Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 20-10-2022

Another election-related Court of Appeal decision thrown out

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as CCJ rules CoA lacks jurisdiction to hear election petition dismissed by Chief Justice

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), on Wednes day, ruled that the Court of Appeal (CoA) in Guyana does not have the jurisdic tion to hear and determine the appeal filed to challenge the dismissal of A Partner ship for National Unity + Alliance For Change (AP NU+AFC)’s Election Petition 99 of 2020.

The Trinidad-based court allowed the appeal filed by Attorney-Gener al Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., and Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as the Gen eral Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and ruled to overturn the CoA’s ruling on that petition.

Justices Jacob Wit, Mau reen Rajnauth-Lee, Denys Barrow, Winston Anderson and Peter Jamadar pre sided over the case at the CCJ, which is Guyana’s final court of appeal.

Justice Anderson while delivering the court’s ruling said that Guyana’s appeal

court did not have jurisdic tion to hear the case since the matter was thrown out

by the High Court.

Additionally, he said there is no statutory or con

stitutional instrument grant ing jurisdiction to the Court of Appeal to hear an appeal

CARICOM leaders, Canada’s PM discuss Haiti’s crisis

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali and other CARICOM lead ers met virtually with Can ada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the crisis in Haiti on Wednesday night.

The President was joined by Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud.

The French creole-speak ing Caribbean nation has been affected by gang violence and several social issues that have paralysed the country.

“… the humanitarian crisis is immense now and we are ready to fully support [them],”

President Ali told journalists in

an invited comment following an event at the British High Commissioner’s residence on Tuesday.

According to the Miami Herald, the US and Canada provided material support to Haiti as recent as Saturday to help police fight a powerful gang amid a pending request from the Haitian Government for the immediate deployment of foreign troops.

CARICOM has con sistently offered support to sister country Haiti to improve governance and restore peace. The security

and humanitarian crises in Haiti have worsened over the years due in part to that government’s reduced sup port for fuel subsidies. With the rise of gang-related vio

lence, the Haitian Council of Ministers has instructed the country’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry to plead with the international community for support.

of an election petition for procedural impropriety, or any other reason not stated

in Article 163 (1) of the Con stitution.

Annette Ferguson ‘fed up’ with PNC rigging?

THE People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) has again found itself at the centre of an elections debacle, this time report edly called out by its own executive member Annette Ferguson, for not being able to conduct a process that is free, fair and cred ible.of the PNC/R express ing her concerns over al leged irregularities which were observed during the October 2 polls.

SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 3

(From left) Justice Denys Barrow, Justice Peter Jamadar, Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Justice Winston Anderson, and Justice Jacob Wit

Local Gov’t Minister to reply to GECOM ‘shortly’

By Tamica Garnett

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dha ramlall, has confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that he will be naming a date for Local Government Elec tions (LGEs) “shortly.”

Minister Dharamlall on Wednesday confirmed re ceipt of a letter from the Guyana Elections Commis sion (GECOM) identifying a timeframe within which the commission can hold the elections.

Dharamlall confirmed that GECOM has identified the timeframe of March 13 to April 24 in a letter that was sent to him on Monday by the Chairperson of GECOM, Jus tice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

“GECOM has given us a timeframe in which the elections are possible, so now that GECOM has given us a timeframe in which they can conduct elections, we will notify them very shortly on the date,” Dharamlall related.

It is the responsibility of the Minister of Local

Government to officially declare the date for LGEs based on correspondence from GECOM on when it would be ready to conduct the elections.

This latest development marks a crucial step towards hosting of the local polls which will see councillors being elected for the 80 local democratic organs (LDOs).

The LDOs include the 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities, inclusive of Georgetown.

LGEs had been legally due last year and funds were budgeted in 2021 to facilitate this; however, several issues facing GECOM at the time prevented the hosting of the elections, including the lack of a chief election officer (CEO).

The LGEs could not be held in the absence of a CEO, a position which was filled by the current CEO, Vishnu Persaud.

Government has repeat edly indicated that it is ready to hold the elections, once given the necessary go ahead

from the elections body.

“I think I’m very happy that GECOM has finally gotten to a point where we can have the elections. It is a commitment of President, Dr Irfaan Ali, [and] it is part of the democracy-building that our government is forging ahead with. And we are com mitted to having elections,” Dharamlall affirmed.

Minister Dharamlall maintained that government is forging ahead with the elections, notwithstanding

- as March 13 - April 24 suggested by elections body as possible LGEs dates

they will participate or not. But as government and as the governing party, we are fully prepared to have LGEs,” Dharamlall insisted.

Norton is also Leader of the People’s National Con gress Reform (PNCR), which is the largest component of the APNU coalition.

“I believe that the com ments of the leader of the op position are counterproduc tive to the democracy-build ing that we are pursuing, they are raising extraneous issues that have no bearing on the conduct of the Local Govern ment Elections.

the delaying tactics being employed by affiliates of the main opposition, the A Partnership for National Uni ty+Alliance For Change (AP NU+AFC).

Leader of the Opposition, and Chairman of the APNU, Aubrey Norton, has contin uously skirted the issue of whether or not the party is going to participate in the imminent LGEs.

Norton was questioned on the issue as recent as last Tuesday, but continued to run away from giving a direct

answer.

Aside from Norton, there had been purport ed efforts by some of the APNU+AFC-nominated GECOM commissioners to stymie the holding of the elections.

Dharamlall said the pol iticians need to understand that they are doing the coun try more harm than good.

“As government, we are moving ahead with the LGEs; it is up to the PNC and Mr Norton to decide whether

“I believe it’s that they are not comfortable with a democratic, transparent pro cess. So they have basically been trying to stymy that process, raising all manner of issues which is not to the benefit of the country but to the detriment of the country,” Dharamlall said.

Earlier this year, Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had challenged the Opposition’s delaying tac tics as signs that they are not ready for the elections.

‘Humble beginnings always lead to bigger endings’

— says psychologist, Dr Mark Constantine

and got married. That union brought forth two daughters, Cristine and Seleena.

The marriage, however, did not last.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Mark happily shared that he was going to become a grandfather for the first time and also that he was looking forward to it with great anticipation.

He said he always had a pas sion for woodworking and for anything that has to do with him showcasing his creative side.

choose him to continue to lead the organisation.

With his newly appointed position and the responsibilities that came with it, Mark moved and lived on the West Coast of Demerara for the next 16 years.

would be his next endeavour. He started his research and recognised that the American University of Peace Studies, Inc., was offering courses in that field.

and Social Security.

By Cindy Parkinson

MARK Constantine was a simple country boy who was born in the village of Belle Plain, Wakenaam Island and spent some of his early years in the 1970s with his par ents in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Kitty, Georgetown.

After a while, life became very challenging for Mark’s father, Neville Fitzroy, who worked for the bus company,

Motor Transport Limited, at that time.

By the time Mark was six or seven years old, his father joined a group of Guyanese in the late 1970s who migrated to Suriname. With the hope of providing a better life for his family, Mark’s father took him and his mother along.

Mark would go on to spend the next 20 years of his life in the Dutch-speaking country. He finished his studies, snatched his fluency in the local language,

When he returned to Guy ana in 1995, Mark worked as a welder and dabbled in gold and diamond mining for a few years in Guyana’s hinterland regions. He would later return to the coast where he joined the church.

Being a member of the Guy ana Bible College, he, along with another individual, was offered a leadership position for the “sister church” at Canal No.1, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

He said the two were asked to share that position for a year but the congregation would later

Mark Constantine would later feature in the homes of some Guyanese when he joined the media and worked at Guy ana Television Broadcasting Company (GTV) before it was later transformed to the Na tional Communications Net work (NCN) where he hosted the Guyana Today show, and worked in marketing. He then transitioned to a managerial role at another local television station.

Throughout his many en deavours, Mark continued to pastor.

Through his religious role, Mark said a curiosity was built about the human mind and the behavioural patterns of people. His counselling helped him to build more empathy towards others.

By that time, it was clear to him that studying psychology

Mark was a successful ap plicant, noting that in the in terview with the Dean of the institution, although he wanted to pursue a Diploma, his de livery was so impressive that he was encouraged to pursue a Bachelor’s degree.

He accepted the advice and was given a scholarship. Mark successfully completed his studies, earning his Bache lor’s degree in Psychology. His performance was so noteworthy that he was asked to consider a lectureship, which he later accepted.

Setting his sights higher, Mark then pursued his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the University of India, and be came Dr Mark Constantine.

Since completing his studies, Dr Constantine worked in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and in the Probation Department of the Ministry of Human Services

Dr Constantine is currently the head of the Ministry of Health’s psychology depart ment of training and education (Mental Health Unit), and has held that role since 2020 when President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s admin istration came into office.

Now re-married to his beau tiful wife, Litecha Harriram, an agriculture engineer at the National Drainage and Irriga tion Authority (NDIA), Mark has much to be both proud and thankful for in his life.

When asked to describe himself, Dr Constantine said, “I’m a very simple, down-toearth person who has remained true to my roots.” He humor ously said he basically “likes to drink water and stays in his corner,” a play on a popular culture reference.

“Follow your dreams re gardless of where you come from and what your chal lenges are,” Dr Constantine urged, adding that “hard work, kindness and determi nation will take you a long way in life.”

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall

GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh

Dr. Constantine and his wife, Litecha

Another election-related Court of Appeal decision thrown out

rules CoA lacks jurisdiction to hear election petition dismissed by Chief Justice

THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), on Wednesday, ruled that the Court of Appeal (CoA) in Guyana does not have the jurisdiction to hear and determine the appeal filed to chal lenge the dismissal of A Partnership for Nation al Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s Election Petition 99 of 2020.

The Trinidad-based court allowed the appeal filed by Attorney-General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., and Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Par ty (PPP), and ruled to overturn the CoA’s ruling on that petition.

Justices Jacob Wit, Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Denys Barrow, Winston Anderson and Peter Ja madar presided over the case at the CCJ, which is Guyana’s final court of appeal.

Justice Anderson while delivering the court’s rul ing said that Guyana’s appeal court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case since the matter was thrown out by the High Court.

Additionally, he said there is no statutory or constitutional instrument granting jurisdiction to the Court of Appeal to hear an appeal of an election peti tion for procedural impro priety, or any other reason not stated in Article 163 (1) of the Constitution.

The Trinidad-based court found that the juris diction of the High Court was not invoked to an swer this question in the petition, since the matter never went to trial, and was thrown out.

“There was no right to appeal to the Court of Appeal,” Justice Anderson said, while later adding that “…the decision to dismiss the petition for

failure to comply with statutory requirements as the service was an exer cise of judicial discretion pursuant to the powers, jurisdiction and authority provided for by section 42 of the Elections Validity Act and Rule 21 of the elections validity rules.”

The Court emphasised that Article 163(3) of the Constitution limits the right to appeal decisions

the Court of Appeal Act.

“It could not be accept ed that proceedings which began in the High Court under this exclusive, ex clusionary, and special jurisdiction for dealing with election petitions, suddenly transmogrified into ordinary civil law proceedings and appeal.

“Neither is it permis sible to depart from or import into, by implica

The initial appeal case was filed in January 2021 by Roysdale Forde, S.C., the attorney for AP NU+AFC, and Trinidadi an attorney, John Jeremie, S.C.

Among other things, they contended that the Chief Justice erred in law, and misdirected herself when she misapplied the doctrine of strict compli ance, by holding that such

the High Court granting or refusing leave to institute proceedings for the deter mination of any question.

“In my view, the Hon ourable Chief Justice sat in the elections jurisdic tion of that matter and considered the validity of the petition…deter mined that validity in re lation to whether or not the proceeding could go on, and the Chief Justice

CJ George, who had dis missed the application in January on the grounds of serious non-compli ance. At the time, the mat ter was before the High Court.

Justice Persaud had also ruled that the Full Court of the High Court does not have jurisdiction to entertain the appeal and therefore ruled that the appeal was dismissed.

In the case, Nandlall had argued that the Court of Appeal does not have jurisdiction to hear the matter since it was thrown out by the High Court, and no evidence was heard.

Nandlall said that based on the uniqueness of the case, like the Ap peal Court, the Full Court also has no jurisdiction to hear the case.

Aside from Dr. Jagdeo, the coalition named Chief Election Officer (CEO) of GECOM, Keith Lowen field, representatives of several political parties, and former President Granger, as respondents in the appeal.

of the High Court in elec tion petitions to only two circumstances.

However, the deci sion of the Chief Justice to strike out the petition on the basis that there was improper or late ser vice on the former leader of APNU+AFC, David Granger did not fall into either of those circum stances, and an appeal was not possible.

Additionally, the CCJ found that “jurisdiction” could not be founded in Article 123 of the Con stitution and Section 6 of the Court of Appeal Act since the “special elections” jurisdiction created by Article 163 of the Constitution, the Act and Rules must prevail over the general “civil law proceedings” jurisdiction contemplated by Article 123 and Section 6 (2) of

tion, a jurisdiction not created,” Justice Anderson said while delivering the CCJ’s ruling.

Against this backdrop, the CCJ Judge observed that in Guyana, the deep basic structure and core constitutional values and principles found in Guy anese constitutionalism should guide a court when faced with choices as to multiple interpretations of statutory provisions.

“This is especially true in relation to provisions that implicate core con stitutional values such as free and fair parlia mentary elections,” the CCJ Judge said as he sug gested that the narrow jurisprudential issue in such cases needs to be placed, contextualized and understood through the lenses of “democratic governance”.

compliance is related to the contents of the Affi davit of Service instead of the filing of the Affidavit of Service in a timely manner.

On December 21, 2021, in a 2-1 decision, the Chancellor of the Ju diciary, Yonette Cum mings-Edwards, and Justice of Appeal, Dawn Gregory said that the Court of Appeal has juris diction to hear and deter mine the appeal filed.

The Chancellor, in her ruling, said that the deci sions of the Chief Justice were a final order on both the election petition and a preliminary issue of com pliance.

She further contended that Article 163 of the Constitution states that an appeal to the Court of Appeal can be made from the decision of a judge of

dismissed that proceed ings,” Chancellor Cum mings-Edwards had said.

Since the Chief Jus tice’s decision was a final order, the Chancellor said that the petitioners have a right to an appeal since there was no decision on the petition itself.

She also ruled that the Full Court of the High Court does not have the power to hear the appeal of an election petition dis missal for want of com pliance.

She said it is a power Parliament should con sider conferring upon the Full Court.

However, Justice of Appeal, Rishi Persaud had disagreed. According to him, the applicants, Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse, had no right to appeal since there was no final decision by

In June 2021, the co alition appealed the sec ond election petition 88 of 2022 case, which was filed by Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick.

That petition was dis missed on April 26, 2021 by the Chief Justice on the grounds of serious non-compliance with the Constitution of Guyana and electoral laws as they relate to GECOM’s con duct of those elections.

The Chief Justice held that the petitioners failed to present evidence to support claims that the conduct of those elections contravened the Consti tution and the country’s electoral laws.

T he appeal for the second dismissed peti tion, Election Petition 88 of 2020 is currently before the Court of Ap peal.

Attorney-General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C.

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

James Webb telescope spies

IT’S a classic - one of the most beautiful sights in the cosmos and now the new super space telescope, James Webb, has visited it anew.

The so-called “Pillars of Creation” are cool, dense clouds of hydrogen gas and dust in the Serpens constellation, some

of Creation’

6,500 light-years from Earth.

Every large telescope has imaged this scene, most fa mously the Hubble observatory in 1995 and 2014.

James Webb has given us yet another incredible perspec tive.

The pillars lie at the heart of what astronomers refer to as Messier 16 (M16), or the Eagle Nebula. This is an active star-forming region.

Webb, with its infrared de tectors, is able to see past much of the light-scattering effects of the pillars’ dust to examine the activity of the new-born suns.

“I’ve been studying the Ea gle Nebula since the mid-1990s, trying to see ‘inside’ the lightyears long pillars that Hubble showed, searching for young stars inside them.

“I always knew that when James Webb took pictures of it, they would be stunning. And

so they are,” Prof Mark Mc Caughrean, the Senior Advisor for Science at the European Space Agency, told BBC News.

The M16’s pillars are being illuminated and sculpted by the intense ultraviolet light from massive nearby stars. That ra diation is also dismantling the towers.

Indeed, if you could magi cally transport yourself to this location today, the pillars are very probably no longer there.

We only see them because we’re looking at them in the past. The light that Webb de tects has taken 6,500 years to reach its mirrors.

James Webb is a collabo rative project of the US, Eu ropean and Canadian space agencies. It was launched in December last year and is regarded as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. (BBC)

Webb’s view: The pillars are cool, dense clouds of hydrogen gas and dust (Photo credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/ STSC; retrieved from: BBC)

Woman washed away by floodwaters remembered as loving wife, devoted mother

(T&T Guardian) – THE RESA LYNCH lived for her family and despite the per sonal sacrifices she had to make to ensure their well-be ing, it was never too much for her.

Described as a loving wife and devoted mother during her funeral service at the family’s home at La Pastora Village, Lopinot, on Tuesday, her cousin Jenny Voisin had to swallow several times as she struggled to see through her tears to read a prepared text on behalf of Lynch’s daughter, Rachel.

She said the 41-year-old was always willing to help those around her.

This was evidenced by the nods by those present, who agreed she was indeed a gem.

With only standing room at one point, scores of relatives, neighbours and friends filled the tents that had been erected in the yard. The funeral was conducted according to Hindu rites and

officiated by Pundit Yogesh Maharaj.

Lynch was swept away by rising waters as she attempted to cross the river after leaving her garden at Surrey Village with her brother William Ramlogan and two others on October 5.

Her body was found two days later in a bamboo grove in one of the tributaries that empty into the Arouca River, near the La Florissant Bridge.

Voisin, who was selected to read Rachel’s touching

tribute to Lynch, as she her self was unable to, said, “My mother was my world, my everything.”

“Despite however many times someone would call on Lynch, she would always an swer, and she would always be there for you,” Rachel wrote “My mother was one of the most humbling and hard-working individuals I’ve ever known, and she would always go above and beyond for the family and showered

everyone with unconditional love and kindness.”

Recalling that her mom possessed a smile that could brighten anyone’s day, Ra chel’s text continued, “She was never afraid of a chal lenge. Her love for her family was never-ending and deep, just like her love for food. She was always her best in the kitchen.”

Admitting she had been spoilt rotten by Lynch, Voisin cried as she shared Rachel’s innermost thoughts.

“She was my best friend, sister, and partner in crime, and were never apart for too long.”

Voisin, who lives close by, said she hardly saw Lynch sometimes, as she was always hustling to work to provide for her family.

Remembering the close bond and relationship Lynch shared with her husband Richard Lynch, Voisin said, “They were always together. They were a unit, a team, and the perfect alliance.”

Magistrate has accused recite 10 Commandments

(T&T Guardian) - A MAN from south Trini dad has been sentenced to five years in prison with hard labour, after plead ing guilty to two larceny charges.

Anil St Clair received the sentence from Senior Magistrate Nizam Khan, after he admitted to the crimes, during a virtual hearing in the Siparia Mag istrates’ Court on Friday.

St Clair was charged with stealing a weed wack er, a television, and other household items in two incidents, last week.

In deciding on the ap propriate sentence for the 28-year-old, Magistrate Khan considered the fact that he had 15 convictions for similar offences and 10 pending cases.

Magistrate Khan noted that St Clair committed the most recent thefts hav ing served lesser prison

sentences for larceny in the past.

He also pointed out that the court had noticed an increase in such crimes and noted that it is affect ing citizens financially and psychologically.

“It is not only a mon etary violation but a viola tion of trust,” Magistrate Khan said.

He noted that law-abid ing citizens have the right to feel safe and secure in their homes.

“Citizens must be al lowed to go about their business in peace and har mony,” Magistrate Khan said.

Before passing the sentence on St Clair, a self-professed Chris tian, Magistrate Khan had him recite the “Ten Commandments” with a special emphasis on the eighth: “Thou shall not steal”.

Pallbearers carry the casket of Theresa Lynch following her funeral service at the family home in La Pastora Village, Lopinot on Tuesday

Obstructionist Tactics

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is in the process of putting in place the necessary mech anisms for the holding of Local Government Elec tions. The elections, due in 2021, were postponed following delaying tactics employed by opposition commissioners to put in place a new chief elections officer (CEO) following blatant attempts to rig the March 2020 National and Regional Elections by the APNU+AFC coalition, in apparent complicity with the then CEO Keith Lowenfield. Vice-President and General-Secretary of the PPP, Dr Bharrat Jag deo had made it abun dantly clear that there was no way in which the PPP would have participated in any elections unless Mr Lowenfield was replaced as chief elections officer. That has since happened and from all indications the

way is now clear for elec tions to be held presumably by the first quarter of 2023.

In fact, the most recent de velopment is the signalling by GECOM in writing to Local Government Minis ter Mr Nigel Dharamlall of its readiness to conduct the poll. In fact, GECOM has already commenced the process of putting in place the necessary logistical and staffing arrangements in anticipation of the impend ing poll.

The opposition PNC, meanwhile, is continuing to put all manner of roadblocks to the holding of the elec tions. PNC leader Aubrey Norton has intensified calls for a ‘clean’ Voters List. Not only is the opposition demanding a new list, but that the names of those on the current list who reside overseas to be expunged from it.

The Guyana Elections Commission has however

made it clear that while the opposition concerns have been noted regarding the existing Preliminary List of Electors (PLEs) which was extracted from the National Register of Registrants Data base (NRRDB), it cannot act contrary to the legal provi sions enacted in the National Registration Act (NRA), Chapter 19:08. As pointed out by GECOM, there are legal provisions to be fol lowed regarding the removal of names as was upheld by a High Court ruling.

All of this has a familiar ring, especially when seen against the background of the previous General and Re gional elections which was also delayed for an inordi nate period due to all manner of frivolous demands, in cluding fresh house-to-house registration.

The opposition-nomi nated members of the com mission are now attempting not only to frustrate, but also

to delay the holding of the elections by seeking to attack the competence of the CEO and making all manner of obstructionist and unfounded objections to draft proposals on projected timelines. Not even the chairperson of the commission, who was ap pointed by former President and Leader of the PNC-led coalition, has been spared the ‘wrath’ of the PNC with all manner of derogatory remarks levelled against her and the staging of picket ing exercises in front of the GECOM headquarters.

No one can argue against the need for a clean and credible voters list for the holding of national and local elections, but any changes or amendments to the ex isting list must have to be done within the framework of the law and the relevant constitutional provisions. In any event, the credibility and transparency of elections transcend that of the voters

list and is determined funda mentally by the principle of one man, one vote. The days of multiple voting belonged to a bygone era which was characterized by phantom voters and massive voting irregularities.

One is left to wonder whether the demands of the opposition, more particularly that of the PNC, may not be yet another smokescreen to cast doubts on the integrity of the electoral processes and in the process set the stage for crying foul in what some political analysts see as a likely defeat at the polls, as was the case in the March 2, 2020 National and Regional Elections.

The truth is that the PNC, now the main coalition part ner under the APNU+AFC rubric, has always had a trepidation when it comes to facing the electorate. This is true for elections at the na tional, as it is at the local and municipal levels. The PPP/C,

in contrast, has always wel comed any opportunity to test the political waters with full confidence in the Guy anese electorate to make the right political choices. As noted by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, there is no community that is outside of the political reach of the PPP/C administration.

In the final analysis, it is the electorate that has the final say as to who, and which political party it can trust to govern in their best individual and collective interests. The highly anticipated Local Government Elections will provide that opportunity for voters at the grassroots level to have their say. The electorate has already spo ken at the National and Re gional Elections on March 2, 2020. In the end, it is the triumph of democracy and the will of the electorate that really matters.

Chris Ram projects himself as one who has a monopolistic authority on oil and gas and financial matters

Dear Editor,

REFERENCE is made to Christopher Ram’s letter to the Editor of Stabroek News dated October 12, 2022, and part one of my response thereto published in the Stabroek News and the Guyana Chronicle edi tions of October 15, 2022.

As I have demonstrated in my first response which was not carried in its en tirety by Stabroek News, Christopher Ram sought to discredit my professional and academic credentials cleverly and mischievously, but failed miserably. Chris topher Ram forgot com pletely that he had already

validated my credentials six years ago when he in terviewed me for the CEO position of NICIL.

In his usual comman deering style, Chris Ram projects himself as one who has monopolistic authority on oil and gas and financial matters in this country. This second letter, therefore, aims to systematically deconstruct Chris Ram’s letter, wherein he surreptitiously sought to intimidate the undersigned.

In this regard, Ram’s over whelming demonstration of his covert intention to silence this author on oil and gas related matters, did not go undetected.

In my response to Nigel

Hinds, Chris Ram confirmed that indeed the information Hinds requested of the Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, are publicly available. He cited the specific source for questions one and six posed by Nigel Hinds, but he then asked of the undersigned to point him to the source where he can find the others.

For Chris Ram’s benefit, I had already dealt with this in my response to Nigel Hinds which, unfortunately, Sta broek News did not publish in its entirety. For the readers’ benefit, the other information he is referring to that Hinds requested to be furnished with is as follows:

How much is budgeted towards construction con tracts for each region? The regional allocation of both capital and recurrent expendi ture can be found in Volume 2 of the budget estimates. For greater clarity, construc tion projects would be part of the capital budget for the regions.

For the nine months end ing September 30, 2022, how many contracts have been approved for over GY$100 million; what are the names of the contractors for the in dividual contracts and what is the total value for each con tract approved? The award of all government contracts are not state secrets. All of the

information can be found in the media. This was my orig inal response to this question.

But since Christopher Ram is a different kettle of fish and Nigel Hinds is a special indi vidual, I will go further to say that even if all of the awarded contracts are not reported in the media, Nigel Hinds and Chris Ram can do two things to obtain the information as outlined hereunder.

First, all public contracts are subject to a public ten dering process before being awarded. The public- ten dering process is done in a transparent manner.

The minutes are pub lished on the National Pro curement and Tender Ad

ministration Board (NPTAB). Stabroek News also publishes the list of contractors who have bid for contracts. So, Nigel Hinds and Chris Ram can simply refer to the NPT AB website and obtain the list of all contractors who bid for any government contract, whether it’s for the supply of goods, services, or construc tion projects.

Second, if Nigel Hinds wants to have specific infor mation as he requested, all contracts valued over $100 million, the minister is not the appropriate source to ask for this information. In order to do this, it means that the minister would have to call

Chris Ram projects himself as one who has a monopolistic...

up all of the procurement entities of the State and have them supply him with that in formation. Hinds, however, is not a Member of Parliament to so instruct the minister. Regarding this type of infor mation, the respective subject ministers are answerable to the National Assembly. That is not to say, however, that Hinds or anyone who is not a Member of Parliament cannot make such request and be furnished with such information. There is, in fact, a different process available to anyone from the general public, any tax-paying Guy anese citizen who wants to obtain this type of informa tion, that they can initiate. In this respect, reference is made to the Access to Infor mation Act of 2011. There is a functioning secretariat and a Commissioner of Informa tion, to whom Nigel Hinds can direct the particulars of his question, in the form of a letter of request.

Moving onto my letter in response to Professor Hunte, Christopher Ram, who rushed to his rescue, argued that the terms such as operating expenditure (OPEX) and capital expendi ture (CAPEX), do not apply to the 2016 Production Shar ing Agreement (PSA). Ram went on to cite specific sec tions of the PSA that speaks to the details of expendi tures in a line-item fashion. I hasten to say, though, that this comment coming from Chris Ram who is a chartered accountant, is a display of idiocy and pettiness. Just for the fun of it, I can be as petty-minded as Christopher Ram to prove him wrong. In section 2.3 of Annex C, on Annex C page 6, there is a definition for operating cost which is the same as oper ating expenditure or OPEX.

The definition states that, “operating costs are all ex penditures incurred in the Petroleum Operations, which are other than Exploration Costs, Development Costs, General and Administrative Costs and Annual Overhead Charge and Service Costs not allocated to Explora tion Costs or Development Costs shall be allocated to Operating Costs”. After all, Christopher Ram is not ful ly familiar with the 2016 Agreement as he thinks, be cause as proven herein, he is completely oblivious to the fact that this section exists in the PSA, that speaks to operating cost, in contrast to his absurd pronouncement that the term OPEX/oper ating cost is not applicable to the agreement. Further, the income and expenditure statements of EEPGL, Hess

and CNOOC classify all of the expenditures as operating expenditure.

For the readers’ benefit, the term cost and expendi ture mean the same thing in accounting and finance and therefore can be used inter changeably. So, whether it is referred to as operating cost or operating expense, abbreviated as OPEX, it is the same thing. Capital ex penditures are those expendi tures a business incurs for the acquisition of fixed assets. In the oil and gas industry, capital expenditures are all of the expenses incurred to undertake the investment. Hence, this is why the explo ration cost, which is the cost of discovering the resource and to determine whether the resource is available in commercial quantities, plus the development cost are all part of the initial investment, thus, can be categorised as capital expenditure. Operat ing expenditure, on the other hand, are all the expenses incurred to operate the busi ness, having first explored and developed the resource, then moving into operations that entails production.

In other words, capital expenditure includes all of the costs incurred as part of the initial investment from exploration to development such as the cost to build the FPSOs, the full infrastruc ture, equipment, etc., and operating expense include all of the costs incurred to operate the business, on a day-to-day basis. Christopher Ram knows this very well as a chartered accountant, yet, he has never conduct ed a comprehensive fore cast analysis of the Stabroek Block to inform some of his opinions. For simplicity and for the purpose of financial and economic modelling, using the project economics information together with reasonable assumptions to create different scenarios with sensitivity analysis, and with the application of the fiscal terms in the PSA, this is how a financial forecast model can be constructed.

To this end, there are only three organisations that would have done a detailed forecast model, namely, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Rystad, and this author (SPHEREX Analyt ics). While Rystad’s forecast was heavily inflated, the forecast done by this author / SPHEREX Analytics was closer to that of the IDB. The IDB’s forecast included the project economics of five FPSOs, and an average price of $50, to derive an es timated government take by 2040 of US$54 billion, while SPHEREX Analytics used an average price of $60 together

with the project economics of four FPSOs, to derive an es timated government take by 2040 of US$49 billion. This has a present value (PV) of US$13.2 billion using a dis count rate of eight per cent.

Ram went on to argue that the undersigned is mis taken in the reasoning for the 75 per cent cost ceiling. Ram’s contention is that the plain and simple reason for the ceiling is so that in any single month, the host coun try derives some revenue, no matter how bad the results of that month are. Ram is cor rect, but this is not the only reason or rationale. It is also to ensure that the initial in vested capital (which is same as CAPEX), can be recovered quickly. As accountants and finance professionals would say, a shorter payback period rather than a longer payback period, is always desirable for any investment, especial ly given the scale and magni tude of the investment.

In paragraph six of Ram’s letter, he sought to demon strate my unfamiliarity with the PSA Agreement by cit ing part of a sentence and completely misrepresenting the original context of what I said. Here is the full para graph of what I said and the

correct context:

“In essence, the country and the companies accrue far greater value in the long-term by developing and unlocking more of the resources into the future. This, in turn, extends the life of the industry for as long as the industry remains commercially viable, and to the extent that the oil and gas resources which are finite are available in abundance. In other words, the prov en reserves in the Stabroek block to date are an estimated 11 billion barrels of crude. Hence, with a production rate of 1 million barrels per day (by the end of this decade) or 360 million barrels per year, the total proven reserves of 11 billion barrels of crude will be exhausted in 30 years’ time. That said, with ongoing exploration over the coming years, should there be fresh discoveries of another 11 billion barrels or more, then effectively, the industry’s life will be extended by another 30 years, all things being equal.”

In other words, I was speaking strictly about the industry and based on the proven reserves and how many blocks are explored with additional commercial finds into the future, these obviously will extend the

industry’s life as long as it remains commercially viable.

I never said anything about the life of the PSA which Ram inadvertently and/or impishly insinuated, to confuse and conflate the argument (this is something Ram is very skillful at do ing). This is exactly what Ram did with the Addendum to the 2016 PSA as well. He created a storm in a teacup when he propagated the ar gument that the Addendum is a form of renegotiation of the PSA, whereas it was not. He probably missed it, but I actually did a response to this which can be accessed and viewed here for ease of ref erence, in contrast to Ram’s views. https://oilnow.gy/fea tured/the-2019-addendumto-the-stabroek-psa-does-notequate-to-renegotiation/.

This is what happens when one involves oneself in the middle of a debate be tween two people and miss ing the entire debate at the outset. If Ram was really paying attention, he would have known that Professor Hunte and the undersigned have been engaged in an ongoing debate in the press since early August of this year. Hence, again, Ram is completely unaware of the

full context altogether of the debate between Hunte and this author.

Finally, Christopher Ram, as demonstrated herein, set forth to discred it and silence this author judging from the language and angle of his letter. His questionable modus ope randi, in this respect, was subtly exposed when he bashed a young profession al who is trained in banking and finance and whose ca reer spans more than a de cade in the financial sector. It is worth noting that one of his confederates, a cer tain international lawyer who has no formal or infor mal training in accounting and finance or experience in this field, masquerades with self-conferred author ity to publicly speak on fi nancial and economic mat ters concerning the oil and gas industry. Yet, Chris topher Ram supports this person and has no problem with this person dabbling in subject matters that this person has no academic, professional, or experiential authority to so do.

Yours faithfully, Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin

Annette Ferguson ‘fed up’ with PNC rigging?

- letter on PNC district election claims more votes than ballots cast

THE People’s Nation al Congress/Reform (PNC/R) has again found itself at the centre of an elections debacle, this time reportedly called out by its own executive member Annette Fer guson, for not being able to conduct a pro cess that is free, fair and credible.

It is claimed that Ferguson, frustrated over the outcome of the party’s Georgetown District Elections which she contested, wrote to the Central Executive

Committee (CEC) of the PNC/R express ing her concerns over alleged irregularities which were observed during the October 2 polls.

Based on media re ports, the PNC execu tive member, in a letter to the CEC, said that some 211 ballots were cast, but at the end of the electoral process, some 213 votes were recorded with the ma jority being in favour of Troy Garraway.

She reportedly com plained that candidates

did not receive impor tant information re garding the number of delegates registered, the amount of ballots printed and how the actual voting would be done.

Ferguson is believed to have implored her party to examine those “irregularities” through a thorough internal probe, and strive to de velop a better inter nal system to manage future elections, since there was a “glaring absence” of checks and balances at the recent

district polls.

“The time has come for the PNCR to rise to the occasion of practis ing fairness, honesty and being democratic when it comes to its internal business or af fairs,” a report quoting the PNC/R executive member said.

Calls for the PNC/R to adopt those traits are not new, as the party has been accused on many occasions of rig ging the results of na tional elections, with the latest being the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Guyanese, after cast ing their votes on March 2, 2020, had to endure a five-month wait for the results of the General and Regional Elections, as they witnessed al leged unlawful acts and a slew of legal chal lenges.

During this time, the patience of the elector ate was tested, as elec tors observed what was described as attempts by the then APNU+AFC administration, which is dominated largely by the PNC/R, to rip the democratic fabric of the nation, with “delay tac tics” which were openly criticised by a wide sec tion of society.

It was only after the legal challenges and international interven tions tha t a national recount of all votes cast was convened and the figures showed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) received 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC Coalition got 217,920 votes.

Former District Four (Demerara-Maha ica) Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo; for mer PNC/R Chairper son, Volda Lawrence; PNC/R activist, Carol

Smith-Joseph and four others are currently be fore the courts for elec tions-related offences.

Adamant that the illegalities during the recent elections must be exposed, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, had ap pointed veteran legal luminaries to conduct a Commission of In quiry (CoI) into the

While the commis sion will have seven months to complete its inquiry after it com mences on November 3, it is set to determine what attempts were made to obstruct, frus trate and prevent the counting and tabula tion of votes polled and the public decla ration of the results

events that followed the March 2 polls.

Those persons are Justice of Appeal (ret’d) Stanley John, who is also Chairman of the CoI; former At torney-General, High Court Judge and act ing Justice of Appeal in the Eastern Carib bean, Senior Counsel Godfrey P. Smith; and former Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Carl Singh.

According to a pub lic notice, the com mission’s terms of ref erence are to enquire into and report on the relevant circumstances and events leading up to and procedures fol lowing the General and Regional Elections in Guyana on March 2, 2020.

by the Returning Of ficer for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Clairmont Mingo and other elections of ficers of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The commission of inquiry is also expected to examine the conduct of the chief elections officer (CEO), other elections officers, and persons as it relates to the execution of the duties of the CEO at the time.

The commission ers are expected to make recommenda tions as deemed fit and necessary to per mit GECOM to dis charge its statutory functions as set out in the Representation of the People Act.

PNC Executive Member Annette Ferguson

Grand Diwali celebration held in Little Guyana

By Vishnu Bisram

DIWALI was celebrated early last Saturday evening, on Liberty Avenue, near Lefferts Blvd, in the heart of Little Guyana in Queens, New York. Diwali falls on Monday, October 24, but public celebrations are held all over the USA where Hindus have established communities. Politicians have also scheduled Diwali celebrations in their offic es. For Hindus and most Indians, Diwali is the most joyful time of the year and Hindus everywhere are pre paring for the celebration. Many non-Hindus graced the celebration.

In Richmond Hill, there was a cultural variety concert featuring artistes from several mandirs and other Indian Ca ribbean organisations. Hun dreds crowded the avenue, including Punjabis, in what community leader Dr Dhan paul Narine described as the largest gathering since the celebration was moved from the Cheddi Jagan Square, at 123rd Street at the Arya Sa maj Ground, to 121st Street. Great cool weather welcomed the large congregation that clapped and cheered the many presentations.

The avenue was immac ulately spruced up and lit up with multicoloured electronic lights and traditional deyas. Stores sported Diwali par aphernalia and decorations. While the Caribbean Indi ans held their celebration in Richmond Hill, South Asians celebrated Diwali at magnif icent Times Square, at the same time, in the heart of the city. Thousands gathered for that Bollywood style concert.

Mayor, Eric Adams, dressed in a traditional Indian kurtha, had to share his time between the two events. The Mayor was reminded about his promise to make Diwali a school holiday from the large crowds and by organisers at both events. He respond ed with an embarrassing broad smile. The Mayor was also reminded of the Diwali holiday at the India Day parade and at other events in Queens. The Mayor hosts Diwali celebration at his offi cial residence on October 25. New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, graced the Times Square event. She is seek ing re-election in November

and has appealed for Indian support.

Both events commenced with prayers and lamp light ing ceremonies. Both were well organised and patrons, excepting non-Indians, were decked out in traditional In dian attire. Many Indo Carib beans and other Indian-own businesses on Liberty Ave.

Storefronts were appropri ately festooned with artificial floral garlands. Diwali-relat ed songs also emanated from several stores.

Dr Dhanpaul said the Queens celebration was quite impressive. It lasted six hours. The one on Times Square that featured Bolly

wood artistes and a cultural variety concert ran for over four hours. Gifts were distrib uted to the huge crowd. Both were featured live on social media. The Times concert was carried live on several Indian TV stations. Guyanese and other Indo Caribbeans patronised the Times Square celebration. In Richmond Hill, there were Ram Leela skit, dances, speeches and devotional singing in trib ute to Goddess Lakshmi. There were talented singers and dancers. Artistes were dressed in traditional Indian costumes. Sweets and bev erage were distributed to the crowd. Food and drinks were

also sold to the crowd.

Diwali at Times Square has been taking place since 2013 but was skipped in 2020 and 2021. Last year, it was virtual because of the pandemic, but this year, the celebrations were back and

bigger than ever. Diwali in Richmond Hill began in the early 1990s. It was held near Lefferts Blvd for the first time last year and virtually in 2020.

The Empire State Build ing will be appropriate

ly lit up for the five days of Diwali. Mandirs have planned concerts for this Friday, Saturday, and Sun day evening to observe the occasion.

Mayor, Eric Adams at the celebration (Dhanpaul Narine photo)

A section of the gathering at the celebration (Dhanpaul Narine photo)

AG issues apology to CCJ over unauthorised posts

ATTORNEY Gen eral Anil Nandlall, S.C., on Wednesday issued an apology af ter an administrator on his social media page reportedly dis closed information in advance of a Carib bean Court of Jus tice’s (CCJ) ruling yesterday.

The CCJ which handed its ruling down in the case of the Attorney General v Monica Thomas et al

on Wednesday, sent an advanced confidential copy of the judgement, on Tuesday, to all at torneys’ who were part of the case.

In the apology posted to his Face book Page, Nandlall noted that while he is currently overseas on official government business, an adminis trator of his Facebook page, without authori sation, made a post to the page which dis

closed contents of an advanced confidential copy of the judgement.

He noted that as soon as the post was brought to his atten tion it was removed from the page.

Nandlall while of fering his sincerest apology to the CCJ for the error, added: “Absolutely no dis respect or ill-motive inspired, was intend ed, or was connected with this post.”

UK visa waiver brings more trade, investment opportunities, GMSA says

THE Guyana Man ufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), on Wednesday, welcomed the recent announce ment that Guyanese are now allowed to travel visa-free to the United Kingdom (UK) for up to

“The bilateral initia tive reiterates the con fidence placed in Guy ana’s advancement and socio-economic position and will undoubtedly fos ter enhanced cooperation, trade partnerships and investment opportunities

business and participa tion and representation in UK-based business forums, trade fairs and programmes which will facilitate improved inter national relations among the Guyana-UK private sectors.

six months, a statement from the body said.

“The GMSA com mends the Government of Guyana and the British High Commission for ac complishing this which facilitates ease of travel and doing business.

for current and emerging Guyanese businesses,” the manufacturing body said.

It noted, “as Guyana’s economy seeks to ag gressively advance, the GMSA urges its members to actively seek diversi fied prospects for actual

“Leveraging resourc es and opportunities between Guyana and the UK is essential for expanded access to im proved products and services across all in dustries between both countries.”

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Pizza from cassava flour, dessert frosting from soursop

- on display at ‘Agri’ ministry’s inter-agency cookout competition

By Cassandra Khan

THE Ministry of Ag riculture on Wednes day held its inter-agen cy cookout competition and most departments participated, showcas ing their creative cook ing skills.

Some agencies that took part in the compe tition were the Nation al Drainage & Irriga tion Authority (NDIA), Fisheries Department, Guyana School of Agri culture (GSA), Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Guyana Food and Safety Authori ty (GFSA).

In first place came the GFSA and the Hy dromet Department with

251 points. Third place went to the GSA with 249 points.

The ‘best dessert’ prize was given to the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the GSA. The ‘best bever age’ prize was also given to the GSA.

Speaking to the Guy ana Chronicle at the cook out, Stacie McDonald, Assistant Manager of the GSA’s agro-process ing facility, said that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has indicated that global food trade has in creased and will reach a record in both volume and value.

She said that as a school of agriculture, they

have a significant role to play because they pro duce local flours made from plantains, cassavas, sweet potatoes, bananas, and more.

In their presentation, they showcased some of the secondary products that are produced from locally produced flours.

“We want persons to change their lifestyle and also to adopt these flours that we used, that we pro duce, and are present on the market,” McDonald said.

She added: “We have a sweet potato pasta… we also have a mutton ham which is something new; we know that ham is produced from pork and chicken, but we have

moved a step further and we have done mutton ham, which is really nice for persons who don’t use chicken or pork.”

“We were given a guideline for the cook out and one of the meats that we were required to use was mutton. All of our recipes are second ary-processed products with potential in the bak ing industry,” McDonald said.

An agrometeorolog ical technician attached to the hydromet service, Lisa-Ann Peters, said that they deal with meteorol ogy directly, which is a collection of weather and climate information along with monitoring water resources.

“We have an agromet section that deals with agriculture and assisting farmers to make better and more well-informed, related decisions… so, we tried to capture that in everything that we did today,” she said. For their presentation, they made tea using sour sop and cherry leaves, as well as rainwater, which they called “weather tea.”

“We have taco bites and the crust for the taco was made using sweet potato flour, and this is produced locally. We also have mutton which is coated with barbecue and soursop sauce. And for dessert, we have a carrot cake and it’s frosted with soursop frosting,” she

said.

Peters added: “In the representation, you can see good weather… you have a lot of blue, good weather conditions that you would want for cer tain activities.”

One hundred per cent vegan pizza, which was the hydromet de partment’s main course, was on display with crust made from cassava flour.

Seon Richardson, a fisheries officer, said that they were promoting the locally grown aquaculture species.

“Some of the main ones we have are tila pia, shrimp and prawns, which we’re doing a lot of production with,” he explained.

Scenes from the Ministry of Agriculture’s inter-agency cookout competition (Adrian Narine photos)

GLDA, apiculturists working to decrease bee-related deaths

DUE to perceived in crease in bee attacks from wild colonies, the Guyana

Livestock Development Au thority (GLDA) in collab oration with Apiculturists

of Guyana, has embarked on a national capture and redistribution of these wild

swarms.

According to a press release, the exercise com menced during the first quar ter of 2022 and has removed more than 126 wild colonies.

“As a government agen cy, we will continue to ad dress this issue of wild colo nies within residential areas.

“We are therefore en couraging residents and the various National Democratic Councils (NDCs) to remove all derelict vehicles, equip ment, and other forms of garbage that may provide housing for bees,” the release stated.

It was explained that the recent increase in attacks can be attributed to the fact that the honey-flow season is currently on and the bees are very protective of their colonies.

“Residents, farmers, and

other citizens should ap proach suspected ones with caution. An increase in bees around lights at night is an indication that there is a hive of bees nearby,” they warned.

The capture and removal of bees are currently being done free of cost by the Gov

ernment of Guyana through the GLDA and the various RDCs.

The office can be con tacted by telephone number 220-6556, or their officers at 620-3125, 620-2970, 6203002, 620-3116, 620-3123, and 620-2993.

Quick response saves Guyana Stores

THE longstanding city landmark, Guy ana Stores Ltd., re mains standing after quick action by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to extinguish a blaze at the Water Street building, on Wednesday.

According a release,

the GFS responded to a call around 01:29 rs about a fire at Guyana Stores Ltd.

The Fire Service said that tenders from several locations around Georgetown were dispatched to the location.

At the time, fire

fighters observed fire and smoke emanating from the top floor of the three-storey build ing. The release stated that swift action and firefighting resulted in the fire’s timely outing, saving more than 50 per cent of the build ing.

The ground and top floors of the east ern section of the

building were severely damaged as a result of the fire. Further

investigations are un derway to determine the cause of the fire.

A section of the building which was damaged by fire (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Firefighters on the scene on Wednesday morning (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Two firefighters gain access to the lower floor of the historic shopping complex (Elvin Carl Croker photo)

Albion/Port Mourant Estate surpasses weekly production target for fifth time

THE Albion/Port Mourant Estate has surpassed its weekly production target for the fifth time, the Guyana Sugar Cor poration (GuySuCo) re ported on Wednesday.

According to a release, the target was surpassed for the week ending Octo ber 15, 2022.

Factory Manager (ag), Mohammed Sheriff said the achievement was pos sible due to the factory time efficiency of 97 per cent against a budget of 93 per cent and minimal downtime of 2.5 hours for the week.

The release noted that also contributing to this achievement is the cane quality, with Pol extraction of 10 per cent, versus 9.87 per cent budgeted, result ing in an improved Tonnes Cane to Tonnes Sugar (Tc/

Ts) ratio of 11 per cent versus the budgeted 13 per cent.

“Qualified workers who worked 80 per cent or more days available for that week will con tinue to benefit from the weekly production in centive scheme, which allows tax-free incentives when an estate achieves its weekly production target. The Executive Management congrat ulates the management and workers of Albion/ Port Mourant Estate and urges all of the grinding estates to strive towards the achievement of the weekly production incentive. Management also implores workers to remain focused and committed to achieving their weekly targets,” the release concluded.

Major growth, development in maritime sector since 2020 – Minister Edghill

COGNISANT of the impor tance and intricacies of the maritime sector, the gov ernment has been investing millions, particularly with substantial investment on port infrastructure, and has been continually ad dressing issues surround ing the country’s maritime space.

Over the past two years, under the Ministry of Public Works, the government has spent hundreds of millions in maritime development in areas including updating of navigational charts, the acquisition of a new pilot boat, the removal of wrecks and the dredging of several rivers, and the construction of beacons marking rocks in the river.

Moreover, in addition to building out the physical infrastructure, attention has also been placed on capacity building of the human re source involved in maritime work.

This was highlighted by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who saw it fit to outline the government’s advances in this sector, as he responded to Opposi tion Member of Parliament Amanza Desir’s call for a marine spatial planning (MSP) for Guyana.

Desir wrote on her social media account, Facebook, that such a plan would guide the development of Guyana’s marine space, especially in light of the emerging oil and gas sector, and increased maritime traffic.

“Since its return to office, the government has made it its duty to transform the maritime sector to ensure that it is prepared to operate in a modern economy.

“Since 2020, the Govern ment of Guyana has invested heavily into the updating of navigational charts to facili tate the rapid progress being made in port development.

“It therefore cannot be said that issues surrounding the maritime space are not being addressed,” Minister Edghill said.

Minister Edghill pointed out that the government con tinues to make efforts to cre ate and implement a National Maritime Strategy that is aligned with the Low Car bon Development Strategy (LCDS) and Guyana’s over all development objectives.

According to the Min ister, the government has been constantly organising and executing various ele ments of the Commonwealth Marine Economy Plan, with the Maritime Administration (MARAD) being in con stant contact with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Of fice (UKHO), which has been lending support to the country’s hydrographic sur veyors.

Minister Edghill noted that Since 2020, the govern ment has invested heavily into the updating of naviga tional charts to facilitate the rapid progress being made in port development.

The Minister emphasised that the government is com mitted to managing the space in a sustainable and responsi ble manner for the benefit of all the people of Guyana, and humanity.

“It therefore cannot be said that issues surrounding the maritime space are not being addressed. It should be emphatically stated that since assuming office in Au gust 2020, the President Ir faan Ali-led Administration has invested substantially in the maritime sector. One such example of substantial investment is that on port infrastructure in Guyana,” Edghill noted.

Though port infrastruc ture is customarily privately funded, the government, over the past two years, has ren dered tremendous support to the sector, having recognised the importance in ensuring that our ports are resilient.

“Concomitantly, MARAD and other regula tory agencies are currently processing several applica tions for the construction of port facilities. This is not an overnight process, but one that calls for thorough research and planning which is obviously foreign to Ms. Desir and her opposition colleagues,” Edghill posited.

The Minister pointed out that in preparation for the increase in marine traffic, some $787 million has been spent, thus far, to remove the three wrecks at the mouth of the Demerara River, while dredging of the main access channel is currently ongoing as well.

However, the Demerara Main Ships’ Channel is not the only area being dredged.

“Dredging activities are currently ongoing in the Waini access channel. It is crucial to note that this area hasn’t been dredged since the early 1980s.

“MARAD is also in the process of organising dredg ing activities in the shal low areas up to Port Kai tuma. This area will soon be cleared of debris and other obstructions that hinder safe navigation,” Minister Edghill noted further.

The government has also allocated $117 million for the construction of 15 concrete beacons marking rocks in the upper reaches of the Es sequibo River. This project is still underway, with eleven beacons having been built thus far.

In the area of building out the human resource capacity to deal with this growing sec tor, measures taken include the certification and appoint ment of nine new pilots to guide ships in the George town Pilotage District, and the appointment of five new inspectors of shipping to inspect and certify vessels operating in Guyana.

“The department is cog nisant that more manpower is needed in the sector to meet the exponential growth.

“As such, the Department is currently finalising plans to train scores of young men and women as cadets for ser vice as ships’ officers, pilots, inspectors, surveyors, marine communications officers, etc.

“To safeguard national infrastructure, MARAD’s pilots are also now required to be on all seagoing vessels transiting the retractor span of the Demerara Harbour Bridge,” the minister further added.

To accompany the influx in the demand for pilotage services, $530 million was spent on a new pilot boat, the ML ABDULLAH. This ves sel, which is the first of such nature to be acquired since the early 1980s, is expected to be delivered within the first quarter of 2023.

“This is a remarkable achievement by the Admin istration, and it is a demon stration of its commitment to the development of the maritime sector in the face of the steady growth of marine traffic,” Minister Edghill stated.

“This vessel since it can

be seen as a saviour when compared to the previously acquired pilot vessel, David P, which was bought in April, 2018, under the APNU+AFC Administration.

“The ‘David P’, to date, has never worked to its full capacity and is a festering wound in the administra tion since it has been cost ing the Department huge sums of money to main tain,” Edghill noted.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

Judge to sum up evidence in ‘Satan’ trial

COME next Tuesday, Jus tice Simone Morris-Ram lall is expected to sum up the evidence in the trial of Alvin Reid, called ‘Satan,’ who is accused of killing 14-year-old Malika Hamil ton, in August 2016.

Reid, formerly of Nimrod Street, Ann’s Grove, East Cost Demerara (ECD) had pleaded not guilty to the in dictment which read that be tween August 8 and August 9, 2016, he murdered Hamilton.

He is being represented by attorneys-at-law Konyo Sandiford and Iyanna Butts, while prosecutors Simran Gajraj, Muntaz Ali and Ta neisha Saygon are on record for the State.

On Monday, the prosecu tion and defence gave their closing statements, following which, the judge adjourned the case until October 25, for her summation.

Following the summing up, the judge will hand over

ACCUSED: Alvin Reid called ‘Satan’

the case to the 12-member jury, who will then retire to consider the verdict.

The ‘Miss African Cala bash 2014’ beauty queen had left her home at Two Friends Village, Ann’s Grove, ECD, but never returned.

According to reports, the deceased and the accused were known to each other and, on August 8, 2016, they went to swim at Hope Canal. The teenager was not seen alive again. Her body was

discovered the following day in the canal.

Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, conducted an autopsy on the body of Hamilton and found that she had been brutally bludgeoned to her head, strangled and dumped alive in the canal. Police later went search ing for Reid and found him hiding in a barrel at a relative’s house. He was subsequently charged and remanded.

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English Racing Tips

Southwell

08:20 hrs Mostallim

08:55 hrs Hiromichi

09:30 hrs Musika

10:05 hrs Ahiawj

10:40 hrs Annie Maher

11:15 hrs Street Life

11:50 hrs Yagan

12:25 hrs Back From Dubai

Carlisle

08:35 hrs Maximilian

09:10 hrs Fringill Dike

10:20 hrs Tonto’s Spirit

10:55 hrs Killybegs Junior 11:30 hrs Headscarf Lil

Ludlow

09:20 hrs Fantomas

09:55 hrs Kinfston Sunflower

10:30 hrs I Spy A Diva

11:05 hrs Minella Plus 11:40 hrs Coastguard Station

12:15 hrs Fine By Me

Irish Racing Tips

Thurles

09:00 hrs Secret She Keeps

09:35 hrs King Ferdinand

10:10 hrs Still Ciel

10:45 hrs Muntahez

11:20 hrs Cape Gentleman

11:55 hrs Jungle Prose

12:30 hrs Little Soiree

American Racing Tips

Belmont

Race 1 Ocean’s Reserve Race 2 That Is Key Race 3 Miss Dracarys Race 4 Upper Level

Race 5 Monshun

Race 6 Golden Rocket Race 7 To A T

Rcae 8 Hudson Overpass

Canadian Racing Tips

Woodbine

Race 1 Practical Gizmo

Race 2 Katchy Name Race 3 Awildas Treasure

Holder, Joseph script West Indies win over Zimbabwe

(ESPNCRICINFO) West Indies kept their T20 World Cup hopes alive with vic tory over Zimbabwe by 31 runs with 10 balls to spare. Although the margin speaks of a comfortable win, it was one punctuated by familiar anxieties.

It was certainly not a typical performance from the two-time champions, and as such you would not describe this as a return to form. But they toughed out what looked to be a terminal collapse in the first innings, which saw them go from 90 for 2 to 101 for 6, to post 153 for 7, and showcased their intelligence and experience in the field to defend it. Head coach Phil Simmons' criticisms of an "unprofessional" batting effort in the 42-run defeat in their opening Group B match will still ring true after this, but he will no doubt feel heartened by a defiant show ing when it was needed.

Johnson Charles, a re placement for an ill Brandon King, was responsible for the solid platform with 45 and the first two sixes of the West Indies' innings. Contributions from Rovman Powell (28) and Akeal Hosein (23 not out) then repaired the dam age of Sikandar Raza's fine spell of 3 for 19. But Alzarri Joseph's T20I career-best of 4 for 16 was the real difference.

Both sides made solitary, enforced changes, with Zim babwe's the more off-setting after captain Craig Ervine suffered a mild asthma attack before the match. He was replaced by Tony Munyong, with Regis Chakabva taking over the reins, the stand-in captain looking rueful at the end.

At the very least, the runs down the order after finding themselves 92 for 7 reduced the impact of this defeat on Zimbabwe's net run rate, which is back to zero.

Chakabva was the hap pier skipper when the heart of West Indies' batting was ripped out in a remarkable passage of play that seemed to have all but ended their World Cup hopes in the space of 12 deliveries, with the loss of four for just 11 runs. They were 90 for 2 at the start of the 13th over before captain Nicholas Pooran registered a second single-figure score in as many innings, gifting Raza with a simple caughtand-bowled for the first of his

three wickets.

Before the over was out, Charles was sent packing af ter a lack of communication with Powell left him well short of his ground at the non-striker's end. By the end of the 14th, Raza had trapped Shamarh Brooks leg-before and pouched another return catch off Jason Holder.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

Powell, no doubt wres tling with guilt at the non-striker's end, set about making amends in a vital seventh-wicket stand of 47 with Akeal Hosein that got the Jamaican set into the final over. Eye in, he thumped the impressive Blessing Murz abani for two sixes within the first three deliveries, the second of which went 104m - the second-longest of the tournament so far - and took West Indies to 150.

However, Murzabani won the battle, snaring the righthander with the next delivery, skied to Richard Ngarava at cover. It was, however, a wicket the Zimbabwe quick could have had in the 18th over had Luke Jongwe held a chance at extra cover when Powell had just 12.

Combined with a life giv en to Charles on 15 earlier, when Muyonga shelled one running towards the cover boundary - again of Murz abani's bowling - the innings closed with a sense that, even with their excellence during the middle overs, Zimbabwe had missed opportunities to kill this game in the first innings.

That was painfully rein forced in the first eight overs of the chase when form-man Raza became the fifth batter to fall with just 64 of the 154 target chipped away. A paceheavy attack, led by Joseph's opening burst of 2 for 13, wrestled back the initiative after the opening two overs leaked 29. And without Raza, fresh from 82 off 48 against Ireland and looking in good order with a huge six off Odean Smith before spooning to wide mid off, boundary hitters to come were few and far between. Milton Chum ba's botched slog sweep off Hosein, caught 10 yards in side the midwicket boundary by Brooks for a dour two off nine said as much.

When Holder yorked Ryan Burl for his 50th T20I

wicket that looked like the end of any real resistance from Zimbabwe, Jongwe set about a one-man rescue mission, and had Caribbean palms sweating when three of his boundaries helped find 17 from Odean Smith in the 17th.

However, with the first ball of the 18th, he was bowled by Joseph, who had returned earlier to do the same to Richard Ngarava. Holder then took the final wicket, setting off on a cel ebratory run that spoke more of relief than jubilation.

JOSEPH TAKES

CENTRE STAGE

That Joseph is still only 25 after six years at interna tional level shows just how much faith West Indies have had in his talent. That he only made his T20 debut for his country a few months ago suggests they weren't too sure about his short-form work.

Now, after a tournament-re viving display for his country in his ninth appearance, one imagines he'll be in the XI for a while.

Searing pace, steepling bounce and a devilish york er ruined Zimbabwe at the start and end of their chase. The first spell accounted for Chakabva and Tony Mun yonga through high pace: the former edging onto his own stumps, the latter done straight and full having been set up with deliveries leaping on him from back of a length.

Though West Indies went on to take wickets after the power-play, it was a surprise not to see Joseph bowl a third in a row in the seventh. Nev ertheless, Pooran's decision was vindicated with two for three in the next spell (overs 16 and 18).

In a tournament where speedsters are in the limelight along with four sets of broken stumps and 16 dot balls, this performance has put Joseph centre stage.

RAG IT AROUND WEST INDIES

Australia might not be associated with spin, but try telling that to this West Indies outfit. Or rather, try telling that to their opponents. After Scotland turned them inside out in their opening match of this World Cup, Zimbabwe did similar last night in Ho bart. The 10 overs following the power-play derailed West

Indies' innings, with five wickets taken for just 64 runs through a combination of wicket-to-wicket lines, a pick-and-mix of lengths and a bit of swing.

The pressure maintained by Raza, left-armer Sean Williams and offie Burl cre ated the perfect environment for this Caribbean collapse, with Charles' run-out reflect ing an inability to rotate the strike and the sheer panic in the middle order. Of the 109 deliveries faced from spin

ners in this tournament, West Indies are 87 for the loss of nine, averaging 9.66.

ALL TO PLAY FOR

The ICC couldn't have planned it any better, even if the layout of this T20 World Cup isn't one most of us would plan. All four teams in Group B are on two points, presenting the mouth-water ing prospect of two winnertake-all matches tomorrow. West Indies take on Ireland and Scotland face Zimbabwe

- all having shown enough in the past week to make strong arguments for any of them to go through to the main event.

There is, however, the prospect of rain in Ho bart, which could temper how much drama there will be. It also underlines how important it was for Zimbabwe to get as close as they did at the death and avoid a blowout to remain second - the last qualifying spot - ahead of West Indies by 0.275 on net run rate.

Campher, Dockrell keep Ireland in Super 12 hunt

(ESPNCRICINFO)

– When Curtis Cam pher and George Dock rell linked up in the chase of 177 against Scotland, Ireland were 61 for 4 in 9.3 overs. At the time, ES PNcricinfo's Forecaster gave Ireland a less than 10% chance of victory, but the duo overcame formidable odds to pro duce a come-from-behind win and keep alive their chances of qualifying for the Super 12 round.

At one stage, victory had seemed so unimag inable that when Campher hit the winning runs with one over to spare, there were tears of joy among the few Ireland fans at Bel lerive Oval in Hobart. An emotional Campher, who had scored a heroic 72, also seemed on the verge of tears while talking to the broadcaster.

While Campher was the undisputed star of the chase with an innings that came at a strike rate of 225,

he was ably supported by Dockrell's unbeaten 27-ball 39. Their partnership of 119 off 57 balls - the high est of the tournament thus far - thwarted Scotland's effort of 176 for 5 that was achieved after Michael Jones hammered a 55-ball 86, the competition's high est individual score so far.

Ireland's win opened up Group B, with all four teams in contention to qualify for the Super 12 round.

A PARTNERSHIP TO REMEMBER

Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie impressed briefly at the start of the chase but both batters fell inside the power-play. The Scot tish spinners then came into play, removing Lorcan Tucker (20) and Harry Tec tor (14) just as they were on the verge of changing gears. At the drinks break, Ireland had two new batters in Campher and Dockrell and they needed 116 runs off 63 deliveries.

The duo paced the chase to perfection, with at least one boundary in every over from the 11th until the finish. The tide began to change in the 13th over when Scotland's in-form spinner Mark Watt was taken for 18 runs, with Campher slog-sweeping him for six. From there on, Campher maintained the pressure, using the width of the crease to toy with the field.

Off-spinner Michael Leask was scooped over short fine leg in the 14th over; Brad Wheal was de posited over cow corner for six in the 15th, which yielded 14 runs; and the 16th from Josh Davey cost 17 runs, with both Dockrell and Campher clattering three boundaries in the space of five balls.

Campher and Dockrell played only two dot balls between overs 12 and 16. They took the fielders on as the field placement turned more defensive as the part

nership blossomed. With four overs to go, Campher and Dockrell brought down the required runs to 36.

Pressure firmly on Scot land now, Ireland picked off 23 runs in the next two overs to turn their once-dis tant dream of victory into a reality.

The final touches were applied by Campher, the player-of-the-match, with a hat-trick of fours in the penultimate over.

SCOTLAND RIDE ON JONES' 86

After Scotland chose to bat, George Munsey was trapped lbw by a swing ing delivery from Mark Adair in the second over.

The other opener Michael Jones struggled for fluency, scoring only 11 off his first 15 balls.

The No. 3 Matthew Cross, however, looked in sublime touch. Relying on his fast hands, Cross raced to 20 off only 13 balls, and eventually Jones

seemed to find his form too. The boost came after the power-play, when Jones pulled Barry McCarthy for six over the short squareleg boundary. Thereafter, Jones' range of strokes kept growing even after Cross fell for 28 to Campher

His most productive regions were cover and midwicket. He used his feet against spinners Simi Singh and Dockrell to go inside out for fours to enter the 30s. Jones then dis patched Josh Little for six by spotting a short ball ear ly and rocking back deep in his crease. He reached his maiden T20I fifty off 38 balls with a single through covers in the 14th over.

For a moment, it ap peared that Jones' in nings would end on 50, but he successfully over turned an lbw decision that was given out origi nally by umpire Kumar Dharmasena.

Team Guyana ends CRTTF Mini and Pre-Cadet

Championships with most points

GUYANA finished with the most points at the Caribbean Re gional Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) Mini and Pre-Cadet Championship, which was held over the last six days in George town.

The home team, which competed with the most participants fin ished with 1640 points, while Jamaica finished second on 1080, Trini dad and Tobago third on 790 and St Lucia fourth on 760 with Barbados and Grenada bringing up the rear.

On the final day of the event yesterday, the home team dominated the U13 doubles, while St Lucia won three of the four singles finals. Guyana’s only gold in the singles came via Sa mara Sukhai, who won

DOUBLES GLORY

In the Boys U13 Doubles final, the duo of Malachi Moore and Ebo McNeil stormed to a 3-0 win against Ja maicans Logan Royes and Gmarco Smith. That game ended 11-9, 11-5 and 11-0.

The Jamaicans had gotten the better of Trin idadians Sekel McIntosh and Ethan Ramcharan 3-0 (11-9, 11-8 and 116) in semi-final one, while in the other semis, Moore and McNeil got past the tough St Lucian pair of Leshon Francis and Manie Eleuthere by a come-from-behind 3-2 margin (7-11, 8-11, 116, 11-7 and 11-5).

Jasmine Billingy and Samara Sukhai were also successful when they competed in the

Girls U13 Doubles.

The pair that had won the U13 team event for Guyana was able to get past the Jamaican duo of Kayan Denton and Keeara Whyte 3-1 (7-11, 11-3, 13-11 and 11-5), in the championship clash.

Although they had also gotten the better of Trinidadians Lyllana Boodhan and Jerisse Elder 3-1 (10-12, 11-5, 11-7 and 11-7) in the semis, the Guyanese toughest challenge was against the St Lucian and Trinidad combined pair of Shantal Charles and Jannah Moham med in the quarter-final. That game ended 3-2 in favour of the eventual winners (11-5, 8-11, 118, 8-11 and 11-9).

In the other semi-fi nal, Denton and Whyte had defeated the Guy anese duo of Shackecy

Damon and Nakeiva Fordyce 3-1 (11-13, 112, 11-7 and 11-2).

ALL-GUYANA BAT TLE

It was an all-Guy ana battle in the Girls U11 Singles and Sukhai made no mistake en route to her third gold (doubles, team and sin gles) in the champion ship.

She drew a bye in the first round and defeated Fordyce in the semis 3-0 (11-1, 11-2, 11-1) before she got the better of Da mon in the final 3-0 (115, 11-2 and 11-5).

Damon had edged out Seona Barker in the semis by a score of 3-2 (10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11 and 11-9).

ST LUCIA’S DOMI NANCE

In the other singles events, it was all St Lu

— U13 teams wins doubles, Sukhai win Girls U11 Singles

cia. In the final of the U11 Boys, Francis de feated Jamaican Ajani Spencer 3-0 (11-3, 11-2 and 11-5) and Trinida dian Aaron Noel 3-0 (11-3, 11-6 and 11-4) in the semi-finals.

Spencer on the other hand got the better of Trinidadian Lima Wal ters in the other semi-fi nal (3-2: 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 9-11 and 11-7).

Both Spencer and Walters had defeated Guyanese Aaron Hop kinson and A. Johnson in the quarter-finals.

Guyana came close to winning the Boys U13 Singles, via Moore, but he could not get past Eleuthere as the champi onship clash ended 3-2 (13-11, 10-12, 11-8, 1113 and 11-5) in favour of the St Lucian.

In the semi-final, Moore had defeated

Trinidadian McIntosh 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-6), while Eleuthere had got ten the better of Ebo 3-0 (11-6, 11-6 and 11-9).

Guyana got anoth er silver medal in the singles, this time via Billingy in the U13 di vision.

St Lucia’s Shantal Charles was crowned champion after winning 3-1 (11-5, 6-11, 11-6 and 11-6).

Charles had defeated Jamaican player Whyte 3-1 in the final four, while Billingy had de feated Trinidadian Lyla na Boodhan 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-3) in the other semis.

Boodhan got the better of the other Guyanese competitor, Akira Watson 3-1 (1012, 11-4, 12-10 and 118) in the quarter-final.

Curtis Campher let out a roar after hitting the winning runs (ICC via Getty Images)

the Girls U11 title.

GSCL fine-tuning plans for sixth edition of PM T20 Softball tournament

WITH just three weeks before the staging of the sixth edition of the Prime Minister T20 Softball tour nament, the organisers, Georgetown Softball Crick et League Inc. (GSCL), are in the process of fine-tuning plans for the mega extrav aganza.

According to GSCL pres ident Ian John, he’s expecting some 26 teams to participate in the three-day affair, set to bowl off on Friday, No vember 11 at various venues across the city, culminating with the four finals at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday, November 13 and these include teams from Guyana, Canada, New York and Florida.

Among the other venues identified are Police Sports Club, Guyana Defence Force, Demerara Cricket Club, Muslim Youth Organisation, Queen’s College, Transport Sports Club and Gandhi Youth Organisation.

In this year’s tournament four female teams will par ticipate. John pointed out that this was an initiative of Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who delivered the feature address at the tournament’s launching on August 21 at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground.

The Prime Minister also

took the opportunity to dou ble the original first prize from $50 000 to $100 000 while the second-place purse was increased from $25 000 to $50 000. With the input of another sponsor, the win ning prize money has since spiralled to $200 000 and a trophy for the winners as well as $25 000 and a trophy for the runners-up.

The player-of-the-match in the final will collect a trophy while the play er-of-the-tournament gets a blender.

Defending champions Ariel All Stars are among the six teams scheduled to battle in the All Stars (Open) cate gory, which will see the play ers do the round-arm style for the first time since the inception of the tournament. The other teams in contention

are previous winners Speed boat, Regal All Stars, Florida Finest (Florida), Name Brand (Berbice) and Softball Crick et Canada.

Two-time defending champions Fisherman Mas ters are expected to face stiff opposition in the Masters Over-40 category which also features the likes of Regal Masters, Success Masters, Corriverton Masters (New York), New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL), Ariel Masters, Hibernia Strikers (Essequibo) and Softball Cricket Canada.

In the Legends Over-50, Regal Legends, who have been ruling the roost in and out of Guyana, will face off with Trophy Stall Legends, Parika Defenders, NYSCL Legends, East Coast Leg ends, Toucana Rangers and

Jai Hind Jaguars.

The winners of each of the three categories will waltz away with a huge $600 000 first prize and a trophy while the runners-up collect $50 000 and a trophy. Each manof-the-match gets a trophy. The MVP in the All Stars Open is guaranteed a 50-inch flat screen television, the same as the Over-40 Masters winner, while the Legends Over-50 MVP receives a three-piece sofa.

Among the several sponsors are Banks DIH Ltd. (Rainforest Waters), Danny Persaud (YouTuber) It’s Our Life ARD, Trophy Stall, Pro Signs, I & S Trad ing, Tourism Guyana, Reli ance Services, Parsram Dis count Store, Ameer & Am rit Furniture Store, Khan’s Trading Enterprise, HL Latino America Furniture (Panama), P&P Insurance, Regal Stationery & Com puter Centre, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Chung’s Global Enterprise, Atlantic Marine Supplies Inc., Crown Min ing Supplies, Rudisa Motor Company (Guy) Inc., Free lancer Advertising Agency, Krsna & Amp; Balram Printery, Rajiv Gandhi University and Ofimak Of fice Supplies (Panama). (Frederick Halley)

National Junior Badminton Tournament starts today

THE Guyana Badmin ton Association will be running off its National Junior Tournament today, tomorrow and Saturday at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

According to informa tion from the association, the three-day tournament, which is sponsored by the National Sports Commis sion, will start at 10:00hrs and run until 19:00hrs each day.

Players will compete in Boys’ Singles, Girls’ Singles, Boys’ Doubles and Girls’ Doubles in the U11,

U13, U15, U17 and U19 categories.

Students from New Am sterdam Multilateral High School, Queen’s College, Marian Academy, St Rose’s High School, Isa Islamic School, Georgetown Inter national Academy and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Nursery Badmin ton Academy are expected to participate

Players who excel in the tournament will be chosen to represent Guy ana at the Inter-Guiana Games, come November 25-27, 2022.

Regma Primary dominate swimming, cycling at GTU primary schools championships

… Track events set for MSC today

By Joe Chapman

REGMA Primary School dominated the early rounds of this year’s Guyana Teach ers Union Upper Demerara/Upper Kwak wani District Ten sports which started on Sunday in the mining town of Linden.

They started their campaign with a dominant win in the primary schools cy cling event, claiming 83 points to retain their 2019 title.

They distanced themselves from sec ond-placed Watooka Day School who end ed on 20 points, while in third place were Christianburg on eight points. Amelia’s Ward finished with five points.

On Monday as the primary schools swimming championships took place at the Watooka Pool, Regma dethroned Coomac ka by 102 points.

Coomacka, the defending champs could manage only 100 points as Bamia placed third position with 55 points and Watooka Day followed with 34 points.

Fifth position was occupied by St Aidan’s on 12 points while sixth spot was taken by Amelia’s Ward who scored a mere two points.

On Tuesday after the completion of the field events, Regma were out front total ling 96 points ahead of St Aidan’s on 86 and Ituni on 78 points.

The fourth position was occupied by One Mile with 61 points followed by Watooka Day 53, Mackenzie Primary 49, Coomacka 47, Kwakwani 39, Amelia’s Ward 36, Wismar Hill 35, Christianburg 30 and Bamia in the cellar on 22 points.

Today’s track events will be staged at the Mackenzie Sports Club from 09.00hrs.

Tomorrow, the inter-secondary school track events will be held with Mackenzie High looking to successfully defend that title but their work is likely to be cut out by the defending overall champions. Chris tianburg/Wismar Secondary School.

Flashback: Prime Minister Mark Phillips and GSCL president Ian John pose with one of the trophies that will be up for grabs in the tournament

A number of players who

part in

World Badminton Day event in

are expected to compete in

Junior Nationals

Alzarri Joseph finished with

via Getty)