Guyana Times - Thursday, June 1, 2023.pdf

Petrous Ross-Latchman and Gabrielle Ross

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Dominican Republic Ambassador accredited …commitment made for bilateral cooperation to be strengthened

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday accepted the letters of credence from the Dominican Republic Ambassador to Guyana, Ernesto Torres Pereyra even as the Head of State noted the importance of bilateral ties between the two countries being strengthened.

The letters of credence for Ambassador Pereyra were accepted at State House. During the ceremony, the President was accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper.

Guyana and the Dominican Republic established bilateral relations in October 1970. President Ali informed the Ambassador that the two countries should strengthen their bilateral relations and work towards enhancing the lives of their respective people.

It was announced earlier this year by Minister Todd, during his Budget 2023 debate presentation in the National Assembly, that the Dominican Republic would be setting up an Embassy in Guyana later this year – one of two Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries slated to do this, the other being Colombia.

Minister Todd had said at the time that the interest of these two countries in setting up Embassies signalled Guyana’s upward trajectory and their efforts since 2020 to repair Guyana’s international image.

“As I speak, the Guatemalans are preparing to establish an Embassy in Guyana. As I speak, the Colombians are preparing to re-establish an Embassy here in Guyana.

As I speak, the Dominican Republic is preparing to establish an Embassy here in Georgetown.

“Our international im-

age has been repaired. It is on the move, being led by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali,” Todd said, referencing events under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government when Ministers were sanctioned by the US Government for not respecting results from the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

It was only in April of this year also that the announcement was made of the introduction of flights from Guyana to Canada and Houston, Texas in the United States by Dominican Republic-based airline SkyCana.

President Ali made the announcement following a meeting with SkyCana Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Diaz Gonzalez, that the airline would commence the Guyana-to-Canada route from June 1, 2023. The airline will also fly to Houston.

SkyCana is a Dominican Republic company with a fleet that includes 3AIRBUS A321; 4- AIRBUS A320; 1- AIRBUS A330-

300 and 1- AIRBUS A330200. SkyCana is looking to fly three times a week to Canada.

Senior Minister within

the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, and Director of Presidential Affairs, Marcia Nadir-Sharma were also at the engagement with the airline officials.

Earlier this year, it was announced that SkyCana was exploring business opportunities in the Guyana market. Gonzalez had met with officials of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on March 27, 2023 to discuss potential areas for partnership.

During that meeting, possible flight operations between Houston, Texas, and Toronto, Canada, via the Dominican Republic were discussed. The stops in the Dominican Republic will only be for refuelling. The CEO had shared that his company was aiming to connect Guyanese with more destinations and supply the needs of travellers in the country.

“We are here to collaborate with Guyana…and bring more operation, in terms to connect with many destinations…you can travel and enjoy. We have aircraft up to 377 seat; we can… supply any needs that you have here in the country,” Gonzalez had boasted. (G3)

President Dr Irfaan Ali and newly-accredited Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Guyana, Ernesto Torres Pereyra

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, June 1 – 02:30h-04:00h and Friday, June 2 – 03:00h-04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, June 1 – 14:20h-15:50h and Friday, June 2 – 15:10h-16:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery and light rain showers are expected, interrupted by late-afternoon sunshine, during the day and into the night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 14:43h reaching a maximum height of 2.49 metres.

Low Tide: 08:16h and 20:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metre and 0.72 metre.

Summit of South American Leaders Leaders agree on high-level group to map out integration pathway for South America

There were a number of decisions taken at the Summit of South American Leaders, including a commitment to establish a high-level group, featuring representatives of various countries, who will collaborate and map out a pathway to accelerate South American integration.

A number of proposals on the way forward were agreed to during the summit in Brazil on Tuesday, where President Dr Irfaan Ali and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd represented Guyana. One such proposal was the establishment of a high-level group that would come up with a strategy to increase South American integration.

“The Presidents reaffirmed the common vision of South America as a region of peace and cooperation,

LOTTERY NUMBERS

based on dialogue and on the respect for the diversity of our peoples; committed to democracy and human rights, sustainable development and social justice,

the upholding of sovereignty and non-interference,” a statement from the Office of the President said. This high-level group would comprise representatives of the various countries, led by their respective Foreign Ministers. Upon completion of their work, these proposals would be submitted to the respective Heads of State for consid-

next steps.

A commitment was also made to work towards increasing trade and investments in the region with the aim of maintaining a South American Free Trade Area. The merits of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), which last met with its full complement of leaders in 2014, were also agreed on by the leaders.

According to the statement, the leaders “recognised the contribution of the different South American integration mechanisms, including UNASUR, and reaffirmed the shared objective of having an inclusive, effective and permanent South American platform of dialogue and cooperation, which is capable of promoting and maintaining the South American integration process, and projecting the voice of the region in a multipolar world.”

eration. It was also agreed that the leaders would meet again, at a date and place to be determined, to review the progress made on South American cooperation initiatives, and determine the

According to the leaders, there is need for an inclusive and permanent platform where dialogue can be exchanged and the region can be represented to the wider world.

It was further agreed to “promptly promote South American cooperation initiatives open to the participation of all interested parties, with a social and gender approach in areas that concern the immediate needs of citizens, in particular the most vulnerable, including indigenous peoples; such as health, food security, food systems based on traditional agriculture, the environment, water resources, natural disasters, infrastructure and logistics, energy interconnection and clean energy, digital transformation, defense, border integration and security, and cybersecurity.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd in Brazil

The leaders during discussions in the Summit of South American Leaders TURN

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"Operation Shakedown"

In some schools in the USA, metal detectors are common, as sometimes is the presence of a Police patrol on the outskirts.

Some may be tempted to ask why, in a country that is rich and is the bastion of freedom and democracy. Others may counter that exactly because of what the country represents, it can afford to have such mechanisms in place. The answer basically lies in trying to curb violence in schools.

While the measures may appear to some as being extreme, given what unfortunately happened in the past, when lives were senselessly lost to bullets, they may be deemed inadequate. After all, it has not stopped. Other menaces are bullying and gang-related violence. These are the harsh realities in some institutions of learning there, with an obvious negative impact on the student population involved.

It is not confined there, and is prevalent in many other places. In Guyana, we are seeing a collaboration between the Guyana Police Force and the Education Ministry, wherein random searches are being conducted at schools for weapons. Surprisingly, drugs, knives, screwdrivers, condoms, lighters, spanners and needles were confiscated during random searches along the East Coast of Demerara.

An important aspect of the Education Ministry’s collaboration with the Police is that the partnership involves discussion on topics of violence, crime committed at schools, gang fighting, taking offensive weapons to school, the consequences of using offensive weapons at school, being on the streets after school, respect for teachers, and cybercrimes.

Who would have thought that in the process of getting an education here in Guyana, safety in schools is becoming a primary concern? With the threats in question, it seems rightfully so.

In Guyana, we have seen several teachers being beaten by parents, and also, in the past, there were several cases wherein students fought with their teachers. Over time, there were other reports of students being stabbed by others or hurt by other means. Bullying, which is just another form of abuse, and even violence, was reported to be highly prevalent in many schools.

In one instance, a fight among St Joseph High School students, which went viral on social media, is a good example of violence in schools.

Those represent reported cases, as the understanding is that many are unreported out of fear of repercussion.

Solace must not be taken in living in a changing world. Violence over the years, and its extensive coverage through the media, has led to seeming immunity to the gory images, and now makes for casual reading.

This must not be allowed to slip into the mindsets of students and teachers. They must be free from such psychological stress, and be able to focus on learning to build much needed capacity for the future of the country. All have an integral role to play in helping to repel this scourge.

While there may be compelling arguments over what may be the reasons perpetrators act the way they do, and the spread of violence, immediate mitigating measures have to be derived and implemented.

Random Police searches, while a potential deterrent, may not be enough in the long term, as sustainability could become an issue.

Many have argued that parents and guardians need to be more involved and aware of what their children are doing, keeping an eye on any possible worrying sign. While that could still be effective in many ways, there is a challenge as the child approaches adulthood. At that stage, one’s space and privacy could present barriers. There are also social factors that contribute to disallowing such necessary interventions to some extent. Those further complicate an already-complicated situation.

The situation would probably demand the establishment of a non-partisan special task force comprising skilled personnel from the relevant sections of Government and civil society to examine and recommend practical solutions within the shortest possible time.

Whatever the findings are, the resources must be found to implement, given what’s at stake. If not, the fun in learning could evaporate.

Stop the blame game and address pertinent issues

Dear Editor,

The 15-year-old student who allegedly set afire the Female Dorm at the Mahdia Secondary School has been charged with 19 counts of murder, and has been remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre in Sophia, Georgetown.

Magistrate Sunil Scarce has adjourned the matter to July 5 for statements and disclosures.

That fire claimed the lives of 20 girls and one boy, who tragically died in the inferno which was started on Sunday, May 21. Additionally, 28 girls have been injured in the conflagration.

Subsequent to the tragedy, the PNC/coalition went into full campaign mode, distressing the survivors and causing even more agony to the devastated relatives of the dead children by opportunistically making their grief campaign material. The entire Opposition cabal and their acolytes are gleefully using this tragedy to call for the resignation of key Government personnel. Now, for the lamenting, Government-blaming-andbashing coalition Opposition cabal and their perennial, sanctimonious hypocrisy, let us reflect.

A <<Guyana Times>> article dated August 20, 2016 and headlined “The DropIn Centre fire” related that “the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the fire at

the Hadfield Street Drop-in Centre last month, which claimed the lives of two children, was handed in earlier this week. The report concluded that the incident was a tragedy waiting to happen. For many, this came as no surprise, as, for quite some time, several stakeholders had been raising various concerns about the facility, regarding its safety and the level of care it provides for children placed there.

“Previously, sections of the media have sought to highlight the many problems plaguing the facility, but to no avail. In fact, the authorities had always sought to downplay the reports and present a picture that all was well at the facility. In any modern society, there would have been very strong actions recommended against those who were found to be lacking in their response to the tragedy.

“It is quite clear that, at all levels, including even at the levels of the Minister of Social Protection and the Director of the Childcare Protection Agency (CPA), very little concern was shown towards ensuring those placed in the State’s care were given the kind of protection they deserve.

“Minister Volda Lawrence has been in that position for well over a year now, and at least should have put certain policy mechanisms in place aimed at ensuring what obtained

previously changed for the better. It is quite unfortunate that it had to take another fire and the loss of the lives of two children to cause the authorities to wake up from their slumber.

“It should be noted that there was a similar fire a few years back at the facility; and even though no one died, many of the children were left traumatised. One is therefore left to wonder what changes were made, if any, since then, to ensure that our children are well protected from such tragedies.

“The findings of the recent inquiry conducted by Retired Colonel Windee Algernon found that the children/staffer ratio was not adhered to, and that on the morning of the fire, there were not enough staff on duty to meet the needs of children.

“Additionally, the house service supervisor, while she had the authority to call out more staff, failed to do so.

“The CoI also found that there were written guidelines for the management of crisis situations, including fires; however, the house manager and other senior staff seemed unfamiliar with them. And so, when the fire occurred, there was confusion and panic, resulting in the tragedy.

“Of note, too, is that the inquiry found that the fire was caused by a defective electrical outlet fitted with exposed wires on the east-

ern wall of the girls’ dormitory. This, the report said, played a role in the ignition of the fire by subsequent heat transfer. It should be mentioned that the authorities had also concluded that the 2010 fire at the facility was as a result of an electrical problem.

“The Fire Department at the time had made some recommendations that would have minimised the possibility of a similar situation occurring. It is still not known what sort of corrective work was done to fix the electrical problems which seemed to be plaguing the facility since that time. How did such a situation occur a second time?

“In the meantime, we are still waiting to see what sort of action will be taken against those who are found to be responsible.”

Today, the same people responsible for the deaths of these children -- because in that instance there was no arsonist, but the negligence of state officials -- are pointing fingers of blame at the President and caring, hard-working State officials, who are working almost around-the-clock in trying to improve the lives and lifestyles, in a non-partisan way, of all the citizens of the land; and the welfare and circumstances of the nation’s children.

Yours sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo met residents from several communities in south Georgetown on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Convention Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown (Office of the Vice President photo)

Why rush to blame the PPP/C Administration for the Mahdia tragedy?

Dear Editor,

The news of the fire at the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory, a fire that claimed the lives of 19 students, was flashed on the TV screens of international media giants such as CNN and CBS. The inferno, together with the resulting deaths and injuries, struck the nation and the Guyanese psyche more than a ton of bricks.

Shocked and numbed by this heart-wrenching tragedy, the diaspora in New York quickly joined the national show of solidarity for the victims and their families by holding more than 4 vigils in honour of the victims. What has also been significant about these vigils is that religious and community leaders categorically denounced any attempt at this point to politicise this tragedy. Instead, their impassioned calls have been

for prayers and the expression of solidarity with the victims’ families. Some victims’ families have aptly called for justice. It has been reported that the student who allegedly set the inferno would be charged with 19 counts of murder. While this course of justice is moving in one direction, other paths of justice are being pursued.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has, for example, announced the grant of compensation to victims and the providing of counselling to students and parents. More importantly, though, is the swift, effective, and compassionate response of the President and his team of ministers and support personnel. Their exceptional caring, empathy, and humane action for the injured, the deceased, and those who have lost loved ones are evident, and are second to none.

The President’s message is lucid: “Whatever it takes to bring comfort and justice to these victims and their respective communities will be done.”

Sadly, despite the call from the President, as well as community and religious leaders, not to politicise the tragedy, the PNCR party and other operatives have begun to unleash their uncontrollable salvo of criticisms, without having a proper understanding of the situation. This is not to suggest that politicians and other operatives should not render criticisms, but they should wait until the murky water is clear.

As usual, I have conducted some research, and can now report on the following: (1) The windows at the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory were indeed grilled. (2) The doors were not grilled. (3) The Ministry of Education does

not administrate any school dormitory in the country, except in Georgetown. (4) The Ministry of Education is responsible for education policy and schools' curriculum. (5) The Mahdia dormitory falls under the authority of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. (6) Students never drank water from a pond, as alleged by the Opposition.

The grills on the windows were installed by the PNCR-led administration (at a time when both the REO and Regional Chair were PNCR members), and not by the PPPC Government. There must be compelling reason(s) that caused the PNCR-led Government to grill the windows; they should provide an explanation to the Guyanese people.

I do not mean to be cynical, but while we rightfully focus on building design/

code and fire safety measures, we must not forget that, even with these in place, if an arsonist decides to strike, these measures will not stop him/her.

It is conceivable, however, that under such a situation, a proper building code and safety measures could make evacuation/rescue operations easier. The point is that a proper building code and safety measures must be accompanied by the development among people/students of greater awareness of safety measures and the readiness to observe relevant rules.

Finally, while other facts would emerge out of the proposed Mahdia Commission of Inquiry, it is noted that Guyanese community and religious leaders in New York have expressed their deep appreciation for the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali in this extremely difficult situ -

ation. Major credit goes out to Prime Minister Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, Minister of Human Services Dr Vindhya Persaud, the Joint Services, the medical team, counsellors, the pilots, and NGOs. The leaders also applauded the assistance rendered by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Mt Sinai Hospital in New York and Northwell Health Systems in New York, among others.

Our expression of condolence to the victims and their families is unconditional. While we would never know the magnitude of their pain, we do know that “every cloud has a silver lining.”

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

Tragedy for political gains

Dear Editor,

There is an interesting ‘blunt’ question and answers published in the Kaieteur News, which stated as follows: “How do we dignify our dead and emphasize our humanity? How do we respect them, reflects how we respect ourselves. We pause for a poignant moment for these children. We hurt for their hurting parents. We reach to support, family community, and people.”

This is exactly what the President and the Guyanese people, and others abroad in other countries, have done in response to the Mahdia tragedy. Unfortunately, a handful of publicity-and-power-seekers have sought to translate this national tragedy into their own personal benefit, disrespecting the victims and their families, blaming the Government, and calling for resignations.

How have the PNC ever responded to the pains and sufferings of the families of victims of any type of disaster? How have they responded to the pain and sufferings of the Guyanese people?

What tangible contributions have they ever made to ensure that this nation heals?

They have always used these tragic events as the basis for their dirty politicking, and to unleash the only strategy they know - violent street protests; wreaking havoc; and multiplying the agony of the people, resulting in loss of lives and property.

Is there any honesty of purpose for those attacking the Government and calling for resignations? How do we anticipate that someone will intentionally put a building on fire? How do we anticipate that someone will kill another?

It is most tragic that, as we weep for the loss of 20 precious lives, there are those who, like vultures, are bent on turning this national disaster into a sumptuous political meal. On one hand, the Opposition are calling on the public to allow the grieving families space to mourn, but, on the other hand, they are the ones who are most vociferous on social media and behind the scenes, en-

couraging protests and kindling hate and racial strife and division.

It is no secret that the political Opposition in this country cannot make any tangible contribution to nation building. Their brains are wired to give every issue a political twist to fulfil their quest for power.

The President, on 25th May, made known the Government’s intention to

establish a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the tragic fire at the Mahdia dormitory. Unfortunately, some have already performed the duties of judge, jury and executioner. The Opposition called for a CoI, but are unwilling to await its outcome, which will entail culpability as well as recommendations to avoid such disasters in the future. In these times, the Opposition

will continue to expose their lack of competence to govern this nation, and their members and supporters will continue to move further away from them.

Let us continue to pray and support the families of these beautiful souls. This Government has already committed to the task of

supporting the families, and I have full confidence in the Irfaan Ali Administration to courageously move this nation forward to becoming ONE GUYANA, ushering in a sustained period on peace and prosperity.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Dividing whole numbers by fractions

To divide a whole number by a fraction, you have to remember that a reciprocal is a fraction turned upside-down. For example, 3/7 is the reciprocal of 7/3 , and 7/3 is the reciprocal of 3/7 . To divide a whole number by a fraction, multiply the whole number by the reciprocal of the fraction.

Remember

A whole number can always be expressed as a fraction, with 1 as the denominator. So 3 = 3/1 . When you divide a fraction by a whole number, you are really multiplying the fraction by the whole number’s reciprocal. So 10/32 ÷ 3 = 10/32 ÷ 3/1 = 10/32 x 1/3 = 10/96. = 10/96 can be reduced to 5/48.

Exercises:

by AJ Seymour

The earth is a woman with patient hair

And she watches a window pane Where a tower of cloud creeps slowly past And other clouds come again. When night comes in, she counts the stars On the dark gown that woman wears. She sits with her quiet hands folded there And she watches the patient years.

WORD SEARCH

Way cleared for holding of Local Government Elections on June 12

…as Chief Justice throws out APNU’s challenge to Local Authority Areas

GECOM. The subject minister is Nigel Dharamlall.

“So, GECOM is not concerned with division into Local Authority Areas, as Mr [Lyndon] Amsterdam suggested, nor is it establishing or changing boundaries. The Local Authority Areas are identified by the minister, and it is the electoral divisions within these Local Authority Areas that GECOM can combine or subdivide to form constituencies,” held Justice George. Amsterdam is SmithJoseph’s lawyer.

in February revealed that it was the minister who determined the number of Local Authority Areas and the number of councillors by increasing or decreasing their numbers. GECOM, she not-

demarcation process entails party representatives and registration officials going out into the fields to agree on the boundaries; however, GECOM would have the final decision.

Justice. “That is asking the court to engage in partisan politics, and that cannot be countenanced…there is no evidence to support this ground…it amounted to an opinion.”

For example, SmithJoseph averred that in the town of Mabaruma, two ad ditional constituencies have been created with a con sequential increase in the number of councillors by two. This, she said, resulted in the council now having 14 members instead of the orig inal 12.

code of conduct, in order to contest the elections.

Members of the Joint Services will vote on June 2.

With APNU’s challenge to the change in the boundaries of 37 constituencies in 19 Local Authority Areas being dismissed by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, on Wednesday, the way is now cleared for the long overdue Local Government Elections (LGE) to be held on June 12.

APNU’s Chief Scrutineer, Carol Smith-Joseph, in what was described by the Chief Justice as a belated application, had contended that it was the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that made the changes and that same contravened Article 72 of the Constitution of Guyana as well as Section 3 (1) (a) and (b) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act.

She had petitioned for the LGE to be postponed until GECOM performed its functions in accordance with the law.

However, after examining the relevant statutes, Justice George, in her ruling, concluded that it is the Local Government and Regional Development Minister who must be guided by Article 72, and not

Article 72 empowers Parliament to enact legislation to divide Guyana into regions, sub-regions, and other sub-divisions as it deems fit for organising Local Government Organs, she said, adding that a distinction has to be made between Local Government Organs and the constituencies.

As it relates to the former, she said Parliament made provision for this in Section 4 of the Local Democratic Organs Act, which provides for the establishment of Local Government Areas.

She continued, “By Section 4 (1), the minister is empowered to divide Guyana as he deems fit” into 10 regions, and in a like manner, may divide a region into sub-regions, a sub-region into neighbourhoods, and a neighbourhood into People’s Cooperative Units.

The establishment of the constituencies would have to abide by the provisions regarding the number of seats and councillors the minister determines for the Local Authority Area.”

Not GECOM’s role

According to the Chief Justice, an order gazetted

ed, had to respond to that order, because it was obliged to ensure that the constituencies matched the number of councillors that the minister had determined for each Local Authority Area.

“Therefore, it is not GECOM that has increased or decreased the number of councillors or council members for the Local Authority Areas and thereby caused an increase or decrease in the number of constituencies. [Smith-Joseph’s] assertion that it was GECOM who did so is incorrect.”

APNU had contended that, in making the changes, GECOM blatantly disregarded the criteria and procedures for the demarcation of constituencies that it had previously used.

To this end, Oppositionnominated GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander had said that the

Alexander had filed an Affidavit in Support of Smith-Joseph’s application, but Justice George said that Article 72 does not outline the criteria GECOM must use in deciding what electoral divisions to divide or combine in order to form constituencies in the Local Authority Areas as established by the ministerial order. In dismissing SmithJoseph’s application, she ruled that there was no evidence to suggest that there has been a breach of the applicable provisions which speak to the supervision of elections by GECOM.

The Chief Scrutineer’s contention that the changes would be unfair to her party was rejected by the Chief

Similarly, she said that the number of councillors for Hauraruni/Yarrowkabra has been reduced from eight to six; again, this was conse quent to the order issued by the minister.

$250,000 costs

An unsuccessful SmithJoseph has to pay $250,000 in costs to GECOM, which was listed as a respondent in her application. GECOM was represented by its inhouse counsel, Kurt DaSilva.

Nominations Day was held on April 17, and saw parties or organisations/ groups or individuals running at LGE making their way to a designated location set by GECOM, where their representatives submitted their List of Candidates, as well as signed on to the required documents, such as a

Local Government Elections were initially scheduled for March 13, but disagreements over constituencies and how the voters’ caused a holdup.

LGEs are constitutionally due every two years, and were to be held at the end of 2022, but GECOM was without a Chief Election Officer and could not have prepared to host the elections. GECOM, a constitutional body, was allocated $5.2B in the 2023 National Budget to carry out its functions. (G1)

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC

APNU’s Chief Scrutineer, Carol Smith-Joseph

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall

Deadly Mahdia dorm fire Hearing for juvenile murder accused will conform with Juvenile Justice Act – DPP

The question is...

…to charge or not to charge?

on Tuesday.

The student who allegedly set fire to the Mahdia Sec School Dorm is fifteen years old. The Police have been advised by the DPP to charge her with 19 counts of murder – since increased to twenty with the last death. Other students have been critically burnt, and one has been medevacked to a NYC hospital. They will all bear lifetime scars – literally, physically and psychically. There have been questions raised as to whether she should’ve been charged for murder, since she’s a minor; and whether she should’ve been charged at all.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has taken note of the comments expressed in the “media” over the slew of murder charges it has advised the Police to institute against a girl in relation to the deadly fire at the Mahdia Secondary School Female Dormitory.

“The DPP wishes to inform that all persons are charged with the same

charge under the same law. The procedure in court differs for juveniles. The person charged is a juvenile, and the hearing will be done in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act in the Juvenile Court,” a statement issued by the DPP’s office on Wednesday said.

Importantly, the DPP’s Office has assured that the rule of law will be respected and applied, and has ex-

pressed that “there is no question about that.”

A 15-year-old girl was arraigned on Monday for the arson which resulted in the deaths of 20 children — 19 girls and a five-year-old boy.

The girl, who was initially charged with 19 counts of murder, is likely to be slapped with another murder charge, since another child, Sheran Daniels, 13, succumbed to her injuries

She has, so far, been charged with the murders of Nicholeen Robinson; Martha D’Andrade; Shorline Bellarmine; Eulanda Carter; Adonijah Jerome; Subrina John; Cleoma Simon; Tracil Thomas; Andrea Roberts; Lisa Roberts; Rita Jeffery; Loreen Evans; Delicia Edwards; Belnisa Evans; Lorita Williams; Mary D’Andrade; Omefa Evans; Natalie Bellarmine; and Arianna Edwards.

TURN TO PAGE 16

Now, a murder charge means that “the accused purposely or knowingly killed another person, or intentionally acted to cause great bodily harm, such that the perpetrator can reasonably expect to cause the death of the individual.” Is this the case here?? Did the student act “intentionally” to set the fire?? From the evidence in the public arena, it seems she did. She wanted to “show” the house matron that she wasn’t gonna take any disciplining, by having her phone seized, lying down. By deliberately setting fire to mattresses - and even possibly using an accelerant in the form of insect spray, it looks like she wanted to set a BIG fire.

The question is: did she know that fellow students would’ve died?? Well, she certainly knew that the windows were barred, and that death COULD’VE happened. But hold it!! Some are saying that she’s too young to know this. She was just trying to scare the house mother. But in law, intent isn’t the same as “motive” – that she planned to kill those persons. Just that she consciously did the act that led to their deaths. And this is what a trial will clarify. Was it aggravated manslaughter or murder??

The most trenchant criticism of the charge, however, is that, at 15, the girl is too young to be responsible for her actions. And this is the most relevant object. In all jurisdictions, children below a certain age are judged to be “incompetent” to be charged for certain crimes. In Guyana, once the alleged perpetrator is fourteen or older, then a murder charge can be made – but the perpetrator’s name can’t be mentioned!! In this case, however, because of the notoriety of the case and there were no charges made immediately, everyone knows who she is.

So, what’s your Eyewitness’s position?? Well, that a charge should definitely have been made. And left to “a jury of her peers” to analyse the nuances in sentencing her. Your Eyewitness notes that one group of woke activists have taken a stance to drop the charge by stressing the Indigenous origin of the alleged perpetrator.

He thinks this assumption is racist!!

…is LGE list fatally flawed?

With the PNC floating in the LGE water like a school of dead fish – the AFC accepted it was “Dead Meat” and didn’t contest! – they attempted a Hail Mary in the Courts to stop the elections. If you can’t win the game, you might as well bruk it up to keep the status quo. Which is: control the Municipalities – especially GT - so they can flex their muscles at that level!!

Through their cantankerous Polling Agent Carol Joseph, they claimed the voters list for the LGE was fatally flawed, because the OLE had dead and migrated individuals in a constituency! Just like with the General Elections.

The CJ was scathing: unsubstantiated information provided for one constituency of a local authority area “could hardly lead to a conclusion that the OLE is flawed!!”

Declaring that the application “was much ado about nothing,” she opined that “Litigants must appreciate that courts rely on evidence, not unsubstantiated opinions or conjecture,” and slapped Joseph with a $250,000 fine! Insult to injury?!!

…does Maduro want peace??

Pres Ali wants South America to be a zone of peace… and so does every Guyanese!! But the 300-billion-barrel question is whether Maduro wants peace with us!! And will his ally Lula turn a blind eye?!

19 of the fire victims

Sherana Daniels

EPA orders ExxonMobil Guyana to provide unlimited parent-company guarantee coverage

…order issued in compliance with court order – Executive Director

Even as it continues the fight in the Court of Appeal to overturn the High Court order, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an Enforcement Notice to compel ExxonMobil Guyana to provide unlimited liability parent company guarantee for its Stabroek Block holdings.

Last month, High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon had ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must order Exxon to provide unlimited parent company guarantee. Even as its appeal of that decision goes forward, EPA lost its bid to stay Justice Kissoon’s order.

As a consequence, the agency has issued the Enforcement Notice.

This was confirmed when this publication made contact with EPA Executive Director Kemraj Parsaram. In fact, Parsaram maintained that the agency issued the notice as of May 9, 2023, in compliance with Justice Kissoon’s order.

“As we indicated in the court matter, we did is-

sue that enforcement notice…it was done immediately. From the time the order was given, May 9,” the Executive Director explained to this publication.

In the meantime, EPA continues the fight to overturn Justice Kissoon’s ruling at the level of the Court of Appeal. During Wednesday’s hearing before Court of Appeal Judge Rishi Persaud, Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam said EPA and Exxon were in contempt of court. However, this was

Leaders agree on...

Peace and cooperation

Meanwhile, the Heads of States reaffirmed the importance of South America maintaining its status as a region of peace and cooperation, based on dialogue and on the respect for the diversity of the region, commitment to democracy and human rights, sustainable development and social justice. Additionally, the importance of upholding sovereignty and non-interference was discussed.

The leaders also concurred “that the world is facing multiple crises in a context of climate crisis, threats to peace and international security, pressure on food and energy chains, the risk of new pandemics, increase in social inequalities, and threats to institutional and democratic stability.”

The Summit of South American Leaders was or-

refuted by Attorney-atLaw Sanjeev Datadin, who is representing EPA, who also confirmed that the Enforcement Notice was issued. It is meanwhile expected that Justice Persaud would provide a date for his ruling by next week.

In September 2022, the President of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), Fredericks Collins, and Guyanese citizen Godfrey Whyte had moved to the court to get the EPA to implement the liability clause in the permit issued to ExxonMobil (Guyana) for its operations.

They wanted the court to ensure Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) takes full financial responsibility in the event of harm, loss, and damage to the environment from a well blowout, oil spill, or other failures in the Stabroek Block.

On the issue of whether the EPA acted in breach

of its statutory duty and unreasonably permitted Esso to carry out petroleum production operations in the absence of compliance with the terms of the permit, Justice Sandil Kissoon ruled that the EPA has committed an illegality, acted unlawfully, ultra vires, unreasonably, in defiance of logic, irrationally, and without any jurisdiction. Hence the court ordered that the agency issues the Enforcement Notice to EEPGL on or before May 9 to provide an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or unlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee; and failure to do so would result in the suspension of its Environmental Permit.

Since Justice Kissoon’s ruling, both the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and the Private Sector have expressed concerns regarding the ruling. Attorney General and Legal Affairs

Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, had contended after the ruling that the Environmental Permit imposes no obligation on the Permit Holder to provide an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or Affiliate Company Guarantee Agreement.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) had meanwhile issued a state-

ment stating that it is “profoundly concerned over the controversy which has arisen” regarding the ruling handed down in the matter of “Collins & Whyte vs The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)”.

Recognizing that it is bound by the fact that the case is sub-judice, the Commission nevertheless registered its view that the outcome of this legal battle holds “considerable significance” to the future of Guyana. Amid the appeals, the PSC said, it looks forward to “ultimately clarifying the legal issues at stake with a view to (having) an amicable resolution”.

In the meantime, the Commission invited all of Guyana to give “serious thought and reflection” to where the country is today in terms of the significant infrastructure and transformative developments which have already taken place as a result of the investments made by ExxonMobil. (G3)

FROM PAGE 3

ganized by President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva at Itamaraty Palace, the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. It is the first time since the last UNASUR summit held in 2014 that the majority of leaders on the South American continent have gathered for a meeting focused on South American integration.

The other leaders attending the Summit were Colombian President Gustavo Petro; Argentine President Alberto Fernández; Bolivian President Luis Arce; Chilean President Gabriel Boric; Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez; Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi; Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otárola Peñaranda. (G3)

EPA Director Kemraj Parsaram

Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin

Exxon’s Stabroek Block operations Court order for unlimited guarantee “makes a mockery” of Environmental Permit – Datadin …chances

of EPA’s appeal succeeding is like a “snowball in hell fire”— respondents’ lawyer

insurance, as is customary in the international petroleum industry.

Non-compliance would re sult in suspension of the per mit. The oil company has un til June 8 to conform, since it has already been issued with the notice.

Mockery Datadin, in his ar guments, said that this case relates to the statu tory interpretation of the Environmental Permit.

In further arguing his case, the EPA counsel contended that since an unlimited guarantee does not exist in the permit or Environmental Protection Act, the lower court fell into error.

Datadin further added, “Unlimited has come about through a misinterpretation. The court has invented an unlimited guarantee…and [held] this incorrect interpretation as a weapon…”

Justice Sandil Kissoon’s order for ExxonMobil to provide unlimited parent company guarantee for its and its co-venturers oil operations offshore in the Stabroek Block in the event of an oil spill “makes a mockery” of the 2022 Environmental Permit granted to that American multinational company by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This has been the position advanced by EPA’s lawyer Sanjeev Datadin as he argued why the agency’s

appeal against Justice Kissoon’s ruling has a reasonable prospect of success.

In a May 3 judgement, Justice Sandil Kissoon, among other things, directed the EPA to issue Exxon’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Limited (EEPGL), with an Enforcement Notice on or before May 9, for the company to provide, within 30 days, an unlimited parent company guarantee agreement and/or unlimited liability affiliate company guarantee, together with environmental liability

“This is a simple issue of interpretation. The exis tence of insurance has nev er prevented something from happening. Insurance is to compensate when the event occurs. The insurance will only be applicable whenever the ill befalls. All that the guarantee will try to do is make it right after the fact”.

He argued that Justice Kissoon considered “extraneous matters” when arriving at his decision, in particular that order. “Unlimited guarantee makes a mockery of the clear words in the permit”, Datadin submitted, adding that the permit refers to a “fixed sum”, and not an unlimited guarantee. To speak of the guarantee as a protec-

tor of an event befalling is erroneous, Datadin added.

Reliance of the respondents -- President of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), Fredericks Collins, and Guyanese citizen Godfrey Whyte -- on the argument of an unbalanced contract between Exxon and the Government, Datadin argued, is of no importance to this matter.

“If you're unhappy with the contract”, there are other things that can be done, he pointed out.

By making such a coercive order, Datadin said, Justice Kissoon usurped the functions of the EPA under the Act and bypassed all the other options available.

“The court is now performing the functions of a statutory body [EPA].”

In public law, he noted, the court does not interfere with the discretion given to State entities, but rather examines whether this discretion is being exercised in accordance with applicable laws. He therefore questioned where is Esso’s “right to be heard”.

“And if you don’t comply [with the order] Esso is out… shut down the wells, fire the employees…,” added Datadin who maintained that the EPA has an arguable case.

Not required Esso’s Senior Counsel, Edward Luckhoo, on the other hand, submitted that Condition 14 of the Environmental Permit does not require an unlimited guarantee.

Maintaining that Justice Kissoon misinterpreted the clear language of this condition, he said that what it does provide for is an estimate of a finite sum, noting that the formula for arriving at that sum is set out therein.

Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin

Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo

T&T-based Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam

Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud

Deadly Mahdia fire

5 more victims laid to rest

The bodies of Mahdia Secondary School students Mary and Martha D’Andrade,

Omefia Edwin and Eulanda Carter were laid to rest on Wednesday in their home village of Chenapau, Region

Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Edwin, Carter and the D’Andrade twin sisters were among the 20 who lost their lives following the horrific fire that engulfed their school dormitory on May 21.

The youngest casualty, five-year-old Adonijah Jerome, son of the dorm’s caretakers, was also laid to rest on Wednesday; his funeral service was held at the Eccles Assemblies of God Church on the East Bank of Demerara.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor

Nadir, offered support to the family members during the service of this young Micobie, Region 8 resident.

Families and community members are expected to bid their final farewell to eight more girls from Micobie today.

The death toll rose to 20 on Tuesday, when 13-year-old Sherana Daniels of Micobie succumbed to her injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital(GPHC).

Wake

Upon request by the immediate families of the victims who perished in the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire, the Government’s sup-

port group on Tuesday hosted a Nine-Night reflection ceremony at Duke Lodge in Georgetown as preparations continue to bid the remaining victims farewell.

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, and Public Service Minister Sonia Parag joined the close friends and families of the victims for a night of reflection.

“You have a strong support mechanism at your dis-

posal, and we will be here, as promised, even after the funerals and you bid your final farewells,” Minister Rodrigues assured the families.

The Government had previously indicated consistent financial and emotional support to those affected by the incident, covering meal and transportation costs, and offering hygiene care packages to families and community members.

Each family who lost a child in the tragic fire was also assigned a minister to provide them with individualised support, where needed.

Mary and Martha D’Andrade, Omefia Edwin and Eulanda Carter were laid to rest

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Public Service Minister Sonia Parag and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat at the funeral service

The emotional farewell given to five-year-old Adonijah Jerome

Decomposed remains of mother, daughter found in Providence house …Police

remove note, bottles containing substance

The house had been rented by Ross-Latchman's husband for her and her daughter.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, shocked neighbours revealed that they had not seen RossLatchman and Gabrielle for an extended period. Despite the prolonged absence, no suspicious activities or unusual odours were reported emanating from the house.

from home

Asombre atmosphere loomed over the community of Providence, on the East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Wednesday afternoon as the decomposed remains of a mother and her young daughter were discovered in a house located at Lot 783 Phase 3.

Dead are 38-year-old Petrous Ross-Latchman and her 13-year-old daughter,

Gabrielle Ross.

The dead woman’s 58-year-old estranged husband and a carpenter made the grim discovery around 12:00h.

Reports are that RossLatchman was unemployed while her daughter, who is partially visually-impaired, was a student at North Georgetown Secondary School.

The woman’s estranged husband explained that he last saw her in January 2023 when he visited the house and was denied entry. Distressed, but unsure of how to proceed, he decided to respect her wishes and maintain his distance.

He explained that the owner of the house, who resides abroad, had returned to Guyana and had requested to inspect the property. He said he attempted to contact Ross-Latchman prior to his visit, but received no response. Alarmed by her silence, he promptly reported the matter to the Police.

Accompanied by a car-

penter and law enforcement officers in January 2023, the man said that he forcibly entered the house and found the woman in the house in good health.

“From the look of things, she didn’t want to see me. I

even give the Police $10,000 to give her and she said she don’t want it. I use to buy stuff and so for her, last year I use to talk to her and she use to send me lists and I use to buy things and send for her. I use to buy things about a month after we separated, but after then she start saying she don’t want anything… I ain’t see or hear from her since January,” he said.

in the country and wanted to do another inspection of the property.

“I come to the house today (Wednesday), I rap and call and me ain’t hearing nothing so and I went back to the station, we didn't get any Police, because they said it’s a private matter, but the owner said she needs to see inside the house because she has the contract and is her house. When we return, we

The man said that the separation between him and his wife was unexpected and her behaviour changed towards him after she began watching a ‘spiritual show’.

“She is a Seven-day Adventist and she use to watch this show on her laptop. One day I come home from work she told me that me and she is not from the same nation and she wanted a divorce, so I said ok,” the man said.

He said he left the house, and Ross-Latchman told him that she was only going to stay at the rented property for three months and then leave.

Landlord’s visit

However, he said on Thursday he was contacted by the landlord again informing him that she was

open the wooden door and we get a stench and went back to the station,” he explained.

Upon arriving at the scene, Police Officers ventured into the house, and the bodies of Ross-Latchman and Gabrielle were found in an advanced state of decomposition.

Detectives at the scene discovered three plastic bottles, one glass bottle containing liquid substances suspected to be poisonous, and two cups next to the bodies. There were also two small glass containers containing a whitish substance which was recovered from the refrigerator along with a note in the living room.

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths.(G9)

The house in which the bodies were found

Dead: Petrous Ross-Latchman and Gabrielle Ross

Undertakers removing the bodies

G-Boats Guyana launches 2 tug boats to support oil & gas sector

…2 secondary school students win competition to name boats

Aiming to advance the country’s emerging oil and gas sector, G-Boats Guyana on Wednesday launched two tug boats at its G Port wharf in Kingston.

G-Boats is an oil and gas offshore support terminal, born from a joint venture between Guyanese-owned John Fernandes Limited and US-based Edison Chouest Offshore.

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge remarked that this launch represents not only Guyana’s ongoing development, but also the growing partnership between these two parent companies and the oil conglomerate ExxonMobil.

“The two vessels symbolise that partnership [and] the deepening of the relationship between the companies, [and] also between the countries —the US, specifically Louisiana that has a lot of similarities and cultural ties to Guyana,” Routledge said.

“The partnership [between] ExxonMobil and Edison Chouest goes back many, many decades. It’s a recognition that though the oil and gas [and] energy business is a global business, it is also a business that ultimately comes down to some very key companies and trusted relationships,” the ExxonMobil President added.

Routledge went on to clarify that these tug boats would aid in the transport of cargo within the operations of floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, as the Prosperity FPSO is expected to become operational later this year.

“[The boats are] going to operate 100 miles plus offshore Guyana; that is where our loading operations take place. They’re supporting

the essential work that goes on to deliver the development of Guyana’s natural resources,” Routledge said, adding that the country has already produced some 375,000 barrels of oil in the first quarter of this year.

“These tug [boats] will help bring the tankers and moor them to the FPSOs to take the cargo and deliver the crude to the markets overseas,” Routledge said.

The names of the boats —A’rinra and Madame Kalina —were selected by St Ignatius Secondary School student Raymond De Cambra and Brickdam Secondary School student Kaylan Duncan respectively. This came after G-Boats, in collaboration with the Education Ministry, launched a tug boat naming competition last March within several schools across the country.

Ross Chouest of Edison Chouest Offshore commended the students on their contribution, and expanded on the meanings of the names.

“Derived from the Macushi tribe, [A’rinra] refers to an electric eel, and embodies strength, resilience, and the spirit of exploration,” Chouest said.

Meanwhile, he noted that “Kalina” is a testament to the indomitable spirit and grace of the Kalina people of the Carib tribe, one of Guyana’s nine Amerindian tribes.

“It symbolises their deep connection to nature, wisdom, and their unwavering determination to preserve their culture,” Chouest said.

“Just as the Kalina people have withstood the test of time, so, too, will our ships sail proudly and confidently into the future.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, named the vessels’ godmother, noted

that these resources will add to the advancement of Guyana.

“Now that we have the resources that have become very topical, I believe that

we have the human resources needed to make sure this country advances — everyone benefits, everyone’s life improves, every community is addressed,” Manickchand

said. Since the company’s establishment in 2016, G-Boats now employs over 380 Guyanese, making up 75 per cent of its staff, with

the Business Development Director Daniel LaFont noting that, thus far, 13 Guyanese employees have worked their way up to be First Mates.

G-Boat Guyana launching tug boats A’rinra and Madame Kalina

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Drugs, knives among items unearthed in ECD secondary schools

In a move to address concerns surrounding anti-social behaviours among students, East Coast Demerara (ECD) secondary schools were targeted in “Operation Shakedown” on Tuesday.

During the operation, random searches were conducted, leading to the confiscation of several illegal items found in students' possession.

The collaborative effort involved Regional Division 4C Police, the Education Ministry's Schools Welfare

Department, and teachers. Random searches and lectures were done at Bladen Hall Multilateral and the Lancaster, Annandale, Buxton, Ann’s Grove, Hope, and Golden Grove Secondary Schools on the East Coast of Demerara, as part of the collaborative effort.

Students’ bags were searched in the presence of the Head Masters/ Mistresses and Welfare Officers, where several prohibited items were found.

During those searches, the Police Force said suspected cannabis, knives, condoms, lighters, scis -

sors, screwdrivers, spanners, and needles were confiscated.

On the lecture side of the exercise, topics such as violence and crime committed at schools, gang fighting, taking offensive weapons to school, the consequences of using offensive weapons at school, being on the streets after school, respect for teachers, and cybercrimes were discussed.

“Operation Shakedown”, according to the Police Force, aimed not only to conduct searches but also to deliver informative lectures addressing a range of critical topics.

The hope is that these discussions will raise awareness and promote responsible behaviour among students.

The Head Masters/ Mistresses of the respective schools expressed

their gratitude for the involvement of the Police, and stressed the importance of continued collaboration in maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment. (G9)

The items that were confiscated by the Police

“Because We Care” cash grant distribution to begin on June 5

The Education Ministry will commence the distribution of the increased “Because We Care” cash grant for schoolchildren across the country from June 5.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced the continuation of the Government programme that aims to provide financial assistance to families with regard to their children’s educational needs, via a social media post on Wednesday.

This year, the grant amounts to $40,000 per child.

“I'm saying per child

and not per family, so if you have four children going to school, it's going to be $160,000 for that family. If you have 10 children, it's $400,000 for that family,” Manickchand said.

The Minister noted that more than 214,000 children this year are eligible to receive the grant.

“Eligibility really means that you're on the register of a public or private school and that you are attending school and we got your names from your school,” Manickchand clarified.

As such, any child attending a private or public school, from the nurs-

ery level all the way up to Grade 10 or the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level, is able to receive this grant.

Pupils entering nursery school this year must have been registered by April 14 to be eligible.

“If you’re going to be doing CAPE then once you register for CAPE subjects for the new academic year, we’ll pay you in or around October,” Minister Manickchand added.

To uplift the grant, the Education Minister advised, families should pay keen attention to the schedules to be posted on

social media and other platforms following which the beneficiaries are expected to go to the school or the cluster that the school is in.

Across the country, the grant can be uplifted by parents or guardians with valid forms of identification from June 5 to June 9. Those unable to uplift the grant can authorise another person to do so.

Last year, the cash grant increased from $19,000 to $25,000, while the school uniform and supplies grant increased from $4000 to $5000, bringing 2022’s total grant to $30,000.

Court order for unlimited parent-company guarantee...

He also rejected Justice Kissoon’s calling the absence of unlimited guarantee “self-serving”, and reiterated that the interpretation of Condition 14 “is a matter of law, and law alone.”

According to him, no evidence was produced to support Justice Kissoon’s conclusion that Esso is an asset-less subsidiary of ExxonMobil. In fact, the Senior Counsel was keen to point out that Esso has assets amounting to trillions of dollars, and that the 2017 permit did not contain a requirement for financial assurance at all. This, he said, only came into existence when the permit was renewed in 2022.

By using the 2017 Impact Assessment as a guide for requiring an unlimited guarantee, Luckhoo argued, Justice Kissoon considered matters outside the evidence, and thus fell into error.

“Pellucid and specific” were used by Luckhoo to describe Condition 14 of the permit. As such, he insisted that the oil company has complied with the requirements of the Environmental Permit, and is willing to comply with the formula set out therein for calculating a fixed sum.

Having regard to the foregoing, Senior Counsel Luckhoo asserted that Esso’s appeal against the lower court’s ruling has an excellent prospect of success.

Snowball in hell fire

But Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam, who is among the lawyers representing Whyte and Collins, begged to differ, contending that the chances of EPA’s grounds of appeal succeeding are like a “snowball in hell fire”.

To make his case in re-

gard to the need for an unlimited parent company guarantee, he highlighted that an oil spill could have catastrophic effects on the environment.

“Esso has been carrying out oil operations in the open high sea without financial guarantee. An oil spill could send back Guyana to the Ice Age if there is no insurance, because it is not easy to contain”, argued the Senior Counsel.

From practicality and common sense, he reasoned, insurance does not cover all your damages, hence the need for a parent company guarantee, which according to him “does not cost [Exxon] a cent, but just requires it to show that it has the financial capacity to restore and rehabilitate the environment in the event an oil spill occurs.”

According to Jairam, the permit mandates that Exxon and its co-venturers shall be jointly and severally liable for any loss or damages, or pollution to the environment.

“The point is, this guarantee is intended to kick in where the insurance stops. What is the difficulty about this? The parent company guarantee is backed by financial assets… The guarantee is a cost of doing business…they [Exxon] agreed to this,” Senior Counsel Jairam noted.

In the absence of such a guarantee, he said, the Environmental Permit should have already been cancelled by the EPA. He also objected to Datadin’s request for a stay.

Justice Persaud will rule in the new week on the merits of the appeal, as well as on Datadin’s application for a stay.

Disingenuous attempt

In September 2022, Collins and Whyte had

moved to the court to get the EPA to enforce the liability clause in the permit issued to ExxonMobil for its operations. They wanted the court to ensure EEPGL takes full financial responsibility in the case of harm, loss, and damage to the environment from a well blowout, oil spill, or other failures in the Stabroek Block.

On the issue of whether the EPA acted in breach of its statutory duty and unreasonably permitted Esso to carry out petroleum production operations in the absence of compliance with the terms of the permit, Justice Kissoon ruled that the EPA has committed an illegality, acted unlawfully, ultra vires, unreasonably, in defiance of logic, irrationally, and without any jurisdiction.

He, inter alia, found that Esso was engaged in a “disingenuous attempt” which was calculated to deceive when it sought to dilute its liabilities and settled obligations stipulated and expressed in Condition 14 of the permit, while simultaneously optimising production in the Stabroek Block.

“The insurance obtained by the EEPGL from its Affiliate Company AON UK Ltd, both for the Liza Phase 1 and Phase 2 Projects, does not satisfy the stipulation and obligation set out at Condition 14:5 of the Environmental Permit, or even what is considered environmental liability insurance according to international standards of the petroleum industry,” Justice Kissoon held.

In the end, EPA and Esso were ordered to pay Whyte and Collins $1.5 million in court costs.

Grave economic impact

Meanwhile, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, had pointed out af-

ter the ruling that the Environmental Permit imposes no obligation on the permit holder to provide an unlimited parent company guarantee agreement and/ or affiliate company guarantee agreement.

The AG also pointed out that Justice Kissoon’s ruling can have profound ramifications and grave economic as well as other impacts on the public interest and

national development.

He revealed that EPA and EEPGL had spent almost a year negotiating a parent guarantee and indemnity agreement to the tune of US$2B in liability coverage, in compliance with EEPGL’s financial assurance obligations under the Environmental Permit and the Environmental Protection Act.

“These negotiations only

FROM PAGE 10

concluded [recently]. These negotiations and their material details were placed before the court for its consideration, but unfortunately to no avail,” a statement from the Attorney General’s Chambers had disclosed.

There are several pending court cases challenging various aspects of ExxonMobil’s operations offshore Guyana. (Feona Morrison)

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Fire Service strengthened with $27M equipment boost

More than a week after 20 lives were lost following a tragic fire in the dormitory of Mahdia Secondary School in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has received a much-needed equipment boost.

The Home Affairs Ministry received more than $273 million in advanced firefighting equipment from Angloco, a British firefighting and rescue vehicles manufacturing company, to enhance the capabilities of the Fire Service.

In a handing-over ceremony held on Wednesday at the Home Affairs Ministry’s office, the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, handed over the keys to the equipment to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn.

Chief Fire Officer (ag) Gregory Wickham gratefully accepted the equipment on behalf of the Fire Service. The newly-acquired inventory includes a state-

of-the-art hydraulic platform valued at $255 million. Additionally, an $8 million bus and a $9.8 million ambulance have been added to the fleet.

During the handing over, Minister Benn acknowledged that the equipment arrived at a time of great tragedy, referencing the devastating fire at the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory.

Saying it was still a difficult time, he noted “ the visit and the work they have done over the past two weeks to bring up particular pieces of equipment which are down, and work with us to bring in this new equipment”.

The fire resulted in the loss of 20 children's lives and left several others injured. Minister Benn emphasised the need for additional training and support for the Fire Service in light of the recent tragedy.

“We have to learn from the experience, we have to lean on other fire services and providers like Angloco,

Hearing for juvenile murder...

by the dorm’s mother and a teacher.

FROM PAGE 8

halation, while several managed to escape.

to learn from them, to acquire the new equipment, and maintenance support so that we use the equipment we have in a more efficacious way,” Benn said.

He further emphasised the importance of maintaining the newly-acquired equipment to ensure the readiness of the Fire Service for any fire or rescue operation that may arise.

Investigations into the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire revealed that it was started by one of the female students after her cell phone was confiscated by the dormitory supervisor and a teacher. The student has since been charged with 19 counts of murder.

While the tragedy at Mahdia Secondary School highlighted the urgent need for improved firefighting capabilities, the allocation of the equipment represents a significant step forward in enhancing the capacity of the Guyana Fire Service to respond effectively to future incidents. (G9)

The May 21, 2023 inferno killed 19 female students between the ages of 12 and 17, and a five-year-old boy who was the son of the dorm parents. Days after the horrific incident, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) disclosed that the fire was allegedly started by the 15-yearold student, who also lived at the dorm, after her cellular phone was taken away

Initial information received from sources close to the investigation had revealed that the teen in question had reportedly previously been suspended for engaging in activities contrary to the rules of the institution, and had been involved in an argument with the administrators, during which she had allegedly threatened to cause “trouble.”

The Mahdia school’s dormitory had housed students from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie, and Chenapau in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The fire was allegedly set in the bathroom area of the dormitory. According to the surviving female students, they were asleep, and were awakened by screams. Upon checking, they saw fire and smoke in the bathroom area, which quickly spread in the building, causing several students to receive burns to their bodies and smoke in-

Several of the injured students were air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital(GPHC) for treatment.

On May 27, another 13-year-old girl was flown to the Northwell Health Burn Care Centre in New York to be administered advanced medical care.

According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the dormitory housed 59 students. At the time of the fire, there were 56 females and a fiveyear-old boy inside.

The remaining students had gone home for the weekend. The dormitory’s 26 windows were heavily grilled, and the five doors were locked with keys when the fire broke out.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) would be conducted into the deadly blaze. He also announced that the victims’ families would be compensated by the State. (G1)

5 more victims laid...

FROM PAGE 11

Recognising the emotional toll this incident has taken on individuals, mental health support teams have also been put in place at Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) villages to help those affected to process their loss. These teams will stay in place for three months, as the Government works to also establish a permanent mental health sys-

tem that would continue to aid individuals in the region.

While there have been some instances of negative comments on social media platforms, Minister Rodrigues has encouraged the families to focus their attention on the outpouring of love and support shown by the vast majority. Other Ministers within the support group shared these sen-

timents, adding their gratitude to the public servants, social workers, and others who have been giving support to the families during their stay in Georgetown.

Hymns and devotional songs were sung at the request of the families, and words of encouragement were expressed as family members gathered and comforted each other.

A Government support group hosting a wake for Mahdia fire victims at Duke Lodge in Georgetown

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn receiving the equipment from British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller

Attorney Ronald Burch-Smith is new Bar Association President

Attorney-at-Law

Ronald BurchSmith has been elected new President of The Bar Association of Guyana when that association held its 44th Annual General Meeting today (May 31, 2023) via Zoom Online Platform. As part of the proceedings, the Bar

Council for the 2023-2024 fiscal year was elected.

Burch-Smith, who previously served in the position at the association from 2013 to 2015, was elected unopposed as the new President. He has replaced Attorney Pauline Chase.

It was explained that by the rules of the associ -

ation, Chase was ineligible for re-election, having already served two consecutive terms.

Nevertheless, Chase was elected unopposed as Vice-President, while Attorney Teni Housty was re-elected as the Second Vice-President.

Attorney Ashely King, who served during the

last term as Assistant Secretary, was also elected unopposed to the post of Secretary. Attorney Trevona Weekes was elected as the new Assistant Secretary, and Attorney Yashmini Singh was returned as Treasurer of the association.

The other elected mem -

bers of the Bar Council are Attorneys Robin Stoby, SC; Jamela A. Ali, SC; Keoma D. Griffith; Kamal Ramkarran; Naresh Poonai, and Horatio Edmonson. Sandia Ramnarine served as the Returning Officer during today’s election.

25 Guyanese to benefit from maritime scholarships

Some 25 Guyanese will have the opportunity to pursue studies and training in the maritime sector through the provision of fully-funded scholarships being offered by the Florida-based American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF).

ACMF announced on Wednesday that it will be partnering with Guyana’s premier maritime training school – the Atlantic Alliance Maritime and Offshore Training Institute (AAMOTI) – to provide scholarships to locals from all 10 administrative regions.

Fifteen of the scholarships will be awarded to residents of Linden, Region 10, while the remaining 10 will be offered to residents from the other nine regions.

Upon successful completion, the students would receive certification in Basic Safety Training (BST) and Ship Security Awareness (SSA).

The move is intended to improve and strengthen capacity building and development in Guyana’s rapidly expanding maritime and offshore industry.

ACMF was launched in 2016 with the goal of producing a cadre of seafar-

Region 7 man arrested with shotgun, ammo

Police ranks in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) have apprehended a 23-year-old man after finding him with a 12-guage shotgun and matching ammunition. The incident took place at approximately 13:30h on Tuesday at the Morawa Backdam.

According to Police reports, the ranks were responding to a report of simple larceny at Morawa

Backdam involving a 61-year-old businessman of Fourth Avenue, Bartica.

Upon arriving at the backdam and receiving information, the ranks proceeded to a camp, where they located the suspect.

A search was conducted on a draw-string bag he had in his possession, and it revealed two live 12-gauge cartridges and one 12-gauge casing.

When questioned about

ers and maritime professionals from Caricom to take up officer, engineering, navigational and other positions in the sector. To date, the Foundation has expended more than US$1 million in scholarships, grants, and equipment to 160 students from Guyana, Jamaica, Bahamas, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominican Republic.

The Foundation is supported by an ‘A’ list of cruise and cargo companies, including Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, MNS Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Seaboard, Tropical Shipping, Crowley, Shell, among others.

ACMF President Dr.

Geneive Brown Metzger has said, “ACMF was inspired by President Ali’s remarks at the ACMF 2022 Anchor Awards gala in Florida, when he stressed the critical importance of maritime training and education of locals to the oil/gas sector.”

She continued, “We are committed to partnering with stakeholders to provide opportunity to as many Guyanese as we can.”

Meanwhile, AAMOTI Director Miranda ThakurDeen said the institute was delighted to partner with ACMF on this initiative, since it signals the Foundation’s commitment to capacity building for locals and its interest in the development of Guyana’s maritime sector.

Just recently, AAMOTI provided more than twenty scholarships to attendees of its information sessions earlier this year in Region Two, Six and Ten. The school is also partnering with the Office of the First Lady to provide 100 scholarships to women from indigenous villages across the country.

In November of last year, President Dr. Irfaan Ali attended ACMF Anchor Awards Gala at Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club in Florida as the guest of honour, and outlined his government’s ambitious plans for Guyana’s maritime sector. At that event, he met with Dr. Metzger, and the two had fruitful discussions.

Driver dies after speeding car plunges into trench

Aman was killed on Wednesday morning after the motorcar he was driving ran overboard into a nearby trench along the Ruby Access Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Dead is 45-year-old Ravindra Ali of Ruby Backdam, EBE.

According to the Police, the accident occurred at some time around 08:10h. Reports are that Ali was driving motorcar PHH 7065 south along the eastern side of the Ruby Access Road, reportedly at a fast rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the car turned turtle and ended up in a trench situated on the eastern side of the access road.

Examination (PME).

According to the Police, several persons were questioned at the scene and in the area, but no useful

information has been received. Nevertheless, investigations are ongoing. (G8)

the whereabouts of the firearm, the suspect led the ranks to his sleeping area and surrendered a brown 12-gauge shotgun. However, the serial number had been filed off and the maker's name was not visible.

He was subsequently arrested and escorted to the Bartica Police Station, along with the firearm and ammunition.

When the vehicle was taken out of the trench, Ali was found in the back seat of the vehicle in an unconscious condition. He was taken out of the vehicle and escorted to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead on arrival. His body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it has been stored to await a Post Mortem

Attorney-at-Law Ronald Burch-Smith

File photo: President Dr Irfaan Ali and ACMF President, Dr Geneive Brown Metzger at the Anchor Awards Gala in Florida in November 2022

The firearm that was found by Police

Regional Lula cuts losses after setbacks on environment and Indigenous fronts

Brazilian President

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has suffered a major defeat over important legislation protecting the Amazon rainforest and the Indigenous people who live in it, and he has had to cut his losses in a conservative Congress.

Lawmakers backed by the powerful farm lobby in this agricultural powerhouse voted 283-155 on Tuesday night to pass a bill that would limit the recognition of new Indigenous reservations, a decision seen by environmentalists and human rights advocates as a setback.

On Wednesday, the minority Lula Government faces another key vote in the chamber that will reduce the powers of the Ministries of the Environment and of Indigenous Affairs.

But this time, Lula decided to negotiate passage of the temporary decree to ensure its approval before it expires on Friday, which would undo the government

reorganisation that almost increased to 37 the number of Ministries when he took office in January.

That would include the restructuring of the Economy Ministry, where trade and industry, and budget planning were split off into separate portfolios.

Lawmakers also removed land decisions from the Indigenous Affairs Ministry, while the registry of rural land, a vital tool to stop deforestation, will be managed by the Agriculture and not

Ex-President sentenced to prison for corruption in Brazil

Brazil's supreme court voted on Wednesday to sentence former President Fernando Collor de Mello to 8 years and 10 months in prison on corruption and money laundering charges.

The Brazilian prosecutor's office accused Collor, 73, of having received around 30 million reais (US$6 million) in bribes from a subsidiary of State-run oil company Petrobras.

The top court convicted the former Senator in midMay, but Justices had still to decide on his sentence,

which he can appeal.

Collor was a dashing, liberalising politician who became Brazil's first democratically-elected president in 1989 after a two-decade military dictatorship, but he resigned three years later after the Lower House of Congress impeached him.

A rakish, dynastic heir with a penchant for expensive sports cars, Collor was one of Brazil's original free-marketeers who opposed Brazil's entrenched protectionism and sought to privatise State-run firms in his curtailed presidency.

He continued in politics and later served 26 years as a conservative senator for the north-eastern state of Alagoas, where his wellto-do family was from. He chaired the foreign relations committee He lost his seat in last year's elections.

Collor himself could not immediately be reached for comment. In a note released by the time of his conviction, his defence lawyers said Collor did "not commit any crime" and expressed confidence that he would ultimately be exonerated. (Reuters)

the Environment Ministry.

Lula called an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the dilemma, and called the Speaker of the Lower House, Arthur Lira, whom he plans to meet as well, to ensure the measure passes.

The main Opposition party and the largest in Congress, the conservative Liberal Party, which former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro belongs to, said it would vote against the restructuring decree.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Argentina allows morning-after pill to be bought over the counter

Women in Argentina will no longer require a prescription to obtain emergency contraception.

The Government said making the morning-after pill more easily available removed an "important barrier" for those seeking terminations.

The move was welcomed by feminist groups, who see it as a sign of progress in the Catholic-majority country. However critics said the move displayed a "failure of pregnancy prevention".

The Health Ministry said the measure would help avoid unintentional pregnancies by overcoming "difficulties of access to health services, contraception supplies, and education" faced by some.

"This removes an important barrier to access," Valeria Isla, director of sex-

ual and reproductive health at the Ministry, told Reuters news agency. "People can have this method of contraception as support before an emergency happens."

Vanessa Gagliardi, leader of the feminist group Juntas y a la Izquierda, said the move would help "de-stigmatise" the morning-after pill in a country where seven out of 10 adolescent pregnancies were unplanned, official data show.

Argentine pro-life group DerguiXlaVida called the

Colombia accuses Drummond executives of funding paramilitary group

The current Colombia head of coal miner Drummond Co Inc and his predecessor will be tried for allegedly funding right-wing paramilitaries, the country's Attorney General's office said on Wednesday, as the USbased company denied any wrongdoing by the executives.

There is "abundant proof" current head Jose Miguel Linares, who took up his post in 2013 after serving as Vice President of legal, and Augusto Jimenez, who headed the company's Colombia operations between 1990 and 2012, conspired to finance a paramilitary group, the Prosecutor said in a statement.

added.

added.

measure worrying, accusing the Government of "essentially orienting itself towards promoting abortive measures".

It said the move was recognition of the "failure of pregnancy prevention [and] sex education".

It is the latest sign of progress on reproductive rights in Argentina, one of the largest and most influential countries in Latin America, a region where the Catholic Church remains powerful.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Hope for plane crash children after footprint discovery

Colombian authorities have found what they believe to be traces of four Indigenous children who went missing after a plane crash in the jungle, renewing hope that they may still be alive.

Search teams discovered what they believe to be a child-sized footprint in the mud on Monday, as well as

pieces of fruit with what appear to be small bite marks. The children have been missing since May 1.

A video released by the Colombian military shows searchers playing a voice recording of the children’s parents in an effort to locate them. Another video shows soldiers walking through the jungle calling out for the

children.

The children were flying between Araracuara, in Amazonas province, and San Jose del Guaviare, a city in Guaviare province, when the small Cessna 206 plane they were travelling in experienced an engine malfunction and crashed into the jungle. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

"Linares Martinez and Jimenez Mejia, between 1996 and 2001, increased the value of a food provision contract with a provider company to obtain additional resources and use them to cover previously-agreed illegal obligations with...the United SelfDefence Forces of Colombia (AUC)," the statement said.

The effort was a bid to protect assets and ensure the free operation of Drummond's mine in Cesar province, the statement

Drummond rejected the accusations, saying in its own statement that they are the product of "a cartel of false witnesses."

These accusations are not backed up with credible proof and are based, principally, on false declarations by convicted criminals, who receive payments for testimony," the company said, without providing further details.

The company is confident evidence will demonstrate Linares' and Jimenez's innocence, it

The case is a "moral triumph", said Joris van de Sandt of Dutch Non-Governmental Organisation PAX, which has campaigned to raise awareness over alleged wrongdoings by Drummond, which the company has always denied. Drummond – Colombia's largest producer of thermal coal – has three mining contracts in the country and also holds a port concession on the Caribbean coast.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

PM: Trinidad and Tobago

suffering from US policy on Venezuela

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has said during recent talks with the United States, he informed them that T&T was suffering from collateral damage from US sanctions against Venezuela. He is encouraging businesspeople to see eastern Venezuela as a market for their goods and service as part of the Dragon gas deal.

Speaking to businesspeople, Government Ministers and public servants during a Breakfast with the PM event at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre on Wednesday, Dr Rowley

made the statements as part of his remarks on TT’s hydrocarbon deals.

“Our raw materials are not as available as they used to be, and it is the responsibility of Government to focus on the discovery of new gas, which is why I opened negotiations with Venezuela, which has huge volumes of surplus gas which we can acquire through commercial arrangements to keep ourselves in a place which we know well."

If not for American sanctions on the Venezuelan business, we would have acquired the gas from

Venezuela in 2018.

"We have managed to get Venezuela to agree for the first time to export its gas, and to its neighbour T&T. That has been in the pipeline and is still being impeded, as a matter of fact, when I was in Washington two weeks ago, I met with some advisers to the President and I did tell them that T&T is suffering from collateral damage from US foreign policy on Venezuela. As a result of that policy, we have been deprived of commercial access to significantly available commercial gas.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Mining company Drummond President Jose Miguel Linares speaks during an interview with Reuters in Bogota

Around The World OIL NEWS

Russia reports attacks on oil refineries and town near border with Ukraine

Norway's wealth fund sides with activists against Exxon, Chevron

Climate activists have scored yet another victory against Big Oil after Norway’s giant sovereign wealth fund announced it will support proposals by ExxonMobil Corp and Chevron Corp shareholders at their annual general meetings (AGMs) on Wednesday to introduce emissions targets.

With US$1.4 trillion in assets, Norway's wealth fund is the largest in the world, and its voice on matters like these carries plenty of weight. The fund is the sixth-largest investor in Exxon with a nearly 1.2 p er cent stake. The move comes barely a week after climate protesters unleashed chaos at TotalEnergies’ AGM in Paris which saw shareholders back a motion calling for the French energy giant to speed up cuts to its greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, in what is now shaping up as another wave of climate fervour, protesters stormed Shell Plc’s AGM last week, accusing the Dutch national oil company of "killing" the planet and calling for it to be "shut down".

It’s a startling turn of events for oil and gas shareholders considering that last year, there was a palpable shift in sentiment with climate activism and ESG taking a back seat amid the global energy crisis.

The year 2021 proved to be a watershed moment for oil and gas companies in the global transition to clean energy, with Big Oil losing a series of boardroom and courtroom battles in the hands of hardline climate activists.

In May 2021, ExxonMobil lost three board seats to Engine No 1, an activist hedge, in a stunning proxy campaign. Engine No 1 demanded that Exxon needs to cut fossil fuel production for the company to position itself for long-term success.

"What we're saying is, plan for a world where maybe the world doesn't need your barrels," Engine No 1 leader Charlie Penner told the Financial Times. Engine No 1 enjoyed a stunning victory thanks to support from BlackRock Inc, Vanguard and State Street who all voted against Exxon’s leadership.

Next was its close peer Chevron with no less than 61 per cent of Chevron shareholders voting to further cut emissions at the company’s annual investor meeting and rebuffing the company’s Board which had urged shareholders to reject it.

Finally, a Dutch court ordered Shell Plc to cut its greenhouse gas emissions harder and faster than it had previously planned. Never mind the fact that Shell had already pledged to cut GHG emissions by 20 per cent by 2030 and to net-zero by 2050. The court in The Hague determined that wasn’t good enough and demanded a 45 per cent cut by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The past two years have been especially challenging for Shell shareholders after the company announced a major dividend cut with the quarterly dividend falling to 16 cents from 47 cents, the first dividend cut since WWII. Meanwhile, the company’s debt had ballooned massively from US$1 billion in 2005 to US$73 billion in 2020.

Luckily for these oil and gas supermajors, last year, investor sentiment shifted in their favour.

But it’s now becoming increasingly clear that climate activists are not about to go down without a fight. And, more and more institutional investors are becoming powerful climate advocates. Two years ago, New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio and Comptroller Scott M Stringer sent shockwaves through the oil and gas sector after they announced that the city’s US$226 billion pension fund plans to divest majority of its fossil fuel investments over the next five years and also cut ties with other companies that have been contributing to global warming. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Russia said Ukrainian artillery hit a Russian town for a third time this week and drones struck two oil refineries in an uptick in attacks on Russian territory as Ukraine prepares a Western-backed push to end Moscow's invasion.

Inside Ukraine, Russianinstalled officials said five people had been killed in Ukrainian army shelling of a Russian-occupied village in the east, where Russia has fought months of bloody and inconclusive battles to try to seize more territory.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the Russian reports, in a week when the two countries accused each other of spreading terror in their capitals with air strikes.

Thousands of civilians

have been killed in Ukraine and towns and cities laid to waste since Moscow's forces invaded 15 months ago, but Tuesday marked only the second time Moscow had come under direct fire –

Australia braces for judgement in war crimes’ defamation case

AJudge in Australia will announce his judgement on Thursday afternoon in a defamation case brought by Ben Roberts-Smith, the country’s most decorated living soldier.

Anthony Besanko will start delivering his decision at 14:15h in Sydney’s Federal Court after Roberts-Smith sued three newspapers for defamation in the wake of a series of reports in 2018 that accused him of war crimes.

The case transfixed Australia through 110 days of hearings that were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and ended with closing arguments in July 2022.

Proceedings involved more than 40 witnesses and are estimated to have cost as much as 25 million Australian dollars (US$16.3 million).

Roberts-Smith was born in Perth in West Australia in 1978, and signed up for the Australian army when he was just 18, later completing two tours of East

“Provocative, dangerous”: China blames US for air confrontation

China has blamed a US “provocation” for an incident in which a Chinese plane crossed in front of an American surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea.

“The United States’ long-term and frequent sending of ships and planes to conduct close surveillance on China seriously harms China’s national sovereignty and security,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

“This kind of provocative, dangerous activity is the cause of the security issues on the seas. China will continue to take all necessary steps to resolutely protect its own sovereignty and security,” Mao said.

The US military said on Tuesday a Chinese fighter pilot performed an “unnecessarily aggressive manoeuvre” near an American surveillance aircraft operating over the South China Sea last week.

Video footage released

by the US military shows a Chinese fighter jet crossing in front of the American aircraft, which can be seen shaking from the resulting turbulence.

The Chinese plane “flew directly in front of and within 400 feet [122 metres] of the nose of the RC135, forcing the US aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence” on Friday, the Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Timor. He joined the elite Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) in 2003.

Deployed to Afghanistan multiple times between 2006 and 2012, Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross, Australia’s highest honour, for his “most conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of extreme peril” during a mission in 2010 to track down a senior Taliban commander.

Roberts-Smith, who is divorced with twin teenage daughters, left the military 10 years ago and took a degree in business, later joining the Seven Network media group and becoming a motivational speaker.

Seven provided an initial loan to help fund the legal action, pitting it against rival media group Nine, which owns the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

from a flurry of drones – although oil and military facilities elsewhere in Russia have been hit.

In the Russian town of Shebekino on the Ukrainian border, two of four wounded

people were hospitalised and shells damaged an apartment building, four homes and a school as well as power lines, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

Later, Gladkov told Russian television there had been more Ukrainian shelling of Shebekino and a fire had broken out at an industrial site.

Both sides say they are targeting the build-up of each other's forces and military equipment ahead of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, which it says will come in days or weeks, to try to drive Russian forces out of eastern and southern regions.

Away from the front lines of the conflict, the United Nations was trying to salvage a deal allowing safe Black Sea grain exports.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US debt ceiling bill advances

toward tight vote in House

Abill to suspend the US Government's US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling and avert a disastrous default cleared a key procedural hurdle in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, setting the stage for a vote on the bipartisan debt deal itself.

Republicans control the House by a narrow 222213 majority. But the deal will need support from both Speaker Kevin McCarthy's Republicans and President Joe Biden's Democrats to pass, as members of both parties object to significant parts of the legislation.

The procedural vote, which allows for the start of debate and then a vote on the bill itself, passed by a vote of 241-187, with 52 Democrats needed to overcome the opposition of 29 Republicans.

McCarthy predicted that the next vote, expected around 20:30h (0030 GMT), would succeed, telling reporters: "It's going to become law."

The legislation would

suspend the US debt ceiling through Jan. 1, 2025, meaning that there would not be a limit until that date, allowing Biden and lawmakers to set aside the politically risky issue until after the November 2024 presidential election.

It would also cap some Government spending over the next two years, speed up the permitting process for some energy projects, claw back unused COVID-19 funds, and expand work requirements for food aid programmes to additional recipients. Biden expects to have the legislation on his desk by a June 5 deadline, when the federal government could run out of money to pay its bills, the White House said.

A successful House vote would send the bill first to the Senate, where there could be a danger of delay unless Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell agree to fasttrack the legislation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US actor Danny Masterson found guilty on two rape counts

Ajury in Los Angeles has found US actor Danny Masterson guilty on two out of three counts of rape.

The star of That '70s Show, a TV series, faces up to 30 years in prison. He was led from court in handcuffs.

Three women, all former members of the Church of Scientology, accused the actor of sexual assault at his Hollywood home from 200103.

Prosecutors argued Masterson had relied on his status as a prominent Scientologist to avoid ac-

countability.

The jury of seven women and five men was unable to reach a verdict on a third count after a week of deliberations, ending up deadlocked at 8-4.

One of his victims, who was raped in 2003, said in a statement quoted by the Associated Press: "I am experiencing a complex array of emotions – relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness – knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behaviour."

Masterson's wife, actress and model Bijou

Phillips, wept as he was led away, CBS News reports. Other family and friends sat stone-faced.

Another jury in an earlier trial was unable to reach a verdict in December 2022.

Prosecutors chose to retry Masterson and this time the Judge allowed Attorneys to present new evidence that had been barred from the first trial.

Though the actor was not charged with drugging his victims, the jury heard testimony that the women had been dosed before he raped them.(Excerpt from BBC News)

Destroyed vehicles following what was said to be Ukrainian forces' shelling in the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in the town of Shebekino in the Belgorod region, Russia, in this handout image released May 31, 2023

ARCHIE

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Problems will surface if you take on too much or overreact. Be a good listener; it will help you decide what to do next. A change at home or to your appearance will build confidence.

(March 21-April 19)

You can make decisions that will help you overcome a negative situation. Clearing a path forward will ease tension and encourage you to stop fighting a losing battle. Romance is encouraged.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Put in the time and finish what you start. If you live up to your promises, rewards will be yours. Now is a great time to put your energy into something that matters. Helping others will pay off.

Set a goal and work toward it. A social or work-related event will prove eye-opening. Put your energy into adding to your qualifications and using your skills diversely. Romance is in the stars.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Reorganize your schedule before you add new things to it. Don't follow someone down a path that doesn't interest you. Put your emotions aside and your energy into personal gain and accomplishments.

Push forward, regardless of the obstacles. Think about the possibilities and take the road less traveled; you will outmaneuver anyone who tries to get in your way. Romance is apparent.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

If you tidy up loose ends, you'll breathe easy. Adopting a new look or adding a few extra touches to whatever you pursue will lead to compliments and concepts that can help you advance.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Refuse to let anyone get in your way or create discord. Stick to the basics, tell the truth and call out anyone who does otherwise. Stand up for your rights, and you will make a difference.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Keep your money moving. Handle your affairs with precision. Refuse to let anyone interfere in what you are trying to accomplish. Make personal moves for the right reason. Focus on fitness.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

The changes you make to your living space will push you to be more productive. A change is as good as a rest. Think about the possibilities and summon the help of those closest to you.

Pay attention to what everyone is doing. Stick close to home and distance yourself from anyone trying to hold you back. Put your energy into increasing your earning potential.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Take control, tidy up unfinished business and consider financial changes that will make you feel comfortable about the future. Be imaginative. A romantic gesture will pay off.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

YESTERDAY'S

Young Reggae Girlz end U-20 C/ships with 4-1 win over Panama

Jamaica’s Young Reggae

Girlz gave head coach Hugh Bradford something to smile about when they concluded their failed Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship campaign on a high with a 4-1 beating of Panama, at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday.

Natoya Atkinson (16th), Davia Richards (32nd), Maya Raghunandanan (37th) and Amelia Van Zanten (74th) were on target for the Bradford side; while Meredith Rosas, got Panama’s consolation in the 79th minute.

With the win, the Girlz ended Group A in third on three points, scoring four goals and conceding nine; behind United States and Canada, to whom they suffered identical 0-4 defeats.

Panama finished at the foot of the standing, without a

point. It was a dominant performance by the Girlz, who for the first time in the tournament played with some degree of freedom, and bossed possession throughout. In fact, they were very fluent in attack, particularly in the first half, to the point where they held a high line, got sig-

nificant numbers forward, and camped out in Panama's quarters. After firing a few warning shots, the Girlz inevitably broke the deadlock when Atkinson fired home from close range, after Destiny Powell’s initial effort came back off the crossbar. Though they continued

to apply consistent pressure, the Girlz had to wait until minutes past the half-hour mark to double their lead. Richards converted from the 12-yard spot, after Mireilis Rojas was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the 18-yard box on the VAR review.

Panama were not without

hope, as they tried to play their game, and even strung a few good build-ups together to remind the Jamaicans of their potential, but couldn’t get anything on frame.

However, the Jamaicans pushed further ahead through Raghunandanan, who pounced on a loose ball and lashed a one-time effort from a distance past Alejandra Garay, in goal for Panama, to make it 3-0 at the break.

Panama was never expected to overturn the deficit, but they were certainly more purposeful on the resumption, with Sherline King forcing a fingertip save from Jamaica’s goalkeeper Katie Oakley in the 58th minute.

The Central Americans grew in confidence in the attacking third as the game progressed, especially as the Young Reggae Girlz briefly became complacent and

Djokovic criticised for political message about Kosovo

Novak Djokovic's political message about Kosovo at the French Open was "not appropriate", and "shouldn't happen again", says France's Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera. She said there needs to be a "principle of neutrality for the field of play".

The Serbian Djokovic wrote "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence" on a camera lens. It is in reference to recent tension in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia has never recognised Kosovo's independence, and there has been violence in the past days follow-

ing the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in the north of the country, with police and NATO troops clashing with Serb protesters.

World governing body the International Tennis Federation said Djokovic's statement did not violate any rules because the Grand Slam rulebook does not ban political statements.

"When you carry messages about defending human rights, messages that bring people together around universal values, a sportsperson is free to express them," Oudea-Castera told broadcaster France 2. "But, in this case, it was a message that is very activist, that is very political. You shouldn't get involved, especially in the current circumstances, and it

shouldn't happen again."

Oudea-Castera said she made a distinction for messages in support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion, adding that she did not put Kosovo and Ukraine "on the same level".

That includes supporting Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk, who was booed by the crowd after she refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Sunday. Belarus is an ally of Russia, and allowed troops to use its territory to launch last year's invasion of Ukraine.

"What's happening for Ukrainians on the circuit is so painful, so difficult," said Oudea-Castera. "You can understand [Kostyuk's refusal to shake hands]. Even if you'd like there to always be fair play up to and including the handshake…there's pain, and I respect it."

Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who has repeatedly spoken out about tennis's response

to the Russian invasion, said Djokovic should be allowed to give his view.

"We are living in the free world, so why not say your opinion on something?" said Svitolina, after beating Storm Hunter in round two. "I feel like if you stand for something, you think that this is the way, you should say."

Djokovic, 36, has defended his message, which he wrote immediately after his firstround win over Aleksandar Kovacevic on Tuesday.

Speaking to Serbian journalists the 22-time Grand Slam singles champion, whose father was born in Kosovo, said he was "against wars, violence and any kind of conflict", but that the situation in Kosovo is a "precedent in international law".

"Especially as a son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give my support to our people and to the entirety of Serbia," said Djokovic. "Kosovo is our cradle, our

overconfident.

When they regained composure, the Jamaicans added a fourth, courtesy of Van Zanten from the penalty spot, after the fleet-footed Shaneil Buckley was taken out by Garay inside the danger area.

But Panama responded shortly after with a 12yard conversion of their own. Substitute Andrene Smith felled Aaliyah Gil in the 18yard box shortly after entering the pitch, and Rosas was cool, calm and collected in firing past Oakley.

The Jamaicans could have added to their tally in the latter stages, but lacked composure in the final third, while it took some brilliance from Oakley to deny Gil from a distance, four minutes from time. (Sportsmax)

stronghold, centre of the most important things for our country. There are many reasons why I wrote that on the camera. Of course, it hurts me very much, as a Serb, to see what is happening in Kosovo, and the way our people have been practically expelled from the municipal offices; so, the least I could do was this."

Kosovo Olympic authorities have asked the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to open disciplinary proceedings against Djokovic, accusing him of stirring up political tension.

"Novak Djokovic has yet again promoted the Serbian nationalists' propaganda, and used the sport platform to do so," said Ismet Krasniqi, President of Kosovo's Olympic Committee.

On Tuesday the Tennis Federation of Kosovo said Djokovic's actions would "directly result" in increasing tension between the two countries.

The French Tennis Federation, which organises the French Open, said there are no rules on what players can say at Grand Slams, and that it is "understandable" that discussions about international news events took place at the tournament.

"The same rules apply to all four Grand Slams. The tournament referee and Grand Slam Supervisors ensure that these rules are complied with," read a statement.

"Messages are passed on to the teams of any players concerned by such matters."

Jamaica's Under-20 Reggae Girlz celebrating a goal

Novak Djokovic wrote the message on a camera lens after his 6-3

win over Aleksandar Kovacevic on Tuesday

Adult ‘Learn to Swim’ initiative commences on June 3

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), will commence its inaugural adult ‘Learn to Swim’ initiative this Saturday, June 3, following the resounding success of the annual Easter Vacation Swimming Programme, which was hosted back in April.

The programme, which will be conducted every Saturday and Sunday during the month of June, will be conducted at two facilities: the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, ECD, and the Colgrain Swimming Pool in Georgetown.

The initiative will occur from 14:00hrs to 15:00hrs and from 15:00hrs to 16:00hrs respectively during the aforementioned period. The National Aquatic Centre will

be utilized on Saturdays, while the Colgrain Swimming Facility will be used on Sundays.

An opening ceremony is penciled for Saturday at the National Aquatic Centre from 13:15hrs.

Experienced national coach Paul Mahaica will serve as the coordinator and lead trainer. The initiative is being formulated to be introduced to other parts of the nation, namely Linden and Berbice, during the month of July. To date, more than 1200 individuals have registered for the impending project.

“Overwhelming is an understatement with regards to the response to the programme. We have received over 1200 applicants and counting, which is on the heels of the historic 2200 participants garnered for the recent-

ly conducted Easter Vacation Swimming Programme. The success of the Easter programme clearly aided in the response to this novel initiative, and once again highlights Government’s commitment in charting a developmental agenda and path for the devel-

England’s Ashes summer 2023…

Captain Ben Stokes has said the only way he will not take a full part in England’s Ashes summer is if he “can’t walk”.

The 31-year-old had a cortisone injection in a persistent knee injury in March, before playing only two games for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He will lead England in the oneoff Test against Ireland on Thursday.

“I’ve given myself the best possible chance to play a big role, especially with the ball,” he told BBC Sport. Stokes did not bowl in England’s last Test, a defeat by New Zealand in Wellington in February. His time with Chennai was disrupted by a foot injury, after which he was left out of the side, but the all-rounder said he used his time in India to improve his chances of playing a full part with the ball for England.

“The knee is in a much better place than what it was in Wellington,” he said. “I’ve worked incredibly hard with the medical team in Chennai,

England guys. I’ve got myself into a place where I feel like I’m back at a 2019/2020 space in terms of my body. I know I won’t look back on this summer and regret any decisions that I had in the build-up period, because I’ve worked my nuts off. Unless I can’t walk, I’ll be on the field.”

England will hand a debut to Worcestershire pace bowler Josh Tongue in the four-day Test against the Irish. Bowlers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson have been left out as they recover from minor injuries, but Stokes said both would have been able to play had this been the first Ashes Test. Tongue, 25, has been chosen ahead of Chris

someone like Josh Tongue go out and play in a Test. We might need someone like him throughout the summer. It gives me an opportunity to see what his character is like, and what he is like to operate with as a captain. Woakesy completed understood that.”

The five-Test Ashes series begins on 16 June, with England looking to regain the Urn from Australia for the first time in five years.

Under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, England have won 10 of their past 12 Tests in thrilling fashion.

Now the prospect of England taking their swashbuckling style to the Australians is creating the

opment of its most important resource, the human capital.

“Once again, the programme is free of cost and will be financially undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission,” Director of Sport (DoS), Steve

- Stokes

er, or this team and the way we’re trying to progress the game.”

Stokes also dismissed any suggestion that England’s aggressive method will have to be tempered against the high-quality Australian attack.

“That’s the English mentality of turning something negative straight away,” he said. “Every team we’ve played against, it’s been said ‘it will be a big challenge to play against that team in this way’. This is the way we have found ourselves playing our best cricket. Every team we come up against is a challenge, but I find myself answering the same question against different opposition.”

This will be Ireland’s second Test at Lord’s. In 2019, they bowled England out for 85 before themselves succumbing for only 38 in a 143-run loss. Since then, they have played only three Tests - all this year. They are still looking for their first ever Test win after six successive defeats.

Left-arm pace bowler Josh Little is not part of the Ireland squad, after playing

Ninvalle has stated. According to Ninvalle, “Safety will once again be our guiding light. We are cognizant of the huge turnout, and will employ the requisite safety standards and protocols to ensure an incident-free venture. An environment that is not only safe, but conducive to learning, is what we strive for, and will achieve during this period. That is essential for its success and its continuation.”

Ninvalle further stated, “This event is simply the template or beginning for the enactment of a national programme. We are currently in the planning stage of rolling out the initiative to other parts of the country. Enquires have already been forthcoming by interested parties and regions, but the process will be done in a structured manner. It will be undertaken one

step at a time, but an expansion is definitely on the cards for a programme that has all the ingredients of a national platform.”

Meanwhile Mahaica, during brief remarks, said, “This is a very important programme. The numbers that are registering, and we are starting in Georgetown, indicates the eagerness for the opportunity. People are excited and can actually do something that they would have wanted to learn, which was only afforded to their children. Now they also have the opportunity to learn a life skill for free.”

He further said, “We are utilising 32 coaches during this programme. I am seasoned to this programme, and the coaches are individuals that worked on the previous camps and are very experienced and ready to work.”

CWI commences recruitment for a new Director of Cricket

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has commenced the recruitment process for a new Director of Cricket, as the role will become vacant at the end of June when Jimmy Adams’S contract expires.

Adams, who played 54 Tests and 127 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies, has been in the role since January 2017.

Johnny Grave, CWI CEO, stated, “We are extremely grateful for the leadership and contribution that Jimmy has made over the past six and half years. He has overhauled our High-Performance structure, especially with respect to Coach Education & Development, Sport Science & Medicine; and most recently with the launch of our Academy based at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua. I have no doubt that Jimmy will continue to contribute to the game, particularly West Indies Cricket.”

Dr. Kishore Shallow, CWI President, added, “Jimmy has always served West Indies Cricket with passion and distinction. His composed demeanour and professionalism have inspired many positive outcomes over the years. One of his legacies would definitely be the commencement of a coaching revolution in the region. On behalf of the CWI

Board, we wish him a favourable future path.”

Jimmy Adams has said, “It's been an honour to have been involved in the ongoing evolution of CWI. I have had the privilege of working with some amazing people across the organization, and am grateful for all the support they gave me over the past six plus years. I wish everyone all the best going forward, especially in light of the various challenges that exist both regionally and globally.”

Under the leadership of Jimmy Adams as Director of Cricket, CWI has:

* Started a Coach Education & Development Department that created a new set of CWI coaching courses and accreditations that has seen over 1,000 new certified coaches in the region.

* Launched the Men’s Academy, based at CCG in Antigua.

* Started an U19 Regional Women’s Tournament, Women’s ‘A’ Team series, and the Women’s Caribbean Premier League.

* Established a Sports Science & Medicine Department to drive a fitness culture.

* Implemented a new Selection Policy that included appointing separate Women’s and Youth Selection Panels.

* Established the HighPerformance Coaching Group.

Unless I can’t walk, I’ll be on the field

National Swimming Coach Paul Mahaica

Jimmy Adams’s contract is set to expire at the end of June

England Captain Ben Stokes

Republic Bank CPL 2023…

Hetmyer among nine players retained by Guyana Amazon Warriors

- Rutherford, Lewis retained by Patriots

Hard-hitting batsman Shimron Hetmyer and classy right-hander Shai Hope are among the nine players retained by the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the upcoming Republic Bank

Caribbean Premier League season, set to get underway in August. Along with Hetmyer and Hope, the Amazon Warriors have announced the retention of fast bowler Odean Smith, all-rounders Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul, spinner Gudakesh Motie, as well as Chandrapaul Hemraj,

Matthew Nandu and Junior Sinclair.

Meanwhile, the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have confirmed their Caribbean player retentions ahead of the 2023 Republic Bank CPL. The Caribbean players the Patriots have retained are as follows: Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Sherfane Rutherford, Dominic Drakes, Sheldon Cottrell and Joshua Da Silva. The Patriots have also brought in Oshane Thomas, who

was transferred from the Barbados Royals.

The overseas players and draft picks will be announced during the Republic Bank CPL Draft Show, which will be broadcast at the end of June.

The tournament gets underway on August 16, with the final taking place on September 24. There will be matches in Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago.

Moore successfully completes 1 Star Coaching Course

On the heels of completing the required training in April of this year, Clifton Moore, Head Trainer of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym (VBG) on the East Bank of the Essequibo, became the latest Guyanese trainer to be internationally certified.

Earlier this year, it was disclosed that the renowned trainer would undertake the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) online 1 Star Coaching Course from April 4th to 12th via the online meeting platform Zoom.

The IBA 1 Star Coaching Certification is said to be the beginning of pathways for emerging trainers to attain international accreditation under the governing body.

Moore’s success was confirmed and communicated by an official release from IBA Development Officer Chris Roberts, OBE, to Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle, who then relayed the news via a missive from the GBA.

“This is another developmental chapter in our playbook, and represents another investment in the long-term growth of our proud sport.

As an association, our mandate is to develop our technical officers. This decree is an unwavering pledge, as better-equipped and knowledgeable officials will produce talented students, and the only way we can equip our trainers with the required knowledge in an ever-evolv-

ing environment is through international certification and training, which is an immutable best practice of the modern world,” Ninvalle

stated.

The GBA Boss went on to relate, “The GBA understands that the development of the sport is a collective effort, and can only

be achieved with trainers through certification, and boxers via international competition. Guyana, evidenced by its performances in the region, is a leading light in the English-speaking Caribbean, and in order for us to maintain that edge and dominance, we must strive to empower the personnel that is pivotal in sustaining and maintaining that reality.

“Trainers are an important cog, and we will continue our developmental agenda of developing their requisite and respective faculties, which only benefit the discipline. Congratulations to Mr. Clifton Moore. May this be the first of many international glories!”

Coach Moore is the sec-

ond coach under the umbrella of the GBA to participate in IBA certification training. Moore follows another popular trainer, Sebert Blake (three-star), who was afforded the opportunity to partake in the IBA Cutman Technician Course which was conducted at the Women’s World Championship in New Delhi, India from March 15th to 31st.

Moore was among 39 participants at the prestigious forum. The countries that were represented included Bermuda, Iran, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, England, Cape Verde, Belgium, Italy, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zambia.

Kevin Sinclair stars with bat and ball as Windies "A" control Bangladesh "A"

West Indies ‘A’ took full control of the third and final unofficial Test against Bangladesh ‘A’ on Wednesday on the back of strong performances from their batsmen and bowlers at the Syhlet International Stadium.

Carrying on from their overnight score of 320-6, the West Indies eventually scored 445 all out. Then their bowlers then combined to reduce the hosts to 157-7, still 288 runs behind with only three wickets remaining.

Hero of the day was Kevin Sinclair, who scored 60, the sixth half-century of the innings, to help push the West Indies ‘A’ past 400 runs.

Sinclair was 22 not overnight in a 60-run partnership with Raymon Reifer, who failed to add to his overnight score of 56.

With only two runs added to the team score, Reifer

was out caught behind off Shoriful Islam in the second over of the day, but Sinclair

the bat, was dismissed by Mahmudul Hasan Joy for 47.

Ten runs later,

Veerasammy Permaul in similar fashion for 18 to end the lower-order resistance.

Anderson Phillip was not out on 13 when the innings ended after 116.2 overs.

Nasum Ahmed finished with figures of 5-133 from 38.2 overs. Shoriful Islam took 2-80 and Musfik Hasan took 2-59 in support.

Bangladesh ‘A’ struggled with the bat, as Sinclair took 2-51 and Phillip took 2-36 to rip through the line-up, which offered little resistance.

Captain Saif Hasan was the top scorer with 32, and opener Zakir Hasan was run out for 29. Nurul Hasan contributed 28, but the hosts were unable to establish any significant partnerships while trying to cope with the visitors’ attack.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies A 1st Innings

Tagenarine Chanderpaul c

Nurul Hasan b Musfik Hasan 83

Kirk McKenzie c Nurul Hasan

b Shariful Islam 0

Zachary McCaskie c Nurul Hasan

b Musfik Hasan 1

Alick Athanaze c Mahmudul Hasan

b Nasum Ahmed 59

Joshua Da Silva b Nasum Ahmed 82

Raymon Reifer c Nurul Hasan

b Shariful Islam 56

Tevin Imlach lbw b

Nasum Ahmed 10

Kevin Sinclair lbw b

Nasum Ahmed 60

Akeem Jordan c Shahadat Hossain

b Mahmudul Hasan 47

Veerasammy Permaul lbw

b Nasum Ahmed 18

Anderson Phillip not out 13 (10 wickets, 116.2) (16 extras) 445

FOW: 0/1 (1.3) Kirk McKenzie 1/2

(2.3) Zachary McCaskie 83/3 (18.6)

Alick Athanaze 215/4 (51.1) Joshua

Da Silva 241/5 (58.4) Tagenarine

Chanderpaul 260/6 (63.3) Tevin

Imlach 322/7 (83.2) Raymon Reifer

409/8 (103.4) Akeem Jordan 417/9

(108.1) Kevin Sinclair 445/10

(116.2) Veerasammy Permaul

and that took the score to 407 when Jordan, who has been showing off his potential with

crease ended when he was trapped lbw by Nasum Ahmed, who also snared

At stumps, Tanzim Hasan Sakib was not out on 17, with Nasum Ahmed at the other end on seven. (Sportsmax)

Bowling Musfik Hasan (18-5-59-2)

Shoriful Islam (19-1-80-2)

Tanzim Hasan Sakib (19-2-75-0)

Saif Hasan (12-2-49-0)

Nasum Ahmed (38.2-8-133-5)

Mominul Haque (3-1-18-0)

Mahmudul Hasan Joy (7-0-19-1)

Bangladesh A 1st Innings

Mahmudul Hasan Joy c

Imlach b Jordan 9

Zakir Hasan run out 29

Mominul Haque c

Da Silva b Reifer 5

Saif Hasan c McKenzie b Phillip 32

Yasir Ali b Sinclair 9

Shahadat Hossain Dipu c & b Sinclair 3

Nurul Hasan c

McKenzie b Phillip 28

Tanzim Hasan Sakib not out 17

Nasum Ahmed not out 7

Total (7 wickets, 47.0) (18 extras) 157

FOW: 25/1 (8.1) Mahmudul Hasan Joy 37/2 (9.5) Mominul

Haque 66/3 (18.3) Zakir Hasan

79/4 (21.2) Yasir Ali 97/5

(27.1) Shahadat Hossain Dipu

117/6 (34.5) Saif Hasan 138/7 (38.1) Tanzim Hasan Sakib

Bowling

Akeem Jordan (8-2-21-1)

Raymon Reifer (6-0-23-1)

Anderson Phillip (9-2-36-2)

Kevin Sinclair (15-3-51-2)

Veerasammy Permaul (9-1-18-0)

VBG Head Trainer Clifton Moore

GBA President Steve Ninvalle

Keemo Paul Shai Hope

Sherfane Rutherford is retained by Patriots

Paul, Shepherd, Hetmyer and Smith

Anderson Phillip