Kaieteur News

Citizens have a right to know EPA’s decisions in oil sector, other industries

The landmark ruling by High Court Judge,

Justice Sandil

– Justice Kissoon Ruling

where there is in existence, 4(1) of the EPAAct, No. 11

Kissoon has fortified the an expressed prohibition of1996,JusticeKissoonsaid rights of Guyanese to know against disclosure contained the agency is required “…to of the decisions being made in the subject legislation of maintain and make by the Environmental the public authority, “such available to members of Protection Agency (EPA), disclosure is construed as the public a Register of all whether it is in the oil subject to disclosure in the Environmental Impact industry or other matters of public interest. That is, Assessments carried out nationalimportance. disclosure in the interest of and Environmental

His declaration in this public health, safety or Authorizations (Permits) regard pertained to a case p r o t e c t i o n o f t h e granted…” filed last year September by environment.” He said too that the twocitizensagainsttheEPA.

Justice Kissoon said the agency, in its filing before The case brought to the fore, approach adopted by the the Court, sought refuge in the extent to which EPA, in the course of these silence, concealment, ExxonMobil’s affiliate, Esso p r o c e e d i n g s , w a s avoidance and secrecy. Exploration and Production inconsistentwithitsmandate Justice Kissoon said such Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and statutory functions, conduct is “nothing short of was in breach of its Liza which is one of transparency r e p r e h e n s i b l e a n d Phase One Permit. It was and accountability to inconsistentwithitsmandate found that for 11 long engender trust and and functions.” The Judge months, EEPGL failed to confidence of the citizens hassincegiventheEPAupto provide authorities with an and members of the public June 10, 2023 to secure the unlimited parent guarantee court, it was clear that from from the Applicants, but JusticeKissoonwaskeen on whose behalf and in relevant parent guarantee agreement which could bind the evidence provided, there contended, through its to note that the position of whose interest it carries out fromEEPGL. its parent, ExxonMobil, to was no intent to have the Executive Director, the EPA and its Executive its functions as a public

The EPA filed an appeal covering all costs associated information on compliance Kemraj Parsram that Director is “wholly authority in the public on Monday An in-chambers withanoilspill.Thislevelof supplied to the applicants, there was no duty or e r r o n e o u s a n d interest. hearing is set for today at 10 non-compliance was namely Frederick Collins obligation to respond or misconceived.” He said that Separately, by Section am. allowed to take place under andGodfreyWhyte. providesuchinformation. as a matter of law, even theEPA’swatch. Justice Kissoon said: Justice Kissoon in his “there is evidence that the ruling also noted that the applicants, through Counsel, EPA was not in favour of had sought to ascertain from having the case heard given the agency whether EEPGL the contents of the Affidavit had provided the financial it had filed on November 16, assurances stipulated (in the 2023. Importantly, Justice permit)…as the failure to do Kissoonalsopointedoutthat so had potential dire the EPA, in unison with consequences.”

EEPGL, agreed that the The Judge said the EPA, proceedings ought to be in the course of the struck out. Even before the proceedings, acknowledged case made its way to the receipt of such a request

‘Sir Mars’ stabbed eight times, suspect confesses to crime

Dead, Kirwyn Mars popularly known as ‘Sir Mars’

The photo the police released which showed the suspect and ‘Sir Mars’ upon arrival at the city bar on Sunday before Mars later met his demise.

The suspect, Brian Richards who police identified was involved in the death of ‘Sir Mars’

With investigations into compounded by “multiple the murder of Kirwyn Mars cutaneouswounds”. popularly called ‘Sir Mars’ Dr Singh stated in his still ongoing, a post mortem findings that evidence of examination (PME) both sharp and blunt force conducted on his remains injurieswithcrushinjuriesto revealed that he suffered the chest were found. Also, eight stab wounds about his Sir Mars suffered eight stab body and his chest was wounds about the body; crushed. these were to his upper left According to a statement chest, right shoulder, upper from the Guyana Police left collarbone, left hand, Force (GPF), on Wednesday right elbow, and left upper Government pathologist Dr chest. On Wednesday too, Nehaul Singh performed the the police identified the PME on Mars at the suspectinSirMars’killingas G e o rg e t o w n P u b l i c Brian Richards, a 24-yearHospital’s mortuary Dr old from John Fernandes Singh, the police shared, Squatting area Kaieteur gave the cause of death as News had reported that the Tuesday around noon at his beenincustody “crush injuries to chest’ suspect was arrested on workplace and has since Following his arrest, yesterday Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed with this publication that the suspect has since confessed to the crime and is cooperating with the investigators. He n o t e d t o o t h a t t h e investigators are in the process of wrapping up the investigationfortheDirector of Public Prosecutions (DPP)toreviewtheevidence against the suspect and adviseoncharges.

In releasing the identity ofthesuspect,thepolice (Continued on page 10)

EPA Head, Kemraj Parsram

Justice Sandil Kissoon

House Speaker blocks motion compelling Govt. to abide by court ruling on insurance for Exxon operations

By Davina Bagot

AHe also told Ramjattan, transparent, and that (Henry boys’ Motion), I “I went to the Republic of m o t i o n measures are put in place to ruled that charges had been Kenya and the Republic of submitted by protect the Guyanese people laid. On the second one Kenya Parliament, The

process is fair and He said, “The first one

O p p o s i t i o n fromthepotentialimpactsof (flaring motion), it was not National Assembly, Member of Parliament offshoreoilproduction. only a filing but the matter Standing Orders at Standing (MP), Ganesh Mahipaul on Precedent was assigned to a judge. I Order 89, matters of sub Tuesday evening for the

On July 21, 2022, the havetherecordsof21stMay, judice or secret, rule as NationalAssemblytocallon 48th Sitting of the National 2022, which indicates that it follows: ...(2) A matter shall the executive arm of the Assembly was convened was not only a filing but had be considered to be sub government, to honour the where the Speaker made the gone a further way towards judicewhenitreferstoactive ruling of Justice Sandil declaration that a date and fixing dates for hearings, et criminalorcivilproceedings Kissoon, regarding oil spill Judge must be assigned to a cetera. In all of that, I do and the discussion of such insurance and the parent Court case for it to be have, as I have said on many matter is likely to prejudice company guarantee by deemedsubjudice. occasions, the services of itsfairdetermination.” ExxonMobil, was thrown The Oxford dictionary one of the most experience Nadir concluded by out by Speaker of the House, defines the word as “under C l e r k s i n t h e informingRamjattanthatthe M a n z o o r N a d i r a t judicial consideration and Commonwealth I do rulings come down to his yesterday’ssitting. therefore prohibited from confess also that our Library discretion, which in that

Judgeswereassignedtoit.” unpatriotic His actions disallowing the motion told elsewhere ” Mahipaul enormous ability to provide MPs) is founded in

T h e S p e a k e r i n p u b l i c d i s c u s s i o n D e p a r t m e n t h a s a n specific case (suspension of

The Parliamentarian continue to undermine the the National Assembly that believes that since there was information to the Speaker constitutions. “In all of this, reminded the Speaker that in integrity of the democratic he received an email from no date and Judge assigned Many times, when I make a t h r o u g h o u t a l l t h e a previous ruling pertaining process. Further, his actions the MP just after seven on totheappealfiledbytheEPA ruling,itisoutofexperience, jurisdictions, in the end to sub judice he pointed out erode public trust and prove Tuesday evening, to move a while the Sitting was in information, sound advice also, it comes down to the that a Court date and the that he is a puppet of the Motion for the adjournment session, Parliament was well andadvicealsoofcounsel.” discretion of the Speaker I assignment of a judge to the e x e c u t i v e a r m o f of theAssembly on “definite within its authority to debate Nadir also pointed out am happy to say, in this matter are imperative for it government.” matters of urgent of public the subject. During the 48th that in the United Kingdom case, my discretion is be deemed sub judice They also argued that the importance” Nadir noted Sitting of the Assembly last (UK), Standing Orders on founded in constitutions, in Mahipaul therefore asked issue of protecting the that at the time, he had year, a Motion on the mattersofsubjudiceitstates conventions and in Nadirtoexplainwhetherthis Guyanese people from the alreadyseenanonlinearticle suspensionoftheOpposition “Civilproceedingsareactive commonwealth practices was the case for the EPA e n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d s t a t i n g t h a t t h e MPs was raised by the when arrangements for the While I have listened to the appeal. economic impacts of Environmental Protection government side and hearing, such as setting H o n M e m b e r, M r In refusing to respond to offshore oil production is of Agency (EPA) had moved to allowed by the Speaker At down a case for trial, have Ramjattan, I now have to the specific query, Nadir vitalimportance,sinceaspill the Court to appeal the High the time, the matter was been made, until the disagree with him and ask responded, “Point of Order, can have devastating Court ruling. He said on beforetheCourt. proceedings are ended by that we proceed with the we are at the ‘honourable consequences for the Wednesday morning, he MP, Khemraj Ramjattan j u d g m e n t o r matter before us,” the member Mr Mahipaul environment, fishing received the appeal sought to point out, “this discontinuance.” Speakerrelated. would move the following industry, and tourism sector, documents As such, he should not move further Motion’. as well as the health and explained, “So this matter is because of the fact that there The honourable member well-being of local now in the Courts and we havebeencourtactionsfiled. Mr Ganesh Mahipaul you communities. “It is therefore won’tbeabletodealwithit.”

Noclarity

Inkeepingwithyourruling– may proceed...” Mahipaul imperative that the

Idonotneedtogobacktoall thanked the Speaker for his government takes this issue

At least five attempts by of your rulings, Mr Speaker response and said he was seriously and implements Mahipaul to seek clarity on – you have made it quite veryclearinhisreply measures to protect the the Speaker’s decision were clear in the Standing Order The National Assembly Guyanese people The ignored, as Nadir went 41(2), once in a court of law then spent the remainder of Speaker of the National straight into the next item on it becomes sub judice.” The the first session, over three Assembly is preventing a the agenda Mahipaul MP referenced the Henry hours, debating the time it motion that would help to however was allowed the boys’and the flaring motion takes for a Motion to reach achieve this goal. This is a floor shortly after to move urging that they were not theOrderPaper seriousproblemthatrequires another Motion on the allowed since it was filed in Ruling concerning immediate attention,” the agenda, when he used the Court. I n a s u b s e q u e n t Oppositionsaid. opportunity to raise his

“The sub judice rule as statement to the press after According to the concerns. indicated by you in two very the Speaker’s decision, the opposition, both the Speaker He said, “Mr. Speaker I comprehensive rulings Opposition said his ruling and the executive arm of was seeking your attention a would indicate that this is a was concerning The government “undermine the bit earlier to seek some sub judice matter which we Opposition noted: “the role integrity” of the democratic clarity from you please. So should not even move of the Speaker of the process in Parliament which before I go into the Motion, forward,” Ramjattan said. In NationalAssembly is to be a hasseriousconsequencesfor may I ask Sir if the Court response however, the neutral arbiter and ensures the people of Guyana. As matter that was filed Speaker reasoned that a that all voices are heard in such, it said it is crucial that concerningtheEPA,canyou matter must be assigned a the democratic process. This the people take action to say if a Court date and dateandjudge. Speaker is biased and ensure that the democratic

...allows three-hour long debate on time motions take to reach Order Paper

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir Opposition MP, Ganesh Mahipaul

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

Nicaragua declaring war on its own

Ask the leader of almost any country about what kind of State he presides over, and the answer is sure to be a ‘democratic’ one. Even some of the worst autocrats have claimedthattheirgovernancerepresentsdemocracy,withits ideals faithfully observed. There is the Latin American sovereign nation of Nicaragua, and what it is doing to some of its citizens reeks of what is the undemocratic; just do not whisperanysuchthingtotheleader,DanielOrtega.

Governments and leaders do not take kindly to public postures and public pushback to their messages and actions, to what they claim to be in the best interests of citizens. Those who stand in objection, through protesting in the streets, or making good use of the media, attract the rage of powerful leaders. We have had that in Guyana through the decadesunderdifferentgovernmentsandleaders. Thereare these consistent levels of impatience and intolerance manifestedagainstthosewhoquestion,whoprobe,whowill not accept the deceptive answers given, and who stand out becausetheydisagree. Togoagainstthegrainistoriskbeing targeted and wounded most abrasively, with angry and determined leaders employing the great resources of the Statetoinflictpainandanguish.

InNicaragua,PresidentOrteganowstandsasthenewest Exhibit 1 in a region long known for brutal leaders callously cracking down on opponents, and making them feel the weight of the State misused to deliver punishing blows to their heads. Some have been jailed, hundreds stripped of theircitizenship,andforcedintoexile. Thevictimsaremany and growing, and represent some of the most luminous in Nicaraguan society. Still, that did not immunize them from theexpansivewrathsaimedintheirdirection.

AformerinsiderofPresidentOrtega’scabinetstandsout among the dissidents. Sergio Ramirez served almost 40 yearsbeforeasVicePresidentduringPresidentOrtega’sfirst term and is an acclaimed writer, who won the prestigious Cervantes award. But that did not shield him, nor an Auxiliary Bishop of Managua now living in Florida, nor a former ambassador, nor a poet, nor some Roman Catholic priests and an archbishop. According to Nicaraguan authorities, formerVice President Ramirez has been stirring up hatred and conspiring to destabilize the country Further, Judge Ernesto Rodriguez, in his February ruling that deprived 94 Nicaraguans of their citizenship, all of them participatedinsomewayin“criminalactstothedetrimentof peace,sovereignty,independence,andself-determinationof the Nicaraguan people” (Nicaragua strips 94 prominent dissidentsofcitizenship”-BBCFebruary16). Thisbatchof almost 100 Nicaraguans was preceded by another group of 222 citizens of that Latin American country treated to the samefate. Theyhavenotonlylosttheircitizenship,buthave alltheirassetsseizedbytheState,plusallofthemhavebeen branded with the mark of “traitors to the fatherland.” In a surprisingtwist,somelivingabroadforyears,andbeforeany charges were brought against them, have been declared “fugitivesfromjustice.”

For their part, dissenters and those deported (or jailed) have labeled President Ortega as possessing “autocratic tendencies.” It is a sentiment echoed by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken who spoke of what happened in Nicaragua “as a further step in solidifying an autocratic regime”(NewYorkTimes,February17). AsaCarterCenter senior adviser on LatinAmerica said, “This is a cleansing of opposition voices at all levels, from the political elite to the campesino in the pueblo.” Indeed, even the simple peasant in his village is targeted by Ortega’s crackdowns on democraticinstitutionsanddissentingcitizens.

Guyanese are seeing worrying traces of such leadership behaviours right here. This publication is being singled out and squeezed more often, civil society activists are targeted and tarnished, and the few citizens speaking out are vilified. As in Nicaragua, the Guyana Government pretends in its words and images to be about openness and balance. The

PPP Government has again betrayed the nation in oil matters appealing in support of master Exxon

DEAREDITOR, f o r r e v i e w a n d insurance guarantees in case side they are on. When they I a m p r o f u s e l y renegotiation.” They quoted of oil spill disasters.This is a needusbytheirsideon2025, disappointedinthePPPparty extensively from the Global landmark victory for the they will stand alone with that I supported and Witness report which people of Guyana in a case Exxon. Alistair’s vote will campaigned to elect in 2020 slammed the contract and filed by citizens who are n o t h e l p t h e m g e t for appealing Judge e x p o s e d r e l a t e d nationalists. As they say, in.”Another said, “The PPP, K i s s o o n ’s d e c i s i o n skullduggery TheVPwaxed “when your own dog bite PNC/AFC makes Judas look favouring all Guyana. While eloquent in Parliament and you, it is bad.” Our PPP likeateamplayer.” the PPP has outstanding, raged against the contract as Government is biting us. When the Government’s unprecedented, unparalleled bad. That oil contract is the Exxon’sfootisonournecks, a p p e a l a rg u e s t h a t successes in the housing worstintheworldandbelow a n d n o w t h e P P P compliance with Judge sector, and we are seeing an industry standards After Government’sfeetareonour Kissoon’s decision will lead explosion or renaissance in pretending that they hated necks too stomping on us to “severe disruption to the infrastructural development, the PNC-signed contract, at withthisappeal. national economy and there is simply poor election time, both the PNC TheVPhadsaid“atonof financial well-being of the governanceofoilandlackof and PPP had secretly bricks” would fall on public and private sector,” related transparency and promised Exxon they will Exxon’s head if they don’t that is exactly what will accountability Theyhangby not renegotiate. They were comply with audit issues. happenifGuyanadoesnotget a thread of a one-seat lying to the people to get Instead,the“tonofbricks”is the relevant insurance majority and is squandering votes. They both feel the falling on our heads through guaranteesforliabilitiesinthe the goodwill of crossover “masses are asses ” The this traitorous appeal of the event of oil disasters, as the voters who voted to bring Government said they will Judge’s well-reasoned and Fred Collins-Godfrey Whyte them back in office. I feel so not renegotiate the contract fair decision for the safety case is arguing. I know our ashamed of what the party of because of “sanctity of and protection of all Appeal Judges will rule Jagan has become. Clearly, contract”andthatthoseofus Guyanese. When they were wisely. All are involved, all the PPPhas no problem with who want renegotiation are sworn in to Government in are consumed. Nation, if you the PNC/AFC-signed madmen and lunatics. They 2020, the President, VP and are not outraged by our contract. Both parties are dida“baitandswitch.”They AG all took an oath. They Government’s decision to happy with it. PPP would saidExxonisabig,badbully swore, “I solemnly declare appeal a case that gave us the havesignedthatcontracttoo, that will tie us up in court if that I will bear true faith and greatest victory against a as is. The VP acts as if he is wetrytorenegotiate.Sonow allegiance to the people of rapaciousOilimperialist,you the Captain of Team Exxon, it’s our own “neemakharam” Guyana ” There is no are not paying enough as he defends everything Government that is tying up “sanctity” in this contract attention Wake up Guyana! about why we should not those representing the with the people of Guyana. Show support to Ray renegotiate the contract. He People of Guyana in court, They are showing allegiance Daggers,GlennLallandteam is clearly confused who pays filing an appeal against toMassaExxon,notthepoor marching for renegotiation hissalary Judge Kissoon’s ruling Guyanesepeople. Joininthewalk

During the election, the ordering Exxon to provide One blogger said, “PPP Sincerely, PPP said “everything is up full coverage liability not ashamed to show whose Dr Jerry Jailall

Citizens must be vigilant

DEAREDITOR, provide a parent guarantee above criticism but it has to Governmentin2020?

Over the past few weeks, and ruled in favour of two be done in a respectful way Democracy is not only we have witnessed some patriotic Guyanese who had If Exxon had criticized it, I about winning a free and fair troubling signs which go to the will, time and energy to can understand but not our elections. Democracy is a the heart of our democracy, sueExxon.

Vice President and Attorney living concept and persons good governance and Beforetheinkcouldhave General who swore to look cannot opportunistically welfare of the state and driedonthejudge’sdecision, after Guyanese, not Exxon. comment when it suits them people. the Attorney General of Amidst all of this, the so- and turn a blind eye because

First, we had the Guyana, Mr Anil Nandlall, called guardians of the they may get some cushy heckling and abuse of a appearing more like Counsel democracy who were advisory job, a lucrative female journalist at a press for Exxon, faulted the rightfully very vociferous consultancy, or some plush conference at Leonora and decision and said it will be when APNU/AFC were boardappointments. then the online attacks by a appealed This is before trying to derail the elections, The people of this site noted to be associated Exxon’s own lawyers - or have retreated into silence. country have to be vigilant with the ruling party on the Exxon - had pronounced on Where is the Private Sector because the benefit that is said journalist. This is an the matter We then had the Commission, the Chamber accruing is only going to a attack on the fourth estate as Vice President saying that of Commerce, the Gerry few while the majority of journalists are not free to do judges must give predictable G o u v i e a s , t h e K i t people are finding it difficult their work. The President of decisions and accused Nascimentos and the Joe to put three meals on the t h e G u y a n a P r e s s JusticeKissoonofgoinginto Singhs, etc.? Where are all table. Association has also spoken murky waters, or worse yet, these people who rightfully Regards, about the threats to the not understanding the called out the then Ganga Ramdar organization. complexities of the matter.

A few days ago, we had Thistomeisanattackonthe the landmark decision by judiciary as the executive Justice Kissoon in which he feels that judges must rule in held, and I believe quite acertainway rightly so, that Exxon should A judge’s decision is not

current reality is of malicious attacks, the courts used as a weapon before, and citizens left to wonder how long before Guyana degrades to a Nicaragua. That is, jailing, confiscating of property, and deporting becomes the experienceofGuyanese.

The deed is done

DEAREDITOR,

Thedeed,dreadedbymany,hasbeendone. Theappealto theruling,whichdidnotfindfavourwithsome,hasbeenfiled. Now the arguments on the merits and demerits of appealing the ruling will be on full display from all sides. It must be ponderedwastherushtoappealrash?

Interestingtimeslieahead.

Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

It is high time for the town of New Amsterdam to get into mainstream development

DEAREDITOR, word,developmentineverysectorofsociety.

NewAmsterdamisintheAncientCounty Some of the areas where this town would of Berbice, a place where the first settlers moveforwardisininfrastructuralworkssuch landed a town. It is the second largest as our roads bridges, and a modern approach municipal urban area in Guyana, it is also a tothezoningofTheCentralBusinessDistrict bastion of the PNC, a place where they hold (CBD).Anupgradetoourhealthsystem,that totalcontrol,powerandinfluence. is the general hospital, which in my view

For decades this town has been a should be relocated and properly equipped stomping ground for that party, with very with 21st Century amenities. Our country’s little changes taking place there, someone lone psychiatric hospital is a shameful sight even jokingly referring to the town as being to behold, this has to change! Its present easily recognizable by Christopher function as a “prison for mad people,” needs Columbus if he would have returned to be brought into conformity with modern Because New Amsterdam is still the old health standards and a hospice for those who sleepy town with its dilapidated arementallychallenged. infrastructure and archaic ways of doing Suburban squatting has to be regularized things. andbroughtintomoderntownshipareaswith

Well,allofthatisabouttochangewiththe potable water, electricity and proper PPP/C taking over the reins of power in the telecommunication. ancient town. Things are about to change, The list is by no means exhaustible, but becausewhereverthePPP/Cisthereisbound must be tackled with urgency it deserves.We to be a forward and upward trajectory The must move forward into the modern era of point I am making is, with the PPP/C comes developmentatarapidpace. progress and real development, I am talking

Respectfully, about development in the truest sense of the Neil Adams

MOE should build secondary schools in Enterprise and Enmore

DEAREDITOR, “Location of schools is there was available land?

T h e M i n i s t r y o f d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e Paradise and Bachelors Education (MOE) must be availability of land, census Adventure students who are commended for its prompt data and school mapping just next door can more response in its letter titled software.” and “one of the conveniently attend “Enmore, Paradise and goals of the current secondary school at Enterprise schools will not Education Sector Plan is the Enterprise In fact, be closed” in the Kaieteur closure of all secondary Enterprise-Nonpareil has News ofMay6th2023.This departments in primary grown some four times the was in response to my letter schools.” How old is that size of the original titled “Closure of Enmore, datawhichdoesnottakeinto Enterprise and can provide Paradise and Enterprise accounteconomics? thenecessarystudents. schools ill conceived” of 4th An additional $520 The CEO pointed out May2023. million is being spent to that “the movement of the

Does economic development results in less crime?

DEAREDITOR, not led to an increase in comparison.

There is a popular theory criminality I utilized the Pearson’s that expanding economic As Guyana advances in correlation coefficient (r) to development would lead to a its development thrust, the determine if there is any decrease in criminality incidence of serious crimes relationship between through making available reported to the police has expanding economic several opportunities for been declining after 2014, developmentandanincrease jobs, housing, medical while the GDP has been or decrease in criminality care/access, social and expandingrapidlyfrom2019 The existing data show a occupational mobility, and partly because of oil n e g a t i v e b u t w e a k o t h e r f o r m s o f production and revenues correlation (r -0.452, not empowerment. However as The chart shows the significant P<.05). As GDP attractive as this theory relationship between increased, crime moved might appear, it has not economic development as negatively in the opposite worked for some countries, measuredbyGDPandcrime. direction, that is, it declined like the USA, that have An index for crime and GDP from 2015 to 2022. Property experienced increasing was created using 2014 as crimes(burglary,larceny, crime with expanding the base to allow for (Continued on page 6) economic development I soughttoexplorethereforeif this theory could apply to

Guyana An analysis covering the period 2014 to 2022 shows that expanding economic development has

Honourable Minister of alsowrote“ourstatisticsalso

The MOE is placing complete construction of the secondary school students considerable emphasis on Good Hope Secondary from the primary school the Good Hope Secondary School Why not build buildings will allow for the School some 5 miles from secondary schools adjoining primary school students to Enmore which students will the primary schools? Has it have more space thereby have to travel. No solution escaped the MOE that the increasingcomfort.” was offered to the dilemma Enterprise Primary school May I respectfully point of students having to travel has lots of land to construct out that apart from thislongdistance duringthe and house a secondary “comfort” is convenience morning rush hour with no d e p a r t m e n t ? T h e and ease of such. The CEO availablebigbuses.

Instead Mr Saddam Education visited the indicate that large quantities Hussein, Chief Education Enterprise Primary school ofstudentstravelfrom Officer (CEO) wrote that twice. Did she not see that (Continued on page 6)

The Guyanese society has descended into utter lawlessness

DEAREDITOR, previous matters currently saying? We must nip this in The Guyanese society beforethecourts. the bud to restore order and has descended into utter O n e , w h e r e a respectforauthoritybeforeit lawlessness. The recent policewoman was allegedly escalates. video of two male civilians verbally assaulted by a Editor, it is also TIME attacking a uniformed police lawyer, the son of former our laws be reviewed to officer, while on duty, has Chancellor of the Judiciary make them more punitive made its way across the Carl Singh, while on duty at and a deterrent to those who social media spectrum, his residence; and secondly, feeltheycanliterallytakethe n a t i o n a l l y a n d in the November 2022 law into their own hands. internationally incident, where a bus driver Meanwhile, I hope that the Thankfully, Editor, a attacked a young police persons from the three “ G o o d S a m a r i t a n ” officeratSparendaamPolice incidents mentioned will intervened amidst shouts of Station. face the full brunt of the law, “beat he” laced with Editor, a breakdown of regardless of their expletives. What was most law and order in any society affiliations, political or worrisome is that the crowd must be a matter of grave otherwise. seemed to be supporting this concerntoall.

I end by appealing to attack on a uniformed The recent upsurge of ALL Guyanese to let us member of the Guyana parents attacking teachers in demonstrate what is Police Force. Where is the schoolcompoundsisanother recorded in the book of respect for the Guyana manifestation of the Matthew 25:31-40, “It’s Police Force? But then breakdown of law and order natural for us to be our again, the lawlessness from Is it that persons have lost brother’s keeper God is the PPP regime itself, which confidence in the system? Love, and He made us to be has turned a blind eye and Do they feel that it makes no caring and kind to others. offered no redress to persons sense making a report to God shows us how to be a who should have received those in authority, therefore keeper – what caring things justice, is on full display for they should takemattersinto todoandwhattothink.’ alltosee. their own hands? Can’t they Sincerely,

This recent incident comply and then complain? Ms. Annette Ferguson, reminded me of two What are our sociologists MP

Guyanese at International Indentured Conference for Fiji Girmit Day celebrations

DEAREDITOR, isonMay15andwillbeheld Baytoram Ramharack, and a

A global indentureship at various locations few other Guyanese are (Girmitya) conference will throughout the country The participants The Fiji be held on May 12 and 13 main attraction will be at government is hosting us. and a number of other Albert Park in Suva, the Some Trinis and Surinamese activities are also planned to capital city The government are also presenting papers. commemorate Girmitya Day has allocated funds for The conference will be at orIndianArrivalinFiji. nationalcelebrations. USP or University of South

This year will be the first Deputy Prime Minister Pacific with participants national public holiday for Professor Dr Biman Prasad coming from the Caribbean, Indian Arrival or Girmitya says four days of events are North America, India, Day Indians activists being planned to mark Australia, UK, New Zealand lobbiedthegovernmentfora GirmitDaycelebration. and other countries. Several nationalholiday GirmitConferenceChair Guyanese studied at USP

The Prime Minister Dr Ganesh Chand says Some Guyanese also taught campaigned in last year around 150 scholars locally there. election on a promise to and from and abroad are also This writer delivered make it a holiday and has expected to arrive in the guest lectures in multiple nowdelivered. country to participate in the tripstoFijioverthelastthree Indians first arrived in two day international decades.

Fiji on May 14. The Girmit conference on Girmit Day Yours truly, Day celebration and holiday Thiswriter,ClemSeecharan, Vishnu Bisram

Does economic development results...

From page 5 2020 level in 2023. These Murders are integral to robbery), for example, had data indicate that economic the domestic violence declined by 28 9% from development and human situation Often role 2019 to 2022, while crimes development exist in a conflicts and infidelity are of passion (murder, symbiotic relationship and the main precipitatory wounding, rape) showed a that GDP could indeed be factorsofdomesticviolence. slight increase of 1.5% for utilized as a genuine W h i l e e c o n o m i c thesameperiod. indicator of economic development has not led to

One might also want to development. (The HDI is an increase in criminality so contend that GDP growth is compiled by UNDP and is far, it is difficult to predict if not necessarily a good based on 3 indicators: (I) this condition will persist indicator of economic long and healthy Life, (2) into the future and for how development Well, to access to knowledge, and (3) long. augment the GDP, the decentstandardofliving). Keeping crime under U N D P ’ s H u m a n While there is a weak control would depend on Development Index (HDI) negative relationship several factors: (1) hasbeenreferenced.Guyana between GDP and crime in economic: implementation scored0.65in2017(medium Guyana, this should not of policies for reduction in development) but 3 years obscure the reality that poverty and unemployment, later (2020), its HDI score certain types of crime, like empowerment programs; (2) increased by 10.9% to 0.721 rape, stir the conscience of psychological: reduction of thus making the country a people, and when its hopelessness and reduction “high human development” incidence rose by 83% of relative deprivation; (3) category Guyana shares the between 2019 to 2021, that social: the effectiveness of same HDI category as could not offer any solace to rehabilitation/reform Jamaica and Suriname but citizens. p r o g r a m s : ( 4 ) l a w falls below Trinbago with a A sigh of relief occurred enforcement: the quality of HDI score of 0.81 (very when it was reported that the p o l i c i n g a n d l a w high). In 2021, there was a incidenceofrapedeclinedby enforcement; and (5) slight drop in Guyana’s HDI 23.7% in 2022. But the 2022 societal response: the level index.AperfectHDIscoreis figure was still high oftoleranceforcrimeandthe 1.0. (N=255). effectiveness of the

With massive spending The incidence of wife partnership between on education, health, murders also rattles the policing and community h o u s i n g , w a t e r , nation and does not paint a groups. Public safety must infrastructure, and job goodpictureofsocialcontrol alwaysbeatoppriority creation the HDI index is methods deployed by the Sincerely, expected to rise above the authorities.

Dr Tara Singh

MOE should build secondary schools...

From page 5

Her party would feel the wrath of parents Enmore and further to schools in from the economically depressed areas of Georgetown.” With the MOE statistics also Enterprise and Enmore. When students have indicating “large quantities of students to compete during the morning rush hour to traveling fromEnmoreandfurthertoschools travel through from Enmore, Foulis, in Georgetown” it convincingly makes the Bachelors Adventure, Paradise, Enterprise, case to build a secondary school in Enmore Nonpariel, Colindgen, Bladen Hall, fortheircomfortandconvenience!. Vigilance, Friendship, Buxton, Annandale

I respectfully suggest such a decision on Lusignan and then to Good Hope life would the placement of schools is a political notbeeasy decision for the Honourable Minister of Respectfully, Education.

Sultan Mohamed

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

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Can Guyana’s EPA sink lower?

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Guyana’s EPAis filling an appeal against what benefits Guyanese…

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What kind of self-respecting State agency does something like that?

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AJudge ruled: “Protect Guyanese interests!”

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Now Guyana’s own EPAis cutting the throat of the Guyanese people!

Now this national institution is stabbing Guyanese in the back!

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Now this troubled institution is goring Guyanese in the gut!

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Does Guyana’s EPAhave no shame?

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Govt. finally released mining contracts after two-year campaign by KNews

The Government of differentoccasions.Duringa Atlantic Golds Inc; Bauxite Gu

has finally press conference last month Company of Guyana Inc. published the mining however, he publicly 2006; Bauxite Company of contracts for companies committed to releasing the Guyana Inc. 2010; Bauxite operatinginthecountry fiscal terms for all mining Company of Guyana Inc.

The release of the agreements. This was the 2012; Bosai Minerals Group agreementscomesfollowing second time the Vice Guyana Inc. 03 2004; Bosai a two-year long protest by President promised to Minerals Group Guyana Inc. thisnewspaperforcitizensto “personally intervene” for 04 2004; Bosai Minerals be privy to the terms and thereleaseofthefiscalterms Group Guyana Inc. 05 2004; benefits for the parties of all large-scale mining Guyana Goldfields Inc ; engaged. In fact, since 2019 contracts. Guyana Industrial Minerals when Guyana became a The Vice President made Inc ; Guyana Manganese member of the Extractive a similar commitment in Inc. ML 022022; Guyana Industries Transparency August 2022 during an MiningLicenseG-1000000; Initiative (EITI), the country appearance on The Glenn Ontario Mining License and agreed to adhere to several Lall Show aired on Kaieteur TroyResourcesPharsalus. requirements. In this case, Radio. While appearing on Kaieteur News had EITI requirement 2.4 (a) of that radio programme, he reported that there are the 2019 Standard states that told the Kaieteur News’ currently 10 companies Guyana should publicly publisher, Glenn Lall, “I holding large-scale licences disclose all mineral don’t see the reason why in Guyana. The Bauxite agreements entered into many of these are not in the Company of Guyana Inc. force prior to the reporting public domain already. I’ll holds three large-scale period,inthiscase,2019. findoutaboutit.” licences for the extraction of A l t h o u g h t h e When pressed further bauxite in Kurubuka (Block requirements were known to Jagdeosaid,“Icanundertake 22), North East (Block 5 in the administration, it to find out with you there, Kwakwani), Berbice (Block continued to make excuses what provision the GRA released. I will personally G

Agreement and 38) for a total area of 16,691 to avoid the release of these [ G u y a n a R e v e n u e nowseethatthishappen.” Reunion Manganese Inc. – Toroparu – Mineral acres, in which the Guyana contracts In fact, this Authority] is so cagey about On the Ministry of Mineral Agreement; Agreement. Government has a state newspaper reported in that it doesn’t want to Financewebsite,fivemining Guyana, GGMC, First An additional 13 participation of 10% as December last year thatVice release… I will undertake contracts were published Bauxite&GuyanaIndustrial Licences granted to the confirmed by the National President Bharrat Jagdeo anything that is non- They include, Aurora – Minerals Inc

Mineral mining companies were also IndustrialandCommercial dodged the matter on four propriety that you get it Mineral Agreement; Agreement; Karouni – made public. They include (Continued on page 9)

The contracts released by the government

The Opposition was making the right point through the wrong means

A Motion is not the correct mechanism to force theSpeakerandtheClerkof the National Assembly to apply time-bound rules to questions submitted by members of the Assembly

The conduct of the National Assemblyisgovernedbythe Rules of the National Assembly and it is the change of these rules which willbindtheSpeakerandthe Clerk.

The Opposition, however,believesthatmany ofitsquestionsaretakingan inordinate time to be answered But once the questions are placed on the Order Paper, the burden of answering those questions shiftstothegovernment,and if the government does not wishtoanswerit,youcanbet they will either prevaricate or find some vague or ambiguous answer to provide.

Questions are an important part of holding Ministers and the government accountable. It has been under utilised within Guyana’s National Assembly It is surprising,

that the people have never been told if the PPPC, when in Opposition, ever asked whether the APNU+AFC government had received a signing bonus on inking the Production Sharing Agreement with the oil companies It was civil societyactorswhowereable to obtain the evidence that suchabonuswasreceived.A simple question in the Assemblywouldhaveended thesuspense.

In 2005, a Needs Assessment of Guyana’s National Assembly was undertaken.Itreinforcedthe importanceofparliamentary questions in holding government accountable This is what the report on that Assessment had to say: “[Questions are] part and parcel of a parliamentary democracy If the National Assembly cannot question theGovernmentexceptwith the Government’s consent, then the whole purpose of Parliamentisnegated.”

At present, the government is dodging a question from the media abouttheinterestratewhich

the country is paying on the oil companies’ investment. To date, there have been no reports in the media indicating that any member has asked about the interest rate which the country is paying.

There is certainly a need to hasten the pace at which questions are answered in the National Assembly But as Gail Texeira, said during her contribution to yesterday’s debate, you simplycannottrytoyokethe Speaker and the Clerk to such timelines And you certainly cannot do so throughaMotion.

While the Opposition chose the wrong means to attain prompt answers to their questions, it does not subtract from the substance of their argument. Unless questions are promptly assessed as to whether they are allowable and then promptly placed on the Order Paper, then it will be impossible for government to be questioned on any topical issue because by the timethematterisdeliberated on, the issue would have

Govt. finally released mining contracts...

Frompage8

Investments Limited (NICIL).

Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc. holds three (3) large-scale licences for the extraction of bauxite in East Montgomery, Tailing area andDacouriaforatotalarea of 3,063 acres, in which the Guyana Government also has state participation of 30 percent as confirmed by NICIL.

Correia Mining Co holds a large-scale licence fortheextractionofgoldand diamonds for a total area of 3,681 acres Guyana

Goldfield Inc. holds a largescale licence for the extractionofgoldinCuyuni (Aurora) for a total area of 14,339 acres while Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of bauxite in the Bonasika Mining project for a total area of 18,940acres.

Additionally, North American Resources IncorporatedLtd. holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of gold for a total 5,950 acres. Pereira Mining Company holds a large-scale licence

Dem boys seh...

for the extraction of gold, silver,andvaluableminerals foratotalareaof5,105acres.

Meanwhile, Romanex Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a large-scale licence fortheextractionofgoldand valuable minerals for a total area of 11,110 acres; while OntarioIncorporatedholdsa large-scale licence for the extraction of gold and copper for a total area of 8,346acres.

Troy Resources Guyana also holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of goldforatotalareaof15,160 acres.

We gan get lil rain today!

A climatologist appearedonTVandheseh how when de rainy season done, Guyana gon pass through an El Nino phase whichcouldmeanextended dry weather De next day, wehadheavydownpours.

G e o r g e t o w n flood…and water get in somepeoplehouse.

Lang ago when somebodytellyuhhowdry seasoncoming,peopledoes start filling up overhead tank and vat. Bucket and drum does buy and put aside because water is something yuh can’t do without.

Dem farmers does get worried and stressed out as to where dem gan get irrigation water One year de situation was so bad in Guyana dat even dem churches start to pray fuh rain.

But a lil boy had de solution. He tell de people f u h o r g a n i z e a n internationalcricketmatch.

But de weatherman seh how de dry season gan last fuh months more. But no sooner de touring team arrive, de rain descended and flood out de Bourda Ground. And while dem cricket fans were

become stale But the government too, given its announced commitment to transparency, has an obligation to treat with alacrity the questions which are asked. These questions strikeattheheartofholding Ministers and government accountable. To the extent that questions take an inordinate time to be answered, to that extent transparencyisundermined.

What is equally unacceptable is for a question to be disallowed because some officer of the National Assembly believes the answer to that question was or is in the public domain. Parliament is the highest deliberate forum in the land. It is an organ of supreme power Certain comments made within that august body are subject to privilege. It is not at all in k e e p i n g w i t h t h e conventions of parliament for a question to be disallowed from appearing on the Order Paper simply

because the subject matter and the answer to the question were indirectly ventilatedinthemedia.

Notallquestionshaveto be written. The rules of the assembly provide for oral questions. But as a needs assessment done almost two decades ago found, very little use is made of this mechanism.

As that Needs Assessment Report pointed out, it is the Clerk who is responsibleforpreparingthe Order Paper The Clerk should not be constrained in sodoingorevenlimitedtoa narrow time frame. Neither should the government have anyrighttodeterminewhich questions go on the Order Paper Andonceaquestionis on the Order Paper, it is i n c u m b e n t o n t h e governmenttotreatthiswith somepromptness.

The needs assessment report had suggested that questionshouldbeanswered no later than three weeks. It emphasised that, “If a

question is accepted by the Parliamentary authorities, it isnotfortheGovernmentto refuse an answer This lack of response inevitably destroys the atmosphere of trust between Government and Opposition The Assembly should consider establishing a practice whereby answers to written questions are provided withinthreeweeks,exceptin exceptionalcases.”

The Opposition’s Motion should have been directed to the government and not to the Speaker and theClerk.Anditshouldhave referenced the Needs Assessment Report of 2005 andpointedtoitsreasonable and implementable recommendations.

disappointed dat dem nah get to see cricket, dem did glad fuh de rain because is twotimesdepriceofgreens does raise in de market: when it raining and when dehgatdrought.

So dem boys don’t pay too much attention to wah de weathermen seh. When dem boys wake up in de morning, dem does look at deskyanddatdoestelldem boywhetheritgonbesunny or rainy Today we gan get lil showers. De place did hot last night. And Jagdeo likely to hold a press conferencetodaytoo! Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

Pres.AlihailsGuyana-EUties

Guyana’s longstanding

enormous opportunity for EU. These relations have relationship with the you, to look beyond the definitely supported European Union (EU) is borders and find strategic G u y a n a ’s n a t i o n a l only expected to grow partnership To look at development,andtheEUhas stronger over the years, strategic partnership not provided tangible support to President Dr Mohamed only in the oil and gas Guyana…. Let us now move IrfaanAlihasaffirmed. sector,” Dr Ali emphasised. this relationship forward as

Hemadethestatementas EU states and Guyana we expand the relationship the European Union in continue to collaborate on between the two private Guyanacelebrateditsannual issues of food security, sectors, and the people-toEurope Day celebrations at agricultural investment, people contact relationships. the Georgetown Club on climate and environmental That is most critical. It is Tuesday evening. President services, health, education, when people become Ali assured that Guyana and technology “Our integrated with each other tremendously values its relationship is an expanding that the fullness of the relationship with its allies, one, and… we need to think relationship can be felt and especially those like the EU, beyond the normal We understood,”Dr Alisaid. that share common values, must ensure that we are Europe Day is an annual suchasdemocracy,freedom, preparing ourselves to be celebration held on May 9 to andtheupliftmentofpeople. sustainable, resilient, and mark the anniversary of the

More importantly, he competitiveinthenewworld signing of the Schuman noted that government is 2030 and beyond. And we Declaration on May 9, 1950. cognizant of those who seetheEuropeanUnionasan The Schuman Declaration supported the country’s importantpartnerinbridging allowed for the creation of a developmentduringdifficult this technology,” President European Coal and Steel circumstances. “The the future with great pride, change,”Dr.Aliexpressed. being more active here in Aliunderscored. Community (ECSC) to pool European Union, as the and a great degree of global This,thePresidentnoted, Guyana, and we want the He noted that Guyana resources from multiple Ambassador said, has presence. is testament to the strong local private sector to will work with the EU countries under a common invested tremendously in “ A t t h e [ r e c e n t ] relationship that exists become more active in the Ambassador to Guyana to authority Guyana; building our Commonwealth leaders’ betweentheEUandGuyana, EU, because there are ensure that all requirements T h e a i m o f t h e infrastructure, securing our summit, many leaders as well as the other tremendous opportunities in are met to guarantee the ease declaration was to promote sea defences,” the president engaged me on our LCDS, development partners. He the UK and in the European of conducting trade. “We economic cooperation recalled. and asked key questions on furtherexplainedthattheEU Union for Guyanese and must work on tangible among European countries

He noted that the EU’s how we were able, in such a is working closely with Guyanese products in our things, tangible targets; and prevent another war in support on sea defence short time, to relaunch this Guyana on multiple localprivatesector things that are measurable… Europe. This was the first projects was particularly strategy and get the level of initiatives to mitigate “I will say to our local As we continue, Guyana step towards the creation of important not only for successthatwegotoutofthe climate change and boost private sector that there is values its relations with the theEuropeanUnion.(DPI) securing the land from the strategy And the key sustainable development. “I o c e a n , b u t f o r t h e question was, how can we am very confident that the agricultural sector in help? And this is important relationship that will sustaining food production for us as a people. The develop will continue to by ensuring the protection of question was not [about] advance. farmersandtheircrops. how they can help, but how It will get stronger, but The EU was also a key canGuyanahelptofashiona more importantly, it is part of Guyana’s budget global strategy to put forests m o v i n g b e y o n d support programme. He said at the centre of COP28 so government-to-government Guyana was able to develop t h a t e v e r y o n e c a n partnership. We are seeing into a country that is understand the true value more people-to-people sustainableandresilient,one and importance of the forest partnership. We are seeing that is ‘leap frogging’ into in this fight on climate the private sector in the EU

After realising the the seats and in the process releasedphotosfromavideo machine was down, the of retrieving his phone, the footage showing the suspect suspect further detailed to vehicle ended up reversing and Mars before he met his the police that they left and andcrushedMars. demise on Sunday last. The had planned to go to another He said after what two men that afternoon had machine located in the transpired, he fled the scene arrivedattheGreenCityBar Diamondarea. and boarded a taxi and went which is located at the The suspect said that home that night. The next corners of D’Urban Street they had used the new day (Monday), he went to and Vlissengen Road. The Eccles highway and while work and while on Tuesday police related that the duo enroute to the location, he a t w o r k , h e w a s arrived at about 17:38hrs and Mars got into a apprehended by the police. and departed at 20:59hrs on misunderstanding The Kaieteur News had reported thenightoftheincident. suspect, Kaieteur News was that51-year-oldMarsofLot Meanwhile, in his informed, admitted to 211 New Settlers Street, confession, Kaieteur News investigators that during M o c h a , E a s t B a n k was informed that the theirargument,hepickedup Demerara (EBD) met his suspect told investigators abottleandhitMars. demise at around 22:30hrs that he and Mars were Sir Mars, the suspect on Sunday at 1654 friends for a while now He claimed, had picked up a PlantationProvidenceEBD. relatedthatonSunday,Mars knife from the vehicle in OnSundaynight,hewas had called him and invited retaliation He further found pinned under his grey himout. confessed that before Mars Mitsubishi RVR vehicle He related that Mars could attack him, he with his face braced against went for him at his house overpowered him and took the fence of an apartment and they then proceeded to away the knife and stabbed building. In an initial report, the bar The suspect recalled Marsseveraltimesabouthis the GPF had mentioned that that after consuming about a body at the scene, two knives caseandahalfofbeersatthe After being injured, the wererecovered. bar together, they left and suspect related that Sir Mars Up until his death, ‘Sir went to an ATM machine at ran out the vehicle leaving Mars’ was a popularly SouthRuimveldtsinceMars him inside The suspect known entertainer and the was the one who wanted to further claimed that his cell Deputy Head Teacher of the makeawithdrawal. phone had dropped between NewCentralHighSchool.

From page 2

President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips and European Union, H.E. Ambassador Rene van Nes along with other officials at the event Tuesday night

‘Sir Mars’ stabbed eight times...

EPA decision on waiver of impact study for gas-fired power plant

...says project will pose manageable risks

The Environmental e n v i r o n m e n t a n d AssessmentBoard(EAB)on socioeconomic resources of Wednesday issued its Guyana. emissions, the percentage “firefighting equipment and included in the project decision to uphold the The EAB responded to increase relative to national gasdetectionequipmentwill summary and other waiver of an Environmental 10 of the concerns raised by GHG emissions is less than determineifthereisaleak.If supporting documentation Impact Assessment (EIA) the appellants Vanda Radzik 1% percent, and the detected, the equipment submitted by the developer, for a 300 megawatt gas-fired and Elizabeth Deanepercentageincreasesrelative immediately alerts the whichtheappellantsmaynot p o w e r p l a n t t o b e Hughes and Danuta Radzik. to regional and global operators, the plant will be havebeenprivyto. constructed at Wales, West These include the danger emissions are all several shut down and the water It explained, “The BankDemerara. posed by gas plants and orders of magnitude below monitors will be activated to appellants appear to have Guyana’s Environmental pipelines, impacts on 1%.” prevent the leak from based their arguments solely ProtectionAgency (EPA) on humans, explosions, water

It also noted that the igniting.” ontheinformationpresented January6,2023publishedits quality impacts and methane design uses both gas and With the adoption of in the application whereas decision to exempt the leakageamongothers. steam turbines, which such controls and others, the the EPAutilized information project from the study This The Board made it clear reduces the burning of fossil EAB is convinced that “the from the supporting decisionwasappealedintwo that the Environmental fuel by approximately 35% project is expected to pose documentssubmittedaswell separate applications, Protection (EP)Act does not than that of a simple only manageable risks to the astheapplicationtoevaluate leading to a public hearing mandate the requirement of traditional cycle plant e n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d the project.” The Board did by the EAB on March 22, an EIA for any particular Moreover, it said reviews of socioeconomic resources of notstatetheothersupporting 2023. project or categories of other EIAs for similar Guyana.” documents that were used

The hearing was held projects, as the decisions natural gas power plants On the issue of water but ruled, “The EAB under protest by citizens, remainthatoftheEPA. show that negative air quality management, there therefore upholds the who verbally shared their In laying the foundation quality impacts are reduced will be “no significant decision of the EPA that no doubtinthecredibilityofthe for its ruling, the EAB went “ t h e k e y V a l u e d when natural gas power impactsontheavailabilityof ESIA is required for the Board, due to multiple on to state that “all Environmental and Social plants replace fossil fuel groundwater resources” Project.” conflictsofissues. development projects have Components (VECs) were generationtechnologies. while potential impacts In the meantime, the

Inupholdingthedecision some inherent risk and assessed related to

Meanwhile, the Board during the construction b o d y s a i d t h a t a n of the EPA, the Board- danger”, however the power environmental and human assured that an explosion at phase will be short-term and Environmental and Social Chaired by Head of the plant will be situated in an health.” thepowerplantisconsidered mitigated by industry Management Plan (ESMP)

Guyana Energy Agency isolated area, more than two Onimpactstoairquality, “unlikely to occur due to the standardmeasures. must be compiled for the (GEA), Dr. Mahendar kilometers away from the three member body said, extensive preventative Appellants did not access project, along with a Gas Sharma- said among other communities. “While the Project measures to be employed.” Indeliveringitsrulingon Leak Integrity Management things that the project will As it regards impacts on represents an increase in Nevertheless, it said flame the waiver of the EIA, the Plan. Several other detailed pose manageable risks to the humans, the Board only said Greenhouse Gas (GHG) detectors, gas detectors, Board said it found there are plans for mitigation, blast protection and other proposed mitigation emergency response and technologywillbeinstalled. measures for the expected others are also required as

According to the body, environmental impacts partofthepermitconditions.

Law passed to license use of electric bikes

In an effort to regulate its use, the Guyana government a n d o p p o s i t i o n o n Wednesday agreed to amend theMotorVehiclesandRoad TrafficAct to provide for the licensing of electronic bikes (E-bikes).

The amendment means that persons under 16-years oldwouldbeprohibitedfrom operating E-bikes and the bikes would have to be registered and licensed by thecompetentauthorities.

A law was passed to license users of electric bikes

In his presentation, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn welcomed support by the opposition A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) for the legislative amendment. He said:ForthisBill,certainlyis an important one that I am agencies to track down those safety must be paramount happy that those on the other vehicles. “These devices s a f

can be tracked for law convenience, and I’m very members on the other side enforcement purposes,” she pleased with this move to supportingtheBill.” said She stressed the regulate the usage of the Opposition Shadow importance of regulating bikes,” she said. Attorney HomeAffairsMinisterGeeta thosebikesforsafetyandthe General Anil Nandlall SC Chandan-Edmond told the maintenance of law and that the Guyana Police Force

order hadexpressed

that

Chairman of the EAB, Dr. Mahendar Sharma

Man83,woman68,joinRayDaggersonday7 ofwalkagainst“barefaced”ExxonContract

Ray Daggers and his team posing for a group photo after completing day seven at Coldingen, ECD

- continues today from Coldingen, ECD

Two senior citizens on more crooked you are,” Contract before continuing walkers when she joined at Yesterday accompanied by but kept in touch with what Wednesday joined Ray Anderson said as he sought the journey A few villages Paradise Village, ECD. She Lall and some of his staff for was happening back home. Daggers on his walk from to explain how corrupt the down another man, Lennox said, “If he (Daggers) at 65 the seventh consecutive day, Daggerssaidhewasinspired BerbicetoEssequiboagainst Guyanese leaders might be Fordyce, a resident from the can do it then I at 68 and can Daggers walked a total of 17 toundertakethewalkagainst the lopsided oil contract when it comes to managing West Coast of Demerara doittoo.” miles. So far, he has covered the Exxon contract by the Guyana signed with the country’s resources joinedinthewalktosupport. According to Caldera, a distance of 118 miles at an unrelenting efforts by Lall, ExxonMobilin2016. especiallyintheoilsector He told Kaieteur News she is walking for the future average16.8milesperday who has been fighting for a

One of the elderly As Daggers continued that he is an overseas-based of her grandchildren and His final destination is change to the Exxon citizens, 83-year-old Quin his journey to Georgetown, Guyanesewhohappenstobe greatchildren. She walked Charity on the Essequibo contract. “Mr Lall has been Anderson, started off with he was greeted by Deonauth visitingthecountryforafew with Daggers a few miles Coast, Region Two and he putting forth the facts and he Daggers around 09:00hrs Ramphal,aMahaicaresident days. After learning of the until he called it the end of wants to complete the hasdonesowithoutanyhelp from Fairfield Mahaicony- waiting by the road side to walk for a better oil deal, day seven after reaching journey in 12 to 13 days but from government agencies, fromwhereheleftoffonday join him in the walk with a Fordyce got up early Coldingen on the East Coast with a healthy walking but with the help of his staff, 6- and walked a few villages largeplacardwiththewords: Wednesday and traveled of Demerara. Daggers began average, he is well on track and he has been providing a before calling it a day “We want full coverage from the West Coast of his walk on Thursday last at to do it in less time. Born in great service to this nation,” Anderson said that he spent insurance” and “We demand Demeraraanddroppedoffin Moleson Creek, East Mahaicony, Daggers lived Daggers had said before some time working in the 50percentroyalty”. Mahaica to wait for Daggers Corentyne Berbice for quite some time overseas settingoutonhiswalk. shippingindustryabroadand From there Daggers and so that he could join the witnessed the western world his team walked into the De walk. Daggers and his team paying millions in bribes to Hoop Village, Mahaica and continued their trek where exploit the African Nations. stopped in the market for a they were joined by more He believes corruption is short while where Kaieteur persons from Bee Hive on taking place in Guyana at News Publisher, Glenn Lall the East Coast of Demerara large scale too “but it is just urgedthepeopletheretojoin (ECD) but it was a 68-yearthat we don’t know as yet.” the walk and to fight for a old, Glendis Caldera who “The bigger you are, the change of the ExxonMobil stole the hearts of the

Four persons shot during land row in Essequibo

Four persons were on Wednesday morning shot during a fight over a lot of land ontheEssequiboCoast,RegionTwo.

According to information reaching this publication, Sattrohan Maraj from Leguan Island,wasshotaswellashisfather,sister-inlaw and another person Region Two Commander, Khemraj Shivbaran confirmed that four persons were nursing gunshots wounds. According to the Commander, the shooting incident took place in Dryshore Village and that the suspect has since been arrestedandplacedincustody.

Sattrohan

Maraj

According to a video seen by this publication, the man, who is believed to be a contractor, was recorded discharging several rounds also injuring the woman who was at the time recording the video. Up to press time,thepolicehadnotreleaseanystatement ontheshootingincident.

Deonauth Ramphal(right) with his placard joining Ray Daggers' walk at Mahaica, ECD

VACANCY

GDF, Police Officers for ITEC Scholarship Programme

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scholarship programme for Guyana continues with two more scholarships granted to one officer each from the Guyana Defence Forces (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

WANTED

Pitbull buses with Driver to work on contract. For more info, Call: 685-1735.

One personal Assistant needed to work with private company. Must have great Excel knowledge. Call: 6851735.

Armed & unarmed Officers needed. $400 Gyd per hour, 10 & 12 hrs shift. Contact: 603-5140.

Delivery Driver needed for Office Furniture Company, attractive salary. Call: 2275384/ 227-7995 for more information.

Accountant needed for Office Furniture Company, must have knowledge of Quickbooks. Call: 227-7995/ 227-5384.

Sales Representative/ CSR needed for Office Furniture Company, must be customer friendly and oriented. Call: 227-7995/227-5384.

One assistant Cook and a Kitchen assistant. Must know to make puri & roti. Contact: 603-1278/ 665-5074.

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

FOR RENT

2 and 3 bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments for long and short term rental. Call: 682-2585, 691-1432.

One new breezy one bedroom apartment in West of Eccles overpass. Call: 2271813/ 672-1703.

Furnished apt in Houston, land 200 X 200 Industry, E.C.D and 8000 sq ft office space in Brickdam. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

Beautiful

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

Excavator & Skid Steer Operators, canter & truck Drivers, Civil Engineer & Foreman needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 613-0855/ 611-0350. Email: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, ages 23-50 yrs, . Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

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

One Handyman/ Porter and general Domestic needed to cook & clean, 3 days per week. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

The recipients are Lieutenant Neil McDonald of the Guyana Defence Force as part of the Naval courses being provided by the Government of India and Officer Jermain Johnson of the Guyana Police Force.

Lieutenant McDonald from Sophia Georgetown, a Coast Guard with the Guyana Defence Force, will represent Guyana at the Long Navigation Course at the Navigation & Direction School, Naval Base Kochi Keraral for seven (7) months. In a press release, the Indian

High Commission said, Officer Johnson, an ICT officer of the Guyana Police Force, hailing from East Bank Demerara is participating in a five (5) day course on Cyber Security & Investigation at the premier police training institute of India the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad. Both officers called on the High Commissioner Dr. KJ Srinivasa who briefed them about the courses and advised them on the details and logistics of the extensive training programmes. High

NOTICE

Commissioner congratulated and advised them to make the best of this opportunity. The Government of India continues to strengthen its bond with Guyana, by offering several scholarships in various areas including military, medical, technical, and cultural training.

This is the second successive year that Guyana has access to these military training programmes. Under the ITEC Programme, the Government of India covers all expenses related to this training.

FOR SALE

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

One perfect, well working Diesel van (food truck). Call: 227-1813/ 672-1703.

SERVICES

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

Time keeping Clerk, Welder/ Fabricator, Office Assistant, Driver, Labourers, Maintenance Worker & Cleaner. Call: 621-6969/ 615-7784.

Room Attendant, Receptionist and Desk Staff & Security Guard needed at 233, South Road Lacytown, ages 25-50 years old. Call: 2250198. Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

Repairs at affordable price: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer. Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

Experienced Cashier, Counter Server, roti/ puri Cook and Cleaners needed. Apply @ Hack's Restaurant 5 Commerce St.

Western Union CSR needed at Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Contact: 609-2995 or Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER’S CERTIFICATE

(Pursuant to section 4, Money Lenders Act)

Trevon Griffith of lot 623 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme

Georgetown, Devon Simon of lot 16 GDF Housing Scheme

Government seeks international help to recover over $1B owed by Panama for rice

LAND FOR SALE

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

1 BMW 520 I for sale. Great working condition, good miles, etc. Price $4.6 M. Call: 655-2119.

1 Hy-ab Chevrolet lorry/ truck C7H model. Excellent working condition. Call: 2252192/ 691-9691/ 629-1667 during working hours.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Subryanville, Carmichael St, Tuschen, Better Hope, Ogle and 4 apt building in Little Diamond. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

Supermarket Packers and Bond Attendants am& pm needed at Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Call: 609-2995 or Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

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

Experienced Accounts Clerk and Office Assistant needed @ Survival Shopping Complex. Call: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

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

Georgetown and Kevin Craig of lot 621 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme Georgetown Guyana., hereby give notice that WE have applied to the Magistrate of the Georgetown Magisterial District for a Certificate under the Money Lenders Act, authorizing the grant to us a Money Lender’s Licence to Carry on the Business of a Money Lender under the Title of LUKRATIVE PANWSHOP located at lot 45 Hadfield Street Werk-en-rust.

NOTICES of any objections to this application should be sent forthwith to the CLERK OF COURT OF THE GEORGETOWN MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT, and a copy of any such Notice should be sent to the Subscriber.

Trevon Griffith

Devon Simon

Kevin Craig Dated at Georgetown, Demerara

This 9th May, 2023

The government will soon move to the International Chamber of Arbitration in France to recover over $1 billion owed by the government of Panama to the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) for rice sold to the country.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, made the disclo-

sure on Tuesday evening, during his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News’.

It was under the APNU+AFC Administration that a flawed deal was made with the Panamanian government, for the supply of some 9,000 tonnes of rice through the GRDB. However, when the rice was delivered, it was (Continued on page 17)

Law passed to license...

From page 12 had been hamstrung legally to take action against E-bikes. He noted that many E-bikes have a maximum speed of the now obsolete P-50 motorcycles that were licensed under the existing law.

Nandlall noted however that “They have begun to pose a problem because our legal legislative architecture does not in its current form cater for them.” He said Police Force figures show that 11 persons were killed and 14 0thers seriously injured as a result of the use of electric cycles from 2021 to 2023.

“That is a completely unacceptable state of affairs.”

According to the Attorney General, most times Ebike users do not wear helmets and so expose themselves to potential injury and even worse disability or death.

“E-bike users did not possess any form of vehicular licence and they took advantage of the fact that the Guyana Revenue Authority was not regu-

lating those vehicles. What is even more frightening is that some of the users are young persons, even persons under the age of 16.”

Last February, it was announced that steps had been taken to have E-bikes registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Top Cop, Clifton Hicken had announced during the Police Officers’ Conference last year, “The Guyana Police Force has engaged the GRA towards the implementation of rules governing their use.”

“We’ve seen persons using these bikes, there is no age limit …we’re in discussion to ensure those things are regularised,” he subsequently told media operatives. The issue of the usage of electric bikes on the roadways is not new. Concern has been expressed by many road users over the use of electrictype cycles, especially by children, many of whom do not know traffic signs and laws.

Carmichael Street and Lethem Commercial zone, 69 X 200 ft. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

One able-bodied work man needed. Call: 675-9988.

VACANCY

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

3 bedrooms fully furnished upstairs apartment, 2 bathrooms and roof garden located at New Hope, E.B.D. Call: 687-3011.

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

Appeal of court ruling for adequate

insurance is in best interest of Guyana

…says Govt. doesn’t have the luxury of taking emotional positions

for setting Hopetown cattle farmer on fire Man remanded to prison

S.C

Attorney General (AG) ofGuyana–andorderedthat doing in every one of our to Esso Exploration Anil Nandlall, S.C on the insurance be provided policy, endeavours and Production Guyana Limited Tuesdaynightexplainedthat within30days. implementations.” (EEPGL), to perform its being in government does It was during his weekly On the evening of the obligations under Condition not come with the luxury of Facebook programme court’s ruling by High Court 14 of the Environmental taking“emotionalpositions” “Issues in the News” when Judge, Justice Sandil Permit (renewed) and to asherespondedtothosewho t h e A G s a i d t h e Kissoon,theAG’sChambers ensure that the oil company criticised the government’s aforementioned and issued a statement signaling provide adequate insurance decision to appeal a High explained that: “we their intention to appeal the for the Liza Phase 1 project Court ruling which found (government) have to rulingwhichorderedthatthe within 30 days (on or before that ExxonMobil Guyana recognise what is in the Environmental Protection June10,2023)asrequiredby failed to provide adequate nation’s best interest and act Agency (EPA) issue an thesaidpermit. insurance for a massive accordingly as we were Enforcement Notice on or During his programme, drilling project off the coast elected to do and that we are beforeMay9,2023,directed Nandlall reiterated that government is committed to appeal, which was filed on Tuesday In a statement, the AG had said that the government is of the view that the environmental i n d e e d o u r e n t i r e He added that because of p e r m i t i m p o s e s n o government have been the the Local Content Law the obligation on the Permit subjects of scathing country raked in some Holder to provide an criticisms. We have been US$700 million, saying that unlimited Parent Company accused of being anti- when that law is reviewed GuaranteeAgreementand/or nationalistic. Permit me to the country will be able to A f f i l i a t e C o m p a n y say first of all that our “drawdownheavier.” GuaranteeAgreement. g o v e r n m e n t i s a s The Attorney General

He said too that Justice nationalistic and as patriotic underscored that all of the Kissoon fell into error in his as they come and we have a major developments taking findings adding that, “This track record in the People’s place in the country are as a ruling can have profound Progressive Party, we have a directresultoftheoilandgas ramifications and grave track record of nationalistic industry economic and other impacts conduct and patriotic He said too that up to last on the public interest and behaviourandpostures.” month, the country had up to nationaldevelopment…” Nandlall highlighted US$1.4 billion in its oil

Remanded to prison, Kevin Sooklall

The 38-year-old man who was accused of setting

a 51-year-old cattle farmer, Trevor Jameer of Hopetown, Berbice, on fire back in February, was on Wednesday remanded to accused for allegedly father did not take what the prison when he appeared in assisting the police during man said seriously and courtforthecrime. protest actions on February remainedwherehewas.

The defendant, Kevin 5, 2023 at Hopetown Shortly after the suspect Sooklall a labourer of Hopetown residents had returned with a bottle OnderneemingVillage,West reportedly blocked the road containing a liquid and a Coast Berbice yesterday and set a car on fire after a stick that was lit with fire. made his first court businessman’s son lost The suspect then doused appearance at the Fort control of the vehicle and Jameer with the liquid from Wellington Magistrate’s knockeddowntwovillagers. the bottle and used the lit Court before Magistrate Speaking with reporters, sticktosethimonfire.“…he Peter Hugh via Zoom where Jameer’s daughter, Travene had a bottle with something the charge was read to him. McAlmont had alleged that like gasoline inside and he Sooklall was not required to her father was attacked and throw it on him and he had a plead to the charge which burnt on the morning of stick light with fire and he alleges that on February 17, February 17 by a “boy” and just push the stick to the man 2023,heattemptedtomurder claimed that it might be and he catch on fire,” Jameer After the charge was because he (her father) McAlmonthadrelated. read, Sooklall was remanded helped police to remove the

The attacker then left the to prison and is expected to car from the trench after the scene while, residents close make his next court accident. “…the boy come byrushedtoassistJameerby appearance on May 18, and stop and tell my father extinguishingtheflamesthat 2023. that “I hear you seh you gon engulfedhisbody.

The EPA on Tuesday several things that the wallet.“Apparentlythereisa filed a Notice of Appeal government has done, group of persons in Guyana against the High Court adding that they were all that want to see us in a ruling Since the appeal done in the nation’s interest. perpetual state of poverty announcement was made, To this end, he said, “So I’m Theyobjectifweexploitour the government has been not too worried about those forestry resources, they heavily criticised for not allegations.” object if we exploit our working for the best interest Commenting further, minerals, they are now ofthepeople. Nandlall said that while the objecting to us exploiting

“So a lot was said and country’s has signed onto a our oil reserves and gas have been said about the very “skewed contract” with reserves, apparently their rulingofJusticeKissoonlast ExxonMobil Guyana, the vision for Guyana is that we Wednesday, when his country was still able to reap must be kept to mud and we honour granted certain benefits and “is where it is must continue to be cane declarations against the now because of the oil and cutters and rice farmers and EPA,” the AG said. He gas industry.” “We have a we must not graduate out of continued,“Thegovernment five-year plan, national that level…” Nandlall said ofGuyanaissuedastatement developmental plan that we before alluding that in relation to that ruling and have to finance from neighbouring countries have that statement has evoked revenuesgenerated,themain been pumping oil for 100 great criticisms in the public source of revenue stream years,whichenabledthemto domain The President source in Guyana is the oil enrich themselves and their (Irfaan Ali), the VP (Bharrat and gas industry , ” the people, “and the world did Jagdeo), yours truly and AttorneyGeneralsaid. notcometoanend.”

K a i e t e u r N e w s burst up me head”, so my

Jameer was rushed to the understands that Sooklall father turn and ask him New Amsterdam Hospital after committed the crime, where he got that news from where he was admitted with had eluded police and was and he told my father wait burns to his face, neck, back, onlyarrestedonMay6lastin right there and that he legs, arm and side Berbice. It was reported that coming back,” McAlmont S u b s e q u e n t l y a n Jameer was set on fire by the said while adding that her investigationhadlaunched.

Trevor Jameer when he was admitted at the hospital back in February.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall,

Governmentseeks international...

Frompage16 creditedtothecountrythat now owes Guyana over $1 billion. “Our government now is forced to file proceedings at the International Chamber of Arbitration in France to recoverthisdebt monies have to be expended to retain international lawyers, to prosecute and defend these claims,” the Attorney General lamented.

Upon assumption to office, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture committed to recovering the monies owed and has tried several avenues including through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International

Cooperation to retain the monies owed; however, t h i s h a s p r o v e n unsuccessful. In fact, rice millers have filed legal proceedings in the High CourtagainsttheGRDBto have the agency pay moniesforthericethatwas sold to the Panamanian government “These are farmers who delivered their rice to the rice board as instructed by the governmentoftheday,the government of the day boastedthattheysecureda new market for rice, sold and delivered the rice farmers’ rice and the millers’ rice on credit and neverattemptedtorecover any payment,” Minister Nandlallpointedout.(DPI)

Trinidad, St Vincent to host remaining West Indies Rising Stars C/chip

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has recently announced the dates and host countries for the upcoming 2023 West Indies Rising Stars age-group Championships.

These championships are an integral part of the development pathway for the next generation of West Indies men’s and women’s cricketers.

The Women’s Rising Stars Under 19s Championship, featuring six rounds of 30-over matches, will be held in Trinidad from July 2-16. Meanwhile, the Men’s Rising Stars Under 19s Championship will take place in St Vincent between July 2 and August 1, consisting of five rounds of 50-over white

ball matches and four rounds of three-day red ball matches.

The Men’s Rising Stars Under 17s Championship will be held in Trinidad from August 10 to September 1, featuring five rounds of 50over matches and, for the first time, three rounds of two-day red ball matches.

These championships will feature both red ball and 50over white ball cricket, which will help the players develop a strong foundation of skillsets, both mental and technical, that they can build on as they progress through the CWI development pathway system.

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, emphasized the importance of

Thursday May 11, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Are you an artist, writer, or musician, Aries? If so, your work may take on a more symbolic or impressionistic tone. Today you're probably more interested in conveying feelings and impressions than details.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Innovative art forms might seem especially appealing today, Taurus. Stay out of gallery shops unless you're prepared to take home a carload of merchandise.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Do you believe in ghosts?

Some strange phone calls, emails, or other communications may come your way today, Gemini. One may come from someone who thinks you're someone else.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

An unexpected sum of money could come your way today, Cancer. It probably won't be large, but it will be welcome nonetheless.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Have you been exercising too rigorously lately, Leo? If so, you might feel some little aches and pains. Stay off your feet for most of the day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

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

JAMAICA’S BRITNEY MCFARLANE TAKES...

From page 22 the female component which in previous eras was neglected. This is our evidential and unwritten mandate for 2023 and onward.”

The Briso Promotions ‘Pro/Am Card’ is being projected to surpass the atmosphere, ambiance, and overall quality of the recently staged Patrick Forde Memorial Championships, which was hailed as the benchmark for a local boxing event.

age group cricket across the region and how essential these tournaments are to develop the next generation of young talent in the West

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Are all of your friends into astrology, divine science, or spiritual matters, Libra? It might seem like most of them are today, anyway. You may have many new friends in those fields.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

A love partner may host a social event or meeting of some kind, Scorpio. It might be interesting to get acquainted with friends of your mate you haven't yet met.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

Are you contemplating a trip, Sagittarius, perhaps to a place you've always dreamed of visiting? If you're in doubt as to whether or not you can do it.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The Material values may pale beside spiritual ones today, Capricorn. You might consider giving up the rat race and retreating to the wilderness.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A current or potential romantic partner might seem like the most perfect, wonderful person in the world to you, Aquarius. Your romantic nature could get the better of you today.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You might not be able to concentrate on your work today, Pisces. Your head may be in the clouds and your eye for detail could fail you somewhat.

Indies. He stated that many current and former international players have graduated from these tournaments, and they continue to see them as the ‘nursery’ for West Indies cricket. With over 250 teenagers expected to participate in these championships, this is an ideal platform for them to launch their careers. The tournaments will allow for ongoing talent identification and development of the best young players in the region. In conclusion, these championships are a crucial step in the development of young cricketers in the West Indies. The CWI is committed to providing maximum opportunities and exposure to these young talents, and we can expect to see some exceptional players emerge from these tournaments in the future.

TOURNAMENT DATES

July 2-16: Women’s Rising Stars Under 19s Championship, Trinidad

July 2 to August 1: Men’s Rising Stars Under 19s Championship in St Vincent August 10 to September

1: Men’s’ Rising Stars Under 17s Championship in Trinidad

The event will feature five exciting professional bouts and an equal number of amateur engagements, headlined and co-headlined by Elton Dharry and Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques respectively.

Dharry will enter the squared circle against Ramos Ronald in an eightround Bantamweight fixture whilst Marques will battle Luis Carrillo in an eightround Super Bantamweight encounter.

A Caribbean rivalry will also resume on fight night as Terrence Adams is pencilled to face off against Bar-

badian Ricardo Blackman, while Anthony Augustin will match skills with Emmanuel Anderson of Barbados. The card will also feature a six-round Super Flyweight bout between Natalya Delgado and Darianis Garcia. The May 21st fight night will mark Dharry’s return to the ring in over a year and will serve as a tune-up for his July encounter on local shores with Hugo Hernandez of Mexico for the WBC Silver Belt. Dharry, 37, fought for the WBA Super flyweight title in 2019 but suffered a controversial ninth-round stoppage loss to Australian Andrew Maloney in Melbourne. According to organizers, the event promises to be a remarkable showcase of talent from both local and international fighters.

The GBA’s commitment to elevating every aspect of the sport, particularly empowering the female component, is commendable and bodes well for the future of boxing in Guyana.

Action in the earlier round of matches in the 2023 West Indies Rising Stars age-group Championships.

GOA supports Special Olympics bocce athletes

Griffith named Windies‘A’ Team head coach for Bangladesh series

The West Indies ‘A’ Team is scheduled to play a 3-match series against Bangladesh from May 16 to June2ndinBangladesh.

According to Cricket West Indies, this tour is a reciprocal visit by the West Indies ‘A’ Team, after the Bangladesh‘A’Teamtoured the West Indies in August 2022, where the two sides playedatwo-matchseriesof four-day first-class matches and a three-match 50-over series at the Daren Sammy StadiuminSaintLucia.

along with Alick Athanaze, YannicCariah,KeacyCarty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan, Brandon King, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, and KevinSinclair

Special Olympics Guyana has recently received support from the G u y a n a O l y m p i c Association (GOA) to participate in the upcoming 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The event is scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany from June 17 to 25. The team will consist of Daniel Samsundar, Stephanie Ramotar, Rachel Mortley and Keston Knights, who

willbecompetinginsingles, doubles and team bocce competitions.

Wilton Spencer will serve as the Head of Delegation, while Lavern Alleyne will act as the coach/chaperone VicePresidentoftheGOA,Philip Fernandes and SecretaryGeneral, Vidushi PersaudMcKinnonpaidavisittothe athletes’ recent training session at the National Gymnasium At the

handover ceremony, Fernandes and PersaudMcKinnon extended their best wishes to the Special Olympics Guyana Team, expressing their excitement for the event and eagerly anticipate a report on the team’sperformance.

Special Olympics Guyanasaidthey’regrateful for the support from the GOA and is excited to represent Guyana on an internationalstage.

Matthews fireworks set-up crushing win for Barbados against Guyana

-CWICGInsuranceWomen’sSuper50CupRound2…

On Wednesday, Round Two of the Women’s Super50 Cup took place in St. Kitts, with some exciting matches and standout performances from the teams involved, where Opener Hayley Matthews’ 42-ball unbeaten half-century was the highlightoftheday

Guyana suffer nine-wicket loss versus Barbados

Batting first, Guyana did slightly better than their first game, making 123 all out thanks to some good signs from Shamaine Campbell and Kaycia Schultz who had identicalscoresof21andShenetaGrimmond (24).

The Bajan ladies, Matthews, Shakera Selman,KeilaElliotandShamillaCampbell, allbaggedtwowicketsinagreateffort.

Matthewsthenracedto72not-outoff42 deliveries, with eight-fours and four-sixes, whileopenerKyciaKnightsteadiedtheship with40(5x4),rompingforanemphaticwin.

WindwardsdefeatLeewardsby8wickets

Divya Saxena top-scored with a run-aball 44 including 6 fours but the Leewards werewoefullyknockedoverforjust59in19 overs.

Qiana Joseph was the instrument of destruction again, bagging 5-14 with two wicketseachcomingfromPearlEtienneand Janella Glasgow with star all-rounder Afy Fletcher(1-13),sealingthingsoff.

Windwards then cruised to 63-2 in 16 oversthankstoopenerMalikaEdward(31), Namiah Marcellin (12) and Fletcher (11*) whofinishedthejobwith200-plusdeliveries

tospare.

Trinidad and Tobago beat Jamaica by 1 wicket

Inanail-biter,Jamaicawerefirstbowled out for 123 but were indebted to Natasha McLeansmashedfivesixesandtwofoursin herunbeaten59off60balls.

Spinner Samara Ramnath captured 5-13 while veterans Lee Ann Kirby and Anisa Mohammedhadawicketeach.

Vanessa Watts grabbed 3-16 and Celina Whyte2-24butJamaicawereunabletostop theTTladieswhoheldtheirnervestofinish on127-9in42overs.

BrittneyCooperagainrescuedherteam’s batting, stroking 53 from 59 balls as others batted around her as they helped clinch a narrowwinfortheTwinIslandXI.

The West Indies ‘A’ Team will be led by Joshua DaSilva and coached by RayonGriffith.

Griffith, who is also the Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, serves as

an Assistant Coach for the West Indies team with oversight for fielding. He was involved in the preparation stages of the tour, and the team is expectedtoarriveinAsiaon May11.

The squad for the West Indies ‘A’ Team includes Joshua DaSilva as captain,

The West Indies ‘A’ Team will undoubtedly face a tough challenge from Bangladesh, who will be playingontheirhometurf.

However, with a strong squad and experienced coaching staff, the West Indies ‘A’ Team will be lookingtoputupagoodfight andcomeawaywithaseries victory Thetourpromisesto beanexcitingoneforcricket fansaroundtheworld.

Overwhelming support for GCB’s ‘project cricket gear’

Project“CricketGearfor young and promising cricketers in Guyana” has been receiving an overwhelmingresponsewith more cash support pouring in.

Thelatestcontributionof $20,000 from Reshma Mathura, a Guyanese residingintheUSA,ismuch appreciated,accordingtothe Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). According to the GCB, the funds will be utilized to purchase cricket items that are urgently required by the young cricketersinGuyana.

This noble initiative is a joint effort between Anil Beharry and Kishan Das of the USA. The project has received a total of $350,000 incashdonations,alongwith variouscricket-relateditems such as coloured cricket uniforms, trophies, cricket boots, batting pads, cricket bats, batting gloves, thigh pads, wicket keeping pads, arm guards, boxes, cricket bags, bat rubbers, and helmets. Additionally,Sheik

Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman, donated cricket gear worth $600,000. Sofar,fifty-three young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from this project. They have received junior gear bags, trophies, arm guards,bats,boxes,helmets, cricket shoes, batting pads, thigh pads, bat rubber, and battinggloves.

Also, two clubs in the Pomeroon area and various cricket committees have received red cricket balls, colour uniforms, white cricket shirts, junior batting

pads,wicketkeepinggloves, andstumpsandbails.

It is noteworthy that all the cricket-related items, whether used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. The recipientsareselectedbased ontheirskills,discipline,and education.

Talent spotting is being doneacrossthecountrywith the help of club leaders to identify deserving candidates. Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with a youth program also stand to benefit from this initiative The project “CricketGearforyoungand promising cricketers in Guyana” is making a significant contribution to thedevelopmentofcricketin Guyana. The generosity of donorslikeReshmaMathura and Sheik Mohamed is highlyappreciated,theGCB said, while adding that “it is hearteningtoseethepositive impact this initiative is havingonthelivesofyoung cricketersinGuyana.”

Trinidad,StVincenttohostremaining...

Frompage21

teenagers expected to participate in these championships, this is an ideal platform for themtolaunchtheircareers.Thetournaments will allow for ongoing talent identification anddevelopmentofthebestyoungplayersin theregion.

In conclusion, these championships are a crucial step in the development of young cricketers in the West Indies. The CWI is committed to providing maximum

opportunities and exposure to these young talents, and we can expect to see some exceptional players emerge from these tournamentsinthefuture.

TOURNAMENTDATES

July 2-16: Women’s Rising Stars Under 19sChampionship,Trinidad

July 2 to August 1: Men’s Rising Stars Under19sChampionshipinStVincent August10toSeptember1:Men’s’Rising StarsUnder17sChampionshipinTrinidad

Windies ‘A’Team head coach, Rayon Griffith

Reshma Mathura

GOA Secretary General Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon makes presentation to Special Olympics Guyana’s Wilton Spencer.

Shunelle Sawh of the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas top-scored today with 68 at the end of her team’s innings.

Thrilling matches highlight day two of Woodpecker’s Junior National Squash C/Ship

The second day of theWoodpecker’s 2023 Juniors’

N a t i o n a l S q u a s h Championship proved to be an exciting one for fans and athletesalike.

The Georgetown Club Courtswereabuzzwiththe impressivedisplayoftalent showcased by the young athletes participating in the tournament.

In the U13 category, Ethan Bulkan and Justin Ten Pow emerged as standout players, securing victories in their respective matches.

The U15 Girls category saw Kaylee Lowe, Avian Wade, and Jnae Singh maintain their dominance w i t h e x c e p t i o n a l performances.

Meanwhile, Zion Hickerson made a remarkable comeback in the Boy U11 category, securing a convincing win after suffering two losses on the

opening day of the championship.

The U17 category witnessed some thrilling matches, with Josh Verwey, Louis DaSilva, and Shiloh

Asregado each registering a well-deservedvictory Inthe U19 division, Safirah Sumner, who had remained undefeated on the first day,

experienced her first loss againstKirstenGomes.

In a lone U11 match, Zion Hickerson showcased his skills and determination by defeating Jabril Alli in a convincingmanner

The final scores of 11-5, 11-6, and 11-8 reflected Hickerson’s dominance on thecourt.

Trinidad, St Vincent to host remaining West Indies Rising Stars C/Ship

Cricket West Indies

(CWI) has recently announcedthedatesandhost countries for the upcoming 2023 West Indies Rising S t a r s a g e - g r o u p Championships These championships are an integral part of the developmentpathwayforthe next generation of West Indies men’s and women’s cricketers The Women’s Rising Stars Under 19s Championship, featuring six rounds of 30-over matches, willbeheldinTrinidadfrom July2-16.

Meanwhile, the Men’s Rising Stars Under 19s Championship will take place in St Vincent between July 2 and August 1, consisting of five rounds of 50-over white ball matches andfourroundsofthree-day redballmatches.

The Men’s Rising Stars Under 17s Championship willbeheldinTrinidadfrom August 10 to September 1, featuring five rounds of 50over matches and, for the first time, three rounds of two-dayredballmatches.

These championships willfeaturebothredballand 50-over white ball cricket, which will help the players develop a strong foundation

ofskill-sets,bothmentaland technical,thattheycanbuild on as they progress through the CWI development pathwaysystem.

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s

et, emphasized the importance of age group cricket across theregionandhowessential these tournaments are to

The U13 matches were equallycaptivating,asJustin TenPowemergedvictorious against Jacob McDonald with a score of 3-0

Following Ten Pow’s success, Ethan Bulkan showcased his talent by defeating both Kaiden Alli andMatthewDaby,securing two impressive wins in the

competition.

The U15 categories provided spectators with an enthralling battle between Justin Gorberdhan and Nicholas Sawh After an intense back-and-forth, Gorberdhan emerged triumphant with a hardfoughtvictoryof3-2.

Avian Wade and Jnae

Singh also displayed their prowess, defeating Blake Edwards and Tiana Gomes, respectively

In a stunning upset, Kaylee Lowe surprised Emily Fung-A-Fat with a victory

The U17 matches were filledwithmuchintensityas Josh Verwey secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory againstDemetriLowe,while Louis Da Silva dominated Chad De Abreu with an impressivescorelineof11-2, 11-0,11-3.

In another captivating match, Shiloh Asregado emerged victorious over JeremyTenPow,winningall three games However, Safirah Sumner suffered her first loss against Kirsten Gomes in the Girls U19 category

The tournament continues on Wednesday at the same venue, with Day Three action set to commenceat17:00hours.

BakewellsupportsOne GuyanaFutsalChampionship

Bakery giant, Bakewell, hasonceagaindemonstrated itssupportfortheKashifand Shanghai Organisation by sponsoring the One Guyana FutsalChampionship,which is currently at the quarterfinalstage.

develop the next generation of young talent in the West Indies. He stated that many current and former international players have graduated from these tournaments, and they continue to see them as the ‘nursery’ for West Indies cricket.Withover250 (Continuedonpage20)

General Manager of Bakewell, Rajin Ganga, presentedthemainprincipals of Kashif and Shanghai, Kashif Muhammad and AubreyMajor,withacheque for sponsorship Ganga expressed his delight in supporting the number one organising entity in Guyana He praised the quality and commitment of the organisation to pull off highquality competitions, which hassetthestandardforothers to follow The tournament has created an opportunity for many players to showcase their talent in a disciplined atmosphere Ganga said he’s looking forward to more exciting action as the competition heats up further, and teams putintheworktoadvanceto thechampionshipgame.

Co-Director, Kashif Muhammad, expressed his gratitude to Ganga and Bakewellfortheircontinued

support of the development offootballinGuyana.

He highlighted that Bakewell is a solid stakeholder and partner of sportsinGuyana.

Thesemi-finalswilltake place on Saturday at the NationalPark,withthefinal at the same venue on May

20 The championship promises to be an exciting event, thanks to the support of Bakewell and other stakeholders, as the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation continues to make a significant contribution to the development of football in

Guyana.

Action in the earlier round of matches in the 2023 West Indies Rising Stars agegroup Championships.

Young Ethan Bulkan (left) at work in his match against Matthew Daby

Kaylee Lowe (left) skilfully returnsa close ball against Emily Fung-A-Fat

General Manager of Bakewell, Rajin Ganga, hands over sponsorship to Kashif Muhammad in the presence of fellow ‘K&S’Director, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’Major.

Jamaica’s Britney McFarlane takes aim at Alesha Jackman

Briso’s ‘Pro/Am card

Jamaica’s participation in the upcoming Briso PromotionsPro/AmCardon May 21 has been officially confirmed.

Theeventwillbeheldat theNationalGymnasiumon Mandela Avenue, and will feature female pugilist Britney McFarlane and coach Gilbert Valz, with McFarlanesettobattlelocal star Alesha Jackman in an amateuraffair

This will be the second international fixture confirmed for the amateur section, with Trinidad and Tobago champion Lee Ann Boodramsettoenterthering against Abiola Jackman, Alesha’ssibling.

TheTrinidadandTobago fighter will arrive on local shores on Saturday, May 20th for her fistic engagement.

The Jackman sisters are the first-ever Guyanese female pugilists to attain a world ranking from the International Boxing Association (IBA), after their participation at the W o m e n ’ s W o r l d Championships in New Delhi,India.

Abiola Jackman is now ranked 27th in the world in theEliteWomen81andover Kgorheavyweightdivision, whileAlesha is seeded 58th intheEliteWomen60-63Kg or junior welterweight division.

According to GBA President Steve Ninvalle,

Last stop on Dharry’s Road to a WBC World Title

- UrgesGuyanesetosupporttitlefight

“The confirmation of Jamaica’s participation coupled with Trinidad and Tobago’s established attendance, has firmly concretized this card as an internationalendeavour.”

“What is exceptionally noteworthy is that female pugilists will take centre stageintheamateursection, which is a momentous achievement and a watershed moment for the discipline. Additionally, the confirmed participation of our Caribbean counterparts will certainly raise the event’s already established

internationalprofileandwill act as a catalyst for the publicizing of the female game,”Ninvallesaid.

He further added, “The GBA has once again illustrated its unwavering commitment to the development of female boxingwhichhaspellucidly taken centre stage in 2023 via local events and international sojourns and campaigns. The association remains dedicated to elevatingeveryaspectofthe sport, with particular emphasisonempowering

(Continuedonpage19)

Guyana’s Elton Dharry, t h e c u r r e n t W B C International Boxing Champion,issettoreturnto the ring on May 21 at the NationalGymnasium. The fight was moved indoors due to weather concerns, but that hasn’t dampened the excitement surrounding Dharry’s upcomingbout.

Dharry is a fighter who hascapturedtheheartsofhis fellow Guyanese with his captivating performances in thering.

His last victory, which took place a year ago at the National Stadium, was a thrilling affair that saw him go toe-to-toe with Panama’s OrlandoPenalbainfrontofa packed audience that includedPresidentIrfaanAli andothernotablefigures.

Witharecordof33wins

and only three losses, including 15 knockouts, Dharry is poised to fight for theWBCWorldTitleinJuly onhomesoil.

The charismatic fighter is confident in his abilities and has been working tirelessly with his team at Gleason’s gym in Brooklyn, NewYork,toprepareforhis upcomingfights.Inaddition to his impressive record in the ring, Dharry is also looking to build his brand outside of boxing. He is working with Aleem Hussain from Nexgen Global Promotions and Jack Bharat to establish Elton Dharry Promotions, which will focus on managing boxing promotions, training gyms,anddevelopingfuture fighters. Dharry’s upcoming fightwillalsofeatureDexter Marques, another talented

fighterwhohasbeenastaple onGuyana’sboxingcardsin recent years. Fans can visit the ‘Road to Redemption’ page or follow Elton Dharry on Facebook and Instagram for more information about theupcomingfight.

As Guyana’s top contender for its next world boxing championship title, Elton Dharry has proven himselftobeamongthebest that the country has ever produced His upcoming fightonMay21issuretobe a n o t h e r t h r i l l i n g performance from this talented fighter who continues to capture the hearts and minds of boxing fansaroundtheworld. Visit the ‘Road to Redemption’ page or see Elton Dharry on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

NSC/GCF Independence Three Stage race set for May 20 – 21 race

The National S p o r t s

Commission, in collaboration with the Guyana Cycling Federation, isallsettoorganizethe40th Independence Three-Stage Cycling Road Race, scheduled for May 20-21, and will feature the customary routes in Berbice andDemerara.

Thefirsttwostagesofthe racewillbeheldonMay20, whilethefinalstagewilltake placeonthefollowingday

The first leg of the race will commence from Corriverton to New Amsterdam in the morning of the first day, while the second leg from the Berbice River Bridge to Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown will

take place in the afternoon.

Thethirdandfinalstagewill take place from Linden to Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.

Last year’s event was dominated by Team

Foundation, with Akil Campbell of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyanese

Jamual John finishing first andsecondrespectively The Independence

Three-Stage Cycling Road

Race is a much-awaited eventinthecyclingcalendar of Guyana, attracting participants and spectators fromalloverthecountry

This year’s event promises to be an exciting affair, with some of the best cyclists in the region expectedtoparticipate.

The National Sports CommissionandtheGuyana CyclingFederationhaveleft no stone unturned in ensuring that the event is a success, with emphasis being placed on the safety and well-being of the participantshavebeengiven utmost priority, with all necessary measures being takentoensureasmoothand hassle-freeexperience.

The Independence

Three-Stage Cycling Road Race is not just a sporting event, but a celebration of Guyana’s independence and itsrichculturalheritage.

It is an occasion for peoplefromallwalksoflife to come together and celebrate their love for cyclingandtheircountry

Flashback! Elton Dharry (right) rocks the jaw of Orlando Penalba last year at the National Stadium.

FLASHBACK! Team Foundation riders Akil Campbell (left) and Jamaul John celebrate crossing the finish line of the third stage.

Jamaican Britney McFarlane

Lennox Braithwaite fires back! ...Guyanese’s poised to retain WIFBSC Individual title

Fo l l o w i n g a challenging first day of shooting at the 2023 edition of theWest Indies Fullbore Individual Shooting Championships taking place at the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range here inAntigua and Barbuda, the Guyanese shooters, led by defendingchampionLennox Braithwaite have all turned inbetterscores.

The first day saw BraithwaitetrailingTrinidad and Tobago’s Dr Varma Rambaran by a couple of points154.13/152.10inthe battle for Caribbean supremacy, with Canadian GeoffWoodman in the lead, 156.16.

The challenges were many for the shooters, the quality of the ammunition not being the best coupled with challenging winds coming across the range consistentlyduringtheday

While some of the shooters prospered, many were not able to cope with whatwasbeingpresentedto themandasaresult,dropped points that they would have been sinking, on a good day withfewerchallenges.

Nonetheless, those marksmen and women who were lagging, met and came up with ways of countering andgettingthebetterofwhat waspresented,includingthe Guyaneseshooters.

Day two was much better, with better scores

recorded and Braithwaite, the Individual King of the Caribbean Ranges, clawing his way into a position to retain his championship trophyontoday’sfinalday

Captain of the Guyana

Team, Dylan Fields, commented on the performances of his charges so far, himself clawing back encouragingly after being 15th on day one to 6th, headingintothefinalday

“On day one, we found thattheammunitionwasnot uptothestandardthatweare used to, and this had its challenges.Nevertheless,we found ways to reduce these effects. So, I would say that dayonewasaboutgettingon termswiththechallengeswe faced, and Lennox was able to put in a really good performance,” Captain Fieldssaid.

He added, “Today (Wednesday), what we had was a really strong performance by our team membersandasaresult,they all have shown that they are up to the task. I am happy thatLennoxisatthetopand the other team members are movinguptheleaderboard.”

Captain Fields shared thatontoday’sfinalday,the shooters will continue like they did yesterday, pushing ashardastheycan.

The ranges again will be 300 yards (2 sighting shots and10roundstocount),500 yards(2sightingsshotsand7

rounds to count), and 600 yards (2 sighting shots and 15roundstocount).

Afterthefinalshotfired at the 600 yards range, it would be tabulation time, and the top shot would be declaredintheX,O,andTiro Classes.

Following are the overall scores and positions forselectedshootersoverthe first two days, a total of 42 shootersarecontestingthese individualchampionships.

Day One Individual ScoresTeamGuyana

Lennox Braithwaite and the Range Officer having a chat at the 500 yards range.

Dylan Fields Sigmund Douglas

Lennox Braithwaite, (in blue) about to reload his rifle .

Annual three stage cycling race returns May 20 – 21

Alesha Jackman