Kaieteur News

Guyanese regulators will have power to prevent $$$ cost overruns on 14 new oil blocks but not with Exxon's Stabroek Block

Th e G u y a n a Government is in the process of finalizing two new Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) which seek to give it more control over the budgets future oil companieswillbedraftingto exploreandpossiblyproduce oilandgason14concessions offshore.

The provisions outline that the contractor/ oil company shall submit to the minister for approval, in accordance with agreed accounting procedures, a budget of the costs to be i n c u r r e d i n t h e implementationofeachwork programme, simultaneously with the submission of clear details for the works to be executed. “Theministerwill decide on the proposal of budgets simultaneously with the approval of the corresponding work programme All proposed b u d g e t s s h a l l b e commercially viable, reasonable and consistent with the requirements of this Agreement, its annexes and Best International Industry StandardsandPractices,”the draftPSAsstate.

Further, the documents state that the proposed budgetsshallbedenominated in US Dollars; include a detailed estimate of costs

necessary to implement the petroleum operations described in the work programmecorrespondingto the budget; include a schedule of estimated expendituresofthecosts;and specify any assumption or premiseonwhichitisbased. The contractor shall also provide supporting documents for all its cost estimates.Anotherimportant requirement the government wants met is for oil companies to ensure that no modifications are made to approved budgets without government's approval. In fact, Guyanese authorities want to ensure any request for a change to the budget shall contain the reasons for deviations from the costs originally listed in the budget.Thiswouldrepresent a significant step in preventing the use of possible avenues for abuse on the 14 oil blocks, should they all be awarded in the upcomingauction.

InApril,a Kaieteur News report exposed that the absence of regulatory oversight or control over costs that can be incurred by oil companies is a real and present danger Over in the Stabroek Block which holds 11billionbarre ls of oil resources, the Guyana Government has no

p o w e r t o a p p r o v e modifications to budgets drafted by ExxonMobil's affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its partnerswhichinclude,Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. In fact, these oil companies haveenoughrunningroomto practically “get away with murder.”

Oneonlyoughttoreflect onthefindingsofanongoing US$1.6Baudittounderstand the modus operandi of these oil companies. The audit exercise which is being led by British firm, IHS Markit, has found for example that there are no safeguards in place in the Stabroek Block

PSA which would prevent exorbitantcostoverruns.Ina March 2021 report, the British auditor, IHS Markit highlighted that EEPGL which also operates the block, does not furnish local authorities with detailed budgets for their offshore operations.

As a result of this, the auditors said, “There is limited transparency and the ministry (of natural resources)'s ability to monitor and review annual budgets and variances with actual expenditure incurred isreduced.”

As an example, IHS Markit said certain PSAs contain provisions that state o

expenditures are limited to 10% of the budget. Some provisions also state that operatorsareprohibitedfrom spending more than a percentage above the work programme and budget without further approval Some even go a step further to explicitly outline that expenditureincurredwithout approval or proper justification is not recoverable The auditors said such provisions allow the host government to maintainprojectoversight.

The British team noted however that the 2016 PSA Guyana signed with Exxon andpartners,doesnotrequire suchapprovals.Asaresultof this, IHS said EEPGL was

PS Thomas still to issue statement on U.S interrogation

about his visa revocation

It has been more than three weeks since the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Toussaint Thomas was detained for questioning and had her cell phone confiscated by the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at the Miami InternationalAirport.

To date, the PS has not been forthcoming with a statementontheincidentthat reportedly resulted in her beinghandcuffed,physically harassedduringathree-hourlong detention and her US Visabeingrevoked.Itwason April8,whenThomaswason enroute to China on official government business via the U.S airport when she was interrogated.Sinceherreturn to Guyana onApril 22, there hasbeennostatementonthe incident.

Kaieteur News on Saturday contacted PS

Thomas to confirm the reports but she declined to comment and referred reporters to the subject ministers dealing with the case. Kaieteur News hadalso contacted Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and Foreign Affairs Minister, HughToddtonoavail.Benn declined Kaieteur News' call whileTodd'sphonerangout. According to US authorities,

the PS phone, was taken awayduringaninspectionby the officers. Notably, the CBP officers have the authority to search a traveler's electronic device whether it is a cell phone or laptop if they need to verify certain information after an interview on the reasons for theirtravel.

On Monday, during an interview with reporters,

Minister Benn rebuffed the question about his US Visa being revoked and called the question “trash.” “I don't careaboutmyvisa,”Minister Benn responded adding, “I don't know about that and whenIamtold,Iwillseeand that will be a laugh.” The ministercontinuedbystating that the United States is not t h e “ h e a v e n o n earth…Guyana is heaven on

able to incur US$330 3 million in cost overruns across 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017. The report also noted that EEPGL has not provided justification to changes and cost overruns against the submitted work programmeandbudget.This newspaper also understands that the annual work programme and budget submitted by EEPGL to regulators does not even conformtointernationalbest practices.

Furthermore, the plans and budgets do not provide the Government of Guyana withtheabilitytounderstand the planned activities or provideanyoversight.

Auditors insisted that the workprogrammeandbudget should provide details of the activities planned to be undertaken and the resulting cost outlay, ensuring responsible and sustainable development of resources and procurement alignment with in-country value opportunities.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the Guyana team which consists of the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources is going through the foregoing meticulously w i t h t h e a i m o f understanding how such a loopholecanbeclosed.

earth.” Benn also stated that the PS Thomas will not be removed from her position despite the incident He added too that he was aware of her trip which was on behalfoftheministry

Meanwhile, on the heels of Thomas's troubles

President Irfaan Ali, his National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh

Minister of Home Affairs,

Todd on Monday morning met with the top Western diplomats at State House. Observers say the sudden meeting with the diplomats couldhavebeenasaresultof the Thomas's troubles with theUSlawenforcement.The meeting also comes against the background of public unease over the government tablingofacontroversialbill which seeks to create a new National Intelligence and Security Agency Present at the meeting were: US Ambassador, Sarah Ann Lynch; Deputy British High Commissioner, Judy Kpogho; Canadian High Commissioner, Mark BermanandEUAmbassador, RenevanNes.

Guyanese regulators retain power to prevent cost overruns on 14 new oil blocks

Robeson Benn

President Irfaan Ali, his National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd on Monday morning met with the top Western diplomats at State House.

Out of US$2.88 billion, Guyana gets meagre US$219M in first quarter oil revenues

...Glenn Lall says leaders should hang their heads in shame

From an estimated US$2.88B in oil revenues, Guyana pocketed a mere US$219M for the first quarter of this year-something which businessman, Glenn Lall has condemned as criminal in light of the government's refusal to renegotiate the lopsided ExxonMobil contract.

Bank of Guyana disclosed last week that the Natural Resource Fund (NRF)forthefirstquarterof 2023sawinflowsamounting to G$45 7B (US$219 45 million)comprisingofprofit oil – G$33.7B (US$161.86 million) and royalties –G$12B (US$57.59 million). The financial institution said lower levels of profit oil and royalties were recorded for this quarter in comparison to G$105 8B (US$507 64 million) and G$13 9B (US$66 95 million) respectively for the previous quarter

These funds were deposited into the Natural Resource Fund account held at the Federal Reserve Bank ofNewYork.

Since its inception, the Fund has accounted for G$408 9B (US$1,961 25 million)from24liftsofprofit

oilandG$57.9B(US$277.66 million)fromroyalties.

Weighinginontheissue, Lall,whoisalsopublisherof the Kaieteur News said Guyana's take from the first quarter profits was so shameful that President IrfaanAliandVicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo did not announce the figure themselves, but rather the BankofGuyana.

“Do the math yourself400,000 barrels pumping every day, multiply that by US$80 is US$32M a day, multiplythatbythe90days, JanuarytoMarchitcomesup toUS$2.88billion.

And out of that Guyana received US$219M in royaltiesandprofits.”

Lall said: “So, 2B 661MUSD of our oil left Guyanaandweonlyreceived US$219Min3months.”

He added that when ExxonMobilbeginstopump oil in Liza 3 and 4, wells, Guyana will receive about thesameamount“andthatis whatJagdeosaygovernment hastorunlikeabusinessand notlikeacakeshop.”

“Them shame to tell Guyana what the oil companies are doing to us, and in the same breath both President Ali and Jagdeo

Ice-cream vendor shot, robbed while selling in Sophia

The police have launched an investigation into the alleged armed robbery and shooting of a 33-year-old ice-cream vendor, which occurred on Sunday at 'D' Field Sophia, Georgetown.

According to the police, the ice-cream vendor of Canal No 2 West Bank Demerara (WBD), was drivingaredice-creamtruck GSS 7271, in the company of his boss, 53-year-old Surujpaul Dhanpaul, of AnnaCatherina,WestCoast Demerara,sellingicecream.

While in Sophia, they stoppedtosellicecreamtoa customer when they were confrontedbythebanditson aXRmotorcycle.

The driver was relieved of $10,000 in cash and a Samsung Galaxy cell phone valued at $25,000 The

bandits then ordered the driverandhisbossoutofthe truckandtoldthemtolieon theroad.

While cooperating, the armed bandit discharged a round at the driver hitting him in his left upper thigh. Thebanditsthenreturnedto their motorcycle and while escaping the gunman dischargedaroundintheair

The injured man was taken to the Georgetown PublicHospitalCorporation (GPHC) for medical attention. His condition is stable.Moreover, the police reported that a 9mm spent shellwasfoundatthescene. Also, while several persons were questioned, no useful informationwasreceived.

The investigation into the armed robbery and shooting of the ice-cream vendorisongoing.

Businessman, Glenn Lall

h going to approve the 5 project with those same terms and conditions, giving the oil companies more leeway to further rob every Guyanese,”Lall.

OilCancer

Meanwhile, Lall said Guyana's oil business with

Exxon its partners has become a “cancer, a deadly poison to the leaders of this land,inallcamps.”

He noted that since the APNU/AFC signed that horrible Exxon contract and left office, they have been said little or nothing. “They selectivelychoosewhatthey

respond to, whenever the Kaieteur News and other media houses expose what's goingonintheoilsector

As for the present government, ever since Jagdeoputhimselfincharge of the oil sector, all you hear fromhimisaboutthe14new oilblockstocomeonstream, what and what Guyana will getoutofthem,if,yesif,oil isfoundinthem,andkeepon telling Guyana that the mistakes the Coalition made with the Exxon Stabroek Block deal, will not be repeated in these 14 new oil contracts.

This has been Jagdeo's mantra, every time he opens hismouthtotalkabouttheoil sector.”

Mr Lall asked why Jagdeo was only correcting andfixingeverythingforthe “future uncertain” oil blocks and not correcting the flaws in the Stabroek block field with Exxon, which has 600 oilblocksinside.

“Can you picture the

Atlantic Ocean from Suriname to Venezuela border; the biggest chunk there is called the Stabroek Block and it has 600 oil blocks in it, not 14 blocks, 600oilblocksandJagdeonot correcting anything in that, why? You guys see what Jagdeo is doing with the blessing of the Oppositionsellingoutthiscountry,allhe keeps talking about is the 14 oilblocksthatsitoutsidethat huge chunk called the Stabroek Block, with no discovery as yet, we don't know if those 14 got any oil in them, but every minute, every hour, every day whenever Jagdeo opens his mouth, he talking about that: Guyana will get 10% Tax, 10% Royalty, he will cap the Interest Rate, they will have to give us Insurance, but when it comes to the Stabroek Block with 600 oil blocks, Exxon gettinga freepasstodowhatever they want…”

New vessel set to position Region One as major trade hub - Pres. Ali

Withatraveltimeoffewerthan15 hours from Region One to Trinidad andTobago, the M.VMa Lisha is set topositiontheregionasahubfortrade to the country and other Caribbean territories.

President Irfaan Ali made this disclosure during the commissioning ceremony for the M.V Ma Lisha on Sunday He said this transportation factorisimportant,asRegionOnehas thecapacitytoproduceallthecassava, sweet potatoes, yams, turmeric, ginger, cage culture fish, and other high-valuecommoditiesthattheTwin Islandcanutilise.

“This vessel opens up opportunities for food production, value-added food production and economicopportunitiesforthepeople ofRegionOne.Wearecelebratingthe launching of a vessel that will serve thepeopleofRegionOne,butweare launching a vessel that will serve the economic transformation and modernisation of Guyana, one that willservethebuildingoutofGuyana asamajorcentreforfoodproduction,” heposited.Astheshiptakescareofthe transportation aspect, President Ali saidthewayispavedforinvestments in agro-processing and port facilities, which will allow for the building of logistics and supply capacity The Head-of-State added that, as these

developmentsunfold,itwillrequirethe expansion of government services to improveaccessibility

The M.V Ma Lisha will ply the Barima-Waini/Georgetownroute.The US$12.7M ferry was built by Indian company Garden Reach Shipbuilders andEngineersLimitedandisequipped withairconditioningandWi-Fiaccess. The boat can carry 276 passengers, 18 crew members, and 14 sedan-type vehicles along with two trucks. President Ali added, “This vessel will also reduce the operating costs for the Transport and Harbours Department. This will improve efficiency, reliability, while at the same time

bringingahigherlevelofservicetothe peopleoftheseregions.”

Moreover, online booking will be implementedfortravelonthevessel. Highlighting that the development of the people of Guyana and India is a priority for both countries, the President noted that the ship is a demonstration of the core value of the India-Guyana relationship. He noted that this partnership spans different sectors, such as education and agriculture. On the aviation front, for example, Guyana and India days ago signed an Air Services Agreement to facilitatedirectflightsbetweenthetwo countries.(DPI)

The M.V Ma Lisha was commissioned on Sunday

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

ROAD RAGE

As reported a few weeks ago, road rage has now gone offroad. The rage that spiraled and explodedintoviolentactionwasoveraparking space, a man was shot. It was all but inevitable in the crowded confines, the increasingly tight spaces, in Georgetown and adjoining areas. Asafe spot on the road whileonthemove,andanavailableplacetopark,haveboth becomeaprizedoccurrenceindailylife.

WehavemorevehiclescomingintoGuyana,anditisnot a trickle. The duty levied on vehicles below 1500cc has beenreduced,whichservesasanincentiveforprospective buyers, perhaps the encouragement for a vehicle owner to add to his or her fleet. There are more importers and mechanisms for direct online buying from overseas, as far awayasJapan,sothesedansandSUVskeeprollingoffthe wharves.

More vehicles mean more stress on roads tortured by longlines,honkinghorns,impatienttailgaters,speedingand encroaching drivers bent on edging ahead, even if that results in cutting off another driver In the sum of these circumstancesonlocalroads,thisiscustommadeforfitsof rage, expressions of aggression and hostility, and the presence of palpable menace. Courtesy and care went out thewindowagesago,withconfrontationandclashingbeing thenorm,moreorless. Trafficrankscannotbeeverywhere, and they are usually not around in times of tension and escalation. Road rage, albeit at a low level, has been a simmeringconditiononGuyana’sroadsincityandcountry Georgetown and its outskirts are the worst by far because thereisnowheretogo. Thefactthateverybodyisinahurry onlyservestocompoundanalreadybadsituation.

The Government has made infrastructure a lynchpin of itsprogrammes,withroadsfeaturingprominently Thishas its benefits, and they are not tiny More roads introduce moretrouble,intheformofmoreunder-the-radarroadrage becausemostdriversarejostlingtogetahead. Moreroads andmoremodernonesmeanmorerecklessnessandrelated dangers, with an eye on the growing armies of new, young drivers. Ittakesyearsofhardexperience,sometimesbitter ones, to slow down the racing of the blood, the high adrenaline rushes. In all this, there is one constant. It is aboutangerthatspillsoverinfullpublicview,andwithouta careaboutwhoislookingon,wherematterscouldend. We all have heard the horror stories, may have actually seen some of them ourselves, where rage reigns supreme, whatevertheconsequences.

The environment is peppered with aggressive citizens, drivers and nondrivers, with pedestrians blaming drivers andviceversa. Minibusoperatorsandprivatetaxisattract theirshareofcondemnationforimpatience,haste,andangry exchanges in the boiling stew that is Guyana’s roads. However looked at, there is more than enough blame to parcel around liberally For few are the Guyanese who consistentlytoethetrafficlines,ordisplaysomeminimum levelofcourtesyandconsiderationtootherusersoftheroad, inclusive of the elderly, the younger ones, and the clearly sicklyandweak.

Then,thereistheissueofparking,whichcandeteriorate intoanelections-styletonesandtemperaturesforacoveted spot. Parking is a growing source of furiousness, with driverscarvingoutspacesforthemselveswhereverthereis anopening,evenifitmeansblockingaprivatebridge,ora residential gate. Those blocked in and held hostage are forced to wait on the offender, who more often than not resorts to angry, abusive, and vulgar language when confronted. Whenthereisnoregardforlawandorder,then thisistheragingdisorderlinessthatspiralsdangerously

It is our view that tow trucks and heavy fines can be a deterrentforparkingviolators. Roadrageperpetratorsmust be treated harshly by hefty monetary penalties, possibly jailtime,ifonlytoteachalesson,keepthemincheck. The rageandmadnessonourroadscanbesaidtobeofepidemic proportions.

Lettherebeastartto,atleast,dealingseverelywiththose whoseangergetthebetterofthemtothedetrimentofothers.

Send Bill to Select Committee

DEAREDITOR, The various media reports on the proposed security agency present morequestionsthananswers provided.Itisconfusingthat

thedirectorcouldbeequalin status to the CoP and the ChiefofStaff,withapparent, from this lay person perspective, far reaching powers.

This undertaking needs more clarity to be fully comprehended The Bill shouldnotberushedthrough Parliament.Itshouldbesent to the Select Committee for

further consideration in a comprehensive manner, this being in the absence of publicconsultations. Regards, ShamshunMohamed

Diplomatic solidarity for GHRAand journalists appreciated

DEAREDITOR,

Apicturetellsathousand words.Aclear message was sent to the administration withthepix(aspublishedin a paper two weeks ago) showing the ABCE Ambassadors visiting with GHRA co-President Mike McCormack and his wife at theNGO’soffice.

Clearly, the diplomatic community is in solidarity with the GHRA and its coleader who has been intimidated and harassed by the PPPC government not theleastbeingthePresident, Vice President, theAttorney General, and the tax department(GRA).

The government didn’t like the idea of McCormack exercisingduediligenceand independence, resisting instruction to break established rules, and following the rules as established by EITI in Guyana’s continued accreditationasamemberof

the body. The government’s response is intimidation–callinthetaxman.Itwasso disappointing that an intellectual and scholar like Anil Nandlall went after McCormack, a champion of democracy and a man who foughtonthesideofthePPP for free and fair elections during the 26 years reign of the dictatorship The Ambassadors of democratic countries are watching. It was the ambassadors of the democratic countries responsible for the PPP being in government McCormack did not give in t o b l a c k m a i l a n d intimidation, and he has received the support of the diplomatic community and advocatesofdemocracy The governmentfavourspositive critics and even funds some of them And a top government official loves a critic who gets a lot of fundingandcontractsnotfor media savvy or competence

and even taken on vacation but reasons I won’t want to putinprint.

This government’s modus operandi as demonstrated repeatedly is that when it does not like a criticorpoliticalopponentor can’t get someone to follow its dictates, or an independentvoice,itcallsin the tax man as an intimidation tactic to get its w a y T h a n k f u l l y, McCormackhasresistedand notgivenintoblackmail.

Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynchiscommendedforher presence, alongside

GECOM Chair Claudette Singh, at the nomination process for LGE 2023 in Georgetown Municipality Her presence sends a message that electoral skullduggery will not be tolerated. Subsequently, the VicePresidentapologizedin embarrassment for one PPP nominee of African descent whosenominationpaperhad

a signature of a backer who diedsometimeago.

It will be a show of solidarity if the ABCE Ambassadors, as a group or individually,weretovisitthe office of the Guyana Press Association in support of (female) journalists who were intimidated and or threatened by elements affiliated with the PPP It is recalledthatwhenSNdidan investigative query about a Minister’sconflictofinterest business ownership, the paper’sofficewasvisitedby the police. I do not recall Ministers or officials of the coalition government ever intimidating the press, not eventhePPPaffiliatedmedia house, or GHRA or other NGOs.Thetwoindependent n e w s p a p e r s a n d broadcasters should not succumb to blackmail Diplomatic solidarity much appreciated!

Yourstruly, ElijahWhitley

70 years since the first election held under universal adult suffrage

DEAREDITOR,

This month, April 27 to be exact, marks 70 years since the victory of the PPP inthe1953election,thefirst thatwasheldunderuniversal adultsuffrage.

The PPP, under the leadershipofthecharismatic Dr Cheddi Jagan won a landslidevictory,winning18 out of the 24 seats. Because ofthehardworkdonebythe Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the forerunner to the PPP, in raising the political consciousness of the Guianesepeople,theturnout was high at 77.7%, which at that time was among the highestintheCaribbean.

The victory of the PPP lastedonlysixmonths.

The constitution was suspended and an interim administration was installed by the British government whichlastedfouryearsuntil new elections were held in 1957. The PPP again won a landslidevictory,winning10 ofthe14seats.

It is an established fact that the British government

suspended the Constitution out of fear that the PPP was ‘communistic’ and was pursuing policies that were too much to the left. Several pieces of legislation were enacted aimed at improving the working and living conditions of the working people,butitwasthepassage of the Labour Relations Bill that was the main reason for the suspension of the Constitution The Bill, patterned after the Wagner Act in the United States, allowed for unions with majority support to be the recognizedunion.

The Bill touched ‘King Sugar’ by recognizing the Guyana Industrial and General Worker’s Union, nowGAWUinfavourofthe Man Power Citizen’s Association (MPCA) which at the time was the recognized union but was generallyperceivedbysugar workers as a ‘company union’.

The suspension of the Constitution resulted in a number of manoeuvrings

andpoliticalintrigueswhich ultimately resulted in the split of the PPP in 1955. Forbes Burnham who was chairman of the PPP at the time of the formation of the PPP in 1950, broke away fromthePPPandformedhis own PPP (Burnham). It was only after the 1957 election which was overwhelmingly won by the PPP(Jagan) that Burnhan teamed up with John Carter to form the People’s National Congress (PNC).

One unfortunate consequenceofthatsplitwas that it shattered the nascent racial and working-class unityoftheearly1950’sand setthestageforvotingalong ethniclines.

That did not prevent the PPP from winning elections in1961butitdidforestallthe granting of political independence to the colony after the PPP was ‘engineered out of office in 1964 in what former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson described as a ‘fiddled constitutional

arrangement’ unknown in the British Commonwealth. The constitution was amended to allow for the introduction of Proportional Representation which allowed for a PNC-UF coalition government in 1964.

Alotofwater,asitwere, had passed under the bridge since then including the turbulent sixties, rigged electionsbythePNCregime forclosetothreedecadesand the eventual restoration of democratic elections on October 5, 1992. Elections since then were largely free andfairandtheeconomyhas become much more diverse and resilient, thanks to our oilandgasresources.

The challenge is to find waystoreturntothespiritof the early 1950’s when there weremanifestationsofracial andnationalunity President Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ vision is a step in the right direction, which together with a peopleorientedapproachto

(Continuedonpage5)

Fostering National Unity through infrastructure development

DEAREDITOR,

Guyana has a history

from the cruelty of colonialism, the inhumanity of slavery, the intolerable levels of indentureship, and the deliberate western engineered racial division among the two major ethnic groups in our country still leaves those scars unhealed for us as a people, 57 years later as an independent nation.

This country remains hometoadiversepopulation consisting of people of differentraces,cultures,and religions Despite its diversity, Guyana is a countrythatisknownforits profound hospitality as a people, but we are plagued withthechallengeofforging national unity and harmony amongitspopulation.Forfar too long, the country has struggledwithanethnicand ethical division of values, especially when it comes to thedistributionofwealth.

In recent years, the discovery of immense natural resources, including oil and gas, has presented Guyana with a unique opportunity to transform the

country’s economy and society However, this transformation cannot come at the cost of the country’s unity and ethical values Instead, the wealth from these natural resources must be used to promote true and long-lasting unity, harmony, andethicalvaluesamongthe population.

One of the most significant challenges that Guyanahasandcontinuesto facehasbeentheethicaland equitabledivisionofwealth. For years, the country has been plagued by poverty, poor infrastructure, and an underdeveloped economy

T h e d i s c o v e r y o f unimaginableoilandgashas presented an opportunity to change this reality for the betterment of all Guyanese and the country as a collective.

However, if the country istoavoidanethicaldivision of values, it must address some critical issues. Firstly, thereisaneedtoaddressthe significant wealth gap that exists between the citizens. As in many other countries, the wealth gap in Guyana is substantial,withaverysmall

n u m b e r o f individuals/companies controlling most of the country’s resources Additionally, there is a need to address the issue of corruption Corruption continuestoplagueGuyana, withreportsindicatingthatit iswidespreadingovernment and the private sector. Corruption erodes trust in the government and creates an unethical division of wealth, where a small group of individuals benefit at the expense of the rest of the population The PPP/C government needs to be deliberate in its efforts towards creating national unity?

Through education, this process of change can begin because it is a powerful tool for creating national unity Education can help citizens understand the value of ethical practices, as well as promote peace and understanding between different communities Educationcanalsoempower individualstotakecontrolof their lives, reduce poverty, and promote equality betweencitizens.

The death ofAdam Lynch: Open Letter to the Commissioner of Police

DEAREDITOR, This missive serves to informtheCommissionerof Police that we, Kittitian and Nevisian friends of Mr. Adam Lynch, were stunned when we read the article of Kaieteur News Columnist, Freddie Kissoon, headlined “Adam Lynch’s death: Suicide or murder?” - dated D e c e m b e r 1 1 , 2022 https://wwwkaieteurn ewsonline com/2022/12/11/ adam-lynchs-death-suicideor-murder/

Since the publication of that article, we are unaware of any official response to the troubling questions raisedbyMr Kissoon.

Aswecontinuetomourn the passing of our dear friend, we write seeking answers to the following questions from the Police Forceonthismatter

Was Adam arrested and detained for two days after he took a permit for a gun license to the Office of the PoliceCommissioner?

If yes, what was the offence?

What charges were laid againsthim,ifany?

When, where and why washedetained,if,infact,he was?Isthereanytruthtothe suggestion that he might have been mistreated while allegedlyincustody?

Is there an ongoing investigation into the allegationspertainingtogun permitapplications?

If the story about Adam being detained is untrue and there is no basis for a question about homicide, whathappensnext?

What advice would the Office of the Commissioner of Police offer on this

President Ali led government must leverage the people’s newfound wealthtoinvestineducation.

By reforming and developing a robust education system, Guyana can create opportunities for the younger generation and create a society where all citizens can thrive Educationcancreategreater a w a r e n e s s a n d understanding of ethical values, thereby reducing the risk of an unethical division ofwealth.

Further, fostering National Unity through infrastructure development is another area where Guyana can also create naturalunity

Withtheinfluxofwealth from natural resources, the government can invest in infrastructure development, such as roads, bridges, schools, and those needs shouldbemet.

Doing so would create jobsandcreateopportunities for businesses to thrive, strengthening the economy and reducing poverty

Infrastructure development can also promote national unity by bringing communitiesclosertogether, hinterlandandthecoastland, and different ethnic groups under the umbrella of one

people. Developing a strong transportation system can enable individuals to travel freely within the country, creating more opportunities for social and cultural exchangesbetweendifferent communities.

Furthermore, a robust infrastructure network can facilitate the delivery of essential services, such as healthcare and education, to remote areas, ensuring that allcitizensbenefit.

An out of the box idea, some may say, is creating national unity through environmental protection efforts. The discovery of natural resources, particularly oil and gas, posesasignificantchallenge to Guyana’s environmental healthandthewayoflifefor indigenous people and our fisher folk. If not managed properly,theseresourcescan have a profound impact on the country’s biodiversity, waterquality,airquality,the way of life for some of our people, among other things, thereby destabilizing the environment and harming thecitizens.

reducepollution.

Creating National Unity through Social Services are equally crucial for creating unity among the people. By investing in social services such as healthcare, housing, and social security, the government can create a safetynetthatensuresthatall citizens receive basic needs that are essential for a comfortableandhealthylife. Thiswouldpromoteequality andreducepoverty,reducing thegapbetweentherichand poor and creating a more equitablesociety Moreover, providing access to social services would reduce the stress and anxiety that individuals from poor backgrounds face, increasing their well-being andproductivity Thiswould also create a sense of belonging and unity, where allcitizenshaveequalaccess to services, regardless of their background or social class.

matter?

Willanofficialstatement on the article written by Mr Kissoonbereleased?

Mr.AdamLynch,afather oftwoyoungchildren,wasa bright, committed and industrious entrepreneur who loved his native land andhisfamily

While working in St. Kitts and Nevis, he won manyfriendsandadmirers.

Hehadgonetoosoonand wemournhispassing. Can we please get answerstoourquestions?

Respectfully, Kittitian/Nevisian friendsofAdamLynch

70 years since...

Frompage4 development and the evenhanded manner in the distribution of the resources of the state can result in a higher level of inclusivity a n d p a r t i c i p a t o r y democracy

Congratulations are in ordertothemembershipand leadership of the PPPwhich remains until today the dominant political party and which continue to transform the economic and social landscape of Guyana in positiveways.

Regards, HydarAlly

E n v i r o n m e n t a l protection is, therefore, critical for creating national unity The government must ensure that the extraction and use of natural resources are sustainable and do not harm the environment. This includes investing in renewable energy, promoting wildlife conservation, and implementing measures to

Guyanahasthepotential to rise from its current state o f p o v e r t y a n d underdevelopment through the discovery of natural resources However, this transformation must be rooted in ethical values that promote national unity Guyanamustguardagainst

(Continuedonpage6)

Towards a critical theory of being critical

a note to columnists and fellow letter writers

DEAREDITOR,

One of the finest aspects of Guyanese intellectual culture is the unabashed tendencytobecritical.

The columns and letters in Guyana Times, Kaieteur News, Guyana Chronicle, and Stabroek News, regardless of their political slant, are marked by unremittingeffortsatcritical analysis The techniques, m e t h o d s , a n d epistemologies of our criticalturntakemanyforms including, but not limited to pointing out factual and empirical contradictions, d e c o n s t r u c t i o n , h e r m e n e u t i c s (interpretation), discourse analysis, counterfactual analysis, semiotics, and plain-old internal criticism, meaningherecontradictions

i n t h e l o g i c o f argumentation These approaches are not always explicit. Yet, a symptomatic reading of our broadsheets does reveal traces of attempts to go beyond mindless deposits of remonstration.Yes, we have a good deal of irresponsible criticismforcriticism’ssake, butmostwriterstrytomake ameaningfulcontributionto ourongoingdebates.Itisthis context that I offer nine points on the art of being critical.

1. People write with theoretical assumptions even though they do not use words associated with theorizing, words that are often abstract. In this sense, wearealltheorists.

Mostcolumnsandletters areconcernedwithissuesof

Fostering National Unity through...

Frompage5 the unethical division of wealth, corruption, and environmental degradation. Therefore, creating national unity should be a primary andprincipalpriorityforthe government.

Being mature and responsible to engage the main opposition that representshalfofourdiverse population is essential for the achievement of national unitycoupledwithinvesting in education, infrastructure development, social services, and environmental protection is a critical way

that Guyana can promote nationalunity

Such efforts would create a society where every citizen has the chance to thrive and have equal access to resources, irrespective of their social or economic background.

Ifweasleadersandweas a people don’t act towards this end, the achievement of national unity will be nothing but a fleeting illusion in an abundance of wealththatcanbenefitusall.

Sincerely,

H o n . J e r m a i n e Figueira,MP

justice, the rule of law, democratic governance and economic, cultural, racial, gender, and political equality Writersusetheories to make sense of the empiricalworld.

Data do not speak on their own behalf. Data are mererawmaterialsthatmust be classified, analyzed, interpreted.

2. According to Robert W Cox, a professor of international political economy atYork University in Toronto, the world of theory may be divided into problem-solvingandcritical theory.The former takes the world it finds; the latter investigates how the world and society we write about, cameintobeing.

3. The task of problemsolving criticism is to make things better for society withouthavingtoembarkon arevolution.

Ontheotherhand,critics who want a complete overhaul of everything existing, demand all the institutions of society to be reconstructedfromafresh.

The problem of radical critics is they know how to breakthingsup,buthaveno viable ‘theory’ for reconstruction.

4. Criticism, including those by columnists and letter writers, are never politically neutral All critics in the newspapers have some kind of political interest.Thatsaid,theytryto

maketheirargumentsappear tobeapolitical,orbetteryet, in the interest of all regardless of political affinities For instance, Randy Gopaul in a recent VillageVoicepiece,refersto Milton Freidman and LudwigvonMisestojustify hisclaimsaboutracepolitics in Guyana Mr Gopaul knows that the Austrian School of economics is the fount of radical free-market ideology where equality is irrelevant. Yet he uses the names of Freidman and von Mises to lend intellectual credibility to his arguments about race and inequality in Guyana. PS: Hayek, instead of von Mises would have beenmoreeffective.

5. Many critics try to make their arguments ‘scientific’. They think that loads of data constitute the groundsformakinglaw-like (nomothetic) statements Critics need to be careful here.Theattempttobemake arguments scientific in the natural science sense, assumes that the subject (writer) and the object (problem addressed) could be compartmentalized, separated from each other But this is scientistic, not scientific. The former is a mere pretention towards science.

6. Instead of trying to be scientific, good social science criticism must be historicalandholistic.

The historical approach

allows us to see how things came about, rather than assuming the current situationis‘natural.’Further, it is best not to divide up society into discreet parts because, in fact, the thing calledsocietyisastructured totality

7 Most critics want change but change from what to what is deeply contentious.Atthispoint,we need to understand that ideologyshapeshowwesee theworld,andinfluencesthe typeofchangewewant,and howtogoaboutit.

While I do not mean to over-politicizethispiece,the point is illustrated with reference to the WPA’s ideology of bringing about change through “all means necessary,” rather than via electoral competition By contrast, the PNCR and PPP/C believe in winning hearts and minds, and in winning elections at the polls.“Allmeansnecessary” often refers to political violence.

8. Good critics do not separate the domestic, r e g i o n a l , a n d international/global.

To d o s o i t t o underestimate the ways in whichworldorderpressures (interstatesystemandglobal economy) shape the limits andpossibilitiesofdomestic behavior Agoodexampleof thisisthewaysinwhichthe global politics of climate change has become a fetter

onGuyana’soil&gassector

The great powers have been moralizing climate change economics to preserve their built-in privileges they enjoy in the current world economic order

9 For a long-term programme of critical engagement to be effective, the critics must become consciouslyself-reflective.

They must think about the consequences of their writing and must review the extent to which they are contributing to deepening the institutionalization of pluralismandthedemocratic ethos,ordetractingfromit.

The French philosopher M.Foucaultoncestatedthat “peopleknowwhattheydo” and “they frequently know why they do what they do; but what they don’t know is whatitiswhattheydodoes.” We know that intended actions have unintended consequences, and that is always a worry for responsiblewriters.

Myconcerntodayisthat many of today’s critics knowinglycultivatedisunity as part of their political strategy

Itistimetoreflectonthis even if you accept Carl Schmitt axiom that the political world is divided between enemies and friends.TentandaVia

Sincerely,

Dr Randolph Persaud (Randy)

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GUYANA’S CORRUPTION RATE…

Aforeign report said it is among the highest regionally.

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No surprise at all, given the governments Guyanese have had.

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PPPis one nasty corrupt story!

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PNC is the same dirty corrupt story!

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Look who prospering from thievery!

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Look who punishing because of the PPPand PNC ‘teefin’!

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US Supreme Court rebuffs Exxon, Chevron appeals in climate cases

REUTERS - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear bids by Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM N), Suncor Energy Inc (SU.TO), Chevron Corp (CVX.N)andotherstomove

lawsuits filed by state and local governments accusing the oil companies of worsening climate change out of state courts and into federalcourts.

The justices turned away

five appeals by the oil companies of lower court decisions that determined that the lawsuits belonged in state court, a venue often seen as more favorable to plaintiffs than federal court.

Caribbean Airlines set to resume flights to Venezuela

Caribbean Airlines Limited has announced the resumption of flights to Caracas,VenezuelafromMay13,2023.

Initially, the flights will operate every Saturdaywithincreasedfrequencyexpected later on, the regional airline said in a press release. This marks a significant step forward for the airline as it continues to connect the Caribbean region and provide addedvaluetoitscustomers.

With the largest network in the region, CaribbeanAirlinesiscommittedtooffering convenience to its passengers, allowing them to fly within and to and from the Caribbeanwithease.

Garvin Medera, CEO of Caribbean Airlines, expressed his excitement at the airline's continued growth and commitment to the Caribbean region. “The Caribbean is ourhomeandwearededicatedtoconnecting

our people and communities" said Medera. Hecontinued,"CaribbeanAirlinesispoised for growth, and we are delighted to resume flightstoCaracasandtoprovidereliableand convenient travel options for our valued customers."

The restart of service to Caracas, Venezuela, further positions Caribbean Airlines as a leading carrier in the region. With increased frequency expected in the future, travellers can look forward to more travel options to and from Caracas, Venezuela, and other destinations in the Caribbean.

For more information and to book flights, please visit the Caribbean Airlines website at wwwcaribbean-airlines com, download the free Caribbean Airlines Mobile App, call the Reservations Call Centreorcontactyourlocaltravelagent.

The lawsuits were filed by thestateofRhodeIslandand municipalities or counties in California,Colorado,Hawaii andMaryland.

Numerousstateandlocal governments have pursued litigation against oil companies seeking climaterelateddamages.

Aseparateappealfiledby the oil companies challenging lower court decisionsincasesoutofNew Jersey and Delaware is still pending before the Supreme Court.

Theodore Boutrous, an attorney for Chevron, expressedconfidencethatthe cases will be dismissed in statecourt.Boutroussaidthe lawsuits are an issue of "national and global magnitude" that require a coordinated federal response, "not a disjointed patchwork" of actions from numerousstatecourts.”

These wasteful lawsuits instatecourtswilldonothing to advance global climate solutions, nothing to reduce emissions and nothing to address climate-related impacts,"Boutrousadded.

Attorneys general and lawyers for the states and municipalities welcomed the decisioninstatements.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said hisstateispreparingfortrial after"nearlyahalfdecadeof

delay tactics" from the oil companies The Supreme Court's action "marks an important milestone," Neronhaadded.

Ajointstatementfromthe California cities of Santa Cruz, San Mateo and RichmondandMarincounty said the oil companies knew the dangers of fossil fuels, whichtheysaidcontributeto extreme precipitation and floods, wildfires and other climate-related woes, but opted instead to deceive consumers.

The appeals had marked the first chance for the high court to decide whether to revisit an issue it last addressed in 2021, when the justicesgaveoilcompaniesa new shot at redirecting climate-related lawsuits by state and local governments into federal court.In that 7-1 ruling,thejusticesconcluded that a federal appeals court had not correctly analyzed whetheralawsuitfiledbythe city of Baltimore against companies including Chevron, Exxon and BP Plc (BP.L) should be heard in federalcourt.

That decision prompted other federal appeals courts to reconsider whether they should send similar lawsuits by state and local governments back to state courts.

Thosecasesincludedone

filed in 2018 by the city of Boulder and by Colorado's San Miguel and Boulder counties against Exxon and Suncor

The lawsuit said the companies created a public and private nuisance and violated state consumer protection laws, with the jurisdictionsseekingtoforce ExxonandSuncortopayfor their costs of adapting to climatechange.

The oil companies have deniedtheallegations.

The Denver-based 10th U.S.CircuitCourtofAppeals in 2022 concluded that the lawsuit did not belong in federalcourtbecausenoneof the grounds cited by the companies to change the venue supported giving federal courts jurisdiction. Four other appeals courts reached similar conclusions in the lawsuits by Rhode Island and jurisdictions in California,Colorado,Hawaii andMaryland.

President Joe Biden's administration in March urged the justices not to take up the appeal by Exxon and Suncor, arguing that no federal questions had been raised.

Thatmarkedareversalof the position taken by former President Donald Trump's administration when the Supreme Court last consideredtheissue.

Former GDF Deputy Chief of Staff Col. (Ret'd) Lawrence Paul dies

Former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Colonel (ret'd) LawrenceEulonPauldiedon Sundayafterabriefperiodof illness. At the time of his death, Paul was hospitalised at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital Colonel Paul enlisted in the GDF on 16th May, 1976 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17th December,1976.

During his 31 years of exemplary service, Colonel P a u l h e l d s e v e r a l appointmentsincludingBase C o m m a n d e r C a m p Stephenson, Staff Officer Operations and training, Commander Ground Forces, Colonel General Staff and DeputyChiefofStaff.

He attended several training courses, including the GDF's Junior and Senior Staff courses; The Canadian

Land Forces Command and Staff Course-Kingston, Canada; the Command and General Staff Course - Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA.

Colonel Paul holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana and a Master's degree in National Resource Strategy from the NationalDefenceUniversity inWashingtonDC.

During his service to Guyana, Colonel Paul was awardedtheMilitaryService Medal, the Military

EfficiencyMedal,theBorder th Defence Medal, the 25 Anniversary Medal and the th40 AnniversaryMedal.

Afterhismilitaryservice, Lawrence Paul served as a director on the Board of the Guyana Oil Company and SeniorExecutiveDirectorof the Bertram Collins College ofthePublicService.InApril

Colonel (ret'd) Lawrence Eulon Paul

2020, President Granger appointed Paul as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Secretariat to manage Guyana's response totheCOVID19pandemic,a statement from the Veterans Foundation of Guyana said on Monday “The Veterans Foundation of Guyana extends sincere condolences to Colonel's Paul widow, his children and grandchildren,” thestatementconcluded.

WHY THE PPP/C IS SO AFRAID OF GLENN LALL

ThePPP/Calsohas itsownplaybook. When it cannot deal with the criticisms and exposure of its misrule and misdeeds, it resorts to labelingitscritics.

Just recently, it labeled Glenn Lall as a politician rather than a publisher. In this way, the PPP/C is attempting to implant in the minds of its supporters that Glenn Lall is competing for political office and as such has now joined the political fray The only race that GlennLallisinisthehuman

race Glenn Lall is not running for anything. Those who know him well also know he is not the type of manwhowillrunawayfrom anything. He does not back down. So why is the Vice President of Guyana being so vexatious towards Glenn Lallandthe Kaieteur News? The reason is simple and two-fold. Glenn Lall is exposing the hypocrisy of those leaders of the PPP/C who when they were in Opposition lambasted the Coalitiongovernmentforthe termsoftheoilcontract.But

now that they have assumed power are refusing to renegotiate the very terms which they found objectionable.

The more Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News and the Kaieteur Radio expose this hypocrisy, the greater the vexation of the country’s main political leaders. No one likes for their shortcomings to be exposed and this is the source of the PPP/C’s viciousness to the publisher of this newspaper Secondly, Glenn Lall has beendemandingabetterdeal

Govt.prioritisespeace, unity,diversityfor Guyana’sadvancement

President, Irfaan

Ali on Sunday eveningpromised that his administration will continue to prioritise diversityandunity

The Guyanese leader said his government believes in bringing people from all walks of life together, towards the common goal of progress and integration The approachhesaidisaimedat propelling the nation towards advancement and inclusivedevelopment.

President Ali made the statement while addressing agatheringduringanEid-alFitr dinner and cultural presentation hosted at State House, Sunday evening “We believe strongly in the religious values and those values do not allow us to hateeachother

Thatiswhyourmessage is very singular We do not have different messages for different times or different

messages for different communities “We are implementing programmes andpoliciesthataddressthe concernsandneedsofevery Guyanese. It is only in this waywecanbuildtrust,”the presidentemphasised.

The head of state underscoredthatthegreatest gift that his administration wants to leave for future generationsisacountrythat is strong, united, and prosperous.

“One in which all the people value each other as neighbours, value each otheraspartofthefamilyof humanity, value each other in the development process.”

He said everyone wants to achieve peace, but it is essential that everyone acts in a way that promotes peace “A positive life would never allow you to demonstrate attributes of hate,racism,orillfeeling.A positive attribute of

Dem Boys Seh...

humankind, as prescribed by GodAlmighty is to be a promoter of justice, unity, peace and one who is a positiveassettosociety,”Dr Alistressed.

Further, President Ali affirmed his unwavering commitment to combatting misinformation and promoting the truth, expressing his satisfaction with leading a government that shares these values.

“We will not stand up and allowfalsehoodtotakeroot. We will not stand up and allowfalsenarrativestotake r o o t We h a v e a responsibilityforthetruth.

W e h a v e t h e responsibility to promote thetruth,”headded.

Despitetheactivismofa small group of individuals promoting hatred, the president believes that the promotionofloveandunity in communities, mosques, temples, and churches, will onlygrowstronger (DPI)

GUYANESE TOO FASS

A permanent secretary visa get revoke and she phone get confiscated while in transitthroughanairportinUncleSam. De wholeofGuyananowinterestedinknowing whydewomanphonegettekawayandwhy shevisawasrevoked.

But what business is dat to them?Why they want to know de woman personal business.

One reporter even had de temerity fuh askdeMinisterwhetherdewomenwillstill be retained as de permanent secretary De Minister had to remark dat he don’t understandhowdatcameup.

Is fass nuff people fass. Dem want to know de woman business. But dat is betweendewomanandUncleSam.Nuffof themwahaskingdemquestiondon’tmekit public when dem get pull aside fuh

secondary examination when dem passing throughdeairport.

Nuff of dem wah fass about de woman business does return and be quiet like a churchmouse.Demdoesdon’ttelldepeople how dem get hog up by de authorities and how dem did get grill about why dem visiting de country Some of dem wah gat greencardandtravellingbackandforthdoes gat to explain why dem nah spending more timeinUncleSam.

And nuff of dem when dem apply fuh demAmerican visa does get deny But dem nahmekdatknownpublicly

So why dem so interested in de woman who phone get tek away? All dem need to knowisdatdeAmericansgatdepowertodo dat. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

forGuyana.Hehasmadeout a strong case as to how the country’spatrimonyisbeing stolenfromthem,justlikeit was in colonial times. And this message is reaching the ordinarycitizenandpeople’s eyesarebeginningtoopento what is taking place in the country. And the one thing that every government fears iswhenthepeople’seyesare openedtotheirmisdeeds.

Glenn Lall is so passionate about ensuring that the country’s wealth is not stolen and ensuring that our people can enjoy a higherstandardoflivingthat he is using his newspaper andradiotobringawareness oftheflawedoildealandthe need to renegotiate the Production Sharing Agreement. Therearesome elements who feel that this shouldnotbethefunctionof a newspaper But using the media to emphasize a particular issue be it human rights violations, the need for democracy or the need forabetteroilagreementisa legitimate function of journalism.Thereisnothing wrong with a newspaper being used to advocate certain concerns that are of publicinterest.Thisiscalled advocacy journalism and there is nothing wrong in a newspaper taking a nonneutral position when it comes to the oil and gas

Butwhatistriggeringthe greatest fear in the PPP/C is thatGlennLallisalsotaking his message to the people directly Wherever he goes, he is being swarmed by people who have been listeningtowhathehasbeen saying on the radio, in the newspaper and on Tik Tok. And they treat him like a hero and want to hear more. As such, he is being invited to speak to gatherings in various communities, includingintheheartlandof the PPP/C’s support base. This is driving fear into the heartofthePPP/Candthisis whyBharratJagdeowantsto label him as a politician.

Unable to counter the arguments being made by GlennLall,thePPP/Cwants to make their supporters see Lallasathreattotheparty’s support base. And so they have christened him as a politician.

Infact,manypersonsare so inspired by what Lall has been saying that they are asking him to run for political office. Some have called on him to run for President and to help straighten out the problems of the country But the PPP/C knows that Glenn Lall is not politicking. They didnothaveaproblemwhen heandhisnewspapertooka principled stand against the

attempt to rig the 2020 general and regional elections. They did not say he was being political then. But now that he is exposing their cowardice in not renegotiatingtheoildeal,he has suddenly become a politician.

But Lall is focused on one thing – getting a better deal for the people of this country and their children. He knows that if Guyana loses this opportunity, Guyanesewillneverbeable toenjoythequalityoflifeto whichtheyareentitledgiven the wealth that the country has.Unlessthisoildealisput right, the oil companies will bleed this country dry while throwing crumbs at the people.Thisstruggletoright the wrongs which are being donetotheGuyanesepeople is what Glenn Lall is about. And that is what makes the PPP/Ctrembleinfear

(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.)

FROM PARANOIA TO DEMENTIA

Both candidates are dangerous, neither is a laughingmatter First,there was the raucous, rage-filled Donald Trump, and then there is Joe Biden, a dodderer and plodder of note. But this is where Guyana’s new colonial masterhasbeenandistoday in its leaderships ranks Kamala, anybody? A Camelotcomeback?

TheformerWhiteHouse occupant has no more than passing consideration for coloreds,sodismissiveheis of their presence, existence. Other than for a handful of pseudo-Caucasian people around, they are best not seen nor heard, better off staying in El Salvador or Guatemala Guyana is insulated from Mr Trump’s scorn and disparagements becauseofoil.

Guyana has utility, so a bravefaceisputoninhaving to deal with these people who don’t know what they have, don’t know what they want, don’t know where theywishtogo. TheDonis the best godfather in such circumstances:hewillmake the decisions for us, show theway I see him bonding well

with leading local political operators: simply business, meretoleration.

My concern with the man is that he is so erratic, bombastic, caustic, and gets so sick when he doesn’t get hisway

Inanordinaryindividual that is fearsome; in a powerful leader, it is urineinducing. Now,imaginethe two: the American and Guyanese political players doingoilbusinessunderthe sametent.

Look at who would be involved,themerecollateral matteroflessthanamillion people, a certain kind of people in an oil hole convertedfromanotherkind ofhole:hiswordnotmine. I paint this nuanced picture, so that my fellow Guyanese get an idea of the caliber of American leadership at the very top. Thank God that there is Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch to hold the fort andbringsomesanitytothe situation,MarriottHoteland all.

I wish I could say the same about Uncle Joe Biden. First, he lost his memory, then he lost Saudi Arabia,nexthelostIran,and nowhehasallbutlostwhat is left of his mind. In the

1950s and afterwards, Republicans used to love goading their competitors with the jibe: Who lost China? It was the Democrats, silly Now Joe Bidenwentandoutdidthem all, losing allies all over the place, while stumbling aboutinahaze.

The frightening thing is that he is serious about running for president in 2024.

Ifthisisnottheheightof hysteria: first a paranoid former President filled with delusions of his own grandeur; and now this Democratwhohasdifficulty putting one foot before the other,orstringingtogethera stream of sensible syntax. One may be tolerated, even managed,buttwoofthemat thesametime!

God help America! Forget America, God help Guyana! I am looking out formyself.

It is beyond my comprehension that two near octogenarians still harbourideasofrunningfor President of the United States. The ousted Chief Executive can’t get his business in order, and his stories straight, while the incumbent putters about

with the business of America,andacceleratesthe countryintobankruptcy,and ridicule too. But both are determinedtobeinthe2024 USpresidentialrace.

The world is coming to anend. Don’ttakemyword for it, simply study the implications of either of these two Americans in chargeformostoftherestof thisdecade. IthinkIshould check-in to the nearest facility, a mental one. I don’t mind the economy in their hands, I can deal with thatspecter

What is numbing is the hands of either of these two grumpy and grumpier old men near to that briefcase, the one with the football. Think nuclear button, folks. ItistimeIfindsomeisolated island as a relocation contingency

Re-migrants have to be always on the move since nobody likes them Particularly perverse

politicians in leadershippositions and their platoons of like-minded dome paranoiacs.

None of this would matterfortheGuyanaofold. Theproblem(abigproblem) isthatGuyanahasoiltoday, and in quantities that only Exxon and the State Departmentknow

This makes Guyana into aplayer

Itdoesn’tmatterthatwe may be 12th man or on reserve, we are still a presence to be dealt with, a player for delicate consideration. TheChinese take the ascendancy (they will sooner than later), and Guyana could be left stranded.

That is, unless our leaders jump ship. It was President Ali who said that we have no quarrel with anybody, determined not to get involved in their fights, and friends to all. Nice

going, sir; but the choice is not really ours. We are too close to and too tied to America, and that worries me.

They are not going anywhere, certainly not fromhere.

This is what America offers the world, Guyana: Papa Don, a real-life godfather, and Uncle Joe. The former knows where lesser people should be (below); while the latter doesn’t know where he himself is (planet). Good luck,fellowGuyanese!

(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.)

Banks D.I.H signs MOU with GTI

From: L-R: Dr. Renita Crandon Duncan, (GTI Principal) and Mr Andrew Carto (Human Resources Director) centre, Mr. Gavin Todd (Operations Director, Banks DIH Limited)

Banks DIH Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Government Technical Institute to promote student development, academic partnerships, and knowledgetransferbetween thetwoinstitutions.

TheMOUwassignedby Andrew Carto, Human Resources Director and Mr. Gavin Todd, Operations Director, Banks DIH Limited, and Dr Renita Crandon Duncan, Principal, Government Technical Institute(GTI) on April 17, 2023 at

from GTI, under this agreement, Banks DIH Limited and GTI will explore opportunities for student scholarships, exchange of expertise, and knowledge transfer in areas of mutual interest. The partnership will also facilitate the exchange of students and faculty members for research, training, and education purposes. Carto said, “we aredelightedtopartnerwith GTI to leverage our strengths and expertise to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the industry and the

emerging need of both institutions This partnership will provide us with access talent while enabling us to contribute to the advancement of students, the Institution and education.” Dr. Duncan noted that, “We are excited to partner with Banks DIH Limitedtoadvanceresearch and education in areas of mutual interest This collaboration will provide our students and faculty members with valuable industry experience while also contributing to the creation of knowledge that benefitsGuyana.”

Two remanded for murder of policeman …arrestwarrantsissuedforcouple

Two men were on Monday remanded to prison for the murder of Police Constable Quincy Lewis, whoseskeletalremainswere recently discovered almost three years after he was reportedmissing.

Twenty-five-year-old Shafeek Vernon called “Profit” of Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and 35year-oldJamelVanLewis,of D'UrbanStreet,Georgetown appeared before Senior MagistrateLeronDalyatthe Georgetown Magistrates' CourtsviaZoom.

The accused were not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that they murdered Lewis.

The men were jointly charged with the alleged masterminds Thakurdial Samaroo, 56, of Lot 7 Ogle Front Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and his wife Naqueeba Zahid Zafarali also known as “Naqueeba Zafarali” of the sameaddress.

They were remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to May 24, 2023, while the Magistrate issued arrest warrants for the couple.

Following the discovery of the skeletal remains, the police had issued two wanted bulletins for the couple who had fled the jurisdiction. The couple is expected to be extradited to facecriminalcharges.

Meanwhile, the police are expected to send the remains overseas for DNA testing to confirm that they belongtotheLewis.

According to reports, Lewiswaslastseenaliveby hismother,CharleneJordon, around17:15hrsonJune19, 2020, after leaving their home at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara(WBD).Heleftin a silver-grey Toyota Premio

motorcar that he borrowed fromafriendforworkduties at the Agricola Police Station.

Last Wednesday, the

police dug up the skeletal remains from a shallow grave at the Madewini Sand Pit area on the SoesdykeLindenHighway

Accordingtoastatement by the police, it was the two accused who decided to cooperatewiththedetectives after they were shown evidencelinkingthemtothe disappearanceofLewis.

KaieteurNewslearntthat Lewis was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with Zafarali and was reportedly lured to the couple's East Bank Demerara (EBD) home on

the day he disappeared Lewis was allegedly shot at the location and his body then transported to the Madewini Sand Pit area where it was buried Notably, while the suspects never confessed to shooting Lewis, they claimed that it was the woman's husband whoshotandkilledthecop.

Security cameras had captured him crossing over the Demerara Harbour

BridgeonJune19,2020,and heading into Greenfield Park.

Dead: Police Constable Quincy Lewis

New campaign pushes lifestyle change to help fight climate change

Despite facing challengesposed byheavyrainfall and flood warnings, Policy

Forum Guyana successfully launched its 1.5oC Lifestyle CampaignonSaturdayatthe MarianAcademy

Over 150 attendees gathered at the Marian Academy Auditorium to participate in the event, which was aligned with this year's Earth Day theme, "Investing in Our Planet." The campaign seeks to encourage sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyles, and the event

served as a platform to promote this message, PFG saidinapressrelease.

The 1 5oC Lifestyle

Campaign challenged destructive ways of living that have contributed to the climate crisis It fostered pathways to a more unified, healthier, and inclusive youth-led future. The event hadaZeroSingle-UsePlastic Policy in place which was strictly enforced. The mini e x p o s h o w c a s e d environmentally-related science fair projects, a paintby-numbers mural, music, and several life-size games.

Attendees of all ages played The River Defenders SaulOut, Threatened Species Scavenger Hunt, Migratory

B i r d s H o p s c o t c h , Sustainable Development Goals Memory Game, Earth Day Word Search, EcoSnake and Ladder, Earth Helper and River Guardians Freshwater Boardgame, making the event both fun andeducational.

JARS Zero Waste, Environmental Health Advocacy and Research (EHAR) Consultancy, local authorMsBowry,NixButler (Mural Designer), Santa

Rosa Secondary, Marian Academy, Virginia Primary, Queen's College, Friendship Secondary, New Amsterdam Multilateral, Brickdam Secondary, and Bygeval Secondary showcased their commitment to a 1.5 oC Lifestyle,makingtheeventa memorablesuccess.

"The issue is that many climatechangepoliciesfocus on new technologies and changes in production while underestimating the importance of lifestyle changes.

We are excited to commemorate Earth Day 2023 with an event that encourages the participants to limit climate change to a maximumof1.5oCwarming inlinewiththeParisClimate Agreement, the approach involves integrating actions intodailylife. Such changes demand collective efforts at the

individual, community, and national levels.Additionally, changing consumer behaviour and adopting new technologies are necessary

H o w e v e r , t h e implementation of these effortsneedstobecontinuous over several years," said Benita Davis, the Project

Coordinator "Our organization has always focusedonprojectsthathave adirectimpactonyouths,and we are thrilled to have so many persons participate in thisevent."

Policy Forum Guyana

expresses its deep appreciation to the Marian AcademyAdministration for their swift action in making the Auditorium available whenitbecameclearthatthe heavy rainfall would wash out the planned outdoor event.

Their timely assistance enabled the 1.5oC Lifestyle

Campaign to proceed as planned and even reach a w i d e r a u d i e n c e

Furthermore, Policy Forum Guyanawouldliketoextend sincere gratitude to Open Society Foundation, Earthday org, Darthan Investments, Our Universe Rising, Pan American Development Foundation andValue-4-Uforthevarious ways they supported this event. Theirassistancehelpedto spread the message of s u s t a i n a b l e a n d environmentally conscious lifestylesandmaketheevent asuccess.

Policy Forum Guyana believes that such partnershipsarevitaltodrive meaningfulchange,andyour support has assisted us in creating an inspiring event that encourages positive changes towards limiting climatechange.

Academy for Women Entrepreneurs launched in Linden

With its mandate of developing, supporting, and p r o m o t i n g w o m e n entrepreneurs, WeLead Caribbeanhasforthesecond year partnered with the United States Embassy Georgetown to launch the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs on Thursday last inLinden,Region10.

Twenty-five women entrepreneurs from Region 10who have eitheralready started businessesor are in

the process of starting a businesshave been selected to participate in the Dream

Builder training and e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p programme. The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE)will be managed by the founder of WeLead Caribbean Abbigale Loncke-Watson, who is an alumnus of the Department of State Young Leaders of America Programme and supported by the Inter-

American of Cooperation on Agriculture for training on localproductdevelopment.

In her remarks at the launch, Loncke-Watson assured the participants that shewaswheretheyare,atthe start of their journey as entrepreneurs “Take advantage of these training sessionsandyouwillseenew opportunities emerge as you progress through the programme and you will come out better equipped to manage your businesses,”

she was quoted in a WeLead pressreleaseassaying.

Sharing remarks to the participants at the launch, U.S.AmbassadorSarah-Ann Lynch commended the

efforts of WeLead

Caribbean's Founder Mrs Loncke-Watson to expand the availability of opportunities for improvement of women-led businesses in Linden. She provided confirmation of the Embassy'scontinuedsupport oftheseefforts,stating:“The

Embassy is committed to increasing inclusion of minority groups in the social, economic and political spheres ”

Ambassador Lynch also shared that having been involved in now three launches of this programme, she is encouraged that it will positivelyimpactthelivesof women across Guyana, remarking that “This programme is part of our

(Continuedonpage16)

Students of President's College at the event

Participants of the training programme

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Lynch with Founder of WeLead Caribbean, Abbigale Loncke-Watson and other officials of Linden

More time, more exam centres for students sitting NGSA – Education Minister

The Ministry of Education on M o n d a y announced that students writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) on May 3 and 4, 2023 will be granted more time to completetheirexams.

Minister of Education

Priya Manickchand in a social media post also announced that the number of examination centres has increasedto517.Thismeans pupilswillnolongerhaveto travel far distances to c o m p l e t e t h e i r examinations.

This year, some 15,268 learners are expected to sit theexaminations.

She also noted that for the first time, the examination papers will be translated for the Spanish

speakinglearners.

Minister Manickchand noted that the Ministry is aware of the challenges facedbypupilsastheywere affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To this end, she highlightedthattheMinistry of Education has made

Don Lemon, CNN anchor, fired after 17 years on the network

BBC - CNN anchor Don Lemon has hit out at the network after his firing,

significant investments in support of learners to prepare them for the upcomingexaminations.

“Some of these were the distribution of textbooks to all primary school pupils, broadcasting curriculum centeredprogrammesonthe Guyana Learning Channel and Youtube platforms, developmentoftheQuizMe platform and making NGSA past papers available on the Ministry’s website,” a statement from the Ministry ofEducationsaidMonday Minister Manickchand expressed confidence in the pupils’ abilities to excel at thisyear’sexaminationsand wishedthemgoodluck.

The results from the 2023 sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment are duebyJuly11,2023.

Decomposed body of pensioner found in Norton Street house

The decomposed body of a man

suspected to be 71-year-old

AlbertCallender,apensionerof Lot 33 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetownwasdiscoveredinhishomeon Sunday

Accordingtothepolice,ranksfromthe AlberttownPoliceStationvisitedthehome around 16:00 hours on Sunday after receivingacallfromCallender’sneighbour whoresidesintheupperflatofthebuilding.

Kaieteur News understands the neighbour told the police that she last saw thepensioneraliveonApril19,2023.

According to the woman, she did not

see Callender again but observed that his apartment door was locked, and on April 22, she noticed a pungent smell coming from Callender’s apartment. As such, she alertedthepolice.

When ranks from Alberttown Fire Service arrived at the location and opened thedoor,thebodyofthedeceasedwaslying face-uponabedinapartiallydecomposed state.

Callender’s body was taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and is awaiting a post-mortem examination

According to the police, no foul play is suspected.

w h i c h c a m e a f t e r accusationsofmisogynyand misbehaviour

“I am stunned,” Lemon wrote on Twitter, saying he wastoldbyhisagenthehad beenletgo.

CNN said it “parted ways”withLemon,whocohosted its morning show, saying“wewishhimwell”.

Itfollowson-airremarks by Lemon in which he said RepublicanNikkiHaley,51, wasnot“inherprime”.

Thedismissalalsocomes ontheheelsofanothermajor US media departure. Just moments before Lemon’s announcement, Fox News announced it was parting ways with primetime host TuckerCarlson.Along-time fixture of the network, Lemon was most recently a co-host of CNN’s This Morningprogramme.

But he landed in hot water earlier this year after comments he made about Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, a former UN ambassador and governorofSouthCarolina.

MsHaleywasnot“inher prime”, Lemon said in February, a remark widely decriedassexist.

“When a woman is consideredtobeinherprime - in her 20s, 30s and maybe her40s,”hesaid.

“I’mjustsayingwhatthe facts are - Google it,” he added, in response to objections from his female co-hosts, Poppy Harlow and KaitlanCollins.

Lemon later apologised to the CNN newsroom and agreed to partake in

“mandatory training” to addresstheincident.

But the remarks sparked widespread criticism, including from actress Michelle Yeoh, 60, who appeared to reference the comments in her Oscar’s acceptance speech last month, saying: “Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you’re ever past your prime.” Lemon’s reputation was further clouded by a reportfromVarietyearlierin April, which detailed accusations of misogynistic behaviour toward his CNN colleagues He called a producer fat to her face, Variety reported, mocked andmimickedonecolleague and allegedly sent threatening texts to another A representative for Lemon denied the reports. The 57year-old had appeared on CNN on Monday during the morning programme as normal,beforereportsofhis dismissal were publicised laterthatday

“After17yearsatCNN,I would have thought someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly,” Lemon wroteonTwitter

“At no time was I ever

given any indication that I wouldnotbeabletocontinue todotheworkIhavelovedat thenetwork.”

Hecontinued:“Itisclear thattherearelargerissuesat play.” The network did not elaborate on the reason for hisdismissal.Butinasecond statementissuedonMonday afternoon, it called Lemon’s description of events “inaccurate”, saying he had beengivenanopportunityto meet with management L e m o n h a s h i r e d entertainment lawyer Bryan Freedman to address his contract with CNN, which wassignedtolastuntil2026, the New York Times reported, citing sources familiarwiththedeal.

CNN This Morning will continue with Lemon’s former co-hosts, Ms Harlow andMsCollins,thenetwork said.LemoncametoCNNin 2006 after working for a local NBC station in Chicago For over eight years, he hosted the primetimeshowDonLemon Tonight. He left the slot to help launch CNN This Morning last November alongside Ms Harlow and MsCollins.

A f t e r L e m o n ’ s comments about Ms Haley, CNN producers discovered guestsdidnotwanttoappear ontheshowwithLemon,the New York Times reported. Theshowhasstruggledwith ratingsinrecentmonths.

In a post on his social media site Truth Social on Monday, former President Donald Trump referred to Lemonasthe“dumbestman ontelevision”.

He did not comment on TuckerCarlson’sfiring.

Mob in Haiti capital burns to death 13 suspected gangsters

AP — A mob in the Haitian capital beat and burned 13 suspected gang members to death with gasoline-soaked tires Monday after pulling the menfrompolicecustodyata traffic stop, police and witnessessaid.

The horrific violence underlined the increasingly lawless situation in Port-auPrincewherecriminalgangs have taken control over an estimated 60 per cent of the city since the July 2021 assassination of President JovenelMoïse.

Haiti National Police said in a briefstatementthat officers in the city’s Canape Vert section stopped and searched a minibus for contraband, and had confiscated weapons from

suspects before they were “unfortunately lynched by membersofthepopulation.”

The statement did not elaborate on how members of the crowd were able to takecontrolofthesuspects.

A witness who gave his name as Edner Samuel told The Associated Press that members of the crowd took the suspected gangsters awayfrompolice,beatthem and stoned them before putting tires on them, pouring gasoline over them and burning them. Combat Siege An AP reporter at the scenesaw13bodiesburning in a street. The fires drew hundredsofonlookersinthe hillysuburbofthecity,many ofthemshieldingtheirnoses fromthefumes.Samuelsaid thesuspectswerebelievedto

havebeenheadingtoanother area to join a group of gang members who were battling police Another witness, Jean Josue, said there had been a lot of shooting in the areasincetheearlymorning.

The situation in the capital remained tense, and shotscouldbeheardringing o u t f r o m s e v e r a l neighbourhoods.

Witnesses at the scene said the suspects were believed to have been membersoftheKrazeBarye gang, which translates to “Breaking Barriers ” Authorities say the group is led by Vitel’Homme Innocent, who is accused of helping kidnap 17 US missionaries in October 2021andalsoislinkedtothe assassinationofMoïse.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

Don Lemon (Getty Images)

Bystanders gather around the bodies of alleged gang members that were set on fire by a mob after they were stopped by police while traveling in a vehicle in the Canape Vert area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

PAHO launches Vaccination Week in the Americas

The Pan American H e a l t h Organization (PAHO) on Monday officially launched Vaccination Week in the Americas,aninitiativeaimed at mobilising concerted action across the region to boost routine and targeted immunizationefforts.

Taking place from 22 to 29 April, this year's Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) campaign aimstoreachmore92million peoplewithover144million dosesofdifferentvaccinesin 45 countries and territories. Thedrivecomesastheriskof

vaccine-preventable disease outbreaksisata30-yearhigh in theAmericas, with one in fivechildrenundertheageof one year not fully protected against multiple vaccinepreventablediseases.

“PAHO is working with countries to revitalize immunization programs and usethiskeypublichealthtool in all its strength to save the livesandprotectthehealthof peopleinourregion,”PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said at the launch of this year's VWA.

Dr Barbosa spoke at a paneldiscussiontoofficially launch VWA, where he was

joined by representatives of government, academia, civil society and youth to discuss challenges,opportunitiesand strategies to boost immunization rates in the region. During the event, video messages were also delivered by Ms. Yazmin ColóndeCortizo,FirstLady of Panama; Dr Nísia Trindade Lima, Minister of HealthofBrazill;Mr Jerome Xavier Walcott, Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados; Rochelle P Walensky,DirectoroftheUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Chris Elias,presidentoftheGlobal

DevelopmentDivisionofthe Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

While declining vaccination rates have been observedintheregionduring thepastdecade,theCOVID19pandemicexacerbatedthe problem through the disruption of health services and increased hesitancy b r o u g h u p o n b y misinformation, the PAHO Director said. “Yet COVID19 also gave us an opportunity, as it enabled strong cooperation between PAHO and countries to d e v e l o p n a t i o n a l immunization plans, train healthcare workers, and strengthen cold chain operations,”hesaid.

With high level political commitment and the participationofcommunities and societies, the PAHO Directorsaidheis“confident that the region can regain its leadership position in immunizations, as it had in thepast.”

He also called on countries to revamp

immunization programs by taking advantage of innovations. This includes the use of geo-referencing toolstogathervaccinedatato informinterventions,toolsto quickly identify operational gaps, and the use of social and behavioral data and strategies to tackle vaccine hesitancy

Over the last 20 years, VWA has been the most important initiative for immunization programs in the region to bring doses to populations.

Theinitiativehashelped countries reach nearly 1.1 billion people in more than 40 countries and has supported the control of many diseases, along with the elimination of polio, measles, congenital rubella syndrome, neonatal tetanus, hepatitis B and smallpox. This year, 24 countries are planning to reach more than 55 million people with COVID-19 vaccines, both primary and booster doses.

Participating countries and territoriesarealsosettoreach

over 84 million people with theinfluenzavaccines,witha specific focus on those most at risk, such as pregnant women, older adults and healthworkers.

Efforts to keep the Region of the Americas polio-free include the vaccination of almost a million children with polio vaccines during the week.

The Americas was declared polio-free in 1994, but dwindling rates have put many countries in the region athighriskofaresurgenceof this devastating and untreatable – and vaccinepreventable–disease.

In addition, countries have pledged to administer over 800,000 doses of vaccinesagainstmeaslesand rubella. These efforts will support the regional goal to obtain once again elimination status Other goals include vaccinating more than 3 million people, including pregnant women and children, against diphtheria, tetanus, and whoopingcough.

Consortium bids $1.3B to provide consultancy services for US$192M ECD road project

A consortium consisting of a local company and two Peruvian companies have submitted a bid of $1 3 billion to provide consultancy services for the Ministry of Public Works' US$192M East Coast Demerararoadproject.

This is according to the financial opening for the project which revealed that CB & Associates Inc (Guyana) in joint venture with Gleeds Del Peru (Peru) and Afry Peru SAC (Peru) have submitted a financial proposal of $1,325,188,851 to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office for thecontract.

Kaieteur News had reported onApril 9 last, that this consortium was among five bidders who initially submittedtheirproposalsfor the contract. At the recent opening of tenders however, it was revealed by NPTAB that only four of the five biddersarenowvyingforthe contract.

In addition to CB& Associates Inc. and its joint ventures, the other bidders vying for the contract are: Beston Consulting Inc. who bid $489,510,000 (Trinidad &Tobago);EgisEngineering

(France)injointventurewith SRKN'gineering who bid $874,532,404; and Rites Limited (India) in joint venture with E&A Consultants Inc. (Guyana) whobid$781,680,950.

Kaieteur News had reportedthattheconsultancy service the Ministry is seekingisfortheengineering services for the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Public Widening and Improvement Project Phase Two for the areasAnnandale to Mahaica andSherriffStreettoOrange Nassau.

The invitation for bids follows the signing of a US$192M Framework Concessional Loan

Agreement with China to finance Phase II of the East Coast Road Project. Phase two of the project will include extension of the Railway Embankment Road into four lanes from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, extension of the main East CoastRoadwayfromOrange Nassau to Mahaica, as well as rehabilitation of the existing East Coast DemerararoadfromBelfield toOrangeNassau,whichwill allowforadditionallanes.

At the signing ceremony for the loan, it was revealed

that this phase will also see the construction of 48 bridges and 22 culverts and another bridge across the HopeCanal.Theloanforthe project is being provided by theEximBankofChina.

This publication had reportedinOctober2022that China Railway First Group was awarded a US$184M contract to complete Phase Two of the project which is currently in its mobilisation stage.

ThewideningoftheEast Coast highway started under the previous government in 2017 after securing a US$45,318,337 or RMB Yu a n 3 1 3 , 8 3 8 , 8 0 0 concessional loan for the widening and improvement of the highway from the Export-Import Bank of China. The works on Phase One of the project was completed in 2020 by contractor - China Railway FirstGroup.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the project is expected to effectively improve the level of local transportation infrastructure, stimulate local investment, employment and logistics, and help to achieve the local economic and social developmentobjectives.

Driver pulled from submerged car at Friendship koker dies

…girlfriend hospitalised, condition listed as stable

Screengrab of the video, showing the driver and the passenger being rescued from the wreckage

Less than 24 hours after 25-year-old Shawn Lee known as “DJ Gaza Prince” was pulled from a wrecked car submerged in a koker at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Lee succumbedtohisinjuries.

Lee of Timehri Base Road, EBD, and his girlfriend 23-year-old Kimberly Agard, also of Timehri, were rescued on Sundayafternoon.

The police reported that around 15:20 hours Lee and his girlfriend were driving south along the Friendship PublicRoadinmotorcarPTT 1796,reportedlyatafastrate. It was stated that while negotiating a turn, Lee lost control of his vehicle and collided with a concrete culvert at Friendship According to the police, the impact caused the car to flip before ending up in the trench.

Kaieteur News had reported that public-spirited persons plunged into the trench to rescue the couple whowasinjuredandtrapped inthemotorcar

Accordingtoavideoseen

by this publication, the men thatjumpedintothewaterto save the driver and the passenger They had to first pull apart the wrecked door ofthecartogetaccesstothe injured occupants After some time of struggling to get the door open, the men were able to remove Agard who was bleeding from the head in an apparent semiconsciousstate.

Two men came to the corner of the koker where they reached down and assisted in fetching Agard ontoland.Momentslater,the menwereabletoremoveLee fromthemotorcar,beforean ambulance arrived to carry themtothehospital.

Lee and Agard were

rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD where they were examined and subsequently referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to the police, Lee who sustained a fractured left leg and head injuries, was admitted to the IntensiveCareUnit(ICU)in critical condition. However, he succumbed around 08:19 hoursonMondaymorningat GPHC. His body was taken tothehospital'smortuaryfor storage awaiting a postmortemexamination.

Meanwhile, Agard received a head injury and was admitted at GPHC. Her conditionislistedasstable.

Enmore 'fowl thief' jailed for 12 months

Thirty-three-year-old Bhoula Persaud called “Daniel” a resident of Logwood Enmore East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Friday sentenced t o 1 2 m o n t h s imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to simple larceny charges, as well asstealingpoultry Persaud appeared at t h e V i g i l a n c e Magistrates'Courtbefore Sen

istrate FabayoAzore.

The defendant pleaded guilty to two simple larceny charges and a larceny of poultry charge.

Senior Magistrate Azore sentenced him to 12 months for the three offences.

However, Persaud pleaded not guilty to three other simple larcenycharges.

Those matters were adjourned to June 25, 2023.

Dead: Shawn Lee known as “DJ Gaza Prince”

Jailed: Bhoula Persaud called “Daniel”

Guyana secures six golds, two silvers and a lone bronze at St Lucia’s Champion of Champions Boxing

A contingent of nine local boxers left our shores Thursday last for St Lucia to compete at St Lucia’s Champion of Champions Boxing championship which concluded on Sunday at the Vigie Sports Complex in Castries.

The list of boxers had outstanding showing on foreign soil with a couple of noteworthy performances from Tiquan Sampson, Alesha Jackman, Shaquan James and Tifina Barker, they showed great tenacity and dominance

in the ring as Guyana came second to the host (St Lucia) finishing with twenty-four points. Our young pugilists received six golds, two silvers and one bronze. Shaquan James, Tiquan Sampson, Alesha Jackman, Emannuel Pompey, Kevon Harris and Tifina Barker were the gold medalists, while Quinie Boyce and Jamal Eastman copped silvers as well as a lone bronze medal from Brian Harris. ‘Both our juniors and

seniors went out and represented favourably, stating their claims as they reckon for future success. Competing at championships of this nature are extremely beneficial to help elevate the junior and youth boxers in the region. It also augurs well for the athletes to gain much-needed experience against varying fighting styles. With the increasing number of international exposure and local competitions; we are seeing massive improvements among the boxers,’

Tuesday April 25, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Today you'll find that you're the missing puzzle piece that people need in every situation, Aries. Engage in light conversation in social arenas and feel free to turn your charm up full blast.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You may find that people want to do a great deal of talking but not a great deal of feeling today, Taurus. Go ahead and put your emotions on the back burner and let your mind take over.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

You should be able to evaluate your emotions from a very neutral, detached perspective today, Gemini. Use this opportunity to take action based on what you feel.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

If you're talking about another person today, Cancer, make sure you aren't saying anything that would be upsetting if they were standing right there. Gossip may be running rampant.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

You might find yourself a bit unfocused and confused about which way to go, Virgo. The baffled look on your face isn't helping anyone else figure out how to help you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

You might find yourself a bit unfocused and confused about which way to go, Virgo. The baffled look on your face isn't helping anyone else figure out how to help you.

Nigel London defends Linden Town Week Cycling Classic title with

driving finish

Coach Sebert Blake had posited. “Team Guyana went into the competition with the expectation of achieving nine golds. Unfortunately for us, we had a few decisions that went against us, especially with the Jamal Eastman fight. Many may agree to him winning that fight but in the end, the judge’s decisions are final. Nevertheless, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is pleased with the results thereof,” Blake informed.

Apostle London at left collects his trophy from Wainwright Bethune, Deputy Mayor of Linden. Kevin Stephens, 2 Joshua Waldron.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

It's important for you to get outside and feel the wind blowing, Libra. Reconnect with nature and be aware of the four elements. Take deep breaths and fill your lungs with this energizing life force.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Make practical use of the thoughts you have synthesized over the last few days, Scorpio. Stretch your boundaries and extend your wisdom to the people around you. This is a day to take action.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

This is an important day for you to make valuable connections with others, Sagittarius. You'll find yourself engaged in fastpaced, witty conversations and debates from which you can learn.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It could be hard for you to get a handle on things today, Capricorn, as your focus seems to jump from one subject to the next without finding resolution for any.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You might come across strong opposition today from someone who seems to want to cut straight through to your heart, Aquarius. In reality,

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Act on your instincts today, Pisces, and you won't go wrong. You may need to give up a bit of control and put logical thinking aside for the day. Let the wind take you where it wants you to go.

“Looking forward, we had a great showing in St Lucia, the camaraderie between the athletes were excellent, the support was enormous. Congratulations to the team on their overall performance. Special thanks to the GBA President Steve Ninvalle and his administration as well as the coaches (Sebert Blake and Clifton Moore), who worked hardly putting together the team and prepared them for this level of competition,” the seasoned boxing coach pointed out.

Terrence Poole set for IBA Cut...

From page 25 train and equip cutmen with the requisite aptitudes to prepare combatants before, during, and after fights.

The programme will comprise one theoretical section and extensive practical segments, which will be followed by respective assessments.

Blake, who is part of a small cadre of three-star coaches in the Caribbean, is the first-ever Guyanese to partake, in and successfully complete the programme, which occurred at the Women’s World Championship in New Delhi, India from March 15-31. Blake scored in the 90’s percentile.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle said, “This is the development of our human capital, and this is how you cultivate the discipline from a personnel perspective. The advancement of the sport, and by extension, the athletes can only occur if the teachers, essentially the trainers and coaches possess the requisite and ever-evolving knowledge to impart to their students. We envisage creating an assembly line of qualified and knowledgeable coaches. That is the vision of the GBA. We anticipate as in the historic case with Blake, similar success for Poole which is to the benefit of the overall boxing ecosystem.”

In a thrilling finish Nigel London nudged out Orville Hinds to successfully defend the Linden Town Week Cycling Classic Open Category title he won one year ago, when the final 10 lap race was held in the Linden Town Week Cycling Classic Sunday afternoon which was held down town in the heart of Linden. All the races were staged in the central Mackenzie circuit beginning outside Gregory’s Grocery Store on Republic Avenue and ended there in front of an appreciative crowd.

In the first veterans race for 8 laps, London came out on top beating Garfield Lorrimer into second place and Andy Spencer was third.

Then London returned in the 10 lap Open category race where he outsprinted Orville Hinds to win as Garfield Lorrimer was a distant third.

Other race results were: Junior Males 5 lap race: 1

Boys 6-9 years: 1 Kenvil Desouza.

Boys 9-12 years: 1 Javin Henry, 2 Raphael Anderson. Boys Under 16 six lap race: 1 Meshach Sutton, 2 Reshad Mingo, 3 Shaplon Douglas.

Girls 18 & Under: 1 Shaunna Hyles, 2 Reshona Knights.

Deputy Mayor of Linden, Wainwright Bethune was there to witness the races and presented the many winners with trophies, and incentives as he thanked GTT for coming on board with the Linden Town Council and Bauxite Flyers Cycling Club to stage another success. Contributors who played key roles for the staging of the 2023 edition were Region 10 Tourism Committee, Guyana Breweries Inc, Guyana Lottery, Destinations Tours, Sister and Sisters’ Beauty, Hyacinth’s Bed and Breakfast.

West Indies “A” Team to play three four-day “Test” matches in

Bangladesh from May 16- June 2

Cricket West Indies(CWI)and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday announced the match schedule for the upcoming Men’s “A” Team SeriesinBangladesh.

The West Indies “A” Team will arrive on May 11 as they prepare to play 3 four-day “Test” matches at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS) in Sylhet.

These matches will have full first-class status and will be the second West Indies Men’s “A” Team series since 2020, when COVID-19 caused major disruptions.

The tour is a reciprocal by West Indies “A” following the Bangladesh “A”team’svisitlastAugust, whentwosidesplayedapair of four-day 1st-class matches and three 50-over ListAmatchesattheDarren

Sammy Stadium in Saint Lucia.

West Indies Men’s “A” team matches are an important development opportunity for players pushing for selection to the West Indies senior team and foremergingplayerstobuild their first-class international experience.

Roland Holder, CWI’s Manager of Cricket Operations, reiterated that the series would provide exposure for several players andnoteditwasasignificant part of CWI’s commitment tocontinuallydeveloptalent and prepare them for the demands of international cricket.

“Weareagainpleasedto work closely with the BCB as we confirm the match schedule for this upcoming Men’s‘A’TeamSeries.

Last summer we had a competitive five-match serieswithredballandwhite

ballmatchesinSaintLucia”, Holdersaid.

He went on to state, “This time around our players will get to experience foreign conditions and this is a vital part of their development in the pathway toward full international selection and provides a platform for further exposure and progress following the recent West Indies Championship and new HeadleyWeekesTri-Series.”

MATCHSCHEDULE:

16-19May:1st“Test”

23-26May:2nd“Test”

30 May to 2 June: 3rd “Test”

TerrencePoolesetforIBACutTechnician...

Frompage24 and also made certain of the sponsor’s continuouscommitmenttothestagingofthe event. ThistournamentwassponsoredbyNestlé through their Milo brand, organised by the Petra Organisation, sanctioned by the MoE andsupportedbyMASSYDistribution,MVP Sports, Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc (GINMIN), General Equipment Guyana Ltd (GENEQUIP), Farm Supplies Ltd (FARMSUP),YellowSteelIncandWestzyde MarineInc.

QualifiedLeagueTeams…

Meanwhile, the final eight teams in the elimination stage of the tournament have qualified for Petra upcoming GuyOil/Tradewind Tankers U-18 League, whichcommenceslaterintheyear Theteams that qualified are Patentia, CAF, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary, Mackenzie High, Bartica, Carmel, East RuimveldtandSantaRosa. Christianburg/Wismar Secondary, the 2022 Milo U18 Champion, are the League’s defendingchampion.

-Holderpleasedwithreturnofinternationalcompetition

CWI manager of cricket Roland Holder

The West Indies ‘A’Team during the previous tour. (CWI)

2023MiloU18SchoolsChampionships… Santa Rosa impresses in inaugural campaign

- Final eight qualify for Petra’s League

The ninth edition of the Nestlé-sponsored Milo Under-18 Schools Football Championship came to a close on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue, with Santa Rosa beingcrownedchampions.

Santa Rosa’s victory over Chase’s Academic Foundation (CAF) raised a lot of questions, but more importantly showed that it was not a race for the swift, but one to endure, as they pulled out a nerve-racking 5 –3wininapenaltyshootout, aftertheteamswereina3–3 deadlockatfulltime.

It was a fitting final to culminate event, which was witnessed by hundreds that packed the venue, stood on theroadandalsoenjoyedthe viewfromtheseawalls.

The high-tempo CAF were the first to score in a play that started from a corner kick and was slotted inbeautifullyinfrontofgoal by their captain, Seon Cato, in the 22nd minute. Two minutes later, an error in defense allowed Matrim Martin to test the custodian off his mark and he was rewarded as his side made it atwo-possessiongame.

Santa Rosa slightly raised their tempo and tried valiantly to put together passes near goal, however, they were unable to find the back of the net in the first half. In the second half, Santa Rosa tightened up on defence and tried attacking downbothflanks.

In the 50th minute, their captain, Ron Vansluytman pulled on back for his team, which lifted their spirits in search of an equaliser It became a bit difficult for

Santa Rosa with the head referee, Colin Abel, harshly blowing against them, but theoddswerealreadyetched intheirfavour

A depleted CAF unit could not put two passes together and were intent on defending until the end with overpoweredclearancesthat often sailed out of bounds, while Santa Rosa’s constant paceshiftedtheweightofthe match.Inthe73rdminute,it was the Vansluytman who pierced the uprights to tie thingsup.

Itwasasee-sawbattlefor the next ten minutes until Justin Alcindor put CAF aheadinthe83rdminute,but Santa Rosa’s will and intent totestthekeeperoffhisline paidofftheverynextminute when they found the second equaliser

Twenty minutes of extra time could not separate the teams either, which sent the matchintoadreadedpenalty shootout, where Santa Rosa held their nerves to bury all five attempts, while CAF’s third attempt was denied by the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper, Enrique Williams.

Santa Rosa also made their impression on the individual awards in their inaugural Petra campaign as

Vansluytman was adjudged theMVPandtheteamcarted off with the Most Disciplined Team award, after conceding only three yellow cards in seven matches.

The other individual award which was for the Most Goals was won by Carmel’s Ian Daniels, who helped usher his team to victory in the third place match to complete the tournamentwith13goals.

Carmel humbled MackenzieHigh3–0inthe matchthatprecededthefinal with goals coming from Samuel Ferguson (34’), Shem James (46’) and Daniels(85’).

For the win, the undefeated Santa Rosa claimed the Milo Cup and $300,000 towards a school project,whiletherunnerup, third, and fourth place finishers had to settle for $200,000, $100,000, and $75,000,respectively,allfor a school initiative, along with the corresponding trophy

D u r i n g S u n d a y evening’s presentation ceremony, attended by Minister of Housing, Colin Croal, he sung high praises fortheimpactfultournament

(Continuedonpage22)

Carmel’s Ian Daniels was the tournament’s highest goal scorer.

Chase’s Academic Foundation finished as the runner-up in this year’s tournament.

2023MiloU18SchoolsChampionships… Santa Rosa impresses in inaugural campaign

- Final eight qualify for Petra’s League

The ninth edition of the Nestlé-sponsored Milo Under-18 Schools Football Championship came to a close on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue, with Santa Rosa beingcrownedchampions.

Santa Rosa’s victory over Chase’s Academic Foundation (CAF) raised a lot of questions, but more importantly showed that it was not a race for the swift, but one to endure, as they pulled out a nerve-racking 5 –3wininapenaltyshootout, aftertheteamswereina3–3 deadlockatfulltime.

It was a fitting final to culminate event, which was witnessed by hundreds that packed the venue, stood on theroadandalsoenjoyedthe viewfromtheseawalls.

The high-tempo CAF were the first to score in a play that started from a corner kick and was slotted inbeautifullyinfrontofgoal by their captain, Seon Cato, in the 22nd minute. Two minutes later, an error in defense allowed Matrim Martin to test the custodian off his mark and he was rewarded as his side made it atwo-possessiongame.

Santa Rosa slightly raised their tempo and tried valiantly to put together passes near goal, however, they were unable to find the back of the net in the first half. In the second half, Santa Rosa tightened up on defence and tried attacking downbothflanks.

In the 50th minute, their captain, Ron Vansluytman pulled on back for his team, which lifted their spirits in search of an equaliser It became a bit difficult for

Santa Rosa with the head referee, Colin Abel, harshly blowing against them, but theoddswerealreadyetched intheirfavour

A depleted CAF unit could not put two passes together and were intent on defending until the end with overpoweredclearancesthat often sailed out of bounds, while Santa Rosa’s constant paceshiftedtheweightofthe match.Inthe73rdminute,it was the Vansluytman who pierced the uprights to tie thingsup.

Itwasasee-sawbattlefor the next ten minutes until Justin Alcindor put CAF aheadinthe83rdminute,but Santa Rosa’s will and intent totestthekeeperoffhisline paidofftheverynextminute when they found the second equaliser

Twenty minutes of extra time could not separate the teams either, which sent the matchintoadreadedpenalty shootout, where Santa Rosa held their nerves to bury all five attempts, while CAF’s third attempt was denied by the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper, Enrique Williams.

Santa Rosa also made their impression on the individual awards in their inaugural Petra campaign as

Vansluytman was adjudged theMVPandtheteamcarted off with the Most Disciplined Team award, after conceding only three yellow cards in seven matches.

The other individual award which was for the Most Goals was won by Carmel’s Ian Daniels, who helped usher his team to victory in the third place match to complete the tournamentwith13goals.

Carmel humbled MackenzieHigh3–0inthe matchthatprecededthefinal with goals coming from Samuel Ferguson (34’), Shem James (46’) and Daniels(85’).

For the win, the undefeated Santa Rosa claimed the Milo Cup and $300,000 towards a school project,whiletherunnerup, third, and fourth place finishers had to settle for $200,000, $100,000, and $75,000,respectively,allfor a school initiative, along with the corresponding trophy

D u r i n g S u n d a y evening’s presentation ceremony, attended by Minister of Housing, Colin Croal, he sung high praises fortheimpactfultournament

(Continuedonpage21)

Carmel’s Ian Daniels was the tournament’s highest goal scorer.

Chase’s Academic Foundation finished as the runner-up in this year’s tournament.

Terrence Poole set for IBA Cut Technician Course in Uzbekistan

Following the historic completion of the IBA Cut Technician Course by threestar tactician Sebert Blake, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Technical Director Terrence Poole will be the second Guyanese to participate in the significant programme which will be conducted at the Men’s World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May1st-4th.

The official invitational missive from IBA, which was signed by Development Officer Chris Roberts OBE, statedthattheprimaryaimof t h e c o u r s e i s t h e development of the Cutman Technician in each national programme, which will providethepugilistswiththe essential treatment to avert and manage injuries such as hematomas, lacerations, and nose bleeds. It will also diminish hand injuries with the mastery of handwrappingtechniques.

“The main objective of thecourseistohelpdevelop our Cut Technicians and increase the pool of specialists around the world as well as to broaden the knowledge of coaches,

One Guyana Futsal Championship cooking with Maggie’s catering services

- Tournament continues tonight with four matches

d o c t o r s , a n d physiotherapists about hand wrapping techniques and facial injury care of the a t h l e t e s ” , t h e correspondencestated.

The course is only eligible for officials affiliated with the national federation and who are already registered for the impending Men’s World Championship from April 30th-May 14th in the capacities of team coaches, d o c t o r s , a n d / o r physiotherapists.

Withtheremovalofhead guards, IBA states that the importance of experienced cutmen to assist boxers cannotbeunderstated.Thus, the world governing body craftedacoursethatwill

(Continuedonpage21)

Ma g g i e ’ s Snackette and C a t e r i n g Services became the latest entity to support the One G u y a n a F u t s a l Championship,organisedby the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

At a simple presentation done recently, the tournament’s organiser, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, received the company’s donation from Managing Director Pearson BurchSmith, who expressed his entity’sdelightinsupporting theinauguraltournament.

Major thanked Maggie’s for catering to the needs of the organisers while adding that he’s looking forward to theircontinuedsupport.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e tournament continues

tonight with more preliminary-roundmatches.

In the opening game from8:00pm,Albouystown will match skills with Sophia,whilefrom9:00pm, Ven-Guy battles Alexander Village.

Bent Street will take on Avocado Ballers at 10:00 pm, followed by tonight’s finalgameat11pmbetween BackCircleandKitty

The One Guyana Futsal tournament will carryafirst-placeprizeof $1M, compliments of Mohamed’sEnterprise

T h e l u c r a t i v e tournament will see the second-place team with $ 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 , w h i l e $200,000 and $100,000 will go to the teams finishingthirdandfourth, respectively

Maggie’s Managing Director Pearson Burch-Smith (L) making his presentation to One Guyana Futsal Championship Organiser, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’Major.

Terrence Poole

Sports

Guyana secures six golds, two silvers and a lone bronze at St Lucia’s Champion of Champions Boxing

West Indies “A” Team to play three four-day “Test” matches in Bangladesh from May 16 - June 2

Santa Rosa’s captain Ron Vansluytman was adjudged the MVP.

Rosa’

Team Guyana in St Lucia at the closing of Champion of Champions.

Karese Lloyd in action at the

Track and Field Centre.