Kaieteur News

Civil Society Group writes T&T PM about oil spill dangers from Guyana ahead of Energy Conference

- draws attention to Guyana Govt. allowing oil companies to breach full liability requirement

Members of a civil society group have written to Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister (PM), Dr Keith Rowley,puttinghimonguard about the potential oil spill dangers of Guyana's offshore projects.

The letter which was signed by Alfred Bhulai, Andre Brandli, Janette Bulkan,DarshanandKhusial, Mike Persaud, and Charles Sugrim—all of whom are members of the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN) was issued on February 8, 2023 to the PM's office.

The OGGN members were keen to note that they are concerned citizens of Guyanaandinhabitantsofthe Caribbean.Theystressedthat Guyana's oil reserves, totalling some 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources in the Stabroek Block, underpin grave oil spill concerns for Caribbean citizens.

What is also troubling for them is that ExxonMobil

Corporation, through its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), currently plans to drill 158 wells in six oil fields by 2030 in the southeast corner of the Stabroektractalone.

They also referenced commentary from Robert Beawhoisregardedasoneof the world's foremost forensic engineers and a leading expert on the 2010 BP Macondo oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Bae, they said, worries that Exxon's operations appear to lack the appropriate preparation or planning to head off a deepwater blowout and majoroilspill.“Iamfarfrom comfortable,” Bea, Codirector of the Marine T e c h n o l o g y a n d Management Group Center forRiskMitigation,hadsaid.

OGGN members also reminded that the infamous Macondo oil spill which occurred in the Gulf of Mexicoandkilled11persons is estimated to have cost

US$145 billion. In spite of the ugly mark this incident, along with many others have left on the industry, they expressed alarm that Guyanese authorities are still pussyfooting on securing full liability coverage for a major oilspillfromExxon.

They noted that the environmental permits for the Stabroek tract require Exxon's acceptance of full liability coverage. However, Exxon's Guyana subsidiary (EEPGL) is not complying with same.They said too that theGovernmentofGuyanais allowing this illegality, thereby putting Caribbean countriesatrisk.

“Prime Minister, we enclose the map prepared by ERM, the consultancy firm thathasconductedallbutone of Exxon's Environmental Impact Assessments to date in Guyana. That map shows that the northwesterly currents of the Guyana territorial sea would push even a small oil spill to the easterncoastsofTrinidadand

Tobago.Evenasmalloilspill would bespoil the Caribbean Sea and threaten the livelihoods of fishers and the tourism industry, not to mention the harms to marine life and ecosystems,” the OGGNmemberswrote.

They added, “We draw to your attention the limited capacity in the Guyanese regulatory bodies to exercise oversight of the offshore oil industry, which imperils the entireCaribbean.”

They also informed the CARICOM leader that the accompanying breakneck pace of 4D seismic surveys andthevelocityofthecurrent and projected oil drilling and pumping are greater than any other exploration and/or extraction that have occurred hitherto globally for offshore oil extraction They also raised an alarm that Exxon intends to continue seismic survey throughout the expected20-yearslifespanof theoilfields.

In light of the foregoing and other critical points, they

urged PM Rowley urge the

governments of the Caribbean to evaluate the scale, intensity and risks posed to the entire Caribbean by the ongoing high velocity

oil exploration and production in Guyana's waters. “We hope you will assess the deeply inequitable a n d n e o - c o l o n i a l arrangements between the government of Guyana and petroleum companies, in which the public wealth of

Guyana is privatized and negative environmental harmstobothGuyanaandthe Caribbean are socialized,” thememberswrote. The group which advocates for environmental protection and financial norms also expressed hope that the PM would shed light on their concerns during his planned address to the International Energy Conference & Expo in GuyanaonFebruary14.

Guyana cops seven awards as CXC honours 2022 regional top performers in CAPE, CSEC

T h e C a r i b b e a n Examinations Council (CXC) on Wednesday awarded the regional top performers at the 2021-2022 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, during a virtual awards ceremony

Guyana was awarded for performances in natural science, technical and v o c a t i o n a l s t u d i e s , humanities, sciences, and business Guyana's top performers for CXC and CAPE expressed how satisfied they are for being recognised for their achievements.

Uotam Heerall of Anna Regina Secondary School received the award for the Most Outstanding Overall s t u d e n t a n d Technical/Vocational Studies at the 2022 CSEC exams. Heeralall expressed, “I feel more than happy here tonight.This has been one of mydreams.Iactuallydreamt of this when Anna Regina

Secondary topped the Caribbean in 2019. That is whatmotivatedmetobehere tonight, to work to be here, andfinally,Iamhere.”

Heeralall added that motivation is key to one's overall success Atisha Seenarine of Saraswatie Vidya Niketan School received the award for the top CAPE student and Most Outstanding performance in Natural Sciences. Seenarine said, “I would like to encourage all of the upcoming candidates preparing to sit these examinations to continue to work hard. Put your best effort forward and be creative in all of your pursuitstoensuresuccess.”

She also urged students to maintain a balance between their academic and social lives Saraswatie Vidya Niketan School also received the award for Top CAPE School. At the CSEC level, Saskia Twahir of Queen's College received awards for the Most Outstanding student in Humanities and Business.

Twahir is encouraging incoming CSEC and CAPE students to maintain a balance between their academic pursuits and overallwell-being.

Currently, Twahir is pursuing the ASAL programme at the Nations Universityandnotedthatshe intends to continue her studies in Economics and Finance at the University of Guyana.“Takeeverythingin

strides. Understand that failure can be one of the best things that can happen to you, not at the exams. But in the steps in preparation for the exams. Pace yourself. Ensure that you prioritise your mental health and wellbeingbeforeyourexamsand give it your best shot,”

Nations

Universityandnotedthatshe intends to continue her studies in Economics and Finance at the University of Guyana.

Meanwhile, Sheridan Dyal of Queen's College received the award for the MostOutstandingStudentin Sciences. “I am ecstatic that this is finally happening because I have been looking forward to this day I know it is usually like a big event.

I'm glad that I made it here andalloftheeffortsthatIput for the past five years have turned out to be very fruitful,” she happily e x p r e s s e d A t i s h a Seenarine's mother, Anjanie Seenarine said she is tremendously proud of her daughter's achievements “Shehasworkedveryhardto get where she is, today I didn't expect any less from her She was so dedicated to w h a t s h e d o e s , s o disciplined,”sheadded. CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Wayne Wesley underscored that CXC remains dedicated to the advancements of all students. “The level of excitement that we have this afternoon, enthusiasm, and passion to honour those who have done well. Us at the Caribbean Examinations Council are now working assiduously at making sure that we create qualification and opportunities for all students exiting the secondary education system, ”

r Wesley emphasised.

T&T's Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Guyana's top 2022 CXC and CAPE performers

Caribbean leaders call for more concessional financing

By Renay Sambach

Caribbean leaders on Friday called f o r m o r e concessional financing, highlighting that it should be b a s e d o n c o u n t r i e s vulnerability instead of per capita basis at a high-level conference hosted by the World Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Guyana's Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh was among the regional leaders who made an appeal to international financial institutions during the c o n f e r e n c e t h e m e d “BuildingResiliencethrough Sustainable Development FinancingintheCaribbean”.

Their calls come on the heelsofthecurrentdebtlevel in the Latin America and Caribbean standing at a whoppingUS$5.8trillion.

The hybrid event convened key government officials, creditors, and partners to collaborate and coordinate on facilitating debt sustainability in the Caribbean—with a focus on the Commonwealth of Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Haiti; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and others.

Theconversationbrought together key players to discussproactivemeasuresto ensure sustainable financing, and to reflect on lessons learnt from past crises in the Region.

Against this backdrop, a discussion was focused on theWorld Bank's Sustainable Development Finance

…sayitshouldbebasedoncountriesvulnerabilitynotpercapitabasis

Policy, which enhances incentives for countries to m o v e t o w a r d m o r e transparent and sustainable financingpractices.

Duringhisvirtualaddress Dr Ashni Singh stated, “It is well known in the Region that we have a serious problem with indebtedness and we are not being treated with the seriousness the mattersdeserves,becausewe have what I call the middle income-illusion.”

The Guyanese minister explained that the 'middleincome illusion' has resulted in Caribbean countries not qualifying for the typical treatments low-income countries would get, both in terms of consideration for debt relief and consideration f o r c o n c e s s i o n a l developmentfinancing.

“When we speak of sustainable development financing in the Caribbean we have to put this question of debt sustainability squarely on the front of the table, we have to accept and confront the reality that the Caribbean faces this peculiar vulnerability that has to be taken into account for the purposes of mobilizing financing, both through new resources and also debt relief and the World Bank is uniquelyplacedanduniquely endowedwiththeintellectual assets to articulate this case in a rigorous way,” Dr. Singh emphasized.

Theministerbelievesthat a lasting solution to the fiscal challenges faced in the Region will not be achieved until the Region is able to a c h i e v e p r o d u c t i v e diversification.

“So there also has to be a conversation with the World Bank and with our other development partners on how we find a lasting solution to the challenges of limited opportunities for p r o d u c t i v e diversification…”headded.

Other speakers including Dr Irving McIntyre, the C o m m o n w e a l t h o f Dominica's Minister for F i n a n c e , E c o n o m i c Development, Climate Resilience and Social Security;Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Grenada; Michel Patrick Boisvert, Minister of Economy and Finance, Haiti and Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; all called for more access to concessional financing for theRegion.

Similarly, Timothy Antoine, Governor of ECCB called for more concessional

Elderly Region Six man dies from COVID-19

A 67-year-old man from Region Six is the country's latest victim of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. According to the Ministry of Health, the man died on Wednesday while receiving treatment at a medical facility

The pensioner's death takes the country's COVID-19 death toll to 1,297.

Meanwhile, the ministry via its latest dashboard also reported that within the last 24 hours, 14 new COVID-19 cases have been reported bringingthetotalnumberofconfirmed casesto73,032.

The dashboard shows that two patients have been admitted to the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while four persons are in institutional isolation,and83areinhomeisolation.

thatweareseventimesprone to a natural disaster than any otherRegionintheworldand when we get hit the losses fromthosedisastersare6and a half times higher than the global average. Making the case clearly for more resourcesfortheRegion.”

Moreover, for her part, Lilia Burunciuc, Country Director, Caribbean, World Bank stated, “We have done enough but there is still more thatneedstobedone.”

Burunciuc highlighted that in the Region debt servicing is constraining fiscal space for targeted social support, for growth enhancing investments and forbuildingmoreresilience.

resources to be made available to the Region and explained too that it should be on the basis of vulnerabilityandnotonaper capita basis. Antoine also appealed for disaster clauses to be embedded in all Caribbean countries' debt contracts.

The Governor noted that amid Caribbean countries having to deal with the longlastingeffectsoftheCOVID19 pandemic, a cost of living crisis, energy crisis, food insecurity, and the existential threat of a climate crisis –they are also grappling with high debt levels on one hand and the need for sustainable financingontheotherhand.

“Duringthepandemicwe (Caribbean countries) had to accumulateadditionaldebtto

cushion the effects on our population…,” the Governor said adding, “Here is the thing we as a region have to dealwiththefactthatevenas we confront the need to build resiliencewhichisthecaseof sustainable finance, we are dealing with high debt levels.”

“Have annual reporting on climate finance flows to this region. Why am I saying this? Because we are getting verylittle,”hestated.

The Governor explained that in 2022 there was US$653billionintheclimate finance flows, but only little cametotheCaribbean.

Antoinehighlighted,“We (Caribbean countries) are among the lowest emitters and the hardest hit and by the way the IMF study has found

“In recognition of the vulnerability of small states, theWorldBankhasdelivered strong support to the Caribbean crisis response effort.

Financingforsmallstates has increased six times since 2015, for the small economies and budget support programs,” the World Bank representative said.

Burunciuc disclosed that building on the successes of Jamaica's catastrophic bond, which is the first in the Caribbean, she said that the World Bank is working now to implement a Regional catastrophic bond which will provide additional insurance for vulnerable Caribbean countries against natural disasters.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Exxon record-breaking profits

ExxonMobil keeps breaking its own profit records. Howeverwellthecompanydidinpreviousgoodyears,2022 blewallthosetopieces.ExxonMobilmadetheastronomical sum of US$55.7B, almost 14 times Guyana’s 2023 budget for the whole country ExxonMobil made US$55.7B in 2022, while Guyana barely crept over the US$1B mark in whatwasdepositedinthiscountry’sUS-housedoilfund.

Though, there is understanding and acceptance that ExxonMobil earned some of its billions from the Permian Basin and other places, plus other businesses, Guyana’s high-quality,cheapoilhadtobeasignificantcontributorto thecompany’sprofitsthatarenowtheenvyoftheworld.

In 2021, the company’s CEO, Darren Woods, total compensation package was about US$23.5M, which is a pretty penny for any one man by any consideration. Now, using variations of Mr Woods’s earnings, with his own as the highest, this could be estimated to mean that the total compensation package for the top 100employees of ExxonMobil, added together, was close, if not more than Guyana’s total oil take, as deposited in the National ResourceFundaccountintheFederalReserveBankofNew York.Foremphasis,onapureapproximationbasis,the100 most highly compensated (salaries, bonus, stock options) most likely made more money than between 750,000 to 780,000 Guyanese, this country’s entire population, got fromtheirimmenseoilwealth.

To look at this from another angle, the sum of the total compensation packages for the 200-300 ExxonMobil workersrewardedinthehighestmonetarytermsisbiggerby abundleofbillionsthanGuyana’srecordbreakingnational budget for 2023. Whether the ExxonMobil top worker to local population comparison is used, or a near similar subgroup of ExxonMobil employees is put to the side of Guyana’sbiggestbudget,thiscountryanditscitizensalways end up on the losing side of the equation. Or as His Excellency,PresidentAlididsay,holdingthe“wrongendof thestick.” Ifthisisnothighseasandhighwayrobberyofthe worst sort, then somebody please give us a hand on where andhowwearegoingwrong.

Darren Woods made US$23 plus million in 2022. In viewofhiscompanyshatteringitspreviousprofitrecord,it is inevitable that Mr Woods will break the bank with his 2022compensationpackage. Therehastobesomereward forhavingGuyanapoliticalleaderseatingoutofhishands, runningaroundtofillhiscommandsandexpectations. Heis easily going to rise to somewhere between US$25M to US$30M, looking at this conservatively DarrenWoods is breakingthebankfromGuyana’scheapoil,whileGuyanese areliningupinthehopethattheirbankstillstandswithsome money remaining in its vaults for them. The highflying, fancy talking Alistair Routledge, ExxonMobil’s Guyana Country Head is guaranteed his fat share of money for keeping the PPPC Government and Guyanese people on a shortleash.

This is the raw, ragged roguishness of this great Guyanese oil treasure. ExxonMobil cruising at 35,000 feet counting its profits from Guyana’s free oil (almost), while Guyanese are forced to claw about in the weeds for any pittancethattheycanclamptheiremptyhandsupon. From our standpoint, something is really disturbing about this nightmareofapicture. Thepoor,agonizedcitizensofthis countrycannotgetabreak. TheCoalitionAPNU+AFCsold out their birthright for a giveaway price, and there were howls of protest from all over Now, it is the PPPC Government’s in charge, and its top people are just as hamstrung and hobbled as the former Coalition, but even more fearful of asking for a better deal for Guyana. The difference today is that fewer and fewer Guyanese are getting in the faces of the President and Vice President to demandthattheygetmoreforus.

In fact, there are Guyanese now cheering what ExxonMobil is doing to this country and its citizens under thesame2016oilcontractthattheywereoncecursing,what theywerecallingacrimewithoutcompare.Thepoliticians keep Guyanese in this state, so that they can steal at will, whileforeignersgetricher,andlocalsareontheirknees.

Herstelling money laundering matter should also rope in the other participants

DEAREDITOR,

I’d like to commend the Special Organised Crime Unit’s (SOCU) recent success on the arrest of the alleged Herstelling money laundering family syndicate published by various media entities on February 9 2023. Thissuccesswasmostlikely achievedwiththehelpofthe Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) which is responsible for processing Suspicious TransactionReports(STRs), although they did not much get much credit from the press The staggering GY$4.1Binlaunderedfunds does cause me to ask two simplequestions.

Firstly, what plans for criminalassetrecoverydoes SOCU have in place?

Criminalprosecutiongoesas far as to punish culprits and uphold the law so that an example is made out of the Herstelling family for other Guyanese. Asset recovery would be a welcome gift to the public coffers and show that SOCU is a net gain for thetaxpayerdime.TheUK’s Serious Fraud Office

DEAREDITOR,

The name of Dhanpaul Narine’s recently published book may not sit well for some, but for me, being not one to jump to conclusions without gathering more, pertinent information, the name piqued my interest; and based on what I read on Amazon com, I came to some understanding about whatmayhaveledtheauthor to choose such a name. Set inthevillageofVergenoegen on the east bank of the Essequibo, Guyana’s largest river, a short distance from where the river meets with theAtlanticOcean,thebook depicts life in the shanty surroundings of Sookoo Yard, a collection of ramshackle and cramped living quarters, made out of discarded lumber, plastic, tins, and corrugated zinc sheets, with flooring made simply of the good old natural ground of Mother Earth.Itchroniclesthelifeof itsprotagonist,Raj,fromhis infancy to teenage days, in the squalid surroundings of their ‘complex’ of primitive dwellings called logies, owned and operated by an unscrupulous landlord n a m e d S o o k o o –unscrupulous,becauseofhis penchant to resort to

essentially pays for its own operations through recovered assets and court fines In future, it is importantforjournalistsand the public to ask questions about asset recovery to encourage this element of financialcrimeprevention.A money laundering report is incomplete without this crucialfactor Forillustrative purposes, GYD$4 1B is nearly as much as the entire budget allocation for Sport ($4.3B)in2023.

In other words, a full asset recovery or court fine, could just about triple current pensions (i.e. appx. GYD $2 1B of current government expenditure on pensions (budget speech data) + GYD $4.1B in asset recovery of laundered funds = GYD$6.2B or triple the expenditureforpensions)for oneyear Nottomentionthat the court fines could well exceed the GYD$4.1B in laundered funds if we prosecute the companies behindthesecrimes.

This brings me to my second question. What are

the arrangements being made to prosecute these businesses? It takes two to tango and the other half of the coin is the Chinese businesses that were using this family to launder their money Given the significanceoftheamount,I dare posit that it is perhaps moreinthepublicinterestto prosecute the foreign businesses responsible and not just the private citizens.

If you have seen ‘The Ozarks’ (a popular Netflix show about money laundering) then you would know that American law enforcement habitually cuts deals to obtain useful information to bring down the bigger fish. I wonder what this case could have achieved if SOCU had offered the family a reduced sentence in return for their cooperation to incriminate the businesses they were workingfor

This case provides a golden opportunity for Guyana to showcase the excellence of itsAML(antimoneylaundering)regimeto

avoidanyfutureblacklisting from CFATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force). I do hope that the authorities have recognised the opportunity to make a request for mutual legal assistance to the Chinese embassy in accordance with FATF(FinancialActionTask Force) Recommendation 37 so that we can recover the proceeds of crime and bring the22culpablecompaniesin China to account Unfortunately, I’m sure that even the layman might describe this international standard for fighting financialcrimetobewishful thinking given political interests and the likelihood that nation state’s would rather protect their domestic companies. Nonetheless, we shouldbeseentobeworking toward a golden standard in Anti-MoneyLaundering. SOCU at the very least appears to be turning the gearsintherightdirection.I wish our investigators every success.

YoursFaithfully,

OthnielLewis

draconian measures to punish any tenant for even simple ‘infractions.’ Raj, in hisinfancy,wasentrustedby his teenage, immature, and financially strapped parents, to the care of his grandmother, whom he lovingly called Ma throughoutthebook,andhis grandfather, Johnny, a confectionery salesman mostlyawayfromhome.

Perhapsthemoststriking quality of the book is its authenticity The author boldly, with a no-holdsbarred approach, portrays the miserable quality of life logie folks had to endure, with constant flooding both from rainfall and overflowing streams covering the earthen floors, and raw sewage floating around in the living and eating quarters of the units; with a stench that would linger around long after the water has receded, giving rise to the residents being referredtoas‘sh*ttypeople,’ hence the title; and with a slumlordwhoseonlypriority was collecting the weekly rent,andwhowouldresortto unorthodox, if not illegal meanstopenalizeanytenant fallingshortofthefullrent.

Raj’s dear Ma may have been illiterate, but she

exuded a wealth of virtues, including patience and her constant mentoring of her grandson to always live by, and not veer away from, the truth;andherdailyadviceon howtorespectothersdespite their shortcomings, some directed and sometimes causing physical harm to Raj. Also, because of abject poverty, Raj had no textbooks in school, not to mentionhisconstantlysoiled clothing and lack of footwear; and he had to resort to sharing books with his desk companions, often ‘bribing’ them with sweets made by his grandpa. Also, Ma would go to a nearby storeandgetoldnewspapers from the proprietor before the papers were thrown out and the newspapers would servethedualpurpose,when pasted on the logie walls, of covering holes punched by their inquisitive, peepingtom neighbors, and giving Raj material, in the form of the new ‘wallpaper’, to improve his reading skills andbringhimuptoparwith domestic and world affairs. On the educational front, Raj’s performance in school did not reflect his true abilities, his mind preoccupied with myriad issues,nottheleastofwhich

washisdedicationtohelpin finding food for the household, and his penchant to take risks by skipping classestofishbytheseaside to raise funds not otherwise availabletothefamily Notat liberty to give away too muchinthisessay,letmesay that the book, written in the first person, is largely based on the personal experiences of its author, Dr Dhanpaul Narine, a graduate of the University of Guyana (BA) and the London School of Economics(BScHons,MSc, MPhil, Phd) It certainly gives new meaning to the maxim, per ardua ad astra (through adversity to the stars). Its absorbing prose is interspersedwithmemorable colloquialisms, such as chulchul, chunkay, bunjal curry,bisibisibush,pookney, and mocomoco bush, to nameafew;andthis,plusthe unique subject matter, grabs the reader’s attention to go onandon.Imaynotbequite afastreader,butIwasableto coast through the book in recordtime,formeatleast!

IapplaudDr Narinefora fine piece of literature and highly recommend this first novelofhistoall,especially myfellowGuyanese.

Yourstruly, AbelPeters

“Sh*tty People, a wonderful contribution to Guyanese literature

The Wales Gas to Shore Project continues to be shrouded in mystery

DEAREDITOR,

Yesterday’s disclosure thatExxonwillbeselling50 million cubic feet of natural gas per day to the government is a startling revelationandcontrarytothe PPP’s previous public commitment regarding the financing and feasibility of the Wales Gas to Shore project.

During a public briefing to address concerns regarding the Wales gas to shore project, President Ali announced that “The gas comes to the people free of cost”(Nocostyetforgas-toshoreproject–SNJune30th 2022), however Exxon has nowinformedthenationthat we will be paying that companyforourowngas.

During the embryonic discussionwithExxononthe possibilityofbringinggasto shore for the purpose of power generation, the Coalition administration informed the company in no uncertain terms, that any agreement which would entail Guyana having to pay forthenaturalgas,wouldnot beacceptable.

At that time, our reasons were: a) that the associated gas was indigenous (ah we own)andb)linkingtheprice of our natural gas to the international market would not provide the level of

energy security required for the country, since external events (such as the current Ukraine war) could adversely influence the internationalpriceofnatural gas, which would result in Guyana paying a premium price for its own gas. The Coalition’sdiscussionswere centered on the capital cost for the pipeline as well as costs associated with operations and maintenance of the pipeline It now appears that the PPP has made a complete U-turn on thisposition.

The details surrounding the Wales Gas to Shore project are shrouded in mystery - the reasoning for the selection of the current location has yet to be disclosed, the final project costshaveyettobepublicly disclosed, even more worrying that we are now informedthatExxonisyetto make a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the project, the final tariff to consumersforanyelectricity procured is still unknown, the full technical details including the proposed connection to our fragile t r a n s m i s s i o n a n d distribution network are unclear,theroleofthenewly formed Guyana Power and GasInc.isunknown.

In fact, only a select few

Nigel Hughes given rope to skip

DEAREDITOR,

prerogative to question

are aware of the full details of what will be the largest ever infrastructure project ever undertaken in Guyana. Surelythat’sanunacceptable state for any country – and worse for one of the fastest growing economies where theOneGuyanapropaganda creates the impression that the citizens are included in theplansfortheirfuture.

A Motion has been submitted to the Parliament callingforthefullreleaseof alldocumentsrelatingtothis project,butithasnotgained the approval of the Speaker Further, based on the Speaker’s track record of previous rulings, I am not optimistic that any Motion on these concerns will ever bedebatedinParliament.

As stewards of their future, Guyanese deserve to know the details and be given the opportunity to contribute to ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of this project, lest we find our taxes and other state revenue supporting another unprofitable pet project like the Skeldon sugar plant, using billions of dollars in bailout after bailout, seventeenyearslaterandstill counting.

Regards,

DavidPattersonM.P Executive – Alliance ForChange

I read the short article written by Kit Nascimento where he asked the question “Isthisfairandjust.”hewas making reference to Nigel Hughes being granted the opportunity of crossexamining selected membersoftheCOIwithout the Commission having the opportunityofdoingsameof oneofhis,RoxanneMyers.” At first, I was of that very same opinion as to why did The Commission grant Counsel Nigel Hughes such privileges without any form of reciprocity on their part? But,aftercarefulanalysisof their decision, I came into full agreement with the Commissiontohavegranted himthatlatitude.

Of course, it seems to be an unfair advantage seeing Hughes have shielded his client but yet wants to question another, one might be tempted to ask why hide yours,whileyouwanttogrill mine?

Butitisastrategywidely used in psychology and practiced in law, that is, just keepaclienttalkingandyou will get to know what are theirthoughts.

In other words, let that person “believe” that they are in control, something Nigel Hughes love to revel in He would have mistakenly taken the

which makes him feel good about himself that he can question the witness and in some way cause him to lessenhimself.

But this is the problem withHughes,oneverycross examinationofthewitnesses this man comes over as a public sham. Nigel Hughes couldnotbemoreofftrackin thathecannotforoneinstant stick to the terms of reference (TOR), members of the Commission have to repeatedly caution him to stick to the mandate before him and not stray into tributaries.PoorNigel,what are sorry place to find h i m s e l f ! T h e Commissioners on this COI are smart and erudite people whom I think might be laughingthemselvestosleep at the antics of this man, he just stands there flatfooted and listless with those nonsensical questions! I guess he might have hoped

that these hearings were private sessions and not public ones, because to publicly embarrass oneself likethatisquiteaspectacle!I hope Nigel does not crack andblurtoutashedidinthe COI in the Wismar Bridge shootings, when he shouted out ‘You want to shoot me likeyoudidthethreeboysat thebridge.’Ihopehedoesn’t because that would be the last of his presence there at theCOI.

It is interesting to note how some people turn up to be lawyers or persons who can be interpreters of law in thiscountry?

In Nigel Hughes case, this is a very bleak example of such. So, let him talk his talk, ask his questions until the time runs out on him, Otherwise, we rise up each day to listen to a clean, educational and informative COI.

Respectfullysubmitted, NeilAdams

Popular chutney artiste passes on

DEAREDITOR,

Popular Trinidadian Chutney singer,Anil Bheem died last Saturday and his remains were cremated in Caroni, Central Trinidad Bheem was enormously popular among Guyanese. He was a great entertainer Guyanese promoters of chutney concerts and events in New York and Guyana mournedtheloss.

Heheldaspecialplacein their heart for his wonderful singing.SinceSaturday,fans took to social media and mainstream papers expressinggriefandsadness overthedeathofthepopular singer

Thousands gathered at NCIC (Diwali Nagar) compound in Chaguanas, Central Trinidad, on Thursdaymorningtomourn, celebrate,andbidfarewellto the iconic local singer known as “The Vocalist”. Thousands more around the Diaspora tune in to Facebook and YouTube to

watchthetributeandeulogy that was beamed live. Many Guyanese turned to social media to watch the proceedings in the morning. It was a great tribute by colleagues,familymembers, a neighbor, friends, the Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar, his boss at 103FMwherehewasahost and disc jockey for a program,andmore.

Anil Bheem was a very popular and likeable musician and singer of varied genres (focused m o s t l y o n I n d i a n entertainment) His voice transcendedborders.

As an artiste, he has left an indelible mark on Trini, Guyanese and Caribbean Indian culture in the field of entertainment.

So many listened to his singing for over three decades. He has ruled the Indian entertainment industry almost like a king overthelastcoupledecades. He entertained large crowds

at chutney shows, concerts, clubs, and receptions not only in Trinidad but wherever there are IndoCaribbeans – New York, Florida, Toronto, etc. His voice and music have connected Indians in the Caribbean Diaspora Anyone who listens or follows chutney and or soca knows the name Anil Bheem. Besides being an outstanding entertainer, he wasahumanitarianandkind person.

He was a soft-spoken simple person. He carried himself with grace and humility He treated people withrespect.

Maythelordgivesolace, strength, and comfort to his grief stricken family parents Preematie and Krishna Bheem, wife Cheryl and children and the extended family on the loss of a great artiste. Anil Bheem will be sorelymissed.

Yourstruly, VishnuBisram

Aspecial UN fund should be setup to deal with catastrophic natural disasters

DEAREDITOR,

As I watched the devastation in Turkey and Syria caused by the recent deadly earthquake, I could not help but reflect on our own vulnerabilities in the face of potential natural disasters caused in large measure by the effects of climate change. And even though we have to consider ourselves fortunate not to have experienced any disaster of the magnitude seen in other parts of the world,wehavetocontinueto do our part in terms of disaster preparedness and mitigationefforts.

Such catastrophic disasters as in the case of TurkeyandSyriarequirethe collective response of the global community Credit must be given to those countries and international agencies that have already been rendering valuable assistance In times of

disaster, there should be no room for narrow thinking. Assistance should be sought and accepted from all quarters, regardless of political or ideological differences. Given the scale ofdeathsanddestructionthat could result from natural disasters, I am of the view that a special disaster fund should be set up by the United Nations A small reduction in global military spending of 1% by the industrialized world could releasebillionsofdollarsfor disaster mitigation efforts. This admittedly, is wishful thinking given the entrenched military positions of the major powers.

Inthisregard,creditmust begiventothoseindividuals and groups that have been risking their own lives to come to the rescue of those trapped under the rubble. Alreadyover20,000persons

have perished but many others were saved, thanks to rescue efforts of so many people. The full scale of the destruction is still to be determined, but from all indications it is one of the worst in recent times. The disaster in Turkey and Syria is all the more worrying when seen against the manmadedisasterintheUkraineRussia war in which tens of thousands of lives were lost andbillionsofdollarswasted i n i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l destruction. The billions of dollars spent on the war could have made a huge difference in relief efforts and poverty alleviation. All of that is now, as it were, water under the bridge. In fact, global military spending is increasing significantly as a result of heightened tension caused bythewarinUkraine.

Yourstruly, HydarAlly

DEAREDITOR, There needs to be more consultationswiththePPP/C

Government and the APNU OppositioninGuyana.There needs to be more

consultationswiththePPP/C Government and the unions inGuyana.

There needs to be more consultationswiththePPP/C Government and civil societyinGuyana.

There needs be more consultations to move Guyana forwards not just economically, but also socially and politically as well.

IrfaanAli has the chance to be an exceptional PresidentIFONLYhewould believe and TRUST Guyanese and not just go-italonetoscorecheappolitical points.

As I wrote to Donald Ramoutar and David Granger,youarenotgoingto be there forever, so why not help to move Guyana forward socially and politically and not just economically?

This could result in the healing process being initiated which ALL Guyanesecrave.

Don’t just go-it-alone whereby you are taking half of Guyanese with you and leaving half behind (Tek Half,LefHalf).

Let’s not lose this window of opportunity to moveGuyanaforward.

Sincerely, SeanOri

Do not go it alone: consult, consult, consult

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WHAT WILL THE PRESIDENT, SPEAKER, DO NOW?

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Guyana didn’t do well in the 2022 Corruption Perception Index.

Guyana still part of the most corrupt countries in the world.

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Guyana’s Speaker is not going to ban that mention of corruption, is he?

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Guyana’s PresidentAli is not going to claim transparency and accountability, is he?

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Stats Bureau can now measure poverty levels using

Facilitators and participants of the training multi-dimensional method

Participants engaged in the training exercise

Staffers of the B u r e a u o f Statistics are now better positioned to measure poverty levels in Guyana using the Multi-dimensional PovertyIndex(MPI).

This was made possible after several staff members recentlyconcludedhands-on capacity building exercise conducted at the Bureau's headquartersinGeorgetown.

The training was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)andwillseeGuyana utilising this method for the

firsttime,thebureausaidina pressrelease.

P r e v i o u s l y , measurement of Poverty levels in Guyana by the Bureau was primarily done using the Consumption Expenditure method, which utilises data on household expenditure.

OtherAgencieshavealso used the income method which relies on household income data However,

i n c o m e s a r e o f t e n understated and therefore not the most reliable metric forpovertymeasurement.

According to facilitator of the training exercise and t h e U N D P M u l t idimensional Poverty Specialist, Renata Pardo, the M P I m e t h o d i s a complementary one which examines other dimensions to poverty which are not covered by monetary measures. These include school attendance, educational achievement, barriers of access to health services, unemployment, food insecurity and overcrowding in homes, among others.

While Guyana has a Multidimensional Poverty Index calculated at a global stage, the specialist explained that there are dimensions of poverty that are unique to eachcountry

Ensuring that the participants of the training have a greater understanding of those dimensions was thereforeamainaspectofthe exercise.

This will now allow for the design and computation of the country's first Multidimensional Poverty Index

at a national level

M e a n w h i l e , C h i e f Statistician, Errol La Cruez highlighted the important role of the Bureau of Statistics in providing accurate, quality, and timely data and analysis that is vital for policy and decision

makers to construct plans andinterventionsthatreduce p o v e r t y , p r o m o t e development and improve people's quality of life Therefore, this training and thesubsequentmeasurement of poverty using the MPI would be very useful to all stakeholders in identifying areas for development and tracking progress in this regard.

Top tier of judiciary well poised to curb sexual violence

Former President David Granger on Friday said that the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Chief Justice and Chief Magistrate, all of whom are women, are well poisedtoassistincurbingthe surge of sexual violence in Guyana.

Mr Granger was at the time speaking during his weekly programme, 'The PublicInterest'.

“The Chancellor of the J u d i c i a r y, Yo n e t t e Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice, Roxane George –Wiltshire, and Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan − three women − are in the right place and at the right time to contribute to curbing the surge in sexual violence,”hesaid.

Sexual violence cases consistently constitute about half of all criminal cases in the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo Magisterial Districts. − Sexual violence includingthesexualabuseof boys and girls, forced prostitution, and trafficking of persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation – are l i a b l e t o c r i m i n a l prosecution.

The former president said that the Chancellor's opening of three Sexual Offence Courts in the three magisterial districts in 2017 and 2019 under the A

- Fmr. President David Granger

investigations, inept prosecution, an inefficient (ignorant) jury system at court, indecisive attitudes of victims to giving evidence and the discontinuance of casesbyvictims.

Former President, David Granger

Partnership for National Unity +Alliance for Change

( A P N U + A F C ) Administration helped to increase the rate of convictions in the face of risinglevelsofviolentcrime.

He said that young persons, aged 15-24, endure higher rates of every type of sexual violence − including rape, sexual harassment, and unwantedsexualtouching.

Mr Granger expressed theviewthatsexualviolence can be curbed but noted that conviction rates improve only slowly owing to insufficient 'rape kits' at hospitals, inadequate identification of assailants, insubstantial evidence at

Mr. Granger noted that education is important because legislation has expanded the range of offences, increased penalties, improved measures to protect victims during police investigations and court proceedings, initiated provisions to track sex convicts and eliminated exemptions from marital rapeprosecution.

Granger said that sexual violence against women and young persons has been difficult to eradicate owing t o c o m p l i c i t y o r concealment of the crime, secrecyandsilenceoffamily members who fear the withdrawal of financial support by relatives who are perpetrators, and acceptance of monetary compensation toavoidprosecution.

Victims of violence have no choice but to rely on the criminal justice system for the enforcement of the law and the dispensation of justice, the Former President concluded.

Mash get mash by de pandemic!

Our Republic Day celebrationsmoreoftenthan not coincide with the period during which both Trinidad and Brazil celebrate their carnivals.ThisyearTrinidad and Tobago celebrate their carnivalinthesameweekas our Republic Day celebrations and Brazil CarnivalendsonMashDay

This has been the trend for a number of years.What it means is that it is very difficult for Guyana to convert Mashramani into a major tourist attraction and to get the sort of visitor arrivals as Trinidad and Brazildofortheircarnivals.

But no one dares to suggest that we change the date of our Mash day celebrations This would leadtouproarandallmanner ofcharges.

Even without the competitionprovidedbytwo of the region’s largest festivals, Guyana would struggle to attract tourists to Mashramani which is nothing short of a diluted mimicry of Trinidad’s carnival. Over the years, Guyana has failed to move awayfromcopycattingwhat takesplaceinTrinidadandto develop our own unique culturalfestivals.

Also, Mashramani is a shade of what it used to be, even though the public viewingofMashDayevents now surpasses anything we

hadinthepast.Thefloatsare no way as spectacular as in the past and are far more substandard, but the bands do have greater and more diverseparticipation,evenif whatpassesforacostumeis simply a decorated jersey And of course far more persons are now lining the streets to watch this spectacle than ever before. Kind of ironic: the poorer Mash gets, the greater the publicparticipation.

Part of the problem with the quality of the parade is that Guyanese have grown accustomed to State sponsorship of Mashramani and even with the private sector coming on board in a bigger way there is just too much dependency on government sponsorship This is quite unlike what takes place in Brazil and Trinidad where the majority ofrevelersactuallypurchase theirowncostumes. If there was ever a suggestion that all those willing to participate would have to foot their own costumes, the Float Parade would fold up overnight. And yet the children of Guyanahaveshowntheway forward not only by their enthusiasm but also by the fact that the costumes are funded by the respective schoolsandparents.Sowhy should bands not sell costumestoadultswillingto

Dem Boys Seh...

take to the streets on Mash Day, or rather why should all, not just some, of those willing to be part of the paradeonMashDaynotpay fortheircostumes?

Itwouldbeunreasonable for Guyana to expect large numbers of tourists to come to see what we have. Why would anyone forego Trinidad or Brazil’s to come toGuyana?

There was a time when thepolicy-makersinGuyana were assuming that they could capitalize on the fact that larger numbers of touristswereintheregionfor these two carnivals and thus could be lured to Guyana. Theassumptionwaswithout any basis. Firstly, the kinds of tourists that travel to the carnivalsarenotawashwith funds. So it is not as if they are likely to be carnival hopping from Trinidad to Guyana and then Brazil or viceversa.

Most do only carnival and most do not hold down high paying jobs. Thus cash is important Secondly, many of them arrive by cruise ship which does not include a Guyana leg. And many also have package tours For about fifteen hundred dollars, they can have an all-inclusive package which covers their airfareandasmuchfoodand drinkastheyplease.

The airfare to travel to

De Speaker is nat de problem

De Opposition want de government to makepublichowdemoniesallocatedfuhde gas-to-shoreproject,willbeproperlyspent. Demtableamotiontodiseffect.Itisfuhde National Assembly fuh debate de motion andtopassit.

De Speaker is nat a Judge who gan instructdegovernmenttodoanything.Even ifdeNationalAssemblypassdemotion,de Speaker cannot compel de government fuh complywithdemotion.

Nuff motion pass wah nah comply with by de government. We therefore gat to dis nonsense about de Speaker having a say in dematter

What de Speaker gat a say about is whetherdemattercanbedebatedasmatter ofdefinite,publicandurgentimportance.If deOppositionhopingtohavedebusinessof de NationalAssembly suspended to debate ondismatter,demganbedisappointed.Dis motion will not qualify as a matter of

definite, public and urgent attention. It might meet de test of being definite and of public importance but not necessarily urgent.

Fuh de matter to be urgent, de matter must have arisen suddenly and be of clear emergency Despendingondegas-to-shoreproject has not arisen suddenly and is nat a clearemergency

As such, de motion will have to run its normalcourseandwaititsturnsubjecttobe placedondeOrderPaper Butdebusinessof de National Assembly is nat likely to be suspendedjustfuhdebatedismotion.

Deproblemwithdegas-to-shoreproject is nat de spending. Is de project itself becausedemnahgatnofeasibilitystudydat isspecifictodeproject.

Therefore,insteadofbotheringaboutde spending,demotionshouldhavebeenabout whetherdeprojectmeksenseornot.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

Guyanaalonewouldbeover $900 for an economy seat. And the rates our hotels charge would mean that the averagetouristwouldbeleft pennilessafterthefirstweek inGuyana.

However, with twenty five per cent of our visitors coming from the Caribbean and with air fares being relatively cheap, Guyana could capitalize on arrivals from the Caribbean if it schedules its Republican Day events as part of an

extendedweekend.

There are a number of events slated around Mashramani. But since the celebrationsarenotlikelyto be a major tourist attraction, it is left to Guyanese to help sustained this festival. As they have done for years now!

Assuch,itismuchbetter if instead of trying to attract visitors to Mashramani, greater attention is made to enhance local participation by having varied events

whichcatertoallraces,ages and which are hosted in all regionsofGuyana.

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

MARAD urges operators to register boats and become licenced

Boat operators, Captains, bowmen and owners traversing the Essequibo and Mazaruni Rivers on Thursday, February 9, 2023, were stopped and checked for documentation by officers from the Maritime Administration Department, with support from the Guyana Coast Guard (Photo courtesy of DPI)

DPI- Boat operators, Captains, bowmen and owners traversing the Essequibo and Mazaruni

R

MaritimeLaw

y, February 9, 2023, were stopped and checked for documentation by officers f

t h e M

r i t i m e Administration Department, with support from the GuyanaCoastGuard,butthe exercise was not meant to penalise anyone, instead, it wasacompliancesurvey

As vessels were stopped during transit on the rivers, the team conducted quick inspections for life vests, boat registration or licences, Captain licences, bowman badge and worthiness of the vessels, and what was unearthed, were many cases of non-compliance with the

Defaulting operators were advised that operating vessels without the requisite compliance is in fact a breach of the Maritime Law, which must be adhered to at alltimes,anderrantandnoncompliant operators will be fined and prosecuted accordingly

The joint activity included the Registrar of Ships (MARAD), Gale Culley-Greene, Deputy River Navigation Officer (MARAD), Deighton

Melville and Inspector (MARAD) Brian Dey along with Coast Guard Officers under the command of SeniorPettyOfficerOrlando Barkie.

Meanwhile, during the Bartica visit, Director of

Maritime Safety, Captain Courtney McDonald and Safety Clerk, Quaislyn David took the opportunity on Thursday to conduct a training exercise for individuals who were desirous of obtaining a bowman or bow woman's badge, a river navigation licence,aboatmastergrade3 licence (speedboat) or a certificateofcompetency This initiative of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) will continue throughout the country, especially in riverine areas with a school population Parents and community leaders are also advised to reach out to MARAD if they have any questions or queries on marinesafetyregulations.

Foreign Affairs Minister, ACS

Secretary-General discuss opportunities for regional integration

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, on Thursday met with Mr Rodolfo Sabonge, Secretary-General of the AssociationofCaribbeanStates (ACS).

Minister Todd and the Secretary-General discussed upcomingeventsundertakenby the organisation, opportunities for regional integration, and priorities of the Government of Guyana and the Greater CaribbeanRegion.

The Secretary-General also reiterated the commitment of the ACS to the Government of Guyana for the mutual achievement of sustainable development The ACS aims to enhance cooperation and provides a framework for political dialogue that allows Members the opportunity to identify areas of common interest and concern that are addressed at the regional level through cooperation and partnerships.(DPI)

Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Mr. Rodolfo Sabonge, Secretary-General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS)

'1000 modular homes' project to revolutionise housing industry, increase forestry sector earnings

The DuraVilla '1,000 modular homes' project, an initiative of local forestry company, Durable Wood Products Inc., will see more than 1000 pre-fabricated modular homes being sold to consumers in Guyana, other countries in the Caribbean, and on the international market.

While the launch ties into the government's commitment to improve access to safe and affordablehousingforGuyanese,it will also serve as a major revenue earner, as diverse, value-added wooden products are in demand bothlocallyandinternationally.

Already, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Durable Wood Products Inc., Rafeek Khan, has disclosed, that the company has been able to profitably export its products to a number of countries acrossmultiplecontinents.

This is due, in large part, to deliberate, well-structured, wellpositioned, articulate, and wellresearched policies on forestry, housing, and construction crafted bytheGovernmentofGuyana.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, made this point when he delivered the feature address at the DuraVilla launch at the Durable Wood Products Land of Canaan Site, East Bank Demerara earlier thisweek.

“Ourpolicieshaveseenforestry as a true national asset, earning carbon credits, earning from the wood product itself, earning from eco-tourism, and now we are moving to more scientific areas of pharmaceuticalvalues,”hesaid.

The Head of State underlined the importance of understanding and positioning the complexity of wood products to meet the vision outlined for the sector, and noted that in order to do this, there must be continued restructuring and retoolingoftheforestrysector

“One of the first things we did [after entering government in 2020

after listening to some of the players in the sector, is that we framed a new set of incentives to ignite the sector, to re-energise and reposition the sector-including offering duty-free on almost all the equipment that was needed to rebuild the sector,” President Ali stated.

Despite the new policies and incentives, challenges such as heavy rainfall and the COVID-19 pandemic posed a severe challenge to businesses in the forestry sector, especiallysmallloggers.

“But what did the government do? We didn't sit back and look at externalchallenges,andsay,'listen, we'rereallyinabadplace'.

We decided to invest in the infrastructure to support the sector.”

Thisincludedsome$4billionto support infrastructure in the hinterland regions. “So, what has occurred as a result of all that we

in this sector is back to over 20,000 persons,” President Ali disclosed. The president also highlighted that both local and international demand for construction materials hasgrownexponentially

He therefore commended the company's CEO, for taking the initiativethatwillnotonlyincrease supply, but create a market for nicheproductsaswell.

did since we came back to government production has increased. And it recovered, in 2022, an increase of over 50,000 cubicmetresascomparedto2021.

Export has recovered, from 2015 to now We have launched a revolving fund of $900 million, the first ever such fund in this sector,”

PresidentAlisaid.

During the five years under the ruleofthepreviousgovernment,he added, the forestry sector's workforce declined drastically, from 25,000 to less than 14,000, with stagnation occurring for most forestry-basedbusinesses.

“Today,asIspeak,employment

“Not only is this product a timberhome,itisonethatmeetsall the international requirements that Barbados needs for hurricaneproofing currently That is no easy accomplishment.Andeverythingis engineered locally,” President Ali said.

He noted that the venture could bring major foreign revenue into Guyana, reminding that wood is an expensivecommoditythatcouldbe utilised for luxury living. Dr Ali cited the success of Barama Trading Inc. from 2020 to now, noting that through investment of

US $5 million, the company's production has increased by over 50 per cent; with small loggers supplying some $3 billion worth of lesser-known species of wood to thecompany “Barama alone is expected to increase their production this year by 30 per cent. With about $3 billionbytheloggers,30percentis talking about $900 million more. Since we announced the incentives for small loggers, Barama has moved from a logging deficit to a floor surplus now, in many instances,” the Head of State pointedout.

Barama is now moving to their thirdfactoryproductionline,which willbeinstalledbyJulyofthisyear

President Ali sees similar success ahead for DuraVilla and Durable Wood Products Inc. He made known his administration's commitment to supporting this initiative, which he sees expanding intothewiderCaribbean.(DPI)

GRA commences registering of electric bikes

F o l l o w i n g s e v e r a l engagements, the Guyana Police Force's (GPF) Traffic Department confirmed that electric cycles commonly called electric bikes, must now be registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

This was confirmed by Traffic Chief, Dennis Stephens in a recent interview with the Big Smith News.

InavideoreleasedonFridayby the new agency, the Traffic Chief stated that the GRA have now commenced registering those electricbikes.Henotedthatwithno fatalitiesrecordedin2021,lastyear a total of seven 7 persons would have lost their lives using the electroniccycles.

"So this is a new pattern, a new challenge that the traffic department would have faced and as a result, we have engaged GRA to have those cycles registered,” he explained.

He also stated that what they found is that most persons who wouldhavediedasaresultofthose accidents were not a holder of a driver's license and as a result of a lack of knowledge in the use of roads,wouldhavebeenapartofthe accidents.

In stating that the laws indicate that persons 16 years can acquire a driver's licence for motorcycles, he urged that persons under the age of 16todesistfromusingthebikes.

Kaieteur News had reported previously that electric bikes

flooded the streets of Guyana, during the COVID-19 pandemic and as local sales sky-rocketed, businesses were forced to import thembythecontainers.

Calls have been made for the policetostepinandmonitortheuse ofthesebikesbut,accordingtothen Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram, there is nothing police can do until they are registered by the Guyana RevenueAuthority(GRA).

Although, the bikes are classified as a motor vehicle, because the maximum speed is below49cc,nolicencewasinitially required However, with increasing concerns, the Force and the GRA began talks to have the bikes regularised so that they can bemonitoredbypolice.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, CEO of Durable Wood Products Inc., Rafeek Khan, and members of the public and private sector cut the ribbon for the official launch of DuraVilla Homes.

Tiny homes DuraVilla constructed for Guyana's International Building Expo last year

Electric bikes for sale at local stores.

Parika Market destroyed by fire

TheParikaMarketwason Friday afternoon completelydestroyedby fire. According to reports, the fire startedataround15:30h.

Drone shots, multiple photographs and cell phone recorded videos depicted a devastating scene The entire structurelocatedincloseproximity to the Parika Stelling was engulfed inahugeballoffire.

The blaze reportedly spread quicklyanddestroyedstallslocated at the front of the market and even thosethatwereopposite.

Almostanhourbeforetheblaze was reported, the Department of

CommanderSiwnarinealsoechoed theMinister'sstatements.

He told Kaieteur News “The entirestructureisontheground,the entirestructureisontheground”.

No injuries were reported but up to Friday evening fire fighters were on the ground trying to completelyextinguishtheblaze.

TheoffloadingoftheEssequibo Vessels, MV Sandaka Kanawan and Malawi were reportedly halted tofacilitatetheirefforts.

It is unclear at this time as to whatmighthavecausedthefirebut according Minister Benn it is suspectedthataweldingsparkfrom ongoing construction works at the

Public Information (DPI) reported that, the rehabilitation of the Parika Market,themarketwhichisusually a hive of activity on Sundays, will becompletedthisyear

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn said that four fire

market might have gotten into contact with flammable materials andignitedtheblaze.

“We understand but we will have to clarify later that there was welding going on in the building and that the sparks fell down unto said. their d News

some

welding at the market when the spark fell on a tarpaulin and it start bun”. The vendors alleged that no quick attention was paid to the tarpaulin and spark caused a “big fire” that destroyed their stalls and allofthemerchandiseinside.

Chairman of the Parika Nieghbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Jaideo Sookhoo, described the destruction to the marketas“tremendous”.

“Over160registeredstallswere in the market including those that were at the side of the road”, the NDC chairman told Kaieteur News.

He assured that systems will be put in place to facilitate all of vendors who suffered heavy losses and related that the regional officials are presently discussing with the Minister (Benn) possible

alternatives for those affected so that they continue to earn their livelihood.

Meanwhile Benn said, “We are intended to meet with those (vendors) who claim they have losses and make listings for consideration an evaluation and assessment and then we will take it fromthere”.

The Parika Market has been around for many years and the government recently decided to pump hundreds of millions of dollarsintorehabi l i t a t i n g a nd enlarging the vending facility Reportssuggestedthattheplanisto replace the old wooden building withasteelandconcretestructure.

Some $259 2 Million were already expended to complete the phase one and two of the project. Some of the works were done by

Tanco Steel F a b r i c a t i o n and ConstructionInc.

The project was presently in its third phase of construction and some $690M were set aside for its completion but Friday's fire proved to be a major setback because the government will have to construct themarketfromscratch.

It is unclear if the same contractor was working on the Marketatthetimeofthefire.

T h e P a r i k a m a r k e t enhancement initiative would have seen infrastructural development, as well as the addition of a canopy walkway,amongotherupgrades.

The reconstruction of the markets was part of a broader initiativetoimproveandmodernise theconditionsofmarketsacrossthe country, while encouraging businessforvendors.

An overhead view of the destruction.

The main Parika Market Building on fire

Minister Robeson Benn at the scene of the fire

Firefighters containing the blaze

DNA test confirms skeletal remains belong to Answar Stoll

Despite confessed killer, Leon Waddle refusing to say wherehehadburiedthebody o f A n s w a r S t o l l , Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) testing confirms that the skeletal remains which were found at the Kuru Kuru

Backdam last year are those ofthedeceased.

Confirming the results with this publication on Friday was Crime Chief, WendellBlanhum.

On July 13, 2022 at about 20:35 hrs, a team of Forensic

investigators from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Crime Laboratorywasdispatchedto an area in the Kuru Kururu Backdam where human skeletal remains believed to be of Answar Stoll were

recovered.

The Crime Chief told Kaieteur News that “The bones were later examined by a Pathologist and confirmed to be those of a male above the age of 35 years old. The Pathologist

found evidence of a 14 cmlong incised wound extending from the frontal bone to the parietal bone of the skull. This injury was ruledasthecauseofdeath.”

These samples were sent overseasfortesting.

Kaieteur News had reported that the skeletal remains were found at the backdam scattered across an area measuring 30 feet in diameter In a report, the police had stated that several human bones were found intertwined in the roots of smallplantssuggestingthatit had been there for a while.

Guyana Police Force (GPF) addedthat,“theskullappears to be that of a male and bore evidence of a sharp injury (chop)tothetopoftheskull.”

T h e c h o p w o u n d reportedly “extended from above the eye socket all the way to the rear of the top of theskull.”Rankswereableto recover the shoulder bones and part of the vertebral column.Some thirteen pieces were reported still missing and GPF assured that the remains will be sent overseas for DNA testing a soon as possible.

Stoll had disappeared in November 2020 and three months later, police arrested 30-year-old Waddle, the prime suspect who was hiding in a fowl pen. Waddle was Stoll's roommate and whileincustody;headmitted tokillinghimandstealinghis belongings but refused to say what he had done with the corpse.

Waddlewaslatercharged with murder during the furtherance of robbery and remanded to prison According reports, it is believed that Stoll was killed between November 15 and 16 during a drinking session at Dadrima Savanah at Kuru Kururu, Linden-Soesdyke Highway Detectives had found his home ransacked with blood stains splattered across the walls. Sniffer dogs had also led to an area in the Kuru Kururu Backlands where they found a bloodstainedbedsheet.

Dead: Answar Stoll

Suspect: Leon Waddle

NCERD launches online professional development programme for teachers

Looking to give e d u c a t o r s a platform where they can continue their professional development, the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) on Friday launched, for the first time, an Online Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Programme for all teachers.

During a virtual launch, Director of NCERD, QuenitaWalrond-Lewis said that the CPD will give teachers at every level: nursery, primary and secondary, the experience to lean on their autonomy and consider their professional practice. She said that professional development forteachersisnecessary.

“It means that you are continually giving yourself opportunities to improve your practice over time Anyone and everyone r e g a r d l e s s o f y o u r experience in the education system, whether you've just joined the profession or you'vebeenintheprofession for30yearscanbenefitfrom continuous professional d e v e l o p m e n t , ” M s Walrond-Lewisnoted.

According to her in developing this programme, the team at NCERD underwent six months of intense training and preparation to be able to bringthecoursestoteachers. She said that the team had to

undergo training in learning design and instructional design.

Walrond –Lewis said too that the instructors learned how to technically operate within the Moodle space as well as think about the end user, and teachers, and how they could design course offerings that are engaging andinteractive.

TheDirectorsaidthatthe programme is very flexible, teachers can learn at their own pace, whether it is after workorontheweekend.

Speaking briefly about the programme, Design Consultant of the CPD, Dr. SchontalMooresaidthatshe was able to help the team at NCERDdevelop,designand delivercourses.

She said this process took six months of continuous work in a purely online environment addressing how to convert a course from a face-to-face modality to be delivered online.

She said that each officer hadtoanalyzetheircoursein terms of how to convert the materialsforeffectiveonline delivery before they began the design and development of the actual online course. At the end of the six months, 24coursesweredeveloped.

Chief Education Officer (CEO), Saddam Hussain, in his remarks stated that the start of the CPD is a historical moment in the EducationSysteminGuyana

and it is something that had been 12 years in the making.

HesaidthattheMinistrywill be partnering with the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) so that the CPD can benefiteveryteacher According to him, in the new week, the Education Systems Committee will meet and decide on several matters as it relates to the CPD He said that the Ministry hopes to connect the CPD to the senior promotion system, the issuance of permanent certificates from CPCE and to use the CPD as a pathway for crediting the master teacherprocess.

The CEO also urged all mathematics teachers at the secondary level to enroll in the Secondary Teachers of MathUpgradingProgramme on the CPD platform. He said that teachers should complete this course by May

ofthisyear

M e a n w h i l e , t h e Secretary-General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office – Guyana, Dr Olato Sam said that “We embrace the idea that teachers upon

e x i t i n g C P C E a n d completing their initial training are not trained for life.

And so, continuous professional development provides the wherewithal for them to expand their scope, on their skills, and recognize

and incorporate more contemporary ideas, concepts, and approaches to their pedagogy and developmentaseducators.”

Expressing gratitude to NECERD, Deputy General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), H e a t h c l i f f P e t e r s , encouraged teachers to take a d v a n t a g e o f t h e opportunities provided by NCERD.

Peters, who has already r e g i s t e r e d f o r t h e programme, concluded that the GTU intends to promote the CPD and encourage all teachers to enroll in the CPD to upgrade themselves throughtheonlineplatform. Teachers can register via the link to join the p r o g r a m m e https://forms gle/K7B6VPA 7FAideeu27

WANTED

Wanted: Experienced Cashier, Cooks, Counter Person, Supervisor and Labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts or WhatsApp: +592-6541361.

One hauler truck Driver and licence Excavator Operator needed, must have at least 3 years experience. Call: 6447088/ 624-7248.

Skilled Carpenters, Masons and Labourers. Call:6029469 or 615-7526.

Security required to work in Charity, Essequibo Coast. Call: 687-5814/ 688-0417.

Truck Driver required. Apply at: Lens 136 Sheriff Street, Campbellville G/ Town. Call: 227-1511/ 6451613.

Foreman, Drivers/ Expeditors needed to drive car/ van and lorry in Georgetown. Ages 25-55 yrs, Call: 2269768/ 225-7528.

Male and female General Receptionist to work at a Hotel. Apply in Person at 12 Henry Street,Werk-en-Rust. Call: 225-9211.

Live-in Domestic needed for Georgetown and Cook needed to work in the Interior. Call: 687-7638/ 660-9093.

Persons to install outdoor carpet. Call: 615-9132.

Urgently need one female Bartender to work in the Interior. Ages 21-30 yrs. Call Ms. Johnson: 698-5526.

One Female Sales Rep required. Call: 225-2313/ 6588559.

One male able- bodied Clerk required. Call: 231-2029, 6938462.

Security, Excavator Operator and Cook needed to work in Charity, Essequibo. Call: 687-5814/ 688-0417.

Receptionist required at Xenon Hotel. Call: 2235273/ 223-5274.

Handyman, Porters and Driver needed. Call: 2235273/ 223-5274.

Wanted: workers to work on Cash Crop Farm, $5000 daily and free meals included. Call: 695-6139, 679-7552.

TO LET

Store at Lombard street, commercial spaces at Enmore mall, top floor 300ft x 25ft. Call: 609-7675/ 674-1705.

VACANCY

Maid required to cook and clean in East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

Lathe Operator, Welder & Handyman required. Call: 645-9333/ 220-6078.

Driver required, ages 23-50 yrs. Must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles and must have car and van licence. Call: 645-8443/ 6429823.

Payless Variety Store is now hiring Sales Representatives and Porters. Location: 42 Wellington St, Georgetown. Call: 658-4494.

Hotel Attendant required at Hick's Ville Hotel. Call: 6400673, 231-0951, 227-7714, 223-3448. Email: info@ vegeworld.net

Vacancy exist for two experienced Dispatcher at Confidential Cabs. Call: 695-1961 /231-5784.

Cashiers, male and female Supermarket Attendants and Drivers needed. Apply with written application/ CV and passport photo to Survival 16 Vlissengen Road, Newtown Kitty.

Office Clerk and Domestic Worker required. Live-in facilities available, Call: 2237500.

Log Truck Driver, Diesel Mechanic, Porters, Timber Grant Manager & Maid. Call: 609-7675/ 674-1705.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade one or two, email application to: techserigy @yahoo.com or Call: 6159132.

Room Attendant, Receptionist and Desk Staff needed, 25-45 years old. 233 South Road Lacytown, Call: 225-0198.

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

Vacancy exists for one Secretary, must be computer literate. Experience will be an asset. Call: 660-8905.

Cleaner, Labourers, Office Assistant, Maintaining Officer and Semi-skilled Workers required. Call: 621-6969, 615-7784.

Job opportunity available at Fergusons Optical Ltd, now hiring Optometrist. Email CV: fergusonoptical.chaguanas @gmail.com

VACANCY

Guard wanted to work day or night shifts at Friendship Oxygen E.B.D, ages 40 rs and older. Call: 6230133/ 6235121.

Security Guards needed at B.M Soat Security Services Inc. Call: 656-4345/ 616-6266.

Water Delivery Driver and Porter needed for E.C.D. Call: 676-1363 /692-6768.

Pastry Maker, Cleaners, Salesman, Table Hand & Security needed. Apply @ Humphrey's Bakery, 38 Ketley & Sussex St, Charlestown. Call: 225-7864.

FOR SALE

CAT 320 excavator buckets, CAT 320 idler, road painting machine.Call: 275-0367/ 6837225.

Ton and a half - Dragline hammer, steel Traylor 16ft, 2ft, 8ft. CAT 215 excavator parts. Call: 275-0367/ 6837225.

House lots for sale, $20,000 monthly payment plan. Whatsapp: 622-1957.

SERVICES

Repairs at affordable price: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer. Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

We have the best interest rate at Coleman's Variety Store & Pawn Shop located at 2824 La Parfaite Harmonie, W.B.D. Call: 678-7409.

Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of

Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

LEGAL NOTICE 1

2022-HC-DEM-CIV-FD1674

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL

JURISDICTION FAMILY

DIVISION

PETITION NO. FD-1674

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 27th day of March, 2023 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room via Zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf at the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One CRV Honda, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage $3.3M negotiable. Contact: 649-0956.

BETWEEN: DAWN ROSEMARIE

BELL nee DE ABREU

Petitioner -V-

DERREL HENRY BELL

Respondent

PROPERTY FOR SALE

One double flat/ one house at the back, two business place in infront located at Craig P/Road, E.B.D. Call: 694-3573.

One Nissan Tiida for sale. Call: 643-9800/ 264-2242.

New, American luxury, fully loaded Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks and Nissan Frontiers pick-up trucks 20142017. Call: 693-4420, Email: cdmobileultrasound@ gmail.com

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari hotel located at WBD (Versailles, Vreed-enHoop)- A/C, all amenities and breakfast included, from $63USD. Call: 2642946-9.

ENTERTAINMENT

Swimming pool, family fun, crystal clear pool, kids and adults sections at Aracari Resort, Call: 264-2946-9.

FOR RENT

Luxury, fully furnished, 4 bedrooms apartment located at 21 Seaforth St, Campbellville, G/town. Call: 621-5140/ 624-7436.

DERREL HENRY BELL

Last Known Address

Lot 5 Grant R Soesdyke

East Bank Demerara

Guyana

TAKE NOTICE that on the 12th day of December, 2022 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by DAWN ROSEMARIE

BELL nee DE ABREU, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 27th day of January, 2023

EDUCATION

Have your child/children (7 years and older) accelerate in their reading, writing and phonetic skills. Call 6508925 or email nmf1010 @gmail.com.

SERVICES

Visa Application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 6190007, 629-5526.

Khemraj & Sons Landscaping specialize in selling, planting, trimming, treating, moulding plants, cutting down trees and spraying weeds, etc. Call: 627-5969/ 668-4964.

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 25th day of January, 2023 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspaper, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around the Republic of Guyana and on the world wide web.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy- of the

Filing Attorney: MS. SHAMEKA TAITT GUY ANA LEGAL AID CLINIC “Maraj Building:” 185 Charlotte & King Streets Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 2259238/ 225-9246 Email: legalaid@networksgy.com

2022-HC-DEM-CIVFD-1093 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL

LEGAL NOTICE 2

BETWEEN: -SEMPLE (PETAL HANA YASMEEN) nee ALI Petitioner/Applicant -and- SEMPLE (ROYSTON TREVOR)

Respondent TO: ROYSTON TREVOR SEMPLE

Formerly of Lot 161 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, Guyana

TAKE NOTICE that on the 4th day of August, 2022 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by PETAL HANA YASMEEN SEMPLE

nee ALI the Petitioner/ Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 5thday of October, 2022 the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (online)

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 28th day of March, 2022 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam_Justice_Fidela_CorbinLincoln via Zoom Meeting ID: 817 2463 7445 and Password: Court12.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer

Jamaica: FID hails Privy Council ruling

Judgment backing anti-money laundering regime a positive for agency

Jamaica Observer - Fi nancial Investiga tions Division (FID)

Chief Technical Director

Selvin Haye says Thursday’s Privy Council judgment backing Jamaica’s anti-money laundering regime, which compels attorneys to report instances of financial crimes when dealing with their clients, is a positive for the agency which ferrets out financial crimes.

“The ruling mentions the FID’s responsibility as the designated authority, so naturally it would have an impact. Positive or otherwise, it would have had an impact on how we go about business,” Haye told the Jamaica Observer.

The FID honcho said while he was yet to read the ruling in its fullness or hold discussions with the FID’s attorneys, “from the outset it is something positive, based on what we have to do”.

“The attorneys will help us unpack it, so we will discuss it as a management team and then we will see how we move forward. Suspicious transactions and fraud and everything have been ongoing; we are in part an investigative body that has been treating with these cases, so we continue. This ruling really specifies the attorneys being fully required to report and be part of the regime without the issues that they were raising about the constitutionality of it, so the ruling would smooth the way for us to move forward,” Haye said.

In the meantime, Finance Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke, in a

LEGAL NOTICE 2

and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 27thday of January, 2023.

statement issued in the wake of the ruling, said the “decision represents the firm commitment and resolve of the Government of Jamaica to bring its Anti-Money Laundering/Combating of Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) regime into compliance with international standards”.

“As such, the decision is a game-changer in Jamaica’s efforts to ensure that the financial system is not abused to launder the proceeds of criminal activity,” Clarke stated, adding that “Jamaica will now move with expedition to ensure that attorneys-at law fulfil their obligations under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) as part of the designated non-financial businesses and professions framework, in preventing the abuse of the financial system by criminals seeking to launder illicit proceeds”.

He noted further that the decision enables the General Legal Council (GLC) to resume its role of monitoring compliance by attorneys and as the first step, with support from Jamaica’s AML/CFT Prime Contact Secretariat at the Bank of Jamaica, to resensitise attorneys particularly with regard to the suspicious transaction reporting regime. In 2013 Jamaica extended its anti-money laundering regime to include attorneys carrying out certain activities, such as purchasing and selling businesses or real estate or creating companies or trusts. The Jamaican Bar Association, which represents attorneys, had brought a challenge to the extended regime on the basis that it is unconstitutional on a number of grounds.

A three-judge panel of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Jamaica had held that the relevant legislation was lawful and so dismissed the challenge. However, on appeal the Court of Appeal of Jamaica declared certain aspects of the regime invalid on the basis that they contravened the constitutional rights to privacy, liberty and freedom from search of property without demonstrable justification.

The attorney general and the GLC appealed to Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with the permission of the Court of Appeal. This appeal, with the Jamaican Bar Association named as a respondent, was heard in November last year.

The Privy Council, in its ruling said, “the regime does not contravene constitutional rights”.

It further said while it was

accepted by the parties and the courts that the anti-money laundering regime involves some interference with attorney-client confidentiality, because both the inspection powers of the GLC and the obligation to report suspicious transactions would be likely to involve some disclosure by attorneys of their clients’ confidential information, it agrees with the Jamaican Supreme Court that the interference is demonstrably justified.

“There can be no doubt that combating money laundering is of first importance to Jamaica. The extension of the regime to attorneys is rationally connected to that objective and is not arbitrary,” the Privy Council declared.

On Thursday, Jamaican Bar Association President

Alexander Williams said the “decision has brought finality to the issues and concerns raised by” the association “about certain aspects of the statutory regime regarding how attorneys-at-law would operate as designated non-financial institutions in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing”.

Williams, who said the association “welcomes its role in that fight” argued that “at the heart of its challenge was the protection of the rights of the public and guidance for the profession, where constitutional rights are apparently being breached”.

“The association has conducted and will continue to conduct continuing legal education seminars for attorneysat-law as to how they should conduct their practices to accord with a POCA regime. We

did this even while the litigation, which ended with the Privy Council decision, was ongoing,” Williams said further.

He, in the meantime, appealed to the public and potential clients to cooperate with attorneys who seek to carry out due diligence on their clients and their transactions, given the requirements for attorneys to at the commencement of the transaction, to obtain information from their clients as to their identity and source of funding. Last week, Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte, in speaking on the impact that an unfavourable ruling would have had, said, “I don’t want to pre-empt the ruling but I think what it would simply mean is a look back on the design of the regulations”.

“It’s going to be difficult to not include non-financial entities designated to assist in the work, but it will turn on how we do it. I am also of the view that the lion’s share of the responsibility for law enforcement must rest with law enforcement, and I think sometimes we take steps to capacitate because of the incapacity in law enforcement. We are at a place where we really have to look at the resources that we provide for law enforcement, particularly of specialised legislation, but I am looking forward to the ruling,” she said.

T&T attorney dies addressing Court of Appeal

CMC – Former deputy chief state solicitor general, Neil Byam, collapsed and died on Friday while addressing the Court of Appeal. “We can confirm that there was a medical incident involving an attorney in court today,” the judiciary said.

Byam was before Court of Appeal judges Allan Mendonca, Prakash Moosai and Gillian Lucky, shortly before 11:00 am (local time) when he collapsed and had to be assisted by Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes who helped lowered him to the floor where attempts were made unsuccessfully to resuscitate him.

Former Attorney General, Faris Al-Rawi, speaking in the Parliament, confirmed Byam’s death, telling legislators he was a public servant of note.

“Mr Neil Byam collapsed and passed away literally in the Court of Appeal today

Former deputy chief state solicitor general, Neil Byam, collapsed and died on Friday while addressing the Court of Appeal.

and permit me Madam Speaker having worked with Mr Byam for many years in my capacity a s Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and years prior to offer deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. “Surely

today, he did not wake up with the intention of departing from us that soon. May the Lord, God rest his soul in eternal peace and may the Lord have mercy on him. Dear Lord we pray for that,” Al Rawi added.

Jamaica’s Financial Investigations Division (FID), Chief Technical Director Selvin Haye

Turkey-Syria earthquake: New-born and mother saved after four days in rubble

BBC - A new born baby and his mother have been rescued from rubble in Turkey, around 90 hours after the first of Monday’s deadlyearthquakes.

The 10-day-old boy, named Yagiz, was retrieved fromaruinedstructureinthe southernHatayprovince.

Footageshowedthechild being carefully taken out overnight - a sight described by local media as miraculous.

Hopes of finding many more survivors are diminishing, amid freezingcold weather four days after thedisaster However,search andrescueeffortscontinuein b o t h T u r k e y a n d neighbouring Syria - which was struck by the quakes as well.

New-born Yagiz was pictured wrapped in a thermal blanket being carried to an ambulance to receivetreatment.

His mother was brought outonastretcher Therewere no further updates immediately available over thehealthofboth.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu - whose teams were reportedly involved in therescue-tweetedaboutthe rescue,sayingithappenedin thetownofSamandag.

Footage obtained by the Reuters news agency also showed a man being retrieved from the ruins, thoughitwasnotknownifhe had any connection to the othertwo.

Morethan21,000people have died - most of them in Turkey - after Monday morning’s initial 7.8magnitude tremor and the hundreds of aftershocks that followed.

There have also been fears of a secondary catastrophe, as many people have been made homeless and are lacking shelter, water,fuelandelectricity

TurkishPresident,Recap Tayyip Erdogan has described it as the “disaster ofthecentury”.

Opposition figures have accused Mr Erdogan of failing to prepare for the earthquake and have questioned how estimated

88bn lira ($4.6bn; £3.8bn) raised from an “earthquake tax” was spent. The levyfirstimposedinthewakeofa massive quake in 1999 that killed more than 17,000 people - was meant to have been spent on disaster prevention and the development of emergency services.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party said on Wednesday that Mr. Erdogan’s government “has not prepared for an earthquakefor20years”.

Despite the devastation, stories of remarkable escapes or heroic rescues havebeenemergingoverthe pastdays.

Thousands of people haveofferedtoadoptababy girl who was born under a collapsed building in northwestSyria.

When she was rescued, babyAya - meaning miracle in Arabic - was still connected by her umbilical cordtohermother,whodied along with other family members.

Social media restricted in Ethiopia as church rift turns violent

Three church officials declared themselvesarchbishopslastmonth,leading toproteststhathavekilledatleast30people.

Aljazeera - Access to social media platformshasbeenrestrictedinEthiopia,the Internet watchdog NetBlocks says, after violent protests sparked by a rift within the country’sOrthodoxChurch.

The protests broke out in the Oromia regionwhenthreechurchofficialsdeclared themselves archbishops last month and set up their own governing body Some demonstrators have opposed their move whileothershavesupportedit.

AccesstoFacebook,Messenger,TikTok and Telegram has been severely restricted, NetBlockssaidonTwitterlateonThursday, citingnetworkdataithadcollected.

The tweet came hours after the church saidatleast30peoplehavebeenkilledinthe protestssinceFebruary4.

The church’s statement called for demonstrations on Sunday against the new governing body as it accused the Ethiopian government of “meddling” in the church’s internal affairs after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmedaskedhisministerstostayoutofthe dispute.

The 10-day-old baby was taken to an ambulance after being saved from a collapsed building

TSC fully constituted with swearing in of last two members

President Irfaan Ali on Friday administered the Oath of Office to two members of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) at the Office of the President (OP) thereby fully constitutingtheCommission.

The two members are: Mrs. SattiJaisierisinghandMr Lancelot Baptiste.

I n D e c e m b e r , f i v e Commissioners were sworn in by President Irfaan Ali: Mr. Maydha Persaud, Mrs. Doodmattie Singh, Mrs. Joan Ann David-Monkhouse, Mrs. Shafiran Bhajan, and Mr. MohammedSaddamHussain.

The TSC appoints teachers in the Teaching Service (non-board schools), removes and exercises disciplinary control over persons holdingoractinginsuchoffice,and also ensures that no claims of partiality of any nature can be justifiablebemadeagainstit.

During the simple ceremony, the President said, “I would just

urgethetwonewlyswornmembers of the Commission to review my commentswhenwesworntheother membersoftheCommission.

I want to congratulate you and wishyouwellonthisjourneyaswe seek to further strengthen our education system, as we seek to ensure we build an institutional environment in which our teachers are treated fairly in which the process of governance continue to improve and deliver in a manner in which all can find acceptable standard and can find good governance.”

The Head of State said that the functions entrusted on the Commission must “not be taken lightly” while charging the Commissioners to be faithful to their oaths and to execute their dutieswithprofessionalism.

“Youractionswillcontribute,in no small measures, to ensure that the Teaching Profession is populated by persons that are

worthyofeducatingthepresentand future generations,” President

Senior Superintendant Edmond Cooper laid to rest with full military honours

Nicked named “The Rocket” for his bravery and courage as a policeman, Senior Superintendant of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Edmond Cooper was laid to rest withfullmilitaryhonoursonFriday afternoon at the Best Village Cemetery, West Bank Demerara (WBD). His Farewell Service was held at Police Sports Club at Eve Leary and was attended by top police officials and Minister of HomeAffairs,RobesonBenn.

Close friends, acquaintances and Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken paid tribute to the late officer who served the Force for more than 29 years and was awarded medals for long serviceandgoodconduct.

Cooper died on Saturday, January 28, 2023 after being ill for justoverayear TheGPFhadstated

that he fell ill in 2021 and had even fallen into a coma for some time Cooper was said to be recovering up until the timeofhisdeath.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understandsthatthesenior officer had suffered a stroke.

Cooper joined the Force 1992andservedhiscountry his untimely illness and subsequent death. He worked as Police Prosecutor and held many senior leadership positions includingDivisionalCommander

Cooper also excelled academically with a Diploma in Safety and Security Management, Criminology, a Bachelors of Law Degree and a Legal Education Certificate(LEC).

In 2020, he was admitted to the bar as anAttorney-at-Law and was even pursuing a Degree in Terrorism and also a Ph.D. Law Student at Charisma University at thetimeofhisdeath.

InatributetoCooper,Charisma University said that it is heartbroken by his death and

offered sincere condolences to hisfamilyandfriends.

“Death has taken away a genuinely amiable individual. Edmond was an excellent student who developed relationships and enjoyed his t i m e a t C h a r i s m a . Academically,hewasdoingwell and thriving in his studies. He graduated from our university with a Master of LegalArts in 2019 and pursued his Ph.D. in Law until he became ill in late 2021,” a statementbytheUniversitysaid.

Further, the University's Dean of Law, Chinyere Chukwuka, remarked, "He was such an intelligent, respectful, and responsiblestudent.Thesequalities madehimanoutstandingstudentin thelawprograms."

Cooperwillberememberedasa cop with a passion for prosecution andworkinginthecourts.

Ali said.

Present at the swearing in ceremony yesterday wereAttorney General and Minister of Legal

Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC and Chief Education Office (CEO), Mr SaddamHussain.

President Irfaan Ali (second left) alongside the two newly-appointed members of the Teaching Service Commission, and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and CEO, Saddam Hussain.

Springs, North Ruimveldt Bridge collapsed under a heavy laden truck transporting asphalt on Friday Road works

Relatives paying their last respects. (GPF Photo)

The Late Senior Superintendant of Police, Edmond Cooper

Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken paying his tribute to the Late Edmond Cooper

David Fernandes returns as GSA’s President

The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street.

This meeting was held on two platforms; the face-toface and the other via zoom. David Fernandes were reinstated as the head of the GSA at this year’s AGM.

Owen Verwey the outgoing President opened the AGM with a few brief remarks. In his remarks, he shed some sentiments on the Government’s support. Saying, the Association has been given enormous support from the Government in the past

two years. He also mentioned, “The National Sports Commission (NSC), through the initiative of the President of The Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Ifraan Ali has made considerable amount of contributions to Sports; whereas the association benefitted majorly.”

He also mentioned being able kick-start the Junior Squash Academy and, also being afforded a new Double Court facility at the Racquet Center, Wolford Avenue, scheduled to be completed in the coming months.

Under the watch of Owen Verwey, the GSA was able to host a successful BCQS 2023

Saturday February 11,

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Get-togethers with friends or meetings with a small group, if possible, should prove informative and enlightening today, Aries, although some of it may be a bit perplexing.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Today things could be rather hectic at work, Taurus. You'll probably be very busy and happy with whatever results you produce. You could tire yourself out,

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Some new information about an interesting field could have you browsing the web and looking through books to learn more, Gemini. This could involve law, philosophy,

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Today you might learn about new and creative ways to increase your income, Cancer, possibly involving technology in some way. So much new information could come your way.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Social events could put you in touch with interesting people in intriguing professions, Leo. You might get involved in some fascinating conversations that provide you with a lot of useful information.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

A friend or colleague could recommend some books that you want to read right away, Virgo. Be sure you take breaks and rest your eyes from time to time to avoid eyestrain and headaches today.

Squash Masters tournament earlier this month and all of its’ Juniors and Seniors tournaments last year.

The BCQS Masters an international tournament; which provided local athletes with needed opportunities which aid in keeping the sport of squash alive in this part of the region.

At this year’s AGM, the association made a few amendments to the constitution; where they had an inclusion of two new committee members.

The GSA now has a new Players Committee; Alex Arjoon was installed as the chairperson of that commit-

2023

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Today your mind will be quick, insightful, and inspired, Libra. Your creative impulses should go a thousand miles an hour and ideas should pop in and out of your head like crazy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

If visitors are able to pop in and out during the day, Scorpio, you'll be in the right frame of mind to enjoy their company. Expect interesting news and stimulating conversation.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Don't be surprised if your inbox fills with email or your phone rings off the hook, Sagittarius. Friends, relatives, and colleagues could have great news and useful information.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It Inspiration is the word for today, Capricorn. Your creative talent should blossom and motivate you to work on wonderful ideas. This could involve music, painting, decorating,

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Today your physical and mental energy should be operating at a very high level, Aquarius. You probably won't spend much time inside if you can avoid it. Expect get-togethers

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Your intuition is likely to be very keen today, Pisces. Accurate psychic insights could come to you thick and fast. Your imagination is also strong, and you might come up with ideas to enrich your home,

tee. Also for the first the GSA will have an Immediate-PastPresident which Owen Verwey now holds this position. The GSA officials and members have also decided on a new logo for the association.

Interestingly, at this year’s AGM an amendment was made which permits the newly-elected President; David Fernandes to serve a two-year term rather than the previous one-year term.

AGM’s are to be held annually with elections happening every two years; also all financial accounts should be readily available at every AGM.

After GSA’s executives and member head to the Poll’s, David Fernandes was voted in as President of the GSA, while Lorraine Ince will serve as Vice President, Ashley DeGroot is now Treasurer of the GSA, Ashley Khalil Secretary/Treasurer, Deje Dias remains as Chairman of Competition Committee, Taylor Fernandez Chairman of Junior Affair Committee, Robin Low Chairman of Clubs Committee, Jonathan Antczak Chairman of Sub-competition committee for Fundraising and Alex Arjoon appointed Chairperson of Prayers Committee.

Blue Water to sponsor...

From page 24 happy to have come on board and we look forward to partnering with you as you take this tournament from strength to strength.”

Chairman of CWIMA, Raj Singh, said, “Partnering with Blue Waters, with their products which all promote healthy living, is a perfect fit for us.”

The team captains expressed excitement about being in Barbados to participate in the exciting tournament. Manager of the Rest of the World squad, Colin Walters, said, “This is my third trip to Barbados and it gets better every time I come here. It’s a fabulous place to come and it’s a fabulous place to play Cricket. This looks like a brilliantly organised tournament and we are delighted and honoured to be here.”

All matches are being streamed on YouTube. The final was held February 10 at Kensington Oval, followed by a closing ceremony at Golden Sands Hotel.

For more information please contact Kobie Broomes, Group Marketing & Communications Manager – 12462331726

Guyana will play Montserrat in Barbados

The 2022-2023 Concacaf Nations League March 28 match between Guyana and Montserrat will be held at Wildey Turf Stadium, Wildey, Barbados.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has confirmed that the League B, Group B Match #99 will kick-off at 19:00 (7 p.m.) local time (19:00 ET). The decision to move the match from Guyana to Barbados was approved by Concacaf following a thorough review of facilities here, including the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

The GFF General Secretary Ian Alves in a letter to Concacaf explained that the pitch at Leonora is in poor condition “inclusive of sparse grass coverage in many areas.”

“The stadium authorities have recently treated the

grass for infestation, which makes it possibly injurious to the health of players. This situation would have to be monitored and evaluated in a few weeks to ascertain the reduction or total removal of this threat,” the letter added. Guyana is second on the table behind Haiti in the 20222023 Concacaf Nations League. The Golden Jaguars will also play Bermuda on March 24 which the Bermuda Football Association has expressed its willingness to host, Alves confirmed.

In early January, the Senior Men’s National Team resumed training with Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz at the GFF’s National Training Centre, Providence, East Bank Demerara. Guyana must win both matches to qualify for the Gold Cup.

Murphy shines on debut, but Rohit’s ton puts India on top

AFP - Skipper Rohit Sharma hit a brave 120 on a turningNagpurpitchasIndia extended their lead to 144 despite Australian debutant Todd Murphy’s five wickets intheopeningTest.

India were 321-7 at stumps with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja proving his worthforthesecondstraight day of his international returnwithanunbeaten66.

The 22-year-old Murphy tookregularwicketswithhis off-spin in his attempt to check India’s surge but Jadeja kept up the charge following Rohit’s dismissal soonaftertea.

Jadeja was batting alongside fellow left-hander AxarPatel,whohit52,asthe pairputonanunbeatenstand of81fortheeighthwicket.

Rohit led from the front withhisninthTestcenturyto extend India’s dominance after they dismissed Australiafor177ondayone ofthefour-Testseries.

The captain defied the spinnerstoreachhishundred withaboundaryoffMurphy

in the second session, and tookoffhishelmettosoakin theapplause.

He put on a key 61-run sixth-wicket stand with Jadeja, who stood firm after Rohit’s departure to register a fifty after his five wickets intheAustralianinnings.

Jadeja, who has three Test hundreds, did his trademark sword swish with thebattomarkhis18thhalfcentury in the five-day format.

Murphy stood out for t h e t o u r i s t s w i t h remarkable control to knock off the stalwarts of Indian cricket including Virat Kohli, caught behind for12

Murphy, who claimed KL Rahul as his first Test wicket on Thursday, trapped Ravichandran Ashwin lbw and got Cheteshwar Pujara caught at short fine leg in the first session Senior Australia spinnerNathanLyonspoiled Twenty20 sensation

Suryakumar Yadav’s Test debut after he bowled the

batsmanoneighttoputIndia inaspotat168-5. But Rohit, who started the day on his overnight 56 and smashed Pat Cummins and Lyon for a six each, and Jadeja soon swung back the momentum with a mix of cautionandaggression.

Cummins took the second new ball after tea to sendbackRohitbowled,one ballafterhewasdroppedby SteveSmithatsecondslip. Murphysoonbaggedhis fifth as he trapped fellow debutant Srikar Bharat lbw — a decision that was given not out by the umpire but successfully reviewed by Australia.

Jadeja, who returned from a knee injury with a 547onThursday,soldieredon with Patel as they frustrated the opposition attack in the finalhourofplay

Axar smashed eight boundaries en route to his secondTestfifty Scores: India 321 for 7 (Rohit120,Jadeja66*,Axar 52*, Murphy 5-82) lead Australia177by144runs.

Play in the Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) organized T20 men’s competitionbowlsofftoday withthreematches.

The competition has teamsdividedintoGroupA and B and from 9.30am a groupAmatchissetforthe Maria Elizabeth ground

where Malali face Coomacka, while over at the Ituni ground, the home team will collide withWest Watooka from 10am in another Group A game Later at 1.00pm there will be another game slated for the Maria Elizabeth ground asYoungAchieverstakeon Royal Champions Eight

teams are competing where Group A has Ituni, West Watooka, Coomacka and Malali, as Group B comprisesYariah,Aroiama, YoungAchieversandRoyal Champions. There is one game set for tomorrow as Yariah meet Aroiama from 10 This competition continuesnextweekend.

Male T20 UDCA competition starts this weekend with four matches at various venues

Ravindra Jadeja hugs Rohit Sharma. (BCCI)

Australia, England & ROW register wins in the 5th round

The BMC Caribbean Cup concluded its final round on Wednesday with mostly wonderful Barbados weather at all the 3 venuesFour Square Oval, WanderersCC&theBNOC Sports Club. This round, England, Australia and the Rest of the World had quite an easy day at the park registering comprehensive victoriesintheirencounters.

MATCH 1 at BNOC Sports Club - In the USA v ROW encounter, the ROW 2nd victory in the tournament. The trend of teams winning the toss and electingtobowlwhoseemed to prefer chasing in this round continued. The USA after being inserted lost wickets at regular intervals and eventually folded for an obviouslyinadequate150all out off the allotted 45 overs.

Captain Wayne Copeland top scored with a brilliant undefeated half century 54 with 4 boundaries. Opener Barlingay contributed 34 with 2 boundaries Syed Naqvimade12andGregory Caracciolomade11.Seamer RexBennettewasthepickof the bowlers with 3 for 29, ably supported by John Courtney with 2 for 21 and ArnoldManders2for20.

In their response the ROW easily dispatched the USA total in 33.1 overs. Mark Preddey was

undefeated on 54 with 2 b o u n d a r i e s a n d 2 maximums.OpenerAnthony Bennett made 49 with a solitary boundary. Neil Calvert made 16 and Gary Whitakercontributed10.Zia Ahmadhad2for32.

MATCH 2 at the

WANDERERS CC- In the Australia vs Invitational XI encounter the Aussies won the toss and elected to take first strike rattling up the highest total of the tournament -272 for 6 off their 45 overs Several battersgotstartsbutnonegot ahalfcentury-GregHiysted46, Kent Officer 42, Glen Richardson 41, Sam Davis

34,AllanBougoure30,Peter Miller26,DaleThornton17 and Eric Higgins 14. Dave Ramdan was the top bowler with 3 for 54 and captain JanakPatelhad2for49.

In reply, the Invitational XI could only muster 109 in 31.5 overs. Dave Ramdan had a good all-round match by top scoring with 35, CarltonCollymoremade17, Glenfield Griffith made 14 and Gossai made 12 StephenMoorehad3for14, DaleThorntonalsohad3for 23andSydD’Mellochipped inwith2for43.

MATCH 3 at the FourSquare Oval-Pickwick CCWestIndieswonthetossand insertedEnglandtotakefirst strike. The Windies had the

match under control up to over 30 then released the strangleholdthatallowedthe Englishmen to score over 100runsinthelast15overs. Montie Douglas top scored with 66 with 5 boundaries whilst Edward GordonLennox made an undefeated 63 with 3 boundaries and a six Captain Richard Merriman made 30 with 3 boundaries opening the batting Neil Braithwaite made 19 and Chris Dearden had 12. Zamin Amin had 2 for46.

West Indies faltered badly in their response to be 36 for 3 in the 9th over and never really recovered despitegoodinningsfroman injuredWilburBruce36with 3 sweetly timed boundaries andamaximumand34from Richard Sieuchan with 2 boundaries, Captain Roy Sing made 15 and Rodney Husbands contributed an undefeated 13 before WI closed their innings at 135 for 9. Jim Phillips was the pick of the Aussies bowlers with 3 for 34, John Butterworth 2 for 26 and RupertStaple2for20.

West Indies will now face off with the Rest of the Worldfor3rd&4thplaceat the Four Square Oval whilst the USA & the Invitational XI will battle it out for the 5th&6thplaceattheBNOC ground.

Pooran (66*), Fletcher (68*) power MI Emirates to emphatic eight-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals and spot in Qualifier 2

SportsMax - Halfcenturies from Andre Fletcher and Nicholas PooranspurredMIEmirates toaconvincingeight-wicket win over the Dubai Capitals at Sharjah and a place in Qualifier 2 to face Gulf Giantsyesterday

Batting first, Dubai Capitals mustered 152-5 fromtheir20overs.Inreply, MI Emirates scored 152-2 from16.4overs.

Dubai Capitals owed

theirtotaltoGeorgeMunsey whoscored51from43balls, Sikander Raza, 38, and Rovman Powell, 30 No other batter got into double figures against the tight bowling ofTrent Boult 2-19 and Rashid Khan 2-20 DarrenBravowhodismissed Powelltook1-35.

Whatever struggles Dubai Capitals had on the pitch were barely evident when MI Emirates batted as Fletcher scored an unbeaten

68from45balls,hittingfour foursandfoursixesalongthe way Pooran, who was named Player of the Match, was evenbetterwithhisunbeaten 66comingfromjust36balls andincludedthreefoursand five sixes as they raced to victory with 20 balls to spare.

Together, the Caribbean menscored104runsfrom58 ballsinwhatwasadominant performance.

Blue Water to sponsor Big Man Cricket

Bridgetown, Barbados -

With Blue Waters set to expand its presence in Barbados,the Caribbean’s premier water brand has now partnered with the Cricket WestIndiesMasters Association (CWIMA), becominganofficialsponsor oftheBigManCricketOver 60sCaribbeanCup.

The cricket tournament, which is currently ongoing, sees six teams vying for the cup-England, Australia, West Indies, USA, Invitational XI, and a RestoftheWorldteam.

Atlantic Marketing Company Limited is the

local distributor for Blue Waters,andGroup M a r k e t i n g a n d Communications Manager, Kobie Broomes, says the public will be seeing much more of the brand across Barbados as it supports various school-based initiatives, charitable causes andsportingactivities.

“The Blue Waters brand is built on supporting active and healthy lifestyles A number of plans are being developed to further align the product with initiatives that support healthy lifestyles and encourage citizens to get moving. The partnership with CWIMAis

therefore just the first in a number of initiatives with whichtheBlueWatersbrand will be associated in the coming months,” Broomes explained.

Inhisbriefremarksatthe recently held press conference at Kensington Oval to launch the cricket masters tournament, Broomes said, “What goes handinhandwithwaterand the products that we carry, more than sporting activity As a company, we want everyone to enjoy our products and also to stay fit, so this was a natural fit for theorganisation.Wearevery (Continuedonpage21)

(Pictured from left) Vice President of the Barbados Cricket Association, Calvin Hope; Director at the Barbados Tourism and Management Inc, Corey Garrett; Group Marketing and Communications Manager at Atlantic Marketing Company Ltd, Kobie Broomes; Chairman of CWIMA, Raj Singh; West Indies Over 60s Captain, Roy Singh; and Director of Marketing at Bajan Vending Inc., Janice Browne at the recent press conference to launch the Big Man Cricket Over 60s Caribbean Cup.

2023WestIndiesChampionship…

Harpy Eagles flip the script on Volcanoes -PridewrapsupScorpionsinsidethreedays

Guyana Harpy Eagles produced a better bowling performance in the second innings against Windward Islands Volcanoes on the penultimate day of their second round 2023 West IndiesChampionshipmatch, yesterday, at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium in St. George’s. After being dismissedfor169inthefirst innings, Guyana did well to returnthefavourandrestrict Windward Islands to 168 in theirsecondinnings,despite trailing by 125 runs at the startofthelastinnings.

Harpy Eagles now need to produced 294 runs for victory; the exact score posted byVolcanoes in their first innings. They began their reply at the start of the final session yesterday and gotto35–0from14.3overs, then the rain interrupted and forcedplayintostumpswith just under an hour leftin the day They start today with Matthew Nandu (18) and Tevin Imlach (13) out in the middle since Chanderpaul Hemraj retired not out on 3, after being struck on the helmet in the final session yesterday Yesterday morning, Kaveem Hodge and Sunil Ambris resumed from their overnight scores of 13 and 18, respectively, with Volcanoes poised at 48 – 2, but the former immediately lost his wicket without adding to his score ashissideslippedto49–3. Ambris (26) only added

eight runs before he met his demisewhileJustinGreaves (27) andTevynWalcott (23) gotstartsbutweredismissed inmid-stride.

Ryan John (1) and the injured Kimani Melius (6) hadn’t much impact in the middle but Preston McSween (25) and Kenneth Dember (15) resisted for a while before the innings came to an end, which promptedtheteabreak.

Shamar Joseph, playing in his second first class match, achieved his maiden 5-wickethaulatthislevelas heledtheattackwith5–41. He was supported by Ronsford Beaton (3-35), Nial Smith (1-24) and Veerasammy Permaul (151) The final day is scheduled to bowl off from 9:30hrsECT

O t h e r f o u r - d a y

matches Day three -

Trinidad and Tobago Red

Force 418 – 9d from 126.5 overs (Darren Bravo 100, Imran Khan 92*, Yannic Cariah 52, Terrance Hinds 51; Jeremiah Louis 3 – 78, Sheeno Berridge 2 – 72, Colin Archibald 3 – 111) versus Leeward Islands

Hurricanes243–7*from87 overs (Kacey Carty 95, Rahkeem Cornwall 33*; YannicCariah2–24,Khary Pierre 2 – 51). Barbados

Pride defeated Jamaica

Scorpions by 6 wicketsJamaicaScorpions140from 54.5 overs (Jamie Merchant 35, Tevin Gilzene 32; Camarie Boyce 3 – 26,

TigerRentalsunder-13Football...

Four matches on today at Providence

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Tiger

Rentals Guyana under-13 football initiative continues today at the National Training Center (NTC) P

ith two matches from 10:30hrs in National inter-associationc l u b l e g

This will be match day four and in the first match, West Berbice will clash with East Coast while East Berbice will Bartica in the secon match.

Shemar Springer 3 – 11, AkeemJordan3–48)&151 from 45 5 overs (Kirk McKenzie56,GordonBryan 42;AkeemJordan4–65,Jair McAllister 3 – 35) lost to Barbados Pride 215 from 69.5overs(SheyneMoseley

82, Shane Dowrich 64*; Patrick Harty 4 – 23, Marquino Mindley 2 – 25, AbhijaiMansingh2–30)& 78 – 4 from (Zachary McCaskie 26, Jonathan Drakes19;PatrickHarty3–26).

Upper Demerara and East Bank will match skills in game three, while West Demerara will be pitted against Georgetown in a very much anticipated

Match-daythreeoftheinterassociation-club leg of the Tiger Rentals Guyana sponsored GFF National under-13 development football initiative saw Georgetown and East Coast ATCsgoingtopofthepoints tablewithsevenpointseach.

Shamar Joseph claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in his second First Class match.

David

Shamar Joseph claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in his second First Class match.

Player of the Match Nicholas Pooran on his way to an unbeaten 66 from just 36

Todd Murphy celebrates Virat Kohli’s wicket. (Getty Images)

David Fernandes