Kaieteur News

Calls grow for ministers to be fired over Mahdia tragedy

- parties, citizens demand independent CoI

In the aftermath of the Brazil has promised a expected to immediately deadly inferno that claimed Commission of Inquiry into offertheirresignationsoutof the lives of 19 children at a the tragedy which occurred principle. school dormitory in Mahdia last week two Sunday nights In the scathing editorial, and the laying of murder ago. He has not made any under the caption ‘collective charges against a student statement on the culpability i n c o m p e t e n c e a n d who allegedly set the fire to of his ministers with slackness’, Stabroek News the building, citizens have portfolio responsibility for describedthedisasteras“the stepped up calls for the ill-fated Mahdia single biggest loss of life government ministers who secondarySchooldormitory since Jonestown and a body had oversight responsibility However,despitehissilence, blow for any ruling party for the facility to be fired or citizens have ramped up anywhere.” “How to strike happen)

President Irfaan Ali with one of the survivors of the fire

4) Organise a Caribbean Secondary those that exist. Further the asked to resign At a callsfor“headstoroll.” the balance between being carefully calibrated Education Certificate lack of qualified teachers minimum persons have In an editorial last week seentomournwhilerefusing outpouring of compassion (CSEC)hasbeenover70per and resources such as books called for the resignation of Saturday, the privately to accept responsibility for and care for the students. cent and pointed to a 2017 and learning materials, Home Affairs Minister, owned Stabroek News said the deaths of the 19? How to (What a pity there was not UNICEF report which states among others; poor Robeson Benn, Education that Guyana is being badly massage the narrative to the same concern and that out of 100 indigenous infrastructure at the schools, M i n i s t e r , P r i y a run with little regard for its avoid blame?

1) Start with attention when they were boys and girls, only 53 including buildings that are Manickchand, Amerindian citizens’ safety and that no highlighting the heroism of alive.)” The opinion piece would reach the final years old; lack of computers, and Affairs Minister, Pauline amount of oil money in the the pilots, 2) Emphasize that noted that the female of secondary education access to the internet and SukhaiandMinisterofLocal world will change that. The it was allegedly a deviant students who occupied the According to the editorial, lack of science labs in Government and Regional newspaper also called out student who started the fire, school’s dormitory “points the main factors that generalareotherfactors. Development, Nigel government ministers for 3)Makesuretomentionhow t o t h e e d u c a t i o n a l i n f l u e n c e d s c h o o l “In most of the visited Dharamlall. parading survivors of the hard the President is discrimination against attendance and students’ schools, the washrooms President Irfaan Ali who Mahdia tragedy at a candle- working. (What he fails to indigenouspeople.” permanence in school were were in dilapidated left the jurisdiction on light vigil last week, saying understand is that real The Stabroek News lack of schools, particularly conditions; many did not Monday for a meeting of that in other countries, the leadership ensures such editorialnotedthatinRegion secondary schools in the have doors or running water South American leaders in subject ministers would be tragediesdon’torrarelyever Nine, the failure rate at the hinterlands and access to and were dirty In some schools, students preferred to use the bushes rather than the sanitary blocks,” Stabroek News quoted the r e p o r t a s s a y i n g .

Additionally, the editorial stated that there is a “lack of regard for Amerindian parents who in wanting a better education for their daughters are forced to trust in the state to protect their safety and virtue.” “Mahdia was an accident just waiting to happen. The deficit of fire prevention equipment in the building, and the inadequate systems to unlock the dorm in case of a fire; then there was the absence of an adequate fire tender in the town. Just another example, of the lack of importance successive governments have placed on the residents ofMahdia’ssafety.”

The Stabroek News editorial noted too that the situation is not limited to the hinterlandregionsbutacross the country “Your house catches fire, it’s you and the bucket brigade. And let us stop blaming the fire service which has been underfunded for decades by governments who have simply chosen not to prioritise the safety of its citizens and their homes.”

“Finally in the 21st century there is no DNA laboratory to identify the remains of the children? It would be farcicalifitwerenotsosad,” the editorial questioned The opinion piece posited that in other countries the subject ministers would be expected to immediately offertheirresignationsoutof principle,somethingwhich (Continued on page 15)

Many individuals occupying public office in our countries are misleaders

...we are authors of our own misfortune when we follow them - Professor PLO Lumumba

Many of the individuals who office. “I dare say that most of the Lumumba noted that there are occupy public office and oversee individuals who occupy public many countries that are rich with the plundering of their countries’ space in many of our countries are resources and even on paper, their resources by foreign agents while misleaders because many of them economic wealth and prospects are citizens wallow in abject poverty, have been compromised. Many of indeedglowing. cannot be, in all good conscience, them are not patriotic. Many of He said this is the case with the referred to as leaders. They are them do not have the interest of DemocraticRepublicofCongo.He nothingbutmere“misleaders.” their countries (at heart),” saiditisoneoftherichestcountries

Anti-corruption legend, Professor PLO Lumumba

This perspective was recently ProfessorLumumbasaid. on Earth but there are high poverty offered by renowned Kenyan He further proffered that from levels because “their so-called partners are walking away with the being raped on a daily basis, lawyer and legendary anti- his observations, many persons leaders signed away their lion’s share of oil resources in the countriesthatarebeingabusedona corruption fighter Patrick Loch who hold office are not only easily birthright.”

Stabroek Block while citizenry dailybasis,andwhatwehaveatthe Otieno (PLO) Lumumba. During manipulated but can even be Professor Lumumba also cited acceptsapittanceinreturn. end of the day, are individuals who his first appearance on the Glenn considered fifth columnists which thetrailofdamageoftenleftbehind He said what is taking place in themselves are not interested and Lall Show on May 27, 2023, is a term used to describe people by oil companies with the these nations is truly a sad state of we are impoverished for this Professor Lumumba shared his who are sympathetic to or are permission of world leaders. He affairs.Healsostressedthathistory generation and generations yet to views on the extent to which working for a country’s enemies. mentionedinthisinstance,Nigeria, hasdemonstrated,andcertainlynot be born…” The only way to break leadersofvariousnationsshouldbe “To the extent that we too follow Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon once, that when the leadership of a this curse he said, is for the blamedforhighlevelsofpoverty them, we are complicit and and Venezuela as prime examples country is respectful of its people, citizenry to start making the right Professor Lumumba was keen therefore, we are called authors of of this sordid conundrum then those countries realize their demands of those politicians tonotethattheword“leader”isnot our misfortunate,” the African Professor

um

so true potential. Professor Lumumba electedto publicoffice and holding oneheusesverylooselyorascribes legendstated. refe

said,“Butwhatweseenowinmany them accountable when they fail to toanyonemerelybecausetheyhold Expounding further, Professor ExxonMobil Corporation and its of our countries, countries that are deliver

Justice Kissoon’s ruling…

Guyana Govt. joins fight against unlimited parent guarantee for oil spills

- hearing of joinder application, substantive case set for Wednesday

The Government of Guyana through learnt that Mr Datadin was on his way back Attorney General, Anil , SC has applied to to Guyana following an overseas trip. As join the appeal that the Environmental such, the case is scheduled to continue on Protection Agency (EPA) made against a Wednesdayat11:00am high court ruling that provides for the Esso TheAppealCourthasnowscheduledthe ExplorationandProductionGuyanaLimited hearing of the joinder application as well as (EEPGL), to give Guyana unlimited parent the substantive matter for Wednesday at company guarantee for its oil drilling 11:00am. activitiesintheStabroekblock. In his May 3, 2023 ruling, Justice Sandil The case was scheduled to be heard Kissoon haddeterminedthatEEPGLwasin before Justice Rishi Persaud on Monday but breach of its permit as it failed to furnish the the matter had to be deferred as Mr. Sanjeev country with an unlimited parent and/or Datadin, the lead attorney for EPA did not affiliateguaranteeforapotentialoilspillin show up for the virtual hearing. The Court (Continued on page 10)

The Guyana Court of Appeal

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

Campaignfinancing

We face this fact: both the PPPC Government and the main PNCR Opposition pay lip service to campaign financing reform. This is because both parties have traditionally received heavy funding from the big money people in Guyana and overseas. Both major political groups sayinpublicthatcampaignfinancingtransparencyisagood thing,andhowitisneeded,andsoonandsoforth. Butthere is always some new element that houses a big but. When there is that, ‘but’ it means that the issue is not going anywhere,butwillgetstalledandstuck.

Bigdonorsusepoliticalcontributionslikeaninvestment. They invest in a political party, and they expect a handsome returnfromthewinner Likeelsewhere,theplayerswithdeep pockets hedge their bets by backing more than one political horse. In razor-thin electoral Guyana, no donor desires to be left in the rewards wilderness, through failure to make a timely and hefty contribution to leading groups. This standard prevails even in advanced societies like America, where lavish givers ensure that they give to both the Republican and Democratic parties. For sure, it is not equal donations, but the amounts given are determined by which party is in power, and which looks more likely to triumph in the next electoral contest. It is a given that financial backers would more favour with their money those helpful to their prosperity Meaning, which party would be more favourable tohelpfulregulations,orwithlucrativebusinessdelivered.

The bottom line is that it is the big financial givers who count, and these are the ones who work tirelessly to ensure that their identities remain hidden. When they are on international law enforcement radars for troubling reasons, or their business is shadowy and casts doubts about legitimacy, then there is more doggedness for identities to stay undercover Considering all these embedded factors in the local environment, it exposes the hand of the PPPC Government, when its leaders insist that the group is for campaign financing legislation, but it is concerned about the identity of donors being made public through some register of donors. The PPPC Government wants to collect any amountofpartydonations,butitresistsknittingtogetherthe kind of laws that inform the people who are giving so much money that they considerably influence not the elections themselves, but how the economic pie is distributed afterwards by the government of the day It could be most uneven, with large campaign donors being the biggest beneficiariesofgovernment’sgenerosity

No political party, particularly the major ones, and no government should be allowed to pick and choose what ought to be about the fullest transparency, and what gives legitimacy to our processes. Who is giving and how much? What is the source of their funds, and how much taint the really big givers have attached to their names? Should such kindofsuspicioussourcesevenbepermittedtobepartofthe democratic process? What about oil company’s proxies infusing their money into Guyanese elections, and determiningthedestinyofallthepeoplesofthiscountry?

ThePPP’sGeneralSecretary,BharatJagdeo,isonrecord expressing his uneasiness about businesses being unfairly boycotted, if the identity of political donors were to be made available through some legally mandated requirement. The questioniswhethertheGeneralSecretaryissonervousabout theidentityofdonorsopentopublicscrutiny,orifheismore agitated about the type of donors, and the volumes of cash thatarechanneledtohisparty. Fromallindications,itisasif the General Secretary is more focused on leaving things the way they are, than to bring about the necessary and reasonable changes that could upset the whole electoral equationinGuyana.Hemaybeconfidentofthetacitbacking of the PNCR opposition since it would not wish to tamper withitsownfundingsources.Whatisstrangeisthedefensive lengths to which the PPPC Government would go to maintaincampaignfinancingasitis,whilecarryingoninthe same shaded way with governing Guyana.What could be so damaging to campaign financing reform, for accountable, law-abidingGuyanese?

How many ministers will resign, charged, jailed, fired now that Mahdia student faces 19 murder charges?

DEAREDITOR, entrusted to their care? one adult in charge of 60 resign readily Will

this

As soon as the Mahdia Which Offices/employees students and living happen for these Mahdia fire happened and news failedtofollowupontheFire separately and apart from deaths? Will the President spreadallovertheworldthat Services inspection reports? wherethegirlslived.Shedid fire those Ministers who 19 children died, the Did the Fire Department not install grills that cannot failed to do their jobs, or ask Government’s masterful issued any citations when be opened, and did not for their resignations? These propaganda put out a they visited in February choose on her own to use 19 children must not die in statementthatthefirewasset 2023, and they found out padlocks. The Dorm Mother vain. This was so horrific by a student. PPP people their recommendations of wasnottheonewhofailedto that many newspapers and quickly said you can’t blame November 2022 were not install smoke alarms, fire TVstationsaroundtheworld t h e M i n i s t e r a n d implemented.Whynot?This extinguishers, sprinklers and carried this sad Guyana Government, blame the girl criminalnegligenceledto19 related fire prevention and story PresidentAlicanmake who set the fire. In this case, lives being snuffed out in safety equipment. She was sure he does not become a there were many sins and May not the one responsible for one-term President by firing many sinners, not just the Opposition MP Mr only one fire engine which the Minister/s responsible alleged student. That student Mahipaul asked, “Who ran out of water She may for the School and Dorm. I now faces 19 murder should provide the answers? have complained to her amnotalawyerbuttheterms charges, and rightly so. But Priya Manickchand or Nigel bossesbutnobodylistenedto “reckless endangerment,” whoelseneedstobecharged D h a r a m l a l l ? ( s e e her as is typical in Guyana. “dereliction of duty,” for the children being “MAHDIA’S INFERNO, The Dorm Mother herself is “failure to monitor,” padlocked and unable to KN, May 28, 2023). Both? a victim as she lost her child “criminal neglect, ” escape the deadly inferno? Joint responsibility I do not trying to help the other “criminalnegligence,”“duty W h i c h e m p l o y e e s , blame the Dorm Mother at children. So who must face ofcare,”cometomind. supervisors, managers in the all. She was merely a pawn punishment for all these Is there one decent, Government system had a doing a job given to her to f a i l u r e s ? W h o i s merciful, caring, nationalist dutyofcareandareculpable, fetch water in a basket. She accountable? At whose desk lawyer in Guyana who responsible because they did was not the one who does the buck stop? In the wouldstepupandfileaclass not do due diligence to designed the system and British system, when things actionsuitagainstthe protect our children determined that there will be like this happen, Ministers (Continued on page 5)

Who will charge the government for its absolute and abysmal incompetence?

DEAREDITOR, wake-up call for us all, and building undetected throughout the country The

It has been reported that affected parents must not be However technology exits Commission of Inquiry must charges will be made against taken in by platitudes and whereby the door can be therefore extend to include thegirlwhoallegedlycaused expressions of sympathy fitted with a tamper-proof these as well as all other the fire at the Mahdia from the President and his electronic alarm which is governmentbuildings. dormitory So who will ministers. Make no mistake sounded as soon as the door Night clubs and other chargethegovernmentforits about it: The buck stops at is opened. This serves to similar public venues are absolute and abysmal thegovernment! deter persons from leaving similarpotentialfiretraps.In incompetence and ineptness In all public buildings, thebuilding,andineventofa the case of grilled private in its failure to provide fire escape doors must be fire, the alarm will dwellings, each bedroom appropriate fire safety fitted with what are called automatically alert everyone shouldbefittedwithagrilled measures? Successive “panic bars” which when in the building as soon as the window that swings outward governments are equally pressed, causes those doors door is opened Detailed and bolted on the inside for culpable; and for that reason to open immediately and information can be found on easyaccesstotheexterior any Commission of Inquiry with little effort. No bolts, Google. I hope that these must not include or locks or padlocks are The same problem that observations might assist the influenced by members of installedonthesedoors. existed at the Mahdia Commission of Inquiry in its either the government or The obvious concern is dormitory currently can be deliberations. opposition. that persons might use such found at almost all Yours truly,

This must serve as a fire exit doors to leave the government dormitories Clairmont Lye

DEAREDITOR, paraphernalia making them to authorities for acting is government’s current I t i s w i t h g r e a t take the place of church promptly in assisting the political rhetoric, we the admiration I write to leaders and others, not victims generously in all people must genuinely unite highlight government giving any chance for the forms. and hold authorities minister’s interests and local pastors and priests who However, turning the accountable for the lapse in obsession over the children know their flocks well, to tragedy into a show where the systems and make sure who perished in the fire give their followers authorities are projecting we see tangible changes be disaster last week at Madhia. consoling sentiments by themselves as the ‘sole made early as possible so The authorities’ sudden theirprayersandpresence. savers and concern over the that our hinterland students interests and concerns, This being said, I would children’ is getting over be safe to resident in outshone everyone else even also like to request for exaggerated, as they cover dormitories ,as they obtain thechurchesandpastorswho governmentministerstotone up their weakness. Lacking secondary education in the are shepherds of the people down the rhetoric of proper fire and security interior in the area; in visiting their camouflaging the tragedy systems at the secondary Regards, flocks. This hyped interest Editor, please don’t get me schooldormitoryatMadhia. MedinoAbraham, MSc displayed by Government’s wrong, kudos must be given As ‘one Guyana’ which Indigenous Researcher

We the people must genuinely unite, and hold the authorities accountable

Stanley Humphrey Collins, esteemed WPA activist honored and remembered

DEAREDITOR, his community and Guyana. steward, and member of the dedication, passion, and TheWPAsalutesStanley His profound dedication to OWP, gained recognition unwavering commitment to Humphrey Collins, a theWPAmanifestedthrough and respect in the Linden the betterment of Guyana dedicated and revered his involvement at various community long before his anditspeople. member of the Working levels, including the political prominence His remarkable life will People’s Alliance (WPA). Executive Committee of Known as a fearless continue to inspire Stanley peacefully departed W PA , a s a n R D C individual who passionately generations to come, from this world on May 11 representative, and as a defended his convictions, reminding us all of the and was laid to rest on member of the Linden Stanley brought his profound impact an

Saturday, May 20 The Utilities Services Coop esteemed reputation as a individual can make through funeralceremonyservedasa Society Limited Stanley’s “people person” to his selfless service and celebration of his life, and it enduring membership and political activism when he unwaveringconviction. was attended by party activism within the party joined the WPA, inspired by The WPA extends its members including brothers showcased his unwavering the work and struggle of heartfelt condolences to Ta c u m a O g u n s e y e , belief in the WPA’s bauxite workers led by Stanley’s immediate and Randolph Williams, principles and goals He was WalterRodney.” extended family, and Desmond Trotman, Ali also a long-time member of Stanley Humphrey relatives. Majeed and Godfrey Sage. the Guyana Mine Workers Collins leaves behind a Regards, Ali Majeed represented the Union, and the OWP profound legacy, one that Wo r k i n g P e o p l e ’s party and delivered a (Organisation of Working serves as a testament to his Alliance heartfelt tribute on behalf of People). theWPAandhimself. As WPA Executive

Throughout his lifetime, member Tacuma Ogunseye Stanley exemplified recently wrote, Stanley was unwavering commitment “a renowned athlete, and selfless service to both footballer, union shop

How many ministers...

Grilling of dorms was taking the easy, dangerous way out

DEAREDITOR, improvements based on the

The recent release of the InternationalCodeCouncil’s bids to build the three b u i l d i n g c o d e teachers’ quarters in Region recommendations for fire 8 must be redone to include safety May it be an example the necessary fire safety to our grieving nation of the measures in the construction fire safety improvements process. that will now take place in T h i s i s a l s o a n the immediate aftermath of opportunity for the Ministry theMahdiatragedy of Public Works, The Sincerely, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Jamil Changlee and the Ministry of Housing Chairman & Water to work together to T h e C o o p e r a t i v e incorporate the necessary Republicans of Guyana

There must be a Mahdia CoI

DEAREDITOR,

ItwashintedaCoIintothedeadlyMahdiadormfiremight be established (NewsRoom May 25). It should not be a question of if but when the commission would be established toprovideanswerstoburningquestions.Itishopedthiswould be soon and not like that other inquiry, which recently concluded.

Sincerely,

Shamshun Mohamed

From page 4 thattoo?Stopit! Government?Pleasestepup. The Police have charged The Media has to do a PNC man for calling now more to get the stories from PPP supporter Ms. Chasestudents, families, the Dorm Green a false name. Would Mother, and the student the Police charge anyone in charged so the Guyanese the negligent Government people can get the real truth, system for the likely not Government’s massaged “involuntary manslaughter” releases, calculated to make deaths of 18 of our the Government look Amerindian daughters and innocent, blameless The one son? Mr President show PPP knows that they cannot us that you really care. Send win an election without the a message to the Guyanese Amerindianvote. people that you will not

If the President does not tolerate ministers not doing fireMinister/sorifMinisters their jobs, and who tarnish do not resign, then the yourGovernment. Amerindian people must Failing that, Civil stay home and boycott the Societymustprotestuntilthe LGE as a sign of protest. President takes action Show the Government that against errant Ministers. All you are not just a vote farm, some ministers care about is but that your children’s lives taking pictures with and your communities’ children, especially black matter Also, do not let them children, and put on use your children as props Facebook. They act as if lining the road when that’s all their job. So who is Ministers visit Burnham mindingthestore? used to do that to make up Yours truly, crowds. Why is PPP doing M. Singh

DEAREDITOR, Waramadong, some fifteen First of all, please allow years ago. In this instance I me to express, on behalf of think it was three students the peoples of Region 9, and who lost their lives – again on behalf of my family and allgirls.Duringmytenureas m y s e l f , p r o f o u n d Regional Executive Officer, condolences to the relatives Region 8, I had weekly of the children who died in Management Meetings theworstwayimaginable,on where all aspects of the Sunday 2023-05-21, at the Region’s administration was Mahdia Secondary School examined and reported on, Girls Dormitory.I take this inclusive of the three opportunityaswelltoextend dormitories located in the condolences to the Region.All managers had to schoolmates, and the demonstrate competence in Villages from whence these managing their sectors. In studentscame. two instances I had officers I am penning this letter r e m o v e d f o r t h e i r from a position of intimate incompetence – The knowledge of the area and Regional Health Officer and the systems governing the Regional Education school dormitories. I was the Officer Results from those Regional Executive Officer, meetings saw the provision Region 8 fromApril 2018 to of six fire extinguishers each January 2019. It took me a to the boys and girls dorms. while to overcome the grief, There were also fire buckets theangerandallthenegative filled with sand placed in the emotions associated with dormitories. The buildings suchatragedy;atragedythat werenotgrilledinmytime. should not have happened in There were always the first place. I took time to reports of students leaving process all the information the facilities at night coming out of Mahdia and Management decided to the various analyses. I then implement periodic, decided that it was time for unscheduled checks at me to weigh in and give my nights. These involved the opinion. As I said before, I Education Officers, the am coming from a position Welfare Officers, I and even of knowledge of the area and the indefatigable Regional the system. I have heard no Chairman, Mr Boneventure analysis of the system that Fredericks. The instances of apparently failed these girls. students leaving the If this is not addressed, then dormitories were reduced we are doomed to have a drastically My contention, repeat. therefore, is that was the

I listened to former system followed this tragedy Minister Dawn Hastings- wouldhavebeenprevented. Williams who gave us a Itappearsthatthepresent timely reminder that this Regional Administration happened before, in another soughttotaketheeasiest Amerindian community, (Continued on page 6)

The bid package must be updated

North Road and Light Street, Bourda is now a lawless place

DEAREDITOR, the effects that their drug use and incessant

I am writing to draw attention to a playingofloudmusicarehavingonresidents. distressing situation that has befallen the Violence is now a weekly occurrence, residents of who live in the vicinity of North especially on Saturday nights when the RoadandLightStreet,Bourda. whoring, drug use, and drunkenness turn

The streets of this once quiet ugly Residents are finding it difficult to get a neighbourhood are now being converted at good night’s sleep because of these nefarious night into a den of degenerates – adult and nocturnal activities. Complaints and other child sex workers, undocumented protestations are met with voluble and foul immigrants, drug pushers and users and language and deadly threats. Even Sundays drunkards. Sexual solicitation has become donotofferrespite commonplace, posing a threat to the I am kindly asking the authorities – City upbringing of our young and impressionable Hall, the Guyana Police Force and the children. Ministry of Human Services and Social

Theareaisnowbeingdowngradedtothat Security to rectify these issues, excise the of an unsanitary, polluted urban ghetto with gangrenous ulcers that now infect our area, an array of negative effects. This dire eradicate the nightly illicit activities, situation is being compounded by violations including prostitution and children of building codes, with premises being trafficking,andrestoresanityandpeacetothe adapted for unauthorised uses Some onceidyllicneighbourhood. buildings have become dormitories for the Sincerely, most unsavory elements that are oblivious to Concerned Resident of Bourda

Grilling of dorms was taking the easy...

From page 5 children we are dealing with T h e R e g i o n a l way out and decided to grill and there is always the Administration had to be the buildings in an effort to possibility of emergencies. aware of the Dorms keep the girls locked in so This is even true with adults. Mother’s practice of locking they would not get away Then there is the issue of the thedoorsatnights.Shecould Assuming that that was the Dorms Mother locking the not take that decision on her case, they then lacked the grilleddoorfromtheoutside. own. If she did, then the foresight to construct If one is to lock a dog in a Regional Executive Officer suitable fire escapes at the kennel and set it on fire, the and the Regional Education facility They failed to Animal RightsActivists will Officer should be sent establish an emergency plan roast that dog owner. This is packing immediately; and t o c a t e r f o r s u c h exactlyhowwetreatedthose should even be charged for eventualities; after all it is students. professional negligence Were they aware then the Regional Administrators should face the law for aiding and abetting genocide – because that is what happenedthereinMahdia.

As I am penning this letter, I am aware that a male student is being treated for poisoning – he attempted to takehislife.

This begs the question: are we going to leave the studentpopulationtoprocess whathappenedontheirown? We need to start a series of aggressive counselling so that the impact of this tragedy can be shared, thus reassuring the students that theyarenotaloneandthatwe as a society empathize with them. Failing this we will have more severe reactions a m o n g t h e s t u d e n t population. Additionally, there needs to be a countrywide review of all school dormitories.

AsIwritethisletter,Iam aware that the St. Ignatius S e c o n d a r y S c h o o l dormitories are heavily grilled. I am also aware that there are no fire escapes here either Come on Priya, stop being feral and get busy It’s time for you to eventually earn your keep. Let some of that oil revenue flow downwards.

Yours truly, Carl Parker

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Oppositionandoilpolicy

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Opposition still formulating its oil policy.

What policy? What kind of joke is this?

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Almost three years ago, Joe Harmon was gathering a team.

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Now the Opposition of today is gathering steam going downhill.

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Downhill to nowhere on oil.

The Guyana oil world is rushing by.

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Meanwhile, Guyana’s Opposition is gazing at the moon.

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New Amsterdam woman who allegedly poisoned husband’s energy drink remanded

Six months after receiving Permit…

ExxonMobil yet to make final investment decision on pipeline for Gas-to-Energy project

Ex x o n M o b i l ExxonandrepaidbyGuyana Guyana- Esso over a 20-years period. Two Exploration and citizens on March 27, 2023

P r o d u c t i o n filedlegalproceedingsinthe Guyana Limited (EEPGL)- High Court challenging the received an environmental PermitgrantedtoEEPGLfor Permit to commence the the pipeline. They have pipelineaspectoftheGas-to- requested an Order to quash Energy (GTE) project six the approval for the project months ago, but to date, the g r a n t e d b y t h e company is yet to make a Environmental Protection Final Investment Decision Agency (EPA) on November (FID) regarding the 25, 2022 on the grounds that initiative. the decision was in breach of

Leila Bacchus, a 42-year-old Cleaner of MagistrateRenitaSingh.

Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Bacchus allegedly laced Junor’s energy Amsterdam, was on Monday remanded to drink with poison causing him to be prisonforthemurderofherreputedhusband. hospitalised.Hediedfourdaysafter

BacchusappearedattheNewAmsterdam

Bacchusandhersister-in-lawofTimmers

Magistrates’ Court to answer the murder Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam charge which alleges that she killed Andy reportedly told police that Junor, a 43-yearJunor, called ‘Bull’. She was not required to old carpenter also of Timmers Dam, New plead to the indictable offence and was AmsterdamconsumedpoisononMay16, remanded to prison until July 14, 2023 by (Continued on page 9)

During its most recent the provisions of the press conference on May 19, Environmental Protection President of ExxonMobil Act (Cap. 20:05), and more Guyana, Alistair Routledge p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e was asked whether the FID Environmental Protection has been made This is inplace.” (Authorisation)Regulations. critical in determining the Several contracts to date Reports indicate that the final cost of the project. have been awarded for the 12-inch pipeline to transport However, Routledge said project, but according to the natural gas has already Exxon has not yet reached a Routledge there are still arrivedinGuyana. conclusion. other outstanding areas to be In the meantime, the He explained: “you may covered before the FID is government is pursuing a be aware the early works finalised. Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) have been proceeding as we To this end, he said the facility to treat and separate all committed that we government is “making sure the resource for use in the wanted to ensure that we did that there is sufficient 300-megawattpowerplant. the early works in order to lengths of the project life to C u r r e n t l y , t h e preservethestartupschedule provide the gas that supports governmentisseekingaloan to be ready within the the project,” adding that the from the United States targeted2024.” administration “has decided Export Import (USEXIM)

T h e E x x o n that in order to confirm the Banktofinancethetwolatter representative also went on 10-yearextensionoftheLiza aspects of the project. The topointout,“Whatdrivesthe production license it feels it administration anticipates final investment decision is needs to take that to startup of the GTE initiative formalising all the Parliament and so that is the bytheendof2024. documents, the field last step that is being worked Even in the absence of development plans, onbythegovernment.” the final cost of the project, revisions for the Liza Field- Government anticipates government believes the Phase One and Two- and that the pipeline will cost project will be feasible and making sure all of the about US$1.1 billion. The reduce the cost of electricity commercial agreements are project will be funded by by50percent.

ExxonMobil Guyana Pres., Alistair Routledge

Remanded: Leila Bacchus

Dead: Andy Junor

MoralresponsibilityisnotinGuyana’svocabulary

Following one w e e k o f expressing horror and offering condolences and solace to the parents of those killed in the fire at the Mahdia Secondary School’s female dormitory, Guyana has returned to its favourite pasttime:headhunting.

Theusualsuspectsareup to their usual games. They are seeking a scapegoat for the recent fire that so tragicallytookthelivesof19 children All manner of arguments are being proffered. These include the need for accountability in government.Sincewhenthis has become important to thosewhoarenowinvoking it? All of us would like to know what caused the fire, what could have been done to prevent its spread, and to save lives. But unless we await the outcome of the investigations and the CommissionofInquirymost of us would be speculating. The media has provided a disserviceonthisissue.Iam yet to read or learn of any media house which has dispatched a team of reporters to Mahdia to undertake investigative reporting.Insteadthemedia,

andthepublic,arerelyingon official releases and the bits and pieces of information that are filtering in from privatesources.

But this incomplete information has not prevented allegations and the accusations The headhunting from the Opposition has started. We have heard, for example, abouthowisnottheMinister of Education who is responsible for the school but rather the Minister of Local Government and the Regional Executive Officer (REO).

But if the school is not controlledbytheMinistryof EducationbutbytheRegion then why not hold the Region accountable?. The Regional administration is controlled by the PPP/C, with support from Lennox Shuman’s party and also holds the chairman and vice chairmanship. The council of the Mahdia municipality is controlled by the APNU who holds the mayor and deputymayor Butinsteadof holding the Regional Democratic Council accountable, a scapegoat in the system has to be found. So we hear about the

Minister and the REO. It is this sort of political gamesmanship which has this country in the mess it is intoday

Let me enlighten those who are out headhunting. Fifty persons are in a dormitory,afterlights-out The majorityofthemareasleepin the dark A fire suddenly breaks out To compound things, we are dealing with children who would be awoken have dazed and screaming, shouting and scrambling around, some going dizzy by smoke inhalation. This is a recipe formasspanicandadisaster

Whether or not the windows were grilled; whetherornotthedoorswere locked, there was bound in such a situation to be casualties No amount of fire extinguishers or fire drills could have done anything to prevent deaths in such a situation. That is the reality which we all have to accept in as much as we are desperate to believe that deaths could have been prevented.As for those who seeking to hold persons accountableforthefire,they have to look to another country. When it comes to

New Amsterdam woman who allegedly...

Frompage8 2023 and died at the New Amsterdam Hospital on May20,2023.

FollowingJunor’sdeath, Bacchus was questioned by the police. She told law enforcementofficersthatshe shared a relationship with the carpenter for 12 years andtheyhavethreechildren.

Bacchus disclosed that she was having an extramarital affair and Junor

found out. She said she ended that relationship but soon got involved with another person who resides overseas.

It was the second relationship that created problems between Bacchus and Junor The woman said she contemplated poisoning herhusbandforseveraldays.

She reportedly told police that her husband wouldfromtimetotimetake

Dem boys seh...

Turbo energy drinks home fromworkandshelacedone of the energy drinks with poison.

Junor unknowingly consumed the poisoned drink and shortly thereafter startedvomiting.

Bacchus said she called on her sister-in-law who lives with them and Junor was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where hediedfourdayslater

De government now deciding where yuh can protest!

De l o c a l

authorities havenowtaken it upon themselves to dictate not just what we do but how and where we can do it. When a man who is goingonapeacefulfastcan be told he cannot do so on de parapets in front of de Office of de President, we knowweareheadingintoa semi-policestate.

Daggerswenttolaunch he fast and vigil yesterday Is a one-man exercise. He nah interfering with anybody. If anything is all dem people wah passing with dem food interfering

withdemangastricjuices.

Yesterday dem try fuh dictate where Ray Daggers mustholdhevigilandfast. De man was told he can’t protest where he wanted to protest.

We now gat designated zonefuhprotestactivity De police mounting barricades preventing protests around certain areas And dem claim is fuh security reasons. Security reasons fuh a man who deh pun a peacefulvigilandfast?

Degovernmenthasnow taken over private event planning. De odder day dem ask some private

the practice of accepting moral responsibility, that sortofpoliticsdoesnotexist inGuyana.

Moral responsibility for anincidentiswhensomeone accepts responsibility even though that person was not directly (or even indirectly orindirectly)responsiblefor it. As someone once said, you do not have to be responsibleforsomethingto feelresponsible.

If moral responsibility was part of our political culture, persons would have already tendered their resignations. Those persons knowwhotheyareandhave been conveniently not saying much Moral responsibility is now a political convention and there are a number of precedents. In 2009, the Transport Minister of Japan resigned after two trains collidedresultinginmultiple

deaths.TheMinisterwasnot responsible for the accident but he accepted moral responsibilityandresigned.

Forty-sevenpersonsdied in an explosion following a trainderailmentinQuebecin 2013. The CEO of the train company took moral responsibility and resigned. The best known case of a c c e p t i n g m o r a l responsibility following a tragedy occurred in 1956 in India. The Indian Railway Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri,resignedfollowinga train accident in which 140 persons died. He resigned even though he was not culpable or responsible for whathappened.Heassumed moral responsibility for the incident And that resignation is still regarded today as one of the finest examples of both moral responsibility and moral integrity in public office.

Butdon’tlookforsomething similar to that happening in Guyana. It is not going to happen.Seventeenprisoners were barbecued in the GeorgetownPrisonsin2016 intheworstprisontragedyin the Caribbean. The prison was burnt down and at one time held under the control ofprisoners. Notoneperson resigned or was asked to resign following those incidents Don’t expect anyone to resign for the fire at the dormitory in Mahdia. Insteadofresignations,there may well be demands for promotions for helping to hugandholdthehandsofthe grieving.

promoters not to hold certaineventsbecauseofde tragedyinMahdia.

Dem fuhget dat de people sell tickets and dem patrons in Guyana nah like hear about postponing dem fun.

If dis is how de government gan behave, why bother at all with protest action. Leave it all todegovernment.Demgan protest fuh you even if de protest is against themselves. De next thing demganwanttellwe,isdat we gat to get permit fuh protest. Talkhalf.Leffhalf

Sarah Ann Lynch: Angels and demons

Thedayhadtocome,and I will take a raincheck. In imbalances of it all. This oil, In these respects, American thatitistoday the tour is now over US every way, in many respects, thisoil….

Ambassador, Sarah Ann Nobody stirs in Ambassador, Excellency Ambassador Lynch was the Palpableimbalanceithas Lynch was worth her weight this country against Sarah Ann Lynch is closing epitome of what public been, and in the most in lutetium plus rare oil. Nobody flinches in hertourinGuyana. Assheis serviceisallabout,inclusive nuanced manner, I would platinum. Think of records, this country, has any saluted by those so inclined, of the overt and the covert assert. I have studied the asinthemusicindustry contrarian ideas, possesses I have the tough job of (Langley, Virginia again). Ambassador’s public Guyanese record after any intestinal and testicular which she clothed dreaming calling things as they are, On each occasion, there was pronouncements, and am yet Guyanese record was carved fortitude to just say NO! No Guyanese. This is the long with the risk of cages rattled, one objective; in every torecallwhensuchaword,a out during her rollicking, to Exxon’s excesses and downside of her years in this and people a little less instance, there was one name, a label as ‘Exxon’has tempestuous tenure A extravagances No to country Thanks, but no sweetlyinclinedforit. Sobe result: what benefited crossed her lips. Never! Her government fell Another Exxon’s predations and thanks, Excellency I lost it This hard duty is America. The physics of the Excellency has been that government came into d a n g e r s N o t P P P regard for handiwork, when compounded by my dual s i t u a t i o n - p o l i t i c a l , diplomatically astute, that being, and it fell before it Government Not PNC in a flash the leap, the pole umbilical relationships -one economic, and social-then tactically profound In made the first step, so Opposition (nor any other vault, the somersault was with the USA, the other with took over: for every pristine gatherings between c o m p l e t e w a s t h e kind that there may be). taken from sovereignty to Guyana. American gain, there was, herself and team on one side stranglehold that Excellency Neither MP nor attorney nor sanctity Yes,Inowammore Excellency Lynch had to be, a corresponding of the table, and Guyanese Lynch locked the PPP most parts of what fully understanding of why deserves every accolade that Guyanese loss. This is my on the other, Exxon and Government, from President shamelessly calls itself civil some groups in some c o m e s h e r w a y i n challenge with Excellency Schlumberger andAmerican Ali to former President society In all this, I can only countries have their ‘Ugly Washington, DC and Lynch, for every fig she Airlines have not made their Jagdeo to Guyana’s find the commendable in the American’and ‘Yankees, go Langley, Virginia for a wrestled for America, way into the conversation, sprawling human wasteland, sum of her actions when home’awards. IthinkIhave superb job representing Guyanese were left to grope but…but they all are, with the radioactive ground of its examined from perspectives made my point, and starkly American interests As for whatever banana peel Exxon perched ponderously human flotsam and jetsam. such as these. It has been of so. someone with my own they could find, and slide amid the groves of tall That would be its Parliament angels and demons

Still, as American interests in American oil along upon it, with a heart American timber, like the in its entirety, in all of its Guyanese have been left to A m b a s s a d o r , H e r gladiator,Exxon,Ishouldbe full of heaviness, and a head unspeaking and unsmiling nooks and crannies. Just as savour the bizarre (a ExcellencySarahAnnLynch appreciative,butonthatone, overwhelmed by the 800-pound gorilla that it is. how Ambassador Lynch President more of a departs from the shores of succeeded in remaking the spaceman than an oilman); GuyanaImustriseabovethe PPP Opposition into an the grotesque (a Vice checkered legacy of her American mold and President in the form of a seemingly eternal presence. American mole (against the shabby salesman pretending From one American to Guyanese people and their to be a smart investor another: duty done, country aspirations), so she enjoyed confidence man); and the served, head can be held identical triumph across the pathetic (an Opposition high. Now, I must recharge dark, dismal political divide. Leader transformed into a batteries, study the territory The one potential saving s t r a w m a n w i t h o u t some more, and choose the grace left for Guyana, the recognising that he is a right paths forward. From Ambassadoralsoneutralised nowhereman). those guiding imperatives, that,whensheinfluencedthe Somebody has to point there is certainty that there reengineering of the old and shout at Empress Sarah must still be something left APNU+AFC into the listless and her clothing, or lack in me to tell my Guyanese and lifeless PNC Opposition thereof. Or of the kind in brothersandsisters.

Guyana Govt. joins fight against...

From page 3 cover oil spill damages barrelspermonth…themost the Stabroek Block. The above the limited US$600 recent month’s average court ruled that in the millioninsurance. selling price for the Liza 1 absence of this guarantee, Had the stay been petroleum was more than s h o u l d t h e r e b e a granted, it would have put a $US75perbarrel.” catastrophic oil spill, then hold on Justice Kissoon’s “This means the the burden of those May 3, 2023 order for the monthlyrevenuelossforthe liabilities would rest on company to provide, within Appellant Esso, the CoGuyanese As such, the 30days,anunlimitedParent venturers, and the State’s court gave EEPGL up to Company Guarantee projected to be US$337.5m. June 10, 2023 to comply or Agreementand/orunlimited This would amount to face the suspension of its liability Affiliate Company $US337.5m. per month or permit.

Guarantee, together with $US4b per annum that

The oil company in its environmental liability would be forfeit for each appeal of the ruling told the insurance,asiscustomaryin year while the appeal is Appeal Court that it could the international petroleum pending,” the company suffer a massive financial industry stated. lossiftheLizaOnePermitis Two citizens, Frederick Further, EEPGL said suspended. Collins and GodfreyWhyte that the Liza Petroleum

On May 15 when the had approached the court Production Licence is for a matter was called for case for a declaration that limited term of time and management before the EEPGLwas in breach of its [the] Appellant may be Appeal Court, Datadin had Liza Phase One Permit unable to recover lost requested a Stay of Justice which requires the production implicated by a Kissoon’s Order but his provision of an unlimited suspensionofthepermit. requestwasrefused. parentguarantee As a result, EEPGL is Justice Persaud told It noted that the therefore petitioning the Datadin that a stay of the company has produced Guyana Court of Appeal to order was not required as he 151,000 barrels of crude reverse and/or set aside the intends to hand down his petroleum per day for the whole of Justice Kissoon’s ruling prior to the June 10, year 2023 on average, decision and to dismiss the 2023 deadline in which through March 2023 It case brought by litigants, Exxon is required to supply explained that “This is Frederick Collins and the parent guarantee, to approximately 4 5Mn GodfreyWhyte.

Girl,

on 19 counts of murder for Mahdia fire

Afifteen-year-old Sunday police for murder, contrary Region Eight, she murdered D’Andrade, Belnisa Evans, engulfed in flames.Afemale girl was on That fire claimed the to section 100 (1) (c) (iii) of Adonijah Jerome, Tracil Loreen Evans, Omerfia student related to the police M o n d a y livesof18girlsanda5-year- theCriminalLaw(Offences) Thomas, Lisa Roberts, Edwin, Nickleen Robinson, that they were asleep and

remanded to the old boy The teen suspect Act, chapter 08:01 The Delecia Edwards, Lorita Sherena Daniels, Eulanda were awakened by screams. Juvenile Holding Centre, for appeared via Zoom before accused was not required to W i l l i a m s , N a t a l i e Carter, Andrea Roberts and Upon checking, they saw themurderofthe19children Senior Magistrate Sunil plead to the indictable Bellarmine, Arriana RitaJeffrey fire/smoke in the bathroom who died in the fire at S c a r c e a t M a h d i a charges which stated that on Edwards, Cleoma Simon, Magistrate Scarce area,whichquicklyspreadin Mahdia Secondary School Magistrate’sCourt. Sunday May 21, 2023, at Subrina John, Martha remanded the girl to the the building, causing several female dormitory last week She was charged by Mahdia Secondary School, D’Andrade,(andtwin)Mary holding centre located in students to receive burns to Sophia, Greater Georgetown their bodies and smoke and the matter was inhalation, whilst several adjourned to July 4, 2023. managed to escape. This Notably, the laws of Guyana publicationhadreportedthat protect the identity of the fire fighters and publicjuveniles criminally spirited persons had to break charged. Section 100 of the the walls of the dorm to free Juvenile Justice Act, the girls that were trapped in stipulates that a person shall theinferno. not publish the name or any The injured students information related to a were taken to the Mahdia juvenile if it would identify District Hospital and were the child or juvenile as examined and admitted by havingbeendealtwithunder doctors. theAct. At the hospital, five of According to reports, the female students were around 23:00 hours on pronounced dead. A search Sunday May 21, 2023, the was carried out in the fire erupted at the dormitory building, which was The Guyana Fire Service completely destroyed by the (GFS)reportedthatthepoint fire,andtheburntremainsof oforiginofthefirewasinthe 14 human beings were south-western interior of the found. Notably, the boy who building, in the lavatory died in the fire is the son of area. The Guyana Police thedormmother Force (GPF) alleged that fire The Government of was reportedly maliciously Guyana (GOG) on Friday set by the teen suspect, who o b t a i n e d t h e was aggrieved over her Deoxyribonucleic acid phone being confiscated by (DNA) results matching the the dorm mother, Carletta names of 13 bodies from the Williamsandateacher Mahdia fire tragedy that At the time of the fire, were previously not visually there were 57 female identified. students in the dormitory The GOG is in a position which is a one-flat concrete now to release these bodies building measuring about to the families of the 100 feet by 40 feet, with 26 deceased for funeral heavily-grilled windows and arrangements. Sabrina John five doors that were wasthefirsttobelaidtorest. padlocked. On Saturday, a girl who

According to the GFS, was at the Georgetown when firefighters arrived on PublicHospitalreportedlyin the scene, it was observed a critical condition was that the one-flat wooden and flown to New York to seek concrete building was furthermedicalattention.

Police order Ray Daggers off OP lawns

…as 65-yr-old commences fast against ‘barefaced’ Exxon contract

Ray Daggers early Monday the man why he could not be on the troublewiththepoliceandsaidthat because of an “observation” he contracts signed in the country’s morning commenced his 12-hour parapet.Heexplainedtopolicethat he is unsure of where he will madeduringhiswalk. extractive sector “That is the per day fast for Guyanese to get a he had gotten permission from an conductdaytwoofhisfast. “I am fasting because of an saddestrealityIhaveeverfacedina fair deal from its natural resources officer in charge of the Presidential Daggers related that he is observation from the walk I did. nation, where the people fear their butitwasnotwithoutconfrontation Guard stationed at the President’s reluctant to sit opposite the office And my main observation is that leaders,”Daggerssaid. frompolice. office.Thepoliceofficerwaspolite because of the weather “It’s very 100 % of the people of this nation He hopes that his fast will not Daggerswantedtositonachair and asked the Presidential Guard messythere,”Daggerssaid. are united, are together against all only make way for the change but on the grass parapet in front of the rankstoconfirmwiththeirsuperior Meanwhile, the man who the contracts in the extractive motivates citizens to stand up to President’s Office at Vlissengen if Daggers could continue his fast walked 12 days from Moleson industries, the gold, the diamond, their leaders and not allow Road. However, police told him there. Creek, East Corentyne, Berbice, the oil, the manganese, all the themselves to be enslaved with that he could not sit there and if he Kaieteur News left shortly after Region Six to Charity on the people are united,” Daggers told “handouts”. Daggers told Kaieteur wantedtocontinuehisfast,hemust but Daggers later said he Essequibo Coast, RegionTwo for a thisnewspaper News on Saturday that the fast will do so across the road opposite the encountered about nine change of the “lop-sided

However, Daggers noted that bedonefor12-hoursdailyMonday office. confrontations with the police ExxonMobil contract”, said that he victimisation from the country’s to Friday He intends to continue

Kaieteur News was present beforehewasfinallyremovedafter has chosen to go on a “dry fast” (a leaders is what prevents them from until the contract is changed in when an officer was explaining to midday He does not want any fast without food and water) speaking out for a change of the favourofGuyana.

A police officer advising Daggers that he cannot sit on the grass parapet in front of the president’s office.

Daggers sitting, while a gentleman who joined him stands alongside

Protesters call for ministers’ resignation until thorough investigation into Mahdia dorm fire is completed

Ahandful of that the ill-fated Mahdia c i t i z e n s o n Secondary School female M o n d a y dormitory had ‘26 heavily

protested in grilled windows and five front the Office of the doorsthatwerepadlocked.’ responsible who were Jabour believes strongly President, located on At the time of the fire, supposed to keep the thattheinvestigationintothe V l i s s e n g e n R o a d , there were 57 female children safe that perished in fire needs to examine why Georgetown, calling for the students in the dormitory theMahdiafire.”Jaboursaid the children were unable to resignation of the ministers which is a one-flat concrete theaccusedisaminorandall escape the burning building of Amerindian Affairs, building measuring about the blame should not be at and called for the ministers E d u c a t i o n , L o c a l 100feetby40feet. the child’s feet because there responsible for the welfare Government and Regional The protest occurred were no emergency ofthechildrenwhooccupied Development and Home while the 15-year-old mechanisms in place adding the Mahdia Secondary Affairs. teenage suspect made her “thatisacrimeinitsown.” School female dormitory to

The protestors believe first court appearance via He argued that a fire temporarily step down from that the ministers are equally zoom before Magistrate could have started due to their posts to allow for an responsible for the death of Sunil Scarce and was Executive member of A child who reportedly started other causes and noted that independent investigation to the19childrenwhodiedina remanded to the Juvenile New and United Guyana thefire. casting the blame on a child beconducted. fireattheMahdiaSecondary Holding Centre located in (ANUG), Kian Jabour, was Duringaninterviewwith who may have made a Further, Jabour assured School female dormitory on Georgetown. The teen was among the protesters who this publication, Jabour said, mistake or was not in a good that the protest will continue May 21, 2023. The Guyana slapped with 19 counts of called for “other” to be held “This protest here today is to mental state at the time is untilthegovernmentdecides Fire Service (GFS) said that murdercharges. accountable not only the haveaccountabilityforthose unfair totakeaction.

EPA asks ExxonMobil to train residents in key impact areas to respond to oil spill

TheEnvironmental Democratic Councils, Unity Currently, more than P r o t e c t i o n N e i g h b o u r h o o d 380,000 barrels per day is Agency (EPA) Democratic Councils and being produced. Exxon said

has instructed other relevant stakeholders production from the Esso Exploration and in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and Prosperityvesselisexpected Production Guyana Limited 6 ” to push daily production to (EEPGL),theoperatorofthe The Payara project is some 600,000 barrels a day Stabroek Block to train expected to startup before in2024. residents in specific regions the end of this year and WhiletheEPAiskeenon of the country to respond to produce up to 220,000 training of Guyanese to anoilspilldisaster barrels of oil per day The respond to an oil spill, the

This is a requirement Floating Production Storage agency has appealed an outlined in the Permit and Offloading (FPSO) Order from the High Court granted to EEPGL, or vessel, Prosperity, which instructing the operator to ExxonMobilGuyana,forthe was constructed to store a secure an unlimited parent stay on the order has been potential damages that can onstreamthefollowingyear company’s third sanctioned totaloftwomillionbarrelsof company guarantee from denied by the Appeal Court. be done, Guyana’s EPAhave Only last month, the EPA project,Payara. oil, has already arrived in Exxon and partners to cover This means, EEPGL must been approving more approved the oil company’s Section 9 of the Permit, Guyana. The vessel’s arrival damages that the limited complywiththerulingbythe projects in the absence of an fifth project in the Stabroek specifically 9 9 of the was announced by Exxon in US$600 million insurance initial date set by Justice unlimitedparentguarantee. Block, Uaru. Government document, which refers to April. wouldnot. Kissoon-June10,2023. This has created a fear in has said it aims to produce a ‘Oil Spills and Other Presently,twoFPSOsare The Government of The Environmental the minds of Guyanese, who million barrels of oil per day Emergency Management,’ operating in the Stabroek Guyana has publicly stated Impact Assessments (EIAs) argue that the resources by2027. states the developer must, Block, including the Liza its support of the appeal. conducted by Exxon have earned by the country would Citizens in Guyana have “Build capacity where Destiny and Liza Unity In EEPGL has also joined the outlined that an oil spill can not be sufficient to respond been protesting against the applicable and/ or ensure December 2019, the Liza case in a bid to overturn the have far reaching impacts toamassivespill. lackoffullliabilitycoverage continued oil spill response Destiny produced first oil. ruling handed down by High and based on the prevailing Withathirddevelopment from ExxonMobil, since capacity among key national This was followed by the Court Judge, Justice Sandil conditions, can even impact poised for startup later this theyfearthecostsassociated agencies, community based startup of Liza Two in Kissoon on May 3, 2023. So Guy

year, Exxon’s fourth project, with cleaning up a spill will organisations, Regional February 2022 by the Liza far, the EPA’s request for a neighbours Despite the Yellowtail is likely to come betheirburden.

Some scenes from the protest yesterday

Citizens during a protest against the EPA last year

Pres. Ali heads to Brazil for meeting with South American presidents

President Dr Irfaan Ali integration because of the over Unasur’s leadership cannot leave the country departed Guyana for political affinities of the and the participation of The meeting has been Brasilia, Brazil Monday r e g i o n ’ s c u r r e n t Venezuela’s authoritarian, officially promoted as an morning to participate in the governments and appears to President Nicolás Maduro encounter for South Meeting of the Presidents of want to test leaders’ led seven countries to American heads of state, as South American Countries willingness to cooperate withdraw, including Brazil Brazil does not wish to whichopenstoday through a revived Union of in 2019 under Lula’s impose Unasur’s revival, During the visit, South American Nations, or predecessor,thefar-rightJair officialssay President Ali is also Unasur Bolsonaro. The challenge, analysts expected to meet with the Firstestablished15years “Unasur’s greatest say,willbehavingablocthat President of the Federative agoinBrazil’scapitalduring problemisthatitwasbuiltin can survive the region’s Republic of Brazil, HE Luiz the second presidential term a moment when there were political shifts and Inacio Lula da Silva. The of Lula, a former trade leftist leaders, and it instability While the H e a d o f S t a t e i s unionist, the regional bloc shattered when right-wing majority of SouthAmerica’s accompaniedbytheMinister sought to integrate the 12 leaders came along,” said current presidents are leftist of Foreign Affairs and South American nations Oliver Stuenkel, an or centrist, there’s no International Cooperation, culturally, socially, international relations guarantee the situation will Hugh Todd, a press release p o l i t i c a l l y a n d professor at Getúlio Vargas remain that way This was from the Office of the economically Unasur’s Foundation, a university and underscored in May by the Presidentsaid. p r o m o t o r w a s l a t e thinktankinSaoPaulo.“Itis successofChile’sfar-rightin M e a n w h i l e , t h e Venezuelan president Hugo easy to talk about its a vote to select commission Associated Press reported Chávez,whosawitasmeans comeback now, but they members to write a new that the meeting is part of to counteract U.S. influence need to think of ways to constitution. That success President Lula da Silva’s in the region and the group make this second attempt came on the heels of voters’ attempt to reinvigorate had a reputation among last.” rejection of a leftist- reelection this year amid Venezuelan leader Under regional integration efforts some as having a leftist bent. Today’s meeting in influenced draft to replace rampantinflation. Bolsonaro, Brazil prohibited that have previously But a subsequent swing to Brasilia will bring together the Chile’s dictatorship-era Venezuela’s Maduro Maduro and many members floundered amid the therightonthecontinentsaw 11 South American charter A similar swing arrived Monday for the of his government from continent’s political swings the group fracture. The last presidents and the leader of towardtherightispossiblein Brasiliagathering,providing entering the country, and it and polarization. According meeting with all Unasur’s the Council of Ministers of Argentina, given that the opportunity for the first recognizedoppositionleader to AP, Analysts say Lula memberstookplacein2014. Peru, whose president, Dina incumbent PresidentAlberto official bilateral meeting JuanGuaidóasthe senses an opportunity for After 2017, disagreements Boluarte, faces charges and Fernández will not seek between Lula and the (Continued on page 16)

Calls grow for ministers to be fired over Mahdia tragedy

From page 2 and abysmal incompetence building as soon as the door tragedy It has come to light return to office in 2020, the inbehindgrilledbarswithno the Head of State may and ineptness in its failure to is opened Detailed that there were no fire PPP/C administration has easy escape from a clear fire “politely decline”. “Instead provide appropriate fire information can be found on prevention measures and no experienced fires at North hazard. Did no one think of in a shocking and heartless safety measures? Successive Google. The same problem fire detection measures, and Ruimveldt Multilateral in safety? The responsibility decision, the party paraded governments are equally that existed at the Mahdia no administrative system of June, 2021, at Northwest must lie with our leaders, some of the survivors at a culpable; and for that reason dormitory currently can be oversighttoensurethesafety Secondary in September, who are proven time and candle-lit vigil – one even any Commission of Inquiry found at almost all of the sleeping school 2021, at St George’s again to be woefully wearing a cast – comforted must not include or government dormitories children The firefighting Secondary in July, 2022, at incompetent at any aspect of by the very minister influenced by members of throughout the country The service is woefully Amelia’s Ward Primary in t h e r e a l w o r k o f entrusted with their dead either the government or CommissionofInquirymust inadequate in the mining September, 2022, and at governance.” classmates’ safety At some opposition,”Lyesaid. therefore extend to include town of Mahdia, and no one Christ Church in January, ANUG said but the irony point the PPP/C political This, he said must serve these as well as all other seems to know how the 2023 In each case, the cannot be lost that the main drama we all live in, as a wake-up call for us all, governmentbuildings.” c u s t o d i a n / p e r s o n incident was characterised opposition party has becomes a dark absurdist andaffectedparentsmustnot Lye said too that night responsible was unable to byunpreparednessofthe demonstrated equal pantomime. This has been a be taken in by platitudes and clubs and other similar help before the fire to grow administration, by incompetence during their damaging week, a hard expressions of sympathy public venues are similar outofcontrol,”ANUGsaid. absence of smoke detectors, term in office “That week. Not only the loss of from the President and his potential fire traps. “In the ANUG observed that the f i r e a l a r m s , f i r e administrationexperienceda human life but a stark, grey ministers. “Make no mistake case of grilled private government has flooded extinguishers, fire response fire at the Drop-in Centre at reminder that we live in a about it: The buck stops at dwellings, each bedroom media outlets with pictures systems. Sophia in July, 2016, where country that continues to be thegovernment,”Lyesaid. shouldbefittedwithagrilled of caring and sympathetic Each of these fires two boys perished and 19 very badly run with little He reasoned that in all windowthatswingsoutward Ministers, and have made presented an easy lesson managedtoescape. regard for its citizens’safety public buildings, fire escape and bolted on the inside for lavish promises of relief to which should have alerted The Inquiry ordered by No amount of oil money in doors must be fitted with easy access to the exterior I families of victims, all in the even the most inept of P r e s i d e n t G r a n g e r the world will change that,” what are called “panic bars” hope that these observations hope that this will detract leadersthatafireprevention, concluded that there were theeditorialsaidscathingly which when pressed, causes mightassisttheCommission attention from any question alarm and safety system was ‘systematic failures at all Who will charge the those doors to open o f I n q u i r y i n i t s of accountability “The urgently needed in our levels’. government? immediately and with little deliberations.” stratagem has not worked: schools. No systems were Businessman and civil effort.

Lavish promises of relief

the Leader of the Opposition

The party asked at what implemented: just one year society activist, Clairmonte No bolts, locks or Also weighing on the has called for the resignation point must Guyanese all later, in June, 2017, a fire at Lye, who had famously padlocks are installed on tragedy, A New and United oftheMinistersofEducation agree that a lesson ought to the Juvenile Detention returned his national award these doors. “The obvious Guyana (ANUG) in a and HomeAffairs. So who is have been learned, and the Centre in Sophia resulted in to the state in protest against concernisthatpersonsmight statement last weekend said to blame? ANUG agrees Ministers with oversight of some children being rushed the then President Bharrat use such fire exit doors to the deaths of the 19 children with the Leader of the schoolsandsocialprotection to hospital when someone J a g d e o p u l l i n g l e a v e t h e b u i l d i n g trapped behind locked doors

Opposition: the Ministers should have realised that set alight a mattress. Equally advertisements from the undetected However, and grilled windows has must be held accountable. perhaps the implementation damning: on 3rd March, Stabroek News in a letter to technology exits whereby horrified the nation. “Our They ought to have expected of a fire prevention and fire 2016,17inmateswerekilled this newspaper called for an the door can be fitted with a citizens have helplessly and been prepared for fire, safety system might be a when a firewas startedatthe independent Commission of tamper-proof electronic watched in shared sorrow as and taken safety precautions good idea? “Why do our Camp Street Prison. The Inquiry “Ithasbeenreported alarm which is sounded as events came to light. Very as a matter of a standard and leaders wait for nineteen administration did not learn that charges will be made soon as the door is opened. quickly, anger and outrage fixed system of operation. children to die before from that ‘easy lesson’. Just against the girl who This serves to deter persons have replaced that sorrow This is not the first fire at a someone says ‘A system one year later, on 9th July, allegedly caused the fire at from leaving the building, We now see the growing call s c h o o l d u r i n g t h i s should be in place.’To make 2017,theCampStreetprison the Mahdia dormitory So and in event of a fire, the for ‘justice’; our citizens administration.” matters worse, this building was razed to the ground by a who will charge the alarm will automatically need someone to blame, to According to ANUG in was designed for security, second fire, ”

government for its absolute alert everyone in the hold responsible for the the short period since its and the children were locked lamented.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Brazil President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

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Uganda enacts harsh anti-LGBTQ law including death penalty

Reuters - Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni signed one of the world’s toughest anti-LGBTQ laws, including the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”, drawing Western condemnation and risking sanctions from aid

donors. Same-sex relations were already illegal in Uganda, as in more than 30 African countries, but the new law goes further.

It stipulates capital punishment for “serial offenders” against the law and transmission of a terminal illness like HIV/AIDS through gay sex. It also decrees a 20-year sentence for “promoting” homosexuality.

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“The Ugandan president has today legalised statesponsored homophobia and transphobia,” said Clare Byarugaba, a Ugandan rights activist.

United States President Joe Biden called the move “a tragic violation” of human rights and said Washington would evaluate the implications of the law “on all aspects of U.S. engagement with Uganda.”

“We are considering additional steps, including the application of sanctions and restriction of entry into the United States against anyone involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption,” he said.

A presidency photo of Museveni showed him signing the law with a golden pen at his desk. The 78-year-old has called homosexuality a “deviation from normal” and urged lawmakers to resist “imperialist” pressure.

A local organisation, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum, and 10 other individuals later filed a complaint against the law at the constitutional court, one of the petitioners, Busingye Kabumba, told Reuters.

LGBTQ attitudes have hardened in recent years, in part due to campaigning by Western evangelical church groups.

Uganda receives billions of dollars in foreign aid each year and could now face adverse measures from donors and investors, as happened with a similar bill nine years ago.

REPRISALS?

The bill’s sponsor, Asuman Basalirwa, told reporters that parliament speaker Anita Among’s U.S. visa was cancelled after the law was signed. Among and the U.S. embassy in Uganda did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

disappointed and the law ran counter to Ugandans’ economic interests.

The U.N. human rights body declared itself “appalled”.

Uganda’s move could encourage lawmakers in neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania seeking similar measures.

“What a leader we’ve in Africa!” tweeted George Kaluma, a Kenyan member of parliament who submitted an anti-LGBTQ bill in April.

“Kenya is following you in this endeavour to save humanity.”

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Museveni had sent the original bill passed in March back, asking parliament to tone down some provisions. But his ultimate approval was not seen as in doubt in a conservative country where anti-

In a joint statement, the U.S.’s flagship HIV/AIDS programme PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said the law put Uganda’s anti-HIV fight “in grave jeopardy”.

Dominic Arnall, chief executive of Open For Business, a coalition of companies that includes Google (GOOGL.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O), said the group was deeply

The inclusion of the death penalty for offences like transmitting HIV has drawn particular outrage internationally.

Existing Ugandan law calls for a maximum 10-year sentence for intentionally transmitting HIV and does not apply when the person who contracted the infection was aware of their sexual partner’s HIV status.

By contrast, the new law makes no distinction between intentional and unintentional transmission and contains no exception based on awareness of HIV status.

Pres. Ali heads to Brazil for meeting...

From page 15 legitimate president of Venezuela.

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“No matter if both governments agree with each other, Venezuela is a neighbor and can’t be ignored or have diplomatic ties broken, as we have practical issues that need to be solved,” said Carolina Silva Pedroso, an international relations professor at Sao Paulo’s Federal University.

Pedroso said Brazil could be a mediator in Venezuela’s political crisis, and it wants to reduce the number of immigrants crossing the border into Brazil, more than 400,000 since 2018. But the group must overcome its legacy and struggles. Unasur “couldn’t lead important projects in cooperation in diverse areas after some governments were

electorally defeated,” said Pedroso. “And it did not establish a direct connection with the populations in its countries.”

The politically instability in many South American countries will make it hard for leaders to move initiatives forward, analysts said. Stuenkel said Brazil will want to guarantee that all the presidents meeting have some sort of diplomatic relationship, “but this will crash when a new president comes in.”

“Countries in the region need to think how they will react when Argentina breaks, or if any bilateral crisis evolves, such as Colombia and Peru’s conflict in the border,” he said. Peru’s image has been damaged by criticism of Boluarte after her office violently repressed anti-govern-

ment protests following the ouster of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo. Colombia, now governed by a leftist, has been critical of Boluarte’s government and both countries have cut diplomatic relations. They also hold a century-long dispute along their shared border over territory and responsibilities to halt drug trafficking. Ecuador faces political instability which grew stronger in May, when president Guillermo Lasso dissolved parliament after facing an impeachment inquiry. New general elections are scheduled for later this year. “A Unasur without 12 countries would not solve the region’s issues,” said ambassador Padovan. “And we need something permanent that does not depend on particular governments.”

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni speaks during a Reuters interview at his farm in Kisozi settlement of Gomba district, in the Central Region of Uganda, January 16, 2022. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa/File Photo

Govt. approves 13 more Local Content Annual Plans for 2023

The Ministry of Natural Resources on Monday announced that it has approved 13 additional Local ContentAnnual Plans forthereportingyear,2023.

These plans will ensure that the exploration and production activities undertaken by the companies will maximise local participation, promote economic diversification, a n d f o s t e r s o c i a l development.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat in the company of the Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab and the ministry’sLegalOfficer,Mr Michael Munroe, signed the companies’ Letters of Approval at the ministry’s KingstonofficeonMay24.

Theapprovedcompanies were Bourbon Guyana Incorporated; CNOOC

Petroleum Guyana Limited;

Guyana Deepwater Operations(SBMOffshore); Guyana Shore Base Incorporated; Noble Drilling Guyana Incorporated; SLB Guyana; Stena Carron Drilling Limited; Tenaris GuyanaIncorporated;Tullow Guyana BV; Weatherford Trinidad Limited (Guyana); Tiger Rental; Sustainable Energy Solutions, and OEG Energy Inc The Local Content Act states that contractors, sub-contractors and licensees operating in Guyana’s petroleum sector mustsubmitaLocalContent Annual Plan, outlining in detail their procurement, employment and capacity development plans for the reporting year Just last week, the ministry green lit the annual plans of five oil majorsoperatinginGuyana, including Stabroek Block operator, ExxonMobil

Guyana.

As part of the signing, Minister Bharrat reminded that local content is of paramountimportancetothe government and people of Guyana He said that it ensures the development of natural resources translates intotangiblebenefitsforthe people by generating employment opportunities, and fostering the growth of localbusinesses.

Commenting as well, SLB’s Managing Director, Sharlene Seegoolam stated, “AttheheartofSLB’svaluesis the principle of recruiting locally We take immense pride in hiring and collaboratingwithexceptional individuals from Guyana” Meanwhile, Noble Drilling’s Local Content Manager, Mrs.RenathaKhan–Bovell remarked, “This approval is a representation of our milestones/ commitment

Pilot, Orlando Charles to be charged with 16 counts of human trafficking

Orlando Charles, a 45-

Businessman of Lot 45

Middle Street, Georgetown, is to be charged by ranks of the Guyana Police Force’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit, with 16 counts of Trafficking in Persons, Contrary to Section 3(1)(i) of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, No.2of2005.

In a press release last night the Guyana Police Force said

Orlando Charles

River in Region 7 and Georgetown

The victims reported the matter to the Guyana Police Force, and members of the Trafficking in Persons Unit

oftheCriminalInvestigation Department immediately conductedaninvestigation.

F o l l o w i n g t h e investigation, legal advice was given by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for Charles to be charged with 16 counts of TraffickinginPersons.

“The Guyana Police Force’sTIPUnit, in efforts to combat Trafficking in Persons, will continue to w o r k w i t h o t h e r stakeholders to conduct intelligence-led operations, spotinspections, awareness, and training in every region of Guyana,” the release concluded.

throughout the lifespan of our contract where we offer support to the economic development in the local communities.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources was keen to note that it remains committed to

the effective implementation and monitoring of local content policies, ensuring transparency, accountability, andcompliance It also noted that the government will continue to work closely with the approved

companies and all stakeholders to foster an enabling environment that empowers local businesses, develops local capacity, and promotes sustainable development in the natural resourcessector

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, MP., hands over the signed Letter of Approval to SLB’s Managing Director, Ms Sharlene Seegoolam. The men are joined in the background by the Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab and the ministry’s Legal Officer, Mr Michael Munroe.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, MP, hands over the signed Letter of Approval to Noble Drilling’s Local Content Manager , Mrs Renatha Khan – Bovell

Spanish PM calls snap elections after setbacks in local polls

CNN — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has a n n o u n c e d s n a p parliamentary elections in July, hours after his ruling Socialists suffered major setbacks in regional and localelections.

In a nationally televised statement, Sanchez said he had informed Spain’s King Felipe VI, the head of state, to hold parliamentary electionsonJuly23,andthat an extraordinary cabinet meeting would be held later Monday to approve the decision.

“I took this decision in light of the results of yesterday’s elections,” said Sanchez.

The conservative Popular Party made huge gains in Sunday’s elections, defeating incumbent Socialists in numerous key regional and city governments, including in the Valencia regional governmentintheeastofthe country and Seville city hall inthesouth.

Popular Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo welcomedthemove.

“Our country has embarked on a journey of renewalthathasnowproven to be unstoppable,” he tweeted, calling on supporters to deliver “an

uncontested majority” in July’selections.

“Spain is ready for change,”addedFeijoo.

Sanchez, 51, became prime minister in 2018 after winning a vote of no confidence in parliament against then-conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy

Sanchez then won a general election in November 2019, but fell short of a majority He formed a coalition government with the leftist Podemos party, which also suffered setbacks in Sunday’slocalelections.

Sanchez’s government has been a staunch ally of Ukraine, sending tanks, air defense systems and other aid to Kyiv following Russia’s invasion. Domestically he has pushed a progressive agenda, including policies on women’s rights and a euthanasialaw

The prime minister is making “a complex chess move,” Andres Villena, a professor at Madrid’s Complutense University, toldCNN.

“Sanchez’s decision to move up the elections could neutralize the honeymoon f o r t h e i n c o m i n g conservative leaders” in the

localelections,Villenasaid. Members of the Spanish Armed Forces give training to Ukrainian military personnel in the operation and maintenance of Leopard battle tanks, at San Gregorio Training CenterinZaragoza,Spainon March 13, 2023. Spanish Leopard 2 tanks are on their way to Ukraine, defense ministerconfirms Villena said the snap elections also add pressure on the untested national candidate Feijoo, who became leader of the Popular Party only last year His party won Sunday’s vote but fell just shortofmajoritiesinvarious regional and local governments and the snap poll in July might also dissuade Feijoo from allowing those conservative winners to make local governingdealswiththefarright Vox party, which also scoredgains.

The announcement, Villena added, also puts pressure on the leftist Podemos party, the junior member of Sanchez’s governingcoalition,tomake election campaigning deals with another leftist party, Sumar, which could boost chances for the progressives towinseatsinJuly

Popular Party (PP) supporters celebrating on Sunday (Javier Soriano/AFP/Getty Images)

Housing, small business support for families of Mahdia fire victims -Pres.Ali

- one student remains in critical condition at GPHC

F o l l o w i n g t h e within their communities Meanwhile, while the shebetransferredoverseas. condition is stable and Delecia Edwards, Lorita devastatingfireonMay21at and close to their families. 15-year-old girl who is Kaieteur News had guarded. The fire at the W i l l i a m s , N a t a l i e Mahdia, which claimed the ThePresidentsaidthatinthe accused of setting the dorm reported that following the Mahdia female dormitory Bellarmine, Arriana lives of 19 children, interim, teachers will travel on fire was charged and fire, a friend of one the fire took place last Sunday Edwards, Cleoma Simon, President Irfaan Ali has to the communities where remanded to prison victim had consumed a and claimed the lives of 19 Subrina John, Martha pledged to support the the students live to teach yesterday, Kaieteur News poisonous substance He children- 18 girls and a 5- D’Andrade,(andtwin)Mary families affected in every themuntileffortsaremadeto understands that one of the was transferred from the year-old boy Among the D’Andrade, Belnisa Evans, wayneeded. construct special facilities in students from the deadly fire Mahdia Hospital last week casualties were twin sisters. Loreen Evans, Omerfia

H o n o u r i n g h i s those communities. He also is still a patient at the and has been a patient at the The names of the children Edwin, Nickleen Robinson, commitment, the President a n n o u n c e d a t t h e Georgetown Public Hospital GPHC receiving treatment. who died on Sunday are as Sherena Daniel, Eulander on Sunday hosted a dinner at engagement that counselling Corporation (GPHC) Yesterday, it was related to follow: Adonijah Jerome, Carter, Andrea Roberts, and his residence, State House specialists from overseas IntensiveCareUnit. this publication that his TracilThomas,LisaRoberts, RitaJeffrey for the families of those who will be brought to Guyana to The hospital related to perished and students who work with the local this publication yesterday were in the dorm during the counsellors As reported, that her condition is listed as tragedy During the counselling is currently stable and guarded. Among engagement the President ongoing for all the families, her, there are two other girls spoke individually to those students and communities who remain patients at the in attendance and listened to affected by the tragic hospital. They are presently their concerns and asked incident. admitted in the Highthem about ways that the On Sunday, the Head of Dependency Unit (HDU) Government could enhance State mentioned too that receivingtreatment. theirlives. students in need of Kaieteur News was told

Inabriefstatementonhis specialised surgeries will be that the other girls were Facebook page, the sent to Cuba. “What we are discharged from the hospital President shared that among going to do is to give you over the holiday weekend. It the support discussed were support,”hetoldthestudents was reported that one of the housing, small business andfamiliesathisresidence. student who were badly ownership, and educational Also at the dinner, the burnt was medevaced to a support in the communities President took time to hospital in New York for wherethechildrenresided. express his gratitude to the further treatment.According

Many of the students, persons who has allocated totheMinistryofHealth,the who escaped the fire, also their time and energy to girl underwent two surgeries spoke on Sunday about support the victims of the at GPHC and though her wanting to return to school. Mahdia Secondary School condition improved steadily Some are hoping to do so dormfire. itwasdeemednecessarythat

President Irfaan Ali on Sunday meeting with students and families affected by the Mahdia dorm fire at his residence. (Photo courtesy, President Irfaan Ali’s Facebook page)

France crashes out at Under-20 World Cup, England secures top of group

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — France crashed out of the Under-20 World Cup on Sunday despite a 3-1 group stage win against Honduras.

The French lost their first two matches in Group F, from which Gambia and South Korea advanced to the knockout stage.

France, playing most of the match in La Plata down to 10 men, needed only one more goal to take Tunisia’s spot in the round-of-16 as one of the four best third-placed teams, but fell short.

Ousmane Camara was sent off in the 13th minute and Odin Ramos opened the scor-

ing for Honduras two minutes later with a free kick that resulted from the Frenchman’s crude tackle.

Starlet Alan Virginius still gave the French a turnaround with goals in the 41st and 60th minutes.

Feliz Nzouango found the back of the net in the 77th minute, but France failed to add a fourth against an exhausted Honduran team.

Gambia and South Korea drew 0-0 in the other match of the group.

The African team will face Uruguay in the next stage, while the Asian side will take on Ecuador.

Earlier, England secured

Tuesday May 30, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Share your skills today, Aries. You will find that as you engage in the role of teacher, you learn more than if you just hold onto your knowledge without sharing it.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

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GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

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CANCER (June 21–July 22)

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LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

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VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Consider composing a bit of poetry today, Virgo. Use this as an exercise to condense your ocean of emotions into a very few words.

top spot in Group E with a 0-0 draw against Iraq.

Uruguay finished second thanks to a 1-0 win over Tunisia with an injury-time goal

GCB Girls U19 Inter-County 30-Overs tournament…

Inclement weather

England’s Samuel Edozie, front, runs with the ball

spoils opening round at Everest

The opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board Girls U19 Inter-County 30-Overs tournament was washed out following showers yesterday.

from the spot.

Thanks to France’s failure, Tunisia will advance and face Brazil in the next round.

England f aces Italy in the round of 16 on Wednesday.

England wasted a chance to score from the spot in the first half when Iraq goalkeeper Hussein Hasan saved a penalty taken by Harvey Vale.

Over at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, Demerara and Essequibo were set for battle before persistent showers interrupted any hint of action. Should weather permit,

Essequibo will have another go come today, when they battle Berbice at the same Everest venue, with their bout set to get underway from 10:30h.

The third and final round also set for Everest will see Demerara and Berbice locking horns in the final showdown of the competition.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Just because your emotions are reserved or somber today doesn't mean you shouldn't share them with others, Libra. Work through difficulties.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You may need to jump to many different people and situations today, Scorpio, yet something is holding you back. Listen to this inner voice that's asking you to be conservative at this time.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

ou feel like you have a stone strapped to your back, Sagittarius. The farther you walk with this load, the slower you go, and the more hunched over you will be by the time you reach your destination.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It

Feel free to break ties with certain people now, Capricorn. You may be overextending your emotional bank account by investing too much of yourself in others' lives.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Less is more should be your motto for today, Aquarius. The more you cut back in certain areas of your life, the more room you open up to bring in new and exciting things.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You may be asked to slow down today, Pisces. Whether this comes in the form of a speeding ticket or a scrape on the knee when you trip.

“It will be tough, but we know them well,” Vale said about Italy after the match.

Franco Gonzalez scored late for Uruguay.

Wiruni defeat Sandhill...

From page 24 Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Port Mourant, RHT Thunderbolt Flour, Upper Corentyne and Skeldon.

Chairman of the BCB Cricket Competition Committee Leslie Solomon stated that he was impressed with the standard of the two teams and urged them to continue working on their game. Solomon also expressed gratitude to Narine for his sponsorship of the tournament.

AP Invitational shifts to...

From page 24 at the NACAC New Life Invitational in The Bahamas. Her time places her in the top five in the world this year, with only Britton Wilson, Gabrielle Thomas, Rhasidat Adeleke, and Stacy-Ann Williams running faster than Abrams in the 400m.

Already qualifying for the World Athletics 2023 World Championships in Track and Field, Abrams said one of her goals this season is to be a finalist at the event set for August 19 – 27 in Budapest, Hungary, while also “dipping under 50s.”

Pompey said that along with Abrams, the AP Invitational will feature a roster of high-level athletes from around the world.

Jadeja comes up big to lead CSK to fifth IPL title

SportsMax - Ravindra

Jadeja was the hero as the Chennai Super Kings beat the Gujarat Titans by fivewickets in the final of the 2023IndianPremierLeague at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad yesterday

The Titans, after being put in to bat by the Super Kings, made an imposing 214-4 off their 20 overs.Sai Sudharsan made an extremelycomposed47-ball 96 for the Titans including eight fours and six sixes while Wriddhiman Saha made54off39ballsearlier

A prolonged rain-delay

withCSK4-0afterjustthree balls meant that, upon the return,theyneededarevised targetof171in15overs

CSK’s formidable opening pair of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad continued their excellent form this season, puttingon74forthefirstwicket beforeGaikwadwentfora16ball26 Conway,whotopscored fortheSuperKingswent,soon after,fora25-ball47 Intheend, anunbeaten22-runpartnership between Shivam Dube (32*) and Ravindra Jadeja (15*) handed Chennai their fifth IPL title, putting them alongside the Mumbai

Indiansatthetopofthepile. Thematchcamedowntothe last two deliveries, with Jadeja facing pacer Mohit Sharma needing10towin

He hit the fifth ball of the finaloverforastraightsixbefore clippingthefinalballdowntothe finelegboundarytosecurethe win Sharmatriedhisbestwith the ball, taking 3-36 from his threeoverswhileNoorAhmad took2-17fromhisthree Scores: Chennai Super Kings 171 for 5 in 15 overs (Conway47,Dube32*,Mohit 3-36) beat Gujarat Titans 214 for4(Sudharsan96,Saha54) by five wickets on DLS method.

Namilco join hands with GRFU

The National Milling Company of Guyana Incorporated (NAMILCO) hasonceagainreaffirmedits commitment to support the Guyana Rugby Football Union(GRFU)byextending its sponsorship to offset the National Under19 team’s trip to Jamaica. NAMILCO has a long-standing history of supporting various educational, sporting, and community activities in the recentpast.

However, NAMILCO, a loyal supporter of rugby, presented a sponsorship cheque to the GRFU Treasurer,TroyYhip,during a brief ceremony held at the company’s Boardroom in Agricola, East Bank Demerara. The sponsorship fundswillaidincoveringthe expensesassociatedwiththe team’s travel to Jamaica for the upcoming regional tournament The young GreenMachineisscheduled to compete in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Senior Women’s 12s and M e n ’ s U n d e r - 1 9 championship from July 1216 at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.

Notably, NAMILCO’s extended sponsorship to the GRFU, does not only demonstrate their continued commitment to youth rugby but it also serves as an inspiration for other entities to contribute towards the development and growth of

thesportinGuyana.

Meanwhile, expressing his heartfelt appreciation during the presentation, GRFU Treasurer Yhip conveyedhisgratitudetothe company for their unwaveringsupporttowards local rugby throughout the years He emphasized, “NAMILCO has been a steadfast supporter of youth rugby in Guyana for approximately twelve years. On this occasion, I want to extendmyheartfeltthanksto the National Milling Company for their continuous and invaluable support.”

“Our U19 team is currently preparing to participate in the RAN championship for the first time since the Covid-19 hiatus,andweareextremely p l e a s e d w i t h t h i s sponsorship from one of our longest-serving supporters,” Yhipadded.

Yhip also called upon other businesses and organizations to join hands with the GRFU in its efforts to restore the game to its formerglory Heurgedthem to consider supporting the union as it strives to uplift and promote rugby within theregion.

GRFU Treasurer Troy Yhip (left) receives cheque of sponsorship from NAMILCO Marketing Supervisor Alicia Anderson.

CSK mob their man-of-the-moment Ravindra Jadeja as the fans soak it all in. (BCCI)

ExxonMobil Boys & Girls U14 Tournament… New Boys’ champion to be crowned -Girls’quarterfinalistsdecided

The Round-of-16 and Quarterfinals stages of the 2023 ExxonMobil Boys and Girls Under-14 Tournament have been confirmed following two days of intense match-ups over the weekend at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Ground,CarifestaAvenue.

In the Girls’ Division, eight teams have advanced; the winners of the five groups along with the best threesecond-placefinishers. FortheBoys’Division,only the top two teams from the eight Groups have slotted spotsinthenextround.

The winners of the five Girls’ Groups, who automatically advanced were Waramuri Top, Tucville, Ann’s Grove, President’s College and Bartica while the best second-place finishers were Charlestown, New Central High and Marian Academy

The male teams that have advanced are Cummings Lodge, W a r a m u r i T o p , Westminster, Bush Lot, Fort Wellington, Patentia, Bartica, Vergenoegen, New Central High, M a c k e n z i e H i g h , Christianburg/Wismar, Dolphin, Chase’s Academic Foundation, Dora, East

Ruimveldt and Marian Academy

A new Boys’ champion will be crowned this year following the elimination of the defending champion, Charlestown, while the femaledefendingchampion, alsoCharlestown,arestillin thebattletoretainthetitle.

On Sunday, there were 10 female winners from the 10 scheduled matches while 14 Boys’ teams recorded victories and four teams playedtodraws.

In the Girls’ Division, Waramuri Top put forth a n o t h e r d o m i n a n t performance with a 13 – 0 w i n o v e r N e w

Campbellville, Tucville defeatedChristChurch5–0, Dorawon2–0againstNew

Amsterdam, Bartica defeated IAE 4 – 0 while MarianAcademy triumphed 6–0.

The other half of the women’s card saw

Charlestown win 3 – 0 against Cummings Lodge, President’s College sank Westminster 2 – 0, St

Stanislaus needled

Vergenoegen (1 – 0), Ann’s Grove defeated East Ruimveldt 2 – 0 while New Central High gained a walkover from West Ruimveldt.

Over in the Boys’

Division, Bartica dominated Carmel 10 – 0, Dora defeated North Ruimveldt 5 – 0, Waramuri Top defeated President’s College 2 – 1, Bush Lot needled Westminster, Vergenoegen sankNewAmsterdam4–0, New Central High defeated Mackenzie High 3 – 0, Patentia defeated Fort Wellington 2 – 1, St StanislaustrouncedHope4–0,CummingsLodgewon3–0 against IAE, West Ruimveldtwon2–1against A n n a n d a l e , N e w Campbellville needled Queenstown and Chase’s Academic Foundation sank Ann’s Grove 3 – 1.In the other matches, East R u i m v e l d t a n d

Christianburg/Wismar playedto1–1drawsagainst Marian Academy and Dolphin, while Charlestown and Christ Church recorded walkover wins against Charity and St Cuthbert’s Mission,respectively

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

Delroy Tyrrell, Guyana’s New Swim Sprint King

Delroy Tyrrell, Guyana’s new Swim Sprint king was dominant at the National Aquatic Centre in Trinidad where he resides lastweekend.

Fresh from his achievements in Trinidad and swimming in the 18 and over category, Delroyshowedhissuperiorityandtalent.

Competinginfourevents,hewonthe100 butterflyinatimeof58.14sdownfrom1:06s.

Delroy proved technically ahead of his peers as he powered his way to 25.95s to capturethe50mbutterfly

Though exhausted and tired from the weekend before, he wasn’t done yet. He clocked 24.51s in the 50m front crawl (freestyle)and54.91sinthe100frontcrawl.

Delroy won all his events in the 18 and overcategory

Delroy secured a PAN AMERICAN SELECTIONTIME when he swam 59.38 in the100backstrokeinTrinidadandisexcited torepresentGuyanainOctoberofthisyear

ThePanAmericanchampionshipswillbe heldinSantiago,Chile.

Bartica Secondary’s goal scorers on Sunday were (from left) Joshua Joseph, Jaydan Daniels, Mesach Williamson, Rondell Washington, Durrell Washington and Riley Tracey.

Delroy Tyrrell

BCB/DaveWestIndianImportsBerbiceRiver40oversTournament…

Wiruni defeat Sandhill Friendship to emerge as Champions

The Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) ongoing county-wide 2nd division tournament with almost a hundred teams, continued this past weekend as Wiruni starred in a big win to claim thechampionship.

The tournament is divided into five sub divisions where a champion would emerge and then the five champions would play inaplayofftodeterminethe overallBerbiceChampion.

On Friday last, Wiruni defeated arch rivals Sand HillFriendshiptoemergeas the champions of the BCB/ Dave West Indian Imports Tournament for teams in the BerbiceRiverarea.

Three teams- Wiruni, Sand Hills Friendship and Ebini participated in the

tournament which is being sponsoredbyDaveNarine,a N e w Yo r k b a s e d businessman who owns and operates the popular Dave WestIndianImportbusiness.

Wiruni won the toss and elected to bat first in the match, which was attended byalargeandnoisycrowdof riverainresidents.

Wiruni scored 201 for 6

off their allotted overs with Desmond Osborne top scoring with 62 (four boundaries and four huge sixesandfourhugesixesand he received support from J.

Sinclairwhoscored26.

Bowling for Sandhill

Friendship, Kelvin Evans claimed 4 for 19 in an impressive spell Colin Welcome supported Evans with two wickets for nine runs.

In reply, Sandhills

Friendship were bowled out for89runsin20overstolose by 112 runs Randy DeNobreyatopscoredwitha polished 49 but he received no support in a poor batting exhibition.

N Thomas took 4 wicketsfor36runswhileG.

McKenzietook3wicketsfor 6 runs. Desmond Osborne was declared the Man of the Finalsforhisinningsof62.

BCB President Hilbert Foster congratulated Wiruni on winning the tournament.

He explained that similar finalswouldbeplayedinthe West Berbice, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne areas Foster statedthathisadministration was committed to developmentofthegame.

The President also announced to loud applause thathistorywouldbecreated when a first division team from the Berbice River area plays in the BCB/ Speaker’s Cup20/20tournament.

This would be the first time that a Berbice River teamwouldbeplayingatthe first division level in the historyofBerbiceCricket.

They would join West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, TucberPark,Young

(Continuedonpage21)

AP Invitational shifts to July 22

T h e 2 0 2 3 A P Invitational, the first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour event in Guyana, will now be held on July 22, organiser Aliann Pompey announcedyesterday

After a four-year hiatus, theAPInvitationaltrackand field championship was scheduled to return on Saturday, June 24, at the National Track and Field CentreinEdinburgh.

Pompey, Guyana’s Commonwealth Games 400m gold and silver medallist, saw her fifth edition of the AP Invitational,likemostsports events in 2020, cancelled becauseofCOVID-19.

According to Pompey, “The decision was made to changethedatetoensurewe can have a high-level competition that meets all the international standards and expectations. The new dategivesusabetterchance to execute all of our objectives and should be seen as a great thing - our athletes will be better prepared as it’s in the latter partoftheseason.”

“The financial backing of the Minister responsible for Sport, Honourable Minister Charles Ramson, the new Guyana Olympic Association(GOA)Godfrey Munroe, and his executives makes it possible to add some new features to this year’s competition that will make it a must-see event,” Pompeysaid.

National 400m Record Holder Aliyah Abrams

Pompey’s decision to change the date of the AP Invitational places the event within the qualification window for the 2026 Olympics. The event, which ranitsinauguralcompetition in 2016, saw 11 athletes move on to compete at the OlympicGamesinRio.

“I’m extremely excited aboutthisyear’scompetition - the hiatus because of COVID and other factors made us all see the tremendous value of having something like this here in Guyana. I don’t think we’ve missed a beat. I believe this will be the best one yet,” Pompeysaid.

The Olympian pointed

out that “the financial backing of the Minister responsible for Sport, Honourable Minister Charles Ramson, and the new Guyana Olympic Association(GOA)Godfrey Munroe and his executives makes it possible to add some new features to this year’s competition that will makeitamust-seeevent.”

T h i s y e a r ’s A P Invitational will be headlinedbyNational400m Record Holder Aliyah Abrams, who is having a sensationalseason.

Abrams recently reset Guyana’s 400m record with aremarkabletimeof50.20s (Continuedonpage21)

The winning Wiruni Cricket Team

Surinamese horses showing great potential in preparation for the Breeders Cup

Top Surinamese stable Club Neutraal is showing phenomenal growth and anticipates victory in the Breeders Cup Horse Race carded for Sunday 11th June, 2023 at the Bush Lot United Turf Club. Hailing from Wanica mere minutes away from Paramaribo Suriname, Club Neutraal has sent four champion horses thus far to Guyanaforupcomingraces.

The Club was able to secure their first win at the recently held Race Of

Champions where Black cat was able to overturn other localhorsestocaptureawin. The Surinamese trainer and groomers are in full training modetokeepthemomentum going for the Breeders Cup. The Club sent yet another champion Surinamese bred horse named Jet Lee that is expected to make her first run for Breeders Cup once thetrainerapproves.

Head trainer and Club Chairman Mr Danny Gummels and assistant trainer Tariq Abdoelrahman hasbeenworkingbeyondthe

Black Cat of the Surinamese stable Club Neutraal has been showing much promise for the upcoming event.

call of duty to ensure their horses receive exceptional careandtrainingastheClub

pushesforwardin2023. During a telephone interview Mr Gummels stated, “We have been supporting The Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee and by extension horse racing in Guyana for manyyears Theexposureand attention these horses receive ishealthy,isverygoodandwe urge more Surinamese horse owners and stable to follow Thusfarwehavefourhorses on the ground in Guyana all working towards topping

their class and bring home those wins. We feel very welcomedwhenwecometo Guyana to compete and we are in discussions with Surinamese stake holders to host a similar race in back home.

We have received tremendouspositivereviews withourchampionlocalbred Black Cat and we expect similar attention for the newestaddition,JetLee.

We had the pleasure of visiting the newly

refurbishedBushLotUnited TurfClubtrackandwasvery impressed with the work done From what we understand it’s the first all weather track in Guyana and we are excited for the upcomingraceonSunday11th June We are increasingly please with the facilities offered at the Jumbo Jet Stables located in Bush Lot andishonoredtoworkalong with Nasrudeen ‘Junior’ Mohamed who has been quiteaccommodating.

Jet Lee of the Surinamese stable Club Neutraal is expected to compete pending clearance from it trainers.

Two of the Surinamese horses seen at gallops at the Bush Lot race track.

Chennai Super Kings’celebrate with trophy after winning their fifth title. (BCCI)

Part of the final Group stage action on Sunday in the Girls Division of the ExxonMobil Boys & Girls U14 Championships.