Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 14-05-2023

‘A history of lies’

Jagdeo slams APNU for ‘false promises’, says PPP has a winning track record

outlines massive developmental plans for Region 10

New $40M Port Mourant Hospital outpatient clinic boosts healthcare delivery Greater coordination, collaboration needed to address regional challenges

- Prime Minister Phillips tells leaders at ACS meeting in Guatemala

Empowered by motherhood: Miriam Andrew Ming committed to making a difference

Guyana, IsDB sign framework agreement for reconstruction of Soesdyke-Linden Highway

- breaking barriers and inspiring women in Guyana

Coconut cultivation being explored along major river banks

‘A history of lies’

THE People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) from its initial years in office and later under the guise of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, created a track record filled with false promises, poor planning and policies, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

Jagdeo urged Guyanese not to be misled by APNU, as the track record of its performance is there for everyone to assess. He said too that the party is now spreading “rumours” about the work being done by the PPP/C-led government.

Addressing a massive crowd at Linden, the General Secretary said examining the period 2015-2020, due to the coalition’s lack of foresight and poor decision-making, essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure deteriorated during those five years.

The result of this period was an increasingly impoverished population that struggled to access basic necessities, Jagdeo said, adding that the PNC’s corrupt practices and favouritism towards certain individuals and groups only exacerbated the situation.

“This party [PPP/C] will keep its word… it will do what we’re promising to the people of this region… Because people in these communities have been fed a history of lies about the PPP and often

that has found resonance in many years. It has caused a mind set in many people to shut out anything that the PPP/C might say because they [APNU] are spreading rumours,” the General Secretary said.

He said that one of the rumours spread by the APNU was that the PPP/C was a racist party; however, the PPP/C is one of the largest multiracial political parties in Guyana.

Jagdeo also shut down several false rumours peddled by the APNU that the PPP/C would take away the free electricity from Linden and build a road to divert persons coming to the region.

“We started rebuilding the infrastructure…. We started investing in roads, schools and hospitals and a whole lot of things again. Our track record is a record that you can run,” he said.

He added that the APNU made promises and kept none when in government for five years, instead becoming one of the most corrupt governments in Guyana’s history.

He related that under the PPP/C, the minimum wage in this country increased by 1,577 per cent.

Jagdeo said there were great acts of discrimination by the APNU+AFC government during their tenure, especially when it fired over 7,000 sugar workers and some 2,000 Amerindian Community Support Officers (CSOs), placing them on the breadline.

The General Secretary said

that the PPP/C Government is keen on the importance of investing in education and creating job opportunities for the country’s youth.

Jagdeo cited specific examples of successful initiatives that have been launched in recent years and expressed a commitment to continue this work in the future.

One of those initiatives is the cash grant to parents of children attending school, which was introduced by the PPP/C to offset expenses associated with children attending school.

However, this initiative was discontinued by the former APNU regime, and was recommenced when the PPP/C returned to office in 2020.

Under the 2023 budget, parents and guardians of 214,000 schoolchildren will now receive $40,000, which amounts to $8.6 billion.

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

According to Jagdeo, the education grant, the income-tax threshold adjustment, the salary adjustment, and the expansion of the part-time job programme are part of the billions of dollars being put back into the pockets of people, as the government seeks to increase disposable income.

He added that in just two years, under the PPP/C, thousands of Guyanese benefitted from home and land ownership.

In fact, more house lots have been allocated under this administration, in just under three years

says PPP has a winning track record – outlines massive developmental plans for Region 10

than the APNU+AFC did in five years.

The PPP/C, in its manifesto, promised to provide 50,000 house lots during its first five years in office. The lots allocated to date total some 22,500.

In Linden especially, Jagdeo said that APNU did nothing for housing, but instead allegedly handed out lands to its party members and close friends.

“They didn't see it fit to give lands to the ordinary people. When we came into the office what was the difference? Immediately, we started expanding another 400 plots of land at Amelia’s Ward Phase Four and over $400 million will be spent on that,” he said.

At the end of five years, Jagdeo said that nearly 16,000 persons from Linden will have a plot of land, which marks a huge difference from the APNU.

Addressing jobs and youth, he reminded the gathering that APNU closed the call centre, putting many Lindeners on the breadline.

“We lost jobs in Linden, we lost jobs across the country under them,” he added, noting that the PPP/C implemented the part-time job programme which is now being criticised by the APNU.

Jagdeo said: “Imagine the audacity of a party that was in power for five years, created zero jobs and then criticised you for giving 1,200 persons jobs.

He added that the PPP/C rehabilitated the call centre and

bolstered the agriculture sector in Linden to address the damage caused by the opposition.

Among other things, Jagdeo said that the PPP/C is currently working to build more roads and infrastructure across Guyana, especially Linden.

“This year's budget alone for roads in Linden is more than the five years that APNU budgeted in the past. And we made a decision that only contractors from this region will get the work to build the road in this region. That's the difference,” he said to loud applause.

Among other things being considered is building a four-lane Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge.

He urged the citizens not to call prey to the “rumour peddling” from the opposition and let t he PPP/C track record speak for itself.

“Historically this has been their problem. They’re obsessing about the PPP and can’t focus on development… Don’t let those things persuade you,” Jagdeo warned.

The PPP/C is running candidates in all 610 constituencies across the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) for the June 12 Local Government Elections (LGE). The APNU is only contesting in 279, or 45 per cent of the 610 constituencies and 24 LAAs.

Georgetown and Linden have traditionally been two opposition-dominated areas, however, the APNU has lost support in those areas at successive LGEs.

Aside from Georgetown and Linden, the PPP/C has also made inroads in a number of other opposition-dominated areas, including New Amsterdam.

New $40M Port Mourant Hospital outpatient clinic boosts healthcare delivery

ensure such.

THE Port Mourant Hospital in East Berbice-Corentyne commissioned a new outpatient unit on Saturday, improving the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in the area.

ARMCO

Construction constructed a concrete two-storey modern structure to the tune of approximately $40M.

The outpatient facility will be situated in the lower flat, consisting of three consultation rooms, a pharmacy, an examination room, a waiting area, and a washroom facility; it is also wheelchair accessible. Additionally, the upper flat will be used as a Regional Training Centre.

Regional Health Officer Dr.Vishalya Sharma, while addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony on Saturday, highlighted that over the past two years, the region has seen a 100 per cent increase in patients accessing outpatient services alone, as such, the construction of the fa -

cility was much needed and data driven. She noted that it would also better assist them in capturing data, guiding regional policies, and enabling them to focus their resources where needed.

“In Region Six, what is happening in terms of data, so you'll better understand how important this facility is today. In 2020, just for outpatient services, Region Six would have [sic] seen a total of 48,760 patients. Two years later, we are seeing 82,637. This is almost 100 per cent in two years just in medical outpatient services; I haven't included A& E statistics yet," the Regional Health Officer said.

She continued: " So it’s really important when you see that building, that we understand that when the process and everything has been started it is heavily guided by our regional data and by our evidence of what we have in front of us, so we're

not just putting up a building because it looks very fancy in the compound; it’s a highly data-driven process…Of that total of 2022, 21,346 came from this very facility; so for that reason, this facility would help the 21,000 that you would have seen last year; it would provide a better environment.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony posited that this is just symbolic of many more things that will happen in the region and the country. He said the government and, by extension the Ministry of Health, are committed to improving healthcare delivery as such investment will continue to

At present, continuous investment is being made in improving and upgrading services at the hospital, including the dental clinic, which is now equipped with five dental chairs, and more persons are

utilizing the services. Further, the hospital will soon benefit from a digital X-ray system. The Ophthalmology Hospital is working around the clock and continued investments are being made to bring it back to its former glory. He

noted that in 2021, more than $100M was spent to upgrade all the health facilities in the region. This year, another $100M has been allocated for minor repairs and fixing of health centres and to further

General

Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo has urged Guyanese not to be misled by APNU, as the track record of its performance is there for everyone to assess

Director of Regional Health Services Dr Vishalya Sharma

More jobs, enhanced trade, food production imminent for Region One -

Jagdeo affirms

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has affirmed that major plans are in the pipeline and are being rolled out to create more opportunities and essentially improve the standard of living in Region One.

“What we [the government] did on the coast, we're taking some of that to the hinterland too,” Jagdeo

said during a press conference at Party headquarters, Freedom House, on Thursday.

The General Secretary emphasised that the transportation of goods from Region One (Barima-Waini) to the capital is a problem that frequently plagues its agricultural sector.

However, he said that this problem will soon be resolved as a result of the

introduction of the new ferry, which could cut travel time by as much as 50 per cent, and the reconfiguration of the wharves at Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.

Highlighting some of the key features of the vessel, Jagdeo said: “We'll have 250 seats in an air-conditioned cabin. You know how the trip was arduous for people with children and everything… they’ll have Wi-Fi on board. You can move 15 vehicles; cars and four trucks on the boat now.”

The vessel also has ten-by-ten containers, so, instead of feeling uneasy about their goods, persons could now rent one of these

containers to secure their cargo.

“So, a lot of that will help to take more goods into the interior; push

down the cost of living, but also allow them to bring out more stuff,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

On the issue of food security, he said that there are plans with the Ministry of Agriculture to send a team to Region One to assist in the production of certain ground provisions such as plantains.

“I asked why aren't we doing more plantains, and they said the sucker is too expensive,” he said. “So, we are sending in people to work on that.

The Minister of Agriculture will lead a team into Matthews Ridge and into Port Kaituma and Bartica in June to look at this.”

The General Secre -

tary also said that while he recognises that there are a multitude of mining jobs in the area, there is need for training. He, however, affirmed that Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton will lead another group into Matthews Ridge to conduct training.

“They have some mining jobs there; people need to be trained in operating heavy-duty equipment and excavators, and I said the women can do this too,” Dr. Jagdeo said, adding: “We don't want it to be just a job for men; we have many places where women are becoming welders and all of that. It's not gender-specific.”

Greater coordination, collaboration needed to address regional challenges

— Prime Minister Phillips tells leaders at ACS meeting in Guatemala

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has advocated for enhanced regional coordination and collaboration to address political, financial, social, and environmental challenges, to secure the greater Caribbean Region’s sustained development.

He said this during the recently concluded Ninth Summit of Heads of State and/ or Government of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), in La Antigua, Guatemala.

During his address, the Prime Minister told regional leaders that systematic gaps in the economic, scientific, and technological spheres have emerged in recent years, highlighting global deficits and disparities, particularly for developing countries, demonstrating the need for a fundamental retooling of how the region interacts.

According to the Prime Minister, the summit’s theme asks for increased political dialogue among countries, as well as deeper collaboration and integration, which will benefit the Caribbean region’s overall sustainable development.

“This summit’s theme provides a timely opportunity for us as a Region, to deliberate on the strategies that would allow us to strive for the sustainable development of our countries and to overcome the challenges of economic recovery and resilience-building in this post-COVID era that have been further compounded by the destabilising effect of the war in Ukraine.

“We must also consider new mechanisms for partnership that can enhance our level of interaction through increased people-to-people engagement, increased technical cooperation, and knowledge sharing, not only amongst ourselves, but extra regionally as well,” he said.

The Prime Minister re -

Guyana, IsDB sign framework agreement for reconstruction of Soesdyke-Linden Highway

within the operational framework of enhanced quality and quantities of affordable agricultural products, secure and boost food and nutrition security within the Community,” he said.

On the region’s transportation networks, Phillips said transportation, distribution, and logistics, although pillars of the ACS, remain obstacles, noting: “The region’s transport infrastructural architecture continues to inhibit its intra-regional connectivity.”

lated that balanced global action, tackling adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage, especially among severely affected small island and low-lying coastal developing countries is needed, citing the decisions made at the last Conference of Parties (CoP), which informed the international commitment on the loss-and-damage fund.

“It remains imperative that as a region we ensure these and other financial commitments are realised to our beneficial interest. For our part, the Government of Guyana has adopted a low-carbon development strategy which focuses on forest climate services and other ecosystem services; stimulation of future growth through clean energy and sustainable economic activities; protection against climate change and alignment of the country’s economic and social policies with global climate goals,” Phillips said.

Addressing the pillar of hemispheric food security, the Prime Minister pointed to CARICOM’s accelerated efforts to reduce the Region’s food-importation bill by 25 per cent by 2025. This project’s purpose is to establish a sustainable import-substitution programme.

“This is to be executed

He reinforced: “Developing transport services which support bringing the people of the Region closer together is paramount, even as we collectively engage in the process of learning more about each other’s countries, cultures, and enhancing trade.”

Addressing climate and energy security, Prime Minister Phillips said climate and energy security must operate in tandem with each other.

While noting that Guyana is now an oil-producing country, the Prime Minister said the government is cognisant of its responsibility to provide access to inexpensive energy to its citizens.

“In positioning itself as a leader in energy security, we project an energy platform in diversified areas such as wind, solar and hydropower. Guyana looks forward to continued engagement within the ACS to ensure the energy future of the Region,” Phillips said.

In closing, the Prime Minister reiterated Guyana’s commitment to the ACS.

“I wish to restate that Guyana remains committed to the Association of Caribbean States and continues to value the important role it plays in regional integration and development,” he said.

SENIOR Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, and President of the Islamic Development Bank Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser on Saturday signed a US$200 million framework agreement for the reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

This project, according to the Ministry of Finance, will see the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 73 kilometres of the highway with two lanes undivided, nine bridges, and six culverts with improved design, quality and standards.

The project also includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements providing essential public administration support, improved connectivity with communities, roadside and other facilities.

Last September, Dr. Singh had indicated that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration was securing approval of financing to upgrade and repair the Soesdyke-Linden

highway.

He had emphasised the importance of this highway, and its dire need for an upgrade. The Finance Minister reiterated the PPP/C administration’s policy to improve and maintain the quality of life across the country.

He also touched on the various projects that indicate this, such as the Mandela to Eccles four-lane highway, and the Linden to Mabura project.

“My assurance to you is that you have in President Ali a central government that is firmly and unwaveringly committed to doing all that we possibly can to continue to improve the lives of the people of Region 10,” Dr. Singh had affirmed.

The Soesdyke-Linden Highway is a 73 kilometres-long, two-lane highway that runs between Soesdyke and Linden in Guyana. The East Bank Public Road connects Soesdyke with Georgetown.

The US$200 million

framework agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2023 Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group’s Annual Meetings currently underway in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Singh is leading Guyana’s delegation attending those meetings.

Minister Singh and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Fund for Development Mr. Sultan A. AlMarshad on Friday signed a US$150 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the Saudi Fund’s participation in the financing of infrastructural development works for the Housing Sector and Construction of the Wismar Bridge.

Earlier on Friday as well, Dr. Singh signed a MoU with the IsDB concerning the Country Engagement Framework for Guyana for Green, resilient and sustainable infrastructure as well as for supporting economic diversification and doing business.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, and President of the Islamic Development Bank Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser on Saturday signed a US$200 million Framework Agreement for the reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway

Spreading The Wealth

IT hasn’t really started happening in full swing as envisioned by the Government of Guyana, but this administration has, over the past three years, done more to spread whatever wealth has started flowing through the oil pipelines and earnings from carbon credits, as well as from the increasingly better performance of non-oil and non-traditional sectors that have led to increasing production where it has waned and more investments in more communities across Guyana than ever before in our history.

Earnings and expenses have improved and increased side by side since August 2020, with more revenues being spent in more places than

ever – especially those historically targeted by previous administrations for selective punishment by neglect, from Amerindians to Essequibo islanders, as well as several other areas that have traditionally supported the People’s National Congress (PNC), but have also just as long remained just as neglected as areas considered pro-PPP/C.

Housing and water development have been proceeding apace with thousands of house lots distributed and housing developments approved and started – including Silica City – while dozens of hospitals and health clinics have been constructed and/or are on the cards, while every other area of social assistance has been improved and increased by the Finance

Ministry, from pensions to elderly allowances to help for persons needing special assistance.

More students are attending school today and more are doing better than ever before, while teachers are benefitting from improved training and better service opportunities; and more youth than ever before are tuning in to government-sponsored projects supporting innovations and youth entrepreneurship, including subscription to the GOAL programme.

And almost every community can say it’s been touched by the government since they last voted.

Yet, the oil wealth hasn’t even started flowing anywhere near what it will, as the government takes time

to learn from the mistakes of others and ensure that agreements are mutually-beneficial and investment opportunities are widely spread, with proper management of national environmental and other monitoring mechanisms and practical approaches to taxation, royalties and other contributors to the National Resources Fund (NRF).

Those who want to see Guyana run before learning to walk, dream-up problems where they don’t exist to stir pots of discontent. But the responses have left them wanting over the past two years, as seen in the overwhelmingly unprecedented show of new support for the ruling alliance from traditional and lifelong opposition supporters.

Political analysts are offering differing and interesting interpretations as to why the PPP/C’s Region Four and Georgetown local government slate looks so different, but it all boils down to the humans in everyone when it comes to saying: “Enough is Enough!”

As expected, the opposition is trying to put a bright face to its ugly showings in the galloping race to June 12, inventing excuses and offering unreasonable reasons, while the leadership refuses to face the facts and admit that it’s also part of their own undoing. But the overwhelming reason is because more voters, across the electorate, have decided to sensibly make the best choice of boosting ongoing national

political climate change.

On June 12, voters will have to choose between yesterday and tomorrow, between what they see and feel today as against hanging on to empty promises for a tomorrow that will never come for those promising.

Parents will vote for the safety of tomorrow’s citizens, while young voters – in greater numbers than ever today – will also surely think of tomorrow’s opportunities and not be sidetracked into staying home by fairytales, firecrackers or fiery language.

Guyanese who’ve decided to vote will all vote for Guyana – and for those still considering, it’s just a matter of time, as, they still have time.

No more hiding for PNC-led Opposition; LGEs must be held!

Dear Editor,

The leaders of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) are cowards, whose political strategy is designed to frustrate engagements with stakeholders, and prevent the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from executing Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Their frantic and obvious desperation is to avoid facing the electorate for as long as possible.

For the umpteenth time, agents of the cabal are advancing frantic duplicitous legal challenges aimed at disturbing and ultimately delaying the LGEs process. Following numerous failed court challenges, Carol Smith-Joseph and Vincent Alexander again applied to the High Court to stop GECOM from holding LGEs on June 12, 2023.

Accordingly, Smith-Joseph is contending that Article 72 of

the Constitution and Section Three (One)(a) and (b) of the Local Authority Act Chapter 28:03 were violated. The new diabolical contortion relates to issues concerning the adjustments of a few boundaries in some constituencies, changes that the cabal and their agents did not oppose when in 2018, the APNU Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan flagrantly abused timely transparent procedures to impose.

In 2016 and 2018, several adjustments and gerrymandering took place without consultation and discussion with the then opposition.

As a result, several new towns and NDCs were formed, boundaries were adjusted, and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) did not move to the courts. In June 2018, Minister Bulkan published an order to remove 14 constituencies from well-established Local Authority Areas in the Official Gazette.

The then gerrymandering of the affected constituencies'

boundaries created significant confusion and concerns for the citizens who demanded changes without any resolution. Effectively, the splitting of the NDCs created severe problems, as several issues were pending since the 2016 Local Government Elections.

Among the essential changes, for example, the Malgre Tout and Canals NDC suffered serious unsolved boundary problems that resulted in residents voting to elect a council governing a constituency outside their boundary in favour of perceived PNC stronghold candidates. Situations like these had to be fixed for transparency and fairness.

On the occasion mentioned above, there were no dissenting concerns from the likes of Alexander and Smith-Joseph, while the PNC’s Commissioners at GECOM under President David Granger’s appointed James Patterson as the Chairman, allowing the boundary issues to be dealt with according to the fantasy of cheating

Contrary to Bulkan’s approach, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall legally wrote GECOM to demarcate the boundaries in some constituencies based on the population and the geographic reality of the Local Authority Areas. This was done after the GECOM logistics team thoroughly investigated the respective LAAs.

As a result, GECOM, within the organisation's scope and ambit, proceeded to make adjustments by placing people in their respective constituencies according to their addresses.

Notably, the minister ensured citizens and stakeholder groups were fully aware of the specific boundaries in each constituency before they could check the electoral lists and then extract the candidates’ names from the voters' list.

This list must be made available for Local Government Elections according to constituency. For this to hap-

pen, the stakeholders must be clear about the boundaries, and the voters' list must be thoroughly checked to ensure that all the candidates and “backers” of the respective lists are in the correct place.

Unlike the PNC’s approach imposed by Bulkan, no untimely surprises were sprung on to the populace for specific constituencies that were impacted. Instead, these issues were thoroughly discussed and agreed upon at the GECOM meetings. Following the proper changes/adjustments, these boundaries were thoroughly addressed. The modifications were made and published in the official gazette, ensuring that these changes are not new to GECOM and Guyanese.

Unfortunately, the opposition will not be contesting in 291 constituencies. Hence, the PPP/C will be enjoying a massive victory before the voting. The situation informs the fear and actions of the opposition’s rank and file.

The passionate and aggres-

sive campaign that the PPP/C has embarked upon attracts thousands of people, and the cross-over is significant. The visible cross-over of support on this occasion is not by individuals, but by passionate groups tremendously impressed with the PPP/C’s roll-out of their inclusive development agenda and achievements.

The weak leadership of the opposition is deteriorating rapidly. And there are severe deficiencies and deliberate intention to frustrate the stakeholders in the upcoming Local Government Elections. However, the PPP/C leadership is visibly and very potent on the ground. The President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the General Secretary of the PPP, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, are marshalling their forces to achieve victory.

The PNC-led opposition can no longer hide behind their hypocrisy; the LGEs must be held on June 12, 2023!

Yours respectfully, Neil Kumar

Keith Lowenfield as CEO of the GECOM Secretariat.

The integrity of the GPA hangs in the balance

Dear Editor,

A little over a decade ago, members of the media were invited to the launch of the ambitiously conceived Independent Media Association of Guyana (IMAG), the organisational objective of which was “to collaborate with media workers in promoting professional and ethical standards, safeguarding and promoting the rights and privileges of the media in all Guyana.”

You can still find the Facebook page of IMAG if you do a search for its full name – nothing besides remains.

For those of us involved (actually and purportedly) in truly independent media work at the time, IMAG was a laughable, ironically-titled attempt by the then government, or at the very least entities aligned to it, to establish a press organisation that would perhaps be more sympathetic to it than the established Guyana Press Association (GPA) was.

I do not believe the current administration has any such intention because I have seen no evidence of such.

My position then, as it is until now, is simple. While the GPA is an NGO with no statutory exclusivity under the laws of Guyana, and no reasonable expectation of exclusivity by convention, its fundamental establishment and the constitutional rules under which it is supposed to operate not only qualify it for de facto representation of best journalistic practices in this country, but would render any attempt at establishing a parallel organisation superfluous at best.

That established, the current elections process of the GPA threatens to undermine the institution as a credible arbiter in already extremely compromised

civil society environment.

On February 26, 2020 - a week before an election that was already a year behind schedule, having been triggered by a successful no confidence vote - the Guyana Press Association sent out a release chastising GECOM for its lack of transparency and timeliness in providing critical information on the electoral process:

"The GPA calls on all election observation missions to take note of the disservice being meted out to the populace by GECOM by allowing claims, accusations and rumours to fester. If not addressed with a sense of urgency and professionalism, GECOM must regard itself as a willing participant in any unfortunate reaction."

Now, three years later, and one day before its own election, the GPA itself is withholding critical electoral information not only from the public, not only from its general membership, but from Neil Marks, the sole challenger to the incumbent President, Nazima Raghubir.

As covered in the Stabroek News article “voters” list visibility in contention as GPA election looms’ (SN, May 12), with regard to Marks requesting a copy of the voters’ list for the upcoming elections:

“Marks said that he had independently written to the executive requesting the list but received no direct response. Meanwhile, when contacted yesterday, Raghubir referred to the statement by the executive."

Notably, none of the GPA’s statements on its own pending polls, including basic information on the process, has not made it to its own Facebook page, conveniently escaping real time scrutiny and inquiry, something that can only be described

as a deliberate and egregious opacity.

And yet, all of this pales in comparison to a far more serious issue – the basic constitutionality of Raghubir’s reelection bid and the constitutional and ethical crisis in which it places the organisation if that bid is successful. Here is what the GPA Constitution says with regard to the membership and tenure of its Council of Management:

“15.1 A Council of Management shall be elected to serve for a period of two years at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

15.2. Unless otherwise determined by a General Meeting, the Council shall be constituted of the following: President Vice-President Honorary Treasurer Honorary Assistant Treasurer

Four voting members of the Association

15.3. The President shall not hold office for more than three consecutive terms.”

The incumbent Council was first elected in January of 2018, five and a half years ago. The first scheduled election after that should have been in January of 2020, and the maximum tenure of Raghubir’s presidency, presuming she was reelected twice in succession (2020 and 2022), should have been up to January of 2024.

The argument that appears to be floating around is that the COVID pandemic (which did not exist in January of 2020) was the reason for the GPA failing to hold constitutionally mandated elections within the specific timeframe for two cycles.

While the argument of a

New $40M Port Mourant Hospital...

FROM PAGE 3

extend services and make them accessible to different areas, Minister Anthony said contracts had been awarded for the construction of three new health centers in Mara, Chesney, and Gangaram, where for many years these residents have had to access services outside of their communities, but will soon be able to access services closer to them.

He also announced that construction at Skeldon Hospital would commence soon and, upon completion would have 24-hour access to accident and emergency services, modern imaging, CT scans, 75 in-patient beds, two major operating theatres and one minor operating theatre, and laboratory services, among

others. Six such modern facilities will be built across the country, complementing the services currently being offered.

Meanwhile, Doctor in Charge of the Port Mourant Hospital Dr Ghanshaam Sukhdeo noted the sole purpose of the facility is to be better able to provide a service that is efficient and adequate for all patients to benefit; a service that is separate and independent where a patient does not have to wait for a doctor tending to an emergency in the A&E.The previous outpatient unit was entwined with the hospital’s A&E and would often be overcrowded with long waiting times, which often led to frustration for the patients. The availability of the new

force majeure may suffice to accommodate that failure, it does not suffice as a rationale for the effective extension of Raghubir’s tenure to what would potentially be nine and a half years.

This is an absurdity that flies blatantly against the plain meaning of the letter, as well as the spirit, of the GPA Constitution – in any basic understanding of that meaning, no GPA President should serve beyond six years, with articles 15.1 and 15.3 of the Constitution meant to be read conjunctively.

Constitutionally-enshrined term limits constitute standard best practice governance, whether we are speaking about the presidency of a country, or the presidency of an entity that purports to hold the presidency of a country accountable.

The undercurrents of the GPA elections have caused a

partisan stir online, with supporters of Team Marks and Team Raghubir throwing accusations of bias and clandestine control against each other. All that, in my humble estimation, is moot.

What is at stake here is whether, post-elections, the Association can credibly call either government or opposition out on fundamental issues of good governance, something that it cannot do if the current President remains in office beyond January 2024 under any circumstance.

There are only two ethical and likely legal pathways out of this crisis, with the first being fairly easy; the incumbent stands down and allows Marks and any other would-be candidate to finish the race.

The second is to contest the race with the explicit commitment that if she wins, she

will demit office in January of 2024 after holding an election in which she is not a candidate, allowing her to serve her constitutionally warranted six years and preserving the spirit and letter of the term restriction.

Nothing constitutionally prevents her from being part of the Management Council from 2024 to 2026 and seeking reelection again in 2026.

The current absurdly anonymous voters in the upcoming elections do not have two candidates before them – what they have is the preservation of the already strained integrity of the organisation versus the removal of any vestige of the sort of institutional integrity the organisation needs to act as a bona fide representative of the interests of the Fourth Estate.

Regards, Ruel Johnson

outpatient clinic will reduce the waiting time and reduce overcrowding.

Moreover, a new outpatient department will provide a range of benefits for patients such as continuity of care, whereby patients can receive follow-up appointments to monitor their progress or manage chronic conditions, ensuring they receive the appropriate care and support needed.

Also in attendance were the Mayor of Rose Hall Town, Dave Budhu and Secretary of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Katherine Prasad, who both applauded the valuable and much-needed investment by the government.

Facility tour shows positive progress in much-anticipated gas-to-energy project

ON May 4, a delegation of more than 30 Guyanese attending the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, toured the facilities of USbased consortium, CH4-Lindsayca (LNDCH4).

In December 2022, the company was awarded a US$760 million contract to develop infrastructure for an integrated gas facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

Representatives of the US Embassy in Guyana met senior leadership which included Nelson Drake, the Chairman of LNDCH4, who said: “Although we are a US-consortium, our aim is to use as much local content as possible in Guyana. In addition to engaging services from businesses in Guyana, we also aim to hire approximately 1,500 – 2,000

people in-country.”

These jobs will be largely created during the construction phase and should provide much needed transferable skills as a plant of this size and scale, has never been constructed in Guyana.

Executive Secretary of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith, also commented: “The presentation given highlighted the phases of the project towards production of reliable and cost-effective source of energy for power generation, thereby reducing electricity costs and improving energy security. Also important is job and local partnership opportunities that will spur economic growth, particularly in the West Coast Demerara region.”

The visit pointed toward the continuation of positive progress on the much-anticipated Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project which is expected to come online by 2025.

The integrated facility will include a natural gas liquids (NGL) processing plant which will treat the gas to remove NGLs for commercialisation, and a 300 megawatts (MW) power plant that will use the dry gas to generate electricity for domestic use, all powered by around 50 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas brought via pipeline from Exxon-operated offshore oilfields.

Once piped ashore, the natural gas will power turbines that produce reliable, lower-emission electricity that should drastically reduce the burden of electricity

costs on Guyanese households – which are currently among the highest in the region.

Estimates put the cost reduction at up to 50 per cent of current costs while doubling Guyana’s energy output. In the process, gas should replace large quantities of imported heavy fuel oil, a highly polluting fuel that many small and island nations rely on but that is subject to high and fluctuating global energy prices.

When it comes to the GtE project, discussion of energy security is interchangeable with that of financial security and the economic benefits of this initiative cannot be overstated.

In an opinion piece on May 8, opposition Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira said that the project “can be a

Mental Health Awareness Month and stigma

A YOUNG man was tragically killed on a New York subway train, last week, after being put in a choke hold by another passenger.

His death has given rise to a wave of protests, though he was mentally ill and allegedly threatening other commuters.

The ex-military man responsible for his death said he did not mean to harm the young man but to subdue him, while protesters felt he used excessive force.

That this incident should take place during Mental Aware-

ness Month, serves to underline just how members of the public can become unwittingly involved with the mentally ill. It also makes clear that mental health challenges can affect us

all and is a problem we have to collectively address.

Countries around the world, including our own, can give examples of citizens either being attacked or feeling threatened by the mentally ill within their communities.

However, people globally must also take responsibility for allowing the problems of those with mental illness to grow by either ignoring or denying them and attaching such a stigma to mental health that individuals are reluctant to seek help.

Guyana has made signif -

icant strides to improve its mental health strategies with the establishment of a Mental Health Unit and the passing of two key pieces of legislation.

The Mental Health Protection and Promotion Bill (2022), which details the rights of persons with mental health problems and replaces the archaic Hospital Ordinance (1930) and the Suicide Prevention Plan (2022), which decriminalises suicide and promotes quick response. There is a 24-hour Inter-agency Suicide Prevention Help Line which offers support to those struggling with depression.

This is all part of the ongoing Mental Health Strategy devised for 2015-2020, in conjunction with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and aimed at addressing the many health challenges the country faced prior to 2015.

Now with the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan (2013-2030), established with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO), the country is making moves to strengthen effective leadership and governance of mental health facilities and improve information systems, evidence and research.

These and other measures, such as the training of key mental health personnel including primary health care workers and the establishment of satellite mental health units throughout the country, were detailed by Director (ag) of the Mental Health Unit, Dr. Timothy Morgan.

game-changer for the country” by securing reliable and stable power to an area that has been plagued by load shedding and rolling blackouts.

By addressing these fluctuations in the energy supply, economic development would experience an unparalleled boost. Individuals, small businesses, and industry would have steady access to affordable energy, thereby enabling them to engage with growing and diverse markets and produce a new range of products in Guyana economically.

This, in turn, should lead to greater foreign investment and income generation, more financial resources for the country, job creation, and opportunities for partnership both domestically and abroad.

While progress on the planning for the facility proceeds at a steady pace, public feedback is a crucial part of the process as Guyana undergoes an economic transformation and especially as this project represents one of the single largest onshore investments in our history.

Regulatory agencies and government bodies continue to conduct their due diligence into the project in accordance with the law. Local content contributions, protecting environmental treasures and securing Guyana’s investments continue to be top of mind for the government. If executed quickly, carefully and with sustainability in mind, Guyanese should be enjoying greater economic gains and energy savings in a remarkably short timeframe.

Dr. Morgan also spoke of the Stigma and Discrimination Campaign, launched by PAHO last year, while making his presentation at a recent Medical Conference held here.

He observed that that initiative was aimed at ending the insidious nature of the stigma attached to mental illness, calling for everyone to help and urging, “We have to get the public talking”.

Here he echoed the words of the Chief of PAHO’s Mental Health Unit, Renato Oliveira e Souza, who said, “The more we talk about mental health, the closer we get to reduce the stigma that surrounds it…And when the stigma diminishes or disappears seeking and receiving support become more feasible”.

Mental Health Awareness

Month, recognised by mental health activists in the US since 1949, is being celebrated under the theme, “Back to Basics”, stressing the importance of each person taking care of their mental health and providing “foundational knowledge about mental health”.

It is something everyone should care about, according to goodgoodgood.com, reminding us that this Month, “…is a catalyst for us to learn more, seek help, offer support and open our hearts and minds to vulnerable conversations”.

And launching its “More Than Enough Campaign” during this month, the US National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is sending a message that people all over the world can subscribe to.

“It’s an opportunity for all of us to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold…that if all you did was wake up today, that’s ‘more than enough’”. One particularly pertinent quote says, “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation…”

The Mental Health Unit (Guyana) is situated at 252 Quamina Street, South Cummingsburg and can be contacted on telephone # 226 1416 and the Suicide Prevention Hotlines are 223-0001/9, 2230818, 600-7896 and 623-4444.

Part 3: Enough to lie in the name of free speech

“FREE Speech,” “Freedom of Expression” and “Freedom of the Press” all have one common denominator – freedom. But despite all efforts to present them as norms associated with freedoms that every person on Planet Earth should hold sacred, each means different things to different people in different places.

“Free Speech” is supposed to represent freedom to speak one’s mind without fear of being punished, but as interpretations go, it’s also, more often than not, stretched to also mean saying anything, even knowingly lying, in the name of having a protected right to “freely” express a “personal opinion” – with no bounds...

“Freedom of Expression” is seen and treated the same, only being stretched wider than the normal speech boundary and enveloping all other forms of expression, including publishing and broadcasting.

“Freedom of the Press” (or Press Freedom) is the widest and most amorphous of the lot of loose phrases, especially abused by those accused of abusing freedoms to get away with abusing others through character assassination, including making false claims without submitting proof and citing “fundamental” and even “human” rights and freedoms.

In all three cases, journalists and journalism everywhere are affected by differing interpretations of the legally-vague and widely-interpretive laws used to protect or punish us.

But none of these “freedoms” really exist as full freedoms that must be, can or ever fully respected, especially since they’re more abused than observed, but in all cases never accepted or respect-

ed by those punished with them.

The likes of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange were brave enough to steal and spill top-secret US intelligence that also exposed more dirty deeds than secrets about how the US military and intelligence operate in other countries, the likes of WikiLeaks and the trove of valuable public information released in the court of public opinion are treated like traitors and “threats to national security,” forcing them to seek and find innovative ways of forever separating the land of their birth to seek asylum in embassies and with state support.

Ditto the likes 21-yearold US Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira who earlier this year released yet another trove of hardly-guarded top-class military ‘secrets’ that again exposed that the US has never stopped spying on its partners, this time including South Korea and Ukraine, both naturally irked but neither able to do anything but exclaim.

Same with how international media entities claiming to be champions of Press and Media Freedoms go about assessing “state of the media” or “conditions affecting journalists” in countries not considered friendly to global geopolitical interests of the Group of Seven (G-7), European Union (EU) and NATO groupings.

but by an ancient interpretation by US President Thomas Jefferson, who said, in 1786: "Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.”

That age-old phrase, coined in the Dark Ages of the modern media when no one even thought of a cell phone or computer, is today being bandied-around in the faces of journalists operating in the IT Age.

Similarly, press freedom is today still defined in the USA as “the right to publish and disseminate information, thoughts, and opinions without restraint or censorship as guaranteed under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution…”

Thing is, though, journalism and media advocates too lazy (or just unwilling) to research for even more appropriate quotes by journalists, past and present, from Caribbean, Latin American, African, Asian or other developing nation, to fly and flag as even equally quotable and just as worthy of use as and for professional guidance today.

As a result, Caribbean journalism and press freedoms are measured by yardsticks not set for regional standards, leaving external guides to judge and rule according to rules not set in or influenced by local experiences.

Take Reporters Without Borders, heralded as a primary global guardsman at the weighbridge of the fabled golden gates to the fortresses of global press and media freedom, which

might feel they said the right things the wrong way is one that’s well known to veteran journalists, including the many over decades who’ve been forced out of every government job and into virtual eternal penury after each regime change.

issued a recent report on the ‘State of Press Freedom in Guyana’ that’s amused and amazed even the government’s critics (excluding those with established records of having their own particular ways to cover different elected Governments of Guyana).

The Guyana Chronicle newspaper went to painful lengths earlier this week to respectfully acknowledge the external entity’s claim to be a thermometer for local press freedom, but to also point out where its yardstick faltered at every inch of measurement – and to offer better measuring hints, like widening their base of research and avoiding conclusions so far from reality that no one cares to even try to understand.

In Saint Lucia, the abuse of press freedom and abuse of legal mechanisms to punish journalists who

But even more dastardly is the perennial efforts by a small but loud, hatchet-wielding online team of hatchet men (and women) who spend long days, nights and weeks, over the past 17 months, to assassinate Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s honest character with invented lies he’s been able to disprove every one of.

And if you thought

that was low, just consider the same cabal (already abusing their access to the internet and the protection chat rooms have from their parent entities abroad to knowingly engage in murdering the character of the nation’s leader) also now looking to chop and downgrade the sound-play of the Return of Jazz and Arts Festival to Marchand and the happiness with its success, with the stupid and foolishly shared comment the “People cannot eat Jazz!”

And we’re supposed to take those champions of press freedom seriously? Really?

GPA, unconstitutionality and partisanship

THE media plays an important and vital role in any democratic and civilised society in the modern-day world.

Also, the media serves as the gatekeeper for the public’s interest in the general society, constantly watching out for excesses, policies, plans and actions of the State apparatus which include the Government and the Opposition of the day.

It is supposed to be the bastion of truth, always reporting and telling stories, or communicating in a manner that is factual, truthful, balanced, fair and accurate. It is also supposed to be free and fair in its discharge of the considerable responsibilities and duties as outlined in the profession.

The media, whether it is traditional or modern, has its own influence in countries around the globe, telling people what to think about, how to think about issues, who to think about, in what way to think about it, and when to think about a particular issue or person.

Simply put, it is supposed to be apolitical, non-partisan and neutral. It stands that as a national stakeholder and the public’s watchdog. It must at

all times be respected and appreciated.

This does not mean that the media or press cannot be criticised or upbraided by any stakeholder in society domestically, regionally, and internationally if it falls short of its responsibility as outlined in various charters, declarations and laws. This, will, in turn, keep the media in check whenever it jumps out of line or acts outside of its well-defined parameter.

Since 1945, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) has been the body in this country that serves to self-regulate members of the media while shielding media here from the actions of powerful politicians, political parties, interest groups or individuals, and civil society organisations which threaten or intimidate the media corps, and media workers.

The GPA always stood by the primary journalist and media worker once they are in the right, and are plying their trade in an acceptable manner.

Throughout the years, several prominent journalists and media workers have served as President or in some post on the GPA Executive. They have cemented

their time at the helm of the organisation, enduring the problems, challenges and issues that come with the turf.

Many have excelled and many tried while others have failed miserably at the main job of the GPA, which has been to represent the media and media workers in Guyana and remain apolitical in driving the GPA’s agenda whatever that it may be at the time.

One of the many post-independence Presidents has been Nazima Ragubhir who has done a satisfactory job at the helm of the GPA. Ragubhir’s tenure could be described as homily, plain and uninspiring to say the least.

There was nothing hallmark, futuristic, or even defining about the years that she led the struggle for representation of media protection and rights. No headquarters of the GPA was established and no constitutional reform was embarked upon with a view to bringing the institution closer to the brink of a modern journalist lobby group that is compliant with best practices regionally and internationally.

Nonetheless, she has been delivering the speech-

es required, attending the functions, conducting and facilitating the training sessions for the stakeholders including the GPA, and generally handling the tasks.

Sadly, the current form of the make-up of the GPA Executives, their open skewed agendas and biased approach to the government of the day, and the impending GPA elections process threaten to undermine it as a credible arbiter and important interlocker in the biased and angry civil society environment.

Also, GPA President Ragubhir seems to have developed an affinity for not remaining neutral and apolitical in the discharge of the other GPA functions while she is seeking to provide leadership, protectionism, and representation to the media here.

She is very quick to issue statements hammering away at the government of the day for alleged press attacks on the media, and other things while playing mute and downplaying the very concerns of another group of media workers here that she assumes do not share her political and other inclinations.

Ragubhir, conveniently, does not issue a single statement or deal with their concerns. For example, she would run to the rescue of Davina Baggot and Kaieteur News but would not have addressed the alleged horrific conditions pertaining to the verbal, and mental abuse that ex-employees and current media workers claim they endure at the hands of former Chief Editor Adam Harris, and the publisher Glenn Lall. Why is that so? Is it that the Lall and Harris’ political views are anti-PPP and mirrors the clandestine or now open emboldened views of Ragubhir and the Executive?

And, there are many in State Media and private media who have had issues from 2018 to May 2023 that she has turned a blind eye towards addressing, purportedly because they did not seem to be against the PPP/C Government, or key politicians whom she uses as click-bate for likes

and shares.

This is a concern as the current Executive is being accused of using and hiding behind the veil of the GPA, and the secrecy to orchestrate attacks of journalists, media and press workers they see as a threat, and the government of the day.

That aside, there are much bigger concerns the local media has been sounding the alarm about in the GPA for years. For example, the GPA financials and the alleged non-audit of spending of donor funds under the guise of travel, training and other expenditure.

Then, there are the decisions of the half-manned body which is crippled by resignations and underwhelming performance. Since when does the media and press activism starts when one term ends and when one knows one will have to go?

Another concern, which is last but not least, is the controversial elections in which Ragbuhir is a candidate. Yet, the current president is keeping a low profile and trying to dodge the media workers who want answers.

How is this fair and transparent? What is there to hide? What is the motive behind running for a fourth term after dubiously and wickedly extending an elected term way past three and a half terms?

This looks very unconstitutional and appears to be giving ‘power hungry or creeping dictatorship’ vibes in order for Ragubhir and current council to continue to control the narrative about the press freedom and access to information in Guyana well into the periods of the local, regional and national elections slated in June and late 2025.

As a result, there is an ongoing fight by lone contenders Neil Marks, and other outspoken GPA members for the body to respect and function according to its own Constitution. She and the infamous three other complicit journalists have been taken to court by Social Media activist Makhail Rodrigues (Critic) to get the voter’s list released now,

and the removal of the secrecy that is hanging over the elections that are slated for Sunday.

Ragubhir should be ashamed of her record in an office when one considers this because it seems as though she is seeking to foist or force herself illegally on journalists here. Those defending her are guilty of undermining the GPA and abusing the organisation and its intended impartial focus. This is in and of itself a danger to press freedom, accountability and transparency in Guyana.

As a matter of fact, the current GPA is not sticking to the tenets that the organisation is supposed to stand by. The current council is not shy about standing on the side of the opposition and direct conflict and confrontation with the Government of the day that has deciphered their postures.

The truth is, the elections today will be marred in controversy, rigging and election skullduggery if the media and media workers are not vigilant or successful to postpone it. The challengers are going to be defeated and in doing so, Guyanese journalists will be fighting for the soul of the GPA.

If GPA is to survive this hijacking of the organisation by ‘journalists and media workers’ from within who are clearly not apolitical, non-partisan, independent and unbiased, then each media worker must play their part in the struggle to get GPA to act in an accountable, transparent, fair and legal manner.

They must vote against the wrong doers and support the path to transparency in management and finances. GPA members should fight for the retention of its right to be an independent and apolitical entity. Journalists and media workers must fight legally against being controlled, brainwashed politically and otherwise by this Executive, and for their freedom.

The future of the fourth estate now rests with the way the journalists and media workers vote, if at all, Sunday.

Miriam Andrew Ming commitment to making a difference breaking barriers and inspiring women in Guyana

By Cindy Parkinson

BEING a mother is already a significant and fulfilling role for women, but being a mother who strives to break barriers and set a better example for her daughter and other women in Guyana requires extraordinary strength and determination. It is a challenging but worthwhile endeavour.

Born to an indigenous father from the village of Sand Creek in the Rupununi, Region Nine, and an East Indian mother from the East Coast of Demerara, Miriam Andrew Ming saw firsthand what a fierce, determined, and independent woman looked like after her mother, Indroutie Sugrim, and father separated.

According to Miriam, even though her mother was always a working woman, she became the sole breadwinner of the home and raised her and her sister Maryann Andrew all by herself, and she did it with grace and dignity.

Despite the challenges faced by Indroutie, Miriam's mother never complained about their living situation. She consistently encouraged her daughters to speak their minds freely and emphasised the significance of education.

While attending St. Agnes Primary School in Georgetown at a tender age, Miriam explained that she found it very challenging growing up as a 'mixed girl' who never entirely fitted into the "box" of what society expected of her.

She shared that she experienced being judged even before people got to know her or listen to her thoughts. However, she was raised with a strong mindset that helped her not to let their opinions define her identity.

Although she couldn't comprehend the reasons behind their negative thoughts about her, she was determined to discover her true self and what made her unique.

After writing her Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE), Miriam was awarded a place at St. Joseph High School. Later, she was offered a spot at Bishop's High School to continue her studies in 2010 after earning 11 passes on the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exam. She earned eight passes on the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) before receiving her Associate of General Studies degree in 2012.

Miriam, a high achiever, had always dreamed of becoming a lawyer and did not want to settle for a 9-to-5 job. With this goal in mind, she entered the University of Guyana (UG) and graduated with honours in 2015 after earning her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.

Since she was among the top 25 students in her class who graduated, Miriam received immediate admission to the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago. This opportunity allowed her to complete her Legal Education Certificate (LEC) re-

myself of the number of people who literally believed in me. I had a village of support with my family, and with the scholarship, I told myself that I have an entire country behind me, so I couldn’t disappoint them."

Miriam admitted that she used to be introverted both as a person and a student in Guyana. However, she was thrilled to enroll in Hugh Wooding Law School and was determined to make the most of it. As a result, she gained a new level of confidence and became the vice

quirements, which will authorise her to practice law.

Miriam considered her acceptance to be a significant achievement for several reasons, one being that it was the final obstacle she needed to overcome to legally assist people, particularly women, in improving their lives. Unknowingly, realising her dream also made her the first woman of Amerindian descent to be admitted to the bar in Guyana.

Miriam felt honored to be one step closer to her dreams, but she knew that affording law school would be difficult due to her limited finances. Despite the challenge, she remained determined and wise, choosing to write letters to various ministries to explain her situation.

Mariam said, "I explained my story to them in the letter, and I also told them that if I’m given the opportunity, I will give back by helping to fight for the people of our country and ensuring that I impact people in a very meaningful way. They heard me, and I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship from the government, and that is how I completed my LEC.

With that, it also gave me a drive and propelled me to ensure that I did well. I reminded

president of the Student Representative Council and the Human Rights Committee.

Miriam said, "I found a new level of confidence in myself there, and I was one of the two Guyanese students who graduated on the principal’s honour's roll in 2017, with my flat mate and friend Saeed Hamid, who is currently residing in the United States of America. To have had the responsibilities of being vice president for two committees and graduated on the honour roll, I felt so content with myself; it had been one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I am so grateful for it."

After returning to Guyana, the successful and innovative lawyer fulfilled the promises she made before leaving the country. However, she is now helping the people in a different capacity - as a legal officer and attorney-at-law at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, instead of from the courtroom.

However, Miriam said, "My job varies across the board. I also provide legal support to the ministry collectively, and I specifically provide support and work closely with the honourable

Miriam and her daughter Samiya

Miriam, her husband Samuel and their daughter Samiya

The first woman of Amerindian decent to be admitted to the bar in Guyana, Miriam Andrew Ming

Coconut cultivation being explored along major river banks

PRODUCTION of coconuts in Guyana is expected to double, as the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is looking to cultivate this crop along the banks of major rivers across Guyana.

This was according to Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, during a public engagement with residents of Mocha/Arcadia on the East Bank of Demerara, on Friday.

“That will help us to also stop erosion of those areas but at the same time,

those lands will be productive. So, we have a specialist coming into the country

shortly to help us in the coconut industry,” Minister Mustapha said.

This initiative aligns with the government’s vision of developing this lucrative industry as the agriculture minister speaks of the industry’s great potential.

Minister Mustapha informed residents that, since August 2, 2020, 12 coconut nurseries have been constructed and that had decentralised the availabil-

ity of seed nuts from Hope Industries Limited (Hope Estate) to other parts of the country.

“That means people from the East Bank or people from West Coast or Berbice don’t have to come to Hope Coconut Estate or NAREI to buy these plants. We have it across this country now,” he said.

In addition, all farmers involved in this industry will be receiving the new Brazilian Green Dwarf Coconut variety, which is intended to further boost the local coconut industry.

The Brazilian Green Dwarf variety is best known for its high-yielding properties, as well as its high tolerance to attacks from common pests and diseases that usually affect other varieties of coconut.

Its most outstanding characteristic, however,

is its ability to produce a higher volume of water than other varieties commonly grown in Guyana. This variety is also said to produce water that has a high sucrose level, making it sweeter than others.

Guyana received some 1,000 seed nuts last year and additional seed nuts will be received this year.

“The Brazilian Green Dwarf Coconut has potential … so, we are looking to build on that and all farmers eventually, who are producing coconuts or who are planting coconuts will receive that variety from us because we want to develop it,” the Agriculture Minister posited.

Guyana is leading the way in agriculture as CARICOM aims to lessen the almost $5 billion food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

Bandits leave two dead, one critical in Linden home invasion

- two suspects in custody

TWO suspects are currently in custody assisting with investigations into the Block 22 Wismar, Linden home invasion, which left two people dead and another critical.

Johnson Bowen, 87, and his son-in-law Manuel Dos Santos, 58, a gold miner, both of Block 22, Wismar, Linden, were brutally killed, allegedly by bandits sometime between 04:00 hrs and 04:15 hrs on Saturday.

Another family member, Denzel Roberts, 20, was shot in the mouth and remains in critical condition.

According to a neighbour, Dos Santos had recently returned from working in the interior, and it is believed that the bandits

thought the family had gold and cash in the house. However, they were only able to escape with a laptop and some other items. In a desperate attempt to defend themselves, the males in the house attacked the intruders with cutlasses.

The bandits retaliated by opening fire before escaping on foot. Regional Police Commander of Division #10, Kurleigh Simon said that two persons are currently in custody in connection with the crime.

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn visited the family, and offered his sympathy and extended the Ministry’s support to the family during this difficult time. The investigation is still ongoing.

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn engages family members of the men who died and a police official

‘We are a partner in your development’

- Minister McCoy tells Mocha-Arcadia residents

RESIDENTS of Mocha

Arcadia were, on Friday, reminded of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) commitment to work with residents at the local government level to advance community development efforts.

The residents were engaged by Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.

The residents were introduced to the party’s constituency and other candidates for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGEs), and given an opportunity to highlight their ideas and concerns.

Minister McCoy thanked the residents for

putting the development of their community and their own personal advancement ahead of petty politics.

He reiterated the PPP/C government’s commitment to work with the community, and all of Guyana to bring about great development.

“As a government, you absolutely can rely on us as a good partner in your development. Mocha needs development, you need development. And one of the best ways in making sure you get the development you need is by engaging with government.

“It is your development that you must be concerned with. We will listen to you, you are the stars here. We are here as your humble servants to listen to the things that you desire the most,” Minister McCoy said.

Although the ministers were there for the campaign

launch, Minister McCoy reminded those gathered that government ministers being on the ground in the community was not unusual.

“We don't only come to you at elections time. This PPP/C government is an action oriented government, a government amongst the people, working with the people every day in the field. We deal with people at every given opportunity that they raise. Because it is part of our job to be able to liaise. We can’t sit in the offices, we have to come and be amongst you, to be able to ensure you get the best out of our development programmes,” Minister McCoy said.

Meanwhile, Minister Edghill acknowledged that issues regarding infrastructure in the community is usually a leading concern to residents, and he affirmed that his ministry has already completed an assessment

of the roads and other infrastructural needs of the community.

He called on the residents to come together and prioritise a few of the leading infrastructural needs in the community, so that those could be addressed first. Notwithstanding that,

Minister Edghill informed the residents of several road works that are on the cards for the community.

The PPP/C is one of two political parties contesting in the Mocha/Arcadia Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at the upcoming June 12 LGE. The other party is the A Part-

nership for National Unity (APNU).

Over the years, APNU would often take majority positions on the 12seat Council; however, the PPP/C has been making inroads in many local government organs traditionally dominated by the APNU.

Digicel Guyana spreads joy to ‘moms in need’

THIS Mother’s Day, Digicel Guyana has turned the spotlight on

mothers in need.

In partnership with local relief organisation,

- with food-hamper distributions for Mother’s Day

Least of These Foundation, Digicel distributed food hampers to moms in need to commemorate Mother’s Day.

The moms are from Norton Street Georgetown, Bachelor’s Adventure, Enterprise and Bareroot on the East Coast of Demerara. Over the Mother’s Day weekend, staff members of Digicel volunteered to deliver the food hampers to moms in need.

Some of the moms who received this surprise from Digicel shed tears of joy, and expressed excitement because someone thought of them for Mother’s Day. They were Venezuelan immigrants and Guyanese in dire need.

“As a company, Digicel has, over the years, shown commitment to supporting communi -

ties and this mother’s day they are celebrating mothers everywhere. For this activity, together with The Least of These Foundation, they brought food hampers to those who need them most,” the company said.

Each food hamper was tailored to the needs

of each mother, and contained a variety of nutritious and delicious items. The hampers included pantry staples such as rice, flour, oil, beans, and canned goods, as well as toiletry and self-care items.

And also just in time for Mother’s Day, Digi-

cel also afforded their customers the opportunity of winning five fully stocked French door refrigerators with their Five Fridges in Five Days promotion. Winners came from Georgetown, East Bank, Linden and Soesdyke.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, engages a resident of Mocha-Arcadia (Adrian Narine photo)

1,000 more officers equipped with knowledge to tackle gender-based violence — after graduating from ‘COPSQUAD’

APPROXIMATELY 1,000 members of the Guyana Police Force, on Friday, graduated from the COPSQUAD2000 initiative of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and United Nations Population Fund.

The graduation exercise for COPSQUAD2000, which falls under the Spotlight Initiative, took place at the National Cultural Centre.

The COPSQUAD2000 initiative seeks to raise the officers’ familiarity with laws relating to gender-based violence and provide them with specialised training they need to respond to cases involving gender-based violence in a way that would protect the victims.

In her feature remarks, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said: “For everything to improve, everyone needs to hold themselves to a very high standard. Our country is on a fast-paced developmental trajectory and our Force is critical and crucial in the development that is happening across the country.

“This [domestic violence] is an area of so many talking points, where we are not seeming to get this under control… this is the area we must work on the hardest on because it affects the most precious human resource, notably our women.”

Minister Persaud told the graduates: “When that report is made, I urge you to treat it with every seriousness it deserves, make sure the report is written and submitted in a timely way so that prosecution can happen. This is the kind of thing that relates to the overall peace of our country… it is peace in homes, peace among family members, peace in the community and it starts with our attitudes and behaviours and our response to it.

“So, as you graduate today, I hope you take this training and take it with the kind of seriousness so that it

does not become just another type of training. This must be the transformative catalyst that we want to see, where the Guyana Police Force would earn the recognition of the citizens of the country because of their pro-activeness when it comes to combatting domestic violence.”

Minister of Home Affairs, Robenson Benn, commended Minister Persaud for her efforts, noting that there is a fruitful relationship between the two ministries.

“I just want to thank Minister Vindhya Persaud for keeping us on the straight and narrow and taking us to higher levels with the support of the United Nations and other persons from the international communities and to say that we should all be blessed,” he said.

Meanwhile, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Yesim Oruc, highlighted: “I am happy and absolutely privileged and thrilled to be part of associating the United Nations and our partnership with the European Union to this effort on Gender-Based Violence and eliminating Gender-Based Violence through the Spotlight Initiative, the largest investment in Gender-Based Violence by the European Union through a partnership with UN and the Government of Guyana…”

Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, detailed the Force’s plans to utilise the knowledge from this training initiative.

He said: “We’ve been using this platform to build our capacity as we are human and to broaden our effort especially to issues that are topical on domestic violence. Coming out of a MoU the minister was so gracious that police were trained through COPSQUAD because the issues were topical, and we are grateful so this by itself will change the outlook in terms of professionalism of the Guyana Police Force. “Training

is no training at all so what we are going to do is have you decentralised across the 10 administrative regions at every police station and outpost and so that the level of service delivered to the public will be enhanced…”

The officers who completed the training have also expressed enthusiasm as they prepare to implement the knowledge gained from the training.

“It increased my knowledge a great lot, I had known before then going on the force I gained a bit more knowledge and I will use the training to deal with it accordingly,” said Corporal Jaisingh, who is attached to the Criminal Investigations Department.

A 911 responder, Taneisha Ramdhan, related: “I just graduated from the Copsquad training and this training has been a wonderful experience for me as a 911 call taker and I would be able to take reports of people who are being abused and I could be able to assist them as fast as possible.”

Corporal John Munesh, who is based as a prosecutor at Leonora reasoned, “This training has impacted me a lot, given the fact that I used to work patrol before, and I used to be a first responder to domestic violence case, and it taught me to identify and face certain challenges that victims may face.

“It also taught me how I go about dealing with the situation more, so it would help me in my prosecution to ask questions, which are more relevant so I would not have the victim relive or think what happened. Initially, I thought domestic violence was just between husband and wife but I know it is between family.”

In February 2023, 500 officers had graduated, bringing the number of officers trained to effectively handle cases of gender-based violence to approximately 1500.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken; UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana Yeşim Oruç; graduates and other officials (DPI photo)

Foster care plan accessible to all Guyanese

— Minister Persaud says, encourages persons to climb on board

THE Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud has announced a plan to make fostering a child accessible to every Guyanese who wants to do so, regardless of background or circumstance.

The was disclosed on Friday, following the graduation of 1,000 police ranks as part of the COPSQUAD initiative.

The law enforcement ranks were equipped with knowledge on how to handle domestic and gender-based violence cases effectively.

Minister Persaud urged the graduates to treat each case with the seriousness it

deserves and do the kind of things that will ultimately lead to peace in the country.

Also present for the event held at the National Cultural Centre was Minister of Home Affairs, Robenson Benn, Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, UN Resident Coordinator, Yesim Oruc and other senior officers within the Guyana Police Force.

To date, approximately 1500 officers have been trained under this initiative and will be stationed in all 10 administrative regions.

According to Minister Persaud, the children in foster care programmes remain with

their foster parents, hoping to be adopted, while some stay with foster parents until adulthood.

She added that they strengthen the bond between children and their foster parents.

“So, we learned that they enjoyed the last thing that we did, which was going to the movies and having that time of bonding and also entertainment, together. So, we’re planning a movie exercise for the foster parents and their charges,” she said.

The Minister continued: “We’re also looking at how we can give tokens of recog-

nition to the foster parents. And we’re looking at how we can have more public awareness in this initiative; So they will not only be PSAs, but there will be a number of bumper stickers and a number of other ways that we will try to get the message out, so that more and more persons would come on board with the foster care programme.”

Minister Persaud noted further that persons are encouraged to visit the childcare and protection agency if they are interested in being foster parents, to learn more about what they’re required to have in order to be one.

“That foster parent will not always realise how important their intervention is in the life of a child, but it makes a complete difference to a child, to be in a loving home, versus an institution.”

She thanked the foster care parents around the country for continuing their roles in the lives of their foster child/ children.

The month of May is Foster Care Month and for more information, contact can be made to the Foster Care department on: 231 - 8423/ 592 227 - 4082 or via email fostercare.cpa@ gmail.com.

Miriam Andrew Mings ...

From page 11

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, the permanent secretary, and all the staff members within the ministry. I also have a scope that is specifically related to the Amerindian Act and all village matters because we are the People's Ministry. I try to advise and support anyone who comes through my door because it is who I am, my door is always open."

MOTHERHOOD

Miriam, while in law school, became engaged to her husband, Samuel Ming, and eventually got married. Despite her academic accomplishments, Miriam finds being a mother to be the most fulfilling aspect of her life.

According to her, "I have two nephews, and I always said that they made me feel like a mom, and they have a special place in my heart; they are my first babies, but to have my own little girl and to have gone through that experience is special. I got pregnant during the pandemic, so I had a very intimate pregnancy,

and it was scary to have gone through it, especially during those times since it wasn’t conventional labour. It was just me and my husband, but even though I wanted to have a natural birth so badly, that wasn’t the case. Due to medical reasons, I had to have a caesarean (C-section). I struggled a little bit with it, but it was all worth it because at the end of the day I had this beautiful baby girl that I get to call my own, and she is my best friend."

Miriam said that her daughter Samiya had been a "huge driving force" in her life, making her want to do more. "I want to show her by example that the world is so wide and she can accomplish anything that she puts her mind to, just as my mom did for me. Like every mother, my hope is for our kids to do more than we did. I want to make the world a better place for her and other children as well."

Miriam has managed to balance motherhood, work, and family life while also opening a family-oriented and safe space for children called Peenie Bear's

GymBearie school. This was a shared idea between Miriam and her sister, providing children with a place to be themselves.

"As parents and as moms, we understand the struggles that we are faced with, and we wanted to allow other moms to have a safe place to leave their kids so that they can run their errands or just have a moment for themselves sometimes," Mariam said.

Miriam took the opportunity to extend heartfelt gratitude to her family and friends who played an integral role in her success, and she made special mention of her late father-in-law, who, as she related, loved her and was proud of her and her success.

She also extended a happy Mother’s Day greeting to all the mothers across the nation and added, "I want to say to my mom that one of my greatest blessings is that I get to call you mommy, and I love you so much. I want you to know that I completely understand motherhood now because of you, and I am grateful for that."

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

Police graduates equipped to combat Domestic, Gender-Based Violence

Rise in Domestic Violence prompts specialised training

collective duty to make sure that all remaining challenges are irradicated, in that process towards gender equality.”

Additionally, she highlighted that training like this can only help end violence against women if it is used. She urged police ranks to practice it as the certificates are awarded, and pins stuck on, to use the training and develop their partnerships, to commit together to end violence against women.

By Faith Greene

ONE thousand police ranks graduated on Friday from the COPSQUAD initiative, garnered to ensure police personnel are equipped with the knowledge needed to serve victims of Domestic/ Gender-Based Violence better.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s COPSQUAD initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) under the Spotlight Initiative.

Present for the event held at the National Cultural Centre was Minister of Home Affairs, Robenson Benn, Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, UN Resident Co-ordinator, Yesim Oruc and other senior officers within the Guyana Police Force.

The Spotlight Initiative is part of the United Nations' efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls. Within the past few years, several women have lost their lives to the horrendous act of domestic/gender-based violence in Guyana.

From 2021 to present, the numbers have seen a significant rise, and it is with this in mind that police ranks have been trained to be better able to identify, understand, and aid in eliminating violence against women and girls.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya

Persaud, in her address, said, “Today is a significant day as we would have achieved close to our ambitious goal of training 2,000 police under the COPSQUAD initiative, conceptualised, because of the many many challenges faced, over the years, coping with gender-based violence, domestic violence.

This year alone, from January to March, 3,894 calls to the 914 hotline were made, 129 were directly related to domestic violence, and 20 of those related to sexual offences.”

Minister Persaud noted that this is just through the 914 portal, noting that what is even more alarming is what "we have been seeing through the number of women who have been brutally and horribly murdered."

She said that due to this femicide, “We see more and more women losing their lives at the hands of those who for

some reason or the other may have had a disagreement; may have had an emotional upsurge within themselves, leading them to perpetrate a very violent act.”

The Minister noted that the training that has been delivered must be utilised to its fullest extent throughout Guyana.

“When you are trained and utilise this training, who monitors the impact of what you would have learnt? The first group of people who will be monitoring you, will be the public. These are the people that will be coming to you to make a report. And I did say at the last event like this, we will be issuing a feedback sheet, for members of the public to score how you perform in this way so that we know what you’re doing at the police stations,” Minister Persaud underscored.

Minister Persaud noted that they will compile all information from around the country, and it will be shared with the Minister of Home Affairs, Robenson Benn, as well as the Commissioner of Police so that they can take action should the training not be used.

Meanwhile, according to Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, “We’re going to need something new during the course of the year to have our recruits, when they would have passed-out from Police training, we will have similar training so we can standardize this across the 10 administrative regions.”

The Minister noted that the Police Force would commit to serving communities and Guyana at large. He said that Guyanese expect the service and protection in the motto to be in ways that will uplift their lives and society and make the country better.

United Nations, Resident Coordinator, Yesim Oruc, said, “The Government of Guyana and the people of Guyana, will be among very few countries in the world, who in 2023, will be able to reaffirm getting back on track, to achieve the sustainable development for all people in this country.”

However, she cautioned that issues of gender inequality and peaceful society need not be those sustainable development goals or the areas that continue to keep Guyana behind. She highlighted Guyana’s tremendous progress in the area of gender equality. “It is now our

Minister Robeson Benn pinning an official pin on a police rank at the graduation ceremony. (Delano Williams photo)

Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Vindhya Persaud; and UN Resident Coordinator, Yesim Oruc, flanked by Cop Squad graduates and other officials. (Delano Williams photo)

Abram Zuil, Cullen residents welcome sea defence upgrade to counter erosion

By Cindy Parkinson RESIDENTS of Abram Zuil and Cullen in Region

that the government is working on giving us some protection from the water."

Two

(Pomeroon/Supenaam)

are grateful for the installation of sea defences that could help to prevent erosion.

The Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure has expedited the government's plans for sea defences to address coastal erosion.

In interviews with the Guyana Chronicle, residents of Cinderella County highlighted their concerns and thanked President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, for working towards fulfilling the promises they made to them regarding sea defences as well as the roads.

Taren John, a resident of Abram Zuil who lives on the outskirts of her land, which is also closest to the government reserve, told this publication that she is elated about the progress they see all over Guyana, but more so in her county.

According to Ms. John, "We are seeing that the trucks are bringing stones; they look like they are ready to work. This makes us happy to know

“I am originally from the Pomeroon, and I remember when I came to live with my husband years ago in this community, we had to walk for almost 10 minutes to get to the beach. However, the water came in so much on the land that the beach is less than five minutes away from my home. When you are sitting under the shed of my home, you feel as though the beach is right in your backyard, and at nights when the place is quiet, we feel like the ocean will sweep in on us, with the loud rumbling of the waters. Even though we are accustomed to hearing it, it gets very scary at times."

Ms. John also explained that other families are living very close to the reserve and are feeling agitated by the current rapid erosion of the land. Taren added, "This work needed to be done for a long time now for all of us and for our children. I feel better knowing that they will be protected in the future. On behalf of the people of Abram Zuil,

Continued on page 19

Boulders are presently being placed on Abram Zuil and Cullen beaches. (Photo: Brian Parkinson)

Some uprooted mangrove trees on the Abram Zuil beach (Photo: M. Basir)

Abram Zuil beach as the water washes ashore

(Photo: M. Basir)

Abram Zuil, Cullen residents welcome ...

From page 18

we thank the government for doing this for us."

According to Diane Singh, who comes from the village of Cullen on the Essequibo Coast, there used to be a friendly rivalry in cricket matches between the people of Cullen and Abram Zuil. They also enjoyed spending time together on the beaches during weekends and holidays. Unfortunately, Singh explained that this has changed

because the land has eroded over the years.

"It is sad to see how the water took up most of the beaches and the land; it made huge sand banks and threw down the mangrove trees... The creek used to be separated by the beaches on both sides, but now everything is in one. You can’t identify what is ocean from what is beach and channel. We can’t stop Mother Nature’s work, but we can help prevent the dam-

ages that it can cause, and I am happy that our government is seeing the importance of this," Singh said.

Finally, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with Pert, also known as "Shrimp Man," who explained that he and the other fishermen could have brought their fishing boats up to the channel before, but because of the ocean’s destruction of the beach, they have to walk a long distance sometimes to get

to and from their boats.

Pert also said that they are thankful that something is being done to secure the land and bring some relief to the people of the communities.

"When we have high tides, the water sometimes runs over the public road; the land looks like the ocean. Many times,

we don’t know where the land is and where the ocean is. So, this is a very good thing that the President is doing. I must also thank Minister Edghill and Minister Indar for making sure that we, the people, are getting the things that we need. I see that the roads and streets are being done on the coast too,

and we welcome that and are thankful for it," he added. In addition to the work that is being done on the sea defences, the roads in Somerset and Berks, and Charity, as well as several stretches of the public road along the Essequibo Coast, are currently undergoing repairs.

WIFBSC 2023 Short Range Team Match

Guyanese win every range to take back short range trophy

Magnificent shooting from the Guyanese marksmen led by Peter Persaud who dropped three (3) points from a possible 150, including the only possible of the day at 500 yards (50.4), coupled with excellent Coaching by Mahendra

Persaud, Captain Dylan Fields, and Lennox Braithwaite, ensured Guyana fired its way to victory in the Short Range Match at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council 2023 championships which ended at the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range, yesterday afternoon.

Persaud’s performance earned him the Wogart Trophy which is for the shooter recording the highest score for the day. It was a vintage performance by the Guyanese who had lost to host nation Jamaica last year by a single point. However, this year, the team was determined not to let anyone come remotely close and from the first range, the dye was virtually cast.

Captain Fields and Roberto Tiwari each dropped five (5) points out of the possible 150 and reigning Individual champion Lennox Braithwaite six (6) to ensure that from the start, 300-yard range, a

solid foundation was set which the team built on at the 500-yards and 600-yards ranges.

At 300 yards, no Guyanese shooter went below 44 points, and when the final shot rang out and the scores tallied, Guyana was well ahead with 375 points and 25 V-Bulls, with the closest nation being the host with 365 points and 19 V-Bulls.

At 500 yards, the Guyanese took it up a few notches, led by Peter Persaud’s possible, 50.4, tallied 378 points along with 21 Vs, the home team again being the closest 6-points back. The Antiguans fought bravely but the deficit was way too much to overcome, the Guyanese being very focused and determined to reclaim the trophy.

The 600 yards range produced another fabulous shoot from the Guyanese as they fired their way to 366 points and 15 Vs, another unbeatable score that propelled them to victory at this 2023 edition of the competition organized by the Antigua and Barbuda Rifle Association on behalf of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council.

Guyana tallied 1119 points

RACING TIPS

10:35 hrs Gerard Mentor

11:05 hrs Maid On The Moon

11:35 hrs Dynamic Kate

12:05 hrs The Bold Thady

Hamilton

10:45 hrs Moonstone Boy

11:15 hrs Quintus Arrius

11:45 hrs My Little Queens

12:15 hrs Pisanello

12:45 hrs Spoof

Mister Camacho

American Racing Tips

Belmont

Race 1 Cash Now

Race 2 Splendid Summer

Race 3 Anejo

Race 4 Naa Dudette

Race 5 Modern Midas

Canadian Racing Tips

Woodbine

Race 1 Hardware Gap

Race 2 Stormin Humor

Race 3 Foster’s Turn

Race 4 Silent Ghost

Race 5 Worry Less

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Sunday May 14, 2023)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Robin Uthappa - 660 runs (KKR)

(2) Verinder Sehwag - 122 (Kings XI vs CSK)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who took most wickets in IPL 2014?

(2) What were the best bowling figures in a single game in IPL 2014?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

along with 61 Vs, the most points and Vs by any nation at this year’s competition. Next was Antigua & Barbuda 1099.53 followed by Canada (1091.59), and Jamaica (1028.41) which eclipsed Barbados on Vs (34), as both ended with the same points.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, on hearing the news that Guyana won, immediately called Captain Fields to express the nation’s delight on behalf of Minister of Sport,

Charles Ramson Jr.

Ninvalle told Fields and the team members that Guyana is very proud of their achievement in showing the rest of the Caribbean that we are indeed the best in this sport at the individual and Team levels. He promised that the Ministry and the National Sports Commission will work closely with the GuyanaNRA to further advance the sport.

Guyana is slated to host the

2024 edition of the WIFBSC Championships which will also include the Long-Range Competition.

Meanwhile, the President of the WIFBSC, Major Nelson, offered congratulations to the Guyana team from the Council and Jamaica.

Captain Fields spoke on behalf of his charges: “The result was proof that the programme that was decided upon after Jamaica was the correct one. I was confi-

dent that this team was well prepared and as such, the result was inevitable. I am happy for Guyana and the people, the government, and the companies that have stood behind us. This win is for them. I also want to say congrats to Peter Persaud on winning the Wogart trophy.”

Punjab Kings knock Delhi Capitals out of IPL 2023

(ESPNCRICINFO) - A special century from Prabhsimran Singh knocked Delhi Capitals out of IPL 2023 and pushed Punjab Kings up to sixth place, well within reach of a playoff spot.

In demanding batting conditions, the Punjab opener, who had begun the season with a highest IPL score of 16, found ways not just to survive but to keep scoring quick runs in a way nobody else managed to. It felt like a coming-of-age innings.

How it started

When there is pace in the pitch, it's easy to hit through the line and keep scoring runs steadily. When it is not there, it's hard to even get the ball off the square. So, you get your runs in fits and spurts.

Kings suffered 22 balls for no runs in the powerplay, but hit seven others for 32 runs (5x4 and 2x6).

A lot of this work was the result of Prabhsimran's enterprise. His role in the team is to do whatever is necessary to maximise the field restrictions. And he performed admirably, switch-hitting spin for sixes and moving around all over the batting crease, just to throw the bowlers off their plans.

But then his role changed. From being the guy who could not place any price on his wicket, he became the guy who simply could not

get out. So, he settled in, got used to the pitch, and by around the 11th over or so, he was finding ways to hold his shape and exert complete control over his shots.

Prabhsimran was 53 off 44. Then he was dropped on 68. Then he was 102 off 61.

That's 49 in 17 balls. On a pitch where none of his teammates crossed 20, and only two others managed to score at better than run-a-ball. This was a spectacular display of perseverance, even if he did have a tiny bit of help.

In conditions where the ball isn't coming onto the bat, all you have to do is take pace off, hit a hard length and, most importantly, target the stumps. Do not let the batter free his arms.

Prabhsimran though was basically invited to free his arms. According to ESPNcricinfo's data, a majority of the balls he faced (33) were either outside off stump or worse, wide outside off stump. And he took 60 runs from them including seven fours and three sixes.

Capitals should have known better. The chance they created - the catch that Rilee Roussouw droppedwas the result of a mis-hit to a ball that arrived in line with this body. They didn't learn. And they were punished. How it ended

Capitals had a great start to the chase. They came out knowing 168 was a tricky target, and that they had to knock off a significant portion of it within the powerplay. David Warner helped them accomplish that goal, taking them to 65 for 0 in six overs. He cruised to a 23-ball fifty, scoring 42 of those runs in boundaries. But the thing is, Capitals only faced six balls of spin in that period.

It didn't make sense why Kings would have let any of that happen on a pitch where the ball was both stopping on the batters and turning more than a fair bit.

Eventually, Shikhar Dhawan turned to spin and the game changed.

Cornered by Harpreet Brar (4 for 30) and Rahul Chahar (2 for 16), Capitals lost three wickets for two runs between the ninth and the 11th overs. ESPNcricinfo's forecaster quantified this swing in momentum - in a mere eight balls, Kings went from a lowly 20 percent chance of winning this game to 78 percent favourites.

By the end, Capitals needed seven players to combine just to reach the total they allowed one batter to get. These were not the conditions to give away a century.

Rahul Chahar leaps in celebration May 13, 2023 (Associated Press)

Mankad 64, Pooran 13-ball 44 take LSG back into contention

(ESPNCRICINFO)

- Lucknow Super Giants resurrected their flailing campaign with their first win in four matches and pushed Sunrisers Hyderabad to the brink of elimination. With five overs to go and 69 runs to get on a slow pitch, it was Super Giants who were staring at a possible defeat, but Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis took 31 off the 16th, bowled by part-time left-arm spinner Abhishek Sharma, turning the game completely on its head. Pooran stayed unbeaten on 44 off 13.

Krunal Pandya showed how tough a pitch it was with successive wickets of Aiden Markram and Glenn Phillips with sharp turn at high pace, but there was one difference: there was bounce in the pitch to work with.

Ravi Bishnoi and Amit Mishra made errors and went for 63 in their six.

Sunrisers' Mayank Markande went for 39 in his three, which perhaps made Markram go to Abhishek for that fateful 16th over.

The win took Super Giants to 13 points from 12 matches, back in the top four, and Sunrisers only have a mathematical chance left with just 8 points from 11 matches.

Sunrisers start well

They are not quite used to it but Sunris -

ers didn't get off to a disastrous start even though they didn't have big stands. Yudhvir Singh bowled with fire and got rid of Abhishek early, but Anmolpreet Singh and Rahul Tripathi kept hitting. They took two boundaries each off Avesh Khan's first over, the fifth; even though Yash Thakur bounced Tripathi out, Sunrisers got 56 off 2 in the powerplay.

On a surface with some turn, Bishnoi and Mishra frequently overpitched or went too short. Klaasen and Markram tucked into it, reaching 115 for 3 in 12 overs.

The Krunal Pandya over Then suddenly, Pandya showed what the

pitch was capable of. He extracted big turn even at his pace to get Markram and Glenn Phillips in successive deliveries. Markram was stumped when defending on the front foot as the ball turned from leg and dragged him out. Phillips went back to a similar delivery, and was bowled. Pandya now bowled three overs for 13 runs and two wickets, knocking the wind out of Sunrisers' sails.

Two short balls - duly deposited by Klaasenand Avesh missing his yorkers in the 19th over helped, but 182 was underwhelming after that start.

Sunrisers control start of chase

It didn't quite look underwhelming the way Sunrisers began their bowling. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Fazalhaq Farooqi gave Kyle Mayers and Quinton de Kock absolutely nothing. Phillips benefited from those dry overs as Mayers hit him straight to mid-on.

Prerak Mankad and de Kock struggled to get going as Sunrisers kept using changes of pace. The one bowler that provided some relief was Markande as de Kock hit him for a six and a four at the end of seventh over. He targeted Markande again in the ninth, but a reverse-sweep got him out.

Mankad and Stoinis too got stuck, adding

war, but even he went for a six in the 15th over. Markram now had two overs from Natarajan and one each from Bhuvneshwar and Farooqi. They were all bowling superbly. To get that final over in, Markram went to the left-arm spinner presumably because of the two right-hand batters at the wicket.

just 34 off the first 28 balls they faced. It was a typical slow Stoinis start, but the youngster Mankad - 36 off 29 at that point - looked under more pressure.

Time-out followed by knockout

This is when Gautam Gambhir and Andy Flower had an animated chat with the two batters during the timeout. With eight wickets in hand, they still needed 94 off seven. Mankad jumped out of the crease first ball after the Time Out, and a hit a six. It helped that the bowler was Markande, who still had one over left after this.

That attack on Markande also perhaps necessitated the early return of Bhuvnesh -

To be fair to Sunrisers, Abhishek had already bowled two overs for just 11 runs. So perhaps it was the right time to sneak one over in. However, instead of sneaking in quietly, Abhishek announced himself with a change-up first ball: an arm ball gone horribly wrong, and Stoinis hit the full toss for a giant six. Then Abhishek went over the wicket. Wide. Back around. Overpitched, and an even bigger six.

When Abhishek had Stoinis caught third ball, it actually turned out to be bad news for him. Out came a left-hand batter. Not just any lefthand batter but a spin hitter who can go from ball one. And go from ball one Pooran did. Massive slog sweep followed by a straight six followed by another slog sweep. Pooran was 18 off 3, Super Giants needed 38 off 24, and despite the best efforts of Natarajan, it was a walk after that.

Nicholas Pooran walked out, and hit sixes off the first three balls he faced•May 13, 2023•BCCI

CWI has made its views known to the ICC - Grave

(CMC) - Chief executive officer of CWI, Johnny Grave, said Cricket West Indies has long made its views known on two news items in the sport that caught international headlines over the past week.

Grave said CWI had already written extensive reports to the ICC, the sport’s world body, on the issue of its revenue distribution model, and the lure of players away from the international stage to franchise Twenty20 tournaments around the globe.

The issue of the ICC revenue distribution model became topical when it was revealed that under a proposed new deal, the Indian board was projected to collect nearly 40 per cent of net surplus, about U.S. $230 million per year of annual earnings of U.S. $600 million, from the world body’s next fouryear commercial cycle.

“There have been no discussions at the ICC chief executives committee meetings on the core distributions from 2024 onwards,” Grave said during a virtual news conference on Friday, following a CWI board meeting the previous day.

“Clearly, on the back of improved media rights deals that the ICC have announced a few months ago, we would certainly be expecting more revenue for CWI from ICC, but we are working to assiduously improve all our revenue streams and explore other diverse revenue opportunities, including the investment we have made here in Antigua at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.”

Grave said there was likely to be discussions about the new revenue distribution model at the next ICC board meeting that will happen about the time of the World Test Championship final in June in

One Guyana Linden Beach Football starts today

(No Objection Certificate)

– but we wrote papers to the ICC since 2018 talking about the need to have more updated regulations with respect to T20 franchise leagues.”

Grave disclosed the world body had formed a committee to review the regulations, and their recommendations will be presented at the next ICC board meeting in July.

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) Linden’s One-Guyana $1M Beach Football tournament kicks off today at the Party’s Office compound in Mackenzie, Linden.

According to co-ordinator Stanley Lancaster, some 50 teams have entered in the tournament which has at stake $400,000 for the winners with the second placed team collecting $100,000, third place $75.000 and fourth $25,000.

London – but CWI’s views have been made clear for the past four years.

“We wrote a paper to the ICC back in 2019 about the economics of cricket and talking about the importance of equal revenue- sharing and the importance of competitive balance to ensure that as many teams as possible have the opportunity to be successful, to create that uncertainty about who wins in matches, and to keep the sport at all levels across the world, not only sustainable, but also grow,” he said.,

“The philosophy of CWI is that we need all the full members of ICC and the associates to be growing the sport, and protecting the sport in their countries, and clearly, the more teams that have a genuine chance in the eyes of fans of winning world cups will create the greatest contest on the field, will create the greatest interest in our sport. That remains our philosophy.”

It also emerged during the past week that fivetime Indian Premier League champions, Mumbai Indians, could offer Barbados-born, England speedster Jofra Archer a lucrative, year-round deal that will require him to play for its partner teams around the world and force the England & Wales Cricket Board to seek permission from the franchise for him to play internation-

al matches.

Both Grave and new CWI president, Dr Kishore Shallow, said the franchise vs international team discussion was nothing new, but the latest development could threaten the stability of the sport globally.

“It’s something that if you were doing a SWOT analysis, you would consider it a ‘threat’,” Shallow said. “It’s something we must discuss formally. One of the committees we set up (on Thursday) was to review NOCs, and I would expect this will be quite high on the agenda.

“This is not something new. It’s a challenge we have had over the years, we just have to approach it in a practical way. We don’t want to deprive any player from additional earnings, but what we want is to have our players available for West Indies duty at all times, and we will continue to have those discussions with the players and get more commitments.”

Grave added: “We have had to show greater flexibility over the past few years, and I think over the past six or seven years, we have had a pretty sacrosanct window for the IPL –by far the greatest revenue earner for our players.

“The process is that any player that wants to play in any league around the world needs their home international board approval through an NOC

“So, there are ongoing discussions around the framework of cricket,” he said. “Clearly, it’s unrealistic for virtually every international board to compete with domestic franchises, particularly those that have IPL ownership…

“It’s an ongoing challenge… but it’s not a case of an arms race because all of the international boards are constrained with their finances and have the unique situation that all the remits of the international boards have to fund not only their players, but the whole pyramid of the game from playground to grassroots level, community cricket, club cricket, as well as the age group pathways and all of the List A and first-class cricket.”

Because the franchises do not have the same financial burdens of international boards, Grave said, they could offer players significantly higher remuneration, but discussions will need to take place, and administrators will be forced to move nimbly.

“It’s going to continue to evolve,” he said. “I am not aware of any of our players signing any long-term contract with any international franchise group, but if they did, they will still need to come under ICC regulations, and they will require an NOC from us to take on any of those engagements.”

There is no registration fee and ten matches will kick start the tournament which will be played from 16.30hrs this afternoon. After today, the competition continues next Friday 26; Saturday 27; Saturday, June 3, with the final on Saturday, June 10. Only teams which submit their lists will be allowed to play in the competition and players must be 17 years or older.

THE Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. along with Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, have dispatched congratulatory messages to Guyana’s top marksmen who won the respective X and O-Classes at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Individual Championships which ended on Thursday afternoon last a the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range, Antigua and Barbuda.

Ninvalle spoke directly with Lennox Braithwaite and Sigmund Douglas on behalf of Minister Ramson on Thursday evening, mere hours after the duo made the Land of Many Waters proud after three challenging days of shooting.

The Minister’s delight in keeping the Golden Arrowhead aloft was expressed to the duo by Ninvalle who also complimented them for riding the waves of challenge in delivering the goods.

“I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., and the people of Guyana on your recent feat. You have kept the flag of Guyana flying high and we would want to extend congratulations. I know that this is not the end of the competition as you will now be turning your attention to the Team Match.

We look forward to sending you another congratulatory message when you do what we know you are capable of doing by regaining the trophy. Congratulations and best wishes once for

keeping the Golden Arrowhead flying high.”

Both Braithwaite and Douglas said they were very happy to hear directly from the Director of Sport on behalf of Minister Ramson Jr., and very swiftly too.

“We are both pleased to have heard from Mr. Ninvalle on behalf of the Minister, congratulating us on our achievement for our beloved Guyana. It was a very nice feeling which had both of us smiling and will only serve to motivate us even more for the Team Match on Saturday. Thanks again to Minister Ramson and Director Ninvalle for their continued support on behalf of the Guyana National Rifle Association and the team here in Antigua.”

Meanwhile, Douglas has stated that he is elated to have won the O-Class for Guyana and himself.

“First, I want to say a big prayer to the Almighty God for giving me the opportunity to be here in Antigua. I must say that it was not easy winning this championship but with the help of my teammates who encouraged me to be the best I can be, I was able to achieve the title.

The ammunition had some issues, but I could have looked past that and concentrated on letting off good shots. In the end, it was enough to win us my category and Lennox’. I would like to thank all our sponsors including the Government of Guyana and the entire GuyanaNRA for everything in making this tour successful.”

Chief Executive Officer of CWI, Johnny Grave

WIFBSC 2023 Championships… Ramson, Ninvalle congratulate Braithwaite and Douglas

Team Guyana

Woodpecker Junior Nationals

Josh Verwey wins twice on penultimate night

- Maikoo takes Girls U-15 title

By Sean Devers

Josh Verwey won twice on the penultimate night of the Woodpecker Junior National Squash tournament at the Georgetown Club on Friday night while Malia Maikoo beat Jane Singh to take the Girls U-15 title.

The 15-year-old Verwey, playing excellent Squash, beat Chad De Abreu 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 before defeating Jeremey Ten Pow 114, 11-8, 11-2 to move closer to the Boys’ U-17 title.

Watched by a spattering of spectators, eightyear-old Zion Hickerson continued to show tremendous promise as he beat the much older Matthew Daby 11-13, 11-7, 11-2, 12-10 in A keenly contested U-13 match-up.

Daby came back strong to beat Jacobs McDonald 11-3, 11-2, 11-6. McDonald also lost to Kaiden Alli 114,11-0, 11-4 in the other match in the U-13 division.

In the Boys’ U-11 division, which has already been won by

WIFBSC 2023 Championships…

10-year-old Nathan Bulkan, Jibril Alli beat Rafael Braithwaite 11-1, 11-1, 11-1.

Maikoo beat Jane Singh 11-2, 16-14, 11-4 to take the Girls’ U-15 title before losing to Rylee Rodrigues 11-4, 11-7, 11-1 in the Girls’ U-17 division.

In the U-15 Boys’ division, Brenno Da Silva beat Justin Goberdhan in a hard-fought match 11-7, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7 while Avian Wade beat Nickolas Sawh 11-7, 113-13-11.

Shiloh Asregado beat Chad De Abreu 11-7, 11-1, 11-4 in the third U-17 match of the night.

Ramson, Ninvalle congratulate Braithwaite and Douglas

THE Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. along with Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, have dispatched congratulatory messages to Guyana’s top marksmen who won the respective X and O-Classes at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Individual Championships which ended on Thursday afternoon last

a the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range, Antigua and Barbuda.

Ninvalle spoke directly with Lennox Braithwaite and Sigmund Douglas on behalf of Minister Ramson on Thursday evening, mere hours after the duo made the Land of Many Waters proud after three challenging days of shooting.

The Minister’s delight in keeping the Golden Arrow-

head aloft was expressed to the duo by Ninvalle who also complimented them for riding the waves of challenge in delivering the goods.

“I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., and the people of Guyana on your recent feat. You have kept the flag of Guyana flying

KFC is new title sponsor for GFF Elite League season 5

HISTORY was created yesterday at KFC Movietowne as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) inked a deal with fast food giants KFC Guyana to have them as the title sponsor of the fifth season of the Elite League that kicks off tonight.

The deal, which is worth $10 Million was dubbed as the highest single investment from a sponsor in senior football locally by GFF boss, Wayne

Forde, and he shared that this season promises some keenly contested matches.

Meanwhile, Pamella Manasseh, Marketing Manager of KFC, posited that, "KFC Guyana is honoured to be the official title sponsor of the GFF Elite League."

"KFC Guyana vows our continued support as a partner of GFF. We are on board with GFF's vision for the Elite League and its objective to create a national culture of profes-

sional football and football management in Guyana."

The KFC Elite League will have two matches tonight at the Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) ground, Eve Leary from 18:00hrs. In the first game, Western Tigers will match skills with Linden- based Milerock FC. Meanwhile, in the feature match, defending Champions, Fruta Conquerors FC will lock horns with Police FC.

high and we would want to extend congratulations. I know that this is not the end of the competition as you will now be turning your attention to the Team Match.

We look forward to sending you another congratulatory message when you do what we know you are capable of doing by regaining the trophy. Congratulations and best wishes once for keeping the Golden Arrowhead flying high.”

Both Braithwaite and Douglas said they were very happy to hear directly from the Director of Sport on behalf of Minister Ramson Jr., and very swiftly too.

“We are both pleased

to have heard from Mr. Ninvalle on behalf of the Minister, congratulating us on our achievement for our beloved Guyana. It was a very nice feeling which had both of us smiling and will only serve to motivate us even more for the Team Match on Saturday. Thanks again to Minister Ramson and Director Ninvalle for their continued support on behalf of the Guyana National Rifle Association and the team here in Antigua.”

Meanwhile, Douglas has stated that he is elated to have won the O-Class for Guyana and himself.

“First, I want to say a big prayer to the Almighty

God for giving me the opportunity to be here in Antigua. I must say that it was not easy winning this championship but with the help of my teammates who encouraged me to be the best I can be, I was able to achieve the title.

The ammunition had some issues, but I could have looked past that and concentrated on letting off good shots. In the end, it was enough to win us my category and Lennox’.

I would like to thank all our sponsors including the Government of Guyana and the entire GuyanaNRA for everything in making this tour successful.”

Team Guyana

Joshua Verwey won twice on Friday night at the Georgetown Club after getting advice from World Masters champion, Nicollette Fernandes ( Sean Devers photo)

KFC is new title sponsor for GFF Elite League season 5

At centre, Wayne Forde and Pamella Manasseh take a photo during the presentation yesterday at Movietowne KFC (Shaniece

HISTORY was created yesterday at KFC Movietowne as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) inked a deal with fast food giants KFC Guyana to have them as the title sponsor of the fifth season of the Elite League that kicks off tonight.

The deal, which is worth $10 Million was dubbed as the highest single investment from a sponsor in senior football locally by GFF boss, Wayne Forde, and he shared that this season promises some keenly contested matches.

Meanwhile, Pamella Manasseh, Marketing Manager of KFC, posited that, "KFC Guyana is honoured to be the official title sponsor of the GFF Elite League."

"KFC Guyana vows our continued support as a partner of GFF. We are on board with GFF's vision for the Elite League and its objective to create a national culture of professional football and football management in Guyana."

The KFC Elite League will have two matches tonight at the Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) ground, Eve Leary from 18:00hrs. In the first game, Western Tigers will match skills with Linden- based Milerock FC. Meanwhile, in the feature match, defending Champions, Fruta Conquerors FC will lock horns with Police FC.

Aliyah Abrams smashes national 400m record

Guyanese athlete Aliyah Abrams has made history by breaking Aliann Pompey’s 14-year-old national record and setting a new national record in the women’s 400m event at the NACAC New Life Invitational in The Bahamas.

She finished in first place with a time of 50.20s, ahead of Charokee Young, Roxana Gomez, and Stacey-Ann Williams. Sada Williams, the 2023 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and World Championship Bronze Medallist, finished fifth. This achievement comes just

a month after Abrams became the first Guyanese athlete to qualify for the 2023 World Championships in Track and Field. In order to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, she will need to replicate or better her performance during the Olympic Qualification window from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The qualifying time for the women’s 400m is 50.95s.

Abrams was the only Guyanese athlete to run the qualifying standard time for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

WIFBSC 2023 Short Range Team Match Guyanese win every range to take back short range trophy

See page 23

Bamfield photo)

Aliyah Abrams