Guyana Times - Wednesday, September 29, 2021

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Massy opens new $138M outlet at Vreed-en-Hoop Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4785

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

PRICE

Omai moves to Phase 2 drilling at Reg 7 Wenot pit

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

Former DPI P21 Head Imran Khan succumbs to COVID — CN Sharma also tests positive, admitted to ICU

— after completing 17 drill holes, Phase 1 exploration North West Sec School fire

MoE to formulate plan to keep students, teachers engaged Page 5

— as 60% of building destroyed

Minibus driver allegedly P18 kidnapped, brutally beaten …later slapped with rape charge

50,000 Sputnik 2nd doses available from today Millions in cash, phones stolen P as bandits raid 6 Corentyne store

— 5 unvaccinated persons among 6 new COVID-19 deaths — 123 new cases detected

Pages 7 & 9

With 2021 winding down $366M in Page contracts signed GECOM yet to 21 for Region 3 roads commence discussions

P2 Plumber arrested after throwing ganja over fence

Page 6

— contractors urged to adhere to local content ethos

on hosting of LGE

Taxi driver P17 robbed by armed passengers

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Plumber arrested after throwing ganja over fence A thirty-one-yearold plumber was on Monday arrested after he reportedly threw a bag containing ganja over a fence at Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Based on reports received, the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) was conducting an operation at the location when they observed the plumber, of the

said address, carrying a black plastic bag in his hand.

He was at the time standing in front of a two-storey building.

However, upon seeing the officers entering the yard, the suspect ran into the lower flat of the building, and the drug enforcement officers gave chase.

The suspect reportedly exited the lower flat through a back door, leaving a trail of

Ziplock bags containing ganja, before throwing the black plastic bag over a concrete fence.

The man was subsequently arrested and the black plastic bag retrieved.

Upon inspection, ranks unearthed several small Ziplock bags containing the illegal drug.

The cannabis, when weighed, amounted to 200 grams.

The plastic bag and the drugs that were found during the operation

The man has been taken to the CANU Headquarters, where he is assisting with investigations.

Only recently, ranks of CANU and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) destroyed more than $100 million in illicit drugs, including cocaine and marijuana that had been seized over the past two years. The joint operation, which was conducted at Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown, saw over 2,000 kilograms of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines and other illegal drugs being destroyed by fire. The drugs carried a total street value of more than $100 million.

The drugs that were destroyed are all from matters that are no longer engaging the courts.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, September 29 – 11:00h-12:30h and Thursday, September 30 – 00:30h-02:00h and 12:30h-14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, September 29 – 10:40h-12:10h and Thursday, September 30 – 12:15h-13:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected during the day. Partly-cloudy skies are expected at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to West South-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 09:51h and 22:13h reaching maximum heights of 2.04 metres and 2.08 metres.

Low Tide: 15:41h reaching a minimum height of 1.23 metres.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

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FREE TICKET

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$79.09/barrel

-0.56

Rough Rice

$249.66 /ton $509.80/ton

-0.38 +1.47

London Sugar

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1740.60

$1741.60

Low/High Change

$1727.70 +6.80

$1752.70 +0.39%

Omai moves to Phase 2 drilling at Reg 7 Wenot pit

– after completing 17 drill holes in Phase 1 exploration

C

anadian gold company Omai Gold Mines Corporation has moved on to Phase Two of drilling at its Wenot pit in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), after having completed its previous Phase one drilling campaign and 17 holes amounting to 7,323 metres for the year thus far.

The company made this announcement on Tuesday.

According to Omai, what was initially supposed to be a 5,000-metre drilling campaign produced a number of highlights, including 19 metres grading 6.92 grams per tonne (gpt) of gold.

“Twelve of the completed holes tested beneath the past producing Wenot pit, all of which confirmed that the Wenot Shear Corridor and the associated gold mineralisation extend to depths of at least 100 to 250m below the past-producing pit,” the company stated.

It was explained that, in previous years, the Wenot pit produced approximately 1.4 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 1.5 gpt between 1993 and 2002.

According to Omai, the pit was mined to a maximum depth of 200 metres.

Going forward, Omai intends to conduct an independent Qualified Person (QP) report into the Wenot resource, which will provide a detailed analysis of the mineralisation potential of the Wenot pit. In the meantime, drilling under the pit will continue through October of this year, while the report is expected at year end or early in 2022.

Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Elaine Ellingham, has said, “The potential to build substantial near-term gold resources at Omai is undeniable. Rarely can you find a brownfields project like this, that produced an average of 300,000 ounces of gold per year, encumbered over its lifespan by a sub-$400 per ounce gold price environment, which has not seen significant subsequent exploration.

“An early corporate decision was made in 2003 to shut down Omai and relocate key equipment to Rosebel, considered a higher-priority development project at the time. Thus, Omai emerges as a unique opportunity to create significant value, since potential extensions to mineralisation at depth and along strike were not even considered, nor were a number of compelling exploration targets,” she further stated.

She also spoke of the efforts that have been made to build their technical team, which is composed of geologists with international experience. Ellingham noted that this, combined with the technical experience at the

The Wenot pit

senior management level, positions Omai to create significant value.

Earlier this year, Omai had said there are encouraging signs of gold mineralisation in its Wenot pit.

According to a statement released by the company, all signs pointed to the Wenot pit, located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), containing high-grade gold with multiple veins.

“At least four generations of mineralised extensional quartz veins are recognised, and of the four, only the last is underformed. This suggests a long duration to mineralisation while deformation continues. The higher grades in multiple vein sets

significantly expand the potential of Wenot to the south in sedimentary rocks,” the company had said in the statement.

Omai Gold Mines returned to the Wenot and Fennell pits at the Region Seven site only in 2020, after leaving Guyana in 2015. It had announced in December that it would be pressing forward with the 5000-metre drilling programme.

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

verse takeover of Avalon Investment Holdings.

There has been a flurry of gold finds from last year.

In February 2021, Gold X Mining, another Canadian company, found gold in the Toroparu mine during its now concluded diamond drill programme, resulting in the company launching phase two of its drilling.

In November of last year, Australia-based mining company Alicanto Minerals also announced its first-ever gold find in Guyana. According to Alicanto, it discovered a maiden resource of 500,000 ounces of gold at its Arakaka gold mine, which is located in Region One.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 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

Carelessness on the roadways

T

here is always an element of risk whenever someone uses the roadways, be it a motorist, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian. This is somewhat inherent, since it is believed that accidents will happen. Often, the fault is not with the one being cautious.

The risks may manifest in various forms, such as a lack of street lighting while driving at nights; potholes, which when swerved from could place a vehicle in the direct path of another; absence of, or non-functioning traffic lights, which can create uncertainty among drivers; roaming animals; speeding; drinking and driving; narrow streets, and lack of traffic signage. In addition, disobedience of basic traffic etiquette and other rules exacerbates the risks.

Seemingly common now is the disrespect for designated major roads. Many drivers, including some within the public transportation system, refuse to adhere to what is mandatory.

As a result, a number of accidents occur frequently at some of those points. Similarly, the practice of running red lights and the green signal that allows pedestrians to cross continues unabated, predominantly by minibus drivers. The danger that practice poses needs no explanation.

While there is a plethora of traffic violations on a daily basis, some appear more prominent. Undertaking and cutting in front of a vehicle, and the sticking out of a minibus conductor’s arm to do likewise from the other side seem to be the new norm of driving. Aside from the obvious danger, especially to young and inexperienced drivers, and apart from being an irritant, it is blatant bullyism and a potent source of road rage.

It appears that those who engage in such practices do not see themselves as being errant, or what they do as a traffic violation.

Lanes that allow for turning-on-red are abused and used as if they are the right-of-way. In the City, many roads other than what are authorised for minibus routes are used as thoroughfares.

Speeding is foremost, causing areas that are supposed to be free of minibuses to become dangerous.

In addition, some drivers seemingly take pride in having an alcoholic beverage in their possession while transporting passengers. Adding to the woes of those who abide by traffic rules, they are verbally abused when trying to stave off a potential transgressor. These practices are not unknown to the Police, and while the Police cannot be at all points where violations occur, there is the expectation for more and sustained intervention in the interest of safety of all road users.

This does not take away from the valiant efforts of a few dedicated traffic officers, who do their best to curb the situation - one which has reached alarming proportions. Reportedly, many minibuses are owned by Police ranks, and the drivers are of the view that they have a free pass to break traffic rules. It is believed that traffic ranks turn a blind eye when they see firsthand violations being committed by minibuses owned by members of the Force.

That obviously empowers those errant drivers, and causes others to do likewise. Some years ago, a senior traffic officer, speaking at a road safety fair, boldly proclaimed that no one is above the law when asked specifically about reports of violations

by Police ranks. That was heartening to hear. However, the followup question should have been how effective his action would be in the context of minibuses being owned by some of his colleagues.

What is desperately needed is a sustained national campaign to reduce traffic violations and let the law take its course on the errant ones, regardless of who they are. The carelessness exhibited puts all road users at risk. This is where the National Road Safety Council would need to be supported and probably empowered to have a more visible presence and increased influence all year round.

It must be noted that drivers are not the only violators of traffic rules, for some pedestrians are equally guilty. Aside from the common jaywalking, they cross busy intersections when not authorized, and refuse to use the overhead pedestrian walkways, thereby bringing danger to themselves and others. Like errant drivers, they seem empowered to not observe basic traffic rules.

This will only change when there is a constant stream of violators going up the stairs of the courts across the country. There is a hope that that is not wishful thinking.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo met with regional leaders from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) – Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Karl Singh, and Lethem Mayor John Macedo, to discuss issues that concern residents of the region (Office of the Vice President photo)

New PNCR executive needs to proclaim an end to rigging Dear Editor, I write this letter as an alternative to, and prompted by the Demerara Waves article of September 27, entitled “New PNCR executive needs to get rid of maximum leader approach”, written by my former Cabinet colleague and still friend, Dr. Henry Jeffrey.

I differ comprehensively and totally with him. I wish he had seen the occasion and opportunity here for getting on to what he has been calling for, getting on the road of “a historical narrative to which we could all subscribe”.

Neither the “decision making” nor the “who is the leader, leader” question is the PNC/R executive’s major problem: it is the question of “what is their business plan, their winning plan?” It ought to be a plan to win elections fairly and squarely: proclaiming an end to rigging: regretting the historical fact that Forbes Burnham and most leaders and supporters of the PNC and latterly, the PNC/R/APNU, succumbed to the argument that rigging was the only way for the PNC/R/APNU to win, and that there could be nothing in the world worse than losing to the PPP/C. A “Proclamation to End Rigging” would open many wonderful doors for all our people, our country, and most of all those who, for understandably good reasons, support the PNCR/APNU. What a great relief for all of us, some relieved from having to deny and others from being angered in hearing the denials of what are well known.

And take it from me, the PPP/C is not all that bad.

There have been, recent-

ly in our newspapers and other media, so many allusions to, explicit references to, and even seeming justifications of the PNC’s historically rigged elections and the rigging narrowly averted last year that the admission inherent in a “Proclamation to End Rigging” would not be an admission to something secret, not known, should not take any skin off of anyone’s nose. It would take a great burden off all of us Guyanese chests, particularly so, I say again as an Afro-Guyanese, the chests of so many of my Afro-Guyanese parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters – who earnestly believed and wanted an opportunity to demonstrate that the PNC/ APNU would be good for Guyana.

Our hopes and aspirations may have been noble: we all know and the whole world saw the behaviour of Mr. Mingo, the Region 4 RO. He was a man knowingly facing a subsequent life of ridicule which many would consider worse than death – we must put aside and leave behind us the world view that would have motivated him so.

Our hopes and aspirations were noble, but turning from our Christian foundations of truth and honesty to rigging has been our doom, initiating a slide to group and national disaster. It is timely to deliberately and firmly turn that page – avert the need for our younger people of great potential for our Guyana nation, like Amanza WaltonDesir and James Bond, to go down that same road of make believe on which we have been so long stuck.

It is time to extend new hands of fellowship to our

fellow comrades in Guyana, and in the much wider world that is much more one, and in which we must fraternise.

If the story of about twenty years ago has any truth, my former fellow MP Raphael Trotman, then a rising star in the PNC, had the right inclination in his suggestion to former President Hoyte that the PNC/R apologise to our country (and to many of its own supporters).

There could and must be a PNC/R/APNU that could and would be good for all Guyanese and Guyana. The new Executive must work at getting there.

Yes, the arguments for rigging did seem so strong to us Afro-Guyanese, to do a little wrong, a little rigging, to avert a greater wrong – the stealing of our entitled birthright of succeeding the departing British colonial masters under whom we had suffered so much, endured so much, and learnt so much.

We were ready to take over.

Not that we did not recognise Cheddi and his PPP supporters as brothers in the anticolonial fight, but they were younger brothers, recently

come, whose time had not yet come – they should wait their turn. And when those sentiments were aligned with the instigations of the Cold War against ungodly atheistic communism, they were irresistible and so deep, given that they also aligned with our self-interest – they are still deep in the bones of many of us, our organizations, and are being transmitted to our new young generation– we must work at dissipating them.

A “Proclamation of an End to Rigging” by the new Executive of the PNC/R would open the door to us all becoming Guyanese first, One People, One Nation with One Common Destiny. One independent nation of less than a million people altogether getting on amongst ourselves, and getting on with the more than seven thousand millions of other peoples in nearly two hundred other nations.

Sincerely, Samuel AA Hinds Former Prime Minister Former President

Madness on our roadways

Dear Editor, It is very alarming to see the number of accidents occurring daily, some being deadly. As usual, excuses are being used to defend drivers’ reckless use of the roadways, their paying little regard to the way they are driving and how it’s affecting others.

At one time, almost all accidents were being blamed on stray animals. Government introduced a stray catching unit that created tremendous stress to many persons rear-

ing animals for a living. Out of financial frustration, many gave up depending on rearing animals for a living and stopped doing so altogether.

Today, stray animals are not so prevalent on the roadways, but accidents keep occurring with alarming regularity.

Will we be seeing any plans to curb this madness on our roadways?

Regards, Sahadeo Bates

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

5

News North West Sec School fire

MoE to formulate plan to keep students, teachers engaged — as 60% of building destroyed

F

ollowing the destruction by fire of the North West Secondary School on Saturday last, a team from the Education Ministry visited the Region to assess the extent of the damage caused by the fire and to put a system in place for the reopening of the school.

The team from the Central Ministry comprised of Chief Education Officer Dr Marcel Hutson, Deputy Chief Education Officer (AHED)

Schools Board Secretariat Roopnarine Tewari, and Technical Facilitator Kerwin Jacobs.

Regional Education Officer Akbar Chindu and Education Officer Fareeda Jacobis also participated in the site visit and subsequent meetings.

On Sunday, a meeting was held with Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Regional Executive Officer Tikaram Bisesar and an en-

Some of the parents who attended Monday’s meeting

Marti De Souza, Chief Schools Inspector Saddam Hussain, Coordinator of the

gineer attached to the Region.

Dr Hutson noted that the Education Ministry consid-

ers schooling for the students of the North West Secondary as a top priority, and that the visit was being made to activate a plan of action that would be implemented to ensure students are meaningfully engaged.

Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley said over 60 percent of the building was destroyed. He added that the region is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure all temporary sites are adequately equipped and operationalised to facilitate the teaching-learning process.

He added that this would be done while the process of renovating or constructing a new school building is expedited.

The MoE team also met with the senior leadership team of the school on Sunday, while on Monday separate meetings were held with the teachers of the school and the parents of the students, at the Mabaruma Primary School.

At both meetings, Dr Hutson underscored the effects of the destruction of the building, while noting the need to ensure learning continuity for the displaced stu-

Meeting with the Ministry of Education’s team and the regional officials

dents.

In addition, Headteacher (ag) Indra Chacon highlighted the drafted operational schedule to guide face-to-face interaction, while allowing parents and teachers to share their views. Based on feedback, all teachers and parents present were in support of the operational plan.

Some of the decisions taken following the meetings include the continued use of the dormitory, with a new entrance being created for safe access; Grade 10 teachers would work one additional hour in the morning and afternoon sessions, a designated area at the Learning Resource Centre will house the administrative section of

the school, and each identified temporary site would be supervised by a senior member of staff.

It was reported that fire reportedly erupted at the educational facility between 22:10h on Saturday and 01:45h on Sunday.

The affected building, a two-storey wooden-and-concrete structure measuring about 150 feet by 200 feet, consisted of an auditorium, six classrooms and a home economics department. The rooms had an undisclosed amount of stationery besides desks and benches, chalk boards, computers, laboratory equipment, kitchen utensils and other items.

Enquiries disclosed that

a security guard of Baranobo Hill, Mabaruma was in his guard hut on his cellular phone when he heard three loud explosions. The sounds emanated from a room on the second floor of the eastern side of the building.

Checks were made, and he observed the room engulfed in flames. The man immediately made his way to the Mabaruma Police Station and lodged a report.

On arrival of the Fire Service on scene, and with assistance from members of the Joint Services and the public, the fire was extinguished – but most of the building, along with the aforementioned articles, was damaged.

Food security has become an imperative Welcome decision by part of sustainable development Minister Zulfikar Mustapha Dear Editor, Caribbean Governments have set an ambitious target to realise 25 percent reduction in their food import bill over the next five years (until 2025). Attracting partners who would be investing in the use of technological advancements and innovation in agricultural production and agro-processing would ensure that this target is achieved, and sustainable jobs are created in the region.

The Caribbean Export Development Agency will host the region’s first Agricultural Technology Investment Summit from October 5-7, 2021. This high-level event would feature a keynote address from His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali. Guyana holds lead responsibility for agriculture, agricultural diversification, and food security in Caricom. The intent here is to overhaul the Caribbean food system to make it cope with the pressing challenges of a climate crisis and diminished biodiversity and rising food insecurity. But many stakeholders would probably leave the table still hungry for change, among them smallholder farmers, Indigenous groups, and the Caribbean’s own Special Rapporteur on the Right to

Food.

The Caribbean is one of the most food-insecure regions on our planet.

COVID-19 has once more shown this acute vulnerability, and the imperative of boosting food security.

Given our challenges, such as small size, technology is a valuable friend to our agricultural sector, as digital technologies are transforming the agricultural sector globally.

We in the Caribbean have no option but to embrace these new possibilities to give food security to our people. We would also reap the many attendant benefits, such as creating precious jobs, exports, boosting trade, and driving growth by creating new opportunities for Caribbean people.

Importantly, the Agricultural Technology Investment Summit must offer Caribbean Governments something substantive to tackle the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the food crisis that it triggered. The summit has to offer the Caribbean people something to help overcome their daily struggles to feed themselves and their families. We must do better for our people.

The Caribbean is bless-

ed with great economic potential and growth opportunities, and is widely recognised for its tourism prowess and historical trade in agricultural produce.

However, as the region faces a burgeoning food import bill, heightened concerns regarding non-communicable diseases, exposure to the vagaries of weather due to climate change and natural disasters, food security has become an imperative part of sustainable development.

The Caribbean AgriTech Investment Summit will showcase opportunities for agricultural technology companies in the Caribbean and globally to invest. The event will feature agri-tech success stories, and provide information on the business environment in the Caribbean, and the support mechanisms available to potential investors interested in exploring the region as an agri-tech investment destination.

Agri-tech can bring practical and transformative solutions to the Caribbean agri-food sector. It can bring greater efficiency, traceability, and quality at all stages of the value chain, from production to processing and marketing.

Sincerely, David Adams

Dear Editor, Governance is filled with challenges; the recent retender brouhaha is a good example. It would seem the explanations offered are too technical in nature, and layman’s terms are preferred, so here goes: an agency budgeted a fixed sum (say $10) for steel, went out to tender, and then cancelled the tender, thereby causing some confusion. The agency was faced with three courses of action: 1) Cancel the tender and ask for a retender. 2) Cancel the tender completely or until a new budget could accommodate the higher costs. 3) Accept a bid at $10 with the knowledge that since steel prices had risen dramatically, the winning bidder would have supplied and asked for a variation on submission of the invoice.

Contract variations are changes in the amount or cost of works/service/supply stated in a contract. These can be either an increase or decrease in the work needed to be done, changing the scope of work. These contract variations may be instructed by the client or proposed by the contractors, which are to be agreed upon by all parties.

The use of variations is a method used by unscrupulous contractors and Government officials to bypass tender regulations. Very often, the low-

est bidder’s final bill exceeds the highest bidder’s tender, as the contractor and officials collude to approve a series of variations.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s decision to firstly retender, and then cancel the supply request, is altogether proper, and may have

foiled a plan to exploit a wellknown loophole in the tender laws. Minister Zulfikar Mustapha’s instruction is a ‘variation’ on business as usual that is welcome and long overdue.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

6 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$366M in contracts signed for Region 3 roads – contractors urged to adhere to local content ethos

S

ome $366 million in contracts for the rehabilitation of roads in several communities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) were on Tuesday signed, with Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar warning contractors to adhere to the local content ethos.

The contracts awarded are for works on roads in Zeelugt, Naamryck, Bendorff, Uitvlugt and Blankenburg, Region Three. According to the Ministry, the works which were awarded by open tender will be performed in seven lots.

Among the roads to be rehabilitated are the roads at Phase 2, New Zeelugt Housing Scheme, Naamless to Bendorff, Parika, Naamryck Access Road to Loading Facility, the entrance to Boodhoo Scheme, Blankenburg and Fourth Street, New Housing

Scheme, Uitvlugt.

“The estimated duration of the contracts awarded are three to eight months.

Minister Deodat Indar encouraged the contractors to utilise labour resources and services within the respective communities, as these works will benefit thousands of residents. The PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/Civic] Government is committed towards working with every community to ensure their infrastructure is improved,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Besides Minister Indar, those present included Head of the Procurement and Contract Department, Andy Mahadeo; Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Three, Jagnarine Somwar; Regional Chairman Ishan Ayube; Chairman of Tuschen/ Uitvlugt Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Ramzan Ali, Chairman of Mora/Parika NDC, Jaideo

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar (centre) flanked by the representatives of various contractors

Sookhoo, and representatives of the contractors.

Minister Indar’s urging contractors to keep local content in mind when sourcing labour and services was in line with the PPP/C Government’s endeavour to make sure local content extended beyond the oil and gas sector.

It was only a few days ago that President Dr Irfaan Ali had reassured that the people of Guyana

would also benefit from the opportunities that would become available as the country continued to develop. He had pointed out that local content should not just cover the petroleum sector.

“For me, local content is not only about oil and gas.

With the massive transformation and the infrastructure projects that will come in place, we need local content there too,” President Ali had told reporters on

the sidelines of a recent event at State House.

After assuming office in August last year, President Ali established a HighLevel Local Content Panel to review policy initiatives on local content in the petroleum sector and to provide guidance for the development of Guyana’s Local Content Policy and legislation. The end product was a list of recommendations and subsequently, a draft

Local Content Policy that the Government had released in February of this year.

The stakeholders’ consultation on Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy for its petroleum sector started in February and President Dr Ali himself opened the discussions from which authorities were expected to receive feedback and comments for the finalisation of the critical document.

Approximately 140 stakeholders were ultimately engaged by the panel on the compilation of the report. The report outlines several recommendations to improve the country’s policies and legislation.

Government is likely to hire experts to examine and incorporate comments and suggestions emanating from these stakeholder consultations into the final policy document that will be presented in the National Assembly.

Millions in cash, phones stolen as bandits raid Corentyne store

T

hree unmasked bandits reportedly broke into a Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) store and carted off millions in cash and mobile phones.

Zabire Hussain, the owner of the phone and home appliance establishment at Springlands, Corriverton, suspects that it might have been an inside job.

Hussain explained that about 01:30h on Tuesday, he was at home when one of his employees contacted him to report the incident at his business place. On his way there, the young businessman questioned the possibility of someone gaining entry into the building.

“I asked him about the

The smashed glass door through which the bandits gained entry

incident which occurred about six months ago when they had locked the key in the shop, so I skin open the grill door and let him pass in from there. So, I asked him if it was the same grill door that I had skin and he said yes. So, I told him, ‘is only you and I knew about it’.”

He related that he later discovered that about $2 million worth of phones and about $5 million in cash, which was kept at the business place, were missing.

“All of the phones that I had here like the iPhone 12, Pro Max, Galaxy S21 and all the expensive phones are

gone. I went to the office and then I observed that they gone with all the cash…

They did not come for anything else but the phones and the cash.”

The stolen money, he said, was to be used for the physical expansion and enhancement of the store.

According to the proprietor, the fact that the perpetrators did not take away the digital video recorder (DVR) adds to his suspicions as to whom might have been the perpetrator (s).

He explained that the DVR was not working, so he held the belief that the persons who robbed the business were aware that the device was not recording even though there were 12

Proprietor Zabire Hussain

mounted cameras.

According to the businessman, only one employee was privy to that vital information that could have been beneficial to an intruder. “The Police hold up the one worker, he knew that the DVR was not working,” Hussain revealed.

He added that he was able to get images of the persons who were in the store and those revealed that three persons had broken in.

One person remains in custody, but investigators have not been able to obtain any vital information. The investigation continues.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

5 unvaccinated persons among 6 new COVID-19 deaths

…123 new cases detected … MoH monitoring several "hotspots"

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he Health Ministry on Tuesday announced that six more persons who tested positive for COVID-19 have died, thus taking the overall death toll to 778.

These patients were reportedly admitted at medical institutions with COVID-19-like symptoms, and died while receiving care. Samples taken at the time of admission have subsequently returned positive tests. With the new deaths, September 2021, with 153 deaths, has recorded the highest number of deaths since the pandemic hit these shores in March 2020.

However, among the fatalities was one fully-vaccinated individual, while the others were unvaccinated.

one day. This has brought the total confirmed cases in the country to 31,359.

A total of 31 persons are in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 3774 are in home isolation, 10 are in institutional quarantine, and 137 are in institutional isolation. The data shows that 26,639 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus.

A breakdown of the new cases showed that four were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini), 17 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 65 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), four in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 10 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),

There were no increases for Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Meanwhile, a high number of cases are being monitored in all administrative regions, with Region Three recording clusters in Tuschen, La Parfaite Harmonie, Crane, Cornelia Ida, Pouderoyen, Zeelugt, La Grange, Vreed-en-Hoop, Santa Mission, Patentia, Westminster and Sisters Village. These locations have more than 30 cases each.

The Region Four hotspots are Diamond, Grove, Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Mon Repos, Good Hope, Turkeyen, Lodge, West Ruimveldt, Cummings Lodge, Campbellville,

SEX

AGE

REGION

DATE OF DEATH Vaccination Status

Male

43

Demerara-Mahaica

September 28

Unvaccinated

Female

40

Mahaica-Berbice

September 27

Unvaccinated

Female

60

Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara

September 27

Unvaccinated

Male

74

Cuyuni-Mazaruni

September 26

Unvaccinated

Male

49

Mahaica-Berbice

September 27

Fully Vaccinated

Female

81

Demerara-Mahaica

September 27

Unvaccinated

In addition, new statistics provided by the Health Ministry showed that 123 new cases were detected in

11 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

South Ruimveldt, Kitty and Sophia.

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GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

123

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

137

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

3774

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

31

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

10

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

16,444

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

14,918

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

31,359

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

26,639

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

356,062

FULLY IMMUNISED

184,941

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

778

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1478

REGION 2

1118

REGION 3

4111

REGION 4

15,022

REGION 5

1112

REGION 6

2275

REGION 7

1601

REGION 8

494

REGION 9

2350

REGION 10

1798

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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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

What goes up…

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… (in prices) never comes down he Bureau of Statistics has just confirmed what every Guyanese has known for a year now…that food prices have headed north…to the tune of a whopping 14% between Dec 2020 and last July. To their credit, the Government wasn’t oblivious to this alarming trend, and reacted to one of the rationales offered for the rise - higher shipping costs.

This, it was claimed, was due to COVID-19 curtailing world shipping, and consequently pushing up the unit shipping costs for those few who were still importing.

Now, the costs of imported goods are normally defined as CIF - Cost (of the goods purchased abroad) plus insurance and freight. The Govt can’t do anything about the purchase costs and the insurance, but they mandated that the GRA wouldn’t be incorporating the shipping costs when they apply duties on the imported goods. The importers were supposed to utilise this break and pass on the savings to the consumers - at least that was the expectation.

Now, your Eyewitness can say for certain - coming as he does from the world of business and having dealt with the “filthy lucre!! - he knows it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for profits-in-the-hand to be passed on to buyers! It’s not for nothing that, from the beginning of modern business in early 17th century England, the motto of businesses accepted by the Courts was - and remains - “Caveat Emptor”!! - BUYERS BEWARE!!

And the Government asking for the gift of freight costs to be passed on would be like asking the old slave owners to pass on the £20million they received at the abolition of slavery to the slaves they’d exploited for hundreds of years! Never happened!

But, anyhow, your Eyewitness was struck by another anomaly: the refusal of the Bureau of Statistics to reveal the “basket of goods” they use to calculate the rise is food prices. What the heck is this? Why is this a national secret??

Shouldn’t we know what exactly is causing the jump, so that maybe we Guyanese can make some changes in our consumption patterns? For instance, are imported foods so prevalent across the country - even with rural folks - that they aren’t blunted by local goods? Does it have to do with these SUPERMARKETS popping up everywhere like Jumbie Umbrellas - especially foreign ones that only shop foreign?

While we don’t want to be banning foods, if this basket of goods is exposed, isn’t it possible that we may have some local businesses starting to produce local substitutes? After all, the Government have insisted that all they want is to finally become “the breadbasket” of the Caribbean!

Let’s start with our own food basket! …is more COVID sorrow Your Eyewitness was shocked to learn this morning that the former DPI, AFC’s Imran Khan, passed away due to COVID-19. He was only 43, but was unvaccinated - and this might’ve been for a host of reasons. While your Eyewitness would’ve panned Imran in the past while he was a member of the Government, it was simply in the spirit of equal opportunity panning. He was very energetic in carrying out his mandate for his party and the coalition. But what impressed your Eyewitness was this: he never downplayed his rural origins of Vergenoegen – or, as the locals say, Vegeh!

But he hopes that Imran’s untimely death will convince those who’re still hesitant about the vaccines that - whatever their doubts - it’s not worth dying over. Your Eyewitness was very pleased when he read a report in this newspaper that Cathy Hughes, Executive Member of the AFC, was implicitly endorsing vaccination, along with an overseas AFC medical doctor who did so explicitly.

Maybe at that time she knew of Imran’s situation.

RIP, Imran Khan. …is lighter than air Your Eyewitness is kinda surprised that PNC heavyweight Volda Lawrence hasn’t thrown her hat into the ring for their leadership sweepstakes.

As a result, like fluff, mostly lightweights have risen to the top.

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

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

50,000 Sputnik 2nd doses available from today …on a ‘first come, first served’ arrangement – Health Minister

A

significant tranche of 50,000 second component Sputnik V jabs has been delivered to Guyana – allowing for persons to be completely immunised against COVID-19.

The vaccines, which arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) onboard an Amerijet aircraft on Monday evening, have been much awaited on amid a delay in the supply chain.

As such, thousands of persons were on standby after taking their first dose.

In Tuesday’s coronavirus update, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said any person would be able to get their second shot of the Russian-manufactured vaccine as of Wednesday.

“What we’re doing is encouraging anyone who required a second dose to come out from tomorrow (Wednesday) at the various sites across the country, so that they can get their second dose Sputnik. We know that there’re a number of persons who are waiting, so what we will be doing is a first come, first served basis;

you come out and get your vaccine. so I really want to encourage people to use the opportunity so that you can be fully vaccinated,” the Minister has urged.

Last week amid apprehensions over the global shortage due to rising variants, President Ali reassured that his Government is working assiduously to engage stakeholders to make the vaccines available. In fact, he had promised that every person would get their second dose.

At that time, 80,000 persons were waiting to be inoculated with the second dose of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccines, a purchase of 400,000 by the state, have been one of the shots used to immunise a majority of the population, along with AstraZeneca and Sinopharm.

Johnson and Johnson have been recently introduced, along with Pfizer, for adolescents.

With questions raised over access to vaccines, the Health Minister outlined that over 100 sites are active

Second-component Sputnik V vaccines will be available from today

across the country.

Due to various storage requirements for certain vaccines, the Ministry cannot offer vaccination at every health centre.

“We don’t have vaccines at every health centre. These vaccines require certain temperature which

5 unvaccinated persons...

Bath Settlement in Region Five, Bartica in Region Seven, Aishalton in Region Nine, and Wismar in Region 10 are also under the Ministry’s radar.

“In all the regions, we have cases. In these regions that I have identified…you have particular areas within these regions where we have a number of cases,” said Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony.

Current vaccination numbers show a first dose uptake of 356,062, or 69.4 per cent of the adult population; along with 184,941 second doses, or 36.1 per cent of the adult population. Some 23,237 persons, or 31.9 per cent of adolescents, have received the Pfizer COVID vaccine.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to immediately contact the COVID-19 Hotline numbers: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 624-6674; or visit the website www.health. gov.gy All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergen-

cy measures, which emphasise: the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the

FROM PAGE 7

importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene.

you should keep them, and so forth; but we have more than 100 different sites across the country, and we have been repeatedly identifying these sites so that people would know and go to these sites to get vaccinated.

Access to the vaccine is not a problem, because there are all these sites in the differ-

ent regions where vaccines are available.”

The Health Ministry has, for the past seven months, been exploring and embarking on various strategies to educate Guyanese on the importance of protecting themselves through immunisation. But the onus is also on citizens to share this

encouragement, according to Dr Anthony.

“I don’t know what else we need to do to encourage persons to be vaccinated. We have ads on the television and radio, we have been doing educational campaigns, we have been doing a number of things, and this responsibility or this encouragement to get people vaccinated is not just a Ministry of Health issue.

Every one of us who is living in Guyana should encourage people to get vaccinated.

This is what is going to get us closer to herd immunity, and help us to reduce infection, hospitalisation and deaths,” he affirmed.

In research published in the prestigious Lancet medical journal, the Sputnik V vaccine has a 91.6 per cent efficacy against the coronavirus. It is awaiting Emergency Use Listing from the World Health Organisation. The WHO says it has delayed approving the jab until a new inspection can be carried out at one of the plants where Sputnik V was manufactured. (G12)

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Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Heritage Month 2021 reminds us that LCDS is critical for Amerindian development

T

his week, Heritage Month 2021 comes to an end. Last week, the President and the Vice-President spoke in New York, including at the UN, about a resuscitated, re-energised Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). As Heritage Month 2021 comes to an end, we are reminded that while the LCDS is of paramount importance to the overall development agenda of Guyana, it is especially critical for development in the Amerindian communities.

When the LCDS was recklessly discarded by the previous APNU/ AFC (PNC) Government, critical development needs of Amerindian communities were also abandoned, setting back development in Amerindian communities by years. With a resuscitated LCDS, there are significant benefits for the Amerindian community in the coming years, with inputs of a revitalised LCDS leading to transformation in Amerindian communities.

Any discussion with Amerindian communities today, Dr Leslie Ramsammy as it would have been in the past, would list demarcation and titling of Amerindian land as their number 1 priority. It is the reason why demarcation and titling of Amerindian land became a major initiative in the LCDS. When the LCDS was discarded in 2015, the titling of Amerindian lands was egregiously suspended in 2016 by the David Granger-led APNU/AFC Government.

The reason given at the time was that the then Government wanted to implement a common policy of land titling, taking into consideration claims for land by all groups, including the demand for ancestral land by groups of Afro-Guyanese.

The APNU/AFC Government appointed a Lands Commission that spent several years hearing people’s claim, some of which were outlandish claims, such as one that claimed lands in West Berbice because those lands were lands belonging to his slave ancestor, as he claimed.

Basically, the then Government callously abandoned the aggressive Amerindian land titling that was being pursued as an LCDS programme.

At the time, in 2015, 12 villages with extensions and 105 villages were given absolute grants to their land; 19 villages were issued certificates of title to their lands, and 86 villages were demarcated and issued certificates of title. Even with that aggressive programme between 2010 and 2015, many villages are still awaiting demarcation and titling.

Now, with a resuscitated LCDS, Amerindian leaders and communities can again breathe, knowing that the PPP Government would resume what it started in 2010, and complete what was promised to Amerindians since Independence. This was not an ordinary promise.

This promise was enshrined in the Independence Declaration in 1966, in the Amerindian Act of 1976, and in the new Amerindian Act of 2006.

One of the signature initiatives in the original LCDS was the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF). Up to 2015, the ADF had funded 180 community and village development plans (CDPs), amounting to $912M. These CDPs created close to 1,700 LCDS jobs in Amerindian communities. These plans were developed by the communities themselves, and approved by the Village Councils. The LCDS initiative in the ADF essentially empowered the communities to develop their own plans, and the LCDS funded the plans. The ADF supported the development of both institutional capacity and enterprise in the Amerindian communities. As part of the ADF, the communities were empowered to develop value chains with the Private Sector.

Government agencies such as the Small Business Bureau, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, the Guyana Tourism Authority, the Guyana Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), New Guyana Marketing Corporation and many others supported the CDPs in the various communities. In 2016, the ADF was abruptly terminated by the David Granger-led APNU/AFC Government. But in the new LCDS that the President and Vice-President are leading presently, enterprise development creating jobs, livelihood and wealth in Amerindian communities are back on the front burner.

What made the discarding of the LCDS in 2015 disconcerting, and the reason Amerindian communities in Guyana are excited by the reemergence of the LCDS now in 2021, is that the LCDS caters for the introduction and expansion of ICT and E-services in the hinterland, poor and remote communities. In the funding linked to the LCDS between 2010 and 2015 were projects to build the infrastructure and provide equipment, hardware, software and training to improve access to the internet and other E-services. By 2015, 90 VSATs, energised by 180 solar panels, were already providing internet connectivity to Amerindian and hinterland communities. These services were designed to improve health, education and business.

But progress in making this a reality was brutally cut short in 2015 when David Granger replaced the LCDS with the Green Development Strategy, which turned out to be a paint job, with Government buildings painted green and with citizens being measured in their loyalty to the PNC by the extent to which they painted their properties green.

The building of the infrastructure and capacity for E-services had come to a screeching halt in 2015. Six years later, the Irfaan Ali-led Government is bringing this development programme back to reality through the new LCDS. The PPP Government is planning to build 200 ICT hubs in the hinterland, each equipped with laptops, software, printers and tvs.

While the LCDS is a commonsense development strategy in the midst of global warming and climate change, it has special significance for Amerindians. It was reckless for APNU/AFC to discard the LCDS. It is commendable that the PPP has immediately resuscitated these transformative initiatives.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man charged for abusing 90-year-old mother

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62-year-old man has been arrested and charged for verbally abusing his 90-year-old mother at their home at No 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Police have said that Dindial Balram, a labourer, was arrested on September 12 for using abusive language towards Homranie Balram, a pensioner. He appeared before Springlands Magistrate Alex Moore via Skype on

September 13, and pleaded guilty to the charge, which was laid under Section 141(b) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:02.

Dindial Balram has been placed on a bond to keep the peace for 18 months, and to refrain from any form of abuse towards his mother.

If he fails to adhere to the terms of the bond, he would be sentenced to eight weeks in prison.

Meanwhile, in a social

media post made by a resident of the said community, it was revealed that the pensioner is the labourer’s mother.

In the post, the resident said that on the day of the incident, at about 18:30h, Balram, who is known as “Sparky”, “beat up his mother very bad”.

The post claimed that two calls were made by a resident to the Springlands Police Station at Corriverton,

Corentyne, Berbice with the aim of reporting the incident, and the phone was answered by a female Police officer, who hung up the phone after claiming that there were no Police officers available to go to the pensioner’s home.

The caller told the rank that he would call the Commissioner of Police, and the female Police officer reportedly told him, “Call who you want to call”, before hanging up the phone.

Dindial Balram and his 90-year-old mother, Homranie Balram

Taxi driver robbed by armed passengers

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34-year-old male taxi driver was on Monday evening robbed of his cellular phones and his car key by two male passengers at Festival City, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to information received, at about 22:00h on the day in question, the man was driving HD 336, a silver-grey Toyota Carina 212, along the Plaisance Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) when he was flagged by the two males. Upon stopping, the two men requested to be taken to a hotel at the exit of Festival City in North

Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

While in Festival City, the perpetrator who was seated in the front passenger’s seat whipped out a handgun, pointed it at the victim and relieved him of the phones and keys, with the assistance of his accomplice who was seated in the back passenger’s seat.

The two suspects then exited the car and made good their escape on foot.

The matter was reported to the Police, but checks for the two men proved futile.

A probe has been launched into the incident.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Minibus driver allegedly kidnapped, brutally beaten – later slapped with rape charge

T

wenty-five-year-old Imran Khan, also known as “Panko”, of Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), was allegedly kidnapped on Monday evening and brutally beaten by three men and a woman.

Khan, a minibus driver, was at his home at about 20:30h when the kidnappers allegedly exited a white motorcar, stormed his house, bound his hands behind his back, and forced him into the trunk of their car.

During the ordeal, Khan’s

mother was in the kitchen.

The kidnappers then allegedly took Khan to a road (ETI Road) leading to Lake Mainstay, where they reportedly gave him a sound thrashing. Reports are that one of the men was armed with a small white gun.

Arter the beating, the perpetrators took Khan to the Anna Regina Police Station, where several allegations were made against him, including rape.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Khan’s mother, Bhagpattie, said, “I

was in the kitchen when a car pulled up in front of my house and took my son…”

The woman said she started to shout, and the kidnappers said, “We go beat am and kill am tonight!

Even the President can’t save you when we done.”

The mother claimed the kidnappers told her they were taking him to the Police station, but when the family turned up at the station, they observed the white motor car which had taken Khan coming towards the station.

Thief caught, beaten, handed over to Police

A

23-year-old man who was caught stealing from a resident of Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was on Sunday morning beaten before being handed over to the Police.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was caught stealing an electric saw, an angle grinder, an electric drill, and a haversack.

The victim, a mason, told law enforcement officers that

he had secured his home on Saturday evening before retiring to bed. However, at around 4:00h the following morning, he woke up and saw the suspect in his room.

Upon coming faced-toface with his victim, the suspect attempted to escape, but was eventually caught.

The suspect and the victim reportedly had a scuffle, during which the victim grabbed a wire and dealt the suspect several lashes about his body. Again, in an

effort to escape, the suspect jumped into a drain.

The victim then raised an alarm, which saw persons running to his assistance. They managed to apprehend the suspect, who was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was treated before being handed over to the Police.

The suspect has been placed in custody of the Leonora Police Station, pending further investigations.

The car that was allegedly used to kidnap Khan

“When we look at the cross street…the car was coming towards the station.

I waited, and I saw they zip-tie my brother’s hand like a prisoner to his back.

My brother was brutally beaten… his eyes, face and back were swollen and badly wounded,” Khan’s brother told this publication.

Khan’s mother explained that her son was supposed to pick up the four persons

Khan displaying his injuries after the beating

at the Supenaam Stelling on Monday evening, but his minibus had encountered some mechanical issues, and he had made arrangements with another bus driver to do the trip.

“When the other bus driver went, one man come out from a bush corner and walk up to he and ask, ‘You is Panko? Where is Panko?’

Khan’s family is unaware of any issue which

would warrant the kidnappers harming him. Guyana Times understands that Khan was having a relationship with the daughter of one of the men who allegedly kidnapped him. The daughter is reportedly under the age of 16.

In fact, the Police have since instituted rape charges against Khan. He is expected to make his court appearance shortly.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Massy opens new $138M outlet at Vreed-en-Hoop

Massy’s Mini-Supermarket at Vreed-en-Hoop

M

assy Stores Guyana today opened their second mini-supermarket at Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD) in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). It is an investment of $138M as the company seeks to expand its services and products across the country.

The new outlet will offer similar services as the larger stores, but in a smaller and more convenient manner, according to Branch Manager Shivdatt Tiwari.

“Our mini-supermarket (is) the second of its kind in Guyana, and it will be offering the same services in (a) smaller space, as compared to its larger counterparts in

Turkeyen and Providence,” he pointed out.

The store will offer prepared meals from the Massy bakeries, high-quality fresh produce, chilled and frozen products, meat and seafoods, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, over-the-counter drugs, a variety of local and foreign products, and general merchandise. Bill payment and money transfer services would also be offered.

“We would like to make this location the hub for your monthly shopping, where customers can enjoy everyday offerings, whether discounts, promotions, giveaways, etc.,” Tiwari said.

“We are truly excited about opening our doors in Vreed-

en-Hoop, where customers can experience the same feelings as the other Massy Stores, and I assure you that the values which we uphold will not change.

“We will continue to maintain our standards of quality, delivery of exceptional service, and an assortment which can only be found at Massy Stores,” Tiwari added.

Also in the works for Massy Guyana is the establishment of an efficient online shopping system – similar to Amazon – where customers’ needs can be met virtually.

“We are looking at an online website, an Amazoneffect website similar to that, where customers can

place orders for home delivery services and curbside pickup,” Tiwari explained.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Massy Stores Guyana, Robert Singh, noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic, Massy has taken steps to ensure proper cus-

tomer safety, and he noted that the situation is no different at this new location.

“Throughout the COVID pandemic, our stores have invested and implemented a number of protocols which ensure that safety is our number one priority,” he

posited.

Massy’s first mini-supermarket was opened in May at Montrose, East Coast Demerara (EBD). Its larger locations are at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Turkeyen in the MovieTowne compound.

20 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital pioneering complex heart surgeries

– as Guyana observes World Heart Day

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orld Heart Day 2021 is being observed today (September 29) under the theme ‘Use Heart to Connect’, and this year’s observance is about individuals connecting with their hearts, ensuring that it is be-

ing cared for, and leveraging the power of technology to link every heart everywhere.

World Heart Day promotes a healthy lifestyle and dietary habits, with a major goal being to increase public knowledge about the rel-

evance of healthy eating and physical activity in lowering the risk of heart disease.

Medical studies have confirmed that altering lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart-related disorders by 50 per cent.

This is the view of Professor Dr Prashant Vaijaynath, a Cardiac Surgeon from India who recently conducted at least six complex heart surgeries in Guyana with a team of surgeons at the Balwant Singh

Cardiac Surgeon Dr Prashant Vaijaynath

Hospital.

Among those surgeries was a pediatric cardiac surgery and a mitral valve replacement surgery.

Dr Vaijaynath recently noted that the current COVID-19 health crisis has brought to light the critical need to create new and innovative ways to bring heart health awareness to more individuals, especially those with limited access to resources and medical care.

World Heart Day 2021 mandates the power of digital health to promote worldwide awareness, prevention, and management of cardiovascular diseases.

Taking a closer look at the Guyana situation, hearthealth is not widely discussed, and many persons suffer silently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has listed

sised that a cardiac check should be a priority when medical check-ups are being conducted. He believes that the more people keep abreast with their heart health, the better chance they have of preventing a disease or heart complication due to poor health.

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, any form of heart complication counts as comorbidity to persons who have contracted the virus, with their chances being high of landing in the Intensive Care Unit, and even resulting in death.

The virus places tremendous pressure on the heart, and an unhealthy heart does not have a good chance of withstanding that pressure.

This is not limited to persons over the age of 50; anyone and everyone can be affected.

Dr Balwant Singh Jr,

Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital

ischemic heart disease and hypertensive heart disease among the top leading causes of death in Guyana.

World Health Organisation statistics shows that, in 2016, 34% of all deaths in Guyana were related to cardiovascular diseases, making it the leading cause of death in the country at that time. Today, updated statistics contribute to worldwide numbers compiled by the CDC, recording a heart disease-related death every 36 seconds.

With this information, Dr Vaijaynath sought to dispel myths about heart health. “A 45-minute brisk walk or aerobic exercise is beneficial to your heart health. However, weightlifting and gym workouts aren’t always beneficial to your cardiovascular health. It’s also a myth that women are less susceptible to cardiovascular disease….

Cardiovascular Disease is six times more common in women than breast cancer.” Dr Vaijaynath stated.

At this point, he empha-

Chairman of Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital, had mentioned that, “Another fallacy is that young people are immune to heart disease. It’s no longer true that cardiovascular problems affect just people in their 50s and 60s. Even people in their 30s are experiencing these issues these days. Indeed, they are prone to sudden heart attacks that can be fatal due to lifestyle behaviours such as junk food, alcohol consumption, smoking, and stress.”

To this end, a few hearthealthy tips were recommended, and they include a healthy and balanced diet, staying hydrated, limited sugar consumption, and exercise.

For those recovering from COVID-19 who have been diagnosed with heart complications, Professor Dr Vaijaynath recommended a minimum of eight hours’ sleep, stress management, keeping up with prescribed medication and doctor’s advice; and, most importantly, eating healthy.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

With 2021 winding down

GECOM yet to commence discussions on hosting of LGE

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ven as 2021 winds down and the last statutory date for Local Government Elections (LGE) to be held draws closer, discussions at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to hold these elections are yet to begin.

LGE were last held on November 12, 2018.

However, GECOM’s discussions this year have largely been consumed with the removal of senior functionaries at the secretariat who were implicated in electoral fraud at the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

After those personnel were removed last month, GECOM’s discussions shifted to filling those critical positions. In fact, it was only on Tuesday at the statutory meeting that the Commission finally finalised the advertisements for these positions.

When questioned, a wellplaced source at GECOM explained that the Commission has not commenced discussions on conducting the local elections. The source also noted that organising such

Justice Claudette Singh had indicated that the services of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo would be terminated effective August 18, 2021, and they would be compensated in accordance with provisions in their contracts.

To this end, Justice Singh disclosed that CEO Lowenfield was dismissed via Clause 9 of his contract, which stipulates that his services can be terminated by giving him three months’ notice, or payment in lieu thereof.

Regarding the DCEO and the RO, their contracts similarly state that the Commission may, at any time, terminate their em-

The Guyana Elections Commission

elections would be problematic when the current vacancies and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic were considered.

“I don’t see in this climate that Guyana has right now, with COVID being what it is, any election could be held.

You can’t have people campaigning and calling people together… I think the COVID people would be well within their rights to say

we can’t do this,” the source noted, adding that postponing the elections may necessitate the intervention of Parliament.

The advertisements in question will fill the vacancies caused by the removal of former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; his former deputy, Roxanne Myers and former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

After several delays and legal proceedings, Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo were on August 12 dismissed from their respective posts at the GECOM following a vote by the seven-member Commission.

In a statement announcing the terminations, which she said came after weeks of deliberation on the motions, GECOM Chair, Retired

Former DPI Head Imran Khan succumbs to COVID – CN Sharma also tests positive, admitted to ICU

Former DPI Director Imran Khan

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ormer Director of the Department of Public Information (DPI) and Communications Director of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Imran Khan, died in the wee hours of Tuesday while receiving medical attention at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Khan, who had also been an active member of the Alliance for Change (AFC), had been unvaccinated.

In the outpouring of condolences after his passing, the AFC party have said Khan “epitomised some exceptional qualities - youth, commitment, enthusiasm and resistance”. The Party, in a statement, pointed out that Khan remigrated from Antigua a few years ago, and later served in the par-

ty and on the election frontlines.

“He joined the AFC and brought his exceptional knowledge of the media and public relations environment to the day-to-day operations of our small party, allowing us to ‘bat above our league’. His unmatched creativity, knowledge of the digital media environment, and excellent writing skills were seen in two election campaigns and while he managed the Department of Public Information.”

The AFC labelled Khan as a person who enjoyed the “simple things” in life, and regarded his passing as a “tragic loss of monumental proportions” as they sent condolences to his bereaved family and friends.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, whom Khan served as Communications Director, also expressed his profound sadness at the passing of Khan.

“To his wife Tamara and other family members we offer our deepest condolences and regret. When we read his upbeat note on Sunday, asking for a fruit salad and praising coconut water, we assumed he had passed the worst and was well on the way to recovery. The suddenness of his death some hours later, attributed to acute respiratory failure,

TV Personality Chandranarine Sharma

has been a terrible shock to us all,” Harmon noted on behalf of the APNU. He regarded Khan as a passionate member of the coalition at the helm of public information.

“He was a Guyanese who believed that all Guyanese deserved a just and good life, and used all his efforts to ensure that access to information underpinned that right.

When he returned from his life in Antigua to join the coalition through the AFC, he came with eagerness and an energy that was exemplary. Our grief is profound.

Guyana has lost a true son.”

In addition, Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform, Volda Lawrence, stated, “Mr. Khan worked diligently in public service as Director of the Department of Public

Information and subsequently Head of Communications in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. He leaves an enduring imprint on the lives of all those who had the opportunity to interact with him.”

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) also expressed condolences, since Khan had served as Corporate Communications Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board, and Head of Marketing for Stanford T20 Cricket, among other positions over the years.

He will be laid to rest today.

This news of Khan’s passing comes just a few months after former journalist and popular broadcaster Mondale Smith lost his battle to the deadly novel coronavirus. He also passed away while a patient at the Infectious Disease Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

And reports were confirmed on Tuesday that former TV personality and politician Chandranarine Sharma was also being treated for the virus at the designated facility. The 69-year-old Sharma has tested positive for the virus. He is the leader of the Justice For All Party and the host of the “Voice of the People” programme.

ployment by giving them three months’ notice or payment in lieu thereof.

Government-nominated Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick, and Manoj Narayan had brought motions on June 1, 2021 calling for the dismissal of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo from GECOM. The trio are before the courts for a number of electoral charges for their alleged attempts to sway the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

2 minors among 3 injured after speeding car crashes into motorcycle

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wo children, aged 8 and 12, and a motorcyclist had to be rushed to the hospital in the wee hours of Tuesday following an accident at Schoonord Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The children, Police say, are Ethan Moore, 12, and Nathan Moore, 8, of Onderneeming, WBD. The motorcyclist is Robert Moore, 48.

Police have said that on the day in question, at about 1:30h, the motorcycle, being driven by Robert Moore with the two children as pillion riders, was proceeding along the Schoonord Public Road when motorcar HD 2241, driven by a 22-year-old man of Tushen Housing Scheme, East Bank

Essequibo, slammed into the rear of the motorcycle.

At time of the accident, the motorcar was reportedly speeding.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist and the two children fell onto the roadway and received injuries about their bodies. They were picked up in a conscious state by public-spirited citizens, and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where they were admitted patients.

The driver of the motorcar was arrested, and was subjected to a breathalyser test, which confirmed that he had consumed more than the legal limit of alcohol. He is expected to be charged shortly.

Farmer critical after being stabbed to chest by drunken brother-in-law

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27-year-old farmer is now in serious condition after he was stabbed to his chest by his intoxicated brother-in-law during a brawl at Aishalton Village, South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) on Monday.

The injured man has been identified as Carl Anton of Aishalton Village, South Rupununi. Based on reports received, the two men were not on speaking terms, and on the day in question, Anton visited the home of the suspect’s sister while the suspect was there. The suspect was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, and an argument broke out between he and Anton.

The suspect then allegedly armed himself with

a knife, and stabbed Anton in the chest before making good his escape. Anton was rushed to the Aishalton District Hospital, where he was treated and admitted in stable condition. He was later transferred to the Lethem Regional Hospital for further medical treatment.

Contacted on Tuesday, Regional Commander Superintendent Raphael Rose said a female officer has been dispatched to the area to apprehend the suspect and further investigate the matter.

“I sent an officer to the village to (apprehend) the suspect and to conduct some investigation into that matter. The victim is not out as yet, for us to further investigate the matter and give further updates”, the Commander has said.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

I

n replacing the injured Andre Russell with a fast bowler rather than an all-rounder, Kolkata Knight Riders were placing a lot of faith in Sunil Narine to balance their side. He no longer opens their batting, and before this game had scored 4, 6, 0, 0 and 0* in his only outings with the bat this season.

Narine repaid that faith with an influential all-round display that led the Knight Riders to their third win in four games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

On a tricky, two-paced pitch

necessitating an injured Lockie Ferguson coming out to bat.

But Narine's hitting ensured the anxiety was kept to a minimum: Nitish Rana's winning slash to the third-man boundary came with 10 balls still left to play.

Dhawan and only Four overs into the match, it wasn't yet fully apparent how this pitch would play. Knight Riders went all-pace in the powerplay, and Shikhar Dhawan used the pace on offer from Sandeep Warrier and Southee to pick up five fours in 16 balls.

An umpire's call verdict saved

Sunil Narine scored 20 and bagged 2-18

in Sharjah, Delhi Capitals only managed 127 after being sent in, with Narine looking un-hittable while finishing with 2 for 18 in his four overs. The chase was a stop-start affair, and there were moments when it seemed like the game could go either way, not least when Narine walked in with the Knight Riders needing 32 off 32 with five wickets in hand.

Chancing his arm and riding his luck, Narine clattered 21 off 10 balls, quickly reinforcing the smallness of the target.

The game wasn't quite done yet, as Narine and then Tim Southee fell with the Knight Riders at the doorstep of victory,

Dhawan when a Southee skidder sneaked under his attempted pull in the fourth over, and in the next over, he slapped Ferguson straight to cover point to fall for 24 off 20. By then, Knight Riders had worked out that slower balls and cross-seam balls bowled into the pitch were the way to go for the seamers. Capitals 35 for 1 in five overs.

The ChakravarthyNarine strangle From the sixth over to the 11th, it was all about Knight Riders' mystery spinners, both of whom bowl quick and into the pitch, hitting the shorter side of a good length and denying

SCOREBOARD DELHI CAPITALS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Steven Smith b Ferguson 39 Shikhar Dhawan c Iyer b Ferguson 24 Shreyas Iyer b Narine 1 Rishabh Pant (c)† run out (sub [KK Nair]/†Karthik) 39 Shimron Hetmyer c Southee b Iyer 4 Lalit Yadav lbw b Narine 0 Axar Patel c Ferguson b Iyer 0 Ravichandran Ashwin c Rana b Southee 9 Kagiso Rabada not out 0 Avesh Khan run out (†Karthik) 5 Extras (lb 2, w 4) 6 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 6.35) 127/9 Did not bat: Anrich Nortje Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Shikhar Dhawan, 4.6 ov), 2-40 (Shreyas Iyer, 6.2 ov), 3-77 (Steven Smith, 12.2 ov), 4-88 (Shimron Hetmyer, 13.5 ov), 5-89 (Lalit Yadav, 14.3 ov), 6-92 (Axar Patel, 15.3 ov), 7-120 (Ravichandran Ashwin, 19.1 ov), 8-122 (Rishabh Pant, 19.2 ov), 9-127 (Avesh Khan, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Sandeep Warrier 2-0-15-0 Tim Southee 4-0-29-1 Lockie Ferguson 2-0-10-2 Varun Chakravarthy 4-0-24-0 Sunil Narine 4-0-18-2

Venkatesh Iyer

4-0-29-2

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (TARGET: 128 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Shubman Gill c Iyer b Rabada 30 Venkatesh Iyer b Lalit Yadav 14 Rahul Tripathi c Smith b Avesh Khan 9 Nitish Rana not out 36 Eoin Morgan (c) c Lalit Yadav b Ashwin 0 Dinesh Karthik † b Avesh Khan 12 Sunil Narine c Patel b Nortje 21 Tim Southee b Avesh Khan 3 Lockie Ferguson not out 0 Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 2) 5 TOTAL (18.2 Ov, RR: 7.09) 130/7 Did not bat: Sandeep Warrier, Varun Chakravarthy Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Venkatesh Iyer, 4.3 ov), 2-43 (Rahul Tripathi, 5.5 ov), 3-67 (Shubman Gill, 10.6 ov), 4-67 (Eoin Morgan, 11.2 ov), 5-96 (Dinesh Karthik, 14.4 ov), 6-122 (Sunil Narine, 16.5 ov), 7-126 (Tim Southee, 17.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Anrich Nortje 2.2-0-15-1 Axar Patel 3-0-13-0 Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-24-1 Lalit Yadav 3-0-35-1 Avesh Khan 3-0-13-3 Kagiso Rabada 3-1-28-1

number four, swept Ashwin to the backward square leg boundary at the end of the ninth over, Knight Riders needed 66 from 66.

KKR celebrate their win

batters easy hits down the ground. It was the ideal style of spin bowling for this pitch, and the Capitals batters struggled to take the initiative against Varun Chakravarthy and Narine.

Only 17 came off the first four overs of spin, with Narine picking up his first wicket with a brilliant bit of deception, switching to a middle-finger-and-ring-finger grip while loading up behind his back, and sneaking an offbreak between bat and pad as Shreyas Iyer looked to push into the offside with an open face.

Steven Smith – who had come in for the injured Prithvi Shaw – picked up a pair of deft fours off the first ball of Chakravarthy's third over, the tenth of Capitals' innings, and then swept Narine to beat a diving deep backward square leg in the next over, to move to 35 off 27.

These were vital hits, with Rishabh Pant struggling for timing at the other end, but just when it seemed like Smith had gained a measure of the conditions, he played on to Ferguson while attempting a pull off a hard-length ball that kept a touch low. With that, Capitals were 77 for 3 in 12.2 overs.

Capitals fizzle out The wicket of Smith came in Ferguson's second over. It also turned out to be his last, with a hamstring injury forcing him off the field. The selection of Southee for Russell came in handy at this juncture, as did the versatility of Venkatesh Iyer, who sent down four overs of medium-pace, denying both leftand right-handers room while mostly hitting an exaggeratedly full length that denied them elevation as well.

He also picked up two key wickets, getting Shimron Hetmyer to hole out to long-off, defeated by the slowness of the pitch, and Axar Patel to chip a catch to midwicket. In between, Narine took his second wicket, trapping Lalit Yadav lbw for a duck.

With Pant unable to find the boundary with any real frequency at his end, the Capitals innings ground to a halt, their last nine overs bringing them just 54 runs for the loss of nine wickets. And for the second time this season, they got through an entire innings without hitting a six. They had lost that game as well, against Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai.

Gill provides the early momentum Venkatesh followed up his impressive bowling spell with two fours in the first over of the

chase, off Anrich Nortje, before falling to Lalit's offspin in the fifth over. His opening partner, Shubman Gill also delivered crucial early hits, stepping out in the second over to hit Patel back over his head for the first six of the match, and then clearing long-on when he went after R Ashwin in the seventh over.

By this time the Knight Riders had also lost Rahul Tripathi, but they were keeping themselves ahead of the required rate.

When Rana, who came in at

Rabada and Ashwin make things interesting Capitals held Kagiso Rabada back until the 11th over, and he began with five straight dots to Gill, a mixture of hard-length balls and yorkers. Then, seeing Gill step out, Rabada shortened his length and bowled a slower offcutter into the pitch. Too early into his flat-bat slog, Gill picked out the fielder at long-on.

When Ashwin followed up that wicket-maiden by getting Eoin Morgan caught at slip, Knight Riders were just beginning to wobble, needing 61 from 52 with six wickets in hand.

The importance of going hard Sometimes, you can overcomplicate T20. Sometimes, one team enjoy a run of luck that sees them through. Dinesh Karthik looked extremely uncertain in a 14-ball innings

that ended with a chop-on off Avesh Khan, but by then he'd slashed hard twice at Rabada and Lalit and picked up a pair of edged fours.

Rana, meanwhile, had stepped out to Lalit, found himself a long way from the pitch of the ball, and gone through with his shot anyway, and ended up clearing the straight boundary by a distance.

Then he'd got one closer to his slot, and slog-swept that cleanly for another six.

So, by the time Karthik departed, Knight Riders were still in control of the required rate.

Narine's arrival only brought them more luck. Rabada went with the age-old plan of going short at his body, only for a top-edged hook to carry all the way for six. Then he sent down two short balls that didn't have the same venom in them, and Narine clubbed them for four and six. Twenty-one came off that Rabada over, and Knight Riders now only needed 9 off 24.

(ESPNcricinfo)

CWI announces innovative new ticketing service with SecuTix

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ricket West Indies has announced a new partnership with SecuTix, a leading international ticketing service platform, to launch an online service that allows fans to buy tickets for any West Indies home fixture in 2022 and beyond from any device or location. The partnership will use SecuTix leading ticketing cloud platform resulting in a new online, fan-friendly ticket selection and purchasing experience.

The new ticket service, available soon through CWI’s windiescricket.com website, will offer advance ticketing and hospitality bookings for every West Indies home fixture, delivering tickets direct to fans’ mobile devices for presentation on mobile screens for entry into the stadium. Alternatively, fans can print out their tickets at home to bring to the game.

Fans will benefit by having the freedom to buy their tickets in advance, selecting a seat of their choice and without having to queue. The partnership will allow fans to receive incentives, promotions, discounts, and merchandise offers linked to their ticket purchase based on their profile and history of attendance.

Tickets for West Indies international fixtures from January to March will be sold online first, including the much-anticipated England T20 International and Test tour of the Caribbean with the full tour itinerary being announced in the coming weeks. CWI will benefit from access to leading software and blockchain technology to drive increased ticketing revenues, a reduction in operating costs, and prevention of ticket fraud.

CWI Commercial Director Dominic Warne said: “Sports fans expect a simple, fast, reliable ticket-buying

CWI Commercial Director Dominic Warne

SecuTix Americas CEO Eric Rozenberg

experience at any time of day, in any location and from any device. CWI’s new service delivers this for Caribbean fans and international visitors alike, enabling them to book their preferred seats in advance for any fixture, in just a few clicks and without the need to queue.

The SecuTix platform delivers this fan-friendly experience from purchase to entering the stadium, whilst also providing improved ticketing data to allow us to make smarter decisions on ticketing prices and promotions. We believe this improves accessibility for fans to any West Indies game and will help increase attendances to deliver that world-renowned West Indies carnival cricket atmosphere. “ The SecuTix software platform is internationally recognised for its ability to handle online ticket sales and seat selection for large venues and events spaces, including sports clubs, stadiums, music concerts and festivals, museums, and more.

“We are delighted to enter into a relationship with Cricket West Indies,” said SecuTix Americas Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Rozenberg. “Between our extensive experience with sports – including cricket and soccer – as well as our innovative technologies and unparalleled

customer service, SecuTix is well positioned to serve the specific needs of Cricket West Indies.”

Fans can sign up to be the first to hear about future fixtures, receive special ticket offers and exclusive content by signing up for the West Indies “WI Insider” fan e-newsletter at https://www.windiescricket. com/updates/ .

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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ot for the first time this season, Punjab Kings paid the price for losing their nerve at the death. After failing to score any boundaries in the final four overs to stutter to 135 for 6, their own death bowlers leaked a combination of four fours and three sixes to the power-hitting pair of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard from the 17th to 19th over, rendering the last over unnecessary as a 15-minute sequence turned a tense chase into an easy sixwicket win for Mumbai Indians.

Hardik made Kings pay for giving him an extra life on 7 in the 14th over when Harpreet Brar spilled a relativelystraightforward chance above his head trying to intercept a cut at backward point off Arshdeep Singh. With momentum swinging ever so slightly to Kings after the fall of Saurabh Tiwary in the 16th for 45 to leave Indians needing 40 off the last four overs, Hardik stole it back by flicking Mohammed Shami for four and six over the leg side in the 17th. Pollard then drove a pair of misfired yorkers from Arshdeep over the off side for four and six in the 18th before a trio of boundaries from Hardik

Kings stumble again near the finish line Ravi Bishnoi struck a pair of blows in the fourth over, getting Rohit Sharma to slap a catch to mid-on for 8 before bowling Suryakumar with a googly first ball. Tiwary nearly rounded off a would-be hat-trick sequence, but his leading edge fell just short of cover. Still at 16 for 2, Mumbai progressed in first gear for the first half of the chase as Quinton de Kock's pained innings finally came to an end in the 10th over for 27 off 29 balls when he dragged Shami onto his stumps.

Needing 74 off the last 10, Kings kept Mumbai under pressure, but were let down by their fielding in the end. Hardik

Mumbai celebrating the win

when Pollard had Chris Gayle driving to long-on for 1 followed

by KL Rahul mistiming a pull to short fine leg for 21 just two balls later. It was Pollard's only over of the night, but it was all he needed to move up to 300 career wickets in T20 cricket. The mini collapse concluded in the

Kieron Pollard scored 15* and bagged 2-18

Hardik Pandya scored 40*

off Shami clinched the match one over later as the winning runs were spilled once again over the rope at long-on by Deepak Hooda.

Collapse of the Kings After a relatively-decent start moving to 36 for 0 in the sixth over having been sent in

eighth when Nicholas Pooran clumsily played around a full toss from Jasprit Bumrah and was given out lbw for 2, a decision that was upheld on DRS. At 48 for 4, Kings were brought back to respectability thanks to a 61-run stand between Aiden Markram and Hooda, but all their hard work was undone by Mumbai

overs.

Bumrah had Hooda chipping to Pollard at long-off in the 19th for the sixth and final wicket to fall in the innings, though he had another put down on his next delivery on a near collision between himself and Suryakumar Yadav running in from deep midwicket. But he only managed to concede 11 runs off his last two overs.

Coulter-Nile was practically just as stingy, giving up 12 off his final 12 balls as Kings ran out of gunpowder once the set pair of Markram and Hooda departed.

was dropped twice on the way to his unbeaten 40 off 30 balls, the first one on 7 proving especially costly. Whereas Bumrah and Coulter-Nile showcased their surgical precision at the death, Shami and Arshdeep could not get their lengths right. Pollard's brief punishment of Arshdeep in the 18th swung momentum fully to Mumbai and cemented his Player-of-the-Match award ahead of both Hardik and Tiwary when combined with his doublewicket over in the first half of play which claimed Gayle and Rahul.

(ESPNcricinfo)

23

SCOREBOARD PUNJAB KINGS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) KL Rahul (c)† c Bumrah b Pollard 21 Mandeep Singh lbw b KH Pandya 15 Chris Gayle c HH Pandya b Pollard 1 Aiden Markram b Chahar 42 Nicholas Pooran lbw b Bumrah 2 Deepak Hooda c Pollard b Bumrah 28 Harpreet Brar not out 14 Nathan Ellis not out 6 Extras (b 1, lb 2, nb 1, w 2) 6 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 6.75) 135/6 Did not bat: Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh Fall of wickets: 1-36 (Mandeep Singh, 5.2 ov), 2-39 (Chris Gayle, 6.2 ov), 3-41 (KL Rahul, 6.4 ov), 4-48 (Nicholas Pooran, 7.3 ov), 5-109 (Aiden Markram, 15.2 ov), 6-123 (Deepak Hooda, 18.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Krunal Pandya 4-0-24-1 Trent Boult 3-0-30-0 Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-24-2 Nathan Coulter-Nile 4-0-19-0 Kieron Pollard 1-0-8-2 Rahul Chahar 4-0-27-1

MUMBAI INDIANS INNINGS (TARGET: 136 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Rohit Sharma (c) c Mandeep Singh b Ravi Bishnoi 8 Quinton de Kock † b Mohammed Shami 27 Suryakumar Yadav b Ravi Bishnoi 0 Saurabh Tiwary c †Rahul b Ellis 45 Hardik Pandya not out 40 Kieron Pollard not out 15 Extras (w 2) 2 TOTAL (19 Ov, RR: 7.21) 137/4 Did not bat: Krunal Pandya, Nathan CoulterNile, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Rohit Sharma, 3.3 ov), 2-16 (Suryakumar Yadav, 3.4 ov), 3-61 (Quinton de Kock, 9.5 ov), 4-92 (Saurabh Tiwary, 15.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Aiden Markram 3-0-18-0 Mohammed Shami 4-0-42-1 Arshdeep Singh 4-0-29-0 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-25-2 Nathan Ellis 3-0-12-1 Harpreet Brar 1-0-11-0

DeSinco Trading partners with GFF on Milex Hi & Low Milk Powder donation to fuel football programmes

GFF Marketing Committee Chairwoman Lisa Ahmad receiving a donation of Milex milk powder from a DeSinco representative

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Aiden Markram scored 42 for the Punjab Kings

to bat first, Kings innings went haywire in a 15-ball sequence that saw them lose four wickets for 12 runs. Mandeep Singh was the first to go, tied down

by Krunal Pandya's left-arm spin in the powerplay and pressured into trying a sweep to release the pressure only to be pinned lbw for 15. It was Krunal's 50th wicket in the Indian Premier League (IPL), making him just the eighth player in the tournament's history to pull off the 50-wicket, 1000 run career double.

More achievements were unlocked in the seventh over

death bowling thanks to a pair of usual suspects.

Bumrah and Coulter-Nile stifle Kings further Markram started off the 16th over with a four clipped off Rahul Chahar. Despite having six wickets in hand and 29 balls remaining, that would prove to be the last boundary of the Kings innings.

Markram was bowled missing a sweep next ball to Chahar before the legspinner handed over the death bowling reins to Bumrah and Nathan Coulter-Nile, who were relentless in the final four

Imran Khan

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he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has expressed sadness at the passing of former Head of the Department of Public Information (DPI), Imran Khan reportedly from COVID-19.

Khan, a media professional, had previously served as the Media Liaison for Cable and Wireless from 2002 to 2004; the Media Manager of West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) from 2004 to 2007 and Head of Marketing and Communications for Stanford T20 Cricket from 2007 to 2009.

Additionally, he served as

the Corporate Communications Officer of WICB Inc from 2010 to 2015.

From all reports, Khan brought high levels of commitment and expertise in the discharge of his duties in these positions and in so doing earned the respect and admiration of both his employers and colleagues.

The GCB takes the opportunity to once again urge all eligible persons to be fully vaccinated, as advised by the medical experts, in order to mitigate this deadly pandemic.

ne of Guyana’s leading distributors of fastmoving consumer goods, DeSinco Trading has joined forces with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to provide 40 cases of Arla Foods’ Milex Hi & Low Milk Powder for use by participants of football development and national team programmes.

DeSinco, owned by former Golden Jaguars team manager Frank DeAbreu, is a longstanding supporter of the GFF and the football community.

It is expected that this latest contribution will mark a new beginning in the history of the important strategic partnership.

“DeSinco is no stranger to making contributions to football,” said GFF Marketing Committee Chairwoman Lisa Ahmad, receiving the donation at DeSinco Trading

in Georgetown on Tuesday.

“We want to echo our thanks for having the company back on board with us once again.

We hope that we can have a long and fruitful partnership.”

Milex Hi & Low is a reduced fat powdered milk product, which contains 60 per cent less fat than standard milk powder and extra calcium, protein and Vitamin D. In total, DeSinco has donated 1600 packets of 125g Hi & Low powder to the GFF. “On behalf of DeSinco and Arla Foods’ Milex, we are very happy to make this donation of 40 cases of milk,” said Sarah Piggott, Medical Representative at DeSinco Trading. “We look forward to partnering again with the Football Federation. We hope that the players and support teams enjoy this item, because it is an excellent product.”

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

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

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a r l o s PettersonGriffith had his eyes set on competing at the World Powerlifting Championships scheduled for September 23 to October 3, 2021 in Sweden. However, that dream was cut short as he was denied that opportunity due to the fact that Guyana is the only country that requires a European Schengen Visa to travel to Sweden.

In a statement, PettersonGriffith said, “I, along with the federation had exhausted all our options in trying to obtain this visa within the said period needed, but to no avail; the only response we had gotten for a closest date for the interview, given the pandemic protocols

Petterson-Griffith says that he will be focused on the 2022 edition of the World Powerlifting Championships

would be after the competition, which would defeat the entire purpose of this trip. This makes 2 years as I will be missing the World Championships even though I was fully prepared. I

know in my heart that I would have placed within the top tier of the best five lifters, and it is a disappointing feeling knowing that it was out of my control having everything in place to

travel aside from the visa.”

Petterson-Griffith, however, said that with every setback, there was an even greater comeback and he was confident that he would be competing next year at the World Championships with God’s grace. He stated that he was now focused on the future and was preparing for the upcoming South American Championships in Ecuador, which would be his redemption, as he would then be able to showcase some of the preparation he had put in place for the World Championships.

Petterson-Griffith also extended heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all the people and entities that supported him, namely Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr; the National Sport Commission (NSC); Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, Fitness Express’s Jamie McDonald; MVP Sports; Guybisco, and DeSinco Trading

as well as those who wish to remain private.

In closing, the world-class powerlifter said, “I would like to end with a quote by Anderson Silva: “A champion is defined by the adversity he overcomes.

I would like to encourage our

young athletes and the ones who are hungry and pushing for greatness to keep pushing and never give up and to always remember the comeback is always stronger than the setback.”

Canadian Legends beat Warriors AMBC election to be in OMSCC’s over-40 final chaired by Guyana’s Ninvalle

C

anadian Legends defeated Warriors Cricket Club by 54 runs to win the 2021 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Division One Over-40 20-over final on Sunday at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough, Toronto.

The Legends tallied up 152-8 from their allotment of 20 overs, but Warriors

G

Steve Ninvalle

The victorious Canadian Legends celebrate their victory on Sunday in Canada

could only respond with 98

all out off 16 overs.

Canada-based Guyanese

Kris Vernom led the way with a solid 41 for the Legends. He was supported by Imran Ali, who made 26 while former Guyana and West Indies youth player Hemnarine Chattergoon, who also started the innings, made 16.

Avinash Singh claimed two wickets for 19 runs from his maximum three overs.

When Warriors batted, opener Mike Kadir hit a fighting 24 while Singh returned with the bat to make 19. Their innings went into turmoil once the consistent Mark Moosai (03) and Rovendra Mandolall (03)

departed in quick succession leaving them tottering at 14-2 in the fourth over.

Andy Narayan finished with outstanding bowling figures of 3-16 from three overs while skipper Wally Bacchus supported with 2-23 off three overs. There was one wicket apiece for the veteran and former Guyana high-profile softball player Bobby Parasnauth and Imran Ali. Vernom was named Player of the Match and he took home a trophy. The winning side also collected one.

uyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle has been appointed as Chairman of the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) elections to be held Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ninvalle will chair the meeting virtually and will be responsible for what is termed the most important part of the AMBC Congress.

AMBC had recently written to the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to have one of the most-respected administrators appointed as Chair. AIBA responded in the affirmative.

In an invited comment, the GBA boss said that he welcomed the fact that AMBC and AIBA could have placed so much confidence in him.

He promised to operate in a fair and impartial manner.

In chairing the elections, Ninvalle, a Vice President of AMBC, has become the first from Caricom to do so.

The local boxing boss, who also serves as the Director of Sport, has chalked up several firsts since being elected the President of the GBA, including being the Anglophone Caribbean’s first Executive Committee Member of AIBA, first AIBA Youth Commission Chairman and first member of the AIBA Executive Bureau.

Tomorrow’s Congress will see one person taking over from Argentine Osvaldo Bisbal, who has resigned as the 43-member AMBC President. Venezuelan Luisa Benitez, the lone woman in the quartet; Brazilian Fabiano Borges; Puerto Rican Jose Laureano and American Tyson Lee are up for election.

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