Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 12-05-2023

will continue to listen and deliver’

- President Ali outlines opportunities available to residents of Region Two, recommits to building One Guyana

By Indrawattie Natram

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has reiterated the government’s commitment to listen to the concerns of Guyanese, and deliver on promises to improve the lives of persons across the country.

The President made this announcement at different meetings held at Dartmouth and Queenstown, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

President Ali led a team to Region Two, which included Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar; Minister of Agriculture Zulifikar Mustapha; Chief Education Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Education Shadam Hussian; and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth, along with regional officials.

During his interactions, he told the huge gathering that he wants to listen to their concerns individually.

“We know that we don’t have to go over the tremendous development that you have seen in this country and this region… I don’t have to repeat the taxes we reversed, the schoolchildren grant, the increase of pension, the support for women and young people… I don’t need to do that; I am here to listen to you,” President Ali said.

He said that in the agriculture sector in Region Two, over $5 billion was invested in improving the livelihood of farmers, and that over $8 billion was invested in improving roads and sea defences, while billions of dollars have also been spent on education and housing.

“In this region alone, what we spent in terms of capital expenditure, some whole countries in the region are not spending it… And we are spending it in one region, and that is because we believe that development must be balanced, and it must come to every single region,” President Ali said.

He emphasised that de -

velopment must be balanced across communities, and it is the trademark of his government to ensure that every community in the country benefits from the services being offered.

“We will build One Guyana through an innovative approach, in which the overall infrastructure of the country will transform the institutions… We will provide top services right here… the Ministry of Tourism is working on packages and we are working on the broadband so you can have call centres, which means more job,” President Ali said.

TRAINING

During the meetings, residents of Dartmouth and Queenstown requested that young people in the communities be provided with the training. Persons related that youths are involved in illicit activities and are unemployed.

President Ali responded by reminding them that there are tons of opportunities available to young people in all sectors, and currently, persons in the region are being trained as nursing assistants and pharmacy assistants.

He urged them to tap into those opportunities. For skill training, he also reminded people that the Ministry of Labour, through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), is providing training.

Many people also wanted to get into the part-time job initiative, while some requested infrastructural improvements to bridges and roads.

One resident who returned to Guyana from Barbados commended the President for his efforts to provide holistic development and promote the One Guyana initiative. She said that she is a Spanish teacher, and would love to offer her services at the schools.

Other residents commended the President on his outreach, and said that they are pleased that he is reaching out to community members to solve critical issues.

‘We

Pomeroon coffee industry to be reinvigorated

- other high-value crops, expansion of the coconut industry on the cards

- over $2B already invested in region for agriculture, President Ali says

WITH the aim of transforming the Pomeroon region into a major food hub and exporter, plans are underway to reignite the coffee industry and commence the cultivation of high valued crops.

This was according to President, Dr Irfaan Ali, during a meeting with residents and farmers in Malborough, on Thursday.

He said that over $2 billion has already been invested into advancing the agriculture sector in the Pomeroon region.

“We need to ensure that agriculture is sustainable and

resilient. One of the projects we are working on for the Pomeroon is to see how we can get big investors with huge capital to work with the small farmers,” the Head

of State said, adding: “We want to reignite the coffee industry, we want to expand the coconut industry and the citrus so that the Pomeroon can be an important export

location for these three commodities.”

To ensure that farmers are able to earn from their produce, the government is also seeking to introduce the production of high valued crops through the establishment of shade houses.

“We understand also that small farmers need to live from day to day and to have revenue coming in on a monthly basis, so I have asked the Agriculture Minister to look at ways we can find high-value crops that can be done under shade houses to help the small farmers,” Dr. Ali said.

Regarding concerns raised during previous outreaches, some 550 farmers in the Pomeroon River will be receiving elevated beds, while two mini excavators are scheduled to arrive in the next few days to provide much-needed assistance.

Some $2 billion was allocated in Budget 2023 to increase production, through expansion in acreages and the use of technology with the rollout of three initiatives across the country.

These initiatives included the establishment of a regional food hub, greater use of science, technology,

research and development and the promotion of agriculture in the hinterland regions.

The government intends to expand non-traditional agriculture, with particular focus on research and development, and the production of high-value commodities.

To this end, the sums of $150 million, $153 million, and $200 million have been allocated for advancing the corn and soya bean project, citrus and spices project, and the agriculture and innovative entrepreneurship programme, respectively.

EPA appeals court ruling on Liza 1 financial assurance

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has moved to the Court of Appeal to overturn Justice Sandil Kissoon’s decision that the agency and oil giant ExxonMobil breached obligations relating to its oil-spill insurance policy.

Justice Kissoon, last week, found that the oil giant “engaged in a disingenuous attempt” to dilute its obligations under its environmental permit for its Liza One project, by not fully meeting insurance requirements relating to environmental protections.

The EPA’s attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, has moved to the appellant court seeking a stay of the ruling, among other things.

In the application, the EPA was arguing that Justice Singh made an error in interpreting and applying two legal provisions related to an environmental permit issued to a company called Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd.

The first provision is Clause 14 of the Environmental Permit, which is a condition that the company must comply with in order to operate in Guyana.

The second provision is section 31(2) of the Environmental Protection Act, which sets out requirements for financial assurances that companies must provide in relation to environmental permits.

The appellant is con -

tending that the trial court misinterpreted these provisions and wrongly concluded that the financial assurance required of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd. was unlimited.

“The Trial court erred in law in directing and determining the exact manner of the exercise of the discretion of the Appellant in a manner contrary to established law and practice. In effect the Trial Court substituted its own discretion as the decision of the Appellant when the Appellant, at all material times, had exercised its discretion and acted well within its statutory and regulatory powers,” the court document read.

Meanwhile, EPA’s Executive Director, Kemraj Parsram, in his affidavit, said that the ruling will stymie progress in Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector.

“It is a notorious public fact that Guyana is now the fastest growing economy in the world. Similarly, it is acknowledged that Guyana's unprecedented economic growth is in large part due to the exploitation of our petroleum reserves. The permit

which is at the centre of this dispute and which the Court below has made orders in relation thereto is critical to the economic activity in Guyana.

“Guyana as a nation now earns billions of dollars annually from the petroleum activities conducted on the Liza 1 and Liza 2 fields; both which are subject to the permit. The suspension or cancellation will have a catastrophic effect on national funds for development and also the private sector which supports the activities on the said Liza 1 and 2 fields,” Parsram said.

Meanwhile, the EPA in a statement on Thursday, set the record straight on “speculation” it observed in the public domain surrounding the ruling.

“We wish to emphasise that we take our mandate and responsibility seriously and have at all times discharged our statutory functions without fear or favour. We at all times make decisions informed by available information, research and in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05 (EP Act), and our approach to compliance and enforcement is in keeping with international standards,” the EPA said.

The agency said it reviewed the insurance policy provided to it since 2019 against typical insurance coverage across several jurisdictions, and it was found that the coverage related to

oil spill liabilities of 600 million was equivalent, and in some cases exceeded the typical coverage offered in some jurisdictions.

According to the EPA, it had to be “diligent” and ensured that it negotiated an affiliate company guarantee that fulfilled the requirement of section 31 (2) of the EP Act which states that a requirement for financial assurance shall specify the amount.

Further, the EPA said that it wanted to ensure that any amount agreed upon, was not arbitrary, and could be renegotiated based on increased risks and any circumstances that resulted in the amounts specified being exceeded.

To achieve this, the EPA said it had consulted practice in several jurisdictions, institutions, and regulators such as OGUK, NOPSEMA and

oil spill liability regimes in the US, UK, China, Brazil, etc…, and found that despite the fact that there was full liability for oil spill on the part of operators, no jurisdiction had unlimited/uncapped financial assurance. Even the US under its Oil Pollution Act (OPA) had capped financial assurance requirements.

Guidance received from OGUK and NOPSEMA Austr alia found that operators in those jurisdictions were required to provide an estimate of the reasonably credible cost of responding and cleaning up a worstcase spill, and this estimate was used to set amounts of financial assurance, including a declaration of financial capability/rating.

The EPA therefore instructed EEPGL to provide this estimate and declaration so that can be used to inform

the terms and conditions and amount of financial assurance in the guarantee.

At the time of the hearing of substantive matter, the EPA said it had received the estimate to the tune of $1.5 billion to $2 billion and had several engagements discussing results and using the same to inform its final negotiations on the agreement.

Negotiations concluded on April 27, 2023 on the amount guaranteed, the terms and conditions for renegotiations based on increased risks, and next steps if unfulfilled obligations exceeded the $2 billion guaranteed amounts.

The EPA maintains that at all material times it acted in accordance with the law and executed its statutory functions diligently and to the best of its abilities.

[Office of the President photo]

Local officials, US Assistant Secretary advance discussions on climate issues

- Guyana’s immense forests, plans for economic diversification

DEPARTMENT of State Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Assistant Secretary, Geoffrey R. Pyatt, during his visit to Guyana on May 10, held a series of meetings with government officials and business leaders to discuss energy secu-

rity in Guyana, the United States, and globally.

According to a press statement from the US Embassy, Assistant Secretary Pyatt discussed the US-Caribbean Partnership to address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030), including the

advancement of clean energy resources and resilient energy infrastructure in a timely manner, and on a sustainable and affordable basis.

He also took the opportunity to discuss Guyana’s immense forests, plans for economic diversification, and major infrastructure upgrades such as the transformational gas to energy project.

“The PACC 2030 establishes a framework to ele-

vate U.S. cooperation with Caribbean countries to support climate adaptation and strengthen energy security, while building the resilience of critical infrastructure and local economies to the climate crisis.

“PACC 2030 will serve as the U.S. government’s primary mechanism for regional climate adaptation and resilience and energy co-operation through 2030, as we work toward meeting

ment Goals (SDGs),” the US embassy said.

Vice President 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 Pyatt were US Ambassador to Guyana, 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 (Office of the Vice President photo)

APNU’s ‘disappointing’ campaign launch contained no plans for development - Jagdeo says

WITH only a smattering of people in attendance, and speeches focused on politicking and lacking discussions on plans for development, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Bharrat Jagdeo has chided the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) for a “disappointing launch” of its campaign in Georgetown for the Local Government Elections (LGEs).

The APNU held its launch last Sunday at the Roxanne Burnham Gardens well site area, and though the various speakers spent ample time telling the city residents about Jagdeo and the PPP/C, the main political opposition offered “nothing for the resi-

dents in the city”.

“They didn't say here is what we are going to do for the city if we get re-elected, and lay out their plan. Ninety per cent of the speeches by the senior leaders of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the council were cursing the PPP/C,” Jagdeo said during his weekly press conference.

He added: “It's not how you feel about Jagdeo that matters to the people of the city, it's whether you are going to provide better services to them. And that’s what they want to hear. None of that came, and this was their launch. It was a big disappointment.”

Citizens in Georgetown and across the country are

set to go to the polls on June 12 to elect new council members for the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) across the country. Georgetown is presided over by a 30-seat council that has traditionally been dominated by the PNC/R, which is the leading party in APNU.

The APNU currently has 21 seats on the council, while its former coalition partner, the Alliance for Change (AFC), has two, and the PPP/C has seven. However, the AFC is not running for LGEs this year, and at least two sitting APNU Councilors have since crossed over and joined the PPP/C camp.

A former AFC candidate also joined the PPP/C list of candidates.

National Intelligence and Security Agency Bill sent to Special Select Committee for further review

THE National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Bill of 2023 was, on Wednesday evening, sent to a parliamentary Special Select Committee for careful review to ensure its content is fully comprehensible to all parties it concerns.

In a recent statement posted to his Facebook page, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said he had instructed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., to have the bill sent to the committee so that the views of all concerned stakeholders can be examined.

“I am aware of the importance of this Bill, but equally, I am committed to ensuring the fulsome nature of the Bill is understood and that interested stakeholders be given the opportunity to contribute to it,” the Head of State said.

The proposed Bill seeks to properly legitimise a body known as the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) responsible for further enhancing the country’s defence and security policy, as well as the coordination of the nation’s defence and law enforcement activities relating to national intelligence and security.

The agency will also provide national security advice to the President, Cabinet and other stakeholders where necessary.

The Bill further provides for NISA’s functions to be

exercisable in the interest of national intelligence and security regarding foreign policy, threats from espionage and protection from undermining of democracy and state institutions.

It outlines NISA’s governance structure, the appointment, removal, and terms of service of the director and deputy director of the agency, as well as other officers and employees, and the agency’s funding and financial management, among other things.

This includes the power to intercept communications, function with the power of officers of the police and defence forces, request information from public bodies, and coordinate with other entities in the security sector.

Further, a specific clause of the Bill provides for the

obligation to observe secrecy as well as a fine for such infractions.

This clause states: “Every person having a duty in the administration of this act shall regard and deal with as secret and confidential all information relating to the functions of the agency, and if at any time such person communicated or attempted to communicate any such information to any person other than in pursuance of, for instance, the discharge of a function under this act, a Court Order or the investigation of a crime, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of five million dollars and to imprisonment for five years.” (DPI)

Over the past two successive LGEs, the PPP/C has been gaining ground at City Hall, and has been optimistic about gathering further momentum at this elections.

Jagdeo said that Leader of the PNCR Aubrey Norton has let slip that the party is worried about losing its footing in the city, and is trying to reassure party supporters of its standing.

“When a leader of a party has to go to his own stronghold and say, ‘We will win in Georgetown’; when you have to start defending in your stronghold that you will win and have to reassure yourself in your own stronghold that you will win, that

says that you are very worried and scared. And that’s the tone of their campaign; that’s why they have to lash out at everyone and everything, and lie to the people of Georgetown,” Jagdeo said.

According to the General Secretary, the PPP/C has chosen to use its campaign to promote Manifestos and develop and outline plans for the various local areas.

“We had a Manifesto; I spoke to the activists and said here are some of the things you can promise, and you would have the full backing of the government if you do that and it's all positive… I said to them stay away from the

negatives, people already know about APNU and their track record. So, we just focus on what we are going to do in these places if we have an opportunity to control,” Jagdeo said.

A section of the APNU supporters who attended the party’s LGEs campaign launch in Georgetown (APNU photo)

Revolutionising Healthcare

ON the heels of the completion and subsequent opening of a US$5 million hospital at Leonora in Region Three, the Sheriff Group of Companies has disclosed details about the ultra-modern specialty hospital it is presently building at Aubrey Barker Road, just off of the Mandela-Eccles Highway.

The estimated cost of this venture is US$200 million and upon completion will not only offer world-class services, but 80 per cent of its staff will be Guyanese.

With Guyana’s new status as an oil producing nation, there is need to modernise many of the sectors so that the country can look the part and reflect this uptick in its standing. The health sector and by extension the quality of services offered to citizens and visitors are

among the top priority areas.

It’s refreshing to know that a local company has decided to take a chance and invest in an area that needs lots of work if it is to be on par with countries such as the Unites States and England.

Of note is the company’s intention to focus on medical tourism which will require a huge amount of work. The company seems confident that it can pull this off as it is already speaking about expanding this aspect of its business to Regions One or Two, Nine and 10.

It is pellucid that a lot of thought went into a venture of this magnitude and what we have seen thus far is most obviously the result of years of meticulous planning and precise execution of the company’s visions.

Medical tourism is big business and if Guyana can

successfully pull it off, this country’s imagine will he boosted immensely. We would be able to confidently rival many of the developed countries.

However, Sheriff Group of Companies will need help as this will be no easy goal to accomplish. There will be setbacks and disappointments but they must be used as learning experiences to ensure that a vision that will not only benefit the company, but Guyana and all of its citizens, is realised.

One of the company’s officials, as a teaser, had disclosed that the new facility will offer services such as cardiac surgery, organ transplant, cancer screening and treatment, bone-reconstruction surgery, retinal and eye surgeries, neurology, dialysis, urology, psychotherapy and counselling,

plastic surgery, dental services, internal medicine and extensive laboratory testing, including culture tests and biopsies.

He stressed on how affordable it would be, even though he acknowledged that the company intends to make a profit given the amount of investment it will be making. The services outlined above are costly when taking into consideration the economic circumstances of the average Guyanese. For this reason it is essential to avoid using the word “affordable” loosely as affordability for people on the coast may not be affordability for those living in Region One or Two.

This facility and the one at Leonora will feature the latest technological changes in medicine and will therefore give Guyanese access to modern healthcare practices.

Sheriff’s achievements must not be viewed in isolated. It must be remembered that the government of the day is also making valuable contributions to the healthcare sector.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has repeatedly indicated his government’s commitment to modernising the healthcare system and giving all Guyanese irrespective of which part of the country they live, access to quality healthcare.

Recently the sod was turned for a $6.6 billion regional hospital at Plantation Bath, West Coast Berbice. This cost is included in the $40 billion that government has set aside to construct six hospitals in various parts of the country.

This alone is evidence of government’s intention to ensure medical care is accessible in every corner of

this country.

The Ministry of Health has been playing its part as well. It has announced a number of interventions which includes the upgrading of health facilities and the expansion of its training net to capture more persons who have an interest in the medical field.

Recently, it was disclosed that the nurses’ hostel at Suddie will be extended so that it could accommodate more persons desirous of pursing such a career. Those living in far flung communities in the region will be accommodated there.

So far, there have been noticeable improvements in the healthcare sector. Given the recent developments and the plans that were announced, that list is likely to become a very long one.

GPA must ensure accountability, transparency and fair elections

Dear Editor,

I AM seeing very worrying developments in the lead up to the Guyana Press Association’s (GPA)’s Annual General Meeting and elections, which must be addressed now if there is to be an atmosphere of accountability, transparency, fairness and a levelled playing field for all contenders.

The GPA owes it to the society, region and, I dare say, the world to ensure that the elections for its President and the new executive are not marred in accusations of fraud, voter disenfranchisement, voter suppression, skullduggery or rigging.

It has a duty to ensure that these elections are above board and meet the highest benchmarks of transparency, accountability and fairness because GPA stated that it stands for those things while it is committed to democracy and the upholding of the law, at all times.

Need I remind the public, that GPA has criticised the

PPP/C Administration and to a lesser extent the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration, and those political parties for various infractions that it said could allegedly jeopardise freedom of expression and press, risking the lives of journalists, and limit the access to information in the last decade. It also criticised the lack of transparency and accountability of these organisations at various times in its history.

So, damming are these developments and accusations that one wonders why the GPA is allowing its “good name” to be dragged through the mud and open itself to criticism in this manner.

Firstly, the current executive has had ample time to plan for these elections. It has had a maximum of three years to be ready and prepared.

So, I find it strange to hear that it cannot supply its Preliminary Voters List (PVL) to the competing parties ahead of voting on Sunday. What is

even more perplexing and worrisome is that they allegedly self-imposed or came up with a deadline by which members are to have their dues and fees paid up or they will be disenfranchised.

It does not state in the GPA Constitution, that the practice of not giving the PVL in a reasonable time or ahead of the elections will result in members being disenfranchised. It is illegal and the current executive must know they are playing with fire by implementing such a draconian rule.

If my memory serves me correctly, I recall members being registered as voters and paying up dues even when the current President was contesting in the polls in 2018 up to the day of the elections.

So, get the PVL to all competitors who would like to go up for Presidency now. They are entitled to know even if they are not yet nominated. It is unfair for the current President and so-called secretary to be the only ones that know.

My experience from what

happened in 2020, at the national level with the elections, makes me feel as though the padding of the PVL, disenfranchisement of eligible voters, and all manner of skullduggery are taking place in secrecy with the GPA elections.

Secondly, the incumbent President does not command the unanimous support of the media fraternity in Guyana. She is holding on to power which has been exercised in direct violation of the GPA constitution. Where are the documents to support a decision to postpone the elections in 2020? I would like irrefutable evidence of this in the name of transparency.

This is sheer greed and fighting for power at work here in the GPA. After all, every other media operative that plans on running for President, has had one term, that is why I believe that it is worrisome and strange that the current President with a worn-out executive would seek re-election.

Are there not young intelligent and promising people in the media and press who want

to run for the President and the executive posts?

If they keep the senior positions amongst the four member group, they do not inspire change, enterprise, new ideas, and a paradigm-shift of the focus and spirit of this age-old body. There is no continuity in leadership and young people are deliberately not a part of the process to revolutionise the media both traditional, new, and social media in Guyana.

Thirdly, the State Media is underrepresented at these meetings and elections because of the biases and one-sided nature of consecutive GPA bodies.

The GPA must do something more to incorporate them into the entity, but they are not likely to be part of these elections if there is an air of secrecy and illegality.

I noticed that several prominent members are complaining about the registration process to become a member of the organisation, access to press passes and other things.

Fourthly, there is the allegation of a lack of financial

accountability which must be addressed apart from PLV. The Press Association must lay bare its audited accounts, accounts for trips and resources used by the current GPA Executive, as well as a number of worrisome financial practices that ensued during the years 2018-2023.

In conclusion, the GPA cannot want to be wrong and strong at the same time. It must not be duplicitous and hypocritical. It must not be strict on transparency, accountability and democracy in society but then turn around and exhibit the opposite of those benchmarks inside its own organisation.

I want a fair election for the GPA and that could only happen when the voter’s list is known, secrecy is removed, and all eligible members are registered now.

GPA must get their act together!

Yours Truly, Michael Younge Journalist, Communications Professional

Jagdeo condemns APNU+AFC’s attack on GECOM Chair

- draws attention to silence of civil society groups

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said that he supports Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) Justice (ret’d)

Claudette Singh’s decision to file an official report with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) over alleged threatening comments made by A Partnership for

National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Coretta McDonald.

During a weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said that Singh has reported this matter to the

APNU+AFC MP applauds healthcare improvements in Region Six

OPPOSITION Member of Parliament, Dr. Karen Cummings, on Wednesday, during the National Assembly, applauded the condition of several health institutions across Region Six.

Dr. Cummings chairs the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services, which conducted and inspected the Port Mourant Hospital, Port Mourant Health Centre, the Ophthalmology Centre, New Amsterdam Regional Hospital and the National Psychiatric Hospital, in July, 2022.

Dr. Cummings said: "The purpose of the visit was to observe the conditions and operations of the health institutions, to interact with the patients..."

When talking about her visit to the Port Mourant Hospital, she remarked that: “It was a facility [that] was very impressive."

She then went on to commend the medical practitioners within that facility for their efforts, especially in the maternal section.

Additionally, she was amazed by the incredible post-pandemic services, such as cataract services, being offered at the National Ophthalmology Hospital notably.

The National Ophthalmology Hospital conducted over 1,500 surgeries in 2022, showing that the facility is making a tremendous impact in providing eye care.

She also commended authorities for the number of services offered at the New Amsterdam Hospital, where three are functional theatres and a 24-hour fully-functioning accident emergency unit.

Moreover, the NA Hospital has undergone a complete face lift from what was there before the government assumed office in August 2020.

This was highlighted in August 2022 by the Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, as he shed light on the true nature of the situation at the hospital in a letter to the media. He said that issues included there being no x-ray services at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The laboratory was unable

haul and rehabilitation. The mortuary was out of service. The hospital’s ambulances were barely serviceable.”

There have since been massive efforts by the incumbent PPP/C to remedy the situation in health centres and health posts, with over $1.5 billion being invested up to 2022.

police, as well as the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.

He said he called out civil society for not publicly condemning the attacks on the elections chairperson.

“I saw the Chairman of the Elections Commission writing the Commissioner of Police, rightfully so… Not a word from the NGOs about [APNU members] threatening the life of the Chairman of GECOM, or a woman disparaging another woman,” Jagdeo said.

Over the past few years, members of the main political opposition, APNU, have maintained continuous threats against Justice Singh’s character and her person. This is in addition to calling for her to be fired.

The party claims that the Chairperson has not been fair since she has not

PPP/C General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

been agreeing with positions held by APNU, and conversely has agreed with positions held by the governing PPP/C.

Jagdeo, however, accused APNU of being duplicitous for accusing Chairperson Singh of bias, when she does not rule with that party, but the party did not hold this feeling when she rule in favour of their party.

Jagdeo reminded that it was Justice Singh, during her time on the bench, who

ruled against the PPP/C in an elections case contesting the 1997 elections.

“Now, it was the same Claudette Singh who was a Judge in Guyana when [PNCR] filed a case after the 1997 elections that we [PPP/C] had illegally used the ID card for voting in the 1997 elections. So, Claudette Singh was not a PPP/C stooge then or a poodle,” Jagdeo said.

to provide basic testing because either equipment were down or reagents were unavailable.

Common medicines critical for patient care were mostly unavailable almost all the time. Beds, bathrooms/ restrooms and the building in general were in need of urgent maintenance, the total environment was in deplorable state.

The operating theatre had leaks and fungus/mold had taken over the walls, basic equipment was in need of repairs, the wards were in shameful conditions, even sheets and pillows were missing, and urgent painting was needed across the board.

Operating room tables and delivery beds were in poor condition. The CTG fetal monitoring equipment no longer existed in the delivery rooms. The dental suite, including the broken dental chair, was in shameful condition.

The oxygen therapy system was unreliable. The hospital back-up generator’s ATS for automatic switching on was not functioning. Washing machines, dryers were no longer functioning. Basic medical supplies were in severe shortage.

Dr. Ramsammy said too that prior to August 2020: “The solar panels needed rehabilitation. The hospital’s roofs were leaking. There was a general clutter in the hospital compound, and the sewer system was overflowing. Adding to the unseemly sight in the hospital environment, the incinerator required major over-

Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr. Karen Cummings

Connectivity between Guyana and India becomes easier

— with launch of non-stop services between Delhi and Amsterdam

CONNECTIVITY between Guyana and India is anticipated to become easier as Air India announced the launch of non-stop services between Delhi and Amsterdam.

The relationship between India and Guyana has always been pleasant and healthy, and it has grown stronger over the

years, through bilateral interactions marked by high-level exchange visits.

According to an article by aviation 24.be, leading airline in India and Star Alliance member, Air India, will begin non-stop flights from Amsterdam to Delhi on June 11.

The route will operate with a two-class Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner four

times each week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday).

With this being said, connectivity to India will have one more option for Guyana: Guyana to Panama/Port of Spain/Suriname, then to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to India.

Amsterdam will be the eighth city in continental Europe that Air India

serves and the fourth that the airline has connected to from Delhi in the previous four months.

It increases the number of nonstop flights operated by Air India between India and Europe to 77 per week, giving customers more convenience and flexibility.

Chief Executive Officer and MD, Air India,

Campbell Wilson, addressing the new launch, said: “With the launch of this new non-stop flight to Amsterdam, Air India adds further breadth to our long-haul network and more options for our

customers. Together with the three other European routes started in recent months, and others to come, it supports our objective of establishing Delhi as a significant international hub.”

Police investigating death of 37-year-old miner

POLICE are investigating the death of a 37-year-old miner, Royan Casey, who died at Ekereku River, one of the tributaries of the Cuyuni River in Region Seven.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Casey was employed with Simeon Seaforth as a pitman at Oban Backdam, and would experience bouts of

seizures regularly since he had epilepsy.

However, around 05:00 hrs on Wednesday, Casey went to the General Manager, Dexter John’s camp and asked for a flight to take him to Georgetown since he was feeling unwell.

Around 06:00 hrs, John left with Casey via boat towards the Correira airstrip.

While on their way and about 15 minutes from the airstrip, Casey began gasping for breath and told John that he was unable to breathe.

“He suddenly leaned forward and became motionless. He was observed to be drooling from his mouth,” police said.

The body was taken to the airstrip, and a report was made

to the Ekereku Police Station around 08:30 hrs, after which police examined the body at the airstrip for marks of violence, but there was none.

Casey's body was then taken to Georgetown via aircraft and then to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Miner, Royan Casey

Harsh penalties for offenders in new trafficking in persons law

THE government has taken an aggressive approach towards ending the scourge of human trafficking, with the passage of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill 2023 in the National Assembly, Wednesday evening.

The robust and comprehensive legislation strengthens Guyana’s response to human trafficking, as it is constituted with key measures that are aligned with global best practices and evolving socio-political requirements.

It seeks to replace the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill of 2005, thereby protecting the rights of individuals and inserting punitive measures that are geared towards addressing the social issue and deterring possible offenders.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, informed the House that the bill received extensive work from local and international bodies, as well as wide consultations.

“The objective of this bill is to provide measures to combat trafficking in persons, including children, and it sets out a litany of criminal offences with extraterritorial effect and this extraterritorial effect facilitates partnership and cooperation between Guyana and other states to prevent and suppress trafficking in persons, and, of course, it gives a wider scope to punish offenders,” she said.

With the new legislation, anyone who commits the offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for five years. Conviction on indictment carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

Minister Persaud added that there will also be significant fines, charges, and convictions relative to attempts of conspiracy or complacent acts of trafficking.

“The bill speaks to the estab-

lishment of the ministerial task force. The ministerial task force, in accordance with this legislation, must be appointed by the president. This task force is to comprise members of various sectors including immigration, law enforcement, legal affairs, foreign affairs, public health and Amerindian affairs, human services, and social security.

“It is to be chaired by the Ministers of Home Affairs and Human Services and this task force is to develop a plan of action…that focuses on many important components that deal with specifically, trafficking in person and also includes the compilation of a report coming out of data collection to be presented to cabinet,” Dr Persaud underscored.

Endorsing the bill, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., indicated that restitution is an approach that must be pursued to hurt perpetrators of human trafficking.

“If you hit the criminal in the pockets; if you hit them financially and you hurt them economically, you’ll eventually hurt them. So, in anti-money laundering offences, terrorism, in the trafficking of firearms, in the trafficking in narcotics, and human trafficking, you find that concept has

been embraced fully in this bill,” Nandlall said. Restitution is a legal method for victims to receive compensation for profits that traffickers withheld from them, additional losses they might suffer, and future costs they incur because of being trafficked.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, revealed that his ministry’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit has made several successful strides in combating human trafficking.

“In 2022, we had 22 cases where people who [were] actively apprehended and interrogated with some arrest, we had 22 operations with 247 victims screened and interviewed and one conviction achieved.

“In 2023, to date five cases were put before the courts, 12 operations were conducted, 190 suspected victims interviewed and screened, and two convictions,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, the human service ministry’s Counter-TIP Unit has trained 2,003 people to better recognise those who are victims of human trafficking.

Initiatives like these reflect the government’s determination to safeguard vulnerable people from exploitation and its dedication to ending the social scourge.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud

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

Police seize three guns belonging to licensed suspect in Essequibo shooting

Bacchus blocked the dam with a front-end loader, preventing him from having free access to the dam.

He further claimed that, at the time of the incident, he was operating one of his excavators in an effort to move the front-end loader, when Bacchus exited the loader armed with a handgun and discharged several rounds in his direction and those on the dam.

As a result, he received a gunshot wound to his right hand, and Ragoobar received a gunshot wound to her right thigh.

Jadonauth and Roopchand also received injuries. After discharging the rounds, Bacchus made good his escape from the scene.

The four victims were escorted to the Suddie Public Hospital, where they were seen and medically examined by Dr. Doobay. They were all treated and sent away.

Police visited the scene around 14:30 hrs, and recovered four .32 spent shells, and one warhead were recovered.

“Bacchus was contacted at Fairfield and one .32 Taurus

pistol, along with three live matching rounds were found in his possession. Further investigations revealed that Fawaz Bacchus is licensed to carry the said firearm. He was arrested and escorted to the Aurora Police Station along with the firearm,” the police said.

Meanwhile, around 16:00 hrs, Bacchus was escorted from the Aurora Police Station back to his home at Fairfield by Commander Shivbaran and a party of policemen.

Police searched the sus -

pect's home, and one Red Jacket .223 semi-automatic rifle, along with 32 live matching rounds, two magazines and an Escort 12-gauge shotgun along with three live 12-gauge cartridges and one empty casing were found inside his house.

“Bacchus is licensed to carry both the shotgun and rifle. Police also seized both weapons, in addition to the .32 pistol. Bacchus remains in custody as investigations continue,” the police said.

POLICE in Regional Division

#Two have arrested Fawaz Bacchus, a 40-year-old contractor of Fairfield, Essequibo Coast, who was caught on video discharging several rounds from his licensed firearm, and in the process, allegedly injuring four persons.

Commander for Regional Division #Two, Khemraj Shivbaran, said the alleged shooting incident occurred around 14:00 hrs at Fairfield, Essequibo Coast,

on Wednesday.

Police enquiries disclosed that Satrohan Maraj, a 37-yearold contractor of Leguan Island, along with his father, Roopchand Maraj, a 63-year-old contractor; his brother Jadonauth Maraj, a 34-year-old rice farmer, and Rajkumarie Ragoobar, a 33-yearold female were at Fairfield, Essequibo Coast on a dam which runs in an east to west direction.

Satrohan claimed that the dam belonged to him. He said

Suspect in killing of ‘Sir Mars’ for court today

DIRECTOR of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali Hack, on Thursday, recommended that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) charge 24-year-old Brian Richards for the murder of well-known entertainer and educator, Kirwyn Mars, also known as “Sir Mars.”

Richards, who is from John Fernandes Squatting area, is expected to appear before the Diamond Magistrates' Court today (May 12, 2023) to face the capital offence.

Mars was stabbed eight times with a knife before being pinned between his car and a fence of an apartment building in Perseverance, East Bank Demerara, last Sunday.

According to a police report, the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 hrs on the night of

May 7 at Providence, East Bank Demerara, where Mars was in the company of Richards in his grey Mitsubishi RVR vehicle, registration number PZZ-6438.

Enquiries into the incident revealed that Mars and Richards had a “misunderstanding” that escalated, and both parties armed themselves with knives, resulting in injuries to both men.

Mars attempted to escape from the vehicle, but the suspect 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 exited the vehicle and fled on foot in a southern direction. He was arrested on Tuesday at his workplace in Georgetown.

He reportedly confessed to the crime, but claimed Mars' death was accidental.

The access road that is currently causing the dispute at Fairfield, Essequibo Coast

Kirwyn Mars Brian Richards

Media workers nationwide call on GPA to release voters’ list - slams

ALTHOUGH the Guyana Press Association (GPA) was scheduled to have elections three years ago, in a shocking turn of events, the organisation has also failed to release the list of eligible voters despite being a few days away from the long overdue elections.

Several editors from media agencies across the country issued a statement, on Thursday, calling out the GPA for its lack of transparency and accountability.

The representatives were from the News Room Guyana, LRTV (Berbice), Info10 (Linden), Guyana Standard, National Communications Network, Guyana Times, MTV News Update, Inews, TVG News and the Guyana Chronicle.

According to the statement: “…

[We] are working members of the media in Guyana, and have serious concerns regarding the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) on May 14, 2023 at the Theatre Guild, particularly about membership and the voter’s list.”

It further underlined the fact that in circumstances where dues were not paid, the GPA maintains a policy of registering members and collecting their dues on Election Day.

New members were welcome to join and pay the necessary dues as long as they met the requirements for eligibility to vote, which is three years of media employment.

The statement then went on to read: “This year, the GPA Executive abandoned that convention and set May 6 as the date for the payment of dues

for EXISTING members and have said registration of new members will be approved by the new executive.”

Moreover, it was said that many media workers who have been working in the field for three years or longer and want to vote are basically denied membership as a result of this decision.

“Therefore, in the interest of transparency and accountability, to ensure the integrity of the GPA, and to eliminate any concerns about the credibility of the list of voters, we call on the GPA Executive, currently made up of four members – Nazima Raghubir, Denis Chabrol, Svetala Marshall and Rawle Toney – to release immediately the list of all members eligible to vote at the elections on May 14, 2023” the release said.

organisation for lack of transparency, accountability

Public Works Ministry explores options to improve roads at Kwebanna

THE Ministry of Public Works has assured residents of Kwebanna, Region One, that there are ongoing efforts to ensure that the deplorable roadways are enhanced in both the short and long terms.

According to a press release from the ministry, preparatory work is already underway to rehabilitate the said roadway, following the signing of

a $38,992 800 contract with Renaissance Enterprise Inc., last year.

“We wish to highlight that our engineers have confirmed with the Toshao that this situation is not representative of the general condition of the corridor, and is primarily a consequence of ongoing roadworks being affected by inclement changes in the weather.

“Torrential down -

pours within the area have led to materials placed on the road becoming slushy, which would have led to a degraded surface, and once traversed vehicles stood that chance of being stuck,” the Public Works Ministry said.

The team, the ministry related, is exploring short-term measures to improve the condition of the roadway, while also remaining steadfast in developing a long-term, comprehensive maintenance plan for the road-

way, to ensure the safety and comfort of all road users. This will be done in partnership with the community.

“The Ministry appreciates the patience and understanding of the community during this time and urges all drivers to exercise caution while driving on unsurfaced roadways that may have been impacted by the recent inclement weather conditions,” the Public Works Ministry said

The Ministry of Public Works has assured residents of Kwebanna, Region One, that there are ongoing efforts to ensure that the deplorable roadways are enhanced in both the short and long terms

Stiff competition expected at this year’s Mother and Daughter Pageant

By Faith Greene

TWENTY-TWO pairs of mothers and daughters will be competing for top prizes in this year’s Mother and Daughter Pageant, which will be held on May 13, under the theme, “The year of the Pearl, Our Love is Thirty”.

The creation of Supa stylistics, the affair promises to be breathtaking, fun-filled and competitive.

This year will be the 30th production, making it the oldest locally produced pageant in Guyana.

Aside from the COVID-19

period when everything was at a standstill, the founder, Ingrid Fung, a well-known educator, ensured that it was held every year since 1990.

“I sit here today as a symbol. A symbol through this very, very interesting journey,” Fung said during a press conference held recently to officially launch this year’s pageant.

She said that while at the Saint Joseph High School (she is the school’s former principal and English Language teacher), herself and one of her colleagues would ponder and think of ways to make life better.

They had successfully held

Senior Category

the ‘Miss St. Joseph’ pageant but wanted more.

Miss Fung as she is popularly called, recounted that the first Mother and Daughter Pageant was held at the National Sports Hall. Today, she is astonished that she was able to pull off 29 productions after that.

She stated that it is not just she and her daughter, Dr. Sulan Fung, who have worked hard to give mothers and their daughters such a bonding event to look forward to. She credited her family members for the integral role they have played in the successful staging of the pageant.

As she spoke, she pointed

out her son who was also present at the launch, and mentioned other family members who had worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the pageant was successfully held.

Sulan, who has stood beside her mother on stage over the years, spoke with pride as she emphasised the importance of this year’s production.

“This pageant was started by my mom, in 1990, in a classroom at the Saint Joseph High School. Today, 30 productions later, we are celebrating this huge milestone with the Ministry

Continued on page 18

Middle Category

Junior Category

Pageant founder, Ingrid Fung, and her daughter Sulan, at the pageant in 2019 (Photo taken from the Mother and Daughter Pageant’s Facebook page)

‘Music became my therapy’

— Ryan ‘Lyrical Fyah’ Samaroo says as he reflects on his musical journey

“NEVER be afraid to swim against the tide” is a popular adage that especially resonates with dancehall artiste Ryan ‘Lyrical Fyah’ Samaroo, a 27-year-old who hails from the West Bank of Demerara and who relentlessly pursued his dreams even when others thought that he was just “making noise.”

Currently residing in the USA, Ryan’s career started in 2015 as a recording artiste and, very quickly, he began writing songs. Apart from dancehall music, he started working with other genres such as chutney.

Ryan can never forget his ‘Mash’ day experience when he saw the crowd’s reaction to some local artistes who were performing. Impressed,

he thought to himself that he could get the same response.

At that time, he was going through a lot emotionally.

“Guyana is not big on anxiety and depression, and all the other mental health issues. People think you’re automatically crazy if you have these and that’s far from the truth,” Ryan shared. And so music became his therapy.

“It felt good. It was like I was being a therapist to myself. I would listen back to my music and feel the emotions,” he recalled.

Apart from the emotional side of things, though, Ryan realised that if structured the right way, he could make money from his music too.

“After understanding the business side of it, my aim was to do it in such a way

that I can do it for the rest of my life.”

Realising that putting out a certain quality of music matters, Ryan tries to be as versatile and relatable to as many different emotions as possible so that his music is not just channelled in one direction or centred on a topic.

“It’s whatever I am feeling at the time I write. My music has always been versatile and diverse, so you would find a song for girls, one about Guyana…”

Ryan said a big accomplishment for him was being able to inspire others from the community he is from.

“A lot of people used to curse me and tell me I am making a lot of noise and then eventually when the songs started playing on

the radio everybody started saying this is my friend…So I want to inspire people to believe in themselves even when no one else believes in them.”

Ryan plans to officially launch his own music recording label and video production company.

Currently working on the business aspects of these

plans, he will be collaborating with other artistes in and out of Guyana.

Furthermore, as a way to inspire young people, he will be launching a ‘mother company’ called Samaroo’s Investments which is going to have several smaller companies under it.

Through this venture, he will be able to employ and

inspire persons from his own community and will also be able to invest in his community.

“Time is the most valuable currency, so I think we should spend time making our dreams a reality,” he advised.

Ryan ‘Lyrical Fyah’ Samaroo

Ryan has been a dancehall artiste since 2015

Stiff competition...

From page 16

of Culture Youth and Sport. Together we have collaborated to make one of the most memorable events in Guyana,” she said in her comments.

She said that it was emotional for the family knowing that they are carrying on something that was started by their mother.

Dr Fung explained that they felt that 30 years was worthy of celebration.

“The pearl is one of the most valuable gems known to man, and how lucky are we to celebrate such a gem. We call our pearl, ‘The Atlantic’, for obvious reasons.”

She further stated that thanks to the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, the pageant will be taken to another level.

Sulan revealed that for the first time, LED screens will be set up to entertain the audience.

“This year we have on board as a primary sponsor, Mass Global Media, which will be doing all of the animation and graphics for the LED screens, which really brings the National Cultural Centre alive.”

At this year’s pageant, patrons will have an opportunity to walk down Chung’s Global’s red carpet.

The pageant has three categories: the junior category which is for mother and their daughters age four to eight, the middle category which caters for daughters age 9 to 14, and the senior category which has daughters age 15 and older.

Tickets for the highly anticipated event are on sale at the National Cultural Centre ticket booth, and cost $6000, $5500 and $5000.

T.O.K cuts ties with 'Chi Chi Man' song

JAMAICAN dancehall group

T.O.K is setting an example for their peers, by omitting divisive songs, such as “Chi Chi Man” from their performances.

Performing at the recent Reggae On The Beach held at Artistry Beach, Bay Street, St Michael on Monday, May 1, the group refrained from performing one of their most popular songs, "Chi Chi Man", making a statement that they are about promoting unity and not separation.

Although hosts Infamous The Voice and Jordan English with the help of the crowd begged for the 2001 hit, the group remained unfazed and concrete with their decision.

Speaking to Loop Entertainment, following their stellar performance which included many of their other hits like Money

To Burn, She's Hot, Gal You Ah Lead, Footprints and Shake Yuh Bam Bam, the group revealed what led to the decision.

"Basically 'Chi Chi Man' is like a gift and a curse. It's a great record that means so much to so many people from just the love of the music but for some

Shaggy, Spice and Akon collaboration in the works

people it's offensive as well. And because we feel like the music should really unite people, we've made a decision to not perform

the song, because we don't want to offend any of our fans," Roshaun 'Bay C' Clarke said on behalf of the group. Also speaking on behalf of his bandmates, Alistaire 'Alex' McCalla professed that they definitely felt the love from Barbadians, although this was their first performance in the island for over a decade.

"It was a good vibes! It was

nice energy! Everytime we come to Barbados, we always feel love that the people dem show we. It's over 10 years that we've been here."

"So T.O.K we've been through a lot. We had a moment of a hiatus where we were doing individual stuff but we're back now as a group; we have a record called No Place Like Home and it's very ironic and very poetic for us to be here because Barbados is like a home. It's almost like a reunion with our fans and introduction to new fans," Craig 'Craigy T' Thompson interjected.

He also revealed that the

group would be open to bookings for the upcoming Crop Over Season.

"We're very happy to be here and very happy to receive the love from the people and we hope to be back soon again maybe for Crop Over."

The four-man group was unfortunately missing one of their members, Xavier "Flex" Davidson, who was unable to attend, but Thompson professed that they would still be "representing" for him.

"Even though Flex isn't here we're still representing for him." (Loop Entertainment)

A NEW collaboration between Shaggy, Spice, and Senegalese-American singer Akon is on the horizon.

A video of the three at a recording studio was posted on Shaggy's official Instagram page last Friday.

In the caption under the post, Shaggy said "Heat on da way!!! Gracie back!! @spiceofficial @akon @olafblackwood @shanehoosong @costiofficial @grantvalentine"

Selector and producer Jazzy T from Renaissance Disco commented on the post: "This look serious."

Another producer Trackstarr, who is known for producing hits like Hood Celebrityy's Walking Trophy and Kemar Highcon's So Saucy, in commenting on Shaggy's post said: "Ye Ye Ye back in business. Work work work."

This is not the first time that Shaggy has collaborated with Spice. Both teamed up with Sean Paul for the club banger Wine and Go Down Deh, which was featured on Spice's debut album 10. The track Bad Girl from the album 10, also features Shaggy.

In 2007, Shaggy teamed up with Akon for the single What's Love, the third release from Shaggy's eighth studio album Intoxication. The song peaked at number 52 on Germany's Official Singles chart.

Akon on the other hand, has previously worked with other Jamaican acts.

In 2005 he teamed up with Sean Paul on a remix of R Kelly's Slow Wine and the following year he collaborated with Beenie Man on the song Girls, which is featured on Beenie Man's Virgin Records album Undisputed.

Stay Down, featuring Don Yute, and Just a Man featuring Stephen Marley were other collaborations that Akon recorded with Jamaican acts.

The duo Brick and Lace was signed to Akon's Konlive label, which released the album Love is Wicked.

In 2008 Akon was featured on Tami Chynn's Frozen, which peaked at number three on Billboard's Dance Music Club Play chart.

Akon's 2006 album Konvicted featured the track Don't Matter which samples Bob Marley's Zimbabwe. A cover of Peter Tosh's Mama Africa is featured on the album. (Jamaica Observer)

T.O.K performed at Reggae On The Beach on May 1

Shaggy speaking with the Jamaica Observer at the AC Hotel Kingston (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday May 10, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD

-

Answers to yesterday’s

(1)

(1)

(2) Which two teams contested the first

Answers

RACING TIPS

Barbados crush Guyana by 9 wickets

CMC – West Indies captain, Hayley Matthews, lashed a pulsating half-century as reigning champions, Barbados, crushed Guyana by nine wickets in the Women’s Super50 Cup here on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest 122 in the second-round match at Conaree, Barbados overhauled their target in the 18th over with the right-handed Matthews ending unbeaten on 72 from just 42 balls.

Opener Kycia Knight chipped in with 40 as Barbados completed their second straight win following Monday’s comfortable victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Warner Park.

Sent in earlier, Guyana had fallen for 121 off 35 overs, with the West Indies trio of Sheneta Grimmond (24), Shemaine Campbelle (21) and Kaysia Schultz (21) being the only ones to pass 20 as the West Indies new-ball fast-bowling pair of Shakera Selman (2-16) and Shamilia Connell (2-21) spearheaded Barbados’ attack with a brace of wickets each.

Matthews grabbed two for 25 with her off-spin while rookie leg-spinner Keila Elliott finished with two for 30.

Connell caused the early damage, taking two of the first three wickets as Guyana stumbled to 30 for three in the seventh over, before captain Campbelle and Katana Mentore (7) put on 32 for the

fourth.

When another three wickets tumbled for three runs in the space of nine balls, Grimmond and Shultz put on 36 for the seventh wicket to revive the innings.

In reply, Matthews and Knight pummeled the Guyana bowlers in a 109-run opening stand to erase any doubt over the result.

Matthews struck eight fours and four sixes while the left-handed Knight carved out five fours in a 54-ball knock before perishing with victory in sight, clobbering a high full toss from off-spinner Grimmond into the grasp of deep mid-wicket in the 16th over.

At St Paul’s Sports Complex, West Indies stroke-maker, Britney Cooper, got among the runs with a half-century, helping Trinidad and Tobago rebound from their opening round defeat to Barbados with a nerve-jangling one-wicket victory over Jamaica.

Asked to chase 124, the Trinidadians got home at the end of the 42nd over with Cooper top-scoring with 52 from 57 balls.

She struck five fours and one six, anchoring small partnerships of 25 for the fourth wicket with Djenaba Joseph (10), 23 for the sixth wicket with captain Anisa Mohammed (3) and 27 for the seventh wicket with Kirbyina Alexander (7).

Off-spinner Vanessa Watts claimed three for 16 while new-ball seamer Celina Whyte (2-26) provided support.

Another West Indies batter, Natasha McLean, had earlier struck an unbeaten 59 from 60 balls with two fours and five sixes but Jamaica could only muster 123 all out in the 40th over.

They were tottering at 19 for four in the 14th over before McLean combined with international teammate, Chedean Nation (24) in a 59run, fifth wicket partnership which revived the innings.

However, once Nation became the first of off-spinner Samara Ramnath’s (5-13) five wickets in the 28th over, Jamaica collapsed to lose their last six wickets for 45 runs.

In the other game at Warner Park, out-of-favour West Indies left-arm seamer Qiana Joseph claimed five for 14 to set up an easy eight-wicket victory for Windward Islands over Leeward Islands.

Divya Saxena struck a run-a-ball unbeaten 44 with half-dozen fours but Leewards never recovered from 36 for five in the 12th over and were bundled out for 59 off 19 overs.

Opener Malika Edward then thumped half-dozen fours in scoring 31 off 53 balls as Windwards marched to their target at the start of the 16th over.

Barbados and West Indies captain Hayley Matthews (file photo)

Rajasthan re-ignite campaign thanks to Chahal flurry

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Rajasthan Royals reignited their IPL campaign in spectacular fashion, brushing aside the despondency of winning just one of their previous six games with a brutal takedown of Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Two of their big names stood up in big ways: Yuzvendra Chahal became the leading wicket-taker in IPL history while bagging his second successive four-wicket haul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal made a two-paced pitch look like a belter while scoring the IPL's fastest-ever fifty.

Having restricted KKR to 149 for 8 after choosing to bowl, Royals chased down their target in just 13.1 overs, lifting their net run rate from an already healthy 0.388 to 0.633, the second best in the league behind table-toppers Gujarat Titans. It should hold Royals in good stead if they get into an NRR battle for playoffs qualification. They are now third on the table with 12 points from 12 games, above Mumbai Indians who have the same points total with a game in hand.

Royals' catching sets the tone

Trent Boult was back for Royals after missing their heartbreaking loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, and he immediately made an impact with wickets in his first two overs. He usually takes early wickets by defeating top-order batters with new-ball swing - on this occasion he took them with some help from the fielders. Shimron Hetmyer sent Jason Roy back with a sprinting, jumping grab at deep square leg, while Sandeep Sharma ended Rahmanullah Gurbaz's stay at the crease with a diving catch to his right at mid-off.

Venkatesh's innings of two halves

On a pitch where the odd ball was stopping on the batter, Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana made a ponderous start to their third-wicket partnership. The first 30 balls after Gurbaz's dismissal brought KKR just 30 runs, with just the one boundary, and Venkatesh endured a particularly difficult struggle while moving to 11 off 20 balls.

But he started finding the boundary regularly from that

point. He hit R Ashwin - who had conceded just eight runs in his first two overs - for a pair of sixes in an 18-run ninth over, and then hit Chahal for two sixes and a four in the 13th over. He was eventually dismissed at the start of the 17th over, for 57 off 42 balls.

Chahal runs through KKR

Venkatesh's dismissal was a classic death-overs wicket from Chahal - a loopy delivery hung wide outside off stump after angling across the lefthander, inviting the big hit that was miscued to a fielder inside the circle.

Chahal had already gotten

falling one run short of the record of 27, set by Royal Challengers Bangalore - Chris Gayle, mostly - against Mumbai's Abu Nechim in Qualifier 2 in 2011.

Jaiswal shrugs off Buttler run-out in record-breaking display

A mix-up in the second over cost Jos Buttler his wicket, but that did nothing to slow Jaiswal down. He picked up a lucky four later in the over thanks to overthrows, and then hooked Harshit Rana for six. Then he went 4, 4, 4 off Shardul Thakur in the third over, driving and pulling and

among the wickets before that, having Nitish caught at deep backward square leg in the 11th over to go past Dwayne Bravo and become the IPL's top wicket-taker.

There would be two more on the night: Shardul Thakur lbw while missing a sweep in a double-wicket 16th over, and Rinku Singh caught at long-off in a three-run 19th.

Jaiswal takes Nitish apart

If you bowl the first over for your team, Jaiswal is the last batter you want to bowl to. Coming into this game, Jaiswal had hit more fours (13) and more sixes (two) in the first over than any other batter in IPL 2023. It was interesting, then, that Nitish brought himself on to bowl the first over of Royals' chase.

Nitish is better than parttime, but he hasn't bowled regularly this season. He may have thought his offspin would match up nicely against Jaiswal's left-handedness, or he may have gambled on buying a wicket if either opener went after him too hard.

In the event, Jaiswal tore into Nitish, going 6, 6, 4, 4, 2, 4 in the second-most expensive first over in IPL history,

finding gaps as if there were no fielders on the 30-yard circle. Having thus moved to 49 off 12, Jaiswal tucked a single off his hip to bring up the IPL's fastest fifty, going one ball better than KL Rahul and Pat Cummins.

Jaiswal and Samson finish in a hurry

Jaiswal's masterful timing and placement suggested this pitch may have eased up, but Samson showed it still wasn't straightforward to bat on, moving to 21 off 21 balls at the other end while having a skied return catch dropped by Sunil Narine.

Then he joined the party with three clean, straight sixes off Anukul Roy in the 11th over, and the end was nigh. All that remained to see was whether Jaiswal could get to his hundred, and it was still possible when the 14th over began with Jaiswal on 94 and Royals three runs from victory. A six would do it, but Jaiswal was going to get the winning runs as quickly as he could, however they came. He shuffled across to a wide full-toss from Thakur, and swiped it behind square for four, to finish on 98 off 47.

Yuzvendra Chahal exults after removing Venkatesh Iyer (BCCI)

Oshane Thomas transferred to St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

Oshane Thomas has been transferred to the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League. Thomas joins the Patriots from the Barbados Royals after two seasons with that franchise.

The Patriots will be Thomas’ third CPL team, having also played for his home side, the Jamaica Tallawahs, from 2016 to 2020. Thomas has claimed 42 wickets at CPL at an average

of 24.42 across his 33 matches.

The complete squad for the Republic Bank

CPL will be announced during the draft show which will be broadcast at the end of June.

(GFF) Elite League Season five…

Defending champions Fruta Conquerors to open against GDF on Sunday

Reigning champions, Fruta Conquerors Football Club, will kick off Season Five of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League against the Guyana Police Force Football Club on Sunday, May 14, at the Eve Leary Sports Club ground, Kingston, Georgetown.

Western Tigers Football Club will also play Milerock Football Club on the first day of the much-anticipated premier men’s football competition.

Fixtures for Season Five were this week sent to the ten participating teams including the Guyana Defence Force Football Club, Den Amstel Football Club, Victoria Kings Football Club, Buxton United Sports Club, Milerock Football Club, Ann's Grove Football Club, Guyana Police Force Football Club and Santos Football Club.

Teams will be aiming for a positive start to secure enough points to make it to

the championship at the end of the season.

GFF Acting Technical Director, Bryan Joseph, said Season Five will see Guyana’s top players back on the pitch in one of the most competitive local leagues.

“As we draw closer to the kick off of Season Five of the Elite League, we feel a sense of readiness to deliver exciting football to the fans out there. This is football at its best with Guyana’s top senior players competing over the next few weeks."

Joseph also encouraged fans to show their support by attending games.

“Sunday is going to be massive with the grand opening ceremony inclusive of the march pass of all ten teams at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary. We encourage the football fans to come out in your numbers and support the return to Elite League football,” Joseph added.

More than four million dollars will be awarded to

clubs and players. Clubs will play several rounds of football with the two clubs scoring the most points advancing to the two-million dollars championship match.

Victorious clubs will be awarded three points, a draw gets teams one point each, defeated teams will be awarded no points on the overall table. Three points will be deducted from teams that forfeit a match.

Players participating in the two-month league, which will be broadcast on the FIFA+ platform, will benefit tremendously from global exposure.

The champions will automatically qualify for the CONCACAF / Caribbean Shield Championships.

The GFF Elite League is a key part of GFF President Wayne Forde’s strategic strategy to grow the football audience in Guyana, while giving players a competitive platform to showcase their talent.

Oshane Thomas

Third category in Sheltez Junior Tournament set for tomorrow

By Sean Devers

THE third of four categories in the Sheltez Independence Junior Tournament will be held from tomorrow at the Le Ressouvenir Tennis club on the East Coast of Demerara as the development of tennis at Nursery level is on the move.

The third category will be the U-18s. Over twenty-five players will be participating, with over twenty matches to be played again; the venues will be the two tennis clubs on the East Coast and East Bank. In the second category (U14s), which featured boys and girls, was played over a three-day period. Two venues are being used for all events: GBTI (Diamond) and Le Ressouvenir.

Thirteen players competed in a round robin system

with six girls and seven boys being placed in two groups. They played two short sets (4 games) each and a tie-break game (10 points)

for each match.

The results of the round robin are as follow:

Kimora def Khloe 4/1 4/1, Niomi def Sihle 5/3 5/3, Elwyn 4/4 (7/3) 4/1Jonathan, Christin def Khole 4/0 4/0, Sihle def Anastaia 4/1 4/0, Jose def Ethan 4/1 4/0, Nathan def Kedel 4/0;4/0, Nathan def Sam w/o, Kedel w/o from Sam, Jose def Jonathan 4/1 4/2, Elwdef Ethan w/0 4/1, Niomi def Anastaia 5/3 4/0 and Christin def Kimora 5/3 4/1

The top two players from each group advanced to the knock-out round.

Christin Richmond, Niomi Erskine, Kimora Erskine and Sihlelewe Marakalla were the girls who qualified while Nathan DeNobrega, Elwyn Levius, Jose Rodrigues, and Aakesh Panday qualified among the Boys.

In the Boys semi-finals, Nathan DeNobrega defeated Elwyn Levius 4/1 4/4(7/3) while Akesh Panday beat Jose Rodrigues 5/3 4/2.

In the Girls Final, Christin Richmond got past Niomi Erskine 0/4 4/4(8/6) 10/4, while in the Boys Final, Nathan DeNobrega defeated Akesh Panday 4/1 5/3.

The matches were all exciting to see with some of the players still in competitive mode from overseas tournaments they played in and were able to showcase a great level of performance. Other participants in this category showed potential and fought hard.

The final category will be the U-12 and will be contested on May 20th and 21st.

Oceaneering International sponsors Annual U-14 Indoor Hockey League

By Sean Devers

Ethan Bulkan demonstrated tremendous natural talent for a lad who turned 10 on February 20 when he defeated Jibril Alli 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 on day three of the Woodpecker Junior National Squash tournament at the Georgetown Club on Wednesday Evening.

Bulkan, who also played in U-13 division, showed good shot selection and use of the court, attributes which belied his age, especially when competing with the U-13s.

Watched by a small gathering which included his mom and grandmother, the Marian Academy student, who also plays Hockey and Football, was clinical in his win on Wednesday with some well executed serves.

Later in the evening Bulkan, who departed for a one-week visit to Jamaica with parents and brother yesterday, whipped Rafael

Braithwaite 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 in another one-sided match and his latest victory gives him the U-11 title.

On his way to the title, the pint-size pre-teen beat the confident eight-year-old Zion Hickerson and Jacob McDonald on Monday before defeating Kaiden Alli and Matthew Daby on Tuesday.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, 17-year-old Michael Alphonso, who still has another year at Junior Squash, beat Demetrius DeAbreu 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 in the U-19 division.

The scores did not reflect the quality of Squash played as both players engaged in long rallies which ended most times with Alphonso, who has gotten bigger, stronger and fitter over last year, winning the points.

With excellent use of his drives, vollies and drop shots, the skilful Alphonso looked a level above his peers but even though De Abreu lost 3-love he played

some good squash, especially in the last two games.

In the other games, Justin Ten Pow, who is favoured to win the U-13s, beat Kaiden Alli 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 before winning his second game of the night by defeating Zion Hickerson, the youngest player in the tournament, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4.

Brenno Da Silva beat Blake Edwards in one of the most competitive matches of the night, 3-2 in U-15 division.

The pair of youngsters matched each other shot for shot in the opening game which ended in Da Silva’s favour, 14-12.

Edward won the second stanza 4-11 before DaSilva won the third games 11-6 but DaSilva went down 5-11 in the next game to take the match into a fifth game which Da Silva won 11-9 to take the match.

Richard Rodrigues beat Nikolas Shaw 11-2, 11-5, 11-7 while Avian Wade beat Justin Goberdhan 11-

9, 11-9, 11-7 in the other two matches in the U-15 division.

In the Boys U-17 division, Louis DaSilva beat Jeremy Ten Pow 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 while Shilow Asregado defeated Demitri Lowe 11-4, 11-4, 11-4.

In the Girls U-15, Malia Maikoo beat Kaylee Lowe 11-5, 12-10, 11-5 before beating Emily Fung-a-fat 11-3, 11-5, 11-7.

The tournament was scheduled to continue yesterday and today and conclude tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the GSA will hold a Bar-B-Q and Lunch from 12hrs to 15hrs. Tickets cost $1,500.

The Senior Players’ Commission will hold a ‘drinks table’ to raise funds for the senior team to travel for the Pan Am qualifiers in Columbia, Senior CASA in the Cayman Islands and the other Regional and International tournaments Guyana has qualified for.

The Guyana Hockey Board has relaunched its Under-14 Indoor League which is being staged under a new sponsor this year in Oceaneering International.

This tournament was initiated in 2017 and was the first of its kind to be held in schools and provided a huge boost to the development of the game with more than 100 children in competition each year.

Unfortunately, some momentum was lost as the tournament has not been held in the last 3 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite this gap, the tournament has proven to be successful in its goal to further the development of players.

Baraka Garnett and Tahrea Garnett, who were winners of the Most Goals and MVP prizes respectively in 2017, recently represented Guyana at the Junior PanAm Championships held in Barbados last April.

Abosaide Cadogan, who also won the Most Goals prize in the Girls category in 2017, has represented Guyana on both the Junior and Senior National teams since her debut in this tournament.

The tournament is a 4-aside format with a maximum of 10 registered players per team and this year will see new schools such as Richard Ishmael Secondary School and Cummings Lodge Secondary School participating alongside regular teams from Saints Hockey Club (SHC), Hikers (HHC), GCC, North Georgetown Multilateral and St Joseph’s High School. The tournament will utilize the auditoriums of Saints Stanislaus College, St Joseph's High School and Marian Academy with a different venue being used each week.

The league will be held every Friday with games starting at 4:00pm and concluding at 7:00pm. This Friday the action commences at Saints Stanislaus College.

Nathan DeNobrega won the Boys U-14 category

In the presentation photo from left: Tournament Coordinators, Mrs Dominique Fraser and Ms Aniyah Jardine of the Guyana Hockey Board, along with Mr Paul Stone in Country Superintendent and Ms. Natasha Jairam-Abai, Administrative Co-ordinator of Oceaneering

Motie, Paul among West Indies squad for Men’s 2023 CWC Qualifiers

- UAE squads also named

THE Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men’s Selection

Panel today named the squad to participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. The eight-team tournament will be played in Zimbabwe from June 18th, as the West Indies look to secure one of the two final places in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to be played in India later this year.

Ahead of the qualifiers, the West Indies will have a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah for which the Selection Panel also named the squad for those matches to be played on 5, 7 and 9 of June. These matches will form part of the preparations for the qualifiers.

CWI has given permission to players participating

in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to return to the Caribbean for a short break before arriving in Zimbabwe for the qualification tournament.

There are recalls for all-rounder Keemo Paul and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who last played in ODIs last July against India in Trinidad. The squad for the three ODIs in Sharjah also includes four uncapped players: left-handed batter, Alick Athanaze, as well as al-lrounders Kavem Hodge, Dominic Drakes, and Akeem Jordan.

Lead Selector, the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “Paul is a three-dimensional player, who can bowl the new ball effectively, he’s dynamic in the outfield and he can also make vital runs. He is now fully recovered from injury and with his skill-set we see him as a po-

tential match-winner for us. Motie was excellent in the Test matches in the Zimbabwe earlier this year, where he took 19 wickets, and we anticipate similar conditions for the Qualifiers. We believe he will again relish the chance to bowl in those conditions. He is also a capable batsman and good in the outfield. The team played well in South Africa earlier this year, when we drew the ODI Series 1-1 under the new captain. We were encouraged by that display and we expect them to continue to grow and create that synergy.”

Haynes added: “We see this as a crucial tournament as we look to secure one of the two places left in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Therefore, we have selected a balanced team which we believe is well equipped to get the job

done in the conditions we anticipate in Zimbabwe. It will be a challenging tournament, it will be intense and competitive, there is no doubt about that. In speaking to the players, they are fully aware of the job at hand. We are happy with the preparations and the mindset of the players, and everyone is clear about their roles in the squad.

“For the matches against the UAE in Sharjah, this presents a chance for some other players who are not in the squad for the qualifiers, to get an opportunity at the international level as we look to expose more players.”

United Arab Emirates: Shai Hope (captain), Brandon King (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Dominic Drakes, Kavem Hodge, Akeem Jordan,

Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Raymon Reifer, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas.

ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers: Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell (vice-captain), Shamarh Brooks, Yan -

nic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd.

Speaker’s Cup T20 hard-ball Edition Launched

- BCB, GCA to hold separate competitions

By Tanacia Karim

The 2023 edition of the Speaker’s Cup T20 hardball edition will be played in two different areas, something that was disclosed during yesterday’s launch.

The tournament, launched at the Everest Cricket Club, is a collaborative effort between the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA).

Patron of the tournament and Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, spoke about the initial vision for the tournament and his hopes for its future, saying organisers had wanted to

create a national T20 tournament that would run from September to October.

This tournament will serve as an opportunity for well-known players to play in front of their fans and will double as a vessel for newer players who hadn’t had the opportunity to play competitively to gain exposure.

Mr. Roger Harper, former cricketer and current vice-president of the Guyana Cricket Association, shared his sentiments stating,” we think out of this we’ll see several players going on to do bigger things.”

The tournament was originally supposed to occur late 2020 and would have coincided with the national selection period for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

However, it was delayed due to COVID-19.

This year’s tournament will begin in early June and will be split into two separate competitions to be held by the Georgetown Cricket Association and the Berbice Cricket Board.

The competition, held by the Berbice Cricket Board, will consist of twelve teams and will be played on a knockout basis. The teams will only be from the Berbice County and are as follows: Blairmont, West Indies, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Albion/Port Mourant, RHT Namilco/Thunderbolt, Upper Corentyne, Skeldon and Berbice River. Fans can expect players such as Romario Shepherd, Kevin

Sinclair, Shamar Joseph, Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie, Veersammy Permaul, Kelvon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Anthony Bramble, Demetri Cameron, among others, as well as the possibility of some female players being incorporated into

the teams.

Meanwhile, the Georgetown Cricket Association competition will be played on a round robin basis in two zones and the top two teams in each zone will qualify for the semi-finals. There will be ten teams in total with over 180 players.

These teams are the Gandhi Youth Organisation, Police Sports Club, Demerara Cricket Club, Georgetown Cricket Club, Bel Air Rubis, East Coast, Everest Cricket Club, Guyana Defence Force, Malteenoes Sports Club, Trojans Cricket Club, Muslim Youth Organisation and the Transport Sports Club.

The tournament is sponsored by Parliament, Garibaldi, Enaith Printers, Banks DIH, GTT, The Suraj Foundation, BASIF and Assuria. The winning teams will receive a custom mace and 500,000 dollars while the second-place teams will receive 200,000 dollars.

Plans are in the pipeline to have the two winners face each other in a grand finale but that is yet to be confirmed.

Gudakesh Motie

BCB's Angella Haniff (left) is presenting the cheque from Dave Narine as officials from the BCB, GCA and national players from Berbice share the moment (Sean Devers photo)

Ethan Bulkan beat Jibril Alli (partly hidden) on Wednesday night (Sean Devers photo)

Speaker of the House & Patron of the tournament, Mansoor Nadir (right) is presented with a replica of the sponsorship cheque from the sponsor of Garibaldi Wines at Everest yesterday (Sean Devers photo)