Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11-05-2023

Engage EU on business opportunities

PRESIDENT, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has called on the local private sector to engage the European Union (EU) in exploring more of Guyana's wide range of business opportunities.

During the EU’s celebration of Europe Day at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street, Tuesday evening, President Ali noted that in addition to agricultural, environmental, health, and technological services required by European corporations, Guyana’s private sector will benefit tremendously by encouraging ‘out-of-borders’ partnerships with the EU and the United King -

President Ali urges local private sector

Diplomatic Talks: VP Jagdeo, US State Department official hold fruitful

meeting

dom.

Emphasising the EU’s involvement in local development, President Ali said Guyana and the international organisation continue to collaborate in many areas, including on climate change and sustainable development.

This is in keeping with the Guyana-EU relationship which seeks cooperation in various areas to support the government’s commitment to foster development for improvement of the lives of Guyanese.

Additionally, Guyana has been engaging other international bodies to push the country’s developmental agenda

and the government will ensure that young people are part of the country’s transformation. New initiatives for women’s involvement are also a priority of the administration.

“When we talk about the involvement of women, we are going to launch some new initiatives…to have greater involvement of women in the social, economic, and financial transformation of our country.

“I asked for a specific project to be designed that must be led by at least 100 women. A project that will transform the landscape and add to our infrastructure in this country,” the president underscored.

The PPP/C administration has repeatedly reassured youths and women that they will continue receiving robust government support.

Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes, said, “We will soon launch the EU-Guyana Business chamber. The chamber will focus on strengthening the ties between the Guyanese and European businesses, and it will facilitate European companies that are setting up or are active in Guyana, and it will support Guyanese corporates to navigate the European business landscape.”

Vice President (VP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Wednesday, engaged State Department Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, during a meeting that addressed several issues of mutual interest. Accompanying Mr. Pyatt were United States of America Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch; Matthew Taylor, Assistant to State Department Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources; Brian Hall, Political and Economic Counsellor at US Embassy Georgetown; and Thomas Seger, Economic and Commercial Officer at US Embassy Georgetown.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes in a light discussion on his arrival during the EU’s celebration of Europe Day at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street (Delano Williams photo)

- as government prepares comprehensive packages for educators

Salary increases, housing plans for teachers

By Naomi Parris

A COMPREHENSIVE package inclusive of salary increases and housing benefits will soon be rolled out for educators across the country, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced on Wednesday.

The Head-of-State made the announcement during a visit to the Beterverwagting secondary school, where he engaged several teachers and students.

“We are working towards a comprehensive package for the improvement of your lives. Your lives are not only worth salaries; it is a comprehensive package that must be able to give you good sustainable housing [and] allow you to provide for your children to have a great opportunity,” President Ali said.

Acknowledging the hard work of teachers across the country, the president reiterated the government’s commitment to improving their lives.

“I want to thank all the teachers for their tremendous work that they do every day.”

The president also committed to addressing a

number of issues that were raised by the teachers and students at the Beterverwagting school.

Last December, President Ali announced that

several categories of public servants would get salary increases and assured teachers that their increases were guaranteed.

At a recent press conference, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jadgeo said that the administration is looking at educators’ salaries holistically to fix the “anomalies that were there for a while.”

“What we are thinking about is that we want our teachers to be trained. So, we are moving to get all of our teachers trained. And then there should be salary gradation based on years, in-service…and also on qualification,” Dr. Jadgeo said.

For example, the Vice President explained that if a teacher makes an effort to get a Master's Degree, his/her salary must reflect same and not on the same level as a teacher with a First Degree.

“So, we are still looking at that. We have done it for the other sectors and a couple of other areas in government, the health sector, a couple of areas where we are looking at this same issue…The agenda is heavy, but it is something that is actively engaging the agenda of the government,” he added.

The government is currently engaging the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) on the matter.

The salary scale of health workers has been addressed, resulting in over 5,000 people benefitting from a disposable income of over $1.5 billion annually.

Additionally, ranks of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, and Guyana Defence Force have benefitted from a $1 billion annualised salary increase.

President Ali: LBI Housing Development to generate employment for hundreds

WITH the La Bonne Intention (LBI) housing development project in its second phase, it is anticipated that, owing to the high demand for labour, over 300 persons will benefit from jobs.

This was according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, during his inspection of road and housing works being done in the Georgetown and East Coast of Demerara areas.

According to President Ali at the LBI housing site: “what is important to note here, is [that] these massive additional developments will not be connected to the old infrastructure system…” explaining that, “all these new developments at the back here are front lands, in a sense, that they will all be connected to the new highway system.”

The President further stated that because of the affordability and quality: “many of the applicants, especially young people are opting now for the homes.” Moreover, astonished by

the large number of jobs that have already emerged from the project, the President said that one could connect the thousands of homes that are being constructed nationwide to the high demand for labour.

“So, this is the impact of housing on these houses that are under construction. Now you have about 300 to 400 workers here every day, and this is just phase one; we’re expanding this to another 500 homes, but, more importantly, this is replicated…” he affirmed.

The President further remarked: “… when people see the level of investment in infrastructure and effort that is going behind transforming the country and building it out, then they get a realisation of what is happening.”

In addition to this, the engineer connected with the project, highlighted that: “It’s the same model as the Providence 115 model on the East Bank. This entire area here with the roads and the houses are estimated to be some 10

billion that is directly injected into the economy here. On a daily basis we have up to 2000 labourers working on site here to get 700 houses completed by December 2023.”

President Ali has made it his mission to curb the unemployment issue in Guyana.

For instance, on Tuesday, President Ali applauded Leopold Street residents who are participating in the government’s block-making initiative and urged them to get others on board with the project.

The Head of State made those remarks during an impromptu visit to the facility, where some ten young men recently began the block-making exercise.

While he interacted with the young men who were present, he told them that they have to build the company and work together as they are a critical part of the changing of their environment and communities.

He added: “Your story got to be an inspiration for

other young people. We want young Guyana to emerge better and stronger so your stories got to be an inspiration.”

President Ali further said that they have the opportunity to do something for not

only themselves and their families but also their communities, and to demonstrate that they can be positive developers of Guyana.

Those already involved, he said, should encourage

those who are ready to be actively involved in the workforce to get on board, since there is enough work for everyone to do, given that there is a labour shortage.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali with students and teachers of Beterverwagting Secondary School on Wednesday

President Ali interacts with some residents during his visit to Leopold Street, Georgetown and engages youths who are part of an ongoing community employment project

Laws passed to regulate electric bikes

By Clestine Juan

AMENDMENTS to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic laws, which seek to regulate the use of electric bikes, were on Wednesday successfully passed in the National Assembly.

The regulatory framework will address the alarming increase in road fatalities and incidents involving electric bikes.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, presented the new bill to the National Assembly in April. The Bill was read for the third time and was subsequently passed on Wednesday.

The amendments were

backed by the government ministers and members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

These bikes retail for be-

tween $70,000 and $150,000 and cost considerably less than conventional motorcycles. Due to the ease with which they can be operated,

they have become the goto mode of transportation for many, with most having speeds below 50 kmph.

The bill defines an elec-

tric cycle as any motorcycle that has an electric motor and is fitted with an effective stopping system controlled by the use of brakes, gears, or motor control.

In practical terms, electric cycles would be subject to the same rules and regulations as motorcycles, regarding registration and use.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., during his address to the House on Wednesday, said, “We have had on our roadways, for a number of years, these electric cycles and they have begun to pose a problem because our legal legislative architecture does not cater for them. There is no way to regulate them.

“There is no way to bring them within any form of regulatory framework other than by this amendment. We are losing too many of our citizens on the roadways of our country and our government will constantly be taking all steps requisite to ensure that we address that matter.”

He explained that unlike the opposition, which is “obsessed” with oil and gas, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is more focused on protecting the most important resource -- the citizens of Guyana.

Nandlall also addressed the false narrative being peddled by the opposition that government is looking to ban electric bike use.

“We [PPP/C] recognize the importance of this e-cycle from many perspectives. We recognize its environmentally friendly nature. We recognize that it's a cheap source of

transportation for those who are more vulnerable in our society. We also recognize that it is a quick and expedient mode of transportation in our country. So, we embrace this mode of transportation, what we thought fit that it should be brought into regulation,” Nandlall said.

The Attorney General said that it is United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland and Canada that have already enacted the same legislation.

He added that based on data from the Guyana Police Force, 11 persons were killed, and 14 others suffered significant injuries due to the use of electric cycles from 2021 to 2023.

All the riders did not have any vehicular licence and took advantage of the fact that the Guyana Revenue Authority was not regulating electric cycles.

“Most times, users of these cycles are not using helmets, thereby exposing themselves to potential injury, or even worse disability or death. Even more frightening is that some of the users are young persons, even persons under the age of 16,” he said.

Nandlall further told the House that in February, 17-year-old Bibi Sophia Mohammed of Non-Pareil, Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was killed, while her sister was hospitalised, following an electric bike accident along the Coldingen Public Road, ECD.

According to reports, the two sisters were on the electric bike when they were struck by a truck. The electric bike was being ridden by 16-year-old Maria Mohammed, while the now-deceased teen was the passenger. Neither was wearing protective gear.

“It is because of incidents like these that the bill is before us. This bill is certainly an important one,” the Attorney General said.

He explained that citizens and other bodies, especially from the private sector, have complained about how people are using electric bikes.

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

A woman riding an electric bike with her two children saddling at the back, all without helmets

Urban centres being transformed through infrastructural upgrades

- says President Ali

way, which he added will make it a “mid-town” highway that forms improved interconnection throughout the city.

The Head of State said that this will be incorporated into other projects such as the Ogle to Eccles roadway in its first phase and will create many entry and exit points, all of which will be modern four-lane highways.

“I just want people to understand the magnitude of work that is going on to transform the urban centres, to improve traffic flow and efficiency, and to bring the value of these areas to be enhanced tremendously,” the President said.

stands at a value of about $1.8 billion, has been divided into two lots, and S. Jagmohan Construction and Kalco Guyana Limited are carrying out the works.

Meanwhile, also on the ground during the site visit was Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar.

Indar stated that contractors working on the project will have to wrap up around August, and as such, the contractors will have to put in extra resources and put in more hours to complete the project around that time.

so this was intended to bleed some of the traffic coming from the East Coast into the city.”

This widening project will bleed traffic throughout various surrounding communities, where additional works are also ongoing. He, too, added that the widening project for Conversation Tree to Dennis Street will transform this community and provide better connectivity for commuters.

THE scale and magnitude of ongoing transformational road works are expected to transform the country’s urban centres and improve traffic flow and efficiency in several

areas. This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, who made this known as he conducted a site visit to the ongoing project to widen corridors from Conversation Tree to

Dennis Street in Georgetown, where he was updated on progress of the works.

During this visit, he explained that this expansion is expected to be a four-lane carriage-

The expansion he added comes as the use of internal roads has increased tremendously, as people try to avoid traffic and upgrading these roads will improve commuters safety.

He said the upgrading has a significant social and economic impact on the communities.

The project, which

He said, “So this, when you come from the East Coast and you come to Georgetown, you’re finding that the choke neck is by the Russian Embassy there and by the turn by Sheriff Street,

President Dr Irfaan Ali inspecting the ongoing works on Tuesday (Office of the President photo)

The ongoing widening works at Conversation Tree road (Office of the President photo)

Accuracy is Crucial

PRESS FREEDOM is a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring that citizens have access to accurate information and fostering transparency and accountability. Organisations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) play a crucial role in advocating for press freedom worldwide.

However, it is essential to critically examine the methodology and potential biases of such organisations to ensure a comprehensive and accurate assessment. Recently, RSF’s review of press freedom in Guyana has come under scrutiny, highlighting the need for a nuanced perspective.

While RSF’s intentions to protect journalists and promote media freedom are commendable, their assessment of press freedom in

Guyana is marred by a biased narrative.

The RSF portrays Guyana as a country where press freedom is severely restricted, positioning it among nations with alarming press freedom violations. However, their portrayal fails to provide a complete picture of the situation, leading to an incomplete and misleading understanding of the country’s media landscape.

Guyana, like any other nation, faces unique challenges in safeguarding press freedom. To assess the state of media freedom accurately, it is imperative to consider contextual factors such as historical, political, and socio-economic circumstances.

RSF’s report appears to neglect such nuances, thereby undermining the objectivity of their assessment.

The organisation’s review of press freedom in Guyana seems to be influenced by a subtle political bias.

Further, its methodology and selection of sources may be skewed towards specific political interests, potentially impacting their evaluation.

In the case of Guyana, RSF’s report predominantly focuses on instances where journalists encountered difficulties under the previous government, while insufficiently acknowledging improvements and reforms initiated by the current administration.

The report fails to consider positive developments and ongoing efforts to enhance press freedom in Guyana.

The country has witnessed notable improve -

ments in recent years, including the increased access to information, and greater engagement between the government and media. These positive strides are indicative of a commitment to press freedom that RSF’s report fails to adequately acknowledge.

A comprehensive review of press freedom requires engaging with local stakeholders, including journalists, media organisations, and civil society groups. Their insights and experiences provide valuable perspectives to assess the ground reality. Unfortunately, RSF’s review appears to lack significant interaction with these vital actors, diminishing the credibility and accuracy of their assessment.

To overcome biases and provide an objective evalu-

ation, RSF should consider some key recommendations in future reviews.

Firstly, it needs to engage with local journalists, media organisations, and civil society groups to gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges and progress in press freedom.

The RSF must also incorporate a broader range of sources and viewpoints to avoid undue influence from particular interests or political biases.

There must be a recognition, too, of the evolving nature of press freedom, and acknowledge positive developments alongside areas that require improvement.

The RSF should also provide context-specific analysis, taking into account historical, political, and socio-economic factors that in-

fluence media freedom, and encourage ongoing dialogue and collaboration between RSF and the governments of assessed countries to support reforms and improvements.

While RSF’s mission to protect press freedom is commendable, it is vital to critically evaluate their assessments to ensure accuracy and fairness.

In the case of Guyana, RSF’s biased narrative and incomplete assessment undermine the organisation’s credibility and fail to capture the country’s progress in promoting media freedom. A more balanced and comprehensive approach is crucial to accurately reflect the state of press freedom and facilitate constructive dialogue and reforms in countries like Guyana.

Guyana should be an attractive all-inclusive destination

Dear Editor,

Is it not time that Guyana offers all-inclusive vacations? Half of all Guyanese live abroad. Many no longer have family and homes in Guyana, so there is already a substantial captive market.

There are also many non-Guyanese who would be interested. While COVID-19 has not completely gone away, it has eased down. People like being in groups.

Look at Cuba. For at least two decades now, it has been offering reasonably priced all-inclusive packages – air,

hotel, meals and drinks, with the option to purchase various excursions when in the country. Cuba is by no means a rich country, but they do it, and they do it well. Recently, they even opened an Ayurvedic Resort, with input from India! See www.sevayucuba. com

Government and private sector organising and co-operation can make all-inclusive vacations a reality. A single website would be in order. Details of the various all-inclusive packages (air included), and the ability to purchase them online, should be on the website. Tour op-

erators who offer local “excursions” could also list their websites and services on the master website.

While the cost of flying to Guyana may be seen as the fly in the ointment, I do not believe that this is an insurmountable problem. Some say that we should not revive Guyana Airways. What I would say is what we felt in our bones growing up: In our region, Guyana is “the Prince of the Provinces” or, as one writer puts it, “the heavy pendant at the end of the Caribbean chain.”

Its time has come; Guyana should assert itself by

either having its own plane or using a chartered aircraft decked out in the national colours.

Apart from significantly lowering fares (even if subsidised) and bringing all-inclusive within reach, doing so would make a statement; not arrogantly but to reflect the new reality. Guyanese passengers would identify with it and that would instill national pride.

Anyone who buys an all-inclusive package to Guyana should expect that it would include a direct flight to Guyana; being met at the airport in Guyana by placard

carrying representatives of companies offering the all-inclusive packages; a comfortable and safe ride from the airport to Georgetown in a clean coach – not a minibus (In Cuba, they use nice large coaches, which I heard are manufactured in China), and a nice hotel to stay (as part of a group) with meals and some drinks included.

Further, they should also expect a choice of local excursions to purchase; safe and comfortable group transportation on the various excursions, and a safe return to the airport in the coach.

A tourist should not have

to worry about personal safety and being molested in any way. It should not end well for anyone who attempts to interfere with a tourist. People hold up places like Singapore and Dubai as models. What seems to be forgotten is that the populations in those places, by and large, willingly accept a high level of discipline. It has been said that when it comes to tourism in Guyana we should think big. I agree. All it takes is imagination - and the will to do it.

Yours faithfully, Sieyf Shahabuddeen

EEPGL’s environmental liability, EPA permit (Part 3)

Dear Editor,

It is my considered view that the foregoing subject matter is not a political issue and, therefore, it should not be politicised.

It is more of a national, apolitical issue where I believe that there is alignment in the core objective by all stakeholders across the spectrum.

That is to say, should there be any adverse environmental event as a result of the oil and gas operations offshore, those costs ought to be fully covered by EEPGL, its affiliates and/or parent company.

Hence, I am of the respectful view that the subject is blown out of proportion owing to a lack of appreciation and understanding for the inherent technicalities.

I am cognisant of the view by the former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams and others, the Opposition in particular, that the unlimited parent company guarantee being advocated for will cost ExxonMobil virtually nothing.

I have also noted their reference to the language in the Environmental Permit that speaks to some form of “unlimited parent company guarantee.”

However, as I have shown in my previous articles, the language in the relevant section in the Permit, Condition 14.10 to be specific, and which the learned High Court Judge relied on as the basis for his ruling, expressly refers to an undertaking to provide “adequate financial resource”. Clearly, this cannot be equated to having the same meaning or definition as the term “unlimited financial resources” or guarantee.

A “Parent Company Guarantee”, or any form of Guarantee by a corporation is essentially a “contingent liability” in corporate finance. Contingent liability by definition is a potential future loss triggered by an unforeseen event. In this case, a major unforeseen event involves ascertaining the probability of an oil spill.

Thus, the Parent Company Guarantee is hinged upon determining the probability of an oil spill in the oil and gas operations offshore. To this end, there are three levels of measuring the probability:

(a) to what extent it is a high probability,

(b) to what extent it is medium probability, and

(c) to what extent it is a low probability. Of note, a high probability refers to more than a 50 per cent chance of occurring.

Following this, an estimation of the clean-up cost, all other related costs including environmental costs, and economic losses will have to be calculated―grounded on whether it is determined that the likelihood of an oil spill is a high, medium, or low probability.

Obviously, in the high probability scenario, the estimate will be higher than in the medium and low probability scenario. If it is considered low, then the contingent liability will be immaterial or negligible.

To predict an accurate probable loss or expense of this nature or any type of future loss even at a household level is difficult. It is precisely for this reason―that is, the level of difficulty in its predictability, and the level of subjectivity involved in the process, that there are established guidelines in international financial reporting standards such as GAAP, that companies such as ExxonMobil are mandated to adopt.

In accordance with the GAAP reporting standards, for contingent liabilities of this nature (environmental liabilities), an estimate or put differently, a quantification of the liability is required.

It is not beyond the intellectual comprehension of

Small developing nations such as Guyana are being bullied by private international organisations

Dear Editor,

For centuries, all of what we know today as the Global South were at the receiving end of domination by a handful of European countries. It took hundreds of years of bloody struggle, including slave rebellions in Berbice (1763), Demerara (1823) and Essequibo (1834) to see the backs of the colonisers.

In countries like Guyana, the Cold War generated a second phase of the struggle for national independence. Formal independence was supposed to have guaranteed our national sovereignty, but as we are now seeing, even private international organisations are interfering in our affairs.

While we are indeed a sovereign nation, it cannot be said that we live in a world where all states enjoy the same freedoms.

This is so because there are global institutions so biased that instead of rational decision-making being the anchor of global governance, a handful of nations (and a one major alliance) continue to define the rules of the game.

The P5 of the UN Security Council is the most notable example of a profoundly undemocratic global system of institutionalised power.

Editor, but what is even worse is the proliferation of private international organisations, most of them in the “West,” that have arrogated to themselves the right

the ordinary mind to accept that it is virtually impossible to scientifically, or mathematically quantify an unlimited number, cost, loss, or liability. And because of this impossibility, coupled with the financial reporting requirements for guarantees/contingent liabilities, an unlimited parent company guarantee cannot be obtained.

Further to note is that in estimating these types of liabilities / guarantees, there could be multiple scenarios that can be simulated―giving rise to multiple estimates based on a variety of models. However, the GAAP framework provides for only a single scenario’s estimate

and in practice, companies tend to use the scenario that generates the lowest estimate for those liabilities.

As per the terms and conditions in the Environmental Permit, EEPGL together with its affiliates are explicitly fully liable, and where the parent company is concerned, implicitly liable for any environmental liability that is likely to materialise in the future.

Moreover, even if the cost exceeds the insurance coverage and parent company guarantee that are currently in place, the full costs must be covered by the permit holder. Importantly to note, the Permit Holder, EEPGL, is fi-

nancially backed by its parent company, and therefore, all of EEPGL’s current and future liabilities are fully extended to its parent company. There is no grey area or question in this regard.

Finally, it should be noted that these matters are normally subject to litigation in a court of law, and the court decides on the level of compensation if the parties involved fail to reach a mutual agreement. The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a case in point.

Yours sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin Public Policy and Financial Analyst

to pronounce on the Third World.

These organisations are private and many of the top executives make CEO type salaries. While they are called nonprofits, they are often funded through either suspect means, or are secretly sustained by the handful of hegemonic states.

What these organisations, such as Reporters Without Borders and Transparency International do is contrary to the spirit of a democratically governed world system.

These organisations take it upon themselves to first penetrate, then study, classify, monitor, rank, rate, grade, and like an old colonial mas-

Continued on page 8

How free is the World Press today? [Part 2] —

WORLD Press Freedom

Day 2023 has come and gone – and Caribbean journalists and journalism continue to face the same threats to their professional and personal freedoms that the Caribbean Association of Media Workers (CAMWORK) exposed and fought against in the

1980s and 1990s.

The regional media landscape still largely reflects absence of the early professional and organisational emphases that addressed the need for equal attention to media ‘Responsibilities’ as to ‘Freedoms’.

Information Technology

(IT) continues to be a boon and a bone, helping and hindering, blessing and cursing journalism and communications, making gathering and dissemination faster and easier – and causing too many reporters (and journalists) to get lazy and/or lazier.

The early-90s Caribbean fascination with the ease and pace of change by and through interface with IT has given way to the current fear that robots have been made to think so well they can and may soon take over from humans, leading to over 100 Hi-Tech Highups, including Elon Musk, issuing an urgent warning in April 2023, that its getting toonear being to too-late to rein the robot thinkers in.

From India, conversing in Bhojpuri, Covered from head to toe in sari, A thinly cladded kurta and dhoti, The indentured labourers came, talking Hindi.

The Indians believed in Bhagwan, Greeting everyone with Sita Ram. Respectfully, Salam and Pranam, There was no need to mention a naam.

Adding a new delicacy with their Bhojan, It was simply rice and curry bhaigan. From one janam to the next janam, It was satisfying food for man and woman.

A new type of metallic Bartan, Came the thali and lota, with the pot and pan. A flat tawa to cook roti and naan, The young and old made use of any can.

Introducing new songs and Bhajan, It was an era for inspiring gyaan. Reading from the Gita and Ramayan, They sang Qawali and recited the Quran.

Separated from their mother land, strangers gravitated with Bhakti, Knitting a unified love with their Murti. Overcoming humongous obstacles with Shakti, They all dearly worshipped Mata Dharti.

Wrapped in colourful red, were their books, The Coolies certainly had different looks. Taste and touch, thanks to the cooks, Yet, in every nook and cranny, crawled crooks.

Our fore-parents, boxed their brain, To survive, while digging the drain. Working tirelessly in the sun and rain, They prospered from cutting cane to reaping rice grain.

Composed of inner and outer beauty, The immigrants slaved over their duty. But, in the search for brighter pearl and ruby, They had to change their names to Judy and Bobby.

An ancient tradition, filled with cultural behaviour, Manipulated by the masters to make them feel inferior. Customs metamorphosed as junior became senior, Indians still cling to bharat to maintain a legacy of posterior.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall.

The power of IT helps journalists and reporters, scientists and technologists, governments and state bureaucracies, banks and schools, etc. to dig deeper and work harder on searching for and finding solutions to problems ranging in gravity, from mega to major and minor.

Today, we no longer have to post letters, or place overseas calls through telephone exchange operators, listen to the radio or watch TV for the weather, or even write our appointments in a diary (with pen and paper).

Today too, journalists walk with an entire toolbox, if not a desk, in their hands or their pockets: a cell phone with voice and video recorders, cameras, clocks, calendars, calculators, notebooks, files, folders, pens, keyboards, dictionaries, calendars and diaries, photo galleries, video albums, address books, contacts’ telephone land-lines, different email options, WhatsApp, radio and TV stations, newspaper of the world – plus all

the ‘Apps’ one’ll ever need to get anything one doesn’t have that’s available on the ‘Net.

As with every other case in history where former colonies have enjoyed longer hangovers coming back to the unchanged grips of life after swallowing new technologies wholesale (hook, line and sinker) and paying the consequences of longer reconnections with reality, so with the too-many Caribbean citizens caught like innocent spiders in the invisible cobwebs of the world-wide-web (www), some even actually depending on Facebook to remember their mothers’ birthdays – or when is Mother’s Day.

Likewise, broadband has virtually gone both abroad and overboard across nations, but with stark differences between those who use it for entertainment and for information, leaving too many miscalculating support levels on numbers of Facebook followers’ or ‘Likes’.

Entities needing to transmit urgent messages to the general (entire) public are led into the false security zone of being advised to ‘post it online’, thereby automatically excluding the majority in some countries who either don’t have access to, or simply cannot afford or adapt to today’s IT devices.

In the rush by the IT-literate Caribbean minority to accelerate societal transition to New Age technology, those left behind are left to play catch-up -- until if ever…

At national levels, major media houses try their best to minimise their ‘association’ with governments, lest they be accused -- by the opposition -- of being “in bed with” the day’s government, so they remain overly guarded about

even how they cover good news from the government’s information services.

In some cases, some of the most influential media houses would not directly criticize the government and everything it says and does like others do, but will find ways to take issue with its best performances or star projects, citing any one of a wide variety of ‘rights’ and quoting ‘Articles’ and ‘Chapters’ of international conventions Caribbean citizens know very little or nothing about.

The usual suspects in every country hijack and highlight selective ‘Universal Rights’ and ‘Freedoms’ to pursue naked political goals, preach political polemics and openly preach war in the name of ‘Freedom of Expression’, some using language very clear to the ear, but being explained as not meaning what was heard.

Some government leaders, for many different reasons, see no problem and waste no time taking the press to court, even for reporting the truth.

In early February, I read an interesting post by ‘JIRIE’, an interesting and refreshingly-new online Caribbean news service that features subjects of popular regional interest to global audiences, that featured the ‘Top Ten Richest Caribbean Leaders’.

The lineup was quite revealing, naming names and providing obviously well-researched figures to point to leaders of independent and non-independent former Brit-

ish West Indian territories, including some also in court to answer charges relating to or surrounding their clearly-apparent rapid accumulation of wealth while in office.

A few weeks later, when I returned to the item, it was ‘No Longer Available’ online – pulled down, I was made to understand, “due to a sizeable legal threat…”

Big traditional mainstream media houses have their inhouse or retained legal representatives and the deep-pocket politicians won’t spare a cent to find lawyers who’ll find ways to help hide the truth, or have it withdrawn from publication.

But not so for small and new ventures trying to break with the past and talk outside the box.

Some major media houses actually hide behind laws and selective conventions to accommodate and/or defend calls to violence – whether in politically-charged societies or not.

Nothing has changed since World Press Freedom Day last week, but – as always – I did rewind to those ‘good old days’ when one chose to be a journalist because one wanted to be an ongoing part of informing by gathering and disseminating information.

Today however, most seem to be more-attracted by-and-to the glitz-andglamor of being seen, heard and read in the mainstream media, until the next better-paying job comes around.

Small developing nations like Guyana are being...

From page 7

ter, tell us what to do.

They function like the colonial overseers of old times by recruiting local collaborators who for a few pennies, and a bit of recognition from the white west, are willing to be the new colonial assistants, selling out their country and their conscience. Some pick up a scholarship, others accept invitations to a conference in Paris, London, or New York.

Still others get “funding’ for their favourite local organisations. All of them get regular attention and plenty

of praise by opposition columnists, letter writers, and even a pat on the back by the “Foreign.”

I want to go on record and state unequivocally that Reporters Without Borders’ submission on Guyana is biased, empirically wrong, and further, that it is a brazen attack on our national sovereignty.

I am using this letter to challenge anyone from the Reporters Without Borders (not from Guyana, but the head office) to a debate on press and media freedom. It should be in Georgetown. Further, I specifically

challenge them to point to a single verifiable instance of abuse of anyone in the media/press by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Vice President Jagdeo, or any member of the current cabinet.

Private NGO type organisations have become platforms for career opportunities for many in the western world where most of these institutions are located. During the Cold War many public organisations were conduits for intelligence operations, including overthrow of democratic governments, Guyana included. Now, the private

international non-profits are publicly intervening in Third World states, always under the guise of protecting freedom.

These neo-colonial international non-profits continue to work with the civilisational assumption that the White West knows best, that they are the teachers, and we are the pupils. We stand in determined resistance against this racio-civilisational bullyism.

Sincerely,

Dr. Randolph Persaud Professor Emeritus

The Ten Bs brought from ‘Bharat’

nothing’s changed, yet much has

EU electoral experts arrive in Guyana to discuss electoral reforms for 2025 General Elections

By Tamica Garnett

A GROUP of electoral experts from the European Union (EU) has arrived in Guyana to meet with election stakeholders and discuss electoral reforms in preparation for the country ’ s next General and Regional Elections , set to take place in 2025.

The delegation will be staying for a few weeks The first two delegation members arrived in Guyana on Sunday, while the delegation will also include Spanish journalist and member of the European Parliament , Javier Nart , who will arrive in Guyana at the end of the month

On Tuesday , the delegation’s arrival was announced by EU Ambassador to Guyana , Rene van Nes, as he delivered remarks at an event at the

Georgetown Club

“There are electoral experts right now in Guyana, who are here and who , over the coming weeks will discuss electoral reforms ahead of the general elections in 2025 ,” van Nes said.

The two experts will be here for the entire month, while Nart will spend three days here when he arrives

“The two technical experts with technical expertise will prepare for his visit They will do all the groundwork They will talk to everyone that is involved in the electoral process to have a good picture of where they stand and they will then brief him [Nart] so that during his visit, he can talk based on a technical assessment that has already been made,” van Nes shared Van Nes noted that notwithstanding the co - occurrence , the delegation

is not here in relation to Guyana’s Local Government Elections ( LGE ), which is scheduled for June 12 He explained that the delegation is, in fact, a follow-up to EU Observation Mission that appraised Guyana ’ s 2020 General and Regional Elections

“ Everyone will think that it is in relations to the local elections , but it is not It is just that this was the only moment that we could get all of the agendas aligned ahead of the elections for 2025 ,” van Nes said

In their final report on

the 2020 elections , the Observation Mission ’ s had noted several recommendations , which this delegation will discuss with stakeholders

“When we did the elections observation mission in 2020 we had here [ a number of ] experts , and we agreed then with the government that we would do a follow up mission,” van Nes said

He added : “ So they [the Observation mission] left behind the report with recommendations on their suggestions and what they think Guyana can improve its electoral system , and now they are here to talk to the government about where are you in that process Of course these were recommendations; it doesn’t mean that Guyana has to implement them So they are here to have a conversation and see what happened with these rec-

ommendations.”

Van Nes noted that over the years, the EU has always supported Guyana in its efforts to strengthen democratic institutions , promote good governance, and combat corruption

This delegation is part of that

He noted that such follow-up visits are a regular feature of the EU Observation Missions in countries they visit “

In 2020 we said we ’ re not just going to write a report and come back five years later, and say ‘well here I am again, how are you doing?’, but instead we would have a follow up mission so this is part of that process . We do this in many other countries as well when we have an elections observation mission . We come back to talk about that process and where they are,” van Nes said

Annette Ferguson caught on video harassing PPP/C representatives

OPPOSITION member and former Minister under the Coalition administration, Annette Ferguson, was recently caught on camera harassing members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic ( PPP / C ) as they were campaigning in a community in Georgetown.

In a series of videos that were posted to social media on Wednesday , Ferguson was heard telling the PPP/C representatives, “This is APNU turf, get out,” as they conducted the walkabout in the Alberttown area

During the exchange, Ferguson repeatedly told the representatives to “get out of the community ,” even as one person who filmed the confrontation responded that they were community members Ferguson’s action di-

rectly contradicts statements made by the opposition leader on Tuesday during his weekly press conference

During the conference on Tuesday, the Guyana Chronicle asked the opposition leader about his party members harassing others in various areas

In his response, he not-

contradicts opposition leader’s statements on harassment

ed that members of his party are not harassing anyone , adding : “ You don’t have to harass anybody, all you have to do is campaign on the facts.”

Norton went on to add that his party has an organized, structured

campaign that he said will deal with the issues and reportedly identify shortcomings of the government He said, “We don’t have any need to harass anyone, we just need to put the facts out there.”

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

Ferguson was caught on camera attempting to chase the PPP/C representatives out of the community

Guyana takes legal action in France to recover $1B debt from Panama

THE government will soon move to the International Chamber of Arbitration in France to recover over $1 billion owed by the Government of Panama to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) for rice sold to that country.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, disclosed this information on Tuesday evening during his weekly programme, ‘Issues in the News.’

It was under the APNU+AFC administration that a flawed deal was made with the Panamanian government, for the supply of some 9,000 tonnes of rice through the GRDB.

However, when the rice was delivered, it was credited to the country, which now owes Guyana over $1 billion.

“Our government now is forced to file proceedings at the International Chamber of Arbitration in France to recover this debt … monies have to be expended to re-

tain international lawyers to prosecute and defend these claims,” the Attorney General lamented.

Upon assumption of office, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, committed to recovering the monies owed and has tried several avenues, including through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, to retain the monies owed; however, this has proven unsuccessful.

Rice millers have filed legal proceedings in the High

Court against the GRDB to have the agency pay monies for the rice sold to the Panamanian government.

“These are farmers who delivered their rice to the rice board as instructed by the government of the day; the government of the day boasted that they secured a new market for rice, sold and delivered the rice farmers’ rice and the millers’ rice on credit and never attempted to recover any payment,” Minister Nandlall pointed out.

Linden’s youth, women empowerment advocate seeking votes in LGE polls

By Naomi Parris

ON a mission to empower youths and women of Linden, Samuel Sampson is contesting the Local Government Elections (LGEs) as a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate in Half-mile Linden, Region 10.

Sampson, who currently serves as Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC) for the community, hopes to push ongoing volunteer projects and training programmes further, once elected to serve on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

“I already am the CDC chairman for my community, and I have already been carrying out some work with the help of the government. There are some works that we had done, you know, street lights, roads, employment for young people and so,” Sampson said in an exclusive interview.

With plans to roll out a door-to-door campaign, Sampson is confident that he will win the votes of his constituents.

“We cannot look at race anymore; we have to look at development, and if a party is coming for development, that

is the party that you should be supporting.”

Sampson disclosed that in his plan to promote empowerment among youths and women he hopes to generate employment opportunities through collaboration with the central government and the private sector.

“There is [sic] a lot of shortages in Linden; the most important is employment … we want to see more industries, and businesses coming to Linden, so persons can be employed,” he said adding:

“I want to bring more investors into Linden, because once we get investors, people will get work and there is

where development is based on.”

Some 26 women recently benefitted from a garment-making programme that was facilitated through Sampson.

Signs of changing times were evident on Nomination Day, which was held last month when scores of persons decked out in their red tee-shirts took to the streets of Linden to march alongside People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) representatives, who submitted their list of candidates to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s office for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Leading the PPP/C’s contingent was Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill, who said the PPP/C is optimistic that it will gain ground in the mining town, which has been historically dominated by the opposing party, the People’s National Congress PNC/A Partnership for National Unity (PNC/ APNU).

“We said it very clearly, we are taking over Linden, New Amsterdam, Georgetown and Bartica, traditional strongholds of the PNC,” Minister Edghill had said.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall

Half-mile CDC Chairman Samuel Sampson

Immediate interventions benefit Plaisance, Sparendaam residents

FOLLOWING an impromptu visit to the Plaisance community on Wednesday , President Dr Irfaan Ali comforted hundreds of residents who raised concerns about drainage, community infrastructure, community-related issues, and even personal problems.

During a walkabout in the area with Minister within the Ministry of Public Works , Deodat Indar, and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, President Ali interacted with a number of residents from the villages, who were able to voice their concerns

One resident told the President that the village lacked proper drainage and mosquitoes had become

prominent pests because of the buildup of stagnant water In response to this, the President stated an investigation would be launched to get to the root of the poor irrigation problem so that a solution could be ‘issued’ promptly Furthermore, a taxi driver highlighted the issue of the deplorable state of the roads in the village and how it was costly to maintain vehicles with the damage that was constantly being done

Even though he was met with naysayers, the President reiterated the accomplishments of the People’ s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) despite their brief tenure in office and their continued commitment to progress

as President Ali, government ministers visit

$ 50,000 for every child ,” President Ali said when speaking on the topic of the cash grant for children He also mentioned that the previous administration took away the cash grant, and the PPP/C returned it

He then said: “Since I was a technician at the Ministry of Finance I’m working with this community [Plaisance].”

“ We are going to work for every single community; we are going to work in the interest of all the people,” he said, to which the residents applauded the President and his efforts

“ I have interests in the development of Guyana,” he remarked when questioned about what made him visit the community, adding that “my

Three injured in Fairfield shooting over land dispute –– contractor arrested

MOHAMED Fawaz Bacchus , a well - known contractor, is currently in police custody for allegedly opening fire on Wednesday at Fairfield in Region Two ( Pomeroon - Supenaam ), Essequibo Coast, injuring three individuals.

The injured persons have been identified as Sattohan Maraj , Roopchand Maraj , and Rajkumarie Ragobar

According to reports, the incident took place around 14:00 hours when Bacchus discharged a 32 pistol in the direction of the Maraj family from Leguan The Maraj family had travelled to Region Two to inspect an ongoing project and relocate some of their vehicles from a site in Fairfield

Roopchand Maraj , who was one of the injured, stated that he was shot as soon as he stepped out of his vehicle, with the bullet grazing his eyes Another shot was fired towards his daughter-in-law, Rajkumarie Ragobar, whose screams for help were captured in a video that later went viral on Facebook She sustained a gunshot wound to her foot

Eyewitnesses reported that the contractor was observed standing on top of a machine and shooting at individuals, specifically targeting Ragoobar This publication has learned that the area where the vehicles were located is subject to a land dispute involving two other business owners who claim

ownership of the land

Recently, representatives from the Lands and Survey department surveyed the land and confirmed it to be a government reserve Regional officials visited the site and instructed all parties involved to have peaceful access to the area The division ’ s commander was present during this meeting

However, on Wednesday, when the Maraj family visited the location, they came under gunfire They were immediately transported to the Suddie Public Hospital, where they received treatment and are currently being monitored

The police were alerted to the incident and promptly arrived at the scene to initiate an investigation

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali during the walkabout in Plaisance priority is the people here.”

Furthermore , while speaking with the teachers of Plaisance Secondary and Primary Schools , the President assured the students and teachers that the institutions would be provided with the necessary equipment , such as more furniture

Moreover, when the President spoke about the poor state of some of the roads, he assured the citizens that this

issue would be solved

Residents also expressed their concerns and the need for the Sparendaam Housing Scheme road, and the Sparendaam squatting area road, to be rehabilitated

The President then noted: “Minister (Deodat ) Indar will come in back today with a team to work with you guys,” adding that the residents of the Plaisance community, especially the younger people, will be awarded contracts to

help with the project

He also remarked that the government would “mobilise the young people” within that community for the numerous works that will be taking place

The President then said: “we are going to work with these young people here…” Agreeing with the residents that the youths are the future, he promised the residents a community centre ground.

“

I am going to make it

Injured: Roopchand Maraj

National Assembly: Gov’t debunks Opposition MP Cathy Hughes’ misinformation

OPPOSITION Member of Parliament, Catherine Hughes, was, on Wednesday, called out in the National Assembly for falsely asserting that government failed to provide timely information about the gas-to-energy project.

While defending an opposition motion to alter the Standing Orders to insert a four-day timeline for the Speaker of the National Assembly to object to questions and motions, Hughes claimed that information related to the project was delayed by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.

She stated, “12 questions were asked on January 20, on this very important $1.8 billion US project and Mr. Speaker, a response was given 27 days later… on the 3rd of March I received a written response.”

However, contrary to what MP Hughes indicated,

information was accessible within the public domain that addressed concerns and

questions.

On January 22, the Prime Minister, in an ar-

ticle in the news outlet OilNow, addressed details surrounding the gas-to-energy project.

The project’s cost was broken down by PM Phillips in the National Assembly. He stated that the pipeline costs US$1 billion.

That information was provided, following questions submitted by opposition MP, Volda Lawrence.

Denouncing these assertions, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira detailed; “According to the minutes of proceedings of this house, the 16th of January, 2023, Mrs. Volda Lawrence asked the prime minister on the gasto-shore pipeline project. Her question was published on December the 12th and it was answered on January the 16th, in less than a month or about a month.

“It was answered by the prime minister and the

minutes of the proceedings show the prime minister’s answers to the questions, so I don’t know what Mrs. Hughes is talking about, because a minister doesn’t need to answer the same question twice.”

The government continues to perform its duties in a transparent and accountable manner.

“Contrary to the unfounded claims by the Parliamentary Opposition, the Government of Guyana has been providing timely and updated information on the transformative gas-to-shore project, which will significantly reduce electricity cost by 50 per cent,” Teixeira expressed.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Catherine Hughes’ false claim, Minister Teixeira said, is blatantly misleading and is yet another wild attempt by the opposition to derail the project that will single-handedly change the course of energy production with remarkable benefits for households across the country while boosting capacity in manufacturing and other sectors thus unlocking tremendous opportunities for business development.

Since taking office in August, 2020, Teixeira said the PPP/C administration has effectively articulated and defined Government’s policy approach to the gasto-shore project at varying public forums led by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

Through President Ali’s public address in November last year, the governance minister said the nation was informed of Cabinet’s no-objection to US-based CH4/Lindsayca being ranked number one to build the two plants under an Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contract.

In February of this year, Prime Minister Phillips took the time to provide a detailed outline of the associated cost of the project in response to Hughes’ opposition colleague, Volda Lawrence.

“If Hughes was a judicious MP and attentive to the proceedings of the National Assembly, she should have recalled the information provided by the Prime Minister,” Minister Teixeira stated.

In providing a breakdown of the project costs, the Prime Minister outlined that the pipeline cost is about US$1 billion, which is separate from the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract inked with CH4/Lindsayca in December 2022 for the integrated natural gas liquids (NGL) plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant at Wales, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Region Three.

The Prime Minister had outlined to the National Assembly that the EPC contract cost was US$759.88 million while the supervision contract awarded to Engineers India Limited was to the tune of US$23 million.

The Government’s commitment to transparency has seen Vice President Jagdeo consistently responding to questions from reporters about the project at press conferences.

Minister Teixeira underscored that such frequent media engagements on national projects were non-existent when Hughes and the APNU+AFC were in Government.

“As we have witnessed previously with the Amelia Falls project, documents provided by the PPP/C administration in good faith, and in the interest of transparency and good governance, were surreptitiously used by the opposition to stymie the project while securing public relations and other contracts for their own companies by strong-arming the investor. The Government of Guyana recognises the important role of providing public information within our democracy and will therefore continue to engage with residents and other relevant stakeholders on the gas-to-shore project,” Teixeira explained.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

By Cindy Parkinson

WITH Guyana's thriving economy, the Sheriff Group of Companies is at the forefront of progress, reshaping the healthcare landscape by introducing state-of-the-art facilities across the country while aiming to target “Medical Tourism.”

This transformative endeavour is set to not only improve healthcare accessibility but also position Guyana as a cost-effective destination for specialized medical care, all while empowering the local community and contributing to the country's economic growth.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Ameir Ahmad, one of the proprietors of the Sheriff Group, explained that they have begun the construction work on another ultra-modern specialty hospital at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown (New Four Lane Highway), at an estimated cost of US$200 million.

According to Ahmad, the elaborate structure is necessary since they will provide a service like no other in the country. Ahmad said that a number of sectors are currently booming in Guyana, and they have commenced investing in medical tourism.

Ahmad said, “Medical tourism for us means that people from the Caribbean and other countries can recognise Guyana and the Sheriff branch as the cheaper way to get health care. The cost of performing brain surgeries or the removal of a tumour, for example, may cost you an arm and a leg abroad, but with us, we will charge you one-third of that price, plus we will be accepting worldwide insurance.”

He continued: “Our main goal is very simple: to provide the best health care for all Guyanese, as well as regional and international natives, at an affordable cost. Of course, we

- structural foundation laid in South Ruimveldt

Sheriff Group targets ‘Medical Tourism’ with US$200M ultra-modern specialty hospital

gery procedures done at the new Leonora Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). According to him, people are living in modern times and they are spending their money to travel to places such as Colombia, Brazil, and Santo Domingo to get breast lifts; liposuction; tummy tucks; buttock implants and other procedures done where it is cheaper compared to the United States.

Ahmad said since the Sheriff Group is working towards providing every service in the medical field, they deem it only fitting to provide plas-

tic surgeries at an affordable cost to the people as well.

Ahmad also said that they have decided to use the Leonora facility as their plastic surgery and research and development centre along with the hospital, so that people can also have their privacy after their surgeries.

The Sheriff Group of Companies has recently opened its US$5 million Leonora Hospital in Region Three, and they are in the process of constructing a US$100 million luxury hotel and casino and another specialty hospital at the cost of US$75 million in

Palmyra, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

He also noted that Sheriff has its chopper and ambulances, which can move or transfer patients from one location to another promptly and efficiently if needed.

are investing a lot of money in these facilities, and we have to make a profit, but we are also giving back to our own people by providing the services that they require locally. By doing this, they don’t have to travel overseas and spend a lot of money just because the services aren’t offered in Guyana.”

The proprietor went on to say that this facility will provide services such as cardiac surgery; organ transplant; cancer screening and treatment; bone-reconstruction surgery; retinal and eye surgeries; neurology; dialysis; urology; psychotherapy and counseling; plastic surgery;dental services; internal medicine and extensive laboratory testing, including culture tests and biopsies.

He also explained to this publication that after completion of the new facility by July or August, 2024, the company would dismantle the Sheriff Medical Clinic that is presently on Sheriff Street, use the equipment from the facility, and open a smaller medical centre in Region One (Barima- Waini) or Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam). Ahmad also mentioned they are looking to open a small medical centre in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice). According to him, they will have all the facilities so that the people wouldn’t have the hassle of travelling to Georgetown or Leonora.

Ahmad said, “Even though there are government hospitals in those regions, what we found is that sometimes people would still have to travel to get specific medical services such as CT scans and so on done at the private hospitals in Georgetown, which can be very expensive for them as well.”

Ameir Ahmad said that, "The new facility, like the others, will provide over 80 per cent of employment for

Guyanese, and the 20 per cent is because we have to bring in specialised doctors and other technical personnel so that we can provide the best for our people, and at the same time our own medical doctors and nurses will be learning from them."

Further, Ameir disclosed that they are currently working on having plastic sur -

An artist’s impression of the Sheriff Specialty Hospital that will be constructed at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown

Ameir Ahmad, one of the proprietors of the Sheriff Group of Companies

29 reservists being trained in JAAOC inaugural course

TWENTY-NINE reservists are currently training on the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Grade Three Junior All Arms Ordnance Course (JAAOC).

The course commenced on Monday, April 11, 2023, and is scheduled to run for 12 weeks. It is the first course of its kind held exclusively for reservists.

The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand aspects of the Five Service Support Battalion’s history, role, organisation, and capabilities. The students will also learn the responsibilities of stores and combat supplies while functioning effectively as store men, women, and ledger clerks.

Among the topics to be covered are principles and practices of good storekeeping ration, petrol oil and lubricant accounting, introduction to bookkeeping, bar accounting, forms/store records, practical storekeeping, environmental health and sanitation, and Stores Management Systems (SMS).

Commanding Officer, Guyana National Reserve, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, in his brief remarks to the students, urged them to capitalise on this opportunity to learn and strive to become assets of the Force as the skills they are learning are essential to the Force’s operations.

New Chief-of-Staff engages ranks, employees on main bases

NEWLY appointed Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, has commenced his leadership of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) with a series of visits and interactions with all ranks and civilian employees serving at all of the main bases.

During these interactions, Brigadier Khan emphasised his desire to move the Force forward, building on the foundation laid by his predecessors.

At Defence Headquarters, on Tuesday, Brigadier Khan addressed the packed auditorium and thanked those present for their decision to serve, adding that service was the best expression of love for the country. In this vein, he encouraged them to continue to do their part towards the development of the Force.

Brigadier Khan em -

phasised the need for continuous learning and growth and stressed the importance of reading and its role in empowering ranks with the knowledge to become better decision-makers.

Brigadier Khan shared his optimism about the journey ahead, positively asserting that the Force would only improve.

“I believe there will be challenges … there will be good challenges. I believe you will make the right decision. I believe that you will continue to serve the way you have been serving and I believe that, together, we will make the Force better. We will work together to ensure that this Force remains intact, a Force of example and a Force that will influence society and not society influencing us,’’ Brigadier Khan said.

The reservists along with senior officers currently involved in the GDF Grade Three JAAOC

Newly appointed Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, addresses civilians and soldiers at one of GDF’s main bases

Autopsy: ‘Sir Mars’ stabbed eight times before being crushed

Suspect in custody pending charge

By Clestine Juan

AN autopsy has confirmed that well-known entertainer and educator Kirwyn Mars called ‘Sir Mars’ was stabbed eight times with a knife before being pinned between his car and an apartment building fence in Perseverance, East Bank Demerara, last Sunday.

The alleged killer, Brian Richards, 24, from the John Fernandes Squatting area, is currently in police custody and is expected to appear soon before a magistrate.

According to Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, who conducted the post-mortem examination on Wednesday, Mars’ cause of death was crush injuries to the chest compounded by multiple cutaneous wounds.

Dr Singh found evidence of sharp and blunt force injuries with eight stab wounds about the body: upper left chest, right shoulder, upper left collarbone, left hand, right elbow, and left upper chest.

The police investigation

identified Richards as the main suspect in the case. He was apprehended on Tuesday at his workplace in Georgetown after CCTV footage from Green City Bar, where Mars and Richards were drinking before the incident, was reviewed.

Richards reportedly confessed to the killing but claimed that it was accidental. He told investigators that he had known Mars for some time and that Mars had invit-

ed him out for drinks on the night of the incident.

After picking Richards up in his grey Mitsubishi RVR

vehicle, Mars and Richards visited a popular drinking spot at the corners of D'Urban Street and Vlissengen Road along the Cemetery

Road route, where they consumed almost two cases of beer. During their journey back, an argument between

the two men turned physical, with Richards allegedly grabbing a bottle and striking Mars on the head.

According to Richards, Mars armed himself with a knife from the car and attacked Richards. Richards claimed that he managed to snatch the knife away from Mars and stabbed him several times in self-defence.

Following the altercation, he said, Mars stopped the car and walked to the back of

tently touched the gearstick, putting the car in reverse, and accidentally slammed into Mars, crushing him. Richards told police he became scared and fled the scene on foot before taking a taxi home. His bloodstained clothes were retrieved at his home on Tuesday.

According to the police report, Mars attempted to escape from the vehicle, but Richards reversed the car, hitting the victim and pinning him against a fence on the eastern side of the street, which runs north to south.

Richards then fled the scene on foot in a southern direction.

The incident has caused shock and sadness in Guyana, as Mars was a respected figure in the community, known for his contributions to the entertainment and education sectors.

the vehicle while Richards attempted to recover his fallen phone during the struggle. Richards claimed he inadver-

Mars’ untimely death has left a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. The investigation into his death continues.

Six Guyanese participate in India's Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme

THE Government of India, as part of its activities for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) - 75th anniversary of India’s independence, through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), hosted the ninth batch of Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme from April 10-19, 2023 with 35 delegates from 10 friendly countries, namely, Guyana, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Portugal, Slovakia and South Africa.

India invites democracies from around the world to send emerging youth leaders, including members of political parties (both ruling and opposition), entrepreneurs, and community activists (within 35 years of age), to witness the world’s largest and oldest democracy, its traditions, history, economy, and other aspects of a functioning democracy.

To date, the ICCR has hosted eight successful

batches of 131 young leaders from 36 democratic countries.

From Guyana, the following six delegates attended the ninth batch of GenNext Democracy Network Programme: Pandit Suresh Singh, Director of Youth Services from Better Hope, Region Four; Ms. Kristina Muthusami, Regional Housing Officer of Central Housing and Planning Authority and Councillor of Regional Democratic Council from New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six; Ms. Gomati Kalicharran, District Community Development Officer in Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development; Ms. Rohini Mooklall, Regional Development Council and National Development Council Councillor and Neighbourhood Democratic Council Councillor from West Coast Berbice; Mr. Ganesh Aditya Mahipaul, Member of Parliament, Region Three; and

Mr. Daniel Anthony Seeram, Chairman of Regional Development Council of Region Four.

The delegation visited the Indian Parliament and was given extensive background and lectures on Indian democracy, Indian culture and civilisation, 75 years of Indian independence, and Empowerment of Marginalised Women by well-known Professors from various universities of India.

The delegation then visited the Prime Ministers’ Museum and had a historical tour of New Delhi. This was followed by a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, where they were entertained with a delightful cultural evening hosted by the ICCR on its ICCR Foundation Day celebrations.

In the State of Odisha, the group interacted with the Chief Minister of Odisha Mr. Naveen Patnaik. The visit provided an extensive opportunity for all delegates

to experience India and build inter-personal relations. The Indian model of governance along with the implementation process of national policies and programmes in the Indian federal structure, was appreciated by all the delegates.

The ICCR believes that this initiative is a means to a greater collaboration among democracies of the world especially with India's already well-known credentials as the largest democracy in the world, its democratic resilience and the spirit of its citizens who have, despite all hardships as a developing country, imbibed the “democratic spirit”.

As Hon. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi had highlighted, “India's democratic credentials are deep-rooted” and while calling India "The mother of democracy”. While India has travelled a long way over the last 75 years, this programme wishes to invest in the lead-

ership of the future, not only in India, but in democratic countries around the world so that a network of democratic individuals could be formed which will take forward the prospects of democracy to all countries of the world.

The group held both

briefing and debriefing sessions with the High Commissioner of India to Guyana H.E. Dr. K J Srinivasa in April-May 2023 who interacted with them on various aspects of the programme and ensured their smooth participation.

Dead: Kirwyn Mars Brian Richards

A snip of the CCTV footage showing the pair leaving the city bar

The crime scene at Perseverance

Five of the six Guyanese who visited India as part of the ninth batch of the Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme

Caribbean English Dictionary School Edition launched

- aims to enlighten children, adults on Caribbean culture

By Trina Williams

LANGUAGE has the power to not only unite people from different walks of life, but also can preserve one’s culture.

Under the theme, “Calling 592: Honouring, Researching, Reigniting Diaspora,” the Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage (School Edition) was launched, on Tuesday, at the University of Guyana’s (UG) 2nd Diaspora conference.

The Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage was originally compiled by Richard Allsopp, and was first published in 1996. Dr. Jeannette Allsopp and Wendy Grif -

fith-Watson edited the school edition.

Recapping how her husband came to produce such a novelty, she said that after he visited countries like England and observed the differences between Caribbean English and British English, he decided to educate and enlighten others on this topic.

While giving her feature address, Dr Allsopp disclosed that the 27-year-old book is filled with “linguistically sophisticated” detail and is therefore inaccessible to most teachers and students.

She further stated that as the original book was being compiled, she and

the rest of the team, including her late husband, underscored that a school edition of the Caribbean English Dictionary is a must for the future.

Dr. Allsopp said that she can recall her late husband vividly saying to her: “…make sure you do the school edition, and you continue the multi-lingual works…”

“The school edition is a result of that promise,” she affirmed.

Dr. Allsopp, who started teaching at UG in 1963, said, “this [book launch] is a hugely emotional moment for me.”

Though the school edition has a few changes, she stated that the book foll ows the same

format as the original, only this time, for the students, she extracted the “fancy” linguistic terms to make learning easier.

“My motivation, my purpose [was]… for the schools to ensure that students can relate various lexical items… to a particular topic…” Allsopp disclosed.

While going through a section of her book, Dr. Allsopp made the point that across the Caribbean region, the names for

certain items differ. This book will show what some items are called in other Caribbean territories.

The dictionary not only defines these items but also provides illustrations, a detailed description, and the word's history.

“Since it is a book for children, we want children to be able to identify the right object,” she explained.

According to Allsopp: “Now, the point to be

made is that all these items reflect our linguistic and our cultural heritage because language is culture.”

She then went on to say, “… Our linguistic psyche has been bruised enough by the colonial masters for us to feel or to have felt… that our language was inferior,” adding that this lie that was peddled for decades is untrue. "We as Caribbean people ought to embrace our heritage."

Vice-Chancellor, XI, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin (right), receives a copy of the book ‘Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage’ from Dr. Jeannette Allsopp

Parents as partners in education

- Presentations delight parents at Early Childhood Sensitisation Workshop

UNDER the theme, “Parents, the Child's first teacher” the Early Childhood (Nursery) Unit of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), in collaboration with the Department of Education - Region Four, hosted a Parental Sensitisation Workshop on Tuesday.

The parents who participated in the workshop were treated to several revivifying presentations.

The presenters for the sensitisation included the Director of the Early Childhood Centre of Excellence and Assistant Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Guyana, Lidon Lashley; Special Education Needs Officer, Yolanda Trotman -Phillips; and Early Childhood - Nursery Officers, Marisa Brandon and Deborah Hutson.

In his discourse, Mr. Lashley highlighted parental involvement instead of parental engagement. He relayed the importance of parental engagement as he cleverly engaged the parents in mind-teasing interaction. The parents were encouraged at the session to work collectively to devise the perfect equation that can be used as a guid e for the best result for children during their educational lives. An equation that can only be completed if and when they become parents and are engaged, and work collaboratively with the school and their child/children to ascertain the learners’ success.

This presentation was a powerful start to a workshop filled with helpful information towards strengthening the relationship between school and home, parent and child, for successful strides in the child’s educational development.

Mrs. Yolanda Trotman -Phillips followed with her presentation: ‘Special Education Needs and You.”

In her presentation, she highlighted the importance of early identification and intervention, signs and symptoms to identify the possible presence of a special education need, and the procedure of getting the child assessed and/or diagnosed to provide appropriate support.

It was evident within her presentation that parents with children with special needs should be aware that they are not exempted from their role in fostering engagement and creating an atmosphere that leads to positive learning, growth, and development of their child.

Meanwhile, Ms. Marisa Brandon and Ms. Deborah Hutson, in their presentation: “Practical ways- the use of home-based resources", concluded the sensitisation session by creating an atmosphere in which the parents could creatively craft ways and strategies using homebased resources that encourage engagement and learning.

Throughout the session, there was evidence of inter-

ested parents who openly participated and interacted with the presenters, sharing their experiences and asking questions for clarification. Parents used the opportunity to request advice for situations they faced with their children, eagerly and brilliantly devised ways to use home-based resources such as buckets, ice trays, funnels, clothes pins, and measuring spoons, among others to engage with their children at home.

They were able to demonstrate creative ways in which they could use the mentioned resources to teach or reinforce concepts taught at school while spending quality time with their children.

Also in attendance at the sensitisation session were other senior personnel within the Ministry of Education who were instrumental in its success. These officers included: Mrs Quenita Walrond Lewis, Director of NCERD; Ms. ToolaramDistrict Education Officer who welcomed the parents and gave brief remarks on behalf of the Regional Education Officer Ms Stembiso Grant; and Mrs. Omawattie Ramdin - Curriculum Officer (NCERD) who set the stage with her opening remarks on behalf of the Department, encouraging parents to support their children.

The sensitisation session concluded with Ms. BennCeasar, District Education Officer thanking the pre -

senters for the timely presentations. She indicated that Region Four will continue to have similar sessions to assist

parents.

The parent representatives of Nursery Schools/ Classes on the East

Parents keenly listen to one of the presenters at the Parental Sensitisation Workshop

Bank

of Demerara - District Four will also be treated to a Parental Sensitisation Session at a later date.

UAE to host West Indies ahead of ICC qualifiers

As part of their preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, the West Indies men’s cricket team will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah next month.

The day-night matches will be played on Monday 5 June, Wednesday 7 June and Friday 9 June. Both teams will depart for Zimbabwe at the end of the series for their World Cup qualifying campaign which begins on June 18. The all-important tournament will confirm the remaining spots for the 10-team ICC Cricket World

Cup 2023, India. General-Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), Mubashshir Usmani said: “We are delighted to host a former World Champion side like the West Indies ahead of the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe. In recent months, our team has produced some sensational performances in the ODI format which have helped raise UAE cricket’s profile.

“Our qualification for the tournament in Zimbabwe is a testament of our recent achievements. We want to ensure we provide the best possible preparation to our team and this series

will most certainly help in achieving the goal. We look forward to welcoming the West Indian team. We want to thank Cricket West Indies for their continuous support towards cricket development in the UAE”.

Jimmy Adams, Director of Cricket for Cricket West Indies said: “This is our first ever bilateral tour against the UAE and we are pleased to have agreed [to] this historic three-match ODI series as it will provide a good opportunity for our players to get some preparation ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers. It will also allow those players not going to Zimbabwe to

get some valuable experience at the international level in foreign conditions, which would be hugely beneficial to their growth and development. We are happy to work closely with the ECB to arrange the three matches and we see this as a partnership which can grow in the future.”

UAE vs West Indies

ODI series

5th June – UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

7th June – UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

9th June – UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Trinidad, St Vincent to host remaining CWI age-group championships

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed the dates and host countries for the remaining 2023 West Indies Rising Stars age-group Championship following the Rising Stars Men’s -15s Championship which took place in Antigua last month.

The final three upcoming tournaments are the Women’s Rising Stars Under-19s, Men’s Rising Stars Under-17s and Men’s Rising Stars Under-19s Championships which are all important steps in the development

pathway for the next generation of West Indies men’s and women’s cricketers.

The Women’s Rising Stars Under-19s Championship, consisting of six rounds of 30-over matches, will take place in Trinidad from 2 to 16 July.

The Men’s Rising Stars Under-19s Championship will take place in St Vincent between July 2nd and August 1st, consisting of five rounds of 50-over white-ball matches and four rounds of three-day red-ball matches.

The Men’s Rising Stars

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday May 11, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 60 games

(2) MI; KKR

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who were the 2014 IPL champions?

(2) Who were the losing finalist in IPL 2014?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Under -7s Championship will take place in Trinidad between August 10th and September 1st, featuring five rounds of 50-over matches and for the first time also three rounds of two-day red ball matches.

The Men’s Rising Stars Championships will feature both red-ball and 50-over white-ball cricket which will help the players develop a strong foundation of skill-sets, both mental and technical, that they can build on as they progress through the CWI development pathway system.

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, spoke of the importance of the West Indies Rising Stars Championships and agegroup cricket across the region and how essential they are to develop the next generation of young talent in the West Indies.

“These age group tournaments are of paramount importance, and we want to ensure the players get maximum opportunities and exposure. Many of our current and former international players have

graduated from these tournaments and we continue to see this as the ‘nursery’ for West Indies cricket,” Adams said.

“With over 250 teenagers due to participate in these championships, this is the ideal platform for them to launch their ca-

reers and the tournaments will allow for ongoing talent identification and development of our best young players”.

TOURNAMENT DATES

2nd to 16th July: Women’s Rising Stars Under-19s Champion -

ship, Trinidad 2nd July to 1st August: Men’s Rising Stars Under-19s Championship in St Vincent 10th August to 1st September: Men's’ Rising Stars Under-17s Championship in Trinidad

West Indies last played an ODI in March (AFP/Getty Images)

Action from the Men’s Rising Stars Under-17s Championship in 2022

Jamaica’s McFarlane confirmed for Briso Promotions Pro/Am Card this month

JAMAICA’s involvement in the Briso Promotions Pro/Am Card on May 21st at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue has been officially confirmed in the form of female pugilist, Britney McFarlane and coach Gilbert Valz, with the former penciled to battle local star, Alesha Jackman in an amateur affair.

The duo is slated to arrive on local shores on May 19th. This is the second international fixture that has been confirmed for the amateur section, as Trinidad and Tobago’s champion, Lee Ann Boodram will enter the squared circle against Abiola Jackman, the sibling of Alesha. The Trinidad and Tobago fighter will arrive on local shores on Saturday, May 20th for her fistic engagement.

The sisters are the first-ever Guyanese female pugilists to attain a world ranking from the

International Boxing Association (IBA), after their participation at the Women's World Championships in New Delhi, India.

Abiola Jackman is now ranked 27th in the world in the Elite Women 81Kg and over or heavyweight division, with Alesha seeded 58th in the Elite Women 60-63 Kg or junior welterweight division.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle said, “The confirmation of Jamaica's participation coupled with Trinidad and Tobago's established attendance, has firmly concretised this card as an international endeavour. What is exceptionally noteworthy is that female pugilists will take centre stage in the amateur section, which is a momentous achievement and a watershed moment for the discipline. Additionally, the confirmed participation of our Caribbean counterparts will certainly raise the event's already

established international profile and will act as a catalyst for the publicising of the female game."

He further said, "The GBA has once again illustrated its unwavering commitment to the devel-

opment of female boxing which has pellucidly taken centre stage in 2023 via local events and international sojourns and campaigns. The association remains dedicated to elevating every aspect of

the sport, with particular emphasis on empowering the female component which, in previous eras, was neglected. This is our evidential and unwritten mandate for 2023 and onward."

In what is anticipated to be the biggest fight night in a decade, the Briso Promotions 'Pro/Am Card', is being projected to surpass the atmosphere, ambiance, and overall quality of the recently staged Patrick Forde Memorial Championships, which was hailed as the benchmark for a local boxing event.

Meanwhile, five exciting professional bouts and an equal number of amateur engagements are confirmed for the impending fight night, which will be headlined and co-headlined by Elton Dharry and Dexter 'De Kid' Marques respectively.

Dharry will enter the squared circle against Ramos Ronald in an eight-

round Bantamweight fixture whilst Marques will battle Luis Carrillo in an eight-round Super Bantamweight encounter.

A Caribbean rivalry will also resume on fight night as Terrence Adams is penciled to face off against Barbadian Ricardo Blackman, while Anthony Augustin will match skills with Emmanuel Anderson of Barbados. The card will also feature a six-round Super Flyweight bout between Natalya Delgado and Darianis Garcia.

The May 21st fight night will mark Dharry's return to the ring in over a year and will serve as a tune-up for his July encounter on local shores with Hugo Hernandez of Mexico for the WBC Silver Belt. Dharry, 37, fought for the WBA Super flyweight title in 2019 but suffered a controversial ninth-round stoppage loss to Australian Andrew Maloney in Melbourne.

Double wins for Bulkan on night two

By Calvin Chapman

The Woodpecker Products-sponsored Guyana Squash Association (GSA) National Junior tournament continued on Tuesday night at the Georgetown Club squash courts for the second evening of play when Ethan Bulkan ended the night with two wins.

A total of 12 matches were played and Bulkan snared two in the under-13 boys’ category with similar wins against Kaiden Alli in three straight sets 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 and again against Matthew Daby (11-4, 11-3, 11-2).

In the other boys’ under-13 match of the night, Justin Ten Pow also swept Jacob McDonald 11-2, 11-2, 11-1.

In the sole under-11

boys’ match of the night, Zion Hickerson defeated Jibril Alli 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-8).

Two matches were contested in the under-15 boys’ category, in the first, Justin Goberdhan came from being two sets down to beat Nicolas Sawh 3-2 in arguably the most entertaining match of the night (5-11, 8-11, 11-3, 13-11, 13-11).

Avian Wade and Blake

Edwards had another fiveset thriller in the second under-15 match. Both players were hungry for the win but Wade eventually overcame Edwards 16-14 in the decisive match. The scores read 10-12, 11-8, 4-11, 11-3, 16-14.

The girls’ under-15 category saw Jnae Singh brushing aside Tiana Gomes 3-0 (11-4, 11-3, 11-4) while Kaylee Lowe

earned a good 3-1 (11-3, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10) win against Emily Fung A Fat in the other game in the category.

In the boys’ under-17 division, Josh Verwey eased past Demetri Lowe 3-0 (11-6, 11-2, 11-2), Louis Da Silva got success in similar fashion against Chad De Abreu (11-2, 11-0, 11-3) and Shiloh Asregado swept Jeremy Ten Pow 11-1, 11-6, 11-3.

In the lone under-19 match of the night, Kirsten Gomes won her match against Safirah Sumner in straight sets (11-2, 11-4, 11-2).

The tournament continues every night this week with matches during the day and Saturday, with the final set for Sunday afternoon; all at the Georgetown Club squash court.

Jamaica’s Britney McFarlane

Woodpecker National Junior Squash tournament

Guyana Olympic Association supports Special Olympics Guyana

Special Olympics Guyana has received support from the Guyana Olympic Association to compete at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Berlin Germany from June 17 - 25.

Four athletes -- two males and two females -will be competing in singles, doubles and team bocce competitions. Athletes will be accompanied by two officials, Head of Delegation and coach/chaperon.

The athletes are Daniel Samsundar, Stephanie Ra -

CWI pays tribute to Thelston Payne, former Windies wicket-keeper

CWI – Cricket West Indies (CWI) today paid tribute to Thelston Payne, the former Barbados and West Indies wicket-keeper who passed away on Wednesday. He was 66.

A stylish left-handed batsman and reliable keeper, Payne played his only Test match against England at the Queen’s Park Oval in 1986, in a team which included Sir Viv Richards, Sir Gordon Greenidge, the Most Honourable Dr. Desmond Haynes, Sir Richie Richardson, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Courtney Walsh.

He took five catches in that match. Payne also played seven ODIs between 1984 and 1987.

Dr Kishore Shallow, President of CWI, paid tribute to Payne.

“On behalf of CWI, I offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of Thelston Payne. He is one of those unsung heroes of West Indies cricket who served the game at all levels for over four decades.

During his playing career, he was a dynamic keeper and stylish batsman and was part of the great era of West Indies cricket when we dominated world cricket, under Sir Clive Lloyd and Sir Viv Richards.”

“After his playing days were over, he made a meaningful contribution as a coach and mentor in Barbados at the grassroots level. He also played a key role in the development of many players. His contribution will be remembered and we will remain grateful to this stalwart of cricket.”

motar, Rachel Mortley and Keston Knights.

The officials are Wilton Spencer and Lavern Alleyne, Head of Delegation and coach/chaperone respectively.

Last Saturday, May 6, 2023, Vice-President of the Guyana Olympic Association, Mr. Philip Fernandes and Secretary-General, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon paid a visit to the National Gymnasium to see the athletes during a practice session.

Bocce is a bowling game

played on a 60'x 12' court.

Vice-President Philip Fernandes attempted the sport and was applauded for his straight hand and inspired the athletes with his prowess on the ground.

At the handing-over ceremony, the G.O.A Executives, Mr. Philip Fernandes and Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, wished the Special Olympics Guyana Team all the very best and indicated that they are looking forward to the Report afterwards.

Secretary-General of the Guyana Olympic Association, Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon (left) hands over sponsorship cheque to Mr. Wilton Spencer of Special Olympics Guyana in the presence of members of the Team and Vice-President, Philip Fernandes.

Woodpecker National Junior Squash tournament

Double wins for Bulkan on night two

See page 22

UAE to host West Indies ahead of ICC qualifiers

See page 21

West Indies last played an ODI in March (AFP/Getty Images)

Jeremy Ten Pow (left) during his loss against Shiloh Asregado on Tuesday night (Delano Williams photo)