Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09-04-2024

OAS, CARICOM condemn Venezuela’s actions that threaten region’s peace, stability

‘This is what we have been

calling

for’

3 — Guyana welcomes, supports Venezuela’s participation in ICJ process

— President Ali says as western neighbour makes submission to court in border case

Back to school!

PAC reveals…

Over $111M in drugs, medical supplies unaccounted for under APNU+AFC in Region Two

— Minister Teixeira calls for special investigation

Ahead of 2025 polls…

Gov’t will continue to implement policies, programmes to advance Guyana

— President Ali says; points to ambitious 2030 and beyond agenda for sustainable development

1,000 men to benefit from expansion of WIIN programme

Gov’t continues efforts to mitigate impact of prolonged dry season on farmers

OAS condemns Venezuelan regime's ‘threatening objectives’ — says Bolivarian Republic endangering regional peace, security

THE Organization of American States (OAS) has squarely denounced the Venezuelan regime's recent approval of the so-called “Law for the defence of Essequibo,” labelling it as a threat to regional peace and security.

The strong statement issued by the General Secretariat of the OAS on Monday did not mince words, asserting that the Venezuelan law, purportedly aimed at territorial defence, starkly contradicts fundamental principles of international law and underscores the dictatorial tendencies of the regime.

The OAS described it as reminiscent of sad historical episodes that led to annexations by force, military aggression, and destruction.

“The Venezuelan re -

gime, which a few days ago approved a fascist “law” to combat “fascism, neo-fascism and similar expressions,” also approved a so-called “Law for the defense of Essequibo” whose “legislative” standards recall sad historical episodes that led to annexations by force, military aggression and destruction.

“Regional peace and security depend on stopping the Venezuelan regime from advancing these threatening objectives. International law condemns the crime of aggression, condemns the threat of aggression, condemns unilateral actions to resolve bilateral problems, condemns non-compliance and violation of current Arbitration Awards and, as an international community, we must condemn bellicose

attitudes and intimidation of countries and international actors,” the OAS said.

According to the OAS, the approval of this law by the Venezuelan regime signifies a dangerous escalation of aggressive posturing, with the potential to destabilise the entire region.

Alluding to the gravity of the situation, the state-

The OAS highlighted the condemnation of unilateral actions to resolve bilateral issues, citing Venezuela's disregard for current Arbitration Awards and its unilateral measures aimed at annexing territory belonging to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

ment highlighted the regime's pattern of bellicose behaviour, including recent legislative manoeuvres aimed at combating dissent under the guise of combating fascism.

In a clear rebuke, the OAS underscored the imperative of halting the Venezuelan regime's march towards what it termed as “threatening objectives.”

The OAS expressed solidarity with Guyana, applauding its decision to seek recourse through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and condemning the Venezuelan regime's attempts to intimidate other international actors.

Additionally, the statement highlighted the detrimental impact of Venezuela's actions on the legacy of peaceful relations with Caribbean nations and the exploitation of Guyana's natural resources.

Characterizing the “Law for the defense of Essequibo” as a tool for both external aggression and internal repression, the OAS warned of its potential to plunge the region into further insecurity. It stressed that the law not only jeopardizes the security of Guyana but also threatens the peace and stability of the entire hemisphere.

In light of these developments, the OAS called upon the international community to condemn Venezuela's belligerent actions and stand in solidarity with those affected by its aggressive posturing. The organisation encouraged concerted efforts to address the escalating crisis and safeguard the principles of international law and

Continued on page 3

‘This is what we have been calling for’

— Guyana welcomes, supports Venezuela’s participation in ICJ process — President Ali says as western neighbour makes submission to court in border case

Ali has once again reiterated Guyana’s call for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing border controversy, welcoming Venezuela’s submission of its counter-memorial on the merits of the case concerning the 1899 Arbitral Award at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Guyanese Head of State, during a live broadcast statement on Facebook, maintained that the country will respect the rule of international law and urged Venezuela to do the same.

“This is what Guyana has been calling for and I hope that Venezuela will continue to engage fully in the process before the International Court of Justice,” he said, adding: “The court’s final decision will ensure a resolution that is peaceful, equitable and in accordance with international law.”

Now that Venezuela has submitted its counter-memorial on its questions of the 1899 Arbitral

Award—a legally binding agreement that established the first and only accepted boundary between Spanish-speaking Venezuela and Guyana— the court will move forward in the process of making a judgment.

President Ali noted that Guyana will abide by the court’s ruling.

“Both parties are bound to accept the court’s judgment in this matter,” the

Guyanese Head of State said.

However, Venezuela continues to make “unfounded” statements regarding Guyana’s development of its own resources.

Responding directly to those statements, Dr. Ali said: “As a sovereign nation, we are beholden to no state or private entity in how we conduct our domestic or foreign policy, including our relation with

other states.”

He further reiterated the country’s stance to fully support the rulings of the court and promote a peaceful and stable region in which both the citizens of Guyana and Venezuela could coexist.

Recently, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro made a move to enact legislation in the Bolivarian Republic to assert its claims to Guyana’s Esse-

quibo region.

Maduro’s latest action is a clear violation of the Argyle Declaration – an 11-point agreement that addresses matters consequential to the border controversy, including the fact that Guyana stands firm to its position that the substantial case is before the ICJ.

President Ali said that Guyana is monitoring every statement and action taken by Venezuela. Once again, both regional and international stakeholders are rallying behind Guyana.

Back in December 2023, Presidents Ali and Maduro met in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The meeting was facilitated by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, and observed by Brazil, CARICOM, and a UN Under-Secretary-General.

regional stability.

“The combined use of internal repression with the regime’s aggressive stance towards the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is a new milestone in the Venezuelan regime’s infinite spiral of moral and political poverty. This law puts at risk the security not only of Guyana, but also the peace and security of the hemisphere,” OAS said.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, KC, recently echoed

OAS condemns Venezuelan...

the concern of President Dr Irfaan Ali that its neighbour will move to seize Guyana’s territory.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General called on fellow Commonwealth member states to lend Guyana support in this time of need. By this new law, Venezuela is attempting to control over two-thirds of the sovereign territory of Guyana.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General urged the Government and people

of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to abide by the principles of international law and to manage the issue in ways that guarantee the peace and stability of the Caribbean region.

The border between Guyana and Venezuela was settled by an arbitral tribunal on October 3, 1899, but on the event of Guyana’s independence in 1966, Venezuela repudiated the award which it had upheld for more than 60 years. Decades of talks failed

to settle the controversy and the United Nations Secretary-General, in keeping with an agreement in Geneva which Venezuela signed on to, referred the matter to the International Court of Justice.

In provisional measures granted last December, the Court ruled that Guyana has governed and exercised sovereignty over the 83,000 square miles determined as its territory in 1899, and that should not change unless the court determines

otherwise in its ultimate ruling.

Back in December 2023, Presidents Ali and Maduro met in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The meeting was facilitated by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, and observed by Brazil, CARICOM, and a UN Under-Secretary-General.

That meeting culminated with the Argyle Declaration that outlines a pledge from both countries to re-

The two leaders had also interacted at the recent VII summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where they exchanged tokens.

The genesis of the border controversy goes back to the 1899 Arbitral Award, a landmark decision that delineated the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

Despite the historic arbitration, tensions have persisted, with Venezuela repeatedly challenging the validity of the award.

In 2018, Guyana took a decisive step by approaching the ICJ seeking affirmation of the award’s legitimacy.

Venezuela initially claimed that the ICJ lacked jurisdiction, a contention flatly rejected by the World Court in a crucial ruling in December 2020. The door was thus opened for the ICJ to delve into the merits of the substantive case.

That meeting culminated with the Argyle Declaration that outlines a pledge from both countries to refrain from escalating the decades-old border controversy between the two states.

From page 2

frain from escalating the decades-old border controversy between the two states.

The two leaders had also interacted at the recent VII summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where they exchanged tokens. The substantive case is still before the ICJ.

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Total solar eclipse: North Americans celebrate with cheers, music and matrimony

THRONGS of sky watchers across North America gazed upwards at a blackened sun in the midday dusk on Monday, celebrating with cheers, music and matrimony the first total solar eclipse to darken the continent in seven years.

From a Mexican beach resort close to where the eclipse made landfall to the banks of the Ohio River and farther north beyond the roaring cascades of Niagara Falls at the U.S.-Canadian border, spellbound crowds reacted to the sight of "totality" with jaw-dropping expressions of awe and joy.

In Russellville, Arkansas, a town of roughly 30,000 residents near the State's only nuclear power plant, almost 400 couples tied the knot by the shadow of the moon in a mass wedding event dubbed, "Elope and the Eclipse".

At least two weddings and one marriage proposal were known to have taken place among roughly 2,000 people who assembled at Niagara Falls State Park despite overcast skies.

The dreary weather subdued the experience until clouds momentarily parted to reveal the last 30 seconds of totality, and the crowd went wild, cheering and shouting, "It's so beautiful".

As the skies began to bright-

en again, a band played out the retreating lunar shadow with a rendition the R.E.M.'s 1992 hit song, “Man on the Moon”.

Across the river in Niagara Falls, Ontario, 309 people, some from as far away as Singapore and London, came dressed up as the sun, setting a new world record for the largest group to wear solar costumes in one place, contest organisers said. The previous record was set in 2020 by 287 participants in China.

SHADOWS AND LIGHT

Where clear skies prevailed, observers along the direct path of the eclipse were treated to the rare spectacle of the moon appearing as a dark orb creeping in front of the sun, briefly blocking out all but a brilliant halo of light, or corona, around, the sun's outer edge. (Reuters live coverage)

It was first total eclipse to sweep across a large swath of North America since 2017, and will be the last one visible from the contiguous United States until 2044.

As totality unfolded at a campground in North Hudson in upstate New York, hundreds of people shrieked with excitement.

"Oh my God!" some said, as the air cooled and automat-

ic outdoor lights on a nearby building flicked on, fooled by the darkness.

Mexico's beachside resort town of Mazatlan was the first major viewing spot for totality. Thousands in solar-safe eyewear perched in deck chairs along the coastal promenade, and an orchestra played the "Star Wars" movie theme as skies darkened under the approaching lunar shadow.

The crowds burst into cheers, applause and whistles when the eclipse reached totality. The period of totality, lasting up to 4-1/2 minutes, depending the observer's location, was ushered in by a number of other eerie eclipse effects. Some stars twinkled at midday as dusk abruptly descended, sending temperatures dipping, and faint waves of "shadow bands" flickering over the landscape. Birds

and other wildlife sometimes fell silent and still.

Eclipse fans travelled from far and wide, hoping to glimpse the phenomenon somewhere along the "path of totality" stretching 2,500 miles (4,000 km) from Mexico's Pacific Coast through Texas and across 14 other U.S. states into Canada. The moon's shadow exited continental North America in Newfoundland.

A partial eclipse, in which the moon obscures only a portion of the sun, was visible across most of the continental United States outside the path of totality, where weather permitted.

Lourdes Corro, 43, said she travelled 10 hours by car to reach Mazatlan, Mexico for an event widely considered one of nature's greatest wonders.

"The last one I saw was

when I was nine years old," Corro said. "There are a few clouds, but we can still see the sun."

'COMPLETE SENSORY EXPERIENCE'

Overcast skies across much of the United States added an extra challenge for many.

Laura and Brian Uzzle awaited the eclipse on the banks of the Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky on Monday after cloudy forecasts prompted the Denver-based couple to abandon initial plans to view it from Texas and book last-minute flights and rental cars several hundred miles (km) away.

Laura Uzzle, 56, said she was excited to experience the eclipse by a riverbank teeming with birds and insects.

"Even the wildlife changes," she said. "It's a complete sensory experience."

The surge in eclipse enthusiasts taking to roadways in Indiana prompted the state police to announce it was shutting down highway rest stops once they reached capacity and kept them closed for the duration.

At up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds, Monday's total eclipse surpassed the duration of the 2017 event, which lasted upwards of 2 minutes and 42 seconds. According to NASA, opens new tab, solar eclipse totalities can range from 10 seconds to about 7-1/2 minutes.

Monday's total eclipse rolled through more densely populated regions than seven years ago, a corridor averaging 115 miles (185 km) wide encompassing such major cities as San Antonio, Austin and Dallas, Texas;

Indianapolis, Indiana; Cleveland, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania; and Montreal, Quebec.

About 32 million people in the United States live within the path of totality, with federal officials having predicted another 5 million people would travel to be there.

It took about 80 minutes from the moment the moon first began to cover the sun to the moment of totality, then another 80 minutes to complete the process in reverse.

The last remaining bit of brilliant sunlight before totality creates a "diamond ring effect," with a single bright spot glaring from one side of the lunar shadow while the sun's corona still encircles the rest of the moon.

Some suggested the experience might have a lingering effect on human social behavior, if only temporarily.

In Burlington Vermont, where hotels were booked months in advance, Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak said the thousands of visitors who gathered in her city exuded the mood of a midsummer festival.

"It was a really chill vibe. People were appreciating the momentousness of the occasion," Mulvaney-Stanak, who was sworn into office on April 1, told reporters afterward.

Asked if she believed the communal experience might help heal some of society's festering political and social divisions, the mayor said: "I really think it will."

"Truly, this felt like another huge surge of optimism," she said. (Reuters)

A total solar eclipse as seen from Eagle Pass, Texas, US April 8, 2024 (REUTERS/Christian Monterrosa)

Ahead of 2025 polls…

Gov’t will continue to implement policies, programmes to advance Guyana

— President Ali says; points to ambitious 2030 and beyond agenda for sustainable development

GUYANESE could look forward to the nonstop implementation of policies and programmes to enhance their livelihoods and push economic development, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.

The Guyanese Head of State, during an interview with Trinidad and Tobago’s CNC 3 morning show on Monday, said that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has already outlined an ambitious 2030 and beyond agenda for sustainable economic growth.

“You will see a continuation of polices that would lead to sustainable development; polices that are aimed and directed towards building the prosperity of every family. You will see Guyana taking a lead role, if not the lead on the issue of climate security, energy security and food security,” Dr. Ali said when asked about his government’s Manifesto plans ahead of the upcoming 2025 General and Regional Elections.

With special emphasis on improving the lives of every citizen, heavy investments will continue in the areas of agriculture, health, and education.

“We don’t want wealth to be in economic parameters alone; we want wealth

to be enjoyed by citizens of the country through a good standard of living,” he said, adding: “You will see a lot of policies and programmes that will continue along this trajectory.”

The government, he said, will make tremendous investments in information and communications technology (ICT), placing technology at the forefront of driving the country’s economy.

For example, the country will see its governance system moving to greater efficiency through digitisation.

“We are migrating all the manual processes into digital processes, so that you have less human bias in the system itself, and the system must work in an efficient and reliable way,” he said.

Aside from this, there will be additional invest -

ments to enhance the country’s human-resource assets.

“We have been investing heavily in research and development, enhancing our human-resource capacity; we want to have one of highest skilled human resources-based assets in the world,” Dr. Ali emphasised.

The government is also working towards implementing an economic initiative to improve and expand disposable income at the household level.

On the security front, President Ali said: “We’re going to invest heavily in security, ensuring that everything we are building is built in a secure environment; an environment in which the citizens of the country enjoy the highest level of security.”

REGIONAL INTE -

GRATION

Aside from this, the government has been pursing regional prosperity by strengthening partnerships with its neighbours.

“You will see great interconnectivity with the transport system; you will see an energy corridor developed. You will see a world-class education system, a worldclass health system. You will see energy system that has all the components of a modern system, with wind, solar, one with natural gas,” Dr. Ali said.

The government, he added, will also support the local private sector in creating an enabling environment for further investments.

“You will see a lot of policies and programmes that will continue along this trajectory, building the private sector, expanding opportunities for the private sector, making them

more competitive; moving the private sector into research and development so

that we can be in sync,” the President said.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Standing against Venezuela's provocations

THE simmering territorial controversy between Guyana and Venezuela has once again bubbled to the surface, fueled by provocative actions and baseless allegations from the Maduro regime. Amidst this tense atmosphere, it is imperative to uphold the principles of international law, diplomacy, and regional stability.

Venezuela's recent manoeuvres, including the internal creation of a new state encompassing Guyana's Essequibo region and the propagation of unfounded rumours regarding US military bases, are not just provocative but threaten the peace and stability of the

entire region. President Maduro's accusations of secret military installations smack of desperation, and serve only to escalate tension in an already volatile situation.

The response from the United States, as articulated by White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby, has been unequivocal: There are no plans for a secret military base in Guyana. This assertion, coupled with Guyana's own denial and lack of any formal request for such a base, underscores the fabricated nature of Venezuela's claims.

It is essential to recognise that Venezuela's ac -

tions are not just a matter of bilateral concern, but have broader implications for regional security.

Venezuela, despite agreeing to the 1899 Arbitral Award, which settled the boundary between the two nations, has tried for years to assert its claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region. However, it is crucial to address the controversy through peaceful means, and adherence to established legal frameworks. Guyana's approach, characterised by diplomatic engagement and adherence to international law, sets a commendable example for resolving territorial issues. By seeking affirmation of

the 1899 Arbitral Award through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and engaging with international partners, Guyana demonstrates a commitment to a rules-based order and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The Argyle Declaration, agreed upon by Guyana and Venezuela, facilitated by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, had represented a positive step towards de-escalation and dialogue. Both nations had pledged to refrain from threats or the use of force, emphasising the importance of peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness.

However, Venezuela's recent actions, including

the attempted annexation of Guyana's territory and disregard for international legal norms, undermine these efforts and threaten regional stability. President Maduro's disregard for the Joint Declaration of Argyle for dialogue and peace demonstrates a blatant disregard for the principles of diplomacy and cooperation.

In response to Venezuela's provocations, Guyana has rightly issued a stern warning, and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding international law and peaceful resolution mechanisms. The condemnation from international and regional bodies further underscores the gravity of Venezuela's

actions, and the need for a unified response.

As tensions continue to escalate, it is incumbent upon the international community to support Guyana in its pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the territorial controversy. Respect for the Rule of Law, adherence to international legal norms, and diplomatic engagement are essential to prevent further escalation, and ensure stability in the region.

Dialogue and diplomacy must prevail over aggression and unilateral actions to resolve the longstanding territorial controversy, and promote peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Government’s overarching development, transformation agenda altogether are multifaceted focus

Dear Editor,

Stabroek News (SN) editorial of April 8, 2024, posited that the carbon content per barrel of crude oil is 0.43 metric tons and concluded that the President Ali Administration is single-mindedly focused on extraction and infrastructure.

Despite SN’s presence at the Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s weekly press conference, the editorial mischievously ignored factual information to disseminate inaccurate information perhaps intentionally.

In a recent letter to the editor, I had pointed out that in a “critical review” of a proposed carbon tax article published by a Guyanese academic, that the carbon

intensity of Guyana’s crude oil is likely to be less than the average carbon intensity per barrel in the United States (U.S) (0.433 mt/barrel), which the author relied on, and now Stabroek News.

The carbon content per barrel of crude oil varies based on geographic location and the type/quality of crude.

In the case of Guyana, we have the light sweet crude, which means that the carbon intensity in our crude oil is more likely to be less than the carbon content of say Venezuela for instance, because Venezuela has the heavier and sour crude and the global weighted average.

In my critical review of the said paper, I relied on a more recent credible empirical study that utilised a global dataset to calculate

the weighted average carbon intensity. The weighted average, according to that study is 0.051 mt/barrel, whereas the average carbon intensity in the US according to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is 0.433 mt/ barrel. This means that the global weighted average is lower than the arithmetic average for the US.

Subsequently, at his press conference held on March 28, 2024, the Vice President disclosed that the carbon content in our crude oil is 40 kg (0.040 mt) per barrel. This means that the carbon content in Guyana’s crude (0.04 mt/ barrel) is indeed lower than the global weighted average (0.051 mt/barrel).

As such, the carbon content for the proven reserves of 11 billion barrels, thus far,

is an estimated 440 million mt, almost five times less than the two billion mt that the BBC reporter posited. Further, I would like the SN editorial to consider the following.

Globally, the average annual climate finance flows reached almost US$1.3 trillion 2021/2022, nearly doubling 2019/2020 levels. This increase was largely driven by mitigation finance, which was reportedly up by US$439 billion from 2019/2020.

Adaptation finance continues to lag: While adaptation finance grew by 28% in 2022 compared to 2021, reaching an all-time high of US$63 billion, there is still a huge gap based on the estimated needs of US$212 billion per year by 2030 for developing countries alone.

Climate finance globally continues to be sourced largely from traditional sources, such as grants and debt instruments…from Development finance institutions accounting for 57% of all public finance.

In that context, renewed emphasis on the strategic use of public funds and other concessional financing to mobilize significantly more private capital is imperative.

In so far as the global energy transition agenda is concerned, the world continues to lag behind on multiple fronts, such that it may ultimately render the 2050 goals unachievable. In this regard, there are a number of gaps to be bridged in order to reach net-zero by 2050, as outlined hereunder.

The Generation Gap. In

recent years, backed by subsidy schemes, tax credits, and a falling levelized cost of energy, the installation of renewable energy capacity has expanded tremendously.

Globally, 1,282 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power capacity was added to the energy system between 2016 and 2021, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that an additional 2,400 GW of renewable capacity will be installed in 2022 and 2027. However, if the world is to reach net zero by 2050, capacity will have to grow to more than 27,000 GW―an eightfold increase from 2021 levels.

The Grid Gap. Over the past decade, the world has invested an average of $300

We need narratives of whole truths for national reconciliation

Dear Editor,

No one should differ with our former PM Nagamootoo’s yearning for greater national unity, greater civility, and mutual respect amongst us Guyanese; at all times and very much so at times of change of government in our country, and in this instance the change of government in August 2020.

Us humans, being what we are, Moses might have tempered his feelings of being disrespected had he recalled the events preceding that change of government: Five long tortuous months full of anxiety following our elections of March 3, and more than 19 months after his government lost the no-confidence motion on December 18, 2018.

Moses immediately after that historical loss had asserted that his government would conform to the standard parliamentary requirement of arranging and holding new elections within 90 days.

We Guyanese and Guyana, for 19 months, were put to a severe test of not tearing ourselves apart – there are

many to whom we should be thankful that we did not go over the edge.

Moses might have tempered his feelings if he recalled the change of government when he, triumphant, took office in May 2015.

Elections were held on Monday, 11th. By Wednesday evening, GS Jagdeo was preparing us for a possible exit from office and although we were very disappointed that we were not getting some questionable boxes recounted, President Ramotar early conceded.

Changeover arrangements between the Hinds and Nagamootoo families were abruptly ended; a last walkthrough was cancelled; the PM’s car was demanded but soon demoted to the backup position whilst I caught a minibus to travel to our city centre with my close man; and Moses made some disparaging remarks about how he found the PM’s residence.

For the cause of our “Dear Land of Guyana” we do need to see ourselves as one, every one of us could have been in the other’s shoes.

I first met Moses and his wife, Sita, about October 1990, when my wife, Yvonne,

and I attended a cocktail reception hosted by Khemraj and his wife, Ragmatti, for us to meet leading persons of the Progressive Youth Organization.

Moses would have known of the anguish and wrongs done to Dr. Jagan and the members of the PPP from the split of the PPP in 1955: The gerrymandered constituency boundaries, the rigged elections of 1968 to 85, the travails to the 1992 elections after two aborted attempts, and the events from December 2018 to August 2020.

It is good to recognise that our “Dear Land of Guyana” needs greater cohesion - there are none but us to labour for it. Moses would know that we have a lot to clear from our chests.

Our Dear Land of Guyana needs reconciliation. We need narratives of whole truths for national reconciliation. We must live in the spirit of “One Guyana“, as proclaimed by our President, working to hoist up each other, for the prosperity of each other, on a background of “One World, One Human Race”.

This is particularly so now, with our good fortune of ExxonMobil finding

Government’s overarching development, transformation...

From page 6

billion per year. According to the IEA, annual investments will need to rise to the range of US$560 billion to US$780 billion in the 2030s.

The Storage Gap. Renewable energy tends to be intermittent (the sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow, while the demand for electricity is relatively constant and predictable). Hence, to have an orderly transition to a decarbonized grid, a significant amount of electricity storage capacity will be required, in the form of batteries or pumped hydropower schemes. Significant investments in grid-scale battery storage have been made. In 2022, globally, 16 GW of grid-skill battery storage was added. According to the IEA, to get on track with the net-zero targets, which would

require a 143-fold increase by 2050, annual additions must pick up significantly to an average of more than 80 GW per year over the 2022 to 2030 period.

The total funding gap needs to almost triple. To keep on track with net-zero emissions by 2050 goals, the IEA estimates that annual investment in clean energy will have to rise substantially from the projected 2023 level of US$1.8 trillion to US$4.6 trillion in 2030. Therefore, bridging the energy transition gap is likely to remain a challenging task in meeting those targets to narrow the gap.

Against the foregoing background, the consequential effect is such that the global demand for fossil fuel remains buoyant amidst an increasingly focused global agenda on the energy transition goals by 2050.

pools of oil off our shores, at depths where it could not have been won a few years before. There is no hiding from the fact that our good fortune would have brought along with it great forces for disruption within and without

Guyana.

It needs no saying that I keep hoping for a better contribution to national cohesion, from Moses.

Global demand is expected to remain strong, especially since the US needs to rebuild its strategic reserves. The US strategic reserves was down to its lowest level in decades at 347 million/ bbls (2023) down from a peak level of 727 million/ bbls in July 2011. Other countries such as India and China are also building up their strategic reserves as part of their energy security strategy.

Finally, the SN editorial conveniently ignored the Low Carbon Development Strategy, and the government’s overarching development and transformation agenda altogether that are not single-minded focus, but multifaceted focus.

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin

Yours truly, Samuel A A Hinds Former Prime Minister and Former President Ambassador to the USA and the OAS

Westernised woman: The Odyssey of Coloniality

MS. GAIUTRA Bahadur (an American woman of Guyanese parentage) once interviewed me in Guyana on Guyanese politics, and it didn’t appear to me that she knew anything about Guyana.

Ms. Bahadur, author of the book, “Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of indenture,” has just published an essay in the New York Times (NYT) titled, “Is Guyana’s oil a blessing or a curse.” This is an absurd headline that is designed to question the acceptance of oil in a small developing country. The title betrays the Freudian mind of the writer.

In all seriousness, how can an academic ask the question if a trillion-dollar industry for a developing country could be a curse? How could such an immeasurable goldmine be a curse and if it could be a curse, from whose perspective? Would the same writer, who is an American, ask if the stupendous wealth of the US is a blessing or a

curse? How Ms. Bahadur would answer that?

How Ms. Bahadur feels about the newspaper that has just published her article – NTY – after what could be considered unprofessional reporting on genocide in Gaza.

Ms. Bahadur teaches journalism and I am sure just as she wrote on oil for the Guyanese people to read, her thoughts would be welcomed in Guyana on western journalism in the context of the reporting on Gaza. Ms. Bahadur lives in the US so she would know more than me that no American or mainstream media house in the European Union has accepted that genocide has occurred in Gaza.

Reading Ms. Badahur’s piece, her Freudian mind is all over her contents. There is the subtle conveyance that Guyana is this low-level country just as in colonial times when Guyana was known as Bookers Guyana as she puts it. She says people now refer to

Guyana as Exxon Guyana. What she did not go on to do is to identity who are the people referring to this country as Exxon Guyana. Of course she could not have done so for one graphic reason. They are very wealthy people whose grouse is not against Exxon but the ruling party which is disliked for reasons of colour and class.

The subtle references throughout the article about Guyana’s low-level status sometimes are not so subtle. She tells us about a restaurant that sells a steak for more than $350 American. What is the point in that? There is none. In Ms, Bahadur’s own country, there are restaurants that you will be refused service based on how you look and dress and the steak will be more costly.

The existence of such a restaurant does not mean that the economy of Guyana does not allow people to buy a nice, juicy steak for 5,000 Guyanese, better that the one for $350

US. Ms. Bahadur has her Freudian reason for so painting Guyana. An objectionable part of Mr. Bahadur’s odyssey into bad-mouthing Guyana is the photo of the security hut at MovieTowne which is described as Hard Rock Café. Obviously when the Americans readers of NTY look at that picture of Hard Rock Café, they will have a good, contemptuous laugh with the sigh: “Is that what Hard Rock Café looks like?

Ms. Bahadur is an academic that teaches journalism but one seriously must ask how competent her research ability is. For her thoughts on the oil industry, Ms. Bahadur interviews a woman that Ms. Bahadur describes as

a jewelry designer. This lady has no history of civil society activism or is a trained person in any kind of environmental science. The bulk of Ms. Bahadur’s interviewees are frenetic anti-government critics that 99 per cent of Guyanese never heard about.

Ms. Bahadur tells us that she slipped into a party which had an entry fee of $170 American, and she sipped El Dorado with some of the Exxon bigwigs hoping to get information. She should have slipped into a sugar estate and drink cane juice and eat egg ball and get information about how those folks feel about the oil industry.

If you blank out Ms Bahadur’s by-line, anyone

would think that the NTY item was written by a bigoted academic from the developed world who is contemptuous of the Third World. I hope Ms. Bahadur saw the recent biopic of one of the most talented musicians of all time – Bob Marley. I leave with her with a few lines from his masterpiece, “Redemption Song”: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery none but ourselves can free our minds.”

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.

Extensive work ongoing to enhance access to potable water in hinterland communities

IN an effort to ensure hinterland communities have access to potable water, various initiatives are underway, including the drilling of additional wells and expansion of water distribution networks.

Since assuming office, the government has allocated a total of $3.4 billion towards enhancing treated water coverage in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo).

Over the past three years, a total of 75 wells have been successfully drilled in hinterland regions.

This year, some $1.5 billion has been earmarked for achieving Guyana’s objective of attaining 100 per cent treated water coverage by 2025.

Residents of Yakarinta, in North Rupununi, Region Nine can anticipate a continuous water supply, following the recent awarding of a $25.9 million contract to expand the water distribution system there.

Furthermore, the community of Annai is set to benefit from the drilling of an additional well by the end of this year, aimed at enhancing water supply despite challenges posed by prolonged dry seasons.

During a recent outreach in Region Nine, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal underscored the immense impact these initiatives will have on the communities.

These efforts are part of the overall plan to improve water access in the hinterland,

In an effort to ensure hinterland communities have access to potable water, various initiatives are underway, including the drilling of additional wells and expansion of water distribution networks

aligning with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal Six: Clean water and sanitation for all.

In Nappi, ongoing works to expand the water distribution network are at 30 per cent completion, with every household expected to receive clean and safe water. This project

is financed through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF).

“What we have ongoing is an intervention of about $40 million for the distribution network, and to put in a photovoltaic system, as well as the construction of the trestle… Every household will benefit,” Minister Croal explained.

He said the government is exploring the possibility of drilling another well in Nappi to further bolster the water supply.

In 2024, plans are in place to drill 30 wells in Region Nine. Other interventions, such as the provision of water tanks are also underway for residents located where water supply systems are not servicing.

Subsequent assessments determine the installation of pipelines to ensure water supply to these areas.

Furthermore, training is being provided to community service officers (CSOs) to facilitate the maintenance of water systems.

Communities including Capoey, Quarrie, 5 Mile, 7 Mile Branch Road, Itabac, Sand Hill, and Kamana are among those benefitting from increased access to treated water this year. (DPI)

FAO Food Price Index rises in March

— higher international quotations for vegetable oils, dairy products, meat more than offset lower quotations for cereals and sugar

RISING international quotations for vegetable oils, dairy products and meat pushed the benchmark index for world food commodity prices up by 1.1 per cent in March, its first increase in seven months, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) reported Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 118.3 points in March, down 7.7 per cent from its corresponding value one year ago.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index led the increase in March, rising 8.0 per cent from February and reaching a one-year high as quotations for palm, soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils all rose.

International palm oil prices increased due to seasonally lower outputs in leading producing countries and firm domestic demand in Southeast Asia, while those for soyoil recovered from multi-year lows, boosted by robust demand from the biofuel sector, particularly in Brazil and the United States of America.

The FAO Dairy Price Index increased for the sixth consecutive month, up 2.9 per cent from February, led by rising world cheese and

butter prices.

The FAO Meat Price Index also increased, rising 1.7 per cent from the previous month, with international prices up for poultry, pig and bovine meats.

By contrast, the FAO Cereal price Index declined by 2.6 per cent, averaging 20 per cent below its March 2023 value. The drop was led by decreasing global wheat export prices, which declined due to ongoing strong export competition – underscored by cancelled purchases by China – among the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United States of America. Maize export prices edged upwards in March, partly due to logistical difficulties in Ukraine, while the FAO All Rice Price Index dipped by 1.7 per cent amid subdued global import demand.

The FAO Sugar Price Index declined by 5.4 per cent from February, with the drop mainly driven by an upward revision to the 2023/24 sugar production forecast in India and the improved pace of the harvest in Thailand.

WORLD CEREAL OUTPUT SEEN UP IN 2023/24

FAO also released a new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief on Friday, raising

its forecast for world cereal production in 2023/24 to 2 841 million tonnes, reflecting expectations of greater outputs of maize, rice and wheat.

Global cereal utilisation in 2023/24 is pegged at 2 828 million tonnes, a 1.3 per cent increase from the 2022/23 level. World cereal stocks are forecast to end the 2024 seasons at 894 million tonnes, a 2.3 percent increase from the outset of the year, pointing to a worldwide cereal stocks-touse ratio of 31.0 per cent.

World trade in cereals is forecast to rise 1.7 per cent from the previous year to 485 million tonnes in 2023/24.

International trade in coarse grains is expected to expand from 2022/23, while wheat and rice trade will likely contract.

FAO also adjusted its forecast for global wheat production in 2024, now standing at 796 million tonnes, marking a 1.0 per cent increase from 2023.

For coarse grain crops, sowing will begin soon in the northern hemisphere, while harvests have already begun south of the equator.

While Argentina’s output is expected to rebound after the drought-impacted outturn of 2023, smaller outputs are expected in Brazil and across Southern Africa. (FAO)

Gov’t continues efforts to mitigate impact of prolonged dry season on farmers — Minister Mustapha emphasises

By Cindy Parkinson

forts to ensure that production continues and farmers are supported amidst the

prolonged dry season, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that

the government is working

“I want to also highlight

diligently to ensure that farmers in every region have access to the necessary planting materials and an adequate water supply.

Minister Mustapha told the Guyana Chronicle that one of the government’s primary objectives since assuming office in 2020 is to ensure that farmers receive substantial assistance from his ministry, especially when they are faced with unique challenges.

According to him: “We remained committed to delivering on what our manifesto said, and that is, providing free planting materials and direct help to our farmers across the country. We are also giving them inputs such as fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides, and a number of other assistances so that they can be in a better position to plant their crops with little to no major expense to them. What we have also done is supply these farmers with a number of farming equipment such as water pumps, forks, cutlasses, shovels, and much more.”

Drawing attention to the extended dry season, Minister Mustapha said, that they are still seeing an increase in production in some of the industries, such as rice.

He added: “Even though we are in a long, dry season, I am pleased to say that in the rice industry, this crop was one of the longest crops ever, with the thousands acres that we have cultivated. This could not have been possible without proper management and the way in which the water system and the irrigation system are being managed.”

Minister Mustapha further said that as a government, they are working closely and will continue to work closely with the farmers throughout Guyana.

from the conservancy to some main canals so that the irrigation canals could have water for the fields. I am also happy to say that we have additional pumps in all of our regions.”

Noting that some farmers may have additional issues, the Agriculture Minister said that they are working “round the clock” to have them fixed.

that the President, Dr. Ali himself, has been regularly enquiring, and visiting the different regions, listening to the farmers, and making sure that together we deal with any issue that they are faced with. President Ali has made it clear that we must do everything in our power to ensure that our farmers comfortably take care of their produce with the limited effects of the dry season,” he said.

In his early morning visits with President Ali to several communities, Minister Mustapha related that the President conducted his site visits and, in some areas, instructed that systems be put in place so that irrigation does not become an issue.

“About three Sundays ago, we went to visit different areas in Region Three, places like Canals Polder and Naamryck, to see the irrigation system and put systems in place so that farmers would not be at a disadvantage during the dry spell and to bring relief to them.

“Farmers are eagerly looking to us for assistance and guidance, and we are working with them so that they don’t have to worry about irrigation, and I am happy to say that they are coping well during this time,” he added.

With a forward-thinking mindset, Minister Mustapha related that several small pumps were distributed to regions across the country last year so that farmers could have access to water for their kitchen gardens.

He also noted: “While we made sure that our small farmers were not affected by irrigation. In the rice sector, we have placed a number of pumps in different areas throughout Guyana, and we have been pumping water

“We continue to put in a lot of effort to ensure that we increase our food production, so we would not allow our farmers to suffer because of limited irrigation,” Mustapha emphasised.

EXTENSION SERVICES

Regarding the country’s extension services, Minister Mustapha emphasised: “We are also ensuring that our extension services in this country provide the necessary assistance to the farmers so that we are not only giving them planting materials and equipment, but we are also giving them the technical advice to ensure that they are guided correctly.

“That is why we were able to see the increase in production in many areas, and I must say to farmers that we will continue to lend our support to you so that we can continue to progress and grow your produce successfully.”

Expressing gratitude to the government and the Ministry of Agriculture for their support and assistance in his poultry business, a poultry farmer from Sandvoort, West Canje, Berbice said: “I was motivated to go into poultry farming based on a seminar that was held opposite little rock...all of us cannot work in the oil and gas sector, but what we can do is to help to support the necessary needs of the oil and gas sector especially in terms of agriculture.

“Because you have an influx of people coming into the country, they need to eat...Minister Mustapha I would just like to say...so far, I have received a lot of technical advice from the government and the MOA, and for that I would like to say thank you and I look forward to continuing with a good relationship with the ministry.”

AS part of continued ef-

President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, in one of their recent meetings with farmers and residents

Citizens urged to exercise caution when transporting petroleum products

CITIZENS are being urged to exercise greater caution while transporting petroleum products across the country.

The appeal comes in light

of the concerning trend of improper transportation of hazardous liquids, which pose significant risks to public health and the environment.

Reports indicate that

many carriers are transporting these substances atop their vehicles, including vans, minibuses, and trucks.

It is imperative to emphasise that such products should be securely stored within the vehicle, preferably in designated cargo areas.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), as one of the regulatory agencies, calls upon individuals to demonstrate responsibility and strictly adhere to established guidelines.

Petroleum products should only be transported in containers specifically designed to prevent leakage and spillage during transit, approved by the relevant regulatory authorities.

Vehicles transporting these products must possess adequate ventilation or be equipped with emergency systems capable of handling

‘Refrain from any further actions that would hinder regional, hemispheric peace, stability’

— CARICOM urges Venezuela; calls for peaceful resolution to border controversy with Guyana, respect for international law

The following is the full text of a statement from the Caribbean Community on Venezuela’s recent actions:

“The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) considers that the adoption of “the Organic Law for the Defence of Guyana Essequiba” on 3 April 2024, by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has occasioned an unacceptable escalation of tensions between that country and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and has threatened to undermine peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In its adoption of “the Organic Law”, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has acted unilaterally, precipitously, and potentially, dangerously. In the process, it has: (i) offended “the Joint Declaration

of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela” of 14 December 2023; (ii) subverted international law; and (iii) signaled a possible embrace of an unworthy aggression to achieve its own articulated goals or purposes.

CARICOM acknowledges that both Venezuela and Guyana have divergent stances on “the border issues” on all matters consequential to the border controversy, and on the specific modes for their resolution. However, both countries have agreed that the issues and consequential matters are to be resolved peacefully, and in accordance with international law and its relevant mechanisms, inclusive of the Geneva Agreement of 1966.

CARICOM acknowledges, too, that Guyana has the right to pursue its claim

flammable vapours or gases, including fire extinguishers and spill containment materials.

To mitigate the risk of accidents such as leaks or spills, it is essential to ensure that vehicles are not overloaded with petroleum products beyond their capacity.

Moreover, drivers and personnel involved in handling these substances must

familiarise themselves with pertinent regulations and guidelines established by entities such as the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

Regulatory agencies advise that vehicles utilised for transportation must prominently display warning signs indicating the presence of highly flammable or hazardous substances.

By collectively adhering

to and implementing these guidelines, a collective approach to ensuring that a safe and environmentally friendly society is maintained.

For further information on proper transportation practices for petroleum products, individuals may contact the GFS on telephone numbers 226-2411 or 912. (DPI)

through the International Court of Justice (ICJ). At the same time each country renounces threats to peace and the use, or threatened use, of violence in the pursuance of their respective claims or interests.

Accordingly, CARICOM urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to refrain from any further actions that would hinder regional and hemispheric peace and stability. We insist that dialogue and an adherence to international law are the only viable paths to achieve a just and lasting settlement of the issues at hand. The alternatives are too horrific to contemplate. We demand, likewise, a patience and a calm, and an end to any possible unilateral, aggressive actions.”

Tug, barge successfully removed, operations unhindered at DHB

— Minister Edghill says; urges MARAD to complete investigation of incident in a timely manner

By Cindy Parkinson

DESPITE Sunday’s incident at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill has said that swift action by several teams resulted in

unhindered operations at the bridge and scheduled retraction at 04:00hrs on Monday.

Reports are that a motor tug and barge, which was engaged at the construction site of the New Demerara River Bridge, drifted and came in

contact with four buoys and two pontoons to the southern section of the DHB.

Providing an update on the situation during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Minister Edghill said: “We have successfully had our

retraction at 4am this morning (Monday) to allow for marine traffic, and we have successfully completed the double lane this morning (Monday) as well. I am pleased to say that the bridge operated as normal, and right now I must also say that the tug and barge that collided with the bridge have been removed.”

Regarding the current state of the bridge and the estimated cost of the damage, the minister said: “The technical staff of the DHB is working tirelessly to ensure that the structure is realigned. They are also accessing the damage, the cost, and what needs to be done. While all of this is happening, the bridge will

remain operational.”

Minister Edghill said that people in any field of work need to be vigilant and take extra precaution to ensure that the safety of all is protected.

“I just finished speaking with the Director- General of MARAD, and I asked that the investigation be completed in the shortest possible time. While we are awaiting the result of the investigation, I would also like to caution all employees, especially those that are working in the fields, truck and vehicular drivers, boats, machinery operations, etc. to be extra careful in making sure that you are looking out for the welfare of others,” he said, adding:

“Whatever we are doing, make sure that we double and triple check; we cannot afford to be careless and make mistakes that can be prevented, if only we are careful and thoughtful. Like I said to the truck drivers last Saturday at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, we understand that people are working to provide for their families, but we cannot afford to risk taking away the next possible lawyer or doctor in our families because of someone not taking the necessary precaution.”

Minister Edghill said that thankfully, there were no injuries on Sunday, and the collision did not cause the DHB to lose service.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill (centre) on the DHB after the collision on Sunday night

The construction barge that collided with the Demerara Harbour Bridge

CCJ appeal of ‘unlimited parent guarantee’ filed in compliance with court rules — AG Nandlall says

ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs

Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C. has refuted claims suggesting that he “secretly” filed the appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) seeking to overturn the local Court of Appeal’s ruling on the case involving the unlimited parent guarantee.

During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Sunday evening, the Attorney-General clarified that the application was filed in accordance with the guidelines set by the CCJ.

“The procedure is set down in the rules of the CCJ. If it is an appeal court matter, the rules tell you how to file an appeal. And we filed it in compliance with the rules. So, I don’t know how it becomes a secret issue. Where does the secrecy come in?” Minister Nandlall asked.

He emphasised that conventional methods were employed in filing the appeal,

and expressed perplexity regarding allegations of secrecy, merely because the application was not immediately disclosed to the media.

“I don’t know that I have a duty to give somebody in the press an appeal that I filed. Reporters know how to get legal documents; they have been doing it all the years. I don’t owe any such obligation to any reporter or news agency. The government doesn’t owe that obligation to anyone,” the

minister stated.

Minister Nandlall also addressed what he termed “ridiculous” accusations directed at the government concerning the ongoing court proceedings, asserting that such allegations are “unfounded, misconceived and wholly wrong”.

The case originated with Guyanese citizens Frederick Collins and Godfrey Whyte, who filed proceedings with the High Court demanding that the Environmental

PAC

Protection Agency (EPA) enforce the liability clause of the environmental permit issued to ExxonMobil.

The duo requested that the court ensure that Exxon assumes full financial responsibility in the unlikely instance of an oil spill.

The court ruled on May 3, 2023 in favour of the petitioners, mandating ExxonMobil to provide a signed parent guarantee for insurance coverage in potential oil spill scenarios.

Both the EPA and Exxon Guyana have appealed this decision, which is now under consideration by the Court of Appeal. The Attorney-General said the government has not had an opportunity to represent itself in these proceedings.

Minister Nandlall’s application to join as a party to the case back in December was denied on the grounds that the EPA can substantially represent the government.

However, according to the minister, the EPA is a stat-

reveals…

utory body that cannot speak on behalf of the government.

“It is not a government agency or department; it is an agency of the State. That is different from the Government of Guyana.

“That case has the potential to shut down the whole oil-and-gas sector because the contention is that there is a legal requirement for a guarantee, or some financial assurance as is required under the EPA Act, and the operations are going on within the oil-and-gas sector without this assurance being in place,” he explained.

As a result, it is possible that the company’s exploration licence can be revoked, and should this happen, operations within the sector cannot continue, Nandlall said.

Emphasising the contractual agreement between the government and ExxonMobil and its affiliates, the Attorney-General questioned why the government is not allowed to represent itself in the case challenging the

legality of the very contract to which it is a party.

Consequently, the government has re-applied to present its case to the court.

“How can you challenge the legality of the operations under the contract, possibly shut the operations down, and the government that is not only a party to the contract, but is a significant beneficiary of revenue flowing from the contract, which it intends to use to develop the country for the benefit of its people…That very government you don’t want to be heard.

Where is the accountability, and who lacks the transparency here?” he questioned.

The minister further clarified that any government or affected citizen has the right to participate in these proceedings. If they encounter obstacles in doing so, they are entitled to appeal.

“That is all the government has done, and you find this hysteria in the public domain,” he further lamented.

Over $111M in drugs, medical supplies unaccounted

for under APNU+AFC in

THE Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on Monday, called for a thorough investigation into an issue in 2019, when the Region Two administration received some $98 million in drugs and medical supplies after paying for $210 million worth of those essential supplies.

This matter came to light as the committee was reviewing the 2019 Auditor General’s report for Region Two, where it stated that an inter-departmental warrant for some $210.180 million was issued to the then Ministry of Public Health for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies on behalf of the regional administration.

Region Two

— Minister Teixeira calls for special investigation

The report further noted that a financial return was received that indicated the entire amount was expended, however, a statement of reconciliation which was received from the Ministry’s Materials Management Unit in 2020 reflected the cost of the deliveries as some $98.594 million with no mention of the remaining balance.

Concerns were raised immediately by Minister of

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, who questioned whether the outstanding drugs or medical supplies to the tune of $111 million were received in subsequent years.

It was then that the current Regional Executive

Officer of Region Two, Susannah Saywack indicated that it is still outstanding.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill noted that the supplies received in 2019 account for less than 50 per cent of what was warranted and as such enquired as to whether

there was a shortage of drugs in the region at the time.

“If you budget for $210 million in drugs in the region and you only got $98 million then you have a shortfall,” he said.

He added: “The region is saying that they received $98 million, the Auditor General is confirming that which is less than 50 per cent of what was warranted. There are two issues here, if the region required to service its population based upon its drug list and population that is used to make up your budget of what is to be required is $210 [million] and you get less than 50 per cent was there a shortage in the region of drugs and medical supplies because you got less than half and if there was no shortage, it meant you over budgeted.”

The REO, in response,

said that based on information provided to her, drugs and medical supplies amounting to $98.5 million is what they can account for, for the year 2019.

Against this backdrop, Minister Teixeira said that this issue with the reconciliation of warrants and supplies is one that has repeated itself, and as such called for a special investigation into this matter that has been repeated in several other regions.

“I think the Auditor General needs to do an investigation into the regions where this occurred not just Region Two,” she said.

Further, she mentioned that the Ministry of Health, the Finance Secretary and other agencies should be part of this investigation.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C.

Members of the Region Two Regional Administration before the PAC, on Monday

1,000 men to benefit from expansion of WIIN programme

APPROXIMATELY 1,000 men are slated to benefit from the highly anticipated expansion of the Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) training programme.

The initiative is set to be unveiled during a sexual assault awareness campaign to be held this month.

“It will be the time when we launch our special WIIN component targeting men. Opening the programme of WIIN fully to 1,000 men,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud told the Department of Public Information (DPI) Friday last.

“I have been in discussion with people and they said let’s give it a little different name because men might not come to WIIN… But what they are having access to is every opportunity that women would have had access to through the WIIN programme,” Dr Persaud underscored.

This intervention aligns with the government’s vision of promoting gender equality.

Since the WIIN application portal opened, over 6,000 citizens have applied within a week and a half,

reflecting significant interest and demand.

Responding to this surge in interest, the ministry has expanded WIIN’s course offerings and skills training. Courses available through

courses including child care, care for the elderly, garment construction, Microsoft Office Suite, and home management.

In addition, new courses have been introduced,

the Coursera platform have increased from eight to 20, providing participants with a broader range of options.

The expansion also allows for more online slots, enabling self-paced study and access to certificates from global universities.

Additionally, the ministry remains committed to maintaining its hybrid model offering access to traditional

covering a wide range of skills including design decor and events management, plumbing, cell phone repairs, carpentry, masonry, and electrical installation.

It is important to note that the WIIN programme is open to all citizens, free of charge and has no educational or academic requirements. (DPI)

Staff of several mining companies benefit from safety awareness exercises

AS part of efforts to commemorate Occupational Safety and Health Month, more than 20 persons from eight mining companies along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway benefitted from a safety awareness exercise from April 03 to 05 2024.

These companies included the Lennox John Sandpit, VALS Construction, Mohamed’s Excavating Construction Inc., Guyana Gold Shields, Silica Sandport Inc., the GuyAmerica Construction Sandpit, the Bhaskarran Sandpit, and BK International Inc.

According to the Ministry of Labour, the training was facilitated through a collaboration among the Environmental Division- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Unit of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre Inc (GMSTCI), and the Ministry of Labour’s OSH Department.

The safety awareness exercise was centered on the importance of the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hazards associated with night and lone working, dust management measures, emergency response awareness, noise hazard awareness and control, and fire safety awareness.

Senior OSH Officer Mr. Darwin Bourne represented the ministry on this front. This year, OSH Month is being celebrated under the theme, “We are running out of time: Ensuring Safe and Healthy Work Now in a Changing Climate”.

As a result of this, the ministry has heightened training and awareness sessions, underscoring the importance of and need for ensuring protocols are in place for safe and healthy workplaces as the environment changes.

70-year-old man found dead at Middle Road

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 70-year-old man who was found motionless in front of his Middle Road La Penitence home on Sunday.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Clinton Chase, a 70-year-old unemployed resident of Lot 148 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, was discovered dead around 22:30 hours, on the northern parapet in front of his home.

Investigations have since revealed that Chase lived alone, and had been deported from the United States of America more than a decade ago.

Details provided to the Police by his granddaughter, 52-year-old Michelle Ward, a housewife of Lot 114 Eccles, East Bank Demerara, indicated that she received a call around 22:10 hours that night from an unknown number informing her that Chase had fallen from his motorcycle in front of his home.

On arrival, the woman found chase lying motionless on his back, and the Police and Emergency Medical Technicians were informed. An examination was conducted on the elderly man’s body and it revealed wounds on his right side jaw, and left upper arm and chest.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The body is presently at Memorial Gardens Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination, as investigations continue.

Ministry staff and other officials during a safety awareness exercise along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway

Husband reportedly murders wife at Recht-Door-Zee

SARAH Bacchus Arjoon, a 56-year-old saleswoman from Lot 755 RechtDoor-Zee, was murdered on Sunday, allegedly by her husband Khemraj Arjoon, 69, who later died at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was admitted under guard after ingesting a poisonous substance.

The sequence of events unfolded between 11:30 hrs and 15:30 hrs at the couple's residence. The woman's motionless body was found by her 13-yearold daughter when she got home at 15:30 hrs.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force, the body was found lying in a pool of blood inside the bedroom.

of cardboard. Neighbours and police were then alerted,” the police said.

The teen also found her father gasping for breath on the bed, emitting a strong smell of poison.

Sarah

“A note implicating

When officers arrived at the scene, they questioned the murder suspect who admitted to ingesting a poisonous substance, and he directed ranks to the area where he threw the bottle suspected to contain the poisonous substance.

Sarah was pronounced dead at the scene, and her body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The murder suspect died at the West Demerara Regional Hospital while receiving medical treatment on Sunday evening.

Police also took possession of the suspected murder weapon, a knife, which was found at the scene along with a “note”.

in an alleged affair was found nearby. The note was written on a piece

Paul George leads Los Angeles Clippers to comeback win over Cleveland Cavaliers

PAUL George scored 23 points in the final quarter as he inspired the Los Angeles Clippers to a remarkable 120-118 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

George, 33, was in fine form, scoring 39 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists to help his side overturn a 26-point deficit.

James Harden contributed 22 points, while Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann and Norman Powell scored 14 each.

"It was a collective team win," said George.

"I can't take credit for none of it without them. It couldn't have happened without those guys chipping in and doing what they do." George crowned his perfor-

mance by sinking the go-ahead shot with seven seconds remaining before making a crucial block to preserve the Clippers' lead just before the buzzer.

The victory boosts the Clippers' chances of securing the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

Elsewhere, the Dallas Mavericks kept up their late-season charge with a third straight victory, a 147-136 overtime win over the Houston Rockets.

Kyrie Irving top-scored with 48 points, while Luka Doncic recorded 37 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds as the Mavericks came back from 22 points down

to prevail.

The defeat rules the Rockets out of contention for the end-ofseason play-offs.

"No matter what's happening, there's an understanding that we're playing for one another. Houston gave us their best shot, we took it and found a way to win," said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.

"That's the beauty of our locker room - no-one caved, no-one let go of the rope, noone quit."

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Utah Jazz 118-110 with Klay Thompson scoring 32 points, while LeBron James was

absent as the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 127-117 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Miami Heat stumbled to a 117-115 defeat against the Indiana Pacers, while Tyrese Maxey scored 52 points for the Philadelphia 76ers as they beat the San Antonio Spurs 133-126 in double overtime for a fifth straight win.

The Phoenix Suns lost 113105 to the New Orleans Pelicans, the New York Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 122-109 and the Boston Celtics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 124-107.(BBC Sport)

Seales inspires Sussex victory bid but weather plays spoiler

HOVE, England, (CMC) –

Rookie West Indies pacer Jayden Seales inspired a stellar effort by Sussex to force a win but Northamptonshire were left thanking bad light after coming away with a draw in their County Championship clash here Monday.

Securing a handsome first innings lead of 107 after stretching their overnight 351 for six to 478 for nine declared, Sussex then quickly rocked the visitors’ second innings with the 22-year-old Seales (2-32) knocking over

both openers.

Tottering on 57 for four recovered through Rob Keogh (55) and Captain Luke Proctor (41) before the innings collapsed again. However, with a possible victory on the cards, Sussex were frustrated by the gloomy conditions which forced umpires to call time on the contest with the innings in dire straits at 170 for nine.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice converted his overnight 59 into 78 while his partner Danny Lamb added only three to his 38 at the start, but it was number nine Jack Carson’s

breezy 61 off 53 deliveries which ensured Sussex dominated the opening session.

He struck five fours and three sixes and put on a crucial 61 for the eighth wicket with Hudson-Prentice and a further 40 for the ninth wicket with Ollie Robinson (32).

Staring at a tricky deficit, Northants were set back before lunch when Seales got Justin Broad to push tentatively at a full length delivery and edge to third slip without scoring, in his opening over.

On 14 for one at the break, the visitors were put

GCB inter-county female U-19 T2O tournament

Berbice beat Essequibo by five wickets

By Sean Devers

LED by 50 extras and a top score of 26 not out with the bat from Player of the Match Crystal Durant, Berbice beat a spirited Essequibo line up by five wickets yesterday at the Malteenoes ground in the second round of Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) female U-19 inter-county T20 cricket tournament.

In sweltering heat, Berbice won the toss and inserted Essequibo to bat on a flat track and

fast outfield.

Essequibo had an inauspicious start when Aliya DaSilva was bowled by Tricia Hardat for a duck to leave Essequibo on 5-1.

Captain and Guyana U-19 batter Laurene Williams and Shonette Belgrave had shared in a crucial 60-run partnership to help Essequibo beat defending champs Demerara on Sunday at the same ground.

But yesterday, once Williams (7) and Belgrave (2) fell cheaply, Essequibo never recovered.

Laurene’s sister Latoya Williams made 15 while the burly Ashanti Mohamed made 14.

However, this was not enough to prevent Essequibo from being bowled out for a double-digit score as they fell for 90 in 16.4 overs.

Hardat, Crystal Durant and Daniela Hicks picked up two wickets each for Berbice, who, after a slight stutter, reached 91-5 to secure the win.

Durant hit a single boundary in her unbeaten 26 from 45 balls

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which was the only double figure score of the innings as the ladies from Essequibo were again brilliant in the field.

A stupendous catch by Latoya Williams; diving full length forward at mid-on to dismiss Denellie Lindee was one of the catches at inter-county level (men or women).

The weak link was the wicket keeper, whose porous work behind the wicket provided plenty of free runs to Berbice.

under even more pressure on the resumption when Seales removed the off-stump of left-handed opener Emilio Gay for 20 in the fifth over.

Keogh, who struck nine fours in a 67-ball knock, combined with Proctor whose patient 111-ball stay included five fours, in a 73-run, fifth wicket stand to halt the decline.

The final game is set for today at the same venue be- tween Demerara and Berbice and is scheduled to commence at 13:30hrs.

Track and Field athletes...

From page 28

However, once Proctor was lbw to off-spinner Jack Carson (2-52), Northants lost five wickets for 38 runs before the weather rescued them. Fast bowler Jayden Seales AMERICAN

Race 1 Mor

hrs Mattella

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10:00 hrs Ceejaybe

10:30 hrs Jack Doyen

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SOUTHWELL

12:30 hrs Apache Star

13:00 hrs Robusto

13:30 hrs Incremental

14:00 hrs Great Blasket

14:30 hrs Gressington

15:00 hrs Fleftheria

15:30 hrs Foinix

fied for the World Relays, which will be held in The Bahamas from May 4-5.

Meanwhile, Holder and Archibald will aim to make the 10.00 seconds qualifying time for the 100m, while Archibald hopes for 20.16 seconds or better in the 200m.

Holder’s personal best is 10.23 seconds, while Archibald’s is 10.13s and 20.69s in the respective events.

More so, Simeon Adams will hope to improve his best of 46.96 seconds in the 400m to make the entry mark of 45.00 seconds. His season-best has been 48.24 seconds.

2023 Pan American Games bronze medalist Leslian Baird also heads to French Guiana, hoping to meet the entry standard of 85.50m. This means he must surpass his current national record of 78.65m. His bronze medal throw in November was 78.23m.

No Guyanese has qualified for the games as yet through entry standards.

As with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, half of the athletes will progress through entry standards and the other half via world rankings.

The qualification period for the 10,000 meters, combined events, race walks, and relays runs from December 31, 2022, to June 30, 2024.

Paul George leads Clippers to final-quarter comeback win

Crystal Willams

Jadeja empowers CSK to end KKR's early-season invincibility

CHENNAI Super Kings

brought an end to Kolkata Knight Riders' early-season invincibility on an old-school Chepauk surface. CSK returned home from two defeats on the road and were welcomed by a pitch that allowed them to put on a good old spin choke through Ravindra Jadeja, who picked three for 18 in 4 overs.

On a surface where the ball just didn't come onto the bat, Mustafizur Rahman returned to reclaim the purple cap while Tushar Deshpande was effective too. Ruturaj Gaikwad then found the fluency to his strokeplay that had eluded him in the first four games.

CSK had picked zero wick-

ets via spin in the first two home games this season. Ravindra Jadeja changed that in his first (and second over) to clip KKR's

wings. Raghuvanshi looked to take him on straight away and attempted a reverse sweep on the first ball, getting trapped leg

before. In the same over, Jadeja saw the back of Narine with a full ball outside the off-stump that the left-hander went for a big hit. He ended up slicing the ball which went to Theekshana at long off.

It was one of those games where Ruturaj Gaikwad could bowl Jadeja out at once. Jadeja picked another wicket - of Venkatesh Iyer, with an innocuous half-tracker, and finished with a spell of three for 18. The spell also involved 11 dots.

CSK dominated the middle-overs with a spin choke, as Rachin Ravindra sneaked in an over worth four runs too. In the 11th over, when Shreyas Iyer hit a four off Jadeja - it was the first in 34 deliveries. KKR lost their

way after the Power Play, getting 53/4 in the next 10 overs.

The new CSK captain shrugged off his underwhelming start to the season and found his timing in the PowerPlay. He drove and cut through covers and point to hit three fours of Anukul Roy before hitting a square drive off Vaibhav Arora, who dismissed Rachin Ravindra in his previous over. Gaikwad's flurry of boundaries took CSK to 52/1 in six overs.

Daryl Mitchell took down

Sunil Narine in his first over but Varun Chakravarthy bowled three good overs for just 13 runs. Andre Russell also started well on the sticky surface, only for Ruturaj to swivel-pull him for a four in his first over. Narine too

bounced back quickly from a 14run first over to give away just 10 in his next two and dismiss MItchell.

Gaikwad kept his drives coming and posted his best score at the venue - 67* off 58. Shivam Dube meanwhile, arrived and pulled Mitchell Starc for a four and then slammed Varun Chakravarthy for two sixes to fast-track CSK's win. Dube's dismissal in the 17th over meant the Chepauk crowd got the first glimpse of MS Dhoni batting at CSK's home ground. He came to the middle with just 3 to get and saw it through with his successor in company in the 18th over. (Cricbuzz)

West Indies ‘A’ set for historic tour to Nepal

Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) have announced a T20 ‘A’ Team tour as part of their respective ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 preparations.

This historic series will be the first time a West Indies team has toured Nepal and will consist of five (5) T20 matches, all of which will be played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Miles Bascombe, CWI Director of Cricket commented, "This A-team tour is another indication of the importance we are placing on A-team cricket and a significant phase in our preparations for the T20 World Cup.

It gives us a final opportuni-

ty to see many of the contenders for a place in the squad who are not participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Even for those players who do not make the final World Cup squad they will be a part of the reserve pool. A hallmark of the 2016 T20 World Cup campaign was the ability of reserve players to come in and have an immediate impact so we must be ready for all eventualities. We also relish the opportunity to take the West Indies brand to Nepal for the first time, as cricket continues to grow in popularity there.”

CAN Secretary, Paras Khadka, stated, “We are humbled and excited with the prospect of the West Indies ‘A’ team touring Nepal. This marks a significant moment in our cricketing history as we embrace this wonderful

opportunity bestowed upon us, which will help us prepare significantly for the T20 World Cup and beyond.

This historic tour to Nepal, a young cricketing nation slow-

ly finding its pathway in the world of cricket, will excite our passionate fans. Our heartfelt gratitude towards CWI for their support and belief in Nepal cricket and for continuing to

help grow the game all over the world. We hope this will ignite more future tours and bilateral cricketing tie-ups between us and other top cricketing nations, as we march forward with great enthusiasm and appreciation.”

The only time West Indies have played Nepal in International cricket was a One Day International at the Harare Sports Club, during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in 2023, with the West Indies winning by 101 runs.

Co-Hosts, West Indies are in Group C in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and will face Papua New Guinea, Uganda, New Zealand, and Afghanistan, whilst Nepal is in Group D and will face the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Bangladesh.

West Indies ‘A’ Tour to Ne-

pal Schedule

All matches to be played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground (TU) in Kirtipur, Nepal. All matches start at 1.00 pm (local time)

Saturday 27 April - 1st ‘A’

Team T20, Nepal v West Indies ‘A’ at TU at 1:00 pm

Sunday 28 April - 2nd ‘A’

Team T20, Nepal v West Indies ‘A’ at TU at 1:00 pm

Wednesday 1 May - 3rd ‘A’

Team T20, Nepal v West Indies ‘A’ at TU at 1:00 pm

Thursday 2 May - 4th ‘A’

Team T20, Nepal v West Indies ‘A’ at TU at 1:00 pm

Saturday 4 May - 5th ‘A’

Team T20, Nepal v West Indies ‘A’ at TU at 1:00 pm

Azeem Khan returns as OMSCC President

HAVING served previously as President and, more recently, Over-50 Coordinator, Azeem Karamat Khan is back at the helm of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC).

Khan was elected unopposed as President at Sunday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at the Birkdale Community Centre, Scarborough, Ontario.

The experienced Khan, who is also President of the Ontario Twilight Softball Cricket League (OTSCL), in his acceptance speech, disclosed that he’s pleased to be back as the leader of the OMSCC although he had never lost touch with the body. Khan expressed gratitude to the members for the trust en-

trusted in him once more to manage the league consisting of 21 teams – Over-50, Division One Over-40 and Division 2 Over-40.

The returning President, while acknowledging the services of the outgoing Board Members, heaped praise on Frederick Halley, the League's Umpire Coordinator, who did not seek re-election at the meeting, Kim Sue who not only performed the duties of Treasurer but someone who is recognised for her continuous support for cricket and special Guyanese community events in the Greater Toronto Area and outgoing President Orin O'Neil, for his invaluable work of managing the League for the past two years. O’Neil was also praised for his time and

on-hands activities he voluntarily offered to the teams outside his official duties.

Reminiscing on his journey in the OMSCC, Khan disclosed that he was elected Secretary in 2003 and has held various positions, including President for four consecutive years.

Khan welcomed the new Board Members, Indira Singh who was elected as the new Treasurer, Khem Singh, Asst. Secretary/Treasurer and Bobby Ramlagan, Umpires Coordinator.

While Indira and Khem were previous members of the Board as the Player Management Coordinator and Secretary respectively, Ramlagan is a new addition.

Based on the OMSCC’ Constitution, Hardatt Ramcharran and Amit Bacchus

remained in their respective posts of Vice-president and Secretary respectively while Terry Mathura, who was appointed Player Management/Statistician following the 2023 AGM, was unanimously confirmed in the position.

Khan thanked his fellow Board Members and reiterated his management style of team-engagement for a great 2024 season and reminded those present that plans are in progress for another successful International Softball Tournament, the Canada Cup 2, managed by the OTSCL, over the Labour Day weekend, August 30 to September 1, in Toronto.

Meanwhile, the OMSCC 2024 season is set to bowl off on Saturday, May 25.

Ravendra Jadeja finished with figures of three for 18

The only time West Indies and Nepal have played against each other was during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in 2023. Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran made centuries as West Indies won by 101 runs

OMSCC executive members: Sitting (from left) are Treasurer, Indira Singh; President, Azeem Khan and Vice-president, Hardatt Ramcharran. Standing (from left) are Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Khem Singh; Secretary, Amit Bacchus; Player Management/Statistician, Terry Mathura and Umpires Coordinator, Bobby Ramlagan

DCC beat Police by innings and 20 runs

GDF defeated Ace Warriors by 9 wickets

By Sean Devers

DEMERARA Cricket Club (DCC) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) registered outright wins over the weekend in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) and Friends twoday second-division cricket tournament.

At DCC, Police were bowled out for 89 on the first day as Troy Leitch who reached the boundary thrice in his cameo 16 from 19 balls added 40 for the first wicket with Troy Benn before Leitch fell to Dexter George.

Benn faced 52 balls in a cautious 19 with two boundaries before he was caught behind off George at 51-2.

Only Damuka Nggondo who scored 18 with two fours and a six and last man John Cameron, who hit a six and four in his unbeaten 14, of the other batters reached double figures as the ‘Cops’ lost wickets in clusters.

Off-spinner Ezekiel Wilson ripped through the lineup with 6- 22. Wilson took four wickets in a single over which reduced Police from 73-6 to 73-9.

George who started the slide, took 3-14 for the home

team who made 246-3 declared.

Sixteen-year-old Jonathan Vanlange continued his good form from his games against the Tri-State U-17s of the USA with an entertaining 89 from 84 balls with seven fours and four sixes.

Vanlange shared in a second wicket stand worth 139 with Brandon Jaikarran who made 87 from 98 balls decorated with 13 fours and a six after Kishan Silas (7) fell to Benn at 34-1.

After Leon Crawford removed both batters when in sight of their centuries Inderjit Nanan smashed nine fours

and a six from just 34 balls to reach 51 at which time the declaration was made. Crawford had 2-41.

Police galloped to 40-0 in the seven overs remaining in the day.

Police began the final day on 40 without loss in their second innings needing another 117 to avoid an innings defeat.

At the crease was Crawford on 24 with two fours and a couple of sixes and with him was Ameer Mohamed on 14 with three fours. Crawford did not add to his overnight score while Mohamed progressed to 37

but nobody else offered fight as Police fell for 137 to lose by an innings and 20 runs.

Bowling for DCC, Jaden Dowlin took 4-35, Carlton Jacques had 3-20 and Wilson took 2-11 to finish with match figures of 8- 32.

In the other game at QC, GDF declared at 266-9 with Requal Reddy scoring 86 and Keith Simpson making 67.

Junior Phillips (3-37), Trevon Boston (3-28) and Emanuel Martin (2-22) were the main wicket-takers for Ace Warriors who ended day one on 56-7.

Ace Warriors were bowled out for 78 with Simp-

son returning with the ball to take 6-27 which included a hat-trick.

Andrews had 3-25. Ace Warriors in their second innings managed 216 with Raul Enmore hitting four fours and three sixes in 54.

He got support from Damani Thomas (29), Navindra Ramnauth (25), Nkosi Whyte (24) and Emanuel Martin (23) as Andrews took 3-17 and Simpson had 2-33 for match figures of 8-60. GDF reached 33-1 to win by nine wickets.

Guyana qualifies for Professional Darts World Cup

GUYANA will make its Professional Darts Corporation World Cup of Darts return later this summer, after Sudesh Fitzgerald and Norman Madhoo won through last weekend's Latin America Qualifier in Costa Rica.

After winning last year's inaugural qualifier, the pair repeated the feat in San Jose to confirm their spot at the 2024 World Cup, which will take place at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 27-30.

Madhoo—who made his fourth World Darts Championship appearance in December—will represent Guyana in the popular pairs event alongside his compatriot Fitzgerald, who participated in the 2009 World Championship.

The qualifier was open to nations across Central and South America and the Caribbean and featured 12

teams. Each team qualified in their home country to secure their spot.

The Guyanese duo was

dominant in the round-robin stage, dropping only two legs en route to claiming top spot in Group B. They

then whitewashed Panama's pairing of Andres Vega and Antonio Arango to advance to the semi-finals.

This set up a showdown against Costa Rican duo Denis Valerin and Jason Calderon. Calderon was part of the Costa Rican side that came within one dart of eliminating the Guyanese trailblazers at the same stage of the 2023 qualifier.

However, Madhoo and Fitzgerald swept aside Calderon and Valerin in four straight legs to progress to a decisive contest against Nicaraguan pair Norwin Jimenez and Gerald Ordenana, who they met in the round-robin stage. Madhoo and Fitzgerald ran out 4-2 winners in the

group phase, and it was a similar outcome in Saturday's showpiece, as they punished missed doubles from their opponents to cruise to a 4-1 victory and book their return to Germany.

The 2024 CDLC Tour opens with a double-header weekend in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from July 20-21 and concludes once again with events in Santiago, Chile, on October 12-13.

After the CDLC Tour, the top-ranked player throughout the four events will secure a spot in the 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, which begins at Alexandra Palace in December.

Sudesh Fitzgerald (left) and Norman Madhoo

GDF’s Keith Simpson made 67 and had match figures of 8-60 which included a hat-trick Raquel Reddy scored 87 for GDF at the QC ground DCC’s Jonathan Vanlange scored 89 Off-spinner Ezekiel Wilson had match figures of 8-32 for DCC

Cricket West Indies appoints three women to Board of Directors in historic move

Cricket West Indies (CWI) is announcing the appointment of three women to its Board of Directors, marking a historic milestone for gender diversity and inclusion within the organisation.

Ms. Diann Campbell and Mrs. Louise Victor-Frederick joined as new appointees, while Mrs. Debra Coryat-Patton returns to the board.

Ms. Diann Campbell, a distinguished Jamaican cricket administrator with nearly three decades of experience, holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Politics. Her expertise in cricket administration, corporate governance, and organisational development will greatly benefit CWI's strategic initiatives.

Mrs. Louise Victor-Frederick, a seasoned branding and communications strategist from St. Lucia, brings

a wealth of experience to the board. With a Master’s degree in International Public Relations and Global Communications Management, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Mrs. Victor has made significant contributions to the corporate landscape of St. Lucia. She also serves as a Director of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture.

Returning to the Board of Directors is Mrs. Debra Coryat-Patton, an accomplished Attorney-at-Law from Trinidad & Tobago. Mrs. Coryat-Patton specialises in Employment Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Diplomatic Protocol, bringing invaluable legal expertise to the board. She is also a Chartered Director and Chartered Corporate Secretary, reflecting her commitment to governance excellence.

In addition to these appointments, Mr. Hallam

Nichols has been reappointed as an Independent Director, further enhancing the board's collective expertise and vision. Mr. Nichols is a prominent Barbadian entrepreneur. He served on the CWI Stakeholders Relations Committee.

Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Campbell and Mrs. Victor-Frederick as new appointees, and we warmly welcome back Mrs. Coryat-Patton and Mr. Nichols to the CWI Board of Directors. Their diverse backgrounds, extensive experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence will undoubtedly strengthen our organization and contribute to the advancement of cricket in the West Indies."

Regarding diversity on the board, President Shallow

emphasised, "Since the beginning, I've advocated for diversity within CWI to ensure fairness both on and off the field. This appointment is a natural progression of our ongoing commitment."

President Shallow also thanked the outgoing Independent Directors saying, "My profound gratitude to both Manniram Prashad and Gail Mathurin for their service as independent directors. They have certainly made meaningful contributions to West Indies Cricket, and we anticipate their continued involvement and impact in other capacities".

With these appointments, CWI reaffirms its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, setting a new standard for cricket governance in the region. All four appointments are for a one-year period ending March 2025.

Track and Field athletes head to French Guiana in hope of Olympic qualification

THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has sent the male 4x100m team to French Guiana in a bid to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The team departed Monday and comprises Emanuel Archibald, Shemar Horatio, Akeem Stewart, Noelex Holder, Jaheel Cornette, and Keiron DeSouza.

According to AAG's General Secretary, James Cole, former national athlete Junior Cornette will coach the team.

The aim is to run the qualification mark of 38.80 seconds at the International Athletics meeting, the Games of Guyana, at the Dr Edmar Lama Stadium on Saturday, April 13.

At the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Stewart, Archibald, Arinze Chance, and Holder were fourth in the final with a time of 40.05s.

James Wren-Gilkes, Dennis Collison Clifton Schultz, and Aubrey Wilson set the country's national 4x100 m record (39.59s) at the 1975 Pan Am Games.

Notably, Guyana’s 4x400m mixed relay team has quali-

From left to right: Ms. Dian Campbell, Mrs Louise Victor-Frederick and Mrs Debra Coryat-Patton are the new appointees to the CWI board

Members of the 4x100m team, along with coaches, after a training session at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary