Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 18-03-2023

Impressive growth gives Guyana opportunity to improve citizens' living standards

–– visiting EU official says

By Shamar Meusa

DEPUTY Secretary-General of the

European External Action Service (EEAS), Helena König, has said that Guyana has seen impressive economic growth which provides opportunities to lift the country’s people out of poverty.

König made these remarks on Thursday evening at a reception which was held in her honour. She was on her two-day visit to Guyana during which she met with several members of the government and was involved in discussions on a wide range of topics.

König said that the economic growth seen can provide significant opportunities for Guyanese. While she noted that the newly found wealth of oil and gas brings along challenges and risks, the European Union (EU) stands ready to accompany Guyana on the dynamic journey.

While adding that Guyana’s recent growth is based on oil-and-gas reserves, she said it is obvious that the country is striving to have a diversified economy.

Against this backdrop, she stated that the EU also has a number of programmes to support Guyana in this regard, in sectors such as agriculture and the sustainable management of forests, be it production, processing or export.

To this end, she stated that while the Caribbean is an obvious export market for Guyanese products and produce, Europe should not be forgotten as the European Union is the third biggest single market in the world.

Meanwhile, König went on to add that

since her arrival in Guyana, she engaged in discussions on climate change, forest partnerships, food security, trade, connectivity, digitization and even pharmaceutical cooperation.

She said: “My meetings in Guyana have been meetings with friends that share similar values, including democracy and [the] rule of law, human rights and human dignity, freedom and inclusiveness.”

The discussions also included the upcoming EU-CELAC summit in Brussels, which König noted will be a milestone in the relationship between the regions. Added to this she said, the EU is in the process of identifying a global gateway investment agenda for the region with key investment opportunities being identified for the summit.

As such, König noted that more collaboration between Guyana and the EU is to come. She indicated that there will soon be an EU Chamber of Commerce in Guyana.

During the her visit to Guyana, an initiative which will see the country receiving some €5 Million or GYD$1.1 billion to support alternative, sustainable income-generating activities in forest-dependent communities and reduce pressure on forest resources, was launched.

This project, according to her, is very important and is one that falls under the EU’s partnership for forest conservation and protection.

König emphasised that the partnership is vital to overcoming the rising challenges of climate change and energy sustainability.

Israel’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Guyana visits GENEQUIP’s Houston office

ISRAEL’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Guyana Itai Bardov on Thursday paid a courtesy call to General Equipment Guyana Limited (GENEQUIP), which is said to be Guyana’s premier distributor of machinery for various industries in the country and the wider Caribbean.

Renger van Dijk, Managing Director of GENEQUIP, and After-Sales Manager, Shard Shew gave Bardov a tour of the facility at its Plantation, Houston office, after which discussions were held on partnerships between Israel and the company.

According to a release from the company, van Dijk noted that GENEQUIP has been in existence for over three decades and has been the leading distributor of

machinery and equipment in the agricultural, forestry, mining, construction, power generation, material han -

dling,

is always looking for ways to make

tation service providers.

Meanwhile, the release added that Ambassador Bardov in his comments said that the GENEQUIP office is a state-of-the-art facility that is well-managed and that Israel’s expertise in these industries can further develop and enhance the office and the industries it supports.

“GENEQUIP’s expertise includes sales, rentals and after-sales services. It is mainly recognised for its personalized assistance to its customers’ projects or businesses, even in the most remote areas of the country,” it added.

The company also has an ongoing partnership with various technical institutions and a modern training facility for its technicians and staff.

warehousing, marine, offshore and transportation services. He said that the company

Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, Helena König (left) sharing a light moment with Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips (right) and EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene Van Nes (centre) at the reception on Thursday evening (Adrian Narine photo)

Itai Bardov (left) with GENEQUIP’s Managing Director, Renger van Dijk

Itai Bardov tours GENEQUIP’s facility

these industries more efficient and finding worldclass machinery and equipment for farmers, contractors, marine workers and transpor-

Guyana, US commit to stronger partnership

–– President Ali says both countries promote democracy, have other similar qualities

DURING a State luncheon held in honour of the visiting US Congressional House Committee on Ways and Means of the Congress of the United States of America, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Friday, spoke about the importance of democracy, enhancing trade and ways of strengthening the overall relationship between the two countries.

The delegation was led by the Chair of the committee, Congressman Jason Smith and the other members included Rep Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rep Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Rep Carol Miller (R-WV), Rep Michelle Terri Sewell Fischbach (R-GA), Rep Mike Carey (R-OH) and Rep Kelly Armstrong (R-

ND), among others. United States Ambassador to Guyana, HE Sarah-Ann Lynch accompanied the delegation to State House.

According to the Office of the President, President Ali informed the congressional delegation of developments in Guyana and reiterated his government’s

Guyana’s energy resources could help power the world

–– lift persons out of poverty, Chairman of US House’s Ways and Means Committee says

CHAIRMAN of the United States House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith has said that Guyana has an abundance of energy resources that could contribute significantly to global advancement.

A delegation from the committee, which is currently in Guyana, has engaged several high-level authorities, including President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, and other members of Cabinet.

In a press release following those discussions, the Ways and Means Committee said: “We appreciate the productive conversation the delegation had with President Dr. Ali about the American–Guyanese bilateral relationship. Guyana’s abundant energy resources have the potential to lift its people out of poverty, help power the world, and ensure more affordable energy for American families and job creators.”

Chairman Smith shared his interest in growing America’s participation in Guy -

ana’s energy production, saying that Guyana is experiencing a massive increase in offshore oil production, a trend that is expected to continue.

Smith said: “America can lead the way in developing, extracting, and selling Guyanese oil, and this increasing production has the potential to greatly benefit both the United States and Guyana, and help thwart China’s attempts to achieve energy dominance.”

China is also a key stakeholder in the local oil-andgas sector, but Smith believes that America must be committed to outcompeting the Asian nation around the world.

“America must be committed to outcompeting China around the world, while strengthening key American supply chains, increasing U.S. production of affordable energy resources, and improving partnerships with allies in the Western Hemisphere and beyond.

“Our delegation’s meetings have shown how U.S. bilateral relationships in

commitment to a strong partnership with the United States in several areas including, energy, food security, climate change and national security.

Dr. Ali pointed to the shared principles of promoting democracy, the rule of law and respect for international law.

The Chair commended

the President and Guyana for the leadership shown in a number of areas in the region and pledged continued US support and cooperation in several areas, including support for the modernisation of the country’s energy and physical infrastructure.

The House Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the United States Congress.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips; Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and other Cabinet members were also at the event.

Chairman of the United States House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smithwww

the region benefit American workers, and provide a much-needed alternative to countries that might otherwise orient their economies towards China.

An energy boom in Guyana can help American workers, while also benefiting the people of Guyana and their economy,” the Ways and Means Committee Chairman related.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; several cabinet members and the visiting US Congressional House Committee on Ways and Means of the Congress of the United States of America, at the luncheon on Friday (Office of the President photo)

ICC issues arrest warrant for Putin over war crime allegations --Russia’s

THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The court alleges that he is responsible for war crimes, and has focused its claims on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.

It says the crimes were committed in Ukraine from February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Moscow has denied the allegations, and labelled the warrants as “outrageous”.

It is highly unlikely that

children rights commissioner also being sought

much will come of the move; the ICC has no powers to arrest suspects, and can only exercise jurisdiction within its member countries, and Russia is not one of them.

However, it could affect the president in other ways, such as being unable to travel internationally.

In a statement, the ICC said it had reasonable grounds to believe Putin committed the criminal acts, directly, as well as working with others. It has also accused him of failing to use his presidential powers to stop

children being deported.

Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria LvovaBelova, is also wanted by the ICC for the same crimes.

In the past, she has spoken openly of efforts to indoctrinate Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

Last September, LvovaBelova complained that some children removed from the city of Mariupol “spoke badly about the [Russian President]; said awful things, and sang the Ukrainian

anthem”. She has also claimed to have adopted a 15-year-old boy from Mariupol.

The ICC said it initially considered keeping the arrest warrants a secret, but decided to make them public, in the event that it stopped further crimes from being committed.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan told the BBC: “Children can’t be treated as the spoils of war; they can’t be deported.”

“This type of crime doesn’t

need one to be a lawyer; one needs to be human being to know how egregious it is,” he said.

Reactions to the warrants came within minutes of the announcement, with Kremlin officials instantly dismissing them.

Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said any of the court’s decisions were “null and void” and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev compared the warrant to toilet paper.

“No need to explain WHERE this paper should be used,” he wrote on Twitter with a toilet paper emoji.

However, Russian opposition leaders welcomed the announcement. Ivan Zhdanov, a close ally of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, tweeted that it was “a symbolic step”, but an important one.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grateful to Khan and the criminal court for their decision to press charges against “state evil”.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor-General Andriy Kostin said the decision was “historic for Ukraine”, while the country’s presidential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak lauded the decision as “only the beginning”.

But because Russia is not a signed member of the ICC, there is very little chance that Vladimir

Putin or Maria Lvova-Belova will appear in the dock at The Hague.

The ICC relies on the cooperation of governments to arrest people, and Russia is “obviously not going to cooperate in this respect”, Jonathan Leader Maynard, a lecturer in international politics at King’s College London, told the BBC.

However, Khan pointed out that no-one thought Slobodan Milosevic, the Serbian leader who went on trial for war crimes in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo, would end up in The Hague.

“Those that feel that you can commit a crime in the daytime, and sleep well at night, should perhaps look at history,” he said. Legally, however, this does present Putin with a problem.

While he is the head of a G20 state, and about to shake hands with China’s Xi Jinping in an historic meeting, Putin is now also a wanted man, and this will inevitably place restrictions on which countries he can visit.

There is also a level of embarrassment for the Kremlin, which has always denied allegations of Russian war crimes, that such an influential, pannational body as the ICC simply does not believe its denials.

(BBC)

AFC Chair skirts question on WPA’s ‘racist’ comment –– says party open to ‘structured, serious discussions’

CHAIRPERSON of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Cathy Hughes, on Friday avoided answering a question about the party’s reaction to the public’s condemnation of the racially inflammatory remarks recently made by executive members of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).

Hughes, during the party’s weekly press conference, instead chose to insinuate that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) never gave the AFC a voice in such cases.

She claimed that there have been many instances where persons of “high standing” and others have made derogatory statements in the past and the party was never asked to comment.

“Never were we asked to comment on the infamous ‘dildo’ comment, which was thrown at women in the most derogatory way in the parliament. And therefore, I find it strange and in a kind of a way unacceptable that we are all being pulled into this, this useless approach of picking and choosing who makes a particular statement and who we’re going to comment on and who we will just let slide,” Hughes said.

Hughes at no time in her response made direct reference to any of the controversial statements that were made by WPA officials.

WPA’s executive member, Tacuma Ogunseye, during a gathering at Buxton on the East Coast of Demer-

ara, said: “I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed, and they are holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police, and they say they are oppressed. And they still say our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over.”

He also made incendiary remarks about Guyana’s Indo-Guyanese. Since the utterance of those statements, numerous persons have called out and condemned the remarks as racist and inciting. Ogunseye had also called for the Disciplined Services “to turn their guns on the State.”

Against this backdrop, Minister of Home Affairs

Robeson Benn recently said that legal reviews are ongoing and the law will take its course in relation to the comments made by the WPA executives.

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., had said that Ogunseye’s call for public disorder and resistance, is capable of amounting to several criminal offences, including but not limited to, sedition, seditious libel, inciting riotous behaviour and exciting racial hostility in order to create a breakdown of law and order within the State of Guyana, if not treason.

However, Hughes is of the view that the cybercrime legislation is not being used as it should.

“I have not seen the

range of regular persons on social media that make these comments coming to our courts being charged under the Racial Hostility Act, being charged for incitement or anything, and therefore, we can’t help but feel that this is a very subjective approach to a very important issue,” she added.

In continuing, she said:

“The other thing is that we are being asked to comment, when in fact, the current structure is not interested in anything that the AFC has to say really. And when I say the current structure, [I am] not talking about the media, but definitely the government that has the wherewithal to implement programmes to change the challenges that we have now.”

The chairperson said

that the question is, “Why should the AFC play this nonsensical, irresponsible stupid game where they only respond to certain people at certain times?”

“So, my fundamental answer to your question is all that I have said, and I want to reiterate that when we’re ready as a government, as a country, and when this government is ready to have a serious discussion on race, and the high perceptions a large section of the population has, that there exist racial inequalities in the day to day, dispensation and life in Guyana, when the government is ready to have a structured, serious discussion on all these issues, I personally and the AFC will be more than happy to participate in any serious discussion. That will be my answer and that’s the best answer,” she said.

Thus far, several opposition members have publicly condemned the racially inflammatory remarks made by the WPA.

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, is yet to distance himself from those problematic remarks and has instead said that he supports the freedom of speech of the WPA.

Instead of publicly condemning Ogunseye’s incendiary remarks, the Leader of the Opposition (LOO) would only say that he did not agree with Ogunseye’s choice of words.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC), Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and

Labourer remanded over NA murder

A 34-YEAR-OLD labourer was on Friday remanded to prison for the murder of 22-year-old New Amsterdam resident, Kevin Small, who was brutally chopped during an altercation.

Ryan Dhanpat, of Smythfield Village, New Amsterdam, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court, where he was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on March 12, at Budhan’s Housing Scheme, West Canje Berbice, he murdered Small.

Dhanpat was remanded to prison until April 28, 2023.

According to reports, on the day in question, at ap -

proximately 10:30 hours, Small, in the company of Shamar Wilson and another

friend, went to a canal along Caracas Dam (De Blacker) to swim.

Industry (GCCI), Region

Three Private Sector Inc., and other groups from the business community have all issued statements condemning the remarks.

From the religious community, the Guyana Pandit’s Council, Guyana Central Arya Samaj, Guyana Inter Religious Organisation (IRO), and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana have also expressed condemnation.

It is alleged that upon arrival, an argument erupted when the defendant approached the three friends, and later escalated into a fight.

In an attempt to escape, Small dove into the trench, but Dhanpat allegedly grabbed him and chopped him all over his body.

Wilson went to his rescue, but two other suspects reportedly began hurling chops and lashes at him.

Small and Wilson were taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital by public-spirited citizens.

Small was pronounced dead on arrival, while Wilson was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

DEAD: Kevin Small Ryan Dhanpat

Chairperson of the Alliance For Change, Cathy Hughes

A Struggle For Relevance

WORKING People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member David Hinds, based on his rants, behaviours, and actions throughout his political life in Guyana, has proven his obsession with creating discord through racially charged comments and extreme insinuations.

On his weekly virtual programme, “Politics 101,” Hinds referred to the Indo-Guyanese People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Geeta Chandan-Edmond, the Stabroek News newspaper and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) as “slaver[sic] catchers,” for condemning racist and incendiary remarks made by WPA members, Tacuma Ogunseye and Rhonda Layne.

Psychology teaches us that such behaviour can be due to a lack of exposure to diverse perspectives, experiences, and cultures, as well as a lack of education and understanding about the negative impact of racism.

Another possible reason is that some politicians may use divisive tactics, including making racist statements or criticising others based on their race, as a way to gain political power or influence.

This can involve appealing to certain groups of voters who may hold similar beliefs, or using these tactics to distract persons from other issues or controversies within the PNC/R and WPA.

It is important to note that racist statements or discriminatory actions are unacceptable and should be called out and condemned.

It is essential for politicians to uphold the principles of equality, respect, and human rights in their actions and statements, and to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society, as being fostered by President, Dr Irfaan Ali through his “One Guyana” vision and mission.

Several organisations from the business and religious communities, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Region Three Private Sector Inc., the Guyana Pandits Council, Guyana Central Arya Samaj, Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana and the Guyana Inter Religious Organization (IRO) have issued official declarations condemning the WPA members’ statements.

Guyana is developing quickly, both economically and as a united front, but a few indignant individuals vying for power are prepared to achieve their goals through any means necessary, even if it means tearing apart this magnificent nation’s democratic and cohesive fabric.

The WPA is not the “Walter Rodney WPA of the 1970s” in contemporary Guyana. In actuality, it is a which party withers away with each passing day and with each insensitive outburst.

The WPA’s specialised efforts to hold a number of rallies in Afro-Guyanese neighbourhoods show that they are grasping at thin air. The low turnout at the events further demonstrates the lack of interest among Guyana’s citizens. Ev-

ery attempt at their political salvation has fallen short.

Hinds during his diatribe on Indian members of the PNC/R, chose to lambaste them for being offended and speaking against the racially incendiary remarks by Ogunseye and Layne.

Deeming them “slave catchers,” Hinds indirectly threatened persons that were offended by the statements, noting that their names would be registered; these include PNC/R Parliamentarians Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Ganesh Mahipaul, and Natasha Singh-Lewis, and Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram, and Mayor Ubraj Narine.

“We are going to begin to document all the slave catchers, from the private sector to FITUG, from FITUG to Stabroek News and all those other slave catchers who are hunting down slaves to turn them in to the master…we are documenting them… there is life after the PPP. Those who are catching slaves to turn them in to the masters, may the wrath of the ancestors visit them,” Hinds stated on his programme.

Although Hinds would like to project an image of strength and power to the wider public by taking strong party lines, using threats as a way to maintain power and control can have negative consequences.

It can create a culture of fear and mistrust within the party, and can damage relationships between party members. Additionally, it can lead to a breakdown in communication and cooperation, which can ultimately harm the party’s overall effectiveness and success.

It is a known fact that the PNC/R and the WPA are already at their weakest in their political history, just look at their leaders and what emanates from their vocal cords.

Have they done anything to enhance the well-being of their support base? In fact, they misused, abused and neglected them between 2015 and 2020 while they were in office. Unconscionable is one way to describe what they did while in office.

Now that Guyana is rising out of the severe corruption and mismanagement of those five years and their failure to influence the results of the elections to stay in power, these parties realise that there is no return in the foreseeable future because the opposition’s supporters are dwindling at a historically rapid rate, since all and sundry are being offered developmental opportunities under President Ali’s administration.

So, the leaders of the WPA and PNC/R will continue to be caustic and parade themselves using racism to hold onto what is left of their support base.

Guyana’s democratically elected government has proven that it is committed to the rule of law in Guyana and the enhancement of democracy, which remains fundamental to good governance and is a key pillar of the administration, and it is quite clear that President Ali’s administration will not stand idly by and allow anyone to fuel the flames of hatred, racism, and violence in the society.

A reckless and dangerous outburst

Dear Editor,

FOLLOWING the five months of attempted electoral fraud between March and July 2020, and intense but flimsy judicial litigation, the PNCR-led APNU+AFC government failed in a most heinous attempt to usurp power.

Now, part of the cabal that misused public funds in its sojourn for five years as Guyana’s government, the PNCR has resumed their thirst for power.

At the WPA’s recent public meeting at Buxton, the narrative adopted by some of its long-standing headhunters such as David Hinds and Tacuma Ogunseye is a call to uproot the democratically elected PPP/C government with the armed services through violence.

As we all heard, the call to arms a few days ago was spearheaded by no other that Mr Ogunseye, who once labelled the five criminals in the notorious 2001 jailbreak as freedom fighters.

Further, he embellished the murderous East Coast Demerara carnage (2001-2005), as an African liberation movement!

For someone who spent four years in jail under the PNC regime to do a back somersault implies a confused mindset.

In 1993, I was with Mr Ogunseye on a panel at the US Embassy to discuss the progress and policies of the PPP/C government with former radio and TV broadcaster Kit Nascimento, who made the lead presentation. Mr Ogunseye’s contribution was as bizarre and ludicrous as his most recent call to use violence to remove the PPP/C

government from power.

The example of history is replete with failed coups because for coups to succeed the people in the country where it took place must support the new leaders.

However, in almost all the countries, the new regime served as a mere replica of its predecessor, thus precipitating protracted civil wars. If democracy was the driving force of these WPA point-men, then their energies should have been directed at the brutal PNC dictatorship that ravaged and impoverished Guyana for 28 years.

On the issue of kith & kin, it is relevant to indicate that Afro-Guyanese, along with their Indo-Guyanese brethren, are enjoying the greatest period in Guyana’s economic development.

Today, Guyana’s per capita income is

much higher than when the previous government departed office. Many are of the opinion that a return of the PNC to power will not only fail to manage the economy, but will also provide poor and lacklustre governance that could lead to chaos and ruin the gains accumulated in their absence from power.

In conclusion, those who are inciting others to use arms to topple the government have directed their energies in the wrong place. No one will benefit from such reckless, offensive, and insensible statements. It is relevant to quote the old Swahili proverb: When elephants fight it is the grass that gets trampled.

Yours respectfully, Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine

Editor Navendra Seoraj

POLICE Sergeant Jermain Semple, who was allegedly shot in the head by his cousin on Sunday at the Crown and Anchor Grill and Bar in Linden, died on Friday afternoon at the Linden Hospital Complex where he was receiving treatment.

The alleged shooter, Fawazz McRae, a 27-year-old building contractor, was charged on Wednesday for attempted murder and was remanded to prison until March 29. Given Semple’s death, the charge is likely to be upgraded to murder.

It was reported that at approximately 21:00hrs on Sunday, Semple who is stationed at the Tactical Services Unit, along with his brother Dervon Semple and McRae, were at the Crown and Anchor Grill and Bar when a fight erupted between the policeman and his brother.

“During the altercation, Fawazz went to ‘part’ them, and a fight ensued between the victim and Fawaaz, which caused him (Fawaaz) to take out his licensed handgun (one .32 pistol) and discharge two rounds in the victim’s direction. One struck the victim in his head, causing him to receive severe injuries,” the police press release had stated.

Semple was then rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where the doctors on duty treated him.

He was admitted and his condition was listed as critical.

Road-widening project at Diamond/Grove on schedule for August completion

WORKS for the widening of the public road in the Diamond/Grove, East Bank Demerara area are moving apace, and on schedule for its August 2023 completion.

This is according to the Ministry of Public Works, which stated that this project falls under the transport infrastructure programme for the East Bank Highway and the rehabilitation of public and main access roads, which contains several phases.

The first phase of this

project caters for the construction of concrete drains at Grove, while the second deals with the widening of the road in Diamond: Back Street, Diamond, Third Avenue Diamond and First Bridge, New Grove.

Other phases include the building and widening of bridges to link New Grove to Kaneville and Grove to Good Success.

The press release noted that “The bridge at Kaneville, the Kaneville Main Access

Road, and for Grove: Back Street, 5th Cross Street and Third Street will all be rehabilitated and widened. And then at the second bridge linking Grove to Good Success, the Good Success Sideline Dam will also be widened and rehabilitated.”

In the update, it was noted that the current works that are underway prior to the start of the IDB-funded East Bank Demerara Highway to Soesdyke are set to be completed by August 2023.

Man arrested with cannabis in backpack

AKEEM Archer, 27, is now in custody at the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) after he was allegedly nabbed with five pounds of cannabis during a search operation in Charlestown, Georgetown.

According to a release from the CANU, Archer, of Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was nabbed on Thursday by ranks during an operation in the vicinity of Lombard Street.

He was seen acting in a suspicious manner while carrying a backpack, subsequent search of which led to the discovery of a parcel containing what looked like cannabis.

Archer was arrested and escorted to CANU Head -

quarters, along with the suspected narcotic, which tested positively as cannabis, and weighed approximately five pounds (2.33 kg), with a street value of approximately $400,000.

The investigation is ongoing

These projects it was noted are being done through local funding.

In February, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, conducted a visit and noted that the traffic congestion along the stretch of road at Diamond/Grove occurs as a result of the narrowness of the roadway along with various encumbrances. This project he said will provide significant relief to road users who traverse the area.

Police Sergeant Jermain Semple

Akeem Archer

Hughes has no moral authority, unfit to address issues of governance

MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy has called out former Minister of Public Telecommunications, and current Chairperson of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Kathy Hughes for her attempts to question a legal process while being the direct beneficiary of government contracts when she was a sitting minister.

“My attention was drawn to the recent baseless and abominable statements attributed to Cathy Hughes with regards the implementation of an electronic identification system, one that has tremendous benefits in transforming Guyana into a modern society,” Minister

McCoy said in a statement on his Facebook page.

The Ministry of Finance has already underscored that the contract signed for the production of electronic identification cards (E-ID) was awarded in accordance with Guyana’s procurement laws.

According to the ministry: “… the contract in question was awarded in full conformity with the Laws of Guyana, including the procurement laws. Additionally, the company which will be developing the solution for Guyana is a highly-regarded supplier of items of this nature, internationally, and its shareholding comprises two major entities operating in the secure printing industry worldwide, Giesecke and

Devrient and Bundesdruckerei GmbH, both of whom have unchallengeable long-

standing reputations globally.”

Guyana signed a US$35.4 million contract with Germany-based company, Veridos, for the provision of a Single Electronic Identification System and cards that will be issued to Guyanese.

“The contract with Veridos was lawfully executed with an internationally reputable group, and is intended to deliver a product that will transform citizen experience in Guyana with the introduction of the integrated electronic national identification card.

“Once introduced, the card will enable citizens to interact with all government agencies and many private sector entities, using this single, unique and secure identifier, and will vastly improve the efficiency of service delivery to citizens,” the Ministry of Finance said.

In response to Hughes’ comment on the government’s initiative, Minister McCoy said: Cathy, a former Minister of Public Telecommunication, should avoid any utterances publicly, particularly on issues of

–– Minister McCoy says

transparency and accountability, as she was part of the APNU+AFC cabal that presided over the worst periods of mismanagement, incompetence, and corruption ever seen in our country and the Caribbean.”

He went on to highlight that there are documents and published media reports with supporting evidence that Hughes’ private company received millions in contracts from her very own APNU+AFC government through her ministry.

Minister McCoy was adamant that it is “deceitful” and “distasteful” for the AFC Chairperson, who “parades in the public as Miss Prim-and-Proper”, to comment on governance when her track record is there for the public to see.

He said, too, that there are more deals which she was implicated in, so she is “morally bankrupt” and “unfit” to address issues of governance.

Minister McCoy went on to say: “There are questions, the answers for which, Cathy should apprise Guyanese about. Firstly, why was the liberalisation of the telecommu-

nication industry stalled for several years, even though the enabling legislation was passed by the National Assembly in 2016? Secondly, whose account was used by a telecommunications provider to funnel millions of dollars?

“The ambition, like all of the other members of the APNU+AFC, is to scuttle projects of the PPP/C by requesting information, and then using the information, which is shared in the spirit of transparency, to extort stakeholders in the project.”

Minister McCoy related that this was the case with the Amaila Falls Hydropower project which the APNU+AFC blocked in the National Assembly, but behind closed doors sought and benefit from contracts to represent the developer.

“The PPP/C Government will continue to fight off aggressively any of the Cathys of this world, and any attempt to castigate us as being anything other than a government that is genuinely and sincerely working for the betterment and advancement of the country,” the minister affirmed.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy

Plastific Inc. awarded ‘Made in Guyana’ certification

PLASTIFIC Inc. was on Friday awarded the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) ‘Made in Guyana’ standards mark.

According to a press release from the GNBS, Plastific Inc. began operations in 2018 as the distributor of high-quality household plastic items, however, in 2021, the company began manufacturing its own plastic bottles, food boxes, preforms, cups, plates, spoons, sporks, forks, knives and packaging and storage containers of various sizes, made with Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), mixed with recycled degradable materials.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Togeshwarie Ga-

nesh, Assistant Manager of Plastific Inc. said the company was elated to achieve the ‘Made in Guyana’ mark, which would improve the marketability of their products, give their brand a voice for all of their customers locally, and, hopefully, into the international market.

She also advised other companies to do the same, as they, too, can be able to advance their operations.

She highlighted that the objective of Plastific Inc. is to serve the local market, and, ultimately, the international market by providing them with quality plastic products.

“Plastific Inc. products have taken over the local market, and it is the first ever company to produce plastic products in Guyana. It has gained recognition locally,

Body of unidentified female washes up at Leguan Island

RESIDENTS of Leguan Island in the Essequibo River were on Friday morning shocked at the news that a dead woman had washed up on the Uniform Beach. That section of the island is commonly called the ‘back part.’

The woman, said to be of Indian descent, was found almost naked by a resident who often goes to the beach in the mornings. Residents do not believe that she is from the island as everyone knows everyone and no one has ever seen her there.

Her face was clearly visible and she appeared to have died hours before she was found.

A member of the island’s Community Policing Group (CPG) who lives at the ‘back part’ alerted CPG Liaison Officer Dhansham Ramnarine, who arrived at the scene around 07:00hrs. He was greeted by residents who had converged on the scene.

“It was shocking because for years, nothing like that never happened in Leguan; very strange,” Ramnarine told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment.

According to him, speculations are rife that the woman could not have come in from the Atlantic, but had to be from one of the Essequibo Islands nearby.

“She seems to be in her late 40s or early 50s. Her face was swollen and there was a little blood water from her nose,” Ramnarine shared.

Meanwhile, the police in a press statement said the body was found “facing upwards,” clad in a black brassier, with what appeared to be a silver wedding ring on the finger and a silver chain around the neck.

The undertakers and police picked up the body, which was transported to the Parika Stelling in a private boat. On arrival there, it was checked for marks of violence, and there were black and blue marks between the legs and on the side of the body.

The body was then escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty. It was later escorted to Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, where it is awaiting a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.

According to the police, the woman’s identity remains unknown.

“The Guyana Police Force is appealing to members of the public for any assistance in helping to identify the woman (or her family/relatives),” the statement said.

and will diversify in producing other products soon,” Ganesh was quoted in the release as saying.

She added: “We have been following the quality standard that strives to produce the highest quality product and services to its customers. Now that we have attained the certificate to use the GNBS Made in Guyana certification mark, Plastific Inc. will now carry this certification mark, and include it on all our plastic products.”

Additionally, she noted that the company has the capability of producing up to six tons of products per day. Plastific Inc. currently employs approximately 30 persons with over 75 per cent of them residing in surrounding communities in Corentyne, Berbice.

According to the release, Chief Executive Officer, Vivekanand Ganesh commended his hardworking staff for the effort they have made to ensure production and quality are always on par. He extended gratitude to the entire team, while noting that they will ensure that

standards remain a hallmark of their operation.

Meanwhile, Mohindra Persaud, Chief Executive Officer of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies, of which Plastific is an affiliate, said that with the certification, they can now look to target the export market, and soon they will participate in a regional fair, where they

will be taking their products to display.

He committed to maintaining the standards of all products, through all the various businesses within the group of companies as they aim to take their products and services to the next level.

Head of Certification Services GNBS, Andrea Mendonza also noted that Plas-

tific would have met all the requirements to be awarded the right to use the said mark. The ‘Made in Guyana’ mark is a registered one that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets and is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese products, the release added.

GNBS Head of Marketing, Syeid Ibrahim (left) and Head of Certification Services, Andrea Mendonca (second left) handing over the certificate to Plastific Inc, CEO Vivekanand Ganesh and Assistant Manager, Togeshwarie Ganesh (second right)

PUC calls on GWI to review reconnection fee

CHAIRPERSON of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Dela Britton, has joined calls for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to review its burdensome reconnection fee.

Britton, an attorneyat-all, issued the call on Wednesday, during a World Consumer Rights Day webinar, where she disclosed that

several discussions were held with the country’s main utility companies.

She said that the discussions were centred around the need for those companies to reduce the financial burdens that they place on consumers.

“We urge GWI to review the cost associated with the disconnection and reconnection with a view to im-

plementing a cost effective, disconnection method which would decrease the deficit of the company,” she said.

In 2021, GWI raised its reconnection fees to $7,500 for residential customers. The company had come under fire, with several consumer rights activists speaking out against the hike in the reconnection fee.

The company had stated

that the increase was necessary to bolster its’s financial status as at the time it was on the verge of bankruptcy.

However, GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh, recently highlighted that the company’s financial viability was restored from a position of bankruptcy. It was as a result of this that the call for a review of the fee was again made.

Meanwhile, Britton noted that the body was able to negotiate an increase in the credit limit to allow consumers an extended grace period for the payment of their bills as well as an extended disconnection notice to 24 hours.

“In an effort to reduce the financial burden on the consumers, we increased the credit limit to allow consumers an extended grace payment period. We extended the four-hour disconnection

notice to 24 hours, and we urge GWI to review the costs associated with the disconnection and reconnection of consumers with a view to implementing cost effective disconnection methods,” Britton said.

She further noted that, as part of efforts to educate consumers about their rights, the PUC has embarked on a public consultation.

She added that the body remains committed to ensuring that consumer rights are protected and will continue its strict monitoring of the service providers in the utility sector.

Britton explained that the advent of liberalisation of the telecommunication sector has created “a competitive environment where the consumer can expect greater choices, lower prices and [a] better quality of service.”

In this regard, the commission is continuing its

“strict monitoring” of all players in the sector, she said.

According to the PUC Chairman, for the year 2022, the PUC received a large number of complaints from consumers and was also able to seek redress to the tune of over $60 million.

These efforts she said will be continued this year.

“The Public Utilities Commission is committed to ensuring that consumers have the right opportunity to seek redress for issues, [be] treated fairly [and] have access to information to make informed decisions,” she said adding that the commission continues to advocate for consumer rights and promote consumer education.

“It is hoped that this will provide the necessary impetus to advance the cause of the consumer and to put him or her firmly in the driver’s seat,” she said.

Age-old New Amsterdam Prison to be reconstructed

LATER this year, the New Amsterdam Prison will undergo a multi-billiondollar reconstruction to accommodate prisoners from Regions Five and Six.

This announcement was made by Works Officer of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), Kurt Joseph, during his address at Thursday’s opening of the Annual Guy-

ana Prison Service’s Senior Officers’ Conference.

Earlier this year, it was announced that over $2 billion will be allocated to the GPS for the provision of prisons and the payment of retention.

In addition to the New Amsterdam Prison, the Mazaruni and Lusignan Prisons will also undergo sig-

nificant building upgrades. Work has already started at the Lusignan facility.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn and other officials who spoke at the conference, emphasised the importance of upholding prisoners’ human rights even as government strives to create a model jail system.

Minister Benn reiterated

Motorcyclist dies in Friendship accident

POLICE are probing a fatal accident that occurred on Friday morning on the Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

The dead person has been identified as Daniel Marshall, a 42-year-old of Albouystown.

The accident occurred at approximately 06:50 hours and involved motor lorry #GTT 345, driven by Dale Sylvester Wright, a 40-yearold of Tuschen, and motorcycle #CK 8679, owned and driven by Marshall.

According to the police, their investigations have revealed that the motorcycle was proceeding north along the western side of Friendship Public Road at a fast rate of speed. The motorcyclist attempted to overtake a silver-grey motor car (number and make unknown) that was proceeding in the said direction.

In so doing, he lost control of his motorcycle and collided with the rightside rear of the motor lorry, which was proceeding south

along the eastern side of the road.

“As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist fell onto the road surface, where he received injuries to his head and body” the police said.

It was further stated that the motorcyclist was picked up in an unconscious condition by the police and public-spirited citizens and placed on the eastern parapet. An ambulance was summoned to the scene with a team of emergency medi -

cal technicians who pronounced the motorcyclist dead.

The body was later transported to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination.

The lorry driver is in custody assisting with the investigation.

that he did not want those individuals to be subjected to physical or emotional abuse, pointing out that the prisoners have the same human rights as anyone else.

Meanwhile, according to the Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot, over 1,400 prisoners received training in literacy, numeracy, and other subjects in 2022.

Prisoners also received training in behavioural modification, stress and anger management, conflict resolution and other pro -

grammes.

Additionally, the Fresh Start Initiative was started, and many prisoners have already benefitted from it.

Ten prisoners were given tools and equipment to assist them to earn a living in fields such as landscaping, carpentry, joinery, welding, and cosmetology.

The three-day conference was hosted under the theme, “Promoting Rehabilitation and Societal Reintegration of the Inmates”.

The New Amsterdam Prison

CDC donates supplies to the Guyana Fire Service, GLDA

THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), on Friday, received supplies from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) at the Commission’s Thomas Lands Headquarters.

According to the CDC, the GFS received a quantity of response equipment, while the GLDA received a quantity of long boots, face masks and hand sanitisers.

The items were handed over in separate ceremonies.

In the case of the GFS,

Director General of the CDC, Col. (Ret’d) Nazrul Hussain, said that the donation was part of the Commission’s effort to support the entity’s operational readiness, both in the areas of Fire Response and Rescue, and Emergency Medical Techni-

cian (EMT) Response.

A quantity of face masks, hand sanitisers, protective firefighting boots and a stretcher were the items donated.

Chief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham, expressed gratitude for the supplies and

indicated that the donation bolsters the long and symbiotic relationship between GFS and CDC.

Meanwhile, the second donation was the result of a successful field simulation led by the GLDA, on the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) called the “Bird Flu Prevention One Health Preparedness Test”.

This simulation exercise was conducted from March 14 to March 16, 2023 and

included the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, the CDC and other relevant agencies.

Preparedness and Response Manager (ag), Major Lakshman Persaud, handed over the items to a GLDA representative.

According to the Commission, it continues to work with local authorities and agencies to ensure that operational readiness is optimal for an effective response effort.

Director General of the CDC, Colonel (Ret’d) Nazrul Hussain, hands over supplies to Chief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham (CDC photos)

A GLDA representative (right) collects the supplies from CDC’s Preparedness and Response Manager (ag), Major Lakshman Persaud

Labour Minister to appoint CoI to probe BOSAI fatality

A COMMISSION of Inquiry (CoI) will soon be appointed by the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, to investigate the fatal accident involving BOSAI employee, Neptrid Hercules, at Linden, Region Ten.

According to a release from the Ministry of Labour (MoL), this action is in keeping with Section 72 (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:06 of the Laws of Guyana.

Minister Hamilton is given the power to direct a formal investigation into any accident arising out of, or in, the course of employment of any worker where he considers it expedient to do so, through this act.

“Competent persons, which will include an experienced mining engineer and a geologist, will be appointed to serve on this commission, whose main purpose will be to determine the cause(s) of the accident and make recommendations for the prevention of accidents generally and more specifically the recurrence of similar accidents,” the ministry stated.

Hercules and the CAT

D9T Dozer machine he was in disappeared in the wee hours of March 11, 2023.

The release said that this was as a result of a failure experienced by the Overburden Dump where he was working in the East Montgomery Mine, which caused them to be covered by the overburden material. The body of Hercules was found several days later, after an extensive and painful search.

According to the ministry,

Minister Hamilton is deeply concerned about this matter.

“He holds the view that this accident should never have happened and he owes it to the family, his co-workers, and the community to ensure that there are no recurrences,” it said.

The appointment of a CoI will provide answers to the numerous questions that abound and recommendations for implementation.

Meanwhile, the Occupational Safety and Health De-

Taxi driver busted with cannabis at Demerara Harbour Bridge

A 33-YEAR-OLD taxi driver of Patentia, West Bank Demerara was on Friday allegedly nabbed with 1,361 grammes of cannabis in his possession at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Police said that acting on information received, at approximately 10:20 hours, a Police Constable attached to the Brickdam Police Station who was on motorcycle patrol at Agricola, went to the Demerara Harbour Bridge where he intercepted motorcar HD 1997 driven by the suspect.

The suspect was instructed by the policeman to stop at the end of the bridge.

The driver, who complied, was approached by

the Constable and a Corporal who informed him of the information received and requested to conduct a search.

“During the search, three bulky transparent plastic bags containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found in the car’s trunk,” police said in a press release.

partment has instructed the company that the suspension of work activities in the mid-

dle dump of the Montgomery Mine, where the accident occurred, should continue

until a reassessment is done for the extraction of the Dozer.

The man was told of the offence, cautioned, arrested and escorted to the La Grange Police Station.

The cannabis when weighed, amounted to 1,361 grammes.

The suspect remains in police custody, pending further investigations and charges.

The mining area where the incident occurred

The cannabis that was seized by the police (Guyana Police Force photo)

254 BIT graduates on path to self-growth

TO better their lives and that of their families, 254 persons, on Wednesday, graduated from various programmes offered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) during a simple ceremony held at

vocational courses such as Cosmetology, Early Childhood Development, and Commercial Food Preparation, while graduates went with technical courses such as Heavy-Duty Equip-

Cultural Centre for the 254 graduates that put in hard work and dedication on completing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme,” BIT stated.

The TVET programme was designed by the Government of Guyana to promote sustainability of Guyanese livelihood, through retraining retirees, upskilling employees, equipping young people with relevant skills for today’s job market or giving reas-

surance to single parents that not all hope is loss.

Officials of the BIT and the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, attended the ceremony in support of the graduates’ accomplishments and future endeavours.

According to BIT, the graduates may choose to become entrepreneurs in the field they were certified or pursue jobs that are in demand for the technical and vocational workforce.

Minister Hamilton’s aim is to work with the team at BIT to increase skills delivery for every Guyanese, wherever they reside.

The Chief Executive Officer (ag) of BIT, Onyekachukwu Eastman-Onwuzirike; Director at BIT, Penelope Harris; Human Resource Officer, Melinda Kelly; and Technical Officer, Jason Clarke, among others, were present at the graduation.

the National Cultural Centre.

According to a BIT release, the graduation did not just focus on young persons as among the successful batches of graduates were people of all ages, who went after a similar goal to learn a skill and become certified.

Some of the graduates opted for

ment Operation, Electrical Installation, and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Servicing and Repairs.

“Despite whatever the graduates had selected when they first registered as prospective trainees, they were celebrated… through a huge graduation ceremony held at the National

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton (seated second from left), other officials and some of the graduates (DPI photos)

Some of the graduates during the ceremony

Consumer Affairs body to establish guide, certification programme

-to address sale of defective vehicles

GUYANA’S Consumer and Competition Affairs Commission (CCAC) will soon establish a consumer’s guide for purchasing motor vehicles and is currently working on a certification programme to avoid the sale of defective vehicles.

This is according to CCAC Director, Anil Sukhdeo, who, on Wednesday, disclosed that Guyana has seen an increase in complaints from consumers about defective vehicles.

As such the body will be exploring the implemen-

corresponding period last year.

“We will try to go off stream and address it at that level. So that programme… it has not come to fruition because we are still interacting with the accreditation body. We try to empower consumers, before you have an issue, you know how to carry about yourself before you do your business,” Sukhdeo said.

Further the body will also be developing a consumer’s guide to assist consumers when purchasing a motor vehicle.

tation of a certification programme.

“We are working on an importation certificate so at the port of exit there will be a certification programme to say that this vehicle is indeed fit and in good condition to be used,” Sukhdeo.

He further explained that “when it’s imported to Guyana, there will be that stamp, that certification documentation to know that again, this is in a good condition, this can be purchased and be used so that we can address that.”

Already for 2023, the CCAC has received 27 complaints related to the purchase of vehicles amounting to the value of $ 61,534,709. This reflects a 108 per cent increase compared to the

“We are working on documentation, steps needed when you’re purchasing vehicles. If you have that knowledge, you can prevent yourself from getting in a situation where it affects your health, it affects your finances and we don’t want to put you there. We want you to protect yourself.”

Meanwhile the body has since advised consumers who are experiencing issues with vehicles that are still under warranty, to file a complaint with the commission via its website.

Consumers are also advised to have the vehicles they intend to purchase thoroughly checked by a mechanic of their choice before signing off on the final agreement of purchase

CCAC Director, Anil Sukhdeo

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS

ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 GARNETT STREET, CAMPBELLVILLE, GEORGETOWN (TEL: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Shivnarine Chanderpaul (39 ODIs)

(2) Jacques Kallis (40 ODIs)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which WI has led the team in most ODIs against SA to date?

(2) Which SA has captained the team in most ODIs against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

West Indies Championship

Savory’s ton, Johnson’s 74 leave Red Force 412 to win

By Sean Devers in Trinidad

Guyana Harpy Eagles were large and in charge in T&T Red Force’s own backyard at the end of the penultimate day of their third round West Indies Championship fixture at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy yesterday

A supberb maiden unbeaten 101 from 26-year-old Kemol Savory from 222 balls, 270 minutes with five fours and six and a compact 74 with 10 fours and a six from 158 balls by 35-year-old Leon Johnson have virtually batted the hosts out of the game

The pair of Savory in only his third game and Johnson, a veteran of 125 first - class games including nine Tests, joined forces on the second afternoon at 80-3 and shared in a wonderful 141-run stand before Johnson was dismissed in the second session

This was his second fifty in his final game in Trinidad and he tried very hard to

finish here with a seventh First - Class ton and first in three years at this level but would be very pleased with his team’s position Guyana, resuming yesterday on 96-3, declared at 14:02 hrs at 247-6 when Savory , who spent almost an hour in the 90s, reached his hundred Daren Bravo and Brian Charles had two wickets each for the Red Force who, set an improble 412 to win , were 106-3 needing 306 more with seven wickets in hand for a come-from- behind win.

Jud Goolie (14*) will hope to give Bravo, whose unbeaten 63 came from 105 and has included seven fours, support today.

Guyana resumed the day with Savory on 34 and Johnson on nine, with a lead of 260 and the pair batted in ultra-cautious mode as the partnership slowly progressed Savory , who plays for Police in the Georgetown , was dropped at short leg by

UDCA T20 Competition…

Semi-finals set for tomorrow

Malali, Royal Champions, West Watooka, and Yariah Warriors will contest the semi-finals of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) T20 club tournament tomorrow.

In the first game, Royal Champions face Yariah Young Warriors from 9.30hrs and the semis pit West Watooka against Malali from 13.00hrs

In the latest results from the final round robin matches played last Sunday at the Maria Elizabeth ground, West Watooka won by 29 runs against Young Achievers

Batting first, West Watooka were bowled out for 85 from 13.1 overs as Eion Reynolds took 4 for 26 from 4 overs with Tyreke Henry and Devon Bell each taking 2 wickets

When Young Achievers replied, they made 56 for 8 from 20 overs with Marlon Fredericks, their captain, getting 10, the only double figure score. Julien Fortune was the best bowler for the winning West Watooka side taking 3 for 28 from his three overs with Keith Austin and Keyon Hertunds both claiming 2 wickets each

In the other match played, Coomacka won by three wickets against Aroiama

Taking first strike, Aroiama were bowled out for 62 off 9.4 overs with Kallis Smith hitting 32, comprising three 4s and two 6s with Coomacka’s captain Gary Savoury taking 3 for 12 off 3 overs, Andrew Couchman 3 for 17 off 3 overs and Jamal Whyte 2 for zero off four balls being their best bowlers.

In reply, Coomacka reached their target by getting 67 for 7 off 7.4 overs with Sunil Griffith 25 leading the way and Blake Duggan 10 not out as Glendon Lyte grabbed 3 for 19 from 3.3 overs and Astil Cobos 2 for 20 from 2 overs, bowling for the losers. (Joe Chapman)

Keggan Simmons off Charles on 43 before pushing the off - spinner to cover for a sharp single to reach his maiden fifty from 108 balls with three boundaries

The Essequibian celebrated the landmark with a magnificent straight drive for four off Uthman Muhammad while his captain steered Muhammad to the vacant third-man boundary to post the 300

lead before cutting Charles for four

Johnson spanked Tion Webster for a boundary as the 150 came up on another very hot day as raging bush fires to the east of the ground produced smoke that drifted over the sward

Savory was dropped on 67 at long-leg from a miscued hook off Webster while Johnson reached his fifty from 100

balls in a knock decorated with seven fours and a six

By Lunch Guyana were on 187-3 with the lead 351 and the partnership on 107 Savory was on 76 and Johnson on 54

After the interval, Johnson hit Jason Mohammed for four before squeezing Justin Manick between the slip cordon for another boundary as he stepped on the gas

With Johnson, who made his first-class debut 20 years ago , on 74 and in touching distance of an elusive ton , Charles got one to bounce and Johnson was taken at forward short leg with the score on 221-4

This was the 47 th time Johnson had scored 50 or more runs at this level but he has only converted six of those scores into centuries

Kevin Sinclair , with a half - century in the first innings, was taken at mid-off for one as Charles struck again to leave Guyana on 227-5 before Anthony Bramble (2) missed an injudicious slog-sweep and was LBW to Bravo at 230-6

Savory, who, all of a sudden looked uncomfortable against Charles , eventually reached three - figures from 220 balls, 270 minutes with

five fours and a six Kemo Paul ( 7 ) was the other not out batter when Johnson declared Needing to bat over five sessions to save the match, the Red Force had a horrendous start when Jeremy Solozano was caught down the leg-side by Bramble as Nial Smith struck in the second over before Keggan Simmons (8) edged Paul to Johnson at first slip at 31-2

Bravo , with twin tons against the Leewards in his last match , was joined by Mohammed, who made 50 in the first innings, and a handful of fans were depending on the two batters in the team to prolong the game as long as possible.

However , Mohammed (13) played around and was LBW as Paul struck just before the close to end a promising 39-run stand dominated by Bravo who reached his 50 from 63 balls with seven fours.

With Goolie looking very comfortable against spin, along with Bravo, who is arguably the best batter in the tournament , today could be an interesting day as Guyana hunt their second win this season.

Windies legend Kallicharran to launch book

ONE of Guyana’ s and West Indies’ most illustrious batsman, Alvin Kallicharran, or Kalli, as he is familiarly known, a former captain and batting maestro, will be celebrating his 74th birth anniversary on March 21, 2023, in a most memorable manner.

Kallicharran will be returning to Port Mourant , Berbice, his birthplace, and ground for his eventual career as one of the most outstanding batsmen Guyana and the West Indies have ever produced, for the official launching of an illustrated children’s storybook celebrating his cricketing journey.

Authored by Tony McWatt, the son of the late former Guyana and West Indies wicketkeeper batsman, Clifford ‘Babyboy’ McWatt, the Alvin Kalli -

charran Guyana’s Pocket Dynamo Caribbean Cricket Superhero Illustrated Children’s Storybook chronicles Kalli’s cricket career, from the humblest of beginnings to his finest hour, his 1975

Inaugural ICC World Cup thrashing of Australia’s legendary fast bowler, Dennis Lillee, at England’s Oval.

Published as a 32-page, full coloured illustrated paperback , the book will be officially launched in

celebration of Kalli ’ s 74 th birth anniversary at a Berbice Cricket Board - hosted special event to be held at the Port Mourant Portuguese Quarters Community Centre on Tuesday March 21, 2023

Starting time for the Launch will be at 3:00 pm sharp

During the launch, several hundred copies of the book will be presented to the Berbice Cricket Board for subsequent distribution to the county’s school aged budding cricketers, courtesy of Laparkan Canada

While in Berbice, Kallicharran will also conduct a two-hour coaching session for the county’s youth cricketers. The coaching session will run from 3:00 - 5:00 pm on Monday, March 20 and will be held at the Port Mourant cricket ground.

Starlet cup promises excitement

which he is known and it would be an interesting mix-up with the bigger boys.

Another driver looking to start the year positive is Nyron Maraj who made the transition from motorcycle to circuit racing just over a year ago.

While his progress has been good, his eyes must be set on a podium at least, given the numbers seen after this week’s dyno session.

THE 2023 edition of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Circuit race calendar runs off this weekend with a special focus on the B.M. Soat Starlet Cup, powered by Renegade Fuel.

With one of the largest subscribed classes expected to run this weekend, competition will be tooth and nail for the top spots which, for this year, will carry cash per point prizes.

Unofficial testing earlier this

week put Rameez Mohamed as the man to beat with last year’s lap record of 1:31.686 (Anand Ramchand) being reportedly blitzed by several competitors.

Ramchand himself is also back in contention this weekend, however, things have been much more silent from his end.

Another serious contender over the years is the likes of team CAMS Afraz Allie, no stranger to the starlet class having raced both EP71’s

and EP92 starlets.

Allie, along with former Starlet champion, Kevin Deodass, have been known to produce sparks on the small circuit and this time out, the layout is much larger.

Another ‘old head’ that comes back into the fray is Syad Hassan, whose skill and mastery has often times been the answer to the more powerful cars in the class.

Mohamed Shairaz Roshandin is no stranger to the group as well,

having returned to competition just over two years ago and has also been among the front runners.

And then there are the newcomers; the guys fresh in the series with no more than two years of racing.

Starting off that category is no stranger to racing but a first time entry in the class, group two’s multiple time champion, Shan Seejattan.

No slouch himself, Seejattan will find himself in a different ball game compared to group Two, for

Another bike racer-turn Starlet Cup driver is Steven Nobrega, who made his debut last year and has been slowly developing his car. Testing during pre-season was focussed on understanding the car dynamics and looking at setups. Along with cash for every point scored towards the end-ofyear championship by BM Soat/ Renegade Race Fuels, drivers this weekend will be set on drawing ‘first blood’ in what is expected to be a tightly contested year of racing.

Group two returns under Prem’s Electrical brand

Prem’s Electrical has picked up the 2023 title sponsorship of the Group Two class for this weekend’s Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) circuit race round one

Shan Seejatan is the man to beat in this class and his form in local Group Two has been ominous at the South Dakota Circuit.

His longstanding battle with Chet Singh has often provided fans with nailbiting excitement and, this year, it is expected to resume as Singh was one of the first entries.

Mark Williams and Shairaz Roshandin are also two seasoned competitors in this group and are expected to push the front runners hard in their quest to score maximum points.

Roshandin, himself a former Group Two champion, has had success on the small circuit in the class and will be hoping to continue that success come Sunday

Another ‘dark horse’ in this group is Rameez Mohamed. Mohamed has had success in the past and will surely be looking to ascend that podium come

Sunday.

Dowalu Harper has also been progressing well in the group and will be hoping to continue his climb up the ladder to the top step of the podium.

Peter Morgan comes into this year staying true to the

FORD brand, debuting his new Ford Fiesta in a group dominated by the Honda Civic. He may be an old head in the group but he has a new machine under him and a drive to return to the podium.

Two new entrants in this class are Azad Hassan and Daniel Deokie. Hassan is a current Sport Tuner competitor and makes the jump to Group Two for this year to try his hand while Deokie is a

former Sports tuner champion. Both will have their hands filled, especially given the fact that the one hand wonder, Kemal Rahman, is also in this group. Rahman is the other anom-

aly in the group, his CRX going up against the Civics that have dominated this group. A lot of tomorrow’s race results may depend on the Qualifying sessions which begin at 13:00hrs today.

President spearheads dialogue with national athletes

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali yesterday met with a number of national athletes at the Office of the President.

During the meeting, the Head of State reassured the group that his government is working on a national plan for athletics.

The plan includes employing qualified officials such as coaches, doctors and nutrition specialists, while building infrastructure across the country and implementing other initiatives that will help the athletes realise their full potential.

“I believe we have enough talent in the country that we can make a big impact on the regional and international stage.”

He reminded the athletes of the various infrastructural projects for sport development currently underway, including the development of a synthetic track in Linden that is expected to be completed soon.

During the meeting, the President also opened the floor for discussions and suggestions.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., the Director of Presidential Affairs, Mrs Marcia Nadir-Sharma and the Director of Sport, Mr Steve Ninvalle, were also at the meeting.

MILO Schools U18 Football tournament 2023…

PG 26

Savory’s ton, Johnson’s 74 leave Red Force 412 to win

West Indies Championship Four more games carded for today

FOUR more games in the 2023 edition of the MILO schools Football tournament are carded for today at the Ministry of Education Ground.

The first game of the day will see Carmel playing Dora Secondary with Bartica Secondary and East Ruimveldt in the second fixture.

West Ruimveldt and Queen’s College will clash in the third encounter which begins at 14:00hrs, with Dolphin Secondary and Santa Rosa Secondary battling at 14:45hrs. Matches are also carded for Sunday with Vryman’s Erven

Secondary opening the day against West Demerara Secondary and McKenzie High playing Patentia at 12:45hrs.

Chase Academy is also in action, this time against Bygeval Secondary with Santa Rosa Secondary playing St Stanislaus College.

The competition is sponsored by Nestle’ (MILO) through MASSY Distribution and is sanctioned by the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Football Federation. It is being co-ordinated by the Petra Organisation with support from MVPSports, GenEquip Guyana Ltd. and GINMIN Guyana.

H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali (right) listens intently to the concerns of one of Guyana’s national athletes (Office of the President photo)

Kemol Savory turns one into the on-side during his maiden century yesterday (Sean Devers photo)

Four more action packed games are carded for today at the Ministry of Education Ground (Adrian Narine Photo)