Guyana Times - Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Pensioner killed by speeding car while attempting to cross roadway

Apensioner is Guyana’s latest road fatality after he was struck down and killed by an alleged speeding car along the Mon Repos highway, East Coast Demerara (EBD), on Sunday evening.

Dead is 67-year-old Muntaz Alli of Mon Repos North, ECD.

Police preliminary investigations revealed that the 48-year-old driver of motor car PMM 9156 was proceeding east along the southern side of the northern carriageway at an alleged fast rate of speed when he claimed that the pedestrian was attempting to cross the road while pushing a bicycle.

However, upon seeing that, the driver allegedly applied brakes and pulled

away from the man to avoid a collision but instead, the right-side front of the vehicle collided with the pedestrian.

As a result, the pedestrian fall onto the road where he sustained injuries to his body.

He was picked up in an

EBD single mother slapped with another fraud charge

ARepublic Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) single mother of two, who is currently before the court on three fraud-related charges, is once again charged with a similar offence.

Thirty-two-year-old Solana Wills was granted bail in the sum of $150,000 when she appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.

unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A breathalyser test conducted on the driver proved that he had some amount of alcohol in his system. He remains in custody pending investigations and charges.

It is alleged that on May 11, 2023, in the West Demerara Magisterial District, with intent to defraud, she conspired with a person or persons unknown to forge a Bank of Guyana (BoG) cheque dated May 2, 2023, in the sum of $956,000, purporting to show that same was issued by the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts Bail Section. The case was adjourned until June 19.

Only last month, Willis appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on three similar charges and she was released on $300,000 bail.

Police stated that between May 12 and 16, 2023, at Georgetown, she intended to defraud persons unknown to her with three forged Bank of Guyana (BoG) cheques, totalling $2,948,000.

Bail was granted to her on the condition that she reports to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters every Friday at 09:00h pending

the hearing and determination of her trial. She was also ordered not to leave the jurisdiction.

Wills is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva. These matters were adjourned until June 13.

In March 2022, Wills was charged with embezzling over $3 million in National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) payments from Leibrands Financial Management and Tax Consultancy, where she had been employed as a supervisor. She was granted $200,000 bail after denying

the six charges.

The particulars of the charges alleged that, between August 1 and December 20, 2021, at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, while being a clerk or servant of Leibrands Financial Management and Tax Consultancy, she fraudulently embezzled $3,134,290 in cash, received or taken into possession by her for or on account of her employer.

The Police Prosecutor had related that, besides receiving funds from clients on behalf of the company, Wills was also tasked with ensuring that clients pay their employees’ National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions.

Between the periods mentioned in the charge, the company’s clients had handed over monies to Wills to pay their employees’ NIS and PAYE. The woman, however, allegedly stole the monies. This publication was reliably informed that the latter six charges were withdrawn against Wills after she opted to repay the company.

File photo: Solana Wills being escorted by a Police rank at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in March 2022

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, June 6 – 04:15h – 05:45h and Wednesday, June 7 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, June 6 – 05:35h

07:05h and Wednesday, June 7 – 06:25h – 07:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 18:25h reaching a maximum height of 2.52 metres.

Low Tide: 11:55h reaching a minimum height of 0.48 metre.

Saudi’s US$150M loan inked for construction of 2500 houses, Wismar Bridge

frastructure projects will support access to vital services, and represent an essential drive for achieving seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.”

Growing partnerships President Ali meanwhile lauded the Saudis for the speed with which they advanced funds for the infrastructural projects. President Ali also observed that not only was the financing provided by the Saudi, but the cost of financing is “second to none”.

Collin Croal, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues and officials from both sides.

NUMBERS

In a move that further cements the growing relationship between Guyana and the Middle East, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Administration on Monday signed a historic US$150 million loan with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) which will finance a number of transformational infrastructural projects in the country.

The signing, the first between the SFD and Guyana, took place at the Office of the President, with President Dr Irfaan Ali and a number of Cabinet Ministers in attendance. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh signed on behalf of the Government while Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad signed on behalf of the SFD.

In his remarks, AlMarshad revealed that Guyana is the 88th country to receive money from the Fund for major projects. He also described both the scope and the direct and indirect benefits of the loan, which will go towards the construction of over 2000 houses and the long-awaited four-lane Wismar-McKenzie Bridge in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) that will be built parallel to the existing one.

“The first project signed today, worth US$100 million, involves infrastructure development and works for the housing sector. And aims to respond to the growing population demand by developing the infrastructure to provide about 2500 housing units, across three different regions,” Sultan Al-Marshad said.

“The housing project also aims to deliver major value by building main and secondary roads. And the establishment of facilities such as

water, sewage, and electricity system, among other benefits. In addition to reducing the current housing shortage, this project will help

“We are on a trajectory in which we are seeking also to build new relationships. To enhance and strengthen old relationships and to build new ones. We have been actively working in your geographic space. And we’re seeing tremendous results. We’re seeing that the activism is leading to meaning-

The signing of these agreements is part of the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the SFD, to support sustainable development in developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Since its establishment in 1974, SFD has implemented more than 700 development projects and programmes in 87 countries around the world. However, the signings mark SFD’s first foray into Guyana to finance major development projects.

In addition to the 2500 housing units that will be built across three different regions in Guyana, the project includes paving the main and secondary roads, establishing water, sewage and electricity networks, digging wells for each of the proj-

stimulate the local economy through direct and indirect job opportunities in the housing sector and enhance community lives through social facilities including parks and health [facilities].”

When it comes to the US$50 million loan signed for the four-lane Wismar Bridge project, the Sultan noted that this will have a number of benefits ranging from reducing traffic jams and enhancing road safety to economic opportunities.

He pointed out that the bridge will also link to the existing road network on both sides of the Demerara River, ensuring easier access to nearby public facilities such as Mackenzie Hospital, and other Government facilities.

The Sultan also observed that both of these in-

ful outcomes. And we look forward to this continued partnership and the speed with which you operate, in helping us on this journey of modernisation,” President Ali said.

Urging Saudi Arabia to also avail itself of private sector investment opportunities in Guyana, The President was hopeful that they could have further discussions on priority areas for funding on the next phase of development. The President further noted that the projects will not only bring temporary relief but also permanent benefit to citizens as it forms part of the larger infrastructure masterplan of the country and will help Guyana on its journey to modernisation

The signing ceremony was also attended by the Housing and Minister Water

ect areas, and the construction of social facilities serving multiple benefits. It will not only address the current housing shortage and improve living conditions but also stimulate the local economy through direct and indirect job opportunities in the housing sectors.

Meanwhile, the new Wismar/McKenzie bridge the Government intends to build is a four-lane one that will be able to facilitate the increased volume of traffic through Region 10. The current Wismar Bridge has only one vehicle lane and is over 50 years old. Back in 2020, Italian engineering company Politecnica unveiled designs for a new bridge. The company had been contracted by the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure to do a feasibility study for the bridge. (G-3)

Finance Minister ,Dr Ashni Singh (left) with Sultan Al-Marshad as they sign the loan agreements

President Dr Irfaan Ali with Saudi Fund For Development CEO Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad (right)

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Women, motherhood, and non-violence

Adecade ago, on the occasion of “International Day for Women” which we commemorated in March, President and Representative to the United Nations, Geneva, Association of World Citizens, Rene Wadlow made a suggestion we believe our conflict-ridden society may benefit from. She suggested a larger role for women as peacemakers, even as they are facing the brunt of inter-personal violence.

Influenced by Eastern thought – encapsulated by the Chinese terms “Yin and Yang” – men and women are thought to have complementary psychological characteristics. “Feminine” characteristics or values include intuitive, nurturing, caring, sensitive, relational traits, while “masculine” characteristics are rational, dominant, assertive, analytical and hierarchical.

While as individuals, men and women alike can achieve a state of wholeness, of balance between the Yin and Yang, in practice “masculine” refers to men and “feminine” to women. Thus, some feminists identify the male psyche as the prime cause of the subordination of women around the world. Men are seen as having nearly a genetic coding that leads them to “seize” power, to institutionalise that power through patriarchal societal structures, and to buttress the power with masculine values and culture.

One of the best-known symbols of a woman as peacemaker is Lysistrata, immortalised by Aristophanes, who mobilised women on both sides of the Athenian-Spartan War for a sexual strike in order to force men to end hostilities and avert mutual annihilation. Since Lysistrata, women, individually and in groups, have played a critical role in the struggle for justice and peace in all societies. However, when real negotiations begin, women are often relegated to the side-lines.

However, a gender perspective on peace, disarmament, and conflict resolution entails a conscious and open process of examining how women and men participate in and are affected by conflict differently. It requires ensuring that the perspectives, experiences, and needs of both women and men are addressed and met in peace-building activities. Today, conflicts reach everywhere. How do these conflicts affect people in the society — women and men, girls and boys, the elderly and the young, the rich and poor, the urban and the rural?

Three elements can be the “gender” contribution to conflict transformation efforts. The first is in the domain of analysis, the contribution of the knowledge of gender relations as indicators of power. Uncovering gender differences in a given society will lead to an understanding of power relations in general in that society, and to the illumination of contradictions and injustices inherent in those relations.

The second contribution is to make us more fully aware of the role of women in specific conflict situations. Women should not only be seen as victims of war: they are often significantly involved in taking initiatives to promote peace. Some writers have stressed that there is an essential link between women, motherhood, and non-violence, arguing that those engaged in mothering work have distinct motives for rejecting war that run in tandem with their ability to resolve conflicts non-violently.

Others reject this position of a gender bias toward peace and stress rather that the same continuum of non-violence to violence is found among women as among men. In practice, it is never all women or all men who are involved in peacemaking efforts. Sometimes, it is only a few, especially at the start of peace-making efforts. The basic question is how best to use the talents, energies, and networks of both women and men for efforts at conflict resolution.

The third contribution of a gender approach with its emphasis on the social construction of roles is to draw our attention to a detailed analysis of the socialisation process in a given society. Transforming gender relations requires an understanding of the socialisation process of boys and girls, and of the constraints and motivations that create gender relations. Thus, there is a need to look at patterns of socialisation, potential incitements to violence in childhood training patterns, and socially-approved ways of dealing with violence. And this would also relate to anti-women violence.

Let’s get women on the front lines.

Without mental health, there can be no true physical health

Dear Editor, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony recently announced that a health-screening initiative will be launched in schools nationwide through a joint effort by the Ministries of Health and Education. The programme will offer preventive care and opportunities for healthy lifestyles, through early detection of any health-related issues, and foster an understanding of the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle and consuming a nutritious diet.

Through screening students from nursery to secondary schools, the programme aims to gather data over time to compare and intervene as needed to tackle the diverse chal-

lenges present in classrooms while simultaneously mitigating potential learning setbacks thus proactively preventing the onset of diseases and thereby promoting overall well-being.

The Caribbean Voice is certain that the Honourable Health Minister is aware of the aphorism offered by Dr Brock Chisholm, psychiatrist and the first DirectorGeneral of the World Health Organisation (WHO), who famously stated that “without mental health, there can be no true physical health”.

The Honourable Minister is also acutely aware of starting health care as early as possible, thus this new pro-

gramme. Therefore, it is quite an enigma that absolutely nothing has been mentioned about mental health in this programme. Perhaps it was an oversight?

Please, Minister Dr Frank Singh, tell the nation that this new programme does indeed include mental health, that mental health screening will also be offered, longitudinal data will be gathered and interventions made as necessary, and preventative and supportive mental health care ensue, so that school system will be producing overall healthy individuals or optimising students’ learning potential and output and that no student will be left behind, regardless of

how ‘challenged’ that student may be.

After all, no amount of physical health screening and care can “tackle the diverse challenges present in classrooms while simultaneously mitigating potential learning setbacks” if mental health is neglected. Every teacher will point to the fact that their classroom’s diverse challenges generally include significant mental health issues that general education teachers are not trained and equipped to handle and that result in unhealthy lifestyles, even among the most physically healthy students.

Best wishes, Annan

Boodram

There are intellectual authors behind the deadly Mahdia fire

Dear Editor, I am convinced that there are intellectual authors behind the deadly fire at Mahdia and I am also even more doubly sure that there is/are a mastermind behind the fires at Karasabai and we can only get to the bottom of this until good sleuthlike investigation coupled with an in-depth CoI being called.

The reason for my summation is this, try to picture a deadly event, where twenty members of a school family of girls were maliciously burnt in their sleep by one of their peers. While youthful indiscretion is paramount here - because students say and sometimes do dumb and dangerous things - but it causes us to wonder why would she be so hurt to the

point of setting a deadly fire.

To accept that this was just a random act means that we would have to accept the theory that all 13-yearold girls in our Indigenous community have diabolical minds. This, in my book, is inconceivable, and that is why I am of the firm belief that she might have used those words in anger, but the act itself was the work

of adult intellectual authors who had a motive and took ample chance of the opportunity available.

I further call to remembrance a famous crime story where a young woman was raped and murdered. This took place in one of our Indigenous communities somewhere up the Berbice River.

This Jeremy Singh photo shows the breathtaking views of the North Rupununi Savannah in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The photo is one of the entries shortlisted in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce "Snap and Share" Independence competition

$4.5B transferred to Amerindians from carbon credit sales for 2023

Since the signing of the US$750 million, multiyear agreement for the sale of high-quality carbon credits to United States energy major, Hess Corporation, a whopping $4.5 billion has been transferred to Amerindian and hinterland communities.

During his party’s Local Government Elections (LGE) campaign in Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) over the weekend, President Ali spoke of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and how his party had to rescue it when they returned to office in 2020 after the five-year tenure of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

“We left a legacy in their hands. The Low Carbon

Development Strategy. What did they do? They came into office. And because of their hate for Bharrat Jagdeo, they threw it out. And in less than three years we brought it back and we expanded it.”

“And as a result of that, today. This year alone, $4.5 billion was transferred to Amerindian, riverine, and hinterland communities…

$4.5 billion. There are thinkers. And those with vision, as against those who are sleepwalking into the future. And as a people, we must always align ourselves with the thinkers and the doers.”

The President further highlighted the former Government’s track record in the forestry sector, an integral sector to the LCDS.

So-called foreign experts on parade against Guyana’s development

Dear Editor,

We have a new foreign expert these days. His name is Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, a Kenyan. The man has been imported into Guyana’s politics and touted as an anti-corruption guru. But what is he really doing here? The answer is obvious for anyone who has followed the modus operandi of the KN publisher and other self-designated civic groups. The strategy is to bring in someone who appears qualified, and who is politically neutral, but who is in fact politically clueless.

The truth is Lumumba knows nothing about Guyana. His expert pronouncements are based on his experience in Africa and in the future, he

should focus his attention on what he knows. Do you all remember Dr Vivian Williams?

KN had him as a world-leading expert on everything, including oil and corruption. Dr Vivian Williams, as it turned out, used his general knowledge about contracts to make all sorts of wild pronouncements. Once the Guyanese found out that he is no expert on Guyana, he bolted. Mind you, before his disappearance, he was in KN every day, with nice photos in a suit and tie. All of that came to zero.

We were also treated to the so-called expertise of Tom Sanzillo, with the heavy title “Director of Financial Analysis at the Institute of Energy Economics and

Financial Analysis” (IEEFA), and Gerard Kreeft, another socalled energy transition adviser. Both have been thoroughly roughed up by the brilliant young Guyanese financial analyst – Joel Bhagwandin.

We also have other varieties of foreigners who are presented as experts or present themselves as such. Think, for instance, of OGGN. All excepting one soul live overseas. The OGGN diaspora group lives more than a combined 150 years away from Guyana, and so for all practical purposes, they are also foreign.

“They promised to open up the skies for these sectors and when they left Government, 20,000 people who were employed in the forestry sector were kicking brick on the road. Because they completely destroyed that sector.”

“More than 60 per cent of the dredges that were operating were dysfunctional and they were closed down because they destroyed the mining sector. Everything they touched was the opposite of the Cinderella story,” President Ali said.

Earlier this month, it had been reported that the first 13 Amerindian villages had received monies totalling $187 million, earned from the sale of carbon credits on May 18, which is intended to boost economic sustainability in these remote areas.

This was revealed by the Office of the Vice President in a press release that welcomed the conclusion of the independent ART-TREES grievance process, which rejected the complaint made by the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), including the associated call by the APA for the suspension of Guyana’s ART-TREES carbon credits.

Monies were disbursed after the villages completed their development plans that highlighted areas in need of investment.

“These include priorities as varied as building shade houses, improving local guesthouses for tourism, supporting cassava farming, providing craft classes, and purchasing village tractors,” the press release pointed out.

Some 242 Amerindian communities are tasked with developing village plans and already, 80 have completed this requirement in keeping with the standards required by the village-led process.

Guyana signed a contract with Hess Corporation which will see the nation earning US$750 million for 30 per cent of its forest within a tenyear period. The country has earned US$150 million for the year 2023.

While 85 per cent is being invested in multi-community and national priorities identified by stakeholders during the seven-month consultation on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, 15 per cent ($4.7 billion) is allocated towards Amerindian development.

APNU needs to run on its record; not run from it

Dear Editor, We have entered the final days of campaigning for the 2023 Local Government Elections (LGE) with early voting by members of the Disciplined Services and candidates making their final pitch to voters for an ‘X’.

Thus far, the campaign shows that the PPP has overwhelming political momentum ahead of the June 12 polls.

The party has benefited from the fact that several Local Area Authorities (LAA) are not being contested because the Opposition did not field candidates for those areas.

Aubrey Norton, at the launch of the party’s LGE campaign. His utterances were directed at the PPP as if it was a national campaign with several reasons why not to vote PPP.

I am aghast that APNU can feel justified in presenting excuses for the poor management of Georgetown, our capital city.

When the party is not

making excuses, it is conveniently attributing blame for the obvious mess to the governing PPP, which is threatening to seize control of the city through the ballot box.

The PNC candidates must run on their track record, not on lofty plans for the future.

Yours truly, Anson Paul

TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2023

There are intellectual...

The prime suspect, an Amerindian man, was held, tried, and convicted, only on the basis that he passed by that way soon after the deadly event. The “B*** Man" (No condescension of our Indigenous peoples, but used for emphasis) lost his life just like that. It was years after the deathbed confession that the real killer was made known to us. I reiterate the point that this fire at Mahdia reeks of other behind the scene actors.

It is strangely coincidental that another fire of the same type carried out at the

FROM PAGE 4

Karasabai dorms could have been deliberately set. It boggles the mind that these fiery episodes could have taken place in such a short space of time, who lit that fire, or who were the diabolical minds behind those four lads that allegedly lit that fire? These are all pointed questions to which we demand answers. It is said that lightning does not strike twice in the same place, what are your thoughts?

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Readers already know that the Kaieteur News publisher has promoted people lone Lumumba, Williams, Sanzillo, and others. It is now clear that these people have been drafted into a political project. The poor souls are quite likely oblivious to ways in which their names and images are being exploited to advance the political career of their Guyanese host.

Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba will soon discover that he is being made a fool by sticking his nose in a place where he has no knowledge and zero experience. He, like the discredited Dr Vivian Williams, will walk away sad and forlorn, with a sense of being used for purposes beyond his grasp.

For these men and the sponsor - “That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other.” Macbeth, of course.

Sincerely, Dr Randolph Persaud

The PPP has won over several APNU supporters and independents, particularly in the latter’s so-called stronghold areas of Linden, New Amsterdam, and Georgetown.

Social media is being flooded with advertisements from the PPP that highlight the horrid track record of APNU/PNC in managing the affairs of Georgetown.

Given the 50-plus years that the Opposition has maintained control of the city, one expected there to be more information in the public space about their track record.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Where are the achievements over the several decades, the ongoing plans and the future plans enhance the city?

Since there appears to be little evidence of a record on which to run for re-election, it is a given that Aubrey Norton has resorted to overt smear tactics, smoke screens, and mirrors.

A few weeks ago, I listened to the PNC Leader,

A large section of the 240 Indigenous communities that attended one of the consultations on the allocations from the carbon credit sales

Page Foundation

Proportions and cross-multiplying

by A.J Seymour Ignorant,Illegitimate,

Hungry sometimes,

Living in tenement yards

Dying in burial societies

The people is a lumbering giant

That holds history in his hand.

The efficient engineers dam the conservancies

Design the canals and the sluices

The chemists extract their sugar to the ton. The millers service the padi into rice

And the heavy lorries and unpunctual ships

Bring ground provisions from the farms.

But always the people is a hero, a vast army

Making the raw material for skill and machines to work upon.

They frequent the cinemas

Throng the races and the dance halls

Pocket small wages with a sweating brow

And ragged clothes;

But it is their ignorant, illegitimate hands

That shape history.

They grow the cane and the rice and the ground provisions

They dig the gold and the diamonds and the bauxite

They cut the forests and build the bridges and the roads and the wall to keep out the sea.

History is theirs,

Because history doesn't belong

To the kings, and the governors and the legislature. History basically

Is the work men do with their hands

When they battle with the earth

And grow food and dig materials

For other people's profits and other people's skill.

And other people know it too.

The labour leaders and the politicians

Shake fists to rouse the rabble

But that giant, the people

They say yes or no to the proposition , Chinese running their groceries and their laundry places Portuguese controlling the dry goods and the pawnshops Indians saving every half of a shilling Cutting in canefields

Breaking their backs to grow rice.

Remember Exercises:

Africans tramping aback for the provisions, Running the falls topside for fabulous diamonds, Becoming the teachers, the policemen, and the Civil Servants They are all heroes, They make history

They are the power in the land. And the women work patiently along with the men

And look after the children, as best they can. And the children grow Force their way out of the slums into the professions

And stand up in the legislature.

Today they hope

But tomorrow belongs to the people. Tomorrow they will Put power behind their brow

And get skill in their hands. Tomorrow

They will make a hammer to smash the slums And build the schools.

Like a River, the people hold history in their hands

And Tomorrow belongs to them.

WORD SEARCH

A proportion is a problem that contains two ratios that are equal. In a proportion problem, one of the numerators or one of the denominators is not known. The met6hod for finding the missing numerator or denominator is called cross-multiplying.

PPP/C going above and beyond manifesto promises – Pres Ali

...tells Reg 5 it will become livestock capital of Caribbean

While the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is well on the way to achieving its manifesto promises made three years ago, the party is intent even now on exceeding its manifesto.

This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali at a public meeting at Dundee, Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), on Monday evening. During his address, the President made it clear that they will not stop at what they promised in their manifesto. The party’s policies in Government, he said, are largely influenced by the needs of the people.

“We are doing additional things to what we put in the manifesto. And why are we doing this? Because we are a listening Government. Since coming to office, we have continuously engaged the communities. We’re listening to your concerns, your priorities, what’s bothering you. We’re analysing that and then we are making decisions in your interest and based on your priorities. A Government and a political system that is responsive to your needs.”

“Not so long ago, our rice farmers, many of whom reside in this region, were told that rice is a private business. In this very region, agriculture came to a standstill because they did not invest in agriculture. They made it difficult for agriculture,” the President further informed the crowd.

According to Ali, the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government destroyed the foundation that the PPP/C had laid for the agriculture sector. This has forced the current Government to rebuild the sector after returning to office. However, he assured that the Government has big plans for the region

when it comes to livestock farming and agriculture in general.

“We have announced a plan for 2030 and beyond. And in that plan, we want to position Guyana as a leader in energy and food security and as a leader in climate security… the Hope Estate that went dead, we’ve invested in the Hope Estate. Restructuring it.”

“We are working on a new programme to see Region Five becoming the livestock capital of the Caribbean. We’re investing in new breeds, new varieties. The black belly sheep project. We’re bringing young people, opening up new lands, we’re creating new areas of development in this region.”

According to the President, his Government sees the region as an important cornerstone to not only advancing the food security agenda locally but also in the Regional market. He made it clear that the investments they are making in Region Five will transform it into the livestock capital of the Region.

“We see this region as an important cornerstone to securing our own livestock needs. And then advancing in the Regional market. And we’re building infrastructure. We’re investing in what is required, to ensure that this region becomes the livestock capital of the Region.”

“That is what we’re doing. Not only thinking about how we can make the region competitive in Guyana but how we can position the region to be a leader in the Caricom market. How we can position the region to leverage its competitive advantage to be a leader in the regional market? That is a Government that is looking at the long-term economy of the region.”

The National Drainage

and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), through the Agriculture Ministry, recently awarded a contract totalling $257,166,500 to EPCOT Enterprise Inc for the rehabilitation of the all-weather road at Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, for the black belly sheep project which is currently being rolled out

across the country.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha also recently revealed that just under 500 black belly sheep are expected to arrive by the end of this month, as they are currently being quarantined before being shipped.

In August last year, Guyana received the first shipment of 132 sheep –

20 rams and 112 ewes. The programme was launched with an estimated $600 million investment from the Government.

President Ali, during the launch of the project at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, in March 2022, had said the project is intended to pave the way for Guyana to tap into the Region’s hefty

food importation bill. The food importation bill sees Caricom countries collectively spending some US$43 million on the import of mutton alone. And even though Guyana’s food production capabilities are impressive, the country still imports approximately US$130,000 worth of mutton.

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering

A section of the gathering

Surinamese gets 3 years, fined for drug trafficking – Pomeroon

man remanded on similar charge

ASurinamese who was nabbed with a quantity of narcotics on Saturday during a Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU)-led operation at Eliza Mary, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment along with a $688,350 fine.

Virjanand Narain appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to trafficking 69.9 grams of ecstasy and 101 grams of hashish. The sentence was imposed by Magistrate Renita Singh.

In a separate matter, Rocky Mangra, a 42-yearold from Grant St Joseph

in Lower Pomeroon, Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam),

was slapped with a similar charge. Particulars of the charge against him stated that on June 2, he had 3.128 kilograms of Cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Mangra was brought before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. He was refused bail and remanded to prison until June 26. On the day in question, CANU ranks conducted an operation at the Charity Stelling where they seized a box containing multiple parcels of cannabis.

According to CANU, its ranks uncovered the box of imported cannabis, commonly referred to as

“creepy.” The seized narcotics have an estimated street value of around $1 million, CANU said.

Alleged drug trafficker Andrew Morgan to know fate on Friday

What’s going on...

…with African rights??

Way back in the day, Marvin Gaye crooned this plea even as the Civil Rights struggles of MLK and Malcolm X had been waged: “Mother, mother/ There's too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother/There's far too many of you dying/ You know we've got to find a way/ To bring some lovin' here today, yeah/ Father, father/ We don't need to escalate/ You see, war is not the answer/ For only love can conquer hate/You know we've got to find a way/ To bring some lovin' here today”.

Well, fifty years later, the plea’s still being made by People of African Descent– including Guyana. But at least the UN heard their cries and in late 2014 declared an “International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) 2015-2024) under the theme, "People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) took the lead to strengthen actions and measures to ensure their full realisation of the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights…and their full and equal participation in society.

The Decade provides an operational framework to encourage States to eradicate social injustices inherited from history and to fight against racism, prejudice, and racial discrimination to which people of African descent are still subjected. The PPP Govt welcomed the initiative and noted they’d already facilitated the creation of a Guyana Reparations Committee under the chairmanship of African political activist Eric Philips, who’d been their trenchant critic of African rights.

Accused drug trafficker Michael Andrew Morgan will know his fate on Friday when Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce is expected to deliver his ruling in the case in which the 53-year-old businessman is charged with trafficking $3.5 million in cocaine.

On June 29, 2022, Morgan of Ixora Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Diamond Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts, charged in connection with the discovery of 3.278 kilograms of cocaine at his home earli-

er that month.

At his second appearance in August of that year, he was again refused bail and further remanded to prison.

As such, his attorney, Glen Hanoman, had petitioned for bail in the High Court, arguing that the request was based on “unreasonable delay” and that the prosecution had sought an adjournment on the basis that the analyst report was not yet completed when in fact it was.

Hanoman had also advanced that CANU has evidential problems includ-

ing establishing a nexus between the illegal drug and his client.

However, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) prosecutor, Attorney-atLaw Thalia Thompson had objected to bail on the basis that no special reasons were advanced or shown that warrant the ground for granting bail.

She had also argued that the matters raised by Hanoman are contentious issues of fact suitable for trial and not a bail hearing. She had also contended that there has been no delay but an argument of presumed delay in the future.

Following the arguments, Justice Gino Persaud had ruled that the evidential issues are not relevant factors to be taken into consideration for the granting of bail. He, therefore, agreed with the arguments put forward by the CANU prosecutor that no special reasons were put forward for bail to be considered, and as such, dismissed the application.

It was reported that on the day in question, CANU officers acting on intelligence conducted a narcotics operation at Ixora Avenue, Eccles, EBD, thus resulting in the discovery of a quantity of cocaine, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, one .32 Taurus firearm, along with one magazine, and 25 matching rounds of .32 ammunitions.

Morgan was subsequently arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters along with the firearm, ammunition, and cocaine. Andrew Morgan and his brother Peter Morgan have been under CANU’s radar for more than two decades.

Notably, Peter Morgan was deported from the US back in 2015 after serving his time in prison on trafficking in narcotics charges. He was arrested for conspiring to import, possess and distribute five kilograms of cocaine between December 2001 and August 2003 in the United States.

However, all of this occurred just as we became embroiled in electoral changeover as the APNU/AFC coalition checkmated the PPP in 2011 and assumed power in 2015. The PNC then decided to pass on the initiative in 2017 to a group formed by most of the Afrocentric groups in Guyana – IDPADA-G and funded it to the tune of $100 million annually. IDPADA–G was headed by Vincent Alexander, the PNC representative on the gatekeeper for political power –otherwise known as GECOM!! In our ethnically-dominated politics since the 1950s – even before Marvin Gaye!! – it was inevitable that politics and IDPADA-G’s activities would be seen as political. That’s just the way the political cookie crumbles in Guyana!!

Well, after the PPP was elected back into office in 2020, relations with IDPADA-G did become testy after the Ministry of Culture asked in 2022 to see how the $500 million disbursed to them by then had been spent. Not satisfied with the disbursements, the Ministry decided to work directly with the constituent Afro-centric groups.

IDPADA-G took them to the Courts, which advised the two sides to settle the matter between themselves!!

…at the UN??

In the meantime, the UN Agencies that had been given the mandate to follow through to ensure that States “eradicate social injustices inherited from history and to fight against racism, prejudice, and racial discrimination” were holding meetings to find out the ongoing status. There was one meeting in Geneva by the OHCHR’s “Permanent Forum on People of African Descent” earlier this year at which IDPADA-G made several presentations.

Then this month there was another meeting of the Permanent Forum in NY where this time the Government and IDPADA-G both made presentations. It became very clear that the two sides are still very far apart in their evaluation of the status of African Guyanese – as far as the UN goals are concerned. The government’s contention – as articulated in a letter to the press this week – is that there are constitutional and statutory provisions in place to deal with all of the discrimination, etc, being claimed by IDPADA-G.

However, the major bone of contention isn’t just the interpretation of IDPADA-G’s facts presented – but the misrepresentation of those facts!! That’s political!!

…with educational dorms??

Seems there are 24 school dorms in the country. A UNICEF survey highlighted their “deficiencies”. Almost half of the students think they should get a stipend!! Never mind the State’s already footing their lodging and boarding!!

Jailed: Virjanand Narain

Remanded: Rocky Mangra

The packaged cocaine, firearm and ammunition that were allegedly found at the businessman’s Eccles, EBD home

Accused drug trafficker: Michael Andrew Morgan

Reg 7 to be integrated into national development plans – Pres Ali

...urges Bartica to vote for local leaders who will prioritise development

Residents of Bartica were on Sunday reminded of their importance in the national development trajectory, with President Dr Irfaan Ali taking the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Local Government Election (LGE) 2023 campaign to the Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) town.

During his address to residents of Bartica at Dino Square, Second Avenue, President Ali contrasted the differences in development that came to Bartica during the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) time in office, with the PPP/C ‘s vision for the town. According to him, the PPP/C wants to integrate Bartica into the national development plans that are taking place.

“In the days ahead, you have a very serious decision to make. A decision that will impact your township, impact your lives, your family’s lives, impact the development of this town. And my friends, Region Seven is on a forward-looking trajectory,” the President said in his address to residents.

“The development plans that we have nationally, Region Seven is going to be integrated into that plan that links Region 10, that links the new highway to Lethem, that connects Region Seven to Region Three and Region Three to port Georgetown. The type of development we are planning in the national transformation programme, would feature Region Seven, particularly at the core of our development trajectory.”

According to Ali, however, the completion of these plans requires leadership at the regional level that is prepared to work with the Government at the central executive level. He, therefore, urged Barticians to vote for the PPP/C when they go to the polls.

“That requires leadership at the local level. Leadership at the municipal level. That can have syn-

ergy with the leadership at the national level. And not leadership that is pulling in the opposite direction of development. That is pulling in the opposite direction of progress. And pulling in the opposite direction of moving things forward,” President Ali said.

“It is important that we have leaders who can embrace the priority of the people. The priority of the township. The priority of development is its focus. And not the priority of political propaganda and mischief. That is why, in these elections, we are representing a platform in which the priority of the people, the township, the region, your lives and advancement, is the paramount driving force that is pushing us forward to ensure we win this township.”

The PPP/C has a number of transformative projects underway that are specifically targeted at Bartica - regional economic and infrastructural development projects the Government has said will be linked to the national transformative infrastructure.

These include the construction of the Timehri to Bartica road link, the upgrade to hospitals in Bartica, the construction of a $10 million bond at the Bartica Hospital, the introduction of the flagship initiative – Picture Archiving Computing System (PACS) at the Bartica Hospital, the establishment of a $26.3 million Maternal and Child Health Centre, Government’s solar farm project, recommencement of the Bartica Stelling project, commissioning of a $177 million modern Bartica Magistrate’s Court and the improvement in water services and delivery with the replacement of old transmission mains.

There is also the Linden to Lethem Road which, considering Bartica’s proximity to Linden, is expected to also benefit the township. The Linden-Lethem Road is being upgraded to an all-weath-

er road, with the contractor being required to produce an asphaltic surface capable of withstanding the heavily laden lorries which currently use the thoroughfare.

The first phase of the project focuses on a two-lane highway being constructed

from sand and dirt to an asphaltic concrete surface. The road will be approximately 121 kilometres long and 7.2 metres wide. The project is expected to last for three years. With tangible works taking place, residents have started focusing on the new possibilities for business opportunities.

The project is being

funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) via a US$112 million loan, a grant to the tune of £50 million (US$66 million) from the United Kingdom under the Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (CIPF), and an input of US$12 million from the Guyana Government.

With a 7.2-metre-wide

carriageway, the Lindento-Mabura Road will feature a cycle and pedestrian lane measuring 2 metres wide, along with 10 bus stops outfitted with ramps for persons with disabilities. Additionally, a number of bridges and culverts along the way will be replaced, and some 123 lights will be installed. (G-3)

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering

The mammoth crowd at the Bartica meeting on Sunday evening

Body of missing sailor pulled from Essequibo River

Father of 6 feared dead following boat collision in Aruka River

Afather of six is feared dead after the boat he was operating reportedly crashed into another vessel along the Aruka River in Region One (Barima-Waini) on Sunday.

Missing is 25-year-old Terry LaCruz of Mabaruma, Region One. Based on information received, LaCruz reportedly crashed into another boat that was at the time being operated by his father, Percy Thomas.

Speaking with this publication, Thomas explained that his son was speeding along the river when he ended up crashing into him.

As a result of the impact, LaCruz’s small boat broke into pieces and he fell overboard.

“I normally [come] from church and I normally call a boat to come [to] collect me to carry me back home right and while we [were] heading home, I was almost reaching my landing and we see this boat speeding coming down and we shine up the light and give them [a] signal but [like he didn’t see it] …and he come and slam straight into our boat,” Thomas told this publication.

Three days after he went missing fol-

lowing a boat mishap, the body of 29-yearold Gavin Cox was pulled from the Essequibo River on Sunday.

This was confirmed by Commander Deon Moore, who stated that the body was found in close proximity to Goshen Village.

It was reported that on

Thursday around 19:45h, Cox, of Batavia Village, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was the lone occupant in his boat when a fiberglass boat that was powered by a 300-horsepower engine collided with him.

Due to the impact, Cox was thrown overboard. The captain of the fiberglass boat, Police said, attempt-

ed to search the area for Cox but his efforts were futile.

A report was subsequently made at the Bartica Police Station and a search party was established. After days of searching the area, the body was finally located. The captain of the other vessel is assisting Police with their investigations.

Thomas said he, his wife and two daughters were heading home from church

Feared dead: Terry LaCruz

when the accident occurred. He explained that it was upon reaching his destination, they observed a boat approaching them at a fast rate of speed.

“All we hear is the impact and we didn’t see anything else,” he added. Shortly after, the family then realised that the boat was LaCruz’s. Thomas and his family suffered no injuries. Meanwhile, a search party continues to look for the missing man. LaCruz was described as a very willing and hardworking person.

Guyanese rice researcher Dr Mahendra Persaud receives Anthony N Sabga Award

Rice researcher Dr Mahendra Persaud was on Saturday be-

stowed with the prestigious Anthony N Sabga Award and awarded the Guyanese equivalent of TT$500,000 at a gala ceremony in Port of Spain.

The award is in recognition of his contribution to agriculture in Guyana.

The Chief Scientist at the Guyana Rice Development Board was inducted at the 2023 Anthony N Sabga Awards, Caribbean Excellence Laureate in Science & Technology at the Hilton Trinidad Ballroom before an audience of 200.

“Most importantly for me, I would like to express my gratitude for the farmers who have participated in my research. They have provided me space and assistance, resources to conduct our research, so we can ultimately advance their own lives and those of people around the Region,” he remarked.

He added that rice production accounted for over 20% of Guyana’s GDP in 2020.

Dr Persaud, also a recipient of the Golden Arrow of Achievement in 2016, is credited with leading a team of researchers who have developed over a dozen varieties of disease-resistant,

high-yield rice well suited to Guyana’s climate, increasing yields from a national average of 4 tonnes per hectare to 6.

He is also leading the development of zinc-fortified rice and exploring the possibility of growing wheat in Guyana. He told the audience: “At this point in time, we are very sure that wheat can grow in Guyana. We still have lots more work to do, but we are very sure.”

His fellow laureates, inducted with him are Dr Adesh Sirjusingh, a women’s health doctor from T&T, and Antiguan author Joanne C Hillhouse.

The Anthony N Sabga Awards are administered by the philanthropic arm of the ANSA McAL Group and presented annually to Caribbean nationals in the fields of Arts & Letters, Entrepreneurship, Public & Civic Contributions, and Science & Technology.

Dr Persaud joins a college of 57 Caribbean Laureates recognised for excellence in human endeavour that uplifts the Region. Last year, Guyanese businessman and environmentalist Shyam Nokta was bestowed with the award.

Dr Mahendra Persaud

Dead: Gavin Cox (G News Bartica Newsletter Photo)

World Environment Day

Simple choices can make an impact to beat plastic pollution – Pres Ali …PM

hints existing anti-pollution laws will be enforced

is a summon to not only find solutions but to implement those solutions. We have to begin by accepting that plastic pollution is a fundamentally moral problem.”

It was announced that Government is working to bring a serious push that aims at eradicating plastic pollution – a campaign that will commence with public education. He emphasised the importance of protecting the environment by curtailing the use of single-use plastics, which the Government intends to pursue aggressively following widespread public consultations, strengthened regulations, and public awareness.

“Our Government is going to make a serious point

to eradicate plastic pollution…We have to also take action to enforce our existing anti-pollution laws. I intend to ask the Environmental Protection Agency and our local authorities to step up

to intercept and arrest pollutants and place them before the court. Pollution, including plastic pollution, has consequences. We also must strengthen regulation.” (G-12)

As Guyana joined the world on Monday in observance of Environment Day, President Dr Irfaan Ali had a strong message on the individual responsibility to eliminate plastic pollution.

The Head of State called for Guyanese to be more responsible in the disposal of plastic waste in his message, as World Environment Day 2023 was held under the theme “#BeatPlasticPollution, Ecosystem Restoration”.

“On this World Environment Day, I urge all Guyanese to act more responsibly in the manner in which they dispose of plastic

Ali shared.

On Sunday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted its Green Walk, which saw several contingents lobbying against plastic pollution.

It culminated at the National Park, where Prime Minister Mark Phillips delivered his feature address and vented at the scourge of widespread littering locally.

“Plastic pollution remains a major obstacle in global efforts to preserve and protect the planet and its people. I have been involved in national clean up exercises around the country, including along the city foreshores and I am ap-

waste. We all have a duty to keep our environment clean and safe. By acting responsibly, we can end plastic pollution.”

He added that each person can contribute by making informed, ethical and responsible choices including reducing plastic usage, especially that of single-use plastics; promoting greater recycling; ensuring proper waste disposal; and ending littering.

“Over the past year, I have personally led efforts to enhance our physical environment through national clean-up exercises. These non-partisan activities are intended to promote greater environmental health and sustainability. I encourage all Guyanese to come out and support these efforts. Simple choices, at the individual level, can have an immense impact,” President

palled at the amount of garbage in our city, which is a product of indiscriminate littering.”

“We have a monumental pollution problem in Guyana and plastic is a major culprit. We have been forewarned by the United Nations Environment Programme that the world is heading for an environmental apocalypse and here again, plastic is a major culprit. UNEP estimates that plastic constitutes about 85 per cent of all marine litter and much of this wash back to land,” the Prime Minister added.

Further, Phillips zeroed in that plastic not only affects marine life, but it also creates blockages in drainage systems, leading to bigger problems. “It is time for us to act, and act decisively. The theme of this year’s World Environmental Day

Organisations turned up to lobby against plastic pollution

Prime Minister Phillips on the forefront of the EPA’s Green Walk on Sunday

Countrywide distribution of $40,000 “Because We Care” cash grant kicks off –

parents praise Govt for assistance

their children’s educational needs.

This year, each child in the public and private school system is receiving $40,000.

All students from the nursery level all the way up to Grade 10 or the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level, are eligible to receive this grant.

During the course of the day, Education Minister Priya Manickchand updated on her social media that the process was moving smoothly, and auditors were on site to ensure accountability and transparency.

When Guyana Times arrived at several distribution sites, several parents shared their satisfaction at

the initiative, and hopes for it to be continued.

Tetri Raghubeer was at the North Georgetown Secondary school to uplift her grant, where she shared, “They’re doing a great job in assisting the parents with the children. The money is a great help and beneficial to take care of their school belongings like books, shoes and whatever necessary. I appreciate it very much.”

Romona Browne, who hails from Kuru Kururu, went to uplift the “Because We Care” grant at the Stella Marris Primary School for her child.

She told this publication, “I actually feel very good about it. I’m satisfied… Of course, it will help with her text books, her passage

Distribution of the $40,000 “Because We Care” cash grant kickstarted on Monday across the country.

As hundreds of parents showed up to uplift, they highlighted that it would assist greatly in cushioning the costs attached to giving their children a proper education. This meant they would be able to buy textbooks, uniform and other essential items needed for their child to attend school comfortably.

This programme is a continuation of the Ali-led Administration’s manifesto promise which aims to provide financial assistance to families with regard to

to come to school, and everything that she probably needs for school. It would definitely help in that area.”

A mother of five, Shimber Daniels noted that she is extremely grateful for the support, especially coming from a single parent perspective where she is the lone provider.

“I’m feeling good that it can help the children in every way because sometimes they have SBAs and their travel fees and so. I think it will help them a lot.” More than 214,000 children are eligible this year to receive the grant.

Meanwhile, over 12,500 students in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are expected to benefit from the cash grant over the next two days.

Following Monday’s commencement of the distribution of the, “Because We Care” cash grant, parents along the Essequibo Coast have lauded the efforts by the Government.

Savita Ram, a mother of four, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for the education grant which will tremendously assist in back-to-school shopping.

“Today I have received $160,000… you know how much things I will get for my children to return to school after the July-August holiday? I am thankful for this assistance and I know for sure this Government will assist us more in the future.”

Parbattie Ramsaroop, a single mother of two, said that she is extremely happy and satisfied with the cash she received while add-

ing that she will spend the grant on her children’s education needs.

In 2021, Government disbursed a total of $3.3 billion in “Because We Care” cash grants to public school students countrywide. The cash grants were also extended to students attending private schools, where each child received $19,000, amounting to a total of $284.8 million.

Then in 2022, the grants were estimated to cost over $5.8 billion for some 193,679 eligible students.

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. When the distribution exercise ended, over 10,000 cash grants and uniform allowances were not uplifted.

The Education Ministry had reassured that systems would allow those beneficiaries get their monies before the reopening of the school term.

The “Because We Care” cash grant initiative was first introduced in 2014 and saw each public-school child benefitting from $10,000. However, the initiative came to a halt by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government but was reinstated in 2020 after the PPP went back into office.

In addition to resurrecting the programme, the PPP/C increased the value of the cash grant to $15,000. This was alongside the $4000 uniform grant, meaning every child received a total of $19,000 that year.

A Head Teacher and teacher scrutinising the list

A parent collecting the grant from a teacher of Fisher Primary School, Essequibo Coast

Parents at Bartica Secondary School

Distribution of “Because We Care” cash grant

The Education Ministry commenced the distribution of the “Because We Care” cash grant for schoolchildren across the country on Monday. More than 214,000 children from both public and private schools are eligible this year to receive the grant.

Moonlight – “The Lost City” dazzles Guyana Marriott

and express the pure talents that lie within the borders of Guyana, models, and designers represented at the gala and runway show were evident as they brought their cultures to life.

Guyana Times spoke with a few designers on Monday during which they described the event as fascinating and well put-together.

Randy Madray related that the show has set an amazingly high standard for runway events in Guyana. “It was very classy, very sophisticated and I feel like it really accommodated artist of all forms. It allowed for the visual artists, decorators, models designers, and even the performers.”

In a dazzling display of elegance and enchantment, the most anticipated Moonlight Stories Gala and Runway show took centre stage on Saturday night, captivating the hearts and minds of fashion enthusiasts.

Held at the prestigious Guyana Marriot Hotel Ballroom, the event was a seamless combination of magic and high fashion coupled with ethereal storytelling, leaving patrons amazed from the moment they en-

tered the moonlit realm of artistry.

The Moonlight Stories Gala and Runway showcased a combination of fashion and imagination presented by the talented Keshia Edwards, the visionary behind ShaSha Designs. The concept and creativity of the night mesmerised the audience through this year’s theme “The Lost City”. Edwards brought to life, a journey through the dominion of Guyana’s forgotten wonders.

The Gala and Runway featured several Guyanese designers such as Derek Moore, Randy Madray, Dexter Gardner, Roberto Tekkah, Isaiah Luther, Phelicia Adams, Esther Samuels, Kim Boodhan and others. There was a strategic mix of seasoned and new Guyanese designers who were given the opportunity to showcase their conceptual designs of “The Lost City”.

In an effort to capture the essence of patriotism

He added that the events such as Moonlight Stories Gala and Runway Show were just what was needed to boost the fashion industry.

Meanwhile, Derek Moore expressed that he knew he had to be very creative as he

alive.

Another designer, Dexter Gardener, said the event exceeded his expectations. “It

time displaying one of his own designs on the runway and it was undoubtedly a great experience. “I was re-

was entering a show with a great platform.

“The experience was amazing. From the inception of creating plaits and dream catchers to completing my simple, yet artistic silhouette and displaying it at the show. I wanted to display gold elements that resonate with the people of Guyana.” Moore believes that the dream of our El Dorado is still very much

was my first time being a part of a runway show of this calibre. I had the opportunity to meet new designers and my experience was be-

ally excited about the show because there was such a wide audience to interact with my work.” He also noted that it is important for

yond good.” Gardener added that Moonlight Stories was a platform to experience our talent and culture as the event celebrated Guyana.

One of the newer designers, Roberto Teekah expressed that it was his first

Guyanese to support local talents.

“There is no shortage of talent here and if we continue to nurture that talent, we could reach such a standard that the international community would be amazed.”

Keisha Edwards CEO - ShaSha Designs

GWI trains 25 plant operators to boost performance

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has facilitated training for 25 plant operators from across the country, who are now better equipped to perform optimally at their job.

The water treatment plant operators, drawn from Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), recently graduated from the rigorous upskilling programme designed by the company.

During the six-month programme, the now level-two operators were exposed to both classroom and fieldwork to get them to better understand the extent of their duties.

Speaking at a simple ceremony held in GWI’s Georgetown Office, Executive Director of Human Resources Management, Elvis Gordon congratulated the graduands on their achievement.

And on that note, he said GWI now looks forward to

seeing them put their newly acquired skills into practice and make a meaningful difference in their work environment.

GWI is expending billions of dollars to improve access to and quality of water as well as improving and expanding water infrastruc-

Dr Anthony urges citizens to take HPV vaccine to reduce risk of cervical cancer, other diseases

With cervical cancer maintaining its position as the second most common cancer affecting women, the low adoption rate of HPV vaccines in Guyana has become a cause for concern, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony has stated. These vaccines serve as a vital safeguard against HPV infections and cervical pre-cancers, hence the urgency for increased awareness and uptake of the vaccine locally.

Speaking at the launch of the national expansion of the HEARTS Initiative for the management of cardiovascular diseases recently, Dr Anthony highlighted that since the introduction of the programme in Guyana, the number of persons who are vaccinated remains at a minimum.

“It’s not a lack of resources … we have to start by getting more people to take HPV vaccines … How are we going to prevent cervical cancer from happening if we don’t have a broad base programme? This is something, I recall HPV vaccination was started by Dr Ramsaran, that’s a long time ago. Up to now, we have not been able to scale it up to where it ought to be,” Dr Anthony pointed out.

Further, the Health Minister emphasised the critical need for medical

professionals to re-evaluate the implementation of the programme, recognising the pivotal role they play in bringing real change in the country.

“It’s not that we don’t have the tools to prevent, it’s that we’re not implementing the tools to the scale that we need to implement it, to make that impact and to bring that change,” he explained.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, all HPV vaccines protect against at least HPV types 16 and 18, which places individuals at the greatest risk of developing

cervical cancer.

HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause a range of health issues, including genital warts and cancer.

In the meantime, the Government continues to expand the vaccination campaign to reduce the number of infections, as well as the number of deaths. HPV vaccines were made available for women up to 45 years of age last October. The move was a monumental step in the fight against the virus, as previously, only males and females between the ages of 9 and 15 were offered the vaccine.

tures throughout Guyana.

This year, the Government has invested approximately $14.5 billion in the water sector, targeting the delivery of treated water, upgrades to existing water infrastructure, construction of new facilities, and the drilling of wells across the country.

Construction of seven new water treatment plants and refurbishment of twelve

existing ones are currently underway, with completion expected by 2024. These projects will significantly enhance the quality of water provided to residents.

Currently, 97 per cent of the population has access to clean water, and the Government is working diligently to achieve full coverage by 2025.

With this level of investments in the water sector,

Jordan told the graduands that much is expected of them in their work, attitude and output on the job.

GWI is working to train all GWI plant operators this year and to commence supervisory training next year. The company in recent years has placed greater attention on training and retention of employees, retaining key and critical skills through improved packages, and recognising employees who have pursued professional development opportunities.

GWI Board Member Wendell Jeffrey, who also addressed the occasion, told the graduands that the GWI is a multibillion-dollar operation, and the company needs them. He was also keen to emphasise that they must give their best on the job, with an eye for continuous improvement.

Nazimul Ghani of Region Six was adjudged the best-graduating student.

The plant operators who recently graduated in the company of senior officials

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

Don’t fall to "whisper campaigns" – Jagdeo tells Region 5

...reminds residents of APNU/AFC’s false promises

Local Government Election (LGE) is about believing the people who make the promises and believing that they will deliver on those promises. These were the sentiments of General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo at a meeting on Monday at De Edward Village, West Coast Berbice

(WCB). He told the gathering that the A Partnership for National Unit (APNU), for years, used the opportunity to divide the citizens based

our country and people of every race that is when you will understand the true nature of APNU and the PNC. They are a party that every time they have been in office,

The Vice President making his way through the crowd Government. Some 7000 jobs were last as a result.

Jagdeo reminded residents of De Edward that the school children’s cash grant was taken away.

Initially, the “Because We Care” cash grant initiative used to be $10,000 per child up to 2014, with the then PPP Administration promising to increase it the following year but the PPP/C Government was removed from office and the grant was also removed by the new Administration.

When the PPP returned to power in 2020, it reintroduced the grant for school children and increased it to $15,000 in keeping with the promise the party made to

parents. This year, for the first time, parents will receive $40,000 per child.

Jagdeo also spoke of promises to pensioners by APNU to have old-age pension doubled when it took office but that did not happen.

The PPP Administration has moved old-age pension from $20,000 to $33,500 and will continue to increase it annually so that by 2025 it would be $40,000, representing a 100 per cent increase as promised by the PPP.

“They promised the Joint Service that they will never touch their one-month salary bonus but as soon as they got into office, they removed it. That is another promise they

did not keep.”

Further, the Vice President added that “they had plans to change the country but what did we see – a party that was one of the most incompetent party ever in our history – totally incompetent. They also became the most corrupt party even in the history of this country. If we had to spend our time since we got back into office to address all of the illegalities, we would have no time for development because every day we would be running to the court but we have decided to put it behind us and let us move forward,” Jagdeo said. (Andrew Carmichael)

Child Advocacy Centre to be established in Lethem

on a series of lies and whisper campaigns.

“The whisper campaign has largely been among race; trying to divide our people along racial lines… but when you examine their track record of delivering to

they focused on the welfare of a few and the masses, regardless of your race, suffer in Guyana.”

Referring to the APNU, Jagdeo said the party is known to make promises. Jagdeo recalled that in 2015 along with the Alliance For Change (AFC), they labelled the PPP as being the most corrupt party while referring to itself as being competent, having all the answers to take Guyana forward.

Jagdeo reminded that promises were made to the miners for the taxes to be removed from the sector within its first 100 days in office should it win the elections but instead, new taxes were added which caused many in the sector to shut down their operations.

“They placed VAT on machinery and equipment for mining. Within the five years, we lost 15,000 jobs from the mining sector.”

Promises were also made to sugar workers back in 2015 by the coalition that wages will be increased by 20 per cent and that the PPP was planning to close down the sugar estates.

In reality, over the fiveyear period the coalition was in office, sugar workers received no wage increase, and several sugar factories were closed by the APNU/AFC

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud has announced that Lethem, Region Nine, will soon have its own Child Advocacy Centre (CAC).

The significant step towards protecting the rights and well-being of children is being brought to fruition, through the collaborative effort of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) ? ChildLink and Blossom Inc.

“We have given both [NGOs] substantial subventions towards the establishment of child advocacy centres and they work in partnership with this Ministry to provide support services. So, with ChildLink, there will be the establishment of a child advocacy centre in Region Nine, Lethem,” Minister Persaud told the Department of Public Information (DPI) during a recent interview.

The development signifies a proactive approach towards safeguarding children’s rights and creating a safe and nurturing environment for them to grow and thrive.

The centre will offer specialised services designed to respond to cases of child sexual abuse efficiently, by en-

Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud

suring that children have access to a child-safe and child-friendly space to share their stories and get the support needed to overcome the trauma they have suffered.

CACs play a pivotal role in coordinating and streamlining services, including medical care, counselling, legal assistance, and social support. The centre will be open to all communities, including migrants.

The undertaking is all part of the PPP/C Administration’s efforts of expanding childcare programmes and centres countrywide while enhancing the capacity of the Child Care and Protection Agency.

Additionally, the Ministry’s domestic violence toll-free 914-hotline is shar-

ing the role of providing aid to persons, especially women and girls who are exposed to domestic abuse, providing them with a safe space to seek help.

The service was launched in December 2020, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and several telecommunications networks including Digicel Guyana, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT), and the Telecommunications Agency.

Since the launch, the Ministry has taken steps to improve the hotline by ensuring all 914 operators are trained in foreign languages, to assist every victim who makes a report.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and other party members on stage

A section of the mammoth crowd

UNDP launches “In Motion” pilot project to boost small businesses in Reg 2 …20

businesses to benefit from initiative

Business

The Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Friday, launched a pilot project, “In Motion”, with the aim of boosting businesses in Region Two, (PomeroonSupenaam).

The project was launched at the Regional State House, Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Business of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, John Edghill stated after articulated discussions with UNDP, a decision was taken to use Region Two to launch the “In Motion” pilot project,

Some of the young entrepreneurs

which will see 20 entrepreneurs benefitting.

He noted that the project is geared at helping small

businesses who want to strive in the local economy, assist in the development of their families, and make an

Govt pumps $20M for rehabilitation of Reg 7 educational facilities – another $61M set aside for health facilities

As Government remains committed to improving access to education by ensuring that schools are available to accommodate learners, several educational facilities in Region Seven are set to be rehabilitated.

To achieve this, the Government has invited bids from eligible persons to conduct maintenance works at DC Caesar Fox Secondary School in the Upper Mazaruni for $5 million, and at Philippi Nursery to the tune of $4 million.

Another $3 million will be expended to maintain Imbaimadai Primary, and $2 million was also set aside to execute works at Little Achievers Nursery School.

Meanwhile, some $4 million will be expended

to maintain teachers’ living quarters at the Bartica Secondary School Complex and a total of $3 million for the living quarters at 4th Avenue, Bartica.

The completion of these projects would enhance the delivery of high-quality education for the students in the region and improve the living conditions of teachers. This year, $94.4 billion has been set aside by the Government to significantly expand access to education.

Meanwhile, residents from various communities in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region will also benefit from the rehabilitation of several health posts.

The works include $12 million to extend the health post at Chinoweing in the Upper Mazaruni, $13 mil-

lion to rehabilitate and extend the Karau Health Post, $10 million for the Issano Health Post, and $9.8 million to rehabilitate and extend Agatash Health Post.

Maintenance works will be executed at the Kurupung Health Post to the tune of $3 million, $6 million to transform Bartica Hospital, $4 million for the nurses’ hostel at Bartica, and $4 million will be expended for works on the doctor’s living quarters at Philippi, Upper Mazaruni.

All bids must be addressed to the Chairman, Regional Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Regional Administration Office, First Avenue, Bartica, no later than June 20, 2023, at 9:00h.

impact on the local communities.

“We are happy and glad that you have taken this step of commitment and any difficulties, there will be two consultants that will be in

the region to engage your businesses,” he stated Additionally, Luis Blazquez from UNDP, who give an overview of the project, explained that “In Motion” is applied to revamp the business model of micro and small enterprises through comprehensive business support to improve their productive capacity and their links with the market.

He noted that the main features of the pilot project are to Identify potential beneficiaries and assess the business’ current situation to define an action plan, achieve high-impact improvement in the business performance after a threemonth support process, improve reputation and marketing networks through digital solutions, and elab-

orate a business roadmap and long-term continual improvement plan.

He further noted that the main objective of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) “In Motion” is to update business models for micro and small businesses that require comprehensive enterprising attention to improve their production capacity and their relationship with the market.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Susan Saywack welcomed the initiative and described it as an excellent project that will boost development and aid in the growth of small businesses.

She took the opportunity to thank the team for their wise decision on piloting the initiative Region Two.

Director of

of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, John Edghill at the launch

UNDP officials in discussion with others

Regional Death toll reaches 42 as Haiti inundated by deadly floods

Dozens of people have died in the Caribbean island nation of Haiti as heavy rain and flooding devastate the country.

On Monday, the Government’s disaster response agency said that at least 42 people had been killed, 13,300 had lost their homes, and 11 were missing after a weekend of torrential downpours that triggered mudslides and caused rivers to burst their banks.

“It is essential to follow the recommendations of local authorities on the subject of preventing flood risks and evacuation,” the country’s Civil Protection agency said in a statement on Monday. The agency added it “also takes this moment to remind people at risk not to cross swollen waterways and wild waters under any circumstances”.

The floods have turned city streets into churning brown rivers, damaging homes, displacing residents and carrying away cars and debris. The disas-

ter is the latest in a series of crises to roil Haiti, which is struggling with an economic downturn, a rise in gang violence ,and political instability.

Rivers began to overflow due to excessive rain on June 3, forcing people out of their homes in at least five of the country’s 10 departments: Ouest, Nippes, SudEst, Nord-Ouest and Centre.

By Sunday, the

Argentinian Judge dismisses corruption case against VP Kirchner

AJudge in Argentina has dismissed a long-running money laundering case against Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, after prosecutors and State agencies said there was no evidence she was involved in a crime.

Marijuan said late last month there was no evidence that Fernandez de Kirchner was involved in the corruption for which Baez has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Government reported a death toll of 15. But on Monday, the Civil Protection agency updated the number of people killed to 42, with at least 85 injured.

Haitian authorities have said that emergency response teams are trying to reach affected communities, some of which were cut off from transportation routes by the flooding. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

PM calls for Barbadians to push SDGs

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on Monday in a message to mark World Environment Day has called on Barbadians to push the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prime Minister Mottley said, “Every year, we join people across the planet in commemorating World Environment Day on June 5th. This is a day where we especially highlight the need for transformative changes to policies and choices that enable cleaner, greener, and more sustainable living. We need to make transformative changes that help us live in harmony with nature, and shift to a more conscious approach to our economic and trade policies.

“Yes, we celebrate this day and amplify its im-

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley

portant message. But as Barbadians, the truth is that each day serves as an environment day for us. With the rising sea levels impacting our island from Six Mens to Silver Sands, worsening quantities of Sargassum Seaweed blanketing our shores and the days and nights getting warmer, we know and feel

the effects of the Climate Crisis in our nation.

“On April 9th, 2021, La Soufriere which had been dormant since 1979, erupted in St Vincent and the Grenadines. In Barbados, we were impacted by the thick clouds of smoke and ash. Mere weeks later on June 17th we were impacted by a freak storm and three months later, Hurricane Elsa became the first major hurricane to hit the country since 1955, impacting homes, destroying crops, damaging livestock in the hundreds of thousands and resulting in damage in excess of US$35 million.

“In just three months, we all saw first-hand the way the world had changed, and the need to respond in a comprehensive manner.” (Excerpt from Nation News)

Trinidad: Trouble in Defence Force camp

Extensive investigations are now ongoing into two major incidents involving T&T Defence Force (TTDF) members within weeks of each other.

In the latest incident, a Galil assault rifle assigned to an officer “disappeared” from Teteron barracks in Chaguaramas, which is now on lockdown while the T&T Police Service also investigates the matter.

In the previous incident, back in April, soldiers assigned to President’s House were transferred after they “shot up” a presidential vehicle and tried to cover it up.

During a joint media conference at the National Security Ministry in Portof-Spain, on Saturday, acting Commanding Officer of the T&T Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Ashook Singh said about 00:30h on Saturday, a senior officer on duty was alerted by a TTDF member, who was on duty and had the rifle assigned to him, that the weapon had gone missing.

“The Orderly officer immediately conducted the standard operating procedures for such incidents and immediately confined Teteron Barracks and it remains confined at this point in time as we continue the

Federal Judge Sebastian Casanello ruled on Monday that Fernandez de Kirchner should be removed from what had become known as the “K money trail” case. It involved alleged kickbacks and money laundering by businessman Lazaro Baez on behalf of Fernandez de Kirchner’s family.

Prosecutor Guillermo

This marks the latest instance in which the Vice President — who was also President from 2007 to 2015 — has been dismissed from an ongoing corruption-related case before it reaches trial.

The former President was sentenced to six years in prison in December in a separate case for fraudulent administration, which included a lifetime ban on holding public office.

In that instance,

Fernandez de Kirchner was found to have favoured Baez in the awarding of public works contracts. Baez was sentenced to six years in prison as part of that case, which was unrelated to the “K money trail”.

The Vice President’s conviction can still be appealed and reviewed by higher courts, a process that could take years. In the meantime, she remains immune from arrest and the penalties of her conviction while she remains in her Government role as Vice President. Argentina is slated to hold General Elections in October.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Honduran President set to visit China after establishing ties

The Administration of Honduran President Xiomara Castro has announced that she will travel to China later this week as the Latin American country seeks stronger ties with Beijing.

“At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, I will visit on a special mission with [Foreign Minister Enrique Reina] the People’s Republic of China between June 9 and 13,” Castro said in a Twitter post on Monday. “The refoundation of Honduras demands new political, scientific, technical, commercial and cultural horizons.”

The trip signifies China’s growing influence in Central America, where countries such as Honduras have sought to balance relations with the United States against their desire for heightened economic engagement with Beijing.

Castro’s visit also comes several months after Honduras established diplomatic ties with China, thereby ending its formal

relationship with Taiwan.

China does not allow countries to maintain formal relations with both Taiwan and Beijing, and China’s economic heft has induced a number of Central American countries to move away from the island in pursuit of stronger ties with China.

Costa Rica formalised relations with Beijing in 2007. Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic

have since 2017 done the same. The growing number of countries making the switch has left Taiwan increasingly isolated: It maintains official relations with just 13 countries.

The United States has expressed concern over China’s increasing sway over Central America, where the US has historically exerted influence as the region’s sole superpower. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

investigations. The Orderly officer also conducted an immediate search of the location and started a preliminary investigation and alerted her Commanding Officer earlier this morning (yesterday). With the advent of more light, a thorough search was again conducted of the vicinity, but the Galil assault rifle was not found,” Singh said.

He also disclosed that an official report was made to the TTPS’ Western Division, and the Police were also at the barracks working alongside them in investigating the matter. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mexico's ruling party scoops up Opposition bastion ahead of presidency race

Mexico's ruling party comfortably captured a major historic stronghold of the Opposition in an election on Sunday, consolidating President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's hold on power ahead of the battle to succeed him next year.

Lopez Obrador's leftist National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) won the State of Mexico gubernatorial contest by more than eight percentage points, according to preliminary re-

sults published by the state's electoral institute.

The victory adds Mexico's most populous region to the 21 other states MORENA already controls, now more than two-thirds of the total. Another state is governed by a group allied to MORENA, giving the party a huge power base heading into the presidential elections due to be held on June 2, 2024.

Sunday's result also dropped Mexico's erstwhile political powerhouse, the Institutional Revolutionary

Party (PRI), to a new low, marking another milestone in its replacement by MORENA as the establishment party in Latin America's number two economy.

The centrist PRI has governed the State of Mexico since 1929, the date from which it began its long domination of Mexico. Defeated for the presidency in 2000, it bounced back in 2012, but was drubbed by Lopez Obrador six years later.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Residents use plastic bins to remove water from their flooded home in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on Saturday, June 3

[Odelyn Joseph/AP Photo]

President Xiomara Castro continues to expand Honduras’s relations with Beijing as the Central American country seeks an economic boost

Around The World OIL NEWS

Russia says it thwarts major attack in Ukraine but loses some ground

Oil rises on Saudi plan to deepen output cuts from July

Oil prices rose on Monday after the world's top exporter Saudi Arabia pledged to cut production by a further 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from July to counter macroeconomic headwinds that have depressed markets.

Brent crude futures settled up 58 cents at US$76.71 a barrel, after touching a session high of US$78.73.

US West Texas Intermediate crude gained by 41 cents to US$72.15 after hitting an intraday high of US$75.06.

Both contracts extended gains of more than 2% on Friday.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said the kingdom's output would drop to 9 million bpd in July from about 10 million bpd in May. The voluntary cut, Saudi Arabia's biggest in years, is on top of a broader deal by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia to limit supply into 2024 as OPEC+ seeks to boost flagging oil prices.

Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said that the chance of higher oil prices had increased sharply after the new OPEC+ deal.

OPEC+ pumps about 40% of the world's crude and has cut its output target by a total of 3.66 million bpd, amounting to 3.6% of global demand.

"The market is still trying to assess the impact of what the Saudi production cut actually means," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group. "Oil seems to be taking the news as very bullish, and it is."

SEB analyst Bjarne Schieldrop said the market reaction on Monday was relatively muted after the previous cut by OPEC+ failed to prop up prices for long.

Consultancy Rystad Energy said the additional Saudi cut is likely to deepen the market deficit to more than 3 million bpd in July, which could push prices higher in coming weeks.

Goldman Sachs analysts said the output deal was "moderately bullish" for oil markets and could boost December 2023 Brent prices by between US$1 and US$6 a barrel depending on how long Saudi Arabia maintains output at 9 million bpd.

"The immediate market impact of this Saudi cut is likely lower, as drawing inventories takes time, and the market likely already put some meaningful probability on a cut today," the bank's analysts added.

Saudi Arabia raised prices of its flagship crude Arab Light to Asian buyers in July to a six-month high, following its output cut pledge.

Many of the OPEC+ reductions will have little real impact as lower targets for Russia, Nigeria and Angola bring them into line with their actual production levels. In contrast, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was allowed to raise output targets by 200,000 bpd to 3.22 million bpd to reflect its larger production capacity. (Reuters)

Bangladesh facing more power cuts amid fuel shortage

Bangladesh could face further power cuts due to higher demand, its Power Minister said, as a fuel shortage sparked shutdowns of several power generating units, including its biggest coalfired plant.

The country has faced disruptions to electricity supply due to erratic weather this year, with soaring temperatures pushing up demand in April and a deadly cyclone cutting off supplies of natural gas to power plants the following month.

On Monday, the 1.32 gigawatt (GW) Payra plant in Bangladesh’s south also closed its second unit due to a coal shortage, having shut one unit on May 25.

Nasrul Hamid, Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, said Bangladesh is looking to restart the plant by the last week of June.

“There is no alternative other than to cope with

Moscow said on Monday it had thwarted a major offensive against its forces in eastern Ukraine, but Ukrainian officials dismissed the report and both sides said Kyiv's military had made small gains elsewhere along front lines.

It was unclear whether the attacks represented the start of Ukraine's long-heralded counteroffensive against Russia's invasion, and Ukrainian officials made no mention of any broad, significant new campaign or sidestepped questions on the matter.

Russia's Defence Ministry said Ukraine had attacked on Sunday morning with six mechanised and two tank battalions in southern Donetsk, where Moscow has long suspected

Ukraine would seek to drive a wedge through Russiancontrolled territory.

"The enemy's goal was to break through our defences in the most vulnerable, in its opinion, sector of the front," it said. "The enemy did not achieve its tasks, it had no success."

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told Reuters on Monday that Ukraine now had enough weapons for a counteroffensive but declined to comment when asked whether it had begun.

In its evening report, Ukraine's General Staff

made no mention of any large-scale offensive operation, or suggested any other deviation from the usual tempo or scope of fighting along front lines that have not changed significantly for months.

Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Telegram that Ukraine was "shifting to offensive actions" along parts of the front line but dismissed suggestions this was part of a major operation.

Maliar said later on state TV that Ukrainian forces had made advances of 200-1600 metres (660 feet to one mile) around two villages north of the long embattled eastern city of Bakhmut and 100-700 metres around villages to the west and south. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cancer vaccines poised to unlock 'new treatment paradigm' with Merck/Moderna data

Adding an experimental mRNA-based vaccine from Moderna Inc and Merck & Co reduced the risk that the most deadly skin cancer would spread by 65% over treatment with an immunotherapy alone in a midstage trial, the companies reported on Monday.

The results, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, follow earlier promising data from the trial showing the customised mRNA vaccine given in combination with Merck's

Keytruda cut the risk of death or recurrence of melanoma by 44% compared with Keytruda alone.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that mRNA technology, which rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, can be used to assemble personalised vaccines that train the immune system to attack the specific type of cancer cells in a patient's tumours.

Scientists have been chasing the dream of vaccines to treat cancer for decades with

few successes. Experts say mRNA vaccines, which can be produced in as little as eight weeks, paired with drugs that rev up the immune system may lead to a new generation of cancer therapies.

The hope is for "a completely new treatment paradigm in cancer that will be better tolerated and unique to individual patients' tumours," said Dr Jane Healy, an executive overseeing in early cancer treatment development at Merck.

The Merck/Moderna collaboration is one of sever-

al combining powerful drugs that unleash the immune system to target cancers with mRNA vaccine technology. Pfizer's COVID vaccine partner BioNTech SE and Gritstone Bio Inc are taking similar approaches using mRNA technology.

The vaccines all target neoantigens, new mutations that are only present on tumours. Aiming at these unique proteins allows the immune system to kill cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unscathed. (Excerpt from Reuters)

France: Paris Champs-Élysées hosts mass spelling contest

the shortage,” Hamid told Reuters. “We will have to bear with this for another two weeks.”

The Government-run Payra Power Plant in southern Bangladesh had already slashed production last month due to fuel shortages, but it was forced to go a step further on Monday, according to manager Shah Abdul Mawla.

Maximum temperatures in the capital Dhaka rose to nearly 38C (100.4F) on Sunday, compared with 32C (90F) ten days earlier. The weather office has warned that the ongoing heatwave will likely continue for the rest of this week.

When demand peaked at noon on Monday, it outstripped supply by 18 per cent, a senior Power Ministry official told Reuters. The shortfall came a day after Bangladesh’s total power deficit rose to its highest in three weeks. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Paris's most famous avenue was turned into an open-air classroom on Sunday, as almost 1400 people took part into a record-breaking spelling exercise.

About 1700 desks were laid out on the ChampsÉlysées for an event billed as the "largest dictation in the world".

It consisted of three rounds. In each, a text was read out and contestants tried to transcribe it without error.

In the first, 1397 people wrestled with an excerpt from a short story by 19th Century author Alphonse Daudet.

That session was recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest such competition ever, French media say.

French spelling is notoriously tricky and dictations have inspired dread in generations of pupils from Dunkerque to

Perpignan.

However, some 50,000 people applied for Sunday's "Grande Dictée des Champs" and about 5000 people - many of them schoolchildren - took part.

The second and third rounds were based on a

modern short story and a text about rugby respectively.

After the first, a 10-year-old described as a "star pupil" told AFP news agency: "It was impossible!" His 42-year-old father Adrien Blind, who took the

same test, said it had left him "in a state of stress and worry".

But 65-year-old Touria Zerhouni was more relaxed. "I only made two mistakes. I expected it to be much harder," she told AFP. (BBC News)

View of a military vehicle as Ukrainian forces destroy Russian positions in direction of Bakhmut, near Klischiivka, Donetsk Region, Ukraine, in this screengrab taken from a video released on June 4, 2023

School desks replaced cars on the Champs-Élysées for a few hours

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Networking functions will lead to valuable opportunities. Don't waste valuable time when your input will put you in a position to spotlight your abilities. Stick to the basics.

(March 21-April 19)

Pick up the slack and take care of business. Speak up about your concerns and intentions. A direct approach will attract attention and the support you need to reach your goal.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Impulsive action will lead to trouble. Someone will hold you accountable for your efforts and rhetoric. A change of attitude will help you redeem your position. Check out your options.

You can help someone without going overboard. An impulsive offer to take care of someone else's responsibilities will backfire. Use your intelligence and make suggestions, but don't take charge.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Slow down, be observant and avoid compromising offers. The changes you make for someone else must be equally suitable for you, or resentment will result. Put your energy where it counts.

Mix business with pleasure. An event providing knowledge, entertainment and a chance to promote what you have to offer will lead to new connections. Listen to suggestions.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Refuse to let laziness cost you. Focus on how you can make an impression, turn heads and get others to pitch in and help. Use charm, sincerity and flexibility to suit others' needs.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Refuse to take on more than you can handle or put up with someone taking advantage of you. Concentrate on what's important to you. Set the standard instead of letting others dictate what happens.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Pay attention to your health and financial well-being. Don't let impulse take the reins. Spend only what's necessary and invest what's left into a longterm plan that offers stability and security.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take a closer look at your surroundings. Don't overreact or spend too much on something you can't afford or on someone who expects too much from you. Make your thoughts and intentions clear.

Hold on to what you've got. Don't listen to hype or let someone lead you astray. Stick close to home and to the people you trust. Put time and energy into physical fitness and romantic gestures.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

A well-thought-out plan and people you can count on will help you reach your destination. Set an affordable budget before you start, and you'll attain your goal without setbacks.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

PPP/C Linden “One Guyana” Beach Football… YMCA, Swag through to men’s final; Superstars, Speightland in women’s final

The men’s and women’s finals in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic “One Guyana” Linden beach football championships were decided on Saturday night as a large crowd witnessed the quarter-finals and semi-finals among the men and the semi-finals for the females which were played in the compound of the Party’s office in Industrial Area in Linden.

At the conclusion of those clashes, YMCA and Swag will contest the men’s final and Superstars will match skills with Speightland for the women’s crown to be played next Saturday in Linden.

Superstars first made it to the women’s final by beating Dynamo 2-1, with their goals coming from Naomi Williams and Patsy Walker

for the victory.

Their opponents in the final, Speightland blasted their way past a hapless Nurses side with national Under-20 football player Sheneesa Cornelius hitting the nets four times as Kyandi Smith got a brace, with Danacia Williams, Nikita Wayne, and Lakeisha Pearson getting the other goals.

For the Nurses side, their goals were recorded by Natasha Headley and Janella Gildery.

Swag would qualify for the final after taking care of Young Gunners 2-0 in the quarter-finals after Donovan Francis got both goals and then facing them in the semi-finals where the result favoured them again by a 4-2 margin.

Francis got another double and

EDFA NAMILCO ‘Flour Power’ U17…

4 matches played last weekend at Buxton Ground

Colwyn Drakes emulated him with two goals also for the Swag men. The goals for Young Gunners were registered by Devante Tappin.

YMCA pulled out the stops and won 5-3 against R9 in the other semi-final clash of the night.

Kevin Gittens and Jamal Bentick were responsible for the win by the YMCA side with both scoring twice.

Jahu Regis and Jona Simmons netted the goals for the R9 unit.

In other results, from an earlier match, R9 gained a solid 4-0 victory against Kara United as goals were scored by Julian Regis, Tasha Reich, Andre Mayers, and Simmons.

On Saturday, the finals would be contested at the compound of the PPP/C Office in Mackenzie, Linden.

WI Academy players return for red ball High-Performance Camp

…squad to be joined by other emerging players for training and 3-match series at CCG

The members of the West Indies Academy returned to action for a three-match series as part of their HighPerformance Camp. They started training on June 3 and the camp will run until June 14. All training sessions and the three two-day matches will be at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG).

The players in the camp will be all the West Indies Academy team members who recently won the Headley Weekes TriSeries First-Class competition. They will be joined by other aspiring players, some of whom have played at the First-Class level and others who featured in the West Indies Rising Stars age group programmes.

The East Demerara Football Association (EDFA)National Milling Company (NAMILCO) “Flour Power”

Under-17 football tournament continued last weekend at the Buxton Community Centre Ground with four matches, two each on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, Melanie and current league leaders Dynamics FC registered wins while on Sunday, Haslington and Beterverwagting/Triumph won their respective matches.

Dynamics FC drubbed Mahaica 6-0 thanks to an attack that was spearheaded with two braces from Bryan Wharton (25th & 43rd minutes) and Joshua Holder (54th and 60th minutes) after Antwon Grant (11th minute) opened the floodgates. Travis Williams scored the third goal of the match for Dynamics in the 37th minute.

In the opening match on

Saturday, Melanie FC needled Buxton Stars, who needed just a draw to remain top of the points. However, Kobe Benjamin’s 68th minute strike in the closelycontested clash proved decisive as Melanie continued their purple patch.

On Sunday, Haslington handed Victoria Kings their fourth loss from five matches played. This time it was a crushing 7-1 result that saw Akini Baynes in the goals again with a four-goal haul while Levon Burke (18th minute); Aaron Thompson (22nd minute) and Isan Williamson (41st minute) each netted once. Kennard Halley scored the consolation goal for Victoria Kings in the 50th minute.

In the other match of the day, Beterverwagting/Triumph eased past Ann’s Grove 2-0, courtesy of one goal each off the heels of Xavier Ignatius (27th minute) and Trevon Drakes (45th minute).

For the upcoming matches, Team A will be led by Nyeem Young, the all-rounder who was at the helm during the Headley Weekes Tri-Series and the CG United Super50 last November. Team B will be led by Kimani Melius, the former West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 Captain and Windward Islands Volcanoes batter.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) High Performance Manager Graeme West outlined that the camp was a continuation of the work which has been ongoing for the past 10 months.

“The main objective of the camp is to assess the squad’s holistic progress as we approach the 12-month mark of the programme. Not only have the players developed technically and tactically, they have received full-time physical support, dedicated mental skills programmes and all 15 players

have had personal development programmes which included the completion of the Level One Coaching Qualification,” West said. “The performances in the Headley Weekes Series were hugely encouraging and a credit to all the players and to the staff members who have worked with the squad throughout the year. Despite their limited First-Class experience, the players prepared well and were able to express themselves in all disciplines for sustained periods, one of the key objectives introduced by Head Coach Andre Coley.”

West added: “Kirk McKenzie’s promotion to the A Team demonstrated to all the Academy players that hard work and a desire to improve all aspects of your game will be rewarded, we have high expectations for our young cricketers, and the Academy programme will continue to challenge the players in Year Two.

“By bringing in additional talent to the camp and putting them alongside the current

squad we will be able to assess the depth we have in the system and start to identify those players that will be pushing for places on the Academy programme as they become available.”

The West Indies Academy was launched last year. It functions as a nexus between regional junior and senior teams while supporting the development of talented players between the ages of 19 and 25. The Academy’s objectives include: the management of talent; personal development – develop the person first and then the player; accelerating player development and increasing readiness of players for international cricket; as well as building capacity of players, support staff and highperformance resources.

Squads

Team A

* Nyeem Young (Captain)

* Kevlon Anderson

* Ackeem Auguste

* Teddy Bishop

* Carleon Bowen-Tuckett

* Jaden Carmichael

* McKenny Clarke

* Amari Goodridge * Leonardo Julien

* Chamiqueki Landerfort

* Matthew Nandu

* Ashmead Nedd

* Ramon Simmonds

Team B

* Kimani Melius (Captain)

* Onaje Amory

* Joshua Bishop

* Rivaldo Clarke

* Nathan Edwards

* Matthew Forde

* Joshua James

* Johann Layne

* Kirk McKenzie

* Kelvin Pitman

* Keagan Simmons

* Kevin Wickham

* Rashawn Worrell

Match Schedule (at Coolidge Cricket Ground)

Play starts at 10:00h (10am) ( 9am Jamaica Time)

June

June

June

BV/Triumph goalscorers Xavier Ignatius and Trevon Drakes

Nyeem Young will lead a squad in the series

A look at a previous WI Academy

KFC Elite League…

Fruta Conquerors, Buxton United pick up wins

Fruta Conquerors FC and Buxton United FC are the latest winners in the KFC Elite League as the tournament continued over the weekend.

At the Guyana Football Federation’s National Training Centre (NTC), first Jermaine Padmore found the back of the net in the 59th minute to break the ice between Fruta and Milerock FC, while Neron Barrow’s well-placed shot from the edge of the box in the 74th minute sealed Fruta’s 2-0 win.

Later on, a solitary goal from Dean Daniels in the 45th+2 was all it took for

Buxton United to get three points over Victoria Kings.

Following the weekend’s fixtures, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC sit atop the points table with three wins (nine points) in as many games. The soldiers are followed by Buxton United, who have garnered seven points from their four games. Western Tigers, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC and Santos FC all have three points, with goal differences of +11, +9 and +8 respectively. However, Western Tigers and GPF have only played two games, as compared to Santos’ three.

Defending champions

Fruta Conquerors have picked up six points in three games while Ann’s Grove United have a solitary point after three games played.

The remaining teams –Den Amstel FC, Milerock FC and Victoria Kings FC – are all yet to pick up any points in the tournament.

The KFC Elite League is set to continue today, Tuesday, June 6, with a clash between Den Amstel FC and Ann’s Grove United FC at 19:00h, after which the GDF FC will take on Western Tigers at 21:00h. Both games will be contested at the GFF’s NTC at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

GCB Girls’ U19 Inter-County 30-Over tournament…

Demerara, Berbice open Girls U19 today at Everest

Peterson-Griffith set for World Classic Open Powerlifting C/Ships

…promises to make Guyana proud

you all."

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Girls Under-19 Inter- County 30-over Tournament will be played from today, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Everest. The competition had been rescheduled due to inclement weather last week with all three rounds being hosted at the Everest Cricket Club Ground.

This tournament serves as part of the preparation for the Regional Girls Under-19 tournament scheduled to commence on July 2, 2023, in Trinidad and Tobago.

On Tuesday, Berbice will battle arch-rivals Demerara in the opening round while Wednesday’s action will feature the Berbicians playing the Cinderella County ladies of Essequibo, following their opening round.

The final round, set for Thursday, June 8, will witness Demerara in their final match against Essequibo. Matches on all three days are set to bowl off from 10:30h.

Squads: Berbice squad: Ashmini Munisar (Captain); Realanna Grimmond; Lakshmi Mahadeo; Daniela Hicks; Jamie Campbell; Chrystal Durant; Denillie Lindie; Darshanie Subramanie; Tiea Isaacs; Tamera George; Renata Liverpool; Leah Kamala; Sadraha Ramdass; Danielle Mann and Kianna Leitch. The Coach is Tremayne Smartt while the Manager is Erva Giddings. Demerara squad: Naomi Barkoye (Captain); Sarah

Amin; Nyia Latchman; Tamica Simon; Sheniya Mangra; Areah Ally; Anessa Chetram; Shoba Harnaraine; Canna Barkoye; Tilleya Madramootoo; Chelsea Latiff; Melanie Dover; Emalissa Whyte and Alliya Clarke. The Coach is Heema Singh while the Manager is Abena Parker.

Essequibo squad: Cyanna Retimiah (Captain); Lavina Ragobeer (Wtk); Nickesha Narine; Roxanne Hendricks; Laurene Williams; Neesa Samuels; Qzel Sampson; Aliah DaSilva; Jayara Rodrigues; Engrid Gouveia; Anasia Mangra; Nikefa Allen; Thalia Hack and Ashanti Mohamed. The Coach is Parmeshwar Persaud while the Manager is Navika Narine.

Currently, Guyana’s most accomplished strongman, Carlos Peterson-Griffith, is set to represent the Golden Arrowhead at what will be the biggest annual World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships slated for June 11-18, next in Malta.

Guyana will be one of the 65 nations present at these championships, with over 400 lifters, 37 referees, and 257 other officials, making it the largest and most diverse participation in any Open Classic World Championship ever.

Peterson-Griffith will be battling the best in the world in the 93kg class and has been preparing for this championship for quite some time. The President, Executive, and Members of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) wished the marquee athlete the best in Malta.

Peterson-Griffith noted that it was a great pleasure and journey once again to be representing Guyana at the highest level of the sport that he loves.

"Not just for carrying the entire nation, but more so as an individual who has always been willing to pursue greatness. And besides pursuing greatness, I must say that on this journey, it’s not all about me, but more so about the people who have encouraged me, taught me, and continue to teach me and support me throughout. I will endeavour to continue doing my best to make all proud."

He further noted that the

training has been great, and it was time to showcase to the world and his home country what he was capable of.

GAPLF President Franklin Wilson commented that he has been following Peterson-Griffith’s rise in the sport for years and, now at the helm of the body, he is privileged to be supporting the athlete at a different level.

"As a Federation, we are well aware of the passion and dedication that Carlos brings to the platform. He is devoted to the sport and always strives to be the best. We look forward to him doing well for himself and Guyana. We also know that his performances continue to be an inspiration to young and upcoming athletes. The powerlifting fraternity, and by extension, Guyana, stands with Carlos and will be repping for him whilst in Malta."

The Federation expressed profound gratitude to the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr; the National Sports Commission; and the Guyana Olympic Association for supporting PetersonGriffith’s participation at these championships.

The athlete also expressed gratitude to Fitness Express, Superior Concrete, MVP Sports, Space Gym, and several individuals who have all contributed to his endeavours.

"I would also like to thank the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation for making it possible for me to make this journey to compete for my country. Thank

Fruta Conquerors secured a 2-0 win over Milerock FC

A look at the encounter between Buxton United and Victoria Kings

Ashmini Munisar will captain the Berbice team

Naomi Barkoye is the Demerara Captain Realanna Grimmond

Carlos Peterson-Griffith (right) and Romeo Hunter who are preparing for Junior Worlds August-September

Peterson-Griffith is set to wing out on Sunday and will be competing on June 14.

WCPL 2023 final set for T&T

The final of the 2023 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) will take place in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, September 10.

The second season of the WCPL will see an expanded schedule of seven matches with each of the three teams playing four group games with the top two qualifying for the final.

The tournament gets underway on August 30, and the three teams taking part are Trinbago Knight Riders, Barbados Royals, and Guyana Amazon Warriors. The teams will feature the

best talent from across the Caribbean and some of the best international cricketers from around the world.

CPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pete Russell said: “We are hugely excited to have an expanded WCPL schedule for 2023 and we are grateful to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for their support in helping to grow the tournament in 2023. We are very much looking forward to seeing one of these three fantastic teams lift the WCPL trophy in Trinidad and Tobago on September 10.”

Trinidad and Tobago Sport and Community

Development Minister Shamfa Cudjoe stated, "Once again, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to partner with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as we get ready to host the final match of the 2023 Women’s CPL. The hosting of this game comes at an opportune time as it strategically aligns with the goal of the Ministry’s ongoing Pink Reign TT campaign, which speaks to promoting women and girls in sport. This not only allows Trinidad and Tobago to showcase the true spirit of the

Boys’ quarter-finalists decided ExxonMobil U14 football…

Caribbean by bringing together cricket enthusiasts from around the world, but it also serves as a testament to the Government’s commitment to encourage women and girls to live a

healthier, more active lifestyle. This year, we look forward to working hand in hand with CPL and other key stakeholders to ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience for

all participants and attendees.

The Trinbago Knight Riders Women are the current defending champions in the Women’s tournament.

Podium finishes for Guyanese bodybuilders in Barbados

Chase’s Academic Foundation, New Central High and Bush Lot Secondary are among the teams that will compete in the quarterfinal round of the ExxonMobil Under-14 schools’ football tournament in the Boys’ division.

Round of 16 action over the weekend at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue was the decider of the quarterfinal teams that will go into action this weekend.

Bush Lot Secondary were the first team to book passage to the next round, with a thrilling 5-3 victory over East Ruimveldt Secondary.

Bush Lot drew first blood by way of a John Fullerton goal in only the second minute of the game. However, goals from Gary Primo (13th), Jaden Abraham (11th) and Jerimiah Low (18th) gave East Ruimveldt a commanding lead. When all looked lost, Bush Lot’s Quancy Fraser did the unthinkable, netting four goals in the 30th, 31st, 32nd and 38th for his team’s victory.

Patentia Secondary eased past Cummings Lodge Secondary 2-1 in the following game. Goals for Patentia came from Jairam Ashmid and Kemraj Hemnauth in the 9th and 16th minutes respectively while Cummings Lodge’s consolation goal came

off the boots of Cleon London in the 30th.

It was a walk in the park for Christianburg Wismar Secondary as they got the better of Dora Secondary 2-0.

Pharez Noble was responsible for both goals in the 22nd and 23rd minutes.

Th other Linden team in the competition, Mackenzie High, did not have luck on their side, however, as they were edged out of the competition by Bartica Secondary.

Riley Tracey scored the lone goal of the encounter in the final minutes of the game (39th) to hand Bartica the win.

Westminster Secondary continued their good showing in the competition, defeating Marian Academy 3-1.

Raheem Romney, Michell Singh and Semien Mc Lean all found the back of the net for Westminster, while Nyhl George was Marian Academy’s lone goalscorer.

Another close encounter saw Waramuri Primary Top getting past Fort Wellington Secondary after a 1-0 affair.

Waramuri’s Bradley Williams was the man of the moment, netting the lone goal in the 55th minute.

One goal each from Tyrell Walcott (31st), Darius Chester (28th) and Ranny Yaw (40th) sealed a 3-0 victory for Chase’s Academy over Dolphin Secondary.

Meanwhile, another entertaining game saw New Central High defeating Vergenoegen Secondary 4-2. Caedon Whyte and Trevor Gordon were responsible for New Central’s scalps while Devon Williams netted a brace for Vergenoegen.

The quarter-finals in the ExxonMobil tournament are set for this Saturday, June 10, at the same venue. The oil giant, following the conclusion of the Round of 16, handed over branded kits to the teams that will compete in the quarter-final round. The tournament is also supported by the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), through its Pepsi brand, and MVP Sports.

The Guyanese team are said to have represented the Golden Arrowhead well at the recently-concluded Roger Boyce Elite Pro Classic in Barbados.

Reigning Mr Guyana, Darious Ramsammy placed second in the upto-184-lbs pounds category, while Julio Sinclair copped the final podium position (third place) in the over-200-lbs category.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Albert was the man to watch after clinching gold (first place) in the up-to190-lbs category.

On the other hand, Rosanna Fung competing in her first professional competition since capturing pro status at CAC 2022, came in second in the Bikini Wellness cate-

Mr Guyana Darious Ramsammy placed second in his category

gory and took home a rewarding cash prize.

The event was scheduled to commence on Thursday, June 1, 2023

at the Lloyd Erskine Convention Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados and run until Sunday, June 4, 2023.

A look at Julio Sinclair (right) in action

Scenes from the Boys’ Round of 16 in the ExxonMobil U14 tournament

The Trinbago Women will have the opportunity to defend their title at home