Guyana Times - Friday, April 19, 2024

Joint ministerial operation underway following collapse at Stabroek Market Wharf

Security Advisor reaffirms “unwavering support” for Guyana’s sovereignty – during talks with Pres Ali on regional security, stability See story on page 3

No increase in electricity costs for consumers – VP Jagdeo – US$1M mobilisation fee, other charges as GPL inks contract with Qatari company

Body of security officer mutilated by low-bed truck while crossing High Street

MoH probing death of siblings aged 9 & 11 at NA Hospital

PNC calls for fasttracking establishment of Petroleum Commission

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39 persons from 13 countries now Guyanese citizens – received naturalisation, registration certificates $7.7B infrastructure development moving apace at New Stewartville Housing Scheme

IDPADA-G never filed discrimination complaint with ERC –Commissioner Good Hope man charged with ammo possession Venezuelan national stabbed to death at Puruni Backdam

Body of security officer mutilated by low-bed truck while crossing High Street

Amother of three was on Wednesday evening crushed to death by a low-bed truck at the intersection of Princes and High Street, Georgetown.

The dead woman has been identified as 36-yearold Nina Williams, also known as Martha Williams, late resident of Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara and formerly of Phillipai Village in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

The police have said that this accident involved motor lorry GAC 5056, which was at the time being driven by a 24-year-old male resident of Coconut Walk in Unity, East Coast Demerara.

Investigations have revealed that the lorry was proceeding along High Street, Georgetown when Williams reportedly attempted to cross the road. She ran into the path of the moving vehicle and was reportedly dragged some distance, resulting in her body being mutilated. The driver was arrested and investigations are continuing.

Rihanna Williams, a relative of the late Nina Williams, has related that she was made aware of the accident via a social media post. “I was at home, and while scrolling Facebook I

saw the accident, but first didn’t pay much heed…but out of curiosity, I zoomed in the woman’s photo, and it was then I realized that it was Martha…I started to get calls, and I was the one to contact her immediate family,” she said.

This aggrieved relative has said that, based on reports gathered after the accident, the late Nina had been imbibing with some friends at a bar on Princes Street before leaving at about 22:30h to head home.

“She told her friends that she was heading to minibus park to catch a bus, and it was while crossing the road the truck, that was going at a

fast rate, struck her down…,” she revealed.

“Her body was severely damaged…one of her legs was severed…one of her hands was almost severed from her body… from the waist down was…,” the woman told Guyana Times

She added that, after the accident, the driver of the truck fled the scene, leaving his porter behind; but police in a subsequent release have stated that the 24-year-old driver was arrested.

The relative further stated that Williams had worked at several mining locations in the hinterland before coming to live on the coastland. Williams had recently been promoted to a superviso-

with her friends to celebrate her promotion.

The late Nina Williams has been described as a very compassionate person. “When tragedy struck at Madhia, a few of my close relatives died, and Martha was there for us from day one…

ry position at RK Security Service. It is believed that she had had a few drinks

She was always supportive, and would offer comforting words to us… She would al-

ways say that we all have to die one day, but when and how, we do not know,” this relative has said.

Those words of Nina’s had resonated with her relative during her time of distress. Now, Nina’s words regarding the manner and time of a person’s demise have taken on added significance.

“She was a very simple person…she was the livewire of any gathering…she would put on her US and UK accents and have all of us cracking up…Her death will have an impact on all of us…,” the relative has declared.

Nina Williams has left to morning her three daughters, one of whom is presently in Jamaica on a modelling course.

This accident comes two days after Doreen Haynes of Golden Grove, ECD had been crushed to death by

a truck on Water Street, Georgetown. In a video of that accident that was released, Haynes could be seen talking with a canter truck driver. She was almost in the centre of the road, and the truck was seen manoeuvring the traffic.

The canter was parked obstructing the flow of traffic with its hazard lights blinking. It was when the truck attempted to pass the canter that its left side rear end squeezed Haynes between itself and the canter, and Haynes was subsequently dragged a short distance away. The left-back wheels of the truck ran over her body, and she died at the scene.

A post mortem performed by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh has given the cause of Haynes’s death as multiple injuries, with crushed injuries to both hips.

Dead: Nina Williams, also known as “Martha”

The woman’s mangled body lying on the roadway

The truck that was involved in the accident

US Security Advisor reaffirms “unwavering support” for Guyana’s sovereignty

– during talks with Pres Ali on regional security, stability

resident Dr Irfaan

PAli on Wednesday engaged in discussions on regional security in a telephone conversation with the United States’ Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer.

According to a readout from the White House, the two officials spoke on the phone to “discuss regional security and stability”, talked about ways to deepen the bilateral relationship between Guyana and the US, and discussed other shared priorities, including energy security and climate change.

During that phone call, Finer reaffirmed the United States’ “unwavering support” for Guyana’s sovereignty in light of threats from neighbouring Venezuela, which is laying claim to the Essequibo, twothirds of Guyana’s landmass, and to a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) where oil production and exploration activities are being conducted.

The US Security official also commended President Ali’s leadership as the current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

In speaking about regional security, both President Ali and Finer reiterated the importance of urgently increasing international support for Haitian-led efforts and the Multinational Security Support Mission to help Haitians restore security and pave the way toward free and fair elections in Haiti.

Tuesday’s phone call between the two officials followed Finer’s visit to Guyana back in February as part of efforts to continue US cooperation with regional partners on issues of mutual interest, including democratic governance, economic stability, and regional security. During that one-day visit to Georgetown, Finer, who was accompanied by the National Security Council’s Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere, Juan González, had met with President Ali and senior security officials in the Guyana Government.

According to a brief statement on the President’s social media page following that meeting, the discussions focused on areas of mutual interest between Guyana, Caricom and the US.

“Issues of democratic governance, economic stability, regional security,

and other pressing hemispheric matters were discussed,” the post detailed.

US Ambassador Nicole Theriot; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mark Wells; and National Security Council Senior Advisor Laura Updegrove were among the US officials present during that February 4 meeting. President Ali had been joined by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan; and National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia, along with GDF Colonel Sheldon Howell and former Army Chief Brigadier (retired) Godfrey Bess.

That visit by the two senior security officials was one of a series of similar engagements between the Governments of Guyana and the United States in recent months. In January alone, there were two high-level visits of US officials to Guyana. On January 9, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Western Hemisphere at the US Department of Defence, Daniel Erikson, was in Georgetown to meet with President Ali and other officials, including the GDF Chief of Staff. Their discussions were based on areas of mutual interest, including regional security, food

security, climate change, information sharing, narcotics monitoring, and disaster risk management.

Days prior, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also in Guyana, and had met with President Ali. Pompeo had first visited Guyana in September 2020.

Then in February, the US Representative to the United Nations and Cabinet Member, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, travelled to Georgetown for a two-day visit, to lead the United States Delegation to the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) that was held in Guyana. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols, was also part of that delegation.

In March, the Director of

the US Central Intelligence Agency, William J. Burns, was in Georgetown for one day, during which he had held meetings with officials of the Guyana Government.

Following Burns’s visit last month, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had accused Guyana of partnering with the CIA and the Southern Command – both US security agencies – to establish secret military bases here to attack Tumeremo, which is the supposed capital of a new state that Venezuela is purporting to establish with Guyana’s Essequibo territory.

On April 3, Maduro promulgated “the Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba”, thus effectively claiming the Essequibo as a state within Venezuela –a move that has been condemned by the Guyana Government and several regional and international bodies.

Guyana has, on several occasions, denied partnering with the US or any other country to be an aggressor against Venezuela. Meanwhile, the US Government has denied that it has already established, or has plans to set up, a secret military base in Guyana. White House National Security Communications Adviser Admiral John Kirby told reporters at a press briefing on April 4, “There are no plans for a secret military base [in Guyana].”

“And we’ve said many times that there’s an 1899 Arbitral ruling about the border between Guyana and Venezuela, and we want both sides to respect that ruling, and to do it peacefully,” the White House official had added in response to a question about the US support for Guyana in defending its sovereignty. (G-8)

President Dr Irfaan Ali and US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer during a meeting at State House in Georgetown back in February

Exploit opportunities

For an economy like ours, there is not much we can do about globalization; just as we could not when it started its present literal iteration after Columbus had stumbled across the Americas and Europe realized the world was not flat, but was a globe. We were there at the beginning when the plantations of the Dutch and then the English were created through slave labour to supply agricultural products for Europe. As our lands in the “New World” became populated, “free trade” replaced the mercantilist policies of the imperial powers and became driven by comparative advantages in the production of goods and services.

There was an ebb and flow between protectionism and free trade over the years, but in the late 20th century, free trade accelerated to unbelievable levels during the communication and transportation revolutions. The world truly became a village as each country attempted to move up the value chain in its productive capacity in order to deliver an improved standard of living to its citizens.

In Guyana, however, the PNC regime after independence embarked on what turned out to be a detour and frolic as far as following that path of development. Rather than strategically diversifying outside the plantation economy, by picking products that it could export at an advantage and earn foreign exchange to purchase those items it did not have an advantage, it chose an autarkic strategy that was bound to fail because of our extremely small and underdeveloped markets. Burnham’s policies, compared to Lee Kwan Yew’s for Singapore, which became independent around the same time as we did, is an object lesson in the importance of strategic decisions in the development of former colonies.

In the latter part of the 20th century, the Far Eastern Tigers replicated Singapore’s success and demonstrated that the export-driven strategy was transferable. Yet, in Guyana, we continued attempting to improve efficiencies in agricultural products like sugar, in which we neither had a comparative advantage (as say, Brazil) nor did it platform us into new vistas of production that delivered such advantages. This is not to say that such production must be abandoned with no consideration of the social impact, but that those social considerations would be better addressed by moving Guyana into higher value-added products.

Presently, we have also taken the lead within the region for food security, and have committed to reducing Caricom’s US$6 billion food bill by 25% by 2025. Now, while this is a good strategic choice in one area where we do have a comparative advantage –land/agriculture – by coupling it with new crops like soya and corn, and rearing cattle, this is necessary but not sufficient to take full advantage of globalization and move up the development scale. For this to occur, we must, at each stage, use the technology that we have mastered and move to a higher level. By focusing only on agriculture, we will inevitably reach a point of diminishing returns and stagnating horizons.

As such, our burgeoning oil industry offers us a platform for moving us strategically into a higher quantum level of development. Take, for instance, the gas-to-shore project on which the Government has embarked, and which has been severely criticized by some elements putatively on “environmental” grounds. This initiative offers us the opportunity to develop manufacturing skills and expertise by Guyanese to an intermediate level – such as manufacturing urea from Natural Gas – which has been tried and trusted for a hundred years, so there is not much risk involved. Within a few years – before our oil has run out - we should control a bulging Natural Resource Fund (NRF) that can then facilitate us moving to a higher level of production, and continue onwards and upwards on a virtuous cycle.

That globalization had stumbled because of supply-chain issues that precipitated the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the Ukraine war has exposed its downside, but it will be resolved to continue its inexorable march. We have no choice but to exploit its opportunities.

The Stabroek Market trauma is yet another result of the PNC karma

Dear Editor, Thanks to PNC mismanagement, the inexorable finally became inevitable, as the predictable fall of the roof became unavoidable. On Wednesday morning, the disastrous roof of the Stabroek Market Wharf caved in and crumbled at this ramshackle site. This derelict has been quite an eyesore for many painful years, and has been quite an embarrassment for the nation as ships come into the Georgetown harbour and moor alongside the wharf. Imagine being greeted with such an ugly site, and having to tolerate such abhorrence while in port!

And now a worse scenario presents itself in an unsightly, sickening, and disgusting picture to be endured for who knows how long it will take to remove this ghastly mess. The market falls under the jurisprudence of the M&CC, which is visionary-reactive by the profound stewardship of the PNC.

The PNC has always won the Georgetown mayorship, and has dominated the governance of the city through its majority rule. A garden city has been reduced to a garbage city, accolades to the PNC. They have proudly, if not purposely, defamed the name of the city which played host to many international guests, including the late Queen Elizabeth 11.

A once-manicured garden had blossomed with the freshness of the air from the Atlantic Ocean and been tailored into a well pruned playground to be the pride of the capital. Slowly, but surely, it dissipated into a maimed figure, amputated by

the PNC’s mutilation.

While in power, and out of power, the PNC-controlled supervision has permitted the destruction of the infrastructure of the safety nets which were guarding the city to prevent flooding. Today, due to hindsight or lack of foresight, floods are damnable to present watery conditions, which create traffic hazards, people cowering to safety from cars spewing water as they drive by, and pedestrians having to walk shoeless at times. The floods do present a health hazard when contaminated with the polluted water from the drains.

Garbage piling up all around the city has manifested into a pest-infested place. You can see rats, rodents and insects feasting on remnants. Overgrown grass is home to reptiles. Empty bottles and newspapers litter the paved drains, which become blocked and overspilling takes place. Many wooden objects, including carton boxes, are lying around and become a fire hazard. There are many old buildings which are deserted and have overgrown bushes and shrubs with still water, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other unwelcome characters, including bums and drug addicts. The city has languished into this uncomfortable disdain due to the cavalier type of discipline executed by the PNC management they publicly claim as their domain.

Unfortunately, a fine piece of Guyana’s history was left abandoned, unkept and fallen into a shabby impairment. City Hall used to be a majes-

tic home as an urban spectacle, but the PNC mayors of yesteryear have all contributed to the demise that today’s mayor has to retain and resolve. Not unscathed, like himself, many have ridden the wind which has blown a sorrowful breeze on Town Hall premises. This prestigious infamy lies at the feet of the proud PNC who insist on pursuing the brilliantly lit road of vanity.

Financial management was, is, and will always be one of the weakest elements incorporated when factoring in PNC weaknesses. This is coupled with the corrupted corroboration of mathematical fantasy and their ingenious analysis when confronted with any type of calculation. No wonder the City is bereft of money, and can never have enough, due to the inadequacy of accountable revenue!

Poverty has remained a daunting nightmare, and a cash-strapped M&CC is always under the eyes of the Auditor General. But yet the PNC strives to stay in a plagued environment filled with dirt.

The Stabroek Market is a focal point, and one of the centres of attraction for visitors, be they local or overseas. Shoppers are overwhelmed with the calamity of traffic congestion, vendor harassment, pickpockets, garbage, stench, confusion, drug dealers, noise nuisance and crowd unruliness in and around that area of prime tapestry and artistic confluence. A hallmark clock remains sleeping while keeping a watchful eye on the decomposed PNC management to resurrect life in itself once

again and serve a functional purpose.

The PPP/C Government, since taking office in 2020, has time and again ploughed money into a depleted system, bleeding from porous management and some unhygienic officers feeding a mechanism which is destroying rather than building a city. The President himself, along with Cabinet members and other volunteers, has personally cleaned up the city of garbage literally, only to return to find that the city has returned to its mismanaged and mangled manner. The photographers are still roaming with their cameras to find a mayor who will relinquish an assumed prestige position and dirty their hands and feet to work alongside the President in any clean-up campaign.

Regardless of which side one may be on, one cannot deny the fact that the PPP/C Government has perpetually demonstrated its commitment to work in the interest of the nation by cleaning up all the mess left by a PNC governance whenever they are in power. Wherever their fangs claw, Guyanese will get hurt and feel the pain, and it’s the PPP/C Government which has to provide the remedial effect. The Stabroek Market trauma is yet another result of the PNC karma. Luckily, only a few were hurt. It could have been worse! But the damage has been done, and the PPP/C Government has to plaster yet another PNC sore.

An aerial view of the Indigenous village of Mashabo, Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). The village has a population of about 500 persons mostly of Arawak and Carib origin (Mike Gonsalves photo)

Daily struggles we have with many political obstacles in our way

Dear Editor,

There is no doubt

Guyana is on an upward trajectory; however, ever so often, we meet with obstacles in the way of progress, and the problems I am about to expound on come from both ends of the political spectrum.

I begin with the APNU Chairman of Sandvoort, West Canje, East Berbice. Now, the Ministry of Agriculture, led by Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, has allotted a bulldozer to the West Canje district of Sandvoort to carry out clearance of land up to the amount of 5 acres. When that machine arrived there, it was the mistaken belief of the APNU Chairman that it was sent to do lands of his choosing. You are talking about a Government-owned machine sent to do work for Guyanese in the area being treated as the personal property of the APNU Chairman. And thus, for six months, he directed the bulldozer to carry out clearance works for himself and his family, and some leftover land, with the express motive of stealing.

Not one acre of my land was touched; which I am livid about, and for which he had no answer. The diabolical "control obsession" of APNU is in his head, and, as such, he has worked that theory to the letter. I am not, by any means, interested in his obsession; I am interested in work done for Guyanese in that area. Please leave the sordid PNC politics out of the equation.

The bulldozer is now out of Sandvoort, and is in another West Canje village named Vryheid. Listen to this chairman’s excuse for not getting my place done in Sandvoort: He contends that he was never in "control" of the machine; rather, it was Chairman Armogan who was in control of the bulldozer, and he has now removed it into the predominantly Indian area of Vryheid. This is the racial and political concoction of nonsense he wants me to believe.

I spoke to Mr Armogan personally, and the explanation given by the APNU Chairman is not even remotely close to the truth. The distressing thing about

it is that, for an APNUcontrolled area, that place has never received any developmental upgrades from that party. For decades, Hamilton Green would go into Sandvoort and recruit African dancers to entertain himself, but never to grant them the privileges of modern amenities. Potable water, electricity, drainage and irrigation, as well as telecommunication came to Sandvoort by the PPP/C Government. So, this chairman should be ashamed of himself for ever standing in the way of the progress of other villagers, whom he might claim to be of another political affiliation.

I now turn to the PPP/C D&I foreman of that area, who is going along the same route as the APNU Chairman of Sandvoort, albeit in a subtler manner.

It has been three years now since my cousin applied for work in the D&I Team of West Canje. Each time he is met with, "The minister hasn't approved the names, and next year they will approve names", and the excuses go on. I intervened by asking this fore-

man why my cousin, who is a bona fide Guyanese, cannot get a job opportunity in an area that he claims has seven vacancies.

But you have to understand the motive behind this foreman’s shenanigans. During the three-year royal runaround, this foreman employed two workers, women. My cousin is a man, which makes him ineligible for a position in this foreman’s work team. In his scheme of things, he wants a bevy of women he can "control." You get my drift!

This foreman represents those who would give the Government a bad name, and I would not stand for that. Whether it comes from the APNU or PPP/C end, I will fight it to the very end.

I have already raised my concerns with Region Six Chairman David Armogan and Mr. Zamal Hussain, and they have promised to look into the matter urgently. I have also forwarded copies of this letter to Ministers Zulfikar Mustapha and Sonia Parag.

Respectfully,

Neil Adams

Afro-Guyanese organizations are rightfully transitioning away from Alexander cabal

Dear Editor,

Mr. Vincent Alexander’s recent attempts to sway public opinion have been met with skepticism by Afro-Guyanese groups who have become increasingly aware of the dubious activities within the IDPADA-G framework. This includes the alarming allocation of taxpayers’ funds for inflated consultancy contracts benefitting close associates and relatives.

The ongoing discussions at the Permanent Forum on the People of African Descent have shed light on the glaring inadequacies of the IDPADA-G organization, which purports to represent the interests of Afro-Guyanese communities. However, it has become evident that Alexander and his cohorts have manipulated the process to serve their own agenda.

The recent decision by the Government to provide direct funding to AfroGuyanese groups marks a welcome departure from the bureaucratic hurdles and preferential treatment established under Alexander’s leadership. Everyone should support mechanisms that eliminate the undue influ-

ence of paid consultants affiliated with the Alexander clique. It is imperative to question the true motives of figures like Alexander, who often target Afro-Guyanese individuals expressing dissenting views with vile and vicious attacks, including calling them “house slaves”. Are they genuinely championing Afro-Guyanese causes, or are they simply advancing their own political interests?

The infiltration of IDPADA-G by Opposition cronies underscores the organization’s transformation into a political facade, prioritising financial gain over genuine support for the Afro-Guyanese community.

Speaking from personal experience, I am well acquainted with Mr. Alexander’s history, particularly his pattern of victimising Afro-Guyanese individuals. His direct actions against me during his tenure as a lecturer at the University of Guyana stand as a constant reminder of his hypocrisy and disregard for the very community he claims to represent.

Sincerely,

Ras Marcus

PPC does not have legal authority to rescind or revoke any contract

Dear Editor, The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) recently concluded its report on the summary of findings in relation to the awarding of a contract to the Tepui Group Inc. As expected, certain media houses and commentators (who have not yet surfaced) questioned why the PPC could not have revoked the contract, since so many “breaches” were found.

Although the summary of findings showed a number of inconsistencies in the evaluation process, there was no established breach, per se, of the Procurement Act. This is an important point to note; one that escaped the media.

The PPC does not have the legal authority to rescind or revoke any contract. In the circumstances, the PPC is restricted to providing recommendations for remedial action(s); which it did.

It should be noted, too, that the PPC is not a court of law, therefore it does not have the powers of a court of law.

In respect to the question of taking action, which the complainant had requested, the complainant, David Patterson, happens to be a former minister and a current Member of Parliament, and it is important to draw attention to a previous matter involving this said minister, which was fundamentally dissimilar in nature. To that end,

the PPC had done an investigation into the infamous feasibility study for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge under the former Minister David Patterson.

That report is on the PPC’s website for reference. The findings therefrom showed that former Minister David Patterson was found to be directly in breach of the Procurement Act, multiple breaches of the Act were established.

Yet, to date, the former Minister has not been penalised or held accountable.

It is because of this very reason: that the Procurement Act does not provide penalties for breaches.

Notwithstanding, in the case of former Minister David Patterson, if under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) misappropriation of public funds is/was established, then he can be prosecuted.

Conversely, in the case of the Tepui Group Inc. that is currently attracting the attention of the media, it is not a matter of misappropriation of public funds.

It is important to note as well that there was no evidence supporting the notion that the evaluation process was skewed in favour of a preferred bidder, because whatever was done in the evaluation process was applied across the board.

Sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin Commissioner, PPC

Page Foundation

Example: Exercises: Interpret

The left circle shows distinctive characteristics of whales. The right circle shows distinctive characteristics of fishes. The overlap shows characteristics both whales and fishes have. Using the data shown in this diagram, identify the skin-related difference. In this case, the skin-related difference is whales have hair and fishes have scales.

Some animals that live in the ocean

Elements of a poem

1) What are the characteristics of ducks according to the diagram above?

Writing prompts

Writing prompts

Writing prompts are topics designed to elicit creative thinking or provide inspiration. Below are several from writtenwordmedia.com to get your brain clicking. Pick one, or more than one – it is entirely up to you. And write about it!

Your dog begins speaking in a human voice one morning.

The sky turns purple.

Your best friend’s head turns into a mushroom. Dinosaurs come back to earth.

You and your family rescue a turtle who was hit by a car and nurse him back to health.

You turn into a goldfish.

What would happen if you could turn any food into cotton candy?

Rain turns into soda.

Your family adopts a pet monkey.

The new kid at school wants to be your friend, but you’re very shy.

You and your boy scout troop get lost in the middle of the forest.

Your parents tell you they’ll give you $20 if you eat your vegetables with every dinner. Do you do it?

Write about a special memory from your childhood.

2) Which birds are extinct?

What parent are you closest do? What are some of your favourite memories of spending time with them?

Write about yourself at age five.

What was your greatest dream when you were a child?

Write about your favourite childhood pet.

Get inspiration for your writing by thinking about a vacation you took as a child.

What would happen if you woke up one day and kids ruled the world?

Tell the story of a child who has just transferred to a new school.

Tell the story of a platypus.

WORD SEARCH

Power ship rental

No increase in electricity costs for consumers – VP Jagdeo

…US$1M mobilisation fee, other charges as GPL inks contract with Qatari company

With Guyana having finalised a multimillion-dollar deal for the rental of a power ship to add 36 megawatts (MW) of capacity to the national grid, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has assured that there will be no increase in electricity costs for consumers.

On Thursday, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc disclosed that it signed a contract with Qatarbased Urbacon Concessions Investments, WLL (UCI) for the rental of the floating power plant for two years.

The State-run power company said in a statement that it has already paid a mobilisation fee to the tune of US$1 million and is not required to pay a demobilisation fee. The contract further requires GPL to pay UCI a fee of 6.62 US cents per kWh as a monthly charter fee for the power ship and a monthly operation and maintenance fee of 0.98 US cents per kWh based on electricity generated.

Under the contract, GPL is also responsible for providing Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) for the operation of the generators onboard the vessel.

During his weekly press conference on Thursday, VP Jagdeo assured that this deal would not result in any hikes in electricity costs for consumers.

“There will be no increase in the price of electricity because of this rental [of the power ship]…for the next two years,” he declared.

The Vice President reminded that the Government has been subsidising GPL to prevent increased costs from being passed onto consumers. Currently, the cost of electricity in Guyana is

about 22 US cents per kWh and is said to be among the highest in the Region.

“The Government is already subsidising the power to people, businesses, etc… It’s a large sum of money that we use to keep the price of electricity fixed. Since we got into office, we kept it fixed in spite of the increase [in fuel costs]. So, there shall be no increase in the price of electricity because of this rental,” Jagdeo stated.

The contract between GPL and UCI was signed last Saturday, April 13, and includes the provision of operation and maintenance services as part of the agreement.

According to the Staterun utility company, the power ship is slated to arrive in Guyana on May 1, subject to weather conditions and is expected to be fully operational and delivering electricity by May 8.

The floating power plant will be located at Everton in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and will be interconnected with GPL's grid at 69 kilovolts (kV).

GPL said it has already commenced preparatory works at the site to accommodate the power ship and the interconnection to the national grid. The power ship is expected to operate at 96 per cent availability.

Earlier this week, President Dr Irfaan Ali defended the Government’s decision to procure the 36MW of additional power in the face of criticisms about the feasibility of the two-year deal.

The Head of State contended that the move was not only a feasible plan but a necessary one. He pointed out that GPL needed to

meet electricity demand and this could not come via a magical wish.

“You can’t wish that capacity will come and the problem will be solved. We have to buy capacity,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Local Content Summit 2024 on Tuesday.

The President added, “… we had exponential growth [in recent years]. We have to meet the demand. To meet the demand, we have to buy power. It’s an emergency now. There are very few companies that can give you this power in 15 days. We’ve been able to get this power in 15 days. I congratulate all those who helped us to get here.”

Further, Ali noted that there was a narrative going around that would seek to blame the Government for the power outages. According to the Guyanese Leader, however, this would not deter his government from pursuing its goals.

“Some people would enjoy us not meeting the demand, because you’d get the free opportunity to go on social media every day. We take ownership. We take ownership of what we inherited and we take ownership

of the problem. But guess what? We take the responsibility of finding the solution. And we’re going to find the solution to every challenge,” the Head of State said.

Once operational, the power ship will inject approximately 36MW of electricity into the national grid, offering much-needed relief at a time when the country is facing heightened power outages following what the GPL had described as en-

gine failures at different locations. At least two engines are currently down.

With its challenges, GPL is now generating some 165MW of power. However, the current peak demand for electricity is 180MW.

The power ship that is being rented was last operated in Cuba as a part of a contingent of similar generation assets that UCI is operating

While the rental deal was

signed with UCI, which is a subsidiary of UCC Holdings – a company incorporated in the State of Qatar, the power ship is owned by Turkeybased Karpowership International.

UCC Holdings has a strategic alliance with Karpowership for operations in the Latin American region. Currently, the Turkish company operates power ships in the Dominican Republic and Brazil. (G8)

Dispute over claim with GtE contractor will not affect US EXIM Bank loan – Jagdeo

The ongoing dispute between the Guyana Government and its contractor for the model Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project, Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc. (LNDCH4), will not affect the processing of the US$646 million loan being sought from the United States EXIM Bank.

This is according to Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who made this revelation during his weekly press conference on Thursday when he said, “This [dispute] is not going to affect the processing of the loan.”

It was announced in April 2023 that Guyana had applied for a loan from the US EXIM Bank to finance the GtE project, which includes the construction of an Integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD) utilising natural gas from the country’s offshore operations.

LNDCH4, which was

awarded a US$759 million contract in November 2022 to build the power plant and NGL facility, is engaged in a disagreement with the Government over the timelines of the project and associated costs. The contractor – a joint venture between two US-based companies, Lindsayca and CH4 – is making financial claims to the tune of US$50 million over delays from other components of the project that would affect their delivery according to contractual timelines.

However, the Vice President explained that

the only way the processing of the loan could be affected is if Guyana refuses to abide by the terms of the contract, which contains provisions of independent arbitration or mediation when there is a dispute. Since the companies are US-based, he said, this could be considered expropriation.

It was revealed last week that Government has rejected the financial claim, and the contractor has now moved to a dispute resolution mechanism – a process called ‘Dispute Adjudication and Arbitration Board.’

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Good Hope man charged with ammo-possession

Kevin Mohammed, called ‘Pumpkin’, a 27-year-old farmer of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD),

was on Thursday remanded to prison on a possession of ammunition charge after his arraignment before Magistrate Orinta Schmidt at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him.

Police have said that Mohammed was arrested on April 16 with several rounds of ammunition in his possession while he was not the holder of a valid licence. Mohammed has however pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him, and has been remanded to prison while the matter has been adjourned to May 16, 2024.

Labourer to stand trial for rape

Danford Thomas, also called ‘Dennis’, a 20-year-old la -

bourer of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), was on Wednesday committed by Anna Regina Magistrate Tamieka Clarke to stand trial in the High Court on a charge of rape, allegedly committed on November 28, 2023.

The magistrate has ruled that there is sufficient evidence before the court to commit the accused to stand trial at the next practicable session of the Suddie Criminal Court.

He has been placed on bail in the sum of $300,000 as he awaits the commencement of his High Court trial.

Man charged with attempted murder remanded Fireworks… …in Geneva

Mark Chester, a 29-yearold labourer of Queenstown village, Essequibo Coast, Region

Two, was on Thursday arraigned before Suddie Magistrate Tamieka Clarke on a charge of attempted murder.

Charged: Mark Chester

He was not required to plead to this indictable charge, which stated that on April 12, 2024, at Queenstown village, Essequibo Coast, he attempted to murder 45-yearyear-old Marlon Jones.

The prosecutor objected to Chester being placed on bail bail, and as such, Chester has been remanded to prison until April 30, 2024, when the case is scheduled to next be called.

Well, if you thought there were only fireworks over Israel in the never-ending Middle East conflict, there were quite a few ballistic missiles fired over in Geneva - in OUR almost equal ethnic intractable conflict. Yep… Geneva!! Addressing the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent on behalf of IDPADA-G -- which claimed to represent 78 local African organisations -- local attorney Nigel Hughes hurled some seemingly pretty powerful accusations against the PPP Government.

Quoting from Recommendation 15 (non-Discrimination) of the UN Forum’s March 28 recommendations, Hughes claimed the Government was ignoring the specific exhortation to address discrimination against African Guyanese. Implying, of course, that the Forum had reviewed the evidence and concluded that such specific discrimination was rampant!!What the Committee had actually said was, “The Committee remains concerned about the absence of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that may extend beyond discrimination in employment, provide full and effective protection against all forms of discrimination prohibited under the Covenant, including direct, indirect, and multiple discrimination, and contain a list of prohibited grounds of discrimination in line with the Covenant.”

So, what else is new?? Of course, the Committee would like ALL member countries of the UN to follow the stipulations of the UN Charter!! Isn’t that how we’ll finally realize what a wonderful world we’re living in? Peace and joy to all!! No hunger, no sickness…and equality for all!! Your Eyewitness wonders, for instance, what questions they’ve been asking of Israel - which drove the Palestinians from Palestine to “create” Israel -- so that the Palestinians have to now fight for a state called “Palestine”!! And mind you, Israel was made a full member of the UN!!

Anyhow, back to our fracas over who should not be discriminated against. We can figure out the specifics from the Committee’s ACTUAL recommendation. “(a) Adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation that explicitly addresses all spheres of life and prohibits direct, indirect, and intersectional discrimination on all grounds including race, ethnicity, age, nationality, religion, migration status, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and ensures access to effective and appropriate remedies for victims of discrimination; (b) Redouble its efforts to end the existing divide and tensions between ethnic groups and discrimination against ethnic minority groups, including by creating opportunities for open dialogue between various ethnic groups, promoting inter-ethnic harmony and tolerance, and overcoming prejudices and negative stereotypes, including in schools and universities and through the media; (c) Take the necessary steps to prevent, condemn, and combat hate speech and incitement to racial hostility directed at the groups most exposed to racial discrimination, including by public officials and politicians.”

The recommendation definitely doesn’t specify any particular race, but your Eyewitness guesses that whichever group’s party is out of office, they’ll scream “DISCRIMINATION!!”

…in colonial hegemony

One of the ways we’re still kept in thrall to our old colonial masters is what they put into our heads as “EDUCATION”. We were uncivilised (of course!), and as such, our lived experience was actually stuff and nonsense!! Even though our civilisations were older than theirs!! Having convinced us of that “TRUTH”, we actually fought tooth and nail to become “EDUCATED”!! Bob Marley dubbed the result “mental slavery” - and urged that we free ourselves from its chains - which were even more powerful than the physical ones, since these were invisible!!

So, by the time when your Eyewitness went to school, our education system had seemingly gotten wise to the ruse, and had created our own “Readers”, that told us about our local West Indian and Guyanese reality!! Remember the Rampat Family and their wedding?? So, your Eyewitness was kinda surprised that the powers-that-be aren’t still teaching about love, with Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” – but spending oodles of moolah to stage its performance at the Cultural Centre!!

Mental slavery!!

…in local politics

The perpetual struggle between the PNC-controlled M&CC and the PPP Central Govt came to a head when the condemned wharf portion of Stabroek Market collapsed over the heads of the vendors who were still allowed to occupy it!!

Rape accused Danford Thomas

Kevin Mohammed

Govt would hire contractors without “full experience” to keep up with rapid development – VP Jagdeo

New contractors would be hired by the Government to keep pace with the ongoing rapid development in the infrastructure sector.

This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who, on Thursday, defended the decision by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to award a $865 million contract to Tepui Group, which is associated with Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as “Guyanese Critic”.

“You have to have new contractors. We are building 19 pump stations and you have very few people with the capacity to build all 19 … so often you have to bring new contractors who may not have the full experience, but you have to see if they have the comparable skills and have rigid supervision of the contracts,” the Vice President said.

Jagdeo’s comments came after the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) flagged several issues regarding the award of the contract to the company for the construction of a pump station at Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara

(WBD).

The investigation was launched after former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson filed a complaint with the PPC in which he noted that the company – Tepui Group – was only established in August 2022 and therefore failed to meet the technical requirements of the bid documents for the successful bidder to have successfully completed projects of a similar nature and size within the last three years.

Following the release of the PPC report, the Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh noted that the recommendations of the report would be addressed.

Jagdeo said the release of findings from the PPC shows that the procurement system was working and has in place mechanisms for persons to express their grievances. “One thing is clear, the procurement process is working under this government,” he said.

The Vice President also noted that in addition to the 19 pump stations under construction, there are several other drainage and irrigation projects un-

der construction to benefit thousands of Guyanese.

He alluded to the purchase of 40 new mobile pumps which will have the capacity to move 2840 cubic feet of water; the US$47 million investment under a World Bank programme to rehabilitate 63 sluices across the country; and the construction of canals in Regions Three, Five and Six to the tune of approximately $26 billion from the sale of forest carbon.

“If you add all of this, we will be budgeting around $115 billion to improve drainage and irrigation structures to make our

economy more resilient to flooding and to improve water management,” he said. Meanwhile, it was reported that among the issues flagged by the PPC related to the company’s lack of experience were it being only registered in 2022; its absence of a bank line of credit; and its failure to submit an audited financial statement.

The company also fell short on its bid security requirement. However, the Commission said it could not do anything about the situation, since the contract was already signed.

Nevertheless, it advised the project to be strictly monitored for performance and if the contractor is found in breach, that the necessary steps, including termination, be taken.

Dispute over claim with GtE contractor...

A three-member board is being set to mediate between the Guyana Government and the JV company, and at the end of this process, if either party is not satisfied with the outcome, then they can ask for arbitration.

“We’re following the grievance procedure as established by the contract itself. So, that will not affect the processing of the loan,” Jagdeo has said.

According to the Vice President, the US EXIM Bank has completed its final due diligence. “They came down here, this was about a week ago, and there was no adverse finding. So, hopefully, now the loan would be able to go to the [Bank’s] Board,” he explained.

“When the US makes loans of this nature, they also have to do their independent checks; and they’ve done all of those on financial feasibility, environmental sustainability – all of those issues. So, we’re expecting it to be processed,” he stated.

Jagdeo had previously disclosed that the Government can use bridge financing to get the Gas-to-Energy project underway until that EXIM Bank loan comes on stream. Consequently, the Government earmarked some $80 billion in the 2024 Budget to advance the project this year.

Nevertheless, the Vice President explained that while it is unclear how long the dispute resolution process would take to be determined, that would not affect the movement of

works on the project. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s flagship GtE initiative is divided into five components: the pipeline from offshore production activities to Wales, then the building of power plant and NGL facilities, the transmission main to move power generated at the power plant, a new control centre at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, and upgrading the national power grid.

While LNDCH4 was given the contract to build the two plants, the procurement and installation of the 225-km gas pipeline from the Wales project site to the offshore oil field is being executed by US oil major ExxonMobil Guyana, which is carrying out production activities in the Stabroek Block.

Installation of the US$1 billion pipeline also includes upgrade of the roads to get to the site at Wales, the Material Offloading Facility (MOF) and site preparation for 100 acres, as well as a laydown yard – all undertaken by Exxon and subcontracted out. However, there were three-month delays in the handing over of two of these components to LNDCH4 for them to start their work.

In light of the delays, the Government has extended the deadline, but the contractor is not satisfied and wants more time. The contractor is also making financial claims on the grounds that the delay would cost the company.

This demand, however,

has been rejected by the Government, which has been advised by the project consultant, Engineers India Limited (EIL), that the company is not eligible for any financial payments.

Based on the contract, LNDCH4 is required to deliver 228MW of power with four gas turbines coming on stream at the end of 2024 at 57MW each. To get the entire 300MW, another two steam turbines are expected by the end of 2025.

“What we have is a delay for the four turbines [to be installed]…And the delay, we believe, is by three months, so taking it to end March [2025]… [But now] the contractor wants to complete the gas turbines by August [2025], so that is where we’re arguing the three-months’ delay came from. [The contractors] want a longer period because of the liquidating damages… If they don’t complete the project on time, it’s over US$11 million per month they have to pay in liquidating damages for delay on the project, so they’re arguing we need more time than the three months, but we’re saying three months is adequate for you, because that’s the delay we’ve had,” Jagdeo had explained last week.

Meanwhile, the Vice President had also refuted claims that the project completion would be shifted due to these delays. He noted that “the total project timeline has not shifted”, adding that it will come by the end of 2025. (G-8)

Aerial view of the Belle Vue Pump Station site

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

39 persons from 13 countries now Guyanese citizens – received naturalisation, registration certificates

Some 39 individuals from 13 countries recently received their registration and naturalisation certificates denoting their Guyanese citizenship from the Home Affairs Ministry’s Immigration Support Services.

During the ceremonies on Tuesday and Wednesday, subject Minister Robeson Benn emphasised Guyana’s rich multicultural identity, underscoring the importance of embracing diver-

sity and leveraging each other’s strengths for national prosperity.

Further, he stressed unity and collaboration as being essential to building a

better Guyana for all while urging the new citizens to take advantage of all the opportunities available in Guyana.

Permanent Secretary Andre Ally, during his brief

remarks, echoed the sentiments of Minister Benn, emphasising the crucial role of unity and cooperation in forging a prosperous future for all to enjoy.

The Permanent Secretary also reminded the new citizens of their responsibility to uphold the nation’s laws in all their endeavours, emphasising the importance of integration and adherence to the country’s laws.

The new citizens were presented with their certificates and adorned with the Guyana flag, symbolising their integration into the diverse culture of Guyanese society, after the ceremony.

The Government, while extending warmest congratulations to the new citizens, reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive

and vibrant nation. The ceremonies were also attended by Head of Immigration

Support Services, Michelle Davis and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer,

Stephen Telford.

Back in February, Ally reported that 300 Certificates of Citizenship had been issued for 2023. In the case of marriage, the process of becoming a citi-

by naturalisation once that person shows they are ordinarily resident in Guyana and have been so resident throughout seven years immediately preceding the application, that they are of good character, and that they intend to reside in Guyana.

On approval, the website said, the person would be granted a Certificate of Naturalisation and would have to take the Oath of Allegiance to Guyana.

Included in a list of requirements published on the Ministry’s website is that the “applicant must advertise in the newspaper for two consecutive days that he or she is applying to the Ministry of Home Affairs for Naturalisation as a citizen of Guyana.”

Meanwhile, the Head of Immigration Support Services back in February had announced that 10,155

zen takes two years after all the relevant documents are submitted.

In September 2023, a total of 42 persons from 10 countries had received their Guyanese citizenship following the Home Affairs Ministry’s naturalisation and registration ceremony.

The Ministry’s website states that a person is eligible to apply for citizenship

Guyanese visas have been issued for 2023. Of the more than 10,000 visas issued, she explained, 4978 were for employment, 66 were for business, 64 were to facilitate students studying, 1764 were for visitors, and 3283 were landing permits.

Further, she said, these visas were issued under various categories, including extension of stay.

Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Stephen Telford hands over a certificate

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn addressing the new Guyanese citizens

A group of new citizens after receiving their certificates

A new Guyanese citizen smiles as he collects his certificate from Permanent Secretary Andre Ally

Head of Immigration Support Services, Michelle Davis during the ceremony

MoH

probing death of siblings aged

9 & 11

at NA Hospital

…“Words can’t express how much they mean to me; dem is me children” – mother

Two siblings, aged 9 and 11, have died at the New Amsterdam Hospital, leaving their parents shocked and confused regarding their causes of death.

The Ministry of Health has since intervened to launch an investigation into the situation.

The dead children were identified as nine-year-old Arianna Mohabeer, who died on Monday, and 11-year-old Ricardo Mohabeer, who died on Sunday.

The family, who resides at New Area Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, is demanding answers, and more importantly, justice.

“Words can’t express how much they mean to me; dem is me children (sigh),” the children’s mother, Rihanna Persaud said in an interview

with the media on Thursday.

Persaud, who has two other children aged 15 and 3, explained that her 11-yearold son had a fever for two days, and she was treating him at home, however, he became unresponsive on Sunday, causing her to rush him to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The lad was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy has since been performed on the child’s body.

“They say that he had cyst-like cancer inside his belly. He used to cry out for belly pain and I does carry him to the hospital and they would do all kind of tests; ultrasound, X-ray and everything and they not finding no complaint, what wrong with him really,” the mother cried.

Even before her son was

rushed to the hospital, his sister was already a patient there, having been admitted on Saturday, also with a fever.

According to Persaud, she was not in the best of health and so her sister and cousin were taking turns to stay with the nine-year-old while she was in the medical facil-

ity. The mother related that the hospital was treating her daughter for dengue.

“Me ask them what they giving her and they say they giving her Panadol syrup and antibiotic.”

The 30-year-old mother said on Monday an injection was administered to her daughter.

Arianna Mohabeer and her brother Ricardo Mohabeer

Grieving mother Rihanna Persaud

Joint ministerial operation underway following collapse at Stabroek Market Wharf

Ajoint ministerial operation

the Ministries of Public Work, and Local Government and Regional Development, in conjunction with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, has been activated following the collapse of wooden structures at the Stabroek Market Wharf.

from 04:00h to 22:00h daily.

This has resulted in a massive clean-up campaign

A total of 45 men from the various entities are spearheading the exercise, which currently requires manual labour to remove the rubble.

At the scene on Thursday

morning, the Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, disclosed that a barge, excavator and pontoon are being used at the site; however, he explained that the area is difficult to access.

This is because citizens continue to traverse the area and vendors are still plying their trade in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market.

To ensure safety and mitigate further injuries while upping the pace of work, he explained, the City Council will coordinate with vendors to create a passageway for more trucks and excavators.

The Minister could not provide a timeline for the completion of the clean-up exercise.

“The barge came in about 10 last night (Wednesday evening), so what is close to the riverside we will put on the barge and what is close to this side (the market)

we’ll move and put on the trucks. So, we can deal with that phase one and then we will go to phase two a little later. So, when the market is closed and people are gone and the boats stop op-

erating, we will have to pull down that shed and start removing that, because that is an accident waiting to happen,” Indar said.

between

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag speaking to the media

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn inspecting works at Stabroek Market Wharf

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar engaging engineers at Stabroek Market Wharf

IDPADA-G never filed discrimination complaint with ERC – Commissioner

The International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G) has never filed a complaint of discrimination with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

This is according to Commissioner Neaz Subhan, who participated in Geneva, Switzerland in a thematic discussion on Culture and Recognition at the 3rd Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent on Wednesday. He explained there that the ERC is a constitutional body with a 24-point mandate to foster social harmony and to promote and respect ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity; and is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean region with a mandate that provides for it to investigate complaints of racial discrimination and marginalisation.

“Our Commission, in its efforts to deliver its mandates, will continue to stand firmly against all forms of racial discrimination, and to contribute towards building a harmonious and cohesive society under the rubric of ‘One Guyana’,” Commissioner Subhan stressed.

While acknowledging the ongoing challenges faced by people of African descent worldwide in the recognition and practise of their culture,

Subhan has said he remains encouraged by the continuous support provided by the Government of Guyana to various organizations and communities of people of African descent.

He highlighted that over $1.8 billion has been distributed in the last three years to promote and preserve culture, and develop sports infrastructure, with the International Decade of People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana (IDPADA-G) re-

ceiving the largest allocation: $360 million.

Subhan explained that Guyana’s Constitution provides for fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, religion, association, and gender equality. He noted that Article 149 prohibits discrimination on various grounds, including culture.

“Of particular interest to this panel is Article 27 (2), which stipulates that ‘it is the duty of the state

to provide education that would include curricula designed to reflect the cultural diversities of Guyana’, and Article 35 ‘honours and respects the diverse cultural strains which enrich society’, Commissioner Subhan added.

Further, he stated that despite the inhumanity of slavery and colonialism, the descendants of Africans in Guyana have, for centuries, preserved their culture through cuisine, music, dance and storytelling.

“The tapestry of Guyanese society is enriched and intrinsically interwoven with the culture, customs, and practices of the descendants of Africa in everything we do,” he added.

Subhan has underscored the importance of recognizing and preserving the diverse cultural heritage of Guyana’s multi-ethnic society.

In 2023, Government launched the Association of People of African Descent (APAD) with the aim of fostering unity among Afro-Guyanese communities, driving positive social change, and empowering all members to actively participate in shaping Guyana’s future. The association’s mission is to bring together Afro-Guyanese organisations, create a cooperative community, and eventually develop into a full-fledged rep-

resentative body which would work alongside the Government to achieve its mandate.

Moreover, last year, the Guyana Government handed over some $63 million in funds to 35 African cultural groups in Guyana for projects in a wide variety of sectors, as well as for initiatives that seek to empower women. Each group got just over $1.8 million.

The groups that received funding had previously submitted proposals for projects in several areas, including in agriculture and purchasing of agricultural equipment; business; cultural training in drumming, teaching craft, cooking traditional foods, and garment construction, among other areas. Some groups had also committed to work in literacy, women’s empowerment, and education in African and Afro-Guyanese history.

Distribution of the grants had occurred on the heels of the Guyana Government halting funding to the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana (IDPADA-G), having cited the mismanaging of funds. Instead, the Government has decided to distribute the money directly to the African cultural groups in order to achieve the objectives of the decade.

Guyana Reparations Committee Chairman Eric Phillips is seen alongside the Head of the Ethnic Relations Commission, Neaz Subhan

Tribute to late Justice (Retired) Desiree Bernard

Justice Bernard was a trailblazer who paved the way for women to soar in the legal fraternity – CCJ, Guyana Supreme Court

In a tribute to the late Justice (Retired)

Désirée Bernard who passed away on March 2, 2024, at her residence in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Thursday held a Special Full Court Sitting to reflect on the life and work of the stalwart.

The prestige sitting saw the participation of legal fraternities including the Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA); the Supreme Court of the Judicature of Guyana; the Guyana Bar Association and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, among others.

During his remarks, Saunders shared many colourful stories about his encounters with the late Justice, whom he noted was not just a colleague but a dear and encouraging friend.

“Several decades before the inauguration of the Caribbean Court of Justice, she was championing the move for the Region to establish its own final court of appeal. In her calm and understated manner, she was what I would describe as a Caribbean nationalist, an ardent supporter of the development of a Caribbean jurisprudence that was in her words both peculiar to our needs, culture, traditions and regional objectives.”

In her remarks, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette

Many used the event to reflect on the success of Justice Bernard and shared personal experiences. One such person was the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, who served on many executive bodies with the late Justice.

Cummings-Edwards expressed that Guyana’s legal fraternity would miss this daughter of the soil dearly.

According to Justice Cummings, Bernard was a trailblazer and paved the way for women to join and excel in the legal fraternity, some of whom she mentored, especially lawyers and judicial officers.

In this regard, Justice Cummings expressed that Bernard’s many accomplishments, passion for the law, and contribution to the bar were legendary and would be cherished.

“Justice Bernard nurtured and mentored young counsel not only in the law but in decorum, in conduct and etiquette at the Bar and generally on life.

“Today in Guyana the top judicial positions of Chancellor, Chief Justice, Registrar, Deputy Registrar, and Chief

Magistrate are all held by women. We are indeed touched and humbled at the same time to be part of that history that Justice Bernard prognosticated. I can safely say that Justice Bernard did not have a sense of having arrived and sitting on one’s laurel and she worked hard, perhaps 10 times harder than her male counterparts,” Justice Cummings stated.

Justice Bernard was, in February 2023, conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Guyana for her distinguished service to the legal system and public service. She is often referred to as the first female to break glass ceilings in the field of law.

The honorary degree was initially conferred on Justice Bernard in absentia in December 2022, when the university held a convocation ceremony for its Tain, Berbice campus, but was presented to her in March 2023 in Trinidad.

Justice Bernard read for a Bachelor of Laws at the University of London and graduated with honours in 1963. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1964, she embarked on private practice from 1965 to 1980.

During that period, she was appointed a magistrate (1970); Commissioner of Oaths & Notary Public

(1976); and was admitted to the English Roll of Solicitors (1977).

Justice Bernard next established several professional “firsts” in being appointed the first female High Court Judge of the Supreme Court of Guyana (1980); the first female Justice of Appeal (1992); the first female Chief Justice of Guyana and the Commonwealth Caribbean (1996); and the first female Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and in the Commonwealth Caribbean (2001).

She took the oath of office as a Judge of the CCJ at the court’s inauguration ceremony on Saturday, April 16, 2005.

During her long and distinguished career, Justice Bernard held memberships in various regional and international organisations, having been the founding Secretary of the Caribbean Women’s Association (CARIWA) 1970-1974; first President of the Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA) – 1976; member and Chair of the Caribbean Steering Committee for Women’s Affairs, later established as the Women & Development Unit of the University of the West Indies (WAND) –1978.

Internationally, she

served as both rapporteur (1982-1984) and Chair (1985-1989) of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, during her membership, which ran from 1982 to 1998.

Moreover, she presented many scholarly papers at, and participated in, numerous international seminars and colloquia, both regionally and internationally, on a variety of subjects relating to the law, gender, and other matters of public interest.

For her exceptional contribution to the improvement of the status of women and the development and practice of law, Justice Bernard had received several awards, the most notable being the Cacique Crown of Honour, and the Order of Roraima, Guyana’s third and second-highest national awards respectively.

In July 2005, this honourable Judge was awarded the Caricom Triennial Award for Women. She was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by the University of the West Indies in November 2007. In February 2011, she was appointed a Judge of the Inter-American Development Bank Administrative Tribunal based in Washington, DC, USA.

Venezuelan national stabbed to death at Puruni Backdam

AVenezuelan national was in the wee hours of Thursday stabbed to death at Paiyuka Falls, Puruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazarunui). Dead is ‘Frankie’ (Only name given).

Based on reports received, the suspect was in a hammock imbibing with his co-workers when he became intoxicated and later fell asleep. It is alleged that

the now dead man hit the suspect thus causing him to wake.

He reportedly became angry, armed himself with a knife and then proceeded to the victim’s hammock and dealt him several blows to his back.

The injured man reportedly ran to his employer’s quarters to seek refuge but later collapsed and died.

The police were sum-

moned to the scene and upon arrival, the now-dead man was found lying face down on a mattress clad in a pair of brown 3/4 pants. Upon examination, his body bore four stab wounds – two to his upper back and two to the midsection.

The suspect was arrested and the murder was recovered at the scene.

Investigations into the murder are continuing.

Justice Désirée Bernard President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders

Chancellor of the Guyanese Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards during the live tribute to the late Justice Bernard

OAS, Structuralia launch 2nd phase of online master's degrees scholarships

Structuralia on Thursday announced the second phase of its strategic collaboration with the Organisation of American States (OAS) for the delivery of 2000 online master's scholarships.

Structuralia is a leading online education school specialising in STEM areas.

These grants, which cover 50 per cent of the programmes’ tuition cost, represent a joint effort to foster professional development on a regional and international level, paving the way to successful careers.

This initiative, with a track record of 14 years, provides a unique opportunity to advance professional development, allowing Latin American professionals and students to access high-quality education.

The main objective of the grant is to expand knowledge and skills in crucial areas such as civil engineering, energy, environment, construction, management, and digital transformation.

ter of motivation) and the sending of the necessary documentation along with the application (copy of identity document, CV/ Resume, and university degree).

The application period for these postgraduate grants will extend until May 10, 2024. Those interested can obtain detailed information about the process and programmes on the official website: oasscholarships.structuralia.com

Structuralia and OAS reaffirm their joint commitment to foster access to quality education and promote professional development in the region. This collaboration will continue to strengthen the ties between both organisations, working together to build a stronger and more qualified future for Latin American professionals.

With a widely-diversified offer of specialised academic programs, the grants also facilitate a study opportunity with UCAM (Catholic University of Murcia), which will allow students to obtain a double degree; the proper degree from a university in Europe, and another from Structuralia.

lence, specifically aimed at women and young people between 20 and 30 years old.

In addition, complementary benefits have been established to promote access to academic excel-

Joint ministerial operation underway...

Further, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag disclosed that the Government was satisfied with the works thus far, despite current challenges to access the area.

“We definitely have a lot of men working and they are working very hard, because it’s not easy to remove the kind of rubble that is there like zinc and so on. Safety is first, so we have to ensure that they have all the safety equipment that they need to get the job done and so far, they have been doing a great job,” the Local Government Minister shared.

Following reports of citizens removing rubble, such as pieces of wood and zinc, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn disclosed he has reached out to the Mayor and City Council’s Engineering Department to have persons monitor the area. He noted that this would aid in the control of waste distribution and pollution at the site and surrounding areas.

“They have to be properly managed to take the material to the places where they are required to be disposed of.

So, I have asked that the City Council Engineering Department and the security people … take control of the activity and access to the site, so that we can get a proper view of the top of the structure,” Minister Benn disclosed.

Collapses

The Stabroek Market Wharf collapsed on Wednesday, causing panic among vendors and shoppers alike.

Eyewitnesses recalled that around 10:15h, a loud crackling sound was heard, and then seconds later, the old wooden structure came crashing down. While several persons jumped overboard, a few individuals became trapped beneath the fallen wood and zinc.

Officials have since confirmed that the five persons who were injured were transported to the hospital and received treatment for minor injuries. Up to news time on Wednesday, there were no reports of major injuries or fatalities.

A large number of persons were occupying the area, even though for years, they had been warned and instructed to vacate. In fact, at the wharf, a sign was erected informing persons that the area had been condemned and vendors were not supposed to ply their trade there. But apart from vendors, people were also living on the wharf.

The scene was visited by President Dr Irfaan Ali, Ministers Benn, Indar and Parag and City Mayor Alfred Mentore along with Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, and City Councillors.

The incident has prompted questions about the maintenance and oversight of such vital structures, raising doubts about the City Constabulary’s effectiveness in ensuring public safety.

Applicants will be able to choose among 60 master's degrees in Project Management, Agile Methodologies, Cybersecurity, Disaster Risk Management and Climate Governance, Artificial Intelligence and Oil & Gas And Petrochemical Industries.

The beneficiary selection process is carried out exhaustively, considering the ideal profile for the selected master's degree, compliance with the requirements (residence in an OAS member state and presentation of a let-

Since 2010, Structuralia has offered a joint scholarship programme with the OAS for outstanding professionals from the Americas, included in the Partnerships for Education and Training Programme (PAEC). In 2015, the programme had a budget of more than US$1.2 million in scholarships.

A group of professionals after completing their training programmes

$7.7B infrastructure development moving apace at New Stewartville Housing Scheme

Contractors carrying out works in East and West Stewartville, New Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD) have been urged to expedite

their respective contracts as hundreds of Guyanese are eagerly waiting to com-

mence construction of their homes.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal and Housing and Water Ministry Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen on Thursday met with the 14 contractors who are carrying out works in 19 lots.

Each contractor or their representative was allowed to give a status update on their lot and share challenges each is faced with. The most common issue raised is the lengthy time it takes to source construction material.

The consensus is that the weather is favourable; however, the major suppliers of materials seem to be experiencing a shortage.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal urged the contractors to do their best, noting that

while some of them were behind schedule, they must deliver on their commitment. He warned that liquidated damages could be applied if the contractors failed to deliver.

He also used the opportunity to make a public plea to allottees to be patient, as every effort is being made to

make their lands accessible.

“The Ministry is working with the contractors, we have our engineers and Clerk of Works monitoring these sites daily to ensure that these works are completed, because we also want to see value for our money,” Minister Croal stressed.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal meeting the contractors on Thursday Ongoing work at the housing development

PNC calls for fast-tracking establishment of Petroleum Commission

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Thursday issued a call to the Guyana Government to fast-track its efforts to establish a Public Petroleum Commission (PPC).

Plans to establish the body were signalled in 2020, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration assumed office.

At the time, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the Commission would be managed by technically competent Guyanese, while the Natural Resources Minister would only focus on the policy inputs and directions.

It was also disclosed that the Government would consult citizens through a series of community meetings so that they could contribute to the development of the Commission by sharing their views and providing feedback on plans already in place.

Additionally, it was made known that in the absence of the Commission, the Guyana Government would ensure all pertinent documents relating to the sector were made available for public perusal on the Natural Resources Ministry’s website, including contracts and environmental permits.

During a press conference on Thursday, PNCR

Chairman Shurwayne Holder disclosed that the Commission was needed now more than ever, given that Guyana was producing a total of 645,000 barrels of oil per day and this number is projected to increase to 1.3 million barrels of oil per day

by 2027 or 2028.

He explained that the Opposition has been pushing for the establishment of a Commission at the level of Parliament, and would continue to do so until it was brought into fruition.

“We believe that such a Commission should exist to take away the political element and remove politicians from having that direct management of the sector.

Rather we want to see professionals lead it, so that we can obtain maximum benefit for the people of this country,” Holder said.

Holder contends that the Petroleum Commission will serve to ensure that there is utmost transparency within Guyana’s oil and gas sector, especially as it relates to the spending of oil and gas revenues and operations in the industry.

Bills

The Petroleum Commission Bill was initially tabled back in 2017 by the then Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman during the 11th Parliament. It was to be taken to a Special Select Committee at a later

sitting after its second reading. However, it was yet to be passed when the current Government took office.

After taking office in August 2020, the new Government embarked on an initiative to make several amendments to the Bill.

The Bill is yet to be re-tabled in the National Assembly.

During a press conference in July 2023, President Dr Irfaan Ali was asked about the challenges the Government may be facing which may be contributing to the delay in setting up the Petroleum Commission.

“There’s the complexity of what is needed…the new Bill has to be very comprehensive; it has to take a lot of new circumstances into consideration. Every stakeholder and every group must be taken on board so that the Bill will be responsive to the whole national view that surrounds the sector itself,” he explained.

Nevertheless, President Ali had assured that works were ongoing and the Government intended to fulfil its campaign promise of setting up the Petroleum

Commission.

“I’m very sure and I’m very confident that that process is ongoing at a rapid pace now,” he added.

The Petroleum Commission Bill provides for the establishment and functioning of the Petroleum Commission, which is intended to become the primary entity governing the oil and gas industry.

Since taking office, however, the Government has passed the Natural Resource Fund Bill and established the

Natural Resource Fund Board – which has oversight of the country’s oil monies. In keeping with his powers under the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act 2021, President Ali had appointed five persons to the NRF Board, including Major General (Retired) Joe Singh, as chair.

The Government has also updated the 1986 Petroleum Act with the draft Petroleum Activities Bill and this piece of legislation aims to improve existing laws governing safety, emergency responses, and

other oil and gas-related issues.

The Government has also updated the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), which will ultimately see the State’s take rise to over 60 per cent of the current revenue share.

The Government had also pushed to have in place Local Content legislation, which paved the way for the establishment of the Local Content Secretariat, which has been in operation for over a year now.

PNCR Chairman Shurwayne Holder

Persons onboard the ultra-deepwater drillship Noble Tom Madden

Essequibo housewife gets 18 months for assault 18

Twenty-six-year-

old Naomi Carter, a housewife of Lime Dam, Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment after she was found guilty of three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.

She was sentenced in absentia by Magistrate Tamieka Clarke, who heard the case at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. Carter was subsequently arrested and placed in custody.

Sentenced: Naomi Carter

The woman is accused of committing the offence on 33-year-old Rondica Allen of Sand Reef, Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, and two teenage girls aged 14 and 15 back in November 2023, at Queenstown.

MoH probing death of siblings...

“My sister say the nurse come and give her an injection and then she start to flutter and she fall and my sister grabble her and called the nurse and showed her what happening. The nurse tell her to give my daughter something sweet to drink. From since they give she the injection, the child start getting more heavy fever and falling more sick. Then at the last, they tell me that with the bacteria it cause a lung infection and so fluid in her lung and if it keep coming up, it could cause difficulty breathing which could be life-threatening,” Persaud related.

that is inside your bladder and buss up this child. They buss up my daughter.”

Meanwhile, in a statement on Thursday, the Health Ministry stated that it was while preparations were being made to transfer the little girl to the Georgetown Public Hospital, she suffered cardiac arrest and died in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The statement noted too that the boy was brought into the hospital on Sunday, with no signs of life.

Nevertheless, the Ministry committed to a full investigation into both incidents.

“Me understand all dem thing, but what I am saying is that I still need justice for her, because they force and push up a ‘pee bag’ (bag attached to a catheter [tube]

The woman said after she was told that her daughter had dengue, medical personnel asked that she and her husband visit the New Amsterdam Hospital to get tested, but when they arrived at the medical institution, they were told that there were no strips available to carry out the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests.

The aggrieved mother described her now-dead children as mannerly and always willing when called upon. They leave to mourn their parents, two siblings, and other relatives. (Andrew Carmichael)

New Amsterdam Hospital

Around the World OIL NEWS

China scooped up record volumes of Russian oil in March

China scooped up record volumes of crude oil imports from Russia in March, adding 790,000 barrels per day (bpd) to its stockpiles, up from 570,000 bpd in January and February, Reuters’ Clyde Russell reported on Thursday, citing official Chinese import data.

Beijing’s efforts to boost its strategic stockpiles is simultaneously skewing the country’s oil demand picture, with record imports of Russian oil contributing to a false picture of the country’s overall demand, Russell notes.

First-quarter numbers for the year show a 670,000 bpd increase in inventory.

According to Russell, the data masks weaker Chinese crude imports for Q1 2024, which came in at 11.02 million bpd, compared to 11.06 million bpd for the same quarter of last year.

“The picture that emerges from the first quarter is that China’s demand for imported crude oil was virtually flat, and that refiners are still boosting stockpiles even as prices start to increase,” Russell wrote.

On Tuesday, oil prices rose following the release of new economic data for China showing strong Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, which is typically bullish for oil prices. Despite that GDP data, other economic indicators such as retail sales, industrial output and real estate investment showed weak domestic oil demand compared to forecasts. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that Chinese oil demand will grow by 500,000 bpd this year, declining to 300,000 bpd next year. By comparison with other OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, China, which last year accounted for 80 per cent of OECD demand growth, is expected to see that share shrink to 43 per cent this year and to 27 per cent next year. The agency sees a gradual easing of demand, based on Chinese economic growth flagging and “the rapid domestic uptake of oil-substituting technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and high-speed rail”. (Oilprice.com)

PoSGH baby fatalities rise to 11; more parents come forward

The list of babies who died recently at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (POSGH), due to a suspected bacterial infection, continued to grow as lawyers identified three others, bringing the current running total to 11.

The latest suspected cases were identified by Attorneys of Freedom Law Chambers led by Anand Ramlogan, SC, in a pre-action protocol letter sent to Attorney Alana Bissessar, of Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide and Jacelon, which is representing the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA).

US stops UN from recognising a Palestinian State through membership

The United States on Thursday effectively stopped the United Nations from recognising a Palestinian State by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny the Palestinian Authority full membership of the world body.

The United States says an independent Palestinian state should be established through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and not through UN action.

It vetoed a draft resolution that recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly that “the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations”. Britain and Switzerland abstained, while the remaining 12 council members voted yes.

The Palestinians are cur-

rently a non-member observer state, a de-facto recognition of statehood that was granted by the UN General Assembly in 2012. But an

Haitian groups seek billions in reparations from France

France should repay billions of dollars in reparations to Haiti to cover a debt formerly enslaved people were forced to pay in return for recognising the island’s independence, a coalition of civil society groups said on Thursday.

The Caribbean island became the first in the region to win its independence in 1804 after a revolt by enslaved people. But in a move that many Haitians blame for two centuries of turmoil, France later imposed harsh reparations for lost income and that debt was only fully repaid in 1947.

The group of around 20 non-Governmental Organisations currently in Geneva for a UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) are seeking a new independent commission to oversee the restitution of the debt, which they refer to as a ransom.

In the correspondence, obtained by Guardian Media, Attorney Sue Ann Deosaran identified Sangre Grande couple Farah Rattansingh and Christopher Bhagan, whose twins Amari and Kyrie Bhagan died within days of each other in late February.

She also pointed out that parents Jodie and Travis Molino, who were among the seven affected families acknowledged by the Ministry of Health last week, in fact also had a pair of twins, Ella and Esme Molino, who died within weeks of each other at the hospital on March 18 and April 4.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

They say the money should go to public works in Haiti where a transition council was installed this month in an effort to restore security after a period of devastating violence by armed groups.

“What’s important is that it’s time that France recognises this and we move forward,” Monique Clesca, a Haitian civil society activist who is coordinating the efforts, told Reuters.

The French Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. France, whose development agency has given hundreds of millions of dollars to Haiti, has previously referred to a “moral debt”

owed to Haiti.

The amount paid to France is disputed by historians although the New York Times estimated Haiti’s loss at US$21 billion. The proposal’s backers say the amount is much higher.

“It’s $21 billion plus 200 years of interest that France has enjoyed so we’re talking more like US$150 billion, US$200 billion or more,” said Jemima Pierre, Professor of Global Race at the University of British Columbia.

Clesca said she hoped the recommendation and others would be part of the UN forum’s conclusions due today. Last year, the PFPAD suggested that a tribunal should be formed to address reparations for slavery.

The campaign for paying reparations or making other amends for slavery has a long history and has been gaining momentum worldwide.

Meanwhile, the United States on Thursday deported more than 50 Haitian migrants, US and Haitian officials said, sending them back to a country which has been beset by spiralling gang violence in recent weeks.

In total, 52 Haitians landed at the airport in the city of Cap-Haitien Thursday, a Haitian immigration official told AFP.

The repatriation flight was announced by a spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security.

(Excerpts from Reuters and AFP)

application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the General Assembly.

The Palestinian push for full UN membership comes six months into a war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank.

“Recent escalations make it even more important to support good-faith efforts to find lasting peace between Israel and a fully-independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian State,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the Council earlier on Thursday.

“Failure to make progress towards a two-State solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence,” he said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuelan oil sector hit by loss of its widest US licence

Venezuela’s loss of a key U.S. license that allowed it to freely export and increase investment in its oil sector will hit the volume and quality of its crude and fuel sales while prompting a flurry of requests for individual US deal authorisations.

US officials had warned that absent progress by President Nicolás Maduro on implementing an electoral roadmap agreed last year, the US would not renew licence 44, which since October had eased oil sanctions in place for the last five years.

On Wednesday, the Treasury gave companies 45 days to wind down pending transactions under a more restrictive licence.

The period could allow departures by some oil super tankers chartered by customers of State company Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA that had waited for months to load in Venezuela, but others might need individual U.S. authorisations to complete their purchases.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil told reporters on Thursday the sanctions had little effect and would not harm Venezuela, but would damage attempts to normalise bilateral relations and hit US interests in the Venezuelan oil industry.

Venezuela’s recent prosperity was due not to license 44, but to Maduro’s astute economic management, Gil added. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil’s plans to drill for oil in the Amazon hit stiff Indigenous resistance

State-run energy firm Petrobras has hit growing resistance from Indigenous groups and Government agencies to its premier exploration project, which would open the most promising part of Brazil’s northern coast to oil drilling.

Environmental agency Ibama denied Petrobras a licence for exploratory drilling offshore in the Foz do Amazonas area last year, citing possible impacts on Indigenous groups and the sensitive coastal biome. But a Petrobras appeal for Ibama to reverse its decision has drawn powerful political backing.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said in September that Brazil should be able to “research” the region’s potential re-

sources, given the national interest. Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira last week told Journalists that it is “Brazil’s right to know the potential” of the offshore fields.

That has bolstered bullish rhetoric from Petrobras about its chances of getting a licence to drill in the blocks off the coast of Amapa state.

“Get ready Amapa, because we are arriving,” Petrobras Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jean Paul Prates told local politicians and oil executives at an event last month promoting offshore exploration along the northern coast in an area known as Equatorial Margin. He called it “perhaps the last frontier of the oil era for Brazil.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan speaks to members of the Security Council during a meeting to address the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at UN headquarters in New York City, New York, US, April 18, 2024 (Reuters/Eduardo Munoz photo)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Take a chance. Pay attention to detail and see things through to the end. Don't hesitate to say no to anyone pressuring you to put their needs first. Do what makes you happy.

Step outside your comfort zone if it will help you explore possibilities. Engage in something that encourages you to expand your circle of friends and makes you feel good about yourself.

Don't get bogged down by what others choose to do. Rely on your instincts and ability to reach your goal. If someone applies pressure, keep a cool head and a good perspective.

An adventure will spark your imagination and encourage you to explore possibilities. A creative endeavor will enrich how you see the world around you.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Be careful; someone will lead you astray if you are gullible. Think for yourself, and you will maintain control over the outcome. Trust in your abilities. Personal gain, love and romance are on the rise.

Pour your emotional energy into something that adds value to your life. Learn or experience something new. Change your surroundings or pay a visit to a place that inspires you.

Settle any differences you have over money, contracts or medical issues. Stick close to home and take care of unfinished business. Do whatever is necessary to ease the pressure you are feeling.

You'll have the discipline and courage to do things differently. Consider a change in routine. Make each moment count, and personal growth and gains will be yours.

Don't be fooled by what you hear. If you get your information from the source, you'll save yourself grief. Recognize your value and what you have to offer. Don't rely on others.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

It's up to you to bring about change. If you dawdle, someone else will decide for you. Pay attention to medical issues and documents, and update anything that is about to lapse.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Let your innovative mind take charge and lead the way. What you discover will help point you in a lucrative direction. If you follow someone else, it'll benefit them, not yourself.

A change will lift your spirits. Reach out to people who can put a smile on your face. Having fun will give you a needed boost. Leave nothing to chance; engage in what makes you happy.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PICKLES ARCHIE

Indian Premier League 2024…

Ashutosh Sharma’s heroic 28-ball 61 went in vain, as Punjab Kings suffered yet another close defeat in IPL 2024, this time going down to Mumbai Indians in Mullanpur by nine runs.

Early in the chase, Kings were at the risk of being bundled out cheaply when Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee combined to leave the hosts at 14 for 4 in 2.1 overs. Soon that became 77 for 6. But Ashutosh - and Shashank Singh with a 25ball 41 - injected life into the contest.

mat early in their chase of 193, when Coetzee had Prabhsimran Singh caught behind down the leg side in the first over. At the other end, Bumrah took the new ball and struck right away, removing franchise debutant Rilee Rossouw for a duck, and new opener Sam Curran for 6.

Liam Livingstone, batting at No. 4, then lasted two balls when his attempted pull off a 150kph Coetzee delivery was sliced back to the bowler. A score of 14 for 4 soon became 49 for 5 when Harpreet Singh

Hardik fined for slow over rate Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined for his team maintaining a slow over rate during their match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. He was fined INR 12 lakhs, this being his team’s first over-rate offence of IPL 2024 under the IPL’s Code of Conduct. With three overs to go, Kings needed only 25 runs more. However, Ashutosh fell at the start of the 18th over, and Mumbai never let that advantage go.

Kings have suffered their fourth final-over defeat of the season, and their fifth loss in all, as Mumbai climbed from ninth to seventh on the table.

Bumrah, Coetzee bowl thunderbolts

Kings were on the

Bhatia was caught by legspinner Shreyas Gopal; and then became 77 for 6 when Jitesh Sharma was lbw for nine by Madhwal.

The near miracle

By the time Ashutosh walked in, Shashank had already kept Kings’ score moving with the occasional boundary. Shashank pumped three sixes and two fours to make 41 in 25 balls from No. 6, but it was only when Ashutosh joined him that runs flowed from both ends.

had dismissed Shashank in the 13th, he swept the fast bowler for an audacious six in the same over.

Ashutosh and Harpreet Brar then took Coetzee for a 13-run 15th over as they made 65 runs in that five-

Mumbai Indians defeat Punjab Kings in IPL classic

start of the 18th over.

Harpreet was then dismissed by Hardik in the 19th over. Rabada, the No. 11, struck a six off Hardik’s last ball to make it 13 required off seven balls. A single off the last ball of that over, and a wide off the

over period. But it was the 16th over that took Kings ahead in the game for the first time in the chase. Madhwal missed his lengths, and Ashutosh punished him with consecutive sixes. Harpreet smacked another six to bring the equation down to 28 off four overs.

The required runrate of only seven gave Ashutosh and Harpreet the breathing room to see out Bumrah’s final over, which went for only three runs, and ended with Kings needing a manageable 25 off 18. But Coetzee’s uncanny habit of breaking partnerships came through again, and he had Ashutosh pulling to deep midwicket at the

first ball of the final over, bowled by Akash Madhwal, brought it down to 11 off six.

However, Rabada was run out in pursuit of a second run next ball, and Mumbai could celebrate a great escape.

SKY anchors Mumbai’s 19

Before this game, Suryakumar Yadav had made two ducks and two half-centuries in his four innings this season. On Thursday, he walked in at No. 3, after Ishan Kishan fell to Rabada in the third over, and got off the mark with consecutive fours off the same bowler. It wasn’t a duck, so he inevitably got to the 50 mark.

Suryakumar then used his wrists to put away Harshal Patel for another boundary in the fifth, and fol -

lowed it up with a cut over the off side off Sam Curran in the sixth. Along with Rohit Sharma, he helped Mumbai to 54 for 1 in the powerplay. Together, they put on 81 in 57 balls, with Rohit contributing only 26 to the stand.

Suryakumar dominated spinners Harpreet and Livingstone after the powerplay, but Rohit could not find the same fluency, having been starved of strike for most of the stand. He fell in the 12th over for 35, when he tried to hit Curran over the covers but found the point fielder instead.

By the time Rohit was gone, Suryakumar had already reached his fifty in 34 balls. His innings was unusually sluggish by his standards, but the two-paced surface and the change-up deliveries bowled by Harshal and Arshdeep Singh forced false strokes too.

It needed Tilak Varma’s take-down of Arshdeep in the 15th over for Suryakumar to also break free in his familiar trademark fashion, and he did that by bashing Rabada for four, six, and six in the

16th, after successfully reviewing an lbw decision earlier in the over.

That 18-run Rabada over took Mumbai to 148 for 2 in 16 overs, and with big hitters to come, a score of over 200 seemed to be on.

But Curran removed Suryakumar for a 53-ball 78 - only the second time he had faced 50-plus balls in an IPL innings - and Mumbai could not get a lot out of Hardik or Tim David. Harshal bowled a seven-run 20th over, which included three wickets, to keep Mumbai down to under 200.

Ashutosh hammered Madhwal for a six over fine leg in the tenth over, and then took Romario Shepherd for four and six in the 11th. He clubbed Hardik Pandya for a six in the 12th too, and even after Bumrah

After the innings finished on 192 for 7, the highest first-innings IPL total in Mullanpur, Suryakumar told the broadcasters he felt the score was “way above par”; and his prophecy came true, but not without Mumbai surviving a massive scare.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Mumbai Indians (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R Ishan Kishan † c

Harpreet Brar b Rabada 8

Rohit Sharma c Harpreet Brar b Curran 36

Suryakumar Yadav c Prabhsimran Singh b Curran 78

Hardik Pandya (c) c Harpreet Brar b Patel 10

Tim David c Curran b Patel 14

Romario Shepherd c Shashank Singh b Patel 1

Mohammad Nabi run out (Patel) 0

Extras (b 1, lb 5, w 5) 11

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.60) 192/7

Did not bat: Gerald Coetzee, Shreyas Gopal, Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in his first over

Gerald Coetzee struck in the first over

bowled

Ashutosh Sharma slammed a 23-ball half-century to keep Kings in the game

– Kings fall short despite blinder from Ashutosh

WI Women’s tour to Pakistan 2024…

WEST INDIES GO 1-0 UP

– through all-round dominance of Matthews

An authoritative allround display from Hayley Matthews has given the West Indies a winning start to their tour of Pakistan, their 113-run victory in Karachi stretching their run of successive wins in the country - dating back to 2004 - to seven ODIs.

Matthews followed up an unbeaten 140 with figures of 3 for 17; it was the seventh time a player had scored a century and taken

Matthews had achieved the feat.

Matthews batted from start to finish of the West Indies’ innings, after she had opted to bat first, hitting 15 fours and a six in a 150-ball effort. She lost her opening partner Rashada Williams early, but stitched together a stand of 102 with Shemaine Campbelle for the second wicket, to lay a solid base for her team. There was no partnership of a similar

magnitude thereafter, but Chedean Nation, Chinelle

Henry and Aaliyah Alleyne combined with Matthews in stands of 32, 40 and 42 for the fourth, fifth and sixth

most successful bowlers with two wickets apiece.

Pakistan began their innings needing to over-

wickets to help West Indies achieve a 50-overs total of 269 for 8.

Matthews’s 140* was her fifth ODI hundred, and her highest score in the format. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, who opened the bowling, and legspinner Tuba Hassan were Pakistan’s

haul their previous highest successful ODI chase - of a target of 243 - by a considerable margin. They didn’t make the ideal start, losing Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof within the first five overs, but their hopes grew as Muneeba Ali and Nida Dar took the score to 59 for

CWI VP Bassarath joins efforts to secure Narine’s return for T20 World Cup

CBassarath has declared his intentions to join the effort to possibly coerce spinner Sunil Narine to come out of international retirement for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be hosted in the Caribbean and United States.

Bassarath’s declaration follows that of West Indies T20 captain Rovman Powell, who has led the charge of trying to get Narine back to the regional setup ahead of the June 1-29 global showpiece.

Narine, 35, confirmed his retirement from the international game last November. However, after a stellar 56ball 109 for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Rajasthan Royals in an IPL tie on April 16, Powell said he’s been trying to coax Narine to rejoin the squad for the past year “but he’s blocked out everyone.”

At the same time, the Jamaican revealed that he sought the assistance of Nicholas Pooran and retired international stars Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo to convince their compatri-

ot to return. Former maroon fast bowler Tony Gray also believes Narine would be a welcome addition to Darren Sammy’s side to challenge for a third T20 World Cup title.

West Indies won the 2012 and 2016 editions of this World Cup tournament.

After KKR’s IPL win against the Lucknow Super Giants on April 14, Narine was asked about the possibility of returning to the West Indies team by former West Indies teammate Samuel Badree, and he declared, “I will be watching from home, Badree.”

However, in another interview on Tuesday, Narine appeared to soften his stance about making the proverbial U-turn when he said, “It is what it is, but we’ll have to see what the future holds.”

Bassarath explained that he has tried unsuccessfully to make contact with Narine, but he intends to keep at it.

“I haven’t spoken to him [Narine], and he hasn’t spoken to me. Everybody is asking for him to change his mind and come represent West Indies, at least for

this last chance. It is my intention to give him a shout, and if I have to, beg him to come back and make himself available to play in this tournament; because this is what the people need,” he said in a T&T Newsday article.

Bassarath, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) President, also revealed that he reached out to Queen’s Park Cricket Club President Nigel Camacho –Narine’s domestic club – for

help.

“I have also spoken to the QPCC president, and he indicated to me that he will also reach out to Sunil to see if he can change his mind to come on board,” he shared.

West Indies are set to open their T20 World Cup campaign against Papa New Guinea in Guyana, on June 2. Afghanistan, New Zealand, and Uganda are the other teams in the group. (Sportsmax)

2 in the 12th over. That’s when Matthews made her next big contribution, getting Dar caught behind to start a slump that Pakistan never recovered from. There were no further partnerships of note besides a brisk 37 between Najiha Alvi and Tuba for the seventh wicket, as Pakistan folded for 156 inside the 36th over. Apart from Matthews’s three-for, there were also two wickets each for leg spinner Afy Fletcher and left-arm spinner Zaida James.

ov), 6-220 (Aaliyah Alleyne, 45.1 ov), 7-235 (Afy Fletcher, 46.3 ov), 8-254 (Zaida James, 47.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Sadia Iqbal 10-1-38-2

Diana Baig 7-1-41-0

Nida Dar 10-0-43-1

Fatima Sana 5-0-47-0

Nashra Sandhu 10-1-51-1

Tuba Hassan 8-0-48-2

ExxonMobil Linden Inter-School Tournament…

MHS and Linden Foundation record wins

…Tournament continues today

Mackenzie High School and Linden Foundation

Secondary have each clinched three vital points in the ongoing ExxonMobil Linden Inter-School soccer tournament at the Wisburg school ground.

Linden Foundation secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Wisburg courtesy of goals from Stephen Johnson (35’) and Esan Simon (64’), while Kilan Newland netted for Wisburg Secondary in the 70th minute. Wisburg are on the brink of elimination.

And Mackenzie High School dominated Harmony Secondary with a 3-0 win.

Goals came from Azaino Benjamin (8’), Dexter Milo (41’), and Azizi Grant (55’).

The tournament continues today from 2:00pm with defending champions Christianburg Wismar

Action between MHS and Harmony Secondary in the ExxonMobil Linden Inter-School Football Tournament

Secondary aiming to clinch the top spot in Group A as they face winless Harmony Secondary School.

In the second match today, Mackenzie High

School will clash with the formidable Linden Technical Institute (LTI) in a game crucial for determining the semi-finals’ line-up.

Karachi will also host the second and third ODIs, on April 21 and 23. (ESPNCricinfo)

Pakistan Women (T: 270 runs from 50 ovs)

BATTING R

Muneeba Ali run out (†Williams/Matthews) 22

Sidra Ameen c & b Henry 1

Bismah Maroof c †Williams b Connell 7

Nida Dar (c) c †Williams b Matthews 19

Aliya Riaz lbw b Fletcher 16

Fatima Sana c & b Fletcher 10

Najiha Alvi † c & b Matthews 20

Tuba Hassan lbw b Zaida James 25

Diana Baig c †Williams b Matthews 10

Sadia Iqbal c Ramharack b Zaida James 3

Nashra Sandhu not out 1

Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 16) 22

TOTAL 35.5 Ov (RR: 4.35) 156

Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Sidra Ameen, 1.1 ov), 2-24 (Bismah Maroof, 4.6 ov), 3-59 (Nida Dar, 11.6 ov), 4-65 (Muneeba Ali, 13.3 ov), 5-93 (Fatima Sana, 20.6 ov), 6-100 (Aliya Riaz, 22.6 ov), 7-137 (Tuba Hassan,

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Shamilia Connell 5-0-19-1

Chinelle Henry 5-0-30-1

Afy Fletcher 7-0-19-2

Hayley Matthews 6-1-17-3

Karishma Ramharack 5-0-33-0

Stafanie Taylor 4-0-18-0

Zaida James 3.5-0-14-2

ricket West Indies (CWI) Vice President Azim

three wickets in a Women’s ODI, and the second time

Hayley Matthews celebrating her fifth ODI century

Nida Dar and Hayley Matthews at the toss

The West Indies Women were all smiles following their win

CWI Vice President Azim Bassarath (left) and retired West Indian star Sunil Narine

Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships 2024…

Guyana men’s, women’s teams secure bronze medals

Guyana have begun their medal count at this year’s Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships with two bronze medals in the teams’ events.

The Guyanese women booked their spot in the semifinal earlier on Tuesday after defeating Barbados, and the men did so on Wednesday evening against the same opposition.

In the men’s semifinal, Britton went down to Cuba’s Adrian Perez 2-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4 in the first game. Elishaba Johnson lost to Livan Martinez by the same 3-1 score: 11-8, 7-11, 8-11, 2-11; while Joel Alleyne’s fortunes were the same against Rene Mendez: 11-7, 11-6, 11-3.

The women’s team also faltered against Cuba in the semifinals. Estela Crespo got the better of Nathalie Cummings 12-10, 11-5, 12-

10; Rosalba Aguiar narrowly got past Chelsea Edghill in a 5- setter: 14-12, 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8; and Karla Gonzalez overcame Thuraia Thomas 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 for

Cuba to advance to the finals.

Though the Guyanese teams missed out in their semifinal fixtures, they were guaranteed bronze

West Indies 4-Day Championships 2024…

medals by virtue of making it to the final four. The Guyanese athletes now turn their attention to the Singles Division of the competition, which was set to

Mahabirsingh leads CCC fightback against GHE

Day 2 started as a challenging one for the Guyana Harpy Eagles in their West Indies 4-Day Championships clash with the Combined Campuses and Colleges, but the local team did as they have done the entirety of the 2024 season: staged a comeback.

The seventh-round fixtures headed into the second of four days at the Sir Frank

Worrell Memorial Ground in St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, with the Harpy Eagles looking strong on 114-1, chasing the Combined Campuses’ first innings score of 200. However, after hitting his maiden first-class half- century on Wednesday afternoon, Raymond Perez was able to add only one more run to his overnight score of 61, while Kevlon Anderson’s

overnight score of 27 could not be altered before they were both removed by Avinash Mahabirsingh.

In fact, Mahabirsingh was the shining star on show on Thursday for CCC, grabbing a record eight wickets to help rout the Harpy Eagles cheaply. Captain Tevin Imlach was the only other batsman to stand up to Mahabirsingh’s reign of terror, crafting 55 in 104 balls that included 8 boundaries. Kevin Sinclair added a run-a-ball 37, but no other Harpy Eagles player reached double figures after that, as Mahabirsingh proved to be unplayable on the day, and the Harpy Eagles narrowly got past the required total, being bowled out for 223 in 60.4 overs.

Mahabirsingh claimed 8-51 in 17.4 overs, while Jediah Blades and Amari Goodridge took the remaining two wickets with returns of 1-47 from 14 overs and 1-30 from 8 overs respectively.

CCC looked to be in a

hurry in the second innings, cutting down Guyana’s lead of 23 in under 5 overs. Ordain McCatty was the man challenging the Harpy Eagles bowling, racing to a half- century in 58 balls. However, he was unable to press on, and fell to Kevin Sinclair’s bowling for 56 from 81 balls.

Besides Captain Shamarh Brooks, Yannick Ottley was the only other batsman to attain a score in double figures, as he contributed 17 from 28 balls.

While Guyana picked up a few more wickets, Brooks saw his team out to close of play, remaining unbeaten on 54 from 120 balls, while Mahabirsingh help up the other end with 4 from 29 deliveries.

Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul shared the spoils, each picking up two wickets for the Harpy Eagles.

The Combined Campuses and Colleges at were 165-7 at close of play, leading the Harpy Eagles by 142 runs with 3 wickets remaining.

serve off on Thursday evening.

In the Women’s Division, Jasmine Billingy faced off with Cuba’s Estal Crespo, Edghill took on Dominican Republic’s Eva Brito, and Thomas battled Dominican Republic’s Yasiris Ortiz.

Over in the Men’s Division, Alleyne will face off with Puerto Rico’s Oscar Birriel, Britton takes on Aruba’s Shaofeng Xie, and Johnson battles Dominican Republic’s Abit Tejada.

The singles action continues today with Nathalie Cummings coming up against Puerto Rico’s Fabiola Diaz, while Thuraia

Thomas does battle with Antigua and Barbuda’s Stuti Kashyap.

Also slated for today, Britton takes on Barbados’ Mark Dowell, Niran Bissu challenges Barbados’ Tyrese Knight, Billingy takes on Trinidad and Tobago’s Rheann Chung, and Cummings springs into action, this time against Trinidad’s Jordan Thong.

It was be an intense day for the Guyanese team as Mixed Doubles fixtures are also scheduled for later in the evening. There, Britton and Edghill will team up while Alleyne and Cummings join forces.

Unbeaten Demerara clinch U19 Super50 championship

Dominant Demerara extended their unbeaten run in the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) Male U19 Super50 Championship with a 7-wicket victory against Berbice, to lift the coveted title before euphoric supporters at the Malteenoes Sports Club Ground in Thomas Lands. The Demerara outfit won the toss and elected to field; and went on to restrict the firepower of the Berbice batting attack to 90 runs all out within 19 overs, as Rampersaud Ramnauth led the scoring with 19 runs and Afraz Budhoo contributed 15 runs.

Jonathan Van Lange with his line and length consistency proved to be pivotal in the Demerara bowling attack, as he managed to disturb his opponents’ stumps on seven occasions; and Anthon Lim, Krsna Singh, and Neeran Bani each took one wicket.

With a target of 91 runs set, Demerara employed a simple approach, Captain Mavindra Dindyal striking the ball to all parts of the ground as he carried his

team across the finish line in slamming 31 runs. Romeo Deonarine contributed 22 runs to the Demerara cause.

Afraz Budhoo, Kumar Deopersaud and Matthew Pottaya continued to be consistent with the ball, each claiming one Demerara wicket.

Speaking to the media after the game, Demerara Captain Dindyal praised Van Lange’s 7-wicket haul as the catalyst to their title victory.

“I think it was a good spell. Earlier, the wicket was not giving us a lot. I think he came and put the ball in good areas, got the ball to swing deep, and I think the figures speak for themselves… Exceptionally well, and I think that is the reason we won this championship,” Dindyal has said.

The Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) male Under-19 Super50 tournament served as a preparation tournament, giving selectors a group to choose from in selecting the Guyana U19 Team to represent the Land of Many Waters in St Vincent and the Grenadines soon.

Tevin Imlach led with a half-century

Guyana’s Women’s team. from left: Nathalie Cummings, Thuraia Thomas, Chelsea Edghill and Jasmine Billingy

Jonathan Van Lange copped a 7-wicket haul