Kaieteur News

Pres. Ali praises Saudi Govt. for swift approval of US$150M loan

…as agreement inked

President Irfaan Ali on Monday praised the Kingdom of SaudiArabia for its swift approval of a US$150 million loan that will be channeled to develop the local housing and infrastructuresectors.

D u r i n g a s i m p l e ceremony hosted at the Office of the President, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh signed the two loan agreements on behalf of Guyana, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by Chief Executive Officer of the S a u d i F u n d f o r D e v e l o p m e n t , H i s Excellency Sultan AlMarshad.

A team from Saudi is in Guyana on a three-day visit for official business and has been invited by the President to take advantage of the private sector opportunities available, not only in the oil andgassectorbutintheother

industriesaswell.

Whiledeliveringremarks at the event, the Head-ofState commended the Kingdom of SaudiArabia for “the ease of doing business”

explaining that the pace of the loan approval was “second to none”. He said, “I think it is a good example for many international bodies and agencies, multilateral agencies and what the focus should be when we are delivering financing for development The focus should be on the project and thepeopleandnotconditions and circumstances that seek to delay the delivery of results for the people. This was an excellent example of thefocusbeingonthepeople, on the country and on the project.”

He noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabiia has been very supportive of theGovernmentofGuyanaat the Islamic Development

Bank (IsDB), where only a month ago, the country was able to sign a loan agreement for the reconstruction of the Linden Soesdyke Highway. Ali noted that by September, government is aiming to commencethatproject.

Meanwhile, the Head-ofState pointed out that while the loan is funding infrastructural development, it is just a temporary endeavor for future growth. He said, “We are on a trajectory in which we are seeking also to build new relationships, to enhance and strengthen old relationships a n d t o b u i l d n e w relationships we look forward greatly to this continued partnership and the speed at which you operate in helping us on this journeytomodernization.”

The President also invitedtheSaudiKingdomto e n g a g e G u y a n a o n identifying areas where the

twocountriescancollaborate in the future to “advance the next tranche of resources for t h e n e x t p h a s e o f development”. He told the visiting delegation that Guyana has a mountain of private sector opportunities in which it can be involved, through partnerships with locals.

The cost of financing he said is second to none and is testimony to the will of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to supportprojectsthatadvance humanityglobally

He explained that the People's Progressive Party (PPP) administration committed to deliver 50,000 house lots in five years and the investment by the Saudi Fundwillensuregovernment realizethisaspiration.

Meanwhile, Al-Marshad in his address noted, “Today marks an exciting and bright chapter for both of our countries, having signed two d e v e l o p m e n t l o a n agreements worth US$150 million.”

He said that the loan will go towards funding infrastructure development works for the housing sector and constructing the Wismar

BridgeinLinden.

“The funded project was provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the S a u d i F u n d f o r Development. It reflects our commitment to promote sustainable social economic development in Guyana and support local communities t h r o u g h e n h a n c e d transportation and housing infrastructure,”hesaid.

The first US$100 million is being channeled to fund housing infrastructure to provide approximately 2,500 housing units in three administrative regions in the country It is understood that communityroadswillalsobe funded through this loan, along with the establishment of electricity, water and sewer systems. Meanwhile, the second aspect of the loan, peggedatUS$50millionwill be used to construct the Wismar Bridge to improve connectivity to relieve traffic jams. “Both projects will contribute to seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG Three, Good Health and Wellbeing; SDG Six, clean water and sanitation, SDG 11,

sustainable cities and communities,”theCEOsaid.

In addition to the MinisterofFinance,Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and Minister within theMinistryofPublicWorks, Deodat Indar, along with the Senior and Junior Ministers of Housing and Water, Colin Croal and Susan Rodrigues respectively were present at theceremony

Thisisthefirstagreement Guyana has inked with the Saudi Fund for development. It also makes the nation the th88 in the World to receive f u n d i n g f o r m a j o r development projects, from thisinitiative.

It was reported that at the end of 2022, Guyana's total debt surpassed US$3 6 billion, increasing from the previous year by 16 9 percent.

The GoG believes that the sudden tripling of the country's Gross Domestic P r o d u c t ( G D P ) h a s positioned the country better to take more loans https://wwwkaieteurnewson line.com/2023/02/17/guyana -in-better-position-to-takemore-loans-financeminister/

Teen killed by roommate during row over woman

An 18-year-old boy was on Saturday reportedly killed by one his roommates at their Buzz Bee Dam, Craig, East Bank Demerara,apartment.

According to the police, Henry Williams a labourer was killed after he wasinvolvedinafightwithhisroommate over a female Kaieteur News understands that the teen shared the apartment with the suspect and four other persons.

It was stated that around 19:00 hours on Saturday, a fight ensued between Williamsandthesuspectintheapartment andendedwiththemfightingonthedam.

A neighbour told police that while he

was bathing, the suspect came over and told him that Williams hanged himself. However, when the neighbour went to investigate, he discovered the teen lying motionless on the ground near some chicken pens.An alarm was raised and the suspect escaped into some bushes.

Williams was pronounced dead by Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) personnel. It was revealed that the teen's body had several bruises around the neck. His body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination. Police said several persons in the area were questioned but no useful information was gathered.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh (left) shares a handshake with Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, His Excellency Sultan Al-Marshad, during the signing of the two loan agreements on Monday.

“Guyanese should demand

change to that lopsided Exxon Contract before voting June 12”

While the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the Opposition, A Partnership for National U n i t y ( A P N U ) a r e campaigning for next week's Local Government Elections (LGE), Kaieteur News' Publisher and businessman, Glenn Lall is urging Guyanesetoboycottthepolls until the politicians correct the lopsided ExxonMobil Guyanacontract.

In 2016, Guyana signed onto a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with the oil major, which has been heavily criticised for being lopsided and benefiting the oil company more than the country

Recently, Kaieteur News reported that Exxon and its partners made a handsome profit from the Stabroek Block last year totalling G Y D $ 1 2 3 t r i l l i o n (US$5.9B).Thisismorethan double what Guyana has receivedsincethecreationof its Natural Resource Fund in 2020. As of April, Guyana has received some US$2.4B in profit oil and royalty from the Stabroek Block operations.

According to the 2022 financials for Exxon's subsidiary and operator for the block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), it earned $577 7B in profits, a

substantial increase over its 2021 earnings totalling $132B. Hess Corporation's 2022 profit was listed as $322.7B while CNOOC was $329.8B. Even though the contract is lopsided, the deal remains untouched as the government continues to approvemoreofExxon'sUSmulti-billion projects in the StabroekBlock.

In one of his recent TikTok messages, Lall said, “June 12th coming, the PPP andthePNCwantsomething from y'all, a certain finger.” To this end, he asked citizens if it isn't time for them to demand“somethinginreturn forthatfinger?”

Lall said that citizens

Man dies after knocked off bicycle by speeding car

A67-year-old pedestrian was on Sunday nightkilledinanaccidentontheMonRepos PublicRoad,EastCoastDemerara(ECD). Dead is Muntaz Alli of Mon Repos North. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) reported that Alli was killed around 21:20 hours.

Thepolicearresteda48-year-oldmaleof Helena#1MahaicaECD,whowasthedriver of motorcar PMM 9156 which was involved in the accident. Enquiries disclosed that the driver was proceeding east along the southern side of the northern carriageway at an alleged fast rate of speed of 70 kmh. The driver told the police that while driving, he saw a male pushed his bicycle from south to north across the road in the path of his

vehicle. The driver alleged that upon seeing the man, he applied brakes and pulled north to avoid a collision but despite his effort, the right side front of his vehicle collided with thepedestrianwhichcausedthepedestrianto fall onto the road surface where he received injuriesabouthisbody

Alli was picked up in an unconscious condition and escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor and was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is at the hospital's mortuary awaiting post mortem examination. A breathalyser test conducted on the driver read .008% BAC micrograms, andanoticeofintendedprosecutionhasbeen served.

should demand that the leaders sit together and correct all foreign contracts, particularly the Exxon deal. The publisher described the deal as one “sucking the blood out of our bodies and thatoffuturegenerations.”

Heencouragedcitizensto 'wake-up' and understand the seriousness of what is happening in the country. “If the PNC and the PPP cannot sittogethertodowhatisright for you and I, and this country, then stay home,” Lall said, adding, “let them know you cannot live on grants, handouts and once-ayear bonus, in a country that is the richest per capita per person…” He added: “no man, no don't do this to y'all children, we all deserve our rightful share of what God Almighty has blessed us with.”

The Chief Executive O f f i c e r ( C E O ) o f ExxonMobil Corporation, Darren Woods, earlier this year at an international

conference boasted about the “storyofsuccess”Guyana.

However,whileGuyana's oil and gas resources have garnered the oil giant immense profits, what the country earns on the other hand have caused several persons in society to call on government to renegotiate the contract. The 2016 deal gives Guyana an industrylow 2% royalty Presently, Guyana shares revenue with ExxonMobil after the company deducts 75 percent towards the cost incurred to develop the resources in the StabroekBlock.

This arrangement, with the lack of ring-fencing, sees Guyana paying for projects that are yet to commence production activities. Each month bills from future producing developments are added to the list of expenses to be cost recovered by Exxon.Afterthe75percentis deducted to pay back the oil company, Guyana then shares 50/50 of the 25

Businessman and Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall

percent remaining with Exxon as profits This amounts to 12.5 percent of profits from the operations. Also, under the signed deal, Guyana has agreed to, under the taxation provisions, to pay ExxonMobil's share of CorporationandIncomeTax. As such it would mean, that Guyana foregoes each year, billionsofUSdollars.Ontop of this, documentation to this effect is then provided to the US based company allowing ittonothavetopayanytaxes in its home country for its earningsoverseas.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

Teachers take to the streets

Teachersbelongintheclassroom,buttheretheywereon thestreets. Ithastotakeaconsiderableamountofanxietyto pushthemtotheactionofbroadcastingtheirwoesinpublic. The teachers’protest in front of the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday last had to do with the usual concerns-pay, past monies due, and commitments not honoured. The core of their concerns is that they are having great difficulty living withdignity Theirplacardsandwordstelltheirstory

“Everything has increased except teachers’ wages and salaries”.Thereisacertainsoliditytothatclaimbecauseit has been the cry of other workers in other sectors across Guyana. Guyanesearefeelingconsiderablepain,anditisa cryingshamethatsomanycannotbuythebasicswhenthey are dubbed as the richest people on the planet by experts. Anotherplacardhadthistosay,“weneedoursalariestobe adjusted” which again joins hands with many Guyanese feeling the unrelenting squeezes from a punishing cost of livingenvironment.

The pain of teachers is real, and not imagined or pretended. When the wages and salaries of Guyanese teachersarecomparedagainstthoseoftheirpeersacrossthe region,theycomeacrossaspaltryandpathetic. Thefactthat Guyana now floats on a huge lake of oil only serves to emphasizethattheconditionsofteachersandotherworkers across Guyana just should not be where they are. This countryhastoomuchgoingforitcurrently,andthereisthe riskthatthegaudyeconomicnumbersonlyenableafewto prosper,whilemanyareleftintheranksofwhatcanonlybe described as the pauperized in the reality of their hard existence.

Itisaninsultwhenatrainedteacher,afteryearsofstudy, ispaidastartingmonthlysalaryof$100,000. Afterallthat effortandallthatapplicationtowhatisbelievedtobemore thanacareer,somethingthatisverymuchacalling,thereis thismonthlysalarythatissoclosetothenationalminimum wage. As Guyanese have been made jarringly familiar by now, $100,000 a month cannot cover the basics of living, with fixed commitments, such as mortgage or rent, and the pricesoffoodandotheressentialseverrising.

Thisiswhyteachersareforcedtodosecondjobstomake endsmeet,tohavealittlesomethingmoretosharewiththeir families, and to live with some level of self-respect. Naturally,sincetheyareforcedbycircumstancestoengage in extra wage-earning activity outside the classroom, this begsthequestionabouthowmuchfocusandenergytheyare able to bring to bear to their daytime classroom duties. Clearly,whenteachersarecompelledtoworkatnightsand on the weekends (one even works as a bouncer at a nightclub), the keenness of their strength and their spirit in theirfull-timedayjobinschoolscomeundersomedegreeof duress. It goes without saying that both the educational systemandtheyoungchargespaysomesortofpricedueto circumstancesinvolvingpayandotherbenefits.

Moreover,theTeachers’Unionisawareofthepresence ofoilinGuyanaandthedifferencethatitcanmake.Union President, Mr Mark Lyte insisted, “We are grossly underpaid,andwewouldliketoseetheoilmoneybespent on our teachers.” Both Union leadership and members are particularly peeved that repeated submissions have been made to this PPP/C Government and its APNU+AFC predecessor,andtherehasbeennomovement,withteachers left hanging. According to the Union, at least seven submissionshavebeenmadetogovernmentstartingin2020, andthesituationremainsthesame.

Foritspart,thePPP/CGovernmentthroughtheMinister of Education pointed out that the Union was being “opportunistic” and “disingenuous” in protesting while the matterwasstillunderreview TheMinisteralsonotedthatit isalegacyissuethatwasnotaddressedbythepriorCoalition Government,andthatthePPP/CGovernmentis“workingto resolve all of them.” In the interests of both teachers and children,maythiscometofullfruitionsoon.

PPPusing the lure of filthy lucre and handouts to trick Georgetown citizens

DEAREDITOR

Within a few days, citizenswillgotothePollto vote in the Local Government Election. The framework of our democracy includes morality, a sense of decency andjustice.

Our Constitution is very clear Local Government bodies, i.e. Municipalities, LDCsNDCs,RDCs,allhave an important role These local government organs are intended to provide certain specified services from the rates and or taxes levied on citizens and entities operating within their defined geographic boundaries.

Here, I can speak about the major and largest Municipality in the country, Georgetown, the capital of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It is abundantly clear that this PPP Government has no interest i n r e s p e c t i n g t h e underpinnings in local governance, a rule of law, transparencyandtherightof citizens to make decisions consistent with their hope and aspirations for a better life.Insofarasthecapitalis

concerned, the Government since1992havebehavedlike theproverbialbig,badbully and now use the lure of the filthy lucre, the attraction of handouts and small mercies totrickcitizensofthecapital showingatotaldisregardfor the principles of local government or if you wish, sharedgovernance.

For brevity, let me state as follows: after winning Elections in 1992, the PPP, consistent with their own ‘Stalinest’, communist dictatorial belief, set their sights on Georgetown as their main prize. One, they provoked a decent Christian Gentleman, the Late Mayor Compton Younge to the point where he and other Councillors threw in the towel allowing the PPP to appoint an Interim Management Committee to take control of the City, all were PPP appointments, chairedbyDr JamesRose.

They threw massive man-power and money into the City, hoping to persuade citizens to vote for them in Electionsproposedfor1994. This did not work and in spiteoftheusuallywelloiled propaganda machine, the

PPPonlysecuredeight(8)of the thirty (30) seats in Georgetown (GGG- 12, PNC-10).

Two, before leaving office, the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee stated that to provide a proper service for the City, taxes were insufficient and additional sources of finance were required to maintain the integrity and beauty of the City (Drainage, Roads, Sluices, Kokers, Cemetery, Municipal Markets, Abattoir, Public Health Services,etc.).

Three, when I was electedMayor,actingonthe wisdom of the Chairman of the PPP appointed IMC, I proposed a lottery to raise additionalfundsfortheCity AtaMeetingwiththeHeadof-State(acting),theM&CC delegation including the Town Clerk, the late Philomena-Sahoye Shury and Robert Williams, the Government representative informed us that they could notsupportalotterybecause thereligiouscommunitywill be up-in-arms. Six months later, a lottery was up and running No one knows

where the money goes but not one cent is given to the M&CC.

Four, a highly respected Town Planner, Professor Akbar Khan spent several months looking at the City, made several proposals, but all were frustrated by the Central Government. No Municipality can be successful without money and management The G o v e r n m e n t h a s consistently starved the Municipality of money After many years, a Local Government Service C o m m i s s i o n w a s established Before the Commission,theMinisterof LocalGovernmentexercised that authority Apart from Prince Melville, the late Town Clerk, all the other appointments to keep administrative positions were done by the Minister This meant that the Chief Executive Officer could and oft times did ignore decisionsandrequestsofthe MayorandCouncillors.

Thisincludedfoistingon the M&CC unqualified persons. Iavoidthetedium ofdetailswhichcan

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DEAREDITOR

In the aftermath of Guyana’s worst fire that cut short the lives of 20 of our precious Amerindian children at Mahdia, there wassomeapparent“passthe buck” and blaming among GovernmentMinistries.

The Ministry of Education seemed to have beenblamingtheMinistryof Regional Development, that the Regional Ministry is responsible for the dorm, never mind the news photos showeditwastheEducation Minister who arrived with thefirstteamwalkingonthe debris. She was also in the first team arriving at the Karasabaidormfire.

Wonder why? The Regional Minister was not visible among the early arrivals.

Sometriedtoincludethe Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for firefighting, intheircallsforresignations

of Ministers The

Government has not accepted responsibility for “systems failure” nor has it apologised Instead, they

kept the focus on the allegation that a student set the fire, therefore the Government goes scot-free. Theyhavenotdisclosedany corroborative evidence or student confession as yet. Assuming it was a student arson,thestudentscouldnot have escaped the deadly inferno because the dorm doors were locked and the windowsweregrilleddown.

Apparently, there were no alarms and extinguishers too.

The Government must take responsibility for the litany of governmental failures, systems failures

The Government’s niceness in showing sympathy and paying for related travel and funeral expenses, does not substitutefororabsolveitof responsibility for failing to follow up on fire inspection reports, and now the bombshell United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Report unearthed by the Stabroek News(“UNICEF review of school dorms last year highlighted myriad deficiencies,” SN, June 5,

2023).This report revealed there was a UNICEF study done in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (not Regional Ministry) last year on all the dorms in G u y a n a M a n y recommendations for improvementweremade.

What happened at Mahdia reminds me of the story I learned in Sunday Schooltitled,“WhoseJobIs It,Anyway?” This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, AnybodyandNobody There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would doit.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’sjob.

Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybodywouldn’tdoit.It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. The story may be confusing but the

messageisclear:noonetook responsibilitysonothinggot accomplished.

If the Ministry of Education controls the MahdiaSchool,itwouldbea senseless management design that the Education Ministry does not have oversight or responsibility for what happens at the Dorm. That absolutely does notmakeanysense.

The UNICEF Report is an indictment of the Ministries’ mediocrity in operatingallthedorms.It’sa study of abounding and pervasive inequities, failures, and “what not to do.” There was no evidence ofbestpractices.

TheDormisanextension of the school. How can the Education Ministry tell the nation, don’t blame us? The UNICEF’s “Request for Proposal” for the Dorm Study stated, “This collaborative effort with the MoE is made possible throughaprojectpartnership between the Canada High Commissionand

Government ministries have a lot of explaining to do about the Mahdia dorm fire in light of UNICEF’s Dorm Study last year

Debunking the myths

DEAREDITOR, A recent letter in SN, “Inappropriate statement on incarnation,” by C. Persaud attracted a few interesting comments One of the commentators, Colonel 1232, made an unwarranted and inappropriate observation: “BTW good deeds are considered Godly, and Burnham did a lot of good stuff fuhalyou who endedupowning80%ofthe economy with his help, and without alyou getting the governmentjobstoo!”

Aside from the induced amnesia, it is pure jiggerypokery to proclaim that the F o r b e s B u r n h a m dictatorship not only b e n e f i t t e d I n d i a n tremendously but benefitted them more than any other group.

Noevidencewasoffered for the “great assertion.” It appears that dishonesty and distorted beliefs have colonized the minds of this commentator and people of his “kith and kin ”

Otherwise, how does one explain the ethnic purchase of the idea that Indians own 80 percent of the economy?

A few years ago, the claim was that that Indian Guyanese own of 90-95 percentoftheeconomy Ina lettertoSN,dated26March 2019, I endeavoured to debunkthismyth.

It appears that a transmutation of some sort hasbeenperformedbythose who peddle misinformation and disinformation. In 1993, Clive Thomas wrote that the “commanding heights” of the economy firmlyrestedinthehandsof the PNC government by the early 1980s: it owned and controlled about 80 percent oftheeconomy

He said: “The Governmentthenboastedof its ‘80 percent ownership and control of the economy ’” That “80percent” fact has been transmutedinto–toattacha label to it - the great 80percent myth and pinned upon Indians. One of the major conclusions of the letter referred to above was

that: “If one optimistically assumes that Indians completely own and control these seven sectors, their mean contribution to GDP was 22 9 percent during 2006-2017. Consequently,

“Even with the most optimistic assumptions, the belief that Indians own and control 90-95 percent of the economy – GDP – is a myth.”Pureandsimple.

One simple fact dispels the great 80-percent myth: total central government expenditure accounted for 27.9percentofnon-oilGDP from 2009 to 2022, rising from a fifth to more than a half of GDP from the beginning to the ending of theperiod.

How, then, can Indians own 80 percent of the economy? The arithmetic simply does not add up. Spending of this magnitude, more than a third of non-oil GDP during 2020 to 2022, can have a huge impact on theeconomy

Further, it is likely that recent growth would have been more subdued or even negative if Central Government spending followed its trend from 2010. The sheer size of the Central Government means fiscal policy – fiscal dominanceinthiscase-isan important instrument of government policy, which it can use to influence economic growth, the sectoral composition of the economy and, more importantly, the just distribution of the fruits of economic progress across regions and ethnic groups. The Central Government is simply the single largest economicagentinGuyana’s economy, more so that the

300,000 plus Indians put together

Besides, the mysterious andconcoctedstatistic,there is a fundamental underlying issue with the claim: what doesitspeddlersmeanbythe “economy?” There are at least four possible answers to that question. First, the “economy” usually means theannualflowofGDP,and Indians are directly responsible for little over a fifth of the “economy” Second, consumption could be contorted to mean the economy

Studieshaveshownthat annual mean consumption by Indians and Africans are about the same. The most recentdataliesburiedinthe bowels of the Bureau of Statistics. HereIrefertothe Household Budget Survey (HBS 2018), the results of which were supposed to be publishedtowardstheendof 2019. IfIamnotmistaken,it is now June 2023. Funded by the IDB, which has used thesurveyresultstocompute consumption/income Gini coefficient, Guyana’s e t h n i c / p o l i t i c a l entrepreneursareapparently afraid to publish the data because of – and I am guessing – its ethnic ugliness.

The third possible interpretation of the “economy” refers to the annualflowofincome.

To the best of my knowledge, data on income distribution by ethnicity do not exist. It is considerably harder to estimate income than consumption, let alone its ethnic distribution Reasons for the difficulty include the great reluctance ofpeopletosharedataon

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MOST GUYANESE SEE NO BETTER LIFE INAFAIR OILCONTRACT. WHAT TO DO?

DEAREDITOR

IthinkOppositionLeader AubreyNortonwouldreadily admit that his response at a recent Press Conference that hewouldreleasemoredetails ontheparty’soilpolicy“atthe right time” could have been better Not only did his response justifiably provoke legitimatecriticismbutitalso inadvertently damaged the trackrecordofthepartyonoil and gas matters Kaieteur Newsanditspublisher,Glenn Lall,ledthewayinblastingthe partyfromallsides

The attacks against the party, however, provide the opportunity to raise an issue which I think Mr Lall and others miss or choose to ignore Mr Lall has often expresseddisappointmentthat theOppositionisnotmarching on the streets or, I imagine, barricading Parliament for a renegotiated oil agreement.

ButMr.Lallisawarethatina 2022pollbytheInternational Republican Institute (IRI), Guyanese ranked oil extraction(at1to2%)behind high prices, unemployment, and corruption in response to thequestion“Whatisthemost important problem facing our countrytoday?”Costofliving andotherqualityoflifeissues surpassed50%

Mr Lall,Irecall,expressed deephurtandshockoverthese results given that, by then, his newspapers had been makingboldheadlinenewsof the oil contract almost every day Butthelowpublicinterest inarenegotiatedoildealisnota criticism of KN’s efforts It reflects the Guyanese reality What is that reality? Most Guyanese by now realise that oil extraction has not lifted (andwillnotlift)theirliving standard under the PPP

People have long concluded that higher revenues from higher royalty rates or ring fencing will not end up in theirpursesorpockets.Their kitchentablesandcupboards willremainjustasempty

Lall and other advocates arethereforetryingtoactivatea highly skeptical public that is totally untrusting of the PPP government Ifcitizenswereto be asked in a poll tomorrow, “Doyouthinkyouoryourfamily wouldenjoyabetterlifeshould Guyana get a better oil deal?”, about90%ofrespondentswould say “No” Many citizens thereforeseenobenefitingiving morethanmoralsupporttothe well-intentionedcampaignfor a new oil contract Guyanese arenotgoingtoprotestintheir tensofthousandsformoreoil revenues under an uncaring, anti-poor, corrupt, and i n c o m p e t e n t P P P government.Eventherecent spikeinpublicinterestsince thequarreloverunlimitedoil spill liability proves that citizens place their own interest first. More people arepayingattentionnotonly because of their moral outrage over the PPP’s senseless and unpatriotic position, but also because they worry that the PPP’s position has the potential to makelifeinGuyanaworse.

In the Gulf States and in Norway, the initial public and political campaigns focused on equitable distributionofnew-foundoil wealth. In Norway, political partieswereevenformedwith

justthatsingleagenda But,in Guyana, the campaign for a better oil deal is devoid of sustained discussion on how that wealth can and must be used to transform people’s lives AssumethatGuyanagets a better deal tomorrow, then what next? Are citizens in a better place? Do the campaignersfoldtheirtentsand stop writing letters and editorials?

Yes, Guyana needs a fair oil deal The Opposition is however advancing the case that in-hand oil revenues can transform our country, our communities,andourfamilies today Theoilrevenuealready in the kitty is not a pittance HowcouldUS$6-7billionby 2025be?IthasmadeGuyana oneoftherichestcountriesper capita in the world A government that believes that national wealth does not belongtothepeople,however, willtakeusnowhere.

TheOpposition’sproposals on guaranteed livable income, waivers on GPL and GWI payments for low-income households, rent assistance, expandedmicro-smallbusiness loans and grants, and comprehensive mother/child support are just some of the ideasonliftingthequalityof life of all Guyanese. Apart from being a government’s moral obligation to its citizens and their human right to live decently, such initiativesarealsoeconomic investments.

Respectfully, SherwoodLowe

Aubrey Norton We need answers

DEAREDITOR

In a letter in Kaieteur Newsdated,April30th2023 and captioned “we need to question our leaders more abouttheoilsector”,Iwrote the following, “I got the impression that based on somefigure,Ithink60USD abarrelofcrude,“CostOil” would be 75%...I am asking if, considering that crude is being sold at over US$80, “cost oil” should be a lower %IfnotisEXXONgettinga windfall.

Idonotbelievetherewas any denial of this by the government. I decided to do someresearchwhichcreated additional questions

AccordingtothePSAArticle 11.2, “All recoverable contract cost incurred SHALL (my emphasis) subjected to the terms and conditions of any agreement… be recovered from the value, of a volume of crude oil And/or natural gas produced and sold from the contract area and LIMITED (myemphasis)inanymonth

to an amount which equals seventy-five percent (75%) of the total production from the Contract Area for such month.

Could someone or the government guide us as to what it means when the contractsaysshallbelimited to 75% in any month?Am I to understand that 75% is a capandsoitcannotbemore but could be less than 75% and given the high price of oil, “cost oil” should be less than 75%? From where I stand if no one, especially the government, tells me I amwrongandwhy,thenthis is daylight robbery and our government has no objections.

I ask this because it also statesthatif“costoil”inany month is more than seventy Percent then the shortfall is recoverable in the succeeding months. So, if 75% does not reach “cost oil” they can recover the difference in subsequent months.Itakeit,if“costoil” is less than 75% then they shouldtakelessthan75%.

Would someone, some Lawyer, Accountant, the Minister or the man in chargeofoilandgas,Bharat Jagdeo, please respond to thisandmypreviousletter If not, readers would assume I amrightandthegovernment is deliberately giving away someofouroilforfree.

Joel Bhagwandin, a Financial Analyst, who in his articleintheGuyanaChronicle, dated September 4, 2022 and captioned “The Production Sharing Agreement, Renegotiation,andtheStability Clause (Part 1)” stated the following, “development cost for Liza 1 alone amounted to aboutUS$4billion,thetotal estimated development cost forLiza1,Liza2,Payaraand YellowtailisaboutUS$29.3. I am hoping he may be able to supply some information as to why such a step rise in cost. Maybe the Minster of Natural Resources or the maninchargeofoilandgas, or EXXON could give our peopleanexplanation.

Regards

RajendraBisessar

Debunkingthemyths...

Frompage05 incomeortounderestimatetheirincome,tax implications, and undisclosed income, such as remittance and income from selfemployment. The fourth and final point of view of the “economy” refers to wealth, which is buried in an even larger data blackhole,renderingitevenmoredifficultto estimate wealth than income. Readers interestedinincome/wealthdistributionmay wish to read articles written by Dr Collin Constantineaswellasmy2022book,which iscalled“Essays,”especiallyPartI. While Indians directly generate a little

over 22 percent of non-oil GDP and both major ethnic groups spend about the same dollaramountonconsumption,itisprobable that they command a larger share of the income and wealth generated by the “economy.” But whatever the definition of the “economy” adopted by whatever ethnic group; Indians do not own 80 percent of it. Peddling such a myth amounts to gross distortionandmischief-making. Alas,there isasayinginpoliticsthatgoeslikethis:ifyou areexplaining,youarelosing!

Yourstruly,

RameshGampat

DEAREDITOR, Ididfullyagreewiththe Opposition Leader’s initial, andshort-lived,positionthat he would await the next generalelectioncyclebefore revealing his plans for the petroleumsector

I believe that it was politicallycorrecttodosoat this time since no election timetable has been set, the requisite broad-based consultations have not been held and policy manifesto developed,andMr Nortonis not a Presidential candidate orPresident-in-waiting.

While it is good, impressive even, that the Opposition Leader is forward looking, it should notbeattheexpenseofmore immediate issues which are

his direct responsibility and which have the potential for catastrophic development if unaddressed.

Also, while it is doubtless reassuring that he, as President, w i l l e n g a g e ExxonMobil for more benefits for Guyanese within his first 50 days in office, what is of greater concern to many of his supporters, including myself, is his willingness and determination as Opposition Leader, to systematically engage the PPP/C administration on economic issues, mostly petroleum-related, regarding spending priorities, the rate of accumulation of debt, the

apparent disregard of many transparency, constitutional and economic development practices and the use of public resources as a private slush fund for partisan, propaganda and politicking purposes that could squander much of the current and future benefits of the petroleum sector M r N o r t o n ’ s achievementsherewouldbe a more significant and welcome indicator of his ability to positively engage our international partners in the development of this tremendously valuable resource.

Sincerely

OscarDolphin

PPPusingthelureoffilthylucre...

Frompage4 consume hundred of pages, but we now have a situation where Central Government inconsistent with the Constitutionandthespiritof local government execute works in the City without even the courtesy of informing the Mayor and City Council which has a responsibility for maintaining these facilities and trespassing upon the rights of the Municipality with impunity in big and smallmatters.

Only last week-end, the PPP had a public meeting outsideBourdaMarketatthe John Ford Car Park named after a previous Mayor but no permission was sought from the Council which has the responsibility and guardianship to that area. Citizens everywhere must

resist this debauchery and brutality, demon-like behaviour.

No matter what the cost andhowlongitmaytake,we must fight it to maintain the essenceofademocracy

On Monday, therefore citizens must not be fooled by this talk that the Mayor and City Council are incompetentusingthatasan excuse to take over everything. No Institution is perfect but like the human body, should be encouraged tofunction.

When you amputate its hands and legs and expect them to perform, this is the heightofunfairness.

When we go to vote on Monday, we must not be fooled,wemustnotbemade drunk, by the tricks up the sleeves of the new master class.

I’m told by one youngsterthattheyarebeing offered sums of money in exchange for their ID Cards which will be returned to themaftervotingday

To those who may find this attractive, lean on the wisdom of the lesson in the Bible, where Esau gave away his birthright for some food.

You must value your v o t e w h i c h o u r ancestors fought for and gave their blood for us to inherit, freedom and dignity

When people offer you money for your ID Card, they are showing disrespect anddisregardforyouandas ahumanbeing.

Regards HamiltonGreen Elder

Governmentministrieshave...

Frompage04 and aims to promote safe, secure, healthy learning e n v i r o n m e n t s f o r secondary scho o l adolescent boys and girls living in dormitories in Guyana’s hinterland, t h r o u g h s y s t e m strengthening and gender responsiveprogrammingfor healthylifestyles.

Thestandardsmustconsider

• Floor spacing per child /adult across all living quarters - e g dining /sleeping /laundry and k i t c h e n s p a c e s , communal study area; sports facility living quarters for dormitory parents

• Recommendations for the utilization of green technologies, access to

sustainable water resources andsafesanitationmethods, and the usage of local materials and skills as well as PV solar power where possible

• Human resources requirements for every aspectofdormitorylife–e.g. house parents; cooks; welfareofficers/counsellors; ancillarystaff

•financialimplications

f o r m e e t i n g comprehensive standards across the dormitory plant ”

Additionally, current ads in the newspapers show that the Ministry of Education, not Ministry of Regional Development, is inviting bids for repairs to several dorms So, we needaMinistertotalkfast

w h o h a s m a j o r responsibility for the dorms, and who has supporting responsibility But the Government side refusing to accept responsibility is simply untenable.

The Nation must not let them sacrifice only the 15year-oldtroubledteentopay forasin,whenthemultitude ofsin nersareintheMinistries. The public holds the Ministry of Education responsible.

Letthepublicknowwhy it’syourschoolbutnotyour Dorm for the students in yourschool.

WhichEinsteindesigned itlikethat,iftrue?

Sincerely,

Dr JerryJailall

I agree with

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Govt. MPs blank PAC meeting again

...Opposition members call on them to resign

Withthemeeting of the Public A c c o u n t s Committee (PAC) suffering yet another cancellation owing to the absence of members of the ruling People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), opposition members are calling for the government members on the committee to tender their resignations.

Outlining his concerns, ChairmanofthePACandMP of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), Jermaine Figueira called for the Government's Chief W h i p , M i n i s t e r o f Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira, and the Minister of PublicWorks,JuanEdghillto resignfromthePACforbeing absent consistently. Figueira noted that this is the ninth meeting of the PAC that had to be cancelled due to the

absence of government representatives.

The Chair expressed disgust that all of the government members of the committee failed to show up forMonday'sPAC.

“While they have responsibilities in their respective portfolios as minister, they can put some other person you believe is competent.Are we to believe that the PPP MPs are incompetent to the point that no one else could replace the other ministers, who are here and are supposedly always busy?

The work of the Public Accounts Committee is very important to this nation, and we believe it adds to good governance, transparency and accountability,” Figueira said.

The Chairman noted that the PPP/C representatives continue to make excuses

when it comes to the work of the PAC and is totally unacceptable.

Opposition PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul expressed similar sentiments. “The entire opposition showed up for today' [Monday] PAC only to be told that the Government side is unavailable. So we are again back to square one where the Government side of the NationalAssemblecontinues their disrespect for the guardrails of our democracy andactasanuncaringregime with no respect for the a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d transparency principles and institutions,”Mahipaulsaid.

He noted that democracy is a system of governance in which power is held by the people, either directly or t h r o u g h e l e c t e d representatives.

He stressed that “In a democratic society, the

governmentisexpectedtoact in the best interests of the people and to uphold the rule oflaw

Thepeoplehavetheright to hold their representatives accountable through free and fair elections, the media, and otherdemocraticinstitutions.

“Accountability and transparency are essential principles of democracy, and they help to ensure that those inpowerareheldresponsible for their actions and decisions.”

Mahipaulsaidthereforeit is important for citizens to speakoutandspeakupifthey feel that their government is not acting in their best interests or is not upholding democratic principles “Ultimately, it is up to the citizens to hold their government accountable and to ensure that democratic principles are upheld,” he said.

QC student wins Recover Guyana's Youth Environmental Speaker contest

AQ u e e n ' s

College student has been named

G u y a n a ' s Y o u t h

EnvironmentalSpeaker. Marian Academy and S k e l d o n L i n e P a t h

Secondary School were runners-up in a spectacular show of intellect, courage, and earth-mindedness, on June05,WorldEnvironment Day, organizers said in a press release

T h i r t y s c h o o l s participated in the final leg ofthe Shout Competition,on the quest to find Guyana's next Youth Environmental S p e a k e r S h o u t , a collaborative effort between local NGO, Recover Guyana, and the Ministry of Education was launched in March 2023 and completed its first phase inApril which sawovereighty-fiveschools submitting essays on what sustainable changes they would make to their environment if money was not an issue. Only thirty schools were allowed to moveforward,afterjudging, to the next phase which was held Monday at the Ramada PrincessHotel.

The event was opened with organisers paying respects to the twenty children who lost their lives to the fire at the Mahdia Secondary Girls' Dormitory; followed by an official “green” opening by Dr Latoya Gooding, VicePresident of Recover Guyana. Without wasting a beat, the students were then allowed to take to the stage to deliver their prepared speech of about two minutes and after an hour of riveting and highly competitive speeches, the judges

deliberated and decided on the top ten that would move immediately into the next segment.

These were: Zeeburg Secondary School, ISA Islamic School, Essequibo Islands Secondary School, Marian Academy, Skeldon LinePathSecondarySchool, Queen's College, West Demerara Secondary School, Qayyim Academy, The New Guyana School, and President's College. At the impromptu segment, the qualifying participants were asked to pick the name of a judge, who would then postulate a question that the student was required to ponder on initially for thirty seconds and expound on for the next two minutes Tensions rose as name after name was called until the final name was announced, and that segment of the competition ended. Again, the judges quickly deliberated and the results were submitted for announcement of the winners.

Recognition was given to the top three essay submissions from Zeeburg Secondary School, West Demerara Secondary and Queen'sCollege,thelatterof whomwasawardedtheprize for best essay Additionally, the Best SpeakerAward was copped by West Demerara Secondary School, Most Influential SpeechAward by Qayyim Academy and the Environment Impact Speech Award by Queen's College. All participants were awarded tokens and certificates while the top ten each went away with EnvironmentalRecognition

(Continuned on page 9)

Opposition MP, Ganesh Mahipaul

Chair of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira

JagdeoisnotaboutOneGuyana;heisaboutMyGuyana

Jessie Burnham warned the nation about Forbes Burnham Clinton Urling signaled what he saw as popularsentimentwithinthe PPP/C against Bharrat Jagdeo.

No one took Jessie Burnham,thesisterofForbes Burnham seriously It was a costlyandpainfuloversightas anyonewholivedthroughthe period 1968-1985 can attest Following the defeat of the PPP/C in 2015, Urling was candid about the sentiments among the supporters of the PPP/C The businessman and former President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry had appearedonthePPP/C’slistof candidates for the 2015 generalandregionalelections

After the PPPC’s defeat, Urling wrote a letter that appeared in the Stabroek News. In that missive, he relayed that by the time he had joined the PPP/C’s campaign, it was obvious that Jagdeo was the party’s central figure and the dominant force in the PPP/C’selectionstrategies.

B a s e d o n t h i s observation, Urling was of

the view that the 2015 electionwasJagdeo’stowin or lose. The PPP/C lost. He noted the sense of demoralization within the PPP/C which greeted this defeat.Thisishowheputit, “…manyinthepartyseemed to be at a loss about the party’s direction and the apparatus literally stopped functioning for a day or two after the elections, coupled with an information blackout The Freedom House party headquarters was a ghost town and little was being told to any party candidateorsupporter.”

He then said that there was no place he did not turn that party members and supporters were not whispering and angrily criticizing Jagdeo’s divisive campaign rhetoric. He said that many party members, both junior and senior, placed the blame for the party’s defeat squarely on Jagdeo’sshoulders.Hewent on to add that: “The general belief was that under his presidency, the party lost its way from being a “wholesome” political organisation which attracted

many friends and allies to becoming one where perceptions of impropriety and corruption had created ominous clouds over the party’simage.”

Urling expressed the view that while the loss was disappointing, it presented an opportunity for rebirth, redemption and change in the manner in which the party operated. He said that justifiably,thedefeatshould havekickstartedtheprocess of the party distancing itself from the politics of Jagdeo and his loyal circle. As we now know, this did not happen.Instead,Jagdeowas able, with the support of the leadership of the party, to commandeerthereinsofthe party The divisive rhetoric continued in the run-up to the2020elections.

But this time, it was not as costly thanks to the disastrous performance of t h e A P N U + A F C g o v e r n m e n t T h e APNU+AFC however had shot itself in the foot by its poor performance in government, its stubborn refusal to resign following the passage of the no-

QCstudentwinsRecoverGuyana's...

Frompage8

Awards. Finally, the top three was announced; in third place was Saahil Hemraj from Skeldon Line Path Secondary School who received a prize package valued at $175,000 and included an environmental award, a tablet, one year free-fibre internet service from GTT, a health voucher from UltraCare Medical CentreInc.andacashprize.

InsecondplacewasAryanne Singh of Marian Academy who received a prize package valued at $250,000 a n d i n c l u d e d a n environmental award, a

Chromebook, one year free fibre internet service from GTT, a health voucher from UltraCare Medical Centre Inc. and a cash prize and finally, the Guyana's N a t i o n a l Y o u t h

Environmental Speaker was announced as Vasanna Persaud of Queen's College who received a prize package valued at $300,000 andanenvironmentalaware, a laptop PC, one year free fibre internet from GTT, a health voucher from UltraCare Medical Centre Inc.andacashprize.Acheck of $500,000 representative

Dem boys seh...

in value of a cash grant, training and technical expertise was also handed overtoQueen'sCollegeand they too will also receive one-year free fibre internet fromGTT Shout had a number of sponsorsincluding:Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, ProfessionalPrint&Design, Camex Restaurants Inc , Ultra Care Medical Centre Inc , Caribbean Motor Spares, Guyoil, GTT, G u y a n a P r e m i e r Consultancy,RepublicBank (Guyana) Limited, Morning Glory, High Commission of IndiatoGuyana.

The Ring Master is phenomenal

Step right up, hurry, hurry before the show begins! Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to be astounded! In a small town that time forgot, a one-man circus has become a permanentfixture.

It promises the most spectacular show you’ve ever witnessed. Yes, you heard it right. A one-man circus! The Ring Master awaits, ready to dazzle and bewilder Don’t blink, for you might miss something trulyextraordinary

WelcometotheGreatest ShowonEarth,starringthe one, the only, the

astonishing Ring Master!I know that some of you associate one-man shows withstand-upcomedy

You may not be far off themarkinthiscase.

But indeed, there is a one-of-a-kind spectacle whichyousurecannotmiss and which you should not miss! The Ring Master –some tease that he is really thePuppetMaster–juggles more than balls and chains. He pulls more than strings. He cracks his whip ever so oftenandchurnsoutbreaths offire.Heisaphenomenon.

He does all the acts in the circus, transforming

confidence motion and its controversial appointment, without following the prescribed constitutional provision, of a Chairman of G E C O M I t w a s APNU+AFC’s failures rather than Jagdeo’s leadership which allowed thePPP/Ctoreturntopower in2020withaslimone-seat majority Today, Jagdeo is stillreigningsupremeandis holding one-man press conferences spewing the samedivisiverhetoricwhich led to the PPP/C’s defeat in 2015. As Urling predicted, thepartywouldnotbeableto reinventitselfwithJagdeoat thehelm.ButUrlingwasnot singular in his view Former PPP Executive Committee member, Mr Ralph Ramkarran said almost the same thing. Following the PPP/C’s defeat at the 2015 polls, Ramkarran predicted thattherewasunlikelytobe any internal movement for

reform because of Jagdeo’s stranglehold on the leadership.

He even predicted correctly that the old guard would be sidelined It did happenandnowmostofthem areonlookerstodevelopments within the party Party supporters have to now face the ignominy of watching the party host one-man press conferences every Thursday Jagdeotakestothestagewith hisincessantdivisiverhetoric, the same divisive talk that caused the PPP/C to lose the 2015 elections and which has nowgivenanewleaseonlife tothePNCR.

But Jagdeo may soon have an awakening. At his most recent press conference, he claimed not to know who was Ray Daggers.Hemaysoonknow because, as mentioned before in this column, three supporters of the PPP, are contemplating imitating

Dagger’s Freedom Walk

They want to do so to demand that the PPP/C hold its long and constitutionally overdueCongress. There is even talk about moving a motion calling for Jagdeo’s removal. Already, one person is said to putting outfeelersastohowpersons would feel about asking Ralph Ramkarran to return to lead the PPP/C. Jagdeo is therefore not sitting as secure as his loyalists may believe. He is on shifting sands Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or viewsofKaieteurNews.

fromadaredevilacrobat,to trapezeartist.

Hewalksthetightrope, with his eyes closed. He is the strongman, always ready to flex his muscles. Thismulti-taskerdoesitall! He assumes all the roles in thecircus.

Who needs a troupe of performers? The Ring Masterhasanointedhimself as the fire-eater, the lion tamer,thecontortionist,the knife thrower, the magician… and even the clown.

Youmustseethisshow Admissionisfree! Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

GHK LALL

LGE- PPP has what it takes

Truth be told, I never had the time of day for Local Government Elections (LGE), which admittedly could be a failure on my part. But what did I lose over the

years since returning home? I fixed my own drains, used to cut my own grass (in the public space), even helped withapotholeortwo,anddid what I could as my c o n t r i b u t i o n t o neighbourhood ambience duringPPPyears,PNCyears, and now PPP years again. The experiences can be best compressed in the immortal words of that greatAmerican baseball sage, Yogi Berra: “samedifference.”

As shared recently, I noticed a consistency with PPP efforts to do something for the better (cutting the grass and clearing drains), and I said my two nickels. Before that, when the PNC took office in 2015, a start was made to spruce up Georgetown,thentheregular old-time politics took over and things rapidly fell apart. ItisaproblemthatIlabourto comprehend and fail abjectly: politicians and their being near to liquid cash. Notwithstanding all of this, LGE are now back with us in amatterofdays,sowhatisin thecards,asreadbyme?

Colonel Jagdeo is on record as asking the citizens of Georgetown to give the PPPa chance. It is an appeal that has some political soundness, some resonance. By the way, 'Colonel' was an appellation of recognition made much use of by the old American Deep South slave plantation aristocracy for those who did heavy lifting and special jobs for them. It fits the Guyanese 'colonel' to a tee. But there are still those years that stick in the stomach when the city was left waterlogged like some modern Atlantis; when the decay was allowed to proliferate as if there was some secret desire for the Garden City to be converted to some vast dumpsite and landfill; and when the roads weregiventheirownshareof the PPP treatment. It was,

and still is an extraordinary one, by any standards of o b s e r v a t i o n Despite identifying thesefewofmanyother political carnages inflicted on the citizens of the capital city, it is my belief that the PPP has a fighting chance of prevailing inGeorgetown.

There I said it! And for emphasis, I say it one more time: the PPP has as good a chance as it has ever had to emerge by the shortest of shortnosesinthisrathertame LGEhorserace.

I do not think that it will be much of a show, and here is why PNC supporters are so jaded, so impacted by voter lethargy, and political malaise that I envision them staying at home, and sitting on their hands, with their index finger curled into an irreversible knot. Then, using the public knowledge that the PPPhas more money than God (sorry if I offended anyone with the blasphemy), and can arrange numbers to suit its objectives, of which thereisonlyonethatmatters. To borrow from American College Football lingo: winning is not everything; it is the only thing. I like that one. Next, and also related, theLGEmarginofdifference hasbeensmall.

The good news is that it wouldn't cost that much to eliminate the gap, and trot ahead to the line. Moreover, somecitizensbelievethatthe PPPin the driver's seat in GT could mean 'plenty' money poured into the city, with the restbeinghistory

That is, progress and development, PPP style However, I peer at all this, there is the sound and smell ofsubstancearoundit.

Now,Iinjectthepersonal intothislittleLGEaffair My residence has been visited twice by people in RED. I am still to see any people in

green, or whatever colour is adopted nowadays. This has also been the reports that have come from other areas around Georgetown Incidentally, though I didn't speak with the PPP agents, I remind one and all that my days of voting are over Twiceisenoughforme.

RegardingthePNC,there is word circling that it is confident, and not unduly worried.

Maybe so, maybe not. Still, I recall that there was a fellow in Iraq who was of the same disposition. He went by the American awarded moniker of 'Baghdad Bob' and look how things concluded after all his outlandish characterizations andlavishverbalhijinks. So, fast forward, and it is next week Tuesday, and I predict the PPPpainting this lost and forgottentownred. Idohope that we do not have to bring in Caricom, the UN, Bruce Golding, Ralph Gonsalves, and the successor to the most vaunted one, Excellency Sarah Ann Lynch. By the way, is she still in this prized primitiveneighbourhood? If sheisgone,thenitistimethat I start making plans. I think Moscow has a special appeal atthistime.

Therearelotsofsnowsto coolthingsdown.

Now, here is the final scorecard for next week's LGE: Georgetown -PPP Linden -Maybe New Amsterdam -perhaps next time. Sayonara!

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

Contract to guard East Demerara Water Conservancy pegged at $146M

Theengineerforthe NationalDrainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, has estimated that it would cost $145 million to guard the East D e m e r a r a W a t e r Conservancy(EDWC).

A c c o r d i n g t o a n advertisement published in Sunday's edition of the Kaieteur News, the ministry is inviting eligible persons to bidforthecontract.

The contract is for the security and monitoring EDWC. The final date to submit bids is on June 15, 2023,at09:00hours.

In March, Guyana secured funding from the World Bank to reduce flooding in Georgetown, includingtheEDWC.

T h e M i n i s t r y o f

Agriculture signed contracts amounting to US$8 5 million,whichseektoreduce the risk of flooding in the low-lying areas of East Demerara. This project is a continuation of government's

partnership with the World Bank and other funding agencies to improve the drainage systems in vulnerableareas.

Arelease from the World Bank disclosed that the contracts are funded through the World Bank-financed Guyana Flood Risk

Management Project The objective of the Flood Risk Management Project for Guyana is to reduce the risk of flooding in the low-lying areasoftheEastDemerara.

The interventions financed under these contracts will lower flood levels in two catchment

a r e a s , a n d i n c l u d e replacement of existing pumps, additional pumping capacity, rehabilitation of the sluice gates at Ogle, and two mobilepumps,alsoatOgle.

The project has three

components (1) Priority

works for flood risk

reduction component includes: upgrading critical

sections of the East

D e m e r a r a W a t e r

Conservancy, or EDWC

damsselectedpursuanttothe criteria set forth in the construction supervision and quality assurance plan; carrying out priority flood risk reduction investments in the East Coast Demerara drainage system selected pursuant to the criteria set forth in the construction supervision and quality a s s u r a n c e p l a n ( 2 )

Institutional strengthening for flood risk reduction component will support flood modeling through the following activities: (i) hydraulic and hydrological modeling; (ii) specialized training in hydraulic and hydrological modelling, use of remote sensing tools, and data management; and (iii) information technology support for management of data (3) Project management and implementation component will support reporting and auditing activities.

Body of sailor found following Essequibo River boat mishap

- as search on for captain in another boat accident

The search for Gavin Cox, a sailor of Batavia Village, Mazaruni River ended on Sunday afternoon after his body was recovered in the vicinity of River's View VillagealongtheEssequiboRiver

Kaieteur News had reported that 29-yearoldCoxwasfeareddeadaftertheboathewas driving was hit by a fiberglass boat on ThursdayintheEssequiboRiver

Confirming the discovery of Cox's body, Commander of Region Seven, Dion Moore saidthatapostmortemexaminationhassince beenconductedanddeterminedthatthesailor drownedandsufferedblunttrauma.

It was reported that Cox was the lone occupant in his boat which was hit by a fiberglass boat operated by Mark Gonsalves at around 19:45hrs on Thursday Due to the impactofthecollision,Coxwasflungintothe riverandhaddisappeared.

Gonsalves had told police that he attempted to search the area for Cox but the search proved futile. Subsequent to his search, Gonsalves visited the Bartica Police Station and made a report. Immediately an investigationwaslaunched.

Meanwhile,TerryLaCruzismissingafter the boat he was driving crashed into his father's boat along the Aruka River, Region OneonSunday

LaCruz's father, Percy Thomas told this publication on Monday that the accident occurred just around 21:20hrs while he was headinghomewithhisfamilyfromchurch.

Thomas, who was driving his boat at the time of the accident, said that as he was traversing the river, he saw a speeding boat approachinghimfromtheoppositedirection.

The distraught man said that upon seeing

this,heshonehislighttoalertthedriverofthe speedingboatofhispresenceontheriver But according to him, it appeared the driver did notseehisboatandendedupcrashingstraight intohis(Thomas)boatbow

As a result of the collision, that driver of the speeding vessel was flung into the Aruka River

Following the collision, Thomas discovered that the driver of the boat that crashed into his boat is his son, the lone occupant of the boat. At the time of the accident, Thomas said that he was transporting his wife and two daughters to their home. Luckily, they did not receive seriousinjuries.

AsearchhasbeenlaunchedforLaCruz. Investigationsareongoing.

Terry LaCruz who was involved in the boat mishap along the Aruka River, Region One on Sunday

The East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC)

US$25M port to be constructed at Friendship to service oil industry

Diamond Property

Management (DBM) through its subsidiary Diamond Shorebase Inc. (DSB) has applied to the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) for a Permit to construct a dock facility at Friendship, East Bank Demerara, to provide coveredberthingandaheavy marine loading depot for platform supply vessels that service the oil and gas industry

According to the Project Summary, the Friendship Port development will be located approximately nine miles south of Georgetown and 15 miles north of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The private development is pegged at US$25 million, withconstructionexpectedto becompletedin16months.

In its application to the EPA,thedevelopernotedthat due to the nature of its operations, an oil spill can occur at the facility but will beadequatelymanaged.

According to DSB, “Hydrocarbon spills from areas with secondary containment are not very probable due to the passive mitigation measures that thesesystempresent.Smaller hose spills can be common but also mitigated with more active measures such as emergency shut downs and mobiledrippans.”

In the meantime, it was also explained that the facility will be handling hazardous waste too. “The operation of this facility may produce waste in a few of ways; general domestic waste, hazardous waste stored in offloaded vessel containers, hazardous waste produced within drilling fluid facility containment areas, ” the document outlined.

It said that while general domestic waste such as plastic bags, paper wraps, wood, food waste products, etcetera will be placed in dumpsters and taken to the Guyana Landfill, “any hazardous waste taken on from supply vessels or originated within drilling fluidbatchingareaswillinall cases be disposed of in recorded transfer to third party processing facilities suchasSES.”

T h i s n e w s p a p e r understands that the docking facilitywillbeconstructedon a plot of 5.72 acres of land. It will feature three covered berthing areas for supply

vessels, a heavy lifting dock area, a loading and offloading depot, office building and two security buildings.

The Friendship Port Development will mainly serve as a loading and offloading depot with services provided to marine vessels operating off of the coastofGuyana.

Additionally, products such as fuel, drilling fluid, andwatermaybeavailableto vessels within the covered ship berthing area The Project Summary explains that other activities such as loading and unloading of objects such as; drill pipe, skid units, downhole tools, service equipment, etc associated with drilling and production rigs will be conducted.

Additionally, the project will provide “lift on / lift off operations using overhead or mobile cranes; roll on / roll off operations using ramps and forklift equipment; drilling fluid batching and supply from on-base facility via piping system to vessels; storage and supply of bulk products such as barite, bentonite, or cement to vessels via pneumatic conveyance; provision of diesel fuel for vessels and provision of non-potable watertovessels.

During the construction phase, DSB will be conductingdredgingand pile driving activities in the Demerara River “Dredging activities will be required in marine dock areas along the east bank of the Demerara

River in order to achieve required berth depths for the Platform Supply Vessels,” thedocumentexplains,while adding that, “pile driving activities will be performed from both land and barge mounted cranes. Hydraulic hammers will drive pre-cast concrete piles to required depths and in arrangements determined by engineering design. All pile driving will be logged and recorded as it is performed by a third-party testingagency.”

The EPA in its Screening

Decision uploaded to its website on June 4, 2023 said that the project will likely have low to medium significant environmental impactsthatwouldoccurdue to the project's size and characteristics.

“However, these impacts are expected to be mostly short-term, and localized Theoverallriskisminoronce mitigation measures are implemented as mentioned. The proposed project is said to bring socio-economic benefits to the Friendship

community,” the regulator added.

The agency is satisfied that all waste generated will be managed by sorting in respectable containers, collected by a third-party contractor and ultimately disposed of at the Haags Bosch Landfill. It said all Hazardous Waste such as dredging materials will be disposed of in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (2000).

The regulator did not

address the likely impact of an oil spill but said in its Screening Decision that effects on water quality will benegligible,short-term,and localized It added that periodic water quality monitoring of discharge points would be done during both the construction and operationalphases.

These mitigation measures will result in the project impacts not exceeding the Water Quality Regulations 2000 and GNBS waterqualityStandards.

An artist's impression of the proposed project at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (Source: DSB Project Summary)

GWI Places Focus on Training to Boost Performance P

Tw e n t y - f i v e

Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) plant operators from across the country are now better equipped to perform optimally at their job, the company said in a press release.

Thewatertreatmentplant operators drawn from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 recently graduated from a rigorous upskilling programme designedbythecompany

NazimulGhaniofRegion Six was adjudged the best

graduating student. During the six-month programme, the now level two operators were exposed to both classroom and fieldwork to get them to better understand the ins and outs of their duties.

Speaking at a simple yet significant graduation ceremony held in GWI's boardroom, Shelterbelt, V l i s s e n g e n R o a d , Georgetown, Executive D i r e c t o r o f H u m a n Resources Management, Elvis Gordon congratulated the graduands on their

achievement.

And on that note, he said GWI now looks forward to seeing them put their newly acquired skills into practice and to make a meaningful difference in their work environment.

GWI is expending billions of dollars to improve accesstoandqualityofwater as well as improving and e x p a n d i n g w a t e r infrastructures throughout Guyana.

T h i s y e a r , t h e government has invested approximately $14.5 billion

in the water sector, targeting the delivery of treated water, upgrades to existing water infrastructure, construction of new facilities, and the drilling of wells across the country

Construction of seven new water treatment plants and refurbishment of twelve existing ones are currently underway, with completion expectedby2024. These projects will significantly enhance the quality of water provided to residents Currently, 97 percent of the population has

accesstocleanwater,andthe government is working diligently to achieve full coverageby2025.

With this level of investments in the water sector, Jordan told the graduands that much is expected of them in their work, attitude and output on thejob.

GWI is working to train all GWI plant operators this year and to commence supervisory training next year The company in recent years has placed greater attention on training and

retaining of employees, retaining key and critical skills through improved packages, and recognizing employeeswhohavepursued professional development opportunities.

GWI Board Member, Wendell Jeffrey, who also addressed the occasion, told thegraduandsthattheGWIis a multibillion-dollar operation, and the company needsthembutwasalsokeen to emphasize that they must give their best on the job, with an eye for continuous improvement.

The plant operators, who recently graduated, with senior officials of GWI

Commonwealth trade ministers meet to foster cooperation for resilient, green economies

The2023Commonwealth

Meeting (CTMM) openedonMondayatMarlborough House in London. The meeting, being held on the 5th and 6th of June, brings together trade ministers from across the Commonwealth to discuss and deliberate on key issues related to tradeandinvestment.

The theme for this year's CTMM is: 'Delivering a Common Future: Cooperation for Resilient, Inclusive, Green and Digital Economies ' The meeting will provide a platform for ministers to

review the progress made since the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and explore opportunities for mutual cooperation to increase intra-Commonwealth trade. The insights and guidance from this meeting will help shape the agenda fortheupcoming2024CHOGM.

In his opening remarks, the Chair of this year's CTMM, Dr Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, the Minister of Trade and Industry for Rwanda said: “Practical and action-oriented commitments should be the outcome of our meeting, noting the tremendous

e f f o r t s m a d e s o f a r Commonwealth principles and values must continue to drive our deliberations and commitments, taking bold and ambitious steps to respond to the important mandate given to us by our heads of government.”

During the meeting, ministers will evaluate the state of the multilateral trading system in preparation for the World Trade Organisation's 13th Ministerial ConferencetobeheldinAbuDhabi in February 2024. The discussions will cover several themes, including trade policy solutions to

address the climate crisis, enhancing digital trade, supporting themultilateraltradingsystem,and deepening trade and investment acrosstheCommonwealth.

In her opening speech, Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC welcomed the trade ministers and highlightedthesignificanceoftheir gathering.“Weareherebecausewe share a common vision: to achieve US$2 trillion in intraCommonwealth trade by 2030. We gather in a time of change and challenge. All of us are tightly bound by a tangled knot of crises

spanning global systems: A world living with the social, political and economic consequences of COVID-19, crippling debt, rising inflation and high interest rates, spirallingcostsforfoodandenergy, tremors of instability and conflict and the increasingly harsh impacts of climate change. In isolation, each of these challenges is grave and serious, but they interconnect, entwine, and worsen one another, threatening our collective wellbeing. Following on from two meetings of SeniorTrade Officials, agatheringofourCaucusof (Continued on page 16)

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Senegal arrests Koran teacher accused of raping 27 girls

AFP— A Senegalese Koran teacher suspected of raping 27 of his female students was arrested on Monday after several weeks on the run, a police source told AFP.

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The man is accused of assaulting the students at his school in the holy city of Touba in central Senegal, a local police official said.

The suspect went missing after the accusations emerged earlier this year following a complaint from alleged victims who produced medical certificates, the source added.

He was arrested on Monday “after handing himself over to the police. After questioning, he was handed over to the gendarmerie,” the official said.

The source said the teacher is accused of “raping 27 students” but did not provide precise details on the dates of the alleged crimes or the age of the complainants.

Local media reported that the alleged victims were “minors”, implying they were under 15, and that the

The newspaper “Le Jour” wrote last week that the affair came to light when one of the girls refused to return to the school, where students learn about Islamic teachings, because the teacher “had sexual relations with her and all the other girls”.

Touba is considered a holy city by the Mourides, a major Islamic brotherhood in the Muslim-majority West African country.

The arrest comes after opposition figurehead Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in jail for inciting a young woman to “debauchery”, although he was cleared of a rape charge. Sonko’s legal battles over the rape allegations had captured media attention for two years, but the issue of sexual violence faded into the background as the affair became increasingly politicised. Senegal criminalised rape in 2020.

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TO LET

Commonwealth trade ministers meet to foster...

From page 15 Ambassadors to the WTO in Geneva, and the outstanding preparatory work done by the Commonwealth’s superb Trade Team, we can say with all confidence that we are ready to get down to business.”

In addressing the challenges of inclusive and sustainable trade, Secretary-General Scotland went on to emphasise the need to address climate change, bridge the digital infrastructure di-

vide, and maintain a transparent, inclusive, open, and fairtrading system with the World Trade Organization at its core.

She called upon the ministers to take bold and ambitious steps to fulfil the important mandates given by Commonwealth Heads of Government in Kigali in 2022. Also joining the CTMM is the Director-General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Confer-

ence on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Pedro Manuel Moreno. The CTMM provides a valuable opportunity for Commonwealth trade ministers to collaborate, exchange ideas, and develop strategies to advance trade and investment within the Commonwealth. By working together, the Commonwealth nations aim to foster resilient, inclusive, green, and digital economies for the benefit of all their citizens.

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Koranic school has been closed.

Ramps Logistics Guyana gearing to build US$5M apartment complex for oil industry

Ramps Logistics

G u y a n a , a leading supply chain management company in the Caribbean and Latin America, is gearing to establish a luxurious apartment complex on a parceloflandatLots37&39 Area F Turkeyen The property is located just off the Railway Embankment Road, north of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and the Giftland Mall.

According to project documents which are being r e v i e w e d b y t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the area in the immediate surroundings of the lots is a mix of residential and commercial buildings.

R a m p s s a i d t h e apartment complex is expectedtoreceiveallutility connections(GWIandGPL) from the access street east of the property, Third Street. The developer will also construct concrete drains withinthepropertytoensure

adequate drainage of the complex.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the project was envisioned and

sponsored by Ramps

Logistics Guyana to respond to the growing needs in the emerging oil sector in Guyana, specifically the increasing demand for high quality accommodations for expatriates and young Guyanese professionals currently working and living inGeorgetown.

Additionally, Ramps said the name Sky House Guyana was inspired by the rooftop amenities provided by the complex and views of the ocean. It also explained that the architecture of the building was done with a lot of emphasis to ensure it exemplifiedluxurygiventhe nearby amenities and excellentlocation.

Ramps also said the developmental budget for the project is US$5M and is financed through a private bankloan.

T h e n e w s p a p e r

understandsthatthebuilding sits on a plot of land with dimensions 122ft x 99ft (0 28 acre), while the building dimensions are 86ft x 78ft (6,785 sq.ft for each floor).

Murder accused freed after court upholds no-case submission

A 57-year-old murder accused was freed on Monday after the Magistrate upheldano-casesubmission putforwardbyhisattorney

Sarjoo Matadin left the FortWellington Magistrates' Court a free man after Magistrate Peter Hugh upheldano-casesubmission made by his attorney MurselineBacchus,SC.

Matadin, a cash crop farmer of Bath, West Coast Berbice (WCB) was among three other men accused of murdering overseas based businessman Mohamed “Raymond” Haniff back in September2020athisLot56 E x p e r i m e n t , B a t h Settlement,WCB.

The other accused are 29-year-old Royston Dowden of Waterloo, Bath; 5 0 - y e a r- o l d D e v o n McCalmonofNo.22Village and 21-year-old Ivan Lindo ofWaterloo,Bath.

Attorney Bacchus, in his no-case submission, argued that the out-of-court assertion of one person cannot be used against another. While quoting severalauthoritiestosupport his position, the attorney

said that Inspector Narine's evidence in the case was purely hearsay and overall inappropriate. The attorney

posited that the mere presenceofanindividualata crime scene doesn't implicate him or her Further, he submitted that the burden of proof doesn't fall on his client but on the prosecution.

To the contrary, the prosecution told the court that it relied heavily on the evidence presented to the court.

Magistrate Peter Hugh after listening to the submissions of both the prosecution and defence concluded that a prima facie case was not been made out against the accused and dischargedthematter

Haniff was reportedly beaten with an iron bar and chopped multiple times with a cutlass during an invasion at his home. He was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Public revealed thatHaniffdiedasaresultof multiple incised wounds to thehead.

Haniff's wife was also a r r e s t e d b u t w a s subsequently released on stationbail.

It was further explained that the apartment building will have 16 self‐contained apartments, four on each floor and 25 car parking spaces on the ground floor There will also be a gym, pool, and green space on the

rooftop.

Ramps said each twobedroom apartment will be approximately 1200 sq. ft. and each three-bedroom apartmentwillbe1800sq.ft.

With respect to the preliminary design for the

apartment complex, Ramps said the feasibility of several building types and construction materials were investigated. However, the final decision was made on a five-storey concrete and steel structure comprising of 1 6 s e l f ‐ c o n t a i n e d apartments.

The architect and structural and services engineer for the project are ACLA Architecture, KS&P andENCO.

They have all prepared the design drawings for the project.

An important step in this process was also to acquire all the relevant construction permits from the City Engineers,EPAandMinistry of Housing. The duration of t h i s p h a s e w a s approximately12months.

Ramps anticipates that once completed, the apartment could be fully occupied at any one time by residents with all onsite parking provided for within thecompound.

The design life for the projectis30years.

Dead: Mohamed “Raymond” Haniff

Freed: Sarjoo Matadin

Shaun Rampersad - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ramps Logistics Guyana Inc.

Ex-Vice-President Mike Pence joins White House race

BBC - Former US VicePresident Mike Pence has officially filed paperwork to joinanincreasinglycrowded fieldofRepublicansrunning forpresident.

Mr Pence, 63, is set to formally launch his campaign with a video, speechandtownhalleventin theearlyvotingstateofIowa onWednesday

The move pits him against Donald Trump, the man he served in the White House for four years from 2017-21.

The former president is currently polling well ahead intherace.

Most opinion polls show Mr Pence in a distant third place,withsupportinthelow single digits. The former Indiana governor and congressman is expected to position himself as a continuation of the Trump administration’s conservative agenda,withoutthebaggage

Can Mike Pence woo evangelicals away from Trump? Mr Pence, who describes himself as “a Christian,aconservativeanda Republican,inthatorder”,was an unswervingly loyal deputy toMrTrumpthroughmuchof their four years in office. But hehasdistancedhimselffrom his old boss since the riot by Trump supporters at the US CapitolinJanuary2021

Mr Trump pressured Mr Pence to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory when he presided over the certification of results in Congress and admonished him for lacking “courage” when he refused Some rioters were heard chanting “hang Mike Pence” as they stormed the halls of Congress, and many Trump loyalists view him as a

traitor

The former vicepresident said in March that Mr Trump’s encouragement of the rioters had “endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day”.

Mr Pence has spent months laying the groundwork for his run and is banking on a strong performanceinIowa.

Religious conservatives areaninfluentialvotingbloc in the state and, in 2016, helped Texas Senator Ted Cruz narrowly defeat Mr Trump.

Mr Pence’s popularity with evangelical voters was seen as helping to boost his running mate to the White House.

But he will find himself competing for evangelical voterswithothercandidatesin the race, including South Carolina Senator Tim Scott andformerUSambassadorto the United Nations Nikki Haley. The Democratic National Committee said Mr Pence’s entry would drag the Republicanfield“evenfurther to the extremes”, dismissing him as Mr Trump’s “Maga wingman”. Maga stands for Make America Great Again, theTrumpcampaignslogan.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely viewed as MrTrump’s chief rival, is currently polling a distant second in the race. Former New Jersey GovernorChrisChristieand incumbent North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum are also planning to enter the race this week. There is growing concern that a crowded field will split the anti-Trump vote and hand theparty’snominationtoMr Trumpagain.

Former US Vice-President Mike Pence (BBC)

Women’s Caribbean Premier League final to take place in Trinidad

The final of the 2023 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) will take place in Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday 10 September.

The second season of the WCPL will see an expanded scheduled of seven matches with each of the three teams playing four group games with the top two qualifying for the final.

The tournament gets underway on 30 August and the three teams taking part are Trinbago Knight Riders, Barbados Royals and Guyana Amazon Warriors. The teams will feature the best talent from across the Caribbean and some of the best international cricketers from around the world.

Caribbean Premier League, said: “We are hugely excited to have an expanded WCPL schedule for 2023 and we are grateful to the government of Trinidad & Tobago for their support in helping to grow the tournament in 2023. We are very much looking forward to seeing one of these three fantastic teams lift the WCPL trophy in Trinidad & Tobago on 10 September”.

Minister of Sport and Community Development, the Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, stated, “Once again, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to partner with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as we get ready to host the final match of the 2023 Women’s CPL. The hosting

Tuesday June 06, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Share your skills today, Aries. You will find that as you engage in the role of teacher, you learn more than if you just hold onto your knowledge without sharing it.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Don't underestimate the power of other people today, Taurus. They may seem flighty and scatterbrained on the outside, but underneath you will find that they have a great deal of wisdom to share.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Remember that there's a benevolent force out there that loves you, Gemini. No matter what, there's always a shoulder to cry on, even if it isn't a tangible one. Even in your darkest moments.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Don't hesitate to say the obvious today, Cancer, even if it sounds corny. Many times people hesitate to say what they really feel because they think it's obvious to everyone.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Look to older figures for advice today, Leo. Seek counsel with a parent or grandparent on issues you feel strongly about. Relationships with older people are likely to go especially well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Consider composing a bit of poetry today, Virgo. Use this as an exercise to condense your ocean of emotions into a very few words.

of this game comes at an opportune time as it strategically aligns with the goal of the Ministry’s ongoing Pink Reign TT campaign, which speaks to promoting women and girls in sport.

This not only allows Trinidad and Tobago to showcase the true spirit of the Caribbean by bringing together cricket enthusiasts from around the world, but it also serves as a testament to the Government’s commitment to encourage women and girls to live a healthier, more active lifestyle.

This year, we look forward to working hand in hand with CPL and other key stakeholders to ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience for all participants and attendees.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Just because your emotions are reserved or somber today doesn't mean you shouldn't share them with others, Libra. Work through difficulties.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You may need to jump to many different people and situations today, Scorpio, yet something is holding you back. Listen to this inner voice that's asking you to be conservative at this time.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

ou feel like you have a stone strapped to your back, Sagittarius. The farther you walk with this load, the slower you go, and the more hunched over you will be by the time you reach your destination.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It

Feel free to break ties with certain people now, Capricorn. You may be overextending your emotional bank account by investing too much of yourself in others' lives.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Less is more should be your motto for today, Aquarius. The more you cut back in certain areas of your life, the more room you open up to bring in new and exciting things.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You may be asked to slow down today, Pisces. Whether this comes in the form of a speeding ticket or a scrape on the knee when you trip.

From page 22 says that he is nervous sometimes. If he is, who am I not to be?”

Haddad Maia had already saved a match point in her last 32 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova to become the first Brazilian woman in the fourth round in Paris since 1979.

The 26-year-old Sorribes Tormo had made the last 16 after fourth seed and Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina withdrew from their third round clash with illness.

She looked the fresher of the two on Monday as she took the first set and was a double break up in the second before Haddad Maia rallied.

The Brazilian swept the next six games to level the tie and broke in the opening game of the decider.

Sorribes Tormo broke back immediately but couldn’t capitalise as Haddad Maia reclaimed the advantage in the fifth game.

In a tense finish, Sorribes T ormo saved three match points in the ninth game and broke serve to level at 5-5.

But Haddad Maia broke straight back and this time held her nerve.

She is no stranger to energy-sapping duels.

In Rome last month, Haddad Maia dro pped a three-hour 41-minute quarterfinal to Anhelina Kalinina, which is now the second longest women’s match of 2023.

Pete Russell, CEO of the

The Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Community Development and Natalie Black-O’Connor, CPL’s Head of Branding and Hospitality celebrate the WCPL final coming to Trinidad & Tobago.

Haddad Maia ends Brazil’s 55year Grand Slam...

Haddad Maia ends Brazil’s 55-year Grand Slam wait after epic triumph 55-y

AFP - Beatriz Haddad

Maia battled from a set and 3-0 down to defeat Sara Sorribes Tormo in the third

longestwomen’smatchever played at Roland Garros to reach a maiden Grand Slam quarter-finalyesterday

The 27-year-old Brazilian left-hander came through 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-5 against her 132nd-ranked

Spanish opponent on Court Suzanne Lenglen after three hoursand51minutes. The match was just 16

Epic win: Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia celebrates a point against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo.

minutes short of the record fourhoursandsevenminutes it took Virginie Buisson to beat French compatriot Noelle van Lottum in the first round at Roland Garros in1995.

Haddad Maia is the first Brazilian woman in a Slam quarter-final since seventime major winner Maria Bueno in 1968 and will face world number seven Ons JabeurofTunisiaforaplace inthesemi-finals.

Bueno also made the quarter-final of Wimbledon

and semi-final of the US Openthatyear HaddadMaia,ranked14, claimed victory on a fourth matchpoint.

“I am very happy and very proud that I didn’t give up and I think that is why I deserved this victory,” she said.

“The key was to play all the points regardless of the score.

“I thought that if I was nervous,myopponentwould betoo.AndNovakDjokovic

(Continuedonpage21)

Outstanding performances from local bodybuilders at Roger Boyce Classic in Barbados

The 2023 Roger Boyce Classic witnessed an impressive display of talent from the Guyanese delegation, over the weekend The team of bodybuildersincludingJulio S i n c l a i r, D a r i o u s Ramsammy, Christina Ramsammy, NicolasAlbert, and Rosanna Fung left their mark in the Men’s

Bodybuilding and Female Bikini Wellness divisions at theprestigiousRogerBoyce International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) Elite/Pro Classic championship which concluded on Sunday at the Lloyd Erskine Convention CentreinBarbados.

RosannaFungofGuyana delivered a stellar performance, marking her first appearance in a professional competition since attaining pro status at CAC 2022 Fung’s remarkable talent and unwavering dedication led her to a well-deserved second-place finish in the Bikini Wellness category In addition to her podium

achievement, she also received a rewarding cash prize in recognition of her outstandingperformance. Meanwhile, Nicolas Albert showcased his dominance in the Men’s upto 90kg category, emerging as the first-place finisher during the competition stages However, he ultimatelysecuredanoverall second-placewithascoreof 10, as Mexico’s Jose Armando Felix claimed the topspotwithascoreoffive. Darious Ramsammy, on theotherhand,displayedhis prowess in the Men’s Bodybuilding up-to-80kg category, positioning himself among the top contenders and securing an admirable second place as HoskynWorrellofBarbados copped the first-place honours. Julio Sinclair was also impressive in his quest, securing a respectable thirdplace finish in the Men’s Bodybuilding over-90kg category of the competition, furthersolidifyingthestrong performance of the Guyanesedelegation.

2023 KFC Elite League…

Fruta Conquerors, Buxton United triumph

FrutaConquerorsFCand Buxton United FC are the latest winners in the KFC Elite League, as the tournament continued over theweekend.

At the Guyana Football Federation’s(GFF)National Training Center (NTC), first JermainePadmorefoundthe backofthenetinthe59thto break the ice between Fruta and Milerock FC, while Neron Barrow’s well-placed shotfromtheedgeofthebox inthe74thsealedFruta’s2-0 win.

Later on, a solitary goal from Dean Daniels in the 45th+2, was all it took for BuxtonUnitedtoget3points overVictoriaKings.

Followingtheweekend’s fixtures, the Guyana DefenceForce(GDF)FCsit atop the points table with 3 wins (9 points) in as many games The Soldiers are followed by Buxton United who have garnered 7 points from their 4 games.Western Tigers, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC and Santos FC all have 3 points, with goal differences of +11, +9 and +8 respectively

However, Western Tigers

andGPFhaveonlyplayed2 games, as compared to Santos’3.

Defending champions Fruta Conquerors have picked up 6 points in 3 games, while Ann’s Grove United has a solitary point after3gamesplayed.

The remaining teams, Den Amstel FC, Milerock FC and Victoria Kings FC are all yet to pick up any

GCBGirlsU19Inter-County30-Overstournament…

Demerara, Berbice open

Girls U19 today at Everest

The Guyana Cricket Board(GCB)Girlsunder-19 Inter- County 30-overs Tournament will be played fromtoday,Tuesday,June6, 2023,atEverest.

The competition had been rescheduled due to inclementweatherlastweek with all three rounds being hostedattheEverestCricket ClubGround.

This tournament serves aspartofthepreparationfor the Regional Girls under-19 tournament scheduled to commence on July 2, 2023, inTrinidadandTobago.

Grimmond, Lakshmi

pointsinthetournament.

TheKFCEliteLeagueis set to continue today, TuesdayJune6,withaclash betweenDenAmstelFCand Ann’s Grove United FC at 19:00hrs, after which the GDF FC will take on Western Tigers at 21:00hrs. Bothgameswillbecontested at the GFF’s NTC at Providence, East Bank Demerara(EBD).

Today, arch-rivals BerbicewillbattleDemerara in the opening round while tomorrow, Wednesday’s action will feature the Berbicians playing the Cinderella County ladies of Essequibo, following their opening round. The final round set for Thursday June 8, will witness Demerara in their final match against Essequibo. Matches on all threedaysaresettobowloff from10:30hours.

Squads:

Berbice squad: Ashmini Munisar (Captain), Relanna

Mahadeo, Daniela Hicks, Jamie Campbell, Chrystal

Durant, Denillie Lindie, Darshanie Subramanie, Tiea

Isaacs, Tamera George, Renata Liverpool, Leah

Kamala, Sadraha Ramdass, Danielle Mann and Kianna

Leitch The Coach is Tremayne Smartt while the ManagerisErvaGiddings.

Demerara squad: Naomi

Barkoye (Captain), Sarah

Amin, Nyia Latchman, Tamica Simon, Sheniya

Mangra,AreahAlly,Anessa

Chetram,ShobaHarnaraine, Canna Barkoye, Tilleya Madramootoo, Chelsea

Latiff, Melanie Dover, Emalissa Whyte and Alliya Clarke.The coach is Heema Singh while the Manager is AbenaParker Essequibo squad: Cyanna Retimiah(Captain), Lavina Ragobeer (Wtk), Nickesha Narine, Roxanne Hendricks, Laurene Williams, Neesa Samuels, Qzel Sampson, Aliah Da’Silva, Jayara Rodrigues, Engrid Gouveia, Anasia Mangra, Nikefa Allen, Thalia Hack and Ashanti Mohamed. The Coach is Parmeshwar Persaud while the Manager is Navika Narine.

Coco Gauff reaches the French Open quarterfinals

for the third consecutive year

PARIS (AP) — Coco

Gauff put aside a skinned kneeandabadstretchinthe first set to reach the French Open quarterfinals for the thirdconsecutiveyearwitha 7-5, 6-2 victory over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova yesterday

Next for Gauff could be a rematch against No 1 Iga Swiatek, who beat t h e 1 9 - y e a r - o l d American in last year’s final at Roland Garros. Swiatek was scheduledto face Lesia Tsurenko in the fourthroundlaterMonday.

Gauff grabbed a 5-2 l e a d a g a i n s t Schmiedlova, but then t h i n g s g o t m o r e interesting Gauff got broken while serving for the set at 5-2 and again at 5-4

She helped the 100thrankedSchmiedlova—who hadneverbeenpastthethird

roundatamajortournament — with a double-fault, then dumped a forehand into the net to end a 21-stroke exchange,makingit5-all.In the next game, Gauff stumbled on the slippery clay in sun-splashed but windy Court Philippe Chatrier, scraping her right knee.

After she gathered herself to claim that set, Gauff was visited by a trainer, who placed a white bandage just below herknee.Theedgesofthat patch began to curl up as Gauff played, and she removeditsoonafter The other women’s quarterfinalonthetophalf of the draw Wednesday will be No

7 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia vs No 14

Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil

A u s t r a l i a n O p e n c h a m p i o n A r y n a Sabalenka vs Elina Svitolina, and 2021 French Open finalist

A n a s t a s i a Pavlyuchenkovs vs Karolina Muchova The only seeded player in the bunchisNo 2Sabalenka

J a b e u r w a s t h e runner-up at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last season, but she exited the French Open in the first round and it was the only major at which she hadn’t been to the quarterfinalsuntilnow She got there by beating Bernarda Pera, anAmerican ranked36th,6-3,6-1.

Jabeur managed to win all eight of Pera’s service games, helped by taking 15 of 16 secondserve points Pera didn’t help herself, either, by making 33 unforced

errors to just 13 winners

“I was expecting her to playbetter,”Jabeursaid.

Haddad Maia reached herfirstSlamquarterfinalby outlasting 132nd-ranked SaraSorribesTormo6-7(3), 6-3, 7-5 in a fourth-rounder that lasted 3 hours, 51 minutes.

Before this trip to Paris, HaddadMaianeverhadbeen past the second round at Roland Garros or any other GrandSlamtournament.

Like Jabeur, Casper Ruud made his way to two Grand Slam championship matches last season. And likeJabeur,hecameupshort eachtime.

The No. 4-seeded Ruud, the2022runner-uptoRafael Nadal at Roland Garros and toCarlosAlcarazattheU.S. Open, returned to the quarterfinals in Paris by defeating Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (3),7-5,7-5.

their fourth round

Jarry, who served an 11month ban in 2020 for a positivedopingtest,wentup 4-1inthesecondsetand4-2 inthethird,butRuudturned thingsaroundeachtime.

Ruud’s quarterfinal opponent will be No 6

Holger Rune or No 23 Francisco Cerundolo. Other men’s matches Monday were No 27 Yoshihito Nishioka vs. Tomas Martin Etcheverry, and No 22 AlexanderZverevvs.No.28 GrigorDimitrovatnight.

Two opposing players try to gain control of possession in the first half of the Buxton United versus Victoria Kings.

Realanna Grimmond Ashmini Munisar

Coco Gauff of the U.S. plays a shot against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova during

match of the French Open tennis tournament

(AP Photo/ Aurelien Morissard)

BCB/BrianRamphalU-17inter-zonetournament...

Lower Corentyne hoists BCB/Brian Ramphal

U-17 inter-zone title -WestBerbicefinish3rdplace

The talented Lower Corentyne cricket team emerged as champions this past weekend when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) hosted the finals of theBrianRamphalUnder-17 Inter-Zonetournamentatthe AreaHGround.

New Amsterdam/Canje lost by 8 wickets batting first The visitors were bowled out for 88 from 30 overs with Zadden LaRose 24,AviskharPersaud10and Devon Wharton 11 managing double figures Bowling for the champsMatthew Pottaya 3-17, KumarDeopersaud3-15and Afraz Budhoo 3-15, destroyed the New Amsterdam/Canje batting order

In reply, Lower

Corentynestrolledto90for2 in the 22nd over, led by knocks from Rampersaud Ramnauth31*,whohadhelp from a few other of his

teammates, including West Indies junior player Rampertab Ramnauth who had27.D.Whartonhad1for 40andA.Beharry1for24.

Meanwhile,the3rdplace match at No. 48 Ground featured the BCB/Brian Ramphal U-17 inter-zone tournament, which was won by West Berbice Upper Corentynemade95alloutin 28oversbattingfirst,Mohan Baichan leading the way with 13, was futile against the likes ofArif Khan 2-16, Rashad Gaffoor 2-12 and JarrelHemerding2-12.

It was easy cruising for the dominant West Berbice side that made light work of thetotal,endingon96for1. Goodbattingfromthepairof Gaffoor,whohadagreatallround game when he returned to score 45* with the bat as, Tulsiram Ramcharran added good support with 24 not out, to seehisteamhome.

HeatsurgepastNuggets111-108,levelNBAFinalsat1-1

AFP - The Miami Heat handed the Denver Nuggets theirfirsthomedefeatofthe playoffs Sunday, surging in the fourth quarter for a 111108 victory that leveled the NBA Finals at one game apiece.

Gabe Vincent scored 23 pointsandJimmyButlerand Bam Adebayo scored 21 points apiece for Miami, who withstood a 41-point performance from Nuggets star Nikola Jokic to get the split in Denver and breathe new life into the championshipcampaign.

In a game of swinging shifts of momentum, the Heat had the last word, rallying from a 15-point first-half deficit and outscoringtheNuggets36-25in the final period as they silencedthecrowdof19,537 atBallArena.

Adebayo sealed it with a pairoffree-throwswith48.3 secondsremaining.

“We know we’ve got to do it on the defensive end,” Adebayo said of Miami’s fourth-quarterfocus.“That’s the biggest thing for us. We got to do it on that end because we know we can

score, all five guys we believe in. So the biggest thing for us was getting stops.”

Denverhadalastchance to tie it, but Jamal Murray missedathree-pointer

“It was a good look, just didn’t go down,” said

Murray, who scored 18 points and handed out 10 assists.

Miami, who came through two play-in games andaretryingtobecomethe first eighth-seeded team to winthetitle,hostgamethree ofthebest-of-sevenserieson

Wednesday

“We gutted out one on their home court, so time to gobacktothe305,”Adebayo said referencing the Miami areacode.

Miami, who were dominated in a game one defeat, vowed to step it up and they started strong, leading by 11 with less than five minutes to play inthefirstquarter

The Nuggets battled back and were up by 15 in the second quarter on the way to a 57-51 halftime lead

But Nuggets coach M i c h a e l M a l o n e excoriated his team’s lack ofeffort

“This is NBA Finals, we are talking about effort; that’s a huge concern of mine,” Malone said “Tonight,thestarting lineup to start the game, it was 10-2 Miami Start of the third quarter, they scored 11 points in two minutesand10seconds.

“We had guys out there that were just, whether feeling sorry for themselves for not making shots or thinking they can just turn it

on or off, this is not the preseason, this is not the regularseason.

“This is the NBAFinals. That to me is really, really perplexing,disappointing.”

Certainly Denver’s s e c o n d - q u a r t e r turnaround owed plenty to their bench, which outscored Miami’s reserves 25-5inthefirsthalf

But it was two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic who asserted himself in the third, scoring 18 points in the period

Jokic would finish with 11 rebounds but handed out just four assists and coughed up five turnovers as Miami’s adjustments limited his effectiveness as a facilitator

“We had a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding,” Jokic said “You just need to know where to be or what to do or what’s the coverageorwhatever.”

-MomentsoftruthMiamitieditupat66-66 midwaythroughthethirdbut didn’tmanagetogetbackin

frontandtrailedbyeight,8375 after Denver closed the thirdona6-0run.

But the Heat opened the fourth on a 15-2 scoring run, taking the leadforthefirsttimesince the first quarter on Vincent’s three-pointer with 10:10 to play and never trailingagain.

After a disappointing shooting display in game one,theHeatconnectedon 17 of 35 from beyond the arconSunday Max Strus, who didn’t score a basket in game one, led all scorers in the firsthalfwith14points

They connected on 11 of their 16 attempts in the fourth quarter, including five of nine from threepoint range “During the fourthquarter,ourguyslove to compete,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They love to put themselves out there in those moments of truth. “Fortunately we were able to make a lot of big defensive plays down the stretch,andthenwegotalot of contributions, which you’regoingtoneedagainst ateamlikethis.

The new U17 inter-zone champions Lower-Corentyne.

Miami’s Gabe Vincent drives past Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets in the Heat’s victory in game two of the NBAFinals.

Where is Jamaal Shabazz?

-GoldenJaguarsHeadCoachabsentfrom trainingcampinJamaicaandMiami

BYRAWLETONEY

Guyana’s National Football team is gearing up for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but there’s a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the absence of Head Coach JamaalShabazz.

The Golden Jaguars just wrapped up a training camp in Jamaica and departed the Land of Wood and Water yesterday for Miami, where theywillbebaseduntiltheir June 17 clash with Grenada attheDrivePinkStadium.

However,Shabazzdidn’t travel with the team to Kingston,andwasnotpartof thecontingentthatarrivedin Miami.

Shabazz had a two-year imprisonment for his involvement in the 1990 Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt, which would later hamper him from travelling to some countries, including the USA, where conditions areapplied.

In2012whentheGolden JaguarsplayedMexicoatthe BBVA Compass Stadium,

Shabazz could not have madethetrek,leavingteam’s Assistant Coach, Wayne Dover to lead the squad in battle.

Dover has had two stints of leading the Golden Jaguars; first in 2009/2010, andthenashort-livedstayin 2017.

Kaieteur News was unable to ascertain if the travel constraints placed on Shabazzisthereasonforhis absence in Jamaica at least, sinceofficialsattheGuyana Football Federation (GFF) secretariat in Georgetown are tight-lipped on this newspaper’s queries which are going unanswered and

information being filtered offtherecord.

Havingfirsttakencharge of the Golden Jaguars in 2005,Shabazz,inSeptember of2021,madehisfourthstop as the Golden Jaguars Head Coach.

Shabazz departed in 2016 following a heartbreaking 4 – 2 defeat to ReggaeBoyzattheNational TrackandFieldCentreinthe 2016 Caribbean Cup Qualifiers, where the Jamaicans came from being down 2 – 0 at half time to win.

Since then, the Golden Jaguars were led by Shabazz’s assistant, Wayne

Dover, former Jamaica International Michael Johnson and recently, BrazilianMarcioMaximo.

Meanwhile, though CONCACAF has released the preliminary list of players all countries participation in the Gold Cup, the GFF reticent on their announcement of the players who have made the triptoJamaicaandMiami.

On the list of players releasedbyCONCACAFare Pernell Schultz, Kelsey Benjamin,ColinNelsonand Sese Norville from the Guyana Defence Force

(GDF) However, the aforementioned players didn’t leave Guyana owing to visa complications and otherissues.

Sixlocally-basedplayers drawn from Slingerz FC (LeoLovell,AkelClarkeand Jeremy Garrett), and Western Tigers (Curtez Kellman, Trayon Bobb and Daniel Wilson), joined 22 players from the UK, USA and Canada for the training camp.

The GFF has been smug in their media relations regarding the Golden Jaguarssincethemajorityof

Slingerz FC teammates, Jeremy Garrett (L) and Leo Lovell, in action during a training session in Jamaica with the Golden Jaguars (GFF photo)

thelocalpresswereunableto have an opportunity to have their many questions answered.

Guyana is making its thirdappearanceattheGold Cup, having qualified for the Main Draw in 2019 and reaching the Preliminary Roundin2021.

If successful against Grenada, the Golden Jaguarswillfacethewinner between Guadalupe and Trinidad and Tobago for a chance to play in the Main Draw against Canada, Guatemala, and Cuba in GroupD.

Melanie, Dynamic FC, Victoria Kings and BV secure wins at NALMILCO U17 football

Over the weekend, the East Demerara Football Association’s ‘Flour Power’ u n d e r- 1 7 f o o t b a l l tournament continued with four matches taking place at the Buxton Community Centerground.

The matches were split between Saturday and Sunday, with Melanie and Dynamics FC both registeringwinsonSaturday, and Haslington and Beterverwagting/Triumph winning their respective

matchesonSunday Dynamics FC put in a strong performance on Saturday, beating Mahaica

6-0 Bryan Wharton and Joshua Holder both scored braces, whileAntwon Grant and Travis Williams also

foundthebackofthenet. MelanieFCalsosecured a win on Saturday, narrowly beating Buxton Stars thanks to a 68th-minute strike from KobeBenjamin.

On Sunday, Haslington handed Victoria Kings their

fourthlossofthetournament withacrushing7-1result.

Akini Baynes was once again in fine form, scoring four goals, while Levon Burke, Aaron Thompson, andIsanWilliamsonalsogot onthescoresheet.

KennardHalleyscoreda consolationgoalforVictoria Kings in the 50th minute. In the other match of the day, Beterverwagting/Triumph eased past Ann’s Grove 2-0 thanks to goals from Xavier IgnatiusandTrevonDrakes.

Golden Jaguars Head Coach - Jamaal Shabazz

Golden Jaguars Assistant Coach Wayne Dover

From left, Dynamics FC goal scorers, Joshua Harper, Travis Williams, Antwone Grant and Bryan Wharton.

BV/triumph goal scorers Xavier Ignatius and Trevon Drakes.

Fruta Conquerors’ (on ball) presence was overwhelming near goal.

NicolasAlbert in his element.

Rosanna Fung (left) shares the stage with Makiva Elvin (center) ofAntigua and Barbuda and Mikhaila Farier (Barbados) at the 2023 Roger Boyce Classic.