Kaieteur News

Orinduik Block partners examining best targets to drill for light oil …confidentinoilblockpotential

Ca n a d a - b a s e d explorer, EcoAtlantic Oil & Gas Ltd., one of the partners in the Orinduik Oil Block, has revealed that they are in the analyzing stage to figure out the best targets to drill for “lightoil.”

This was revealed by Eco Atlantic Chief Executive, Gil Holzman to Upstream, a leading global oil, gas and energynewsresource.

The media entity reported thatinGuyana,EcoAtlanticis a partner in Tullow Oil's Orinduik block and the Canje block, which together sandwich ExxonMobil's prolific Stabroek acreage. It was stated that at Orinduik, if the licence is renewed at the end 2023 a well needs to be drilled.

“We are currently planning, reviewing and analyzing to understand exactly what the best targets aretodrillforlightoil,andwe have three options,” Holzman toldUpstream.

TheChiefExecutivenoted too, “We're very bullish about the potential of Orinduik and are working with Tullow to find the right way to [proceed].”

Last year, this publication

reported that from Eco's Competent Person's Report (CPR) on its assets Offshore Guyana, it was revealed that the Orinduik Block holds estimated8.1Bbarrelsofoil. With respect to its Guyana asset, the main one being Orinduik Block, it was noted that the concession carries a best estimate of 8.1 billion barrels of unrisked oil and gas liquids along with 6.8 billion cubic feet of gas. It was observed from the report that 681 million barrels of oil and 544 billion cubic feet of gas arenettoEco.

ABOUTECO

Eco Atlantic is an oil and gasexplorationcompanywith offshore licence interests in Guyana, Namibia, and South Africa.

Eco has often said it aims todelivermaterialvalueforits stakeholders through its role in the energy transition to explore for low carbon intensity oil and gas in stable emerging markets close to infrastructure.

Offshore Guyana in the proven Guyana-Suriname Basin,thecompanyholdsa15 percent Working Interest in the1,800km2OrinduikBlock operatedbyTullowOil.

Source: Eco (Atlantic)

Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas chief executive Gil Holzman.

Guyana

ORINDUIK/CANJE BLOCK

Gas-to-Energy project...

ExxonMobil and partners rack up over US$50M expenses in eight months

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), commonly referred to as ExxonMobil Guyana has already incurred over US$50 million in expenses associated with the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project.

On November 25, 2022 t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Agency (EPA) granted the company a Permit to undertake the pipeline and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant, associated with the project. The GTE venture also features a 300 megawatt powerplantbeingpursuedby the Government of Guyana (GoG).

In the absence of a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the project, Exxon has already expended more than US$50.67 million to prepare forthelayingofthepipeline.

The EPA was taken to Court by two citizens who allege a breach in legal process as it relates the granting of the pipeline Permit. The applicants argue that the oil company did not present documents in its application to the regulator for the GTE project which prove it owns the lands through which the pipeline passes. As a result of their belief that the Permit was granted contrary to the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act, they have asked the Courttoquashtheapproval.

For its part, the developer contends that it has the legal right to conduct the project activities In its defence application, filed on July 13, 2023, Exxon detailed that to date, it has spent in excess of US$50.67million.

According to the company,“US$31.76million (was spent) on initial preparation of the plant site, US$8 75 million on construction of a material offloading facility, US$6.34 million on construction of a heavy haul road, US$2.88 million on construction of a site for the pipeline seawall crossing, and US$0 94 million on improvement of

West Bank Demerara public roadsandbridges.”

Ultimately, Guyanese will repay the costs associated with developing t h e G T E p r o j e c t Government has said it expects to spend US$1 7 billion to develop the initiative. While Exxon is funding the pipeline component, estimated at US$1B, government has

approachedtheUnitedStates Export Import (US-EXIM) BanktofinancetheNGLand powerplants.

Guyana will be paying Exxon for 20 years to supply the natural gas to the facility; this will be the mechanism through which the company will be repaid for its investment. The country will also be saddled with an additional annual debt for 20

years to repay the US loan, onceapproved.

Although the GTE project remains the single largest financial project ever pursued by the state, it remains shrouded in secrecy

None of the agreements inked between the GoG and Exxon have been made public to date, despite repeated calls by the Opposition and civil society members for same. It was reported that on June 30, 2022 the government inked a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with the Stabroek Block Coventurers Kaieteur News understands that this agreement sets out the principles and conditions for thecommercialandtechnical arrangementsoftheproject.

Citizens were adamant that any agreement with the company should be made public before government attaches it signature to avoid the same fate as the lopsided oil contract inked with the company

Only on Wednesday, the Indian High Commission announced that a US$160M agreement was inked with the Government of Guyana and Kalpataru Projects InternationalLimited(KPIL) to facilitate the transmission lines and substations for the project.Noofficialstatement

was released by the state in this regard. In fact, the press was not invited to cover the event which was held at the OfficeofthePrimeMinister

EventhoughExxonisyet to make a FID on the project, governmenthasnotindicated what measures are being put in place to monitor the oil company's spending to developtheproject.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeointhepasthadmadeit c l e a r t h a t E x x o n ' s expenditure for the offshore oilprojectsarenotmonitored in real time as the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) does not allow Guyana a seat atthetable.

Jagdeospecificallystated that the absence of a comanagement arrangement prevents the country from knowingwhatcostsarebeing racked up by Exxon early on and to ascertain which amountsareinflated.

Instead, he said that the country would check the expenses after they are submitted by the company to checkfordiscrepancies.

It is so far unclear whether this arrangement will be replicated for the gas deal, or if the administration will be closely monitoring andapprovingthecompany's expenses prior to them being incurred.

Georgetown

Plant

Power Plant

Destiny Unity

Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

Obstructionists

AfewcourageousGuyanesearefightingforthesafetyof their environment, battling for some semblance of justice fromthismassiveoilpatrimony Asconscientiouscitizens takemattersbeforethecourt,theirowngovernmentiswaginga war against them The PPP/C Government is increasingly manifesting signs of taking no prisoners, through words that reflect a vitriolic, venomous, and no-holds barred approach Thestakesarehigh,beitforthemuch-publicizedgastoenergy projectatWales,orafullparentcompanyguaranteeintheevent of a catastrophic oil spill, or renegotiation for better contract termsfromExxonMobil TheleadinglightsintheGovernment digintheirheelsandlashoutatthoseGuyaneseboldenoughto raise a hand in objection, or seeking to slowdown the ExxonMobilandPPP/Cjuggernauts.

Thelatestgovernmentdescriptive,aclear-cutslur,forthose goingtocourtfortheWalesgastoenergyprojecttoventilate theiranxietiesis“obstructionists”whichhasbeenattributedto the Hon Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC “Obstructionists”mayhaveaglossaboutit,butitisacodeword for subversives This is where the intensifying ugliness and bitterness surrounding this nation’s oil wealth, and attendant developments, have deteriorated to, and terminate The President himself had dismissed Guyanese getting in his way withquestionsaboutoilandgas,andrelatedprojects,ascritics andnaysayers,amongothersharpinsults Iftherelativelymore subduedPresidentandAttorneyGeneralcanragelikethisonthe publicstage,thenonecanonlyimaginethechoiceexpressions of the man in charge of Guyana’s oil and gas sector, Vice PresidentJagdeo Heisnotknownforeithernuancedlanguage ormoderatecomportment,especiallywhenanyonechallenges hismanagementofthecrucialoilsector

Now, if “obstructionists” is the interpretation of what GuyaneseconcernedabouttheWalesgastoenergyproject areallabout,thenitdoesnottakemuchtoappreciatewhat the PPP/C Government’s top people have to say in private about such obstructionists. There are still some Guyanese whowanttoknowmore,whowantthet’scrossedandtheI’s dotted,sothattheycanhavethepeaceofmindthattheyhave donealltheycantoprotectthemselvesandothers.Also,they wanttoknowthatthegovernmenthasuseditswidepowers skillfullytoensurethatGuyana’sinterestsarewell-served.

ThePPP/CGovernment,however,isnotinterestedinanysuch approachoraction Acloserlookandcomparisonindicatethat thegovernmentoftodayismoreinthemoldofthekick-downthe-doorbanditsthatinflictedareignofterroronGuyanesefora lengthyperiod Guyanesearealarmed,andtheywantnothing butthattheirgovernmentdoeseverythinginitspowertoprotect them Instead of doing so, senior functionaries in the governmentseedissentingGuyaneseasenemiestobefeared, andtheonestobestoppeddeadintheirtracks,beforetheygain any footing The citizens who escalate matters about the environmentortheWalesgastoenergyprojecttothelocalHigh CourthaveexposedanothernerveinthePPP/CGovernment’s leadershipapparatus Wherebeforetheindependententitiesin Guyana’s Fourth Estate that were probing for crisp and clear answersaboutoilgovernancewereviewedasmajorspoilersand troublemakers, they now have company from the judiciary Those jurists who do not decide on oil sector matters, as the government expects, can expect a trial by ordeal from angry politicians Given what has been publicly articulated, when members of Guyana’s judiciary do not adjudicate oil-related mattersinapredictablemanner,then they also could qualify forthelabelof“obstructionists.”

Iftheircrimeisbeing“obstructionists”tothedangerousand threatening avalanche that is ExxonMobil and its racing away projects,thenitisasmallpriceforsomeGuyanesetobear. What the PPP/C Government should recall is that in many other countries, yesterday’s obstructionists were the realists that transformed into the prophets and protectors of today and tomorrow It would be better for the PPP/C Government to come to its senses: the more it berates Guyanese as “obstructionists”,themorelikelyitisthattherewillbemore ofthem.

Teachers’salaryandstavingoffmigration

DEAREDITOR

As minister of education in 2004, I did not properly understand the ethnic political dynamic that is at playinGuyana.Instead,our utopian vision treated Guyana as a normal society and the ministry crafted a briefing paper, ‘Cross Border Career Stretch in the Teaching Profession’ (extract below) directed at teachers’ pay and retention. Thisdocumentcametomind when recently the president and the Leader of the Opposition locked horns on the issue of teachers’ and nurses’payandretention.

‘The loss of teaching staff, particularly trained teachers,iscommontomost open societies This is largely because in these societies, teaching does not command comparatively sufficient material rewards andstatusandpoorcountries such as Guyana are at the bottom of the rewards table. Theresulthasbeenandisan ongoing problem of teacher emigration.

Of course, the emigration problemdoesnotonlyapplyto teachers, and the national effort in terms of teacher remuneration (Guyana: 34 timesthepercapitaincomefor theaveragetrainedteacher)is quitereasonable Althoughall efforts should be made to improvetheremunerativeand working conditions of the teachingprofession,itneedsto be recognised that the size of ournationalincome(US$860 per capita) is insufficient to seriously mitigate the problem What is more likely isthattheproblemwillbeused to leverage comparatively largerincreasesthatwillhave very little impact on the emigration

In the case of Guyana, a 2002 World Bank public expenditure review had this to say on the issue of teachers’ incentives: “Regardingtheretentionand performance of teachers,

moretrainingisatbestavery partial solution In fact, training at the university may have led to an increase in emigration. Similarly, the solution cannot be a further general increase in salary levels.Aspartofthesolution to the teacher retention and performance problem, Government will need to recognize the importance of teachers’rolebygivingthem more voice in school management by designing sensitization campaigns that boostteachers’socialstatus, andbyfinanciallyrewarding them for achieving predetermined, measurable goals…”

Recognisingtheintractable and regional nature of the emigration problem, in 2002, Caribbean education ministers at a meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados, formulated “the Savannah Accord”, which requested, inter alia, the development of a draft protocol/codeofpracticeforthe recruitment of teachers in the Commonwealth The matter was further discussed at the 15th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers held in Scotland in October2003,andelsewhere If the proposed Caribbean intentions are achieved they should make the recruitment process more open and transparent,providethosewho wish to emigrate with a better deal, allow national governments to become a major stake holder in the process of recruitment and possibly provide some additional compensation for thecountryoforigin.

Intheseglobalisedtimes, however, when sizeable numbersopttobetrainedas teacherspreciselybecauseof the opportunities for emigration, we must adopt new strategies if we are to maintain and improve the standardofteachingandthus the quality of education delivery We must do so alwaysbearinginmindboth

the global pressures and our specific socio/economic condition.

Career Stretch views a teaching career as continuous regardless of the national jurisdiction in which the teaching is actually done It differs from the attempt to manage emigration because it does not view, and as a result doesnottreatacareermoveto another jurisdiction as necessarilyemigration Itseeks to develop and keep in place professionallinkswhichmight provide incentives for reengagement at some future date. As such, a managed departure (managed emigration) is only one aspect ofthisprocess’

Given the present level

of communications

t e c h n o l o g y , t h e opportunities facilitated by Career Stretch are endless, but first there must be genuineinterestinretention.

As noted above, in 2004 whenthepercapitaGDPwas US$860, average annual teachers’ pay was 3.4 times theGDP Withtheexchange rate in 2004 at G$200 to US$1, the annual average teacher’s salary was US$2,924 - G$584,800 a year and G$48,733 per month. This was largely the result of the relatively good pay awards made by the Cheddi Jagan regime and was in keeping with internationalnorms.

Today, using GDP may be considered inappropriate as Exxon and associates are going with substantial amounts of it. So here I use the same exchange rate and thepercapitaGrossNational Income (GNI) that is at present about US$10,000.

3 4 times the GNI is US$34,000 - G$6,800,000 perannumorG$566,666per month Average monthly teachers’pay today is about G$115,000 per month or 20% of what it should be if theratiowasmaintained.

True, as a country gets

richer, it appears that teachers’salariesdeclineasa percent of GDP, but a government that prioritises education cannot afford to drive teachers and public servants in general below a living wage and this is particularly so now that the regime is flushed with cash. However, the PPPis fixated on ethnic/political dominance: not on the retention of teachers, nurses or public servants. More precisely, it is not interested inretainingAfricanteachers, etc.:itwouldpreferthatthey vote with their feet while it makesotherarrangementsto retain the votes of those Indianswhoalsomigrate.

Indeed, even the Indian votewouldbemorecertainif they leave!As I pointed out last week, the PPP shocked the authors of the Final Report of the European Union Elections Follow-up Mission on Guyana 2020 electionswhenitunilaterally substituted in the law only the requirement of a ‘registered address’in place ‘residence’ to register to vote! This ‘cannot be characterized as a measure of reform... [I]t is highly unusual, globally, to accord voting rights within the c o u n t r y t o t h e diaspora…Voters are more usually required to reside andbedomiciledintheplace where they are registered to vote.Thischangeinthelaw, adopted in response to a court decision, is extremely controversial, and not perceived to be politically neutral!’

Amoral? Ofcourse. But I suspect that the president now understands this and will be traversing the country imbuing teachers with his current realisation for such is the nature of political competition in a bifurcatedethnicallydivided society

Regards

Dr.HenryJeffrey

GPSU slamsAttorney GeneralAnil Nandlall’s MisleadingAssertions

DEAREDITOR

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) rejects the disturbing and misleading assertions of the Attorney General Hon. Anil Nandlall that the GPSU’s challengetotheconsultation and subsequent nomination by the Senior Staff Association’s nominee amounts to an attempt to sabotage the work of the government The only

sabotage of the constitution is the war declare by the Attorney General on the constitutionalrightofPublic Servants, through the GPSU to freely espouse claims to ensure the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Parliament are within the spirit and intention of the constitution as envisage by Article 7 and 8 of the said Constitution.

From the inception of

Resolution No 24 of the Eighth Parliament of Guyana, Second Session (2002–2003)theGPSUhas been strongly expressing its objections to what they consider as unconstitutional or unlawful, resulting in formal objection in a letter dated March 14, 2007. The Union’s objection has not been done in isolation since the then Member of the P a r l i a m e n t J a m e s

McAllister in a Kaieteur News article datedApril 11, 2006 also objected this mischief of parliament by the creation and thereafter inclusiontheAssociation.

It is important to note at thispointthatthecommittee also raised the similar concerns during the consultationprocess.

Sincerely, Guyana Public Service Union

Govt.scurryingtogive Grant’stoIDPADA-G memberorganizations

DEAREDITOR, IDPADA-G haskeptthe public abreast with the Government’s treatment of IDPADA-Ganditsfailureto honour its obligations as a signatory to the UN Resolution that resulted in the declaration of the Decade for the People of AfricanDescent.

One of our disclosures was that the public was being misled to believe that funds were disbursed to IDPADA-G’s member organizations.

N o w t h a t t h i s misinformationandinaction has been exposed, the Government is scurrying on the eve of Emancipation celebrations to disburse f u n d s t o m e m b e r organizations of IDPADAG.Meetingsarebeingcalled w i t h i n d i v i d u a l

organisations and clusters over the next few days to meet and possibly disburse or intimate the intention to disburse.

This is shady Without IDPADA-G’s existence or involvement organizations were given grants for Emancipation celebrations inatimelymanner

This time there is no certainty as to the status of whatwillbedisbursed,butit is certainly a late disbursement for the organisations to prepare properly for Emancipation orbelatedfortheworkofthe Decade since ten months have elapsed and the community has not been in receipt of funds to continue its work in pursuit of the goalsofthedecade.

Thesemeetingsmayalso be used to suggest that the

Governmentisintouchwith thecommunity

N o t a b l y t h e Government for an entire year has reneged on the commitment of the President to meet with IDPADA-G the umbrella organization for the bodies that they are now hurriedly summoningtomeetings.

IDPADA-G will not stand in the way of its members having access to funds but notes the disrespectfulandsleightof hand manner of the Government.

IDPADA-G will continuetopursuethegoals of the Decade which are doable given the standoff that the Government has engineered.

VincentAlexander Chair IDPADA-G

Thumbs-up

for Health-screening programme in Guyana’s schools

DEAREDITOR, The unprecedented “Comprehensive Child and Youth Health Programme (CYHP),” that was recently birthed in Guyana, is a most wonderfulinitiative,andthe People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government must be lauded for it. It is a bigdealandIamgladtotout it, after reading of the same inthelocalpress. Theword is that the programme intends to facilitate oral health, hearing and vision screening, for children and adolescents, with the aim to improvethehealthofschool children ages five to 17. I repeat: “This is massive indeed,” and more so that it is being backed by the prestigious Mount Sinai HealthSystemsandtheHess Corporation,whohavesofar donatedanumberofmedical equipment and materials, as partofincipientconsultancy facilitation.

Editor,firstofall,forme, ‘health is wealth,’ and ‘prevention is better than cure ’ I do know that worldwide, this is nothing new, as for over a century school health services have provided children with an important safety net, identifying those with disorders that may not be readilyapparenttoparentsor teachers, or to the children themselves. These services became more sophisticated

over time, with formal screening of targeted age groupsofschoolchildrenfor specific disorders replacing the general medical checks of earlier years. Screening tests now are standard procedures in many school health services and tests cover a wide range of disorders.

May I inform the public t h a t g r o w t h a n d development, hearing and vision,speechandlanguage, and dental problems are some of the many health issues handled by many school health screening systems. School screening systems have a valued place within both the health care and education sectors Systems that are constantly reflected upon and critically evaluated will continue to serve our children well, far into the future. So, this beginningisveryvitaltoour country’schildren.

Another point I want to emphasizeisthatschoolsare important settings for comprehensive health

promotion Research consistently demonstrates thathealthandeducationare inextricably linked and the most effective way to address the development of life-long healthy attitudes and behaviours such as maintainingahealthyweight is through a comprehensive school health approach. The

comprehensive school health approach is an internationally recognized framework for supporting improvements in students’ educational outcomes while addressing health issues in the school context in a planned, integrated and holisticway Itencompasses t h e w h o l e s c h o o l environment with actions addressing four distinct but inter-related pillars: social and physical environment; teaching and learning; healthy school policy; and partnershipsandservices.

Inclosing,Ihopeallwill pay heed to and support the Ministry of Health as it is looking to launch the programme in a couple of weeks starting with the nursery level students. The news from Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, is that “… a comprehensive programme will be rolled out at the nursery level and later expanded to primary and secondary levels ” He informed all that “We have establishedasetofmeasuresto beimplementedatthenursery levelwhichwillincludevisual, hearing, dental and physical check-ups to address any conditionsandpreventlongtermissues,”addingthatthe Ministry aims to screen at least 27,000 nursery-level children.

Yourstruly,

HBSingh

Press Conferences are essential in a democracy

DEAREDITOR

Thosewhothinkthattoo many press conferences are abusive either do not understanddemocracyorare themselves closet authoritarians. It could also be that those who object to weeklypressconferencesby the PPP are also suffering from a heavy dose of jealousy

Critics of the PPP/C seem to want two contradictory things at the same time. Only recently some opinion makers were complaining that President Aliwasnotavailinghimself to the media. When the President did meet with the press, the complaint shifted totheformatoftheeventand other petty points of disgruntlement.

N

President Jagdeo is having

toomanypressconferences. Theword‘abusive’hasbeen used to characterize these meetings with the press corps. This writer is not aware of any press corps, in any democracy, that has called for less access to a sittingadministration.

Dr Jagdeo made it clear that the Thursday meetings at Freedom House were in his capacity as General Secretary of the PPP/C Those meetings with the press were held to provide updates on the recently concluded local government elections. By contrast, press conferences at Office of the Presidentareheldtoprovide information on government policies.Theextraordinarily dynamic developments in the economy necessitate theseupdates.

meetings will tell you that apartfromtheshortopening statements by Jagdeo, the rest of the time is spent answering questions posed by journalists Some journalists ask up to five or six questions Jagdeo’s answers usually take two forms. He first addresses false information or claims that have been circulated on a particular issue. In doing so, he often names the source(s) that peddle falsehoods Since those same falsehoods are politically motivated, the answers provided are not, and should not be devoid of politics. Once the errors and lies are cleared out, the relevant information is provided and placed in their appropriatecontexts.

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'Drs'shouldbemade ofsternerstuff

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Today quite a few persons with “Dr.” behind and in front of their names have emerged out of the woodwork and are flooding the letter pages singing praises to the ruling party. Then there are others who call themselves all kinds of things from financial analysts to experts - singing as it were for their supper.

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What is curious however, is how big, supposedly learned men, reducing themselves to such level to be daily letter writers to the press responding to critics of the government. Shouldn't a doctor or professor or a financial analyst have big things to deal with than to accept employment as serial letter writers.

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What good is a professor or an analyst if his employment is to monitor the letter columns of newspapers to do PPP flunky job.

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Aren't these folks made of sterner stuff?

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Guyana's food import bill for 2022 increased by US$30M ...as agriculture production declines

Guyana has been positioning itself to become the foodbasketoftheCaribbean, but even with a significant growth rate of 62.3 percent lastyearthecountryrecorded a decline in production of its traditional agriculture sectors.

The premiere financial institution, Bank of Guyana (BoG) in its 2022 Annual Report revealed that the country'sfoodimportbilllast year increased by US$30 millionorGY$6billion.

According to a table used by the BoG, the final food consumption bill in 2022 totaled US$236.9 million, whereas in 2021, the bill was US$206.9million.

The Bank explained, “In the consumption goods subcategory, imports amounted to US$707 7 million, 8 1 percent or US$53.0 million above the 2021 level. This was due to increases in the sub-categories of food for final consumption, other durable goods, beverages & tobacco and other semidurable goods by US$30.0

million, US$15 3 million, US$12.6 million and US$5.9 millionrespectively.”

It also noted that lower imports were recorded for motor cars, clothing and footwear and other nondurable goods by US$5.3

million, US$3.6 million and US$1.9millionrespectively

Foodproduction

In2022,theproductionof sugar, fish, shrimp and eggs declined when compared with the previous year; however, increases were

recorded in the production of rice and poultry The Bank also reported an increase in productionofothercrops.

It was reported that the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) announced that Guyana's Head-of-State was awarded for his efforts on food security and sustainable development. Ali was the first recipient of the IICA Award for Contribution to F o o d S e c u r i t y a n d SustainableDevelopment.

In a statement to the press, the body said “IICA decided to present this award in recognition of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali's leadership in agricultural transformation,food security and support for building resilient economies in a sustainable manner in GuyanaandtheCaribbean.”

It added that the President's support and commitment to public agendas related to issues such as regional integration,

rural connectivity, social inclusion in the countryside and gender equality, all of which are central areas of IICA's work, were also c o n s i d e r e d f o r t h e presentationofthisAward.

While the President has b e e n l e a d i n g t h e conversation on food securityacrosstheCaribbean and further afield, the agriculture sector in Guyana has been slowly progressing to make the nation selfsufficient as envisioned by the Head-of-State, with the country's food import bill becomingmoreexpensive.

At the regional level, President Ali has been charting the way in transforming agriculture and

has called for deliberate action to bring to life the regional goal of reducing the Caribbean's US$6 billion foodimportbillby25percent by2025.

These measures have been adopted by CARICOM leaders.

In addition, President Ali has successfully advocated for the creation of the C A R I C O M A d H o c Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security for CARICOM.

The Guyana-Barbados Food Terminal Regional Food Hub is also being developedalongwithvarious initiativestoaddresslogistics andtransportation.

Taxi driver who reportedly robbed Venezuelans at gunpoint captured in Region One

Police on Friday nabbed man who allegedly robbed two Venezuelan women at gunpoint on July 8 last, along the Providence Access Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The suspect identified as Quincy Barker, a 27-year-old taxi driver of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, was captured around 21:30hrs at Kwebanna Village, North West District, RegionOne.

The victims, Maria Rodriguez Caballero and Shelyla Toledo Rodrigues alleged that man had robbed them at gunpoint.

They reportedly hired his taxi around

22:00hrsonJuly8afterwork.However,instead of taking them home, the suspect allegedly drovethemtoadesertedlocationandheldthem at gunpoint and demanded that they hand over theirvaluables.Thevictimsreportedlyputupa fight but he overpowered them and stole their cashandcellphonesfromtheirhandbags.

Kaieteur News understands one of the women was reportedly tossed out of the car while the other jumped out of the moving vehicle,afterheattemptedtokidnapher

Police stated on Sunday that the suspect admitted to robbing the women but denied usingaguntodoit.Heclaimedthathisweapon wasanice-pick.Investigationsareongoing.

Table showing the total imports by Guyana between 2020 and 2022 (Source: Bank of Guyana 2022 Annual Report)

Bank of Guyana in Table 1 shows the production figures recorded for the agriculture, fishing and forestry sectors in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

I support Glenn Lall!

Nothinginlifehas e v e r b e e n a c h i e v e d without sacrifice and effort. Guyanese must understand that if they require change, they will have to play their part, peacefully, but through theirownactions.

Three years ago, during the early days of the pandemic, Guyanese responded favourably to the call for a shutdown of the country in order to save lives. For five long months, Guyanese stayed at home; only essential workers were allowed to work; curfews wereimposed.

The five-months

sacrifice saved lives. At a timewheninsomecountries funeral homes and churches couldnothandlethenumber of persons dying, Guyana only lost 20 persons to the COVID-19 virus. When subsequently the country was reopened, a further 1,279personssuccumbedto thevirus.

Today our nation is once again at a crossroad. Oil has been discovered and has provided the best opportunity yet for our people to enjoy a life of prosperity and financial security Unfortunately, the oil agreement which has been signed is lopsided and unfair It deprives you the people of your fair share of theoilwealthofthiscountry Our leaders have accepted that the oil

agreementisabaddeal.But they are refusing to ask the oilcompaniestocometothe table to negotiate a better deal.Assuch,itisforyouthe people to demand that they do so. In the meantime, foreign gold, bauxite and manganese companies continue to exploit our country’s wealth. And what dowehavetoshowforit?

Three years ago, you the people sacrificed your work for the good of the country During those difficult five months, the oil companies did not give you a cent in relief The subsequent $25,000 cash grant which wasdistributedwasnotfrom the oil companies. It was your tax monies that funded thatrelief.

Today, you the people, are being called to make anothersacrifice.Butnotfor 5 months but for one day!

Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper has been protesting what he calls, the plundering of our country’s resources. He has decided thatthetimehascomeforthe Guyanese people to take a stand and to let our leaders know that this wealth belongs to the people of Guyana and should provide foragoodlifeforourpeople. But this is not going to happen when lopsided oil contractsfavourtheinterests of the foreign companies at the expense of you the people.

GlennLalliscallingfora

Dem boys seh...

Day of Standstill, scheduled forMonday,July31st,2023. Thisisnotacallforpolitical upheaval or unrest, nor is it intended to cast blame upon anyindividualorgroup.Itis, instead, a call for unity and solidarity – peaceful demonstration of our shared concern for our future and thatofourchildren.

This Day of Standstill is anopportunityforustocome together, transcending political affiliations, and send a clear message to our rulers that we demand fair treatmentinthemanagement ofournation’soilwealth.

Every Guyanese deserves a fair share of the prosperitythatourcountry’s natural resources can provide.Itisnotabouttaking away from anyone; it is not about asking any companies toleave.Ithoweverisabout ensuring that Guyana gets a fair deal. That is all that is beingsought:afairdeal.

One day off from work willnotbankruptanyone.In 2020, we took five months offandwesavedhundredsof lives. One day, off from work, will help us send a message to our leaders that we are united in securing a betterfutureourchildrenand grandchildren.

On Monday, July 31st, letusstayathome.Nopublic demonstrations,nomarches! Stay and home and rest. By participatinginthispeaceful act of solidarity, we are saying to our rulers that we

Thursdays are tit-for-tat days

Isnatdefrequencyofde press conferences de problem.Isdepurposeofde pressers. Every week dem reportersgattositdownfuh closetotwohoursfuhlisten to one big buse-out and cuss-out of de Opposition and de odder critics of the degovernment.

Ifdefrequencyofpress conference was a measure of press freedom, then people would have had to ask why de Prezzy holding such few pressers and why so many restrictions were imposed on the recent presidentialpresser But de real problem is not de amount of pressers but why they are being called. Every Thursday is one buse out. Responding to criticisms deserve more refinement and a different modeofcommunication.

De Thursday pressers are like a verbal boxing matches. De purpose is to unleashasalvooncriticsof the government Dese Thursday’spressersarelike a schoolyard shouting matches.

And de media holding court over this disgraceful stateofaffairs

De rules are simple. Summon de media on Thursday, hurl a few jabs, thrown in a few insults, all with the intention of responding to what de Oppositionsehafewhours before in their pressers which too are being distorted as platforms for critiquinggovernment.

De Thursday pressers arebecominglikearunning soap opera Every Thursday is a different episode, with plenty mud-

seek a future where we and our children do not have to hustle for a daily living – a future where every Guyanesecanenjoyasecure life.

I urge our hire car and mini-bus drivers to take the day off. I urge the truck drivers to not work on this day I urge our speed boat operators to use the day to service their engines. I urge

ourmarketvendorstotakea rest.Iurgeourpetrolstations to close for a day Peace is powerfulandpowerbelongs tothepeople.

Let us not underestimate the power of unity Let this Day of Standstill, on Monday July 31st be the turning point in our journey toward a fairer deal for our resources.

opinions expressed in this column are those of the author They do not purport to reflect the opinions or viewsofKaieteurNews.

slinging thrown in for fair measure.

It is reducing press freedom to an illusion.The press is now being summoned to partisan squabbling, and which while entertaining can hardly be deemed as respectful to the Fourth Estate.

Soletusnotgetcarried away with de amount of pressconferencesbutrather lament their purpose. It is time for the media to seize the higher ground and demand a more dignified form of informative communication.

Until then, welcome to “Thursday Throwdowns,” where the press conference has become a pawn in the endless game of tit-for-tat politics. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

GHK LALL

‘Jumbie town’

Guyanese can't ketch a break

They have to deal with a supermajor offshore (Exxon), superman ( o n s h o r e ) , a n d t h e supernatural in the graveyard. The latter was whatcamefromamanofthe cloth; the quality looks cheap,edgestattered.

I always knew that Minister Edghill was not to be taken seriously, but the jester's cap sits poorly Because the thought is that brother Bishop Edghill has potential, I have long searched for slivers of truth in him. Finally, success!

There it is! Cemetery Road works delayed due to 'supernatural forces '

Supernatural forces mean the dead and the undead and Guyanese 'frikken both baad'. Guyanese 'frikken' the dead more than they fear the living. Though mortally afraid of, and dead set against, President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo, two men with less than enlightened spirits, those leaderscouldstillpressthem

to turn a shovel, or move a wheelbarrow, should the need arise. But, nah when 'jumbie deh roung'. The problem-one from the twilight zone, straight out of the crypts-is that the dead roam at will in this society Some examples should enlightenthedim.

There are advisers and counsellors in high political places with nothing but dead cells in the cranial cavity There are national leaders who are dead set against anything resembling truth, hell-bent against any ray of light There are many ministers and more senior public servants who are immersed in the dark arts of governance from sinister institutional graveyards that terrify natives forced to deal with them. People get sick from going there, call in sick afterwards. Not I. Not that ministry or that State agency!

Guyana is the land of the dead, with even the gleam of oil considerably eclipsed by the darkness in the souls of those near to it. Many

proudly boast of PPP heritage, a few of the dreaded PNC. It is dread of the dead all around, which is why supernatural forces can be so at home here, and not just around Cemetery Road. I suggest allocating a huge square of Cemetery Road land to Exxon for its golf course, swimming pool, and possibly its HQ. The ghosts of seasons past would be fit to be tied. There is always the diabolical 2016 oil contract to bind them in knotsorpushExxontowards higherroads;everybody'duz see jumbie', not just poor colouredfolks.

N o w , f o r m o r e unpleasant news from the other side for the ministercum-oracular figure-plus spiritual land surveyor: the only supernatural forces present in this darkened countryarehisfellowsinthe PPP I have names. The shock would be the first namegiven,onemostknown to him. If the man of God could assist with a name or two that is for truth, light, and justice, then he could be

my running mate, should I get around to it (how about that for stirring spirits in the localpoliticalhaunts?).

Imaginethat! Inthis21st oil century, we still have supernatural forces howling, prowling, and scowling on Cemetery Road No workers; crippling demonic rackets.

AndifthegoodBishopis to be believed, it is what comes naturally to Guyanese.

Irecommendtravelingto Paramaribo for a protective fix,or,totheMiddleEast,on the President's next junket. Since the man of what is supposedly godly, country, public works family (the bishop knows my meaning) and the grand ole party opened this supernatural door,Iwalkin.

Supernatural forces, sir, are not limited to roaming Cemetery Road alone Supernatural forces now plague Regent Road; simply stop by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition for a séance, while national remedial works are

suspended. Then, there is the road to perdition, which is the street on which Stabroek News is located. The problem is not SN's spirits, but those in the neighbouring house of mental captivity and darkness. Along the eastern carriageway, supernatural forces infest the road to Pradoville;daretostepthere, and the devil's own disciples have their many workshops to envelop, with witches' caverns humming. No godfearing Guyanese would be caught dead there; in fact, none is not allowed to set foot in Lucifer's quarters. Why, there was even a ghostly Chinese visitor of sinister repute that made his presence felt at a big house there.

If the Bishop wants a dissertation on supernatural forces and where they are, and how they hold the citizens of this country hostage, come to daddy, minister: pull a name from the hat; the initials are in the familiaralphabeticalorder

'My lawd! My gawd!' Guyana is not Funky Town, Guyana is a 'jumbie' town. Guyanese use to 'frikken Dutch maan' and 'ole higue' forever, now Americans have replaced those fearsome demons of darkness.

Thank God for the GPL, and the 'li'l solar powah'. It wasMartinLutherKingwho said, “I have seen the light.” Well, he should come to Guyana and see what's here. The Most Holy Bishop Edghillcoulddothehonours and escort him along Cemetery Road. Perhaps MLK could do some preaching, get some honest work done there. Let the sunshine in. Nice country, isn'tit?

D i s c l a i m e r : T h e opinions expressed in this column are those of the author They do not purport to reflect the opinions or viewsof Kaieteur News

AmendedRadiationSafetyandSecurityBillpassed

Inabidtoregulateand promote the safe and peaceful use of ionising radiation, the Radiation Safety and Security Amendment Bill 2022 was on Thursday passed in the National Assembly with unanimous support.

The bill was first read in April 2022 and referred to a SpecialSelectCommitteefor furtherreview

Minister of Health, Dr FrankAnthony,presentedthe bill for its second reading, noting that it provides the legal framework to promote safe, secure and peaceful use of ionising radiation, and to protect persons and the environment against the harmfuleffectsofradioactive waste.

The bill recognises the benefits of ionising radiation in various fields, such as health, energy, agriculture, and industry, but also a c k n o w l e d g e s t h e importance of regulating this usage to protect individuals, society,andtheenvironment.

“To ensure that the objectives of this bill are achieved, an independent regulatory authority, called

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

the Radiation Safety and Security Board, will be established.

The board collaborated with relevant government agencies to ensure that activities and practices involvingtheusesofionising radiation and nuclear energy are used in Guyana for only peaceful purposes,” the healthministerexplained.

According to the legislation, the board must

consist of representatives from various public and private sector agencies, such as the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the MinistryofLabour This diverse makeup highlights the array of issues the legislation attempts to address, and the widespread impact its implementation willhaveonsociety.

With an ongoing explosion of the country's diagnostic capabilities, the health minister stressed that it is also imperative that the country formulates a framework for regulation of ionisingradiation.

“This is the first time in ourcountrythatwehavenow put together legislation to govern the use of ionising radiation. So, this is a landmark piece of legislation

that will help to keep the people of Guyana safe, and that we will use ionising radiation for the benefit of people,”Dr Anthonysaid.

Further, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, said the bill is a timely addition to the country's legislative landscape.

“Ionising radiation is used in a number of sectors. But, with the utilisation comes the question of safety, andI'mveryhappytoseethat this bill looks at all the aspectsofsafetythatweneed to address as we include thesetypesofradiationinour dailylives.

It must be managed and treated in such a way that minimalexposure,ifany,and the safety of people and the environment, will always be paramount,”shesaid.

Meanwhile, DirectorGeneral of the Ministry of Health, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, highlighted the crucial role that ionising radiation plays in the country's advancing health sector, such as in facilitating the implementation of Magnetic Resonance

Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET)scans.

“While it is a necessary harm for the good of the patient, there need to be safeguards and protective measures, not only for the beneficiaries but also for the professionals who would use the equipment and do the procedures.

This regulatory control will help to guarantee that these activities and practices are authorised and inspected. It will help to ensure that the safeguardsandobligationsof the country are implemented and that the healthcare professionals deliver a c c u r a t e a n d appropriate doses to patients, that radiation protection programmes a r e e s t a b l i s h e d t o protect workers, and t h a t f a c i l i t i e s a r e o perated safely and securely,”hesaid.

The bill was drafted by the Attorney General's Chambers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Agency, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Govt. holds consultation with residents that will be affected by US$192M E.C.D road project

Mi n i s t e r o f Public Works, Juan Edghill on Saturday met with residents of East Coast Demerara communities, who will be affected by phase two of the Expansion of the Railway Embankment and the East Coast Public Road projects.

Guyana signed a US$192 m i l l i o n F r a m e w o r k C o n c e s s i o n a l L o a n

Agreement with China to finance Phase Two of the E.C.D road project. Phase Two of the project will include extension of the Railway Embankment Road into four lanes from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, extension of the main East CoastRoadwayfromOrange NassautoMahaica,aswellas rehabilitation of the existing East Coast Demerara road from Belfield to Orange

Nassau, which will allow for additionallanes.

The consultative meeting withtheresidentswasheldat the Guyana Women's Leadership Institute at Cove and John, with the minister, the contracting company for the project, China Railway First Group (Guyana) Incorporated and its engineering company, B o s t o n C o n s u l t i n g Incorporated.

During the meeting, Minister Edghill reminded the residents that it is government's policy and the contractual obligation to consult with persons living aroundanareawhereamajor project is scheduled to be conducted. He reiterated the Government's policy of ensuring consultation with communities before infrastructural projects start, during and after they have beencompleted.

The minister said, “The Government's policy as it relates to consulting with citizens is this, we don't believe in bullying, we don't believe in just showing up

and people don't know what is going on, so we consult, two, the regularity of our consultationisbecauseofthe pace and scope of what is takingplaceinGuyana,there were times when we did one project at a time, but right n o w i n G u y a n a , simultaneously, there are several major projects that are happening at the same time..Here on the East Coast, we have phase two (2) of the widening and enhancement project.”

“Guyana is being m o d e r n i z e d a n d transformed, I think all of us know, but what we don't know is the rate of that

modernization,” Minister Edghilladded.

Following his remarks, the project consultant, engineeringcompanyBoston ConsultingIncorporated,and manager of China Railway made presentations about the project for the benefit of the residentsgathered.

Residents were given the opportunity to ask questions about the projects. During this part of the consultation, Minister Edghill assured residents several times that theywillnotbedisplaced.He urged their cooperation as upon completion, not only their community, but all of Guyanawillbenefit.

Bandits shoot man, gun-butt wife in head during robbery

Two masked bandits wearing hoodies on Friday night, shot a man in his leg and gun-butted his wife in her head while robbing them at Self Help Square, East Ruimveldt,Georgetown.The bandits reportedly robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash, a cellular

phoneandagoldchain.

Hospitalised with a gunshot wound just above one of his knees is Troy Mulligan and still recovering from a severe blow to the head is his wife, Juanita Mulligan.

“Istillhavingapaininthe head”, said Juanita while

relating to Kaieteur News that doctors had to stitch up her wound. The couple was reportedly attacked around 19:30hrs.

Neighbours recalled that the bandits emerged from behind a parked truck and pounced on the couple just moments after they stepped out of a taxi and entered their yard.

Juanita recalled that their son and daughter were helping them fetch their grocery bags into the house whenthebanditsattacked.

“…I was the last one to enter the yard and I went closing the gate when they comeup”,Juanitasaid.

Probably not realizing that they might be bandits, Juanita reportedly asked the men what they needed. Juanita recalled that one of them pulled out a gun and forcedhiswayintotheyard.

Theyreportedly

(Continued on page 16)

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill at the consultation on Saturday

$63M to reconstruct Officer’s Mess at Mazaruni Prison

The Ministry of Home Affairs will soon be reconstructing the Officer’s Mess

at the Mazaruni Prison at an estimated cost of $63,355,884. This was revealed during the recent opening of ten-

Ministry of Agriculture

Construction of Research and Demonstration Plot to Support the Ministry of Agriculture Extension System at Christiansburg, Linden.

ders, where 14 contractors have placed bids for the project. The Ministry is also preparing to construct a re-

ception building at the Lusignan Prison at an estimated cost of $472,829,149.

This year some $5.5 billion

was earmarked for the Guyana Prison Service, of which some $2 billion was set aside to carry out works at the

Lusignan, Mazaruni, and New Amsterdam Prisons.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Reconstruction of Officers Mess, Mazaruni. Ministry of Legal Affairs

Construction of Two Offices at Commercial Registry.

Supreme Court of Judicature

Consultancy Services: Supervision- Construction of an Annex, Suddie, Magistrates’ Court, Suddie.

Ministry of Home Affairs

Construction of Reception Building Lusignan Prison Region Four.

Reconstruction of Transport Workshop, Eve Leary.

Procurement of Security Services at Deeds Registry for a period of 12 Months.

Bandits shoot man, gun-butts wife in head during robbery...

From page 14

“pushed” past her and attacked her husband first. The bandits reportedly shot him to his leg and raided his pockets, stealing his cellular phone and some cash after he fell to the ground.

One of them even ran behind the couple’s son but he managed to elude them and ran all the way to the nearby police outpost to get help.

“After hearing the shot, I run to the roadside and start scream for help,” recounted the woman. The bandits then ran behind her and dealt one

blow to the head before snatching her hand bag and gold chain from around her neck.

They ran east and escaped. It is suspected that bandits ran to a waiting burgundy car.

Neighbours and persons who were close by at the time rushed over and rendered assistance to the wounded couple. They were taken to a city hospital where Troy was admitted and Juanita received medical attention. Investigations are ongoing.

Press Conferences are essential... done formal press conferences, his deep immersion in the policy dynamic is also well known.

From apge 06 heavy hitter where policy analysis is concerned. He is more like a drive-by ‘peeper’ of policy documents. His press conferences reflect this abandonment of duty. By contrast, President Ali, and Vice President Jagdeo are noted policy wonks, meaning that they spend an enormous amount of time reading policy documents and ana lyzing data before they speak or act. While Prime Minister Mark Phillips has not

The complaint that there are too many press conferences by the PPP/C is not only incomprehensible, but also terribly childish. Democracy is at its b est when journalists interact with policymakers. No democracy can survive without this access.

Sincerely

Dr. Randolph Persaud

Ukraine war: Russian strikes on Odesa damage Orthodox cathedral

(BBC) - At least one person has been killed and 19 injured in Russian missile strikes on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, officials have said.

The Transfiguration Cathedral in the Unesco world heritage-listed historic centre was also badly damaged.

Russia claimed its Odesa targets were being used to prepare “terrorist acts” and blamed Sunday’s cathedral attack on Ukrainian air defence.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed retaliation.

Moscow has been launching near-constant attacks on Odesa since it withdrew from a landmark grain deal on Monday. Regional governor Oleh Kiper said 14 people, including four children, were taken to hospital on Sunday after the blasts - that also destroyed six residential buildings. Kyiv accused Russia of “destroying” the cathedral as part of a campaign to “sys-

tematically” harm the Orthodox Church in the country.

“A war crime that will never be forgotten and forgivenRussiaIsATerroristState,” its foreign ministry tweeted.

The damage is as colossal as the cathedral itself. The cracks along its walls represent the strain Odesa has found itself under after a week of constant attacks from the skies.

There is no doubt this was a direct hit from a missile.

Most of the roof is missing. The building’s thick ancient walls are still standing but there are pillars leaning at a worrying angle.

Teams have been ferociously picking up debris since the impact in the small hours of this morning.

They show us fragments of what they say was the Russian missile, which destroyed a place of worship under Moscow’s control. A cruel irony which is likely to be unintended. The building is

Odesa’s largest Orthodox church and was consecrated in 1809.

It was demolished by the Soviet Union in 1939, before being rebuilt in 2003.

Andriy Palchuk, the archdeacon of the cathedral, said he was the first person to arrive at the scene.

“The destruction is enormous; half of the cathedral was left without a roof, and the central piles and foundation were destroyed,” he said.

“All the windows and

stucco moulding were blown out. There was a fragmentary fire, the part where icons and candles are sold in the church caught fire. It was all on fire, burning.”

Unesco, the UN’s cultural agency, said it was “deeply dismayed and condemns in the strongest terms” the attack on the historic centre of Odesa.

It has repeatedly urged Russia to cease attacks on Odesa.

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

1 Concrete pump truck Driver /Operator and 6 Mixer Driver. Contact: 650-0402/ 665-3880.

One experienced low bed Driver needed. Must be able to load and off load equipments. Call: 644-7088.

One male and female ablebodied Staff needed to work in a store. Call: 225-2313, 2261497, 658-8559.

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One live in Housekeeper needed to work in Virginia, USA. Ages 30-50 yrs. Call: 592-615-5476/ 845-325-8241.

Farm Workers needed to work at Hauraruni. Call: 6748723.

Receptionist needed for hotel. Contact: 223-5273/74.

Diesel Mechanic wanted. Attractive salary offered. Contact: 688-0417/ 677-9010.

Experienced jet, maroc and Pit men wanted for mining operation. Call: 688-6575.

Experienced mechanic, technicians and male Cooks wanted for mining operation. Call: 688-6575.

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One Cleaner (Domestic) needed to work at Providence. Call: 675-5300.

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Receptionist, Room Attendant, Maintenance Guy, Laundry Attendant & Security Guard needed at 233, South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-2304.

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

Sport ministry launches music literacy camp

(DPI) With the aim of nurturing the musical talents of the nation’s youths, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with Republic Bank is inviting interested persons to register for the ‘Right Start Pan Minors Music Literacy Camp.’

The training aims to provide a stepping stone for budding musicians, offering them the opportunity to learn the art of playing the steel pan and grasp the essential elements of music theory.

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.

With its rich cultural roots embedded in the Caribbean region, the steel pan is an iconic musical instrument that has captivated audiences worldwide.

Through this programme, the ministry aspires to instill a love for the distinctive art, and create a platform for the next generation of steelpan players.

The camp provides an excellent opportunity for per-

sons 11 to 18 years old to explore their musical inclinations, and embark on a journey of creative expression.

This pioneering endeavour consists of six camps, each aiming to host 35 students.

It ensures aspiring musicians are captured from different regions. Camps are set to take place in Regions Two, Three, Four, Six, Seven, and

Ten.The partnership between the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and Republic Bank exem plifies the transformative power of public-private collaborations in advancing cultural development and fostering an artistic community.

Persons interested in participating in the programme can register at https:// docs.google.com/…/ 1FAIpQLScT…/viewform

FOR SALE

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

Over 500 lbs plantain for sale. Call: 688-0417.

FOR RENT

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.

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Youth playing steelpan (DPI Photo)

FFTP invites companies to collaborate on improving lives of Guyanese

...asNGOcelebrates32yearsofservice

Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana

I n c i n nd commemorating its 32 anniversary has called on companies to help improve thelivesofthelessfortunate.

On Saturday evening, the N o n - G o v e r n m e n t a l Organization (NGO) held its anniversary dinner and awards ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel where it recognized the efforts of its dedicatedteammembers.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FFTP (Guy) Inc., Kent Vincent while delivering brief remarks pointed to a few of the o r g a n i z a t i o n ' s accomplishments over the years as he called on corporate entities to give back to those in need in the country

Vincent said, “Food For ThePoorGuyanawouldlike to collaborate with any company, organization, a g e n c y , o r N o nGovernmental Organization, b o t h l o c a l l y a n d internationally, to provide assistance to those in need. We want companies to note that FFTP (Guy) Inc. is here to assist in their corporate social responsibilities to the citizens of Guyana, as we have a proven track record andexpertise.”

The CEO noted that the organization has been making contributions to the Health Ministry, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), health centers across the country as well other institutions and individualsinneed.

Moreover, he pointed out that FFTP has expanded its presence in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 over the past two years to

offeraidtothoseindesperate conditions.

He therefore urged, “As wemovebeyond32years,let us strive to improve the lives of the less fortunate and make a positive impact on u n d e r p r i v i l e g e d communities across the country."

Meanwhile, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline

Sukhai in delivering the feature address lauded FFTP for its significant role in the country She noted that it was established at a time in Guyana when the people were in most need, where it was able to assist with distributing basic items such as food, clothing and other householdessentials.

In addition, the Minister also recognized the organizationforitssupportto the country's education and

healthsector.

Tothisend,Sukhainoted, “Today FFTP has supported economic resources to communities that would help togenerateincome,ofcourse employment,itsupportsfood security and improvement of village and community infrastructure.”

She explained that the support services offered by the organization have transformed to meet the needs of an evolving country with FFTP pursuing a more

intentroleofexpandingtheir o u t r e a c h e s a n d implementing economically sustainable projects to help communities.

In this regard, the Minister said, “I join Mr. Vincent and Co-Chair to encourage you and all of corporate Guyana to remain partners and continue to support the work of FFTP GuyanaInc.”

F F T P G u y a n a commemorated 32 years of servingtheneedyonJune3.

In addition to its distribution activities, the organization has been involved in Sustainable CommunityProjects.

The local NGO has been supporting agricultural projects by funding pigs, sheep and poultry projects as well as shade houses to help generate income for families especially in Hinterland areas.

FFTP Guyana was established since June 3,

1991 in Guyana, but even though the NGO has managed to branch out to more regions in the country, with the support of its generous local and overseas donors, the organisation is hoping to expand the Sustainable Community Development Programme to be able to create jobs and livelihoodopportunities.

FFTPInc,accordingtoits website, is an ecumenical Christian non-profit organisation based in Coconut Creek, Florida, United States that provides food, medicine, and shelter, among other services, to the poor in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In its vision statement, the organisation states: “Food For The Poor is God's instrument to help the materially poor and to renew thepoorinspirit.”

Apart from the support it receives from FF

international, there are also other donors that make regular contributions to the localorganisation.

These would usually come from a number of groups, religious bodies and other NGOs Local companies too would make donations upon request.

Individuals or businesses that would like to support the charitable body can do so by contacting Food For The Pooron218-1553,218-2128, or reaching out to the Facebookpage–Foodforthe Poor Guyana or email prguyana@foodforthepoor o r g g y o r info@foodforthepoor org gy Likewise, persons in need of help are welcomed to contact the NGO via the telephone numbers and email address provided.

They can also send requestsvialettersorthrough theFacebookpage.

FFTP sharing vitamins, food and other household items during a public distribution exercise in Timehri, Red Hill Community Centre Ground on Saturday.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FFTP (Guy) Inc, Kent Vincent delivering remarks at the nd organization's 32 anniversary dinner

nd FFTP 32 Anniversary Dinner held at the Pegasus Hotel

Australia secure Ashes retention as weather thwarts England

(Cricinfo) - Australia have retained the Ashes after escaping a fourth Test dominated by England with a rainruined draw. They will leave Manchester on Monday morning with a 2-1 lead, and have the opportunity to clinch a first series win in England since 2001 at The Oval next week.

After only 30 overs of play were possible between showers on Saturday, Australia trailed by 61 runs in their second innings with five wickets remaining heading into the fifth day at Emirates Old Trafford. But persistent showers meant that Sunday’s play

was abandoned without a ball bowled, with the draw finally confirmed at 5.24pm. Heavy overnight rain delayed the start on the fifth day, and planned inspections were then pushed back by persistent showers which swept across the ground. A start time of 1pm was announced during an early lunch break, but the rain returned almost immediately and then set in for the rest of the afternoon.

England’s players kicked a football around on the outfield, as if to signal their willingness to play, but eventually returned to the dressing

room after being drenched. The rain only became heavier, with a substantial volume of standing water on the covers and puddles forming on the

Monday July 24, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 211pr. 19)

If you've been concerned about your health for any reason, Cancer, today your medical professional could give you a clean bill of health. You will believe it, because you're likely to feel wonderful.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Some strange but wonderful things could be happening to you now, Taurus. Sheer luck could well be in the picture. Have you wanted to move to a nicer place.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

A rather black mood that's been plaguing you since early morning could suddenly disappear when a business or romantic partner brings wonderful news your way, Gemini.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

If you've been concerned about your health for any reason, Cancer, today your medical professional could give you a clean bill of health. You will believe it, because you're likely to feel wonderful.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Creative energies are flowing like a river today, Leo. Ideas for projects should come thick and fast. You can't wait to get started. You may even formulate plans to market them once they're done.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Dreams should shed light on some difficult issues you've been trying to resolve, Virgo. You can finally make the problems disappear. This should be more than a relief to you - it's a blessing!

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

More than one call could come today with absolutely wonderful news! Exciting and wonderful changes are in the wind, Libra, but you need to bear in mind that with the good news comes the unknown.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

A sizable sum of money could come your way today, Scorpio, probably as a surprise. This is a significant day for you. The money will open up new doors, particularly where creativity is concerned.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Today you may wake up feeling energetic, enthusiastic, optimistic, and very happy, Sagittarius. You may not be able to trace this to anything logical.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The Have you been feeling psychic lately, Capricorn? Has a recent dream or premonition come true? Any insights that you receive today aren't likely to be clothed in complex symbolism - they should be easily understood.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Today you might gather with some very smart friends at a coffee house for an intellectual conversation, Aquarius. Some fascinating ideas and useful information could be exchanged.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

A fabulous career break could come your way today, Pisces. It could be a raise, promotion, or even a new job in a new field. It could also involve a completely different location.

outfield. By the time the umpires decided to call play off for the day, the vast majority of the sold-out crowd had gone home - with the Party Stand utterly deserted. Pat Cummins shook hands with Joel Wilson

and Nitin Menon, before telling his team-mates that they could celebrate retaining the urn.

Ben Stokes spoke in the build-up to the Test about the prospect of the weather forecast forcing England to “push the game on even more” than usual and there was not much more they could have done. They scored at 5.49 runs per over in their only innings, and took 15 wickets in 161.2 overs in the field.

But the rain - and sluggish over-rates from both teamslimited the Test match to 269 overs, which proved insufficient for a result on either side. This was England’s first draw in the 17 matches they

have played since Stokes’ appointment as captain last year, after 12 wins and four defeats.

For Australia, the result means that they cannot lose the series despite being on the back foot for the last two Tests.

Four years ago, they left Manchester 2-1 up but lost at The Oval, missing the opportunity to win outright; they will be desperate to make amends next week.

Match details: Australia 317 (Labuschagne 51, Marsh 51, Woakes 5-62) and 214 for 5 (Labuschagne 111) drew with England 592 (Crawley 189, Bairstow 99*, Root 84, Brook 61, Moeen 54, Stokes 51, Hazlewood 5-126)

Resolute GDF secures...

From page 21 completed his brace in the 58th, which turned out to be the last goal of the 4-1 encounter between the disciplined forces’ teams.

“In retrospect, I must say that the work on the field is a reflection of what happens behind the scenes. I thought that the players were committed, I thought that the support was there and that’s what showed out in all 9 games in the league,” GDF Head Coach Joseph Wilson said about the team’s victory.

Wilson added, “The players were determined, the players actually gave up their stint in the national team training programme to be part of this success, because the players see it as an important part of their future going forward.”

The victory brought the GDF outfit to 25 points from 9 games played, to clinch the trophy. Sneaking into the second position was Western Tigers FC, who finished the league with 22 points. The Policemen had for settle for the third position, after the loss to GDF left them at 21 points.

When it came to individual awards, Nicholas McArthur’s 18 goals from 9 games, not only afforded him the highest goal scorer accolade, but the forward carted off the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

GDF’s Jamaine Cumberbatch was also adjudged the tournament’s best goalkeeper, only conceding one goal in 9 games. Meanwhile, Den Amstel came from behind to upend former champions Fruta Conquerors FC in the penultimate game of the league.

At the end of the first half, Fruta led 2-0 with goals compliments of Dennis Edwards and Samuel Garnett in the 12th and 41st respectively. How-

ever, Den Amstel’s Stephon Jupiter and Cleavon Murray cut out the deficit with goals in the 55th and 56th, while Malcolm Dainty handed the west Coast outfit the lead in the 64th. Andre Hector then

made it a 4-2 game in Den Amstel’s favour in the 72, via penalty.

Although Deandre Linton struck or Fruta in the 83rd it was not enough to bar Den Amstel from the 4-3 win.

James Anderson, Moeen Ali and Ben Duckett arrive at a damp Old Trafford. (Getty Images)

India strike after setting setting West Indies 365 target

(Cricinfo) - Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan switched into T20 mode to setupIndia’svictorypushon another rain-interrupted day at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Rohit hit a 35-ball halfcentury - his fastest in Test cricket - before a promoted Kishan pulled off a nearperfect impersonation of Rishabh Pant with a 33-ball fiftyasIndiasetWestIndies 365.

The hosts closed out the day at 76 for 2 on a Port-ofSpain pitch that was more responsive to the spinners. The forecast for Monday is alsofairlygrim,soIndiawill have to step up a gear with theballaswelliftheyareto

beatbothWestIndiesandthe weather

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s down-the-track six over extra-coveroffthefirstover, bowled by Kemar Roach, wasaportentforthecarnage that was to follow In Roach’s next over, Rohit lofted him over the midwicket boundary with moregusto.

Rohit had led a charmed life-hewasfirstdroppedby Shannon Gabriel on 25 and then by Alick Athanaze on 29 Both were fairly straightforward chances, bringingWestIndies’sloppy fielding into sharp focus onceagain.IntheODIWorld Cup qualifier in June-July,

West Indies had botched a number of chances in the field, with white-ball coach Daren Sammy labelling them the “worst fielding side”around.

Rohit made West Indies payonSundaybeforehewas eventuallycaughtatfineleg, where Alzarri Joseph didn’t mess it up. Jaiswal then helped India reach 100 off 12.2 overs - the fastest team hundred in Test cricket (where known) When Jaiswal tried to up the ante even further, he ended up skying a slog-sweep to the wicketkeeper off Jomel Warrican for 38 off 30 balls. Inclement weather allowed only three overs in the

afternoon session, but once the sun was out, Kishan successfully slog-swept Warrican to the midwicket boundary

Kishan also flat-batted Warrican over his head before unleashing Pantesque one-handed sixes Moments after Kishan zoomed to his fifty with one such one-handed six, Rohit declared India’s second innings at 181 for 2 in 24 overs. Shubman Gill had contributed an unbeaten 29 off37ballstothattotal.

That India were in a position to push for a win was also down to Mohammed Siraj, who had dismissed West Indies for 255, from an overnight 229 for 5, in their first innings. Siraj, the leader of India’s inexperienced pace attack, lived up to his billing and baggedcareer-bestfiguresof 5 for 60 in challenging conditions.

It was debutant Mukesh Kumarwhohadstruckinthe firstoverofthedaywhenhe pinnedAthanazelbwwithan inswinger from over the wicket.Afterbeinggivenout by on-field umpire Marais Erasmus,Athanaze went for a r e v i e w a l m o s t immediately, but HawkEye suggestedthatitwouldhave just clipped leg stump Athanaze could count himself a bit unlucky, with

ball-tracking also returning umpire’scallonimpact.

Inthenextover,Sirajwent wide of the crease, tricked Jason Holder into playing for the inward angle, but got the balltoswingawayandkissthe edge Siraj proceeded to snip off the tail with his wobbleseaminduckerandoutswinger

He led India’s players off the field and was warmly welcomed back by bowling coachParasMhambrey

Indiahadneededlessthan eight overs - and less than an hour-onthefourthmorningtobowlWestIndiesoutintheir first innings However, there wasn’tasmuchswingonoffer for India in an extended posttea session So, Siraj and co shortened their lengths, but Kraigg Brathwaite and TagenarineChanderpaulwere upforthetask

Brathwaitewasbusierthan he was in West Indies’ first innings,drivingandpunching

Siraj for fours Chanderpaul spent21ballson2,and62balls without a boundary, but was largely unperturbed The opening partnership, though, endedon38whenAshwinhad Brathwaitesplicingasweepto shortfineleginhisfourthover In his next over, Ashwin trapped Kirk McKenzie for a duck immediately after changing his angle to round thewicket.

Ravindra Jadeja also extracted sharp turn and bounce, but Chanderpaul and Jermaine Blackwood ushered West Indies to stumps without any further damage.

Match details: West Indies 255 (Brathwaite 75, Siraj 5-60, Jadeja 2-37) and 76 for 2 (Brathwaite 28, Chanderpaul24*,Ashwin233)needafurther289runsto beat India 438 and 181 for 2 dec (Rohit 57, Kishan 52*, Gabriel1-33)

Thirimanne announces retirement from international cricket

(Cricinfo) - Sri Lanka batterLahiruThirimannehas announced his retirement from international cricket aftera13-yearcareer

“AsaplayerIhavegiven mybest,Ihavetriedmybest, I have respected the game and I have done my duty honestly and ethically to my motherland,” Thirimanne postedonFacebook.

“It was a difficult decision to make, but I cannot mention here the many unexpected reasons that influenced me to take this decision willingly or unwillingly I take this opportunitytothanktheSLC members, my coaches, teammates, physios, trainers

andanalystsfortheirsupport andencouragement.”

Thirimanne, 33, played 44 Tests, 127 ODIs and 26 T20Is after making his international debut in 2010. He was part of three T20 World Cup campaigns, includingSriLanka’swinin 2014, and played two ODI World Cups. He also led Sri LankainfiveODIs.

“Absolute honor to have the opportunity to represent the country,” he posted on Instagram. “Thanks a lot for the 13 years of amazing memories and well wishes thru out my journey (sic).

Seeyouontheotherside.”

His last international match was the Test against

IndiainBengaluruinMarch 2022. The last of his three Test centuries came against Bangladeshin2021whenhis 140helpedSriLankawinthe match in Pallekele. He was especially impressive in ODIs in 2015 when he scored861runsin25games with one century and six half-centuries.

Thirimanne played firstclass cricket in the most recent season in Sri Lanka, buthaslivedinAustraliafor much of the past two years. Hehasnotbeenconsistently available for Test selection, and has since been replaced atthetopoftheorderbythe likes of Nishan Madushka andPathumNissanka.

Ishan Kishan hit a quickfire fifty. (Getty Images)

Resolute GDF secures Season 5 Title KFC Elite League 2023…

An epic showdown was promised and a thriller it was, when the final game of the KFC Elite League Season 5 was staged on Saturdaynight.

After 90 minutes of exhilarating, high quality footballactionattheGuyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Center (NTC), Providence; the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club did more than needed to lift the

spanking new, BACIF curatedEliteLeaguetrophy.

Scores of spectators flooded the East Bank Demerara (EBD) venue, where the thrills began as early as the 5th minute of playinthefinalleaguegame between the GDF and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC.Theveryfirstgoalofthe game, was witnessed after back to back corner kicks, takenbytheGDFoutfit.

While the first attempt

was not successful, Stephen McDonald was perfectly positionedmetersinfrontof the keeper on the second attempt. McDonald headed the ball out of the keeper’s reachandintothebackofthe netsforGDF’sfirst.

The second strike followed not too long after comingoffthebootsofRyan ‘Bom Bom’ Hackett, who also sported the GDF’s captain’s armband for the half. A pass found Hackett

just outside of the 18-yard box,whoaftershiftingtohis left foot, sent his trademark long shot into the top-right corner of the box, escaping the clutches of the GPF keeper by centimeters in the 11th.

Itwasatthisjuncturethat the battle gained intensity when the tournament’s highestgoalscorer,Nicholas McArthur, pulled one back for the Policemen The soldiers’ keeper, Jamaine

GDF Captain Kenard Simon receives the Season 5 C/ship Hardware from KFC Marketing Manager Pamela Manasseh Primo in the presence of his teammates and GFF President, Wayne Forde.

Cumberbatch, misjudged McArthur’sabilitytocollect a high pass, meeting the striker outside the box McArthur, however, was able to execute the shot before the keeper collided withhim.

The ball made its way safely into the nets for the 21st minute strike. The goal visiblyliftedthespiritsofthe Police camp, but the euphoria was short lived as the voice of veteran

journalist and announcer, Allan La Rose, filled the venue again. GOAL! It was thesoldiers’thirdstrike,this time off the boots of the capable Kelsey Benjamin, who capitalized on an assist intheboxtoaddhisnameto thescoresheetinthe29th. The score at the end of thehalfremainedstuckat31, but this would change earlyinthesecondsegment.

StephenMcDonald

(Continuedonpage19

FIFA Women’s WC: Jamaica celebrate ‘number one result’ in history

(BBC

Sport) -

Jamaica

manager Lorne Donaldson hailed “the number one result” in his country’s football history after they held France, one of the favourites for the Fifa Women’s World Cup, to a goallessdraw

Herve Renard’s France could not break down a disciplined Jamaica, for whom the only dampener amid heavy rain at Sydney Football Stadium was having captain Khadija Shawsentofflateon.

This was Jamaica’s first point at a Women’s World Cup - and it came against a side 38 places higher in the Fifarankings.

Jamaica had lost their previous three matches at a Women’s World Cup before the draw with France

“Just look at the rankings.Youwouldsaythis result,onthisstage,hastobe numberone.”

France, meanwhile, mustnowregroupfortheir meeting with fellow Group F favourites Brazil on29July

They came close to scoring in the first half when Kadidiatou Diani had a near-post drive scooped away by Becky Spencerbeforeadeflected effort which flashed past thepost.

“It’s a real victorious feelingforus,”saidplayerof the match Deneisha Blackwood, while her manager hailed it as the greatest football result for anyJamaicateam. “I would say it is the number

Diani then twice headed narrowly wide before hitting the crossbar and post late in the second half, but Jamaica were roared on to a draw by the locals and neutrals as the latest smaller nation to impressatthesefinals.

one result we have had so far,” said Donaldson. “Thenumberoneresult,men orwomen.

CPL tickets go on sale tomorrow at Camp Street

Local fans can secure their entry for the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League matches in Guyana as the local office opens its doors from Tuesday, July 25th 2023 from 09:00 hours to 16:30 hours on weekdays and 09:00 hours to 13:00 hoursonSaturdays.

Tickets will be available to purchase at the modern box office conveniently located at 233-234 Camp Street or alternately online from wwwcplt20 com for both Guyana Amazon Warriors’homematchesand neutralmatches.

The Guyana leg of the

tournament will begin on September 13 with Warriors

taking on defending champions, Jamaica Tallawahsfrom19:00hours.

The following day,Warriors return to battle St Lucia Kingsfrom19:00hours.

On September 16, there will be a double header as Tallawahs face

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at 10:00 hours before Warriors go up against Trinbago Knight Ridersat19:00hours.

September 17 will also see a double header with Tallawahs returning to play Kings at 10:00 hours followed by the

Warriors and Barbados Royals clash at 19:00 hours

Tour de France 2023: Vingegaard retains title

Vingegaard crossed the finish line on the Champs Elysees with his JumboVismateam-mates

Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard sealed his second successive Tour de France triumph as Jordi Meeus sprinted to a surprisewinonthefinalstage.

Meeus,25,edgedoutJasperPhilipsen inaphotofinishinParistodenyhisfellow Belgian a repeat of last year’s win on the iconicChampsElysees.

Vingegaard, 26, finished seven minutes and 29 seconds clear of nearest rival,two-timewinnerTadejPogacar

Britain’s Adam Yates was third overall, one place above his twin brother Simon.

“I’mhappyofcourse-we’rewinning it for the second time and it’s amazing,” saidVingegaard.

“It’sbeenasuperhardraceandasuper good fight between me and Tadej. Of course, I hope to come back next year to seeifIcantakethethirdwin.”

Racing in his first Tour, BoraHansgrohe rider Meeus claimed the biggest win of his career by a rim from

Philipsen, racing in the green jersey having won four stages of this year’s contest.

Meeus said: “It was a super nice experience already so far and to take the wintodaywasanindescribablefeeling.”

Finalgeneralclassificationstandings

1. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/JumboVisma)82hrs5mins42secs

2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates)+7mins29secs

3 Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates)+10mins56secs

4. Simon Yates (GB/Team JaycoAlUla)+12mins23secs

5 Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers)+13mins17secs

6 Pello Bilbao (Spa/Bahrain Victorious)+13mins27secs

7. Jai Hindley (Aus/Bora-Hansgrohe) +14mins44secs

8. Felix Gall (Aut/AG2R-Citroen) +16mins9secs

9. David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +23mins8secs

10. Guillaume Martin (Fra/Cofidis) +26mins30secs

All matches will take place at the National Stadium,Providence.

Ticket prices are set at $2,500fortheGrassMound, $3,500 for Orange Stand, $5,500 for Red Stand and $6,000 for Green Stand (CricNation592)

GBA to conduct registration initiative in Linden

With the resuscitation of the Linden boxing scene firmly on the agenda of its developmental programme, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will conduct an important registration initiative from August 3rd-4th in the MiningTown

The first phase of the registration process, which is aimed at the creation of a newboxinggyminthetown, will occur on August 3rd at thePostOfficelocationfrom 12pm-5pm.

The second and final phase of the procedure will occur on August 4th from 12pm-5pm at the gym’s intended location

T h e q u a r t e t o f Lennox Daniels, Seon Bristol, Lancelot ‘Wild Pine’ Easton, and Cuban national Francisco Roldan are tasked with s u p e r v i s i n g t h e impending procedure on behalf of the GBA

Steve Ninvalle President of the GBA said, “The expansion of the discipline is an absolute necessity for the association if the best talents are to be unearthed

Linden is a hub of athletic excellence but in recent time has stumbled

in the sport of boxing

We at the association are confident , given the region’s rich sporting history, of extracting and nurturing quality t a l e n t s f r o m t h e community.”

A c c o r d i n g t o Ninvalle, “This is another facet to our developmental scope. Infrastructure expansion is expected to be realised in this community as we aim to resuscitate the ‘sweet science’

As such, the expected infrastructure must be married with the equally importanthumancapitalthat will be realised through our recruitment drive as we aim to not only revive a discipline that sadly has experienced dormancy in

thisstoriedregion,buttoreestablish and elevate the sport to its rightful and historicalstatus.”

“

This once again highlights our commitment to the evolution of the sport throughastrategicapproach, asweaimtospreadourreach to various areas, regions, villages and communities throughout the breadth of Guyana.

This is the only way we can continue to engineer success and create an assembly line of talents which will continue to sustain our evidential dominance within the english speaking Caribbean region.

This is the way forward for the overall growth of boxing”, Ninvalle further stated.

GBA President, Steve Ninvalle

Lancelot ‘Wild Pine’Easton

John, Leung and Spencer star in GCF’s ‘Olympic Day’ Road Race

Th e G u y a n a C y c l i n g F e d e r a t i o n (GCF) Olympic Day Cycling Road Race pedaled off on Sunday from the National Gymnasium on MandelaAvenue which saw the cyclists embark on a challenging 58 km (37 miles) journey, starting at approximately7:20hours.

The race spanned from MandelaAvenue,proceeded to Belfield (East Coast Demerara)andthenreturned to the starting point for the finish.

The event witnessed remarkable performances from talented cyclists, including Briton John, Alex Mendes, Clivecia Spencer, and Alexander Leung, who emerged as victors in their respectivecategories.

Riders from Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycle Club (KARCC) took an early lead, closely pursued by an aggressive peloton Meanwhile, as the race progressed, several breakaway sprints occurred, causing some riders to bridgethegaptotheleading pack.

Clivecia Spencer dominated her division, displaying superior race management skills and securing an impressive victoryfromthestart.

The slender, Alexander Leung showcased his prowess as a promising young rider, while experienced competitors Briton John and Alex Mendes outclassed their opponents to claimvictories

in the respective Senior’s andMaster’sraces.

The race lasted just over anhour;intheSeniors’race, Guyana’s most decorated senior cyclist, Briton John, representing the United We Stand Cycling Club, took charge on the home stretch, ultimately securing the top spotandcompletingthefeat in one hour, ten minutes, forty-nine seconds (1:10:49.53).

He was followed closely by Christopher Griffith (Evolution Cycle Club) in second-place, with at a time of 1:11:14.78, while team mate Curtis Dey claimed third.

Alex Mendes had an

excellentperformanceinthe Master’s race, crossing the finish line in first place. Veteran cyclist, Robin Persaud displayed an impressive ride to claim the second-placeposition,while Segan Hubbard swiftly followedinthird.

IntheFemale’scategory, Clivecia Spencer continued her exceptional form, securing a well-deserved victoryatanimpressivetime of one hour and three minutes(1:03:00.46).

Her win also celebrated the increasing involvement of women in the sport Tandia Noel demonstrated her cycling prowess, finishing second behind Spencer, while young talent Abigale Jeffrey of KARCC secured the third-place position.

O v e r i n t h e Junior’s/Juvenile’s race, cycling prodigy Alexander Leung cruised to another convincing victory, outclassing his competitors and claiming first place Aaron Newton, another emerging cycling star, secured the second position, whileAjuniCuttingfinished third.

Overall, the GCF Olympic Day Cycling Road Raceprovedtobeathrilling and competitive event, showcasing the remarkable skills and dedication of the participatingcyclists.

Clivecia Spencer

Scenes from yesterday at the GCF Olympic Day Cycle Road Race