of 156 countries in terms of gender equality in economic participation and opportunity, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2021 Global Gender Gap Index. This means the country is ripe for initiatives to support women’s economic empowerment.

As such, British High Commissioner Jane Miller

Persons can scan this code to access the material

positioned, “Gender issues are important to me. That is not just an altruistic, nice thing to do. It’s because I know we have evidence that it makes a real difference. We have been that the goal of this programme is to reach 3000 women but in reality, we know that in reality, it’s so many more than that.”

Meanwhile, CEO of ActionINVEST, Davitri Doerga was certain that the app will deliver the level of business education and support to empower thousands of current and aspiring female entrepreneurs.

“My message to my fellow female entrepreneurs is to download and start using the HerVenture app and to be assured that our team at ActionINVEST is here to support you in every step of the way,” she said. (G12)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

21

' Evin Lewis was adjudged “Man of the Match”

C

oming off an unbeaten century in his last innings, Evin Lewis continued his sizzling form by scorching the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ bowling unit during his 77* off 39 balls, as St Kitts and Nevis Patriots breezed past a target of 179 with 13 balls to spare in a seven-wicket win in the sec-

St Kitts and Nevis are on their way to the CPL 2021 final

Odean Smith was brought into the attack, and bowled one of the fastest overs of the tournament, clocking over 150kmph at one stage. But the balls disappeared even faster to the boundary as Gayle smashed him for four fours and a six during a 23-run over.

timing a drive to long-on.

But Lewis exacted revenge on the offspinner by smoking a pair of straight drives for six and then a four over extra cover to bring up a 24-ball half-century in the 10th over, as Patriots continued to stampede toward the target.

Smith struck twice in

A

the 33-run opening stand between Brandon King and Chandrapaul Hemraj.

Warriors’ struggles were best exemplified by Shoaib Malik, whose horror season came to a merciful end when he charged against Jon-Russ Jaggesar and was stumped for 6 off 10. The Pakistan overseas pro ended with 67 runs in 10 innings at an average of 7.44 and zero wickets with the ball.

Warriors looked like they may struggle to bat out their overs at one stage, slipping to 131 for 8 with 21 balls left, before Shimron Hetmyer hit out with a series of sixes in his unbeaten 45 off 20 balls.

Despite the late rally, Patriots’ start to the chase laid bare how poorly the Warriors’ top order had performed.

After a sedate start in the first three overs against offspinner Kevin Sinclair, in which Gayle crawled to 1 off 8 balls,

Lewis clinched victory slapping Hemraj over wide long-on for his third four to go along with eight sixes.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Shimron Hetmyer played hero as the Warriors set a total of 178

ond CPL semi-final. first-time champion is guaranteed to be crowned on Wednesday as Patriots take on St Lucia Kings in the final, the latter having finished as runners-up last year when they were still known as Zouks.

Dwayne Bravo’s decision to bowl was justified by a superb collective bowling effort. At the halfway stage of the innings, Warriors were in an excellent position at 88 for 2, with Nicholas Pooran having plundered 18 off Chris Gayle’s part-time spin in the final over before the mid-innings drinks break.

But two balls after play resumed, the first of many dominos fell as Pooran pulled Dominic Drakes to Lewis for 26 off 14 on the leg-side boundary.

Wickets continued to tumble regularly thereafter, as Warriors’ best partnership in the end wound up being

on the ring for a duck. But that just made the final margin look slightly more competitive in the end than it was for much of the match.

Imran Tahir took similar punishment in the next over from Gayle, and by the end of the powerplay, Patriots had raced to 68 for 0.

Gayle fell in the eighth over to Sinclair for 42, mis-

the space of three balls in the 16th over to break an 88-run stand between Lewis and Bravo, bowling the latter for 34, before Fabian Allen flicked a short ball straight to Hetmyer behind square

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Brandon King c Allen b Naseem Shah 27 Chandrapaul Hemraj b Jaggesar 27 Shoaib Malik st †Da Silva b Jaggesar 6 Nicholas Pooran (c) c Lewis b Drakes 26 Shimron Hetmyer not out 45 Odean Smith b Fawad Ahmed 9 Anthony Bramble † b Naseem Shah 12 Romario Shepherd run out (Bravo) 1 Kevin Sinclair c Rutherford b Fawad Ahmed 0 Naveen-ul-Haq c Rutherford b Drakes 10 Imran Tahir not out 5 Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 5) 10 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.90) 178/9 Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Brandon King, 3.4 ov), 2-59 (Shoaib Malik, 7.2 ov), 3-88 (Nicholas Pooran, 10.2 ov), 4-95 (Chandrapaul Hemraj, 11.3 ov), 5-104 (Odean Smith, 12.6 ov), 6-129 (Anthony Bramble, 15.3 ov), 7-131 (Romario Shepherd, 15.6 ov), 8-131 (Kevin Sinclair, 16.3 ov), 9-153 (Naveen-ul-Haq, 18.6 ov)

BOWLING Sheldon Cottrell Jon-Russ Jaggesar Dominic Drakes Naseem Shah Fawad Ahmed Chris Gayle

O-M-R-W 4-0-53-0 4-0-19-2 3-0-27-2 4-0-34-2 4-0-22-2 1-0-18-0

ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS INNINGS (TARGET: 179 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Chris Gayle c Hetmyer b Sinclair 42 Evin Lewis not out 77 Dwayne Bravo (c) b Smith 34 Fabian Allen c Hetmyer b Smith 0 Sherfane Rutherford not out 11 Extras (b 4, lb 2, nb 1, w 10) 17 TOTAL(17.5 Ov, RR: 10.14) 181/3 Did not bat: Joshua Da Silva †, Dominic Drakes, Sheldon Cottrell, Naseem Shah, JonRuss Jaggesar, Fawad Ahmed Fall of wickets: 1-76 (Chris Gayle, 7.2 ov), 2-164 (Dwayne Bravo, 15.3 ov), 3-164 (Fabian Allen, 15.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Kevin Sinclair 4-0-31-1 Romario Shepherd 3-0-30-0 Odean Smith 4-0-48-2 Imran Tahir 4-0-41-0 Naveen-ul-Haq 2-0-18-0

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

England U-19 sweep series 4-1

…Bell outshines Nandu

T

he England U19 team have won the Youth ODI series against their West Indies counterparts, after narrowly edging out the visitors by

one wicket in the 5th ODI at Canterbury.

George Bell hit 60 not out off 115 balls to take England across the line after they fell to 158/9 with

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES UNDER-19S INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM) Anderson Amurdan c Rehan Ahmed b Boyden 11 Matthew Nandu c †Rew b Barnwell 51 Teddy Bishop b Boyden 8 Ackeem Auguste c Singh b Barnwell 32 Rivaldo Clarke lbw b Ibrahim 4 Giovonte Depeiza (c) not out 34 Carlon Bowen-Tuckett † b Singh 4 Johann Layne b Singh 0 Isai Thorne c Prest b Coles 0 Andel Gordon run out (Rehan Ahmed) 5 Onaje Amory b Baker 0 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 13) 17 TOTAL (41 Ov, RR: 4.04) 166 Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Anderson Amurdan, 7.1 ov), 2-44 (Teddy Bishop, 9.3 ov), 3-101 (Ackeem Auguste, 20.3 ov), 4-116 (Rivaldo Clarke, 23.1 ov), 5-119 (Matthew Nandu, 24.1 ov), 6-145 (Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, 32.4 ov), 7-145 (Johann Layne, 32.6 ov), 8-146 (Isai Thorne, 33.5 ov), 9-164 (Andel Gordon, 38.6 ov), 10-166 (Onaje Amory, 40.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Sonny Baker 7-0-34-1 Joshua Boyden 6-1-21-2 Tom Prest 2-0-16-0 Danial Ibrahim 6-0-28-1 Nathan Barnwell 6-1-25-2 James Coles 8-0-15-1 Fateh Singh 6-0-24-2

ENGLAND UNDER-19S INNINGS (TARGET: 170 RUNS FROM 43 OVERS) William Luxton b Gordon 4 Tom Prest (c) lbw b Gordon 9 James Rew † c Auguste b Layne 6 George Bell not out 60 Danial Ibrahim b Thorne 11 Rehan Ahmed run out (Clarke) 27 James Coles c Auguste b Gordon 31 Fateh Singh c Clarke b Thorne 2 9 Nathan Barnwell c †Bowen-Tuckett b Layne 0 Joshua Boyden b Layne 4 Sonny Baker not out 0 Extras (nb 1, w 15) 16 TOTAL (42 Ov, RR: 4.04) 170/9 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (William Luxton, 0.4 ov), 2-21 (Tom Prest, 4.4 ov), 3-21 (James Rew, 5.6 ov), 4-44 (Danial Ibrahim, 11.2 ov), 5-93 (Rehan Ahmed, 24.6 ov), 6-138 (James Coles, 34.2 ov), 7-141 (Fateh Singh, 35.6 ov), 8-142 (Nathan Barnwell, 36.2 ov), 9-158 (Joshua Boyden, 38.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Andel Gordon 9-0-37-3 Johann Layne 9-1-40-3 Isai Thorne 9-0-41-2 Matthew Nandu 8-2-17-0 Onaje Amory 6-0-31-0 Rivaldo Clarke 1-0-4-0

nine runs still to go.

The West Indies bowlers made early breakthroughs, it seemed as if they would have gone on to win the encounter and tip things in their favour. Some excellent bowling from Andel Gordon, with 3-37, Johann Layne, with 3-40 and Isai Thorne, with 2-41, wasn’t enough to save the youngsters. The Englishmen were too good for them.

George Bell in particular was the highlight, as he showed great resilience and

played a tactical innings that got his team in sight of victory.

Earlier, the West Indies scored 166 all out in 41 overs, with Matthew Nandu top-scoring with 51. Nandu was finally able to put some

runs under his belt. His 51 was scored in 58 balls, to the West Indies’ delight, it saved them, as once again they struggled with the bat.

Only Akeem Auguste with 32 and Giovonte Depeiza with 34 not out aided the men in maroon.

Etwaroo, Chattergoon dominate ORSCA

T

he two finalists who would be contesting this year’s Ontario Round-Arm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) 20-over final to be held on Saturday at Marvin Heights School ground in Mississauga, Toronto are the Sunshine team and the Cambridge Jaguars.

At the semi-final stage played on Sunday in Toronto, Sunshine beat arch-rivals Masters by a thrilling five-wicket margin, while Cambridge Jaguars roared to a comfortable 51run win over the Fuzions Sports Club.

Masters took first knock at the invitation of Sunshine, and set up a challenging 178-5 from the 20 overs allotted; while Sunshine, in reply, reached the target for the loss of five wickets and with three deliveries unused.

Rajkumar Budhram hit for Masters an impressive 61 that included four sixes and three fours, while the experienced Kumar Doodnauth slammed a cameo 55 that was laced with five sixes.

Former Guyana and West Indies youth player Hemnarine Chattergoon led the way with the ball, grabbing three wickets for 24 runs from his allotted four overs. Rajesh Willy claimed two for 36 from his maxi-

mum four overs.

When Sunshine batted, their opener, Canada-based Guyanese Anil Etwaroo, plundered eight sixes in his aggressive 54, while Azam Haniff and Chattergoon chipped in with 28 and 26 respectively.

Doodnauth returned with the ball to take 2-32 in his four-over outing.

And Jaguars rattled up a sufficient 158 all out off their 20 overs, while Fuzions Sports Club was left hanging on 107-9 when their 20 overs expired.

Vijay Jhappan hit a topscore of 38, while Jerry Pooran scored 34 and a useful 21 came from Shilendra Singh.

Veteran player Sanjeev Ramnarine snatched three wickets for 22 runs off four tidy overs. He was ably supported by Aafroze Aziz, who collected 2-9 off four overs as well.

In Fuzions’ time at the crease, only Syed Hamid put up a fight with 22. Singh returned with the ball to snare two wickets for 16 runs from 2.4 overs. Richie Shivrattan also picked up two wickets, but conceded 36 runs from his four overs.

Meanwhile, according to the President of ORSCA, Mitchel Bacchus, the championship game is set to begin at 1pm. He further informed that there would an exhibition game between an over50 team and an under-23 team.

The 18-year-old Kavita Sukhoo would participate in that match. Sukhoo

is the lone female cricketer who represented a club in this year’s tournament since the formation of the ORSCA ten years ago.

Bacchus also took the opportunity to announce that the association would be hosting its presentation dinner and dance on October 23 at Sagan’s Banquet Hall in Mississauga. Several high-profile chutney singers are expected to grace the occasion with their presence, including USA-based Guyanese Terry Gajraj and Omesh Singh who is currently residing in Canada.

But, alas, another batting collapse was on the cards. Bowling for England, Fateh Singh took 2-24, Nathan Barnwell took 2-25 and Joshua Boyden took 2-21.

With an unassailable 4-1 in the series, the West Indies and England will play the final match of the series at Canterbury on Friday.

Brazilian football legend Pele to be moved out of intensive care

B

razilian legend Pele is to be moved out of intensive care in the next day or two, after having surgery to remove a tumour from his colon.

The 80-year-old is being treated at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.

Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento has said in a post on Instagram that her father is “doing well”, and “is not in pain”.

The three-time World Cup winner has been having treatment at the hospital since 31 August, after the tumour was detected in routine tests.

“He is strong and stubborn, and with the support and care of the brilliant team at Einstein and all of the love, energy and light that the world is sending, he will get through this,” Kely Nascimento added.

In February 2020, Pele’s son, ex-Santos goalkeeper Edinho, said his father had become “embarrassed” to leave his house because he cannot walk unaided. His health has been a concern in recent years; he had prostate surgery in 2015 after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months, and he was admitted for a urinary infection in 2019.

Pele is Brazil’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 77, and is one of only four players to have scored in four different World Cup

tournaments.

Lionel Messi recently passed him as the leading South American men’s goal-scorer in international matches with a hat-trick in Argentina’s World Cup qualifying win against Bolivia. (BBC Sport)

CLASSIFIED ADS PROPERTY FOR SALE Enmore, Foulis, first street. Contact 692-7305 and +1 646-972-9267.

Price negotiable.

SERVICE Learn to Drive: Shalom Enterprise. Lot 2 Croal Street, Stabroek, Georgetown.

Please call: 622-8162 / 659-3381/2273869. Join us on FaceBook.

Solutions to All problems such as – Domestic, Job, Family, Childless, Stop alcohol, Relationships such as:Marriage , Love Relations. Removal of blockages, Bad luck and more. Call for Appointment – 592 696 8222.

Address: Georgetown or Vreed-enHoop.

TAXI SERVICE Elegant Cabs. 231-1494 / 226-4277, Cell #: 625-6600. 24 hrs.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

… Wiese, Deyal put St Lucia Kings into second straight CPL final Andre Fletcher celebrating the winning moment

S

t Lucia Kings h a v e booked their place in the CPL final, having knocked out defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders by 21 runs in a pulsating contest.

Mark Deyal led the charge for the Kings in a high-scoring contest. He smashed six sixes en route to a 44-ball 78 as his side amassed 205 in the first innings. Despite a shaky start, the Knight Riders never quite let the run rate get out of hand, until very late in the piece. Contributions came right through the batting order and kept them in the hunt.

It looked like a game set perfectly for Kieron Pollard to finish off, but once David Wiese - who took a five-wicket haul - got rid of him, things got out of hand, and the Kings closed out the game.

The Kings opted to bat after winning the toss, and got off to a pulsating start despite losing Cornwall for a duck and finding Fletcher out of form.

The man on the attack was Deyal, whose glorious timing and stunning ball-striking flayed the Knight Riders’

David Weise bagged 5-39 and scored 34*

bowling attack to all parts of the ground.

So complete was his dominance of the contest that by the end of the Powerplay, the Kings had rocketed to 73, with Deyal being responsible for 60 of them.

The Knight Riders came back strongly through the middle overs once Fletcher and Deyal were removed, thanks largely to another wondrously wily four-over spell from Sunil Narine, who put the brakes on the Kings immediately. While he had ball in hand, the Kings’ boundaries dried right up, and once he was done, he had allowed just 12 runs in his allotted four overs.

The last four overs, though, all hell broke loose with Wiese and Tim David

absence of the kind of role Deyal had played through the early overs, with no batter able to hang around to thread the innings together.

Sunil Narine's breezy cameo up top set up a platform, but it was notable that the Kings kept chipping away with regular wickets. By the end of the game, no one from TKR besides Narine had managed to reach 30. Four other batters fell between scores of 25 and 29, and they all succumbed playing their shots, the longevity Deyal, Wiese and David had manMark Deyal scored a aged at the crease proved the difference blistering 78 between the two sides.

Under pressure, the experienced Wiese made an equally telling contribution with ball in hand, forcing Pollard to top at the crease, as monstrous edge through to Ramdin power hitting combined just as he appeared to be with some fairly shoddy hitting his groove. He folKnight Riders’ bowling. A lowed up with another staggering 70 runs came off couple of wickets in his fithe final four overs, undoing nal over to make it a fivethe good work that had folfor, before the Kings ran lowed previously, and setthrough the Knight Riders' ting the Knight Riders an lower order to end their improbable 206 for victory. dreams of retaining the tiThe Knight Riders' retle. (ESPNcricinfo) sponse was hampered by an

SCOREBOARD ST LUCIA KINGS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Andre Fletcher (c)†c Munro b Rampaul 4 Rahkeem Cornwall c Pollard b Hosein 0 Mark Deyal c Pollard b Narine 78 Roston Chase c †Ramdin b Pierre 36 David Wiese not out 34 Tim David not out 38 Extras (lb 1, w 14) 15 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 10.25) 205/4 Did not bat: Keemo Paul, Kadeem Alleyne, Jeavor Royal, Wahab Riaz, Alzarri Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 0.4 ov), 2-74 (Andre Fletcher, 7.2 ov), 3-128 (Mark Deyal, 13.2 ov), 4-130 (Roston Chase, 14.2 ov) BOWLING O- M- R-W Akeal Hosein 4-0 -27-1 Ravi Rampaul 4-0 -56-1 Sunil Narine 4-0 -12-1 Ali Khan 3-0- 42-0 Khary Pierre 4-0- 51-1 Kieron Pollard 1-0 -16-0 TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (TARGET: 206 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Lendl Simmons c †Fletcher b Joseph 4

Sunil Narine c Alleyne b Wiese 30 Colin Munro b Wiese 28 Denesh Ramdin † c Alleyne b Wahab Riaz 29 Darren Bravo b Wahab Riaz 25 Kieron Pollard (c) c †Fletcher b Wiese 26 Tim Seifert c Chase b Wiese 10 Akeal Hosein c Alleyne b Wiese 6 Khary Pierre c Alleyne b Paul 0 Ali Khan c Deyal b Paul 4 Ravi Rampaul not out 0 Extras (lb 5, w 17) 22 TOTAL(19.3 Ov, RR: 9.43) 184 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Lendl Simmons, 0.6 ov), 2-77 (Sunil Narine, 7.2 ov), 3-80 (Colin Munro, 7.6 ov), 4-121 (Darren Bravo, 12.5 ov), 5-159 (Kieron Pollard, 15.6 ov), 6-173 (Denesh Ramdin, 17.6 ov), 7-180 (Akeal Hosein, 18.3 ov), 8-180 (Tim Seifert, 18.4 ov), 9-184 (Khary Pierre, 19.1 ov), 10-184 (Ali Khan, 19.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Alzarri Joseph 4 -0-24-1 Wahab Riaz 4-0 -36-2 Roston Chase 4-0 -31-0 David Wiese 4 -0-39-5 Jeavor Royal 1- 0-15-0 Kadeem Alleyne 1-0 -13-0 Keemo Paul 1.3-0 -21-2

Guyana Beverages Inc serves up sponsorship for table-tennis player Miguel Wong

I

n spite of the lack of sport during the Coronavirus pandemic, Guyana Beverages Inc is still throwing its support into the sporting fraternity. This time around, Junior Pan American Games qualifier Miguel Wong is on the receiving end of that company’s generosity.

Miguel Wong continues to receive the support of Corporate Guyana as he embarks on a training opportunity ahead of the first-ever Junior Pan American Games, to be staged later this year.

Guyana Beverages Inc, through its ‘Altitude Sports Drink’ brand, has joined a long list of sponsors who will be assisting the 20-year-old table tennis player in his journey to Cali, Colombia.

At a simple ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon at Wong’s Club, Titans Table Tennis, GBI’s Raymond Govinda wished the athlete the best on his travels, and shared a bit about the Altitude brand.

“He’s one of the best male competitors that we have in the country, and Guyana Beverages Inc, we have recognised the potential of this young man, and this afternoon we’re here to give him financial support as he prepares to head to the Pan Am Games in November this year,” Govinda said.

He continued, “So, Miguel, we want to wish you the best. Make Guyana

GBI’s Raymond Govinda handing over the sponsorship cheque to Miguel Wong in the presence of Events Coordinator Keston Tyrell

proud. It’s a premium brand, it’s available on the market, and we want to encourage those athletes out there who haven’t given Altitude a try, this is your chance to try Altitude. We have a good formulation that is suited to help you rehydrate quickly after those performance workouts,” the GBI Manager added about the brand.

Govinda went on to assert the Company’s wish to continuously give backing to

Guyana athletes, noting that the GBI is about action and not ‘talk’.

“As a company, Guyana Beverages, we’ve been always supportive of our young people and sports on the whole, and these are the opportunities that are needed to make more Miguels come to pass in our country.”

He went on to say, “A lot of persons, they just talk, but they don’t invest in our young people. And we’re hap-

py that we can do it. That is one of our track records, and we intend to keep it over the next few years.”

On the receiving end, Wong revealed that he is now looking at two clubs in Germany and the USA for his pre-tournament training, which he hopes to depart for in two weeks’ time.

As the 20-year-old listed the number of firsts he was able to achieve, he expressed his gratitude to the company.

The table tennis player gushed, “This is the first ever Junior Pan American Games which I’m very happy to be the first Junior Guyanese to qualify, and not only the first Junior Guyanese, the first Singles Caribbean representative from the Caribbean region.”

He added, “I’m very elated to have on board with me today Guyana Beverage Inc through the Altitude brand.

I just want to get as much

preparation in.”

The Junior Pan American Games are scheduled for November 25 to December 5, with 4 Guyanese athletes already qualified.

Swimming’s Aleka Persaud, badminton’s Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes, and table tennis’s Wong have all qualified for the games. The boxing fraternity is still awaiting word on the qualification of its youth boxers.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

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

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.