Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 17-06-2023

First Lady hands over house to Tuschen family six weeks after making promise

By Cindy Parkinson

A TUSCHEN family on Friday received the keys to a brand-new one-storey concrete house, six weeks after First Lady Arya Ali visited and saw first-hand the deplorable conditions they were living in.

Mrs Ali , who was ac -

companied by First Son Zayd Ali, returned to the area to deliver on the promise she had made to Dolly Ward , who was living in a dilapidated wooden structure with her two daughters and sick husband for some time.

During the simple and emotional ribbon cutting ceremony, the First Lady said to

your family tremendously,” she said in her brief remarks

Recognising that Mrs Ward was the family’s sole income provider , the First Lady also ensured that the yard was outfitted with a chicken coop that could house 100 birds at once

She emphasised that the family will have chickens for their own consumption, and can sell some to generate an income

“I hope that by our providing you with a chicken coop with 100 chickens, it will be of great help to you and the family as well,” the First Lady said to Mrs Ward Additionally, the First Lady reminded Mrs Ward that she had promised that she would give her daughters scholarships after they were finished with their Caribbean Examinations Council ( CXC ) examina -

tions, and according to her, she and the Government of Guyana will deliver on that promise as well

‘OVERJOYED AND EXCITED’

Speaking exclusively with the Guyana Chronicle, Mrs. Ward said: “I am overjoyed, and my girls and husband are too

We are happy and excited I prayed every day for a good home ; one that we wouldn’t get wet in when the rain falls, and God answered my prayers He sent the First Lady and her husband to help us . Even though our First Lady is pregnant , she still came all this way to make sure that she handed over the keys to me That shows what type of people they are, and I cannot say how thankful I am our First Lady took the time to come back She promised

Mrs Ward and her daughters that she was happy that she could have delivered on her promise in such a short space of time

“To Dolly and her family, today we are very happy to hand over the keys to this beautiful home for you and your family It’s just been six weeks, and we are very happy that we were able to deliver on our promise We hope that this will help you and

that she would build a house for me and my family, and she did; she fulfilled her promise, and she brought her son, too I would like to say thanks to our President, as well as to all who helped We were struggling for a long time, but because of our First Lady and President Ali , we can now say that we are better than we were before I want to tell them we will care this home, and we will never forget their kindness to us. The First Lady gave us a home; she promised my daughters scholarships after they were finished with school, and she also gave us 100 chickens to start off with What more can I ask for? God bless them.”

The house has two bedrooms and a washroom (with accommodations for her ailing husband ). Also included was a sofa set, beds, a fridge, and a stove

Last year, while the Phase

1 West Group of the People’s Progressive Party Civic ( PPP / C ) was having a walkabout in Tuschen, they discovered that the family of four was in urgent need of assistance

Due to prostate cancer , 75 - year - old Vibert Ward has spent the last three years confined to a bed The group also found out that Vibert, his wife, Dolly, and their two daughters, aged 15 and 16, were solely dependent on his pension to survive.

Dolly had told this publication that she would get domestic work “ now and again ” from people in the community, but it was challenging for her, since she had to take care of her husband and her two children Upon hearing of the family ’ s plight , the First Lady visited the family and promised to rebuild their home

First Lady Arya Ali, Master Zayd, and Dolly Ward and her two daughters outside the new house shortly after it was officially handed over

First Lady Arya Ali embraces an emotional Dolly Ward

First Lady Arya Ali inspects the new house Dolly Ward and her family will now occupy (Adrian Narine Photos)

Enmore, surrounding communities to undergo drastic transformation ––

industrial estate, railway track among plans, says President

Ali

By Trina Williams

WITH the East Coast Demerara corridor undergoing major transformations such as the fourlane road expansion, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Friday disclosed that Enmore and surrounding communities are poised to become an industrial hub.

While delivering the feature address at the commemoration ceremony for the Enmore Martyrs, he said: “This area here on the East Coast, encompassing Enmore and Paradise and the surrounding communities will be drastically transformed.”

Among several developments earmarked to provide thousands of jobs for East Coast residents are an industrial estate, which will soon be set up, as the government is looking to redevelop the commercial zone.

Revealing some of the plans which will be executed, once the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) government secures a second term in office, the President said: “Definitely in the next term of office for the People’s Progressive Party, we will be looking at the train to see the viability of having a train along the East Bank, East Coast.”

On the other hand, while highlighting the importance of the sugar industry and the government’ s commitment to strengthening the sector, he said: “We [the government] would welcome an engagement with the management, the union, or the workers as we seek to further collaborate and expand our relationship, and to reposition our priorities.”

Noting that “… you can’t have sugar if you don’t have cane,” the President said that he understands that Guy -

ana is expected to produce 60,000 tonnes by the end of this year, however, for 2024, there is the goal of 100,000 on the agenda already.

MAJOR REPLANTING EXERCISE

The President also revealed that there will be a major replanting exercise, in which Guyana will receive scientific assistance from countries like India, Guatemala, and the Dominican Re -

public in order to have the right kind of seedlings, and to establish a nursery that will make it possible to expedite the process of having more seedlings available, so that the cultivation can be expanded quickly.

The government is also anticipating that the Albion packaging facility will be operational by the end of this year, as a result of the modernisation that is taking place there.

“I believe that by the

end of this year, with the modernisation that is taking place with the opening of the new estate, hopefully, the packaging plant in Albion will be ready…,” he said, adding: “And we have expanded cultivation that we’ll be in a better position to analyse the next three to five years of the industry, and to make the right type

of decisions that are critical and key in advancing the prospects of this very important industry.”

Noting the pivotal role the sacrifices of the Enmore Martyrs played in Guyana’s attaining its independence, since their fight was not just about sugar workers but for all Guyanese to have a better quality of life, President Ali said:

“Their sacrifice created, not a partisan struggle, not a political party struggle, but a national struggle; it was the tragedy that led to ensuring that we will not rest until the country was free and independent…”

TAKING THE COUNTRY FORWARD

After thanking the thousands of Guyanese who supported the PPP in the recent Local Government Elections (LGEs) and cast their votes in the interest of the nation, the Head of State reminded them that they are, ultimately, the sole beneficiaries.

“At the end of the day,” he said, “political parties are there to bring people together; that should be the aim. And the political

system should always end with people winning.”

He said that in retrospect, he is content that even the Opposition has come to recognise that at the end of the day, it was the people who won.

And, in keeping with their commitments, the President said that even in areas where the PPP/C did not win, the government will still strive to improve them by carrying out their plans for local development.

“We have to work harder and stronger now, and work harder and stronger to let those persons know that they supported a political system that will stand true to its commitment that would stand true to its promises,” he said.

Additionally, the Head of State emphasised the need to respect other people’s choices and political stances, saying that when Guyana achieves this, we would no longer have politics based on division, but rather one based on values.

The President also said that within the coming days, the framework for several developmental projects, such as the ‘One Guyana’ Commission, will be worked on.

President Ali lays a wreath at the Enmore Martyrs Monument (Delano Williams photo)

Work commences on $847M water treatment plant at Parika

CONSTRUCTION has commenced on an $ 847 million water treatment plant at Parika, East Bank Essequibo that will serve some 12,000 residents from Ruby , stretching all the way to St Lawrence when completed in 2024

The project is being funded by the Government of Guyana and is undertaken by Toshiba Water Solutions Private Limited , an international multi - disciplinary environmental services company headquartered in India that specialises in providing turnkey services in water and wastewater collection ,

treatment, and disposal

Toshiba will also train workers of the Guyana Water Inc ( GWI ) to manage and operate the plant The plant is expected to be completed in June 2024 and will have a capacity to supply some 4.5 million liters of treated water per day , bringing relief to thousands of residents within the communities it will serve Some 40 Guyanese will be contracted to accelerate work in the initial phase of the project

GWI Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh on an inspection visit to the work site on Friday, said he was

pleased with the commencement of work on the treatment plant and urged the contractor to complete the project within the project deadline

Toshiba Water Solutions Private Limited Director and Chief Executive Officer, Rajkumar Gupta said his company is committed to delivering a quality project to the Government and people of Guyana within the project deadline

He also noted that Toshiba is extremely pleased to be associated with GWI and in the building of water infrastructure to enable the provision of water security in Guyana.

Apart from the treatment plant at Parika, six others are currently under construction These are at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast ; Parfaite Harmonie and Wales, West Bank Demerara; Caledonia and Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara and Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown

Work will also commence on a new water treatment plant at Charity, Essequibo Coast; Leguan, Region Three; Wakenaam, Region Three ; Bath , Region Five and Adventure, Region Six before year end

In addition, 12 existing treatment plants are being upgraded and work has started on the laying of transmission and distribution lines across the coastland

These projects are part of the Coastal Water Treatment Project, which is geared at providing treated water to the population

GWI is committed to providing treated water to 90 per cent of the population by 2025, and in support of this vision, the Government of Guyana in recent years has been investing billions of dollars annually in the sector

Meanwhile , GWI has thus far achieved 97 per cent access to water and is actively working towards achieving full coverage by 2025. (GWI)

Gov’t plans to reopen Rose Hall Sugar Estate before year end

DURING the commemoration ceremony for the five Enmore Martyrs: Rambarran , Pooran , Lallabagee , Surajballi and Harry, General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union ( GAWU ), Aslim Singh, on Friday, disclosed that the Rose Hall Sugar Estate is expected to reopen later this year.

“Comrades, later this year, we anticipate the opening of the Rose Hall estate,” he said adding that he was informed that operations are to commence during the third quarter of 2023.

The governing People ’ s Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C), he explained, has invested tremendous amounts to not only rehire the 7,000 sugar workers who were severed under the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change ( APNU + AFC ) government, but also to reopen the sugar estates that were shut down by that administration

Meanwhile , he used the occasion to emphasise that Guyanese people have made tremendous strides since the

1948 tragedy

He also related to President , Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali , that GAWU is looking forward to collaborating with the government in order to forge plans that will better the lives of workers, and overall, all Guyanese

Moreover, while remarking that GAWU wouldn’t be itself without the sugar workers, Singh openly commended them for continuously striving and bettering the industry

Carvil Duncan, President of The Federation of Trade Unions of Guyana ( FITUG ) reflected on how the memorial not only marked the remembrance of those brave heroes, but also illustrates the strides that Guyana has made since the tragedy

Duncan said : “ We as a nation over that period, underwent serious challenges and serious difficulties to reach where we are today,” he said adding that history paves the way for a nation to better themselves

The FITUG President also commended the government for restoring the livelihoods

General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Aslim Singh

of thousands of sugar workers and their strong commitment to the industry

He stressed that the former administrations failed to honour the Enmore Martyrs in the same way the PPP/C does

On June , 16 , 1948 , the five sugar workers lost their lives while on strike at Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara. They were brutally and senselessly gunned down by Colonial Police.

GWI Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh (third left) and Project Manager, Richard Persaud (second left) with Toshiba Water Solutions Private Limited Director and Chief Executive Officer, Rajkumar Gupta (second right), Group Chief Financial Officer, Anil Chauhan (right) and Group Director, Sanjay Agrawal (left) at the project site on Friday

Exxon commits to investing $4 trillion in Guyana over next five years

ESSO Exploration and Production Guyana Limited ( EEPGL ), ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, along with coventurers in the country’s offshore blocks , is committed to investing $4 trillion in the country over the next five years

This is according to EEPGL ’ s Vice President and Business Service Manager Phillip Rietema, who made these remarks on Wednesday during a media briefing at the company’s Kingston, Georgetown headquarters

It was during this briefing that the company pro-

vided reporters with its audited financial statements

When asked about the company’s increase in assets in 2022 and about a possible projection of an increase in 2023, Rietema said that the company ’ s assets in 2022 did in fact increase by G $ 1 trillion which in the financial statements signify an increase of around 80 per cent

He went on to add that the company , however , does not have projections for the year 2023 in relation to the expected increase in assets

“As I said, we’re committed over the next five

years as a CoV (Coventurer) group to invest another four trillion Guyanese dollars So, you would expect as Payara comes online in the future yellowtail, the assets will increase over time.”

According to the Business Service Manager , as a coventurer group, if the financial statements are to be looked at, the total assets are in the range of some US $20 billion

“Those assets reflect all the investments we’ve made to date and are generating as you see significant cash flow for Guyana and for the CoVs and those assets

and the cash flow that they generate could be used to deal with any expenses in the future,” he added

During this briefing, Rietema also revealed that the company has been in Guyana for many years and investing since 1999 and these investments are reflected on the company’s financial statements

He added that there have been investments of around G $ 2 trillion even as the profits to date are cumulative to around $600 billion

To this end, he noted that the investments are more than three times their accumulated earnings

APPROXIMATELY 300 families of Swan Village along the Soesdyke - Linden Highway are now benefitting from enhanced water service on a 24-hour basis, with the completion of a new $ 70 million well.

Works were executed by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and residents of Swan The new well is a complement to the existing one.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Friday at GWI ’ s Vlissengen Road office , Executive Director of Projects, Marlon Daniels said the water company is extremely pleased with the project’s completion

“The residents would have provided all of the labour to lay those pipes and we provided them with all of the materials,” the executive project

director stated

The government had committed to building the new well to better serve the community since only 20 per cent of residents there was accessing water

The administration ’ s five - year strategic plan aims to ensure that 100 per cent access to clean and safe water is provided nationwide by the year 2025, and the completion of the new well fits into this goal

Improved access and enhanced quality of water in several communities have positively impacted the quality of life and health of Guyanese

In support of these investments, the government expended $9.9 billion in 2022 and has allocated $17.7 billion in budget 2023 to further drive the agenda. (DPI)

EEPGL Vice President and Business Service Manager Phillip Rietema (News Room photo)

Swan residents benefitting from 24-hour water supply with new $70M well

GWI ’ s Executive Director of Projects, Marlon Daniels

Resounding Victory

THE recently concluded Local Government Elections in Guyana have witnessed a remarkable victory for the People’s Progressive Party ( PPP ), signifying a major shift in political landscape and public support

Party General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo rightly hailed the massive success achieved by the PPP, while expressing disappointment at the opposition’s persistent dissemination of falsehoods despite credible records

The numbers speak for themselves , with a staggering 75 per cent increase in the number of seats secured by the PPP in comparison to the 2018 elections Dr Jagdeo pointed out that the PPP emerged triumphant with 906 out of the 1,220 seats, a notable increase from the 779 seats secured in the previous elections This victory is even more impressive when considering that the opposition, namely the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) merged with the Alliance for Change (AFC) in 2018 and could only muster 390 seats

Dr Jagdeo emphasised that the PPP’s gains extended into opposition strongholds,

effectively debunking the opposition’s attempts to distort the truth He made it clear that the PPP would not tolerate the spread of lies and misinformation, particularly in light of recent claims made by APNU members in the media

To address the opposition ’s baseless assertions, Dr Jagdeo presented concrete evidence that refuted their claims He revealed that APNU’s narrow victory in Plegt Anker constituency, a traditional PPP stronghold, was marred by five tendered ballots , prompting the PPP to request a recount Furthermore, he highlighted that APNU failed to mention their loss in Kortberaad East, while the PPP secured 39 of the Proportional Representation (PR) votes in Plegt Anker compared to APNU’s 21 Clearly, the opposition’s claims of making significant inroads were nothing more than delusions

In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), the PPP emerged victorious in several Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), debunking APNU’s assertion of a “whitewashed” victory Dr Jagdeo illustrated the PPP’s success by pointing out the dramatic

increase in votes in No. 5 Village, a traditional APNU stronghold, from a mere two votes in 2018 to an impressive 206 votes in the 2023 polls This pattern of success extended to other areas like ‘C’ Field, Blairmont, Hamlet/Chance, and even Buxton, which are considered APNU strongholds

A remarkable achievement for the PPP came in Georgetown, another traditional APNU stronghold, where the party secured five out of the 15 constituency seats This represents a step forward for the PPP in local government in Georgetown, as they gained two more seats compared to the 2018 elections Constituencies One, Four, and Seven are now new footholds for the PPP, further demonstrating their widening support base

Dr Jagdeo affirmed that the PPP ’ s victory was not confined to its strongholds but also extended to areas where they did not contest, showcasing the party’s ability to resonate with diverse constituencies He dismissed APNU’s claims that low voter turnout indicated rejection of the PPP , pointing out that historical data reveals local government participation has always been

low. Despite this, the PPP secured resounding success and trounced the opposition with such a turnout

The commitment of the PPP to improve the lives of citizens remains unwavering. Dr Jagdeo assured the public that the party would fulfill all promises made during the campaign , underscoring the importance of accountability and upholding the trust placed in them by the people The PPP’s outstanding support , as demonstrated in various regions, has energised party members and further motivated them to work even harder

The results of the Local Government Elections provide a clear indication of the PPP’s progress and the public’s trust in their governance The substantial increase in seats, particularly in opposition strongholds, is a testament to the party’s ability to unite and appeal to a diverse electorate

As the PPP moves forward, it is crucial for them to remain focused on delivering on their promises and continuing to foster progress , development , and inclusive governance for the betterment of all Guyanese citizens

Rehabilitation of internal roads completed in Kwakwani totalling $167M

REHABILITATION

works on internal roads in Central Kwakwani, Region 10 , valuing some $167 million are now completed, bringing much-needed relief to the residents and commuters in the area.

The comprehensive project involved the rehabilitation of two sets of thoroughfares spanning a total length of 1,400 metres

The project which was awarded to Ideal Engineering last December, saw the construction of 750 metres of concrete slipper drains on both sides of the road, along with the implementation of a robust road surface.

The roads were constructed with a foundation of six inches of ce-

ment - stabilised bauxite capping sub-base, in an effort to ensure durability and longevity

This solid foundation was further reinforced with a layer of two-inch thick asphaltic concrete, providing a smooth and reliable surface for residents there

During the construction , additional works were undertaken Notably , four high - density polyethylene ( HDPE ) culverts were constructed , contributing to the efficient drainage system of the roads and preventing waterlogging during periods of heavy rainfall

The added measures ensure the longevity of the infrastructure while minimising the risk of potential damage caused

by water accumulation

Additionally, the significance of the project extends beyond transportation convenience as the newly rehabilitated roads are strategically located near essential facilities, including schools, hospitals, health centres, playgrounds, police stations, and the market area

As such , the overall quality of life of residents is greatly enhanced while accessibility to the area is significantly improved

It will also bolster economic activities in the area , as residents and local businesses can now benefit from improved connectivity, reduced travel times , and enhanced access to essential services. (DPI)

Editor Navendra Seoraj

OP-ED

By Dr Leslie Ramsammy

LGE 2023 results are out – the PPP won big ; the PNC - led APNU took an old-fashioned thrashing.

While there has been a sprinkling of requests for recounts from the PPP and the PNC-led APNU, there have not been any significant complaints about the conduct of these elections

The PPP came out of LGE 2023 as the big winner since they won 66 of the 80 Local Authority Areas ( LAAs ), including seven of 10 municipalities, and 906 of the 1,206 local government seats

The PPP won 83 per cent of the LAAs , 75 per cent of all seats available and more than 70 per cent of all votes cast The PPP not only strengthened its hold on its traditional strongholds, but it has massively made inroads in areas where the PNC usually celebrated almost 100 per cent votes in the past By any measure, this is a wipeout of the opposition

On the other hand, the PNC has wounds to lick In 2018 , the PNC controlled five of the 10 municipalities

For LGE 2023, the PNC lost its municipal strongholds of Bartica and Mahdia where Local Government Elections have never been competitive

It nearly lost the municipality of New Amsterdam where it has held office continuously since the formation of the PNC The PPP which had won only one of the seven constituencies in 2018, was able to win three constituencies and increased its seats from three to six in LGE 2023 and came within a few votes to win another, which would have made it a tie in New Amsterdam

In Georgetown, the PPP increased from seven to 11 and with a recount in one constituency could very well end up with 12 seats

In Linden, the PPP increased from one to two. The PNC has put up a bold face and celebrating victory in these three towns But the PNC celebrate only because they must have anticipated losing in some of these strongholds Their celebration

LGE 2023 marks a new political horizon in Guyana

‘One Guyana’ has gained traction

is relief that they held on, “clutching at straws”.

The PNC wounds are deep In NDCs where they usually win easily , they lost some and barely held on to others In LGE 2023, they won in only 14 LAAs ( three municipalities and 11 NDCs), compared to 24 in 2018 In addition to the municipalities of Bartica and Mahdia, the PNC lost important NDCs , such as Fyrish and Macedonia/Joppa in Region Six, Plaisance/ Industry in Region Four and Matthew’s Ridge in Region One In fact, the PNC controls no municipality or NDC in six of the 10 regions, with none in Regions One , Two , Three , Seven , Eight and Nine

Who could have imagined that the PPP would have meaningful votes, even if not enough to win , in Mocha , North Ruimveldt , Victoria , Golden Grove , Manchester , Lancaster , Den Amstel , across Linden, etc.? The PPP nearly walked away with Kwakwani. These results would have been political hearsay just months ago It is , in short, a wipeout, a blowout, a knockdown, a thrashing No matter which adjective is used , the PNC is badly wounded and is in the political ICU This is already Aubrey Norton’s legacy

Once the dust settles , LGE 2023 will be seen as the most consequential local government elections in Guyana and in CARICOM Many analyses are about to emerge, many have already been published in Guyana’s local newspapers and in social media Op-Eds Some of the commentators who are rabid anti-PPP analysts have buried their heads in the sand, insisting that the PPP lost because it failed to win the municipalities of Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam, in spite of the fact that the PPP made massive gains No matter how the pundits and the many real and fake analysts spin LGE 2023 , it would be difficult to find another local government election in Guyana’s and CARICOM’s history that could match the consequential results from Guyana’s LGE 2023

, President

Bharrat Jagdeo posited that Guyana needed a political dispensation that is built on trust At the time, uppermost in his mind, was trust among political opponents that provided an environment of open discourse on what is best for Guyana and the Guyanese people He knew that if the political groups or parties could engage in a milieu of trust, our diverse population will be able to move forward as one people, with the quality of our ideas and our proposals for development being the determining factors at elections, and not the color of our skin , not our ethnicity or race or religion

President Jagdeo, at the time, knew that trust among political parties must be built on a structured foundation created by the constitution The amended constitution that followed created the space for engagement that would have built the trust that President Jagdeo promoted Almost 25 years later, utilisation of the structural foundation to institutionalise trust has not materialised The PNC at every turn has frustrated the process The Rights Commissions, the constitutional re-definition of consultation in governance, the creation of parliamentary sector

committees and the National Procurement Commission, etc., were part of the trust initiative

In 2020, President Irfaan Ali began to build on President Jagdeo ’ s legacy He focused his attention on the second tentacle of President Jagdeo’s trust building initiative This second prong was taking the government to the people President Jagdeo had taken cabinet meetings into the region and began an unprecedented engagement with communities

President Ali elevated the engagement with the communities, becoming the consummate people’s president, inspiring people, engaging them in community development, providing on- thespot remedies to community problems , addressing personal welfare matters, like education, health, housing and water He also celebrates faith, plays, clean-ups, cooks, sings and dances with people in their communities, even if he is out of tune and out - of - step He promotes a one-family approach He talks openly and unabashedly about love and unity, about all of us being one family, about One Guyana

The people of Guyana have responded to Bharrat Jagdeo ’ s leadership of the PPP where he has made

Freedom House the home of people of all ethnicity, race, religion and other groups

Bharrat Jagdeo has dispelled the lies, myths, rumours that the PNC and PPP haters have made their life’s mission to spread – that the PPP has dungeons and trap doors at Freedom House for Afro-Guyanese Bharrat Jagdeo has proven to people across Guyana that the PPP is a big house that is accommodating to people of all races, religion and from all ideological backgrounds President Irfaan Ali has made government accessible to all He not only sends ministers and government officials to the communities; he goes himself President Ali is seen by people, no matter who they voted for , as the people ’ s president His One Guyana message resonates across ethnic, religious, ideological and political borders The majority of Guyanese trust the president LGE 2023 establishes clearly that people are inspired by President Ali ’ s One Guyana platform While it would be impossible to have 100 per cent consensus, LGE 2023 shows that in just three years, Guyana is inspired around a common mission , a common goal , One Guyana Huge dents and holes have been

poked into the ethnic, racial and ideological barriers More and more, people have moved to ideas and policies, track record of performance and the quality of promises made Blind political loyalty is out of the window Earning people’s loyalty is now the obligation and the imperative of political leaders and political parties LGE 2023 shows that the PNC has missed the boat; the PPP is on the right trajectory Cheddi Jagan ’ s 1953 movement has been recreated , revitalised and re - engineered by the PPP’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, and President Irfaan Ali. Far from being an albatross , our diversity is becoming our most valuable asset.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Peeping Tom: Only in Guyana one finds such twisted minds

THE anonymous columnist writing in the Kaieteur News for the past 25 years under the pen name, “Peeping Tom” has replied to my column of Wednesday, June 7 of my criticism of his character (yes, he is a male).

I read his reply three times to fathom the rationality, logic and commonsense in his approach I couldn’t But “reasoning” has hardened my perspective on the Guyanese nationality

There is no other country where the inherent nastiness in hypocrisy is more pronounced than in Guyana

and as you live from day to day in this land, when you read and listen to what is said, you know there cannot be another hypocritical nationality like the Guyanese one.

Citizens, journalists, editor , civil society groups , social media influencers, political activists would rush to the rooftop to condemn Mr Pupu for hitting a woman They do not like the politics of Mr Pupu so he is pulverized in the public eyes The next day , Mr Susu does the exact thing and the hypocrisy is displayed in the sound of silence. Mr. Susu is a friend of the people who went after Mr Pupu

A diplomat insults a woman by hurling scatological remarks at her The wolves came out immediately One anti-government newspaper referred twice in its editorial to the resigned diplomat as a disgraced figure The same newspaper interviewed a trade unionist at length , with a large image of him and asked his opinion on the government’s attitude to its critics Yet this very trade unionist has been charged and placed before the courts for brutalising a woman half his size You have to shake your head and mutter ; “ only in Guyana , maan.”

We have in our midst today people who laid like a corpse in a coffin when for five months in 2020, Guyana was facing, literally facing, social and economic death After August 2020, when a president , a political party and an ethnic community they are uncomfortable with assume their rightful place in society, these hypocrites have found their voices and their voices echo ugly condemnations of a democratically elected government.

So we come now to the anonymous columnist Peeping Tom and the moral tragedy that canopies large groups of people in Guyana

In response to my June 7 column, “Tom” denies attacking living, known public figures in Guyana Anyone can pick up the Kaieteur News and see the nasty attacks this writer has made the past 25 years on public figures He has penned the most vicious descriptions of Guyana’s politicians All of this done, while hiding under his mother ’ s dress I have not been spared the poison of this “ jumbie ”

commentator when he first started I was his favourite football

Now read on for the nature of some people in this land I quote: “ There was also a predilection for persons to accept or dismiss views based on the ethnicity of the author This fact was another consideration in the decision to use a nonde plume for the Peeping Tom column. By putting on a mask of anonymity, the reader is not influenced by ethnicity.”

If in Guyana , people primarily react to situations and citizens based on ethnic instincts, then one is to assume that lawyers, doctors and contactors would only get patronage from people who share their ethnic heritage That of course has never, is not, will never be the reality in Guyana

“Tom” went on to state that in Guyana , “ t here is a predisposition in Guyana for some persons to avoid addressing issues and instead attack the messengers .” But there is no explanation as to why the messenger cannot reply or fight back And if the messenger cannot fight back then why is the messenger writing in the first place ? The world has thousands of known newspaper and television commentators some of whom are globally popular and they are from different countries

In the Guyana media landscape and can you pick up any printed newspaper and the online ones and you will see actual people with their image shown They contribute to intellectual debate One may not agree with their interpretations and analyses In fact , one may hate their viewpoints. But others welcome what is inside their heads and a climate of debate is preserved

It is morally outrageous to be attacking public figures and doing so for 25 years hiding under the dress of one’s mother I hate to think that modern civilisation can muster an argument in support of that moral degeneracy.

Of late , “ Tom ” has been pushing the potential of his boss, Glenn Lall as a presidential candidate Maybe in 2025 he will finally come out from under the dress and be Mr. Lall’s campaign manager.

CDB, CARICOM, Guyana and The Dollars and Sense of Reparatory Justice

GUYANA is represented at the Caribbean Development Bank ’ s 53rd Annual General Meeting taking place in Saint Lucia this weekend , which comes with more historical value than just dollars and cents, as it provides a platform and an opportunity to examine a pressing topic that ’ s growing in regional import.

It’s also an issue related to both the CDB’s history and mandate , as the premiere development-oriented financial institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM): The region’s quest for Reparations from the UK and Europe

CARICOM approached London and the European Union ( EU ) in November 2013 for Reparations for Slavery and Native Genocide , but neither has responded positively or officially , while Caribbean nations and the international community have spent nearly a decade examining who owes what - and how much

An international team led by prominent retired Jamaican and international judge, retired justice Patrick Robinson, last week (June 8 ) released their report , which found that that European and American states involved in the Trans - Atlantic Chattel Slavery trade ( TCS ) together owe over US $107 trillion, of which amount Britain alone owes $23 trillion to the 14 CARICOM member states

The figures are enormous and equally significant for two major reasons, both to do with Sir Arthur

First, his very first book ‘Labour in the West Indies’ ( 1939 ) has long been regarded as a blueprint and/ or template for Reparations for the (then) British West Indies (BWI) that’s today applicable to all CARICOM member states

Second , CARICOMthrough its Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Reparations (PMSC) - on August 1, 2020, announced adoption of Sir Arthur ’ s approach , as in his seminal first book, to the economic aspect of Reparations

The announcement was made in Bridgetown by PMSC Chair and Barbados

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, with Saint Vincent & The Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves ( then CARICOM Chair ) and CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) Chairman Sir Hilary Beckles, also present

The general feeling among most CARICOM

Reparations proponents is that whatever financial or economic components come with any compensatory settlement should be put in the hands of an independent regional body, with the relevant Terms of Reference for longevity , to marshall the resources according to CARICOM’s 2013 10-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice

Sir Arthur’s clinical applications, as outlined in his book - written following a personal tour of the BWI during the Caribbean revolutions against colonial domination and deprivation in 1938 - catered solely for Britain’s longstanding colonial debt, based on figures of the time

But Justice Robinson and his team expanded their research beyond the UK to include Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United States (US).

Regional related discussions to date have largely been along lines of which CARICOM nations will or should get more and/or most of the US $23 trillion, vis-à-vis all going to all 14 member states collectively

The CDB has always featured in the many regional discussions among Caribbean Reparations proponents and advocates as the most likely type of gubernatorially-approved mechanism to ensure resources are not directed only into the pockets of CARICOM citizens who can prove their African ancestry by DNA

Unlike the USA, where more than one approach is being taken to Reparations payments by different states, CARICOM proponents prefer to adopt Sir Arthur ’ s approach , which ensure no discrimination between CARICOM citizens on the basis of ancestry

After all, it’s the entire region ( and not only citizens of African descent ) who have had to wrestle with the post - slavery and colonial decay that led the then 23 - year - old first Black professor in the London university circuit to take a sabbatical to visit the islands and think up a mechanism to ensure all the victims of British slavery were equally compensated for the conditions they and their forebears inherited and suffered for two centuries, benefitting together – including today’s descendants of Indentureship in Guyana, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago and everywhere else it featured

The latest study also

throws new light on Argentina and Brazil and exposes Denmark, France, Portugal, Spain and Sweden as having been getting away lightly, while CARICOM ’ s spotlight is on the UK

But there’s also the issue of Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada , Trinidad & Tobago and others that suffered slavery under France, The Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal , Spain and the other culprit nations not yet invoiced by CARICOM for their proverbial Wages of Sin

With the 10th anniversary of CARICOM ’ s November 2013 call on the UK and EU for Reparations for Slavery and Native Genocide in the Caribbean only five months away, there’s an urgency of now that can see the CDB’s 2023 AGM (at least) examine and digest the related recently published figures and facts towards making recommendations for creation of the required mechanisms to ensure Equity and Reparatory Justice in the way resources are handled and distributed regionally

The regional and global Reparations movement has outpaced and outgrown CARICOM, PMSC, CRC, National Reparations Committees (NRCs) and related regional and international advocates and lobby entities

But the CDB has kept pace with every aspect of growth and speed of Caribbean development in its five decades and led the thought and action processes for visionary Caribbean development - and this is another occasion requiring urgent CDB adoption and attention, in its never ending search for ever sustainable solutions

Here’s hoping the eight decades old blueprint crafted by the first Chancellor of the University of Guyana is also adopted by the CDB as a guiding template for 21st Century CARICOM Reparations.

Here’s hoping too that when Justice Robinson meets with the CRC early next month, that’ll be the start of a necessary round of regional consultation at national levels that will see the CDB - and every CARICOM member-state - benefit from better understanding the processes employed and arriving at agreed mechanisms for application along the common and collective lines prescribed by Sir Arthur and agreed to by CARICOM.

Chroniclesofa ChronicGuyana Chronicler

By Earl Bousquet

Exxon, Co-Ventures lodge

US$2B guarantee with EPA

EXXONMOBIL and its partners in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, have lodged its US$2 billion oil spill guarantee to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This was revealed on Wednesday by Exxon Mobil’s Business Services Manager, Phillip Rietema, during a media backgrounder event held at the company’s head office in Georgetown.

He was asked whether the company had lodged the affiliate guarantee as the court had instructed.

“Yes, it was. It was signed last Friday, the affiliate Guarantee,” he said in response.

He went on the explain that the court granted a stay of the order last week Thursday and required the company and the coventurers to lodge the $2 billion guarantee. He added that the following day they lodged same.

Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud granted a

stay of the High Court order that required Exxon’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Limited (EEPGL) to provide an unlimited parent company guarantee for its offshore oil operations.

Upon granting this stay, he mandated the company to lodge a US$ 2 billion guarantee while the appeal against the lower court’s decision is being heard and determined.

During the hearing, Justice Persaud said

that the order for the company to provide the guarantee aimed to alleviate concerns or worries about potential adverse consequences. This decision by the Justice of Appeal sought to strike a balance by granting a temporary stay on the requirement for an unlimited parent company guarantee while also ensuring that a substantial guarantee is in place to address any potential risks associated with the ongoing oil operations.

EEPGL Business Service Manager, Phillip Rietema

Vergenoegen residents to get land titles in two weeks

AFTER years of lobbying for ownership documents, residents of Acme Housing Scheme and the Railway Embankment in Vergenoegen, Region Three, will receive their land titles within two weeks.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, at a community meeting, where he disclosed that some 100

The Co-op no longer possess ownership of the land, which affected the recording of the cadastral plan for the processing of titles.

The ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) was approached with requests for the regularisation of the area and an inventory has since been completed.

Meanwhile, on the Vergenoegen Railway Em-

cial aspect of the ministry’s comprehensive 2023 regularisation programme for Region Three.

He highlighted that over 270 plots of land are scheduled for regularisation in various locations, including Good Hope Railway Embankment, Philadelphia Railway Embankment, Barnwell, Zeelugt, Planation De Willem, and Plantation Tuschen.

“There are a number

residents who have been occupying lands since the early 90s will finally receive their documents.

“Because we did some work here, there are about 65 lots on this portion, we have completed the block and occupational survey …we have completed an inventory of all the persons who occupy this stretch, we have already obtained the block title and we have submitted the sketch plans to lands and survey,” Croal said.

Minister Croal further explained that there are some 65 lots within the Acme Housing Scheme, which were occupied in the early 1990s through a Co-op.

bankment there are another 65 lots, according to a block & occupation survey.

Croal noted that an inventory has been completed and the block titles have since been obtained.

Additionally, a sketch plan was also submitted to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to obtain mutation parcel numbers for submission to the Land Registry.

Remaining is the completion of cadastral plan, which once completed, will see the commencement of the processing of the land titles.

Minister Croal further emphasised that the regularisation of the two areas in Vergenoegen are a cru-

of areas that we are committing for Region Three. We have committed that we will regularise because areas such as yours, there is an immediate decision that has to be taken if we will regularise and we have no objection to where you are occupying so we will regularise,” Croal said, adding: “In doing all of this there is one key ingredient that has to happen, that is to ascertain or to have the legal process of the transfer of the ownership of the land.”

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will also be addressing infrastructure development in the areas, as part of the government’s commitment.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal interacting with residents (Housing and Water Ministry photo)

Gov’t to publish draft Petroleum Bill by next Monday – Jagdeo

AS it works vigorously to modernise Guyana’s existing oil legislation for the benefit of all citizens, the government is aiming to publish a draft of the new Petroleum Bill by Monday for public consultations.

This disclosure was

tation,” he said, before revealing that he has already met with Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat and his staff with regards to releasing the draft bill within the stipulated timeframe.

Earlier this year, Attorney-General and Min-

us already, both for deep water and shallow water because they’re two different models,” he said, adding that only one policy review is left to be done.

Jagdeo also used the opportunity to highlight the non-participation of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in the consultation process.

“We’re hoping that even in the late stage, the Opposition could have still sent in their views. They have not sent in anything,” he said, noting that this sort of behaviour is a norm for APNU regardless of whether the issue is of national importance or not.

made by the General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press conference held on Thursday at Freedom House.

"By Monday, we are hoping that the draft Petroleum Act will be put out for public consul -

ister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall S.C., said that while Guyana has a Petroleum Exploration and Production Act which was enacted in the 1980s, the government is working on a new petroleum production bill.

The previous act, he had explained, was enacted when the country was not a petroleum producer and since Guyana has moved successfully into that sector, the current piece of legislation has become outmoded and cannot be a proper regulatory framework for the current sector.

“We have recognised that a long time ago, and we are working on a brand-new bill that will take into account and will address the modern realities of Guyana as an oil and gas producer. So, that is in the pipeline and that will be made public shortly,” he had emphasised.

During his press conference, Jagdeo disclosed that the Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) are also being finalised.

“The PSAs, we have two models incorporating all the comments before

Earlier this year, the government had released the draft model petroleum agreements which outlined more benefits for Guyana, including a royalty rate increased from two per cent to 10 per cent, corporate tax of 10 per cent and a cap on cost oil of 65 per cent.

The agreements included better provisions for the signing bonus, relinquishment terms, activities related to the abandonment of the block, and an increase in the training fee.

The new agreements also covered fiscal and other terms under which the government will sign on to contractors who are awarded blocks, which Guyana will auction. Guyana is auctioning off three deep-water and 11 shallow-water blocks.

Moreover, in April, the government received immense feedback from the public during the consultation period for a new draft PSA which outlines the fiscal and other terms of all future agreements with contractors in the oil-and-gas sector.

No part-time workers fired or contracts taken away

- Jagdeo clarifies; says ‘cross-overs’ remain part of PPP family

WHAT was described as desperation and the behavior of a sore loser, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday exposed the

account.

“We never asked the parttime workers like they would have done, bullied them into voting for the PPP,” he related before explaining that the improvements to everyone’s

dates, who, although they did not win in their constituencies, stood up and showed persons that they should not stick by tradition but vote

based on national interest.

The PPP General Secretary proudly remarked:

“What I think these crossover candidates did, they are very

courageous people. They knew everything was stacked against them. They knew they were contesting in APNU strongholds and they made that decision to cross to us.”

“I said to them, I met with everyone before the

elections and I said to them, we’re a party once you enter our family. That's it. We cling on to you. So, all of those people who supported us and voted for us, we see them as part of our family now,” he affirmed.

lies being peddled by several opposition members and their supporters that persons, especially in the South Georgetown area, would've had their contracts rescinded after the Local Government Elections (LGEs).

Jagdeo during a press conference at Freedom House, labelled these lies as shameful behaviour coming from the country’s main opposition.

He said: “…only a party that has no shame would lie like this. I just told you about our great success in many of their strongholds in South Georgetown. I have given you the numbers and they said that we were rescinding contracts to people and they spread another rumour that we were going to fire all the part-time workers.”

According to Jagdeo, the reason the members of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have turned to these manipulative tactics is because even though they won Georgetown, the mere fact that the PPP was able to intercept their strongholds highlights what the Guyanese people think of them.

NO VICTIMISATION

Moreover, the PPP General Secretary quashed the allegations that those who benefitted from the part-time job initiative were sacked after the polls.

He remarked that the workers were never coerced to support the PPP and all those who publicly endorsed the party did so on their own

life, would persuade anyone to vote for more employment opportunities and improved health care.

"We're not firing any part-time workers. In fact, we hope to expand this scheme…The business grant that we've had will continue [and] in many parts of the country people will continue to get help with the business grant. So please don't listen to the rumours spread by these desperate people,” he advised the public.

Additionally, in exposing the traditional bully-type behaviour displayed by the opposition, Jagdeo disclosed that the head of the PPP Linden candidate list, Dr. Shurdon Murray, faced many harsh attacks during the campaign trail from APNU supporters.

Describing how Murray is an excellent person for embracing what he believes in, Jagdeo stated: “I've had calls from some people. Look at what they tried to do with the lead of our list from Linden who is a pastor. They tried to vilify him every day, urging people not to go to his church and all sorts of things, threatening him personally and he stood his ground; this was before the election. He stood his ground because he's a very dignified person, if you have a chance to talk to him, you'd find out how dignified and conscientious he is.”

Furthermore, he expressed immense proudness in those cross-over candi -

PPP General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Delano Williams Photo)

Herdmanston’s GM to head THAG for next two years

THE Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) concluded its 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, where Omadele (Dee) George, General Manager of Herdmanston Lodge, was elected as the new President.

Under the leadership of George, the newly elected executive committee will work towards advancing

the tourism and hospitality industry in Guyana, a release from the association said.

It added that the executive committee comprises experienced professionals from various sectors of the industry, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their roles.

Eduardo Reple, General Manager of the Guyana Marriott Hotel, has been appointed as the Vice President of THAG and will be

responsible for supporting the President and assisting in driving the association's initiatives forward. Salvador de Caires, Manager of Tourism & Hospitality for Evergreen Adventures & Baganara Island Resort, will serve as the Treasurer and will be overseeing the association’s financial matters.

Meanwhile, the committee members are Abigail Ally – General Manager, Bimichi Eco Resort; Carla

Vantull – General Manager, Wilderness Explorers; Dion Inniss – Sales Executive, Guyana & Suriname, Caribbean Airlines and Lorenzo Persaud – Business Development Manager, Ansa Motors Guyana Inc

According to the release, George expressed her commitment to continuing the excellent work of the previous executive committee. She emphasised the importance of leveraging THAG's existing partnerships while actively seeking new collaborations to enhance the association's brand and drive further growth in the industry.

"Our main objective will be to work tirelessly for the betterment of our association's members. By collaborating with our partners and

fostering new alliances, we aim to elevate the tourism and hospitality sector in Guyana, promoting its unique offerings to a global audience," she was quoted as saying.

THAG, as the leading association representing the tourism and hospitality industry in Guyana, remains dedicated to providing valuable support and advocating for the interests of its members, the release stated, adding that, through fostering partnerships, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating the development of tourism-related initiatives, the association continues to contribute to the growth and success of the sector.

Prison Service ‘agri’ programme reaps further success

WITH agriculture being one of the core rehabilitation programmes offered by the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), inmates of the Mazaruni Prison recently harvested a quantity of vegetables and fruits from the prison farm.

A total of 242 pounds of cabbage, 245 pounds of boulanger along with a quantity of pineapples were harvested, the GPS disclosed on its Facebook page. Additionally, some 235 pounds of chicken were also produced. Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, explained

that through their aim to create a self-sustaining food supply, the agricultural activities fall within the technical and vocational programmes outlined by the GPS to help inmates maximise their potentials and to boost agricultural production across the five prison farms.

Further, the Prison Director noted that recent efforts are focused on ensuring that farms are utilised to sufficiently supply the needs of the prison population in the coming years.

Some of the vegetables and pineapples that were recently harvested by inmates (GPS photo)

The newly-elected executive committee

Sacrifice of Enmore Martyrs remembered during wreath-laying ceremony

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in collaboration with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers

Union (GAWU), held a wreath-laying ceremony on Friday in memory of the five Enmore Martyrs, who were killed 75

years ago.

Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi, and Harry lost their lives at Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara, on June 16, 1948, while fighting for better wages and working and living conditions.

The simple but significant wreath-laying ceremony was held in the Le Repentir Cemetery where their remains are buried. Their relatives were among those in attendance.

GAWU Vice-President Harvey Tambron, in his remarks, said: “This history-making struggle which took place 75 years ago was another major landmark in a list of several major struggles in the sugar industry, whose workers

were violently suppressed.

“Such is the sordid history of foreign colonial ownership in the industry whose primary concern was profits made by the labourers who lived a life of misery and had to face mercilessly brutality in their many-sided struggles. Though the Enmore workers were specific, it cannot be delinked from the workers need for deep-seated changes to their abominable working conditions, their poor wages, their cramped inhuman living quarters, and the miserable environmental conditions that were then prevalent in those days.”

Further, he said: “We

are, once again, reminded that the brutal repression of 1948 did not daunt the workers nor dampen their spirit. These struggles took place side by side with other struggles to improve wages and working conditions throughout the industry and for other workers.”

Every year, on June 16, family members, PPP and GAWU officials and others would visit the tombs to pay tribute to the slain sugar workers. Traditionally, red-coloured clothing is worn.

Based on the historical facts, striking workers had gathered outside the factory at the Enmore Sugar Estate on the day

in question. The management of the estate in those times requested police protection because of the growing crowds.

It is said that confrontations arose between police and the protesters, who tried to enter the factory compound. Subsequently, the police opened fire on the workers, killing the five and injuring at least 14 others.

Furthermore, on June 17, protesters from sugar estates marched from Plantation Enmore to the Le Repentir Cemetery next to the hearses carrying the bodies of the five slain sugar workers.

Family members of the Enmore Martyrs laying wreaths on their tombs

The PPP and GAWU held a brief wreath-laying ceremony on Friday to remember the Enmore Martyrs (Japheth Yohan Savory photos)

Career ambitions

St. Pius Primary School, on Friday, held its annual Career Day. Pupils were dressed to showcase a ca-

reer of their choice. Teacher, soldier, immigration officer, nurse, doctor, sailor, firefighter and chef

were among the chosen careers (Japheth Yohan Savory photos)

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Golden Jaguars readying for Grenada battle tonight

CMC – Another six Caribbean Football Union (CFU) teams will take to the field on Saturday in the United States, hoping to advance to the next stage of qualification for the Concacaf Gold Cup.

A contest between CFU ninth-ranked Guyana and 16th-ranked Grenada in the final match of the first round of the preliminary stage will

be the feature attraction at the DRV PNK Stadium, but the other two matches also hold plenty intrigue.

CFU eighth-ranked Suriname face the always feisty 17th-ranked Puerto Rico in the second match of the day, and seventh-ranked French Guiana will be looking to prove their class against 27th-ranked St Maarten.

Grenada have won 10

of the previous 17 matches against Guyana, so history will favour them, but that is not likely to play out on the field.

The Grenadians have appeared in the group stage on three previous occasions, and they are now two wins away from doing so for a second consecutive tournament.

The Spice Boyz ended up in the preliminaries after

a third-place finish in their Nations League A group, behind the United States and El Salvador.

The Guyanese reached the group stage for the first time four years ago, and they are making their second trip in a row to Florida for the prelims.

The Golden Jaguars advanced to the tournament by way of Nations League B, where they finished with a record of three wins, one draw, and two losses.

A victory will be the first at the Gold Cup for either side, and the winner will also move on to face the winner of the match between Antigua & Barbuda and Guadeloupe on Friday at the same venue for a spot in the group stage.

Suriname made their Gold Cup debut two years ago, and they made a good

showing and rose to prominence in the Nations League era, dazzling fans during the inaugural competition and becoming one of the stronger sides in the region in the process.

Puerto Rico are making their debut at a major Concacaf tournament and have gotten through the path of Nations League C after dominating their group wireto-wire and their place was never in doubt.

This will only be the second match between the two sides, with the first, a 2005 Gold Cup qualifier, endinh in a 1-1 draw.

The Surinamese line-up includes star striker, Gleofilo Vlijter, who has 10 Nations League goals in his career and scored twice during the 2021 Gold Cup, and defender Kelvin Leerdam had a long and successful career in the

Eredivisie, and more recently in Major League Soccer. For Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rivera led the way with six goals and two assists during the Nations League and was simply dominant throughout the competition.

In the opener, French Guiana and St Maarten will be meeting for the first time.

French Guiana reached the group stage of the Gold Cup six years ago, and they have been in the mix to get back to the group stage in each cycle during that time, but they have come up short each time.

St Maarten have never before appeared on a stage of this magnitude and reaching this phase was commendable, but they will have their hands full with their opponents.

Munisar to lead strong U19 team in CWI U19 Girls tourney

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has named a 14-member team to compete in the upcoming Cricket West Indies (CWI) girls’ under-19 tournament.

The competition will bowl off in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago from July 2 -July 16 and will feature a number of strong teams from across the Caribbean.

Led by all-rounder Ashmini Munisar, the team features Vice-Captain Realeanna Grimmond, Tia Issacs,

Tilleya Madramootoo, Ciana

Retemiah and Melanie Dover, who were all members of the recent Guyana Senior Women’s team.

Both Grimmond and Munisar will bring tons of experience to the young team, having come off good showings at the CWI Blaze T20 and Women’s Super50 tournament, which ended last month.

The team will be coached by Tremayne Smartt while Heema Singh will perform duties as the Manager.

Guyana U-19 Women team: Ashimini Munisar (Captain), Realeanna Grimmond (V/C), Cyanna Relemiah, Nya Latchman, Tilleya Madramootoo, Naomi Barkoye, Melanie Dover, Sarah Amin, Jamie Campbell, Lavina Ragobeer, Emlissa Whyte, Tia Issac, Laurene Williams and Denellie Lindie

Standbys are: Aliah De silver, Tamica Simon, Chelsea Latiff, Cristal Durant, Tamara George and Qzel Sampson

Guyana Captain Ashimini Munisar Team Coach Tremayne Smartt

BCB Development Programme 2023… Rose Hall Canje receives over $700,000.00 in items from BCB

The membership of the much-improved Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club over the last week received over seven hundred thousand dollars’ worth of cricket related items from the Berbice Cricket Board as part of the progressive board developmental programme.

BCB President Hilbert Fos-

future.

He noted that no other cricket board in the Caribbean assists clubs like the BCB does and that more investment will continue to flow once the items are taken care of.

The batting cage, the practice net and the bowling machine would improve the way how the club practises in the

- Dr Denbow describes board as most progressive in the West Indies

doctor had also sponsored the one-week visit of West Indies legend Sir Curtly Ambrose to host a fast-bowling clinic.

Several fast bowlers from that session has gone on to play for the national team, including Shamar Joseph and Demetri Cameron.

The five boxes of white balls valued at seventy-five thousand dollars would assist

the club to play in a packed first division season later in the year and Foster announced that all second division teams in the county would benefit from a million-dollar cricket balls project. A total of twelve clubs would also receive wicket-keeping gears with the assistance of former national player Sheik Mohamed. Un-

der the developmental project, the BCB would be sharing out six bowling machines and five batting cage.

Dr Denbow, in a short but well received speech, stated that he is close to Berbice cricket despite been born in Demerara because he was very impressed with the leadership of the BCB. He stated that he travels

regularly across the Caribbean as a cricket fan and he has no doubt that the BCB was the most progressive and visionary cricket board with a solid list of achievements. For this, Dr Denbow congratulated the club for its own achievements and urged the players to develop a culture of hard work and discipline.

ter, accompanied by Dr Frank Denbow, visited the cricket club to officially hand over the items as the duo continues its outreach programme across the ancient county.

The Rose Hall Canje Club received a batting cage, practice net, bowling machine, set of wicket-keeping equipment and five boxes of white cricket balls.

The batting cage was sponsored by USA-based Dr Denbow while the balls were donated by BCB Patron, Minister Vickram Bharrat, under the Patron Fund.

BCB president Hilbert Foster urged the club membership to take proper care of the items and to use them to lift the standard of their game even higher.

Foster stated that the BCB was investing heavily into the development of the game across the county as it was determined to make sure the legacy of Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Roy Fredricks and Alvin Kallicharran is kept alive for the

afternoons.

The RHCCC also benefits from the services of three cricket coaches from the BCB -- Ameer Rahaman, Seon Hetmyer and Balram Samaroo.

Foster noted that the club, which was dormant before his presidency, has produced four West Indies youth players in the last four years under the astute guidance of Ameer Rahaman. those players are current Guyana female U-19 captain, Ashmini Munisar, along with Realanne Grimmond, Ashley Ramnauth and Isaiah Thorne.

He recalled that when he was elected as the BCB president in early 2018, he pledged that the county would produce a minimum of ten players for the West Indies at all levels and, to date, the county has produce twelve players in the space of five years.

Foster expressed thanks to Dr Denbow for his support and recalled that the medical

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday June 17, 2023)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Dave Gregory (AUST) & James Lillywhite (ENG)

(2) Charles Bannerman-165 (AUST)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who has scored most Test runs for ENG against AUST to date?

(2) Who has aggregated most Test runs for AUST against ENG to date?

Answers in Tuesday’s issue

Dr Frank Denbow officially hands over batting cage to the RHCCC

Upper Mazaruni U-18 Males Football Tournament 2023…

Paruima emerge as winners

Paruima emerged winners of the Upper Mazaruni U-18 Males Football Tournament 2023 following a 3-2 win over Kamarang.

A double from Kimron Thomas (15th and 93rd), along with Arlindo Williams 65th strike, ensured that the side lifted the trophy, despite goals from Kamarang’s Raydon Krammer (20th (P) and 36th).

Full results below:

Paruima (1) vs Waramadong (2)

Goal scorer for Paruima

-Mansiz Chambers 13th minute

- Xavier Williams(OG) 50th min.

Goal scorer for Waramadong

-Carrinton Isaacs 67th min.

Jawalla (7) vs Kako (1) Jawalla goal scorers

- Deon Williams (16th min), (33rd min)

- Lebron Hunter (18th min), (21st min)

-Didan Hunter (40th min)

- Bevon Jones (41st min)

- Anthonio Isaacs (55th min)

Kako goal scorer

- Eurl Roland (57th min) (P)

Paruima (3) vs Kaikan (0)

Paruima goal scorers:

-Miguel Gonsalves (P) 20th Min

-Kimron Thomas (30 min), (42nd min)

Kamarang (6) vs Kako (0)

Kamarang goal scorers:

- Milton George (10th min)

-Raydon Krammer (14th min), (28th min)

- Kelvin McCalmont (40th min)

- Delvin Hunter (19th min)

- Collin Hope (20th min)

(Semi-finals 1): Kamarang 1 vs Waramadong 1

Kamarang goal scorer: Alfie Anderson (58th min)

Waramadong goal scorer: Leon Larson (13th min)

Kamarang won on penalty kicks (3-1)

(Semi-finals 2): Paruima 2 vs Jawalla 2

Paruima goal scorers: Harmoney Percy 37th min, Kimron Thomas 44th min.

Jawalla goal scorers: Bevon Jones (11th min), Deon Williams (14 min)

Paruima won on penalty kicks 6-5 (Sudden death)

(3rd place play-off): Waramadong 2 vs Jawalla 4 Waramadong goal scorer: Leon Larson (12th min),

BCB Arjune Nandu Grassroot

Cup…

Port Mourant defeat

Tain UG Elites to lift title

Port Mourant Cricket Club received a major boost when they defeated the Tain University of Guyana Elite Cricket Team by four wickets to lift the Berbice Cricket Board/ Arjune

Seenarine with 48; he received support from Naeem Khan (29) and Abdul Ramsammy (15).

Bowling for Port Mourant, Parsram Tilkaram claimed 2 wickets for 33,

ing their first BCB title, fought to the very end before PMCC skipper, Raju Singh, hit the fifth ball of the final over for two runs to the celebration of his fellow teammates and supporters.

Abdul Ramsammy (2 for 27) and Zeynul Ramsammy (2 for 32) were the successful bowlers for UG.

Rampertab Ramnauth was named Man of the Final for his brutal knock of 66 which included six boundaries and two huge sixes.

Earlier in the day, PMCC defeated Tain Block Four by 86 runs.

Paruima pose with their medals and trophies (58th min)

Jawalla goal scorers: Bevon Jones (P) 6th min, 58th min. Didan Hunter 34th min, Lebron Hunter 60th min

(Finals: Paruima 3 vs Ka -

marang 2

Paruima goal scorers: Kimron Thomas (15th min), (93rd min) Arlindo Williams (65th min)

Kamarang goal scorer: Raydon Krammer (P) (20th min), (36th min)

MVP: Raydon Krammer (Kamarang)

Most goal scorer: Kimron Thomas (Paruima) 5 goals

Best goalkeeper: Dominic Elliman(Paruima)

play against the west Indies’ says Singh

- West Indies face USA tomorrow WC qualifiers

By Sean Devers

The 35-year-old Guyana-born American, Gajanand Singh, is relishing the thought of playing against the West Indies when he suits up for the United States tomorrow in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) World cup qualifiers.

is the only player on the current WI team that played with me at the U-19 World Cup.

I am pretty well prepared both physically and mentally, we've been here in Zimbabwe for a couple of weeks now,” said the left hander.

Nandu Grassroot Title.

Four teams -- Port Mourant, UG Elites, Whim and Tain Block Four -- participated in the one-day tournament at the historic Port Mourant Ground.

Playing in front of a large and colorful crowd, UG Elites scored 128 for 9 from their allotted 15 overs in the finals. Top scoring for the UG team was Dharmesh

Joshua Ramsammy 2 for 12 and Madhan Budram 3 for 21 from three overs each.

Needing to score 129 from 90 balls to lift the title, the home team squeezed home with West Indies youth player, Rampertab Ramnauth, hitting a classy 66.

He was supported by Ramsammy with 16 and Andy Mohan 14.

The UG Elites, seek -

In the other semifinals, UG Elites, led by a majestic 92 not out from National Under-19 vice-captain, Jonathan Rampersaud, won against Whim.

BCB president, Hillbert Foster, hailed the one-day tournament as another successful one for the board.

The winning team, runner-up and Man of the Final received trophies and cash prizes.

Singh, who grew up in East Canje, Berbice with a narrow Street separating his home from the Young Warriors Cricket Club, a club which, to date, has only produced two one-day International players for the regional side -- himself and Shimron Hetmyer.

It means a lot to play against the West Indies, doing well against them will be very good,” informed Singh, who has represented Guyana in first-class and List ‘A’ Cricket after making his First-Class debut in 2017.

“I think Shamarh Brooks

The USA will be looking for a major upset when they face West Indies (a Test playing nation) tomorrow from 3:00AM (Guyana time) in their opening match of the Qualifiers.

Singh has been living in Brooklyn, New York since 2013 and currently plays for Black Panthers and NYCC.

He made his ODI debut for the USA against Papua New Guinea on September 6, 2021 and has scored five fifties in 26 ODI games since.

“I've been a part of this team for a few years now, but there is a National tournament where players are selected from. We are confident that if we stick to our game plans and execute our skills

we have a good chance of winning against West Indies. But we have to do the basics right and stick to our game plans. Our strength lies in the depth we have in both the batting and bowling departments,” explained Singh, who has a highest score of 66 in ODIs.

“Conditions are very good for batting… could be a little help upfront for fast bowlers… but mainly batting friendly conditions,” stated Singh, one three players with West Indies connections in the squad.

The others are America-born skipper, Aaron Jones, who played first-class cricket for Barbados and the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and Jamaican Steven Taylor who also played first-class cricket for Jamaica.

The USA are grouped with West Indies, Nepal, the Netherlands and host Zimbabwe.

The winning Port Mourant Cricket Club team

‘It means a lot to

KFC GFF Elite League…

Wester, GDF register Thursday night wins

Both the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Western Tigers FC registered similar scorelines on Thursday evening as the latest round of the KFC-sponsored Guyana Football Federation Elite League continued.

The double-header at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Centre (NTC), at Providence, East Bank Demerara saw both teams winning 4-0.

In the first game between Western Tigers and Den Amstel FC, the latter managed to hold off their opponents for much of the first half, howev-

ExxonMobil U14 Boys and girls football tournament…

er, Malachi Grannum would find the back of the net in the 44th to end the half on a high note for Western.

In the second, Randolph Wagner added to Western’s tally in the 58th, after which an own-goal off the boots of Den Amstel’s Kobi Alexander, brought up their third.

A penalty opportunity came the way of Western Tigers in the latter minutes of the game, which Wagner (89th) converted to secure

Fireworks expected as champions to be decided today

Firey clashes are expected today when the boys’ and girls’ finals of the ExxonMobil U-14 football tournament gets going at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue.

Waramuri Top Primary are in both finals and their presence speaks to the level

of the football that areas outside of region Four are competing at.

For the girls, their final hurdle is the President’s College girls; a match which is expected to commence at 15:00hrs.

Both sides have been able to find the back of their previous opponents’ nets but

come today, only one will come out on top.

For the boys, Bartica Secondary will have the last chance to stop the run of the Waramuri side.

Both units have been prolific in front of goal and what is expected today is a high scoring encounter, given the margins by which both teams

World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships

advanced through the rounds.

Preceeding both finals will be playoffs for third and fourth, as well as fifth through eighth.

Apart from title sponsors, Exxonmobil, the tournament was made possible by MVP Sports, the Ministry of Education and Demerara Distillers Limited.

his double and his team’s 4-0 victory.

The script was almost the same in the following game between GDF FC and Buxton United. After several rallies, Stephen McDonald was the first man to find the back of the net for GDF in the 16th minute. In the 4th, Kennard Simon netted for GDF for a 2-0 score at the half.

The next goal was witnessed until the 68th when Olvis Mitchell found the

back of the net, while Chris Macey brought up their fourth strike in the 71st. Buxton was able to patch the leak thereafter, but were unable to find any goals of their own.

The KFC Elite League continues tonight with a clash between Ann’s Grove United and Milerock FC at 18:00hrs. That game will be followed by a clash between Victoria Kings and Den Amstel FC at 20:00hrs.

Troy Mendonca, Co-director of the Petra organisation displays the winner’s trophies and individual prizes for the 2023 ExxonMobil U-14 Boys and girls football tournament (Adrian Narine photo)

Petterson-Griffith powers to Deadlift silver & squat bronze

Guyana’s leading strongman, Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith powered his way to silver and bronze medals and raised the bar on a number of national records when he competed at the World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships held at Intercontinental Arena Conference Centre, Intercontinental Hotel, St George’s, Bay, St Julians, Malta, June 11-18.

Contesting the 93kg category which attracted the most athletes of all the categories, 42 in total, Petterson-Griffith displayed his ability amongst the best and in some instances, more accomplished athletes in the world.

Lifting in Flight B of the three flights, the Guyanese was the standout lifter, powering his way to the top of

the grip in both the Squat and Deadlifts but was outdone in the Benchpress, an area he has acknowledged that he has work to do in.

He equaled his squat record of 320.0kg (705.48lb)

set on August 28th, 2022 at Saint Stanislaus College with his second attempt and challenged for the world record of 331.0kg when he attempted 334.0 but was not successful, on his third and

final lift.

His performance was, however, good for the bronze, with two of the lifters in Flight A taking the gold (Amar Kanane of Algeria – 325.0kg) and silver (Gustav Hedlund of Sweden – 320kg).

Carlos’ achievement in the Benchpress of 172.5kg has equaled the National Benchpress record which is held by Wazim Mohamed 172.5 (380.30lb) achieved on the 24th of October 2021 at the Life Gym Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. This performance surpassed Petterson-Griffith’s previous best was 165.0kg.

He capped off a successful sojourn with a classical display in the Deadlift as he upped the ante by 10kg to 355.0kg (782.64lb) from 345.0 (760.60lb) which was

set on the 25th of April 2018 at Saint Stanislaus College.

Again, this performance outshone his rivals in Flight B and it took a lifter from Flight A to edge him to the silver. Additionally, Petterson-Griffith set a new Total National Record with his 847.0kg (1867.31lb) erasing his own previous record of 825.0kg (1818.81lb) achieved on August 28, 2022, at Saint Stanislaus College. His performance overall saw him ending as the sixth-best athlete in this category, in the world, the best ever by a Guyanese.

The President and Executive Committee of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation has already extended congratulations to Carlos Petterson-Griffith on his outstanding performance at this year’s edition of the

World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships.

“We knew all along that you have what it takes to stand up with the best in the world and you have vindicated that belief. We know that this is just a step up to another level and we will continue to give you the necessary support needed, to climb the world ladder, ever higher.” President Franklin Wilson stated.

Gratitude is again extended to the following for making Carlos Petterson-Griffith’s trip a reality. The Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., National Sports Commission, Guyana Olympic Association, MVP Sports, Fitness Express, Superior Concrete, Space Gym, and other private supporters.

Carlos Petterson-Griffith finished second in the 93kg deadlift with a personal best of 355kg

Western Tigers FC in action against Den Amstel

President pledges support to boxers at CAC games

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has pledged his support to the boxers who will be representing Guyana at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games 2023 in El Salvador later this month.

Dr. Ali met with the athletes at the Office of the President today.

The group included Keevin Allicock, Emmanuel Pompey and Joel Williamson. Another, Desmond Amsterdam, will also be participating in the games but was not present at the meeting.

President Ali wished the team well at the June 23rd to July 8th games.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali (second from left) strikes a pose with the CAC games boxers, Keevin Allicock (left), Joel Williamson (third from left) and Emmanuel Pompey (fourth from left) Office of the President photos