Kaieteur News

VP Jagdeo commits to releasing fiscal terms for all mining contracts

ByShervinBelgrave

Almost ten months after the Extractive Industries Transparency(EITI)flagged Guyana a third time for not releasinglarge-scalemining contractsinthecountry,Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday committed again to making thecontractspublic.

Jagdeo’s commitment was made at a press conferenceheldattheArthur Chung Conference Center (ACC).Thiswasthesecond time the Vice President promised to “personally intervene” for the release of the fiscal terms of all largescaleminingcontracts.

“So I am going to personally [intervene] because I have never personallytrackthisdownto find out why the fiscal partLeave out the other parts of the contract but the part wheretheygetconcessionswhy that part can’t be release”,saidJagdeo.

TheVicePresidentmade a similar commitment in August 2022 during an appearance on The Glenn Lall Show aired on Kaieteur Radio While appearing on thatradioprogramme,hetold theKaieteurNews’publisher, Glenn Lall, “I don’t see the reasonwhymanyoftheseare not in the public domain already I’llfindoutaboutit”

When pressed further Jagdeo said, “I can undertake to find out with you there, what provision the GRA [Guyana Revenue Authority]issocageyabout that it doesn’t want to release… I will undertake anything that is nonpropriety that you get it released. I will personally nowseethatthishappen.”

On Thursday, Jagdeo maintained that he has no problem releasing the mining contracts “My point is that on these arrangements, I don’t see releasing the fiscal concessions that we give to investors a problem,” Jagdeo said before adding “But I am only asking that you have a nuanced view

(balanced/fair) when you report, look at the world marketandthechallenges”.

Asked by a Kaieteur News reporter why the government in the past has not been too keen on releasing the contracts, Jagdeoresponded,“Because of the propriety… that has always been the issue… the proprietaryissue…”

However, the Vice President explained that governmentcanreleaseonly thefiscalterms(concessions granted and how much the country stands to gain from the deal) and not the proprietyinformation.

“Thefiscalpartiswhere the concessions are. The sector can argue against propriety information but they can’t argue against the concessions that they get. Theycan’tsaytome,thatwe can’t let the country know, because the fiscal terms should be known to everybody, who is getting concessions and who is not getting concessions, that should be known to everybody,” Jagdeo told reporters.

There are currently 10 companies holding largescalelicencesinGuyana The BauxiteCompanyofGuyana Inc holds three large scale licences for the extraction of bauxite in Kurubuka (Block 22), North East (Block 5 in Kwakwani), Berbice (Block 38)foratotalareaof16,691 acres, in which the Guyana Government has a state participation of 10% as confirmed by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)

Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc. holds three (3) large-scale licences for the extractionofbauxiteinEast Montgomery, Tailing area andDacouriaforatotalarea of 3,063 acres, in which the Guyana Government also has state participation of 30 percent as confirmed by NICIL.

Correia Mining Co holds a large-scale licence fortheextractionofgoldand

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Large-scale mining taking place at Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) by Chinese Mining Company Zijin Inc.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo speaking at Thursday’s press conference

WorldBankflagsethnic,politicalpolarization asmajorbugbeartoGuyana’sdevelopment

…says country’s reliance on oil money poses significant risks

While Guyana has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies with the development of its oil and gassector,theWorldBankin an April 2023 Report cautioned once again, that authorities must be mindful of the risks associated with overrelianceonoilrevenues.

The financial institution said, “The government’s aggressive investment programme seeks to structurally transform the n o n - o i l e c o n o m y

Nevertheless, Guyana’s increasing reliance on the oil and gas sector, a weak institutional base, and a f r a g i l e p o l i t i c a l environment pose significant risks to longtermdevelopment.”

Expounding on its position, the World Bank said the extractive sector is becoming the dominant source of growth and fiscal revenues It said this increases the country’s susceptibility to oil-related shocks, which requires proactive management It waskeentonotethatprudent management and use of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), as well as strengthening the medium fiscal management framework are critical to preventing the economy fromoverheating.

Further to this, the bank

said that oil production has e n v i r o n m e n t a l consequences that must be carefullyconsidered,adding that the sector may face additional risks as the world transitions away from fossil fuels.

The World Bank also stressed that addressing climatechangerisksremains central to poverty reduction for Guyana given that sea level rise and flooding exposealargesegmentofthe populationtofoodinsecurity andjoblosses.

Another key matter it said authorities should keep watch of was ethnic and political polarization. It said these two issues pose important risks to social cohesion and sustainable growth.

With respect to its outlook of the economy, the World Bank said it is expected to expand at an annual average rate of 24.9 percent over the medium term due to continued

expansionoftheoilsector It said real non-oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to expand by an average of 7.2 percent per year including through positive spillovers from the oil sector with the implementationoftheLocal ContentActof2021.

Withrespecttoinflation, the World Bank said it will remain elevated due to increased government consumption and higher input costs. As such, it said poverty reduction will depend on efforts to boost the purchasing power of

poor and vulnerable households, as well as on translating the good performance of the non-oil economyintojobs.

The World Bank report further noted that increased exports of oil, gold, and bauxite will result in an annual average current account surplus of 24 8 percent of GDP over the medium term In this context, it said the international reserves position will gradually improve to above 5 months ofprojectedtotalimports.

This newspaper

understands that the fiscal deficit is projected to average12.4percentofnonoil GDP as the increase in capital spending outstrips inflows from the NRF The World Bank also noted that public debt is expected to remainlowatapproximately 20percentofGDP

Guyana’s oil industry is poised to expand this year with the onset of Prosperity, the nation’s third Floating Production Storage and Offloading(FPSO)vessel.It will join the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity in the Stabroek Block, taking

production from 400,000 barrels of oil per day to approximately 600,000 barrelsofoil.

These operations are b e i n g l e d b y a n ExxonMobil-ledconsortium which has received the blessings of the PPP/C government to pursue an aggressive exploration and productioncampaign.Those efforts have thus far lead to the discovery of 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources.

N o t a b l y, t h e s e operationsaswellasthe

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Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

MARRIOTT HOTELBIDS

The bids for the local Marriott Hotel are in, and theyshedlight. Thesixbidsrangedfromahigh ofUS$65milliontoalowofUS$25million,with several local entities among those indicating their interest. Amongthebidders,localbusinessmanRobertBadalcamein with the second highest bid of US$55.5 million. In the context of Guyana, and the prospective purchase a hotel valuedatUS$60million,thissaysplenty.

Whether it is the high American bidder, the one from Jamaica, or those from Guyana, the bidding participants haveallshowntheirhandsintheclearestfashion,andthere isapersuasivepowertotheirinterest.

ItisthatpurchasingtheMarriottHotelwouldbeasound investment, a rich opportunity, one that stirs visions of handsomereturns. Withoutexception,thesearenotrookie investors, but very astute men, and wise in the ways of commerce. Itmustbe,therefore,thateachbidderisalready excitedbycertainimagesdancinginthehead.

Images of crowded check-in lobbies, well-populated pick-up and deposit areas, and parking lots. Alongside those,theycanvisualizebustlingbarsandelevatorsgoingup and down with new visitors staying at the hotel. In other words, to buy the Marriott Hotel in today’s Guyana is the equivalentofbuyingasoundandsafebank,amostprofitable one.

It is a mystery why anyone would want to put such a business,suchanobviouscashcow,onthesalesblock. Itisa bigger mystery, which only Guyana’s man of magical moves,VicePresidentBharatJagdeoknows,regardingwhy the Marriott Hotel is not held onto, and milked for all it is worth. Guyanaownsit,andatgreatcost,soitmakesperfect sensetosqueezeallthereturnsthatcanbehadoutofit. Let thissameMarriottHotelserveastheevidencethat,finally, there was one investment decision, as secretive and suspiciousasitwas,thatpaidbacktheGuyanesetaxpayers fortheirmoneythatwasspentonit.

ThisisatimeofgreatoildiscoveriesinGuyana,withthis country the most promising, the widest open, oil frontier withoutmatchintheworldtoday Wherethereisoil,thereis alargeandlongriverofdownstreambusinessesthathaveto besetuptosupportitsneeds. Byitselfalone,thepresenceof oil means that many workers will be coming from foreign shorestokeeptherigsoperating,thewellsrunning,andthe boatscomingandgoing.

Moreworkersmeanmorehoteloccupancy,atleastinthe early stages and for short-term stays. More downstream businesspossibilitiesmeanmoreinvestorsfromtheoutside flocking to Guyana so see what slice of the Guyana oil pie theycangetforthemselves. Investorsandtheirteamsneed quality places to stay, and the Marriott is sure to fit their requirements. In other words, the hotel business is among the best to be in at this time in Guyana, and the Marriott is sittingclosetothetopofthehospitalitychain.

Guyanesebusinessmagnate,RobertBadal,isknownto beagileonhisfeetwherebusinessprospectsareconcerned. ThefactthathehasputinabidofUS$55.5millionsaysall that needs to be said about the golden opportunity that purchasing the Marriott Hotel is almost guaranteed to represent.Mr BadalalreadyownsandoperatesthePegasus, so he has firsthand insights of the state of the hospitality businessinGuyanatoday,andwhatthefutureholdsforthe sector

ThoughhealreadyownsthehugePegasusHotel,itsays something that he has not only bid for the Marriott, but the level of his bid speaks for itself. It would be nice if a Guyanesebusinesswithlongandprovenrootsherewereto be the successful bid since the highest bid does not necessarilyhavetoprevail.Ifthisweretohappen,Guyanese would have the satisfaction of savoring what would be the onerayofpositiveinallthequestionsandcontroversiesthat have shrouded the Marriott Hotel from the inception, and whichhavealsodoggedthissurprisingdecisiontosellit.

Celebrating and solemnly rememberingOur Path to Independence

DEAREDITOR, 27th April, 2023 will mark the 70th anniversary since His Excellency PresidentDr Jaganwasfirst elected as Prime Minister This was the highest office heldbyaGuyaneseunderthe constitution for British Guiana before it was suspended.

Thus, officially starting our country down the path towards independence. Mr Ede stated during the Commons Sitting, “Under OrderNo.586aConstitution and a Legislature were granted to British Guiana: and at the end of April, a general election was held in which about 73 percent of theelectoratevoted.

One party received 51 percent of the votes and managedtoget75percentof the seats” (Reference: UK Parliament Commons SittingOrdersoftheDay07 December 1953 vol 521 cc1624-763). It was also stated by Mr. Davies, “Because of the way in which the two orders were laid, I believe a case may be brought against Her Majesty’s Government in a courtoflawbyDr Jaganand the other Ministers on the ground that they have been wrongly dismissed, because the Government did not act according to the Guiana Act” (Reference: UK Parliament, Hansard Commons Chamber Orders of the Day, British Guiana (SuspensionofConstitution) Volume 521: debated on

Monday 7 December 1953). The suspension of the constitution being linked to the desire to establish a “People’s Police”, which would counter any future barbarous treatment of the w o r k e r s a s w a s demonstrated at Leonora (February 16, 1939) and Enmore(June16,1948).His Excellency was very concernedaboutthesafetyof ourpeople.

Hewasquotedassaying, “Comrades,inthepastwhen weaskedforbread,wewere given bullets and those who fired at workers were honouredbythemasters.But when the PPP gets into power the same bullets which were fired on those poor people will be fired on our oppressors We shall organize a Police Force; it will be known as the People’sPolice”.

The House of Assembly convened on May 18, 1953, and Dr Cheddi Jagan of the PPP was sworn in as Prime Minister on May 30, 1953. Comrades, our path towards independence was marred with bloodshed, but our sacrifice, determination, hard work, love for each other and our burning desire to be free helped us stay the course. Thanks to the great leaders before us and the FatherofOurNation,weare afforded today the opportunity to live in freedom.We must not allow disagreements to prevent us from succeeding in our pursuitoflivingcomfortably

asonepeopleinprosperity

HisExcellencyDr Jagan said, “The People’s Progressive Party, the vanguard of the National Liberation Movement, welcomestheannouncement thatBritishGuianawillsoon attain nationhood.The party failstounderstand,however, the significance of the date, May26,unlessitisthewish of the British and British Guiana governments to make it symbolic of their contempt for the Guyanese people and a grim reminder of the unfortunate events at WismaronMay25/26,1964, and their aim to keep the Guyanese people divided...”

Nov 19, 1965 (Reference: Cheddi Jagan Research Center, Quotations by Dr CheddiJagan).

Thedateofourliberation is ours to decide. We must agreetoshifttoanotherdate that better represents the spirit of independence that weallembraceintoday’slife offreedom.

Our destiny can be shared if so desired, and our countrycanbebuilttostand stronginunityasonenation if we truly embrace the words of His Excellency President Dr Jagan who said,“Fromthisdayforward, we shall need the goodwill and hard work of all our people so that we may proceedtomakeourcountry a fit and proper home for heroes in the struggle for political and economic independence. Let there be an end to sectional racial

quarrels and suspicions so that national unity may be restored.”

1961 (Reference: Cheddi Jagan Research Center, Quotations by Dr Cheddi Jagan). Today, we continue our pursuit for economic independence. To achieve this, the minds and hardworkofeachGuyanese is required We must embrace the opportunities before us and together build a nation where corruption and crime are no longer embraced, where the needs of all Guyanese are of more importancethantheneedsof thefewinpower,andwhere the successes of our people are celebrated and encouraged Together, we canachievemuchmorethan ifwearedividedasapeople.

The 27th April will alwaysberememberedasthe datewhenTheFatherofOur Nationwasembracedbyour people to fulfill our ambitionsforIndependence. Let’s celebrate it and solemnly remember the sacrificesmadeandthelives lostalongtheway.

Whether it be by the lightingofadiya,thebeating of a drum, the lighting of a candle, with a moment of silence, or the blowing of a trumpet,letuscometogether as a people at home and abroad and honour the path that has led us to Our Independence

Bestregards,

Mr JamilChanglee Chairman

T h e C o o p e r a t i v e RepublicansofGuyana

PPPgained ten new supporters at Linden

DEAREDITOR,

Whenever I am playing music and have my headphoneson,itisusualfor me not to take calls. I can playtracksfrommyAmazon Music app for hours uninterrupted.

Especially, when I am listening to Capleton, AnthonyBorAgentSasco’s recorded Live shows. I shut the world out momentarily and I am preset in the momentwiththem.

I am an avid reader of books and though today’s world is an electronic and technological one, I delve into my hardcover and immerse myself into the pages. The world around ceasestoexistandIbecome apartofthestory;Iaminit. Mondaywasdifferent.Itook everycallthatcamethrough. People are concerned about t

and

theseeminginroadsthePPP ismakinginourstrongholds. I have been around politics for a mighty long time. I think I would die a natural physical death if I am removed from it. Politics have become a part of my essence.

Many of my callers are concerned to the point of worrying that the PPP will come out successful at the upcoming LGEs. I am not botheredbecauseitwillturn out to be the complete opposite. The indicators are there firmly rooted beneath the noise and celebrations andthepublicdisplayofthe false sense of impending triumph.

Iamconcernedatthefact thatoutoftotaldisrespectfor thetraditionofgoodpolitics, the PPP is attempting to cross sacred lines that not even Jagan and Burnham crossed Lines that will

reduce the Guyanese people to political pawns void of rights and privacy and the very essence of being an individualfreeandtrustedto make their own choices and political decisions. It is out ofdeepfearanddistrustand the sinking feeling of being defeated that the PPP is demandingthatthefewwho show open support for them inourconstituenciesmustgo intothepollingstationswith a smartphone with the expressed purpose of taking apictureofwheretheyaffix their X as evidence they votedPPP

The ending of the life of any monster comes with a deathroll.Intheinstanceofa giant fish, it will disturb the waters and lash against the fisherman’s boat violently Thatfinalstruggletosurvive will eventually give way to its demise.The PPP’s end is near

I have correctly counted ten new supporters of the PPP at Linden. With that addition,itisyettomeetthe one hundred mark No amount of bribes for votes can erase the indignity of reducing citizens to marionettes that are whimsically operated for political gain. My greater concern is not with the PPP but my own party and the Opposition as a whole However, I have no doubt that the rough will be made smooth at the appointed time.

One of the calls I received last evening came from the Leader of the Opposition. I was surprised. Hewasfriendlyandcheerful and there was warmth in his v o i c e T h a t b r i e f conversationendedwithhim saying,“wewilltalk”.

Sincerelyyours, Norman

Browne

Familiar opposition personalities continue the misinformation campaign

DEAREDITOR, Iwritewithreferencetoa letter under the title “These assaults on journalists in Guyana exhibit the characteristics of authoritarian countries”

(published on April 18, 2023). The letter by a group of twenty-six well-known anti-government operatives i s p r e g n a n t w i t h m a n u f a c t u r e d misinformation that would make Noam Chomsky run forcover

Thereisnodoubtthatthe group which boasts several PhDs and other professional andbusinesstypesisadeptat turning their failure to influence the Guyanese population,intonarrativesof victimisationandsuffering.

Imightalsoaddthatthis bunch of mostly urban politicos with practically no contactwiththegrassrootsof the country are equally innovative when it comes to grabbing the attention of the diplomatic corps, who incidentally is their main audience. The latest ploy of thegroupof26istocryabout gender discrimination, and thisonlyaftertheirlanguage games on race and environmentalism only succeeded (though inadvertently so) in Tacuma Ogunseye’s diabolical

theatrics of aggravated racialism and state subversion.

Let us be clear about the questionofgender Areplyto alettertotheeditorsignedby mostly women does not in any way make it an “attack” onwomen.Thereplyistothe content of the letter, and is oblivioustothegenderofthe signatories.

The group of 26 claims that they stand against all forms of violence and againstracism.

Yet, not one of them, either individually or as a group, has to date publicly condemned the vile, dangerous, and raciallycharged call for violence against East Indians and the Afro-Guyanese leaders and supporters of the PPP/C. To boot, these high-class people, many of them living the high life overseas claim to speak on behalf of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana, something that mustatoncebecharacterised asatheftofvoice.

The reader must know thatwhilemanyinthegroup of 26 are preparing for a conference in Argentina where they will no doubt go and bad-talk Guyana, the PPP/C is having direct, people-to-people, face-toface contact throughout the

Change is coming to Guyana

DEAREDITOR,

A tsunami came to Guyana on Monday as the PPP/C went forward with pride and conviction on nominationday Thepositive effects of that tidal wave we will witness come June this year as we go into Local Government Elections. I am talking about the long awaited LGE, where we would see a massive new change in this country That changewouldbefeltinevery town,villageandhamlet.We havetakenupthemantleand wearenotturningback.

The events of the day remindmeofthelyricsofthe old Negro Spiritual which says“I’mnottiredyet.” It’s a song which tells of the Christian’s sojourn in life, one that is bound up in him running to receive the prize. Heisrunningbecausehehas amissiontocompleteandhe would not give up the fight until victory is won. So the lyrics goes on “I’m not tired yet.” We in the PPP/C have

country Only recently, President Ali and a team met for two days with villagers from Karasabi, Parikwarnau, Yarong Paru, Tiger Pond, Ananaputa, and Annai, in Upper Takutu, Region 9. And then days later, Vice PresidentJagdeoandcabinet ministersmetwithpeopleof the grassroots at Golden Fleece, Windsor Forest, and Leonora. The Office of the Presidentitselfwasmovedto New Amsterdam, and Leonora, and will soon be temporarilylocatedforfaceto-face problem-solving outreaches in all the other administrativeregionsinthe country

While the PPP/C administrationisbusydoing actualworkforthepeopleof this country, those from the groupof26,individuallyand at times in smaller groups, onlyengageinletterwriting, alwayswiththeassuranceof beingpublishedbyStabroek News(inparticular).

Their so-called activism might be best characterized as CONATIVE, meaning here, attempted action, as distinguished from making r e a l , s u b s t a n t i v e contributions.

Can Chase-Green give a truthful explanation why she joined the PPP?

GOALscholarships,start-up capitaleitherinkind(sewing machines, for instance), or cashgrants,improvementof sports facilities, sports equipment, health care access, farming supplies from small things like cassava sticks to larger requests for tractors and ATVs, and a range of other ‘actionable’ items such as contractsforsmalloperators. Many are also keen on learning about how to tap into the opportunities availed through the Local ContentAct.

Bycontrast,thegroupof 26 are concerned with a conferencethatiscomingup inArgentina,oronethatjust wrapped up in British Columbia, Brussels, Geneva,orWashingtonDC.

DEAREDITOR,

Weliveinaworldwhere the only consistent thing about some people is their inconsistency

been running that race for fifty-six years now, running by day and praying by night untilallGuyanaisfree,until all men everywhere are free from the shackles that has boggedusdownfortoolong. Fortoolong,wehavehadto wear the shackles of racism, rigged elections and retrogression, things that have sent this nation backwards, we will not stop untilthiscountryisfree.We will continue to run until all men irrespective of race, colour, creed or religion would come together and workforthegoodoftheland.

Be it New Amsterdam, Linden or Georgetown, a change will come, as more andmoreofourpeoplecome forward, crossing the political and race barrier to rally with the PPP/C. We wanttobuildthisnation,One Guyana isourteam’stheme, onwardeverforwardintothe futureofpeaceandprogress!

Respectfullysubmitted, Neil

Adams

Thiswriterhasinteracted extensively with the people from the villages of South PK and North Rupununi in Region 9, to the villages across the country including but not limited to Skeldon, No 66, 67, and 71 Village Corentyne, Tain, New Amsterdam, Rosignal, Onverwagt, Paradise, Enmore, Enterprise, Annandale, Mon Repos, Triumph, LBI, Success, Plaisance, Cummings Lodge, Diamond, Grove (EBD), Canal No 1, Crane, Cornelia Ida, Anna Catherina, Leonora, Uitvlugt, Meten Meer Zorg, Tuschen, Suddie, Anna Regina, Pomeroon, and of c o u r s e a l l a c r o s s Georgetown. I can tell you that the noise generated by Danuta Radzik, Vanda Radzik, Wintress White, MichelleJohn,JanetBulkan, Melinda Janki, Simone M. Joly, Alfred Bhulai and the others,isnotinsyncwiththe issuesandconcernsraisedby theworkingclassandmiddle class across this country Whatarethekeydifferences youmightrightfullyask?

GrassrootsGuyaneseare concerned with better residential and farm to marketroads,improvements to schools, street lights,

Whereas the people of Guyanaarekeenonhowthe now oil and gas economy willbettertheirlivesandthat oftheirchildren,thegroupof 26arebentonshuttingdown these new sources of livelihood for the people. Whereas the people of Guyana are themselves the primary drivers of the choicesweshouldmakeasa nation and a people, the highfalutin 26 from Danuta Radzik to Simone Joly are pushed or cajoled to CONATIVEperformanceby that all too amorphous force c a l l e d l i b e r a l cosmopolitanism.

The anti-government group that signed the letter noted above have free and unencumbered access to the established media in Guyana. Unlike my letters which are only published once in a blue moon, and only after being cut by as much as 80%, the group of 26 can publish anything, anytime, and practically everywhere. On the other hand, those like Freddie Kissoon, who are critical of the duplicity of these socalled civil society groups, have been fired, sidelined, anddisciplinedbythoserich families that control the established media houses in Guyana.

In closing, I challenge the signatories to the letter under consideration to publicly affirm their support for the multi-racial ticket of the PPP/C just launched for theJuneLGE.

IalsocallonRedThread and GHRA for the last time to condemn Ogunseye’s inflammatoryracialism.

Sincerely, Dr.

RandolphPersaud

I have known Nurse Patricia Chase-Green from the time she worked in the publichealthsectorandlater at Banks and was a GGG Councillor, when the GGG was victorious in the Local Government Elections of Georgetownin1994.’ She was one of the harshest critics of the PPP and I am wondering what pushed her into their camp. Beyond that, I know the good lady would champion therightsofwomen,sohow could she now align herself with a group that has shown such disdain, disrespect and disregard for a female journalistMs.DavinaBagot. Whatistheincentive?

Howcouldshesupporta group that took them one year to discover the inappropriate verbal assault on Sonya Ghosh, in New Delhi, India by the Guyana HighCommissioner Whatis going on Pat? Have you forgotten the disrespect of a

female security guard, ShawnetteBollersbyawellplaced Attorney and the Government you are now backingseemtohaveturned a blind eye to this event. I heardvoicesofprotestwhen a female was roughed up at Mocha and as far as we know,endofstory

As one who once supportedthisgoodlady,but could not be behind her in this new adventure, all we askisaplausibleexplanation forabandoningthePartyand leadership that gave her a political profile and becoming Mayor of the capital city of Georgetown. Mr Editor, Ms. Green is never short of words. Could wegetatruthfulexplanation forthisshiftofloyalty?That is if the word loyalty can be used to describe this grand butnotgraciousshift.

All we ask is to be told the whole story and we’ll understand.

Bytheway,whatwillbe her evidence in the legal matter concerning the ParkingMeterissue?

Regards, Eric

Moseley,MS

Selective lamentation on One Guyana

DEAREDITOR,

The organisers of Town Week is lamenting and questioningthe One Guyana concept and the perceived lack of it in its upcoming activities Have the

organisersnowawoketothis reality in its selective lamentation in now wanting to embrace the One Guyana concept?

Regards, ShamshunMohamed

CARICOM Competition Commission and Commonwealth launch a new course for Consumer Protection Authorities in the Caribbean

T h e C A R I C O M Competition Commission (CCC)onTuesdaylaunched its online consumer protection course for consumer protection officials in the CARICOM SingleMarketandEconomy (CSME).

This activity forms part of the CCC’s 2023 Work Programme supporting the development of the region’s consumer protection framework, which is a core enabler to achieving a fully integratedregionaleconomy and single market, a press r e l e a s e f r o m t h e Commonwealth Secretariat said. The CCC partnered with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Connectivity Agenda Section, which provided funding to facilitate the course’s

development The course

aims to support the development of the region’s consumer protection framework which is a core enabler to achieving a fully integrated regional economy The course is primarily facilitated by Dr Iris Benöhr, who is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Law at Queen Mary University of London and the Deputy Director of theInstituteforCompetition and Consumers (ICC), with contributions from national consumer protection authorities within the region a n d t h e C C C

Acknowledging that the course is a first for the CCC in the area of consumer protection, Nievia Ramsundar, Executive DirectoroftheCCCsaid:“A

strong consumer welfare culture in the CSME is criticaltoregionaleconomic competitivenessandarobust economy.” Vashti Maharaj, Adviser, Digital Trade Policy,ProjectLeadfromthe C o m m o n w e a l t h Connectivity Agenda said: “This is a much needed initiative in the Caribbean region as it aims to strengthen consumer protection in CSME countries among consumer protection officials and authoritiesaswellNGOs.”

The course targets the c r i t i c a l a r e a s o f understanding and knowledge for officials enforcing consumer protection laws in member statesoftheCSME,andwill also be rolled out to consumer protection NGOs.

GAICO boss elected Chairman of PSC

The course content will provide an overview of best practices and emerging trends in consumer protection and examine national and regional consumer protection laws. The virtual delivery of the course will ensure its viability, sustainability, and responsiveness to the changingneedsofconsumer protection officials and enabletheCCCtoutilizethe content on an ongoing basis to strengthen capacity building, whilst ensuring thatthecoursesremainupto date and relevant to participants based on consumertrends.Thecourse will also benefit from two virtual seminars for course participantstobeheldon3rd May 2023 and 15th June 2023.

Chief Executive Officer ofGAICOKomalSinghwas on Tuesday elected as Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) during the business section of the Commission’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Ryan Alexander was reelected as Vice Chairman while former Chairman of the PSC Paul Cheong was elected as Honorary Secretary, Mr Haimwant PersaudasTreasurerandDr Natasha Gaskin-Peters as CorporateCoordinator

The Council elected the Executive Members of the PSC to serve for the period 2023-2024.

“The Commission expresses gratitude to its members for their participation in the process and looks forward to their continued support in the e x e c u t i o n o f t h e Commission’s mandate,” a statementfromthePSCsaid.

The PSC said it intends tocontinuebeingtheleading advocate for the private

sector on “articulated and shared positions on national issues which will promote socio-economic growth and development through the creation of strategic partnership with the G o v e r n m e n t a n d stakeholders.”

TheAGMwasheldatthe MarriottHotel,Georgetown, Guyana.

President Should Honour Terry Gajraj and Shivraj

DEAREDITOR,

References are drawn to recent commentaries by cultural icons Terry Gajraj (Guyana Baboo) and M a h a d e o S h i v r a j complaining that successive governments in Guyana have not recognized their contributions to the nation. Others with substantially less contributions to the nation were recognized and honouredwithaccoladesand honorarydoctorates.

The present government wouldhaveappreciatedtheir publicserviceandvoiceand Iamsurewillmakeamends.

Unless the government is aware of a problem worthy of consideration, it cannot act. President Ali would do therightthing.

The two cultural artists h a v e b e e n i n t h e entertainment industry for several decades servicing Guyanaandthediasporaand as such are deserving of

national honors. Some time ago, I also read a commentary of a writer presenting a similar complaint or grievance purportedly emanating from the great Shivnarine

Chanderpaul Shiv was honoured with street name and accolades, and last January, he was deservingly given an honorary doctorate from UG; Clive Lloyd was also deservedly recognized at that graduation ceremony withanhonorarydoctorate.

Both Gajraj and Shivraj were honoured by community groups in America; the diaspora valued their contributions. They are enormously popular and made themselves available for pro bono services to benefit diaspora organizations including as well as politicians visiting from Guyana.

Several Guyanese and I

spokewithsaluteandbowto the two cultural icons for publicly making their complaints or grievance or feelings of a lack of state a p p r e c i a t i o n a n d recognition.Gajrajusedvery strong words of protest againstgovernments.

Shivrajusedmildwords. Theymaynotbe‘politically correct’togopublic;butthe diaspora in NY like what theydid.

Sometimes, public attention leads to quicker action. Lack of recognition of Indians is not and must neverbetaboosubject.Both have legitimate complaints as do others who are unwilling to publicly come forward.

Neither Gajraj nor Shivraj ever used the media to excoriate governments. Something must have bothered them personally and they did right to go public with their grievance.

So many Guyanese have been wronged by our governments and they were reluctanttogopublic.

The duo are outstanding entertainersandpriortonow have stuck to their artistic vogue rather than use media to criticize governments to gain attention Many outstandingGuyanese,aside from the duo, particularly from the Indian and Amerindian communities, faced discrimination and marginalization and unrecognized but opted to remain silent. Hardly any of themdisplayedcourage,like Gajraj, to speak out against v i c t i m i z a t i o n o r marginalization and neglect. Several came to me and complained about their neglect and ill-treatment, asking me to write about their problems but not to quote them. Terry Gajraj spoke his mind publicly and was not fearful of

consequences He, like Shivraj, are accepted as heroes for speaking out, giving voice to those who havebeenafraidtospeakout againstbeingwronged.

They appreciate these of angst against governments. These gentlemen have received recognition from the politicians of New York andthefederalgovernments butnotthatofGuyana.

Intermsofculture,fewif any,hascontributedmoreto ‘Guyanese’ (entertainment) culture than Gajraj and Shivraj.Ihappentoknowof their cultural contributions as I do of Chanderpaul and Lloyd.

I wrote about the contributionsofallofthem.I penned many reports and commentaries on their performances (as well as Shivraj’s films, plays, comedy presentations)

entertaining packed audiences I attended Gajraj’s performances in Guyana (fellow Berbician), USA (at several cities), Trinidad, and India; he was well received with loud cheering and standing ovations including at chutneyconcertsinTrinidad. And I encountered Shivraj repeatedly in NewYork and Guyana at showing of his filmsandcomedyshows;his live performances evoked

muchlaughter

Both Terry Gajraj and Mahadeo Shivraj are as deserving of national honours as are others who were so recognized in the field of culture or art. A young actress was recently honouredbythegovernment as well as UG with an honorary doctorate. As the woman herself noted, she never did anything for Guyana and never returned to the country of her birth after she migrated as a child with her family to England. She was given a grand welcome at the airport. She wasgrantedaroyalwelcome everywhere.

The Parliament was suspended to welcome her. But there has been nothing for Gajraj or Shivraj.Where is the equality? Why are theyalsonotappreciated?

The Ali administration has pursued policies and programmes benefitting every sector of the country and has recognized the role of many Guyanese. I urge himtodosimilarlytoGajraj, Shivraj, and other Guyanese whose contributions to the nation have not been credited. Iamconfidentthe President will right the injustice that was perpetratedonthem.

Yourssincerely, Vishnu

Bisram

Newly elected Chairman of the Private Sector Commission

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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COMPANIES WITH BLACK MARKS

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No surprise that the PPP Govt. and Exxon love the other so much.

Neither seem to be able to do anything straight, deal with clean people.

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Exxon’s fifth FPSO contractor’s name call over oil spills in Brazil.

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Why is Exxon contracting this debarred company for Guyana’s fifth FPSO?

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Where is the PPPGovt. on something so offensive (and dangerous) as this?

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GuyanatotapnewCanadian-fundedgrantmechanism

ThegovernmentofCanadawill on Thursday launch a new local development initiatives grant mechanism “Local Engagement and Action Fund” (LEAF) in the Caribbean The new grant mechanism will be launched by Excellency Emina Tudakovic, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Her Excellency Rajani Alexander, High Commissioner of Canada to Belize and His Excellency, Mark Berman, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana.

The launch event will take placeonThursday,April20,2023 on the Local Engagement and Action Fund Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/canada

l eaffundfrom11:00am–12:30a.m

LEAFisthelocaldevelopment initiatives grant mechanism under the Field Services Support Project – Caribbean (FSSP-C). The event willbeheldinJamaica(in-person) andlivestreamedtostakeholdersin Belize,GuyanaandSuriname.

“The launch will alert stakeholders about the Field Services Support Project –

Caribbean (FSSP-C) and particularly about the Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF) This will include

information on the overall goal of the LEAF along with updates on callsforproposals,whocanapply, thematic areas, capacity building, collaborative learning opportunities and what to expect for2023-2024,”astatementissued by the Field Services Support Project(FSSP)said.

The attendees include Global Affairs Canada (GAC) representatives, government agencies, the FSSP-C team, relevant stakeholders based on the thematic areas and eligible organizations.

LEAF will support local organizations in eight Caribbean countries (Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname) to address their key developmental issues.Therewillbeanannualcall for proposals from 2023-2026; the first one will be in May 2023 (GuyanaandSuriname),June2023 (Belize and Jamaica) and September 2023 (Dominica, Grenada,St.Lucia,andSt.Vincent andtheGrenadines.

ThemainobjectiveofLEAFis

to strengthen organizations working in vulnerable sectors byimproving access to financial resources to enhance their mandate LEAF may respond toissuesrelatedtoGenderEquality, Human Rights, Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights,GenderBasedViolenceand Youth Engagement. Each call for proposals will specify which themeswillbefocusedon.

LEAFhastwotypesofgrants–shortterm(6-12months)andlongterm grant (12-24 months). Each call for proposals will determine the specific types of grants being offered.Short-termgrantsare

Continued on page 22

A STRAIGHTFORWARD QUESTION DESERVES A STRAIGHTFORWARD ANSWER

Any person that has ever taken a loan knows the importance of the interest rateonthatloan.Thehigher the interest rate, the greater willbetheloanrepayments.

Thesyndicatedinvestors who lent money for the construction of the Marriott Hotel were entitled to interest payments that were four times that which is offered to savings account holders at our commercial banks.

Thoseinvestorswerenot going to lend any money unless they knew the rate of return. And Guyana which borrowed that money had to know the applicable interest rates.

It is hard to imagine a person entering into any transaction involving a loan and not knowing what is the interestratethatapplies. Itis simplyunthinkable. Second Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, however is being evasive when it comes to indicating the interest rate

that Guyana is paying on Exxon’s investments in Guyana.

When asked about this againathismostrecentpress conference, this is what the Vice President had to say: “So, the interest rate question I am familiar with thatandthathasbeenasked. I am not going to go down that route again. It is the same questions that keep surfacing.

Today, I am not going to deal with issues that I have dealtwithbefore.”

This is the Second Vice President’s claim to greater transparency

Just minutes before he was making the argument that his government has provided more information abouttheoilandgassectorat a few press conferences and this was far more information that was p r o v i d e d b y t h e

APNU+AFC

government

It is bewildering that the Second Vice President cannot provide a straight

forward answer to a straightforwardquestion.All that is being asked is the interest rate on the investments being made by theoilcompanies.IftheVice President has provided the interest rate before, it would not do him any harm to repeatit.

But it is not likely that if he had done so that the Kaieteur News would be asking this question again. The Kaieteur News should continuetoaskthisquestion untilasatisfactoryansweris provided.

Thisisamatterofpublic interest and if the government is not going to provide the answer, then it says a great deal about the government’s commitment totransparency.Howcanthe government claim to be transparent when it fails to answer a basic and simple question about the interest rate which is being paid by Guyana?Whyshouldsucha straightforward question not evoke a straightforward

World Bank flags ethnic, political...

Frompage3 unlocked resources are shackled to the fiscal terms of a contract which the government itself has demonized as being the worstonplanetearth.

The country only stands togainatwopercentroyalty and a 50 percent take of profitoilafterExxonandits partnershaverecoupedtheir expenses.

In spite of well known criticisms of the deal, the administrationhasrefusedto make any move to alter the fiscal terms of the deal in such a manner that would allowmoreoilrevenuestobe channeled to the people of

Guyana.

Government has maintained that it would not renegotiate the contract since doing so would harm investor confidence and render the country an unfriendly investment climate that cannot be trustedtorespectthesanctity ofcontract.

The administration has also stressed that tampering with the fiscal terms could landGuyanainalegalbattle with Exxon and even its subcontractors for due compensationallfronts.

Significantly, the administration has said that it will not interfere with the

Dem Boys Seh...

deal since billions of dollars worth in investment decisions have been made because of it, and would therefore slowdown economicgrowth.

It has also sought to justify its position by noting thattheveryStabroekBlock deal requires the consent of Exxon and partners before any material changes can be made.

ExxonMobil, through its subsidiary,EssoExploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has categorically stated that it has no interests in altering the terms to Guyana’s benefit.

Why people wearing hoods in Guyana?

Demboysseesomedisturbingvideosof persons committing robberies on innocent persons. One incident tek place in a supermarket and de odder at an open air location where some men bin liming and playingdominoes.

Deh had some children at de time and dem children get traumatized It was shockingdatdebanditsrobdempeoplebut even more shocking dat dem do it and dem seechildrenaround.

Demboysseedevideo.Anddembandits bin wearing hoods. And dem boys know demwearingdemhoodssothatanycameras nahganpickupdemfaceclear

But dem nah know dat deh gat technology was does enhance dem images andallowfuhpositiveidentification.

Nuffpeoplewearinghoodoverseas.De place does cold and dem people wah wearinghooddoeswearitfuhkeepdecold airoffdemface.

But dem boys want know how come in hot Guyana, people wearing hood. Deh gat nuffpeoplewalkingdownderoadandeven going to public events in the day wearing hood. Is copy dem copying dem fashion fromoverseas.

But dem bandits also wearing hood and thereforedemboyswanttoaskdepoliceif demshouldnotaskdeparliamentfuhpassa law banning people from wearing hoods in Guyana.

Why Guyanese people gat to wear hoods.Itnatsuitedtoweweather Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

answer?

This issue is not an isolatedone.

Readers will recall that the media encountered difficulties in obtaining information about many of the controversial projects whichcommencedunderthe Jagdeo presidency One of the excuses given then was that the agreements signed providedforconfidentiality

But it can hardly be a situation in which any interestratewhichGuyanais paying is a confidential issue. As this newspaper reported a few weeks ago, the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that the Guyana government signed allows the oil companies to pay back accumulated interest on loans it took to develop the resources in the StabroekBlock.

According to the agreement, the prior permission of the relevant Minister is not required for thisinteresttoberepaid.

The danger of course is that the oil companies can takehighinterestloansandit is Guyana which will be saddled with repaying these

highinterestrates.

As this newspaper explained, “In order to fund their exploration and development projects aroundtheworld,oilandgas companies use a mixture of loansandliquidcash.

But if the “abusive” conditions are in place, a companymayhavetheright incentivetoplugmoreloans with unreasonable interest ratesintotheirprojectwhich could later be recovered. Guyanahasnotonlyallowed loans taken by Exxon to be recovered without the approval of the Minister but considers the costs eligible regardless of the interest rates.”

Apetroleum consultant, TomMitro,isoftheopinion that no country should be permittinginterestaspartof cost recovery unless there are protective caps built in. Otherwise, he says Guyana couldendupsubsidizingthe borrowingoftheoilmajors.

The issue of the interest rates and its recovery is of seriousconcern.

The people of Guyana are entitled to ask questions about the interest rates, its

recoverability and the existenceofanycapstothese interest rates. In turn, the government is obligated to provide that information Now that the government’s oil and gas czar has refused toanswerthequestionputto himonthissubjectathislast press conference, it is now incumbent on the Alliance For Change to place this questionbeforetheNational Assembly.

Let us hope that when it comes up for consideration that the excuse will not be made that the matter was previouslyaddressed.

But then again, theAFC should know the interest rate. It was part of the government that signed the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Duo wanted for robbery under arms at Annandale

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) on Tuesday issued two separate wanted bulletins for 47-year-old Akeem Marques and 23year-old Chris Sampson, knownasChrisbothofBare Root, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Sampson’slastaddressis also listed as Bachelor’s Adventure,ECD.

Marques and Sampson arewantedforrobberyunder arms which occurred on April 7, 2023 atAnnandale, ECD.

Personswithinformation

From Left to right: Akeem Marques and Chris Sampson

aboutthewhereaboutsofthe twomenareaskedtocontact police on 225-6940, 225-

8196, 226-7476, 225-2317, 226-8196or227-1149orthe nearestpolicestation.

BYGHKLALL

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

THE PRESIDENT DOES FAIR, HE MUST AIM HIGHER

Today what I say is sure to surprise more than a few of my fellows. I come not withswordorspear,butwith ploughshare and honest labour When we clash and slash at each other, we always seem to end at the sameplace,orworse. While when we put in determined effort,wereapwhatissown.

Ithasbeenalongtimesince some genuine sowing has been attempted in this roiling land; every day reduces to the passions of a no-confidence contest

Now,whatIsaytodayisthat I come not to bury the President,buttopraisehim.

Seemingly skimpily on the surface, but with a view to what has started, and which mustnowgatherenergyand momentumandcontinueata highertrajectory

Notwithstanding gaping holes in transparency, accountability, and unity, President Ali has done fair He promised, but slipped badly; his comrades fail him, he is forced to run interferencetoreconcilethe irreconcilable. Look at oil, publicworks,andtheyarea bigpartwhyhehastobeon the defensive, and take positionsthatembarrasshim becausetheymakenosense;

transparency is one area. Still, I take that small start, thankful that there has been the sometimes fair from his hands. He has reached out, connected; definitely more withhisownthantheothers in his ‘One Guyana’ construction I caution softly: should the President maintain this standard, then theslantinhis‘OneGuyana’ practices would be conspicuously towards only one kind primarily It already unsettles, is remembered, what ultimately defeats his drive towardareal‘OneGuyana.’

For sure, some of the

President’s connections withthosenothisownhave beenoftheforcedvariety,to wit, dictates of urgent circumstances,especiallyon the East Coast, long the scenesofuneaseandunrest. Buttheunderpinningsofall thesedistilltothis:President Ali is trying. Trying has broughtpositives,harvested good reviews; from small beginnings like these more momentous marches are made. Now,HisExcellency must do more, he must aim higher, he must govern for allandwithhisall.

In this, the approaching thirdyearofhisfirststintat national leadership, President Ali has worked hard, and I believe mostly honestly

I speak not of political honesty, but ethics and principles around the nation’s treasury, his hands are clean. I hear of no taint attached to his name; appreciationisdue.

Forsure,therehavebeen s o m e s u r p r i s i n g beneficiaries of the President’sgoodgraces,but apassisgiven:prerogatives ofpresidents,thebenefitsof familiarity and close proximitytotheState’schief decisionmaker

Inowusetheworkethic, andthefinancialethics,that thePresidenthasestablished ashisown,andquietlyshare some notes compiled from the hour of his being in the commander-in-chief’schair I hope they help. The President has to get his ministers to do some honest

work; too many of themareexemplary in rank dishonesty

One name stands out currently for honesty: Minister Robeson Benn. I strive for more, but the soil is barrentodate;aneyeisstill open for unearthing some hidden nuggets If put another way: it is easier to find a tanker of crude oil in Guyanatodaythantolocate an honest PPP minister

C o n s i d e r i n g b i g happenings, bigger verbal productions,andthebiggest leadership contrivances with oil, finding an honest ministerisakintosearching fortheHolyGrail.

Thus,thePresidentmust heat the oven under his ministers, senior public servants, boards of directors, and crucial certifying field and finance officers to compel them to more effort, honest effort only I take these steps higher and raise the temperatureonPresidentAli himself: Excellency, take a stand before the public and make this promise: ‘the assuranceisgiven,anditisa guarantee, that the abusive, the disparaging, the false, andtheinjuriouswillnotbe allowedonthewatchofthis President going forward.’ No more. Never again. Indeed, I am putting words inthePresident’smouth,but for the better For what enhances his image, what accrues to his benefit: only whatisfairwillprevail,and ofthat,theremustbenofear

Those who make up matters who mistreat others will be made into mincemeat.

Thesergeant,majorsand corporalswhorunamokand take it upon themselves to deal in what tarnishes presidency and clean governancewillbegiventhe backofthehand,andthetip oftheboot,andknowwhatit istobestaringfromoutside the backdoor; regardless of who is their political godfather I think PresidentAli has whatittakestogotohigher levels,oneisstatesmanship. He must manifest a willingness to engage adversaries, competition For if adversaries are condemned and kicked in the old manner, then the festering could cause faltering, failing. No ‘One Guyana’ ever! My parting morseltoGuyana’shead-ofstate is this: more listening leadstomorelearning;more learning to more growing; and more growing to more shining and lifting of everyone in Guyana. Best wishes,Excellency

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

HARDTRUTHS

Nat’lToshaosCouncil,IwokramacollaborateonmentorshiptoIndigenousvillages

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (Iwokrama) on Monday announced theircollaborationin supportingthe Council’s mentorship to Indigenous villagesandcommunitiestoprepare VillageSustainabilityPlans(VSPs).

The VSPs which are being discussed and prepared by each Indigenous village and community acrossGuyana,providedetailsonthe projectsdevelopedanddecidedupon by the residents of each respective community

These plans will be financed by revenues earned under the Forest Carbon Credits Programme of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS)2030

The NTC’s executive members and technical staff are providing guidancetovillagesandcommunities at their request, in developing their village plans Iwokrama’s support to the Council would cover expenses associated with these exercises in Deep South and South Central Rupununi,Region9

The simple signing ceremony held at Iwokrama’s Georgetown office was attended by Programme Coordinator, Ms. Nandanie Jerry, who represented Toshao Derrick John,NTCChairman.Sheexpressed appreciation to Chief Executive Officer, Mr Dane Gobin and Director for Resource Management andTrainingDr RaquelThomasfor Iwokrama’stimelysupport.

Mr Gobin, in brief remarks

stated his satisfaction for the opportunity to support the NTC’s important work with the villages as part of the LCDS 2030. Further, he expressed Iwokrama’s interest in strengthening ties with the NTC in areas of collaborative research, sustainable natural resources management,preservingIndigenous cultureamongotherareas.

The NTC is the representative body of all Toshaos. The Council engageswithGovernmentandother partners on behalf of all villages; promotes good governance practices; advocates for sustainable management of natural resources; and prepares, implements and supportspolicies,plansandprojects to enhance the lives and livelihoods ofGuyana’sindigenouspeoples.

Iwokrama’s CEO Dane Gobin and Director of Resource Management Raquel Thomas (left) with NTC Rep. Nandanie Jerry

Pastor walks free on charge of allegedly raping church sister

…as magistrate upholds no-case submission

Collin Samuels also known as “Pastor Sammy” of the People’s Restoration Ministries located on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, was on Tuesday freed of a charge which alleged that he raped a femalememberofthesaidchurch.

Samuels was charged last August for the indictable offence. The pastor was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on April 2, 2022, at the People’s Restoration Ministries located at Richmond Public Road, in the Essequibo, he engaged in sexual penetration with a woman

without her consent, or reasonably believing that the woman consented.

The matter was heard at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Ester Sam Samuels was represented by Attorney-at-LawBernardDaSilva.

The preliminary inquiry (PI) into the rape matter was done as a paper committal. DaSilva made a no-case submission to the court highlighting several irregularities with the victim’s statement to the policeandalsopointedoutthatthe prosecution failed to discharge its

burden of proof, in support of the elementsofthechargeofrape.

Addingthatwhilehisclienthas nothing to prove; the defence has offered sufficient evidence to dispeltheevidenceofrape.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Sam upheld DaSilva’s no-case submission and the matter was discharged against Samuels According to reports, the alleged victim had reported that she was raped in the pastor’s office after a deliverance service. It was stated that the pastor had reportedly druggedherbygivingheraglassof

Colin Samuels

wine,thereafterrapingher

According to the no-case submission document seen by this publication,thelawyerhighlighted that the woman’s statement dated May 9, 2022, in brief states that

after deliverance service was finished,sheandothermembersof the church ‘stay back’ and clean’ the church building. It was further stated that the woman said that: “pastor(Colinwouldnotalwaysbe on the coast, so whenever he returns, me being the senior assistant, I would have to update him, as to what went on in his absence. So, on the 2nd of April, 2022,afterwefinishedcleaningup the building, I went to pastor (Colin) office which is a room in the said building to give him an updateandPastor(Colin)wasinhis office...”

Thedefencestatedthatwhile Continued on page 22

CARICOMdraftingplantotacklecrime

- urged to implement more support for male youths

CARICOM Secretary-General

Dr Carla Barnett says an action plan which is to be implemented across the region will be compiled attheendofatwo-dayCARICOM Crime Symposium at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain, which endedyesterday

Barnett added that the regional leadersowedthistothecitizensof their respective countries, since most CARICOM leaders spend a lotofmoneytofightcrime,limiting their financial contributions to other important national goals in the education, health and social servicessectors.

“We are in the process of preparingbothadeclarationandan action plan because it is not only about saying what we need to say, it’s about stating how we’re going

to actually get it done. We are organising to ensure we enlist the support, and experts across the region as we proceed forward,” Barnett said on day one of the symposiumonMonday

Earlier, CARICOM chairman PhilipDavis,PrimeMinisterofThe Bahamas, in his opening address saidthecrimeproblemcallsfor“all hands on deck.” “An epidemic of violence grips our region, one that claimslivesandgeneratesfearand anger,”Davidsaid.

“In 2022, Jamaica had a staggering homicide rate of 52.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, Trinidad and Tobago had a rate of 39.4 per 100,000, and The Bahamas, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines all recorded homicide ratesabove30per100,000.Thisis

overfivetimestheglobalaverage.”

Acknowledging the battle as a complex one, Davis added, “There’s a tangle of social, economic and environmental factors at the heart of this crisis. During these two days of deliberation, we must find the resolve to untangle these layered issues.”

Citing the need for a collective response, Davis added, “Millions of people throughout the region live in crime hotspots, never knowingiftheywillbeavictimon any given day...Violence spreads likeavirus,gainingmomentumas oneviolentcrimebegetsanother Violence is contagious, and those whomapthecommissionofviolent crimes find that their data mirrors the spread of infectious diseases

withinacommunity.”

Headded,“Violencecanstrike in waves and grow exponentially Those who come in close contact with violence are most likely to spread it and most likely to fall victim to it.”Among issues, Davis saidthegunsusedinapproximately 70 percent of violent crimes don’t originate in CARICOM countries.

“Everygunusedtocommitacrime in the Caribbean is smuggled into ourcountries.

In The Bahamas, 98.6 percent ofallrecoveredillegalfirearmscan be traced directly to the US. In Haiti,87.7percentofallrecovered firearms can be traced likewise. In Jamaica,itamountsto67percentof all recovered firearms and here in T&T it amounts to 52 percent.

“We’ve asked the US government

and US-based gun manufacturers to cooperate with CARICOM member states when it comes to identifying weapons purchased in theUS,asapartofawidereffortto hold weapons dealers and traffickers accountable for the many lives lost to gun violence eachyear

“

We must call on our neighbourstothenorthtobetter Continued on page 22

CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett

Farmerdiesaftercrashingbikeintobridge

A farmer of Karasabi Village, Region Nine, died on MondayaftercrashinghismotorcycleintotheShiwanBridge railintheSouthPakaraimaDistrictSundaynight.

ThedeadmanhasbeenidentifiedasMikeyFranscisco,57. He reportedly crashed around 20:50hrs on Sunday while returning home from his farm. He along with the motorcycle had fallen off the bridge and onto some rocks in a creek. Francisco remained pinned there underneath his motorcycle untilhisrelativeswentinsearchforhimMonday

Theyfoundhimaround13:45hrsMondaymotionlessand seeminglyunconscious.Theypickedhimupandrushedhimto the Karasabai District Hospital where he was seen by a medicalpractitioner HewasreferredtotheLethemRegional Hospital for further medical attention but was pronounced deadwhenhearrivedthere.Investigationsareongoing.

The Siwan Bridge that Francisco had crashed into.

A pinned Francisco lying in the creek

Chairman of IDPADA-G, Vincent Alexander

Govt. cash hand out to Afro-Guyanese organisations has nothing to do with court case over withheld subsidy - IDPADA-G

The decision taken by the Government of Guyana to distributemoniestosome55Afro-Guyaneseorganisationshas nobearingsonthecourtcaseinwhichtheInternationalDecade forPeopleofAfricanDescentAssembly–Guyana(IDPADAG) is challenging the State over its decision to withhold over $100millionworthinsubventionfromtheorganisation.

This is the view of Chairman of the IDPADA-G, Vincent Alexander Alexander told media operatives at a news conference on Tuesday that the organisation will await the decision of the court. The Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall announced on Friday that the Government will be disbursing the 2023 subvention to 55 organisations representing Afro-Guyanese across the country The AG’s decision came hours after the High Court took a decision on Fridaytohear,thecasefiledbyIDPADA-GagainsttheState, overthewithholdingofthegroup’ssubvention.

Minister Nandlall said the organisations are the founding membersofIDPADA-Gandthefundsareintendedtosupport theobjectivesofthedecade.However,inhisstatementtothe press,Alexander emphasised that IDPADA-G does not view thegovernment’sofferasasubventionbutratherasa“grant”to begiventothe55organisations.

Heexplained:“Ourpositionisthat,whattheGovernment is doing is not giving the subvention to organisations; it’s givingthemcashgrants.Thequestionofthesubventionisstill amatterbeforethecourtandunlikewhathasbeeninthepublic domain, the motion that we have filed in the court does not address2022,itaddressestheentireperiodunto2024.So,the matterofthesubventionisstillacontentiousmatter.”

Alexander noted too that although none of the 55 organisations has been asked to refuse the monies being offered, there are three of the Afro-Guyanese organisations represented on the Council that will not accept the grant. “When our coordinating council met, there were members of the council who took that position, that they will not be recipients of handouts, and that was unsolicited,” Mr Alexandersaid.Hecontinuedthat:“itisforthemtodecideas individual organisations whether they will take a cash grant fromgovernment.Wewillnotbeproddingthemonewayorthe

Continued on page 17

VPJagdeocommits...

Frompage2 diamondsforatotalareaof3,681acres.

GuyanaGoldfieldInc.holdsalarge-scalelicenceforthe extraction of gold in Cuyuni (Aurora) for a total area of 14,339acreswhileGuyanaIndustrialMineralsInc.holdsa large-scale licence for the extraction of bauxite in the BonasikaMiningprojectforatotalareaof18,940acres.

Additionally, North American Resources Incorporated Ltd.holdsalarge-scalelicencefortheextractionofgoldfor atotal5,950acres.PereiraMiningCompanyholdsalargescalelicencefortheextractionofgold,silver,andvaluable mineralsforatotalareaof5,105acres.

Meanwhile,RomanexGuyanaExplorationLtd.holdsa large-scale licence for the extraction of gold and valuable minerals for a total area of 11,110 acres; while Ontario Incorporatedholdsalarge-scalelicencefortheextractionof goldandcopperforatotalareaof8,346acres.

TroyResourcesGuyanaalsoholdsalarge-scalelicence fortheextractionofgoldforatotalareaof15,160acres.

A48-year-old taxi driver was killed onMondayandapassengerinjuredafter his car turned turtle along the Soesdyke/LindenHighway

PoliceidentifiedhimasAlvinDubar ofLot5Section‘B’SarahJohanna,East Bank Demerara (EBD). His injured passengerwasidentifiedasRayanKhan a 49-year-old resident of Soesdyke, EBD.

Khan is presently receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)

Investigators said that Dubar was speedingnorthalongthehighwaywhen he lost control of his silver-grey Toyota

Spacio.Policesaid,“thevehicleflipped severaltimesbeforecomingtoahalt”.

Dubarwasreportedlyflungoutofthe carduringtheaccidentandlandedonthe western end of the road where he received injuries to his head and body Khanontheotherhandremainedpinned in the car Both men were unconscious when police ranks rushed them to the DiamondHospital.

Dubar was pronounced dead on arrival while Khan was sent to the city hospital. Khan regained consciousness on Tuesday afternoon and is presently being treated for multiple lacerations to hisheadandbody

Dead: Alvin Dubar

Taxi driver dies after car turns turtle on Linden Highway

Fire destroys pensioner’s Herstelling home

on Tuesday said that at least two persons are homeless as a result of the fire. The fire startedataround19:00hrs. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze but not before it damaged two nearbyhouses.

Meanwhile, the Guyana FireService(GFS)hassince saidthefirewasasaresultof arson.

Fire believed to be set maliciously on Monday destroyedtheLot399,Third

Street, Herstelling, East BankDemerara(EBD)home belonging to 64-year-old

The drilling rig in action

TheGuyanaFireService (GFS)inastatementreleased

“Thefirewastheresultof a malicious setting by unknown person(s),” GFS saidinitsstatement. Investigations are ongoing.

US$105M Eccles well project to benefit 40,000 residents

40,000residents

The

“ThewellispartoftheGovernment of Guyana’s massive investment to improvewaterinfrastructureandsystem upgrades in response to the increasing demand for potable water due to the immense housing development on the East Bank corridor The Eccles well is

oneof12wellsbeingdugthisyear,and several other projects are being undertaken to deliver treated water to 90% of the population by 2025,” GWI saidinastatement.

When the well is fully operational, residents can expect significant improvementtothelevelofserviceand quality of water The project is being fundedbytheGovernmentofGuyana.

MaharanieMohan.

The rubble that remains of Mohan’s house.

TheUS$105Minstallationofanew well at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) will significantly improve the level of service and supply of potable watertoapproximately

livingbetweenEcclestoProvidenceon the EBD. The Eccles Well is a major infrastructure and system upgrade project being undertaken by Guyana WaterIncorporated(GWI).

new well at Eccles will be connected to the Eccles treatment plant viaatransmissionline.

GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh interacting with managers during the site visit

$100MrefurbishedPsychiatryDept.commissionedatGPHC

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health onTuesday commissioned a $100M refurbished PsychiatryDepartment.

T h e H o s p i t a l ’s Psychiatric Department was refurbishedduetothelackof space and amenities according to GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer (ag) Dr Navindranauth Rambaran who noted that this project was been envisioned and undertaken in just over two years.

“Inthepast,theprevious area if you would have visited staff or otherwise, you would have noticed the place lacked certain amenities and comforts and staff were working under very constraint conditions and of course, there is the issue of the patients - their safety and also their

comfort,”heexplained.

Rambaranexplainedthat because of the challenges, a decision was made to rehabilitatethedepartment.

“Nowwiththeseinmind

E’bo pump attendant gets life imprisonment for killing man

and thinking extensively about the improvement of psychiatry and mental healthcare in Guyana and GPHC, this was the plan, to giveusaninfrastructurethat is world-class and one that will certainly be fit for function,”hementioned.

With there being a new psychiatric ward and clinic, the Department is also equipped with a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry room, a pharmacy, consultant room, treatment room, specialty room and soon to be offered electroconvulsive therapy room.

According to Dr Ramabaran, all of these amenities and services are important so as to work coherently with the rest of the psychiatric and mental health services within Guyana.

Jailed: Nankishore Persaud

Essequibo pump attendant, Nankishore Persaud was on Tuesday s e n t e n c e d t o l i f e imprisonment for the unlawful killing of 35-yearoldArvin Toolsie Mayhilall, ofJohannaCeciliaEssequibo Coast, Region Two back in 2020.

It was first reported that Mayhilall purportedly died after falling off a bench at Zorg. However, his mother maintained that her son was murdered and this prompted an investigation A postmortem report revealed that Mayhilall died as a result of trauma to his head and a fracturedspine.

This led to, 59-year-old Persaud of Anna Regina Housing Scheme, being charged with the capital offencein2021.

The pump attendant was on trial at the Suddie High Court. He had denied the charge which stated that on February 26, 2020, at Zorg,

Dead: Arvin Toolsie Mayhilall

Essequibo Coast, he murdered Arvin Toolsie Mayhilall.

The empaneled jury found Persaud not guilty for murder but guilty for the lessercount,manslaughter

As such, the judge sentenced Persaud to life imprisonment with the eligibility of parole after serving 25 years for the crime.

Meanwhile, back in January, a typist clerk attached to the Suddie SupremeCourtofJudicature wasjailedforfourmonthsfor attempting to pervert the courseofjustice.

Mariano Persaud called “Mariam”, 39, of Zorg, Essequibo Coast, had denied the charge but was later foundguilty Itwasreported that on February 26, 2020, she told Ramkumar Singh,

rian Chung, and DrikcpaulGobintolietothe police surrounding the death ofArvinToolsieMayhilall.

Head of the Psychiatry Department at the hospital, Dr Bhiro Harry welcomed the newly refurbished department and noted that it isagreatimprovementfrom whatexistedbefore.

“When you know where wecomefromandwhenyou see what we have, then you can understand how I feel. We came from a dumpsite and here we are today,” the Head of Department expressed.

According to Dr. Harry from sharing space with the skin clinic to operating above the mortuary, the Psychiatry Department had

itsfairshareofchallengesin the past but the staff still madeitworktocarryoutits functionsandmeettheneeds ofitspatients.

Dr Harry said too that though electroconvulsive therapy will begin soon, efforts are being made to offerotherservices.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony recalled that his visit to the

department a few years ago, the area was very claustrophobic and not the ideal place for patients to receivecare.

“Whatyouhavetodayis by far a transformation. A transformation from that claustrophobic space to a very opened space where I think once you come here, you start feeling better already,”theMinistersaid.

Govt.cashhandouttoAfro-Guyaneseorganisations...

Frompage16 other We will, however, be making it clear to them that what they are being offered has nothing to do with the subvention.”

Alsorespondingtoqueriesaboutthe proposed disbursement, attorney for IDPADA-G,Dr VivianWilliamsmade adistinctionbetweentheissues.“What is before the court is a specific transaction between parties; the parties being IDPADA-G and the other named parties that are respondents to the case…Thereisnothingthatisbeforethe courtthatsaysoneofthepartiesbefore the court can’t engage in any other similar transaction like any other numberofotherparties,”hesaid.

TheworkofIDPADA-Gtakesplace within the framework of the United Nations Resolution. Alexander said government’s move to distribute “grants”toindividualorganisationsand juxtapose that to a subvention to

IDPADA-G was to “interfere with the Country Coordinating Mechanism which is a cumulative response” to the United Nations Declaration of the DecadeforPeopleofAfricanDescent.

“There are disadvantages to an approach which seeks to divide the communityratherthananapproachthat speaks to the collective community evenastheindividualorganisationsare allowedtopursuetheirownmandates,” he said. He noted that IDPADA-G, has among other things set up an efficient officewithtransparentandaccountable management systems, developed a strategic plan, and notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic executed several projects Apart from the issue of funding, Alexander said the Government has misconstrued the initialintentandvisionofIDPADA-G.

FAILURE

The IDPADA-G chairman has accusedPresidentIrfaanAlioffailingin

hisrepeatedpromisestomeetwiththat organisation,seeminglyinlinewithhis position at Mocha-Arcadia that he would meet with the people directly ratherthantheirrepresentatives.

“In our role as Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Decade, in July 2022, we wrote to the President seeking a meeting to discuss issues of concern to the African community Noresponse. Aftertwoinperson reminders directly to the President during chance meetings, resending the original letter at the request of his office and a second note from the IDPADA-G’s Chair, we have nothadeventhecourtesyofaresponse. This,inadditiontothewithdrawalofthe subvention and the denial of the use of taxpayer funded public space for our BlackHistoryMonthcommunityforum on issues of land ownership affecting AfricanGuyanese––areunmistakable signsofcontempt,”Mr.Alexandersaid.

A section of the newly refurbished Psychiatric Department at the GPHC.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony (centre) poses with staff and doctors of the Psychiatric Department on Tuesday.

G7putsfocusonpushtophaseoutfossilfuel

STRASBOURG/SAPP

ORO,April18(Reuters)-A commitmentfromtheGroup of Seven wealthy countries to phase out fossil fuels fasterhasbeenwelcomedas a potential step towards a global deal for all countries to do the same, but is facing criticism for not matching thepledgewithfirmaction.

G7 countries’ climate ministersonSundayagreedforthefirsttime-tospeedup their phaseout of the fossil fuel consumption causing climate change, although they did not set a firm date for doing this. In a joint statementattheirmeetingin Sapporo, Japan, the ministers agreed “to accelerate the phaseout of unabatedfossilfuelssoasto achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the

Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment G7

latest”.

“This is an important stepforward,afterthefailure ofCOP27onthispointatthe endoflastyear,”saidFrench

Energy Transition Minister AgnèsPannier-Runacher At last year’s COP27 U N climate summit, countries failed to agree a deal on phasing down fossil fuel energy. A proposal by India to do this won support from more than 80 governments, but was opposed by Saudi Arabia and other oil- and gas-rich countries Some, including the 27-country EuropeanUnion,arehoping to revive the idea ahead of this year’s U N climate summit, which begins on Nov 30inDubai.

While not legally binding, the idea behind a global deal to gradually quit fossil fuels would be to create a powerful “north star” to guide future climate negotiations, government policies and investments towards clean energy and industries. “If you could get a consensus decision that thisisthedirectionoftravel, that would be huge,” Alden

Meyer, senior associate at climatethink-tankE3G,told Reuters.

But Meyer, who has attended U.N. climate negotiations since they began in 1991, warned of significant hurdles to clinching the pledge. It took more than two decades of U.N. climate negotiations before countries even mentioned fossil fuels in a summit statement - which wasin2021-amidpushback from fossil fuel-producing countriesandindustries.

Insufficient financial support from wealthy countries to help developing countries switch to clean energycouldalsoweakenthe G7’s leverage in bringing othercountriesonboardwith a commitment to eventually quit oil and gas Wealthy countries have still not met a promise to deliver $100 billion per year, starting in 2020,tohelppoorercountries cut emissions and cope with

climatechange Thatamount falls far short of their actual needs, but has become symbolic of wealthy countries’ failure to deliver promised climate funds.

Meyer said a G7 leaders meeting next month could offer an opportunity to back up their call for a fossil fuel phaseout with strong commitments to financially help developing nations to transition

“That could go a long waytogreasingtheskidsfor apoliticaldealonamanaged transition away from fossil fuels,” he said. The need to backthefossilfuelphaseout pledgewithcashwasechoed by Gillian Nelson, policy directoratthenon-profitWe Mean Business coalition, which works with companies and investors on climateaction.

Nelson said G7 governments spent roughly $33 billion a year on international fossil fuel

financing that could be redirected to help unleash privatecashforcleanenergy

“The most efficient way to ensure a smooth and just transition to a clean energy system is to redirect these subsidiesnow,”shesaid.

STEPPINGSTONES

Steppingstonesthatcould be used to build momentum for a fossil fuel commitment ahead of COP28 include a June summit hosted by France, aimed at scaling up finance for developing countries, and a September G20 leaders meeting hosted by India - author of the proposalatlastyear’sclimate summit to phase down fossil fuels Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, president of last year’s UN climate summit, has said consultations will continue ahead of COP28 on whether tocallforaphaseoutoffossil fuels

“I think there’s a general recognitionoftheimportance ofreducingrelianceonfossil fuels,” Shoukry said last month after a meeting of ministers in Copenhagen, where attendees included the United Arab Emirates’ incoming COP28 summit president, Sultan Al-Jaber Pushing through a deal on phasingoutfossilfuelswould depend on the UAE rallying political support - including among other oil and gas producing nations like Saudi Arabia, which opposed the proposal at last year’s summit, said Luca Bergamaschi, co-founder of Italian climate think tank ECCO

But Bergamaschi said thatwidespreadsupportwas unlikely to be won without the G7 - since the most developed economies must offer developing countries a maptoachievingthegoalby offering financial support andscalingupcleanenergy

“Where the G7 should show much more leadership is how, in practice, you are goingtodothat?”hesaid.

G7 pledges to quit fossil fuels faster, but no new deadline. (Reuters)

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CARICOM drafting plan to tackle crime

From page 14 police the trafficking of guns from the US to the Caribbean.”

Speaking on an issue which Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley raised recently, Davis added, “Last month, The Bahamas, along with Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico, working along with the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Human Security, jointly filed a brief in the United States Court of Appeal in support of a $10 billion lawsuit to hold US gun manufacturers liable

for the destruction Americanmade guns have caused in our 17 countries. “It was an action initiated by the Mexican government. We intend to challenge the laws that previously protected gun manufacturers from lawsuits. We’re sending a clear message to the world that we are very serious about fighting gun violence in all forms and on all fronts, not just the home front. “The CARICOM Crime and Gun Intelligence Unit was created to strengthen Caribbean and US collaboration in using data and technology to intercept illegal firearms and traffickers. We must fully leverage this partnership, so that those who put guns on our streets are stopped – and brought to justice.”

young adults between the ages of 16 to 30 lose their lives to violent crime in our region,” Davis said. “And there must be more outreach to – and support for – our atrisk young men. There’s considerable research suggesting that a young man who makes it to adulthood without committing a crime, is far less likely to become a criminal. Given this trend, it is critical we provide more support for our boys in their transition to manhood to keep them on a productive and peaceful path.”

to interrupt these cycles of violence.”

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Davis added, “I’m hopeful the discussions we initiate today (yesterday) will serve as a launching pad for development of impactful interventions and solutions. There are no quick fixes; yet, we must act quickly to save our people from this epidemic.”

He added, “Our most atrisk and vulnerable populations require interventions to meet them where they are - in their homes, communities, churches and schools - to make a real, meaningful impact. The recent Carifta Games were an excellent example of what our young people can accomplish when given positive avenues for self-exploration and achievement.”

He added, “It is not merely a policing or legislative problem. Nor is it solely the domain of the courts. While better laws and expanded police capacity are important elements of a successful strategy, we need all hands on deck: parents, social workers, educators, rehabilitation specialists, social scientists, community workers and activists, mental health professionals, religious leaders, and many others must come together to address this pervasive issue.”

Citing the impact on investor confidence, Davis said, “If we do not act decisively, our economic prospects will be further eroded by this ongoing wave of violence.”

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Need to support young males

CARICOM chairman Davis also urged regional leaders to implement more support mechanisms for male youths. “I know I don’t have to persuade any of you about the urgency of this work. On a typical day, some estimates suggest that an average of 13

He cited the work of renowned Bahamian psychiatrist Dr. David Allen, who concluded in his research that an abused child becomes a dangerous adult.

“Addressing violent crime requires us to confront these ugly truths about the harm damaged and broken people can carry forward, from generation to generation. But we can’t look away. We need

He noted “a powerful example of the strength of a united region” was seen in October 2022, when 19 Caribbean countries participated in a joint operation with Interpol in which 350 weapons, 3,300 rounds of ammunition, 10 tons of cocaine, and two and a half tons of marijuana were intercepted, with 510 arrests. “Such collaborative operations must become more frequent if we want to meaningfully impact the flow of illegal drugs and guns across our borders.”

(Trinidad Guardian)

Pastor walks free on charge of allegedly...

From page 13 his client had nothing to prove as the burden falls on the prosecution to prove guilt, he offers an alibi. Firstly, it was stated that the pastor was not on the Essequibo Coast on the date the woman stated the incident occurred. It was noted that the woman then reported the matter more than a month later and also did not provide the names of the other church members who were there that day when the incident allegedly occurred.

The lawyer submitted too that while it is alleged that the pastor drugged the woman after giving her wine, the police submitted no evidence of any wine found in the church that was contaminated with any drug.

reportedly confessed to the pastor’s wife that, she and the pastor were in a relationship for the past two years.

She also reportedly complained that, the pastor was seeing another female and was reportedly in possession of text messages and nude pictures of the pastor at that time in her phone.

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Moreover, it was stated in the court document that on April 17, 2022, the woman

It was further stated that it is not by coincidence that, it was after the woman was served with a letter dated May 6, 2022, where her membership was revoked, and she was ejected from the church that; she made the report of rape. Inter alia, the lawyer also submitted text messages which purportedly showed the woman threatening the pastor to get his wife’s phone number and send their text messages to her.

Guyana to tap new Canadian-funded grant...

From page 8 CDN$20,000 to CDN$50,000 and long-term grants CDN$50,001 to CDN$100,000. LEAF will fund capacity building, technical support, administrative services and other direct project related costs.

associations, public educational institutions, national and sub-national government entities and regional organizations. The organization must operate in one of the 8 eligible countries.

World University Service of Canada

(WUSC).

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Organizations that are registered not-for-profit entities and fall in the following categories can receive funding under LEAF – non-government organizations, community based organizations, women’s rights organizations, benevolent societies, foundations, charitable organizations,

Meanwhile, The Field Support Services Project Caribbean (FSSP-C) supports the implementation of Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Program (CRDP) by providing timely, cost effective, and efficient logistical, financial and administrative support services as well as technical specialist support services. The FSSP-C in the Caribbean is managed through the

The CRDP has existing programming in 13 CARICOM countries (8 ODA eligible – Jamaica, Guyana, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize and Suriname and 5 Non-ODA eligible – The Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts & Nevis). While the Programming Area is defined as including all 13 of the afore-mentioned countries, the FSSP-C will focus its activities on the ODA-eligible countries.

LocalNGOinsearchofYouthEnvironmentalSpeaker

…over $2M in cash and prizes up for grabs

Encouraging preservation and recognized the necessity of getting sustainable changes they would held just after From this group, Thus far, corporate Guyana and fostering conservation through our younger generations involved make to their schools if money was after the judges have tallied their other entities have shown immense awareness and free speech has and in the ‘green discussion’ and has notanissue. scores, the top national youth support with the likes of the will always be the backbone a n n o u n c e d t h r o u g h i t s

The deadline for submission is environmental speaker will be following on board: Camex towards raising a generation of collaboration with the Ministry of April 28 and once all submissions declared. The winners will receive Restaurants Inc , Ultra Care individuals who will work towards Education, Project SHOUT, the have been received, the top 35 will cash and prizes valued $2,000,000. Medical Centre Inc., the High protecting the planet and reversing search for Guyana’s next top youth be adjudged and will be eligible to Prizeswillbeawardedtothetop10 Commission of India to Guyana, careless damages Recover environmentalspeaker participate at the live speech speakers, the most influential Ramada Georgetown Princess Guyana, a Non-Governmental The competition which is in its competition on June 5, World speech, the most environmentally Hotel, Caribbean Motor Spares, Organization (NGO) registered initial phases gears towards Environment Day at the impactful speech, and best speaker Professional Print and Designs, with the Friendly Societies promoting sustainable living, Georgetown Princess Ramada inthecontest. Shermol Cleaners Services, GTT, Department has seen this need and environmental protection and RoraimaConferenceRoom. The school represented by the Trophy Stall, GUYOIL, Glo-See through its work with corporate a w a r e n e s s a n d a i d i n g

The format of the competition winning student will also be Media and Production Network Guyana and other key stakeholders underprivileged communities will be such that the group of 35 awardedacashgranttousetowards Inc., Guyana Premier Consultancy, continues to foster changes in the affectedbyvariousenvironmental students will speak on topics spearheading sustainable changes Republic Bank Limited and mindsets and activities of persons The competition is open to selected beforehand and judged andadditionstotheschool. AnthonyIndarPhotography across the country in being more submissions from Secondary and from there the top 10 will be Additionally, participating RecoverGuyanawasregistered mindfuloftheenvironmentandthe Schools across the country where a selected to move into the next students will benefit from on March 2, 2022 under the effectsthattheycanhaveonit. representative from each school segment which will be an environmental awareness and Friendly Society Act, Chapter R e c o v e r G u y a n a h a s can pen an essay that details what impromptu speech competition public speaking training sessions. 36:04.

Pres.Aliforseveraloverseastrips

…aimed at boosting economic growth, relations with private sector bodies

President Irfaan Ali sector there can play a this state visit as I am opportunities here. Also, o n T u e s d a y greater role in partnership invited to, will advance we will be visiting disclosed that withthelocalprivatesector these, will bring forth a Washington once more to

there are several India’s Foreign Minister, tremendous opportunity further the collaboration impending regional and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar for the local private sector, and partnership of a international trips that are will also be visiting Guyana f o r G u y a n e s e a n d number of transformative aimed at strengthening s h o r t l y t o a d v a n c e Guyana.” projects.” relations with private sector discussions on a number of P r e s i d e n t o f t h e President Ali expressed bodies. areasforcollaboration. Dominican Republic, Luis his hope that Canada will be

The president was at the “We are working on Abinader is also scheduled an active participant in time speaking at the Private b u i l d i n g s t r o n g e r to visit Guyana soon Guyana’s transformation Sector Commission’s (PSC) partnerships, looking at P r e s i d e n t A l i w i l l and acknowledged the High Annual General Meeting e x p a n d i n g a g r o - accompany President Commissioner’s hard work held at the Guyana Marriott processing, manufacturing Abinader back to the inadvocatingforthisagenda Hotel,Georgetown. and value-added…looking DominicanRepublictomeet and promoting it as a top

The Head-of-State a t r e s e a r c h a n d with the private sector and priority restated his government’s development, looking at several major financial He emphasised the c o m m i t m e n t t o building out our scientific institutions. importance of managing c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h capability,” the Head-of- T h e D o m i n i c a n Guyana’s multilateral and international partners to Statenoted. Republic, he noted, has bilateral interests to ensure advance transformative

Additionally, President expressed interest in the country is well projects across all sectors. Ali was also invited by working on projects and representedinternationally He said that he will be President Luiz Inácio Lula financinglocalinitiatives. Currently, Prime visiting the United Kingdom da Silva for a state visit to The country is also keen Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) (UK), as part of efforts Braziltodiscussastrongand to collaborate closely in the Mark Phillips is leading a aimed at strengthening robust plan for regional areaofenergysecurity strategic ideas in this sectorinvolvement. delegation in Trinidad and relationships with private integration.

In addition, Guyana will regard

The president further Tobagotodealwiththeissue sector bodies while noting “As you are aware, collaborate with Cuba, later Qatar and the UAE have revealed that, “Later this of crime not only from a that his government is in there are some massive this year to enhance its also extended invitations to year, we intend to visit country’s perspective but discussions with the transformative projects human resource capacity d i s c u s s G u y a n a ’ s China; we will have great from a regional perspective. EuropeanUnion(EU)tofind that are on the table with and advance its healthcare development and explore c o l l a b o r a t i o n a n d (Department of Public ways in which the private Brazil.Iamconvincedthat services. Cuba has provided opportunities for private discussions also on Information)

PSC urges business sector to explore new funding sources

The Private Sector of the Local Content Law

According to Cheong said.

C o m m i s s i o n He said In November 2022, over the past year, the He added: “as I prepare (PSC) has urged the PSC hosted a Local Commission has been to pass the baton on, I hope

its members to Content Forum where working to strengthen that the next Chairman will explore new funding feedback was garnered on relations with stakeholders – continue to push for more sources, even as it laments the first schedule of the law locally, regionally, and localbusinessestogopublic. the lack of access to “The PSC further followed internationally “We have We have started some financinghere. up with businesses to get a beenpursuingpublic-private groundworkonthismatter

Speaking at the PSC’s better understanding of the partnerships with the I wish to take this Annual General Meeting on challenges they are facing Government of Guyana in opportunity to thank the Tu e s d a y, o u t g o i n g and their general feedback o r d e r t o m o v e executives, members, and chairman, Paul Cheong on changes they would like developmental initiatives the entire business access to financing to see in the law These were forward. The government is c o m m u n i t y f o r t h e continuestobeachallengein documented and presented an important partner in confidence they have the private sector and to the Ministry of Natural private sector growth as we bestowed in me during my government has asked the Resources Local Content rely on it to provide good time as Chairman of the commission to identify Secretariat and we look policies, strong institutions, Private Sector Commission. specific legal impediments f o r w a r d t o t h e and efficient public goods As a member of the Private to the law and regulatory recommendations included and services to ensure the Sector, I will continue to frameworkwithregardtothe intherevisedscheduleofthe privatesectorthrives.” passionately push for the issue, so said outgoing LocalContentLaw.” Pleased with strides growth and development of chairman of the Private C h e o n g s a i d a s Assessing his tenure at our local private sector We Sector Commission, Paul Chairman of the PSC, he has the helm of the organisation, will continue to grow in this Cheong. b e e n c o n t i n u o u s l y Cheong said he was pleased expandingeconomy “ W e h a v e h a d advocating for win-win with the strides the Last but not least, I wish discussions with the partnerships in keeping with commission has made to to thank the staff of the PSC Government on this matter theLocalContentLaw push private sector growth. Secretariat for their

finances outside of Guyana. Let us expand our The Senior Minister with He said in the private “Specifically, I am pleased exceptional work over the Indeed,thereareanumberof horizons and explore other Responsibility for Finance, sector, they are cognizant with the partnerships we years. Keep up the good banks outside of Guyana sources of financing,”

Dr Ashni Singh has since that foreign investment have formed with key work. Guyana is developing with the legal latitude to do Cheong told the business asked the private sector to allows for resource transfers stakeholders, our progress in at a fast pace and, as the business here With due sector identify specific legal and the exchange of getting more women engineofgrowth,theprivate diligence,theGovernmentis Oil and gas impediments to the law and knowledge, technologies, involved in the work of the sector remains an integral granting the necessary Meanwhile, Cheong said regulatory framework with and skills. “We welcome Private Sector, our progress partnerinthisprocess. permission. the PSC has recognised the regard to access to financing these as an opportunity to in resuscitating and forming Let us continue to take a

The World Bank and the commitment shown by the and is awaiting feedback,” build capacity locally, as new chambers across the leading role in advocating

I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Government to ensure that CheongtoldtheAGM. these will lead to increased region, our success in the interests of businesses

Development Bank have a Guyanese benefit from the He said the commission incomeandmorepurchasing addressing the concerns of with the view to fostering m e n u o f f i n a n c i a l oil and gas industry, but said is pleased with the efforts to powerforhouseholds,which businesses as it relates to socioeconomic growth and instruments including the onus is also on the address this matter, “but we in turn will lead to an overall local content. These are just development in Guyana,” lending for private sector business community to have to also focus on raising boostinoureconomy.” to mention a few,” Cheong Cheongsaid. expansion. support the implementation

President Irfaan Ali (DPI Photo)

…says access to financing remains major challenge

Outgoing Chairman of the PSC, Paul Cheong

Children traumatized after gunmen invade North Ruimveldt ‘Strip Mall’

Two children said to be toddlers were reportedly left traumatizedafterfivegunmenon Sunday evening invaded the ‘Strip Mall’ located at Last Entrance North Ruimveldt, Georgetown and robbed a group ofmenwhowereplayingcards.

The robbery was captured on security cameras mounted at the location.The two children, boys, wereplayingwithabicyclewhile atleastsixmenwereengagedina gameofcards.

Whiletheywereplaying,five men armed with handguns and dressedintopesand‘hoodies’ran inandinterruptedthegame.

Theycouldbeheardordering the men to lie down on the

ground.Oneofthemenwaseven slapped as he was forced to the ground.

As the victims complied with the bandits’ order, one of the children began crying while the other hid behind a table The bandits proceeded to search the men’s pockets relieving them of cellphonesandwhatevertheyhad

One of the bandits even ran into an open stall at the ‘Strip Mall’ and robbed the vendors beforeescaping.

The notably traumatized toddler who hid behind the table movedfrombehindthetableand ran to safety after the bandits escaped.

Investigationsareongoing.

Bandits carrying out a robbery at the North Ruimveldt ‘Strip Mall’

KMTC meeting sees resounding...

Kevin Joseph U-23 Basketball

From page 31

thesportcouldbebetteradministered. They commended Mrs. Chan Kennard and Mrs. Kennard stated that the club has theKMTCfortakingtheinitiative. taken the decision to help the small owners.

Mrs. Kennard is the Honorary President She said that from now on the club will only of the KMTC, having taken over the reins beorganizingandsponsoringracesforGand from her late husband retired Chancellor of lower horses. The club has set its next race theJudiciaryJusticeCecilKennard. date for around CARICOM, more

A number of those present were not in informationwillbemadeavailableshortly agreement with the way the sport is being A copy of the Horse Racing Legislation administered stating that it is being taken was compiled by the late horse racing over by the “Big Players” and are calling for stalwart Senior Council Marcel Crawford more transparency There was also a with inputs from other former stalwarts the resounding call for the formation of horse likes of the late Chancellor of the Judiciary owners and trainers associations which will Cecil Kennard and Inshanally “Sunny” givethemavoiceinthewaythingsarebeing Habibulla. done.AccordingtoMrs.Kennardshewanted The KMTC is considered one of the to hear from owners, especially the small premiere horseracing entities in Guyana. owners and get an input from them on how (Samuel Whyte)

Wednesday April 19, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Don'tletthepositiveenergyof the day pass you by, Aries. You're able to grab hold and make greater use of it than most, so don't hesitate to get going early and keep on going untillate.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You may be tempted to make up your own rules, Taurus, because you really aren't happy with the ones before you. Be careful of doing so without first understanding the full implications for you andthepeoplearoundyou.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Your actions may be erratic and spontaneous today, Gemini, but they will also most certainly be powerful. You may be driven by a sharp intellectualmind.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Takesometimetobreakoutof your normal routine and see what's going on in the world around you, Cancer You could be so focused and so driven toward a specific goal that you fail to take into accounttherestoftheworld.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Don't feel like you're obligated to jump through otherpeople'shoops,Leo.Just becausesomeonewantsyouto do something doesn't mean youhavetooblige.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Yo u m a y b e a c t i n g unconsciously Suddenly you're halfway through a task and wondering what you really hoped to accomplish by starting it in the first place. Be more conscious of your energyandhowyouuseit.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Youcanrelyonyourgoodluck to pull you out of difficult situations today, Libra. This is one day when you can launch yourself headfirst without worrying too much about the outcome.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

Youmayhaveyourguardupas you fend off people and situations that have caught you unprepared. Be careful about putting up such big walls that youcan'tseeoverthem.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Anelementofthemysticaland fanciful will play a significant part in your world today This energy is likely to come to you unexpectedly, and your first reaction might be to shy away fromit.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

You may sense that the actions around you are fueled by selfish motives. You may be the only one who really sees what's going on, Capricorn. You feel like an observer on a mountain looking down with disdainonthepeoplebelow

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Take action that will help you find greater freedom in your life. In an attempt to please the peoplearoundyou,youmaybe givinguptoomuchofyourself.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

You may have to consciously let go of some of your plans, Pisces,andsimplyleavethings up to chance. The element of the unexpected can help you out quite a bit, so work with it instead of trying to keep it at bay The natural flow of events should lead you toward a place ofgreaterfreedom.

From page 32 National Champion CM Taffin Khan, FM Anthony Drayton, Davion Mars, Roberto Neto, Ethan Lee, WCM Sheriffa Alli, Jessica Callender, Nellisha Johnson, 2022 National Women’s Champion Pooja Lam, 2022 Junior Champion Ricardo Narine, 2023 Under-14 Open Champion Kyle Couchman, 2023 U14Girl’s Champion AnayaLall,2023NationalU12 Champion Aquilani

S w a m i n a d h a a n d 2022University of Guyana Champions Keron Sandiford andSashaShariff.

Young and emerging talents in the chess community such as Micaiah Enoe, Ronan lee, Mayas Khan and siblings Alexander and Nicholas Zhang were alsograntedspotstoplay

The Guyana Chess Federation is happy to host GM Short As the FIDE D i r e c t o r o f C h e s s Development, GM Short is here to promote chess as a sport in Guyana and offer advice about chess in education programmes through the implementation of sustainable systems which can have long-term benefits forchildrenandadultsalike.

Aspartofhisbriefvisitto Guyana, the ex-world chess championship finalist will also engage local chess enthusiasts at a meet and greet on Wednesday, April 19, at the Amazonia Mall from3pm to 5pm, sponsored byJade’sWok.

Membersofthepublicare allinvited.

This Simultaneous Exhibition has been sponsored by Arrow ten, Marics, Mobile Lubricants, Topco, Diamond Water and Digicom. The GCF wishes to express gratitude to the sponsors for this event at StateHouse,especiallytoHis Excellency Dr Mohamed IrfaanAliforgrantingtheuse ofStateHouseforthehosting oftheChessExhibition.

Raiders, Royals and Kings jostle for semifinal positions as preliminary round ends tonight

The final two matches in the Kevin Joseph Under23 basketball preliminary round play to arrive at the top four clubs to battle in the semifinals are set for tonight at the RetrieveHardCourtinLinden.

The double header has three clubs which are seeking to havethebestseedingaftertheyenterthefinalmatcheslocked onsevenpointsfromthreewinsandonelosseach.

They are Retrieve Raiders, Kings and Victory Valley Royals along with the fourth team making up the double headerBlock22Flameswhoareunlikelytoadvance.

LastnighttheotherlikelyteamtoreachthesemifinalsKid Rock, with six points from two wins and two losses, matched skills with Block 22 Flames and were expected to win that encounter

Berbice

WednesdayApril19,2023

Inthefirstgameat6.00pmBlock22Flamesareupagainst Retrieve Raiders, while the second from 8.00pm will see VictoryValleyRoyalsandKingsinanotherimportantfixture. For

WednesdayApril19,2023

GM Nigel Short to take on 20...

MumbaibeatHyderabadforthirdstraightIPLvictory

HYDERABAD, India electedtofield. wascaughtatmid-off. (AP) All-rounder The Australian all- Marco Jansen then took Cameron Green led Mumbai rounder then picked up the two wickets in one over Indians to a 14-run victory vital wicket of Markram as when Markram took a overHyderabadSunriserson Hyderabad were bowled out splendid diving catch over Tuesday to make it three for 178 in the final over with his shoulder to dismiss Ishan straight wins in the Indian Sachin Tendulkar’s son K i s h a n f o r 3 8 a n d Premier League for the five- Arjun bagging his first Suryakumar Yadav’s (7) timechampions. wicket in his second IPL barren run in the tournament

Green notched his game Mumbai skipper continued when Markram maiden IPLhalf-century and RohitSharma(28)blazedsix pickeduphisthirdcatchwith his unbeaten 64 anchored boundaries before he got a afulllengthdiveatmid-off. Mumbai to 192-5 after leadingedgewhenhetriedto Hyderabad spinners Hyderabad skipper Aiden flick fast bowler Thangarasu Washington Sundar and Markram won the toss and Natarajan on the on side and Mayank Markande bowled well in the middle overs but Green and Tilak Varma (37) counter-punched in the latter half of the innings to propel Mumbai’s total as Natarajan (1-50) bowled too many full tosses while looking for

yorkers. “Weneedtofindawayto

Mumbai Indians’ Cameron Green plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

(AP Photo/ Mahesh Kumar A.)

“We have a deep batting bat better,” Markram said. lineup, and we need to make “The pitch stayed pretty suretheybatfreely,”Sharma much the same through the said “I like Tilak’s match the dew didn’t approach.Heisnotafraid,he come unfortunately is not playing the bowler, he Obviously not nice to not isplayingtheball.” win, but not going to be too Jason Behrendorff‘s (2- down.” Mumbai moved to 37) struck twice in the sixth on the points table powerplay which pegged while Hyderabad with two back Hyderabad’s run-chase wins is just above last-place earlyasHarryBrook(9)top- DelhiCapitals. edged fast bowler’s fourth Hyderabad will next ball and Rahul Tripathi (7) meet Chennai Super Kings wascaughtbehind. on Friday while Mumbai Mayank Agarwal (48) will host Punjab Kings on and South African Heinrich Saturday. Klassen,whosmashed36off S c o r e s : M u m b a i 16 balls, brought Hyderabad Indians 192 for 5 (Green back in the game with a 55- 64*, Kishan 38, Tilak Varma run stand before both holed 37, Jansen 2-43) beat outinsuccessiveoverstotall Sunrisers Hyderabad 178 Tim David in the outfield, (Agarwal 48, Klaasen 36, who took four catches and Meredith 2-33, Behrendorff alsoranoutSundar(10)with 2-37, Chawla 2-43) by 14 adirectthrow runs.

Roach takes four wickets in the match; Pope makes 91 and 122* to help Surrey dominate Hampshire by nine wickets in County C/Ship Division One

SportsMax - West Indies pacer Pakistani pacer Mohammad Abbas Kemar Roach took four wickets in the starredforHampshirewith6-64off27.5 match to help Surrey defeat Hampshire overs while medium pacers KyleAbbott by nine wickets at the Kennington Oval and James Fuller took a pair of wickets, inLondonfromApril13-16fortheirfirst each. win of the 2023 County Championship

Hampshire’s second innings almost DivisionOneseason. mirroredtheirfirst,beingbowledoutfor In Hampshire’s first innings, Roach 258in88oversthistime. bowled 16 overs and took 2-63 as they Nick Gubbins made a patient 199were bowled out for 254 in 79.3 overs. ball 84 and Ian Holland scored 46 as Wicketkeeper batsmen Ben Brown led Australian Daniel Worrall took 5-40 off the way with the bat for Hampshire with 17 overs. Roach bowled 18 overs and 95 and Keith Barker made 58. 20-year- endedwith2-43. old medium pacer Tom Lawes also Needing 243 to win, Surrey’s bowled16oversforSurrey,taking4-58. successful chase was led by a brilliant England Test batsmen Ollie Pope 122* from Pope, his 17th first class then made 91 and Australian Sean hundred,and79*fromDominicSibley Abbott contributed 52 as Surrey made In the end, Surrey needed 55.2 overs 270off85.5oversintheirfirstinnings. toreach247-1.

Kemar Roach celebrating a wicket for Surrey. (Surrey CCC)

Mumbai Indians’ Arjun Tendulkar is congratulated by teammates as Mumbai Indians’ players celebrate their victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

SpinnersBishopandNeddeagerforFirstinFirst-Class

Left-arm spinners against more experienced appearances. Both have also cricket. playedattheTestlevel. All matches in the Joshua Bishop players that have been played in the Caribbean They will come up “There are a few players Headley Weekes Tri-Series and Ashmead around for quite a while and Premier Leagues regional against a Team Headley side that we know keenly well willbestreamedLIVEonthe

Nedd are eagerly test out ourselves,” Bishop T20tournament. led by West Indies wicket- from the other teams so Windies Cricket YouTube looking forward to their first told CWI Media “I’m “I’m also looking keeper Joshua Da Silva and it’s just for us to do our channel with live scorecards taste of first-class action, as definitelylookingforwardto forward to the challenge,” including Darren Bravo, homework and share it with and ball-by-ball scoring on they prepare for the Headley it, from CG United Super50 saidNedd.“Itwillbethefirst Kieran Powell and Shayne the rest of the team,” Nedd the Windiescricket.com live Weekes Tri-Series which [last November]. We had a time I’m playing four-day Moseley who have already said. matchcentre. (CWI) gets underway today, fairly decent tournament but cricket, so it’s a good feeling

Wednesday

I’mreallylookingforwardto to be playing four-day, first Bishop and Nedd are thefour-daychallenge.” class cricket. It will be an both 22 and have been B i s h o p l e d t h e enjoyabletwoweeks.” named in the West Indies Academy’s attack during the Bishop and Nedd will be Academy squad. They face CG United Super50 with part of a unit which also Team Headley in the first of eight wickets, while Nedd includes: Kirk McKenzie, three four-day matches at finished with five wickets at Kevlon Anderson, Keagan Coolidge Cricket Ground. an economy rate of just over Simmons, Ackeem Auguste, First ball daily is 10am (9am four runs. Overall, Bishop TeddyBishop,TevinImlach, Jamaica). has taken 40 wickets in 28 Kevin Wickham and Ramon

“We just look at it as an ListAgameswhileNeddhas Simmonds,allofwhomhave opportunity to put ourselves claimed 22 from 17 already played first class

GCB announces Senior Women’s Team for Regional Tournament

Campbelle to captain, Gajnabi her deputy

The Guyana Cricket West Indies player Shabika team while Tremayne Smartt Board (GCB) senior national Gajnabi as her deputy Other will serve as the Assistant selectors met on Monday, experienced players in the Coach/Manager

April 17, 2023, at the GCB squad include Cherry-Ann Thesquadreads: Office where they selected Fraser, Sheneta Grimmond,

1. S h e m a i n e the Guyana Senior Women Kaycia Schultz, Katana Campbelle(Captain)

Kaycia Schultz WI

Shabika Gajnabi WI

2. Shabika Gajnabi Cricket Team for the Cricket Mentore who have all

3. Cherry-AnnFraser Regional Tournament to be in addition to West Indies

4. KatanaMentore held in St. Kitts and Nevis under-19 captain Ashmini

5. AnalesiaD’Aguiar fromMay7toMay30,2023. Munisar and talented West

9. NiyaLatchman

1. HemaSingh (Vice-captain) West Indies Women’s represented the West Indies

10. T a l l e y a

2. LetishaGordon

3. SelinaKhan Madramootoo

11. MandyMangru

12. R e a l a n n a

6. ShenetaGrimmond The squad will be led by Indies under-19 opening Grimmond

4. NaomiBarkoye

5. LeureneWilliams

6. NafeezaSabar

7. P l a f f i a n n a West Indies Senior Women’s batter Releanna Grimmond.

13. AshminiMunisar

14. CyannaRetemiah

8. MelanieDover

7. AnitaHendriks Millington player Shemaine Campbell Clive Grimmond has been

9. TrishaHardat while she will have fellow appointed Head Coach of the

8. KaysiaSchultz Stand-bys:

Cherry-Ann Fraser WI

The first round of the drive; Singh nicking it Mathura on 23 runs. Wilson Guyana Cricket Board pass the wicketkeeper later brought up his half (GCB), Ministry of for four Kristen went on century with a superb coverCulture, Youth and to make a magnificent drive for four runs but Sports (MCY&S), half century; getting subsequently had to leave Government of Guyana there in the 23rd over the field to attend to his (GOG) Boys Under-19 with a gentle push into injured finger, he retired on Inter County Three-Day theon-sideforasingle. 52notout. cricket tournament

-

Half centuries from Wilson and Kristen puts Select XI in command

wickets fall on first day

14

At lunch Select XI Persaud grabbed two commenced yesterday at were 92-2 Kristen more wickets as Select XI the Georgetown Cricket unbeaten on 60 runs found themselves at 189-6. Club (GCC) ground, i n c l u d i n g f o u r Wilsonreturnedtothecrease Bourda as Essequibo boundariesandBalgobin in the 59th over Select XI U19 battled with the on 17 runs. After the posted 190-6 at tea Select XI, Select XI won break,Persaudpickedup Essequibo returned to the thetossandbattedfirst. his second wicket; pitch to get the job done; Select XI were in a Balgobin out LBW for Persaud later picked up his good position at the end 17 runs, Select XI then fifth wicket of the match; of the first day seeing lost their fourth wicket trapping another Select XI Kevin Kristen stroking a asKristenwasdismissed batterMatthewPatayaLBW classy half century (63) having his off stumps Wilson was eventually in the first session. knocked out the ground dismissedfor57runs;hitting Ezekiel Wilson also from a beauty out- sevenfours. batted good for his 57 swinger from Charles. Select XI lower order runs in the last two Ramsauce and Kevin Kristen departed for 63 continued to crumble at 202sessionsasSelectXIwereall Kristen. The duo came runs, Select XI now 104-4 at 8 with the last two wickets out for 209 runs in the first together pushing the score theend32ndover falling for seven runs as they strike again; hitting the off chipped in with 20 runs as innings. Arun Persaud was passthefifty-runmarkinthe Select XI, despite losing mustered 209-10 in 71.3 stumps of Mohandass Berbice bowlers shared the the pick of Essequibo 21st over Arun Persaud two wickets in quick overs. Surujpaul to push Essequibo wickets; Jeremy Sandia 3bowlers grabbing 5-69, claimed his first wicket four succession right after the Essequibo in reply, lost unto the back-foot at a score 33, Isaiah Thorne 2-25, while Joash Charles finished balls later; trapping lunch interval, Nityanand their opening batter of 21-3. Wilson were later Jonathan Rampersaud 2-16 2-28.

Ramsauce LBW for 12 runs. Mathura and Ezekiel Wilson Rajendra Rambali in the introduced into the attack andLeonCecil2-14.Inreply

Early on, Rashad Gaffur Joash Charles troubled the toiledpushingthescoreupto second ball of the innings; and imediately removed Berbiceputon111-6from38 was the first wicket to fall new batter (Sachin 155-4 after 40 overs. Wilson caughtatslipforduckoffthe NyhiemKhanfor15runs.At overs. Tomani Ceasar stroke which joined Marlon Balgobin) drawing into the was unbeaten on 46 runs and b o w l i n g o f S h i v StumpsEssequibo51-4in16 ssolid32runswithJonathan Harripersaud Dillion overs. Ramsaroop finished Rampersaud and Leon Cecil Ramsaroop struk in his first 2-20andHarripersaud1-16. unbeaten on 12 and 13 runs over removing Harold Meanwhile at Everest, respectively Mavindra DeMattos caught down the Demerara batted first and Dindyal 2-16 and Alvin leg side; wicketkeeper were dismissed for 122 runs Mohabir2-31. Kristen completing an in 50 1 overs, Rivaldo Day Two action starts at excellent catch to take the Phillips top scored with 57 10:00 hours today at both score to 8-2. Ramsaroop runs. Mavindra Dindyal also venues.

20 boxers to represent GBA in overseas events

In what can only be described as an coachesduringthesojourn. historicaccomplishment,theGuyanaBoxing Meanwhile, on Friday, Abiola, who is Association (GBA) will be represented by a now classified 27th in the world in the Elite combined 20 pugilists and officials at three Women 81 and over Kg or heavyweight international assignments, marking the most division,alongsideJoelWilliamson(elite57active overseas week in the history of the 60kg)willdepartforBarbadostocompeteon entity a card at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium on

The traveling contingent is scheduled to Saturday National coach Lennox Daniels depart local shores tomorrow and Friday willaccompanytheduo. respectively for St. Lucia, Barbados, and Similarly,SportsmanoftheYearand23rd Uzbekistan Alesha Jackman, alongside IBA ranked Desmond Amsterdam alongside siblingAbiola Jackman, who created history 54th seeded KeevinAllicock will commence by becoming the first Guyanese females to their journey to Uzbekistan from Friday for receive an International Boxing Association the World Championships. The pair will (IBA) ranking, are at the forefront of two of participate in a one week training camp theinternationalassignments. beforeenteringtheprestigiousevent.

Alesha, who is ranked 58th in the Elite President of the GBA Steve Ninvalle Women 60-63 Kg or junior welterweight stated, “Undoubtedly this is the most active division, will spearhead a 12 member roster international week for the discipline in the of nine pugilists and three coaches to history of the association. In the space of two compete in the Champion of Champions days, 20 pugilists and officials will depart Tournament in St Lucia The event local shores to represent Guyana in three concludesonSunday nations. This significant moment comes on The boxers which depart local shores the heels of having female boxers represent tomorrow are: Tofina Barker (junior 54- GuyanaattheWorldChampionshipsinIndia 57kg), Alesha Jackman (elite 60-63kg), whichresultedinhistoricrankings.” Jamal Eastman (elite 60-63.5kg), Brian He further said, “We have continued to Harris (elite 71-75kg), Quincy Boyce (elite emphasize that we will be exposing our 75-80kg), Kevon Harris (elite 80-86kg), talentsineverycategoryanddivisionandthis Emmanuel Pompey (elite 86-92kg), Tiquan is clearly indicative and evident of such. The Sampson (junior 57-60kg) and Shakquain teaminparticularthatwillbetravellingtoSt. James(youth63.5-67kg). Lucia is littered with juniors and youth Sebert Blake, Clifton Moore, and his boxers which highlights our unrelenting name sake Clifton Barker will serve as the attentiononournursery.”

KMTC meeting sees resounding call for Legislation to govern Horseracing Formation of Horse owners and other organizations

Following the convening and successful hosting of a h o r s e o w n e r s a n d connections meeting by the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) at their Bush Lot Farm Corentyne Berbice venue, there has been a resounding call for the urgent regularisation of the sport. There was a resounding call for the passage of the Horse Racing L e g i s l a t i o n b y t h e government.

Those present at the meeting including owners, jockeys, trainers, grooms andotherswereadamantthat the Government almost two convening the meeting it was time that the decades ago, and nothing which give them, especially Government of Guyana stop much has been heard from the small horse owners a promising and act in the thegovernmentsince. chance to have their voices interestofthepreservationof The attendees were loud heard. They said it is good thesport. in praise of Mrs Chan thatsomethinghasstarted.

A draft copy of the Kennard and the KMTC for (Continued on page 27) Legislation was handed to

Arun Persaud took 5-69 at GCC.

Select XI batters Kevin Kristen (left) and Ezekiel Wilson (right).

Mrs. Chan Kennard collects one of the trophies from Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall.

Assistant Superintendent Keith Beaton triumphs again

- finds success at recent Kata & Kumite Championships in St.Vincent

Assistant Superintendent team to compete, of which of Police (ASP) Keith ASP Beaton was the lone Beaton recently participated Policeman. in the ‘Hairouna Saint Mr Beaton fought in the Vincent and the Grenadines male adult 84+KG Kumite K a t a a n d K u m i t e (fight) where he defeated his Championships’ held in opponent, earning second Saint Vincent between April placeandasilvermedal. 6-9,2023.

ASP Beaton’s most competed in the KATA expected to participate in the Police Mr Clifton Hicken Beaton on his inspiring S e v e n c o u n t r i e s recent competition (before Association of Guyana upcoming Caribbean Karate and his administrative team achievements and pledged participated in the this one in St. Vincent), was Karate Championships and Federation tournament in j

g the GPF’s continued support tournament including held at theYMCAon March wonasilvermedal. July2023. congratulations to Assistant of Mr Beaton’s professional Guyana sending a 4 member 12, 2023, where he Mr Beaton is now Acting Commissioner of Superintendent Keith andsportingcareer

Corporate Sponsors rallying behind Westside Golf Course

Gu y a n a G o l f Association president Aleem

Hussain (GGA) credited IdealAutos Inc. one of Guyana’s leading auto d e a l e r s , f o l l o w i n g Wednesday’s contribution to the development of the recently opened Westside GolfCourse.

Thecountry’sfirstpublic facility located in Vreed-enHoop/Crane, received a boost recently as the company provided a storage container for the equipment that will be used to train students and first time players.

“Thisgesturemeansalot as it allows us to provide players with the tools they need to learn the sport, especially since not many have access to golf rental of excavators, understand the importance can all benefit from so

The Westside Golf Course is gaining Corporate Sponsorship as they seek to target youths in the area.

the equipment”’,saidHussain. bobcats, rollers, bulldozers, ofgrowinganewbusinessin didn’t hesitate to become a Ltd,

Also joining the ranks of twinsteertrucks,etc. a market and definitely sponsor.”

corporate sponsors to Company Directors, wanted to get involved with With

support the Westside Golf Steven&DillonSugrimwho this amazing project as soon such as Banks

Inc.The company that offers

e providing something that we

region. The

Golf Course and development of evolved Reliance Inc. from as we heard about it. Life Waters, Sunshine Executive Security already Course is open to the public Golf in Guyana is Reliance Agri Parts Machinery & Westside Golf Course is Snacks,

ASP Keith Beaton (right) at the Hairouna Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Kata and Kumite Championships with the other members of the Guyana team.

ASP Keith Beaton (right) in action in the Kumite at the tournament.