Kaieteur News

Oil law must have penalties for Minister’s failure to complete timely oil audits - AFC

Eight years after the He argued, “They have discovery of oil in Guyana, taken three years to develop the country has not this new draft (law) that they completed a single review of have and then they throw it the US-billion dollar outandthen(VicePresident) expenses racked by the Bharrat (Jagdeo) says you companies operating in the got two weeks to review it lucrativeStabroekBlock. and if you don’t review it,

With over 30 discoveries you have nothing to say.” made since the Liza One However, the MP said it will find, the country is yet to be proposing amendments in complete checking the bills the House to address ringfor the period 1999-2017 for fencing, royalty, the exploration costs pegged at Petroleum Commission, approximately US$1 6 audits, local ownership and billion. insuranceamongothers.

Another audit for costs He explained that while racked up by ExxonMobil the PPP is not obligated to anditsco-venturers,between provide a response to any theperiod2018to2020isyet comments it receives during to be completed with its the consultation process, it findings made public A will be required to state its contract was awarded since position on the amendments May 24, 2022 for that audit, that will be submitted by the to the tune of US$7.3 billion AFC. to be conducted, but to date, “When we put in our the country has not been amendments, we will force updated on the outcome of them to let the nation know that process. Instead, over a exactly where they stand on year later the audit is said to thesematters.Theywillhave bestillongoing. to vote against it as a

With billions of US- government so it shall be in dollars at stake, the Alliance the records that we stood on For Change (AFC) has said the side of the people and systems must be put in place they stood on the side of the to ensure the audits are oil and gas companies,” completed in a timely Pattersonsaid. manner

He added, “If they vote

The party at its press for no fixed penalties for conference yesterday, hosted auditing, if they vote for no at its Railway Embankment, petroleum commission, no Kitty, Georgetown office, fixed royalties and those toldreportersthattheissueof things like that whatever delayed audits and its happens in the future until findingsshouldbeaddressed the government changes is in the new Petroleum ontheirheads.” Activities Bill, which will The draft Petroleum replace Guyana’s 37-year Activities Bill was released old Petroleum Exploration by the Ministry of Natural andProductionAct. Resources on June 19, 2023

In fact, theAFC believes w i t h a t w o - w e e k thatthereshouldbepenalties consultation period for the for the Minister’s failure to public to send its feedback. conductand completetimely That period ended on July 3, audits.Whilerespondingtoa 2023. question from Kaieteur E v e n t h o u g h t h e News, David Patterson, petroleum sector has been Shadow Minister of Natural moving at a break neck pace, Resources said, “You are with the oil companies absolutelycorrect...Iamsure boasting of the recordthat when it comes up, not breaking time in which it has onlywillwespeakaboutitin been able to move from Parliament, I am seeking to discovery to production put in amendments or activities in Guyana, the suggestions.” country has been struggling

Patterson said the party to keep with the regulatory will not be submitting any and monitoring and commentstothegovernment oversightaspect. on the draft Bill but will In fact, Vice President present its amendments in Bharrat Jagdeo has made it the National Assembly clear that even though the where the PPP Members of Production Sharing Parliament (MPs) will be Agreement (PSA) with expected to vote on each of Exxon stipulates a two-year its proposals. According to timeline in which audits can the former Minister, this be done, the oil companies would provide the Ministers must allow the country to of government and other check its records after that MPs to show the country prescribedtime. whose interest they are Theagreementstatesthat protecting.

(Continued on page 9)

Members of theAFC: (from left) David Patterson, Cathy Hughes, Khemraj Ramjattan and Ricky Ramsaroop during Friday’s press engagement

Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

TO PROTECT PATRIMONY OR TO PLUNDER IT

Guyanese have had the worst experiences with

their oil wealth. One government imprisoned them with a contract that has no comparison. The succeeding government made hay condemning the same contract in the sharpest terms, only for its leading peopletowalkbackfromtheirpreviouspositions. Thus,a deal licenses foreign partners to plunder our patrimony Much of this was expected to be corrected with the new draftoillaw

Despite taking strong stances earlier, the PPPC Government is now positioning itself to continue with somenewschemesthatopenthedoorformorecorruptions thathaveinfestedgovernancelocally.

We lived with the failures of politicians and public servantsbeforethearrivalofoil. Guyaneselivewiththem today in the worst way. When straight answers would resolveprobingandburningquestions,citizensaremerely spectators to a pack of deceptions from packs of elected officials. There are few straight talkers, fewer with clean hands. Mattershavedegradedsomuchthatdeceptionsno longerimpressnorfool,sotransparenttheyhavebecome. Yet they are persisted with, and the worst possibilities promised.

Thedraftlawnowcontemptuouslysharedwithcitizens for a brief two-week consultation has some eye-opening provisionsincorporated.

One gives the clearest picture of how political minds function in the loopholes they put in place to facilitate future schemes, shenanigans. What is eye-opening for observant citizens is mouthwatering for politicians, given thetheftsavailable,therichestobepillaged. Itisnotjust foreigners robbing this country blind, but the people that Guyaneseelecttohighofficearealsoalwaysonthelookout forwaystoenrichthemselvesattheexpenseofGuyanese.

Theministeroverseeingthesector,whoeveritisatthat time,willbevestedwithconsiderablepowers,asitshould be. But he or she must not be the sole overseer sitting unchallengeable and untouchable in the management of thisrich,temptingsector

We recall what has happened in Nigeria and Angola with the oil wealth of those countries, who helped themselves,andwhohavebeenhurteverystepoftheway whengreatwealthcame. InGuyana,theoriginalthinking wasthataPetroleumCommissionwasneeded,andwould beputinplace.

Now there is dancing around what everybody agreed wouldserveasanotherlayerofmanagementandscrutiny, and a solid check and balance. More eyes and minds and handswouldbepartoftheoilsectoroversight,andhavethe practical potential of being the brakes (or uninvolved and outraged voice) on excesses or corruptions with the patrimonyofpoorcitizensinapoorcountry

Now the layers and the brakes are spoken of in softer andslipperiertones,areofdiminishedpriority

Nowthetalkisofthesubjectministerhavingvirtually unlimitedpowersinhisorherhands,withcabinetstanding guard. Candidly, neither governors nor ministers nor cabinets have done right by Guyanese. Instead of doing what benefits citizens, the historical record is of what benefitsthepoliticiansgatheredaroundnationalpatrimony andtreasury

Whenaskedforananswerontheconspicuousabsence ofaPetroleumCommission,VicePresidentJagdeohadthis tosay:“TheCommissionisnotinplacesoyouhavetogive thepowerstotheMinster…sotheministerhasthepowers andtheMinistercandelegatethesepowers.

Sounderthelaw,theMinistercandelegatethepowers to technical bodies.”We are against so much power in the handsofanyminister,givenourhistorywithgovernments.

WHERE WERE THE CRITICS BEFORE?

DEAREDITOR,

I condemn sexual assaults, including rapes, domestic violence, murders, oranyfelony Itwasmydeep concern for the state of crimes (murder, rape, physical and other forms of violence) that I proposed a nationalconferenceoncrime and the penal system during theAPNUrule.Therewasno enthusiasm then, but I revived my call for this in 2022 and was advised to discussmyproposalwiththe University of Guyana (UG), a neutral institution, that hosted a similar conference in1984.Iplantopursuethis shortlywithUG.

As a parent, when the Dharamlall story broke out, withoutknowingthedetails, I was stunned. I, like many others, was initially swayed by the flow of social media reports and commentaries. However, upon subsequent reflection, I recanted my position as I obtained some information from non-social mediasources.Ialsoreckon that the avalanche of negative reports and comments would play to the advantage of APNU and disadvantage to the PPP/C government. And it was for thisreasonthatPresidentAli accepted Mr Dharamlall’s resignationfromtheCabinet and the Parliament, even though he was not charged bythepolice.

What is also evident is that the reaction by the opposition and others to the allegations of rape and s o d o m y h a s b e e n spontaneous, unlike the reaction to other significant issues, such as ignoring the attempt by APNU coalition in collusion with rogue elementsinGECOMtosteal the2020nationalelectionsin thefullglareoftheworld.

President Ali had asked Guyanese to allow the legal systemtowork(dueprocess) andthatwheneveradecision on the status of the investigation is made by the police, he will take appropriate action. And he did. But Mr Dharamlall’s resignation from Cabinet and Parliament does not satisfy some critics and opposition elements The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), for example, says, “the public interest demands trial in

Dharamlall case ” How could a trial proceed when the virtual complainant withdrawshercomplaint?In response to other questions, ifthePresidenthadfiredMr Dharamlall or asked him to resign as soon as the story broke out, these critics would then say: “the President knew that he is guiltyandthat’swhyhetook thedecisiontofirehimorask himtoresign.”

The critics also seemingly want to discard the established “due process” procedure as well as the judicial doctrine of “a person is innocent until provenguilty.”Whydothey want to shift the burden of proof from the state to the accused, Mr Dharamlall? Do they also want this shift for all future cases? Should this ever happen, the entire criminal justice system wouldcrumble.

Of note, however, is that all crimes of rape or sexual abuse do not carry the same level and intensity of public reaction.

The same is true for murders.Thereactionvaries depending on the modus operandi, gravity, and who are the victims and who are theaccused.Iftheaccusedor thevictimisfromthemiddle class or occupies a position of power in the political

system,thepublic’sreaction would be spontaneous and intense Thus, Mr Nigel Dharamlall’s conduct is judged at a higher standard compared with rape committed by a lower status citizen. Vidyartha Kissoon makes a crucial point: while much focus is rightfully given by journalists to the victims of rape and sexual abuse, a proportionate consideration is not given to the families of murder victims. He enquired about the status of counseling, therapy, and material assistance to families of victims.Thisdisparityneeds tobeaddressed.

Being driven often by e m o t i o n s a n d sensationalism, some critics have been making reckless statements that the teenager’s family has been intimidatedandthecasewas mishandled; that the Child Protection Agency (CPA) has been compromised; and that the teenager was denied a c c e s s t o l e g a l representation. They have failed to produce any evidence of intimidation, while the CPA adhered to Standard Operating P r o c e d u r e s , a n d categoricallyrejectedcritics’ claim that the teenager was denied private legal representation (CPA:

6/26/23) All these falsehoods are designed to show that the process was pervertedaswellastoexcite the public’s agitation. The police also issued a statement saying that their conduct was professional, and they followed the law. Critics would continue to make false claims because the outcome was contrary to theirexpectation.

We cannot afford to be duplicitous in cases of morality I find no compelling evidence that criticsdocareforthewelfare of the girl. Their focus is to humiliate the government fortheallegedmisconductof oneofitsmembers.Iwonder if some of these critics have suddenly found their moral compass,whichwasmissing when the PNCR strongman, Mr Carl Parker, the Regional Officer of Region 9, was accused of sexual assault of an Amerindian woman and was acquitted whentheauthoritiesfiledthe chargeunderawrongsection ofthelaw

Andsomeofthesecritics would know of the rape allegationagainstMr Robert Corbin,athenPNCMPwho later became the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Corbin did not resign. And what aboutthesexualassaultcase

(Continuedonpage5)

Jagdeo should know a consultation has no legal weight

DEAREDITOR,

Irefertoa Press Release from the Department of Public Information dated 06 July on the illegal sale of carbon credits from forests on titledAmerindianVillage Lands. The Press statement mainly includes legally incorrect and misleading statements by the VicePresident, and which are damagingtoAmerindians.

Does Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo understand that a consultation held by government staff in an Amerindian Village on his Low Carbon Development Strategy2030isnotthesame asavoteataVillageMeeting convened according to the Amerindian Act 2006? A consultation has no legal weightandisnotasubstitute

Concerning that aspect about “delegate these powers”, those delegated to have left chronic disappointments through their failures, and the farces they come up with to cover up their actions.

Weshouldn’thavetosayEPA.

GuyaneseknowhowtheEPAisarubberstamp. Separately,oil blocks have been given away in secret deals to middlemen

for the procedure laid down by law. And since theVicePresident refers often to his view that the lopsided Production Sharing

Agreement signed in June 2016 cannot be negotiated with EEPGL and coventurers because of ‘sanctityofcontract’,itisnot clearwhytheVice-President seemstofeelthatthelegally validAmerindianActcanbe ignoredtoallowgovernment theft of titled Amerindian resources.

That the government has chosen to hand out large fundstoAmerindianVillages forvillageplanspreparedon a government template is government’s choice. It has nothing to do with the sovereign right of titled Amerindian Villages to

decide themselves how they managetheirownresources.

Editor, Amerindians in Guyana have steadfastly defended their territorial rights,sincethearrivalofthe first Europeans on their shores Amerindians have suffered from land grabs throughout history Their territorial rights include the legal right that can be exercised by two-thirds of the members of each titled village to dispose (or not) of theirabovegroundresources. The safeguards against continuinglandgrabssetout in the Amerindian Act 2006 cannot be set aside by Winrock’s ART-TREES, Aster Global or the GovernmentofGuyana.

Yourstruly,

JanetteBulkan

(cronies)actingforpoliticians,andhowleadersthensaythat ‘no law is broken’ when those possibly corrupt deals are hurled in their faces. Clearly, it is the same tricks and treacheriesplannedwithsomuchpowerinministerialhands, andwhenprovisionsthatcanprotectaremysteriouslyleftout ofproposedlaws.

Morepoliticalskullduggerycouldbeontheway

Local Govt. violations, Bhagwandin’s creativity, and ministerial perfidy

DEAREDITOR,

All citizens, political parties and institutions, sometimeagosubscribedto the ideals of what we understood to be local democracy. Chapter VII of our Constitution is crystal clear

Itstates

“(1) Local Government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organizedsoastoinvolveas many people as possible in the task of managing and developingthecommunities inwhichtheylive.

(2) For this purpose Parliamentshallprovidefor the institution of a countrywide system of local government through the establishment of organs of local democratic power as an integral part of the political organization of the State.”

The City of Georgetown is the largest and the most significant in Guyana. It is also the capital of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana with a Mayor and CityCouncilresponsiblefor the management and maintenanceoftheCity

On Monday, Caricom Day in the Laing Avenue, Yarrow Dam areas, we w i t n e s s e d t h e dismemberment of the underlying principles of localdemocracy Aprinciple subscribedtobyallpolitical parties in Guyana The GeneralSecretaryofthePPP utilizing state resources, such as the Police and Fire Service moved into the above areas to clean up and make promises to the

residents. This was done by neither informing nor involvingthelocalauthority, that is the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. This debauchery was witnessed by all and ended withapublicmeeting.

This activity, while providingsomemodicumof relief to residents, must be seen in the wider context where for years the Central Government has starved the Municipality of resources and consistently imposed key management personnel identifiedbythePPP

The fact that there have been instances where the imposed management personnelwerenotqualified isnosecret.

A further insult to residents was when monetaryincentivesranging from ten thousand dollars to two hundred thousand dollars were offered, reminiscent of the Biblical story of Esau selling his birthright for a mess of pottage. Fortunately, some residents because of need as distinct from greed would take the money but remain steadfast to the political leadership they understood andknowtobeontheirside.

As was observed during the just concluded Local Government Elections, the billions invested by the ruling elites did not yield to them the results they expectedandboastedabout.

But Editor, what will President Ali and his Vice President say to the US officialBlinken,wheninthe US the local authority

system through the mayors are allowed to exercise authority and jurisdiction in their areas of responsibility without the heavy hand and strangulation of Central Government as evident here inGuyana.

In Guyana, we now experiencetheopposite,that isadisdainanddisregardfor Mayors and local authority officials not aligned to the People’sProgressiveParty I doubt if this travesty will escape the attention of the United States top officials. Inthemeantime,thisrapeof our Constitution must be highlighted as often as possible even though the question of rape seemed to beanormincertainquarters.

I congratulate members ofthecommunity,whoeven though angry displayed dignifiedrestraintintheface ofthisprovocation.

This sortie into Laing Avenue was complemented by a publication in the State controlled newspaper, in w h i c h a M r J o e l Bhagwandin downplayed a role of the International Decade for People of African Decent (IDPADAG) disclaiming IDPADAG’s contention that AfroGuyanese are subjected to discrimination by the PPP Government The State paper quoted Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin elaborated Because we Care initiative which was reintroduced by the governing PPP administration The document highlighted that financial aid has increased. Amonghisflawedstatistics,

WHERE WERE THE CRITICS...

Frompage4 against a former APNUAFCSpeakeroftheNational Assembly?Hedidnotresign either

Wheredocriticsstandon an APNU MP who was accused by her husband for abusinghim?Doesshehave any moral basis to attack anyoneforsexualabuse?

R e g a r d i n g t h e Dharamlall’s case, John Mairnotesthatnoonecomes out with any glory: “not the political elite (on all sides), not the police and the DPP, not the screaming hordes on social media, not the tiny NGOsmakingnoise,notthe man himself or his ritzy

lawyer.” He continues: ‘The onlyonetosufferisthepoor youngladyinquestion.Time forthe(toomany)interested parties to butt out and leave the police and the relevant authorities to do their work...”(SN:7/5/23).

Finally, the Dharamlall case must be viewed in a wider context of a social system where alcoholism, suicides, domestic violence, sexual abuse, other forms of violence, decay of family values, family breakdowns, the rise of single families, and despair combined to further erode the social and moralfabricofoursociety

Consequently, it is

Bhagwandin contends that from August 2 to present 45% of house lots allocated went to Afro-Guyanese, 48% to Indo-Guyanese, and 7% to Mixed. Dear Editor and Citizens, I hereby challenge Mr Bhagwandin and the Central Housing & Planning Authority to provide the base documents upon which these percentages were arrived at

and announce with such pomposity for public announcement.Bhagwandin must provide this information with the base documents that allows him to term who are Afro, Indo and Mixed Guyanese. They are fictitious and fanciful andGuyanesemustbeaware o f t h i s p l a n n e d propaganda.Finally, I earlier pleaded that a problem we

need to deal with is our loss of the moral sense in high circles, so Mr. Dharamlall has offered his resignation based on the Practice of PublicPerfidy,Ibetthatthis honorablegentlemanwillbe given some diplomatic or other position as the dust on his alleged shenanigans settles.

HamiltonGreen Elder

Many institutions failed this child

DEAREDITOR, The Director of Public Prosecutions has instructed the police not to pursue any charges against Nigel Dharamlall.

imperative that social issues be elevated to center stage politics and given the attentionthesedeserve.

The young girl needs to reclaimherlife.

Sincerely, Dr.TaraSingh

As in numerous cases, the DPP’s office has committed a grievous blunder for the umpteen time.TheLawgoverningsex offences is explicit in the amendment issued on May 24,2010,Section69(1)NO CORROBORATION OF THE EVIDENCE OF THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE SWORN OR UNSWORN EVIDENCE OF A CHILD SHALLBEREQIREDFOR A CONVICTION OF AN OFFENCE UNDER THIS ACT.OnThursday,June29, theDPP’sofficereturnedthe police file on the rape allegations against the minister instructing that r a n k s d o f u r t h e r investigations into the matter.Theverynextday,the Guyana Police Force announced that the teen informed the police investigators that she no longer wished to continue with the matter Now this reeks of quite the opposite that the rubber stamp President had stated that he will allow the police to conduct the investigations without trying to influence the outcome ‘From the inception, I advised the population that I would allow the system to work. I would never and the

government would never interveneinthesystem.’His statementisfutilebecausehe knows, and the people of Guyana is fully aware the DPP’s office was playing a gamebecauseofinstructions by the powers that be to subject the child to continuous investigations until she became frustrated andwaryandrecanttherape allegations. It must be made clearthatboththepoliceand the DPP’s office have bungled the case and have violatedthechild.Theyhave flaunted the law mentioned above in favour of the minister Thisistheoutcome they had wanted from the beginning. Even if the child recanted her statement, the DPP’s office should not be allowed to dismiss charges against the minister The DPPshouldhavechargedthe ministerbasedonthechild’s initial statement and let a judge and jury decide whether he is guilty or not. The entire Amerindian community should not take this lying down, they should rebel against this merciless, cruel, and wicked government Furthermore, there needs to be an inquiry intotheactionsoftheDPP’s office, the police investigators, and the interrogators in the Social Services Childcare

Department on their coordinated effort to pressure the young child to recant her story As adults,

they care less about the interests of the child and more about those of the alleged rapist. They have brought untold and lifelong suffering to the child who may attempt to take her life in future. A source close to Social Services has told me thattheDPP’sofficeandthe police have frustrated and intimidated the teen to the point where she was traumatizedandbrokedown and this forced the child to tell them that she did not want to continue any longer

TheDPP’sofficeknowsvery well the behaviour of children who have accused adults of committing crimes against them. The fact is there is an abundance of evidence that a crime has been committed. Shame on the inept and pitiless DPP’s office for bungling the case, something always done whenahigh-levelmemberof the party has committed a heinous crime. The DPP’s office has no integrity, the police are immoral and the Social Services personnel whose care the child was under is dishonest and unreliable.

Yourstruly,

L e y l a n d C h i t l a l l Roopnaraine

Remembering the Son Chapman and the lessons learned from that and other tragedies

DEAREDITOR, Saturday, 8th of July marks the 49th anniversary of one of our significant human tragedies. It is the tragedyofthemotor-launch, theSonChapmanwhichwas blown up at Hurudaia on its way to Wismar taking over fortyoddlives.

I was General Secretary ofthePNCPartyatthattime and recalled the Leader alongwiththelikesofEdgar Caryll,whosepregnantwife was among the victims, Joseph Aaron, Herman Stephens, Carl D’Aguiar, Elsie McAlmont and a host of residents working feverishly to assuage the anger of the community of Linden This helped to restore calm in the

community

This was a herculean task It would be inappropriate to describe some of the scenes I witnessed in the Demerara River which caused anger and distress. I recalled this sadmomentinourhistoryto helpthemedia,ourreligious leaders, politicians and in particularyoungpeoplewith a sharpness of intellect to analyzetherootcauseofthis and other events of the 60s and beyond so that we can avoidanyre-occurrence.

I hope as this and other events at Wismar, the Abraham fire and the Maginot lines along our coastalbeltwillpersuadeour leaders that injustice, discrimination, hate and

greed will always express itself in one way or another This has been the characteristics of human history everywhere, Europe, theAmericas,Asia,Africa.

The daunting, difficult questionisthataswerecount thatday,fortynineyearsago, will Guyanese leaders on both sides of our political divide,willGuyaneseyoung and old, will Guyanese of every race and of every belief come to the understanding that the only way to avoid this type of explosion, this type of mayhem,thistypeofhuman suffering, this type of stupidityisforallofusandI repeatforemphasis,allofus is to respect our fellow human beings, who may not

Worker claiming unfair treatment, dismissal from BOSAI

DEAREDITOR,

I was an employee of Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. (BMGG) for 15 years being employed from 18 April 2008. During this period, I worked in two departments for the periods April 2008 – Jan 2010 and fromJan2010–June2023. The latter department, I worked for approximately 13 years for which I would say I performed reasonably well given negative circumstances that were prevalent and poor systems that was given to me to perform at an acceptable level.

Fromthe25thJan2023,I proceeded on a period of prolonged sick leave that came to an end on the 4th June 2023. I prepared to return to work on Monday 5th June with a signed medicalnotefromamedical

DEAREDITOR,

The news item by an onlinesiteabouttheelection of the Lethem council

practitioner based in Georgetown only to be told that I had to present a comprehensive medical report to be able to resume workandIwassenthomefor same. The second in charge of the department called me on my mobile phone on Mondayafternoontoinquire if I had gotten the medical report to which I replied in the negative and was then informed that management would like to meet with me on Tuesday, 6th June at 09:00hrs.

At this meeting, I was informed that for the past several years my work performance was poor, among other faults, for which I was never given a verbalorwrittenwarning. I was subsequently told that I wasbasicallydismissedwith immediate effect. The only disciplinary action I am

aware of taken against me during this time was one letter for arriving to work latein2019forwhichIhada very valid reason of which I hadinformedmanagement.

Editor, with such matters, you do not know where to turn for help as the workers’unionformypartis not functioning effectively But I would like to let my fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters know what happens to some of their fellowcountrymenandmore so an Indigenous citizen.At thistime,Iwouldlikeforthe present, potential local and foreign buyers & suppliers of BMGG to inquire from thecompanythetreatmentof their workers. Finally, I am kindlyaskingtheMinistryof Labour to investigate this matter

Sincerely, KevinSpencer

looklikeus,whomayhavea differentbackground,butwe areallchildrenofthemighty Creatorwhoestablishedthis world, who made the trees, the bees, the plants and the waterssothatwecansustain lifeinharmonyonearth.

Dear Editor, as one who lived through the trauma of those days, I ask that this humble message be conveyed to all and sundry, so that peacefully and harmoniously we can enjoy thebountythatbeckons.

A prerequisite is for our leaders to have the good

sense to appreciate that any other pathway, no matter how clever we think we are, will lead to damnation, destructionanddeath.

Our leaders must have the good sense to be true nationalists to really believe inourcredoofoneness.This requires more than bombardment with high soundingphrases.

Thisroadtoglory,peace andprosperityrequiresthose in the Captain’s deck and those in the Opposition setting aside their petty differences.

ItrequiresStatesmanship and courage and as we pondertheeventsof49years ago, I pose the rhetorical question, why do those elected to guide the destiny ofournationoftenignorethe lessons of history and even moretroublingactscontrary toenlightenedself-interest.

Thisday,letustherefore hope and pray to reverse these shared steps of stupidity which on to this day is stultifying our great potential.

HamiltonGreen Elder

DEAREDITOR,

I read recently the narrative of the AttorneyGeneral (AG) Nandlall of the anguish, agony, anxiety and pain as a result of the judicial system inflicting trumped up charges. The lamentation and sleepless nights which the AG must have endured is beyond our imagination.

He was charged with other members of the then executive of then former government, including our President and others. The cases, without merit, prolongeduntiltheendofthe Granger government in the Courts, yet the DPP Chambersdidnotfinditfitto terminatethoseunwarranted andbaselesschargesagainst these noble servants of the State.However,thesaidDPP Chambersthoughtitfitatthe

endoftheGrangerregimeto terminate those proceedings against the Defendants who are now members of the executive.

T h e r e f o r e , t h e Honourable AttorneyGeneral Mr Anil Nandlall, S.C. should not make a blanketcondemnationofthe judiciary but against those who are constitutionally vested with the power to INITIATE,CONTINUEand TERMINATE criminal proceedings.

I now see Dr Bisram writing a long epistle on the presumptionofinnocencein the case of Mr Dharamlall, whom it is alleged committed the gruesome act of rape and sodomy. In this case, in as much as the content of the victim’s statementsreachedthepress giving her narrative of the

vicious acts upon her, the presumption of innocence, according to Dr Bisram, prevails;butIwishtoinform this famous doctor that this evidencewasnotallowedto beledinanyoftheCourtsof Guyana,yetintheAG’scase, it was pontificated all over the world to his pain, hurt andshame.

Iposethisquestiontothe press and to the world, “If Mr Dharamlall had committed no crime or any crime whatsoever known to our law, why did he resign from the august body of parliament?”

“Death is better than dishonour.”(Gita)

Respectfully, J.T.Kissoon, A f o r m e r S t a t e Prosecutor

In the Chambers of the DPPofGuyana

(INews July 6), which was won unopposed by the incumbent, it was observed inthephotographofthenew

council, a framed official portrait of the former minister, with responsibility for Local Government and Regional Development, was quite visible. This should not have been as the person nolongerholdsanyposition ingovernment. Theportrait must be removed from all government buildings and agencies particularly those undertheLocalGovernment Ministry Asanewcouncil, startbygettingitright.

Yoursfaithfully, ShamshunMohamed

DEAREDITOR, I write to publicly note thatthenewcoinage:Letthe system work, which has been added to the lexicon of the Law Enforcement, Justice and Public Administrative systems in Guyana a la the People‘s ProgressiveParty

In 2011, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission presented a fraudulent result for the Commission’sapproval,and declaration of the 2011 General and Regional Elections results The attemptedfraudwasdetected and the CEO was made to present the true result Thereafter, no action was taken against him for attempting to declare the

PPP/C the majority winner of the elections. The PPP/C publicly declared that the systemworkedandthatwas theendofthematter

In 2020, it was alleged that GECOM officials attempted to produce fraudulent results The Commission ordered a recount and produced a result contrary to what was attempted. Here again, the system worked, but on this occasion the alleged

p er p etr ato r s w er e terminated,chargedandtwo yearsafterarestilltobetried.

Recently a minister was accusedofrapeandsodomy

The Government took no actiononthepretextthatthe Justice system should be allowed to work What

d was the

withdrawal of the complainant from further participation in the prosecution of the case after shewasmadetosignafalse statement with regard to the publicity of the matter in Social Media, and subjected to a repeat of the interrogation, after the DPP returnedthefiletothePolice forfurtherinvestigation.

The DPPon the grounds ofherwithdrawalterminated theprosecution.

The President upon accepting the subsequent resignation of the Minister stated: I allowed the system towork.

Apparently the system workstothebenefitofsome, andnotforothers.

Yourstruly

TheAttorney General should not make blanket condemnations of the judiciary

Apparently the system works to the benefit of some, and not for others

Remove former Minister’s photo immediately

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NATIONAL DISCUSSION ON STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF LOCAL CONTENT NEEDED URGENTLY

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With the passage of the Local Content Legislation in December 2021, Guyanese businesses and individuals have seen tremendous benefits.

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The law has allowed for over US$400M to be trapped in-country.

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As the government pursues efforts to amend this landmark law, there is a need for a candid national discourse with all stakeholders on the strengths we can build upon as well as the weaknesses being exploited and how those loopholes can be closed.

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Regulations are still to be put in place and we call upon the government to not lose sight of this important mechanism to increase the gains made in the sector.

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The Local Content Law is indeed a step in the right direction.

But we must take care in doing what is necessary to stay on this trajectory.

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Govt. building a ‘resilient, sustainable and viable’ poultry sector

DPI-Aspartofeffortsto medium, and large-scale Mohamed Irfaan Ali, consultation-based, holistic revolutionise Guyana’s poultry farmers at theArthur presented a platform for system to increase poultry poultry sector, the Guyana Chung Conference Centre farmers to share challenges production towards the goal Livestock Development onFriday affecting them within the ofattainingfoodsecurity Authority (GLDA) hosted a The symposium, a poultrysector Delivering the feature symposium with small, brainchild of President, Dr Italsoaimedtodevelopa address, President Ali

- Pres. Ali at GLDA poultry symposium

asserted, “The poultry sector several initiatives to boost in Guyana must be rebuilt in the sector and mitigate the a resilient, sustainable, effects of various economic viable, and profitable way shocks, including increasing Today’s meeting is not only the production of rice for to deal with the current poultry feed, and the situation and crisis. It is to reduction of vaccine costs position the sector We are forlivestock. goingtodoeverythingthatit Meanwhile, Minister of takes to position this sector Agriculture, Zulfikar to be one of the strongest Mustapha, lauded the poultry sectors in the president’svisiontoimprove region.” thelivestockindustry

He told farmers that the “We met with about 50 government is committed to poultry farmers at a meeting providing support and aweekago,andthepresident investment to assist farmers said he wants most of the in reducingdifficultiesfaced poultry farmers together, so and improving the poultry thatwecanbrainstormideas, industry and we can put new

“There are a number of initiativesinplacesothatwe things that we have to do if can increase our production we are to build a resilient, and lower the cost of viable, sustainable, and production,” Minister profitable poultry sector Mustaphastated. There are a number of things Farmers were allowed to that have to be done, and raisetheirconcernsandhave there are a number of them addressed by the sacrifices that we have to president, Minister make. We all will have to Mustapha,andofficialsfrom give a bit here if we are to hisministry achieve the type of vision Over the next week, that we have for this consultations with poultry industry,” the president farmers will continue to expressed. chart a way forward for the

As such, he outlined improvementoftheindustry

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

A section of the gathering at the symposium

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali at the symposium

TWO OF THE BIGGEST NIGHTMARES IN GEORGETOWN

There are two things which the present

Commissioner of Police shoulddobeforeheproceeds onretirement,wheneverthat is. If the Commissioner of Policedoesthesetwothings, he would further endear himself to public and leave behindasolidlegacy

He has already won plaudits for his work with disadvantagedcommunities. Andhehasproventhatheis professional when he acceptedapostingunderthe APNU outside of normal police duties and which was perceived in some quarters assidelininghim.

TheAPNU and theAFC had tried to make him a scapegoat for the unlawful and lawless protest which eventually led to the deaths ofthreepersonsonLindenin 2012. The then Opposition had tried desperately to m a k e , t h e n o w CommissionerofPoliceand the then Home Affairs Minister, scapegoats for the deathsofthethreepersons.

Butasissaid,“Youcan’t keep a good man down.” And the Commissioner is a

good man who has proven himself bigger and better thanhisdetractors.

But there are 2 things whichcanvastlyimprovehis approval ratings before he heads into retirement. The firstoneistofixthesituation at the Passport Office. The present system is a disgrace andisunsuitedtothemodern age where every citizen is entitled to have a Guyanese passport. It is management problem which requires tweaking to work. If that problemcannotbefixedthen nothingcan.

Personsarestillforcedto wake up in in the wee hours of the morning, and head down to the Passport Office so as to guarantee that they would be served before the daily quota of applications are exceeded. They arrive whenitisstilldarkandhave tohavetojoinalinestandfor hours until the gates and doors of the Passport Office Open,atwhichtimetheyare allowed inside the building. Theymustthen sitandwait again until normal working hours for the processing of theirdocuments.

Dem Boys Seh...

Having a daily quota of applications should not be entertained in this day and age.ThePassportOfficehas to do better and it can do better Systems need to be improved but more importantly the receipt of applications should be done online and persons should pay their processing fee at a commercial bank and then begivendatesforbiometrics andupliftingtheirpassports.

No one should have to join a line to hand in their passportapplicationandpay theprocessingfee,thenhave to wait for biometrics and thentoreturnanotherdayto upliftthepassport.

Persons should join one line, present a computerized barcode which would allow fortheironlineapplicationto be retrieved The person attending to the application should process the biometrics and check the details of the online application.

Thereisalsononeedfor biometricstobedoneonlyat afewplaces.Biometricscan bedoneontheEastCoast,in West Demerara and on the

Chicken now getting state funeral

Deh Prezzie calling pon poultry producers fuh “ramp up” production, but wah he nah know is dat Guyanese people don’tfancynofrozenchicken!Welovewe chicken plucked and fresh, like how we pluck out we worries when we lime by de seawall.

Eh bai, it look like deh Prezzie deh livinginadifferentGuyana.Hegathehead indecloudslikeonekitesoaringhigh,while we deh here pon de ground, struggling fuh affordafreshpieceahchickenfuhcookwe Sundaydinner

Freezing dem chicken is like according demstatefuneral.Wenahwantnochicken ponicelikeitbinplayingcricketinAlaska. Wewantdechickentostillhavesomelifein it, not like how dem politicians does drain delifeoutofwecountry Imagineifwegat disglutahchicken,wahdehPrezziegando?

He gan stick all dem chickens in cold storage like dem walking dead waiting fuh

resurrection. Maybe deh man think we Guyanese gan wake up one morning and say, “Hey, let we go buy some frozen chicken today and celebrate!” Nah bai, dat gannevahappen.

If deh Prezzie really want fuh help we, heshouldbethinkingbouthelpingwemek fresh chicken more affordable and accessible.Menahwantseenochickeninna cold storage, me want fuh see it inna de market,allpluckedandreadyfuhmepot. Maybe instead ah ramping up production,deh Prezzieshould ramp up he understandingoflocaltastes.WeGuyanese peoplegatweownstyle,weownswag.We like we food fresh and we like we chicken freshlyplucked.So,Prezzie,hearwahdem boysseh:putwefreshchickenbackponwe plates,andmaybe,justmaybe,weganfeel likedehgovernmentactuallyunderstandwe concerns.

TalkHalf!LeffHalf!

Oil law must have penalties for...

Frompage3 theoilcompanycandispose of its records after the two years period would have elapsed,unlessanauditflags discrepancies which must firstberesolved.

According to Annex ‘C’ Section 1.5 (C), “Without prejudice to the finality of matters as described in subsections1.5(a)and1.5(b)all documents referred to in those sub-sections shall be maintained and made available for inspection by theMinisterfortwo(2)years following their date of issue

providing, however, that whereissuesareoutstanding with respect to an audit, the Contractor shall maintain documents for a longer period until the issues are resolved.”

Jagdeo however said a ton of bricks would fall on Exxon’s head if they refuse to allow Guyana to conduct thereviews. He said, “We dealt with this issue when it came up several years ago; that it is true that the PSA says that theaudithastobecompleted withintwoyears.Sowehad

Essequibo Coast. This will ease the burden on Georgetown.

The second problem which the Commissioner should fix before he demits office is the traffic problem. He has proven when he was Commander of ‘A’Division that he leads from the front, andhehasbeenabletobring someresolutiontothetraffic woes on the East Bank of Demerara.

Butthetrafficproblemis now not simply confined to the East Bank of Demerara. ItisnowanepidemicinWest Coast Demerara, East Coast Demerara and worst of all

Georgetown. Accidents and road deaths are also on the increase.

The city in particular needs a traffic plan. It is chaotic and trucks and heavy-duty vehicles need to be prohibited during certain hours. The movement of containers should be confinedtonights.Thismay seeasharshmedicinebutitis necessary to address the serious traffic congestion in the city Should the Commissioner of Police make progress in these two areas – passports and traffic – he can be assured of a legacy that will endear him

further to the Guyanese people Addressing these twoproblemswillalsobring muchrelieftothepublic.

O v e r t o y o u CommissionerofPolice!

(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.)

gone pass, even under the APNUperiod,thetwoyears had passed even before they started the audit and we madeitclearwhenwegotin tooffice,nomatterhowlong theauditstake,ExxonMobil and the co-venturers, the companies could never use as an excuse, the timeline in there.”

H e c o n t i n u e d , “…because if they use that and don’t want to comply with the audit, they would haveatonofbrickfallingon theirheadonotherissueson theregulatoryside.”

Significant improvement in Mathematics, Science pass rates

English Overall Percentage Performance

With Guyanese students once a g a i n performing exceptionally well at the National Grade SixAssessment(NGSA),an analysis of the 2023 results has shown that this year’s candidates have raised the bar with their performance inMathematicsandScience.

Atotalnumberof15,273 candidates wrote the assessmentonMay3,and4, thisyear

On Friday morning, the top performing candidates

fromaroundthecountryand their parents, as well as officials from the Ministry of Education (MOE), including Minister Priya Manickchand, gathered at the Pegasus Corporate Centre, in Georgetown, for thereleaseoftheresults.

Senior Manager of

E x a m i n a t i o n s

AdministrationandSecurity

a t t h e C a r i b b e a n

Examinations Council (CXC), Teddy Rajan, presented the NGSA 2023 Examinations Report. This

reportshowedstudentswho earned a 50 percent and above pass rate at the four N G S A s u b j e c t s –Mathematics, Science, EnglishandSocial-Studies. He revealed that while there were significant i m p r o v e m e n t s i n Mathematics and Science passratethisyear,therewas a drop in performance for Social-Studies and English subjects “Shifting to m a t h e m a t i c s , t h e performanceinmathematics alignedthebetterof2020to

2023, (also) showing significant improvement over2022,”Rajandisclosed. For Mathematics, the passratehasimprovedfrom 34.72 percent in 2022 to 39.87 percent this year For Science, a total percentage of 55.11 percent students passed, which is an improvement from 46 45 percentin2022.

Additionally,forEnglish 64 47 percent candidates attainedapassgrade,which is a slight decrease from 64.75percentin2022.

“StartingwithEnglishis thetrend.Thepercentageof candidates attaining 50 percent or more remains above 60 percent over the past four years. In 2023, there were 64.47 percent attainments,”Rajansaid. Similarly, for SocialStudies 58 57 percent candidates passed representingadecreasefrom 58.9percent.

“ Ye a r o n y e a r, candidates earning 50 percent or more remain consistentlyover50percent

Herstelling man arrested after found with $10M worth of cocaine

after he was found with $10.6M worth of cocaine in hiscar AccordingtoCANU,

operation

The vehicle wa

immediately arrested

s

ofthecohort,weareseeinga decline of 0.3 percent in 2023 over 2022,” Rajan added.Notably,hestatedtoo that,aswithallthesubjects, the female candidates continue to outperform the male candidates year-onyear The NGSA results are availableonline,parentsand students are advised to log onto the following website: http://exams.moeguyana.o rg. The candidates’ timetable will provide the necessary information to accesstheseresults.

–

Parmanand Persaud aka Jason

BOSAIcommissionsKiln#15,US$150MMazProject

…some 400 jobs to be created

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

BOSAI Minerals on officials.

Friday commissioned a Kiln BOSAI’s General #15 and a US$ 150M Maz Manager said the new kiln ProjectinLinden. and the project are expected

The new Kiln #15 is to take the company’s expected to bring about operations to another level higher efficiency and a n d w i l l g e n e r a t e improve production costs, approximately US$200 per while the Maz Project is set annum.

strategically utilising oil and to promote about 400 job

Importantly, he said the gas resources to promote opportunities for Lindeners, project will be fully sustainability, especially in crafted with a view of c o m p l i a n t w i t h thenaturalresourcessector. achieving mass production environmental protection

“We are not neglecting of metallurgical-grade and energy conservation the traditional sectors of the bauxite. policies The highly economy. We are investing

The commissioning anticipated Maz Project will in industries and sectors, ceremony was attended by also include the purchasing hoping to add value to their President Irfaan Ali; Prime of scores of heavy duty production so that they can Minister Hon. Brigadier machinery, expansion of the earn more money That is (Ret’d) Mark Anthony ports for ship loading, why the aluminium plants Phillips; Minister of Natural establishmentofanewtransa r e c r i t i c a l t o t h e Resources, Hon. Vickram shipment system and the m o d e r n i s a t i o n a n d Bharrat; Minister of Public construction of a new transformation of our Works, Juan Edghill; conveyorbeltstretchingnine country We hope the Minister of Home Affairs, millimeters away from the necessary investments will Robeson Benn; Senior miningfacilitytothefrontof move bauxite production Minister in the Office of the theport. higher up the value chain. President with responsibility “Bosai will continue to Bauxite has a guaranteed for Finance Ashni Singh; proudly partner with the futureinGuyana. Chinese Ambassador to people of Guyana, making said. President IrfaanAli said that massivedevelopment. “Our government has a Guyana, Guo Haiyan; Mr contributions to the

S p e a k i n g a t t h e the mining town of Linden, H e s a i d h i s soundtrackrecordof

Yuan, The General Manager prosperity of the people of commissioning ceremony, Region 10 is poised for a d m i n i s t r a t i o n i s (Continued on page 23) of Bosai China and regional this wonderful nation,” he

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, senior government officials, the Chinese Ambassador, and a Bosai representative cut the ribbon.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Ministers Ashni Singh and Robeson Benn and the Bosai representative touring the facility.

Paper Committals Bill to be laid soon in National Assembly

The Attorney General’s Prosecution and the Defence in stage. This will inevitably save Justice(CCJ)hailedthismeasureas challenges and has worked Chambers and the Ministry of written form, rather than judicial time, reduce the backlog of one that has worked with great reasonablywell. Legal Affairs have drafted the conductinganin-personhearing. criminal cases and reduce the successintheCaribbeanandacross The Attorney General Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Under the new system, the prisonpopulationonremand. the Commonwealth in reducing the Chambers and Ministry of Legal Committals)Bill2023withtheaim Magistrate will review the written According to the Attorney backlog of cases, reducing time Affairs in June 2023 invited of making the criminal justice submissions and make a General’s office, the Bill will bring spent on remand, bringing greater comments in writing on the draft systemmoreefficient. determination based on the Guyana on par with jurisdictions speed, and overall improving the Criminal Law Procedure (Paper

The Bill provides for the availableevidence. across the Caribbean and the efficiency in the criminal justice Committals)Bill2023. abolition of preliminary inquiries The paper committal process Commonwealth that have already system. Submissions were solicited and the substitution thereof with saves time and resources by abolished the use of Preliminary The Paper Committal system from the Chambers of the Director paper committals, which involves eliminating the need for witness Inquiry wasfirstintroducedintoGuyanaby of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the reviewing the evidence and testimony and cross-examination Onlyrecently,whileinGuyana, the Sexual OffencesAct in 2010. It OfficeofthePoliceLegalAdvisor, arguments presented by both the during the preliminary inquiry judges of the Caribbean Court of has survived several legal (Continued on page 23)

ERC summons David Hinds; writes Leader of the Opposition over breaches

broadcasthehosted. comments referring to the

According to the FirstLady statementissuedbytheERC, “The ERC is of the firm it has referred two recent view that the context and

The Ethnic Relations to Working People’s a p p e a r b e f o r e t h e disassociate himself from a complaints to the Guyana explicit reference were Commission (ERC) on Alliance (WPA) member Dr Commission for failing to post made by on Albert Police Force (GPF) for unnecessary, demeaning, Fridaysaidthatithaswritten David Hinds asking him to c o n d e m n a n d / o r Morgan on a Live Facebook further investigation over provoking and not in alleged breaches of the keeping with the esteemed country’scybercrimelaws. Office of the Opposition

TheERCsaidthepostby leader.”

Mr Morgan was reviewed A s a r e s u l t , t h e by the Commission which Commission wrote the found it to be “a serious Opposition Leader and threat to life” and sought the outlined in its letter that “it assistance of the police for was necessary to advance an further investigation. atmosphere of respect and Morgan was taken into responsible behaviour custody. Having being during public discourses advised of the said which are tenets vital to the development, the ERC promotion of peace and provided two statements harmony.” reflecting its concerns and Meanwhile, the ERC “its firm belief that the said d i s c l o s e d t h a t t w o post transgressed the Laws complaints were received of Guyana, including the pertaining to comments CybercrimeAct.” allegedly made by Mr.

“Dr Hinds was also Tacuma Ogunseye at a written to and asked to public meeting in March a p p e a r b e f o r e t h e 2023 at Buxton, East Coast Commission given that he Demerara The matter is failed to condemn the post currently engaging the and/or disassociate himself attention of the Guyana from it,” the ERC said PoliceForce.

Friday “Additionally, a number Similarly, the ERC has of complainants have opted asked the police to nottopursuetheirrespective investigate statements made matters for complaints during a Live Facebook which were received by the broadcast on Norman Secretariat in 2022. Several Brown’s profile that were other complaints are believed to be “racially currently under review and divisive and included threats the necessary action will be to life and a transgression of instituted,”theERCsaid. the laws of Guyana The Commission urges including the Cybercrime the public to make Act”. “The video in question complaints be made via the is believed to be broadcast E R C ’ s w e b s i t e @ sometime on the evening of www.erc.org.gy; email @ Monday, June 12, 2023; ethnic relations@yahoo co LocalGovernmentElections m or through a walk-in Day,”theERCsaid. process.

Further, the Commission “The Commission disclosed that it has also remains committed in reviewed a video recording ensuring that its mandate of of a recent public meeting promoting harmony and during which the Leader of goodrelationsisupheld,”the the Opposition, Aubrey statementsaid.TheERCwas Norton, addressed the reconstituted on March 21, gathering and made 2023.

Construction of Tuschen & Hosororo

Secondary schools to cost $3.4 billion

T h e M i n i s t r y o f students attending school, it Education on Friday signed is a necessity for them to be two contracts totalling taught and learn in a $3,483,913,656 to construct comfortableenvironment. secondary schools at It is part of the ministry’s Tuschen, Region Three and goal to achieve universal atHosororo,RegionOne. secondary education in Minister of Education, Guyana. Over the past few P r i y a M a n i c k c h a n d weeks,anumberofcontracts witnessed the signing of the were signed for the contracts between the construction of new Ministry’s Permanent secondary schools as well as Secretary, Alfred King and therenovationofothers. thecontractors. The Education Minister

TheMinisterinherbriefs cautioned contractors about remarks yesterday said that delays noting sternly that the different and a better life experiencedifficulties.

$864,705,395. while the TVET Centre will her Ministry is on a massive projects must be completed because of what you do,” the Meanwhile, at the Thisschoolissaidtobea have industrial and home drive to enhance secondary beforeSeptember2024. minister said while signing of the contracts it fullyreinforcedconcreteone economicslaboratories. educationacrossthecountry “Youaregoingtochange encouraging the contractors was revealed that the flat structure combined with Theschoolwillalsohave Minister Manickchand people’s lives An entire to be efficient and construction of the Tuschen a circular and cylindrical sanitary blocks for the explained that with more generation will get a communicate should they Secondary School will cost building outline that is student and teacher covered in a dome roof. The population The building building is measured in will also be equipped with several blocks from 600 fire prevention features sq.ft. to 7105 sq.ft. The which include fire escape building will also be exits, escape doors, fire branched with several alarms, extinguishers, scientific and research limited timber usage, metal centres, a multi-purpose and ceilings and fire-retardant cafeteria hall, a storage and panels. The outdoor space changing area and a library will include a recreational and document centre. The facility for basketball, school will consist of 24 cricketandothersports. classrooms to accommodate The contracts awarded over 800 students. The for the construction of the science centre will be school are as follows: Lot -1 equipped with a physics, Sub-StructureWorks-S&K chemistry and biology lab (Continued on page 23)

Designs of what the secondary school at Tuschen will look like upon completion.

Scenes from the signing of contracts for the construction of Hosororo and Tuschen Secondary Schools.

New Market for Charity – Home

Affairs Min. proposes

Benn engaging vendors on Friday while assessing the damages at the Charity Market.

An Aerial view of the partially destroyed Charity Market (GPF photo)

AsaresultMinisterBenn made to assist the vendors statement issued on Friday market Police ranks, Robeson Benn on Friday AmazonMarket. reportedly suggested that a affectedbythefire. said that Region Two police securityguardsandresidents proposed that a new market AccordingtotheGuyana new market be built with all The Charity Amazon arealsoprobingthefire. had reportedly formed a be built for vendors at Fire Service (GFS), the fireprotectionsystems. Market housed some 83 “At about 19:15 hours bucket brigade to quell the Charity, Essequibo Coast, Minister “noted fire safety “Hesuggestedthatanew stalls. lastnight[Thursdaynight],a firebutfailedintheirefforts. RegionTwo. issues within the structure market be constructed that is Thursday night’s fire Sergeant of Police on his Luckily, fire-fighters

Home Affairs Minister, section of the Charity

The minister made the and encumbrances that fully equipped with wet riser resulted in the destruction of way to the Charity Police arrived promptly on the proposal while engaging the contributed to the fire and systems and other means of 40percentofthemarket.

Station observed smoke scene to save the market vendors following Thursday hinderedfirefightingefforts, protection against fires”, the “Twenty-nine (29) stalls emanating from the roof in from total destruction night’s fire that destroyed a respectively”. GFS. Promises were also were severely damaged by the middle of the market and Unfortunately, three fire the fire, while eleven (11) immediately alerted the fighters were injured in the suffered water damage due securityguardsemployedby process. to firefighting,” GFS NM Security Services, who “Leading Fireman detailedinapressrelease. were on duty there,” police Tribuwan and Section

BOSAI bars KN reporter from covering US$150M Maz Project commissioning

BOSAI Minerals on such instruction was given Regional Chairman Friday barred reporters however other journalists Deron Adams expressed attached to Kaieteur News alleged that the instruction disappointment with what and INFO 10 Media from was indeed given by Domer transpiredandsaiditformed providing coverage to the based on a recent article partofhisreasonforleaving company’s Kiln #15 and written by Kaieteur News the event prematurely. US$150M Maz Project in relative to barring Similarly, Member of Linden,Region10. employees from engaging Parliament (MP) Jermaine When the reporters the media. The instructions Figueira also expressed attempted to enter the were reportedly handed anger and disgust over the compound, staff at the downfrom‘higherup’. incident. entrance sternly informed When the article was “The fourth estate helps thereportersthattheydonot published,Domercontacted not just by reporting and havepermissiontoenterand the Linden correspondent providing information but that no media personnel for Kaieteur News, who also by keeping elected other than the state media is relatedthatshedidnotwrite officials, individuals and allowedtoenterthefacility the article and that her businesses in check in President Irfaan Ali and grievances should be made relation to the laws of the several of his ministers as withtheEditor country This being a well as the Chinese The countenance of monumental occasion for Ambassador to Guyana and BOSAI in relation to the company and the officials of Region 10 treatment of the media was community at large, it is attendedthecommissioning condemned by regional worrying and it begs the ceremony in the mining officials and other members question why would a town. of the media who expressed company that is integral to

The reporters were then disappointment in barring the economic sustainability asked which media entity the fourth estate from an of this community with the they represent and before event where government largest employ of people uttering Kaieteur News, the officialsarebeingfeatured. with over 500 staff as security personnel said they The move by BOSAI private company not want were given instructions to also demonstrated the the community via the not have the media houses company’s politicizing of media to share in this level enter the momentous event by of investment that will

Thebarringofthemedia only inviting State media benefit the community with was witnessed by regional and giving strict orders for boosting investors interest officials who tried to i n d e p e n d e n t m e d i a andincreasingtheprospects intervene with along with operatives not to attend and for the creation of more BOSAI’s Public Relations more so allegedly over an p e r m a n e n t j o b s OfficerSherryDomer article that held the opportunities for the people Domer and the General company accountable for with the community,” Manager indicated that no silencingemployees. Figueirasaid.

The cause of the fire said. Contrary to previous Officer Springer received remains unclear at this time reports that security guards electric shocks, while an but according to the GFS hadtobreakthelockstogain object fell on the head of “Investigations are access, police said they used Fireman Ramdahin, who underwaybyFirePrevention the market keys that were received minor injuries,” O f f i c e r s a n d t h e lodged at the Charity Police GPFstated. Government Electrical Stationtoopenthegates. The fire fighters were all Inspectorate to ascertain Smoke and sparks were treated at the Suddie [whatsparkedtheblaze]”. subsequently seen coming Hospitalandsenthome. Meanwhile, the Guyana from an electrical meter Investigations are Police Force (GPF) in a located in the centre of the ongoing.

‘Let us work together’

- newly-elected Mahdia Mayor urges

DPI - Forty-one-year- Township needs good old businesswoman, Eslyn leadership, leadership that Romascindo-Hussain has will express and put enough been elected as the new effort to increase services, Mayor of Mahdia, while improve access to services, twenty-three-year-old Akita and also to improve the John will serve as Deputy infrastructure,” the minister Mayor expressed.

Minister of Amerindian She added that the newly Affairs, Pauline Sukhai constituted body must accompanied by Chairman immediately start engaging of the Local Government the people and begin to Commission (LGC), address the concerns and the Norman Whitaker witnessed challenges that are being theswearing-inofthenewly- experiencedbytheresidents. elected councillors on The minister emphasised Thursdayinthetown. that “It is important that the

Eslyn RomascindoHussain, the new Mayor of the Mahdia

Speaking with the new council remains Department of Public engaged with the people need development I Information (DPI) shortly because the people’s priority would like them to work after the elections, the new and our manifesto will drive alongwithmewithunityand mayor pledged to push for the actions that should bring full cooperation,” she more development in the b e t t e r m e n t f o r t h e expressed Meanwhile, town and urged residents to township.”

Minister Sukhai, who has worktogether The mayor and the parliamentary oversight for “I am willing to work deputy mayor will be taking Region Eight dubbed the with the township, with the their Oaths of Office in the eventassignificant. folks. I would look into presence of President, Dr “I believe that Mahdia various areas where I see we MohamedIrfaanAlisoon.

‘Sharky’gets life sentence for killing clothes vendor

Twenty-six-year-old

Wayne Anthony Chester called “Sharky”, was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonmentforthemurder ofPurcellMooreJr aclothes vendor, which occurred at Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Moorewasgunneddown during a robbery at Craig Old Road, East Bank Demerara(EBD)in2017.

Chester had denied the charge which stated that on December 20, 2017, at Craig, E.B.D, during the course or furtherance of a robbery he shot and killed Moore. In June, Chester was found guilty of the capital such, Justice Kissoon had returned from French offencebyajury directed the jury to return a Guiana several weeks prior

He was on trial before formal verdict of guilty in and may have been Justice Sandil Kissoon at the relation to the lesser count. monitored by his attackers. DemeraraHighCourt.Inthis ThisresultedinDawson,and The man had lived in matter, the State was Persaud being sentenced to Cayenne, French Guiana representedbyTiffiniLyken, life imprisonment with the with his wife and two Simran Gajraj, Rbina possibility of parole after children, but came to Christmas, and Cicelia serving a minimum term of Guyana for the birth of his Corbin Chester was 15years. son. represented by attorney-at- Notably, Chester is said Moore was said to have lawAdrianThompson. to be the one who shot and beenreturningtohisparents’

On Friday, Justice killedMoore. First Street, Craig residence Kissooninhandingdownhis According to reports, on from a shop when the sentence noted that Chester December 20, 2017, Moore, suspects, one of whom was is only eligible for parole 40, was shot during the armed with a handgun, afterserving30yearsinjail. course of a robbery Reports confronted him An

In June 2021, Justice revealed that the father of argument reportedly erupted Kissoon imposed life two was robbed of his gold between Moore and the sentences on two men, chainandotherjewellery suspects and escalated into a Selwin Dawson, called The clothes vendor had scuffle, during which the “Crack Skull”, formerly of reportedlyjustcelebratedthe individual with the gun First Field, Kaneville, EBD, birth of his third child when discharged several rounds at and Kevin Persaud called he was gunned down, after Moore, shooting him to the “Boyce”, formerly of being cornered by a group of right side of the chest before Fourteen Avenue, Diamond, men He sustained two fleeing. EBD, who were also on trial gunshot wounds to the head Moore was rushed to the forthemurderofMoore. during the attack, which Diamond Diagnostic Centre

The duo, who initially occurred one street away where he was pronounced pleadednotguiltytomurder, from his mother’s home at dead on arrival. Police had pleaded guilty to the lesser Craig. arrested the suspects shortly count of manslaughter As Reports are that the man aftertheshooting.

GPSUappalledatoutcomeofalleged rapecaseagainstMin.Dharamlall

The Women’s Advisory girls, especially the protect the most vulnerable Committee (WAC) of the Complainant, who publicly in our society and to deliver Guyana Public Service disclosed the horrific nature justice to the underUnion on Friday said that it of the alleged incident represented groups in the is “appalled by the which moved the citizenry absence of fear, favour and abhorrent outcome of the intosupportaction”. subjugation and should be case of alleged sexual “The WAC holds the recused from any further assault perpetuated on a strong view that there were participation and/or young Amerindian Girl, heavy political interference involvement in this matter”. who falls within the w h i c h l e d t o t h e The Committee called for category of one of the unconstitutional and the child to be “insulated vulnerable groups in our disgraceful discontinuation from the officers / decision society”. of this matter The WAC is makers who handled the

In a statement to the of the view that the case thus far” while adding m e d i a , t h e G P S U survivor sought justice and that it is deeply concerned Committee said that the ‘no merely fought to prevent a about the silence of the furtheraction’conclusionof reoccurrenceofthisalleged Diplomatic Community on the matter by the police, act to other women and thematter which was purportedly girls The WAC therefore, “Thisunfortunatecaseis ratified by the Director of unreservedly supports the a reminder that violence Public Prosecutions, cannot call by the Amerindian against women and girls is bethestatusquo. People’s Association for a rooted in social inequalities

“Manyinoursocietyare thorough review of all and economic exploitation. in disbelief at the grave investigative procedures It leaves one to ask, where miscarriage of justice, employed in the handling can protection be found injudiciously denied to one ofthismatter. when our criminal justice of the most vulnerable Any lapses in the system is on a continuum of groupsinoursociety;thatis, system must incur a fresh imbalance, tipping towards young women and the girl investigation of the alleged unequal access, partial childaftershewasallegedly criminal act of rape by an a p p l i c a t i o n s a n d brutalized sexually in the impartial and independent methodologies aimed at most heinous fashion by a body The WAC is of the protecting the apparent hierarchyofoursocietywho strong view that this unethical and immoral was entrusted to serve a i m p a r t i a l i t y a n d untouchables and their c o m m u n i t y ( L o c a l independence is to be collaborators,” the WAC Government and Regional attained by the use of said while noting that the Development)asopposedto international experts in the GPSU stands in solidarity violating and abusing the view of sexual violence with residents of the trust of the members investigations, ” the hinterlandcommunities. therein.” statement said on Friday “We must continue to

The statement also Further, the WAC said that support each other in the pointed to Vice President the relevant authorities fight against injustice, and Jagdeo’s description of including the office of the demand that the rule of law Nigel Dharamlall, the Director of Public serves the complainant in alleged child molester, as ‘a Prosecutions (DPP), the this case, and prevent the good Minister…and a great Guyana Police Force (GPF) arbitrary usage of power by asset’ “is distasteful and and the Child Protection those empowered under the must be viewed as a Agency (CPA) “failed to law to deliver justice,” the disrespect to women and take necessary steps to WACsaid.

Dead: Purcell Moore Jr

Jailed: Wayne Anthony Chester, called “Sharky”

WANTED VACANCY

One live-in Housekeeper needed to work in Virginia, USA. Ages 30-50 yrs. Call: 592-615-5476/ 845-3258241.

Porters, Driver and Salesman needed. Attractive salary offered, experience will be an asset. Call: 226-9800.

One able- bodied male or female staff needed to work in a store. Call: 225-2313, 2261497, 658-8559.

Driver with MV licence, ages 25-40 years. location: R.M Bhaichandeen Inc, 78 Church st, G/town.

One diesel Mechanic and Welder Fabricator needed to work in the Interior. Interested persons can make contact on: 701-4000.

Domestic/ Cook needed. Contact: 223-5273/74.

Diesel Mechanic wanted. Contact: 688-0417/ 2235273/74.

Honest Driver and Saleman needed. Must have experience in sales and Lorry licenses. Contact: 233-3512 Email-prestigefoodsguyana @gmail.com

Ladies needed to wash 5 gallon water bottles. Preferably living between Parika and Cornelia Ida area. Call: 6619447.

Experienced canter Driver/ Salesman, to work on water delivery truck. Preferably living between Parika and Cornelia Ida area. Call: 6619447.

Office Clerk needed, ages 1725 years. Must have CXC Maths & English and must be computer literate residing on WCD or WBD. Call: 2540087.

One Cook needed to work in the Interior. Interested person can Contact: 698-4064/ 680-4868.

Kitchen Assistant, Supervisor, Chef and Salesperson needed. Call: 659-5559.

One Clerk needed for TSI Eccles office. Must have English and Mathematics. Email:techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.

Hick's Ville Hotel is now hiring Receptionist and Hotel Attendant. Required to work shifts. Call: 6400673, 227-7714. Email: info@vegeworld.net

Cashiers & Stock Clerks urgently needed at Two Brothers mini-mart. Experience will be an asset. Call/ WhatsApp: 592-708-3256.

Vacancy exists for one Driver, ages 20 - 60 yrs. Must know to drive Manual and must have car, van & motor lorry License. Contact: 679-7391.

Vacancy exists for Sales Representative at Innovations America. Contact: 679-7391.

Vacancy exists for Junior Book Clerk at Innovations America. Contact: 679-7391.

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

One Salesman, 3 subjects cxc, experience in writing bills, stocktaking & cashing. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

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

Ladies needed to wash 5 gallon water bottles. Preferably living between Parika and Cornelia Ida area. Call: 661-9447.

Experienced canter Driver/ Salesman, to work on water delivery truck. Preferably living between Parika and Cornelia Ida area. Call: 6619447.

VACANCY

Accounts Clerk needed @ Beacon Cafe, 127 Quamina St, Georgetown. Must have FIA/ CAT and knowledge of microsoft Suite/ quickbooks. Call 225-9409/ 655-8944. Email: ateeyyeaali@gmail.com

Sales Clerks, Delivery Clerks and Porters needed. Apply at Lens 136 Sheriff St, next to Buddy's/ Pizzahut. Call: 227-2486/227-1511. Email: lensgy@outlook.com

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

SERVICES

Filing Visa application forms. Call: 683-0916.

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

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

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OF GUYANA REGULAR JURISDICTION

2022-HC-DEM-CIVSOC-248

BETWEEN: THE NEW BUILDING SOCIETY LIMITED

Claimant

-and--

accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules

2016:

(ii) An Order that the said Execution Sale of the aforesaid property by the First and or Second Defendants to the Third and Fourth Defendants is contrary to law, null and void;

(iii) An Order that the said Execution Sale of the aforesaid property by the First and or Second Defendants to the Third and Fourth Defendants be set aside;

(iv) An Order directing the First Defendant to re-advertise the aforesaid

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

Aulicio Mining Inc is hiring Accountant, Database Administrator, Hr Assistant, Truck Driver, Human Resource, Operations and Security Manager. Email: ve@officegy.com

Cook needed at Poppyshow, Mid Mazaruni. Attractive salary offered, must know to cook: fried rice, roti, etc. Call/ WhatsApp: 6950337/ 677-0869.

FOR SALE

Good quality parkay and vinyl with glue. Please Call: 693-1071/ 232-0269.

Farm produce for sale: pumpkin, plantain, lemon, lime, cayenne and apple banana. Call: 688-0417.

For sale rice farmers-132 laverda rice combine, 290 Massey tractor, 110-90 fiat tractor. Call: +592695 2220/ 9544648614.

Pure breed Huskies for sale. For more information Call/ WhatsApp: 626-0679.

Pure honey, wholesale and retail quantity. Call: 621-4273.

Three land in Rose Hall, Corentyne. Contact Bobby Reality: 679 2497.

Large Seaside Land in New Amsterdam measuring 1000 ft x 211 ft. Contact Bobby Reality: 679 2497.

House & Land in Princetown, New Amsterdam, Berbice. Contact Bobby Reality: 679 2497.

Two story building with large Concrete bond on two lots in Cumberland East Canje. Contact Bobby Reality: 679 2497.

Land for sale at Port Mourant Corentyne Berbice. Contact Bobby Reality: 6792497.

LAND FOR SALE

Ideal for apartment building or residence, located at Vlissengen into Lamaha street. Call: 223-6218, 6565544, 623-7805.

11 acres land at Kahsmir, Pouderoyen, WBD. Near new Four line to Crane. Call: 709-5234.

1.THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT

2.FIRST MARSHAL OF THE SUPREME COURT

3.UBRAJ NARINE

4.MEENAKASHI HARRICHARRAN

5.DRORAM RAI

6.THE REGISTRAR OF DEEDS Defendants

Jointly and or Severally

NOTICE:

TO:

DEORAM RAI Lot 21 Tuschen East Bank Essequibo

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Newly renovated building with 2 sections, ac and 3 bedrooms each, located at Norton Street. Call: 223-6218, 656-5544, 623-7805.

Two level home (situated on two lots) at Manatee Place, South Ruimveldt Park, gated premises. Price: $ 50 mil. Call PMIS: 226-4322.

TAKE NOTICE that a Statement of Claim was filed on 29th day of August, 2022 issued against you the Respondents to appear before the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature at the Law Courts, Georgetown, in which the Applicant claims is for:

FOR RENT

Fully furnished 2 bedrooms apartment in Albert Street, Alberttown. Preferably students, no smoking and no pets allowed. Call 231-5695/ 611-9134.

1-8000 sq ft Modern Warehouse/Manufacturing facility located in the Eccles Industrial site. $10,000 US per month. Telephone: 695-0333.

One bottom flat and storage space available in Vreed-enHoop suitable for clinics, salon/ barber shop, taxi service, office, etc. Call: 683-4281.

(i) An Order that the Execution Sale of the property advertised in the Official Gazette dated 25th June, 2022, numbered 141 for the county of Demerara, situate at:Lot 606, part of Plot ‘S’, part of Block 1, portion of a tract of Government Lands defined as Section ‘G’, part of La Penitence, in the City of Georgetown, in the County of Demerara, in the Republic of Guyana and subject to the terms and conditions as more fully set out in Transport No. 1864 dated 12 day of August, 1968.

And held at the Supreme Court, Demerara on the 12th July, 2022 in Action No. 2016-HC-DEM-CIVCD-1054 and sold by the First and or Second Defendants to the Third and Fourth Defendants in the sum of seven million dollars ($7,000,000.00) was unlawful and not in

property in the Official Gazette for sale at the Execution Sale to be next held after this Order; (v) An Order restraining the Sixth Defendant, her servants and or agents from passing Transport of the aforesaid property to the Third and Fourth Defendants pursuant to Execution Sale thereof advertised in the Official Gazette dated 25th June, 2022, numbered I41 for the county of Demerara and held on 12 July, 2022 at the Supreme Court, Demerara; (vi) Damages; (vii) Costs. UPON APPLICATION in person to Ms. Pauline Chase, Attorney-at-Law for the Applicant, whose address for service and place of business is at “Alton Covey” 217 South Road, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara. Tele No. 2264722, Email:altoncovey@yahoo.com or the Supreme Court Registry, copies of the Statement of Claim, filed herein, will be delivered or sent to you. AND TAKE NOTICE if you desire to defend this action you must forthwith within forty-two (42) days after the final publication of this Notice, prepare an Affidavit in Defence in Form 10C prescribed in the Civil Procedure Rules 2016, serve it on the Applicant’s Attorney-atLaw, Ms. Pauline Chase, Attorney-at-Law for the Applicant, whose address for service and place of business is at “Alton Covey” 217 South Road, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara. Tele No. 2264722, Email:altoncoyey@yahoo.com and file it with proof of service at the Registry at Georgetown, Demerara, not later than 4 (four) days before the date fixed for hearing of the application, and you or your Attorney-at-Law must appear at the hearing. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you fail to file such Affidavit and/or if you fail to appear at the hearing,

One large Upper Flat situated at Cumberland, East Canje Berbice. Ideal for restaurant and other businesses. 65ft x 44 ft. Contact Bobby Reality: 679 2497.

FOR RENT

Construction of Tuschen & Hosororo...

From page15 Construction -$285,101,936; Lot -2 Super-Structure Works - AS Construction$179,100,000; Lot -3 Plumbing Works - VG Group Guyana Inc. - $29,212,549; Lot -4 Electrical Works - N Balgobin & Sons - $72,467,910; Lot -5 Finishing Works - K&S General Construction - $137,833,000; and Lot -6 External WorksAS Construction$160,990,000.

On the other hand, the Hosororo Secondary School will be constructed to the tune of $2,619,208,261.

This school which is measured 409 ft. by 25 ft. will have 29 classrooms to accommodate over 500 students. It will have a science centre which will feature physics, chemistry and biology laboratories. A TVET centre which will have both industrial and

home economics laboratories. A student dormitory and visiting area will also be constructed to accommodate 200 students while the teachers’ duplex living quarters will accommodate 20 teachers.

It was noted too that at this school, there will be sanitary blocks for both students and teachers.

The fire prevention features will include fire escape exits, escape doors, fire alarms, extinguishers, limited timber usage, metal ceilings and fire-retardant panels.

The outdoor space at the school is said to accommodate several sporting disciplines.

The contracts awarded for this school are as follows: Lot -1 Site Development Works - International Imports & Supplies - $280,204,731; Lot -2 Sub-Structure Works,

School Building International Imports & Supplies$303,837,015; Lot -3 SubStructure Works, DormitorySupreme Contracting & Supplies - $196,319,040; Lot -4 Sub-Structure Works, Teachers Quarters - International Imports & Supplies$180,402,585; Lot -5 SuperStructure Works & Electrical - VG Group Guyana$1,411,400,917; and Lot -6 Plumbing Works - VG Group Guyana - $247,043,973.

It was stated yesterday that the projects have been divided into lots so as to have them completed early. Both schools are scheduled to be completed within seven to eight months.

Kaieteur News understands that GR engineering has been awarded the contract to supervise the projects.

Paper Committals Bill to be laid soon...

From page 13 the Guyana Bar Association, the Berbice Bar Association, and the Law Reform Commission.

Meanwhile, according to the Explanatory Memorandum, the Bill is divided into three Parts and contains twenty-four (24) clauses.

Part I of the Bill provides for the preliminary provisions and contains clauses 1 to 4.

Clause 3 of the Bill provides for the application of the Act to all proceedings in respect of indictable offences, except for proceedings under the Sexual Offences Act.

Clause 4 of the Bill provides for the abolition of preliminary inquiries and the substitution thereof with paper committals.

Part II of the Bill provides for the procedure pertaining to paper committals and contains clauses 5 to 20. Clause 5 of the Bill provides for the conduct of paper committal proceedings in the presence of the accused.

Clause 6 of the Bill empowers the magistrate to adjourn proceedings before beginning a paper committal or at any time during the proceedings.

Clause 7 of the Bill sets

LEGAL NOTICE

final judgment may be given against you notwithstanding your absence.

Dated this 22nd day of March, 2023

AFC wants Constitutional Reform to allow for possible Coalition after elections

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj

Ramjattan yesterday said he believes that the party would contest the next general elections, slated for 2025, alone should the Constitution be reformed to allow for a Coalition of the parties, post elections.

Ramjattan was at the time addressing reporters during a press conference when he said the AFC believes that the Opposition would be stronger if united, however there are a number of issues that would have to be first ironed out.

to contesting the next general and regional elections as a stand-alone party, the Chairperson said it was still too early to make that declaration.

On the other hand, the leader of the AFC pointed out that there is a Constitutional Reform process that is slated for 2024.

According to him, “As you would appreciate, our existing constitutional arrangement does not make it possible for us to go it alone and then at the end of the elections to have a post elections Coalition.”

out the evidence which is admissible in paper committal proceedings. Clause 8 of the Bill provides the evidential requirements that must be met with respect to written statements sought to be admitted as evidence in paper committal proceedings.

Clause 9 of the Bill provides the evidential requirements that must be met with respect to depositions sought to be admitted as evidence in paper committal proceedings.

Clause 10 of the Bill provides the evidential requirements that must be met with respect to other statements sought to be admitted as evidence in paper committal proceedings.

Clause 11 of the Bill provides the evidential requirements that must be met with respect to other documents sought to be admitted as evidence in paper committal proceedings.

Clause 12 of the Bill requires evidence to be read aloud in paper committal proceedings.

Clause 13 of the Bill provides for a statement, deposition or document admitted in evidence to be proved by the production of a copy thereof.

Clause 14 of the Bill empowers a magistrate to issue a summons or warrant directing that a person’s evidence be taken as a deposition or requiring that person to produce a document or other exhibit.

Clause 15 of the Bill provides for a magistrate to commit an accused for trial for an offence if the magistrate is satisfied with the admissibility of the evidence.

Clause 16 of the Bill sets out the procedure whereby a magistrate may commit an accused for trial without con-

sideration of the evidence.

Clause 17 of the Bill sets out the procedure for the committal or discharge of an accused person on consideration of the evidence.

Clause 18 of the Bill requires a magistrate to record the reasons for the committal or discharge of an accused person in writing.

Clause 19 of the Bill empowers the Director of Public Prosecutions to give directions to a magistrate in any case where the magistrate discharges an accused person. Clause 20 of the Bill provides for a person whose statement, deposition, document or exhibit was not tendered in evidence during a paper committal to give evidence at the trial of the accused person.

Part III of the Bill provides general and miscellaneous provisions and contains clauses 21 to 24.

Clause 21 of the Bill provides for a consequential amendment to the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act.

Clause 22 of the Bill provides that where any provision of any law is in conflict or inconsistent with any provision of the Act, the provision of the Act shall prevail.

Clause 23 of the Bill provides for the Evidence Act and the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act to apply to the Act where necessary with such modifications, adaptations and qualifications that may be needed for the due administration of the Act.

Clause 24 of the Bill provides that any pending proceedings shall be disposed of or continued under the law as it stood immediately before the commencement of the Act

The Bill will be soon taken to Cabinet and thence to be laid in the National Assembly.

While the AFC leader did not elaborate on the matters he look forward to addressing, he said, “We had a Cummingsburg Accord prior to the previous elections, two times and to that extent we would now have to indicate what and what if there are additionals, and I’m absolutely sure there will be additionals before we enter into a Coalition arrangement again.”

It was on February 14, 2015 that the AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), binding the two political parties as a Coalition.

They later defeated the PPP at the 2015 elections held in May that year. Since then, the Coalition has stood together but not without its internal hiccups.

While there were a number of disagreements within the Coalition, the parties finally solidified their divorce in January 2023. The decision to split was announced by the AFC in July 2022.

Back then, the party said it intended to focus on rebuilding the political group and would therefore not renew the Cummingsburg Accord. It was explained that the partnership agreement that indicated terms of withdrawal within three years to five years. The AFC opted to with-

draw on the third year.

Yesterday, Ramjattan said that while he believes the Opposition is stronger together and unifying can defeat the PPP at the next elections, there are other members of the AFC who do not share his view. He was keen to note that any partnership must be grounded in “equality”. The APNU and AFC had a falling out last year over the Region Four Vice Chairman position.

Chairperson of the AFC, Catherine Hughes also shared her views on the issue at yesterday’s press conference, adding that the party understands that importance of partnership and was founded with this in mind. She said it was no coincidence that the party was named ‘Alliance For Change’.

To this end, she indicated that while the AFC has a strong Parliamentary relationship with the APNU it remains open to forming other partnerships with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), smaller parties and even civil society members.

“We have a very strong relationship in Parliament with the APNU and we are open to discussion with other organizations in Guyana,” Hughes told reporters.

Meanwhile, when it comes

He pointed out that if the Constitution allows what occurred in 1964, for two parties to form a Coalition and constitute a majority after an elections, then the AFC would certainly contest the next elections alone.

However, Ramjattan noted, “Since we do not have that Constitutional provision, it being abolished some time in 1980, if you want now to be in government, you have to join up because in our present constitution or provisions in the Constitutions, the party with the highest number of votes forms the government and wins the Presidency.”

As such, he said this can lead to what obtained in 2011 when the PPP won 49 percent of the votes and still became government.

He said this could not have happened in 1964 since the law allowed for parties to collate post elections and form a government.

To this end, Ramjattan explained, “So going it alone certainly will be done by the AFC if we can have a Constitutional amendment again that can take us back to that scenario. If it does not take it back to that scenario, we feel that there is, under the existing regime, a perfect example of going it together to win against or to change the government. We would have to go it together.”

BOSAI commissions Kiln #15, US $150M...

From page 12 supporting the ailing industry for more than a decade. We also intensified private ownership, and participation in bauxite mining, which allowed the recapitalisation and continued operations,” the President underscored.

Meanwhile, the President sought to assure that Linden is not being left out of the country’s rapid development and pointed to the Government’s housing and infrastructural drive to expand opportunities in the Region.

President Ali said as part of the agenda for accelerated infrastructural development, the contract for the Wismar Bridge that connects Wismar to Mackenzie, will be signed before the end of the year.

He noted that the contin-

ued private sector investments in Guyana’s economy speak to his administration’s prudent and strategic management, providing the enabling environment for investment. Additionally, he reminded attendees of the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP) which outlines the government’s continued efforts to bring prosperity to the mining town and its environs, the DPI said.

Last year, the bauxite industry raked in $98.9 million in export earnings. The industry however needs modernization and a stable investment climate.

Meanwhile, President Ali also commended China for contributing significantly to the development of Guyana’s industries.

“China remains a strong bilateral partner, a strong development partner and a strong trading partner and we are very, very proud of its strength and relationship.”

Similar sentiments were shared by China’s ambassador Guo Haiyan, who said that cooperation in mining between China and Guyana is significant and that the Chinese Government attaches great importance to issues of occupational health and safety, environmental protection, climate change amongst other things.

The Ambassador said she sincerely hopes Guyana makes joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in various fields as Guyana is now at a historical moment of economic booming.

AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan

Australia loses top order to extend lead to 142 runs on Day 2 of 3rd Ashes test

LEEDS,

England (AP) —

Travis Head and Mitch Marsh held off a resurgent England to extend Australia’s fragile lead to 142 runs after two days of the third Ashes test at Headingley yesterday.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith squandered a perfect batting track against a depleted England bowling attack by gifting their wickets after tea to Moeen Ali.

Head, on 18, and Marsh, on 17, negotiated the last 12.1 overs to advance Australia to 116-4 in its second innings at stumps.

England were all out for 237 before tea after captain Ben Stokes muscled 80 runs and shepherded the tail to get

them within 26 runs of Australia’s first total.

Australia captain Pat Cummins banked 6-91 for his first five-wicket haul in England.

Cummins is trying to help his side clinch the Ashes for the first time in England since 2001. England must win to stay alive.

Despite a flattening, sundrenched pitch, wickets were falling at a pace that suggested the match might be over on Sunday with a day to spare.

The Australians were keeping England in the contest, despite the home side bowling without pacer Ollie Robinson after his back

Saturday July 08, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

This is an excellent day for you, Aries. The farther you extend your emotions, the more prosperous you will be. Don't be afraid of new things. More than likely.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

It may seem like people aren't taking things as seriously as you'd like them to, Taurus. If so, take it as a hint that perhaps you're the one who needs to lighten up.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Don't turn down any opportunities today, Gemini, even if they seem like dead-ends at first. One could be your lucky break. Realize that success doesn't always have a big neon sign pointing you in the right direction.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

It's time to put your plans in motion, Cancer. There's a very expansive energy urging you to reach out and make valuable connections with others.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Go for the gold, Leo. Don't settle for less. There's an expansive energy on your side urging you on to prosperity in every aspect of your life. Take control of the situation and act on your emotions.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

The more you vacillate, the more valuable time and energy you waste, Virgo. Take a decisive stance and be confident about your choice. Give it everything you've got.

spasm on Thursday.

David Warner nicked Stuart Broad to Zac Crawley in the cordon as he did in the first innings. Warner, on 1, fell to Broad for the 17th time, and third time in this series.

Usman Khawaja and Labuschagne settled in by tea and carried their partnership to a comfortable 57 runs.

Then Labuschagne swung at the unlucky Mark Wood and was dropped behind by Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow’s embarrassment was short-lived as Labuschagne fell for 33 next ball, lazily sweeping Ali to Harry Brook at deep midwicket.

Ali’s next over claimed

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Arguments could quickly turn into declarations of war today. Things could get blown out of proportion if they aren't handled with care, Libra.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your life is taking off in many different directions, Scorpio. Everything seems to be expanding at once. It may be difficult to get a solid grip on any one thing.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

This is a great day for you, Sagittarius. There's a terrific feeling of expansion in the air. This is one of those times in which a small germ of an idea can grow into something big right before your eyes.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

You may feel like someone caught in a tornado, Capricorn. Things are whirling around you and everything seems out of control. Don't get stressed out.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

It's time to take charge, Aquarius. There's fuel for your fire, and the scope of your influence is virtually unlimited. Don't hold back in any way. Confidently attack every project knowing that things will work out in your favor.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Don't concern yourself with getting more. Concentrate on what you already have, Pisces. Work with whatever resonates within you. You instinctively know what does and doesn't work.

Steve Smith, who chipped the spinner straight to Ben Duckett at midwicket on 2. That gave Ali his 200th career wicket, the third England spinner to the mark in the second match of his test return.

Ali’s two wickets in two overs owed as much to Wood, who wasn’t as fast as he was on Thursday but fast enough to concede only 10 runs in an eight-over spell and frustrate Labuschagne and Smith into rash shots.

Khawaja appeared content to ride out Wood but in trying to defend Chris Woakes, he gave a thick edge to Bairstow on 43. Australia was 90-4 but could rely on Head and Marsh, whose partnership of 155 saved Australia in the first innings.

There was an air of expectation at the start of the day, as local heroes Joe Root and Bairstow resumed with England at a delicate 68-3.

They had a precious chance to compensate for the five dropped catches between them on day one but did not.

Root nicked off to Cummins for 19 on the second ball of the day and Bairstow made just 12 after driving at Mitchell Starc and giving a catch to the slips.

At 87-5, Stokes had to save his side again, just five days after blasting 155 at Lord’s to revive a dying fourth-innings chase. But that exertion, also after bowling 12 straight overs, worsened his already dicey left knee. Unwilling to bowl at Headingley, the captain endured the pain to almost rub out England’s deficit.

Stokes, stiff and uncomfortable, put on a careful 44 with Ali until the latter made a careless hook at Cummins.

Woakes was also baited by a Starc short ball and England went to lunch in trouble at 142-7 and Stokes on 27.

The team reset its plans during the break and came out fizzing. The last three wickets added 95 runs in 10.2 overs.

Mark Wood sent the first ball of the middle session by Starc over the midwicket boundary.

The second ball was slashed for four, the third for six more, and when he topedged Cummins over fine leg, he had 24 from six deliveries.

Wood’s rousing cameo ended there and Stokes took up the challenge. After Starc dropped him on 45, Stokes rubbed it in by hitting Starc for three consecutive boundaries to pass 50.

Broad became Cummins’ sixth wicket thanks to an outstanding boundary catch by Smith.

Enet South Dakota Grand Prix... Vishok and Danny to challenge Ramchand for SI&C Inc Group 3 C/Ship

The competition heats up as the Se cure Innovations & Concepts Inc. (SI&C Inc) Group 3 Championship gears up for Round 2, which is set to take place tomorrow at the Timehri Race track for the South Dakota Grand Prix, powered by ENet. Following a thrilling opening round, fans eagerly anticipate the return of two top contenders: Vishok Persaud in his Lotus and Danny Persaud in the Miata, both of whom missed Round 1. Currently leading the championship is the talented Anand Ramchand, who will face stiff competition as these formidable competitors make their much-anticipated comeback.

After missing out on the first round, Vishok will look to make up for lost ground. Piloting his Lotus, he has

showcased remarkable skill and determination in previous championships. Also making a return to competition is Danny, who will once again be behind the wheel of his powerful Miata. Known for his aggressive driving style and ability to push his car to its limits, Danny Persaud is a force to be reckoned with on the race track. Though he missed Round 1, like Vishok, his past performances have made him a formidable contender.

Anand Ramchand leads the SI&C Inc. Group 3 Championship. He will undoubtedly aim to extend his lead and further solidify his position as the championship favourite. However, with the return of Vishok and Danny Persaud, he cannot afford to rest, as the competition promises to be fierce.

S&L Electrical Agency donates t-shirts to National U19 Rugby team

The Young Green

M a c h i n e i s

m a k i n g significant progress in preparation for the upcoming Rugby America’s North Men’s Under19 championship in Kingston, Jamaica. This advancement was bolstered by the generous donation of team jerseys from S&L’s Electrical Agency on

Wednesday The National U19 rugby team is eagerly

anticipating their participation in this year’s championship, scheduled to takeplacefromJuly12-16at the University of the West Indies,MonaCampus.

While, the team remains fully committed to an intensivetrainingcampheld Monday through Friday at the National Park’s Rugby field, after a grueling training session, a formidablesquadoftwentythreememberswascarefully

selectedlastSaturday

The squad comprise of Dakari Martindale as the captain, Nihil Carter as the vice-captain, and a host of other skilled players, including Dion Softley, Vidal Narine, Tashenia Leitch, Gavin McPherson, David Massiah, Anton Bernard, Sylvester Fraser, Elisha Crawford, Melson Moe, Omarion Leitch, Ephrain McLennan, ShaquanAdams,TionMars,

Daniel DeHeart, Samuel Bellang, Tion Luke, Renson Branch,TrevilleWeeks, and D a r i a n B e n t i c k

Additionally, Cadem Hollingsworth, Samuel Nicholas,andJamalJohnson have been selected as standbys.

The team is set to depart from Guyana on Monday

July 10th, for Jamaica in

tournament.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Rugby Football Union’s (GRFU) Treasurer, Troy Yhip,expressedgratitudefor the support they have received from corporate entities in Guyana, which has greatly alleviated the

financial burden of the trip. Yhip revealed that the total cost for participating in this tournament amounted to US$47,000.Duringthebrief presentation, Yhip called uponothercorporateentities to join forces in aiding the team of talented ruggers as theystrivetorestoreGuyana toitsformerrugbyglory

The Athlete Association of Guyana (AAG) has rescheduled the 2023 Goodwill Development Meet to now take place on July 9th at the Police Sports Club (PSC) ground, Eve Leary The change in venue is due to the unfavourable weather conditions, which rendered the National Track andFieldCentre,Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara unpreparedfortheevent.

Despite the challenges, t h e A A G r e m a i n s committed to hosting the meet, albeit as a one-day competition

The event will feature divisions for Under 13, U14, U18, and U20 athletes, and is eagerly anticipated to showcase the talents of young athletes from various clubs in Guyana as well as Barbados.

Charles Nester, an official from the AAG, expressed disappointment

to Kaieteur News regarding the inability to p r o c e e d w i t h t h e originally planned competition due to the inclementweather

He explained that the decision to condense the eventintoasingledaywas made to accommodate the athletes who were already present, including theteam fromBarbados.

However, the Suriname team had to withdraw from the meet due to logistical issues. Despitethesetbacks, the AAG is determined to ensure the event’s success, and Nester highlighted the significance of hosting a large contingent of athletes forthedevelopmentmeet.

In the meantime, a delegation of fifty-two individuals, including athletes, parents, and coaches, have arrived from Barbados to compete on Sunday.

The team comprises

prominent100m,200m,and 800m athletes, who will be undertheguidanceofCoach Carter, Coach Wesley Browne, and Coach Andre Johnson.

However, Coach Carter encouraged fans to attend and witness the exciting competition his team will provideinallevents.

Hestated,“Barbadoshas been coming to Guyana for abouttwentyplusyearsnow to partake in many programmes of this nature, butthefirsttimewithsucha largecontingent.

We expect to do well at the year’s meet, despite of the few set back.” When asked about his top athletes, he teasingly stated that he ‘didnotwanttoletthecatout the bag’, but Guyana could expect some fierce competitionfromhisathletes onSunday.

Action starts at 10:00 hoursattheabovementioned venue.

CEO of S&L Electrical, Daniel Pemberton (left) handing over travel t-shirts to members of the U19 team as Manager Sherlock Solomon share the moment.

Mohamed Enterprise lends support to GRFU

Mohamed Enterprise, a renowned supporter of sports and development in Guyana, once again proves its commitment by becoming the latest sponsor of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)

National Men’s Under 19 team This sponsorship comesatacrucialtimeasthe team prepares to participate in the highly anticipated Rugby America’s North Men’s U19 championship, scheduled to be held from July 12-16 at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus,Kingston,Jamaica.

T h e R A N Championships provide an exceptional platform for young rugby players to exhibit their skills and potential in a fiercely competitivetournament.The young Green Machine, representing Guyana, eagerly embraces this opportunity to go head-tohead against formidable teams such as South USA,

Jamaica, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Asthetournamentdraws

near, the team is fully focusedontheirpreparation. With just a few days remaining,thetwenty-three-

member squad is gearing up to depart for Kingston on Monday, July 10th. Despite having only two days of

practice before the commencement of the tournament, the team is determinedtogivetheirbest

performanceonthefield.

Troy Yhip, GRFU

Treasurer, expressed profound gratitude to Mohamed Enterprise for their unwavering support towardslocalrugby

He remarked, “I want to extendmyheartfeltthanksto the team at Mohamed Enterprise for their continuous and invaluable support.

Their sponsorship not only provides financial b a c k i n g b u t a l s o demonstrates a genuine commitment to the growth anddevelopmentofrugby.”

So far the GRFU have garnered support from prominent entities such as theGOA,andtheNSCS&L Electrical Agency, Massy Gas Product, Modern Optical, P&P Insurance Brokers, Ansa McAl, Cummings Electrical, NAMILCO, Vish’s Pharmacy, Wilfred Neblette (NY), Freddy Fish Shop, amongothers.

Sri Lanka see off sorry West Indies in qualifier dead rubber

SportsMax - The West Indies Women took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the t h r e e - m a t c h T 2 0

International series when they defeated Ireland

Women by eight wickets at the Daren Sammy Cricket GroundonThursdaynight.

Winning the toss and batting first, Ireland posted 113-7intheir20overs.Amy Hunter led the scoring with 33 from 35 deliveries with skipperLauraDelanyadding avaluable20forthetourists.

Cherry-Ann Fraser led the West Indies bowlers with figures of 1-16 and Captain Hayley Matthews taking1-24.

Once again, Matthews led from the front with the bat during the runchase,bringinguphereighth T20I half-century before being dismissed on exactly 50off39deliveries.

Shabika Gajnabi scored 17 in a supporting role to her captain and Chinelle Henry smashed a full toss for six and three boundariestofinishon22off

12astheWestIndiesWomen reachedthe114-runtargetin 16.4overs.

“I think we’re pretty happy with the result,” said Matthews, who was PlayeroftheMatch.

“Coming into this tour we wanted to be able to take home both series, so just very happy that we were able to go out there and win convincingly today and securetheT20Iseries.

“We had more intent going out today and we noticed early on that

the wicket was a bit betterontodayandwewent out with the intent to chase downtherunsquicker

What really helped us today was the fielding, the catchesandrunoutswewere able to take, kudos to the overallteamforthebowling performancetheyputonand thefieldersforbackingthem up.”

The teams will meet today, July 8 for the final T20I First ball is at 5pm local time (4pm Jamaicatime).

AFP - Sri Lanka maintained their unbeaten record at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier as Pathum Nissanka’s hundred helped secure an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies yesterday

The Sri Lankans, who had already qualified for the tournamenttobeplayedlater thisyearinIndia,bowledout the already-eliminated Windies for 243 before chasingdownthetargetwith 5.4overstospare.

The defeat brought an end to a miserable tournament for the Caribbean side, after previous losses to Zimbabwe, the Netherlands andScotland.

“Just leave this behind us,”saidWestIndiescaptain ShaiHope.

“ L o o k f o r w a r d Communication is the key Wearealreadyatthebottom, we have to find ways to get backup.”

The Dutch secured the second qualifying place for the World Cup, to be held fromOctober5toNovember 19, with a dramatic victory overScotlandonThursday

Sri Lanka will face the Netherlands in Sunday’s final. “Our camp is very

positive and we are very confident with our performance,” said Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka. “What we need to control is our performance. The result will take care of itself.” After winning the tossandelectingtofieldfirst, Sri Lanka ran through the West Indies top order, reducing their opponents to 123-7 Spinner Maheesh

Theekshana removed three of the top four batters and ended with figures of 4-34 fromhis10overs.

Keacy Carty at least secured some respectability

for the Windies with his 87, supported by Romario ShepherdandKevinSinclair downtheorder

But Sri Lanka never looked in danger of stumbling with the bat, as Nissanka stroked a 113-ball 104 for his second successivecentury His fellow opener Dimuth Karunaratne added 83 in a first-wicket partnershipof190. Both were eventually dismissed before Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama took the sidehome.

Businessman Azzurdin Mohamed of Mohamed Enterprise hands over sponsorship to GRFU as Secretary Petal Adams, Manager Sherlock Solomon, Treasurer Troy Yhip as well as team members also share the moment.

Keacy Carty drives into the off side. (ICC via Getty Images)

Matthews scores another 50 as Windies Women defeat

Ireland Women by eight wickets to win series

West Indies Women took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series.

Gerald Scotland overpowers Hawker to advance into round of 16 – 2023 GTA Open C/ship

The Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) One GuyanaOpenSinglesTennis championship is well underway, with exciting day seven action at the National RacquetCentreonWoolford Avenue.Thursdaywitnessed four thrilling Men’s Open Singles matches, where Leland Leacock, Sandeep Chand,GeraldScotland,and Phillip Squires emerged victoriousintheirrespective encounters.

In the Round of 32, LeylandLeacockshowedhis dominanceashedefeatedthe formidable No 3 seed, BenjettanOsbourne,withan impressivescorelineof6/13/0 (default) Leacock’s skillful play and strategic shot placements left his opponent struggling to keep up With this victory, Leacock secured his spot in the next round which makes him a strong contender for thechampionshiptitle.

Sandeep Chand also exhibited his proficiency on the court, securing a welldeservedvictoryintheother Round of 32 match. Facing off against Harry Panday, Chanddisplayedfinesseand precision, outclassing his opponent with a final score of 6/2 - 6/1 Chand’s remarkable shot selection and excellent control over the game contributed to his triumph, propelling him furtherintothetournament.

Meanwhile No. 4 seed Gerald Scotland had an intense battle with Rondae Hawker Scotland’s powershots and impeccable footwork proved to be too good for Hawker, as he outmaneuvered his opponent, securing a convincing victory of 6/2 -

Gerald Scotland in action on Thursday evening.

6/0.

The fourth and final match of the day witnessed animpressivedisplayofskill fromtheexperiencedPhillip SquiresashemetwithRicky Romascindo Squires showed excellent versatility on the court, seamlessly transitioning from powerful serves to agile net play Ultimately,Squiresemerged

victorious with a final score of 6/2 - 6/2, highlighting his dominanceinthematch. This tournament is a pillar of the emerging National Sports Academy; aninitiativewhichisfunded by the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and by extension theGovernmentofGuyana.

Teach them young swim...

Frompage31 thesuccessoftheEastereditionhascreateda tidal wave of interest amongst the populace andonceagainhighlightsthegovernment’s steadfast commitment and approach to the developmentofthepublic,whoarethemost importantcoefficient.”

He further said, “The cost will be undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport in partnership with the National Sports Commission; a charge or pricethatsimplycannotbemeasuredagainst the backdrop of a developmental agenda gearedatempoweringthefuturegeneration throughthedevelopmentandcultivationofa

necessary life skill. Of course, and more importantly, safety is our axiom and unwritten law, and the implementation of a robust safety apparatus, which has been a hallmark of the previous programmes, is a compulsoryrealitygiventhelargeturnout. An incident-free platform is our main objective and is compulsory if a safe environmentwhichisconducivetolearning is to be garnered Only through the implementation of robust safety mechanismsthattheseprogrammesflourish and continue. Given the response, we have certainly achieved such, with the past editionsservingasevidence.”

Santa Rosa, Mahaicony TI emerge Regional Champions Digicel Schools Football Championship 2023…

Santa Rosa have now acquired another title after they defeated Port Kaituma inRegionOne’sfinale,while Mahaicony Technical Institute (MTI) won the RegionFivefinalsofthe8th Digicel’s Schools Football Championship,yesterday

At the Mabaruma Ground, the 2023 Milo Under-18 Champion, Santa Rosa, prevailed against the opposition, 2 – 1, to take bragging rights and qualify

for the upcoming National Championships.

Santa Rosa’s captain, Ron VanSluytman, along with Rockwell Harris were the players responsible for theirside’striumph.

Port Kaituma defeated Hosororo 2 – 1 on sudden death penalty kicks on Thursday in the semifinal, followingthe1–1deadlock atregulationwhistle.

InRegionFive,itwasall smiles for MTI as they

dominatedBelladrumtowin 3–0andsecureaplaceinthe National Championship Odel Mingo and Jemo Williams were the eventual champion’s goal scorers in theshowdown.

The other match of the day featured a Region Six semifinal between Tutorial and Berbice Educational Institute, which was won by thelatter,3–1.

In Thursday’s fixture, CharitybecametheRegion2

Champions after they defeated Abraham Zuil, 4 –1, in the finale at Anna Regina.

Region Ten’s action also saw Mackenzie High n e e d l e d Christianburg/Wismar to make it to the final, while Kwakwani sank Wisburg, 3 – 1, to become the other finalist. In Region Six, New Amsterdam and Vryman’s Erven battled to a nil-all draw, which was decided on

penalty kicks, that the latter won4–1.

Georgetown’s only match of the day saw South Ruimveldt get past Brickdam,2–1.

Matches continue in Georgetownwith:

Game1.QueensCollege vs Dolphin Sec. (Education)

13:30hrs

Game 2. St. Roses‘ vs Carmel (Education)

15:00hrs Game 3 Marian

Academy vs St.Winefrides Sec.(NIS)13:00hrs

Game4.WestRuimveldt vsBrickdam (NIS)14:30hrs

Game5.RichardIshmael vs Charlestown (NIS)

16:00hrs

East Bank Demerara: Finals

Soesdyke vs Friendship Sec.(Education)16:30hrs

RegionEight(8):Finals Game 1 Kato vs Paramakatoi (Mahdia)

15:30hrs

Mahaicony Technical Institute display the hardware after winning the Region 5 Championship, yesterday

Santa Rosa celebrate winning the Regional Title yesterday

Republic Bank renews RHTYSC Grade Six Summer Camp for 2008 - 100 youths to benefit

The Cricket teams

of the Rose Hall Town Youth and SportsClubsince2008have been hosting the annual GradeSixSummerCampfor students preparing to enter secondary schools in September Hundreds of grade six students have successfully completed the camp which has been organised by the Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy Under13, Farfan and Mendes Under15, Bakewell Under17, Pepsi Under19, MetroFemalesandNamilco Firstdivisionteams.

Sinceitsfirstedition,the camphasbeensponsoredby Republic Bank, which has a

branch in the township of RoseHall.

The bank on Thursday last handed over its sponsorship for the fourteenth edition of the summer camp to officials of the RHTYSC during a simple presentation ceremony at the Rose Hall Townbranch.

Club Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that his club was delighted to have the bank on board again and describedtherelationshipas very fruitful. Last year, the camp had over one hundred students in attendance and the RHTYSC expects another large turnout this year

Themainobjectiveofthe four weeks camp is to assist studentstomakeasuccessful transition from primary school to the secondary level. Foster stated that the camp was started in 2008 when parents expressed concern that some students had major problems adjusting to the higher level ofeducation.

The camp, which would be conducted by two teachers, would involve lessons in Maths, English, Social Studies, Science and basic Spanish Students would also be involved in several lectures on topics of importance to them. The topics would include the

importance of discipline, peer pressure, drug abuse, class room manners, personal hygiene, table manners and how to choose friends.

Each child who successfully completes the campwouldreceiveaschool bag and a supply of educationalmaterials.Atotal of three hundred thousand dollarsworthofprizeswould be shared out to the top students including food hampers, electronic Tablets, cycles, household items and watches.

The best student chosen by the teachers would take home an electric bike. The students at the camp would

also be exposed to basic coaching on how to play cricket. The camp would be held at the Rose Hall Town Primary School and cricket coaches at the RHTYSC 34th Cricket Academy would visit to encourage the youths to get involved in sports as an extracurricular activity If they desire, membership to the club would also be opened to the students.

Foster expressed thanks to the bank for their support andnotedthatthestaffofthe Rose Hall Branch has been good friends of the RHTYSC. He reassured the staff that the 2023 Summer Camp would be well

organisedandwouldachieve allofitsobjectives.

Branch Manager Sattie Coxstatedthatthebankwas very impressed by the organising skills of the club and the success of last year camp. Republic Bank, she noted, is committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities and would continue to invest in youth development, educational and sporting activities Membersofstaffwouldvisit the camp on a regular basis andinteractwiththestudents asmentors.

A graduating ceremony would be hosted by the cricket teams to close the camp.

Essequibo FAʼs season kicks into play today

Seven teams, including defending champions Henrietta United will battle for championshiphonourswhentheEssequibo Football Association’s 2023 season kicks intogeartoday

The senior Men’s League is the 5th of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) 9 Regional FAs to kick-off their season In an invited comment, President of the Essequibo FA, Mervyn Pearson declared: “We are all excited to start this new season and despite the recent persistent rains we are positively confident”.

The one-round League will commence at 2 pm today with the Cup holders confronting Queenstown FC and in the 2nd match set for 4 pm Tapakuma FC clash with Charity Dominators The 3rd encounter is slated for tomorrow when Good Hope FCmeetDartmouthFCat4pm

All matches will be played at theAnna ReginaMultilateralschoolground.

Meanwhile, the Rupununi FA(RFA) is serving up another weekend of matches acrossthe4sub-districts.

Today in Annai, in Sub-district North

there will be matches: 2:30 pm...Surama tackle All Stars Blazers in the ladies categoryandat4pmthemenwilldobattle, 6 pm...Paiwomak ladies come up against Challengers FC before the men contest the nightcapat8pm.

In the East Central at Nappi, Moco MocoFCtakeontheKanukuWarriors

The females will play first at 2 pm afterwardsitwillbetheMalesat3:30pm

At Far East ground in Central, Far East United host the defending champions Guyana Rush Saints At 2:30 pm it will be the ladies and to follow at 4

pmthemenclash

Action at Potarinau in the South Central/Deep South will bring together Shirri FC and Potarinau Sky Kings in the ladiesat2pmandthemenat3:30pm

Four more matches are set for tomorrow (9th July) at the Basin in the North

Three Hills face Strikers at 2:30 pm before the host come up against Spartans at 4 pm in the ladies category Basin and Spartans then meet in the male category at 6 pm, following on at 8 pm Legends UnitedwilltakeonFalconsFC.

Sattie Cox of Republic Bank hands over the sponsorship cheque to RHTYSC Matthew Pottaya in the presence of club and bank officials.

Teach them young swim programme opens today at Lilliendaal Pool

Following the overwhelming success of its annual and established Easter iteration, the historic summereditionofthe‘Teach Dem Young’ Swimming Programmewillbeofficially launched today at the National Aquatic Centre, Lilliendaalfrom1:00pm.

Theinitiative,whichisa conceptionoftheMinistryof Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission, is the third programme of this nature to be rolled out by the aforementioned duo, with the recently concluded ‘Adults Learn to Swim’ platform the most recent developmentaldrive.

The Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, the event’s architect, will

officially open the swimming camp at the officiallaunchingceremony

Themaideneditionofthe

‘Adults Learn to Swim’ programme was conducted duringthemonthofJuneand is a direct by-product of the conventional April ‘Teach Dem Young’ enterprise, which attracted more than 2000participants.

Theprogrammewhichis aimed at the 6-18 age range, will be conducted at four facilities, which underpins itsnationalobjective.

Thefacilitiesthatwillbe utilized are the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, the Colgrain Swimming Pool, Georgetown, the Watooka Swimming Pool, LindenandtheAlbionEstate Pool, East Berbice Experienced national coach Paul Mahaica will once again serve as the

programme coordinator and leadtrainer.

Presently, more than 2000 applicationshave been receivedfortheGeorgetown segmentalone.

Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle stated, “The outpouring of support for

thisinitiativeisnothingshort of a proverbial tsunami. In Georgetown, more than 2000 applicationshave been received, and the anticipation is for that numbertobematchedinthe othersegments. Irrefutably, (Continuedonpage28)

Tigers roar over Conquerors, as GPF arrest Ann’s – GFF/KFC Elite League

The 2023 Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF)

KFC Elite League Season

Five continued with an exhilarating double-header on Thursday at the prestigious GFF National Training Centre in Providence Football enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling display of skill, t e a m w o r k , a n d determinationastheGuyana PoliceForce(GPF)Football

Club clashed with Ann’s Grove FC, followed by an electrifying encounter between Western Tigers FC andFrutaConquerorsFC.

In the first match, the GPF Football Club demonstrated their prowess on the pitch, overpowering Ann’s Grove FC with an impressive 6-1 victory The GPF FC strikers were in top form, leaving no room for doubtabouttheirintentions.

Nicholas McArthur, a

force to be reckoned with, unleashed his brilliance, netting a superb hat-trick in the 19th, 31st, and 49th minutes, setting the tone for a dominant performance Keswick Fraser showcased his finesse, adding another goal to GPF’s tally at the 75th minute, followed by Jemaine Junor at the 78th minute and Junior Redmon at the 82nd minute, leaving Ann’s Grove FC defense in disarray Despite their

valiant efforts, Ann’s Grove couldonlymanageasolitary goal by Yohance Francis in the 33rd minute, unable to overcomethesheermightof GPF

Meanwhile,inthehighly anticipated clash between West Tigers FC and Fruta Conquerors FC, the vocal crowd was treated to a rollercoaster of emotions and a captivating comeback victory by the Tigers. The youngFrutaConquerorsside

started with a bang, seizing an early advantage with Dean Dre Unton goal in the 18th minute. However, their joy was short-lived as the Tigers roared back with an extraordinarydisplayofskill andresilience.

The Tigers’ offensive juggernaut, Michael Oie, unleashed his prowess, scoringabracewithgoalsat the 21st and 90th minutes, leaving the crowd in awe of his sheer talent. Randolph

Wagner, a true maestro, joined the spectacle, finding the back of the net twice at the 41st and 49th minutes, cementing the Tigers’ dominance Not to be outdone, Daniel Moshette displayed his skills, adding another goal at the 71st minute, securing an emphatic 5-1 victory over theConquerors.

T h e e x c i t e m e n t continues today at the same venue.

Highlights from Thursday night’s action between GPF and Ann’s Grove.

Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle

Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Charles Ramson Jr

Vishok Persaud in his Lotus Exige. (Ackeem Thomas photo)

Barbados contingent here for the 2023 Goodwill Development Meet Coach Carter (left) along with support staffs at the Status Hotel on Friday