Kaieteur News

Ray Daggers ends day nine of walk against “barefaced” Exxon Contract at Windsor Forest, WCD

…Continuestodayat09:00hrs asheheadstoParika

Despite threats

p o s e d b y s c a t t e r e d showers on day nine of Ray Daggers' walk against ExxonMobil's “barefaced and lopsided” contract, he managed to complete 16 miles from Sheriff Street, Georgetown to Windsor Forest,WestCoastDemerara (WCD).

Daggers started Friday's journey at around 09:00h

from Sheriff Street and proceeded along Home Stretch Avenue He had intendedtowalkalongCroal Street, Georgetown to the Stabroek Market before heading to the East Bank Demerara (EBD). However, he was advised by Assistant Police Commissioner Simon McBeanthatforhimtoleada procession on Croal Street into the heart of the city, he neededapermit.

Unfortunately, Daggers did not have a permit so he was forced to use another route towards the East Bank Demerara. He walked from Square of the Revolution from Home Stretch Avenue to Cemetery Road then to MandelaAvenuetowardsthe EastBank.

Daggers, KNEWS

Publisher Glenn Lall and supporters walked for a total offiveandahalfhoursbefore completing Friday's journey at around 14:30 hrs at WindsorForest.

Daggershopestowalkto

Parikatoday

The final leg of his journey trekking across the country will be from Supenaam to Charity on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two.

Daggers began his walk last Thursday at Moleson Creek, East Berbice –Corentyne (Region Six) and has thus far covered a distance of 143 miles Daggers believes that the entire journey could be completedin12to13days.

Born in Mahaicony, Daggerslivedforquitesome

time overseas but paid attention to key occurrences in Guyana. The 65-year-old man said he was inspired to undertake the walk against the Exxon contract by the unrelenting efforts by Lall, who has been fighting for a changetotheExxoncontract.

“Mr Lall has been puttingforththefactsandhe hasdonesowithoutanyhelp from government agencies, butwiththehelpofhisstaff, and he has been providing a great service to this nation,” Daggers had said before settingoutonhiswalk.

Legality of NRF Bill case…

Ruling set for June 9

The ruling for the case challenging the legality of the passage of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill hasbeenre-fixedtoJune19, 2023 before High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh.

The challenge to the legality of the Bill was initiatedbyAPartnershipfor National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)

Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, and Trade Unionist, Norris Witter The duo contends thatNRFBillwasnotlegally passed in the National Assembly on December 29, 2021.

In December 2022, the courtheardthetestimonyof thefinalwitnessbringingthe trial to an end. Attorney

General (AG), Anil Nandlall, S C, the Lead Counsel representing the Government of Guyana in the matter, told Reporters that he is confident that justice will prevail and that

the rule of law will win another battle. He added, “This case should not have been filed in the first place…”

Kaieteur News had reported that among other things, Jones and Witter claimed that due to the a b s e n c e o f t h e 'Parliamentary Mace' – the most significant symbol in the National Assembly, and some members not seated, the Legislation cannot be

regarded as being lawfully passed.

The NRF Bill which has sincebecomelawismeantto ensure that there is security, t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability surrounding revenues the country gains from oil and gas. It also outlines a structure of how the monies from oil and gas will be used and provide for continuous public disclosures, audits and parliamentaryapprovals.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C

Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones

Kaieteur News' Publisher Glenn Lall and others cheer for Ray Daggers upon completion of day nine of his walk against the "barefaced" ExxonMobil Contract.

After approving fifth oil project, Govt. now asks Exxon to study what it will do with excess gas

Followingitsapprovalof Esso Exploration and ProductionGuyanaLimited's (EEPGL)UaruDevelopment Project in the Stabroek Block, the People's Progressive Party (PPP/C) Administration is now requiringthatagasutilisation studybeconducted.

This is specifically outlined in the Petroleum Production Licence awarded to the ExxonMobil Corporation affiliate for the project last month The licence states that EEPGL shallconductagasutilisation study, to examine the associated gas and nonassociatedgasavailablefrom theUaruProject.

This study would consider over the short, medium and long term, a forecast of potential gas production for export from the floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to be used as well as the expected use of suchgas.

Thestudyisalsoexpected to consider scenarios for the demand that might be expectedforgassaleslocally, r e g i o n a l l y a n d internationally; along with thecostandfeasibilityofgas exported as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Additionally,thelicensee is expected to examine the feasibility of utilising the planned wells, flowlines, risers and production facilitiesfortheexportofgas both during and after the currentlyplannedproduction phase. The operator is also required to determine the feasibilityandcostofadding more gas export equipment

Map showing the Stabroek block

In terms of employment, itwasnotedthattherewillbe a demand of up to 540 persons required to drill and complete the Uaru development wells. Kaieteur News understands that the majority of these personnel will work in the offshore environmentondrillships.In addition, there will be between 10 and 15 trips per week of the support vessels that will be assisting the different drill ships. Most of these roles will require prior offshore oil and gas industry experience and specialized expertise.However,theprior development of the Liza Phase1,LizaPhase2,Payara and Yellowtail Projects has resulted in continuous capacity building of the workforce, as additional personnel are upskilled and g i v e n g r e a t e r responsibilities.

where needed. Potential gas exportratesandprofilesmust also be determined at minimum and maximum feasible rates verified by reservoirmodelling.

Notably,theUaruproject which will produce 812 million barrels of oil is expected to cost Guyana US$12.7B.

The Environmental ImpactAssessment(EIA)for the project states that it will develop the Uaru, Mako and Snoekoil-richfieldswiththe potential to develop other resources within the licence area.

The project scope

i n c l u d e s d r i l l i n g

approximately 38-63

development wells; installation and operation of Subsea Umbilicals, Risers,

and Flowlines (SURF) equipment, and installation and operation of a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading(FPSO)vessel.

A preliminary schedule anticipates that the FPSO called 'Errea Wittu' along with other fabrication and installation works will begin in 2024 following the completion of engineering. Development well drilling may also occur during this period Production operations are expected to begin in 2027 and will continueforatleast20years.

WithrespecttotheFPSO, EEPGL's Environmental Impact Assessment states that oil production will averageat250,000barrelsof oil per day It was keen to note that peak rates may be

higher during the lifetime of the project, depending on multiple factors such as reservoirpressure,numberof wells, equipment reliability, etc.

It was also noted that the projectwillbeproducing540 millionstandardcubicfeetof gasperday

thatthisequipmentwillallow communication with the offices, shore bases, support vessels, helicopters, and tankers, as well as communication within the FPSO.

EEPGL had previously installed the Fibre Optic

The EIA states that this will create opportunities to increase the pool of semiskilled and skilled workers thatcansupporttheproject.

I

m p o r t a n t l y , telecommunications equipment will also be installed on the FPSO to enable safe operation of the facilities in normal and emergency conditions

Kaieteur News understands

Cable Project, which provides the fibre optic c o m m u n i c a t i o n infrastructure from the Stabroek Block to shore, enabling high-speed, lowlatency communications and data transfer between EEPGL'sFPSOsandshore.

During long-term productionoperations,theincountry, direct offshore workforce will peak at around 100 to 160 people during periods of higher maintenance activity and during offloading of the FPSO.

The EIA also states that during periods of regular operations, the workforce requirement on an FPSO is estimated to be 90 to 100 people.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

Integrity in public life

If only we had a handful of government ministers, some strong Permanent Secretaries of the highest ethical substance, men and women of rare courage who will stand for something, then Guyana could march along a better road. For then, longsuffering Guyanese will begin to get a glimpse of what truth and transparency are reallylikeandrealvaluefortheirtaxdollars. Itwouldbea starttosomethingbetter,moreofdeepsubstanceandlessof shallowspeeches.

Atleast,afewgovernmentministers,andtheequivalent number in Permanent Secretaries (or pivotal Heads of Department)wouldgiveussomethingwhichwedon’thave today We would have a benchmark relative to what character and credibility are all about, and just because of theoutputoftheirmindsandtheirhands.

We ask our readers to think of these things. For if we couldfindthemtostandforsomething,bettermanagement of oil, clean governance, principled leadership, then so muchcouldbemadeofourgifts.

IfonlywecouldhavefourorfiveStateinstitutions,we wouldbethankfulforwhatisconsideredthepricelessness of their presences. Less than a half a dozen of such State agencies,andthewholeofGuyanawouldbetalkingabout them because they would represent something radically different, they would give hope, and all because they are aboutwhatisgoodforGuyanese,andhowmuchmorethey canbetrustedtodeliver

Allweaskforisthishandful,andwecouldnamesome constitutionalagencies,butweleavethattotheintelligence ofGuyanesetofigureoutwhichtheywouldliketohavefor their peace of mind. This small number should not be a difficultyofanyproportionsforanycountry Theproblem isthatGuyanaisnotjustanycountry,andtomentioneven this,smallnumberStateagenciesofthehighestreputations would be enough to cause powerful politicians and their cabalsastroke.

Becauseifwehavethem,thenthereisnotellingofwhat theyknow,andwhattheymaydowithsuchpowerandsuch knowledge. There would be great anxieties in the highest circleshere,withthecunninganddeviouswalkingaround oneggshells,scaredoftheirownshadows. Wepointtothe localEITI,andshakeourheads.

Ifonlywecouldhavethreeorfouroversightbodiesof credibility, peopled by those whose first callings are commitment to honour, and the will to do their duty fearlessly,thentheywouldspeakandactwithassuranceand authority Thoseoversightbodieswouldbethetalkandjoy ofallGuyana,theywilldorightbyus. Forthereweresuch people in Guyana at one time, only for their political or public service descendants to yield to temptations and corruptthemselves. Whatwehaveforoversightbodiesare rank extensions of those places and issues that sicken our existence. Darknessthickens,white-collarcrimesmultiply, andpoliticianssingforjoybecauseitisbusinessasusual.

No! We are trying to do any imitation of Rudyard Kiplingandhisimmortalcontributiontoliterature,allweat thispaperaretryingtodoisexpressourheartfeltyearnings fortheGuyanathatwecouldhave,ifonlywehadtheright people,onlyafew

Theaboveareonlyastart,shouldconveywhatwelive with from government to government. We long for leadership cleanliness and political will, but concoctions anddeceptionsmultiply Wewishforbureaucraticintegrity andpublicservantfidelity,onlyforthecrass,crooked,and criminal to roam at will. Which place can build on this; ensureprosperityforall,withagenciesandbureaucratslike these?

Thereis no if aboutGuyana’s oilanymore. If now we can surround it with the best, brightest and straightest that this country could find, then the world is ours. If only we canhaveimpeccableleadershiparoundittomakeitworkto ourbestadvantage,thenthereisnolimittoourpossibilities. Ifonlywecouldhavethenationalharmonythatpowersus towardatrulynational.

The duplicitous nature of the VP

DEAREDITOR, There are many unflatteringdescriptionsthat are attributed to politicians but that which such be attributed to Vice President Jagdeoacesthemall.

Imagine him reiterating his and his party’s commitment to a clean list, while explaining why

thousands who are overseas havetoberetainedonthelist although evidently many have died. At the said time, he and his party opposes the u s e o f b i o m e t r i c identification at the place of poll although it provides a mechanismtoensurethatthe deadandabsenteescannotbe votedfor,nottomentionthat

heproposedbiometricsafter the 2015 elections. This is duplicity at its maximum by someone who parades himself as virtuous, while attributing a range of derogatory names to others. It also constitutes disrespect fortheintellectofthemedia operativesandallotherswho he targets with his less than

sleight of hand use of the freedomofexpression.

Thisisbutanexampleof the consistent low that politics is subjected to daily inGuyanawiththeVPasan eminentproponent.

It is also the shameful standard bearer of what Guyanahasbecome.

VincentAlexander

Sudden call seems an act of desperation

DEAREDITOR

It never fails to amaze. The recommendations made bytheEOMemanatingfrom the 2020 elections were released and made public a longtimeago.

NowthevisitofEUreps

to discuss electoral reforms in the lead up to the 2025 elections has seen a sudden rushandcalltoaccept,adopt and implement the recommendationsbyamajor politicalplayer,aheadofthe upcoming LGE (GSN May

11). With all the talk of electoral reforms swirling around, it was never, in any meaningful way, pushed (as isthecaseforacleanvoter’s listandbiometrics),forthese recommendations to be

adoptedandimplementedas part of the reform process. Nowthismustbedone.

Is this currying favour? Or is it an act of desperationandclutchingof straws?

ShamshunMohamed

Secondaryschooltimingsshouldbestandardised

DEAREDITOR,

With equity and equality being the latest watchwords of the Ministry of Guyana what else should we expect but improvements in the educationsector

While the big projects and important decrees are given ample attention, little changes can also have a positiveimpact.

Forinstance,ifonewants to talk about fairness and equality in the public school system then under normal circumstances students at a particular level (nursery, primary or secondary) shouldbespendingthesame amount of time per day inclusive of instructional periods and breaks at school

but often this is not the case and the decision on timings attheschoollevelvaries.

For example, secondary schools in Georgetown generally start at 9 am and dismiss at 3 pm, students therefore spend 6 hours at school while nearby on the EastCoastofDemerara,you will find secondary schools startingat8:15,8:30or8:45 ambutalldismissingat2:45 pm.Whytheinconsistency?

While at the nursery and primary school levels start times may differ because students enrolled are generally from the neighbourhood where the school is located or surrounding areas at the secondary level students are

placed based on the scores they obtained at the NGSA, therefore many travel far distances to attend a particularsecondaryschool.

By having uniformity withtimingsatthesecondary level at least, across an education district/area, issues such as loitering would reduce and punctuality improved apart fromthefactthatallstudents would be spending the same amountoftimeinschool.A9 am – 3 pm school day (exactly on the hour) would be better and reduce inconsistencies in timings (start and dismissal) and instructional time given to thestudents.

Also, for the sake of

accuracy and accountability regarding lateness for both learners and teachers, there shouldbeuniformityonhow thisisrecordedandnotleftto the whim of school administrators.

For instance, lateness at one school may be recorded as15minutesbeforethestart of the school day while at others, it is 10 or 5 minutes before or 1 minute after the starttime.

Editor, while the matter of school timings may seem insignificant, any little issue that is highlighted and has a positiveeffectifchangesare made adds to the overall improvement of the educationsector.

Namewithheld

Govt. appealing ruling on EPAplaces Guyana between a rock and hard place

DEAREDITOR, The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) applauds Mr. Frederick Collins and Mr Geoffrey Whyte for bringing their concerns for Guyana’s safe development before the courtforaninterpretationof Exxon Mobil’s Agreement a s i t p e r t a i n s t o environmental obligations under the law The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was instructedbythecourttoact consistentwiththeLaws,the Government of Guyana is appealing said decision in favour of the people of Guyana.

One would think this would be pleasing to the Government of Guyana and not witness the Government insuchblatantcontravention of Guyana’s interest

Justice Sandil Kissoon’s ruling on 3rd May, 2023 regarding the state-owned EPA’s interpretation of ExxonMobil’s contract and Guyana’s environmental laws should be seen as providing guidance for the state in its dealings with government and nongovernment organisations. That the Government of Guyana, under the management of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), soughttointerpretotherwise is an indictment of their ability to best represent Guyanese interest and wellbeing.

Instead of accepting the ruling of the court, the PPP finds itself waging a battle against the ruling by Justice Kissoon and the people of Guyana Ordinarily, this ruling would be seen as a

good thing, as the ruling gave favour to the people of Guyana It begs the question why any government would challenge a court ruling where the laws of the land permits for the EPA to protectitscitizens.

WhywouldthePPPgive away the citizens’ rights, ignore a court ruling in the people’s favour, lending to publicperceptionitsintentis to challenge the ruling to ultimately please Exxon Thisappearstobeaposition desired by any means necessary rather than gaining victory for the people and optimising environmental safety and protection. The PPP traps itself demonstrating no responsibility, loyalty and concerns for environmental protection of the people of

Guyana. Instead of building a positive relationship with this multinational the governmentchoosestoactin blatant contravention of Guyana’sinterest.

Guyanesemustbeaware whatthiscaseisreallyabout sincethePPPhasexertedits influenceineveryspaceand has proven itself capable of producing the results it desires. However even if theysetthestageto‘win’an appeal,inthecourtofpublic opinion, they will always be seen as the government that fought and betrayed the people of Guyana in favour ofaforeigncompanyandits ownpersonalinterests. Notwithstanding the challenges developing countries come up against, particularly when engaging withmultinational (Continuedonpage06)

DEAREDITOR, A little over a decade ago, members of the media wereinvitedtothelaunchof the ambitiously conceived Independent Media Association of Guyana (IMAG), the organizational objective of which was “To collaborate with media workers in promoting Professional & Ethical standards, Safeguarding and Promoting the rights & Privilegesofthemediainall Guyana”. You can still find theFacebookpageofIMAG ifyoudoasearchforitsfull name – nothing besides remains.

Forthoseofusinvolved (actuallyandpurportedly)in truly independent media workatthetime,IMAGwas a laughable, ironically-titled attempt by the then government, or at the very least entities aligned to it, to e s t a b l i s h a p r e s s organization that would p e r h a p s b e m o r e sympathetic to it than the established Guyana Press Association(GPA)was. Ido not believe the current administration has any such intentionbecauseIhaveseen noevidenceofsuch.

Mypositionthen,asitis until now, is simple. While t h e G u y a n a P r e s s Association is an NGO with no statutory exclusivity under the laws of Guyana, and no reasonable expectationofexclusivityby convention, its fundamental establishment and the constitutional rules under which it is supposed to operatenotonlyqualifyitfor de facto representation of best journalistic practices in this country, but would render any attempt at establishing a parallel organization superfluous at best. That established, the current elections process of the GPA threatens to undermine the institution as a credible arbiter in already extremely compromised civilsocietyenvironment.

OnFebruary26,2020-a week before an election that was already a year behind schedule, having been triggered by a successful no

confidence vote - the Guyana Press Association sent out a release chastising GECOM for its lack of transparency and timeliness in providing critical information on the electoral p r o c e s s :

“The GPA calls on all election observation missions to take note of the disservicebeingmetedoutto thepopulacebyGECOMby allowingclaims,accusations and rumours to fester. If not addressed with a sense of u r g e n c y a n d professionalism, GECOM mustregarditselfasawilling participant in any unfortunatereaction.”

Now, three years later, and days before its own election, the GPA itself is withholdingcriticalelectoral information not only from the public, not only from its general membership, but from Neil Marks, the sole challenger to the incumbent President,NazimaRaghubir

As covered in the Stabroek News article ‘Voters’ list visibility in contention as GPA election looms’ (SN, May 12), with regard to Marks requesting a copy of the voters’ list for the upcoming elections:

”Marks said that he had independently written to the executive requesting the list but received no direct response. Meanwhile, when contacted yesterday, Raghubir referred to the statementbytheexecutive.”

Notably, none of the GPA’sstatementsonitsown pending polls, including basic information on process, has made it to its own Facebook page, conveniently escaping real time scrutiny and inquiry, something that can only be describedasadeliberateand egregiousopacity

Andyet,allofthispales in comparison to a far more serious issue – the basic constitutionality of Raghubir’s reelection bid and the constitutional and ethical crisis in which it places the organization if that bid is successful. Here iswhattheGPAConstitution says with regard to the

membershipandtenureofits Council of Management:

”15 1 A Council of Managementshallbeelected to serve for a period of two years at theAnnual General Meeting of the Association.

The GPA Elections Our Use of the Term Specialty Hospital Does not Conform to International Healthcare Standards

15 2 Unless otherwise determined by a General Meeting, the Council shall be constituted of the following: President VicePresident Honorary Treasurer Honorary Assistant Treasurer Four voting members of the Association

15.3.ThePresidentshall notholdofficeformorethan threeconsecutiveterms.”

The incumbent Council was first elected in January of2018,fiveandahalfyears ago. The first scheduled election after that should have been in January of 2020, and the maximum tenure of Raghubir’s presidency, presuming she was reelected twice in succession(2020and2022), should have been up to January of 2024 The argument that appears to be floating around is that the COVID pandemic (which did not exist in January of 2020)wasthereasonforthe GPA failing to hold constitutionally mandated elections within the specific timeframe for two cycles. While the argument of a forcemajeuremaysufficeto accommodate that failure, it doesnotsufficeasarationale fortheeffectiveextensionof Raghubir’s tenure to what would potentially be nine and a half years. This is an absurdity that flies blatantly againsttheplainmeaningof theletter,aswellasthespirit, oftheGPAConstitution–in any basic understanding of that meaning, no GPA President should serve beyond six years, with articles 15.1 and 15.3 of the Constitution meant to be read conjunctively Constitutionally-enshrined term limits constitute standard best practice governance, whether we are speaking about the presidency of a country, or thepresidencyofanentity (Continuedonpage05)

DEAREDITOR, Inthefieldofhealthcare, the term ‘SPECIAITY HOSPITAL’ is defined as a hospitalor the specialtyunit ofageneralhospitallicensed to provide limited range of services in specific areas suchascardiologyandheart surgery, gastroenterology, gynecology, obstetrics, neurology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, oncology, pediatrics, psychiatry, urology, etc. Such licensure isusuallygrantedaftermany yearsofoutstandingmedical and clinical research, practice,andteaching.

Withinthepastfiveyears references were made to the construction of specialty hospitals, locally, at Lilendaaal, Anna Regina,

Palmyra, and recently (GuyanaChronicle,May11, 2023), South Ruimveldt. I, likemostGuyanese,amvery much appreciative of the efforts to improve the standards of our healthcare. However, we must be mindful of the fact that our u s e o f t h e t e r m

‘SPECIALTY HOSPITAL’ does not conform to the standards of international healthcare.

Examples of specialty hospitals are Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York (oncology), Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York (orthopedics), The Mayo Clinic, Minnesota (cancer, cardiology, diabetes, neurology), Johns Hopkins Medical Institution,

Maryland (pulmonology, c a r d i o l o g y , gastroenterology), and New York – Presbyterian (cardiology and heart surgery) Worldwide, numerous hospitals perform the services (cancer screening and treatment, retinal and eye surgeries, neurology, dialysis, urology, dental services, laboratory testing, plastic surgery, and psychotherapy) listed by the proposed new hospital construction. However, thesehospitalsarereferredto as GENERAL HOSPITALS owingtothefacttheydonot meet the requirements and standards of a SPECIALTY HOSPITAL.

Sincerely,

AbrahamDavid

Mindboggling that the Govt. is appealing Justice Kissoon’s ruling

DEAREDITOR

I am ashamed of our socalled leaders in Guyana who seem unable to shake off the shackles that keep them bowing to “our white masters” either that, or somethingworse-the likes of millions of US dollars - that enablesExxonMobil todo/nottodoastheyplease with our God-given black gold(oil).

It boggles the mind that VP Bharrat Jagdeo and his cohorts would dare to fight Judge Kissoon ruling ordering ExxonMobil to fullycompensateGuyanafor

anyoilspill. Is this a case of money talks and bull s*it walks?

Sincerely

GloriaLoo

Govt.appealingrulingonEPAplaces...

Frompage4 companies, the government has foremost obligationtoitscitizens,theConstitutionand LawsofGuyana.

Multinationals, as good corporate citizens, are respecting the laws and court’s ruling in their home country which is a practice that should be replicated in host countries,

The GPAElections...

particularly where such decisions are in congruence with established international standards.

GTUCurgescitizensofGuyananottobe afraid to bring cases against the government on matters of concern regarding rights, the ruleoflawandinjustices.

GTUC

Frompage05 that purports to hold the presidency of a countryaccountable.

The undercurrents of the GPAelections have caused a partisan stir online, with supporters of Team Marks and Team Raghubir throwing accusations of bias and clandestine control against each other All that,inmyhumbleestimation,ismoot. What isatstakehereiswhether,post-elections,the Association can credibly call either government or opposition out on fundamental issues of good governance, something that it cannot do if the current President remains in office beyond January 2024underanycircumstance. Thereareonly two ethical and likely legal pathways out of thiscrisis,withthefirstbeingfairlyeasy;the incumbent stands down and allows Marks and any other would-be candidate to finish the race. The second is to contest the race

withtheexplicitcommitmentthatifshewins, shewilldemitofficeinJanuaryof2024after holding an election in which she is not a candidate, allowing her to serve her constitutionally warranted six years and preserving the spirit and letter of the term restriction Nothing constitutionally prevents her from being part of the ManagementCouncilfrom2024to2026and seekingreelectionagainin2026.

The current absurdly anonymous voters in the upcoming elections do not have two candidates before them – what they have is the preservation of the already strained integrity of the organization versus the removal of any vestige of the sort of institutional integrity the organization needs to act as a bona fide representative of the interestsoftheFourthEstate.

Regards,

RuelJohnson

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who seh the oil sector doesn't have a regulator?

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

Jagdeo is de regulator! Wha he seh is wha goes…

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

Jagdeo is chief cook and bottlewasher.

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

Jagdeo is Exxon's chief helper.

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

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

Jagdeo is Exxon chief protector.

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

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

Jagdeo is operator, caretaker, and regulator.

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

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

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

Oil sector without regulator

GuyanasignsMOUwithIslamicBankfor greeninfrastructure,economicdiversification

Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) concerning the Country Engagement Framework for Guyana for green, resilient and sustainable infrastructure, as well as for supporting economicdiversificationand doingbusiness.

Dr Singh is currently leading Guyana's delegation attending the 2023 IsDB Group Annual Meetings in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He signed the MOU on behalf of the Government of Guyana(GoG)andPresident Dr Muhammad Al Jasser signedonbehalfoftheIsDB.

TheMOUcomprisestwo pillarswiththefirstunderthe scope of Green, resilient and sustainable infrastructure seeking to support the enhancement of base infrastructure across the energy, transport, water and sanitation sectors and affordable housing The second pillar-supporting economicdiversificationand doing business supports the

development of agriculture and tourism industries, support to the mining sector, Halal eco-system andAwqaf development, financial markets deepening and MSMEs (Micro Small Medium Enterprises)support through Islamic Finance and trade financing support.

On Thursday, Dr Singh attended the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 IsDB Group Annual Meetings at the KingAbdullah Congress Center

The theme of this year's annual meeting is

“Partnerships to Fend off Crises”andtakesplacefrom May10to13.Theycomprise delegationsfromtheGroup's 57 Member countries in addition to observers from international and regional organizations who have gathered to discuss development issues and institutionalmatters.

In June 2022 while attending the IsDB Group's MeetingsinEgypt,Dr Singh had posited that the Islamic Development Bank will continue to be a highly

valued development partner forGuyana.

The Minister had underscored that in order to sustainstrongnon-oilgrowth into the medium and longer

term, Government is putting in place the prerequisites for diversifying the productive s e c t o r, i m p r o v i n g competitiveness, and increasing resilience

including investing in adequate, reliable, affordable, and cleaner electricity which is essential f o r a c o m p e t i t i v e manufacturing sector, expanding and upgrading transport infrastructure, improving internal access; ramping up food production by bringing more acreage under cultivation and widening the range of crops grown as well as animals reared. On the climate front, despite being a new oil producer, Dr Singh said Guyana places the highest level of importance to its climatecredentials.

“

Our Low Carbon Development Strategy outlines a plan to ensure that the role of our standing forests in the global effort to fight climate change is recognisedandremunerated, inordertoenableustomake the required investments to achieve accelerated economicgrowthalongalow carbon climate-friendly trajectory,”headded.

Moreover, the Minister Singh also expressed gratitude to the Bank for its continuedsupport.

Prison Officers complete 'Mock Prison Riot' training in the US

FiveGuyanaPrison Service (GPS) officers who have completed a one-week 'Mock Prison Riot' training in the United States are now better equipped to deal with prison unrest or other emergencies.

The US Department of

eau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs fundedthetraining.

It forms part of the US government's efforts to enhance citizen security

t h r o u g h t h e professionalisation of Guyanese law enforcement

andcriminaljusticesystems.

The trained ranks are Cadet Officers, David Wilson and Kevin David, Prison Trade Instructor, Christopher Elias, Prison Officer Elroy Fordice, and Woman Prison Officer CandacyLynch.

Cadet Officer Wilson

said the training taught him and his colleagues about the newest non-lethal technologies, tactics, and best practices within prison settings.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been making major strides within the last two years to enhance the capabilities of prison officers.

This year's budget allocatedsome$100million fortrainingof1,500inmates

which will support their rehabilitation and social t r a n s f o r m a t i o n i n preparation for their exit fromtheprisonsystem.

Additionally, some 400 prison personnel are scheduled to be trained in prison management, to increase the number of certified and proficient officersoftheGPS.

In order to expand and boost its human resource capacity, the service

welcomed

27 recruits to its team in March. The recruits have since been required to undergo a 12-week basic trainingattheprisonservice trainingcentreatTimehri.

Meanwhile, a sum of $2 148 billion was also a l l o c a t e d f o r t h e construction works at the Mazaruni, Lusignan, and NewAmsterdamprisons. Those facilities will be built in a modern fashion. (DPI)

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh moments after signing the MOU with IsDB's President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser. (Ministry of Finance photo)

Officers of the Guyana Prison Service in their uniform (DPI)

The five prison officers that attended the tactical training (DPI)

The APNU believes its own propaganda

The APNU has become a

Following its disgraceful conduct when it defiled the National Assembly, it has begun genuinely to believe its own propaganda that the Speaker of the National Assembly is being biased againsttheAPNU+AFC.

The APNU has failed to make out such a case. If it were in a court room, there would have been a no-case submission.

Indeed, if the PNCR carefully studies the rulings of the present Speaker, it would find that in the overwhelming majority of the cases, the Speaker has been correct in his rulings. This includes the latest rulingconcerningtherefusal to suspend the business of the National Assembly to debate oil spill protection coverage – an issue that has been in the public domain long before the recent court decision by Justice Sandil Kissoon.

Rule 26 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly prohibits the admissibility of a motion relating to a matter that is under adjudication before theCourt.Assuch,solongas theSpeakerwasinreceiptof information that the Environmental Protection Agency had appealed the decision of Justice Sandil Kissoon, he cannot admit such a motion before the Assembly

TheAPNUiscontending that the Speaker is in contradiction to a previous ruling in which he has said that unless a date is set for a court matter and judge or

judgesassigned,itisnotsub judice. That previous ruling is correct also because a matter can only be deemed sub judice once court p r o c e e d i n g s h a v e commenced However, in this instance, this is an appeal case. As such, the matter was already before the Court and an appeal has since been filed. The mere filingoftheappeal–notthe setting of the date for its hearing – renders the matter ineligible to be debated by theNationalAssembly Ifon the other hand, the matter wasbeingfiled,eithercivilly or criminally, for the first time, it would not be sub judice unless a date was set foritsfirsthearing.

If the APNU does not u n d e r s t a n d t h e s e distinctions, it will continue to embarrass itself. And it will find it even more difficulttorestoreitstattered credibility

TheAPNUhasfallenfor itsownpropaganda.Inorder to justify the raucous behaviour of some of its members during the debate of the Natural Resource Fund Act, it has sought refugeinthenarrativethatit is a victim of unfair treatment in the country’s National Assembly It is playingthevictimgame.

And it appears as if the APNU has begun to believe itsowndiscreditednarrative. If the APNU closely analyzesthedecisionsofthe Speaker, it will find that much of the complaints which it is making are unjustified and without any merit.

Even if the EPAhad not

Dem boys seh...

appealed the decision of the Judge,itisnotlikelythatthe matter would have been admissible as a definite matter of urgent public importance There are criteria which have to be establishedinorderforsuch amotiontobeadmissible.

Thereisnodoubtthatthe matterwasdefinite.Thereis no doubt that it is of public importance. But it is not necessarily meet the criteria of urgent since the court has been hearing the matter for months and it is not an emergency.

Inapreviousdecisionin the National Assembly, and which forms part of the compendium of Rulings by Speakers, it was stated thereinthat,“themattermust have arisen suddenly in the mannerofanemergencyand shouldnothavearisenovera seriesofweeks”.

This column had previously dealt with the issue of what qualifies a motion as being a definite matter of urgent public importance A previous Speaker had explained the qualificationofurgency

He had said that, “The matter must be a clear emergency It must have arisen suddenly in a manner of an emergency and should not have arisen over a series of weeks.” He went on to quote Erskine May as follows: “The matter must not be a grievance that is continuing which does not qualifyasasufficientmatter o f u r g e n t p u b l i c importance.”

Does the Judge’s decision create a public emergency to the point of it

Daggers walking in sun and rain

Lang ago dem had something we used to call ague, it’s when yuh shiveringandgathighfever, dem used to seh yuh gat ague.

When people get infected with malaria, dem does get ague. But people usedtoalsoattributeagueto othercauses:likewhenyuh get roasting fever and shivering after working in desunandderain.

Dat is why ole people used to tell yuh that if yuh beenindesunalldayandde rain start, mek certain yuh nahgetwet.Otherwisedem

seh,yuhgangetague. Dem boys is no doctor so dem boys nah know whether there is any scientific logic towhatdemolepeopleused tosay

Well dem boys getting worried about a man who bin walking through de sun and de rain. Dat man is de new national hero, Ray Daggers. De man walking fuh a better oil deal fuh Guyana. And he showing superhumanstamina.

De man walking fuh days now without a day-off andhewalkinginblistering heat and during heavy

being necessary to adjourn the normal business of the National Assembly? Was it something that had arisen suddenly and which precluded notice for

considerationintheordinary manner of other motions? Notatall! Andonceappeal proceedings were filed, the motion could not be admissibleunderRule26.

downpours of rain. De man nah gat umbrella or rain coat.Demantekkingderain and de sun dem boys frightenhegetague.

Is not as if de man slowing down pon he own. Hegatafellowwalkingdeh with he dat talking faster thanhefootmoving.Andhe slowingdownDaggers.

So dem boys want to encourage Daggers fuh continue. But he should get somebody fuh hold an umbrellaoverheheadwhen it raining. Dem boys nah wantheketchague. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

WeSolveCX gets new Chief Customer Experience Officer

Newly established Customer Experience (CX) Company, WeSolveCX on Friday announced thatGlobalTechnologyLeaderand Vice President of Information Technology at ATLANTIC TeleNetwork (ATN) International, NitinChopra,willbethenewChief Customer Experience Officer (CXO)ofWeSolveCX.

ATN International is the parent companyoftheGuyanaTelephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) as wellasWeSolveCX.

Inarelease,GTTstatedthatthe appointment of the technology leader is in support of Guyana's rapid development and the many companieswithintheeconomythat

will require best-in-class customer experienceoutsourcing.

President of ATN Operations andChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO) of GTT, Damian Blackburn, said Chopra's promotion to lead the team will bring innovative solutions with a customer first approach.

“Nitin has been with ATN for over4yearsastheVicePresident–Information Technology, and has ledateamthatprovidedinnovative technology solutions for our customersandemployeesinallthe markets we operate in. He will bringhiscustomer-firstvisionand mindset to this new role leading WeSolveCX to deliver its vision,

mission and client led requirements.Iamlookingforward toseeinghimutilizehistechnology backgroundtointroduceevenmore new and exciting customer experience solutions into the WeSolveCX solution suite as we evolveinthisveryimportantpartof our business” , Bla

expressed.

According to the release, Nitin in his former role with ATN International was responsible for Technology Strategy and Solution Delivery for all digital systems globally He led a multi-year

Technology and Security Transformation initiative greatly improvingcustomerandemployee

experience in all ATN markets.

Prior to ATN, he served as Senior

Warner/WBD) and held several Technologyleadershippositionsin (US) Public corporations in the Manufacturing, Energy and Bankingsectors.

The WeSolveCX Company, which is currently focused on CustomerServiceandSales,offers inbound and outbound services,

IVR Management, Chat and Back Office support and Analytics throughitsBPOoperations. In his new role, Nitin will provideinternationalexpertiseand perspectives to the predominatly Guyanese team at WeSolveCX as the company continues to expand itsoperations.

Nitin Chopra, WeSolveCX's new Chief Customer Experience Officer (CXO)

Man found dead, tied up under Takutu Bridge, suspected to be North Rupununi teen

The body of the male found tied up under the Takutu River Bridge, Region Nine onWednesday,issuspectedtobethatof 17-year-old Geraldson Joseph of Quatata Village, North Rupununi, RegionNine.

Information reaching this publication revealed the body was identified by the teen's sister, Loriana Joseph. Loriana reportedly told the police in Region Nine that she saw an imageofthebodyonFacebookandsaid itwasheryoungerbrother

According to the young woman, Joseph is originally from Quatata

Village, but was living in the Bon Fin, Brazilpriortohisdeath.

She recalled that she last saw her brother alive during Rodeo activities lastmonth.

When questioned by investigators, she said that she is not aware of her brotherhavinganyissueswithanyone.

Kaieteur News hadreportedthatthe bodywasfoundtiedupunderthebridge which links Guyana and Brazil on Wednesdayafternoon.

According to police reports, the body was found in a sitting position bracing the concrete bridge wall. The deceased was clad in a black long-

sleeved shirt and black underwear His hands and feet were tied with a multicoloured rope, and the neck was also tied with a cloth suspected to be the victim'spants.

Thepolicesaiduponexaminationof the body, marks of violence were seen ontherightkneeandneck.

Thebodywasremovedandtakento Lethem Regional Hospital, where a doctorofficiallypronounceditdead.

The body, the police said is at the hospital's mortuary, awaiting a postmortem.

An investigation has since been launched.

Labourer remanded for ‘Sir Mars’ murder

The 24-year-old man who was arrested for the murder of Kirwyn Mars popularlyknownas'SirMars' was on Friday charged and remanded to prison for the offence.

The defendant, Brian Richards, a labourer of John Fernandes Squatting Area, Georgetown, made his first court appearance at the Diamond/GroveMagistrates' Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce where the capitalchargeofmurderwas readtohim.

Richards was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on May 7, at 1654 Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he murdered 51-year-old MarsofLot211NewSettlers Street,Mocha,EBD.

Magistrate Scarce after readingthecharge,remanded the24-year-oldmantoprison andthematterwasadjourned toJune23,2023.

It was reported that Mars met his demise sometime around 22:30hrs in front an apartment building at PlantationProvidence.

The suspect, who the police captured on video

footage with Mars that day, was arrested on Tuesday at hisworkplace.

In his confession to investigators, Richards said on Sunday afternoon, he and Marswenttoabarinthecity after Mars had invited him out.Thesuspectrecalledthat afterconsumingaboutacase and a half of beers at the bar together,theyleftandwentto an ATM machine at South Ruimveldt since Mars was theonewhowantedtomake awithdrawal.

After realising the machine was down, the suspectfurtherdetailedtothe police that they left and had planned to go to another machine located in the Diamond area. The suspect said that they had used the new Eccles highway and whileenroutetothelocation, he and Mars got into a misunderstanding.

The suspect, Kaieteur News was informed, admittedtoinvestigatorsthat during their argument, he picked up a bottle and hit Mars. 'SirMars',thesuspect claimed, had picked up a knife from the vehicle in retaliation He further confessed that before Mars could attack him, he

overpowered him and took away the knife and stabbed Mars several times about his body

After being injured, the suspectrelatedthat'SirMars' ran out the vehicle leaving himinside.

The suspect further claimed that his cell phone had dropped between the

seats and in the process of retrieving his phone, the vehicle ended up reversing andcrushedMars.

This publication had reported that on Sunday night, Mars was found pinned under his grey MitsubishiRVRvehiclewith his face braced against the fence of an apartment

building.

A p o s t m o r t e m examination (PME) conducted on his remains on Wednesday revealed that he suffered eight stab wounds about his body and his chest wascrushed.

Up until his death, 'Sir Mars'wasapopularlyknown entertainer and the Deputy

Head Teacher of the New CentralHighSchool. Expressing sympathy to the family and friends of Mars, the Ministry of Education said he made significant contributions to theEducationSectorandthe Arts. “He will be greatly missed,” the Ministry had expressed.

Guyanese businesses confident of opportunities – GMSA head

DPI - PresidentoftheGuyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), RamsayAli is adamant that private sector businessesarepoisedforsuccessas Guyana's development continues toadvance.

During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday, Ali said he is confident in the scope of business opportunitiesavailablelocally

“The train has left the station [and]youneedtobeonboard.

If you are not on board the train, you only have yourself to blame,”hestated.

The government has taken extensive measures to create opportunities for local and international businesses to invest andexpandinGuyana.

To this end, the GMSA head believes that the opportunities are evident with the development seen in the last few years, especially in the energy sector

“Oil and gas have created the opportunity for all of us, government has more money to spend on infrastructure, education, security, and health,” Ali added.

He noted that one of the GMSA's members recently hadtheopportunitytobuild prefabhomesinSt.Vincentandthe Grenadines and Barbados, due to the openings presented under the currentadministration.

Apart from large companies grasping opportunities, smaller companies also have the chance to grow and take advantage of the changing landscape.

“A number of them were not prepared for the s p e e d a t w h i c h transformation is taking place…butIbelievetothe best of my knowledge, I see a good futureand with the support that we are getting and we are seeing andthecommitmentofthe government to make these projects happen…I think we are in for a good ride, theprivatesectorisinfora goodride,”Ramsaysaid.

Meanwhile, the GMSA president told DPI that the local content legislation also created a major opportunity for local businessestoprosperandtheyhave beenbenefittingmajorly

“Since this government came into power, we have seen a significant change in the way things are being done, there is much more collaboration, more information, more creation of opportunities.

LookattherecenttriptoIndia forexample,thepresidentwentup there [and] I think he took almost 20 private sector members with him.”

Ali stressed that these initiatives played a role in developing partnerships and networkingwithinvestors.

The crime scene where ‘Sir Mars’body was found on Sunday night.

Dead: Kirwyn Mars popularly known as ‘Sir Mars’ Remanded: Brian Richards

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 that day

Ramsay Ali, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association

Guyana represented at the 3rd International

Hydrographic Organisation Conference in Monaco

DPI - Guyana was formally welcomed into the IHO family at the 3rd Assembly gathering in

Monaco on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. On this occasion, the Golden Arrowhead was presented to Dr Jonas

Mathias, Secretary General of the Organisation in the presence of His Serene Highness PrinceAlbert II of

Monaco.

Guyana became the 90th member of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)onApril18,2019.

T h e I H O i s headquartered in Monaco and is an intergovernmental organization that works to ensure all the world's seas, oceans,andnavigablewaters are surveyed and charted. Established in 1921, it coordinates the activities of national hydrographic offices and promotes uniformity in nautical charts anddocuments.

It issues survey best practices, provides guidelines to maximize the use of hydrographic survey data, and develops hydrographic capabilities in memberstates.

Through hydrography, the IHO works with member countries to m e e t S u s t a i n a b l e Development Goal 14 w h i c h a i m s t o

sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystemsfrompollutionas wellasaddresstheimpactsof oceanacidification.

Guyana was represented

at the Assembly by Captain Stephen Thomas, Director General of the Maritime Administration Department, and Ms. Thandi McAllister, DirectorofLegalServices.

Dr. Jonas Mathias in the presence of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaca

'OneGuyana'park commissionedin NewAmsterdam

President Mohamed

Irfaan Ali on F r i d a y commissioned a 'One Guyana' park in New Amsterdam At the commissioning ceremony, the Head of State said the park is a family-oriented space that is conducive to communitybuilding.

He said recreational facilitiessuchastheparkare meant to provide safe spaces with elements of nature that canhelppersonstofeelmore at ease during their time of relaxation, and as such, reiterated the importance of cherishingthespace.

“That is why you see we

have seating for community; we want to build the community spirit. As you come out as people in the community, as you sit together and talk to each other, you'll be counselling each other indirectly You'll be sharing challenges, experiences.You'llbeableto know your neighbours, and thatiswhatwewanttooccur outofit,”thePresidentnoted.

President Ali also expressed his hope for the facilitytobecomeonethatis conducive for women and children, and urged residents tosupportthosewithmusical talents as they play for their communities.

Over 1000 Police Ranks graduate from 'COPSQUAD' programne

Approximately 1000 members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) graduated on Friday from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security's in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNDP) Gender- Based Violence training programmecalled'COPSQUAD'.

Police stationed across the country benefitted from the

trainingprogrammewhichfocused onhowtoaddresscasesofgenderbasedanddomesticviolence.

At the graduation ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre, Commissioner of Police (AG) Clifton Hicken said that the programme will be used as a platform to build capacity and develop human resources at the GPF

The Top Cop noted that since

Guyana inks US$150M MOU for housing project, Wismar Bridge construction

domesticviolenceisatopicalissue, this training is essential for ranks. The trained ranks will be decentralised to all police stations and outposts across the country Commissioner Hicken shared that thisisimportantforanorganisation that is in the process of transforming and transitioning from a Police Force to a Police Service.

Acknowledging the current domestic violence situation in Guyana,MinisterofHomeAffairs, Robeson Benn noted that this results from some men being unable to control their emotions. This, he said, "can lead to abuse" andfurtherstated"thatwomenand

girls are the most affected." As a result, the Minister lauded the Ministry of Home Affairs' partnership with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security

Meanwhile,MinisterofHuman Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud, in her remarks, acknowledgedthechallengesmany women face today as a result of domestic violence "I firmly believe that we can bring the kind ofcontroltothesituationthatisso much in escalation," the Minister said.

Minister Persaud said that at "the core of every country, the custodians are security and peace,

and those are the members of the PoliceForce".

MinisterPersaudnotedthatthe training programme was carefully designed to address all of the missing elements that would have made the police face the brunt of publicoutcry

The training should enable rankstoproperlyattendtopersons making reports of domestic violence. The environment in the police stations will also be more conducivetoreporting,shestated. TheMinisterconcludedthatthe goalistotrain2000policeofficers and ranks in gender-based and domestic violence; an aim close to beachieved.

Vendors occupying illegal structures along Providence Access Road removed

The Ministry of Public Works on Friday removed vendorswhooccupiedareasof the Providence Access Road (Red Road/Massy Road) and the East Bank Public Road at Providence.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Ministry thanked the vendors who willingly complied and adhered to notices to vacate illegal structures along ProvidenceAccessRoad.

One of the vending stalls being removed from the Providence Access Road, EBD (DPI)

Guyana on Friday inked a US$150 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for infrastructural development worksforthehousingsectorand construction of the Wismar Bridge,inLinden,Region10.

Senior Minister of Finance, Dr AshniSinghsignedtheMOU on behalf of Government of Guyana (GoG), with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Fund for Development, SultanA.Al-Marshad.TheMOU wassignedonthesidelinesofthe 2023IslamicDevelopmentBank

(IsDB) Group's Annual Meetings currentlyunderwayinSaudiArabia.

During the signing Dr Singh, thanked the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its invaluable cooperation and partnershipinGuyana'sdevelopment.

Senior Minister Singh also signed anotherMOUonFriday

That MOU was signed with the Islamic Bank concerning the Country Engagement Framework for Guyana for green, resilient and sustainable infrastructure, as well as for supporting economic diversification anddoingbusiness.

“The Ministry wishes to make clear that meetings were held with those vendors, and noticeswereissuedpriortothe final notice being issued on Thursday Notices were issued toallvendorsatthatlocationin November 2022, with a six (6) weeks grace period to vacate,” thestatementsaid.

Further, the Ministry said that final notices were also served to vendors on the Road Reserve at Mocha Access Road, Herstelling/Farm Housing Scheme Access Road, Diamond Public Road, Sheriff Street, Mandela Avenue and Grove through to

Timehri along the East Bank Demerarapublicroad.

“The Ministry wishes to commend those right-thinking vendorsfortheirpositiveresponse, and advise all vendors and persons with other encumbrances along

sections of the country's public roadstoremovethoseaswell,”the Ministrysaid.

Meanwhile, hire car operators arealsobeingurgedtooperateina responsible manner (Department ofPublicInformation)

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Minister of Human Service and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud among other officials flanked by the graduates on Friday

Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Fund for Development Mr. Sultan A. Al Marshad (Ministry of Finance photo)

Second oldest media advocacy group in English Caribbean gears for election tomorrow

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) was formed in 1945 and is currently the second oldest media advocacy group in the Englishspeaking Caribbean. It has always been a membership body that campaignsonbehalfofjournalists andmediaworkersinthecountry

The body has four tiers of membership including journalists, editors, videographers and photographers. The GPA also has associatememberssuchaspersons involved in other aspects of the mediaplatforminclusiveofpublic relations, communications, technical support and corporate memberships(mediahouses).The latterisfreetohaverepresentatives participate in trainings and meetings Lastly, student membership is also catered for, to allow University of Guyana (UG) studentsstudyingCommunication Studies to join the body Notably, corporate, associate and student members are not empowered to vote but are free to participate in trainings and other activities and raiseissues.

Nazima Raghubir, current Presidentofthebodyhasservedin variouscapacitiesintheGPAsince 2002.SheisrunningforPresident againthisyear

In an interview with this newspaper, she said, “The Press Association remains a very vocal organization. It held a number of awards, it had trainings and it is interesting to observe how the PressAssociationhasevolvedover theyears.”

AchievementsoftheGPA

Since its establishment, the body has accomplished numerous goals through dedicated members and executives. The executives of thebodyarenotpaidbutvolunteer their services to better the environmentfortheircolleagues.

The eight-member executive body includes the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Acting Treasurerandfourfloormembers. The Secretary is selected from amongthefloormembers.

Training for members of the press is always critical, especially sincethereisahighturnoverinthe profession.

TheGPAhasfacilitatedseveral training sessions in the past and Raghubir pointed out this has always been a priority for past Presidents, such as veteran Journalist Adam Harris, Julia Johnson, Neil Marks and Gordon Moseley.

Some of the issues covered include migrants and migration, HIV/aids, interpersonal violence, elections, financial reporting, oil and gas and energy, gender sensitivityandtraumareporting.

Outside of training sessions, theGPAPresidentsaidaguidewas

comprised on suicide reporting where members of the press were offeredcounselingaswell.

Sport reporters too have benefitted from training under Raghubir's tenure who said this was an objective for her since this groupisalsopartofthepressteam. Apassionate GPAhead said sport reportersmustinfactnotbetreated as“stepchildren”.

Additionally,shepointedtothe importance of technical media personnel such as videographers and photographers being able to participateintrainingtoboosttheir skillsetaswell.Raghubirsaidthat while this was pursued extent,itwasnotfully but she looks forward working on this in secondterm.

Importantly, t l o c a l p r e s association has played a great role in advocating for the rights of its members The President said mostofthisisnot public knowledge as journalists have reached out, behind the scenes, fo trauma assistance (for both personal professional incid with complaints of the level of med complaints by workers sidelined because of their ethnicities and labour-related matters, bullying in and out of the workplaceandonsocialmediaand numerous other social issues, like loss of jobs and loss of income which were all addressed over the yearsbyher

In other cases, she said legislativeissueshavebeenraised with the body, particularly those that affect press freedom and freedom of expression which the bodyhasadvocatedfor

She said the GPA met with various executives at the governmentlevel,suchasMinister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy for consultationoncriticalissues.The GPAis also on a committeeof the Ministry of Health and has liaised with government on plans and policies that can impact communicationandthemedia.

Raghubir said that while the GPAis not a complaints authority for the media, it has received complaintsagainstthemediafrom the public, government officials, members of Parliament and have raisedthesedirectlywiththemedia housestoironoutsame.

On media and press advocacy, the GPA has been vocal on these

its members

on every decision “The government doesn't have that mandate, the opposition, the Bar Association, the Medical Council and others but there are certain situationswherewehadtoaddress thoseurgentlyandwehavedoneso and not let anything to pass, especially when it comes to disrespect of our media workers,” Raghubirsaid,addingthatshehas no apologies for standing in defence of her colleagues. In fact, shesaidthatevenifsheisnotpart ofthebodyinfuture,shewillspeak

would support any executive in pursuing. Raghubir said she sidestepped offers for an office space fortheassociationinthepastasshe was cautious to avoid political or other linkages. “We went through some of the offers as an executive and politely declined them to ensure we are not in any way exposed to anyone or any organization,”sheexplained.

Mature members of the GPA have indicated in the past that a piece of land was donated to the body in Georgetown but the recordswerenotpursued.

Another challenge or concern presentHeadofthebodyis sustainability and ndence Presently, membership dues are the mainsourceofincomefor the GPA, which are not paidtimelytoo.

The work of the A s s o c i a t i o n , especially trainings and awards, are largelysponsoredby corporate and government entities.

Raghubirsaidduring her tenure, she pursued funding which was not politically tied to any individual or organization m a i n t a i n t h e independence of the body In recalls that the body was successfulinitsbid.

saidshedoesnotbelieveinstating “unrealistic” goals but intend to continue her work in developing themedialandscapeinthecountry

In an invited comment she noted, “Since there has been an indication that I am running for President there has been an increaseinwhatIconsidertobean indecent assault and attack that is almost criminal by different persons.

There is a campaign of disinformation about the GPA, its rules and conventions for holding elections and it is interesting that thepeddlersofmisinformationare also involved in communication andcanandshouldreachouttothe Press Association for any clarity buthavenotdoneso.”

Shesaidthatshehasnotsought to respond to the cyber bullying and the language used to discredit herandtheGPA.

RaghubirsaidonSundaywhen the members meet to elect a President, the issues will be addressed as a civilized organization.

Also contesting the GPA election is former President of the body,NeilMarkswhoservedfrom March 2015 to January 2018. He aims to defend free speech, promote transparent, accountable governanceandfosteraninformed citizenry,amongothers.

outagainstthis.

Importantly, the GPA and its members in the country have playedacriticalroleininterfacing with the public to help resolve issues such as access to water, health care, better roads, services at the Passport Office and others. Tothisend,thepressworkers,not only in Guyana but across the world have become social workers, according to Raghubir who believes there is a role these workers play, simply owing to the fact that they are more accessible thantherespectiveagencies.

Challenges

The GPA has encountered many challenges over the years, under consecutive governments; these include access to information, and is not limited to the legislative process of commission of information, but the interface that is necessary betweenmediaandofficialsinthe state, such as opposition parties andotheractors.

Another challenge the Association faces is the current lack of an office. Since all the members of the Association are employed, efforts to secure the spacehavebeenstifled.

Inthemeantime,shesaidthisis somethingsheiscommittedtoand

The COVID-19 Pandemic had affected the press and its membership body too was hindered in some of its activities such as its awards and training sessionsduringtheperiod.

Additionally,shesaid,“Oneof thethingsIthinkwereallydropped theballonismedialiteracy;wedo trainings for our members and we dotrainingsforourmediaworkers but we have been complacent when it comes to media literacy which I think is very important in this age of misinformation and disinformation.” To this end, the GPA President said during this year's World Press Freedom Day event, the body hosted a panel discussion to kick off its media literacycampaign.

Elections

The Guyana PressAssociation willbehostingitsbiennialawards thisyear Theglobalpandemichad stymied the process, which was duein2020.

Raghubir who was elected as President in 2018 is still the incumbent leader and was motivatedbyhercolleaguestorun again.

She said that she will be pursuing a re-election with the intent of reforming aspects of the Constitution and continue her defence of the local media. She

Marksisalsopassionateabout setting up a permanent Secretariat for the GPA and reintroducing a biggermediaawardsprogramme.

In an invited comment, the former President of the GPA explainedthathedecidedtopursue Presidencyashestronglybelieves the body is in need of new leadership to deliver tangible benefitsforitsmembers.

He reasoned, “A term of the GPA executive is two years. This executivesatinofficeforfiveand ahalfyears.

The GPA Constitution allows foraPresidenttorunforofficefor three consecutive terms. So one can see that the current President andexecutivehasbeeninofficefor almostallofthethreeconsecutive terms if elections were held as the GPAconstitutiondictates.”

Furtherinpointingtotheneed for a change in leadership, Marks noted, “In their five and a half years, the GPA executive has not called a single general meeting to engage members on their needs. There was not a peep from them about reforming the Constitution toreflectthewaynewsisgathered anddisseminatedtoday.

Therewasnoefforttosetupa Secretariattoruntheaffairsofthe GPA. There has been no financial report presented to members in those five and a half years. So really, I believe there is need for change.”

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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.

Accounts Clerk and Cook needed from G/town area. Call: 231-5877.

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

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

Live-in or live-out Domestic, truck & hauler Drivers and Office Assistant (with own motor cycle) needed. Must be honest & mature. Call: 623-6383.

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.

VACANCY

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

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

Experienced Hair Colorist, Receptionist, Masseuse, Nail Technicians, Domestic and Barber needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 649-5005/ 2266705.

Vacancy exists for experienced Security Officers with military background, ages 30-45 yrs. For more information call: 503-0359. Email: ajsabmining@gmail.com

2023 NO.37-FD ESSEQUIBO IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION BETWEEN VIBERT IGNATUIS AUSTIN Petitioner -VS-MARY MASIE AUSTIN nee NOBREGA Respondent

and/ or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Suddie, Essequibo within 35 (thirty five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on 29th day of June, 2023 at 9:00 am in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Suddie, Essequibo Coast.

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

Dated the 4th day of May, 2023.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 24th day of March, 2022 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by CONWIN ABINA FRASER nee ENNISS, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

SERVICES

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

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

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

Time keeping Clerk, Welder/ Fabricator, Office Assistant, Driver, Labourers, Maintenance Worker & Cleaner. Call: 621-6969/ 615-7784. 2 and 3 bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments for long and short term rental. Call: 682-2585, 6911432.

Room Attendant, Receptionist and Desk Staff & Security Guard needed at 233, South Road Lacytown, ages 25-50 years old. Call: 2250198.

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

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

FOR RENT

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

TO: MARY MASIE AUSTIN nee NOBREGA Last Known Address Lot 40 Norton Street Lodge, Georgetown, Demerara. TAKE NOTICE that on the 2nd day of May, 2023, a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by VIBERT IGNATUIS AUSTIN, the Petitioner in the Family Division of High Court in Suddie, Essequibo Coast, Guyana.

AND FURTHER TAKE

FOR REGISTRAR

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 27th day of March, 2023 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice of Petition in two (2) consecutive Saturdays issues of the Kaieteur News Newspaper, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and in the United States of America, or any other daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and the United States of America.

TO LET

Studio apartment, $10,000 per week with 1 month down payment. Call: 638-6120.

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 4th day of May, 2023, the Petitioner was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issue of Stabroek News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE

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

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

LEGAL NOTICE 2

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.

FOR SALE

Pure honey, wholesale and retail quantity. Call: 6214273.

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

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer

2022-HC-DEM-CIVFD-407 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION

Petition No. FD- 407

BETWEEN:FRASER (CONWIN ABINA) nee ENNISS Petitioner -v-

FRASER (LINDEN AGGREY KAUNDA)

Respondent

TO: LINDEN AGGREY

KAUNDA FRASER

(Last Known Address) 320 Johnston Avenue, Plainfield, New Jersey 07062,

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

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 26th day of June, 2023 at 9:30 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious. Via Zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf of the High Court at Georgetown.

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

Rowley slams Kamla for writing to Barbados Govt

Spain Seizes Brazilian Fishing Boat With Cocaine Haul on Rough Seas

L to R - Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley MP; and Leader of the Opposition, Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC MP. [Images courtesy Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago]

Trinidad and Tobago

Guardian- Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is chastising Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar for writing to Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados calling for an investigation into the Brent Thomas affair.

In a post on Facebook, the Prime Minister condemned the Opposition Leader for overstepping, saying “there is a role for the Opposition and a role and responsibility for the Government in managing the affairs of the state of Trinidad and Tobago.”

“The latest self-promotion of the Leader of the Opposition as an insertion into the business of the handling of the sensitive Brent Thomas matter between the Government of Barbados and the Royal Barbados Police Force, and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Trinidad and Tobago Police

LEGAL NOTICE 2

Divorce.

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

Dated the 31st day of March, 2023.

Service, is a wholly unnecessary and out of place intrusion by the Leader of the Opposition,” Rowley said.

He added: “The interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago will always be better served and protected if the country has one Government at a time.” Prime Minister Rowley currently is in Washington D.C., where he will receive an honorary doctorate degree from Howard University.

Spanish police officers carry out a test on drugs found on an intercepted Brazilian fishing vessel carrying approximately 1500 kg of cocaine in Gran Canaria, Spain, May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Borja Suarez

Reuters- Spanish authorities have seized a Brazilianflagged fishing boat off the Canary Islands with 1.5 tonnes of cocaine in a hidden compartment in its machine room, police said on Friday as they brought the boat to the port of Las Palmas.

Authorities shared a video of the 25-metre (82.02 ft) Efesios 5-20 being approached on rough seas by a speedboat sent from the patrol ship Condor.

Officers arrested the crew of six people - five Brazilians and a Venezuelan national.

The boat’s name - Ethesians 5:20 in English - is a reference to a prayer by Paul the Apostle praising and thanking God.

Police said boats transporting drugs from Latin America often transfer their cargoes to

other vessels in mid-Atlantic to more easily reach the European market.

The Efesios 5-20 caught their attention because it was so close to the Spanish islands off the northwestern coast of Africa.

IMF gives Barbados two thumbs up in first review of BERT 2.0

Barbados Nation- Government and the International Monetary Fund have reached a staff level agreement in the first economic review of the country’s second Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme from the Washington-based fund.

Additionally, the country has been adjudged to be well on course with the objectives of the funding under the IMF’s newly established Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST).

Speaking at a press conference held at Government headquarters earlier today, head of the IMF’s Mission to Barbados, Pablo Morra, said that Barbados continues to tick all of the boxes as it relates to the objectives under the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT 2.0) programme.

“We just completed our mission for our first review of the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability arrangement that were approved by our board in December of last year. I am very happy to report that after very produc-

tive discussions with the authorities, we have reached a staff level agreement to complete the first review for both arrangements.

“This is going to go to our executive board expected in June and that would make available to Barbados the corresponding amount for first review of the arrangement. We are happy to see that the economy is recovering strongly after all of the series of shocks that it suffered in the past few years,” Marro said.

Once the staff agreement is approved by the IMF’s executive board, it would release US$39 million to Barbados, $19.5 million under the EFF and the same amount under the RST.

The IMF team also expressed happiness with the country’s economic outlook for the year while praising the Mia Amor Mottley administration for sticking to the parameters of the programme.

“We saw that the GDP has grown for several quarters and the outlook for the year is strong with the expansion of the economy.

We also see that the re-

serves are at good levels and the Budget this year is in line with the targets set under the BERT programme. We are

happy to see that the authorities continue to implement the BERT programme and they continue to implement their

a number of actions for adaptation,” Marro said.

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley (Barbados Nation)

Italian Open: Novak Djokovic, Cameron Norrie & Iga Swiatek make winning starts

(BBC Sport) - Novak Djokovic marked his return from injury with a hard-fought second-round victory over talented Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Italian Open.

Serbia’s Djokovic, who missed the recent Madrid Open with an elbow injury, won 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

ond set was good, particularly the last three or four games.

“I was happy with how I closed out the match.”

What else happened in Rome?

In the women’s draw, world number one Iga Swiatek thrashed Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

6-0 6-0.

to the third round.

The 23-year-old from Kazakhstan, ranked sixth in the world, won 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Tunisian fourth seed Ons Jabeur lost 6-1 6-4 to Spain’s Paula Badosa in her first match since injuring a calf last month.

Six-time champion Djokovic has won 65 of his 75 matches in Rome and never failed to reach the quarter-finals in 16 appearances. (Getty Images)

Saturday May 13, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Your energy may flag a bit today, Aries. There's nothing to worry about, though you could take better care of your health. What happened to that exercise regimen you vowed to start.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Today is meant for socializing and connecting, Taurus. Your creativity is at an all-time high, so also try to work in some quiet time where you can do some writing or painting.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

You can't help but notice that your home looks a bit drab, Gemini. Today you could plan to do something about it.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You have a to-do list a mile long today, Cancer. You may spend a lot of your day running errands. It certainly takes a lot to run a household, as you no doubt realize.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

You're ready for a career change, Leo, or at least a change of venue. Have you considered telecommuting one day per week? That might give you the variety you seek without needing to find a new job.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

What is your dream, Virgo? Answer that question as specifically as possible today, then set about attaining that goal.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

This may seem odd, Libra, but you may not be the person you think you are. There are indications that you have hidden talents. If they come out today, no one will be more shocked than you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You're about to experience a major change in your life's direction, Scorpio, and it may occur today. Keep your mind open to all sorts of possibilities. You're likely to receive some important information.

. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You're unstoppable today, Sagittarius. It seems you can do anything. Your confidence and energy are high. There's no question that you're ready to take the world by storm.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

It's likely that you're being held back by certain traumatic past events. Before you can make further progress in your life, Capricorn, you must address these painful memories for the last time.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You could receive some sort of windfall today, Aquarius. Use it wisely. Consider buying some time to figure out what you want to do with your life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

It's likely that you will succeed at whatever you set out to accomplish today, Pisces. If you've been held back by worries over the integrity of a relationship.

The defending champion is aiming for a seventh title in Rome, where he has never lost before the quarter-finals.

British number one Cameron Norrie beat France’s Alexandre Muller 6-2 6-3 to reach the third round. Norrie, 27, will play Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, who won 6-3 6-4 against Australia’s 17th seed Alex de Minaur, on Sunday. Djokovic, who turns 36 this month, faces Bulgaria’s 26th seed Grigor Dimitrov, a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) winner against 2008 champion Stan Wawrinka.

In only his fifth match of the clay-court season, top seed Djokovic overcame a tricky start against 23-yearold Etcheverry.

Despite seeming unwell and describing the court as an “absolute disaster” because there was “too much clay”, Djokovic fought back from 3-0 and 5-3 down in the first-set tie-break.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion’s level increased in the second set and he broke 61st-ranked Etcheverry’s serve twice.

“I’m still not at desired level, still finding my shots and finding my groove on the court,” Djokovic, who will be replaced by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz as the world number one after the tournament, told Amazon Prime.

“I started pretty slow but I found my groove towards the end of the first. The sec-

Poland’s Swiatek, who won the Rome title in 2021 and 2022, will face Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko after beating 2021 French Open runner-up Pavlyuchenkova in only 67 minutes.

Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina bounced back from losing her opening match in Madrid to progress

Home favourite and men’s eighth seed Jannik Sinner beat Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1 6-4.

The 21-year-old Italian, who will face Russia’s Alexander Shevchenko in the last 32, did not drop a point on serve in the first set.There has not been an Italian winner of the men’s singles since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

IPL 2023: Suryakumar hundred trumps all-round Rashid in Wankhede run-fest

It was another day of batting dominance at the Wankhede, right from the toss, as the Gujarat captain won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Wankhede, preferring to know what to chase.However,thebrilliant unorthodoxy of Suryakumar Yadav saw him bring up his first-ever IPL hundred, which lifted the Mumbai Indians to 218-5. A ruthless bowling performance, at least in the initial phase of the total defence, gave them a cushion for Rashid’s

pyrotechnics at the end, as they eventually coasted to a comfortablewin.

A glimpse of THERohit Sharma…

Itwasasighttobehold.It has been for 16 years, since hefirstworetheIndiajersey, but nothing quite matched the lofted six over extra cover off the bowling of Mohammed Shami. Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan had gotten the Mumbai Indians to a rollicking start, and this time, Rohit Sharma wasn’t quiet, carting the

Gujarat Titans bowlers all aroundthepark.However,it was just a glimpse, because...

TheRashidphenomenon and the recovery the usual suspect,RashidKhangotrid ofRohitSharmaoffthefirst ballafterthepowerplay,and dismissedIshanKishanlater theverysameover.Hewent on to pick up the wicket of NehalWadherasoon,putting theMumbaiIndiansinaspot of bother, as Suryakumar Yadav and Vishnu Vinod slowly started to build a

partnership. Rashid ended with figures of 4-30 amidst thebloodshed.However,the duo of Vinod and SKY turnedoverthestrikeandhit the odd boundary, keeping the run-rate above 10 runs per over for most of the innings,before...

TheSKYexhibition...

SuryakumarYadavgotto another brisk 32-ball fifty. VishnuVinodandTimDavid were dismissed at the other end,butSKYhaddecidedto go one better this time - a milestone he has already

It might have come against his team, but Hardik Pandya had to show his appreciation for Suryakumar Yadav’s top knock. (AFP/Getty Images)

achieved for the other ‘Indians’herepresents.

In a typically graphic massacre of the bowlers, Suryakumar Yadav brought uphissecondfiftyoffjust17 deliveries, carting the bowlers to all parts. Batting on87atthebeginningofthe final over, he struck two sixes, including one off the final delivery that took him from 97 to 103, and earning him a milestone that had eludedhimsofar

TheTitanscapitulate…

It was a tame surrender earlyon.

T h e s c o r e b o a r d

pressure was showing, as the trio of Saha, Pandya and Gill departed within the powerplay, and the toprankedteam(nottomention, defending champions) were struggling to hit the ball off thesquare.

There was the odd epiphany, such as Vijay Shankar’s boundary barrage, but they were all short-lived David Miller and RahulTewatiamanaged to put on 45 for the 6th wicket, but they were both

dismissed off consecutive deliveries which had them reeling at 100-7, all but sealingGujarat’sfate.

The well-nigh miracle: Rashid’sresurrection

Since the Mumbai Indians had rendered his efforts with the ball futile, Rashid Khan came out swinging with his bat Coming in with the score reading 100-7, needing 119 to win off 47, Rashid bludgeoned ten sixes and wiped the smiles off the facesoftheMumbaiIndians, giving them a scare of a lifetime.

Such was the sustenance of Rashid’s destruction that it wasn’t until the penultimate over that it was the o r e t i c a l l y impossible for the Gujarat Titans to pull off a miracle Rashid ended with 79* off 32 balls, and couldn’t prevent a loss, but potentially reduced the margin significantly, which might becrucialifitweretocome down to net run-rate in the end (Cricbuzz)

GTTA to host ITTF Coach’s Certification Programme and High Performance Camp

The Guyana Table Tennis Association, in partnership with the International Table Tennis Federation, is set to host an ITTF Level One Table TennisCoach’sCertification Training Programme, May 16–20.

Additionally, an ITTF High-Performance Training Camp for cadet and junior players will take place from May 20 – 25, with the event being held at the National Gymnasium.

The training programme will be conducted by Oscar Roitman, an expert in the field of table tennis coaching.

Withyearsofexperience and knowledge under his belt,Roitmanhasconducted several clinics and held various positions such as National Coach Director of YouthOlympicGames2018 TT Programme, Head Argentina Junior TT program, National

Development Director, Argentina, ITTF Course instructor, and author of the bookBreakingMethod.

Roitman’s approach to teaching table tennis is unique and innovative, and he has given numerous lectures throughout Argentina that emphasize a ludic way of teaching that focuses on developing the student’s/athlete’s own way ofplayingorteaching.

Bais wins stage seven of Giro after gruelling climb

(Reuters) - Davide Bais of Eolo-Kometa won a gruelling stage seven of the Giro d’Italia on Friday after leading a three-man breakaway, beating Karel Vacek and Simone Petilli to the finish line for the first professional victory of his career

The seventh stage was one for the climbers on a 218-km ride from Capua to Gran Sasso d’Italia which involved flat roads at the startbeforethefinalclimbof approximately 45km and a total altitude gain of 3,900 metres.

The ITTF coach’s certification programme is internationally recognized, and aims at equipping c o a c h e s w i t h t h e fundamentals, techniques, methodologies, philosophy, andskillsnecessarytoorient student athletes to the game of table tennis at the beginner, intermediate, and advancedlevels.

The course is thirty (30) hours long, with an optional Para component of an additional six (6) hours, which exposes participating coaches to the methods of working with “differently ableathletes.”

Coaches who complete the additional six (6) hours will be ITTF + PTTLevel 1 Coaches.

Theprogrammesessions willcommenceonMay16at 9:00am,andrunsuntil4pm

dailyonthedaysoutlined.

This event is part of the ITTF member association support and provides an opportunity for coaches to enhance their skills and knowledge in table tennis coaching.

We encourage all interested parties to register forthisprogrammeandtake advantage of this opportunity to learn from oneofthebestinthefieldof tabletenniscoaching.

The ITTF Level 1 Coaching Manual contains thesyllabus,coursematerial and covers and forms the basis for key aspects of certification based on completion of Club Coach Course (12 hours), ITTF Level 1 Course (24 hours), Community Leader Course (three hours) and School TeacherCourse(sixhours).

to the final

Enmore CCCC and LusignanSCadvancedtothe final of the East Coast Cricket Board Navin/Hanso 1st Division Tournament 2023, scheduled tentatively for May 21, 2023, once weatherpermits.

Amir Khan’s all-round performance helped his side registeraplaceinthefinals

In the first semi-final at Enmore,BetterHopeSCwon the toss and chose to take the first strike scoring 156 from 424oversoftheirallotted50 overs M Mangal scored 25, whileN Singhchippedinwith 24 Bowling for Enmore,

Satesh Jainarine grabbed 4 for 30 while Cheatram

Balgobin,Y DayalandAmir Khan collected 2 wickets each In reply, Enmore reached their target in 33. 5 overs, with former West IndiesUnder19playerAmir Khan hitting a wellconstructed 75 while supported by V Ramlakan, who contributed 38 R Rohomancollected3for39.

National Youth Spinner

NigelDeodatspunhissideto the finals with the help of VishunRamjit.

In the second semi at Lusignan, LBI SC won the

toss and elected to bat scoring158alloutfrom46.3 overs.RavindraSamarootop scored with 47 while Emran Mohamed and Romeo Deonarain contributed 41 and 29, respectively Nigel Deodatcollected4for21and Rajindra Naikbarran took 2 for28.

In response, Lusignan SC accomplished their DLS target of 116 for 1 from 26 overs.Vishun Ramjit scored anunbeaten31,whileRobin Williams and Shazam Ali scored 28 and 22, respectively Kemol Savory wasthelonewicket-taker

The breakaway trio of Bais, Petilli and Vacek were seven-and-a-half minutes ahead of the peloton with 20kmtogoandtheyshowed nosignsofslowingdownas the rest of the group played catch-up.

As they pedalled up an unrelenting climb through snow-banked roads, Czech rider Vacek fell away and looked to be out of the contest before he put his head down and caught up withthetwoItaliansagainin thefinaltwokilometres.

They waited for each other to take charge in the finalkilometrebutitwas25year-old Bais who found a reserve of energy to surge ahead.

Hedroppedhisrivalsand sprintedaheadinthelast200 metres to take victory with Italianfansaroundthefinish line roaring their approval. Vacekfinishedsecondwhile Petilliwasthirdafterthepair ranoutofsteam.

“Finallymyfirstprowin has arrived It was unexpected because I went into the breakaway to prepare for an attack by (team mate) Lorenzo Fortunato,”Baissaid.

“He was the inspiration for our team to go for a mountainstagevictorysince he made it at Monte

Zoncolantwoyearsago.

“In the finale I knew I wasthefastestsoIwaitedfor my time to come to do the lasteffort.”

Itwasasecondstagewin at the Giro for Italians this week after Jonathan Milan won stage two in a sprint finish.

Andreas Leknessund of Team DSM retained the leader’s maglia rosa jersey with a 28-second lead over Remco Evenepoel, who led the sprint involving the general classification riders that finished three minutes and10secondsbehindBais.

Hewasjoinedbyanother pre-race favourite, Primoz Roglic,withnochangeinthe general classification as the

contenders opted not to attack with a headwind making things difficult on themountain.

“It was hard to climb up here but we controlled the situation.

I was expecting some attacks that never happened because there was a headwind,” Leknessund said.

“I felt good climbing up herewiththeGCfavourites. I’m happy to retain the maglia rosa. That was my goal.”

Leknessund could hold on to the maglia rosa on S a t u r d a y b u t t h e Norwegian’sleadwillbeput to the test in Sunday’s time trial.

Kometa’s Davide Bais celebrates winning stage 7. (Reuters)

Oscar Roitman

2023WoodpeckerJuniors’ NationalSquashChampionships… Da Silva, Fung-A-Fat among Day Four winners

Day Four of the 2023

Woodpecker Juniors’

N a t i o n a l S q u a s h Championshipscontestedon ThursdayattheGeorgetown Club Courts (GTC), had an exhilaratinglineupofeleven matches.Thedaykickedoff with two U13 matches, followed by four U15 matches, three U17 matches andanintenseU19match.

The day provided a thrilling display of skill and determination; Louis Da Silva played well exhibiting remarkable prowess in two separate divisions (U17 and U19), where he secured victoriesinallthreematches.

Chad DeAbreu and Emily Fung-A-Fat also demonstrated their exceptional abilities by achieving victories in their respective U17 and U15 matches.

Notably, Brenno Da Silva, Richard Rodrigues and Blake Edwards secured significant wins in the fiercely competitive U15 category In addition, eightyear-old Zoin Hickerson triumphed in his U13 encounter, while Justin Ten Pow continued to impress with yet another win. With

two days remaining in the championship, the competition is finely poised foraspectacularandfiercely contestedfinale.

During Thursday’s action, Louis Da Silva continued to dominate the U17 category, securing two convincing victories against Demetri Lowe and Shiloh Asregado, both with an identicalscorelinesof3-0.

H i s r e m a r k a b l e performance continued in the U19 match, where he faced off against Demetrius DeAbreu and emerged triumphant with a resoundingscoreof11-3,112, and 11-3. Chad DeAbreu also displayed his skills in the U17 category by defeating Jeremy Ten Pow withascoreof3-1.

Over in the Boys U15 category, Blake Edwards triumphed over Nickolas Sawh with a score of 3-1, RichardRodriguessecureda dominant3-0victoryagainst Justin Goberdhan and BrennoDaSilvafoughthard to salvage a 3-1 win against Avian Wade Emily Fung-AFat delivered a stellar performancedefeatingTiana Gomes with an impressive

scoreof11-7,11-1,and11-2 in the Girls U15. Despite Gomes’ steady showing in the first game, Fung-A-Fat demonstrated her superior skills, ultimately securing a well-deservedvictory

Meanwhile, in the U13 category, Justin Ten Pow showcased his talent by defeating Matthew Daby withascoreof3-0.

Anotablehighlightofthe day was Hickerson’s stunning victory over KaidenAlliinahard-fought battlethatlastedfivesets.

Alli initially took the lead by winning the first game 7-11, but Hickerson displayed tremendous resilience and managed to secure victories in the second and third sets. Alli, undeterred by Hickerson’s impressive performance, matchedhis efforts and won the fourth game 7-11. With thematchwellpoisedat2-2, Hickerson outplayed Alli in the fifth and final set, ultimately securing another brilliant win The Championship continued with its fifth day on Friday with the conclusion set for today, at the same venue from13:00hrs.

Guyana Olympic Association supports Archery Guyana

At the most recent Council Meeting of the G u y a n a O l y m p i c Association, it was unanimously agreed that after re-submission of complete documents for full membership and affiliation, Archery Guyana has been deemedfullyaffiliatedtothe GOA with full affiliate status.

TheExecutiveCommitteeof theGOArecognisedthattwoof Archery Guyana’s members, namely Wayne DeAbreu and Devin Permaul Persaud recentlyparticipatedintheIX Copa Meringue in Santo

RepublicinApril2023

The Copa Meringue is a WorldRankingEventandwas the second Qualifier Tournament for the PanAm Games and was held at the Archery Facility at the Parque del Este sports complex in Santo Domingo. With the support of their

Committee (NOC) and the Ministry of Sports (MIDEREC) there in Santo Domingo, the Archers were given an extraordinary experience inside the competitionfieldaswellasa culturalopportunity

According to Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association, Ms. EmeliaRamdhanionTuesday 9thMay,2023attheNational Gymnasium, it gives great pleasure for the Guyana Olympic Association to lend supporttoArcheryGuyana’s members.

Receiving the support on behalfofArcheryGuyanawas Treasurer and Director Mr Robert Singh who shared the wonderfully exciting news thatArchery Guyana’s Devin Persaud-Permaulhasearneda spot at Pan Am Games He expressed sincere thanks to the GOA for the support which will go a far way towards the athletes’ participation.

Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association, Emelia Ramdhani, hands over sponsorship cheque to Robert Singh, Treasurer and Director of Archery Guyana.

NBA play-offs: Jokic helps Nuggets to semi-final series win over Suns

(BBC Sport) - Nikola Jokic scored 32 points as the Denver Nuggets thrashed the Phoenix Suns to win their Western Conference semi-final seriesinsixgames.

TheNuggets,whohave never reached the NBA Finals, beat the Suns 125100.

Jokic recorded 12 assists and 10 rebounds, while Jamal Murray scored 26pointsforDenver

The Nuggets will open the best-of-seven Western Conference final against either the Golden State WarriorsortheLosAngeles LakersonTuesday.

In their Western Conference semi-final, the LakersleadGoldenState32 with game six in Los Angeles at 03:00 BST on Saturday

It is the first time the Nuggets have reached the

Western Conference finals since2020, wheretheylost totheLakers.

I n t h e E a s t e r n Conferencesemi-finals,the Boston Celtics forced a series decider as they held off the Philadelphia 76ers 95-86.

The 76ers, who have n o t r e a c h e d t h e conference finals since 2001, will travel to Bostonforgamesevenon Sunday Jayson Tatum scored 16 of his 19 points for the Celtics in the final quarter as they held off a late76erscomeback

“I’m,humbly,oneofthe best basketball players in the world,” Tatum told ESPN.

“All that mattered was wewonthisgame.

“It’s game seven, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Louis Da Silva (right) watches as his opponent misses on one of his clever plays.

Exiting One Guyana Futsal semi-final action anticipated tonight

- BentStvsCaliforniaSquare; BackCirclevsSpartaBoss

The One Guyana Futsal Championship is heating up as it reaches its semi-final stage. Fans and enthusiasts of the sport are eagerly anticipating tonight’s matches at the National Gymnasium, where the four remainingteamswillbattleit out for a chance to win the tournament’s first-place prize of $1 million, courtesy ofMohamed’sEnterprise.

The first match of the night will see Bent Street facing California Square at 8:30pm.

Both teams have shown impressive form throughout the tournament and are expected to put up a tough fight.

Bent Street secured their spotinthesemi-finalswitha 2-1 victory over Stabroek Ballers,thankstogoalsfrom Daniel Wilson and Colin Nelson.

g

Eastman.

Sparta Boss, one of the tournament’s favourites, secured their spot in the

semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Kitty, thanks to goalsfromRyanHackettand JermaineJunor BackCircle,ontheother hand, had to work hard for their 3-2 victory over Mackenzie All-Stars, with goalsfromStephonMcLean,

Gavin Naughton, and SelwynWilliams.

Thetournamenthasbeen full of exciting matches and unexpected results, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

The teams have shown impressive skills and teamwork, making it difficult to predict who will come out on top. However, one thing is for sure – the semi-finals will be intense battlesthatwillshowcasethe best of Guyana’s futsal talent.

The One Guyana Futsal Championship has been a greatplatformforpromoting the sport in Guyana and providing opportunities for local players to showcase theirskills.

As the tournament reaches its final stages, the excitement and anticipation continuetogrow

The semi-finals are expected to be thrilling matches that will showcase the best of Guyana’s futsal talent.

Knight hundred headlines third round - Guyana pull off nail-biter by 1 run

KyshonaKnightcracked a huge for Barbados while Guyana pulled off a daring heist as round 3 of the Women’sSuper50continued onFriday

Barbados beat Jamaica by205runs

A masterful hundred from Kyshona Knight helped Barbados to a massive win over the Jamaicanwomen.

Knight blasted 144 from 119 balls (19x4, 1x6) as Barbados posted a daunting 318-8 in 50Overs Hayley Matthews (31) and Trishan Holder (36), lent the centurion support.

Neisha-Ann Waisome (3-65) and Nicole

Campbell (2-39) were the lone wicket-takers for Jamaica,whomade113-9in reply NatashaMcLean(27), Chedean Nation (32) and Jody-Ann Brown (21) were unable to withstand spinner Bajan spinner, Kelia Elliot (4-19)andcompany

GuyanadefeatLeewards by1run

Centurion Kyshona Knight celebrates her first milestone.

Gajnabi was unfortunately run out for 49 while Kaycia Schultz (25) and Plaffianna Millington(17*),cappedoff thescoring.

Medium pacer Tonya Martin had 4 wickets but the Leewards were unable to reach home despite 74 from Amanda Edwards (11x4).

Guyana bowlers were exceptional led by Sheneta Grimmond (326) while both Millington and Gajnabi returned to claim 2 wickets each to strangle their opponents, keepingthemto166-9

Trinidad and Tobago beat Windwards Islands by 2 wickets

In-form Afy Fletcher hit 50 to lead the Windwards to150alloutbattingfirst Karishma Ramsarack captured 3-24 for Trinidad whoendedon152-8.

After losing a few matches, the Guyanese women pulled off a narrow

heist after making 167-9 in 50 overs West Indies women’s star Shabika

Opener Renice Boyce hammered 53 from 47 with 5 fours and 3 sixes and Shalini Samaroo (24), helped their side clinchanervingwin.

Jermaine Junor (L) and Ryan Hackett scored for Sparta Boss

Jerry Burnette scored ahat-trick for California Square

WIFBSC2023Championships…

Hon. Minister Ramson Jr., DoS Ninvalle congratulate Braithwaite and Douglas

The Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr along with Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, have dispatched congratulatory messages to Guyana’s top marksmen who won the respective X and O-Classes at the West Indies Fullbore ShootingCouncilIndividual Championshipswhichended onThursdayafternoonlasta the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range, Antigua and Barbuda.

Ninvalle spoke directly withLennoxBraithwaiteand Sigmund Douglas on behalf of Minister Ramson on Thursday evening, mere hoursaftertheduomadethe LandofManyWaters,proud after three challenging days

ofshooting.

Minister’s delight in keeping the Golden Arrowhead aloft was expressed to the duo by Ninvalle who also complimented them for ridingthewavesofchallenge indeliveringthegoods.

“I would like to congratulateyouonbehalfof the Honourable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.,and the people of Guyana on your recentfeat.Youhavekeptthe flag of Guyana flying high andwewouldwanttoextend congratulations. I know that this is not the end of the competitionasyouwillnow be turning your attention to theTeamMatch.

We look forward to sending you another

congratulatory message when you do what we know you are capable of doing by regaining the trophy Congratulations and best

wishes once for keeping the Golden Arrowhead flying high.”

Both Braithwaite and Douglassaidtheywerevery

happy to hear directly from the Director of Sport Ninvalle on behalf of Minister Ramson Jr., and veryswiftlytoo.

“We are both pleased to have heard from Mr Ninvalle on behalf of the Minister, congratulating us on our achievement for our beloved Guyana. It was a very nice feeling which had both of us smiling and will only serve to motivate us even more for the Team Match on Saturday Thanks again to Minister Ramson and Director Ninvalle for their continued support on behalf of the Guyana National Rifle Association and the team here in Antigua.”

Meanwhile, Douglas has statedthatheiselatedtohave

wontheO-ClassforGuyana andhimself. “FirstIwantto say a big prayer to the AlmightyGodforgivingme theopportunitytobeherein Antigua. I must say that it was not easy winning this championship but with the help of my teammates who encouragedmetobethebest Icanbe,Iwasabletoachieve thetitle.

The ammunition had someissues,butIcouldhave looked past that and concentrated on letting off goodshots.Intheend,itwas enough to win us my category and Lennox’ I would like to thank all our sponsors including the Government of Guyana and the entire GuyanaNRA for everything in making this toursuccessful.”

Sammy and Coley named new West Indies Men’s Head Coaches

ST.JOHN’S,Antigua–

Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced the appointments of the new Head Coaches for the West Indies Senior Men’s Teams. Andre Coley has been appointed Head Coach for the Test and ‘A’ Teams and Daren Sammy has been appointed the Head Coach for the white ball One Day International (ODI) andT20 International(T20I)Teams.

The new Head Coaches were selected following an open and transparent interview process, and the appointments were confirmed following the CWI Board of Directors meeting on Thursday 11 May

Daren Sammy’s first assignmentwillbethethreematchODISeriesagainstthe United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah in June, ahead of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe. Andre Coley’s first assignment will be the twomatch Test Series against India in the Caribbean in July

Sammy is a formerWest Indies captain in all three formats, who led the West IndiestotheICCT20World

Cuptitlesin2012and2016. Since retirement, he has coached franchise teams in the Pakistan Super League and the Caribbean Premier League. Coley is a former J a m a i c a w i c k e tkeeper/batsman who has coached at all levels inWest Indiescricket.

He was Interim Head Coach of the West Indies team on the tours of Zimbabwe and SouthAfrica earlierthisyearwithhismost recent assignment as Head Coach of the West Indies Academy

The 39-year-old Sammy said: “It will be a challenge but one that I’m ready for andexcitedabout.I’mreally looking forward to the opportunity, especially looking at the players we have and the impact that I believe I can have in the dressingroom.

IbelieveIwillbringthe same approach as I had as a player: the passion, the desire for success, and my undyingloveforWestIndies cricket. When I look around there is an abundance of talent, and what I saw in SouthAfricainthewhiteball matches under new captains Shai Hope and Rovman Powell and the leadership

provided by Andre Coley, there is great belief that we candowell.

I’m looking forward to imparting my knowledge, my tactical acumen, my communication skills and my man-management skills. I get excited about putting theplanstogetherandseeing theplayersexecutethem.”

Coley, 48, said: “I am honoured to be appointed West Indies Men’s Head Coach of the red-ballteamafterservingin the interim role on the Zimbabwe and SouthAfrica tours I am looking f o r w a r d t o t h e challenges ahead, as well as the opportunities as

we sharpen our focus on movinguptheTestrankings, andqualifyingfortheWorld Test Championship final in June 2025 I also look forward to working with all our stakeholders, deepening relationships and fostering a high-performancemindset.

I am also excited to be working closely with the ‘A Team’ as we s e e k t o o p t i m i s e opportunities for teams to play competitive cricket outside of our first-class competition and giving players greater exposure to different conditions at the internationallevel.

I believe that my expertise in the use of analytics, my leadership style and technical knowledge along with collaborative efforts alongsideDaren,willmakea positive contribution to player development and teamperformances.”

I n M a r c h , C W I announced that the role of Head Coach for the West Indies Senior Men’s Teams will be split into two separate positions, a decision made with

r e f e r e n c e t o t h e recommendation by the independent three-member

WorldCupReviewGroupto consider splitting coaching duties as one factor to help improveteampreparation.

Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “We are delighted to announce the appointments of Andre and Darentothepositionsofred ball and white ball Head Coaches of the Senior Men’sTeams

They are well equipped for their roles, and we are confident they will bring different perspectives, skills and real passion to the West Indies dressing room. The introduction of separate coachessignalsthestartofa new approach for the West IndiesMen’sTeams,andwe know it will enable greater f o c u s o n p l a y e r communication, team planning and preparation to thebenefitofourplayersand WestIndiescricket.”

The recruitment process foraHeadCoachoftheWest Indies Women’s team has commencedandthedeadline for applications of Wednesday 17 May Further information on the timing and process for appointing a newHeadCoachoftheWest Indies Academy to replace Coleywillbeannouncedata laterdate.

Andre Coley (Photo: Jamaica Observer)

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr

WIFBSC2023Championships–Antigua&Barbuda

Team Guyana confident of reclaiming Short Range trophy today

From 09:00hrs this morning at the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range the battle lines would be drawn yet againatthe2023WestIndies Fullbore Shooting Council Championshipsbutthistime around, it will be the ShortRangeTeamMatch,themost fiercely contested Team MatchintheCaribbean.

TheIndividualssegment has been done and dusted and after three days of intense action, Guyanese Lennox Braithwaite successfully retained the ‘King of the Range’ trophy by winning the X-Class, his countryman Sigmund Douglas (USA based) won the O-Class, Jamaican Nicola Guy was the top FemalewhiletheTiro(Sharp

- Captain Fields

Shooter) trophy was taken byAntiguan,ZuberPatel. These shooters amongst otherswillsurelybeapartof therespectivecountryteams settobattleatthe300-yards, 500-yards, and 600 yards ranges,withtwo(2)sighting shots and ten (10) shots to count at each range, at the endofwhich,thenationwith the most points would be declaredthechampion. Douglas’ performance hasearnedhimaplaceonthe Guyana team where he’ll joinCaptainFields,reigning Individual champion Braithwaite, Sherwin Felicien, Ryan Sampson, Leo Romalho, Peter Persaud, and Roberto Tiwari. The shooters who have not made the final 8-

manteamwouldbeassisting with coaching and other duties, today to ensure that on and off-the-range arrangements are solidly in place.

Captain Fields briefly shared, “The focus for us is to remaincalm and to execute the same way that wehavetrainedinGuyana.”

The host nation, Jamaica, and Barbados are the other Caribbean nations that are vying for the championship trophy Trinidad and Tobago were represented by a pair of shooters in the Individuals and would not be able to field a team Canada is competingasaguest,which they have been doing for manyyears.

Enmore wins ECCB 2023 U-17 Championship

Deonarain scored brilliant half century while Hemraj Haripersaud’s 4-wicket haul propelledEnmoretoclaima 111-run victory over Lusignan to be crowed championsoftheEastCoast Cricket Board Under-17 tournament.

At Lusignan, Enmore won the toss and elected to bat scoring 168 all out from

overs of their allotted

Romeo Deonarain

overs.VickashWilkinson top scored with a wellcomposed58andDeonarain contributedanunbeaten50.

Nicholash Shiopersad collected 3 for 21 while M. Outar, Alex Datterdeen and N. Bani took two wickets each.In reply, Lusignan struggled to reach their target and fell for 57 in 23 overs with Alex Datterdeen scoring 11 as the lone batter to reach double figures HemrajHaripersaudwasthe most destructive bowler grabbing 4 for 20 while Romel Persaud, Deonarain and S. Ganganram collected 2wicketseach.

Team Guyana is aiming to wrest back the WIFBSC Short Range trophy at today’s championships in Antigua and Barbuda.

Daren Sammy (Photo: Getty Images)

Assistant Secretary of the Guyana OlympicAssociation, Emelia Ramdhani, hands over sponsorship cheque to Robert Singh, Treasurer and Director ofArchery Guyana.

Lennox Braithwaite

Oscar Roitman