Kaieteur News

Russell Allicock at Lethem Regional Hospital

Absent Govt. MPs immobilises work of crucial Public Accounts Committee …12 meetings cancelled so far

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has now suffered at least twelve cancellations due to the absence of government representativeswhositonthe panel. And former Auditor G e n e r a l a n d l o c a l transparency advocate, Anand Goolsarran, said this development is not helpful in t h e p r o m o t i o n o f t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability

Writing in his column published in the Stabroek N e w s o n M o n d a y , Goolsarran stressed on how the amendment of a Parliamentary Standing Order 82 (2) some eleven months ago has led to the changeofquorumthatisnow having an adverse effect on t h e P a r l i a m e n t a r y Committee's ability to scrutinise the use of public funds documented in the annual Auditor General Reports.

Initially the quorum for a PAC meeting was three members, irrespective of partyaffiliation.Government recently used his majority in

the Parliament to change the quorum to five members whichmeansthatthereneeds tobetwoOppositionandtwo Government members before the PAC can proceed with its business. This has proven problematic as on twelve different occasions, yesterday included the absence of government members resulted in the cancellation of the crucial committeemeetings.

Goolsarran stressed that, “The accountability for the use of the public resource is substantially incomplete unless a committee of the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y scrutinises the audited accounts in the timeliest manner to ascertain the extent to which the government has utilised the resources made available to it, the way Parliament intended.”

The transparency advocate noted too that because of the cancellations duetothelackofquorum,the committee's work is now six years in arrears of reporting totheNationalAssembly

While he opined that the change of the quorum should not be viewed as harmful since it allows for both sides of the political divide to be present to properly examine the use of public funds, he noted that it has turned out to stall the work of the PAC due to the absence of the sitting membersofgovernment.

InadditiontoGoolsarran, the cancellations have been bemoaned by A Partnership For National +Alliance For

Change (APNU+AFC)

Opposition members on the panel including Chairman of thePAC,JermaineFigueira.

Figueira has accused the government of deliberately stalling the meetings geared towards examining the records of public spending contained in the Auditor General's reports. When the modification of the quorum was proposed by the government last year, the PAC Chairman had protested against it. He had predicted thatthechangeofquorumfor a PAC meeting from three members, irrespective of party affiliation to a quorum to five members would be problematic, if those on the government side failed to turnupforthemeeting.

Highlighting his concern in a letter to the editor, Figueira once again alluded to what he calls a blatant disregard by the government for the responsibilities they were elected to uphold on behalf of the people of Guyana. The PAC chairman said that the government's consistent failure to show up and do the work they were elected to do is a microcosm of the unacceptable reality of

many other committees of theNationalAssemblywhere committeesjustdon'tmeet.

He noted, “The Natural Resources Committee, for example, which should be meeting, given Guyana's resource-rich status and the p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r transformation with our new oil-rich resource, has not met since the inception of this Parliament.”

Figueira added that, “The deliberate derailing and stymieing of the work of the PAC by the government is unacceptable, and it is time

for the people of Guyana to demand the accountability they deserve ” In the meantime, due to the numerous cancellations of thePACmeetingsforwantof a quorum, Figueira is exploring the tabling of a motion in the Assembly to reverse its decision to amend Standing Order 82 (2). As Chair of the PAC, Figueira said the situation can only be seen as untenable and as such, he believes the committee cannot to allow it adversely affect its operations.

Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran

Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira

…call for thorough EIA for power plant, say pipeline permit issued to Exxon was illegal

Citizens threaten court action over Wales gas project

By Davina Bagot

The Environmental

P e r m i t i s s u e d t o ExxonMobil, for the pipeline and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility is likely to be challenged in the local courts as the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) has been served a pre-action letter by International Lawyer, Melinda Janki on behalf of two Guyanese citizens.

In the document seen by this newspaper, it is understood that the attorneyat-law has so far requested that the EPA revoke the Permit granted to the oil company as the agency did not have the legal power to authorise Esso Exploration and Production Guyana

L i m i t e d ( E E P G L )ExxonMobil's subsidiary and the operator of the Stabroek Block-toconstructapipeline in the absence of the proof, the developer owns the project lands, as required by regulation 17, under the Environmental Protection (EP)Act.

Regulation 17(2) of the Environmental Protection (Authorisation) Regulations

m a d e u n d e r t h e Environmental Protection

Act requires that an a p p l i c a t i o n f o r a n environmental authorisation “(c ) shall contain the following information: (ii) proofthattheapplicanteither owns the facility or has a leaseorotheragreementwith the landowner or occupier to enable the applicant to conduct the activity on the facility or has the legal right ofwaytoconducttheactivity without the consent of the landowneroroccupier.”

In her letter to the Executive Director, Kemraj Parsram dated January 31, 2023, Janki on behalf of Elizabeth Deane-Hughes and Danuta Radzik, explained “Alongtheproposedpipeline route, individuals hold tracts of land under transports and leases. Further evidence that the land is held by Guyanese citizens and not by EEPGLis provided by the orders published in the Official Gazette for the acquisition of lands for the pipeline route. These orders list transports and leases to be acquired for the pipeline route It is therefore incontrovertible thattheroutefortheproposed pipeline will run on land that is not owned by EEPGL, not held by EEPGL under any

lease, and not subject to an agreement which would allow EEPGL to construct the onshore pipeline along the route proposed in the Environmental Impact Statement.”

In this regard, the lawyer concluded that the Permit issued was in breach of the EPAct. “TheAgency did not have the legal power to authorise EEPGL to construct a pipeline in the absence of the proof required by regulation 17 it has acted unlawfully and irrationally, and has misused its powers. The permit is thereforeinvalid,”shesaid.

Janki therefore requested the agency to revoke the permit and direct Exxon to restart the application process in compliance with t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Act and the regulations.

JankitoldtheEPAbossin her letter that as a general matter of law, ministers may notusetheirstatutorypowers to facilitate illegality She e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act empowers the subject minister to acquire lands for public purposes. “It is not (and cannot be) a public purpose to acquire private land in order to facilitate a breach of law or circumvent legal requirements such as the regulations,” she argued. As such, the Lawyer insisted that the orders made by the M i n i s t e r u n d e r t h e Acquisition Lands for Public Purposes Act to acquire private land for the pipeline route are “ultra vires and unlawful”. According to her, the orders (including Orders 3,4,5,6,and7of4thJanuary 2023 as published in the Official Gazette on 6th January 2023) do not have legal effect and cannot deprive the landowners and leaseholdersoftheirproperty rights.

Theletterwasalsocopied to Minister of Public Works, JuanEdghill.

EIAwaiver

In a separate letter to the EPA, dated February 13, 2023, Janki on behalf of civil society member, Ramon Gaskin alerted the EPA that its decision to waive an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the gas-fired power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara isunlawful.

On January 6, 2023, the EPApublishedaNoticetothe

Public stating that the constructionandoperationof the project will not significantly affect the environment and is exempt from the requirement to conductanEIA.

The attorney explained, “the agency's decision to exempt the Gas Plant Project from an environmental impact assessment is unlawful being inter alia unauthorised/contrary to law;anexcessofjurisdiction;

a failure to satisfy conditions

required by law; an unreasonable irregular and improper exercise of discretion; an abuse of power; conflict with the policy of the Environmental Protection Act Cap: 20.05; irrationalandarbitrary.”

She therefore implored theEPAtorevokeitsdecision regarding the waiver of the study, citing half a dozen of reasons In her 45-point submission, the Lawyer said

Section 11(1) of the Act requires the “developer” of a p r o j e c t w h i c h m a y significantly affect the environment to apply for an environmental permit Notably, the Act defines the developerastheapplicantfor a n e n v i r o n m e n t a l authorisation.

Janki said item 1 of the application made on November 14, 2022 seeking t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l authorisation for the Gas Plant Project states that the Applicantis,“GuyanaPower and Gas Inc.” Even though this makes it clear that this organization is the project developer,theGuyanaPower and Light (GPL) submitted the Project Summary to the EPA.

To this end, the International Lawyer posited, “The Agency has acted unlawfully and in breach of its duties under section 11 of the Act in relyingonaprojectsummary submitted by a person other than the developer The Agency's decision to exempt the project is therefore illegal.”

She was keen to note that the Guyana Power and Gas Inc cannot now simply resubmit the GPL Project Summary under its own name, as this would be a violation of the developer's obligation to consider the requirements of the Act and take the appropriate steps to comply In addition, Janki stated that the GPL Project summary does not meet the requirementsoftheAct.

The Lawyer explained that Section 11(1)(ii) of the EP Act requires a Project Summary to provide information on the “possible effectsontheenvironment.”

Section 2 of the Act goes on to define the environment as"allland,areabeneathland surface,atmosphere,climate, all water, surface water, ground water, sea, seabed, marine and coastal areas, and natural resources or any combinationorpartthereof.”

Janki contended that the Project Summary does not state the possible effects on 'climate' or 'atmosphere' and fails to even mention them. Additionally, the document does not state the 'possible' effect on the Demerara River of dumping treated sewage intoitswater

Importantly, she also noted that the Project Summaryforthepowerplant states “The production process can result in a decreased[sic]inambientair quality which can pose potential health risk to humans and wildlife in close proximity to the construction site Combustion from hydrocarbons can contribute t o g r e e n h o u s e g a s emissions.”

As such, Janki said “It is wholly irrational and unreasonable for the Agency to conclude that the project will not have a significant impact on the environment when the Project Summary states quite clearly that there is a potential health risk and therefore the Agency's decisionisunlawful.”

Press Association to hold elections in May

The Guyana Press Association on Monday announced that it will be holding its Annual General Meeting andelectionsinMaythisyear

The GPA's notice comes on the same day when a letter by an anonymous writer appeared in the Guyana Chronicle questioning the legitimacy of the current GPA executive and calling on it to hold elections. “At its most recent meeting, the executive took a decision to hold elections for a new executive in May 2023. A notice, to this effect, will be published in the print media, and a final date. All membersoftheassociationareasked to ensure that they are in good financial standing with GPA to ensure their full voting participation at this election,”theGPAsaidinastatement. Meanwhile, the GPA said thanked its members for their patience over the years “as we navigated the 2020

Elections and the COVID-19 pandemic, which no doubt affected the holding of our elections.” The press body reminded that it was elected in January 2018 for a two-year term. “In January 2020, it took a decision to postpone its elections and any training

until after the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. This was mainlyduetothefactthatmanyofour members were actively covering election-related activities. However, in March, the country was faced with two crises – an electoral crisis, which spanned for approximately 5 months, and the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the implementation of a number of restrictions, including but not limited to, public gathering,” thestatementread.

It continued, “given the circumstances at the time, the executive took another decision to further postpone any meeting that would have violated the public health regulations Notwithstanding the challenges, the GPA Executive remained active throughout this period engaging its membership on various issues.Importantly,anumberofvirtual workshopswereexecuted.”

Executive Director of EPA, Kemraj Parsram

International Lawyer, Melinda Janki

President of the Guyana Press Association, Nazima Raghubir

Kaieteur News

Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

PPP GOVERNMENT TARGETING POCKETS OF RESISTANCE

ThePPPCGovernmentanditsmediaoperatorsmaythink that they are artful because of their combination of smoothness,crudeness,vileness.

Weburstthatbubble,forPPPCchannelsandinstruments arenotassophisticatedastheythink.Thegiveawayiswhen dissenters are targeted, the objectionable are faulted, and when those who speak their conscience, or write their pain, are attacked. The government’s game then becomes clear ThebottomlineisthatthePPPCGovernment,itsleaders,its propagandists and sycophants have no room, no use, no toleranceforhonestdisagreement.Inthemindsoftheruling party’speople,allmustspeakwiththesamevoice,orallmust staysilent.Otherwise,bereadyforthewrathofagovernment bentontotalcontrol,completedomination.

Thisnewspaperincursitsshareofabuseandviciousness. Wecantakeit,andarereadyformore.Weareconfidentthat ourworkisaccurateandeducatesthisnationonwhatisreally going on here, and what the government and its leaders passionately do not want citizens to know We speak of glaringmismanagementofthevitaloilsector,anditisacrisis forthegovernmentanditspeople,whoarefattenedbytheir enslaving relationships with foreign companies, especially ExxonMobil.WewriteofthelackofrobustStateinstitutions, plus those missing, and we are transformed into Public EnemyNumber1.

Wecalloutleadersinthegovernmentfortheirdoubletalk, andwalkingbackofwhattheyoncestoodfor,andtheirrage spirals from the exposures and accompanying embarrassment.Tomakethemselveslookbig,theyresortto verbalbrawling,whichisnowsecondnaturetomostofthem. If the frequent revelation of things that the government and leadersprefertoremainsecretbringsdownthefuryofthose incharge,thenwearereadyandwillingtodealwiththat,asit comes.

Similarly, when a decades-long entity like the Guyana HumanRightAssociation(GHRA)speaksout,takesastand, againstwhatthePPPCGovernmentshabbydealings,itfinds itselfbeingaimedat,andfiredupon,witheveryintentionof weakening its work, if not bringing it down altogether The onlytruthinGuyanaisnowthatofthegovernment’s,andthe onlyrepositoryforfactsandhonestyisthegovernmentagain. ThisistheparanoiathatstalksGuyanatoday,whereaposture by a citizen or a group (any dissenting citizen or group) attractsthevengeanceofgovernmentsoldiers.Now,thereis this startling development, this parallel narrative, about millions and accountability, involving the GHRA and its leadership,itsoperations,andsoforth.Nothingwaseversaid beforeinpriordecadesofrulership,buttoday,whentheeyes of the world are focused on Guyana, there is this great sensitivityonthepartofthePPPCGovernment,regardingthe potential of each public difference or dispute to upturn its shakyboat. Ourpositionisunchanging:ifthereisnothingto fear,nosecretsthatcandamage,thentheoutrageandattacks aremisplaced.

Somewouldadvancetheargumentthatthereisatrendat work, compliments of the government. For, there were similar issues with a Guyanese organisation (IDPADA-G) whose work is on behalf of African Guyanese. Like the GHRA, there was this overnight development involving accounts and accountability, with allegations of fraud in the instance of IDPADA-G. It seems that the machinery and agentsofthePPPCGovernmentgointooverdrivetobeatup andsmearcitizens,whoexercisetheirrighttofreeexpression ofhonestopinions.Wecanspeaktothatwithauthoritysince wehavebeentargetedsooften.

What the government needs to realise is that the more it lashesout,themoredeterminedcitizensbecometostandtheir ground, that they are doing right by their fellow Guyanese. What leaders in the PPPC Government must come to grips with, is that the more they lash out, the more that they secretive, the more they are of the vindictive, the more they exposetheirfarcesandfailures.

The more they do so, the more grounds they give Guyanesetoprotest,object,speak,andwrite. Thepotkeeps boiling.

THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

DEAREDITOR,

After 57 years of Independence and 53 years as a Cooperative Republic, Guyana’s Parliament has evolved from a place of intellectual erudite argumentisto dirty and indecent discussions on policiesthatareunfitforthe highest law-making body in theland.

Over the years, the National Assembly has witnessed displays of the most uncouth and uncivilized behaviour from bothsidesoftheisle.Ahuge sectionofthecommunityhas concluded many of our Members of Parliament (MPS) behaviour are unstatesmanlike, lewd, and vulgar to be the people’s representatives in the upper chamber Such offensive language should not be toleratedinParliament.

The worst aspect of Guyana’s Parliament revolves around the PPPC anointed speaker who has andcontinuestoblockmany highly important bills from the Opposition to be presented and debated ThankstotheSpeakerofthe House, Manzoor Nadir, his acolytepositionhaselevated him to the PPP’s 34th MemberofParliament.

Today,thankstothePPP Speaker, Guyana’s Parliament has reached its lowest level never seen or

experiencedinthehistoryof the country The Opposition peoples’ representatives must accept with much trepidation that their presentations will be smotheredbeforetheycanbe articulated in fullest form. The Speaker’s decision to prevent the opposition from presenting a bill for debate without taking into consideration that the opposition like his PPP colleagues have the right to beheardinParliamentshows thatthespeakeriscallous.

The Speaker is an autocrat because only he decideswhatmembersofthe Oppositioncansayornotsay inParliament.

But his colleagues in the PPP are allowed to say anything and use any language without being disciplined We all remember the well-known case when a PPPC Minister during last year’s budget debatetoldafemalemember of the opposition that she needs a DILDO to pleasure herself.

He was not reprimanded by neither the Speaker nor the President. However, the Speaker has on many occasions called for the suspension of members of the opposition for frivolous incidents.

ItseemsthattheSpeaker ofallpersonsisnotawareof theproverb;whatisgoodfor

the goose is good for the gander,whichmeansthatthe same treatment given to one person should be given to another

The Opposition dare to question the authority of the Speaker for simple fact that he and no one else is the authority

Many including the OppositionMPsbelievethat thebehaviouroftheSpeaker is highly partisan even though he gave the impression that he has carefully weighed the pros andconsoftheissuestabled beforehimforadebate.

Motions or amendments from the Opposition have never seen the light of day, not even for information purposes In a few rare instances when the Speaker allowed debate by the Opposition, he is clever enoughtolimittheirtime,to prevent them from exposing the flaws and corrupt practices of the PPPC Government.Inotherwords, he tries to minimise any embarrassment of the ruling oligarchy Somehaveargued that the former Speaker under the Coalition was not soparochial.

The Speaker has not allowed the Opposition to table any bill in Parliament that would involve the debateonoilandgas,corrupt practices, SU Gate, or the procurementprocessthathas

awarded more than 95 percent of all government contracts to one ethnic group.

The Gas-to-Shore project is the biggest enterprise to be undertaken by the government at an estimated cost of US$2.to US$3billion to the taxpayers, yet our Emperor Speaker had refused the Opposition request for a debate on this colossal project Such abuse of Parliament by the Speaker muststop.

Many believe that the two main political parties in Guyana are dinosaurs, and bothareoneofthesameand neither is considered the lesser of two evils as some would say or believe. The PPPCgovernmentunderthe leadership of Bharat Jagdeo and David Granger led APNU+ AFC coalition government have wasted billions of dollars of the taxpayer’s money on illfated projects and therefore, should not be trusted to lead thenation.

It has been proven that thetwomainpartiesbecame corrupt, which supports the English Historian and Moralist, Lord Acton’s maxim, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corruptsabsolutely Regards, L e y l a n d C h i t l a l l Roopnaraine

The government has done badly in handling the cost of living

DEAREDITOR, People’s Development

Movement is asking Guyanesetopaymuchmore attention to what is taking place in the country If not, wewillfindourselvesliving assecond-classcitizens,asit could get worse for our future generations to live withthreesquaremeals.

Although we are labeled anoil-richcountry,wearein danger of falling into the resources curse which is speeding to get every cent fromusasthecostoflivingis climbingtothesky

Fromwhatweareseeing, our independence as a nation, and our natural resources are slipping away intothehandsofthewealthy, whilemanywhoclaimtobe high in moral standards sit back and turn their faces awaybecauseoffear Editor, while PDM can understand themagnitudeofthepolitical destructionthelastelections caused,andwhatthepresent

non-cooperation by government and opposition isdoingtothemindsetofour people, leaving some of them confused about which direction the economy is going and what should be done to deal with the many

problemsweface.

My advice to our fellow citizens is not to give up the fight for all Guyanese to get what is rightfully their own, youmustrememberthatyou can exercise at any time, people power true peaceful

protest to demand that politicians look after the interestofourpeople.

The present high cost of living, causes PDM to look back at the coalition 2019 budgetof$300.7billionwith (Continuedonpage5)

What does the PPPC Government have to hide?

DEAREDITOR,

It is inexcusable that the PAC (Public Account Committee) is not functioning.

IfweassumethatBharrat Jagdeo is the de facto President of Guyana and IrfaanAli just a puppet then questionsneedtobeaskedas to why this important oversight Committee is inoperable. What does the PPPC Government have to hide?

Is it the big budget

projectsarenotfeasible?

Guyanesedonotwantto hearthatmanufacturingwill take-off with cheap electricity Does anyone comprehend how much manufacturingneedstotakeoff by to pay for a US$2billion gas-to-shore pipeline project. You would need to manufacture about US$10billionata20%markupinproducts.

Guyanahadcheaplabour and manufacturing did not take-off. By the time the

electricity becomes cheaper, the labour costs will rise further outstripping the benefits of cheaper electricity

Why did Bharrat Jagdeo (he claimed that it was a no brainer) et al not want a proper feasibility study done?

D o i n g a p r o p e r feasibility study would have ensuredbetteraccountability andtransparency

Sincerely, SeanOri

GHRAhas changed since the time of its founding

DEAREDITOR,

TheGHRAoftodayisfar removed from the organization that was formed in 1979. This point wasclearlymadebyGeneral SecretaryofthePPP,Bharrat Jagdeo at the Cheddi Jagan memorialeventatBabuJaan on Sunday While no one doubtsthatGHRAplayedan important role in exposing the sustained attacks on human rights in Guyana under Burnham and the PNC, it must be noted that the organised had changed beyond recognition since those days of endemic state repression.

Itisespeciallyimportant to notethat the old GHRA was not a one-man show at that time. The organization was active and impactful becausemany distinguished Guyanese leaders were active in the organization. Among them were Ashton Chase, Gordon Todd, N.K. Gopaul, Fr Malcom Rodrigues, Maulvi Azeez, and others. These stalwarts represented a cross section of Guyanese society known formilitancy against the authoritarian PNC. All of

them were dedicated to free andfairelections,amatterof national survival, given that by 1979 the PNC has masteredelectoralbanditry

The strength of the old GHRAwasnotonaccountof one man If fact, when GHRA was formed Chase, Todd,Gopaul,MaulviAzeez and Malcom Rodrigues had already established a track record of fighting the dictatorship. Ashton Chase, of course, was a founding member of the Political Affairs Committee and the PPP,andhadby1979earned the reputation as a brilliant and steadfast champion of thelabormovement.

He was Minister of LaborinCheddiJagan’sfirst governmentin1953.Gordon Todd was the leader of the powerful Clerical and CommercialWorkersUnion, with strong groundings in the urban areas For C

ul, Gordon Todd “was one of those principled, fearless, u n f l i n c h i n g a n d uncompromising advocates andleadersinthestruggleof the working class, and indeedatruepatriotandson

of the soil” (Guyana Chronicle,1/5/2007).

N K G o p a u l , a courageousandbattle-tested anti-dictatorshipfighter,was General Secretary (and later President) of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NACCIE) GHRA also benefitted from the presence and leadership of Jesuit priest, Fr. Malcom Rodrigues, who was also Head of the Physics DepartmentatUG,andlater Vice Chancellor at the same institution And, among many others who shored-up GHRA, there was the reputable architect, Albert Rodrigues, and the Muslim leader Maulvi Azeez, from WestCoastDemerara.

During the heydays of the anti-dictatorship struggles against the PNC, therefore, the GHRA had multiple people who had long track records in human rights,anddeepconnections tothesociety Theywerealso active players rather than mere names on a piece of paper (or website). They pulled no punches, but insteadtookthefightagainst

The government has done badly...

Frompage4

just $270 billion in revenue expected, to come in, which means we had a total of $30.7billiondeficit.

Whenwelookatthepresent PPPbudget for 2023, which stands at a total of 781.9 billiondollars,duetotheoil money coming in, we come to realise that the present budgetisaround160%more than the coalition 2019 budget.

This will give anyone the expectation that we should have better-paid wages for our public servants, better incentives, and grants because the 2023 budget is $481.2billionmorethanthe coalition2019budget.

The present revenue that comes in from oil directly andindirectlyinGuyanahas been put into thousands of projects as though we are tryingtobuildRomeinaday while pushing slave labour wages into the hands of our people.

This will just keep them alive to work the next day because the money which publicservantsarereceiving in wages has lost its value due to inflation as if a pickpocket has passed their way Editor, while giving out thousands of contracts is

good, because it can create thousandsofshort-termjobs ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 a day for subcontractor workers, the majority of the backbone workers who have the responsibilityfortheday-today management of our country such as our public servants and local governments authorities workerswillcontinuetolive below the poverty line having monthly wages diminishintwoweeks.

Editor the government has done badly handling the costofliving,thisisbecause the main focus is on infrastructure development andotherdevelopmentwork to show that they can do better than the coalition government, which just had abudgetof$300.7billionto spend.

Anygovernmentthathas

the extant machinery of repression.

That is a far cry from what exists as the GHRA today Theorganisationnow has been reduced to a single voice,somethingthatshould never happen in an organisation that is intended

DEAREDITOR,

The editorial piece in Sunday’s Stabroek news captioned‘PACscandal’has eloquentlycapturedthegrim reality of the happenings of our times and provided a clearpictureofthehypocrisy of the ruling regime’s a p p r o a c h t o g o o d governance Despite the revelations made it is absolutely unacceptable and outrageous that the Public AccountsCommittee,forthe third consecutive week, will not be meeting on its statutorymeetingdaydueto the government members’ unavailabilitytoattend.This is a blatant disregard for the responsibilities they were elected to uphold on behalf ofthepeopleofGuyana.

toprotecthumanrights.The current GHRA has become too politicized, and there is widespread belief that it is biased towards, and a cover for, a small clique of Georgetown elites, along with some overseas academics who have only

peripheral connections to Guyana. The GHRA is so dysfunctional because of one-manism that issues of human rights can be bent, ignored, or simply dismissed.

Sincerely,

Dr.RandolphPersaud

given Guyana’s resourcerich status and the p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r transformationwithournew oil-richresource,hasnotmet since the inception of this Parliament.

The Assembly’s Committee, of which the Honorable Speaker of the Parliament is the Chairman, metonlyonceinthreeyears. There are other committees too numerous to mention where meeting to do the work leaves much to be desired.

$481.2billionmoreaddedto a 2019 budget of $300.7 billion will do better on projects and other developmentifthemoneyis spentwisely,however,inall of our development work, we must pay attentionto the livelyhoodofourcitizens.

PDM is calling on the government to pay our public servants, and local government authorities staff betterwagesIncreasingitby 25%, the country’s income canaffordit.

To prevent inflation, put systems in place to prevent profiteering, even if some price control mechanisms have to be put in place to prevent the unjust profiteers who increase the price of goodsandservicestwotimes theamountoftheincreasein wages.

Regards, MichaelCarrington

The government’s consistentfailuretoshowup and do the work they were electedtodoisamicrocosm oftheunacceptablerealityof many other committees of the National Assembly where committees just don’t meet.TheNaturalResources Committee, for example, which should be meeting

Whatismostconcerning about this particular cancelation of the Public Accounts Committee meeting is the lead up to it. The Clerk of the Committee had informed the committee that a quorum would not be present on Monday because government members had indicated they would not be present.However,thePublic Accounts Committee is guided by the decisions of the committee, and the statutory meeting day for PAC is Mondays. Despite this, the Speaker informed

theclerknottoproceedwith the directive to send out the notice in compliance with thestandingorder Thislevel of interference is alarming, and it is evident that the government is afraid of t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability,whicharethe twin cardinal principles that lend to good governance. The deliberate derailing and stymieingoftheworkofthe PAC by the government is unacceptable, and it is time for the people of Guyana to demand the accountability they deserve The government must be held accountablefor theiractions and lack of commitment to the responsibilities they were elected to uphold. We cannot afford to sit idly by while our democracy is eroded and our rights trampled upon.The time for actionisnow Regards, Chairman P u b l i c A c c o u n t s committee ParliamentofGuyana Hon.JermaineFigueira MP

We cannot afford to sit idly by while our democracy is being trampled

Who The Hell is Burnham?

DEAREDITOR,

-Whorecallsthathewas one of the original members of the PPP, when it was launchedin1950,alongwith Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Ashton Chase, Jainarine Singh, Martin Carter, Sydney King (now Eusi Kwayana), Boysie Ramkarran, and was elected first Chairman, and Cheddi JaganVice-Chairman.

-Whorecallsthatin1952 he became President of the British Guiana labour Union?

- Who recalls his being Mayor of Georgetown in 1959and1964?

- Who recalls his expulsion from the PPP and theestablishmentofthePNC in 1957, along with Joseph Latchmansingh (Chairman) and Jai Narine Singh (GeneralSecretary).

- Who recalls his becoming the country’s first PrimeMinisterin1966?

- Who recalls his confirmation as national holidays: “Eid-Ul- Adha, Youman Nabi; Holi, Deepavali,in1967?

- Who recalls his initiative to complete the Black Bush Agricultural Scheme, the establishment oftwoschoolsandahospital inthatcommunity?

Who recalls the

establishment of the third town and Mayoralty of Corriverton.

- Who recalls the completion of the Canje Riverbridgeforheavytraffic crossing and road of high quality to facilitate traffic to CrabwoodCreek?

- Who embarked on the first heavy duty road between Georgetown and Rosignol?

- Who conceived and implemented the major road toLindentoreplacethelong andunsaferivertravel?

- Who inspired the construction of the DemeraraHarbourbridge”

- Who created the historicMandelaAvenue?

- Who conceived the creationofthecommunityof South Ruimveldt with the most imaginative funding arrangement with the building suppliers, Guyana Timbers Ltd,, whereby the rentpaidbythenewowners was treated as repayment of theactualloans?

- Who inspired the residents of what is now Roxanne Burnham Gardens to collaborate after their work-day in contributing to building their neighbours’ homes?

- Who insisted on the erectionofthemonumentto the Enmore Martyrs,

immediately after nationalisation?

- Who knows about the Transformation to the National Park from the International Golf Course that was earlier managed by the Booker Group, after nationalisation?

- Who remembers Cheddi Jagan’s support for the nationalisation of the sugarindustry?

- Who remembers the devastating effect of the 80 day strike in 1964 during which canes were burnt acrossthetenestates,andof the resultant shortage of goodsandservices.Gasoline was scarce enough that the Premier resorted to transporting himself on horseback,inShirt-Jac?

- Who would visit BourdaMarketontheweekends to, amongst other things,persuadevendorsand their customers, to purchase the Party’s publication –New Nation – and keep the change?

- Who conceived of the establishment of the National Insurance Scheme, about which West Indian counterparts sought advice andfollowed?

- Who with Heads of 1) Antigua and Barbuda, ii) Barbados, championed the Caribbean Free Trade

Agreement?

-Whowasoneofthefour signatories to the Treaty of Chaguramasthatestablished the Caribbean Community and Common Market ––(Caricom) and had its Secretariat confirmed in the capitalofGuyana?

-Whowasitthatplayeda leading role in the dynamic international Non-Aligned Movement, with the active advice of the most qualified and creative team in the history of Guyana’s Foreign Service, inclusive of Shridath Ramphal and Rasheigh Jackson his QC classmates?

- Who developed the productive relationship with Cuba that resulted in lasting contributions to our health sector,inthefirstplace?

-Whorecallshislearning experience in Cuba with the concept of creating our c u r r e n t R e g i o n a l Administration structure, withrelatedboundaries?

- Who conceived of the NationalCulturalCentre,the SchoolofDance?

- Who conceived of and promoted the first CARIFESTA?

-Howmuchisknownof his contribution to sports, particularly Guyana and West Indies Cricket; his encouragement to the

Managing Cricket Board to honour at the GCC Ground Bourda the heroes Rohan Kanhai, Lance Gibbs, and Clive Lloyd, by naming the respectiveStands.

- Who recalls the assertive part he played in having the West Indies boycott South Africa from Test Cricket –– part of a more comprehensive campaignagainstApartheid.

- Who understands how accessiblehewasasahuman being, regardless of social status, ethnicity, gender,

religion, political persuasion?

-Howmanyrecallthathe wasgodfatherofJoey,sonof CheddiJagan?

- But who would not remember that he transformed an innocent apolitical Desmond Hoyte into a most astute President, the only one known for his congeniality with any audience and made his listenerslaugh–amatchless attribute!

Regards, ElijahBijay

11th Century Guyana Redux

DEAREDITOR,

Ever since the story became public regarding the barbaric beatdownofa young female who is a daughter, a sister , a future wifeand mother byhernow convicted father, the silence from the citizenry is deafening, especially from the female groups representing grandmothers, mothers , sisters, wives, students,reporters,lawyers, executives, diplomats, government ministers, priests , doctors , nurses, p h a r m a c i s t s , businesswomen, farmers, sportswomen, beauty queens , fashion designers, lecturers, bankers, environmentalists, and I would say the whole female population of Guyana.

As a girl dad, I am outraged and ashamedthat such an assault has not fired up the so called feminist base or even humanity at large in Guyana. I guess all the speeches about girl power

isa bunch of malarkey,as such, Charrandas should be reinstated to begin with. What about punitive damages including for her mental health? Possession of alleged firearm? Impositionofoverseastravel bans to North America and Europe? Doing business with importers and exporters?Maintainingbank accounts? Ineligibility for governmentcontracts?Court directedangermanagement? Cancelationofmemberships including the local business associations.

I believe if you girls, including all my female friends don’t get this one victory,you allwill not be taken seriously about the fight for equality, it would be just vapid rhetoric.The worldandIwillbewatching in coming days and months on how this plays out. The video will live in perpetuity ontheinternet.Didsomeone say March is Women’s historyMonth?

Regards, KeithBernard

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FISHERIES MANAGEMENT POLICY “WEAK” - FAO

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The FAO deems Guyana’s Fisheries Dept management policy implementation as “weak”

Weak management and policy implementation means less investigations into fishing impacts.

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Less investigations mean less inconvenience (none) for Exxon.

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Less inconvenience and exposure of Exxon means less fish for Guyanese.

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Guyanese fisherfolk going down, Exxon’s folks going up.

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Ali, Jageo talk up PPP's multiracial credentials …promise to “wipe out all weapons of racism in Guyana”

Guyana's top political leaders o n S u n d a y promised to wipe out racism here and also touted their p a r t y ' s m u l t i r a c i a l credentials at a memorial in honour of the People's Progressive Party's late founder,DrCheddiJagan. Head of State, President IrfaanAli told a gathering of party faithful that all Guyanese are shareholders

inthecountry'sdevelopment a n d t h e P P P C Administration remains steadfast in meeting their needs. “Today I say that no weapon formed in the clothing of racism will succeed once this People's Progressive Party is alive and we don't intend to die. We would stay alive,” DrAli emphasised. He pointed out that one of Guyana's greatest assets is the diversity of its Citizens. However, there are some persons who are bent on weaponising this important feature, using tacticstoseparatethenation.

Those who are handling the weapon must understand that their days are numbered andwillsooncometoanend, the Guyanese leader stressed. He reminded that Dr Jagan faithfully fought for the working-class Guyanese, and noted that the political transformation and justicecameasaresultofthe formation of the PPPC Making the case, President Ali emphasised that his government will ensure that the astute legacy of Dr Jagan liveson.“Wearenotgoingto be branded by the same whip… that inflicted the seamlessly deep wound on thesocietywelivein,butwe have chartered a course in which we are offering our branches of love to heal those wounds and to create a fresh platform through which growth and development and progress and unity have come to us,” theHeadofStateasserted.

He remembered former President Jagan for his remarkable contributions to the development of Guyana and the betterment of its people. The late Dr Cheddi Jagan served as President of Guyana from 1992 to 1997 andiswidelyregardedasthe 'father of the nation.' He dedicated his entire life to

ensure that freedom and democracy of the people prevailed in Guyana until he diedonMarch6,1997.

M e a n w h i l e , Vi c e President Bharrat Jagdeo saidthePPPCgovernmentis built on a foundation of inclusivity, transparency and accountability, driven by a fierce determination to advance development in Guyana. Noting that that the administration remains multi-ethnic and multiracial, Jagdeo said the Opposition has historically utilisedtherumormachinery to distort what the PPPC Government stands for “Do not allow the naysayers to dominate and create a wrong i m p r e s s i o n o f u s Throughout the country, people have to fight for what they believe in,” he urged.

To this end, the government hasbeenengagingpersonsin every community, at every level, bringing prosperity and development to all Guyanese On Saturday, residents of Victoria felt the government's presence as a ministerial outreach to the village, which saw scores of persons being granted the opportunity to voice their concerns, as well as benefitting from on-the-spot interventions.

VP Jagdeo added that, since assuming office in 2020, the PPPC has strengthened its efforts to engage Afro-Guyanese especially, to combat the seeds of doubt that the Oppositionattemptstoplant. G o v e r n m e n t h a s implemented the framework to push this development agenda, as the oil and gas resources are being spread out across all regions and sectors to foster large-scale development.

Thevarioussectors,such ashousing,health, (Continued on page 9)

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali during the event at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice

host ‘One Health’ meeting

Guyana is keen on reinforcingthe‘OneHealth’ agenda among key stakeholdersasastrategyfor pandemic preparedness and prevention, as well as a mechanism to support the nation’s disease eradication efforts.

The inaugural ‘One Health’ meeting was held Monday last at Pegasus SuitesandCorporateCentre, Kingston, Georgetown, to further drive the health policy that seeks to avoid and prepare for present and futurehealthconcerns.

During his remarks, MinisterofHealth,DrFrank Anthony said that a comprehensive approach is necessary to achieve the agenda.

He explained this can be a c c o m p l i s h e d b y establishing resilient surveillance systems, improving laboratory services,anddevelopingthe human capacity to respond appropriately to present and futurehealthconcerns.

“This one health agenda isveryimportantbecausewe seethisasthelogicalwayin which we can make our country very resilient. The investments that we are

going to make over time are going to be to improve surveillance, laboratory, and humancapacity And not just limited to animal health, but also to look at what is going on in the environment,’ Dr Anthonynoted.

The ‘One Health’ initiative is a collaborative multi-sectoral and transdisciplinaryapproachat the local, regional, national, and global levels, aimed at achieving optimal health outcomes.

“When we think about theconsequencesifwedon’t have this approach, it can really be devastating, and COVID-19 is just one of those reminders that this is real Instead of thinking about human health as just working within the human population… we have to l o o k a t t h o s e interconnections,”thehealth ministerexplained.

Alltheagenciesinvolved have shown a willingness to worktoformulatemitigation measures to prevent present and future health risks Advisor on CARICOM’s Agri-Food System, Dr Richard Blair said the processwillprovideservices

to bolster the country’s food production and enhance opportunities for exports “Webelievethatbyfocusing on this one health programme, it will provide some services for us in ensuring food safety and importantly in preventing early pathogenic influenza,” DrBlairstated.

M e a n w h i l e , P A H O / W H O Representative in Guyana, Dr Luis Codina disclosed that PAHO has been mandated by countries within the regions of the Americas and Caribbean sub-regions to coordinate, promote, and provide technical cooperation to support countries in implementing‘OneHealth’.

T h e F o o d a n d Agriculture Organisation’s Country Representative, Dr Gillian Smith, People’s Republic of China AmbassadortoGuyana,Guo Haiyan, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Ann Miller and InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture representative in Guyana, Wilmot Garnett, were among those present at the meeting.(DPI)

Ali, Jageo talk up PPP’s multiracial...

Frompage8

agriculture, education and infrastructure continue to see investments, especially those geared towards the prosperity of Guyanese at the grassroots level. “We have to ensure that we are building and accumulating wealthfortheordinaryman inasustainableway

That has been the philosophy of the PPPC,”VP Jagdeo added.

Moreover, transparency continues to be a chief concern, as seen in the revision of the Natural Resources FundAct, which sought to dismantle the previous framework

enactedbytheAPNU+AFC coalition, which entrusted soleauthoritytomanagethe NRFtothefinanceminister

F u r t h e r , t h i s government continues to champion the cause for the disadvantaged and oppressed, and this is clearly seen in the policies and legislation being implemented.

A clear-cut example of this is government’s efforts tocushiontherisingcostof living during the COVID19 pandemic, as well as its dedicationtobringingrelief to the sugar workers who were left without a livelihood following their

termination under the previous administration

This direction is in accordance with the template set out by Dr Jagan, as he forged the PPP to serve as a symbol of prosperity,spearheadingthe charge for democracy and human rights The VP added,“Whenwetalkabout CheddiJagan,weremember what he stood for The People’s Progressive Party created a national awareness and organised struggle for freedom in the country It is that political consciousnessthatledtothe fight for independence ” (DPI)

BYGHKLALL

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

The VP’s Facebook irony

Due must be given where it has been earned. I mustsaythatGuyana’sVice President is one cunning political operator, one scheming leader, a great pretender of unmatched proportions. When there is examinationoftheworkings of his clever mind, peering closely into his seesawing handiworks, I often shake my head in regret. It is the regret that comes from thinking how far ahead this country would be from where it is, how much the circumstances of the

Guyanese people would be surrounded by what speaks to assets well employed, leadership at its principled best, and actions that brook neither argument nor resistance.

When Guyana’s Vice President went the other way, took the dark road, embraced the underground, as his bosom companions, then Guyanese lost more thantheycanevercount.As part of his uninterrupted concoctions, the Vice Presidentnowcameupwith channeling his diehards to

Facebook to spread the messages. I have news for my brother, the VP: fewer and fewer citizens believe whatheoffersanymore.Not even when such is from his own mouth. The nothing if not tricky VP knows this, which is why he summons hisreservestotakethefight to Facebook to confuse and confront local enemies.The objectivesaretocamouflage his government’s track record, given all this oil money and business activity; to distract from the a b j e c t l e a d e r s h i p

weaknesses, none more so than his own; and to deafen the public with messages and postures that have no tractionintheregularmedia. Why walk and do in the night, under the cover of darkness, what can be walked and be done in the daytime,whenthereislight, and no stumbling? We have all these media outlets, including the greatest portionthatiscontrolled,or significantly influenced in some mutually agreed upon manner, by the Vice President,andthedarkback

alleysofFacebookis now the channel of choice. I would have thoughtthataleaderof the VP’s stature, his powerful tenure, and his long relationship with the Guyana’s once hallowed Fourth Estate, gave him the confidence to face the press and face the people with whatever had to be communicated, contended, contradicted, clashed over, and to wherever such concluded. Oh no! for the irony (and it is disparaging totheVP)isthatFacebookit must be, with surrogates carryingtheloadforhim.

Here is another irony of vulgar beauty There was a time in the world when the Ten Commandments had to be written in stone.Another time, when the first Americansspokeviasmoke signals sent Why, even America’s hallowed Constitution,andtheglitters ofShakespearewerewritten with feathers snatched from squawking poultry using a combination of homemade glue, soot, and more to get ink If this sounds like shaded paraphrasing of P.J. O’Rourke,itis.Andupuntil recently, to get a message across sea and space, one had to spit on a little square or rectangle of paper, a stamp, and then send with hope in heart and prayer on lips In Guyana, a magnificent man by the name of Forbes Burnham reduced press writings and readingstotheequivalentof a couple of middle pages, and two radio stations, mostly the Guyana Chronicle(s)ofhisera.

The PPP’s Mirror prevailed against the suffocating tide somehow, with Dayclean then removing the scales from oureyes.Forsure,theywere somewhat ragged in appearance, but they were never rags, but treasures. It was of those times, and the inventiveness that necessity

commanded.

Now here we are today, and my brother, the VP, has at his disposal Stabroek News and Kaieteur News withatotalof60pluspages daily, and over 150 on Sundays, and this wily political performer seeks refuge in Facebook for resonance to his messages. Is Facebook still such a desperate ‘must have’when all the combined hundreds of pages and oceans of airtime of the State media, and much of private media, inpaperorcyberform,areat the VP’s beck and call? Does he still need the fancy verbalfootwork,andwritten cosmetics,ofhisfanaticson Facebook,whenthelikesof the mighty American Ambassador, Sarah Ann Lynch, and Exxon’sAlistair Routledge have both declared how well pleased they are with the PPP Government?

This is more than irony Itisdesperation,anditisthe desolation that comes from theself-destructionsweaved bytheVPintohiswordsand works. Now,heexhortshis people to rise and rail on Facebook, to take a few sheaves from his book and rant to their hearts content about the glories of PPP governance. Seeing that there are all these many other media outlets, is this really necessary? To ask and answer, since the VP’s own deeds now catch up with him, he has no choice but to content himself with self-imposed house arrest, and sic his dogs of war on a disbelieving Guyanese population.

(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.)

HARDTRUTHS

Nurses attached to Palms yet to receive Govt. promised salary increases

Nurses attached to the Palms Geriatric Home have expressed concerns over whattheybelieveisamoveto exclude them from the increase promised to health workerslastDecember

President Irfaan Ali had announcedmajorincreasesin the salaries for doctors, nurses and allied health workers, across the country saying it was in keeping with his promise to ensure a better life for public sector workers but also in a bid to attract young, talented professionals tomedicalfield.

However, an employee

attached to the Palms told Kaieteur News that months after the announcement was made, not all healthcare work rs received the raise in e

haven'treceivedanything,”

salaries.

The staffer who spoke under conditions of anonymity told this publication“Infact,nursesat the Palms institution continue to be overlooked.

Over 100 nurses are in the employ of Human Services and Social Security Ministry and not one received that increase. Nurse with at least 40, 20 years service being patriotic all these years and

According to the aggrieved worker the only increase that has been reflected on their salaries is the eight percent increase promise to all public servants.

The staffer said that letters have been written to the President, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Social Protection. “We don't understand why we are being b y p a s s e d We a r e healthcare as well even thoughweworkunder social protection We have reached out to several high

Caiman bites off man's hand during fishing trip

functionaries and to date no answers, noincrease. This decries injustice.

The nurses are getting anxious and are planning a protest,”thestafferrevealed.

According to the salary increase announced by the PresidentlastDecemberover 5000 healthcare workers would get pay increases

According to Ali, these revisions to the salaries of these workers will benefit will increase disposable incomes by over $1.5 billion annually

Undertherevisionofpay, NurseAidesandPatientCare Assistantsweresettoreceive salaries adjusted upwards from $80,892 to $100,000. This represents an additional 23.6 percent increase on the current minimum salary paid toeachworker

Nursing Assistants moved from their current minimum salary $88,525 to $115,000.Midwives salaries adjusted upwards from $96,974 to $169,438. Staff Nursessalarieswereadjusted upwards from $111,628 to

$ 1 6 9 , 4 3 8 S t a f f

Nurses/Midwives salary adjusted upwards from $127,963 to $195,000

Meanwhile, in order to ensure that the public health care system is supported by adequately qualified technicians and allied health p r o f e s s i o n a l s , t h e government announced that will be adjusting the salaries payable to several categories of these workers including medex whose wages have moved from $152,420 to $200,000.

US$2M air bridges commissioned at CJIA

...as British Airways touches down to commence twice-weekly flights

Twenty-five-year-old

Russell Allicock of Rupununi on Sunday afternoon lost his right hand after he was attacked by a giant caimanwhile on a fishing tripwithafriend.

Kaieteur News was informed that Allicock was attacked sometime around 14:00hrs that day while he was setting his seine in the Takatu pond located in Annai, Region Nine.

A relative related to this publication that Allicock was the one helping to take the seine across the pond while his friend was some feet behind him. He said they decided to take a rest, when the caiman launched its attacked on Allicock.

Russell Allicock

Allicock told the relative that the caiman had attacked him first between his legs when he started to fight back thereptile.

He said while fighting backhecalledoutforaknife and that is where he stabbed

the caiman. Allicock further related that the caiman then suddenly made one last bite and took off his arm and thendisappeared.

H e w a s immediately rescued by his friend who took him ashore. Kaieteur News was told that Allicock was taken to the Annai Cottage Hospital but due to the severity of his injuries he was rushed to the Lethem Regional Hospital for further treatment There doctors immediately performed emergency surgeryduetothefactthathe was losing a lot of blood.As of Tuesday, Allicock has been in a stable condition andisrecovering.

commissioned the two new US$2 million boarding bridges at the Cheddi Jagan InternationalAirport(CJIA).

At a simple ceremony held at the airport yesterday, Chairman of the CJIAboard, Sanjeev Datadin said that the boarding bridges which are calledbridgesfiveandsixare an integral part of the development of the airport. He noted that these bridges are essential because in the pasttheyhadanapronandno way to get people off the planeandintothebuilding.

MinisterofPublicWorks, Juan Edghill in his brief remarkssaidthatthetwonew boarding bridges are i m p o r t a n t i n t h e modernisation of the CJIA. Heexplainedthat whenthey came to government in August of 2020 one of the

to 2020) that they were not going to accept the reduce footprint and they were not going to accept the reduce a p p r o a c h t o t h e modernizationoftheCJIA.

According to Edghill in 2015 when the airport contract was signed, it was envisaged that they would have eight boarding bridges.

“ W h e n w e c a m e t o government we met four, we said to the contractor at that time we are holding you accountable to the original contract that was signed in 201. We are holding you accountable to what was agreed on and what was designed and as a result of that, we made every effort to n e g o t i a t e a n e w arrangement,”hestated.

The minister noted that these bridges have been

of received Kaieteur Newshadreportedthatitwas in September 2021, when the Public Works Ministry awarded a contract for U S $ 2 M t o a l o c a l company,Total Solutions, for the supply of two additional airbridgesfortheairport.

This publication reported that the Ministry paid some US$350,000morefortwoair bridges when compared to a similar purchase made by the previous administration However,itwasclarifiedthat the new air bridges are for larger code D and E size aircraft. These are the widebodied aircraft used for transatlantic flights like the British Airways (BA) aircraft. The British Airways on Monday touched down at the CJIA and is expected to resume flights twice weekly toGuyanaviaSt.Lucia.

Russell Allicock recovering at the Lethem Regional Hospital after he was attacked by a caiman on Sunday.

British Airways which arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Monday evening.

GEA sitting on evidence of cheaper solar power alternative for gas plant - Alfred Bhulai

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), headed by Dr Mahendar Sharma has been supplied with evidence that the cost to generate electricity via solar is cheaper when compared to a gas-fired plant.

This information was revealed by Alfred Bhulai, an Energy Technologist, during a public hearing into appeals made by citizens for the waiver of an E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t Assessment(EIA)forthegas-fired power plant to be built at Wales, WestBankDemerara.

During the hearing, hosted at Cara Lodge in Georgetown on Wednesday, Bhulai explained that Dr Sharma, who is also Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) was furnished with these details but never acted on same.

Dr Sharma's role was to preside over the hearing to make a final determination as to whether or not an impact study for the projectwouldberequired.

Bhulai pointed out during an appeal presentation that Dr Sharmahadrequestedevidencefor the less costly solar power alternative, which was supplied to the GEA. However, Bhulai said “When I asked what the GEA is doingaboutit,hesaidheinstructed a subordinate to let me know. The subordinate never did. Therefore, Dr Sharma is also too busy to fulfillhisowncommitment.”

The Energy Technologist went on to highlight that Project Head, Winston Brassington said the pipeline cost alone is pegged at US$1.1 billion. In the meantime, variables such as the cost to operate the gas processing facility and the power plant is still unknown.Inaddition,government has still not shared the cost related

Levelized cost of enegery ($/MWh)

The price of electricity from solar declined by 89% in these 10 years

to the transmission and distribution of the electricity; the maintenance and operation of the transmission and distribution and therequiredupdatestotheGuyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) systems.

As such, he said the country couldexpectthecostofthisproject coming in for as much as US$3 billion.

Bhulai on the other hand explained, “Solar power on small scale with battery storage for two rainy days costs no more than US$3 per watt, inclusive of wiring (for)installation Therefore the US$1.1billionpipelinecostsalone can fund more than the 300

megawattinsolarpower.”

He continued, “US$3 billion can fund a gigawatt of such solar power and the beauty of solar power is that it does not have to be doneallatonce.Itcanberolledout as the money comes in from oil, without having to borrow costly capital, operating costs are negligible. On this ground alone the gas to energy should be scrapped. The Guyana Energy Agency should so advise the government. Did they? If not, the GEAisincompetent.”

Asglobalwarmingspeedsup–with noticeable changes in the weather and climate – the need for solar power generation could not

Labourer admits to robbery at Dada's Grill

Twenty-one-yearold Swajeet Jaikarran, called 'Akash' , a labourer of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, has admitted to breaking and entering and stealing from D a d a ' s G r i l l , Restaurant and Bar, which is located in Tuschen.

Jaikarran made his first court appearance on Monday at the Leonora Magistrate's Court before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. He pleaded guilty to the charge that was read tohimandthemagistrateremandedhimto prison until April 4, 2023, for a probation

Swajeet Jaikarran, called 'Akash'

reportandsentencing.

The restaurant had revealed that during the wee hours of Wednesday March 22, the defendant broke into the business premises, damaged a s e c u r i t y c a m e r a , d i s m o u n t e d o n e television, and removed the cash register, stole one cell phone, and an Ipad.

T h e b u s i n e s s revealed that at the time the cash register contained daily sales and tickets valued $503,500, which represent 133 general tickets, 10 VIP tickets and 3 car passes that were sold for the 'Clash of the Titans' event alongwithotherpassesthatwerenotsold.

(combined cycle) -32%

worldhasbeenturningtothissafer optionofpowergeneration.

T h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s Development Programme (UNDP) in its 2022 Report titled: “Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a Transforming World”, has made it clear that power generation through solar has become far cheaper than which is being reported.

In the document which was releasedonSeptember8,2022,the organisation explained, “Contrary to the projected average annual cost reduction of 2.6 percent between 2010 and 2020, solar photovoltaics costs declined by 15 percent a year over the same period.”

This means that the price of electricity from solar declined by 89 percent in these 10 years. The UNDP used a chart to depict the massive declines in which it explained that in 2010, the cost to generate one megawatt (MW) of power moved from US$359 in 2009 to just US$40 in 2019. Not only that, but this means solar powergenerationalsoprovedtobe cheaper in comparison to at least two other clean energy options –gas and wind. Despite both wind and gas power also recording a decline in cost to generate, the report maintained solar is the cheapestoption.

Energy Technologist, Alfred Bhulai

bemoreurgent.

Ascountriesbecomecognizant of this, with extra influence by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the

Althoughsolarpowerhasbeen repeatedly proven to be cheaper than gas-fired power generation, thegovernmentisadamantthatthe GTEprojectwillreducethecostof power locally by as much as 50 percent.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has assured that the project will also generate enough liquids, such as cooking gas, which would be exportedtorakeinmoreprofitsfor thecountry

Construction worker remanded for murder of Canje man

Twenty-three-year-old Trevor Rajmangal, a construction worker, was on Monday remanded to prison for the murder of Mohamed Imran Ali, of EastCanjeBerbice.

Rajmangal of West Canefield, East Canje Berbice, made his appearance via Zoom b e f o r e P r i n c i p a l

Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus He was notrequiredtopleadtothe indictable charge which alleges that between Saturday March 18, and Sunday March 19, at West Canefield, he murdered Alicalled'Mice'.

Principal Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus remanded

Rajmangal to prison and the matter was adjourned toApril21,2023.

According to reports, Ali was last seen alive on Saturday night walking through Canefield Street imbibing and in an intoxicated state The following morning his lifeless body was discovered lying in the street. Ali was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A p o s t - m o r t e m examination revealed that hediedasaresultofshock w i t h c e r e b r a l haemorrhage due to a fracturedskull.

Dead, Mohamed Imran Ali called 'Mice'

The UNDP chart depicting the huge decline in cost to generate electricity using solar and other options

Miners, residents under siege at Eteringbang by Venezuelan National Guard, Sindicatos

Miners and residents of Eteringbang Community located in the Upper Cuyuni-Mazaruni District, Region Seven, are pleading for the Government's intervention and possible solution to the “abuse” and “outright robberies” they are facing at the hands of the Venezuelan National Guard and the notorious sindicato gang.

In a letter of complaint signed by miners, shop owners and residents of the Eteringbang, the residents highlighted their plight and explained that the situation has been going on for six years now They said this had led to some peoplerelocatingwhileothershave to fend for themselves despite the presenceofmembersoftheGuyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at the border betweenGuyanaandVenezuela.

“We the miners and business people who operate on the Guyana sideoftheborderwithVenezuelain the Upper Cuyuni area between Akarabisi and Eteringbang would hereby like to bring to the attention of our Government the abuse, neglect, danger and outright robberies that we are facing on a dailybasisforinexcessofsixyears at the hands of the (Venezuelan) National Guards and Sindicatos on the Venezuelan side,” the residents

statedintheirletterofcomplaint.

Accordingtotheletter,thereare four checkpoints betweenAkarabis and Eteringbang (one National Guard and three Sindicatos). The residents explained that at all four checkpoints, they have to stop and allow the armed guards and sindicatos to check their boats, and added to that, depending on what they are transporting they are also required to pay, about $2000 per drumoffuelatallfourcheckpoints. They added that they also have to pay when transporting food and othersupplies.

“There have been many instances where we are robbed by these people or have part of our stockseizedbythem.Thereisgreat risk if we choose to not stop since gunshots would come our way,” theyadded.

It was further stated that as a result of the extended period of exploitations,manypersonsmoved out of the area, while those who remain are finding it difficult to keep their businesses afloat. “The neglect and closure of the Eteringbang Airstrip has compounded the situation since we are forced to use the river exclusively and face these criminalsevenmore,”theysaid.

Itwasexplainedthattheclosure of the airstrip some seven months

agohasalsoresultedintheshortage of basic over the counter medications and other basic supplies to the community. The residentssaid,“Theextremelyslow pace of the reconstruction of the airstrip provides very little hope fromthatavenueanytimesoon.”

The residents said that as a result of their quandary, the community can now be classified

asa“depressedone.”

In closing, the Eteringbang residents said, “We are kindly asking for our Government to look into our matter with some urgency since we have been suffering for a longtime.”

Back in December last year this newspaper had reported that the Sindicatos had invaded several areas in Region One, robbing and

beating miners who operated in the Five Star Back Dam It was reported then that the invasion reportedlystartedatLenalanding–apartofFiveStarthatisclosetothe Venezuelaborder

Thegunmenhadlatermovedin to Powis Landing, looting and robbingalongtheway AMatthews Ridge businessman in the area had related that the gang had forcefully taken over “Fat man's new shop” at Powis landing and sent 12 of their mentohideinthebushesaslookout for the Guyanese joint services ranks who may enter to stop them. In 2017, three Guyanese were slaughtered in their sleep at a Venezuelan mine site called Imataka that is located close to the Five Star Backdam Gunmen brandishing high-powered weapons had stormed into their mining camp around 03:00 hrs on Wednesday July 19, 2017 and riddled them with bullets. Police identified the dead as Vernon Eudoxie, 51; Cologne Solomon, 23 – both of Fitzburg, Port Kaituma –and Samuel Moses, 19, of Four Miles Oronoque, Port Kaituma, North West District, Region. Venezuelan authorities suspected that killings were carried out by the Sindicatos,aVenezuelangang,that would cross over into Guyanese minesandrobvictimsfrequently

DDL secures US$22M IDB loan to expand juice, milk production

The Demerara Distillers Limited ( D D L ) h a s securedaUS$22Mloanfrom t h e I n t e r- A m e r i c a n Development Bank (IDB) to expanditsproductionofmilk andjuice.

The loan was facilitated through IDB's private sector arm, IDB-Invest. A Ministry of Finance press release noted that the signing took place at DDL's headquarters and was overseen by Senior Minister in the Office of the PresidentwithResponsibility forFinance,Dr AshniSingh.

Speaking at the signing, Dr Singh said that the transaction is the largest ever done by IDB Invest with any private sector entity in Guyana and is in alignment with the 25 by 2025 initiative of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which aims to reduce its large food import billby25percentby2025.

Minister Singh noted as well that the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Government has been encouraging IDBInvest to do more and larger operations with the private sector of Guyana as he recalled that government has been advocating for this for

severalyears. I D B ' s R e s i d e n t Representative, Lorena Solorzano-Salazar and D i v i s i o n C h i e f o f

Corporates, Aitor Ezcurra pointed out during their remarks that the transaction will assist DDL in energy d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n a n d diversification in terms of products of the company as well as in expansion of its labour force among other a i m s M r E z c u r r a emphasized the importance

o f p r i v a t e s e c t o r developmenttooverallsocial and economic growth further adding that diversification of exports, working with the agricultural value chain and smaller farmers in the fruits business are all part of the things considered as well as the fact that the agreement would be contributing positivelytoCARICOM's25 by2025initiative.

For her part, Mrs Solorzano-Salazar pointed to the importance of energy and

economic diversification and why the IDB-Invest consideredtheinitiativetobe imperative.

Executive Chairman of the DDL Board, Mr Komal Samaroo recalled that DDL was the first to be ISOcertified in 1995 and the first to establish a biomethanization plant in the Caribbean. He said that the Company'saimsto,aspartof its future plans, commit in excess of US100 Million dollars in Capital projects.

He noted that the loan agreement signed today will provide the resources required to fund projects in p u r s u a n c e o f t h e diversificationstrategyofthe DDLgroupandthetransition torenewableenergy

TheloanwillenableDDL to develop a new one-litre packaging line for juice and milk, set up an automated fruit processing line, and finance the construction of a 3 2 5 M W o f s o l a r photovoltaic(PV)generation

system with battery storage forself-consumption.

The financing will also help DDL align its growth strategy by increasing productivityanddiversifying beyond rum production to incorporate new and healthier products produced locally.Itwillalsocontribute to climate change mitigation by incorporating renewable energy, replacing fossil fuel sources. In addition, the financing will strengthen the local supply chain of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) fruit and vegetable producers by increasing the number of farmers that supplytoDDL.

IDB Invest previously providedtechnicalassistance to DDL for the development and implementation of solar PV and energy storage system promoting the adoptionofenergyefficiency measures and environmental improvements such as fire and safety and water m a n a g e m e n t T h e s e interventions are expected to contributetosixoftheUnited Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, AffordableandCleanEnergy (SDG7),DecentWorkand (Continued on page 18)

Eteringbang

From left : Aito Ezcurra, Division Chief of Corporates at IDB Invest, Lorena Solorzano Salazar, Country Representative in Guyana at IDB Group, Komal Samaroo, DDL Group Chairman, Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Finance Minister, and Mark Peters, Investment Officer at IDB Invest

NAREI to spend $28M to drill and rehabilitate two water wells

T h e N a t i o n a l Agricultural Research and ExtensionInstitute(NAREI) would soon be drilling and rehabilitating two water

wellsforanestimatedcostof $28,018,540.

Attheopeningoftenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration

MinistryofAgriculture-NationalAgricultural Research&ExtensionInstitute(NAREI)

DrillingofportablewaterwellatNAREIfacility atKairuni,Linden-SoesdykeHighway

Board(NPTAB)officeitwas revealed that NAREI is slated to drill a well at its facility located at Kairuni along the Linden- Soesdyke

Highway for an estimated costof$13.5million.

Theprojectattractedone bidder who tendered almost twice the amount of the

RehabilitationofpotablewaterwellatNAREIfacility

engineer’s price for the job. NAREI too would be rehabilitating a well for $14 million.

This project attracted

two bidders who bid $13 millionand$45milliontodo theworks.

B e l o w a r e t h e companiesandtheirbids:

Supplyanddeliveryoftworefrigeratedtrucks totheGuyanaMarketingCorporation(GMC).

ConstructionofProcessingFacilityand SolarDryeratCrabwoodCreek,RegionSix.

MinistryofPublicService

Supplyanddeliveryofcookedsnacksandlunches.

GuyanaEnergyAgency Design,supply,installationandcommissioning ofSolarPhotovoltaicSystemsandDistribution NetworksforOreallaandSiparuta.

Procurementoftheprintingofbrochureandcharts.

RehabilitationandconstructionworksatGEAHeadOffice.

GuyanaSugarCorporation(GuySuCo) Supplyanddeliveryofonedieseltype-PRM 180-1950Hydraulic(Longboom)excavator

MinistryofEducation

Supervisionconsultingservicesforrehabilitation/ constructionofwatersupplysystems atSecondaryschoolsanddormitories.

GuyanaDefenceForce(GDF) Expressionofinterest-Saleof unserviceable-OceanPatrolVessel.

Supplyanddeliveryofoneset

Former T&T President says racial behaviour appalling, frightening

( T R I N I D A D EXPRESS) APPALLED and frightening is how former president Paula-Mae Weekes has described the levelofracialabuseonsocial mediaduringhertenure.

In a pre-recorded interviewwithGarthStClair of the ‘Eye on Dependency’ programme on i95 5fm yesterday,Weekessaidwhen her term began, she took an interest in the comments on social media, which left her inastateofshock.

“I do not think I am differentfromanycitizenfor beingappalledatwhatplays out on social media, on a racial basis. I accept that there are many decisions, thatIhavemadeaspresident, that can be subject to scrutiny, discussion, and disagreement But

sometimeswhenyoulookat the comments they are so racially biased,” the former presidentlamented.

Weekes said this sort of behaviour is dangerous for the country, as some feel empowered to display this level of ignorance under anonymity

“It is very sad, because once we remain polarised, then we cannot come togethertoachieveanything, and there are many things if we do not come together, would not be achieved. I do not know if our leaders (not onlyinpoliticalspheres)just not seeming to understand that,”sheadded.

Weekes said this developmentisafrightening oneandifitcontinuesdown this path it would not end well. “What I also found is

Former President, Paula-Mae Weekes

thatafterthelastelectionsin 2020, the racial behaviour did not subside, as is the usualpatternandthatiswhat isfrightening,”shesaid.

PRESIDENTIAL POWERS

On the issue of presidentialpowers,Weekes said the President has very limited powers and

authority Sheexplainedthat thePresidentisnotamember of the Government, as the President has a clear separation between governmental powers and certain agencies that Trinidad andTobago desires t o h a v e a n d k e e p independent such as the commissions.

millrolls pinion(three)forRoseHallFactory

Supplyanddeliveryoffirstgradecrusher run(1,050MT)forRoseHallEstate.

WANTED VACANCY

PORTERSWANTEDFOR PVCCEILING.APPLY@ WHYPAYMORETRADING,7PUBLICRDHOUSTONE.B.DWITHAPPLICATION.

Elderly Bus Driver wanted forroute32and31.Call:6781610.

SkilledCarpenters,Masons andLabourersneeded.Call: 602-9469,660-6385or6257642.

OneHousekeeper/Cookto work5daysperweek,preferablyfromE.B.D.Formore informationCall:609-1434.

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

Maid and Driver needed, preferablyresidinginEccles area.Call:223-7165.

Male&FemalegeneralWorkers and Receptionist needed to work shift at hotel.Apply inperson@12HenryStreet Werk-en-Rust. Call: 2259211.

Farm Workers needed to workatHauraruniandHog Island.Call:674-8723.

CookneededinBelAirarea, must be able to prepare Indian & English dishes and perform domestic duties. Call:624-1473/223-9888.

GeneralDomesticneededto work 6am-2pm, preferably from around Ogle, E.C.D. Call:646-7142.

Housekeeperneeded,very good salary offered. Call: 630-0961.

One Female able-bodied Clerk required. Call: 2252313,226-1497/658-8559.

OneTruckDriverneededto workMon-Fri.Call:223-9677.

Ecuadorlandslide:More thanadozenkilledinAlausí

(BBCNEWS)Atleast16 people have died in a landslidethatburiedentirefamiliesundermudandrubblein amountainvillageinEcuador.

Firefighters, police and

specialisedrescueteamshave been dispatched to the canton of Alausí, in the Andes mountains, to search for trapped residents.

OneClerkforTSIEcclesoffice. English & Mathematics, grade one or two, email application to: techserigy @yahoo.com or Call: 6159132.

Vacancy exists for two experienced Dispatchers at ConfidentialCabs.Call:6951961/231-5784.

Able-bodied live-in female Housekeeper to work in Virgina,U.S.A.Betweenthe agesof30-50yrs.Call:845325-8241/592-615-5476.

Maid needed to cook and cleaninEastBankarea.Call: 615-9132.

1 general Domestic needed to cook & clean, Mon- Fri andpreferablylivingwithin East Bank Area. Apply at Keyfood,McDoomVillage next to the post office.

Vacancyexistsfor2experienced Hairdressers at Grove, E.B.D.Call:652-5800/ 677-0040.

ReceptionistandDeskStaff needed at 233, South Road Lacytown,G/Town.Preferablymales,25-50yearsold. Call:225-0198.

DeliveryClerk,Cleanersand Porters needed. Apply @ Lens Hardware, Call: 2271511/645-1613.

Inventory/ Data Entry

Clerksrequired@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 ShoppingComplex,173Sheriff ST Tel: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

VACANCY

Supermarket AM & PM Cashiersrequired@Survival ShoppingComplex,173SheriffST. Call:609-2995,Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Supermarket Packers/ Porters AM & PM needed @ SurvivalShoppingComplex, 173SheriffSt.Tel:609-2995, survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Heavy equipment Servicemen needed to work in Georgetown. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 231-2250/615-0545.

Water Delivery Driver and Porter needed for E.C.D. Call:676-1363/692-6768.

VacancyexistforCarpenter/ Joiner. Apply at Regency Suites/ Hotel, 98 Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust G/ Town.Call:226-0550/6093332.

ExperiencedWaiter/Waitress, Counter Server & roti/ puri Cook. Apply @ Hack's Restaurant 5 CommerceSt.

Western Union CSRS, am/ pm Sales Clerks, Cashiers, Bond Clerks, Porters and Packersrequired@Survival ShoppingComplex,173SheriffST Tel:609-2995,Email: survival.humanresources@ gmail.com

LANDFORSALE

Carmichael Street, Better Hope,Friendship,Gardenof Eden&LethemCommercial area.CallRay'sRealty:6279685.

Six people have been pulledalivefromthemud,but the government said that at leastsevenwerestillmissing. Morethanadozenhavebeen injured.

Localmediasaidthatresidents had been warning of faultlinesforminginthearea following heavy rains. Just days ago, the highway linkingAlausíwithGuamotewas closed indefinitely after the tarmac had cracked open.

One resident told local mediathat“themountainside slid down like a rocket” on Sunday evening, burying several homes under earth and rocks.

Local media published a video showing a stretch of

mountain road which had completely collapsed. Footage uploaded earlier by the police showed people using torches and spotlights to searchforsurvivorsamidthe surrounding darkness. Local radio reporters described “heart-wrenching scenes” as relatives rushed to the site looking for their loved ones. PresidentGuillermoLasso said the country’s risk management agency had been alerted and would be providing help to those affected. Oneofthemainroadslinking the cities of Riobamba and Cuenca had to be closed due totheselatestlandslides,further complicating access to the area.

The landslide comes just over a week after an earthquake struck Ecuador’s southern coast, leaving more than a dozen people dead.

FOR SALE

Stall for sale in Section1, StabroekMarket.Call:6664002.

Primebusinessspot,45x500 locatedatParika,4houselot together at Blankenburg. Call:652-0251/650-0402.

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

Experienced Pump Attendants needed at Sunrise MarinaGasStation,preferablyfromParikaarea.Send CVtosunrisemarinainc@ yahoo.com or Call: 2620404.

FORRENT

2&4bedroomsApartments and 2 empty corner lot for rent at Bladen Hall, E.C.D. Call/WhatsApp:700-0030/ 648-1787.

Upper flat apartment for rent in Diamond Housing Scheme. Call: 662-6772/ 619-3244.

Landforrent@Friendship, E.B.DalongtheEastsideof thePublicRoad.Landsize: 18acres.Call:623-1615.

OfficespaceBrickdam8000 sq ft, Hadfield Street and 2 bedrooms in Albertown & Houston.CallRay'sRealty: 627-9685.

2,3&4bedroomsfurnished and unfurnished Apt in BladenHall,E.C.D,$100,000 &$200,000GYD.WhataApp: 700-0030.

PROPERTYFORSALE

Subryanville, Diamond WestRuimveldt,Ogle,Better Hope, Good Hope, Peter'sHall,and Agricola. CallRay'sRealty:627-9685.

One resident described the landslide as moving with the speed of a rocket

VEHICLES FOR SALE

OneCRVHonda,$3.3M negotiableand1ToyotaAllion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculatecondition,lowmileage.Contact:649-0956.

SERVICES

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

Elevateyour brandwithour professional Graphic designservices.Call:619-0007, 629-5526.

Computer repairs available, we come to you! Professionalrepaironallcomputer relatedissues.Call:645-3184.

Immaculate construction services, professional and affordable tiling, masonry, ceiling,etc.Call:663-9616.

FORRENT

Newly built 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms Apt in E.C.D Highway,$2000&1000USD.Call/ WhatsApp:700-0030,1-347841-5872/+1868-747-4343.

DDL secures US$22M IDB...

From page 14 EconomicWork(SDG8),Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Responsible Consumption and Production(SDG12)andClimateAction(SDG13).

IDB Invest, a member of the IDB Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector IDB Invest finances sustainable companies and projects to achieve financial results and maximize economic, socialandenvironmentaldevelopment in the region. With a

portfolio of $15.3 billion in asset management and 375 clients in 25 countries, IDB Invest provides innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the needs of its clients in a variety of industries. Government has been long advocating for IDB-Invest to finance initiatives in the private sector and the Financial Institution has been moving speedily in this regard. In October, 2022 and January 2023 IDB-Invest signed US$4Million loan agreements with Muneshwers and John Fernandes respectively for each to procure a mobile crane.

One double Lot 80x160 on the east side of Friendship, PublicRoad,$12MGYDneg. Call:626-4234/628-6212.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

(AP) — Three children and two adults were killed in a shooting at a private Christian grade school in Nashville on Monday, hospitalofficialssaid.

While police said the suspect is dead after a confrontationwithofficers,it was not immediately clear whether the shooter was among the five people pronounced dead at the hospital.

The violence occurred at The Covenant School, a Presbyterian school for about 200 students from preschool through sixth grade. It was alsonotclearwhetheranyone else had been wounded Mondayintheattack.

The killings come as communities around the nation are reeling from a spate of school violence, including the massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, last year; a first grader who shot his teacher in Virginia; and a shooting last weekinDenverthatwounded twoadministrators.

The Nashville victims were pronounced dead upon arrival at the Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital, accordingtoCraigBoerner,a spokesperson for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which is affiliated with the children'shospital.

It was not immediately clear whether anyone else

adults gunned down at US school

was wounded in the attack. Other students walked to safety Monday, holding handsastheylefttheirschool surrounded by police cars, to a nearby church to reunited withtheirparents.

The shooter died after being “engaged by” officers, Metro Nashville Police said in a Twitter post. It was not immediately clear whether theshooterdiedbysuicideor wasshotbypolice.

The fire department said it responded to an “active aggressor” but did not give any specifics. Other details about the shooting were not immediatelyavailable.

Policeofficerswithrifles, heavy vests and helmets could be seen walking through the school parking lot and around the grassy perimeter of the building Mondaymorning.Helicopter footage from WTVF also showed the officers looking around a wooded area between the campus and a nearbyroad.

Jozen Reodica heard the police sirens and fire trucks blaring from outside her officebuildingnearby Asher building was placed under lockdown, she took out her phone and recorded the chaos.“I thought I would just see this on TV,” she said. “Andrightnow,it'sreal.”

On WTVF TV, reporter Hannah McDonald said that her mother-in-law works at

the front desk at The Covenant School The woman had stepped outside for a break Monday morning and was coming back when she heard gunshots, McDonald said during a live broadcast. The reporter said shehasnotbeenabletospeak with her mother-in-law but saidherhusbandhad.

The Covenant School was founded as a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church in 2001, according to the school's website. The school is located in the affluent Green Hill neighborhood just south of downtown Nashville, situatedclosetothecitiestop universities and home to the famed Bluebird Café – a beloved spot for musicians andsongwriters.

The grade school has 33 teachers, the website said. Theschool'swebsitefeatures the motto “Shepherding Hearts, Empowering Minds, CelebratingChildhood.”

Democratic state Rep Bob Freeman, whose district includes The Covenant School, called Monday's shooting an “unimaginable tragedy.”“I live around the corner from Covenant and passbyitoften.Ihavefriends who attend both church and school there,” Freeman said in a statement. “I have also visited the church in the past. It tears my heart apart to see this.”

Students from The Covenant School hold hands after getting off a bus to meet their parents at the reunification site following a mass shooting at the school in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., March 27, 2023. Mark Zaleski/USA Today Network via REUTERS

Children from The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville, Tenn., hold hands as they are taken to a reunification site at the Woodmont Baptist Church after a deadly shooting at their school on Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP

Photo/Jonathan Mattise)(AP)Prayers

A group prays with a child outside the reunification center at the Woodmont Baptist church after the shooting. (John Bazemore/AP) Kids

Golden Jaguars aiming to end Nations League campaign with 'W'

By Rawle Toney

After securing a berth to the preliminary round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Golden Jaguars aim to end their Nations League campaign on a winning note when they face Montserrat from 7:00 pm today in Barbados.With the National Track and Field Centre at Edinburgh deemed unfit for International Football, Guyana's Senior Men's National team was forced to play their final 'home game' at Wildey Turf inside the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in Bridgetown.

The Golden Jaguars,

regardless of today's result, will finish second behind HaitiinGroupBofLeagueB and will head into the clash against Montserrat coming offa2–0winoverBermuda lastSaturdayinHamilton.

Speaking to Kaieteur News yesterday, Golden Jaguars head coach Jamaal Shabazz highlighted that changes were made to the starting team that earned three points over the weekend.

“We would rotate the team and make three changes to the starting lineup while still trying to maintain good quality. Off course, we want to win and end on a high note but it's equally important to give

Wednesday

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19

Feel free to upset the equilibrium in order to have your needs met, especially in the bedroom, Aries. In an effort to maintain the peace and keep everything on an evenkeel.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

Nothing is too hot for you to handle, but why do you insist on burning your hand when youdon'thaveto,Taurus?Are you trying to prove to someone that you can take the heatwithoutbeingaffectedby it?

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Your physical energy is strong.Yourdesireforpassion and love is intense, Gemini. Combine these two forces for a passionate night of love and romance.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Matters of the heart may not be going smoothly, Cancer

Perhaps someone's approach hasbeentooaggressive.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

When it comes to love and romance,you'reprobablyonfire, LeoYouhaveanincrediblepassion forlovenow,makingyou one of the most desirable catches around.

If things aren't going smoothly in a romantic relationship, be careful about blaming yourself, Virgo. A partnershipmeansthattwo people worktogetherequally

opportunityformoreplayers tocompete,”Shabazzsaid.

According to Shabazz, “We want a competitive unit going forward and the players starting today has that opportunity to maintain the standards with their performance.”

Shabazz retained Goalkeeper Kai-McKenzie in the starting line-up, along with Johnathan Grant, Liam Gordon, Leo Lovell, Elliot Bonds, Jalen Jones, Omari Glasgow and Bayli SpencerAdams.

Getting a start today are ColinNelson,KadelDaniel andKelseyBenjamin.

His substitutes areAkel Clarke (GK), Joshua Narine, Sam Cox, Jeremy

March 28, 2023

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your sex drive is apt to be strong today This could be the only thing on your mind, Libra. Every person you see maystirfeelingsinyou,even though you may already be committedtosomeone.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Bring more fire and passion to your love life, Scorpio. Spark things up by being moreadventurous.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Recent conflicts may stir up some anger in you, Sagittarius. This is a powerful force, and you couldbetemptedtogetintoa bigfight.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

You may not be having the best of luck when it comes to matters of the heart, Capricorn, and you may feel you need to take some sort of action.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Love and romance are in the air tonight, so feel free to let loose, Aquarius. Instead of being a passive, gentle, soft kindoflove,theemotionyou feel may be more forceful, passionate,andaggressive.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

If you haven't gotten the love you want lately, Pisces, perhapsit'sbecauseyouhaven't asked for it If you're involved with someone and feel unfulfilled, consider having a heart-to-hearttalk

Garrett, Curtez Kellman, Pernell Schultz, Emery Welshman, Tre Medford, Daniel Wilson, Marcus WilsonandTrayonBobb.

N e w p o r t C o u n t y midfield stalwart Nathan Moriah-Welsh will miss today'sgame.

Though admitting of always being eager to experimenttolearnabouthis team, Shabazz warned, “It's clear that Montserrat will hunt results to avoid relegation.

So although we are

already in the playoffs we need to approach this as our first preparatory step towardstheGoldCup.”

G u y a n a d e f e a t e d Montserrat, 2-1, in their last Nations League meeting in June, where Adrian Clifton scored that day for Montserrat, while Omari Glasgow had a brace at the Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Glasgow can add to his tally of three goals as he is one of the

Queen Side Girls Chess Camp...

From page 25 communication and leadership skills, they can become great players,administratorsandambassadorsofthesport.

This event was sponsored by Jumbo JetAuto Sales, along with Sunshine Snacks, Nadeem Khan and Associates, and Banks DIH Limited. The participants were provided with snacks and beverages for an afternoon of fun in chess and social development.The Guyana Chess Federation also extends sincere gratitude to the management of Duke Lodge forprovidingtheuseofthevenueandPrabhaPersaud-Kissoon for sponsoring the WICC banner Special thanks are extended for seeing the value in what we strive to achieve and for supportingusasweforgeahead.

namesincontentiontofinish as League B's top scorer Lyle Taylor also has three goals to his name as he leads thewayforMontserrat.

Mings Products...

From page 24 are more than happy to be contributing towards its continued success. Many of the youths are involved in multiple sports activities which augur well for their, and the developmentofthecommunity As a company, we are committed to this development pathway and will continue to makethisareality.”

Mr John Chin, of Mings Products and Services, the exclusive distributor for the entire line of Yamaha products including outboard motors, water vehicles, motorcycles, and generators in Guyana, posited that their company and products have been associated with the Bartica Regatta as long at the event has been around.

“So,wearebasicallycontinuing our commitment towards the sustained development of this community through this event which has various components. Easter Regatta is a household product and, we at Mings are pleased to have been part of building this product and making it sustainable.” Williams, in response to both ETC Inc. and Mings Products and Services, relayed the gratitude of the Organising Committee and the community of Bartica for the sustained commitment from both companies towards the growth of the Bartica Easter Regatta.

CavsblastRockets...

From page 23 and had 12 rebounds and rookie center Mark Williams, making his first start after missing a couple of weeks with a thumb injury, added 15 points and 16 rebounds for Charlotte, which has won three of its last four games.Luka Doncic racked up 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Mavericks, but it might have been a costly outing for numerous reasons. In the thirdquarter,Doncicpickedupa technical foul -- his 16th of the season -- so he'll face a onegame suspension unless that infractionisoverturned.

InotherResults: Bulls118,Lakers108 Grizzlies123,Hawks119 Celtics137,Spurs93 Magic119,Nets106 Raptors114,Wizards104 Thunder 118, Trail Blazers 112 (Field Level Media)

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

PPP Soesdyke/Timehri Highway Cluster 7-A-Side Football...

Soesdyke needle Waiakabra to take the top prize; Neron Barrow is MVP

Tw o d a y s o f exciting 7-a-side f o o t b a l l culminated on Sunday evening when Soesdyke, through a Mark Barker second-half goal emerged as the inaugural champions of the People's Progressive P a r t y Soesdyke/Timehri/Highway C l u s t e r o r g a n i z e d c o m p e t i t i o n . Played at the Banakari Ground situated at Long Creek on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Honourable Kwame McCoy amongst other officials including Ms. Michelle Drepaul, Askari Ferrier, Everton Poole, and Pierre Andrews, witnessed exciting action as the twelve (12) teams all displayed skills of some sort but it was the Soesdyke boys who claimed the top prize of $100,000, medals and a trophy with their win over Waiakabra which walked away with $50,000 and a trophy

Following Saturday's opening rivalry which saw all 12 teams competing, the quarter-finalswerecontested on Sunday when Soesdyke defeated Hauraruni 2-0, through goals from the tournament's Most Valuable Player, Neron Barrow J o n a t h a n B a i l e y Waiakabra were then pushed to the hilt to turn back the challengeofYarrowkabra,32 on kicks from the penalty mark as both regulation and extra time failed to produce any goals. Bamia trounced Kuru Kuru College 3-1, thanks to goals from Marcus Johnson, Jvonte Lewis, and Kevin Charles. Kuru Kuru Colleges' consolation strike came from, Steven Smith. Swan Madewani eased into the semi-finals on account of

a brace from Edson Williams, CircuitVille failed toscore.

Both semi-finals were decided by respective 1-0 score lines, Waiakabra's Joshua Grant netting the winner against Bamia, with Soesdyke's Tyrone Khan sealed his side's place in the final and subsequent title, withthewinneragainstSwan M a d a w e n i Khan along with Edson Wi l l i a m s o f S w a m M a d a w e n i a n d Yarrowkabra's Terrence Glasgow ended as the competition's joint leading goal scorers, with a brace each Waiakabra's Marlon Fernandez was adjudged the t o u r n a m e n t ' s B e s t

Goalkeeper

Minister McCoy, in brief remarks following the presentation of prizes to the top individual performers and teams, thanked them all for making the tournament a resounding success Gratitude was also extended to the hundreds of fans who turned up over the two days to cheer their teams on Minister McCoy promised the communities that His Excellency, Dr Mohamed I r f a a n A l i a n d t h e Government of Guyana are fully committed to their development in the area of sports and would be working hand in hand with the Ministry of Sport to ensure thattheirneedsaretakencare of Similar activities are planned for the near future.

The Captain of the Waiakarba team receives the second-place trophy in the presence of his teammates, from Ms. Michelle Drepaul

Neron Barrow collects the MVP trophy from Mr. Everton Poole.

Best Goalkeeper, Marlon Fernandez is rewarded by Mr. Pierre Andrews

More gear for Project “Cricket Gear for young & promising cricketers in Guyana”

The initiative was in receipt of cricket gear from Regal Sports Store, an arm of Regal Stationery and Computer Center, Seaforth Street, Georgetown. At a simple ceremony held recently at the Gandhi Youth Organization Cricket Ground, Owner and Managing Director, Mahendra “Anil” Hardyal was high in praise of the project, stating that he was following it and is impressed with its spread across Guyana. Hardyal also pledged his continued support and is happytobepartofthis.

Inresponse,AnilBeharry,apartner oftheprojectalongwithKishanDasof the USA, was very grateful for the gesture and promised to continue to help young promising cricketers in Guyana. Hardyal, the owner of Regal Softball Cricket Teams, handed over two pairs of wicketkeeping pads, three cricket bags, six bat rubbers, two helmets, six pairs of batting pads, four bats, three pairs of cricket shoes and sevenpairsofbattinggloves.

Total cricket related items received so far: $310,000 in cash, thirteen coloredcricketuniforms,twotrophies, seventeenpairsofcricketboots,twenty nine pairs of batting pads, thirty one cricket bats, twenty seven pairs of batting gloves, twenty one thigh pads, threepairsofwicketkeepingpads,four arm guards, two boxes, nine cricket bags,sixbatrubbersandsixhelmets.In addition to the above, $600,000 worth

in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman.

To date, fifty two young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from three junior gear bag, two trophies, four arm guards, twenty one bats, two boxes, four helmets, nineteenpairsofcricketshoes,thirteen pairs of batting pads, two thigh pad, one bat rubber and nineteen pairs of battinggloves.Inaddition,twoclubsin

Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation names athletes with minimum standards

The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) has announced its national shortlist of athletes for2023.

TheseathleteshaveALL

satisfied the criteria, which includes achieving the required totals based on the Federation's minimum Standards published in November2022.

Those reaching the required mark are:

Males Open (classic)

1. Dominic Tyrrell - 74kg

2. Kheon Evans - 83kg

3. Carlos Petterson-Griffit - 93kg

4. Wazim Mohamed - 93kg

5. Leroy Trotman - 93kg

6. Bjorn Williams - 105Kg

Male Equipped (Open)

1. Timothy Bagla - 74kg

2. Carlos Petterson-Griffit - 93kg

3. Fazim Abdool - 120kg

Masters (Classic)

the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and CottonTreeDieHardalsoreceivedone box of red cricket balls each while RHCCCC received two, fifteen white cricketshirts,onepairofjuniorbatting pads,onepairofwicketkeepinggloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board also benefited along with the Town of Lethem.

NBA roundup: Cavs blast Rockets, punch ticket to post season

Reuters - Jarrett Allen recorded his 32nd double-double of the season and helped Cleveland stave off the visiting Houston Rockets 108-91 on Sunday, a victorythatclinchedtheCavaliers'first postseason berth since falling in the 2018NBAFinals.

Allen finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks Evan Mobley also recorded three blocks while posting 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Cavaliers.DonovanMitchellscored22 points and Darius Garland paired 17 pointswitheightassists.

Jalen Green led Houston with 30 points, his 14th game of at least 30 this season. Alperen Sengun added 14 points,KenyonMartinJr 13andJabari Smith Jr 12 for the Rockets, who droppedtheirfifthconsecutivegame.

After the Rockets sliced a 20-point deficit to five through three quarters, Allen elevated the Cavaliers with his two-wayplay Allenfollowedhisblock of Tari Eason's dunk attempt with two free throws that pushed the lead to 8982 with 9:20 left. He tallied two more freethrowsandadunkatthe8:06mark that extended the lead back to double

digits at 93-82. The Cavaliers were not seriouslythreatenedfromthere.

Timberwolves99,Warriors96

Kyle Anderson intercepted a Draymond Green pass and KarlAnthony Towns turned it into a goahead 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds remaining, delivering Minnesota a key victory over Golden State in San Francisco.

NazReidhadateam-high23points offthebenchandRudyGobertchipped in with 10 points and 18 rebounds for theTimberwolves.JordanPoolehad27 points for the Warriors, but he failed to connect with Stephen Curry on a pass that bounced out of bounds with 4.4 seconds remaining when Golden State hadachancetotieortakethelead.

The Warriors, who were seeking a 10th straight home win, got one more opportunity to tie after Jaden McDaniels missed 1 of 2 free throws with 2 4 seconds left, leaving Minnesotawitha99-96lead.ButCurry couldn't hit a desperation 3-pointer, completing his 4-for-13 night from deep.

Hornets110,Mavericks104

Gordon Hayward scored eight of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and CharlottebeatvisitingDallastodeliver another blow to the Mavericks' playoff hopes.P.J.Washingtonscored21points

(Continued on page 21)

1. Franklyn Brisport-Luke - 66kg

2. Richard Fredericks - 74kg

3. Marlon Wilson - 93kg

4. RogerRogers -120kg

Masters (Equipped)

1. Franklyn Brisport-Luke - 66kg

2. Edwin Gordon Spencer - 93kg

3. FaroukAbdool -120+kg

Female Open (Classic)

1. Sarah Sanmoogan - 66kg

2. KeishaAbrigo - 76kg

Female Masters (Classic)

1. Nadina Taharally - 76kg

2. Lalita Bridgemohan - 76kg

Male Junior (Classic)

1. Dominic Tyrrell - 74kg

2. Romeo Hunter - 83kg

3. Shoib Kayume - 83kg

Total: 18

Males:14

Females:4

M a l e ( O p e n Classic)-10

Male (Open Equipped) - 3

Male (Masters Classic) - 4

Male (Masters Equipped) - 3

Female (Open Classic) - 2

Female (Masters Classic) - 2

In addition to the eighteen (18) short-listed athletes, there are eleven (11) athletes who have NOT made the required minimum totals and will have up to the last local competition prior to any proposed International engagement to make the minimum total to qualify

Those athletes are:

Males Open (classic)

Dwayne Welch 59kg Classic Open

Kadeem Bowen 66kg Classic Open

Matthew Maycock 83kg Classic Open

Joseph Stoll 93kg Classic Open, M2

Paul Meusa 105kg Classic Open

John Edwards 120kg Classic Open

Yogaishawar Seecharan 120+kg Classic Open, Junior Male Open (equipped)

Navindra Tamasar 66kg Equipped Open

Females Open (Classic)

Junica Pluck 69kg Classic Open

AshlieAbraham 76kg Classic Open

Sherene Williams 84kg Classic Open

Of note: Only athletes who have satisfied the criteria will be considered for national selection.

Mahendra Hardyal (C) with Ian John (L) and Anil Beharry with the equipment.

Houston Rockets forward Usman Garuba (16) loses the ball. (KenBlaze-USATODAYSports)

BarticaEasterRegatta2023...

Mings Products & Services and ETK Inc. lend more corporate support

With football action kicking off on Sunday evening last at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, more corporate support for the 2023 edition of the Bartica Easter Regatta continues to flow in Chairman of the Organising Committee, Kenneth Williams who is also the Regional Chairman for Region # 7, CuyuniMazaruni, has expressed thanks to the principals of ETK Inc a company operating mainly in the Mining & Metals sector and Mings Products & Services Limited, Lot 6 Urquhart S t r e e t , N o r t h Cummingsburg, G e o r g e t o w n Both entities have exhibited their commitment to the success of the event by m a k i n g s u b s t a n t i a l contributions.

Mr. Douglas Nespoli de Mello, Deputy Project Director of ETK Inc Toroparu Project said that they are pleased to be on board with the event that is nationally recognised “Regatta is a huge product for the town of Bartica and byextensionGuyana,andwe (Continued on page 21)

Matthews named player of the tournament as Mumbai Indians win inaugural WPL

SportsMax - The Mumbai Indians are champions of the inaugural season of the Tata Women's Premier League after a seven-wicket win over the Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday

The Capitals, who advanced to the final after finishing top-of-the-table in the league phase, made 131-9 off their 20 overs after winning the toss and batting first.Captain Meg Lanning led the way with 35 while Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadaveachmade27*.

Hayley Matthews was magnificent withtheballforMumbai,pickingupthree wickets in her four overs while conceding

only five runs. Issy Wong also continued her wicket-takingformwith3-42fromherspell.

The successful Mumbai chase took 19.3 overs and was anchored by Nat Sciver-Brunt, whofinishednotouton60off55ballsincluding seven fours. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur made a 39-ball37insupportastheIndiansreached1343. Sciver-Brunt was named player of the match whileMatthews,whoendedtheseasonwith271 runs and 16 wickets, was named player of the tournament.

Her run total placed her fifth overall behind Lanning (345), Sciver-Brunt (332), Talia McGrath (302) and Kaur (281) while her 16 wickets were joint-most alongside Sophie Ecclestone.

Williams collects donation from, Deputy Project Director of ETK Inc. Toroparu Project, Mr. Douglas Nespoli de Mello.

Mings Products and Services Representative, Mr. John Chin hands over cheque to Kenneth Williams.

The Mumbai Indians hoist the WPL trophy after defeating the Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in the final on Sunday. (Getty Images)

Point standings after penultimate round

Two rounds in the Group stageoftheNestlé-sponsored Milo Under-18 Schools Football Tournament have been officially completed following the contesting of the latest fixtures over the past weekend at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, CarifestaAvenue.

The third and final round of the Group stage is scheduled to get underway this weekend, April 1 – 2, as the final sixteen becomes clearer

The 32 teams left in the tournament after the qualifying round are grouped, A through H, and consistoffourteamseach. After the penultimate round in the Group Stage, C h a s e ' s A c a d e m i c

Foundation (CAF) and Carmel, both undefeated, are on top of Group A with six points each, but CAF leads with a superior Goal Difference (GD) of +23 while the latter has +9 Bygeval and Dora are the othertwoteamsintheGroup; both winless and without points.

I n G r o u p B , t h e undefeated East Ruimveldt leads with six points, Bartica are second with three points while Marian Academy and BushLotbothhaveonepoint each and occupy third and fourth,respectively

GroupChasWestminster in the lead with six points, New Central High have four points in second, Charity have one point and

Annandale are yet to secureapoint.

D e f e n d i n g c h a m p i o n , Christianburg/Wism

arSecondarySchool (CWSS), command Group D with six th points, 8 of May (+2) and Vryman's Erven (+1) are second and third with three points each while West Demerara has suffered two consecutive defeats and are withoutpointsontheboard.

The other Linden Unit, Mackenzie High, are in control of Group E with six points, Patentia (+1) and President's College (-1) occupysecondandthirdwith threepointseachwhileNorth Ruimveldt is in the cellar withnopoints.

West Ruimveldt (+14) andAnn'sGrove(+7)arefirst and second in Group F with six points apiece while Queen's College (-10) and Vergenoegen (-11) both sufferedconsecutivelosses.

G r o u p G h a s Charlestown in the lead with sixpoints,BerbiceEducation Institute (0) and Cummings Lodge (-3) are tied on three points each in second and third, respectively, while St. Cuthbert's Mission occupy

the other position and are withoutpoints.

Group H has the only team that has officially qualified for the Round-of16, Santa Rosa, since they have already completed all three Group matches. They accumulated seven points from two wins and a draw to finishaheadofSt.Stanislaus, the only other team to have playedthreeGroupmatches.

St. Stanislaus have three points in second place with a

G D of-3,NewAmsterdam(-7)is third, also with three points, andDolphin(-1)islastwitha point, which makes the fight for second place very interesting when the final GroupHmatchunfolds.

This tournament is sponsored by Nestlé through their Milo brand, sanctioned bytheMoEandsupportedby MASSY Distribution, GINMIN, GENEQUIP and MVPSports.

Queen Side Girls Chess Camp bodes well for the - GCF

future of Women's Chess

The Guyana Women in Chess Community's core goal is to close the gap in gender parity in the game. Great strides towards achieving this continue with a landmark event on Saturday, March 25th with the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales sponsored "Queen Side" GirlsChessCamp.

Thisone-daychesscamp, organized by the WICC, is the first-ever girls-only chess camp hosted in the history of theGuyanaChessFederation and had an impressive turnout of nearly 50 women and girls. We believe that providing designated spaces

exclusively for females can foster a sense of community and sisterhood, which in turn can contribute to the retention of girls in the sport foramoreextendedperiod.

The event held at Duke Lodge provided up-andcomingplayerswithachance to learn chess tactics and a d v i c e f r o m m o r e experienced players in a relaxed and casual setting.

This event exceeded expectations in terms of p a r t i c i p a t i o n a n d engagement where over 40 girls under the age of 18 registeredforthecamp.

The younger girls were

eager to learn, asking many questions and showing enthusiasm for the game throughout the camp. The girls also had the chance to play against each other and receive feedback, with an emphasis on building confidence and developing skills in a supportive and friendly environment Snacksandjuicesdonatedby Topco were provided for the girls as they engaged each otherinthegameofchess.

Most of the experienced female chess players, WCM Sheriffa Ali, Anaya Lall, Italy TonChung, Aniyah Couchman, Angel Rahim

and Maliha Rajkumar were on hand to provide instruction and guidance to participants, covering basic chess tactics and strategies, and offering tips on how to improvetheirgame.

S o m e o f t h e s e remarkable young women also shared their experiences as chess players over the years Reigning National Women's Champion Pooja Lam, former National Women's Champion Sasha Shariff together with National Arbiter and a top female chess player, Jessica Callender also contributed, expressing their thoughts on chess and the many friendships gained after meeting other incredible playersfromothercountries.

T h e F e d e r a t i o n ' s

Company Secretary, Marcia Lee, who heads the Women

in Chess Committee, welcomed the girls and e n c o u r a g e d m o r e participation in chess competitions. She noted that by playing chess and working hard to improve, the girls can reap tremendous benefits in the future as opportunitiesariseforgirlsto move onto the international scene.

Leealsostressedtheneed for more females to join the federation so that they too can enjoy the many benefits

of chess and ultimately bridge the gender gap within theGCF

Itisworthnotingthatless than a decade ago, female chessplayerswereararity In the competitive arena, some local tournaments only saw a maximum of three to five female chess players As s u c h , t h e Wo m e n ' s Committee was elated to see so many young girls in attendance, who came to learn, play and bond over the gameofchess.

President of the Guyana Chess Federation, Anand Raghunauth, noted that by encouraging women and girls in chess, with the emphasis on building (Continued on page 21)

Four playing days remain before the Round-of-16 commences in the ninth edition of the tournament.

A snippet of some women engaged in matches during the Chess Camp.

Participants take a photo op at the conclusion of the Chess Camp.

Golden Jaguars aiming to end

Nations League campaign with 'W'

Emery Welshman captained Guyana in their 2-0 win over Bermuda.

- Shabazz sees today’s game as Gold Cup prep

Cheltenham Town FC defender Elliot Bonds enjoyed good return to the Golden Jaguars and was pivotal in Guyana's 2-0 win over Bermuda.

Champs! The victorious Soesdyke team poses with Minister McCoy and other officials following the presentation of prizes.