Kaieteur News

Exxon tells Court it spent US$206M but only accounts for US$50M

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL),theoperatorofthe Stabroek Block, in its applicationtotheHighCourt seekingtojointhedefenceof itsEnvironmentalPermitfor the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) Project claimed some US$206 million was spent on the initiative as of May 2023.

It was on those grounds that the Court considered EEPGL an interested party andallowedtheoilcompany tojointhematter

Two months later, the company filed its Affidavit in Defence detailing that it hadexpendedonlyafraction ofthatamount.Accordingto the Court document, EEPGL-commonlyreferred to as ExxonMobil Guyanaactually expended some US$50 67 million on activities related to the project.

In a detailed breakdown of the expenses, the companysaid,“Todate,the second respondent has expended in excess of US$50.67 million upon the

project,ofwhichUS$31.67 milliononinitialpreparation of the plant site, US$8.75 million on construction of a material offloading facility, US$6 34 million on constructionofaheavyhaul road, US$2.88 million on construction of a site for the pipeline seawall crossing and US$0 94 million on improvement of West Bank Demerara public road and bridges.”

Back in May when the company filed its Notice of Application it stated, “To date, Esso and its coventurers have expended US$206 million in design andconstructionworksfor the Gas to Energy Project. Furtheroradditionally,Esso and its co-venturers anticipate spending in the region of an additional US$792milliontocomplete andcommissionthepipeline elementoftheGastoEnergy Project.”

The huge discrepancy in the figures presented by the company would raise concerns regarding the monitoring of expenses

relatedtotheproject,evenas ExxonMobil is yet to announce the Final Investment Decision (FID) or cost of the venture Already, the GTE project is the country’s single largest financial venture ever pursued.

- Court documents reveal in Gas-to-Energy case

An artist’s impression of the Gas-to-Energy project

Brassington had said the pipeline would cost about US$1billionwhiletheother two components of the project would cost an additionalUS$759million.

Brassington explained thatGuyanawillberequired to pay back ExxonMobil some US$55 million each yearfor20yearstorepaythe company for its investment inthepipeline.

“That US$55 million is the amortized cost of US$1 billion for 20 years at a discountrate,”hesaid.

In addition to this, Guyana will also be expected to repay another US$51 million annually for 20 years on a loan the country will take to pay for the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and the 300megawattspowerplant.

The government anticipates that the GTE project would cost US$1.7 billion. The state is also a party to the case defending the legality of the pipeline PermitgrantedtoExxon. In its court documents seen by this publication, the Government of Guyana (GoG) told the High Court, “The investment in this project is in the vicinity of US$1,700,000,000 (one billion seven hundred million United States Dollars) and includes all associated project costs incurred under respective contracts by the GOG, its contractors, operators and co-venturers.”

The pipeline being constructed by Exxon is a component of the GTE project, aimed at reducing electricity costs by some 50 percent Though the initiative is not backed by a feasibility study, the government is adamant that the project will deliver benefits to the Guyanese population.A300-megawatt power plant and a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility willbeconstructedatWales, West Bank Demerara to generate the electricity which will then be transmitted to other parts of thecountry

Head of the GTE Taskforce Winston

COURTCASE

On March 27, 2023, two citizens filed a legal proceeding in the High Court, challenging the Environmental Permit granted to Exxon for the pipeline component of the project The 12-inch pipeline, some 225 kilometers will be used to transport gas from the Liza One and Two fields in the StabroekBlocktotheWales Developmentsite.

Through their lawyers, Melinda Janki, Abiola Wong-Inniss,andJoelRoss, the citizens are seeking an Order of Certiorari to quash thedecisionmadebythe Continuedonpage23

Draftoillawaimsforfaster disclosuresondiscoveries

The Petroleum Activities Bill 2023, introducedbythegovernmentlastweek,isset to change how oil companies communicate their discoveriesto regulators.The proposed legislation seeks to ensure companies report their findings promptly, preventing long waitingtimesbeforeinformingthepublic.

Accordingtothedraft,shouldexploration activities lead to a discovery, the involved company must swiftly notify the Minister in writing. They are then mandated to provide details about the discovery and outline the steps they will take to gauge the quality and quantity of the find within a specific timeframe.

Afterpresentingtestresults,thecompany will have a 30-day window to declare if the discoveryholdscommercialvalue.Ifdeemed commercially viable, the company has six months to submit an evaluation plan to the minister This will delve into the viability of establishinganoilproductionindustryinthe discoveredarea.

The draft further empowers the Minister to direct the company to undertake any additional investigations deemed necessary

Ifacompanydecidesthatthediscoveryisnot commerciallyviable,theMinistercan,within ayear,instructthatthelicencebeterminated.

While the foregoing provisions are deemed commendable in their attempt to prevent inordinate delays, it does not state whatmechanismswouldbeinplacetoensure compliance.

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has admitted on several occasions that the country is still lacking the relevant capabilities, both human and technological, toensurerigidmonitoring.Stakeholdershave thereforeexpressedconcernabouthowthese praiseworthy aspects of the Petroleum ActivitiesBillwouldbeimplemented.

Today,lawmakerswillreviewanddiscuss theBill’sprovisions.Ifapproved,theBillwill mark the completion of one of the last steps beforetheclosureofbidsinthecountry’sfirst auctioninSeptember Thiseventwillfeature 11shallowandthreedeepwaterblocks.

Additionally, this legislation will align withtworevisedoilcontractsthegovernment is finalizing, setting clear terms for both shallowanddeepwateroperations.

Daily production at 3rd project to be increased

...Production Manager says Exxon is excited to develop Guyana’s oil

Ahead of commencing oil production at the Payara developmentintheStabroek Block, ExxonMobil has already announced its intention to produce more than the estimated 220,000 barrelsperday(bpd).

Vice President and Production Manager, Mike Ryan during Episode 29 of ‘Access ExxonMobil Guyana’sharedanupdateon the offshore activities planned locally when he highlighted that more than 600,000 barrels of oil will soonbeproduceddailyatthe resource rich Stabroek Block.

Ryanexplained,“Weare currentlyproducingoffshore on our first two FPSO’s about 400,000 barrels a day from (Liza) Destiny and

Unity We are anticipating startup of the Prosperity FPSO this year and so we willbeaddingtothatamount ofoil.”

Itmustbenotedthatboth of the FPSOs are currently producing above the designedratesasoutlinedin the company’s project documents.

With concerns already growing over the possibility ofanoilspillattheStabroek Block as a result of the increased production activities, Exxon is also planningtoupproductionat itsthirdproject.

TheProductionManager informed, “Once we have achieved that critical milestone of background flare then we will increase production, up in the range

of over 200,000, 220230,000barrelsaday,sothat willbetowardstheendofthe yearinto2024.”

According to the Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA) conductedbytheoperatorof the Block, the Prosperity FPSO was designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day See table attached.

Ry a n s a i d t h a t ExxonMobil was excited to develop the resources with Guyana, as he went on to point out that the fourth FPSO- One Guyana- is expectedtoarriveinGuyana by2025.Inthemeantime,he noted that the company is makingprogressonthefifth project, Uaru to be operated bythe‘ErreaWittu’FPSO.

E x x o n ’ s t h i r d development, Payara is expected to commence oil productionbeforetheendof this year In fact, the Prosperity FPSO arrived in Guyana back in April this year and is presently engaged in installation activities in anticipation of startup of the deepwater project The exercise is scheduled to conclude on November 30, 2023, according to a notice that was published back in March.

The Payara discovery is located 200 kilometres offshore Guyana in 1,800 metreswaterdepth.Tendrill centres are planned along with up to 41 wells, including 20 production and 21injectionwells.

The project, pegged at US$9 billion, will utilise onshoreinfrastructurewhich includes shore bases, warehouses, storage and pipe yards, fabrication

facilities, fuel supply facilities, and waste management facilities in Guyana.

P r o s p e r i t y w a s constructed by Dutch ship builder, SBM Offshore. On its arrival, ExxonMobil Guyana Production Manager Mike Ryan said, “The arrival of the ‘Prosperity’ FPSO is a testament to the strong partnership between

ExxonMobil Guyana, the government of Guyana, our co-venturers and the many suppliers that support our operations.Weareexcitedto contribute to Guyana’s energy future and create lasting opportunities for the nation’s growth and prosperity.”

A table used by ExxonMobil Guyana in its EIA depicting the rate at which the FPSO was designed to operate.

ExxonMobil Guyana Production Manager, Mike Ryan

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

Guyana and China

TheDr IrfaanAliledPPP/CGovernmentisplayingwith fire. ThemorethatGuyanaandPresidentAliplaythistricky game of friendship with China, the more there is baiting of America. The PPP/C Government owes its existence in the corridors of power to America, and it is a state that can be smartly reversed. China is a threat to America’s interests; hence, its growing intolerance for China to have any meaningful presence regionally, whichAmerica views as its ownplayground,sotospeak.

PresidentAlivisitsChina,andChineseleaderXiJinping is all smiles and red-carpet welcome. Guyana is being fattenedupforcarefultending;slowmarinatinginthesauces of both short-term and long-term Chinese visions. This country has oil and other natural resource riches in abundance, with possibly even more still to be discovered. China has its eyes on a nice slice of those, with lips drooling at the prospect. Guyana is within this hemisphere, which positionsitphysicallyclosetoAmerica,andforChinathatis apricelessboon.

The commercial prospects for state-owned Chinese firms in non-natural resource sectors are also vibrant with rich potential, and the men from the distant East gear up for action,toseizeopportunities.

AllthismakesChinaacompetitorofsignificantstrength in Guyana toAmerica, and a presence of much geopolitical andgeostrategicpowerinthisarea. ThisisnottoAmerica’s liking, and it is almost a certainty that our partners and helpers from the north have made their position sharply and clearly to President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo. Both have reacted with obedient Boy Scouts’ pledges in public, but nobody is fooled, most of all the Americans. This is because the Chinese presence in Guyana is so broad and deep, to America’s anxiety Though the Chinese are part of the troika that is the ExxonMobil-led consortium exploring andproducinginGuyana’srichoilfields,theveryideahasto be causing some tension inAmerican quarters.Too close for comfort and too tight to keep the Chinese out of the manipulations and schemes that Guyanese suspect to be happeningatsea,andaboutwhichtheyareclueless.

TherealitycouldbethatboththeAmericansandChinese are working together to give Guyana the shaft, while the leaders of these two ferociously competing superpowers are bothtryingtogetthiscountrytochooseoneovertheother It was PresidentAli himself, who said that we do not have the luxury of getting entangled in big power manoeuvres, and that we have to coexist with everyone. The downside of trying to please everyone is that Guyana could end up pleasing no one, with the consequence of doing injustices to itsownprioritiesandinterests.

Americans have always had, and even more so now, the upper hand in the affairs of Guyana. Though this may be officially denied, the records of the distant past and in the more recently interlude of 2019-2020, stand as powerful testimony of the dominant role of America in Guyana’s domestic matters. Because America has involved it so much,andgivensomuch,toGuyana,thereistheexpectation that it will be the sole power player in this country With massive quantities of now proven oil reserves, Guyana assumes still more significance in American visions and calculations, especially when consideration is given to negative Middle East and other developments. This means thatthereislessandlesspatienceforChinatohaveanykind ofpresenceinthelocalenvironment.

Itiswhyweharbourconcernsthattheslipperygamethat the PPP/C Government is playing could backfire in its face. Thefactthat,thoughPresidentAliandVicePresidentJagdeo were called to Washington for urgent conversations with Secretary of State Blinken, and it was still found necessary for him to come here not many months later, indicates that the Americans are unsettled. It is not over energy or food security, or any other security Instead, it had to be about America’s deep insecurity over China’s big footprint here. Time is not on the PPP/C Government’s side: its leadership willhavetopickone:ChinaorAmerica,soon.

Where is the COI into the Mahdia dormitory fire?

and run dormitory, in effect trulynationalresponse. Eleven weeks have

DEAREDITOR,

absolving the State of any Where is the

l Where are the terms of that ripped through the General (retired) Joe Singh responsibility In the referenceintothefireandthe dormitory at Mahdia on 22 to lead a Commission of intervening six weeks, the wider conditions at the May2023,takingthelivesof Inquiry (COI) into the media also reported that the school that led up to this 20 young Indigenous Mahdiafire. Regional Executive Officer tragedy?We also ask that the students and injuring many In the intervening six gave permission for the members of the COI be others, plunging families, weeks, parents of the 20 charred remains of the persons who are trusted by communities and a country victims were made to sign a dormitory to be used to fill the affected communities intomourning. legal contract as having potholesonMahdia’sroads. and by the citizens of

passed since the deadly fire appointment of Major

An Indigenous teenager received G$5M (USD It is difficult to find Guyana. has been charged with 20 $25,000) as full and final words to describe this Sincerely, counts of murder and is compensation for the death- situation. We are truly lost if Janette Bulkan beingheldonremand. by-burning of their child a tragedy on the scale of Danuta Radzik

Six weeks have passed (ren) in a government-built Mahdia cannot provoke a Alissa Trotz

Chief Kokoi stands with Chinese Landing residents

DEAREDITOR, temporarily leaves in place support. villages. Not much has It was quite encouraging the threats to the village The failure of the changed since; our t o m e t o h e a r t h e residents’ right to peaceful government to address communities have become announcement of the life, a healthy environment, mining issues in Indigenous mere bystanders while Government on going into safe drinking water, self- territories is quite obvious miners decimate our lands the Village of Chinese determination, and free prior and clear And that is the and resources There are Landing to deal with the and informed consent reason the IACHR got other similar instances in miningissue,especiallyafter (FPIC),amongothers. involved. They got involved I s s e n e r u a n d o t h e r noactionwastakenforyears All of the above goes because the rightful owners communities. and years by relevant against the human rights of ofthesaidlandswroteletters I want Toshao Fernandes agencies and bodies, such as IndigenousPeoples,thelaws of complaints. We will have and the residents of Chinese the Ministry of Amerindian of Guyana, and international to wait and see if the Landing to know, I am very Affairs, GGMC, and the law, much of which Guyana recommendations handed much in support of them. National Toshaos Council has ratified in human rights down by the Commission Don’t give up. To the sisters (NTC). treaties incorporated in Art. will be taken seriously So and brothers from Isseneru,

Our sisters and brothers 154A of the Constitution of far, it looks like not – the Arau, Upper Mazaruni, and in Chinese Landing have Guyana. Yet for decades, government is telling the other villages, let’s stand been pulling their hair out nothingwasdone. people of Chinese Landing together for our future over their inability to walk To compound the they are not there to address generations. We see the vast freely in their own lands for atrocious activities of the the first two of the destruction taking place yearsandyears. miners, the Guyana Police Commission’s request, only before our eye. Let’s not

But what is worrying is have joined in the the“reporting”part. allowthemtofurtherdestroy thatthe‘halting’ofminingis bandwagon of the miners We h a v e s i m i l a r our sacred lands. I am not going to be done on a and the authorities. Instead experiences in the South sayingthatwemustnotwork ‘temporary basis ’ What of Protection and Service, Rupununi. Two years ago, with the government of the exactlydoesthatmean? the police have threatened a we complained to GGMC day Surely we can, but they

The residents of Chinese peaceful people. Would the about mining issues at have to show us the same Landing are very clear in ministers of the Government Marudi After a few respect as any other human demanding that they do not allow themselves to be meetings and one where being. wantanymoredestructionto treatedlikethis? there were heated exchanges To the government, stop their lands, territory and WhereistheNTC,which between our leaders and your destructive ways r e s o u r c e s ( A r t 2 6 , claims they represent the miners, GGMC went away Engage our people in UNDRIP), culture, way of Indigenous Peoples, in all saying they intended to constructive dialogue and life, which includes farming this? They are very loud in resolve these problems. We for once put the interest of and freely moving around supporting the Carbon were later informed that an our people first and within their territory (149G Credit scheme with its faulty agreement was signed foremost. Stop dividing us, oftheConstitution). process. The Chinese between the miners and tryingtofoolus,treatingasif

To stop the mining only Landing case requires NTC GGMC excluding our (Continued on page 5)

Amputee needs help receiving disability grant

DEAREDITOR, months then to what should he has problems now also the patients since it will cost

There are some issues I beeverysixmonths. with his speech from his them less. His wife has to really don’t know to whom I But his wife, Amanda illness. help lift a 175-lb or more can send it to so I am writing Figueira, who has been They want him to go to manfromawheelchairintoa thislettertoventsomeofour collecting the funds on his Georgetown to verify his car and spend $10,000 to frustration. behalf, kept enquiring about story. take him to Georgetown and

Mr. Carlos Figueria, who it since March 2023 only to Now there is no problem home. is an amputee subject to be told it’s not ready, it’s not withthemwantingtodothat. My problem is to wheelchair, receives ready

I am sure there are lots of imagine at elections’ time, disability funds from the Yesterday, they called to scams out there. However, if the leading political party government for which the advise that the funds finally the wife explains that he officials go house to house. familyisgrateful. arrived but they needed to cannot walk and has no one Why can’t they do it now to H o w e v e r , t h e talk to the client personally, toassist, assist those who are distributing of the funds whichtheydid.Heexplained whydon’ttheysendouta disabled? changed from every three that he is in a wheelchair and teamtothehomesofsomeof Wendeline Persaud

African Guyanese need to Address their Challenges to Development

DEAREDITOR, The biggest question decades of its earlier rule, to by African Guyanese, influences in the PPP during the leadership of the PPP, he August 2023 marks which for me should adopt policies which accompanied by perceived i t s e a r l y y e a r s i n birthed the PNC (he another month, another year dominate contemporary stimulateinvestmentandjob discriminatory economic Government in the 1950s. originally tried to steal the passed since the official discussions has been why creation,toconsiderthestate policies against African (pgs. 160-65; West On Trial) nameofthePPPitself)asthe emancipation of Africans after close to 200 years, of our welfare as this relates Guyanese-dominated (African Guyanese who vehicle to break away and from slavery in 1833. It many African Guyanese, to our ability of our incomes communities and villages. continue to support the PNC compete for power with the offers another opportunity particularly those in the to meet the financial Withtheexceptionofthe56- today unwittingly play into PPP, the very party and for African Guyanese to outlying regions, still live in demands managing our day strike in 1999 which the hands of the politics of government in which he was contemplate their origins, economically depressed households, the adequacy of resulted in the then PPP-led ethnic division of the British securelyentrenched. the humiliation, and struggle conditions where many are which have been reduced to administration capitulating back in the 1950’s, even as Burnham’s history of bytheirancestorsagainstthe burdened with the challenge insignificant amounts on its stance of unilateral this has been abandoned by dictatorship, electionsoppressive and degrading of starting and running their through gross economic imposition of salary the British and remains a rigging and marginalization system of slavery instituted own businesses, finding mismanagement on the part increases for public servants very destructive force of Indians Guyanese are a bytheBritish. Theprincipal proper jobs, looking after of the PNC during its earlier that year, a practice which today.) Burnham had matter of public knowledge, concern I have regarding their families and ensuring 28-year dictatorial stint in remains the modus operandi become enamored by the but his politics of slavery is the apparent that their children acquire government. of the his administration idea of the British of him marginalization of Indian unwillingness for our basic secondary education Indeed, history has today,littlehasbeeneffected leading either the PPP Guyanese unfortunately governments to make qualifications necessary to proven that the greatest by public service unions via splitting to form another became part of African reparations a national issue acquire jobs. The answer to disaster African Guyanese recoursetoourcourtstohave party to vie for office in Guyanese culture as they andinitiatedialoguewiththe this is rooted in the fact that have endured is having none government comply with Guyana,andhavingimbibed w e r e i r r a t i o n a l l y United Kingdom and any the condition of African other than Burnham himself regulations or recommend onthepoliticsofdictatorship conditioned to see Indian other nations which our G u y a n e s e s i n c e as a leader, along with those arbitration in the face of in Russia at the time, Guyanese as competitors lawyers through research Independence has been due who followed him As government’s willful employed subversive both politically and can determine Guyana can to the failure of our leaders brilliant and gifted as disregard of regulations Machiavellian tactics to economically. Having make a substantive claim. and politicians, beginning Burnham was, he was pertaining to salary breakawayfromthePPP endured tremendous

Keep St. Ann’s orphanage open!

DEAREDITOR, been in short supply in The St Ann’s Home Guyana. which has provided a safe Itwouldbeanindictment haven for girls for 172 years against the local Catholic is said to be closing because diocese if it cannot find the of the shrinking number of human resources necessary Ursaline Sisters and the toensurethatthedoorsofSt. difficulty in obtaining good Ann’s remain open for girls caregivers. Both are pitiful seeking care and protection. excuses. Closing St Ann’s Home

There are sufficient makes a mockery of numbers of capable Catholic synodality and its concepts and non-Catholic Lay of participation and copersons to assume the responsibility management of the home. Yours truly, Good caregivers have never Famil Rodrigo

Chief Kokoi stands with...

From page 4

The British compensated with Forbes Burnham and poisoned by the politics of negotiations for public As chairman of the economic and social cost at their slave owners for the the PNC under its socialist c o m m u n i s m a n d servants. My contention People’s Progressive Party the hands of Burnham and ‘loss’ of their slaves which agenda to properly manage dictatorship as mechanisms overthelastfiveyearsisthat backinthe1950’s,insteadof what remains of the PNC resultedfromemancipation. our economy over the for acquiring and retaining the PNC, which exerts holding fast with Dr Jagan even during their recent power/leadership. Thecosts tremendous influence on our and the PPP against the 2 0 1 5 - 2 0 r e i g n i n of his and the PNC’s public service unions, by not British insurgent forces who government, Indian economic mismanagement actively ensuring that this toppled the government of Guyanese will likely never were severe, and in addition issue was resolved during its the PPP in October 1953 againvoteforthePNCinthe toretardedeconomicgrowth 2015-20stint,hasnointerest (Pgs 124-125; West on foreseeable future, as much under their government up indeliveringrelieftoAfrican Trial), Burnham became as they have suffered under until 1992, resulted in the Guyanese in the public intoxicated by examples of Jagdeo and the PPP The dramatic loss in value of our service,butinsteadiskeento Soviet dictators Lenin and massofthePNCwhich currency which fell from keep public servants under- Stalin. After failing to seize (Continued on page 6) G$3.00: US$1.00 in 1983 to paid and financially G$125: US$1.00 by the time distressedtowhipupsupport they left office in 1992, for itself at national deteriorating further to elections. ThePNChasbeen around G$201: US$1.00 by and remains the cause of the end of 2005. This loss in s y s t e m a t i c u n d e rvalue of the Guyana dollar development of African translated into severe bouts Guyanese. Its origins were of inflation as the cost of rooted in morally corrupt, importing everything from anti-socialideas,thedevious food stuff to machinery rose perversion and desire of steeply, sending many Forbes Burnham to acquire Guyaneseintopoverty power at all costs at the This was followed by the encouragement of the then J a g d e o - l e d P P P British Government. He administration’s vicious became an embarrassing policy of exacting political political pawn of the British spite and economic intheirfailedattempttosave oppression of public Guyana from perceived servants, largely dominated communist political

we are dunces, doling out grants to try to make us feel we are dependent on you, attacking anyone who does not agree with yourpolicyordecisions.Weareawareofhowyouaretreating our other Guyanese sisters and brothers where the oil and gas andrelatedissuesareconcerned.

Finally, to all who are given Chinese Landing much needed support, the international community, theAPA, thank youverymuchforallthatyouhavedone,andwelookforward toworkingwithyouandyourcontinuedsupport. Chief Kokoi.

African Guyanese need to Address...

From page 5

unemployment insurance, and establishing a remains today still continues in the basic programme of re-education of Guyanese philosophy and ideas of political control of failed by the education system administered Burnham, today standing in embarrassment bythePPPgovernment. at having attempted to once again return IfthereisanythingthatAfricanGuyanese Guyanatodictatorshipin2020. should consider setting themselves to

The challenge for African Guyanese achieving, it would be this, since todayistorejectthebrutal,cruelnatureofthe accomplishing this would be the surest way incompetent, dictatorial politics and to combat what I consider the greatest historical ethnic incitement of the PNC, and obstacletoeconomicandsocialadvancement strive to create better, stronger, productive of they and many other Guyanese today, bonds and relationships with Indian BharratJagdeoandthePPP Guyanese. When Indian Guyanese can Happy Emancipation 2023 to African finally satisfy themselves that African Guyanese. Remembering that a house Guyanese are no longer a political or divided will fall, may we resolve throw off economic threat, then the opportunity arises the chains of fear, mental slavery and ethnic for Guyana to finally create new national divisionfoisteduponusbythePNCandPPP, leaders and build a new political party strong to unite with our Indian brothers and sisters, enough to beat the PPP and offer new and our native Amerindians, to live up to the better government to Guyanese with policies virtues of the motto that has so long escaped aimed at delivering a strong governance us,whoweare: One People, One Nation, One framework for managing our oil wealth and Destiny othernaturalresources, raisingourincomes, Yours faithfully, increasing pensions, stimulating investment Craig Sylvester, and job creation, providing welfare and Https://dncgy.org

Former

Pakistan PM Imran Khan barred from politics for 5 years

Aljazeera - Former Pakistani prime minister

Imran Khan has been barred frompoliticsforfiveyears.

K h a n , w h o w a s sentenced in a corruption case over the weekend, was disqualified in line with his conviction, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in an order on Tuesday

“Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi is disqualified for a period of five years,” it said. Khan’s constituency would nowstandvacant,itsaid. and taken to a prison near arrest warrants Unless Under Pakistani law, a Islamabad. overturned, the conviction convicted person cannot run Khan’s legal team has will rule him out of for any public office for a filed an appeal seeking to set contesting upcoming perioddefinedbytheECP aside the guilty verdict, elections. The reaction to

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan [File: Anjum Naveed/AP Photo]

“We knew this was which the Islamabad High Khan’sjailingsofarhasbeen inevitable,” Khan’s aide Court will take up on vastly different to the Zulfikar Bukhari told the Wednesday, his lawyer outpouring of rage that Reuters news agency, saying NaeemPanjuthasaid. followedhisfirstarrest,even the party will challenge the The petition seen by on social media, with half as disqualification in high Reuters described the many Facebook posts court “We’re highly conviction as “without mentioningKhan’sname. confident it will be lawfulauthority,taintedwith “The muted response to reversed,”hesaid. bias”,andsaidKhan,70,had his arrest is because of the

Imran Khan says his not received an adequate full-throttle crackdown on arrest is an ‘attack on hearing. PTI workers after the first democracy’ It said the court had arrest,” columnist Usama Khan, who has denied rejected a list of witnesses Khilji told the AFP news any wrongdoing, was for the defence a day before agency sentenced to three years reaching its verdict, calling “The arrests of PTI imprisonment on Saturday this a “gross travesty of workers post the May arrest for misdeclaration of assets justice, and a slap in the face of ImranKhan,coupledwith he received from foreign ofdueprocessandfairtrial”. draconian laws passed in countries during the time he The court had expedited haste by [the coalition was prime minister from thetrialafterKhanrefusedto government], have had a 2018 to 2022 He was attend hearings despite chilling effect on Pakistani arrested at his Lahore house repeated summonses and citizens.”

Election watchdog order says Khan disqualified in line with his conviction for misdeclaration of assets

Govt. seeking $1.5B more to rehabilitate abandoned lands at four GuySuCo estates

Afterreceiving$4billionthisyearinthe National Assembly to support the ailing sugar sector, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) is seeking an addition $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of abandoned lands at the four Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)estates.

According to the third financial paper submittedtotheNationalAssemblythatwill bedebatedtoday,theAgricultureMinistryis seekingatotalof$5,610,000,000.

Notably, the $1.5 billion in additional revenuewillbeutilizedtorehabilitate1,572 hectares of temporary abandoned lands at Albion, Blairmont, Rose Hall and Uitvlugt Estates.

Additionally, the Ministry is seeking $2.5billionaddedresourcesfortheNational Drainage and IrrigationAuthority (NDIA); $437.8millionfortheNationalAgricultural ResearchInstituteand$25.4millionforthe Guyana Marketing Corporation. It noted that the resources would support its expandedworkprogramme.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has requested $4 billion more for urgent drainage and irrigation works in Regions Two, Three, Four,Fiveand10.

It is also seeking $100 million more to facilitatepasturedevelopmentbytheGuyana LivestockDevelopmentAuthority(GLDA).

The additional resources will be scrutinized by the Opposition in Parliament today

Itmustbenotedthatdespitebillionsbeing pumped into the sugar sector over the past years, the industry has been consistently declining.

During the Budget debates earlier this year, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha revealed plans to reshuffle the management team to ensure production is boostedthisyear

OppositionMembershadraisedconcerns overtheconstantfailureofthesectortomeet production targets earlier this year, while pointing to the large investments into the industry

The sugar sector is estimated to have declinedby18.9percentin2022,withsugar production for the year totaling 47,049 tonnes. Government said this performance waslargelyduetothelingeringeffectsofthe 2021 floods, which caused lower yields per hectare and reduced cane quality, as well as technical challenges encountered in the first halfof2022.

Thisyear,theadministrationbelievesthat the subsector is projected to recover and expandbysome29.3percent,asexpressedby FinanceMinister,Dr AshniSinghduringthe presentationofthe2023Budget.

The Bank of Guyana (BoG) in its first quarter Report for 2023 reported that the sugar sector increased by 14.7 percent to 10,003 metric tons, when compared to the same period, last year The Bank said this performance was as a result of favourable weatherconditions,whichprovidedforbetter qualitycaneandforeasierharvesting.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

How many more will have to die?

Another horrific road with the Tundras and other This study should management systems can Instead, therefore of accident has occurred. On expensivevehiclesarenotso involveexpertsfromvarious help regulate traffic flow, resorting to sudden and Monday night, four persons compelled. fields, to comprehensively optimize signal timings at drastic police interventions, lost their lives when a motor What is needed is a analyze the factors traffic lights, and detect athoughtfulapproachrooted truckcollidedwithacar comprehensive road contributingtoaccidents.By speeding or reckless driving. in careful analysis and

This tragic incident adds management plan that is collecting and analyzing Closed-circuit television planning is essential. With a to the grim statistics of road implemented,monitoredand relevant data, authorities can ( C C T V ) c a m e r a s more enlightened approach, die before a comprehensive accidents and road traffic enforced by a broad-based gain a clearer understanding strategically placed along our roads can be made safer, plan is developed? Let us fatalities that continue team and not simply left to of the dynamics behind the main road arteries can aid in lives can be saved and waitandsee! unabated Over the past theGuyanaPoliceForce.Ifit spikeinroadaccidents. monitoring and enforcing injuries and damage to (The views expressed in weekend, three more lives accepted that the causes of Based on the findings of traffic rules. Citizens are propertyavoided. this article are those of the werelosttoroadaccidents. roadaccidentsanddeathsare the study, the next step is to already playing a part by It is time for authorities author and do not

Each day witnesses a multifaceted, then one create a comprehensive road supply videos from their totakedecisivestepstostem necessarily reflect the distressing number of agency alone would not be safety plan.This plan should dash-cams of irresponsible the tide of road accidents. o p i n i o n s o f t h i s serious crashes and fender able to implement and focus on both short-term and useoftheroadsbymotorists. Howmanymorewillhaveto newspaper.) benders. The causes of the enforce an effective road long-term measures. Shortaccidents are many, managementplan. termmeasuresmightinclude including reckless driving To develop such a plan enhanced and sustained and use of the country’s requiresdelvingintotheroot traffic enforcement, the use roadways. But it is also causes of road accidents. of technology to intercept evident that the country’s Thereareanumberoffactors traffic violations and more road network cannot cope which have to be taken into public awareness campaigns with the exponential account Guyana’s road to promote responsible increase in motor vehicles infrastructure, struggles to driving The heavy-duty and especially the surge in cope with the sheer volume vehicles issue should also be heavy duty vehicles such as of vehicular traffic addressed through stricter trucks. Inadequate road design, regulations of their

Urgent action is required maintenance, and signage operations, improved driver to address this alarming can lead to confusion among training and limiting the trend. Over the next few drivers and increase the roads and hours on which weeks, the commuting likelihoodofaccidents. theycantravel. public can expect to see The presence of heavy- For the long-term, the numerouspoliceroadblocks duty vehicles, often driven authorities may wish to with vehicles being stopped recklessly, poses a focus on infrastructure and inspected for defects. significant threat to road improvements. Roads need The speed guns squads will safety Persons driving to be designed and be out to ticket speeding under the influence and maintained to accommodate motorists A great many s p e e d i n g a r e a l s o the increasing volume of charge sheets will be written contributory factors A vehicles. But this does not and, as usual, after a while, number of new persons have mean more four-lane the campaign will subside been licensed to drive on our highways We cannot and the craziness will roads, and one has to continue to build four lane resume. question whether any of highways along aide

The solution to the them may have acquired residential areas. We cannot carnage on our roads does their certification through continue to approve of not lie in sudden police corruptmeans. businesses along the crackdowns. The police can The first step towards country’s main highways be very selective at times, as devising an effective andpublicroads. is being alleged at present. solution to the road accident Technology offers Some motorists are claiming crisis is conducting a promising avenues to that they have had to remove thorough and meticulous enhance road safety. theirtintswhilethe‘big-one’ study. I n t e l l i g e n t t r a f f i c

Dem Boys Seh...

De roads are now dread!

Lang ago, hitting the road used to be a ifitganbedelasttimeyuhganseedem. joy De wind used to be in your hair and yuh Yuhnahknowwhetheryuhganmekitto used to enjoy de drive. People used to tek yuh destination or will meet yuh Final dem family fuh a lil cruise pon a Sunday Destination. With all dem stunt drivers pon afternoon. de road is enough fuh give yuh heart attack

But dese days is nuff dreadness pon de pon de road. Every trip pon de road is like a road. Deh ain’t gat nothing like a cruise potentialfarewelltour anymore. People honking dem horns at yuh RoadaccidentsarenowRussianroulette. and yuh gat to be dodging dem big truck and With de wildness pon de road, yuh might trying fuh evade dem daredevils wah beatdegrimreapertodemorgue. weavinginandoutoftraffic.

Everygreenlightisasmallvictory,every Dese days, yuh gat to prepare yuh Last near-miss is a heart-pounding reminder of Will and Testament when yuh leffing de your mortality, and every successful road house. Because yuh nah know whether yuh tripislikeatestofsurvival. gan return home alive. Yuh does gat to hug So buckle up and stay in yuh corner and and kiss yuh children and yuh wife because drivesafe! with de madness pon de road, yuh nah know Talk half. Leff half.

Attack on the media

So,VicePresidentJagdeohasa problem with a SN editorial. It offends his sense of fairness, balance, and justice. Imagine that fromsucharenownedfigureasthis good brother of mine. Indeed, he has earned for himself the renown of someone who has a special version of truth, which alone must stand.

Iprocessedhisbittercomplaint: ‘itisifweneverdidanythingright’; amidthestridency,therewasalsoa pitiful whine to that lament Unsaid and unexhumed are the huge excesses, the many wrongsinstitutional gutting, pretenses at truth, avoidance of truth, full-out secrets, cover-ups, evasions, disingenuousness, and the lightningblastsandrollingthunder ofsilence.

Silence blinding, silence deafening about what is really goingoninthisterritory Likeoil. S&P (‘please don’t holler pon dem’) just said that Guyana’s proven reserves at least double what is shared now Mouth open, story jump out. But not out of Exxon, brother Jagdeo’s godfather and almighty father I have been saying it, and ask it again: What’s really the full story with this patrimony, inclusive of reserves,

expenses,andotheritemsthatcost us(scalp)big?

Then, what about the cost of living,Dr Jagdeo? ShouldSN,and I (and other Guyanese) look the otherway,whentherearesomany “high income” people in this land hustling to see if they can scratch out a meal and a snack, if they are resourceful, by the end of the day, andeveryday?

Guyanese existing with constant economic pain is neither figmentofimagination,population fragment, nor phantoms. With all theloanstaken,andtobetaken,and thehundredsofmillionsofYankee dollarsfromtheOilFund,whyare theseGuyanesehungryandneedy? Andfaintfromfear,frustration,too littlefoodintheirstomachs,lessto givetheirchildren?

Since time immemorial, Dr Jagdeo’sragehasbeenthestandard responseofpotentatesandpathetic politicalleaders. BrotherJisaking in that company, but one with an abundance of sores, and pus to match.

Theysoundbad,smellbad,and look bad. In essence: strangling messenger and mangling messages. Because I am wearing my missionary cap nowadays, I extendahandtomyflayingfellow

citizen,forthemoreheflaysaway, themorehemuddiesthewatersand himself.

Instead of an expensive dual role-defensive and attack dogpropaganda machinery to mislead and deceive the nation further, govern correctly, lead cleanly, speakopenly,standhonourablyand 90% of the differences evaporate. The independent media then has nothing with suspicious substances,orofatoxicnature,ora corrupt stench, on which to report, or express a clashing position. Truth is the best defence; plus sanitizer; has genuine aroma. People are moved to support. Thinking Guyanese people, not rabid,dewy-eyedpartyfanatics. I could boost, but brother Jagdeo’s output must withstand scrutiny Itcan’tbejustbecausehe saidso,itisso. Itisnotjustabout splashy numbers, but what was behind them, meaning how spent, and who and what were favoured, orignored. Thepainofthepeople isthepainofarealleader It’shis truth, his mantle, his agitations in the right direction, and before the properexternalfaces.

As I observe Dr Jagdeo’s balefulcondemnationofthemedia, I go back just over 20 years to the

cityofBoston,andtherearemany eerie parallels. I spent two years there Boston has a majority Catholic population; it is the only one among the huge American metropolitan cities. Many of the powerbrokersandthoseinthevast public service network were Catholics. Police, prosecutors, judges, social workers, the legislative and political class, and soforth.

When the Boston Globe began toreportandreportmoreonsexual abusebypriestsandcover-ups,the church’s response was a single wordslur:anti-Catholic. Thiswas followedbythecontentiousnessof falsehoods, exaggerated, overwrought,sensationalized. The reality behind the scenes was of bishops, archbishops, and even cardinals doing their profane best to sweep crimes under the carpet. Sounds like the PPP Government withsomanythings,doesn’tit?

Secrecy reigned, denials abounded,victimspaidoff,records sealed. Sounds like the PPP Government, doesn’t it? Known predatory priests were protected, transferredtootherareas,andtheir crimesminimized. Soundslikethe PPPGovernment,doesn’tit? Inthe instanceofthePPPGovernment,it

i s n ot just for sexual violations, but financial ones, oily ones, and governance ones, too Trust violated,citizensscarred,believing people hurt, just as I saw firsthand inBoston.

TheBostonGlobepersistedand prevailedincourt. Slowly,thecivil governance and legal apparatuses, largely Catholic, came around. Truthandjusticehadtheirday Itis a lesson for Guyanese media, and the Guyanese people, especially public servants. It is one for me. Be conscientious, stick to deepseatedconvictions.

There will always be a Vice President, a former president, a currentandformerministertorant, deny,anddenounceothersstanding for the light as dissenters, critics, naysayers, more. Brother Jagdeo did,andsohasHisExcellencyAli. I love these guys like brothers, but itistoughlove.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

Follow Constitution to appoint substantive Commissioner of Police

–OppositionMPurgesPresident

pposition Member of Parliament (MP) and Shadow Minister of Home Affairs of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU +AFC) party Geeta ChandanEdmond has called on President

Irfaan Ali to follow the relevant constitutional guidelines to appoint a substantive Commissioner of Police

Chandan-Edmond’s call comes hoursafterthePresidentannounced he had extended Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken’s tenure inofficetoadatetobedetermined

Hicken turned 55 (the age of retirement) last month but the President told reporters on Monday that he had requested that he continues to occupy the office until furthernotice

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chandan-Edmond, an attorney and former Magistrate

noted that the extension comes amidst complaints about an alarming increase in crime by local andinternationalorganisations

Assuch,Chandan-Edmondsaid that she strongly disagrees with the decision

“The decision has been made againstthebackdropofapoliticized policeforce Iftheaforementioned arenotenoughtorenderthedecision egregious, the disregard for constitutionalprocessthatsurrounds the appointment of a Police Commissioner,oughttodoso”

The Shadow Home Affairs Minister reminded that the Constitution speaks to the appointmentofasubstantivePolice Commissioner after meaningful consultation with the Leader of Opposition

She said “It is expected that the President will activate the consultation process in accordance

withArticle211oftheConstitution soonest, and, there being no impediment for the President to proceed on the appointment of substantivePoliceCommissioner”

Chandan-Edmond added: “Given the state of affairs of the insecuritythatnowgripsthenation, thePresidentwouldbewelladvised to reverse this decision and induce public confidence by following the constitutional steps to have a competent substantive Police Commissionerinplace”

Hicken has been acting in the positionofCommissionerofPolice sinceMarch2022 Hetookchargeof thePoliceForceaftertheretirement of Deputy Commissioner, Nigel Hoppie,whowasalsoactinginthat post

On Monday, the Guyana Police Force(GPF)Communication’sUnit in a press release to the media said that the actingTop Cop’s extension

of tenure by the President is indicativeoftheconfidencereposed inhim

“The President’s decision to extend Mr Clifton Hicken’s tenure is a clear message that he has full confidence in Hicken’s competencies, professionalism and abilities to continue leading the GuyanaPoliceForce,”theGPFsaid in its release The GPF also lauded Hicken for his leadership and dedication to the role of CommissionerofPolice(ag)

In its statement, the GPF described Hicken as a very proactiveindividual,wellknownforhis transformational leadership qualities

“Hispassionanddriveingetting youths and members of the public involved in the process of policing has seen tremendous results,” the statementread

“Since assuming the leadership

of the Force about 16 months ago, the infrastructural landscape of the Guyana Police Force has improved and continues to change which has seen enhanced accommodation at barracks,newpolicestationsandthe sprucing up of the general police environs, all of which are being supported by the Government of Guyana,”theGPFsaid

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Geeta Chandan-Edmond

Mahdiadormfirevictimimproving steadilyatNewYorkHospital

The 12-year-old girl, who was flown to NewYorkforfurthertreatmentfollowingthe deadly Mahdia dormitory fire, is making significant progress and is on her road to recovery Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony recently visited the girl at the hospital,wherehewasgivenanupdateonthe girl’sconditionandtreatment.

Quoting a release issued by the Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that Director of SIUH, Michael Cooper, MD, said that “The patient suffered second and third degree burns to approximately40percentofherbody…Her injuries required extensive skin graft surgeries, 24/7 pain management, physical therapyandcounselling.”

Speaking of the child’s recovery stage, Vice President of Northwell Health’s Centre for Global Health, Dr Eric Cioe Peña, MD said “To see her smile is emotional. The physical recovery is the first part, but the psychological recovery is so important and canbeevenharderwithemotionalscars.This child’srecoveryisasignofhopeforGuyana and, God willing, will help the healing processforthecountry.”

According to the release, the girl has beguntowalkabout10to15feet,butdoctors would like to get her to walk around 40 feet

beforedischargingher,whichwilllikelybein afewweeks.

In preparation for her return to Guyana, theteamdiscussedthenextstepsintransition of care and their commitment to making the integration as seamless as possible between thetwoinstitutions.

AccordingtoMinisterAnthony,“Wehad anationaltragedy,butIwasgladtoseeher today. When she left Guyana, she was unconscious,andtodaysheissmiling.Over the last couple of weeks, she has made significantprogress.”

MinisterAnthony thanked the staff at Northwell for the care, experience and expertisetotreatthechild.

Kaieteur News had reported that the teen wasoneoftwocriticalvictimsoftheMahdia Secondary School’s female dormitory fire who was medically evacuated to the United Statesfortreatment.

Before being flown overseas, the Health Ministry had stated that the girl underwent two surgeries at the Georgetown Public HospitalCorporation(GPHC)andthoughher condition improved steadily, it was deemed necessary that she be transferred to the American hospital “This transfer was deemed necessary out of an abundance of precautionandmadeinthebestinterestofthe patient,”theministryhadexplained.

Guyana signs MoU with Dominican Republic for 50K barrel per day refinery

GuyanaandtheDominicanRepublictook a significant step in energy cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday The MoU focuses on identifying competent public or private entitiesfrombothnationseagertoconstructan oil refinery in Guyana This refinery is projected to have a refining capacity of a minimumof50,000barrelsofcrudeoildaily

As per the agreement, the Dominican Government, potentially along with private investors,willholdamajorityshareofatleast 51% It is noteworthy that the Guyanese Government has opted not to seek a shareholderstakeinthisventure

TheMoUfurtherelaboratesonthepricing forthelightcrudesupplytotherefinery The price, which will be finalized during further negotiations,willbesetfora30-yearduration Moreover, the two countries will collaborate todecideonthemostoptimallocationforthe refinerywithinGuyana

PresidentDr IrfaanAliandLuisAbinader CoronaoftheDominicanRepublicendorsed the MoU, emphasizing the pressing need for theRegiontoensureareliableandsteadyfuel supply,aidinginthegrowthofbothcountries, CARICOM,andthebroaderCaribbean.

The shared sentiment is that the Dominican Republic can leverage Guyana’s

sovereign natural resources, benefiting CARICOM members and other Caribbean nations Bothcountriesarealsoalignedintheir vision of fostering energy security through mutual cooperation, which will resonate throughout CARICOM and the Caribbean region.

Bothleadershavealsoacknowledgedthat the potential refinery holds promise for CARICOM and the Caribbean at large It is believed that it could bolster regional energy security, diminish reliance on external fuel sources, and spur industrial and economic growthinnearbynations Thesuccessofthis project may also present benefits for other Caribbeancountries.

TheMoU,validforfiveyearsandsubject to automatic renewal, also underscores a lasting commitment between the nations However, termination can be initiated by either party with a six-month notice prior to theexpiration

Indeed, this collaboration hints at Guyana’s broader energy ambitions, as it markstheirsecondpursuitofanoilrefinery It should be noted that the government is currently evaluating bids for a modular refinery which would be designed to use 30,000barrelsofoilperdailyfromtheoil-rich StabroekBlock.

Public debt becomes a burden when it grows too

A recently published reportbytheUnitedNations (UN) is warning developing countries, like Guyana, that

fast –UNwarnsdevelopingcountries

public debt becomes a burden when it grows too fast. The report, ‘A World of

Debt: A growing burden to prosperity’wasproducedby the UN Global Crisis Response Group and

releasedinJuly2023.

TheUNgroupexplained that public debt can be vital for development, some

Governments use it to finance their expenditures, to protect and invest in their people,andtopavetheirway to a better future – it was stated in the report However,itwasnotedthatit canalsobeaheavyburden.

“It can also be a heavy burden, when public debt grows too much or too fast. This is what is happening today across the developing world Public debt has reached colossal levels,” it wasstatedinthereport.

According to the UN group two contributing factors to high public debt today, is as a result of loans that were borrowed to fend off the impact of cascading crises on development: including the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and climate change. The other factor, the group said is an inequal international financial architecture makes developingcountries’access to financing inadequate and expensive.

“The weight of debt drags down development. Debt has been translating into a substantial burden for developing countries due to limited access to financing, rising borrowing costs, currency devaluations and sluggish growth These factors compromise their ability to react to emergencies, tackle climate change and invest in their people and their future,” the reportsaid.

On Tuesday, Kaieteur N e w s reported that developingcountrieshaveto pay much higher interest rates when they borrow monies. The report stated that the burden of debt on development is intensified by a system that constrains developing countries access

to development finance and pushesthemtoborrowfrom more expensive sources, i n c r e a s i n g t h e i r vulnerabilitiesandmakingit even harder to resolve debt crises.

In addition, it was said that when developing countries borrow money, they have to pay much higher interest rates compared to developed countries, even without considering the costs of exchangeratefluctuations. In the report, a comparisonwasdoneforthe bond yields (2022-2023) between developing countries and developed countries. It showed that countries like the United States and Germany had interest rates of 3.1% and 1.5%respectively Whereas, for developing countries in Asia and Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa, interest rates rangedfrom6.5%to11.6%.

Just last week, the National Assembly approved a US$3 billion hike to Guyana’s domestic public and external debt ceilings, which will allow the country to borrow more money

Guyana’s domestic public debt ceiling was increasedto$750billion,up from$500billion,andanew external borrowing ceiling of $900 billion, after its last increase to $650 billion. Notably, Guyana’s previous debt ceilings were last i n c r e a s e d b y t h e GovernmentbackinJanuary 2021.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr AshniSingh–whotabled theMotiontofurtherraisethe debtceilings–indicatedthat

6-year-old

Brothersdiein Moblissahousefire

Two brothers, ages 6 and 3, died in a fire at Moblissa, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway onTuesday Dead are 6-year-old Demario Skellekie and his 3year-oldbrother,DebronSkellekie.

According to information received, the boys werehomealonewhenafirestartedattheirwooden home. Their mother was reportedly vending but returnedwhilethefirewasdestroyingthehouse.

Attemptstosavethechildrenwerefutile.

The woman is currently in police custody assistingwithinvestigations.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on Tuesday told Kaieteur News that it is investigating thedeadlyfire.

Four die in East Bank smash-up

Guyana and China on new starting point for win-win cooperation and common development – Chinese Ambassador

Following the recent visit by PresidentIrfaanAlitoChina,Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan has said that both countries are on a new starting point for win-win cooperation and common development.

Inapressrelease,theAmbassador said the recent visit is a trip of friendship, cooperation and mutual trust, in which the two sides have further enhanced mutual understanding, synergized development strategies and cooperationideas.

This year marks the 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations betweenChinaandGuyana.

TheChineseAmbassadorsaidthat China and Guyana share a common developmentvisionwhichistoenable theirpeopletoenjoyabetterlife.Both China and Guyana are developing countries, facing the same tasks of development and sharing the urgent desiretoacceleratedevelopment.

“The Chinese people are striving to realize the rejuvenation of the ChinesenationthroughaChinesepath to modernization which assures common prosperity Guyana has embarkedonafastdevelopmenttrack and embraced great historical opportunities Thanks to China’s

advantagesofexperience,technology andcapital,andGuyana’sadvantages ofresources,policiesandlocation,the bilateral cooperation will enjoy even wider space in the field of trade and investment, agriculture, energy, infrastructure and etc , ” the Ambassadorrelated.

Further,Ambassador Haiyan said both countries share the common development concepts of green, lowcarbon development and harmonious coexistencebetweenmanandnature.

She added that both sides have great potential in developing green industries, accelerating technological

innovation and strengthening environmental protection. The two countries, according to Ambassador Haiyan, arereadytoenhancesynergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, formulate cooperation plans to implementtheconsensusoftheheads of state, and achieve tangible results forthebenefitofbothpeoples.

The press release said too that as countries of the Global South, China and Guyana will strengthen coordination on various multilateral platforms, such as the UN Security Council, the Group of 77 and China, the WTO, among others, working together to safeguard the interests of developing countries and uphold multilateralism and international fairnessandjustice.

The two sides will actively seek cooperation under the framework of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, the Ambassadorstated.

“Iamreadytoworkwithyouallto actively implement the outcomes of the visit, promote various follow-up cooperation, and strive for a brighter shared future,” the Ambassador said inherstatement.

Four persons are dead following a two-vehicle crash at Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD)onMondaynight.

Dead are 60-year-old Eric Christopher Thomas, his wife 56-year-oldAnnette Williams, and their daughter Lynette Chappelle,whowasreportedly pregnant, all of Charity Squatting Area, Essequibo Coast,RegionTwoandYvette Domingo,ofMonRepos,East CoastDemerara(ECD).

The accident which occurred on the Craig Public Road also resulted in two persons being injured. The injuredhavebeenidentifiedas Chappelle’s 7-year-old son Keron Chappelle and a 13year-oldcousin.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the accident occurred at around 21:00 hours and involved motor lorry GYY 9560 which wasdrivenbya21-year-oldof Mocha, East Bank Demerara, andmotorcarPPP3034driven by Stanley La Cruise, a 57year-old resident of Mon Repos, Yvette Domingo’s husband.

Thepolicereportedthatthe motorcar,drivenbyLaCruise, was proceeding south along the eastern side of the Craig Public Road with six others in the vehicle. Domingo was in the front passenger seat while Thomas, Williams, Chappelle and the two children were seated in the back of the motorcar

It is alleged that La Cruise made a ‘U-Turn’ from the eastern driving lane onto the westerndrivinglaneand,inthe process, collided with motor lorry GYY 9560, which was proceeding north along the

westernsideofthesaidroad. Videos of the accident showed public-spirited persons attempting to free persons who were trapped in the backseat of the car that crashedintothelorry. After the injured family was removed from the wreckedcar,theywererushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centrealongwiththedriverof the car They were all examinedbyadoctor According to the police, Thomas, and Williams died at the scene of the accident, and Chappellediedwhilereceiving treatment. Domingo died on Tuesday while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Their bodies were later taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting post-mortem examinations.

Notably, while police reported that the two children were treated for their injuries and discharged from the hospital. Kaieteur News was informedthatKeronChappelle isinacriticalcondition.

Moreover, the police reported that the scene was visited by Inspector Ramdas, Sergeant Muhammad and other ranks, who took statements and measurements. One eyewitness provided a statementtothepolice.

Breathalyzer tests were conducted on the driver of the motorlorryandthecarandno trace of alcohol was detected. The lorry and the car were lodged at the police station to be examined, as both drivers arepresentlyinpolicecustody, a s s i s t i n g w i t h t h e investigation.

DEAD: Eric Christopher Thomas DEAD: Lynette Chappelle

DEAD: Annette Williams DEAD: Yvette Domingo

Demario Skellekie and his 3-year-old brother, Debron Skellekie

The debris from the destroyed Moblissa house (News Room Photo)

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan

Public debt becomes a burden when it...

Frompage14

asGuyana’sabilitytoborrowmore increases the Government will return to the NationalAssembly to furtherincreasethedebtceilings. The hike to the debt ceilings was approved following a contentious debate by members of

thegovernmentandopposition. Opposition MPs, Juretha Fernandes, in her objection to the Motion,statedthattherateatwhich the Government is going to incur more debt, it adds a burden on future generations and will be felt the hardest on the working class.

She underscored that one of the most significant dangers faced by oil-dependent country is its vulnerability to oil price fluctuations. The MP said, “If oil price plummets like we have seen in the past, we will be struck by a severerevenueshock.”

However, the Finance Minister argued that given Guyana’s economic outlook, these revisions totheexternalanddomesticpublic debtceilingsareconsistentwiththe

’s long-term debt

He highlights that

performance and the country’s robust economic outlook underpin Guyana’ssustainableabsorptionof the new debt In sum, the Governmentsaiditiscommittedto harnessingGuyana’sdebt-carrying capacity to accelerate its developmentagenda.

Oppositiontablesseveralamendmentstodraftoillaw

be allowed to develop a competitive financial grant system and report annually to the Public Accounts Committeeonitsoperation.

Shadow Minister for the Oil and Gas Industry, David Patterson, on Tuesday submitted a number of proposedamendmentstothe Petroleum Activities Bill 2023 which is set to replace the nation’s 37-year-old oil law

Patterson’s list of proposed amendments calls for the inclusion of a provision to establish a National Petroleum C o m m i s s i o n , a n independentbodythatwould provide independent oversight for the sector,

including the award of exploration and production licences, instead of the minister Patterson’s also reasonedthattheBillshould be armed with provisions thatensurethereistechnical inputforthisbody

Where the draft law caters for oil companies to makefinancialcontributions to social projects, Patterson is arguing that this be reviewed by the Petroleum C o m m i s s i o n a f t e r consultation with relevant groups. Patterson contended thatsuchabodyshouldalso

Patterson’s check-list also raised concerns about provisions in the draft law that allow the minister, with Cabinet’s blessings, to award oil blocks, following direct negotiations with companiesorcountries.The parliamentarian is asking government to adjust this provision to include a requirementfortheapproval of the National Assembly beforealicenceisissued.He said a new clause to this effect can state: “the Minister shall bring to the National Assembly, for approval, a report on the conditions and terms of licencewhichisproposedto be granted” following those one-on-onediscussions.

Withrespecttorevenues,

Patterson called for amendmentstostatethatany signature bonus paid by the licenseeshallbedepositedin full into the consolidated fund in no less than 90 days after receipt and reported to theNationalAssemblyatthe end of the quarter that it is received.

He is also calling for royalty payable to the State bytheholderofapetroleum productiontobeaminimum of 10 percent but capped at 15percent.

Withrespecttoaudits,he said there should be the insertion of a clause which states that, ‘all audits for money deemed cost recoverable under any production licence shall be completed within nine months of the end of each fiscal year.’ He said the ministershouldalsobemade to submit all audit reports to the National Assembly

at the earliest possible timethereafter

Additionally, the Shadow Minister said the law should ensure oil companies have a strict separation between exploration and production activities, costs, and revenues,addingthatthelaw should ensure no revenue from production activities can be charged to explorationactivities.

On environmental matters, Patterson called for there to be a clause that demands the licensee to c o n d u c t p r i o r t o c o m m e n c e m e n t o f operations, and at their own expense, a comprehensive baselinestudyonthefishing stock within the proposed area For additional coverage, he said another clause should state that the licensee shall conduct continuous monitoring

during the lifetime of a licence, the results of such monitoring exercise shall be submitted to the Guyana Fisheries Department and the National Petroleum Commission.

Patterson also proposed that the licensee shall undertake to provide full liability coverage, inclusive of appropriate insurance and a parent company guarantee which shall be in force for each oil field development. He saidcertificatesofinsurance and this parent company guarantee should be lodged on anannual basis with the Environmental ProtectionAgency

Patterson’s amendments were seconded by his colleague Deonarine Ramsaroop, and circulated by the Clerk of the National Assembly

Shadow Oil Minister, David Patterson

- wants Petroleum Commission to oversee award of licences as opposed to minister - calls for royalty to be as high as 15 percent - urges cost recovery audits to be completed in nine months - demands provision of full liability coverage for oil spills

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Looking for a reliable live-in aide for an elderly woman. Call: 686-8051.

Male and female needed to pluck chicken, $3500 per day. Call: 708-4374/ 617-4662.

Live-in Handyman with small family to live and work on Poultry farm, $125,000 per month. Call: 708-4374/ 617-4662.

Wanted! Male & Female workers for packaging pasta and chowmein on the Back Road (Mandela Ave). Call: 611-7839.

Security Officers urgently needed! Must be able to read and write, $350 and $400 hourly. Contact: 603-5140.

Security/ Handyman needed. Contact: 223-5273/223-5274.

One Driver and Personal Assistant needed to work with private company. Call: 6851735.

General live-in Domestic needed. Call: 660-9093.

Cook, Waitress and one part time Driver needed. Call: 6503680.

Farm Workers needed to work at Hauraruni. Call: 6620469.

Data Protection Bill outlines stiff penalties for defaulter

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office.Must have grade 1or 2 Maths and English. Email: techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.

Cleaner, Maintaining Worker, Labourers, Office Assistant and Time Keeping Clerk required. Call: 621-6969, 6157784.

One office Assistant needed. Experience will be an asset. Call: 688-7911.

Sales Clerks, Delivery Clerks, Warehouse Manager & Graphic Designer needed. Apply at: Lens 136 Sheriff Street. Call: 227-2486/ 2271511, lensgy@outlook.com

One Manager for A&S General Store located at Charity, Essequibo. Call: 687-5814.

East Bank Electrical is now hiring Electrical Engineer, Outside Sales Staff & Counter Sales Staff. Call: 604-6394, sales@eastbankelectrical.com

Receptionist, Room Attendant, Laundry Attendant & Security Guard needed at 233, South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.

We are now hiring Counter Attendants @ Dian's Deli, Bar St Kitty. Opening hours 6:30 am-12:00. Call: 621-7862, 225-3700/ 225-6478.

Bulldozers and Excavator Operator needed to work in Interior and Truck Drivers. Call: 696-9854/ 223-7165.

One Cashier needed. Must have English & Maths and previous experience. Apply at mikeswholesaledepot @yahoo.com or at their location.

Experienced Hauler/ Lorry Driver required. Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St, Bourda.

Experienced Accounts Clerk. Must have passes in Maths, English & Accounts. Apply in person to Alabama Trading.

Experienced Sales girls needed. Apply in person to Alabama Trading at 65 Robb street Bourda.

One General Domestic needed. Apply in person to Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street, Bourda.

Security Guard needed. Apply in person to Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St, Bourda.

Masons and Carpenters needed. Call: 623-1615.

VACANCY

Male Engineer needed, Must have atleast 10 years experience in road & building construction. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

1 Male Project Supervisor (construction field), ages 35-50 years. Must have atleast 5-8 yrs managerial experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Bobcat & Roller Operators needed. Ages 30 years & older. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Truck & Canter Drivers needed. Ages 30 years & older. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Diesel Mechanic and Skilled Labourers needed for road construction. Ages 20 years & older. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855

Vacancy for a Domestic/ Maid full time or part time. Call: 637-6700.

Vacancy for Driver, Salesman, Porter, Bakers, Cleaners, Pastry maker and Baggers at Humphrey's Bakery 38 Ketley st. Charlestown. Call: 225-7864.

Handyman needed. Call: 696-9854/ 223-7165.

General Domestic needed to work 4 days per week, must know to cook. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

CNQC is now hiring Construction Workers. Email resume: xu0wying@163.com

SERVICES

Visa Application to Canada and U.S.A, graphics design, advertisements,USA passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 6267040.

For the completion of US & Canadian non-immigrant visa applications and Guyana passport applications. Call/whatsApp: 595645-5695.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

The Data Protection Bill, which is set for its 2nd reading in the National Assembly today, envisages safeguarding citizens’ personal information through a Protection Commissioner. It also provides for fines totaling as much as $100M in addition to imprisonment for those who violate the law.

The Data Protection Bill is being presented by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips in the National Assembly even as the Government moves in the direction of establishing an electronic identification system which would store a broad range of information on citizens.

As such, this Bill will outline the legal parameters within which data can be lawfully processed and obtained.

Moreover, due to the development in the field of information, communication and technology and the rise in cybercrimes, the need to protect personal information is all the more important.

This was captured in the explanatory memorandum attached to the Bill. According to the information, the very act of processing of personal data is considered lawful interference with rights and freedoms.

For this reason, the Bill sets out the legal parameters within which data can be processed in accordance with law.

Consequently, the objects of the Bill are to define the general principles of data protection and the rights of data subjects; protect personal data collected, used or stored by both private and public entities; and provide for enforcement mechanisms, including penalties, for failure to process personal data in accordance with the law.

A data controller who is

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips not established in Guyana and who does not nominate a representative is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $20M or to imprisonment for two months.

Other violators of the provisions in the Bill on conviction of a charge can be fined no less than $20M or no more than $100M or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

According to the memo, the responsibilities of a data controller include implementing the appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure that processing is performed according to the law.

The information stipulates that data controllers are also mandated to conduct a data protection impact assessment where the type of processing is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of a person.

The data controller shall consult the Protection Commissioner prior to processing data where a data protection impact assessment indicates that the processing would result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of any person in the absence of measures taken by the data controller to mitigate the risk.

a natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which processes personal data on behalf of the data controller. Processing by a data processor shall be governed by a written contract between the data processor and the data controller.

In addition to this, the Bill empowers the Protection Commissioner to issue enforcement notices in instances where the Commissioner is satisfied that a data controller has contravened, or is contravening any of the data protection standards.

The Commissioner must consider whether the contravention has caused or is likely to cause any individual damage or distress at the point when deciding to serve an enforcement notice.

The notice issued may require the data controller to take or refrain from taking specific steps within a specified time; refrain from processing any personal data or personal data of a specified description; or refrain from processing data for a specific purpose or in a specific manner, after a specified time.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Property for sale in L.B.I, ECD and Golden Grove, EBD. Call Persaud Real Estate: 653-2477/ 685-6874.

Like data controllers, data processors must also be registered, and when necessary appoint a representative established in Guyana. A data processor is

Compliance with an enforcement notice is not required until the expiration of the period within which an appeal can be brought. If there is an appeal, the notice need not be complied with pending the determination or withdrawal of the appeal.

FOR RENT

One furnished, 2 bedrooms apt at Guysuco Gradens, long term or short term. Call: 222-7891/ 609-9202.

CRV Honda, $3.3M negotiable and 1 Toyota Allion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage . Contact: 649-0956.

25 contractors bid to renovate CJIA’s international apron

Twenty-five contractors Thiswasrevealedduring asphaltic concrete pavement taxpayers’ dollars going defective plan needed CHEC to do additional have submitted bids to the opening of tenders on of the international apron towards the ‘continued adjustments and changes worksattheairportatnocost renovate the Cheddi Jagan Tuesday at the National withrigidpavement. modernisation’ of the were made. The decade-old toGuyana. International Airport’s Procurement and Tender The project is estimated airport. project was awarded to The additional works (CJIA)internationalapronin Administration Board to cost $823,740,593. An Last year at a press Chinese contractor, China that were done by the response to the Ministry of (NPTAB)office. apron or tarmac is the area at conference, Minister of Harbour Engineering contractor included a P u b l i c W o r k s ’ The ministry is seeking a the airport where aircraft are Public Works, Juan Edghill Company (CHEC) for the superstructure, corridor and advertisement. contractor to replace the parked, unloaded or loaded, t o l d r e p o r t e r s t h a t sum of US$150 million: curtain wall. It was only refueled and boarded by construction on the airport $138 million from the China recently that CHEC passengers. willcontinue. Exim Bank and $12 million completed the works on the Kaieteur News had The airport expansion from the consolidated fund – airport. reported that the new works contract was signed in 2011 taxpayers’money

Ministry of Public Works

Replacement of the asphaltic concrete pavement to rigid pavement for the InternationalApron at the CJIA.

Notably, while the for the airport are part of the under then President, W h e n t h e P P P contract cost with the government’s plans to Bharrat Jagdeo, and was administration took office in Chinese contractor remains continue to modernise the passed through the truncated August 2020, Minister a t U S $ 1 5 0 M , t h e renovated airport With presidency of Donald Edghill had stated that they government is undertaking about US$160 million Ramotar.However,whenthe were not satisfied with the several multi-million already pumped into the D a v i d G r a n g e r work that was done by the upgradestotheairport. expansion of CJIA– citizens administration took over in contractor and as such, they

To the left are the should expect more of their 2015, it said that the very had negotiated and gotten companiesandtheirbids:

Exxon tells Court it spent...

From page 2

EPA to award an Environmental Permit to ExxonMobil Guyana to undertake the GTE project activities, on the grounds inter alia that the decision was in breach of the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act (Cap. 20:05),andmoreparticularly,theEnvironmentalProtection (Authorisation)Regulations.

ThecitizensoutlinedthatExxonMobilinitsapplication, dated June 24, 2021 includes details of the project site, the proposed route of the pipeline and the areas to be used and affected by the project, which includes residential properties, commercial properties and state-owned properties. Be that as it may, the application did not include or provide any proof of ownership, a lease or other agreementwiththelandownersofthesaidarea.

Notwithstanding, the EPA granted EEPGL a Permit to undertaketheprojectonNovember25,2022.Subsequently, the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill in January 2023 passed various orders to acquire lands for the purpose of the project, pursuant to the Acquisition of Lands for Public PurposesAct,Chapter62:05.

Wonder girl Springer wins Guyana’s first Commonwealth Youth Games gold Usme leads Colombia to first World Cup quarter-finals

...Silver for Malachi Austin, Bronze for Narissa McPherson

M E L B O U R N E , (Reuters) - A second-half goal by Catalina Usme fired Colombia to a 1-0 win over Jamaica yesterday and carried the South Americans to their first Women’s World Cupquarter-final.

Colombia’s Catalina Usme celebrates scoring their first goal. (REUTERS/ Hannah Mckay)

The captain’s 51stm i n u t e s t r i k e s e n t Colombian fans into delirium at a packed Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and ensured the last American team in the tournament will battle with their national handing out two yellow Englandforaplaceinthelast federation, and had resorted cards in five minutes to four to crowdfunding in the defender Chantelle Swaby

“We are representing the leaduptohelpcovercosts. and midfielder Drew Spence whole continent of South

“I feel very happy for the nearhalftime. America,” Colombia coach players that they could It was Colombia’s new Nelson Abadia told perform at this level without girl Ana Maria Guzman reporters. adequate games to play breakingthegameopenafter

“This (result) has a very (before),”hesaid. the break, the 18-year-old special meaning. When we

“I just think (Colombia) full back finding Usme in qualified for the World Cup played a better game. I think spaceontherightwithalong the first thing I said to my technically they were just cross. team was, ‘We’re not just betterthanus. Usme showed a deft here to spend time, we want

“We made some bad touch to slip past Jamaica tomakehistory’.” mistakes. I give credit to d e f e n d e r D e n e i s h a

What had been a testy them, they were ready to Blackwood and fire a low, and physical clash up to play.” left-foot strike inside the far halftime exploded into life

By Rawle Toney capturing third place with a triumphs, other medals were timeof54.82s. garneredthroughthesportof Guyana enjoyed a Meanwhile, Austin, on a boxing, with Clevon Rock veritable deluge of medals at roll during the games, yet and Keevin Allicock the Hasely Crawford again lowered his Personal claiming silver, and in Stadiumontheseconddayof Best in the Men’s 400m, Squash, with Larissa Track and Field events e a r n i n g h i m s e l f a Wiltshire and Taylor during the seventh commendablesecondplace. Fernandes securing a bronze Commonwealth Youth Austin had dominated inthewomen’sdoubles. Games,allthankstotheawe- the qualifying rounds with a Reflecting on the past, inspiring performances of blazing time of 48.13s. But the2008GamesinIndiasaw Tianna Springer, Narissa inthefinal,althoughreduced Rock, an accomplished McPherson, and Malachi the previous time, his 47.97s Amateur boxer, face a defeat Austin. performance earned him a at the hands of England’s Springer’s indelible silver medal, second only to John Quigley in the Men’s mark on the Commonwealth Nigeria’s Samuel Uchenna Bantamweightfinal. YouthGameswillforeverbe Ogazi(46.99s).

In 2015, inApia, Samoa, etched in memory, as her A t t o y a H a r v e y Larissa Wiltshire and Taylor spectacular performance led impressed with a personal Fernandes-Henry secured a to the hoisting of the Golden best time of 4:45.10 in the bronze in the Squash Arrowhead for the very first women’s1500mfinals. women’sdoubles. time in the history of the Unfortunately, her effort

In 2017, during the games. secured an 11th-place finish Games in The Bahamas, Hailing from Plaisance in a race dominated by Allicock’s participation in and a mere 15 years of age, Kenya’s Nancy Cherop the men’s flyweight final S p r i n g e r, w h o h a d (4:12.38), who shattered the w a s m a r k e d b y a showcased her prowess with games’ women’s 1500m controversial outcome the fastest qualifying times record. against England’s Eithan (54s), in the final, clocked in The previous record of James. 53.55s. 4:16.61hadbeensetin2017. Boxing and Squash were Her pace was too much With these astounding absent from the 2023 Games for the field, relegating achievements, Guyana’s heldinTrinidadandTobago. England’s Charlotte Henrich cumulative medal count has M e a n w h i l e , w i t h to second-place with a time risen to six in the history of unyielding determination, of55.16s. the Commonwealth Youth the Guyanese athletes will Narissa McPherson Games, spanning back to return to action today, rounded off a remarkable the inaugural games in gearing up for the 200m and one-three finish for Guyana 2000 800m events, both male and in the women’s 400m, Apart from the latest female.

Having not conceded a post. after Usme’s breakthrough, goal all tournament, Jamaica Jamaica had a golden with both teams attacking stifled Colombia early, often chancetolevelthreeminutes furiously in a match-up of leaving their players later when Blackwood’s two of the tournament’s grimacing on the turf after corner picked out Jody underdogs. heavytackles. Browninfrontofgoalbutthe Jamaica’s ‘Reggae Girlz’ Colombia wunderkind midfielder’s header pinged had chances to level the Linda Caicedo was kept offthebaseoftheleftpost. match but bowed out quiet on the left flank, and Jamaica pushed forward swinging in front of a crowd the South Americans’ first in desperation as regulation of 27,706, having reached decent scoring chance had to time dwindled but target- the knockout phase for the waituntilacornerinthe38th woman Khadija Shaw was first time in their second minute. well-handled by the WorldCup.

It was wasted, though, Colombians.

Four years after Jamaica with Jorelyn Carabali Jamaica’s Drew Spence were eliminated from their sending a wild volley from rose to meet a Tiffany group in France with three the edge of the area sailing Cameron cross but thumped heavy defeats, coach Lorne overthebar her header just wide of the Donaldson was proud of the Referee Kate Jacewicz left post in the 82nd minute, Caribbeans’progress. lost patience with the allowing Colombia to hold

His players competed Jamaicans’ physicality, firmtothefinish. whilelockedinapaydispute

Colombia’s Marcela Restrepo in action with Jamaica’s Drew Spence.

(REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Malachi Austin

Le Sommer scores brace in France’s 4-0

last-16

win over Morocco

ADELAIDE, (Reuters) eight-minute three-goal Les

-EugenieLeSommernetted Bleues blitz, with Kenza a brace to lead France to a 4- Dali and Le Sommer also 0 victory over debutants scoring at Hindmarsh Morocco in their last-16 Stadium, ending the North matchattheWomen’sWorld Africanside’sfairytalerun. Cup, and into the quarter- France next face hosts

finals for the third Australia in the quarterconsecutivetime. finals on Saturday in Kadidiatou Diani’s Brisbane.

fourth goal of the Morocco became the tournament, a header in the lowest-ranked team (72) to 15th minute, sparked an play in the last 16, bouncing back from a 6-0 rout by Germany to beat South Korea and Colombia. But theywerenomatchforfifthranked France who went unbeaten in the group stage, capped by a dramatic 6-3 winoverPanama.

Wednesday August 09, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

This is a great day to go to thrift stores, Aries. Your eye for beauty is keen and your radar for good deals is sharp. LadyLuckiswithyouandyou mayscoresometerrificbuys.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Things that have been building for a long time suddenly come to a head today, Taurus. Strong, slowmoving trends rear their ugly heads. There's a great deal of opposition now making itself knowninyourlife.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

It may be difficult to get moving today, Gemini. You may want to just stay in bed. Don'tfeelguiltyaboutit.Take anafternoonnapandenjoythe tendercompanyofapartner

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Check your stocks today, Cancer Read the latest investment news and assess your finances. Figure out the best place to put your hardearnedmoney

LEO (July 23–Aug 22)

There may be something or someone trying to slow you down today, Leo. Maybe this isasignthatit'swhatyouneed todo.Don'tfighttheurgetosit on the couch and do nothing. Take this day to soak in a hot bathandrechargeyourspirit.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Put some roots down today

Concentrate on a creative project that you've had in your head for a while It's time to followthrough Ideasaregreat, but implementation is the key to making them work

Consolidateyourresourcesand takethetimetomakeaplan

James and Samuels shine in ACDA Foundation Emancipation Day Football competition

The ACDA Foundation’s annual Emancipation sports programme unfolded on Tuesday, August 1, at the iconic National Park. Patrons were treated to an exhilarating display of talent as young athletes showcased their skills in the Under 13’s, U16’s, and U17’s Five-a-Side football matches.

In the opening match, the young talents of Eastville-A clashed with their counterparts from Eastville-B in the U13 category match. It was a gripping encounter, with EastvilleAmanagingtosecureanarrow2-1victoryoverEastville-B. Moving on to the U16 division, Eastville proved their mettle once again as they triumphed over Vryheid Lust with an impressive 4-2 scoreline. Eastville showcased excellent teamwork with splashes of individual brilliance which led themtoaeasywintheiropponents.

Asthedayprogressed,anticipationwasatitspeakforthe much-awaited U17 clash between Eastville-Aand EastvilleB. Both teams exhibited unmatched determination, leading the match to a nail-biting conclusion. Ultimately, it was Eastville-A,whoemergedvictorious,edgingouttheB-Team 2-1 in an intense penalty shootout, which brought much jubilationtotheirsupporters.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

If you plan on arguing for a cause today, make sure you havesolidfactstobackupyour statements,Libra.Peoplearen't likely to fall for things too easily

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

Today is a very expansive day for you, Scorpio. Long-term projects are coming into focus. There'sahugewindfallcoming your way Your ego should experience an extra boost and your relationships should go extremelywell.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Connect with people on a deep level, Sagittarius. Much of your focus is on emotional security Make sure your home is a sanctuary where you feel comfortablebeingexactlywho youare.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Much of your focus today will be on personal possessions and material goods in general Thinkaboutwhatyoucandoto improveyourhome.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Dependabilityandstabilityare key aspects of today,Aquarius. Take action that will prove to others that these parts of your nature are fully functional. Other people may be stubborn andnoteasilymoved.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Be gentle and reserved in your approach, Pisces. There's a great deal of tenderness in the air that you should tune into and enjoy Do things to improve your home. Make amends with the people you live with and clear the air so that relations will be calm in thefuture.

Le Sommer increased her all-time leading goalscoring record for Franceto92,whilethegame marked the first time Les Bleueshadscoredfourgoals in a World Cup knockout game.

Diani, who netted a hattrick against Panama, was unmarked in the box for an easy header from Sakina Karchaoui’s cross that kicked off the scoring and had Moroccan keeper K h a d i j a E r- R m i c h i smacking her fists on the pitchinfrustration.

T h e r e w a s m o r e frustration to come. Dali connected five minutes later when she struck Diani’s cross, her long shot ricocheting off the inside of thefarpostandin.

Le Sommer was able to get a boot on the ball for her first goal in the 23rd minute after Diani pressured a Moroccandefender

T h e 3 4 - y e a r - o l d Olympique Lyonnais forward netted her second in what had been an otherwise quietsecondhalfforFrance, heading in a long cross from Vicki Becho from the far postinthe70thminute.

This World Cup marked the first time three African nations made the last 16 in Morocco, South Africa and Nigeria Morocco were hoping to become the first African nation to win a knockoutgame.

Nouhaila Benzina had also made history as the first player to wear a hijab in the Women’sWorldCup.

Whilethecollectiveeffortofallteamswaspraiseworthy, a few standout players deserved special recognition for their exceptional performances. Shem James and Dwayne Sheltter from the Eastville team, Ugene Samuels of the Vryheid Lust team and Gerald Demo from the Cumabatch teamwerethegoalscorersoftheevent.

The event was made possible through the generous contributions of Trophy Stall, Bourda, Sleep Inn Hotel, ACDA Foundation, and Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell, who donated trophies and medals to recognize and reward the effortsoftheyoungathletes.

France’s Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Vicki Becho. (REUTERS/Carl Recine)

1st Family Basketball Jamboree set to ignite Tuschen on August 27

The vibrant pulse Basketball Jamboree on countrypreparetodazzlethe visionary Chairman and category will feature t h e R i m k n o c k o u t of basketball will August 27th. The venue for spectatorswiththeirprowess Head Coach of the D-Up prominent teams such as the tournament, held last May, resonate through this electrifying event is on the court. The event will Basketball Academy, holds Black Caimans from was a resounding success,

the East Bank none other than the Tuschen be a showcase of talent an unwavering passion for Georgetown, as well as with Kwakwani-A, St Essequibo as the Cornelia Primary School Basketball across multiple divisions, the sport that dates back to teams from Golden Grove, Stanislaus, and Golden Ida-based D–UP Basketball court, promising an including Juniors, U17, his own initiation into Roraima, Tuschen, and the Grove basketball teams

Academy, under the unforgettable day of high- Men’s Open, and a thrilling basketball at the tender age host, D-Up Academy The earning well-deserved guidance of Coach Anthony octanebasketballaction. addition of a girls’ division, of seven His coaching U17 division is set to see bragging rights by securing Kandar, gears up to present Anticipationissoaringas adding a new layer of journey began during his teams like the Kwakwani their respective U14, U18, the eagerly anticipated 1st over sixteen teams from excitementtotheday High School years in Basketball team, Bartica a n d M e n ’ s O p e n F a m i l y R e g i o n # 3 various corners of the Anthony Kandar, the Canada, and now he aspires basketball team, Tuschen championships. to cultivate student-athletes basketball team, and several With each passing year, who will shine in the world others Meanwhile, the the D-Up Basketball of basketball. Founded in Junios division promises Academy has witnessed an 2020, the Academy’s fierce competition with increasing surge in mission revolves around teams from D-Up Academy, p a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d rekindling the basketball Kwakwani, Berbice, and enthusiasm. spirit in the West Coast of Lindenvyingforsupremacy

Theinaugural1stFamily Demerara (WCD), Region The D-Up Basketball Basketball Jamboree is threedistrict. Academy has been a driving poised to stand as the grand

As the event approaches, force in the region, culmination of this growth, the line-up for the o rg a n i z i n g v a r i o u s emerging as the most competition is shaping up to tournaments since its significant basketball be exceptional. The Open inception.TheannualAbove festivalontheWestside.

Van Lange to serve as

Brand Ambassador for Leading

Edge Sports Store

In a notable development, Jonathon Van Lange, a promising youth cricketer and member of the National Under-17 team, expressed his enthusiasm on Monday for assuming the role of the latest Brand Ambassador for the distinguished Leading Edge Sports Store This establishment, owned by former National Cricketer Christopher Barnwell, warmly welcomed

Expressing his pleasure at having Van Lange Van Lange into its fold during a modest join his brand, Barnwell, a former West signing event held at the entity’s Regent Indies cricketer who had six T20 MulticomplexMalllocation.

Wins for Strikers, Beacons and Rivers View

Potaro Strikers continued their header Beacons FC came back from a 2-goal rich vein of form when they deficittoearna3-2winoverRisingStarsand

produced another vintage Cup holders Rivers View rebounded with a performance last Saturday night at the lopsided5-0dismissalofMilBallers. Bartica Community Centre ground where A double strike from Neil Martindale in the Bartica FA’s Senior Men’s League is the 18th and 24th minutes gave the Ballers a beingstaged surprisinglead.

Internationals appearance, emphasized the

Renowned for his remarkable skills as an vital importance of discipline and hard work all-rounder in the U17 division, the inshapinganathlete’spathtosuccess. prominent Van Lange conveyed his sincere

In his view, the 16-year-old Van Lange appreciation for the opportunity extended to epitomizes these virtues, making him an himbyBarnwell. impeccablerepresentationofthebrand’score

He conveyed his commitment to serve as values. Barnwell extended words of an outstanding ambassador both on and off encouragement to Van Lange, urging him to the cricket field. As he embarks on this remain grounded as he continues to shine in ambassadorial role, Van Lange vows to the world of cricket. The mentorship and uphold the values and ethos of Leading Edge guidanceoffered by Barnwellare anticipated SportsStore. to play a significant role in Van Lange’s

Christopher Barnwell, the proprietor of journey as both a cricketer and a Leading Edge establishment, shared his representativeofLeadingEdge. sentiments during the signing ceremony.

The two top marksmen for the Strikers Shaquell Hopkinson reduced the lead in struck again in a comfortable 4-1 win over the 36th minute.Troy Dougan then delivered AK Galaxy to move to the top of the table on a match-winning brace for Beacons in the 16pointsfrom7games. 53rdand88thminutesastheyreclaimthetop Reon Hall was on target in the 45th and ofthetableon17pointsafter7matches. 78th minutes to take his season tally to 6, The League’s top marksman, Andrew while Daniel Gardener netted his 8th in the Simmons produced his 2nd hat-trick of the 73rd minute to move one less than the season to propel Rivers View to a 5th win competition’s leading scorer Andrew from 6 games.Against Mil Ballers, Simmons SimmonsofRiversView netted in the 28th, 35th and 54th minutes to Coby Jones scored the other goal in the take his season tally to 12. Earlier, Omario 53rd minute while Voldeno DeFonseca got Lakescoredinthe8thand24thminutesasthe the consolation goal for Galaxy in the 33rd Cup holders rebounded from their recent loss minute. toBeacons.

The other scheduled match was not There will be more play at the Bartica playedasAgatashfailedtoshowupyetagain Community Centre ground tonight and the Bartica FAhas hinted they may have (Wednesday 9th) with Wolves United taking tosuspendtheirparticipationintheLeague. onAK Galaxy at 7pm and at 9pm Lazio meet

Meanwhile, in Monday night’s double- Agatash.

Proprietor of the Leading Edge Sports Store Christopher Barnwell (right) with National U17 cricketer Jonathan Van Lange at the signing on Monday.

RHTYSC/Republic Bank Grade Six School Holiday Camp 2023

Paulene Flatts emerges as best students as successful camp completed

The 2023 Grade Six Integrated Science, while attractiveprizes. Kistama, in a brief School Holiday Camp they were involved in F o s t e r , i n a report, stated that, he organized by the cricket several lectures on topics of comprehensive speech at the was very impressed teams of the Rose HallTown importance to their personal closing ceremony, told the by the positive Youth and Sports Club MS, development. students that the next five attitude of the with sponsorship from Among the topics years in secondary school students and their Republic Bank, concluded covered were peer pressure, would lay the foundation for commitment to on Friday with dozens of importance of discipline, a successful future He success. Each of the studentsgraduating.Paulene choosing friends, drug advised them to always say students at the camp Flatts, one of the top Region abuse, the importance of no to drugs, crime, pre-adult receivedaschoolbag Six students at the recent religion and how to use sex and to avoid getting with educational national Grade Six exams, sports with educational involved in gangs. He spoke material, coloured Temerged as the Best Student background. The camp also of the importance of shirts and a food ofthethreeweekscamp. involved the students taking personal discipline, a hamper

R H T Y S C part in several cricketing focused mind and total Student of the Secretary/CEO Hilbert sessions as bonding. Foster dedication to succeed 2023 camp, Paulette Fosterexpressedsatisfaction expressed delight that againstallodds. Flatts, carried home at the overall success of the members of the 2023 camp R e p u b l i c B a n k close to $170,000

Catalaya Ramalho, Best and Intermediate, Metro camp which attracted over emerged as the winner of an representative Christopher worth of special prizes Mathematics- Paulene Females and NAMILCO seventy youths. The camp anti-human trafficking Phagoo hailed the success of including an electric bike, Flatts, Best Integrated Thunderbolt Flour Under 23 was conducted by top CSEC campaign organized by the the camp and congratulated designer watch, kitchen Science-AatikaKhadaarand andFirstDivision. students Rhea and Vis MinistryofHumanServices. the RHTYSC on its effort to utensils, household items studentoftheyear—Paulette The teams expressed K i s t a m a u n d e r t h e The students were inspired makeapositivedifferencein and several hampers with Flatts. thanks to the management s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e tojointhepromotionbytheir the lives of youths in the items. The awardee for the Students at the end of the and staff of Republic Bank management and members tutors and were pleasantly county of Berbice. Raghoo campwere:MostDiscipline- camp each collected a for their sponsorship, of the RHTYSC Foster surprised to emerge as expressed confidence that Aiden Patoir, Most certificate of participation especially Branch Manager disclosed that the students champions The students the bank would continue to Cooperative-GabrielLooch, along with a completed Satie Cox. Student of the were taught Mathematics, were also involved in a sponsor the camp in the Most Committed- Yash report of their performance. Camp, Paulene Flatts, who English, Social Studies and spelling bee competition for future Head tutor, Vish Ramdeo, Most Improved- The cricket teams of the copped 94% during the final Catalaya Ramalho, Most RHTYSC that organized the test, expressed thanks to the Outstanding Leader- Leanne campwerePoonaiPharmacy cricket teams and Republic Bhigroop, Most Diligent- Under 11, Farfan and Bank for their support to Monika Ramdass, Best Mendis Under 15, Bakewell make sure that they make a Social Studies- Imani Under 17 and Second successful transition from Hawker, Best English- Division, Pepsi Under 19 primarytosecondaryschool.

Student of the camp Paulene Flatts receives her prizes from Christopher Raghoo and Wazina Gajanabi of Republic Bank.

India cruise to 7 wicket win after Suryakumar 83

- Kuldeep grabs 3-28 to assist India

win

Suryakumar Yadav smashed 83 off 44 to 20notoutfeaturingafourandonesix. setupahuge7wicketwinforIndiawhichleft West Indies batted well for their 159-5 in the series 2-1 versus West Indies with two 20 overs, led by opener Brandon King who matchesleft. hit a run-a-ball 42 with five fours and a six.

Canada-based Guyanese Pokhan (5-32) spurs

Cambridge Jaguars to victory

Canada-based Guyanese Haidar Pokhan grabbed five wickets for 32 runs to help Cambridge Jaguars beat Young Warriors by 29 runs recently in the Canadian Premier Softball Cricket League 100-ball semi-final fixture at Greenbriarground,Brampton,Ontario.

India spinner KuldeepYadav snatched 3-

India raced to 164-3 17.5 overs, needing CaptainRovmanPowellblasted40off19not 160 to win with Suryakumar nailing 10 fours out with 3 huge sixes and a four to end as the and 4 sixes to help keep his team alive in the secondleadingrun-scorer series.

In-form Tilak Varma missed out on what 28 from 4 overs, while spinnerAxar Patel (1wouldhavebeenbacktobackfifties,making 24) alongside pacer Mukesh Kumar (1-19) 49off37withfour4’sandasix. endedadecentbowlingexhibition.

India skipper Hardik Pandya remained to After India lost their opening pair of the end as he helped see the game home with Yashavi Jaiswall (1) and Shubman Gill (6), Suryakumarthentookthegameoverwithhis power-hitting.

Brandon King got West Indies off to a solid start. (AFP/ Getty Images)

Showing his clean pinch-hitting skills, Yadav raced to 50 off 23 as India looked well oncourse.IndiathenlostYadavtosomegood bowling by pacer Alzarri Joseph (2-25), just inches from his hundred but Varma maintainedthescoringuponhisarrival.

Alongside his captain Pandya, Varma the pair knocked the wind out of the West Indies sail as they completed an easy chase to keep theirIndia’shopesalive.

West Indies batting first, King and Kyle Mayers (25) added 55 for the opening partnership before the latter fell to spinner Axar Patel (1-24), not before hitting 3 fours anda6whichhelpedsetthetone.

Johnson Charles smacked one six and a four before being trapped LBW for 12 by Yadav NicholasPooran,whoblitzedhisway to a match-winning half-century in the last match, hammered 20 off 12 runs with 2 fours and a maximum, finally edging one to the wicket-keeper King, a few runs shy of his fifty, hit one back to the clutches of Yadav which then allowedPowelltolaunchhisattack.

The skipper muscled the opposition’s bowling around during his brief stay at the crease, lighting up Providence with his huge sixes, a few of which sailed into the Green Stand.

Scores: India 164 for 3 (Suryakumar 83, Tilak 49*, Joseph 2-25) beat West Indies 159 for 5 (King 42, Powell 40*, Kuldeep 3-28) by seven wickets.

He delivered two overs (20 balls) as Young Warriors only reached 116 all out in 90 balls replying to Cambridge Jaguars’challenging 1495fromtheallotted100-balls.

Haidar was well supported by Teddy Nandkissore, another Guyanese, who finished with2-26fromhis20deliveries.

DevonRambaran,whohailsfromWakenaam in the Essequibo River, top-scored for Young Warriorswith35.

Earlier, skipper and former Guyana youth player Hemnarine Chattergoon led the way for Jaguarswith41whileKeyonSinclairmade40.

Fazeem Haniff picked up two wickets for 22 offtwoovers.

Meanwhile,thefinalistobeplayedsoon.

Thompson qualifies for Pan Am Games

- Resets NRs on challenging journey

Chase Thompson has become the first Guyanese to qualify for the Pan American Games Swimming Championships in the Breaststroke event when he produced a new personalbestandnationalrecord,justundera weekago.

Thompson clocked 1:06.53s in the 100m trektomakeittothePanAmGames,whichis theParis2024Olympics’firstdirectqualifier. He also qualified for the TYR Pro Swim Series2024.

Across four consecutive days, Thompson tried to achieve the feat and thankfully reached his mark on the final attempt. Days prior, he missed qualifying for the Pan American Games by a hundredth of a second (0.01s)inthe100mBreaststrokebutsetanew 50mBreaststrokeNationalRecordof29.60s. andmakemylatemotherproud.”

AMBC Elite, Youth & Junior American Boxing C/ships

Amsterdam advances to final

- Allicock eliminated in semis

On Monday evening, Guyana’s bout which is scheduled for tonight’s session campaign at the AMBC Elite, Youth & thatcommencesat17:30hrs.

Junior American Boxing Championships Just over an hour before Amsterdam’s in Cali, Columbia, suffered mixed triumph, fellow teammate, Keevin Allicock fortunes when the two-member team faced Caleb Josue of Puerto Rico in the Elite competedinthesemifinalround. Men 54 - 57KG Feather Weight Class and lost In the day’s second segment, unanimously as four of the five judges scored Guyana’s Desmond Amsterdam theboutinthePuertoRican’sfavour,29–28. advanced to the final of the 75-80KG Meanwhile, the Guyanese team entered the Light Heavy Weight Class with a semifinal round following their qualification walkover victory over Guatemala’s forthePanAmericanGames,whichisslatedto Trujillo Barillas. Amsterdam will now take place from October 20 to November 5, in face Canada’s Keven Beausjour for top Chile, at the La Reina Community Sports honoursinthisclass. Center

Undoubtedly, the well-rested The PanAmerican Games is the first direct Amsterdam’s will be favoured for the qualifierfortheParis2024Olympics.

He said, “This achievement would not The swimmer also shared a post on social have been possible without my family, all of media about his journey to the historic my coaches and God who have all been moment. instrumental in helping me reach this It reads: “After the Tokyo Qualifier meet momentous milestone. I am grateful for their my mother passed away unexpectedly This continuous encouragement and guidance tragic loss was detrimental to our family My throughoutthisjourney.” mother’s passing came 5 months after my “I also want to add, I cannot express my grandmother’s passing. My mother and sincere gratitude for the many people that grandmother always told me stories of home have helped me thus far, especially my and how much they loved Guyana. My dad coaches in Guyana, GASA and the Guyana shared in the stories as well, both of my OlympicCommittee.” parentsbeingbornandraisedinGuyanawere Thompson last competed for Guyana in impactfulinmyupbringingandthepridethey 2021 at the UANA Tokyo Qualifier At the haveinhome.”

meet, he broke two Guyanese national “At her funeral, I promised my mother I records, rewriting the record books in the 50- woulddoeverythinginmypowertorepresent meter breaststroke from 30.9s to 30.2s and in our home nation the best way I could. I was the100-meterbreaststrokefrom1:09.0stoan accepted into occupational therapy school astonishing 1:06.7s, which was ranked in the and decided to keep training but swimming top 17 in the CentralAmerica and Caribbean after the passings were extremely difficult. I region. set my sights on getting back to swimming

Born to Guyanese parents, Thompson and qualifying for the Pan American Games livesinTexasintheUnitedStatesofAmerica and it was a humbling experience that and has a passion to compete for the Country, challenged me physically, emotionally, and for which he disclosed, “...this country gave spiritually.”

my family everything and I hope I can give Follow Chase’s journey on Instagram back and inspire generations of swimmers @liveforthechase

Haidar Pokhan

Chase Thompson

Dreams to turn reality as Kares T10 heads to National Stadium on August 12

FG$300,000. and Computer Centre, now down to four

rom 32 teams, it is

The two losing semi- Trophy Stall, Premier in the Kares One finalists will walk away with Insurance, Cricket Zone

G u y a n a T 1 0

Fans swarmed the Enmore Community Centre Ground for the Super 8 action, and another massive crowd is expected on Saturday at the National Stadium.

G$100,000 each There will USA, Beacon Café, Tapeball Blast set to also be prizes for outstanding Continental Transport, conclude Saturday, August individualperformances Ministry of Culture, Youth 12, at the National Stadium,

The Most Valuable and Sport, National Sports Providence. Player of the series will get a C o m m i s s i o n , R S 5 3

The first semi-final pits motorbike valuable over RestoBar and Lounge, the rampant EcclesAll-Stars G$250,000, compliments of Jacobs Jewelry and Pawn against Team Corruption AssuriaInsurance. Shop, First Change Builder from 14:00h, followed by V-

Additionally, there will Inc. Impressions Inc., Sicko Net Vipers, who ousted be a celebrity match before Mode, 94 1 BOOM FM, Village Rams, against the championship match Assuria Insurance, Montra TarmacTitansfrom16:00h. where the winning side will Restaurant and Longue,

The Charity match will be rewarded G$200,000, Gafoors and Hard Rock be at 18:00h, then the grand which will be donated to Café. finale from 20:00h, and fans charity

FinalsSchedule are reminded that admission

The competition is Match 29 – Eccles AllisFree. sponsored by Kares Stars v Team Corruption –

Manyplayersareecstatic E n g i n e e r i n g I n c , 14:00h about the chance to play

Mohamed’s Enterprise, GT Match 30 – V-Net Vipers Tapeball at Guyana’s Beer, Rainforest Water, Star vTarmacTitans-16:00h premier sporting facility and

Party Rentals, Avinash Match 31 – Charity underlights.

ContractingandScrapMetal Match–18:00h

Though some teams

The children will enjoy National Stadium was one confidentofathrillingendto free rides in the childthey never foresaw could the tournament given the friendly zone, including a occur quality of teams present, bouncy castle and free ice

It is a reality that came to they are happy to announce cream, soda, snacks, and fruition after the rain numerousfanprizes. waterfortheyoung. hampered the tournament’s Twopersonswillwincell Only the Green Stand openingdayonJuly30. phones compliments of will be open for usage, but

President Dr Irfaan Ali, ENet, two will win an theRedStandwillbeopenif the tournament’s patron, and overnight stay at Jaigobin thereisanoverfill. Minister of Culture, Youth Hotel in Essequibo, two gift Below the Green Stand and Sport, Charles Ramson vouchers from Pressy Gift will host the Corporate Jr., supported ensuring the Store, and K-Tronics, Lunch Village and have all matches move to the and Dinner for persons at amenities such as food and NationalStadium. HeliconiaRestaurant. drinksforthefans.

Digicel Schools’ National Football C/ship 2023…

Inc., ENet, Regal Stationery Match32–Final-20:00h boast several national players, some embody the communities under the ‘One free ‘Kidz Zone’ at the grassroot culture of Guyana’banner. National Stadium, aback the Tapeball cricket, and the According to the GreenStand. opportunity to play at the organisers, while they are

Season 8 finalists to be decided tonight

President Ali noted the B a n k s D I H a l s o

Thefirst-everchampions eventwillbringmanypeople r e a f f i r m e d t h e i r will pocket G$1M, while the together from varying commitment to hosting the losing finalist will collect

Paradise Invaders and Monedderlust stay unbeaten

in Berbice

Defendingchampionsof Lamar Reid pulled one back Atlin Brown struck a the Berbice FA’s Senior for Cougars, 3 minutes from treble (35', 49' &70') to set Men’s League (SML) half-time Four minutes up the emphatic win. Also Paradise Invaders and rivals from the end Compton on the scorer’s list were: Monedderlust FC had little Cudjoe made it 4-1. It was Paul McDonald (11'), difficulty in putting away the first defeat in 3 outings Okeno Collins (61') and their opponents last Sunday for Cougars while Invaders Brentnol Frank (86'). Omar when play continued at the remain unbeaten at the top Glennettedthelonegoalfor Rosignol Community on10pointswith3winsand NA United in the 23rd Centerground. adraw minute.

In the first game of the The night cap was United have now lost all double-header Akeem another embarrassing three of their games while Wilson gave Invaders the performance for the other Monedderlust improved lead as early as the 2nd New Amsterdam side in the their perfect run to 3 wins minute, before Quincy League as they were from as many games to hold Auldernettedadoubleinthe h u m b l e d 6 - 1 b y 2nd position in the points 33rd and 38th minutes Monedderlust. table.

The third-place showdown and finale will be decided after tonight’s encounters.

Just one playing date lock horns with the ever- triumph over Charlestown remains after the looming threat that is whileWaramuriTopclaimed semifinal round of Carmel, in the opening ahard-foughtwinoverSanta

the 8th Digicel matchat17:00hrs. Rosa,whichended2–1. Schools’ National Football When the tournament This season’s Regional Championship unravels this continued on Monday last, Champions are Santa Rosa evening at the Ministry of the quarterfinal round gave a (Region 1), Charity (Region Education (MoE) Ground, clear picture of the gap of 2), Leonora (Region 3), CarifestaAvenue,asthefinal skill in the match-ups, which Region 4 (East Coast) –four collide in a much- had three one-sided victories Buxton, Region 4 (East anticipateddouble-header. andanail-biter. Bank) – Soesdyke, Region 4

Of the Ten Regional In the first match, St. (Georgetown) – Dolphin, Champions this season, only Ignatius stormed to victory Mahaicony TI (Region 5), one remains in the top withacommanding5–1win Berbice Educational bracket – the undefeated St. over Tucville then Carmel Institute (Region 6), Bartica Ignatius, Region 9’s title were almost flawless to (Region 7), Kato (Region 8), holder eliminate Georgetown St. Ignatius (Region 9) and St. Ignatius are fixed to Champion,Dolphin,witha3 Mackenzie High (Region thrash it out with Waramuri –1scoreline. 10).

Top in the second match at MatchthreesawD.CFox This edition of the 19:00 hrs while Desrey becomethethirdsemifinalist tournament is organised by Caesar-Fox Secondary will following a dominant 5 – 0 thePetraOrganisation.

Archers celebrate Olympic Day activity recently.

Archery Guyana Commemorates Olympic Day 2023

he Board of Directors of Archery GymnasiumonSunday23rdJuly,2023.

Tequipment indeed and the various Munroe (centre) flanked on his right by Guyana wishes to commend the The event was a wonderful opportunity components and accessories and also President of Archery Guyana, Mrs. Vidushi

Executive Committee of the to showcase the various sporting disciplines explaininganddemonstratingthebasicsteps Persaud-McKinnonandonhisleft,Treasurer Guyana OlympicAssociation for organising in Guyana and in this regard, Archery oftheshotprocess. of Archery Guyana, Mr Robert Singh t h e s u c c e s s f u l O l y m p i c D a y Guyana was particularly pleased to In photo attached, President of the surroundedbyarchersfromArcheryGuyana Commemorative Event at the National demonstratethesportofArchery,thearchery Guyana Olympic Association Godfrey andaffiliateclubs.

BCB/Dave West Indian Imports 40 Overs West Berbice final

Roshan Gaffoor spearheads Cotton Tree to championship honours over Achievers B

CottonTreeCricketClub won their first cricket tournament organised by the Berbice Cricket Board in twelve years when they easily defeated Achievers B by114runsinthefinalofthe DaveWestIndianImports40 over second division tournament. Playing in front of a sizeable crowd at the Cotton Tree Ground, the home team was spearheaded by a brilliant all round effort by their captain Roshan Gaffoor who was named manofthefinal.

Winning the toss and batting first, Cotton Tree Bowling for the visitors threw away his wicket, Foster congratulated the were given a solid opening Leon Andrews took two caught by Subhan off the Cotton Tree team on been stand of forty one runs by w i c k e t s f o r 2 3 , S . bowling of Roshan Gaffoor crowned champions and more second division Dave West Indian Imports openers D. Harrynarine and Ramsammy 2 for 30 and M. for 20. Reymond soon hailed the outstanding work tournaments would be for their sponsorship of the Nick Ramsaroop in five Reymond2for38. followed for 47 which of the club under the played shortly. They are the tournament. Dave West overs before the latter was Needing to score 215 included four maximums leadership of Roshan Jaffarally 20/20 and the Indian Imports is based in dismissed by the run out from their allotted forty and two boundaries. Gaffoor,whohedescribedas LalsaConstruction20/20for New York, USA. The route for 17. They were overs,Achievers B got off to Achievers were eventually a role model administrator. teamsinthearea. tournament involves five eventually bowled out for a a terrible start as they dismissed for 100 in 19 Special mention was made President of the West different championships in healthy 214 in the 38th over stumbled to 18 for 5 in the overs. Gaffoor completed a of the club’s involvement in Berbice Cricket Association the Berbice River, West Abdool Subhan top scored 6th over with some very bad great all round performance the promotion of junior also congratulated the B e r b i c e , N e w with 54 with four sixes and batting.Ittooksomepositive by claiming five wickets for cricket at the under13 to champions and hailed the Amsterdam/Canje, Lower two boundaries and received batting by Leon Andrews 14 runs, while Nashad under19level. hard work of the BCB in Corentyne and Upper support from Roshan and M. Reymond to lead Gaffoor and Abdool Subhan Foster committed to promoting the game in Corentyneareasandthenthe Gaffoor with 37, Fawaz them to a respectable score. took 2 wickets apiece for 16 assisting the development of Regionfive. five different champions Gaffoor 25, Harrynarine 21 The pair added 67 for the and14runsrespectively cricket in the West Berbice Special thanks were also would clash for the overall and Nashad Gaffoor 16 sixth wicket beforeAndrews BCB President Hilbert area and announced that two expressed to Dave Narine of Berbicetitle.

Man of the Finals Roshan Gaffoor receives his award from BCB Competition chairman Leslie Solomon.

The winning Cotton Tree team poses with representatives of the BCB.