Kaieteur News

Man accused of impregnating teenage stepdaughter arrested while taking her to do abortion

“Buyersrefusedto takehijackedcar afterlearningsoldier wasmurdered”- suspect says

Guyana screened over 244 TIP victims in first half of 2023 Berbicewomanawarded over$2Mforunlawful arrest,detentionbypolice

Murdered soldier: Royden Anthony Douglas

Murder of GDF officer…

Govt. and Exxon unite again to fight citizens in another court case

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall S C and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) have been added as respondents in a matter filed in the High Court by two citizens, challenging the legality of the Permit, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project.

The Permit in question was issued by the EPA to EEPGL for the pipeline aspect of the GTE project. It was approved by the agency, which is the first named respondent,onNovember25, 2022 The application challengingthelegalityofthe Permit was filed by two citizens, Vanda Radzik and Elizabeth Hughes on March 27, 2023 through their lawyers Melinda Janki, Abiola Wong-Inniss and Joel Ross.

The Attorney General Chambers in a statement on Thursday revealed that after applications for both EEPGL and theAG to join the matter were opposed on May 11, 2023 by Counsel for the Applicants, their requests were approved on June 12, 2023 by the hearing Judge, Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry

In its application to join the proceedings, the State noted that it would be adversely affected by a judgment quashing the Permit, since several contracts for the project have already been awarded, to which the government is a party “It would place the Government in a position of breachinrelationtocontracts already entered into for the construction of the power plant and would likely attract liabilities under those contracts,”theAGstated.

To this end, the Court held that given the State's substantial public, economic and pecuniary interests in the project, the AG has demonstrated sufficient interest to intervene in his capacity as guardian of the public interest. The Judge ruled, “I find further that the AG, because of his unique position as the Government's principal legal advisor, may be privy to relevant facts and information (of which the Respondents/Applicants are in no position to speak) and may be able offer a different, u s e f u l o r p r a c t i c a l perspective which this Court o u g h t t o t a k e i n t o

consideration in determining the issue raised. I find that this of itself counterbalances anydelayorprejudicecaused t o t h e Respondents/Applicants I therefore find that the AG ought to be given the opportunity to participate fully in the proceedings and placebeforetheCourt,forits consideration, evidence which he believes will vindicate the State's interest.”

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the AG is being supported by

Shoshanna Lall, Assistant Solicitor General, Patricia Shepherd and Laurel Dundas,StateCounsel.Inthe meantime, the pool of lawyersrepresentingEEPGL includes Edward Luckhoo, SC, Andrew Pollard, SC and Eleanor Luckhoo Both partieshadappliedtojointhe caseonMay10,2023.

Justice SewnarineBeharry in her June 12 ruling s a i d t h a t t h e Respondents/Applicants haveconcededthatbothEsso andtheAGhaveaninterestin the proceedings as it is obvious that both parties would be adversely affected if the Orders sought by the Respondents/Applicants were granted by the High Court She noted, “In deciding this issue this court must have regard whether suchinterventionwillunduly delay or prejudice the determinationoftherightsof Respondents/Applicants.”

In granting EEPGL its application to join as respondent, the Judge stated, “Esso is the holder of the Environmental Permit which is being impugned and named operator of the GEP and undoubtedly has an economic interest in this venture or to borrow the

July 2023 and written submissions on or before 28 July, 2023. The Respondents will then file written submissions in answer, on or before11August,2023.

The Judge said the decision of the court will be handed down on September 25,2023.

agreement with the land ownersofthesaidarea.

words of their Counsel “a real, substantial and direct interest”inthesubjectmatter of the proceedings Moreover, it has rights accrued or derived from the Permit and in all fairness ought to heard and be able to fully defend its rights to the Permit.”

Similarly,shepointedout that the state should join the matter, given its “substantial public, economic and pecuniary” interests in the project. The AG and EEPGL have until June 30, 2023 to serveanAffidavitinDefence on the matter Meanwhile, theapplicantsareexpectedto file Affidavits in Reply, if necessary, on or before 14

The pipeline is a critical component of the GTE project that is intended to reduce the cost of electricity by50percent.Itwasreported that the infrastructure is being funded by the oil company and will be repaid by Guyana via annual payments of US$55 million for 20 years. Separately, the GoG is pursuing a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility to treat and separate the gas, along with a 300-megawatt power plant to generate electricity to power the national grid. Government intends for the project to startup by the end of next year

Background on case

Radzik and Hughes moved to the High Court on March 27, 2023 seeking an Order of Certiorari to quash thedecisionmadebytheEPA to award an Environmental Permit to EEPGLExxonMobil Guyana - to undertake the GTE project activities, on the grounds inter alia that the decision was in breach of the

p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e Environmental Protection Act (Cap. 20:05), and more

p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e Environmental Protection (Authorisation)Regulations.

The applicants outlined that ExxonMobil Guyana in its application to the regulator, dated June 24, 2021 includes details of the project site, the proposed route of the pipeline and the areas to be used and affected by the project, which

includes residential properties, commercial properties and state-owned properties. Be that as it may, the application did not include or provide any proof ofownership,aleaseorother

Notwithstanding, the EPA granted EEPGL a Permit to undertake the project on November 25, 2022 Subsequently, the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill in January 2023 passed various orders to acquire lands for the purpose oftheproject,pursuanttothe Acquisition of Lands for PublicPurposesAct,Chapter 62:05.

The applicants are therefore seeking a declaration that the respondentactedinbreachof t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection (Authorisation) Regulations; a declaration that the Permit is null, void and of no legal effect with costs and such further order the Court considers just. In their application to the High Court, Radzik and DeaneHughes stated that Pursuant toRegulation17(2)(c)(iii)of t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection (Authorisation) Regulations, an application for an environmental authorization must contain “proof that the applicant eitherownsthefacilityorhas a lease or other agreement with the landowner or occupier to enable the applicant to conduct the activity without the consent of the landowner or occupier.”

Berbicewomanawardedover$2Mfor unlawfularrest,detentionbypolice

Rehanna Reginald, a resident of East Canje, Berbice was awarded the total sum of $2,250,000 for the breachesofherConstitutionalrightsby members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Reginald was unlawfully arrested by members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on November 7, 2020 and kept in custody until November 11, 2020. The woman was detained at both the New Amsterdam Police Station and the Sisters Police Station, where she was subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment.Shewasalsodeprivedofher rights to speak with her family or even herattorneys-at-law

ThroughherattorneysDexterTodd andDexterSmartt,thewomansuedthe State seeking a declaration that her fundamental rights guaranteed under articles 139(1) and 141 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana 1980 were violated by the State and its agents by imposingcruelandinhumantreatment, false imprisonment and wrongful deprivation of liberty on 7th to 11th

November, 2020. She also sought compensation from the State for those breachesofherrights.

In January 2022, the acting Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire, ruled that Reginald was indeed unlawfullyarrestedanddetainedbythe membersoftheGPF

The matter proceeded to trial for a decision on compensation.At trial, the court heard from the woman, how she wasdeprivedofherrighttoanattorney and she was not told the reason for her arrest.Further,shewasforcedtostayin a cell with human faeces and urine on the floor of the cell since to the toilet present in the cell was not operational. She explained how she was forced to sleep on the concrete floor filled with filth, insects, human faeces and urine accompanied by a strong stench while onhermenstrualcycle.

Reginald's lawyers said that as a consequence of the police's unlawful actions, their client suffered humiliation, distress, embarrassment and emotionally and mentally traumatised.

Inherrulingondamages,theChief

Justiceawardedthesumof$1,600,000 for the breaches of her fundamental rights guaranteed under articles 139(1) and 141 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana 1980 were violated by the State and its agents by imposing cruel and inhuman treatment, false imprisonment and wrongfuldeprivationofliberty

Thecourtalsoawarded$50,000for the breach of her rights under article 149 of the Constitution of Guyana which guarantees protection from discrimination.

The Chief Justice further awarded an additional sum of $350,000 as vindicatory damages since the police had no reason to arrest Reginald. Finally, she awarded Ms. Reginald a further$250,000incosts.

The woman's lawyers reminded that the members of the GPF are not above the law and cannot arrest any citizen without a lawful reason. They highlighted that the rights of all citizens are enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana and the rights provided under said Constitution must protectedbythejudiciary

EEPGL President, Alistair Routledge

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall S.C

Printed

Guyana.

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

JUDGE SANDILREMINDS ME OF GLENN LALL, JUDGE RISHI

JAGDEO CONCERNED ABOUT EVERYTHING, BUT GUYANA’S INTERESTS DEAREDITOR,

REMINDS ME OFAGAND VP

Guyana’sVicePresident,BharratJagdeohasconvinced himselfthatheisthesmartestmanaround. Whathefailsto appreciate is that he comes across more as the slickest one anywhere. Inhiseffortstoslidefromcornertocornerwhere thenation’soilpatrimonyisconcerned,andrejectsworking diligentlytogetthemostoutofit,hehighlightshowmuchof weakleader,apoorpresence,andalaughablefigurehehas become.

Consider how Jagdeo shifts from foot to foot to escape doingwhatisbestforGuyanaanditshopefulpopulationof poor and struggling. He was first concerned about foreign investorsbeingrewardedatanattractivelevelthatiskeeping withtheriskstheytake. Wehavenoquarrelwiththat,fully favourit. Investorsmustmakemoney,butsomustGuyana, anditisnot2%royaltyandnotaxespaidbyExxonMobil,to pointtoonlytwotoplineissues. Simplyput,andinthemost unmovingterms,Guyanamustgetmorefromitsoilwealth, noifs,ands,orbutsaboutit. Theproblem,anditisatcrisis proportions, is that Vice President Jagdeo has openly abandonedeventheappearanceofbeingpartiallycommitted (partially,notfully)towringingmoreoutofExxonMobilfor Guyana. Heisnowsofargonethatalmostallthewordsthat come out of his mouth are about either foreign investors in general, or ExxonMobil in particular When we listen closely to him, there is scarcely any word about Guyana’s interests,orGuyaneseaspirations,andhowpassionateheis aboutthose.

AsiftoconfirmJagdeo’sSiamesetwinrelationshipwith foreign investors, he moved from being passionate about returns (profits) for them, and came up with a fresh, new gimmick. Jagdeo did his best to convince the Guyanese public that any move to renegotiate the abominable 2016 ExxonMobil oil contract would chase away foreign investors. His exact words were that “investors spook easily.” Almost overnight, Jagdeo came up with the snake charmer’s song that sings about how renegotiating the monstrous ExxonMobil contract would send investors runningtotheCJIAforthenextAmericanAirlinesflight. In hisspeedanddeterminationtolookoutfirstandforemostfor the interests of foreign investors, what Jagdeo neglected to noticewashowmuchheexposedhisnakedness.

Itishisnakedfearaboutupsettingbigcorporatemovers and shakers of ExxonMobil, such as Darren Woods and AlistairRoutledge. Itishisnakednervousnessaboutdoing anything that disturbs the peace of mind of ExxonMobil’s bigshots, which is why he flees in abject cowardice whenever any conversation, any call, any clamour surfaces about renegotiating the vile ExxonMobil contract. What Jagdeohasbeendoingisrunningaround,hidingbehindany rockhecanfind,orsubmerginghimselfinanyholethathe believesgiveshimsomesuitablecover Therealitythatthe maninchargeofthenation’soilwealthrefusestorecognize isthathemorethatherunsandhides,themoreheexposeshis feebleness,hisnakedness,andhisfickleness.

Whatever potion the chiefs at ExxonMobil have given VicePresidentJagdeotoabsorbonlysucceedsinbringingon moreconvulsionsleadinghimtotiehimselfintoknotsfrom whichhecannotextricatehimself.

Thelatestisthenewspinandrhymethatheputsinhisoil poems: he is worried about slowing down the speed of offshore oil operations, and all of its other supporting components. His own words condemn him over and over: “myconcernhasbeenaboutkillingthemomentum….” The hopes of Guyanese are being killed, the dreams of citizens arebeingkilled,andJagdeoismoreconcernedabout“killing themomentum”thatbenefitsExxonMobilanditscorporate comradesmosthandsomely

It is the same weak and washed up Jagdeo from before, who was so focused on ‘investor risks and investor return’ but not having a single care about a fair, right, and proper return for the Guyana people, the owners of the oil wealth. TheGuyanesepeoplewhohavethebiggestinterestintheoil are left hanging, their destiny sacrificed by Jagdeo in his homage and repeated prostrations to foreign investor interests.

I had read the entire decision of Justice Sandil Kissoon and concluded it was a well-reasoned, unassailable, solid decision that aligns with the law and with what National Hero GlennLallandCivilSociety advocateshave been saying. When I listened to Justice RishiPersaud,heseemstobe saying the diametrical opposite of what Judge Sandil ruled. How can two Judges be so far apart like night and day on this Insuranceruling?

In an apparent rebuke and disappointment that Justice Kissoon’s decision did not favour Exxon but favoured the People of Guyana, to whom both the AG and VP sworn to preserve,protectanduphold in their oaths, the VP suggested courts must make “predictable” decisions. The VPappearstobesayingthat “predictable” decisions are

good for attracting foreign investors.Tomymind,thisis quiteabackwardviewofthe law, especially if the suggestion is that you must screw your own country to kissuptoforeigninterests.

Thisisreprehensibleand traitorous. So did Justice Kissoonmakeadecisionthat was “not predictable” to Exxon and Justice Persaud made a decision that was “predictable?”

Did anyone on the Governmentsideguaranteed Exxon they will not allow legal decisions to go against them, that decisions will be “predictable” in accordance with what they will dictate? Did the VP hate Justice Sandil’s decision but liked Justice Persaud’s decision?

To repeat, the People of Guyana is baffled that our ownAG and VPrushed like Usain Bolt to announce an appealagainstadecisionthat made the Oil Imperialists accountableforoilspillsand

for adequate protection of our environment by having proper insurance that will coverallcostsintheeventof anoilspill.Thepeoplewant to know what would motivate our Government, Opposition and Private Sectortobeonthesameside on a single bed with Exxon, against the masses of Guyanesepeople.

While Justice Persaud’s rulingisseenasatemporary setback delaying Exxon’s day of judgement, all GuyanaexpectsthattheFull Court will uphold Justice Sandil’sruling.Somepeople say if we fight the mighty ExxoninanAmericanCourt, we will not win. So why should Exxon win in our Guyanese Courts, when our poor country cannot pay decent minimum wages, salaries, and pensions, and weremainas…holecountry, while Exxon ships away the bulkofGuyana’soilwealth?

The People of Guyana

are sovereign, and their interests are sovereign and paramount Exxon must havenosovereigntyoverus! Never! I predict that at the FullCourtofAppeal,twoof the threeAppeal Judges will uphold Justice Kissoon’s decision. Exxon must not thinkitcanengageinafrolic of its own and push us around,dictatingwhatitwill doornotdo.

They must comply with allourlawsandourpermits. They must pay taxes as they do in other countries Guyanese must not sit back and allow Exxon to walk all over us with the connivance and facilitation of the Government, Opposition, andrapaciousPrivateSector in cahoots with them. Stand up for Guyana! Stand up for unlimited parent guarantee inpayingforallliabilitiesin the event of any oil disaster WakeupGuyana!

Sincerely,

Dr.JerryJailall

Attempts to split PPP/C leadership will fail

DEAREDITOR,

While many of Kaieteur News’ editorials are thoughtful and substantive, the one on June 15, 2023, is nothing short of plain mischievousness The editorial follows a popular street-level line of discourse that says Vice President Jagdeo is too visible in the current administration Kaieteur News could have been more responsible by acknowledging that Dr. Jagdeo’s recent presence in themediaisduetohisroleas General Secretary of the PPP, and his obvious duties as party leader during the LGE campaign, and its immediateaftermath.

While the editorial assumes the posture of distance from everyday politics,noonewhofollows the media should be surprised that KN has doubled down in attacks against Jagdeo. That is a predictable occurrence where the ‘waterfall’ newspaperisconcerned.But the editorial takes a further step by insinuating that President Ali is somehow sidelined in his own administration. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the President has been so visible, people acrossallsectionsofsociety

have been asking how he managestokeepupwhatcan only be described as an astounding level of public engagement These engagements are not only with citizens through outreaches, but with foreign delegations, NGOs, multilateral institutions, the diplomatic corps, academics and artists, the disciplined forces, and foreign heads of state.

The editorial incorrectly states that cabinet ministers have also been less visible and are not given the opportunity to respond to issues that fall under their respective ministries Dr AshniSinghwassingledout for mention. Yet only days ago, the same Dr Ashni Singh was the one who pennedadetailedresponseto Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, who made some charges of underfunding

The record shows that while Newsroom, INews Guyana, and Guyana Chronicle (among others) carried Dr Singh’s response, Kaieteur News chose to publish a letter by so-called elder Hamilton Green in which Minister Singh’s response is attacked (see “PPP using tricksandpropaganda,”KN, June 13, 2023). I can assure KaieteurNewsthatPresident

Ali and Minister of Finance

Dr Ashni Singh do not need any reminders of the offices theyhold,orhowtogoabout their daily business of governing this country As for their visibility, allow me to reproduce a post from Facebook that went up only hours ago. Here is the text –

“Last evening, in the presence of President Dr Irfaan Ali, Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni K. Singh signed a financing agreement on behalf of the Government of Guyana, with the European Commission for the protection and restoration of Guyana’s mangrove forests, at State House. Signing on behalf of the European Commission was its First Vice President, Mr Frans Timmermans.” ‘No one in the PPP/C administration shouldgotothisextenttoset therecordstraight,butgiven Kaieteur News’ persistent

efforts at attempting to split the PPP leadership, we do havetogotothis‘ridiculous’ level. Acounter-narrativeon the street about Vice President Jagdeo’s visibility should be of great interest. Many have heard it before, but it is worth repeating, namely, that someone at Kaieteur News’ is intensely worked-up about Jagdeo’s popularity,andabouthisfine working relationship with PresidentAli.

For the record, I can tell you that during press conferences, Vice President Jagdeo routinely defers to PresidentAli when there are questions that should be properlydirectedtotheHead ofState.Numerousattempts have been made to split the PPP/Cleadership.Theyhave all failed, and so will this latest attempt via an editorial.

Sincerely, Dr.

RandolphPersaud

What about the COI into the Mahdia fire?

DEAREDITOR, Pleaseallowmespacein your newspaper to ask a profound and burning (no punintended)question.

M r P r e s i d e n t , referencing the recent

Mahdia Female Dorm fire, when will the public be informed about the creation and composition of the COI youunwaveringlyespoused?

BestRegards, Subrian,Esq.

PPP/C did not put in hard work; they abused the State’s resources

DEAREDITOR,

Contrary to the view of one of yesterday’s letter writers, PPP/C didn’t yield results of hard work, it was the result of abuse of state resources which gave it advantageoverothers.

Forthelocalgovernment elections,wehaveseenhow State’s resources have been abused to give advantage to PPP/C over other contesting partiesandcandidates.

Thetimeisrightforstrict financial laws relating to elections be implemented.

Asitis,PPP/Cwillcontinue to abuse theTreasury to buy votes, and this will worsen come2025.

The cash grant for schoolchildrenisthebiggest vote-buying scheme. Many times,oneislefttowonderif the Minister of Education thinks everyone is foolish and that she is the only wise one.

Asreportedinsectionsof the media, she claimed the cash grant was shared at a timeconvenientforteachers. Thisisthebiggestlie.Infact, as a minister she cares least aboutteachers.

She is only concerned about votes. For cash grant distribution, another learning day was loss for

children For elections, another day For nomination day,anotherday

Does she really care aboutstudents?

The cash grant came 3 monthsearlywiththemotive of buying votes. PPP/C is going all out to have completecontrolofGuyana.

This is dangerous for democracy Withtheplaying fielduneven,Guyanaissetto become the next China, or a Middle East country, or Venezuela, where the leader exerciseabsolutecontrol.

Under PPP/C rule, there is no distinction between party and politics All government agencies have become political for the PPP/C.

What is unfortunate is that staff who support other partiesarevictimized.Thisis a dangerous path PPP/C is settingup.Itisforthisreason theotherparties’rallieshave beenpoorattended.

Workers are afraid if captured, they could face repercussionsatworkplaces. Inadifficulteconomictimes, persons are afraid to take such risks. Even though, the constitution gives freedom, this doesn’t stop subtle victimization vis a vis promotion,etc.

Contracts: Many road contracts were issued days beforeelection.

This has dual purpose. It ismeanttobuyvotefromthe contractors and secondly fundcampaigns.

Through redistribution, contractors then finance campaigns Many newbie contractors from New Amsterdam, Georgetown and Linden were visible at the many campaigns to pay the proverbial piper Contractorswillrallyaround because it’s their means of survivalandmoneyhastobe made.

S t a t e F u n d e d Outreaches. The President and his ministers increased their outreaches during the local government election period.

While under the guise of doing the ministry’s works, supporters cladded in party shirts and other paraphinelia are always seen on these trips The Ministry of Agriculture is the most visible in this regard. Of course, the State vehicle is used for transportation etc.

Election reforms are necessary to curb these abuses. The President and Ministers should not be campaigning using any item

TCI embarks on road to the 2025-2026 elections

DEAREDITOR

The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), a democratic organization dedicated to empowering i n d i v i d u a l s a n d communities, is excited to announcetheofficiallaunch of our campaign leading to the 2025-2026 general, regional,andlocalelections.

The upcoming elections represent a critical moment in our history, offering the opportunity to reshape our nation’s future. At TCI, we are committed to ensuring thatthevoicesofallcitizens are heard and that our

know the whereabouts of Su

fromtheState.

10-days workers’ scheme.

This is another way of entrapment for supporters. Since this class of workers has no fixed job, they are subjecttomanipulationtodo any work that the governmentwants.

APPP/Cledgovernment then uses them to attend meetings, assisting them campaign, and other party related task. In other words, theyarepaidundertheguise of doing government work but in actuality, it’s a party work.

Who doesn’t want to get $40,000freelyeverymonth? Assuch,sinceitisahireand fire arrangement with no strong institutional arrangements to represent any mistreatment, workers comply given the fear of beingreplaced.

Media: As expected, Guyana state media fails to understanditsrole.

It allows itself, from a d m i n i s t r a t i o n t o administrationtobeusedasa puppetbythepartyinpower forpoliticalworks.

This is much like Venezuela, Russia and China. Guyana is not far behind. Many private news outletswhogetchunksfrom doing ministry’s work, now repaytheirmastersbygiving themmorecoveragetime.

DEAREDITOR,

I don’t normally pay attention to Jagdeo’s press conferences on Thursdays, primarily because I have more important matters to attend to, and I refuse to subject myself to his bothersomerhetoric,whichI find to be a nuisance

However, several of my friends called me and informedmethatJagdeohas beenreferencingmynamein hisrecentpressconferences, relentlessly attempting to discreditmebyaccusingme of embezzling funds from theUniversityofGuyana.

I addressed this matter and set the record straight a long time ago, but for the sakeofthosewhoarenewto thisissue,Iwouldliketotake this opportunity to reiterate that in December 2012, I, GaneshMahipaul,borrowed a sum of money, which was less than a million dollars, from the UG Student Society It is important to note that I repaid every cent ofthatloan.

nothing else to associate my name with except baseless accusations.

However, a man of his stature should refrain from vilifying others. His track record and involvement in corruption are deeply concerning,andhehasyetto a d d r e s s n u m e r o u s controversies directly implicating him. The public is still eager to know the whereabouts of Su, the infamousChineseindividual who apparently held a special place in Jagdeo’s livingroom.TheVICEnews interview remains fresh in the minds of many Jagdeo deceivedthenationabouthis marital status, and the treatment the woman allegedly endured at his hands is still remembered andevokessympathy

policiesreflectthecollective aspirationsofourpeople.

TCI is prepared to drive change and promote inclusivity in the political landscape. Our aim is to provide a platform where everyone can contribute and make a difference We encouragealltogetinvolved - as a member, candidate, donor,orsupporter-andjoin usinthisvitaljourney

Thiscampaignwillfocus on outreach to every corner of our country, with a comprehensive strategy that includes grassroots efforts, publicmeetings,community

engagement, and digital initiatives. Our objective is to ensure that our campaign reflects the diverse needs, perspectives, and hopes of our citizens. TCI will be releasing more information about its campaign, policy proposals, and ways to get involved in the coming weeks.Weinviteeveryoneto join us in our mission to shape a more inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future forourcountry Regards, Executive Members( of The Citizenship Initiative (T.C.I)

With oil revenue on stream,onehastoaskifany oil company is funding PPP/C campaign With money,anythingcanhappen. In the interest of transparencyand

(Continuedonpage6)

The borrowed funds were utilized for urgent medicalexpensesatthetime. The five senior members of the UGSS Executive were awareofthisborrowing,and there is a paper trail to substantiate this fact Admittedly, I made an oversight by not obtaining the approval of the full 22memberexecutive.

However, it is worth mentioning that the UGSS constitutionin2012allowed for borrowing, though I am unsure if any amendments havebeenmadesincethen.

Jagdeo seems to have

Therearecountlessother issues relating to corruption in Guyana that surround Jagdeo,butIrefusetowaste my time and energy discussing him further Guyanese citizens are intelligent individuals who are well aware of his true character

However, I felt it necessary to clarify the situationsinceithascometo myattentionthathehasbeen mentioning my name frequentlyasoflate.

In conclusion, I would liketoinformJagdeothatthe English translation of the name ‘Ganesh’ is ‘lord of wisdom,’ and ‘Mahipaul’ means ‘King of Kings.’ I hopeheaddressesthismatter inhisnextpressconference.

Sincerely,

GaneshMahipaul

Jagdeo, the public is still eager to

Our leaders are blatant liars and should not be trusted

DEAREDITOR,

Homicidealongwiththe senseless deaths of 20 children at Mahdia, and the frequent traffic accidents resultinginnumerousdeaths of our youths on the roadwayshaveandcontinue toreaphavocinGuyanaand no one is being held responsible for the mayhem ontheroadsandthedisaster atMahdia.Thisishappening at a time when the United States oil giant, Exxon Mobile is raping and screwing Guyanese of their huge oil wealth and the government headed by the honcho and de facto president, who claims to be theonlyexpertinthecountry continuetofocusonbuilding bridges and stadiums while

the average Guyanese is starving. The captions of some of the deaths are on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 13&14) 2023 edition

Kaieteur News paint a very dimpictureinthecountry

· Soldier shot dead by colleagueatTimehribase.

Young businessman found dead in Regent St. apartment.

·Twowantedformurder ofGDFCoastGuardOfficer

· Pensioner beaten to deathduringargument.

·BikerkilledinMandela Avenueaccident.

· Rice farmer stabbed to death,suspectarrested.

TwofriendsdieinLong Creeksmash-up.

North West man fatally shot with arrow during

huntingtrip.

LetterKennyfisherman dies after felled by wooden post. While the ashes of the Madhia fire that took 20 preciousyounglivesarestill coolingandthemoralpsyche of all Guyanese is still healing, these chilling captions impart a daily dose of tragedy and reflect a morally decayed society where fires that could have been avoided if proper electric and building codes were in place have become normal. This along with the lack of drugs and very poor services at the hospitals, extra-long and tedious waiting periods for national ID cards, birth certificates, death certificates, house lots andalmosteverythingelsein

all ministries have made Guyana a primitive country andthemostbackwardinthe Caribbean. It is time for President Ali to call for the resignation of the incompetent and do-nothing Minister of Home Affairs and the arrogant, childish, and boorish Minister of Local government for the deaths of the 20 children at the Mahdia Secondary FemaleSchoolDorm.

If Mr Irfaan Ali is the real head of state, he will do the honourable thing and force those incompetent ministerstoresign.

But as all Guyanese know,heisnottherealhead of state, that title is with the honcho who made him the president. Is this the Dubai the jokers and our power drunk leaders claim that Guyanawouldbecome?

No, never, not when the biggestculpritinthecountry, Exxon Mobil is grabbing 95 percent of our oil resources. Not when after 57 years of independence there are still endless power blackouts, lackofrunningwaterinmost

parts of the country, continuous floods all over thecountrywiththeslightest of rainfall, huge garbage pileupeverywhereinthecity and elsewhere and roads with oversized potholes Does this sound like a moderncountryoroneinthe StoneAge?ToallGuyanese, do not be fooled by the construction of new and largebuildings,becauseitis the rich who are swindling the poor to become richer in a country where the poverty rate is at 68 percent and thousands of children go to school without a meal or as theysay“hungrybelly.”

Now that Local Government Elections are over, the salient question remains: what will change? Nothing except that the cost of living will increase, and the poor will become poorer andcontinuetosuffer

Thereasonisthehoncho, and the de facto President and self-anointed oil expert has turned Guyanese into beggars for crumbs because he depends on EXXON’s accountants to count the

number of barrels of oil being pumped each month, to determine the company’s expenses and the amount of money Guyana should receivefromeachsaleofoil. ExxonMobil does not allow a single Guyanese to be present on site for verification of the figures they present to the government I want all Guyanese to know that Guyana has been placed in this pitiful situation by no oneelsethatthehonchoand defactopresident.

Not to mention that the honcho and de facto president and the rubber stamp president have promisedduringtheelection campaign to renegotiate the lopsided contract signed by the inept Granger government. Even though it is on tape, they have denied it.Thisissolidproofthatour leaders are the most deceptive, devious, and blatant liars The people shouldnottrustthem.

Regards,

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

PSC disappointed with low voter turnout for LGE

DEAREDITOR,

The Private Sector

Commission (PSC) commends the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the successful conduct of the Local Government Elections held on June 12, 2023.The PSC would also like to commend all the contestants for their participation in a peaceful andsuccessfulelection.

The Commission, as a GECOM Accredited Local Observer, in collaboration with AMCHAM Guyana

I n c a n d o t h e r representational bodies, witnessedthevotingprocess at polling stations across the country We also received r e p o r t s f r o m o u r membership across all the

regionswhereelectionswere conducted.TheCommission also observed the counting andtabulationprocessesand found no significant anomalies during the entire process apart from, in some cases, the absence of clearly visible signage to assist voters in identifying their polling stations. The PSC had set up a Command Center which served as a c e n t r a l p o i n t o f communication for our volunteers across the country The Commission was pleased to receive visits toitsCommandCenterfrom several other Observer Missions, including the British High Commission andthe European Union Delegation, as well as

representatives of the media and various other private sectororganizations. The Commission was particularly impressed with the highly professional manner and courtesy of the GECOMstaffintheconduct of their duties The C o m m i s s i o n w a s disappointedatthelowturnout of voters at these elections and takes this opportunity to encourage every citizen to register and exercise their democratic right to participate in Local Government Elections and, importantly, at the next General and Regional Elections.

Regards,

IanChung ExecutiveDirector,PSC

PPP/C did not put in hard...

Frompage5 accountability, the above must be looked for good governance.

Guyana has traditionally ranked relatively low for g o o d g o v e r n a n c e , particularly in terms of corruptionandtransparency Itwasranked93rdoutof180 countries in the 2020 Corruption Perception Index, which measures perceived levels of

corruption in the public sector The Vice President wastes no opportunity at every press conference to lash out to anyone and any group that has a dissenting voicefromhis.PPP/Cwants total control, from power to spend, to rule to even people’sopinions.

We are living in dangeroustimesandwithout propersystemforchecksand balances, Guyana will

becomeadictatorship.

The international community should not sit idle and allow our beloved country to sink in the dungeonofbadgovernance.

When this local government elections are over,let’sgetbacktothereal issue of holding ministers accountable for the Mahdia inferno.

Regards, A.

Khan

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

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TAKE YOUR KNEES OFF OUR NECKS

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The Government and the Opposition continue to squabble over who won and who lost at the Local Government Elections held on Monday.

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Guyanese are the ones who lost and continue to lose in this badly run country.

The unchecked corruption by the government and the incompetence of the Opposition are losses to the Guyanese people every day.

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

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Few Guyanese care about the results of the elections.

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What they want is for this motley bunch parading as leaders to resign en bloc and free this nation from their nastiness and corruption.

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ExxoninbreachofLocalContentLawbyusing

UKbrokerforUS$600Minsurancepolicy

The use of a UK broker by an ExxonMobil-led consortium to provide a US$600M per occurrence insurance policy for

Guyana's Stabroek Block appears to be in clear violation of the country's LocalContentLaw

The landmark legislation which was passed in 2021 categorically states that 100 percent of the insurance business for the oil industry mustgotoGuyanese.

Bringing this matter into the spotlight for debate and due consideration by regulators were Melissa De Santos, President of the Insurance Association of Guyana and Peter Abdool, President of the Guyana I n s u r a n c e B r o k e r s Association.

According to recent court documents seen by this newspaper, ExxonMobil's affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) utilized theservicesofaUKbrokerto preparetheUS$600Mpolicy Kaieteur News understands

that the policy is backed by three internationally recognized insurers, each of which subscribed to a proportion of the risk, based ontheirriskappetite.

foreignnon-admittedcarriers unless by engagement through a local 'fronting' insurer or through a local insurance broker in possession of a Special

Thenamesoftheinsurers are Ancon Insurance Company, Jamestown InsuranceCompanyLimited, andICMAssuranceLimited. In their missive to the press, De Santos and Abdol underscored that the 2016 Insurance Act strictly prohibiting the direct placement of insurances to

BrokersLicense.

The industry leading stakeholders said therefore thattheuseofaUK. Broker that is “evidently unlicensed to operate in Guyana…brings sharply into focus, what appears to be a circumventionofourlaws.”

They were also keen to note that the Local Content

Law intended in its spirit to ensure Guyanese are able to benefit from oil and gas insurance premiums, reinsurance commissions and fees, and brokerage commissions.

In spite of the provisions of the law they said, “Unfortunately, the local insuranceindustryhas,sofar, mostly been bypassed in providing the services that it is fully capable and prepared todo...Thelocalindustryhas muchtobringtothetableand is in fact an integral, underutilized part of the

government's natural mechanism in negotiation of coverage and management and oversight of oil and gas risk.”

They also hold the view that the “country remains at risk as long as it is unable to verifytheparticularsofevery placement, in particular the financial ratings of every insurer utilized, its relationship to the insured and the particulars of cover including relevant clauses in relation to Guyana's exposuretoliability.”

Additionally, both stakeholders were also keen to note that the local industry is professional, capable and trained to meet the needs of the sector, adding that Guyanese insurers and brokers for the entirety of their history, always dealt extensively with the London Markets, Lloyds of London and international insurers and reinsurers worldwide They noted too that the international oil and gas insurance market has already affirmed its readiness to do business with the local industry

In fact, they noted that the combined local industry has long furnished the r e g u l a t o r w i t h a comprehensive consortium proposal in conformity with the publicly stated preferred approachofthehighestlevels of Government of Guyana. Kaieteur News understands that the industry, by an appointed committee, has, and continues to meet with and represent its position to every relevant level of regulatory body and government of which it is able.

While it is not unaware that legal recourse is available to rectify illegal breaches, both parties noted thattheywillinsteadexercise faith in the integrity of the Government of Guyana and the Central Bank, to enforce the Laws of Guyana as this is indeed within its mandate to cause the r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e considerable loss of revenue suffered by the industry as a result of the e v i d e n t c o n t i n u e d circumventionofthelawsof Guyana.

CARICOMcommendsGuyanafor itselectiontoUNSecurityCouncil

T h e C a r i b b e a n Community (CARICOM) has congratulated Guyana on its election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which serves as a testament to the country's distinguished record of service in the United Nations.

In a press release Tuesday, CARICOM said the election assumes heightened significance against the background of the challenges to current globalpeaceandsecurityfor which the council has responsibility The release added that this is also in accordance with security cooperation that is a pillar of theCaribbeanCommunity

“Guyana is positioned to offer unique perspectives to UN Security Council matters, as a voice for small island and low-lying coastal developing states,” the missivenoted.Lastweek,by a majority vote, Guyana was elected as a non-permanent memberoftheUNSCforthe period2024–2025.

While presenting budget 2023 in February, Senior Minister in the Office of the

P r e s i d e n t w i t h Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh said the decision to present Guyana's candidature for the UNSC seat was motivated by a desire to further enhance the country's standing as an active and valuable contributor to global debates, particularly in areas such as the environment and international peace and security This is something that a seat on the council wouldadvance.

The security council is charged under the United Nations Charter with the responsibility for the maintenanceofinternational security and peace. As part of this mandate, the council takes the lead in identifying the existence of a threat to peace and encouraging partiestoadisputetosettleit by peaceful means The council, in some cases, can also impose sanctions to maintain or restore internationalpeace.

The theme of the country's candidacy is 'Partnering for Peace and Prosperity.'

His Excellency, Dr

Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said the country will assume its responsibilities as a member of the council with the utmost seriousness and dedication, in light of the complex and challenging global state of affairs. “We intend to be a constructive and engaged partner with the members of the council a n d t h e w i d e r international community in the search for solutions t o t h e m y r i a d o f momentous challenges that beset our human family.TheGovernmentof Guyana looks forward to continuing our nation's contribution to the s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f multilateralism and the ruleofinternationallaw,to the promotion of peace, sustainable development, human rights, and respect for international law both for the people of our own country and for peoples across the globe,” the head of state noted The UN General Assembly also elected Algeria, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and South Korea to the Security Council.

REFORMS ARE NEEDED

N o w t h a t l o c a l government elections (LGEs)areover,itistimeto examine the need for local government reforms Changesareneededtomake t h e s y s t e m m o r e representativeandeffective.

The system for the election of municipalities is farfromrepresentative.Take for example Georgetown North Georgetown is becoming predominantly a business area. The majority of the businesses pay the bulk and a disproportionate share of the taxes used to administerthecity Yet,most of these business property owners have no say in the decision-making of City Hallbecausetheydonotlive in the City and are not representedontheCouncil.

Strictly relying on residentialcriteriaforvoting makes the municipality unrepresentative Business owners who own properties in the City but are not residentintheCityshouldbe allowed to vote in LGEs or should have some form of non-voting presence on the Council.

There are advantages to having a business presence onthecouncil.Ifyoulookat the history of the Georgetown Municipality, its best days were when members of the business classwererepresentedonthe Council.Thesepersonshave the skills and the resources needed to better manage the Council. They can bring the skills which the Council presentlydoesnothave.

The second change whichisneededtomakethe Council more representative is to go back to the original systemofwards.Atpresent, the constituencies are much toolargetoallowforcitizens to identify with a particular representative. By reverting toasystemofwards,andby adjusting constituencies to correspond to these wards, willallowforastrongerlink between citizens and their councillors.

Insteadofonlyhaving15 constituencies, each ward can become a constituency which would make these constituencies smaller and thus more representative Obviously, this will greatly increase the number of constituencies, far beyond the capacity of the alreadycrowded horseshoe table But it will make the system morerepresentative.

In summary, therefore it is necessary to make accommodationforbusiness owners to be represented on the council and for the disaggregation of the present constituencies These changes would enhance the representative character of the system But these changes are not going to happen unless there is agitation The business community should band themselves together and demandrepresentation,even as non-voting members on theCouncil.

The second set of reformsthatareneededisto make the municipality more effective.Themunicipalities

Dem Boys Seh...

needastrongerrevenuebase but they also need a fairer system.

The present system of r a t e s p l a c e s a disproportionate burden on businesses.Ifyoulookatthe ratesandtaxesthatarelevied on businesses, it is far too high when compared with what is levied on residential premises.

Penalties are also onerous and are responsible for much of the uncollected taxes since when huge penaltiesareappliedforlate or non-payment of rates and taxes,itincreasestheamount due beyond the ability of propertyownerstopay

A fair system is needed one in which rates and taxes should be based on the size and location of properties. Thus, there should be a specificratebasedonsquare feet rather than value. This wouldbeasimplersystemof collecting rates and taxes andavoidhavingtoconduct valuation exercises. On top of this, there should be service charges relating to thecollectionofgarbage,the weeding of parapets and drainage and irrigation charges.

In relation to markets, vending and the abattoir, hard decisions will have to be made to ensure a fairer andimprovedsystemforall. You cannot ask businesses and legitimate market vendors to pay taxes and rentals and they are facing unfair competition from illegalvending.

Reformscannotbeleftto

FAREWELL TO OUR MAYOR!

Ourbelovedmayorhasboldlydeclared thathispoliticalcareerisfarfromover.But whatfutureawaitsourmayor?

Is he now going to throw his hat in the ringfortheleadershipofhisparty?Orwill hesettleforsimplybeingacandidateforhis partyinthe2025elections?Wewillhaveto wait and see, listen to his words and watch hisnextmove.

Themayorshouldfirstbegivenagrand sendoff.Hedeservesit.Wewillallmisshis linguistic creativity No one prior has used theEnglishlanguagewhichsuchfacilityas hehasdoneduringhistenure.

Hehasbeenextremelyentertainingand enlightening.

In a world where politics can often be dull and uninspiring, the Mayor has made municipal politics extremely lively and interesting.Imaginewhathe candoasthe

leader of his party or even as a member of the country’s National Assembly. Imagine how enthralled our foreign diplomats will betositandlistentohim.

Imagine him campaigning for votes by undertakingdaringactsofdefiancesuchas lying on the roadway He is capable of wonders on the campaign trail and who knows what inspiring speeches he will deliver on the campaign platform moving the audience to both tears and laughter and eventearsoflaughter

Soletuswishhimwellandlookforward tohearingmorefromhim.Hehasbeenquite afindforAPNU.Hestillhasmuchmoreto offer The loss of his presence from municipalpoliticsmustbecomeagainatthe nationallevel. Localpoliticswouldbequite mundanewithouthim. TalkHalf.LeffHalf!

the councillors Such decisions have to be legislated and this will

i n v o l v e p o l i t i c a l compromise,somethingthat has not been forthcoming in Guyana.

The just-concluded LGE will change nothing unless both the PPP/C and the PNCRagreetoreforms.But since these two parties survive on the basis of opposition and animosity

towardseachone,thereisno incentiveforcompromise.

Assuch,thereisneedfor a non-partisan broker to ensure a system of reforms

t h a t w o u l d b r i n g

improvements to our municipalities by making rates and taxes fairer, by attracting the sort of skills that are needed to better manage the system and by making the system more representative.

(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.)

WHAT EXXON GIVES, WHO TAKES

Askany,many,themajorityof Guyanese and they are adamant: local politicians took what Exxon gave; look for more to keep the Faustian bargain going

Regardless of whether it is PPPor PNC supporter that is gently inquired of, the position is the same:Exxonmadeitsoffer(s),and Guyanese political figures helped themselves to the company’s generosity Sometimes, one doesn’t even have to raise a question, and the suspicion is volunteered. I have been a stoic listener, when diehard PPP supporters identify those in their group who stand as the biggest scoundrels, most unpardonable rogues. Usually, the names thin outandthenthereareonlysomany left, and with time and the rest accounted for, there is only one remaining. Kingfish is the killer sharkandwhaleknittedintoone. I don’tlikeemploymentoftheword ‘evil’ to describe another citizen, but it doesn’t mean that others don’t,thatIcanresisthearingwhat is said very calmly, firmly by red andgreenpeople.

Do similarly relative to Guyana’s National Assembly, and

many are of the view that Exxon cameasclosetoacleansweepasis possible Regarding whether Exxon cares about an American conditionandrestrictionknownas the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FPCA) that, too, is a foregone conclusion. It is my position that Exxon knows all the mandatory requirements of the FCPA, but could give a flying whatever What, and fall behind, and lose out?Catchmeifyoucancatchme. And finders are keepers. Who is going to squeal? Who is ready to get off the gravy train? Any smoking gun, any connecting thread,hasbeenwelltakencareof, likely buried in the bowels of Pradoville, and Irving, Texas From a company perspective, it is also good to have the goods on those were/are partners in crime; keeps everybody honest, squashes any ideas.Exxon can talk cheese, andthePPPGovernmentandPNC Opposition can join hands and shoot the breeze. But growing number of Guyanese have difficulty shaking the bad vibes. They observe one powerful political operator, and marvel at how picky he is with those he

chooses for those to do business with; of all things, government business. What did this citizen, thiscomrade,dotohimselfthathe can’t touch many things, and he dare not go to some places, particularly where cans of worms can be unearthed, and citizens cometothebelatedconclusionthat what they are looking at is not salmon and Chardonay, not champagne and caviar The conclusion of numerous seasoned watchers-local and foreign is that what they took is what causes them to walk like a cat near a hot stove when asked for simple answersonthenation’spatrimony It is why they come across as peoplewalkingonafloorthatisso rotted that there is the deep fear it could cave-in at any moment. Nothing Guyanese politicians say these days relative to the people’s patrimony adds up, holds up WhenIstudyourparliamentarians, there is recognition of people who have dark and terrible secrets to hide. Thisishowtransparentthey are,howmortallyafraidtheyareof thelight. Iwasshockedathowfar Guyanese, both PPP and PNC followers,havetakenmatters:how

much would it cost Exxon to takeoverthewholelotofthem? I confess that I never went so far, butitindicateswhatGuyaneseare thinking, confirms how many political figures are thought of regarding dereliction of duty, violation of trust, and abandonmentofthepositionsthey were elected to hold, come what may.Well, Exxon came and its hands‘prapah’sweet,asGuyanese like to say Temptation took over and resistance went out the door Multiply by 200 and a most delectable number comes up FromanExxonperspective,thatis not cheap talk, but the richness of ingredients that speaks its own compelling language. From an Exxoncalculationalso,itdoesnot amount to an arm and a leg. Not when so much is reaped in return fromthatsweetliquidharvest.

It goes far in explaining why somecan’ttalkforfearoftripping over their tongue, and their dirty stories of selling and betraying cometumblingout. Italsogoesto show why there are these political sparring sessions, and longwinded seminars that are short on substanceandtruth. Stillfurther,it

is why some take refuge in flight, astheyseektodelaytheinevitable, and elude the day of exposure and reckoning. It will come, trust me onthisone,anditwillnotbefrom theOrient.

I leave my fellow Guyanese to thinkofthislittlestoryfromWorld War I history Vice Admiral Hans Hermann Ludwig von Reuter ordered the scuttling of what was leftoftheGermanNavyinternedat Scapa Flow It was a matter of honourfortheGermanssuspecting that they were about to be harnessedtoadraconianVersailles Treaty For the British, it was of tablesturnedinthejawsofvictory, and a global chuckling the result. Exxon can have its sanctity; Guyanesehavetheirduty,children thatshouldnotbesacrificed. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaperanditsaffiliates.)

“Buyers refused to take hijacked car after learning soldier was murdered”

Joshua Parris called “Stewie, the suspect accused of killing a Guyana Defence Force officerwhilehijackinghiscar hasreportedlytoldpolicethat he was forced to abandon the stolenvehicleafterthebuyers refusedtotakeit.

Parris alleged that the buyers, who had contracted him, wanted nothing to do with the soldier's car after learning that he was shot dead. Police arrested Parris on Tuesday at Sophia after identifying him as one of the suspects involved in killing

Lieutenant Royden Anthony Douglas and stealing his car

Thelieutenantattachedtothe Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard was shot dead last Wednesday while fighting off two carjackers from stealing his car at Culde-Sac Street, North

- suspect says

Ruimveldt,Georgetown.

Following Parris' arrest, the Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum told Kaieteur News that he was cooperating with investigators Kaieteur News later learnt that Parris confessed to police and implicated more suspects in the crime. Parris reportedly told investigators that his accomplice, “Fox” contacted himonthedayoftheincident “with a job.” The suspect claimed that the job was to steal a car for a buyer willing to pay them $700,000. He reportedly agreed to do the jobandmetupwithFoxinBField, Sophia. There they waited for an individual called Randy to pick them up inhiscar

Randy, Parris alleged, took them to Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to lure a taxi driver at “Benjie's Taxi Service into their trap. As was planned, Fox posed as passenger and approachedoneofthedrivers at the base and requested a hire to Farm, EBD. The driver, however, refused and thetriocame-upwithanother plan. According, to Parris, Randy was the one who allegedly devised the second plan for them to look for a randomtaxiontheWestSide.

They drove over the Demerara Harbour Bridge andtowardsLaGrange,West Bank Demerara (WBD) and decided to target a driver at Alladin's Taxi Service. Fox exited their car which was parked a fair distance away from the location and walked toward the base posing again as a passenger Lieutenant Douglas agreed for a hire towards Georgetown. After the soldier drove off with Fox, Randy and Parris allegedlytrailedthemintheir car

Parris reportedly told investigators that while crossing back the Harbour Bridge, he and Randy lost track of their victim's car They then called Fox and instructed him via a code language to stall their victim so that they could catch up. Fox managed to convince Douglas to stop at a location where he could purchase someSuperbetCredit.Randy andParriswerefinallyableto catch up with them and Fox re-entered - their victim's car anddirectedhimtotheendof Cul-de Sac Street, North Ruimveldt.

Randy and Parris drove up ahead to the location and

he (Parris) got off, walked throughashortcuttoCul-deSac Street and waited in the bushes to sneak-up and pounceontheirvictim.When Fox and the victim pulled up, he made his move He

allegedly walked up to the driver's side pulled open the door and attempted to pull Douglas out but the soldier fought back. Fox and his accomplicebeganchoking (Continued on page 22)

Remanded for killing army officer, Joshua Parris

Randy, the suspect Parris implicated in the plot to hijack Douglas' car

Murdered soldier: Royden Anthony Douglas

Guyana screened over 244 TIP victims in first half of 2023

Within the first half of 2023, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit has interviewed 244 alleged victims of human trafficking - 23 of whom are undertheageof18.

TIP refers to a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children by compelling them to perform labour or engage in commercial sex. According to information from the MinistryofHomeAffairs,the TIP Unit investigated 21 reported cases for the first half of the year It was stated too that five persons were officially charged and placed before the court between January- May, 2023 for offences ranging from trafficking in persons, assault, forgery of currency notes and the operation of a brothel.

Notably, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC had recommendedthattheperson who was charged for operating a brothel and was sentenced last month, be further charged with two counts of TIP These charges are expected to be instituted shortly

universal challenges of this crime, the 2023 US State Department Report has recognized Guyana's efforts for convicting three traffickers, identifying more victims and referring them to victim support services, consistently implementing a 10 day – reflection period for victims, raising awareness in Indigenous languages, expanding the inclusivity of the Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons, establishment of a new interviewing and screening centre,continuoustrainingof law-enforcement officials, initiating a programme to screen children in situations ofhomelessness.

Further, the report has included a number of recommendations that is expected to enhance Guyana's efforts to combat this crime and offer greater support to victims of human

member agencies, and stakeholders will incorporate these recommendations into theirworkplans.

Moreover, 170 law enforcement and community policing groups were trained on the indicators of human trafficking and migrant smuggling along with nationalreferralmechanisms in place to reporting such acts.

A w a r e n e s s a n d sensitization were also done with a number of secondary schoolstudentsinRegions1, 3, 4, and 6. This was a partnership between the Ministry of Home Affairs, GPF and the Customs AntiNarcoticsUnit(CANU).

It was noted that, “While ourchallengesdoremainand continue to evolve, with the increasing use of online platforms by Traffickers to coerceandrecruitthosemost susceptible and vulnerable,

encouraged to continue to report suspected instances of trafficking in persons,

utilizing our 24Hrs English or Spanish TIP Hotline numbers -227-4083 /623-

5030 or 624-0079 (Spanish) or to the nearest police station.

trafficking.

iBet Supreme restructures retail operations as part of growth strategy

Moreover, Guyana has been ranked Tier 1 for the seventh consecutive year in theUnitedStatesDepartment of State 2023 Trafficking in PersonsReport.TheMinistry of Home Affairs and the Ministry Human Services and Social Security welcomed the report, and vowed to continue its efforts tocombatTIP

In a statement, the Home Affairs Ministry said, the report has once again given Guyana a “Tier 1” ranking underscoring the efforts to combattraffickinginpersons or human trafficking. It was underscored that the ranking is a testament of the hard work and dedication of individual members of the T a s k F o r c e , N o nGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and all other stakeholders who assisted through increased reporting, training, awareness, proactive investigations, victim protection and international and local partnership.

T I P o r H u m a n

Trafficking remains a deeply entrenched global issue, affecting millions of individuals across borders, age groups and socialeconomic backgrounds Notwithstanding the

The recommendations from the report were welcomed and the TIP task force has commenced efforts toimplementsame.

Notably, some of the recommendations emanating from the 2023 Report focusedonfurtherincreasing i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a n d prosecutionofsexandlabour trafficking cases, review existing legislation on labour requirement practices in Guyana, increasing the n u m b e r o f L a b o u r I n s p e c t o r s , e n f o r c e restitution orders, and reduce our reliance on victims to serves as witnesses in prosecution cases The Ministry of Home Affairs and other key Task Force

the Ministerial Taskforce on TraffickinginPersonsandby extensiontheGovernmentof Guyanawillremainsteadfast in its approach to countering thiscrime.”

Assuch,itwasstatedthat it is imperative that law enforcement officials remain vigilant in addressing new and evolving criminal patterns and adapt their responses to investigate and prosecute human traffickers fromactingwithimpunity

Moreover,itwassaidthat the Government deems it paramount that partnerships are continued and as such, the Task Force will be expanded to include more stakeholders in the coming months.

The general public is

Guyana, EU ink agreement to protect, manage mangroves

DPI-TheGovernment

of Guyana and the European Union (EU) inked an agreement to establish a comprehensive programme to protect and manage the invaluable mangroveslocally

The project is part of t h e E U / G u y a n a partnership agreement signed at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP

27 in Egypt last year, valuing approximately 4.6 millioneuros.

EU Commission's Executive Vice President, Frans Timmermans, and Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh signed the pact at State House, Wednesday evening.

A d d r e s s i n g t h e ceremony,PresidentIrfaan

AlicommendedtheEUfor itsunwaveringsupportand pivotal role in providing support, promoting democracy, and bolstering governanceinthecountry

The head of state emphasised that Guyana's p o l i c y f r a m e w o r k prioritises environmental protection, embracing climate-smart approaches, and harnessing the country's rich natural resources to improve livelihoods and foster economicopportunities.

“We have committed

to expanding the protected area system from 8.3 percent to 17 percent, then eventually to 30 percent. And these are targets that we are aggressively working towards These are targets that are integrated into our planning framework, and our policymaking framework,”

Dr Alistated.

Guyana's forest spans some 18 million hectares, and the extensivemangroveecosystems occupyover200,000hectaresof thecoastalregion.

The country's coastal sea defence system extends over 425 kilometres, complemented by an additional 100 kilometres of earthen embankments along rivers, which are inhabited areas.

“One of the things that we want the project to focus on is those earthen embankment and those riverine areas, where the population might be small, but agriculturaloutputinthoseareas isverylarge.”

President Ali stressed that the project's scope will also include the monitoring of mangroveseedlingplanting,the

(Continued on page 19)

EU Commission's Executive Vice President, Frans Timmermans (right) and Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh signed the pact at State House, Wednesday evening. (Ministry of Finance photo)

Manacquittedofkillingex'snewboyfriend

Twenty-five-year-old Nigel Thomas was on Wednesday acquitted of the murder of his exgirlfriend'snewboyfriend.

Thomas, of James and Victoria S t r e e t s , A l b o u y s t o w n , Georgetown, was on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court. He was on remand for the murder of Kyle ChasesinceJanuary6,2020.

According to reports, the incident occurred on December 20, 2019, at his ex-girlfriend's home at Mazaruni Street, Guyhoc Park, Georgetown. Thomas had denied the charge and at the conclusion of the trial which began on May 30,

2023, a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the offence. The trial lastedfourdays.

In the matter, the State was represented by Prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Simran Gajraj, Rbina C h r i s t m a s a n d M a d a n a Rampersaud Thomas was represented by attorneys-at-law

Dexter Todd, Jevon Cox and DonetteAnthony

According to reports, both Thomas and Chase shared a relationshipwithanindividualwho invitedbothmentoherhomeonthe evening of December 30, 2019.An argumentensuedwhenthemenmet each other at their then girlfriend's

home. Their argument escalated intoascuffle.

Both men were accompanied by one of their cousins who were also involved in the scuffle Thomas was allegedly struck to the head during the scuffle which rendered him unconscious He s u b s e q u e n t l y r e g a i n e d consciousness at the Georgetown Public Hospital. It was then that he was informed that Chase was stabbed and that he subsequently succumbed to his injuries However, Thomas maintained his innocenceinthemattersincethen.

Thomas' lawyers disclosed that theirclientsaidthathewasattacked

by the deceased and the deceased's cousinathisthengirlfriend'shome. He lost consciousness twice and was unaware of who stabbed the deceased or how he was stabbed. He told the court that he did not commit the offence and had no intentionofcausinganyharmtothe deceased.

It was stated too that there was no witness in the matter who could havecontradictedtheversionofthe events given by Thomas The witnesses also failed to establish that Thomas had any intention to cause injury to the deceased or that he actually inflicted the wound that resultedinhisdeath.

Acquitted: Nigel Thomas

New agro-processor joins GNBS 'Made in Guyana' certification programme

Ten new products h a v e b e e n certified 'Made in Guyana' by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) as a new company joins 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 Anne's Products of 266 Hope Low Land, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was certified n Tuesday, June 13, 2023, during a simple ceremony held at the Bureau's Head Office, National Exhibition Site,Sophia,Georgetown.

Owner of the business, Anne Peters- Bristol was excited to receive the certificate noting that her business has come a far way since its establishment. “I am so happy today that I made it this far with my business.Itwasalotofwork but thanks to all the staff at GNBS, my colleagues and the team from GMSA [Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association],” she said.

The products which are now approved to use the

Made in Guyana Standards Mark are: Souree Achar, Mango Achar, Chunk Mango Achar, Tamarind Achar, Hot Sauce, Lime Chunks 'n' Pepper, Green Seasoning, Mauby Drink, Cassava Cassareep and ChineseSauce.

Also present at the event was the President of the GMSA,Mr RamsayAliwho encouraged other local businesses to become certified.

“Well done and I am appealing to the other members of the GMSA, get certified!

This can only mean well for your business,” he said. The GNBS has so far certified twenty-nine (29) companies under this pro ramme including

manufacturers of wood products, garments, flour, rice, plastic products, alcoholic beverages, ice cream, tea bags, coconut water, and coconut chips.

S e v e r a l o t h e r s a r e undergoing training and technical assistance to becomecertified.

Head of the GNBS Certification Department, Andrea Mendonca hands over the Certificate to Owner of Anne's Products, Anne Peters Bristol. They are joined by (L-R) Technical Officer Charissa Wilson, Head of GNBS Marketing Department Syeid Ibrahim and President of the GMSA Ramsay Ali

have been getting many positive feedback from companies who are certified on the programme and so we want to encourage you to remain onboard with this programme and we (GNBS) will continue to support you,” she said. The Made in Guyana Standards Mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to

products on the local and international markets and is a signature of quality for authentic Guyanese Products. Certificates are valid for one year after whichitisrenewed.

The Made in Guyana programme is applicable to companies of all sizes. Companies need to meet a listofseven(7)requirements to attain certification

includingtheemploymentof 70%staffresidinginGuyana and the use of sixty (60) percent local raw materials. Further,whererawmaterials are imported, at least 80% transformation from the imported raw materials to finished products must be done in Guyana. Consumers purchasing certified productscanbeassuredthat

(Continuned on page 19)

Venezuelan Reactions to the ICJ Ruling OP:ED

By Dr. Riyad Insanally

In an April op-ed, Ivelaw Griffith provided us with an informative summary and analysis of the 6th April ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), dismissing Venezuela's preliminary objections to the case brought by Guyana to r e s o l v e t h e b o r d e r controversy between the two countries.

In addition to addressing the lead-up to the judgment, healsohighlightsthereaction ofVenezuelanVice President and Co-Agent for the case, Delcy Rodríguez, who maintains Caracas' official line. This is to continue to reject the ICJ as a means of resolvingthecontroversyand to assert their misplaced contention that “the 1966 Geneva Agreement is “the only valid instrument” to do so Notwithstanding the excellence of Professor Griffith's article, I believe that Venezuelan reactions are w o r t h y o f f u r t h e r consideration.

The gist of the official reaction in Caracas, in a communiqué issued by the Government on April 6, is as follows:

“Venezuelawelcomesthe fact that today's incidental judgment validates our arguments: firstly, by recognizing that the unlawful and fraudulent conduct of the United Kingdom of Great Britain[sic] can be reviewed, and secondly, because it makescleartheexistenceand validity of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, the only valid instrument for settling this territorialcontroversy

Itshouldbenotedthatthe Bolivarian Republic of Venezueladoesnotrecognize the judicial mechanism as a means of resolving the aforementioned controversy, since it excludes the nature

and purpose of this agreement ” (unofficial translation)

In fact, as Prof Griffith makes clear, the ICJ said no such thing with regard to the “conduct” of the UK or the “validity of the 1966 Geneva

Agreement” Indeed, Venezuela's claims were roundly rejected and the case will now resume its normal course after Caracas' delaying tactics. This official distortion of the truth is all the more concerning in the c o n t e x t o f a n o t h e r embellishment by Ms Rodríguez, during a press briefing, again on April 6, at the presidential palace of Miraflores.Sheisreportedto have stated, “Our arguments were heard… Venezuela is the only historical inheritor oftheterritoryof'laGuayana Esequiba'” , which is Venezuela's term for the Essequiboregion.

While Guyanese should be accustomed by now to the irrational propaganda emanating from Miraflores, it is interesting to note that this report on the antigovernment website, La Patilla, actually mocks Ms. Rodríguez's reaction The headline reads in English, “Bipolar Chavism invents a 'victory' for itself following harsh blow suffered at the CourtatTheHague”.

This, however, should be taken as more of an attack on the handling of the case by the Maduro regime and its self-delusion.

It is not necessarily acceptance of the ICJ decision and process by the Venezuelan opposition, for the supreme irony of the political polarisation between government and opposition in Venezuela is that the only point on which t h e y a g r e e i s t h e righteousness of their claim totheEssequiboregion.

Thus, it was reported on

April 13that the 2015 parliament, which the opposition had won and which it keeps alive in exile as the country's only legitimately elected body, and the governmentcontrolled National Assembly (NA) had closed ranksontheICJruling.

TheNAagreedtosupport the “policies, plans and programmes” undertaken by the Maduro regime for “the defence of the Essequibo territory” and declared its backing for the legal team working to defend the “legitimate” interests of the country Hermann Escarrá, Chair of the Special Committee for the Defence of the Territory of Guayana Esequiba and Sovereignty, asserted that the Committee would “contribute to” the public policies of the governmentandthatitwould be up to the President to decide whether to continue with the case at the ICJ on April 8, the deadline for the submission of Venezuela's countermemorial.

Then a flight of fantasy by Mr Escarrá: “Or the other route, articles 36 and 37 of the United Nations Charter, we will go directly to the Security Council to resolve this situation.” Given the UN Secretary General's decision toreferthecontroversytothe ICJ and the fact that the matter is still sub judice, it is highly unlikely that the Security Council would place the issue on its agenda. In any case, the June 6th election of Guyana to the Security Council in 20242025 would ensure that Guyana is well positioned to counter any move by Venezuelaatthatlevel.

For its part, the 2015 parliament also rejected the ICJdecisionandcalledonthe government to put together “urgently a professional, non-political defence team,

Guyana, EU ink agreement to protect, manage...

From page 15 rehabilitation of existing forests, and the establishment of robust nursery programmes foraggressivereplantingefforts.

“Ourentirepolicyarchitecture,ourpolicy framework is geared around ensuring that we are adopting the best environmental practices and doing everything in a climate-smart way, in protecting the environment, advancing our natural attributes of biodiversity. But more importantly, leveraging these natural assets now for improving livelihoods, creating economicopportunity,”thepresidentadded.

Vice President Timmermans said he is thrilled to witness Guyana making strides towards major development, noting that the time is only fitting for the EU and Guyana to strengthentheirbilateralties.

“One of the ways to cooperate is to help preserve this country's natural riches which arealmostwithoutlimits.Thisisapartnership

we've just signed so that we can support the effortsofGuyanatostrengthenthepositionof mangroves. Mangroves are such a huge contribution to our fights against the climate crisis,”hestated.

Timmermans strongly believes that forestry is one of the issues that the EU and Guyanacanexamineclosely.

“The ambition of your government, Mr. President to make sure that Guyana in its economic development, in the development of the fossil fuel industry still maintains its high ambition for climate neutrality, and for maintenance of your natural riches is something we want to be a part of, and I hope wecanelaborateveryconcretemeasures,”the executivevicepresidentadded.

The project will be implemented by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in collaboration withtheMinistryofPublicWorks.

made up of experts” that would proceed to prepare the counter memorial rejecting Guyana'sarguments.

The opposition body then went on to denounce the “failure” of international policy and the “misguided” strategy of the Maduro government,whichhadledto the unfavourable ICJ ruling againstVenezuela.

The common rejection of the ICJ ruling and the continued affirmation of Venezuela's claim should not be surprising. The claim to the Essequibo is a highly nationalistic issue in Venezuela and neither side can afford to appear to be taking a conciliatory or even a reasonable approach to resolving the controversy, least of all in these highly charged times in the country The increasing number of massive deposits of oil and gas discovered offshore Guyana since May 2015 –over 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil resources–which heralded a ramping up of Venezuelan revanchism, undoubtedly contributes to efforts by both sides to outdo each other in brandishing their patriotic credentials and maintaining pressure on Guyana.

What does differ, however, is the two opposing views on the conduct of the case. On the one hand, the Chavista NA firmly supports the state's position as enunciatedbyMs.Rodríguez and even the option to dispense with the ICJ altogether Ontheotherhand, the opposition, ever alert to the opportunity to criticise theMaduroregime,bemoans the government's strategy a n d u r g e s a m o r e professional and inclusive approach to the preparation ofastrongcountermemorial. Interestingly, this is a tacit acceptanceoftheauthorityof the ICJ, even though the opposition still considers the Geneva Agreement as the “idealmechanism”toresolve the controversy, as m a i n t a i n e d b y M s R o d r í g u e z a n d h e r government. On April 6, the Democratic Unitary Platform, a coalition of the main opposition parties, called for national unity over the issue, stating that “The Essequibo's strategic value

should be the key to fight for our nation's rights” and urging the government to convene a “group of highlevel experts” to assist with thecase.

In this respect, a statement on the ICJ decision, put out on April 14 by the Avila Group, an antiMaduro group ofVenezuelan diplomats, technocrats and academics, is also worthy of note. In expressing concern about the ICJ decision, they reaffirm “the imperative of the Venezuelan State appearing in the case” and call on the Government to “conveneassoonaspossible, a multidisciplinary team” of Venezuelan “jurists, historians, geographers, c a r t o g r a p h e r s , internationalists and diplomats” to help with the preparation of the counter memorial, “as well as in the evaluation of any procedural action that might be taken at the Court, in defence of the interestsoftheRepublic.”

It remains to be seen whether the Maduro regime will re-evaluate its strategy and accept advice and help from the opposition, including experts perceived to be aligned with the opposition.

In contrast to the aggressive, revolutionary rhetoric of Ms. Rodríguez, President Irfaan Ali's tone was measured and correct in his address to the nation on April 6, sticking to the facts of the case, the ruling and the procedures involved And eventhoughhenotedthatthis was the second time that the I C J w a s r e j e c t i n g “jurisdictional objections raised by Venezuela”, there was no triumphalism

Although he expressed confidence that Guyana's “longstanding international boundary with Venezuela will be confirmed by the Court” he was at pains to stress that Guyana remains “fully committed” to a “peaceful resolution in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h internationallaw.”

Thatisasitshouldbe,for the ICJ's final ruling cannot be taken as a foregone conclusion.

What President Ali refrained from saying is that Venezuela's policies are not only downright inimical to

Guyanese interests but also contrary to the rule of international law Ultimately, even if the Court eventually rules in Guyana's favour, Guyana will have to be preparedforthepossibilityof recalcitrance if not open defiance by Venezuela Indeed,asnotedaboveandas has been well documented, Caracas' attitude to the border controversy has become increasingly hostile, since the discovery of oil and gas This attitude by Venezuela, even with the world's largest proven oil reserves of over 300 billion barrels, can be expected to remain unchanged and, quite possibly, get worse; this all the more so as Guyana's oilfuelled economy keeps on growing at an unprecedented and astounding rate in contrast to Venezuela's economy, which has been in freefallsince2013.

Thissituation,alongwith the fact that Caracas not only continues to accuse Georgetown of violating the Geneva Agreement, but also of adopting an adversarial posture at the behest of foreign corporate interests, principally ExxonMobil, therefore requires constant vigilance.

Dr Riyad Insanally, CCH was a career diplomat for 31 years and last served as Guyana's Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, from September 2016 to June 2021 He is currently a Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Caribbean Initiative of the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Senior Advisor for the C a r i b b e a n a t t h e Transnational Strategy Group, both in Washington, DC, and a Fellow at the C a r i b b e a n P o l i c y Consortium.

New agro-processor joins GNBS...

From page 18 they are purchasing quality items which directly contribute to Guyana's local content.

Businesses considering applying for the Made in Guyana Standard Mark can contact theCertificationServicesDepartmentofthe GNBS, which stands ready to offer the

requisiteguidance. The application form along with the detailedrequirementsoftheProgrammeand theprocessofacquiringtheMadeinGuyana Standard Mark can be found on the GNBS w e b s i t e h t t p s : https://gnbsgy org/certification/made-inguyana-certification/(DPI)

Dr. Riyad Insanally

Blood transfusion service receives 10,000 donors to date

- aims to achieve 12,000 donors for 2023

The Ministry of Health's National B l o o d Transfusion Service (NBTS) has achieved 10,000 voluntary blood donors to date.

This was revealed by Advisor to the Minister of H e a l t h , D r L e s l i e Ramsammy on Wednesday, during the World Blood Donor Day 2023 ceremony, at Banks DIH, Thirst Park, Ruimveldt “We have achievedandsustaineda100 percent voluntary donation in our country Not only did we achieve that, but we were oneoftheregionalleadersin a 100 per cent voluntary donation, in terms of

developing countries,” Dr Ramsammydisclosed.

He stated that based on samples of 1,000 people, the blood donation rate in the country has increased to 16, which is the average for high-middle-income countries Due to the increase, a sufficient amount of blood is now always availableforpersonsinneed, especiallythosewithchronic diseases. However, as the ministry expands its drive to implement life-saving products and undergo lifesaving procedures, more blood is needed. “Whilst today we celebrate 10,000 donations, we will need to move immediately to 12,000, and I believe that is the 2023 target. But quite rapidly we have to shift to 15,000,” Dr Ramsammy explained. Director of the NBTS, Dr Pedro Lewis

urged persons to come on board and donate blood, noting that one unit of blood cansavethreelives.

Meanwhile, persons and organisations, who donated blood on numerous occasions were awarded for their contributions. One of the persons who were diagnosed with a medical condition, Candy Lambert expressedhergratitudetothe donors.

“My immune system attacks and destroys my red blood cells, so without a blood transfusion, that destruction continues. So, I would like to say that I appreciate all the donors and I thank you very much,” the young woman expressed World Blood Donor Day is being celebrated under the theme: “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.” (DPI)

Man accused of impregnating teenage stepdaughter arrested while taking her to do abortion

Police on Wednesday morning detained a North West District man at Charity, Pomeroon River who was allegedly taking h i s 1 3 - y e a r - o l d stepdaughter to undergo an abortion at a bottom house clinic on the Essequibo Coast.

Reports are that the man shares a relationship with the child's mother He resides with the victim and her siblings at a village within the Moruca subregion. Recently, villagers found out that the teen was pregnant and that the man was planning to have her undergo an abortion A police source related that since the victim was 8years-old, the man was accused of molesting her while the family resided at a remote area within Region One. The man subsequently left the area with his family after the allegations became public.Sometime last year, the family settled at their present address within the Moruca sub-region and the child, alleged that the man continued to interfere with her soon after she entered secondary school. Reports are that the child's mother knewoftheman'sbehaviour since she once caught him red-handed in a sexual

position with her daughter However, a resident of the area said the woman informedthechildtoremain quiet since the man was their sole breadwinner and that he had a medical condition.

Late last week, the source said the child's schoolteachers found out that she was pregnant after she became ill. The man decided to devise a plan to have her undergo an abortion after residents got wind of the allegations last weekend.

O n W e d n e s d a y morning, police at Charity received a report that the man was on his way there in a passenger boat from Moruca in the company of the victim and her older brother. He was promptly arrested and questioned on arrival. Welfare officers in Region Two then grilled the childforhoursonthematter. The man is expected to be placed before the courts soon. Residents of Moruca related that this was not the first time such an incident occurred at the village in question. They said there have been numerous cases where underage girls were impregnated by their stepfather or other male adultsinthearea.

Director of NBTS, Dr Pedro Lewis delivering remarks to the audience at the ceremony

New draft oil law to be released on Monday

Gu y a n a ' s P e t r o l e u m (Exploration and Production) Act of 1986 has finally been updated and a draft, completed by the People's Progressive Party Government will be released next Monday for public consultations.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo made the disclosure on Thursday during a press conference at Freedom House in Georgetown.Along with this critical piece of legislation to govern Guyana's oil sector, the new model Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) for both the Deep and Shallow Water Blocks are also in the final stages.

AccordingtoJagdeo:“we are hoping by Monday, the draft Petroleum Act will be p u t o u t f o r p u b l i c consultation ” Jagdeo told members of the press that he met with the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and his staff only on W e d n e s d a y w h e r e discussions were had concerning the draft oil law “We are aiming for Monday next for the draft Petroleum Act to be made public for views, consultation, etcetera.”

With regard the contracts to govern future oil production areas in Guyana, the Vice President explained that the comments received by the administration have already been added to the drafts.

The model agreements were released on March 14, 2023, triggering a two-week public consultation and reviewperiod.

“The PSA, we have two models incorporating all the comments…so it's now for another policy review and I will finalise it because we've already gotten comments from everyone,” Jagdeo said. Even though the Opposition had opted to share its comments on the new PSAs at “an appropriate time” the party is yet to submit its views.

While the Government of Guyana has been pushing ExxonMobil Guyana to accelerate its exploration and production of the country's oil and gas resources, the country has been operating witharchaicpetroleumlaws. Government said it is seekingtomoderniseitslegal and regulatory framework as it relates to the petroleum sector, to address issues such as oil revenue management,

licensing, Production Sharing Agreement models, local content, and Health, Safety, Environmental and S e c u r i t y ( H S E S ) management It said the result would be maximising the economic benefits to the country, an improved managementofthetechnical, environmental, social and financial risks linked to the sector and building capacity to engage effectively with investors.

The Petroleum Act was enacted when the country was not a petroleum producer

This has sparked the grave need for the modernisationofthelaw

Meanwhile, the PSA signed with oil major ExxonMobil has been frequently described as the World's worst oil contract. The deal secures a mere two percent royalty and allows Exxon to deduct 75 percent of the earnings towards cost recovery

The remaining 25 percentisthensharedequally between the government and the company The contract which governs Guyana's largest oil reserve, the Stabroek Block also does not feature a ring-fencing

CXC to proceed with exams despite theft of papers in Jamaica

Following reports that examinations papers were reportedly stolen from a school in Jamaica, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on Thursday reported that they would continue to administer the examinationsasscheduled.

In a statement on Thursday, CXC said that it has advised all stakeholders, that following consultations with Ministries of Education from across the region, t h e r e g i o n a l examinations will be written as scheduled on the timetable.

“To date, there has been no confirmation that the secured fire-proof cabinet containing examination papers, which was stolen from a school in Jamaica has been compromised,” CXC reportedyesterday

The statement continued,

“CXC reassures candidates that their best interests continuetobeatthecentreof the organisation's decisions and processes and wishes all candidates well in their examinations. As the police continue their investigations in Jamaica, CXC and Ministry officials from across the region will continue to monitor the security of the regional examinations.”

Kaieteur News had reported that on Wednesday CXC confirmed that they have been informed that fireproofcabinetscontaining the exams sheets for nine subjects scheduled to be administeredthisweek,were stolen from a school in

provision to allow each oil project to pay for itself

Importantly, government also waived the need for the company to pay any taxes to the country on the multibillion-dollar sector

The agreement also features other lopsided terms that have triggered a series of protest action in the country sinceitwasfirstmadepublic.

It was reported that governmentwillbeseekinga 10 percent royalty and 10

percent corporate tax in the new model PSAs, while cost recoverywillbe cappedat65 percent. Other aspects of the contract governing the management and oversight oftheoiloperationshavealso been significantly improved. Seelinkbelowformore.

https://www.kaieteurnew sonline.com/2023/03/15/gov

t - p l u g s - d a n g e r o u sloopholes-with-new-draftagreements-for-14-oilblocks/ Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Jamaica.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Minister of E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a Manickchand appealed to the students writing the 2023 examination to remain calm and to continue prepare for their exams. “To the children writing CXC and their parents and teachers, please remain calm and continue to prepare for your exams. We will keep you promptly informed and will act only in your best interest,” the Minister said.

Kaieteur News had reported last month that the 2023 examination wasalsobreachedafterCXC found that the Mathematics Paper 02 was leaked before the exam was written. CXC had confirmed that the leaking of the paper had occurred in Jamaica. That matter is still under investigation.

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.

Wanted Diesel Mechanic, attractive salary offered. Call: 223-5273/74, 688-0417.

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.

Skilled Carpenters, Masons & Labourers needed. Call: 602-9469, 660-6385/ 6257642.

Labourers needed for wood concession. Call: 626-0936.

Full time Babysitter needed at Farm, East Bank. For more info call: 656-4131.

Skilled Carpenters needed to work on sheet rock ceiling. Call: 713-1515.

Security Guards needed! Military background will be an asset. Contact: 641-8230.

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

One Security needed. Call: 619-0898.

Farm Workers needed to work in Timerhi. Living accommodation provided. Call: 617-2032 / 661-1585.

Reputable transportation service is seeking experienced Chauffeur with mini bus and hire car licence. Call: 645-0025.

One Housekeeper needed from Soesdyke- Timerhi area. Must be able to prepare meals. Call: 698-8225.

FOR RENT

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

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

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.

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

Now hiring Housekeeper/ Babysitter, ages 25-40 years. Must begreat with kids and can cook. Call: 618-3892.

One general Domestic needed. Apply in person to Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street, Bourda.

Male Porter, Janitor, Butcher, Counter Service, Kitchen & Pastry Assistants needed. Salary $20,000 weekly. Call: 231-1368/ 223-1938.

One Clerk needed for TSI Eccles office. Must have English and Mathematics. Email application:techserigy @yahoo.com or Call:6159132.

Cleaner, Maintaining Worker & Supervisor, Labourers, Office Assistant and Semiskilled Workers required. Call: 621-6969, 615-7784.

Cleaner and Porters needed. Apply at Lens, 136 Sheriff Street next to Buddys/ Pizzahut. Call: 227-2486/ 2271511.

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

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

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.

Court orders PM Skerrit to stop using Jeep Wrangler until legal matter is settled

Nice FM - The High Court in Dominica has ordered that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stop the use of his Wrangler Jeep until a legal matter is settled.

The court also ruled that its registration number be suspended.

The vehicle, costing EC$194, 000.00 which was a personal gift to Skerrit by ‘Moosa Navsa’ is being challenged by attorney Cara

Shillingford-Marsh.

On June 12, 2023, High Court Judge, Justice Bernie Stephenson delivered a decision in which she granted leave to Shillingford-Marsh, who is also a member of the Integrity Commission in Dominica, to file a judicial review challenging a decision of the majority members of the Commission of February 12, 2021, to allow Skerrit to keep the gift.

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The claim was brought by Shillingford-Marsh against Stephenson Hyacinth in his capacity as chairman of the Integrity Commission, and Thomas Holmes in his capacity as a member of the Integrity Commission, and the Integrity Commission.

Shillingford-Marsh is alleging that the Commission acted illegally, irrationally, and unreasonably when it allowed a person in public office, namely Prime Minister Skeritt, to keep the gift of the Jeep Wrangler without conducting an inquiry into the circumstances of the giving of the gift.

She argued that the Integrity Commission was required

to do so under the Integrity in Public Office Act.

She further argued that the decision of the Commission was in breach of its international obligation, in that the Commission failed to give effect to Article 5 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and that the decision flies in the face of the provisions and in fact, amounts to the sanctioning of corruption.

She is asking that the gift be handed over to the financial secretary since the gift is property of the state and cannot be retained by the prime minister.

In the decision which

came two years after the application was filed, the court granted leave to Mrs. Shillingford-Marsh to proceed with judicial review against the Integrity Commission but struck out the claim against Stephenson Hyacinth and Thomas Holmes.

Shillingford-Marsh has fourteen days from the date of the court’s decision to file her claim.

The integrity commission was represented by Lisa De Freitas and led by Senior Counsel Reginald Armour while Cara ShillingfordMarsh is being represented by her husband, attorney Wayne Benjamin Marsh.

Buyers refused to take hijacked car after...

From page 12 their victim to restrain him but Douglas reportedly continued to fight them off. During the scuffle, Fox allegedly handed Parris a gun while the soldier slipped out of his grip.

where he parked next to an unfinished concrete house where Randy met up with them.

Randy then told them to head to Pattensen along the Railway Embankment to meet the buyer.

bleach and soap powder to wash off Douglas’ splattered blood from the vehicle.

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

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

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

Parris allegedly recalled that at this point, Douglas exited the car and chased after him. He then shot the soldier twice, before running towards the victim’s car. He entered and Fox allegedly drove off. Parris claimed that Fox drove to Bel Air road

When they arrived, alleged Parris, they met two men in a parked burgundy car who refused to take it after learning that they had killed the owner. Parris allegedly said that he and Fox then drove the stolen car to B-Field, Sophia where they bought

They then abandoned it on Stone Avenue, Campbellville. Police arrested Randy on Wednesday night and he has since admitted his involvement in the deadly carjacking. As police hunt the other suspects, Parris was on Thursday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of murder and was remanded to prison.

TOURS

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

One studio apartment in Durban Street. Call: 6451933.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

$12.5M estimated to rehabilitate Wakenaam Hospital

The Ministry of Health is looking to rehabilitate the Wakenaam Hospital for an estimated cost of $12,577,950. The bids for the project were recently ope ned at the

National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office where six contractors had applied for the works.

The contractors are: Andrect Engineering & Construction, Jemcorp Engineer-

ing & Imports, Builders Engineering & Architectural Construction, BS Narine & Son Investment, A Plus Consulting & General Service Inc., and Bacchus Consulting Service & General Supply.

This year, the health

Below are the companies and their bids:

Ministry of Health Rehabilitation of Wakenaam Hospital.

Ministry of Public Service Supply of Tablet Computer.

Ministry of Education Procurement of Office Equipment.

Design and Supervision services for the construction of a dormitory to house 200 pupils and rehabilitation to the existing dormitory at President’s College, Region Four.

sector was allocated some $84.9 billion from the national budget and out of that sum, $1 billion was set aside to retrofit and upgrade health centres, health posts, and other facilities across the country.

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Construction of Food Processing Building, Business Incubator.

Bill Cosby sued for sexual assault by nine women in Nevada

Supervision Services for the Extension of a School Building/ complex and Construction of a Dormitory to House 350 Students in classroom, 350 pupils in the dormitory and 10 teachers in Teaching Quarters/Houses at Aishalton in Region Nine.

Ministry of Legal Affairs

Construction of Guard Hut.

Office of the President Operationalization of Guyana Technical Training College/ Polytechnic.

Reuters - Nine women have filed a lawsuit in Nevada accusing comedian Bill Cosby of sexual assault, the latest in a long series of misconduct allegations against the oncebeloved entertainer.

The alleged assaults took place between 1979 and 1992 in various locations in Nevada, including in Cosby’s backstage dressing room and his Las Vegas hotel suite, according to the lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday in federal court in Nevada.

The complaint arrived just weeks after the state enacted a “lookback” law eliminating a two-year window for sexual assault victims to bring civil claims, following the lead of several other states.

tern that matches allegations from other women, including Constand.

Cosby faces other legal claims as well. A former Playboy model sued him this month, alleging he assaulted her in 1969. The plaintiff is taking advantage of a California law that lifted the statute of limitations on such claims.

Lili Bernard, one of the plaintiffs in Nevada, has separately sued Cosby in New Jersey for an alleged assault in 1990 under a similar law.

Last year, a California jury found that Cosby sexually assaulted teenager Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion in 1975 and ordered him to pay her $500,000.

Supervision Services for construction of a modern school building/complex and a dormitory to house 500 students in classroom, 400 pupils in the dormitory and 40 teachers in Teaching Quarters/ Houses at Kopinang in Region Eight.

Guyana Water Inc.

Extension of Transmission Mains at Fellowship Region 3.

More than 60 women have leveled accusations stretching back decades against Cosby, who was once known as “America’s Dad” for his role in the 1980s television comedy “The Cosby Show.”

Now 85, Cosby was the first celebrity to be convicted in the #MeToo era, when a Pennsylvania jury found him guilty in 2018 of sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, an employee at his alma mater Temple University in Philadelphia, in 2004.

He spent three years in a Pennsylvania prison before the state’s Supreme Court threw out his case in 2021, ruling that he should not have faced charges after striking a non-prosecution deal with a previous district attorney years earlier.

In a statement, Cosby’s spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt, criticized “lookback” laws and said his accusers “are not fighting for victimsbut for their addiction to massive amounts of media attention and greed.”

The Nevada lawsuit accuses Cosby of drugging each victim with drinks or pills before assaulting them, a pat-

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby Actor and comedian Bill Cosby

Munisar aiming to improve following good run during CWI Blaze T20 /Women’s Super50

- Says Guyana Team gained tons of experience during recent tourneys board and work hard on their weak areas, while improving on the strong ones.

Fitness Express support Petterson-Griffith’s attendance at IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championship

Guyana/West Indies U-19

Women’s captain Ashmini Munisar said her team has taken a lot of positives away from the recent Regional tournaments, adding that she’s pleased about her current form, but remains dedicated to improving her craft.

The all-rounder told Kaieteur Sports recently that following the end of the CWI Blaze T20 and Women’s Super50 where Guyana’s senior women’s team had mixed fortunes, she and her teammates had gained tons of experience but more importantly, they aim to get back to the drawing

On a personal note, Munisar had good stats following the end of the CWI Blaze T20, ending as one of the leading wicket-takers.

The skipper solidified herself especially with the ball, ending with 6 wickets including a best for 2-8 versus Trinidad and Tobago, prior to taking 1 wicket a game, in the previous 4 played.

Speaking on her current form, the all-rounder said, “I feel good about my current form, mentally I’m in a good

Friday June 16, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

You're feeling especially loving, attractive, and romantic, so romance is likely to be on your mind. Romantic novels and movies could seem especially appealing. If you're currently involved.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

An increased level of ESP and imagination could have you feeling more creative and artistic. You might want to channel this energy into writing, painting, or adding touches to your living room.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

An attractive neighbor with whom you seem to share a bond could become a friend. A group you're affiliated with could be expressing highly idealized goals and purposes.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Dreams of a new career could fill your mind today, perhaps because of too much stress in your current one. You might even think of becoming a movie star.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Spiritual goals may be at the top of your priority list now, Leo. You may be looking for online metaphysical seminars or meditation workshops, perhaps taking place in a distant state or foreign country.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Lovely dreams could spark your imagination and get your artistic abilities going. You could learn a lot about yourself and whatever has been limiting you.

place and I’ve been training so in all I feel great. Some of the things I’ve been working on, is trying to be as consis-

tent as possible and not over think situations”, she said.

While Barbados won both Super50 and T20 titles, Guyana who had a Topsyturvy 50-Overs, then transformed into one of the best teams in the T20’s despite not winning.

Set to take on the best in the world, today at the IPF World Classic Open Powerlifting Championship in St Julians, Malta, Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ PettersonGriffith’s attendance is owed to many entities and individuals.

One such entity is a longtime supporter of sports, Fitness Express, located at John and Sheriff Street, Campbellville.

Manager, Jamie McDonald, who also assisted Petterson-Griffith with his monthly supply of supplements leading up to this prestigious championship, said he was very pleased to see the leading Guyanese strongman again, going after glory for

himself and the nation.

”Carlos is a fierce and disciplined competitor who deserves this chance at the highest level due to his consistent achievements over the years. We here at Fitness Express are more than delighted to be supporting this phenomenal athlete. We know that he’ll do his best and we as Guyanese would all be proud of him.”

Other corporate support for Petterson-Griffith’s trip to Malta, came from Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., National Sports Commission, Guyana Olympic Association, MVP Sports, Fitness Express, Superior Concrete, Space Gym, and other private supporters.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

A new friend could arrive today, Libra. You're probably going to like this person very much. He or she probably shares many of your interests. You could become close friends.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

If you've been thinking about a job change or even a new career, a chance interaction could provide the opportunity. However, Scorpio, remember, "If something seems too good to be true.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A journey by air to a distant place might be on your mind, though you might not make it for a long time. Knowledge is important to you, and you can be insatiably curious. This is likely to be one of those days.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

The desire to beautify your home could hit you full force today, Capricorn. Perhaps you're expecting future visitors or house guests and want to make a good impression.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A new neighbor could arrive who you feel especially drawn to, Aquarius. You might have high hopes for a friendship with this person. He or she may seem especially congenial and share a lot of your interests.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You could be feeling especially sociable today. Maybe there's a virtual party of some kind you want to be invited to.

Guyana finished 2nd place narrowly placed behind the Bajans but tied on 16 points, after both teams won 4 and lost 1 during the 5-match series, with Barbados beating Munisar and her ladies by virtue of a better net run-rate.

Despite this tough loss, Munisar said overall she’s pleased with how her teammates played, citing it as something she’s proud of while acknowledging that they will continue to work towards improvement.

“After the recently concluded regional tournament I think both myself and teammates had a lot to take away from it especially since we were playing amongst and with the best women cricketers in the region.

Personally I’ve just been trying to grasp as much as I can from the experienced players and build on that”.

Concluding her interview, Munisar, who had previously named Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as her idol, lauded the work of her coaches, teammates and especially the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), for keeping one eye trained on the continued development of women’s cricket locally and ensuring more young women get opportunities to live their dreams as cricketers.

“I think GCB has done a good job developing and promoting female cricket throughout Guyana.

Especially having tournaments like the inter-county and having coaches to work with us.

This not only helps to expose new talent, but also promote the sport and motivate girls who are interested in playing the game of cricket,” Munisar ended.

Father’s Day dominoes competition set for Sunday

Team Diamond, 007 and Big James will be hosting a father’s day dominoes competition on Sunday at Cigars and Cognac, Melanie Market Street, East Coast Demerara starting at 14:00hrs.

Entrance fee is $15,000.

The winning team will take home a trophy and $225,000, runner up a trophy and $175,000 and third place a trophy and $100,000.

Interested team can contact Mark Wiltshire on 659 8672.

Ashmini Munisar

Soaring ticket prices and a social media boom: How Lionel Messi has already had an impact on US Soccer

CNN - Lionel Messi’s movetoInterMiamiisyetto be finalized, but already his impact on Major League Soccerisbeingfelt.

US soccer is no stranger to welcoming some of the sport’s biggest stars; David B e c k h a m , Z l a t a n Ibrahimovic,WayneRooney andevenPeléhaveplayedin theStates.

However, it’s possible thatMessiwillhaveagreater influence on the sport in the US than any of the names thatwentbeforehim.

As Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin said: “It’s the biggest day in probablyMLShistory.”

Inter Miami has already benefited from a huge boost in social media followers, whileticketpricesallaround theleaguearesoaringasfans eagerly await Messi’s first visit to play against their teamswithhisnewclub.

wanttobeabletosay:‘Iwas there at Lionel Messi’s first MLS game,’ demand will exceedsupply

“He’s not playing at every ground in every week so I don’t see a huge ripple effect and also I think there willbeasharpspikeandthen things will return to some formofnormality,especially if he doesn’t transform thingsforthem.”

Intheminutesafteritwas reportedthatMessiwouldbe moving to the US, ticket prices for Inter Miami matchessoaredbymorethan 1,000%.

According to resale website TickPick, the cheapest ticket for Inter Miami’sLeaguesCupmatch againstCruzAzulonJuly21 – potentially Messi’s first game with his new team –wasjust$29.

Inthe24hoursafternews of Messi’s pending move

BreakingAmerica

Messi’s pending arrival at Inter Miami, which currently sits bottom of the MLS’ Eastern Conference, has already given a huge boost to the club’s global reach Before the announcement, the club had aroundonemillionfollowers on Instagram; as of June 13, itnowhas7.8million–more thaneveryNFL,MLB,NHL andMLSteamaccount.

“Convertingfollowersor monetizing followers is always a challenge,” Maguire adds. “It helps in terms of commercial deals because if you want to pitch toacommercialpartner,you can now say: ‘Well, your product is now going to be seen by six million people insteadofonemillion.

lagged behind the US’ four other major sports leagues –the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB–intermsofpopularity amongfans.

Maguire says part of Messi’s“objective”whilein the US will just be to “keep the trajectory growing” but believes soccer is “never going to break into” the US sportsscene.

“The NFL and NBA are part of the US culture and those cultural norms are so established that there is no chance of soccer, football ever, ever competing with them,”heexplains.

Inter Miami fans have had very little to cheer this season, sitting bottom of the Eastern Conference. – (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

But are the prices and level of interest sustainable in the long term? Kieran Maguire,authorofThePrice of Football and a football finance lecturer at the University of Liverpool Management School, expects them to eventually flattenoutagain.

“To a certain extent, it’s similar to what we were seeing with the prices for Arsenal’s tickets for their final home match of the season,” Maguire told CNN Sport, in reference to the English team when it was leading the Premier League last season. “When Arsenal were eight points ahead of Manchester City, you had £50 tickets going on StubHub and similar for £1,000.

“For those people who

emerged, the cheapest ticket was $329, TickPick said – a surgeof1,034%.

The biggest increase, however, was for Miami’s game against the New York RedBulls,withticketprices soaring by 1,236% for Messi’s first trip to the Big AppleinAugust.

There has been a similar impact on StubHub, which has seen sales for Inter Miami’s games from July until the end of the season increase 28 fold since Messi’sdealwasannounced.

Other MLS teams have alsoenjoyedaboostinticket sales;Miami’sgameawayto Los Angeles FC has gone fromthe15thhighest-selling event in LAFC’s season, StubHub said, to the second highest-sellingevent–andis ontracktobeNo.1.

“Soitwillhelpfromthat perspective, A) in terms of the prices that Inter Miami can charge and B) with the number of commercial partners,whoallofasudden they want their product next toLionelMessi.”

Ofcourse,alargepartof Messi’s remit in Miami will be to help boost interest in MLSandsocceringeneralin the United States, as has beenthecaseforeverymajor star since Pelé moved to the NewYorkCosmosin1975in what was then the North AmericanSoccerLeague.

While the Argentine won’t have to ‘crack America’ in the same way Beckhamwasaskedto,with the sport growing exponentially in both popularity and value since Beckham moved to Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, soccer could certainly still dowithanupliftintheUS.

According to a Statista report from 2022, MLS still

“I think he will help the gametogrow,we’vegotthe 2026WorldCuptakingplace in the USA, Canada and Mexico,butinmyviewthere is a natural ceiling for the MLS and he’s going to help the sport get to that ceiling that much quicker, rather than being a disruptor or a challengerforthetraditional bigsportsintheStates.”

While Inter Miami is unable to contend with the salaries on offer from Saudi Arabia’s clubs, the reported structure of the deal means

M e s s i ’ s e a r n i n g opportunities are much higher than his basic MLS salary

According to multiple reports, Messi’s new deal with Miami includes an optionforpart-ownershipof theclubandacutofrevenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Passstreamingservice.

Last year, MLS announced a 10-year deal with Apple to stream every US top-flight men’s game worldwide.

Thisseason,viewerscan watch every MLS, Leagues Cup, MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT match through the men’s professional soccer league’s streaming platform, which is available throughAppleTV

Apple recently dropped the price of a soccer subscriptionto$49from$99 for the remainder of the season.

The company doesn’t disclose viewership figures, but Apple SVP of services Eddy Cue recently said it’s doing “much better than forecasted” for number of

subscriptions and viewershipnumbers.

CNN has reached out to Major League Soccer, Inter M i a m i , M e s s i ’ s representative, Apple and DavidBeckham,whoispart of Inter Miami’s ownership team, to confirm the financialdetails.

Despite that agreement, Maguiresayshebelievesthe offers from Saudi Arabia would have still been “far morelucrative.”

“He’s been offered a nine-figure salary in the Middle East,” he says “There’s no way he’s going to be getting hundreds of millions[inMiami].”

Regardless of the details of the contract, Messi will havetoperformonthepitch for his stay in the MLS to remainrelevant.

The Argentine has his work cut out, too, with Miami languishing bottom of the Eastern Conference with the third-worst points totalintheentireleague.

Butifthereisoneplayer who can turn around the fortunes of the club and the MLS,it’sMessi.

Before Messi, Pelé was arguably the most famous face to play soccer in the US. – (George Tiedemann / Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi is already having an astounding effect on U.S. Sports.

Ebadot, Shanto lead Bangladesh into ascendancy

E S P M c r i c i n f oBangladesh overcame an early morning hiccup to sit on a 370-run lead at the end of the second day of the Dhaka Test against Afghanistan.Ona16-wicket day, the home side sped to 134 for 1 in 23 overs at stumps, having bowled out the visitors for 146 Bangladesh had earlier been bowled out for 382, losing their last five wickets for nineruns. Theday’shonourswould gototwofastbowlers.Nijat Masood took 5-79 in Bangladesh’s first innings. He became the second Afghanistanbowlertotakea five-for on Test debut

Ebadot Hossain’s 4-47 was his best figures at home, but he missed out on a five-for after the Bangladesh spinners took the last three Afghanistanwickets.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Zakir Hasan were the unbeaten batters at stumps, having both made 54 off 64 ballseach.MahmudulHasan Joy,whomadeahalf-century in the first innings, fell for 17, after which Shanto and Zakiradded116runsforthe unbroken second-wicket stand. Both reached their fifties with boundaries off

successiveballs.

Shanto took off in the second innings from where he left off in the first dig.

Masooddroppedhimoffhis own bowling when the lefthanderwasonnine.

Shanto shook it off to drive freely, while Zakir used the pull shot to good effect

Bangladesh batters were able to play this freely mainly because of

how their bowlers fared in theafternoon.

Ebadot used the extra bounce on the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch to pick up four wickets

He had the short delivery rearing at Abdul

Malik’s gloves, who handed a catch to Zakir at thirdslip RahmatShahwas caught in two minds, switching between the pull

and the flick, before miscuing the ball to Taskin Ahmedatmid-on.

Ebadot used his bounce again to get rid of Afsar Zazai, who topedged a pull and got caught at deep square leg for36.

It was the short ball again that served Ebadot well when he had Amir Hamzacaughtatshortleg.

Shoriful Islam had a

good outing too, taking the wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, either side of the lunchbreak.

Zadran was caught behind,whileShahidiedged to Mehidy Hasan Miraz at fourthslip.

Mehidy and Taijul Islam also took two wickets each, mopping up Afghanistan’s lowerhalf.Mehidybrokethe 65-run stand between Zazai

and Nasir Jamal by trapping thelatterlbwfor35.Mehidy completed his 150th wicket in Tests when he had Karim Janatstumpedfor23.

Theinningsendedwith Bangladeshgaininga236run lead and they chose to batagain.

Earlier in the morning, the home side were bowled out for 382 runs within 45 minutes of the start of play They collapsed from 373 for 5 in just 4 5 overs and added 20 runs to their overnight total Mehidy and Mushfiqur Rahim, who had added 83 runs for the sixth wicket, fell within six balls of each other Yamin Ahmadzai had Mehidy caught at gully while Masood had Mushfiqur fending a short ball to third slip Both got out in theforties

Masood removed Taijul who popped a catch to short leg before completing his five-for by uprooting Shoriful’soff-stump.

Scores: Bangladesh 382 and 134 for 1 (Shanto 54*, Zakir54*,Hamza1-27)lead Afghanistan 146 (Zazai 36, Jamal 35, Ebadot 4-47) by 370runs.

Julien Alfred, Ackelia Smith, Jaydon Hibbert cap historic seasons with NCAA regional awards

SportsMax - Julien

Alfred, Ackelia Smith and Jaydon Hibbert capped their respective impressive seasonswithregionalawards forthe2023NCAADivision I Track and Field season announced by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)

yesterday

Meanwhile, JamaicanbornMarkElliottwasnamed Southeast Region Men’s HeadCoachoftheYear

Alfred, who hails from St Lucia, the South Central Region Female Track AthleteoftheYear,cappeda r e c o r d - b r e a k i n g , undefeated season at the 2023 NCAA DI Outdoor T r a c k & F i e l d Championships, where she wonthe100,200andledoff thewinning4×100relay

Her wind-aided mark in the100-meterfinalof10 72 equaled the fastest allconditions effort in collegiate history, while her wind-aided mark in the 200 of 21 73 is the fastest all-

conditionstimeincollegiate history Alfred ran the opening leg of a Texas 4×100 relay that obliterated the collegiate record twice this season, ultimately to 41.55inAustin.

Smith, who hails from Clarendon, Jamaica, is the South Central Female Field AthleteoftheYear

She won the long jump and finished runner-up in the triple jump at the 2023 NCAA DI Outdoor T r a c k & F i e l d Championships.

Her mark in the triple jumpof14.54mmadeherthe third-best performer in collegiatehistory

Smithmadewavesatthe B i g 1 2 O u t d o o r

Championships, too, when she soared 7.08m in thelongjumptobecomethe second-best performer in collegiate history behind TaraDavis.

Hibbert, who won more than a handful of awards in thisisfreshmanyear,wasthe co-South Central Region FieldAthlete of the Year

Hibbert, who hails from Kingston, Jamaica, capped an undefeated season in the triple jump with a victory at the 2023 NCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships He bounded 17.56m to record the fourth-farthest mark in collegiatehistory

Thatwashissecond-best effort of the season, because earlier at the SEC Outdoor Championships,heshattered the collegiate record –and set an all-time World U20 outdoor best –with his majestic 17.87m, a personalbest.

Hibbert’s coach Travis Geopfert, the Associate Head Coach at Arkansas, earns recognition as the Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year in the South Central Region Geopfert’s event group played a significant role in Arkansas’ success, scoring 31 of the team’s 53 points, leadingthem to finish as the NCAA team runnerup

Notably, Hibbert, a

freshman coached by Geopfert, emerged as the SEC Field Athlete of the Y

undefeated in the triple jump and winning the N

, Arkansas became only the third school in NCAA history to achieve a 1-2 finishinthelongjump,with Carey McLeod and Wayne Pinnocksecuringthetoptwo

positions.

Geopfert’s coaching expertise also contributed to Arkansas winning the SEC team title, with the team scoring 69 out of 149 points With 11 years of coaching experience at Arkansas, Travis Geopfert specializes in coaching jumpsandcombinedevents.

Elliott, the Southeast Region Men’s Head Coach oftheYear,inhis10thyearas Director of Track & Field at

Clemson, led the Tigers to the team title at the ACC Outdoor Championships, winning four events

Clemson was in 10th place the ACC Championships before moving up to win on thefinalday

His athletes earned six entriestothe2023NCAADI Outdoor Track & Field Championships, including Giano Roberts, who set a schoolrecordof13.31inthe 110hurdles

Julien Alfred, Ackelia Smith and Jaydon Hibbert.

Ebadot Hossain finished with a four-for. (AFP/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi scores fastest goal of his career with stunning effort after 79 seconds

Argentina’s Lionel Messi in action with Australia’s Kye Rowles and Denis Genreau.

(REUTERS/Thomas Peter)

CNN - Lionel Messi has had quite the season for Argentina.

The 35-year-old led his country to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar last year, arguably the crowning triumphinoneofthegreatest footballcareers.

And yesterday, Messi enjoyed another landmark moment by scoring his fastestevergoal.

Messi curled home an exquisite left-footed strike fromtheedgeoftheboxjust 79 seconds into Argentina’s friendly against Australia in Beijing – the quickest of his professional career, per South American football’s g o v e r n i n g b o d y , CONMEBOL.

According to sports data group Gracenote, Messi has scored in every minute of a footballgame,apartfromthe opening 60 seconds. He has scoredthemostgoals(16)in the87thminute.

“Messi has given us everything as a footballer, it’s a pleasure to see him play.He’sonanotherlevel,” Argentina goalkeeper EmilianoMartínezsaidafter thegame.

Argentina eventually beatAustralia 2-0 with Real Betis defender Germán

Pezzella doubling La Albiceleste’s lead in the secondhalf.

“We always enjoy being with the national team,” Messi said afterwards. “It was complicated playing because of the heat and humidity,butaboveallwe’ll continuewiththesameidea.

“Now there are World Cup qualifiers and the Copa America, it’s getting too ahead of yourself thinking about the next World Cup. You have to enjoy what you’veachieved.

“We have to think about what’s coming, a new cycle isbeginning.Thiscontinues, wecan’tjustsitbackonwhat has already happened. We need to enjoy every reunion.”

Thegamehadofferedthe Socceroostheopportunityto enactamodicumofrevenge on Argentina after they lost 2-1 to the eventual world championinthelast16ofthe 2022WorldCup,withMessi also scoring a brilliant goal onthatoccasion.

Messimania

Despite struggling with his club team Paris SaintGermain last season, Thursday’s goal continues Messi’s excellent form for theArgentinanationalteam.

He finished the second top scorer at last year’s World Cup with seven goals and also provided three assists.

The game was played at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijinginfrontofthousands of adoring fans, many purchasing tickets just for the opportunity to watch Messiplay

Duringthematch,videos

on social media show a fan evading security personnel beforehuggingMessi.

Large numbers of fans have turned out to catch a glimpseoftheforward,who last visited China in 2017 with his former club Barcelona.

He received a rapturous welcomefromfansSaturday after landing in Beijing aheadofthefriendlyagainst

Australia.

“Messi”soonbecamethe top trending topic on Chinese social media platformWeibo,whilevideo footage showed hundreds of fans swarming the team’s hotelentranceinthehopeof catching a glimpse of their idol.

The seven-time Balon d’Or winner announced last Wednesday he would be

joining Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami after his contract with PSG runsoutthissummer

The blockbuster news reportedly caused ticket pricestosoarnearly1,000% forsomegamesintheUnited States.

Argentina will next travel to Jakarta for a friendlyagainstIndonesiaon June19.

World leads, meet records galore; Jackson, Thomas-Dodd third, Clayton second at Oslo Diamond League

SportsMax - While

Norwegian standouts

KarstenWarholm and Jakob Ingebrigtsen shone on home soil at the Oslo Diamond League, Jamaica’s athletes hadsomewhatof anoff day, with Rushell Clayton’s second-place finish in the women’s 400m hurdles, being the best of the lot, at the Bislett Stadium

yesterday

Warholm, clocked the fourth fastest 400m hurdles timeinhistory,ashewonin 46.52 seconds, after which his compatriot Ingebrigtsen, established a European men’s 1,500m record of threeminutes27.95seconds, much to the delight of the 15,000 supporters that turned out for the fifth stop on the Wanda Diamond Leagueseries.

Just before that, Jamaica’s in-form sprinter, Shericka Jackson, the thirdfastest woman in the 100m

this year at 10.78s, was beaten into third by Ivory Coast’sMarieJoseeTaLou, in an event that wasn’t as closeaswasanticipated.

Ta Lou, who was the second-fastest athlete this year coming into the event, was comfortable in victory, assheclockedameetrecord andworldleading10.75sina positive 0 9 metres per second wind reading. She bettered the longstanding meetrecordof10.82ssetby Marion Jones in 1998, and the previous world lead of 10 76s set by American Sha’Carri Richardson, last month.

Bahamas Anthonique Strachan was second in a personal best 10.9s, while Jackson (10.98s) recovered fromaslowstarttotakethird ahead of the British pair of Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita, who were also clockedat10.98s.

Clayton earlier ran a

brave race for second in a season’s best 53.84s, behind impressive Dutchwoman, Femke Bol, who also clocked a meet record and world leading 52.30s for the 400m hurdles. Incidentally, the previous meet record of 52.61s was set by Bol last year,alongwiththeprevious world lead of 52.43s, which she clocked earlier this month.

Panama’s Gianna Woodruff, also with a season’s best 5446, was third ahead of the other Jamaican Janieve Russell (54.91s). Russell’s time was alsoaseason’sbest.

Jamaica’s national record holder Danniel Thomas-Dodd placed third in the women’s shot put eventwithamarkof19.44m, which came on her second

attempt.Shefinishedbehind Canadian Sara Mitton, who wonwithathrowof19.54m, while American world leader, Maggie Ewan was secondwith19.52m.

World Championships

silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts was fourth in the women’s triple jump, after only managing a best of 14 33m, withThea Lafond of Dominica, finishing fifth with a best leap of 14.21.

World and Olympic champion Yulimar Rojas, topped the event after cutting the sand at 14 91m, just shy of her world lead of 14 96 The Venezuelan won ahead of Cuba’s Leyanis Perez Hernandez, with a personal best 14.87m and Ukraine’s Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk, whoalsoachievedaseason’s best14.75m.

KimberlyWilliamsdidnot

start Former World Champion Tajay Gayle placed sixth on his Diamond League debut in the men’s long jump Gayle’s best mark was 7 87m, as Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer (8.32m), American Marquis Dendy (8 26m) and Miltiadis Tentoglou (8 21m) of Greece, took the top three spots.

South African Wayde Van Niekerk continues to round into form, as he topped the men’s 400m in 44 38s, ahead of Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga (44 49s) and American Vernon Norwood, who clocked a season’s best 44.51s.

Meanwhile, there were also meet records for 19year-old American Erriyon Knighton, who won the men’s200min19.77stobeat the mark previously held by sprintlegendUsainBolt.

Danielle Thomas-Dodd in action at the Diamond League meet in Oslo, Norway on Thursday. (AFP)

Powell smashes 55-ball hundred as West Indies hammer UAE by 114 runs in final warm-up game ahead of ICC World Cup Qualifiers

SportsMax - Rovman

Powell smashed a 55-ball 105 as the West Indies secured a 114-run over the UAE in their second warmup match ahead of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

The Windies posted a mammoth 374-9 off their 50 overs after winning the toss and batting first at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare

Vice-captain Powell hit eight fours and eight sixes in his knock while Nicholas Pooran and

Keemo Paul got brisk h a l f - c e n t u r i e s i n support

Pooranhitfivefoursand fivesixesonhiswaytoa67ball 74 while Paul hit four foursandfoursixestomake 54off50balls.

Kyle Mayer (33) and Johnson Charles (30) also g o t m e a n i n g f u l

contributions against

MuhammadJawadullah’s350 from eight overs and Karthik Meiyappan’s 2-51 offsixovers.

Yannic Cariah and Jason Holder then led the

Fitness Express supports GBBFF for upcoming Mr. Berbice Classic

way with the ball as the UAEfinishedtheir50overs 260-9.

Basil Hameed tried his best with an unbeaten 122 while VriityaAravindmade 54 but it wasn’t enough as Cariah claimed his second straight four-wicket haul of the warm-ups with 4-55 fromhis10overs.

Holder provided good support with 2-26 from sevenovers

The West Indies will open their account in the World Cup Qualifiers againsttheUSAonSunday

Johnny Barnwell small-goal Football competition set for this weekend

South Turkeyen Sports Committee, in collaboration with Johnny ‘Overseas’Barnwell, is excited to announce the rescheduled dates for its premier football events. The competitions will now take place this weekend at the Vryheid Lust Tarmac. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the events had to be postponed from their initial dates, but the organizers are determined to make it an unforgettable experience for all participants andspectators.

On Saturday, June 17th, witness the Johnny‘Overseas’BarnwellUnder-16Foura-Sidesmall-goalFootballcompetition.The action-packed matches will commence at 3:00 pm. The excitement continues on Sunday,June18th,withtheexcitingFather’s Day Open Three-a-side small-goal Football competition,startingasearlyas7:00am. The event has attracted top small-goal

teams such as; Plaisance, North Sophia, BFieldSophia,Beterverwagting,BetterHope, Buxton, Bent Street, and many others, all competing for the prestigious Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell trophy, generously donatedbytheBannasFoundation.

Meanwhile, the South Turkeyen Sports Committee has arranged several enticing cashprizesforbestindividualplayerandthe best-performing teams on the competition day

The organizers sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the rescheduling of the events They are committed to providing a seamless and enjoyableexperienceforeveryoneinvolved. Thecompetitionismadepossiblethroughthe generous sponsorship of Nigel Hinds of Financial Services and Puran Brothers, who have shown their support for grassroots sportsdevelopment.

Republic Bank CPL tickets on sale online for all venues

Tickets are now on sale for the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL)matches.

The 2023 CPL season getsunderwayon16August and the WCPL starts on 31 August.

The WCPL matches in Barbados and Trinidad will be double headers with the

games featuring the home team from the Men’s CPL, giving ticket holders for thesematchesmoreactionto watchandevenbettervalue. With CPL having set anotherviewershiprecordin 2022withatotalviewership of over 700million the interest in the tournament hasneverbeenhigher This combined with the return of matches to

Barbados for the first time since2019meansthisyear’s event is set to be bigger and betterthanever

At present tickets are available to buy online with box offices opening in the next few weeks with more details on these opening times and locations coming soon.

Tickets are on sale at www.cplt20.com.

Fitness Express has offered their support to the Guyana Bodybuilding and FitnessFederation(GBBFF) onWednesdaywithacheque of sponsorship to offset the expenses of the 2023 Mr Berbice Classic/National Intermediate Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship. Thehighlyanticipatedevent isscheduledtotakeplaceon June 24th at the Berbice HighSchool.

This competition will feature at least twenty-five exceptional athletes competing for the coveted titles, including Miss Best Legs, Men’s Physique, and Bodybuilding categories

Start time 18:00 hours, admissionis$1,500.

Meanwhile, Fitness Express has already shown their financial support for this event, with the aim of providingdedicatedathletes in the bodybuilding and fitness fraternity, and the County of Berbice with high-level bodybuilding competition.

Kings secure first win in GFF/KFC Elite League, Santos FC falter to own goal

The Guyana Football Federation/KFC 2023 Elite Football League continued on Tuesday at the National T r a i n i n g C e n t r e , Providence. Tuesday night witnessedanexcitingdouble header between Victoria KingsandFrutaConquerors FC, and Police FC and SantosFC.

The clash between Victoria Kings and the defending champions, Fruta Conquerors FC ended 2-1, while Police FC defeated Santos FC 1-0 compliments of an unfortunate own-goal decision.

In the first match of the night, the Victoria Kings took an early lead with Captain Inceford Charles scoring in the 20th minute.

Kevin Williams further extended their advantage with a brilliant goal in the 34th minute to secure a 2-0 lead.

Itwasn’tuntilthesecond half that Fruta Conquerors managed to respond, with Dennis Edwards finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute.

Despite having several opportunities, the Tucville based team failed to capitalize on them, and the match ended with Victoria Kingswinning2-1.

This victory marked the firstwinfortheVictoriansin the GFF/KFC-sponsored Elite League 2023, after being winless for five consecutivematches.

Meanwhile, in the

second match between Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC and Santos FC; both teams struggled to find the net despite their valiant efforts They missed m u l t i p l e s c o r i n g opportunities, but it was the Police side that emerged victorious.

They secured three points, thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Santos in the 60th minute. Policewon1-0.

The League continued yesterdayatthesamevenue, featuring a match between DenAmstelFCandWestern Tigers at 19:00hrs, followed by a clash between Buxton United and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC at 21:00hrs.

GBBFF Vice President, Eybo Orford (left) collecting sponsorship cheque from Fitness Express Manager Ian Rogers

Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana” gets Trophy Stall support

This joint initiative between Anil Beharry and KishanDasisgratefulforthe continued support of Ramesh Sunich, Owner of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market, with branches across Guyana including Port Mourant One fiber glass softball bat was donatedtothisinitiativeand handed over to the Upper Corentyneareatoassistwith the development of female softball cricket Notably, many of our current Inter County and National hardball female cricketers started their careers with softball cricket reflecting on the days of 4R Lioness, Trophy Stall Angels and others that participated in competitions run by the GFSCA.

At a simple ceremony held recently, the bat was handed over to Chandradat Nankooar by Chitra Bedessie, Manager of the Port Mourant Branch Nankooarwashighinpraise for Sunich and highlighted hiscontributionstosportsin Guyana This project is

please to see the level of interestshownbyourfemale cricketers and we will continuetodoasmuchaswe can to assist in their development.

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 cricketbags,sixbatrubbers, six helmets and one fiber glass bat. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicketkeeper/batsman.

Todate,fiftynineyoung players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyanahavebenefitedfrom three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, twentythreebats,twoboxes, five helmets, twenty two pairs of cricket shoes,

thirteenpairsofbattingpads, twothighpads,onebatgrip, 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 Wakenaam Cricket 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. Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coachTravisPersaud(boxof redcricketballs)andfemale softball teams in the Upper Corentynearea.

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

Arjune (66) leads Pegasus to thrilling win over Carr Tec Masters

Opening batsman Krishna Arjune hitapolished66tosteerPegasus to another thrilling victory over Carr Tec Masters last Sunday at St. Bedes where action continued in the 2023 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs Over-40, Division2competition.

The right-handed Arjune, who represented his native Guyana in 40 firstclass matches, struck five sixes and three fours to help his team surpass defending champion Carr Tec Masters’ competitive 175-8 from 20-overs. Pegasus got to the target with four balls remaining losing four wicketsintheprocess.

Arjunealsosharedavital85-runsecondwicket stand with Ravendra Madholall who contributed 24. Earlier, the prolific Arjune, whomadeacenturythepreviousweek,also collaborated with his fellow opener Ken Itwaruwithasteadystandof56.Itwarumade auseful27.

MontyDasswasthepickofthebowlerfor Carr Tec having snapped up 2-15 from two overs. In the last over bowled by Mahendra Moniram, Paul Dass formalized things for Pegasuswithaneffortlesssixoverlong-off.

Earlier,CarrTecMasterscalledcorrectly at the toss and without hesitation decided to takefirstknock.

Theylostwicketsatregularintervals,but senior campaigner Azeez Baksh provided somemuch-neededresistancedowntheorder bycompiling43runsasheleftunbeaten.His innings was characterised with three sixes and two fours. He got support from siblings Safraz and Imtiaz Abjal with 29 and 21 respectively

TeddySinghgrabbedthreewicketsfor19

runs from his maximum three overs while Khem Singh also in the wicket-column by claiming2-30alsoinhisthree-oversouting.

The eight-team competition is slated to continueonSundayatvariousvenuesacross theScarboroughJurisdiction.

Pegasus will engage with Helena Sports Club, while Carr Tec Masters meeting up UnitedCricketClub.

Meanwhile,LeguanWarriorsareleading thepoints’charthavingchalkedupthreewins from as many matches. Ramblers sit at number2,whileCarrTecMastersoccupying the number 3 spot and Pegasus at number 4. UnitedCricketClubbattlingatnumber5but all have 12 points after suffering a defeat each. Helena Sports Club and the other participatingteamGTBannasareyettowina gameinthisyear’sedition.

The competition is expected to conclude lateAugust.

recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the countryandclubleadersalso assist to identify talent Progressive and well managedcricketclubswitha youth programme, will also benefit.

We take this opportunity to thank Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish PandayofPandPInsurance Brokers, Sean Devers, TrevisSimon,ÅrïêlJ.Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh,RomashMunna,Ravi Etwaroo, Kelvin Brijlall, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru and Dennis Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra SadeoandRameshSunichof Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies, Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Gajanand Singh, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor,

Ameer Rahaman, Chin

Singh,DeneshChandrapaul, Davo Naraine of UK, Dr Cecil Beharry, Raj Mathura, Raj Bharrat, Latch Mohabir and family, Suresh Dhanai, Vishal Nagamootoo, Moses Nagamootoo Jnr, Regal Sports Store, Omkar Singh, Parmanand Dhaniram,

Reshma Mathura and BoomanSingh.Wethankthe media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture Distribution will continue. Anyone interested to contribute can contact AnilBeharryon6236875or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

2023 ExxonMobil Boys & Girls U14 Championships… Organisers anticipate intense conclusion

Ahead the final dayofthe2023 ExxonMobil Boys and Girls Under-14 Championships which is scheduled for Saturday, June 17, at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, theorganisingteamgavean update of the highly anticipatedfinale.

Yesterday, alongside displaying the hardware up f o r g r a b s , P e t r a Organisation’s CoDirector, Troy Mendonca, saidallsystemsareinplace for the finals in both Divisions, barring the loomingthreatofinclement weather

Mendonca added that hewasveryimpressedwith theperformancesofcertain teamslikeBushLotandthe Hinterlandunits,especially Waramuri Top, who have advancedtobothfinals.

He also disclosed that he sees the need for

among the teachers that trainmajorityoftheteams.

However, the CoDirector added, “The t o u r n a m e n t h a s undoubtedly made way for thestakeholdersoffootball to assess these young players from the further reaches of Guyana and see how best they can be integratedintotheNational programmes.”

On Saturday when the event culminates, the victorsinthetwocategories cart off with the championship trophies along with $300,000 towards a school project, whilethesecond,third,and fourth place finishers will havetosettlefor$150,000, $75,000, and $50,000, respectively,allforaschool initiative, along with the respectivetrophy

Following the exit of the Boys’ defending champion, Charlestown, a new champion will be

determined by the final showdown which features WaramuriTopandBartica.

Therewillalsobeanew Girls champion after defending champion, Charlestown, failed to advance past the quarterfinal stage, which leavesthecrowntobewon by either President’s CollegeorWaramuriTop.

Prior to the finals, the day’s fixture will begin with the seventh-place placematches,followedby the fifth-place and thirdplaceshowdowns.

This tournament is organised by the Petra Organisation, sanctioned by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) with support from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) andMVPSports.

Bedissee on the left and Nankooar with the bat.

Krishna Arjune

Golden Jaguars building next generation of stars

Th e G u y a n a F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) continuestoinvestheavilyin the Senior Men’s National Team, Golden Jaguars, especially regarding their preparation for the upcoming Gold Cup Preliminaries in Fort Lauderdale,Florida.

To build a strong core and develop a fluid transition of players in t h e b l o s s o m i n g programme, the Jaguars’ m a n a g e m e n t , i n executing the vision of the GFF, invited Marcus Tudor and Brandon Solomon to their training camp in Jamaica

The Golden Jaguars were encamped at the J a m a i c a F o o t b a l l

FederationTechnical Centre in Kingston fromMay26–June4

The duo is attending St Jago High School, compliments of a scholarshipfromtheGFF St Jago High is a secondary coeducational institution founded in 1744. Itisrenownedforgraduating some of Jamaica’s senior military o f f i c e r s , academic scholars,

performing artists, and globally known-sportsmen andwomen.

Speaking to GFF Media inKingston,theduothanked themanagementforinviting them to the trails and noted, “We have learnt a lot about what it takes to play at the senior level

I t w a s a g r e a t opportunity to train with the guys who we look up to and hopefully can fill theirshoesoneday”

Assistant Coach

Wayne Dover commended the players for their discipline and attitude toward learning in the sessions

“You guys have shown a great passion for learning about improving and playing international football

It is now for you to continue working on your game and keep the commitment and desire to represent your country as youhavedoneattheyouth level”,Doverstated

At the Golden Jaguars’ second phase of the encampmentfromJune5–14inPalmBeach Gardens,Florida,some youth players from the

diaspora trained with the senior players and showed promisingsigns

The Golden Jaguars are in Florida preparing to faceGrenadaonJune17at the DRV PNK Stadium from21:00h

A win will place them

one step closer to returning to the main draw of the Gold Cup, as they would then play the victor of Guadalupe vs Antigua and Barbuda on June 20 to seal a spot in Group D alongside Canada, GuatemalaandCuba.

Brandon Solomon (right) and Marcus Tudor

Golden Jaguars Coach Wayne Dover

Vice-captain Rovman Powell made 105 off 55

(CWI Media)

Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie McDonald hands over protein powder to Carlos Petterson-Griffith.

Waramuri Top (right) and President’s College captains have led their sides into the top bracket of the Under-14 Championship.

Captains