Guyana Times - Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4757

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

PRICE

Amerindian Heritage Month

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

PPP/C Govt will continue improving lives of Amerindian citizens – President Ali — says updated Amerindian Act will protect Indigenous peoples’ rights See story on page 7

Pres Ali makes 'surprise' visit to road, housing projects Page 3

— 1500 persons employed to construct 400 houses at Cummings Lodge — also inspects progress on Mandelato-Eccles road construction

Orinduik P11 partners to reconsider Jethro-1 well write-off

Venezuelan busted with shotguns in Region 1 P17 Govt committed to protecting religious, other freedoms of P8 citizens – AG

Teen fined, P8 sentenced to community service for narco-possession President Dr Irfaan Ali is being briefed on the scale of work being done on the Mandela-to-Eccles road project, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year

Campbellville man Court upholds perishes after conviction, but reduces jail time house goes for mother, stepfather up in flames Neesa Gopaul murder

Page 8

Govt aiming to train 200 CSOs in ICT by year end P11

Page 10

9 more COVID-19 deaths, 145 new cases

…ICU capacity at Infectious Diseases Hospital to be expanded – Health Minister Pg 9&16

Berbice man chopped P15 during brawl at body workshop

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, Sept 1 – 00:30h – 02:00h and 13:00h – 14:30h and Thursday, Sept 2 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 13:30h – 15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Sept 1 – 12:40h – 14:10h and Thursday, Sept 2 – 13:40h – 15:10h.

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 light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-Westerly to North NorthWesterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 11:54h reaching a maximum height of 2.03 metres.

Low Tide: 17:47h reaching a minimum height of 1.22 metre.

Pres Ali makes 'surprise' visit to road, housing projects

– 1500 persons employed to construct 400 houses at Cummings Lodge – also inspects progress on Mandela-to-Eccles road construction

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n what has become a characteristic of his style of presidency, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday made an unexpected visit to various road and housing constructions designed to ensure taxpayers are getting value for their money.

Accompanied by a team of technical persons from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the President inspected ongoing housing and road projects in Georgetown and on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

His first stop was in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, where 400 elevated houses are being constructed. The project has set itself an ambitious target of constructing some 200

Cummings Lodge. He had said that the Government’s housing programme will create tens of thousands of jobs in the construction and home improvement sectors.

Moreover, the construction sector will be key to driving growth in Guyana’s non-oil sectors.

In April, the Government had announced that it is in the process of constructing 190 elevated two-bedroom houses in the Cummings Lodge community for the working class – a project that is slated for completion within five months.

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$72.99/barrel

-0.58

Rough Rice

$240.12 /ton $487.40/ton

-0.37 0

London Sugar

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USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1811.70

$1812.70

Low/High Change

$1801.20 -2.40

$1820.30 -0.13%

President Irfaan Ali takes a walk through one of the houses being constructed

The President at the ongoing road construction

homes by the end of October 2021 and has attracted the interest of some 8000 Guyanese thus far.

While on site, President Ali was informed that 13 contractors, employing more than 1500 skilled and semiskilled persons, were carrying out the project. During the visit, the President inspected the homes and interacted with some of the contractors on the ground.

The national housing development plan for 2021 includes the construction of 1000 homes for low-income earners in areas such as Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Providence, Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Onderneeming, Wales, Ordinance, Fortlands, Hampshire, Williamsburg and Amelia’s Ward. Another 100 is set aside for the hinterland communities.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is mobilising to distribute a total of 10,000 house lots to Guyanese in 2021, in keeping with their manifesto promise to deliver 50,000 lots within their first term in office.

Back in November 2020, President Ali had announced that land clearing works started for new housing schemes at Mon Repos and

TURN TO PAGE 7

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 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

Amerindian growth

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mmediately after taking office last year, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai conducted a brief review of the work done by the then Indigenous Peoples’ Ministry over the five years of APNU/AFC rule as it relates to land titling and other development-related issues for Indigenous Peoples.

What was found was not surprising when compared to the other sectors of development under the then APNU/AFC administration. Like in other sectors, there was no real effort being made to embark on projects which would have resulted in seeing real development in communities.

For example, based on media reports at the time, the Minister discovered that the designated unit that was supposed to fast-track the Amerindian land titling project produced little to no results, while exhausting large sums of money. As a result, communities are still waiting for these titles to be issued.

In essence, there is little outcome to show for the work done within the last five years in relation to the land titling issue. It was reported that, for almost one year, the project had been put on pause, as the Amerindian Land Titling Board did not facilitate any meetings to discuss or move forward with their plans.

The new Government had to return to the process and bring the project back on track, as Amerindians have been waiting for years to have their lands demarcated and titled. The Amerindian Land Titling process was facilitated by the Amerindian Act of 2006, which catered for land titling and extensions. This led to the establishment of the Amerindian Land Titling Project, which commenced in 2013 and was scheduled to end in 2016. This was a US$10.7 million project.

It is clear that there was an absence of a proper vision by the previous Coalition Government as it relates to Amerindian development. Prior to 2015, there were several crucial, development-related projects which were started under the PPP/C Government which were either put on hold or disbanded altogether.

In addition to land titling and demarcation, there were quite a few other initiatives aimed at improving and reviving village economies, improving healthcare delivery, improving access to education, providing electricity through the distribution of solar panels etc.

For example, the National Secure Livelihood Programme which was carried out in collaboration with Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) International was a fine example of how the Government and NGOs can collaborate in ensuring improvements in the living standards of Amerindians.

This project was aimed at addressing the challenges of economic development in Amerindian villages and hinterland communities. The initiative was not only meant to expand production of the locally-grown produce, but also processing of value-added products.

Additionally, there was the Presidential Grant Initiative, which was a monetary award allocated to Amerindian communities to help them establish income- generating projects to advance their growth and development.

It is quite unfortunate that the then Coalition Government did not see it fit to continue some of these projects, even though they were proven to be successful, and funding was allocated to see their completion. Fortunately, these were restored by the Irfaan Ali-lead administration after taking office in August 2020.

There is certainly need for more collaboration between the Government and other development agencies to support and fund similar community development projects, which would see Amerindians enjoying a better quality of life. Poverty in these areas could only be tackled if persons are empowered to change their situations.

Also, the relevant Ministries, such as Amerindian Affairs and Labour, along with the responsible NGOs, must step up their efforts to ensure that Amerindians are not exploited in any way. Over the years, there have been several complaints that these persons are being forced to work in terrible conditions, sometimes even being abused by their employers.

The Indigenous Peoples Commission (IPC) also has a role to play in seeing the development of Amerindian communities.

This constitutional body was created to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous People, raise awareness of their contributions and the problems they face, and make recommendations on economic and educational policies to further their interests.

Happy Amerindian Heritage Month.

Staff members check body temperatures of students on the first day of school reopening in Jakarta, Indonesia (VOA)

China and Africa relations should not be viewed in silos

By Shelly Ann Murphy

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was happy to watch a snippet of an interview that has recently gone viral with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley that was done with the British Broadcasting Corporation ( BBC), perfectly contextualising the relationship with China and the developing world.

It was Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a pioneer of pan-Africanism, who noted in the immediate aftermath of independence that colonialism had merely been replaced by a new form of imperialism — neocolonialism. He argued that, “The essence of neocolonialism is that the State which is subject to it is, in theory, independent, and has all the trappings of international sovereignty. In reality its economic system and, thus, its political system is directed from outside.”

Nkrumah also explained the different manifestations of neocolonialism, of which the most extreme is a garrison of troops on the ground.

However, control is often executed through economic or monetary means. He explains: “The neocolonial State may be obliged to take the manufactured products of the imperialist power to the exclusion of competing products from elsewhere.”

There have been many articles published during the last decade which have focused on the relationship that China has, specifically, with countries in Africa.

Some have dubbed this relationship a new form of colonisation. This claim isn’t new, and has been around for quite a few years, but to simply brandish the relationship between China and Africa, or between any other countries in the Global South, as one of coloniser and colonised is simplistic and has stripped African nations of their agency.

I agree that the relationship between China and African countries is at times

problematic; however, we shouldn’t be too quick to label China as a colonial power, as to do so would dismiss the sum experiences of those who were once enslaved. It also reduces African States to mere spectators with an inability to shape their own destiny.

African States as active agents The idea that Africans are passive actors who have little or no say regarding China’s actions on the continent could not be any further from the truth. This sort of narrative, that of painting China as a neocolonial/colonial power, has the added risk of depicting African governments as victims who lack any agency.

In reality, Africans are hardly victims of Chinese dominance, and many African governments, on the contrary, acted, and continue to act, strategically towards realising their own self-interest, thus playing a decisive role in how China engages with them.

Much of what defines their relationship with China is driven by African governments, who are increasingly taking a more active role than we are led to believe.

They are aware of China’s need for resources, they are aware of its business practices, and they have chosen to enter a relationship which they believe will benefit their countries.

Besides, it could be argued that China’s increasing dependence on Africa’s resources means that African governments have increasing leverage and a hand in the bargaining process.

Importantly, African leaders do have a say in how their countries are governed and the type of investments that are made in specific industries. As a result of this agency, African governments should be held accountable for any opaque deals and should not be labelled as victims or pawns in their bilateral relationship with China.

Debt on the continent We have heard and read of a debt trap on the continent, viewed mostly through Western lenses.

Former African Union chairman, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has dismissed claims of China setting debt traps on the continent and has, instead, labelled the relationship between China and Africa as one that is deeply transformational.

Interestingly, according to Jubilee Debt Campaign, as of 2018, 35 per cent of debt in Africa is owed to multilateral lenders, while 32 per cent to private lenders, and just 20 per cent is owed to China.

Like Prime Minister Mia Mottley we should dismiss the lazy, stereotypical views of those held by many who are not attuned to what is happening on the continent, or even remotely in the Global South.

There is a need for loans in order to build infrastructure, fund other developmental needs, invest in education, and help the continent compete in this increasingly digital age. Who should they turn to? Loans have long dried up since the last global recession.

Infrastructural development Countries within Africa need infrastructural development. For this to occur they also need funding. The financial crisis that lasted from 2007-2009 restricted the capacity of the United States of America and European countries to make huge investments in the Global South.

Conversely, this was not the case for China.

During this period, China’s outward investments in Africa continued to rise. Additionally, China provides a no-strings approach, which is an admission of not knowing what African development requires and, therefore, countries are given the liberty to deal with their own problems their own way.

This approach is in contrast to preconditions that are synonymous with Western aid

and loans from international financial institutions. China is therefore seen by African governments as supporting their initiatives to address those developmental issues that they deem fit.

China attempts to engage Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific on terms that are mutually beneficial to all parties, while the West presumes and dictates policy and fiscal prescriptions, which have, in many cases, led to disastrous consequences.

Chinese businesses in Africa haven’t always acted ethically, but this is no secret to African leaders, who are also aware of the trade imbalances, and steps are being taken to correct such issues.

There have also been reports of unsustainable business practices by Chinese businesses operating in Africa; however, in those countries where there are strict laws and regulations they do comply, such as Botswana, Rwanda, and South Africa.

Discipline What is needed is a shift in focus to escape the recurrent theme of colonialism and victimhood. African countries should put Africa first. That is what Beijing and many other countries are now doing, and this pandemic has further exacerbated this type of nationalistic behaviour.

While there appears to be significant similarities between China’s sourcing of natural resources from Africa and the operations of earlier global powers, it does not, in any significant way, undermine or discount the existence of numerous key differences that give Beijing’s activities in Africa a different character from that of colonialism. What prevails between China and Africa at present is much more complex, distinct from that which has been characterised under the traditional relationship between coloniser and colonised. (Jamaica Observer) Shelly Ann Murphy is an international trade and investment policy expert.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

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

Representation We cannot let our Indigenous culture die reminder Dear Editor, Today we commence celebrations with the Akawaios, Arecunas, Arawaks, Caribs, Patamonas, Wai-Wais, Waraos and Wapishanas… all of you who form a valuable part of the rich heritage of our homeland. Your cultures are complex and diverse. The Indigenous cultures of Guyana are the oldest living cultural history in Guyana, they go back at least from the 1800s.

Indigenous communities keep their cultural heritage alive by passing their knowledge, arts, ceremonies and performances from one generation to another; speaking and teaching languages, protecting cultural materials, sacred and significant sites and objects. For Indigenous Guyanese, the land is the core of all spirituality, and this relationship and the spirit of ‘country’ are central to the issues that are important to Indigenous people today.

The Indigenous peoples hold a rich diversity of living heritage, including practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that continue to be relevant and provide meaning in everyday life.

The practise and transmission of this heritage contribute to the ongoing vitality, strength and wellbeing of communities.

The protection of Amerindian rights, the preservation of their culture and their political, economic and social empowerment will always be central pillars of the PPP/ Civic Government’s policies. This Government will ensure that Amerindians are not left behind in the transformative developments which will sweep our country into a modern future over the next few years. Indigenous people, like every other ethnic group that makes up our diverse society, are guaranteed equitable benefits from national development under the PPP/C Administration.

The theme this year: “Maintaining Our Traditional Integrity, Celebrating our Cultural Identity”, is fitting in the context of the challenges presently facing our country. This theme emphasises the key role which cultural assets, including Indigenous knowledge, traditions and customs and lifestyles, can play in ensuring a safe environment as members of the marginalised Indigenous

groups voice their desire to revitalise their culture and let others know about their history, heritage and customs.

“We cannot let our Indigenous culture die.”

Our Government will work hand-in-hand with all the Indigenous groups to revitalise their culture through development. Their hard work is evident in the various communities, where local partners bring many initiatives to life with comprehensive skill-building, empowerment, and entrepreneurship projects.

The ultimate goal is to generate greater economic opportunities by equipping the Indigenous Peoples with the necessary skills to develop and market their own products, and building a narrative around their story, traditions and products. They are trying in every way to gain skills in English language, customer service, business administration and marketing.

They showcase their progress towards bringing their artisanal products, cuisine and cultural traditions to life, including facilitating sessions to identify commonalities - parts of their identities that link them to one another.

Finding meaning and shared identity in the word “Indigenous” simply translates to ‘Native’, the Indigenous represents the power to revitalise a rich human identity and build bridges between humans of different walks of life.

We commemorate Amerindian Heritage Month 2021 in unusual circumstances. While the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to temper our country and this year’s observances, we will not allow COVID-19 to cripple our ability to honour and celebrate with our Amerindian brothers and sisters.

As we confront the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, traditional practices will form part of the arsenal of measures intended to stem the spread of the virus.

However, it is imperative that we follow all necessary guidelines and protect ourselves. While there are many threats still to be tackled in our villages, as in many other parts of Guyana, the foremost threat at present is that posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, our Government remains resolute in ensuring the safety of Indigenous communities and every other communi-

ty.

It is sad to say that, during five years of the APNU-AFC coalition, there was an unfortunate regression in Indigenous people’s development, which has been immediately reversed by the PPP/C Government, unlocking a new era of rapid transformation for the hinterland communities, and our Indigenous Economic and social empowerment is now non-political and non-negotiable.

There has been a greater participation by villages in Government projects, and increased representation of Amerindians on Government Boards; The Amerindian Act will be revised and strengthened in consultation with local leaders, to reflect your evolving needs; Food production will be expanded, and food processing will be increased to bolster hinterland food security; Skills training relevant to the oil and gas sector will include Amerindians, and business facilitation mechanisms will be enacted to allow Indigenous communities to tap into the opportunities created by the local content policy; Our Indigenous peoples can look forward to improvements in social services, health services with many upgraded and better equipped to provide enhanced and more accessible health care across the hinterlands.

Our Indigenous children can look forward to a higher quality education, including through the use of Information C o m m u n i c a t i o n Technologies (ICT), the provision of more and better-trained teachers, and the award of scholarships.

The hinterland water infrastructure and the electrification programme will be expanded through

the use of alternative energy technologies such as Solar and Hydro power.

Our PPP/C Government knows that land is central to Indigenous Peoples’ development. That is why PPP/C Administrations made Amerindian Land Demarcation and Titling an absolute priority. The PPP/Civic Government wanted to ensure that Indigenous peoples are not deprived of their rights to the lands which they occupy, utilise, and to which they are entitled.

You will remember all the benefits for your empowerment, which were so heartlessly snatched away, are once more restored: The Community Development Plans (CDPs) were reintroduced to ensure that our Indigenous People are able to have the sustainable livelihoods that you all desire.

Our Government has rehired those 2,000 Community Service Officers (CSOs) who were dismissed by the Coalition Government. Today you, the Indigenous People, have a Government that honours your heritage and sacrifices, and will do everything in its power to help you realise your dreams and aspirations.

The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions of native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes; to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges native people have faced; and to know the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

Sincerely, David Adams

Dear Editor, Ordinary men with extraordinary aspirations vie for leadership posts due to a plethora of reasons, but at the apex of it all, representation situates itself.

Political representation requires that all and sundry assuming positions determined by an electoral process ensure that their respective constituents are catered to, and professionally so.

Being strategic, mature and focused are imperative characteristics of an elected official, but it appears that this memo was not distributed to a particular camp. A vast percentage of the Guyanese population continue to be shortchanged by not receiving the representation they had cast their ballots for.

Instead, this representation has taken the form of these extraordinary politicians somehow finding not only the time, but the gall to mock the Head of State for his modesty, which caused him to wear the same orange shirt on his back a few days in close succession.

Clearly, being tone deaf knows no bounds. Further, a newly minted M.P. found it appropriate to claim the development of a recently

constructed Police station ought not be celebrated by the current Government, given that it ‘belongs’, according to him, to the recently ousted predecessor.

The list of this version of representation, or more so the lack there of, can be further exhausted, but I believe I speak for the entire population when I assert that better must come, and quickly at that.

The current political Opposition continues to put on display for the entire country that they are barely even qualified as a unit to oppose the current administration, as they are busy doing just that quite destructively within their own ranks.

The Irfaan Ali-led PPP Government displays daily that they are most equipped to pave a prosperous path that is representative of the collective dreams of Guyanese. The leadership on the other side of the assembly would do well to quickly regroup and embark on a vigorous civic engagement effort in order to represent as is required. Any success they may salvage depends on it.

Sincerely, Kadeem Gordon Youth Activist

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

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Foundation

By Jackie Currie Today we’re creating a miniature Zen garden for children to enjoy as a calming form of sensory play.

A traditional zen garden is commonly known as a Japanese garden or rock garden. It is a man-made, miniature landscape designed to represent the essence of nature. It’s generally composed of rocks, shrubs, moss, small trees and water features. The landscape is set in a base of sand or gravel which is raked to imitate ripples on water. The true purpose of a zen garden is to serve as a gazing point while meditating. The purpose of our tiny zen garden is to provide children with a small world that encourages the exploration of a variety of natural materials through relaxing, quiet play.

Instructions

Assembling our zen garden: We began by pouring our white beach sand into a small wooden tray.

The children spent several minutes exploring the soft fine sand, running their hands through

it and sifting the tiny grains with their fingers.

Then we used craft sticks to smooth the sand into an even layer, and we began arranging our natural elements. Older children can arrange their elements in distinct groupings, but younger children can create designs and patterns with their pieces.

Here, we were experimenting with patterning.

The children can make tracks in the sand with their fingers and they can trace paths around the shells and stones with their twigs.

Playing with items from nature can be so soothing. The neutral colours of the stones, shells and bark are easy on the eye, and the sound of the polished rocks and shells clicking together are so relaxing.

Our miniature zen garden isn’t just for kids. I’ve left mine displayed on a table in the sitting area of our deck for my teenagers and husband and I to dabble with. It’s a wonderfully therapeutic activity that ages can enjoy.(cba.ca)

To create our zen garden, you’ll need:

shallow tray sand polished rocks seashells small pieces of tree bark (found on the ground, never removed from a living tree) small twigs (which can serve as rakes) craft sticks (for smoothing the sand)

Do you have an adventure-scape near you?

Is the creek/canal/trench/drain in your park or backyard just a creek or have you given it your own name like “River of Delight and Doom?” Is that a swing or do you call it a Sonic Rocket? Introduce us to an imaginary world from your backyard or another familiar place by creating a story about it.

By William Butler Yeats I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

(Source: The Collected Poems of W. B. Yeats (1989)

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Amerindian Heritage Month

PPP/C Govt will continue improving lives of Amerindian citizens – President Ali – says updated Amerindian Act will protect Indigenous peoples’ rights

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday stated that his Administration is wholeheartedly committed to improving the lives of the Amerindian citizens over the next five years and beyond.

He noted that the Government will build on its past record of promoting and supporting Amerindian rights and development.

In his message to Guyana’s first peoples on the occasion of Amerindian Heritage Month 2021, the

Head of State explained that the dedication of the month is in accordance with the well-deserved recognition and honour which is due to Amerindians and their contributions to Guyana’s development.

“As I noted in my address to the 12th Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, our Indigenous peoples have been here longer than any other group and occupy a special place as our first people. They too have suffered injustices at

the hands of our former colonial masters; they also have suffered dispossession and decimation,” the President stated in his message.

Further, he stated that an updated Amerindian Act will become the principal legal instrument for the protection of Indigenous peoples’ rights, including guarantees of their entitlement to their lands and rights over those lands.

The updated “Act” will entrench provisions that will promote greater Amerindian

Pres Ali makes 'surprise'...

Meanwhile, the President also made a stop on Tuesday in Providence, EBD, where a current public-private partnership is facilitating the construction of 200 flat houses. Of these houses, 80 are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Additionally, 55 two-storey homes are also being constructed.

Roads

Road projects were not spared, as the President and his technical team made their second stop of the afternoon at the road link that is currently being constructed from Mandela Avenue to Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

The Eccles to Mandela road project, which has seen six contractors work on completing the important road link under the auspices of the Housing and Water Ministry, is slated for completion and opening by this

year end.

The road link is expected to be the second phase of the overall Ogle-Diamond bypass road, after the Diamond to Eccles link. The bypass project will see a total of 26 kilometres of road constructed, linking two of the country’s main thoroughfares.

This new road link will also be connected to key communities in Georgetown and along the East Bank of Demerara. These include Diamond, Mocha and Eccles – all on the East Bank – and Aubrey Barker Road in Georgetown. These connections will prove crucial in diverting traffic.

On his last stop, the President visited the road project linking Eccles and Diamond. During the visit, he inspected the work being done on both ends of the road. When completed, the road linking Mandela Avenue to Diamond is expected to significantly re-

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duce travel time from the East Bank to the capital city and vice versa.

These projects are all part of the India-funded Bypass Road Project which would link the East Bank Demerara corridor to the East Coast of Demerara, creating a new highway in the backlands. The Indian Government had provided a US$50 million Line of Credit (LOC) for the road link that was initially slated for Ogle, ECD, to Diamond. Under the previous Government, the project was at a standstill for several years.

The Ali-led Administration has since redesigned the project into three phases to fit the LOC. It will now run from Ogle to Haags Bosch at Eccles in the first phase, then from Eccles to Diamond, and finally from Diamond to Timehri to connect to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

President Irfaan Ali

inclusion in decision-making and greater integration in national development.

It will outline an enhanced role for Amerindians in the management of their communities and control over their resources, including measures aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development.

As promised, President Ali stated that his Government has begun to adopt measures to improve access to the delivery of education, health services, housing, and infrastructure within Amerindian communities.

“Through the injection of resources into the Amerindian Development Fund, we are also stimu-

lating economic projects in Amerindian villages, thereby generating jobs and providing incomes.”

“Transportation and connectivity are being enhanced.

We have been providing resources for improving roads, bridges and airfields in the hinterland. We have also removed VAT on the cost of hinterland travel to make such travel more affordable. Access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) is also being increased across our Indigenous communities through the creation of hubs for learning, work and leisure.”

He added that the lives of Amerindians are being made better, noting that since the PPP/C assumed office, it has brought relief to the Amerindian peoples while making reference to Government’s $25,000 household grant, the education/school grant, and the resuscitation of the Community Support Officers scheme.

“Hinterland education is being boosted. Schools are being built and renovated.

ICT will become a driver of improved hinterland education, and more hinterland students will benefit from scholarships.

Amerindians can look forward to continued investments by the Government in hinterland electricity through an expanded re-

newable energy programme for indigenous villages.”

The President posited that Amerindian culture is an integral part of the rich multicultural tapestry of our nation and as such, they will continue to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Guyana’s Amerindian peoples, including their languages, religious and other beliefs, values, traditions, food, art, craft, symbols, dances, music and dances.

Indigenous culture will be treasured, safeguarded from erasure or debasement.

“As we celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month this year, let us do so in the knowledge that despite the present challenges posed by floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, our Amerindians can be assured that their future is secure. They can look forward to ever-improving standards of living and greater opportunities because of the support and recognition which my Government is paying to Amerindian rights and development,” President Ali added.

Meanwhile, he wished every success to the moderated events which will be hosted this year to celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month as we celebrate their rich cultural legacy and contributions to Guyana’s development.

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Govt committed to protecting religious, other freedoms of citizens – AG

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he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is committed to working to protect the freedoms citizens enjoy, whether religious or any other enshrined in the Constitution.

This is according to Attorney General Anil Nandlall during an event hosted by the Hare Krishna Study Centre, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Sunday.

According to Nandlall, freedom is essential to the functioning of a society and must be safeguarded - particularly after the events that followed the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

“In Guyana we have religious freedom, guaranteed by our Constitution, as a fundamental right. And we must not take that freedom for granted. Some speakers before me made reference to what is taking place in other parts of the world, where wars are still being fought, people are still dying, for the right to worship.

To exercise one’s religious beliefs. We have that in Guyana and we must cherish that.”

“When one right is threatened, the rights of all are

Attorney General Anil Nandlall addressing the gathering on Sunday

threatened. And we just came out of a very important period in our history, where our rights were being threatened.

Fortunately, we were able to prevail. When those things happen, you’re fight for a cause. For freedom. For God. For religion. They’re all entwined. They’re all related.”

According to the AG, it is a slippery slope when one freedom is taken away, because the other freedoms usually follow. Speaking on behalf of his Government, Nandlall emphasised that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will do its utmost to safeguard those precious freedoms.

“Speaking on behalf of the

Government, our Government will continue to ensure that freedom predominates in this country. Religious freedom and all freedoms. And we will continue to work to ensure that there is national unity and at the same time diversity. Because it is these differences that come together to make us uniquely Guyanese.

And we will continue to work to ensure those objectives,” he said.

The Hare Krishna organised event was to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

The late Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

(ISKCON) commonly known as the Hare Krishna Movement.

During that event President Dr Irfaan Ali, who delivered the main address had also spoken about freedoms. According to the President, it is important for all to subscribe to the tenets of freedom, and fundamental rights.

Similarly, the President added that the same efforts that Guyanese use to preserve their spiritual beliefs should be used to enhance the unification of the country. He noted that Guyanese must understand that society is governed by certain principles and values, and as such, they need to commit to ensuring that these are never broken.

Also attending Sunday’s celebration were former President Donald Ramotar; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy and the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, among other officials.

Neesa Gopaul murder

Court upholds conviction, but reduces jail time for mother, stepfather

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he Appeal Court on Tuesday upheld the conviction of Bibi Shareema Gopaul and Jarvis “Barry” Small but reduced their sentences for the October 2, 2010 murder of 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul.

They had been initially sentenced to a combined total of 202 years in prison for the murder of the teen, having been found guilty at the Georgetown High Court in March 2015 by Justice Navindra Singh.

Gopaul was sentenced to 106 years in prison while her reputed husband Small was handed a 96-year prison sentence. Shortly after the verdict, the two killers had expressed dissatisfaction claiming that they were not given a fair trial.

They had accused the Judge of taking a political side and admitting prejudicial evidence for the jury’s consideration.

The appeal was heard by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette

Neesa Gopaul (left) was murdered by her mother, Bibi Gopaul (centre) and the latter’s reputed husband Jarvis “Barry” Small (right)

Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

In delivering the ruling, the acting Chancellor resentenced the duo to 45 years each.

Small was represented

by Attorney Nigel Hughes while Gopaul was represented by Attorney Arud Gossai.

The State was represented

by Deputy Director of Public

Prosecutions (DPP), Diana O’Brien.

The decomposed and headless remains of the younger Gopaul, a former student of Queen’s College, was found stuffed in a suitcase in a creek along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Also discovered were a passport and a bank card that bore her name.

The suitcase was wrapped

with rope and attached to dumbbells in an apparent effort to keep the young woman’s body submerged.

The former QC student was found weeks after she was reported missing from her Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home.

Her cause of death was given as multiple blunt force trauma to the head.

Teen fined, sentenced to community service for narco-possession – minibus driver granted bail on similar charge

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ighteen-year-old Cyril Miguel of St Ignatius Village, Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), was on Tuesday fined 15,000 and sentenced to three weeks’ community service on a possession of

narcotics charge.

He appeared before Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court where he pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on August 20, 2021, he had in his possession two grams of cannabis.

As such, he was fined and sentenced to community service which is to be supervised by the officer-in-charge of Lethem Police Station.

Meanwhile, Roger Garraway, 53, a minibus driver of Lethem was granted bail in the sum of 100,000 by

Magistrate Wilson for having 700 grams of cannabis in his possession. He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.

He is expected to return to court on September 17, 2021.

Revisionism...

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…and Burnham’s history ow, “revising” history can’t always be a bad thing, right? Maybe the historian didn’t have access to all the facts? So a revision is just correction, no?? But that’s “revising”, not “revisionism” - which is a horse of a whole other colour. And coming out of the interminable arguments about what Marx meant - even when the fella was alive - with each side denouncing the other as “revisionists!!” It was the worst insult possible!!

Remember Burnham and Jagan arguing who was the “real Marxist”? Marx himself, upon hearing one (French) interpretation of what he was supposed to’ve meant, responded, “Guess I’m not a Marxist!”

Now, folks MAY get away with revisionist history when they’re merely INTERPRETING events - but they can’t just throw facts out the window. Even in this “post truth” era of revisionism, we still have “fact checking”!!

These thoughts flashed through your Eyewitness’s mind as he listened to one revisionist rant about how racist and dictatorial the PPP has been to African Guyanese from the moment they appeared on the scene.

As apposed, the WPA fella insisted, to Burnham and the PNC to Indian Guyanese during the time he ruled illegally by rigging the elections. Never mind he thus denied them their fundamental right to choose their Government! Maybe that was “good”, because - as was explained recently by a young PNC leader - PPP followers - read Indian Guyanese - are “intellectually lazy”, and thus Burnham was doing them a favour by voting for them!!

Luckily, some FACTS on some other revisionisms had been published last Sunday by Ravi Dev in this newspaper, which your Eyewitness will now use!

Burnham, the fella insisted, was also a mensch to Indian Guyanese, because he worked for “the good of rice and sugar, where Indian Guyanese dominate!! So, the levy he imposed when sugar prices went through the roof - and which scooped up the “profit sharing” that would’ve made each sugar worker a millionaire - was for the Indian Guyanese good?? Well, they wouldn’t have known how to spend all that money, having gotten used to living in poverty, right?!! Ditto when Burnham mandated all rice farmers HAD to sell their paddy for next to nothing to the Government! Burnham, after all, hired his own supporters to run the new rice mills; exported the rice at a huge profit, so he could pay the Disciplined Forces he’d increased by 10 TIMES! The rice farmers, like the sugar workers, were just being kept at the subsistence level they’d gotten used to.

Why have them worry about money and such problems? Wasn’t it easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven?

“Revisionized” Burnham was all heart to Indian Guyanese!! …on Buxton Bandits The way the revisionists are carrying on, you’d never think “the troubles” - as David Granger dubbed the killing fields between 1998 and 2008 - had anything even remotely connected to “African Freedom Fighters” launching a frontal attack on the state!! Nah!! It was the dictatorial and nasty PPP who, without any rhyme or reason, sent out Phantom Squads along with members of the Disciplined Forces to kill young African Guyanese men.

So what about poor Mr Eusi Kwayana and the late Andaiye, who denounced the gunmen’s attacks on Indian Guyanese on behalf of African Guyanese in a letter captioned, “Not in my name”?? No mention in this revisionist account!! And what about Mr Kwayana being forced to flee the village - and eventually the country - in his old age by the gunmen and their handlers, whom Mr Kwayana mocked sarcastically as “political sophisticates”?

Revised out of history!!

And that’s the problem with revisionism. Once you start playing fast and loose with facts, you distort even your own history!! …and a future peace The problem with these revisionists using an exaggerated caricature of “their story” is they alienate those who may be neutral, or even inclined to the PPP. Do they think they can return to power all by their lonesome?

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

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

9 more COVID-19 deaths, 145 new cases GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD AUGUST 31 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

145

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

99

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

1776

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

33

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

6

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

13,190

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

12,358

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

25,548

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

23,018

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

313,469

FULLY IMMUNISED

161,022

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

622

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1361

REGION 2

791

REGION 3

3050

REGION 4

11,826

REGION 5

836

REGION 6

2068

REGION 7

1353

REGION 8

399

REGION 9

2247

REGION 10

1617

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

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he month of August has ended with 76 COVID-19 deaths, after an alarming nine more fatalities were announced by the Health Ministry on Tuesday.

Among the deaths are two persons from Region Four – a 91-year-old female and 58-year-old male – who succumbed on August 29.

On August 30, three males: an 82-year-old and 88-year-old from Region Four; and a 42-year-old from Region Two also died. Those who died on August 31 were a 71-year-old female from Region Four, a 56-year-old male from Region Two, a 73-year-old male from Region Four and a 66-year-old female from Region Three.

This takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 622. The Ministry said these patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care at the various medical institutions.

Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive.

With the death toll rising, the total confirmed cases also increased to 25,548 after 145 persons tested positive. There are 33 persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 99 in institutional isolation, 1776 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine.

New cases

A breakdown of positives showed three new cases in Region One (BarimaWaini); nine in Region Two

(Pomeroon-Supenaam); 20 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 90 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); six in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 13 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); one in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Cases in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) did not increase.

With the presence of even deadlier variants, Guyanese have been cautioned to take the COVID-19 measures and guidelines seriously, since an infected person can result in a wider spread.

“We are in a Delta surge.

We’re going to see more cases. Unfortunately, more hospitalisations and more deaths…I really want to urge people to take precautions; those public health measures, masking, sanitising, social distancing. Now

more than ever, we need to take them because the Delta variant is more contagious than all previous variants that we have seen so you can get infected. If you get infected and you’re not adhering to the rules of staying home, staying isolated, you’re going to infect other persons,” said Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday.

He further added that responsible action from the public can prevent infections from rising and if they are vaccinated, this will prevent hospitalisation.

“The other thing that people need to note is that if you’re vaccinated, while you might get infected, more than likely you will not be hospitalised or face the more severe form of the infection.

It is important that people get vaccinated.”

In Guyana, 313,469 persons or 61.1 per cent of the adult population has taken the vaccine, but the uptake

of second doses has been less. This figure stands at 161,022.

“We have a lot of people who took the vaccine. Some of them got the first dose but we’ve seen a low conversion from first to second dose…While we do have a shortage of the Sputnik V second dose, there are lots of people who have taken the AstraZeneca vaccine

that can come back and get their second dose within four weeks to 12 weeks,” the Minister urged.

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

gy

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

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Campbellville man perishes after house goes up in flames

Dead: Angold Thompson

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he former General Manager of the Guyana National Printers Limited perished in the wee hours of Tuesday when he was trapped in his Campbellville, Georgetown home after fire had engulfed the building.

The dead man has been identified as 76-year-old Angold Thompson of Lot 73 John Street and Stone Avenue, Campbellville. The fire reportedly started at about 02:00h in one of the bedrooms of the two-storey

The aftermath of the deadly fire

The firemen putting out the blaze on Monday evening

wooden and concrete building.

After the fire was spotted, an alarm was raised, thus Thompson managed to get his wife and other family members out of the burning building.

However, he reportedly ran back into the burning

house with the intention of collecting some personal belongings but instead, he became trapped.

His charred remains were subsequently found by firefighters after extinguishing the blaze.

Jumanne Thompson said that her son woke her

up after he heard a strange sound. As they checked, they realised that the wall in the middle room was on fire.

She stated that they attempted to put out the blaze but it spread rapidly. The woman related that they used a window to evacuate the house.

She nevertheless added that her father and mother were the last to leave the house but he suddenly

turned back and went into the inferno. An investigation has been launched into the deadly fire.

In the latter part of July, 83-year-old Norma Semple of Block 22 Wismar, Linden, died after a fire of unknown origin engulfed her home.

It was reported that on July 26 between 02:15h and 02:50h, neighbours heard a loud noise and continuous cracking sound and as

they went to check, they saw Semple’s house engulfed in flames.

An alarm was raised and others in the neighbourhood reportedly went to the woman’s rescue but it was too late. The heat was too intense and as such, the woman was trapped in the burning building.

Her charred remains were later found among the debris.

Over 1000 receive free spectacles during Govt eye care outreach

A lad testing his eyes during one of the outreaches

O

ver 1000 citizens throughout the ten administrative regions of Guyana have benefitted from the Human Services Ministry’s spectacles programme.

The new initiative is said to be complementing the Ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit from which persons are already benefitting from reduced payment for their spectacles, and in some cases receiving a new spectacle free of charge.

“With the community outreaches …you get to help so many more than the few that would come to the Ministry because we are actually taking the spectacles to them in their communities,” Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud noted.

“When an elderly person tells me that they are seeing clearly for the first time, or people say they have never been able to afford spectacles and it prevents them from functioning optimally and now they can actually participate more fulsomely - it really warms my heart and the entire team feels very humbled to be able to provide this service. I am looking at expansion of this in the future,” Persaud expressed.

Meanwhile, during the outreach, it was found that persons who benefit from services of the Ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) were mainly from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud and a young lady who benefited from the programme

Minister Persaud stated that the services will be accessible to more people during the countrywide outreach of the spectacles programme. The first roll out was done in February last at Albion.

The Ministry had partnered with several eye care entities namely including Revision Optical, Miracle Care Vision, Courts Optical, Modern Optical, Optical Works, Miracle Optical, Mings Optical and Optique Vision Care in administering free eye testing and spectacles to persons that are in dire need.

In turn, the eye care entities that are onboard of the initiative are said to be charging the Ministry a fixed price for a pair of spectacles

regardless of how much more valuable the actual cost of the spectacles are.

The programme has since been taken to all the regions except Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) which will be covered in September.

By taking the Ministry’s services to the people, residents were able to benefit from the Ministry’s spectacles programme of free eye tests, get their questions about the COVID-19 vaccine answered, sign up for several programmes, and iron out issues that have impacted their access to services.

Training was also done with the local Boards of Guardians during which members were trained on public assistance programmes and how cases should be handled.

NEWS

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Orinduik partners to reconsider Jethro-1 well write-off …Eco says eager to unveil schedule for further drilling in Canje

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ethro-1, the well in the Orinduik Block that was found to not have commercially viable oil back in 2019, may get another lease on life after Canadian oil company Eco Atlantic announced in its SEDAR filings that they would be revisiting the well’s commercial value.

According to Eco in its filings to the Canadian authorities, Guyana continues to be one of the most prolific oil exploration destinations in the world. And with the recent increase in oil prices, Eco said that the joint venture partners would be revisiting the Jethro discovery

and its potential to be commercialised.

The Orinduik oil block is just a few kilometres from ExxonMobil’s discoveries in the Liza and Payara fields. It is under the administration of Eco Guyana and Tullow.

Earlier this year, Qatar Petroleum (40 per cent) and Total E&P Guyana BV (60 per cent), farmed into the block using Total’s 25 per cent working interest in the block.

Last year, Tullow had announced it was writing off US$1.2 billion in wells that were not financially viable.

This included the Jethro-1 well, which encountered 55

metres of net oil when it was drilled.

The 2019 amount had included US$60 million for three wells Tullow drilled offshore Guyana but could not continue working on. The three wells – the Jethro-1, Joe and Carapa-1 wells, were all deemed not to have been financially viable due to the low-quality oil they contained.

In 2019, the company had revealed that samples from its other two discoveries at the Jethro-1 and Joe-1 wells in the Orinduik Block showed heavy crudes with high sulphur content – a variety of oil that is less eco-

nomically viable than the light, sweet crudes found

by United States oil giant ExxonMobil right offshore Guyana in the neighbouring Stabroek Block.

Tullow had also announced last year that it would be abandoning the Carapa-1 well on the Repsoloperated Kanuku licence, which turned up approximately four metres of net oil pay based on preliminary interpretation.

Sapote

The SEDAR filing also contained a statement from Eco Chief Executive Officer Gil Holzman, who spoke of

Govt aiming to train 200 CSOs in ICT by yearend

A

total of 23 C o m m u n i t y Service Officers from eight different regions on Tuesday completed training in Information and Communications Technology, enabling them to take these skills back to residents within their communities.

The three-week training programme was conducted with CSOs through Global Technology and is the second batch to be facilitated this year.

TURN TO PAGE 17

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai with the ICT graduates

the recently launched drill campaign in the Sapote-1 well. He said that the recent move by Eco Atlantic to acquire stakes in JHI Associates paved the way for drilling success.

“We look forward to updating the market in due course on results from the Sapote-1 well and on timing of further drilling on the Orinduik Block, as we increase our presence and collaboration in the GuyanaSuriname Basin,” Holzman said.

“We are upbeat about the company’s prospects for the rest of 2021 and are well placed to deliver long-term success into next year. We look forward to updating all stakeholders as we move forward.”

It was announced by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) that drilling started at the Sapote-1 well in the Canje block on August 29. This came less than two months after failing to find oil in the Jabillo-1 well.

ExxonMobil, the operator, had previously drilled the Jabillo-1 well in the Canje Block offshore Guyana almost simultaneously with its other wells. But in July it was announced that no evidence was found of oil in commercial quantities.

It was announced that the Jabillo-1 well, which

Eco CEO Gil Holzman

was drilled to a depth of 6475 metres, was found not to have commercially viable oil. As a consequence, it was announced that the well would be plugged and abandoned.

It had been reported in March that Exxon was engaged in drilling the Jabillo-1, using the Stena Carron drillship, between March 10 and March 27. The Stena Carron, after drilling the Jabillo-1 well and maintenance activities, was scheduled to resume drilling on the Koebi-1 well.

The Jabillo-1 well happens to be the second of three exploration wells Exxon had scheduled for drilling in the Canje Block in 2021. The other two are the Bulletwood-1 well and the Sapote-1 well. Like Jabillo, Bulletwood-1 had also come up dry. (G3)

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Flood Relief grant

“No community will be left behind” – Min Todd assures Lindeners

Minister Todd in discussion with a farmer in Linden

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oreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd on Monday assured residents of Linden that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will ensure that all communities benefit from some form of development, and that the financial disposition of the common man is improved.

During the rollout of Government’s flood relief grants for farmers at the Mackenzie High School, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Todd told residents that the Government is keen on ensuring no community is left behind.

“You have a Government that is pro-people, pro-poor

and we understand the economics of basket, the most basic level. We believe in development from the bottom-up and top-down. So, we’re not in Government to take care of the business class only, but each individual throughout the length and breadth of this country.

Every community is important to us because we believe in balanced development.

No community must be left behind,” the Minister said.

With the windfall of opportunities set to take centre stage, he added that systems must be in place to ensure that Guyanese benefit. The Minister reminded that agriculture is one traditional sector which Government is looking to expand and diversify.

“We want you to be as-

sured that Government will stand by you through thick and thin. We want you to succeed. We want you to take care of your families, grow and expand. We want you to be part of the prosperity here in Guyana. We’re a Government that understands management of prices and we also understand the plight of the business community. Agriculture is still our traditional sector that we will never forego.

We have taken back leadership of the agricultural food agenda at the level of Caricom. We are going to diversity our agriculture sector; commercialise it; upgrade it to smart farming; and scale and size where we will be able to satisfy not only our own national demands, but also to provide

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd with some of the beneficiaries at the Mackenzie High School on Monday

for the rest of Caricom and further afield,” Minister Todd told the farmers.

He acknowledged that when there are disruptions, it can cause a domino effect of negatives for farmers and the country. However, the country must be able to maintain food security, not just for the country but the wider region.

“Food security is very important for us. Linden, like many other communities in Guyana, have farmers. We depend on some level of predictability to be able to have the kinds of yield so that we can get returns

in our investment. When there is a disruption, it can affect economic gains and how we can take care of our families. More importantly, it affects how we feed our own people. We’re very cognisant of that and we know that many of us don’t have six, seven, eight months of reserves in terms of cash.”

Government started its $7.8 billion flood relief compensation package for ordinary citizens who lost crops and livestock due to recent floods in August.

Between May and June this year, heavy rains resulted in widespread flood-

ing across the country, affecting thousands of households. The devastation included submerged buildings and vehicles with adverse effects on crops, livestock and health.

It has been noted that the rainfall experienced in May alone was recorded as the second highest level of rainfall across the country in the last 40 years. All 10 administrative regions in Guyana experienced varied levels of flooding, prompting Government to roll out immediate responses such as evacuation of those most at risk and flood assistance.

NY State honours former Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad

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ormer Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister of Guyana, Manniram Prashad was on Tuesday honoured by the New York State as a superlative civil servant and entrepreneur who worked tirelessly to advance the prosperity of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The citation stated that Prashad has a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, having held numerous positions in Government and business.

“He is a model citizen of Guyana, who serves as a role model for all. His work is truly extraordinary. He has served as the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, then for five years as a presidential advisor on trade and investment at the Office of the President.

Currently, he is Chairman of MP Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited and Consul General of the Philippines to Guyana.”

Former Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad receiving citation from US Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar

The citation was presented to Prashad by Assembly member Jenifer

Rajkumar Assembly District 38 of the United States of America.

NEWS

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Ramsammy’s Ruminations STEM teams secure medals in Reopening of in-person schooling is imperative to reduce learning losses in children

virtual robotics competition

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tudies in America, Canada, Europe and several developing countries demonstrate COVID-19 increasing learning gaps between socioeconomic groups of children.

Alarmingly, such learning losses will have lifelong negative impacts on children, mostly those from poor families. In an American study, the percentage of children scoring below benchmark on reading increased from 28% to 47% (kindergarten), 26% to 43% (Grade 1), 26% to 34% (Grade 2), 28% to 35% (Grade 3), 23% to 30% (Grade 4), and 28% to 36% (Grade 5) between school years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. The studies also showed that, in America, the largest learning losses caused by COVID-19 disruptions are among Black and Hispanic children, compared to White children.

Similar socio-economic disparity results have been published for Dr Leslie Ramsammy other countries.

Clearly, education authorities cannot ignore the COVID-19related calamity that is developing. Something must be done, and that something is not homologous. A mixture of responses is needed.

Guyana’s Minister of Education, Priya Manikchand, has not been shy in articulating a vision that pragmatically combines safety of children and teachers with increasing face-to-face teaching, while continuing to improve on the approaches that allow learning away from physical classrooms. COVID-19 has shown there are viable ways of improving education, but nothing has shown that it can replace in-school learning.

As a country, we will never reach 100% agreement on what the correct response might be. But the Minister of Education and the Irfaan Ali-led Government are on the right track – gradual return to normalcy. We cannot forever defer the return to in-school education.

President Ali is leading from the front in ensuring adolescents are vaccinated, for Guyana to reopen schools as safe as possible with a still very deadly COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc around the world.

While the President, the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health are out in an aggressive campaign for adolescent vaccination, unsavory characters are working sinisterly to promote an antivaxxer platform. The Leader of the Opposition’s party, the People’s National Congress, is busy organising protests, mainly in Georgetown and Linden, in support of misguided citizens who repeat the misinformed and misguided mantra of “My Body, My Choice”.

For all the havoc that COVID-19 has created, with millions of deaths around the world, hospitals overwhelmed, livelihoods shattered, we have to reflect on how we get back to normal. COVID is now impacting children’s education for a third consecutive school year. It literally brought a premature end to the 2019/2020 school year. It totally shattered the entire 2020/2021 school year. No matter what happens in the next few weeks, COVID-19 is already impacting on the 2021/2022 school year. For many countries, governments are trying to minimise the negative impact of COVID-19 on the 2021/2022 school year.

Various studies have shown unequivocal loss of learning caused

by COVID-19 because of the disruption of in-school learning. While all children are affected, studies have shown that the well-established learning gap between students from well-off families and those from poor families has been further amplified by COVID-19. It is for this reason resumption of in-school learning is an imperative.

While not everyone is happy about vaccination mandates for both teachers and children aged 12 years and older, in many countries, these measures are being adopted.

But the vaccine mandate has caused an uproar in Guyana. Some teachers have refused to take the vaccine, and have adopted the dangerous mantra “My Body, My Choice”. The Guyana Teachers Union has come out swinging in support of those teachers that have refused the COVID-19 vaccines. Thankfully, most teachers have already been vaccinated, and the response of parents and children to the adolescent vaccination campaign so far has been nothing short of spectacular.

Unvaccinated teachers who do not have regular COVID-19 testing represent a danger in classrooms. Refusing the vaccine obligates them to prove they are COVID-19 negative. It is their choice which one, but refusing either these measures is reckless, and must not be condoned.

Clearly, vaccination does not guarantee total protection against the misery and havoc of COVID-19, but vaccination is the most potent weapon in the public health’s armoury to reduce the havoc of COVID-19.

More than 95% of all new infections in Guyana and around the world are among the unvaccinated. More than 98% of all COVID-19-related hospitalisations are among the unvaccinated, and more than 99% of all COVID-19 deaths are among the unvaccinated.

Although SARS-CoV-2 infections among children are typically asymptomatic or mild, severe symptoms can lead to hospitalisation.

Rare cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) also occur. As of now, for example, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association jointly reported more than 4M cumulative pediatric COVID-19 cases, 20,000 cumulative hospitalisations, and 350 cumulative deaths.

In Guyana itself, more than 3,500 children have been infected, and a handful has been hospitalised. New paediatric infections in Guyana and around the world are increasing. But just as we are taking measures to reduce infections, hospitalisations and deaths, we must take measures to stop the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19. For adolescents, vaccination is imperative, children and adults in those schools are vaccinated for each other. For schools with children under the age of twelve, it is imperative that every adult takes the vaccine for the welfare of everyone in those schools.

The teams that represented Guyana at the virtual event

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uyana has been placed on the map once again with positive recognition, bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals during a virtual International Youth Robotics Competition (IYRC) in Korea.

Five local teams, through STEM Guyana, have participated in the global event, with all five teams finishing among the top three positions.

This comes as a major improvement over last year’s performance whereby only two out of the seven teams that competed received medals.

The 2021 challenge required both categories to build a competition robot under the theme of “Robot My Friend”.

This required team members to complete an extraordinary research and ideation process to make their submissions globally competitive. The gold medal team created a robot which could play soccer with the

team members and which could also complete chores such as bringing medication to patients with limited mobility.

Guyana’s participation had been indefinite owing to the current COVID-19 pandemic. With the sponsorship of GTT, STEM Guyana commenced preparation of two senior teams within the 1318 category and three junior teams for the 7-12 category to compete against teams from 71 other countries in the world.

This year marks the fifth year since STEM Guyana prepared teams to participate in global competitions.

The organization is said to have a well-functioning robotics lab at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The current laboratory is sponsored by the Department of Youth and the Office of the Prime Minister.

IYRC is an annual youth competition in robotics, programming, and digital technologies, organised by the International Youth

Robot Association (IYRA).

Previous competitions were held in Korea, Thailand, China, and Malaysia.

IYRA organises the annual event, which normally feature teams from 28 States, including the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, South Korea, China, USA, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Israel, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, and Cambodia, but has been recently expanded to include

teams from North and South America.

This was the second year Guyana participated.

Meanwhile, Guyana is fielding another senior team currently in competition at the First Global Robotics competition of 175 countries. Team Guyana 2021 is presently tracking ninth out of 175 teams with opportunities to raise its ranking before the end of the competition in October.

Team Guyana won the gold Albert Einstein medal in 2019.

Teens escape from Corentyne orphanage ...2 found wandering in Blairmont, handed over to CC&PA

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wo of the three teenage girls who reportedly ran away from the Canaan Orphanage in Port Mourant, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), three weeks ago, have been found.

They were discovered wandering along the streets of Blairmont, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), on Monday evening and were immediately handed over to the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA).

The two girls were sent to different orphanages as investigations continue.

Region Six Commander Jairam Ramlakhan when contacted told Guyana Times that the 14- and 15-year-old girls were found on Monday evening.

The third girl is yet to be located. The girls’ mothers have confirmed that authorities contacted and informed them that their daughters are alive and well.

According to the mother

of the 15-year-old, she was contacted by the Child Care and Protection Agency on Tuesday and told that her daughter was found. She noted that she was taken to an orphanage in Georgetown.

She however, noted that the arrangement was temporary.

The Child Care and Protection Agency is expected to meet with the parents today to determine the way forward.

Following the disappearance of the three teenag-

ers, their parents had come forward blaming the Child Care and Protection Agency for the manner in which the issue was dealt with.

They also accused that Canaan Orphanage of neglect and stated that the facility does not have the capacity to adequately take care of children.

The parents had also called for the Child Care and Protection Agency to investigate the affairs of Canaan Orphanage.

Berbice man chopped during brawl at body workshop

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30-year-old man of Main Street Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), is nursing a chop wound to his right upper triceps area after he was attacked by another man on Tuesday.

The incident reportedly occurred along Main

Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, by a 42-year-old man who is now in Police custody.

Police stated that at about 13:35h, the now injured man and suspect were at a body workshop when an argument broke out between them. It was that time, the victim armed himself with a piece of iron

and the suspect pulled out a cutlass from his vehicle.

Police stated that the now injured man armed himself with a piece of brick and pelted same in the suspect’s direction, which connected with the front window screen of the suspect’s canter, causing it to damage. In retaliation, the 42-year-old man dealt

the victim one chop to his right upper triceps The matter was reported to the Reliance Police Station. The injured man was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

The suspect was arrested pending investigations.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ICU capacity at Infectious Diseases Hospital to be expanded – Health Minister

…33 of 40 beds occupied

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he intensive care capacity at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, will be bolstered to accommodate more patients, amid the current surge of new infections daily.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony informed during the COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday that the specialised COVID-19 facility currently has a capacity of 40 for the Intensive Care Unit but 33 of these spots are occupied already.

As such, the aim is to increase both the general and intensive care resources, in preparation for any greater surge. He added that the Ministry is also contemplating adding more beds to support the 200-patient capacity.

“We have 80 persons in the Ocean View facility. We can accommodate about 200 persons. We have about 33 persons in the ICU. We have capacity for about 40 in the ICU. We are working to expand that so that we can add another 10 beds so if becomes necessary, we’ll be able to accommodate at least 50 persons in the ICU. That’s a continency that we’re putting in place and if we start getting more patients, we’re also looking at a contingency of adding maybe 50 more beds to the Ocean View facility,” said Dr Anthony.

Every day, the Ministry is unearthing new positives through testing. This means active cases are still on the rise and as of Monday, the figure had reached 1933.

Commenting on the situ-

The Infectious Diseases Facility at Liliendaal, ECD

ation, the Minister shared, “That’s a high number. Over the last 24 hours, we would have seen 145 active cases. The numbers are climbing. We’re seeing more people getting infected and it is also very worrying because if we don’t manage this carefully, our hospital can easily become overwhelmed. Right now, we have 111 persons in

hospital and that number is going up on a daily basis.”

As the active cases grow, it will put an additional strain on healthcare workers to effectively monitor patients. The Ministry is also mulling the possibility of converting other health institutions to specifically treat and monitor coronavirus patients.

“It is going to be challenging going forward as we get more and more hospital-

isation. We have already spoken about more contingencies where we might have, if it becomes necessary, close some of the services at hospitals and convert those hospitals solely for COVD-19 patients.”

According to the WHO, most people infected with the coronavirus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people,

and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

Most common symptoms include fever, dry cough and tiredness but can include aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell; and rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes. The severe form can include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure and loss of speech or movement. When patients develop the severe form, they require intensive care treatment or hospitalisation.

Recently, the Delta surge has led to many persons developing more severe complications after contracting the virus. (G12)

Govt’s cost-cutting energy projects will attract more foreign investors

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ith the excitement brought on by the string of petroleum discoveries offshore Guyana, the country is already a coveted investment destination.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali plans to make the business environment even more attractive to foreign direct investors.

The Government intends to add some 500 megawatts of new power, using the gas-to-energy and Amaila Falls hydropower projects, and several small-scale renewable energy projects, before the end of this five-year term. The projects are intended to cut the cost of power by half and improve the reliability of the electricity supply to businesses and households.

Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Peter Ramsaroop explained that President Ali’s vision for the reduction of energy costs in Guyana was probably one of the most exciting projects that would be undertaken over the next few years.

“When I sit in this office and investors come in, some of them want to do largescale operations. We have had people come in and talk

GO-Invest CEO, Dr Peter Ramsaroop

about a glass factory. You know, we have the best silica sand in this part of the Region. You need cheaper energy to do that. So, those investors, knowing that cheaper energy will be available in Guyana… will start planning out those types of investments,” he said.

Many products which Guyana now buys with foreign exchange could be easily produced here when the energy cost is lowered, Dr Ramsaroop told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

“From an economic

standpoint, you can justify it. From a consumer standpoint, you can justify it. And from an investment standpoint, you can justify it.

“It changes our landscape. It changes our wealth.

It’s creation of wealth for our population. That’s what the President wants.”

The GO-Invest chief expressed concerns about persons who opposed the operationalisation of the large-scale energy projects Government intends to implement, since the current cost of energy could hinder investments.

Serving as Head of GOInvest since last October, Dr Ramsaroop has had a front row seat to the concerns of prospective foreign investors, and finds it critical for the Government to operationalise projects that will cut the cost of power.

“If it’s costing me $1000 to do a bottle of pepper sauce in Trinidad, and it’s costing me $2000 to do a bottle of pepper sauce in Guyana, I can never compete.”

Dr Ramsaroop said the expansion of the energy mix will lend to the Government’s wider strategy for Guyana’s development. The Government is continuously working to improve the ease of doing business, showing investors that local markets are ripe for their entry. This would create thousands of jobs, in line with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s manifesto promise, of opening avenues for persons to provide for their families.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana on its way to becoming energy powerhouse – expert

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ith the strategies that the Guyana Government has laid out and is in various stages of implementing, the country is on its way to becoming an energy powerhouse in the region. But according to one expert, more can be done when it comes to diversifying the economy.

According to analyst at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) and Africa Market Intelligence (AfMI), Arthur Deakin, Guyana’s surging economic growth on the back of oil and gas production comes at a time when fossil fuels are losing favour among investors and governments.

“In May 2021, the International Energy Agency said that no new fossil fuel projects should be developed if the world aims to get to Net Zero by 2050. Three months later, the United Nations Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that the world can only emit 15 more years of industrial emissions to give it a 50 per cent chance of limiting temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels,” Deakin said in a re-

cent missive.

According to the expert, the first solution for Guyana is to diversify its economy in a proactive and thorough manner. Additionally, he said that Guyana can opt to transform itself into a new type of oil & gas producer.

He cited the development of Carbon Capture Storage and Utilisation (CCSU) projects, in which carbon is captured from the air, stored deep underground, and sometimes utilised. According to Deakin, Guyana can develop an energy sector in which fossil fuel production is mixed with CCSU technologies, cleaner power generation, and nature-based solutions.

“This will allow for Guyana’s energy sectors to be preferred over other dirtier, less profitable, and riskier jurisdictions,” Deakin said, although he acknowledged that CCSU projects are still limited and underfunded in Latin America.

“Guyana is no exception.

CCSU projects will require large investments from foreign companies and funds to become a reality in emerging economies. To promote

Oil and gas expert Arthur Deakin

CCSU at home, and create a more sustainable oil & gas sector, the Guyanese Government will have to develop business-friendly regulations to attract these types of investments.”

Important to implementing these strategies is an effective framework for regulating the sector. He acknowledged that President Dr Irfaan Ali recently pledged to create the Petroleum Commission by year end.

Venezuelan busted with shotguns in Region 1

The guns that were found on the Venezuelan national

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Venezuelan national was on Monday arrested after he was intercepted with two firearms at Black Banana Access Trail, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).

Preliminary investigations revealed that on the day in question at about 13:30h, a team of Police were on mobile patrol in the Black Banana Access Trail in the NWD when they saw Elvis Bartolo Pacheco, the miner of Baramita, NWD, and Venezuela.

Elvis Bartolo Pacheco

However, a search was conducted on Pacheco during which a 12-gauge single-barrel shotgun without serial number and a 16-gauge single-barrel shotgun without serial number with the butt sawn off and wrapped in transparent plastic were unearthed.

The Venezuelan national was told of the offence, cautioned and arrested. He was then escorted to Matthews Ridge Police Station where he was placed in custody.

An investigation is underway.

Govt aiming to train 200...

FROM PAGE 11

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai indicated that 96 persons have been trained in ICT throughout the year and lauded this initiative as an investment by Government into Guyanese youths.

“By the end of 2021, our target is achievable and that is, we will be training 200 students from the programme. We will also achieve 220 persons trained in the skill of installing solar panels and maintaining them; and other 220 as licensed drivers with skills to service light and heavy-duty machinery,” the Minister said at the graduation ceremony.

The trainees hailed from communities such as Akawini, Kabakaburi, Mainstay, Karawab,

Mashabo, Bethany, Laluni, Siparuta, Kako, Tassarene, Princeville, Karaudarnau, Katoonarib, Awaruwaunau, Hururu, Malali, Maritaro, Rockstone and Great Falls.

This, Sukhai said, reiterates Government’s agenda of offering opportunities for hinterland communities and people.

“This is an investment in our young people. Our Government has put out a number of initiatives that are making positive waves and impact on young people’s lives in our country…

The PPP/C Government does not only support the training for coastal students but equally so, the hinterland students are all part and parcel of the agenda of our Government.”

Meanwhile, Public

Service Minister, Sonia Parag said these initiatives were undertaken with the aim of fulfilling promises made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic during the campaign trail.

“Education has always been something that is important to this Government.

There are several initiatives that have been rolled out for the development of not only individuals but the education system. In this particular instance, the training is geared towards you getting a skill set whereby you can give back to your community,” Parag told the graduates.

She reiterated that this year, over 6000 persons have benefitted from scholarships under the Guyana Academy of Online Learning (GOAL) programme.

“While implementing these important regulatory changes, the Government must include incentives for CCSU, renewable energy and nature-based solutions.

The path is being charted for Guyana to become an energy powerhouse, but without these strategies, it is “more likely than not” that it will be left behind in this rapidly changing energy sector,” Deakin said.

The Petroleum Commission Bill was initially tabled back in 2017 by then Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman during the 11th Parliament.

It was to be taken to a Special Select Committee at a later sitting after its second reading. However, it was yet to be passed when the current Government took office last year.

After taking office in August 2020, Vice President

Bharrat Jagdeo had indicated that several moves were being made immediately to ensure that the oil and gas sector is effectively managed; and this includes putting skilled persons at the helm of the Commission Last month, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat had said that amendments are still being made to the Petroleum Commission Bill, and that the greenlight will soon be given for this document to be re-tabled in the National Assembly.

He had further explained that several faulty sections of the bill are being amended which will also remove the overarching power which the Minister with responsibility for petroleum was given to cause disruption at any time.

In the meantime, work continues towards the con-

struction of a gas-to-shore pipeline and power plant, a game-changing initiative that will see gas from the Liza Field offshore Guyana being pumped onshore to generate power.

The main objective of the initiative is to transport sufficient gas from the Stabroek Block’s petroleum operations to supply some 200-250 megawatts of energy to the national grid, leading to a significant reduction in electricity costs.

Exxon has said that around 30 to 35 million cubic feet of natural gas would be required for the gas-to-shore project. Recently-released data from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy had indicated that less than 20 per cent of the 1.8 billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) discovered last year was gas.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

Regional

First Caricom-Africa Summit for September 7

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he first-ever Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom)-African Summit will take place virtually on September 7.

Informed Caricom sources, confirming the date, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that “what is now being finalised is the agenda” for the summit.

The sources said that among the speakers at the opening ceremony, scheduled for 08:00h (Eastern Caribbean time) will be Caricom Chairman and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne; the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley; Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley; her Belizean counterpart, John Briceño as well as the St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves and the new Caricom Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett.

The Chairman of the Organisation of African Union (OAU), President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta holding hands before he left the island after a three-day official visit in 2019 (file photo)

Republic of Congo (DRC), will also address the ceremony. The meeting will be attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Barbados Ambassador to Caricom, David Comissiong, in a message posted on social media described the upcoming summit as “truly an historic event,” adding that he hopes it will be broadcast

live throughout the Region on multiple platforms, inclusive of national television stations.

Comissiong said that the summit was taking place 500 years after the commencement of the criminal and tragic European transportation of enslaved Africans to the Caribbean and 76 years after the seminal fifth Pan-African Congress that was held in Manchester, England in 1945. (Excerpt from CMC)

The death toll now stands at 1510 and the number of people who have recovered stands at 48,186.

The dire situation resulted in Opposition Leader Mark Golding calling for “an immediate summit” with Prime Minister Andrew Holness “to identify workable responses to the extremely desperate situation now facing the Jamaican people”.

The summit, Golding said, would serve as “a demonstration of a common fixity of purpose and national unity”.

In the southern region, large numbers of people turned up at vaccination sites, including Junction Health Centre and Manchester High School.

Regional director at

the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Bent told the Jamaica Observer that, although he didn’t have a final number of those vaccinated for the day, there was an uptick.

“We are very pleased.

In terms of the uptick, there is definitely an uptick from last week, especially this week, because reports from all the sites so far today in my region — Clarendon, Manchester, and St Elizabeth — is that the numbers have been higher. I don’t have the final numbers as yet, but based on what I’m hearing the turnout has been excellent in terms of people wanting to be vaccinated,” he said.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Colombia’s ex-President Andres Pastrana defends efforts to build peace C olombia’s ex-President Andres Pastrana said on Tuesday his Government had laid the groundwork for building peace in the South American country, even though he did not reach an agreement with left-wing guerrillas and rightwing paramilitaries.

Pastrana, who governed Colombia between 1998 and 2002, became the fifth ex-President to testify before the country’s truth commission, which was established as part of a 2016 peace agreement with the now-demobilised rebel group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Former Presidents Ernesto Samper and Juan Manuel Santos previously testified publicly, while Cesar Gaviria did so in private. Alvaro Uribe, one of Colombia’s most polarising politicians, spoke informally to the truth commission’s President, Francisco de Roux,

Former Colombian President Andres Pastrana

at his estate in mid-August.

“Above all I am here, because I am a believer in peace, no one doubts that I invested all my political capital in seeking it. I know that without truth, we will not find peace. The victims will only forgive with truth, with real truth, without political bias,” Pastrana said.

Colombia has struggled with decades of bloody civil

strife and drug violence that the 2016 peace agreement has diminished but not ended.

Pastrana, 67, began more than three years of unsuccessful peace talks with the FARC during his Government, and also approached the National Liberation Army (ELN), another leftist rebel group, and the right-wing paramilitary group the United SelfDefence Forces of Colombia (AUC), also without success.

The AUC later demobilised under Uribe, though many of its former members joined drug-trafficking groups.

Pastrana also recalled how he led a process of strengthening Colombia’s armed forces via Plan Colombia, which had US support.

“Of course, we could have made mistakes, we are all human and if our mistakes affected victims, I’m sorry - we must ask forgiveness,” he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Peru kicks off corruption Vaccine rush in Jamaica case against Keiko Fujimori

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undreds of Jamaicans turned up at COVID-19 vaccination sites across the country Monday, placing strain on the health authorities’ ability to efficiently administer the vaccines and resulting in people being diverted from the National Arena in St Andrew, the island’s largest blitz facility, after it reached capacity.

Long lines and extended waiting times marked the day as the Health and Wellness Ministry reported 739 new cases of the novel coronavirus and six additional virus-related deaths, pushing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 67,402 since the first case was reported last March. Of that number 17,288 are active.

Venezuelan Opposition shifts strategy, will take part in elections

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enezuela’s main Opposition parties said on Tuesday they would participate in November regional and local elections, a strategy reversal after boycotting previous elections they argued were not free or fair.

The Opposition’s decision was made as a more-than twoyear push to oust President Nicolás Maduro through international pressure and calls for the military to switch allegiances has failed. Opponents label Maduro a dictator who rigged his 2018 re-election and violates human rights to quash dissent. hat frustration has led many Opposition politicians to clamour for Juan Guaidó – an

Opposition legislator elected in 2015 and later recognised by the United States as interim President – to change tack, as US sanctions add to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting States (OPEC) member’s economic woes.

“For those who think that the solution is not electoral … then what is it?” Henry Ramos Allup, a leader of the Democratic Action Opposition party, asked at a news conference in Caracas.

Maduro welcomed the Opposition’s announcement as a change from calls for sanctions and military intervention.

“The decision to participate in the elections once again is

worthy of applause,” he said on State television. “I will sit in my armchair with popcorn on November 21 to watch Juan Guaidó vote.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Freddy Guevara – a leader in Guaidó’s hardline Popular Will party – called for “coexistence” with Maduro rather than trying to force a change in Government.

The Venezuelan United Platform, a grouping of Opposition parties, said in a statement that the elections would not be “fair nor conventional,” but the vote would nonetheless be a “useful battleground” to push for presidential and parliamentary elections. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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orruption proceedings against P e r u v i a n Opposition politician Keiko Fujimori kicked off with a preliminary court hearing on Tuesday, just weeks after she conceded defeat in her third unsuccessful presidential run.

Fujimori lost the June 6 runoff against leftist Pedro Castillo with 49.87 per cent of the vote to his 50.12 per cent.

Election victory for Fujimori would have meant freedom from prosecution for the duration of her presidential term on charges that arise from a sprawling corruption case involving scandal-tainted Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

She stands accused of taking illicit money from Odebrecht to fund failed presidential bids in 2011 and 2016.

The 46-year-old daughter of jailed ex-President Alberto Fujimori denies the allegations.

But Prosecutors have said they would seek a jail term of 30 years and 10 months for Fujimori on charges of money laundering, organised crime, obstruction of justice, and making false declarations.(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Brazilian viper venom may become tool in fight against COVID, study shows

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razilian researchers have found that a molecule in the venom of a type of snake inhibited coronavirus reproduction in monkey cells, a possible first step toward a drug to combat the virus causing COVID-19.

A study published in the scientific journal Molecules this month found that the molecule produced by the jararacussu pit viper inhibited the virus’s ability to multiply in monkey cells by 75 per cent.

“We were able to show this component of snake venom was able to inhibit a very important protein from the virus,” said Rafael Guido, a University of São Paulo professor and an author of the study.

The molecule is a peptide, or chain of amino acids, that can connect to an enzyme of the coronavirus called PLPro, which is vital to reproduction of the virus, without hurting other cells.

Already known for its

The jararacussu pit viper

antibacterial qualities, the peptide can be synthesised in the laboratory, Guido said in an interview, making the capture or raising of the snakes unnecessary.

“We’re wary about people going out to hunt the jararacussu around Brazil, thinking they’re going to save the world ... That’s not it!” said Giuseppe Puorto, a herpetologist running the Butantan Institute’s biological collection in São Paulo. “It’s not the venom itself that will

cure the coronavirus.”

Researchers will next evaluate the efficiency of different doses of the molecule and whether it is able to prevent the virus from entering cells in the first place, according to a statement from the State University of São Paulo (Unesp), which was also involved in the research.

They hope to test the substance in human cells, but gave no timeline. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

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Around the world

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Oil set for biggest monthly loss this year before OPEC+ meeting

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il in New York is headed for the biggest monthly loss since October as investors weighed the prospect of additional OPEC+ production and the restoration of crude output in the US after Hurricane Ida. West Texas Intermediate fell as much as 1.5 per cent in New York and has declined about 7 per cent this month.

Gulf of Mexico crude producers are expected to resume service gradually after Ida crashed ashore in Louisiana over the weekend. Refineries are expected to return to operations more slowly.

There’s optimism that the industry will bounce back sooner than later, which is causing crude prices to weaken, said Robert Yawger, director of the futures division at Mizuho Securities.

“I’m looking for oil production coming back in a week and refineries coming back in two weeks,” he said.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will meet today to assess the global market and prospects for demand as the pandemic grinds on. The alliance forecasts a supply deficit this year, even as it continues to add production.

A surplus is expected to return in 2022.

Oil has endured a turbulent August, rising and falling on alternate weeks, as investors reacted to the latest twists in the global health crisis and swings in the dollar. US benchmark crude slumped this month despite a steady draw in stockpiles, and some nations have managed to control virus outbreaks driven by the Delta variant.

There are “some pre-OPEC+ jitters and the realisation that Hurricane Ida has a short-term negative impact on demand, while supply should not be impacted,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodities strategy at Saxo Bank A/S. Prices: WTI for October delivery lost 28 cents to US$68.93 a barrel by 11:29 am in New York. Brent for October settlement fell 0.33 per cent to US$73.17 a barrel. The November contract, which was the most active, fell to US$72.170 a barrel.

Energy companies affected by Ida moved to restore operations. Colonial Pipeline Co said Tuesday that it resumed service on two of its key conduits that send fuel from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast.

Data in Asia continues to show the impact of the Delta variant virus outbreak in recent months. On Tuesday China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index fell to 50.1 from 50.4 in July, slightly lower than the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists. That suggests Beijing’s curbs on mobility to check the spread of the Delta variant may have affected the pace of growth. Meanwhile, Japan’s oil demand in July was down about 8 per cent from 2019 levels, according to Bloomberg calculations from Government data.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Caldor fire: Lake Tahoe deserted as Californians evacuate

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ens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the shores of Lake Tahoe in northern California as a major wildfire continues to spread.

The Caldor Fire has already burned more than 191,000 acres, with just 16 per cent of the fire brought under control.

More than 3500 firefighters have been deployed to combat the blaze, which began more than two weeks ago.

One hospital has been forced to evacuate, with patients transferred to other facilities in the region.

Five people have been injured, while more than 700 properties have been damaged or destroyed, according to authorities.

The 22,000 residents of the city of South Lake Tahoe, a popular holiday destination, and surrounding areas

were issued with an evacuation order on Monday morning.

The US Forest Service has also announced the closure of all Californian national forests from late on Tuesday until September 17 because of the wildfires.

The Caldor Fire is one of seven blazes currently active in California. The largest, the Dixie Fire, has burned more than 800,000 acres since it broke out in mid-July, and is the second-largest in California’s history.

Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.

The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Biden defends Afghan withdrawal as “best decision” for US U S President Joe Biden in a televised speech said the US pull-out in Afghanistan was the “best decision”, adding that the choice was either to withdraw from the country or escalate the conflict.

“I was not going to extend this forever war, and I was not extending a forever exit,” Biden said.

The Taliban declared Afghanistan a “free and sovereign” nation as it hailed the exit of US troops after 20 years of occupation, describing their departure as a “historic moment”.

Taliban fighters on Tuesday took charge of Kabul’s airport as the last US soldiers flew out of the country.

US President Joe Biden

Taliban fighters rally to celebrate the withdrawal of US forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan, 31 August 2021 [EPA]

set a deadline of August 31, for the withdrawal of US troops.

No country has recognised the Taliban as the Government of Afghanistan after their capture of Kabul on August 15. Many

Western states have urged the group to form an inclusive Government and to respect human rights.

The US was without a clear aim as it entered the twentieth year of its war in Afghanistan, President

Joe Biden said Tuesday following the withdrawal of American forces from the war-torn country.

“We no longer had a clear purpose in an open-ended mission in Afghanistan,” Biden said during remarks at the White House.

“After 20 years of war in Afghanistan, I refused to send another generation of America’s sons and daughters to fight a war that should have ended long ago.”

US President Joe Biden warned the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), the group which killed 13 US troops in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport, that they face more retribution from Washington.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ireland to drop almost all COVID-19 restrictions in October

I

reland, which had one of Europe’s longest COVID-19 lockdowns, will drop almost all pandemic restrictions in October after one of the continent’s most successful vaccine rollouts, Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Tuesday.

From Oct 22, the requirement for vaccine certificates in bars and restaurants will be dropped, as will all restrictions on the numbers attending indoor and out-

door events.

As part of a phased easing of restrictions, the Government is recommending the reopening of theatres and cinemas at 60 per cent capacity next week and a return of non-essential workers to offices from Sept 20.

“Because of the effort of our vaccination team and because you have stepped up to the mark and taken the vaccine when it was offered, we are now entering a whole new phase of the

pandemic,” Martin said in a televised address.

Almost 90 per cent of adults in Ireland are fully vaccinated as are 80 per cent of over those over 12 years old.

Indoor dining in cafes, bars and restaurants was banned in Ireland for much of the 16 months to July, when the Government opened the sector to people with vaccine certificates.

The Irish Government in recent weeks has been

heavily criticised by the live-events sector as large concerts took place in the United Kingdom, which dropped most restrictions on July 19 but has a lower level of vaccinations.

Martin struck a note of caution, however, warning of an increase in case numbers in the coming weeks before an expected decline.

“We are very unlikely to ever be able to be rid of the virus completely,” he said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Ivory Coast suspends TV presenter who asked guest to simulate rape

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television presenter in Ivory Coast was suspended on Tuesday for 30 days after he invited a convicted rapist onto his prime-time show and asked him to simulate a rape using a mannequin.

Ivory Coast’s independent communications council announced the suspension of popular presenter Yves de Mbella, saying in a statement that the segment used obscene language, condoned rape and attacked the digni-

ty of women.

The Nouvelle Chaine Ivoirienne private television station apologised for airing it and cancelled the final episode of this particular show which had been scheduled for Friday.

“I’m sincerely sorry to have shocked everyone while trying to raise awareness,” de Mbella wrote on Facebook. “I made an error.”

“I’m also sorry for everything that was said or done during that sequence of the

programme yesterday that hurt,” he wrote. “I beg for forgiveness from all victims of rape.”

In the segment, broadcast on Monday, de Mbella asked his guest to demonstrate how he raped women using a female mannequin.

At one point, de Mbella helped the guest adjust the mannequin and asked him how he chose his victims, whether he preferred them “slim or fat” and whether the victims “enjoyed it”.

The segment was swiftly condemned on social media platforms in Ivory Coast and across West and Central Africa.

Telecoms operator MTN, the sponsor of the Miss Ivory Coast pageant that de Mbella is scheduled to host on Sept 4, said in a statement it would take firm measures in response to the segment but did not say whether de Mbella would still host. (Excerpt from Reuters)

6 sentenced to death in Bangladesh for killing LGBTQ activists

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court in Bangladesh has sentenced six members of a banned group to death and acquitted two others in connection with the murder of two LGBTQ rights activists five years ago.

Xulhaz Mannan was the editor of Bangladesh’s first and only gay rights magazine, Roopban. Mahbub Rabby Tonoy was his friend and associate.

The two were hacked to death at their apartment in capital Dhaka on April 25,

2016, by the men belonging to Ansar al-Islam, a group banned by the Bangladesh Government the previous year. Officials say the group is a local affiliate of the al-Qaeda group.

Amid tight security on Tuesday, Judge Md Majibur Rahman of the special anti-terrorism tribunal pronounced the verdict in the presence of four of the eight accused in a packed courtroom in Dhaka.

Those sentenced to death include former army officer

Syed Ziaul Haque Zia, who officials say is the chief of the banned group.

The other five convicts are Akram Hossain, Md Mozammel Hossain alias Saimon, Md Sheikh Abdullah, Arafat Rahman, and Asadullah.

Zia and Akram are on the run and were tried as fugitives, while two other suspects – Sabbirul Hoque Chowdhury and Zunaid Ahmed – were acquitted.

The six, wielding guns and machetes, had forced

their way into Mannan’s home in the Kalabagan area of central Dhaka and murdered him and Tonoy.

While pronouncing the verdict, Judge Rahman said the punishment will “set an example” that Bangladesh does not tolerate “militancy or terrorism in any form”.

Defence lawyer Khairul Islam Liton told Al Jazeera they would appeal against the verdict in a higher court. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You’ll accomplish the most if you work from home.

The less you deal with outside influences, the better.

An emotional problem will surface if you cannot agree with someone in a position of authority.

Get in touch with someone you haven’t talked to in a while. The information you receive will help you formulate what you want to do regarding your current position or lifestyle.

Concentrate on what you want, then head in that direction. The work you do will propagate opportunities to use your creative input. Don’t be afraid to take a unique path.

Take a pass if someone tries to engage in a spirited discussion. It’s better to be reserved and avoid topics that take you out of your comfort zone. Pay more attention to fixing up your space.

Hide your feelings until you feel safe sharing them.

Offering too much information will leave you in a vulnerable position. Be a good listener, and you will make better decisions.

A position that interests you will not live up to your expectations. Do your homework before you make a decision that can alter your earning potential. If you want something, you must take responsibility for it.

Don’t shilly-shally; pay your dues and go about your business. Now is the time to explore and expand your mind. Embrace life, live in the moment and discover what makes you feel passionate.

Balance your books, then figure out what you can afford to do that’s on your bucket list. You’ll enjoy the process much more if you aren’t stressed over the cost.

Be innovative in all things.

SAGITTARIUS Get approval before you (Nov. 23do something that will afDec. 21) fect others. A domestic problem will surface if you aren’t up-front about your plans.

Handle a professional change with caution.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Emotional issues will stand in your way where shared expenses or joint ventures are concerned. Don’t get worked up without good cause. Hear what others have to say and work to benefit everyone.

Clarify your intentions before you start something new, and it will be easier to get to the finish line without interference. A physical encounter will lift your spirits.

Make an adjustment that is conducive to getting ahead professionally.

Monitor what’s going on in your field, and you will get a head-start on something that can raise your earning potential.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

21

RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour teams spearheading construction of—home for less fortunate family several donors on board

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The Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Namilco Thunderbolt Under 21 and First Division teams, under the leadership of Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, have undertaken their biggest ever developmental project to date - spearheading the construction of a 20-foot by 24-foot flat concrete home for an ailing elderly couple and their 14-year-old daughter in the village of Bloomfield, located in the lower Corentyne area.

Foster has explained that the teams got involved after 63-year-old Chunilall Sonaroo visited the club office to plead for assistance. After two days of verifying the circumstances impacting the request, the RHTY&SC and the teams agreed to come on board.

Hilbert Foster, CEO of RHTY&SC, handing over a financial donation to Chunilall Sonaroo

Sonaroo is a pensioner who lives in a house on the verge of falling down, but is kept in place by ropes. His 55-year-old wife is a type two diabetic who is unable to walk and is in deteriorating health, while his daughter has type one diabetes and suffers from

Guyanese dominate ORSCA playoffs

T

hree batsmen have chalked up centuries in the playoff round that occurred on Sunday at various venues across the Greater Toronto Area, in the 2021 Ontario Round-Arm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) Regular Season 20-over competition.

Faheer Juman hit 119 for Renegades, while Rawle Scott scored 107 for Spartans, and Devindra Ramkissoon made 105 for Brampton Gladiators. These Guyana-born players displayed their talent in hot sunshine.

Juman’s innings went in vain though, as his side, the Renegades, suffered a six-wicket loss to Fusions. Renegades totaled 186-8 off their 20 overs, while Fusions replied with 188-4 in the penultimate over. Shivnarine Sanichar grabbed four wickets for the Fusions’ combination.

When his team chased down the target, Syed Hamid led the way with 62, while teenager Navindra Nauth supported with 57. David Bhagwandin snatched three wickets for 29 runs from four overs.

The right-handed Rawle Scott slammed a series of boundaries to see Spartans race to 235-4 from their allotment of 20 overs, while the 11-Man Army responded with only 147 all out in 20 overs. Asif Ali and Amir Khan contributed 45 and 35 respectively for the

pneumonia. All of this family’s savings have been exhausted on medical expenses, and the youth has to use insulin twice a day in an ongoing battle to stay alive.

With his wife unable to work due to her physical condition, the family’s only financial income is Sonaroo’s meagre pension from GuySuCo and the National Insurance Scheme, which are used mainly for medical purposes.

Using his good standing with social media, Foster has appealed to the general public on behalf of the teams, and the response has been unbelievable.

Construction of the new home is expected to start

shortly, with the support of overseas- based Guyanese Raj Bharrat, the Crabwood Creek Relief Group, Florida - Guyana Hope organization, and Regal Stationery. Contractor Navin Deokissoon of Navin and Sons Construction would also play a major role in setting up the home, which is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Regal Stationery has also committed to suppling two beds, a fridge and stove for the new home, which would include two bedrooms, a living room, complete kitchen, toilet and bathroom. There are also plans for a concrete sidewalk to cater for a wheelchair.

Moreover, the teams are coordinating assistance in form of grocery supplies, medical items, clothing, footwear and educational materials from numerous overseas and local donors who have responded to the club’s plea.

Foster has said the club would just oversee the proper use of the funds as the donors and the family would be spending the funds themselves.

He has expressed gratitude to Mr Bharrat of the Guyana-Florida Hope Group for his support, and also to

The RHT Namilco Thunderbolt First Division team

Regal Stationery and the management of Navin and Sons Construction. Gratitude has also been expressed to the many overseas and local donors who have contributed cash, medical items, food hampers and clothing to the family. All funds received have been deposited into a Republic Bank account in the name of the family, and would be used for expenses in the future.

The long-serving RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO, who is also President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board, and a Director of Cricket West Indies, has said the club is delighted to assist the family, as the family deserves it.

The club has undertaken thousands of projects to

make a positive difference, but Foster says this was a very special one as the Sonaroo family was totally committed to improving their lives.

Persons who wish to assist the family can contact them on 663-1981.

The RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour under 21 and First Division teams are sponsored by the National Milling Company of Guyana, located at Agricola, East Bank Demerara. The teams are led by national players Kevlon Anderson and Eon Hooper respectively, and includes players like Clinton Pestano, Kevin Sinclair, Shawn Perriera, Jonathan Rampersaud, Slyus Tyndall, Junior Sinclair, Delbert Hicks, Jason Sinclair, Khemraj Mahadeo, Shemaine Campbelle and others.

Rain has say in first match of Women’s T20I series Faheer Juman

Spartans.

Tribo Singh made a pugnacious 32 for the 11-Man Army, as Fazil Gani and Edward Morrison each captured two wickets to deliver for the Spartans.

Devindra Ramkissoon has continued his dominance with the bat this year, registering his second hundred. He received solid support from the stalwart Bobby Parasnauth, who made 85 as Brampton Gladiators piled up a sufficient score of 251-2 at the expiration of their 20 overs, while Cool Runningz were left stranded at 93-9 from their 20 overs.

Mukesh Jaglall was the only standout batter for the losers, with 48 on the scoresheet as Shafeek Hanif finished with 4-17 from four overs.

Details from the other matches were not available.

However, the quarter-final stage is set for September 11, and the semis are set for the next day. The championship game is billed for September 18 at a venue to be named.

R

ain has forced a no-result in the opening Twenty20 International between West Indies Women and South Africa Women at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

South Africa posted 135-3 in their allotted 20 overs. Top scoring was Laura Wooldvart with 35 not out, Marizanne Kapp added 36 and Lizelle

Lee 30. Bowling for the Windies Women, Hayley Matthews took 1 for 27 and Anisa Mohamed took 1 for 23.

In reply, the Women in Maroon scored 21-1 in 2.5 overs, Deandra Dottin retired hurt on 4, Hayley Matthews

was dismissed for 8, and Kyshona Knight was not out on 3.

The second T20I is scheduled for tomorrow and the third and final match will be on Saturday. All the matches will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (SVRCG), following which both sides will play a five-match ODI series from September 7 to 19, with the

first three matches being played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) and the last two at the SVRCG. This series comes on the heels of the Pakistan visit in which the West Indies won both the ODI and T20I series,

which was also their first home international in 19 months. According to a press release, the side has been preparing in a high-performance camp in Antigua prior to the upcoming series.

West Indies squad for first T20I against South Africa: Anisa Mohammed

(capt), Deandra Dottin (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman.

(TT Guardian)

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Lizelle Lee run out (Cooper/†Kycia A Knight) 30 Dane van Niekerk (c) c Mohammed b Matthews 15 Marizanne Kapp c Cooper b Mohammed 36 Laura Wolvaardt not out 35 Tazmin Brits not out 14 Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 6.75) 135/3 Did not bat: Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty †, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Dane van Niekerk, 4.2 ov), 2-76 (Lizelle Lee, 13.1 ov), 3-87 (Marizanne Kapp, 15.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shamilia Connell 2-0-19-0 Aaliyah Alleyne 3-0-16-0 Hayley Matthews 4-0-27-1 Anisa Mohammed 4-0-23-1

Qiana Joseph Shakera Selman

4-0-22-0 3-0-27-0

WEST INDIES WOMEN INNINGS (TARGET: 136 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Deandra Dottin retired hurtc 4 Hayley Matthews c †Chetty b Kapp 8 Kyshona Knight not out 3 Extras (b 4, w 2) 6 TOTAL (2.5 Ov, RR: 7.41) 21/1 Did not bat: Kycia Knight †, Chedean Nation, Britney Cooper, Aaliyah Alleyne, Anisa Mohammed (c), Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell, Qiana Joseph Fall of wickets: 0-4* (Deandra Dottin, retired hurt), 1-21 (Hayley Matthews, 2.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Marizanne Kapp 1.5-0-15-1 Ayabonga Khaka 1-0-2-0

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

More than 90 hopefuls try out for U20 Men’s national team T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has completed two successful U20 men’s talent identification sessions at its National Training Centre at Providence, EBD this weekend.

them to the level we need them to be to compete and possibly come out of their group.”

On Saturday and Sunday, players proposed by their respective associations from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West

Players participating in a range of drills during the U20 talent ID sessions

This is ahead of the forthcoming Concacaf U20 qualifiers, wherein more than 90 players from eight regional associations are competing for places in the provisional squad.

Under the guidance of Head Coach and former Golden Jaguars boss Wayne Dover, the U20 men’s national team will in November seek to qualify for the 2020 Concacaf U20 Championship – the first step on the road to the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023.

“I’ve been impressed by the enthusiasm from the players, the commitment and work ethic, (which) is important in terms of preparing a team for these championships,” Coach Dover has said. “There is a lot more work to be done to bring

Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Upper Demerara, Bartica, Berbice and Essequibo/Pomeroon, took part in assessment sessions supervised by the GFF’s

The U20 talent pool includes many players who have benefited from the GFF’s ground-breaking network of youth development Academy Training Centres, which provide professional coaching in the GFF’s national playing philosophy, as well as its U15 and U17 leagues, sponsored by Pele Alumni and NAMILCO respectively.

However, no competitive youth football has taken place in Guyana since declaration by the World Health Organization of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The GFF is awaiting on the authorities to approve its robust and credible roadmap for the safe return of play, which was designed with the support of football development and health experts at UEFA and FIFA. “After this ID campaign, we will select a possible pool of players to start preparations,” Dover said. “We will also extend this talent ID to the diaspora, to see how best we could select talented players who

A

put the best team together for this championship.”

Dover has said the Rupununi Football Association would conduct separate talent ID sessions in Region 9, while the GFF would engage football communities in other hinterland areas in September, to search for new talent that does not fall within its current regional

association structure.

“We have a plan to ensure that we cover all the players that are available at this age level for the national U20 team selection,” he said.

In February 2020, Guyana narrowly missed out on the subsequently-cancelled 2020 Concacaf U20 Championship, winning three out of four matches in a difficult quali-

fication stage that included hosts and eventual group winners Nicaragua.

“My expectation is for us to prepare the team in a way that we can go out and be very competitive, and try to win the group and come out to the next phase,” Dover said.

“My expectation is for us to do much better in these championships.”

Ravi Etwaroo of Cricket Zone, USA on board with “Cricket Gear For Young And Promising Cricketers In Guyana” project

Head Coach Wayne Dover instructing U20 hopefuls at the GFF National Training Centre

Technical Department.

are available, so that we could

MYO beat Agricola in U19 practice match

n Under-19 practice match of 40 overs which was reduced to 34 overs because of rain - was played at the MYO ground between Positive Foundation Agricola Club, aka Agricola Cricket Club, and the MYO. MYO won the toss, batted first, and made 152 for 8.

The left-handed Dillon Ramsaroop top scored with 53 (8x4, 1x6) and Saeed Sattaur produced 34 (7x4).

Bowling for Agricola, Neil Hutton took 4 for 13 from 7 overs, and Jermaine Fyfee, bowling slow medium, took 2 for 25 from 4 overs. Moreover, one wicket each went to Shawn Thompson, Joel Gilkes and Andel Manoharlall.

In reply, Agricola got off to a solid start, with Andel

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood addressing players at the U20 talent ID sessions

President of the GCA, Neil Barry Snr, addressing the players

Manoharlall and Adam Wilson putting together a partnership of 38 in 4 overs.

Adam Wilson was the aggressor, scoring 20 (4x4) and Andel Manoharlall scored 5 (1x4). Adam Wilson was the first to go, after which wickets kept falling.

Stephon Sankar, playing as guest player for Agricola, batted at number 10 and top scoring with 33 (3x4, 2x6), being the last man to fall.

Agricola fell short by 7 runs, as they could muster only 145 all out, with Emanuel Lewis supporting with 22 (1x4, 2x6) and Thierry Moore with 15.

Bowling for MYO, Saeed

Sattaur took 4 for 26 from 6.2 overs, and Daniel Persaud took 3 for 10 from 3 overs.

This was the first hardball match for Agricola youth team, after the GCA CDC, headed by Mark Harper along with Shaun Massiah and President Neil Barry, went into Agricola and worked with the committed and disciplined youths, their President Stacy Cuffy, and the other members of the Board.

The Agricola Cricket Club is set to make its Under 17 and 19 Cricket Debut in the GCA underage Cricket Competitions when those start.

P

opular sports store owner Ravi Etwaroo is the latest sponsor to support the project: “Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana”.

Etwaroo, whose business is based in the Bronx, USA, has donated a new E4 bat, his own brand. This initiative is a joint effort of Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana. The founders of the initiative are delighted to have the opportunity to help promote the E4 brand, and at the same time provide an opportunity for a young talent in Guyana.

The two have lauded Etwaroo’s role in the development of cricket in Guyana Ravi Etwaroo, the owner of Cricket Zone, USA, displaying one of and the USA. They also said his bats under the new brand E4 Etwaroo is always generous and willing to give back to ers to identify the players. Tilku, Aaron Beharry, Devon the sport, and they are very Players must be in school and Ramnauth, Sherman Austin, be disciplined. Players above Teddy Singh, Leana Bachan, thankful.

Their aim is to provide school age would also be con- Imran Saccoor, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo and cricket gear free of cost to sidered.

Das and Beharry would Vishal Mahabir. More distriyoung and talented cricketers in Guyana. The project is like to thank Imran and bution will be done as soon as seeking new and used crick- Javed Khan of West Indian gear arrives from the USA. Anyone interested in conet gear which would then be Sports Complex, Option distributed across the length Group, Bish Panday of P and tributing can contact Anil P Insurance Brokers, Sean Beharry on 623-6875 or and breadth of Guyana.

Total cricket-related Devers, Travis Simon, Hilbert Kishan Das on 1 718 664items collected so far: cash for Foster of RHTY&SC, Ariel 0896. first aid kit, two cricket boots, twelve pairs of batting pads, twelve bats, nine pairs of batting gloves, and four cricket bags.

TAXI SERVICE Sixteen young players from the Essequibo Coast, Elegant Cabs. 231-1494 / 226-4277, FOR SALE Cell #: 625-6600. 24 hrs.

Pomeroon and the East Canje area have already benefit- Pure Bred German Shepherd Pups A VACANCY for sale. Vaccinated and dewormed. ed from a junior gear bag, 622-0015/220-8559 Welder/Fabricator. For Grill work: 621five bats, six pairs of batting 5310 Mix Breed Puppies for Sale. Contact: pads, and four pairs of bat- Tel- 253-3114/692-0126.

WANTED ting gloves. Two clubs in the Female domestic to work in Trinidad to Pomeroon would also benefit SERVICE take care of an elderly male. Between from two used bats.

Learn to Drive: Shalom Enterprise. Lot age 25-35. Must be fully vaccinated.

Talent spotting will be 2 Croal Street, Stabroek, Georgetown. Salary to be negotiated. Call or done across Guyana, along Please call: 622-8162 / 659-3381/227- WhatsApp for more info. 18683865302 with guidance from club lead- 3869. Join us on FaceBook. or 18683864631

CLASSIFIED ADS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

campaign back on track Kieron Pollard unleashed his full might on the ball

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fter a stuttering start, CPL defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders got their 2021 campaign back on track with a commanding 27-run win over St Lucia Kings.

Two days ago, the Knight Riders lost a thrilling chase against Kings by five runs, but there was no slipping up in this

SCOREBOARD TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Lendl Simmons lbw b Wahab Riaz 11 Sunil Narine c du Plessis b Joseph 24 Tion Webster c David b Chase 14 Kieron Pollard (c) c Deyal b Williams 41 Colin Munro c Wahab Riaz b Williams 1 Tim Seifert c Patel b Williams 37 Akeal Hosein not out 0 Denesh Ramdin † lbw b Williams 8 Extras (b 1, lb 11, w 10) 22 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 7.90) 158/7 Did not bat: Isuru Udana, Jayden Seales, Ravi Rampaul Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Lendl Simmons, 2.6 ov), 2-61 (Tion Webster, 9.2 ov), 3-66 (Sunil Narine, 10.4 ov), 4-68 (Colin Munro, 11.5 ov), 5-146 (Kieron Pollard, 19.1 ov), 6-150 (Tim Seifert, 19.3 ov), 7-158 (Denesh Ramdin, 19.6 ov) BOWLING Wahab Riaz Alzarri Joseph Roston Chase Samit Patel Mark Deyal Kesrick Williams

O-M-R-W 4-0-40-1 4-0-23-1 4-0-25-1 1-0-4-0 1-0-6-0 4-0-24-4

Keemo Paul

2-0-24-0

ST LUCIA KINGS INNINGS (TARGET: 159 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Rahkeem Cornwall b Udana 8 Andre Fletcher † not out 81 Faf du Plessis (c) c Seifert b Narine 14 Roston Chase c Simmons b Hosein 0 Mark Deyal b Rampaul 14 Tim David c †Ramdin b Rampaul 0 Samit Patel c Seales b Rampaul 3 Keemo Paul c Pollard b Udana 0 Alzarri Joseph not out 5 Extras (lb 1, w 5) 6 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 6.54) 131/7 Did not bat: Wahab Riaz, Kesrick Williams Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 2.1 ov), 2-54 (Faf du Plessis, 9.3 ov), 3-55 (Roston Chase, 10.6 ov), 4-77 (Mark Deyal, 14.1 ov), 5-77 (Tim David, 14.2 ov), 6-98 (Samit Patel, 16.2 ov), 7-104 (Keemo Paul, 17.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Jayden Seales 3-0-27-0 Ravi Rampaul 4-0-34-3 Isuru Udana 4-0-32-2 Sunil Narine 4-1-16-1 Akeal Hosein 4-0-12-1 Kieron Pollard 1-0-9-0

game. First, Kieron Pollard and Tim Seifert had an endovers blitz that lifted Knight Riders to 158 for 7, a steep total on a slow pitch. Then the bowlers tied down the Kings batters with accuracy and guile, keeping them to 131 for 7.

Kings had made two changes to the side that won the last game. Samit Patel, fresh off a successful stint in The Hundred, was out of quarantine and into the squad, while Kesrick Williams came in based on the conditions: a fresh pitch from the one used in the previous eight CPL 2021 games, which had more grass.

Williams had a successful outing, picking up 4 for 24.

Put in to bat, Knight Riders had a sluggish start, punctuated by regular wickets. The lack of pace in the surface meant none of the batt e r s

found fluency.

The dawdling run rate also led to wickets as they tried to hit out.

Knight R i d e r s k e p t Seifert, w h o nearly won them t h e last

match, at No. 6, but he was in as early as the 12th over, joining Pollard. While both men were initially unable to find the big hits, their boundary-hitting ability meant the longer they stayed in, the greater the chances of a grandstand finish.

The shackles were released after Knight Riders were 81 for 4 in 14 overs.

They were completely broken in a 21-run 19th over

by Wahab Riaz, which lasted ten balls.

T h e bowler was lucky he bowled only ten balls, with the fifth legal ball not ruled a wide despite being well away from Seifert.

In a seeming protest, Pollard walked across all the way to stand at midwicket at the non-striker's end, before coming back to a more regular spot.

The drama notwithstanding, Knight Riders plundered 77 runs in the last six overs to finish on a high.

Kings needed to be quickly off the blocks to challenge the total, but much like in the first innings, the ball wasn't coming onto the bat comfortably. Andre Fletcher stayed the course of the innings, but no one apart from him made more than 15.

Crucially, four of the top six scored at less than a run a ball, while Tim David, hero of the vicAndre Fletcher tory in blasting one the last over the top

Poole calls for more boxing coaches, referees A

mateur boxing hopes to continue blossoming in Guyana, and Technical Director of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Terrence Poole, MS, is not only hoping to strengthen the country’s stable of boxers, but also the coaching staff and resources.

While Guyana has never been short of boxing talent, and the production of energetic young boxers continues year after year, there seems to be a void in other facets of the sport hampering its allround development.

On the occasion of International Boxing Day, Technical Director of the GBA, Terrence Poole, made the call for more coaches and referees to steer these talents in the right direction.

“We would try to talk about the development of boxing in Guyana, our plans for our short-term, long-term and mid-term period. We

Terrence Poole MS

are looking into developing our coaches, where we could have more coaches being starred by the International Boxing Association. Our referees and judges, more stars by AIBA, and have more ITOs (International Technical Officers) in our pool,” the three-star Coach stated.

While voicing his concerns about the need for more leaders, Poole simultaneously shared some of the goals that the GBA has set, especially in regard to inter-

national competition.

The most prominent of these goals is bringing back an Olympic medal from Paris in 2024.

Poole disclosed, “In terms of our short-term goals, at present (they) would be the AMBC Continental Championships scheduled for September, and we have the AIBA World Boxing Championships scheduled for October-November in Belgrave.

“Our mid-term (goal) would be looking at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, and our long- term (goal is) we look at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

That’s where we’ll try to find more than one Guyanese boxer qualifying to attend those Games, and within that same group, somebody to emulate the history of Mr. Michael Paris, who would have been there for over 40 years as the only boxing med-

alist in the entire Englishspeaking Caribbean,” Poole said with optimism.

As he concluded his part in the GBA’s International Boxing Day message, Poole emphasized the need for more support, especially from the International Boxing Association (AIBA), in order to level up the sport.

“Guyana is not a country with much resources in boxing, but we have proven ourselves beyond doubt that, with that little resource, we were the dominant force and still are in the entire English- speaking Caribbean. And if AIBA could just give us a little bit more support in terms of resources, Guyana could move to a next level when it comes to international Boxing,” Poole posited.

International Boxing Day was celebrated on Friday last, as Guyana participated therein for the first time.

Tim Seifert swivelling and pulling the ball

match, was out first ball, nicking Ravi Rampaul behind after being held back to No. 6 and coming in only in the 15th over.

Rampaul struck thrice in eight balls to dismantle Kings' middle order, as their

hopes of a late surge evaporated.

Fletcher stayed unbeaten on a 55-ball 81, but in the last quarter of the chase, it was only about reducing the margin of defeat.

(ESPNCricinfo)

Ravi Rampaul roared after getting two in two balls

Grant-Stuart finishes 13th in Paralympics debut

G

uyana’s first and only Paralympian, Walter Grant- Stuart, hit the road for the first time yesterday when he competed in the Men’s C5 Time Trial Road race at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Clocking 1 hour, 4 minutes and 17 seconds (1:04:17.69) over 32 kilometers, Grant- Stuart finished 13th from a pool of 15 riders. The race was won by Netherlands’ Daniel Abraham Gebru in 42 minutes, 46 seconds (42:46.45), while Ukraine’s Yehor Dementyev (43:19.11) and Australia’s Alistair Donohoe (43:36.80) completed the podium.

Grant-Stuart will race into action again on Friday, September 3, at the Fuji International Speedway, in the Men’s C4-5 Time Trial.

The race is scheduled for 9.30 am, which translates to 8.30pm local time on the same day.

The Guyanese rider, who has been on the local circuit for a number of years, qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Games back in 2018.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021

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

Pg 23

Pg 23

Ravindaranth Rampaul (R) and Colin Munro (L) of Trinbago Knight Riders celebrate the dismissal of Timothy David of Saint Lucia Kings during the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League match 9 between Trinbago Knight Riders and Saint Lucia Kings at Warner Park Sporting Complex on August 31, 2021 in Basseterre, St Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis

campaign back on track Lewis enforces the law as Tallawahs SCOREBOARD manhandle Royals Azam Khan top scored for the Royals with 50

T

he action continued in the Hero CPL T20 tournament with the Barbados Royals duking it out with the Jamaica Tallawahs in match 10.

This encounter saw the Tallawahs defeating the Royals by 6 wickets, thanks to the efforts of Kennar Lewis (89) and Shamarh Brooks (47).

The Tallawahs needed 152 for victory, and while the total would have seemed small, the Royals were not going to go down without a fight.

Mohammed Amir sung the ball upfront and troubled openers Chadwick Walton and Kennar Lewis, but it was left arm spinner Joshua Bishop who managed to remove Walton (4) and Haider Ali (0).

Kennar Lewis led the charge with a brilliant half century

Migael Pretorious bagged 4-45 and Shamarh Brooks played a handy cameo

Lewis, however, continued to play his natural aggressive game, and dealt damaging runs to the Royals within the first ten overs. Shamarh Brooks then joined the party, and just like Lewis, he began to smash the ball to all parts of the ground, bringing the game more in favour of the Tallawahs. In the end there was nothing more the Royals could do as Lewis (89) ensured that when his wicket fell, the tide was already turned in the Tallawahs’ favour.

Joshua Bishop was the only economical Royals’ bowler with 3-0.

The Tallawahs have

registered a comfortable win to now move up to second on the points table.

Earlier in the innings, the Royals batted first and posted 151-8 off their allotted 20 overs.

Their batting woes continued to show as they lost key wickets within the power play. Fidel Edwards, Migael Pretorious and Andre Russell were responsible for doing considerable damage, which saw a total of four wickets falling in the powerplay overs, namely Shai Hope (9), Johnson Charles (13), Kyle Mayers (0) and Jason Holder (0).

This collapse brought Glenn Phillips and Azam Khan to the

crease, and the pair rebuilt the Royals innings and gave them a fighting chance. Khan in particular was the aggressor as he brought up his maiden CPL 50, but Rovman Powell claimed his wicket the next ball. Glenn Phillips (31) also departed as Migael Pretorious claimed a total of four wickets, despite being clubbed around the ground.

However, a glimmer of hope at the end of the innings saw Joshua Bishop smash 18 off 8, inclusive of two maximums, to give his team something worth fighting for. Bowling for the Tallawahs, Fidel Edwards took 2-32, Migael Pretorious 4-45, Andre Russell 1-28 and Rovman Powell 1-8.

BARBADOS ROYALS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Johnson Charles c Haider Ali b Pretorius 13 Shai Hope †c Powell b Edwards 9 Kyle Mayers c Brathwaite b Edwards 0 Glenn Phillips c Russell b Pretorius 31 Jason Holder (c) c †Walton b Russell 0 Azam Khan c & b Powell 50 Raymon Reifer c Powell b Pretorius 11 Hayden Walsh c Green b Pretorius 10 Joshua Bishop not out 18 Mohammad Amir not out 1 Extras (lb 1, w 7) 8 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 7.55) 151/8 Did not bat: Oshane Thomas Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Shai Hope, 2.4 ov), 2-17 (Kyle Mayers, 2.5 ov), 3-29 (Johnson Charles, 4.5 ov), 4-30 (Jason Holder, 5.3 ov), 5-101 (Glenn Phillips, 13.6 ov), 6-105 (Azam Khan, 14.3 ov), 7-131 (Raymon Reifer, 18.2 ov), 8-132 (Hayden Walsh, 18.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Fidel Edwards 4-0-32-2 Veerasammy Permaul 4-0-23-0 Migael Pretorius 4-0-45-4 Andre Russell 4-0-28-1 Chris Green 2-0-14-0

Rovman Powell

2-0-8-1

JAMAICA TALLAWAHS INNINGS (TARGET: 152 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Chadwick Walton †lbw b Bishop 4 Kennar Lewis c †Hope b Holder 89 Haider Ali c Mohammad Amir b Bishop 1 Rovman Powell (c) c Holder b Bishop 3 Shamarh Brooks not out 47 Andre Russell not out 6 Extras (lb 3, w 2) 5 TOTAL (17.4 Ov, RR: 8.77) 155/4 Did not bat: Carlos Brathwaite, Migael Pretorius, Chris Green, Veerasammy Permaul, Fidel Edwards Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Chadwick Walton, 3.6 ov), 2-38 (Haider Ali, 5.3 ov), 3-50 (Rovman Powell, 7.5 ov), 4-143 (Kennar Lewis, 16.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammad Amir 2.2-0-15-0 Jason Holder 4-0-44-1 Joshua Bishop 4-1-20-3 Oshane Thomas 2-0-20-0 Raymon Reifer 3.4-0-27-0 HaydenWalsh 1-0-12-0 Kyle Mayers 0.4-0-14-0

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