Kaieteur News

ExxonM’s US$460M inflated by US$92M pre-contract costs

Chartered Accountant, C h r i s t o p h e r R a m highlighted in a recent letter published in the Stabroek News that ExxonMobil's US$460M in pre-contract costs being charged against Guyana's oil is actually inflatedbyUS$92M.

Ram recalled that in Annex C of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited which leads a consortiumintheconcession included a charge for US$460Mincosts.

It said these expenses were incurred from 1999 to the 2015. The agreement states that this cost must be coveredbyGuyana'soil.

However, Ram said his own examination of the records for Exxon and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, show that they only expended at a maximum, US$368M “If thatisnotfraud,Iwouldlike someone to tell what is a fraud!” the Chartered Accountantwrote.

Ram's flagging of US$92M in alleged inflated expenses appear to be reflected in an audit carried out by IHS Markit, a British ConsultancyGroup.

Thatcompanywashired back in 2019 by the David Granger administration to

Guyana on track to see 115%

GDP growth but repercussions of corruption, political discord loom large – CNBC Report

examinealargersetofcosts. It audited the US$460M incurred as well as an additional US$1.2B in bills Exxon and its partners rackedupfrom2015to2017. In total, the auditors found US$214M in questionable spending.

The Guyana Revenue Authoritywhichfunctionsas the government's advisor on audit findings perused the IHS Audit Report and gave its no-objection to the US$214M flagged It subsequently advised the Ministry of Natural Resources, another party in overseeingtheauditprocess, to bring the audit to finality Instead of doing so, the ministry's Petroleum Unit engaged Exxon in separate talks which reduced the US$214MfiguretoUS$3M.

Questions raised by Kaieteur News about the confusion over what is to be the final disputed sum led Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo to categorically state that government will stand by GRA's decision Dr Jagdeo said the ministry should not have engaged Exxoninsuchtalksandeven revealed that President, Dr Irfaan Ali has called for a probetobelaunchedintothe unauthorizedreduction.

Followingareviewofthe reportfromtheinvestigation,

Dr Jagdeo said the appropriate action would be takenbyCabinet.

He also clarified that Exxonwouldnotbecalledin during the probe since anything it has to say on the reduction of the disputed costs would not be relevant.

TheVicePresidentsaidheis interested in who within the ministry authorized the diversionfromGRA'sadvice andwhy

F o l l o w i n g t h e announcement of a probe, Exxon issued a statement outlining that it has acted in good faith with the audit process Government has said that the audit report on Exxon's US$1.7B expenses is in the process of being finalized and gave no objection to GRA releasing thereport.

Twointernationalenergy consultants agree that while Guyanaispoisedformassive growth in 2023 and years to come, attaining this level of success will be hinged on how well its leaders manage corruption risks and the repercussions of political discord Specifically, Andrew Trahan, Head of Latin America at a Fitch Solutions research unit and ValerieMarcel,anAssociate Fellow at UK think-tank Chatham House shared similar perspectives in a news report published by CNBC.

Trahan is quoted saying that Guyana will see explosivegrowththisyear,a position also shared by the Guyana Government as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The consensus is that Guyana willpeakatabout28percent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2023. Trahan shared in the interviewthatheexpectsreal GDPinGuyanatoriseabout 115% in the next five years. Trahanalsoforecaststhatthe country will be the fastestgrowing economy in the world in 2023 again, and expectsittoretainthetitlefor atleastthenexttwoyears.

Dr Valerie Marcel, an Associate Fellow at think tank Chatham House, told CNBC via email that Guyana's positive growth trajectory will continue. She noted however that this will hinge on the country's politicalstabilityandhighoil prices.

“Over time, oil prices will be quite volatile and eventually stay low That's

whyit'sextremelyimportant for Guyana to diversify its economy,” said Marcel. The industry expert also warned that Guyana faces risks notably in corruption and Dutch disease, an economic termreferringtothenegative repercussionsthatarisefrom rapiddevelopmentasaresult of newfound resources, which paradoxically harms thebroadereconomy

Trahan shared in those cautionarysentiments,citing political risks as another factor to be watched closely “Guyana is a country with a history of deep divisions between its Indo- and AfroGuyanesepopulations,andit struggleswithcorruptionand organized crime,” said Trahan. The influx of oil profits could exacerbate the divisions,hesaid.

Guyana is currently consideredtheworld'sfastest growing economy on a per capita basis due to the accelerated oil and gas activities in the Stabroek Block located 120 miles away from the country's

coastline. The concession is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited in partnership with Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. Thusfar,thecompanieshave fivesanctionedprojects,two of which are already producing about 400,000 barrelsofoilperday.Before theendoftheyear,Guyanais expected to see another oil project brought online and increasingthedailyoutputto over 600,000 barrels of oil per day Over 11 billion barrels have been unlocked intheStabroekBlock.Exxon and partners have been granted permission by the country's environmental regulator to drill 35 wells in hopesoffindingmoremultibillionbarreldiscoveries.

(See link for full CNBC Report:https://www.cnbc.co m/2023/09/27/worldsfastest-growing-economyguyana-could-grow100percent-in-5years.html?__source=andro idappshare)

Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram

Andrew Trahan of Fitch Solutions

Valerie Marcel, Associate Fellow at Chatham House

...“If that is not fraud, I would like someone to tell what is,”

- Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Audit probe

From all appearances, PPP/C Government leaders have become very comfortable with the idea that the Guyanese people are fools, probably the biggest ones anywhere, according to their conclusions. Leaders have convinced themselves that they can come up with any half-baked arrangement,anycockandbullplan,andGuyanesewillfall forit. TheannouncementofaprobeintotheUS$214million disgraceisoneinstanceofsuchsettledthinkingintheranks ofthePPP/CGovernment.

A probe of what happened, who is involved, and who allowed things to come to this ugly, distorted state, is a positive development. It provides the openings for some clear answers and some good to result. But a probe, any probethatwouldattracttheapprovalofGuyanese,cannotbe spearheaded by anybody from the Ministry of Natural Resources Confidenceintheministryhasneverbeenthislow and,mostunfortunately,thishastoincludethemanatthetopof it,theHon Minister,Mr VickramBharat Infact,theminister’s roleinthistarnishingstoryofgovernmentweaknessandlikely governmentskullduggerieshasbeenthatofabystanderanda messenger His trouble is that he is overshadowed by the long,darkpresenceofVicePresidentJagdeo,heislimitedin whatheisinvolvedwith,andhowmuchhecando.

Now, all fingers point to Ministry of Natural Resources personnel being the main participants in the so-called “unauthorized” actions involving the US$214 million ExxonMobilaudit. Wearetoldthatitisministrypeoplewho tookituponthemselvestoclose-outdealswithExxonMobil forover90percentinwrite-downsfromtheUS$214million, ostensibly without anybody knowing. Where were the checks and balances? Who has oversight responsibilities overtheemployeesnowfallinginthecategoryofmaverick (toputakindspinofit);orrogues,tocallthingsastheyare? Wastheministeratseaduringallthistime? Washeasleepat the wheel when an ExxonMobil audit was the subject of uncertaintiesanduneasinessfromtheinception?

When these disturbing elements are taken into consideration,itisarestatementoftheobvioustoassertthat nobody,notonepersonorunit,fromtheMinistryofNatural Resources should have any part in any probe of what occurredwiththisUS$214millionExxonMobilaudit. The ministry has measly credibility, and there are very few in Guyana who would trust its people to do a clean and principled job. This is regardless of whether ministry personnel were, indeed, involved; or, worse still, are the sacrificial lambs for what may have originated in high government circles To put people from the Ministry of NaturalResources,ortohavetheministry’semployees,near toanyprobeisaninsulttotheintelligenceoftheGuyanese people. In this instance, we support the position of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Aubrey Norton. This foolishnessbythePPP/CGovernmenthasbeentriedbefore, anditistimethatitcomestoahalt. WehaveseentheGuyana Police Force and other institutions going through the motions of investigating themselves when wrongdoings are alleged Whenthosecomeintobeing,theyarenotonlyexercises thataredoomedtofailureandendlesssecond-guessing,butthey also make a mockery of Guyanese The PPP/C Government really ought to think deeply and heavily before it engages in thesecharadesaboutprobesthatfoolnoone. Clearly,some typeoftrickeryoccurred,sowhyaddwhatcomesacrossas moretrickerytoanalreadyworm-infestedsituation?

Having said this much, the problem is that there are so few institutions (and people) in Guyana that foster trust. When the great bulwarks of clean governance and 21st century civilization like the media, like the Guyana Police Forceand,asmanybelieve,likesomesegmentsofthelocal judiciary have all been tainted in some way, then it is emphasizedhowpoorlythiscountryisled,andbyhowmuch ithasbeendamaged. Politiciansspeakoutoftheirears,and they deceive to the face, while dragging down this entire society Trust has vanished, with the Ministry of Natural Resourcesnowthebiggestbillboardofitsflight.

Truths about classroom cash grants

DEAREDITOR, I am kindly requesting a piece in your daily newspaper publication to voicemyfrustrationwiththe Ministry of Education’s pursuit of political selfinterest and materialistic gains through the classroom grant for teachers This pursuit has been skillfully stoked with the flames of uncertainty,leavingteachers tremblinginthecoldgripof anxiety and doubt Last week, the Minister was quoted as saying that a noncompulsory suggestive list of materials that teachers could purchase would be provided to schools Furthermore,teacherswould

be given the liberty to buy suitable class-related materials for their classes, and they were advised that receipts were needed to justifytheirpurchasesinthe interestoftransparency

With an impassioned plea,Editor,Iyearntodispel thisthick,suffocatingfogof distortion and absurdity that envelops us, cast upon the stage by the minister’s politicaltheatrics.Currently, in the education system in schools in my education district, the monies reside exclusively in the hands of the headteacher Secondly, teachersinmyschoolarenot allowed to purchase outside ofthatlistduetoMoEman-

made bureaucratic proceduresthatheadteachers fear Asaresult,teachersare advised not to purchase outsideofthatlist.

Thirdly, ordinary teachers must justify dollarf o r - d o l l a r, w h i l e headteachers are not subjected to scrutiny, and there is a non-return policy for leftover funds. Fourthly, the grant enables crony capitalism, where teachers are advised by the headteacher to support big businesses with “nice customer stamps” while dispensing with small businesses that don’t have them,onceagainduetofear of MoE man-made

bureaucraticprocedures.

Editor, I want to urge parents to stop believing the white lies of the Ministry thatteachersaregettingrich, but rather deeply value the work teachers do. In this country, for more than a decade, teacher and parents understand that children are oftenfacedwithburdensome cost of paying for printing test papers for end of term examination. The Ministry should stop living in its bubble and playing politics, it would pay better to help thechildreninthiscountry

Yourssincerely, Teacher - [Name Withheld due to fear of victimization]

Hordes of hypocrites and headless in the environment

DEAREDITOR, France and its Western allies have declared the Niger military junta that overthrewNiger’sleaderina coup, criminals, and the ousted leader should be reinstated.So,Franceandits alliescallthejuntathatwants $200 Euros per kg of uranium for Niger to uplift their citizens’ lives criminals, while calling the ousted leader who was accepting 80 cents per kg of uranium a democratic statesmanwhoshouldbethe rightfulleaderofNiger

This hypocrisy is staggering since for centuries France and its Western allies have been involvedincoupsalloverthe globe, from bloody coups to bloodless coups for installing puppet leaders who would give away their country’s wealth to foreign interests, while their own people live in squalor, starving and suffering. The media and spokespersons of foreign interests then spread the demonization of leaders whowanttheirrightfulshare of their wealth, while praising the ones who gave their country’s wealth away forapittance.

President Ali should ask himself, why suddenly he is now being treated as a distinguished statesman globally when no one wanted to see him before.

The former African Union Ambassador to the US, Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quoa rightly told the foreign interest mouthpieces, that a coup, that a minority of the population support that usually benefits the foreign

interests is a coup, a coup which the majority of the populationsupports,andthat benefitsmostofthepeopleis anecessaryrevolution.

The hypocrisy continues with US congressman Hakeem Jeffries taking an interestinGuyana’spolitics, the same Jeffries when APNU tried to steal last Guyana’s national elections, said the US government should stay out of Guyana’s affairs since he favoured APNU Now the same Hakeem Jeffries with support from Black organizations in the USA who don’t favour the PPP, now wants the US government to intervene in Guyana’s politics as if they are not directly involved already The same Hakeem Jeffries who supports his PresidentJoeBidenwiththe premature Afghanistan withdrawal, the current Biden open border policy, theunauditedfundsgoingto theongoingUkrainewar,the softoncrimeBidenpolicies, andotherBidenpoliciesthat is decimating his own constituents in the US. Why doesn’t Congressman Hakeem Jeffries deal with issuesintheUSAforhisown constituents rather than fixing Guyana’s political problems?

Why do all these black leaders who rightfully want the wealth of Guyana to be distributedtoblackpeoplein Guyana only target the PPP government and not a word from them against ExxonMobil and the other foreign exploiters of Guyana? The hypocrisy continues with VP Jagdeo,

calling those who criticize hishandlingoftheoilsector all kind of names that truthfullyappliestohim.He said at his press conference, that he scrutinizes Aubrey Norton and APNU’s itinerary,yethedoesn’thave the time to scrutinize Exxon’s overinflated bills thrown at Guyana. Jagdeo’s new spin, echoed by the president, says the new oil PSAwhichhas10%royalty, 10%taxes,65%costoil,and other benefits to Guyana, shows the PPPhas met their campaign promise and manifesto obligations on renegotiation.

Why don’t reporters or someone tell him, if these new terms do not apply to ExxonMobil who have all the oil and oil blocks, then the new PSA proclamation by Jagdeo is useless to Guyana. Reporters should also ask Jagdeo about Exxon’staxwaiversincethis was granted as a good-faith gesture by Winston Jordan for startup companies to recover their initial costs, with Exxon pumping oil for years now along with rising oil prices, Exxon has recovered more than their initial costs and the tax waiver can now be rescinded. Someone should also tell Winston Jordan, he is the biggest letdown in Guyana, for waiving taxes on its flagship resource, as noothercountrywouldhave done. Reporters should also ask Jagdeo, why he is appealing Justice Sandil Kissoon’s ruling for full coverage parent guarantee insurance for oil spills, makingthePPPgovernment

andtheEPAtheonlyonesin theworldtodoso.Reporters shouldalsoaskJagdeosince the original contract was based on 3 billion barrels of oil, and now it’s 11 billion, whynotmakeanewcontract for the new 8 billion barrels asGuyananowhastheright todoso?

The answers coming fromthePPPfortheUS$214 million audit fiasco are so pathetic, that any corporation or accountable government would have headsrollingbynow,theVP doesn’t know about this expense as per him, in a 50/50 partnership, causing Guyana to lose 107 US$ millions and the callousness indicated by the VP shows, like everything else, Guyanese will always have to lose from its oil wealth. America’s Market Intelligence (AMI)’s CoDirector,ArthurDeakin,said Guyana was unprepared to negotiate with powerhouse ExxonMobil, yet if he listenedtoJagdeo’stiradeon APNU when in opposition forsigningtheoilcontract,it would show Guyana did have competent leaders to negotiate contracts. Why Guyana’s leader chooses to do otherwise, I don’t know Every time Exxon faces pressure in Guyana, Venezuela raises the border issue,wheneverthepressure is released from Exxon, Venezuelagoesbackintoits shell,what’swrongwiththis picture?

The black organizations nowchallengingthePPPare full of so many lawyers, yet notoneofthemhascome

(Continuedonpage06)

Policia looks eerily as if Guyana is surrendering to Venezuela

DEAREDITOR, I a m b e m u s e d , bewildered, and somewhat confused but certainly not amused On Monday, September 25, 2023, I attended a reception hosted by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China and during a conversation with senior PPP/C functionaries, I posed the question why should we paint our ‘police vehicles’ with the Spanish word ‘Policia’? Some members thoughtitwasnotnecessary, but dared not express a contrary view within the People’sProgressiveParty

During the exchanges, a Minister turned up and said thatthemarkingofthepolice vehicles in Spanish was just the beginning of an ongoing process which will involve public billboards and other signs being labeled in Spanish. I said to myself, is this madness, or simple stupidity? The high functionary was at pains to regurgitate what was containedinastatementpost facto that we now have a growingnumberofSpanishspeakingpersonsinGuyana.

Dear Editor, I state as follows; whatever language youspeak,policeonapolice

vehiclemakesiteasyforyou toknowit’sapolicevehicle. Beyond that ‘Policia and Police’ are similar so why change it? Second, we have for some time had a number of Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese persons take up residence in Guyana. To the east, we have a Dutchspeaking country To the northareourtraditionalWest Indian kit and kin, English mainly To the south, our largest neighbour, Brazil speakingPortuguese.

And to the west, a contentious neighbour speakingSpanish.

Have we noticed the antics of Venezuela raising thebaronthespuriousclaim to the whole of Essequibo? They are now attempting, andIhavenodoubttheywill succeed in unifying all branches of Venezuela on this issue of Essequibo. I musthavebeeneightornine yearsoldwhenIrecalledthis incident. My mother had an older sister, Will Helmina who was married to a Venezuelan,aMr Rackaand they lived in Maracaibo Venezuela. Her son Roland Raca came to visit, and I recalled him telling my mother that the British had stolen a part of Venezuela

Lincoln Lewis practising mental circumcision on border issue

years ago. My cousin very well believed that story in spite of my mother’s argumentstothecontrary

If, as the senior functionary said to me on Monday night, they plan to put up other sign boards in Spanish, is this a sort of subtle surrender to Venezuela? We note the anxiety by this Government to accommodate all Venezuelans.

Thereisnoevidencethat we have the capability to identify if any of these socalledimmigrantshavebeen posted by the Venezuelan authoritiestoundermineand subvert. Maybe they have succeeded which may have explained the statement madetomeonMondaynight that there will be more Spanish speaking posters and billboards. We seem to ignorethewisdomthatallof usmustabidewithwhenwe travel to other countries. Thatis,wheninRome,doas theRomansdo.

As I dictate this letter, news has reached me of the venality of a certain Guyanese.Further,Isaynot.

HamiltonGreenO.R.

FormerPrimeMinister a n d M a y o r o f Georgetown

Recommendations for a better air travel experience for Guyanese

DEAREDITOR, Iamconcerned,frequent traveler of Guyanese origin and am very distressed and concerned about how unscrupulous airlines treating all travelers in and out of Guyana Please considermyattempttobring thisissuetotheforefront,by publishingmyletter

Many Guyanese are facedwithaseriousproblem while traveling to Guyana. The problem is price gouging by Caribbean Airlines,AmericanAirlines, and JetBlue. Traveling to Guyana has become unreasonablyexpensive,not tomentionthesetripsarenot all-inclusive. The cost of a ticketunderpricegougingis ashighas$2000/pp.Guyana is in a better position to bargain with the airline industry Mr President,fora 5.5-hour economy flight a proper meal is not served, you must pay for your luggage, pay for blankets, legroom, pillows, earpieces, if any is available and, in some instances, you may encounter a rude flight

attendant. Guyanese are victimsofexorbitanthidden fees.

Afewrecommendations:

1. Negotiate with the airlinestoreducetheairfares and to provide more services.

2. Establish a One Guyana Airline, (now that we are earning from the Oil &GasRoyalties.)

3. Avoid private ownership of international aircarriersthatcanduplicate thecurrent“pricegouging.”

DEAREDITOR, Lincoln Lewis’s letter in another newsprint on September26,2023,berating Aubrey Norton for readily kowtowing to the Ali’s administration’s stance aboutVenezuela’sattemptto undermine Guyana’s position on the border imbroglio,isbothperplexing andarrogant.

This sensitive situation involvesALLGuyanese.By default, Lewis’s mental circumcisionofthesituation and egregious attempt to be relevant is glaring and suspicious.

Lewis also made

historical reference to a similar Jagan/ Burnham compromise generations ago. So, with this “font” of historical knowledge, I now pose two (2) questions for Mr Lewis:

Question#1 : Did you, Lewis, proactively engage theLeaderoftheOpposition, Mr Norton on this subject, BEFORE Mr Norton’s explicit support of the current Government of Guyana’sposition?

Question#2: Did you, Lewis, reactively undertake to have dialogue with Mr Norton to understand his decision AFTER Mr

Norton, as Opposition Leader, pitched in his supporttotheGOG?

If not, I can only theorize that Lewis, with overweening conceit, is attempting to discredit Mr Norton and by extension, the entire Opposition, by engaging the press/social media in order to discredit Mr Norton’sposition Whatisinitforyou,asa Trade Unionist, Lewis? Political platitude or bromide - illusory problem solving?

Regards Subrian,Esq.

Guyana’stourismisatits best due to significant reduction in crime, i m p r o v e m e n t i n transportation, more trained persons in hospitality, improved domestic air safety Also, the tourist destinations are unique, more attractive than many worlddestinationsandquite affordable. To enhance the booming tourism industry, affordableairfareisneeded.

Thankingyou, ZarenaAli

DEAREDITOR, Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him): The Mystical Master and GeniusofPeace Peace and Blessings be upon all (As-salamu alaykum). The Prophet of Islamcameatatimetocreate that reconciliation between Man and Man and Man and God The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him) was born in an era of darkness, immorality, intolerance and violence which existed not only in Arabia, but in religions, in countriesoftheworldwhere morals and philosophies were all at a low end as the Quran says:”Or (the unbelievers’state)islikethe darkness in a deep sea. It is covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds Darknesses, one above another If a man stretches out his hand, he cannot see it....”(Quran24:40)

TheArabswerealwaysat each other’s throats creating factionsofmurder,mayhem, confusion and lust But

Allah’s messenger was able to unite them in love for the Creator and themselves They were a people like beastintheirvillagejungles; beast with urges for blood; beast with urges in passion and hate even transcending generations to generations creating a constant state of warfare and feud among the Arabs.AsHewastouchedby GodAlmightyandembraced byAngel Gabriel to harness themysticalpowersfromthe Creator, hence He refined these cravings, lust and aspirations of the Arabs to become lovers of God Almighty and protectors of each other as Muslims. The Arabs were idolatrous, far awayfromanyideaofdivine unity between Man and the Universal Creator. Yet he was able to create a wholesome environment of sincere worship to the one Universal Creator, Lord of

theWorlds.

The Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him) although sinless, always prayed for salvation for his people, salvation of his descendantsandevenforour sins as Muslims to this age. Hisprayerswouldlastmany hours in the Islamic form of worship, that his legs would swell just begging God to forgive his ummah (His community) from his time and for all times The Prophet Muhammad (Peace andBlessingsBeUponHim) prayed for and ensured with thepromiseofGodAlmighty that his entire community of Muslims would all go to paradise (Albeit that they must serve their period of purification as decreed by theCreator).Hewantedusto be totally enmeshed in the spiritualmantleofGod’s

(Continuedonpage06)

The Prophet Mohamed was incomparable,Youman Nabi greetings

DEAREDITOR, The Venezuelan President is speaking frombothsidesofhismouth. Ononesidehe echoesthedesiretoholdtalkswithGuyana’s President and Caricom on the border controversy

While from the other side, he ramps up a working-class march in defence of Essequibo, while seekingto holdareferendumforthepopulacetodecide on the spurious claim by the country over a sovereignstate.

Can the Venezuelan President be trusted that his intentions are

honourable, that he wants a clear resolution when he throws up stumbling blocks, including damming theWorld Court which has the final say? Venezuelans are marching for Essequibo but their President seems confused, sends mixed messages Now more than ever our mantra, “Not a blade of grass must be louder ” Perhaps the song should be redone in Spanish so Senor Maduro can understand, while he marches, we too aremarchingresolutely!

Sincerely

ShamshunMohamed

Hordesofhypocritesandheadless...

Frompage04

forward to assist Glenn Lall andotherGuyanesefighting for their rightful share of Guyana’s oil and resource wealth.

Some Guyanese are such hypocrites, when their own party is in power, they stay silent on wrongdoings but speak loudly when the other partyisinpowerforthesame wrongdoings.

SomeGuyaneseathomeand abroad, especially the

educated ones like to hang their certificates and achievementsontheirwalls, but it looks like they have alsohangedtheirbrainsonthe wall as well, walking around with empty hollow heads spewingnonsenseallthetime, bothhomeandabroad.

Fellow Guyanese, it is okay to be involved in politics and support your political parties, it is also okay to enjoy parties, like the Amazon

Warriorsvictoryparty

However, isn’t it time you all pay attention to the number one issue in the country, which your r i g h t f u l s h a r e o f Guyana’s wealth and Guyana’s environmental protection?

Guyanese fight for Guyana’s wealth and if you win,youallwill get to enjoy thebiggestpartyofthemall.

Trulyyours, R.David.

Frompage05

love as a garment of grace with the compassion of the Universal Creator For us to be in perfect communion withGodAlmighty

When there was confusionamongthepeople suchasatthereconstruction oftheKaaba,astowhomor which clan will carry the maincornerstoneofthekaaba headvisedthatitbeplacedon a material that all of the clan leaderscanholdtogetherand goputitinplace Asimplefact that establishes the heart of peaceofourbelovedProphet Muhammad (PBUH) On becomingtheleaderofArabia and of many countries including Egypt he created a Treaty of Freedom that guaranteedtheSt Catherine’s Christiansinthemonasteryin Mount Sinai in 628, the 6thyear of the Hegira, is a mighty guide as to the Holy Prophet’s desire for interreligiouspeace Thisepic treaty is unique in man’s historyandbasicallyitstates:

“This is the document which Muhammad, the son ofAbdullah,God’sProphet, Warner and Bearer of glad tidings has caused to be written so that there should remain no excuse for those coming after I have caused this document to be written fortheChristiansoftheEast andWest,forthosewholive near, and for those of the distant lands, for the Christians living at present andforthosewhowillcome after, for those Christians whoareknowntousandfor those as well whom we do notknow

No bishop will be expelled from his bishopric, no monk from his monastery, no priest from hisplaceofworship,andno pilgrim will be detained in hispilgrimage.Noneoftheir churches or other places of worshipwillbedesolatedor destroyedordemolished.No material of their churches will be used to build

mosques or houses for the Muslims;anyMuslimdoing so will be regarded as recalcitrant to God and His Prophet.MonksandBishops willbesubjecttonopolltax or indemnity whether they liveinforestsoronrivers,in theEastorintheWest,inthe NorthorintheSouth.Igive them my word of honour

Theyareonmypromiseand covenant and will enjoy perfect immunity from all sorts of inconveniences

Every help shall be given to them in the repair of their churches They shall be absolved of wearing arms. They shall be protected by the Muslims Let this document not be disobeyed till Judgement Day ”

(Signed: Muhammad, the MessengerofGod.([Letters of the Messenger])(Tommy

Kallon-TheHolyProphet:A Messenger of Peace and Reconciliation”).

And in his final sermon he said this: “O men, your God is One and your ancestor is one. An Arab possesses no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab over an Arab. A white man is in no way superior to a black nor for that matter is a black man betterthanawhite,butonly to the extent to which he discharges his duty to God and man The most honoured among you in the sight of God is the most righteousamongyou…

Even as this month is sacred, this land inviolate, andthisdayholy,sohasGod madethelives,propertyand honourofeverymansacred. Totakeanyman’slifeorhis property, or attack his honour, is as unjust and wrong as to violate the sacredness of this day, this month, and this territory. What I command you today isnotmeantonlyfortoday It i s m e a n t f o r a l l time (Tommy Kallon-The Holy Prophet:AMessenger o f P e a c e a n d

Reconciliation”).

Venezuelansonthemove, whataboutGuyanese? TheProphetMohamedwas...

While the Holy Qurandescribes him as superior to all prophets The Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH) never said he was superior Heusedsuchwords as: “Listen!Donotexaltme above Moses and do not put m e a b o v e o t h e r Prophets”(Sahih Bukhari; KitabudDiyat;1810) Islamas managed by the holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established the criterion for socialpeacewhichtimewould notpermitmeheretodiscuss He created the criterion for international peace The criterion for economic peace andjusticeforallpeoples He established the inter religious peace and stated that: “O people,beaware:yourGodis One No Arab has any superiorityoveranon-Arab, and no non-Arab any superiority over an Arab, and no white one has any superiorityoverablackone, and no black one any superiorityoverawhiteone, exceptonthebasisoftaqwa (piety). The most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most piousandrighteousofyou.”

[

SURAH AL-HUJURAT AYAT13(49:13QURAN)

].

He was undoubtedly the creator of National Peace in Arabia. A quote from the Holy Quran reveals onto himintheaspectofnational andinternationalpeace: Verily, Allah commands you to make over the trusts tothoseentitledtothem,and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice And surely excellent is that with which Allahadmonishesyou!Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Ch.4:V.59). A point to note here on this is that it did not sayamong“Muslims”itsaid among “Men ”Therefore, onecannotbeprejudicedfor aMuslimwhenonepassesa judgment, if a Muslim be in the wrong.There is so much more, but I would close this message at this juncture and wish the nation of Guyana a Happy,HappyYouman Nabi; filledwithreflectivethoughts and wisdom especially His ExcellencyDr IrfaanAli,The Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Our Cabinet, The Leader of the Opposition And to all Guyanese a truly peaceful Youman Nabi and may GodAlmighty bless us with the blessings of wisdom that we have in Guyana.

Sincerely,

HajiDr RoshanKhan National Chairman GuyanaIslamicFederation

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Wherewerethe checksandbalances?

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Amid the US$214M ExxonMobil audit fiasco, all fingers are now being pointed to Ministry of Natural Resources personnel as the main participants in the so-called “unauthorized” actions.

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We are told that the ministry people were the ones who took it upon themselves to close-out deals with ExxonMobil for over 90 percent in write-downs from the US$214 million, ostensibly without anybody knowing.

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Where were the checks and balances?

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Who has oversight responsibilities over the employees now falling in the category of maverick (to put a kind spin of it); or rogues, to call things as they are? Was the minister at sea during all this time?

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Was he asleep at the wheel when an ExxonMobil audit was the subject of uncertainties and uneasiness from the inception?

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Guyana's debt structure exposes country to risk – Ministry of Finance

Despite the positive outlook described in the Ministry of Finance's Mid-Year Report, it was emphasised that the Guyanese economy continues to be susceptible to both explicit and implicit risks. A dedicated section of the report was used to outline theserisksandproposepoliciesand measurestomitigatethem.

Notably, the ministry underscored that Guyana has maintained a robust debt sustainability position for over 15 years, with its Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio standing at 24.6% at the end of 2022. This favourable outcome is credited to the government's focus on debt management policies and practices, emphasising low-cost development financing within prudentriskparameters.

Thereportrevealedanin-depth assessment of the debt portfolio's exposuretobothexchangeraterisk and interest rate risk This evaluation informs the government's strategies to achieve an optimal balance between minimising costs and managing risks.

ExchangeRateRisk

Regarding exposure to foreign exchange risk, as of June 2023, 41.7 percent of the total PPG debt was denominated in foreign currency, representing a slight decrease from the end of 2022. It's worth noting that domestic/local currency-denominated debt continuestoconstitutethemajority ofthePPGdebtportfolio.Virtually all of the domestic PPG debt is denominated in domestic/local currency, while all external PPG debt is denominated in foreign currency

According to the report, the majority of the external debt portfolio is denominated in US dollars(73.2%),withtheRenminbi (RMB) Yuan (13.8%) being the second-largest holding While external PPG debt constitutes less than half of the total PPG debt portfolio;itgrewby3.8%fromthe endof2022totheendofJune2023, reflecting the government's continued external borrowing for itsdevelopmentagenda.

It was explained that the Guyana dollar exchange rate has historicallyremainedstableagainst major currencies used for debt service payments, such as the United States dollar, RMB Yuan, andEuro.However,itisnotedthat adepreciationoftheGuyanadollar against these currencies could increase the cost of servicing externaldebtpaymentsandexpand the total PPG debt stock when external debt is converted into Guyanadollars.

Tomitigateexchangeraterisks, itwasnotedthatakeygovernment priority is to develop the domestic market and introduce new instruments denominated in the localcurrency

Notably, it was stated too that the Bank of Guyana (BOG) also plays a crucial role in managing exchange rate risk through administrativeandpolicyactionsto promoteexchangeratestability InterestRateRisk

Moreover, the report also assessed interest rate risk,

reflecting the volatility of various interestratestructuresinthepublic debtportfolio.Keyindicatorsused to measure this risk include the proportion of variable rate debt, Average Time to Refixing (ATR), anddebtrefixingtimeframes.

Itwashighlightedthatvariable interest rate debt decreased to 34.6%oftotalpublicdebtattheend ofJune2023,primarilyduetonew issuancesoffixed-rateinstruments in the first half of the year. While this reduction implies lower exposure to interest rate risk, it's important to note that a significant portion of the debt portfolio is subject to interest rate refixing in less than a year, especially in the domesticdebtportfolio.

TheATRasofJune2023stood at 4.3 years, primarily influenced by the amount of debt subject to interest rate refixing within one year or less. Adverse interest rate shocks could increase the cost of servicing the debt, particularly for thedomesticdebtportfolio.

To mitigate interest rate risk, the BOG leads efforts through monetary policy tools The government also prioritizes fixed interest rate borrowing and explores options to convert variable-rate debt to fixed-rate whenappropriate.

It was underscored that this comprehensive approach aims to manage and minimize the risks associated with Guyana's debt portfolio, ensuring continued economic stability and sustainable

Risk Detail

Public Debt Related Risk

Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance,

development.

RiseinDebt

While the country's newfound oil resources have offered opportunitiesforeconomicgrowth buthavealsoraisedconcernsabout thesustainabilityofitsdebtburden.

President Irfaan Ali's administration recently raised the country's debt ceiling by US$3 billion, allowing for more borrowing. This decision, taken in August, expanded the domestic public debt ceiling to $750 billion, and established a new external borrowingceilingof$900billion.

The country's previous debt ceilings were last increased by the GovernmentbackinJanuary2021.

According to the Ministry of Finance,givenGuyana'seconomic outlook, these revisions to the external and domestic public debt ceilings are consistent with the

The composition of the Public Debt Portfolio can expose it to refinancing risk, interest rate risk, and exchange rate risk.

country's long-term debt sustainability.

TheMinistryofFinance'sMidYear Report highlighted that, as of June 2023, Guyana's total public andpubliclyguaranteeddebtstood at US$3,916.9 million, with total public debt accounting for US$3,914 5 million, and total publicly guaranteed debt for the remainingUS$2.4million.

Notably,whencomparedtothe end of 2022, when debt stood at US$3,654 9 million, a 7 2% increasewasrecorded.Tothisend, Government said this was mainly attributed to a positive net flow from both the external and domesticdebtportfolios.

Summary of Explicit and ImplicitRisks

(Table taken from the Ministry ofFinanceMid-YearReport2023)

Potential Risk

Impact of fluctuations in exchange rates and interest rates on the cost of borrowing.

New $515M Hazel Campayne Block commissioned at St. Rose's High School Scho

The new $515 million Sister Hazel Campayne Block was on Tuesday commissioned at the St. Rose's High School by MinisterofEducationPriya Manickchand.

While giving the keynote address, Minister Manickchand said that the factthattheblockisnamed after Sister Hazel displays the government's gratitude to the many people who have been positively impacting the lives of Guyanese.

“SisterHazel,thisblock isbeingnamedafteryouinrecognitionof what you yourself contributed. I would also like to ask the other sisters to accept this, as our thank you and our recognition

of the role you would have played for decades in this country,” expressed the minister.Shealsostatedthattheadditionof anotherwingtoanotherschool (Continuedonpage9)

Dr. Ashni Singh

The new three-story block

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and St. Rose's students along with other Catholic sisters, who represented Sister Hazel, cut the ribbon to commission the new block.

Health ministers agree on new policy to prevent and control non-communicable diseases in children, adolescents, and young people

Ministers and high-level health authorities in the Region of the Americas on Tuesdayagreedtopromotea series of interventions targeted at children, adolescents, and young adults aimed at preventing the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which are the leading causes of ill health, disability, and death in the Region The Policy on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults, adopted Tuesday by the 60th Directing Council

of the PanAmerican Health Organization(PAHO),seeks to address cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, which account for 81% of all deaths each year intheAmericas.

“While young people undertheageof24canhave NCDs—particularly type 1 diabetes,asthma,andcertain cancers—efforts to address these conditions have focused on adults,” Dr Anselm Hennis, Director of PAHO’s Department of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health said.“Itiscrucialtopromote

interventions at this stage of life because this is when the risks begin, including tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy eating, and physicalinactivity.”

IntheAmericas,justover 14% of the child and adolescent population was obese in 2016 (latest availabledata),while80.7% of adolescents did not get enough physical activity In 2019, 11.3% of 13- to 15year-olds in the Region (5.2 million)usedtobacco,while 18 5% of adolescents engagedinbingedrinkingin 2016.

An estimated 314,000

New$515MHazelCampayneBlockcommissioned...

Frompage8

d e m o n s t r a t e s t h e government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for both students and teachers to dwell.

She challenged the students to take up new subjectsthatareapartofthe recreational curriculum, as theyarenowbeingprovided with more modern and adequate space to expand their knowledge. “Even as weencourageyoutoexcelin the main subjects, I would alsolikeeverychildleaving this school to be exposed to at least one musical

instrument, one foreign languageandonesport,”the EducationMinisterstressed.

Meanwhile, the newly constructed wing itself contains an auditorium space, an Information Technology (IT) Lab, several modern classrooms, and a washroom among otheramenities.

In 2018, the initial contract for the block was awarded but due to challenges,therewasagrace period, and another contract waseventuallyawardedtoa Chinesecompany

One of the school’s teachers, Rayon Tobin, who

was giving the background on the block stated, “In September 2021, a new contract was signed for the reconstruction of the very block we are seated in According to a release from the Ministry of Education, the contract was awarded to S h a n d o n g D e g i a n International.

The project was scheduled to last for 19 months with a defect’s liabilityperiodofoneyear,” said the teacher The threestory modern block is estimated to accommodate 350to400hundredstudents. (DPI)

people under age 20 have type 1 diabetes (30% more thanin1990)andeveryyear 45,000 children and adolescents under 20 are diagnosedwithsometypeof cancer

Survival rates vary widely across countries, depending on timely access to diagnosis and quality treatment.

The new policy notes that NCD prevention requires multi-sectoral public policies, as well as interventions such as exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life (which only one in three babies in the Region currently receive), followed by optimal nutrition in childhoodandadolescence.

Other cost-effective and e v i d e n c e - b a s e d interventions recommended in the new policy to address

NCDs in children, adolescents, and young adultsinclude:

Vaccinate against human papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancerinadulthood

Offer screening for anemia, asthma, and diabetes in maternal and childhealthprograms

·Provideinformationand support on tobacco prevention and cessation, alcohol and psychoactive substance use, physical activity,andnutrition

Provide health education through schools, camps, and community activities

· Establish smoke-free school environments that offerfoodsthatarelowinfat, sugar, and salt; and encouragephysicalactivity

I m p l e m e n t municipal regulations that

create healthy food environments, green spaces, and means of transport that facilitate walking and cycling

Establish appropriate health services to ensure timely diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of NCDs in thetargetpopulation

PAHO will provide technical cooperation to the countries of the Region in order to strengthen their capacities, thereby contributing to the implementationofthepolicy and the achievement of its strategic lines of action

PAHO will also support implementation of the “best buys” (cost-effective i n t e r v e n t i o n s ) recommended by the World HealthOrganization(WHO) to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases, amongotheractions.

Murders and martyrs and a former President

Whenwordslike 'murder' and the making of 'martyrs' are part of the conversation coming out of PPP Government corners, they provide confirmations of how dark and grim the stresses are in the ruling party, tortured its top people are. When the unbelievable graces circumstances, in that a former President is near to such a conversation, I think that the real Guyana, and the

reality of the kind of governmentthatispresent,is reinforcedbeyondanydoubt. Whilethepresenceofrichoil may be an ingredient in whatever is going on in the

m i n d s o f t h e P P P

Government and its leadership,itismybeliefthat powerfulpeopleareshowing who they really are, where they are, and to how they conditiontheenvironment.

Guyanese should know something upfront. Since

returning here, I have never (never) watched a local television programme, nor listened to local radio, other than briefly for music. I skim, sometimes selectively read, three newspapers Additionally, infrequent snippets (I mean snippets) from President, VP, and Opposition Leader, are the most I have heard, read, and wishtoabsorb.Idon'twantto know more, and I don't care; indeed, there is the measure

of all three brothers, and surety about self But enough comes to me, and when from more than one crediblesource,Ilisten.

This talk, this matter, about 'murder' and the possible making of 'martyrs' has its people. But they should not include a former President. There should not beanyoneatthelevelofVice PresidentDr BharratJagdeo anywhere near such an idea, such a pretense at the

hypothetical, or whatever charade was partoftheworks. Iwilltell Guyanaandtheworldwhere I stand. In that believed charming (possibly menacing) chatter about 'murder' and 'martyrs' I discern premeditation (what could be) on the one hand, and preemptive notification (the PPPwill be blamed), on the other In this slick and snakelike packaging in a public presentation no less, I gather that the PPP Government could be gearing up to deal with dissenters, and be done with the daily distress of being backed into a corner and strippednaked.

Dr Jagdeo plays his gamestoowell,andwhatever show he believed he was participatingin,Ipresenthim with these unyielding, unswerving realities. There is some work that must be done in this country, and since it is my privilege to do sometinypiecesofit,thatis the driving force: all conversations cease. Since Dr Jagdeo has made it his duty to dig and dig deep to discoverwhoIam,andwhat I am about, he should know, butIextendthishelpfulhand to him. My entire belief system is based on a simple ethos:self-sacrifice. Thereis delight in adversity, and the viler, the more I celebrate. Take it from there, my brother, for the baton is now handed over. Que sera, que sera!

Earlier, I wrote in public that media hits have been tried in sleazy attempts at characterassassination. And Iwrotethathitsofadifferent kind may not be far from consideration. I thank my brother Barry for sharing his thoughts, confirming his positions. Foritismybelief thatthequestionwasplanted, and the answer was planned. Whatever the objective, the work from this side of the street goes on, has to go forward, whether by me, or some other I plant seeds. Theywilllive.

Unsurprisingly, in this vibrating land, there is this clever conversation of 'murder' and 'martyrs' being

made, and the airwaves are still. The Hon. Attorney General, Dr Nandlall, is frozen in silence. Ditto the official watchdogs that should be alarmed and barking warningly; they are now all muzzled. The same could be said for all the guardians of this peculiar PPP governance standard that masquerades as democracy I suppose fear, or a slice of oil shavings, or being looked upon favourably, are all higher priorities. Ithinkthatisfair, aspeoplemaketheirchoices. I have; and so, I say this to VicePresidentJagdeo. Yes,I address this directly to this calculatingbrother Do what has to be done. There is no need for these media gymnastics, these leadership disguises. Do whatisfeltnecessary Ilook at what Guyana, oil rich Guyanahasdegradedto,and a slight smile comes. I was near money that floated the world, so a shrug is all that results I look at Vice President Jagdeo, who now hasmorepowerthanwhenhe was President, who now has control over more money than ever before, and who n o w m a n a g e s a n d manipulates the minds of many men any way that he desires.

This is my question for my brother, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo: what is the use of all of that (money, men, and power), when one citizen can inflict such tormentsonthysoul?

Men may fall, but the many great terrors of their inconvenient truths will prevail. Alwaysdoes.

There is nothing more left for me to say about any political leadership vision, ambition, or construction about 'murder' and 'martyrs.' Iamready AndIamwilling.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaperanditsaffiliates.)

GPSU predicts collapse of health sector

...asnurses,doctorsleaveindroves, whileGovt.ignoresconditionsofworkers

Ag a i n s t t h e background of widespread shortages of health workers across the country and the low salaries being paid to those who stay in the profession, the Guyana Public Service Union is predicting a collapse of the health sector here as it d o c u m e n t s t h e “disrespectful” treatment of public servants by what it described as “pretensive administration”.

At a news conference on Wednesday the GPSU said the “evasiveness of Government to engage the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) since the last encounter with the Union through the collective bargaining process is very discomforting.” This is so particularly because it was the people that elected the members of Government, who individually took an oath to uphold the law, the union stated. “Instead, they are committing wanton breaches of the law in full public view and with no consequences. It tells the populace that the institutions that were formulated to keep Government in check are either not working as they should or have been politically hijacked or is devoid of appropriate mechanisms to ensure good governance.”

The GPSU said it is ultimately the people that mustdecidethefateofrogue Governments “This situation previously climaxed in April 1999 resulting in a 57 days' strike which only ended after four organizations namely the Guyana Trades Union Congress, the Guyana Council of Churches, the Guyana BarAssociation and the Private Sector Commission came together to mediate. A Memorandum of Agreement was reached and signed by the late Dr Roger Luncheon, the then Cabinet Secretary, on behalf oftheGovernmentofGuyana with representatives of the Unions and representatives of the Mediation Team. This Memorandum of Agreement addressed among other things,thefollowing:

1. Initialactionsthathad tobetakeninordertoendthe strike which included an interim payment of 25%; 2. That there would be full resumption of work within fourteen (14) days; 3. The circular sent from the

Ministry of Finance to the various Corporations and Companies limiting pay increase to a maximum of 5%, shall be withdrawn; 4. There shall be no victimization on either side, e g T r a n s f e r s , terminations/dismissals, intimidation, retrenchment, demotions,etc;5. Thatthere willbeArbitrationtomakea final judgment on the issues which all parties committed themselves to honour and 6. Conditions that should negotiations in future be deadlocked the manner that would determine a final settlement.

The GPSU said it is guided by Article 147 (3) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana;Section23(1)ofthe TradeUnionRecognitionAct 1997, International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention№87concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, Convention № 98 ontheRighttoOrganizeand Collective Bargaining and Convention № 151 on Labour Relations (Public Service)thatwereallratified bytheParliamentofGuyana andareinforce.Additionally, thereistheAgreementforthe Avoidance of Settlement of Disputes, between the Government of Guyana and the GPSU that is embedded in the Public Service Rules (1987)forbilaterals.

According to the excessivesufferingofPublic Service Workers due to the blatant disregard by both PPP/C and APNU/ AFC for legal requirements is despicable “The public would have thought that President Irfaan Ali, who promised a lofty 50% increase for public servants while castigating theAPNU/ AFC for their selfish 50% increase to ministers, disregard for collective bargaining, insensitivity to health workers and other public servants, would have learned from those mistakes which also resulted in ousting of his party from powerin2015.”

For example, the GPSU said it sent a letter to President Ali on May 16, 2022 calling for expeditious enhancement of conditions of service for medical personnel which has never been acknowledged “The President instead chose to arbitrarily implement unenlightened conditions of service which demotivated

staff while depreciating the contributions of the valuable andstrategicpersonnelinthe health sector “Using the health sector as a case in point. The Government of Guyana has been forced to a c k n o w l e d g e t h e incontrovertible fact that its policy and approach to the resolution of industrial relation issues surrounding theconditionsofworkinthe health sector is a complete failure The President of Guyana should have been appalled at the failure of his LabourandHealthMinisters when he was forced to disgracefully admit the main referral hospital is short of hundreds of nurses,” the GPSU stated. Further, the union said nurses were doublinguponshiftsbecause of these shortages. It noted thatthesituationatRegional Health Facilities is even worst as there are echoes of staff lamenting being overworkedandunderpaidat these sub-functional institutions. “There are also fears of victimization in the form of transfers and salary cuts among the exploited workers. This is a pitiful record being set for the “Dubai of the Caribbean”, at a time when the government has announced lofty ambitions to expand health services nationally in the form of seven (7) new Regional Hospitals, a specialty hospital and other primaryhealthfacilities.This administration should know the public is not fooled by extravagant ribbon cutting eventsandfalsepromotionof progress in the health sector especiallywhentheyturnup to the same facilities and are faced with intolerable waiting times, lack of drugs, services and basic materials thatarenecessaryfeaturesto deliverqualityhealthcare.”

Collapseofhealthsector

Meanwhile, the GPSU is predicting a continued deterioration in the health sectorwhichitsaysisalready bordering on collapse unless factorswhicharedrivingthe unabatedmigrationofhealth workers from all fields and levels of qualifications are a d d r e s s e d i n a comprehensive manner The union said all around the country, health workers are resigningandmigratingwith their entire families to Europe and North America where they can have a more dignified life. “Instead of honouring the lawful principles of collective

same harsh conditions of work and pitiful salaries

which caused their predecessors to leave for greener pastures To add insult to injury, the Cuban nurses may have a better compensation package than local nurses fueling further discontent.

bargaining, the Government of Guyana has chosen a path of union busting and unilateral implementation of unenlightened policies, which have compounded their own problems and will ultimately result in the death and injury of many citizens, who have no choice but to utilize the poorly managed public health care facilities. Ratherthanresolveindustrial relation issues in collaborationwiththeGPSU, which will ultimately result inretentionoflocallytrained staff,theGOGhasdecidedto import Cuban nurses in the shortterm.Therearealready seriousconcernsbeingraised by local staff about not only the qualifications of these nurses,butalsotheimpacton morbidity and mortality of patients The language barrier poses a serious challenge to effective communication between professionals and more importantly between patient andnurse.”

Effectivecommunication

According to the union, in a high-intensity sector such as health care, where time and details are of the essence, there is need for effective communication at all levels. The union said Government's medium to long-term plan to train more local nurses will invariably fail mainly, because those nurses will be subject to the

The union said the arbitrary and illegal imposition of unimpactful increases in salaries have o n l y c o m p o u n d e d dissatisfaction since key categoriesofworkerssuchas nursingtutorswereexcluded. Additionally, the union said, less qualified nurses are earning in excess of their m o r e t r a i n e d a n d experienced seniors because of the ad hoc and ill-advised manner by which salary increases were addressed “Nurses and other health workers allowances have been callously ignored for years The nurses who opposedavileattackontheir character by Rudy Small, CEO of Linden Hospital Complex, were victimized, issues are still outstanding. Healthcareworkershavelost theirlivesandsufferedinjury in uninsured vehicles and their families have not received meaningful compensation,” the GPSU said.

The GPSU mentioned that workers who suffered payandjoblossesasaresult ofillegalCovid-19measures made at the whims of the MinisterofHealth,insteadof the lawfully constituted Central Board of Health, continuetobedeniedjustice.

“Covid-19 health workers who suffered pay cuts at the Infectious Disease Hospital after there was an agreement with the CEO of GPHC to pay at a higher rate, will always remember that injustice,particularlyifthere isanotherpandemic.Doctors who continue to be paid $4000, which equates to a

measly$250dollarsperhour before tax for sixteen (16) grueling hours of on call (overtime) will continue to leave the public sector Physicians, who continue to receiveapaltry$600housing allowance per month at a time when rent and prices of materials for construction is increasing, will find their home in other countries Medical interns who continue to suffer the exploitationofworking16to 24 hours on call (overtime) with no compensation will continue to unapologetically migrate to countries where theywillbetreatedwithmore respect. To add insult to injury, those who protect the health of the country are forced to eat and sleep in woefully inadequate and unsanitaryconditions.”

Workersrights disrespected

According to GPSU, in summary, workers and their rights continue to be disrespectedbya“pretensive administration, who is only interested in photo opportunities instead of the resolution of issues through Collective Bargaining. The time has come for government to stop playing gameswiththecareersofthe workers who sacrificed for this country during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be called upon, if they are still here, in future crisis. Asaresultoftheirexecutive lawlessness, a number of very important issues are currently unaddressed However, the gravity of the situation requires a more aggressive approach to the resolution of pressing industrialrelationmatters.To this end, the GPSU is appealing to all members of thePublicServicetostandin solidarity and be vigilant in the coming months as we pressforaquickanddecisive resolution of all pending matters.

Nurses have been leaving Guyana in droves due to low wages

President of the Guyana Public Service Union, PatrickYarde

Speeding driver knocks down school girl on pedestrian crossing

Afifth form (Grade Eleven [11]) student of Camille's Academy was on Wednesdayafternoonstruck down by a speeding driver while walking on a pedestrian crossing along thePublicRoadatDiamond, EastBankDemerara(EBD).

The student was reportedlyinthecompanyof twoofherteacherswhenthe accident occurred. Kaieteur News was told that the

accident occurred sometime after 16:00hrs One

eyewitness said that it appeared as if the driver were racing with another “She was almost across the roadandhecametilloverin the corner and knocked her down”, the eyewitness said. Basedonthephotographsof thescene,itappearsasifthe victim had landed onto the car's front windscreen before falling onto the road. S h e w a s k n o c k e d

The car that struck down the fifth form student

unconscious and persons noted that she was bleeding fromthehead.

Kaieteur News learnt that she was rushed to hospital and is receiving medical attention but remains in a critical condition.

Reports had surfaced thatthedriverhadattempted to flee the scene but was captured and is presently in policecustodyassistingwith investigation.

Guyana to establish US$14M reg. food hub

Guyanaistakinga lead role in the C a r i b b e a n Agriculture sector with the establishment of the RegionalFoodHub.

This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha as he made a presentation in a meeting with the President of the Islamic Development Bank Dr Mohammed Sulaiman on Monday The land for the facility has already been identified on the Soesdyke /Linden Highway and it will cost someUS$14M.

“We want this Guyana here to be the food hub. The primary production hub of the Caribbean so that we could supply the Caribbean.Whatwehave, our colleagues in the Caribbean,don'thave.We have arable flat land and abundantfreshwater.Now with the investment coming on board, we can m o d e r n i z e t h e infrastructure, and start ramping up of the productions,”hestated.

Minister Mustapha said Guyana is looking to play a lead role in reducing the

Caribbean'sfoodimportbill by 2025 He noted that Guyana will work with the StateofRoraimainBrazilto form a partnership in the development of the Hub. Senior Minister within the Office of the President Dr Ashni Singh said the government have been in discussions with the Prime Minister of Barbados about sourcing inputs from Northern Brazil and transporting them through Guyana to Barbados and viceversa.

“We see the regional food hub as very much a regional initiative…as a pieceofinfrastructurethat will contribute to a more efficient market for agricultural products, across the entire Caribbean and Northern SouthAmerica,”Dr.Singh said.

He noted that this will alsogiverisetothegrowing logisticsindustryinGuyana movinggoods,services,and people. The project will be partly funded by the government Minister Mustapha stated that the mission of Guyana is clear, andthatistomakethelocal

agriculture sector more competitive while developing high-yielding varieties, pest-resistant and climate-resilientvarieties. Meanwhile, this move was commended by Dr Muhammad Sulaiman AlJasser “I think to have a targettobetheCaribbean hubforfood.Ithinkthat's a great ambition and it's doable and I think the highway that will participate with you in building…connecting you with the largest economy in South America. You have a huge market. Whatever you produce here, you could sell there, and whatever you need, you can bring from there also, ” he said The establishment of modern farms increased use of technology and more efficient farm practices are also the goal. Additionally, Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al-Jasser's visit follows the conclusion of the United Nations General Assembly, which saw fruitful discussions related to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). (DPI)

Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al-Jasser, Zulfikar Mustapha, Ministry of Agriculture, Senior Minister within the Office of the President Dr Ashni Singh, on a field visit to one of Guyana's major agriculture projects

WANTED VACANCY

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Mechanic, Welder & Tm

Driver for Interior location, canter Driver & Porter for Georgetown. Contact: 2235273-4/ 621-5907.

Able-bodied Male or Handy boy needed. Call: 661-1000. One male and female ablebodied Staff needed to work in a store. Call: 225-2313, 2261497, 658-8559.

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

Diesel Mechanic wanted. Call: 688-0417/ 223-5273/74.

Cook needed to work at Xenon Hotel, Charity. Contact: 687-5814, 688-0417, 2235273/74.

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

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

One Hauler Driver needed, starting salary $12K. Call: 611-7088 for more info.

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

Small family/ couple to live and work on farm at Long Creek, Linden. Call: 231-4831.

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

Youman Nabi Messsages

Shop for rent at Stewartville opposite secondary schoool. Contact: 649-2179.

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

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

Cleaner, Farm Workers, Excavator & Bobcat Operators, Welder and fabricator required. Call: 621-6969, 6157784/ 716-8509.

Mechanic for diesel & gasoline engines, Labourers and Maintenance Workers required. Call: 621-6969, 6157784, 716-8509.

1 Housekeeper, 2 Cooks and 1 Admin Clerk needed. Call: 223-0771.

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

One male Cleaner needed to work in Eccles. Call: 615-9132.

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

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

Cashier, supermarket Helper needed. Apply in person with written application at Nirva Superstore Sheriff & Craig Street. Call: 227-5771.

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

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

Excavator, Crane & Loader Operator, Dump Truck Driver, road-roller Driver and Welder required. Call: 675-1127/ 600-4073.

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

GAWU:

The observances of Youman Nabi remind us once again of our multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character. Indeed, it is our rich tapestry that sets us apart and adds to our specialness as a country. As GAWU extends greetings on the Islamic celebration, we are reminded that Youman Nabi or Mawlid al-Nabi or Eide-Milad, fixed on the 12th day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the Muslim calendar, is a celebration of the Birth Anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The day is marked by sermons, recitation of litanies, honouring of religious dignitaries, gift giving, and a feast. The occasion also serves as a reminder that whatever trials and tribulations we face, the prophet of God faced even greater and yet he never allowed anger and hatred to determine his actions.

Our union which boasts hundreds of Muslim members and workers join in this reflective Birth Anniversary celebration. It must be noted that in the Prophet’s area of this world, many of the virtues he

preached – sacrifice, charity, peace, unity and understanding – are all seemingly in very short supply. Conflicts of all types beset countries surrounding the Prophet’s Birthplace. Refugees cry out for help holding on to the Prophet’s teachings to keep them alive and sane. May this Youman Nabi join them and rid their leaders of intolerance and lust for pure power.

Therefore, the Islamic

community in Guyana has a lot to be thankful for and to celebrate at this time Youman Nabi 2023.

The importance of social cohesion, peace, equality, economic fair play and progress cannot be understated. That is what any society needs to survive and prosper. In terms of social cohesion and peaceful co-existence in communities, our Muslim community has been

exemplary – from their economic and commercial acumen engendering manufacturing and employment to their characteristic charity. As we all celebrate Youman Nabi 2023, we need to recommit ourselves to the achievement of the ideals of a truly multi-cultural, multiethnic and multi-religious society where there is unity indiversity. Happy Youman Nabi to all Guyanese!

GTUC: Attention to the nation’s plight requires the utilisation of a political system

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) extends Youman Nabi greetings to our Guyanese brothers and sisters, particularly those from the Muslim community.

As the nation marks the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the Founder of the faith and last Prophet from God (Allah), even as there is merriment recognising what his birth represents, the significance of same should not be overlooked.

Our Muslim brothers and sisters have added value to the nation’s moral compass with the faith’s five core beliefs, viz:-Profession of Faith (shahada); Prayer (salat); Alms (zakat); Fasting (sawm); and Pilgrimage (hajj).

and sisters to apply same in the nation’s quest for peace, goodwill and equality amongst all Guyanese.

SERVICES

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

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

Free firearms safety course for all female license firearm holder at Liberty ranges Inc. Call: 223-0771.

Conscious of these the GTUC implores our brothers

As the third largest religion in Guyana- a nation plagued with injustices, the value of social equality which is preeminent in Zakat cannot be underestimated or ignored in these trying times. The negative socioeconomic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and floods still linger, as is high unemployment, discriminatory cash grant distribution, escalating crimes, other natural and manmade disasters and challenges linger, and in some instances have escalated. These hinder realising the nation’s aspiration of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

Attention to the nation’s

plight requires the utilisation of a political system and behaviour that values social equality as centre to development. It is such a value that must guide the distribution of national resources, and the management of the economy to ensure all are treated with dignity and respect. This expectation is more pronounced given the nation is led by a man of the Muslim faith. As Guyanese observe this holiday, Youman Nabi, let us do so mindful of the value of Zakat and hope its principle would guide President Irfaan Ali’s and his Cabinet in the management of the nation’s resources consistent with Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana (inclusionary democracy) which could only be to benefit all of Guyana’s children.

ERC: Youman Nabi brings reflection on the exemplary life and inspirational teachings of Prophet Muhammad

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

1 new Kia Sportage Jeep. 2020 year model, fully loaded, low mileage and immaculate condition. Call: 618-3575/ 691-7123.

The Ethnic Relations Commission, (ERC), extends greetings to all Guyanese, particularly our Muslim brothers and sisters in observance of Youman Nabi; the birth anniversary of Islam’s Holy Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH).

Observed as a National Holiday in Guyana, Youman Nabi brings reflection on the exemplary life and inspirational teachings of Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH). Teach-

ings such as truth, righteousness, unity, and forbearance are in consonance with the values needed for the promulgation of understanding and tolerance. Both are essential ingredients in the realization of national harmony, which is integral to the work of the Commission.

It is for this reason that the ERC extols the preservation of Guyana’s religious diversity and the significance of holidays such as Youman Nabi, which inculcate and

proliferate the messages of oneness, respect, peace, and trustworthiness.

In the words of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), “None of you will be a believer until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” As Guyanese, the best way we can defend Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is to behave like him. The ERC urges reflection by all Guyanese on the significance of Youman Nabi.

FOR SALE

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

We need to recommit ourselves to the achievement of the ideals of a truly multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society

Woman nabbed while trying to smuggle ganja into Camp Street Prison

A resident of 'C' Field, Sophia, Georgetownhasfoundherselfinpolice custody after trying to smuggle cannabisconcealedinapairofsneakers intoCampStreetPrisononWednesday

Law enforcement officers detained the 21-year-old woman around 14:15 hoursduringhervisittodeliveranitem toinmateAkeemEdwards.

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) reported that upon her arrival at the prison, a thorough search was conducted on the black plastic bag she carried, revealing a hidden stash of leaves,seeds,andstemssuspectedtobe cannabissecretedbeneaththesneaker's sole. Following her arrest and caution

regarding the allegations, the suspect, along with the confiscated narcotics, was escorted to the Albertown Police Station.

The incident serves as a stark reminder from Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, that smuggling contrabandintoacorrectionalfacilityis a felony with severe repercussions. He urges the public to recognise the risks associatedwithengagingincontraband trade within the prison walls, emphasising the threats posed to society, inmates, and officers In addition, Mr Elliot commended the prison officers at the facility for their vigilanceandquickaction.

A construction worker of Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara, was charged on Monday for the offence of break-andenterlarceny.

According to police, 21year-old Timonthy Bacchus, called 'Kurtie' made his first court appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court #2 before Magistrate Alisha George, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum $80,000. The next scheduled court date is December 8, 2023.

A taxi driver from Barnwell, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was arrested last Saturday and charged on Tuesday with possession of an unlicensed firearmandammunition.

Police noted that around 14:00hrs on Saturday last, acting on information received, ranks went to a house at Barnwell, EBE, w h e r e 2 7 - y e a r- o l d

Vishwanauth Mohamed resided Upon searching, ranks found an unlicensed 9mm firearm with two matching rounds of ammunition in a wardrobe in his bedroom When cautioned by the police, he said, “I just get it deh if any banditcomeinmehouse.”

Mohamedappearedatthe Leonora Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Zamilla

Ali-Seepaul, where both chargeswerereadtohim.The prosecutor objected to bail, and he was remanded to prison.

The shoes which the cannabis was discovered in

...mantellspoliceafterbeing caughtwithillegalgun,ammo

“I just get it deh if any bandit come in me house”

Man remanded: Vishwanauth Mohamed

Construction worker charged for ‘break-and-enter’

Man fined $80,000: Timonthy Bacchus

Car in Coldingen hit-and-run found in Victoria yard, one detained

Police detectives have located a car whichthelawmen believe was involved in last Friday morning's hit-andrun accident which resulted in the death of Mahaicony

is assisting the police with investigations into the incident.

Kaieteur News had reported that Inniss, 25, a truck driver of Burma H o u s i n g S c h e m e ,

The driver of the car continued driving and public-spirited citizens assistedingettingInnisstoa city hospital where he was pronounceddeadbymedical personnelthere.

Meanwhile, the man's family organised a candlelight vigil which his sister noted was expected to beheldinfrontoftheChico Ramas gas station last evening, close to where her

brother met his demise. Guyana has recorded a high number of fatal accidents this year on the country's roadways. Between January andAugust this year, a total of 109 persons died in 91

road accidents Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said earlier this month. That numberisexpectedtoclimb because there were several fatal road accidents since Edghill'sstatement.

truckdriver,AdzelInniss.

On Tuesday, the police said the Toyota Fielder wagon, bearing registration PAD 9709, was discovered inasecuredyardatVictoria, EastCoastDemerara(ECD) around09:35hrsonTuesday by ranks of the Vigilance Police Station. The vehicle hadextensivedamagestothe left side front portion, the police said in a statement. Reports are that one person

Mahaicony, ECD was killed afterhewasstruckbyablack Toyota Fielder wagon motorcar The accident occurred around 04:30hrs last Friday while Inniss was steppingoutofatruckhehad just parked at Coldingen, ECD in the vicinity of the ChicoRamasgasstation.

Police said that Inniss hadsteppedintothepathofa car that was heading in an easterlydirection.

Dead: Adzel Inniss

Without court order, police blocked Patterson from leaving country

ParliamentDavidPattersonwason Tuesday night blocked from travelling by Guyanese immigration officials, which effectively disrupted his travel to the United States to meet with the USBlackCongressionalCaucus.

The Guyana Police Force has since apologized to Patterson, saying that his name had “inadvertently remained on an Immigration Department's watchlist.” Inatersestatement,the police said that Mr Patterson's namewasplacedonthewatchlistin July 2023 during an ongoing investigation by the police into accusation of indecent exposure. “The Guyana Police Force has internal SOPs to deal with such issues,andafullprobeisunderway by the Office of Professional Responsibility(OPR)astowhyMr Patterson's name was not removed earlierfromthelist.Mr Patterson's namehassincebeenremovedfrom thewatchlist,"thestatementended.

Meanwhile, Patterson's lawyer, Nigel Hughes also in a statement said that on Tuesday evening, Mr PattersonwenttotheCheddiJagan International Airport for the purposesoftravellingtotheUnited States to deliver a presentation on GuyanatotheBlackCongressional

Caucus on Capitol Hill. Hughes saidafterMr Pattersonhadcleared Customs and Immigration, he was approached by Immigration officers who informed him that he was not permitted to travel. “Mr Patterson contacted his Attorneys, Hughes, Fields and Stoby, who informed him that the magistrate had expressly permitted him to travelforbusinessandprofessional reasons when he was recently charged, provided he attended the court hearing either virtually or in person.”The attorneys-at-law then engaged the Immigration officers and inquired whether they were in possession of any order of Court restraining Mr Patterson from travelling “They responded indicating that they did not have any such order neither were they aware of any such order but there was “something in the system” whichsaidMr.Pattersoncouldnot travel.” The attorneys invited the officers to engage the Head of immigration immediately as Mr Patterson's constitutional right to travel would be violated if he was preventedfromtravelling.

“The officers asked that the attorneyscallbackinfiveminutes. On the return call, the attorneys were informed that they were unable to contact the Head or DeputyHeadofImmigrationandin the light of the fact that there was

...laterissueapology,sayingitwasamistake

“something in the system” Mr Pattersonwouldnotbepermittedto leavethecountry.”HughessaidMr Patterson has since instructed that constitutional proceedings for damagesbecommencedagainstthe State.

Meanwhile, the Alliance For Change(AFC)alsocondemned“in the strongest and harshest manner, thepuerileactofvictimizationand discrimination commuted against its representative, and elected MemberofParliament,Hon.David Patterson.” The AFC said further information received revealed that a senior elected Government and PPP official, operating out of the OfficeofthePresident,orderedthat Mr Patterson be prevented from travelling. “This act of preventing the free movement of a citizen is illegal, unconstitutional, and in the contextofa2023world,downright barbaric.Ithasnoplaceinamodern and democratic society,” the AFC said. The party said the PPP is showingeventoaninvitedguestof theUSCongress,andtoallcitizens, that it alone sets the agenda, and decides who gets to go to what meetings, and who does what.

“These are the unmistakable actions of a despotic regime Obviously, apart from his strident

criticism of PPP policies, the symbolism that he is an A f r i c a n G u y a n e s e representative, and not coincidentally, enroute to a meeting of the Black Congressional Caucus, in Washington, D.C, cannot be missed,” the AFC said. “The PPP, no doubt, intended to makeastatementhereaboutits views on race relations and about Afro-Guyanese causes in particular Moreso, it sent a strong statement of rebuke to the Black Congressional Caucus, in particular, and the US Government,ingeneral.Itisironic that the act that was meant to embarrass and punish Mr Patterson, and prevent his attendance at the important gathering, has in fact, openly exposedtheliesandverynatureof themonstrousPPP,andthelengths it is prepared to go to subjugate its opposition.”

According to the AFC, the action against Patterson is a frightening development, “a wakeupcalltoallGuyanese,andto theworld,thatdespitetheglitzand glamour, things are rotten in the stateofGuyanaandallarelikelyto be consumed. The AFC firstly

demands a public apology to be issued by the President, IrfaanAli, for the misuse and abuse of his office against a citizen, and secondly, a full investigation that names who ordered this atrocity, whyitwasdone,andtobefollowed with a report on what corrective actions will be taken. The AFC intends to register a formal complaint with the US Government, the CARICOM S e c r e t a r i a t , a n d t h e Commonwealth Secretariat about thePPP'sactionsagainstanelected official. Also, legal advice will be sought on what actions can be brought by Mr Patterson for breaches of his fundamental rights.”

David Patterson at the Departure Lounge of the CJIA last night on his way to the USA after he was cleared by Immigration to travel

IDB Country Rep visits STEMGuyana team

In a significant and inspiring visit, Lorena Solano Salazar, the Country Manager of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) recently visited STEMGuyana clubhouse to meet with the talented members of Team Guyana Robotics2023.

Thisgatheringmarkedan invaluableexchangeofideas, support, and encouragement, the organization said in a press release. Ms. Salazar's visit was not merely a formality; it was a heartfelt pledge of support for the young minds embarking on an exciting journey Upon arrivingattheSTEMGuyana clubhouse, she took the time to inspect the team's robot and engaged in discussions abouttheirambitiousproject, STEMGuyanasaid.

During her interaction with the team, Ms. Salazar was apprised of the intricate and immense responsibilities associated with preparing Team Guyana for the upcoming robotics challenge in Singapore, scheduled for October 2023. Each team member introduced themselves and shared their respective roles, which encompassed engineering, p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s , administration, project management, software development, and an unwavering emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, conflict resolution, and innovation.

Ms.Salazar,impressedby the team's dedication and aspirations, shared her insights, saying, "The IDB is a development partner

working across Latin AmericaandtheCaribbeanto improve the lives of people. We invest in infrastructure, k n o w l e d g e , a n d collaboration with ministries like education and health because we understand the interconnectedness of these elements. We also invest in Infrastructure, like roads, whichisessential,notjustfor transportation but also for economic activities and integration."

Shewentontoemphasize the IDB's commitment to supportingtheprivatesector, particularly in identifying areas where innovation can flourish and positively impact society These investments she said, will provide opportunities for the young members of organizations like STEMGuyana. Ms. Salazar commended STEMGuyana for its exceptional work, h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e organization's potential to change the trajectory of the world, especially in a digital age where skills in technology and innovation arecrucial.

Acknowledging the importance of the STEMGuyana initiative, she shared the IDB's support of STEMGuyana programs, particularly in areas such as learning pods, which will benefit generations that will follow Ms. Salazar praised the team's impactful and strategic engagement, underscoring their potential for success. In her closing remarks, she encouraged the team to embrace new experiences, ideas, and approaches, emphasizing the

needfornetworkconnections and innovation With a heartfelt wish for their success, Ms Salazar concluded her visit, leaving TeamGuyanaRobotics2023 inspiredandinvigorated.

As Team Guyana Robotics 2023 continues to prepare for the international robotics challenge, Ms. Salazar's visit serves as a reminderthattheireffortsare not only recognized but also supported by leaders who believe in their potential to make a profound impact on their nation and the world at large.

Ms. Salazar is speaking with members of the robotics team and their mentors

Over 30,000 surgeries conducted through Guyana, China medical alliance

Govt. to use part of

US$97M IDB loan to digitize health records

TheGovernmentofGuyana(GoG)throughtheMinistryof Health(MoH)hasinvitedbidderstobidforthedesign,supply, andinstallationofanElectronicHealthRecord(EHR)System.

According to an advertisement in the September 27th edition of the Kaieteur News, the Government has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) towardthecostoftheHealthCareNetworkingStrengthening Programme. In December 2022, Guyana signed a US$97 millionloanwiththeIDBtostrengthenhealthserviceshere.A portion of the loan was aimed at funding the procurement of goods and services for the initial design, supply, and installationoftheElectronicHealthRecord(EHR)Systemfor theMinistryofHealth(MoH).

The relationship between Guyana and China continues to reap bountiful success, specifically in the health sector, as some 30,000 surgeries were conducted locally through partnering withtheChinesemedicalteams.

The statistics was provided by Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, while speaking at the recently held 74th anniversary of the founding ofChinaandthe30thanniversaryofthe China medical team in Guyana, at the PegasusHotel,Kingston,Georgetown.

“Over the past 30 years, a total of 19 batches of medical teams with 279 membershaveprovidedhealthservices to Guyanese even during the COVID19pandemic.TheChineseexpertshave accumulatively treated about one million local patients and performed more than 30,000 surgeries, strongly supported by the development and progress of healthcare in Guyana,”

Haiyansaid.

These medical experts also received major help from Guyanese doctors, who were quick to learn and adapt new techniques within the medicalfield.

Guyana was able to conduct its first-ever open-heart surgery and its first-of-its-kind minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries among other uniqueprocedures.

Additionally, the collaboration has deepened the trust and gratitude between Guyana and the foreign country, which saw a new batch of 19 doctors from China arriving in the country recently to render additional support.

“IwouldliketothanktheGuyanese fortheirtrust,support,andcareforthe Chinese medical teams. I believe that the Chinese medical teams will fulfill their mission and perform their duties successfully,”Haiyannoted.

She explained that these collaborations are necessary for revitalising the national spirit of each country and highlighting values of humanity such as peace, development, andequity

The Chinese ambassador further stated that her country is also learning fromGuyanaaswell,asitisoneofthe fastest-growing economies in the world.

“Guyanaisinfactonadevelopment track and is embracing great historical opportunities. Guyana demonstrates strong leadership in the areas of climate,energy,andfoodsecurity,”she stated.

Ambassador Haiyan said China is willingtoworkwithGuyanaandthatit takes President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali'srecentvisitasanewstartingpoint, to deepen mutual political trust and strengthen economic and trade cooperation.(DPI)

This strategic move is part of Guyana's commitment to enhancingitshealthcareservices,asoutlinedintheHealthCare NetworkingStrengtheningProgramme.

The Project Executing Unit (PEU) of the Health Care Networking Strengthening in Guyana is now seeking applicationsandproposalsfromeligibleandqualifiedbidders forthecrucialEHSRproject.

The Electronic Health Record system will play a pivotal role in managing and coordinating a comprehensive health informationecosystem.

Leveraging advanced information and communication technologies, it will handle data, information, knowledge, processes,standards,andmorewithinthehealthcaresystem.

Oneofthenotablefeaturesistheestablishmentofaunified identification system, complete with a national health identifier Thisidentifierwillserveasalifelongpatientrecord number across the public healthcare system, streamlining patientdatamanagement.Theselectionprocessfortheproject willbecarriedoutthroughInternationalCompetitiveBidding (ICB),followingtheIDB'sspecifiedprocedures.Biddersfrom eligible source countries, as defined by the IDB policies, are invitedtoparticipate.

For further details and information, interested bidders can reach out to the Health Care Network Strengthening Programme at the Ministry of Health during office hours or throughemailatprocurement.hens@gmail.com.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips and persons from China's medical team.

President Ali IsDB head reaffirm support for enhancing economic growth and development

Duringthefirstleg of his tour of IsDB's South Americanmembercountries, Islamic Development Bank President,Dr MuhammadAl Jasser, on Monday met with President Irfaan Ali, where the two sides reaffirmed commitment to further enhance socioeconomic developmentcooperation.

The IsDB President, during the meeting, expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana for the continued support and cooperation, a Ministry of Finance press release stated. The two sides then reviewed the progress in IsDB development projects in Guyana including the construction of hydropower plantsintheMocoMocoand Kumu areas which will increase the share of renewables in the country's energymix.

"We are proud of our relationship with IsDB," Guyana's President, H.E. Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali reiteratedduringthemeeting with the IsDB President said according to the release "Guyanaaspirestobecomea global leader in energy, food & climate security and build an economy that will remain resilient for the long term," PresidentAliisalsoquotedas saying.

The President further outlined his vision for Guyana's development trajectory including the b u i l d i n g o u t o f transformative infrastructure thatiscriticaltosecuringthe country's competitiveness goingforward.

IsDB President, stated: "Building a vibrant

infrastructure in Guyana indicates the determination of the country's leadership. I am impressed by the very entrepreneurial and driven team work to realize the country's vision. Seeing a country building wealth is good news for all developmentpractitioners.”

The two leaders also discussed innovative financing for present and future development projects in various sectors including those in Energy, Private Sector Development, Education,andTransport.

Earlier, Dr Muhammad Al Jasser attended a meeting chaired by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, where he exchanged views with several cabinet ministers includingtheSeniorMinister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister ofHousingandWaterCollin Croal and Minister of Public WorksBishopJuanEdghill.

Dr Singh highlighted to Dr Muhammed Al-Jasser and the IsDB delegation Guyana'seffortstopromotea strong non-oil economy and in particular, one that is diversified and resilient. He reiterated that agriculture willcontinuetobeamainstay of the country's non-oil economy

Guyana's Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha,elaboratedonhow the country is striving to become the food hub of the Caribbean region while underlining the progress achieved in production of cropssuchassoyabeansand corn that are central to food security TheIsDBPresident, in his remarks, stated: “It is

Gold miner faces charge for armed robbery

Twenty-five-year-old

Adam Knight of Lot 35

Haslington, East Coast

Demerarawasonchargedon Tuesday for the offence of robberyunderarms.

Police stated in a press release that Knights was arrested by a detective from the Cove and John Police Station. He was charged for the offence of robbery under arms, contrary to section 222(c) of the Criminal Law OffencesAct,Chapter8:01.

impressive to see that Guyana's agriculture is not relegatedtothelowerrolein the economy.” He further

added: “I am moved by seeingyoungpeopleworking a s a g r i c u l t u r a l entrepreneurs ” Guyana,

home to more than 750 thousand people, joined IsDBin2016andmaintainsa growing development

portfolio with IsDB which fallsinlinewiththecountry's national development plans andpriorities.

Man charged: Adam Knights

The defendant appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded guilty and was fined $75,000 or six monthsimprisonment.

Pakistan, West Indies, USA secure semifinal spots in MCW Over 40s Cricket Global Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan, West Indies and United States of America (USA) confirmed their places for the semifinals of the inaugural MCW Over 40 Cricket Global Cup 2023 while Australia, Hong Kong and Canada remain in the hunt for a spot in the top four at the end of the penultimate round of league matches on Wednesday.

Hosts Pakistan extended its unbeaten run by whipping Hong Kong by 157 runs at National Bank Stadium, Australia came back into the reckoning by whacking United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 226 runs at NBP Sports Complex, West Indies consolidated its position by whipping Canada by 103 runs at Karachi Gymkhana while USA stayed

afloat by demolishing Nepal by nine wickets at Moin Khan Academy.

Opener Junaid Khalil Nainitalwala and left-arm

spinner Abdul Qadir starred in Pakistan’s emphatic 157run victory over Hong Kong. Junaid (81 off 87 balls) was named Man of the Match as he added 133 for first wicket in 21 overs with Muhammad Ilyas (66 off 64 balls). Amjad Ali (68 off 59 balls) sustained the momentum while Waqas Ahmed (41 off 25 balls) provided a late flourish to take the total to an imposing 328 for eight in the allotted 45 overs. Hong Kong succumbed to the scoreboard pressure, getting bowled out for 171 in 40.4 overs. They had no answer to the left-arm spin

of Abdul Qadir, who returned the impressive figures of five for 17 off nine overs in which three were maidens. Opener Naveed Tariq Khwaja (45 off 61 balls) top scored for Hong Kong with Bodhisatya Guha (38 off 60 balls) and Khan Zar (32 off 36 balls) contributing their bit down the order.

Captain Narsingh Deonarine, once again, won the toss and decided to take first strike. Openers Shazan Babwah and Hemraj Garbarran were both back in the pavilion with the score on 19 for 2. Devon Clements had a rare failure with the bat playing over a delivery to be bowled with West Indies precariously poised at 36 for 3. Randy Thomas was promoted to number 4 and was then

Friday September 28, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

You're feeling especially loving, attractive, and romantic, so romance is likely to be on your mind. Romantic novels and movies could seem especially appealing. If you're currently involved.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

An increased level of ESP and imagination could have you feeling more creative and artistic. You might want to channel this energy into writing, painting, or adding touches to your living room.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

An attractive neighbor with whom you seem to share a bond could become a friend. A group you're affiliated with could be expressing highly idealized goals and purposes.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Dreams of a new career could fill your mind today, perhaps because of too much stress in your current one. You might even think of becoming a movie star.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Spiritual goals may be at the top of your priority list now, Leo. You may be looking for online metaphysical seminars or meditation workshops, perhaps taking place in a distant state or foreign country.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Lovely dreams could spark your imagination and get your artistic abilities going. You could learn a lot about yourself and whatever has been limiting you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

A new friend could arrive today, Libra. You're probably going to like this person very much. He or she probably shares many of your interests. You could become close friends.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

If you've been thinking about a job change or even a new career, a chance interaction could provide the opportunity. However, Scorpio, remember, "If something seems too good to be true.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A journey by air to a distant place might be on your mind, though you might not make it for a long time. Knowledge is important to you, and you can be insatiably curious. This is likely to be one of those days.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

The desire to beautify your home could hit you full force today, Capricorn. Perhaps you're expecting future visitors or house guests and want to make a good impression.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A new neighbor could arrive who you feel especially drawn to, Aquarius. You might have high hopes for a friendship with this person. He or she may seem especially congenial and share a lot of your interests.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You could be feeling especially sociable today. Maybe there's a virtual party of some kind you want to be invited to.

joined by Lawrence Farnum who together sought to repair the damage. At the first 15 overs interval they had reached 64 without further loss and added 112 runs partnership before Thomas departed at 148 when he had just completed his first half century of the tournament just before the 30 overs drinks break. Thomas’s innings contained 6 boundaries. Farnum was then joined by Dary Balgobin who had featured in several cameos in the previous matches and now had an opportunity to bat for a full 15 overs. He added 69 in partnership with Farnum who had just passed his 50 when he joined him with Farnum bringing up his century in the 37th over after completely dominating the partnership with Balgobin. Farnum then retired hurt at after completing his century (13 boundaries) which then paved the way for captain Deonarine to join Balgobin. Together they added 63 in quick time before Dary departed at 280 for another cameo of 46 off 33 balls with 3 x 4s and 3 x 6s with 2 overs to go. Sanjiv Gooljar then came in and thrashed 21 off 8 balls with 2 @ 4s and 2 @6s to guide West Indies to their highest ever ODI score (311 for 7) in masters’ cricket history. Captain Narsingh contributed a masterful 38 off 21 deliveries with 1@ 4 and 3 @ 6s.

Canada started off very well rattling up 77 off the first 15 overs when the first wicket fell. Beesham Seepersaud’s four-wicket haul left the Canadians wobbling at 79 for 4 in the 19th over. Thereafter they never recovered, and WI earned an emphatic 103-run victory against Canada.The 77-run opening stand in 15 overs between Shaikh Nasir (100 off 107 balls) and Ayaz Ali (41 off 46 balls) kept the Canadian hopes of chasing down 312 alive but they were derailed after losing four wickets for just one run. The collapse was engineered by leftarm spinner Seepersaud which put West Indies in decisive control of the proceedings.

Australia, fighting for survival after hiccups in their earlier matches, managed to put their acts together to thrash UAE by a colossal margin of 226 runs. Batting first, after winning the toss, they posted a healthy total of 288 for eight in the stipulated 45 overs as openers Martin Raadschelders (33 off 37 balls) and Craig Mackay (26 off 31 balls) provided a solid start. Useful contributions from Luke Johnson (36 off 29 balls) and Justin Poole (43 off 36 balls) kept the scoreboard ticking and the timely little

cameo by Mark Leard (39 off 31 balls) helped their cause immensely. UAE lost wickets upfront and couldn’t recover to build any kind of partnership. None of their top eight batsmen reached double figures and the whole team was bundled out for a paltry 62 in 18.4 overs. Off-spinner Tim MacDonald (5-36), who shared the new ball with Chris Dickson (2-18) caused the main damage to ensure a huge win for the Aussies.

USA encountered no problems in taming Nepal, who remained the only team without a point in the tournament. Opener Robin Joshi (67 off 105 balls) once again remained the standout batter for Nepal as he was denied support by his teammates once more. They could barely get to a below-par total of 157 for nine in the allotted 45 overs with the spin quartet of Ameeq

Khan (2-19), Muhammad Farrukh (2-25), Ajay Sharma (2-29) and Irfan Rabbani (235) coming up with yet another clinical performance. USA needed just 21.1 overs to overhaul the target of 158, with Jan Nisar Khan (70 off 54 balls) and Muhammad Farrukh (65 off 60 balls) adding 134 for their unbroken second wicket stand. Both returned undefeated with skipper Farrukh earning Man of the Match for his allround efforts. The league phase will be concluding with the seventh and final round on Thursday in which Pakistan will take on UAE at National Bank Stadium, West Indies will clash with Hong Kong at Karachi Gymkhana, Australia will lock horns with Nepal at Moin Khan Academy and USA will be pitted against Canada at NBP Sports Complex.

Project“CricketGearforyoung...

Frompage39 cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair ofwicketkeepingglovesand asetofstumpsandbails.

Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem and youth coach, Travis Persaud,softballteamsinthe Upper Corentyne area,

No.65YoungTitansandJust TryCC. Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana Skills,disciplineand education are important characteristics of the recipients Talent spotting is beingdoneacrossthecountry

andclubleadersalsoassistto identify talent Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth programmewillalsobenefit.

Distribution will continue. Anyoneinterested to contribute can contact AnilBeharryon6236875or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

Powerhousescollideinopening...

Fromoage41

Sachin Singh, Jonathan Pampersaud, Christopher Barnwell (Vice-captain), Raymond Perez, Shamar Yearwood, Joshua Persaud, Jeremiah Scott, Carlos La Rose, Aryan Persaud, Isai Thorne, Zeynul Ramsammy, Cylus Tyndall, Ushardeva

Fans to win prizes at Prime Minister’s Softball Cup this Sunday, compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre

Balgobin

Stand-by: Shahid Viera, Zachery Jodah, RobinWilliams,OrlandJailall, Kwesi Mickle, Suresh Dhanai, Kishaun Tracy HeadCoach-CliveGrimmond Manager–RavindranauthSeeram

Not only winning t e a m s a n d outstanding, individual players will receivelucrativeprizesatthe Prime Minister’s Softball Cup 3-day tournament, but fansaswell.

Regal Stationery and Computer Centre of 69 S e a f o r t h S t r e e t , Campbellville, Georgetown, will be giving away a number of prizes during the finals at the Demerara Cricket Club ground in Queenstown,Georgetown.

On Sunday, they will be having the championship games commencing at 09:00am and concluding underlights.

Some of the things fans

can do like; Take a catch, predict a winner, best dressed fan, who was MVP in the Legends category last year among others. They must check with executives of the GSCL Inc for more details.Notably,theseprizes are only for fans and not playersorofficials.

T h e t h r e e - d a y extravaganzapromisestobe excitingfromtodaywiththe ladieswhiletheboyswillbe in action from tomorrow, FridaytoSundaynight.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e GeorgetownSoftballCricket League Inc will be hosting the mega softball event in collaborationwiththeOffice ofthePrimeMinisterandthe Ministry of Culture, Youth

andSport.TeamsfromUSA, Canada and Guyana will be onshow

The three men’s categories are: Legends (Over-50), Masters (Over40) and All-Stars (Open). Twenty/twenty for the men and 15-overs for the girls. Over$3Mupforgrabs.

Listofitemstobewon:

1: TV Smart Screen 32" &24".

2:Egg-Cooker

3:Coffee-Maker

4:ElectricIron

5:Blender

6:KitchenKnives

7:Sandwich-Maker

8:Air-Fryer

9:Oven

10:Pressure-Pot

11:Mini-FoodChopper

Uruguay stage second-half rally to beat Namibia 36-26

LYON, France, (Reuters) - Fullback

BaltazarAmayascoredtwotriesasUruguay overturned a halftime deficit to defeat illdisciplinedNamibia36-26forabonus-point victory in Lyon yesterday and send the African side home from another Rugby WorldCupwithoutawin.

Namibia led 20-12 at the break after scoring tries through wingers Gerswin Mouton and JC Greyling in the opening 11 minutes,buthavingplayedfourgamesin19 days, the most punishing schedule of any teaminthetournament,theycouldnotsustain thechallenge.

Uruguay looked lively throughout the PoolAclashandscoredtriesthroughhooker German Kessler, scrumhalf Santiago Arata andwingerBautistaBassoastheyclaimeda fourthWorldCupvictoryintheirhistorywith agameagainstNewZealandtocomeonOct. 5. Second-half yellow cards for prop Johan CoetzeeandcaptainTjiueeUanivi,andared forreplacementfrontrowDesideriusSethie, sealed Namibia’s fate as their record World Cuplosingstreakstretchedto26matches. Uruguay also received a yellow card for flankerEricDosantosasthetackletechnique ofbothsideswasexposed.

Rampant Nepal rewrite cricket record books in Asian Games mismatch

AFP- Nepal became the firstmen’steaminhistoryto score more than 300 runs in T20 international cricket yesterdayastheyrewrotethe record books against parttimersMongoliaattheAsian Games.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, they bludgeoned314-3intheir20 overs in Hangzhou, beating theprevioushighestof278-3 by Afghanistan against Irelandin2019.

Teenager Kushal Malla, batting number three, spearheaded the onslaught by crashing the fastest T20 international century, off 34 balls The 19-year-old’s whirlwind innings eclipsed the previous quickest held jointly by South African David Miller, India’s Rohit Sharma and the Czech Republic’s Sudesh Wickramasekara, who all took35balls.

Left-hander Malla, who made his Nepal debut when he was just 15, went on to finishon137notoutoffjust

Ageneral view of the Asian Games cricket ground. (Ishara S. KODIKARA)

continueonThursday,while Nepal will face the Indian Ocean nation on Saturday Asian cricket giants India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will join the preliminarygroupwinnersat next week’s quarter-final stage. Mongolia’s women’s team were in tears last week after bowling 38 wides and losing by 172 runs to Indonesiaontheopeningday ofactionattheAsianGames.

50 balls. It was his maiden T20 international century andhesmacked12sixesand eightfours.

Nepal’s batsmen were rampantonasunnymorning at the Zhejiang University for Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field, captain Rohit Paudel creaming 61 off 27 ballswithsixsixes.

But it was Dipendra SinghAireewhofinishedthe inningsinridiculousfashion

against the hapless Mongolianbowlers,hittinga scarcely believable eight sixesinanunbeaten52off10 balls.Thepowerful23-yearoldracedtohisfiftyoffnine balls, another T20 world record, and one that should stand in perpetuity as it mathematically impossible to reach the landmark any quicker.His astonishing knockshatteredtheprevious mark of 12 balls by India’s

CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow debunks claims that Barbados will host ICC World Cup finals

SportsMax - In a potentially embarrassing development for Barbados Cricket,DrKishoreShallow, thepresidentofCricketWest Indies (CWI), has poured c o l d w a t e r o n a pronouncement from Conde RileythatBarbadoshasbeen selectedtohostthe2024ICC WorldCupfinal.

TheInternationalCricket Council announced last week that seven Caribbean countries, and the United States, will host matches in the prestigious tournament that began in 1975 Dominica, Guyana, St Lucia, St Vincent and the

Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and TobagoandBarbadosarethe Caribbean countries selected.

A l s o , i n a n unprecedented decision, the ICCalsostatedthatmatches willalsobeplayedinTexas, FloridaandNewYorkinthe UnitedStates.

According to reports, Riley, who was recently reelected to the post of president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), that he was in possession of documentation that said his countrywouldbehostingthe finalsnextsummer

“Basedonthedocuments that Barbados is earmarked fromCricketWestIndiesand ICCtohostthefinal,asemifinal and a number of games…”

However, speaking on the Mason and Guest sports talk show in Barbados on Tuesday night, Dr Shallow debunked those claims, saying, “Nothing has been communicated back from ICC to Cricket West Indies aboutthefinals.”

The statement from the CWI president has left the B a r b a d o s C r i c k e t Association with potential eggontheirfaces.

SpaincelebrateWorldCupwin...

Frompage38 culpableagainforthesecondgoal,whenshe fumbled Bonmati’s soft volley from Olga Carmona’s cross over the line in first-half stoppagetime.

Barcelona playmaker and World Cup player of the tournament Bonmati pounced again after the break with a higher calibre strike,steeringhomesuperblyfromtheedge ofthebox.InmaGabarrotappedinthefourth after Herzog spilled Athenea del Castillo’s shotintoherpath.

RealMadrid’sMaiteOrozsavedthebest for last with a sensational half-volley from outside the area which ripped into the top

corner Spain made it clear once again that despite the toll their fight for equality is taking, on the pitch they are head and shouldersabovetherest.

“The positive thing is we got over our problems, we were able to think about football, to change the focus,” Tome told reporters.

“These (games) were my debut as a coach, my first time, and I told the players I wasproudIwasdoingitwiththem.

“Ilearnedsomethings andI’msurethat whenIthinkaboutit,downtheline,thatithas beenveryuseful.”

Yuvraj Singh against England in 2007, when the all-rounder hit six sixes off the final over bowled by Stuart Broad. - Huge win margin - Nepal’s 26 sixes in theinningswasalsoarecord, beating Afghanistan’s 22 againstIreland.

Mongolia, whose women’s team were bowled out for 15 last week at the Asian Games, were dismissed for 41 in 13.1

overs Nepal’s winning margin of 273 runs was the biggest, in terms of runs, ever in a men’s T20 international — greater than the Czech Republic’s 257runmarginagainstTurkeyin 2019. Mongolia’s cricketers have had baptism of fire in theirfirstAsianGames. Their men will have to pickthemselvesupintimeto play the Maldives when the men’s preliminary rounds

It was their debut at an internationaltournamentand halfoftheplayershadnever travelled outside of Mongolia before Before 2016therehadnotevenbeen a cricket pitch in Mongolia and for many players it was their first experience of playingongrasswickets.

“I know we’ve only made15runsbutnoneofour girls have played the game for longer than two years,” saidcoachDavidTalalla.

“The whole idea is the longer picture — cricket in Mongolia, who would have thoughtit?”

Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana” provides Cricket gear for young cricketers through Star Sports, Trophies and Awards

Severalyoungcricketers, ages 9 to 13 of Just Try Cricket Club, Upper Corentyne, recently benefited from a gear bag filled with batting pads, batting and wicketkeeper pads, cricket shoes and a helmet, compliments of Sheik Mohamed, Owner of Start Sports Trophies and Awards,Enmore,EastCoast, Demerara. The aim of the newlyformcricketclubisto keep the youths off the streets and constructively occupied and at the same time, create an opportunity for them. The kids were delighted for the gear while this initiative is happy to be partoftheirdevelopment.

Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $370,000 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms, two trophies, seventeen pairs of cricket boots, thirty one pairs of batting pads, thirty two cricket bats, twenty nine pairs of batting gloves, twenty three thigh pads, threepairsofwicketkeeping pads, five arm guards, two boxes, ten cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets and one softball cricket bat. In

addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donatedbySheikMohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available atthetime.

To date, sixty seven young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from three junior gearbags,twotrophies,four arm guards, twenty seven bats, two boxes, five helmets, twenty three pairs ofcricketshoes,fifteenpairs

of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber, twenty four pairs of batting gloves a n d t w o p a i r s o f wicketkeepinggloves. In addition, two clubs in thePomeroonareabenefited from two used bats Pomeroon, Leguan and Wa k e n a m C r i c k e t CommitteesandCottonTree Die Hard also received one boxofredcricketballseach, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteencoloruniformswhile RHCCCC received three boxesofballs,fifteenwhite (Continuedonpage38)

Young cricketers proudly display their gear

Spain celebrate World Cup win with record crowd for Switzerland romp

AFP - Spain’s Women’s World Cup winners were given a rapturous reception as they played for the first time at home after their triumph, thrashing Switzerland 5-0 in the Nations League on Tuesday infrontofarecordcrowd.

Captains Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes presented the trophy to jubilant supporters in Cordoba and thesquadsportedwristbands reading“It’sOver”—anod to the charge the players are leading in the protracted battleforequality

La Roja’s triumph in Australia and New Zealand in August was regrettably tarnishedbythebehaviourof former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales, who forcibly kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony.

The disgraced chief resigned,whilecontroversial coach Jorge Vilda was

sacked, but dozens of internationals stayed on strike, demanding further federationimprovements.

Eventually the majority ofnewcoachMontseTome’s squadagreedtoparticipatein theNationsLeaguematches, despite being called up against their will, as the Spanish government intervened to broker a deal between the federation and theplayers.

Hermoso was not includedinthesquad,which Tome said was to “protect” her SpainbeatSweden3-2in Gothenburg last Friday and then crushed Switzerland to take a stranglehold on top spotinLeagueAGroup4.

The two eventual Nations League finalists qualify for next year’s OlympicGamesinParis.

Spain earned a new record home attendance of 14,194 supporters, albeit a far cry from the 76,000 in

Sydney that watched their firstWorldCuptriumph.

“We really wanted to celebratetheWorldCupwith the fans, we’re proud to see the stadium full today,” said Bonmati.

Various players spoke of the anxiety and stress they sufferedlastweekbeforethe winoverSweden,aswellas the tiredness and sleepless nights they accumulated after the World Cup, and beforeadealwasreached.

UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Aitana Bonmati said the situation was “calming down” before the visit of Switzerland and playersweregladtofocuson thefootballonceagain.

There was a party atmosphere at the Nuevo Arcangel stadium, with chants of “champions of the world” ringing out around theground.

Howevertheteam’sfight against sexism remained in thespotlight,asplayersfrom

both sides held up a banner with the “It’s Over” slogan, used by Hermoso and other stars in the wake of the Rubialesincident.

“Our fight is the global fight,”thebannercontinued. World Cup runners-up England,Australiaandother national teams have sent messages of support to the

Spain squad over the past month, encouraging their protestaction.

-BonmatibraceS p a i n t h r a s h e d Switzerland5-1intheWorld Cup round of 16 and dominated again from the start on a muggy Cordoba night.

Two-time Ballon d’Or

winner Putellas lashed over early on, while Eva Navarro spurnedtwogoodchances.

Lucia Garcia sent La Roja ahead after Mariona Caldenteyinterceptedapoor pass from Switzerland goalkeeper Elvira Herzog after 15 minutes The unfortunatestopperwas

(Continuedonpage38)

Quadrangular Masters football set for today’s holiday

An Invitational Masters football festival involving fourteamsissetfortheGFC ground today,Youman Nabi holiday

The over 55s roundrobineventwillbecontested among: Pele Masters, LindenMasters,Club45and RastafarEye Patriarchs. The line-upofeachteamwillalso includefourplayersbetween the ages of 50 and 54, but only two could be on the pitchduringagame.

Atstakewillbeanumber of Trophies donated by friends of the Guyana Football Association of Masters (GUYFAM) Among the donors are: SnooksJewelleryofLinden, Golden Smile, Mark Shurland ofAtlanta, as well as past Hockey players Ivor Thompson, Dexter Wyles and Dr Claude Gooding of California.

A number of past nationalplayersareexpected to lace up their boots again and take to the field to challenge for the Championship Guyana’s past outstanding youth and senior goal scorer Vibert ButtswillleadthePatriarchs which will also include another former youth and

senior national, Christopher Barnwell.

Club 45 will be spearheaded by the evergreen former National, Terrence ‘Old Head’ Lewis along with Eyon Wills, Shawn ‘Cappy’ Jacobs and Dallas Sharples among others The former powerfully built youth and senior forward, Herbert Pellew will be in the Pele unit alongside ex-national youth midfielder Dennis ‘Chow Hunte, Michael PedroandGaryErskine.

The Linden contingent will be led by Garfield ‘Snooks’ Shepherd and will be inclusive of Compton Duncan,MarlonWashington andGregoryGriffith.

The 40-minute matches will be six all told and kicks ofat09:30hrswhenClub45 tackle RastafarEye Patriarchs and in the 2nd match up Linden face Pele from10:30am.

At1pm,itwillbeLinden versus Club 45, Pele meet Patriarchs at 2pm and in the penultimate game set for 3:30pm, Club 45 confront Pele.The final game at 4:30 pm will bring together Linden and RastafarEye Patriarchs.

Spain captains Irene Paredes (L) and Alexia Putellas raise the Women’s World Cup trophy in front of a recordcrowd in Cordoba. (CRISTINA QUICLER)

Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Inter- County Super50 Tournament… Powerhouses collide in opening match as Berbice/Demerara clash at Blairmont Ground

-Hetmyer,Shepherd,Motie,Sinclair,Chanderpaul,Rutherfordamongstarstofeature

In preparation for the upcomingRegionalSuper50 tournament, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) will bowl off the Senior InterC o u n t y S u p e r 5 0 tournament, starting on Saturday September 30 at BlairmontGround.

Several Guyana/West Indies marquee players will be on show as they seek to solidify spots in the Guyana Harpy Eagles team, as Guyanaisonamissionfora clean sweep of Regional Senior Male Tournaments, having won the West Indies Championship 4-Day tournament in April and the just concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title, wonbytheGuyanaAmazon Warriors.

Some of those Warriors who will suit up for their respective counties include Shimron Hetmyer, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd,KevlonAnderson, Shamar Joseph, Kevin Sinclar, Ronsford Beaton, and Chandrapaul Hemraj to name a few, will represent their respective counties

The electric Junior Sinclair has been appointed captain of the GCB Select XI while Christopher Barnwell will serveashisdeputywherehe isexpectedtogiveguidance and support to young Sinclairandco.

Saturday’s opening round will see longtime rivalsDemeraraandBerbice getting action underway

Berbice will be led by leading wicket-taker in the Caribbean, Veerasammy

PermaulwhowillhaveWest Indies all-rounder Shepherd ashisdeputy

Astrong Berbice county team will also rely on the talents of the Sinclair, Anderson, Joseph, Hetmyer, Johnathan Foo, Nial Smith, Clinton Pestano, Rampertab Ramnauth and Anthony Bramble.

Led by Tevin Imlach, Demerara will bank on the services of; current Test opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul while former WestIndiesplayersSherfane RutherfordandChandrapaul Hemraj,willhelpshepherda young core; featuring Guyana’s future stars in Matthew Nandu, Mavendra

Dindyal, Akshaya Persaud, Qumar Torrington and others.

Following Saturday’s opening match, the second match of round 1 will continueonOctober1stwith more intense cricket action as last year’s runner-up EssequibotakesontheGCB Select XI at GCC, Bourda. Round 2 will be played on Tuesday, October 3 with Berbice facing GCB Select XI at Enmore while

Demerara battles Essequibo at GCC On Thursday, Berbice face Essequibo at GCC in a rematch of last year’s final while Demerara comes up against GCB Select XI at Enmore. The final will be played at GCC onSaturday,October7.

All matches are scheduled to start at 09:00 hours and will be live streamed on the GCB Facebookpage.

The Demerara players including the reserves and those named in the GCB SelectXIwereinvolvedina training session yesterday at theGCC.

B e r b i c e t e a m ; Veerasammy Permaul (Captain), Romario Shepherd (Vice-captain), Kevin Sinclair, Rampertab Ramnauth, Kevlon

Anderson, Shimron

Hetmyer, Johnathan Foo, Anthony Bramble,

Gudakesh Motie, Nial Smith, Shamar Joseph, Clinton Pestano and Nigel Deodat.

Stand-by: Suresh

Dhanai, Kelvin Umrao and DemetriCameron.

Head Coach-Julian Moore Manager-Travis Harcourt.

Essequibo Team-

Anthony Adams, Kemol

Savory, Ronsford Beaton, Ricardo Adams, Kevon

Boodie, Quentin Sampson, Neiland Codugan, Garfield

Phillips, Jadon Campbell, Sherland Anthony, David Williams,MalcomHobbard, Wazim Mohamed and NormanFredricks

Standby-AyranPersaud, Shaheed Veira, Orlando Jailall, Keshun Tracy Rajendra Ramballi and JoshuaJones.

Manager- Yogeshwar

Lall

Demerara Team- Tevin Imlach-Captain,Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu,

Akshaya Persaud- ViceCaptain,MavendraDindyal, SherfaneRutherford,Steven Sankar, Richie Looknauth, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed, Devon Lord, Qumar

Torrington, Floy Joseph, BernardBailey

Stand-by: Daniel

Mootoo, Riyad Latif, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Krisna Singh, Brandon

JaikaranandLaurelParks. Head Coach- Garvin Nedd Manager- Surendra Hiralal GCB Select XIJuniorSinclair(Captain), (Continuedonpage38)

Fans to win prizes at Prime Minister’s Softball Cup this Sunday, compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre Sports

CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow debunks claims that Barbados will host ICC World Cup finals

Rampant Nepal rewrite cricket record books in Asian Games mismatch

Prime Minister Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips bowls off a previous tournament. Fans will get in on the goodies this year

CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow

Uruguay’s Nicolas Freitas in action with Namibia’s Prince Gaoseb. (REUTERS/Paul Childs)