Kaieteur News

ExxonM ordered to lodge US$2B parent guarantee within 10 days

...butCourtofAppealstaysJusticeKissoon's orderforcompanytoprovideunlimited guaranteeforoilspillsbySaturday

Appellate Judge

Rishi Persaud on

T h u r s d a y ordered ExxonMobil to provide Guyana with a US$2B parent company guarantee within the next ten days or its operating licence willbesuspended.

Justice Persaud made the orderwhenhedecidedputon hold the suspension order issued by High Court Judge, Sandil Kissoon against E x x o n M o b i l ' s E s s o Exploration and Product Limited (EEPGL) to provide Guyana with unlimited parentcompanyguaranteeby June 10, 2023 or its licence will be suspended. The oil majorhasindicateditwillnot be able to provide such a g u a r a n t e e a n d t h e

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the oil company appealed the

matter. During the appeal they asked for a stay of the suspension order as it could

be disastrous to the country as well as the oil company After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Persaud delivered his judgmentonThursday

T h e s t a y o f t h e suspension order will be in force until the hearing and determination of the full appealcase.

The appeal case is premised on the decision of Justice Kissoon in an application filed in the High Court on September 13 by Attorneys Seenath Jairam, SC, Melinda Janki, and Abiola Wong-Inniss. In the case, Guyanese activists, Godfrey Whyte and Frederick Collins said that their resort to the court is to make sure that the company takes full financial responsibility in case of harm,loss,anddamagetothe environment.

They noted that “an oil spillwouldbedevastatingfor our country and Region as many Guyanese and Caribbeanpeoplesdependon the ocean for their livelihoods.

That is why we have decided that the time has come to take matters to the courtforrelief.”

Kissoon had handed down a strongly worded decision as to why the oil subsidiary must provide adequate financial assurance byitsparentcompanyExxon Mobil to cater for all the damages to the environment in the event of a blowout or massive spill in the Guyana oilfield.

According to Justice Kissoon, the EPA as the statutory regulatory body failedtoenforcecondition14 ofthepermitwhichitgranted to the oil subsidiary, Esso which stipulates the need for an unlimited liability Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or unlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee, to cover and keep protected theGovernmentof Guyana and the Agency a g a i n s t a l l s u c h environmental obligations within the Stabroek block, together with Environmental liability insurance as is customary in international

petroleum industry, in accordance with the conditions listed in the permit from an insurance companystandingandrepute that equates to Grade A Plus as envisaged by Condition 14:05 ofthepermit.

A failure to comply with the order, the judge said would have resulted in the permitbeingsuspended.

Thursday's decision touched only on the suspension order, which has since been put on hold, but the substantive case will go forward and is to be heard by the full Court of Appeal panel.

In its appeal, the EPAhad said that the trial court erred in law in interpretation, c o n s i d e r a t i o n a n d application of the combined effect of Clause 14 of the Environmental Permit issued to EEPGL, and erroneously concluded that the financial assurance must be provided byEEPGL.

The EPA argued that the trial court erred in law and m i s c o n s t r u e d t h e Environmental Protection Act and its Regulations to determine that theAppellant, a statutory body had specific statutory powers which in factitdidnot.

The EPA argued too that thetrialcourterredinlawand misconstrued the substance and effect and wrongly a s c r i b e d t o i t a n interpretation superior to the Environmental Protection Act and thereby ascribed meaning to it which was expressly contrary to the specific provisions of the saidActanditsRegulations.

Further, the EPA submitted that the trial court erred in law in directing and determining the exact manner of the exercise of the

discretion of the EPA in a manner contrary to established law and practice.

IneffecttheEPAsaidthatthe trial court substituted its own discretion as the decision of the EPA when the Agency at all material times, had exercised its discretion and acted well within it statutory andregulatorypowers.

As a result, the EPA had applied for a stay of execution of the judgment of the Court as it contends that irreparable harm would be suffered by the nation's economy

Meanwhile, Director of the EPA, Kemraj Parsram in anaffidavitinteraliasaidthat he was advised that the grave disruption to the national economy coupled with the good prospect of success of the Appeal is sufficient for the court to grant of a stay of execution of the order and judgmentoftheHighCourt.

Parsram said that the court orders are quite coercive; including its mandatetotheEPAtoservea statutory notice on EEPGL, and if no adequate response is received then the permit stands suspended.According to the EPA Head, the judgment will have severe consequences and the direction of the Court has the effect of removing entirely the discretion of the agency He noted Guyana as a nation now earns billions of dollars annually from the petroleum activities conducted on the Liza 1 and Liza 2 fields; both are subject to the permit suspension or cancellation w h i c h w i l l h a v e a catastrophic effect on n a t i o n a l f u n d s f o r development and also the privatesectorwhichsupports the activities on the said Liza 1and2fields.

Appeal Judge Rishi Persaud

ExxonMobil’s Guyana Country Manager, Alistair Routledge

Heavy rains swamp sections of Georgetown ...NDIAmonitoring drainagestructures

In light of the heavy downpour across Georgetown and other parts of the Coast, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha led a team of engineers from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to conduct an assessment of several drainage structures inGeorgetown.

Minister Mustapha, while giving an update, noted that the structures are operable and that three engineers from the drainage authority will be monitoring all pumps and sluices in the region. He also said that engineers in other regions t h a t a r e c u r r e n t l y experiencingrainfallarealso onthegroundmonitoringthe situation.

“We witnessed heavy rainfall this morning which resulted in a number of areas in Georgetown experiencing flooding The Hydromet

Office has indicated that approximatelyfourinchesof rainfallfellintwohours.Our engineers are on the ground andwereabletoensureall13 pumps in Georgetown are operable. The sluice gates will also be opened so I am hopingthattheaffectedareas will be drained The Hydromet Office did indicate that the rains are expectedtocontinueupuntil about2:00pm(14:00hrs).”

Minister Mustapha also appealed to residents to avoid littering and to ensure they take the necessary precautions and also to pay attention to the weather forecast which is available o n t h e H y d r o m e t Department's website and socialmediapages.

Minister Mustapha was accompanied by NDIA C h a i r m a n , L i o n e l Wordsworth, and other engineers attached to the NDIA.

Meanwhile, Mustapha assured that all thirteen p u m p s t a t i o n s i n Georgetown are effectively working. “Drainage will be effective in the entire area. If the rain continues, we still have to be very careful how long this weather will prevail. The opening of the sluice will commence immediately We are monitoring the situation,” hesaid.

Minister Mustapha said his ministry has dedicated three engineers to manage the city “We have been monitoring the operators around the city to ensure these sluices and pump stations are working,” he added. The minister made a plea to the residents, not to block the internal drains and alleyways This, he emphasised, will ensure that water can freely flow to the main canals, sluices, and pumpstations.

Sections of the Ruimveldt Pump in operation

Suspected bandits get bail

Two brothers accused of robbing a couple on Robb Street were on Wednesday released by the Georgetown Magistrate's Court on $500,000baileach.

The defendants are

Selwyn Prescott, 26, and Selson Prescott, 30, both of D u r b a n B a c k l a n d s , Georgetown.

They were charged with robbery under arms and made their first court

MagistrateLeronDaly

Thebrotherspleadednot guiltyandweregrantedbail. Their next court appearance was scheduled for July 17, 2023.

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

IS GUYANA THE NEXT GHANA?

Ghanawasthetalkoftheoilworldafewshortyearsago, today it stands feeble and foolish before the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It was well positioned, how well it wasgoingtodo.ItisanunderstatementtosaythatGhanahas disappointed, underperformed, given the rich expectations for this well-endowed African nation. We look at Ghana bowingbeforetheIMF,andhopethatGuyanaisnotgoingto bethegreatdisappointmentthatGhanais.

SomeofGhana’sweaknessesarenowexposed.InGhana, oilcompaniesdidtheminimumasfarasoilexplorationwas concerned. Despite clear contract terms, some of the oil companies operating in Ghana engaged in serious underexploration. ThisresultedinGhanahavingtolivewithless revenues, taxes, and employment, among other valuable components. The oil contracts, and 16 were reviewed by independentnon-profits,specifiedsanctionsthatweretobe appliedintheeventoffailurebytheoilcompaniestoholdup their side of the deal. What the reviewers of Ghana’s oil contracts found was that there was non-compliance on the part of oil companies, and no action taken by Ghanaian authorities.

The State Institutions responsible for levying sanctions didnexttonothing.TheoverseersandwatchdogsofGhana gave extensions without any penalties to some of the oil companies, and looked for ways to cushion the deficiencies intheirperformance.

Forexample,moneyforsurfacerentalsweresupposedto be paid to the Ghanian treasury by the oil companies, but whenthiswasnotdone,GhanianStateInstitutionslookedthe other way They enforced nothing that was provided for as remediesintheoilcontracts. Accordingtocontracttermsin 14 active PAs (Petroleum Agreements), approximately US$923M should have been invested in exploration activities by the oil companies. Instead, a mere 2% of that amountwaswhatoccurred,whichmeantthatGhanalostout onoverUS$882Minrequiredinvestment(KNJanuary8).

Itisahugesum,andGhanawasdeprivedofthebenefits ofthatinvestmentbecauseitsownpeoplewereasleepatthe wheel, or worse still, possibly trapped into inaction by collusionandcorruption. Itisafactoflifethatwhenamanis given a meter, he will grab a kilometer What Third World countries have learnt is that show weakness before an oil company, and it will cannibalize that country while its eyes areopen.

As the African Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) said, “Contractors and companies often cut corners when weak contractingsystemsareinplace”and“corruptionrisksarefar higher “TheACEPalsofoundthattherewasaconspicuous “capacitygap”tothepointwherebothStateInstitutionsand civilsocietygroupssufferedfromsignificantdeficitsrelative tounderstandingwhatwasbeforethem,howtodealwiththe challengessurfacing.

Forexample,theACEPnoteddeficitsinknowledge,the contractingprocess,identifyingloopholes,andmonitoringof contractcompliance.Fartoofrequently,someofthegapshad tobefilledbynon-stateactors. Or,theywerelookedtoand approachedfornecessaryassistance.

WhenwestudythesituationinGhanaandhowitismade topayforitsweaknessesindealingwithseasonedandtricky oilcompanies,wecomefullcirclebacktoourownGuyana. We have one State Institution that is constantly in the spotlight because it is so woefully underperforming. The EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyismoreaboutlookingout for, and protecting, ExxonMobil and partners, as well as downstream oil support businesses, than prioritizing the interests of Guyanese. In fact, the PPPC Government itself seems to be at the beck and call of ExxonMobil, where its every wish is a command for our politicians. As the Government goes, so goes Guyana’s State agencies. When thePPPCGovernmentisweakandnegligent,whichismost of the time, so also are the State Institutions that are controlled by it. We look at Ghana, and shrink from the thought that Guyana is following in its footsteps in dogged fashion.Now,GhanaapproachestheIMFforaloan-theIMF isknownasthelenderoflastresort. Itistheendofthelinefor Ghana,andGuyanahadbetterlearn.

WE MUST DO BETTER

DEAREDITOR,

The recent arrival of the pipe for the pipeline was very surprising, especially when you consider the recently confirmed weakness of the country’s safetyrecord.Apipelinecan be a serious safety issue in the current political climate and the increasing risk of domestic terrorism The country has suffered several domestic terrorist incidents along the coast, and the elimination of the threat is stilltooccur

The Ministry of Home Affairshasalsoshownthatit is struggling to ensure complianceandadherenceto the current safety regulations The recent tragedy has confirmed this, andthecontinualinabilityto bring road safety and crime under control does not give confidencethatanexplosive gas pipeline will be well protected The risks are

tremendous and the level of the investment is the equivalent to what use to be the level of the country’s hard-earned GDP We are discussing the risk of $3 Billion US dollars going up in flames. That is not an insignificant amount of money

In addition, the pros of using these funds for a safer renewable solar energy optionisextremelystrongvs the current weaker gas pipeline option The expectationhasalwaysbeen that the strength of a better investment once confirmed, will ensure that our country makesthecorrectdecisionto secure both the energy and thefinancialsecurityneeded for the future. Laying a path for our nation to be stronger as we develop is a must and notanoption.

To do otherwise and to continue to go forward with an energy option that is

extremely unsafe, not financially viable and that does not meet our country’s futureenergyneedsisnotthe most fiscally conservative approach We must also remembertheimportanceof our Nation’s role in the GuianaShieldandourroleof championing the planet’s urgent need to change the current trajectory of climate change, which can have devastating effects on our Region.

As a member of Caricom,itisalsoourdutyto be a good and responsible partner

This also echoes the commitment we must have toensurethattheimpactofa major oil spill will not be uninsuredandthatunlimited coverage will secure the economies of our partners from any negative consequences of a major oil spill.Todootherwisewould belessthanresponsible.

Those in Government must show that they are capableofandcommittedto acting responsibly by making responsible decisions for the betterment of Our Nation, the Region and the Planet. The recent tragedy is a clear indication that a significant gap exists between what is expected and what is actually occurring.

Nowisthetimetoacton safetybyshowingvotersthat ourchildrenandcitizens,our roadways and homes, our finances and sustainable development, our regional partners and the planet, will all be in good hands as Guyana becomes a stronger global leader by always makingaresponsiblechoice in our endeavours. To do otherwise, would prevent our beautiful Nation from reachingitsfullpotential.

Withconcern, Mr.JamilChanglee

No separation of administration from politics under PPPGovernment

DEAREDITOR,

T h e p o l i t i c sadministration dichotomy is a theory that constructs the boundaries of public administration and asserts the normative relationship betweenelectedofficialsand administrators in a democraticsociety.

Woodrow Wilson’s politics-administration dichotomycanpotentiallybe substantial in sustaining a strong productive g o v e r n m e n t T h e complexity, difficulty level and ample multiplication of governmental functions can beseenasamaincomponent inthecausetoimplementthe politics-administration dichotomy Due to Wilson’s lack of faith in republican self-government and the overwhelming amount of “selfish, ignorant, timid, stubborn,orfoolish”persons whomthe“bulkofcanvote,” this model provides a solution that would counteract the majority of the incumbent voters. By employing the elite philosophical leaders to improve, shape, condition and sway public opinion, politics-administration dichotomy, if carried out in an unselfish manner leaves littletonoroomforerror

Woodrow Wilson’s modelcreatedoneofthefirst concepts of checks and balances,whichisoneofthe most predominant systems

ofdemocraticaccountability used to shape the United States government Nevertheless, “separating the will of the people from politics” could be extremely beneficialandinstitutionally separating administration from politics could prove valuable in sustaining governmentaccountability.

Politics-administration dichotomy also leads to political neutrality. The blurring of “politics” and “policy” has cause to the advocations to dismiss “partisan politics” rather than “policy politics.” The importance of neutrality in politics and policy are established within the politics-administration dichotomy

At a time when the need for checks and balances is needed for than ever, all systems to hold the government in check is blurred. We have an Ethnic Relations Commission that is pro PPPC, we have a GECOM where the top 3 officers are voted and supported by PPPC Commissioners, we have a Public Procurement Commission that is saddled w i t h P r o P P P C Commissioners and the list goeson.

We also have now at the Regional level, which is the administration arm of Government, Pro PPPC Permanent Secretary and

Regional Executive Officers There was a convention that government workers should not be seen actively involved in party politics since that was in the realmofthepoliticians.Now this is not the case, daily REOs are seen organizing party meetings. It is sad that staff members who don’t want to attend these meetings are victimized in differentways.

Thisbringsanotherissue into play. The playing ground for politics in Guyana is uneven. PPPC is abusing state resources for the local government Elections Many of the contractors have to support not because they like the partybutit’stheonlywayto get a contract for their sustanenance.

Arguably, the father of American political administration, Wilson, in his essay ‘The Study of Administration’, suggested that in order to have objectivity and progress, the administration must be separate from politics. The political/administration dichotomyaimedtoseparate the power between political leaders and the merit-based appointment of professional permanent civil servants in theadministrativestate W i t h c o n t r a c t employment replacing professional civil servants, the PPPC government have

dismantled all forms of professionalism at the level ofgovernmentagency They are all managed by cronies. The introduction of 10 days workershaveaddedtosaltto wounds, as their presence d e m o r a l i z e t h o s e professionals who studied hardtoearnaplace.Whereas all that is needed is a PPP politicalcontacttogetajob.

ThisisnotaOneGuyanabut aPPPCabusedGuyana. This is why PPPC governments will always fail.

At the turn of the 20th century,thefieldfocusedon making the bureaucracy more effective. The field’s basic premise was to take a business-like approach to government and its activities PPPC clearly don’t know of this model. They want to control every sector The Private Sector has no choice but to give because that’s the only way to survive without being blacklisted.Thehatepolitics that results in victimization is the legacy of PPPC Guyana and Guyanese are doomed since APNUAFC andPPPCarenobetter They are cut from the same cloth. Withtheunderminingofthe Public Accounts Committe, and highly political bureaucrat, who will hold PPPC accountable for the trespasses.

Regards, H.Singh.

It’s time to overcome the borders and boundaries creating barriers

DEAREDITOR,

In a region with 15 full member states, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is comprised ofnumerousbordersranging from10landbordersand37 maritimeboundaries.

Simply put, a border is a ‘real or an artificial line that separates geographic areas.’ According to the National Geographic, borders are ‘politicalboundaries’known as the external limits of a state.ScholarCedricGriffith argues that CARICOM Member States need to a c k n o w l e d g e t h a t boundaries are no longer ‘fundamentally unique, sensitive and bilateral in nature’ especially given the plethora of disputed borders and boundaries within the Community.

CARICOM’spositionon all the border disputes regarding its Member States has been basically the same, once the “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity” of the Member State is ensured. The 1982 United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea, (UNCLOS) establishes a comprehensive regime of law and order for theusesoftheoceansandits resources.

The UNCLOS clearly outlines each state’s right to an extension of its territorial sea up to a limit of 12 nautical miles; a zone of archipelagic waters that wouldbeofinteresttosome MemberStates;anexclusive economic zone (EEZ) extending beyond the territorialseato200nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of theterritorialseaismeasured as well as the existence of a continentalshelfbeyond200 nautical miles and up to 350 nauticalmiles.

The first issue to be discussed surrounds

Venezuela’s claim to a large swatheoftheCaribbeanSea which includes the Aves/BirdIsland.Thisclaim is as a result of Venezuela’s applicationofa200nautical mile EEZ around Bird Island.AlthoughBirdIsland is approximately 110km to the west of Dominica, Venezuela claims it even though it is 550km to the north-eastofVenezuela.

The Eastern Caribbean territories affected by Venezuela’s claim include Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia and St.

Kitts and Nevis. Together t h e y h a v e m a d e representations against the Venezuelan claim using the UNCLOS Art. 121 which prohibits islets or rocks that are unable to sustain human life from being used as the basis of a claim beyond 12 nautical miles of territorial sea.”

However, Venezuela is not party to UNCLOS and argues that Bird Island is necessary to ‘preserve the greenturtle’shabitat’andthe EEZ has a rich potential in gas and hydrocarbon deposits according to Joseph.

A second active dispute involves the Navassa Island established within the 1802 Haitian Constitution and situated 18.41°N, 75.01°W which is approximately 30 nmwestofHaiti.Navassais a source of survival for Haitian fishermen

According to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, the Navassa Island is an ‘unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States of America’ and up to September 1996 housed US Coast Guard operations and maintenance of the Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the Southern sideoftheisland.

The third issue is the ongoing conversation between the fishing communities of Tobago and Barbados surrounding the catchingofflyingfishwithin Tobagonian waters. As the granddaughter of a fishing family, I am intimately aware of the value of the flying fish to the average Barbadianhavingconsumed this key component of our nationaldishinaplethoraof forms ranging from fried, grilled, BBQ, roasted, pickled, boiled, curried, cooked in soup and even in ceviche.

Being familiar with the

pillars of Food Security, the flying fish represents a key food that is nutritious, affordable, accessible, and widely utilized since in the late 1990s US$10 was the cost of 100 flying fish. Fast forwardtopresenttimes,the costof100flyingfishinthe local Barbadian market startsatUS$75.

Barbadian fishermen no longerhaulinmassiveflying fish catches. Day boats no longer return to the smaller jetties dotting the coasts to offload hundreds of thousandsofflyingfish.But youmayaskwhy?Whathas fundamentally changed in thepast?

Could it be the years of overfishing? Could it be the absence of a fishing season or a commensurate policy that regulated the fishing? Could it be the decrease in thenumberoffishingboats? Or could it be the effects of climate change and something environmental? Mymoneyisonthelatter

As a young geography student,Ihavealwayslearnt that flying fish require specificconditionstothrive. Being honest, the waters within Barbados’ EEZ have not fit these criteria within thepast5-6yearsbecauseof the presence of the overwhelming Sargassum Seaweed.

Due to the migratory nature of the flying fish in needofclean,clear,andcalm waters,itisonlyobviousthat the species would relocate themselves to a more suitablehabit.

Nowdon’tgetmewrong, I’ve lived long enough to knowthatoneman’streasure is another man’s garbage. Years ago, in speaking to Jamaican fishermen, they remarked that there are flying fish in Jamaican waters, but it has too much bone,sotheydiscardthemor use them for bait for larger catches.

In Grenada, they prefer tonotcatchthematallandin Tobagoit’snotthepreferred catch since it is not a favourite of the Tobagonian market.

So, by default, the preferredchoiceistobesold in Barbados where there are several skillsets that must accompanytheindustrysuch as scaling, deboning, and filleting the flying fish. The way forward must be informed by sound data collected and shared between both parties as well as a potential market analyses to guide any future fish/fish processing investments.

In conclusion, I must agree with Joseph that these borderdisputeswillcontinue to be ‘hazardous for the security and maritime integrity’ of the concerned CARICOM Member States since they could decrease theirEEZs.

It is suggested that CARICOM immediately convene or create a peacekeeping arm with regional soldiers supported by a committee of seasoned diplomats, lawyers, environmentalists, negotiators, trade analysts and fisheries specialists to make the case for the cessation of border disputes within the Caribbean Sea space.

Regards, Dr Kai-AnnSkeete

DEAREDITOR,

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to false assertions made by Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent TV interview

The assertions were repeated in an article published by the Guyana Chronicle on June 8, 2023. Editor, I am not at all surprised by the VP’s false claims because–having observedthebehaviorofthe individual over a number of years – I have come to the inevitable conclusion that Bharrat Jagdeo is a pathologicalandcompulsive liar He just cannot stop himselffrompeddlingliesin pursuit of his own narcissisticagenda.

Let me address each one of Jagdeo’s lies. First, in the articlepublishedbythestate controlled newspaper, Jagdeo said that the current Mayor & City Council (M&CC) is afraid of financial audits. The fact is, nothing could be further from the truth. Editor, in Januaryofeverysingleyear, since I became Mayor of Georgetown in January 2019, I have written to the Auditor General requesting an audit of the accounts of the Municipality The last suchletterwassent bymein January of this year I have never received a response to myrepeatedrequests.Ihave copies of the letters in case

anyonewantstoseethem. Second Editor, in the article, it was reported that Jagdeo said that a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) controlled council would live-stream statutory meetings and committee meetings Editor, that is funny because–as is typical of the PPP – that idea was proposed by the current council in the year 2020 ,however when it was received by local government commission, it was rejected and they directed the administration of the council (town clerk department) to not carry out such. Hence the proposal nevercametoreality Third, the vice president claimed that a PPPcontrolled city council would do a better job of managing the city Editor, I beg to differ Will the PPP managethecityinthewayit is managing the central government? Will all the city’s money end up in the pockets of corrupt PPP officials? Will public buildings in Georgetown burn down with children locked inside? Will people’s homes be bulldozed to the ground in the heart of the capital? Is that what Jagdeo is proposing? Editor, permit me to make a few points. Jagdeo’s PPP regime has beenstranglingGeorgetown. In2020thecouncilgot (Continuedonpage6)

The PPPGovernment owes City Hall more than $1 billion in rates and taxes, and the administration is not paying

WIN-WIN RULING

DEAREDITOR,

The Appeal Court’s ruling in the unlimited liabilityguaranteecase,until the substantial case is heard and determined, can be regardedasawin-winruling. Both sides won The appellants got a stay on the HighCourtruling,whilethe

respondents saw the stay being accompanied by an order for the lodging of a sum within a stipulated timeframeorthestaywillbe dismissed Neither side should see the outcome as a badsituation.

Regards,

ShamshunMohamed

Guyana’s election to the UN Security Council

DEAREDITOR,

On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, we were greeted with the news of Guyana’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),havingpickedupa totalof191votes.

While this should be reason for much celebration by all Guyanese, we must also remain cognizant that such an election also symbolizes a broader representationbyGuyanaof the Latin American and Caribbean region. It goes without saying that this is a momentoustaskforGuyana, but not one which we as a country are unable to achieve. Even before we became an independent nation, Guyana and Guyanesehavesubscribedto theprincipleofmaintenance of international peace and security,especiallygiventhe challenge, which stood before us vis-à-vis our sovereignty and territorial integrity Such an election, albeit temporarily, should therefore serve as an opportunity to continue upholding the principles, afore referenced, that we have espoused for decades, but also one in which Guyana also seeks to advancethediscussionsfora much-needed expansion of this powerful body Smaller countries, such as Guyana deserveapermanentseatand voice at the table, especially sincemuchoftoday’sglobal issues also impact smaller states. It is, therefore, time forconvergenceonwhatever

Mahdia and other Local Tragedies are on all Guyanese

DEAREDITOR,

conflicting positions member states have that are obviously creating the deadlock that prevents expansionoftheUNSC.

The Council for Foreign Relations in a December 2010 report captioned, “UN S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l

Enlargement and US Interest” highlighted, inter alia, the challenge of the UNSC for maintaining legitimacy unless the matter of membership expansion is addressed, but also an anticipatedwaningofUnited States interest should this happen. Here, my own view causesmetoponderwhether the UN and the UNSC, specifically, represents only a few powerful states. But m y e x p e r i e n c e i n internationalrelationswould make such pondering, by default, seem naïve. This, however, is beside the point ofmyletter

To this end, let me express kudos to the hardworking foreign service that made such an election possible, but to also hope, prayerfullyso,thatallhands remainondeck-asitwere-to ensure Guyana uses every opportunitytooperationalise its theme “Partnering for Peace and Prosperity” to articulate,asitisableto,for the expansion of the UNSC and the education of those existential issues that affect Guyanaasastate,aswellas the rest of our neighbours in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sincerely,

John Chester-Inniss, M.A.

Nobody wanted the Mahdia or any other tragic deaths to happen, the words of condolences, sympathy, and empathy for the family ofthevictimshavenotbeen said enough likewise, the words calling for accountability, penalties for those responsible, and implementation of safety proceduresforpreventionof futuretragedies.

I will bet the child who causedthefiredeeplyregrets it. This tragedy, however, happened because of systemic ills in our society sinceithashappenedbefore like at the prison, but Mahdia’s tragedy is more dramatic since the victims were innocent, mostly girls while the prisoners were allegedcriminals.

Tragic deaths have been happening in Guyana for as long as one can recall that could have been prevented with simple safety procedures, since these deaths were not as dramatic as Mahdia, they did not receivethiskindofattention. Howmanypeoplehavedied onGuyana’sroadsandrivers due to poor road and river safety? How many workers have died in this country, particularly in the interior because of unsafe, hazardous working conditions and lack of basic healthcare? how many lives were lost due to exposed electric livewires?

Guyanese, these tragedies happen because, you have stayedsilent,youhavevoted and continue to vote for

elected officials who are unaccountable, corrupt, and incompetent, and who pay noattentiontosafety

Not only do Guyanese vote for them, but they also support and defend them because they look like them and are from the same political party Now whenever there is a tragedy like Mahdia, Guyanese call for accountability and competence from elected officials, but how can you getthisGuyanese,whenyou voted for unaccountable, corrupt and incompetent officialsinthefirstplace?

Guyanese,explainhowa governmentthatisappealing a case to protect Guyana from oil disasters will win elections because you will vote for them? and also Guyanese, why do foreignbased concerned citizens have to come and fight on your behalf while you stay silent?Anotherpainfulstory of loss to fire was on KN’s front page yesterday of two little girls. The Fire Service is now doing fire safety inspections, what good will this do when we have a fire service that is way below basic standards, forget international standards, we don’t have enough fire trucks, trained firemen and the necessary tools to fight fire.Someplacesdon’thave water and some housing schemes are inaccessible to fire trucks and there are no fire suppressants in the arsenal of firemen. These suppressants are for chemical and electrical fires where pouring water will be

like adding gasoline, but Guyanese continue to vote for governments that pay no attention to these issues

Guyanese homes became prison-like grill and bars homes because of kickdown door bandits in this rich country that shouldn’t have happened Many students perished at Mahdia because of the prison-like grilled windows In my schooldays,anystudentthat had an issue with the school claimed they would burn downtheschoolastheirfirst impulse, but none ever did untilnow,why?,becausewe havefollowedtheworldand become attached to cell phones making the cell phones more important than people. The student set the fire at Mahdia because of a seizedcellphone,anypublic gathering of people at weddings, funerals, religious functions, etc more than half the attendees are constantly on cell phones, the current abject disrespect for schools and teachers and other authority are getting so out of hand, it nowescalatedtoviolencewe have never seen before, yet littleisbeingdonetoaddress thiskindofbehavior

Contracts for building a n d o t h e r p u b l i c infrastructure since the Burnham days was a rigged system where third party friendly to MPs received these contracts. When the PPP won in 1992, the PPP MPs eliminated third party and most of the MP’s direct family members became overnight contractors, and

received multi-million dollar contracts for buildings, roads, bridges, etc. although none of them everbuiltabrickornaileda plank of wood and there havebeendeathsthatwerea result of these sub-standard constructions My study buddy who was a public works inspector left the job becausehewasinstructedto approvecontractsthatdidn’t meet the required standards. His exact words for leaving were,“Idon’twantbloodon myhands”.Iwasworkingin a sugar factory when a British sugar official visited accompanied by the factory manager, when the Englishmansaidmostofthe workers in the factory were working in unsafe conditions, the factory manager replied “This is Guyana, we don’t worry about that”, yes this is Guyana where a factory manager, a political party appointee who knows nothing about management andsafetyisexpectedtosay, butnowafewdecadeslater, when one thought Guyana would have bypassed this mentality,weseetheVPand Attorney General appealing a case by a judge for full protection insurance for Guyana with similar deadduckexcuses.SoGuyanese, how long will you tolerate the lies, deviousness, and deceitfulness of these leadersbeforeyoutaketothe streets and demand your rightsforMPstodotheright thingsforyouandGuyana?

Sincerely,

R.David

The PPPGovernment owes City Hall more than...

Frompage5 zero subversion while budgetary allocation was $ 10 million for that year In 2021,2022 and 2023, the subvention was $30 million (US$150,000). Editor, how cansuchapaltry,pitifulsum of money maintain this country’scapitalcity–acity with a population of some 355,000 residents and visitors, in an area of 70 squarekilometers?

Furthermore, the PPP controlled central governmenthasnotdoneany property valuations since 1996 – the law requires that the Ministry of finance do valuationseveryfiveyears.

Thatwillfulrefusalofthe PPPregime to do valuations has resulted in City Hall being starved of rates and taxes. Let me tell you, there aremalls–valuedatbillions of dollars – that pay

absolutelynoratesandtaxes becausetheywerebuiltafter 1996, and the PPP regime stillrefusestodovaluations.

Editor, the people of Georgetown, Guyana need to have certain facts. The PPP government owes City Hall more than $1 billion in rates and taxes, and the administrationisnotpaying.

Guyana Power and Light (GPL) owes about $10 billion, and the company is not paying. Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and other entities controlled by the PPPregime owe the city large sums of money. The fact is, if the PPP

government and the companiesitcontrolssimply pay their debts, the M&CC would be able to do much

more for the residents of Georgetown.Editor,citizens needtohavethefactssothat theycanrecognisethePPP’s lies The people of Georgetown are not stupid. Georgetown’s residents will absolutely not have their intelligence insulted by a lying vice president. We all know what the PPPofficials want – they want unlimited power; they want their corrupthandsineverypurse inGuyana.Butthepeopleof Georgetown will not give it to them; Georgetown will never be controlled by the PPP.

Sincerely, Pt. Ubraj Narine JP, COA

Georgetown

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

WHATAREYOUVOTINGFOR?

One’s right to vote is a very sacred duty. In fact the right to vote here and in several countries around the world did not come easily.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Many paid the ultimate price of their lives to secure this right.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

But when one looks at what passes for governance and leadership in this country, the question is inevitably asked.

What am I voting for?

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Voting for any of the two parties: PPP/C and the PNCR, is to entrench their leaders in deeper corruption, incompetence, mismanagement, and misrule.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Look what they are doing at the national level, would you still trust them to cement themselves at the level of your communities.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Staying home on June 12, 2023 would not be such a bad idea Guyanese.

#dontstainyourfingerforthem

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

Govt. signs close to $2B in contracts for road works in Berbice

Contracts worth close to $2B were on Wednesday signed for the construction and rehabilitation of miscellaneous and urban roads in the East Berbice CorentyneRegion.

The projects will be undertaken in areas including Pepper Street, Glasgow Housing Scheme, Sideline Dam, Heath Burn Village, Eighth Street, Fort Ordnance, and Trimmers Dam,NewAmsterdam.

During the contract signing ceremony at the Regional Democratic Council Boardroom at Vryman's Erven, New Amsterdam, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said the works are expected to be completed before yearend.

“Thesecontractsaretobe executed within three to twelvemonths,dependingon the size of the contract and the scope of works. This is a 2023 programme, and we will be pushing to ensure all

of you get your work done beforethecloseof2023,”the public works minister explained.

Minister Edghill added that the government is dedicated to improving the lives of residents in every community He also urged contractors to talk with residents and let them know what to expect during the roadworks.Theyshouldalso try their best to reduce the inconvenience to the residents while executing the works.

“Stockpileyourmaterials before you start construction so that when you start, the inconveniences that people suffer would be minimised. We'd be able to deliver to them a quality road in the shortestpossibletime. I will also be able to hold my engineers accountable becausewehavetobeableto get it done right,” he underscored.

Less than a week ago, Minister Edghill visited Glasgow Housing Scheme.

Trump indicted again ...faces US criminal charges for mishandling documents, obstruction

While there, many residents made representation for roads in their communities, and the contract signing indicates that those concerns were acknowledged and are beingaddressed.

“Every one of these contracts that are being signedtoday,cameasaresult of presidential and vicepresidential outreaches where people asked that these roads be fixed because ofthecondition.

This afternoon's contract signing, and with the execution of the works that areanticipatedtobedone,we would collectively do 23, 784metresofroad,”Minister Edghill said. Following the contractsigning,theminister conducted a walkabout in several communities providing information on the g o v e r n m e n t ' s r o a d improvement plan He visited the communities of Glasgow, Coconut Walk, Trimmers Dam, Islington, and Stanleytown, among others.

(Reuters) - Donald Trumphasbeenindictedbya federal grand jury for retaining classified government documents and obstruction of justice, according to a lawyer for the former U.S. president and another source familiar with thematter

The criminal case, brought by the U S Department of Justice, amounts to another legal setback for Trump as he seeks to regain the U.S. presidency next year He already faces a criminal case in NewYork that is due to go totrialinMarch.

Trump said on social media that he had been summoned to appear at the federal courthouse in Miami on Tuesday "I AM AN INNOCENT MAN!" he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

A spokesperson for Special Counsel Jack Smith, the Justice Department official who is handling the investigation, declined to comment. It is illegal for the

government to comment publicly on any sealed grand jury matter Trump faces seven criminal counts in the federal case, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity The indictment remains under seal, and even Trump himself has not yet seen what it says. His legal team was notified about the seven charges as part of a summons ordering Trump to appear in court, the source said Speaking on CNN, Trump lawyer Jim Trusty said those charges include conspiracy, false statements, obstruction of justice, and

illegally retaining classified documents under the Espionage Act. He said he expects to see the indictment betweennowandTuesday Reuters could not independently confirm what specific charges Trump is facing. In a sworn statement toafederalcourtlastyear,an FBI agent said there was probable cause to believe several crimes were committed, including obstruction and the illegal retentionofsensitivedefense records The Justice Departmenthasbeen

(Continued on page 21)

Former US President, Donald Trump

GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Every new government inherits some programme or projectfromitspredecessor In 1992, when the PPPC cameintooffice,therewasin place an education reform programme which had been initiated by the outgoing PNCregime.

By the time one of the projects was completed, the PNChaddemittedofficeand thePPPCwasinpower Dale Bisnauth, the now deceased Minister of Education, had t h e h o n o u r o f commissioning the completed project. He did something that was politicallygenerous,perhaps one of the few times in his longcareerasaMinisterthat he did so. He invited the former PNC Minister of Education, Deryck Bernard, totheopeningandgavehim c r e d i t f o r t h e commencementofthework.

This week, Guyana secured an uncontested seat in the United Nations Security Council The groundworkforthatelection was laid under the APNU+AFC regime. Yet, thePresidentandtheForeign Ministry were not magnanimousinrecognising that it was primarily the effortsoftheAPNU+AAFC, which allowed Guyana to havethatseat.Onanissueof national importance, the government ought to give creditwherecreditisdue:to former President David Granger and his foreign Ministers for their efforts in mustering support for Guyana’scandidacy

Receiving support for a UN post does not happen overnight It takes

considerabletimeandeffort. Guyana’slobbyforaposton the UN Security Council b e g a n u n d e r t h e APNU+AFCregime.Wereit not for the efforts of the f o r m e r C o a l i t i o n government, Guyana would not have garnered the support that it needed to be elected to the Security Council The failure to acknowledge the efforts of the former government is petty ThePresidentissueda statement regarding Guyana’s election to the Security Council. But he failed to acknowledge the contribution which the former government made to Guyana now being a nonpermanent member of the Security Council One would have expected that from another PPPC leader but not Irfaan Ali. He has never been one to be petty and small-minded. Perhaps it was an oversight on his part The government is glowing in the limelight of theappointment.Itishyping itselectionasifitisamajor diplomaticachievement.

Butitisnotthefirsttime thatGuyanahasbeenelected to the UN Security Council. It is a first for the PPPC but under the PNC Guyana was elected as a member of the Councilfortermsin1975-76 and1982-83.

The United Nations Security Council has 15 members. Five of these are permanent members and ten are non-permanent members The five permanent members are China, USA, Russia, France and the United Kingdom. The 10 non-permanent

Dem Boys Seh...

members are elected by secret ballot by the 193 members of the General Assembly

A country needs the support of two-thirds of this membership to be elected, even if it is the only candidate for a particular seat.

This week Guyana, Slovenia, Algeria, Sierra Leone and the Republic of Korea were elected to the Council. Only Slovenia had to compete with another candidate; the other seats were uncontested but still required the support of twothirds of those present Giventhisrequirement,even for uncontested seats, lobbying for a seat on the Security Council has to commence years before one’s intended term and involves a great deal of diplomatic legwork, horse trading and, at times, armtwisting. The APNU+AFC did much of this and should have been accorded due recognition.

That this did not happen is yet another indictment of how divided the country’s politics is, even when it comestomattersofnational importance around which there should be consensus. Guyana’smembershipofthe UNSecurityCouncilshould notbethesubjectofpolitical jousting. Support on such issues should never be partisan.

Not that Guyana stands to benefit much from its election to the UN Security Council. This election will enhancethecurriculumvitae of its representative on the Council but it will do

Guyana is not a real place

De more oil we pump, de more backwards we getting. De richer we get, thepoorerourlivesbecome. Take for example de traffic situation.

With each passing day, motorists find themselves trapped in a long, slowmoving line of congestion as if the roads were cursed by de devil himself. The government’s brilliant solution is to build more roads, allow more vending and business alongside the roads and add a few pavements for motorists to park on. But de more roads we build, is more cars deh punderoads.Andthenyuh gattobuildevenmoreroads andborrowmoneytodoso.

Finding a parking spot in de city is like searching

for the fabled City of El Dorado People circle around blocks like vultures praying for a miraculous vacancy while businesses suffer as customers abandon their futile search.

The gridlock on our streets is hurting the economy and peoples’ pockets

Productivity plummets as employeesspendmoretime intrafficjamsthanworking. Bythetimeyouleavework in the afternoon and get home,itisalreadynight.No wonder so many people have dark lines under their eyes.

Being in traffic is like being in purgatory Bosses nowmeasureoutputinunits of honks per hour, while drivers have developed a newskillset-perfectingtheir

precious little for the country The government must be careful who it appointsasitsrepresentative on the Security Council. It would expose Guyana to international ridicule if it appears on the Security Council and makes a presentation about peoplecentred development It would be ideal if it appoints someone who does not have too many responsibilities in

an already over-stacked UN agenda.

Perhaps the Foreign Secretary should be designated to assume this position.Thiswouldremove his imposing shadow over TakubaLodgeanditsyoung Minister of Foreign Affairs who is no rabbit when it comes to foreign policy as wehaveseeninhishandling of Guyana’s recent election totheSecurityCouncil.

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

steering wheel drumming technique. As stress levels skyrocket, so does the occurrence of road rage, which has become the national pastime Horns blare like a symphony of frustration,accompaniedby colorful expletives that would make even the hardiest sailor blush. More middle fingers are shown daily than are inked on ElectionDay Butwelikeit so! May the traffic gods bless us with endless congestion, impossible parking,andanever-ending supplyofstress!Afterall,in this twisted land, the only thing that is more reliable than the sun rising, is the inevitability of another trafficjam. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

H@RD TRUTHS

GHK LALL

THE STABROEK BLOCK - WHAT IT REALLY IS

Si n c e o t h e r Guyanese have shrunk from callingthingsastheyare,the nasty duty falls to me to cleartheair

We are given an

education: the fabulous Stabroek Block is untouchable, a sacred oil cow,aninviolablefossilfuel farmandfortress.

Sanctity of contract is the fancy legal construction

held up as a shield to blunt all arrows, spears, and charges that have the sole objectiveofdashingitonits head and shattering it into a thousandfragments.

But something else got

lost in the heated media rhetoric, the political leadership skating, and the private sector and religious sector angling for their own sweetslicesoftheoilpie. I say it now: the Stabroek Block in Guyana waters is not protected by sanctity of contractalone. Ohno,there ismuchmore.

From my perspective, the Stabroek Block has transformed into hallowed American territory, more than its sphere of vital interests; but existing under itssphereofcontrol.

Like American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, the Stabroek Block of Guyana is ours on paper,butitisnotfullyours in reality Sanctity of contract is a convenient and civilized mask, even has a Christiancharactertoit. But it is still a grotesque mask intended to intimidate Guyanese. Exxon is as American as apple pie, the star-spangled banner, and JackDaniels.

To put it more smartly, Exxon is America, and AmericaisallaboutExxon.

It is a neat, bloodless way to seize territory without appearing to do so, notevenliftingafinger But when this sanctity of contract hullabaloo and ballyhoo is peered beneath, this is where Guyana’s treasured Stabroek Block terminates.

Imagine that an American Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, could take time out of his global calendarandsailtoGuyana. If naïve and limited Guyanese still think, continuetofoolthemselves, that it was for some little brown and black and inbetween people in a backwater country to be presented with the keys to democracy, then it explains why Guyana is where it is. Loud and clear: Mike Pompeo came here on an inspection tour, and to reassure Field Marshall Sarah Ann Lynch (and assorted covert types) that thereisnoneedtoworry,for

Washington is watching. Just like how the poor

Mexicans lost all those rich oil-bearing lands in Texas and California and New Mexico to the Yankees, so also Guyana losttheStabroekBlock(and much more), but without a shot being fired. That is, except among the warring Guyanesepoliticaltribes.

And becauseAmerica is watchful and desirous of s a f e g u a r d i n g h e r acquisition, it gets anxious whenthenativessimmertoo much,getoverlyagitated.

It was why another vauntedAmericanSecretary of State also wiped his desk cleaninajiffyandextended an urgent invitation (leave alone“summoned”fornow) to Guyana’s sitting PresidentAli and its former PresidentJagdeo,foraminisummit and meeting of the minds. Since when did lil Guyana, the poor relationship that everybody shunned, occupy this elevation in American considerations?

Or, more harshly, that two national leaders had to be set straight about expectations, and they had better deliver On matters likesharingthemoneyfrom thepatrimony

On, most importantly, erectingpoliticalplateglass and razor wire around Exxon, so as not to draw hostile attention to a venerable American institutionandjeopardizeits existence.

Put those well-paid advisers and media magicianstowork;facilitate them creating a wall of sound (a la Phil Spector) around Exxon, so that Guyanese can taste the fragrance of its beauty, the romance of its presence. Imagine not one, but two presidents, given marching orders, and over their own territory, their own peoples’ patrimony

Whoselandisthisland?

Towhomdoesthatoilinthat massive oil lake out there belong?

Permitmetoremovethe cottonwoolfromtheeyesof mycontemporaries:itisnot Guyana’s, does not belong any longer to Guyanese, which is what sanctity of contract guarantees, includingavisitfrom,anda hastily arranged audience with, American Secretaries ofState.

Pompeo was to signal securing it; Anthony Blinken was to ram home one message: don’t mess with it, fellas He has another less demanding offer to articulate: there is US$2 billion waiting for Guyana, courtesy Exim USA.

It seems that by some sleight of hand, the late, great Queen Elizabeth II (I mean it) handed over the instruments of Guyana’s right to self-determination to America’s John F Kennedyfirst,andGuyana’s i n s t r u m e n t s o f Independence to Lyndon Johnson. Donald Trump, a Nero and Caligula rolled intoone,tookIndependence andself-determinationfrom DavidGrangerandgaveitto BharratJagdeo.

Last, Joe Biden, a shaky apparition of late, reminded both presidents Ali and Jagdeo, through Anthony Blinkenwhoistheboss.

After all the shillyshallying about sanctity of contract, this is the imperative: the Stabroek Block isAmerican territory, andwedidn’tknowit,can’t do anything about it. So is our government, our opposition, our parliament, and the rest of Guyana. Consider how our leaders make mincemeat of themselves.

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

VP Jagdeo maintains royalty not recoverable

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has clarified that royalties received from the ExxonMobil-led consortium in the Stabroek Block is not recoverable.

Theofficialadvancedthis position during a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday Jagdeo made the foregoing point in responsetoanarticlethatwas published by this newspaper onSundaylast,statingthathe was unsure if royalty was being recovered by the oil companies.

Reminding of the comments that underpinned the story from a previous pressconference,Jagdeosaid this newspaper's journalists had informed him that royalty was listed as an

expense in the 2022 financials for Exxon's affiliate and Stabroek Block operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). In light of this,hewasaskedtoclarifyif royaltiesarebeingrecovered.

Jagdeo said he was keen to note that if it is listed as a “recoverable expense” then thatisincorrect.

Be that as it may, he argued that international accounting rules would dictate how expenses are to be outlined in such documents but it does not meanitisrecoverable.

The Vice President also remindedthatKaieteurNews was told that this matter of whether royalty was recoverable was already handled by the Guyana

Revenue Authority (GRA) sincelastyear

Returning to the GRA statement yesterday, he quoted a section of it which said, “Royalties paid to the Guyana Government is an Expense incurred in the production of income for the contractor(s), but is not allowable in the calculation ofCostOil.”

Had this statement been utilised by the newspaper, and further research done, Jagdeo said it would have been realised that royalty can belistedasanexpensebutnot beallowedforrecovery

The Vice President then urged for there to be a cautious approach on reporting financial issues since distorted statements in the public domain can do

moreharmthangood. He said, “Let me tell you something about these matters, we cannot approach the sector in an ignorant, uninformed way or we

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

becomethelaughingstockof the world. When you sit in thesepositionsyouhavetobe careful. You would expect that newspapers would enlighten the people of the

country but it makes the waterevenmurkierbytaking things that are clear and distorting them to suit an agenda.”

Jagdeo added, “If we do this then we cannot negotiate with the external groups that come here. We would be the laughingstockoftheworld.I am a macroeconomist and even when I speak about m i c r o e c o n o m i c s o r accounting, I am very cautious because there is a whole set of accounting clarifications and a whole range of stuff I have to seek answers to before I speak definitively.” On that note, the VP maintained that royaltyisnotrecoverableand the previously issued statement by GRA on the matterstands.

Corentyne man wanted by police for attempting to murder girlfriend

Awanted bulletin was on Wednesday issued for 45year-old Sasenarine Sankar who allegedly attempted to murder his girlfriend, Sandy Persaud,backinApril.

Anyonewithinformation leading to the apprehension of Sasenarine Sankar of 69 Village, Corentyne Berbice is asked to call 911, 3332152, 333-2153, 333-2154, 326-0080, 339-4003, 3353014, 322-4573, 226-6978, 225-8196 or the nearest policestation.

Kaieteur News had reported that Persaud was attacked on April 5, 2023 at No.55 Village, Corentyne, Berbice and was hospitalised in a critical condition at the NewAmsterdam Hospital. It was reported that Sankar, a Barber, attacked Persaud with a sharp weapon and dealt several chops about her body leaving her with life threateninginjuries.

This publication had reported that the aunt of the injured woman, Parbhattie Dyal, 55, disclosed that the screams of her niece were heard next door, but by the timeshegottoherassistance, themanhadalreadychopped Persaudandescaped.

“BythetimeIrunandgo, she already get chop up and deh in the house, if you see

blood on the bed…she get chop on right shoulder, left hand, finger, head, back, foot.

Shegetbadchopup…she seh Moosy ayuh pray for me…he chop me and get away,”Dyalsaid.

Dyal said that her niece had made plans to go on vacation overseas but Sankar was not supportive of that and as such, an argument ensued and the man leveled threats against her. In February, Sankar had attacked Persaud and injured her, causing her to seek

medical attention at the Port Mourant Hospital She moved out and stayed with her cousin out of the region, but returned to Berbice a week ago. Kaieteur News was told by the aunt of the injured woman that Sankar also attacked Persaud while shewaspayingbillsatNo.57 Village,Corentyne.Berbice. He reportedly pulled a knife on her and she pushed himaway.

A car driver came to her rescue before he then escaped Subsequently an investigationwaslaunched.

Wanted by Police, Sasenarine Sankar

Army officer shot dead fighting off carjackers

An officer of the Guyana DefenceForce(GDF)wason Wednesday night shot dead while trying to fight off two carjackers from stealing his car at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Dead is Lieutenant Rondel Anthony Douglas, 32,OfBagotsvilleWestBank Demerara (WBD), an officer attached to the GDF Coast Guard. According to police Douglas was shot dead around 22:30 hrs at Cul-deSac Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

S e c u r i t y c a m e r a s mounted on nearby buildings showed Douglas turning around his white Fielder Wagon at the end of the Culde-Sac with a passenger seated in the front seat beside him. He backed up the car probably for the passenger to getoffbutagunmanemerged from the bushes and attacked Douglasinthedriver'sseat.A scuffleensuedbetweenthem. Douglasmanagedtofightthe gunman off and exited the car, pushing him back towards the bushes but as he struggled to do so, gunshots

wereheard.

Douglas was then seen retreatingandstaggeredback to his car where he fell to the ground The gunman immediately entered Douglas' car and drove off withthepassengerstillseated inside According to the video seen, occupants of a house ran out just in time to see the carjackers escaping withDouglas'car.

One of them was heard saying,“JesusChristdemkill the man” while another added “a robbery, dem hijack the car, is two a dem”. They thenproceededtocallpolice.

Police stated that Douglas was found in a pool of blood with two wounds one to his head another to his chest. Detectives have so far learntthatDouglasworkedas part time taxi driver with Alladin Taxi Service located atLaGrangeandwasluredto his death by the passenger seen seated in the front seat besidehim.

Police were told that the carjackerhad gone to thetaxi base earlier that evening posing as a customer He

hired Douglas to take him to North Ruimveldt where he hadhisaccomplicewaitingat the end of the Cul-de-Sac Street to rob Douglas of his vehicle.

Police are currently huntingthetwomen.

Meanwhile, the GDF in statement said that it mourns with Douglas' wife, daughter and the rest of his family for the tragic loss of his life. The soldier reportedly enlisted with GDF on February 15, 2012 and was a graduate of the Standard Officer Course 44. At the time of his death, he was pursuing a degree in computer Science at the University of Guyana. GDF describesitfallensoldieras a dedicated officer who last served as Aide-De-Camp to Chief of Staff Brigadier, GodfreyBess.

In a facebook post, the officer's wife, Candace Douglas wrote: “For my friends who know me Knows how much a part of my life Rondel has been. He has been my constant throughout the years, my friend, my soldier, my guy,

Biker succumbs days after accident with truck

A motorcyclist has died days after he was hit down duringacollisionwithatruck and a car on the Clifton Public Road, Corentyne BerbicelastweekSaturday

Dead is Chandra Allie. Police are expected to charge the 22-year-old truck driver Allie died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown PublicHospitalonThursday

According to reports the accidenttookplaceonJune3 2023 at about 23:40 hrs and involved motor lorry GZZ 7836 driven by Davendra Singh and motorcar PHH 4070 driven by Heeralall Singh called Anil, 32, a Barber of Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice and motorcycle CJ 2990 driven b y A l l i e o f L o t 4

Lesbeholden, Black Bush

Polder Kaieteur News was told that the truck was heading west along the southern lane of the Clifton Public Road when it is alleged by the driver that the motorcycle rode from south to north across the road into his path. The truck driver told police that he applied brakes and tried to avoid a collision by

pulling right. The right side f r o n t o f t h e t r u c k

subsequently collided with the right side of the motorcycle which then crashed into the right side of the motorcar that was stationary on the northern sidefacingeast.

As a consequence, the motorcyclist sustained injuries about his body and the truck and car ended up in

mylove.

And even when things weren't peaches and pie...he'd look me in my eyes andsay...CandyI'mnotgoing anywhere. I'm in for the long haul, we took a vow and till death do us part. Bruh bruh! Bruhhhhhhhhhhhh! Don't let uspartjustyet.

We are only now beginning a new chapter of ourlivestogether.”

the trench. The motorcyclist was picked up in an unconscious state and taken tothePortMourantHospital. He was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital and then moved to the Georgetown Public H o s p i t a l f o l l o w i n g emergency surgery The truck driver was arrested and after 72 hours, was placed on stationbail.

Killed while fighting off carjackers, Lieutenant Rondel Anthony Douglas.

Dead: Chandra Allie

Bandits cart off with Eureka Medical Lab money safe

PoliceinGeorgetownare inpursuitoftwomenwhoon Tuesday night robbed the Eureka Medical Laboratory andtwoofitssecurityguards attheentity'sThomasStreet, North Cummingsburg, Georgetownlocation.

According to the police, thearmedrobberytookplace at around 23:45hrs by two unidentifiable men. One of the guards reported to investigators that on Tuesday night he was in a guardhutlocatedatthefront of the lab while the other

guard was in a guard hut on the eastern side of the building.

Thatguardrelatedthathe was approached by one of the suspects who pointed a gun at him and instructed him not to press the panic button.

Hewasthentakenoutof his hut and the same was done to the second guard after which they were both forcedtoopenthebuilding.

It was reported to the policethatonentranceofthe building the perpetrators

ordered the guards to take them to the boss office, where they were ordered to layfacedownontheground, and the suspects tied their handsbehindtheirbackwith plasticzipties.

After this, the suspects then carted off with a metal safe and making good their escapeinawhiteToyotaIST motorcar PPP 4592, which was parked on the eastern side ofThomas Street facing north The police said statementsweretakenandan investigationisongoing.

Eureka Medical Laboratory which was robbed on Tuesday night.

Iwokrama inks MOU with National Toshaos Council

Th e I w o k r a m a International Centre for R a i n F o r e s t Conservation and Development (Iwokrama)signedaMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NationalToshaosCouncil(NTC)to collaborateoninitiativesrelatingto community development, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and climate change.

The MOU also allows Iwokrama and the NTC to make joint funding proposals and to c o l l a b o r a t e o n p r o j e c t implementation, Iwokrama said in a press release. In April this year, Iwokrama supported the NTC's mentorship of Indigenous villages and communities in South Central &DeepSouth-Rupununitoprepare their Village Sustainability Outline Plans (VSPs) under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS)2030.

The simple signing ceremony held at the NTC's Hadfield Street Secretariat was attended by Vice Chairwoman, Toshao Sonia Latchman, Iwokrama's CEO, Mr Dane Gobin, Director for Resource Management and Training, Dr

Raquel Thomas, and Iwokrama

Special Projects and Certification Coordinator,Anne-Marie Ford and ExecutiveMembersoftheNTC.

Gobin, in brief remarks stated thathewaspleasedtohaveengaged formally with the NTC which he says will widen the scope for collaboration between the two entitiesinordertosupportactivities

under the LCDS 2030 These activities will include but not be limited to collaborative research, sustainable natural resources management and preserving indigenous language and culture to name a few He further noted that Iwokrama has a long standing Collaborative Management Agreement (CMA) with the North

Head of Hydromet Dept. elected to serve on the Executive Council of WMO

Du r i n g t h e r e c e n t l y concluded 19th World Meteorological

Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, Guyana's Chief

Hydrometeorological Officer (CHO), Dr Garvin Cummings was elected to serve on the Executive Council of the World M e t e o r o l o g i c a l Organization(WMO).

Thisisthefirsttimesince t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l M e t e o r o l o g i c a l O rg a n i z a t i o n / Wo r l d M e t e o r o l o g i c a l Organization (IMO-WMO)

was formed some 150 years agothataGuyanesehasbeen elected to serve on the Council, the Department of PublicInformationhassaid.

TheExecutiveCouncilis the highest decision-making bodyoftheWMO,outsideof the World Meteorological Congress Twenty-seven directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) were elected to serve on the Executive Council. The Congress was held from May 22 to June 2, 2023, and saw officials from Members States and Territories assembling to discuss and determine the strategic direction of the Organization for the next fouryears.

The 19th Congress was considered a significant milestone in the history of

t h e g l o b a l hydrometeorological community as it also marked the 150th anniversary since the organization of the InternationalMeteorological Organization and the WMO (IMO-WMO) was formed. Director of the Argentine Meteorological Institute, Professor Celeste Saulo was also elected to serve as the Secretary General of the WMO. Dr Saulo is the first female to be elected as Secretary General after

previouslyservinginvarious capacities within the WMO framework and governance structure and will be tasked with leading the Secretariat of the WMO for the next financial period, 2024-2027. The Congress also elected representatives to manage the organization over the next four years including its President, three Vice Presidents, and its Executive Council The WMO comprises 193 Member StatesandTerritories.

Rupununi District Development Board(NRDDB),whichrepresents the communities of the North Rupununi.

In her remarks, Vice Chairwoman of the NTC, Toshao Sonia Latchman said that she was happy to have engaged with Iwokrama and the NTC looks forward to a fruitful relationship as

they move forward with development plans for the villages and communities in Guyana. She thanked Iwokrama for the recent support in which an NTC Executive, Toshao Michael Thomas assisted the villages and satellitesinSouthCentralandDeep South Rupununi to develop their VillageOutlinePlans.

Iwokrama's CEO, Dane Gobin and Vice Chairwoman of the NTC, Sonia Latchman after the signing of the MOU. Looking on (2nd from right) is Dr Raquel Thomas, Director of Resource Management and Training at Iwokrama together with Executive Members and administrative staff from the NTC.

CHO, Dr. Garvin Cummings with the recently elected 1st female Secretary-General of the WMO, Professor Celeste Saulo of Argentina

GNBS certifies new laboratory, first Essequibo gold jeweller

Th e G u y a n a National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), has added two new clients to its certification programmes.

On Tuesday, June 06, 2023, Midway Specialty Care Centre Guyana Laboratory was certified to the National Standard GYS 170:2021 –“General requirements for the operationofalaboratory”.

Laboratory Director, Dr Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu received the certificate on behalf of Midway Specialty Care Centre Guyana during a simple ceremony held at the facility's Barrack and Parade Streets, Georgetown location, the GNBS said in a press release. She expressed gratitude to the GNBS Technical Officers who workedwiththelaboratoryto meet the requirements of the NationalStandardnotingthat “it is surely exciting for us and we're happy to be certified.”

Medical Technologist & LaboratoryQualityManager, Devanand Ramnarine also sharedsimilarsentiments.He said, “what it means is to ensure that we follow protocols that control our internal system and ensure that we give the best quality output to our customers

which helps in building trust inthelaboratoryservices.”

The laboratory is certified to perform tests relating to Haematology, Biochemistry, Serology, Urology, Molecular Testing, Covid-19 and Immunology

The certificate handed over by Head of the GNBS Certification Services Department Ms Andrea Mendonca, is valid for two

years during which surveillance audits will be conducted. Meanwhile, on Thursday, June 08,2023, Gopaul's Jewellery became the first gold jeweller on the Essequibo Coast to be certified to the National Standard GYS 50:2022 –“Specification of Gold Articles” (12 Karat and 14 Karat).

At a handing over

ceremony of Gopaul's Jewellery located at Lot 42 Richmond, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, the certificate was handed over by GNBS Marketing Officer, Ms Aishah Hussain to the proprietors of Gopaul's Jewellery, Mr Udo Gopaul andMr RampersaudGopaul. The Certificate is valid for o n e y e a r p e n d i n g recertification.

“By following the guidelines [outlined in the standard]…thecustomerwill feel safe and guaranteed that the product is verified by the GNBS,” Mr Udho Gopaul said.

The Jeweller added that his business is happy to have worked with the Bureau's TechnicalOfficerstoachieve this milestone. Certification e n h a n c e s c o n s u m e r

confidence in the products and services offered by the certified businesses Consumers are urged to purchasegoldjewelleryfrom certified gold jewellers and utilize the services of certified laboratories to guarantee quality, reliability andconsistency These businesses can be identified via the GNBS Certificates, plaques and stickers displayed at the premises.

The GNBS also certifies locally manufactured products under the Permit to use the Made in Guyana C e r t i f i c a t i o n M a r k Programme, other products such as PVC Pipes, Concrete Hollow Blocks and Bathtub, shower units under its Product Certification Programme, Testing laboratories and Bed & Breakfast facilities Stakeholders are urged to contact the GNBS and join the various certification programmes to improve operational efficiency, boost customers' confidence and attractmoreclients.

For more information, please visit the gnbsgy.org website or contact GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190064-66, the GNBS hotline number 219-0069 or Whatsappuson692-4627

UG students get exposure to construction techniques at the VEHSI facility

Students of the University of Guyana's Faculty of Technology this week got hands-on exposure to the construction techniques being used to construct the artificial island and shorebase at Vreed-enHoop.

This is a first of its kind in Guyanaandprovidedandexcellent learning opportunity for the students, a press release stated.The studentsfromtheCivilEngineering and Mechanical Engineering departments were taken on a private tour of the facility. This field visit is in keeping with the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc (VEHSI) commitment to increasing the technical capacity of Guyanese. The students engaged the team on the ground about the various techniques, the reasons for employingthosetechniquesandthe preferences of one material or method over the other among other pertinent engineering questions about the facility and its construction.

The construction team also explained the project's rigorous c o n s t r u c t i o n s c h e d u l e ,

environmental compliance and answered questions about qualifications and experience needed to be part of this type of construction project. The project has,atthispointadvancedtowhere facility is now connected by a road to the coastline and the pace of construction is continuing on a 24hoursbasis.

The current shorebase

construction will see the first phase of 10 acres, made operational by December 2023, with additional acreage delivered by second quarter 2024. The long-term vision of project will eventually see the full Port of Vreed-en-Hoop completed with as much as 800 acres of port facilities. Director of VEHSI, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer has explained that “once fully realised the Port of Vreed-en-Hoop will tie into the country's vision to expand Guyana's development.” He noted that there is space for expansionandVEHSIcanfacilitate other shore base builds thereby making the need for foreign bases to support operations in Guyana unnecessary

VEHSI also praised the support theyreceivedfromtheGovernment of Guyana, noting that without the rapid pace of responses and the outpouring of support the project couldnothaveproceededatsuchan accelerated pace. The company wouldliketoparticularlyrecognise the rapid speed at which President

Irfaan Ali responded to the development plans for this project and the support received so far in helping the company to build out thisworldclassfacility

VEHSI is currently the largest

in the oil and gas sector and is expected to

Million. Vreed-en-Hoop Shore base Inc. is a joint venture between NRG Holdings Inc.—a 100 percent Guyanese-owned consortium that is the majority shareholder –and

The UG students during the tour

(L-R) Medical Technologist, Debra Blake, Lab Director, Dr. Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu, Head of GNBS Certification Department, Andrea Mendonca and Laboratory Quality Manager, Devanad Ramnarine poses with GNBS Certification Sticker at the entrance of the Midway Specialty Care Centre Guyana Laboratory

UG lecturer pioneers research in macrofungal diversity in Guyana's rainforest

University of G u y a n a ' s Lecturer, Dr Dillon Husbands, attached to the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, is currently conducting research in the area of Macrofungal Diversity in Guyana's Rainforest and is hoping that her work will assist in the p r e s e r v a t i o n a n d sustainabilityofthecountry's RainforestEcosystem.

In a feature on Dr Husbands, the University of Guyana said as a child she was drafted into agriculture as her parents farmed crops and reared livestock to subside other income streams. Her Father was a building contractor, and her mother was a homemaker, and agricultural activities were a central part of their livelihood.

According to Dr Husbands, at a tender age, she developed a love for agriculture Though Dr Husbands hails from a family of builders and farmers with limited academic qualifications, she is one of several firstgeneration scholars in her family to acquire tertiary education.Shefoundthezeal to break the generational barriers and after completing secondary school, enrolled at the Guyana School of Agriculture to further her studies.

Upon completing her studies at the GSA, she joined the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Department as a Fisheries Officer. Dissatisfied Dr. Dillon Husbands with the wages she was earning then, Dr, Husbands chose higher

education as a means of economic and academic advancement.

In 1999, Dr Husbands applied to the University of Guyana (UG) to read for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. From her exposure at UG, she understood several fundamental facets of life.

“My campus life experience taught me many important life skills, which I would probably not have acquired anywhereelse.”

As an agricultural student, she also developed a fascination for forestry as many of her close friends weremembersoftheforestry

department. She was one of two agricultural students that would attend forestry field trips.

The lessons learned, and the friendships gleaned are still invaluable After completing her studies at the University of Guyana, Dr Husbands returned to her alma mater to serve as Research Centre Manager in 2005 At this point, she developed an innate desire and appreciation for agricultural research and development Her work responsibilities as the Research Centre Manager included coordinating and managing staff and student

research activities within the Faculty.

The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry has always supported and encouraged staff training a n d a c a d e m i c advancement. As such, the then Dean, Dr P.A. Francis, encouraged her to participate in research and training on mushroom cultivation. It was there that her interest in fungi developed.

D r H u s b a n d s subsequently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and a MSc. in Forestry Biology at the University of Guyana, followed by a MSc. and Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Purdue University These higher degrees allowed her the opportunity to work alongside Dr Terry Henkel from Humboldt State University and Professor M. Catherine Aime from Purdue University, who are both world-renowned mycologists and specialists intropicalmycology

All of her research work centered on discovering and documenting macrofungi fromtheGuyaneserainforest with particular emphasis on members of the genera XerocomusandXylaria.

After seven and a half years of field expeditions and research, the team Dr Husbands worked with collected and documented

over eighty (80) species of fungifromthegenusXylaria, along with several new fruit and seed-inhabiting species. Central to Dr Husbands work is the fungus Xylaria karyophthora, a putative pathogen associated with the mortality of dispersedgreenheartseeds.

Dr. Husbands explained: “Until 1997, Greenheart was the largest contributor to gross and export revenue from timber sales. Today, it remains one of the most merchantable timber products as it is worldrenowned for its exceptional qualities Greenheart is durable, resistant to biodegradation under saline conditions, impervious to damage by termites and marine crustaceans, and resistant to fire. For these reasons, Greenheart wood is especially valuable in numerous maritime applications and a wide range of other uses such as the construction of housing, heavy furniture, turnery, and fishingrods.”

Additionally, Dr Husbands noted that given the importance of

Greenheart to theGuyanese economy, any threat to this species is also a threat to the Guyanese economy Dr. Husbands'workinthisareais ongoing Therefore, the activities of X. karyophthora presents a direct threat to germination and seedling recruitment for greenheart in Guyana. Work to further understand the biology and ecology of this fungus as well asmeasures to combat this new disease, is ongoing. Dr Husbands, in her publications “Emerging Forest Diseases: A Case

Lauraceae and the Newly Described Fungus Xylaria karyophthora” published in 2018, and “ Xylaria karyophthora: a new seedinhabiting fungus of Greenheart from Guyana” p u b l i s h e d i n 2 0 2 0 , highlighted her findings on theresearch.

To partially assist with funding these expeditions, Dr. Husbands was awarded an International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Fellowship to further conduct r e s e a r c h i n t h e e p i d e m i o l o g y a n d population structure of Xylaria karyophthora According to Dr Husbands, the Fellowship was made possible through the contributions of the Governments of Japan, the United States of America, andtheNetherlands.

Further, Dr Husbands was also awarded the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF-REDD+) Project for financial assistance to support ongoing data collection for scientific research into the newly discovered killer fungus of greenheart seeds in Guyana. Dr Husbands credits her success to the tremendous support of her family and friends, too numerous to mention, the current and past DeansandstaffoftheFaculty of Agriculture, staff of the G u y a n a F o r e s t r y Commission, Mr Joslyn Mckenzie (Ministry of Natural Resources), Mr Clayton Hall (Former Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources), support staff and colleagues at Purdue University and Ms.Catherine Aime, to whom she owes a plethoraofgratitude.

University of Guyana's Lecturer, Dr. Dillon Husbands

Visual representation of a healthy greenheart seed (A) early stages of X. Karyophthora infection showing necrosis (B, C), the emergence of X. karyophthora fruiting bodies from greenheat seeds (D, E, F). Bar = 10 mm.

Trump indicted again...

Frompage8 investigatingwhetherTrump mishandled classified documents he retained after leaving the White House in 2021.

Investigators seized roughly 13,000 documents from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, nearly a year ago. Onehundredweremarkedas classified, even though one of Trump’s lawyers had previously said all records withclassifiedmarkingshad been returned to the government.

Trump has previously defended his retention of documents, suggesting he declassified them while president. However, Trump hasnotprovidedevidenceof this and his attorneys have declined to make that argumentincourtfilings.

It marks the second time that Trump, the first former presidentinU.S. history to face criminal charges,hasbeenindicted.

In April, he pleaded not guiltyto34felonycountsof falsifying business records relating to hush money paid

toapornstarbeforethe2016 election.

President from 2017 to 2021, Trump is the frontrunner in the race for the 2 0 2 4 R e p u b l i c a n presidentialnomination.

ThroughtheyearsTrump has shown an uncanny ability to weather controversies that might torpedootherpoliticians.He describes himself as the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt and accuses the Justice Departmentofpartisanbias.

Trump’s lead has grown over his rivals in the Republican nominating contestsincehewasindicted in the New York case, Reuters/Ipsospollingshows.

A S E C O N D INVESTIGATION

Special Counsel Smith, appointed last year by Attorney General Merrick Garland, is also leading a s e c o n d c r i m i n a l investigation into efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn his 2020 election losstoPresidentJoeBiden,a Democrat.

Although Garland is a

Biden appointee, special counsels appointed to investigate politically sensitive cases do their jobs w i t h a d e g r e e o f independence from Justice Departmentleadership.

Smith convened grand juries in both Washington andMiamitohearevidence, but appears to have decided to bring the case in the politically competitive state of Florida, rather than the U.S. capital, where any jury would likely be heavily Democratic.

Legal experts say that could head off a drawn-out legal challenge from Trump’s team over the proper venue. Under federal law, defendants have a right to be charged where the activity in question took place.

“The center of gravity is clearlyFlorida,”saidRobert Luskin,aWashingtonlawyer who has represented senior governmentfigures.

In the current case, the Justice Department examined whether Trump unlawfully removed classified documents when

he left office in January 2021 Part of the investigationhasalsolooked intowhetherTrumporothers sought to obstruct the government’sinvestigation.

T h e c l a s s i f i e d documentsinvestigationwas first referred to prosecutors in 2022 after the U S National Archives and Records Administration tried for more than a year to retrieve presidential records fromTrump.

Trump handed over 15 boxes of records in January 2022, a year after leaving office, but federal officials came to believe he had not returned all the government documentshehadtaken.

The Justice Department issued Trump a grand jury subpoena in May 2022 asking him to return any other records bearing classified markings, and top officials traveled to Mar-aLago to retrieve the materials.

Trump’sattorneysturned over 38 pages marked as classified to FBI and Justice Department officials and showedthemastorageroom

at Mar-a-Lago, but they did notpermittheagentstoopen anyoftheboxes.

One of the Trump attorneys involved in searching Mar-a-LagoEvan Corcoran - has since becomeawitnessinthecase.

Corcoran drafted a document signed by another Trump lawyer attesting that all records with classified markings had been returned to the government - a claim later proven false after the FBIsearchedTrump’shome.

FBI agents in August 2022 searched Mar-a-Lago and recovered roughly 13,000 documents, 100 of which were marked as classified.

Trump’slawyerstriedto b l o c k t h e J u s t i c e Department from accessing some of the records, claiming they were covered by the legal doctrine of executive privilege, which shields some White House communications from disclosure A federal appeals court rejected that argumentinDecember

Trumpisnottheonlytop government official to draw

scrutiny for retaining classifieddocuments.

Attorneys for Biden and for Trump’s then-vice president, Mike Pence, this year disclosed they were cooperating with the Justice Department after the discovery that both men had retained classified records afterleavingoffice.

Biden’sdocumentsdated backtohistenureintheU.S. Senateandasvicepresident. The Justice Department in June closed its investigation intoPencewithoutfilingany charges.

Trump’s legal woes are growing.

In May, a jury in federal court in Manhattan decided in a civil lawsuit that he must pay $5 million in damages for sexually abusing former Elle magazine columnist E Jean Carroll and then defaming her by branding heraliar

Trump also faces a criminal investigation by a countyprosecutorinGeorgia relatingtohiseffortstoundo his2020electionlossinthat state.

WANTED VACANCY

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

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

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

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

Trucks and hauler Drivers, Office Assistant (with own motor cycle) and Audit Clerks needed. Email: nhlhrasst@gmail.com, Call: 623-6383, 227-1964.

Kitchen Assistant from 6 am-2pm, Food Server from 9:30 am-4pm Mon-Sat. Must have food handler's certificate. Call: 640-1069.

Qualified Welder and Mechanic, wanted for mining operation. Call: 697-2533.

Experienced Workers for pit, utility operators (must have valid driver's licence) and Cooks wanted for mining operation. Call: 697-2533.

Wanted! Male & Female workers for packaging pasta and sweets, required to work shift hours. Call: 611-7839.

Looking for a honest & reliable person for general cleaning, ages 40 years & older. Call: 227-2321.

Wanted Diesel Mechanic, attractive salary offered. Call: 223-5273/74, 6880417.

Driver needed, must have lorry licence. Call: 2235273/ 74, 621-5907.

Domestic and Cook needed. Call: 223-5273/74.

Cook needed to work at restaurant in Charity. Call: 223-5273/ 74, 688-0417.

Lathe Operator, Welder and Handyman needed at Good Hope on the East Coast. Call: 645-9333.

One Domestic worker/ Maid required to work 2 times per week in Kitty. For more info Call: 613-7651/ 649-3783.

Skilled Carpenters, Masons & Labourers needed. Call: 602-9469, 660-6385,625-7642

Live-in or live-out Domestic needed. Must be honest & mature. Call: 623-6383

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

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

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

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

Vacancy exists for a Lorry Driver, driver must have a valid licence. Call: 675-9157/ 656-2130.

Vacancy exists for 1 Jr book Clerk to work at Innovations America. Contact Andy: 226-9416/ 679-7391.

Receptionist, Desk Staff, Laundry Attendant & Security Guard needed at 233, South Road Lacytown, ages 25-50 years old. Call: 2252304.

Driver needed, must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, ages 23-50 years, car/ van licence. Call: 615-9132/ 645-8443.

Stock Clerk, Waiter/ Waitress, Cook & restaurant Supervisor needed. Apply at Regency Suites/ Hotel, 98 Hadfield Street, Werk-enRust G/Town. Call: 683-6471, hotelregency3@yahoo.com

Vacancy for a night Cleaner man. Call: 637-6700.

Bids open for supervision services for construction of stands at Anna

Regina, Linden grounds

SERVICES

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

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

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

During the recent opening of ten ders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office it was revealed that consultancy firm – Kalitech Inc. is now the lone bidder for the contract to provide design and supervision services for the construction of stands at Anna Regina, Bayroc and McKenzie,Linden, grounds.

It was revealed at the opening that Kalitech bid $14.3 million for the project at McKenzie, Linden; $14.3 million for the contract at Bayroc, and $16.3 million for the contract at Anna Regina.

Ministry of Education

Procurement of portable external hard disk plus

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

FOR RENT

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

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

Three bedroom furnished apartment & one bedroom in Providence for rent. Call: 6046664, 682- 6238 or 216-2299.

One,1 bedroom apartment for rent in Diamond Housing Scheme. Call: 708-0283.

FOR SALE

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

Mixed breed pups, vaccinated and dewormed. Call: 632-0350.

School clothing within Soesdyke to Timheri. Call: 669-9258/ 686-0005.

Pure breed German Shepard puppies for sale. Call: 6153595/ 665-9140.

Pure breed German shepherd pups for sale. Call: 680-1828, 632-9022/ 639-4966.

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport

Design and supervision services for the construction of stands at McKenzie, Linden.

Design and supervision services of the construction of stands at Bayroc, Linden.

Design and supervision services for the construction of stands at Anna Regina.

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security

Printing and compilation of Old Age Pension Public Assistance and Permanently Disable Booklets for 2024.

National Parks Commission Rehabilitation and extension of Jaguar enclosure at the Zoological Park.

TO LET

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

Office of the Prime Minister Procurement of security services.

TOURS

LAND FOR SALE

Prime land for sale at No. 78, Corriverton, excellent location for business. Call: +1 647-282-4646 / 690-4139.

Vinul,

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

school & lady's bag, pot sets wholesale and retail at Stabroek Brazzar, Bourda. Call: 669-9258/ 686-0005.

Travelspan celebrates 29 years of growth

Travelspaniscelebrating its 29th anniversary in the aviation sector and vows to continueprovidingexcellent servicetoitscustomers.

Inapressreleasetomark its anniversary, Travelspan said that “Our success story isbasedonGod’sGrace,and would be incomplete without the support of our customers and agency partners and we can’t begin to express the gratitude we haveforyouall,asweextend a heart-felt thank you for standing with us through it all.”

The company prides itself as trendsetting and innovative and noted that it has had “business minded superstars in the aviation sectors like the late George Paulos who as Executive Vice President” guided the company’s Chief Executive Officer(CEO)NoharSingh, mouldinghim.

Tr a v e l s p a n w a s established in 1994 and for itsCEO,itwasadreamcome true from the time he leased and operated his first 757 aircraft as a charter service from John F Kennedy then from FT Lauderdale International Airports in the UnitedStatestodestinations like Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Grenada,Trinidad&Tobago and Guyana, the company was molded and began to takeshape.

Subsequently, Singh leasedthe737,757and767, DC 10 to operate scheduled and seasonal charters with someofaviation’sbignames like Pace Airlines, Trans Meridian Airlines, North American, Xtra Airways, Universal, Vision and DynamicAirwaystonamea few, making it one of the only Travel Agency to also havetheprivilegeofbeinga Tour & Charter Operator withAirlineoperations.

“Adding to its portfolio, Travelspan also purchased localTravelAgencyAmral’s Travel in Trinidad, then launched a fully bookable website travelspan.com in 2007 and opening and operating satellite offices in Guyana, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, and Haiti, making it easier for ourcustomertobenefitfrom a superior service, for easy follow up and changes,” the company said in its statement.

Notwithstanding the company’s prowess in the aviation sector, it also spreads its humanitarian arms. Over the years, it has transportedreliefsuppliesto Grenadain2004andGuyana in2005bothtimesaftereach

country was devastated by Hurricane and flood, to Africa helping to provide a clean source of drinking water, and opening its aircraft doors to almost 200 orphans, many if not all of them getting their first opportunity to be on an aircraft, and had their very firstflight.

“Travelspan also have been a strong believer in community engagements, hostingyearlyMother’sDay or weekly In-flights and office giveaways, to its partnership with many local Newspapers, Promoters and Entertainers sponsoring local shows and artiste, as well as Hoteliers, Tourist Boards and other Airline Partners, it is no wonder the a c c o l a d e s o f accomplishments and countless achievements Travelspanhasamassedover the years, comes from a diverse group of businesses and organizations like Delta

Airlines, Vacations Express, North American Airlines, and the Tobago House of Assembletonameafew.” Further, the company

saidthatitsmanagementand strong sales and operation staff over the years have helped forged his concept thus allowing its CEO “to become the visionary he is today”.

Singhwaspraisedforthe newpathwaysevenafterthe travel industry had endured many challenges and changes in the last decade. “Travelspan in lieu of closingitsdoors,downsized, and CEO Nohar Singh positioned the company to come out stronger than before, this is evident more sointhelastthreeyearsafter surviving the Covid pandemic which caused many agencies and other business ceasing to exist, Travelspan added to its catalogue of escorted tours, and launched a first of its kind all-inclusive vacation package:TheDuckCooking Competition in 2021, this

hasnowcometobeayearly event, cumulating with travelers from many US Cities, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago,Guyanaandevenas far off as the Netherlands to participate or join in the fun.”

T h e C o o k i n g

Competitions have been hosted at all-inclusive 4 & 5 starresortsdestinationssuch asPuntaCana,D.R,Cancun MX.Thisyearitwillbeheld at the Sonesta Maho Beach ResortinSintMaarten.

The package includes airfare, transfers, resort stay

with all meals and

beverages, private entertainmentbysomeofour very own Caribbean artistes and the pièce de résistance

the actual Cooking

Competition,wheretheduck is provided by Travelspan. Contestants are only requiredtohavetheirunique seasoningsandflavors.

“On the heels of that success the Caribbean Throwback All-Inclusive Vacation Packages was launched in 2022 in the Dominican Republic, and once again Travelspan have created a niche vacation package, whereby you can fly off to 4 or 5 star resorts and actually have private concerts put on just for you by each year by legendary Soca Artiste as in 2021, where we had ‘Super Blue’ inPuntaCanaandthisyearit wouldbethe‘Baron’inSint Maarten, who knows where these private events would takeyouin2024?” Travelspan’s office is located at 108-09 Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill Queens, New York. Contact can be made on telephone numbers: 212-243-0865 or 718-845-0437, or via our w e b s i t e www.travelspan.com.

FIFA made false claims about carbon neutrality at Qatar World Cup – regulator

ZURICH, (Reuters)Soccer’s world governing body FIFA made false and misleading statements about the reduced environmental impact of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a Swiss regulator said Wednesday.

The Swiss Fairness Commission, the self-regulatory body of the advertising and communications industry, made its determination after investigating five claims that Zurich-based FIFA marketed the tournament as being carbon neutral.

The commission, which issues recommendations, but no state-enforceable judge-

ments, advised FIFA from making unsubstantiated claims in future. It said complainants usually implement its recommendations voluntarily.

FIFA did say it was “fully aware” of the environmental impact its events have and has been making “substantial efforts to tackle those impacts.”

The organisation said it was analysing the reasons for the commission’s recommendation, and may appeal.

Complainants from Switzerland, France, Belgium, the UK and the Netherlands said FIFA made false statements in its communications about

Friday June 09, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

In order to reach your destination, you may have to take an unusual route today, Aries. Zigzag your way to the finish line. Don't automatically assume that this is a bad thing.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Get out of the doldrums and enjoy life, Taurus. The situation is such that if you remain stagnant for a little while, you will soon sink into a spiral of depression and downward thinking.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

This morning is your time to shine, Gemini. You should be in a good mood, with a positive outlook that helps you attack the day's tasks with vitality. Elements of the unexpected.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You may get a bit frustrated in the morning because of a lack of commitment on the part of others, Cancer. You may find it hard to pin down an answer when everything seems to be up in the air.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

The energy you put out today will most definitely fuel the fire, Leo, so make sure you have an extinguisher within reach.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

You may feel indecisive today, Virgo, especially in the morning. Other people's actions may confuse you. Don't worry. Concentrate on your projects and goals.

carbon neutrality at the World Cup, the commission said.

“The Second Chamber of the Commission has now upheld all five complaints following a complex process,” it added.

FIFA had promoted the Qatar World Cup as the first completely climate neutral tournament, saying it was committed to reducing and offsetting carbon emissions it generated.

But the Climate Alliance, a network of groups which launched the complaint last year, was concerned about the environmental impact from the construction of air-

CWI CEO rubbishes reports of host change for next year’s

conditioned stadiums and the thousands of fans who flew to the tournament.

In its decision, the commission said it should not be claimed that sustainability goals have been achieved if there are no definitive and generally accepted methods for measuring them, or ensuring measures have been implemented.

“FIFA was not able to provide proof that the claims were accurate during the proceedings as required by the commission,” it said.

Raphael Mahaim, from the group Lawyers for the Climate, said he was delighted with the ruling which he said exposed FIFA’s greenwashing.

“FIFA said it was taking the climate change seriously, and taking the credit for this, and this wasn’t true,” he said.

T20 World Cup“There’s no truth to it”

SportsMax - Cricket

West Indies has rubbished reports about the International Cricket Council (ICC) possibly asking England to step in and hist next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, originally scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the USA.

A number of media outlets including C ricTracker, Sportskeeda and the Daily Mirror have reported that the venue shift is being considered due to a lack of infrastructure in the USA but CEO of Cricket West Indies, Johnny Grave, denied these claims

and questioned the source of the information.

“No!” was Grave’s answer when asked about the validity of the claims being reported.

“I don’t know where that’s coming from.

I’m in London for the World Test Championship final and I’ll be here again for the ICC Annual General Meeting (AGM) in a few weeks’ time so who knows what the agenda is. There’s no truth to it,” Grave added.

The West Indies previously hosted the ICC T20 World Cup in 2010.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Emotionally, you should be feeling quite good today, Libra. This is important since you may get thrown off balance by a strange, unexpected force. The more stable you are on the inside,

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Free your mind and consider alternative options, Scorpio. This is a time to throw away the old to make room for the new. There's a distinct advance in original and forward thinking today.

.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

You might find your energy comes in strong, erratic bursts today, Sagittarius. Don't be surprised if you're high as a kite one moment and down in the dumps the next. Even if you're driving everyone.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The

You may feel a tendency to do things the same old way today simply because it's what feels most comfortable, Capricorn. Even though the familiar route may be tempting now,

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

An extra log has been thrown on your fire today, Aquarius, so don't be surprised if you burn especially hot.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Don't feel like you have to rationalize everything, Pisces. Accept the fact that there are some things in life that occur without a specific logical explanation. More than likely these are the most interesting

FIFA’s claims were damaging because it meant companies and individuals scaling back their own action to reduce their carbon emissions because they thought FIFA had offset them.

“Ultimately, false claims like this damage the campaign for carbon neutrality,” said Mahaim, who is also a Swiss MP for the Green Party.

GCB Girls U19 Inter-County 30-Overs tournament...

Grimmond, Isaacs set up crushing win for Berbice

Realeanna Grimmond and Tia Isaacs teamedupwithbatandballastheypiloted Berbice U19 to a crushing 8 wicket win overEssequiboyesterdayinPortMourant. Berbice chased down the 108 made by Essequibo after cruising to 109 for 2. National Senior Women batter Realeanna Grimmond led the charge with 37 not out off31with4foursandasix.TiaIsaacshit 22 as the openers added 76 in a brilliant effortwithAshminiMunisarendingon13* to see her team home with ease. Bowling for Essequibo, Lavinda Ragobeer (2-28) was the lone wicket-taker. Earlier,Berbicebowlersweresublime,led bythepairofGrimmond(3-19)andIsaacs (2-22) who had brilliant all-round games, along with Crystal Durant (2-16) who had brilliantspells.

Essequibo batters apart from opener Laurene Williams, who had 20, failed to r e a c h d o u b l e f i g u r e s Round2setfortoday,Friday,June9,with matches featuring Demerara and Essequibo starting from 9:30hours followedbyBerbiceversusDemerarafrom 14:00hours.

LatchmansinghPrimaryandBush...

NBA Finals: Nikola Jokiæ’s historic triple-double leads Nuggets to dominant Game 3 win over Heat

Yahoo Sports - Nikola Jokiætookoveronceagain.

Afterblowingalatelead in Game 2, Jokiæ and the Nuggets rolled to a convincing 109-94 win over theMiamiHeatinGame3of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night The Nuggets, thanks to yet another historic tripledoublefromJokiæanda32point triple-double performance from Jamal Murray,easilypushedahead oftheHeatinthesecondhalf totakea2-1serieslead.

Denver held only a 5point lead at halftime, and thetwoteamsbouncedback andforththroughoutthefirst two quarters. Murray and Jokiæ, however, absolutely dominated. Jokiæ entered halftime just three rebounds shy of his triple-double, and Murray entered the locker roomwith20points.

The Nuggets then quickly pushed that lead to 14pointsinthethirdquarter before opening the fourth quarter on an 11-4 run. Just like that, Denver held a 21point lead. Though the Heat brieflycutthegametosingle digits in the final minutes, the Nuggets held on to take the15-pointwin.

Jokiæ finished with 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists for his second tripledouble of the NBA Finals. He’s also the first player in league history to put up at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a Finals game Only two other

players, Kareem AbdulJ a b b a r a n d W i l t Chamberlain, have put up that stat line in a playoff gameingeneral.

Murray had a tripledouble of his own, too. He added 34 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in the win for Denver Former Kansas star Christian Braun shined in the second half, too. He

put up all 15 of his points in thefinal24minutesandshot a near-perfect 7-of-8 from thefield.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 28 points. Bam Adebayo finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds, and Caleb Martin added 10 pointsoffthebench.

Game4oftheseriesisset fortonightinMiami.

Guyana’s women gain momentum in Singles match up against the Bolivians

Frompage30 for his match winning bowling spell of 5 for 12.

The two champions carried home fifty thousand dollars’ worth of educational materials, while the runners up received thirty thousand dollars.

The man of the finals each received vouchers for five thousand dollars’ worth of schoolsupplies.

BCB President Hilbert

Foster hailed the success of both tournaments and praisedPresidentoftheWest Berbice CricketAssociation

David Black for his hard work Foster expressed confidence that with the

introduction of primary school cricket, the BCB would be able to unearth more promising talents, He called on clubs across the county to do all in their powers to attract the junior cricketers into their membership.

The BCB boss also expressed delight that secondary schools are once againinvolvedincricketand hailed the competitive spirit among the schools for championship honour BCB

Competition Chairman Leslie Solomon expressed thanks to the three sponsors of the two tournaments for theirsupport.

Solomon, who is also a county selector, stated that theboardwasverydelighted with the support and he also expressed gratitude to Government Member of Parliament Fazil Jafferally for his assistance in obtaining the sponsorship. He described Jafferally as a true friend of Berbice Cricket The two West Berbice champions would now play in the overall Berbice championship next term when the other inter zones champions are known i n t h e N e w Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyneareas.

Inaremarkableturnofeventsatthe2023 Pan American Squash qualifiers, the local Women’s Singles team displayed a resurgence after their disappointing start to thetournament.TheGuyanaWomen’steam, whohadsufferedanearlydefeatintheirfirst Singles match against the Argentines but managed to bounce back nicely, with a convincing 2-0 victory over the Bolivian WomeninCartagena,Colombia.

The Women’s Singles team, comprised of Ashley Khalil, Taylor Fernandes, and Mary Fung-A-Fat, faced off against Bolivia’sWomenyesterdaymorning.Itwas a crucial match for the Guyanese team, however, they delivered an solid performance to secure two much-needed points.

Mary Fung-A-Fat set the tone for the team by dominating her Women’s Singles match against Vanessa Rios. Fung-A-Fat

emerged victorious with a flawless 3-0 victory, the match lasted a mere eighteen minutes.

Meanwhile, Ashley Khalil, not to be outdone,exhibitedtremendousresiliencein hermatchagainstBolivia’sAndreaFuertes. Although Fuertes initially took the lead by winning the first of four games, the determined Khalil staged an impressive comeback. Khalil secured a 3-1 victory by convincingly winning the following three games. The intense battle between the two lasted a total of twenty-five minutes, and Khalilemergedtriumphantwithscoresof811,11-3,11-6,and11-8.

Unfortunately, the match scheduled between Taylor Fernandes and Natalia Arancibia was canceled after the second match, giving the Guyanese women a commanding 2-0 win over their Bolivian opponents.

The triumphant Bush Lot Secondary School team.

Nikola Jokiæ dropped another triple-double on Wednesday night in Miami in Game 3 of the NBAFinals. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Realeanna Grimmond receiving player of the match trophy.

Iga Swiatek beats Beatriz Haddad Maia to return to French Open final; she’ll play Karolina Muchova

PARIS (AP) — As it is, Karolina Muchova was the unseeded, unexpected participant in the French Opensemifinals.

And then, dealing with cramping legs nearly three hoursintothematch,shewas justonepointfromlosingto No.2ArynaSabalenka,who entered yesterday with a 120 Grand Slam record in 2023, including an AustralianOpentitle.

Muchova somehow worked her way out of that difficult situation, grabbing thelastfivegamesagainstan error-prone Sabalenka for a 7-6(5),6-7(5),7-5victoryat Roland Garros to reach her first major final at the last placesheexpected.

“A roller coaster,” Muchovasaid.

InSaturday’stitlematch, she will meet No. 1 Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, who got past No. 14BeatrizHaddadMaia6-2, 7-6 (7) on Thursday night. Swiatek is seeking a third titleinParisandfourthmajor championship in all and her wininthesemifinalsassured the 22-year-old from Poland of remaining atop the WTA rankings.

At No. 43, Muchova is the fourth-lowest-ranked women’s finalist in French Open history On the other hand, she is now 5-0 for her careeragainstplayersranked intheTop3.

It was tough to decide which was more stunning: thatSabalenkalost—orthe way she lost. “I just tried to keepfightinganditworked,” Muchova said “I really

Poland’s Iga Swiatek celebrates winning her semifinal

don’tknowwhathappened.”

Well,herearethebasics: Sabalenkaheldamatchpoint while ahead 5-2 in the third set,butMuchovaerasedthat withaforehandwinner That began a run in which Muchovacollected20ofthe last24points.

“After that game, she kindofsteppedinandstarted playing a little bit more aggressive,andIkindoflost m y r h y t h m , ” w a s Sabalenka’s summation “Yeah,Iwasn’tthere.”

Until Saturday, this trip to Paris was far more complicatedoffthecourtfor Sabalenka than on it, where all six of her opponents was unseeded.

The subject of Belarus’ role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—theattacksbegan in February 2022 and continue to this day — and Sabalenka’s stance on the matter arose repeatedly, in part because she faced two Ukrainianopponents.

She was asked about the war following each of her first two victories, and Sabalenka refused to participate in standard post-

match news conferences after her next two contests, saying she felt unsafe and wantedtoprotecthermental health and well-being. She returned to speaking to the media after her quarterfinal win.

“Some challenges,” Sabalenka said. “Emotional challenges.”

Swiatek did not begin particularly well on Thursday, getting broken at love in the very first game. But she quickly turned that set around. Then, in the second, the big-swinging, left-handed Haddad Maia took a 3-1 lead, before Swiatekgotbackonserve.

Inthetiebreaker,Haddad Maia held a set point at 6-5, but she slapped a seemingly neutral ball into the net. A few moments later, it was over, allowing Swiatek to improve to 60-13 in Grand Slam play for her career — the same record Serena Williams had after 73 matchesatmajors.

Hours earlier, in the 80degree warmth of Court Philippe Chatrier, Muchova’s variety and all-

courtstyleprovidedtheright mix against one of the game’sbiggesthitters.

An oversimplification, granted, but think of it this way: Sabalenka tries to hit the ball past her opponent; Muchova tries to hit the ball awayfromheropponent.

“It’s kind of a little bit trickytobuildpointsagainst her,”Sabalenkasaid.

Thethirdsetappearedto tilt toward Sabalenka when her pressure prompted some extraerrors.Alongforehand by Muchova resulted in a service break and a 4-2 lead for Sabalenka, who held for 5-2.

That’s when it all began tocomeapartforher

Sabalenka needed just onemorepointtoendit,but Muchovacameupwithabig serve and a quick-strike forehandwinnertoerasethat chance.

“Just another point,” Muchovawouldsaylater

Sabalenka couldn’t break there, but then she served for the victory at 5-3 — and again couldn’t come through. Muchova broke to 5-4, then sat down and massaged her right thigh during the ensuing changeover Soon enough, suddenly,itwas5-all.

Sabalenka continued to miss and, as if blaming it all onherracket,triedtogetthe attention of her entourage in thestandssoshecouldswap her equipment. She finished with 53 unforced errors, nearly twice as many as Muchova’s27.

Muchova — who was stretchingbetweenpoints—

simplykepthittingbigshots.

“I could see,” Muchova said,“thatshewasstruggling a little bit and doing fast mistakes.”

Muchova, a 26-year-old from the Czech Republic, has always found that her game worked best in faster conditions: Her best previous showing at a major was a semifinal run at the 2021 Australian Open on

hard courts, her lone WTA title came on a hard court, and she never made it past the third round on the red clay at Roland Garros until now

“It’s not my favorite surface,” Muchova said earlier in the tournament, “but I think I can play good onit.”

Sureplayedwellenough yesterday

Disqualified Japanese player Kato becomes French Open champion

AFP-Japan’sMiyuKato became a French Open champion yesterday, four days after she was controversially disqualified from the women’s doubles foraccidentallyhittingaball girl.

Kato and her German partner Tim Puetz defeated Bianca Andreescu and MichaelVenus4-6,6-4,10-6 inthemixeddoublesfinalat RolandGarros.

“It has been challenging mentallyinthelastfewdays a f t e r m y u n j u s t disqualification from the women’s doubles,” Kato told the Court Philippe Chatrier crowd, reading fromapreparedstatement.

“Thankstoalltheplayers for their heartfelt messages of support I used that positiveenergyoncourthere today

“I am now looking for a positive result to my appeal so I can reclaim my prize money, pointsandmyreputation.”

Puetz said he hoped the title would help Kato after the drama of the default

“I hope this is redemption for you after what happened The support you received waswelldeserved.”

The 28-year-old Kato

Sutjiadi were defaulted on Sundayafteragentlelob fromtheJapaneseplayerleft a ballgirl in tears and shaking.

Initially, the pair were handed only a warning by the chair u m p i r e b u t t h e i r opponentsMarieBouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo protested and urged the tournament supervisor to lookagainattheincident.

Kato and Sutjiadi were then disqualified Kato also had to forfeit her prize money

“IhopetheballgirlisOK and I hope we get to play Marie and Sara again,” said Kato.

Miyu Kato (JPN) and Tim Puetz (GER) defeated Bianca Andreescu (CAN) and Michael Venus (NZL) in the mixed doubles final on day 12 at Stade Roland-Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Karolina Muchova

India struggle for runs as Australia gain upper hand in World Test Championship Championship

SportsMax - India were scrappingtostayafloatinthe World Test Championship final after a top order collapse leftAustralia in the drivingseatondaytwoofthe World Test Championship final.

Australia were all out for 469 in their first innings, Steve Smith following in the footsteps of first day centurionTravisHeadtopost 121,andthensnappedupkey wickets to establish a dominantposition

Eachoftheirseamquartet struck as India lurched to 71 for four in the 19th over, before spinner Nathan Lyon joined the party and ended a battlingfifth-wicketstand

Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja doubled the scorebeforethelatternicked Lyontoslipfor48 Bystumps Indiawere318behindon151 for five, with plenty of work todoretainarealisticchance of succeeding New Zealand asred-ballworldchampions

Australia arrived in the morning already boasting a healthy position on 327 for three. At that stage, they were surely hoping to clear 500, but India landed a few handyblowsoftheirownas they took the last seven wicketsfor108.

With 10 overs before lunch to work their magic,

theAustralianseamersmade short work of the India openers Captain Pat Cummins made the initial opening, thumping his opposite number Rohit Sharmahalfwayupthefront pad with one that shaped in towardsmiddleandoff.

ScottBolandthenjoined the fray, seaming one in sharply and rearranging ShubmanGill’sstumpsashe paid the price for a poorly judged leave. Boland filled his boots against England Down Under in 2021/22, taking a remarkable six for seven on debut at the MCG, and he made a compelling case for holding his spot at Edgbaston next week with 11 high-quality overs with theDukesball.

Indiasurvivedapotential gut punch when star batter Virat Kohli came close to departing for a duck, withdrawing the bat only to see an inside edge spray off the toe and zip past his stumps, but their struggles continuedafterthebreak.

Cheteshwar Pujara belied his years of experienceinEnglishclimes byapingGill’serror,shaping to leave all-rounder Cameron Green and paying withtheoffstump.

Kohli’s exit left India in strife but he was at least

guilty only of receiving a brutish delivery from MitchellStarc.

The left-armer was expensive,shipping52from nine overs, but showed off his ability to deliver big momentswhenhegotoneto explodeoffalengthatKohli and rap the thumb of his bottomhandasitsprayedto slip.India’spositionleftalot to be desired but, with Australians sensing blood, Rahane’s perseverance and Jadeja’s counter-attacking natureservedthemwell.

They put on 71 together, parted only when Lyon offeredachangeofpace.He

Karolina Muchova upsets

Aryna Sabalenka in French Open semifinals

N B C S p o r t s –OlympicTalk - Czech

Karolina Muchova, ranked 43rd in the world, upset No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus to reach her first major final at the French Open.

Muchova, a 26-year-old into the second week of the French Open for the first time,becamethefirstplayer totakeasetoffthepowerful Belarusian this tournament, thenralliedfromdown5-2in the third set to prevail 7-6 (5),6-7(5),7-5.

Sabalenka, who overcame previous erratic servingtowintheAustralian Open in January, had backto-back double faults in her lastservicegame.

In Saturday’s final, Muchova gets top seed Iga

SwiatekofPolandorNo.14

Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, who meet in Thursday’slatersemifinal.

Muchova broke up what many expected would be a Sabalenka-Swiatek final, which would have been the firstNo.1vs.No.2matchat the French Open since Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapovainthe2013final.

Muchova is unseeded, but was considered dangerous going into the tournament.

In 2021, she beat thenNo.1AshBartytomakethe Australian Open semifinals, then reached a career-high ranking of 19. She dropped out of the top 200 last year while struggling through injuries.

forced Jadeja into an unusuallydefencestrokeand clipped the outside edge to breakthestand.

Smith had earlier brought up his 31st Test century, his seventh in England and his third at the Oval. Resuming on 95, he dispatchedhisfirsttwoballs

of the morning from Mohammed Siraj to the boundary to reach three figureswithminimalfuss.

India made regular inroads to keep the game moving forwards, Head departingforaclassy163as Sirajgothimbrushingtothe keeperwithabumperaimed

attheribsandSmithendinga five-and-a-half hour stay with an uncharacteristically looseprodthatcanonedinto hisstumps.

Scores: India 151 for 5 (Jadeja 48, Boland 1-29, Lyon1-4)trailAustralia469 (Head 163, Smith 121, Siraj 4-108)by318runs

MCYS, NSC make good on promise to aid swimmer Raekwon Noel’s training

In an effort to continue t h e i r m a n d a t e o f empowering elite athletes, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the NationalSportsCommission (NSC) have made good on their pledge to financially support the international training endeavors of history-making CARIFTA Aquatics Championship five-time gold medalist Raekwon Noel The CARIFTA Games record breakermetwithMinisterof Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, as well as Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle on May 23rd and 30th respectively Noel etchedhisnameintheannals of Guyana and CARIFTA swimminghistoryashewon five gold medals at the Aquatics Championship, an event which was birthed in 1985

The Indiana Hoosiers commit won the 1500m Freestyle, 400m Individual Medley, 800m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly, and 400m freestyle in the 15-17 age group.

Hewastheonlyswimmer to medal at the prestigious championship and walked

awaywithaCARIFTArecord inthe800mfreestyleaswellas breakingfournationalrecords

Ninvalle said, “The MinistryofCulture,Youth,and Sportincollaborationwiththe National Sports Commission had promised to facilitate and assistinthetrainingprogramme of Raekwon Noel, the CARIFTA Aquatics Championship record breaker Assuch,wewillbeshouldering a significant portion of the financial cost associated with his training regimen in the United States Quality training andinternationalexposure are vital, and this is another tangible expression of our commitment to the development of our elite athletes.

Raekwon Noel is a true ambassador of Guyana and elevated the profile of his nation following his historic exploits at the Aquatics Championship, which will forever be etched in the annals of Caribbean history The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and the NationalSportsCommission remain committed to ensuring his continued improvement.”

Meanwhile, Noel, who

currently resides in New Jersey, USA, said, “Training for these competitions is costly and there are many expenses I have to pay club and coach fees, gym fees, transportationtoandfromthe pool,Ineedtraininggearand equipment, and nutritional supplements Ineedtopayto travel to regional and other out-of-state competitions The NSC has committed to payingmyclubandcoaching fees. I greatly appreciate the assistance because that is one less cost for my parents to find. I am still trying to find sponsors to cover my othercostsuntilAugust2024 when I will join the University of Indiana on a swimmingscholarship.”

He further said, “I am currentlytrainingandhopeto represent Guyana at four major upcoming swimming championships Theseare:(1) W o r l d A q u a t i c s Championship in Japan [July 14-30, 2023], (2 ) World Junior Championships in Israel [September 4-9, 2023] (3) Pan American Games in Chile [October 20 –November5,2023],and(4.) Olympics in Paris, France [July26–August11,2024].”

Mitchell Starc celebrates after dismissing Virat Kohli. (Getty Images)

Karolina Muchova

BCB President visits Whim Cricket Club as outreach continues continues

- Clubs receive over $120,000 worth of donations

Th e B e r b i c e Cricket Board is forging ahead with its developmental programme as President Hilbert Foster has launched visitstomemberclubsofthe veryactivecricketboard.

The President who is knownforhisconstantvisits to all parts of the county visited the Whim Cricket Club to meet with members to bring them up to date on plans of his administration and to listen to any concern theymayhave.

Foster, who is still recovering from illness, informed the Whim membership of the progress made over the last six years under his leadership and unveiledplansforthefuture. HeexplainedthattheBCBis currently donating batting cagesandbowlingmachines tozonesacrossthecountyin

an effort to make practice sessions more professional foryouths.

He also announced that the county was benefitting fromanaggressivecoaching programme directed to youthswiththeassistanceof Local Government Minister NigelDharamlall.

Clubswouldalsobenefit from donations of cricket balls to assist them to fulfill their mandates while the BCB is the only cricket board in Guyana to host cricket tournaments at both the primary and secondary levels.

Foster stated that his boardisusingthefirsthalfof the year to play junior and femalecricket.

Hedisclosedthatduring the August holidays, the BCB would be hosting an historic U11 tournament alongwithanunder13asthe

effort to unearth new talent continues.

The board would use the second half of the year to hostsecondandfirstdivision

tournaments for senior players.

Foster, who was first elected in 2018 used his influence to resolve some problems affecting the club anditsmembership.

He urged the executives tobemorecommittedandto focusonthedevelopmentof newtalent.

He reassured members thathewasalwaysavailable to meet with them concerning cricket matters. The BCB President handed overcricketitemsworthover one hundred and twenty thousand dollars to the club. Theitemsincludedapractice net, catching crib, scorebook, helmet, box of cricketballs,wicketkeeping glovesandinners,protective gears and coaching manual. Foster committed to assisting the Whim Club withanotherboxofballsand

trophies for a fund-raising tournament.Thetournament whichhasbeenapprovedby the board would be used to raisefundstopurchasepitch coversandFosterassistedin getting three other clubs to participate.

Whim would on Sunday play in a BCB grassroot tournament at the Port Mourant Ground sponsored byArjuneNandualongwith the home team and the Tain CampusoftheUniversityof Guyana.

Members of the club at the conclusion of the successful meeting expressedthankstotheBCB President and reassured him thattheywouldworkhardto developtheirclub.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e Amerindian community of Orealla benefitted from two days of cricket coaching as the BCB works to promote

cricket across the ancient county Twentyyouthsinthe area were last weekend involved in sessions conducted by BCB Coach JuniorBlair

Emphasis was placed on improving the youth’s abilities in batting, bowling, wicket keeping and also on therulesofthegame.

Theeventwasorganized with the cooperation of the Orealla Village Council, the management of the Orealla Secondary School and Sir IkieHenry BCB president Hilbert Foster has committed the boardtoassistingwithsome cricket gear for the area and also to seek ways to get Orealla to play in junior cricket.

Coach Blair has expressed delight at the interest of the youths and theirpassionforthegame.

Charles to replace Motie for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe

SportsMax - Cricket

West Indies (CWI) Senior Men’sSelectionPaneltoday announced that Johnson Charles has been named as the replacement for

Gudakesh Motie in the 15member squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament to be played in Zimbabwe, startingonSunday18June

Left-arm spinner Motie has not recovered from a lowerbackinjury

Charles recently made a return to the West Indies ODI team for the ongoing three match ODI series

Emirates in Sharjah He

scored 63 in the second match, his 50th ODI appearance, and was named PlayeroftheMatch LeadSelector,TheMost Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes said: “We want to wish Motie the best as he continues his rehabilitation. Heisoneoftheplayerswho weexpecttofeatureinWest Indies cricket going forward, so we want to see him recover fully so he can participate when called upon.”

Haynes added: “When w e d i s c u s s e d t h e replacement player, we looked at the possibility of anotherspinnerinthesquad.

However, we felt it was bettertogowithCharles.He is experienced at the international level, he will add value to the team for what will be a very important tournament. He also has knowledge of the Zimbabwe conditions having played ODI matches there before, so we see him astherightmanforthejobat thisstage.”

WestIndieswillarrivein HarareonSaturday10June, where they will prepare for the 10-team tournament

They have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Zimbabwe, Nepal, NetherlandsandtheUSA.

WestIndiesfacetheUSA intheopeningGroupAfixture on Sunday 18 June at TakashingaCricketClub,followed byNepalonThursday22Juneat HarareSportsClub

West Indies meet Zimbabwe on Saturday 24 June at Harare Sports Club Thefourthpreliminarymatch willbeagainsttheNetherlands onMonday26June

Each side will play the other teams in their group oncewiththetopthreefrom the groups progressing to the SuperSixstagefromThursday 29JunetoFriday7July The teamseachplaythreeSuper Six matches against the sidestheydidnotmeetinthe

groupstage.

All points won in the groups will be carried over to the Super Six stage apart from those gained against the bottomtwofrom each group.

The final will be played at Harare Sports Club on Sunday 9 July The two finalists will both progress to the ICC Men’s Cricket WorldCup2023.

FULLSQUAD

ShaiHope(captain)

Rovman Powell (vicecaptain)

ShamarhBrooks

YannicCariah

KeacyCarty

RostonChase JohnsonCharles

JasonHolder

AkealHosein

AlzarriJoseph

BrandonKing

KyleMayers

KeemoPaul

NicholasPooran

RomarioShepherd

West Indies Match

ScheduleAllmatchesstartat 9amlocaltime(3amEastern Caribbean/2amJamaica)

Sunday 18 June: v USA atTakashingaCricketClub

Thursday 22 June: v NepalatHarareSportsClub

Saturday24June:vWest IndiesatHarareSportsClub

Monday 26 June: v Netherlands at Takashinga CricketClub

The Orealla youths pose with BCB Coach Junior Blair after a session.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hands over donation to the members of the Whim Cricket Club.

BCB West Berbice Inter School Primary and Secondary School Tournaments

Latchmansingh Primary and Bush Lot Secondary emerge as champions on historic day

History was created on Wednesday at the Bush Lot Ground when the Berbice Cricket Board hosted two cricket finals for both primary and secondary schools in the West Berbice area.

Itisthefirsttimethatthe boardwashostingafinalfor primary schools in the county Playing in front of a sizeable crowd of parents a n d s u p p o r t e r s , Latchmansingh Primary defeated Rosignol by ten wicketstocoptheCaribbean Motor Spares/ Dhanpaul Sukhra Primary School tournament while Bush Lot Secondary got past Fort Wellington Secondary by nine wickets to lift the Latchman Construction trophy

With BCB President HilbertFoster,WestBerbice President David Black and Competition Chairman Leslie Solomon in attendance, Rosignol

Primarywererestrictedto36 for 8 from their allotted ten overs with Lelroy Blair scoring 12 and Delaney Mckenzie 10 been the principalscorers.

Bowling for the Latchmansingh Primary School, Josiah Walcott took 3 wickets for 5 runs in an impressivespell.Needingto score37runsfrom60ballsto claim the first ever primary title,Latchmansinghracedto 40 without loss in just 4.3 overs.

An impressive eleven yearsoldLelroyBlairhitting an unbeaten 27 with three boundaries, while Jonathan Cheemornsupportedwith12 not out. Blair received the five thousand dollars’worth of educational materials prize after been named playerofthefinal.

T h e L a t c h m a n Constructionintersecondary school finals was played immediately after the primary school finals and

FortWellington was bowled outfor62in18.5overswith Justin Doobay took five wickets for 12 runs in five impressiveovers.

Hereceivedsupportfrom Tulsiram Ramcharran 2 for 18 and Julian Gabriel 2 for 13.TheonlyFortWellington batsman to reach double

figureswasArlinAlbertwith 13 Ramcharran returned with the bat to complete a successful match by scoring 24notouttoleadhisteamto

a massive nine wickets v i c t o r y a n d t h e championship title. Doobay wasnamedmanofthefinal (Continuedonpage26)

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

Crystal Durant and Ahil Hemraj, both from the fast growing Rose Hall Community Center Cricket Club were the latest young cricketers to benefit from this joint initiative between Anil Beharry and Kishan Das of the USA. Durant is a student of Vryman’s Erven Secondary School. The 16 years old represented Guyanainthe2022Regional under19 Tournament. The fastbowlingallrounderalso representedtheSeniorSelect 11 in the 2022 Inter County Tournament and Berbice Seniorteamearlierthisyear Durant received one helmet andonebat.

Fourteen years old Hemraj, a fast bowling all rounder, is a student of Berbice High School, received one pair of batting pads. At a simple ceremony held recently, the young cricketers expressed gratitude for the assistance and promised to work hard ontheirgame.

The project is impressed with the youth and general development of this relativelyyoungcricketclub and is delighted for the

opportunities the club provides for the young people in the community Special mention was made of the coach Ameer Rahaman.

Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $370,000 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms, two trophies, seventeen pairs of cricket boots, thirty pairs of batting pads, thirty one cricket bats, twenty eight pairs of batting gloves, twenty one thigh pads, three pairs of wicket keeping pads, four arm guards, two boxes, nine cricket bags, six bat rubbers and six helmets. In addition totheabove,$600,000worth ingearwasdonatedbySheik Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available atthetime.

Todate,fiftynineyoung players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from three junior gearbags,twotrophies,four arm guards, twenty three bats, two boxes, five helmets,twentytwopairsof

cricket shoes, thirteen pairs of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber, nineteen pairs of batting gloves and one pair of wicketkeeping gloves In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats Pomeroon, Leguan and Wa k e n a m C r i c k e t CommitteesandCottonTree Die Hard also received one

boxofredcricketballseach, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteen color uniforms while RHCCCC received two, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicketkeepingglovesanda set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board alsobenefitedalongwiththe Town of Lethem and youth coach Travis Persaud with

Hemraj accepting his gear from Balram Samaroo.

oneboxofredballs.

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

Progressive and well

managedcricketclubswitha youth programme will also benefit.

Wethankthepersonsand media houses for the roles they are playing in promoting this venture Distributionwillcontinue. Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

Durant receiving his gear from Ameer Rahaman.

The winning Latchmansingh Primary School team pose with their trophy

ExxonMobil shoots $11M to YBG for National Schools National Basketball Festival

multinational corporation, taken sponsor o Basketball in b tournaments bringing ta from compete

Basketball the platform to compete

the NSBF, ExxonMobil is also supporting the StudentAthletePathwayConference and the Regional School Basketball Conference for thesecondyearinarow

Chris Bowman, CoDirectorofYBG,pointedout thattheseconferencesaimto provide guidance and support to young athletes whoaspiretopursueacareer insports.

The Regional School Basketball Conference, whichiscurrentlyunderway, will conclude later this month with seven regional finals This year’s tournament has seen the largest-ever participation of

ExxonMobil aims to inspire and empower young people to achieve their full potential, not just in sports butinallaspectsoflife.

“WhatIloveaboutthese inclusivecompetitionsisthe range of skill levels incorporated; we have e v e r y o n e f r o m developmental to elite players participating and fromacrosssomanyregions.

That’s what makes supporting these types of initiativessoworthwhileand demonstrates ExxonMobil’s commitment to community investment in the area of youth empowerment,”

Hoppie said Hoppie

pointed out that the NSBF andothersportstournaments provide an excellent opportunity for young peopletolearnimportantlife skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

Touching on Exxon’s collaboration with YBG, Hoppie revealed their relationship goes back four years, “and more recently it hasgonebeyondthecourtas

we support the broader features of the programme, includingoursecondyearof student athlete conference, aswellasnewincentivesfor athletes who perform exceptionally.”

Moreover,hesaid,sports can help students develop a strongworkethicandasense of discipline that can be appliedtootherareasoftheir lives. “I believe that sports play a vital role in shaping

of the last Anderson nal, commanding Queen’s President’s a 65Under-16 ock ima College 103-52.

FIFA’s Football for Schools brings the Caribbean together

F

The event included informative theory and practical sessions designed to encourage the nations of theCaribbeantotakepartin F4S.

The F4S programme aims to expand football globally and help the participants become better globalcitizens.Thegoalisto provide every child across the world with the opportunity to play football through the 211 member associationsand,indoingso, help them learn and develop importantlifeskills.

presented their success storieswithgreatenthusiasm and spoke of the challenge they faced in rolling out the programme.

Their contributions were vital in encouraging other member associations to consider joining and make themostofallthebenefitson offer

The seminar included informative sessions in which experts presented the objectives, methodologies, andresultsofF4S.

cooperation in the immediatefuture.

The debates that took place led to ideas and innovative strategies being exchanged, strengthening the bonds between the participants.

T

h

e

i

ootball’s global governing body, FIFA, held a regional seminar on their Football for Schools (F4S) programme, where Guyana was represented by officials from the Guyana Football Federation who shared the country’s success story by being the first country in CARICOM to roll-out the initiative.The launch of FIFA’s football for schools in Guyana.

Sidibe,incollaborationwith the Jamaica Football

Theseminarprovidedan excellent platform for c o u n t r i e s a l r e a d y participatingin F4S to share their experiences and knowledge.

Puerto Rico and Guyana

In addition to theory sessions, bilateral meetings were held to promote collaboration between participatingcountries.

The purpose of such gatherings is to forge closer ties, discuss and share best practices, and explore o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r

The three-day seminar came to an end with a football tournament, with delegates from across the regiongivingtheirallonthe pitch, showing off their skills,anddemonstratingthe power of sport to bring people and communities together

Guyana was the first to launchtheFIFAFootballfor Schools initiative in the Concacaf region, where FIFA experts trained 45 teachersfromacrossLandof Many Waters at the GFF NationalTrainingCentre.

Federation(JFF).

Students displaying the silverware up for grabs at the 2023 YBG/ExxonMobil National School’s Basketball Festival.

Guyana’s

gain momentum in Singles match up against the Bolivians

Triumphant Women’s Singles team ofAshley Khalil, Mary Fung-A-Fat and Taylor Fernandes, Nicolette Fernandes (on knees) also sharing the moment.