Kaieteur News

Smallie and accomplice shot dead by Joint Services’ ranks

Notorious death- afternoon, the police said row convict, that the suspect was killed at Mark Royden St. Mary’s Logging area,

Williams known located not too far from as “Smallie” and one of his Bartica, Region Seven. The accomplices who assisted release mentioned that him in escaping from the Howard was ‘wanted’ for MazaruniPrison,onMay19, aiding in the escape of were both shot and killed on “Smallie”. Thursdaymorning.

“Intelligence led to a

Crime Chief Wendell confrontationwithoneofthe Blanhum confirmed that accomplices, who was Williams and his accomplice fatally shot”, the police who has been identified as stated. It continued that the Odel Roberts called “Gully East Coast Demerara man Side” were fatally shot was shot dead after he during a confrontation with reportedly snatched a members of the Joint firearm from one of the Servicesat33Miles,Bartica, several men in a speedboat arresting ranks and Potaro. On Friday May 19, reportedly assisted the attempted to escape armed with AK-47 rifles convicted murderer to Williams was on death row escape from the heavily- for the 2008 Bartica guarded prison located in Massacre which saw the RegionSeven. death of eight persons

The jailbreak occurred including three police around 14:30 hours while officers.

Williams was being escorted He also received a back to his cell after second death sentence last receivingavisitbyawoman. year for killing a member of As the prison guards were the Guyana Defence Force escorting Williams on an (GDF), Corporal Ivor ATV (four-wheel bike), they Williams on January 23, came under fire from 2008. gunmen in the speed boat This is not the first time whowerearmed. that Williams escaped from

“The ranks dismounted prison. He had staged his the ATV and returned fire at first escape on July 9, 2017 the assailants. At that point, from the Camp Street Prison one of the boat occupants but was recaptured a few came onto the land and months later at Weldaad, continued to discharge West Coast Berbice (WCB). several rounds towards the A $10M reward was being prison officers,” Guyana offeredforhisrecapture. PrisonServicehadstated. Police have since

While the exchange of remanded six individuals for gunfire was ongoing, allegedly conspiring to help Williams still in his foot Williams escape Among chains managed to run t h e m i s a P a r i k a towards the riverbank and businessman, the woman jumpedoverboard. who visited him the day he

The gunmen then helped escaped – who is a himintotheboatandspedoff Venezuelan National – and in a westerly direction. Only the four prison officers, on Sunday police reported AlexanderHopkinson,Omar that one of the gunmen, who Witherspoon, Oldfield reportedly helped in the Romulus and Conroy escape of convicted mass- Hossanah. murderer, was killed in a Moreover, in October shoot-out. 2020, after spending five

The shot gunman was years on remand, Roberts identified as Neon Howard wasfreedofamurdercharge also known as ‘Taxi’, a 33- which alleged that he year-old male of Friendship, murdered a shopkeeper East Coast Demerara. In a Shawn Anys, during a press statement released to robbery at ‘D’ Field, Sophia the media on Sunday in2015.

Dead, Odel Roberts called ‘Gully Side’

Killed mass murderer, Royden 'Smallie' Williams

Jagdeo changes tune to avoid renegotiation with Exxon

says any such move will “kill the momentum of projects”

The ‘sanctity of contract’ killingofthemomentumand his point, the former countriesarenowauctioning principle was an excuse this is where we have a President noted that oil blocks with the hope of widely used by the People’s f u n d a m e n t a l Suriname and the other getting oil and gas

Progressive Party (PPP) disagreement two things countries are having a hard companiestoinvest.Assuch administration to avoid we have explained already, time to move to a stage he said, “What we are renegotiating the lopsided net zero is already upon wherethereisacommitment worried about in spite of all agreement signed with us we have the big invest. ofwhatyoujustsaidisthatit

American oil giant, countries, particularly those

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

In fact, he noted that would kill the momentum. ExxonMobil Government who are producing oil, they Guyana is still an attractive Momentum is everything also said before that such a don’t want new entrances in zone, so government has and it is the momentum that more fiscal benefits for the however told that the move could chase investors the market because they been capitalising on this by weareworriedaboutandit’s nation, in light of the question was directly about away Two weeks ago when have (to) preserve their launching an auction and hard to pick up momentum continued success of the oil Exxon and if it is preparedto the oil company held a press monopoly.” pushing for new Floating backagain.” block- which happens to be pack up and leave Guyana conference at its Kingston, At the same time, the VP Production Storage and The VP also pointed out the country’s largest – when over such a dispute, Georgetownoffice,itmadeit said there is a climate group Offloading (FPSO) vessels that increasing the he initially started off by especially since it has clearthatitwouldnotturnits insisting that Guyana does oncomeonstream. momentum does not mean describing the contract as already made over 30 back easily on Guyana, not touch the resources Hesaid:“Therewouldbe the government would be “competitive”. discoveriessince2015. given the vast resources discovered offshore. To this a time in the future, you laxed on other aspects of the Routledge also boasted In response, Routledge discoveredoffshore. end, he said, “As the years would not be able to raise industry In fact, he pointed thatthisisthe“mostvaluable explained, “No company PresidentofExxonMobil pass by, it’s getting even money because of ESG out that the government has contract the country has”, walks away easily I have Guyana, Alistair Routledge harder to do so.” Jagdeo (Environmental Social s t r e n g t h e n e d t h e therefore, the country ought lived through Venezuela in wasatthetimerespondingto explained that the President Governance) and because of Environmental Permits to focus on how to make it 2004, 5, 6, 7 when the a question from Kaieteur Joe Biden administration what shareholders are while the country’s capacity work. In fact, he explained, government imposed a new News when he made that just passed a new law that pushing for many of these to also fight an oil spill has “The moment we try to contract on our operations point.Nowthatthecompany will place green technology companies too to switch to been vastly increased with a change the contract, the and we worked extremely has essentially said there is developed in other parts of renewable energy that you capping stack in country, investment will stop, the hard to avoid that but the room for changes to the deal the world at a disadvantage. may not be even able to do which would plug a leaking local content development government created an for Guyana to get more, the He said as part of the act to this.” oil well. He said, “So this is willstop.” environment where we government is still not raise the debt ceiling in the Jagdeo said it is my position on it. It’s the K a i e t e u r N e w s couldn’t stay and it ended up prepared to go after better country, the United States is important to understand the momentum that I’m worried immediately sought clarity in international arbitration terms for its people. Vice now going to allow oil and dynamicsoftheindustryand about.Notsomuchthatwhat from Routledge on whether and in the meantime, no President Bharrat Jagdeo gas exploration in a part of appreciate the global trends any negotiation would do. It he believes ExxonMobil further investment, you can during his weekly press the state they had initially before taking a national will definitely kill off Corporation would walk see what happened to the conference yesterday said prevented. position. “It can’t be just probably the movement on away if the administration country, it has a huge t h a t a s k i n g f o r a Jagdeo said: “we have to about a one issue position or the other FPSOs that are asks for a 10 percent royalty endowmentofresources,but renegotiation at this point look out for our own here in it’s not a one variable planned.” for instance. To this end, he sadly has lacked investment would affect the pace this country they don’t solution. There are multiple Routledge during a press explained, “History will tell for many years and has government has worked to realise that the people who variables that have to be all conference onMay19wasat you that when disputes start moved from a production of build to extract the explore for the oil now, early combined...but right now, the time being pressed by about contracts, investments 3 million barrels to less than resources. enough and actually start the the key thing is getting the this newspaper on returning stop, investors hate 600,000 barrels of oil per He explained: “my production there is a tiny investment dollars to flow,” to the table with the uncertainty ” He was day.” concern has been about the window.” In further making he said. Jagdeo said 85 country’s leaders to discuss

Govt. sweating over revenue shortfall if Exxon licence is suspended for failing to provide parent company guarantee for oil spills

In its application to join the Exxon Mobil to ensure it thenationalinterest” crippling consequences, not Environmental Protection provides unlimited parent The Government expressed merely for the obligations of the Agency (EPA) and the Esso company guarantee to safeguard concernsatwhatitsaidwouldbe Government of Guyana in Exploration and Production Guyana against the devastating the crippling and far-reaching relation to the Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) in an effectsofanoilspillbyJune10. effects if the ruling which was Licence issued on the 15th June appeal against a High Court In its application to join the handed down by Justice Kissoon 2 0 1 7 f o r e v e r y o t h e r ruling which stipulates that the case as an interested party, is allowed to stand. “From the governmental approval relating oil company provides a parent attorney-at-law Laurel Dundas affidavit ofAlistair Routledge, it to petroleum operations flowing company guarantee in the event attached to theAttorney General is uncertain whether EEPGL there from,” the lawyer attached of oil spill, the government Chambers explained that the will, in any event, be able to to theAG’s chambers said in the outlined the grave losses it will State stands to lose an obtain an unlimited liability document. suffer if the company’s permit is immeasurable amount of Parent Company or Affiliate

The attorney noted that the suspended. revenue. The application noted C o m p a n y G u a r a n t e e s , agreement between EEPGL and

TheEPAhadfiledaNoticeof “if production ceases by the particularly within the 30 days the Government of Guyana is a Appeal against the High Court decision of the court, the mandated by the Order of the Production Sharing Agreement rulingthatisinfavourofGuyana Government of Guyana will be LearnedHearingJudge. (PSA) under which the receiving parent company faced with huge revenue

In the event that the Government of Guyana earns guarantee from EEPGL and its shortfalls, which would have Guarantee is not obtained, the 50%ofprofit-oiland2%royalty parent company, Exxon Mobil in disastrous consequences for the Environmental Permit stands The lawyer reasoned that theeventofanoilspill. economy, the county’s suspended, as per Order of the Guyana is one of the largest High Court Justice Sandil developmental agenda, and Court. I am advised by my growing economies in the world Kissoon had ordered the EPA to private sector investments Attorneys-at-Law and verily as a direct result of oil and gas issue an Enforcement Notice to cumulating in immeasurable believe that suspension of the operationsinGuyana. ”Infact, EEPGL and its parent company, damage to the public good and permit will have severe and (Continued on page 6)

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Incestuousrelationship

It has been a most concerning relationship for Guyanese. The relationship between Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ExxonMobil has had many harshdescriptionsbrandedontheforeheadsofbothentities.

These descriptions have ranged from scornful to dismissive to the barely tolerant. Even the Government of Guyana, no slouch for words, had to search far and wide before the best that it could come up with was “cooperative.” The Government and the EPA may have felt some comfort with “cooperative” since it is safe, and not open to much dissectionandcondemnation;bothcouldnothavebeenmore wrong.

It is not the job and should not be a priority of the EPAto have a “cooperative” relationship with ExxonMobil. The mandate of the EPA is to regulate and there is always some built-in tension between the regulator and the regulated. Too much of the “cooperative” could be unhealthy, too much of the“cooperative”fosterstoomuchcloseness,andtothepoint where the EPA is hesitant in laying down the law before ExxonMobil. Toomuchofthe“cooperative”bytheEPAhas ledtothepointwhereExxonkeepsraisingtheproductionbar offshoreGuyana.

What began as production of 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) for Liza Phase I, with a peak recommendation of 120,000bpd has crept and then soared to 150,000 bpd, a 25% increase beyond peak safe production levels As ExxonMobil has increased production levels, Guyana’s EPA has looked the other way. The EPA is pretending ignorance, feigningconfidence,orhopingforthebest. Thisisthenature of the “cooperative” relationship presently at work between theEPAandExxonMobil.

Observers are concerned about the relationship and have raised some valid points. This “cooperative” relationship is now so tight that it has crossed over the border into what is consensual. Meaning,thatbothpartiesarefullyawareofthe implications of their actions, but they are so committed to each other, that it does not matter to what kind of perilous territory it leads them, both will go and take the plunge. The highlyimpropernatureoftherelationshipdoesnotmatter,so long as ExxonMobil gets what it wants. It is why to some sober and keen observers, not only have hard questions emerged,butevensharperconclusionshavebeenreached.

The relationship between Guyana’s EPA and Exxon is now so tight, so intimate, so reckless that it tumbles neatly into the category of ‘incestuous.’ Neither Guyana’s EPAnor Exxon will admit to any such condition, but this is what the so-called “cooperative” relationship between the two has inflicteduponthereputationofthetwoentities. Itistooclose for the safety of Guyana’s environment and people. It is too frailandfearfulonthepartoftheEPA,andtooaggressiveand dangerousbyExxon.

Thoughitmaynotbeapparent,thereisadangertoExxon itselftowhichthecompanygivesshortthriftsinceitisinsuch a rush to pump as much oil as it can in the shortest time possible. Because Exxon has gotten its way with this country’s EPA, its own operational standards and practices could have been jeopardised due to the short-term comfort that comes from cutting corners. In other words, company personnel have let down their guard, and grown complacent because there is no watchful cop on the beat. This is so becausetheEPAhaslonggivenuponhonouringinletterand spirititsmostsensitivemandate.Intheroutinesoflife,andin commonsenseterms,thisiswhenaccidentsaremorelikelyto happen.

Operational failure could lead to loss of trust in the company, leaving it with a battle on its hands to preserve or patch-up a reputation under attack. When a company has grown comfortable dealing with a helpful regulator, then it can do great harms to itself through less than peak sharpness, plus rot and sloth. Both Guyana’s EPAand Exxon now have no reputation to speak of, given their records in the domestic arena. They can get more incestuously wrapped up in each other, or the EPA can extricate itself from Exxon’s strangleholdanddobetterforGuyana.

Understanding US Debt Ceiling and its global impact

DEAREDITOR, extended by June 5 when the paidontheborrowedmoney US economy Without the Theworld’sattentionhas US government runs out of President Biden borrowed US spending money, there been focusing on the US money to pay bills. If the and spent heavily during and could be a financial Capital (Congress) on the debt ceiling is not increased after Covid. So the money meltdown Trading will debt ceiling because if the by that date, it is unclear ranout. come to a halt. Default on borrowing debt is not what happens as it is The US economy is very payment on US borrowing is increasedbyMondayJune5, unchartered waters (never strong. So it can afford to bound to shatter confidence there will be international happened before). But for borrow money and it has no in USA to meet obligations. implications including for sure, it will shake up the shortage of lenders Noinstitutionorcountrywill small economies like globalfinancialinstitution.It Investors gladly lend the US want to lend the US money Guyana and other Caricom will also erase hundreds of government money And the US will have states. billions if not trillions in Presently available funds problems for takers to fund

The world’s economy is stock value. Just last week, could keep the government itsUS$16Ttreasurydebt. tied to the US Every tens of billions of dollars running till June 5. The Trade will also be country, every banking were wiped out from the government must borrow to affected. Almost all global system, every international value of stocks when the k e e p g o v e r n m e n t trade is carried out with the financial institution will be W h i t e H o u s e a n d functioning smoothly American dollar Central affected.TheUSdebtceiling Republican leaders were thereafter or it will have to banks store US dollars. Over must be increased Only having difficulties in start laying off workers and half of the world’s foreign Congress can increase the reaching a deal The trim expenses that will reserves are in dollars. If the debt ceiling The White Republicanswantmajorcuts negatively affect the US as UScannotborrowandspend House or President in expenditures of almost well as global economy – and dollars are not available (Democrat) and the Speaker one trillion dollars in millions will lose jobs, trade to conduct trade, then the (Republican) of the House exchange for increasing the will decline as would global economy will be in a (majority Republicans) debtlimit.Bidenisopposed. growth, and stock market tailspin. Trade will collapse reached an agreement over What is the debt ceiling? willplunge. as without dollars, there the weekend to increase the It is a law that puts a cap on The consequences of the can’t be any transaction debt ceiling by US$2T total amount of federal debt US being unable to borrow There will be an erosion in beyond the current allowed to be outstanding. money will be cataclysmic trustinusingtheUSdollaras US$38.3T debt. However, Congress must periodically — an economic recession in a currency for global trade. the Speaker faces rebellion raisethecountry’sdebtlimit, the US as well as in other Other currencies – such as from among dozens of or the government won’t economies closely tied to it the Euro and even the members of his party have enough money to pay w i t h w o r l d w i d e Chinese Yuan (Renminbi) –opposed to any deal without itsobligations. reverberation The world will gain greater legitimacy cuts in hundreds of billions The law does not allow looks to US economic as a medium to pay for trade. annually over the next few the President to spend more leadership. This could lead to ‘deyears. The Senate, narrowly money Rather it allows the Having the strongest dollarisation’ of the world’s controlled by Democrats, President to borrow enough economy, and globe takes a economy, strengthening the will approve whatever debt to pay the bills Congress has cue from Washington on Euro and Yuan as currencies limit bill the House sends to already approved The finance.U.Sdebthistorically fortrade. it. The Speaker is likely to government does not take in has been as safe and It is in the US (Congress) get most Democrats to enough money from taxes to investors as well as central interest to increase the debt support the agreement he pay bills. So it borrows banksneverfearthatUSwill ceilingASAP madewithPresidentBiden. money to meet shortfalls n o t m e e t f i n a n c i a l Yours sincerely,

The debt ceiling must be including the interest to be obligations. They trust the Vishnu Bisram

We have drifted into the dungeons of intolerance by the PPP Administration

DEAREDITOR, theGPF women. For years, political ownership of these flags and

The signs are that we R e c e n t l y , P N C parties enthusiasts have why not determine Ms have drifted and slipped into Councillor Dexter Forte was removed banners displayed Smith was trying to keep the the dungeons of intolerance charged for verbal abuse in in public places. In many areatidy? by the PPP Administration. circumstances where I am instances, it was part of the So when will the ever Hostile to any person or reliablyinformedwhereboth game to get your Party’s vigilant and fully staffed group that dares to express sides were hurling words at Banner or colours higher Police charge those who viewscontrarytothoseofthe eachother thantheotherfolks. paint pro-PPP signs and ruling elite so that we can no It appears that his Mind you, to the best of overhead water reservoirs longer indulge in banter, remarks were directed to a my knowledge seldom did and other places? They say which characterises a newly anointed Saint of the any political party obtain differentstrokesfordifferent sophisticated civilised Petty Prevaricating Party permission from the owners folks. But Editor, recall how society But this one-sided approach ofwhatwecalllanternposts. the Police Force was able to In our case, the good by sections of the Guyana Did the PPP seek or obtain deployforty-sevenranksand image of the Guyana Police Police Force seems to be the permission from the eleven mobile units, had Force acquired by men and new pattern.Abig wig of the appropriate authorities to GPL switched off the power women of integrity is being ruling elite called a female erect those large signs, supply as they stormed the tarnished This image is Constable on duty, a Black extolling the virtues of the residence of Christopher being tarnished by a group Monkey,andalllevelsofour PPPandtheirleaders? Jones, MP to recover Barber seemingly consumed by a ruling elite apparently can So, the police arrested Chairs, they alleged were belief that service and see nothing wrong. This was NDC Chairman Sheron Government’s property Of obedience to the political notverbalabuse. Smith, for allegedly pulling course, a rider is that this Party supersedes service to I am reminded of the Jim down PPP/Civic party flags matterisnotyetconcluded. the people of Guyana. So, Crow Days in the US when from electricity poles along TomybelovedGuyana,what for years was political black youths were locked up Manchester Public Road, QuoVadis. verbal exchanges is earning and in a few cases lynched Corentyne, Berbice. I hope Hamilton Green the ire of certain sections of for merely looking at white the police can establish Elder

Mahdia dorm fire presents opportunities for Guyana to unite and resolve the national tragedy - we must seize such

DEAREDITOR, trauma could lead to a social, cultural and bottom of the issue, holding getting to the bottom of the responsibility We demand a

The Guyana Trades multiplicity of responses for economic interests. Going t h o s e r e s p o n s i b l e matter GTUC does not proper inquiry and let the Union Congress (GTUC) the victims such as anxiety, the partisan route in hope accountable, but also a believe the loss of lives and chips fall where they may continues to grieve the behavioural changes, political upmanship could violationofthechild’sright. devastation resulting from a The COI must not only victims of the Mahdia nightmares, affect academic resolve a national crisis, The arrest and so-called fire, lit from an alleged irate examinethecause(s)thatled Secondary School female performance, difficulty bringaccountabilityandheal confession of the 15-year child lighting of a mattress, to the fire, identify the dorm fire that cut short the sleeping and eating, scars, is both short sighted raises many questions, such secures answers for the responsible institutions, lives of 20 of the nation’s becoming fearful, having andmisguided. as:Wastherightofthischild failuretohaveabuildingfire p o l i c y m a k e r s a n d children, and inflicted aches and pains, among President IrfaanAli protected? Was she proof to mitigate damages techniciansforthesafetyand injuries on some. We extend others.Puttingthesechildren and Opposition coerced/traumatized into and provide an escape route security of the building heartfelt compassion to the and their families on public LeaderAubrey speaking?Didshehavelegal forthosewithin. consistent with modern families. display is dehumanising, Norton must engage representation during Establishment of the building codes, but also the

People are traumatised. adding more trauma and GTUCcallsontheIrfaan questioning? Was she Commission of Inquiry conditions under which the All Guyanese are living should cease forthwith Aligovernmentnottoignore medically evaluated for her Whereas the GTUC staff and students work, through unspeakable pain Further, no expense should factors such as the political mental status? Where were supports a Commission of l e a r n a n d l i v e and anguish and in moments be spared to provide persons leadershipofthetownisheld her parents/guardians during Inquiry (COI), the Congress Recommendations must of national crises, the nation - victims, families and those by the A Partnership of the interrogation? Why calls on the Government to include holding those must come together to in the community-the National Unity (APNU) charge her now when a establish one that has the responsible accountable and address and resolve these requisite therapy and other President Ali should have CommissionofInquiryisyet i n p u t o f p e r t i n e n t ensuring all dormitory andmoveforwardasaunited support to restore normalcy picked up the telephone, to be established and stakeholders and comprising facilities across the country people. GTUC continues to intheirlives. called Opposition Leader persons, technical and Terms of Reference that are fitted with the requisite observe approaches by the The nation must unite AubreyNorton,andhavethe otherwise, given the would provide the nation building standards to ensure government that are not only GTUCisdeeplytroubled two engaged in the matter opportunitytobeheard? assurance this is not a a tragedy of this nature is not deepening emotional and by the government’s action Thisisthematureandproper GTUC calls for the partisan political body, repeated. psychological trauma, thattheycanandmustdothis thing to do, and would be charges against this child to funded by taxpayers, to Regards, particularly for the victims alone, when the Mahdia fire consistent with the nation’s be dropped, pending a more provide an outcome that Guyana Trades Union and families, but are further is of national concern and is political objective of deliberative approach to absolve some from Congress putting at risk people’s hope impacting all Guyanese “inclusionarydemocracy”as things can get better in the This tragedy should have outlined in Article 13 in the future. seen the involvement of the Constitution of Guyana. The Inflicting further trauma political opposition, trade president must reach out to on the injured and unions representing the the opposition leader to aggrieved families workers in the school, the discuss this issue and find It is GTUC’s considered religious community within common ground as to how o p i n i o n , b a s e d o n the area, among other thenationwilldealwithit. consultation with mental stakeholders GTUC Charge of the 15-year-old health practitioners, the condemns the government for the fire parading of injured children forthinkingitcanandshould GTUC not only sees and grieving families does go it alone when the Mahdia these charges as misguided, moreharmthangoodtotheir community and all Guyana geared more to public emotionalandpsychological are comprised of people relations, giving the nation well-being Reaction to from diverse political, false hope, not getting to the

The wealth of our nation depends on the health of our people

DEAREDITOR, In many communities, this letter is to all drivers,

Over the past weeks, our crashed vehicles, sand and cyclists, and pedestrians. Let nation has suffered other building materials can us each exercise care, tremendously from the loss be seen blocking the caution, consideration, ofcitizens,asaresultofroad r o a d w a y s , t h e r e b y courtesy and commonsense. accidents. Several months preventing the safe and free The wealth of our nation ago, I wrote concerning the flowoftraffic. depends on the health of our reckless use of the roadways I also call on the Traffic people.Lifeisapreciousgift by motorists, especially DepartmentandtheMinistry from God Lives are truck drivers who drive as of Public Works to maintain important I extend my thoughtheyaretheonlyroad the many safety features deepest condolences to the users. such as barriers, traffic families, friends, and

On Tuesday, May 23, lights, road markings and relatives, who have lost 2023, I read of an accident signs which are already in loved ones due to road involving Chief Prison place Drivers should be accidents. Officer, Mr Patrick Perry, madetobearthefullbruntof May their souls Rest in who lost his life on the ECD. the cost of repairing barriers Peace From all reports, he was and traffic lights and other

Sincerely, driving at a fast rate and structural damages caused Annette Ferguson, MP drove into a pile of sand on by their negligence The the roadway Editor, from all Guyana Police Force’s reports that accident could traffic campaign needs to be have been avoided if he was reinvigorated to save the not speeding and or if the livesofinnocentpeople. sand was not encumbering Editor, my final call in thedriver’slane.

I call on NDCs, Municipalities, Central

Teachers struggling; PPP promising

DEAREDITOR, $6000, Phone $2000, we decide to protest, the W i t h g r e a t Internet $5000, Monthly government threatens to disappointment I type this ration $30,000. That’s deduct from your salary the letter. I currently serve this already $67,000 and I didn’t days that you were out great nation of Guyana as a i n c l u d e m y s o n ’ s protesting. We are sick and teacher and it is my opinion transportation to and from tired of being bullied and thatteachersareundervalued school, water bill, personal given false hopes by this and our dedication and effects,clothing,etc. government. President Ali, efforts are thrown aside There are persons who you need to realise that S i n c e t h e P P P / C have to pay rent from that teachers are more than just administration took office in same salary which is teachers, we are doctors, August 2020, we were impossible We also nurses,counsellors,mentors, promised better working purchase stuff for the etc.tothesechildrenandasa conditions and comfortable classroom from our salaries. result, we should be better living wages, something that When I get off from work at compensated. I know that all teachers have looked 15:15 hrs, I have no time for youprobablydon’tevencare forward to. It is now May my family since I have to because your family is well 2023 and to date, we are still head over to my other job taken care of at the expense looking and hoping for these justsomyselfandfamilycan oftaxpayers. promisestobefulfilled. survive. Your entire Cabinet and

Let me give you a At my other job, I clock their families are also well breakdown of how I exist in at 16:00 hrs and clock out takencareof.Myquestionto from pay cheque to pay at 23:30 hrs, when I get you Mr President is when cheque. Imagine a teacher home, it is 1:30 or 2 in the will the ordinary public [untrained or currently in morning. servantlikemyselfbeableto college]workingfor$85,611 Then I have to be up by afford a comfortable life in before tax and $79,961 after 5:30 to prepare meals for this country? I can go on and tax. myself and child for the day, on about the different things

Transportation: $1200 I hardly get to spend time that are affecting us, but I’ll per day (I live miles away with my child since I work leavethattoyourMinisterof from the area in which I on weekends as well. I know Education to fill you in work) that’s $24,000 per that there are other teachers further Isurelyhopethatour month if checked at 20 like myself who are tired of complaints do not fall on workingdayspermonth,that the empty promises by the deafears. is 5 days per week times 4 governmentandatthispoint, Regards, weeks per month. Light bill we don’t know what to do. If Sir K. Clarke

,

ll responsible agencies to enforce the law with regard toencumbrancesontheroad.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER SHOULD BE FIRED AND CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE

DEAREDITOR, womanizer who many the taxpayers’ money that done very little for the waterways and canals are hydrants in the towns and Criminal Negligent believe is the most paid for her airfare and Amerindian people other frequently blocked with cities and they should Homicide is the most incompetent, arrogant, rude, accommodation. Instead of thantodestroytheirlivesand garbage, blackouts continue employ well trained and applicableexpressionforthe obscene, and vulgar member this corrupt, vindictive, make them poorer In fact, to plague the land, projects qualified fire experts well 20 young lives lost in the of the Cabinet. There is no selfish,nasty,shameless,and they are still being treated as attract glaringly high costs, dressed in their uniforms. Mahdia fire. As reported by question that he must be ruthless government ask the third class citizens in public servants detest the The honcho and de facto the Fire Service, there were forced to resign or get fired ministeroflocalgovernment Guyana where Indians are people and treat them like president knows that human prior warnings of existing by the President for to resign, its honcho and de regarded as first class and dirt, and the Police Force lives are at stake and urgent lethal conditions in the dereliction of duties and be facto president will try to blacks as second-class which is directed by the measures needed to be sleeping area of the charged with Criminal place the blame elsewhere citizens. honcho and de facto enforced, but his primary dormitory of children, yet negligent homicide. Also, likewhathedidwiththe450 Disaster Management president determines who to focus is to build bridges, n o t a s i n g l e the Regional Executive blackyouthshisgovernment Experts have concluded that charge or not charge. Not to roads and stadiums, but not official/administrator even Officer (REO) of the region killed during its 23 years in in Guyana, on both the mention that it is highly improve the living attempted to correct the should also be fired and the office. It is time for the coastal belt and in the corrupt like those in the conditions of the poor Truth indicated dangers In PPP/C government, which Amerindian people to revolt hinterland, disaster government. However, in be told, he has chosen November 2022, the Fire controls the regional against them and not accept preparedness is sadly close Guyana, fire safety is the infrastructure over the lives Department issued warnings administration, should their bribes, but demand to to non-existent and that no most salient avenue where of the people which in his and with a follow up visit in accept full responsibility for have full control of the concrete has been made over preventative measures and own words: this is not February 2023, only to find the loss of those young territory and to govern the years to train individuals evacuation procedures exist negotiable. o u t t h a t t h e i r children’slives.Iampuzzled themselves. The truth is, orimplementone. in Flintstone era The Regards, recommendations were cast as to why the honcho and de since independence in May Little rains produce President and his honcho Leyland Chitlall aside and not implemented. facto president who controls 1966, which is almost 60 massivefloodingasdrainage ought to know that Guyana

Roopnaraine

If this is not criminal e v e r y f a c e t o f t h e years ago, both the PPP and p u m p s r e g u l a r l y needs to have proper fire RealEstateBuilder negligence by the local government and who PNC governments have malfunction and trenches, trucks, high pressure fire NewYork government minister and by comments on every little extension the government, issue has remained silent. then what is? The student Thepeopleshouldknowthat who set the fire has been he will speak on the death of charged, but others need to the children only when the be charged also for the 20 issue appears to be quiet preciousandyoungliveslost down, and when he does, it in the deadly inferno. We will be the most foolish, know that this is not a caring idiotic, unwise, absurd, and government, but those bizarre statement ever This government employees twist is like the asinine, whose duty was to care for moron, and foolhardy the students are culpable, m i n i s t e r o f l o c a l because they did not do due government. diligence to protect the One resident on video children entrusted to their alleges that the Minister of care. Amerindian Affairs had

Let it be known that the from time to time visited ministry responsible for the Mahdia but never met with untimely death of those thepeopleorevenvisitedthe c h i l d r e n i s L o c a l community but goes out at Government, headed by a nightstogamble.Sheshould classical misfit and a be investigated because it is

Govt.sweatingoverrevenueshortfallif...

From page 3 royalties of Guyana’s $700,000,000 in Guyana’s cost electricity to the that Guyana will lead the second quarterly receipt (or economyannually Guyanese public The list of top 5 countries 2 0 2 3 a m o u n t e d t o

The attorney noted that supply the onshore worldwide with the fastest GY$11,104,059,000 The the offshore operations have operations will come from growing economies up to at two payments of profit-oil benefited Guyana in terms E E P G L’s o f f s h o r e least 2026; that oil amounted to approximately of budgetary support as well operations.” “This Project, production rose from GY$30,914,550,000" the as a huge avenue for private whoseinvestmentvalueisin virtually zero in 2019 to Stateattorneyadded. sectorinvestment. the vicinity of USD over 151,000 barrels per Accordingtothelawyer, In short, she noted that $1,700,000,000 will be day in 2023; and, that the the call for the provision of the functionality of this placed in severe jeopardy if World Bank projects output the parent guarantee can industry is inextricably the offshore operations are is expected to rise well affect the country’s Gross bound to the fiscal, suspended,” the lawyer beyond 400,000 barrels per Domestic Product (GDP) economic, social and added. dayby2024asnewprojects which jumped from 5.4% in infrastructural well-being of As a result of the reason comeonstream 2019 to the 62.5% growth the State of Guyana and its given, the lawyer said the “…As of the 30th day of rate of the economy as at people. “Additionally, the State has been able to April 2023, Guyana 2022 following the GovernmentandEEPGLare establish a strong case to received Payments for four commencement of oil engaged in the design, qualify as interested parties lifts of profit-oil The production. construction and building of who have a direct, vested opening balance of the NRF Additionally, the a Gas-to-Shore Project interest and will be severely s t o o d a t G Y attorney said that the Local intending to convert natural affected by, the outcome of $305,363,388,000 The Content Act, some USD to provide inter alia, low- theproceedings.

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Jagdeoisrunning outofexcuses!

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First, it was sanctity of contracts.

Next came the excuse that renegotiation would chase investors.

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Exxon itself has admitted that it would not turn away from the wealth discovered in Guyana easily, but Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has pulled another excuse from his bag!

Momentum!Any changes to the contract could kill the momentum he claims.

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When will our nation and people enjoy the resources bequeathed to us by the Creator, or was this blessing only intended for the oil companies, Jagdeo and his cronies?

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Pres. of the Dominican Republic, delegation arrive in Guyana for bilateral discussions

P r e s i d e n t o f t h e A m b a s s a d o r o f t h e inauguration of the Dominican Republic, Luis Dominican Republic in Dominican Republic Abinader, and his delegation Trinidad and Tobago, embassyThursdayevening. arrived in Guyana Thursday Wellington Bencosme; and P r i m e M i n i s t e r , to engage His Excellency, other officials are among the Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark establishing an embassy in be made easier, and and the Dominican Republic Dr MohamedIrfaanAli,and visitingteam. PhillipsgreetingPresidentof Guyana later this year The experienceswillbesharedin inOctober1970. his team, to strengthen A p a r t f r o m t h e the Dominican Republic, two nations fortified their a variety of sectors, The visiting delegation bilateral ties in several areas presidential engagement, Luis Abinader upon his ties with the signing of a including energy and was greeted by Prime ofdevelopment. PresidentAbinaderwillmeet arrivalinGuyana M e m o r a n d u m o f mining, logistics, air, sea, Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), The delegation arrived with private sector members During his budget 2023 Understanding (MoU) in and land transportation, Mark Phillips; Minister on the inaugural Dominican of both Guyana and the debate presentation, September 2022 for a tourism, agriculture, Todd, and Permanent Republic-based airline, Dominican Republic at the Minister of Foreign Affairs bilateralcooperationplan. manufacturing, investment Secretary of the Ministry of SkyCana. Arthur Chung Conference a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l

Through the MoU, growth, and private sector Foreign Affairs and Dominican Republic’s Centre(ACCC). Cooperation, Hugh Todd opportunities will be expansion. International Cooperation, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The foreign president stated that the Dominican examined, capacities will be Diplomatic ties were Elisabeth Harper, among R o b e r t o A l v a r e z ; will also attend the R e p u b l i c w o u l d b e

developed, partnerships will established between Guyana others.(DPI)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips greeting President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader upon his arrival in Guyana

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips and President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader

Leaders and misleaders

In his interview last Saturday on The Glenn Lall Show, PLO Lumumba, the iconic anti-corruption activist, said thatmanyofthepersonswho occupypublicofficecannot, in good conscience, be referred to as leaders. He referred to those who oversee the plunder of their country’s resources by foreign agents while their citizens wallow in poverty, asmisleaders.

Political leaders are supposed to prioritize the publicinterestandmakethis supreme over personal gain. However, we have seen so often situations where the personal interests of leaders supersede that of citizens. This is one of the reasons whyitissodifficultforsome political leaders to resign. They do not wish to give up the personal benefits and perquisiteswhichcomewith publicoffice.

Some of them obtain all manner of gifts, including household items and personal jewellery, on accountofthepositionsthey hold.Thereisareluctanceto givethisup.

But even sadder is when some of these same leaders pretend that they are workingintheinterestofthe public to the point where they lie and mislead them. Instead of working for the benefit of the people, their primaryinterestistofilltheir ownpockets.

Years ago, there was a man named Dr. Walter Ramsahoye who said that persons who are elected to public office should commit toleavingofficepoorerthan whentheyentered.

Howmanyofourleaders can truly say that they have less money when they leave

office than when they assumedoffice?

When our leaders permit the exploitation of the country’s resources on unfairterms;whentheydo so while their people, as Lumumba says, wallow in poverty,theyarefailingin a fundamental duty: they are betraying the public trust And in so doing, they are perpetuating poverty and inequality rather than eradicating them

Guyana’s wealth is its resources But when this wealth is handed out on a platter to foreign companies then siphon off this wealth to enrich themselves at the expense of the people; when these foreign agents reap enormous benefits while giving back very little to the country; and when this i s d o n e w i t h t h e connivance of a country’s political leaders, this amounts to undermining thecountry’sdevelopment.

Political leaders, who cannot protect the country’s patrimony, are eroding nationalsovereignty

And this is particularly dangerous for a country like Guyana which has neighbourswhohaveclaims onitsterritory

When these neighbours see our leaders acting weakly when dealing with foreign companies, it emboldens them to take actionthatthreatensnational security

But even more so when foreign multinationals have a free-for-all with our resources, our leaders begin to lose control over the management of those resources.

Itiseasytorecognizethe

Dem boys seh...

misleaders in our society

They emphasize short-term gainsoverlong-termimpact.

They are looking to maximize revenues without carefully considering the long-term effects of their decisions.

As a result, the natural wealth that could have been harnessed for the benefit of their people is leeched leaving very little forfuturegenerations.

Yet, it is these same leaders who like to speak about sustainable development.

Allowing a country’s resources to be plundered while people live in need r e p r e s e n t s p o o r leadership

The wealth of a country should be used to improve the standard of living of the people, not to enrich a few andfavouredclasses.

Today,itissadtoseeoilrich countries in which peoplearestillscrounging toearnalivelihood

It is sad to see oil executives dining in the finestlocalrestaurantswhile the poor people are getting excited about who is selling the best egg balls in the country

Itisdeplorabletoseethe nation’s wealth being drained away while the people are left with scraps andcrumbs.

Noonewantsunrestand instability But the experience has been that when social disparities become wider and wider, they often lead to a loss of confidence in leaders and this is one of the main sources of instability and socialupheavals.

Lumumba was right leaders, who fail to protect their country’s national

Politics is like a circus

Politics is now like a circus.Wegatsomeleaders, dem is like ringmasters, leading us to the dungeons ofpoverty

Some of dem are gifted with sweet tongues. Their flamboyant speeches, cunning manoeuvres, and m e s m e r i z i n g performances, take us on a merry-go-round to an unknown destination. We startoneplace,goaroundin circles and end up in the same place. But as the confetti settles and the circus tent deflates, one can’t help but wonder: “Where,ohwhere,arethey leadingus?”

Ourpoliticalleadersare like Pied Pipers Dem wordsarelikedesoundofa flute, luring us along with dem sweet promises and catchy slogans They present themselves as our deliverers and champions but the only thing nuff of dem championing is dem self-interest.

Someofdemdoeswalk and dance in a tightrope of hypocrisy

Dem promise to get rid of corruption but nuff of dem pockets bulging. They preach about equality, but thegapbetweenderichand depoorgettingwiderevery day

resources from plunder while the people live in poverty,areunworthyofthe titleofleader

Those leaders who put foreign interests above that of their people, who seek

personal rather than public gain and those who fail to protect the country’s wealth are guilty of betraying the publictrust. They cannot and should notbereferredtoasleaders.

Someofdempromiseto protect de environment but dem supporting activities d a t d a m a g i n g d e atmosphere. Some of dem saying one thing and doing another

But dese guys are also good gymnasts When faced with uncomfortable questions, dem does twist, turn, dodge, flip, flop and bob and weave as if dem waist and back mek out of rubber Dem tekking us for aride.Wearetheunwitting passengers in this chaotic ride,clutchingourseatsand praying that the destination isn’tacliffedge. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

ItistimeallGuyanese President Ali who had once prefer not to have a drop of that he is now the palest of P r e s i d e n t recognisewherethey spoken thunderously about oil out there, rather than pale shadows? Who has Routledge instruct a r e , w h a t h a s oil is now as timid as a turtle beholdmybrother,myChief whispered sweet romances that they be. For the

happened to them. existing on its back. How Oil Minister, my former in his ear? What has taken pleasure of the skeptics

They must pay homage helpless and toothless (and head of state reduced to this over his head? What stills and cynics, check out where homage is due. To the v o i c e l e s s ) h a s H i s ramshackle state. I would his mind and his hands? Guyana’s Environmental this country Return to one national leader who Excellency been? Vice liketoincludeMr Routledge Direct those at President Protection Agency It is Excellency Ali, VP Jagdeo, matters, who dictates the President Jagdeo, a former in my circle of brothers, but Routledge, not at me, sir shakier, more suspect, and and OL Norton, and study temperature and texture of nationalleaderofunequalled am fearful of being insulted. Look at us today Dr Jagdeo more porous than the them and check the result. theirlives.Sorry,itisnotHis hostility and aggression I can hear the curse in Esso holds tremendous sway over MazaruniPrison. Whoisthebossaroundhere? Excellency, the Mighty against anything and any Guyana Land: ‘Brother? I the Speaker of the National Oh, one more thing Who is calling the shots in PresidentAli. Regrets again, Guyanese that moved is now know not that man.’ If he is Assembly Nobody should almost slipped by me. It is Guyana? Who most heavily it is not theAlmightyVP, Dr amodernMagellan. having a smooth day, there needaseeingeyedogtohear the hallowed Constitution of influences whose interests Jagdeo. My brother Bharat would be that contemptuous (yes, hear) the sounds that Guyana. I have good news and what takes precedence

Believe me, it pains to Jagdeo hastily and clumsily dismissal. If, God forbid, come out of the Speaker for all Guyanese, who have here? Commanding putthatoutbeforethepublic. navigates around and away President Routledge labours Because he says nothing, we long despised it with a precedence! It is not any of Whether liked or not, from oil. Brother Bharat with the agony of a have no parliament of passion The dreadful those three luminous whether known or not (or circumnavigates the oil toothache, instead of ‘that substance Because Burnham Constitution has Guyanese I named. Those anybody cares), the globe and when he does man’ it would be safe to President Routledge has now been replaced and who take patriotic objection President of Guyana is Mr return to Guyana (and earth) substitute‘thatdog.’ Itisthe messaged Dr Jagdeo on his superseded by President can do so on Facebook, or Alistair Routledge, he has nothing to give to the prerogative of Presidents, expectations, we have the Routledge’s vaunted 2016 whichever bastion of truth, President of ExxonMobil Guyanese people when their and Mr Routledge has been kind of parliament we have, oil contract. Forget that one democracy, and the Guyanaandtothismasterall oil patrimony tops the list of given those instruments by and a gaggle of members to from England’s King Guyanese way to which they must kneel.Those who can’t theirinterests. Messrs. (sorry, doctors) Ali confirm the interpretations Richard about a horse for a flee to take up asylum. All kneel better prostrate Before President andJagdeo. Ifanyonethinks and conclusions about that kingdom, Guyana did better: rise! All hail Alistair themselves. Routledge can gather his that I am going to spare my house of the people. I don’t it got a contract from King Routledge. Goodbye, Mr President Routledge has thoughts on some new sales other brother, Mr Aubrey wish to stain it further and Alistair I for a constitution. President, Mr Exxon. Me the citizenship that counts- pitch to mesmerize naïve Norton,perishthethought. say it is a ‘baad’ house, I Whatever the Exxon ain’tgatprice… oil citizenship. The same oil Guyanese, could get his Where is Mr Norton, by simply say that it is not a contract promulgates, that empowers Exxon to words lined up, Vice the way? When will he good one. The people lose Guyanese subservient reign majestically over President Jagdeo jumps in object to these accumulating again. They always do, politicalleadersfumigate. Guyana and Guyanese. For front of the American barbarisms at the hands of don’t they? Thanks for Guyanese had better get the doubters, try this reason, Caesar, and says ‘let me do Exxo

t some sense, get real and determine for selves, the heavy lifting, carry the Routledge? Whathasgotten Routledge. In sum, oil laws Whatever President how irrefutable it is bags. Speakingformyself,I into the Opposition Leader and oil regulations are what Routledge says is what is in

Let’sbowlowbeforeGuyana’sPresident;therealone Guyana’s maritime, oil and gas sectors boosted with two new tugboats

Gu y a n a ’ s christened the vessels and maritime and oil noted that they will play a and gas sectors’ vital role in supporting the

capacity has oil and gas sector. “We have been boosted as supply what it takes now as a vessel company % G-Boats nation to use our resources launched two brand new to make sure this country tugboats at the G-Port Inc. develops equitably and w h a r f K i n g s t o n , equally rapidly and I Georgetown,onWednesday believe we have that

The vessels will be used evidence before us,” she to support the operations of said.

oil and gas giant and She expressed happiness Stabroek Block operator thatschoolswereinvolvedin ExxonMobil, in towing or the naming process through guiding larger ships, barges, theeducationministry “Our and Floating Production children,ouryoungpeople, Storage and Offloading as representatives of all of vessels (FPSOs) into their Guyana’s children were allotteddockspaces. able to leave a mark on

The vessels A’RINRA these vessels that will go on and MADAM KALINA to do much more than we were decided from a can possibly imagine, or competition held within even predict here. So, I is pleased with the honoured to be here to energy sector, numerous and the $2.5 billion Motor schools in Guyana. Students thank you for involving investment Edison Chouest develop those. These tugs companies from around the Vessel Ma Lisha, a ferry that countrywidewereallowedto Guyana’s schools,” Offshore and the John symbolise the development w o r l d , i n c l u d i n g will ply the Barimasubmitnamesandmeanings, Minister Manickchand Fernandes Group have made of the oil and gas, and the shipbuilding ones like G- Waini/Georgetown route and two students stated. tobuildandbringthevessels partnerships it takes to Boats, have taken an interest Both President, Dr

Raymond De Cambra from PresidentofExxonMobil to Guyana “They are deliverthat,”hesaid. in the country These include Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and St. Ignatius Secondary and Guyana, Alistair Routledge supporting the essential G-Boats is a subsidiary F P S O c o n s t r u c t i o n Minister of Public Works, Kaylan Duncan from stated that the vessels are a work that goes on to deliver of Edison Chouest Offshore, companies and builders of Bishop Juan Edghill, have Brickdam Secondary, won testament to the unique the development of a global company that smaller vessels and ferries. expressed their intentions to the privilege of naming the bilateral relationship that Guyana’s natural resources. provides supply vessels to Just recently, Guyana further the expansion and twoboats. Guyana shares with not only Guyana has been blessed oil and gas operators around welcomed the $535 million modernisation of the Minister of Education, ExxonMobil but the United with beautiful oil and gas the world As Guyana’s Pilot Boat Arapaima to take country’s maritime sector in P r i y a M a n i c k c h a n d States as a whole. He said he resources, and we are economy grows with its ship pilots out to their boats; thefuture. (DPI)

The A’RINRA vessel

Govt., PAHO advance talks on mental health, NCDs

TheMinistryofHealth’s PublicInformation(DPI) Chronic Disease Unit has Dr Anthony highlighted advanced discussions with the need for aggressive the Pan American Health implementation, expansion, Organisation (PAHO) to data coverage, projections strengthen collaboration at for the HEARTS technical the country level, in p a c k a g e s , a n d t h e addressing mental health strengthening of medication and non-communicable logisticsfordiabeticcare. diseases(NCDs). TheHealthMinisteralso

The latest consultation emphasised the need for an was held at Herdmanston e f f e c t i v e a n d Lodge, Queenstown, comprehensive data Georgetown on Wednesday collection system for NCDs where the Minister, Dr and other improvements in F r a n k A n t h o n y theareaofNCDsandmental acknowledged that while health. work is being done within Minister Anthony the department to combat thanked PAHO for its NCDs and mental health, ongoing support in more effort is needed, advancing the nation’s particularly in the area of healthsector chronicdiseases.

P A H O / W H O

“Chronic disease is one Representative, Dr Luis of those areas that has Codina; Director of Nongenerally been neglected Communicable Diseases We have plans in place to and Mental Health at PAHO control and hopefully R e g i o n a l O f f i c e , reduce them as public WashingtonDC,Dr Anselm health threats, but when Hennis; Chief Medical you look at what’s being Officer, Dr Narine Singh; done with chronic disease, Specialist, NCDs and it’s done by doctors at Family Health at PAHO/ clinics and not with any WHO, Karen Roberts; strategic vision in D i r e c t o r o f N o nmind…and based on our Communicable Diseases at mortality/mobility profile, the Ministry of Health, Dr. eventually, as we’ve seen Latchmie Lall; Mental from the presentations, the H e a l t h P r o g r a m m e burden is really on the Coordinator, Dr Timothy chronic disease,” the Morgan and other staff from minister pointed out, the ministry and PAHO according to a press release were also present at the by the Department of meeting.

Region Five residents benefitting from more TVET programmes

More Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programmes were rolled out on Tuesday through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in Moraikobai village, RegionFive.

Thenewcoursesincludeelectricalinstallationandjoinery Some 15 persons have registered for the electrical installation classes,whileanother25signedupforjoinery

Additionally,anewbatchof17personswasenrolledinthe commercial food preparation programme which was being offered previously The programmes will help residents to enhance and develop their technical skills and take up employmentatvariousentities.Insomecases,personswillbe abletoestablishorexpandtheirbusinesses.

The new programmes were agreed upon by the village Toshao and other representatives after carefully assessing the needs of residents there. On Wednesday, 32 persons from the village graduated from similar programmes which include boatbuildingandgarmentconstruction.

Fromthatbatch,atotalof14personsreceivedcertificates incommercialfoodpreparationandninegraduatedingarment construction and boat building collectively The rolling out of these programmes by the ministry serves as a way of improving the lives of persons in far reached communities. The Ministry of Labour has disclosed a total of 312 persons from Region Five benefitted from these programmes in 2022. These programmes were implemented by the government to ensure that everyone has access to training opportunities to gainlifeskills. (DPI)

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and officials of PAHO

Ramsammy urges full implementation of Tobacco Control Act …wantstobaccocompaniestobetaxedmore

Guyana’s Presidential still being cultivated; it is, and kills us because of direct He added, the health, Commission on the like climate change, a use; it affects our health and environmental and climate Prevention and Control of collective responsibility well-being because it is also change threat must be the Non communication The UN must play a bigger an environmental hazard stopped now In April, local diseases on Wednesday role in countries being able “Six trillion cigarettes are tobacco company Demerara called for more concerted to switch from tobacco produced every year The Tobacco Company Limited actions to end the ravages of cultivation to support food tobacco crops that produce (DEMTOCO) announced a tobacco. security.” enough leaves for this s t r o n g o p e r a t i o n a l

Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Dr Ramsammy joined purpose can support the performance for the second the Chairperson of the the Ministry of Health cultivation of 600 million consecutive year achieving Commission in a statement (MOH) and others to trees that could serve as a 3 6% volume growth onWednesdayinobservance observe No Tobacco Day carbon sink. Indeed, tobacco compared to the previous of the United Nations (UN) and to reaffirm the usecontributesmorethan84 year WorldNoTobaccoDaysaid: Commission’s firm stance million tons of CO2 It was reported that the “we have made little to no that Guyana needs to fully annually The tobacco company’s revenue growth progress in meeting this implement Guyana’s industry depletes the world increased by 5.8% to $7.7 agreed to obligation fifteen Tobacco Control Act 2017. of more than 30 billion tons billion, which is mainly years after we agreed.” “The A c c o r d i n g t o D r of water Tobacco use leads driven by improvements to world needs to grow more Ramsammy, six years after to more than 800 million portfolio mix and volume food.Howmanyofusrealise theActwasenacted,Guyana kilograms of cigarette butts increases,resultingina2.5% that more than 200,000 is yet to fully implement the in trash annually,” Dr. increase in earnings per hectares of land today are provisions of the Act. As Ramsammyexplained. share. utilised globally to cultivate such, the Commission urged tobacco leaves to produce the Ministry of Health and more than six trillion other implementing cigaretteseveryyear?Thisis agencies to ensure the full land that could be used to implementationoftheAct. increase food security. “We are spending Articles 17 and 18 of the millions in the fight against F C T C ( F r a m e w o r k suicide, yet we insist on Convention on Tobacco permitting tobacco to kill C o n t r o l ) c a l l o n people. It is senseless. We governments around the even are reluctant to raise world to ensure they work taxes on this killer In our collectively to ensure own country, between 2015 farmers who depend on and 2020, we introduced tobacco cultivation are new taxes and raised old supported to switch to ones,butwedidnotincrease producing other crops taxation on tobacco without losing their products. The Commission livelihoods,” the President again advocated for an oftheCommissionoutlined. increase in tobacco taxation He continued: “This is in Guyana,” he argued. He not an obligation only of highlighted that tobacco countries where tobacco is does not affect our health

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

…seek enhanced collaboration in several other areas

Guyana, Dominican Republic sign pact on energy cooperation

G u y a n a a n d t h e Abinader and his delegation of Foreign Affairs in the Guyana and the Ministry of Dominican Republic on of high-level Government conclusion of three bilateral Foreign Affairs of the T h u r s d a y s i g n e d a Officialsandmembersofthe agreements and witnessed Dominican Republic and M e m o r a n d u m o f private sector are presently their signing of two MOUs, a n o t h e r o n E n e rg y Understanding (MOU) to in Guyana. According to a oneonPoliticalConsultation Cooperation.Notably,anAir deepen cooperation on joint statement President of between the Ministry of Services Agreement energy Guyana Irfaan Ali and Foreign Affairs and between the two countries P r e s i d e n t o f t h e President Abinader lauded International Cooperation of wasalsosigned. Dominican Republic Luis the efforts of their Ministries theCo-operativeRepublicof The presidents engaged in discussions that focused on enhancing bilateral relations between the two countriesandexpressedtheir commitment to pursue greater collaboration, particularly in the areas of energy, agriculture, tourism, trade,ICT,infrastructureand industry, the joint statement added. Also, Presidents Ali the accreditation of the statementread. and Abinader agreed to resident Ambassador, H.E President Ali welcomed establish a high-level Ernesto Torres Pereyra as a the keen interest of the working group to advance tangible step in relations private sector from the and monitor the various which will augur well for Dominican Republic in areas identified for enhanced cooperation and Guyana. It was stated that cooperation. facilitate opportunities for both presidents recognised

The presidents hailed the further engagement in the the important contribution e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a advancement of the bilateral which the private sectors of Dominican Republic agenda between Guyana and thetwocountriescould Embassy in Georgetown and the Dominican Republic, the (Continued on page 22)

Sons slept in house for days with father’s decomposing body

…stench led neighbours to dead man; relatives suspect foul play

By

Shervin Belgrave

Tstench began affecting the neighbourhood and they he sons of a man began searching for the slept in a house at source of the smell. The

Zeelught, West stenchreportedlyledthemto Coast Demerara (WCD) Narine’s house and they with his decomposing body found his sons home for two days until a strong Kaieteur News understands stenchledneighbourstofind that the neighbours told the himdead. men that a strong stench was

The dead man has been coming from their house and identified as 74-year-old asked them to make checks. Oudit Narine of Lot 240, Oneofthesons,theyclaimed Zeelugt, Public Road,WCD. ranupstairsimmediatelyand Narine’s decomposing then returned saying “Oh s..t remains were found around mehfatherdeadupthere.” 09:00 hrs on Sunday, May Theyallegedtoothatthat 21. Photos seen by Kaieteur night of Thursday May 18. the other son exclaimed, News depicted the body They reportedly alleged that “You know I tell he I see slumped over on the knees Narine was seen involved in something like blood beside a toilet bowl in a scuffle with one of his sons drippingfromupstairsbuthe Narine’s bathroom located that evening. He never came seh is nah nothing”. Police on the second flat of his two- outofhishouseagainandthe were called in and the body storey home. Blood was also neighbours found that wasremoved. seen dripping from the suspicious because Narine Investigators are not mouth. normally woke early in the ruling out foul play and had

Anautopsyconductedon mornings to pluck chicken detained the sons but were his remains revealed that he which he would then take to forced to release them on had suffered a massive heart sellatalocalmarket. station bail after the autopsy attack compounded by blunt Nevertheless, with the revealed that heart attack trauma to the head. Despite activepresenceofhissonsin was the main cause of his the results, Narine’s sister, the house, the neighbours death. Kaieteur News was Lakwattie Fernandes and brushed away their told that police are in the other relatives suspect foul suspicions believing that processofpreparingafilefor play Fernandes said that Narine was not well and legal advice on the way Narine’sneighboursrecalled chose to stay indoors. A few f o r w a r d w i t h t h e last seeing him alive on the days later, however, a strong investigation.

(From left) President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader and President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali

Dead Oudit Narine

Schoolboys confess to setting Karasabai dorm on fire

- 17 female students, 2 dorm’s mothers escaped unharmed

Four male students have personal effects were also reportedly confessed to destroyed.At the time of the setting fire to the St. Angela fire, the building was Girls’ Hostel located in occupied by 17 female Karasabai Village, Region students ages 11 to 16 and Nine, during the wee hours twodorms’mothers. ofThursday Firefighters from the

The inferno comes less Lethem Fire Station than two weeks after a fire at accompanied by the police the female dormitory at the arrived on the scene around Mahdia Secondary School 06:30 hours to carry out located in Region Eight investigationsandensurethe killed 19 girls and a five- fire was extinguished year-oldboy completely Notably, it was Reporting on the recent decided that the displaced incident, the Guyana Fire students be housed in the Service (GFS) revealed that Karasabai Hostel while the fire occurred between replacement furniture, and 02:30 hours and 03:15 hours care packages are being sent on June 1. It was stated that into the village. The GFS around 03:15 hours, a thanked the residents of student woke up to use the Karasabai who came out in washroom when she their numbers to assist in the discovered the building on evacuationprocessaswellas fire and raised an alarm. The containingthefire. Fire Service reported that Fortheirpart,theGuyana quick action by the dorm’s Police Force (GPF) in a mothers and villagers statement claimed that the resulted in all of the four male students had occupants of the building threatened to set fire to the being evacuated in a safe building after they were manner The building was chased from the premises by partially destroyed by the the caretaker It was further fire and a quantity of books, statedthattheboyson beds, clothing, other (Continued on page 19)

St. Angela Girls’ Hostel on fire

The aftermath of the fire

victims of Mahdia dorm fire laid to rest

The last 11 victims of the Mahdia fire were Edwards, Arianna Edwards and Sherana on Thursday laid to rest in their village of Daniels. Micobie,RegionEight.

On Wednesday, government officials Kaieteur News had reported that 20 witnessed the burial of four girls from the children–19girlsandafive-year-oldboywere villageofChenapouVillage,RegionEightand killed following the fire at the Mahdia the lone boyAdonijah Jerome of Micobie who Secondary School female dormitory on May was buried in Georgetown Those from 21, 2023. On Thursday, President Irfaan Ali Chenapou were twin sisters Marth and Mary was among Cabinet members who joined D’Andrade, Eulanda Carter and Omefia family and residents of Mahdia to bid final Edwin. farewell to the eleven girls. Those who were On Tuesday, three of the victims from buried yesterday were: Natalie Bellarmine, Karisparu Village were laid to rest. They were Andrea Roberts, Lorita Williams, Nickleen Rita Jeffrey, Belnissa and Loreen Evans. Last Robinson, Sherlyn Bellarmine, Lisa Robert, week, the first funeral of the 20 children was Cleoma Simon, Tracil Thomas, Delecia thatofSubrinaJohnofKarisparu.

5-year-old Adonijah Jerome who was killed in the fire and was buried on Wednesday.

Sherana Daniels of Micobie Village who was laid to rest on Thursday.

Natalie Bellarmine who was laid to rest in her village of Micobie on Thursday.

Eulanda Carter who was laid to rest on Wednesday at Chenapou Village.

The burial service for the 11 victims from Micobie Village who were laid to rest on Thursday

First Tobacco Cessation Clinic opens at Industry Health Centre

- programme to be rolled out at 10 other health centres

Recognising that At the launching having challenges trying to Minister Anthony technical package,’ which important and the habits smoking is one of the many c e r e m o n y h e l d i n quit. So, that’s why these explainedthatthisformspart will provide effective and that people develop, those risk factors for chronic non- observance of World No clinics are so important of a holistic programme that practical interventions to harmful habits we need to communicable diseases, the Tobacco Day, Minister, Dr because if they need that is being executed by the strengthen the management help them reduce, and Ministry of Health on Frank Anthony explained extra help, then the clinic ministry, through the of non-communicable smokingobviouslyisoneof Wednesday opened its first t h a t i n G u y a n a will be there for them,” C h r o n i c N o n - diseases in primary those. Exercising is Tobacco Cessation Clinic, at cardiovascular diseases and Minister Anthony pointed Communicable Diseases healthcare systems anotherthingthatwegotto theIndustryHealthCentre. hypertension are two of the out. Department, to reduce the Additionally, healthcare get people to do,” Dr

The clinic is designed to main causes of deaths Healthcare workers will illnesses associated with workers must aid persons in Anthony expressed This help patients break the habit “Smoking is one of the receive training in cessation thesetypesofdiseases. adopting healthy lifestyle year’s World No Tobacco of smoking tobacco through many risk factors that before the programme is The health ministry in practices such as decreasing Day is being observed under individual counselling and contribute to people rolled out in the other health collaboration with PAHO theintakeofsugarandsalt. the theme: ‘Grow food, not drug therapy with the gettingsomeofthesethings centres. launched the ‘Hearts “Food is extremely tobacco.’(DPI) s u p p o r t o f c a r i n g and we have been working professionals. It will soon be very hard to try to get rolled out in ten other health people to understand these centres across the country, risks. signalling the government’s “However, when we dedication to eradicating raise awareness, many chronic non-communicable persons would tell you that diseases. on their own, they’re

Schoolboys confess...

From page 16 Rupununi District Council Thursday morning set their (SRDC) in a statement had planinmotionandexecuted urged everyone to support same. a n d a d v o c a t e f o r

Notably, all the female dormitories with proper students that were in the infrastructure and safety building managed to escape procedures for children safely An alarm was raised seeking education The and ranks of the Karasabai council said: “numerous Police Station and villagers concerns have been made formedabucketbrigadeand regarding the dormitories, extinguishedthefire. including the availability of

According to police, the healthy and sufficient food, four alleged suspects were access to fresh and clean contacted and interviewed water, electricity, security, bythepoliceinthepresence proper utilities and o f t h e R e g i o n a l furniture, layout and design Commander, the Regional of the buildings, and overall Education Officer (REO) living arrangement of the and their parents. The four students.” students reportedly They also called for a confessed to the planning thoroughinvestigationofall and execution of the crime. dormitories and for prompt They are presently in remedial actions be taken to custody assisting with improvethesituation. furtherinvestigations. T h e c o u n c i l

According to a resident r e c o m m e n d e d t h e of Karasabai, while the following: students escaped unharmed, 1) The occupational, they were not able to save health and safety standards any personal items. The be vastly improved with residentdisclosedthatwhen emergency plans and the fire started, residents equipmentbeinplace. nearby were alerted but by 2)Replaceallsteelgrills thattimethefirehadalready with less hazardous spread.Itwasexplainedthat constructionmaterials. there is only one fire tender

3) Improve sleeping in the region which is based conditionsforstudents. in Lethem - some three to 4)Foreverydormitory,a four hours away from welfare officer be stationed KarasabaiVillage. to provide the necessary

Following news of the supporttothestudents. fire, Minister of Home 5) Increase the number Affairs, Robeson Benn of caretakers at the dorms alongwithofficialsfromthe andcarryouttrainingsothat Fire Service, Minister of they can adequately carry E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a outtheirduties.

Manickchand, and other 6) Appropriate and officials, headed to adequate food supply for Karasabai Village They students. carried out investigations 7)An enhanced team be andengagedresidents. established to monitor the Followingthetragedyin dormitories across the Mahdia, the South hinterland.

Owner of Hill Foot land says squatters were given ample time to move

The owner of the lands at Hill Foot, Linden Soesdyke Highway where approximately 20 homes were destroyed on Wednesday is claiming that the citizens who have taken up illegal residence there were served with notices over a yearagotorelocate.

The citizens blocked a section of the Highway on Wednesday evening, in an attempt to get government to intervene. Kaieteur News understandsthattheresidents returned to the Linden Highway yesterday and again burned tyres and other materials, blocking the free flow of vehicular traffic. This publication understands that two police officers were assaulted during a standoff with the

she became frustrated and visited Linden Highway after their homes protestors on the Linden Highway her Linden Highway land with weredemolishedjustafterlunchon According to reports on the scene, Court Marshalls on May 20, 2023

Wednesday Some parents were at least 80 civilians, including when they were attacked by the forced to hold their babies in their males and females, were involved residents. “On the second attempt, arms as they contemplated their intheprotestonThursday Itisalso myself, porters and court marshals next move. Some even were understood that a group of were attacked by these same unaware that their homes were displaced residents also visited people. Porters (were) beaten, two destroyed. “People come home Freedom House yesterday cars (were) completely vandalised, from their jobs to find their houses afternoon to meet with Vice having a narrow escape for our flat on the ground,” one man PresidentBharratJagdeo. lives. (We were) attacked with commented.

Ashley Al-Meen, the owner of cutlass, bats, bottles and jucker,” Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo the land in a statement shared with she alleged. The woman said a during his weekly press conference Kaieteur News on Thursday vehicle was left behind and was on Friday described the issue as a clarified that she acquired the 17severely damaged, with the battery private matter “At Hill Foot, we acre plot after taking over a bank evenstolen. hadnothingtodowiththat.Itwasa payment from the original owner,

In a more drastic move on May privateactionthatthepersontook.I Fred Hilton. She shared documents 31, 2023, the woman said she heard there may be police there with this publication to verify that thebankdon’thavetime-theyneed everyone on that 17-acres of land. I entered the area with members of because I saw this matter just the land was transferred to her and their money that’s how they have pleaded and pleaded but no the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in before I came up to the press herhusband,LawrenceAl-Meen. operate,”shesaid. one cooperated. They said I’m not an attempt for there to be order in conference.Wewouldinvestigateit

The woman in the statement

The woman said that after the owner ” Nevertheless, the theactivityshehadplanned. fully.” explained that the citizens who had struggling to pay off the loan, she woman said she paid for each

Meanwhile, she also sought to Opposition condemns already been living on the lands approached the Court to acquire an resident there to be issued a clarify that the video being “misuse of GPF” when she acquired it were given Order to remove the citizens from lawyer’s letter to remove from the circulatedonsocialmediaofamale The Opposition in a statement adequate notice to move. “I took it her land, as she was not benefiting property, over a year ago. She resident being apprehended by the saiditcondemnstheuseoftheGPF upon myself to enter into legal from the property and was claimsthatafterbeingservedtwice police came, was actually a man by the People’s Progressive Party agreements with Mr Hilton to pay mandated to make monthly with an Order to remove, the who had come out with a spear to (PPP) against its opponents to off completely what’s owed to the payments. Al-Meen pointed out, citizenseventorethelettersapartto attack the excavator operator In “enforce the wishes of the wealthy bank, otherwise those people “before entering the court, I had showtheirdisregard. fact, she said that the excavator at the expense of people in would have been thrown off meetings upon meetings with Subsequently, Al-Meen said operator was attacked through the poverty ” The opposition said: without notice or warning, because window causing damage to the “The demolition of ordinary machine. citizens’ homes at Hill Foot on the

The woman said she Soesdyke/Linden Highway is believes she has been working another manifestation that the PPP veryhardandthetimehascome government does not care for the for her to claim what it legally people of Guyana. What is more hers, especially since the saddening is that the regime is persons there had ample time to prepared to arm the Guyana Police vacate her property She said: Force and use force against the “rich, poor, average, struggling people of Guyana rather than whatever the case may be, I addresstherealchallengesthatface want to know would anyone at themassofpeople.” allbeabletoenduretheyearsof Incallingongovernmenttoend hardship I have faced with this politicization of the Guyana Police issue? Would anyone want Force, the Opposition said the other people bullying them for destruction of people’s property by what’s legally theirs? Would the regime and its friends, families anyone want to be paying for and favourites is unacceptable and something they are unable to must be condemned by all. “Even benefitfrom?” worst is the use of the Guyana

Al-Meen also noted that Police Force to intimidate and these citizens should not be shoot innocent civilians. It is the burningtheroadwaysandcause courts’ responsibility to enforce stress to citizens for simply court orders and not the Guyana refusing to adhere to the law, Police Force. The Guyana Police after having ample time to do Force’s role is to maintain law and so. Kaieteur News reported in orderandnottoturnupasashowof its Thursday edition that the force and initiate disorder,” the citizenswerelefttosleeponthe Oppositionadded.

Legal owner of the Linden Highway land, Ashley Al-Meen

The vehicles reportedly vandalized by citizens illegally residing at Hill Foot

Displaced residents of Hill Foot burn tyres along the Linden Highway

WANTED VACANCY

Canter Drivers needed, must have car, van & lorry license and atleast 3 yrs experience. Call: 644-7088/ 624-7248.

Hauler Drivers required, must have atleast 3 years experience. Call: 644-7088/ 6247248.

Taxi Drivers needed at Princess Taxi Service, Ramada Hotel. Must have hire car licence. Call: 265-7075/ 76 or 616-5419, 690-2242.

Cooks and Domestic Workers needed. Preferably from East Coast Demerara. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

One female needed for domestic work, residing on WCD/WBD. Call: 624-0239.

Machine Operator needed. Apply to RP'S Enterprise Area "K" Le Ressouvenir E.C.D. Call: 220-2818.

Two able-bodied Porters needed, $5,000 per day. Call: 223-9677.

Male & female needed to work at supermarket in the Interior. Must be 18 years & older. Call: 674-9999.

One Housekeeper needed. Must be 18 years & older. Call: 637-6846.

One Handyman needed. Must be 18 years & older. Call: 699-8486.

Guyana, Dominican Republic sign pact...

From page 14 make in advancing this agenda and encouraged increased collaboration and partnership between businesses of Guyana and the

Dominican Republic including increased investments by companies from both countries.

In this regard, they looked forward to the early commencement of commercial flights by Skycana which would provide the opportunity for increased tourism and greater ease of travel in and out of Guyana.

motion of human rights and sustainable development of their countries as paramount pillars for the maintenance of peace and security in the region.

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

Garment factory Worker needed. Attractive benefits offered and no experience needed. For more information Call: 226-2621.

Accounts Clerk needed. Must have a sound secondary education and 1-2 years Accounting experience. For more information Call: 2262621.

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

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

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

Male Personal Assistant needed. Must have atleast 5 years experience, driver's license & diploma in Business Management. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

SERVICES

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, 629-5526.

For all land clearance (grubbing), sand fill, housing plan and estimates. Call K. Lakeram Building Contractor: 692-8464 or whatsApp: 622-0267.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

Prime land for sale at No. 78, Corriverton, excellent location for business. Call: 6445072/ 690-4139.

30.991 acres land at Princess Caroline upper Demerara river west bank and Lot 17 Bushy Park Parika 275'x72' river and road access. Contact: 663-0800 or Email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

Suriname

The presidents also discussed issues of mutual interest and concern on the regional, hemispheric and multilateral agendas and undertook to strengthen their resolve to collectively work on advocating in the interest of Small Island Developing States to address challenges including food security, energy security and the impact of climate change. They expressed concerns over the great risks posed to their economies by sargassum and agreed to work together to find measures to mitigate the impact.

They reiterated the rule of law, protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect for democracy, the pro-

Both presidents noted each other’s post-Covid economic recovery efforts and underscored the value of continued engagement and advocacy at the international level for an enabling environment to facilitate the sustainable development of their countries. In reviewing the political situation in the Republic of Haiti, the presidents agreed that Haiti is an important member of the Caribbean family of nations. They, therefore, welcomed the establishment of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group on Haiti to be supported by a technical team. They pledged the full support of their Governments towards the achievement of political stability in Haiti.

Moreover, President Ali committed to paying a reciprocal visit to the Dominican Republic by the end of June 2023.

One canter Driver needed between Diamond and Grove. Call: 644-5957/ 645-4043.

One able- bodied male or female to work in a store. Call: 225-2313, 226-1497.

Domestic/ Maid needed. Preferably living on East Coast, must know to iron. Call: 653-0311 for more info.

Driver needed @ Beacon Cafe, 127 Quamina Street, Georgetown. Must have a valid driver's license, police clearance & 5 years experience. Call 225-9409/ 655-8944.

Vacancy exists for 2 Sales Staff at Innovations America. Call: 226-9416/ 679-7391.

Property @ Section H Huston, land size 160x80 with three storey building 2300 sq ft and land at Alliance road Timehri 120X600, river & road access. Contact: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

Land 90x600 @ section A Triumph backlands, Good Hope Mahaica 75X170, 816 Mon Repos housing scheme. Contact: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

259 acres land @ Susannah rust, river and road access, 32X600 section A Triumph backland and 110X792 (2 acres) Crabwood creek (Corentyne) Berbice. Contact: 663-0800 or email: ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

FOR RENT

Business place for rent at Vreed-en-hoop junction. Call: 603-6400.

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

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Property @ Good Hope on the Main road, land size 150x120, house is 8000 sq feet and Princess Street, Charlestown. Contact: 6630800,ssrinvestgy@gmail.com

FOR SALE

One Cook needed to work at restaurant in the Interior. Must be 25 years & older. Call: 686-2201. Pure honey, wholesale and retail quantity. Call: 6214273.

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

TOURS

tour "Bold Caricom weekend trip" to Suriname. June 30th (Fri) - July 3rd (Mon),2023. Call: 639-2663/ 673-2348.

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

Two firms bid to supervise construction of Jawalla Secondary School

Two consulting firms have submitted bids to supervise the construction of the Jawalla Secondary School, Region Seven. At the recent opening of tenders, it was disclosed that CB & Associates bid $57 million while Caribbean Engineering & Management Consultancy bid $24 million for the contract, The Ministry of Education is seeking a consultant to provide supervision services for the construction of a modern school building/

complex and a dormitory to house 500 students in classroom, 400 pupils in the dormitory and 40 teachers in teaching quarters at Jawalla.

Additionally, the successful contractor is expected to complete site development works, substructure works for the school building, substructure works for the dormitory, substructure works for the teacher quarter (two bedrooms and range style), superstructure, electrical works and finishes works, and lastly sanitation and plumbing

works. The new secondary school will be the second of its kind in the Upper Mazaruni District. When construction is completed, the issue of overcrowding at the DC Caesar Fox Secondary School in Waramadong is expected to subside.

Students from communities such as Kamarang and Philipai will also be afforded educational opportunities with the construction of the new Jawalla Secondary School. They are currently either not attending second-

ary school or are being educated in primary tops, a secondary department in a primary school.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand had stated previously that with the establishment of the secondary school, the Ministry will be able to close the primary top schools in Phillipai, Wax Creek, Chinoweing, Imbaimadai, Jawala, Quebanang, Kako and Kamarang.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Rifle, 79 live ammunition among items recovered from shootout with “Smallie”,

Among several items that were recov ered from the shootout with death-row convict Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie” and his accomplice Odel Roberts called “Gully Side”, was a M70 rifle and 79 rounds of live ammunition.

In an official statement, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed that the Joint Services ranks were able to set up a dragnet within the 33 Miles, Potaro Road, Bartica area while they remained in pursuit of Williams who had escaped from the heavily guarded Mazaruni Prison in broad daylight on May 19, 2023.

According to the police, during the morning of June 1, Williams and his accomplice, Roberts, were intercepted by a team of highly trained members of the Joint Services and a confrontation ensued during which both Williams and Roberts were shot fatally.

Notably, it was stated that none of the ranks was in-

accomplice

jured during the operation.

In addition to the rifle and ammunitions that were recovered the ranks recovered: One red shirt, One black trouser, One grey Tshirt, One yellow flowered shirt, One yellow long sleeve Jersey, One black T-shirt, One black belt, One silver blade knife, three Amoxcillin tablets, Three small batteries, One toothbrush, Three clothes pins, and One condom.

The bodies of Williams and Roberts were escorted out of the area to the mortuary in Georgetown, awaiting post mortem examination.

On Sunday, authorities had reported that one of the accomplices Neon Howard aka “Taxi” was shot and killed at St. Mary’s Landing located some miles from the Mazaruni Prison.

The Joint Services thanked all those individuals who provided invaluable support during the search for the escapee Williams and his accomplices.

Brazil posts record trade surplus in May on surging exports

Reuters - Brazil posted a $11.4 billion trade surplus in May, marking a record for any given month since the data series began in 1989, official data showed on Thursday.

The figure also came above the $9 billion surplus expected in a Reuters poll with economists, backed by a surge in the volume of exports that more than offset price drop s.

Herlon Brandao, the director of Foreign Trade Intelligence and Statistics at the ministry, attributed the significant boost in Brazilian exports to the country’s record-breaking agricultural harvest, with robust soybean shipm ents.

“This should cool down, but not much.

Ministry of Education Supervision services for the construction of a modern school building/ complex and a dormitory to house 500 students in classroom, 400 pupils in the dormitory and 40 teachers in teaching quarters at Jawalla, Region Seven.

According to the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, Brazilian exports totaled $33.1 billion in May, up 11.6% from the same month in 2022, to the highest value ever recorded in the entire series.

They were bolstered by significant double-digit growth in key commodities, including soybeans (+23%), crude oil (+21.4%), and sugar (+91.8%).

Meanwhile, imports fell by 12.1% in May, to $21.7 billion, added the ministry.

We still have the record corn crop coming in the next few months as well, so the volume shipped this year should grow,” he said at a news conference.

From January to May, the positive balance of trade soared by 39.1% compared to the same period last year, reaching $35.3 billion.

Following the ministry’s initial projection for a $84 billion trade surplus this year, Brandao said that the figure is expected to be changed in the upcoming review in July, considering more favorable export prospects.

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Construction of Multipurpose Hall at Mongrippa, Region Eight.

Construction of Multipurpose Hall at Mahdia.

Construction of Multipurpose Hall at Tabatinga, Region Nine.

Construction of Multipurpose Hall at Leonora, Region Three.

Construction of Multipurpose Hall at Mabaruma, Region One.

Office of the President Enclosure of ground floor at the National Intelligence and Security Agency.

Canada-based Guyanese Gaznabie grabs 6 wickets for Leguan Warriors at OSCL’s tournament

Right-arm bowler and Canadabased Guyanese

Javid Gaznabie started the 2023 Ontario Softball Cricket League’s (OSCL) Regular Season 20-overs tournament in auspicious manner grabbing six wickets for Leguan Warriors to help defeat Essequibo Coast Cricket Club by 91 runs.

In this Division B fixture played at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough, Ontario on Saturday, Gaznabie only conceded 11 runs during his destructive 4-overs spell as Essequibo Coast Cricket Club was bundled out for 54 in the 16th over in reply to Leguan Warriors’ competitive 152 all out in 19.5 overs.

Gaznabie got terrific sup-

port from Fazeem Haniff who was equally impressive finishing with 4-2 from 1.4 overs.

No batsman was able to reach double-figures for the Cinderalla county boys as extras top-scored with 13.

Earlier, Leguan Warriors won the toss and without hesitation opted to take first strike.

They had an early wobble but the experienced Sheik Parsram stabilised things with 29 while the veteran Abdool Azeeze hit a responsible 26.

Former Guyana youth player Devon Ramnauth also chipped in with 19.

Another Canada-based Guyanese, Zaheer Mohammed, captured 3-25 from his maximum four overs, while there were two wickets apiece for Sanjay Kumar and skipper Kenny Ramsawak.

Friday June 02, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Look for answers to your question today, Aries. The good news is that the answers are now out there and easily accessible. Seek the truth and you will find it.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You may not necessarily approve of the behavior of the people around you, Taurus, but that doesn't mean you need to make their lives miserable.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

You have an extra amount of physical vitality to work with now, Gemini, so take advantage of it to give your body a good workout. Eat well and avoid fatty, salty foods.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You may keep having the same thoughts over and over in your head, Cancer. Each day you may work out a different scenario for the way it comes to an end.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

You may feel like you're on the run in some way or other today, Leo. It may even seem like someone is chasing you. They're right on your heels and you're doing everything

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Every day is a new start and new chance, Virgo. Don't get upset or angry over past events. Don't dwell on things you can't change. Your whole life can turn around in a day.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

You're apt to move in and out of sync with people today, Libra. At first it may seem quite natural and easy to be in your situation, then the next minute you feel alone.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You may feel as if you're the only one who picks up on the nuances of conversations and actions around you, Scorpio. Your reaction to things is more than likely quite strong.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You may feel emotionally on fire today, Sagittarius. One conversation with someone will suddenly spark a discussion of some sort that proves extremely valuable to you in the long run.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Bring more of your feelings into the open today, Capricorn. Don't be so paranoid about what other people think. At times you may feel as if you're in some sort of spy movie with you playing the lead role.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Have fun today, Aquarius, but make sure you're always professional and polite. Appearance and a good-natured demeanor will get you far.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Today may be filled with conflict when your legs carry you one way while your heart tugs you in a completely different.

Javid Gaznabiea

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots keep Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher among seven retentions for 2023 CPL

SportsMax - The St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have retained big hitters Evin Lewis and Andre Fletcher for their 2023 campaign in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The Patriots will also retain middle-order batsman Sherfane Rutherford, allrounder Dominic Drakes as well as fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell and wicketkeeper/ batsman Joshua da Silva.

The Patriots have also brought in Oshane Thomas

who was transferred from the Barbados Royals.

The tournament gets underway on 16 August with the final taking place on 24 September.

There will be matches in Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago.

The overseas players and draft picks will be announced during the Republic Bank CPL draft show which will be broadcast at the end of June.

The tournament was slated to continue the next day with a series of matches. Five teams are currently participating in this division.

Carl Hooper named as CWI announces red and white ball coaching and support staff

SportsMax - Cricket

West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced the members of the coaching and support staff for the West Indies Men’s red ball andwhiteballteams.

Former West Indies captains Carl Hooper and Floyd Reifer have been namedasAssistantCoaches in the white ball teams to work alongside new Head CoachDarenSammy James Franklin, the former New Zealand allrounder is the third Assistant Coach.They have joinedtheteamaheadofthe start of the upcoming threem a t c h O n e D a y International (ODI) series against United Arab Emirates(UAE).

Speaking on the appointments, Sammy said, “Cricket is a team sport. Therefore, having the right set of people around you, who share your vision, is extremelyimportant.Thisis

a group of hard-working, passionate men, who have no egos Our collective desire is to have a positive impact on the players and WestIndiescricket.”

Hooper is one of the most successful allrounders in West Indies history – the only player to score over 5,000runsandtakeover100 wickets in both Tests and ODIs He worked previously at various levels coaching in the Caribbean and Australia. Reifer also has experience across variouslevelsfromregional uptointernationals.

The former allrounder from Guyana expressed his desire to see West Indies cricket move forward Hooperstated,“WhenIwas initially approached by Daren about the potential opportunity, I immediately confirmed my interest, as I really want to help with the challenge and make a meaningful impact. I firmly

believe that it is time for West Indies Cricket to ascend, and I am confident in my ability, knowledge, andexperiencetoaidinthis endeavor.”

For the Test Team, former West Indies players Kenny Benjamin and Stuart Williams; as well as Rayon GriffithwillbetheAssistant Coaches,workingalongside Head Coach, Andre Coley Benjamin and Griffith were partofthecoachingstafffor the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa earlier this year, while Williams has previously worked as an Assistant Coach on various tours.

Coley, who took the team to Zimbabwe and SouthAfricaearlierthisyear as head coach, is confident that some continuitywill be beneficial to the players, stating “We are looking for as much continuity as possible in the preparation for our upcoming

assignments Kenny and Rayonwillcontinueintheir roles from the previous two tours,andStuartWilliamsis currently with the ‘A’ team inBangladesh.

It is a hard-working group with some clear tasks outlined and we can effectively serve West Indies cricket as a unit for the upcoming series against India.”

The other members of theTeam Management Unit who will work with the WI Men’s teams across all formats are: Rawl Lewis (Team Manager), Denis Byam (Physiotherapist), Ronald Rogers (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Avenash Seetaram (Analyst) and Dario Barthley (Media & Content Officer).

The West Indies are presently in Sharjah for the series against UAE, which bowls off on Sunday 4 June at the Sharjah Cricket

Stadium. The second match isonTuesday6Juneandthe third and final match is on Friday9June.

For the ICC World Cup Qualifiers,WestIndieshave been drawn in Group A, where they will face hosts Zimbabwe, United States, Netherlands, and Nepal in the preliminary round. The tenteamswillbecompeting forthetworemainingplaces at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, to be hosted in Indialaterthisyear

All new Assistant

Coaches have been appointed on a short-term basis and will be reviewed after the India Series in August2023.

WI Men White Ball TeamManagementUnit

Daren Sammy (Head Coach)

Carl Hooper (Assistant Coach)

Floyd Reifer (Assistant Coach)

J a m e s F r a n k l i n

(AssistantCoach)

Rawl Lewis (Team Manager)

D e n i s B y a m (Physiotherapist)

RonaldRogers(Strength &ConditioningCoach)

Avenash Seetaram (Analyst)

Dario Barthley (Media &ContentOfficer)

WI Men Test Team ManagementUnit

Andre Coley (Head Coach)

Kenny Benjamin (AssistantCoach)

R a y o n G r i f f i t h (AssistantCoach)

Stuart Williams (AssistantCoach)

Rawl Lewis (Team Manager)

D e n i s B y a m (Physiotherapist)

RonaldRogers(Strength &ConditioningCoach)

Avenash Seetaram (Analyst)

Dario Barthley (Media &ContentOfficer)

Duckett strengthens England’s grip after Broad strikes against Ireland

AFP - Ben Duckett’s dashing unbeaten fifty took England to within sight of a first-innings lead over Irelandontheopeningdayof theirAshes warm-up Test at Lord’syesterday

England were 152-1 in replytoIreland’s172allout, adeficitof30runs,atstumps in a Test being played over four days rather than the standardfive.

Duckett, a left hander in his first Test innings in England,was60notoutafter a sunny afternoon at the ‘HomeofCricket’.

Together with Zak Crawley (56), he shared an opening stand of 109 Crawley’s fifty came from a mere 39 balls and including 10 fours. At the close, Ollie Popewas29notout.

Earlier, England veteran Stuart Broad took his first five-wicket haul in a Test at Lord’sfor10years.

Broad’s early treble strike reduced Ireland to 19-3 and included ducks for both Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector Ireland, in just their seventh Test and still searching for a first win at this level, were indebted to Paul Stirling for launching a recovery with a quickfire 30 Obdurate opener James McCollum top-scoredwith36.

Broad finished with 551 from 17 overs and leftarm spinner Jack Leach took 3-35 from 14, although debutant fast bowler Josh Tongue went wicketless

Ireland struggled to contain England, with fast bowler Josh Little, a star of the T20 Indian Premier League,restedaheadoftheir upcoming 50-over World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe The visitors almost missed the one chance England gave them

on Thursday, with debutant paceman Fionn Hand clinging on at the second attempttoholdacaughtand bowled chance from Crawley’scheckeddrive.

After several inside edges had narrowly missed the stumps, Crawley could havefewcomplaints.

England captain Ben Stokes opted to bowl in overcast conditions that promised to aid a three-man paceattackmissingEngland great James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, both rested ahead of this month’s first Test against Australia at Edgbaston.

TestnovicesIrelandwere 15-0 when Broad had Peter Moor, fresh from a hundred in a warm-up match against Essex, plumb lbw for 10.

Balbirnie, the only man to appear in all of Ireland’s seven Tests, then fell for a five-ball duck when he edgedBroadlowtoCrawley atsecondslip.

Two balls later Ireland were 19-3 when Tector clipped Broad off his pads straight to Matthew Potts at legslip.

The next delivery saw

Duckett strengthens England’s grip after Broad strikes against Ireland

Stirlinggivenoutlbw

But the Ireland veteran successfully reviewed Australian umpire Paul Wilson’s decision, avoiding aduck.

Stirling counter-attacked before an innings featuring 20 runs in boundaries ended when he top-edged a sweep off Leach and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, playing his first Test since August last year after a freak leg injury on a golf course, held a simplecatch.

McCollum’s contrasting 108ball-knockfinishedafter lunch when he edged Broad toJoeRootatfirstslip.

Broad had his 20th fivewicket haul in 162 Tests whenhebowledMarkAdair with an inswinger. It was also the first time he had achieved the feat at Lord’s since his 7-44 against New Zealandin2013.

Campher’s 79-ball stay ended when he charged at Leach and Potts ended the innings when he had Hand caughtbehind.

Scores: England 152 for 1(Duckett60*,Crawley56) trail Ireland 172 (Broad 551)by20runs.

England’s Stuart Broad celebrates taking the wicket of Paul Stirling on the opening day of the one-off Test against Ireland.

Italy, Nigeria and Brazil advance to Under-20 World Cup quarterfinals;

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Italy, Nigeria,Colombiaanda10man Brazil lineup advanced to the quarterfinals of the Under-20 World Cup on Wednesday

Host Argentina lost 2-0 to Nigeria in front of almost 30,000 fans in San Juan, endinganunlikelycampaign for the home team. Italy eliminatedEnglandwitha21victorythankstoalategoal fromthespot.

Brazil thrashed Tunisia 4-1 despite being a player

Argentina, England out

down for the entire second half, and Colombia topped Slovakia5-1withthreeofits goalsscoredinafour-minute span.

Nigeria will take on either Ecuador or South Koreainthenextround.

Brazil faces Israel in the quarterfinals, and Colombia willplayItaly

Argentina did not arrive attheU-20WorldCupasone of the favorites. The team coached by Javier Mascherano did not qualify initiallyandonlygotaspotat

the tournament when it replaced Indonesia as host. Heavy home support after theseniorteam’sWorldCup titlewasexpectedtogivethe youngstersaboost.

But after Argentina wastedseveralopportunities throughout the match, the Nigerians punished them twice in the second half. A goal kick ended in a defensive mistake and a clear chance for Ibrahim Muhammad, who scored in the61stminute.

Argentina continued to

Nigeria’s Rilwanu Haliru Sarki, center, celebrates scoring his side’s 2nd goal against Argentina during a FIFA U-20 World Cup (AP

pressure, hitting the woodwork twice

A late Nigerian counter-attack ended in a header by Rilwanu Haliru Sarki just beforethefinalwhistle.

“We played a great match,” Mascherano said in a post-match TV interview “We knew that if we made some mistakes we might have to pay And regrettably the two mistakes we made broughtthemtwogoals.”

Italy started strongly against England and scored in the 8th minute after a sequence of quick passes that put Tommaso Baldanzi in front of the goalkeeper. The English team equalized with Alfie Devine scoring fromcloserangeinthe24th. A stalemate settled in at the LaPlataStadium,oneofthe poorest pitches in the tournament.

But a video reviewed decision nearing fulltime gaveItalyachancefromthe spot.CesareCasadeistepped up and scored his fifth goal of the tournament to secure

the win and put the Italians through.

Earlier, Marcos Leonardoopenedthescoring forBrazilinthe11thminute fromthespot,hisfourthgoal at the tournament. Andrey Santos added a second from closerangeinthe31st. Defender Robert Renan was sent off shortly before thebreakandTunisiahadthe initiative for most of the second half, but Brazil scored twice in injury time through Matheus Martins andSantos.

Colombia’sÓscarCortes opened and finished the scoringforhisteam,striking first in the 48th. Yaser Asprilla made it 2-0 two minutes later and Tomás Ángel added a third in the 52nd.

Ángelscoredagaininthe 64th.

Timotej Jambor scored a consolation with a headed goal in the 87th, but Colombia had the last word with another goal by Cortes ininjurytime.

Gauff passes Grabher test to reach French Open third round

PARIS,June1(Reuters)

-AmericansixthseedCoco Gauffsufferedamid-match wobble but subdued Julia Grabher 6-2 6-3 in a tricky second-round encounter at the French Open yesterday to continue her charge towards a first Grand Slam crown.

Gauff, who was defeated in the title clash last year by Iga Swiatek, faced an early test against the aggressive Austrian worldnumber61butsaved two break points before surging to a 5-1 lead and wrappeduptheopeningset withoutanyproblems.

The pair freely traded

breaks early in a tense second set before the 19year-old Gauff seized the advantage and wrapped up thecontestonserve.

“It feels great. She’s a tricky player, I played her on hard courts earlier this year and she gets a lot of height and depth on her balls and sometimes you don’tknowwhattoexpect,” Gauffsaidoncourt.

UpnextforGauffis16year-old Russian qualifier Mirra Andreeva, who beat Frenchwoman Diane Parry 6-1 6-2 to become the youngestplayertoreachthe French Open third round since2005.

Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana” provides support for two more young players

Female player Dinelle LindeeandAndrewBennett, both from the rapid rising, Rose Hall Community Center Cricket Club, were thelatestyoungcricketersto benefit from this joint initiative between Anil Beharry and Kishan Das of theUSA.

Lindee, who represented Berbice Senior and Junior t e a m s , i s a wicketkeeper/batterandwas the recipient of pair of wicketkeeping gloves while Bennett, a right arm leg spinner/batsman, collected one cricket bat. At a simple ceremony held recently, the two eighteen years old expressed gratitude for the assistance and promised to work hard on their game. The project is impressed with the youths and general development of this relativelyyoungcricketclub and is delighted for the opportunities the club provides for the young people in the community Special mention was made of the coach Ameer Rahaman.

Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $370,000 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms, two trophies, seventeen pairs of cricket boots, thirty pairs of batting

pads, thirty one cricket bats, twenty eight pairs of batting gloves, twenty one thigh pads, three pairs of wicket keeping pads, four arm guards, two boxes, nine cricket bags, six bat rubbers andsixhelmets.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donatedbySheikMohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear

requested and not available atthetime.

To date, fifty seven youngplayersfromallthree counties of Guyana have benefited from three junior gearbags,twotrophies,four armguards,twentytwobats, two boxes, four helmets, twenty two pairs of cricket shoes, thirteen pairs of battingpads,twothighpads, one bat rubber, nineteen pairs of batting gloves and one pair of wicketkeeping

gloves In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats.Pomeroon,Leguanand Wa k e n a m C r i c k e t CommitteesandCottonTree Die Hard also received one boxofredcricketballseach, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteen color uniforms while RHCCCC received two, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicketkeepingglovesanda

set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board alsobenefitedalongwiththe Town of Lethem and youth coach Travis Persaud with oneboxofredballs.

Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the

countryandclubleadersalso assist to identify talent Progressive and well managedcricketclubswitha youth programme will also benefit.

We thank the media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture Distribution will continue. Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

Champions League final referee under UEFA scrutiny for alleged links to far-right leader in Poland

GENEVA (AP) — An anti-racism group called on soccer’s top referee yesterday to distance himself from a far-right politician in Poland, and UEFAsaiditwanted“urgent clarification” ahead of the ChampionsLeaguefinal.

“ A f u r t h e r announcement will be made (Friday), after reviewing all theevidence,”UEFAsaid.

Szymon Marciniak has been picked by UEFA to referee the biggest game in club soccer between Manchester City and Inter Milan on June 10. He also handled the ArgentinaFrance World Cup final for FIFAthisseason.

The Never Again group in Warsaw said Marciniak “reportedly promoted and participatedinarecentevent

organized by a Polish farright leader Slawomir Mentzen.”

’We are shocked and appalled by Marciniak’s public association with Mentzen and his brand of toxic far-right politics,” Never Again co-founder Rafal Pankowski said in a s t a t e m e n t “ I t i s incompatible with the basic values of fair play such as equalityandrespect.”

Mentzenisaleaderofthe populist Konfederacja (Confederation)partywhich has been accused of promoting antisemitic, sexist and homophobic views.

Marciniakwasbilledasa key speaker at an event publicized as a business conferenceforentrepreneurs on Monday in Katowice,

Poland. Mentzen promoted thereferee’sinvolvementon hissocialmediachannels.

UEFAsaidinastatement “the whole football community abhor the ‘values’thatarepromotedby the group in question and takes these allegations very seriously.”

Pankowski said Never Again called upon Marciniak “to acknowledge hismistake.Ifhedoesnotdo it, we believe UEFA and FIFA should draw consequences.”

The 42-year-old Marciniak refereed at the 2022 and 2018 World Cups and the 2016 European Championship.

He missed Euro 2020 while recovering from a heart complaint after a COVID-19infection.

Referee Szymon Marciniak shows a yellow card to Manchester City’s Ruben Dias, center, during the Champions League semifinal second leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Bennett receives from Ameer Rahaman. Lindee receiving from Balram Samaroo.

The One Guyana Breeder’s Cup will feature seven races.

Guyana’s top racing stables and horse owners getting ready for the One Guyana Breeders Cup Meet

Guyanese Horse Racing fans are beginning to catch the excitement at thoroughbredracingissetto returntoitsbest,backhome at the Bush Lot United Turf Club on Sunday 11th June 2023 with the One Guyana BreedersCupMeet.

The event, a seven race card, brought to fans w i t h t h e k i n d c o m p l i m e n t s o f organisers Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, is expected to see the competition be stiff as the best local and S u r i n a m e b r e d racehorse’s battle for the “One Guyana Breeders

Cup”. Gates open at 9:00am and the organisers are inviting fans to bring the entire family for a day of non-stopfunandexcitement.

Apart from the main action, which is the horseracing, the side attractions will see fans beingabletowincashprizes on the spot for the best dressed couple, best dressed male and female and for the firsttimeinGuyana,thebest derbyhat.

Asthesungoesdownthe after party will begin when the biggest Dj’s in Guyana Clashforover$3,000,000in cashandprizes.

However, the main draw card will see the leading

racehorses from the local stables and Top Surinamese stable, Club Neutraal, who are out to make a big impression,collidingfor the attractive cash prizes at stake.

Among the local stables expected to field their leading charges are the Jagdeo, Gonsalves, Rising Sun,SlingerzandJumboJet amongothers.

As is customary, the excitement on the track at Bush Lot promises to be fever pitch, and among the fans who should leave the venue ‘chomping at the bit’ for more events from the organisers.

C o m m u n i t y

Police Corporal Nigel Bryan cops MVP twice at the recent ICWI Table Tennis League in Trinidad

businessman and founder Nasrudeen Mohamed, who heads the Jumbo Jet

Thoroughbred Horse Racing Committee, single handedly executed the refurbishment of the Bush Lot facility at a cost exceeding$60million,asa gifttothecommunity

The racetrack is now an allweatheronesotheaction is on and fans will enjoy all theimprovedfacilities.

This event is sponsored by Banks DIH, Jumbo Jet, AJM Enterprise, Jagdeo Racing Stable, Gonsalves racing stables, Rising Sun Racing Stable and Slingers Racing Stables among others.

GBF names historic CAC Women’s 3x3 team

“It’s not the will to win that matters; everyone has that.It’sthewilltoprepareto win that matters,” says star tennis player Paul “Bear” Bryant.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) Corporal is Guyana’s top table tennis player Corporal Nigel Bryan was recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice at the recent ICWI Table Tennis Champions League Open at the Eastern Sporting Complex in Trinidad.

Bryan,whoisnostranger to the table tennis scene, playedatotalof12matches, in which he excelled in the majority while representing Guyanainthetournament.

BryanjoinedtheGuyana Police Force on December 19, 2011, and was assigned to the Central and Immigration and Passport Offices.

Hehasworkedinseveral outlying regions, such as L e t h e m , M a h d i a , Mabaruma,andEssequibo.

NigelBryanrosetofame in2006whenheshoneinthe CaribbeanChampionship.In 2008, he won the boys’ 15 and under singles title at the 11th Annual Caribbean and CadetChampionship.

Over the years, he has dominated the table tennis arena here in Guyana, in the C a r i b b e a n , a n d internationally alike. He has been unbeaten in the Joint

Services for the past ten years and has been named Guyana’sMVP

Hecompetedindifferent games, which included the Commonwealth Games, Caribbean and CARICOM Games, Latin American Games, the Caribbean Championship, and the IslamicGames.

Bryan has traveled extensivelytocountriessuch as the United States of America, Australia, India, China, Azerbaijan, Colombia, Trinidad, and Barbados,justtonameafew

The Commissioner of Police, Officers and Ranks are extending best wishes to this young champion in his futureendeavours.

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) yesterday announced its women’s 3x3 team for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in SanSalvador,ElSalvador

The tournament will run from June 23 to July 8, with the 3x3 basketball games scheduledforJune30toJuly 2. The team will be led by Ruth Adams, a point guard currently playing in Spain’s second division women’s professional league with Miralvalle.

Adams, who hails from Plaisance, migrated to the USateightyearsoldandhad asuccessfulNCAADivision 2 collegiate career with St Thomas Aquinas College before turning pro and headingoverseas.

MichaelSingh,President of the GBF, expressed his happiness thatAdams chose to represent Guyana and stated that her willingness was encouraging for the g

basketball in the Land of ManyWaters.

Theothermembersofthe team were selected from players who excelled at the recently-held National W o m e n ’ s 3 x 3 Championship.

Kennesha Leacock, the tournament MVP, will be joined by her Kwakwani teammate Shania Sears and KristyThomasfromBartica. Thomas is a former youth nationalfootballplayerwith the Lady Jags. The team’s coordinator for the event in

ElSalvadorwillbeAbdullah ‘Zico’ Hamid, a former nationalplayerturnedcoach.

Singh said the GBF is committed to developing and exposing the country’s top female players to competitions both locally andoverseas.

To prepare for the CAC Games, the team will begin their training this weekend, and the GBF plans to host a series of events to simulate the high-intensity level of basketball expected at the tournament.

Corporal Nigel Bryan (right) in action during the League.

Ruth Adams ‘ballin’in Spain

Kristy Thomas

Kennesha Leacock

Shania Sears

Archery Guyana’s Massy Guyana & NSC sponsored Independence Open 2023

Persaud tops Men Recurve, Williams wins for women, Recurve, Zamaluddin leads men and Deoroop heads women in Barebow in

Archery Guyana’s Independence Open sponsoredbyMassyGuyana and the National Sports Commission got underway last Saturday 27 and concluded Sunday 28, May at the Muslim Youth

Organisation The enthusiastic archers enjoyed thefriendlycompetitionand camaraderie and shot to the best of their abilities, some of whom bettered their rankingscoresoverprevious competitions.

The Ranking Rounds were shot on Saturday beginning with the men & w o m e n B a r e b o w

Division Coming out on top of the men’ rankings, out of a possible 720 points was Jeewanram

Persaud with 633, followed by Muhammad Zamaluddin - 595, Afzal

Karim - 495, Sean

Duncan – 461, Jaza

Percival – 370, Courtlee Rodrigues – 276 and RichardDookie–233

In the women’s

Ranking rounds, Julie-Ann Williams topped off with 367, followed by Theresa Deoroop’s 360, Karin

Toppin’s 264, Bibi Saleema Salim’s 240 and StephanieMcTurk’s93

Following the Barebow event was the Recurve Ranking Rounds In the M e n ’ s c a t e g o r y , Jeewanram Persaud again came out on top with 611 points, as Sean Duncan followed up with 538 and Saeed Karim with a close 535,RobertSinghshot507 andJazaPercival449

Only 3 women shot for recurve ranking; Julie-Ann

Williams who topped with 426 points, followed by Theresa Deoroop with 418, andBibiSaleemaSalimwith 387.

The eliminations and finals were shot off on Sunday which made for exciting match-play

Trophies were awarded from first to fifth place

In the Men’s Barebow Division, Muhammad Zamaluddin surprised everyone by gaining 1st position over Jeewanram Persaud who had to settle for 2nd, while 3rd place went to Afzal Karim, 4th place to Jaza Percival, and 5th place to Sean Duncan

The women also saw excitement as Theresa Deorooptook1stplaceover Julie-Ann Williams’ 2nd, while Bibi Saleema Salim

placed3rd,KarinToppin4th andStephanieMcTurk5th.

In the Men’s Recurve Division, Jeewanram Persaud took 1st place followed by Sean Duncan in 2nd, Robert Singh 3rd, Saeed Karim 4th and Jaza Percival 5th, while in the Women’sRecurveJulie-Ann Williams took 1st Place, while Bibi Saleema Salim came in 2nd, and Theresa Deoroop3rd.

The judges for the c o m p e t i t i o n w e r e Elizabeth Mason and Umasankar Madray

Archery Guyana wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors; Massy Guyana, Guyana Beverages Inc, The National Sports Commission and Mr Azad Ibrahim President of MYO for making this competition asuccess.

The Winners - The Winners of The 2023 Independence Open; [L-R] Bibi Saleema Salim, Julia-Ann Williams, Sean Duncan, Theresa Deoroop, Jaza Percival, Jeewanram Persaud, Robert Singh and Saeed Karim.

Theresa Deoroop [1st Place Barebow Women]

Muhammad Zamaluddin [1st Place Barebow Men]

Carl Hooper will work alongside Floyd Reifer to assist Daren Sammy in the white-ball formats.

Guyana’s top racing stables and horse owners getting ready for the One Guyana Breeders Cup

Jeewanram Persaud [1st Place Recurve Men]

[1st