Kaieteur News

calls for investigation into award of $865M contract to ‘Guyanese Critic’

GPL blames contractor for six-hour -long blackout across country

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since Guyana’s oil minister was sworn in, but never held a press conference

Doctor accused of rape hiding from police

Bandits strike during blackout at Stabroek Market Petroleum activities major cause for heat wave in Guyana –Glenn Lall

$30M booster pump fails to ‘fire’ at Four and Five Mile, Bartica

Protest to recover 120 oil blocks from ExxonMobil, continues today at Office of the President at 9am

shop’ management of GPL BLACKOUT woes prove Govt’s MPDavid Patterson:

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

Mikhail Rodrigues

Petroleum activities major cause for heat wave in Guyana –GlennLall

According to Climate wire,--an essential publication for all things climatechange---whileheat waves sweep the planet as a result of climate change, some of the most intense warming is expected to strike many of the same nations that produce the fossil fuels responsible for climatechange.

InGuyanawhilecitizens complain bitterly about the heat wave with little to no relief, as oil and gas activities undertaken by ExxonMobil offshore continue to result in flaring over 180,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and the release of 200 toxic chemicals into the atmosphere,annually

During his radio programme on Monday, Kaieteur News Publisher

GlennLallblamedGuyana's petroleum activities for the country'sriseintemperature.

Lalllamentedontheextreme heat that the country has beenfacing.

He noted while the heat wave is a result of climate change, most of it is created by oil and gas activities happeningoffshoreGuyana.

He explained that: “The heatwavewearewitnessing isasaresultoftheburningof millions of cubic feet of gas happening 24/7, which is called flaring and the dumping of millions of gallonsofsuperheatedwater

theycallproducedwaterinto theocean24/7.”

Lall continued “Let me makeitsimpleforyouifyou light a big fire next to your home and have it burning dayandnightnonstop,dump super-hot water into the gutter or trench in front of your home day and night, what happens, you can't sleep with all that heat around you? You will go crazyinthathome.”

“This is what has been goingonfouryearsnowwith Exxonoutthereburningthat gas nonstop and dumping that produced water into the ocean,” Lall said adding “that gas and the superheated produced water that comes up from miles beneaththeoceanfloorwith theoilthatissupposedtobe pumped back where it came from, miles beneath the oceanfloor.”

Added to this, he noted that the heavy-duty machines and vehicles serving the oil sector that is drivingonthestreetsallday and at nights, is also adding to the heat wave polluting theairspace.

“But those greedy, selfish, bastards Exxon Mobil,” he continued “watchingtheirprofitsatthe pain and suffering of the Guyanese people, and Jagdeo doing nothing and sayingnothingtocorrectthat situation...”

The Publisher noted that justrecentlyPresidentIrfaan

Ali met with teachers who complainedabouttheheatin theclassroomsandaskedfor fans or insulated walls to keep them cool during classroomhour

He noted that the situation is most ridiculous. “Lookwhatourteachersand our children already start going through, it's no wonders all the teachers runningawayandrunningto private schools The American School is air conditioned from top to bottom with your oil money.”

Meanwhile, the businessman estimates that the situation is bound to get worse as Vice President

Bharrat Jagdeo is intent on approving a bigger project byyearend.

“At present, those two areburninggasanddumping water, pumping over 400,000 barrels per day, when the other three start pumping, a millionbarrels a day,youwillbeseeingafire ball in the Atlantic Ocean withheatgaloreonthecoast. Now you can't walk a good 10 minutes anywhere without sweating like a pig, imagine what will happen with those 3 when they start pumping…

“Inlessthan2yearsfrom now, when Exxon start pumpingoilinLiza3,4and 5,Guyanesewillnotbeable to walk in the streets in the dayorsitoutsidetheirlovely homeatnights.

Soon every home will havetohaveACunitsoryou live and smell like a roasted animalinyourhome.”

“Rightnow,Iamtoldis $1,500 a pound fuh tomatoes, yuh know the price for the rest of the greens, I don't know what will become of the lil rice

crops and sugar crops, we willhavetowaitandseethe endresults,”hesaid.

Addedtothis,Lallwhois an advocate for a better oil dealforGuyanastressedthat the country is getting less than nothing from its oil resources.

“This country has to go andborrowmoneytofixthe damages and correct the wrongs being caused by the oilindustry…”hesaid.

While Guyanese have beentakingtheheatwavein strides,citizensinfirstworld countries like the US have filed lawsuits against major oilandgascompaniesovera deadly 2021 heat wave that killeddozensofpeople.Inan article published by the Guardian earlier this year reported Multnomah county Oregon's most populous county sued major oil and gascompaniesoveradeadly 2021 heat wave that killed dozensofpeople.

The new lawsuit draws on research showing the scorching heat was exacerbated by climate breakdown. It aims to hold

17fossilfuelcompaniesand interest groups – including Exxon, Shell, Chevron, BP, Koch Industries and the American Petroleum Institute – accountable for theirroleintheevent.

“Theheatdomethatcost somuchlifeandlosswasnot a natural weather event. It did not just happen because life cannot be cruel, nor can itberationalizedassimplya mystery of God's will,” the litigationsays.

“Rather, the heat dome was a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants' decision to sell as many fossil fuel products over the last six decades as theycould.”

The suit seeks $50m in damages for the 2021 heat dome's consequences and $1.5bn for future climate damages.Anditdemandsthe defendants spend an additional$50bnonacounty plan to upgrade public healthcare services and infrastructure to protect residents from coming extreme heat events and otherclimatedisasters.

ExxonMobil Offshore continue to result in flaring over 180,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and the release of 200 toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, annually.

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

‘cake shop’ management of GPL BLACKOUT woes prove Govt’s

Former Minister of P u b l i c Infrastructure David Patterson has blamed t h e g o v e r n m e n t ' s mismanagement for the constant blackouts being experienced presently in Guyana.

H e s a i d t h e administration'sfailuretoput measures in place to match the country's growth trajectory is responsible for the spate of power outages plaguingthenation.

“The government has been opening malls, parks, hospitals and hotels to much fanfare since coming back into the office, claiming the same was the result of their policies. A primary school student would have known that if on one hand, you willingly add additional commercial entities to the grid, then you would need additional generating capacity,” the Member of Parliament(MP)reasoned.

He told this publication thatgovernmenthasfailedto upgrade the power supply to accommodate the growing demand.Consequently,ithas provenitsinabilitytomanage the power sector “You are now threatening these companies with increased taxes for using the services

that you signed them up for andevenencouraged.Thisis theclearestsignthatthePPP remain clueless, run the countrylikeacakeshopand, whenexposed,seektoblame others,”Pattersonargued.

The former minister who was tasked with power generationbetween2015and 2020 said contrary to the PresidentIrfaanAli'sclaimin a recent statement that the Coalition neglected the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc by failing to maintain the distribution network and add new capacity, the agency was resuscitatedwhentheformer governmenttookoffice.

President Ali during a live broadcast on Facebook over the weekend said g o v e r n m e n t w a s “dissatisfied”withtherecent spells of blackouts, as he wentontoexplainthereason forthedisturbance.

He said, “We have a situation in the country where we are trying to catch up for years of neglect, five years of not investing in the maintenance of the system, expanding the system and at the same time, building additional capacity to take care of the increasing demand.”

With the country

Suspects in school girl's rape case still at large

Police are still on the hunt for a 21-year-old man from the Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara District, whohasbeenfingeredinthe allegedrapeofa14-year-old schoolgirl.

Yesterday a police rank at Mahaicony Police Station confirmed that the main suspect is still at large and police are continuing their investigations It is suspectedthattheyounggirl may have been lured from herhomerecently,andcould have been drugged and seduced Medical sources had hinted their suspicion thattheyounggirlmayhave been a victim of a sexual assault by more than one person but have not since

confirmedtheirsuspicions. It is said that the young girl's assailant was in the habitofluringyounggirlsto locations, where he would force himself on them. He was also linked to another recent incident where another young girl was found on the Mahaicony Market Road, drugged, and half naked (frothing at the mouth).Shewassaidtohave been sexually assaulted by severalmales.Rightafterthe incidentinvolvingtheschool girlbecamepubliclastweek, the main suspect (whose name,address,andagewere provided) has since gone into hiding Police are c o n t i n u i n g t h e i r investigations.

experiencing rapid growth, the Head-of-State noted that the demand for electricity now requires government to double the existing capacity

In fact, he said, “Our generating capacity needs to be more than doubled if we are to keep a pace with the type of development projections that we are seeing.”

The President used the forgoing to qualify the need for the highly touted 300megawatt (MW) Gas-toEnergy(GTE)projectandthe 165MW Amaila Falls Hydropowerinitiative.

The President said up to August 2020, GPL had a reliablecapacityof120MW The demand at that time he said was 115 MW, leaving little room for fluctuations. Hesaid10MWofadditional power was ordered in 2020 when the PPP took office. Simultaneously,hesaidthere was a “massive investment”

in the maintenance of the transmissionanddistribution system which was “completely neglected”, lending to power outages, breakage, blowing of transformers and other issues.

So far, PresidentAli said in three years, his administration has managed to restore two engines to full operationatGardenofEden, East Bank Demerara and have embarked on the 300 MW GTE project and the transmission lines from Wales to Eccles to support theproject.

Hesaidtwotransmission lines - one 60 kilometers from Wales, West Bank DemeraratoVreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara and a second line of 24 kilometers from Wales to Eccles, East Bank Demerara to feed the powerintothesystemsarein thepipeline.

With government

subsidizing the cost of electricity, the President noted that a number of large consumers have rejoined the national grid to save on electricity costs, thereby increasingthedemandto185 megawatts at peak demand daily.

This, according to him, has resulted in the power outagesduringthoseperiods. The President also said that thecurrentcapacityisbelow thepeakdemandby10MW

In the meantime, the Head-of-State shared that government has invested to have another almost 30 MW ofadditionalpoweravailable bymid-Decembertocaterto the peak demand and avoid outages.

In the interim he said government is encouraging high volume consumers to utilize their self-generation between 1-3pm and 6-10pm to avoid outages to residents acrossthecountry

Mismanagement

Meanwhile, Patterson told Kaieteur News that it was disingenuous for the President to make such accusations.

Infact,hesaidthatwhen the Coalition assumed government in 2015, GPL wason“lifesupport”despite taking an average loan of US$22Mannually

According to him, “In fiveyearsunderthecoalition administration, nine new generating sets totaling 63MW were purchased (Anna Regina – 5 4MW,

Bartica–3.4MW,Bellevue–1.5MW, Canefield – 5.5MW and Garden of Eden (five sets)–46.5MW).In2015the generating capacity of GPL was listed at 120 - 125MW, which means that in five short years, the coalition's work increased the generating capacity of the company by 50%. Never in the history of the company has it enjoyed such a huge increase in generating capacity in such a short period.”

Patterson was keen to note that the increase in generation capacity was financed without any external loans. Meanwhile, he pointed out that “Under the PPP between 2007 and 2014, US$155M in loans were taken on behalf of GPL…on average, US$22M peryearinloanswasgivento GPL during this period, yet our power sector was on life supportin2015.”

He added that not only was GPL able to increase their generating capacity by 50 percent in five years, but they started repaying the interestontheseloans.

Flash forward to 2023, the former Minister believes the sector is being mismanaged, resulting in a dysfunctional infrastructure. Patterson explained that duringtheCoalition'stenure, the administration sourced dual fuel systems capable of operating on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and natural gas to catertofuturedevelopments.

$30Mboosterpumpfailsto‘fire’ atFourandFiveMile,Bartica

Although a $30 million booster pump was installed to improve the supply network in the area three years ago, residents of Four and Five Mile, Bartica have been without potable waterforseveraldays.

Reportsarethatlowwaterpressure has been a major issue preventing the residents at Four and Five Mile along the Potaro Road at Bartica from accessingpotablewater Latelastweek, the water pressure decreased and was subsequently reduced to drips, leaving householderswithoutwater

Yesterday, Guyana Water Inc (GWI) personnel at Bartica worked around the clock to remedy the situation.

According to a resident, prolong power outages last week have compounded the situation, leaving them without water The water supply

was affected since the pump relies on power supplied by the Guyana Power andLight(GPL).

As such, residents called on the management of GWI to install a generatortoworkindependentlyinthe eventofapoweroutage.

GPL stated on Monday that an “unforeseen mechanical problem” arose with one of its two operational generators last Thursday, leaving one generator operational in conjunction with the town's solar farm; the latter generates power only during the day time. The town was without power all weekend as GPL remedied the situation.

Power was restored to sections of the town during the wee hours of Monday, however, power outages continuedthroughouttheday

In April 2021, the Ministry of

Housing and Water announced that a sum of $30M was set aside to source a boosterpumpformoverseastoimprove water supply at Bartica. At the time, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal told residents during a visit to FourMilethatthewatertreatmentplant inBarticaisatanelevationof25meters however,itcouldhaveonlypumpwater to an elevation of 45 meters. As such, onlyresidentsofFourMilecouldhave accessedpotablewater

However, the booster pump was expectedtoincreasethewaterpressure, pumpingwatertoaheightof85meters. Residents of Five Mile were able to accesspotablewaterforthefirsttime.

However,theyneverreceivedwater 24/7 and frequent mechanical issues coupled with low water pressure continued to disrupt the power supply network.

Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, David Patterson

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

ExxonMobil and successive Guyana Governments

Successive Governments of Guyana have joined in unholyconspiracieswithExxonMobiltodrainanddevastate thenation’soilpatrimony. Itwouldhavebeenbadenoughif only the Guyanese people living today were negatively impacted. Sadly, it is more than the citizens of today, for those of future generations will also lose out on their rich patrimony, given the handiwork of one government after another

From the time that Guyana’s oil discoveries mushroomed into the talk of the world, successive governments of the day have partnered and conspired with ExxonMobil at the expense of Guyanese. Guyanese attorney-at-law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, has termed what has happened as one uninterrupted ‘spinelessconspiracy’about,whichneithertheAPNU+AFC Coalition Government nor the current PPP/C Government shouldbespared,butflayed.

Under the Coalition, a Guyana team went to Texas, and itsmembersweremanhandledandsetstraightabouttheonly subject up for discussion. It was discussing and agreeing about what should go into the new oil contract, which ExxonMobil had to get at the cheapest cost, and in the quickest time. When the Guyanese head of the team to ExxonMobil headquarters in Texas, Newell Denison, reported back to the Government of Guyana (Minister of Natural Resources Trotman), about the less than hospitable treatment received from ExxonMobil’s people, he encountered a wall of indifference. Nothing came out of what should have been a clear warning to the Coalition Government that ExxonMobil was all about its own interests. Along the same lines, details about a US$18 million signing bonus were kept away from Guyanese, and the same was done with an independent investigation conductedbyClydeandCo.oftheUnitedKingdomrelative to the circumstances surrounding the signing of the 2016 agreementbetweenGuyanaandExxonMobil.Topublishthe Clyde & Co report in its entirety would expose ExxonMobil’s in the unkindest light before the world, as such relates to its part in the 2016 oil contract. It has no savinggrace,andisanobscenepieceofcorporatecleverness andtrickiness.

The question is no longer who is protecting whom since that is obvious. It is why did the Coalition APNU+AFC consent to be such a helpful partner in this conspiracy with ExxonMobil to keep Guyanese ignorant about the handling of their patrimony When the succeeding PPP/C Government returned to office in 2020, the same political culture of conspiracy with ExxonMobil continued. After a grueling, acrimonious, and bitter elections season, the winning PPP/C Government had every reason in the world to publish the Clyde & Co. report, but made no move to do so.

When the PPP/C Government has had opportunity to conduct an inquiry into all that went into the signing of the 2016 oil contract, it has conspicuously manifested no such interest.Afterrailingabouthowmuchofacrimethe2016oil contract has been, the PPP/C Government then quietly did nothingthatwoulddisturbthepeaceofExxonMobilandleft it alone. Clearly what is at work here is that the political parties are protecting each other, and both have bent over backwardstoprotectExxonMobil,anditsGuyanasecrets.

Presently, the PPP/C Government and its leadership havemadecompleteembarrassmentsofthemselveswiththe expensive humiliation that is the US$214 million audit findings, and all the conspiracies around what should have beenanopenandshutmatter Onceagain,Guyaneseareleft openmouthed on how their governments do very little for them,butbendoverbackwardstodoeverythingpossiblefor ExxonMobil.

This oil that should have been a great moment for Guyanese, an era of good feelings and grand hopes, has turned out to be the opposite. It has been about what drags downanddamages,whathasshatteredtheaspirationsofthis

Oil and Bullyism: Venezuela Opens the Intimidation Playbook Again: Part 1

DEAREDITOR, Venezuela be made to stop Pushing the envelope of swiftandfirmrepudiationby Venezuela’s recent the bullying? This first arrogance further, the Guyana The OAS, the bullying actions against article deals with the first communique, which was United States, CARICOM, petro-power-in-the-making two queries, and the sanctioned by President and the Commonwealth Guyana calls to mind the forthcoming one examines Nicolás Maduro, contended Secretariat also denounced saying plus ça change plus the third and fourth that “the Government of Venezuela’sposition. c’est la même chose (the questions. Guyana does not have Venezuelan authorities more things change, the The latest bullying move sovereign rights over these felt obliged to go further, more they remain the same). Venezuela’s latest maritime areas and though. So, two days after Why so, you may ask? This bullying attempt has two consequently any action the communique was issued, is because the recent aspects; one from the within their limits is in the country’s National intimidation efforts do not presidency, and the other violation of international Assembly approved a representthefirst,orsecond, from the legislature. The law, as long as they are not resolution to hold a or third time that the South former is a statement issued carried out through an “consultative referendum” American republic with the by the foreign ministry on agreement with Venezuela.” intended to “allow the world’s largest proven oil September 19, last that is Moreover, the missive Venezuelan people to reserves has demonstrated pregnant with arrogance and asserted that Venezuela express their views on a willingness to be the belligerence. Among other “reiteratesthatanyillicitand significant territorial dispute neighbourhood bully things, the statement arbitrary concession that – Venezuela’s claim over the Indeed, they crafted an declared: “The Bolivarian Guyana grants, has granted Essequibo territories.” Jorge Intimidation Playbook that Republic of Venezuela or intends to grant in the Rodríguez, president of the datesbacktothelate-1960s. strongly rejects the illegal areas in question is National Assembly, argued This two-part series bidding round for oil blocks unacceptable and violates its that the referendum would addresses four relevant currently being carried out sovereign rights, and warns provide an opportunity for questions. What exactly is by the Government of the that these actions do not V e n e z u e l a n s t o the latest bullying attempt? Cooperative Republic of generate any type of rights “demonstrate and reiterate What explains this latest Guyana since it intends to forthirdpartiestoparticipate their commitment to Playbook effort? What are have maritime areas pending i n t h i s p r o c e s s ” defending the Essequibo in some earlier Playbook delimitation between both Understandably, the thefaceofattemptstoviolate pursuits? Finally, can countries.” Venezuelan posture evoked (Continued on page 6)

President’s housing loan idea will do much for teacher retention

DEAREDITOR, toolbox.Itissaidthatwelose r e c r e a t i o n a n d Math, 52% are failing P r e s i d e n t A l i ’ s almost 60% of our college entertainment.Butthatisnot Science, and 49% are failing announcement of housing graduates.Thisisarecipefor the existence of teachers Social Studies. In Region 1, loans for teachers is a good stagnation, and should have today In the USA, even 72% are failing English, strategy in an overall teacher triggered a state of some janitors have nicer 87% are failing Math, 74% retention plan, in addition to emergency and long-term vehicles than their School are failing Science, and 74% honouring all Collective manpower planning long Principals. are failing Social Studies. Bargaining agreements with ago. But in Guyana, we like When I was a teacher Thisisunacceptable! the teachers’ union to “wing” it, and announce long ago, I was able to get a The Guyana Teachers (“President floats $15M “ r a n d o m a c t s o f loan from the Dependents Union must cooperate with housing loans for teachers- improvement” versus a PensionFundtobuyahouse, the Ministry to address this hears complaints on several “systems approach” to owning my house at age 24. unacceptable state of affairs issues at State House d e s i g n l o n g - t e r m , Allteachersshouldbeableto in student achievement. The gathering,” SN, October 3, sustainable strategies do that. So the President’s achievement of students is 2023; “Teachers complain Teachers are not the highest Plan to allow easy access to strongly correlated with about heat in classrooms, paid people in Guyana, and loans at low interest rates is teacher quality, and teacher KN). they barely live in dignity tobehighlycommended.We growth and development

There is a worldwide Teachers cannot live large as must also double teachers’ Hopefully, the President’s shortage of teachers and the business people and pay, and add more benefits, initiativeinhousingwilllead USA, Middle East, the oligarchs do. Most teachers inadditiontoincreasingbase t o w a r d s m o r e developed world, and even do not own their own cars or p a y B o n u s e s a n d comprehensive reforms in Caricom countries can lure even a bicycle, they have to supplements are not education. Most schools are teachers, nurses, etc. very catch public transportation. I substitutes for increasing decrepit and in need of easily In Guyana, we are alwaysthoughtthatifyougo base pay Increases in base p o w e r- w a s h i n g a n d now suffering from a to college/university, you pay will help in the long run painting, sanitary blocks are shortage of workers in all worked hard and graduate, togethigherNISbenefits. poorlykept,schoolyardsand areas, including labourers. you should be able to live a But while we work on overall environment are We are talking about good, decent, comfortable multiplewaystoincreasethe nasty, furniture are in bad importing all kinds of life. You should be able to overall compensation for all shape, there is an absence of workers. So retention plans own a house, own a car, eat school staff, we must set smart boards in every in all areas should be an decently, dress nice, pay higher expectations for classroom, and even brandessential plank in the your bills, and have a little teacher performance and new schools costing billions government’s policy extra to save for vacation, school outcomes. We must don’t have air condition, set higher standards for which the teachers school management and complained about So, school leadership. I have education, as is, need analysed data on the massivereforms. Ministry’s website – Guyana Mr President,pleasestay National Reports for 2023 on top of it, while you are NGSA – and found some staying on top of the staggering percentages of National Insurance Scheme studentfailures.InRegion5, (NIS)debacles. for instance, 49% are failing Sincerely, English, 68% are failing Dr. Jerry Jailall

country’s sons and daughters. The PPP/C Government got the ball rolling in 1999, commenced what would become a trademark of successive governments: working with ExxonMobil to deceive Guyanese on the disposition of their wealth, and then to deny them knowing what was really going on with their patrimony What is present between successive Guyana Governments and ExxonMobil are more than conspiracies. They are nothing but crimes of a particularlyheinouskind.

Dorwain Bess and APNU/AFC Washington visit In pleading for the poor, where in the PPP does

DEAREDITOR, company over a period of for the benefit of those who to sell. I’m still pursuing Scraping the bottom of two years. By 2020, the wenttoWashington. these matters Bess, the barrel may very well be company,thenrenamedSBF The company SBF was apparently a US citizen, the applicable slogan here as Petroleum Inc. with an asset constantly before the allegedly fled that the APNU/AFC delegation holding company named authorities for some reason jurisdiction and cannot to Washington DC did SBF International Inc., was ortheother,primarilyduring return. It may be prudent for exactly that in citing their paying billions in duties and the period 2015 to 2021. I the APNU/AFC delegation e x a m p l e o f r a c i a l taxes to the GRA. It was decided to resign as a that visited Washington DC discrimination by the greed that resulted in the directorafterfindingoutthat to ask Hakeem Jefferies, GovernmentofGuyana. company’s demise, not my signature was forged. whenever they get to meet

I am compelled to pen anything political. In my Thecompanycollapsedafter him, to find out why In such this letter if only to educate absence, and without notice, I filed court actions to matter, warrants are issued the public about the gross resolutions were passed to retrievemyinvestment. and dispatched to all port of misinformation being by-pass bank instructions I received three separate entries. pedaled as it relates to who designed to protect my court orders against SBF It is quite apparent that reallyisDorwainBess. investment, resulting in the International Inc. and SBF the APNU/AFC delegation

As I was browsing accounts being frozen and Petroleum Inc. However, all that went to Washington DC through the online news, an canceled Only business- the assets of the companies was ill-prepared and sought article on Village Voice minded people would were transferred to Bess in to use frivolous examples of N e w s c a p t i o n e d understand the domino his personal capacity, or racialdiscrimination,asIam “Washington Conference effect. third parties before I could aware that at least one Hears of Discrimination in Like many other move to execution. Dorwain member of that delegation is Guyana, Businessman c o m p a n i e s , S B F Bess subsequently served very well aware of Dorwain D o r i a n B e s s s t o r y International Inc made jail time for intentionally Bess’s actions, his past and highlighted.” I paused to financial contribution to the flouting the court order See present court battles. In any note that “Dorwain Alpha APNU/AFC government j u d g e m e n t a t l i n k : society, a strong Opposition Bess”hasmanyvariationsto election campaign in 2020, http://guyanabarassociation. is required to ensure that the his name, and Dorian, as obviously in exchange for org/decision/anand-sanasie- r u l e o f l a w a n d spelt in the caption of the favours, in SBF’s case, lease v-sbf-international-inc-and- accountabilityisachievedby article,maybeintentional. to a parcel of land to dorwain-bess/ providing strong and robust Roysdale Forde SC establish a fuel farm in Insomecases,assetsthat representation It is my introduced me to Dorwain Linden.Theleasewasissued were still in third parties’ personal opinion that as a Bess in 2014 and proposed by NICIL but to a company names were transferred w h o l e , t h e c u r r e n t that I invest with him to established by Bess named without their knowledge or parliamentary Opposition is import diesel fuel, as he had Alpha Petroleum Inc. whose signing of any transfer the weakest there has been a licence but no money As it directorswereDorwainBess documents Matters for my lifetime, while the turned out, the licence was and his child mother, who involving MARAD transfer government is moving at a issued to one Linden happened, at that time, to be of fuel tankers are still in the fast pace to develop this ThomasunderLYNWILInc. ajuniorlawyerworkingwith court system. Dorwain Bess nation for the benefit of all by the PPP government and Roysdale Forde. Maybe was so blatant that he stood Guyanese, regardless of he sold it to Bess. However, back then, I should have beforeajudgeandstatedthat race. it was not paid for and the asked the question of why he was paid US$600 in cash Regards, company LYNWIL at that the East Indian guy was foroneofthevesselshetried Anand Sanasie time owed GRA and many discriminatedagainstbutno, other suppliers. I bought out I realized that staying on my 45% shares in the company side of the fence may be with 45% staying with Bess prudent The Christopher and 10% offered to Forde Martin show was paid for andproceededtomanagethe with SBF funding and I, an finances I brought in East Indian, signed the investors to turn around the cheque.Iamstatingthisnow

GHK Lall see hope?

DEAREDITOR, the idea that citizens must

In one of his Tuesday’s enjoybasichumanrightstoa articles, GHK Lall notified goodlife,theinstructionsfor usthatheplanstopiggyback which are enshrined in on SN’s Cost-of-Living international covenants and Series “to continue taking the Guyana Constitution the pain of the poor in itself.InourConstitution,for Guyana and give it instance, Article 40 (1) prominence before political mandates that “every person leaders who avert their eyes, in Guyana is entitled to the and harden their hearts.” I basic right to a happy, applaudbothhimandSN. creative and productive life,

But, as they conduct this free from hunger, ignorance, vital campaign on behalf of andwant”.AreGHKandSN the struggling masses, I depending on the PPP to wonder where in the ruling followtheseinstructions? party do they appeal and see (iii) I know for sure they hope:inthePPP’scognition, are not making their appeal itspsyche,oritsmorality? or entertaining hope on this

To elaborate, let’s pose third level: that is, to get the and answer three key PPPtoseespendingonsocial questions: programmes (people’s

(i) does the PPP as a welfare) as an investment in government see as its moral economic growth and duty and obligation or as its development. sole reason for governing, Only APNU speaks the eradication of poverty about this development and the guarantee of a high approach. qualityoflifeforallcitizens? At a March Press

The PPP instead sees Conference, in trouncing the government as mostly self- PPPforitscrowingaboutthe serving, as an apparatus for boom in infrastructure, crony capitalism, and as an Opposition Leader Norton opportunity to enjoy expounded: “it is Jurassic political power for its own economic thinking to sake. Do GHK and SN see consider spending on hopehere? infrastructure (important as

(ii) putting aside moral it is) as the only form of duty, does the PPP embrace (Continued on page 6)

October 5th, 1992, should not be forgotten; nor should it be a date to be routinely commemorated or romanticized

DEAREDITOR, H a v i n g w r i t t e n Many try to postpone for early thirties by now Many as the idiosyncrasies of that it laid the basis for a With every passing year, extensively about the as long as they can, any are either unaware, of the political personalities national democratic the significance of October historicalsignificanceofthat encounter with either Hades, significance of October 5th Historical dates like October environment allowing 5th 1992 will recede more date, on this occasion, I have god of the dead and king of throughnofaultoftheirs,nor 5th must await its political parties to openly and more into the limbo of opted to approach this year’s the underworld or the perhaps, don’t care one anniversary date before any and freely compete with our country’s political commemoration from a biblical St. Peter who some pfennig about the politics of referenceiscontemplated. each other to occupy the seat history s o c i a l c o m m e n t a r y say,isthekeeperofthegates thatera. In the circumstances, of central government and Were it not for those who perspective principally to ofHeaven. Never mind the brand- October 5th is in grave those of the municipal and t a k e t i m e o f f t o inform,andatthesametime, As life and time move on new paved road networks, d a n g e r o f b e i n g local authority areas through commemorate this event appeal to the Guyanese like ‘Ole Man River,’ there improved public education marginalized and eventually freeandfairelectionsbutnot publicly and to reflect on the peoples’senseofjustice. are still some in our midst and health sectors, part time becoming a mere blimp on tostealthepeople’svotes. halcyon days of the PPP’s Withthepassageoftime, who experienced the days jobs, provision of GOAL thepoliticalradarinthelight As October 5th recedes struggle for free and fair the generation of the beforeandimmediatelyafter scholarships and improved of the ascendancy of neo- with every passing year, the elections led by Cheddi seventies and eighties has October 5th, but as nature rive-in transportation, the liberalism, commodity nation continues to grapple Jagan, culminating in the grownolder. would have it just as their hustleisontobeatthecostof fetishism, persistence by w i t h a m y r i a d o f historic October 5th, 1992 N o w a d a y s , t h a t hairline has receded more living, for a house lot, a turn some on ethnic and divisive developmental challenges victory at the polls, that date generation, irrespective of and more, in the same way key home, a motor vehicle, a narratives with the hope of that manifest themselves in would probably pass as just social standing tend to focus October5thhas. better paid job or to be a maintaining political differentways. another ‘who cares?’date on increasingly on their health

Lawlessness pervades under PPP: International Drug busts another stain on Guyana

DEAREDITOR, Gate, and there has not been even a hint that

The generation born contractor. polarization as a means to an October 5th, 1992, theannualcalendar anddietaryneeds. circa 1992 would be in their While a few daily end. should not be forgotten; nor n e w s p a p e r s h a v e The task therefore in my should it be a date to be editorialized on the view, is to keep the legacy of routinely commemorated or significance of October 5th October 5th alive and romanticized. and offer readers their relevant with emphasis on It should be viewed as a interpretation of its the socialist-oriented work in progress by the relevance, they as well as policies of government as Guyanese people, who have social media, tend to focus reflected particularly in the assumed the task of pushing more on topical social and extantdynamicandevolving for change, to rebuild and to political occurrences, news social sector whose aim is to transform Guyana as a better stories about murders, deliver quality goods and and brighter place for all accidents, corruption servicestothecitizenry Guyanese. allegations, elections, One of the lasting Yours faithfully, happenings in court, as well legacies of October 5th is Clement J. Rohee

As night follows day, so too the return of stern action would be taken against the thePPPtoofficehasseenanuptakeincrimes perpetrators. Instead, the Guyana Police overall - murders, rapes, burglaries, Force, CANU and other oppressive arms, are robberies, shootings, and most notably, the used to bully, intimidate and shakedown the industrial scale shipment of drugs as an “rest” for minor offenses like urinating in a exportcommodity. public place, and restraining citizens from

Generally, there is a pervasive sense of travelling, while the 5%, who are closely dread and an accompanying trauma that we aligned to the regime plunder the people’s witness in the increase in interpersonal resources, ship drugs, and carry on with violence and suicides. Not a day goes by impunity Thisisthe“newGuyana”. without ambulances whizzing by in all The most recent international drug busts directions as if there is some mass-casualty that involves a Guyanese registered vessel situation at hand. These are followed by a andaPanamanianregisteredshipthatdocked parade of vehicles assigned to hastily formed inourwatersbeforeproceedingwithitsstash, “friends and family” security companies of are timely reminders that Guyana’s everyalphabeticdescription. ignominious place as part of the group of

Instead of listening, the government lawless states, is now regained. We will chooses to hold more expos, build more continue to be embarrassed, humiliated and roads, and sponsor more fetes.This is the sad scorned on the world’s stage, while the local reality for 95% of Guyanese. On the other emperors’paradearoundasifnoonesees,no hand, the “hustlers”, the 5%, all brandishing one knows, and no one has any intention of guns and with flickering lights and howling doinganythingaboutit. sirens arrayed on their heavily tinted The AFC knows that calling for an vehicles, announce that they are back and investigation into how thousands of kilos of comingthrough-literallyandfiguratively To cocaine could have easily passed through the ordinary and average Guyanese, the 95% Guyana’sportswillfallondeafears.Whatwe of us who are the “the rest”, we have to stand will do instead is remind that every rope has aside and look on as we see every law being itsend.ThePPPistodayashamefulrepeatof trampledonwithimpunity-fromtrafficlaws its old self, but this time, engorged by toanti-corruptionandanti-narcoticslaws. steroids.

In the past months, we have endured Su- Regards, Gate, Mae-Toussaint Gate, and Dharamlall- Alliance For Change

In pleading for the poor, where in the PPP...

From page 5 foodsecurity,andothersocialprogramsisno publicinvestmentforeconomicgrowth.New longer mischaracterized as public developmentplanning,backedupbydecades consumption of goods and services, but as of research and practice, considers what was investments because such expenditure, in once termed “public consumption” as actual ensuring and enhancing the quality of life of public investment, given its essence and people, drives economic growth and impact. development.” Given all the above, where Therefore, government spending in such doesthatleaveGHK? realms as health, education, crime Regards, prevention, child care, nutrition support and Sherwood Lowe

Oil and Bullyism: Venezuela Opens

the...

The inaugural oil auction trajectory, indicating that by the integrity of the national closed on September 12. the end of this year the territory.” Eight of the 14 blocks, 11 in country’s production will Interestingly, the shallow water and three in stand at 600,000 barrels of legislative action was partly deep water, received bids oil per day, and that by the a response to the strong from six groups of end of 2027 it is projected to response by the United companies. reach 1.3 million barrels per States to the September 19 Bids were submitted day, generated by an communique. Indeed, in his from individual companies anticipated seven Floating September23rdspeechtothe and joint ventures from Production Storage and United Nations General several countries the world Offloading (FPSO) vessels. Assembly, Foreign Minister over Venezuela recognizes this Yvan Gil explained: “Two They included Total progress and projection for days ago, Venezuela’s Energies EP Guyana B.V, what they are—phenomenal N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y Qatar Energy International a n d i n c r e d i b l y unanimously decided to call E&P LLC, & Petronas E&P l u c r a t i v e a n d i t s our people to vote in a Overseas Ventures SDN expansionist impulse, first consultative referendum to BHD (Malaysia); Delcorp publicly exposed in 1975 by ratify the defense of our Inc–Guyana,WatadEnergy, the late Dr Eric Williams, sovereign territory against Arabian Drillers (Saudia then Prime Minister of oilthe aggressions of the Arabia); Exxon Mobil and-gas-rich Trinidad and American empire, which GuyanaLimited,HESSNew Tobago at a convention of wants to lead us to a war for Ventures Exploration the ruling People’s National natural resources.” All this Limited, and CNOOC Movement, compels it to begs the question: what Petroleum Guyana Limited; continueitscampaignforthe prompted this action by the L i b e r t y P e t r o l e u m resource-rich Essequibo, two branches of the Corporation (USA) and, which amounts to 74 percent Venezuelangovernment?

From page 4

Cybele Energy Limited ofGuyana.

What Explains (Ghana); Sispro Inc Yet, this latest bullying the Latest Move? (Guyana); and lastly episode comes out of a hefty Venezuela’s latest International Group Intimidation Playbook, and bullying move comes in the Investment Inc. (Guyana), in on the eve of the124th wake of another recent step joint venture with Montego anniversary of the 1899 by Guyana in its journey Energy SA(London). Arbitral Award, which is along the corridors of petro Theannouncementofthe October3. power—the announcement outcome of the auction bid In the next article, we of the winners of Guyana’s round represented another shall examine a few of the first-ever auction of some of successful step along the entries in the Playbook and its oilfields, 14 blocks, country’s petro power ponder whether Venezuela ranging from about 1,000 journey can be made to end its square kilometers to 3,000 This past September intimidation of its smaller square kilometers, with the Minister Deodat Indar andweakerneighbour majority of them being close provided a window into the Sincerely, to 2,000 square kilometers. republic’s petro power Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith

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Corruption test

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Guyana sometime this month will be undergoing its sixth-round of on-site review through the Follow-Up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC).

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The review is in keeping with Guyana's treaty obligations under the Organisation of American States' Inter- American Convention Against Corruption (IACAC). Guyanese do not need any international report to enlighten them as to how things are here, they know because this has been their life since Independence. Corruption and political discord have been almost like close family members. The two sicknesses have dominated in seasons where there was more, and other times, when there was almost nothing. Like the jaws of a ferocious pitbull, corruption and political discord have latched on to Guyanese, and just would not let go.

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But now Guyana is richer than it has ever been. There is the CNBC report celebrating real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) projections for an incredible 115% growth in the next five years, which means the economy more than doubling. We at this paper think that that 115% GDP projection has merit. And, we also agree that the two cancers of corruption and political hostility can damage national prospects, if both are not approached urgently, honestly, and frankly

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Demerara June Assizes conclude with a mix of verdicts

The Demerara June CriminalAssizes for 2023, a significanteventinGuyana's legal calendar, recently concluded after several weeks of intense legal proceedings.

Commencing on June 6th, this year's assizes witnessed the presiding of Justice Navindra Singh, Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Justice Sandil Kissoon, Madam Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, and Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall According toinformationfromtheoffice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a staggering total of 266 cases were scheduled to be heard, with a diverse range of charges. The State managed to dispose of 35 matters, and theoutcomesofferaglimpse intothecomplexdynamicsof the Guyanese judicial system.

High Stakes Murder CasesandSexualOffences

Out of the 35 cases resolved, 28 were presented in the High Court. Among these, 16 pertained to the

grave offence of murder, 10 involved sexual offences, and 2 were related to the attempted murder The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, decided to nolle prosequi, or discontinue,prosecutionin8 cases.

The verdicts were as follows:

-6convictions.

-13guiltypleas.

- 6 not guilty verdicts by jury

-5formalverdictsofnot guilty

-2casesendedwithhung juries.

In total, 33 accused individuals were involved in thesecases.

SexualOffencesCourt

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (ADPP)

Tiffiny Lyken, Senior State Counsel Nafeeza Baig, and State Counsel Praneeta Seeraj prosecuted 5 cases in the Sexual Offences Court before Justice Navindra Singh In these trials, 3 accused individuals were foundguiltybyajury Twoof

them received life imprisonment, while the other was sentenced to 2 yearsinprison.

In 2 other sexual offence cases, one ended with an acquittal by jury verdict, whilethetrialjudgeuphelda "no case" submission, directing the jury to return a formalverdictofnotguilty

Murder Cases Before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry

State Counsel Caressa Henry, Latiffa Elliot, Abiola Lowe, and Mikel Puran handled 5 murder cases before Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry In 4 of these cases, the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, with sentences ranging from 6 to 15 years in prison. One case ended with an acquittal byjuryverdict.

Justice Navindra Singh's Cases

State Counsel Caressa Henry, Marisa Edwards, Paneeta Persaud, and Mikel Puran prosecuted 4 murder cases before Justice

NavindraSingh.In3ofthese cases, the accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter, receiving sentences between 6 and 10 years. In another case, the judge upheld a "no case" submission, leading to aformalverdictofnotguilty

Justice Sandil Kissoon's Verdicts

Justice Sandil Kissoon oversaw 2 cases, one involving murder and the other an attempt to commit murder and wounding with intent. The accused in the murder case received a life sentence with the possibility ofparoleafter30years,while the accused in the second case pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years and 6 monthsinprison.

Justice Simone Morris-

Ramlall'sCases

Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall presided over 7 matters, including 6 murdercasesandoneforthe attempt to commit murder with the alternative count of felonious wounding. In one murder case, the accused pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

In 2 others, the accused p l e a d e d g u i l t y t o manslaughter and are awaitingtheirsentences.One caseendedwiththeacquittal of all accused, while another awaits a new trial after the juryfailedtoreachaverdict. Intheattemptedmurdercase, theaccusedwasfoundguilty of felonious wounding and sentenced to 8 years in prison, with an order to

undergoangermanagement.

Sexual Offences Cases

Before Madam Justice JoAnnBarlow

State Counsel Lattifa Elliot, Simran Gajraj, Rbina Christmas, and Delon Fraser presented 5 sexual offenses cases before Madam Justice Jo-AnnBarlow.In4ofthese cases, the accused were acquitted by jury verdicts of not guilty In the fifth case, oneaccusedwasfoundguilty andawaitssentencing,while the co-accused awaits a new trialafterahungjury Additionally, the Director of Public Prosecutions discontinued 6 sexual offenses cases and 2 cases for attempted murder due to complainants' written statements indicating their reluctance to proceed with prosecution. The Demerara June Assizes for 2023 have concluded, leaving behind a complex mosaic of legal outcomes that reflect the intricacies of Guyana's justice system. The cases ranged from high-stakes murder trials to sensitive sexual offenses, showcasing the diverse challenges faced by the judiciary in administeringjustice.

The system is dysfunctional

During his recent public bureaucracy is industrial process and who The system works for p e n s i o n s W h i l e meeting with a section of the clogged with red tape, is does not. The system does thisclassandthisiswhythey badmouthing the system, Guyanese Diaspora in New sluggish, inefficient and not work in this regard. gave back so much to the they are seeking to reap York, many persons spoke pervaded by corruption Many persons who reside in party It was not surprising rewards. about their desire to return Getting things done requires the diaspora return an that80%oftheprivateissues Many of them are going home and contribute to knowing someone who attitude of entitlement. They said to have been raised at to be shocked that they do nationaldevelopment. knows someone that can believe that they should the meeting concerned NIS not qualify for a pension. It

Many said that they move things along for enjoy certain privileges, pensions. For a long time, was also reported that there healthy cash grant from the wanted help to do so. The special consideration. But including as the President non-resident Guyanese were is a three-fold increase in the government. President advised them to even if the system did work, related, top-paying jobs with not keen on applying for passport applications. Since (The views expressed in come back and allow the there are persons who b e n e f i t s s u c h a s their NIS. The majority may Guyana became an oil- this article are those of the systemtowork.Thus,ifthey believe that you need a little accommodation for them not even qualify. But having producing stat, Guyanese in a u t h o r a n d d o n o t wanted land, they would ‘help from friends’ to gain and their families, return heardofthehealthypensions the diaspora are rushing to necessarily reflect the have to secure this on the advantages. And this is why airfares twice a year for which are now paid, obtain Guyanese passports, opinions and beliefs of this open market. If they were there is such a great demand themselves and families and everybody now wants to see with hopes of probably one n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s seeking investment to meet with senior payment for their children’s if they qualify for NIS day benefiting from a affiliates.) opportunities, then they governmentfunctionary tuition.Thesepersonshavea wereadvisedtodowhatthey It is therefore not highly inflated sense of their would do in the USA: come, sufficientforthePresidentto worth. ferret out the opportunities simplycallonthediasporato The fact is that whatever suitedtothemandmaketheir meet the system work. The skillstheyhavecanbefound investments. government’s obligation is in Guyana or in the

This answer by the to make the system less Caribbean. These skills can President did not please dysfunctional Merely also be recruited for far less some of the persons. They suggesting to the diaspora than what the non-resident were looking for a special that they should return and Guyanese are demanding. shoo-in by the government. obtain lands on the open Secondly, the diaspora is no But the Head-of-State was market does not resolve the longer as important to the deterring them from having problem of a dysfunctional People’s Progressive Party t o m e e t w i t h h i g h system. Not everyone of astheymayfeel. government officials simply course is advised by the In the period prior to to remigrate or to set up President to let the system 2001, the PPPC raised a businesses. He mentioned work. The President does significant share of their repeatedly that they system meet with major investors campaign finances from the should be allowed to work: and other persons, including diaspora. But what is given in other words, the from the diaspora The today is a mere “chicken governmentwasnotgoingto President therefore needs to feed”.ThePPPdoesnotneed hand out any extra-special advise all of the big shots the financial support of the favours to the members of who want to see him that diaspora. the diaspora. The President they should let the system Since 2001, a local wantsthesystemtowork. work. oligarchic class has

The problem is that the While it is easy to advise emerged. This class benefits system does not work and persons to seeking land on extensively from the this is one of the prime the open market, there needs largesse of the State and the reasons persons have to seek to be clear rules about who PPP/C acts almost totally at high-level interventions to qualifies for government’s the behest of this oligarchic move things alone The lands for commercial and class.

Finding favour with Jagdeo

Iam going to be a changedman,anditis a promise that I intendtokeep. Theplanisto tell my brother, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo what he wants to hear, what thrills him endlessly For to getontherightsideofhimis topavethewaytoone'sown prosperity

Further, even greater insights are obtained on how

this country works, how its institutions fall in line, and how situations are massaged and molded for premediated outcomes.

AllGuyaneseoweaword of thanks to the Vice President for providing p r o o f s a b o u t t h e transparencywithwhichthis PPPGovernment goes about itsbusiness.

I applaud the National

Procurement and Tender

Board Administration (NPTAB) for doing the right thing: it is the essence of survival and continuity The timehascomeformetoform a company, and submit bids, ifonlytotestthesystem.

I should get to know some of the players better, discern what makes them tick, appreciate what influences them to think

alongcertainlines.

To be clear, there are alreadysolidideasabouthow tender boards operate in this cityandcountry

But I am a firm believer that a little more knowledge is always more helpful, makes for a more wellequipped citizen. So, there w i l l b e a c l e a r e r understanding of NPTAB: the mysteries of its

deliberations, the human strands that direct its manoeuvres, and the wisdomsthatleaditincertain peculiar directions, with results that speak for themselves.

Like I said: do right by Jagdeoandthegoldmedalis asgoodasguaranteed.Thisis whereNPTABcomesin,and is at its best. Just say the word [through channels, naturally] and consider whatever it is that has to be done,asdone.

Frankly, it is the most seamless way of doing business.

All things considered, includingthepolitical,thisis interpretingwhatfreemarket operations and arrangements are all about in the most liberal manner that can be imagined. Thereisgratitude for the transparency about whogetswhat.

But there is this confessionthatmustbemade publicly:thereisdifficultyin understanding how some thingscouldactuallybe.

It is why I said at the beginningthatIhavecometo see the light: speak right beforeBrotherBarry,andall willbewell.

No hiccups. No hangups. No holdups. Tell the master magician waving his wand, so that those who know what they have to do spring into action. Clearly, NPTAB is in tune with the times, is very familiar with how the wind blows, and what the temperature should be inside its air-conditioned confines.

Try warm for a start, as in receptive, then fully responsive.

The more mischievous part in me wonders how the people in NPTAB would reactiftheyhavetodealwith a pile of bid documents that has GHK Lall & Partners stamped across the front page.

But being the wise man that I supposedly am, there s h o u l d n ' t b e a n y misunderstandings or misgivings,whichiswhythe step of 'AND PARTNERS' wastaken.

Who partners are is the keytowhoisgoingtobethe arranger, who is capable of manipulating those minds that have possibly long lost any ability to think for self, andoperateindependently

This is how NPTAB and transparencyarelinked,what is now beyond denial, lack anydoubt.

This is how obvious the nature of its handiwork has become to those who pay attention to these things, and with the least jaundiced eye.

To make my brother, Vice President Jagdeo, even more pleased with me, I go the wholenineyards:thereisnot only transparency, but also accountability in the output of NPTAB, the sweetness of itsawards.

There is this one little point that nags, though, which wouldn't go away: accountability to what and whom?

Accountability to rules and processes as neatly laid out on paper would be an inspiring beginning. It is accountability to whom, and their wishes and whims, is where the trouble lies, and stuffstartshittingthefan.

Justtoensurethatnobody is mistaken about the new me. There are those who are proud to play the parrot; please leave me out of that gang.

There are many in this political swamp, who are paid to play the puppet; ensure that I am excluded. Andthen,therearethosewho don'tcarewhateverlow,dirty jobtheyhavetodo,don'tcare about how stupid they look, don't care that what a nation seeisthattheyareeverready, to be willing pawns to be pushedaround,playedgames with,andkickedabout.

I need a favour from my fellow Guyanese: whatever is thought of, or done, don't everputthissimple,humble, peasant in any of those categories.

Those have their own people,anddon'tincludeme.

Give them the fat contractsandcushyjobs;the otherbottomfeederswhodo dirty PPP work must be drooling in anticipation over what could be lined up for them.

Peace and goodwill in October to all those who participate in these circuses, ranging from ranking political figures to the wonderful folks at NPTAB. And, of course, the beneficiaries.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Bandits strike during blackout at Stabroek Market block

While citizens across Guyana were gravely affected by the frequent power outages Monday night, bandits struck at the StabroekMarket.

All around the city at around 20:50hrs citizens were scurrying to their

homes, dreading the dangers thatmaylurkateverycorner Manywerenotpreparedfora small band of bandits who decidedtousethe'blackouts' to their best advantage, pouncing on unsuspecting passersby, hurrying to their homes.

Though the Stabroek Market block was very dark in many areas, dim lights flickered from the stalls of justafewboldvendors,who stilldaredtostayoutandply their trade.This allowed just enough lights for what seemed to be very

experienced thieves to carry outtheirevilplansofrobbing thosepassing.

They first struck at around 08:58 hrs on the barelylitSophiaBusPark(in front of the Demico House

Outlet) pouncing on unsuspecting school teacher Annette London, of Grove

Village, East Bank Demerara.

Our reporter who was enroute to the Plaisance Bus Parkwasluckytowitnessthe incident,andnotedthatthree young men (seemingly in their early twenties) were seen chatting on the park when a Kitty/Campbellville bus rolled into the park. He said, the teacher was the last togetoffthebus.

Our reporter noted that the woman appeared to be rummaging through her handbag for something, and was distracted when two of thebanditsstruck.Theyboth rushed up to the startled woman, and while one quickly relieved her of her handbag, they both ran off towardstheStabroekMarket area.

Apparently shocked, the woman took a little while to fathom what had happened. Whenshecametohersenses, she shouted, “Thief, thief”, twice, but by then, the men had disappeared The stunnedandweepingwoman relatedthatshehadlostacell p h o n e , v a l u e d a t GYD$32,000, GYD$16,000 incash,aperfumesetvalued at GYD$8,000, and some important documents. She was helped by a publicspirited gentleman, who helped her with $1000 to get home.

What many did not realise is that the men just a shortwhileago,hadrobbeda Venezuelan male, 32 yearold Miguel De Santos who wasmakinghiswayfromthe Linden Bus Park. He had

stoppedtourinateatadismal spot close to the former 'Dredge Shop Bar' (around theTimehriBusPark).

Themanrelatedthatthree men, (two of them with braided hair) had attacked him even as he was in the process of urinating. He said onechokedhimfrombehind, while the other two relieved himofawristwatch,hiscell phone, and a pure silver necklace he was wearing at thetime.

While he could not seeminglyestimatethevalue of the items, he did mention that the wrist watch was a borrowed item from a relative. A fearful woman, reluctantlyrelatedthatitwas the same men who had robbed the school teacher

After divulging this information, she quickly disappeared but mouthing, “Lehmegetoutahhay,cause dem does come fuh yuh, whenyouplayingasnitch”.

There are rumours that a thirdincidentoccurredatthe eastern end of the Timehri Bus Park, at around 21:30

hrs,butsourcessaidthistime a man was robbed by two males,inthecompanyoftwo female sex workers, but could not relate what items werestolen.

What was troubling was that no one attempted to render assistance to the victims, even though they were persons loitering in the vicinityofthecrimes.Itisnot clear if the teacher reported themattertothepoliceatthe Stabroek Outpost, but the Spanishmanwhenadvisedto do so, shook his head sadly, saying,“Wasteoftime”.

Over the years, the Stabroek Market block has been notorious for criminal activities , but overtime it seemed to have simmered. However, with Monday night'sattacks,personsareof the view that the criminals are up to their old ways. Manyexpresseddispleasure; there were no police officers patrollingthebusparks,even though there were ranks on duty at the Stabroek Outpost atthetime.

The Stabroek Demico House walkway, where many late-night robberies occur

since Guyana’s oil minister was sworn in, but never held a press conference

Today marks 1,154 days since Vickram Bharrat was sworn in as Minister of NaturalResourcesonAugust 6,2020andhehasnothelda press conference to address critical questions about his day-to-day management of the multi-billion dollar oil andgassector

At a press conference held last month, Vice President,Dr BharratJagdeo madeitclearthatheistasked with providing the public with an understanding of the government's policy position in the oil and gas sector He said however that the

below:

1. Relinquishment Clauses & Contract Administration: Questions loom regarding oil firms'

c o m p l i a n c e w i t h relinquishment clauses in exploration contracts

Stakeholders contend that there's a pressing need for clarity on how the ministry intends to manage the relinquishment of oil block portions, ensuring optimal nationalbenefit.

2. Update on Local ContentAct: Having been in effect since 2021, a

comprehensive report

Petroleum Management

Guyana's soaring economic

trajectoryseemsmismatched with the current subpar state of the website, marked by

productiondatathatlagstwo months behind current timelines, glaring omissions

on discoveries and drilling programmes,andalackluster userexperience.

implementation of the policiesandtheintricaciesof the sector fall under the minister's management. The Vice President has underscored this point in recent times, as members of the media have raised questionsabouttheministry's handlingofkeymatters.

With Guyana heralded as thefastest-growingeconomy by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), thanks to its burgeoning oil andgasindustry,thepolitical opposition in Guyana has incessantly advocated for t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability as the sector's guiding principles. In this light, a press conference led by Minister Bharrat isn't merely expected it's imperative for fostering understanding and trust among the populace and stakeholders.

Industry insiders and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting Minister Bharrat's engagement with the media to shed light on pressing issues such as those listed

outlining its achievements, influence, and forwardlooking insights is yet to be presented to Guyana's Parliament. Although some procurement numbers have been presented by the Ministry, a detailed analysis remains conspicuously absent.

3. I n s i g h t o n Petroleum Activities Act: The recent act's passing and the upcoming auction of 14 oil blocks - with offers on eight already - necessitates a

clear outline of the government's strategic direction on capacity

building, especially considering the nation's current skill gap in the oil industry

4. Introduction to the Petroleum Unit: The conspicuous absence of a formalintroductiontosucha pivotal entity raises eyebrows Stakeholders question the government's commitment to transparency and wonder who is steering thismulti-billion-dollarship.

5. Revamping the

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

EPA waives EIA for new Private Hospital in Providence

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will not be required for the construction and operation of the Nightingale Super Specialty Hospital (NSSH) slated for Plantation, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

According to a public notice published by the agency, the facility which is slated to be constructed at Parcel No. 3870 Block III, Plantation Providence, it was determined that the projectwillnotsignificantly affect the environment, and is therefore exempted from

the requirement to conduct anEIA.

EPA stated that the reasonforthedecisionisthat impacts from noise will be low to moderate, short-term and localised during construction. In cases of a power outage during operationalownoiseenergy efficient and fumecontrolled power generator systemwillbeusedtoreduce noise emissions Noise emissions are not expected toexceed90dB(A).

Secondly,theEPAsaidit foundthatimpactsfromdust pollution will be moderate during construction Dust control measures such as dampening the work area,

covering loose soil materials,andimplementing water spraying systems to suppressdustemissionswill beundertaken.

General construction waste will be placed in skip bins and will be disposed of atanEPA-approvedsanitary landfill.

The agency noted that impact to water quality will be short term, mitigable and localized Wastewater generated will be treated to acceptable local and international standards (GNBS) Finally, it was revealed that the proposed project is not in the vicinity of any sensitive ecosystem and or protected areas and

thenatureoftheactivitywill not have significant impacts ontheecosystem.

Meanwhile,initsProject Summary to EPA, NSSH Inc.statedthatthehospitalis registered under the company's act of Guyana with its registered office locatedat137SheriffStreet, Georgetown.

The company was incorporated in March 2021andhasavisiontobring to Guyana a high quality of medical services. “This is a critical area of need in Guyana and will serve both thepeopleofGuyanaandthe Government of Guyana as they continue to execute their function and steer Guyana into the new levels of development in both existing and new sectors,” NSSHpublished.

NSSH noted that it will embody the symbol of international health care in

Guyana and that on its team is a group of highly trained and skilled professionals including doctors in both generalandspecializedareas practice.

The Project Summary disclosed also that the new specialty hospital is estimated to cost some US$29 million, and would bea100-bedSuperSpecialty hospital NSSH hospital program is proposed to be thefirstinGuyana,andthird in the Caribbean to be accredited with the Joint Commission International (JCI)standard.

JCI is a recognized global leader in health care accreditation, and pride itself as the author of rigorous international standards on quality and patientsafety

The construction of the hospital is expected to be completed over a 9 – 24-

month period. This timeline is based on experience as well as the recent timeline for the construction of a similar facility within the Caribbeanregion.

The company states that this project would see the generation of 90 full time jobs during operation of the facility, and 100 jobs during the construction phase

Notably, NSSH explained that its facility aims to be a specialised medical facility that offers a comprehensive rangeofhealthcareservices, treatments, and patient care.

“Serving as a vital cornerstoneofmedicalcare, hospitals play a pivotal role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing various illnesses and injuries.Additionally, it will contribute to medical research advancements and provide training for healthcare professionals,” thedocumentmentioned.

MP calls for investigation into award of $865M contract to 'Guyanese Critic'

...citescompany'slackofexperience

Op p o s i t i o n M e m b e r o f Parliament (MP)

David Patterson on Tuesday wrote to the Public

Procurement Commission (PPC) requesting an investigation into the recent contractawardtoacompany he alleges has failed to meet thetechnicalrequirementsof theproject.

In his letter to the PPC, seen by this publication, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure said that, “the technicalrequirementsofthe bid documents required the successful bidder to have successfully completed projects of a similar nature and size within the last three years.”

He however pointed out

the company that received the $865M contract- Tepui GroupInc.wasestablishedin August 2022, thus failing to meet those requirements

Kaieteur News was able to confirm from the owner of Tepui Group Inc., Winston Martindale that the business wasregisteredlastyear This publication was however unable to verify the project's requirement for three years priorexperience.

Tepui Group was awarded the contract to construct a pump station at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara (WBD) through the tendering process at the National Procurement Tender Administration (NPTAB) on August 14, 2023.Theprocuringentityof

the contract is the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) The company is affiliated with the'GuyaneseCritic'whoisa close friend of leaders in the People's Progressive Party, particularly Vice President BharratJagdeo.

In his letter to the Public Procurement Commission, t h e O p p o s i t i o n Parliamentarian requested that should the award prove defective, necessary actions should be taken against the entities and individuals associated with the award.

On Sunday, Kaieteur News reported Opposition MPand member of the Public AccountsCommittee(PAC), Ganesh Mahipaul accusing NPTAB of being at the helm

Man, 72, remanded for unlicensed gun, ammo

of rampant corruption and d i s r e g a r d i n g t h e ProcurementActof2003.

He explained that while the Act mandates that contracts be awarded to the lowest, most responsive bidder, the agency seems to have gone rogue in its application of the law Mahipaul said that the legislation explicitly u n d e r s c o r e s t h a t responsiveness pertains not only to the conformity of submitted documents but also the vital criterion of offering the most economically advantageous p r o p o s a l t h r o u g h competitivepricing.

To this end, he said a strange and alarming pattern has emerged where the lowest bidders, in several recent projects, seem strangely bereft of responsiveness when the NPTAB bestows contracts

Social media commentator, Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as “Guyanese Critic” is part of the company that received the $865 contract without meeting the technical requirements.

said,“Thisglaring

y raises profound doubts about the institution's adherence to the law Consequently, it is not

only justifiable but imperative to call for an i m m e d i a t e a n d comprehensive investigation into the operations of the NPTAB.”

The unlicensed .32 Taurus Pistol and 17 live .32 rounds of ammunition.

Seventy-two-year-old George Aubrey Archer of Suddie Public Road, Essequibo Coast, was on Monday charged for being in possession of anunlicensedgunandammunition.

According to the police, Archer was arrested by ranks on Thursday, at Ondemeeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, after he was nabbed of an unlicensed .32 Taurus pistol and one magazine containing 17live.32roundsofammunition.

The accused appeared at the Charity Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Esther Sam, where the two charges were read to him.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The prosecutor objected to bail, and the

George Aubrey Archer

defendant was remanded to prison. The accusedwillmakehisnextcourtappearance onNovember03,2023forreports.

Doctor accused of rape hiding from police

The doctor who is accusedofraping a p r e g n a n t Venezuelan woman has reportedlygoneintohiding.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the police have been trying to locate themanbuthehasmanaged tokeeponestepaheadofthe lawmen.

He has not been seen at his home for the past week and it is suspected that the man is maintaining a low profile.

The doctor allegedly raped and sodomised the

woman on Sunday September 24 at a house in Eccles, East Bank Demarara.

She had fallen into his trap after responding to a Facebook ad which sought live-incleanersandpainters.

She made contact with the number attached to the adandthesuspectpersuaded hertoaccompanyhiminhis pick-up to go for a job interview

When they got to the location, he raped her The woman managed to escape by convincing the doctor to

take her to buy food. She reportedly seized the opportunity to escape, leaving her purse behind in hisvehicle.

Thisisreportedlynotthe first sex crime the man has beeninvolved in

Hehasreportedlysettled past matters with cash and b e c a u s e o f h i s connections in the justice system, some of his victims never received justice

A Chinese woman in Russiaisalsolookingforthe mantopaychildsupport.

GPL blames contractor for six-hourlong blackout across country

The Guyana Power and

Light Inc (GPL) has blamed a contractor for a six-hour-long black-out that plagued the counties of Demerara andBerbiceonTuesday

unsupervised vegetation clearing in the Friendship Backdam area, EastBankDemerara(EBD).

This incident reportedly took placearound11:00hrs.

GPLsaid,too,thatnotonlywas there a major power outage but a grassfirehadalsoeruptedafterthe transmissionlinefelltotheground.

afternoon.

According to GPL, the contractor broke one of the conductors of an

transmission

That conductor, said the utility company,connectedtheGardenof Eden Power Plant to the Grove Substation.

"At the time the line was

transmitting approximately 25 Megawatts(MWs)ofgeneration", GPL stated while adding that the "sudden loss of generation caused arippleeffectonthegrid"resulting in the shutdown of several generatingunits.

This led to the immediate disruptionof"servicetocustomers inDemeraraandBerbice".

TheGuyanaFireServicehadto be called in to extinguish the flames before technicians could havecommencedrepairs.

Repairs were reportedly completed until 17:15hrs that

GPLhas since lodged a police report against the contractor and saidthatitisseekingcompensation forthedamagetothenetworkand disruptionofservices.

“Once again, we implore contractors to contact GPL before executingworkincloseproximity toournetwork",GPLsaid.

Vehicle used in the rape ordeal.

GPL technicians repairing the transmission line on Tuesday

Three men charged for armed robbery

‘Robot’ jailed for stealing poultry

Damion Morgon

Threemenwereon

Tuesday fined $500,000 each, after they were found guilty of an armed robbery committed on Suresh Sooknanan at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office in New Amsterdam,

Berbice on September 13, 2023 According to the police, 32-year-old O' Neil Lampkin, a construction worker of Sheet Anchor Village,EastCanjeBerbice; Damion Morgan, 25, of ForthOrdinance,EastCanje Berbice; and Shkeel Grant,

27, a businessman of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, were allchargedfortheoffenceof robberyunderarms.

Thethreeappearedatthe Georgetown Magistrates' Courts, before Magistrate Faye McGusty, where the

Woman accuses child father of setting house on fire over misunderstanding

Awoman is now accusing the father of her two children of setting her family's home on fire last MondayatAnn'sGrove,East CoastDemerara.

Shemadeaccusationsina live Facebook video calling forjustice.

The victims did not identify themselves in the videobut Kaieteur News was abletoconfirmthatasection of their home was destroyed byafirethatissuspectedtobe anactofarson.

The woman, her two children, her mother and other family members were reportedly asleep when the firestarted.

They claimed that they were awakened by loud sounds."Theplacewasdark," recalled the woman as the family soon realised that the housewasonfire.

Her mother added, "Me andmehchildrenhadtojump overtheverandabecauseduh was the only way (to escape thefire.).”

The mother, like her daughter, believes that the suspect is her ex-son-in-law

andwantspolicetoarrestand questionhim.

"AndIwantjusticecause he coulda kill we and we whole family in hay", the mothersaidwhileaddingthat she has also injured her back while escaping from their one-flatconcretehome.

According to the victims, the suspect had threatened theminthepasttoburndown

charge was read to them. They were not required to pleadtothecharge.

The matter was adjourned to October 24, 2023 for report. The case was transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrates' Court.

Forty-three-year-

o l d C a r l t o n

Peterson also known as 'Robot', a labourer of Lima Sands Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was on Monday jailed for stealing poultry from a 26year-old female domestic workerinJunethisyear

The defendant appeared

Man jailed for stealing poultry, Carlton Peterson (Robot)

their house and kill them all because his child mother had endedtheirrelationship.

On Sunday, he allegedly showed up and had a heated argument with the child m o t h e r o v e r a misunderstanding The following night their home wasreportedlysetonfire.

Investigations are ongoing.

virtually from prison at the Charity Magistrates' Court, before Magistrate Esther Sam, where the charge was readtohim.

Peterson was charged for the offence larceny of poultry. The Magistrate foundhimguilty,andhewas sentenced to 10 months imprisonment.

O' Neil Lampkin

One of the fire victims demanding justice on camera

Shkeel Brian Grant

'Akko' remanded for attempted murder

Arkanel Edwards called 'Akko,' a 22-year-old logger of Capoey Mission, Essequibo Coast, was on Tuesday charged and remanded to prison

for the attempted murder of 42-year-old Mark Rodrigues onMarch11,2023.

According to the police, the accused appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrates' Court before

Magistrate Esther Sam, where the charge was read to him. He was chargedwiththeoffenceofattempt to commit murder, contrary to section103(c)oftheCriminalLaw OffencesAct,Chapter8:01.

Edwards was not required to plead to the charge. The prosecutor objectedtobail,andtheaccusedwas remandedtoprison.Thematterwas adjourned to October 17, 2023 for disclosureofstatements. Arkanel Edwards

Anomalies in teachers' salaries to be amended this month—Pres.Ali

PresidentIrfaanAli

announced on Monday that existing anomalies affecting teachers paid below their minimum salary scales will be amended this month, the Office of the President has said.

The Head-of-State made the announcement during a meeting with teachers from across Guyana at State House, where he also announced that at least two commercial banks will prequalifyandapproveloans for teachers to start building and or to continue building their homes at a special interest rate once they have beenallocatedhouselots.

The meeting was attended by hundreds of teachers including head teachers, deputy head teachers, heads of d e p a r t m e n t s a n d representatives from the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU).

The payment this month

will be a one-off arrears paymentforeligibleteachers between the period of September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2023, which according to the President, willamounttoover$700m.

During his address, the Head-of-State also announcedthathecontacted two commercial banks recently, which indicated their willingness to work along with the teachers for loans of up to $15M at an interestrateof3.75%.

Banks had reduced their rates to accommodate the construction boom in the country,butneveratthisrate ata$15Mceiling.

To lend further assistance,thePresidentsaid that teachers who are yet to commenceconstructionwill receive subsidies from the Government for steel and cement to build their foundations.

He also encouraged the teachers who were there, to voice their concerns

Among the issues raised, included infrastructure developmentforschoolsand other educational facilities, allowance increases and h u m a n r e s o u r c e development.

ThePresidentaddedthat whilesomeoftheissueswill be immediately addressed, within the next two weeks there will be discussions with Cabinet and other stakeholders on some of the proposalsandissuesraised.

He stressed that his Government's approach will be addressing the issues and proposals holistically to ensure that the welfare of bothteachersandstudentsis prioritised.

“Now that I have a full understanding directly from youastowhatyourpriorities are, I am now in a better position to come up with a holistic approach to how we deal with the welfare of teachers and students together.”

NEWTEACHERS

Pres. Ali to receive IICA leadership award today

Theissueofashortageof teachersatsomeschoolswas also raised, to which the President explained that the 2,300newlytrainedteachers graduatingthisyearfromthe Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) will be added to the country's teachingpool.

After the meeting, the President praised the teachers for the way they represented the interests of schoolchildren.

“I'm really pleased with the way you represented not your interests, but represented the nation's children's interests... I think it is under this type of umbrella consultation and mechanism that we get the best out of each other.”

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr AshniSingh;Ministerof E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a Manickchand and Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton werealsoatthemeeting.

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday departed for San Jose,CostaRicatoattendthe Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)Conference.

In Costa Rica, President AliwillreceiveIICA'saward for his Leadership in Food Security and Sustainable Development and pay a courtesycalltothePresident

of Costa Rica, His Excellency Mr Rodrigo ChavesRobles,theOfficeof the President said in a press release.

President Ali is also expected to address the forum on global agriculture from the perspective of the Americas and Caribbean Region.

In announcing the prestigious award this year, IICA said the decision to award President Ali is in recognition of his leadership

i n a g r i c u l t u r a l

transformation, food security, and support for

building resilient economies in a sustainable manner in GuyanaandtheCaribbean.

IICA had said in its announcement that the President's support and commitment to public agendasrelatedtoissuessuch as regional integration, rural connectivity,socialinclusion inthecountrysideandgender equality, all of which are central areas of IICA's work, were also considered for the presentationofthisaward.

The Head-of-State is the institute'sfirstawardeeinthis category The Institute provides cooperation services through close and permanent work with its 34 Member States, including countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean The President will be joined by First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali; Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and Advisor to CARICOM on Agri-Food SystemDr RichardBlair

Strengthening of governance framework fundamental to eradicating poverty -

The Fifth Session of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean – organized by ECLAC, the Government of Chile and the UNDP – was inaugurated todayinSantiago,Chile.

(October 3, 2023) A call for articulating policies for growth, productive development and the labor market with social policies, and for strengthening the social institutional framework and governance of decision-making in a framework of regional cooperation with a view to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was made today by government authorities and international officials at the inauguration of the Fifth Session of the Regional Conference on Social DevelopmentinLatinAmericaand theCaribbean.

The event – organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Government of Chile and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) –willbeheldthroughthisThursday, October 5 in person at ECLAC's headquarters in Santiago, Chile. It also contemplates the holding of theUNDP'sXVMinisterialForum for Development in LatinAmerica andtheCaribbean.

Theopeningceremonyfeatured remarks by José Manuel SalazarXirinachs, ECLAC's Executive Secretary; Samantha Marshall, Minister of State within the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation and the Environment of Antigua and

Barbuda; JavieraToro, Minister of SocialDevelopmentandFamilyof Chile; and Linda Maguire, the UNDP'sDeputyRegionalDirector for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“For Social Development Ministries or their equivalent to achieve their broad goals for inclusionandsocialprotection,itis importanttohaveacomprehensive view that would articulate policies for growth, productive development and the labor market with social policies,” contended José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, whoadvocatedforasolidandalso flexible social institutional framework, capable of responding to changes and cascading shocks, with proper regulatory frameworks, well-defined mandates,aclearsocialregimeand arobustorganizationalmodel,with effective human resources policies andsustainablefinancialresources.

Poverty in the region, he said, remains at high and unacceptable levels.

According to ECLAC's projections, 32.1% of the region's population (201 million people) was living in poverty at the end of 2022 and 13 1% in extreme poverty

In her capacity as outgoing Chair of the Fourth Regional Conference, Minister Samantha Marshall of Antigua and Barbuda referred to the environmental and social challenges affecting the countries of the Caribbean and the LatinAmerican region as a whole, and she ratified her country's commitment to the Conference, “which has served to hold a

constructive dialogue and share lessons learned,” and its Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development.

In this regard, she expressed confidence that the agreements reachedatthegatheringinSantiago will be capable of being transformed into concrete actions and notable improvements for all citizens.

Chile's Minister of Social Development and Family, Javiera Toro, stated: “As a country we are very proud to be hosting this conference, which has importance due to the global, and of course regional,contextofsloweconomic andsocialrecoveryfromtheeffects prompted by recent crises in the lives of individuals, families and communities.

This scenario must capture our attention and efforts to attain improved national social development policies, in close association with international cooperation in the social, regional and bilateral arenas.And today we see that we have a shared aspiration: to work for a more equitableandjustregion.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Regional Director Linda Maguire indicated that “the UNDP advocates for designing universal, inclusive and fiscally sustainable social protection systems that promote growth.

The overlapping shocks have revealed structural challenges, but they also represent an opportunity

to rethink social contracts and collectively manage risks. In a context of mistrust and multiple pressures, effective and inclusive governance is crucial for promoting citizen participation, accountability and trust in institutions.

In addition, a financial architecturethatprioritizesresolute and sustained investment in the SDGs is needed, focusing on how and where resources are spent and whobenefits.”

In a special message, Paula N a r v á e z , P e r m a n e n t Representative of Chile to the United Nations in New York and President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, warned about the “critical juncture” at which the world and the region find themselves.

“Thediscussionsinthecoming days represent an opportunity to consolidate LatinAmerica and the Caribbean's leadership and dedication in the pursuit of inclusive, equitable and resilient societies,” said Narváez, who urged countries to “stay at the forefront” and participate actively in the 2024 Summit of the Future and the World Social Summit in 2025.

During the event, ECLAC presented the position document Institutional Frameworks for SocialPolicyinLatinAmericaand theCaribbean:aCentralElementin Advancing towards Inclusive Social Development, which analyzes the state of the social institutional framework in the region's countries, examines

comparativeexperiencesandseeks to define some paths to follow to strengthen capacities and thereby improve the quality of social developmentpolicies.

Adecadeoflowgrowthandthe economic slowdown are hindering progress towards inclusive social development, the document states.

In the 2014-2023 decade, when average economic growth was just 0 8%, average growth in the number of people employed was 1.3%, marking the lowest level in 70years.

Intheregion,47.9%ofworkers are employed informally and women represented 69.8% of all inactive persons in 2022, the publicationnoted.

According to ECLAC's data, a highproportionofhouseholdslives in conditions of vulnerability: in 2021, nearly 60% of Latin America's population was in the low-income stratum, meaning it lived with income below 1 8 poverty lines, and nearly 80% had income below three times the povertyline.

Some of the topics that will be addressed over the three days of thisConference–createdin2014–include the financing of universal social protection systems in Latin America and the Caribbean; capacity building in Social Development Ministries; opportunities and challenges of the single window service a p p r o a c h ; i n t e g r a t e d information systems for

decision-making; and the challenges of governance and cooperation in times of cascading crises.

$1.6B in contracts awarded to rebuild New Amsterdam Prison

Th e N e w Amsterdam Prison located in Region

Six is slated to be reconstructedsoonatasumof $1.6billion.Thisisaccording to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office which revealed that the project was given to nine contractors to thetuneof$1,694,527,016.

According to the NPTAB website,thereconstructionof the facility has been divided into10lots.

The contractors awarded thelotsareasfollow:Quality

Deliverer (Lot10)$123,694,029 and (Lot 1)$80,699,925; Professional Engineering & Construction

S e r v i c e s ( L o t 3 )$64,917,255; Guy Biz

Establishment (Lot7)$85,155,088; Builders HardwareGeneralSupplies& Construction (Lot9)$318,261,085; Premier Contracting Services (Lot4) -

$53,018,364; GD's

Construction & Supplies (Lot6) - $58,700,334; Singh & Son Construction (Lot5)$413,140,192; DBL Group (Lot2) - $114,169,258; and Navin & Sons Construction (Lot8)-$382,771,486.

This year some $5 5 billion was earmarked for the GuyanaPrisonService(GPS) from the national budget and the Ministry of HomeAffairs had estimated that to reconstructthefacilityatNew Amsterdam, it would cost $1,659,373,242.

During the reading of the bids, it was revealed that a total of 42 contractors had appliedforthecontract.

It was reported that the project forms part of the government's overall reform and modernization programme for the prison service,whichistargetingthe transformation of the prison fromapenaltoacorrectional institution.

Drunk driver of unlicensed motorcycle fined

$205,000

Charged: Lionel Fitzpatrick Haynes

Sixty-one-year-old Lionel

Fitzpatrick Haynes of Auchlyne Estate, Corentyne

Berbice, Region Six was on Monday fined $205,000 for the offences of driving under the influence of alcohol and ri

motorcycle.

The accused appeared at the Whim Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Renita

Singh,wherethechargeswere readtohim.

He was charged for the offences; unlicensed motor vehicle and driving a motor vehicle while breath alcohol level exceeds the prescribed limit.

Haynes pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $5,000 and $200,0

respectively

The New Amsterdam Prison in Region Six.

WANTED VACANCY

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

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

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.

One Handyman needed to work on East Coast. Call: 2220196.

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

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

Emerging Economies Need Much More Private Financing for Climate Transition

A broad mix of policies is needed to unlock the necessary private capital in emerging market and developing economies and ensure a positive climate impact Prasad Ananthakrishnan, Torsten Ehlers, Charlotte Gardes-Landolfini, Fabio Natalucci

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.

Sales & Delivery Clerks, Warehouse Manager & Forklift Operator needed. Apply@ Lens 136 Sheriff Street. Call: 227-2486/ 2271511, Email: lensgy @outlook.com

Vacancy for 2 experienced Hairdresser needed in Grove, EBD. Call: 652-5800.

Male and female Factory Worker and Office Clerk needed. For more information 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

Achieving the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 requires substantial climate mitigation investment in emerging market and developing economies, which currently emit around two-thirds of greenhouse gases.

These countries will need about $2 trillion annually by 2030 to reach that ambitious goal, according to the International Energy Agency, with the majority of that funding flowing into the energy industry. This is a fivefold increase from the current $400 billion of climate investments planned over the next seven years.

We project that growth in public investment, however, will be limited, and that the private sector will therefore need to make a major contribution toward the large climate investment needs for emerging market and developing economies. The private sector will need to supply about 80 percent of the required investment, and this share rises to 90 percent when China is excluded, as shown in an analytical chapter of our latest Global Financial Stability Report.

While China and other larger emerging economies have the necessary domestic financial resources, many other countries are missing sufficiently developed financial markets that can deliver large amounts of private finance. Attracting

international investors also faces hurdles, as most major emerging market economies and almost all developing countries lack the investmentgrade credit ratings that institutional investors often require. And few investors have experience in these countries and are able to take the higher risk.

cost capital. And they can increase the domestic financial resources available in a given country. Investors require better climate-related data to make investment decisions. Innovative financing solutions such as blended finance and securitization instruments should be employed to initiate a managed phase out of coal power production. Policy focus Policies need to refocus on creating climate impact rather than supporting activities that are already “green” and should consider the specific needs of emerging market and developing economies.

FOR SALE

Farm produce for sale: plantain, lemon, cayenne and apple banana. Every Thursday from Pomeroon. Call: 6880417, 223-5273/ 600-5370.

FOR RENT

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

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Phasing out coal power plants, the single largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions (about 20 percent), is another major challenge. Most of power plants in emerging market and developing economies are still relatively young. Retiring or repurposing them requires large amounts of private investment and public support. Some countries are highly dependent on coal and would need to develop alternative sources of energy relatively quickly.

Beyond these challenges, climate policies and commitments at most major banks are still not aligned with net-zero climate targets, even when they do have policies intended to reduce emissions.

portfolio allocations, but these aren’t necessarily designed to reflect climate impact as we show in our latest Global Financial Stability Report. More impactoriented investment portfolios could be quite different from the popular ESG-oriented ones.

Furthermore, lowermiddle-income and lowincome countries are generally not rewarded for good environmental and climate policies. Credit rating agencies’ assessments of these economies fall short of fully reflecting these countries’ preparedness to a low-carbon transition or their exposure to stranded asset risks because of high level of hydrocarbons. The financial industry still lacks clarity on what constitutes good sovereign performance on environmental issues.

For example, transition taxonomies should consider activities with a potential for significant improvements in emissions over time and across sectors, including in the most carbon-intensive ones such as steel, cement, chemicals, and heavy transportation. The emission reduction targets and criteria in transition taxonomies can be connected to a country’s nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, and decarbonization targets for specific industries.

The use of sustainability labels is still lax, and regulators and supervisors should set clear rules and tighten enforcement. They should ensure that disclosures and labels for sustainable investment funds effectively enhance market transparency and market integrity, and should ensure a better alignment with climate objectives.

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Meanwhile, though a growing number of investment funds prioritize sustainability, this isn’t having much effect on how much money is being provided for large climate needs. Only a small portion of such funds explicitly aim to create a positive climate impact. The much larger number of funds that make investment decisions based on environmental, social, and corporate governance factors don’t necessarily focus on climate issues. They typically consider ESG scores in their

A broad mix of policies is needed to create an attractive investment environment and unlock the necessary private climate finance in emerging markets and developing economies. Carbon pricing can provide an important pricing signal for investors, but it faces political hurdles of implementing it on a broadenough scale.

A number of additional financial sector policies are necessary. Structural policies aimed at strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals, deepening capital markets, and improving governance are a fundamental part of the policies mix. They can help improve credit ratings and lower the

Many of the policies we recommend here will take time to implement and achieve their intended effects. Meanwhile, more extensive public–private risk sharing is critical to foster climate private investments in emerging markets and developing economies. Multilateral development banks and donors can play an important role in supporting blended finance –including through a more extensive use of guarantees.

The IMF Resilience and Sustainability Facility can help by bringing together governments, mu ltilateral development banks, and the private sector to foster the financing of climate investments. Though this tool’s $40 billion total size is small relative to global climate investment needs, reforms supported by it can help attract more private climate finance.

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Wednesday October 04, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

This is a climactic time for you, and you may feel like your world is caving in. You maydesperatelytrytoholdthe keystone in place so that the wholestructuredoesn'tfall.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Yourmoodshouldturntoward getting things underway This maymeanthatyouneedtoget certainthingsoutofyourway, including people. Don't be afraid to take action as necessary in order to get your pointacross.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You're on an emotional high. You feel like a soaring eagle. Your behavior may seem rather primal and animalistic, but this is fine. See where this instincttakesyou.

CANCER(June21–July22)

You may be asking, "Why me?" in almost every realm of your life today For some reason it seems that everyone but you has exactly what they want Perhaps you're just beingtoopicky

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Draw your strength from your sense of self There isn't another person like you, so capitalize on this and move forward in the way that only youcan.There'sagreatdealof bravery in your heart asking you to take risks that you may nothaveconsideredbefore.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

At first you may be taken aback by someone's aggressive approach to people and situations, but then you mayseethatreally,thisperson has something important you canlearnfrom.

Jude Bellingham shines as Real Madrid edge out Napoli

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Gifts of pleasure could be bestowed upon you with little or no effort on your part. Regardless, it may be hard for you to sit still, since just about everything seems to be going your way, especially in matters oftheheart.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

You might be put off by other people's comments. You'll find their behavior rude. You may break from your normal good manners and start to lash out at peoplearoundyou.

SAGITTARIUS(Nov22–Dec21)

Get things started. You have many fantastic ideas. Really, thehardestthingforyounowis to choose which one to pursue first. Activities that engage your creativity and sensitivity aremostappealingnow

CAPRICORN(Dec 22–Jan 19)

Your heartstrings may not feel particularly strong, and this situation isn't likely to get any bettertodaywhenyoufindthat people are insensitive to your situation.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

The fog has finally lifted and you're able to see clearly again Make sure you're awake and alert,becausethegunisaboutto go off and the starting gates are about to open You have the abilitytotakethelead,especially when it comes to matters involvingloveandromance

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Light a candle and make a wish.Seetheflameasasymbol of the transformation and passion within you. Your heart may feel restless. The flame flutters as a result of the passingwind.

SportsMax - Jude The lead lasted eight benefit of a questionable Bellingham’s dream start to minutes as Bellingham VAR decision after life at Real Madrid stretched to intercept Osimhen’s attempted cross c o n t i n u e d a s h i s Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s was cut out in the area by mesmerising solo goal clumsypassdeepinNapoli’s Nacho, whose sliding helped the Spanish giants half before teeing up challenge ricocheted off his down Napoli to make it two Vinicius, who calmly slotted armandoutofplay wins from two in this across Meret from an acute Bozinovski seemed season’s Champions angle. bemused after being told to League. Real then went ahead for wait, but when he was called Having grabbed a last- the first time in the 34th to the monitor the referee gasp winner to see off Union minutethankstosomemagic duly awarded a penalty, Berlin a fortnight ago, from Bellingham, who converted via a post by Bellingham first teed up collected on halfway, drove Zielinski, who scored his ViniciusJuniortoscoreafter forward into the area and 50thNapoligoal. Leo Ostigard had put Napoli bulldozed his way round That moment of fortune ahead at the Stadio Diego Ostigard before tucking a l i f t e d N a p o l i a s ArmandoMaradona. right-footed effort into the Kvaratskhelia shot wide Bellingham’s fabulous corner past Meret for his before Zielinski saw his driving run and strike put second Champions League stinging drive from distance Real ahead and, although goalintwomatches. palmed away by Kepa, with they were pegged back by Kepa atoned for his Real forced to soak up some Piotr Zielinski’s penalty, earlier error by getting a intensepressureonthehour Federico Valverde’s strong hand to keep out a Shortly after Ancelotti venomous strike rebounded header from Osimhen, who sent on Luka Modric, Real offAlexMeretasNapolilost came out on top in an aerial went close to retaking the 3-2. Bellingham’s stunning battle withAntonio Rudiger, lead as Carvajal’s snap shot goal – his eighth in nine to keep Real ahead at half- was parried into the path of matches since moving to the time. Bellingham, who headed the Spanish capital in the However, Napoli got the reboundwide,tohisdismay summer – threatened to be overshadowed by a contentiouspenaltyawarded tothehosts.

Nacho Fernandez was penalised as the ball inadvertently cannoned off his legs into his arm after he had slid to cut out a cross fromVictor Osimhen.While a corner was awarded onfield, referee Emil Bozinovski reversed his decision and gave a spotkick after being summoned totheVARmonitor

But Meret’s own goal saw Carlo Ancelotti enjoy a winning return to the side he managed from May 2018 to December 2019 as Real moved on to six points to go topofGroupC.

B e l l i n g h a m w a s immediatelyintothethickof proceedings as a long ball allowed Rodrygo to stretch his legs, although the Brazilian was unsettled

enough by Stanislav Lobotka to shoot straight at Meret.

BellinghamandAurelien Tchouameniblazedover,but Napoliopenedthescoringin the 19th minute, thanks in parttoRealgoalkeeperKepa Arrizabalaga missing a punch to clear Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’scorner

Although Bernardo Natan’s looping header thudded back off the bar, Ostigard was able to leap over Real defender Dani Carvajal to nod the rebound intoanemptynet.

Real Madrid players celebrate a strike.

Sinner ousts Alcaraz in China Open semifinals.

Top-ranked Sabalenka, Swiatek and Gauff advance

BEIJING (AP) Sixth-

Kudermetovainthelast16afterthe seeded Jannik Sinner will bid for Russian rallied strongly to beat his third title of the year after LesiaTsurenko3-6,6-0,6-0. beating second-ranked Carlos

Fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula Alcaraz 7-6 (4), 6-1 in the came from a set down to beat 39thsemifinals of the China Open rankedAnna Blinkova 6-7 (2), 6-2, yesterday 6-1 in just over two hours. The

Sinner will play third-ranked American, who was a finalist at the Daniil Medvedev in today’s final Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo aftertheRussianeasedtoa6-4,6-3 on Saturday, will play 13th-seeded victory over eighth-seeded JuliaOstapenkonext. AlexanderZverev. Sixteen-year-old Mirra

Twice trailing by a break early Andreeva beat Anastasia in the first set, Sinner began to take

Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-1 to earn a control of the match from the third-round clash with former baseline and won the first-set Wimbledon champion and fifthtiebreaker seeded Elena Rybakina, who beat

The 22-year-old Italian then TatjanaMaria7-5,6-0. broke Alcaraz early in the second In other second-round matches, set and, after some testing holds Marta Kostyuk ousted seventhwhile on serve, won the final four seeded Ons Jabeur 7-6 (5), 6-1, gamestocloseoutthematch. ninth-seeded Caroline Garcia beat

“For sure in the very top (of big Yulia Putintseva 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and matches played),” Sinner said of China’s Wang Xinyu beat 11thyesterday’swin.“Iwouldsayevery seededDariaKasatkina6-4,6-2. match against him is very tough.

MANNARINO WINS

We always show great respect, we ASTANAOPEN both play great. When we play

Adrian Mannarino rallied from fewopportunitiesandImanagedto Sabalenka, making her debut at less trouble finding a way past againsteachother,wetrytostayon a set down to beat fifth-seeded servebetterwhenIhadbreakpoints No.1inBeijing,camefromabreak France’sVarvaraGracheva6-4,6-1 ourlimits.” SebastianKorda4-6,6-3,6-2inthe tosavethanhedid.” downineachsettoseeoffqualifier in1hour,20minutes.ThePolenext

The Russian holds a 6-0 record KatieBoulter7-5,7-6(2). playsMagdaLinette. his eighth tour-level final of the fourthcareertitle. against Sinner, including beating “In the key moments I played a

Medvedev earlier advanced to Astana Open final and win his

The third-ranked Gauff had to season by claiming a break late in The sixth-seeded Mannarino the Italian twice in finals this little bit better than her,” said rally from a break down in the each set against Zverev, and trailed Korda by a set and a break seasoninRotterdamandMiami. Sabalenka, who will play 36th- deciding set to defeat Petra Martic saving four break points of his but won five consecutive games to SABALENKA, SWIATEK, ranked Jasmine Paolini in the last 7-5,5-7,7-6(2). own claim the second set. He took that GAUFFADVANCE 16. “I think it was all about the last The 48th-ranked Martic served

“I’m really happy with my momentum into the deciding set to

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka games in each set. I mean, she had for the match after breaking Gauff level,” Medvedev said “Roof winin2hours,10minutes. and U.S. Open champion Coco the opportunity I’m super happy for a 5-4 lead, but the American closed, different conditions today, It was the 35-year-old Gauff navigated tricky second- that I didn’t give her easily those broke back and then dominated the much faster Both of us are big Frenchman’s second tournament round opponents to advance at the sets.” tiebreaker servers so it came down to just a winthisyearafterNewportinJuly ChinaOpen.

Second-rankedIgaSwiatekhad Gauff will play Veronika

‘A loss of focus’

– VAR recording of Luis Diaz disallowed goal released

SportsMax - The audio replay operator and then Cook “Inalapseofconcentrationand been included among the officials VARprocess.WeacceptPGMOL’s recording of the discussion question whether the correct loss of focus in that moment, the for duty in the coming weekend’s immediate recommendations to betweenthematchofficialsthatled decisionhasbeenmade. VAR lost sight of the on-field PremierLeaguefixtures. ensure that such failures are not to Luis Diaz’s goal being wrongly England swears upon realising decision and he incorrectly The pair had already been repeatedinthefuture. disallowed has been made public, the error and then says “they’ve communicated ‘check complete’, replaced for the remainder of their “However, a wider review to with VAR Darren England restarted the game Can’t do therefore inadvertently confirming matchweek seven duties – England seek consistently higher standards swearing twice upon being told of anything, can’t do anything” as the the on-field decision. He did this was due to be fourth official at of VAR performance will be hismistake. replay operator makes repeated without any dialogue with the Nottingham Forest v Brentford on conducted by the Premier League Diaz was incorrectly adjudged callstodelaythematch. AVAR(assistantVAR). Sunday, with Cook scheduled to be and PGMOL, supported by other to have been offside on the field England then issues another “The match then restarted assistant referee for Monday’s stakeholders, and where necessary after netting in the first half of expletive before the tape finishes, immediately After a few seconds, Fulham-Chelseaclash. further recommended actions will Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at the end of an incident in which the replay operator and then the PGMOL has vowed to learn be brought forward and Tottenham on Saturday, a decision PGMOL, the referees’ body, AVAR queried the check-complete from this incident, stressing implemented. which was not over-ruled by admitted immediately after the outcome with the VAR and asked accuracy over all else, including “We have communicated fully England and his assistant Daniel match that a “significant human him to review the image that had efficiency, to its video match with Liverpool FC on this matter Cook. error”hadoccurred. been created, pointing out that the officials and, from now on, a VAR andhavesharedPGMOL’sfindings Liverpool asked for a recording Liverpool said “sporting original on-field decision had been must confer with theirAVAR in the andrelevantfootageoftheincident of what happened and Professional integrity has been undermined”, offside, but this was not check process before relaying the withallPremierLeagueclubs.” Game Match Officials Limited while they released a statement the communicated to the on-field team final decision to the on-field England and Cook have come (PGMOL) has taken the step to following day indicating they atanypointduringthematch. officials. under further scrutiny since p u b l i c l y r e l e a s e t h e would explore their options given “The VAR team then gave ThePremierLeagueannounced Saturday after it was reported they communication into how the the “clear need for escalation and consideration as to whether the a wider review of VAR, amid werepartofarefereeingteaminthe bungledverdictwasreached. resolution”. gamecouldbestoppedatthatpoint, scathing criticism in the fallout of United Arab Emirates two days

PGMOL said England “lost PGMOL said in a statement however the VAR and AVAR what happened at the weekend, is before the Tottenham-Liverpool sight of the on-field decision” due accompanying the audio: “After concluded that the VAR protocol set to be held in conjunction with match. to“alapseofconcentrationandloss the on-field officials had within the laws of the game would thePGMOL. PGMOL added: “PGMOL and offocus”. disallowed the goal for offside, the not permit that to happen, and they A P r e m i e r L e a g u e The FA have also agreed to review

In the recording, England says checking phase and process started decided intervention was not spokesperson said: “It is clear that the policy to allow match officials “check complete, check complete. andwascarriedoutcorrectlybythe possibleasplayhadrestarted.” there were not only human errors toofficiatematchesoutsideofFIFA That’s fine, perfect” before the VAR. England and Cook have not but systemic weaknesses in the orUEFAappointments.”

Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after beating him in the men’s singles semifinal match of the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Luis Rubiales was suspended by FIFA to prevent witness tampering in his Women’s World Cup kiss case

GENEVA(AP) FIFAmoved

otherincidentsintheinvestigation Hermoso was contacted by to block potential witness include Rubiales grabbing his FIFA to confirm her public tampering by Luis Rubiales when crotch while celebrating Spain’s statements and did so by an email its disciplinary committee 1-0 win over England and reply the same day, the document suspended the now-ousted Spanish “carrying the Spanish player said. soccer president, the sport’s Athenea del Castillo over his A90-day ban on Rubiales with governing body said in a written shoulder during the post-match an option for 45 more days “will verdictexplainingthedecision. celebrations ” ensure that the ongoing

Rubiales was removed from

Palacio,whoisfromColombia, disciplinary proceedings against office by FIFAonAug. 26 in order removedRubialesfromsoccerduty him are conducted without any to protect an investigation into his because of actions by him and the interference,” the judge wrote, conductattheWomen’sWorldCup Spanish soccer federation on Aug. adding it would create “a better final,includingkissingplayerJenni 25-26. and safer environment for all Hermoso on the lips during the Hermoso was threatened by the players in the Spanish national awardsceremony federation with legal action and team ”

The provisional ban was pressure was put on her and her Rubiales resigned as federation imposed “particularly so that entourage to speak favorably about president and as a UEFA vice potential testimonies could be theincident. president on Sept 10 amid given freely and without any type

The

On Aug. 26, the federation had mounting pressure in Spain from of pressure, fear or reprisals,”FIFA said: “We have to state that Ms. lawmakers and players. One day disciplinary judge Jorge Palacio Jennifer Hermoso lies in every later, UEFA thanked Rubiales for wrote.

Thejudgefoundallfourcriteria “safetyandsecurity.” statement she makes against the hisservice.

Only one of four possible were met, according to the newly FIFA did not initially suspend president.”

Rubiales is now under criminal reasons were needed by FIFA to publishedverdict. Rubiales when it opened a case on Such conduct “cannot be investigation in Spain and a judge sideline Rubiales during the Thereasonswere“toensurethe Aug.24intoincidentsthatoccurred tolerated and amounts to inMadridissuedarestrainingorder ongoing disciplinary case, which proper administration of justice,” four days earlier in Sydney, obstructing the aforementioned to keep him away from Hermoso, could takes months before a final maintain sporting discipline, avoid Australia. disciplinary proceedings,” the who plays for a club in Mexico. decision. irreparable harm, and reasons of The nine-page document said FIFAjudgewrote. Rubialesdenieswrongdoing.

HowSimoneBilesisdealingwithpressureat worldsasshemakeshistoryandaimsformore

U S A T O D A Y - she and the rest of the U.S. aslouchontheevent.

ANTWERP, Belgium “ women — Skye Blakely,

Even with hops on some

Every day at these world Shilese Jones, Joscelyn of her landings, Biles was championships carries the Roberson and Leanne Wong her usual stellar self on floor weight of history for Simone are atop the team exercise.Thatleftonlyvault, Biles. standings by a wide margin the event the packed

A team title would give at 171.395 points. And even audience at the Sportspaleis the U.S. women seven in a with another full day of hadcometosee. row, a record streak for both qualifying still to come

The Yurchenko double men and women. An all- Monday, no one’s going to pike is so difficult because it around medal on top of that, bumpBilesortheAmericans has no bailout. Be even the nomatterthecolor,wouldbe fromtheirtopspots. slightest off on the block or her 34th at the world But just because you do in the air, and a gymnast is c h a m p i o n s h i p s a n d what people expect you to likely to land on his or her Olympics, making Biles the doesn’t mean you aren’t still neck or head. It also takes an most-decorated gymnast apprehensive before it incredible amount of power ever,maleorfemale. happens. to do two somersaults in a

And on Sunday, she This is Biles’ first major piked position, as you can became the first woman to international meet since the see by how tightly Biles do the Yurchenko double Tokyo Olympics, where grips her thighs as she pike at a major international rising anxiety from the rotates. meet The vault, so difficult expectations on her and the

But she has it nearly few men even try it, will isolation of the COVID perfected, the only flaw the top in a sport where the line actually have been a good them confidence,” Landi now be named for Biles in restrictionsbroughtonacase step back she had to take to between success and failure thing Biles has been said. “Made them decide to the women’s scoring of “the twisties.” Unable to control her landing. Even can be a matter of struggling with one of her doexactlywhatthey’vebeen system tell where she was in the air, with a half-point deduction millimeters. releasemoves,fallingonitat doinginpractice.”

“There’s a lot of eyes on she withdrew from all but forLandistandingonthemat

So Biles and her team try the selection meet. But there Indeed, Biles looked her right now, trying to see if onefinal. for safety reasons, Biles tomakeitallseemasnormal wasn’t even the hint of relieved when she finished. she still has it,” coach It’s also only her fourth scoreda15.266. as possible. Even when they trouble Sunday, with her Just as she did after balance Laurent Landi said. “She meet total since Tokyo. She

“People I hope realize knowit’sreallynot. 14 4 the second-highest beam. needed to do it for herself. I camebackattheU.S.Classic that’s maybe one of the last

“It’s just another meet. scoreoftheday Biles’ beam routine is think the podium training in earlyAugust, followed by times you’re going to see a Nothing special, just another TheentireU S teamhad jam-packed with difficulty, helped a lot to make her the national championships vault like that in your life meet Just do another a strong showing Jones’ but she is practically believe she’s still capable of at the end of that month. from a woman gymnast,” routine,” Landi said. “The 14 833 is the score to beat, nonchalant as she checks off handlinghernerves.Andshe Then the world team Landi said. “So I think it’s environment is different, but and the U S total of 43 366 one skill after another It’s showedittoday selection camp two weeks timetoappreciateit.” the job should be exactly the is more than 1½ points almost as if she’s saying,

“I was very, very ago. Appreciate all of it same.Sameasinpractice.” better than anyone else “Oh, you thought that was impressed the way her – and Sure, Biles has been Because there will come a Biles and the Americans and they were off and nice?Here,howaboutthis?” notjusther,thewholeteam– doing this for a decade. Her day, sooner rather than later, started on uneven bars running Her score of 14.566 was dealwithpressure.” firstworldtitlecamein2013 when Biles will be gone, the which, despite being her “Thatputusaheadforall morethanahalf-pointhigher

Bilesleadstheall-around inthisveryarena,infact.But onlythingleftthehistoryshe “weakest” event, might the other events and gave thanJones,whoisn’texactly rankings with a 58.865, and that is a long time to be on hasmade.

Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso reacts after missing a scoring chance. (AP Photo/ John Cowpland, File)

former president of Spain’s soccer federation Luis Rubiales.(AP Photo/ Manu Fernandez)

Simone Biles in action at the world championships in Belgium. (USA Today)

Batsmen shine as Australia edge Pakistan in World Cup warm-up

BENGALURU, (Reuters) - abandoned without a ball being Pakistan batsman Babar Azam bowled due to persistent rain at scoredabreezy90againstAustralia Thiruvananthapuram and denied while Iftikhar Ahmed sparkled at the hosts a workout before their the top of the order with an 83 but tournamentopener the 1992 world champions could India’s clash against defending not prevent a 14-run defeat in their champions England had also World Cup warm-up game in suffered the same fate last week, Hyderabadyesterday but Rohit Sharma’s side will be

The Australian batsmen also high on confidence having recently enjoyed a good outing earlier, as beaten Australia in a three-match Glenn Maxwell (77), Cameron series. Green(50notout),JoshInglis(48),

In Guwahati, a century by David Warner (48) and Marnus Rahmanullah Gurbaz and a 93 by Labuschagne (40) all fired and Rahmat Shah helped Afghanistan helped the five-times World Cup seal a morale-boosting six-wicket winnerspost351-7in50overs. victory over Sri Lanka via the Babar was the pick of the Duckworth-Lewis method in a Pakistani batsmen during the chase rain-shortenedcontest. smashing11foursandtwosixeson

Chasing a revised 257 in 42 a batsman-friendly wicket but he overs, Gurbaz (119) and Shah retired after facing 59 balls and the excelled before retiring to lay the Asian side ran out of steam despite platform for the win, which a classy 50 by Mohammad Nawaz Afghanistan achieved in 38 1 late on. Pakistan folded for 337 to overs. Sri Lanka had earlier posted handAustralia the victory, but both 294in46.2oversthanksmainlytoa teams will be pleased with their blistering 87-ball 158 by Kusal

positives. Our attitude was good. Pakistan face the Netherlands with Maxwell and Mitchell Starc,” batsmen heading into the Mendis. Theresultnotinourhands. on Friday Australia skipper Pat Cumminssaid. showpiece tournament that gets

Scores: Australia 351 for 7

“I think our 11 is sorted, we Cummins said he was pleased with “Just about everyone underwayonThursday (Green 50*, Warner 48, Inglis 48, wanted to give time to the bench to his side ahead of their opener contributed in the middle, Green “The result is not important,” Mir 2-31) beat Pakistan 337 show their skills. When you play againstIndiaonSunday andIngliswerebrilliantattheend.” said Pakistan’s stand-in skipper ( B a b

againstAustraliaandNewZealand, “We’re looking in better frame. Earlier, the contest between Shadab Khan. “We took a lot of

14 runs. yougetconfidence.” Mitchell Marsh bowled well, same India and the Netherlands was

China’s divers delight, Abdullah sets weightlifting world record

HANGZHOU, China, Ali Pour Shenazandi Fard, 29, head in the final of the women’s (Reuters) - Indonesia’s Rahmat defended the title he won in Jakarta 10mplatform. Erwin Abdullah set a weightlifting in 2018 after China’s Long Jinbao, Quan, 16, who took gold at the world record and China’s world- 22, fell in the final and so finished Tokyo Olympics, won with 438.20 beatingteenagediverswowedfans, withsilver points, just under three points but their soccer players crashed out Dewi’s compatriot, Veddriq ahead of her 18-year-old team on day 10 of the Hangzhou Asian Leonardo, 26, who was the pre- mate. Pandelela Rinong Pamg of Gamesyesterday competition favourite, could only Malaysiatookbronzewith280.5. Abdullah secured gold with a manage bronze after he too slipped “I feel like there’s someone lift of 201kg in the men’s 73kg inhissemi-finalcontestwithFard. missing next to me,” Quan said of clean and jerk, which beat the In the soccer competition, Tuesday’s final, after winning gold previous record of 200kg which he China’s women were beaten 4-3 by withCheninthesynchronised10m setlastDecember Japan in a goal-fest of a semi-final, platform on Saturday “I went

Indonesia’s Abdullah Rahmat Erwin in action during the Men’s 73Kg. (REUTERS/ Kim Kyung-Hoon)

The 22-year-old’s lift follows joining the host men’s team who diving by myself today, so I was formetocompete,”Zhusaid. Russia at the Olympic Games or three other world records set by were knocked out on Sunday by stillalittlenervous.”

China went in 4-1 down at the final China’s multiple world The hosts also won gold in the medals,” said the 43-year-old who

“I’m often not around for them UzbekistanattheAsianGames,my North Korean weightlifters at this SouthKorea. In the men’s 3m springboard andIfeelquitesorryaboutthat.” goal has always been to win Games.

“I had a pretty good break after a stinker of a first half. champion Wang Zongyuan, 21, men’s and women’s 4x100m relays won medals at the London and Rio performance, but I was still not at In the second half they pulled two also delighted fans as he andthemen’sdecathlon. OlympicsrepresentingRussia. my maximum,” Abdullah said. “I goals back and were pushing for an comfortablywonhissecondgoldof But there was disappointment “I don’t pay much attention to alwaysemptymymindeverytimeI equaliserattheend. the Games after winning the 1m in the women’s javelin for thenationality.” lift. I wanted to just focus on my The result capped a miserable springboardadayearlier defendingAsian Games and Tokyo The International Olympic cleanandjerk,nothingelse.” few months for the Steel Roses “I always say to myself, stay Olympic champion, Liu Shiying, Committee is expected to discuss

At the climbing wall his after they crashed out of the World true to yourself, stay true to your whocouldonlymanagefifthwitha Russia’s and Belarus’participation compatriot and 2023 world Cup in the group stage with a 6-1 original dream,” Wang said throwof57.62,nearly10metresoff attheParisOlympicsatasessionin champion Desak Made Rita thrashing by eventual finalists “Follow the wind, the wind will her best. India’s Annu Ranni won Mumbailaterthismonth. Kusuma Dewi, 22, won gold in the England. take me to the Paris 2024 Olympic gold with a season’s best throw of RussianandBelarusianathletes women’s speed event ahead of North Korea will meet Japan in Games.”

62.92. willcompeteasneutralsattheParis Asian record holder, Deng Lijuan the final on Friday after beating In athletics China’s Olympic Olga Zabelinskaya won gold Paralympics after the International fromChina,whotooksilver Uzbekistan 8-0 in the other semi- silver medallist and world bronze for Uzbekistan in the women’s Paralympic Committee voted

“I was unwell for about a week final. medallist triple jumper Zhu individual cycling time trial to againstmaintainingafullbanofthe just before coming to Hangzhou so DIVERS DELIGHT Yaming, 29, once again underlined become the latest Russia-born two countries, imposed after the I see my achievement here as China’s teenage sensations his championship pedigree with a athlete to top the podium in 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which outstanding,”Dewisaid. Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi 17.13mjumptotakegold. Hangzhou. Moscow calls a “special military

In the men’s event Iran’s Reza wowed fans as they went head to “My family has sacrificed a lot “No matter if I represented operation”.

Glenn Maxwell played expertly against spin. (Associated Press)

BCB/UCCA/Price is Right 20/20 Tournament

No. 72 Cut and load beat Dukestown Warriors to lift $400,000 cash prize

The winning team - No 72 Cut and Load.

The beautiful No 69 commentators Anthony Vikings Cricket Ground was Kemraj and Linden Murray transformed into a hive of The winning team took activity on Sunday last when homefourhundredthousand the Berbice Cricket Board dollars and the winner’s and Upper Corentyne trophy, while the runner up Cricket Association hosted took home two hundred the final of the Price is right thousand dollars and a 20/20 tournament. The trophy. largest crowd to attend a T h e t w o l o s i n g BCB final in over a decade semifinalists got fifty turn up at the venue to see thousand dollars, man of the No 72 Cut and Load finalsDavendraJuggernauth defeated Dukestown was rewarded with one Warriors by four wicket to hundred thousand dollars. emerge champions of the Other prizes shared out tournament which started included cricket gear and twoyearsagoandattracteda bowlingboots. sponsorship of over three BCB President Hilbert million dollars from the Foster congratulated the Management and staff of UCCAfor organizing a high Price is Right Supermarket successful tournament and ofSkeldon. expressed his pleasure at the

Dukestown won the toss massive support by fans. He andelectedtotakefirststrike while Jaggernauth also Jermaine Reid (5), Clanern overs.

before thousands of dismissed Kevin Clarke (1) Beresford (7) and Jamal C

re Seiraj administration to hosting spectators in perfect cricket andBudhramSukhdeo(4)to Byass (6) but a crucial 7th Davendra Jaggernauth 4-1- C h a t t e r p a u l ( 7 ) , morefinalsatthevenueonce weather They lost Clarence leave Dukestown struggling wicket stand of 36 between 10-3, Mukesh Edwards 4-0- Devananand Chatterpaul (2) the dressing rooms and Beresford at 8 for 1 when he at 14 for 3 in the 5th over Errol Byass (17) andAkeem 23-4 and Davannand and Kadeer Ajib (7). The sanitary facilities are was caught off the bowling They struggled to 47 for 6 Bawlin (27) enabled them to Chatterpal4-0-16-2. bestbowlerfortherunnerup improved. of D. Jaggernauth for 4, with the departure of reach 92 all out from 18

MagnificentMatthewssaysrecord chasegivesWindiesconfidence boostaheadofthirdT20I

Needingtoscore93from wasErrolByasswith2for17 Well known Guyanese 20 overs, Cut and Load lost from four overs. Jermaine Neurosurgeon and brain t h e y b e s t b a t s m a n Rid, Budram Sukdeo and surgeon Dr. Amarnauth DeoprakashRamdatLBWto Wayne Garnette each took a Dukhi, on hearing Foster’s Jermaine Reid for nought at wicket apiece for 12, 13 and commitment, immediately 2 for 1 in the first over A 15respectively promised to donate half a forty four runs second The final was well million dollars to the setting wicket partnership between organized by the UCCA as up of proper sanitary Jameel Assad and Ramesh dozens of law enforcement facilities.

SportsMax - Hayley confidence and give us a lot

“Just working hard. I’ve Matthews continued her of belief within the team,” played a lot of T20 and spectacular form this year Matthewssaid. franchise cricket around the withabrilliantknocktohelp The Barbadian shared in world and I’ve had the her West Indies Women pull a spectacular 174-run opportunity, at such a young off a world record run chase second wicket partnership age, to learn a lot about my against world champions, withformercaptainStafanie game and the biggest thing Australia, to tie up their Taylor who made 59 off 41 for me has been my three-match T20I series at balls including 11 fours. understanding and my the North Sydney Oval on Matthews heaped praise on technical work has been Monday the Jamaican for helping working really well,” she Matthews smashed a 64- take the pressure off her at said. ball 132 including 20 fours thecrease.

Matthews also insisted and five sixes to help the “Ithinkwhenweneeded that there is no pressure on West Indies successfully 100 runs from about 50 her side ahead of the chasetheirtargetof213. balls, we looked at each decisivethirdT20I.

Omapersaudtookthemto46 officers were present to UCCA President Dennis for 2 when Kevin Clarke control the large crowd, D’Andradeexpressedthanks dismissedAssadforapatient while the popular Crown to the sponsor for the largest 12. Vybez music set entertained ever cash prize in the area

Solid batting from thecrowd. and noted that the Omarpersaud (35) and Vijay Livecricketcommentary sponsorship included Persaud(17NO)sawtheCut was also provided by uniforms for all thirty two andLoadtovictory p o p u l a r c r i c k e t teamsinthearea.

GCB Senior Inter-County 50-Over tournament…Demerara vs. Essequibo

Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 70 highlights huge Demerara

4-wicket win over Essequibo

I n a p o s t - m a t c h other in the middle and said

“When we came to interview, the all-rounder wecouldreallygetthisifwe Australia we had nothing to said this win will give her keep going with the lose at all. After the first team a much-needed momentum. Kudos to the game, what we did confidence boost ahead of way she batted as well, individuallywaslookwithin the third and final T20I on getting boundaries on a ourselves and saw what we Thursday. regularbasisandtakingalot could’ve done better. That’s

“Awin like this at a time of pressure off me so I’m exactly what we’re going to like this definitely means a really happy to have shared do ahead of the next game. whole lot to the team that partnership with a Yes, we won but we have so Obviously, we’ve come legendlikeher,”shesaid. many areas we can improve down here with a lot of Matthews, so far, has in and so much learning that young girls in a learning, made 213 runs in two could take place as well,” growing squad and to get a inningsintheseriesafterher shesaid. win like this against the best unbeaten99inthefirstT20I. The third T20I begins at team in the world the way She was asked what has 3:05 am Jamaica time and that we were able to do it is made her so productive this can be seen live on really going to boost our year SportsMax.

The Essequibians did well after batting Chanderpaul hit a rock-solid, unbeaten half- first, making their second successive 200century which gave his team a huge 4-wicket plus run total of the tournament, being win over Essequibo yesterday at the Bourda bowledoutfor203in41.2overs. Ground. A number of their batters managed to The West Indies Test opener finished on come out the blocks, with Kemol Savory 70 from 118 balls, with 6 fours and a six, topping the scores with 36 while a 18-ball 32 carrying his bat towards the end to see his from Quentin Sampson (3x4 2x6) was the teamto205-6. nextbestscoreoftheinnings.

Akshaya Persaud (41), Sherfane Malcom Hubbard (24), Ricardo Adams Rutherford (22),Tevin Imlach (21*) and (19), Norman Fredericks (20) and 19 from Mavindra Dindyal (20), played important Neeland Cadogan managed to get their team knocks for Demerara, in a match they needed past200. towinagainstastrongEssequiboside. Demerara again relied heavily on their Essequibo captain Anthony Adams was seamers, with Rutherford maintaining his the most successful bowler, grabbing 2-45 as consistency with the ball this competition, 4ofhismenreturnedawicketeachfollowing snapping up 3-37 and Ronaldo Alimohamed atoughbowlingsession. alsomirroringwithsimilarfiguresof3-37.

Balancing sports and law - Andre Jagnandan accepted to the Bar

BY RAWLE TONEY

“Being in the courtroom is played a pivotal role in the not because of the reception Youth Committee for the Former Junior National of any gift but it is a GuyanaChessFederation. Chess Champion and testamenttowhathardwork, I n t h e r e a l m o f volleyball player, Andre dedication, persistence and volleyball, Jagnandan coJagnandan, has successfully more than anything having founded the annual transitioned to the faith can achieve ” He “Spikedown” Tournament courtroom, having recently recounted the arduous and, since 2018, has been a beenadmittedtotheBar journey he undertook to prominent figure in various Jagnandan’s passion for becomeanAttorney-at-law Demerara Volleyball sports led him to excel in Andre is a trailblazer in Association teams across both Chess and Volleyball, his family, being the first to different age groups and at buthealsodiscoveredadeep enterthelegalprofession.He theseniorlevel. callingforthefieldoflaw. expressed heartfelt gratitude He currently serves as

After completing his to his parents, Nafeeza and the Association’s Secretary, studies at Queens College, Lukesh Jagnandan, and his under the leadership of Guyana’s premier secondary wife, Serah Singh, for their KristoffSheppherd. school, he pursued a unwavering support, which Minister of Culture, Bachelor of Law degree at allowed him to balance his Youth, and Sport, Charles the University of Guyana studies with his passion for Ramson Jr , attended and then continued his legal sports. Jagnandan’s admission to education at the Hugh In 2019, Jagnandan thelegalpracticeinGuyana. Wooding Law School in earned the title of National Minister Ramson, who is TrinidadandTobago. Junior Chess Champion, also a Queens College

UponobtaininghisLegal triumphing in the Guyana Alumnus and an AttorneyEducation Certificate, Chess Federation (GCF) at-Law, came in for praises, developing a local sporting acquired skills to positively ethicalstandards. Jagnandan returned to R a p i d a n d C l a s s i c w i t h J a g n a n d a n jurisprudence across all i n f l u e n c e s p o r t s In terms of his continued Guyana, where he was tournaments. highlighting, “I do not know sportsinGuyana.” jurisprudence in Guyana involvement in sports, formally presented to Chief He proudly represented if I would be standing here Reflecting on his andextendahelpinghandto Jagnandan vowed to support Justice Roxanne George in Guyana at the 2019 Inter today without your journey, Jagnandan, now thoseinneed the development of the High Court by Attorney- College Games in Colombia clemency and for that I will affiliated with the De He pledged to represent Volleyball in Guyana at-LawPamelaDeSantos. and at the 2020 Rapid and foreverbegratefulandstrive Santos and Associates Law his client’s interests to the through the DVA and to Addressing the court, Blitz Championships in tonotonlymakethemostout Firm, emphasised his best of his ability while remain devoted to his first Jagnandan humbly stated, Suriname. Additionally, he of this career but to assist in commitment to utilizing his maintaining the highest love,Chess.

ODI (50 Overs) Cricket World Cup 2023 – W.I. Missing OUT!!!

Guyana Amazon Warriors – CPL Champions 2023!

- BEST PLAYER: HOME CROWD/FANS!

By M. Ramcharitar shorterduration.

prominent and prestigious Australia,England,andNew

The key distinction that f i r s t - c l a s s c r i c k e t Zealand displaying in

The crowd turnout and makes these matches first- competition and the reason dominant fashion to the support played a massive class is the use of a red why they keep producing world the importance of a role and shouldn’t be cricket ball, the longer world class players The strong/solid first-class underestimated, especially format, and the adherence to emphasis on the need to cricket development system, with His Excellency traditional cricket rules and develop skills in red ball from other playing President Dr IrfaanAli, who scoring methods. The longer cricket is one of the biggest countries Countries like is a passionate cricket fan duration allows for a more reasonsIndiacompetesinall Bangladesh, Pakistan, and and his attendance at the comprehensive examination forms of the game at the SouthAfricawilltrytomake playoffs and finals was of players’ skills and tactics internationallevel. an impact, however the top indeeda positivesign for the compared to shorter formats “India today is not just sides in the world will prove sport’s future in Guyana and like One Day Internationals themostpowerfulcricketing whytheybelongthere. theregion. (ODIs)orT20matches. nation, bringing in almost This current India squad

Back to the drawing First-classcricketplaysa 70% of “eyeballs”, which are solid in all areas of the board… time for a pivotal role in developing translates into roughly 70% game and have some of the nationwide first-class cricketing talent. While it of global revenue, but also most skilled players in the cricket- system/structure may be expensive, its been the world’s best world, but their home Cricket matches that last significance in creating performing side, for long crowd/fans will play a for three or more days are skilled cricketers cannot be periods topping the ICC massiveroleinwhytheywill often considered first-class underestimated. Investment rankingsacrossformats. goontowintheirthirdworld cricketmatches. in first-class cricket and the “Heading into the 2023 cup title (1983 against While the standard for overall development of the World Cup, India are again mightyWestIndieswastheir first-class cricket is a five- sport is essential for the oneofthetopteamsinTests, first). day match, there are also growth and success of one-day internationals and Semi-Finals: shorter versions of the game cricketinGuyana. T20 matches ” – Ayaz IndiaVNewZealand that are recognized as first- In comparison, India Memon(CricketWriter). EnglandVAustralia class and follow the same currently has 38 first class World Cup Predictions: Final:IndiaVAustralia basic rules and format as cricket teams. The Ranji This will be a tiered Winner: Team India five-day matches, but with a T

t world cup with India, WorldCupChampions!!!

GCB Senior Inter-County 50-Over tournament…Berbice vs. GCB XI

Sinclair (81), Permaul

5-Fer star in Berbice 3-wicket win over Select XI

A scorching half-century from Kevin Sinclair coupled with5wicketsfromcaptainVeerasammyPermaul,setupa3 wicket win for the Berbicians who disposed of the GCB Select XI yesterday at the Enmore Community Center Ground.

The Select XI were indebted to opener Raymon Perez (52) and Christopher Barnwell (50), as the pair stood out amidst an ordinary batting card which saw them only amass 188-9fromtheir50overallotment.

Berbice captain Veerasammy Permaul took full advantage of the less-experienced batsmen, snatching up 545,whichgavehisteamahugeshotatawin.

Sinclair then stroked 81 at the top of the order to set up what turned out to be a relatively easy chase for the Berbicians,whomaintainedtheirwinningmomentum.

Despitelosing2topplayersinRampertabRamnauthand Kevlon Anderson, who both fell for ducks, the West Indies all-rounderensuredhebattedhisteamascloseaspossibleto theirtotalbeforehewasdismissed.

Berbice eventually ended on 191-7 thanks to the 75-ball knockfromSinclairwhichconsistedof9foursand3sixes,a knockwhichtookthegameawayfromtheopposition.

Seon Glasgow (22), Seon Hetmyer (31) and Nigel Deodat (30) were clinical during the chase, utilizing the platform left by Sinclair as they combined efforts to see Berbicehomein39.5overs.

In-form fast-bowler Isai Thorne continued to be a menace, grabbing 2-30 with support from spinner Jonathan Rampersaud (2-10), as the duo starred for the Select XI bowlers.

Former National Chess Champion and Volleyball player, Andre Jagnandan joined by his family at the High Court.

West Dem’ and Patentia Secondary shine in G.O.A.P.C Tapeball C/Ship

Patentia Secondary presented with championship trophy following the 8-wicket win over Police Recruits.

West Demerara Secondary School after winning the Trans Guyana Airways/Woodpecker Products Trophy

The Georgetown t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e Demerara Secondary that leading to West Demerara trophy In an exciting match, overs, with a score of 63 for Office Assistants tournaments. triumphed, defeating Secondary’s well-deserved the Combined Secondary 2.

and Promotion In the Trans Guyana Patentia Secondary by a victory schools emerged victorious, EventCoordinatorJames Committee (G O A P C) Airways/Woodpecker- narrowmarginof2runs. Meanwhile, in other defeatingthePoliceTrainees “Uprising” Lewis had the recently organised two sponsoredfive-a-sidecricket W e s t D e m e r a r a finals held at the Police by8wickets. honour of presenting the separate Secondary School final, West Demerara Secondary batted first and Sports Club ground, the Police Trainees batted prizes and medals to the two Tapeball Cricket Knockout Secondary faced Patentia postedascoreof73-3intheir Combined Secondary and first, scoring 61-7 in their 10 winners and the most competitions, with West Secondary School Nine allotted 5 overs. In response, the Guyana Police Force overs. outstanding players, with Demerara Secondary and schools had initially PatentiaSecondarymanaged (trainees) competed for the In a remarkable run Robin Seeharran receiving Combined Secondary participated in the to score only 71 runs for 4 PKF Barcellos, Narine & chase, Combined Secondary the MVP of the tournament emerging as champions in competition, but it was West wickets in their 5 overs, Co./MauriceSolomon&Co. reached the target in just 6.4 award.

BCB/Ali Bakery Under17 Tournament

Albion defeat Rose Hall Town to lift Berbice U-17 title

batsmen were dismissed via completing the Under11 and the run out route. Arwin Under13 Tournament

Albion defeated Rose Damion Cecil added 30 for Guyana Under17 Vice over A well played innings Jawahir was named Man of Emphasis would be placed Hall Town Bakewell by the second wicket before Captain Matthew Pottaya of 44 from Pottaya the Finals for his match on senior cricket at the ninety four runs to lift the Cecil was bowled by took a wicket a piece for 30 eventually led his team to winninginningsof55. second and first division Berbice Cricket Board Kolmanchand Ramnarace and21runsrespectfully 115 all out from 37 overs as The winning team level, while the BCB would Under17 inter clubs for 7. Solid batting from Needing to score 210 he ran out of partners to stay received $70,000 and a also start the 2024 season tournament for 2023. The Afraz Budhoo 34(four sixes from their allotted 50 overs, withhim. NationalUnder15 trophy while the runner up early with the Under15 inter final was played at the and a boundary), Devin Rose Hall Town Bakewell wicketkeeper Sohail took home $40,000 and a clubtournament. breezy Cotton Tree Cricket Lallbehari16,Mangal28,A. lost opener Mario Butcher Mohamedwastheonlyother trophy The man of the Mr Roshan Gaffoor, an Ground in West Berbice, Jawahir 55 (2x6, 4x4) led caught off the bowling of N. batsman to reach double match received a trophy and employee of Ali’s Bakery, home of the Tournament Albion to a solid 209 all out Isphikfornoughtat4for1in figureswith10. cashprize. expressed gratitude to the sponsor,Ali’sBakery in49.4overs. thesecondover Bowling forAlbion were Chairman of the BCB Berbice Cricket Board for Albion won the toss and Bowling for Rose Hall Nelroy Hicks was then Kumar Deopersaud with 3 Competition Committee organizing an excellent elected to bat first in sunny T o w n B a k e w e l l , run out for 10, while Guyana for 17 from 6 overs, Feaz Leslie Solomon stated that tournament. c o n d i t i o n s T h e y Kolmanchand Ramnarace 5 Under15 player Ramzan Baksh 1 for 14 and the board was proud to Gaffoor encouraged the immediately lost Ari Kadir, for 54 from ten overs, while Koober was also run out for Tameshwar Mangal 1 for 15 successfully complete players to remain focused run out for nought but Deeraj Ramjit claimed 2 13 as Rose Hall Town was from 6.3 overs as several another youth tournament and congratulatedAlbion on th Tameshwar Mangal and wicketsfor38. RajTikaand reduced to 30 for 3 in the 6 Rose Hall Town Bakewell and would now work on awelldeservedvictory

Devindra Jawahir collects his man of the match award.

The Winning Albion Under17 Cricket team.