Kaieteur News

visa requirement for Guyanese

Selected oil blocks to be used for “govt.-

partnerships

all strategic allies to

Children of Agricola involved in coding lessons being sponsored by the STEM Guyana organisation. Agricola is one of many learning pods established by the organisation to provide for small class in-person and tech-driven learning support for students who have been disadvantaged by the COVID-19 pandemic

Coalition banking on renewable energy options to lower power costs

N o r t o n s a i d t h e National Unity + Alliance Coalition’s objective would For Change (APNU+AFC) be to continue its research to Coalition is not opposed to ensure a combination of the use of gas for power best suited approaches, generationbutmaintainsthat which may even involve the detailed studies must chart use of gas. In the meantime, the way forward to the Opposition Leader determine its viability to pointed out, “that is why we lower the cost of power worry when they talk about generation. the gas to shore project

The A Partnership for

…maintainsnewfeasibility studymustdetermine investmentsforgasproject

In the meantime, which everyone is seeing is Opposition Leader, Mr. not being feasible but the Aubrey Norton has stated government is going ahead that the top considerations with it and we are concerned for his party at this time because it is in the same remains renewable options, realm with (Vice President as recent studies prove this Bharrat) Jagdeo and he has a optiontobecheaper history of being involved in Norton provided an projects that become white explanation to this end elephants and merely recent days have declined,during his weekly press becomeslushfund.” making this a viable optionbriefing on Tuesday in Nortonwentontolistout forGuyana.response to a question from the Skeldon sugar factory as He explained, “Researchthis newspaper During his an example where the is showing that solar is nowopening statement, he specific goals were never coming in at a cheaper costbriefly announced his realized, while pointing to millions over the years. In failure. In fact, he concluded research is showing that it’s and therefore solar will beintention to lower the cost of the fiber optic cable and fact, he said he believes the that the US$2 billion natural not viable and therefore we one option. There are areaspower generation but did not Amaila Falls projects as gas to energy project is gas project is not aimed at will continue to expose the of research that would havedelve into details; however otherexamples. “indicative of the old reducing the cost of power factthatitisnotviableand established that in somewhen he was asked to

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

To this end, he argued approach where Jagdeo generationbutwillserveasa take political action, areas wind might be andisclose how he intends to that the VP should not be comes up in his head with a “slushfund”. picketing, etcetera to option and then there areachieve this objective, the involved in the management project, pulls figures from According to him, “we establish to the world that areas in which the hydro is aOpposition Leader made it of the country’s resources the sky and then say it is haveanumberofpeoplewho Jagdeo’sapproach possibility.”clearthatthecostforsolarin since he has “wasted” viable” which only ends in are researching and the (Continued on page 14)

Selected oil blocks to be used for

“govt.-to-govt.” partnerships

-Pres.Alisaysallstrategic alliestobeassessed forsuchengagements

resident,

Dr

UK Prime Minister, Boris continuing with efforts that

peopleofGuyana. I r f a a n A l i Johnson as regards energy will place the new oil

In this process, the d i s c l o s e d security producing State as a global government said it will seek

P yesterday that his Ali said, “The specific leader on climate change, to ensure the country gets a government has set aside discussion I had with Boris energyandfoodsecurity fairershareofrevenuesfrom certain oil blocks which was in relation to energy T h e A l i l e d

oilandgasresourcesthrough w o u l d b e u s e d f o r security for the UK. As you administration had earlier i m p r o v e d f i s c a l government to government know, we have some blocks this month said it is in the arrangements to benefit the partnerships. that we are going to auction process of finalizing new peopleofGuyana.

The Head of State made offverysoon. fiscal terms and conditions

Further,governmentsaid the disclosure during a press And we have some for the country’s first bid itwillsafeguardthesafetyof conference that was held blocks that are set aside for r o u n d f o r o ff s h o r e people and the environment yesterday with British High what is termed government exploration and production by following international Commissioner, Jane Miller to government partnerships. ofhydrocarbonblocks. best practices in offshore oil Alirefusedtodivulgefurther We are looking at all our The bid round will be andgasdevelopment. details on which specific strategic partners with these open for several months and

It also said that it intends blocks were set aside as well blocks.” isexpectedtogiveinterested to maintain a competitive as what special purpose The President added, companies sufficient time to position in the region and vehicle would be used to “We also have some natural prepare their competitive globally as key to continued representtheState’sinterests gas fields We have not packages and bid to win the success. in such matters He did completed the national gas available acreages offshore;

President, Irfaan Ali

A d d i t i o n a l l y , pledge however to distill strategy as yet but in that which will be done in an government said it will be setting a new paradigm for emerge as a potential supersuch details at the strategy, more opportunities open and transparent embarking on an intensive expeditious development of basin with over 11 billionappropriatetime. willbeopenedup.” manner promotingcampaignwithall oil and gas resources boe (barrels of oil

In the meantime, the Ali said over all that his Since the discovery of necessary technical data andAccording to S&P Global, equivalent) discovered toPresident said this intention is to ensure the UK Liza in 2015, the Guyana requirements which will “the four and a half year date With substantialdevelopment followed is able to play a role in offshore basin has seen ensure that the competitivetimeframefromdiscoveryto exploration activitiesengagements that were had G u y a n a ’ s e n e r g y u n p r e c e d e n t e d bidding round is successful first production places ongoing, this figure isearlier this year with former transformation while development, with Guyana for the future developmentGuyana first among global expected to increase of the offshore explorationdeepwater jurisdictions in significantly a n d p r o d u c t i o n o f terms of the average time to In light of this, Cabinet hydrocarbons for Guyana’sbring major discoveries on said it is concluding a economystream.” definitive terms of reference Further, it said this

UK lifts visa requirement for Guyanese

With the upcoming for the competitive licensing process will be done in bidding r ound, the round which will foster a keeping with international Government of Guyana conducive investment b e s t p r a c t i c e s f o r expectstochartanewpathas e n v i r o n m e n t w h i l e t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d the Guyana offshore areas maximising value for the accountability

B r i t i s h H i g h Kingdom-Guyanarelations. year for a high level Commissioner, Jane Miller She recalled that the visa engagement with former along with President, Dr restriction was one of the Prime Minister, Boris Irfaan Ali was pleased to first issues to be brought to Johnson. announce on Tuesday that her attention when she Ambassador Miller said Guyanesenolongerrequirea arrived 15 months ago. She this visa lift is a real sign of visa to visit the United recalled that it was also the confidence of the UK in Kingdom. raised by PresidentAli when theGuyanaeconomy

During a joint press he was in the UK earlier this (Continued on page 13) conference at her residence, Ambassador Miller said visa-free travel takes effect fromNovember9,2022.The envoy explained that individualsseekingtostayin the UK for more than 180 days for the purposes or work or study would require a visa to do so. Nonetheless, Ambassador Miller said this new development marks a historic shift for United

From left - Deputy British High Commissioner to Guyana, Judy Kpogho; British High Commissioner, Jane Miller; President Dr. Irfaan Ali; and Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Elisabeth Harper

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EDITORIAL

US$1B in oil fund

DearPrimeMinisterPhillips -speakonlytowhatyoucandeliver

uyanesearerichbeyondbelief. That,however, is not the lot of ordinary Guyanese who know

Gonly the same old poverty The struggling family that has to do without some basics, and the many expectantcitizensofthiscountry,whohearthattheyareso wealthyonpaper,don’tknowofthatrichness. Theyareyet to touch and feel this great national oil wealth actually movingfromthebooksandpaperdowntotheirlevel.

There is no doubt these days that we have oil in abundance,andthemoniestoprovethatitishere. Similarly, thereisnodoubtalsothatthebenefitsofthisoilwealthhave sofareludedthebroadmassesoftheGuyanesepopulation.

ThereisUS$1BinGuyana’sOilFund. Multiplythatone thousand million American dollars by 200 to obtain the equivalentin Guyana dollars, and the result is a stupefying figure,indeed.

YettherearemanyGuyanesewhodon’thaveenoughin theirpocketsandpursestobuywhatisneededtoexistabove the poverty line, however calculated. For sure, many billionsoflocaldollarshavebeensetasideforinfrastructure development, a good thing, and which PPPC Government spokespeoplearealwaysdelightedtopointto,asevidenceof national development priorities in action. What is given short thrift is how those same billions for schools, bridges, and roads are the cover under which great political and financialcrimesflourish. Thespokespeopleareoftentimes, among the ones sharing in the crookedness, so they turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the real underlying truths of Guyana,sincetheyarebenefitingfromthenewoilwealth.

Just as certainly a few billion Guyana dollars have trickleddowntothenation’spopulationindribsanddrabs, through cash handouts, relief monies, and a quick, clever helping hand here and there in carefully selected sectors. What does not gain much attention or traction is that when thebloodlessinfrastructurebillionsareplacednexttothose giventothepoorandstrugglingandhurtinginGuyana,the majority in the local population, there is no comparison. AidersandabettorsofthePPPCGovernment,manyofthem well rewarded for their defensive efforts, or aggressive attitudes, find place to highlight GY$25,000 here and GY$28,000there,andhowmuchGuyaneseshouldbehappy thattheyhaveacaringgovernment.

Whatisneatlyoverlookedishowmuchgoestotherich, andhowlittlegoestothepoorandthenobodiesthroughout Guyana. Those who can’t afford medicines, who must bypass certain possibly lifesaving treatments, because they justdon’thavethemoney.

Therichreceivethecontractsforbillionstoaddmoreto their bankbooks, and in those contracts, huge percentages forthieveryarebuilt-in,andhugepercentagessiphonedoff. Thisiswhatissharedamongcunningpoliticians,theirslick handpickedbureaucrats,theirfavouredcrookedcontractors, andtheslipperypublicrelationspeoplewhotrytheirbestto cover-upthetrickeries.

Therichgetmoreprosperous,whilethelittlepeoplein Guyana get to read about, and hear about, and thrill to, big speechesfromleadersandministersthattheirturnwillcome to be passengers sharing in the grand national excursions. The little Guyanese, the working class, those on the lower endoftheeconomicladder,arestillwaitingfortheirdayto come,andthatUS$1BintheirOilFundwillactuallymean somethingtothem.

Guyanese poor need what is palpable; they don’t need more promises about future prosperity and how good they will have it. They want some of that good now, for this is what they see happening to those at the higher end of local society They watch the PPPC Government taking care of their close comrades, and the local struggling taste the bitternessofbeingwithoutinthislandwithsomuchgoing foritrightnow Thesharingofnationalrichesdoesn’thave tobesoone-sided,nordoesithavetoallatonce. Justalittle bitatatimemakesaworldofdifference. Lettherebemore balance in wealth distribution. It is time that ordinary Guyanesefeeltherichnessofbeingoilproducers.

DEAREDITOR, labour on the sugar and may together build a land As a teenager, almost Let me make it cottonplantations. where knowledge is free, sevendecadesago,Ientered abundantly clear that I have When the immigrants where the mind is without thesocialandpoliticalarena never been a racist nor a arrived after 1838, using fear and the head is held guidedbyourtwoTitans,Dr person who hates another crude implements, being high,andwherewordscome CheddiB.JaganandLinden person because of his/her beaten and their soul fromthedepthoftruth. Forbes Sampson Burnham ethnicityorreligiousbeliefs. brutalized,theAfricanslaves Grant us, O God, Thine who from my experience Iamtheproductofbasically had civilized our entire aid and guidance,so thatwe neitherwereracists. Afro-Guyanese parents and coastal belt, some of which may deal justly with the This brings me to our have always been and will wasbelowsealevel. several causes that come always be proud to be an I have elsewhere always before us, laying aside all Afro-Guyanese,andholdthe congratulated and shown private interests, prejudices firm belief that you cannot great respect for and in and personal preferences, so love and appreciate others particular, the Indo thattheresultofourcounsels unless you love and Guyanese for their hard- may be to the glory of thy appreciatewhoyouare. work industry and the Blessed Name, the

I am also acutely aware practice of deferred maintenanceoftruereligion, of the massive damage done gratification. the preservation of justice, tousasGuyaneseasaresult After generations of the safety, honour and of imperial domination and struggle on the 26th of May happiness of the President, theatrocitiesofcolonialism. 1966, in the midst of an all- andthepeaceandprosperity Historically, there is no consuming Cold War, we ofGuyana. doubt that the Afro gained Constitutional Grant us, O God, the Guyanese have suffered the Independence. vision so as to lead, that all greatest beginning with the However,morethanhalf the people of this fair land inhumane capture of my a century later, as a people, may enter into that state of ancestorsinWestAfrica,(of we are yet to be truly brotherhood and unity, interest with the connivance liberatedwherewesaythese where the mind is led of their own kith and kin). prayers, an adaptation from forward by thee into ever The horrors of the journey the words of Rabindranath widening thought and fromportsinWestAfricaand Tagore-“AlmightyGod,we action ” The rumble and the above completely who are gathered together, tumblethathascharacterized severed their ancestral roots do most humbly beseech ParliamentsuggestsourMPs unlike the immigrants who Thee, to guide us in all our neitherunderstandnormean were brought to replace the consultations, so that we whattheysay

annualcelebrationofAfrican Holocaust Day held last Wednesday October 12, 2022 organised by ACDA. For reasons which are beyond belief but which are now being investigated, for the first time since its inaugurationyearsago,Iwas notinvited.

Hence,myabsencefrom this significant event which tookplaceattheGeorgetown Seawall Bandstand. This event has always been used to share knowledge of our history and to remind young and old that the effort for total emancipation or if you prefer liberation, must continue since many of us have had the chains removed but mental slavery insomequarterslingerson. Iamtoldthat (Continuedonpage6)

The crux of divide and overthrow is to split the PPPleadership at the top

DEAREDITOR.

and are fully cognizant of greater equality and other Stadium,theBerbiceBridge, We all know the old what is afoot They are worthy objectives that are the Arthur Chung colonial model of superbly equipped to deal actually manipulated and ConferenceCenter,theHope domination was based not withthemachinationsofthe maligned. President Ali just Canal, the Marriott Hotel, only on economic handful of self described days ago spotted this not to mention the then exploitation but also on activists who play on invasive narrational species president’s signature longdivideandrule.Guyanawas narratives foreign and repelled it with an term development plan for subjected to this sinister domination by the very impassionedcallfornational sustainable development, strategy, a strategy of companies that have put unity namely,theLCDS. creating and reproducing Guyana on a path to Inthecurrentmomentof There is no doubt that structural antagonisms leapfroggingentirestagesof divide and overthrow, those who do not want to amongourpeople. modernization. politicalmischiefishatched, respectelectionresultsorare

Formal colonialism may Therearetwosimilarities petted, and fattened in so- worried about their chances wellbegone,butnow,ithas between the divide and rule called civil society outfits. in the next elections, will been replaced by an equally methods of the 1950s and Theirproductsarethengiven resort to innuendo, half sinister plot, namely ‘divide 1960sinBritishGuiana,and fullpriorityinvariousmedia truths, or outright lies, to and overthrow’ (my the divide and overthrow spaces, both print and besmirch the name of construction). campaign currently electronic. Jagdeo and the Bharrat Jagdeo with the aim

The main objective of underway PPP/C will prevail over the of separating him from divide and overthrow is to Firstly, as Fr Andrew current efforts to sow PresidentAli and the rest of cramp the current Morrison has admitted, the divisionwithinthepartyand PPP/Cleadership. administration in its efforts Church used its principal its supporters. They did it Why might you ask? at economic and national organ,theCatholicStandard before. Well, the answer is development and ultimately to attack the PPP because it Just think of the security straightforward The remove the PPP/C from wasafraidoflosingwhatDr threats posed to the state in opposition and their so office in the next national RishiThakur some time ago theearly2000swhenJagdeo called civil society backers elections The plan has labeled “Anglo Christian was president and the mid- know that President already begun and daily hegemony” (Thakur, 1994). 2000s when Irfaan was a Mohamed Irfaan Ali and iterations of it are spread Today,thepressisagainatit. member of the Cabinet Vice President Bharrat across the pages of a couple Not a day goes by without Many will also recall that Jagdeo are an indomitable ofdailies. letters,editorials,orcolumns anythingthatJagdeoandhis pairinpoliticalleadership.

The crux of divide and advocating the split in the government did in terms of Divide and overthrow overthrowistosplitthePPP PPPleadership. d e v e l o p m e n t w a s will fail miserably Vice leadership at the top, in this Secondly, the language characterized as ‘bound to President Jagdeo is here to instance, to create a wedge of race and racism is now, fail’. If you are not old stay If you doubt that, go to between President Ali and like the period of foreign enough to know, or do not the next outreach that he Vice President Jagdeo. The intervention,constantlyused recall, the purveyors of leads. plan will fail because both todividethecountry,always division had predicted Sincerely, men are astute politicians disguised in the name of failure for the National Dr.RandyPersaud

Fake US Currency

DEAREDITOR,

confusion,anddisruption. This is more of reality

I came across something The first contributory coming alive, and not just troubling recently, which factor has to do with the textbook economics. Thus, raises anxieties on what wash of business activity thereisbroadanddeepcover could already be happening proliferating here as a result for continuing stealthy here. ofouroildiscoveries,andall infusions of fake U S

ItcouldbethatfakeU.S. of the plentiful related currencyinourmidst,andus dollars have wended their downstream opportunities; not really knowing the wayintoGuyana’seconomy, there is more than the usual difference,orhowmuchofit andwedon’tknowtheextent supply of American dollars hashitus,atpresent. oftheissue. Ithinkthatthis flowingandebbing. This is what I gathered is an area that the Guyana The US:GY exchange from an article dated Government should pay rate has slowly, but October 13, as published by closeattentiontobecauseof inexorably, been on a Insight Crime, and titled, the fair to high odds of downward trend from the “How Ecuador and causingseriousundermining a b u n d a n t , m a y b e Venezuela face different inthelocalenvironment. overabundant, injections of invasions of fake US

As I detect things, our American dollars into local dollars ” According to environment is custom business and individual InsightCrime,mostof made for such infiltration, transactions. (Continuedonpage6)

Sincere reconciliation necessary for national unity

DEAREDITOR, If the choice is made to share.Onlythenwillweasa

There was a notable shift towards unity as one nation quickly achieve our difference in the recent nation united and strong, truenationalpotential. speeches given by President then internal development

A l t e r n a t i v e l y , Joe Biden and President Xi willbestrengthened,andour development will be based Jinping Both Presidents focus will be upon solutions on affiliation and each addressed their respective and their implementation individual group’s ability, a countries The USA was instead of creating obstacles microcosm of what the focused on regaining for those who are bringing world is and how it has internal stability and unity, progress that are from developed. while China was focused on anotherparty

If history is an indicator strengthening both internal China’s homogeneous of what is possible, it is fair management, development, population allows for easier to say that community andexternalstrategy progress than that of a affiliation has stronger roots

This stark difference country with a multiethnic than national affiliation at speaksvolumestothechoice population,butwemustfind this stage of our national before our great nation waystotrulyembracebeing development. Guyana and all Guyanese OnePeoplewhoplacebeing T h e d e b a t e s i n must decide how much Guyanese above all else, parliament must lend longer they will continue who identify with One themselves to overcoming upon the path of internal Nation, which is Guyana, such obstacles by first division, which hinders with One Destiny where all definingtherootcauseof developmentandgrowth. citizens have a say and a (Continuedonpage6)

In Guyana, integrity is dead, hypocrisy, biasness and divisiveness reign

DEAREDITOR, oil and Exxon will be our didn’t know investing a few T h a n k s t o t h e teacher and leader in the oil m i l l i o n s i n p o o r incompetent, visionless and business as per our

communities will uplift the corrupt parliamentarians of parliamentarians. lives of citizens, so Exxon Guyana since Exxon landed This is why Alistair will teach us, and these here,weshouldnowsitback Routledge and other peoplewillsing“PraiseLord and watch how things are mouthpieces of the oil E x x o n ” s i n c e a l l supposed to work as Exxon companies continue to harp governmentshaveneglected leadsthewayandGuyanese how this contract is the best them and Exxon comes to shouldfollow thing for Guyana to theirrescue.

When one thinks they Guyanese, since Exxon TheVPhascalledonhis heard the most nonsensical knowall.Mr Routledge,we supporters to go online and thing happening in the oil would like you to destroy demonize those critical of sector, to Guyana’s this good oil contract and him, particularly Glenn Lall detriment,thereseemtobea giveusabadonelikethebad and others like Lall. Some newonebeatingit. one you gave to Qatar have answered his call,

It seems like Exxon is Thanks to the incompetent, writing and posting to pro writing all the contracts and visionless and corrupt PPP newspapers and agreements and Guyana’s parliamentariansofGuyana, websites, mentioning how leadership gleefully affix we didn’t know investing a thosecriticaloftheVPwants signaturetomakethemlegal few millions in a neglected jobs and business and binding without any area like sports will make it opportunities.Glenn public announcement, better, so Exxon will teach (Continuedonpage6) review, consultation, or us. Wedon’tknowinvesting challenges. in cricketers, footballers,

Exxon and its affiliates athletes, singers and have already made plans for musicians can be one of the more projects as if they greatest returns on already know the approvals investmentbecauseifoneof and permits are guaranteed, them make the world stage the gas to shore project also and sign lucrative contracts seems to be going ahead overseas,theywillearnmore without any public money than any graduating announcement, review, class at UG and other postconsultation, or challenges, secondary institutions in Exxon is now trying to tell Guyana combined We ourcourtsandEPAwhythey shouldbetaxexemptandnot liable for oil related environment disasters createdbytheoiloperations, what kind of nonsense is this? But why be surprised sinceweknownothingabout

Dear Prime Minister Phillips - speak...

Frompage4 an inner cabinet whose point to didn’t realize they the Government was members are the real there were still slaves and represented by Hon powerbrokers and decision- thattheyshouldbepartofthe Minister Ramson, Minister makers Guyana is no struggle for freedom, of Sports and Culture, and different and our very nice physicalandmental.

Fake US Currency

Frompage5

Hon Prime Minister Prime Minister must be If the Hon Prime Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark cautiousandcarefultomake Minister and First Vice Phillips. statements as he did on Presidentwishestoservethe Hon Prime Minister Wednesday, whether from a Afro-Guyanese community, Mark Phillips from those prepared script or ad lib to he can begin by persuading present and representing the saythingsthattrulyspeaking his government to treat African community of hehaslittlecontrolover Haitian immigrants with the Guyana assured Afro It is no secret, the Prime samefavourthatimmigrants Guyanese that the Minister is not in charge of from Venezuela and likeGovernmentiscommittedto theNaturalResourcesFund, lookingcountriesaretreated. inclusivity and values the neitherhissubjectsunderhis I end by posing this traditionsandcustomsofall portfolio gives him the conundrum raised by Guyanese.

had a huge influx of good, friendly neighbourly the fake American dollars VenezuelansinGuyana,with politics, in times of flooding Venezuela and manyofthemhereillegally. frustration and covert Ecuador seem to originate Frankly,Idon’tthinkthat hostility, to encourage such fromColumbiaandPeru. the Guyana Government infusions of fake dollars In terms of the (presentorrecentpast)hasa here.

Ecuadoreans, their problem closeenoughideaofthetotal Governments and is intensified by the U.S number of Venezuelan politicians, even the best of dollar being legal tender nationals living in this them,arenotusuallyknown there, and entrepreneurial country for squeamishness when gangs in Ecuador have gone Also, it stands to reason foes have to be undermined, in the counterfeiting thatnotallofthemwouldbe including newly stubborn business with enthusiasm law-abiding people seeking ones, now backed by andskill. refuge and legitimate powerful allies. I trust that

Professor Ali A Mazruiabilitytomakeex-cathedral

Along with calls for when he addressed a groupdecisions, speaking to a i n c l u s i v i t y a n d of us at an Internationalgroup of Descendants of denouncements of all forms C o n f e r e n c e t oManumitted Africans as to of hate and prejudice, the commemorate the 150thhow did abundance of Hon. Prime Minister was A n n i v e r s a r y o fwealthwenowhaveistobe adamant that every Emancipationwhenhenotedspent.

Guyanesemustbenefitfrom ‘But Blacks have neitherMy advice to the good the impending wealth of the sacralized their sufferinggentleman, therefore, is country into a sacred doctrine norwhen next he is asked to

He said, “There is no exploited it as a politicalspeak to an Afro-Guyanese p l a c e f o r r a c i s m , Fund as the Jews and manyevent to be careful to say marginalization and othergroupshavedone.”only those things that he is oppression in Guyana. It is

It may be useful if Hon.capable of delivering or all about development, Prime Minister Markunless he is following in the inclusivityandimprovingall Phillips and others helpfootstepsofapredecessorin the lives and livelihoods of themselves to reading thatthat office Prime all Guyanese inclusive of booklet entitled SelectedMinister/President, Samuel AfricanGuyanese.” Papers edited by WinstonArchibald Hinds who told a

I was amused and McGowan with a Forewordgathering of Afro-Guyanese bemused by Hon Prime by the Late Professorto celebrate Emancipation Minister Phillips who is a Joycelynne Loncke beforeDaythattheymustforgetthe nice and charming he speaks to another grouppast. individual, but we know he representing Afro

Acomment on this folly has neither the authority nor Guyanese.isunnecessary,safetoevery as we say in Guyana the My dear Prime Minister,nation state has built its political clout to speak on these are serious times andpresent and future on the behalfofthePPPonmatters we have no time forfoundations, mis-steps and suchashowthisvastwealth disarmingplatitudes.gloryofitspast. is to be distributed

Regards,The years of slavery

Throughout the world so- HamiltonGreenwhich is the cause of the called democratic, socialist, F o r m e r H e a d o fevent on Wednesday points so called communist or Clerical Section, Transportto a well-practised strategy whatever, every country is &GeneralWorkers’Unionwhere the Master identified managed by a handful of FormerGS,PNCcertain enslaved Africans, menorwomen.

FormerPrimeMinistertreatingthemverywell.

Those who follow the Ex Mayor, City ofThe result is that they British system speak about Georgetown.themselves as many stories

In Venezuela, a senior economicupliftment. my reasoning and messages law enforcement official And in a society where are not lost on my fellow admittedthatthefakedollars white-collar crime saturates Guyanese. are present throughout the almostalllevels-justabouta The best value would be country, as in “almost all national culture come to to my brothers in the PPP major cities”; that there is think of it - injecting fake Government who I urge to difficulty for ordinary American dollars into take note of this possibly citizens to detect what is Guyana’s economy at this insidious menace from the genuine and what is time could be a materially insideandunderfoot. counterfeit, and that it is a rewardingindividualorgang It would be more struggle for officialdom to enterprise. beneficial if institutions of estimate how much

As we have all read and the State that are economic damage this may heard, Venezuelan gangs repositioned by steering be inflicting on our next- enterandexithere,asifitis them away from perceived doorneighbour theirbackyard. domestic enemies and

In an already battered There is fake dollar terrors, and point them at economy that represents business to be done here, those of a different heritage morebrutalnews. possiblyatsomemajorscale, in the bosom that could

This has the potential to and the probability of e m b o d y g e n u i n e , be a severe problem for detection and apprehension, significant, and unknown Guyana, which brings me to allbutnonexistent. So,why dangers. the second possible notseizethemoment? Sincerely, contributoryfactor Wehave Further, it makes for GHKLall

In Guyana, integrity is dead, hypocrisy...

Frompage5

doesn’twanttobecalledout cricket, movies, the Young Lall should for the ontransparency,whyisn’the and Restless, the Price is umpteenth time explain his releasing the mining Right,andWheelofFortune, reason for his fight; I don’t contracts? Why isn’t he rather than the most want a job or business telling Guyana about the important pressing issues at opportunity, I don’t envy newoilprojectsandpermits hand,i.e.,theexploitationof someoneforwhattheyhave, and what is really going on Guyana’soilandresources. particularly if their success withthegastoshoreproject? This allows Exxon and was achieved righteously, Can his supporters explain others to sprinkle a few but at no time, I will stay this? Exploiters have used millions here and there, and silent if someone is taking manymethodstocontrolthe walkawaywithhundredsof what is rightfully mine, got exploited such as chains billionsofUS$. that? around their necks, gun to So don’t be surprised if

You people know theirheads,debtentrapment, down the road, a new realty yourselves as you also post threats and military action, TV show sweeps Guyana letters to KN; you people cover operations etc called “ Who wants to be a alsoconfirmintegrityisdead Another way is to give the millionaire?” Guyanese inGuyanaandnowsurvived masses sports, movies and stylesponsoredbyExxon. by hypocrisy, biasness, and reality TV Guyanese spend Regards, divisiveness If the VP more time talking about R.David

Sincere reconciliation necessary...

Frompage5

waystooptimizethisformof area. the division, which quite development where safe Thefutureofthecountry honestly has remained a coexistence can flourish comes down to the choices white elephant in the room. Thus, the renewed we make Are we truly Unfortunately, our nation is importance and need for comrades or are we still in the denial phase that focus on law and order, Guyaneseonlyafterracialor comes before sincere which quite honestly needs political affiliation? Either reconciliation. tobeseriouslyrelookedat. way we can be successful,

Thisstepisnecessaryfor A nation divided cannot but we must not fool there to be an honest effort police itself effectively if ourselves as to which path towards unity. Without it, distrust along ethnic lines is wehavecollectivelydecided our national development flourishing and those in topursue. will reflect a society that is charge of law and order are The choice is before us. divided by cultural roots. not reflecting the ethnic Choosewisely. Thisbynomeansisaterrible makeup of the nation. A Bestregards, destination, but we must pending area of opportunity Mr JamilChanglee accept that this is the forthegovernment? Chairman consequence of continued Few would disagree that T h e C o o p e r a t i v e internal division and find more must be done in this RepublicansofGuyana

BLUNT

Issomebodykidding?

One billion dollars spent in the span of three short days to address the damage at the Harbour Bridge? And this is with the repair works still having a long way to go.

What is really going on here, with great disruption, more stress, and it already looks like business as usual?

The usual underhanded business where any opportunity is used, no matter how disturbing, for the big ones to make a nice, big killing on the side.

Guyanese commuters get to move, and the usual government people and their associates get to make another move under the cover of fixing what went wrong.

What is wrong with Guyana? Is it that it has so many thieves around, who will seize any opportunity to rob locals?

Pres. Ali begs UN to help cushion climate change impacts on food for Guyana, other developing countries

P fund for Small f i n a n c i n g a n d t h e traditional measures

resident,IrfaanAli lying coastal states have SIDs and low-lying coastal interlinked with the has called for a peculiar and special needs, states, disburse based on sustainability of the food special adaptation especially about climate vulnerability index on production system and

agriculture as a whole,” Island Developing States interlocking food security relating to the gross PresidentAlisaid. (SIDs) andlow-lyingcoastal challenges. SIDs and the domestic product, ”

SIDs and the low-lying states, to meet their peculiar low lying coastal states President Ali stated in his coastal states, he added, face needs relating to climate need climate adaptation virtualaddress. particular challenges to their financing and address their financing on soft terms, The Guyanese leader food security, especially vulnerabilities. m o r e g r a n t s , also called for a Climate with their small land He was at the time concessionary interest Vulnerability Fund to help resources, remoteness to delivering remarks to the rates, and long term SIDs and low-lying coastal largermarkets,susceptibility Food and Agriculture repaymentperiods. states to boost their food to external shocks, and Organisation’s (FAO) Hand- “It is my hope, security

vulnerability to climate risks is anticipated that the large- value chain, through foodin-Hand Investment Forum therefore,thattheFAOcan “Climate Change is too such as flooding, and other scaletransferstomatchthose processing, investment ison Monday, the Department conceptualiseandfacilitate critically interlinked with naturaldisasters. needs will continue to be needed in developingof Public Information the establishment of a food production, climate “Extreme weather raised through debt rather h u m a n r e s o u r c e s ,reported. “SIDs and low- special adaptation fund for change is too critically events including droughts thangrants. particularly in makingand floods disrupt food

Dr. Ali said this trend is agriculturemoreattractivesystems and cause concerning, particularly for toyoungpeople.destruction to crops and SIDs in CARICOM, given “SIDs and low lyinga g r i c u l t u r a l the worsening debt situation coastal states require ainfrastructure, critical thatmanyface,compounded substantial injection ofresources needed to by COVID 19, global resources for climatesupport production often inflation, rising fuel prices, adaptation to ensure ahave to be diverted to and the Russia/Ukraine war, more resilient sector,climateadaptation.

‘crowding out’ climate without this investment,

In the face of these finance-relatedissues. food security will remainchallenges, financing for Investments, therefore, imperil in SIDs and thefood security, therefore the president said, will help low-lyingcoastalstates.”cannot be delinked from SIDs reduce vulnerabilities The president welcomedclimate financing ” and diversify production, theHand-in-Handinitiative,Regarding climate financing expand and modernise noting that it is an importantin SIDs, close to half of the agriculture, and foster platform to help countrieslimited bilateral finance climate smart innovations source and attract resourcesprovided was through loans, and climate resilient for greater food security andDr Alipointedout. agriculture. “Investment is that the timing is favourableHe noted that given the needed to transition as the world faces ‘one of itsscale of climate financing production higher up the gravestfoodcrises.’needs and common trends, it

Fisherman charged for killing younger brother

Twenty one year old

The woman further Sunil Cook, a fisherman of explained that she saw the Vergenoegen Squatting suspect take a swing at the Area, West Coast Demerara Dave’s lower abdomen, was on Tuesday remanded which caused him to fall on to prison for the murder of the ground. It was then she hisyoungerbrother observed Cook was holding

C o o k , w h o w a s a knife in his hand and his represented by Attorney-at- younger brother was law Ganesh Hira made his bleeding profusely from his first court appearance at the lower abdomen Cook Leonora Magistrate’s Court reportedly fled from the before Magistrate Zamilla scene and the police were Alli Seepaul where the summoned shortly after the chargewasreadtohim. incident. An injured Dave

The young man was not was taken to the LeonoraReports are that a 38required to plead to the Cottage Hospital where heyear-old woman reported to charge which states that he was examined by a doctorpolice that on Friday night, murdered 20-year-old Dave and was later transferred toshe was among the two Cook, a fisherman of theWestDemeraraRegionalbrothers and other persons Vergenoegen Squatting Hospital, where he waso n t h e s e a w a l l a t Area. Cook was remanded admitted in a criticalVergenoegen when Dave to prison until December 1, condition.allegedly told Cook that he 2022. According to police

OnSaturday,policesaid,saw his girlfriend with reports, the incident which around 01:48 hours, theanother man in Parika. She claimed the life of Dave young man succumbed toreported that Cook became occurred on October 14, hisinjuries.Aninvestigationannoyed, and an argument around 22:50hrs right in the was launched subsequentlyensued between his brother Vergenoegencommunity andCookwaslaterarrested.andhim.

President Irfaan Ali during his address on Monday

Remanded to prison, Sunil ‘Tall Man’ Cook

Govt. engages 100 caterers to form consortium to service oil ships

F the country to tap into the position themselves to referred to as ExxonMobil form a local consortium to provide meals and food Officers, and Ms. Samora massive opportunity ”I have a c c e s s e c o n o m i c Guyana is allowed to provide meals to offshore supplies to Floating MarcusWatkins,Directorof instructed the Minister of opportunities President recoverup100percentofits vessels servicing the Production Storage and Investment Promotion and Natural Resources to work Ali’s announcement comes exploration and other costs country’sburgeoningoiland Offloading (FPSO) vessels. Facilitation, GO Invest on bringing together a several months after the by deducting proceeds up to gas sector, the Ministry of Importantly, the consortium Under pressure to create consortium of all our major issue of Guyana being 75percentoftheproduction Natural Resources has will comprise of catering business opportunities for caterers in the country into saddled with a $300 million from the Stabroek Block. a l r e a d y e n g a g e d companies from various locals within the oil and gas one company and let them daily rental bill for the 30 This publication reported approximately100caterers. regionsacrossGuyana. sector, President Ali on buy the management skills, supplyboatsthatservicethe that among the support

ollowing up on developed with the intent of Pertab,DirectoroftheLocal formation of the body, to together to create agreement, the operator President Irfaan boosting the local capacity Content Secretariat, MNR prepare chefs from across consortiums to better EEPGL commonly Ali’s proposal to of these service providers to Legal and Technical

The ministry announced During the meeting, Sundayannouncedthatheis whether it is international or oilandgassector services being utilised by yesterdaythattheinitialstep Bharratassuredthatafollow pushingforthecreationofa regional so that together in a Guyana in 2016 inked a ExxonMobil relate to the has been taken toward the upmeetingwillbeheldsoon catering consortium to tap consortium, they could Production Sharing rental of its supply boats. formation of the consortium andthatthetechnicalteamat into the supply of food and participate in the bidding Agreement with Esso These vessels are typically to allow local chefs to his Ministry along with the otherservicestotheindustry processtoprovideallFPSOs Exploration Production used to transport supplies to maximise on their skills. Local Content Secretariat He told a forum at offshore with food and food Guyana Limited (EEPGL) the oil platform and return Minister of Natural will remain engaged to Leguan on Sunday that supplies.” and their partners Hess othercargoestoshore. Resources, Vickram Bharrat coordinate and facilitate the Guyanacouldsoonseelocal T h e P r e s i d e n t

Guyana Corporation and They also store on Tuesday met with the process to build capacity chefs directly benefitting emphasised that local ChinaNationalOffshoreOil equipmentandprovideother group along with a team of within the local catering from the oil and gas sector, enterprises must come Company Under that supportservicesrequired. technical officers from his sector with the establishment of a Ministry, the Local Content Also present were the consortium of cooks Secretariat, and the Guyana Permanent Secretary, supplying food and food Office for Investment (Go- Ministry of Natural itemstotheFPSOs. Invest). Resources, Mr Joslyn Ali on Sunday disclosed The consortium is being McKenzie, Mr Martin that he has called for the

Asection of the caterers who were present at yesterday’s meeting (photo credit: Ministry of Natural Resources Facebook page)

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat engages the service providers (photo credit: Ministry of Natural Resources Facebook page)

The words of Jimmaul Baggot, the BV/Triump NDC chairman to me

r JimmaulBaggotis Show and his output was one. After the price tag was made rich Indian capitalists. Secondly, in the news. He was interesting.You need to hear what public,theNDCcancelledthesale there must be a fight to preserve (still is) the he had to say Go to Youtube and agreement. There hasn’t been one Africanentitlements.

M chairman of the hear the things that Mr Baggot word about this transaction from I believe it then (February 16, BV/Triump NDC when that NDC revealed. those who advocate African 2022) and I believe it now From condemned the NDC for selling

February 16 when I penned that ancestral lands very cheaply andacresoflandforroughly$230,000 madeanaccusationagainstmefor Mr Baggotintonedontheshow statement onto October 2022, not calledonAfricanrightsactiviststoperacrelatelastyear the following statement I made in thatsuchanoutlookofminecould one African rights activist has dothesame.

soldJohnFernandesLtd(JFL)143 On the programme, Baggot entitlement.”

The sale has now turned into a my column of February 16 this turntheissueintoanAfricanversus analyzedthislandpurchase.Onthe

There is a mental fixationscandal and a very ugly and year Hereitis,“Lastyearthestory Indianaffair Istronglydisagreed.I contrary, me who thought the certainAfrican rights leaders havesickening one that should engage of entitlement and betrayal in indicated that in penning those wrong should have been in this country They arrogate totheentirenation.Butofcourseyou Guyana was laid bare for the words,myintentionwastoexpose highlighted suffered an accusation themselves the special privilege toknow that is wishful thinking on world to see. The NDC of the double standards of those who by one of the leading voices of ruminate on developmentsmy part because this is Guyana. Beterverwagting (BV) sold John purport to speak for African African entitlement in BV and an involvingAfro-Guyanese and thatThe dimension of the deal has Fernandes Ltd, 134 acres of land Guyanese. executiveinACDA. is an exclusive area that non-become scandalous for a reason for 35 million Guyana dollars. My strongest point to him was Mr EltonMcRae,afriendsince Africans must recognize. African-thatwillbeoutlinedbelow That is about $240,000 per acre. thatIbelieveinmyheart(Iusedthe 1974,wrotethesewordstome; “It Guyanese are subliminally seen asTheNDCinformedJFLthatthe There isn’t any parcel or plot of word heart on the show) that if it was not the NDC that pulled out AfricansbutnotGuyanese.sale was a mistake because the land in Guyana where an acre of was an Indian group that was but John Fernandes because of That is not going to work withNDC thought it was their land but land is less than five million involved in that cheap purchase of the embarrassment it would have me I don’t care about yourinfact,itwasprivateland. dollars. landthensomeAfricanleadersfor caused them, in a scheme of ethnicity This is my country andThe matter was settled The NDC of BV is all-African narrow, political purposes would underhand dealings. I think this when Indians, Africans, Chineseamicably as JFL agreed to the and elected under the PNC ticket haveintroducedtheIndian-African time you owe the people of andPortuguesedowrongthingsortermination of the sale and in the 2018 local government binaryintothecontroversy.

BV/Triumph an apology, which I have wrong things done to them, Irepayment.ThenaDraculeantwist elections. It is closely associated There is not even an expecttoseeshortly.” willspeakupbecauseIseethemasappeared.JFLpassedonthesaleof with ACDA and is part of the infinitesimaldoubtinmymindthat I did not apologise because I Guyanese.agreement to a company whose annual emancipation festival. BV once that land deal was made thinkthedemandtomakeonewas (The views expressed in thisbiologyisyettobedetermined.On is 99 percent an African village. publictwodimensionswouldhave foolish and misdirected. I did not article are those of the writer andMonday,Mr Baggotwastheguest The land was not sold to an been born. One was that African chastise the people of BV/Triump notthisnewspaper)on the Gildarie-Freddie Kissoon African family but a Portuguese resourceswerebeentakenoverby for any mistake or collusion. I

FrederickKissoon

CCJ to rule today on right to appeal Guyana’s elections petition

he Caribbean Wiltshire threw out the case Vice President, Bharrat Court of Justice and the two petitioners then Jagdeo and Attorney

T(CCJ)willdeliver challenged the Chief General, Anil Nandlall, SC, its ruling today in appeal Justice’s decision at the are challenging the decision against a decision of the Guyana Appeal Court of theAppellate Court that it Court of Appeal of Guyana (COA). has the jurisdiction to hear in which it held that it has On December 21, 2021, the appeal over the jurisdiction to hear an the majority held that the dismissed election petition election petition dismissed COA has jurisdiction to case which was filed by the forimproperservice. entertain an appeal from the mainoppositioncoalition.

On July 19, the regional decision of Chief Justice Jagdeo and Nandlall are court heard a plethora of George, who had dismissed contending that the majority argumentsinthecase,before the Election Petition # 99 of of the COA erred in law and reserving its ruling, which it 2020 on the grounds of late had no jurisdiction to hear hadpromisedtorenderinthe service, non service, or and determine the appeal; shortest possible time improperservice–onformer neither from statute, the Hearing the case were CCJ PresidentDavidGranger Constitution nor does it have Justices: Jacob Wit, Winston The Appeal Justices had an inherent jurisdiction. In Anderson, Maureen handed down a 2-1 decision. the matter, Trinidadian Rajnauth Lee, Peter Chancellor of the Judiciary, Senior Counsel Douglas JamadarandDenysBarrow Justice Yonette Cummings- Mendes, is appearing on

Today the five man Edwards and Justice of behalf of Jagdeo, while panel of judges will rule on Appeal Dawn Gregory Nandlall appears on behalf theelectionspetitionfiledby allowed the appeal, while of the Government of Monica Thomas and Justice Rishi Persaud Guyana whereas, Brennan Nurse on behalf of dissented from their

Attorneys Roysdale Forde, the APNU+AFC Coalition. position. SC, in association with Last January, Chief Justice The consolidated appeal Selwyn Pieters and John (Ag) Roxane George before the CCJ is one where JeremiestoodforThomas.

Norton pours cold water on elections COI - says focus should be on petitions before court

eader of the way to go is by the Elections

O p p o s i t i o n Petitions….”

Aubrey Norton is The Opposition Leader

L of the view that continued “So to us the COI the Commission of Inquiry is just another attempt by the (COI) which has been set up People’s Progressive Party by Government to inquire Civic [PPP/C] to browbeat into the issues surrounding the Guyanese public and to the March 2020 Regional produce information that and General Elections is suitsthePPPsothattheycan nothing but a ploy to open their mouths and make Terms of Reference (ToRs)hoodwinkGuyanese. all kinds of conclusions set out in the probe that wasHe said that citizens Clearly, it is the Election promisedbyPresidentIrfaanshould therefore focus on Petition that matters and we Aliafterhispartywasfinallyjust the outcome of the will focus on the elections declared winner of theelections petitions which are petition.”

March 2, 2020 General andbeforetheCourts.Duringhis Both main political RegionalElections.weekly press briefing held parties, theAPartnership for

So far, retired Trinidadon Tuesday, Norton National Unity + Alliance and Tobago Judge, Stanleyrespondedtoquestionsabout For Change (APNU+AFC)

John,whoistheChairmanofthe COI. He asserted that the and the People’s Progressive the Commission, retiredPeople’s Progressive Party Party/ Civic (PPP/C) have Acting Chancellor of theCivic (PPP/C) cannot be accused each other of Judiciary of Guyana, Justicetrustedtoorganiseaninquiry electoral fraud. For the most Carl Singh and formerto unearth the truth about the part,thePPP/Cissayingthat Acting Justice of Appeal incontroversial March 2020 it was the coalition that the Eastern Caribbean,elections. attempted to alter the results

Senior Counsel GodfreyNortonsaidthisisasharp oftheelections.

Smith have been sworn in toconflict of interest at work The COI into the 2020 theirpositions.here. According to him, a election fiasco that caused a

The ToR for theGovernmentthatisapartyto five-month long delay in presidential CoI notesthe elections should not be declaring Guyana’s new h o w e v e r t h a t t h echoosing anyone to conduct government is set to zoom in Commission will, amonga COI into the election. He on the conduct of former other things, examine, “theasserted, “this is a case of G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s conduct of the Chiefcharging Caesar to be tried Commission (GECOM) Elections Officer, otherby Caesar! It is this very officers, some of whom are Elections Officers, andGovernment that was before the court on election othersinrespectoftheshouting from the top of St fraudcharges.

(Continued on page 16)George’s Cathedral that the This is highlighted in the

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

Govt. partners with IDB to develop traffic app

Santa Rosa treasurer in custody for missing $9.5M govt. grant

The Inter American Plan. Country Manager of Meanwhile, Minister of Development Bank (IDB) the IDB, Lorena Solórzano- Public Works Juan Edghill haspartneredwithGuyanato Salazar, said that, “during said, “This app and tool will develop an artificial road construction the traffic be readily used as we seek to intelligence traffic

face challenges and that it is develop the East Bank applicationcalledRESOLV why a decision was taken to corridor from Grove to The app was launched develop a technology in a Timehri” The project to officially on Tuesday at the communication tool develop the East Bank Ministry of Public Works (WhatsApp) to avoid traffic Corridor from Gove to Board Room, located in congestion”.Shepointedout Timehri is currently before Kingston, Georgetown. The that road safety and traffic the IDB for approval and app was created to provide management are very when that process is done commuters with notification important and described the there is expected to massive and traffic advisory updates app as artificial intelligence road construction taking when roadways are under software that can assist in placeinthatarea. construction. Road users this regard. “With a simple In order to manage the can get these real time subscription process, users traffic properly during that updates on road closures, can engage RESOLV the period, the ministry will be traffic situation, detours, etc. artificial intelligence sending out notifications to by scanning a WhatsApp solution via WhatsApp to all the subscribers to the new QR. or by simply sending a receive important messages app so they can know where “Subscribe Me” via about road closure, traffic the detours are and when WhatsApp to telephone disruptionsoremergencies”. certain parts of the road will number +1 (786) 244 By making use of this be closed. Edghill added that 6125). tool, she continued, traffic the app is not only going to

The development of the congestions can be reduced be limited to the East Bank app was financed by the IDB and users can be able to plan corridor but it will be under a project called the ahead and adjust the time of introduced countrywide for Guyana Road Safety Action theirjourney otherroadprojects.

UK lifts visa requirement for...

Together with direct flights by British various financing arrangements from the UK Airways, she said this move will be to support the government’s infrastructural transformative to the already strong projects. The Head of State reminded that relationship between Guyana and the UK. Guyana’s new oil producer along with the She was keen to note that in mid-November, volatility in the market has made access to there will be a trade mission for British cheap financing harder Be that as it may,Ali businesses to visit and better understand the said, “We are pursuing very strong terms in opportunities available here. She expressed favour of Guyana, that is to say fixed rate hope that Guyana’s private sector would do financing at less than three percent…it is thesameinlightofthevisalift. difficulttoachievebutstillwearepushingfor

Meanwhile, the Head of State during his this.” remarks was keen to note that the idea of the SimilartotheUSEximBank,Alisaidthe visa lift is not just about strengthening the UK also has a facility in which it is able to relations to advance economic opportunities build, finance and transfer He said there are but to also promote Guyana’s strong tourism also facilities that allow for countries to potential. He said the UK has significantly benefit from export credits. This helps large bird watching population; along with companies with the support they need for persons who are simply deeply connected internationaltrade. with nature Ali therefore believes the Additionally, Ali said work is continuing country has a momentous opportunity to onaccesstoUKtechnologytobuildconcrete exploit its tourism potential while expanding drains in Guyana at a very fast pace. “As you networkingbenefits. know, the drainage system in Georgetown

Ali said too that the visa free needstobecompletelyrehabilitated.Wehave announcement comes with very hard work, committed to the upgrade of the drainage adding that Guyanese must be mindful not to system in South Georgetown and we are abuse it. He said systems will be put in place lookingatthebesttechnologyavailabletodo toensurerigidmonitoring. this in a very efficient manner,” the President

ACCESS TO MORE FINANCING stated. Overall, he said these efforts will go a Inadditiontotheforegoingmove,Alisaid long way in supporting the government’s his government will be pushing to access agendafordevelopment.

T Region One, the best interest of the Phillip Bess was on Monday residents. arrested for questioning over “At a recently conveyed a missing grant money that General Meeting, the was meant for coffee Toshao, Stravos Stanley and farmers. the treasurer Phillip Bess

he treasurer of

bank account and the village S a n t a R o s a council was given control of Village, Moruca, the monies to manage it in

Santa Rosa Village treasurer, Phillip Bess

Bess’ arrest came two were called upon to give weeks after Santa Rosa account for the Coffee residents accused their Project fund. The report was Toshao, Stavros Stanley of that all of the Santa Rosa corruption during a protest Village Funds had been they had staged They withdrawn from the account wanted Stanley to give and the villagers are account for some $9.5M that alarmed There was no was granted to the village by consultation with the coffee thegovernmentasagrantfor farmers regarding the corrupt acts taking place incoffeefarmers. withdrawal or use of the theirvillageafteraletterwasSpeaking with Kaieteur funds. Further, farmers have published in one of the dailyN e w s o n T u e s d a y, not benefitted from the fund newspapers,claimingthatnoCommander of the Region withdrawn”, Williams attention is being paid toOne District, Himnauth allegedinhisletter allegations of corruption inSawh confirmed that the The residents had told Indigenouscommunities.village treasurer, Bess was Kaieteur News that indeed

The letter was penned bydetained for questioning they had called on Stanley MervynWilliams, a memberoverthesame$9.5Mthatthe and the treasurer to give an of the opposition and heresidentswantedtheirtoshao account on how the money made reference to thetoaccountfor was spent but both of them, allegations made by theSawh said that based on failed to give them a proper Santa Rosa residents thatinformation received from response. their Toshao, Stanley cannothis ranks, Bess has been able Theyhadallegedtoothat give account for the $9.5Mto give account for the cash this is not the first time that granted to the community bybut investigations are still Stanley is unable to give the government to fund aongoing. accountforvillagefunds. coffee project. Williams

Santa Rosa residents had One protestor, Paul wrote that the funds weremoved to protest over the Rodrigues,anelected reportedly deposited in afunds and other alleged (Continued on page 20)

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and IDB Country Manager, Lorena Solórzano-Salazar, on Tuesday, launching the new traffic app called RESOLV

Coalition banking on renewable energy... Ramps Logistics takes Govt. to court over denial of local content certificate

From page 2 declined by 15 percent a year over the same is wrong and that we need a new approach… period.” based on the research that was done that the This means that the price of electricity gas to shore programme, as presently from solar declined by 89 percent in these 10 constituted at the present venue is not viable years. The UNDP used a chart to depict the and feasible and therefore should not really massivedeclinesinwhichitexplainedthatin go ahead. Add to it that no recent feasibility 2010, the cost to generate one megawatt study was done to establish its feasibility.” (MW)ofpowermovedfromUS$359in2009 Meanwhile, Norton made it clear that his to just US$40 in 2019. Not only that, but this intent is to explore the best renewable option means solar power generation also proved to for specific locations to produce electricity becheaperincomparisontoatleasttwoother “We intend to, in a very judicious fashion, clean energy options – gas and wind. Despite implement programmes aimed at wind both wind and gas power also recording a generation, solar, hydro and those based on decline in cost to generate, the report gas and fuel that are considered maintained solar is the cheapest option. For advantageous.Wecannotgodowntheroadof instance,gasdroppedfromUS$83in2009to makingonesweep.Wehavetolookatalland US$56 in 2019 per MWh. Meanwhile, wind see where they are best suited and then power generation in 2009 also declined from implementthemandthatiswhatwewilldoas US$135toUS$41in2019perMWh. agovernment,”hesaid.

Despite these strides, the Government of Solar power potential Guyana has decided to pursue a Gas-toThisnewspaperhadreportedthatGuyana Energy(GTE)projectthatislikelytocostthe currently receives enough sunshine every countrysomeUS$2billion.TheGTEproject two hours, to power the country’s present has three components – the pipeline to be electricity demands for an entire year This is constructed by oil major, ExxonMobil, and a according to the Head of the Guyana Energy Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant to treat and Agency (GEA), Dr. Mahender Sharma. He separate the gas, paired with a power plant to shared this information during the first ever generate the electricity. So far, Exxon has Energy Conference and Expo in February of said that the cost of the pipeline could be this year. Meanwhile, it was also reported US$1.3 billion. In the meantime, Vice that power generation through solar has PresidentBharratJagdeo“estimates”thatthe become far cheaper than which is being cost of the other two plants will be around reported. US$700million.

R a m p s L o g i s t i c s Minister of Natural ContentAct. (Guyana) Inc has filed a Resources, the Director of A m o n g t h o s e lawsuit against the t h e L o c a l C o n t e n t requirements, Ramps Government of Guyana over Secretariat, the Local outlined in the document is its refusal to grant the Content Secretariat and the the fact that the company is company a certificate of Attorney General of Guyana registered as a local firm registration under the Local as respondents is also under the Companies Act of ContentAct. seekingadeclarationthatthe Guyana.

The United Nations Development

This venture is expected to generate 300 Programme(UNDP)inits2022Reporttitled: MW of power to Guyanese once completed. “Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping However, this project involves several our Future in a Transforming World”, environmental risks and economists have explained,“Contrarytotheprojectedaverage been questioning its feasibility since the annual cost reduction of 2.6 percent between project cost has increased significantly since 2010 and 2020, solar photovoltaics costs thefirststudywasconducted.

The company, which is decision of the Minister The company went on to originally from Trinidad and and/or the Director of the note that it is beneficially Tobago but is registered Local Content Secretariat owned by Guyanese under Guyana’s Companies and/or the Local Content Nationalrepresentingatleast Act was earlier this year, Secretariat (LCS) made on 51percentofitstotalshares. denied a local content June82022refusingtogrant Additionally, in the legal certificate for purportedly or issue them a certificate of document, Ramps Logistics not being “Guyanese registration is unlawful, claimed that Guyanese enough ” Last June, the illegal, null, void and of no nationals hold over 75 contentions surfaced over legaleffect. percent of the executive and the manner in which foreign The applicant also wants senior managerial positions companies are now using declaration that the failure while 91 percent of its Guyanese nationals to fulfill and refusal by the Minister staffersarelocals. their local content and/or the Director of the In the document, Ramps requirementforthecompany Local Content Secretariat Logistics pointed out that it to be 51 percent locally and/or the LCS not to could suffer huge losses and owned. reconsider its decision made financial ruin if the

Ramps for instance on June 8, 2022 is certificatesarenotgranted. p r o v i d e d d e t a i l e d unreasonable, unlawful and According to the information regarding arbitrary Added to this, the affidavit in support, the Deepak Lall, a Trinidadian company has requested a c o m p a n y h a s b e e n born with strong Guyanese declaration that it was contracted by at least over a roots who purchased 51 unlawfully denied a dozen or more entities percent of Ramps Guyana certificateofregistrationand operating in the petroleum for US$1M, making it 51 benefits arising to as a result that threatened to cease percent Guyanese owned. sinceitisbyvirtueofSection operations if it does not The issue however, is that 6 of the Local Content Act secure the local content Lall’s father and grandfather 2021 entitled to a number of certificate. areGuyaneseandhe,outside benefits.

With regard to the of the oil and gas company Ramps Logistics is request for an urgent hearing had very little to do with the requesting too an order of and determination of the country certiorari quashing the court case, Ramps Logistics

Lallwouldhavereceived decision not to issue them a explained that almost all the his Guyanese passport in certificate and an order of earnings are derived the 2021. He was described as a mandamus compelling the petroleum sector and if the Guyanesenational,butsome Minister and/or Director of FDA is not heard and b e l i e v e t h i s w a s theLocalContentSecretariat determinedwithurgency,the conveniently pursued to and/or the Secretariat itself company is at risk of being fulfill the 51 percent to grant the company a permanentlydeprivedoftens requirement. certificate of registrations or of millions of US Dollars in

After being denied the alternativelyanorderthatthe earnings. certificate twice, Ramps powers that be reconsiders “The applicant will Logistics had promised to Ramps application for a suffer irreparable harm and take the issue to the Courts. certificateofregistration. injury of this application is According to a Fixed Date Ultimately, the company not heard and determined in Application (FDA) recently wants an order that the a timely manner so as to drafted by Attorneys-at-law, matter is heard urgently and allowittorenewandorenter Edward Luckhoo SC and expedited. into contracts with Esso C.V Satram, the company According to an affidavit Exploration and Production has asked the Court to issue in support of the court action Guyana Limited [EEPGL] several orders including a which is signed by the and other operators which declaration that Ramps company’s secretary areuptofiveyears. Logistics has satisfied the Samantha Cole, Ramps Such contracts will be statutory requirements and Logistics explained that it is awarded to competitors of preconditions necessary for an operator in the petroleum theapplicantsandwillnotbe the grant of the certificate of sector which had satisfied available for reconsideration registration under the Local the preconditions necessary for such in the near future,” ContentAct2021. for a certificate of thecompanyexplainedinthe

The FDA which lists the registration under the Local FDA.

At centre: Shaun Rampersaud, Ramps Logistics Guyana CEO with staff at a press conference earlier this year.

GuySuCo gets new board of directors

C o r p o r a t i o n Petam, Mohamed Raffik, Roy with the appointment of a new appointees reminded them that the towards the development of the (GuySuCo) was on Tuesday Hanoman Singh, Shaleeza Shaw, board the government hopes that “revitalization and modernization sugar industry and noted too that in appointed and according to the Tarachand Balgobin, Shameera appointees can play a major role in of Guyana’s sugar industry remain order for the company to function Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Evans, Desmond Sears, Vishnu revitalizing Guyana’s sugar of utmost importance to the well, there must be a “direct line of Mustapha, their main goal is to Panday, Paul Cheong, industry government and the people of the communication between the ensure that the state owned Ramnarayan Rupan, and Aslim According to a press statement Guyana”.

directors and the estates’ companyregainsviability. Singh. sent out by the Ministry of He stressed too that it is board’s management.

Anew board directors The GuySuCo board members GuySuCo has been on a Agriculture, Mustapha during a responsibility to implement for the Guyana Sugar are: Madanlall Ramraj, Jairam downwardslopeinrecentyearsand brief meeting with the new government policies that is related

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha taking a photo with the newly appointed Board of Directors

Digicel donates GYD $350,000 to Education Ministry’s TVET programme

Over the years, Digicel that will make them Guyana has not only been a c a d e m i c a l l y a n d committed to youth economicallyviable. development but it has been No child must be at risk a long-standing partner of of completing the secondary the Government and other school cycle and not being organisations for social gainfully employed or able development across toadvancetheirstudies”. communities. He further explained

Yesterday, the company that, “TVET is a crucial continued its work along factor for lifelong learning. these lines as it pledged Economies will advance $350,000 in support of the w h e n t h e r o l e a n d Ministry of Education’s positioning of TVET are Technical and Vocational well integrated within the Education Training (TVET), educationsystem”. Digicel said in a press D i g i c e l ’ s C h i e f release. Commercial Officer,

This programme aims to Simone Pierre said it is an equip secondary school honor for the company to students with the relevant partner with the Ministry of skills and knowledge for Education through this employment, thereby TVET programme as it enabling them to transition believes in empowerment easily into the working througheducation. e n v i r o n m e n t a f t e r Ms Marcia Paddy, completingtraining. Assistant Chief Education

L-R (Education Officers) Donald Sanichara, Jeanne Jefferey, Marcia Paddy (Assistant Chief Education Officer (Technical), Simone Pierre (Chief Commercial Officer, Digicel Guyana) and Marilyn Davis (Education Officer)

According to Chief Officer Technical, continuedsupport.

Central America and Asia initiativesacrossitsmarkets, and Trinidad and Tobago, Education Officer Dr expressed her sincere Digicel Guyana is part of Pacific. i n c l u d i n g D i g i c e l which focus on educational, Marcel Hutson, “The gratitude to the team at the Digicel Group, a total Digicel also runs a host Foundations in Haiti, cultural and social Ministry of Education is Digicel for always coming communications and of community based Jamaica, Papua New Guinea developmentprogrammes. mandated to ensure that on board when the Ministry entertainment provider with Guyanese children are called for the total operations in 31 markets offered secondary education communications provider’s throughout the Caribbean,

Norton pours cold water...

From page 12

other elections officers in also examine whether any discharge and execution of e x e c u t i o n o f t h e i r attempts were made to the statutory duties of the tabulation and declaration “obstruct, frustrate, subvert Chief Elections Officer of votes duty, under the andpreventadecisionofthe prescribedbysection96and relevant sections of the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s 97 of the Representation RoPA, and whether any Commission made on the ofthe People Act (RoPA) attempts were made to 14th day of March, 2020, to Chap.1:03.” prevent “the declaration of conduct a national recount

The Commissioners will the true results” of votes of the votes polled at the also look into the conduct of polled for electoral District General and Regional the Returning Officer of No.4. elections”, of March 2, and electoral District No. 4 and The Commission will ifso,bywhom.

Govt. to spend $1.7B to rehabilitate 13 hinterland bridges

he Government f o u r ( M a b u r a t o Thispublicationhadalso of Guyana (GoG) Kurupukari), the engineer’s reported that the ministry is

Tis inviting bids estimateis$609million. not fixing those bridges for the reconstruction of 13 For the rehabilitation of because they are in a poor hinterland bridges from bridges five, six, seven and state but rather to upgrade MaburatoKurupukari,atthe e i g h t ( M a b u r a t o them to “international estimated cost of $1 7 Kurupukari)thisisestimated standards.” billion. to cost $556 million and as It was stated that the

Mabura and Kurupukari for the rehabilitation of ‘International standards’, arevillageslocatedalongthe bridges nine, 10, 11, 12 and means reconstructing the Lethem Linden trail 13 (Mabura to Kurupukari), wooden structure bridges Earlier this year, the it is estimated to cost $591 withconcrete. Ministry of Public Works million.

Upon completion, the awarded approximately InApril,theministryhad bridges would have the $3.19 billion in contracts to signed off on 32 bridge capability to accommodate several contractors to contracts for the upgrade of heavier vehicles which execute the upgrade of 32 32 hinterland bridges to usually traverse the hinterland bridges international standards KurupukaritoLethemtrail. stretching from Kurupukari Kaieteur News had reported In this year’s budget, the toLethem,RegionNine. that the projects have been government allocated the

According to a recent divided into six lots and sumof$4.1billionforthereinvitation for bids, the would see places like construction of several ministry is looking for Iwokrama, Pirara, Surama, b r i d g e s a l o n g t h e contractors for the Camudi Bash, Annai, Kurupukari to Lethem rehabilitation of several Yararinta, Genip Landing, corridor, noting that it will otherbridges. Massara Junction, Point support the phased

For the rehabilitation of Ranch and Hunt Oil where constructionoftheLindento bridges one, two, three and thebridgeswillbebuilt. Lethemhighway

Copsnabbedwithbeefinpick-upafter deadcowdisappearsfromroadaccident

erbice Police

but when they returned, the Commander, dead cow was missing and Shivpersaud only some internal organs

The suspected missing beef in the police pick-up

B Bacchus, on werefoundcloseby Tuesday nabbed four of his Incidentally, Bacchus patrolrankswithlotsoffresh passed by not long after in a beefinthetrayoftheForce’s vehicle with an officer and pick-up after a dead cow his attention was drawn to disappeared from an crowd of people on the road accidentsceneatNumber19 and he decided to stop and Village,Corentyne. enquired what was going on.

Man accused of setting wife on with murder fire to be charged

As he recorded his

The bus driver told Bacchus discovery in a cell phone about the accident he had video, Bacchus could be with the cow and how its heard saying, “You see the carcass went missing when thing is Mr Nedd, they want theyreturned. to embarrass us” as many K a i e t e u r N e w s began to suspect that patrol understands that the ranksmighthaveknowledge Commander made a call for aboutthemissingcow the Patrol Unit to return to

The four ranks of the the scene but the ranks did anti-crime patrol ranks of not know he was there Region Six have found However, on their way back, themselves in quite a they too got into an accident situation and it has resulted with another cow and were in them being placed under delayed. close arrest for allegedly

The commander found stealing the meat of the dead outtheirlocationandheaded cow Kaieteur News was there. The ranks had indeed informed that there was a struckdownanothercowbut report of an accident along inside the tray of their picko f t h e c o w s k i n they had knocked down thethe No 19 Public Road, upwasfreshbeef.

Ajay Persaud, 24, the News was the first to break man accused of using the story when the incident methylated spirits to set his had occurred but it was 20-year-old wife on fire will reported that he had berechargedtoday allegedly doused her with Persaud had reportedly hotporridge.

Goolmohamed was told to cowCorentyne, Berbice around

Bacchusdecidedtomake take it with him to the Goolmohamed and his01:00hrs The accident a cell phone video and at the Central Police Station in relatives alleged that theyinvolved a cow and a end of it he said, “Y’all want NewAmsterdamandmakea recalled seeing one of theminibus driven by Aziz to chop this next one here statement. The traffic rank officers and some otherG o o l m o h a m e d , o f too”. left and shortly after, the persons cutting up the cowKilcoy/Chesney, Corentyne, The police rank who was patrol ranks pulled up in one with a cutlass. Trusting theBerbice. in charge of the patrol when of the Force’s vehicles patrol ranks, Goolmohamed

A traffic rank arrived at questioned, responded that bearinglicenceplatenumber and his relatives left thethe scene and took the he was taking the beef to PAB 3148. Goolmohamed scene and their minibusnecessary information from lodge as exhibit. They were and his relatives were behind to make a report tothe minibus driver and he placed subsequently under questioned again by the the police station with thewas reportedly advised to close arrest pending an ranks and they related that branded part of the cow skinremove the branded section investigation.

set his wife, Analee Investigations were Gonsalves, a mother of two, stalled after Gonsalves onfiresometwomonthsago. refused to give police a She succumbed on Friday to statement. One month had the third degree burns she passed and Gonsalves had sustained Persaud, probably after realising that however, was only nabbed she might not recover from hidingoutinBerbiceRegion her injuries decided to make Six on October 9 last, a few arecordedstatement. days before Gonsalves had In that statement, she died. revealed that her husband

Policehadmovedtohunt had bathed her with him down after, Gonsalves methylated spirits and then had finally decided to tell set her alight in an argument police the truth about what over wet boxers and a bird in had happened to her on acage.Shehadstatedtoo August 23 last Kaieteur (Continued on page 22)

Remanded: Ajay PersaudDead, Analee Gonsalves.

Red pins indicating Mabura to Kurupakari

High-level Government officials attended the CDCC meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname

Suriname assumes chair of Caribbean Development Cooperation Committee

The 29th session of the member States and associate CDCC, Minister of Foreign andSuriname;anearthquake Minister Ramdin stated acknowledged the adverse Caribbean Development and m e m b e r c o u n t r i e s , Affairs and Foreign Trade of in Haiti; tropical storms and that he hoped to build on the impact of COVID-19 on Cooperation Committee representatives of the UN Saint Vincent and the hurricanes too numerous to work done by Saint Vincent Caribbean countries, (CDCC) concluded on 14th System, regional and Grenadines, Keisal Peters, count. “It is our repeated and the Grenadines during including widening October in Paramaribo, international financial reflected on her country’s exposure to such extreme, their tenure, especially with inequality, weakening social Suriname. Some of the most institutions, academia and e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e recurrent, exogenous shocks Suriname being in the protection systems, urgent and challenging civil society, including the adjustments that were t h a t d e f i n e s o u r unique position as a leading elevating already high debt issues facing the Caribbean private sector, as well as needed due to the COVID- m u l t i d i m e n s i o n a l voice of the Caribbean sub- service costs, rising poverty, were discussed at this other development partners. 19pandemic.“TheCDRand v u l n e r a b i l i t y ; t h a t region, as chair of the i n e q u a l i t y a n d meeting, inspiring a The meeting immediately CDCC meetings had to take underscores the structural CARICOM, and now chair unemployment levels, commitment to strategic followed the Seventh place virtually for the first and institutional fragility of of CDCC. He lamented that particularly among women action-orientedfollow-up,to Caribbean Development time. We were forced to our countries, demanding a the COVID 19 pandemic and youth. He stated that: assure more dynamic Roundtable, which was held share the priority attention comprehensive response; has not yet ended, and the “Combined, these factors sustainable development on 12 to 13 October, in usually given to long o n e t h a t i n c l u d e s world was now confronted heightened the sub-region’s process. Paramaribo, Suriname. The standing development strengthened advocacy, by high inflation and vulnerability to climate Convened by ECLAC CDR provided a space for challenges in the Caribbean, solidarity, partnership and increasing fiscal stress as a change and disasters. This is Caribbean, the CDCC intellectual exchange of such as high public debt, internationalcooperation.” result of the Russian an issue of real concern for meeting is held every two views and ideas, with a view rising unemployment, and Minister Peters added Ukrainian war He described the Caribbean, being one of years and gathers Caribbean to identifying workable widening inequalities, with that the challenge lies in these events as placing the most disaster prone Prime Ministers, Ministers solutions to address the the more urgent and severe finding the right strategic upward pressure on the regions in the world ” a n d d i s t i n g u i s h e d development challenges concerns regarding the approach, to secure the already elevated inflation, of Salazar-Xirinachs said the government officials, with a facing the Caribbean healthimpactsofCOVID-19 support of the donor over 40 percent, and which economic, social and focus on strengthening their Experts deliberated on and their implications for communityandinternational put further stress on the poor environmental fragility of countries’ institutional and practical solutions to social protection in our financial institutions. In this and most vulnerable. “We the sub-region increases the technical capacities to p r o m o t e r e c o v e r y, countries.” regard, she commended are doing our best to cushion deservedness of Caribbean improve their resilience to repositioning and resilience M i n i s t e r P e t e r s ECLAC for its recent these effects. We also had to countries for support from economic, social and building, including through recounted the other research, as presented in the cope with major flooding theinternationalcommunity climaticimpacts. strategies for economic challenges faced during this Caribbean Outlook, before events which have reminded He said, in this regard, “I am Participants also transformation, taking fully time, including the natural h a n d i n g o v e r t h e u s o f o u r e x t r e m e a d v o c a t i n g f o r t h e included regional and i n t o a c c o u n t t h e disasters which occurred in chairmanship to Suriname’s vulnerability to natural establishmentofaCaribbean international development m u l t i d i m e n s i o n a l theCaribbean.Thisincluded Minister of Foreign Affairs, disasters.”

Resilience Fund (CRF) and thinkers and practitioners, vulnerabilities of the sub- the volcanic eruption in her International Business and M i n i s t e r R a m d i n other innovative financing leaders and senior policy region. own country; extreme International Cooperation, pledged Suriname’s support solutions, which could makers from ECLAC Outgoing chair of the flooding events in Guyana AlbertRamdin. towards ECLAC’s call for l e v e r a g e l o n g t e r m the establishment of a affordable development Caribbean Resilience Fund, f i n a n c i n g f o r t h e which he said can attract Caribbean.” longtermaffordablefinance, The CDCC received a to support various structural summary presentation of the gaps. “Suriname will CaribbeanOutlookfor2022, certainly support such a which addresses “Recovery venture as we need to source and repositioning in the era additional finance to of COVID-19 and beyond”. diversify our economies and Presented by ECLAC the search for new areas of Caribbean’s Deputy growth especially those that Director, DillonAlleyne, the embraceouryouth.” Outlook delivers some

In a video message to the pertinent recommendations, meeting, recently appointed including the promotion of Executive Secretary of sustainable management of ECLAC, José Manuel natural resources, by S a l a z a r X i r i n a c h s , strengthening institutional expressed his regrets that he mechanisms, human was unable to attend the resource capacities, data CDCC and declared his systems and use of commitment to pursue environmentally sound solutions to the many issues technologies. that confront the sub-region.

The Outlook also “I am very familiar with the suggests that attention be development challenges given to promoting facedbyoursmallStatesand sustainable ocean and I pledge the continuing c o a s t a l r e s o u r c e s support of ECLAC to management, which create Member and Associate opportunitiestodiversifythe Members, in line with our economic base; to utilize CaribbeanFirststrategy.” economic,socialand Salazar Xirinachs

Santa Rosa treasurer in custody...

From page 13

sand royalties (a royalty paid for using sand committee representative of Kumaka – part from the village). That money was never of Santa Rosa – alleged that Stanley had declared, the same contractor also donated failed to declare other funds entering the $260,000 to repair a four wheel motorbike villagetreasurytoitscouncilmembers. belonging to the village, that too was never

He recounted two occasions where declared and we don’t know where the monies were not declared and when the moneyis”,Rodrigueshadclaimed. council called on Stanley to account for the The Protestors had also accused Stanley cash,hecouldnot. of abusing his powers to hand out and

“A contractor came in here to do the repossess land without the approval of the roads and he paid the village $150,000 for villagecouncilandresidents.

$32Mestimatedtoconstructliving quartersforRegion6policecommander

With the sum of $17 billion allocated to strengthen the estimatedtocost$32.2million. GuyanaPoliceForce'sassetsthisyear,theMinistryofHome

Meanwhile, at the tender opening as well, the Fisheries Affairs is planning to use part of that sum to facilitate the DepartmentislookingtoconstructanofficebuildingatNo.79 construction of the Commander's living quarters in Region VillageinRegionSixforanestimatedcostof$14million. Six.Duringthelatestopeningoftenders,itwasrevealedthat 20 contractors are vying for the ministry's project which is

MinistryofHomeAffairs

ConstructionofDivisionalCommander livingquarters,NewAmsterdam.

BelowaretheprojectsandtheirbidsopenedatNPTAB office:

MinistryofAgriculture-FisheriesDepartment

ConstructionofOfficebuilding atNo.79Village,RegionSix.

Elder arrested for cultivating ganja on lands adjoining Bob Marley Beach

( J A M A I C A OBSERVER) The Corporate Communications

Unit of the Jamaica ConstabularyForce(JCF)on Monday confirmed that a Rastafarian elder was arrestedforcultivatingganja on lands adjoining the Bob MarleyBeachinBullBay,St Andrewsparkingoutrage.

CentralHousingandPlanningAuthority(CH&PA) Developmentandimplementationofinformation technologysolutiontofacilitatesinglewindow forplanningpermissionsystemfortheCH&PA.

MinistryofLegalAffairs DCRA-Provisionofbatonsecurity serviceatRegistrarofDeedsResidence.

Colombia drugs: Kingpin Don Mario sentenced to 35 years

(BBC NEWS) -Acourt discipline on his men, were Underhisleadership,the inNewYorkhassentenced keyplayersintheAUC. Gulf Clan became the most an infamous Colombian As part of that feared gang in Colombia, paramilitary leader and paramilitary group, they led traffickingtonnesofcocaine drugkingpinto35yearsin thousands of fighters who totheUSandkillinganyone jail. attacked and killed anyone whostoodinitsway

Daniel Rendón Herrera, they deemed a sympathiser As police stepped up better known as Don Mario, of Colombia’s left wing their hunt for Don Mario in led the right wing rebelgroups. 2009, he offered a $1,000 paramilitary group United In order to finance itself, rewardtoanyonewhokilled Self-DefenceForces(AUC). the AUC imposed taxes on apoliceofficer

The group, originally cocaine smuggled through After a nine month formed to combat left-wing territories it controlled and search,hewastrackeddown guerrillas, engaged in also engaged in drug inAntioquiaprovince. kidnappings, killings, and trafficking.

The defence minister at extortion. Don Mario, 57, AUC members were the time, Juan Manuel was captured in a rural behind some of Colombia’s Santos, said he had been hideawayin2009. most gruesome massacres. found in his underwear,

Head of the unit, Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, told OBSERVER ONLINE that she did not have all the details surrounding the matter, but said the elder had no permit forsuchanundertaking.

“The amount he was producing, he didn’t have a license for it,” she said. However, Rastafarian attorney at law, Marcus Goffe, questioned the legitimacy of the raid at the elder’s property by a police teamfromMorantBay

He pointed out that in 2015, the Dangerous Drugs

Rastafarian attorneyat-law, Marcus Goffe (Photo: Jason Cross)

This thing is politicallyAct was amended to allow connected,” the attorneyJamaicans to grow no more said.than five ganja plants at a Goffe added that sincetime. 2015, many members of theAt the same time, RastafariancommunityhaveRastafarians were given the appliedforlicences.right to cultivate more than

He told OBSERVERfive plants of ganja for ONLINE that in recentsacramental uses, but those meetings with Justiceexpecting to hold those Minister Delroy Chuck andprivilegeswouldfirstneeda National Security Ministerpermit from the Ministry of Horace Chang, as well asJustice.

Commissioner of Police,According to Goffe, Major General Antonysince the amendments were Anderson, it was revealedmade, no permits have been thatthepermitsweredelayedissued. Goffe claimed that because of an issue withMonday’s raid was regulations.politically motivated based

At the time, he was the Tens of thousands of eatingricefromaplate“like most wanted kingpin in Colombians were displaced adog”. Colombia. bythegroup’sviolence.

US Drug Enforcement

He was extradited to the Many of the group’s Administration agents extradited to the US in MayUnited States in 2018 and members, including Freddy describedhimas“oneofthe DonMario’sbrother,Freddylast year pleaded guilty to R e n d ó n H e r r e r a , mostprolificdrugtraffickers Rendón Herrera, was freedtrafficking more than 80 demobilised under a 2003 to ever operate in from prison in 2017 and hastonnes of cocaine to the US. peace deal. But unlike his Colombia”. asked for forgiveness forDaniel Rendón Herrera and brother, Don Mario refused The man who succeeded recruiting hundreds ofhisbrotherFreddy,knownas tolaydownarmsandinstead him at the helm of the Gulf childrenintotheranksoftheElAlemán(TheGerman)for co-founded the Gulf Clan Clan, Dairo Antonio Úsuga AUC during his time as ahis love of imposing strict criminalgang. was captured last year and leaderofthegroup.

Major collapse of WASA pipeline: Falls into Godineau River

(TRINIDAD EXPRESS) There has been a major Duetothecollapse,boatswillnotbeabletoenterorexit rupture of a WASA pipeline spanning the Godineau River, theriver.Thebridgeisstillusable. neartheShoreofPeaceCremationSite.

Peoplewhohaveseenthewaterspewinghaveaskedthat The pipeline has broken and the steel structure that WASAaccountforthecolourofthedischarge,andhowmany supported it across the river, has fallen into the water It consumers will be affected WASA’S corporate happened this afternoon and water continues to spew The communications department stated that the Authority was pipeline runs parallel to the old bridge along the road that aware of the incident and has dispatched a team. An originallycontinuedtotheMosquitoCreek. investigationisbeingconductedatthistime.

“ManyRastafarianshave on recent media reports of applied, including the elderclaims that developers of a who was arrested, and there4,000 room hotel set for was totalnon-responsefromlandsleadingtoBobMarley the Ministry of Justice. ItBeach had planned to evict cannot be right that in 2015,Rastafarian families from the law was amended toadjoining lands and restrict recognise Rastafarians’public access to the free constitutionalrightstoganjabeach. andtheauthoritieswhowere

“Rastafari have the right to regulate it have not doneto their sacrament The so,”Goffesaid.police were wrong to chop He added: “Thedown the ganja and lock up G r a s s r o o t s G a n j athe elder It is part of the Association met with theongoing strategy to get the ministeronJuly1.Whenwepeopleofftheland. askedtheministerwhyithas

Thatfarmthatistherefor notbeenprocessed,wewerethefamilyisnotasecret. told that it is because the

The fact that they chose regulations are not yet innowtodoitaftereverything place and this is seven yearscomepondinews,it’sapart after the law has alreadyof their whole intimidation. recognised Rastafarians’They didn’t come from Bull righttocultivate.UltimatelyBay Station, which is five we are saying that this isminutes around the corner another situation where theThey drove through all the Rastafari community’sbadroadstocomealltheway rightsarebeingcurtailedandto Bull Bay to come and do thatisnotright.”this.

Daniel Rendón Herrera, alias Don Mario, was Colombia’s most wanted drugs kingpin at the time of his capture

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Man accused of setting wife on fire to be charged... the matter.

From page 17 that the reason for her not remaining silent was because she wanted to protect the lives of her two babies - a toddler and a 1month –old child.

Gonsalves alleged that Persaud via a phone call had threatened to kill himself and her two babies if she ever decided to tell police the truth.

Her plan, she claimed was to recover fully, rescue her children and then report

The dead woman had also alleged that her mother-in-law had coerced her into saying that the whole thing was an accident and had concocted a tale that Gonsalves was burnt by an exploding pot of porridge.

Gonsalves also alleged that the woman had lied to the doctors claiming to be her mother.

After receiving the statement, police arrested Persaud and he was charged with at-

tempted murder on Thursday last at the Wales Magistrate’s Court and was remanded to prison.

However, one day after he was placed behind bars, Gonsalves died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) from the third degree burns she had sustained at allegedly by his hands on August 23 last.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Commander of the Region Three District, Mahendra Siwnarine said that the case

file was updated and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Hack SC. for legal advice.

As it relates to whetheror-not, Gonsalves’ motherin-law can be charged with attempting to cover-up a crime, the Commander said that he is awaiting the DPP’s advice.

“DPP will advice on whether she should be charged or not”, Siwnarine said.

Suriname assumes chair of Caribbean Development...

From page 18 environmental impact and valuation techniques for making informed decisions on the use of natural resources; and to encourage public-private partnerships at all stages –planning, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Alleyne advocated for these recommendations, and encouraged the public and broad-spectrum private sector, to work together.

“This includes everyone, including women and youth,” he said.

Alleyne also outlined the strategies, policies and plans to support the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Decade of Action, that are identified in the Outlook.

He shared some real-world examples of these, as he encouraged the recognition of dignity through decent work and empowering marginal groups, striving for gender equality and addressing the problems of youth, and creating social protection floors, among others.

The meeting was encouraged to consider that the trade policies of member States should be modified to support

intra-regional and extra-regional trade and investment.

Attention must also be given to strategies to assist in the recovery of the tourism industry of the sub-region, through innovative approaches.

Assuming Chairmanship for Suriname, Minister of Foreign Affairs International Business and International Cooperation, Albert Ramdin, expressed his gratitude for

the lively debate that ensued over the previous days.

He commended former ECLAC Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, for her commitment to the sub-region, and the Caribbean in particular.“I also welcome the new Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs.

I am hopeful and expect that he will take on board, the issues and challenges faced by our countries,” Minister

Ramdin ended.

The CDCC is a subsidiary body of ECLAC, which convenes biennial meetings to provide an opportunity for ECLAC Caribbean to highlight work undertaken, and to develop its future programme of work.

The sub-regional office located in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) serves 29 countries in the wider Caribbean.

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Benzema wins Ballon d’Or as Putellas retains women’s prize

AFP - Karim Benzema was rewarded for his remarkable success with Real Madrid by winning the Ballon d’Or at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday, while Spain’s Alexia Putellas retained the women’s prize.

Benzema, who is the first French winner of the most prestigious individual award in football since Zinedine Zidane in 1998, scored 44 goals in 46 games for his club last season as Real won the Champions League and La Liga. Fifteen of his goals came

in the Champions League, including hat-tricks in knockout wins against Paris SaintGermain and Chelsea and three more across both legs of a stunning semi-final defeat of Manchester City. The 34-year-old, who also won the UEFA Nations League with France, succeeds Lionel Messi with the Argentine not nominated this year after claiming the prize for the seventh time in 2021.

“The Ballon d’Or might be individual but it’s still a collective award. This is the

Ballon d’Or of the people,” Benzema declared. “Winning

Wednesday October 19, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

It's time to let go of the past and focus only on the future, Aries. A new person may come into your life who can help you do just that. Communication with close friends and relatives is highlighted

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

There's definitely a downside to home ownership! Much as you love projects, Taurus, the joy is tempered when the chores never end. While your home is structurally sound.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

The glass may look half empty, but only at first glance. Keep looking at it, or perhaps change the way you look at it, and you'll see that it indeed is half full.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

There are lots of personal and financial issues to resolve today, Cancer. You may hear from your bank or see some alarming numbers on an ATM receipt. Don't get upset.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

A rising tide lifts all boats. When someone close experiences a windfall or especially good luck, Leo, the ripple effect reaches you. Change is in the air

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

It looks as though change is on the horizon at work, Virgo. You've just recently completed some long-term projects and are being recognized for your efforts.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Crazy as it seems, why not plan that trip you've been eager to go on, Libra? Adventure calls, and although there are a few obstacles to stop you from answering, you can’t wait to get out of your rut.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Prosperity is just around the corner, Scorpio. With it comes change. Change in your job, career, or environment figures prominently today. However this change manifests.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Your world is changing, Sagittarius, both internally and externally. You feel a need to broaden your horizons. You may be contemplating a move to a new neighborhood or trip to a faraway land.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Romance is in the air today, Capricorn. It's likely that your relationship with your loved ones will see a dramatic improvement. Perhaps some flowers will arrive unexpectedly.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You're focused and attentive to detail. Some longstanding projects benefit from this sudden spurt of energy and get completed in record time.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Don't let others' bad moods get you down, Pisces. And don't feel it's your responsibility to cheer them up. Their moodiness is their business, not yours.

this trophy was always something that was in the back of my mind,” he added.

Benzema pushed Sadio Mane into second place, although the Bayern Munich and Senegal star did have his off-field work recognised as he was given a new award named after former Brazil star Socrates. Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City was third, with Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski coming fourth.

- ‘Proud of my journey’Winning the award, organised by France Football magazine, caps a remarkable career revival for Benzema, who was frozen out of the France team for five and a half years because of his involvement in a blackmail scandal over a sextape involving teammate Mathieu Valbuena. He was later handed a one-year suspended prison sentence and fined 75,000 euros ($73,848). He returned to the national team for last year’s European Championship and will now go to the World Cup in Qatar with France next month. “There were moments that were much more difficult for me, for example when I wasn’t with the national team, but I am really, really proud of my journey,” he added.

Benzema turns 35 on December 19, the day after the World Cup final, and is the oldest winner of the Ballon d’Or since the very first, Stanley Matthews in 1956.

The former Lyon striker is also the fifth Frenchman to win the prize, with Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini and JeanPierre Papin all getting their hands on the trophy before Zidane. The award was previously based on a player’s performances over the course of the calendar year.

But the format has changed, with the prize now based on a player’s record over the last season.- Putellas eyes return from injury -That may have helped Putellas win the women’s award despite suffering a serious knee injury in July that saw her miss the European Championship with

Spain.Instead, Putellas’s performances with Barcelona were recognised after she topscored in the Women’s Champions League to help the Catalans reach the final, which they lost to Lyon.“It makes me even more annoyed to be injured, but I am very happy to be here,” Putellas said.“To retain the trophy is much harder. When I injured my knee I thought my chances of winning it had gone but in the end the jury based their decision on the whole of last season, of which I only missed one month.”The 28-year-old edged out Beth Mead, who scored six goals for the England side that won the Euro on home soil.Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia came third.It is just the fourth time a women’s Ballon d’Or has been awarded, with Norway’s Ada Hegerberg

winning the inaugural prize in 2018 and Megan Rapinoe triumphing in 2019.There was no ceremony in 2020 due to the pandemic, before Putellas won her first a year ago.Her injury means she is unlikely to make it a hat-trick next year, although she hopes to play again this season.“The knee is doing well. I just need to focus on recovering and if everything goes as I hope — and as the doctors and my club hope — I will be back playing this season,” she said.Barcelona and Spain midfielder Gavi won the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21, while Lewandowski received the award for last season’s top goalscorer, renamed the Gerd Mueller Trophy.Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois won the prize for best goalkeeper of the year.

Commander-in-Chief T20...

From page 27 4-9. He got support from Randy Wade and Travis Marcellino who had two wickets each.

In the afternoon game, Police, led by Troy Benns 72 from 50 balls and Raymond Ali who made 31, Police reached 141-5 in 20 overs.

Prison Service were bowled out for 83 in 18 overs despite a fighting 37 from Dorian Grenion as Ali, Stephan Harris and Michael Newland took two wickets. The tournament continues today from 09;00hrs with two matches at Eve Leary.

Karim Benzema

UAE’s Meiyappan takes only fifth-ever hat-trick at a T20 World Cup

AFP - Karthik Meiyappan of the United Arab Emirates took the first hat-trick of the Twenty20 World Cup inAustralia yesterday and only the fifth ever in the history of the tournament.

Asian champions Sri Lanka were motoring at 117-2 in the first-round clash at Geelongwhentheleg-breakbowlerstruckin the 15th over, removing Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and skipper DasunShanakainsuccessiveballs.

Rajapaksa was caught in the deep, Asalanka caught behind and Shanaka cleanbowled.

“I was trying to take the ball away from the leftie (Rajapaksa), I was lucky that he slicedittodeepcover

Asalanka, it was easy for me to bowl a wrong’un,andhenickedit.

“But Shanaka, that was a special ball, to get it through bat and pad. That was the biggestone.”

Meiyappan became just the fifth bowler to snare a hat-trick at a T20 World Cup after Australia’s Brett Lee (2007), Irishman Curtis Campher, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga and South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada,whoallachievedthefeatin2021.

Commander-in-Chief T20 back after Covid-19 break

BySeanDevers

A fine spell of spin bowling from Martin Rajmangal and an unbeaten 52 from Steven Harris lead Guyana Prisons Service (GPS) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) respectively to v i c t o r y w h e n t h e Commander-in Chief T20 cricket Tournament bowled off Monday with two matches at Police Sports Clubground.

In the morning game which commenced at 09:30hrs, off-spinner Martin Rajmangal captured 4 29 from his four overs to orchestrate the demise of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) for 89 in 13 overs despite a fighting 20 from Chateram Persaud.

GPS replied with 91-4 to win by six wickets with Tyrell Peters (24), David Wilson (19) and unbeaten knocks from Roger Phil who made 18 and Jermaine Archer with 10, batted the PrisonOfficerstovictory

In the afternoon game which started at 13:00hrs in hazy sunshine and good size

gathering watched as defending Champions Berbice, who won the last tournament in 2019, defeated Guyana Defence Force(GDF)by20runs.

Police were spearheaded by an unbeaten 52 from 43 balls with four sixes and a four,fromStevenHarriswho got support Troy Benn, who reached the boundary two times and clearing it twice before he was bowled by Andre McFarlane, while Ravindradat Budhram was run out for 26 with two fours and a sixas GPF reached 148-4 when their 20 overs expired.

GDF could only reach 128-7 with the composed Rockell Reddy reached the boundarytwiceinacarefully constructed 33. He got good support from Randy Wade (22)andPaulCastello(17).

Trevor Benn took 2-19 forGPF Meanwhile, Major Delrae McLean explained thatthetournamentisplayed by officers in the joint Services, adding that it was lastplayedin2019beforethe

Country and Sports were shutdown.

“Yes we have worked hard to get this up and running and as you can see everyone is happy and excited to be back on the field. GDF are the host this year but due to unplayable conditionoftheGDFground werearehereandpossiblyat Everest,” the Major, who is the head of the organising Committeeinformed.

Major McLean said the date for the Final has not been set since it depends on the availability of the Commander in Chief, PresidentDrIrfaanAli.

Meanwhile, in yesterday s matches, GDF beat Fire Service by 126 runs while Police continued their winning streak when they GPS.

GDF made 156-6 with DanielPhillipshitting59and David Longe scoring 25 as Sunil Persaud took 2-22 for Fire Service who were restrictedto31-7.

Longe in a useful allroundperformance,captured (Continued on page 27)

Steven Harris scored an unbeaten 52 for GPF at Eve Leary.

(Sean Devers photo)

Slingerz FC take lions share of WDFA League prizes

By Rawle Toney

The West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) handed over its prizes to the winners of their recently concluded STAG beer League, where Slingerz Football Club walked away with the lions share of the awards.

Having dominated the league, Slingerz FC comfortably returned to the

helm of the WDFA after makingareturntoasportfor thefirsttimesince2015.

Infact,beforemovingon to join the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League where they were crowned the inaugural champions,SlingerzFCwon back-to-back WDFA league titlesin2013and2014.

For winning the league title, Slingerz FC pocketed

$600,000.

SlingerzFCsLeoLovell, who is also a member of the Golden Jaguars, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the league, while his teammate, Deon Alfred won the most goals of the leagueaward.

Vurlon Mills was named the best coach of the tournament. Belle West was named the most disciplined

team.

Second place trophy went to Pouderoyen and Elite League club, Den Amstelsettledforthird.

Trevor Williams, WDFA president, thanked the clubs for showing their interest in the league and making it the most-attended league under theGFF.

The WDFA, especially on match days involving eventual winners Slingerz FC, saw attendance in the thousands, as West Side fans swarmed the National Track andFieldCentretosupport.

“Weregratefultothefans who showed up on game days and really helped to make this league a success. We owe a lot to the fans, the clubs and everyone who played their part in making the league a success,” Williams told the gathering of clubs and officials at Mondays presentation ceremony

Upon the clubs highly anticipated return in June, founder and president, Javed Ali, said they share an exciting prospect of the continued development of footballinGuyana.

At the time of the clubs untimely departure from competitive football, they were the most talked about and decorated team in Guyana.

However, a rift between the club and the GFF which resulted in the national championships taking to the High Court over the expansion of the Elite League, saw them walking awayfromthesport.

Ali believes the future of

football in Guyana requires the GFF and each club to m a k e a m a x i m u m contribution and this relaunchisatestimonytohis clubscommitmenttodotheir part.

The Slingerz FC president said he sees the “Need for competition and the development of Guyanas National (football) team, as it allows for professional playersthatarealwaysready foraninternationalgame.”

“Guyanas football needs to reduce the dependents on the two professional teams, which are the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and

the Guyana Police Force (GPF), to ensure that more players receive a monthly income, to dedicate their day to day activities to football,”Alisaid.

He added that, “This will increase the pool of fit and ready players for the National Team, and reduce theriskofanoverrelianceon international players and part-timeplayers.”

UpnextfortheWDFA,is a planned knockout tournament which is set for some time in November before the start of the GFF/Kashif and Shanghai year-Endtournament.

Slingerz FC celebrating after winning the WDFA 2022 League. (Rawle Toney photo).

Coach Vurlon Mills with the silverware picked up at the WDFA League presentation. (Rawle Toney photo)

Port Kaituma, GT Kanaimas are male and female champs

Port Kaituma and GT Kanaimas were crowned male and female football champions respectively when the Amerindian Heritage games concluded on Sunday night at the EverestCricketClub.

Urged on by a large and vocal crowd, Port Kaituma of Region One defeated ParuimaofRegionseven4-2 via kicks from the penalty markaftertheyweretied1-1 attheendofregulationtime.

PortKaitumawentahead when Cornel St. Romaine fired home from within the area in the 37th minute, while Canadian Smith drew Paruima level in the 72nd minute.

GT Kanaimas of Region four beat Paiwomak Warriors of Region Nine 4-0 in the female final. Jessica Teasdale put GT Kanaimas ahead in 33rd minute when she slotted home from outside the area following a build-up.

Jalade Trim doubled the lead in the 43rd minute after working her way inside the box before sending her powerfulshotintotheroofof thenet.

Shanie Tornhill netted GT Kanaimas third goal as shefiredhomefromtheright side of the box in the 45th minute to hand her team a 30leadthebreak.

Paiwomak Warriors

increased their pace in the second half, but their opponents defence stood well.

However, Trim netted hersecondinthe71stminute to give her team a comfortablevictory

Mabaruma Spartans of region one beat Bartica Warriors of Region seven in the male volleyball final, while Orealla Siparuta of Region six overcame Silver SandWaramuriofMorucato win the female title. Kyle December of Mabaruma SpartanswontheMVPinthe male segment and Lauren Peneux of Orealla Siparuta took the MVP in the female division.

(Duckie)

The victorious Port Kaituma football team with Minister Pauline Sukhai, MP. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)

Mabaruma Spartans volleyball team accept their hardware. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)

Orealla Siparuta volleyball team receive their prize. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)

Berbice register five-wicket victory over Essequibo to take GCB senior inter county 50-over title

ByZaheerMohamed Berbice defeated Essequibo by five wickets to win the Guyana Cricket Boardseniorintercounty50over competition which concludedlasteveningatthe Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Berbice encountered some nervous moments as they lost five wickets in the chase after they had bowled

out Essequibo for 98 in 34 overs.

Essequibo batsmen, with the exception of skipper Anthony Adams, did not apply themselves on a pitch which provided some lateral movement for the pacers early on, and perhaps fell short of a challenging total by 50 runs

Essequibo decision to

bat backfired as pacers Romario Shepherd and Clinton Pestano made early inroads

Shepherd uprooted the stumps of opener Nathan Persaud (00) and Kemol Savory (06) as Essequibo found themselves at 26 2 in thefifthover Kevon Boodie (07) failed to keep down a pull shot off Pestano and was caught at square leg, while Keemo Paul (00) hung his bat outside off stump and was taken in the slips off

Pestano as Essequibo were furtherreducedto33 4

Shepherd continued to maintain a decent line and had Wazim Mohamed (01) caught behind while Eknauth Persaud (06) skied a pull shot to square leg and was taken off Pestano as E s s e q u i b o b a t s m e n struggled against the pacers

RicardoAdams (01) was adjudged lbw off Shepherd before Quentin Sampson (00) was bowled by Gudakesh Motie attempting a huge hit; Motie also sent back Ronsford Beaton (05) leaving the score on 57 9, however Anthony Adams and Garfield Phillips added 41 for the last wicket stand to prop up the total somewhat. The pair resisted for 19.5 overs with Adams hitting two fours in an unbeaten 23, while Phillips

was given out lbw off skipper Veerasammy Permaul for 12 Extras contributed37.

Shepherd grabbed 4 26 from eight overs, Pestano claimed 3 20 from six overs, while Motie had 2 18 andPermaul1 6

Opener Bramble hit Beaton for three fours to get the chase underway as the first over leaked 22 However, Paul sent back Rampertab Ramnauth (03) caught at mid on as Berbice lost their first wicketwiththescoreon37.

B r a m b l e s t r u c k Beaton for six over long leg and hit Anthony Adams for consecutive fours before Paul had him lbw for 35; he faced 23 balls and hit five fours and one six

Shimron Hetmyer pulled Beaton for four before

Berbice lost Jonathan Foo (02) caught off the steady Paul.

SinclairpunchedPaulfor fourthroughcoverandalong with Hetmyer put on 32 to steadythechasefairlybefore Paul had Hetmyer well caught by Beaton at midwicketfor11.

Ricardo Adams bowled Shepherd (00) to leave Berbice at 93-5, but aided by some overthrows Berbice crossedthelinein15.1overs on100-5.

Kevin Sinclair made an unbeaten 24 and Junior Sinclair seven not out. Paul picked up 4-30 from 7.1 overs,RicardoAdamshad111andBeaton1-30 Shepherd was named manofthematch.

Shepherd also took the prize for taking the most wickets while Leon Johnson wastheleadingrun-scorer

Runner up team Essequibo with officials of the GCB. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)

Romario Shepherd collects one of his prizes from the ECB President Deleep Singh. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)

Singles, Doubles finals to culminate 2022 edition today

The Caribbean Region Table Tennis Federation

Mini and Pre Cadet Championships, which commenced on Friday, October 14, brings the curtains down today, October 19, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

After a much-deserved rest day yesterday, Tuesday, action serve off time today is 10:00 hrs with the Boys Under 13 Doubles semi f inal be Guyanas

Malachi Moore take on St. Lucias team of Leshon F r a n c i s a n d M a n i e Eleuthere, while Jamaicas Lohan Royes and Gmarco Smith oppose T&Ts Sekel McIntosh and Ethan Ramcharan.

Thefinaleisscheduledto be contested one hour after thesetwomatches.

Atthattime,Billingyand Sukhai will face the Jamaican duo of Whyte and DentontoseewhichCountry

Mahdia, Demerara All Stars are Tapeball cricket champs

w i l l b e c o n t e s t e d simultaneously from 10:30 hrs. The Under-11 Division areupfirsttoseewhoclaims tops honours, as Samara Sukhai and Shackecy Damon battle in an all Guyanese final, on Table 2. For Sukhai, her campaign to the finale commenced with a bye in the quarterfinal round followed by a 3 0 win over fellow Guyanese Nakeiva Fordyce while Damon commenced her run with a b semi-final , on

Table 1, Jamaicas Ajani Spencer and Francis of St. Lucia will thrash it out in the finale. Spencer got past Trinidad and Tobagos Liam Walter in the semi-final and Guyanas Aaron Hopkinson in the quarterfinals after he commencedwithabyeinthe round-of-16.

In Francis journey, he defeated T&Ts Aaron Noel andLiamRattoointhesemis and quarterfinal rounds, respectively, and also receivedabyeintheopening round.

At 11:30 hrs, Jasmine Billingy will conclude her

hunt for Gold in Guyana colours as she faces St Lucias Shatal Charles in the finale. Billingy defeated T&Ts Lyllana Boodhan in the semifinal round to advance after she progressed from the quarterfinal round with a bye. Her competitor, Charles, trounced Jamaicas Keeara Whyte in the final fouraftershegotthebetterof the other Jamaican in the division, Kayan Denton, in thequarterfinals.

The older Boys take centrestageatnoon(12:00h) with the responsibility of bringing the championships

to an exciting conclusion. GuyanasMalachiMooreand St. Lucias Manie Eleuthere willcollidetodeterminewho takestheGold.

In the division two players short of a full house, Moore progressed with wins over Barbados Mdjai Collymore, St Lucias Vernon Salvator and T&Ts SekelMcIntoshintheroundof 16, quarterfinals and semis,respectively

The other finalist, Eleuthere, got past Guyanas Ebo McNeil in the semis, T&Ts Jonathan Cottoy in the final eight and Grenadas

Mahdia and Demerara All Stars were crowned male and female champions respectively of the annual Heritage games T10 Tapeball competition which was contestedSunday

Mahdia beat Moraikobai by seven wickets in the male final. Batting first, Moraikobai made 72-8. K. Balgobin scored 23andA.Mahase15notout.

Beepaul Bandoo claimed 3-9 and C La Rose2-18.

Mahdiarespondedwith73-3insixovers.

Bandoomade25,A.

and Andrew Gibson 10. Bandoo was named manofthematch.

In the female final, Demerara defeated Mabaruma by 29 runs. Demerara All Stars posted 128-2 taking first strike. E.Ashby led with 55 while N. Rogers scored 45 not out andJoyAnnRichards31.

Mabaruma scored 99-8 in

A. Bermudez made 39, S. Marie 22 and M.

Santos 10. Richards picked up 3-16,

2-9andM.Daniels2-29.

The winning Demerara All Stars.

Guyana’s Kayden Meusa in action during the Boys Under-11 Singles Division of the CRTTF Mini and Pre-Cadet Championships.

The victorious Mahdia team.

The winning GT Kanaimas team collecting their prize from Minister Pauline Sukhai, MP. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)

The victorious

of

Mohamed photo)