Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 20-03-2024

Guyanaaffirmscommitmenttoupholdingequality,democracyatUNCHRsession

Bridge connecting Guyana, Suriname closer to fruition

–– construction could begin before year’s end, Ministerial Committee outlines in joint statement

–– says proposals to be submitted to both Presidents for consideration, decision

GTU withdraws ‘ridiculous’ challenge on teachers’ salary increases for 2019-2023

Guyana using digital transformation to propel holistic economic growth –Minister McCoy says

Gov’t remains committed to fostering open communication channel with public –– Prime Minister Phillips affirms

Preparatory works commence for state-of-the-art hospital at New Amsterdam

The Guyana Chronicle and other media entities had an opportunity to witness the natural beauty of the Demerara River and all the wonders on its horizons during the launch of Blackwater Adventures’ Sakaika Falls Itinerary and the Demerara Sunset Cruise, on Tuesday (Delano Williams photos)

GTU withdraws ‘ridiculous’ challenge on teachers’ salary increases for 2019-2023

THE Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has withdrawn its application seeking to force the Ministry of Education (MoE) into discussions regarding teachers’ salary increases for the period 2019 to 2023.

The application was withdrawn on Tuesday in the Demerara High Court by the union’s attorney, Darren Wade, before Justice Sandil Kissoon who granted him leave to do same.

The GTU had moved to the High Court to declare that the GTU has a right to negotiate from 2019

to 2023, and the refusal to do so constitutes a breach of the union’s and its members’ right to collective bargaining.

The application aimed to assert the union's right to negotiate, declare a binding agreement from March 7, 2024, and hold Chief Education Officer (CEO), Saddam Hussain and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar in contempt.

However, Justice Kissoon found that most of the GTU’s requested reliefs were outside of his

jurisdiction to grant.

Speaking following the court hearing, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who is a respondent in the case, said Wade wasted everyone’s time with one of the “most ridiculous” applications.

“We must get the facts straight. Mr Darren Wade brought us here to court in the most ridiculous application, seeking orders that could not have been granted… orders that were improperly claimed. The whole application was misconceived from top to bottom,”

Nandlall told reporters outside of court on Tuesday.

The Attorney-General pointed out that he was very “charitable” to Wade and the GTU, since he did not seek an order for costs.

Nandlall pointed out however, that there was a “conflict” in the substantive case, whereby Hussain has alleged a particular narrative in his affidavit, while the GTU is alleging a different narrative.

“So, you have two affidavits that are conflicting. In my view, and in my learning of the conventional, legally permissible, in those circumstances, is that you put the two witnesses in a box, and you cross examine them based upon what they have said in an effort to reconcile the differences,” he explained.

However, Nandlall said a different method was chosen. The court ordered the MoE to provide all documents of previous meetings with the union from 2020 to February 2024.

He has to produce same before the hearing of the substantive case which comes up on Wednesday. This is a 24-hour timeframe.

“The respondent who has nothing to prove in the case has been ordered to produce minutes, which we will do. But the applicant has moved this court.

“The applicant is asking the court for relief; the applicant has to prove its case. The applicant is saying ‘what the respondent is saying is not true.’ But the respondent got to come and prove that what he's saying is true. Let's see how it turns out,” Nandlall said.

He contended that the documents the union is now asking for, both sides already have them in their possession, since the minutes in the formal negotiation processes were interrogated or corrected by both sides before being signed by the parties involved.

“To ask the court for minutes that you already have in your possession is abusive and nonsensical, but we were ordered to produce the minutes and we will produce the minutes,” he said.

He further said that the substantive matter before the court questions whether teachers who did not work and participated in the illegal strike, should be paid.

“That question can be determined by whatever minutes and whatever different factual narrative there are competing parties. That is a question of law. No work, no pay - that is the law of Guyana,” he said.

He explained that another big issue stemming from the case is whether government was right in stopping the deduction of GTU dues.

“In my view, whatever Saddam Hussain said in his affidavit or whatever Mark Lyte (GTU president) says, an affidavit can’t change the legality or illegality of that decision. So, in my view, the court is in charge, and I am to comply with the orders of the court,” the Attorney General said.

On March 4, following a court-appointed mediation, the GTU called off the illegal protest and agreed for the striking teachers to return to their classrooms.

However, on March 12, talks between the GTU and the MoE broke down again, after the ministry upheld the government’s position that discussions surrounding salary increases should be from 2024 onwards.

The GTU had asked for a 20 per cent increase and indicated that they are interested in discussing only salaries, particularly between the period 2019 and 2023, and nothing else.

The union maintained its determination to discuss only salary matters concerning the prior years and refused to address the other 25 matters which were identified for disussion by both the Ministry of Education and the union.

This resulted in the representatives of the union abandoning the process and walking out of the meeting.

Nandlall had previously explained that the time has passed for the government to entertain discussions regarding teachers’ salary increases for the period 2019 to 2023.

Central to this stance, is the government’s adherence to budgetary constraints and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that any salary increases are sustainable and aligned with the nation’s financial realities.

He contends that the government cannot be expected to negotiate wage increases for years that have already passed, particularly when teachers had already benefitted from salary adjustments during those periods.

From left: Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, Justice Sandil Kissoon and GTU attorney, Darren Wade

Bridge connecting Guyana, Suriname closer to fruition

— construction could begin before year’s end, Ministerial Committee outlines in joint statement — says proposals to be submitted to both Presidents for consideration, decision

The following is the full text of a joint statement by the Ministerial Committee of Suriname and Guyana:

“THE Joint Ministerial Committee of Suriname and Guyana met on March 19, 2024, in Paramaribo to further elaborate on the financing modalities for the construction of the Corantijn/ Corentyne River Bridge.

“This meeting was held as part of the ongoing process to pursue this project initiated by President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and President Irfaan Ali in November 2020.

“Both sides reiterated the importance of a fixed connection between the two countries, not only to advance economic opportunities and connect the road network between Guyana and Suriname and ultimately enhance hemispheric connectivity with Brazil and the rest of the South American continent, but also to facilitate people-to-people contacts. In this regard, both sides reiterated their commitment to a timely construction of the bridge.

“A number of specific recommendations regarding construction, financing and management, emanating from this ministerial meeting, set out a clear, time-bound framework to take this initiative to a next level.

“Following these decisions, it is anticipated that construction could commence before the end of 2024. These recommendations will be submitted to the Presidents of

Suriname and Guyana for further consideration and decision at their anticipated meeting this weekend in Guyana.

“The Republic of Suriname was represented by

Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation; Kermechend Raghoebarsing; Minister of Finance and Planning and Riad

Nurmohamed, Minister of Public Works and their technical teams.

“The Co-operative Republic of Guyana was represented by Dr Ashni Singh, Senior Min -

ister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service; Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works and Ambassador Elisabeth

Harper, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and their technical teams.”

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname, Albert Ramdin

Gov’t building environment to attract global investments

MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, underscored the Government of Guyana’s commitment to establishing an enabling environment to attract global investments.

“We realise as investors you are looking for certainty, you are looking for risk to be reduced to the lowest ever and so, as a government, we want to and we will build the enabling environment for your investments to be safe and to be secure,” the minister said.

Minister Walrond was delivering remarks at the Business 2 Business Meeting hosted by Trinidad’s Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC) and Guyanese company, Together We Win Business Network (TWWBN) at Herdmanston Lodge on Tuesday.

The meeting aims to strengthen the relationship between Guyana and Trinidad to establish a robust ecosystem for business expansion and advancement in both countries.

President of CCIC, Baldath Maharaj, said the mission of CCIC and TWWBN is to explore avenues of mutual

— Minister Walrond says

benefit, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to drive economic growth and prosperity.

“Our focus on SMEs is deliberate and strategic, these enterprises form the backbone of our economies both in Trinidad and Guyana, driving innovation, creating jobs and fostering inclusive growth.

“By collaborating closely with all counterparts here in Guyana, we have a unique opportunity to leverage each other’s strengths and resources to benefit both our sectors,” Maharaj said.

As a result, Guyanese entrepreneurs can access a multitude of benefits to grow their business through the local company, TWWBN, which offers resources and expertise, for SMEs to overcome obstacles such as restricted access to capital and markets.

Additionally, it facilitates the exchange of best practices and knowledge, thereby enabling SMEs to enhance their capacities, capabilities and competitiveness in the wider market.

President of TWWBN,

Marlon Joseph said the network will continue to extend invitations to interested persons. However, he noted the network is committed to holding persons accountable who do not follow its best practices.

“Persons can be removed from the network unceremoniously or without documentation if they are doing something that is not within keeping with our network principles, or they do not participate in activities designed to help them grow,” he said.

Last year, TWWBN and CCIC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create an ecosystem for small and medium-sized businesses that create generational wealth, while transforming the business economy and communities through joint investment opportunities.

Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Conrad Enill, President of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Rowena Elliot and other delegates were present at the event. (DPI)

Addressing Hunger

PRESIDENT, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has urged regional leaders to come up with decisive policies that reflect the political will and financing needed to address food insecurity in the region.

These remarks were made at the 38th session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, currently being held in Georgetown, Guyana.

The regional FAO is one of several official forums where ministers of agriculture and high-level officials of member states meet to discuss challenges and priority matters related to food and agriculture.

According to President Ali, what is needed is the political will to overcome the issue of hunger and food insecurity in the region. As pointed out by Presi-

dent Ali, many people say they want to end hunger and end starvation and malnutrition, but their budgetary allocations do not reflect that will.

Elaborating further on the question of political will, President Ali said that political will is “not about shouting out the message; it is about taking policy action and making policy intervention that address the issues. Political will is about making the necessary adjustments and changes in your own local system to support the message we are putting forward.”

The above is by no means intended to, as it were, “lecture” other countries on how they should manage their country’s domestic agricultural policies; but as someone who is the current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and who also has responsibility for food security and nutrition in the region, it

is a call than can only be ignored at the expense of the food-security needs of the Caribbean people.

The region still continues to experience a food deficit and is forced to spend an inordinate sum of money on food imports from outside the region.

A similar call was voiced by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, who is Chair of the Summit. According to Minister Mustapha, there is need to improve initiatives, financial support and concrete action to increase the resilience and sustainability of agri-food systems to overcome the impacts of climate change and food insecurity in light of the region’s high vulnerability.

The fact is that food insecurity stands at its highest level in recent decades. This is especially so in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, where it is

estimated that around 43 per cent of the population reported reduced food consumption in 2023.

At the 44th Regular Meeting of Conference of Heads in Nassau, Bahamas, leaders endorsed a proposal put forward by President Ali aimed at building food security through innovation, resilience, sustainability and empowerment.

Guyana has pledged US$2M towards financing and implementing the project. The overall aim is to realise the 25 by 25 CARICOM initiative, with a view to increase food security by reducing the regional food-importation value by at least 25 per cent by 2025.

Research has shown that the region imports from out of the region approximately 80 per cent of the food that it consumes, amounting to approximately US$4 billion.

The Guyana Bar Association must emulate its counterpart in Barbados

Dear Editor,

I WRITE to commend the Bar Association of Barbados for calling out judges who fail to give decisions within the time stipulated by the Barbados Constitution.

This demonstrates that the Barbados Bar Association is an organisation that is cognisant of its duty to protect the rule of law and the public interest without fear.

In contrast, in Guyana, the Time Limit for Judicial Decisions Act 2009 stipulates that judges shall give a written or an oral decision

and reasons for the decision at the conclusion of the hearing of a case, or as soon as possible after the conclusion of the hearing, but not later than 120 days from the date of conclusion of the hearing. However, there have been cases where this law is being violated with impunity.

Like Barbados, the Guyana Constitution also provides for the removal of judges who do not adhere to this mandate. Article 197 (3) of the Constitution states, “A Judge may be removed from office … for persistently not writing decisions or for continuously failing to give decisions and reasons therefor within

such time as may be specified by Parliament …” As mentioned before, the Time Limit for Judicial Decisions Act 2009 specifies that time limit.

Thousands of litigants have suffered tremendously because of the judges’ refusal to comply with the law. Hundreds of letters have been written in the newspapers’ letter columns of this country, making this very complaint against judges but without avail.

Additionally, litigants have requested lawyers to write judges lodging this complaint. Many of them, in breaching their duty

The development deniers are back

Dear Editor,

THIS is a country where folks have incredibly short memories.

It is, therefore, necessary to remind them of the bad old days when development deniers ran amok.

Many of you will recall that when the Berbice bridge was being built, top “civil society” and PNC operatives said the bridge would

fail. Rather than fail, the Berbice bridge is a smashing success, not only for commuters, but also for investors such as the NIS.

When the Hope Canal was being built to alleviate flooding, the critics were relentless in their attacks. They were 100% sure that it won’t have any impact on flood relief. They have been proven wrong time and time again because since the opening of Hope, there has been no flooding in the Mahaica region.

Ironically, now the critics are attacking the PPP for not building more Hope-like canals at a faster rate!

When the Marriott was under construction, the APNU+AFC preached night and day that it will never be used. These days, those same folks can’t stay away from the place. They are there for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and yes, late-night drinks.

You might think that the critics would

to their clients, have refused to do so, fearing repercussions.

Profoundly disappointing is the Guyana Bar Association’s silence and inaction on this matter. Not once has the Guyana Bar Association taken a principled position on this issue. They ought to be deeply embarrassed; yet, there remains an opportunity for redemption.

I call upon the Guyana Bar Association to emulate its counterpart in Barbados.

Yours truly,

Aaron Ali

have learnt some lessons by now. But we are sadly disappointed because, today, they are against the Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre, popularly as the Qatari hotel.

I guarantee you that when the project is completed, the entire brigade of development deniers from “civil society,” and the PNCR-led APNU+AFC, will be there morning, noon, and night.

Sincerely,

Dr Randy Persaud

Two Lethem children given new smiles through DeSinco Limited, Smile Train Guyana collaboration

DESINCO Limited together with the local Smile Train team, in January, successfully completed another surgical mission to help children from the hinterland who are suffering with cleft lip/palate.

According to information released by DeSinco Limited, two children, ages one and three years old, from Lethem, Region Nine, benefitted from this recent mission with successful reconstructive surgeries of cleft lip/palate.

This left the medical

team and children’s parents incredibly happy.

DeSinco continues to assist by ensuring that these children and their parents have access to both air and road transportation and meals during their pre- and post-operative surgery at Georgetown Public Hospital Co-operation (GPHC).

April 2024 will make two years since the company has embarked on this charitable effort and has assisted nine children and their parents, who now

Time to reopen the discussions on the 2015 elections results

Dear Editor,

I’VE recently noticed two letters, one by Jhagroo Persaud and a response by former President, Donald Ramotar, making reference to the 2015 National and Regional Elections.

My recollection of those elections is that the PPP/C objected to the results of a number of ballot boxes, based on their Statements of Poll (here we go again with SOPs).

I distinctly remember that the PPP/C requested that 22 ballot boxes be recounted, to which, it is alleged, the GECOM Chairman waffled, agreed and subsequently had a change of mind.

Fewer boxes were then requested, with the same scenario repeated.

Eventually the request was for one box to be recounted, and if found not to agree with the PPP/C’s SOP, they would give up the recount requests. However, if the recount agreed with the SOPs of the PPP/C, the 22 boxes were to be recounted.

have an opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life.

DeSinco has also donated personal and school items for Smile Train’s next outreach programme, which is scheduled for the latter part of March.

The GECOM Chairman is still to answer if this is in fact so, what prevented such a reasonable request? Unbelievable!

I’m convinced that this single action is what prompted the APNU+AFC to feel they could’ve bullied their way through the 2020 Elections.

I’m suggesting that to “settle’ this festering controversy, that the PPP/C withdraws the pending legal case, still languishing in the courts, since its eventual outcome (if this ever happens) would only be academic.

After such withdrawal, the PPP/C, possibly through its GECOM Commissioners, should call for a recount of the 22 boxes, previously identified, and which are currently stored in containers.

The recount would conclusively determine who won the 2015 elections, again, if only to shut the mouths of all sides of this issue.

Kind regards,

Harry Narine Nawbatt

Dr. Shilindra Rajkumar, Head of General Surgery and the Smile Train team joined by Robbie Rambarran, the CEO of GPHC; Alicia DeAbreu, CEO of DeSinco Limited and Sunesh Maikoo, DeSinco’s Sales Director (DeSinco Limited photo)

Netanyahu: In philosophy, something can be wrong yet be logical

IT is too long an explanation in a newspaper column to explain how an action, a thought, a reflection, a response can be wrong yet there is a logical inherency to it.

We will have to stick with the example of the fight between the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of the US Senate, Chuck Schumer.

Mr. Schumer made a scathing attack on Netanyahu’s leadership that has never before witnessed in the US halls of power from a pro-Israeli politician. The analysts believe that Mr. Schumer’s outrage was vicariously done – it was Pres-

ident Biden’s outrage.

Mr. Netanyahu was not impressed. And he has a logical reason for rebuffing what Mr. Schumer uttered.

Before we described the logic in Mr. Netanyahu’s reaction it should be noted that in the speech, Mr. Schumer made two statements that are a goldmine for students in the Third World studying international relations. I would urge current teachers of international relations to use those two statements to explain to their students the traditional undercurrents of global affairs.

Mr. Schumer said: “We love Israel in our bones.” It is the country Mr. Schumer

has in mind or is it the race of people who live in Israel?

Mr. Schumer is a Jew whose name is derived from the Hebrew name of Shomer.

In the other statement he noted that Israel is surrounded by vicious enemies. This is a misleading statement and is not factual in the realpolitik dimension of international affairs. Let’s return to Netanyahu’s reaction.

Mr. Netanyahu is no fool. He is experienced enough to understand the crucial nuances in American domestic politics. Before the October 7 assault by Hamas, the polls had Trump ahead of Biden. But the percentage was always close and there

was no iron-clad proof that Trump will win.

All of that changed after President Biden’s unimaginable support for Israel’s action in Gaza. Mr. Biden’s support was more emo -

tional than intellectual. He went over the top and as the dead bodies of Palestinian women and children piled up on top of each other and as millions protested emotionally in the streets and at public events in the US, Mr. Biden’s re-election success began to wane.

The point to note is that there is an immeasurable chasm between the public in Western nations and their governments over Gaza. The Labour Party in the UK recalled a candidate for a by-election because of criticism of Israel and an inflexibly left-wing, pro-Palestinian candidate – George Galloway- known throughout the UK for his left-wing ideology, contested the seat and won handsomely.

In Italy, on the anniversary of the Holocaust, the Italian Government asked citizens to be respectful and not have any pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Hundreds of thousands ignored the call.

In the US, the Democratic Party is worried that Biden’s Gaza stance will cause him to lose election because millions, because of conscience, will not vote for Biden. So Biden sent Kamala Harris to instruct Netanyahu to call a ceasefire. She was rebuffed. She reported back to Biden and two things emerged from the Harris revelation – one is that US will ignore Israel’s attitude and form a plank on the Mediterranean Sea to deliver massive food aid to Gaza and the other is Schumer’s speech. Enter Netanyahu.

Netanyahu knows why Harris came last week. He knows why Schumer made the speech. He is ethical-

ly and morally wrong to continue the war but he is saying to Biden that you want me to stop the war for your own reason. You do not have an ideological reason for wanting the war to stop, you have a pragmatic purpose. You want the war to stop because you are afraid you will lose the November election.

Netanyahu is using a logical twist to argue his case. The story becomes enormously complicated because Netanyahu hopes to still be in power in November when the most important presidential contest in the entire history of the US begins.

Biden is caught in a nowin situation. He is seen as a person with memory problems because of age. He is hemorrhaging votes because of his over-exuberant embrace of the war in Gaza. Thirdly, it suits Netanyahu’ realpolitik thinking to have Trump back in the presidency.

The people of the world should not be deceived by the Schumer speech. Schumer speech, Harris’ Israeli visit, and the aid bridge in the Mediterranean are vote-catching directions to help the Democratic Party win the November race.

But even if those measures help Biden, the Democratic Party will lose once Biden is in the race. Trump can still be beaten but not by Biden.

Guyana using digital transformation to propel holistic economic growth

–Minister McCoy says

By Clestine Juan

GUYANA is using digital technology to transform all industries with a forward-thinking strategy that is changing the way public-sector organisations operate and bringing the country’s technical culture up to par with the best in the world.

This was highlighted by Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister of Guyana, Kwame McCoy, who was at the time speaking during a panel discussion at the 19th International Convention and Fair, Informática 2024, hosted in Havana, Cuba.

The focal point of discussion centred on the transformative power of digital technology and its pivotal role in propelling Guyana to the forefront of the world economy.

Minister McCoy outlined the government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive digital transformation.

“The Government of Guyana has invested heavily in not only digital transformation, but [also] in inclusive digital transformation,” he said.

With a visionary approach under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-led government, the minister explained that Guyana is leveraging digital technology to revolutionise all sectors, fundamentally altering the operational landscape of public-sector organisations and elevating the nation’s technological ethos to a world-class standard.

“We are forging holistic changes in organisational activities, processes, competencies, and business models to fully leverage the opportunities digital technologies can provide,” he said

Echoing the sentiments of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Minister McCoy underscored the importance of inclusive digital transformation, stating, “To build a more open, transparent, and sustainable society, digital transformation must be intentionally inclusive, thoughtfully designed and implemented with people and human rights at the centre of all aspects.”

He pointed out that initiatives undertaken by Guy-

ana reflect a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving sustainable development goals, while fostering innovation and progress.

Such key actions, including the development of the ICT Masterplan 2030, are designed to address critical issues such as cybercrime, healthcare management, education delivery, and social interventions.

Central to Guyana’s digital transformation agenda is the Guyana Safe Country Initiative, which decentralises crime-fighting capabilities and integrates modern technology through initiatives such as IVS cameras deployment and regional command centres establishment.

This year, Guyana has allocated $2 billion towards the project with the aim of intensifying surveillance, monitoring potential criminal activities, and enhancing crime prevention through increased risk of detection.

Moreover, the establishment of a National ICT Services Landscape underscores Guyana’s commitment to infrastructural development, with a national broadband network facilitating internet access and services to various sectors, including education, healthcare, and remote communities.

In an effort to bridge the digital divide, Guyana has embarked on projects such as the ICT Access and E-Services for Hinterlands, Poor & Remote Communities Project, aimed at providing ICT access and electronic services to underserved areas.

Minister McCoy further outlined initiatives such as the implementation of an e-ID system, e-Ticketing System, National ICT Universal Literacy Programme, and a National ICT Up-Skilling Drive, highlighting inclusivity and empowerment.

The legislative framework enacted by Guyana reflects a proactive approach to digital governance, ensuring the necessary regulatory environment to support digital transformation initiatives.

The minister underlined the significance of legislative measures such as the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act and the Data Protection Act in safeguarding digital rights and fostering a conducive

ecosystem for innovation.

Highlighting the tangible impact of Guyana’s digital-transformation efforts, the minister revealed impressive statistics indicating substantial growth in internet penetration, mobile-cellular subscriptions, and fixed broadband subscriptions.

“Internet penetration has increased from 41.61 per cent in 2020 to 51.23 per cent in 2023; mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants increased from 86.99 per cent to 100.56 per cent; and fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants from 11.8 per cent to 17.93 per cent,” he stated

He explained that this remarkable progress achieved by Guyana has positioned the country as the world’s fastest-growing economy, with digital transformation serving as a catalyst for economic expansion and global competitiveness.

Minister McCoy affirmed the government’s commitment to intensifying digital transformation efforts, focusing on initiatives such as coding, telemedicine, smart classrooms, and electronic health records management.

He reiterated Guyana’s dedication to eliminating the digital gap and ensuring equitable access to ICT resources for all citizens.

“Our goal is the diffusion of ICT, so that it reaches every Guyanese in every community,” he said.

Informática 2024 is a significant event that encompasses a scientific convention and international fair focusing on information and communication technologies (ICT) in Cuba.

Informática 2024 aims to promote digital transformation and the development of ICT policies.

The event features various activities such as seminars, congresses, symposiums, and workshops, covering topics such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, e-commerce trends, digital economy and more.

With over 1,200 delegates, the convention includes nine roundtables, 38 panels, 80 keynote speeches, and over 350 presentations from countries such as Guyana, Cuba, Mexico, Russia, and Colombia.

The event opened on Monday and runs until Friday under the theme, “For a Digital Society.”

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister of Guyana, Kwame McCoy speaking during the panel discussion

Citizens will decide whether Guyana retains or abolishes death penalty

–– Minister Teixeira tells UN Human Rights Committee

By Feona Morrison

CITIZENS of Guyana are set to “wield their democratic power” to determine the future of the death penalty, as the government pursues constitutional reform, allowing the populace to express their views on the continuation or abolition of capital punishment.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira made this disclosure while fielding questions virtually during a review of Guyana’s latest report on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is done under the auspicies United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), during its 104th session, on Monday.

In response to questions concerning the death penalty, Teixeira said that the matter will need to be brought before Parliament again because neither the Guyana Constitution nor any statutes have removed the death sentence.

She said that the Constitution Reform Commission would lead Guyana’s constitutional-reform process this year and conduct consultations in all 10 administrative regions, including on the retention or abolition of the death penalty.

The minister said that

during a similar process conducted from 1999–2001, the general consensus was that the death sentence should continue to be legal, even though it is not being applied.

“There is no view in Guyana right now that we go back to executions of any kind and so it is an ad hoc or informal moratorium that we have maintained from 1997 to now. To further strengthen our argument, the government has put no heads of prison service, no heads of the Ministry of Home Affairs, put any investments of funds into developing any capacity to execute anyone,” Teixeira said.

Further, she related that there is no equipment nor

persons trained to execute anyone.

Even though Guyana has not carried out an execution since 1997, judges continue to impose the death penalty. According to Teixeira, the death sentences of criminals are being commuted by the courts. Prior to 2010, all murders carried a mandatory death sentence.

In 2010, Parliament amended the Criminal Law (Offences) Act to do away with this.

This means judges now have a discretion to impose jail terms, life imprisonment or the death sentence for murders resulting from

See page 11

Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira

Citizens will decide whether Guyana ...

specific circumstances.

For instance, the death penalty or life in prison may be imposed upon anyone found guilty of felony murder, killing a member of the Joint Services or Special Constabulary while they are performing their official duties, as well as killing members of the Judiciary and legal officers, witnesses, and jurors/past jurors.

Where a court-imposes life imprisonment, it shall specify the period being not less than 20 years which the convicted person must serve before becoming eligible for parole.

In the case of murder resulting from a person inflicting grievous bodily harm upon another person or through the use of violence, the offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment

for life or such other term the court considers appropriate, not being less than 15 years.

In 2022, attorneys contested Guyana’s death penalty for the first time in the Commonwealth Caribbean, claiming it is unconstitutional, excessive, arbitrary, and at odds with the

values of the rule of law. That case concerns three former Coast Guards from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Devon Gordon, Deon Greenidge, and Sherwyn Harte, who were found guilty in 2013 of robbing and killing Dweive Kant Ramdass. All three of them received the mandatory

charged on August 24, 2009, then requested in their appeal to the Court of Appeal, that the death sentence be struck down because it is unconstitutional.

death sentence.

The prosecution’s case was that the soldiers robbed Ramdass of $17 million at Caiman Hole in the Essequibo River before tossing him overboard.

The killing occurred between August 20 and August 22, 2009. The three men, who were initially

However, the court declined to do so and instead resentenced each of them to life in prison when it returned with its decision in December, 2022. While their death sentences were set aside, the appellate court had made it clear that their convictions for the capital offence were affirmed.

Once Harte has served 25 years, he will be eligible for parole. Conversely, Gordon and Greenidge will become eligible after 18 years. The trio’s application for special leave to appeal was dismissed by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) last year.

The use of the death penalty in Guyana’s sentencing regime, according to Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, S.C., who had been involved in this criminal appeal, is a manifestation of the will of the Guyanese people exercising their sovereignty.

“The death penalty is neither inconsistent with Guyana’s municipal law, nor [with] its international law obligations. The death penalty has been engrained in Guyana’s constitutional framework from time immemorial, and has been deliberately retained,” he had submitted.

Its continued existence in the face of many constitutional and legislative amendments, he had pointed out, is proof of this.

Shenzhen accelerates development of low-altitude economy

(People's Daily) After meals were packed, weighed, and mounted to drones, these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) took off under unified control, and arrived at office buildings across an overpass in just two minutes. They autonomously

delivered the meals and returned. The delivery drone fleet has become a spectacle in a commercial area in Longgang district, Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province.

"In this commercial area, the drones deliver over 300 orders

every day. During the lunchtime, they take off and land almost every minute," said Yan Yan, head of public affairs for drone operations at Meituan, a Chinese shopping platform for locally found consumer products and retail services.

According to Yan, Meituan has opened multiple drone routes in Shenzhen, delivering a total of over 200,000 orders to communities, office buildings, tourist attractions, hospitals, and universities. The platform has established a community drone-delivery model that is able to deliver orders to destinations within three kilometres in 15 minutes.

In fact, food delivery by drones is no longer a novelty in Shenzhen. From sightseeing to urban security, from medical assistance to emergency rescue, and from agricultural and forestry protection to power-line inspections, the low-altitude economy is finding more and more application scenarios in Shenzhen.

For instance, taking a helicopter ride operated by Heli-Eastern has become a convenient transportation option for citizens going from Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport to areas such as Guangming and Pingshan districts of Shenzhen; a "lifeline" for transporting blood products via drones from the Shenzhen Blood Centre to hospitals in Nanshan and Bao'an districts has been established; at the power transmission management office of Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau Co., Ltd., 5G-enabled drones have been employed regularly in high-voltage cable terminal inspection on transmission towers.

"Shenzhen has listed the low-altitude economy as one of the 20 key strategic emerging sectors for development. The city aims to drive the development of this new sector with technological innovation and by creating more application scenarios," said Zhao Ke, an of-

ficial of the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Transport.

According to Zhao, Shenzhen has opened 126 low-altitude air routes and established 89 unmanned aerial-vehicle takeoff and landing points. Last year, the city saw 600,000 flights of cargo drones and 20,000 flights of helicopters, Zhao said.

Yang Jincai, chairman of the Shenzhen UAV Industry Association, revealed that by 2023, Shenzhen reported low-altitude economy output of 96 billion yuan ($13.35 billion), and was home to over 1,700 companies engaged in the industry. The city has developed a complete industrial chain covering related R&D, design, manufacturing, operation and support.

Currently, Shenzhen holds a market share of over 70 per cent in the consumer drone sector globally, and more than 50 per cent in the industrial drone sector.

The rapid development of the low-altitude economy in Shenzhen is attributed to the city's strategic efforts to seize development opportunities and continuously improve relevant policy systems.

In 2017, Shenzhen became a comprehensive demonstration

zone for the general aviation industry. In 2019, measures were introduced to designate airspace for micro and light UAVs. On Feb. 1 of this year, regulations on the promotion of the low-altitude economy in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone officially came into effect, normalising the development of the low-altitude economy in terms of infrastructure, flight services, industrial applications, technological innovation and safety management.

Zhao said that the first phase of a project on promoting infrastructure for intelligent, low-altitude integration in Shenzhen is currently accelerating its pace. The project aims to preliminarily establish an infrastructural network, air-connectivity network, flight-route network, and service network to support the low-altitude economy.

Besides, innovative platforms such as a smart air-traffic operation laboratory are also being constructed. In the future, Shenzhen will gradually carry out UAV operations and integrated flight verification, as well as develop regulations, standards, and norms for low-altitude flights.

GPHC emphasises importance of medical social work

celebrates contributions of workers on occasion of World Social Work Day 2024

THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has joined the International Federation of Social Work in commemorating World Social Work Day 2024.

Held annually on the third Tuesday of March, this day celebrates the invaluable contributions of social workers worldwide, emphasising their role in promoting social justice, human rights, and transformative change.

This year, under the international theme “Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change,” GPHC shines a spotlight on its dedicated team of Medical Social Workers. Comprising sixteen professionals, these individuals play a vital role in addressing the social components of healthcare delivery within the institution.

Medical Social Work, a crucial sub-discipline of social work, focuses on the holistic well-being of patients and their families. At GPHC, our Medical Social Workers serve as advocates, providing psychosocial support, conducting intake assessments, offering supportive therapy, and facilitating discharge planning and ongoing care.

Leading the department is Mr. Clayton Newman, who oversees the coordinated efforts of the team, ensuring comprehensive support for patients and families.

Accompanying him are Ms. Melinda Sahadeo, Ms. Maranda

Lyte, Ms. Melissa Singh, Ms. Merissa Wilkie, Ms. Onesha Cain, Ms. Shellon Purlett, Ms. Shabina Sobers, Ms. LaSean Davis, Ms. Asheena WarnerSutton, Mr. Rodion McBean, Ms. Omefa Joseph, Ms. Roxanne Pedro, Ms. Audrey Schultz, Mr. Trevor Mcintosh, and Ms. Daceia Sullivan.

Additionally, Ms. Clair Alexander serves as the Staff Welfare Officer, extending support to the team of social workers.

“The responsibilities of our Medical Social Workers encompass a broad spectrum, including investigating and counselling patients and their families, addressing cases of abuse and neglect, coordinating patient discharge and continuity of care plans, and providing interventions for Hinterland patients,” GPHC said.

“Our Medical Social Workers are indispensable members of the GPHC family,” Mr. Robbie Rambarran, Chief Executive Officer of GPHC said, adding: “They play a vital role in ensuring that patients receive holistic care, addressing not just their medical needs but also their social, emotional, and economic well-being.”

“As we commemorate World Social Work Day 2024, GPHC expresses gratitude to its dedicated team of Medical Social Workers for their unwavering commitment to patient care and their invaluable contributions to the public,” GHPC said.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has joined the International Federation of Social Work in commemorating World Social Work Day 2024

China issues action plan to promote high-level opening up, attract foreign investment

(Xinhua) The General Office of the State Council has issued an

action plan to steadily promote high-level opening up and make

greater efforts to attract and utilise foreign investment.

The action plan emphasises that foreign investment is an important force in helping to achieve Chinese modernisation and promoting the common prosperity and development of the Chinese economy and the world economy.

To attract and utilise foreign investment more vigorously, we must fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, and create a market-oriented, law-based and internationalised firstclass business environment that will boost foreign investors' confidence in their ability to develop in China, the action plan states.

The action plan proposes 24 measures

across five aspects, including expanding market access, enhancing appeal to foreign investment, fostering a level playing field, facilitating the flow of innovation factors, as well as better aligning domestic rules with high-standard international economic and trade rules.

The country will shorten its negative list for foreign investment reasonably, and launch pilot programmes to relax foreign-entry thresholds in scientific and technological innovation, according to the document.

Efforts should also focus on expanding access of foreign financial institutions to the banking and insurance sectors, and expanding

the business scope of foreign financial institutions participating in domestic bond market, said the plan.

The country also vows to expand the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment and the list of key foreign-funded projects, aiming to provide enhanced policy support for attracting foreign investment, states the plan.

Measures will be taken to support data flow between foreign-funded enterprises and their headquarters, facilitate international business personnel exchanges, and improve the management of work and residence permits for foreign nationals.

Expert: 'Growth miracle' possible

(China Daily) China should be able to sustain an economic growth rate of about five per cent in the coming years by achieving a relatively high growth in total factor productivity (TFP), as the country accelerates efforts to foster new, quality productive forces via technological innovation alongside reform and opening-up, said a renowned economist.

Liu Qiao, dean of Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, said in an exclusive interview with China Daily that "China is an undeniable candidate to make a growth miracle," in contrast to some speculation that the country's economic development has peaked.

Liu said that such speculation stems from a pessimistic estimate of China's TFP growth. The TFP is a measure of productive efficiency, measuring how much output can be produced from a certain amount of aggregate inputs.

Historically, Liu said, it has been difficult for an economy to maintain a high TFP growth after it completes industrialisation. Even the United States, which boasts the world's largest investments in basic research, had a TFP growth of below one per cent over the past 40 years, which led to its longterm economic growth rate being only around 1.5 to 2 per cent.

However, there are fundamental differences between China and US economic growth models, Liu added, meaning that China — unlike the US — still has a huge industrial system and enjoys vast investment opportunities brought about by re-industrialisation, digital transformation and energy transition.

Official data show that China's manufacturing output accounts for around 27 per cent of its GDP, whereas in the US it stands at about 11 per cent.

Also, Liu said China's per capita GDP is around $12,000, which means there is huge development space left.

Therefore, Liu said China should be able to maintain an economic growth rate of around five per cent in the coming years if it can bring its annual TFP growth from the current level of about 1.8 per cent to a level of above two per cent by boosting technological innovation, deepening reform and opening up and developing new quality productive forces.

"This will help the country realise basic socialist modernisation by 2035."

In an earlier interview with China Daily, Steven Barnett, senior resident representative of the International Monetary Fund in China, also recommended that China should carry out more reforms to give the

market a more decisive role in order to lift long-term growth prospects.

Looking at this year, Liu expressed confidence that China will hit its annual economic growth target of about five per cent, anticipating that China's first-quarter growth rate may come in at around 4.5 per cent.

The National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday that China's economic recovery gained further momentum in the first two months of 2024 as industrial output, fixed-asset investment and export growth accelerated, though retail sales slowed.

While external demand improved with the better-than-expected foreign trade performance in the first two months, Liu highlighted the need to bolster domestic demand and boost investment confidence among private enterprises.

He emphasised the country's plan to issue 1 trillion yuan ($139 billion) in ultra-long-term special government bonds this year as a key fiscal move to bolster the economy, saying it is advisable to issue more such bonds this year and use proceeds raised in areas such as fundamental research and subsidies to low-income groups.

Liu also cautioned that China still faces a big problem with real estate that will take time to resolve, necessitating the monitoring of

key indicators. If such indicators as new housing starts, property sales and housing prices do not substantially improve year-on-year in the first half, more resolute

support through macroeconomic and industrial policies, including those to facilitate debt restructuring, would be warranted.

NBS data showed that

China's January-February property development investment dropped nine per cent year-on-year, compared with a 9.6 per cent drop in 2023.

Preparatory works commence for stateof-the-art hospital at New Amsterdam

PREPARATORY

works have commenced for the stateof-the-art US$161 million hospital that is being built in New Amsterdam in Region Six.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Region-

al Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six said: “This will be a crucial step towards establishing a Level Five facility which will not only be a standalone structure, but also operate on a hub and spoke mechanism, facilitating

telemedicine connections with health centres and other medical institutions across the country.”

The contract for the hospital was signed in July 2023 between the Ministry of Health and VAMED Engineering,

an Austria-based company.

When completed, the New Amsterdam fa-

cility will have approximately 220 beds with five operating theatres, along with a cardiac

suite and a section for training to be conducted on site for healthcare

Continued on page 17

Preparatory works...

From page 16

professionals.

Additionally, the new facility will have approximately 120 beds

for psychiatric patients as the current facilities that exist in New Amsterdam will then be closed.

The hospital will have advanced digital X-ray and CT scan machines. It will be

Continued on page 18

From page 17

the second public facility to house an MRI machine and will even be equipped for transplants.

According to the RDC, VAMED Engineering is committed to delivering quality healthcare infrastructure to the region. With such advanced facilities and technology, the region said it will revolutionise healthcare in Region Six and beyond.

Committed to its promise to build a world-class healthcare system in Guyana, the government is moving ahead with the construction of seven new hospitals that will deliver quality health services to Guyanese in all regions.

Besides Region Six, the new facilities will be built at Anna Regina, Region Two; De Kinderen, Region Three; Diamond and Enmore, Region Four; Bath, Region Five, and Skeldon, Region Six. Each of the new regional hospitals will be 65,000 square feet.

Over the next few years, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, the government wants to train and attract a significant number of healthcare professionals to provide not just health care, but the best, world-class medical services to the people of Guyana.

Moreover, the government has presented a host of proposals for the health system, amounting to tens of billions of dollars that will modernise Guyana’s healthcare system.

The government, since 2020, has moved to continuously upgrade primary care access at more than 240 facilities across the country, including health centres, local area hospitals, and health posts. According to the government, the health sector will continue to see massive infrastructural and human resource development in all regions as Guyana continues its upward trajectory.

Guyana affirms commitment to upholding equality, democracy at UNCHR session

GUYANA, on Monday, presented its report to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) under the auspices of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) at its 140th Session, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The country was represented by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, who addressed the Commission virtually.

In her initial presentation, the minister said that since the submission of its 2021 Human Rights Report, Guyana has successfully established a strong working mechanism for following up on these obligations.

“Its transformation is notable and being commented on internationally,” she noted.

According to the minister, ensuring every Guyanese benefits is the cornerstone of the government’s development plan. This commitment, she added, is backed by a robust set of innovative programs and policies.

“The government continues to prioritise investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and housing, laying the groundwork for sustained development and prosperity,” Minister Teixeira affirmed.

For example, she highlighted that the government has increased the budgetary allocation for the education sector from $52 billion in 2019 to $135 billion in 2024, representing a 116 per cent increase.

Meanwhile, responding to questions concerning the death penalty in Guyana, the minister said that the constitutional reform process, which is expected to begin this year, seeks to address any discrepancies through a comprehensive and transparent public consultation strategy.

“This issue is linked to constitutional reform, and therefore, we will have to await that process, which will be determined by the Guyanese people in their views,” the minister explained.

She pointed out that a similar process was conducted between 1991 and 2001, and at that time, the popular view was to retain the death penalty.

“However, we have not executed anyone from 1997, and the courts have generally and primarily been issuing sentences for life imprisonment…so, it is an ad hoc or informal moratorium that we have maintained from 1997 to now,” she stated. (DPI)

Labour Ministry investigating workplace fatality at Pritipaul Singh Investments

THE Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Department is currently investigating an industrial accident that occurred on March 13, 2024, at Pritipaul Singh Investments, located at Wharf Area, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

According to the Labour Ministry, the investigation revealed that on the day of the accident, Ravichandra Seemangal, a mechanic, was riding his bicycle while at the same time, a telehoist operator was reversing the vehicle.

The telehoist collided with the bicycle and Seemangal sustained injuries to his abdomen, feet, and hands.

He succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at Woodlands Hospital on March 16, 2024.

This industrial accident is currently being investigated by Senior Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Darwin Bourne, and Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Ray Hosannah.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, expressed concern about the occurrence of workplace accidents, especially when workers are fatally injured.

He recognised the suffering experienced by the relatives and loved ones of those who have passed away and, as such, extended sincere condolences to those affected, including their families, colleagues, and friends.

Police investigating suspected murder of logger at Hururu Mission

POLICE are investigating the alleged murder of Marcus Adrian, a 36-year-old logger, of Hururu Mission, Upper Berbice River.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 12:30 hours at 7 Mile, Hururu Mission, on Monday.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported that investigations revealed Adrian and the suspect, a 28-year-old tractor operator of Hururu Mission, were well-known to each other since they were friends and used to cut logs together.

Investigations also indicate that the men were consuming high wine, Guinness and Turbo and were allegedly intoxicated.

“They had a misunderstanding, and the suspect threw Adrian to the ground and [reportedly] dealt him several chops to his neck and face. Adrian reportedly got up and ran, but he collapsed at the centre of the trail,” the police said.

The suspect was apprehended by the Toshao and handed over to the police. The body, which was found lying on the Hururu Trail in a pool of blood, was escorted to the Linden Hospital Complex. The scene was processed and photographed.

The suspect remains in police custody.

Rice industry to yield greater results with continued use of technology

GUYANA’S agriculture sector is at the forefront of technological advancement, with drones and data leading the charge towards a more efficient, sustainable, and productive future for rice farming.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has partnered with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to implement a pilot project aimed at enhancing rice production through the use of innovative technology.

The programme was launched last year with technical and financial support from FAO- China South-South Cooperation project and a Regional E-Agriculture project.

Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Qu Dongyu, on Tuesday visited the Burma Rice Research Station, Mahaicony, where he was briefed on the progress of the initiative.

The initiative provides support to small farmers using drone and geographic information system (GIS) technologies, which help to monitor rice cultivation areas and provide farmers with information to make data-driven decisions for crop management.

These farmers are receiving this instruction through the GRDB’s Farmers Field School (FFS) Programme, with a focus on those in regions two, three, and six.

Representatives from the GRDB and the Ministry of Agriculture reported that the project was moving ahead swiftly. To date, 205 farmers have been engaged.

One farmer, Joshua Tyndall, expressed that the technology provides him with a clearer understanding of any issues present in his rice fields.

“The drones fly

around the fields, and they would show you whatever problem the rice has, and what you have to apply to help it. It shows you three spots: the red, the yellow and the green. The red means danger, and this tells you if you have to apply fertiliser or spray, it will show you that,” Tyndall told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The farmer added that the technology also provides data to support land preparation.

‘You could be at home, send your drone into the fields to see what’s going on, so it helps you a lot,” he emphasised.

Another farmer, Balram Rampersaud, explained that integrating drones and GIS techniques into their operations brings a sense of relief.

“You don’t have to do as much manual labour, and you have machines so it’s easier to control the crop,” Rampersaud said.

Meanwhile, GRDB Extension Officer and Drone Pilot Trainee, Winfield Washington, also lauded the programme, noting that it aligns with Guyana’s technological transformation.

“It can give us real-time data; it can also benefit the farmer tremendously because it’s better for us to advise the farmer.

It also helps with surveillance…it is tremendous for us in GRDB and the farmers in terms of the way forward, and this is the direction the country is going in,” he stated.

With the success of this pilot programme, Guyana is poised to revolutionise rice farming through the power of technology.

Guyana’s agricultural sector is at the forefront of technological advancement, with drones and data leading the charge towards a more efficient, sustainable, and productive future for rice farming

Easy accessibility to housing continues as four residents receive core homes

THE government’s commitment to ensuring Guyanese have access to affordable housing was evident once again as four low-income families of Sophia and Cummings Lodge, received the keys to their new homes.

The homes were constructed under the government’s Core Homes Initiative executed under the Ministry of Housing and Water- Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AH&UAP).

The Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues officially handed over the homes to the recipients who were elated to benefit from such an impactful initiative.

Gena Barker, a widow,

stated that the new home would improve her living conditions following her husband’s passing. She shared that after his death, she lacked the means to afford a new home. However, the AH&UAP has enabled her

to do so.

Previously, the woman resided in an old wooden structure on the land where the house was built.

“I’ve been here throughout the entire process. So, now I am here and I am very thankful,” the exciting Barker told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Dorette La Rose of Section ‘C’ Turkeyen, Sophia, will no longer have to reside in a leaning house surrounded by a swamp. Her new house has been constructed closer to the front of the yard compared to her old one.

She said, “I feel comfortable now and I am happy in my new home. I am so thankful because, with the struggle that I encountered while living in Sophia for the past 20 years, that has been lessened.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Candacy Pitt who occupied the house with her three children. The single mother said that the new home will allow her to provide a safe and comfortable environment for her children.

Meanwhile, Walter April of Cummings Lodge expressed immense gratitude to the ministry for providing easier access to homeowner-

ship opportunities.

“I am happy and proud that I can finally live in a nice house like this. The government has opened a way for me to acquire this home and I am so thankful, and grateful for it,” April said, noting that these homeowners were also presented with their electrical and termite treatment certificates.

The 5.8 billion AH&UAP targets low-income persons from specific areas in Regions Three and Four. Beneficiaries are only required to contribute $100,000 towards the construction of their homes.

Minister Rodrigues noted that the programme has been positively impacting the lives of citizens.

“Over the last few years, we have been ensuring that we construct core homes across three areas, East Bank, East Coast which includes Sophia and Cummings Lodge and in Region Three,” Minister Rodrigues said.

She noted that for the Sophia area, there are 80 beneficiaries for the core home.

Already, 38 have been handed over. Very soon the CH&PA will be going out for tender to construct the remaining homes.

The government’s commitment to ensuring Guyanese have access to affordable housing was evident once again as four low-income families of Sophia and Cummings Lodge, received the keys to their new homes

Gov’t remains committed to fostering open communication channel with public

–– Prime Minister Phillips affirms; credits NCN for ‘excellent’ work over the past two decades

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has underscored the pivotal role of the National Communications Network (NCN) in disseminating public information and promoting government transparency, as he addressed the network’s inaugural Production Awards Ceremony, which was held in commemoration of NCN’s 20th Anniversary.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Phillips commended NCN’s staff for their commitment to excellence in journalism.

“Through the work that NCN has produced over the last two decades, we have been privileged to witness the transformation of our media landscape through good storytelling and impactful messaging in your work,” the Prime Minister said.

He said that the government is committed to fostering open communication channels with the public and promoting transparency, noting the

role of technology in facilitating information exchange and openness.

According to Prime Minister Phillips, the government views technology as an instrument for improving transparency, making information easily accessible, and cultivating a culture of engagement and mutual responsibility.

He acknowledged that this vision would only be accomplished with the diligent efforts of the state media personnel.

Prime Minister Phillips praised NCN’s efforts in upholding high standards of journalism, storytelling, and programming.

“The growth and evolution of NCN have been remarkable, with your programming catering to our people’s diverse needs and interests.”

He also commended NCN’s management team for recognising and rewarding the outstanding contributions of staff members, citing the importance of investing in employee growth and development.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips underscored the pivotal role of the National Communications Network (NCN) in disseminating public information and promoting government transparency as he addressed the network’s inaugural Production Awards Ceremony, which was held in commemoration of NCN’s 20th Anniversary

FAO supporting efforts to advance regional food security, build resilience –– Director General says

DIRECTOR General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Qu Dongyu underscored the FAO’s commitment to collaborating closely with the Latin America and the Caribbean region to strengthen its agricultural priorities and enhance resilience in the face of the climate crisis.

Speaking at the inauguration of FAO’s 38th regional conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC38) on Monday, Dongyu disclosed that the FAO has prioritised resilience-building efforts among vulnerable populations.

Despite being significant food exporters, Dongyu acknowledged that Latin America and the Caribbean, like many other regions, confront numerous challenges, including economic slowdowns, persistently high food prices, and susceptibility to the impacts of climate change.

These challenges, as outlined by the Director General, continue to present significant obstacles to local food security and nutrition.

“Our approach encompasses the comprehensive strategies aimed at advancing inclusive development and sustainable management by integrating traditional knowledge with cutting edge, scientific innovation to address these complex issues,” Dongyu emphasised.

He further mentioned that the FAO is collaborating with 14 countries in the region through the FAO’s hand-in-hand initiative, implementing various programmes and developing investment plans.

Additionally, the organisation has assisted in promoting agricultural products in 14 countries in the region to enhance food security, support sustainable development, and improve the competitiveness of these products.

“The reaffirmation and the strengthening of our partnership in the region on the global level underscore the fruitful collaboration we have tirelessly worked to achieve,” Dongyu affirmed.

The regional conference provides a platform for fostering various discussions aimed at achieving proactive outcomes.

The Director General said: “I firmly believe that this regional conference serves as an important platform among member states to share ideas, share the knowledge on innovative solutions and best practices…”

The FAO 38th Regional Conference is being held in Guyana from March 18 to 21. It is an official forum where the member states of the region are meeting to discuss challenges and priority issues related to food and agriculture to promote regional coherence on global policy issues.

Key among the attendees at the regional conference include government officials from FAO’s 33 member Nations – heads of state, Ministers of Agriculture and other sectors, organisations and specialised agencies of the United Nations system, intergovernmental, civil society, and private sector organisations, academia and research institutions, observers and non-member countries. (DPI)

Guyana hosting crucial CDB meetings

THE Government of Guyana is hosting the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) 305 th Meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) in conjunction with its Preparatory Meeting of the Contributors to the Special Development Fund (SDF), 11th cycle, ongoing from March 1721, 2024, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

The delegations visiting Guyana include the Board of Directors of the CDB, and several highlevel representatives from the CDB’s member countries and global institutions.

The SDF 11 Contributors meeting will allow for the bank to actively mobilise financing to continue its SDF, which is an integral element of the bank’s poverty-reduction and sustainable- development efforts.

The SDF is the largest pool of concessionary funds from the CDB and remains crucial in addressing poverty and humandevelopment challenges throughout the Caribbean Region.

Key sectors which have benefitted from SDF investment and interventions include education, climate change, capacity building in government and national institutions, poverty reduction, water security, economic infrastructure, and connectivity. The Contributors meeting will be followed by a day of site visits to SDF-funded projects in Guyana. It will also be preceded by the March meetings of the BoD.

Guyana is notably one of the founding members of the CDB, having joined in 1970 and the bank has been a leading partner in the country’s development over the past half century.

CDB funding in Guyana has been used for social and economic infrastructure, including schools, water systems and climate-resilient roads.

Guyana’s Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh had previously highlighted the excellent working relationship between the Government of Guyana and

the CDB, and the bank’s valuable support provided over the years.

Major CDB project approvals in Guyana include US$190 million for upgrading 121 kilometres of roadway from Linden to Mabura Hill -- the largestever project in the bank’s history. The development of this all-weather road will bolster trade and commerce to unlock the vast opportunities in linking Guyana with Brazil.

The improved road network will also support ease of travel, the transport of goods and the provision of services between hinterland communities and Georgetown.

In addition, the CDB is also supporting Guyana in the vast potential of the tourism and hospitality industry with the construction of a US$11.6 million Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute.

This facility is intended to facilitate the training of persons to equip them with the necessary skills and qualifications to supply some of the services required in the country’s tourism and hospitality sector.

In 2023, US$76.2 million was approved for the Guyana Water Supply Improvement project to allow for major upgrades to the water-supply systems serving five coastal communities.

The infrastructural development initiative involves the construction of five water-treatment plants, complete with storage tanks, and the installation of transmission mains and water meters. Nearly 15,000 households in these communities will benefit from the interventions.

The CDB is a regional financial institution, which was established by an agreement signed on October 18, 1969 and entered into force on January 26, 1970, with the purpose of contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of member countries in the Caribbean, and promoting economic cooperation and integration among them. (Ministry of Finance)

The Government of Guyana is hosting the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) 305th Meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) in conjunction with its Preparatory Meeting of the Contributors to the Special Development Fund (SDF) 11th cycle, from March 17-21, 2024, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel

Security guard allegedly murdered by sister’s reputed partner

POLICE are investigating an alleged murder of Ashanti Liverpool, a 24-year-old security officer at Dazzel Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD) around 01:00 hrs on Tuesday.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the suspect, a 31-year-old security officer of Haslington, ECD, shared a common-law relationship with the victim’s sister.

Enquiries revealed that, around 00:20 hrs on Tuesday, the suspect went to the Hong Kong Chinese Supermarket located at Good Hope, ECD, where he met a 23-year-old security officer (co-worker), who at the time, was armed with one AR-15 Rifle and eight live rounds of ammunition.

Police said the suspect told the security officer that the supervisor sent him to collect the rifle.

“The security officer mentioned that he made several calls to his supervisor via cellphone, which went unanswered. The suspect collected the firearm with ammunition and went away,”

GPF said.

The police further said the suspect had earlier gone to the girlfriend’s home and saw her sitting inside a car parked in front of her house.

“As such, he left, went to Good Hope and returned about 30 minutes later armed with the AR-15 Rifle, where he entered the house and met Ashanti, who was at home in bed,” police said.

He asked about her sister’s whereabouts, who had left the house a short while before he (the suspect) arrived.

As a result, Ashanti ran outside, where she made her way out of the yard and started heading east along the access road when the suspect opened fire at her with the rifle.

Ashanti continued running and collapsed in a nearby yard. The suspect then went onto his motorcycle and left the scene, Police said.

“The suspect proceeded to Hong Xing Supermarket at Industry Railway Embankment, ECD, where he met with another colleague, a 29-year-old security officer, who at the time was armed

Dead: Ashanti Liverpool

with one AR-15 Rifle with six live matching rounds of ammunition,” the police reported.

The suspect told his colleague that he needed his help in clearing the rifle which he had in his possession because one round was stuck in the firearm.

The colleague collected the rifle from the suspect and attempted to clear it outside the Supermarket, leaving his firearm inside the supermarket where the suspect was.

While doing this, the colleague heard a loud explosion from inside the supermarket, and after checking, he noticed the suspect on the ground. He went to his aid, where he saw what appeared

to be blood coming from the left side of his chest and the firearm beside him.

A patrol from the Sparendaam Police Station was summoned, and the suspect

was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. On his arrival, he was admitted, nursing a single gunshot wound to the

chest. His condition is considered critical. He is presently under guard at the hospital as investigations continue.

Barbados registers first win of Women’s T20 Blaze 2024

(CMC) - TITLE-holders Barbados bounced back from their shock opening round loss to Leeward Islands to post their first win of the Women’s T20 Blaze, with a 19-run verdict over Windward Islands at Warner Park here Tuesday.

After opener Trishan Holder slammed an unbeaten 68 off 54 deliveries to get them up to 123 for five from their 20 overs, Barbados then restricted the Windwards to 104 for eight off their 20 overs, off-spinner Erin Deane (2-12) and seamer Aaliyah Alleyne (2-17) grabbing two wickets apiece in outstanding spells.

West Indies leg-spinner Afy Fletcher top-scored with 28 from 32 deliveries but was the only Windwards batsman to pass 20.

Choosing to bat first, Barbados slipped to 32 for two at the start of the ninth

Opener Trishan Holder top-scored with an unbeaten 68

over before Holder and Alleyne rallied the innings in a 54-run third wicket partnership.

While Holder struck eight fours and a six in an entertaining knock, Alleyne supported with three fours in a 27-ball inning before swinging across a full length delivery from Fletcher and getting her stumps rattled in the 16th over.

On 41 at the time, Holder then took responsibility for the back end of Barbados’ innings as wickets tumbled around her.

In reply, Windwards were stumbling at 29 for two in the sixth over when speedster Allison Gordon bowled opener Namiah Marcellin for 19.

Fletcher tried to revive the run chase in a 23-run, third wicket stand with excit-

(1) NZ vs AUST, Auckland, 2005

(2) Stephen Fleming & Ricky Ponting Today’s Quiz:

ing all-rounder Zaida James but the 19-year-old West Indies star managed only five before being drawn from her crease by a flighted delivery from Deane, and was stumped in the 11th.

The turning point came when Fletcher missed a heave at Alleyne and had her stumps shattered in the 14th over as Barbados closed out strongly.

(1) Where and when did the WI contest a T20 International for the first time?

(2) Who were the captains involved? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Gayle launches ‘Out of This World’ T20 World Cup Trophy Tour

THE ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy Tour has been launched at New York’s Empire State Building, with twotime champion Chris Gayle and USA star Ali Khan lighting up the iconic skyscraper as fans count down to the biggest global T20 cricket event ever.

An official ceremony to launch the Trophy Tour was held at the Empire State Building, where the "Universe Boss" himself Chris Gayle had the honour of pulling the lever down to light up New York’s most iconic building in the navy and magenta colours of the event. Sitting atop the 381-metre skyscraper was the prize all 20 teams will be competing for across the West Indies and USA from 1-29 June, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy.

Following huge demand of more than 3 million ticket applications in the public ballot, additional tickets have been released to 51 of 55 matches, including fixtures where allocations were previously exhausted.

In the West Indies, tickets are now available to matches at all six host locations, including Group Stage, Super 8 and semi-fi-

nal matches, ensuring as many fans as possible can attend. Fans can create an account and purchase tickets now at tickets.t20worldcup.com.This is the fastest and easiest way for fans to get the tickets they want. All online transactions at tickets.t20worldcup.com are secure. Also available now are a range of premium hospitality offerings inclusive of food and beverage packages for all fixtures at Nassau County International Sta-

dium in New York and to all matches at West Indies venues at tickets.t20worldcup.com.

The event marks the first time an ICC World Cup will be held in the USA, including eight matches at the brand new, state-of-the-art modular 34,000 capacity stadium in Nassau County, New York. Newly renovated existing venues Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill will each

host four fixtures.

Co-hosts West Indies have a rich history in T20 cricket, having won the T20 World Cup twice, with popular Caribbean tourist destinations, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago all hosting matches.

The ‘Out of this World’ Trophy Tour will reach 15 countries across four continents as it visits iconic sporting teams and stadia,

famous landmarks, and legendary cricketers, while also giving fans the chance to get a glimpse of T20 cricket’s biggest global prize. In addition to visiting all host venues across the West Indies and USA, the Trophy will also visit emerging Americas cricket countries Argentina, Brazil, and Canada - enabling new fans to connect with what will be a landmark event in the region. Fans can follow the Trophy Tour from wherever they are via ICC’s social channels and t20worldcup.com.

ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications, Claire Furlong said: “With less than three months to go until the first ball of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, there is huge anticipation for what will be a historic event for cricket in the Americas.

“As we count down to the World Cup, the Trophy Tour provides fans with the opportunity to be part of the event in locations across the globe. The Tour will travel extensively across the Americas, igniting the passion of both new and existing fans to share in the excitement of T20 cricket's pinnacle global event coming to the region and what better way to

kick it off than by lighting up one of the world’s most iconic buildings in one of the world’s most iconic cities.

“Cricket has more than a billion fans and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to get up close with the trophy that will be lifted by the winning captain in Barbados on 29 June.”

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Tournament Director Fawwaz Baksh said: “The start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy tour is an emphatic signal to fans worldwide that the World Cup is coming. Throughout its Caribbean leg of the tour, fans can look forward to a plethora of engaging activities, including meet-and-greets with Cricket stars and legends, Caribbean infused cultural entertainment, and the opportunity to see and take pictures of the trophy in person at some of the region’s most iconic locations.

“In addition to fan-facing engagements, the trophy tour will also serve as a platform to leverage the continued growth of Cricket globally and to drive positive change and leave a lasting impact on communities.”

GTTA novice championship…. Chetram, Beaton come out on top

ANEESA Chetram and Delon Beaton emerged as the novice champions in the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) National Novice, Master’s Over 50 and Handicap Open Table Tennis championship.

Sunday’s tournament also saw Malachi Moore clinching the handicap open title and Xenophon Goliah snagging the masters cat-

egory. In the novice girl’s category featuring players out of the association’s nursery, Annandale Secondary’s Aneesa Chetram was victorious over Chrisleyann Richards for the title.

Chetram’s win came via a 2-0 margin with Ashanti Paul of Plaisance Secondary finishing third after overcoming Chelsea Benjamin.

Meanwhile, Beaton was the top boy’s novice player out of the 10 racquet wheelers competing in the male division.

In the final, when he faced off against Hervin D’Agular, he claimed the first two sets 11-9 and 11-9 before surrendering 4-11 in the third.

Beaton came back to win the fourth 11-7 to close out the match-up.

Joint third place went to Alexander Zhang and Ravindra Rikee. The tournament also saw heated action in the Handicap Open final as Malachi Moore with a handicap -4 tackled Kristian Sahadeo with a handicap -5. Moore came out the blocks strong to win the opening set 11-9 before losing the second set 5-11. Moore then claimed the

third set 14-12 but Sahadeo evened things up again with an 8-11 finish in the fourth set.

Moore would prove he wanted it more to finish well, winning the final set 13-11 for a 3-2 result.

The Master over 50 saw the emergence of Xenophon Goliah who had to battle it out in a round robin final with Remy Taitt, Marlon Washington, Bruce Murray

and Roger MeLenon.

Goliah came out on top after four wins for the master’s crown.

He defeated Remy Taitt 3-0, Marlon Washington 3-0, Bruce Murray 3-2 and Roger MeLenon 3-0.

Remy Taitt grabbed second place after win over defeated Washington 3-0, Murray 3-0, and McLenon 3-2.

Chris Gayle opened the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Trophy tour

GPF beat Potaro Strikers

THE Guyana Police Force FC claimed their first win of Round Two in the Women’s League Division

One on Sunday, overpowering Potaro Strikers FC with a 9-0 victory at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Tiandi Smith dazzled

on the field on March 17, notching four goals in the 30th, 53rd, 89th, and a stunning 90+6 minute strike.

Her teammate Shante Greene demonstrated her skill by securing a brace with goals in the 74th and 76th minutes.

Lakeisha Williams, Akeelah Vancooten and Ja-

macia Hunt joined the scoring spree, each finding the net in the 39th, 55th, and 77th minutes, respectively.

The visiting team's scoring attempts were halted by the relentless offensive prowess of the Guyana Police Force.

Since the start of Round Two on March 14, just two teams, the Guyana Defence

Force and the Guyana Police Force, have collectively scored an impressive total of 37 goals in their respective matches.

On the opening night, the Guyana Defence Force FC dominated Pakuri Jaguars FC with a remarkable 28-0 victory, securing the top spot on the table in the early stages of the compe-

tition.

Completing the roster of competing teams are Fruta Conquerors FC and Santos FC.

The Women’s League Division has a diverse range of players, including past champions, national players and aspiring talents.

It serves as a platform for players to exhibit their

abilities, vie for selection in national team programmes, pursue scholarships, and even secure contracts with clubs beyond the borders of Guyana.

March 24 Match: Pakuri Jaguars FC takes on Fruta Conquerors FC at St Cuthbert's Mission at 3 p.m.

‘Santa Rosa Sharp Shooters’ join Archery Guyana

SANTA Rosa

‘Sharp

Shooters’ are the newest club affiliated to Archery Guyana.

Recently affiliated to the governing body, “Archery Guyana”, the club sets its sights on promoting the sport of archery in the region under the adept guidance of Archery Guyana's certified Level 1 coach, Carlos Henry.

Led by a dedicated team, the affiliated Club's executive board comprises individuals deeply committed to fostering a thriving archery culture within Santa Rosa.

Mr. Carlos Henry assumes the pivotal role of Chairperson, bringing his expertise and passion for the sport to the forefront.

Joining him is Stafon Wilson as Vice Chair, Amanda Daniels as Secretary, Wes-

ley Fredericks as Treasurer, Mathew Adrian as Publicity Officer, Caela Rodrigues and Jannel Da Silva as Record Officers, and Stephan

Bacchus as Equipment Officer.

President of Archery Guyana, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon expressed

great delight in the new affiliate club and noted that "With the formation of the Santa Rosa Sharp Shooters, there is now a structured

avenue platform for enthusiasts of all skill levels to engage in the exhilarating sport of archery." She went on to commend Car-

los Henry, Chairperson of the club stating that "Under the mentorship of National Archery Coach Henry, I am confident Santa Rosa Sharp Shooters Club will be committed to nurturing talent, fostering camaraderie, and promoting sportsmanship within the community."

The “Santa Rosa Sharp Shooters” look forward to welcoming members of all ages and backgrounds to join them in their journey towards excellence in archery. As they embark on this exciting endeavour, the club remains dedicated to upholding the principles of inclusivity, integrity, and respect and to work together with the National Federation, Archery Guyana to continue to promote the sport throughout our beloved country.

Springer, Hinckson & Cornette in top form for CARFITA games

TIANNA Springer, Athaleyha Hinckson and Jaheel Cornette put in good performances in the country’s build up to the CARFITA track and field champions later this month.

The athletes hit the national Track and Field Centre over the weekend in the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) organised ‘CARFITA selectee vs the rest’ track and field meet.

Springer was one of the top acts on show as she cruised to victories in the women 200m and 400m finals.

After topping her women 200m heat in a time of 24.04 seconds ahead of Nalicia

Glen she went on to improve her time in the final.

She was lined up alongside a strong field including CARFITA qualifiers Athaleyha Hinckson and Nerissa McPherson who also topped their respective heats.

In the finals after taking the first turn well, she would make some powerful stride to pull away from the field to win in 23.85 seconds ahead of Hinckson 23.93 and McPherson 24.54 as she continued her prep for games.

Nalicia Glen who is also on the CARIFTA team was fourth in 24.54.

While in the women 400m final Springer again had to contend with McPher-

son but she destroyed the field in the last 100 metres for a comfortable victory in 56.54 seconds.

McPherson was second in 57.70 second with Marissa Thomas third in 1 minute 1.30 seconds.

The women’s 100 metres saw Hinckson coming to the fore to win in 11.51 seconds with her CARFITA teammate Nalicia Glen second in 12.01 seconds.

The men 800 finals saw Kaidon Persaud, the best Carifta team finisher in third place in a time of 1 minute 56.60 seconds with his teammate Jamol Sullivan fourth in 1 minute 58.96 seconds.

GDF’s Simeon Adams

won it in 1 minute 55.02 seconds with Kosi Thomas second in 1 minute 56.56.

Police’s Noelex Holder also beat off the challenge of CARFITA selected Jaheel Cornette in the men 200 finals with a run of 21.06 seconds.

Cornette was second in 21.70 seconds with Police Sport Club Shimar Velloza third in 22.13 seconds.

Cornette who will compete in the 200 at the CARFITA games won his heat earlier in the day in 22.15.

The men’s 100 metres saw a highest finish of 3rd for Jaheel Cornette who was pipped by police’s Holder and GDF’s Akeem Stewart

to the line.

Cornette looked in good touch to finish in a solid 10.44 seconds but would not take the 100 metre final win, as Holder crossed the line in 10.14 seconds with Stewart a way off in 10.43 seconds just ahead of Cornette.

The other CARFITA athlete in the race, Skylar Charles was 7th in 10.96 seconds

The Men’s 400m Final saw the dominance of the seniors, as Nicholas Daw came out on top in 49.83 seconds with Quancy Reynolds of GDF second in 50.09 seconds followed by Police Dhneilson Gill in 50.40 second for third place

CARFITA athlete Kaidon Persaud was the best finisher for the youngster in 53.23 seconds for fifth.

The country 23-member CARFITA team will be back in action again this weekend in their second preparation camp under the guidance of 2024 CARFITA coaches Moses Pantlitz and Trishel Thompson as well as a cadre of local coaches.

The CARFITA track and field championship is set to take place at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium from March 30th to April 1st in Granada.

The team is set to depart for the games next week.

National Archery Coach Mr. Carlos Henry in middle, flanked by members of the Executive Committee of the newly formed ‘Santa Rosa Sharp Shooters’ Archery Club

PACE and Power emerged as the champion gym, while Keyon Britton of Vergenoegen copped the best boxer accolade when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) staged its monthly schoolboy championship at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis facility in Albouystown.

Pace and Power won a total of seven bouts, three of which were against fighters from rival gyms. They suffered two defeats to rival Vergenoegen, who finished in the runner-up position in the champion gym standings.

Pace and Power’s performance led to trainer Clifton Barker being

awarded the best coach.

Meanwhile, Britton secured the top individual prize, defeating Yusuf Edwards (Pace and Power) in the 46-48KG division via a referee stop contest in round 3. Also, Jermaine Craig was awarded the best referee/judge accolade.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle said, “The success of this initiative adds another important layer to our boxing philosophy. Our youth programme or nursery has always been the bedrock or foundation of our prolonged success in the region, and concepts such as this are directly linked to that competitive prosperity. The GBA

understands that constant evolution is a fundamental element of the time, and the introduction of new gyms and the unearthing of new talents, which was the initial inspiration and objective of the programme, have proven to be the best example of how to improve the sport’s overall quality.”

Meanwhile, Terrence Poole, Technical Director of the GBA, who administers the initiative, said, “The programme is important, and so far, we are making a lot of progress and seeing and discovering talents. We have some new gyms and new fighters, and that is what this pro-

gramme is all about, which is expanding the sport.”

List of results

22-24KG

Ezekiel Barratt (Pace and Power) vs. Komani Bacchus (Pace and Power)

Barratt won via abandonment in round 2.

25-27KG

Junior Madray (Pace and Power) vs. Aaron Filleen (Vergenoegen)

Madray won via decision.

30-32KG

Akeem Quintin (Pace and Power) vs. Ezekiel Witwright (Vergenoegen) Quintin won via decision.

35-37KG

Dreshawn Willery (Pace and Power) vs. Nicholas Ashby (Pace and Power)

Willery won via decision.

35-37KG

Isaiah Ashby (Pace and Power) vs. Rayon France (Vergenoegen)

Ashby won via walkover.

46-48KG

Keyon Britton (Vergenoegen) vs. Yusuf Edwards (Pace and Power)

Edwards won via a referee-stop contest in round 3.

47-49KG

Akeem Johnson (Vergenoegen) vs. Lennox Lawrence (Pace and Power)

Johnson won via abandonment in round 1.

53-55KG

Isaiah Ruiz (Pace and Power) vs. Jaheim Ashby (Pace and Power)

Ruiz won via a referee-stop contest in round 3.

57-59 KG

Ken Harvey (Pace and Power) vs. Khumda Alexander (Pace and Power) Harvey won via decision.

68-71KG

Shemroy Wintz (New Amsterdam Boxing Academy) vs. Jofes Jackson (New Amsterdam Boxing Academy)

Wintz won via a referee-stop contest in round 3.

80-82KG

Daniel Denard (Bailey Boxing Gym) vs. Shane Caesar (New Amsterdam Boxing Academy) Denard won via decision.

Hackett Showcases Exceptional Talent in LGC Tournament

THE Lusignan Golf Club proudly hosted an exhilarating club tournament over the weekend, highlighting the remarkable skill and sportsmanship of its members. With a day filled with excitement and friendly competition, participants showcased their prowess on the greens, captivating spectators with their precision and technique.

In a fiercely contested battle for the top spot, Brian Hackett emerged victorious, demonstrating exceptional skill and strategic play throughout the tournament. Hackett's outstanding performance earned him the covet-

ed first-place title, reflecting his dedication and commitment to the sport. Following closely behind, Mike Mangal secured the second-place position with a display of remarkable talent and finesse on the course. Mangal's impressive performance underscored his mastery of the game and his ability to compete at the highest level.

Rounding out the top three positions, Shanella London showcased her skill and determination, securing the third-place spot with a stellar performance on the greens. London's remarkable achievement highlighted her talent and perseverance in the

face of tough competition.

The success of the club tournament would not have been possible without the dedication and support of the participants and organisers. As the golfing community looks forward to future events, the spirit of camaraderie and competition continues to thrive on the greens of the Lusignan Golf Club.

The results of the tournament are as follows:

1st Brian HackettGross 82, HC 16, Net 66

2nd Mike MangalGross 75, HC 9, Net 66

3rd Shanella LondonGross 78, HC 10, Net 68

Longest drive - Miguel Yunes

The ExxonMobil Football Cup promises to be bigger this year

EXXONMOBIL Guyana

Limited has once again partnered with the Bartica Regatta Committee to promote the football activities of the annual Bartica Easter Regatta.

Dubbed “The ExxonMobil Football Cup”, this year’s tournament promises to be bigger than ever, owing to increased financial input

and the projected participation of ten male teams and two female teams.

Handing over a sponsorship cheque for $2.9 million to the Regatta Committee, Ryan Hoppie of ExxonMobil Guyana reiterated the company’s firm commitment to supporting sport and other programmes that benefit the citizens of Guyana. As a tes-

timony to this commitment, the company has increased its investment into this year’s Regatta football tournament.

Receiving on behalf of the Regatta Committee, Chairman Kenneth Williams, committed to providing a high caliber of competition among the eight (8) home teams and two (2) visiting teams. The Chairman

also took the opportunity to express gratitude to ExxonMobil Guyana and said that a grateful region looks forward to a long-lasting partnership-in-sport with the company.

The ExxonMobil Football Cup will be played at the Bartica Community Centre Ground from March 23 to 30 and will comprise knockout

matches among eight Bartica clubs, one team from the Middle Mazaruni and one team from Eteringbang on the Cuyuni River.

Additionally, Bartica's most prominent female footballers will be in action on the final night of the tournament, when Potaro Strikers Women take on Rivers View Women. The much-antici -

pated match-up will provide excitement for their adoring fans since the Potaro Women are participating in the Guyana Football Federation Women's First Division League.

Cash prizes, trophies, and other incentives will be up for grabs in all categories.

Guyana

Boxing Association

(left)

Committee

GTTA National Female Novice winner (right) Aneesa Chetram & second-placed Chrisleyann Richards

GTTA National Male Novice winner Delon Beaton and second-placed Hervin D’Agular