Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 27-04-2024

Gov’t will not rush scrutiny of public accounts

–– more PAC meetings held now than under APNU+AFC, Minister Teixeira says

Entrepreneurs in the making

On Thursday, the North Georgetown Secondary School hosted its sixth annual Business Expo which showcased business students’ entrepreneurial, creative, and innovative skills. The exercise aimed to help the students apply what they have been taught. The students were tasked with developing a business idea and executing it (Ministry of Education photos)

$20B and counting… Gov’t will continue to invest in the city despite City Council’s negligence – Jagdeo says

Increased oil production achieved through safe measures –– Natural Resources Ministry confirms

Aishalton Village receives $23.8M contract for water distribution system

Increased oil production achieved through safe measures –– Natural Resources Ministry confirms

THE Ministry of Natural Resources has clarified that Guyana’s Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) production increases are planned with a focus on environmental responsibility and operational safety.

These increases are stimulated through a comprehensive production optimisation process, which aims to increase efficiency through the enhancement of existing infrastructure.

This clarification is in response to a narrative being peddled in the local news that ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has breached the safe production limit set out in the Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIAs) for its oil projects.

The false narrative alleges that ExxonMobil’s third deep-water development, Payara (Prosperity), is already exceeding the safety limit, producing 230,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), even though the vessel was designed to produce 220,000 bpd.

In a statement issued on Friday, the government affirmed that the increase in capacity was undertaken after extensive technical evaluations that ensured it can be done safely and sustainably. The statement clarified that the production limits set out in the EIA are a base-case scenario, and do not account for

production optimisation strategies.

“Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are not meant to deliberate on production limits for FPSOs. Any changes to the project design will require approval. Typically, after commissioning, production startup begins with the base case, and is gradually increased to safely optimised levels,” it states.

Additionally, the EIA includes an annual average production optimisation oil rate.

According to the ministry, this annual rate acts as a ceiling to keep optimisation levels in check.

And so, even though the base-case production

levels may be exceeded after commissioning, this annual average production optimisation oil rate is never exceeded.

“These levels have not been exceeded by any optimisation events,” the statement emphasised.

It continued, “Each aggregated increase in production level is accompanied by a full system surveillance (including well, subsea, and topsides facility) over a 24-hour period. Surveillance involves observations and studies on critical aspects of FPSO operations, including but not limited to process safety, pipe vibrations and fluid velocity assessments, fluid separation efficiency, plant

stability, and well and reservoir behaviour,” the ministry explained.

To demonstrate this point, the ministry outlined that the Liza Phase 1 (Destiny)’s original maximum planned production capacity per day was 126,000 barrels per day. However, optimisation efforts have led to a successful increase in capacity to 155,000 barrels per day. Based on the most recent production figures, the Liza Destiny FPSO is producing 160,000 barrels per day.

The statement notes that the Liza Phase 1 has undergone two successful optimization phases, boosting its daily output by an impressive 42,000

barrels, which surpasses its original design capacity.

“Similarly, both Liza Phase 2 (Unity) and Payara (Prosperity) have experienced increases beyond their original design capacities after their initial optimisation. It’s worth noting, however, that the authorisation for Payara’s new capacity level is still in the review process,” the ministry adds.

The ministry’s statement further indicated that all production increases are a testament to effective project management, and the successful implementation of optimisation strategies. (DPI)

Gov’t will not rush scrutiny of public accounts

–– more PAC meetings held now than under APNU+AFC, Minister Teixeira says

AS the Opposition continues to use the media to publicise lies and mislead the public, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira in setting the record straight, has disclosed that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the 12th Parliament has already held 61 meetings, which is 17 more than were held under the Granger-led administration.

Minister Teixeira on Friday provided statistical data to debunk the untruths that are repeated weekly in the media and show that after a little under four years of People’s Progressive Party/Civic governance, the PAC has met more frequently.

According to her, from 2021 to present, 61 meetings have been held while 44 were held from 20152019 and 58 for the period 2012-2014. APNU+AFC, led by David Granger, was in government during the 2015 to 2019 period.

In terms of reports detailing the work of the PAC during the abovementioned periods, she said that one report was submitted to the National Assembly during the 10th Parliament, three reports covering six Annual Audit Reports were submitted during the 11th Parliament and two reports covering three Annual Audit Reports were submitted during the 12th Parliament.

She went on to highlight that the report submitted during the 10th Parliament concerned public accounts for the year 2009. The PAC Chairman at the time was Carl Greenidge.

For the 11th Parliament under the chairmanship of Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who is now Guyana’s President, there was a combined report of the

public accounts for the years 2010 and 2011; a combined report on the public accounts for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 and a report on the public accounts for the year 2015.

Additionally, there was a report of the PAC on the appointment of members to the Public Procurement Commission, Minister Teixeira said in her release.

Regarding the current parliament, led by Jermaine Figueira, the PAC has submitted a report on the public accounts for the year 2016. A combined report on the public accounts for the years 2017 and 2018 has been completed and is awaiting a Sitting of the National Assembly to be tabled.

Further, the minister indicated that a report of the PAC on the appointment of members to the Public Procurement Commission was another report submitted by the PAC under Figueira’s chairmanship.

Teixeira said that the accusations of Opposition members of the PAC is “interesting.”

She said: “It is rather interesting that certain media houses weekly repeat ad nauseum the accusations of the Opposition members on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in regards to its meetings, without any attempt to verify whether the claims have merit. Much liberty is given to conclusions accusing the Government members but regrettably for the critics, the functioning of the PAC in the 12th Parliament has not been diminished in comparison to the 10th and 11th Parliaments, quorum or no quorum.

“One can easily observe from the matrix that the PAC of the 11th Parliament which worked

for 40 months and held 58 meetings produced the most work under the then Opposition Chairperson, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, whereas the PAC in the 12th Parliament has had 61 meetings over 30 months.

“Presently, the review of Government agencies in the PAC relates to the Annual Auditor General’s reports for the period of the former APNU+AFC government, but the number of violations of the Procurement Act, missing documents, the refusal or non-cooperation of former Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers to appear before the committee have been of little interest to some media houses which have full and complete access to the PAC hearings for these agencies,” she said.

IN NO RUSH

It was pointed out that during the 11th Parliament, the “level of scandals and violations of the Procurement Act” was pervasive, widespread, and commented on almost daily by some media houses.

“Therefore, the Government members on the PAC have no intention of rushing through these years as the Opposition members would like us to do. Their objective is to go through these reports rapidly so as to detract public focus from what transpired during those years.

It may seem presumptuous these days for a minister to make a suggestion to the media on how it covers the Public Accounts Committee but may l do so anyway – The Auditor General reports, special reports and performance reports provide a wealth of information which should inform journalism, or reporting, on

the work of the PAC and its findings, including undeniable evidence of poor management, unaccounted expenditure, lack of transparency, and denial of services to the poor and vulnerable. These shortcomings, to be polite, were compounded by inadequate pharmaceutical and medical supplies to the regions, mismanagement of the school feeding programmes, and injustices meted out to the healthcare sector which, for example, suffered extensively from inadequate COVID-19 protective equipment and supplies during a global pandemic.

Opposition members in the PAC may want the public to forget these harsh realities that directly hurt the people of Guyana, and instead occupy the public’s attention with vacuous questions of whether the Government members and Ministers should sit on the PAC, or whether the members are attending the PAC meetings, and if the committee is meeting enough times,” Minister Teixeira said.

She said that these are mere distractions from the real issues being uncovered by the PAC.

“The fact is that the PAC today has met more often than during the 10th and 11th Parliaments and produced two (2) reports. During the 11th Parliament, within 44 meetings, three (3) reports were produced and the first Public Procurement Commission (PPC) was established under the leadership of Mohamed Irfaan Ali who was chair of the 11th Parliament’s PAC.

Further, the insinuations made by the APNU+AFC that Ministers of Government should not sit on the PAC is hypocritical and preposterous as during the APNU+AFC’s tenure in Government during the

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira 11th parliament, two of their members on the PAC were sitting Ministers of Government. Those were Mrs. Volda Lawrence and Mrs. Valerie Patterson.”

The minister emphasised that the main issue, however, cannot be wished away.

“Facts are facts. The APNU and AFC could not adequately manage Government in their term of office and could not deliver to the people simply because corruption was rife, and much to their dissatisfaction, the work of the PAC exposes this at each meeting.

I have no intention of resigning as a member of the PAC as l am very aware of the analysis and skills l bring to the meetings, regardless of

how much wilful haste the Chair and opposition exercise to rush through paragraphs at one time in an effort to hide the corruption which hallmarked the 2015-2020 period.

It is the role of the PAC to offer to the National Assembly and truly to the people of Guyana, a critical analysis of public expenditure which includes revenues earned from tax-payers,” she said. Minister Teixeira maintained that no efforts will be spared by the Government members of the PAC to review the accounts of every year, 2015 to 2020 and beyond, as such haste from the Opposition only proves to be a “wilful disservice to all the people of Guyana.”

Allottees to participate in lot identification by June for Blocks 13, 18 at Golden Grove, EBD

SOME 3,583 persons who were allocated lands at Blocks 13 and 18 at Golden Grove housing area, on the East Bank Demerara, will be able to access their lands by June.

A total of 1,883 lots have been allocated in Block 13 which has seven lots, while approximately 1,700 persons were allocated lands at Block 18 which has 2,208 acres of land.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal gave the assurance while inspecting infrastructural works at Block 13 at Golden Grove, Friday afternoon.

“Over the next two weeks, we will have two other lots that will be available to be shown on Block 13. And we will be outstanding by one lot, which is expected to be completed in May,” stated Minister Croal.

However, the minister said that liquidated damages will be applied if the

contractor surpassed the timeline, since the extended period ends on April 30.

“We also have to hold persons accountable as we have timelines. Persons have invested their money and are waiting to have access to their lands to build [their homes]. We, too, have a responsibility to have these works completed as quickly as possible,” he assured.

Over 400 acres of lands have been developed in Block 13 which saw an investment of about $3.3 billion and another $569 million for additional works.

Infrastructural works totaling about $3.6 billion is being spent in Block 13 to provide the allottees with access to road network, bridges and other necessities.

Despite several challenges in the area, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the infrastructural works there.

Meanwhile, the first set of persons who were

allocated lands at Block 18 will participate in a lot identification exercise by mid-May.

“We have over 2,208 acres of lands for which we have just recently started showing persons for access…” he stressed, while speaking about several blocks on the East Bank corridor.

The first set of persons who were allotted lands at Blocks 9 and 13 in Golden Grove participated in a lot identification exercise last month.

Minister Croal also disclosed that, as early as Monday, persons will be contacted to commence the process for the signing of their agreements of sale for all the new areas where persons have already participated in the lot identification exercise.

He reiterated that all the ministry has exhausted all the lands available for housing along the East Bank corridor.

(DPI)

Ongoing infrastructural works in Block 13 Golden Grove, EBD

Gov’t will continue to invest in the city despite City Council’s negligence – Jagdeo says $20B and counting…

VICE-PRESIDENT (VP)

Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government will continue to make significant investments in the city to ensure that it continues to develop.

The VP made this remark during his weekly press conference as he spoke about the investments that central government has and continues to make all across Georgetown, which falls under the purview of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

Against this backdrop, he disclosed that the Ministry of Public Works has spent nearly $15 billion in the city, directly on roads and in other infrastructure projects.

Jagdeo went on to add, “We’re spending another $500 million on doing all the grounds in the city including putting in lights in the city so there’s no issue about starving of funds. We’re spending a lot of money investing in the city.”

Further to this, he disclosed that the government is also investing over one billion in drainage and irrigation and internal works to add greater pumping capacity to assist with flooding in the city.

“We have spent over 20 billion in the city and it’s counting all the time. We were in Sophia recently to fix all the roads in Sophia. We’re starting to fix the roads there;

“You’re seeing this everywhere; upgrading the city. So you can’t say we’re starving the city [that] we are taking over, beautifying the city [by] planting trees,” Dr Jagdeo said. He highlighted that the council is not doing any of the work along the seawall or along the railway embankment among many other areas where projects are ongoing.

we’re doing it everywhere you go in the city,” the Vice President added.

Meanwhile, the Vice President reiterated that the City Council continues to neglect its duties in relation to the upkeep of the city and he emphasised that this can be said without fear of contradiction.

He noted that this can be fortified by their track record and the long period that the

APNU has had control over the city.

Additionally, he indicated that progress and major changes seen in the city over those periods can be traced back to the central government in the periods when the PPP/C was in office.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council have been under fire recently for not executing its key responsi -

bilities of beautifying green spaces and maintaining the city’s infrastructure.

Just last week, the Vice President noted that the

collapse of a portion of the roof covering the Stabroek Market Wharf was a result of the failure of the City Council.

Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (Delano Williams photo)

Upholding accountability

GUYANA’s trajectory towards transformative infrastructural development is undeniably ambitious, yet it has been hindered by persistent delays and setbacks.

Projects like the long overdue Cemetery Road upgrade and the Belle Vue project stand as stark reminders of the challenges faced on this journey. Such instances not only erode public trust but also impede the momentum of development.

In light of recent concerns over the capability of new contractors, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo emphasised the necessity of a stringent evaluation criteria to ensure transparency and fairness.

His remarks during a press conference underscored the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency in public spending.

The government’s proactive approach, exemplified by the Public Procurement Commission’s review of contracts and the firm stance on enforcing contractual clauses, sends a clear message: Negligence and breach of contractual obligations will not be tolerated. This stance is vital in ensuring efficient project management and prudent use of public resources.

Critics may express concerns about the potential deterrence of contractors or investment in infrastructure. However, the greater

risk lies in perpetuating a culture of impunity, where delays become the norm, and accountability remains elusive.

By upholding standards and enforcing penalties for non-compliance, Guyana fosters an environment conducive to investor confidence and sustainable development.

It is crucial to recognise that not all delays stem from contractor negligence, and each case requires careful evaluation. The government’s commitment to assessing circumstances on a case-by-case basis demonstrates a balanced approach that seeks to uphold fairness while maintaining discipline in project execution.

Ultimately, the enforcement of contractual obligations, including liquidated damages, is not punitive but rather about upholding the integrity of agreements and safeguarding the interests of the nation.

By holding contractors accountable, Guyana sets a precedent for a future where efficiency, transparency, and accountability serve as the cornerstones of national development.

The government has already made it clear that it supports the development of local capability while emphasising the importance of accountability and transparency in public expenditure.

Venezuelan migrant children must be protected from violence

Dear Editor,

THE Guyana Constitution defines the fundamental rights of all residents in this country and the overall structure of how the nation ought to operate.

In that framework, there is a guarantee of the fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to life, liberty, and security, of the persons resident in Guyana.

It has become apparent to me that Venezuelan migrant children are becoming particularly vulnerable to violence in our schools due to language barriers, cultural differences, and some plain old delinquent parenting practices. But what makes this nation one that celebrates its diversity—our people, our six races, our many religions, etc.

This matter of physically bringing harm to some of the Venezuelan students in Guyana, while I am told it may be

happening more often than not in reality and usually goes unreported, has now surfaced in the national newspapers a few times over the past six months. The last occasion was the Stabroek News of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, under an article captioned “Venezuelan brothers attacked by schoolmates...” at a West Demerara school.

We can do better as parents and as a collective people. We must remember that we have migrants in many places overseas too, who are our families and karma has a way of really balancing the scales of justice on these matters.

I am appealing to all, let us all join hands to bring this irrationality to an end and open those very same hands to embrace and welcome these visitors to Guyana from Venezuela. They are a people running from a terror regime in the Bolivarian Republic, and if there is anything we as good Guyanese can do,

it is to give them a chance to recover and heal mentally from what they have experienced across the western border.

These people have a choice: live in Guyana and eat, or go back to Venezuela and starve.

Our elders taught us the principles of how to treat visitors. Hinduism, which is a way of life that I personally adhere to, is known for its emphasis on hospitality (Atithi Devo Bhava, “The guest is God”). The bottom line; visitors are warmly welcomed.

The United Nations (UN) also reinforces these principles of humanity with its universal framework of international laws and regulations aimed at protecting migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers who are in your country for reasons beyond their control. We have a duty as a Guyanese people to seek to understand them, their ways, and slowly teach them our ways so we can live like global broth-

ers and sisters for the short period of time that we are together.

There are global consequences for this country if these acts continue to occur since there are international conventions that protect migrants, and if we are spotlighted adversely for failing in our duty towards ensuring the rights of all human beings that reside in our society, there can be consequences. We all have a role to play to safeguard all residents in Guyana.

Physically attacking Venezuelans in Guyana is not an option.

As a Guyanese people, our ancestors and foreparents are known for their hospitality, warmth, and commitment to the well-being of all around us.

We have a history; we have a foundation; let us implement it, please.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

Op-Ed Ruling in GTU case was startling, baffling

By Nazim Baksh

IN 2005, my employer, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), “locked out” members of the Canadian Media Guild, a union representing 5,500 employees.

The employer, a legally-constituted corporate entity and an asset of the Canadian government, had the freedom and perhaps the right to deny employment for whatever reasons it believed to be legitimate. I believed, then, as I do now, that the employer was unjust in locking its employees out of their jobs.

Our only option was to walk the picket line for six long weeks. We never received a blind cent from the CBC. Instead, The Guild dipped into its reserves to pay us just enough to cover our grocery bills.

The CBC agreement with the union to deduct dues from our paychecks on the latter’s behalf was an act of courtesy that ended when there was no paycheck to deduct dues from. When a new collective agreement was finally negotiated, our employers paid its employees a tiny bonus as a show of goodwill.

This brings me to the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) case against the Ministry of Education, and the startling ruling of Justice Sandil Kissoon of Guyana’s High Court on Friday, April 19. To understand why Justice Kissoon’s decision has left legal experts baffled, let’s revisit the application the union submitted to the court.

GTU filed an application seeking to establish their Constitutional right to enter into a collective agreement with their employer, i.e. the Government of Guyana. GTU wanted Justice Kissoon to order the government to uphold the country’s Constitution and negotiate a new Collective Agreement with the union. The government did not walk away from the negotiations; the union abruptly left the table and never returned.

I was in court the day

that the GTU’s vice-president, Julian Cambridge took the stand. Cambridge repeatedly said he couldn’t remember important dates and key details of his union’s engagements with the Ministry of Education. To help jog Cambridge’s memory, Justice Kissoon ordered the ministry to hand over the minutes of meetings with the GTU. Not a single reporter asked the GTU why it didn’t have a record of its own minutes.

While on the stand, Cambridge insisted that substantial annual increases in teachers’ salaries under the PPPC’s administration was irrelevant because they fell outside the boundaries of the Collective Agreement. When asked about the total number of GTU’s demands, Cambridge said he didn’t know.

When asked whether the GTU had indeed made 41 demands to the Ministry of Education, Cambridge said he couldn’t remember. Darshan Ramdhani, attorney for the Ministry of Education, suggested to Cambridge that 30 of GTU’s demands were met and exceeded by the government, the union’s V.P. again said he did not know. Shockingly, Cambridge even denied that a vehicle he purchased under a government duty free concession for some teachers did not result in a financial benefit to him.

In the nearly four hours that Justice Kissoon took to get through his ruling, he heaped praise on Cambridge, and described him as a highly credible witness. On the other hand, Justice Kissoon found that the evidence provided by the Ministry of Education’s Chief Education Officer, Mr. Saddam Hussain, was not credible.

Justice Kissoon could have left it there, but he sternly rebuked Hussain, calling into question the untarnished reputation of an accomplished educator, a respected former school principal, a father, and an upstanding member of his community. Hussain quietly cast his gaze down to the creaky floor of the old

courtroom as Justice Kissoon unleashed a barrage of unhealthy adjectives against him.

Reading from his handwritten notes scattered on a number of notepads, Justice Kissoon concluded that GTU members should have been paid while they staged a month-long strike. And, even more bizarre, the Justice also ruled that the government should have continued to deduct dues on behalf of the union from the unpaid salaries of teachers. Lest we forget, the deduction of dues is not a matter for courts to adjudicate. It is a favour that the Ministry of Education does for the union.

In 2019, the United Auto Workers (UAW) walked off the job in a strike against General Motors (GM) in the United States. The strike lasted for 40 days, and GM announced that it would continue providing healthcare benefits to its striking employees. The compensation was a gesture of goodwill during a period of intense labour dispute.

In 2018, thousands of Marriott Hotel workers in the United States went on strike. During the labour dispute, Marriott provided a limited amount of financial assistance to help striking employees cover their healthcare costs and other essential household expenses.

During the 2009 strike by workers at Vale’s Sudbury operations in Canada, the United Steelworkers Union negotiated a deal with the company to provide $160 per week in strike pay to each worker on the picket line. The pittance helped alleviate some of the financial burden on the striking workers and their families while negotiations were ongoing.

In all the cases from Canada and India that Justice Kissoon cited in formulating his decision, not a single one involved employers paying employees who had exercised their freedom to engage in strike action.

Nowhere, in any nation of the world, has there ever been a ruling like that of Justice Kissoon’s. The authors

of Guyana’s Constitution never intended to strip one party to a dispute of its rights and freedoms, only to hand it over to the other side. And on the basis of this simple fact, the Caribbean Court of Justice will ultimately overturn Justice Kissoon’s decision.

By handing GTU what

it didn’t ask for, Justice Kissoon’s ruling runs the risk of harming the People of Guyana by stymieing the tremendous efforts of their legitimately elected government to make Guyana prosperous by fostering a climate favourable to domestic and foreign investors.

Nazim Baksh

The Freudian mind: Before 2020 and after

HERE is what the inactive Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) wrote in one of its episodic press releases carried (as usual) in last Sunday’s edition of the Stabroek News; “…sectors of society which in earlier times routinely voiced opinions and monitored authoritarian abuses are cowed…”

There is so much wrong with this statement that the young generation of this country needs to know about racists, false prophets, political betrayals and dangerous minds pursuing dangerous trends. For the past 35 years that I have been doing columns, I have mentioned Freud countless times.

I don’t need to take up space by explaining Freud but Freud is relevant here when you read the words above which for emphasis I will repeat because you will only understand the Freudian underpinnings of the writer of this press release when you fully study the statement. I repeat; “…sectors of society which in earlier times routinely voiced opinions and monitored authoritarian abuses are cowed….”

Can’t you see the GHRA is at a subliminal level bringing to the surface what is hidden. The earlier times they are referring to is about them; the times when they spoke up about authoritarian politics and rigged elections. The GHRA and those from earlier times, who are still around, have undergone a psychological metamorphosis. Colour and class prevented them from speaking up from 2020 to now.

Where were the voices in 2020 that from earlier times were so vocal, active, energetic in denouncing rigged elections? What has happened to those voices from the 70s, 80s, 90s? I know those voices. I was part of that chorus. I was part of that songbook.

I still had that songbook in my lap on March 3, 2020 when I monitored the election with Leonard Gildarie on Kaieteur Radio. I kept that songbook on my lap until July 30, 2020. From March to July is five months and the chorus I was part of in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, had disappeared. When I looked over my shoulder, the chorus I was part of in what the GHRA calls “earlier times” had gone. But that chorus had five months to find its voice.

It was not that the election hijacking was a putsch that lasted two days. And thus, before you can catch your voice, the APNU+AFC had a ready, water proof alibi. The rigging played on for five months. Each day, forces that wanted permanent power in Guyana hatched one pantomime after another; one caricature after another, one comicality after another; one farce after another; one nightmare after another.

On this day, on April 27, 2020, here is what happened. GECOM chairperson, Ms. Claudette Singh announced that as chairperson she cannot sanction live-streaming of the recount because it conflicts with the secrecy of the counting of the ballots as stipulated in Section 90 of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA). Attorney Sanjeev Datadin disagreed. He argued that live-streaming of the recount does not violate that section of ROPA because it is inapplicable to the recount. Datadin explained that the live-streaming process shows the mere ballot paper without any identification details.

I cannot forget those five months. As an anti-dictatorship youth from 1968 onwards, I will never forget the nearness of the abyss Guyana stood from March to July in 2020. It was COVID-19 curfew. I would walk my dog at Giftland Mall next

to where I live. The place was completely deserted after 6PM. At the back of Giftland lies a private housing scheme named Demerara Estates. I would be with my dog and a car entering the estate would pull up.

“Hi Freddie. Where are we going? Will we survive?” Words like these and similar ones would greet me by different drivers in the sprawling, deserted acreage of Giftland. I never for one moment advised them with an optimistic note because no one in Guyana knew if the country would survive.

When I look back at those days, I don’t want to hear the name Mike McCormack. I was angry when I got that email from Dr. Bertrand Ramcharran. I confess; my reply was insulting. If I receive a similar note in the future I would be similarly insulting. I remember the lonely ambience in Gitfland; me and my dog alone, and my wife waiting anxiously at home for me to beat the curfew.

I don’t want to hear about Red Thread, about Transparency Institute-Guyana, about the names that make up the usual suspects. These people I fought with for free and fair elections. I saw thousands denied their right to vote from 1968 to 1985. And I was seeing it again in 2020. I chose the side of history, and I will always be mentally renewed for that.

Aishalton Village receives $23.8M contract for water distribution system

MINISTER within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, handed over a $23.8M contract to the Aishalton Village Council on Friday for a water distribution system.

The Minister was joined by Mr. Ramchand Jailal, the Director of Hinterland Services at Guyana Water Inc., as well as other technical officers.

The presence of this new facility will assist in enhancing the effectiveness of the village’s four current water supply systems. Minister Rodrigues emphasised the necessity of the new system due to the village’s increasing population and the prolonged dry season, which has impacted multiple villages nationwide.

Additionally, the Minister informed residents who were gathered at the village benab that one of the existing wells has

been severely depleted.

“It is important that we meet the growing demand of our citizens, and this here is a testament to our government’s commitment to fulfilling our mandate to increase access to potable water,” she said.

The Minister explained that some four years ago, access to potable water in the hinterland stood at merely 44 per cent, but, remarkably, with the billions of dollars in investments, that percentage has increased to 86 per cent.

Minister Rodrigues further stated that the Ministry was making significant progress towards achieving complete coverage to hinterland communities, with an additional 40 wells planned in the upcoming months.

Over the course of the coming weeks, the Village Council will be launching

the distribution network, with the assistance of community involvement.

As a result, this will enhance the development of the village’s economic status.

The new well was successfully drilled by D&R Construction, which incurred a cost of $15 million, while the responsibility for constructing the distribution network falls on 3D Construction.

The handing over was done in the presence of Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, US Ambassador to GuyanaHer Excellency, Ms. Nicole D. Theriot, representatives from the Pan American Health Organization, Toshao, Michael Thomas, and residents. The health team is in the region for the LLIN Mass Distribution Launch 2024, as part of the fight against malaria.

Aishalton Village Council representative receives the contract document from Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, in the presence of Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues

Massy Motors becomes official distributor of Mahindra vehicles in Guyana

MASSY Motors has recently formed a partnership with Mahindra, a renowned global player in the automotive industry.

This partnership signifies the start of a new era, with Massy Motors now serving as the official distributor of Mahindra vehicles in Guyana, committed to improving the automotive experience in the area.

The collaboration between Mahindra and Massy Motors exemplifies Mahindra’s dedication to expanding its presence worldwide and making their acclaimed lineup of vehicles more accessible to customers globally.

services.

Massy Motors is well-positioned to lead the sales, service, and distribution of Mahindra vehicles in Guyana through this partnership. They will also provide extensive after-sales support, including access to genuine spare parts and warranty

At the forefront of this venture is the introduction of the Mahindra Pik-Up. Designed to excel in diverse terrains, the Pik-Up embodies durability, versatility, and superior towing capacity, making it an ideal choice for both individual and business needs.

This launch paves the way for the addition of other Mahindra vehicles, SUVs, and heavy commercial

At the forefront of this venture is the introduction of the Mahindra Pik-Up

trucks, in the near future.

Sachin Arolkar, Head of International Operations - Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “We are excited to initiate our operations in Guyana through our partnership with Massy Motors, a company that resonates with our vision of achieving transformative growth with our globally recognised vehicles. The introduction of the Mahindra Pik-Up in Guyana represents our commitment to reliability and versatility. We are confident that this partnership will significantly enable us to serve our customers in Guyana effectively.”

Rohit Coonjah, Vice President, Massy Motors, said, “As a company that has been providing solutions for Guyana’s automotive sector

for more than 56 years, we continue to offer transformations for the lives of our people.

This significant milestone for Massy Motors ensures that customers can access this new lineup at any of our three offices located in Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo, with full after-sales support, including warranty.”

At the upcoming exclusive launch event, attendees will have the opportunity to directly experience what Mahindra has to offer, highlighting Massy Motors’ commitment to raising living standards and contributing to Guyana’s economic development.

ABOUT MAHINDRA GROUP

Founded in 1945, the

Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries.

It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume.

It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and real estate.

The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.

Region Two rolls out fogging exercise, other strategies to curb dengue

WITH an increase in dengue cases across the country, several strategies have been employed in Region Two to safeguard residents against the mosquito-borne disease.

Persons with dengue will experience high fevers, headaches, rashes and pain throughout the body.

Senior Environmental Health Officer and Coordinator of Vector Control activities, Shaleena Jaigobin said continuous fogging, distribution of abate, residual spraying and awareness campaigns are currently ongoing.

Jaigobin said that continuous fogging is being done by the Environmental Health Department at various hotspot across the region. Workers are also distributing abate, which is designed to treat standing water, ponds, swamps, polluted water or areas with recurring mosquito populations, in the entire

region.

She told this publication that there is a massive sensitisation campaign that is currently ongoing to advise

and throw away all receptacles that are not in use,” Jaigobin said.

residents on how they could safeguard themselves against the mosquito-borne disease.

“We are doing our part as environmental officials and residents need to do their part and clean their surroundings

The region also has a massive cleanup campaign ongoing in all the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

Fogging was done from Bushlot to Aberdeen and Onderneeming to Riverstown.

Mosquito fogging is currently being done in hotspots across Region Two

Health Ministry hosts vaccination drive at Massy Mega Store

IN

Registered Nurse under the Ministry of Health, Latoya Bryan stated that the aim was to vaccinate as many persons as they could, especially with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

“We expect to vaccinate a lot of people. It’s all about protection and protecting yourself against [viruses], especially with the HPV vaccine. We’re trying to push that right now, so that we can protect our pop-

ulation from cervical cancer, and other cancers such as anal cancer, oral cancer and penal cancer and genital warts.”

In addition to the HPV vaccine, Nurse Bryan said they were also providing vaccines for yellow fever, Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR), tetanus and the varicella vaccine, which protects against chickenpox.

For persons who would have missed Friday’s outreach, Nurse Bryan said they can still visit the Ministry of Health Tarmac at Brickdam from Monday to Friday 16:30 hours. to 17:30 hours or Saturdays 09:00 hours to

14:00 hours.

Notably, every Friday and Saturday until May 18, 2024, persons can visit Massy Mega Store at MovieTowne from 16:30 hours to 19:00 hours.

From April 20 to 27, 2024, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) together with countries and territories in the Americas and its partners, will celebrate the 22nd annual Vaccination Week and the 13th World Immunisation Week under the call to action: Engage now to protect your future! #GETVAX.

Man, 21, gets 10 years for sexual activity with underage girl

A 21-year-old man of Linden was jailed on Thursday for 10 years for sexually abusing an underage girl.

Joshua Lawrence, a business administration student at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child.

He was originally given a 15-year prison term by Demerara High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon.

However, the judge deducted one-third of the sentence (five years) for his early admission of guilt in accordance with established sentencing guidelines.

Lawrence sexually assaulted the 15-year-old girl twice: once between February 1 and February 28, 2021, and again between March 8 and March 9, 2021, according to the indictments.

The teenage girl and Lawrence are known to one another.

Lawrence’s father passed away when his mother was seven months pregnant, the court was informed through a probation report. At the age of three, his mother subsequently died.

Lawrence’s older sister and relatives had to take care of him as a result.

According to the probation officer, the convict showed “little remorse” for his wrongdoing.

Despite this, she came to the conclusion that he had a promising future in light of his GTI enrollment and success at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

In her closing remarks, the probation officer urged the court to give the criminal and survivour an “opportunity to heal”.

Lawrence ultimately received a 10-year prison term for each of the two charges. The jail sentences will run concurrently.

Justice Kissoon ordered the prison service to expose this sex offender to skill training in a field of his choosing in order to aid in his rehabilitation.

Attorney-at-Law Ronald Bostwick defended Lawrence while State Counsel Madana Rampersaud and Praneta Seeraj appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

observation of Vaccination Week, the Ministry of Health on Friday hosted a Vaccination Drive at the Massy Mega Store, East Coast Demerara.

Jailed: Joshua Lawrence

Registered Nurse, Latoya Bryan (left) with other health officials at Friday’s outreach (Shaniece Bamfield photo)

DEMTOCO records $2.27B in after-tax profit for 2023

–– says Guyana could lose $1B annually to cigarette smuggling

AT the 90th Annual General Meeting held on Friday at the Marriott Hotel, Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (DEMTOCO), a leader in the tobacco industry, shared its 2023 results and strategic achievements under the leadership of Managing Director, Mr. Vijay Singh.

According to a press release, the company reported a 9.7 per cent increase in profit after tax, climbing from $2.07 billion in 2022 to $2.27 billion in 2023.

“This growth has been supported by a 4.4 per cent increase in revenue driven by enhanced operating efficiencies. These results were achieved amidst a challenging global environment characterised by logistical disruptions, inflationary pressures, and international political tensions, which DEMTOCO successfully navigated in order to deliver significant

value to its shareholders,” the release said.

It added that Mr. Singh highlighted the company’s strategic focus on strengthening its portfolio of international brands.

“Our premium brand Dunhill has once again shown outstanding performance, with a growth of 9.5 per cent for the third consecutive year. This is a testament to our commitment to innovation and providing a premium experience to our consumers,” Mr. Singh was quoted as saying.

Additionally, the migration of the Bristol brand to the globally recognised Lucky Strike has positioned DEMTOCO to leverage brand strength and drive future growth.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, the Managing Director also addressed the challenges posed by the illicit trade of tobacco products, which has significantly impacted the industry.

“The market share of illicit cigarettes in Guyana has risen alarmingly to an estimated 29 per cent representing a 100 per cent increase in just one year. Mr. Singh emphasised the urgent need for intervention, stating, ‘If this trend continues, we could see an estimated loss of G$1 billion in government revenue by the end of 2024.’

DEMTOCO has been proactive in advocating for stronger enforcement to combat the issue of illicit trade, which undermines legitimate businesses and poses risks to the economy. The company appreciates the efforts of the law enforcement agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards in seizing illegal products and calls for increased collaboration to tackle this pressing issue.

Despite these challenges, DEMTOCO’s resilience and strategic initiatives have ensured sustained growth and shareholder value. Mr. Singh extended his gratitude to all stakeholders, including the dedicated DEMTOCO team and the leadership provided by the Board of Directors, which have been instrumental in achieving the company’s goal,” the release added.

“As we continue to navigate through these challenging times, our focus remains on innovation, strategic growth, and combating illicit trade to ensure the prosperity of DEMTOCO and contribute positively to Guyana’s economy,” Mr. Singh concluded.

Exxon misses on Q1 profit despite big gains in Guyana

EXXON Mobil Corp (XOM.N), on Friday, missed analysts’ estimates with a 28 per cent year-onyear drop in first quarter profits as weaker refining margins and lower natural gas prices offset volume gains.

Latest results from oil and gas companies including Chevron (CVX.N), opens new tab and TotalEnergies(TTEF.PA), opens new tab reflect a sharp downturn in natural gas prices after a warmer than usual Northern Hemisphere winter cut demand and pushed up inventories.

Exxon, which is in the process of closing a $60

Kathryn Mikells. The miss was due in part to tax and inventory balance sheet adjustments, she said.

“Every quarter, we have some pluses and minuses associated with these one-off items”, she said. “Sometimes they are favourable, this time they were unfavourable.”

Global oil prices were largely flat against a year ago while the company received a price for its natural gas that was 32 per cent less than a year ago, the company said.

Oil and gas results were boosted by lower costs and higher volumes from Exxon’s Guyana operations, where the latest production vessel hit full production

billion deal for top shale oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD.N), opens new tab, posted lower first-quarter earnings of $8.22 billion, down from an $11.43 billion net profit a year ago.

The stock was down 1.8 per cent in pre-market trading at $119.25 after reporting a profit per share of $2.06, 6 per cent shy of Wall Street analysts’ consensus for $2.20 per share, LSEG estimates showed.

Earnings from oil and gas production fell 14 per cent on lower natural gas prices and refining tumbled 67 per cent on weaker fuel margins, mark-to-market derivatives, and higher maintenance costs. Its chemicals business, however, was a standout, with earnings more than doubling on lower input costs and higher margins, the company said.

Earnings of $8.22 billion for the first quarter ended March 31 were off 29 per cent compared to adjusted profit of $11.62 billion a year earlier.

But the results were the second highest for a first quarter in the past decade, behind the year-ago period, said Chief Financial Officer,

Pioneer would make Exxon the largest oil and gas producer in the top U.S. shale field, doubling output there to more than 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Exxon forecasts the combination will allow it to reach 2 million barrels per day in 2027.

That deal was the largest among a series of blockbuster combinations in recent

years, as wildcatters including Pioneer, Endeavor Energy and CrownRock were acquired by bigger companies which sought to lock in years of future production and achieve economies of scale from expanded operations. Pioneer’s shares this week traded at $275 apiece, a 9 per cent increase to their October deal value.

HESS ARBITRATION

Exxon is in a dispute with Chevron and Hess over assets in Guyana, home to the biggest oil finds in the past two decades. In face of Chevron’s $53 billion offer for Hess, Exxon has claimed preemption rights over Hess’ Guyana assets. That claim is being considered by an international arbitration panel.

Hess’ 30 per cent stake in the Guyana joint venture is the prize in Chevron’s proposed takeover.

Mikells said Exxon and partner CNOOC Ltd will “evaluate our options” if the arbitration panel agrees that they have the first of first refusal to a sale.

“It is all about clarifying our contractual rights, period,” she said. (Reuters)

earlier than expected. Hess, (HES.N), opens new tab one of Exxon’s partners in the South American country, earlier flagged the increase with a 70 per cent year-over-year output gain.

“Oil volumes outpaced the street, driven by surging production in Guyana, where gross production reached a record 600,000 barrels per day,” said Peter McNalley, an analyst at Third Bridge.

Exxon’s capital spending last quarter was the lowest in seven quarters and its streamlining of operations expanded what it calls structural cost savings by $400 million.

It added $1.7 billion in cash last quarter to end the period with $33.3 billion.

DEAL CLOSING

Exxon’s acquisition of Pioneer is expected to wrap up in coming weeks. Exxon has started the integration process with a team working separately from the business, Mikells said.

“We are feeling really good about our interactions with the Pioneer people and making sure that we put our best foot forward as we close this transaction,” she said.

The all-stock deal for

The ExxonMobil office in Georgetown, Guyana (Photo by Jose A. Alvardo Jr./Bloomberg)

China Medical Team, Lethem Regional Hospital host free healthcare outreach

IN a collaboration effort, the 19th China Medical Team joined forces recently with the Lethem Regional Hospital to conduct a free medical outreach in Lethem Central Rupununi, situated 600 kilometers away from Georgetown.

This initiative signifies a significant step forward in strengthening the healthcare cooperation between China and Guyana.

Covering a spectrum of medical disciplines, including general internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology, gynaecology, pediatrics, and even traditional Chinese acupuncture, the free clinic aimed to provide comprehensive healthcare services to the local community.

Notably, it also offered essential services such as cervical cancer screening, health consultations, and disease prevention education.

To ensure the provision of high-quality medical care, the Lethem Regional Hospital extended its laboratory and imaging facilities to the China Medical Team.

The hospital staff worked hand-in-hand with the visiting medical professionals, conducting pre-examination triage and offering on-site blood pressure and glucose tests.

Preceding the event, effective coordination with the Ministry of Health and local health departments ensured seamless organisation and execution

of the free clinic. As a result, over 100 local residents benefited from the expertise and dedication of the China Medical Team, experiencing top-notch medical care in their own community.

The collaboration between the China Medical Team and the Lethem Regional Hospital not only underscores the importance of international cooperation in healthcare but also highlights the commitment of both nations towards enhancing the well-being of all citizens, regardless of geographical location.

This inaugural joint venture sets a promising precedent for future collaborations aimed at addressing healthcare needs in remote areas.

The 19th China Medical Team and representatives of the Lethem Regional Hospital and other officials during the medical outreach

City Council orders vendors outside Discount Store, Demico House to remove immediately

THE Georgetown Mayor and City Councillors have issued directives to vendors plying their trade in the vicinity of Discount Store at Lot 102 Regent and Wellington Streets and the Banks DIH Limited property near Stabroek Market, to remove immediately.

The vendors in question have been operating stands selling various goods just outside the business places for some time now.

The correspondences dated April 24, 2024 and authored by City Engineer, Colvern Venture, stated that, pursuant to an order of the court, vendors plying their trade on the pavement

and street/roadway around RNK Investments (commonly known as Discount Store) and Banks DIH Limited (commonly known as Demico House) are “hereby given final notice to immediately desist from selling around the environs and remove all encumbrances.”

If the vendors fail to comply, the City Council will confiscate all goods and structures in those areas.

Additionally, failure to comply, will prompt the council to take appropriate action as per Section 10 of the Government City Bylaws, the notices stated. Vendors were further cautioned that a storage

fee of no less than $20,000 would apply once their items are seized, and any unclaimed items after one month will be sold or disposed of by the City Council.

After the Georgetown Mayor and City Council failed in their attempts to evict the vendors from the area around Demico House, Clifford Reis, the Chairman of Banks DIH Limited, announced earlier in the year that the food and beverage manufacturer would take legal action.

New vendors began appearing, prompting the filing of legal proceedings against the City Council for failing to fulfill its role. The owner of Discount Store

also approached the court for redress.

The Demerara High Court rendered decisions in favour of the two establishments.

As per the court documents seen by this publication, Banks DIH Limited stated that it has been occupying the Stabroek property since 1969.

The establishment further stated that the vending issue outside has gotten worse in recent years without any intervention from the City Council.

The business submitted that because of this circumstance, access to its property has been hampered, resulting in major financial

losses. Several individuals have set up vending spots outside Demico House, the Discount Store as well as other businesses in the city, with some constructing makeshift structures and others utilising caravans.

Similar court orders against vendors have been obtained by Muneshwers Limited and Shamdas Kirpalani from the High Court.

Around these two establishments, a number of people were selling vegetables, food, clothing, shoes, and other goods; some were hanging their items on the Muneshwers Limited building at Water and Commerce Streets.

Shamdas Kirpalani ar-

gued in its application that occasionally neither its employees nor customers can park in front of the store because of the street vendors’ operations. The owner added that the congestion created by the vendors had also attracted pickpocketing and that these criminals would target its customers as well as passing members of the public. It was stated that congestion was being used as a cover for the sale of narcotics.

The business said that because of the vendors on the road and pavement, potential customers would avoid the store, causing it to be inconvenienced and lose money.

Vendors outside the Discount Store on Friday afternoon

Vending in the vicinity of Demico House at Stabroek, on Friday

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday April 27, 2024)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Rishabh Pant-128* (Daredevils vs SRH)

(2) Ankit Rajpoot-5/14 (Kings XI vs SRH)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who hit most sixes in IPL 2018?

(2) Who took most catches (non-wicketkeeper)?

in tomorrow’s issue

AMERICAN RACING TIPS

AQUEDUCT

Race 1 Practical Miss

Race 2 Youbettterbejoking

Race 3 All The Rage

Race 4 Lady Mia

Race 5 Colonel Vargo

Race 6 Carson's Run

Race 7 Striking Speed

Race 8 Over Acting

IRISH RACING TIPS

NAVAN

hrs Transcendental

hrs Camille Pissaro

hrs Givemethe -

beatboys

hrs Purple Lily

hrs Apache Eagle

hrs Kyprios

hrs Rain

hrs Charming Star

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS

TURFFONTEIN

hrs Kiss Me Captain 08:45 hrs None Other 09:20 hrs Puerto Menzano

hrs Lucky Lad 10:30 hrs Nebraas

hrs Atticus French

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

hrs Fiercely Proud

hrs The Real Whacker

hrs El Fabiolo

hrs Le Milios

hrs

GFF inks G$31M consultancy agreement for Durban Park Stadium

IN the next six to eight months, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will become aware of all the technical intricacies of constructing the country’s first international-standard football stadium at Durban Park.

On Friday, the Federation inked a contract with local group SRKN’gineering and Associates Limited to provide consultancy on the facility's design.

From this process, the GFF will become aware of all necessary factors, such as cost and timeline for the project, from which they can now create a tender for companies to bid for construction.

GFF President Wayne Forde indicated that this phase of work would cost US$156,000 (approximately G$31M).

FIFA and CONCACAF will continue their support after the govern-

ment leased the Federation an approximately 7.1-acre plot of land for 50 years.

While the consultancy process is ongoing, the GFF will continue to invest in landfilling to prepare for the eventuality of construction.

In December 2023, the GFF, in partnership with Blue Water Shipping, began the initial steps to create an innovative new, multi-purpose sports, edu-

GFF mourning loss of Peter ‘Zeno’ Gulliver

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) mourns the loss of Peter "Zeno" Gulliver, former coach of Pele Football Club and founder of the Black Pearl Football Club.

Beginning his illustrious journey at Pele FC in 1972, he quickly established himself, assuming coaching responsibilities for the Under-14 and Under-15 teams by 1975.

Gulliver spearheaded

the establishment of the club's maiden female team in 1986, underscoring his commitment to fostering youth talent and advancing gender inclusivity within the sport.

Concurrently, he assumed leadership of the Senior Men's team, succeeding Lennox Arthur and imprinting his mark on the game.

Revered as a mentor and role model, his contributions to club football develop -

ment garnered widespread acclaim among peers and enthusiasts alike.

His passing leaves a profound void in the football community, yet his legacy of passion, dedication, and sportsmanship will continue to inspire generations to come.

May his memory be a source of comfort and strength during this difficult time. (Press Release)

cational and entertainment venue.

Forde indicated that the facility, which will have two mini pitches to encourage more community involvement, would have a capacity of eight to twelve thousand.

Still, it could increase marginally based on the outcome of the current consultancy.

It will have all the modern amenities associated with football stadi-

ums for players, concessions, and media.

Engineer Ravi Narine opted not to estimate a potential cost for the facility, noting that much will depend on what they discover in this detailed consultancy process.

For Blue Water Shipping, Senior Vice-President of Operations Jenifer Falconer highlighted that they are most eager for the entire project to be completed as they are

seen as revolutionary for developing the sport in Guyana.

The signing of the contract was done at the GFF’s Secretariat in the presence of architect Tristan Gomes, Richard DeNobrega, Senior Vice-President of Sales & Development at Blue Water Shipping, and Rawlston Adams, Second Vice-President at the Guyana Football Federation.

MILO Schools Championship 2024 finals…

Indomitable champions Chase Academy storm into finals

CHASE Academy will have a chance to reclaim their Milo Schools Football U18 championship title on Sunday after a 4-nil thrashing of President College at the Ministry of Education Ground on Thursday.

Chase’s marksman Bryan Wharton gave his side the lead in the 15th minute of play before the ever-dependable Justin Alcindor came to the fore in the 19th minute to double the lead.

President’s College would step up their defence despite Chase’s Academy relentless pursuit to add to their tally, and the game went into the half with the champions leading 2-nil.

The second half saw Omar Sam coming to the goal scoring party with his successful strike in the 79th minute of play before Shaquan Davi d made it 4-nil a minute later as the Chase offence overwhelmed their east coast opponents for the victory.

Meanwhile, in the day’s second semifinals featuring Waramuri and Dolphin Secondary, Ezekiel David got things going in the 3rd minute of play for the city side.

Candel Hazel added his name to the scoresheet in the 11th, Dolphin was up 2-nil at the half way mark.

However, the second half was another story, as Waramuri settled down to turn the contest on its head with goals from Zundel Abrams and Odell Holmes in the 46th and 62nd minutes

At regulation the scores still read 2-2 forcing extra time which again failed to separate the two sides.

In the ensuing penalty shoot-out Waramuri would prove the calmer heads winning 4-3 and earning their place in the final booked for Sunday at the CARFESTA avenue ground.

This year’s competition

fielded teams from Regions One, Four, Seven, Nine and 10 with 48 schools in total competing over several weeks of action at the Queens College and Ministry of Education grounds.

The eventual winning school is set to pocket $300,000 towards a project of their choice with half that amount going to the second-place finishers and $75,000 for third place.

The final will also see individual awards to the top goal scorer, best goal keeper and Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

New club Oasis Archers affiliates with Archery Guyana

Archery Guyana has announced the affiliation of a new club, Oasis Archers under their association.

In a press release on Friday, Archery Guyana through its president Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon expressed her enthusiasm for the affiliation, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Oasis Archers into the Archery Guyana family. Their dedication to the sport and commitment to fostering a thriving archery community align perfectly with our mission and values."

Ms. Centhia Cross, President of Oasis Archers, shared her excitement about joining Archery Guyana, saying, "We are thrilled to become part of Archery Guyana and look forward to contributing to the growth of archery in our country. With access to

More

resources and support from the national governing body, we are confident in our ability to provide opportunities for archers of all levels to thrive."

The affiliation process with Archery Guyana is straightforward and accessible to all clubs interested in joining the association.

Clubs can initiate the affiliation process by contacting Archery Guyana directly and submitting the necessary documentation. Once approved, affiliated clubs gain access to a wealth of resources and support to enhance their operations and promote the sport of archery within their communities.

Affiliation with Archery Guyana offers clubs like Oasis Archers access to a wide range of benefits, including

participation in sanctioned events, coaching and development programs, and other benefits through Archery Guyana's affiliation with World Archery, the international governing body for the sport.

Persaud-McKinnon took

than 40 entries confirmed for Jumbo

THE top horses in Guyana will assemble at the Rising Sun Turf Club tomorrow, Sunday April 28, for the Jumbo Jet Race of Champions. More than G$10 million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs, and more than 40 horses confirmed entry for the big showdown. The feature event, which will be the Banks DIH Champion of Champion race and is open to all imported and locally-bred horses, will have a total purse of G$3.75M. The

1600-meter race will see the top horse bag G$2M. Stolen Money, Spankhurst, John Bull, Bossalina, and Easy Time are the five horses confirmed for the feature event.

Race One will be the Jumbo Jet Group of companies K Class & Lower race, which will run at 1100 meters. Money Time, Get Them Bobby (formerly Hurricane Lane), Plus Return, Rescue (formerly Tizway), Top Gun, and Shake the Bank are the horses entered.

Race Two will be the N&M Trucking & Auto Sales I Class, J Class and West Indian-bred three-year-old maidens. That race will span 1100 meters, and the likes of Royal Ink, Sex Appeal, Hayley, and Danstar will do battle.

The third race on the card will be the SHI Oil Fuel Distributor and Importer L Class, and is open to J3 firsttime starters. A total of 11 horses have been confirmed entry. Chocolate Girl, Perfect

the opportunity to give an overview as to the affiliation process which is straightforward and designed to streamline the integration of clubs into the federation. She indicated that Clubs interested in affiliating with Archery Guyana are invited to express their interest by contacting the federation directly.

This can be done via email, phone, or through the website or the various social platforms. Upon expressing interest, clubs will be provided with the

necessary documentation and forms required for affiliation. These documents include inter alia an application form, club constitution, a list of executive members democratically elected. Once the completed documentation is submitted, Mrs. Persaud-McKinnon indicated that "our federation will review the application to ensure compliance with our affiliation requirements. This process may involve a review of the club's structure, activities, and alignment with our federation's values and objectives." Upon successful review and approval, the club will receive official confirmation of its affiliation with Archery Guyana.

Jet Race of Champions

Dream, Get Them Reggie, Top Ranking, Rags to Riches, Bolt n Nut, Three D Movie, Wow Wow, Kiss, Princess Samaya, and Royal Flight are the horses entered.

Race Four will be the F Class and Lower, and E Class who have not raced in 2024, and horses who placed no higher than third in their last race. Nice Company, American Traveller, Looking to Heaven, Creemore, and Converter are the horses entered.

Race Five will be the

Forrester’s Concrete H1 & H2 horses who did not finish higher than third in their last outing. Amicable Kate, Smooth Sailing, Zelda, Theory of Colours, Supremacy, and Blinding Light are the confirmed horses.

The penultimate race of the seven-card programme will be the Three-year-old Guyana-bred horses. That race is sponsored by Knight Industries Inc Auto Sales, Spares, Excavating and Trucking. She’s a Monica,

Country Rock, Bin Laden, and Easy Jet are the four horses confirmed.

The major sponsors for the Race of Champions are Banks DIH, AJM Enterprise, Jumbo Jet, Sino Truck, and XCMG.

All races will run under the guidance of the Guyana Horseracing Authority’s rules. The Race of Champions will get go ing at 12:45hrs at Rising Sun, and admission is G$2,000.

Chase Academy Goal Scorers. From left: Shaquan David, Justin Alcindor, Omar Sam and Bryan Wharton

Oasis Archers’ Committee, comprising Centhia Cross as President, Quincy Clarke as Vice President, Aaron Taylor as Treasurer, Lalita Lachman as Secretary, and members Michael Benn, Colin Higgins, Samuel Arjoon, Esau Ishmael, and Vishal Ragoobeer, stands ready to lead the club into this new chapter of affiliation with Archery Guyana

Caribbean Youth Table Tennis Championship…

Mixed results for Guyana on Day Four

KRYSTIAN Sahadeo went down to Andre de Calderon of St Lucia but beat Dominican Republic’s Darling Castro to reach the main draw of the singles category at the ongoing Caribbean Youth Table Tennis Championship in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Colin Wong also had a good outing against his St Lucian and Grenadian opponents to advance out of his group.

Jonathan Van Lange and Umar Percival failed to advance out of their respective groups.

In the girls U19 singles, Thuraia Thomas handed a walk over to Shary Munoz and loss to Trinidad’s Chloe Fraser in her group but advanced after Munoz pulled out.

In the U15 boys singles, Malachi Moore went undefeated, beating Jamaica Logan Royes, Barbados Ajani Gittens and Dominican Edwin Ventura to go into the main draw.

KFC Elite League…

The U15 girls’ singles was tough for Jasmine Billingy, Akira Watson and Samara Sukhai as none made it out of their groups.

The Boys’ Under 19 doubles pair of Umar Percival and Krystian Sahadeo got into the round of 16 along with Jonathan Van Lange and Colin Wong.

GDF brush aside Den Amstel

THE mighty Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football team continued their unbeaten run in the KFC Elite League Season Six on Thursday with a 2-0 victory over Den Amstel.

It was one of the smallest margins of victory for the ever-dominant soldiers in the league.

GDF, the two-time defending champions, had second-half goals from Cedric Osbourne in the 48th minute, and Delroy Fraser in the 54th minute as they took a comfortable victory.

The ten-team league table sees the GDF stretching their lead at the top after eight games with eight wins for 24 points.

Slingerz FC still holds the second-place spot after 7 wins in 7 games on 21 points, with Police sitting at third with 6 wins from 7 games with 18 points.

Western Tigers with 4 wins in 7 games is fourth in the standings.

The night’s second encounter saw another win for City side Santos FC, who got the better of Ann’s Grove United, 4-1, to hold the fifth position in the table.

Micheal Oie was the first to the back of the net for Santos in the 14th minute as they showed their class against the lower-ranked East Coast side.

Ian Daniels, who is beginning to find his touch in his first elite-league season, then made it 2-nil in the 38th minute of play before Stephen Reynolds added to

Ann’s Grove United’s woes with his first.

Anns Grove went into the break with three unanswered goals.

On resumption, Yohance Francis pulled back the score line with his lone strike in the 55th minute.

Despite Francis’ best efforts, his side failed to mount

a further challenge, as Kevin Padmore restored Santos’ cushion in the 67th minute.

Santos would hold on to the lead to take the 4-1 victory, their 4th in 8 games this season.

The KFC Elite League continues today with Slingerz tackling Police FC at 21:00 hours

Thuraia Thomas and Akira Watson are set to battle Trinidad pair Priyanka khellawan and Imani Edwards Taylor in round of 16 looking to break into the quarter finals in the women’s doubles.

While in the mixed doubles, Umar Percival and Akira Watson lost in the round of 32 to Jamaica.

Colin Wong and Sa -

mara Sukhai also lost 3-0 to Trinidad with Malachi Moore and Jasmine Billingy going down to Dominican Republic 3-0 in the U15 mix doubles.

The girls U15 doubles pair of Jasmine Billingy and Samara Sukhai are into the quarter finals after gaining a bye in the round of 16.

In the U15 mixed doubles Jasmine Billingy and Malachi Moore lost 3-0 in the round of 32 against Alexander Tejada and Mercedes Da La Cruz.

LABA releases remainder of 2024 programme

THE Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) has released its schedule for the rest of this year which includes the current Under 17 Schools Basketball Championship being played in the mining town.

According to President of LABA Mrs. Dawn McCammon Barker, the current Linden Secondary Schools Under-17 basketball ‘We Got Game’ championship, which began on April 15, is being played at the Mackenzie High School hard court and will conclude on May 2 with the final.

This will be followed

with the LABA Senior League in May which will set the stage for the LABA Summer Jam Under-23 championship in August.

There is a planned Referee’s Clinic and the year will end with the LABA Extravaganza Championship in December.

The LABA top official noted: “The association has been meeting with the basketball clubs across Linden to help address issues pertaining to their structure, and any of our matters that may be hindering their development as we seek to support them.”

Santos Goal Scorers (left to right) Stephen Reynolds, Micheal Oie and Ian Daniels

GDF’s Delroy Fraser celebrating his goal in the KFC Elite League

Guyana U-15 girls at the Caribbean Championship Guyana Boys Youth Team warming up at the Caribbean games

GFF inks G$31M consultancy agreement for Durban Park Stadium

From left: Rawlston Adams (Second Vice-President -Guyana Football Federation), Richard DeNobrega (Senior Vice-President of Sales & Development - Blue Water Shipping), Jenifer Falconer (Senior Vice-President of Operations – Blue Water Shipping), Wayne Forde (President – Guyana Football Federation), Ravi Narine (SRKN’gineering and Associates Limited) and Tristan Gomes (SRKN’gineering and Associates Limited) after the signing of the consultancy agreement on Friday

Jumbo Jet’s top duo Spankurst and Easy Time will be in action at Rising Sun