Guyana Times --Thursday, May 26th, 2022

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

Issue No. 5020

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

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Guyana’s 56th Independence Anniversary

“One Guyana” train will move us forward – Pres Ali …says path to prosperity, development will not be derailed

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Canada reaffirms support for P26 Guyana during ICJ process

– Let us climb together for a better Guyana – Opp Leader

Page 7

MoU inked for training of GTT employees, P24 salary increase 93 new COVID-19 cases detected in 24 P31 hours P24 Body of Corentyne fisherman pulled from canal

US$260M contract signed for new Demerara River Bridge Page 3

– construction to commence immediately with a 2-year deadline for completion

$250M in fertiliser support for Region More than 130 residents 2 farmers relocate to 4 shelters – VP Jagdeo Region 9 flooding

Page 30

Page 9

– PM Phillips stresses importance of moving to higher ground

GNBS seizes cigarettes, P25 unapproved scales among other items Venezuelan P31 national feared dead after boat sinks at Devil Hole, Cuyuni River

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, May 26 – 01:30h-03:00h and Friday, May 27 – 02:00h-03:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, May 26 – 14:00h-15:30h and Friday, May 27 – 14:45h-16:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers and light rain showers are expected during the day and into the night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 14:02h reaching a maximum height of 2.37 metres.

Low Tide: 07:36h and 19:53h reaching a minimum height of 0.82 metre respectively.

US$260M contract signed for new Demerara River Bridge – construction to commence immediately with a 2-year deadline for completion

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n a matter of two years, Guyanese residing on both the western and eastern sides of the Demerara River will have much relief when it comes to traveling as a US$260 million contract for the new bridge was signed early Wednesday morning.

The new bridge will be a fixed 2.65-kilometre four-lane high-span cable-stayed structure across the Demerara River with the width of the driving surface being about 23.6 metres.

The bridge, which features a bicycle lane, will bring an end to closures to vehicular traffic with a 50-metre fixed high span to cater for the free flow of vessels uninterrupt-

of the contract.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan noted this project was reflective of China’s continuous support and push for its Private Sector to play a part in the development of Guyana. She noted that this new bridge would be a landmark project in Guyana with unimaginable benefits to people on both sides of the river.

“This new bridge will effectively promote the flow of people and logistics on both sides of the river, save economic and time costs of transportation, and promote regional development. We expect that by working hand in hand by all parties, the project will be smoothly

A preliminary design of the new Demerara River Bridge

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$114.5/barrel

Rough Rice

$306.864/ton

+0.45

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$563.90/ton

+0.28

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$1863.70 -0.19%

ed. The river will be dredged along a 13.5-kilometre stretch to accommodate large vessels.

Construction works are slated to commence immediately and will last for some two years.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill noted that this was the largest contract for a transport infrastructure project ever financed by the Guyana Government.

He pointed out that the daily traffic across the Demerara River increased by 62 per cent over the past decade, and it contributed to heightened congestion, discomfort and frustration among the public.

“The signing of this contract today is truly monumental and will lead to construction activities never before witnessed in our urban space.

There's going to be some inconveniences on the land side as well as on the river – perhaps even in the air – over the next two years, as piles are driven on the land and in the water or as sand is transported to the worksite or as the towers are constructed to connect this cable-stay section of the bridge.

But at the end of the inconvenience, we will have achieved monumental progress and development,” Edghill said.

The Public Works Minister reassured that the bridge would be delivered within the specified timeline of two years The contract was awarded to a joint venture led by China Railway and Construction Corporation (International) Limited, which outbid four other pre-qualified international companies that submitted proposals for the project.

Over the past few months, the Guyana Government, through a team of specialists – legal and engineering – was in negotiations with the Chinese company to finalise the terms

promoted and completed with high quality as planned. The Chinese Government encourages competent Chinese enterprises to cooperate with Guyanese partners to make their contribution to the economic and social development of Guyana,” the Chinese diplomat stated.

Guyana and China are cel-

Public Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Vladim Persaud and a representative of the Chinese construction company signing the US$260 million contract as several Cabinet Ministers and the Chinese Ambassador look on

ebrating 50 years of bilateral ties this year and according to Ambassador Guo, this is an ideal opportunity to promote greater development of those relations with a solid foundation and broad prospects.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh spoke of the hours Guyanese have lost owing to the current Demerara Harbour Bridge, noting that his Government was committed to bringing relief to the people of the country.

“We will work diligently to seek to alleviate every source of inconvenience and hardship that you've endured over the years, because our duty is to ensure that we make life better for all Guyanese and that is our commitment… This Government's commitment is to achieve a real visible, tangible, meaningful and lasting transformation of all aspects of life for the benefit of all of the people of Guyana, and this

bridge constitutes an important part of that much broader agenda,” he asserted.

Dr Singh further noted that Wednesday’s contract signing came on the heels of several other major infrastructural projects being undertaken across the country that would transform the landscape of Guyana.

“We are witnessing history today and not history in the sense of a one-off isolated project, but history in the sense of a major transformative project that is part of a much larger comprehensive plan for transforming Guyana. To put it very simply, my Guyanese brothers and sisters – the making of the ‘Modern Guyana’ is well underway and we, today's generation of Guyanese, are incredibly privileged not only to witness the making of ‘Modern Guyana’, but to be a part of it,” the Finance Minister stressed.

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

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

Guyana at 56

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oday, thousands of citizens and well-wishers in the Region and Diaspora will join the country’s leaders to celebrate and mark Guyana’s 56th Independence Anniversary.

The celebrations will no doubt be grand in certain parts of the country, despite the fact that the Government has abandoned the traditional and midnight flag-raising ceremony which was the feature event for decades, since it was symbolic with the events which took place back in 1966.

Even as Guyanese celebrate, there is need for urgent introspection and reflection on the gains that have made on the country’s long road to independence, and the consistent strides that have been secured in Guyana’s turbulent and dynamic post-Independence history.

Recall, that upon attainment of Independence, Guyana became the only English-speaking country on the South American continent and the 24th member of the then British Commonwealth of Nations, despite the struggles faced in the early 1950s and its nationalist movement which birthed the original People’s Progressive Party under the leadership of the Late Presidents Dr Cheddi B Jagan and Forbes Burnham.

At that time, both leaders pursued a menu of noble, democratic and visionary policies aimed at the attainment of national unity and internal self-government. As Dr Tota Mangar wrote in one of his literary pieces, “their resounding victory at the 1953 general elections under adult suffrage astounded many, including local reactionaries, the Colonial Office, and more so the US State Department”. It was the crowning achievement of how a people could rally against oppression if they were hungry for the right to determine their own destinies.

Dr Mangar also notes in his writings that “the mass-based party’s tenure in office was only short-lived, as Great Britain, under considerable American pressure, suspended the Constitution and overthrew the legally elected Government under the guise of preventing the establishment of a communist state in the then British Guiana.

An interim Government was imposed, and it comprised of many individuals, who themselves suffered humiliating defeat at the hands of the toppled nationalist candidates. As if that setback was not enough, the nationalist movement itself became severely fractured in 1955 into Jaganite and Burnhamite factions of the PPP and the eventual emergence of the People’s National Congress two years later. This development paved the way for the subsequent intense political rivalry between our two foremost leaders - Dr Jagan and Mr Burnham.

It was no doubt at this point that Guyana’s history became even more interesting and intriguing in the lead up to Independence, because the split between the two leaders led to many of the problems which characterized Independent Guyana in her postIndependence years, which were also considered as the “dark years”.

As history would have it, Burnham would lead the first coalition Government in 1964 with the United Force, while Dr Jagan continued his activism and work in Opposition, notwithstanding the fact that he led the first national Government.

The ultimate movement of triumph of patriotism, unity and togetherness came when, in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Kent; Sir Richard Luyt, the first Governor-General of Guyana; former Conservative Colonial Secretary Duncan Sandys, and Colonial Secretary Anthony Greenwood, and 62 delegates from 47 countries worldwide, Dr Jagan and Burnham embraced each other in what appeared to be an emotionally charged hug.

Fifty-six years after the event, Guyana is still facing some of the same challenges faced then. This country is toying and experimenting with various models of governance that could lead to inclusivity and the achievement of national unity. The country is still racially polarised and divided despite the advancement of legislation and other events that took place, which were aimed at creating national healing, consensus-building, and inclusivity.

Leaders are still locked in a heated debate about the kind of Guyana that is needed in order to transform the lives of the ordinary men and their standard of living. The same threats that existed in the pre- and post-colonial days appear to be resurfacing disguised as new wine, but many of those who lived through the fifties recognise the old bottles and know too well the dangers that may lie ahead if a decision is not paid to change course.

We must work together to accomplish a lot more by the time the country celebrates its next Independence Anniversary. Citizens must take pride in being Guyanese, and must understand that they are the only ones that could truly redefine this country’s destiny, but they must not barter their rights and freedoms in order to live a good life. They must defend those freedoms zealously, while demanding that those in power who have access to the public purse fulfill their mandate as promised.

This Steven Bagot photo shows the hidden village of Orealla, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). This is one of the entries in the Ministry of Tourism’s “snapnshare” competition in the active exploration/adventure category

The PNC/PNCR/APNU is representative of themselves, and not of the Black Race Dear Editor, The PNC, I would rather stick to that reference and not the tongue-twisting, hideous aliases which it is not, and I shall repeat, is not a representative of the Black Race in Guyana. If ever they are to be referred to, it would be appropriate to say that they are a representative of themselves only. The Black Race, of which I am a part, represents as well as speaks for itself.

Having established that premise, I shall go on to say that all Blacks

who are non-supportive of the PNC must be afforded their God-given opportunity to exercise that choice without fear. We will not be corralled into the PNC’s web of servitude, as I emphatically reiterate the point.

So when, as a regular contributor to Facebook, I make a positive comment about the PPP/C, I should not have to be subjected to the most derogatory and dehumanising terms you can ever imagine. This is the asininity we witness on a daily basis. By the

way, in their book, that foolishness is not considered racism at all, but, as they put it, their way of telling a Black Man whom to love and whom to hate.

Once you do not subscribe to the PNC’s line of reasoning, then it is quite natural for you to be called a house slave or an Oreo cookie, and all the other long list of horrible labels. When you are of that mindset, you go to the lengths of even denigrating the religious beliefs and practices of the other racial grouping in

Guyana, calling them killers of goats and sheep.

But lest they assume a so-called “better” religion or a holier-than-thou attitude, they need to do some hermeneutics of the Christian religion, which shows a religion that was inundated with animal sacrifices. So, the followers of that party need to stop their depraved ramblings.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

What will become of the research programme?

Dear Editor, I saw the GuySuCo CEO Sasenarine Singh, on May 20, 2022, in a section of the media, saying that the sugar company’s research fields were being transferred to Blairmont Estate.

Having read the article, I am convinced that he is far out at sea, and appears to me clueless about what are the implications

of the damage inflicted.

Editor, transferral of the research fields is an exercise that requires careful planning and execution, and cannot be accomplished in a willy-nilly way, as the CEO makes it sound. Of course, anyone with an iota of experience would know that.

Alarmingly, it appears that most of the technical personnel are not part of

the transfer.

I wonder what will become of the research programme following its hasty abortion at LBI. Editor, sugar, like any agricultural crop, is based on certain scientific principles. It cannot be tinkered with, as some may believe. Of course, the current CEO, from conversations I have had, is no sugar expert, no matter his

rantings.

Given his current course, I must say it appears to me GuySuCo will implode within a year, and the sugar industry will be no more. I must wonder whether his appointment was designed to make him a willing handmaiden to the industry’s destruction.

Yours faithfully, Liebert Alleyne

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

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News

Local Financial analyst Joel Bhagwandin responds to Tom Sanzillo, IEEFA Indian Success: Cramat Ally McDoom

By Guyanese of Indian Ancestry Association

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hile all Indian Girmitiyas started out in the cane fields, within one generation, several blazed paths in other fields to inspire others to follow suit. One such emblematic figure was Cramat Ally McDoom, whose immigrant parents arrived in 1884.

He was born on 23rd Sept 1890, and passed away on 2nd October 1950. But in those short sixty years, his achievements were so wide-ranging and breathtaking that one can only wonder at his will power and determination.

The “Who’s Who of 1947 tersely summarised his accomplishments: Merchant, cattle rancher, rice farmer, landed proprietor.

In 1922, at the age of 32, he bought a section of land at Rome, East Bank Demerara, adjoining Agricola.

He promptly cleared the land, created drainage, and demarcated plots that he sold as house lots, and some with small thatched cottages.

He built his own home near the Public Road, and named the scheme McDoom Village.

He spent much time ensuring the sanitary conditions were healthy - something sorely lacking in the nearby logies.

He worked out installment payment schedules for his customers, graded to their economic circumstances. Within a decade, Peter Ruhoman noted that the settlers had improved their houses, “some with architectural pretentions”.

They cultivated gardens, reared cattle, and also worked in neighbouring estates. He was instrumental in the construction of a Masjid near his home in 1926-1927, and introduced a “Delco” lighting plant around the same time.

He was a member of the delegation that went to India in 1924 to present the “Colonization Scheme” to the Indian Government, for Indians to emigrate to BG as peasant farmers.

He was the majority shareholder and Governing Director in the “Demerara Saw Mills Inc” formed in 1929 in the village.

He went into rice farming and cattle ranching in 1931, when he acquired land in Mahaicony. With his background in rice, he was a member of the 1937 BG Rice Delegation to Trinidad and other islands to negotiate better prices for Guyanese rice exports. In 1946, he became President of the Rice Producers Association (RPA), a Member its Exec Committee, BG Rice Marketing Board, and a Member of the Rice delegation to the WI to negotiate a post-WWII rice regime.

Some other accomplishments: 1922: VP, British Guiana East Indian Association.

1929: President, Local Indian Congress.

1940: Acquired Pln Hampton Court (last sugar estate on Essequibo Coast) Pres., BG Islamic Association 1947: Nominated Member Legislative Council He also had 8 sons and 5 daughters

Original 1926/27 Masjid rebuilt in 1952

DID YOU KNOW? •

R.B. Gajraj and A. Ruhoman and Co., founded in 1892 and 1893 respectively were two of the first Indian businesses established on Water St Georgetown.

•

A 1922 Report showed that 12 Indian rice farmers owned 10,000 acres, 200 others owned another 10,000 acres along the Mahaicony Creek - all without Government assistance.

Dear Editor, Reference is made to a local newspaper article captioned “Every citizen at present owes ExxonMobil $9m IEEFA Financial Analyst”, published in its May 25th edition.

In that article, the author argued that, with the planned development, ExxonMobil will rack up some US$75B, which will drive up the debt burden for Guyana. This view, however, is contextually incorrect and grossly misleading. It is not a case where the Government of Guyana somehow would have to find US$75 billion by 2070 to repay ExxonMobil. The investment of itself would repay the investors their capital investment, and would yield a profit, which is shared between the Government and the oil company through a 50/50 split.

The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) has a 75% cost recovery threshold from which the contractor would recover the initial investment. The projected capital investment for the Stabroek block over the life of the project is some US$60 billion, and the life of the project is 30 years.

At the very outset, it must be understood that ExxonMobil and its consortium partners, inter alia, the 1999 agreement, com-

menced exploration shortly after than agreement was signed, and only discovered oil in 2015, sixteen years later, while all this time incurring exploration cost.

Following the successful discovery, development stage of the field began, which took five years, bringing it to a total of almost 21 years of exploration and development before going into production. That means that Exxon and its partners waited for just over two decades before they started to produce oil in commercial quantities, and to recover their initial capital investment and ultimately profit.

Using Liza Phase One for the sake of this discussion, Liza Phase One’s total development cost alone stood at US$4.3 billion, almost 100% of Guyana’s pre-oil GDP. It would appear, too, that Tom Sanzillo does not seem to comprehend that, because of the 75% cost recovery threshold, the recovery period for these investments would be very short.

Liza Phase One, for example, using an average price per barrel of US$45 at an annual production capacity of 43.8 million barrels of crude, the investment cost of US$4.3 billion will be recovered within 3-4 years, using the payback method.

With the Net Present Value (NPV) investment appraisal

method and a discount rate of 10%, the investment can be recovered within 4 years.

As such, from the Liza Phase One alone, Guyana can earn over US$2 billion in the first five years, and up to US$6 billion within ten years – taking the post-recovery period into the equation. In other words, Guyana’s projected earnings from the Liza Phase One development alone over the first decade is equivalent to 120% of current GDP; 3.5 times current level of total public debt, and 5 times Government’s revenue, using 2019 figures.

The highest cost is usually the development cost, and therefore, when the development cost is recovered, the operating expense is minimal, since the infrastructure to extract the crude is already in place. To substantiate this view with reasonable certainty, a perusal of Exxon's 2018 Annual Report confirmed that total operating cost was just about 27%

of total revenue. Hence, this means that, in the post recovery period, profit share will be greater, assuming, for example, that operating cost will be 30% of total revenue, then effectively there will be 70% of revenue for profit share, of which 50% is Guyana’s share.

Consequently, Guyana’s profit share can be as much as 35% post-recovery period plus 2% royalty, resulting in a total take of 37%; up from 14.5% during the recovery period in the first three to four years of Liza Phase One’s development alone.

Then there is Liza Phase Two, and many other FPSOs and development fields that will be operationalised over the decade.

(Author’s note: A more comprehensive counter-analysis to Tom Sanzillo’s by this author is forthcoming).

Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin Financial Analyst

Thursday, May 26, 2022

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

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Foundation ◄ Guyana has quite an unusual national flower – the Victoria Regia lily, the largest of all water lilies! The Victoria Regia water lily was discovered by Robert Schomburgk, a German botanist in 1837 during an expedition to Guyana. It is named after Queen Victoria.

Words by AL Luker Music by RCG Potter Dear land of Guyana, of rivers and plains, Made rich by the sunshine, and lush by the rains, Set gem-like and fair between mounts and seaYour children salute you. dear land of the free.

Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore, Both bondsman and free, laid their bones on your shore, This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we, All sons of one mother, Guyana the free Great land of Guyana, diverse though our strains, We are born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains, And ours is the glory their eyes did not see One Land of six peoples, united and free.

Dear Land of Guyana, to you will we give Our homage, our service each day that we live; God grant you, great Mother, and make us to be More worthy our heritage - land of the free.

“Without moral and intellectual independence, there is no anchor for national independence.” – David Ben-Gurion

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s 56th Independence Anniversary

‘‘One Guyana’’ train will move us forward – Pres Ali …says path to prosperity, development will not be derailed -Let us together climb to a better Guyana – Opposition Leader

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Commander-in-Chief, President Dr Irfaan Ali, inspecting the guards

s the Cooperative Republic of Guyana celebrate 56 years since it gained independence from British rule, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government is committed to fostering the development and ensuring the prosperity of the country and its people under the ‘One Guyana’ flagship.

ed that his Government has a duty and responsibility to face its people, hence it has been on the ground engaging the people in all 10 regions.

This, he pointed out, is reflective of his Government’s commitment to ensuring prosperity is brought to people all across the country.

In fact, to further show his dedication to this policy,

unprecedented growth, which must be measured by the upliftment of its people.

“Every family must rise and enjoy the development that is going to take place.

That is what is real growth for this Government: when every family can feel a part of, can be a part of, and can rise…under the growth and development of our country,” he added.

According to the Head of State, his administration had already embarked on this journey of enhancing and building the lives of citizens.

Over the past two years, he highlighted, there has been unprecedented progress in all areas – over 11,000 house lots allocated; reduction of

Prime Minister Brig (ret’d) Mark Phillips, First Lady Arya Ali and other Cabinet Ministers, as well as Government officials at the ceremony in Anna Regina, Region Two

panding the reach of Guyana to its neighbours, to further open up opportunities.

President Ali noted that all these achievements over the past two years were a result of the hard work of the Cabinet that the Guyanese people elected.

“These are your accomplishments; these are your work, because you had the confidence when you placed us in office to deliver on this.

So, this by extension is your accomplishment – the people of Guyana’s accomplishment,” he asserted.

Moreover, the Guyanese Leader reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development and advance-

to secure our future on all the diversified fronts; it is investments that will build our economy on a multi-faceted platform standing on different legs that will ensure our country is sustainable and that will secure your future, and that will create new opportunities. It is that environment that we are building,” he posited.

Meanwhile, echoing similar sentiments of advancing Guyana in a cohesive manner, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, in his Independence Day Message, has underscored the need for Guyanese to do better, not only in their resolve and resilience to forge ahead relentlessly, but also

shared values, strengthen our sense of “One Destiny”, and rejuvenate our national pride. We need to end the existence of Two Guyanas,” he noted.

Norton outlined that the fact that Guyana, as a nation, has travelled this far together is an achievement in itself. He said Guyanese survival speaks not only to their strong spirit and will power, but also to their capacity to keep travelling forward.

“We have arrived at a critical crossroad in our history, where we are required not only to travel forward, but also to travel upward.

Upward towards society and an economy in which we

The Golden Arrowhead being hoisted at the stroke of Midnight to mark Guyana’s 56th Independence Anniversary

This is according to President Ali in his Independence Day Message that was delivered at a grand ceremony at Damon Square in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). He posited that Guyana is on a forward-looking trajectory, and will not be dissuaded from moving toward a united way under his ‘One Guyana’ initiative.

“The ‘One Guyana’ train will advance forward… We are not going to let any stumbling block derail our path to prosperity and development, derail our path to One Guyana,” the Head of State posited.

The Guyanese Leader not-

President Ali disclosed that, going forward, the independence celebration will be rotated in all the regions every year.

“Tonight we celebrate the unification of us as a people, but, more importantly, we send a strong message that every single region is important, every single region is central to Guyana’s development and our Government’s plan for development,” he stated.

Reflecting on Guyana’s journey towards independence, President Ali noted that all Guyanese must recommit to ensuring that freedom and progress prevail in the country. He outlined that Guyana is firmly on a path to

A performance during the 56th Independence Flag-Raising Ceremony

burdensome taxes; millions of dollars in cash grants and increased welfare assistance; improved utility services; infrastructure development, among other things.

He argued that the development of the country must bring an improved quality of life for its people, hence his Government has been working on creating jobs and ex-

ment of all the sectors in the country. He added that keen efforts would be placed on protecting Guyana from the impacts of climate change, as well as investing in food security, agriculture, sport, women and the elderly, and in ensuring the safety of vulnerable groups.

“It is these collective investments; it is investments

move beyond lip service and give substance to building racial harmony in Guyana.

“We can and must take tangible steps to eliminate racial discrimination, to guarantee equality of opportunity for all, and to establish healthy inter-ethnic understandings and interactions…

We can and must do better as a people to entrench our

can end poverty, lift and expand the middle class, and ensure all citizens can live decently and comfortably.

Upward where being classified as one of the world’s richest countries could translate into a better quality of life for the people of Guyana. Let us together climb to a better Guyana,” the Opposition Leader asserted.

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Challenge to NRF Act

Judge calls hearing to address allegations levelled by Opposition

Deja vu…

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Opposition Chief Christopher Jones

Whip

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

Finance Singh

head of the September 12 oral arguments in the APNU/AFC challenge to the passage of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act, High Court Judge Navindra Singh on Wednesday called a hearing to address what he termed a material dispute in the facts.

Guyana Times understands that, at the hearing, Justice Singh pointed the parties to paragraphs 32 a and 42 of Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones’s affidavit, in which he alleged that House Speaker Manzoor Nadir deprived Opposition Parliamentarians of participating in debates on the NRF Bill.

With this considered a serious allegation, and the case being one of national importance, Justice Singh instructed the parties that they will meet again on July 7 to draft a joint statement of agreed facts. Arguments on this preliminary issue are fixed for July 15.

At a previous hearing, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, had asked the court to dismiss the case filed by Jones and Trade Unionist Norris Witter on the ground that it is an abuse of the court process. The duo argued that, due to the absence of the parliamentary Mace, the most significant symbol in the National Assembly, and some members not being seated, the NRF Act cannot be regarded as being lawfully passed.

On the night of December 29, 2021, Opposition Members of Parliament (MP) had dislodged the Mace from its position at the House Clerk’s desk in an attempt to prevent the NRF Bill from being passed. Nandlall, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, the House Speaker, and Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs have been listed as respondents.

Personal Assistant was seen latching himself on to the Mace while lying on the floor in an attempt to secure it, while the Opposition parliamentarians stood by hurling racial slurs and taunts at him. But despite the Opposition’s protest and its mounting calls for the Bill to be sent to a Special Select Committee, the Government went ahead and passed it.

The Speaker of the National Assembly is, however, adamant that the Bill was lawfully passed, noting that a replica Mace was in place. He had explained that almost all Parliaments in the Westminster System have two Maces in case one is not being found or is stolen.

the debates.

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Replica Mace

At one point in the proceedings, the Speaker’s

No relevance

In his Affidavit in Defence, Nandlall, in urging the court to dismiss the case, contended that it is an abuse of the court’s process, as it is without any legal basis.

According to the Attorney General, there is no principle known to the law, neither does the Constitution nor the Standing Orders of the National Assembly require that the Mace must be present and in place for Parliament to exercise its constitutional power to make laws for the peace, order, and good governance of Guyana.

He argued that, whether the Mace is in place or not, or whether an instrument can be used as a Mace, the purpose of the Mace and matters connected to Parliament are matters over which the High Court has no jurisdiction, as they constitute procedural matters of Parliament, over which the Parliament has exclusive jurisdiction under Article 165 of the Constitution.

In any event, Nandlall argued, the Mace has “no relevance and place” in the exercise of Parliament’s constitutional power and authority to make laws, and that it was the Opposition Parliamentarians who chose not to participate in

Minister,

Dr

Ashni

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

Excluded from consultations

Jones and Witter, in their Fixed Date Application (FDA), are seeking a number of declarations, including one that the conduct of the business of the House without the Mace and the later passage of the Bill were illegal.

They submitted that this is contrary to constitutional values of the rule of law, democracy, inclusive governance, and the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

The Opposition’s position is that civil society bodies were excluded from consultations on the Bill.

Witter argued that under Article 154A of the Constitution and Article 25 of the Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, he has a fundamental right to political participation in the conduct of public affairs.

He, however, argued that this right was violated with the passage of the NRF Bill. In light of this, the Trade Unionist is asking the court to declare that pursuant to Article 154A, the Government, in formulating an NRF policy, had a responsibility to engage in consultation.

Manifesto promise

But Nandlall said that a lack of consultation does not in any manner affect the law, power and authority of Parliament. He deposed, “It will be contended that the debates among the elected representatives of the people in the National Assembly, which is a component of the legislative process, constitutes consultation.” He said, too, that the Bill received widespread national consultations. To support his argument, he reminded that the legislation was a promise contained in his party’s 2020 National Elections manifest – a document he has already tendered as evidence.

He said that the manifesto itself was a product of five years of public consultations, from 2015

High Court Judge Navindra Singh

to 2020, across all 10 regions, including a grand public consultation held at New Thriving Restaurant, Providence on February 17, 2019. For the aforementioned reasons, the Attorney General submitted that he maintains “most resolutely” that the Natural Resource Fund Act was lawfully, validly, and properly passed, and received the due assent of President Dr Irfaan Ali in accordance with the Constitution.

Replenish

Since the passage of the legislation last December, the Government has gone on to establish the Natural Resource Fund Board. Earlier this month, the Finance Minister announced the Government’s first withdrawal of $41.7 billion from the Natural Resource Fund.

This sum, which was taken out following parliamentary approval, has been transferred to the Consolidated Fund to finance national development priorities, Dr Singh noted.

However, Jones and Witter are further asking the High Court to declare null, void, and of no effect all actions taken by anyone, including the Minister of Finance, pursuant to the passage of the Bill, or the Constitution of any Board under the NRF. They are also seeking orders necessary to ensure that the NRF is replenished to the extent of all sums disbursed from it.

…on “independent” Guyana state? s it a commentary on our politics that, on Independence Day, a denizen of the letters’ pages suggested we should revisit the “West Indian Federation” idea??

Maybe it was all that blood rushing to the heads of our citizenry when those eight Caricom Prime Ministers came down to revel in our Agri Investment Forum and Expo??

All those MOUs signed for cooperation in every area of economic activity they could think of - and certainly not limited to agriculture??

But your Eyewitness is old enough to know (from bitter experience!) that these sorta decisions shouldn’t be made when you’re very angry or very happy. Or feeling ANY strong emotion, for that matter. Just like with marriage, you gotta decide on hitching-up matters in the cold light of realism. And unless your religion permits polygamy, marriage is only between two individuals, while the Federation was ten and is now fifteen. That’s fifteen times the challenge!!

So, the first thing is: are federations the way to go nowadays?? Don’t forget that the British foisted the WI Federation on us as a way to keep us tied to their coattails, without having the responsibility for our needs.

It didn’t take but 4 years for Jamaica and TT to jump ship.

Whatever they might’ve said publicly, their rationale was they didn’t want to take responsibility for the “little eight” islands!! Has anything changed since? The second thing came out of the first: will the leaders be willing to give up their “power” to a Federal Structure?? Let’s not forget that most of these leaders have proven to be Little Caesars who just love strutting on the world stage as “World Leaders”!! Once they’ve experienced those 18gun salutes, can you keep them down in the second-tier seats??

If we couldn’t get the CSME going - which was just a Caricom Single Market and Economy - after 29 years, what’s so different now? Cause we got oil?? Well, Trinidad had oil for 100 years!! Including when they broke away from the Federation!! Money doesn’t make persons or countries - more altruistic, just more arrogant! Then there’s the practical question of biting off just what we can chew - so that we don’t choke and asphyxiate ourselves.

“Do we bring in Haiti into the Federation?” Sure, they were the first slave society to defeat a colonial power and gain independence and all that. But can we really deal with their challenges - especially when their population far exceeds the rest of all Caricom combined??

Anyhow, your Eyewitness hopes that you, dear readers, would give the matter some thought on this Independence Day. Shouldn’t we see how this “Agri” thing would work out - so we don’t take an albatross around our neck?? …on mass killings Like all of you, dear readers, your Eyewitness is absolutely horrified at that shooting by another 18-yearold; this time, of 19 schoolchildren and two teachers in Texas. What the heck is the world coming to today? Just the other day, there was that race-hate killing spree in Buffalo NY that left 10 Blacks dead. What was the reason this time? Both the killers and the killed appeared to be Hispanic. The kid first shot his grandmother before his killing spree…so maybe his reason was personal?

But your Eyewitness also wondered why he didn’t feel the same outrage when he’d read about Russia bombing sites in Ukraine, where, for sure, hundreds of schoolchildren had been killed. Same as when the US carpet-bombed Iraq or Afghanistan etc. Could be the reporting of the individual killings, placing faces and stories on the dead that we can relate to, rather than anonymous statistics?

But it all doesn’t matter to those who’re killed, does it? …on constitutional choices So’s to give the Opposition an input into governance matters, our Constitution requires the President to consult with the Opposition Leader on certain constitutional appointments.

But what happens when the Opposition use that shield as a sword to cripple governance?

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

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

NEWS

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$250M in fertiliser support for Region 2 farmers – VP Jagdeo

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Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in discussion with rice farmers on Wednesday

ice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday met with farmers of Region Two at the Rice Producers Association bond at Anna Regina, and announced that farmers in Region Two would be receiving $250 million in fertiliser support from Government.

Funds to purchase this fertiliser would come from the $1 billion set aside by Government to purchase fertiliser for free distribution among farmers across the country.

Dr. Jagdeo said the farmers and the regional authorities would then decide where the fertiliser would be purchased, and how it would be distributed. In

fact, it was announced that farmers from the respective Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), along with regional officials and representatives of the Water Producers’ Association, would form a 20-member group that would ensure the equitable distribution of fertiliser in in the region.

“So you will get $250 million, this group, and then you will have to decide where you can get the fertiliser, the cheapest, who would supply it, and how it will be distributed and to whom, and how much they will get, each person will get,” the VP explained to the farmers.

The Government’s move to provide fertiliser to the

farmers follows meetings in the regions by the Vice President, at which farmers raised that concern. Dr Jagdeo said this is in keeping with his promise to assist, and it would greatly offset overhead costs incurred by the farmers.

He explained that the $1billion was prorated, and respective regions would receive the funds based on their production output.

VP Jagdeo also expressed hope that, following discussions, the group of farmers selected from the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the Water Users’ Association would distribute the fertiliser equitably, with focus on the

small farmers.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, in a recent Address to the Nation, announced several measures aimed at cushioning the effects of the rising cost of living, among which are the purchase of the fertiliser as well as $25,000 cash grants for households in riverine and hinterland communities.

Support is being provided to these two groups, since they have been severely affected by the cost-of-living increases which resulted from the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and

One rice farmer raising his concerns with VP Jagdeo

the Ukraine-Russia war.

Meanwhile, the Vice President has said that once farmers can provide proof of their losses, Government is willing to further assist with

the purchase of seed paddy, among other interventions.

Dr. Jagdeo also addressed several other concerns raised by farmers at the meeting.

US$260M contract signed for...

FROM PAGE 3

Back in November 2021, Cabinet had granted its no-objection for the Chinese company to construct the bridge using a Design-BuildFinance (DBF) model. The bridge will land aback Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on the eastern side and at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on the western side.

Already, the Guyana Government has allocated some $21.1 billion in the 2022 Budget towards work on the bridge. It will have a lifespan of 100 years.

This new bridge will replace the aging floating

Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), which has outlived its lifespan by several decades.

At 1.25 miles (2.01km), the current Demerara Harbour Bridge is a strategic link between the East and West Banks of Demerara, facilitating the daily movement of thousands of vehicles, people, and cargo.

According to Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, this step towards achieving a new bridge across the Demerara River is the fulfilment of a manifesto promise of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

Moreover, Education Minister Priya Manickchand contended that the new bridge will bring much relief to students who have to travel every day to and from schools in Georgetown.

As the PPP/C’s Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) Representative in the National Assembly, Manickchand posited that benefits would also be seen by residents from that and other surrounding regions as it relates to reduced travel time as well as access to and movement of goods and services.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Agencies still working on renewal of Exxon’s Liza 1 permit – Min Bharrat

– application for extension of relinquishment also being reviewed

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he renewal of oil giant ExxonMobil’s permit for the Liza 1 oil field, the field that has been producing oil since 2019, is still an inter-agency work in progress. This is according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat.

In a recent interview with the media, Minister Bharrat was asked about the Liza field permit. This is because Exxo’s Liza field permit, which was issued in 2017 and modified last year,

expires on May 31, 2022.

According to the Minister, renewal is still a work in progress. However, he declined to give a timeline for when this would occur.

“We’re working on it.

We’re working together with the other agencies on it, so at the right time…I don’t want to give any comments on it right now, which may not be accurate. So, at the right time, when we finalise the document, I’ll do so.”

Also a work in progress

is Exxon’s application to extend its relinquishment of sections of the blocks it owns. According to the Minister, a decision has still not been taken on what to do with Block C. “We have a team that is working on that at the Ministry. Because as Vice President would have mentioned, later in 2022 we’re going to auction the available blocks and acreages available. So that is something the Ministry and

Petroleum Department is working on,” Minister Bharrat said.

“Block C is available.

We have to ensure whether we’re going to auction Block C as it is, meaning the entire 9500 square kilometres.

If we’re going to break it down into different parts, or whether we’re going to do a seismic,” he explained.

He reiterated that before the end of the year, they want to go to auction. When it comes to relinquishment,

The Stabroek Block offshore Guyana

however, the Government must consult with companies who exercise their contractual options.

Guyana has long been expected to go out and auction oil blocks, both untapped and relinquished.

Considering the 31 oil finds that have been made by oil giant ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block, it is likely to be in a good position to leverage the value of those blocks when the context of the global oil and gas industry is considered.

The relinquishment clause is typically included in contracts, so that companies can relinquish a portion of the block when the renewable period is up, thereby allowing other companies to buy into the respective blocks.

For the Stabroek and Canje and, operators are required to relinquish 20 per cent of their blocks after the first renewal period; while those of the Demerara and Corentyne Blocks are expected to relinquish 15 per cent within this period.

The Kaieteur Block’s relinquishment provision is said to be 25 per cent, then 20 per cent by the first renewal; with the Mahaicony and Roraima Blocks at 25 per cent. By the time of the first renewal for the Orinduik Block, the operators are not expected to relinquish any portion.

Last year, ExxonMobil had applied to the Government for a one-year extension before it would be mandated to relinquish portions of the Stabroek block in 2023, where it has made a plethora of discoveries.

In its application, Exxon had cited the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was explained by the company that COVID-19 delayed the start of certain drilling plans, which threw the company off of its targets.

Already, proposals have been received from various oil operators in Guyana’s waters for them to aid in Guyana setting up a national oil company. However, the Government is still mulling whether it would go this route.

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18 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man to stand retrial for Riverview man murder of remigrant found dead

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he trial of Donell Trapp, a 26-year-old man accused of murdering 60-year-old remigrant Anthony Breedy, ended in a hung jury on Tuesday, following over two hours of deliberations by a jury.

Trapp’s trial began earlier this month before Justice JoAnn Barlow at the Demerara High Court.

With the jury unable to reach a verdict, Trapp was remanded to prison, pending another trial.

State Counsel Latifah Elliott appeared on behalf of the prosecution, while Trapp was represented by Attorneys-at-

Dead: Anthony Breedy

Murder accused Donell Trapp

Law Dexter Smartt and Jevon Cox. Trapp is accused of murdering Breedy between March

12 and 14, 2016, in the course/ furtherance of a robbery.

Police have said that the

body of Breedy was found in the lower flat of his Hill Foot, Soesdyke-Linden Highway home. His body bore multiple injuries to the head. Breedy, who had lived alone, was found with his hands and feet tied. The upper flat of the elderly man’s home was also ransacked.

Last month, 25-year-old Keino Corbin, who had been jointly charged along with Trapp and another man for Breedy’s murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.

Corbin was further remanded to prison pending sentencing, which is expected to be soon.

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he body of a man was on Wednesday found at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The discovery was made about 07:00h.

Guyana Times was informed that the man was later identified as Steve Singh.

Police said that at the time of the discovery, the body was not in a decomposed state. No other details were divulged.

Just two weeks ago, the body of 29-year-old Richard John of Mimi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, who went missing when a boat submerged in the Canje River, was pulled from the river.

It was reported that on the day in question just off the

Canje Bridge, the boat with the captain and three passengers started to take in water and eventually sank. Reports are that the Coast Guard intercepted the boat and tied it to a pontoon which subsequently started to sink. As it went down, it pulled the boat down with it.

The captain and his two brothers were able to swim to safety and after realising that a female passenger was left behind, John returned to the boat, but was not seen again. The body of that female passenger was subsequently found and John’s lifeless body was discovered floating some 34 hours later.

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22 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Final accused in murder of South Road grannies goes on trial Monday

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lmost three years after his two co-accused had pleaded guilty to killing two elderly women — Constance Fraser, 89, and Phyllis Caesar, 77 — Phillip Suffrien, the final accused in the matter, will go on trial from June 1 before Demerara High Court Judge Jo-Ann Barlow.

Suffrien, formerly of

Albouystown, Georgetown, has been indicted for the capital offence of murder upon his arraignment on Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that he murdered the women between October 2 and 3, 2017, during the course/furtherance of a robbery.

His trial will commence

on June 1 before a 12-member jury. Madan Kissoon is his lawyer.

In 2019, Christopher Khan, also known as “Imran Khan”, and Stephen Andrews was arraigned for the women’s murder. They, however, opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

In the end, they were Murder accused Phillip Suffrien

each sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years.

The bodies of Fraser,

known as “Mother Fraser”, and Caesar, her niece, were found in the upper flat of their South Road and Albert Street, Georgetown home in their respective bedrooms.

They were found lying unconscious on their beds.

Caesar’s hands and legs were bound, and a piece of cloth had been stuffed in her mouth. According to reports, Caesar had failed to report to her place of worship, as is customary, prompting several attempts to contact the duo, all of which were to no avail.

A congregation member then alerted the Police, and together they ventured into the home and discovered the two women dead. The elderly women were last seen alive while attending church two days prior to the discovery of their bodies.

Autopsies conducted on the bodies of the two women by Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that they died as a result of asphyxiation due to suffocation and manual strangulation, compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

NEWS

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Pres Ali announces major agricultural projects for Reg 2 – commercial marine cage fish farming, poultry facility among others earmarked

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali, in a visit to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) ahead of Independence Day celebrations, on Wednesday announced a number of major agricultural projects at the Mainstay/Whyaka villages.

Among the projects the

trywide drive to provide temporary jobs.

“We’re going to launch with this school, in this community, a special poultry project, aimed at producing all the meat requirements for the resort and expanding it into the village itself. The Government is go-

A marine cage

President announced, were a poultry facility at the community’s school. This is in light of the fact that the demand for chicken from the resort was approximately 800 to 1000 pounds per month. He also announced that 30 persons from the community would benefit from the Government’s coun-

ing to work with you in financing this project, which will be led by the children of Mainstay and the school there.

“And out of the 30 persons that will be employed, one will be designated to this project.

I’m going to send back from my office, for these two communities I’m visiting today and ini-

tiatives I’m announcing, the National Security Advisor will be working with these communities to ensure timely implementation and successful outcomes,” President Ali said.

Another project he announced was one for commercial marine-cage fish farming, which would seek to produce 11 metric tonnes of fish every nine months. This would also be a youth-driven project, with the assistance of the Government’s technical officers.

“The second project has to do with the youth empowerment project – the innovation.

We have worked some numbers. Very recently, I gave the statistics on the shortage of fish and fish products, globally and regionally,” President Ali said.

“So, what we want to do is start the first pilot in Mainstay, where we’re going to bring the young people together, the Government is going to invest in a commercial marine cage.

We’re going to put the capital investment in. And the aim is to produce 11 metric tonnes of fish every nine months, from this community.”

According to Ali, technical officials will start coming into the community next week to work with the residents in establishing the project and determining the best locations for the marine cage.

“Once we do this right, based on the numbers that we have established, the annual profitability can be as much as

President Dr Irfaan Ali during his Region Two visit

$10 million. So, we’re not sitting and waiting. We’re looking at ways, methods, and policies that we can bring on board to uplift your lives.”

Additionally, the President announced that the Government wanted to work with villagers and farmers to accelerate their pineapple production. According to him, the Government wants to partner with the people.

Last year, President Ali had declared that his Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultur-

al trade and that in the next four years, with the assistance of boosted production and more diversified crops, Guyana would aim to reduce Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent, by 2025.

Months after assuming office, President Ali had charged the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry with assessing and addressing the hurdles related to exporting food and agricultural products to markets within the Region. As such, concerns about barriers to trade in some Caricom markets were raised

with the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) earlier this year.

The Ministry subsequently formed a National Working Group on Barriers to Trade against Exports from Guyana.

According to the assessment on market access by the Working Group, most of the challenges found were related to technical measures, including sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

It also found several technical and administrative regulations that were all hampering the export of Guyanese products.

24 NEWS MoU inked for training of GTT employees, salary increase THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPTWU President Harold Shepherd, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton & GTT CEO Damian Blackburn with the signed MoU

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orkers attached to the Guyana T e l e p h o n e Telegraph Company (GTT) will soon undergo training in the area of fibre optics, which would eventually position them to benefit from a boost in their salaries.

This has been made possible following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the telecommunications giant, the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (GPTWU), and the Ministry of Labour on Wednesday.

After completion of the training, technicians and other employees would benefit from a 6 percent pay increase in 2023.

Chief Executive Officer of GTT, Damian Blackburn, has said the training would bring the company’s workers up-to-date with the skills needed for the 21st century.

“We, the company, are committing to a transformational training programme for our technicians, to ensure that they are fully trained with the skills of the 21st century, in line with our mission.

“We’re going to be upscaling through these training programmes all-around fibre skills. GTT fibre is the flagship product here in Guyana, as we all know, and it’s very important that we bring in-house somethings we’ve been doing with contract staff, who have done a great job, and we’ll need

them still to some degree as we go through a large amount of installation work, which has happen in the next couple of years. We really need to bring all of our skills in- house, and have the best possible fibre optic-skilled team.”

Also important, the CEO noted, is that the technicians who are trained have an absolute pathway and certainty on their pay progression.

“The people who are trained have an absolute pathway and certainty on their pay progression. So, as they serve for a longer time and they (become) more skilled and they reach their individual performance targets…, their pay will progress in a very transparent manner, and we’re committed to doing that,” he said.

“All of the technicians who go through training programmes this year, provided they pass the training and they get to a satisfactory (level) and pass the test, at the end of it, (they) will get automatic promotions to recognise their new skillsets effective from January 2023, and that will lead again to extra remuneration to those people who are progressing successfully,” he stated.

Blackburn added that if inflation increases by 2023,

Signing of the MoU

the company would be reviewing the pay increase to better suit the situation at that time.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has said he is glad that that company recognises the importance of not only pay increases, but training for employees.

“Agreements with companies must not be just the type of salaries people receive; that’s one thing, (I) believe there are two other factors: (firstly) training and retraining, and secondly the issue of the environment; how safe the environment is that the workers are working in, because what is the

Police find cocaine, ganja during operations in Linden, WBD

use you raise a man’s salary to $5000 a day and the following day he dies,” he said.

According to the Minister, the landscape of the labour market is changing, and unions and companies would have to keep up.

“Unions will have to contend with fixed establishment employees and contract employees. The contract employees, their representation also, and therefore I would say this to the union leadership: you have modernised yourself in a way so

Body of Corentyne fisherman pulled from canal

Dead: Deonarine Balram, aka “Drakes”

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The cocaine that was found at Mackenzie, Linden

The ganja that was found at Wismar, Linden

The ganja that was found at Onderneeming, WBD

anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) unearthed a quantity of cocaine and marijuana on Tuesday during separate operations ,leading to the arrest of two men.

Based on reports received, a party of Police Officers went to an abandoned house in Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara (WBD), where they carried out a search.

Upon their entry into the house, Police said a male occupant dropped a bulky black plastic bag and ran through the southern door of the building. Police ranks gave chase, but the man escaped.

A Police rank picked up the bulky black plastic bag

and opened it, and inside the bag were several small transparent ziplock plastic bags containing ganja.

A transparent plastic bag with a number of tobacco leaves and several ziplock plastic bags were also visible. The ganja when weighed amounted to 250 grams.

On that same day, Police arrested a 21-yearold man for possession of two grams of marijuana.

Police in Regional Division #10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) said they conducted a search exercise on a group of men who were seen 'ganging up' at the corner of Block 22 in Wismar, Linden.

During the search, two

transparent Ziploc plastic bags containing a quantity of ganja was found in the left front pants pocket of the 21-year-old miner.

The young man was told of the offence committed, cautioned, and admitted that he would use the drug for personal reasons.

He was arrested and escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station, with the cannabis which was weighed in his presence and amounted to two grams. The man remains in custody and charges are pending.

Also on the same night, Police in the same region cracked down on a known 'drug block' located at Rainbow City, Mackenzie,

R

Linden. Several persons of interest were searched during the drug and gun eradication exercise.

A 54-year-old mechanic of Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was among those searched and one transparent plastic bag that contained a whitish/creamish substance suspected to be cocaine was found on his person. After being informed of the offence and cautioned, the suspect admitted that he sells the illegal drug.

He was subsequently arrested and escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station, with the cocaine which was weighed in his presence and amounted to found grams. The man is in custody pending charges.

you can capture those persons.

“Some union leader sees this as big contention as to contract people displacing establishment people…my experience for young people is that they don’t see themselves working for 30 and 40 years no place, and so they opt for contracts,” Hamilton further explained.

As such, the Minister noted that the Unions should not complain, but must adapt to the two different sets of workers.

he body of a 61-yearold fisherman has been pulled from a canal at Number 66 Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Tuesday afternoon.

The dead man has been identified as 61-year-old Deonarine Balram, called “Drakes”, of Number 65 Village, Corentyne, who was believed to be at sea. His body was discovered by a sluice attendant, who then informed others.

According to Balram’s sister, Maharanie Balram, he had left home on Monday at about 8:00h. She told the media that after packing his bag, Balram told them that he was going to work.

“He does call me husband ‘Uncle’. He said, ‘Uncle, take care’, and he give me $200, and my brother left and gone,” Maharanie Balram recounted.

However, the dead man’s niece, Amrita Hemraj, has said that her uncle did not go to work. She said workers reported that he was seen on a boat long after the scheduled

departure of the vessel.

“He stayed on the boat.

He did not come back home.

Some people passed and they saw him like about 11:00h sitting on the boat. So, we don’t know what time this occurred, if it was in the evening or in the night; we don’t know,” she explained.

Balram, a father of one, is said to have spent much of his spare time on fishing boats that are moored at the wharf; he even sometimes slept there.

According to Hemraj, all of the relatives of the late Deonarine Balram reside at Number 65 Village, so it was not difficult to get the news to all relatives within a short period of time.

“He was stuck in the mud, so we don’t know if he fell into the mud, or he drown in the water and the water took him there; we don’t know,” the niece continued her narrative, while noting that family members were surprised to see a private funeral home coming to uplift the body, since they did not call them.

The body was taken to the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary, but officials there reportedly told the family that such cases are not kept at the morgue.

“They are very poor people. When he works at sea, he would normally drink, and he don’t give anybody any savings,” his niece pointed out.

Family members could not say whether there were marks of violence on the body, but noted that aquatic creatures had seemingly been feasting on the corpse.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GNBS seizes cigarettes, unapproved scales among other items

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The scales that were seized

Some of the cigarettes seized by the GNBS

nspectors of the Product Compliance and Legal Metrology Departments of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) have seized a large quantity of non-complying products and unapproved dial scales from retail trade during an exercise conducted between April and May, 2022.

The impromptu surveillance visits to several retailers in the Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice

area resulted in the seizure of more than 107 cartons of cigarettes which do not meet the requirements of the National Standard “GYS 9-3:2014, Labelling of Tobacco Products” and the Tobacco Control Regulation of 2018.

During the exercises, GNBS Inspectors confiscated several brands of cigarettes which were not labelled in English, while other packages did not include a pictorial warning,

as specified by the Tobacco Control Regulation.

The seized brands include Atlanta, Elegance Premium, Oris, Pine Sky 7, Djarum Black and Record.

Additionally, more than 1200 boxes of ‘King’ safety matches were seized and confiscated for failure to meet the requirements of the National Standard.

Collectively, the matches and cigarettes will be destroyed, and the GNBS continues to target other retail

outlets during its ongoing surveillance exercises.

Meanwhile, more than 150 unapproved Blue Dial scales were seized during weights and measures surveillance visits conducted by GNBS Inspectors to just over 1000 premises (shops, markets and other retail outlets)

on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, and in areas in Regions 2 and 6.

Inspectors continue to encounter the widespread use of the Blue Dial scales despite numerous warnings by the GNBS to vendors and shopkeepers to desist from using the domestic scales in

commercial trade.

The GNBS Inspectors will continue surveillance exercises across the country with the aim to remove substandard products and unapproved and unverified measuring instruments from retail trade, in order to protect consumers.

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Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

Canada reaffirms support for Guyana during ICJ process

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hrough its High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman, Canada on Wednesday reaffirmed support for the judicial process embarked on at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

High Commissioner Berman paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, during which they discussed areas

of mutual interest towards advancing bilateral relations between Guyana and Canada.

Minister Todd also provided an update on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy and Guyana’s submissions in its memorial on the merits of the case in regard to the Arbitral Award of 1899 (Guyana vs Venezuela) to the International Court of Justice.

“To this end, High Commissioner Berman re-

affirmed Canada’s support for the International Court of Justice process,” an Information Note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said.

Guyana moved to the World Court after exhausting all means of negotiation with Venezuela and the failed Good Offices Process between the two South American neighbours. Then United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres, in January 2018, decided

that the case should be settled by the ICJ, after exercising the powers vested in him to decide how the controversy should be settled by the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established by the United Nations Charter in June 1945, and began its activities in April 1946. The Court is composed of 15 Judges, elected for a nine-year term

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd

by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).

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

Guyana subsequently submitted its written submissions on time. In the Ministry’s statement back in March 2022, it was noted that Guyana now looks to the Court’s judicial process to settle the matter in accordance with the rule of law.

According to the Ministry, the true commemoration of the 1966 Geneva Agreement is to participate fully in the juridical process… possibly a reference to Venezuela, which has been denying the jurisdiction of the court, despite the court already ruling it has this jurisdiction.

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

In his address to the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali had informed the world about Venezuela’s continued disregard for international norm in pushing its illegal claim to Guyana and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The President had also used meetings with the Heads of Governments of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to update them on Venezuela’s actions, which had run the gamut from incendiary statements to issuing decrees. Following his meeting with Caricom, the community had issued a statement rebuking Venezuela and urging it to adhere to the ICJ process.

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Region 9 flooding…

More than 130 residents relocate to 4 shelters – PM Phillips stresses importance of moving to higher ground

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Areas under water in Region Nine

rime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips on Wednesday visited several inundated areas in Region Nine (Upper Takutu— Upper Essequibo) to assess the situation.

A number of low-lying

communities are presently inundated due to heavy rainfall and water run-off from neighbouring Brazil.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Director General (ag) Major Loring Benons,

Lethem Mayor John Macedo, Town Clerk Keisha Vincent, and representatives of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and other Government agencies.

The visiting officials

met with regional, municipal and community leaders upon arrival, and were briefed on the current status of households, farms, livestock, and assets of those impacted.

Regional Vice Chairman

Another section under water

pacts to their properties.

It has been confirmed that a total of four shelters

the Culvert City Nursery School, and still another at the CDC Regional Disaster Risk Management Centre.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips being briefed on the situation

Bertie Xavier reported that while water levels in some parts are as much as six inches, residents are continuing to manage the im-

are now in use: one at the Tabatinga Sports Complex, one at the Tabatinga Nursery School, another at

More than 130 persons are occupying the shelters.

The team then visited several areas in the region, where the Prime Minister stressed the importance of moving to high ground.

The issue of potable water was a priority for the team, and Prime Minister Phillips ensured that collapsible water containers and water purification tablets were being distributed efficiently.

He also highlighted the diligent logistical work of those in the region, as all shelters were being catered to with the basic necessities.

At the shelters, Prime Minister Phillips interacted with various occupants, who expressed gratitude for the swift action by the CDC and regional authorities to move them to safer ground.

The possibility of having more shelters was discussed, and the agencies and Government bodies assured the Prime Minister of their readiness to render further assistance to impacted residents.

The CDC is urging persons countrywide to take precautions where necessary, and to report any impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 or 226-1114 at any time.

NEWS

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93 new COVID-19 cases detected in 24 hours A

ctive cases in Guyana have skyrocketed after 93 more persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus within a 24-hour period.

This now takes the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 64,435.

However, only 586 of these are currently active cases, including four patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining persons in isolation; that is: 25 in institutional isolation and the remaining 557 in home isolation.

One other person is also in institutional quarantine, according to the Health Ministry’s updated Dashboard for Wednesday.

The COVID-19 death toll in Guyana is at 1232, with the latest fatality being a six-month-old baby boy from Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne) who died on Saturday, May 21. This is the fourth fatality recorded so far this month.

On the other hand, some 62,617 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus to date – 48 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana over two years ago, a total of 623,844 tests have been conducted countrywide, and of this, some 29,633 males and 34,802 females were found to be positive.

Of the 93 new cases recorded on Wednesday, two were from Region One (Barima-Waini); 13 were from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); nine were from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); a whopping 45 were from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); six were from

Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); 12 were from Region Six(East BerbiceCorentyne); three were from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and three were from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There were no reported cases in Regions Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) within the 24hour reporting period.

Earlier this month, health authorities attributed this rapid increase in COVID-19 cases to the BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron strain here.

After a prolonged period of declining cases, the Guyana Government, back in March, removed most restrictions as the country moves to recover from the pandemic and return to normalcy.

But while mandates such

Venezuelan national feared dead after boat sinks at Devil Hole, Cuyuni River

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resident of San Martin, Venezuela, identified only as Kelson aka “Cari Cari”, is feared dead following a boat mishap at Devil Hole, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Reports are the boat, in which the man and other occupants were travelling, was crossing the river when the engine experienced mechanical issues.

As a result, the boat capsized in the rapids in the vicinity.

Kelson reportedly went under water and did not surface. A report was made at the Bartica Police Station and an investigation has been launched. Up to press time, the body was yet to be recovered.

Only a few days ago, an ex-Police Officer lost his life after the boat in which he was travelling, along with four others, capsized in the Canje River, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Dead is 29-yearold Kevin France of Manchester Village, Corentyne.

Based on reports received, France, along with two of his cousins, aged 28 and 35, and a 52-year-old man and the boat operator, 62, boarded a 14-foot boat – “Simplicity” – that was powered by a 50-horsepower outboard engine and was heading to Banib along the Canje River.

The men were reportedly heading to the area to check on cattle belonging to a businessman.

However, in the vicinity of New Forest Village, two boats were seen heading in their direction. As the boats passed, the heavy resultant waves caused the boat that they were in to capsize.

Kenton Tyndall, Manley Grant, Paul Tyndall, and Cecil Chisholm managed to swim to shore after

which they realised that France was missing. A search was conducted for him, but he was not found.

His body was later recovered on what would have been his 30th birthday in the Canje River.

Policeman “knocks out” civilian at NA, GPF launches investigation

A snippet from the video showing the altercation between the cop and the civilian

A

video of a Policeman and a driver having a physical altercation was circulated on social media, which prompted the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to launch an investigation.

The video that was seen

by Guyana Times showed a driver hitting a Policeman, after which the officer retaliated, dealing him several punches to his face, in the process knocking him out. Following the video’s circulation, the GPF, in a statement, said the incident occurred in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Also, acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken expressed his dissatisfaction in relation to the physical altercation between the Police rank and a member of the public.

The Top Cop said an investigation would be done with

some degree of alacrity in an effort to mitigate this type of behaviour. Hicken is also appealing to the public to cooperate with the Police, and vice versa.

“The Police do not and cannot operate in isolation, thus the need for partnership and cooperation between the Police and the public – one that should be premised on mutual trust and cooperation while exploring every avenue to maintain law and order in society,” Hicken posited.

The Top Cop is assuring the public that the Police Force is working on postures and strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at ensuring that ranks are professional in the discharge of their duties, even in the face of harassment and intimidation from non-cooperating civilians.

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD MAY 25, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

93

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

25

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

557

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

4

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

1

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,802

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,633

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

64,435

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

62,617

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2522

REGION 2

2543

REGION 3

8158

REGION 4

31,954

REGION 5

2409

REGION 6

5981

REGION 7

2430

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4044

REGION 10

3508

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

437,900 336,228

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1232

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.

as masking in public and social distancing are no longer in place, health authorities are still encouraging persons to get vaccinated, and for those who are qualified to get their booster shots, in order to add a layer of protection against the virus.

Latest figures show that, so far, more than 441,000, or 86 per cent of adults, have taken a first dose; while some 340,000, or 66.4 per cent of persons 18 years and over, are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between

the ages of 12 and 17, just over 25,000 or 34.7 per cent, are fully immunised.

In addition, in excess of 63,000 persons have returned for their third-dose booster shots thus far.

These vaccination numbers have been largely stagnant within the past weeks, as authorities continue to implore Guyanese to get boosted.

According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) recent figures, some 524,339,768 confirmed

cases were reported globally, along with 6,281,260 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas; that is: Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 156,150,228. while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2,738,716.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, WHO also reported that a total of 11,752,954,673 doses have been administered worldwide.

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Guyana is in its golden era – Minister Teixeira tells Reg 7 residents

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n the eve of the 56th anniversary of Guyana’s independence, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has assured residents of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region (Region 7) that Guyana is moving ahead with a vision for a transformed and diversified economy.

The flag-raising ceremony was hosted at the Bartica Community Centre ground on Wednesday to foster cohesiveness and an appreciation for Guyanese patriotism.

In her feature address, the Minister explained that Guyana is blessed as a country, with its myriad of natural resources that continue to benefit the people.

“We have a vision of a diversified economy, an economy that can deal with agriculture, oil and gas, bauxite,

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, addressing the gathering on Wednesday

and gold and diamonds and forestry…we have a vision for our nation and for ourselves,” Teixeira noted.

Further, the Minister reminded residents that although the Government is

implementing several measures to mitigate the increases in cost-of-living, many of the factors responsible are external.

“There are many things as a country we can try to con-

Barticians at the flag-raising ceremony

trol, but we cannot control what’s going on in the world.

COVID has had an enormous impact on the cost of living in the world,” she explained.

As the gateway to the hinterland, the Minister noted, projects such as the new Linden-to-Mabura road would allow for massive economic expansion of the township of Bartica. The road, which is the first phase of a much larger project, will connect Lethem and surrounding communities to Linden, and would allow for easier travel and transportation of goods.

Minister Teixeira encouraged citizens to continue to be proud of their Guyanese her-

itage irrespective of where they may find themselves in the world, as Guyana’s upward trajectory continues.

“This time now, this is the Golden Era of Guyana. We have reached a level of maturation as a country that we, as a people, have a clearer vision of where we want to go,” she said.

She said Government would continue with its commitment to work with all members of society to foster transformational development in Guyana.

“Let us work together.

Let us find a way in Guyana that we are able to agree to disagree, to agree to work together on some issues…

and to move this country forward,” the Minister urged.

Relaying the plans for the township, Mayor Gifford Marshall said assistance from Central Government has allowed for major transformational projects to take place.

“Through the relationship with the Regional Democratic Council, and by extension a number of Government agencies and departments, the development of Bartica must and will continue, and a number of projects…will be realised this year,” Marshall explained.

Guyana gained its independence from the United Kingdom on May 26, 1966.

Police to digitalise payment systems

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has announced that soon payments to the organisation will be done electronically and via smart applications.

Finance Officer, Assistant Superintendent Bharat Persaud on Wednesday explained that digitalising the Finance Department would not only reduce incidents of file misplacement, but also would reduce the officers’ workload.

“We are currently training our staff in modern accounting programmes so that we will be able to be on par with the business sector in terms of being up to date with accounting software and the necessary technologies,” he said.

So far, the Finance Officer said the Force has about 20 officers engaging in programmes that would aid in the transition of the system.

Finance Officer, Assistant Superintendent Bharat Persaud

“Zara has also donated to us 10 computers to aid us in having our system computerised so that we will be able to eliminate that amount of paper kind of work… In keeping with the Government accounting system, it is not amended in terms of technology, so we still have to take the hard copies of those vouchers and records,” he said.

Moving forward with the Force’s modernisation, Persaud said they have engaged with the various banks and GTT, where

they formulate under the Government services. “…the process is a start… we will look at how it works and we will take our other services gradually as we go on,” he said.

Following the massive fire that devoured the Brickdam Police Station along with a plethora of case files, the Government had announced plans to fully digitise all records of the Police Force in the country.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had said that documents were handwritten and that had to stop.

“We will soon donate to the Police Force a large complement of computers and printers, with the express intention that they are to be used for the typing of statements which are to be used as the basis for prosecution in the courts across this country,” he had said.

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Independence Day messages

Our collective will, effort needed to move Guyana forward – PPP/C

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends to all Guyanese, at home and abroad, greetings on Guyana’s 56th independence anniversary.

On June 5, 1958, founder of the PPP and former President, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, posed an important question to the Legislative Council: What do the people of this coun-

try want in this phase of our history? Today, 56 years following independence, this question has contemporary applicability, particularly given the current global challenges that impact on our nation, from the global COVID-19 pandemic to climate change.

The people of the country answered this question at the March 2020 polls

by endorsing the PPP/C’s ‘Plan for Prosperity’. Under successive PPP/C administrations, the foundation for transformative change was laid; and, in 2020, this agenda was broadened to include more ambitious targets in all sectors, specifically in education, healthcare and agriculture. Our nation is moving forward with an agenda for transformation, bolstered by the success of our burgeoning oil and gas sector, which will benefit all our people by: increasing their ability to create wealth; improving their standard of living and wellbeing; and advancing their ability to pursue self-development through education, among a plethora of other interventions. From direct support to farmers and school children, to building the infrastructure for future advances, the PPP/C devel-

opmental agenda creates space for all of our people to benefit, participate and lead.

The PPP, uses this occasion to not only celebrate our gains, but recommit itself to the service of all Guyanese in a transparent and accountable manner.

As we reflect on the struggles of the pre-independence era, Guyanese are encouraged to reflect on the gains we have made, bearing in mind that our collective will and effort is demanded to move our great nation forward and sustain our progress.

Looking ahead, in light of the prevailing challenges, our immediate task is to ensure that our democracy is bolstered. A democratic nation, where the will of our people can be freely expressed, is quintessential to ensuring our continued development,

peace and progress.

Democracy has been, and remains, a pillar of our development. As our people demonstrated during the March 2020 period, the fight to protect our democratic gains is a perpetual effort.

This phase of Guyana’s history promises to be an exciting time for positive change and progress, even as our nation, under the PPP/C administration, reclaims its place as a regional and global leader on issues of food, security, climate change and more.

In 1958, freedom was the answer to the question, “What do the people of this country want in this phase of our history?” – and this notion remains a poignant reminder of how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go as a people.

More recently, PPP General Secretary Bharrat

Jagdeo, during countrywide outreaches, reiterated the importance of democracy to our freedoms and development, and to the implementation of the PPP/C’s transformative agenda.

We are also reminded that the freedom that independence brings is not merely parochial; it comes with a responsibility for all patriotic-minded Guyanese to reject ploys that seek to divide our people for selfish gain; it comes with a responsibility for our people to hold all leaders accountable; and it comes with a responsibility for each of us to play our part in the prosperity of Guyana that we share as ‘One People, One Nation, with One Destiny’.

The PPP again extends best wishes to all our people on this momentous occasion.

Dispel all things that threaten harmony, strive for unity – GPSU

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ifty-six years of independence from colonial ruler Britain and Guyana is the subject of discussion in every major country in the hemisphere and the world. This is because of thirty-one discoveries of oil within its economic zone, off the mainland of Guyana. These discoveries are replete with possibilities of catapulting the Guyanese peoples into a world of wealth, if this was to be managed in the best interest of our peoples.

The peoples of Guyana, with the exception of our indigenous brothers and sisters, were either brought to Guyana as slaves or came sometime around May 1838 to seek better lives for themselves, following the abolition of slavery in 1834. Given the background of the two major ethnic groups in Guyana, that is to say, one forcefully removed from their homeland Africa and enslaved for centuries, while the other maltreated and were despised members of India’s lower castes in search of a better life, the greatest seer would have predicted that these groups would have integrated easily, to achieve Guyana’s dream, expressed in its motto “One

People, One Nation, One Destiny”, so boldly adopted on May 26, 1966, when Guyana was proclaimed an independent nation.

The proclamation of nationhood was meant to bond the diverse peoples of Guyana into a unified nation. However, through the years, selfish politicians have dug deep divides between our peoples, pitting the larger groups against each other. In recent times, political machinations have been bolder with clear economic alienation of a large percentage of the population, not perceived to be their supporters. In fact, our chosen leaders, over the fifty-six years of independence, have squandered every opportunity to unify our peoples, towards the development of the Country, with the result of perpetual migration of skilled workers. This resulted in bold misrepresentations by some politicians that most of the relocations occurred at the time of a thriving dictatorship that reportedly strangulated the people. Nonetheless, changes in leadership from that era to date has done nothing to stem the flow… …Again, the discovery of oil on our shores, mili-

tates against excuses for the failure to eradicate poverty and also works in contradiction of the payment of scanty national minimum wages. Hence, the genuine practice of good governance, by whosoever is afforded the privilege to discharging that mandate, is paramount and persons afforded such privileges must at all times be held accountable to the people and be not above the law.

Cementing of the peoples has always been necessary for the development of robust national bonds as a durable basis for the advancement of the Country, not only economically, but also socially and structurally. In this regard, education of the peoples was seen as key to all forms of development and as such was availed to every Guyanese at no cost, from “Nursery to University.” As the political believers of this theory passed on, education within some levels began to car-

ry price tags, including at the University level. This departure over the years must be revisited to guarantee all our peoples their educational needs.

Satisfying the nation’s educational needs would doubtlessly increase the national response to climate change and inform requirements for disaster preparedness. These are imperatives that would determine the Country’s future, given the facts that the coastland of Guyana is below sea level, in addition to the inherent risks in oil mining. In recent times, our leaders have taken a carefree approach to the imminence of both threats, giving political maneuverings precedence. This sad state of affairs poses dire risks, not only to our peoples, but also to our pristine environment.

While as a people we ponder on issues of governance that are real threats to our very existence, fo-

cus should also remain on the ravages of the coronavirus and other imminent biological threats, that also threaten our very existence as a people.

Do everything to be safe and avoid the damning pitfalls outlined by the World Health Organization and Guyana’s Central Board of Health.

Fundamentally, as a people, irrespective of our individual political beliefs and persuasions, our engraved mindsets must be Country oriented, whereby there is strength and independence to stand for what is just and right. Our minds must dispel all things that threaten harmony and/or strive to make the achievement of the virtues of our national motto a myth. As a priority, the citizens of Guyana must strive for real unity, stand in defense of each other, recognizing that power resides in the people. It is only with such unity that we the people can hold our politicians

accountable for their acts.

The disunity among our people can be easily eradicated if we open our minds and take an enlightened approach to dealing with all matters that are not being done in our best interest. The peoples of this nation must rise from their perpetual slumber and demand that Governments be not laws unto themselves, but be accountable to the people. Citizens must also demand that Governments lead by example, a trait that so far has not been manifested, but is a requirement of good governance.

On behalf of the Executive Council, Members and Staff of the GPSU, myself and my family, I extend to all Guyanese, best wishes for the 56th Independence Anniversary, while we look forward to a bright future, working and living together in love, unity and harmony.

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Independence Day messages

Let us chart a future of inclusivity and prosperity for our people – GAWU

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he attainment of political independence represented the culmination of years of struggles by our people to extract themselves from the yoke of colonialism. Indeed, it was widely

felt that the chains of the colonial master served as a major restraint, eroding fundamental freedoms and our ability to chart our own destiny. In the fifty-six (56) years of independence, we believe we have come a

long way, and scored several impressive gains. Those years, though, have not been without challenge.

In the period, we faced up and overcame natural disasters, economic turmoil, divisiveness, and undemocratic rule. It is a testimony to our people and nation that we have come so far despite the adversities in our way. It also is a fitting tribute to those who led and participated in the independence struggle that gave way to independent Guyana.

It is against that background that the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) extends to all Guyanese best wishes on the occasion of Independence Day 2022. As we observe yet another anniversary of the milestone achievement, we, of the GAWU, as a patriotic organisation, take

pride in our successes, as we urge that our setbacks serve as abiding lessons in charting the future. As we look towards the horizon on this Independence Day, we recognise that the country, like no other period in its history, is on the cusp of massive advancement. Today, our natural wealth, which belongs to us all, is yielding significant sums which are being channelled into all-round development, which is intended to improve the lives of all Guyanese.

Today, as we celebrate our freedom to chart our course, we cannot ignore lingering concerns.

Currently, we recognize that challenges to our people’s well-being and welfare remain ever present.

Rising living costs remain a foremost concern of our working-people and their families. We recognise the

effort of the Government to offer relief. This is laudable and welcomed, though concerns are harboured about whether such reliefs are reaching our peoples.

The need for sustained direct interventions should be considered, and, in this vein, we reiterate our call for the long-outstanding improvement in the National Minimum Wage.

The occasion of Independence also allows us the opportunity to examine our economic trajectory. Though we have recorded substantial growth in recent times, and this is expected to be sustained in the coming years, we remain concerned about whether these developments are reaching our peoples equally. These issues can well grow sharper in the coming times, and there is a need to ensure that proper mechanisms

are in place to safeguard against such real concerns. We also should not lose focus on the necessity to maximise our national wealth, whether natural or human, towards ensuring that our people remain foremost beneficiaries.

Indeed, our independence anniversary affords us the opportunity to reflect on our journey. It gives us the opportunity to chart a future wherein we seek to obtain our objectives of One Guyana and wherein we can build a stronger Guyana together. On this Independence Day, our desire is to see a future of inclusivity and prosperity for our people.

In this regard, as we draw closer to our objective of building a modern, prosperous country, the GAWU again extends best wishes on this 56th anniversary of Independence.

Stage set for achieving more Caricom supports harmonious multi-ethnic society – ERC Guyana Government, people – SG

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he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends warmest greetings to all Guyanese on Independence Day. Political independence was granted after bitter struggle, but all ethnic groups

now share one independent homeland, in freedom for more than half a century.

Cultural and religious freedoms continue to flourish; the ERC congratulates all Guyanese for continu-

ing, in any small way, to cement the ties of diversity that bind everyone together as One People.

Independence spurred intensified efforts to promote the growth of tolerance and respect. It blossomed with multi-ethnic national holidays and sharing in each other’s cultural festivities.

The breakaway from the grip of colonial rule, spearheaded by the selfless efforts of heroes of yore, climaxed 56 years ago in May, 1966. The lowering of the Union Jack for the last time and hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead for the first, ushered in the birth of One Nation – represented by diverse peoples, including our own Indigenous citizens.

The mammoth under-

taking of nation-building rests on the shoulders of every citizen, traversing a common path together to attain One Destiny in peace and prosperity.

Let’s continue to remember that our ancestors travelled from different lands across the Atlantic, and laid the foundations of independence in struggle.

With commitment to country and recognition of our aspirations, the stage is set for adding more building blocks to achieve a more harmonious multi-ethnic society, which we all desire. Our National Motto reminds us of that!

Happy Independence to all Guyanese, from the Management and Staff of the ERC!

O

n behalf of the Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom), I extend congratulations to the Government and People of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on the occasion of the country’s FiftySixth Anniversary of Independence, on 26 May, 2022.

An original signatory to the Treaty of Chaguaramas, Guyana also serves as host

country to the Headquarters of the Caribbean Community Secretariat, an indication of its longstanding and firm commitment to Regional Integration.

Mr. President, as the Head of Government with responsibility for Agriculture and Food Security in the Community’s Quasi-Cabinet, your leadership has propelled the sector into an exciting new era. The successful recent Agri-Investment Forum and Expo in Guyana is just one example of the dynamism injected into the sector.

Excellency, the Caribbean Community reiterates its support to the Government and People of Guyana, and joins in celebrating this auspicious occasion.

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

Around the World

EU cracks widen over Ukraine as Italy, Hungary urge truce

I

taly and Hungary have urged the European Union (EU) to call explicitly for a ceasefire in Ukraine and peace talks with Russia, putting themselves at odds with other Member States determined to take a hard line with Moscow ahead of a summit next week.

A draft-concluding statement for the May 30-31 summit, seen by Reuters and dated May 19, describes the European Union as “unwavering in its commitment to help Ukraine exercise its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression”. It does not mention peace talks.

At a meeting of EU envoys on Friday, Italy’s Ambassador proposed changes to the text saying it should refer to peace talks and set out an immediate ceasefire as one of the EU’s first goals, according to people who attended the meeting.

Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi stands during European Union leaders’ summit, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium, March 25, 2022

That proposal was backed

by Hungary and Cyprus, which are among the States most critical of a new package of EU sanctions against Russia that has been blocked for weeks because of internal divisions.

Hungary opposes a planned oil embargo, while Cyprus has concerns about

a proposed ban on property sales to Russian citizens.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a speech at the Davos forum on Tuesday, took a hawkish stand on Russia and made no mention of peace talks.

“Ukraine must win this war, and (Russian President

Vladimir) Putin’s aggression must be a strategic failure,” she said.

The latest draft of the summit conclusions says the EU “remains committed to bolstering the ability of Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty”.

Baltic countries and Poland are among the strongest supporters of a hard line, and Latvia has urged even more explicit wording for increased military support, diplomats said.

A revised draft is due later on Wednesday after a meeting of EU envoys, one diplomat said.

Italy last week proposed a peace plan that would involve the United Nations, the EU and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe as facilitators to initially arrange localised ceasefires. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China seeks Pacific islands policing, security cooperation – document

C

hina will seek a region-wide deal with almost a dozen Pacific island countries covering policing, security and data communication cooperation when Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts a meeting in Fiji next week, documents seen by Reuters show.

A draft communiqué and five-year action plan sent by China to 10 Pacific islands ahead of a meeting of Foreign Ministers on May 30 has prompted opposition from at least one of the invited nations, which says it showed China’s in-

tent to control the region and “threatens regional stability”.

In a letter to 21 Pacific leaders seen by Reuters, the President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), David Panuelo, said his country would argue the “pre-determined joint communiqué “ should be rejected, because he feared it could spark a new “Cold War” between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the West.

In Washington, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States was aware

of Wang Yi’s plans and was “concerned that these reported agreements may be negotiated in a rushed, non-transparent process”.

He said recent security agreements reached by China had been conducted with little regional consultation, provoking concern in the United States and across the region.

“We don’t believe that importing security forces from the PRC and their methods will help any Pacific island country,” he said. “Doing so can only seek to fuel regional and international tension and

Most Caricom nations planning to attend Americas Summit – sources

M

ost Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom) member nations plan to attend the Summit of the Americas, according to two sources familiar with the situation, as some leaders call for a boycott if Washington excludes its ideological adversaries in the Region.

Latin American leaders including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador have threatened to skip the summit, which starts on June 6 in Los Angeles, if the United States does not invite Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

Thirteen of the 15-members of Caricom are planning to join the event, according to a senior Caribbean nation official and a Washingtonbased Caribbean advisor who have been involved in talks about the issue.

Caribbean countries that had been considering skip-

35

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has called on Caricom leaders to boycott the event

ping the summit were encouraged by recent Biden Administration measures toward Cuba and Venezuela, the official said.

“We take the view that it is far better to attend the summit ... recognising that Biden has moved from the

very hard-line position that he was following,” said the official, who asked not to be identified.

Both sources said the lone Caricom hold-out nation is St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The country’s Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in a May 11 letter seen by Reuters called on Caricom leaders to boycott the summit over the exclusion of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

A senior State Department official said in April that the three countries were unlikely to be invited, but Biden Administration officials last week said a representative of Cuba could receive an invitation.

Caricom has a total of 15 members including Montserrat, which is an overseas territory of Great Britain. (Reuters)

increase concerns over Beijing’s expansion of its internal apparatus to the Pacific.”

Wang will visit eight Pacific island nations that China has diplomatic ties with between May 26 and June 4. (Excerpt from Reuters)

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil edges higher on tight supply, rising US refining activity

O

il prices rose on Wednesday, buoyed by tight supplies and as US refiners drove processing activity to their highest level since before the coronavirus pandemic started.

Brent crude futures for July settled up 47 cents to US$114.03 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for July delivery ended up 56 cents to US$110.33 a barrel.

US crude stockpiles fell one million barrels last week, the Government said, with gasoline inventories also sliding modestly.

Distillate stocks rose by 1.7 million barrels. Refiners picked up the pace of processing, boosting capacity use to 93.2 per cent, its highest since December 2019.

Refiners have had to keep facilities running at full-tilt to deal with heavy demand, especially from overseas, as refined product exports rose to more than 6.2 million barrels per day last week. High exports and a reduction in refining capacity means gasoline stocks have dwindled in the United States.

This upcoming weekend’s US Memorial Day travel is expected to be the busiest in two years, causing fuel demand to rise as more drivers hit the road and shake off coronavirus pandemic restrictions despite high fuel prices.

“We’re not seeing any elasticity in refined products demand,” said Gary Cunningham, director of market research at Tradition Energy.

“People are still going to drive; people are still driving.”

Global crude supplies continue to tighten as buyers avoid oil from Russia, the world’s second-largest exporter, after the invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.

The EU hopes to be able to agree on sanctions that would phase out Russian oil imports before the next meeting of the European Council, the council’s President, Charles Michel, said on Wednesday.

Even without a legal ban, self-sanctioning by numerous European companies has led to a record amount of Russia’s Urals crude oil sitting in vessels at sea as it struggles to find buyers.

On the flip side is the strict approach to the COVID-19 pandemic from China, the world’s biggest oil importer. Beijing has imposed new curbs while Shanghai plans to keep most restrictions in place this month. (Reuters)

NCU lecturer to face kidnapping, sexual battery charges in US

A

Jamaican university lecturer is to face multiple charges in the United States after waiving his right to an extradition hearing when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Russell McLean, a lecturer at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville, is

to be extradited to the US on kidnapping, armed burglary and armed sexual battery charges.

No further information on the matter was immediately available.

McLean has been a lecturer in the College of Humanities, Behavioural and Social Sciences at the private Seventh-Day Adventist-run universi-

ty, formerly West Indies College, for 18-and-a-half years.

Five other Jamaican men in three separate cases waived their rights to extradition hearings in court on Tuesday, and are to also answer to alleged crimes committed in the US. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Boat carrying 800 Haitians en route to United States washes ashore in Cuba instead

A

boat carrying 842 Haitian migrants bound for the United States strayed off course and washed ashore along the north coast of Cuba instead, according to Cuban State media reports on Wednesday, leaving island authorities scrambling to provide the group with humanitarian aid.

State broadcaster Telecubanacan showed images of a single large grey ship crowded with Haitians lining the decks from bow to stern, and even on the rooftop, as it swayed in rough,

windswept seas.

The boat was found early on Tuesday near Caibarien, State-run media reported, not far from Cayo Santa Maria, a popular vacation destination home to a strip of all-inclusive resort hotels. Several days of stormy weather and thunderstorms forced the boat towards Cuba, the report said.

Vast, and often untold, numbers of Haitian migrants have in recent months taken to sea on vessels headed for the United States to escape gang violence and poverty in their

home country.

Many stray off course, poorly equipped for the voyage or overwhelmed by weather, and end up landing in The Bahamas, Cuba or elsewhere in the Caribbean Sea. The Haitian migrants aboard the boat, including more than 150 women and children, were transferred by authorities to a tourist camping area operated by the Cuban government, where they were offered humanitarian aid and medical care, State-run media said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

36

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

You’ll need a pick-me-up to continue a steady pace forward. Don’t let changes disrupt your plans or keep you from making pressing decisions. Trust in your judgment.

(March 21-April 19) Take a stance, speak up and follow your plans. Don’t fold under pressure or give in to someone trying to discredit you. Keep your passwords and personal matters secret to avoid loss.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

You’re on a roll, so don’t look back or stop midstream. Build momentum and move quickly. Strive to finish what you start and win over people who can help you. Romance is on the rise.

(May 21-June 20) Don’t let your emotions get you in trouble. Check your ego at the door and be a good listener. Sparring with someone looking for a fight will end in disaster. Focus on what’s important to you.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Focus on self-improvement.

Criticizing others will backfire, making you look bad. Take care of your responsibilities, and don’t let yourself be bothered by the actions of others. Romance is favored.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Take an active role in whatever excites you or promises positive changes.

How you live, learn and deal with what’s going on around you will determine how others perceive you. Be brave!

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Pay closer attention to meaningful relationships. Don’t take anyone or anything for granted. Be willing to offer as much in return as someone provides to you. Handle financial matters with care.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Get out and about. Experience is the spice of life. Participate in activities or events that will spark your imagination and encourage you to make the changes you’ve only dreamed about.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Initiate changes at home that will help you enjoy your life, relationships and hobbies. Make a point to get your responsibilities out of the way quickly.

Romance is encouraged.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) A problem with a friend, relative or peer will set you back if you aren’t prepared to follow through with your plans.

Don’t get involved in other people’s problems.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD -- PARVENU

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Don’t limit what you can do because someone opts out or disrupts your plans.

Take pride in what you do; carry on until you get your desired results. Focus on personal endeavors.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Take a moment to review and rethink your strategy. It’s OK to do things differently. Put your energy into preparation and find unique ways to market what you have to offer.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

37

Sparkling Patidar 112 knocks LSG out R

oyal Challengers Bangalore have found one more reason to believe in destiny. Rajat Patidar, a Royal Challengers regular who was let go this year, came in mid-season as cover for an injured Luvnith Sisodia, and scored a sensational unbeaten 112 off 54 to propel the team into the second qualifier.

There was an element of fate to Patidar’s innings: he had already done a grand job, but since he was dropped in the 16th over, he scored 40 off 14 balls. His partner in carnage, Dinesh Karthik, also survived a close lbw call and a dropped catch on two, before putting together 92 in 6.5 overs.

Lucknow Super Giants will rue those dropped catches, because they came close in the end. Almost throughout the innings, their worm stayed ahead of Royal Challengers’, but 84 in the last five overs was too tough an act to follow.

The captain KL Rahul’s innings will divide opinion:

he stayed conservative till the ask reached 99 off seven overs, and his jump from 48 off 42 to 79 off 58 proved to be not enough.

Amid all the carnage, Super Giants’ Mohsin Khan and Royal Challengers’ Harshal Patel returned identical and remarkable figures of 4-0-25-1.

Mohsin with the perfect start The uncapped find of the season, Mohsin, started with a superb over. He drew respect out of Virat Kohli, before getting Faf du Plessis for a golden duck with one that shaped in the air and then seamed away to take the edge. As has been the template, Royal Challengers set up a base to try to go big in the last two overs of the powerplay, but were 24 for 1 in four.

Patidar announces himself With Kohli expected to set himself up for a long innings, Patidar took all the risks in the last two overs of the powerplay.

Avesh Khan threw hard lengths at him in the fifth over, but he managed to put two of those away for fours.

But it was in the sixth over that Patidar really opened up.

found his second kick, but Bishnoi came back to get Mahipal Lomror, which brought Karthik out with two overs of spin still left. It nearly worked out for Super Giants: after a legbreak that beat Karthik on the outside edge, a Bishnoi wrong’un was denied only by an umpire’s call. In the next over, Rahul dropped a tough chance from Karthik, running back from midoff. And then, in the 16th over, a Bishnoi wrong’un bounced low, denying

Harshal Patel was instrumental with the ball, bowling 1-25

took Chameera apart.

At the other end, the fear of Karthik produced many a wide to go with his 23-ball 37.

The plan was to bowl wide of his reach, but Karthik kept catching up, and also ruthlessly punished the bluff balls.

A similar start for LSG Mohammed Siraj, brought back for the big match, came up with the big wicket in the first over, as Quinton de Kock didn’t get the bounce he needed to clear mid-on. And with that went any hope of a flying start.

Rahul and Manan Vohra set

That winning feeling! Virat Kohli brought out a leap and a fist pump

themselves up for the final two overs of the powerplay, and even though Josh Hazlewood got Vohra out, Rahul hit two sixes and a four off Siraj in the sixth over to make it 62 runs off the powerplay.

Patidar the elevation, but Hooda dropped a much easier chance at deep midwicket, also letting it go for four.

Krunal Pandya had already bowled one over without a boundary, but Patidar was not going to let the last over of the powerplay go. After he went over mid-on twice, Pandya sent the man back, only for Patidar to go over the now-in mid-off.

He was now toying with the field, as he followed it up with a four along the ground through the covers. Royal Challengers were 52 for 1 in six.

The spin slowdown Ravi Bishnoi then slowed things down, bringing about a surprise early risk from Kohli, who toe-ended an upper-cut to third man for a run-a-ball 25. At 70 for 1 in 8.3 overs, it appeared Royal Challengers were not happy with where they were going, because Glenn Maxwell came out and started hitting out from ball one.

Pandya was at the receiving end of one shot too many, to make it 86 for 3 in the 11th over.

The fortune At the other end, Patidar

The carnage That reprieve freed Patidar for a third kick, the most devastating one. He is not of an imposing build, nor is he a 360-degree batter, but everything he tried now began to come off. Back over Bisnoi’s head, over long-on, through the covers, he peppered the boundaries in a 27-run 16th over. In the 18th, he brought up his hundred with a pulled six off Mohsin. In the 19th, he

The spin slowdown, part 2

In the middle overs, it was almost as if there was ceasefire at one end.

Deepak Hooda was left with all the heavy lifting to do, as Rahul took no risks against spin.

With two left-hand batters in the shed, Royal Challengers kept Glenn Maxwell back and bowled more of Shahbaz Ahmed. Hooda managed to hit

SCOREBOARD

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Virat Kohli c Mohsin Khan b Avesh Khan 25 Faf du Plessis (c) c †de Kock b Mohsin Khan 0 Rajat Patidar not out 112 Glenn Maxwell c Lewis b Pandya 9 Mahipal Lomror c Rahul b Ravi Bishnoi 14 Dinesh Karthik †not out 37 Extras (nb 1, w 9) 10 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.35) 207/4 Did not bat: Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Faf du Plessis, 0.5 ov), 2-70 (Virat Kohli, 8.3 ov), 3-86 (Glenn Maxwell, 10.3 ov), 4-115 (Mahipal Lomror, 13.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohsin Khan 4-0-25-1 Dushmantha Chameera 4-0-54-0 Krunal Pandya 4-0-39-1 Avesh Khan 4-0-44-1 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-45-1

LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS INNINGS (Target: 208 runs from 20 overs) Quinton de Kock †c du Plessis b Mohammed Siraj 6 KL Rahul (c) c Shahbaz Ahmed b Hazlewood 79 Manan Vohra c Shahbaz Ahmed b Hazlewood 19 Deepak Hooda b de Silva 45 Marcus Stoinis c Patidar b Patel 9 Evin Lewis not out 2 Krunal Pandya c & b Hazlewood 0 Dushmantha Chameera not out 11 Extras (b 5, lb 2, w 15) 22 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.65) 193/6 Did not bat: Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Quinton de Kock, 0.6 ov), 2-41 (Manan Vohra, 4.3 ov), 3-137 (Deepak Hooda, 14.4 ov), 4-173 (Marcus Stoinis, 17.3 ov), 5-180 (KL Rahul, 18.4 ov), 6-180 (Krunal Pandya, 18.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Siraj 4-0-41-1 Josh Hazlewood 4-0-43-3 Shahbaz Ahmed 4-0-35-0 Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 4-0-42-1 Harshal Patel 4-0-25-1

Rajat Pattidar blasted 112 not out

four sixes, but he lost his timing after a quick start.

Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal were mainly responsible for Hooda getting into a rut. Rahul still looked calm and intent on taking it deep. It wasn’t until it became 99 required off the last seven that Rahul took a risk.

The LSG charge Starting with the 14th over, Super Giants began to attack from both ends. Rahul hit two sixes off Hazlewood, Hooda put Hasaranga into the stands twice, but again the lack of bounce did it for Hooda.

Marcus Stoinis had no choice but to go for it the moment he walked out, and he put Hasaranga into the stands almost immediately. For two more overs, Super Giants managed to stay abreast with the asking rate, bringing it down to 41 off the last three.

KL Rahul got LSG close with 79

They were still ahead of where Royal Challengers were at that stage.

Harshal seals it Harshal, 2-0-8-0 at this point, started off with two wides that went for six runs, making it two runs a ball needed. He ditched the roundthe-wicket plan and went back to his original ploy of bowling short and slow into the pitch.

Eventually he frustrated Stoinis into trying to create all the power, and had him caught at deep cover. He left Super Giants with 33 to get off the last two overs.

This was Rahul’s last chance to go after Hazlewood to make it manageable in the final over, but he started off with a leave to a wide yorker. When he ramped Hazlewood straight to short fine leg, it was all over.

(Cricinfo)

GFF celebrates first Black International player Andrew Watson

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Tuesday paid tribute to the legacy of Guyana-born footballer Andrew Watson, who was born on May 24, 1856 and is widely credited as being the first black player to perform at international level, the first professional black footballer, and the first black football administrator.

Watson, son of a Scottish plantation owner and a Guyanese mother, left Guyana as a child and went on to study at schools in northern England and London, before attending the University of Glasgow in Scotland. The football pioneer played and administrated for several clubs in England and Scotland, including Scotland’s biggest club at the time, Queen’s Park, helping them to win two Scottish Cup titles in 1881 and 1882.

He was capped three times

by Scotland, twice as captain, and his successes include a 6-1 victory over England in 1881, which remains a record home defeat for the Three Lions, and a 5-1 win over Wales.

“We salute the memory of this incredible son of the soil,” GFF President Wayne Forde has said. “Andrew Watson’s pioneering achievements on the field of play and in his professional life provide an

The late Andrew Watson

inspirational example for all of us. They remind us that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.

“We are proud to share this legacy with our partners at the Scottish Football Association (SFA), and look forward to working together to create a permanent and meaningful platform of initiatives in honour of this true Guyanese – and Scottish - legend,” Forde has added.

As part of an ongoing capacity-building partnership under the UEFA Assist banner, the SFA has conducted an online coaching programme for GFF technical staff and coaches. Watson passed away at the age of 64 in London on March 8, 1921.

38

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rutherford grateful for IPL experience …Aims to return to bowling in CPL 2022

Rutherford has cited an improvement in his fitness

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Royal Challengers Bangalore had picked up Guyana’s Sherfane Rutherford in the 2022 TATA IPL auction, and while he may not have started out the way he had intended, Rutherford is still grateful for the experience gained in the camp, and is optimistic that in the 2022 edition of the Hero CPL, he would perform better in both batting and bowling, due to his improved fitness.

In an interview with this

publication, he was asked what it was like for him in the RCB camp training under some of the greats, and Rutherford said, “Well, first of all, I must thank God for the opportunity. I have been working on some specific things, like my fitness and some cricket skills. So, it is just for me to improve.

Leaving here, I want to be better. As you know, I have cricket coming up, so I want to get myself together and get those little extra percentage added to my game to get

Rutherford is grateful for his IPL experience

where I want to.”

The talented left-hander noted that playing and training alongside Faf du Plessis has been great, and he has labelled the South African a cool character. He explained that he admires the love and calmness that du Plessis has for the game.

Rutherford shared that Virat Kohli is a passionate cricketer who loves the game, and he said that for him, (Rutherford), it has been a life-changing experience to train under two of the

GCB selects strong female squad to vie for regional crown

Cherry-Ann Fraser

Kaycia Schultz

Mandy Mangru

Shemaine Campbelle

Shabika Gajnabi

Sheneta Grimmond

he national selectors have met, on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the Guyana National Stadium to select the Guyana Senior Women’s Cricket Team for the CG Insurance Women’s Super50 and CWI T20 Blaze 2022 Tournaments, to be held in Guyana from June 5, 2022 to June 26, 2022.

The squad will be led by West Indies Senior Women’s player Shemaine Campbell, who recently returned from Dubai, where she was playing competitive cricket.

Campbell’s deputy is talented West Indian player Shabika Gajnabi. They will lead a squad of experi-

enced players that include Tremayne Smartt, Erva Giddings, Katana Mentore, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Sheneta Grimmond and Kaycia Schultz, who have all represented the West Indies.

Julian Moore has been appointed Head Coach of the team, while Kavita Yadram will serve as the Manager.

The squad will be encamped at the LBI Cricket Facility from May 30 to June 3, 2022 in preparation for the Regional 50 Overs and T20 tournaments.

2. Shabika Gajnabi (ViceCaptain) 3. Cherry-Ann Fraser 4. Katana Mentore 5. Sherica Campbelle 6. Sheneta Grimmond 7. Plaffianna Millington 8. Kaysia Schultz 9. Tremayne Smartt 10. Erva Giddings 11. Mandy Mangru 12. Kumarie Persaud 13. Ashmini Munisar 14. Lashuna Toussaint

T

The squad reads: 1. Shemaine Campbell (Captain)

Stand-bys: 1. Hema Singh 2. Dian Prahalad 3. Latisha Jordan 4. Naffeza Sabar

greatest players in the T20 era, namely: du Plessis and Kohli, and it is something he will cherish forever.

“My highest point of this season is my transformation of my fitness. As you know, I have been working on it for some time now. I am in the right state of mind, and I am feeling good,” Rutherford has posited.

He made mention that when he entered the RCB

Rutherford has noted that playing under Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis is something he will cherish forever

camp, he approached the trainer and explained to him that his fitness had not been the best. However, with much work and perseverance, Rutherford has attested to feeling a lot fitter, and working hard to better his current state.

Rutherford said he has been bowling in the nets, as he does not want that aspect of his game to deteriorate.

Hence, he is optimistic that,

come CPL, he can continue his bowling, which is a valuable addition to his game.

In closing his remarks, Rutherford said, “To all my fans and supporters, I just want to say this is not the best games at the start of the IPL, but you know after every dark day there is a brighter day. I am going to keep working to make you guys proud, and give you something to cheer about.”

GMR&SC elects Mahendra Boodhoo as new President

M

ahendra Boodhoo is the new President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), following that body’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Monday evening (May 24th 2022) at the GT Motorsport Hall.

Boodhoo and his slate were elected unopposed, as former President Rameez Mohamed declined to run for the position for this term.

Instead, Mohamed is slated as Club Captain. Boodhoo, a former President of the club, begins his newest stint with the aim of reinvigorating the local motorsport fraternity after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Firstly, I want to thank you all for this opportunity. This new executive hopes to ensure that we focus on growing local motorsport in all aspects, be it bikes, cars, karting etc.,” he said in his first address. “We are looking forward to your support and your voices. If you have ideas, then we are here to listen to them, and once they come with possible solutions, then we will obviously look at them. Once they are struc-

The new executive body of the GMR&SC

tured and put on the record, then we will deal with them,” he promised.

Mohamed Shiraz Roshandin is the new VicePresident of the club, while Azim Jaffar returns as Secretary and Chetram Singh takes over as Treasurer.

The Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer remains Azaad Hassan, with the Technical Advisor being Joel Evans.

The new committee members are Mark Vieira, Gavin Guyadin, Roshan Ali and John Chin.

The club also adopted the financials of the previous year, and retained Seebarran as the auditor.

Hitting the ground running

Meanwhile, the new committee plans to hit the ground running, addressing several concerns from members present about the current state of sections of the track.

“During this week, the new executive will take a trip to the track to firstly examine what we are working with, and then move forward. I know a lot of you raised complaints (about) some sections of the track, and we will see

how best we can sort that,” the GMR&SC President has said.

The question was also asked whether the dates for events published earlier this year would remain the same. The new GMR&SC boss opined that, while there might be changes, those would be communicated during the remainder of this week, to ensure that there are no disenfranchised competitors.

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THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CWI Regional Four-Day tourney…

39

Blackwood’s century keeps Guyana Harpy Eagles at bay

By Brandon Corlette in Trinidad

W

est Indies Test Vice-Captain J e r m a i n e Blackwood has displayed grit and determination in scoring his eighth first-class century at the Diego Martin Sporting Complex in Trinidad and Tobago.

In this fourth-round

rock-solid 110, while wicketkeeper-batsman Aldane Thomas was unbeaten on 35.

Under clear skies at the picturesque Diego Martin Sporting Complex, which is only for the second time hosting first-class matches, the Jamaicans won the toss and opted to bat first. Leroy Lugg came and played a

determined Blackwood, and the duo added 25 runs to the score before Green, who was hitting the ball hard, struck Persaud at forward short-leg.

Blackwood, who played some delightful shots, suffered some cramping, but he limped to his milestone, his eighth first-class century, which he reached in 229 balls and after 266 minutes.

Right-handed wicketkeeper- batsman Aldane Thomas was unbeaten on 35 from 40 balls, which he scored in a shotgun innings that included eight fours. Blackwood ended the day on 110 from 251 balls.

His innings included 14 fours and one six. Motie had 2-39

Kevin Sinclair was on a hat-trick early in the day

clash of Cricket West Indies’ Regional Four-Day Championships between Guyana Harpy Eagles and Jamaica Scorpions, the Jamaicans reached 282-6 at stumps on the opening day.

Blackwood produced a

pace as they featured in a 52-run partnership. The duo exploited the good batting surface and fast outfield, and Campbell struck Sinclair for a sweet shot in the cover boundary off the first ball of Williams scored his maiden first-class fifty his spell, and swept another one in disdain; but he played one shot too many, and was full-blooded drive in the air, and was caught at back- trapped leg-before in attemptward point off the bowling of ing to sweep another straight Demetri Cameron, to leave delivery. He departed for 37 the Jamaican score at 17-1.

Test players Jermaine Blackwood and John Campbell joined forces, and gathered runs at a decent

Jermaine Blackwood gathering runs

Blackwood. The duo added 112 runs to the score in a partnership that gave Scorpions the momentum.

At the tea interval, Jamaica had reached 1664 after 61 overs. Blackwood was unbeaten on 66, while Williams was unbeaten on 33. Sinclair had 2-58 at that point, while Motie and Cameron each had one wicket.

In the final session, Williams pushed on to reach his maiden first-class fifty, but was removed for 51 from 113 balls. He struck eight fours before being caught by Akshaya Persaud, who was under the bat.

Derval Green joined the

Gudakesh Motie bowled well from the southern end

Blackwood was patient in his approach

from 57 balls, including seven fours, and with the score on 69-2 after 19.4 overs.

Sinclair then struck again, trapping Orain Williams for a golden duck.

He found himself on a hattrick, but Paul Palmer and Blackwood took Scorpions to lunch at 90-3, with the composed right-hander

Blackwood on 31 while Palmer was on 12.

The second ball bowled after lunch, a slower and well-flighted delivery from Gudakesh Motie, had Palmer caught for 18, and reduced Scorpions to 99-4 after 31.2 overs.

When the burly Alwyn Williams came to the crease, he provided great support for

Compliments of

from 21 overs, while Kevin Sinclair had 2-74. Cameron and Permaul each had one wicket.

The second day’s play would commence from 10:00h Eastern Caribbean time with Blackwood and Thomas looking to add runs to Jamaica’s 282-6.

Summary in other matches: Trinidad and Tobago: 133 all out. Imran Khan 29, Terrence Hinds 25.

Jomel Warrican 3-21, Akeem Jordan 2-17. Barbados: 87-2.

Raymon Reifer 32* Leeward Islands v Windwards: 301-9 (90). Colin Archibald 104* Jahmar Hamilton 52.

Preston McSween 4-78.

SCOREBOARD JAMAICA 1ST INNINGS John Campbell (LHB) lbw b Sinclair 37 Leroy Lugg c Motie b Cameron 5 Jermaine Blackwood not out 110 Oraine Williams lbw b Sinclair 0 Paul Palmer c Cameron b Motie 18 Alwyn Williams c Persaud b Motie 51 Derval Green c Johnson b Permaul 13 Aldane Thomas not out 35 TOTAL (6 wickets, 90.0) (13 extras) 282

17/1 (7.1) Leroy Lugg 69/2 (19.4) John Campbell 69/3 (19.5) Oraine Williams 99/4 (31.2) Paul Palmer 211/5 (69.5) Alwyn Williams 236/6 (80.1) Derval Green BOWLING Keemo Paul (14-5-39-0) Demetri Cameron (12-0-77-1) Veerasammy Permaul (27-9-46-1) Kevin Sinclair (16-1-74-2) Gudakesh Motie (21-5-39-2)

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2022

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

Blackwood’s century Rutherford grateful for keeps Guyana Harpy IPL experience Eagles at bay …Aims to return to CWI Regional Four-Day tourney…

Pg 22

Pg 23

bowling in CPL 2022

Guyana Harpy Eagles were in the field all day

Rutherford on the go

Tiger Rentals dish out Gy$10M for U13 football league

Tiger Rentals’ Denis Latiff and Shane Singh handing over the sponsorship cheque to GFF President Wayne Forde

T

iger Rentals Guyana Inc on Wednesday afternoon made a huge investment in the development of youth football, with sponsorship going towards a new Under-13 Boys’ Development League. The collaboration ensures the GFF would be able to add a new nationwide league to their complement of youth programmes.

Tiger Rentals’ generosity comes to the tune of Gy$10.6M in what can be described as the largest on-off sponsorship for a league.

“I would like to state emphatically that, in all of our 100 years of existence, the GFF has never coordinated, simultaneously, a National U13 Boys’ Development League. This is now being made possible through the

warm friendship and generosity of Tiger Rentals Guyana Inc,” GFF President Wayne Forde announced.

In detailing the significance of the League, Forde disclosed that coaches would also stand to benefit from several FIFA courses. He explained, “Every coach participating in the GFF Tiger Rentals Guyana Inc U13 League will be mandated

to complete the FIFA child safeguarding course. Every coach participating in the GFF Tiger Rentals Guyana U13 League will be trained as a FIFA Football-for-School master-trainer. We believe the content from that programme, and its strong emphasis on life skills, will be an important tool for our coaches to administer as they work with these young boys.

“Every coach participating in the GFF Tiger Rentals Guyana Inc U13 League will be enrolled into the CONCACAF coaching licence pathway, which will begin with the GFF introductory coaching course, followed by the CONCACAF D Licence programme. These are all important steps that I believe will help us to meet our short-, medium-, and long-term football development and human development goals,” Forde concluded.

Tiger Rentals’ Regional Director, Denis Latiff, verbalised the company’s commitment to Guyana’s development, starting with the sport: “We are very confident in the future of Guyana, and want to do our part in helping this country realise its true potential. We believe investing in the Guyanese people in particular is huge, as here is where we will experience the greatest, the highest, returns. And we would like to thank the Guyana Football Federation for making this possible.”

On the matter of the Federation’s relationship with the company, Latiff expounded, “We began our en-

gagements and discussion with the GFF back in 2020, and I’ve been paying keen attention to how they operate, and what are their core values. I am happy to say that we feel very comfortable working with them. We see the effort being made by President Wayne Forde and his team to grow the game here, and we want to be a part of the vision and the future that he and his team are trying to build.”

With the league being countrywide, Tiger Rentals’ Country Manager Shane Singh spoke of the benefit of the football. Singh opined, “Really good to know that the coaches will be trained under this tournament to also help them; so, it’s not just about the kids, it’s a well-rounded package. So, take the opportunity, as Dennis was telling some of the kids earlier, and wake up early morning and train, football will take you very far in life.

“Take the opportunity, play clean football, and I’m sure it’ll be a very successful tournament.”

The league is scheduled to commence in July, 2022.

(Jemima Holmes)

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