Kaieteur News

Civil society member tells Dr. Sharma to step down as Chair of Environmental Assessment Board

...astriple conflict of interest brews

Ci v i l s o c i e t y member, Danuta R a d z i k h a s written to the newly appointed Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), Dr Mahendar Sharma, asking that he vacates his post due to a tripleconflictofinterest.

In a letter to Dr Sharma that was shared with this publication on Friday, Radzik pointed out that she is concerned over his role as Head of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Director of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. - a party to the application made for the 300 megawatt gas-fired power plant- and spouse of Mrs. Nadir Sharma, Director of the Guyana Power and Gas Incorporated, the agency that has applied for an environmentalpermit.

Radzik identified herself as an appellant of the decision made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to waive and Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA) study for the construction and operationofthepowerplant.

All appeals made by citizens regarding this project will be heard by the EAB on March 22, 2023. Given Dr Sharma's role, coupledwiththefactthatthe other two members of the Board are also employed by the state, one advocate for good governance in the petroleum sector, Simone Mangal-Joly had requested President Irfaan Ali to reconsidertheappointees.

Dr Garvin Cummings and Mr Joslyn McKenzie were appointed members of the Board. According to the Official Gazette dated February 18, 2023 Cabinet approvedtheappointmentof the EAB members for a period of one year, with effect from January 1, 2023 toDecember31,2023.

It is apposite to note that Dr Sharma heads the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), while McKenzie functions as the Permanent

Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Finally, Dr. Cummings is the Chief Hydrometeorological Officer(CHO).

To this end, Radzik said she lacks confidence in the presently constituted EAB's ability to hold a fair hearing due to conflicts of interests of EAB Board members and their public duties as governmentemployees.

In her missive to Dr Sharma, Radzik explained, “I am also deeply concerned that you did not refuse the appointment as Chair of the EAB on February 10, 2023, when it was publicly known that an appeal against the EIA waiver for the power plant was before the EAB and as Chair you would be heading this appeals process.”

She therefore said, “I am callingonyoutoactethically tostepdownandtopostpone the power plant hearing until acredibleEABisinplace.”

PrejudicialEABhearing

The civil society activist

also shared her concerns withtheEABChairmanover what she described as the prejudicial manner in which the Board has embarked on thepowerplanthearing. She said that in refusing to allow the use of the Zoom platformforthehearings,the body has reversed a good practice that allows Guyanese across the country toparticipate.

“Your disallowing of Zoom is prejudiced against ordinary citizens, poor communities and working peopleswhomaynotbeable to travel to participate Unlike private companies and the Government, neither appellants nor community persons affected by projects can reasonably afford to fly experts to Guyana to participateinhearings.

It is also prejudiced against the Guyanese Diaspora who have relevant skills and expertise and a legitimate stake in the matters that come before the EAB,”Radzikpointedout.

Civil society activist, Danuta

Radzik

Additionally, she said that the lack of transparency surrounding the procedures that will be followed during the hearing is glaring. The activist told Dr Sharma that appellants need to be able to prepare adequately for the hearing, which requires a clear understanding of the agenda, time allotments, and procedures that will be followed.

As such, she noted that with only two working days left before the hearing, the EAB has failed to provide any clear guidelines or procedures, which makes it difficult to adequately prepare.

Radzik also pointed out her concern that the EPA is reportedly relying on documents for its decisions buthasrefusedtosharethese withappellants.

“Specifically access to the googlelink attachment containing the project timeline, which was supplied by Guyana Power and Light in the legally required Project Summary has not been made available. This lack of transparency and accountability is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the decision-making

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Govt. now wants oil companies to show supporting documents on costs for future projects -cannotdeviatefromapprovedplanswithoutpermission

When it comes to the

expensesthatwillbe incurredbypotential operators of new oil blocks, the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C)Governmenthasoutlineda set of rigid rules that ought to be followed to ensure effective compliance with international best practices.

These rules are outlined in the draft Model Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) that will govern deep water and shallow waterblockswhichformpartofthe upcominglicensinground.

According to the draft documents, the Contractor shall submit to the minister for approval, in accordance with the accounting procedures, a budget of the costs to be incurred in the implementation of its work programme, simultaneously with its plans for explorationordevelopment.

The documents state that all proposed budgets shall be commercially viable, reasonable and consistent with the requirements of the agreement signed, its annexes and best international industry standards andpractices.

Importantly, the proposed budgets shall: a) be denominated in US Dollars; b) include a detailed estimate of Costs necessary to implement the Petroleum Operations described in the Work Programme corresponding to the Budget; c) include a schedule of estimated expenditures of the Costs;d)specifyanyassumptionor premiseonwhichitisbased.

It also proposes that the Contractorshallprovidesupporting documentsforallitscostestimates. This newspaper also understands that the proposed budgets shall be consistent with the relevant

exploration plan or development plan, as the case may be, and the relevantworkprogramme.

It also goes on to state that the contractor may not modify an approved budget without the approvalfromtheMinister

Also, any request for a change to the budget shall contain the reasons for deviations from the costsoriginallylistedintheBudget.

When compared to the 2016 StabroekBlockProductionSharing

A g r e e m e n t s i g n e d w i t h ExxonMobil and its partners, there are no such stipulations, therefore implying that the government is intent on closing such a loophole in futurecontracts.

It should be noted that the proposed terms in the new model PSAs complement the commercial provisionswhichwerereleasedlast December by the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)

Government.Themaincommercial terms include a royalty rate of 10 percent, cost recovery capped at 65 percent, and profit sharing of 50 percent.

There is also a minimum signing bonus required from the bidders of US $20 million for deep water and US $10 million for shallowwaterblocks.

In terms of tax, the tender providesthatacorporationtaxof10 percent and a property tax of 0.75 percent will be levied on the participatingentities.

It is worth noting that bidders will be required to commit at least US $1 million per year towards the employment and training of the citizens of Guyana in accordance withtheLocalContentAct.

In a statement to the media on Tuesday, the ministry said the draft Model Petroleum Agreements embodies rigorous research and

analysis by the ministry's internal teamandexternalconsultantsonall topics relevant to a modern petroleumagreementforGuyana.

The ministry said the process involved a comprehensive assessment of the current petroleum agreement and the identification of best practices relevanttoeverycontractualaspect ofamodernagreementgroundedin theGuyanacontext.

To ensure new investments are governed by a comprehensive framework of international best practices, the ministry said there will be an overhaul of the 1986 PetroleumActandRegulations. Feedback on the draft model agreements should be addressed to the Minister of Natural Resources a n d s e n t t o licensinground2022@petroleum g ov.gywiththePermanentSecretary copied,jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

MONEY LAUNDERING REMINDING OF ITS PRESENCE

In recent times, money laundering has made a strong appearance back on the local scene. It is a dangerous development that must be provoking a series of shivers in bothgovernmentandprivatesectors.

Itinvolvesthewashingandrecyclingofmassivesumsof money, which is done in sophisticated ways and involves peoplewithconsiderablereachandinfluence,tothesmaller fryusedasfronts,onlytofindthemselvestrappedinwebsof crimethatmarkthemforlife. Theconcernisthatthereal,big launderersaretheoneswhousuallyevadethearmofthelaw, andgetawayunhinderedandscot-free.

The news has been coming in waves, with each item giving an idea of what is at work in the deep recesses of Guyana, and its streams of business. First, it was of three Guyanese and over four billion dollars laundered, with Chinesebusinessesinthemix,andheldoutastherealbrains behindthemoneylaunderingscheme.

The three Guyanese are the ones left to face the music, anditdoesnotlookasiftherewillbedevelopmentsbeyond this trio of convenient scapegoats, with their alleged participationproperlynoted.

The big fish, be they Chinese or others, have already flownthecoopandcoveredtheirtracks.

Second, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, had the unwelcomedutyofreceivingareportthatspokeofUS$2.2B suspectedtobelaunderedintheperiod2016-2020. Though thiscouldeasilybelumpedbythePPPCGovernmentunder recordoftheweakandfailedAPNU+AFCCoalitionperiod in office, it still is owned by Guyana. There is significant belief that, with this degree of money laundering being reported, more than a few of those participating would be close comrades and friends of both the PPP/C and APNU+AFC Governments. Whether denied or not, the reality is that US$2.2B is not money laundering of a poor man’s variety. By a process of careful and consistent elimination, the field of likely launderers is considerably thinneddown,leavingonlytheusualsuspectsstanding.

TheformerAPNU+AFCCoalitionGovernmentandthe presentPPP/CGovernmenthavemorethanapassingideaof who they are, the extents of their involvement in money laundering,andtheriskstheyattachtothereputationofthis country AstheABC&Ecountries,withAmericaleadingthe way, tighten the screws, and press for charges and prosecutions, many leading politicians in this country find themselves hopping from one foot to the other Their inactiondoesnotspeaktoastrongandgenuinecommitment to doing the right things relative to the local money launderingproblem,whichcouldbeverywidespread.

Thisiswhatcomesunderthespotlightinthethirdrecent moneylaunderingdevelopmentmakingtherounds. Itisthat 100 Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) were filed between2016and2020,butthatiswhereeverythingcameto a dead stop. That is, not one person has been charged with anymoneylaunderingoffence.

Therewasanintervalwhenfinancialandotherreporting institutions did not see any activity as suspicious, or when they did ‘red-flag’ transactions as suspicious, those stayed lockedawayintheirfilingcabinets. Insteadofescalationto the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for its analysis, and handoff to the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), possiblemoneylaunderingactivitiesdiedincabinets.

This is no longer the case, however, with the 100 STRs travelingfromreportingentities(thegroundlevel)toFIU(up thechainforanalysis),thentoSOCU(forinvestigation),and lasttotheDPP’sofficeforpossiblechargestobelaid. Itis tellingonlythattherewasonly1outof100escalationstothe DPP’soffice. Clearly,muchismissinginthispicture. How else to explain less than half of the 100 STRs actually investigated, and over a third not receiving any kind of attentionatall.ThisleavesGuyanainabadplaceintermsof theseriousnessofgovernment,lipserviceaside,todomakea dent in money laundering locally US officials have to be unhappywiththepreviousgovernment,andthispresentone also,whichinheritedtheintelligence. Meanwhile,laundererscontinuewashinguntouched.

The worst thing to do would be to exclude and ostracize Mr. Ogunseye

DEAREDITOR,

As Guyanese, we should be proud of the rapid development that is taking place in the country under the leadership of President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, and the cabinet.

According to President Ali, no one, regardless of their race ethnicity or party affiliation will be left out, everyone will be included. And Prime Minister Brigadier Phillips has made it clear that he will not tolerate discrimination or unfair treatment against anyone. The former chief of staffisofthefirmbeliefthat President Ali’s government isdoingeverythingwithinits power to treat everyone fairly in society. Both President Dr Ali and Prime Minister Phillips have reiterated their commitment to good governance, improve the lives of the people and make Guyana a prosperouscountry

Richinnaturalresources, agriculture, and dairy productsandwiththehighest Gross Domestic Product (GDP)intheworld,Guyana has been propelled onto the worldstageasacountrywith abrightfuturebecauseofits hugeoilreservesandastable andpeace-lovingnation.

Guyanesefromallwalks oflifebothathomeandinthe Diasporahavealwaysfound great pride in celebrating t h e i r c o u n t r y ’ s achievements.

Irrespective of their differences, they do not hesitate to boast to one another and to the people in the Caribbean and the world at large of their country’s progress If all the

predictions are correct, on a per capita basis, Guyana couldbecomeonethelargest oilproducingcountriesinthe world.

Which means that in a few years, Guyana could also become one of the richestcountriesintheworld with modern infrastructures, ground-breaking and up-todate technology, and having one of the best health care andeducationsystem.

Most people are not aware that the United States is by far the world’s biggest producer of oil, having produced around 18 6 million barrels of oil on average per day in 2021. Saudi Arabia and Russia follow in second and third place, having produced around 11 and 10.9 million barrels of oil per day, respectively Canada is the world’s fourth largest oil producer with 6 million barrelsofoilperday

Since becoming President in August 2020, His Excellency Dr Ali has initiated several policies such as food security, fair trade,renewableenergy,and climate change among others to boost Guyana’s image in the Caribbean and theworld.

Few can dispute the fact that President Dr Ali has placed Guyana in a good place locally and internationally So why would anyone attempt to disrupt the progress that the countryhasmadesofar Itis in this vein that everyone in society must condemn the call for violence against the government by a political activist and senior member of the opposition Working People’s Alliance (WPA) All Guyanese should be

deeply disturbed and horrified by such awful and despicable comments which are nothing short of instigating or promoting politicalviolence.

ItistruethatGuyanahas hadalonghistoryofpolitical violence, racial division and discrimination that dates back the 1960s and beyond, but today Guyana has emerged as a peace-loving nationsowhywouldanyone try to incite violence and racial hatred at a time when the country is on pace to m o v e f r o m i t s underdeveloped status to become a developing or developednation.

While Guyana is awash with oil and the economy is booming, we cannot afford to forget or attempt to bury the race issue under the carpet or ignore it hoping thatitwilldisappear

The toxic statement issued by the WPA political activist who had fought viciouslytocombatpolitical victimization and injustice against the members of the WPAin an earlier period, is unwarranted and uncalled for at a time when the country is progressing at a pace never experienced before.

And, quite rightly, the vitriol has attracted a national outcry and a maelstrom of condemnation from all and sundry However, the lingering question remains as to why someone of the ilk of the WPApoliticalactivistwould advocate an armed uprising against the government that was duly elected by the people?

Whywouldheissuesuch reckless and dangerous remarks? Is he trying to

incite violence in the country, or is he seeking to remain relevant in society? Orisheinsinuatingthatthere isadarkanddevioussidein Guyana that most are not aware of? Whatever is his reason, it is our civic responsibility not to ignore him or exclude or ostracize him from discourse but to engage him and others in a dialogue.

Further, to ignore him would leave us in a worse place which could deepen the racial divide and lead us to the inevitable. Truth be told,itwilldousnogoodto hype what was said but to h a v e a t h o r o u g h investigation to determine if there are festering problems that are affecting some in society

While we believe that there are no winners in this epic, we are hoping that President Dr Ali’s vision of “One Guyana” will be the focus for discourse on this andotherthrobbingissuesin society that some find uncomfortable to address. That said, credit and admiration must be bestowed on both President Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips for their fervent and vigorous condemnation of such appalling and outrageousstatementbyMr Tacuma Ogunseye and to reiterate their commitment togoodgovernance,whichis a key pillar of democracy, unite the races, enhance the development of the country and make Guyana a worthy country to live and raise a family May God bless our beloved and beautiful Guyana.

Sincerely,

Dr.AsquithRose

Areckless call to overthrow the duly elected PPP/C government

DEAREDITOR,

Following the five months of attempted electoral fraud between March and July 2020, and intense but flimsy judicial litigation, the PNCR led government failed in a most heinous attempt to usurp power

Nowpartofthecabalthat misused the public funds in its sojourn for five years as Guyana’s government has resumed its thirst for power In the WPA’s (a party of dubious membership and

policies) recent public meeting at Buxton, the narrativeadoptedbysomeof its long-standing members like David Hinds and TacumaOgunseyeisacallto uproot the democratically elected PPP/C government by the armed services through violence. As we all heard, the call to arms a few daysagowasspearheadedby no other that Mr Tacuma Ogunseye, whose real name isColinYoungandwhoonce labeled the five criminals in the notorious 2001 jailbreak

asfreedomfighters.

Further, he embellished the murderous East Coast carnage (2001-2005), the nucleus of which originated in Buxton) as an African Liberation Movement! For someone who spent four years in jail under the PNC regime to do a back somersault implies a confusedmindset.In1993,I waswithMr Ogunseyeona panel at the US Embassy to discuss the progress and policies of the PPP/C government with former

radioandTVbroadcasterKit Nascimento who made the leadpresentation.

Mr Ogunseye’s contribution was as bizarre and ludicrous as his most recentcalltouseviolenceto remove the PPP/C governmentfrompower

Theexampleofhistoryis replete with failed coups because for coups to succeed, the people in the country where it takes place must support the new leaders.However,inalmost

(Continuedonpage5)

Whatever happened to President Ali’s “One Guyana Commission”?

DEAREDITOR,

During his Inaugural Address at the Ceremonial Opening of the Twelfth Parliamenton11thFebruary, 2021, amid much fanfare, PresidentAli announced the establishment of a One Guyana Commission He said:

“I propose to give meaningtomycallfor“One Guyana”byrequestingthe Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly,PrimeMinister, B r i g a d i e r , t h e Honourable Mark Phillips, tointroduce,foradoption,an Act of Parliament establishing a “One Guyana Commission” which he will head.

As the greatWest Indian philosopher, C.L.R. James, putsit:“Anationis built not on abstraction, but on tackling and solving the problems which occupy itspeople.”

The purpose of the Commissionwouldbetotry

todojustthatinrelationto thepracticalstepswecan take to cement our one society,encompassingand respecting the diversity from which our “oneness” springs.

The work of the Commission would be countrywide, and it would listento thefreeexpressionsofall voices, concerning ways in which every Guyanese can honour their ancestral heritage while giving the highestregard toourblendedGuyanese civilization.

Among the matters which it would address include education concerning our history; our religions; how we ensure equal opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship, and the institutional strengthening of the existing Ethnic Relations Commission to

makeitmoreeffective.Inall this, we must be guided by the wisdom of Nelson Mandelathat:“Nooneis born hating another person because of the colour ofhisskin,orhis background, or his religion. People must learn tohate,andiftheycanlearn to hate, they can be taughttolove,forlovecomes morenaturallytothe human heart than its opposite”.

Two years later and it appearsthattheCommission has suffered the fate of a stillborn. There is no doubt thattheideawas,andstillisa good one Such a Commission has the potential to serve as a catalyst for national healing and reconciliation, something that is badly needed if we are truly to become one people, in one nation, sharing one destiny Itcouldprovideasafespace forGuyanesefromallwalks

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What’s the use of these Consumer Protection presences?

DEAREDITOR,

I must say I am very surprised to come across a news item about ‘The CompetitionCommissionof Guyana’thatwasestablished under the Competition and Fair Trading Act (CFTA) of 2006.As a result of that, the ConsumerAffairsActcomes into existence and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission was formed

From what I gather, the body’s main purpose is to assist consumers in making proper purchase and investigation complaints for asolution.

Interestingly, I’ve been writing of consumer’s plightsforquiteanumberof years and never heard of them. I decided to check their website and to my dismay, they have a website

and it’s not complete, with only four posts. Clicking on oneofthepoststoreadmore, a page pops up, informing you that the site is undergoing work. For such an important organization that is in existence since 2006, and with only four posts that are not fully accessible, and reading that they’ve only deal with roughly 120 complaints made me come to question their existence, who’s funding them and if it’s feasibletocontinue.

Editor, consumers continue to be tormented daily with expired products, wrong weights, overpriced, inferior products etc., and despite various complaints via the media, I’ve never heard of the CCAC’S existence, and whilst there areotherbodieswithsimilar responsibilities, they only appearconveniently WhatI

noticewiththeCCACisthat theirfocusseemstobemore on the purchase of vehicles. Because of me interacting around,Iknowforafactthat even though government passes an order to remove inferior electrical products from the shelves, they are still available, especially in the Chinese stores. Construction and electrical materialsforhousesincrease tremendously and no valid reason was given for such act, but the bodies remain silent.

There are many contractors going around, doing shoddy work and no system is in place to get compensation for the owners. So, is it feasible for these bodies to be in existence when they not performing their duties they aresupposedto?

Yoursfaithfully, SahadeoBates

Areckless call to overthrow...

DEAREDITOR, I would love to read letters from a wider crosssection of the Guyanese population. I would love to read letters from farmers, school teachers, field and factory workers, carpenters, civil servants, housewives, taxi drivers, soldiers, small business owners, sellers of farm produce, construction workersetc.

Theseletterswillbefrom people who know and feel theburningissuesoftheday more than any political commentator or analyst can ever know and feel. These letters will not discuss subjects and ideas that fly above our heads like screamingjets.Theywillnot dealwiththeboringstuffwe have heard ten thousand times.

They will be clear, concise, and precise to the point.Therewillnotbethose big, fancy words, and that

stiltedaloofnessinlanguage, form, and style that is an immediate turn-off. These letters will be fresh, meaningful and memorable, relevantandrealistic.

There is such an inflated style in the usual letter writers of the day They almost instinctively go for the long words, dead metaphors, abstruse, exhausted expressions and phrases that have long lost anymeaning.

It baffles me as to why theseletterwritersdonotget thepointthataletterwhichis clear and very simple can also be intellectually stimulating.

Butaletteroranywriting is more than just words on paper They reflect, in a very direct way, the richness or meannessofmind,heartand spirit. A letter may seem an inconsequential thing, but it canhavearealimpactonthe

impressionable minds of the young.Anyletter,writingor speech that incites hatred, violence, and racial animosity must be immediately and condignly condemned.Butthere’retoo many endless tit-for-tat exchanges.

When dust is all around, some end up in the eyes of every bystander Sometimes the best response to an outlandish statement is a resoundingsilence!

And why should the people of Guyana have to know of every wind that blows in Richmond Hill, New York? Why the rehashing of the same messages, themes, and ideas?Itseemsasifsomeone isjusttweakingafilethathas beensavedthirtyyearsago.

Where are the fresh images and creative expressions that are so vital in discussing our rich heritage, festivals, and

cultural diversity? That whichissodeartousshould not be presented in such a shallowandcavaliermanner

It’s time that we have letters from a much, much wider cross-section of the population. Sometimes the moment calls for some roaring, hollering and thundering, but we should not be constantly reminded ofgrievancesofthepast,lest wefailtograspthepresent.

Andweneedwriterswho canlendalittlebrightnessto adrearydayandmakeusfeel thatlifeisfuntooandthatwe havearighttosmileandtake in that sweet aroma of black cake and gingerbread in the oven.

Respectfully,

Haimnauth Cecil Ramkirath

Editor’sNote:

Wemakeitapracticeto publish letters received, barring the malicious, libelous,andrepetitive.

Frompage4 all the countries, the new regime served as a mere replica of its predecessor, thus precipitating protracted civilwars.

If democracy was the driving force of these WPA point-men, then their energies should have been directed at the brutal PNC dictatorshipthatravagedand impoverishedGuyanafor28 years.

On the issue of kith and kin, it is relevant to indicate that Afro-Guyanese, along with their Indo-Guyanese brethren, are enjoying the greatest period in Guyana’s economic development.

Today Guyana’s per capita income is much higher than when the previous government departed office.

Manyareoftheopinionthat areturnofthePNCtopower will not only fail to manage the economy, but will also provide poor and lackluster governance that could lead to chaos and ruin the gains accumulatedintheirabsence frompower

Inconclusion,thosewho are inciting others to use arms to topple the g o v e r n m e n t h a v e misdirected their energy in thewrongplace.

Noonewillbenefitfrom suchreckless,offensive,and insensible statement. It is relevant to quote the old Swahili proverb: When elephants fight, it is the grassthatgetstrampled.

Sincerely,

Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine

More from regular walks of life should be heard in the letter columns

China on the move, seizing the moment for peaceful resolution in Ukraine

DEAREDITOR,

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to meet withhisRussiancounterpart in a week’s time. The visit will no doubt examine ways of finding a way out of the current war in Ukraine which has already gone past afullyear

China has already put forward a 12-point peace proposal which, among other things, calls for a peaceful resolution to the war, respect for sovereignty and the non-use of nuclear

weapons.

The proposal seems to have evoked a positive responsefromtheUkrainian President Vladomir Zelensky who indicated an interest in meeting with the ChinesePresident.

It is interesting to see how the discussions will playout,butonehopesthatit could lay the basis for a resolution to the conflict whichhastakenasignificant toll not only on the Ukrainian people and its economy but the world as a

Is that abomination, the “Guyana Bench still at Sir Grantley Adams International Airport?”

whole. As I have written in several previous letters, the war cannot be won on the battlefield and requires a diplomatic and negotiated solution.

Credit must be given to the Chinese government for putting something on the table. It may not be exactly what both sides are looking for, but it could certainly provide some food for thought to all the parties involved.

Yourstruly, HydarAlly

Whatever happened to President...

Frompage5 oflifetoexpresstheirhopes,fears,angerand insecurities, and act as a release valve to the seething tension that is palpable across this nation The alacrity with which the Governmenthasmovedtospendhundredsof millionsoftaxpayerdollarsonCommissions ofInquiryandothertriumphalistendeavours,

suggeststhattheirfocusisondominationand control. It suggests that talk of healing and reconciliationofthisnationisjustlipservice. Ifheisseriousaboutbuildingnationalunity, IrfaanAli needs to put the money where his mouthis.

Sincerely, Hon.Amanza-WaltonDesir,M.P.

DEAREDTIOR, These days I can’t ignore the omnipresent headlines about the “Bilateral Cooperation” between Guyana and Barbados.Notlong ago(pre oilGuyana), Ihad tositon “the Guyana Bench” on a vacation to Barbados,albeit a naturalized American citizen because I was told my US passport noted my country of birth as being Guyana. Notwithstanding, I wasbeing charged $4USD for 3 slices of toast bread that wasuntil I announced

I was born in Guyana resulting in a price change for members of the Caricom,which Icould pay in Eastern Caribbean dollarsorexchangemycash for ECdollars.

Now that Guyana is oil rich and its GDP per capita has exponentially increased from2009,andthetrajectory isexpectedto continue for at least thenext quarter of a century, I would like to think there should be media coverage of the dismantling ofthe “Guyana Bench” moreover, there

should be repatriation for being taken asa potential “ indentured/migrant” labour atthe time

For those folks who are not aware, my paternal greatgrandparentsMarie St. John and Joe Schwiers were true Bajans from Bath, Barbados, so no hidden agenda here...Ijustwant to know if that bloody bench is still there! If it is still there,weshouldrelocateitto the back of the Botanical Gardens...!

Sincerely,

KeithBernard

Misleading headlines

DEAREDITOR, Some recent news headlines have caught my attention: “two thousand dollars bail for verbally abusing a policewoman” (INewsMarch16);“duogets fifteen thousand dollars bail for assault on teacher” (KN March 17); “Ministry of Home Affairs explains new fire service HQ has to be inspected for defects, hence it was not completed ahead of schedule.” In fact, one headline declared the Ministry as saying the

building was behind schedule(SNMarch16).

Now the Ministry of Education is refuting claims of that four million dollars ‘gift’ from the oil company to help rebuild the burnt-out secondaryschool(SNMarch 17).

With regard to the bail matters, I find the sums imposedpaltry,whichinmy humble view, do not fit the alleged crimes and can be viewed as being tantamount to adding insult to injury The misleading headlines

concerningtheministriesare worrying and one has to wonder whatever happened to investigative journalism to ascertain the accuracy or inaccuracy of facts as o p p o s e d t o p u r e sensationalism One is reminded about that misleading news item some monthsagobyanoutletand the ensuing chaos and mayhem which took place ontheEastCoastcorridoras arelevantcaseinpoint. Yoursfaithfully, ShamshunMohamed

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JAGDEO AND EXXON’S GOODWILL

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Anytime anyone find a good bone in Exxon’s body, let us know.

But Jagdeo believes in Exxon’s goodwill, he must have had a good dream.

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What good could Exxon have done for Jagdeo to bring him to this point?

For Jagdeo to think of goodwill from Exxon means that Darren Woods is now his god.

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What is good for Jagdeo is bad for Guyana -every time!

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Goodwill from Exxon is like goodwill from the Klu Klux Klan.

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Keep focused on renegotiating lopsided Stabroek Block deal -AFCurges

...as Govt. releases new model agreements

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has renewed its call for Guyanese to remain focused on the renegotiation of the Stabroek Block P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement(PSA)ratherthan be distracted by the new model contracts released by the government to govern future shallow and deep wateroilblocks.

Executive member of the Oppositionparty,Dr Vincent Adams in responding to a q u e s t i o n f r o m t h i s publication during a press

conference yesterday said, “I have always said that that's the biggest distraction there is. It's a distraction from the issue at hand which is renegotiating the Exxon (contract) which is (for) the StabroekBlock.”

H e i n s i s t e d t h a t Guyanese should not shift their focus from the prolific oil block where so far more than 11 billion barrels of oil hasbeendiscovered.

Dr Adams said, “What should have been done is to treat all (oil blocks) equally You cannot give Exxon the

hog because that's what's happened, they have 11 billion barrels that they already sealed up, who knows how many barrels are left in those reservoirs so they are big, fat and happy already.”

Given this position, the AFC said Exxon may very well not bother to participate in the auction of the 14 available oil blocks, especially since it will cost themmore.

The former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also reasoned

that the heavier expectations may discourage local investors from participating as they may not be able to afford the government's expectations.

In the meantime, Dr Adams said Guyanese should be calling for ExxonMobil to be subjected to the same terms of the new agreements.

“Everybody should be treated equally Exxon should not get preference over anybody, especially new investors. We should shift...if we are now thinking

that this is the best thing, or the best deal, this new arrangement then why wouldn't it be the best deal for the government with the StabroekBlockthathasmost oftheoilanyway?

I think it's very fair,” he explained.

On the other hand, Chairperson of the AFC, Catherine Hughes said the government has displayed an attitudeofbeinguninterested “in listening or incorporating any knowledge, any recommendations (and) any additional expertise However, she said from the AFC's side, the party will continue to voice its concern inanefforttoplugtheissues.

O n M o n d a y, t h e government released two draft PSAs for the oil blocks on auction. It has however made it clear that the Stabroek Block will remain

subjected to the lopsided terms of the 2016 oil contract.

Notably, the 14 blocks on auction range from about 1000 square kilometres to 3000 square kilometres, with the majority of them being close to 2000 square kilometres. Meanwhile, the Stabroek Block covers approximately26,800square kilometres.

ThenewPSAfeaturea10 percent royalty rate (up from the existing two percent); a 10 percent corporation tax and a number of other improved provisions for monitoring of the sector It also caps the recovery of expenses at 65 percent of earningsannually.

Presently, the Stabroek Block operator is allowed to deduct 75 percent of costs from Guyana's earnings upfronttocoveritsexpenses.

WHAT IS THE NEWS?

What is the news? How does a journalist decide whether an item or occurrenceisnewsworthy?

In a small society like Guyana, it is not unusual to find very trivial and often mundane items making the news. Smallness in size can translate to smallness in outlook. But not everything that is not earth-shaking is unworthy of being newsworthy

Considerthefollowing:

“Yesterdaywasjoyousin the Ramsmith household. A newmemberwaswelcomed into their ranks.Abouncing bay boy was born to Mrs. Ramsmith at 2 am at the Georgetown Public Hospital The child, the fourth in the family was immediately named Lucky ThefatherMr Ramsmithisa tailor and his wife is a housewife.”

Nowconsiderthisstory:

“The anticipation is over! It is a boy! The President of Timbuktu was yesterdaytheproudfatherof a bouncing baby boy. The child, the first for the First Family, was delivered at 2:00amyesterday

An official release from the Office of the President saidthatthemotherisdoing just fine and in high spirits. The child has been named

Prince.”

Now which one of these births do you think is newsworthy? Obviously it will be the birth of the child of the public figure. The birth will be a matter of public importance quite unlikethebirthofthetailor’s son which will be treated as simply a private matter not serious enough to warrant beingofpublicinterest.

Importance plays an important role in determining whether a matterisnewsworthyorwill be carried as a news item. Since not all matters of public interest can be accommodated, some items willreceivegreaterattention and thus coverage while otherswillnot.

Criminaloffencesareby their very nature– being an offence against both the person and the community matters of public interest. However, not all crimes are reported even though all of them may be of public interest.

Similarly, most civil matterswill not be of public concern. But certain civil matters by virtue of their significancewillbereported onwhilemostotherswillnot featureinthemedia.

The scale of an event is alsosignificant.Thestoryof

Dem Boys Seh...

a Minister handing over a fewplasticbarrelsandsome seedsmayhavesomepublic interest element, but an editor that is pressed for spacecanlegitimatelyrefuse toaccommodatesuchastory because it is not as if an entire community is being rescuedbyareliefpackage.

Similarly, a Minister paying a field visit during which nothing of real significance happens other than his presence would neverout-challengeanother story about an accident on thestreets.

If any Minister wants to go and take out a picture of him or her watching a rice field, that minister is free to do so and to place that picture in his or her professional album rather than expecting the press to carry it as a newsworthy item.

In Guyana, we have a situationwherewhencertain companieshaveapromotion this becomes a major news storyinitself.

One can understand if a major prize is at stake that the newspapers would want to keep their readers abreast of who is the winner But in some instances, you find small promotions being givenpublicity

On the other hand, if

Sometimes, the world works in mysterious ways

De world is a strange place. Just when you think dat things are going fine, de unexpectedhappens.

You would go out one morning and de sunwillbeinallitsglory Dendenextthing you know is dat it begins to rain...Or you decidedatafteralongtime,youaregoingto seeasportingevent.

Guess what? It is rained out…Or you decide to visit a friend. But along the way, your car suffers a punctured tire.Thereare some situations which you simply cannot change…Or sometimes, you are down on your luck. And den suddenly good luck landsinyourlap.

Duh is de way of the world, dat is why life is so unpredictable. So as one man

would say, if you are having a bad day, forgetit.Youmayenduptryingtomakeita better day but it is just one of those days when things will get from bad to worse. Forget it, go to sleep and wake up to face another day Don’t try to change a bad day into a good day You may only make it worse!

And making its worse is not going to make you feel any better So the better optionistosleepawayyourillluckandstart afreshanotherday

But dere are some people who all they bringyouisbadluck,dayin,dayout.Dese are people, no matter how close you are to dem,datyouhavetokeepawayfrom. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

someone wins a school raffle,youdonotexpectthis to be a news item, except if the newspaper involved in providing a community service to the organisation thatranofftheraffle.

InGuyana,also,wehave a most interesting phenomenon In colonial Guyana, persons aspiring to high office would usually have to be known public figures before they are selectedtoholdsuchoffices.

Thus, you would have found that well-known persons who would have no needtoplacetheirpicturesin

the papers everyday so as to becomeknowntocitizens.

In Guyana, we have a situation where a number of unknown personalities are suddenly catapulted to public office and some of theseindividualsbelievethat themoretheirpicturesarein the papers, the better they will be seen as doing something.

Well not every photo opportunist or publicity seeker is newsworthy

Today, the media is being unduly summoned to all manner of unnecessary briefings and turning of the

sodsevents.

These things are often public relations and selfpromotion exercises which themediashouldnotrushto givepublicitytowards.

(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.)

Finance Minister calls on Islamic Council to lobby for climate, food security, energy transition financing

During his address at the 49th Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation – Guyana's Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, called on the Islamic Council to lobby the global community to mobilise financing that will be used towards climate and food security as well and bolster theenergytransition.

Dr Singh is Guyana's lone representative at the 49th Session of the Islamic Council which is being held inNouakchott,Mauritania.

“I wish to highlight three dimensions of resilience which are particularly important to us in Guyana: climate security, food

security, and energy security,” Minister Singh said.

He stated that the climate crisis represents an existentialthreattotheplanet and that it requires a collectiveglobaleffort.

“…Guyana calls on the global community to recognize that there is no solution to the climate crisis without forests, and that concerted action on forests is needed given the role of forests not only in the fight against climate change but a l s o i n p r o t e c t i n g biodiversity and in combating desertification

Guyana also remains firmly in solidarity with all vulnerable countries in the

struggle for improved access to financing for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage,”Dr Singhsaid.

Secondly, Minister Singh spoke about food security

He stated that the ongoing onslaught of climate change along with COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine combined to reverse many of the gains that were made as a global community in improving foodsecurity

“In Guyana, under the leadership of His Excellency President Ali, we have spearheaded the preparation of a strategy for the Caribbean Region to address food security This strategy aims at increasing food production and productivity,

ramping up agro-processing and value-added production, and promoting agri-business and intra-regional trade in

food products, ” the Guyaneseministersaid.

During his speech, Dr Singh urged the Council to callontheglobalcommunity to leverage financial resources both public and private to increase food production, deploy science and technology to raise productivity, and remove barriers to regional and globaltradeinfoodproducts.

Thirdly, he said that e n e r g y s e c u r i t y i s inextricably linked to both of the former two issues. Dr Singh noted that adequate and competitively priced energy is critical for the viability of value-added production. To this end, he

added that the transition to cleaner sources of energy is also critical in the fight against climate change, saying too that ramping up energy production and transitioning to cleaner energy require significant financial investment by both the public and private sectors.

He continued, “We urge this Council to call on the global community to recognize the crippling energy deficit in so many of ourcountriesandtomobilize financial resources to help address this deficit while at the same time support the transition to cleaner sources ofenergy.”

Civil society member tells Dr. Sharma...

from page 2 process,” the activist explained.

She was keen to note too that the only publicly available document the EPA has referred to in its Public Notice of the waiver of the EIAforthepowerplantisthe E I A c o n d u c t e d b y ExxonMobil for the pipeline and Natural Gas Liquids facility aspect of the Gas-toEnergyproject.

Radzik reasoned, “You must be aware that the EPA can only rely on material at the hearing that was available at the time that it made the decision to waive the EIA for the power plant. You should also be aware thatappellantsareentitledto acopyofthismaterial.”

The activist said she participatedinthehearingof the waiver of the EIAfor the new Demerara River Bridge where it was evident that the EAB allowed the EPA to present material on stakeholder engagement which the agency failed to prove existed before it made thedecisiontowaivetheEIA

for the bridge, despite requests to the EAB which wasgrosslyunfair “I believe that appellants are entitled to all and any material that the EPAwill be relying on at the hearing to support its decision, and that these in fact ought to have been properly referenced in the legal public notice,” she pointedout.

Radzik said considering t h e s e c o n c e r n s , “ I respectfully request that you step down and resign your post at the EAB due to conflict of interest and put my request on record for the new EAB to take immediate action to address the issues raised to ensure that the appealshearingisconducted in a fair, transparent, and unbiasedmanner.”

She clarified that EAB should provide clear guidelines and procedures for the hearing, allow for the use of the Zoom platform, and provide all relevant materialswhichtheEPAwill be referring to in a timely manner in advance of the hearing.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

Incestuous political relationships

Fromregularlife,Iknow that because of the stigmas, smears, and scorns attached to incestuous relationships, every effort is made by perpetrators to keep them secret, hidden behind high walls, under thick covers. F o r b i d d e n s e x u a l relationships, tempting money that corrupts, putting up one's soul for cheap sale, then subject mind and entire body to those who whip and beat and bend into shape. Cumulatively, these capture the essences of incestuous relationships, which we learn about from real life, be it at the individual level or thatofgovernance.

I invite my fellow citizens to study what is before them. I encourage them to take a slow, careful look at our politicians, especially those in the PPP Government, and determine for themselves if those in front do not possess deep, darksecrets.

Their conspiratorial secrets are so dark that they have a sheen about them that glows and reveals so much

about the dirty relationships that they have cultivated to theshame,horror,andlossof Guyanese Relationships with locals who do lots of dirty work for them; relationships with foreigners thatcompelthoseontophere to do what deceives and cheats the people of this country, impoverish them further

I urge Guyanese to do a simple study of the PPP Government, and what is observed over and over is its camouflages Incestuous relations force people to engage in cover-up actions, so that the evidence of their handiworks, the horrors of them, does not track back to them. Regardless of their efforts, and those who collaborate with them, incestuous relationships are eventually exposed to full publicglare.

Years may elapse because those involved in incest are powerful; have great influence, command abundant fear. But at the right time, bright, cleansing light exposes those who are

wrapped up in incestuous relationships, with their nakedness laid bare. These harrowing relationships can be those in families, in communities, or in business. And, most worryingly, at the l e v e l o f n a t i o n a l government, which touches themostvictims.

Guyanese live with a government, with a group of politiciansofdifferentranks, of different affiliations and persuasions that is up to its neck in incestuous relationships with foreign companies. We have a PPP Government that runs rackets for Exxon, hides the naked gouging; ripping off record of what it calls the A m e r i c a n c o m p a n y juggernaut In turn, juggernaut Exxon does its part on behalf of its c o l l a b o r a t i n g P P P Government partners, where such counts. In Kingston, in Washington. In American and European investor communities. Come to Guyana: the PPP is good for business, as turns a blind eye to any predatory corporate

misconduct. As long as the government's people get theirsliceofflesh.

Today, Exxon doesn't even bother to defend any of its actions publicly Like incestuous partners, Exxon hides behind closed doors, and leaves the dirty job of defending or denying the conspicuous, suspicious incestuous relationship before Guyanese to the PPP Government Lies fuel deceptions, and add to the pileoffalsehoods. Intypical fashion, scorn and abuse are heaped upon those asking questions about what is goingon.

W h y i s t h e P P P Government so cozy and with Exxon? How can the PPP Government be so comfortable with and so clinging to Exxon when Guyanese are being savaged and swindled? Large sections of the Guyanese family are suffering from humiliating hunger, from being the owners of great wealth but are emptyhanded.

How can it be so that

t h e i r o w n brothers in the PPP Government sell them into poverty, cheat them of their patrimony, for few cheap, dirty dollars?Whyisitthatno project can be held back, no proper audit authorized and c o m p l e t e d , a n d n o concessions can be wrung from Exxon, other than the paltry, when all this new wealthisfound?

What can be the nature

o f t h i s i n c e s t u o u s relationship between the people in the government that binds all the Guyanese people to this bitter hostage situation? Who is sleeping with whom, and who in Guyana are turning away theireyesandpretendingnot to know, to be lacking the commonsense, and the courage?

W h a t t h e P P P Government is doing picks up from where the APNU+AFC Coalition left this country with this devastating oil contract it denounced. We cannot hold

our heads high with the shame that has been perpetuated by both governments, despite being the richest people per head on earth. In classic incest fashion, the government lashes out at its accusers, tries to grind them to dust. The PPPC Government pretends at anger, becomes more stubbornly resistant, when cornered with pressures from more circles torollbackthesheets,sothat its sleeping partner can be identified. It is Exxon, and this is what confirms the shame, disgrace, and devastation with which Guyanese are now forced to live. Political incest fosters silence;thePPPGovernment conspires with Exxon to mess with the personal honour, dignity, and clean futureofeveryGuyanese.

Cosmetics vendor fed-up of De Kinderen home being repeatedly burglarised …says thieves caused his girlfriend to leave him

By Shervin Belgrave

A De Kinderen, West CoastDemerara(WCD)man is weary of his home being repeatedly burglarised. The man who describes himself as a 'Walk and Sell vendor' saidhesellsseveralproducts. The vendor, 36-year-old Sceon Goodridge told Kaieteur News that he is “fed-up” of persons breaking intohishomeandstealinghis personal belongings He explained that he has been facedwiththisproblemsince lastyear

Goodridge said that his home was last burglarised just before December 2022 causing him to have a “bad Christmas”. The frustrated man told this newspaper that while the last incident was just before December last

year, he is seeing signs of persons trying to enter his property when he is out working.

The De Kindren resident said he leaves home early with a haversack filled with his colognes and perfumes, and cosmetics and when he returns, he would find his front door wrenched open and some of the products he sellsaswellasclothesstolen.

“Since this thing start, them steal over a 100 perfume from me and I does sell them… some for $3000 and$5000,”Goodridgesaid.

The man says he has reasonable suspicion as to who may be stealing from him since he has seen a few persons wearing his clothes inthevillagewherehelives.

Goodridge disclosed that hehasreportedtheburglaries

Body of unidentified woman washes up at Leguan beach

The body of the woman who is yet to be identified.

to the Vreed-en-Hoop, Leonora and Parika Police Stations. He believes that the detectives have been doing their best to help him and have identified some of the suspectslivinginthevillage.

“Every time the police come fuh arrest them, they would always run away,” Goodridgerelated.

The burglars would stop for a while and then attack again until there is police presenceinthearea.

Themansaidhehadeven tried many tricks to catch the thievesbutwasunsuccessful.

Goodridge said he would lay still in the dark at his home in the evenings so that

they would believe that he was not home. He said that the thieves had fallen for the bait and when he heard sounds of them trying to enter his home, he would run outtoconfrontthem,butthey would always escape in the dark.

Goodridge said that the thieves have not only stolen his merchandise and clothes but have driven his girlfriend awayfromhim.

“Themevenmekmawife [girlfriend] move out, she used to live by me but she scared that it could escalate and them could harm we,”

Goodridge told Kaieteur News

A frustrated Sceon Goodridge, sharing his story with Kaieteur News on Thursday.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is currently seeking the public's assistance in identifying a woman whose body was found at a beach on the island of Leguan on Friday

The police revealed that aroundataround07:12hrson Friday, an unknown person called and reported that they sawwhatappearstobeabody at the Uniform Beach located atLeguanIsland.

After receiving the call, ranks went to the area and on arrival, the woman's body was seen motionless, facing upwards, washed up on the beach According to the police, the body was clad in a black brassiere, with what appeared to be a silver

wedding ring on the finger and a silver chain around the neck.

The woman's body was removed and transported to theParikaStellinginaprivate boat. Police said on arrival at the Stelling, the body was checked for marks of violence, and there were black and blue marks between the legs and on the sideofherbody

The body was then taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where a doctor officially pronounced the woman dead. The body is presently at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, awaiting a Post Mortem Examination to determinethecauseofdeath. An investigationhasbeen launched.

Teacher walks free, after repaying money she stole from ex-boyfriend

Twenty-three-yearold Nickacia Sobers, a teacher of Soesdyke, East Bank

Demerara(EBD),wasspared j a i l t i m e a f t e r s h e successfullyrepaid$467,000 she stole from her ex-

boyfriend to pay off personal debts.

Sobers made her first court appearance on

We d n e s d a y a t t h e Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief MagistrateAnnMcLennan.

The woman pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on December 20, 2022, at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, she stole $467,000 from Richard Braithwaite.

Following the woman's guilty plea and explanation, the Chief Magistrate McLennan had given Sobers up to Friday to repay the money she had stolen or in default, she would have been sentenced.

Kaieteur News had reported that Sobers exboyfriendownsashoestallat Avenue of the Republic and RobbStreet.

The court heard that on the day in question, he secured the cash in a box and placed it in his car that was parkedcloseby Soberswasa frequent visitor at his stall and had visited him that day, a short while after he had secured his money He had alleged that she spent some timeinhiscaralonebeforehe dropped her off at the TimehriBusPark.

Upon his return to his stall, he checked for the money and it was missing. The ex-boyfriend reported the matter to police and Sobers was later arrested.

She admitted to stealing the moneyfromhim. According to her, she had some outstanding debts to pay off and when she entered the back seat of his car, she saw the money and decided totakeit.Sobersclaimedthat shetoldherex-boyfriendthat

she had $200,000 at home and would pay him back the money in parts but he did not agree. The man confirmed that Sobers did offer to pay back themoneybutwhenhecalled for the payments, she never answeredherphone.

Spared jail time: Nickacia Sobers

Bandits chop, rob fish vendor at Goed Fortuin

By Shervin Belgrave

Two bandits on Thursday brutally chopped and robbed a 53-year-old fish vendor of $142,000 at Old Road, Squatting Area, Goed Fortuin, West BankDemerara(WBD).

The Fish Vendor identified as GhaneshBhagoooftold Kaieteur News that he was attacked around 03:15 hrs while walking out of Old Road. Bhagoo was at the time heading to the Goed Fortuin Public Road to catch a bus.

His plan was to arrive as early as he could to the Meadow Bank Fish Wharf in Georgetown to purchase the best catch of snapper and gilbaka with his $142,000 so that he could resell to his customersontheWestBank.

The bandits, however, ruined those plans and instead stole his money, chopped him and left him bleeding on the road until neighbours and his relativescametotherescue.

Bhagoo recalled that he was almost approaching the head of the road when he was attacked with a chop to his face by one of the bandits. Bhagoo said his attackerswereofAfricandescent.

“While walking out, I noticed a car coming behind and stop,” said Bhagoo as he related becoming suspicious at howtheslowthecarwasdrivingbefore

suddenly coming to a halt a fair distanceawayfromhim.

“As mea walk, meha turn and look back steady and then the last time meh turnaroundfuhlookbackisonechopto mehface,”recountedBhagoo.

Bhagoo had no clue how the men managedtosneakonhimsosilentlybut

he remembered putting up his hands to bar his face as the men continued to chop him with something that looked likealarge“blade”(knife).

As the men chopped him, Bhagoo recalled backpedalling to escape his attackers but ended up falling to the ground. The men then searched and relieved him of all the cash he was carrying.

Bhagoosaidthatastheywereabout to leave, one of the bandits whom he described as shorter than the other, turned back and chopped him some more.

“He chop me up on meh foot and meh hand,” Bhagoo told Kaieteur News The bandits, according to Bhagoo then ran away and escaped throughanearbyalley

While bleeding on the road, he began shouting for help and as he was doing so, he noticed the car turning around and driving off leaving him to believe that it was the bandit's transportation.

Residents living close to where Bhagoo was attacked heard his shout for help and when they recognised that it was him, they alerted his relatives who immediately rushed to the scene and took him to the West Demerara RegionalHospitalfortreatment.

Investigationsareongoing.

man missing since December

A 32-year-old Vigilance

South, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man has been reportedmissing.According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the man, Teejay Roxroy Prince was last seen at Friendship, ECD on

understands that since then Prince's relatives have been tryingtolocatehimbuttono

whereabouts of Prince is asked to contact the nearest police station or his family memberson(592)696-1912

Ganesh Bhagoo displays his wounds

Missing: Teejay Roxroy Prince

U.S. Congressman says Guyana's oil can lift its people out of poverty, produce cheaper energy to American families

United States of A m e r i c a Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Congressman Jason Smith, during an exclusiveinterviewwithFox News stated that Guyana's oil resources have the potential to lift its people out ofpovertyaswellasproduce cheaper energy to American families.

Smith is leading a group o f D e m o c r a t s a n d Republicans in Guyana, part of a three-country tour that also included stops in MexicoandEcuador

The members of the bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) are presently in Guyana to bolster their U.S relation. The delegation members are Congresswoman Terri

S e w e l l ( D - A L ) , Congresswoman Carol

M i l l e r ( R - W V ) , Congresswoman Michelle F i s c h b a c h ( R - M N ) , Congresswoman Beth Van

D u y n e ( R - T X ) , Congressman Mike Carey (R-OH), and Congressman KellyArmstrong(R-ND).

During his interview with Fox News, Smith said,

“We appreciate the productive conversation the delegation had with

President Dr Ali about theAmerican-Guyanesebilateral relationship Guyana's abundant energy resources have the potential to lift its people out of poverty, help power the world, and ensure more affordable energy for American families and job creators.”

Fox News reported that while the delegation is seeking to bolster U S relations with Guyana, they are also trying to keep China's encroaching influenceatbay

“ C h i n a a l s o i s participating in Guyana's oil production,”hesaid.

“America must be committed to outcompeting China around the world while strengthening key American supply chains, increasing U.S. production of affordable energy resources, and improving partnerships with allies in theWestern Hemisphere and beyond.”

S m i t h s a i d h i s congressional delegation helped present the U.S. as a “much-needed alternative” toChina.

“Our delegation's meetings have shown how U.S. bilateral relationshipsin the region benefit American workers and provide a much-needed alternative to countries that might otherwise orient their economiestowardChina.

An energy boom in Guyana can help American workers while also benefiting the people of Guyana and their economy,” the Republican lawmaker said.

The U.S. Embassy in Guyana in a statement noted that the delegation will have discussions with Guyanese government officials, the Opposition to discuss issues related to governance, economic matters, and the importance of bipartisan cooperation It was also

stated that the delegation will meet with prominent business leaders from the United States and Guyana to learn firsthand about Guyana's exponential economicgrowth.

According to the Embassy, the House Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the United States Congress and is the chief tax-writing committee i n t h e H o u s e o f Representatives.

Since 1795, the committee has exercised jurisdiction over revenue and related issues such as tariffs, international trade policy, and the bonded debt oftheUnitedStates.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the U.S. delegation accompanied by United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, was treated to a State Luncheon hosted by President Irfaan Ali at State House,Georgetown.

During his brief address, PresidentAlispokeaboutthe importance of democracy, enhancing trade and ways of strengthening the overall

relationshipbetweenthetwo countries.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the President, President Ali informed the congressional delegation of developments in Guyana and reiterated his Government's commitment to a strong partnership with the United States in several areasincluding,energy,food security, climate change and nationalsecurity

The Chair commended thePresidentandGuyanafor the leadership shown in a numberofareasintheregion and pledged continued U.S. support and cooperation in several areas including s u p p o r t f o r t h e modernisation of the country's energy and physicalinfrastructure.

PrimeMinisterBrigadier (Ret'd), Mark Phillips; Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and other Cabinet members also attendedtheluncheon.

The U.S delegation

U. S Congressman Jason Smith

President Irfaan Ali (centre) with representatives of the House Committee on Ways and Means, headed by Congressman Jason Smith and, members of his government

CRÈME LIQUER, PLASTIC PRODUCTS 'MADE IN GUYANA' CERTIFIED

Three flavours of l o c a l l y manufactured Crème Liqueur and various plastic products were this week certified by the Guyana NationalBureauofStandards (GNBS) under its permit to use the 'Made in Guyana' StandardMarkProgramme.

T h e p r o d u c t s manufactured by Dixie's Punch De Crème and Plastific Inc. were certified on Monday, March 13, 2023, and Friday, March 17, 2023, respectively

The Permit to Use the 'Made in Guyana' Standard Mark was presented to

manufactures Capadulla, Coffee and Vanilla (original) flavoursofCrèmeLiqueur

Ms. Jordan said her ideas for the products birthed from her profession as a Bartender and Mixologist. She noted that the certification will add to the branding and marketing of the products which she intends to distribute more widely in Guyana in more varieties as theyaredeveloped.

“The certification will addvaluetoourproductsand more people would want to consume our products knowing we worked with the Bureau of Standards,” the

year after which it is renewed.

The GNBS Head of Certification congratulated Ms Jordan and her production team for the accomplishment and noted that the GNBS is looking to add more products from Dixie's Punch De Crème to theCertificationProgramme.

GNBS' Head of Certification Ms. Andrea Mendonca hands over the certificate to Asst. Manager of Plastific Inc. Mrs. Togeshwarie Ganesh. Also in photo are GNBS Head of Marketing Dept. Mr. Syeid Ibrahim (left) and Chief Executive Officer of Plastific Inc. Mr. Vivekanand Ganesh (right).

Proprietor of Dixie's Punch De Crème, Ms. Dixie Jordan by the GNBS Head of Certification Services, Ms. Andrea Mendonca at the Bureau'sHeadOffice,Sophia Exhibitionsite,Georgetown.

The beverage company, whichislocatedat86Watson Street,Friendship,EastCoast D e m e r a r a ( E C D ) ,

Proprietorproudlystated.

The 'Made in Guyana' StandardMarkisaregistered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on the local and international markets and is a signature of quality for authentic

Guyanese Products The certificate is valid for one

“We are very happy to hand over to you this certificate which permits you to use the Made in Guyana Standards Mark. We look forwardtoworkingwithyour business as it grows and expands,” the Head of Certification said in her brief remarks.

Executive Director of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Mr Nizam Hassan not only congratulated the company but stated that the certification programme offered by the GNBS is excellent in promoting local content.

Speeding motorcyclist dies after crashing into truck

A speeding motorcyclist died on Fridayafterovertakingacarandcrashing into a truck, along the Friendship Public Road,EastBankDemerara(EBD).

DeadisDanielMarshall,42,ofLot45 Albouystown,Georgetown.

According to a statement from the police, the motorcycle was proceeding northalongthewesternsideofFriendship Public Road at around 06:50hrs reportedlyatafastrateofspeed.

Police was informed that the motorcyclist attempted to overtake a silver-grey motorcar that was proceeding in the same direction. In so doing,

Marshall lost control of his motorcycle and collided with the right-side rear of motor lorry #GTT 345, which was proceeding south along theeasternsideoftheroad.

As a result of the collision, Marshall fell ontotheroadway,wherehereceivedinjuriesto his head and body An ambulance was summoned to the scene with a team of emergency medical technicians who pronouncedhimdead.

His body was then taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a postmortem examination. The lorry driver, a 40year-oldmanofTuschenisincustody,assisting withtheinvestigation.

Meanwhile, on Friday, March 17, Plastific Inc received its certificate at its #36 Village, Wellington Park, Corentyne, Berbice location The company opened for business in 2018 and manufactures disposable plastic containers while it distributes household items madeofplastic.

The certificate permits thecompanytousethe'Made inGuyana'StandardMarkon itsplasticcups,plasticplates, food boxes, bowls, plastic spoons, sporks, forks, and plasticpreform.

The certificate was presentedbytheGNBSHead of Certification, Ms. Andrea

Mendonca to Assistant Manager, Mrs. Togeshwarie Ganesh who noted that the Standards Mark will add to the marketability of her company's products locally andinternationally

The company's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Vivekanand Ganesh and Director, Mr Mohindra Persaud also attended the hand-over ceremony Mr Persaud pointed out that Plastific Inc. is the second company in the Nand PersaudGroupofCompanies to receive the 'Made in GuyanaStandardMark',with the Karibee Rice brand being thefirst.

Proprietor of Dixie's Punch De Creme, Ms. Dixie Jordan and her team poses with their products and certificate.

Mr Persaud added that the certification will definitely improve sales, and effortswillbemadetopursue the certification of products produced by the other ten companies.

T h e G N B S i s encouragingmorebusinesses to sign up to be a part of the Permit to Use the Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme to give their products that competitive advantage in the local and international markets Application forms can be a c c e s s e d a t https://gnbsgy org/certificati o n / m a d e - i n - g u y a n acertification/

Director General of the CDC, Col. Nazrul Hussain handing over fire boots to Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Gregory Wickham.

PAC and Iwokrama sign MOU to strengthen technical collaboration in management, biodiversity conservation and climate change

The Protected

A r e a s C o m m i s s i o n (PAC) and Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the form of a Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA).

In a statement to the media, the PAC said that the purpose of the TAA is to formalize and enhance technical cooperation between the PAC and Iwokrama, particularly to

strengthen collaboration in the field of technical assistance on protected area management, biodiversity conservation and climate change.

“Under this agreement, the PAC and Iwokrama will receive mutual support in several areas including r e s e a r c h , c a p a c i t y development, education and awareness, bio-inventories and fundraising. Iwokrama and PAC have had a longstanding relationship since the PAC's creation in 2011 as bothentitiesworkedtogether towards mutual conservation

goals of the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) of Guyana,” the statementsaid.

Further, the MOU formalizes that relationship so that both entities can continue to benefit and increase their opportunities t h r o u g h f o r m a l collaborations at the national and international levels Iwokrama Rainforest was created in 1996 under the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d DevelopmentActof1996.It

(Continued on page 19)

CDC donates supplies to the Guyana Fire Service

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Friday donated a quantity of response equipment to the GuyanaFireService(GFS).

Chief Fire Officer, Mr GregoryWickham,received theequipmentfromDirector General of the CDC, Col. (Ret'd) Nazrul Hussain at a simple handing over ceremony held at the Commission's Thomas

Col.(Ret'd)Hussainsaid that it is part of the Commission's effort to support the operational readinessoftheGuyanaFire Service (GFS); both in the areas of Fire Response and Rescue, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Response.

A quantity of face

masks, hand sanitizers, protectivefirefightingboots and a stretcher were among theitemsdonated.

Chief Fire Officer Wickham thanked the CDC for the supplies and said they will bolster the long and symbiotic relationship between GFS and CDC. (Modified from the Department of Public Information)

Representatives of Iwokrama and the Protected Areas Commission following the signing of the MOU

PAC and Iwokrama sign MOU to strengthen technical collaboration...

From page 18 was set up as a protected area to show how forests can be used for social and economic benefitssuchasfoodandmedicines,whileat thesametimebeingsustainablymanagedand protected Their programmes contribute significantly to conservation education,

awarenessandresearch.

Known by the Indigenous Machushi people as a “Place of Refuge”, the Iwokrama Rainforest is a gift to Guyana, the Commonwealth and the world, setting a national standard for sustainable forest practices.

Israeli's Non-ResidentAmbassador to Guyana pays courtesy call to GENEQUIP

Israeli's Non-Resident Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. ItaiBardov, paid a courtesy calltotheGeneralEquipment Guyana Ltd (GENEQUIP) office, Guyana's premier distributor of machinery for various industries in Guyana and the wider Caribbean on Thursday

Renger van Dijk, Managing Director of GENEQUIP, and After Sales Manager, Shard Shew gave H.E. ItaiBardov, a tour of the facility at its Plantation Houston office after which discussions were held on partnerships between Israel andGENEQUIP

van Dijk noted that GENEQUIP has been in existence for over three decades and has been the leading distributor of machinery and equipment in the agriculture, forestry, mining, construction, power generation, material handling, warehousing,

H.E. ItaiBardov tours GENEQUIP's facility

marine, offshore and transportation services. He said that the company is always looking for ways to make these industries more efficientwithfindingthebest of class machinery and equipment for the farmers, contractors, marine workers and transportation service providers.

M e a n w h i l e , H E

Ambassador ItaiBardov said that the GENEQUIPoffice is a state-of-the-art facility that is well-managed and that Israel's expertise in these industries can further develop and enhance the office and the industries it s

QUIP's expertise includes sales,

rentalsandaftersalesservice, but is mainly recognized for its personalized assistance to its customers' projects or businesses even in the most remoteareasinthecountry

The company also has an ongoing partnership with various technical institutions andamoderntrainingfacility foritstechniciansandstaff.

WANTED VACANCY

PORTERS WANTED FOR PVC CEILING. APPLY@ WHY PAY MORE TRADING, 7 PUBLIC RD HOUSTON E.B.D WITH APPLICATION.

Elderly bus Driver wanted for route 32 and 31. Call: 6781610.

Cook and Domestic needed. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Drivers/ Expediters needed. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Handyman and Porters needed. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Able-bodied Porters needed, $30,000 Weekly Mon-Sat. Call: 223-9677.

One Plumber needed. Call: 615-9132.

Skilled Carpenters, Masons and Labourers needed. Call: 602-9469, 660-6385 or 6257642.

Inventory Clerk needed to work in fish plant facility. Call:223-7165 /625-2573.

Truck Driver needed. Call: 663-3866.

One Chef needed to cook for family, must be able to cook various dishes, work hours: 6am-2pm Mon-Fri & 8am-2pm Sat. Call: 682-8251.

One Housekeeper/ Cook to work 5 days per week, preferably from E.B.D. For more information Call: 609-1434.

Live-in Domestic needed for Georgetown and males to work in a Supermarket in the Interior. Call: 687-7638/ 660-9093.

Urgently needed dried carilla bush and soursop leaves (any quantity). Call: 609-8281/ 693-3003.

Driver required, ages 23-50 yrs. Must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles and must have car and van licence. Call: 645-8443.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade one or two, email application to: techserigy @yahoo.com or Call: 6159132.

Vacancy exists for two experienced Dispatcher at Confidential Cabs. Call: 695-1961 /231-5784.

Security Officer, Front desk Clerk, Cook, male stock Clerk, Wait Staff, Restaurant Supervisor and Male function Assistant needed. Email: hotelregency3@yahoo.com

An able-bodied live-in female Housekeeper to work in Virgina U.S.A. Between the ages of 30-50. Call: 845-3258241/ 592-615-5476.

Maid needed to cook and clean at East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

1 general Domestic needed to cook & clean, Mon- Fri and preferably living within East Bank Area. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

Vacancy exists for 2 experienced Hairdresser at Grove E.B.D. Call: 652-5800/ 6770040.

Experienced Hairstylist, Domestic/ Cook, Receptionist, Massuese and Nail Tech needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 649-5005/ 226-6705.

Receptionist and Desk Staff needed at 233, South Road Lacytown, GT. Preferably males, 25-50 years old. Call: 225-0198.

Delivery Clerk, Cleaners and Porters needed. Apply @ Lens Hardware, Call: 2271511/ 645-1613.

Hardware Plumbers or electrical Sales Representatives needed. Call: 2269416/ 679-7391 or Email: innovationamerica@ gmail.com

VACANCY

Project Clerk, Engineer Technician, Accountant, Clerk & Plumber needed. Apply at Chung’s Global Inc. Call: 2185120/2 or 632-0914. Email: chungsvacancy@gmail.com

Inventory/ Data Entry Clerks required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Call: 609-2995, survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Bond Attendants/ Porters needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff ST. Tel: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Supermarket AM & PM Sales representative required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff ST. Tel: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Experienced Accounts Clerk needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Supermarket AM & PM Cashiers required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff ST. Call: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Supermarket Packers/ Porters AM & PM needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Tel: 609-2995, survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Housekeeper/cook needed. Must live in GeorgetownECD, Part time optional,Visa holder preferred. WhatsApp: 640-6535.

Drivers needed at Hibiscus Transportation Service , 91 Middle Street. Call:2315866.

FOR SALE

One double Lot 80x160 on the east side of Friendship Public Road, $12M GYD neg. Call: 626-4234/ 628-6212. Stall for sale in Section1 Stabroek Market. Call: 6664002.

Old Oxygen Cylinders for sale, 6ft Height by 6 inch diameter. Contact: 623-5121.

Alsatian Husky puppies, 9 weeks old, vaccinated, very smart, loyal, powerful and great guard dog. Call: 6615008.

Tel#: 592-687-1289

2022-HC-DEM-CIVFD-1676 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION

FAMILY DIVISION

Petition No. FD-1676

Between: MARLEANA

DOMEICA STAMPS

nee De FREITAS

Petitioner/ Applicant

-VROBERT JAMES

STAMPS Respondent

TO: ROBERT JAMES

STAMPS

Address Unknown

TAKE NOTICE that on the 12 th day of December, 2022 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by MARLEANA DOMEICA STAMPS

Corbin-Lincoln via Zoom Meeting ID: 817 2463 7445 and Password: Court12.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is

One 2 and 3 bedrooms furnished apartments for rent in Republic Gardens, E.B.D (gated community). Call: 663-0921.

nee De FREITAS the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 3 rd day of March, 2023.

Business spot for rent @ Mon Repos mall, ground floor. Call: 643-3939.

Three bedrooms bottom flat apartment for rent in Parfaite Harmonie, W.B.D, $50,000 monthly. Call: 698-4954/ 6404511.

2 & 4 bedrooms Apartments and 2 empty corner lot for rent at Bladen Hall, E.C.D. Call/ WhatsApp: 700-0030/ 684-1787.

Two 2-bedroom apartments for rent (fully furnished) located on South Road, for long term or short term. Call: 614-0495.

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 20 th day of February, 2023 the Petitioner/ Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

LEGAL NOTICE 2

2022-HC-DEM-CIVFD-1311

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION

FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD1311

CAKES

& PASTRIES

Enroll now! Classes: Cookery, Cake & Pastries, floral arrangement and cake decoration. From 13th-18th March. Call/ WhatsApp Sharon: 612-4193/ 672-8768.

Visa Application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

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

Carwash workers to work at Romain carwash & detail center. Call: 643-3939.

Experienced Sales Girls and Accounts Clerk required. Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St, Bourda.

Handyman and Drivers/ Expeditors needed. Call: 6748723.

Nissan X-Trail (T32-2015) for sale, $6.3M. 4WD, 7 seater, leather seats, sun roof, fog lamps, back up cameras, etc. Call: 641-7910.

Applicant in person: Marleana Domeica Stamps Nee De Freitas Address: Lot 109 Hill Foot Soesdyke Linden Highway

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 50 (fifty) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Thursday the 4 th day of May, 2023 at 9:00am before the Honourable Madam Justice Fidela

BETWEEN:(HARRIPAUL) NANDANI nee PITAMBER Petitioner -and(HARRIPAUL) GOWKARRAN Respondent To the Respondent GOWKARRAN HARRIPAUL

Formerly of Lot 26 C D’ Edwards, Berbice, Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 15th day of September, 2022 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by NANDANI HARRIPAUL nee PITAMBER, the Petitioner, in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

One bedroom house for rent at 18th Av Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 657-2951, 612-9697.

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

VEHICLES FOR SALE

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 13 th day of February, 2023 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in Guyana of general circulation in Guyana AND the Petitioner shall also leave a copy of the Petition and supporting documents, with the Respondent’s mother or an adult inmate at Lot 26 C D‘Edwards Berbice.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty- five) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Thursday the 27 th day of April, 2023 at 9:30 am before the Honourable Madam

Justice Fidela CorbinLincoln via Zoom Meeting ID: 817 2463

7445 and Password: Court12 at the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public

between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 27th day of February, 2023

to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

-and-CAMBRIDGE (OWEN FITZPATRICK) Respondent

TO: OWEN FITZPATRICK CAMBRIDGE

(Last Known Address)

Lot 19 Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara Guyana.

U.S. accuses China of trying to hide North Korea atrocities

LEGAL NOTICE 3

2023-HC-DEM-CIV-FD198

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCEAND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION

PETITION NO.: FD-198

BETWEEN: -GRANT (MICHAEL ODTELL) Petitioner/ Applicant -andGRANT (IJUDAH) nee HOYTE Respondent

To the Respondent

IJUDAH GRANT nee

HOYTE

Last Known Address Lot 92 Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 1st day of February, 2023 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by MICHAEL ODTELL

GRANT, the Petitioner/ Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 6th day of March, 2023 the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

that if you desire

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 22nd day of May, 2023 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room via zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf at the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 14th day of March, 2023

TAKE NOTICE that on the 22nd day of September, 2022 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by CINDYALEXIS CAMBRIDGE nee SOSO, the Petitioner/ Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 7th day of December, 2022, the Petitioner/ Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty- five) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

Reuters - The United States accused China on Friday of attempting to hide North Korea’s atrocities from the world by blocking the webcast of an informal meeting of United Nations Security Council members on accusations of human rights abuses by Pyongyang.

“Some council members are all too willing to shield the regime from accountability,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the meeting in a veiled reference to China and Russia.

China and Russia argue that the 15-member Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, should not discuss human rights issues. They say such meetings should be confined to other U.N. bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Council or the U.N. General Assembly.

Chinese diplomat Xing Jisheng said the meeting, co-hosted by the United States and Albania, was “not constructive in any way.”

“Instead of easing

LEGAL NOTICE 4

considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

tension it may rather intensify the conflict and therefore is an irresponsible move. Using U.N. WebTV for live broadcast is a waste of U.N. resources,” he said.

All 15 council members have to agree to allow such informal discussions to be webcast by the United Nations, and diplomats said it was rare for a broadcast to be blocked. Despite China’s move, the meeting on Friday was still public and media attended.

Thomas-Greenfield said North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs were “inextricably linked to the regime’s human rights abuses.”

“The pursuit of weapons of mass destruction always trumps human rights and humanitarian needs of its people,” she said.

“(North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un has chosen ammunition instead of nutrition, missiles over humankind.”

North Korea did not take part in the meeting. Its mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment.

LEGAL NOTICE 4

2022-HC-DEM-CIV- FD1349

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION

PETITION NO.: FD- 1349

BETWEEN:CAMBRIDGE (CINDY ALEXIS) nee SOSO Petitioner/ Applicant

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 4th day of April, 2023 at 11:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln in High Court 12 via Zoom Meeting ID: 817 2463 7445 and Password: Court12 of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 2 nd day of March, 2023.

Pyongyang rejects accusations of human rights abuses and blames sanctions for a dire humanitarian situation in North Korea.

The country has been under U.N. sanctions over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs since 2006.

“The feigned hypocritical concern of the West about human rights in North Korea isn’t fooling anybody,” Russian diplomat Stepan Kuzmenkov told the meeting.

“Everybody knows full well that the U.S. uses human rights to settle scores with governments not to their liking.”

The U.N. Security Council is likely to hold a formal meeting on Monday, diplomats said, over North Korea’s launch on Thursday of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su

GuySuCoseekingsupplierstoprocure tractors,tobuild bridgesatRoseHallEstate

Havingbeenallocated$4 billion from this year’s budget, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is currently seeking entities to supplyanddeliveranumber of agricultural tractors for them. At the opening of tenders recently, it was

The sugar corporation

will soon be constructing two timber bridges at its Rose Hall Estate at an estimated cost of $60.7M.

Five bids have since been receivedfortheconstruction of each of the two bridges. Below are the companies andtheirbids:

GuyanaSugarCorporation(GuySuCo) Supplyanddeliveryofsix55-65HP2-WDAgriculturaltractors.

Ukraine war: International court issues warrant for Putin’s arrest

R e u t e r s - T h e InternationalCriminalCourt (ICC) on Friday issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging Moscow’s forcible deportation of Ukrainian childrenisawarcrime,asthe Kremlin reacted with outrage.

Russiahasnotconcealed a programme under which it has brought thousands of UkrainianchildrentoRussia but presents it as a humanitarian campaign to protectorphansandchildren abandoned in the conflict zone.

delivery of one 180-200 HP 4-WD

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the move would lead to “historic accountability”, adding that the deportations constitutedapolicyof“state evil which starts precisely with the top official of this state.”

The announcement provoked a furious response from Moscow Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia found the very questions raised by the ICC “ o u t r a g e o u s a n d unacceptable”, and that any decisions of the court were “null and void” with respect to Russia. Russia, like the United States and China, is notamemberoftheICC.

“Yankees, hands off Putin!” wrote parliament Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, a close ally of the president,onTelegram.

“We regard any attacks on the president of the Russian Federation as aggression against our country,”hesaid.

The United States said therewas“nodoubt”Russia was committing war crimes in Ukraine. The court also issued a warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights,onthesamecharges.

Putin, only the third serving president to have beenissuedanarrestwarrant bytheICC,isunlikelytoend up in court any time soon. But the warrant means that hecouldbearrestedandsent toTheHagueifhetravelsto anyICCmemberstates.

“This makes Putin a pariah. If he travels he risks arrest.Thisnevergoesaway Russia cannot gain relief from sanctions without compliance with the warrants,” said Stephen Rapp, former U S ambassador-at-large for war crimes Residents of the Russian capital expressed

disbeliefatthenews.“Putin! Nobody will arrest him,” a manwhogavehisnameonly asDaniil,20,toldReuters.

Maxim said, “We will protect him - the people of Russia.”

BEIJING, MOSCOW TIES

Moscow’s forces have been accused of multiple abusesduringRussia’syearoldinvasionofitsneighbour Ukraine, including by a U N - m a n d a t e d investigative body that this week described soldiers makingchildrenwatchloved onesbeingraped.

Moscow has repeatedly deniedaccusationsitsforces have committed atrocities duringtheinvasion,whichit calls a special military operation.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan began investigating possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Ukraine a year ago. He said he was looking at alleged crimes against children and the targeting of civilianinfrastructure.

News of the arrest warrant came ahead of a planned state visit to Moscow next week by ChinesePresidentXiJinping which is likely to cement much closer ties between Russia and China just as relations between Moscow andtheWesthitnewlows.

Beijing and Moscow struck a “no limits” partnership shortly before the invasion, and U.S. and European leaders have said they are concerned Beijing maysendarmstoRussia.

Chinahasdeniedanysuch plan, criticising Western weapon supplies to Ukraine, which will soon extend to fighter jets after Poland and Slovakia this week approved deliveries The Kremlin said the jets would be destroyed and not change the course of theconflict

China is keen to deflect

Western criticism over Ukraine, but its close ties to Russiaanditsrefusaltolabel Moscow’s war an invasion havefuelledscepticismabout the prospect that Beijing mightactasamediatorinthe conflict

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Friday the United States had deep concerns China might try to promote a ceasefire because that would not currently lead to a just and lasting peace betweenUkraineandRussia BAKHMUT

FIGHTING

Ukrainian forces continued on Friday to withstandRussianassaultson the ruined city of Bakhmut, the focal point for eight monthsofRussianattemptsto advance through the industrial Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine bordering Russia Bakhmuthasbecome Europe’s bloodiest infantry battle sinceWorldWarTwo. Russianforceshavecaptured the city’s eastern part but havesofarfailedtoencircle it The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said Russia had carried out 19 airstrikes and 26 rocket attacks on Friday Russian forcesalsoconductedfourair strikes on the frontline town ofAvdiivkasouthofBakhmut on Friday, Yermak, the Ukrainian presidential staff chief, wrote on Telegram “The city is being shelled almost around the clock,” he wrote Reuters could not immediately verify those battlefieldreports.

R u s s i a d e n i e s deliberately attacking civilians but says it has hit infrastructure to degrade Ukraine’s military and remove what it says is a potential threat to its own security

Ukraine and its allies accuse Moscow of an unprovoked war to grab territory from its proWesternneighbour.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Letter to the Sports Editor NSC Member is Cricket Boards’ Auditor

Dear Editor,

In yet another blatant disregard for profession ethics and in contravention of the cricket administration act, the cricket administrators in Guyana seem to have missed the boat on proper conduct of their business, especially when the man holding the highest office in Sports pledges his full support regardless of the “dark forces at work”.

The National Sports Commission is supposed to be the arbiter of disputes in matters affecting the local sporting bodies in

Guyana, at least, in my humbled opinion, in the case of the Guyana Cricket Board, as envisaged by the cricket Administration Act, which states in Part 5 (15)

“The Guyana Cricket Board and every County Board shall each, not later that the 31stday of May each year, present to the National Sports Commission copies of the auditor’s report and the annual report on its work and activities for the period of twelve months preceding the date of the report, and the plan of action and activities of the

Board for the ensuing twelve months”.

A few months ago, I read in various news articles that the Demerara Cricket Board had its elections and Chaitram Ramdial and Associates was appointed its auditors.

The principal of this firm is Chaitram Ramdial, a commissioner of the National Sports Commission.

Now at least we can suggest that this is a conflict of interest, but it gets more interesting as the President of the Demerara Cricket Board, re-elected to

Saturday March 18, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Money matters might require your attention today, Aries. Concerns involving the home are on your mind. You may need to work on the household accounts.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Deep thought that occupies your time today could lead to some fascinating conversations with a close friend or partner.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today your imagination is likely to be flying high, Gemini, drawing on past images and events that you may have forgotten. You may wonder about the commercial potential of your thoughts.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

A friend could put forth some ideas regarding incorporating the arts into a business enterprise, Cancer. A lot of discussion could result.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Imagination and insights definitely advance a project today, Leo. Discussions, perhaps involving money, spur you and your collaborators on to new innovative projects that might prove to be of great.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Friends who have been traveling or live far away could bring some interesting news your way that hasn't yet broken in your area, Virgo. This might make you curious to do some research on the subject.

GCB congratulates Permaul on Regional Milestone

that position, is also a member of the National Sports Commission.

He is also the president of the Guyana Cricket Board, who just extended his term of office to three 4-year terms. Guyana nice.

A controversial issue with the accounts or the programme of the GCB or DCB could apparently be settled by these two along with the other Commissioners, one from Hockey, one from Tennis and one from football.

If those disciplines have an issue then…. use your imagination.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) congratulates Veerasammy Permaul on becoming the leading wickettaker in Regional First-Class cricket in the Caribbean.

Permaul moved pass Nikita Miller’s tally of 511 regional wickets when he took 3-36 against Trinidad and Tobago. Overall, Permaul has taken 582 First-Class wickets.

Select XI champions...

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Today you might give some thought to career matters, Libra. You're probably trying to brainstorm ingenious ways to advance professionally and increase your income. A number of different options.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your partner may return from a journey today, Scorpio, and a deep conversation could follow. Your friend will share stories of the trip.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

Today you may feel a little out of sorts, Sagittarius, but your creative energies are likely to flow freely. Inspiration could come from deep within you. You're probably more focused than usual.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The

The survival of a partnership could depend on some open and honest communication today, Capricorn. Conflicting issues may be simmering and need to be aired in a sensitive and caring way.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A book, letter, or other important piece of paperwork that was misplaced might finally be found today, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Discussions with close friends could lead to ideas for creative projects of some kind, Pisces. Although the projects themselves may center on writing, music, drama, graphics, or teaching,

Recently also, the Guyana Cricket Board published an expression of Interest to do a “Value for Money” audit of the Berbice Cricket Board, guess who did that job, yesssss, Chaitram Ramdial and Associates.

Maybe nothing much came out of it as the audit report has become state secret.

Now, I do not know much of Mr. Ramdial and his firm other than the firm’s name was mentioned in association with an Audit of Exxon expense account, and my first thought being, big money earner. Am sure this is a very professional gentleman and his firm is reputable to land such a job, hence no bad intentions.

Am just suggesting that there may be a serious conflict of interest sitting as an NSC Commissioner and accepting jobs to audit Accounts of sporting associations, especially Cricket Boards, which has a mandate to submit their accounts to the Commission, on which you sit by presidential appointment.

The problem is with the recommendation coming from those advising the president on these appointments and a clear definition, upon being appointed, of the commissioners’ mandate.

And then comes Guyana Olympic Association Elections, check the names on the list of candidates for office and the controversy gets bigger.

Or is the Chairman of the NSC running his private football competition.

Apparently in Guyana we take up positions for the perks.

Come on Mr. President, it’s a ticking time bomb.

Confused Sports Entusiasts, Rafzia Shaheed.

From page 29 spell; making batting difficult for the Essequibo batters. Essequibo’s top and middle order batters wobbled to 637 after 35 overs with only two batters getting starts; Bomesh Lall 15 and Nicholas Lovell 19, then eventually getting out.

Essequibo crumbled to 89-10 as they handed Berbice a comfortable victory. Berbice won by 127 runs (Ramario Ramdeholl took 3-17, Arif Khan 3-27 and Gavin Kisten

2-2) In closing, GCB officials conducted a brief presentation ceremony, awarding the most outstanding players of the competition: Most runs award went to Adrian Hetymer with 83 runs with a best of 52 runs. Most wickets and also the MVP awards went to Dave Mohabir for his 9 wickets and 44 runs.

The Championship trophy was also presented to the GCB Select XI team having won the competition.ss

Veerasammy Permaul

Linden All Stars shootingto retain Rawle Toneu 3x3 title

...tournament to bounce off tonight at Burnham Court

Defending champions, LindenAll Stars, is ready to defend their Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic title when the third edition of the lucrative tournament bounces off today at the Burnham BasketballCourt. The team comprising of last year’s tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) ShelroyThomas, along with Stanton Rose and Harold Adams, claimed the 2022 title with a gritty 8-7 win overRoyals.

Linden All Stars will be one of three teams coming out of Region 10 in the 16teamtournament.

“It will be very interesting because of the overseas teams; especially the team from the USA, coming to Guyana

Everyone wants to see a match-up with Ballin4Peace and Linden All-stars,” tournament organiser Rawle Toneysaid.

Each member on the Linden All-Stars team

Former Australia Test captain Paine retires from cricket

AFP - Former Australia

represented Guyana internationally in the 3x3 format, with Rose winning Bronze at the Caribbean Games, while Adams competed at the Islamic GamesandThomasputtinga show at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCupinMiami.

The defending champs are certain of reaching the finals this year, where they will look to claim the winner’s purse of $400,000, compliments of Team Mohamed’s.

Test captain Tim Paine retired from cricket with little fanfare on Friday, bowing out after playing an inter-state match in Tasmania.

Paine led Australia between2018and2021after Steve Smith was stripped of the captaincy in the wake of the “Sandpaper-gate” balltampering incident against SouthAfrica.

Heskipperedtheteamin 23 Tests — winning 11, losingeightanddrawingfour — and was credited with helping rebuild Australian cricket’sreputation.

Painewasforcedtostand downafteritwasrevealedhe had sent lewd messages to a femalecolleaguein2017.

As the scandal took its toll, he stepped away from cricket for the “foreseeable future”, returning to the game almost a year later in October2022.

The wicketkeeperbatsman, 38, played his final first-class game for state side Tasmania in a domestic fixture against Queensland on Friday, walking off through a guard ofhonourformedbyplayers.

“An inspiring captain, one of our finest glovesman and a legend of Tasmanian and Australian cricket,” the Tasmanian Tigers said in a statement

“Congratulations Tim Paine on a truly wonderful career.”

Paineplayed35Testsfor Australia,withatopscoreof 92 and an average of 32.63.

Healsoplayed35ODIs. Australia regained the Ashes in England in 2019 under Paine’s leadership, in what was otherwise a turbulent period for the Test side.

Current Test skipper Pat Cummins took over from Paine in November 2021, describinghimatthetimeas a “well-loved and respected figureofourteam”.

UDCA T20 semifinals set for Sunday, Royal Champions face Yariah Warriors, West Watooka clash with Malali

The semifinals of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association’s T20 cricket competition will feature Royals Champions, Malali, Yariah Young Warriors and West Watooka tomorrow, Sunday at the Maria Elizabethground.

These teams earned their slots following the final two round robin matches which were played last Sunday at the Maria Elizabeth ground

On Sunday Royal Champions are up against Yariah Young Warriors from 9 30am in one semifinal and Malali face West Watooka at 1 00pm in the other semifinal

Last Sunday West

Watooka defeated

Young Achievers by 29 runs

Taking first strike

West Watooka made 85 off 13.1 overs with Eion Reynolds getting 4 for 26 off his 4 overs as Tyreke Henry and

D e v o n B e l l b o t h captured 2 wickets

Young Achievers in reply, got 56 for 8 off the allotted 20 overs with captain Marlon Fredericks getting the only double figure score making 10, as West Watooka’s Julien Fortune took 3 for 28 from his three overs, while Keith AustinandKeyonHertunds each got 2 wickets

Coomacka then defeated

Aroiamabythreewicketsin theothergame.

Aroiama made 62 off 9 4 overs as Kallis Smith made 32, studded with three 4s and two 6s while bowling for Coomacka Gary Savoury took 3 for 12 off 3 overs, Andrew Couchman3for17fromhis 3 overs and Jamal Whyte 2 for no runs from his four ballsbowled.

Coomacka got their target making 67 for 7 off 7 4 overs as Sunil Griffith knocked up 25 and Blake Duggan 10 not out.

Glendon Lyte took 3 for 19 from 3 3 overs and Astily Cobos 2 for 20 from 2 overs, bowling fortheAroiama.

Tim Paine

Republic Classic Beach Football at Christianburg ground...

Remaining eight teams battle tonight for semifinal slots

It’s down to the final eight teams which will now battle for places in the semifinals of the inaugural PinnaclePromotions’Group organized Republic Beach Football tournament which takes place tonight at the Christianburg Community Centre ground in Wismar, Linden.

Last Saturday, the eight qualifiers were determined after the results showed Underdogs getting past Kwakwani Strikers 3-2, Aroiama were held to a 3-3 draw against Timehri Panthers played to a 3-3 stalemate,CoomackaMines won when Young Kings failedtoshow,HaynesHard Ballers knocked out Golden Stars 4-2, Underdogs eliminated Dave and Celena’s who did not turn up, Hard Knocks bettered HaynesHardBallers4-3and Young Gunners edged Turf Kings,4-3.

Those advancing were to play in the knockout round were Hi Stars, Underdogs, Turk Kings, Haynes Hard Ballers, Aroiama,TimehriPanthers, Hard Knocks and Young

Gunners Tonight the fixtures read Hard Knocks against Timehri Panthers at 7 00pm, Haynes Hard Ballers versus Aroiama from8 00pm,HiStarsmeet Young Gunners at 9 00pm and the night cap brings together Turk Kings and

Underdogsfrom10.00pm. For this beach football competitionthesponsorson board are the Ministry of Culture, Youth and sport, Farose Investments, Ansa McAl Trading using their Magnum Tonic and Lucozade brands and GuyOil

Select XI champions of the U-15 Super50 inter county cricket tournament

The Guyana Cricket Board Super 50 U15 inter county cricket tournament concludedyesterdaywithits final round of the competition. Two matches were contested yesterday; one between Essequibo and Berbice at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground and the other Demerara VS GCBSelectXIatEnmore.

After three rounds of competition, Select XI convincingly clinched the GCB’sSuper50intercounty championship, defeating Demerara by 52 runs at the Enmore community centre ground. Berbice U15 were adjudged runners-up after they completed their second winagainstEssequiboatthe GCC ground. At Enmore,

Dominoes tourney set to commence tomorrow at Kuru Kururu

Select XI posted 118-10 from 39.5 overs batting first with Kishan Silas top scoring for Demerara with a gritty 26 runs, while JonathanMentorechippedin with20runs.JoshuaCharles took 4-17, Mickel Sharma and Brandon Henry bagged twowicketsapiece.

In reply, Demerara were bundled out for 66-10 in 33

overs, as Select XI completed their third consecutive win and also capturing the GCB’s 2023 Super50intercountycricket championship.Arun Gainba wasthepickoftheSelectXI bowlers taking 4-3, while DaveMohabirgrabbed2-10. Meanwhile across at GCC, Berbice won the toss andoptedtotakefirststrike.

Batting first, Berbice posted 215-10 from 48 4 overs Adrian Hetmyer top scored with 52 (4x4) runs, while opening batter Razam Koobeer also scored a patient 40 runs. Ramario Bamdeholl also stroked a valuable 33 runs to set up a defendabletotal.Amongthe wickets for Essequibo were NicholasLovell3-25from7 overs, while vice captain Ethan Silas took 2-23 and BomeshLall2-33.

Chasing a target of 216 runs, Omarion Smith and Elisha Ramdat opened the batting for Essequibo, but Berbice bowlers made good use of the wicket, as Arif Khan and Nicholas Hall displayedsomefineopening (Continuedonpage27)

Dominoes teams will be in action tomorrow, Sunday, at 53 Sports Club Kuru Kururu. Linden Soesdyke Highway.

The tournament is being organisedbyMarkWiltshire andAbu and entrance fee is $15,000. The winning team will take home a trophy and $200,000,runnerupatrophy and $100,000, third place a trophy and $40,000 and

fourth place $20,000. The best female player will receive $US$200, the best maleplayerUS$100andthe playerinthefinalUS$200.

Transportationwillleave Dynasty at 11:30hrs on Sundayandcosts$1,000.

The tournament is being sponsoredbyAbuHoteland Transportation service

Interested teams can contact Wiltshire on 659-8672 or

Abuon664-3236. Meanwhile,DianneBess of the sponsor Abu Guyana Hotel and Transportation Servicessaidtheyarehappy to sponsor the competition especially since females are being involved. She added thattheyarelookingforward to a successful competition. The tournament will continue on Monday at Dynasty

Abu Bascom (c) accepts the winning trophy from Dianne Bess in the presence of Mark Wiltshire.

- Thrash Demerara by 52 runs in the final round

Kevin Ramnauth (left) of Castrol hands over the trophies to Collis Gifth of Pinnacle Promotions for the Republic Classic Beach Football tournament.

Parasnath urges Guyana senior cricketers to prepare mentally and believe they can achieve regional glory again

Brij Parasnath, one of Caribbean leading Cricket Commentator/Analyst/Stati stician; has called upon Guyana senior cricketers to playfearlesslyandtobelieve in themselves that they can attain regional glory once againbywinningtheCricket West Indies Senior Championship title for the 2023season.

In a motivational-mental toughness lecture to the Guyana Senior team members on Tuesday afternoon at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva in Trinidad andTobago;Parasnathspoke totheplayersaftertheirpregame practice session held on the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s National CricketCentre.

Parasnath informed the playersandteamofficialsof Guyana’soutstandingrecord performances by previous Guyana Senior teams at the iconic Brian Lara Cricket Academy where they are currently engaged in battle against the Trinidad and Tobago senior team in the CWI Championship third round match which got underwayonWednesday

Brij Parasnath

He reminded skipper LeonJohnson and thegroup of Guyana’s outstanding victory by an Innings and 217 runs in their previous

seniorteambattleduringthe 2017-18 CWI Professional CricketLeaguematch.

Johnson was the captain ofGuyanaduringthatseason

and Parasnath informed the seniorplayersthat,“Itwasa biggestvictoryoverTrinidad and Tobago in the regional four-day competitions and skipper Johnson topscored with 165, while Vishaul Singh contributed 100. And together the two players had set a new partnership record against Trinidad and Tobago.”

P a r a s n a t h a l s o mentionedthatGuyanahasa one hundred percent record in four-day matches at the BrianLaraCricketAcademy asitwastheonlymatchthat both teams clashed in the regionalfour-dayfixtureand that Guyana holds the advantage. He stressed that: “The responsibility and focus should be on maintaining a legacy and winning record at the Brian LaraCricketAcademy.”

The experienced Commentator/Analyst also outlined Guyana’s senior menrecordinOne-Day(50overs)matchesatthatvenue withanexceptionalrecordof eight victories out of nine matchesplayedagainstrival teams in the CWI Super50 tournamentmatches.

Parasnath asked the

players,“…toreflectontheir first round match when they started this year’s tournament on a winning noteandtokeepthatfeeling that the team will be successful against Trinidad andTobagointheirmatchat the BLCA and in the other tworoundsinGuyana.”

Parasnath stressed that, “All the physical preparations had been done and now is the time to prepare mentally for the battle to regional supremacy.”

Parasnath had done a similar motivational-mental toughness lecture to the Guyana Senor team at the start of CWI Professional LeaguewhenGuyanaplayed TrinidadattheQueen’sPark Ovaland“…hadchallenged that team to become the inaugural champion team and to strive to match the regional five-peat record of Jamaicawhoheldthatrecord previously Through their (previous senior team players)beliefandhardwork they also were able to accomplish the historic five c o n s e c u t i v e C W I Professional Cricket League titlevictories.”

Parasnath, who over the years had also done motivational-mental toughness lectures with Trinidad and Tobago’s national senior and agegroup youth cricket teams; also urged the current Guyana senior team to prepare mentally and to visualize outstanding performances and ultimate success. He stressed that: “You have to believe and visualize that you can achievesimilarresults.Once youpreparementallyandbe ready to fight hard against every team in the competition, you will be successful. Use the visualizationprocessandsee yourself with outstanding performances and winning everymatch.Youarealready preparedphysicallybutnow is time to be mentally ready to battle for long hours to achieve your goals It’s ninety percent mental now You can achieve your goals. Play without fear and don’t giveup.”

He emphasized that “It’s important to always maintain a very positive mindset and you will come outsuccessfully

UDCA T20 semifinals set for Sunday, Royal Champions face Yariah Warriors, West Watooka clash

The semifinals of the Upper Demerara Cricket

Association’s T20 cricket competition will feature Royals Champions, Malali, Yariah Young Warriors and West Watooka tomorrow, Sunday at the MariaElizabethground.

These teams earned their slots following the final two round robin matches which were played last Sunday at the Maria Elizabeth ground

On Sunday Royal Champions are up against Yariah Young Warriors from 9 30am in one semifinal and Malali face West Watooka at 1 00pm in the other semifinal

with Malali

Last Sunday West Watooka defeated Young Achieversby29runs

TakingfirststrikeWest Watooka made 85 off 13 1 overs with Eion Reynolds getting 4 for 26 off his 4 overs asTyreke Henry and Devon Bell both captured 2wickets

Young Achievers in reply, got 56 for 8 off the allotted 20 overs with c a p t a i n M a r l o n Fredericks getting the only double figure score

making 10, as West

Wa t o o k a ’s J u l i e n Fortune took 3 for 28 from his three overs, while Keith Austin and Keyon Hertunds each got 2wickets

C o o m a c k a t h e n

defeated Aroiama by three wickets in the other game Aroiama made 62 off 9 4 overs as Kallis Smith made 32, studded with three 4s and two 6s while bowling for Coomacka Gary Savoury took 3 for 12 off 3 overs, Andrew Couchman 3 for 17 from his3oversandJamalWhyte 2 for no runs from his four ballsbowled.

Coomacka got their target making 67 for 7 off 7 4 overs as Sunil Griffith knocked up 25 and Blake Duggan 10 not out Glendon Lyte took 3 for 19 from 3 3 overs and Astily Cobos 2 for 20 from 2 overs, bowling for theAroiama.

Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League launched in new Amsterdam

Th e G u y a n a F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF)

Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League was launched on Wednesday in

New Amsterdam, Berbice with an impressive match between Cougars Football

Club and Vryman’s Ervin SecondarySchool.

Cougars Football Club won2-0attheScottSchool Ground in New Amsterdam thanks to goals by Annalisa Hinds and Xianna Castello. Thematchwasplayedbefore cheering teammates, classmates, parents and supporters.

Women’s Football Association (WFA) President Andrea Johnson congratulated both teams andstressedthattheWFAin partnership with the GFF is workingtoensuretheleague

is played throughout Guyana.

“I am extremely happy today Iwanttocongratulate both teams for their participation.

Special congratulations toCougarsFootballClubon their victory I also want to encourage other schools, villages, communities and clubs to get on board with t h i s d e v e l o p m e n t programme,” Johnson shared.

She added: “WFA and GFF will continue to work assiduouslytogethertohave tournaments that will help foster our young girls and women in football so they can become better individualsinoursociety.”

So far, six secondary schools in New Amsterdam have signed up for the development league, which is also being played in Georgetown,Lindenandthe Rupununi.

GFF President Wayne Forde and the Council are committed to elevating women’s football through the identification of new

talent and creation of strategic developmental programmes, including the Blue Water U15 Girls’ DevelopmentLeague.

Vryman’s Ervin Secondary team.

Cougars goal scorers Annalisa Hinds and Xianna Castello.

Cougars take time out for a photo.

Rahul leads India past Australia by 5 wickets in 1st ODI

MUMBAI, India (AP)

India bowled out Australia for 188 and overcameanearlywobbleto win by five wickets with 10.1overstospareinthefirst o f t h r e e o n e - d a y internationalsyesterday

India’s reply was in jeopardy at 39-4 but Lokesh Rahul anchored winning partnerships of 44 with Hardik Pandya and an unbeaten 108 with Ravindra Jadeja.

Indiafinishedon191-5. Without run rate pressure, Rahul led with 75 naotoutoff91balls.

Jadejawasnamedmanof thematchforhistwowickets andunbeaten45.

The second ODI is on Sunday at Visakhapatnam. Both teams are building to the Cricket World Cup in IndiainOctober

Mitchell Marsh made light of the bowler-friendly pitch and gave Australia

hopewith81off65balls.He struck 10 fours and five sixes.

HeandSteveSmith(22) put on 72 for the second wicket until Smith was caughtbehindoffPandya.

Marsh added another 52 runs with Marnus Labuschagne (15) by attacking Kuldeep Yadav’s wristspin.

ButwhenMarshmishita wide delivery by Jadeja and was caught at short third man, Australia collapsed from 129-3 to 188 all out in thespaceof16overs.

The visitors lost eight wicketsfor59runs.

Labuschagne fell to Yadav, and fast bowler Mohammed Shami returned for a second spell to wreak havoc.

In three consecutive overs, Shami bowled Josh Inglis (26) and Cameron Green (12), while Marcus Stoinis (5) was caught behind. Shami’s burst of 317 in six overs left the Australiainningsintattersat

184-7inthe32ndover

Jadejafinishedwith2-46 and Mohammed Siraj finished things off with a doubleblowasAustralialost its last four wickets for four runsinthespaceof25balls.

Siraj took 3-29 in 5.4 overs.Chasingapaltrytotal, India faltered as the Australia pacers made good useofswingconditions.

Stoinis (2-27) trapped Ishan Kishan for 3, and MitchellStarcbowledafiery openingspell.StarcgotVirat

Kohli lbw for 4, and dismissed Suryakumar Yadav similarly for a firstballduckinthefifthover India was 16-3 and Shubman Gill survived a close lbw shout off Sean Abbott.ButStarc(3-49)had Gillcaughtatsliplateronas thehostsslumpedto39-4in 10.2 overs. India was batted outofdangerbyRahul,who was composed and overcamepoorformtoreach 50 off 73 balls. Overall, he faced 91 deliveries, hitting

sevenfoursandasix. At the other end, Jadeja also played a chanceless knockastheduobroughtup a100-runpartnershipoff119 balls.

Jadejafaced69balls,and his fifth boundary, off Starc through midwicket, got Indiaoverthefinishline.

Scores:India191for5in 39 5 overs (Rahul 75*, Jadeja 45*, Starc 3-49) beat Australia 188 (Marsh 81, Shami 3-17, Siraj 3-29) by fivewickets.

Current leader of the 2023 West Indies

F o u r - D a y

C h a m p i o n s h i p , Guyana Harpy Eagles, areinaveryfavourable position going into the finaldayoftheirmatch against Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Red Force,attheBrianLara Cricket Academy, T&T

They need just seven wickets today to complete an outright win against the host team, while Red Force require a further 306 runs or need to survive theentirethreesessions todenythevisitors.

At stumps on Day three, Red Force are 106–3inpursuitofthe 412-run target Overnightinthemiddle are Darren Bravo (63) andJydGoolie(14).

Keemo Paul has strucktwiceforGuyana

withtheballwhileNial Smith accounts for the otherwicket.

Earlier in the day, Guyana resumed their second innings on 96 –3withthecaptainLeon Johnson and Kemol Savory on 9 and 34, respectively The pair lasted the first session and both reached the half century mark as Guyanawere187–3at lunchwithaleadof351 runs.

After that, Johnson tried to push on to another First Class century but missed out when he got dismissed for75.

His departure invited the quick removal of Kevin Sinclair (1) and Anthony Bramble (7), which brought Paul to themiddle.

However, Savory stood firm to achieve

his maiden First Class ton.Hispatientinnings was crafted off 219 deliveries with five fours and a six as he ended unbeaten on 101 when Guyana declared on 247 – 6 from 83 overs.

Darren Bravo and Bryan Charles claimed twowicketseachwhile Uthman Muhammad and Imran Khan supported with one wicketeach.

Red Force then had a shaky start on their journey to the target as they lost Jeremy

Solozano (0) and KeaganSimmons(8)to Smith and Paul, respectively

Bravo and Jason Mohammed (13) partneredwiththescore at 31 – 2 and tried to stagearecoverybutthe latterwasadjudgedlbw toPaul;RedForcewere

70–3.

Theskipper,Bravo, continued to lead from the front with another FirstClasshalfcentury; he has faced 105 balls andhassevenfours.

D a y f o u r i s scheduled to bowl off from10:00hrs.

Hurricaneswrapup Pride…

Itcontinuestomea tough tournament for t h e d e f e n d i n g champions, Barbados Pride, who plummeted to their second loss in three games, when the Leeward Islands Hurricanes triumphed by two wickets on the penultimatedayoftheir match at the Queen’s ParkOval,T&T Hurricanes began the day on 13 – 0 in pursuit of the 247-run target and were propelled by a sublime century from Kieran

Powell, who made 104 from 109 deliveries, which included 11 foursandthreesixes.

H i s o p e n i n g partner, Montcin H o d g e ( 3 4 ) , contributed valuable runs at the top of the order before his wicket triggeredacollapsethat saw Akeem Saunders (9), Devon Thomas (4) and Hayden Walsh (2) allremovedcheaply

Jahmar Hamilton then stood firm with Powell and turned in a resistant innings of 55 but after their dismissals, the fourwicket tail was exposed However, needing only 24 runs for victory, they had enough fight to take themovertheline.

Pride posted 322 in the first innings and restricted Volcanoes to 154 to lead by 168-

runs. Hurricanes then rattled Pride for 78 in the second innings to leave the attainable targetinsightwithover twodayslefttoplay

Volcanoesneedone wicketforvictory…

Windward Islands

Volcanoes are one wicketawayfromwhat could be at least a 150run win against the struggling Jamaica Scorpions. At close of play,Jamaicaare233–9 from 99 overs and require182-runstopull offamiracle.

Jamaica began the day with the chase that required 415-runs for success Top order batsmen Leroy Lugg (15), Kirk McKenzie (1), Nkrumah Bonner (17) and Paul (21) all fellinthefirst35overs as Scorpions slumped to68–4.

The middle order

show great intent as AbhijahMansingh(50) and Aldane Thomas (55) joined the half century performances while Derval Green (48) narrowly missed out on being a member ofthatclub.

Jamie Merchant (5) and Marquino Mindley (0) did not last long in the middle, which left the final pair of Nicholson Gordon and Patrick Harty, to face themusic.

They resisted the Volcanoes until the umpires called stumps forpoorlight.

ShermonLewishas four wickets for Volcanoes, Justin Greaves and Larry Edwardshavetwoeach whileKennethDember hasonewicket.

Their match is expected to resume at 9:30hrs,today

India’s KL Rahul raises his bat to celebrate scoring

century during

(AP Photo/ Rafiq Maqbool)

Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, right, plays a shot during the first one-day international (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

2023 Milo U18 Schools Football Tournament…

Second round of matches kicks off today

Santa Rosa are scheduled to play back-to-back games this weekend.

Today, March 18, the Petra-organisedMiloUnder18 Schools Football Tournamententersitssecond round of matches with four showdowns billed for the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Thetournament,whichis sponsoredbyNestléthrough Massy Distribution, starts Day five from 11:00 hrs when Carmel goes head-toheadwithDora.Inthematch that follows with a 12:45hrs start, Bartica will meet East Ruimveldt.

At 14:00 hrs, Dolphin collides with Santa Rosa thenthecardculminateswith the Day’s final match from 15:45 hrs that will see West Ruimveldt challenge Queen’sCollege.

Tomorrow, Sunday, March 19, another four matches are scheduled to unravel at the same venue from the times mentioned earlier Up first, Vryman’s

ErvengoupagainstVreeden Hoop then Mackenzie High tackle Patentia, before Chase’s Academic Foundation (CAF) thrash it outwithBygevalinthethird encounter

The final match feature Santa Rosa and St StanislausCollege.

The tournament continueswithDays7and8 next weekend, March 25 –26, as the second round wrapsup.

As it stands after Round one,InGroupA,Carmeland CAFbothsecuredtheirthree points from victories but the former leads with a superior GoalDifference(GD).

The other two teams in the Group, Dora and Bygeval, both lost and are without points. Group B has Bartica and East Ruimveldt ontopwiththreepointseach while Marian Academy and Bush Lot are third and fourth,respectively

G r o u p C h a s

Westminster on top with three points, Charity and New Central High are both tied on 1 point, while Annandale is yet to score a point.

Defending Champion, Christianburg/Wismar,leads

GroupDwithasuperiorGD ahead of 8th of May while Vryman’s Erven and West Demerara occupy the other twoslots,respectively Group E has the other Linden team, Mackenzie High, in the lead, Patentia is second while North Ruimveldt and President’s College (-3) are third and fourth.

Group F has West Ruimveldtinthelead,Ann’s Grove is second while Queen’s College and Vergenoegen sit third and fourth,respectively

Charlestown leads Group G while Cummings Lodge, St Cuthbert’s Mission and Berbice Education Institute trail

closely,inthatorder

The final Group has Santa Rosa in the lead with St Stanislaus College in second while Dolphin and

NewAmsterdamareinthird andfourth,respectively

This event is sanctioned by the MoE and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)

and also supported by MVP Sports, Guyana Industrial MineralsInc.(GINMIN)and General Equipment & SuppliesInc.(GENEQUIP).

Donovan Welcome (left), Elijah Sattaur (centre) and Jaden Jackson were responsible for West Ruimveldt’s goals in their opening match last weekend.