Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 13-07-2023

Guyana witnesses astonishing 340 per cent surge in housing investments since 2021

INFRASTRUCTURAL

investment has grown by 340 per cent, from approximately $17.2 billion in 2021 to around $53.3 billion in 2023, as Guyana experiences a development boom and sector expansion.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement as he briefed media operatives at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown on Wednesday.

The investment includes the upgrade of al-

most 69.4 kilometres of road from 2021 to 2022, with an additional 341 kilometres planned for 2023. The government has also invested in the construction of 425 kilometres of new roads with an additional 660 kilometres planned for 2023.

“And this is only in the housing sector I’m speaking about. From 2021 to 2022, 19.55 kilometres of highway were constructed, with an additional 17.6 kilometres planned for 2023. Specifically, 1.6 kilometres of the four-lane

connector of Great Diamond is in progress, while procurement is underway for 60 kilometres of fourlane highway from Great Diamond to Craig, and then to Land of Canaan,” President Ali outlined.

He also noted that the government, through the Ministry of Housing, has allocated some 23,698 house lots, outside of those allocated just two days ago.

President Ali said the housing sector has supported upwards of 50,000 jobs over the past few

years.

“Given the average price for house lots and the actual costs of investment in infrastructure by the government, an average low-income allottee receives a 97 per cent subsidy from the government. A low or middle-income allottee receives a 74 per cent subsidy from the government. This is the investment the government is making every time someone is allocated a house lot,” Dr Ali said.

Guyana poised to continue its exceptional growth

–– country’s economy tripled between 2020 and 2022; inflation rate well below regional average at 3.8 per cent

By Clestine Juan

GUYANA has undergone a remarkable economic transformation, experiencing a threefold increase in its economy since 2020, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali during a press conference on Wednesday

The news of Guyana’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP) surging from $1.1 trillion in 2020 to an impressive $3.1 trillion by the end of 2022, has positioned the nation as the fastest-growing economy in the world

The Head of State said that the momentous growth can largely be attributed to the successful commencement of oil production at the Lisa Unity FPSO, marking a new era of prosperity for the country

President Ali’s announcement during the press conference highlighted the significance of this milestone in Guyana’s economic trajectory.

“Guyana’s economy has almost tripled since the end of 2020, with our nominal GDP moving from 1.1 trillion in 2020 to 3.1 trillion at the end of 2022 Of course, this is largely owing to the start-up of oil production at the Lisa Unity FPSO Guyana is now the fastest-growing economy in the world,” the President said

This extraordinary accomplishment, he said, comes in the face of a challenging global crisis that has inflicted human costs and exposed vulnerabilities in the global food and energy supply

While global inflation peaked at 8.9 per cent last year and is projected to remain elevated at 6.1 per cent this year, Guyana has emerged as a beacon of economic strength.

President Ali further revealed that Guyana is poised to continue its exceptional growth trajectory in the coming years

The nation is projected to achieve an average annual growth rate of 25 per cent between 2023 and 2026 Furthermore, Guyana’s non-oil growth is estimated to reach an impressive 7.9 per cent this year, building upon the remarkable 11.5 per cent growth achieved in the previous year

The President also underscored the government’s commitment to prudent fiscal management, evident in the significant reduction of Guyana’s debt-to-GDP ratio

By the end of 2022, the President revealed that the ratio stood at 24.6 per cent, demonstrating the government’s responsible handling of the country’s financial resources

President Ali highlighted this commitment, stating, “At the end of 2022, Guyana’s debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 24.6 per cent, down from 38.9 per cent a year prior Demonstrating the government’s commitment to prudent fiscal management of the country’s resources.”

When comparing Guyana’s economic performance to global estimates, the nation’s exceptional growth stands out. While the world is projected to grow at a rate of 2.8 per cent in 2023, advanced economies at 1.3 per cent, and Latin America and the Caribbean at 1.6 per cent, Guyana is

expected to surge ahead with an impressive growth rate of 25.1 per cent

In terms of inflation, Guyana’s economy is anticipated to experience a modest increase, estimated at 3.8 per cent, while Latin America and the Caribbean grapple with an inflation rate of 11.8 per cent

President Ali took pride in mentioning the measures implemented to mitigate the effects of elevated prices on citizens, highlighting the government’s commitment to reducing the burden of the cost of living

President Ali stated, “In terms of inflation estimate, the world estimate is at 6.1 per cent Latin America and the Caribbean at 11.8 per cent, and Guyana is estimated at 3.8 per cent As I said, I don’t need to remind you of all the measures we put in place to cushion the effect of the cost of living.”

President Ali further emphasised the government’s dedication to fulfilling manifesto promises, particularly in regard to alleviating the financial strain on the population

He noted the removal of over 200 taxes and fees imposed by the previous government, the restoration of electricity and water subsidies benefitting over 28,000 pensioners, and the increase in old age pensions by 61 per cent The President further mentioned the reinstatement and enhancement of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant and the disciplined services one-month tax-free bonus

President Ali highlighted these achievements, stating, “In our first budget, more than 200 plus taxes and fees imposed by the APNU AFC government were fully removed The electricity and water subsidies were restored, benefitting over 28,000 pensioners, we increased old age pension by 61per cent, restored and increased the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, restored the disciplined services one-month taxfree bonus that was previously removed by the APNU+AFC government.”

The staggering economic growth, declining debt-to-GDP ratio, and prudent fiscal management showcase Guyana’s potential as an emerging economic powerhouse

The Head of State said that the government is committed to safeguarding its citizens’ welfare and prioritising responsible resource management to pave the way for a prosperous future for the nation

New programme launched to upskill 1,500 teachers

By Shamar Meusa

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan

Ali on Wednesday said that a new programme has been launched to enhance teachers’ skills in teaching, reading and comprehension and will see some 1,500 teachers across the country benefitting from this programme.

The Head of State made this announcement during a press conference held at the Office of the President where he spoke on the government’s achievements in the education sector since entering office in 2020

He indicated that this programme , which was launched on Wednesday, will see 1,500 teachers doing a specialised course

with the University of the West Indies to enhance their skills in teaching , reading and comprehension

Meanwhile, in relation to the other successes, he noted that since assuming office ; the government has maintained some 526 schools annually and started a programme to audit same

Additionally, he stated that an audit was conducted in the health and education sectors, and all facilities, at the end of last year These audits will guide the multi - year budget planning as the programme is implemented

“To date, 4,737 computing devices were procured and distributed to teachers and students, and 10 smart classrooms were

established at secondary schools to facilitate the integration of ICTs into the teaching-learning process,” he said

Adding to this , some 10 more smart classrooms will soon be established at the primary level , while he noted that to promote E-Learning for hinterland students some 102 hinterland students were accommodated at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Turkeyen Campus for both face-to-face learning and online training

In relation to training, the head of state indicated that some 4,213 teachers were trained to use the new curriculum at the primary and nursery levels and by the end of the year, 4,913 teachers will have completed the training to

deliver the new curriculum

As part of the investments made to improve education , he said , “ To date, we have expanded 3 billion on textbooks By the end of this year, all primary and secondary school students will have access to a minimum of four textbooks per student due to this investment in the education sector A total of 87,634 students are benefiting from school feeding , 42,735 from juice and biscuits, 29,691 from hot meals and 15,208 from breakfasts.”

Additionally, President Ali remarked that they have also moved to expand the coverage of the Guyana Learning Channel, as 91 solar systems have

been installed and 1,353 lessons developed and broadcasted

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali (DPI photo)

This, he said, is important in ensuring equity in education.

President Ali announces record low child, maternal mortality rates —

22,000 surgeries performed annually

SIGNIFICANT accomplishments have been achieved in the public health sector over the past two and a half years due to government investment.

His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during a press conference held on Wednesday, unveiled some of these achievements including the lowest child mortality rate to ever be recorded in Guyana’s history.

Statistics provided have revealed that the child mortality rate is now at 13 per 1,000 births in 2023, compared to 19 per 1,000 births in 2020. Guyana has also managed to maintain a life expectancy of 70 years compared to 68 in 2020.

“Our goal is to increase life expectancy to 72 by 2026 and 75 by 2030 … This is the reality of the Guyana you live in. This is the result of investment the government is making, real results, real benefit, real transformation for the people of our country,” President Ali underscored.

Additionally, maternal mortality has significantly improved from 170 per 10,000 deliveries in 2017 to 96 per 10,000 deliveries in 2023.

Through private institutions and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the number of cardiac surgeries being performed in Guyana has increased tremendously, with

more than 250 interventional treatments being offered.

“We expect to introduce regular open-heart surgeries for adults this year to enhance our cardiac service care. This year, we intend to open up for open heart surgeries at the Georgetown Hospital,” the head of state disclosed.

Paediatric cardiac surgery has now been established as a regular programme at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and so far, 12 children have benefitted from open heart surgery in 2023.

Additionally, more brain neurosurgery and other specialised surgeries are being

performed at the GPHC and the New Amsterdam Hospital.

In 2024, the number of open-heart surgeries for children will increase to more than 40 children per year, President Ali also disclosed. The number of transplants being conducted in Guyana has also increased from four

kidney transplants per year to one per month.

Fifty-five knee and hip replacements have been completed and the government is aiming to increase this to more than 100 per year, in an effort to reduce the backlog,

Also, Guyana will complete its first paediatric transplant in October and its first cadaveric transplant in November.

“The number of surgeries has increased and is now approaching more than 22,000 per year … This is the results, the qualitative results of the investment that we’re making,” Dr Ali stated.

Last year, the GPHC announced that CT scans will be offered free of cost and according to President Ali, more than 1,000 CT scans are being conducted per month at the health institution.

These are among some of the many developments that are occurring in the health sector.

Guyana boosts healthcare budget by 150% in three years — says President Ali

By Shamar Meusa

FOR the past three years, the government of Guyana has been working tirelessly to fulfill their commitment of delivering high-quality healthcare services, making significant investments and other efforts.

This is according to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali who made this disclosure during a press conference which was held on Wednesday at the Office of the President.

The Head of State, as he spoke on the achievements of his government since entering office in 2020, stated that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) promised in its 2020 manifesto to transform the health of the people of the country by providing a world-class healthcare system.

He added that a promise made included ensuring people can live long and productive lives in Guyana. The subcomponent of these promises is having diseases diagnosed earlier and having access to the best treatment available, reducing child mortality, and improving patient and family experience in the health sector.

To this end, Dr Ali said that thus far Guyana has seen an improvement in life expectancy in spite of COVID-19 which caused a dip in life expectancies in countries around the world. He revealed that the country has maintained a life expectancy of 70 years old as compared to 68 years old in 2020.

In relation to the reduction of child mortality rates, these rates he said have slowly improved and currently stand at the lowest it has ever been in Guyana’s history. Child mortality rates now stand at 13 per every 1,000 births as opposed to 19 per 1,000 births in 2020.

Additionally, the Head of State revealed that maternal mortality has improved to its lowest ever as those rates now stand at 96 per 10,000 deliveries compared to 170 per 10,000 deliveries in 2017.

This, he noted, results from investment as he showed that the government is making actual results that provide real benefits and transformation for the people of the country.

Among improvements made in the country’s healthcare sector, it was also noted that cardiac surgery is

now being provided in large numbers both in the private sector and at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

With this, Dr Ali said that paediatric cardiac surgery is now not only established but stands as a regular programme at the GPHC.

Some 12 children benefitted from open heart surgery this year and there are expectations of increasing that number to over 40 children per year in the coming year.

The number of overall surgeries has increased and is now approaching over 22,000 per year. President Ali then took the time to recognise the efforts of the nurses and doctors and other healthcare workers as he noted that these are the qualitative results of the investments being made in the sector.

beautiful country,” the Head of State lamented.

He stated that the annual budget for healthcare has increased by almost $150 per cent in just three years, from $35 billion to $85 billion. The President also revealed that the regional health budget has also more than doubled in less than three years.

Further, he disclosed that the government is also working on the transformation of the physical infrastructure of the health sector in the country.

This, he said, is why people will see more health centres and health posts being constructed across the country.

With this, it was noted that an aggressive programme is being worked on as an audit has been completed of all facilities and as such the authorities are in a position to know what is needed at each facility.

Against this backdrop, a baseline for the level of ser-

vice that must be offered at all health facilities across the country has been set.

“We are investing to ensure that every centre across the country at least offers that baseline level of care which includes of course comfortable waiting areas, providing facilities such as restrooms, ensuring water and electricity, X-ray facilities in a regional setting,” he said.

With the rapid expansion and extension of the country’s health sector, he noted that this cannot be done with the expansion and improvement of the human resource assets in the sector.

As such, he revealed that there has been an expansion of medical post-graduate training as he noted that at the

GPHC presently there are 16 postgraduate programmes, even as there are plans to add new programmes.

Added to this, a hybrid programme to increase the training of nurses from approximately 150 per year to 1,000 nurses per year has been initiated even as work has started to provide postgraduate training in specialty areas for nurses.

President Ali expressed, “All of this is geared towards achieving the promise of the manifesto that is a results-driven modern world-class healthcare system that brings with it, equity.”

“This is what your country Guyana is already doing, this is what your country and your government are delivering for the citizens of our

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali during his Press conference on Wednesday (Office of the President photo)

Deflecting Responsibility

IN a concerning display of political maneuvering, a member of the APNU party has recently resorted to blaming the PPP/C government for the ongoing issues with improper waste management in Georgetown.

However , this attempt to deflect responsibility conveniently ignores the fact that it is the APNU-controlled Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) that bears the primary responsibility for garbage disposal in the city

This apparent strategy of passing the buck raises serious questions about the commitment of APNU to address the pressing environmental concerns that directly impact the lives of Georgetown residents

Proper waste management is a fundamental responsibility of any local government, as it directly affects public

health, sanitation, and the overall quality of life for residents

However, the state of waste management in Georgetown has long been a cause for concern, with piles of garbage often lining the streets and creating a breeding ground for diseases These issues have persisted for years, indicating a chronic lack of effective governance in this crucial area at city Hall.

It is essential to acknowledge that APNU has maintained control over the Georgetown M&CC for a considerable period, which makes them accountable for the management of waste in the city Blaming the PPP/C government for the current state of affairs is a blatant attempt to divert attention from their own failures and evade accountability

They have had ample time and

authority to address the waste management challenges plaguing Georgetown Their inability to implement effective measures, and devise comprehensive waste management strategies indicates a lack of vision , commitment , and competence Passing blame onto others only highlights their unwillingness to take responsibility for their own shortcomings.

Rather than engaging in a blame game, it is crucial for APNU to recognise that proper waste management requires a collaborative effort The challenges faced by Georgetown demand a holistic approach that transcends political affiliations

It is essential to establish a co-operative framework where all stakeholders work together to develop sustainable waste management practices, promote

public awareness, and allocate necessary resources to address this pressing issue President, Dr Irfaan Ali had taken upon himself to launch a nationwide campaign that has provided positive results However, City Hall needs to step up and ensure a clean environment is maintained

Georgetown, as the capital city of Guyana, deserves better than political finger-pointing and empty rhetoric Its residents have suffered the consequences of inadequate waste management for far too long

It is high time for the APNU, as the controlling party, to take ownership of the problem and work towards tangible solutions. Residents deserve a city that is clean, healthy, and conducive to their well-being

The diminished argumentations of two scholarly professors

Dear Editor,

I am having fun!

Two distinguished Guyanese scholars, namely , Professor Janette Bulkan and Professor Andre Brandli , having been challenged by this author on an erroneous claim that the sale of carbon credit is illegal and fraudulent , have now changed their arguments

In his letter published in the Wednesday’s edition of the Stabroek News dated July 12, 2023, Prof Brandli joined Prof Bulkan in a 360-degree shift from the legality of the carbon credit deal to whether it’s the best deal that the Government could have brokered

For this, I would like to commend the Editor of Stabroek News for assigning an appropriate caption to his letter, obviously from following the debate between myself and the two esteemed scholars; wherein, the caption states “the position that Government of Guyana is acting illegally by selling carbon credits of titled Amerindian villages remain uncontested”.

Most notably, when a Professor of Professor Brandli’s caliber presents “assumptions” or “speculations” as facts, it becomes worrying I am referring specifically to the last paragraph in his letter under a subheading that reads “the facts”, and I quote:

“The question however arises whether the Government of Guyana could not have obtained a far better deal for the carbon

credits on offer and subsequently sold to Hess Corporation in December 2022? Why was no international auction of the carbon credits carried out and sold to the highest bidder? The government’s approach leading to the sale of carbon credits to Hess Corporation was untransparent and did not allow for other interested parties to participate In other words, did the Ali administration sell Guyana’s natural resources under price?”

Editor, the above assertion by the distinguished Prof Brandli, which he, in no uncertain terms claimed are the facts, are in fact, not factual So, what are the facts? Hereunder stated, I present to you the facts of the matter

First, the notion that the carbon credit transaction with Hess Corporation was done in an “untransparent” manner is inaccurate There was a request for proposal (RFP) by the government which was published in the Stabroek News edition of March 1, 2022, see link here: https://www stabroeknews com / 2022/03/01 / news / guyana / govt - invites-proposals-for-carbon-credits-transactions/.

The RFP was posted on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) website with a deadline for submission on March 14 , 2022 So, the process was transparent, and Hess Corporation presented a proposal with the most favorable terms

Second, did the Government broker the best deal with Hess? The short answer is yes Hess purchased 2.5 million credits every

year from 2016-2030 The phases of payment and price levels are as follows:

 Hess will pay US$75M before the end of this year 2022

 Hess will pay for all the 2016 to 2020 credits (Legacy Credits) that they have purchased within the next 18 months

 Total payments for all legacy credits will be at a minimum: US$187.5M

 Payment for 2021 to 2025 credits will be at a minimum: US$250M

 Payment for 2026 to 2030 credits will be at a minimum: US$312.5M

TOTAL minimum payment for the contract for 37.5M ART TREES Forestry Credits to be paid over 2022 to 2032 is US$750M

 Hess will pay a minimum price for 2016 to 2020 credits (a total of 12.5M credits) at a unit price of US$15 per ton

 Hess will pay a minimum price for 2021 to 2025 credits (a total of 12.5M credits) at a unit price of US$20 per ton

 Hess will pay a minimum price for 2026 to 2030 credits (a total of 12.5M credits) at a unit price of US$25 per ton.

Guyana’s share of upside:

If prices go above a respective floor price for that year as specified under Price Levels above, Hess will pay Guyana 60 per cent of the price difference of that year’s credits at the higher market price, and the floor price under contract The benchmark to be used, will be comparative market index or Guyana’s other carbon market transactions

How do we know that this is the best deal ? Well it ’ s simple In 2021 , carbon credit price per ton was trading at US$12.70 per metric ton According to the deal brokered by the government with Hess , for the period 2016-2020 and 2021, Guyana is earning, minimum US$15 and US$20 per ton, respectively So, the minimum Guyana is earning is above the market price carbon credit was trading at per ton in 2021

The current carbon price is US $ 30 per metric ton And current credit levels are US $ 35 / ton and US $ 50 / ton for use and storage respectively , according to a Bloomberg report The new projected levels are US $ 60 / ton and US $ 85 / ton , respectively

This means that, pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement with Hess Corporation and the Government of Guyana, Guyana is likely to gain more from the upside arrangement as mentioned above

In relation to Prof Brandli’s other contentions, I would like to point him to my most recent response to Prof Bulkan where I addressed those other concerns he raised.

Editor , in closing , if this is not the best deal for the country, can Professor Brandli advice the Government what better deal than the terms described above that he is capable of arranging for the country?

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Vincent Alexander, Red Thread and what Keith Lowenfield did

PLEASE don’t take my word for it. Go to YouTube, type in the following words , “ Gildarie - Freddie Kissoon Show, Vincent Alexander.”

You will see and hear on that programme, last month, GECOM Commissioner saying that then Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield sought to disenfranchise the people of the East Coast After uttering those words, he said, “I don’t agree with that.”

Now if someone like Alexander who is a PNC appointed commissioner, far removed by trillions of miles of being a supporter of the PPP, can say that, why can’t academics and civil activists publicly state that the March 2020 election was infused with conspiracies to destroy the official, legal results? To date, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has remained silent on the five months of rigging

Google the incident of two cousins murdered in Cotton Tree, Guyana and you will see in one week, three statements from the GHRA about the exigency of forensic experts in the probe of the murders Yet for five months, the attempted rigging of Guyana’s national election was going on and the GHRA did not issue three statements in five months

on the rigging

I had some respect for the former human rights official at the UN, Guyanese, Dr Bertrand Ramcharran until he wrote me an email asking me not to criticise the Chairman of the GHRA, Mr Mike Mc Cormack for being silent on the rigging His email note urged: “Please go lightly on the GHRA If Mc Cormack did not do it, which local Guyanese would have the dedication to do so? Something for you to reflect on.”

I couldn’t believe what this man had written to me , who once held a high position in the human rights section of the UN If that rigging was allowed to be successful, Guyana would have collapsed in identical ways it did when Burnham denied Guyanese the right to vote I replied in this way

“Your wonderful mind was not applied to Guyana when Guyana needed you You did not bat for democracy for five months, and then when you did bat it was for a human rights pretender like Mc Cormack You have to live with your conscience and hypocrisy You need to redeem yourself in the eyes of the Guyanese people. You need to publicly ask Mc Cormack why he and the GHRA were silent for those five months Noth-

Amerindian leaders to undergo training with $36M budget allocation

AMERINDIAN leaders and treasurers from various communities will undergo training in 2023 , as the government has allocated $36 million to the project in its national budget, through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Minister Pauline Sukhai made the disclosure at Region One ( Barima - Waini)’s Regional Toshaos/CDC Chairpersons Conference , held over the weekend in the Mabaruma-sub district

Amerindian leaders were informed that since the PPP/C Administration’s assumption of office, millions of dollars have been expended on enhancing the capacity of the leaders

“This year again, we will be doing training in some ar-

eas to enhance your capacity for managing and administering your affairs,” Minister Sukhai stated

The leadership training course is geared towards providing village leaders with knowledge in specific areas to help them achieve their community development goals They will be trained in areas such as governance, roles and responsibilities of Village Councils by the Amerindian Act of 2006, and financial management

Some 440 Toshaos and treasurers from 242 communities are expected to benefit from this leadership and governance training

The ministry has received an allocation of $4.7 billion in the 2023 National Budget to advance devel-

ing less will suffice Of course you would not do it I know your kind.”

Let’s skip across to Red Thread, Here is what Red Thread wrote in the newspapers of April 27, 2023: “Red Thread is a small grassroots women’s organization and our goal is to organise with women beginning with grassroots women, to cross divides We are a group of women who are not afraid to speak our truths Should we not be concerned about what is happening in our country?”

So, we have to ask Red Thread if they know what truths are; if women’s rights include the right to vote and have that vote counted; if they are concerned about what happens in Guyana , then where were them during five months of election rigging? It was Vincent Alexander who said that Lowenfield sought to disenfranchise citizens in the March 2020 election So didn’t those citizens include women?

It has to be the most nauseating expression of hypocrisy when a civil rights entity , named Red Thread can tell Guyanese that it is concerned about things that happen in their country but when the country’s national election was being tampered with for five consecutive months, Red Thread hibernated to Timbuktu

To date, Red Thread has not issued a statement on the March election insanities Guyanese are not fools They know why Red Thread never touched that issue Their class mentality, political preferences and skin colour got in the way

Finally, the Stabroek News, “In The Diaspora” has done it again. In that column for June 26, the writer, Dr Samuel Braithwaite, a Guyanese lecturer from UWI, wrote the following: “The country endured five months of uncertainty and heightened tension as the government and opposition battled in the courts.…” This gentleman could not bring himself to use the words, “fraud, “tampering,” “rigging.”

Dr Braithwaite reduced five months of dire struggle on the part of the Guyanese people to prevent the abolition of free election and the return to permanent power as “five months of uncertainty.”

Yesterday, I noted that Dr Desmond Thomas of the Electoral Reform Group is yet to pronounce on the five month rigging process

He joined Red Thread. Now Samuel Braithwaite has joined them to evade the realities of what took place in Guyana between March and July in 2020

Plans afoot to increase food production in Region One

THE government aims to increase food production in Region One (Barima - Waini ) by creating a regional strategic agriculture development plan, in partnership with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley made the announcement during the Regional Toshaos/CDC Chairpersons Conference 2023 held over the weekend

According to the Regional Chairman , consultations with the various Amerindian leaders will be held in August with Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha

structed through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs

“That is to help with agriculture investment and development, so that once we grow and we produce , our people will have sufficient to eat We hear the complaints of people saying the greens are too expensive; that tells us that we need to start doing our part,” the regional chairman added

The foregoing plans are integral to Guyana’s vision of becoming food secure, and contribute to CARICOM ’ s goal of reducing its large food - import bill by 25 per cent by 2025

opment in all Amerindian communities across Guyana.

“Gear your minds, these weeks ahead of us are going to be weeks of engagement; not just to socialise, but rather constructive in the sense of bringing transformation and development to our communities,” he stated

Meanwhile, several shade houses are being constructed in several communities through the RDC, as it pushes to increase food production in the Barima - Waini region Additionally, farmers will benefit from more shade houses, which will be con-

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai ; Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal ; Regional Executive Officer Tikaram Bisesar; an NTC representative , and the heads of government agencies in the region were also present at the conference.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai

RDC Chairman Brentnol Ashley

President Ali: ‘Women, children welfare a top priority of the administration’

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday made it clear that the welfare of women and children remains at the forefront of his administration ’ s agenda.

Addressing the media during a press conference at his Georgetown office, President Ali stressed the significance of this commitment , and provided updates on the ongoing ministerial reshuffle

“ First of all , I want to make it very clear that children and women and their welfare are of utmost importance to me [ and ] this government There is absolutely no time in which this government puts the welfare of women and children on the second or third burner; the welfare of women and children is most important to us,” the President said

Reiterating his regard for children and women, the President stated , “ I have complete respect and regard for children and women; they’re top of the government’s priority.”

President Ali further said that the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is determined , democratically , by the members during the Par-

ty’s Congress, where every leader is elected, thereby ensuring accountability and representation

Addressing the recent developments surrounding the resignation of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall , President Ali announced that his successor will be

announced by the end of the week

The former minister has been on administrative leave since June 18, following allegations made against him

President Ali highlighted the need to adhere to established systems and rules, stating: “You know, we have to follow rules; we have to follow the system As President of Guyana, I am working to build systems that serve the people of the country; systems in which the population can be part of; a system which they can trust.”

He expressed his commitment to leading a fair and just administration that prioritises the welfare

of the population.

Regarding the allegations against Minister Dharamlall, President Ali acknowledged the legal process and the decision made by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He stated , “ In the course of natural justice, the justice system has worked; whether the minister , who is a citizen , would have any work in government is not something I have considered, or he has requested at this moment.”

The President ’ s address comes after Minister Dharamlall’s arrest on June 19 , and subsequent release on $1 mil-

lion station bail . It was later determined by the DPP that there was no basis on which to further pursue the matter, as the complainant expressed her desire not to proceed with it

President Ali stressed the importance of building a trustworthy system that includes the population, thereby allowing for transparency and accountability

In his address , the Head of State reassured the public that the government remains dedicated to serving the needs , and protecting the welfare of all citizens, particularly women and children

Mahdia Dorm Fire: COI members to be sworn in by the weekend

– President Ali ( GDF ), Major General Joe Singh , will head the team that will conduct the CoI At the time of that report, the government was finalising the terms of reference (ToR).

THE Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that will investigate the Mahdia dorm fire, which killed 20 children , will be sworn in officially by the end of this week , according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

During a press briefing on Wednesday , the Head of State told members of the media that consultations were held with a number of potential candidates

“I’m hoping that before the end of this week that we can have the full complement constituted for the COI,” the Head of State said

The Guyana Chronicle had previously reported that retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force

On May 22 , just days before Guyana celebrated its independence anniversary , the country was plunged into mourning after a fire, which authorities have since determined was maliciously set, ravaged a secondary school’s girls’ dormitory in Mahdia

At the time of the fire, 56 of the girls were present, as three had gone home with their families for the weekend

The children housed at the dorms came from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie and Chenapao

Initially , 18 girls from the dorm and a five-year-old

boy, who was the son of the dorm mother, perished in the fire, but a 20th student who was injured in the fire passed away a few days later

Several of the survivors were airlifted to the capital city for emergency care. One critically injured girl was since medevacked to a New York health facility for further treatment and is said to be recovering well

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old student was remanded to a juvenile facility on 20 counts of murder

President Ali had promised that a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will be established to prevent the reoccurrence of such a tragedy, since questions have been raised about the building’s safety

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Mr Nigel Dharamlall

President Irfaan Ali looks at the images of those who perished during a funeral ceremony held back in May (Ministry of Education photo)

Guyana, Ghana to exchange insights at Oil and Gas Conference in August

By Naomi Parris

KEY players in Guyana’s oil and gas sector and Ghana’s petroleum industry will soon meet to discuss further collaboration and potential investment, at a local content conference, slated to be held in Georgetown.

Speaking at a virtual discussion about the countries’ respective oil and gas industries and local content laws, President of the recently established Ghana, Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, announced, on Wednesday, that a three-day conference will be held in Guyana from August 9th-12th.

Otchere-Darko said that many key players from Ghana’s petroleum industry and private sector are hoping to collaborate with their counterparts in Guyana.

“What we want to do is see how Ghana can share with our counterparts in Guyana, particularly the private sector, facilitated of course by the petroleum commission, Ghana Gas, GNPC [Ghana National Petroleum Corporation] from our side and also, on your side, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Local Content Secretariat and of course the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce [GCCI] and the associations involved in the sector,” Otchere-Darko, told those at the virtual gathering.

The aim is for the two

countries to learn from each other in areas of oil and gas production and local content laws.

He further stressed the importance of local content legislation and how it benefits all party players and the regular citizens

“You see that sooner rather than later it [local content] becomes cheaper because you build the local capacity and that local capacity then can play a big role in the sector. You don’t need to bring in expertise from across the oceans. So, it benefits not just the country but also the international oil companies operating in the country.”

Otchere-Darko noted that the conference is in line with the bilateral agreements that were inked between the two nations in December 2022.

Those agreements he said are paving the way for the further strengthening of co-operation between the

countries’ sister agencies in the areas of oil and gas and investment.

“It was not just a document that was signed, it’s because the two countries are serious in their commitment in working together, learning from each other and we are early starters compared to Guyana but looking at the size of the industry in Guyana there is a lot we can also learn.”

Meanwhile, Petroleum Coordinator, Bobby Gossai Jr, who delivered remarks on behalf of Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat who was unable to attend due to other engagements, said Guyana is looking to further build its local content capacity to not just only benefit the country’s oil and gas sector but also other industries.

“We want to build the employment of Guyanese and

VP Jagdeo meets with residents affected by heavy winds, rainfall

VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr.

Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday met with residents of Trafalgar, West Coast Berbice, who were affected by heavy winds and rainfall last week.

The meeting was a follow-up to his visit to the community last Friday, during which the affected residents were provided with roofing and building materials and were assured that they would receive further government support.

“When I reach with the 13 families in Georgetown, they will receive more help and we will also talk about the sporting facilities across the whole region,” Dr. Jagdeo told residents.

At that meeting, the Vice-President noted that residents of No. 28 Village will soon see roads within their community being rehabilitated, and new ones constructed.

Meanwhile, after the tragic incident, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) quickly

responded to the residents of No. 22 and No. 28 villages, Union, Trafalgar, and Bel Air on Tuesday, and conducted a needs assessment.

Last Friday, officials from the commission returned and distributed building materials for reconstruction of the affected houses.

Meanwhile, Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

related services; we want to build local capacity such as institutions and businesses and we also want to ensure that the procurement of goods and services not only for the direct approach of the oil and

gas sector but the indirect approach which can be adhered to the agriculture sector or services sectors, as it relates to mining or the hospitality or as it relates to the condition of key services that allows for

the maintenance and the production of goods and services that are needed for the oil and gas sector.”

Ghana, he believes has an impactful track record which Guyana is seeking to mirror.

“One of the lessons we have learnt in Ghana is that we must continuously engage the business community and you must continually look at how you can put measures in place to allow for other growth of sectors.”

As Guyana’s economy continues to advance, Gossai noted that officials here are keen on fostering partnerships with other nations especially those in the private sector.

Sharing anecdotes of a message from Minister Bharrat, Gossai said that Guyana will continue to push for more effective private-sector collaboration and remains committed to ensuring that the synergies between the two nations grow further.

stated that the government will always support its people.

“Because some of them don’t have the resources to rebuild, the government has come on board to assist and it was prompt. That is the way we operate and how the government responds to the needs of the people,” he added.

Petroleum Coordinator, Bobby Gossai Jr.

President of the recently established Ghana, Guyana Chamber of Commerce, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko

Vice-President, Bharrat Jagdeo meeting with residents of Trafalgar, West Coast Berbice, on Wednesday

Labour Ministry empowers 25 individuals with job-readiness workshop

THE Ministry of Labour Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) conducted a job-readiness workshop for 25 individuals, providing them with skills and knowledge to excel in the professional world.

Beneficiaries of the one-day session held at the Eccles Skills Training Centre, on Wednesday, included students who wrote this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and persons participating in the skills training programme.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke to several bene -

ficiaries who said the workshop was a stepping stone towards their professional development.

Tajna Singh from the Houston Secondary School stated, “I expect to learn about the work-

force and how to move forward in gaining a job. And also, how to start my own business. I’m still contemplating either to go in cosmetics or to go forward in accounting.” She commended the

staff of the CRMA and regional department for providing them with the knowledge which will significantly prepare them for the world of work.

“I would encourage others because you’re learning a lot about the workforce and how to go forward,” she added.

Also from Houston Secondary, Joshua Edwards described the workshop as phenomenal, “I’m glad to be here to get the experience and the knowledge,” he noted, while disclosing his passion to pursue employment in the information technology field.

Another student from Covent Garden Secondary School, 17-yearold Samuel Harris, also wants to take up a career

in information technology.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. So, I think this is a really good step to help us develop our categories or what we could do,” Harris noted.

Kenisha Williams, 18, said, “This work study here is like giving young adults like me the opportunity to go into their careers, a job opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Alicia Hunte, 22, noted that it was the first time she was participating in a workshop of that nature, which will teach her the basics to set up her own business.

Meanwhile, CRMA’s Senior Recruitment Officer, Audrey Kellman, highlighted that

the workshop aimed to educate job seekers on how to prepare a resume, interview ethics, the do’s and don’ts of an interview, and enhanced teamwork efforts.

She added that persons from Regions Four, Five, and Six will benefit soon from a job-readiness workshop.

CRMA’s functions include registering persons seeking employment, maintaining a record of notified vacancies in the public and private sectors, matching job seekers with vacancies and arranging interviews for job seekers, and providing career guidance and counselling for those seeking employment.

Persons can access the website at https://jobs. gov.gy.

Participants at the job readiness workshop

CRMA’s Senior Recruitment Officer, Audrey Kellman

CRMA’s Senior Recruitment Officer, Audrey Kellman, Regional Chairman, Daniel Seeram, staff of the agency, participants at the job-readiness workshop

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan

PSC to be fully constituted this week — President Ali affirms

Ali has announced that the members of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Guyana will be sworn in this week, marking a significant step towards advancing the public service and judicial service commissions.

The President made this announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, at his office in Georgetown, while reaffirming his commitment to the reconstitution of the PSC.

The President stated, “Our intention is to have all the members of the Public Service Commission sworn in before the end of this week; this will pave the way for the full complement of members for the Judicial Service Commission, and also the Police Service Commission.”

The process of reconstituting the PSC began in April, with the nomination of Mohandatt Goolsarran, former Director of the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), and Janice Isabella Bowen, the current Chairman of the National Accreditation Council.

These nominations were made by the National Assembly, in accordance with Article 200(1)(B) of the Constitution, which mandates the National Assembly to nominate two of the six members of the PSC.

Under Article 200(1) of the Constitution, the PSC consists of six members, three of whom are appointed by the President after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. Two are nominated by the National Assembly, and the remaining member is nominated by the President, at his discretion.

The composition and functions of the PSC are outlined in Articles 200 to 205, as stated in Article 135(1) of the Constitution.

The PSC is a constitutional body responsible for overseeing the Public Service in Guyana.

Its powers include making appointments to public offices, as well as exercising disciplinary control over individuals holding such positions.

The absence of a functioning PSC since August 2021 has had implications for other constitutional bodies,

Spanish compulsory in primary schools from September

STARTING in September, Spanish will become a mandatory subject in primary schools, as part of the government's commitment to enhancing education across all levels.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, at his Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office, Georgetown.

Recognising the demands of the future and the needs of the education system, the Head of State re-emphasized the requirement for improving students’ ability to learn.

“Being in a continent in South America…we are the only English-speaking country. We have to realise too, that we are part of this continent that speaks Spanish, and I believe we are going to do the future young people of our country an injustice if we don’t point them in this direction. If you want to be competitive internationally, you have to have this second language,” the President noted. The government has

including the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service Commission.

The Chairman of the PSC also serves as a member of these commissions.

The Judicial Service Commission, which expired in 2017 under the previous government, plays a critical role in making recommendations for judicial appointments, and taking disciplinary action against

individuals in judicial offices.

This is particularly significant, considering the 20-year impasse on judicial appointments in Guyana.

The positions of Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice have been held by acting officials for an extended period, with Justice Desiree Bernard being the last substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary.

engaged several bilateral partners to loan Guyana human-resource assets for the process to commence.

“I think that we have enough capacity and we are going to build the capacity by September to have this introduced at least to start from Grades Four or Five…I’ve asked for a full assessment [and] I’ve been told that we have adequate capability, especially at the secondary level, to have this compulsory language taught.”

President Ali underscored that Spanish is integral and necessary for the development of skilled human resources.

“We will also work on whether we can launch an online platform for Guyanese who want to learn Spanish to go on that platform to learn Spanish.

“I’m hoping that not only will the schools implement this, but the private sector would also move towards having their employers trained in Spanish,” the President added. (DPI)

Teachers ready to share knowledge gained from aquaculture workshop

By Cindy Parkinson

IN an effort to ensure that every child is equipped and prepared with the right skills, competence, and knowledge after they graduate from school, the Ministries of Education and Agriculture hosted a two-day "hands-on" aquaculture workshop at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station in Mon Repos, on the East Coast of Demerara.

The two-day workshop, which ended on Wednesday, was attended by several teachers from the different regions throughout Guyana.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Donald Richards from the Port Kaituma Secondary School in Region One (Barima Waini) said that he is currently working with the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) class in his school and this initiative by the government will "greatly" benefit him, his students, and his fellow teachers.

"I was very excited when I learned of this workshop. We in the hinterland are not exposed to many practical activities as it relates to agriculture, so this was a plus for me and my students. CVQ has now enabled us to be more practical rather

than just in the classroom setting, and I am so happy about that. The culture of Port Kaituma is one of a pre-vocational setting, and that is why I am so happy to take back my skills and knowledge to share with the children," the Region One teacher said.

Richards also said that he is confident that his students will be "very excited" to learn and be a part of what he has to impart to them.

"When it comes to any practical lessons, the children are always happy to get involved, so I know that with this new skill in aquaculture, the processing of the fish and every other aspect that I have learned will be something that I will be taking back with me, and will definitely capture their interests," he said.

The teacher further related that he has noticed that some of the children from the Port Kaituma community are at a great disadvantage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the schools to be closed. According to him, some of them are not as academically inclined as others, but they are very skilled.

ticed that they would have preferred the more practical aspect; they are able to grasp the concept more than the theory. So, this is one important reason why this type of activity is important, and I would like to thank President Ali, Minister Manickchand, and Minister Mustapha for ensuring that we teachers are a part of these important exercises.

share my experience and knowledge with my fellow teachers so that they can help their students as well," Richards said.

hand experience from our instructor, who was very helpful during the process."

people in society after they leave school."

"I have seen since the pandemic that the children in my community have a lot of difficulty in reading and writing, but I’ve no-

"The skills that students will receive because of such programmes will be ongoing, and they will make a better life for themselves. I would also like to thank all those who made it possible for me to be here from Region One. When I get back during our staff development session, I will definitely

Another teacher from the Westminster Secondary School in Region Three (Essequibo Islands, West Demerara), Sherwin Beaton, said: "These two days' workshop has benefitted me and the fellow teachers a lot…Without coming here, we didn’t do much or anything at all, but now we are fully aware and equipped so that we can now go back into our school systems, practice, and deliver on what we have learned so that our students can benefit, and I know that they will be excited for this. We now have first-

Beaton said that he is grateful to the Government of Guyana for including the CVQ programme into the school system.

He said: "CVQ is the way to go. I can say that the students are more interested in the practical aspect of learning. I would like to ask the Minister of Agriculture to have a lot more of these practical activities so that our students and Guyanese can get a better understanding of the skills that are needed in Agriculture Science."

Melissa Williams, teacher at Dolphin Secondary in Georgetown, said: "I would like to say that this exercise was very important as well as very informative to us all. We pay more attention to poultry rearing and crop cultivation in Georgetown, but we don’t usually focus on fish culture or aquaculture, so this experience was a great one, and I can say that I have learned far more than I expected. I will be looking forward to sharing this knowledge with my students and fellow teachers as well, so as to benefit them. I am asking that the ministries provide us with other hands-on training and the necessary materials so that we can help our students to be better

The Agriculture Officer attached to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Unit, Yonette Crandon said that she and the teachers have done a total of 15 different practical activities over the past two days, all of which she said covered the three occupational areas of fish handling and processing, technical aspects, and harvesting.

Crandon said: "I must say that the teachers were excited; they loved the knowledge that they received. They didn’t realise how much they didn’t know, but they were very receptive to learning, even though the days were hot. The teachers showed how elated they were, and they enjoyed every step and process that were taught. When you find that teachers are excited, most naturally, the students will be, because our teachers will take this same energy from them.

“This is not a oneoff programme but a continuous one, and we have only trained teachers from 29 secondary schools out of the 126 secondary schools in Guyana. So, for the next batch of teachers that will be trained next year, we are looking to include 50 schools, which means more teachers."

Teachers filleting fish and cleaning crabs during the two-day workshop

Donald Richards from Port Kaituma Secondary School in Region One

Sherwin Beaton from Westminster Secondary School in Region Three

Melissa Williams, teacher at Dolphin Secondary in Georgetown

President Ali: ‘Guyana’s LCDS 2030 delivers real results in climate finance’

GUYANA remains a global leader in forest management, with the LCDS 2030 delivering real results, in terms of the climate finance programme, according to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

The head of state, who was speaking during his media conference on Wednesday at Office of the President in Georgetown, pointed to the country’s landmark issuance of the first jurisdictional-scale carbon credits.

The sale of carbon credits for the period 2016-2030, has earned Guyana $US750 million, inclusive of legacy earnings.

He noted that the climate financing programme

is not only benefitting the coastland, but the hinterland as well, which will benefit from 15 per cent of the carbon credit funds. This amounts to $4.7 billion directly benefitting 242 Amerindian villages.

To date, more than 200 villages have submitted their village plans, and are at various stages of implementation.

Further, President Ali said the government continues to maintain its strong environmental credentials, referencing the fact that more than 85 per cent of its forest is intact. The country has also recorded the lowest deforestation rate since 2010.

Guyana recorded a 0.036 per cent deforestation rate in 2022, which,

the president noted, was independently verified by remote sensing technology, and ground assessments.

“Even with Guyana’s accelerated development in all corners of the country, we have not only maintained forests, but we

have further strengthened our progress in this area,” the head of state noted. He highlighted that the country has also managed to maintain its net carbon-sink status; this means that each year, the country absorbs more carbon than it emits.

The country continues to retain this status, even as its oil-and-gas sector expands with 10 floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels currently in operation offshore.

Importantly, the president noted that some 154 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is being removed from the atmosphere annually.

Meanwhile, Guyana has also made significant strides in its transition to clean and renewable energy sources, which is a main objective of the LCDS 2030.

“Guyana’s energy security is boosted with the signing of the contract for the gas-to-energy project, Guyana’s largest project to

date, which will create 300 megawatts of new power, and reduce the cost of electricity by 50 per cent,” the president said.

The president also noted the rapid implementation of renewable energy through off-grid solar systems in Berbice, Linden, and Essequibo.

Further, 33 megawatts of solar power will be financed, using revenue earned from the Guyana-Norway bilateral cooperation, which totals US$85 million.

The gas-to-energy project, which is expected to come on stream by late 2024, and is expected to revolutionise and significantly improve the ease of doing business in Guyana.

Region Two RDC honours top 10 NGSA pupils

By Indrawattie Natram

THE Regional Democratic Council celebrated the achievement of the top ten performers from Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region 2) who completed the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Department of Education, on Wednesday, held the award ceremony in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council.

The pupils honoured were Avron Joshua Doodnauth and Bhomesha Ambika Jagernauth of Sparta Primary; Kaylee Luiciana Dharamraj of Better Hope Primary; Duviena Ramlall and Sumayyah Mariam Khan of Aurora Primary; Brithney De Andra Charran and Salicia Niomica Persaud of Huist Diren Primary; Zihid Bacchus of Al Madinah Islamic Academy; Kristel Anabelle Gangaram of C V Nunes Primary and Chrysana Chateram of Charity Primary.

Doodnauth Topped the region by gaining 503 marks, securing a place at Queen’s College. The learners were

each given monetary gifts and a bicycle.

Region Two Regional Education Officer, Shondelle Hercules, said the ceremony was to celebrate the achievements of the pupils. She said that they made the region proud, and she knew that the teachers and parents contributed much to the success achieved.

Hercules said that the Region had a total of 38 Primary Schools and 929 pupils wrote the 2023 NGSA.

Giving a comparison of the analysis of the examination results, Hercules said that, in 2021, 33 pupils gained places at National Schools; in 2022, 34 received that distinction and 46 have been so placed based on the 2023 results.

Giving the percentage for the region in the core subjects, Hercules said in 2021 in Mathematics the region got 31 per cent, in 2022 34 per cent and in 2023 38 per cent, an increase of four percent. In English, the region attained 51 per cent passes in 2021 and in 2022, 59 per cent while in 2023 it achieved 55 per cent.

She said that the Depart-

ment of Education will be examining ways of working with teachers to increase the pass rate of English Language. In science in 2021 the region got 58 per cent, while in 2022, 40 per cent and, in 2023, 51 per cent passes, an increase of 11 percent.

For Social Studies in 2021, the region got 34 per cent while in 2022 52 per cent and in 2023 54 per cent .

The Region Two Top performing schools for this year NGSA are Aurora Primary School with 61 per cent and Better Hope Primary with 60

per cent .

Hercules, therefore, encouraged the children to continue to succeed and strive for excellence and make their parents proud.

Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, used the opportunity to congratulate the top ten NGSA pupils in the region. De Silva also commended the parents for supporting their children.

The Chairperson said that the Government was investing heavily to ensure that the necessary resources were provided to boost education

delivery. She also thanked the teachers for guiding the pupils to higher heights.

De Silva said that the

was proud

their success.

RDC decided to honour the top performers since the region

of

Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, hands over a monetary gift to top performer, Avron Joshua Doodnauth

Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva and Regional Executive Officer, Susannah Saywack, along with top performers and their parents at the ceremony

Regional Education Officer, Shondelle Hercules, hands over a monetary gift to a pupil

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

Amerindian leaders to undergo training with $36M budget allocation

AMERINDIAN leaders and treasurers from various communities will undergo training in 2023, as the government has allocated $36 million to the project in its national budget, through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Minister Pauline Sukhai made the disclosure at Re-

gion One (Barima-Waini)’s Regional Toshaos/CDC Chairpersons Conference, held over the weekend in the Mabaruma-sub district.

Amerindian leaders were informed that since the PPP/C Administration’s assumption of office, millions of dollars have been expended on enhancing the capacity of

the leaders.

“This year again, we will be doing training in some areas to enhance your capacity for managing and administering your affairs,” Minister Sukhai stated.

The leadership training course is geared towards providing village leaders with knowledge in specific

areas to help them achieve their community development goals. They will be trained in areas such as governance, roles and responsibilities of Village Councils by the Amerindian Act of 2006, and financial management.

Some 440 Toshaos and treasurers from 242 communities are expected to

benefit from this leadership and governance training.

The ministry has received an allocation of

$4.7 billion in the 2023 National Budget to advance development in all Amerindian communities across Guyana.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai

‘Listen to your clients, make no assumptions, be honest’ –advises seasoned lawyer now admitted to Guyana Bar

By Telesha Ramnarine

FROM childhood, Trevor Navindra Karran had a preoccupation with determining right from wrong. There were times when he faced conflicts and strongly felt that the truth should always be revealed.

He came to the realisation that his personality might be well-suited for a career in law and started studying at a prestigious public interest law school in the United States to aid in achieving this objective. Here, its dual mission was to practise law in the service of human needs and to “transform the teaching, learning, and practice of law to include those it has excluded, marginalised, and oppressed.”

Following his admission to the Guyana Bar recently before Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire at the High Court, Karran, 56, told this publication that his interest has always been in public interest law and that since Guyana is heading toward mediation, he would like to be involved in alternative conflict resolution.

Karran wants to be able to help as many people as possible, as he has been doing in New York through his practice.

“There are many persons being taken advantage of because they are poor and uninformed. I would like to give them a voice,” he expressed, adding, “I have always wanted to practise in Guyana and make a difference in Guyana and to the Guyanese people. The only sad part of all of this is that my parents are not alive to witness this. My father, who was an attorney, and my mother who was a schoolteacher, instilled the importance of being humble, earning an education and being a good person.”

As a word of advice to those studying, Karran observed that law school is rigorous, and hence calls for much commitment. “To those entering the field, remain humble and remember you provide a very important service. Listen to your clients. Make no assumptions. Be honest.”

Meanwhile, in 1970 to 1971, Karran did kindergarten in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where his father was doing his Master’s degree in public administration.

He later attended the Rama Krishna Primary School, then Queen’s Col-

lege. Further, he attended Columbia University and New York Institute of Technology in New York from 1983 to 1988 and gained Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees.

He again returned to Guyana and worked for Massy and then Shell Antilles, subsequently opening his own business.

He later attended the City University of New York School of Law from 2000 to 2003 and gained a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. He

support during his studies.

“I am grateful to my siblings for their support and my Aunt Olive Sahai, who made this milestone possible with her support.

I would like to thank Mr. Everton Singh-Lammy for his continuing mentorship and accepting me into his firm during my studies and then as an associate. I thank

all the staff of 1966 Law.”

Karran is also thankful that he was admitted by the Chief Justice, whom he believes is the epitome of what the law stands for.

lived and practised Immigration Law, Matrimonial Law and a general practice in his own law office in New York from 2005 until August 2022.

Karran began his Legal Education Certificate (LEC) at the Eugene Dupuch Law School to be certified in Guyana and got his LEC on April 14, 2023. He currently works with Everton Singh-Lammy at his firm 1966 Law, as an associate.

Karran is grateful to his wife, Sharmelee; his children Ethan, Rebekah and Isabella for their patience and

Lawyer Trevor Navindra Karran

Karran with Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire

Karran is grateful to his family for their patience and support during his studies

Skeletal remains in sandpit belong to missing constable, Quincy Lewis — DNA results confirm

THE human skeletal remains discovered in an abandoned sandpit at Madewini, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, have been positively identified as those of missing Police

Constable Quincy Lewis, according to the Guyana Police Force.

The confirmation came after an extensive investigation conducted by a team of forensic investigators from the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters.

Constable Lewis, who had been reported missing since 2020, sparked a large-scale search operation involving law enforcement agencies and concerned citizens. The discovery of the remains provided a breakthrough in the investigation into his mysterious disappearance.

“In order to ascertain the veracity of this belief, the bones were later examined by a forensic pathologist, and confirmed to be those of a male of African ancestry between the ages of 21 and 40, with an estimated height of 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 11

inches.

“However, due to the advanced state of decomposition of the remains, the process of positive identification was not possible without DNA testing,” the GPF said in a release on Wednesday.

In order to establish the conclusive identity of the remains, samples were obtained from close relatives of Constable Lewis, and then sent overseas for comprehensive DNA testing, a

process known for its accuracy in forensic identification.

After meticulous analysis and comparison, the results of the DNA testing have now confirmed, without a doubt, that the skeletal remains indeed belong to Constable Lewis.

The outcome of this testing has brought closure to the investigations surrounding his disappearance, and will provide his family with much-needed answers.

Lewis disappeared in 2020, after leaving his La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara home for work.

However, the case was

cracked wide open on April 19, 2023, after investigators arrested two individuals, namely: Shafeek Vernon, also known

as ‘Profit’, of Ogle, East Coast Demerara, and Jamel Van Lewis, 35, of D’Urban Street, Georgetown, who allegedly identified a married couple as the prime suspects.

Vernon and Lewis are currently on remand for Constable Lewis’ murder, while the police had issued wanted bulletins for reputed couple, Naqeeba Zahid Zafarali and Thakurdial Samaroo. The couple has reportedly fled the jurisdiction, but word is that they’d allegedly lured Lewis to their home on the East Bank Demerara, where he was shot and killed.

They’re then alleged to have transported his body to somewhere in the vicinity of the Splashmin’s Resort on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, where they dumped it. Lewis, who was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force since 2015, was stationed at the Agricola Police Station, East Bank Demerara. At the time of his disappearance, this newspaper had reported that Lewis was last seen alive on the afternoon of June 19, 2020, when he left in his friend’s car, PTT 7541, to report for work.

Police Constable Quincy Lewis

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein

08:15

08:55

09:30

10:05 hrs After Hours

Blue Spring Water is Platinum sponsor of Linden Marathon

FullWorks Industrial Park Inc., through its brand, Blue Spring Water, (a leading provider of premium bottled water), announced its partnership as the Platinum sponsor for the second annual Linden Marathon.

The cheque handing over ceremony took place earlier this week, at the company’s head office at 1225 Industrial Zone, Eccles, EBD.

The Linden Marathon, founded and co-ordinated by Mr. Claudius Baird, aims to create a platform where individuals can challenge themselves, build endurance, expand their horizons, forge new connections,

and experience a profound sense of achievement.

The ten-mile event is scheduled to take place on August 5, starting at 6:00hrs from the Bamia Police Outpost to the Christianburg ballfield, Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Claudius Baird, the co-ordinator of the Linden Marathon, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are excited to have FullWorks join us as the Platinum sponsor of the Linden Marathon. Their support not only highlights their commitment to promoting health and well-being but also reinforces their dedication to the community we serve. With their con-

tribution, we can execute one of the event’s main objectives, which is to provide funding for at-risk students in region 10. Together, we look forward to bringing together both competitive and casual walkers, fostering a vibrant sporting event, and making a positive impact on our community."

The presence of FullWorks Industrial Park Inc.’s CEO, Mr. Roshan Ali, further emphasized the company's commitment to supporting the Linden Marathon. Mr. Ali was joined by Ms. Teeka Ramnarain (Director); Mr. Narendra Lucknauth (General Manager) and Ms. Venita Andrew (Human Resources

Manager).

The Linden Marathon, officially launched in 2022, presents an opportunity for participants to challenge their

physical limits, embrace personal growth, and contribute to a noble cause. By raising funds for at-risk students in region 10, the event strives to

make a lasting impact on the community, empowering the youth to pursue their education and dreams.

CMC – A lethargic West Indies were rolled over for the second lowest first innings total at Windsor Park as World number one, India, dominated the opening day of the first Test in Dominica’s capital here Wednesday.

Choosing to bat first, West Indies produced an indifferent performance to be all out for 150, about 24 minutes after tea, with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin wrecking the innings with his 33rd five-wicket haul of five for 60.

He was supported by leftarm spinner Ravindra Jadeja who picked up three for 26, as West Indies never really recovered after capitulating to 68 for four at lunch and declining even further to 137 for eight at tea.

In reply, India coasted to 80 without loss to finish the day only 70 runs in arrears.

Debutant left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal was unbeaten on 40 from 73 balls with six fours, and partnered by captain Rohit Sharma on 30 from 65 deliveries, including three fours and a six.

With West Indies enduring yet another difficult day of Test cricket, the only standout was the stylish debutant Alick Athanaze, who top-scored with 47 before perishing 11 minutes before tea.

Arriving at the crease half an hour before lunch, the 24-year-old left-hander crafted a composed innings which required 99 balls and 2-¼ hours, and comprised half-dozen fours and a six.

Debutant left-hander Alick Athanaze gathers runs through the on-side during his 47 on Wednesday.

His 41-run, sixth wicket stand with all-rounder Jason

Holder (18) in the second session was the best of the innings but it proved in vain as the hosts lost their last five wickets for just 33 runs.

“I think the key for me today was just settling in,” said Athanaze, who was playing before his home crowd.

“Normally, when I bat I tend to score quickly but it was just about giving myself a chance, adapting to the conditions and understanding what [the bowlers] were trying to do.

“Once added responsibility is placed on me, I tend to thrive in those situations. So, it wasn’t an ideal situation for the team but coming in, it helped me to switch on that a couple of wickets were down.”

There were no signs of the malaise to come when captain Kraigg Brathwaite (20) and left-hander Tagenarine Chanderpaul (12) posted 31 for the

first wicket.

However, Ashwin’s introduction after only eight overs changed the complexion of the morning, as the veteran 36-year-old initiated the Caribbean side’s decline by removing both openers.

In his third over on the stroke of the hour, he got one to drift past Chanderpaul’s forward defensive prod and hit off-stump, before getting Brathwaite to sky a leg-side swing to short cover where Rohit took an easy catch at 38 for two, 45 minutes before lunch.

Left-hander Raymon Reifer (2) never settled and eventually nicked a drive at seamer Shardul Thakur off the 18th ball he faced, the catch taken inches from the turf by debutant wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.

His dismissal brought Athanaze to the crease and

he combined with Jermaine Blackwood (14) to keep India wicket-less for the next halfhour before the West Indies vice-captain’s rush of blood saw him perish to the final delivery before lunch.

Blackwood tried to clear mid-off with a lofted drive off Jadeja but Mohammad Siraj spectacularly hauled in a one-handed catch leaping high to his right.

On 13 at the break, Athanaze lost Joshua Da Silva for two in the fourth over after the resumption, caught at the wicket edging an attempted cut, as West Indies slipped even further to 76 for five.

Athanaze played positively despite the crisis. His first boundary was a swivel pull behind square off Shardul and as he grew into his innings, he slog-swept Jadeja to the backward square boundary before

Digicel Schools Football tournament 2023…

It was a goal-scoring frenzy on Wednesday afternoon at the Ministry of Education ground when the Digicel Schools Football tournament continued with Excelsior Academy

beating Marian Academy.

A hat-trick from Antonio McArthur (15th , 21st and 28th), along with braces from Solomon Reginald (11th and 46th) and Dwayne James (26th and 51st), led

the line in the 10-0 drubbing.

Adriano Wharton (31st), Shaquille Sargeant (52nd) and Tyrece Lyle (60th) were the other goal scorers.

Meanwhile, semi-fi -

nal action continues at the same venue today with two games.

The first at 16:00hrs will put West Ruimveldt against Dolphin and the second at 17:30hrs will see Charles-

town taking on Excelsior.

In other matches carded for the day, Richard Ishmael Secondary plays Tutorial at MoE from 13:00hrs while North Georgetown and East Ruimveldt clash

smashing Ashwin over the ropes at mid-wicket to move into the 40s.

The end of the partnership saw the end of all resistance, however. Holder lost concentration and holed out on the pull to deep square off newball pacer Mohammed Siraj in the fourth over following the drinks break and Alzarri Joseph (4) lasted only 11 balls before miscuing a drive at Ashwin to backward point.

Appearing unfazed and with a half-century in sight, Athanaze top-edged a pull at a short one from Ashwin and was taken at mid-wicket, with tea approaching.

Rahkeem Cornwall, in his first Test in nearly two years, lashed three fours in an unbeaten 19, but neither Kemar Roach (1) nor Jomel Warrican (1) put up much of a fight.

lethargic West Indies roll over at Windsor Park Excelsior Academy steamroll Marian Academy

from 14:30hrs.

Over at the NIS ground, New Campbelville takes on North Ruimveldt from 13:00hrs with St. Winefride's battling Tucville from 14:30hrs

Mr. Claudius Baird and Representatives from Blue Spring Water

GBA under-16 Championships set for action this Sunday in Albouystown

THE annual and highly anticipated 6th Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior Championships is programmed for August 18th20th on local shores, and the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will commence its rigorous selection process from Sunday.

The process begins with the staging of the monthly under-16 Championships at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym, Albouystown.

Based on the results from the aforementioned tournament, boxers will be selected and subsequently encamped two weeks prior to the prestigious regional championship,

the only one of its kind in the Caribbean, to commence the preparatory phase.

The competition, which is the brainchild of the incumbent GBA chief, Steve Ninvalle, and will be staged at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, commenced in 2016 and has featured an expanding list of nations with each edition.

At the moment, the 2023 iteration has confirmed the participation of the largest contingent in the event’s burgeoning history, with confirmed representation emanating from the likes of Aruba, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia,

and The Bahamas. Guyana has emerged as the overall Champion country in each edition.

Similarly, the GBA, in an effort to improve the quality of its training and preparatory apparatus, will conduct a Referees/Judges training seminar from August 14th-17th.

The yearly forum, which will be administered by ThreeStar trainer James Beckles of Trinidad and Tobago, is being staged to sensitise and educate the respective participants on the new rule changes that have been implemented by the world governing body -- the International Boxing Association (IBA) -- to ensure

uniformity and clarity.

President Ninvalle said, “There is no obligation to or for success. In basic parlance, what was subsequently reaped is what was initially sowed, and as

such, the GBA has again demonstrated its visionary approach and aptitude for success via the implementation of programmes, policies, and initiatives that drive this empirical agenda

and mandate. Unarguably, the Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior Championships, which is a unique platform in the region, especially in the English-speaking strata, not only form but is the backbone of Guyana’s future in the discipline. It is our most important element in sustaining our dominance at the various levels in the region, and has effectively, evolved into the de facto World Championships of the region, something that the Guyanese public and sporting fraternity should be proud of.”

Lee wins National Junior Chess Qualifiers

- National Junior Championship set for July 14

THE De Sinco Limited National Junior Chess Qualifiers concluded on Tuesday, July 11th, at the National Stadium, Providence, with an excellent performance from Ethan Lee, who emerged as the best player.

Lee finished on 6.5 points after seven rounds. His only draw was a round 6 clash against Keron Sandiford.

He also had wins against National Under-16 Girls Champion, Anaya Lall, and Under-16 Open Champion, Alexander Zhang, as well as against Aditi Joshi, Micaiah Enoe, Ronan Lee and Kishan Puran.

This puts Lee as the top contender to rival reigning

champion Ricardo Narine, who is poised and ready to defend his title.

In 2022, when Narine first claimed the title, the championship had winded down to a tense battle between him and Lee who had tied on points and were forced to go to a play-off.

But Lee is not the only challenger Narine must prepare for, with the top 9 players in the qualifiers, eager for a chance to win the title of National Junior Champion 2023.

In second place is Keron Sandiford with 6 points, after drawing matches with Lee and National U-14 Open Champion Kyle Couchman, and winning his remaining games.

Alexander Zhang, Ronan

GCB 50-over U-17 Inter County tournament

Lee, Nicholas Zhang, Kyle Couchman, Matthew Singh and Oluwadare Oyeyipo all finished on five points each to take 3rd to 8th place respectively.

With 4.5 points, Kishan Puran took the final spot to continue on to the Champi -

onships.

Notable performances came from Logan Simpson, Italy Ton-Chung, Ethan Persaud and Omar Shariff who all ended on 4.5 points each.

The 2023 Junior National Championship will be played in a round Robin format under

De Mattos’ unbeaten 44 spurs

By Sean Devers

On a day which was interrupted by a brief shower, Essequibo registered an emphatic 9-wicket win over the GCB Select X1 at Everest in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) 50-over Inter-County tournament.

Led by unbeaten knocks from Harold De Mattos and Gladwin Henry, Essequibo reached 83-1 in 24.1 overs in reply to the GCB Select X1’s 80 all out in 31 overs.

There was a short shower on the completion of the GCB’s Select X1 innings and an early lunch was taken.

Essequibo started their chase badly when they lost Rajindra Ramballi for a duck, caught by wicket-keeper Shiloh Adams off the bowling of Parmeshwar Ram in the third over at 5-1.

The left-handed pair of De Mattos, who, contrary to the playing conditions of the tournament, wore white pads instead of a coloured pair used in white ball tournaments, played some lovely shots.

a time control of 90 minutes with 30-seconds increments. Games will be played between July 14th and 19th at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Junior Chess Championship Qualifier tournament attracted over 50 students from schools in Region One, Four, Six and 10, and was supervised by FIDE Arbiters, John Lee and Anand Raghunauth, assisted by top player CM Taffin Khan. The top 8 boards were broadcast live on you-tube and livechesscloud. com giving viewers at home a first-hand look at the juniors’ performances.

Special thanks to the event’s title sponsor, De Sinco Limited and Milex, one of Guyana's leading distributors of fast-moving consumer goods.

Medals were presented

to the top nine performers and to Italy Ton-Chung, who copped the best female prize for the tournament. De Sinco Limited also distributed gifts to all participants promoting their product Milex. Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Alicia De Abreu congratulated the players and commented on the familiar faces in chess she’s been seeing over the years since De Sinco Limited has been a sponsor.

She thanked the parents who took time off from their busy schedule to support their children in the game of chess.

Ms. De Abreu said De Sinco will continue to promote different brands in upcoming chess tournaments. Milex is the official brand for the National Junior Qualifiers and National Junior Championship 2023.

to 9-wkt win

He favoured the front foot extra cover drive in a well composed 44 not out from 70 balls, aided by six sweetly timed boundaries.

Henry, who played the supporting role before stepping on the gas with victory, finished unbeaten on 28 from 64 balls with three sixes and three fours, the last of which ended the contest.

The pair shared in an unbroken 78-run second wicket stand on the small playing area due to shortened boundaries.

Earlier, the Select X1 won the toss and chose to bat on

another pitch which favoured the spinners.

They quickly lost Rashaad Gaffur for a duck off Natron Gill at 4-1 in the third over and never recovered.

While Extras top scored with 25, only Skipper Dave Mohabir and Parmeshwar Ram of the batters reached double figures with 16 each.

Pacer Darwin Joseph bagged 3-21 while off-spinner Ramballi had 3-9 to set up the final, on today between Demerara and Berbice at Everest.

Travis Inverary

Ethan Lee receives his prize from Ms. Alicia De Abreu, CEO of De Sinco Ltd

Ramballi, who had 3-9 and troubled all of the Select X1 batters, including Arun Gainda, who survived an LBW shout (Sean Devers photo)

DC Budhram meets security, other stakeholders at Providence Stadium

Deputy Commissioner 'Operations' Mr Ravindradat

Budhram met with a number of stakeholders this afternoon at the Guyana National Cricket Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, during a site visit ahead of the highly-anticipated upcoming T/20 Matches between West Indies and India.

Mr Budhram met with Regional Division Commander 4 (A) Assistant Commissioner Simon Mc Bean; Regional Division Commander 4 (B) Ravindra

Stanley; Traffic Chief Superintendent Dennis Stephen, and Private Security representative, Mr George Vyphius.

The meeting also encompassed Head of the Stadium's management committee, Mr Azad Ibrahim; president of the Guyana Cricket Board, Mr Bissoondyal Singh; members of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, along with other senior and junior police and Fire Service officers during this afternoon's site visit to look at security and traffic measures that

GMR&SC Drag Wars on for July 30

This month is proving to be full of action for motor sports, and fans, along with competitors, will not be complaining as the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) has announced they will be hosting a second event on July 29th at the Timehri-based South Dakota drag strip.

The event, which is dubbed ‘Drag Wars 2’, will see competitors from at least three countries competing including the local boys, neighbouring Suriname and the twin-island republic of Trinidad & Tobago, according to a source close to the GMR&SC.

Vice-President of the GMR&SC, Shairaz Roshandin, in an invited comment, revealed that Tropical Shipping has signed on as the marquee sponsor of the highly anticipated event.

An official statement from the club noted that, “Tropical Shipping, which is a leading transportation and logistics solutions provider, will facilitate the seamless transportation of race cars from the Caribbean to Guyana for high-profile motor racing events. With its extensive network, stateof-the-art facilities, and commitment to exceptional service, Tropical Shipping will ensure a reliable and efficient shipping experience for all involved parties.”

Meanwhile, Mahendra Boo-

dhoo, the head of the GMR&SC, shared that, “We (GMR&SC) are happy to have Tropical Shipping as the official shipping company for Guyana Motor Racing. We recognise the significance of motorsports in Guyana and will continue to grow our international events by providing secure and timely transportation for race cars. Tropical Shipping’s extensive experience in the shipping industry and our commitment to competitor’s satisfaction ensure we exceed all involved parties’ expectations.”

This event was initially scheduled to run off in May but unsuitable weather conditions forced the organisers to postpone it to July 29th.

At Drag Wars 1.0, Most of the big names in Guyana’s Drag Racing came to the line and several of the newcomers looked impressive. But, a well-organised and keen day of competing was curtailed following an incident with drivers Azruddin Mohamed (GT-R Nismo) and Denzel Hopkinson (Toyota Supra, commonly called ‘Kong’).

The South Dakota drag strip record is still held by Team Mohamed’s Pro-mod. A time of 7.036 seconds they set last August.

Tickets will cost $2,500 for adults while children will pay $1,000.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday July 13, 2023)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Kraigg Braithwaite/Mohammed Siraj

(2) Kraigg Braithwaite & Rohit Sharma

Today’s Quiz

(1) Which WI is making his debut in the current Test against India?

(2) Who are the Indians making their Test debut in the current game against the West Indies? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

need to be in place.

The venue will host two T/20 Cricket matches on the 6th and 8th of August, 2023, between West Indies and India.

Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ Mr Ravindradat Budhram (second from left) looks on as Regional Divisional Commander 4 (A), Assistant Commissioner Simon Mc Bean makes a point

One of the many goals scored against Marian Academy (Shaniece Bamfield photo)