Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 01-04-2023

Every security threat is taken seriously –– President Ali

GUYANA is working along with the United States (U.S.) to address all security issues and concerns, following the issuance of a security alert by the US Embassy in Georgetown.

President Dr. Ifraan Ali on Friday affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing all security concerns.

He addressed the issue during a press conference at the end of a two-day Office of

Mayor Narine losing grip on City Hall

–– left out of critical decision on $21M solid waste contract, claims concerns were ignored

IN an unexpected turn of events, the Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine has publicly disavowed responsibility for a $21 million solid waste management contract that was approved by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

He made this declaration during a press conference on Friday, where he addressed a number of topics, including the costly contract.

Mayor Narine openly declared that the Council ignored his request for an additional review of the figure, and went ahead and endorsed the $21 million contract.

He further revealed that one company provided the exact estimate figure that the Council requested throughout the biding process.

Although they’d made plans to “examine” it, he asserted that for a number of reasons, he and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke had to leave the country, and thus were not able to do so.

“I don’t know what [had] driven the Council to act in this manner,” Mayor Narine stated, addressing the costly figure.

According to the Mayor, when the town clerk delivered the document to him, the figures of which allegedly climbed from a previous $13 million to the current $21 million, he was unable to “study” it.

He also noted that the contract solely covers household waste, and provides for Constituencies 1 through 15.

Moreover, Mayor Narine disclosed that he will not be contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections, but will remain a member of his political party.

INADEQUATE SUBVENTION

Despite the collection of rates and taxes, the M&CC, like all municipalities across

the country, is given an annual subvention. While the other townships would get $18 million, City Hall is allotted $30 million.

However, Mayor Narine asserted that this subvention is insufficient, and the government should be giving the M&CC more.

Over the years, City Hall has developed a well-documented reputation for lack of accountability of its own funds, as well as the funds allocated by Central Government. Issues at the municipality have included lack of financial records, damage to financial documents, lack of contracts being issued for multimillion-dollar projects, lack of proper procurement practices, and lack of audits.

When audits are conducted, the Office of the Auditor General has often conveyed the difficulties encountered in ensuring proper spending of public funds by City Hall.

Additionally, from 2016–2019, City Hall was the beneficiary of an accumulated $1 billion from Central Government under the Georgetown Restoration Programme (GRP). Auditing of this fund has been a multi-year bugbear for the AG’s office.

Under the GRP, City Hall had received incremental disbursements of $300 million in 2015, $200 million in 2016, $200 million in 2018, and $300 million in 2019. The funds were disbursed by the now disbanded Ministry of Communities under the former APNU+AFC administration, which was in office from 2015 – 2020.

The money from the GRP was initially directly handed over to City Hall, but was later handled by that ministry after multiple reports of mismanagement. Several companies made allegations against City Hall of completing works for projects under this programme and never receiving their full payments, even though all the money under the programme was

the President outreach in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The security alert was issued on Wednesday, notifying US citizens here that the embassy has increased security protocols as a result of unspecified threats to US interests.

President Ali noted that due to the sensitive nature of the situation, the Government of Guyana cannot divulge explicit details, but he assured that the issue is being dealt with.

“We are working together; every security threat, we take it as serious. And there is great collaboration between the U.S. and Guyana in

dealing with a security issue. And that is as far as I’ll go at this stage. As you know, security matters are sensitive matters,” the President said in response to a question on the issue.

In its revised protocols, the US said: “Out of an abundance of caution, we want to inform U.S citizens that the embassy has increased security protocols, due to receiving threats against U.S. interests.”

As such, the embassy noted that US citizens here should stay on alert, and exercise heightened caution.President Dr. Irfaan Ali

PM commissions Guyana’s first 1.5 MW solar photovoltaic farm at Bartica

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips took part in a landmark commissioning ceremony for Guyana’s first 1.5 MW Solar Photovoltaic farm, which was organised by the Guyana Energy Agency, in partnership with the Inter-American

The project according to PM Phillips is evidence of the government’s dedication to the low-carbon future envisioned in the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, which accelerates the use of natural gas as a transitional fuel between heavy fuel oil and solar, hydropower,

He also revealed that by the end of May, micro solar projects will be established at Waramadong, Jawalla and Paruima.

The 1.5 MW PV Plant at Bartica was designed to accommodate increased levels of solar PV penetration as Bartica’s load grows. At

expended.

From the 2016 allocation, the M&CC could not produce any evidence accounting for some $70.489 million out of the $200 million given. Prior to that, in the 2015 allocation, there was no evidence of payments totalling $12.816M.

In November 2017, the APNU+AFC Cabinet also gave its approval for a grant of $475.635 million to be disbursed to M&CC through the abovementioned ministry. However, from these monies, the Auditor General was unable to verify the completeness, accuracy and validity of amounts totalling $374.545 million.

There is also no accountability for a 10-year gap in the financial accounts at City Hall.

As a result of this track record, earlier this year, Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo argued that the current administration of the M&CC does not have development as its focal point, but is in fact more preoccupied with the matter of politics.

City Hall is run by a 30-seat Council of which 21 are held by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R). Two seats are held by the Alliance For Change (AFC), and seven by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

Development Bank (IDB), under the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL) at Dagg Point, Bartica, in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

During the event, he explained that the government remains committed to providing equitable development to all Guyanese.

“I represent a government that is big on bringing development to the people of Guyana, wherever they live…what is important for us is the development of all the people of Guyana and at a strategic level, we have a strategic directive, where we want to lead on food security, we want to lead on energy security, and we want to lead on matters pertaining to the environment,” he said.

wind, and biomass.

“More and more, we will have solar projects throughout Guyana, more and more we will have hydro projects.”

He further emphasised: “We will also, as part of the energy mix, utilise solar energy, wind energy, biomass and hydro power. So, you have an energy mix there and more of the non-gas energy mix will be utilise to power the hinterland.”

The senior government official, also expressed optimism that the solar farm, will aid in the overall development of the town, noting: “This project itself is an example of central government, regional government and the local government coming together and delivering for the people”.

maximum capacity, the system will generate and supply a total of 1,988 MWh to the grid, resulting in an estimated annual reduction of 4,500 drums of diesel consumption and a 1.5-million-kilogram reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

IDB’s Country Representative, Lorena Solorzano Salazar; Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr Mahender Sharma; Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Power and Light Inc. Renford Homer; Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall; Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council, Kenneth Williams, other IDB and regional officials were also present at the commissioning ceremony. (Office of the Prime Minister)

President Dr. Ifraan Ali

Mayor of Georgetown Pandit Ubraj Narine

Guyana’s first 1.5 MW solar photovoltaic farm was commissioned at Bartica on Friday

Over 1,700 issues resolved in two days at Region Three outreach

–– President Ali promises

By Tamica Garnett

AS the Office of the President’s two-day outreach in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) wrapped up on Friday afternoon, it was disclosed that over 1,700 persons had their issues resolved, and efforts were made address many more.

Issues resolved included a century-long case involving a land situation at Leonora Pasture, which was remedied within 24 hours of being raised, and resulted in several persons receiving titles to the land they are occupying.

Almost 2,000 of the remaining cases were still in the process of being resolved up to late yesterday afternoon. 187 were referred to other agencies, 275 persons were unreachable when follow-up contact was made, and 469 issues were still being followed up.

These statistics were shared by President Dr. Irfaan Ali during a press conference on Friday at the National Track and Field Stadium at Leonora, where the second outreach of its kind was held.

The National Data Management Authority (NDMA) implemented an electronic system that recorded all of the issues being raised, the resolutions, and other data in real-time monitoring.

The President explained that the monitoring system played an important role in measuring the performance of the event, and ensuring that efforts to resolve people’s problems would continue after the event had ended.

The outreach, which is one in a series that will be done in each of the administrative regions, was crafted as a means for the government to get on the ground to get a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing residents in various communities, and to listen to complaints with a view to crafting judicious policies and programmes, and finding timely solutions.

“This exercise allows us to understand the priorities of communities; the priorities of the region, so that when we develop our budgetary framework in the new year, we will be able to understand in a firsthand manner from the people

10,000 house lots by year end, other housing initiatives

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials at Friday’s press conference directly what their priorities are, and what our interests should be,” the President noted.

Following the close of the outreach on Friday, a number of follow-up activities will now be carried out in communities all across the region.

The outreach was also well attended by the region’s business community, and the President expressed his happiness with the eagerness displayed by the business community to capitalise on the economic boom taking place in the region.

“What I have seen is the confidence in the development of this region, triggering a lot of investment proposals, a lot of business interests… In terms of business, there are many proposals that are brought to us from aquaculture, the hydroponics, large-scale agriculture, hotels, apartments, real estate

on the whole, supermarkets, small manufacturing facility. A lot of proposals that came to us that we were able to pass to the Go-Invest investors. The Minister of Finance is also following up on a lot of this,” the President explained.

As has been customary at government outreaches, matters involving the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) dominated issues and concerns among the residents visiting the event.

President Ali explained that the proliferation of housing matters is largely due to the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC)’s lack of action for the five years they held office.

He said that since its return to office in 2020, the PPP/C government has been working vigorously to rectify this.

“In this region alone, we have put in infrastructure to bring into being more than 10,000 new lots by the end of this year; we are launching the low-income housing programme, and young professional in addition to that,” the President related.

He said that he felt encouraged by the appetite for housing in the region.

“What is interesting is a number of young persons, most of those who came forward in the housing programme and are applying are less than 25 years old; and that is a tremendous, tremendous accomplishment. When this government came into office in 1992, this region was heavily populated with squatting. Every single community had a major squatter settlement, and we have been able to regularise those communities, expand housing. And now creating great momentum in the socioeconomic advancement of this region,” the President noted.

As it pertains to NIS, a lot of the issues were raised by present and former employees of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). The President commended the NIS for rising to the occasion, and heeding the call to do more in resolving the issues of Guyanese.

It was disclosed that over the past two-and-a half years, the NIS has resolved over 6,000 matters that were brought to its attention.

“That is a major accomplishment,” the President added.

A number of community-related issues were also brought up during the outreach, and the President, during the press conference, commended several of the agencies that were present at the event.

“The Ministry of Local Government is also working on many community issues, whether it is drainage. We dealt with a number of agricultural issues. The region, the GOAL scholarship programme, the Ministry of Education, all of these agents, the Ministry of Health, they did tremendous work,” President Ali noted.

Thousands of persons raised various issues at the Office of the President’s two-day outreach in Region Three (Delano Williams photos)

Ogunseye surrenders himself to the police

EXECUTIVE Member

of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Tacuma Ogunseye, on Friday morning presented himself to the police after a warrant bulletin was issued for his arrest.

The 71-year-old political activist turned himself in to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters at Vlissengen Road. He was accompanied by his lawyers, Nigel Hughes and Darren Wade.

Ogunseye is facing allegations that he attempted to

incite hostility or ill will on the grounds of race during a meeting at Buxton, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), on March 9, 2023.

Ogunseye told the media outside the CID headquarters: “The WPA see ourselves as defending the dignity of our country and defending the legacy of Walter Rodney and regardless of what they throw at me I am prepared to fight back.”

At a public meeting, Ogunseye made incendiary remarks about Guyana’s In-

do-Guyanese and called for the Disciplined Services “to turn their guns on the State.”

He also called for a day of “National Resistance” on Local Government Elections (LGE), which is scheduled for June 12, 2023.

Recently, Ogunseye said he would plead guilty to treason if he were charged.

“When we look at the line-up of charges they have been uttering, treason seems to be the most severe of the threats.”

“WPA publicly resolved once they come with treason

charges, we will not treat it as a legal matter, we will see it as a political matter and I would go to court and plead guilty with an explanation. That is our attitude to charges,” Ogunseye said.

There has been widespread condemnation of his remarks, which the WPA said they will not apologise for.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC., also condemned Ogunseye for his controversial remarks that could incite civil dis-

obedience in Guyana.

“Tacuma Ogunseye went to Buxton Line-top and made one of the most racially provocative, seditious, and riotous speeches; basically, calling for ethnic violence, calling on the armed forces to turn their guns against the government and those who do not look like them, calling for resistance, calling essentially for the overthrow of a democratically elected government. [Such] statements have led to civil war in countries.

Statements of this type have led to genocide,” Nandlall said during a recent airing of his online show “Issues in the News.”

WPA executive member, Tacuma Ogunseye

TNM, ANUG not contesting local government polls

–– lack of funding among reasons

THE New Movement (TNM) and A New United Guyana (ANUG), two small parties from the joinder list, have confirmed that they will not be contesting the 2023 Local Government Elections (LGE).

At a joint press conference on Friday, the leaders of TNM, Asha Kissoon and ANUG, Mark France, both cited personal reasons and lack of funding for not contesting the polls.

“TNM is not contesting Local Government Elections. Our resources right now and the timing is not ideal for us be-

cause right now we will be focusing on our seat and how we can use it to instigate quality change and policies to help our following as much as we can,” Dr. Kissoon said.

Meanwhile, France disclosed that the members of ANUG have held discussions on LGEs since last November when they held their internal elections.

It was agreed by the executive members then that it would be best to not contest the LGEs.

“It was the decision of the executive following consultation of the members, that at this

sitting we are unable to take part in Local Government Elections as a party,” he said.

Politics, he said, is expensive and small parties do not have a steady income.

Nevertheless, the party has encouraged their members to contest as independent candidates.

“We have had a few independent candidates that would have submitted symbols. ANUG and the joinder list by extension, we are willing to support any independent candidate who is taking part in Local Government Elections.”

June 12, 2023, is the date set for the conduct of LGEs.

The date was chosen based on the work plan that was submitted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.

Meanwhile Nomina-

tions Day has been set for April 17.

In February, GECOM approved the work plan for LGEs, paving the way for the secretariat to proceed with the implementation of the relevant statutory and administrative activities for the elections in the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) countrywide.

Guyanese have been anticipating the hosting of elections for some time now. It is at the LGE that Guyanese are given the opportunity to vote for the councillors for their Local Authority Area (LAA). Guyana has 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), and 10 municipalities, inclusive of Georgetown.

LGE was legally due in 2021, and the funds were budgeted to facilitate this; however, several issues facing

GECOM at the time prevented the holding of the elections, including the non-appointment of a Chief Election Officer (CEO).

The LGE could not be held in the absence of a CEO, a position which was later filled by Vishnu Persaud in December 2021.

As part of the government’s commitment, some $2.9 billion has been allocated to GECOM for preparatory works to ensure the successful planning and execution of the elections.

The local government system is an essential part of the country’s governance framework. LGE is contested by political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who are desirous of winning seats to sit on the various NDCs and municipalities.

TNM’s leader, Asha Kissoon (second from right), ANUG’s leader, Mark France (second from left), and executives of the two parties at the press conference

Selective Activism

IN its usual blatant display of tunnel vision and amnesia, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), which operates under the guise of a civil society organisation, seems obsessed with the current government but turned a blind eye during attempts by the now Opposition to orchestrate the rigging of the 2020 elections, along with everything under the APNU/AFC administration’s time in office.

Transparency and accountability are vital ingredients of any organisation operating in the public interest. Regular, open, accessible, and fair elections are non-negotiable elements of any civil-society group, not least for the one-person show being operated as GHRA, claiming to be the country’s leading voice for human rights.

The GHRA has failed the test of transparency and accountability because of its explicit political biases. The GHRA is always on the side of the current political Opposition and has a distinct urban preference.

The blatant political and cultural bias of the GHRA was recently revealed when Mike McCormack stood down from condemning the violent, racist rant of a top WPA official, all of this in the presence of the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton.

General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Bharrat Jagdeo has underscored the need for Guyanese to fight racism and has called on the Guyana Police Force to go after those who continue

to spew racial hate and inciting remarks.

The age-old issue of racism needs to be tackled head-on to end race-baiting as a political tool.

The PNC, under the guise of the APNU, cannot carry their racist rhetoric at public meetings. Still, they would use front organisations like the WPA to push the racist rhetoric in their community meetings for the PNC to reap the political rewards.

Then the self-righteous organisations like TIGI or the GHRA turn a blind eye to condemning racism.

Meanwhile, the GHRA was also blind and remained silent under the APNU+AFC during the excessive firing of over 2,000 Amerindian Community Support Officers and over 7,000 sugar workers, which placed workers and their families on the breadline and stifled whole communities.

Further, GHRA was blind during the single-source procurement of vehicle scales that were paid for in full but never delivered. Public money was also used to purchase personal gifts for APNU ministers.

The GHRA maintained a stoic and stony silence on all these atrocities and more, turning a blind eye to the lawlessness and excesses of the APNU+AFC dictatorship. Suddenly, the GHRA awakened from its slumber and found its voice.

Many Guyanese questioned the validity of the GHRA’s structure, of which most remain unaware, despite the association’s existence for over 40 years, being indefinitely

headed by Mike McCormack.

The GHRA itself is a questionable entity, with a president serving for life and membership and an executive who are largely unknown if they exist.

It needs to be clarified when the GHRA last held an annual general meeting for its membership, submitted audited financial statements and annual reports on the stewardship of its executive, and submitted its executive to a competitive election by the general membership.

Additionally, in an unsurprising move, the GHRA found its voice to criticize the government’s signing of the US$35M e-ID card, saying that there was sole sourcing in terms of the contractor and a lack of public consultations or parliamentary oversight.

It would be interesting, however, if the GHRA could show that it is always concerned about such matters, especially concerning sole-sourcing by showing Guyanese its “statement” on the matter of sole-sourcing of $366.9 million in emergency drugs in June 2017, during the previous administration’s tenure, when the Ministry of Public Health at the time was accused of hand-picking HDM Labs over three other companies that had submitted tenders.

It would be interesting too if the GHRA could show its concerned statement when the former Health Minister under the APNU/ AFC administration was accused of and even charged with misconduct in relation to the act between June 2016 and January 2017,

instructing his Permanent Secretary to sign a contract between the Ministry of Public Health and Linden Holdings Inc. (LHI) for the rental of a property situated at Lot 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

The property was rented for three years at $12.5 million monthly for the storage of pharmaceuticals, and $337.5 million was paid to LHI, without the approval of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.

But the GHRA could show their statement when old-age pensioners had to once again pay for water and had VAT added to the cost during the period of the APNU-AFC.

Further, on March 20, 2023, the Attorney General’s Chambers revealed what appears to amount to financial malfeasance by the GHRA.

Records prove that the organisation, which was incorporated in 1979, needs to be in good standing for failing to file its annual returns since incorporation. The company has allegedly failed to apply for continuance under Part IV, Division B of the Companies Act and therefore owes the State some $38,649,600.

A human rights organisation should always obey the law. If it does not, it should be disbanded forthwith.

Mr. McCormack should do the right thing and resign from his current position, and he should also be pleased to honour and put into practice the basic principles of human rights conduct.

The PPP/C has always allocated resources prudently, effectively

Dear Editor,

1.) The PPP/C has always viewed and used the national budget as an economic instrument for managing available resources to meet the needs of our people in the communities across our country.

In this regard, the PPP/C Government has continually provided opportunities for the people and their leaders at all levels, viz, the regional, municipal, neighbourhood, Amerindian villages, private groupings such as the churches, women’s groups, private sector and the various chambers of commerce, et al, to express their views individually and collectively as the government works with all parties to identify and prioritise the needs of our people in pursuit of their livelihood goals. Thus, resource allocation through the instrument of the budget has always been

for the PPP/C Government a function of expressed needs, the estimated cost of satisfying those needs, available resources, the opportunity costs and the ability of those who manage these resources to effectively and efficiently utilise and manage the resources.

2.) A check of the PPP/C Government’s annual national and regional budgetary allocations from 1993 to 2015 and August 2020 to December 2022, and may I confidently add, Budget 2023 would provide empirical evidence of the government’s continuous determination to perennially allocate resources to meet development needs of the Guyanese people across our 10 Administrative Regions; not on the basis of political affiliation or ethnicity but with due regard to what resources are available at the time, the prioritised needs of the communities and the ability of the very communities

to efficiently manage these resources. In this regard, opportunities to access and to shared resources were always available to all.

3.) Resultantly, I ask of decent, honest Guyanese perusing this missive: Who benefitted from improvements in education delivery and health care under the PPP/C Government from 1993 to 2015 and August 2020 to present?

Were the benefits confined to a particular ethnic group or supporters of a particular political party? Were the beneficiaries not residents across the 10 Administrative Regions?

Would it not be a fair comment if I said that each community, over the period of governance of the PPP/C, received a significant level of social development, viz: schools, trained teachers, health centres, doctors, nurses, medexes, health workers, beneficiaries of government

funded/sponsored scholarships; new roads/airstrips etc…? The PPP/C has always sought to enhance the well-being of the Guyanese people; not a few or a particular group.

4) Who have benefitted from increased allocation of resources? Check the occupancy of our housing schemes, and the communities that have benefitted from extended and improved water supplies, roads, electricity, bridges.

Not only have those who reside in the various loci benefitted, but also those who must traverse the areas and those who were involved in their actual construction.

Yours respectfully,

Norman Whittaker Former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Ogunseye went unforgivably too far

Dear Editor,

Quo Vadis Guyana? The Apostle Peter is reported to have asked that question of Jesus Christ when he met him after he had risen from the dead following his crucifixion, when Peter himself was fleeing from crucifixion by the Roman government of the time.

It is Latin, meaning, literally, “Whither goest thou?” I ask it today of Guyana.

I ask it with good reason because we must ask the question how one of the leaders, Tacuma Ogunseye, of a political party, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which was recently an active and vocal member of the past APNU+AFC government, can mount a public political platform at Buxton on which the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton, sat, and propose that our security forces turn their guns against a duly elected government to support a mass uprising to overthrow the government, and be allowed to get away with it?

I ask the question because, while the majority of Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation or ethnic origin, reacted in shock and outright condemnation, Mr. Norton, for whom I have some respect and I have known since he entered politics as a young man, yet, can only say that Ogunseye “went a little too far”, seeking to justify Ogunseye’s statement as his right to free speech. Mr. Norton knows full well that advocating sedition, does not qualify for protection as free speech.

The WPA remains a faithful political ally of APNU+AFC, which is dominated and controlled by the People’s National Congress (PNC), hence Mr. Norton’s presence on the WPA platform. Mr. Norton knows full well that Ogunseye went much, much too far, unforgivably too far.

I ask the question because the Chairperson of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Cathy Hughes, for whom I also have had considerable respect, could not find it in herself when asked to condemn the Ogunseye statement, preferring to sand dance around it.

I ask the question because even though the WPA is today a political party bereft from popular political support, its leadership, prominently including Professor David Hinds, persist in pursuing an utterly obnoxious and dangerous race hate activism.

David Hinds sits comfortably at a desk in Arizona in the USA, where he is employed as “an Associate Professor of African and African American Studies” at the Arizona State University, spewing his race hate in Guyana on his online radio programme “Politics 101”.

Hinds, for instance, condemns Guyanese Africans for travelling from Plaisance, Beterverwagting and Buxton to purchase black pudding from a Guyanese Indian in Mon Repos. Hinds, sitting in Arizona, preaches that Guyanese Africans boycott Indian businesses.

But David Hinds doesn’t stop there. He calls the Guyanese Indians who are mem-

bers of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and PNCR Parliamentarians “traitors” and “slave catchers” for condemning the hate speech of Ogunseye.

Hinds then issues threats, “we are going to begin to document all the slave catchers from the private sector to FITUG, from FITUG to Stabroek News and all those other slave catchers who are hunting down slaves to turn them into the master… we are documenting them… there is life after the PPP.”

Not satisfied, Hinds goes after the Stabroek News, accusing the newspaper of not covering the news from a WPA perspective and accusing the newspaper of kowtowing to the government. “We are going to remember it. We are buyers of newspapers and we are going to remember it. We want Stabroek News to know there is life after the PPP.”

While David Hinds promotes race hate in Guyana, he dares not do so in the US. He dares not embrace the just cause of African Americans who once were, and, even

today, are subject to discrimination from southern white Americans in the state where Hinds teaches. Hinds knows full well that he would lose his job with the University.

But Hinds is not alone spewing race hate in Guyana from North America. He is joined by Rickford Burke who heads the socalled “Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy” based in New York where he lives, which published the rubbish on Burkes’ Facebook page that “the leadership of the GPF are slaves to racists in the PPP regime”, joining Ogunseye in seeking to undermine our country’s security, accusing “that the GPF is not a law enforcement agency but a political weapon which racists in the PPP regime use as mercenaries against African Guyanese – their political enemies.”

Nothing, however outlandish, however gross, however big the lie, is beyond these men to promote division and destruction in our country.

These are not stupid men. These are not men sans education, yet these are men who

espouse, advocate and aggressively pursue, in the name of politics, the worst, the ugliest, the most despicable form of racial animosity, division and confrontation in a multi-racial country. These are dangerous men.

So, I ask the question. How can our country reach beyond and rise above the historical political division of our two major parties based on racial loyalty and, indeed, become “One Guyana”, when people like Ogunseye, Hinds and Burke are free to continue spreading the doctrine of race hate?

Indeed, the very leader whom these men of hate claim to have followed, Forbes Burnham, in an article published as long ago as April 1955, in the Burnham edition of the PPP newspaper, Thunder, had this to say: “That some of my race (African) who express such sentiments as ‘Black man must be on top’ and a similar tendency on the part of Comrade Lachmansingh’s race group (Indian) to say ‘Coolie man must be on top’.

“Such sentiments are inspired by enemies of our party and movement, and the British

government will give anything for them to gain wide currency. This is no laughing matter. If the racialist feeling, latent or rather patent in these sentiments is allowed to spread, it will have a most ruining effect ….if we are to continue in unity we must banish racialism …ours is not a fight for one race or another, it is a fight for Guiana. We know only one race that is the Guianese race.”

Let Ogunseye, Hinds, Burke, et al, heed the words of their hero.

I have asked the question, Quo Vadis Guyana? For the great majority of Guyanese, whether our native Indigenous people or those of us who were transferred by the British to make a colony from Africa, India, China or Madeira, this is now and forever one country and one Guyana to be shared, developed and cherished by each and every one of us. We are and will be first, foremost and forever simply Guyanese.

Let us, because we must, as President Ali has pledged, banish racism.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

This government is providing all the infrastructure to motivate Guyanese to get up

Dear Editor,

THE minute Guyanese first heard the news that Guyana struck liquid gold, a few Guyanese have been licking their tongues, smacking their lips, rubbing their palms, rolling their eyes, and have started to dream about becoming overnight millionaires, without having to raise a finger, move a foot, or rub their heads anymore; and not pondering how to make ends meet with the honest earnings from their blood, sweat and tears!

This illusion took shape in the form of exploiting the imagined opportunity of staying at home and receiving free money from the government, without the burdened effort of physically working for a living.

Yes, the thought of receiving the suggested $1,000,000 annually per household is more than what low-income Guyanese are taking home. This desirous gift, wanting a boon dropped in the lap of the minimal minority, would resolve all their burdens and financial problems!

This policy may qualify the economic theory of direct cash transfer from the oil and gas revenue as a potential contributor towards the possibility of reducing (eliminating?) poverty. Mind you, no one is quantifying the basis of direct cash transfer on “condition”, but are rather evading the topic by not even mentioning about it being “conditional.”

It’s interesting to note the comments offered by those who are not supporters of the PPP/C party. Wading through the muddy field back in 2019 during the “Sanctimonious Granger” dictatorship, the elder lent his ear to listen to the uncanny music made by the disturbing bugle trumpeting the distorting sound of distant dissonance, while trying to synchronise with the accompanying drummers, each beating a different rhythm. He had expressed the view that “any increase of

State revenues, whether it be from oil, gold, or whatever, those additional resources should concentrate on seven specific areas”.

Incidentally, none of them stipulated direct cash transfer.

While he admired the likes of Dr. Clive Thomas, Dr. David Hinds and Lincoln Lewis, he admonished them and sounded a warning (alarming?) in 2019 by advocating that the question of “cash transfer” is mired in interpretation.

He even illustrated a valid lesson he learnt of “not spoiling people who are unwilling to help themselves.” The senior citizen, as a teacher and preacher, advised Guyanese to turn to the Bible for guidance. “There is instructive stories to the sower – Jesus tells us to choose the kind of soil that we would like to sow our faith on.”

Former President Granger proudly advocated the practice of “teaching a man to fish, instead of giving him a fish.” At a New York town hall meeting back in 2019, the media reported former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings as saying, “President Granger is not in support of giving handouts, but tying revenue from oil and gas to developmental policies and programmes, such as free education.”

Back in August 2018, one of the local news agencies quoted former Finance Minister Winston Jordan as using this maxim to convey his perception of direct cash transfer, “Teach a man to fish, and he can feed himself for a lifetime. Give him one every other day, he will remain dependent.”

Again, in 2018, former AFC member, attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, warned a large gathering at Friendship Primary School that cash transfers could be used by politicians to manipulate voters.

The media also quoted him saying, “My fear is that if we start to talk about giving people cash, we are opening the doors to

politicians to say ‘I will give you more cash than the next one’, and you end up with a ridiculous election campaign of people being irresponsible about development, because it becomes a competition about who can give more.”

He added: “I welcome that discussion, but I think we need to drag it to data, otherwise we are going to be dazzled by the fantastic promises that are going to come from the political pulpit unrelated to reality and economic sustainability, and that is a dangerous place.”

Some studies done internationally by different research institutes in a number of countries reveal adverse outcomes from direct cash transfers: reduced labour market participation; reduced economic activity; lack of insurance or savings; increased risky health behaviours, such as drinking, smoking and drug abuse, gambling, domestic upheavals, complacency, growth stagnation, etc. The distribution system may incur, exhibit, and encourage diversion, theft and corruption.

The Government’s take is that cash transfers already exist in a number of areas: cash grants to every child in the sum of $40,000 annually; $33,000 to pensioners; $16,000 for Public Assistance; $600,000 for dialysis patients; $100,000 for persons living with disabilities, etc…

Also, in cash and kind, the government is rolling out housing subsidies, free cement, low interest rates with the banks, GOAL scholarships, free fertilizer for farmers, compensation for displaced sugar workers, fisher-folks, flood relief, COVID-19 relief, etc…

Hinterland and riverine households enjoy special grants. Linden folks enjoy subsidised electricity. Pensioners enjoy free water.

The PPP/C Government wants to empower Guyanese not only from the already mentioned media, but more specifically by creating innumerable job opportunities, building houses, giving them accessible education,

providing free health services in each village, etc…

The 2023 record-breaking $781.9 billion budget expansively, extensively and exhaustively covers all the mammoth projects to be implemented this year so as to bring relief measures, reduce the cost of living, and provide and protect the man in the street.

According to Dr. Tara Singh, former UG senior lecturer, “These programmes make a person feel useful to society. Let’s be clear! If anyone is considered useless, no one would want to associate with him/her. We empower people with jobs, housing, education, a safe environment, social amenities and psychological comfort. These tools build self-esteem to restore confidence in people, and not necessarily handouts.

“The PPP/C Government has been spending massive sums in these areas in the short while of their governance. This is more than what the former administration did in their five years of prolonged agony to the Guyanese people. President Ali does not want to develop an entitlement society.

The government has clearly stated that it is not averse to cash grants, like in cases of flood, medical facilitation etc., but not as a national policy. In order for Guyanese to believe, identify, and build confidence in themselves, the values just cited are the channels to make them resourceful. This government is providing all the infrastructure to motivate Guyanese to get up, not lie down, work and earn so that they can eat, drink, be merry and be productive to society.

Like the labour man said: “When you pull out the oil, it finish.

Is not like bora, ochro and callaloo that you can plant back.”

Yours respectfully,

Jai Lall

What unjustified attack? Who was Burnham indeed?

Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to a letter that appeared in the Kaieteur News edition of March 31, 2023. It is regrettable that Chris Ram took great (unnecessary) offence to my letter which sought to engage him in a public debate or further [seek clarity] and explanation from him in relation to his public utterances on the foreign exchange matter.

It would appear that he has instead opted to have a third party respond on his behalf. Unfortunately, the contents of the referenced letter suffer from truth deficiency.

In my letter, I sought to further develop my position with some analysis which Ram has failed to do. I, therefore, take this opportunity to invite him once again to shed some light and explain further?how is it that ExxonMobil is the contributor to the forex issue in Guyana? I will also add a few more questions:

* What is the total net foreign assets in the banking sector?

* What is the net foreign sector asset of the central bank?

* What measures should the government put in place to avoid the impact of the Dutch Disease which is a real risk?

* Does he agree with my argument where I said that what he is proposing is essentially capital controls?which is not suitable in a

market economy context?

* If Exxon was to have all of their forex in respect of Guyana’s operation in a local bank account (s) ?that this would essentially flood the market which in turn would lead to a substantial appreciation in the exchange rate (Dutch disease)?

* Is he suggesting that the mechanism the government has put in place to measure the daily aggregate demand in the sector would not remedy the issue?

* Does he not agree that the issue is partially due to the deficiencies in the market in terms of how the players operate?

* Does he not agree as well that the domestic financial market is inefficient and unsophisticated (traditionally) which needs to develop at the same pace which the broader economy is developing? This phenomenon partly explains the market deficiencies and imbalances that is a contributory factor to the forex issue?which is largely unrelated to any real shortage of forex in the financial system.

More importantly to note, Chris Ram was part of the private sector delegation that met with the Banker’s Association and the Central Bank on the forex matter.

How is it that his position is in stark contrast to the position of the Private Sector Commission and Bankers Association?

Yours sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin

Dear Editor,

PLEASE allow me to respond to “Who the Hell is Burnham?” (Kaieteur News, March 28, 2023).

We remember Burnham connived with foreigners to split the PPP.

We know Burnham was elected first Chairman because the PPP has always been an anti-racist party.

We know that he was on the payroll of the CIA.

We remember that Burnham used d’Aguiar to take power only to disband him in 1964?

We recall Burnham rigged the 1973 election.

We know that when Burnham addressed his small audiences during the 1973 elections, the people responded – “don’t call me Comrade, call me Señor.”

We remember Burnham rigged the 1978 referendum.

We remember Burnham was the force behind the murderous Rabbi Washington Who can forget party paramountcy where the PNC was placed above the constitution?

We remember the catastrophic failure of “feed, clothes and house the nation by 1976.”

We remember who murdered Fr. Bernard

Darke.

We remember who assassinated Walter Rodney.

We know Burnham begged the Guyanese diaspora for cutlery for his grand state events.

We do recall Burnham’s banning of newsprint except for his New Nation.

We remember how Burnham ordered Permanent Secretaries to his estate.

We remember Burnham’s Knowledge Sharing Institutes where groceries were dispensed to party comrades.

We remember the Burnham-inspired forced labour of Guyana National Service.

We recall the necessity of a party card to get a job.

We know that despite his anti-colonial rhetoric he tried to speak with a high-class English accent after spending only a few years in the U.K.

We recall civil servants and teachers being deported to the interior when they spoke up

We know about Burnham living beyond his means pretending to be a great Third World leader.

We know of Burnham riding around on a horse like a 13th century joker.

Who was Burnham...

We remember Burnham’s foolish pretense in military uniform.

We do remember he cajoled or coerced people at Bourda Market to buy his propaganda sheet, New Nation.

We remember rice roti, tandem buses, empty rice pot, kick down door bandits.

We remember Burnham’s face on exercise books and his children names on housing schemes.

We can’t forget how he squandered money hosting foreign heads of state just to get a few photos.

We can never forget how he made Guyana a bankrupt country.

We can never forget that Burnham’s policies resulted in forced political migration.

The whole Caribbean region knows Burnham was the one who created Guyana benches at airports.

We know that Burnham destroyed the train service in Guyana.

We know Burnham was intensely jealous of Michael Manley because the

Jamaican was seen as the real leader of the Caribbean’s anti-imperialist and anti-apartheid movements.

And we certainly will never forget how his political progenies tried to rig the election in 2020.

And we know that the few bridges, roads, and schools it took him 28 years to build, are being built bigger and better and in five years.

All of Guyana can confirm that Burnham’s successors are as much authoritarian as he was.

And we know his sister warned “Beware of my brother Forbes.”

And we know that despite one of Burnham’s top and feared lieutenants today writes as an “Elder” and gets published as if he were a civil society democrat.

So yes, that is the hell that we know of Burnham.

sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

Yours

Granting Exxon duty-free concessions would have undermined business with locals -says Jagdeo

VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, clarified that the government did not grant oil giant, Exxon Mobil’s request for duty-free concessions to purchase a fleet of vehicles for their operations here.

He was at the time speaking at a press conference where he sought to clarify false reports that were recently published by one of Guyana’s daily newspapers.

He noted that reports emanating from this agency included headlines that were heavily distorted.

Dr Jagdeo said: “I saw they said that Exxon getting duty-free to bring in these vehicles. Exxon wanted a fleet of over 100 vehicles, duty-free to bring them in.”

To this end, he said that the government denied this request and stated that the company was not eligible.

“We said, no, you’re not

eligible, we’re not giving you - a fleet of four by fours and we did not give the concessions,” Jagdeo told the conference.

Against this backdrop, he indicated that while the government did not feel that the company was eligible, such a move would have un-

dermined their business that is currently going to locals. The government, since taking office has enacted the Local Content legislation which makes provisions for Guyanese businesses to provide services to oil and gas companies and their contractors in Guyana.

The laws are designed to promote economic growth and development in the country by requiring companies to use local goods and services.

According to the legislation, companies must

procure from Guyanese companies, 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services, 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services, 95 per cent pest-con-

trol services, 100 per cent local insurance services, 75 per cent local supply of food, 90 per cent local accounting services and 100 per cent ground transportation services.

Legal luminary Stanley Moore, 87, dies

LEGAL luminary and retired Justice, Senior Counsel Stanley Alfred Moore died on Friday at his Kitty, Georgetown home. He was 87 years old.

The retired judge joined the Bar Association on July 25, 1970.

His legal career goes beyond the Caribbean to the most distant lands of the African Continent, where he calls Botswana and Eswatini home.

Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini, was formerly renamed Swaziland.

Attorney Moore was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice. He was married to Cheryl Moore and was the father of five children, one of whom has since passed

away.

In 1979, he acted as a judge in Guyana, and in 1990, he was the Attorney General in Montserrat. Then, in 1992, he became a Supreme Court judge in the Eastern Caribbean, spending his first stint in Grenada until 1996, and the second in the British Virgin Islands until 2000. After that, he joined the Commonwealth Bahamas Supreme Court. Moore was born on July 1, 1935 to Olive Isabella Walcott-Moore and Llewellyn Cornett Moore. At age two, the family relocated to Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown. He also once served as a Minister of Home Affairs in Guyana.

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo at the press conference on Thursday (Adrian Narine photo)

Stanley Alfred Moore

Over $100M in tractors, subvention payments handed over to Region Three NDCs

THE Government of Guyana, on Friday, handed over tractors and subvention payments to the 14 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), valuing over GY$100 million.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, while speaking at the handing over ceremony, said that the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, as well as his ministry, worked very hard to deliver another government promise.

Every NDC would receive a brand-new tractor with hydraulic trailer.

The President noted that these tractors will help to increase efficiency and reliability and he used the opportunity to urge the NDCs and the persons who will hold responsibility for the asset while using it, to do so safely.

“Many times, we have seen NDCs and government agencies on the whole not taking the necessary care with investments the government is making in relation to the assets,” he noted.

The Head of State said that attitude must be discontinued.

“We will have to hold people accountable in the way they utilise government assets, in the way in which they care for the asset because this is the asset of the people and our government is not only investing in asset of the people, but the transformation of the country,” he continued.

President Ali noted that over the last two and a half years, Region Three has seen tremendous transformation, a great expansion of opportunities and the creation of jobs.

“A lot of the work in

this region is being led by the Regional Chairman or Vice Chairman but [also] supported by Minister Indar who has ministerial responsibility in this region also,” he stated.

The Head of State added: “He (Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar) has been tasked with visiting every single community, interacting with the communities and connecting government services directly with the communities.”

Meanwhile, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr.

Ashni Singh, said that the handing over ceremony is to be viewed as part of a much larger agenda of transformation for the region and more broadly, Guyana.

“As all of you know, since the President assumed the presidency in August 2020, our country has moved on a trajectory of rapid and very visible transformation. This trans-

formation is being seen and experienced in all regions of our country,” Minister Singh explained.

He noted that President Ali has repeatedly made a commitment to Guyanese to advance a rapid transformation and modernisation of the country through major transformative projects while at the same time addressing the local issues and irritants that are of im-

mediate concern.

The finance minister said that Region Three, in a couple of years will be “unrecognisable as a modern region and modern centre of economic activity.”

However, he noted that at the same time, the President recognises that there are local irritants that need to be fixed.

“Issues like community roads, drainage and other local problems and he is committed to ensuring that the local authority, whether it is NDCs, or local officers or agencies have the capacity to discharge their responsibilities efficiently,” he explained.

As such, Minister Singh said that the handing over of the tractors and trailers are to be viewed as an important investment being made to ensure that the NDCs are able to discharge the very important local responsibilities.

The brand-new tractors that will be used across Region Three (Delano Williams photo)

Health, safety fundamental principles of workers’ rights

By Faith Greene

Under the theme “A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work”, the Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry of Labour launched its Occupational Safety and Health Month 2023 at the Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown office on Friday.

In his address, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, stated that ‘A safe and healthy working environment’, is one of the five categories of fundamental principles and rights at work as outlined by the international Labour Organization. The other categories, he noted, include freedom of association and the elective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of

forced or compulsory labour; the elective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

He further stated that the need for a safe and healthy work environment in workplaces could not be stressed enough, adding that the reports by the International Labour Organization (ILO), based on recent studies done, have found that there is a growing demand for Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety professionals in the construction and oil & gas sectors in Guyana

Furthermore, the Minister acknowledged that while workplace fatalities are important to the Ministry, it must be reported that there has been a significant and continuing decline in the number of workplace fatalities compared with 2021 and 2022, which saw major decreases of 16 and 22 per cent, respectively.

The Minister said further that the services of the Occupational Health and Safety Department (OSHD), have expanded, with the creation of an additional twenty positions within the Occupational Health and Safety Department that provide services throughout the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.

The Minister said that since he assumed duty as Minister of Labour, he has recognised the need for the Ministry to establish offices and have Occupational Safety and Health Officers stationed in each administrative region, specifically in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

According to Minister Hamilton, the Ministry has requested that workplaces in Georgetown and Regions 1–10 execute programmes in

observance of Occupational Safety and Health Month this year. He added that the response has been positive so far and noted that workplaces had indicated several training programmes: fire prevention and first aid, hanging banners, safety and health competitions, and hazard hunts.

Meanwhile, the Department has developed a host of activities, including the launch of the month, the annual OSH walk, and outreaches that aim to focus on the safety of miners and construction workers while at work

principle of the right to work. Furthermore, she said it is an expression of commitment by the government, employers, and workers’ organisations to uphold fundamental human values that are vital to our social and economic lives.

“A healthy workplace is one where workers and managers collaborate to continually improve the safety, health, and wellbeing of all workers, and, by so doing, sustain the productivity of the business. Workers that feel valued, safe and healthy are more than likely to be more productive and committed to their work. Healthy workplaces can reduce insurance cost, increase worker productivity, satisfaction and retention. Healthy workplaces can lead to the overall good of the nation and it can increase organisation resilience.”

Furthermore, she urged employers to adopt a safe and healthy culture and to ensure a safe and healthy work environment by actively implementing efficient and effective Occupational Safety and Health management systems.

and their safe return to their friends and families at the end of the work day.

Additionally, Regions two, three, five and six will target the agricultural sector.

The execution of these activities is expected to rebound to the benefit of the working people of Guyana and their families.

Also speaking at the launch ceremony were Eslyn Harris, General Secretary of the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union, and the Principal Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress.

She noted that including safe and healthy working conditions are a fundamental

Occupational Health and Safety Month 2023 will be celebrated throughout April in Guyana, while April 28 will serve as Occupational Safety and Health Day worldwide.

(Fourth from left) Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, next to US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch and other officials and special invitees (Adrian Narine photo)

Occupational Safety and Health Consultant, Gweneth King

GTUC Principal Assistant Secretary, Eslyn Harris

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

Many ‘West-siders’ satisfied with outcome of President Ali-led outreach

-dozens sign up for GOAL scholarships; missing NIS contributions among matters

By Cassandra Khan

SCORES of residents

who attended the two-day Office of the President outreach at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, which was led by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, have expressed satisfaction with the services offered and the steps that were taken to resolve their issues.

The event ended on Friday afternoon, and saw hundreds of Region Three residents turning up to interact with President Ali, several ministers and officials from a number of government agencies.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke to a few of the residents and they all expressed appreciation to the government for holding the wellorganised outreach.

Gautan Persaud, a 66-year-old resident of Leonora, said that he believes that the initiative was one of the best ever held in the history of Guyana.

“I think this is the best thing ever done in the history of this country…this is the best ever,” the pensioner related before adding, “What I see with everybody is that they have high hopes and everybody happy and I never see this kind of thing in my

employer had robbed him of more than 300 NIS contributions and he was hoping to have that rectified.

“A MP did ask the manager at Leonora to do an investigation. He did a thor-

to listen to suggestions that would improve the education system.

The Guyana Chronicle also spoke with Ronald Singh, Deputy Director of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) who said that on Thursday, they were able to sign up or attend to the concerns of at least 40 persons.

Singh noted that this scholarship was meant to reach every corner of Guyana.

“There is no distinction of race, class, creed or culture… they don’t even have

an age limit. It’s an opportunity where the government is bringing opportunities to the homes and villages of people. Today is a reflection of that too, where they brought the government to Leonora,” he explained.

He said that the government was out at Leonora, to resolve residents’ issues and if it wasn’t sorted at the outreach, it would be sorted shortly.

“We encourage people to sign up for the GOAL scholarship…it’s free and it gives you an education that will build your capac-

addressed

ity to meet the needs of this economy in the near future if you look at some of our programmes; there are new age programmes geared to the emerging needs of this economy,” he added.

Singh noted that GOAL is looking for new programmes as well, to widen the occupational and knowledge base.

Candis (only name given), a 42-year-old woman living in Goed Fortuin, said that she initially came to the Small Business Bureau (SMB) but stepped over to

the GOAL booth and ended up signing up for a scholarship.

However, due to her not having the appropriate grades for some subjects, she needs to do them over. She said that she plans to do so online.

She said the initiative is a great one and was hoping to visit each booth.

Other residents who spoke with this publication also expressed their satisfaction and applauded government for taking the time to listen to their complaints.

life for the 66 years that I living.”

He stated that Guyana is on track to achieving “no hatred, no animosity”, and he thinks the country can show the rest of the world “the way to go.”

This publication found Persaud at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) booth where he was trying to resolve an issue.

He explained that his

ough investigation and discovered that the security service I used to work with robbed me of three hundred and something contributions,” the pensioner said.

He noted that he was assured by NIS that it will be corrected and everything is set to move forward smoothly.

The NIS booth was able to resolve 75 issues raised by residents on the first day of the outreach.

Additionally, Persaud has a wife with a vision disability. He told this publication that his next stop was the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s booth to see what assistance he can get for her.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, said that about 15 of the 20 issues raised at the Ministry of Education’s booth were resolved.

“Most of the issues had to do with teacher’s matters; teachers having issues with their salaries, teachers wanting to know some procedures in education pertaining to transfers and there were also some parents visiting to express concerns about the conditions present at schools,” he explained.

Hussain said that the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) undertook to fix all of the issues raised by parents before Good Friday.

He noted that education officials were there to discuss issues persons may have been facing in schools whether with teachers, parents or students as well as

Gautan Persaud (Delano Williams photos)

Candis (only name given)

AFC continues to ‘skirt’ around Ogunseye’s incendiary remarks

THE Alliance For Change (AFC) continues to skirt around the racist and incendiary remarks made by Working People’s Alliance

(WPA) Executive Member, Tacuma Ogunseye, who surrendered himself to the police on Friday.

Chairperson of the AFC,

Cathy Hughes, said that the AFC will make its position on the arrest of Ogunseye known over the weekend.

Hughes made this remark

during the AFC’s virtual press conference on Friday, when she noted that all Guyanese should listen to Ogunseye’s complete presentation for the remarks that are attracting condemnation.

She added that the AFC does not have a definitive position on the issue and will be preparing a statement over the weekend even as she noted that there are some considerations that she would be willing to raise.

“Those considerations are firstly, we need to ensure that … all Guyanese actually listen to the complete presentation and the offending statement literally appears in the last three minutes

Cathy Hughes

of Mr Ogunseye’s presentation,” the party’s chairperson said.

She added that it is “worrying” that Ogunseye reportedly made reference to a discussion he had with someone.

Hughes said: “He makes reference to the fact that he had a discussion and with a ‘white diplomat.’ Those are the words he used so I’m quoting that and he mentions that the comment that we seem to be referring to was spoken by that person. The

fact it is worrying that in a lot of the reports we see the comment being attributed to Mr Ogunseye although, in the actual speech, he starts by saying he had a conversation how much ever years ago and this is what he alleges and attributed to the person.”

The Guyana Police Force (GPF), on Thursday, issued a wanted bulletin for Ogunseye for several offences which included attempting to incite racial hostility in Guyana.

According to the bulletin, he attempted to incite hostility or ill will on the grounds of race during a meeting at Buxton, East Coast Demerara, on March 9, 2023.

At the public meeting, Ogunseye made incendiary remarks about Guyana’s IndoGuyanese and called for the Disciplined Services “to turn their guns on the State.”

He also called for a day of “National Resistance” on June 12, 2013, when the Local Government Elections (LGE) will be held.

--Hughes maintains that the party does not have a definitive position despite mounting condemnation

TNM wants no association with APNU+AFC -plans to lobby for constitutional reform for parliamentary independence, GECOM representation

LEADER of The New Movement (TNM), Dr. Asha Kissoon, intends to lobby for the parliamentary independence of the joinder opposition parties as she prepares to take her seat in the National Assembly.

Dr. Kissoon will be replacing Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Lenox Shuman, on the joinder list, who in the last two and half years held the post of Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

At a joint press conference with A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Dr. Kissoon on Friday said she intends to petition for the independence of the smaller parties in parliament.

“The joinder as an independent has not been able to shine legally because we fall under APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change) as opposition. So, I’m hoping to institute a change or some constitutional reform that gives us that independent voice, representation in GECOM [Guyana Elections Commission] and allow us to function as independent opposition,” she said.

She further intends to evoke change within the country’s political landscape, which she said is dominated by a ‘polarised’ two-party system.

“I’m here with the objective of letting the Guyanese people know that there is a third force and this third force is representing persons who don’t believe in the two-party system,” she said.

She emphasised that her party is willing to work with the representatives of every party that sits in

parliament.

“We are ANUG [and] TNM. We are not joined with anybody; however, we are willing to work with government or opposition for the betterment of the Guyanese people as long as it’s issues that concern the betterment of the Guyanese people,” she said.

Herself and party have been working behind the scenes, hosting a number outreaches and advocating for the people.

“We have been in the background as a team, working in communities, doing outreaches speaking to persons, helping as much as we can but now, we are publicly getting into parliament and continuing the good work we’ve been doing.”

She said that TNM also intends to lobby for better support for the vulnerable and differently-abled citizens.

“Something I am very passionate about is taking care of the vulnerable, so when it comes to policies with better pension, or differently-abled persons, I’m hoping to introduce something in that regard.”

While the announcement of her parliamentary stint has been made, it is unclear when she will occupy the seat and in what capacity.

She is, however, open to taking up the post that will be left vacant.

“I’m not eyeing it [Deputy Speaker position] per se, it has to be voted on and I have no idea how that will go but I do believe that any capacity that I’m able to represent my constituency, I will be willing to take that…I will learn from his [Shuman’s] negatives and positives and try to improve

on it,” she said.

Dr. Kissoon entered politics for the March 2, 2020 elections as the presidential candidate for TNM.

The TNM, together with

ANUG and the JLP, joined their lists to contest the elections.

Following the 2020 polls, the parties gained one seat in the National

Assembly and an agreement was later made between the three parties that would see them rotating the seat over the five-year period.

Dr. Kissoon’s stint is

expected to last for three months; however, it is subject to change as the three parties collaborate on what is best for their consistencies.

Gov’t drafting legislation for cybersecurity master plan

–– Jagdeo says

THE Government of Guyana is developing a cybersecurity master plan to cater to and push the country into a modern era, says Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Vice President made this disclosure on Thursday during a press conference where he noted that laws, among other things, are being put in place to facilitate the push for a safer modern country.

He noted that there is a master plan that the government is looking at which contains several components that are being developed for specific sectors.

“We’re trying to automate them to bring them into a really modern era but we’re ensuring that they’re compatible with other systems that we are putting in place and the master plan,” Dr Jagdeo said.

Noting that they have already started addressing various things, he informed that only recently, there was an assessment conducted and completed for all organisations that fall under the Min-

istry of Home Affairs to be able to simplify and automate processes.

Additionally, he said there was the signing of a contract to have identification cards with full biometrics, which would allow the government to better develop a whole range of functions from deepening financial reforms to improving the government’s E-governance services.

With these advances, the Vice President indicated that

the biometrics from the ID programme will feed into the security cameras that are being installed across the country even as he stated that the government is working on a safe country programme. Jagdeo said: “…we have to do a number of things. We have to go to parliament with laws on privacy; they’re being drafted now. That will be given effect so that the data will be protected and any disclosure of private data, there

US Embassy announces increase in nonimmigrant visa fee

will be serious penalties.”

This, he iterated is being worked on now to be implemented before the issuing of the cards.

However, the Vice President went on to clarify that these new electronic ID cards will be separate from the ID cards that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) uses.

“We didn’t want to collapse this into one ID card, next thing you hear oh PPP wanna take over GECOM functions,” he said.

Against this backdrop, Dr Jagdeo stated that these ID cards will need a separate piece of legislation which is also being worked on currently.

The Vice President said: “We’re mapping all of the processes across government where the public interfaces with government to automate them so a lot of work is being done on the cyber master plan to take our country into a new era.”

Jagdeo added that a lot of work is being done at the policy level in government to make way for this modernisation.

THE Department of State has published a final rule regarding increases to certain nonimmigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees.

According to a press release from the US Embassy in Guyana, effective May 30, 2023, the fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from US$160 to US$185.

The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from US$190 to US$205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from US$205 to US$315.

“Other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors,” the embassy said.

Visa fees, according to the release, are calculated based on the results of an annual study of the cost of service. The fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014.

“Visas for work and tourism are essential to President Biden’s foreign policy, and we recognise the critical role international travel plays in the US economy,” the embassy said.

Fee information can be found on the US Embassy’s website at: https://gy.usembassy.gov/visas/ nonimmigrant-visas/

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (Adrian Narine photo)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday April 1, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 GARNETT STREET, CAMPBELLVILLE, GEORGETOWN (TEL: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Yusuf Pathan (RR)

(2) Shane Watson (RR)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who scored most runs in IPL 2008?

(2) What was the highest individual score made in IPL 2008?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue South

Sunjet Wheelers cycling club founder to be buried today

ONE of Linden’s most popular characters and cycling pundit, George ‘Georgie’ Binning, will be laid to rest today.

George, also called ‘Speedy,’ aged 74, passed away on Saturday 18th March, at the Georgetown Public Hospital and will be buried at the Christianburg Cemetery.

Binning was responsible for the emergence of some of Linden’s greatest cyclists, including United States-based former two-time Olympian Joelyn Joseph and Vibert Rose, Gaylen Williams and Ignatius Titus, all of whom were national cyclists.

When contacted, the United States-based Joseph said ‘Speedy’ contributed ‘big time’ to cycling in Linden.

He recalled that Binning took him with some other Linden cyclists to Trinidad by a bauxite ship to compete in a cycling meet in the early 1970s.

The man known to have formed one of the earliest, if not the first cycling club in Mackenzie, Linden called Sunjet Wheelers, was also a racing cyclist back then in the 1960s.

Joseph said “Georgie had one of the first ‘custom made’ cycles in the country, which was made by his father, because those days they never used to have

racing cycles for Georgie’s size because he was under five feet tall.”

Joseph recalled those days with ‘Speedy’ riding on the Mackenzie circuit and “any two- or three-lap race covering say 800m, Georgie would win because he was a sprinter, but in longer than that they would catch him.”

He said in the latter 1970s, the Sunjet Wheelers Club was overtaken when the Bauxal Cycle Club was formed and the handful of those Sunjet Wheelers cyclists would join the new club.

Another former national cyclist, Victor Rutherford, based in Florida in the United States, also heaped praises on ‘Speedy’ as well. Rutherford offered: “Speedy was an outstanding cyclist and he represented Mackenzie/ Linden well. After he completed racing he went into the administrative role.”

But Speedy was an outstanding person and in the latter years residents only remember seeing him with his grey beard and hair, but he had, through the years, single handedly promoted cycling in Linden

Rutherford said “Speedy had contacts with prominent cyclist and administrators in Trinidad and, in fact, he was the one who introduced me to a number of them there. And it is because of him that they are my friends until now.”

Former Linden cyclist Lennox ‘Diswaz” Sampson added: “Speedy was a

George ‘Speedy’ Binnng is leading the pack at BGCC Ground Thomas Lands. Victor Rutherford is partly hidden at extreme left

good planner. He was a man who used to plan a whole year’s programme and he used to make sure it comes off. He took us all over the country to ride. To Kwakwani, Ituni, Georgetown, Berbice, you name it, all over and he just used to make things happen.”

George ‘Speedy’ Binning will be laid to rest at the Christrianburg Cemetery in Wismar, following a church service from 11.00hrs at the Christ The King Anglican Church, on Republic Avenue in Mackenzie, Linden.

Briton John places 3rd in the first stage International Jamaica Cycling Classic 2023

Twenty-three-year-old Briton John of We Stand United Cycle Club has continued his fine form this season and represented the Golden Arrowhead with pride when he placed third in the first stage of the Jamaica Cycling Classic Montego Bay Race -- a threeday race that commenced yesterday.

John’s clubmate, Horace Burrowes, who is also competing, suffered a crash along with a few other riders which put paid to his chance of placing among the top riders. John, who is in top form having won the 23rd Annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial Road Race in Berbice

on Sunday last, exhibited excellent discipline to end third amongst riders from AVR Racing and 706P.

Defending champion, Andy Scarano of 706P, a USA-based club, had to settle for the 5th place in the five-man sprint home. The top five had established a lead about 30 minutes into the race which they never relinquished, the cyclists working amongst themselves to maintain the advantage.

Hasani Hennis (23 points) of Team AVR Racing and Anguilla won the stage, his Trinidadian teammate Akiel Campbell (17 points) took

second, and Briton John (12 points) closed off the podium spots.

Chad Conley (8 points) 706P, Scarano (6 points) 706P, Andrew Ramsey (5 points) AVR Racing, along with teammates Jerome Forest (4 points), and Edwin Sutherland (3 points) took the other two positions.

Burrowes shared that the second stage would see both Guyanese riders consolidating whilst noting that John will continue to get better as the event continues as he is in prime shape and will challenge seriously for the top overall podium position.

Permaul, Savory’s fifties push game into final day SCOREBOARD

By Sean Devers

THE Leewards Scorpions need 62 more runs to beat Guyana Harpy Eagles but for the home side to lift the trophy, they will hope that the Windwards Hurricanes don’t beat Barbados in their final round game in Trinidad.

When play ended on the third day of the West Indies Championships yesterday at Providence, the Leewards, set 143 to win, were 81-1 with Kieron Powell unbeaten on 47 from 84 balls with five fours and Keacy Carty on 17 with three boundaries.

Larry Adams (12) added 46 with Powell before he was bowled by Kevin Sinclair.

Guyana, in the second innings, reached 267 with Veerasammy Permaul making 65 from 97 balls and 128 minutes with nine boundaries which included a six and shared in 76-run sixth wicket stand with Kemol Savory who was left stranded on

66 from 157 balls, 209 minutes with five fours and a six.

Kevlon Anderson and Sinclair contributed 31 each as

Rakeem Cornwall, who was forced to leave the field due to a back injury, took 4-58 to add to his 4-27 in the first innings. Fast bowler Jeramiah Louis had 3-66 while Kavima Gore took 2-4.

Guyana resumed on 48-1 and

Tagenarine Chanderpaul (20)

Kevlon Anderson (31) added just two runs before Cornwall trapped Chanderpaul lbw at 50-2

The 30-year-old Cornwall had Anderson caught behind attempting an ill-advised reverse sweep at 68-3 before Leon Johnson, in his last innings at this level, played no shot to an arm ball from Cornwall and was bowled for nine at 93-4.

The 36-year-old Johnson, who scored an unbeaten 150 against Jamaica in the last round; his seventh ton in his 20-year First-Class career, was given a ‘bat arch’ to walk under as he left the ground, by his team

mates, in honour of his long and committed service to Guyana’s cricket since making his debut as a 16-year-old.

With the skipper’ s demise, the handful of fans in the stand saw Cornwall, the 6ft 5in off-spinner remove Tevin Imlach (1) at 99-5.

Sinclair joined Savory and, with Sinclair looking very positive and Savory batting carefully, the pair steadied the ship before Savory, on 35 and the score on 132-5, retired with cramps.

Permaul joined Sinclair in sweltering heat on a fast outfield and both batters counter-attacked the bowlers.

Sinclair deposited Cornwall for a six over long-off to post the 100 in 31.2 overs while Permaul was willing to use his feet to the burly Cornwall and hooked Louis for four when he bowled short.

Sinclair drove Cornwall down the ground for four to the sound of Congo drums being played by the two spectators in the Orange stand.

Both batters’ confidence grew as their innings progressed and the pressure was eased when Cornwall left the field.

Guyana, on the verge of their 13th First-Class title since Rohan Kanhai led them to the first in 1973, were 158-5 at Lunch with a lead of 33 runs.

After the interval, Archibald got rid of Sinclair at 160-6.

Permaul reached his fourth First-Class fifty as Savory returned, but fell to Louis at 236 while Adams edged a catch to the ‘keeper’ before he had scored as Louis struck two balls later, to leave the hosts on 236-8

Savory, who scored 44 and an unbeaten 101 in the third round against the host in Trinidad but has not passed 25 in any of the other game, soon reached his second 50-plus score in his well-calculated innings.

At tea, Guyana, who, under Johnson’s captaincy had won five consecutive titles, were 249-8.

After the break, Kavima Gorg had Shamar Joseph lbw

Extras: 28 (b-6, w-1, nb-16, lb-5)

Total 267 all out

FoW: 6, 48, 50, 93, 99,160, 236, 236 267, 267 Bowling Louis 17-1, 66-3, Spencer 9-2-42-0, Archibald 16-1-52-1, Cornwall 16-4-58-4, Gore 2-1-4-2, James 13-1-34-1

Leewards 2nd inns

Larry Adams b Sinclair 12

Kerion Powell not out 47

Keacy Carty 17

Extras 5 (lb-5)

Fow: 46. Smith 5-2-12-0, Joseph 6-1-16-0, Sinclair 11-2-23-1

Permaul 8-1-26-0

for 12 and bowled Nial Smith, first ball leaving the 26-year-old Savory stranded on 66.

is

and play is scheduled to start at 09:30 hrs

Twenty-three-year-old Briton John and his team- mate Horace Burrowes

GOA supports GASA team to Curacao

THE new executive committee of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) on Thursday handed over support to the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA).

At the first-convened council meeting with all constituent members, newly elected Secretary-General, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, reported that the Executive Committee has thus far engaged every single association member by way of individual letters which have been duly received and in months to come, will be engaging every association.

Newly elected President of the Guyana Olympic Association, Mr. Godfrey Munroe, addressed the meeting and apprised them of decisions taken because of reasons of expediency to address some requests and correspondence which have been directed to the GOA.

As such, support was provided to the

Metallica CC constructs pavilion in memory of Keith Aaron at Queen’s College

Metallica CC Guyana Inc

on Friday handed over a newly-built pavilion at the Queen’s College ground in honour of former national youth cricketer and Guyana scholar, Keith Aaron. Chairman of the Queen’s College Board, Marcel Gaskin, speaking on the magnitude of the donation, stated, it is “unprecedented” from a single donor as it relates to the cost and potential impact it can have on the school.

The new pavilion is val-

ued in excess of G$8 million.

Andre Archer, Chief Executive Officer of Metallica CC Guyana Inc., expressed, “For us, the million expended into the several months of the project, pales in the significance of the opportunity it presented to us to yet again tangibly expressed our heartfelt gratitude to a college that has played a critical role in shaping our lives.”

Former national cricketer and Queen’s College student, Neil Barry Snr. encour-

aged students to participate in sports, noting that some of their colleagues presently have managed to balance both quite admirably.

Aaron, who passed away on June 20, 2021, in New York at age 72, represented the Guyana Colts against England at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda in March 1968.

He also led the Guyana Under-21 team to victory in the annual regional British American Tobacco youth competition in Trinidad & Tobago in 1969. Aaron was the Form

Guyana Amateur Swimming Association’s team of eight (8) athletes and two (2) officials travelling to the 2023 Carifta Games in Curacao. They will be departing Guyana today and returning on April 12th, 2023.

The GOA’s vice-president, Ms. Cristy Campbell, handed over sponsorship cheque to Mr. Dwayne Scott, President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association and wished the team departing much success and that “we look forward to their Report afterwards.”

In Photo below: Vice-President Cristy Campbell at centre hands over sponsorship cheque to Dwayne Scott flanked by Executive Members of the Guyana Olympic Association. From left to right: Mr. Michael Singh, Ms. Emily Ramdhani, Mr. Godfrey Munroe, Mr. Dwayne Scott, Ms. Cristy Campbell, Mr. Philip Fernandes, Ms. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and Mr. Steve Ninvalle.

Prize Winner in 5RB and also served as captain of the Queen’s College

Wight Cup team and later vice-captain of the Northcote side.

Organising Committee meets with MARAD and other stakeholders Bartica Easter Regatta 2023…

IN preparation for the Bartica Easter Regatta 2023 “We Outside”, Regional Chairman of Region Number Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Kenneth Williams, who also Chairs the Organising Committee for the Easter Regatta, met with representatives of the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the Director of Maritime Safety, Captain Courtney McDonald, competitors of the Regatta, representatives of Farm Supplies Ltd., and other stakeholders.

The main focus of the meeting was to prioritise safety during the boat races, outline maritime proposals, decide on an alternative route for users of the river during the boat races on the 9th of April 2023, arrange for buoys to be placed, outline emergency plans and responses, among other areas.

There was consensus that a notice to mariners would be needed to inform the general public of changes to usual routes in order to facilitate the boat races, which Captain Courtney McDonald agreed with, and will assist in the request process.

Chairman Williams, “On behalf of the Bar-

tica Easter Regatta Committee, we are especially grateful for the support of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and look forward

to working along with the relevant persons.”

We take this opportunity to invite patrons

to return this year for an even bigger and better Bartica Easter Regatta, and trust that the improved safety standards offer some amount of reassurance for persons to come out with their family and friends.”

Further, in addition to safety boats, medical emergency plans, enforcement of rules and applicable repercussions, and the presence of Inspectors during the event, there will also be additional changes made to this year’s Regatta which will aid in improving the standards of this largescale recreational marine event.

Regatta Football

Michael Joseph’s 67th-minute goal from a set play has positioned his club, Rising Stars FC, at the top of Group A in the Bartica Regatta Football Tournament. Approaching the end of the group stage in the tournament, Group A has already confirmed its qualifiers: Rising Stars FC on nine points, and Potaro Strikers FC on six points.

Group B qualifiers were set to be decided on Friday night with two final matches: Lazio FC vs AK Galaxy FC, and Beacons FC vs Mil Ballers FC.

GOA’s Vice-President, Ms. Cristy Campbell, hands over sponsorship to Mr. Dwayne Scott, President of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association for the GASA Carifta Team 2023

Students of Queen’s College, along with former students and officials from Metallica CC Guyana Inc. at the new pavilion

Members of the Bartica Easter Regatta Organising Committee, MARAD, and other stakeholders after the meeting.

week national stadium training. Our players deserve better than this and I am hopeful that someday the commitment and passion of our players will be rewarded with suitable facilities that can enable greater success,” said Fernandes. When asked about the Providence artificial football field, Fernandes indicated that while the field would be ideal, the GFF had indicated a fear of their warranty being voided and therefore they could not allow hockey to train there.

There are no easy matches in this competition as Guyana is the lowest ranked team in the competition, the only team making its international debut and the only

Guyana team selected for Junior Pan Am Championships

THE Guyana Under-21 women’s hockey team is scheduled to compete in the 2023 Junior Pan American Championships scheduled for 10 – 18 April in Bridgetown, Barbados. This will be the first ever junior women’s team to represent the country in any competition.

Seven junior women’s teams will be competing in the female competition which is a qualifier for the 2023 Junior World Cup being held in Santiago, Chile in December. While there is no official ranking for junior teams, Guyana’s women’s team is ranked #72 in the world and in these championships, the Guyanese girls come up against #14 Chile, #15 Canada and #41 Barbados.

The other pool in the competition will feature #2 ranked Argenti-

na, #16 USA and #25 Uruguay.

While the Guyanese squad features a few experienced players in Captain Makeda Harding, Sarah Klautky , Clayza Bobb, Kirsten Gomes, Abosaide Cadogan and Madison Fernandes, the rest of the squad are new to international competition and most will be seeing a hockey artificial grass field for the first time in their lives.

The players were robbed of a full calendar of competition for the last few years, as the COVID pandemic interrupted the usual hockey calendar of local events. While the players have been committed to the preparation programme, the unfortunate weather early in the year rendered most fields unusable and forced the players indoors to

the national gymnasium for training. According to coach Philip Fernandes, these conditions were far from optimal and places a further strain on the country’s ability to produce successful teams. Fernandes expressed disappointment that, after more than twenty years of requests, the Federation is no closer to securing an artificial surface for hockey which all other teams in the Pan American Federation have.

“While all other teams consistently train on full sized artificial surfaces year-round, just because these players are born in Guyana, they have to make do with thick grass fields which are often unavailable, a reduced sized gymnasium, a small basketball court-sized carpeted surface or the once-per-

East Coast Reunion Cup kicks off today

Intense football action is expected to take place this evening at Golden Grove Ground, ECD as the East Coast Reunion Cup kicks off at 19:00 hrs.

In the first match Mahaica Determinators will take on Airy Hall FC while at 21:00 hrs Victoria Kings FC will clash with rivals Buxton Stars.

The tournament was organized by former National player Dwayne ‘Dungin’ Jacobs and Cool Crew Promotions with approval from East Demerara Football Association (EDFA).

team featuring players who have never played the game on an artificial surface. Fernandes indicated that, while expectations are modest, the team has to start somewhere, and if competition comes as close as Barbados and our players don’t participate, they will never gain the experience needed to be competitive in the future.

Guyana will face Canada in its very first match on Tuesday 11th April at 11:00AM followed by hosts Barbados the following afternoon at 1:30PM and completes its pool round matches against Chile on Friday April 14th at 12:00 noon. The tournament will then go to crossovers with the other pool with the finals being played on Tuesday 18th April at 3:30PM.

Ten teams will participate in the tournament; the teams are: Ann’s Grove United, Victoria Kings, Mahaica Determinators, Dynamic FC, Melanie FC, Buxton Stars, Buxton United, BV/Triumph United, Airy Hall FC and Haslington FC.

Cash and prizes for the tournament will be $1Million.

The tournament will see some of the best players in the country and in the EDFA Division showcasing their skills and battling for supremacy.

Dynamic is the EDFA League Champions and Ann’s Grove is the Mash Cup Champions.

All the matches will be played at the same venue on April 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 10th. The finals will be on April 15th. The tournament sponsors are the Government of Guyana, Ministry of Youths Sports and Culture, National Sports Commission, MVP Sports, Ansa Mcal, Golden Touch, Legal Entertainment, Top Striker Entertainment, Hennesy Boss and Cigars & Cognac Sports Bar and Fire Chief (ag) Gregory Wickham).

Dominant Berbice retains Women’s Inter-County T20 Trophy

BERBICE once again showed their dominance in Women’s cricket in Guyana by registering three comprehensive victories during this year’ s GCB Women’s Inter-County T20 tournament played at GCC, Bourda.

After a comfortable 9-wicket victory against Demerara in the morning game on Thursday, March 30, Berbice made light work of Essequibo in their second-round match. Essequibo were restricted to 56-8 off their allotted 20 overs. Annalissa D’Aguiar was the only batter to show resistance top scoring with 16. Berbice took just 9.1 overs to get to their target of 57, losing four wickets in the process. West Indies player Shabiki Gajnabi top scored with 19. D’Aguiar returned with the ball to take 3-7 off three overs which earned her the player of the match award.

With Demerara and Essequibo both losing to Berbice and their head-to-head encounter on Thursday resulting in shared points be-

cause of a wash-out, it was Demerara who qualified for the final against Berbice with a superior net-run rate to Essequibo.

In the final, West Indies under-19 player, Releanna Grimmond, led the way with 55 to lead Ber-

bice to a total of 120 for the loss of three wickets off their allotted 20 overs.

Katana Mentore made 24

while Berbice captain and West Indies player Shabiki Gajnabi contributed 17. Hemma Singh had 1-7 and Emalissa Whyte took 1-28 bowling for Demerara. Demerara in reply, were dismissed for a paltry 38 in 10.4 overs to lose by 82 runs. Trisha Hardat and Sheneta Grimmond both had impressive and identical figures of 3-8 to lead Demerara’s demise. Releanna Grimmond was later adjudged player of the match for her 55 and one wicket.

The GCB Women’s Inter- County Tournament will continue April 4 with the Super50 format. Essequibo will face Demerara in the first match at Everest. Berbice play Essequibo on Thursday, April 6th at GCC, Bourda. The Demerara versus Berbice encounter will bring down the curtain on this year’s tournament on Sunday, April 9 at GCC, Bourda.

Annalisa D’Aguiar receives player of the match from Kavita Yadram

Releanna Grimmond receives player of the match in the final from Kavita Yadram

The Girls U-21 team

Permaul, Savory’s fifties push game into final day West Indies

TWO separate grounds will be used over this weekend to complete round three of the MILO Schools Football Tournament 2023 this weekend.

In the first set of fixtures on today at the NIS ground, Bushlot Secondary will play East Ruimveldt Secondary from 11:00am with the 8th of May Secondary and West Demerara clashing at 12:45pm and North Ruimveldt and McKenzie high battling at 14:00hrs

Over at the Ministry of Education ground, Vergenoegen gets things going against Queens College from 11:00am with Marian Academy and Bartica in the second game at 12:45pm.

Christianburg/Wismar Secondary battle against Vryman’s Erven Secondary from 14:00hrs with Chase Academy and Carmel Secondary closing off the day at 15:45hrs

On Sunday at NIS ground, President’s College open the day against Patentia at 11:00am with the Annandale/Charity fixture set for 12:45pm.

Cummings Lodge Secondary and Berbice Educational Institute battle in the next fixture (14:00hrs) with New Central High School and Westminster Secondary also on the cards for 15:45hrs

At the Ministry of Education Ground, Bygeval meets Dora in the opening game with Dolphin and New Amsterdam up after Charlestown and St Cuthberts Mission play game three of the day with Ann’s Grove Secondary and West Ruimveldt taking the closing fixture.

The competition is sponsored by Nestle’ (MILO) through MASSY Distribution and is sanctioned by the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Football Federation.

It is Co-ordinated by the Petra Organisation with support by MVPSports, GenEquip Guyana Ltd. and GINMIN Guyana

NIS, MoE grounds to be used to complete Round three

Guyana team selected for Junior Pan Am Championships

Both the NIS and the Ministry of Education grounds will be in use this weekend for round three of Milo Schools Football tournament

Veerasammy Permaul cuts during his 4th fifty yesterday at Providence (Sean Devers photo)