Kaieteur News

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Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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EDITORIAL

US$214M audit –Gossai carrying the load

ItwasformerPresidentDonaldRamotarwhospokeout publicly asking why no one had been fired in the US$214 millionscandal. Sometwoweeksintowhatwasbilledasa full ‘investigation’, and a thorough ‘probe’, the PPPC Government has an answer for Mr Ramotar Senior Ministry of Natural Resources employee, Mr Gopinath Gossaiisthemanonthehotseat,staringatthefiringline. The problem is that what the former president called for, viz.,peoplebeingfired,andwhatthePPPCGovernmentis very cleverly speaking about, which is some form of discipline,couldbetwothingsthatarepolesapart.

Thismysteryofthemanbehindthenegotiatingdown,in effect the giving away of, some US$211 million out of US$214 million in audit findings, is now solved. This is what Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharat, and VicePresidentJagdeo,wouldhaveusbelieve. Thatis,all roadsleadtoandterminatewithGopinathGossai. Former President Ramotar may be delighted that his call from the presidential pulpit that he once occupied, has been responded to so niftily and so conclusively by his peers in thePPPCGovernment.

Onthefaceofit,thegivingupofGossaiastheonewho erredinhishandlingoftheUS$214millionauditfindings, shouldbeaboutallthatspeakstocleangovernance,inthat there are no sacred cows- no untouchables where this oil wealthisconcerned.Theproblemfromthispaper’spointof view is that Mr Gopinath Gossai acting on his own with hundreds of millions of American dollars involved is stretching matters too far. No Guyanese should be this limitedinthinkingthat,thatisallthereistothisthickaudit darkness,andthatoneNaturalResourcesworkerengagedin whathedidallbyhimself. Thiscountrydoesnotworkthis way, and even more emphatically, this is not the PPPC Government’s modus operandi. Many ministers in the government have had to watch helplessly while the bigger and more eye-catching duties associated with their portfolios have been seized by the more powerful in their midst. Ifthepowerandscopeofsomeminister’sfunctions have been usurped, then it belittles the senses to offer up GopinathGossaiasthesolitarysacrificiallamb.

This is our position, and it is one in which we believe Gossai was ready, willing, and cooperative. Frankly, any quick scan of the coast for audit culprits would even more quickly reveal that there are not many from which to pick therightmantofetchthehernia. Thatis,amanwhocould bedependedupontokeephismouthshutaboutwhatreally wenton,andwhopushedhimtowhereheendedupwiththat US$211 million audit reduction. In Gossai, the political powershavetheirman,andheissuretoholdhispeace,and bidehistime.

Relativetobidinghistime,thereisthisjokeaboutsome formofdisciplinefollowing. Disciplinewouldbethenew shock, and the new mystery, that emerges from the PPPC Governmentwiththisaudithorror Partofthiscongameby veteran political conmen should see a slap on the wrist, which should confirm to all Guyanese that discipline for Gossai is part of the fix. Ademotion from where he is, or making a big hue and cry about removing him from the Natural Resources Ministry, and his having nothing to do withoilandgasgoingforward.

On paper, this would look good, but with the PPPC Government and the cunning people in the forefront, one neverknowswhatcouldbehiddenintheirsleeves,andhow thisisgoingtoplayout. Gossaiisnotgoingtobekickedout intothecoldandleftonhisown,thatisacertainty Itisall partofthedamagecontrol,andwhythisjokeofaprobetook morethantwoweekstofinalize. Gossaiisgoingtogrinand bear like the loyalist that he is, and the PPPC Government getstheluxuryofdodginganotherbullet.

Guyanese,meanwhile,shouldbeseeingforthemselves howauditclarityisreallymoreskullduggery

Guyanese waiting and hoping

DEAREDITOR, The Finance Minister of neighbouring Trinidad recently presented that country’s 2024 Budget Among the many highlights andofnotewasabackpayby Christmastopublicservants.

Included also in the presentationwasalumpsum to retirees, tax exempt. It was felt this category of citizenswasdeservingofthis consideration.

Onthissidewhatcanthe people expect? 5B was set

asideinthisyear’sbudgetfor assistance (believe that was the term) The last notification on the status of this sum, as I recall was that it was not utilised. So, the question remains: will it be utilised,ifnowhynot? Ifit

willbeutilised,whenandfor what purpose? Our neighbours have something tolookforwardto. Here,we waitandhope,waitandhope aswetrudgealong. Yourstruly, ShamshunMohamed

Horse racing and more scheduled for NewYear’s Day at Brighton, East Corentyne

DEAREDITOR, The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a non-profit organizationincollaboration with Brighton Turf Club (BTC),willusherintheNew Year (January 1, 2024) with the largest gymkhana extravaganza at Brighton Park Racetrack, East Corentyne.

For decades, Brighton Turf Club had always had horse races on New Year’s Day as a form of entertainment for the residents in the various villages in the Macedonia Joppadistrictandbeyond.It was a tradition that the residents look forward to every New Year’s Day to celebrate and have fun, but the tradition ended in the mid-1990sdueinparttothe passing of several executive members of the Brighton Turf Club and the lack of financetomaintainthetrack,

and the pavilion which eventuallycollapsedabouta decadeago.Butastimewent by, most of the new executives’ members of BTC did not carry on the tradition because they became less interested in h o r s e r a c i n g a n d concentrated their efforts on other sporting events, includingsoccerandcricket. Therefore, the tradition of having horse races on New Year’sDayatBrightonPark Racetrackdidnotcontinue.

However, after a respite for almost three decades, BrightonParkTurfClubwill return to its traditional horseracing agenda on New Year’s Day 2024. The allday gala event will commence at 11:00AM and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of horseracing and games fans notonlyfromtheMacedonia Joppa district, but throughoutCorentyneandas

far as West Coast Berbice andelsewhere.

There will be five regular races and one thoroughbred race and differentbreedsofhorsesare expected to compete for the topprizes,andthewinnersin each category will be awarded cash and trophies. Also,severalotheractivities includingsideattractionsare plannedfortheextravaganza such as trampoline and bouncy castle for children, greasy pig, bag race and a donkey race, and many others.

With the weather permitting, the gymkhana, which will be a spectacular event, is the only one of its kind on New Year’s Day in East Corentyne where horse racing has always been the second most popular sporting event after cricket. However, in the last two years, its popularity has soared to new heights due

largely to the thrilling combination of speed, strategy, and the connection between horse and jockey which has captured the hearts of horseracing fans throughoutCorentyne.Itisa unique blend of both sport and entertainment that brings people together to enjoyanarrayofsomeofthe best tasty local dishes such as barbeque chicken, roast pork, fish and chips, jerk chicken, cook-up, fried rice, and roti and curry among others and the lively and customary, Hip-Hop, Soca and Reggae music supplied by the lively, dynamic, and popular YARD VYBZ Sound. It will be a day of merriment, and all are invited.

Sincerely,

Dr. Asquith Rose, MJVCChair

Ms. Vanessa RossAlbert, MJVC Public RelationsDirector

MisuseofNeighborhoodPoliceinRegionSix

DEAREDITOR,

There is a flagrant abuse and misuse of human resources being committed by the leadership of Region Police Division Six. A few days ago, I visited New Amsterdam, Berbice and wandered around the Fun Park at Vryman’s Erven whichisthebrainchildofthe First Lady The Fun Park is well-fenced and secure. It is a beautiful environment. I saw people enjoying themselves, celebrating a birth anniversary and some school children doing their homeworkthere.

There is a plaque in relation to the Fun Park writteninEnglishondisplay Iwassurprisedthatitwasnot also etched in Spanish. On duty at the facility were a private security guard, two half-month government workers and, believe it or not,twowell-dressedfemale Neighbourhood Police ranks. I wonder what the Neighbourhood Police were doing there. I decided to i n v e s t i g a t e M y investigation revealed that every day two unarmed

female Neighbourhood Policearedetailedandwork atthatlocationinshifts:8am tomidday;middayto4pm;4 to8pmand8pmtomidnight.

In addition, private contracted security guards perform duties there from 7 am to 11 pm each day. Two half-month government workers are also on duty from 7am to 3pm daily The gatefortheParkissecuredat 10 pm each night, thereby, preventing persons, includingthesecurityguards and Neighbourhood Police access to the Park. They work after 10pm outside of thepark.

It is apposite to note that there is no security at the facilitybetweenmidnightand 8am Thisisanidealtimefor criminalactivities Theranks were not trained in selfdefense or unarmed combat There is no guard hut at that location Attheconclusionof the8pmtomidnightshiftthe femaleNeighbourhoodranks arerequiredtowalkoverhalf amiletothestationtoreport off duty Thereafter, they havetofindtheirownmeans of transportation to get

home. I vividly remember t h e c o n c e p t o f Neighbourhood Police as I designed, developed, implemented and evaluated the four-week training programme for it. Neighbourhood Police were specificallyemployedtowork i n t h e i r v a r i o u s neighbourhoods to support and ease the workload of the regularmembersoftheForce indealingwithminoroffences

Among their duties are to accept and deal with minor r e p o r t s i n t h e i r neighbourhood, serve summons, execute warrants, gathering intelligence and passing it to their handlers, fosterexcellentrelationships between the police and members of the various communities which they serve and promote public confidence in the Guyana PoliceForce-notguardinga Fun Park as they are present doing in Region Eight and possible elsewhere. I asked why they were performing the task of guarding the Fun Park alluded to above. The response I received is that it was the direct instruction

from their commander that they guard the facility from 8am until 12 midnight each day as he does not want anyone to steal or damage the lights, unpainted tables, benchesorpicketsoutsideof that location. He does not want to answer to the First Lady for any damage to equipment or things stolen from her project Wow! Politicsplayingout.

Editor, if the job being done by the Neighbourhood PoliceattheFunParkisnota completewasteofthepolice human resources and is contrarytothebasicconcept of Neighbourhood Policing, tell me what is. I pray that God will help the police in Region Six to make better useoftheirhumanresources p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e NeighbourhoodPolice,but,I wonder if help will ever come as God helps those who help themselves. The policeinthatRegionarenot helpingthemselves.

Yoursfaithfully,

ClintonConway Assistant Commissioner ofPolice (Retired)

DEAREDITOR,

“Why dis lamp ain’t light, why dis house in darkness,thekerosenebottle empty??” My mother’s voice echoed in the darkness. The truth is, there was no explanation because children do things that defy logic We played in the darkness rather than reach forthematchesandlightthe lamp.

“There is no excuse for this house to be in darkness because there is a full bottle of kerosene oil in the kitchen. ” She would furiously utter If she asks installed and incompetent president Irfaan Ali the question as to why there is daily blackout in Guyana, his answer would cause her

tobelividwithhimbecause Guyana has oil; billions of barrels of oil and there are blackouts every second of theday Anationtoleratesthe PPPgovernment’sexcuses. AprofessorfromCanada told me that Guyanese people are accepting of anything She said no country with intelligent people would accept daily and lengthy power outages when the country has oil wealth.

She said there can be no excuse because it is downright mismanagement coming from an uncaring administration The professor told me that if a government is allowed to getaway away with that, we havetoexaminewhatsortof

citizensoccupythatcountry

My mother never questioned whether we could find the matches because the box was always in a special drawer and within reach even in the dark.

“Mo fyah, slow fyah is dead.”Thematchesarethere but like children, a nation defies logic and with no sensible explanation, continues to wallow in the dark.The world is watching usandtheevidenceispiling up as to who we are as Guyanese Is there any atrocities visited on us that wewouldrefusetotolerate?

Sincerelyyours, Norman

Browne Social and Political Activist

Some questions for Roysdale Forde, shadowAG

DEAREDITOR, Our Shadow Attorney General Roysdale Forde, wrote a voluminous letter in the newspapers about the supposed successes of the ‘WashingtonConference.’

Lastweek,Iwatchedthe entire gathering of ‘likemindedpeople’thatwas highoncomplaints,andlow on facts. I did not see any fact-finding resolutions, binding outcomes, or stipulationetc. Ididseeone

of the most grotesque spectaclesIhaveeverseen. I saw an indigenous woman, whowenttoaforeigncapital and invoked the memory of eighteen fallen angels, to score cheap political points. This woman should not be allowed within 100 miles of Parliamentbuilding.

But, back to Roysdale.

Mr Forde wrote the “conference organizer” was Rickford Burke. So, here are my questions for the

ShadowAttorneyGeneral:

1. Sincewedon’tknow ofany,canyoupleasetellus exactlythereason(s)whythe “Washington conference” wasdeemedasuccess?

2. Doyourespectour (Continuedonpage06)

arrangements

DEAREDITOR

PPP General Secretary

Dr Bharrat Jagdeo scolded CGID operative Rickford Burke for embarrassing Guyana last week in WashingtonDC.

Jagdeo, who is also Vice President, noted that David Granger would have never gone to an event conceivedandorchestrated by an extremist who is wantedbylawenforcement inGuyana

During his scheduled press conference at Freedom House on Robb Street, the PPP General Secretary said that it would have been better had the APNU-AFC sent in their complaints, r a t h e r t h a n p u t themselves in the disgraceful situation they found themselves in at the National Press Club where not a single member from Congress showed up Dr Jagdeo was adamant thatMr Burkeorganizedthe event for reasons other than advertised.

In one instance, for example,hepointedoutthat

a Haitian businessman showed up in Washington hoping to discuss business opportunities in Guyana The businessman was sadly disappointed because all he found was a highly disorganized situation with no leadership, and certainly no one with whom to examine investment possibilities.

The PPP General Secretary paid particular a t t e n t i o n t o t h e incompetence of the likes of Members of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir, David Patterson, and Cathy Hughes Jagdeo, who has good ground knowledge of the Washington DC space, rightfully noted that official looking images distributed by the APNU-AFC team, had no official bearing at all Further, the so-called ‘declaration’ from the step of the Capitol is something anyone can do

This writer, who visited the White House more than once, and who has years of

hands-on experience of the Capitol and its surrounding, can now confirm that many of the pictures sent by APNU-AFC,arenodifferent fromwhatthegenerictourist in that area can ‘shoot’ and assemble,anddistribute.

By all accounts, including from sources sympathetic to theAPNUA F C , t h e C G I D conference in Washington DC was an unmitigated disaster Attendees were c r u s h e d b y t h e dismissivenesswithwhich theyweretreated In the end, Mr Burke took to the microphone to unfairly attack senior Biden administration o f f i c i a l s f o r n o t attending the event In a moment of magnanimity at the Freedom House press conference, Jagdeo expressed his regret that Guyanese people worldwide had to watch the APNU and AFC subjected t o s u c h p u b l i c discomfiture in a foreign country

Sincerely, Dr.Randolph

Persaud

David Granger would have distanced himself from Burke’s

Guyanese are unique, they accept anything from any incompetent, any conman

Blackout fiasco, too little to show for all the spending

DEAREDITOR, The power outage fiasco is nothing short of shameful and disgraceful for the g o v e r n m e n t a n d management of Guyana PowerLight(GPL).

Thelackofforesightand political gaming will not solvetheproblem.

Putting aside the many weaknessesidentifiedbythe coalition, the PPP came to power with an ambitious infrastructure program on the back of oil money flowingin.

Should it not ring the alarm bells the utilities

infrastructureneedstomatch thephysicalinfrastructure?

The President and Ministers globetrotting and inviting the world to come andinvest,shouldtheybring theirownutilities?

Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is not far away too, for weeks Diamond and many villages on the East Bankareoutofwater

These are heavily concentrated areas with housing and industrial development on going Development is not an instrument to appease your supporters and win votes, it

isalongplanthatshouldbe carefully thought of and implementedsothebenefits can be yielded years to come The quick fixes and dishing out contracts to friends and supporters will only band aid the wounds thatwillberesurfacedagain as seen with many road projects

It is my hope that the people in authority take a hard look at how we are spending tax-payers money Toomuchspendingandvery littletoshowforit.

Yours truly, S. James

SomequestionsforRoysdale...

Frompage05 Police force and do you accept their findings and conclusions?

3. Are you aware that your“conferenceorganizer” Rickford Burke, is wanted by the Police on several

serious alleged criminal charges?

4. IfyouaretheAttorney General, would you openly fraternize with people who are on the Police “wanted list”?

5. Twolawenforcement officialsexpresseddisgustto me, when they saw their Shadow Attorney General with an alleged wanted person. Do you think they are justified in their concern aboutyourbehavior?

Respectivelysubmitted,

HerbertAllen

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WHEN WILL VICKRAM FACE THE MEDIA, NOW THAT JAGDEO HAS GIVEN HIM PERMISSION TO SPEAK?

ThePPP/Chasbeenthree yearsinoffice,andcounting.

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Yet,ourbelovedOilMinister, VickramBharrat,hasneverfaced themediainapressconference.

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Weallknowtherealreasonforthisis thattheOilEmperor,Dr.BharratJagdeo, hadnotgivenconsent.

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ForitisJagdeo-andonlyJagdeo-who holdsthetransportforallofGuyana.

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However,EmperorJagdeohasrecently decreedthathehasnoissuewithour dearlybelovedOilMinisterholdinga pressconference.

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Thisnewshasbeena joyfulnoisetoourears.

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Sowhatwillitbe,OilMinister?

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Wehavesomanyquestions!

The report of the investigation needs to be made public

The government continues to insist that it is the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) which is thefinalarbiterinrelationto the audits of oil expenses being claimed by the oil companies.Butthisisnotthe legal position The

Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) vests the power to conduct audits in theMinister

The Minister in this instance means the Minister assigned responsibility for Petroleum and if there is no such assignment, then the President.

Article 23.2 of the PSA states that: “The Minister shall have the right to audit theaccountingrecordsofthe

Contractor in respect of Petroleum operations in accordance with the accountingprocedure.”

The Accounting Procedure, annexed to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), requires that the Minister (NOT the GRA)shallhavetherightto audit,theexpenses,accounts and records of the oil companies within 2 years of the end of each calendar year

As far as is known the audit which was conducted was for the period ending 2019. Therefore whatever is the outcome of that audit, is purely of academic importance since the two year period has elapsed and

thus no claims can be made on the contractor, despite whateverotherwisetheVice President may believe. The period for recovering any US$214M is long gone and the contractors are under no legal obligation to entertain anysuchclaim.

The Accounting Procedure under the PSA provides that at the conclusion of the audit, a written report has to be issued to the oil companies. The written report has to contain all claims arising from the audit The oil companies have 60 days to respond The Accounting Procedure provides that shouldtheMinisterconsider that either the report of the

DEM BOYS SEH

Conservation Starts at the Top

In the midst of a scorching heatwave, the government has issued a heartfelt plea for the public toconserveelectricity It’sa commendable initiative, no doubt, but one can’t help but notice a few puzzling contradictions in their approach.

Asweallsweatitoutin our homes, desperately trying to keep cool, the government seems to have overlooked a few basic strategies for electricity conservation While the common citizenry is urged to turn off lights, appliances, and anything remotely resembling a power drain, the situation

takes a comical turn when we stroll down Main Street in Georgetown There, amidst the sweltering heat, wefindthemajesticavenue lined with trees, each adorned with more twinkling lights than a Christmas tree in December. It seems that someone should have the foresight to turn off those extravagant tree lights beforeinstructingustoturn offourswitches. Butitdoesn’tstopthere. Load-sheddinghasbecome a daily ordeal for many

citizens, lasting for excruciatingly long

periods. The government’s message of conservation

feels more like a cruel joke when we’re already living in the dark ages, quite literally. Perhaps they shouldleadbyexampleand show us how to make do with a flickering candle or two.

The irony doesn’t end with electricity. The government has recently implored the public to conservewater However,a mere few days ago, a photograph surfaced of a fire tender generously wateringthelushlawnsand plants at State House Charity must begin at home, and in this case, it muststartatthetop.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf

reply requires further investigation such investigations shall be undertakenwithin60daysof eitherreceiptofthereportof reply

The Accounting ProceduresholdtheMinister responsible for matter relating to the audit and to the filing of claims and or further investigations As such, it is not the legal position that the GRA, the auditor,whichisresponsible for the audit, or filing the report to the contractor and responding to the contractor’sresponse.

If along the way the Minister was misadvised, then he has only himself to blame. It is he and he along whohastosubmitthereport with the claims to the oil companies, and it is therefore he who has to be satisfied the expenses being claimedrepresentthetotality of the sums which are not recoverable The buck simplycannotbepassed.

The government is now however saying that an investigation has been done a

authorized contact between the oil companies and personnelfromitsPetroleum Division. In its statement, the government says it wish tobringclaritytotheissue.

But it has not brought this clarity What was the purposeoftheinvestigation? Was this an independent investigation? Who undertooktheinvestigation?

Wasdueprocessaccordedto those who may have been implicated in the present imbroglio? What were the f i n d i n g s o f t h e investigation?

Unless answers are provided to these questions, then the public is left guessing. What the public needs to know is when was theauditcomplete,andwhen was the required report submittedfortheattentionof theMinister?Howlongafter did the Minister send the report,withhisclaims,tothe oil companies? How soon after was a response received? And did this response, if at all, occasion the need for further investigations?

Guyanese must be

careful also about the conclusionswhichtheydraw from this matter The fact that an audit may have flagged expenses of US$214M does not necessarily mean that those expenses were wrongfully claimed by the oil companies They were simply flagged and it is for the parties to undergo a process in respect on how this disputed sum is to be resolved.

Peopleshouldalsoavoid rushing to judgment against the staffer until and unless the government makes public the details of the investigation done into the matteranduntilsuchtimeas the said investigation is deemed to be independent and assures any accused person of the right to a hearing.

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

INVESTIGATION OF CONTRACT AWARD

I note in the media that major, recurring question called ‘front man’ for others the right side at the right fingerprints to Opposition MP, Mr David marks that are irremovably withdeeppockets,orcurious time. Remember this: he, match That is, Patterson, has written to the attached to such bosom dispositions, those I leave who points a finger, should investigating itsel Public Procurement companions Further, if alone,too. think about the other four MPPattersonmustknow Commission (PPC) to certain work for crass and As someone who has facinghimorher how certain developments investigate the GY$865 craven political operators is been the subject of witch Having said all this, I inthistownarehandled;they million contract award for a embraced, and there is huntsandthemalevolenceof now venture further afield, go nowhere when people are have been given by the pump station. His focus is willingness to be used by political wizards, I can relate with Mr Patterson’s written pressed to investigate their tender board for such work what violates rules and them for any objective, good to those who are now the call for an investigation politicalkithandkin. Incase experience The tender procedures,whatbesmirches or otherwise, then I contend subject of consternation and Whether as a Member of h e n e e d s m o r e board should be most adept the sense of fair play in thatsuchacitizenhasearned condemnation. Closenessto Parliament,oraplaincitizen, enlightenment,Irecommend by now to interpret what is reasonable men My his dollar, notwithstanding the throne of power, though, this Guyanese political a talk with the chair of the expected of its deliberations, thoughtsfollow whatothersmayconclude. I should not be a disqualifier; veteran should know that is Parliamentary Public its nervy constructions, and

Every Guyanese is insist that such a Guyanese nor should anyone’s receipt an exercise in futility, a dead Accounts Committee, its likely well-studied entitled to work; the choices has a sacred constitutional of gifts from local political end that is over before any regarding how matters options. of labor by some may leave right to participate in the fat kingpins be denounced, plausible investigation ever involving unreality and the Returning to the scene of recoiling Similarly, all of the land, and the givenlongstandingdomestic begins. In my language, unacceptable are dealt with theallegedcrime(collusion? G u y a n e s e h a v e t h e sweetness of the times cultures. Those who have investigationsinthiscountry there. Corruption? Cover-up?), I constitutional right to Whether this is done paid their dues anticipate arefixesthatwouldmakethe To credit MP Patterson’s exclude President Ali from associate with whomever properly is off-limits today collectingrewards, as part of Mafia proud. Just to be efforts, there is weight to the this pump station affair, and they please, regardless of Before I forget, if as a so- the package. It is being on blindingly unambiguous, I requirement of three (3) do the same for The Right don’t care what is being years’experience in projects Honorable, The Archbishop investigated (probed), or of like kind, but political Edghill (Public Works) who is doing the job, be they excellencebeatsengineering Embarrassingly, there are individuals or groups, experience every day in the four potential losers in this confidence is low Specific month. Perhaps, I should muddle: the tender board to the seemingly pristine say political egregiousness which is already in the PPC, there should be some trumps glaring tears in track lineup; and the PPC, which honest people present, but as record, with emphasis on couldcomeoutonthesideof to their weight to carry the years of involvement in this angels, but may feel itself day for some genuinely kind of near billion-dollar beholden to preserve and investigative light to be undertaking Not as a protectbenefactors. shun, doubts multiply wheelbarrow man, but as The third is the taxpayer Moreover, it only takes one someone who knows about Lastly, the people who made substandard presence to these things, and leads from viable, good faith bids, and influence matters along thefront. trusted in the system to give premeditated, prearranged The downside to Mr themafairhearing,areleftto pathways. As an example, I Patterson’s push is that this lick their wounds, replot present Exhibit I, the PPP: has been done before, so theirpolitics. examine where it is due to there are precedents. Welcome to Guyana, the machinations of a Anotheristhattherecouldbe now open for business. Any h a n d f u l o f l o c a l somebody in that winning kind by anybody prepared to Machiavelli(s). biddinggroup, who has been pay the piper, and play the No princes or princesses in business for the minimum fool.Don’tlookatme. Look of purity are they. To threeyears. upstairs. approach the PPC, therefore, It may have been selling (The views expressed in is the equivalent of what is snow-cones, or building dog this article are those of the going at the Ministry of kennels, but it counts. From a u t h o r a n d d o n o t Natural Resources with that the appearance of this necessarily reflect the US$214 million national bureaucratic opera, which is opinions and beliefs of this disgrace,acrimeifeverthere not open to public viewing, n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s w a s o n e , a n d w i t h considerable points could affiliates.)

Pres. Ali urges cautious use of water as dry season expected to prolong

President Irfaan Ali on for concern at the moment, constructionpurposes.” through is one that is FridayappealedtoGuyanese the government is closely He said this has added a excessivelydry.” to avoid the wastage of monitoringthesituation. greater demand on the He noted that the water, as the supply of the The Head of State system, adding more stress phenomenon is bringing resource is now scarce in however noted, “The on the infrastructure that is serious stress as regionally areas across the country He extensive dry season has suffering from depletion as a a n d g l o b a l l y t h e said the dry season currently severely impacted our result of the dry weather To conversation is now on the being experienced is likely surface water availability this end, the President said, water tension scenarios, as a to prolong as he urged the and our ground water ratios, “So I wanted to ask resultofthedryperiod. cautioususeofwater so what we are seeing as a members, community, In Guyana, the President

In a statement yesterday, result of the prolonged dry members of the population pointed out that Region One the Head of State addressed seasonisthatalotofpersons to be careful with the has suffered a reduction in authority to do sectional Commission (CDC), the the current circumstances are also going to pipe water consumption of water, to the flow from springs, delivery to residents on a National Drainage and surrounding the availability for gardens, for farming, for minimize wastage to ensure especially at Matthews scheduledbasistomaintaina Irrigation Authority (NDIA) of water, assuring that while agriculture,theyaregoingto theyturnthetapsoffbecause Ridge and the Mabaruma levelofsupply and other agencies in itisnota“fullblown”reason pipe water also for the period we are going areas, prompting the water

Similarly, he said there monitoringthesituation. wasalsoanoticeabledecline In the populated coastal in the static level of sound areas, GWI said the demand wells in Manawarin, for water by households and Arakaka and Port Kaituma. farming communities has “This too has resulted in been high but the wells in decisions to have sectional this part of the country have delivery to supplement what been producing water at we are doing,” the President maximum. explained. In the meantime, In Regions Two, Three Alisaidthewaterproduction andFour,hereportedthatthe of wells in Region One is water supply has been stable beingmonitored. w i t h s o m e a r e a s

OverinRegionSeven,he experiencingalowerlevelof said there was also a decline service. inthestaticlevelofanumber “The Lama Canal, which of wells in Kamarang and supplies water to about 60 to Jawalla. 80 per cent of Georgetown

He however assured, r e s i d e n t s h a s n o t “We don’t have a situation experienced a drop but in now where it is detrimental Regions Five and Six, to the supply and delivery residents are experiencing a but I am just speaking to the small drop in level of population, engaging you so service,”theGWIindicated. what we can be aware of Baksh said that to what is happening and we address this situation, GWI cantakethenecessaryaction is supplying water on a 24sothatwecanalsohelpinthe hour basis and at maximum currentcircumstances.” level in these regions. GWI

This was particularly is also undertaking an important as the President intensive well maintenance cautioned, “We expect the programme to keep supply dry season to be prolonged stableinthelongterm. veryverymuchlonger.” The water company was

Meanwhile, the Guyana keen to note that while El Water Inc (GWI) in separate Nino has been affecting the statement on Friday stated water supply in all the thattheeffectsoftheElNino regions on the coastal belt, period are also being felt on the power outages too have the Coastland, though the contributed. Hinterland region continues Additionally, GWI said tobemostaffected. contractors have been Chief Executive Officer damaging the water (CEO) of the water infrastructure across the company, Shaik Baksh also country To this end, the appealed to residents to be utility company urged more prudent in the use of residents to report these water,indicatingthatGWIis contractors so that they may now working closely with be held accountable for their t h e C i v i l D e f e n c e actions.

Paper committal process for duo Roach’s murder near completion charged with Dr. Colin

OppositioncondemnsGovt.blaming GossaiforUS$214millionauditfiasco

Leader of the investigation was launched evident to all who want to

O p p o s i t i o n , about two weeks ago, with a think that Mr Gossai...the Aubrey Norton decision announced on government is throwing him

has called out the Thursday evening, that the under the bus to protect the Government of Guyana Ministry’s Senior Petroleum political directorate that has (GoG) for casting blame on Coordinator would face responsibilitytoensurethata the Ministry of Natural disciplinaryaction. properauditisdone.”

The paper committal for the two men charged in 2021 for the alleged murder of Dr Colin Roach is winding down at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court.

Back in November 2021, the paper committal process had commenced before retired Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan for 21-yearold Hilton Oliver Franklin and 20-year-old Lenrick Byass.

A paper committal is the p r o c e s s w h e r e t h e prosecution submits the evidence to the court for the 2021 they murdered Dr magistratetoreviewwhether Roach at his International there is sufficient evidence MedicalCliniclocatedat111 for the accused to be Duke Street, Kingston, committed to stand trial Georgetown in the course or beforeajudgeandjuryinthe furtheranceofarobbery high court On Friday, Kaieteur News had Magistrate Rhondell reportedthatonNovember2, Weever, marked and 2021, both men had tenderedover100statements reportedly admitted to their from the prosecution’s involvement in Dr Roach’s witnesses, that included the murder police, and the ranks that Franklin had reportedly took the caution statements told detectives that he had fromthetwoaccused. killed Dr Roach by lashing

Notably, Attorney-at- him to his head with a metal Law Latchmie Rahamat, object. He claimed that the who is representing doctor had become Franklin, asked the court to intoxicatedduringadrinking assist her with getting some session they had, and made of the prosecution’s advances towards him, and statements since she is not in he was forced to defend possessionofthem.Rahamat himself His alleged highlighted too, that she a c c o m p l i c e , B y a s s , wants to go through the reportedly confessed that it statements to pinpoint which was a planned robbery witnesses she would want to intended to raise money so cross-examine. thatFranklincouldbuyacar

Byass was being It was reported that the represented by Attorney-at- accused stole the doctor’s Law,DexterSmartt. gold jewelry and US$600, Magistrate Weever then before cleaning up the crime adjourned the matter to scene and escaping in his October 26, 2023, for the SUV case’scontinuation. Detectives, during their Franklin and Byass were investigation, were able to not required to plea to the obtain CCTV footage indictable charge which corroboratingByass’version alleged that on November 2, ofevents.

Resources’SeniorPetroleum

In response, Norton told

In further registering his Coordinator, Gopnauth reporters yesterday during concern, the Opposition Gossai, for reducing some his weekly press conference Leader concluded, “It’s an U S $ 2 1 4 m i l l i o n i n the events clearly indicate attempt to hide the questionable costs flagged there were attempts made by corruption.Itisanattemptby by the British auditor to government to cover up the Bharrat Jagdeo to protect US$3million. inflatedbills. himself and the government

The Consultant, IHS- He reasoned, “This is at the expense of a public Markit was hired under the costrecovery Thisisdealing servantwhobecausehewant former administration to with what we will get as his job will not be able to review a total of US$ profits.Thatsurelycannotbe come out and say that is not $1,677,774,727 in expenses left to a public servant. It has true.” rackedupbytheoilcompany tobetheresponsibilityofthe

Meanwhile, Opposition between the period 1999 and political government. The MemberofParliament(MP), 2017 The audit report public servants gave Ganesh Mahipaul said that c o n c l u d e d t h a t t h e technical and other support the Senior Petroleum government has reasonable so to blame Mr Gossai is Coordinator could not have grounds to dispute $214.4 reallyandtrulythrowinghim approach.” acted in isolation and most million plus overhead underthebus.” Norton added that the likely received directives adjustments of the costs To this end, the Opposition believes this is from senior officials. In fact, claimed by Exxon This OppositionLeadernotedthat “another attempt to siphon he noted that the recent amounts to 12.8 percent of he does not believe a public off resources” meant for the statementbytheMinistryisa the cumulative cost recovery servantshouldbeheldliable. peopleofGuyana. clearindicationofanattempt balance. He contended, “We He pointed out that toshiftblame.

Even though the Guyana understand the authoritarian public servants are Mahipaul said, “It is so Revenue Authority (GRA) nature of the regime that Mr a c c o u n t a b l e t o t h e shameful to know that the hadsignaleditsnoobjection Gossai will not be able to government and the oil powers that be, are taking it to the amount, it was speak what the truth is, but sectoris“micromanaged”by out on a public servant- a reported that the Ministry of weareconvincedthatitisthe the Vice President, Bharrat hard working taxpaying Natural Resources (MNR) corruption of government, it Jagdeo. In fact, he said even public servant and the trend Petroleum Unit engaged in was clearly intended to the Natural Resources in this country is that the an “unauthorized process” conceal it and it was clearly Minister suffers this type of young man will have to that resulted in the intended to ensure those management. eitherbequietorifheisbold r e d u c t i o n o f t h e resources do not go to the Norton said, “When a enough to speak out, he will questionablecosts people of Guyana so we man in charge is accused of speak out and expose them Consequently, an condemn the government’s bribery and corruption, it is forwhattheyare.”

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

Hilton Oliver Junior Franklin (right) and Lenrick Byass, the two men charged with the murder of Dr. Colin Roach

Murdered, Dr. Colin Roach

Report all cyber security threats immediately

- NDMA General Manager urges Govt. agencies

General Manager of the National Data Management

Authority (NDMA), Christopher Deen recently underscored the urgency of dealing with cyber security threats, and has advised all Heads of Government Ministries and Agencies to report all threats as soon as theyaredetected.

He gave this advice on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the NDMA’s cyber securitytrainingforHeadsof Public Sector Agencies, hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Center The event signaled the official launch of Cyber Security

General Manager of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Mr. Christopher Deen

NDMA detected and Month which is observed ever a cyber security threat mitigatedsome442malware annuallyinOctober. withintheirorganizations. a t t a c k s a t s e v e r a l

Deen reminded the The General Manager government agencies in the participating Agency Heads said that NDMA is first quarter of 2023 alone. thatcyberincidentsdonotgo committed to sharing its This data he explained, away on their own, noting expertise with ICT comes from NDMA’s thatNDMA’sICTspecialists specialists at the various Security Operations Center have the expertise to deal entities to aid in developing (SOC) semiannual summary with these incidents but the theirinternalcapacity reportfor2023. teamcanonlydosoifreports “NDMA is here to offer

Kissoon during his aremadetoNDMA. you a helping hand. This presentation advised that

“Please do not wait until (NDMA) is not an agency cyber security issues need the mold spreads throughout that will be running around immediate action to mitigate the entire organization and dictating to you in a carrot any lasting damages He the walls begin to crumble and stick method; we are encouraged those present to before you to take action. here to offer you a helping report any cybersecurity NDMA would have heard hand to develop your issues so that ICT specialists from some of you; we would capacityinhousebecausewe could offer their expertise on have engaged, we would cannot do it alone and we awayforward. have provided technical must work together to build

He noted that there is a support, and we would have this capacity in our country, direct relationship between assisted you (in the past) and in government, across security and risks, we stand ready to do so Guyana.” explaining that the stronger now.”Deenfurtherdisclosed ACT IMMEDIATELY the security, the smaller the that NDMA has a dedicated E c h o i n g s i m i l a r risks of cyberattacks will be. Security Operations Center sentiments, NDMA’s Cyber Kissoon also encouraged the (SOC) which provides 24- Security Specialist, group to employ the hour technical service on M a h e n d r a K i s s o o n , necessary systems to cyber security issues. All expounded on the fact that mitigate these threats and government agencies he said collaboration is paramount prevent the loss of sensitive are urged to take advantage in promoting safe cyber information. of these experts if there is spaces. He disclosed that

Speedboat operator killed after falling into river

A freak accident at the that travel the Parika to Supenaam Speedboat Supenaam route Anil Stelling, Essequibo Coast, Singh,onhisFacebookpage, Region Two on Wednesday “He was the most amazing has resulted in the death of a person you could ever meet fatheroffive. andtalkwith.Hispassingisa

The dead man was great loss to everyone who identified as Elton Wong, a knew him. Especially the well known Essequibo speedboat services within speedboat operator Kaieteur theEssequiboRiver Mayhis News understands that on soulrestinpeace.” Wednesday afternoon Wong

Another individual was reportedly pushing a described him as kind and boat out from the stelling supportive. “Our entire when he accidently fell and rushed to a hospital on community is thrown in a overboard. theEssequiboCoast.Hedied state of shock at your

It is being alleged that he on Thursday while receiving passing.” was knocked unconscious treatment. Wong’s death has Meanwhile, Wong’s son, after hitting his head on a plunged not only his loved ShaneWong posted, “Gonna huge plank in the water He ones into a state of mourning miss you a lot dad” on his was taken out of the water but the countless passengers Facebookpage.

NDMA’s Cyber Security Specialist, Mahendra Kissoon

Dead: Elton Wong

WANTED VACANCY

Wanted: Experienced Puri Maker and Counter Person. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts. Call: 654-1361.

Pump Attendant needed to work at Charity (night). Contact: 687-5814, 688-0417, 2235273/74.

Diesel Mechanic wanted. Call: 688-0417/ 223-5273/74. Cook needed to work at Xenon Hotel, Charity. Contact: 687-5814, 688-0417, 2235273/74.

Supervisor needed to work at Gaulin Supermarket, Charity. Call: 687-5814, 688-0417, 223-5273/74.

Handyman, Manager, Waitress, Bartenders and Cleaner to work at Sport bar. Call: 223-5273/74, 667-1056.

Wanted: Skilled Masons, Carpenters $10,000 per day and Labourers $6,000 per day. Call: 602-9469, 660-6385 or 625-7642.

Secretary/ Office Assistant for Engineering Construction Company. Must have secretarial & accounting experience, Salary negotiable. Call: 632-1982/ 673-4122.

Wanted: Labourers to work on Cash Crop Farm, $50005500 per day. Call: 695-6139, 679-7552.

Transportation service is seeking experienced Chauffeur with mini bus, hire car licence. Call: 645-0025.

Wanted: One experienced Cook for Bar, ages 35-45 years. Call: 640-8289.

1 Male to work & live on a poultry farm with a small family. Call: 708-4374/ 227-5222.

Handyman/ Labourer to work at Lower EBD, $100,000 per month & male to pluck chicken in Georgetown. Call: 708-4374/ 227-5222.

Maid needed, ages 35-45 years. Preferably from East Coast or Georgetown. Call: 653-0311 between 9am-4pm. Manager for security company. Must be able to work shifts and have a Driver's license. Contact: 603-5140.

Domestic needed, must know to cook. 10am-6pm, $30,000 weekly. Call: 6103974, 646-7142.

Looking for a reliable live-in aide for an elderly woman. Call: 686-8051.

East Bank Electrical is now hiring Electrical Engineer, Outside Sales Staff & Counter Sales Staff. Call: 604-6394, sales@eastbankelectrical.com

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

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics required. Email: techserigy @yahoo.com or Call: 6159132.

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

Male and female Factory Worker and Office Clerk needed. Call: 226-2621.

Excavator, Crane & Loader Operator, Dump Truck Driver, road-roller Driver and Welder required. Call: 675-1127/ 6004073.

Vacancy Exist For two Experienced Dispatcher At Confidential Cabs. Call: 2315784, 231-4001, 231-4000.

Receptionist, Room Attendant, Laundry Attendant & Security Guard needed at 233, South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.

Vacancy for Domestic/ Maid for morning and afternoon shifts. Call: 592-637-6700.

Carpenter, Mason, Time Clerk, Farm Workers, Welder/ Fabricator, Excavator & Bobcat Operators, Maintenance Workers & Labourers. Call: 621-6969, 615-7784.

Vacancy exist for Cook & Kitchen Assistant at Famous Flavors Restaurant in Georgetown. Call: 618-3696.

For a canter/ truck Driver (part time) to work in Georgetown, ages 35-60 years. Call: 6673933/ 600-5992.

Computer Typist legal Clerk needed. Contact: 615-9112/ 258-0213.

FOR SALE

Farm produce for sale: plantain, lemon, cayenne and apple banana. Every Thursday from Pomeroon. Call: 688-0417, 223-5273/ 6005370.

Stall on Merriman's Mall, Alexander street entrance.

$4.5 neg. Call: 658-3274.

19 acres of land along Friendship Public road, EBD. Price $4.5 mil. Call: 623-1615.

PEN PAL

Indian male seeking female for serious relationship (live home). Call: 703-1716.

LEGAL NOTICE 1 related documents.

WANTED

Wanted! Male & Female workers for packaging pasta and chowmein on the Back Road (Mandela Ave). Call: 611-7839.

Vacancy exist for 1 Salesgirl to work in an electronic store. Call: 673-1182/ 650-6779.

FOR RENT

Fully furnished 2 bedrooms apartment in Albert Street, Alberttown. Preferably students, no smoking and no pets allowed. Call 231-5695/ 611-9134.

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

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 24th day of October, 2023 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious via Zoom meeting ID: 642 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf in the High Court at Georgetown.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

LEGAL NOTICE 1

2023-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-1046 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION

Petition No. FD-1046

Between: PERSAUD (SAVITRI) NEE SOOKHU Petitioner/ Applicant -andPERSAUD (CHITRAM) Respondent

SERVICES

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

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

TO: CHITRAM PERSAUD Formerly of Lancaster Street Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 6th day of July, 2023 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by SAVITRI PERSAUD NEE

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

AND FURTHER TAKE

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence· and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 8th day of September, 2023.

EDUCATION

Supercharge your child/ loved ones reading and writing skills using the highly effective hooked on phonics program. 7 years & older. Call: 650-8925.

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 24th day of August, 2023 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around the Republic of Guyana and on the Worldwide Web.

AND FURTHER TAKE

LEGAL NOTICE 2 NOTICE

APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDERS

LEGAL NOTICE 2

TO LET

New 3 bedrooms bottom flat apartment in Herstelling, N/ S, $100,000. Call: 600-3035.

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

CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE MONEY LENDER’S ACT. I, RAVI HOOBLALL of Lot 139 New Road, Vreed en Hoop, West Coast Demerara, Guyana hereby give Notice that I have applied to the Magistrate of the Georgetown Magisterial District for a Certificate under the Money Lenders Act, authorizing the grant to me of a Money Lenders License to carry on the

business of a Money Lender under the title of TIGER’S PAWN SHOP, at Lot 139 New Road Vreed en Hoop, West Coast Demerara, Guyana. NOTICE of any objections to the application should be sent forthwith to the CLERK OF COURT OF THE WEST DEMERARA MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT and a copy of any such Notice should be sent to the subscriber RAVI HOOBLALL, Applicant. Dated at Georgetown, Demerara. This 7th day of October, 2023.

Decline in commuters, shoppers attributed

to prolonged heatwave

ByAlexWayne

Therehasbeenadecline inthenumberofcommuters using public transportation andtaxisstationedatthebus and car parks given the persistentheatwave.

AttheEastBankbusand car park, hire car driver, Lennox Allicock, was adamant that his taxi trade may soon dwindle to nonexistence, if there is no change in the heatwave situation.

“Ihavebeenataxidriver forovertenyears.Andinall the years I have been on the EastCoastPark,Ihavenever been in my present situation…. The least I was making on this park before all this intense heat start to happen, was $10,000 profit margin, after taking out gas and food expenses. Now for example, last night, after expenses, I only had $3000 to spare, and that can’t do anything for me, my child

mother, and a three-year-old child…”

Allicock told Kaieteur Newsthat,“Theintenseheat is causing people to stay indoors.

because of the fact that peoplearenotmovingabout like before We ‘only getting’ a little work from public sector workers, and many of them using the mini-busestotravel.

It’s really hard on me presently…”

Mark Williams, another driver, was peeved about another issue which he said will lead to violent altercations,ifnotstemmed.

“The amount of people that are travelling drop really,reallylow…Theheat problemisreallyahbigissue bro… And I sorry fuh dem taxi men who aint’t get air conditioning in their cars. People ain’t travelling with them at all, suh dem ain’t mekking no money at all.

Thisplacegottocooldown, and people got to use taxi like before, so we can make somemoney.”

Further, those taxi drivers who rent cars to ply theirtradeareconcernedthat due to the decline in commuters using their service, they are unable to meet their financial targets and more so unable to pay the car owners or their taxi servicebasefees.

R e g e n t S t r e e t businesses are victims too Similarly, businesses along Regent Street were suffering the same fate too since there has been a decrease in shoppers which has resulted in a declineindailyearnings.

Inside the MultiComplex Mall on Regent Street, there were fewer shoppers than usual

Babita Rooplall, a boutique operator there observedsittingaround

“As you can see sir, it’s after lunch time, and there aren’t really any shoppers here I did not sell much since I opened, justafter8am

I sold just two female outfitsandasinglepairof ladies sandals, and I am not sure if I am going to get another sale before 4:30 pm Sales are just so much slower than before, because customers are just not coming…. I have not seen some of my regular customers in almost three weeks”.

Samantha Mason, who is a supervisor at the Regent Multi-Complex

Mall is hoping that things can return to normal soon, as she is still to make rent for the accessories shop she operates

“I can’t tell you what really is the reason, but it first start like a few weeks

ago when I start noticing

that customers were decreasing

People saying all kinds of things about the reasons behind this all, but I am of the opinion that is all this heat and terrible dry

weather, which is preventing people from shopping like before Guess we just got to wait it out, and see how things

unfold, ” Mason told

KaieteurNews

At the gas stations, folks there said they could not ascertain if there has been any significant decline in sales, but they did indicate that thereappears tobelessvisitstothefacility, citingthatdriversmaynotbe burning as much gas as before.

At the barber shops at the City Mall, there was a slow turn in

business Clairmonte Forde told Kaieteur News that there has been a reduction in clients, but not at a rate to be appalled about.

“We are lucky to be w o r k i n g i n a i r conditionedbarbershops It’s the barbers operating in roadside shops that I am sorry for, because people ain’t really want to go and sit in all that heat to have haircuts Even here some of our customers are changing their appointment time because of the heat, and a few are just not showing up as well For me I would normally meet clientsattheirhomeandcut hair for a little ‘extra thing ontheside.”

All of the persons interviewed have expressed hopethatthesituationwould returntoastateofnormalcy soonest.

This grandmother trying to get to her home, had to seek refuge from the blazing sun, inside a roadside beverage stall.

Hire cars are waiting for lengthy periods. Where are the people to travel in them?

Where hire cars used to be, hot dog stands have taken up position.

As heat wave rages, this water vendor is making the best of the situation. He related that sales are booming because of the intense heat.

VP Jagdeo encourages Oil Minister to host press conference on day-to-day management of sector

Vice President Bharrat 2 Update on Local Jagdeo on Thursday said he Content Act: Having been has no objection to Natural in effect since 2021, a ResourcesMinister,Vickram comprehensive report Bharrat hosting independent outlining its achievements, press briefings on the daily influence, and forwardmanagementofthesector looking insights is yet to be

The Vice President’s presented to Guyana’s statement follows questions Parliament. Although some from Kaieteur News on procurement numbers have whether he would encourage been presented by the the Minister to engage the Ministry, a detailed analysis media since he has not done remains conspicuously sointhreeyears. absent.

Itisimportanttonotethat

3. Insight on Petroleum almost every week the Vice Activities Act: The recent President hosts press passage of the Act’s and the conferences to address upcoming auction of 14 oil police issues in the oil and blocks – with offers on eight gassector already – necessitates a clear

“I agree with that,” the outline of the government’s Vice President said, adding, strategic direction on “Somehow there is a feeling capacity building, especially thatItellhimnottohavethat considering the nation’s press conference. But the current skill gap in the oil more they (Vickram industry

Bharrat’s ministry) do in that

4. Introduction to regard then it is easier for me the Petroleum Unit: The to deal with policy so I don’t conspicuous absence of a have to deal with routine formal introduction to such a i s s u e s t h e m o r e pivotal entity raises informationtheysupply,(the eyebrows Stakeholders better it is) I have no question the government’s objectiontothathappening.” commitment to transparency

In recent times, Kaieteur and wonder who is steering News has been at the thismulti-billion-dollarship. forefront of highlighting the 5. Revamping the minister’s failure to host a Petroleum Management press conference to address Programme Website: keyissuesintheindustry Guyana’s soaring economic

With Guyana heralded as trajectoryseemsmismatched thefastest-growingeconomy with the current subpar state by the International of the website, marked by Monetary Fund (IMF), production data that lags two thanks to its burgeoning oil months behind current andgasindustry,thepolitical timelines, glaring omissions Opposition in Guyana has on discoveries and drilling incessantly advocated for programmes, and a t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d lacklusteruserexperience. accountability as the sector’s 6. Handling of Field guidingprinciples. Development Plans: The Industry insiders and Ministry of Natural stakeholders are eagerly Resources has been awaiting Minister Bharrat’s overseeing the process of engagement with the media hiring companies to review to shed light on pressing the field development plans issues such as those listed for Exxon’s projects. Since below: 2 0 2 0 , t h e P e o p l e ’s

1 Relinquishment Progressive Party Civic Clauses & Contract (PPPC) Administration has Administration: Questions reviewedandapprovedplans loom regarding oil firms’ for three massive Exxon c o m p l i a n c e w i t h projects. relinquishment clauses in The ministry is yet to exploration contracts explain to the citizenry, the Stakeholders contend that process it is following, some there’s a pressing need for of the key changes and clarity on how the ministry decisions it has made in intends to manage the relation to such documents relinquishment of oil block and the extent to which it is portions, ensuring optimal b e n e f i t t i n g f r o m nationalbenefit. internationaladvice.

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

West Indies Academy players assemble for High Performance camp ahead of CG United Super50 Cup

ST.JOHN’S,Antigua–

The West Indies Academy players will assemble in Antigua from Monday, 9 October for a High Performance camp ahead of their participation in the upcoming CG United Super50Cup.

The 14 players will be under the guidance of Head Coach Andre Coley and Assistant Coach Rayon Griffith during the weeklong camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) Following the camp, they will travel to Trinidad to participate in the eight-team CG United Super50 Cup. Nyeem Young, the batting allrounder has been named captain.

Coley said: “We are really looking forward to competing in this year’s edition of the CG United Super50 Cup The camp provides an excellent opportunityforustoprepare and focus on our white ball skills and certain match scenarios,aswebuildonthe performances of the previous tournament and explore ways to execute the brandofcricketthatwewant to play as a West Indian team.”

Theregion’spremierList A 50-over tournament will

bowl off on Tuesday 17 October and conclude on Saturday 11 November with a new eight-team league format followed by SemiFinals and Finals to determine the 2023 CG United Super50 Cup

Champions.

The West Indies Academy’s first fixture is against Combined Colleges andCampuses(CCC)onthe 19October

Theeventwillfeature31 matchestobeplayedatthree venues: the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA), the Queen’s Park Oval (QPO) and the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Grounds of the University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI

China Open: Coco Gauff sets up Iga Swiatek semi-final by beating Caroline Garcia

Coco Gauff’s winning streak is the longest by a teenager since Bianca Andreescu won 17 in a row in 2019. (Getty Images)

SPEC) at the St. Augustine Campus.

All 13 matches at the BLCA, including the SemiFinals and Final, will be televised live on ESPN Caribbean, with 12 of those matches being day/night games.

FULLSQUAD

NyeemYoung(Captain)

AckeemAuguste

JoshuaBishop

TeddyBishop

CarlonBowen-Tuckett

McKennyClarke

MatthewForde

LeonardoJulien

JohannLayne

KimaniMelius

MatthewNandu

AshmeadNedd

KelvinPitman

KevinWickham

BBC News - Coco Gauff extended her winningstreakto16matchestosetupasemifinalagainstIgaSwiatekattheChinaOpen.

TheAmerican 19-year-old, who won her firstmajortitleattheUSOpeninSeptember, beat Greek sixth seed Maria Sakkari 6-2 6-4 inBeijing.

The world number three will face Swiatek, second in the rankings, after the Pole battled back from the brink of defeat againstCarolineGarcia.

Garcia had been two points from victory butlost6-7(8-10)7-6(7-5)6-1.

The top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka faces Elena Rybakina for a place in the last four, where she could meet Jelena Ostapenko or LiudmilaSamsonova.

Gauff’s winning streak is the longest on the WTATour in 2023 and she has not been beaten since a Canadian Open quarter-final

losstoJessicaPegulaon11August.

ShehassincesecuredherfirstWTA1,000 titleinCincinnatiandmaidenGrandSlamin NewYork,winning21of22matchessincea first-roundexitatWimbledon.

Gauff required just one hour and 20 minutestomovepastSakkarianddidnotlose serveonce.

It did not prove as straightforward for Swiatek,whowasreplacedasworldnumber onebyAustralianOpenchampionSabalenka following the Belarusian’s run to the US Openfinal.

The 22-year-old four-time major winner heldhernerveafterGarciafoughtbackfrom fourpointsbehindtolevelthesecond-settiebreakat5-5.

Swiatekwonthenexttwopointstoforcea decider,whichincontrasttothefirsttwosets provedaone-sidedchargetothefinish.

Jamaica’s long-serving track and field coaches

to be honoured November 11

SportsMax - As it celebratedNationalCoaches Day yesterday, Friday, October6,theJamaicaTrack and Field Coaches Association (JTFCA) has announcedthatitwillhonour several members of its coaching fraternity for long and distinguished service on November11,2023.

The awards will be in four categories: Silver (2025 years), Gold (26-30 years), Platinum (30-40 years) and Lifetime Award (Over40years).

Amongthecoachestobe honoured are Fitzroy Ball, Paul Francis, Richard Thomas and H Michael Vassellwhoaresettoreceive

Platinum Awards, Michael Dyke,DwayneJarrett,Kevin PryceandHermonReidwho will be bestowed with Gold Awards.

The recipients of the Silver Awards are Lawson Brown, Keilando Goburn, Christopher Mitchell, David Riley, Garth Smythe and LeciaWalters.

Iconic track and field coach Stephen Francis will also be presented with the HectorSmith Master Coach Award named after the late Edward Hector and Eldemire Smith whobothservedasexecutive members of the Coaches Association Francis, Michael Clarke, Patrick

Johnson and Errol Messias will also receive Lifetime Awards.

The Jamaica Track and Field Coaches A s s o c i a t i o n i s internationally recognized bodyforJamaica’strackand field coaches at the Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Club andElitelevels.

The association is an affiliate of the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) and is endorsedbyWorldAthletics.

I t i s a l s o t h e representativebodyforall Track and Field coaches in Jamaica.

October 6 is recognized as National Coaches Day

across many federations in North America and the Caribbean region and is a

day when the work of coaches across all sports are recognized. It is also a day

when issues and challenges facing the profession are broughtintosharpfocus.

Matthew Nandu (CWI)

Ashmead Nedd (CWI)

David Riley (l), Stephen Francis (c) and Michael Vassell are among several of Jamaica’s track and field coaches to be honoured on November 11, 2023.

Cricket World Cup 2023: Pakistan recover to avoid shock defeat by Netherlands

BBC Sport - Pakistan overcame a spirited Netherlands to claim an 81-run win in their World Cup opener at Hyderabad.

Pakistan were bowled out for 286 off 49 overs, with both Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Rizwan scoring 68. The Netherlands reached 120-2 as they started well in their chase, but stalled after losing four wickets for 38 runs in the middle overs.

All-rounder Bas de Leede took 4-62 and hit 67, but his fine efforts were in vain as his side finished 205 all out.

Pakistan had slipped to 38-3 early on, with captain Babar Azam falling

five, before Shakeel and Rizwan put on a vital stand of 120. De Leede struck twice in the 32nd over to drag his side back into contention, before claiming two wickets in two balls in the 44th over to break a partnership of 64 between Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. Netherlands opener Vikram Singh made a gutsy half-century in reply, but De Leede struggled for support from the middle and lower order as Pakistan’s experienced bowling attack withstood the pressure, led by seamer Haris Rauf’s 3-43, with the Dutch dismissed off 41 overs.

The Netherlands play

New Zealand in their next fixture on Monday, while Pakistan face Sri Lanka the following day. Inconsistent Pakistan get the job done

The eventual margin of victory will give Pakistan confidence, particularly considering they were nowhere near their best. With a reputation for unpredictability, in many ways it was a characteristic performance from Babar’s side. They fluctuated between the brilliant and bizarre with the bat: Shakeel and Rizwan’s class juxtaposed with Nawaz’s comical run out as he reacted too slowly to Shaheen Afridi attempting a single after a deflection and

Saturday October 07, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

A heightened level of intuition and understanding of others might catapult you to the center of attention at a gathering, Aries. Knowledge combined with experience results in wisdom today.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Communication with friends who have traveled widely could have you hankering to make a future visit to a distant place that you've always wanted to experience.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Dreams or visions could put you in touch with deep feelings that you may not have been aware of before, Gemini. This could enable you to release traumas from your past and give you a new sense of lightness.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Relationships of all kinds are likely to be strengthened by an increased level of understanding today, Cancer. Your thinking is greatly enhanced by your emotional intuitiveness.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Today your emotional intuition intensifies your mental abilities, Leo. Friends and family members are likely to grow closer to you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Relationships with those closest to you, particularly friends and love partners, should be enhanced by an increased understanding of their emotional world, Virgo.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Dealing with the ups and downs of other family members could be easier for you today than usual, Libra. You're less inclined to be logical and more apt to identify with what other people feel.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Today your mind is strongly influenced by feeling and intuition, Scorpio, so you'll be able to communicate especially well with others. You might sense what they need to hear before.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You generally like to think of yourself as someone who faces life logically and rationally, Sagittarius, but today your intuitive side could prove a valuable resource.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Your intuition is usually very strong, Capricorn, and your level of empathy enhances your relationships. Today, however, a burst of logic could enable you to see many things.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Your intuition is heightened almost to the point of telepathy today. Aquarius, you may be able to sense what others want and need even before they know it themselves.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Getting in touch with your closest friends could bring about some intense communication, with many revealing some of your deepest concerns, Pisces.

was dismissed by Colin Ackermann’s direct hit.

Their score of 286, having been bowled out with one over wasted, may not have been enough against a better quality opposition, but with ball in hand, they are always dangerous. Shaheen’s ferocious death bowling countered his inconsistency with the new ball, Rauf’s raw pace unsettled an inexperienced Dutch middle order and spinners Shadab and Nawaz took a wicket each.

Hassan Ali also marked his return to the side with an impressive 2-33.

The Netherlands can take encouragement from the fact there was not an enormous gulf in skill on display, with Pakistan’s greater experience ultimately telling. While they

From page 25 women’s participation in men’s leagues in Barbados is not uncommon, Schultz’s arrival at the intermediate level marks a remarkable milestone.

Schultz, a versatile bowling all-rounder, has climbed the ranks from her origins in the mining community of Bartica in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Guyana, to represent the West Indies women’s team.

Speaking to Kaieteur News, Schultz expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to play with the Ipswich club, stating, “Being in Barbados, I’m really looking to improve my game all around. I think it’s going to be good for me going forward. As I talked about the challenge previously, you know, I’m just looking to improve my game.”

As a right-handed batter, Schultz aims to not only bolster Ipswich Cricket Club’s bid to advance in the ranks of the BCA but also to cement her position within the West Indies team. Currently, the West Indies women’s team is in Australia, where they narrowly lost the T20I series and are gearing up for a three-match ODI series. Reflecting on her initial call-up to the West Indies team, Schultz understands the significance of maintaining consistency and continues to work diligently towards her goals.

She remarked, “I’m really looking forward to improving my game again, you know, and when that time comes again, you know, I fit in there permanently.” Schultz is widely regarded as one of the top female players in Guyana and has also made valuable contributions to the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) this season.

avoided a shock here, Pakistan are likely to provide more surprises and thrills in the group stage - they reached the final of last year’s T20 World Cup despite losing their first two games.

De Leede impresses in defeat It was going to take something extremely special to pull off the highest successful chase against Pakistan in 50-over World Cups.

Yet for a long time De Leede looked like he was capable of leading his side there. The 23-year-old timed the ball beautifully with sumptuous drives through the cov-

Imlach,

ers and bravely took on the short balls of Shaheen and Rauf. He was calm and composed in a stand of 70 with Singh, before adding more of a flourish when joined by the middle and lower order.

He looked crestfallen when Nawaz ripped one through his defences after a 68-ball stay, but the Durham player has now showcased his talents on the biggest stage.

Scores: Pakistan 286 (Rizwan 68, Shakeel 68, de Leede 4-62) beat Netherlands 205 (de Leede 67, Singh 52, Rauf 3-43) by 81 runs.

Permaul says both...

From page 23 defending champions Berbice, who are fresh off of 3 straights wins, said today’s match is highly crucial to the county.

The leading wicket-taker in 1st class cricket for the West Indies was confident that his In-form teammates will deliver the goods today.

Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie, Kevlon Anderson, Shamar Joseph and a returning Shimron Hetmyer, who looked good in the penultimate round Thursday, are fresh off a huge CPL title win and have continued their

form through this tournament with bat and/or ball.

Speaking on his star-studded lineup, Permaul, who also has a 5 wicket haul in the tournament, said he does not plan on overestimating his opponents, adding that Demerara is a quality team with a number of stars. He further touched on the importance of the game between the two counties, adding that the rivalry has been going on for more than a decade but is keen on ensuring the title returns to the ancient county.

The first ball of today’s final is set to bowl off at 9:00hrs.

for just

Kaysia Schultz...

GHB 1st Division Hockey League set to commence October 8

The Guyana Hockey Board(GHB)isgearingupto kickoffitshighlyanticipated Men and Women First Division League at the GuyanaNationalStadiumin Providence The six-week tournament is scheduled to commence on Sunday (October 8) with matches scheduled for every Sunday

The event promises thrilling contests and fierce competition, igniting the passion of hockey aficionados across the nation.

The participating teams, including Saints, GBTI GCC, Bounty GCC, Woodpecker Hikers, Pepsi Hikers, and YMCA Old Forts, have been tirelessly preparing for this moment, and fans can expect nothing short of exceptional performances. An official opening and march-past is billedforSundayat4:00pm

The Women’s division promises to deliver exhilaratingaction,withGBTI GCC taking on Woodpecker Hikersat12:00pm Following

this,at3:00pm,Saintswillgo headtoheadwithYMCAOld Fort, setting the stage for an enthralling day of women’s hockey

Meanwhile, in the men’s department, the competition isequallyfierce.At1:30pm, fans can witness Saints battling with Pepsi Hikers. The excitement doesn’t end there, as Bounty GCC is set

Jade’s WokAsian Cuisine sponsors Developmental Chess tourney

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is thrilled t o a n n o u n c e i t s Developmental Chess Tourney, proudly sponsored byJade’sWok.Theclassical format games aim to foster talent development of its team of Under-18 players, who will participate in the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) laterthisyearinSuriname.

to tackleYMCAOld Fort at 4:30pm,inwhatpromisesto beahigh-stakesshowdown. The GHB is proud to announce that the tournament is sponsored by esteemedorganizationssuch as the Ministry of Culture YouthandSports,Farfanand Mendes,ACrosbieMembers Club, and Woodpecker ProductsLimited.

The tournament will be held from October 6th to October8th,2023,atSchool of the Nations and will be a five round Swiss system consisting of 90 minutes with 30-second increments. The FIDE-rated tournament is limited to 20 players, including the eight invited team members of the Inter Guiana Games. FIDE-rated players from 1600 to 1300 wereeligibletoparticipate.

TheU-18teammembers were selected based on their outstanding performances at various National Chess competitions, such as the National Junior Chess Championship and the National Women’s Chess Championship Tourneys heldduring2023.

The IGG is an annual event first started in 1967, with the three neighbouring countries, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana whose athletes competed in various sports disciplines Chess was reintroducedthisyearaftera longhiatus.

The GCF is excited to

participateinthisevent.The Open team members are Ricardo Narine, Kyle Couchman, Alexander, and Nicholas Zhang and the Girls’ team comprising Aniyah Couchman, Italy

Ton-Chung, Maliha Rajkumar, and Aditi Joshi.

The event will also feature the participation of National Women’s Chess Champion Jessica Callender and National Junior Chess ChampionKeronSandiford.

Notable chess players

Jaden Taylor, Kishan Puran, Ciel Clement, and Justino DaSilva will also be competing for the top spots. Trophies and cash prizes of $15,000, $12,000, and $9,000 will be awarded to players who finish first, s e c o n d a n d t h i r d respectively

The GCF extends heartfelt gratitude to our

valued sponsor, Jade’s Wok, asteadfastsupporterofchess in Guyana. Jade’s Wok is renowned for its delectable Asiancuisineatitsbranches at the Giftland Mall, Amazonia Mall, and the West Central Mall in Leonora. Their unwavering support ensures the success ofthisevent.

Mr Anand Raghunauth, President of the Guyana Chess Federation, expressed his excitement about the tournament, saying, “The Developmental Chess Tourney is not just a competition; it’s an opportunity for chess enthusiaststocometogether, learn, and grow We are grateful to Jade’s Wok for their generous sponsorship, and we look forward to an event that promotes chess d e v e l o p m e n t a n d camaraderie.”

Buxton Stars secure narrow win in Airy Hall clash

TheBuxtonStarsFChostedAiryHallon WednesdayinthelatestEastCoastDemerara Senior Men’s Football League fixtures. The small Buxtonian crowd was treated with an excitingthrillerasTheStarsmaintainedtheir unbeatenrecord;defeatingAiryHallbya2-1 score-line at the Buxton Community Centre ground.

Thehomesidecameintothisfixturewith animpressiveunbeatenrecord,andtheirfans werehopingtoseethatstreakcontinue.They werenotdisappointedastheirteamsecureda hard-foughtvictoryoveraresilientAiryHall side.

The game got off to an electrifying start, with both teams displaying their attacking intentrightfromthefirstwhistle.However,it was the home side, Buxton Stars, who were giventheperfectopportunitytotakethelead in the ninth minute after a wild challenge inside the penalty area by an Airy Hall defender The referee had no hesitation in pointingtothespot,andthecrowdheldtheir breathinanticipationofwhatwastocome.

Stepping up to the mark with the weight ofexpectationsonhisshoulderswasCleavon Barnwell, a key figure in the Buxton Stars’ lineup.Barnwellshowednervesofsteelashe calmlyplacedtheballonthepenaltyspotand

prepared for the crucial spot-kick. With the goalkeeperguessingonewayandBarnwell’s right foot poised, the stage was set for a pivotalmomentinthematch.

As the referee’s whistle pierced the air, Barnwell took his run-up and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike The ball zoomedintothelowerrightcornerofthenet, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance to makeasave.

However,AiryHallwasnotabouttoback downeasily Theyshowedtheirresilienceby continuing to press forward and creating chancesoftheirown.Thematchremaineda closelycontestedbattlethroughouttheclash.

In the second half, the tension in the stadium was palpable as Airy Hall pushed hard for an equaliser Their efforts were eventually rewarded when they found the back of the net, leveling the scoreline and setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. But Buxton Stars were not to be denied. With theirunbeatenrecordhanginginthebalance, theysummonedtheircollectivestrengthand resolve. In the dying moments of the game, they managed to break through Airy Hall’s defenceonceagain,regainingtheleadwitha well-takengoal,takingthescoreto2-1atthe finalwhistle.

Men and Women 1st Division Hockey League returns this Sunday.

GCF President Anand Raghnauth (right) receives sponsorship cheque from Proprietor of Jade’s Wok Cuisine.

Good Life Wellness and Fitness Center officially opened at Good Intent

In an effort to add its contribution to the development of a healthy population, the Good Life Wellness and Fitness Center was officially opened on Sunday,October1st,atGood Intent,WestBankDemerara, Region#3.

The modern fitness facility, which is the realization of a seven-year mission and accommodates a plethora of health services for its eventual subscribers a n d m e m b e r s , i s administered by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shandelle Bess, wife of former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) chief-of-staff BrigadierGodfreyBess.

Questioned about the principal notion behind the facility and how long this p r o j e c t h a s b e e n conceptualized, CEO Bess revealed, “Looking around thecommunityoverthepast 5-7 years, there has been an urgentneedforafitnessand wellness facility that offers workouts and other classes to target various areas, the needforpersonsbothyoung and old to indulge in

recreationalactivities,which includestryingtoremainfit. Ithasalwaysbeenourdesire toonedaymakethisdreama reality by helping others achieve their overall health and well-being goals and makingapositiveimpactby creating a healthier lifestyle inthecommunitysincethey will be able to combat their sedentary habits and will now encourage regular lifestyle and physical activity.”

She further said, “We a l s o s e e i t a s a n entrepreneurial opportunity to invest, since the fitness industry can be a lucrative one.Thiswillalsoserveasa judgment-free center and a safe space for anyone Ultimately, I can safely say the main motivation to open this center is a combination of personal passion, communitybenefit,business opportunity, and a longing desire to make a positive impact on the daily lives of others.”

Probed as to how the establishment will bring value to the community and overall country, Bess

affirmed a litany of societal and economic benefits that will directly be generated from the commissioning of thisinitiative.

Bess expounded, “This facilitywillbringsignificant value to the community and the country as a whole in various ways, such as: (1) Promotingpublichealthand wellness. This can be done through regular physical activities, which will contribute to overall health and result in a reduction in

lifestyle-related diseases

This will be able to lower costs for healthcare services and improve health care for people in the community Employment will be created inthecommunity Currently,themajorityof the staff members reside on theWest Bank of Demerara.

(2) The local economy will be boosted since members will be spending on membership, nutrition, and other products that will be availableforsale,supporting

local businesses. (3) The gym will be able to foster community and social interaction, whereby it will function as a social hub for persons from diverse backgrounds, which will fosterasenseofcommunity, friendship, and support that willaidintheiroverallwellbeing. Since our community isdiverse,thiswillalsoactas a space for bringing individuals from various cultures together to promote cultural exchanges, among other things. (4) We will be able to create youth development by providing a positive environment for young people and offering various programmes that promote teamwork, discipline, and healthy habits. This will be able to help with character development and reduce delinquency rates. I can say thatthisgymbringsvalueto the community and country as a whole by addressing physical and mental health needs, promoting social interaction, and supporting thelocaleconomy.”

Meanwhile, Director of

Sports Steve Ninvalle, who deliveredthefeatureaddress at the official inauguration ceremony, which was also attended by several other dignitaries, emphasized the importanceofexercisetothe physical and mental health of individuals, noting that anyformofphysicalactivity can be viewed as a personal investment.

According to Ninvalle, “Exercise and diet have a symbiotic connection Though exercising is important, as 30 minutes daily can aid in the fight against chronic and noncommunicable diseases, dieting is equally vital and gives rise to the empirical belief that you are what you eat. The importance of the exercise is also illustrated at the governmental level, which has allocated a large portion of the national budget towards creating and fostering a healthier populace Congratulations are in order for Brigadier Bess and his wife for seeing it fit, no pun intended, to open such an important facility.”

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

Technical Director Bryan

Josephhasconfirmedthatall necessary preparations have beencompletedtoensurethe successful kickoff of the highly-anticipated National MillingCompanyofGuyana (NAMILCO) Thunderbolt

Flour Power Under17 National Academy Playoff today,Saturday

The GFF team has been diligently working over the last few weeks to ensure a seamless October 7 start to the new season of the prestigious playoff at the federation’s National Training Centre (NTC) in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The opening day will feature a thrilling doubleheader with East Bank FootballAcademyfacingoff against East Coast Football Academy at 9 a.m., and Upper Demerara Football Academy taking on West DemeraraFootballAcademy at11a.m.

NAMILCO Thunderbolt

Flour Power Under-17 National Academy Playoff complements the Academy Training Centre (ATC) programme, which specifically targets boys aged14to17yearsold.ATC is an approved ‘Generation Next’ FIFA development programme.

Joseph said the playoff puts “the spotlight on our bestyoungtalentwhohave been working hard at the Academy Training Centres and are all aspiring to becomeinternationalplayers representing our beautiful country

These are the players thatwillbeontheforefront o f n a t i o n a l t e a m discussions over the next decade ”

He added that the “best versus best opportunity that will be presented on matchdays would be something you wouldn’t wanttomiss.

Competition of this nature drives development and thereforewe are excited to get going and unearth the nextgenerationofstars.”

The competition will feature teams in Group A: Georgetown, East Coast, East Bank, the National Under-15 and Berbice; and Group B: Upper Demerara, Essequibo,BarticaandWest Demerara.

After a round-robin phase, the best teams from each group will advance to the championship round, competing for the prestigious title of national champions.

“The GFF/ Namilco partnership will always be remembered for the special moments and players that willbeproducedthroughout this phase of the tournament,”Josephsaid.

The GFF encourages football enthusiasts and supporters to attend the matches and witness the excitingcompetitivespiritof the young players representingthefederation’s nineregionalassociations.

NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 National Academy Playoff concludesonNovember18.

UseGFFfixtures

Respective Captains of Demerara and Berbicesaidbothcampswerebrimmingwith confidenceastheyprepareforonefinalbattle today,withthewinnerhoistingthe2023GCB SeniorInter-County50-Overtitle.

Demerara skipper Tevin Imlach and his counterpart, Veerasammy Permaul met briefly at the Bourda Ground yesterday, the eve of what is set to be one of the biggest matchesonthedomesticcalendar

Imlach believed that his team has been doing well thus far, highlighting opener

Tagenarine Chanderpaul as one of their key players following his back-to-back match winningfifties.

With a number of pieces in their side, Imlach noted that it was crucial to focus on theteam’sbatting.Heacknowledgedhislack of runs despite being in good form and scoringrunspriortothecompetition.

The wicket-keeper lauded his pacers the likes of RonaldoAlimohamed and Sherfane Rutherford will throwing support behind his younger teammates, as he believes they will playkeyrolestoday

Meanwhile,Permaul,Captainofthe (Continuedonpage19)

GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph confirms readiness for today’s kickoff

Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle delivering the featured address.

GCBSeniorInter-County50-OverFinal-Berbicevs.DemeraraatBourda Imlach, Permaul says both teams upbeat ahead of Demerara/Berbice final today

- Captains urging fans to support final match

Captain of Demerara Tevin Imlach says he wants to play a big role with the bat come today

Berbice Captain Veerasammy Permaul is confident of retaining his team retaining their title

GT-Beer Tapeball competition bowls off today on the Essequibo Coast

Four weeks of pulsating action is set to engulf the Essequibo Coast where 27 teams will face off in the in the inaugural GT-Beer sponsored 7-a-side fiveovers round-robin tournament.

Things are set to get cracking with first round matches today, Saturday, under the lights at the Hibernia ground from 18:30 hrs.

Notably, this is the Essequibo’s leg and will conclude October 28 with thetoptwoteamscontesting thechampionshipgame.

The winner will pocket $200,000andatrophywhile the runners-up side taking home$100,000andatrophy. Third-place team is getting $25,000andatrophyaswell.

In addition to the men, there will be four women teamsmatchingtheirskillsin the3rdand4thweek.

During a function to declare the tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Jaigobin Hotel at Henrietta

(Region 2), GT-Beer

Executive Dwain Bristol expressed optimism of a successful tournament and congratulated the teams for their registration. He stated beer giant Banks DIH is thrilled to sponsor the competition and believes

Team representatives and organizers strike a pose at the function on Wednesday

Tapeball will get bigger and bigger Organizer Rawle Pearce also thanked the teams and was confident that Tapeball cricket is also fascinating. He informed that there will be other off-field activities for children during matches

RHTYSC to host Naeem Nasir Memorial second division cricket tournament on Sunday

The Area H Ground on Sunday would become a hive of activities when the Rose Hall Town Youth and SportsClubhoststheannual Naeem Nasir Memorial one day cricket tournament in memory of the founder of Bakewell. NaeemNasirdied ontheninthofOctober2012at the Balwant Singh Hospital afteralongillnessattheage of fifty two years He founded the popular bakery, Bakewell and was the Chief Executive Officer until his death.Nasirwaswellknown for his support of sports acrossthecountryespecially cricketandlawntennis.

Secretary Hilbert Foster statedthattheclubispleased to honour the memory of Nasir as he played a major role in the rise of the RHTYSC from a ordinary cricket club into Guyana most progressive youth and sports organisation with an unmatchedlistofactivitiesand achievements Bakewell cameonboardastheofficial sponsor of the club’s under17andseconddivision teams in 2000 and has also played a major supporter

role of the club activities overthelastquartercentury The company cosponsors activities such as the Christmas Village, Charity Programme,Annual Magazine, Summer Camp, Cricket Academy, Award Ceremony and community projects The RHTYSC Bakewellcricketteamshave won close to twenty major titles in Berbice under the sponsorship and has produced over one hundred Guyana and Berbice players such as Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Esuan Crandon, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Jonathan

Rampersaud and Shemaine Campbelle. The team has also successfully completed over one thousand communityprogrammesand projects under the name of thesponsorship.

The Naeem Nasir tournament bowls off at 9:00am sharp and a total of eight teams would clash for the winner’s prize of one hundred thousand dollars andthememorialtrophy

The teams would be Ebini, Wiruni, Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Rose Hall Tigers, Cut and Load, Skeldon, Police and Courtland The opening round of matches would be fiveoversperside,whilethe other rounds would be eight oversandthefinalwouldbe atenoversaffair

The Man of the Final would also receive a special award while the Berbice Cricket Board would also usetheopportunitytodonate balls to the cricket teams in the Berbice River area Entrancetothevenuewould be free and fans would be entertained by a popular musicset-FamilyValves.

aswellincludingtrampoline, novelty games, musical entertainment and commentary

Vice-President of Essequibo Cricket Board

Elroy Stephney told the gatheringthatheisexpecting some exciting cricket from

the start and wished the tournament good luck. He encouraged the players to playcompetitivecricketand thankedBanksDIHfortheir continued support to the game.

Prominent Sports Journalist Ravendra

Madholall echoed similar sentiments and was delighted to wish all participating good luck. He made mention that Tapeball cricketispopularandBanks DIH and organizer Rawle Pearce should be lauded for thisventure.

UDFA road to GFF Elite League...

Topp XX and Net Rockers in scoreless draw, Haynes & Lewis Winners’ Connection edge past Botafago 2-1

The ‘Road to Elite League’ of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Club Championship organised by the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) beganlastSundaywitha2-1winforHaynes and Lewis Winners Connection over Botafago, while there was a 0-0 stalemate when Net Rockers and Topp XX clashed in the opening game of the tournament at the Wisburg Secondary School ground in Wismar,Linden.

After failure by clubs to attend a General CouncilMeeting,theUDFAdecidedtostagea seniorleaguefortherightstocontestforaplace in the GFF Elite League championship and fourclubswerepickedtovieforthatloneslot to contest for a place at the National Club Level. The four clubs being Net Rockers, ToppXX,WinnersConnectionandBotafago werethenplacedinaroundrobintournament formattoarriveattheclubtomoveontothe EliteLeaguequalificationcontest.Whilethe openinggamefailedtogetanoutrightwinneras theToppXXandNetRockersgameendedina nil-all score, Winners Connection had a good resultscoringa2-1victoryagainstBotafago.

Bothmatchesmirroredthefactthatclubsin Linden were not getting the kind of ground preparationforcompetitionneededandattimes lackedpurposeastheytrieddesperatelytoput together passes The main playing facility is the Mackenzie Sports Club and this ground hasbeenclosedsincelatelastyear Butwhile thefirstgamewasgoalless,NicholasGentle nettedtwiceforWinnersConnectionhaving

banged home the lead for the eventual winnersfroma20thminutestrikebutthetall AmanikiBuntinwasabletonotchintheone goal for Botafago twenty minutes later and thefirsthalfendedevenwitha1-1score.

Winners Connection were able to grab an early second half goal through Gentle who doubledhisscoringinthe46th minuteandthis proved to be the winner for the Winners Connectionwhogainedthefullthreepointsfor thatwintheybeatBotafago2-1.

Topp XX and Net Rockers settled for as pointeachbutBotafagogainednopointsfor theloss.TwomoregamesaresetforSunday at the Wisburg Secondary School ground with game one at 6.00pm and the second at 8.00pm.

Haynes & Winners Connection scorer Nicholas Gentle

Naeem Nasir

Kaysia Schultz to compete in Barbados’ Intermediate Men’s cricket league

ByRawleToney

Intherealmofsports,the integration of women into h i g h - l e v e l m e n ’s competitions is a rarity

However, in Barbados, this unique practice thrives within the sport of cricket, where notable West Indies players like Hayley Matthews and Deandra

Dottinproudlydontheirclub colours.

A d d i n g t o t h i s trailblazing trend, Kaysia Schultz, a Guyanese and West Indies spinner, has recently joined the ranks of the Ipswich Sports Club Cricket team, determined to leave a mark in the competitive Barbados

Guyanese and West Indies spinner, Kaysia Schultz.

Cricket Association (BCA) IntermediateDivision.

Schultz, aged 25, made her One Day International (ODI) debut for the West Indieswomen’steamagainst EnglandthispastDecember

Anthony Gittens, the acting president of the club, shared their ambitious dual mission of ascending to the

elite level within the BCA and making significant contributions to the developmentofcricketinthe WestIndies. He added, “I think that having her join us is an honour for our club because it, strengthens the idea of improving players. The fact thatshewouldliketojointhe

team and the levels that she has played at, I think that is very important and it shows you that we are probably heading in the right direction.”

Club captain Stefan Holder anticipates Schultz’s inclusion will infuse diversity into their bowling department, highlighting,

“Presently, our intermediate team lacks a left-arm spinner, which we required for this season, and we now have that capability at our disposal.”

Holder also said the club’s unwavering support for female cricket, acknowledgingthatwhile

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Kaysia Schultz receives her club jersey from Ipswich Club secretary, Errol Holder, in the presence of acting president, Anthony Gittens (first from left) and Captain Stefan Holder (first from right). secretary

Berbice Captain, Veerasammy Permaul is confident of retaining his team retaining their title.

Bas de Leede followed his four-for with a fifty. (Associated Press)