Guyana Times - Friday, April 28, 2023

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr Irfaan Ali presented Brigadier Omar Khan with his instrument of appointment to perform the functions of Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. Also in photo is Brigadier Godfrey Bess, who was also confirmed as the 11th Chief -of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. Brigadier Bess will officially hand over command to Brigadier Khan during a change-of-command parade today (Office of the President photo)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 28 – 10:30h-11:15h and Saturday, April 29 – 12:30h-14:00h.

All lists with defects were corrected –

GECOM’s Vishnu Persaud …as PPP urges persons being bullied by Opposition to file Police report

Friday, April 28 – 10:00h-11:30h and Saturday, April 29 – 11:30h-13:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light rain showers with late afternoon sunshine are expected during the day. Expect clear to lightly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.92 metres.

High Tide: 10:25h and 23:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.02 metres and 1.97 metres.

Low Tide: 16:47h reaching a minimum height of 1.17 metres.

All the political parties and groups/individuals contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) with defects on their Lists of Candidates and Backers that were submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Nomination Day have been corrected.

This is according to GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud on Thursday. When contacted, he told <<<Guyana Times>>> that Wednesday, April 26 was the cut-off date for those contesting the June 12 LGE to have those errors fixed.

“The 26th of April was the last day that any party with defects on their list could make corrections… All of the lists that had defects were corrected,” he informed this newspaper.

GECOM had previously stated that this statutory procedure following Nomination Day would ensure that all the legal requirements are met by the contestants in order for their Lists of Candidates to be approved to contest in the elections.

Corrected/resolved

Meanwhile, during a press conference on Thursday, ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that there were six discrepancies his Party had to correct and this was done.

“The process [for corrections to be made after Nomination Day] is closed already and GECOM, I think, has given the letter saying the lists are all okay,” Jagdeo indicated.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

According to the PPP General Secretary, the Party submitted over 27,000 names and signatures – 2020 can-

didates and 25,000 backers – to GECOM and it was, therefore, expected that there would be some mistakes.

“We knew there would be some discrepancies… But 99 per cent of the allegations [of fraud being peddled by the People’s National Congress (PNC)-A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Opposition against the PPP] are just that – allegations. There are no basis in fact,” Jagdeo contended.

Among the issues the Party had to resolve was the presence of the signature of a dead woman, Cheryl Jacob, on one of the lists of backers from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) – District #5. But Jagdeo explained that these lists were compiled since last year and the woman only died about a week before the April 17 Nomination Day.

“It’s not a case where they resurrected a dead person and signed their name… The people, who were sending forward the list, were not vigilant enough to take off her name as a backer… But her husband is part of our team and he is campaigning with us. I spoke with Mr Jacob and today, he is in the field; he’s campaigning,” the General Secretary noted.

Another issue that was raised is the name of an overseas-based person on another list. But Jagdeo disclosed that after some groundwork, it was found that the candidate for the constituency had enlisted someone to gather the signatures of backers and that person said he thought that he could have used the name of someone not in the country.

“But we made it clear that they had to replace it immediately,” the PPP Leader stated.

However, even as the ruling party was able to track down the discrepancies on its lists and have them remedied, it was similarly able to identify defects on some of the lists submitted by the APNU Opposition.

One such instance, Jagdeo highlighted, was the name of a resident in Lodge, Georgetown, who is currently overseas, but his name and signature are on the Opposition’s list.

Intimidation and bullying

Moreover, the PPP General Secretary went on to highlight the many cases of intimidation and bullying against persons who are supporting the ruling party especially in areas that are traditionally known as strongholds of the PNC Reform – the leading party in the APNU alliance.

He pointed to a template that was generated at Congress Place, which had the signatures of 13 persons retracting their support for the PPP. But Jagdeo said many of those persons have called and explained that they were being “pressured” to do so.

“They were fearful for their lives. Some of those people called me and they said ‘we live in a hostile community and they’ll harass us and

our children so we chose to [sign the template], but we’re still supportive [of the PPP]’,” he related.

To this end, Jagdeo urged persons being intimidated and terrorised to make a report at the Police station so that appropriate actions could be taken against those perpetrators.

“I think the people have to go to the Police,” Jagdeo insisted.

He added too that those who found their names fraudulently on any party’s list should also file reports with the Police.

Only last week, the PPP had complained that its backers were being bullied to withdraw their support for the party in Region Five by known Opposition members.

The PPP has already indicated its intention to contest all 610 constituencies in the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) across the country.

At the last LGE held in November 2018, the then PPP/C Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 LAAs. This had followed the holding of the 2016 local government polls, where the PPP/C had also claimed the majority of the LAAs. (G8)

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud

Editor: Tusika Martin

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“This must stop!”

Some 50 persons have died on our roadways since January to April 24, 2023 – just one month into the second quarter of the year. Time and time again this newspaper has expressed shock over the road carnage.

This carnage is taking place on our roadways even as amendments were made to our Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act to provide harsher penalties for traffic offences. Amendments were also initiated to the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Bill with a view to toughening up the penalties for drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them

We support President Dr Irfaan Ali when he said on Thursday at the opening of the GPF’s Annual Police Officers’ Conference that this is as a result of “pure recklessness” and called for strategies to be implemented to curb the high fatality rate on our roadways.

To quote the Head of State: “It is also pure recklessness and stupidity from those who risk their lives and families. More importantly, putting other families’ lives at risk with their reckless behaviour. This must stop!...we passed legislation to make bar owners and bartenders accountable also, not just the drivers. There is a clear guideline in bars where announcement must be made in relation to serving alcohol to drivers. We must implement this legislation.”

Historically, the shock, concern and caution that follow a fatal accident seem to be fleeting, and the major contributory factors are seemingly swiftly resumed despite public outcry. However, given that those accidents are occurring on our roadways, and judging from sentiments expressed on social media, a large number of Guyanese are outraged and are calling for drivers to slow down. While that is encouraging, only time will tell if public pressure would indeed make a positive impact.

Social media wields tremendous influence, and traffic violations by some irresponsible drivers have been captured and attracted the attention of the Police.

There were instances when some drivers imbibe alcoholic beverages while in the process of transporting members of the public. The conductors randomly stick their hands out to demand that the bus be allowed to cut in front of vehicles, without considering the risk involved.

The said drivers literally drive on the parapets at times to illegally undertake, just to avoid staying in lanes and to reach their destinations within the shortest possible time. They also blatantly block turning lanes while ignoring the pleading horns.

The end result is that those who respect the traffic laws are made to spend much longer commuting, and are left at the mercy of those inconsiderate drivers. This in no way suggests that all minibus drivers are reckless; however, many are noticeable offenders across the country. Sadly, their unacceptable behaviour has been allowed to continue for too long.

While some passengers have objected to the overall despicable behaviour of minibus operators, and were in the process abused, there is an urgent need for a collective and robust approach to denounce what has unfortunately become a culture of disrespect to both passengers and traffic laws.

There are times when the Police intervene, and commendations must be given; however, there is a lack of much-needed consistency, not just for the minibus drivers in question, but for all road users and drivers.

The situation has worsened, and will further decline if no meaningful and sustained intervention is made.

There should be consideration for more stringent mechanisms, including raising the required age to obtain a licence to drive a minibus or taxi, and higher costs. Penalties for traffic violations must be more punitive, possibly even for minor offences.

The bottom line is that this issue must be addressed immediately and holistically, since a lack of sustained action would be continually interpreted as encouragement for the lawlessness.

We agree with President Ali when he said: “Every day, with the aid of technology, we have hundreds of infractions. A modern society is not only built on modern infrastructure, it is one where people think better, act better, and behave better.”

Also, we join in his call for a countrywide massive road safety education campaign.

Dear Editor,

The first political movement in this country, The Political Affairs Committee (PAC), started under the leadership of the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan in 1946, with Justin Hubert, Janet Jagan and Ashton Chase.

This led to the formation of the People’s Progressive Party on the 1st January 1950, with Dr. Cheddi Jagan as Leader, Forbes Burnham as Chairman, and Janet Jagan as Secretary.

From inception to present, the PAC and the PPP demonstrated, and remains, the only major multi-ethnic party in Guyana; a party which enjoys majority support of the Guyanese people and others.

In 1964, PPP lost the elections when the PNC and the UF formed the Coalition Government, which was dictated by the British. It must be noted that the PPP had won the majority of votes at those elections. The PNC continued in Government from 1968 to 1985 through rigged elections, which were recorded, and the whole world knew that.

Clearly, the PNC at that time did not enjoy the majority of the country, therefore they had to manage the country through dictatorship and poor decision-making, which led to that party’s failure and resulted in Guyana becoming one of the poorest and most bankrupted country in this hemisphere.

The PNC, which formed the greater part of the APNU/AFC Coalition, came back into Government in 2015, as declared by GECOM. They remained in office until 2020. During those 5 years, the Guyanese people went through hardship, and it was a troubled period. They imposed over 200 new taxes on the poor Guyanese people, closed down the sugar industry, the Rusal Bauxite Company in the Berbice River and the Linden Call Center, resulting in the loss of over 35,000 jobs and sending many Guyanese on the breadline.

I was not convinced that the PPP/C lost the 2015 elections, and although the PPP/C had filed an election petition, it was never heard. Looking at what took place within GECOM

in 2020 left me in doubt of the 2015 results.

I, Andrew Forsythe, an engineer by profession and a longstanding member of the People’s Progressive Party for almost 30 years, have never regretted joining the PPP. I also had the opportunity to sit at the Central Committee Members meetings over a period of years, when Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo was President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and I have never heard any discussion or witness any discrimination against Afro-Guyanese.

Under the brilliant leadership of Dr. Jagdeo, Guyana was able to move from being a poor country to being a middle-income country. I have also admired the works of Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali when he was Minister of Housing and Water; so, when he was elected as our Presidential Candidate, I knew that he would become a great President, because of his commitment to people and his work.

When you look at the PPP/C leadership and Cabinet members, you see true Guyana. Today, Guyana has the best lead -

ers and leadership to advance the fast growth and development of our country, and we all are seeing this with our own eyes.

Very shortly, on June 12, 2023, we will have Local Government Elections, and I am pledging full support for the PPP/C Candidates and the Party, which will be guided under excellent leadership.

I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the people of Linden and Kwakwani to make a change and throw your support behind the PPP/C Candidates and the PPP/C, and give us a chance to manage the affairs of the Town of Linden and Kwakwani, and you will never regret making that change.

In closing, let me remind you that the present Opposition Central Party, PNC/APNU, was in Government from 2015 to 2020, and they had control of Government and Local Government and did not deliver, not even on one of the promises they made. Now they are out of Government, what promise can they fulfill? Please don’t be fooled again.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali inspecting the parade at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Police Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference on Thursday at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, Georgetown (Office of the President photo)

Let us work towards a “One Guyana”

Dear Editor,

In Guyana, playing loud music in public transportation is illegal. However, it has been allowed to become prevalent in our society. As a result, it has become a major nuisance for commuters.

Despite numerous complaints from passengers, the law enforcement agencies have consistently failed to address this issue by not taking action against the offenders. This negligence is not only causing discomfort to the public, but is also putting their health and lives at risk. It also creates a sense of helplessness among the public and sends a message that the authorities are not interested in addressing their concerns.

Playing loud music for an extended period can cause hearing loss, tinnitus,

and other health issues. Therefore, it is essential to condemn the negligence of law enforcement agencies in Guyana as it relates to playing loud music in public transportation.

Playing loud music in public transportation is a violation of basic human rights by disturbing the peace. Moreover, it is also distracting for the drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. If a driver is listening to loud music or music with a heavy bassline, it can be difficult for that driver to concentrate on the road. This is particularly true if the music is unfamiliar or has a fast tempo. Research has shown that this can cause the driver to become more excited or agitated. Hip hop and dancehall music, which are most popular in public transportation,

are known for their heavy basslines and fast tempos. This can increase the risk of distraction and ultimately lead to accidents.

Moreover, the negligence of law enforcement agencies has also contributed to the normalisation of this behaviour. When the authorities fail to take action against offenders, it sends a message that playing loud, vulgar and obscene music in public transportation is acceptable. This has emboldened the offenders, and they continue to violate the basic rights of the public with impunity.

The negligence of law enforcement agencies in Guyana has also highlighted the need for stronger laws and regulations. While there are laws in place to address this issue, they are not being enforced.

Therefore, it is essential to strengthen these laws and regulations, and ensure that they are enforced by the authorities. This will send a message that playing loud music in public transportation is a serious offence, and it will not be tolerated.

Many persons suffered or died using public transportation in which loud music was played. I urge the relatives, families and friends of those who suffered or died in these accidents, as well as those who depend on public transportation, to speak out and protest against the negligence of the relevant authorities in enforcing the law.

In conclusion, playing loud music in public transportation is a violation of basic human rights, and a serious threat to the health

and safety of the public. The negligence of law enforcement agencies in Guyana in addressing this issue is unacceptable. It not only causes discomfort to the public, but also contributes to the normalisation of this behaviour. Therefore, it is essential to condemn the neg-

ligence of law enforcement agencies, and call for stronger laws and regulations to address this issue. The authorities must take action to ensure the safety and well-being of the public.

Respectfully,

B Persaud

Let us work...

Since we came back in office, we have removed that tax burden; rebuilt and expanded our infrastructure development; massively improved our Health Sector, with 12 new hospitals coming on stream; started a massive housing drive; given free GOAL scholarships, and expanded technical training all over Guyana. Work is ongoing on the gas-to-shore project to bring cheap electricity to

Guyanese; we are building new highways; there is heavy expansion in agriculture, and many more projects are coming on stream.

We, of the PPP/C, will continue to work with you to ensure that you enjoy a better livelihood. Let us work towards a “ONE GUYANA”, wherein all will benefit.

Respectfully,

Andrew Forsythe

Playing loud music in public transportation is a violation of the law Opposition is worrisome

Dear Editor, I am a young Guyanese who takes an interest in politics. As such, I follow the news and the utterances of various political parties, etc. I have to say that many statements cause me incredulity and leave me confused.

I have never voted before, and hold no affiliation to any party. However, I cannot possibly think of reasons to support the main political Opposition. As an Afro-Guyanese, I find it hard to believe them, and it is disappointing to know that if I should support the Government I would be labelled in the most disrespectful manner. I’m disappointed that the Opposition claims to represent the interest of Afro-Guyanese but engages in this sort of behaviour.

Local Government elections are here, and the campaigns have begun, but what I’m seeing so

far from the Opposition is worrisome.

Editor, I would like to believe elected officials can act sensibly and responsibly. To me, the statements and utterances of the Opposition have been uninspiring and offensive, and, as such, I cannot see myself supporting their candidate for my area in Georgetown.

The attacks on AfroGuyanese and some of their own former members do not inspire my confidence in them. I also saw reports of persons being threatened to withdraw their support for the PPP, and the allegations of fraud, and I ask myself: How can one claim to respect people’s constitutional rights to support a party of their liking, but bash those same persons when they do exactly that?

The Independent Candidates contesting bring more decency to the

Local Government landscape than the Opposition. When the time comes, as a Guyanese, I would like the freedom to exercise my right without fear of intimidation.

I would like to experience the electoral process. More so, I would really like to see changes in Georgetown. The city is a

fearsome place, with many problems that affect all who live and work here. I am hoping to use my vote to institute a change in keeping with how I would like to see my capital managed.

Sincerely,

Rebeca Constance

NGSA Math Questions

Thursday’s answers

WORD SEARCH

“Pure recklessness” – President Ali calls for strategy amid alarming road accidents

…lauds outstanding Police work on social issues

Startling reports of accidents and carnage on Guyana’s roadways have been addressed by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday, who characterised these actions as “pure recklessness” as he called for strategies to bring the numbers down.

The Head of State delivered his address at the Annual Police Officers’ Conference under the theme: “Improve Partnership, Human Development and Accountability to Enhance Service Delivery”, sounding a call for a massive education campaign countrywide.

“It is also pure recklessness and stupidity from those who risk their lives and families. More importantly, putting other families’ lives at risk with their reckless behaviour. This must stop!” Ali declared.

Speaking on existing legislation to curb drunk driving, the Guyanese Leader noted that the laws must be enforced, with urgency.

“This must get special attention at this Officers’ Conference. We passed legislation to make bar owners and bartenders accountable also, not just the drivers. There is a clear guideline in bars where announcement must be made in relation to serving alcohol to drivers.

We must implement this legislation,” he stated.

With the aid of technology along the recently-completed Mandela Avenue-toEccles roadway, President Ali shared, numerous infractions are picked up daily.

He disclosed, “Every day, with the aid of technology, we have hundreds of infractions. A modern society is not only built on modern infrastructure. It is one where people think better, act better, and behave better.”

Last year, the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2022 was passed, aimed at toughen-

ing existing laws to prevent drunk driving and the carnage on the road it causes. Amendments were also initiated to the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Bill with a view to toughening up the penalties for drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them.

Admirable

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force is currently rebranding, modernising and transforming its operations, to achieve the vision of a well-oiled machinery. The Head of State lauded the admirable leadership and ap-

proach to societal issues over the past year.

“The Guyana Police Force has been working with my Administration to fashion a modern, diversified and accountable organisation. It has made significant strides over the past year.

“I am most impressed with the outstanding work the Guyana Police Force has done in the last year, in championing social issues. You see officers and their ranks painting medians, painting roadways, building houses, delivering hampers, cleaning drains, walking in community, talking to every section of the Guyanese people. It’s most admirable,” he said.

In a rapidly-changing environment, Ali reemphasised that law enforcement needed to stay relevant in order to operate optimally.

“One crime is too much for us. That is not to say that we have positioned the Force now in a manner that we are free from all the perception or realities that has affected the public assessment of what we do and do not…Challenges are there.

Confronting challenges requires a proactive, thinking organisation, not a reactive, passive organisation.”

In his address, it was also recognised that national development rests on the security architecture of a country. Referring to Police Officers as foremost ambas-

sadors in the One Guyana initiative, Ali said they have what it takes to operate in a modern and relevant law enforcement apparatus that protects all citizens.

The annual three-day Police Officers' Conference will conclude on Saturday. (G12)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn with the top brass of the Police Force and other officials on Thursday

Driver in hit and run gets $80,000 bail

…victim still in critical condition

And the verdict is...

…election thiefin’!

Budhram Heeralall of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, who is accused of fleeing an accident scene and failing to report the said accident, has been placed on $80,000 bail by a magistrate at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, East Coast Demerara.

The 52-year-old driver, who pleaded not guilty to two traffic offences during

his arraignment on Monday, April 24, has been placed on bail in the sum of $40,000 on each of the two charges, and the cases have been adjourned until May 31.

It has been reported that an accident occurred on Monday, April 10 when 52-year-old Allan Downes of Oleander Gardens, Greater Georgetown was struck by a white Audi, PAC 5314, while walking along the Rupert Craig Highway, Greater

Georgetown. He was later found lying on the roadway, and his wife, Marysia Downes, took to Facebook to highlight the accident.

“My husband has been exercising every morning for the past 20 years from Oleander Gardens to Conversation Tree Road. He is very aware of the reckless drivers on our roads today, and would never walk in front of a speeding vehicle,” she added.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the area where the accident occurred allegedly shows the driver of the vehicle speeding at the time of the collision, swerving recklessly through traffic before ploughing into Downes, who was at the corner of the road.

Downes reportedly sustained severe head injuries; but, according to reports, his condition has moved from very critical to critical but stable.

Venezuelan woman jailed for operating brothel

AVenezuelan woman was on Wednesday jailed for six months after she pleaded guilty to operating a brothel, contrary to the Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act.

This is according to a statement from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry. The convict, Mayelin Cordova, 41, appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court where the charge was read to her.

The Ministry related that, initially, two Venezuelan women were arrested at the brothel — a place where peo-

ple engage in sexual activity with prostitutes.

Cordova was subsequently prosecuted after a multi-agency raid that involved the CounterTrafficking in Persons Unit of that Ministry, the Police Force, and the Home Affairs Ministry. This is the third conviction the Unit has secured for 2023.

The Unit continues to provide protective care, counselling, and other support to victims of human trafficking.

Other convictions

Last month, 64-year-old businessman Feezal Shaw of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after he was convicted of trafficking a Venezuelan national for labour exploitation. As part of his sentence, Shaw must pay $2,127,000 in restitution to the victim.

The Prosecution’s case is that the Venezuelan national arrived in Guyana on February 14, 2018 via Port Charity. On February 15, 2018, the individual was taken to a house at Timehri, EBD to build exotic cages at $10,000 per cage.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Well, it took a while for the COI into the March 2020 elections fiasco to deliver its Report. But then, with something as important as securing the fundamental mechanism on which our democratic form of governance rests, it ain’t something to breeze through. That’s right, folks: our right to choose our Government through our votes is a sacred right that we gotta guard with our lives. And lives WERE actually snuffed out by the army on the orders of the PNC exactly 50 years ago to subvert that right. And when the news of THIS attempt broke, the Police shot and killed a young man over in Cotton Tree - who was merely observing his fellow villagers’ indignation!! What that tells us, of course, is that we better solve this problem quick!

So, what did the COI say?? Stripped of all the whys and wherefores, it declared, “In summary, our inquiry reveals that there were, in fact, shockingly brazen attempts by Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo to derail and corrupt the statutorily prescribed procedure for the counting, ascertaining and tabulation of votes of the March 2nd election, as well as the true declaration of the results of that election, and that they did so – to put it in the unvarnished language of the ordinary man – for the purpose of stealing the election.” Yeah…let the truth be “unvarnished”!! They were thiefin’ the election for the PNC!!

Now, the first thing we can expect is the PNC and its myrmidons will come out swinging at the Commission. Can’t deny the message, so go after the messenger!! But the CoI was chaired by a Justice of the Appeal (retired) of Turks and Caicos, Stanley John. Surely, he doesn’t have any skin in the (Guyanese political) game - just like Commissioner Godfrey P. Smith, High Court Judge (Belize) and former Justice of Appeal (ag) in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. They could’ve certainly outvoted our former Chancellor, Carl Singh – who would’ve had his opinions, having witnessed the power grab up close and personal!!

So, what’s the Government gonna do about it?? The chief riggers are before the Courts, and the cases MUST be heard before the matter becomes moot. The Govt gotta now make systemic changes in the structure and the composition of GECOM and its Secretariat!! We gotta first admit it’s not that GECOM’s top brass who did the dirty were evil or such. They were just doing it for the “tribe”!! That’s how things go down in these divided societies!!

With all the new rules that will be introduced, then, these gatekeeper institutions can’t ever be dominated by any one “side”!!

…we already have spies!!

President Ali confirmed what your Eyewitness said right after the Stabber came out with its sensationalising editorial that declared the PPP Government was setting up a spy agency to keep tabs on us. Seems the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) was established over a decade ago!! Meaning that Presidents Ramotar and Granger both would’ve been given intelligence gleaned by NISA!!

But, of course, you can’t have the President disturbed for any old alarm – the intelligence would’ve moved up the ladder. Here most likely through the “Public Security Minister”. And this is where the mystery as to how Khemraj and Kathy nabbed those Russian hackers - who came in to rig our manual elections with pencil erasers - is now solved!! Khemraj was given intelligence by NISA!! Of course, being the crack criminal lawyer that he is (very, very crack!!) he quickly figured out how they’d erase thousands of ticks on ballot papers to swing the elections!! And deported them!!

NISA and Khemraj saved the day!!

…fading away

Brigadier Godfrey Bess just retired after 33 years of service. Your Eyewitness is reminded of US General Mac Arthur’s farewell speech. He said, “Old generals don’t die; they simply fade away.” MacArthur joined the RAND think tank – maybe Bess will join NISA??

Passers-by and a Police rank at the scene of the accident (Photo: Marysia Bento Downes/Facebook/April 13)

Budhram Heeralall (Newsroom photo)

Allan Downes

Jailed: Mayelin Cordova Jailed: Feezal Shaw Jailed: Tito Browne

DNA testing to be optimised within months – Benn

Guyana’s capacity to test DNA samples is expected to be optimised within the next few months as the Home Affairs Ministry awaits validation of newly-sourced equipment.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn shared with the media on Thursday that the equipment needed to undergo testing in order to solidify DNA processing capacity. The laboratory is working round the clock and a rapid testing device is also functional.

“We have new equipment – a rapid test one which is already operational. The other one is also operational, but it has to go through, for a couple of months, validation testing in relation to the different types of samples that it would be working on. That machine is more com-

plicated, but more efficient in terms of larger batches and the quality of

Venezuelan woman jailed...

After three weeks, Shaw reportedly paid the victim some money, but then took away the victim’s passport although he had promised to assist the foreigner to obtain a work permit.

There was another human trafficking conviction in March. In that case, Tito Browne, known as “Tommy” and “Yankee”, was sentenced to four years in prison on each of two counts of human trafficking involving two Jamaicans. The sentences will run concurrently.

This 44-year-old resident of Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), was also fined $200,000 and ordered to pay $6,300,000 restitution to the victims. He was also handed a one-year jail sentence on a count of withholding the passports of foreign nationals.

According to the prosecution’s facts, in November 2020, one of the victims met an individual in Trelawney, Jamaica, who indicated to him that Browne had some farming work for him to do in Kara Kara Creek, Guyana, and that he was willing to pay US$5000 for the work to be done.

The first victim then informed the second victim about the opportunity, and together they arranged with Browne, who promised to facilitate all their travel expenses. They

then left Jamaica on December 12, 2020.

When they arrived in Guyana, Browne instructed them to inform immigration that they would only be spending two weeks.

Upon arriving at the campsite at Kara Kara Creek, Browne informed them that they would be spending six months at the campsite, and he confiscated their passports.

The victims recounted that, from the date of entry to April 24, 2021, they worked at the Kara Kara camp but never received any compensation from Browne.

The victims added that Browne would visit periodically and demand that they work more diligently. He also continuously promised to pay them, but never did.

The duo stated that they could only contact their family on Browne’s phone when he visited. They recounted being unable to travel from the campsite, and related that, for the last three weeks, no one visited them, which caused their supplies to run low.

Eventually, the victims were forced to venture from the camp in search of other campsites, walking through bushes and swamplands until they managed to locate a logger, who eventually took them to a village where they related their sto-

FROM PAGE 8

ry and made a Police report.

The Government’s commitment to preventing human trafficking has been demonstrated in the implementation of several policies and collaborations with various stakeholders, including the Guyana Police Force (GPF); Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); Maritime and Airport security officials; medical professionals; and Education, Welfare, and Guidance officers.

Notably, Guyana has maintained its Tier One status in the US Department of State’s 2022 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. According to the report, “The Government of Guyana fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The Government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore, Guyana remained on Tier 1.”

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry continues to encourage people to report all suspicious activities on hotline numbers (592) 227-4083 or (592) 623-5030. Spanish-speaking persons can contact (592) 624-0079.

results it would produce…I think within three, four months based on the validation requirement,” Benn disclosed.

He reminded that there was a “misstep” in the previous acquisition of equipment under the former Administration, where DNA testing units were sourced for the laboratory. While the devices were not the ‘most efficacious’, the company also ceased operations. As such, the equipment was installed in Guyana, but reagents could not be sourced.

Tested locally & overseas

Meanwhile, in the case of the probable skeletal remains of Police Constable Quincy Lewis, which were unearthed last week, Minister Benn shared that the DNA samples would be tested both in Guyana and overseas. This process is to avoid any obstacles during prosecution in the court until the equipment is certified.

The Minister explained, “It will be tested, but for surety, we are going to send samples. We’re still in a

couple months of validation testing for the big machine. We will send those samples to a laboratory overseas which has a machine of that kind up and running.”

After almost three years of mystery, detectives found the skeletal remains believed to be those of Lewis in a shallow grave in a sandpit at Madewini, along the LindenSoesdyke Highway. This was after intensive interrogation of two suspects who allegedly admitted that they had known about the killing of the officer.

The Guyana Police Force has since said that it intended to use all legal avenues to ensure that the other two suspects who were named in the murder be extradited to Guyana to answer to the allegations in relation to Lewis’s death.

Fifty-six-year-old Thakurdyal Samaroo and his wife Youseef Zahid, also known as Naqueeba Zahid Zafarali, of Lot 7 Ogle Front, East Coast Demerara (ECD), are wanted for questioning in relation to the heinous crime. (G12)

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

Defence Diplomacy Unit to be launched soon – Ali

…retired Disciplined Services ranks to be utilised in new jobs

Government is set to launch a Defence Diplomacy Unit as Guyana ups its role on the regional and global fronts, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced.

At the Police Officers’ Conference on Thursday, he informed, “In the coming days, we will be launching a unit in the Office of the President dealing with defence diplomacy…because of the role we will be playing regionally and globally.”

The president went on to share that his Administration will focus on utilising the expertise of officers from the Disciplined Services post-retirement, since they leave the profession in their prime, with outstanding educational

backgrounds and experience that can be leveraged.

“One of the weaknesses of the national system is how we utilise young men and women after we would have invested in them for years, giving them training and education and releasing them at the ripe age of 55. The members of our Disciplined Forces leave us at 55. That is when they are at their prime. They have acquired all the experience. Many of them, at this age, hold Master’s Degrees and PhDs, but we lose them. We now have to find a reincorporation model into other aspects of national development,” he underscored.

In realising that some officers feel demotivated when it nears the end of their professional “tunnel”, he said the new Guyana will be looking at every officer and providing opportunities when they put the uniform to rest.

“Your next earthly life beyond this Police Force would be presented to you based on a number of things. It would be driven by your performance, fuelled by your professionalism and most importantly, focused on your delivery, if you believe that you want to play a role,” Ali told the law enforcers.

These efforts form part of the Administration’s strategic positioning, built

through analytical capacity to advise policymakers.

“We must be able to present our independent thinking and analysis to support our regional and international partners as they support us also. The decolonisation of ideas, concepts and theories requires reengineering the power of thought and in this new architecture, as we embrace our partners and work together to deal with global issues like transnational crime, trafficking, we must be able to present a new platform where we are thinkers and not just reactors,” the Chief of the Armed Forces stressed. (G12)

Intelligence, Security Bill provides absent legal framework for operations of NISA – AG

…calls criticisms on agency functioning since 2010 ignorant, paranoid

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has posited that controversies surrounding the recently laid National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Bill are rooted in ignorance and some level of paranoia, since the proposed legislation is merely providing a cloak of legality and removes the veil of secrecy surrounding an agency that has been in operation for more than a decade.

On Monday, the National Intelligence and Security Agency Bill was presented to the National Assembly by AG Nandlall, and immediately after, widespread criticisms came to the fore regarding the proposed legislation.

But during his programme Issues in the News, the Attorney General pointed out that the bill – which is now dubbed the ‘Spy Bill’ – merely provides the legal framework for the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), which has been in operation since 2010.

At the time of its establishment, under the Bharrat Jagdeo Administration, the agency was named the Central Intelligence Unit (CIU), and there were calls then for there to be legislation to govern this body. However, in 2015, under the

David Granger presidency, this unit was integrated into the National Intelligence Security Agency (NISA) established by the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government. However, laws were not created to govern the functioning of this body – something which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration is now changing.

“For 13 years, this agency has been functioning, performing largely the same functions which are outlined in the Bill; but it had no governance structure, it had no statutory framework, and apparently people didn’t know about it. Now this Bill seeks to remove that clock of apparent secrecy and bring a transparent legal structure into being, and to establish an accountable framework in respect of the agency itself and those who will man and comprise the agency,” the Attorney General has said.

According to Nandlall, over the years, and under different administrations, NISA has been headed by various persons, with members such as former Police Commissioner Leslie James and Assistant Police Commissioner Royston Andres Junor.

“It continued during the APNU/AFC Government.

Bruce Lovell, a senior officer from the Guyana Defence Force, was heading [NISA] at that time during the APNU/ AFC years in Government… It has been funded from public fund since then. So, 13 years or more this agency has been getting monies from the Parliament; and in the Committee of Supply, the allocations of these funds have been explained,” the minister stated.

Currently, NISA is being headed by Colonel Omar Khan of the GDF. He took over at the helm of the agency from Lovell, who resigned shortly after the change of Government in 2020.

However, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday

hinted that the agency would soon get a new head, since Colonel Khan will be heading the Guyana Defence Force from Friday as the current Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier (retired) Godfrey Bess, proceeds on pre-retirement leave.

“You don’t have to worry about [Mr Khan heading two agencies at the same time]. When Mr Khan assumes his new responsibility [as Chief-of-Staff of the GDF], of course, we will have other persons taking up that responsibility [at NISA],” the Head of State told reporters.

NISA is currently operating out of Castellani House in Georgetown.

Since the tabling of

the Bill in the National Assembly, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has heavily criticised the proposed legislation.

“From our standpoint, it is retrogressive, it is dictatorial, and it’s not going to promote security. It is going to result in political harassment; harassment to citizens and violation of their rights,” Norton has stated.

But Nandlall in fact contended that the only criticism on this topic should have been the length of time it took to bring the legislative framework in place to govern the operations of the agency.

Moreover, he explained during his programme that the agency has been involved in, and will continue to mainly be involved in, intelligence gathering, working along with the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.

“It is an agency that will work along with the two principal disciplinary forces in our country – the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force –and will aid them in intelligence gathering. It is not a law enforcement agency; it will not perform law enforcement functions,” he posited.

The Attorney General went on to stress that as a country’s economy expands, so must its intelligence-gath-

ering capabilities.

“More and more, as the economy grows, national security and the capability of the State to protect citizens and to protect assets within the State must proportionately expand and improve. Intelligence gathering has to become institutionalised, and we need agencies like this to execute those tasks,” Nandlall has said.

The Bill spells out the agency’s functions, which include to “collect information of national intelligence and security interest that provides a basis for decision making and preventative actions; gather, store, process, analyse and disseminate information that is relevant to national intelligence and security; conduct analysis of information of national interest and security interest.”

Additionally, the proposed legislation provides for the President to appoint the head of NISA. It also caters for the establishment of an Intelligence and Security Committee which will have oversight over the conduct of NISA. This committee will have three members appointed by the President. These include a nominee from the President, a nominee from the Opposition Leader after consulting with other opposition parties in the National Assembly, and a nominee from civil society. (G8)

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

Bids submitted to buy Marriott Hotel “too low” – VP Jagdeo …as Govt puts sale on hold, will not sell to current bidders

and Management Services Inc, which bid at US$50M; Muneshwer’s Ltd, which bid at US$25 million; Integrated Group Guyana Inc, which bid at US$55 million; and NCB Capital Markets Limited, which bid at US$33 million.

A feasibility study conducted by Miami-based firm HVS Consulting back in 2010 had outlined that, 10 years after it became operational, the Marriott Hotel is likely to be sold at some US$76.1 million.

The Guyana Government has decided not to sell the US$58 million Guyana Marriott Hotel to any of the six bidders, whose offers, according to Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, are below the current market value of the profitable property.

Six companies had submitted bids, ranging from US$25 million to US$65 million, to purchase the Marriott Hotel located in Kingston, Georgetown. The highest bid, of US$65 million, was received from an

American investment group – X, LLC.

However, VP Jagdeo contended, during a press conference on Thursday, that these offers are too low.

“When we went out to tender, we were testing the market. We believe, in the Government, that none of the bids meet our price expectations, and therefore we would not proceed with any of those bids,” he posited.

Among the other bidders are Pegasus Hotel Guyana, which bid at US$55.5 million; Georgetown Investments

In fact, the Vice President pointed out on Thursday that Government wants an appropriate offer that reflects the true value of the hotel, which is currently operating at its highest profit since existence.

“The Marriott will remain in the public domain as part of the Government until we can get an appropriate offer that mirrors the true value… We know what a true value will be in the current context. So, that matter should be put to rest: that we will not proceed with any of the bids because we believe that they’re too low, based on the value of that asset now and its ca-

pacity to earn,” Jagdeo stated. In a notice back in December 2022, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) had announced its intention to sell the State’s shares in Atlantic Hotels Incorporated (AHI), the state-owned holding company for the Marriott Hotel.

AHI is the NICIL special purpose company that owns the Marriott, a 197room hotel that opened in

2015, whose financing structure had depended on a casino and entertainment centre to make enough money to repay up to US$30 million in debts to the banks and other creditors. But those add-ons to the hotel were scrapped.

A total of eight Expressions of Interest (EoIs) were received, but only six offers were made by April 17, upon invite from NICIL.

Last month, VP Jagdeo had said that now is the right

time to sell the Marriott Hotel, which is currently operating at a profit even without the casino and entertainment centre add-ons.

“Now it would be best to sell the Marriott off. You could probably maximise the price that you will get when it’s profitable, and before the seven new hotels that are privately [being] built, that are international brands, come on the market,” he had stated.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Save Soil mural unveiled at National Park to raise awareness

In an effort to raise public awareness of the importance of soil health, a Save Soil mural has been unveiled in the National Park of Guyana.

The idea was conceptualised in support of the Save Soil movement, a global initiative to bring humanity together to keep the soil alive.

The beautiful artwork, created by talented local artists Sadia Vasquez, Bevan Allicock, and Eldon Allicock, serves as a powerful visual representation of the dependency of all life on healthy soil. The mural also highlights the jaguar, a protected species in Guyana, as well as other local flora, fauna, and a human, symbolising the interconnectedness of our environment and humanity.

The Save Soil movement, launched by international spiritual leader Sadhguru, has reached over four billion people, with the goal of addressing the catastrophic issue of soil degradation and depletion. The movement is supported by leading institutions such as the United Nations Convention to

Combat Desertification (UNCCD); UN Environment Programme (UNEP); the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Food Programme (WFP). Save Soil provides draft

policy handbooks.

By signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and pledging 100 square kilometres of land toward the effort of restoring and safeguarding agricultural soil,

Guyana’s commitment remains firm.

The mural was an initiative of local volunteers of the Save Soil movement called Earth Buddies.

The Save Soil movement gained

traction at the World Wildlife Fund Earth Hour Vigil on March 25, 2023. Since then, many individuals have signed up, some volunteering their time and effort in various projects aimed at raising environmental awareness. The mural in the National Park is a direct result of these ongoing efforts.

Indigenous artist Bevan Allicock was particularly passionate about the project, stating, “In the Indigenous heritage, we believe that one cannot exist without the other, so it’s very important to understand the purpose of everything around us, an ecosystem where we help each other.”

The Save Soil mural in the National Park of Guyana stands as a testament to the dedication of local volunteers working together to raise awareness and promote soil conservation. This powerful visual reminder serves as a call to action for everyone to join in the efforts to preserve our soils for generations to come. Visitors are encouraged to view the mural and learn more about the importance of saving soil.

The Save Soil mural at the National Park

The Miss Jamzone pageant, one of the premier pageants in Guyana, is now accepting applications for delegates to compete this year.

A brainchild of Hits and Jams Entertainment, the Miss Jamzone pageant focuses on tourism, promotes social connections, and encourages self-confidence. This year's event is expected to showcase the country’s natural beauty, cultural traditions, and unique attractions. Organizers hope the event would encourage more people to visit the region and explore all that it has to offer.

“We are thrilled to announce that applications for our upcoming Miss Jamzone 2023 are now open! This is an incredible opportunity to showcase your beauty, intelligence, and talents on a national stage. Our pageant celebrates women who are confident, accomplished, and committed to making a positive impact in their communities. If you are ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, we invite you to apply for the Miss Jamzone pageant. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting event. Apply Now!” Pageant Director Wasim Khan said in an invited comment.

Miss Jamzone 2022, Amel Griffith, added, “As a delegate, I benefitted from professional training in areas such as public speaking, etiquette, and stage presence. This year will be no different. I encourage anyone willing to sign up for the opportunity of a lifetime!”

To be eligible to apply, you must: be a female between the ages of 18 and 26; be a resident of Guyana; must not have a criminal record; must be taller than 5’4”; and must not have been married or pregnant, or given birth or parented a child.

Delegates will have the opportunity to showcase their beauty, intelligence, prowess, and talent in the various categories, such as swimwear, talent, and costume segment. Applications can be submitted either online or in person at our 206 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, Georgetown office. The deadline for applications is May 1st, 2023.

For more information, please visit our website at www.hjexperience.com or contact us at jamzoneinternational@gmail.com.

The Vendetta Boss Alkaline, one of the hottest names in the dancehall industry, is set to hit the stage of the Guyana National Stadium for the Baderation Mega Concert as part of Genesis the Band’s Independence Weekend.

This highly-anticipated concert will take place on May 27, 2023, and is expected to draw a massive crowd of reggae and dancehall music fans from Guyana and abroad.

Born Earlan Bartley, Dancehall’s Champion Boy has been a dominant force in the Jamaican music scene since the release of his debut single "123" in 2011. With hits like "Champion Boy", "Block and Delete", and "Fleek", he has cemented his place as one of the most exciting and innovative artistes of his generation.

Alkaline's concert in Guyana promises to be an unforgettable experience

for fans, as he will perform his biggest hits and new songs from his recent album releases. The concert is being organized by Guyana's leading events company - Hits and Jams Entertainment - and fans can expect a top-notch production.

Speaking about the upcoming concert, Director of Hits and Jams, Kerwin Bollers, said: "Baderation is all about dancehall music. So, when the team & I were brainstorming for the headline act, we wanted to have an artiste who didn’t perform in Guyana for a while but also has an impressive catalogue. Alkaline ticked all those boxes, so we went with him. We want patrons to get their money’s worth at the end of the night. So, Guyana, get ready for an unforgettable night.”

“The Man Himself” will be joined by Jada Kingdom and Byron Messiah. Jada Kingdom is no stranger

to the music scene, with many viral hits under her proverbial belt, like “GPP”, “Win”, “Pretty Gang”, and “Heavy”. The Kingston, Jamaica native promises to put on a show that Guyanese will never forget.

With over 9.4 million views on Youtube, Byron Messiah - a fast-growing dancehall artiste - will be coming to perform his hit single “Talibans”. Although new to the industry, Byron Messiah has several catchy songs in his catalogue, such as “Vent” and “Smallest Circle”, which are guaranteed to have patrons moving all night.

The exciting lineup will also feature many local acts, including dancehall songstress Mattic Queen.

Early bird tickets cost $4000 for general admission and $25,000 for VIP, and can be purchased at hjexperience.com. This event is sponsored by ENet, Magnum, Heineken & Hennessy.

The Westside Auto Expo and Vehicle Sound-off will return to the Leonora Synthetic Track, West Coast Demerara, this Sunday for its 9th edition. The event is expected to draw a massive crowd, since it had not been hosted for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vehicles will compete for over $1 million in cash prizes and trophies in over 35 categories, including Best Graphics; Best Lights; Best Interior; Best Theme; Best Antique; Best Air Brush; Best Motor Bike; Best Technician; Cleanest Engine; Cleanest Vehicle; Best Looking Sound; Lowest Vehicle; Best Rims; Biggest Vehicle Group; Bus with the Most Girls; Cleanest Hire Car, and Cleanest Working Bus. Judges will also be looking for the creative use of Graphic, Airbrush, Best Rims, Lights, and the Biggest Vehicle Music System. Entrance fee for the competition is set at $10,000.

Music for the event will be provided by Noctorious Sounds, with juggling by Deejay David Hype, Deejay Garwin and Seen Up, while the event is being hosted by Golden Chyld. Early bird tickets cost $1500, but a ticket at the gate would cost $2000, while VIP vehicle passes cost $2000. Gates open at 16:00h, but judging commences at 19:00h. Tickets are available at Jameel’s Bar at Vryheid Lust, ECD; Avi Car Wash at Mon Repos, ECD; Imran Auto Electrician at Schoonard, WBD; Massive Auto Music at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD; TC Image Master at La Jalousie, WCD; Chris Type Shop at Leonora, WCD, and Vick Fix It at Parika, EBE. The streets are buzzing with speculation as to who would be taking home trophies and cash prizes, but the only way to find out for sure is to be there on Sunday evening for the grand showdown. The Westside Auto Expo and Vehicle Sound-off is being promoted by Westsiderz Ent, and is sponsored by Ansa McAl; BM Soat; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Ramah’s Auto Sales, and TC Image, among others. For registration and info, contact Ravi at 690-3210 or visit Westsiderz Entertainment Facebook page.

Reigning Miss Jamzone 2022, Amel Griffith

21 cops facing criminal charges – Police

…road accident fatalities rise by 7%, serious crimes down by 8%

Despite Government having passed amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, which now provides for harsher penalties for traffic offences, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has said there has been a recorded seven per cent increase in road fatalities so far for the year 2023.

While addressing the opening of the GPF’s Annual Police Officers’ Conference on Thursday at the Police Officers’ Mess at Eve Leary, Georgetown, acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken provided statistics on the state of affairs of crimes in the country. In relation to traffic, while this area continues to be a challenge, he

reported that there has been a seven per cent increase in traffic fatalities. This, according to him, represents a 10 per cent decrease from the previous year, 2022.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed on Wednesday that 50 persons have died on Guyana’s roadways between January 1st and April 24, 2023. Police sta-

tistics show that driving under the influence of alcohol and excessive speeding are the leading causes of road accidents in Guyana.

On the other hand, the Police Force’s continuous crime-fighting efforts have yielded an 8.4 per cent decrease in serious crimes, the Top Cop revealed. Again, he did not give any detailed information. Serious crimes include murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, rape, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The Police ended last year with a 19.5 per cent decrease in serious crimes.

grams of ecstasy from the streets.

It has also been revealed that Police ranks continue to find themselves in conflict with the law. This, among other things, Hicken pointed out, continues to fuel a negative Police image among the public.

Study finds major gaps in womenowned businesses in Guyana – 4% participated in global

Arecent study has found that while there is a large number of women-owned businesses in Guyana, there are many shortfalls when it comes to their operations, and, more so, many are not maximising their full capacity or unlocking their full potential.

This study forms part of the WE3A initiative that aims to provide women who own small- and medium-sized businesses in Central and South America with the tools and skills to develop their companies.

WE3A is being implemented by the Women’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the InterAmerican Development Bank through the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

“Our focus is on three components: aspire, activate and accelerate, for which Thunderbird will create all the tools to help women entrepreneurs expand their businesses and facilitate access to value chains,” Senior Programme Manager at Thunderbird, Georgina Melendez, related.

“But the most important thing is that, through this project, we seek to break gender stereotypes and show women entrepreneurs as successful, so that not only women see entrepreneurship as a valuable economic function, but men entrepreneurs and the rest of the ecosystem also buy into them, and see what they are capable of achieving with the right tools.”

In addition to Guyana, the project seeks to aid women-led businesses in Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, El Salvador and Costa Rica; and, as such, has included comparisons to the state of women entrepreneurship in those countries in the study as well.

The study found that, at 91 per cent, Guyana has the largest number of formally registered women-owned businesses, compared to the other five countries. However, there is still huge scope for

supply chains

create products that are designed to [help] women-owned businesses,” Blanco said.

“The women at the top that are well established have, for example, a house or a warehouse or property that they can use to access credit (at) the normal banking system,” Blanco explained. “But the ones in the middle have no credit; and those are the ones that need the push-up, but they need money to do it.”

The other two major needs for these businesses in Guyana are capacity-building and training designed for women-led businesses, and accelerators and incubators.

It has been revealed that, for this year, the Police have removed 51 illegal firearms, 604 kilograms of cannabis sativa (marijuana), 928.86 grams of cocaine, and 61.2

He disclosed that 21 Police ranks have been charged criminally; and while he did not share the nature of the crimes they are accused of committing, <<Guyana Times>> recently reported that several Police ranks are before the courts for several offences, including murder, corrupt transaction, conspiracy to obstruct the course of justice, assault causing bodily harm, simple larceny, larceny by a public officer, assault, and trafficking in narcotics.

According to the Commissioner, the Police Force continues to face challenges in negative social media influence, substance abuse, language barriers, gender-based violence, lack of comprehensive structure in terms of response in the mining districts, transnational crimes, cyber threats, narco-trafficking, illegal migration, and mental health issues in relation to crimes. Hicken, nevertheless, assured that all aspects of the law enforcement agency would be improved to better serve the people. And these include expanding the Safe City programme, strengthening the Police Force’s Forensic Department and crime-fighting posture, increasing fleet management, and improving the Police Community Relations Department. (G1)

improvement.

In 2021, 95 per cent of these businesses had fewer than 10 full-time employees, and 82 per cent earned less than US$50,000 per year. However, only 4 per cent of the Guyanese women-led businesses are certified, and more importantly, 4 per cent participated in global supply chains. In these regards, Guyana fared worse than the other countries analysed.

This is largely due to three main pressing challenges that women-led businesses in Guyana face: access to capital funding for business projects, access to training and education on business management, and lack of business infrastructure for companies in the country.

The most pressing needs for these businesses to succeed are directly linked to the challenges they face, according to WE3A Project Manager Marta Blanco.

For Guyana, financial products and services designed for women-led businesses were the most significant need. This was also ranked among the top needs for the other countries analysed.

“So, this is why we’ve been buying into the roundtables and reaching out to financial institutions, [as] they need to

President of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rowena Elliot, has said that once the capacity part is settled and the owners know how to run a business and how to get involved, the next step is to encourage them to expand.

“Some of [it is] costly as it relates to getting certification; but as it relates locally, getting your products with that “Made in Guyana” stamp, that can be done through us connecting with the agencies locally to encourage [them]. And we are finding a lot of women going through that process, and they are actually more inclined to want to get those different certifications, because it gives them more opportunities,” Elliot said.

“The idea of getting into entrepreneurship for women is a bit new to manoeuvre, but we’re getting there,” she added.

Only recently, over 200 female-owned businesses participated in the ‘We Lift 3’ expo at the MovieTowne Parking Lot. This annual event – the largest expo of its nature in the Caribbean – is directed towards promoting and empowering women entrepreneurs across the country.

This year, those women-led businesses that were showcased increased from the previous two editions by nearly 200 per cent.

Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken at the opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference

WE3A Project Manager Marta Blanco

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MoE launches literacy, robotics programme in Reg 4

ter,” Manickchand said.

As such, this programme is expected to assist the pupils in unlocking their reading potential, with its three-tiered approach providing an intensive fast-paced remedial intervention to fast-track the learners’ literacy skills.

“Here, they will exclusively learn reading, phonics, pronunciation and letter sounds, combined with a robotics component,” she explained.

ALiteracy and Robotics programme was on Wednesday launched at Enterprise Primary School, East Coast Demerara (ECD) with the aim of improving literacy levels among learners.

The programme is being executed by the National Department of Literacy and the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

While this programme is the first of its kind to be launched in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), it is the fifth in the country, with the other programmes already in place at Dem Amstel Primary School, Kawall Primary School, La Retraite Primary School and the Blankenburg Primary School in Region

Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

This is in keeping with the Ministry’s mandate to ensure that every child is a fluent reader by Grade Four with the use of advanced technology.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand related that the pupils at Enterprise Primary School would commence a strict six-week literacy programme on Monday.

This comes after an assessment which found that a significant number of pupils at the school are not reading at their grade level. “In Grade One, none of the children can read at their grade level, at Grade Two, none of the children can read at their grade level, as we go up a little bit higher, it gets a little bet -

Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Literacy, Samantha Williams explained that a total of 444 pupils are at the very basic level of reading which is synonymous with nursery level reading, 48 are at Level Two which is an early childhood level, 16 are at Level Three which means they understand most concepts being taught.

Williams added that the programme would begin at the basic level, move onto the intermediate level and culminate at the advanced level. Assessments will also be done to track the students’ progress.

Manickchand urged parents to play their role in providing support to their children, adding that the programme could only work if the parents ensured their children attend school consistently.

“If we change what’s

happening in the school and you don’t change what’s happening in your house, the parents who are interested – their children will move up, the parents who are not will see that in the results,” the Minister said.

Similarly, NCERD Head of Curriculum Omawattie Ramdin also encouraged parents to see this programme as an investment in their children’s future.

“It cannot and will not be successful if you leave it up to the school alone,” Ramdin said.

Bids submitted to buy Marriott...

Construction of the Marriott Hotel, which started in 2011, had sparked widespread controversy. At the time, Jagdeo was the President and his Administration had faced heavy criticism over the use of taxpayers’ money to finance the hotel. But Jagdeo has always defended the decision.

“The Government didn’t need to own a hotel at that time, but the era was that we were not getting new hotels built, and we had to trigger the investment,” he has emphasised.

According to the Vice President, the hotel is operating at a profit, and provides some 500 jobs to

Guyanese, directly and indirectly. He insists that selling the Kingston, Georgetown hotel now would bring in “maximum value” to the State, and that could go towards triggering other investments in the country.

“There is no particular supreme benefit to Government owning [the hotel]. Whether to maximise the money and invest it into something else …it’s a pure business decision [to sell now] …It is the period. You maximise the period in which you sell. This money, some of it will go to clear off the remaining loan, and some will come to the Treasury to be used back for

whatever purpose is determined. And so this is probably the best time when you can maximise the value, before you get competition from seven other hotels coming into the market within a year or two,” he noted.

The Guyana Marriott Hotel was completed in 2015, the same year ExxonMobil first found oil in Guyana’s waters. The hotel has since gone on to play an important part in Guyana’s developing oil and gas sector, as it is used to accommodate local and overseas offshore workers. It is also a prime venue to host numerous private and State-sponsored events.

(G8)

Books at the literacy corner

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

US$12.7B to be spent on Uaru project

…as EPA grants ExxonMobil approval; production to begin in 2026

ExxonMobil made a final investment decision for the Uaru development offshore Guyana after receiving the required government and regulatory approvals.

The company on Thursday announced that it expected Uaru, the fifth project in Guyana’s offshore Stabroek Block, to add approximately 250,000 barrels of daily capacity after a targeted startup in 2026.

“Our fifth, multibillion-dollar investment in Guyana exemplifies ExxonMobil’s long-term commitment to the country’s sustained economic growth,” said ExxonMobil Upstream Company President Liam Mallon.

“Our Guyana investments and unrivalled development success continue to contribute to secure, reliable global energy supplies at this critical time,” ExxonMobil said in a release on the project.

The US$12.7 billion Uaru project plans to include up to 10 drill centres and 44 production and injection wells aimed at developing an estimated resource of more than 800 million barrels of oil.

According to ExxonMobil,

MODEC is constructing the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for the Uaru project, which will be called the Errea Wittu. The company stated that it was utilising its diversified supplier base to help reduce costs and safely accelerate development in its Guyana operations.

“The company’s diverse supplier base includes nearly 1000 unique local Guyanese suppliers, exemplifying Guyana’s growing in-country supply chain capabilities,” Exxon said.

Approval Meanwhile, in a release on Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that it has approved the Uaru Petroleum Development Project.

The EPA granted a fiveyear Environmental Permit to Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). The approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment and granting of the Environmental Permit, the agency said, were done in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05.

“The approval of the Project comes after the EPA

considered public inputs during all statutory periods for public consultations and review. The EPA also took into consideration the technical review and recommendations from a team of Independent International Experts, and the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB). The EAB reviewed and declared the revised EIA acceptable and provided recommendations to the EPA for its consideration for inclusion in the Environmental Permit,” the EPA said on Thursday.

The Uaru Project is the fifth petroleum development project to have been permitted in the Stabroek Block.

The Permit comprehensively addressed all environmental and social safeguards that are reasonably necessary to protect human health and the environment, including implied conditions as provided for in Section 13 of the Environmental Protection Act.

Key provisions in the Permit Flaring

Like its predecessors, the Uaru Permit strictly prohibits routine flaring and venting, and specifies that flaring is only permissible during commissioning, start-up and

special circumstances. The Permit also maintains payments in instances where flaring is conducted beyond permitted durations.

Produced water

The Permit requires the Permit Holder to ensure that the oil content specification of produced water to be discharged does not exceed 42 mg/L on a daily basis or 29 mg/L on a monthly average.

Further, the Permit requires the Permit Holder to examine and develop a plan for a

phased reduction of oil content specification of produced water to levels lower than the above standards and in keeping with good international petroleum industry practices.

Environmental effects monitoring

In seeking to ensure EEPGL meets its obligations to prevent and mitigate environmental harm, the Permit imposes comprehensive requirements for monitoring and management of any impacts affecting biological,

physical, and socio-economic resources within the Area of Influence of the project. The Permit also requires EEPGL to submit safety case information, including a risk assessment prior to drilling and development of wells.

The full text of the Uaru Permit is available for download on the EPA’s website at www.epaguyana.org.

Two FPSOs, the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity, are currently operating offshore Guyana and producing an average of 375,000 barrels of oil per day in the first quarter. A third FPSO, the Prosperity, is expected to be operational later this year, adding 220,000 barrels of daily capacity from the Payara development. ExxonMobil made a final investment decision on the fourth offshore project, Yellowtail, last year. The company said it is aiming to have six FPSOs online by the end of 2027, bringing Guyana’s production capacity to more than 1.2 million barrels per day.

ExxonMobil affiliate EEPGL is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest.

Finance Minister meets with UN Deputy Secretary-General …reaffirms Govt’s commitment to advancing implementation of Agenda 2030

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh met with United Nations Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) Amina J. Mohammed in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday.

During their discussion, Singh reiterated the country’s appreciation of the role the UN played in safeguarding democracy in 2020, and updated the DSG on the economic developments and prospects in Guyana.

A release from the Finance Ministry stated that Singh also reaffirmed Government’s commitment to advance implementation of Agenda 2030 aimed at achieving the SDGs, notwithstanding the challenging global economic context.

Singh is in Chile for the Sixth Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, currently underway there. On Wednesday, during his presentation as part of the panel which addressed ‘Strategies to Advance Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean’, the minister highlighted two pertinent strategies to advance the national and sub-regional agenda in a manner fully consistent with Agenda 2030, namely Caricom’s ‘25 by 2025’ food security strategy being spearheaded by Guyana, and Guyana’s second-generation Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which is a successor

to the first LCDS.

“Guyana has demonstrated intellectual leadership and global advocacy in climate action. The Low Carbon Development Strategy sought to transition its development along a low carbon development trajectory, while simultaneously combatting climate change. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved for Guyana and forest countries in the world in the achievement of that vision when the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions Secretariat issued the world’s first jurisdiction-scale, market-ready carbon credits to Guyana. In total, almost 33.5 million credits were issued for the period 2016-2020, one of the biggest issuances of carbon anywhere in the world,” the release from the ministry stated. A second major milestone, he noted, was also achieved

in 2022 through the sale of a significant percentage of Guyana’s ART-TREES credits. Under the agreement, Hess Corporation will buy 2.5 million credits per year from 2016 to 2030, to a total of 37.5 million credits for a minimum payment of US$750 million, to be paid to Guyana between 2022 and 2032.

Guyana, he pointed out, also holds the portfolio of responsibility for agriculture, agricultural diversification and food security in Caricom, and is spearheading the region’s efforts to reduce its food import bill. The strategy outlines specific actions that are required by each state to achieve the 25 by 2025 goal of reducing Caricom’s food import bill by 25 percent by 2025.

Guyana is among the fastest growing economies in the world, with growth of 62.3 percent recorded last

year, and medium-term average annual growth projected at 25 percent for the period 2023 to 2026. It is now considered as a premier investment destination, attractive for investment in the oil and gas sector, infrastructure and the requisite support services.

While meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary General on Wednesday, Dr. Singh used the opportunity to advocate for continued attention to the challenges being faced by the smallest and most vulnerable member states of the UN, particularly the small islands of

the Caribbean.

Amina Mohamed first joined the United Nations in 2012, and led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and UN Deputy SecretaryGeneral (DSG) Amina J. Mohammed

Head of EPA, Kemraj Parsram and President of ExxonMobil (Guyana) Alistair Routledge signing the permit

World Bank approves US$150M loan to Panama for green development

The World Bank has approved a US$150 million loan to support sustainable growth and climate resilience in Panama, the lender said in a statement on Thursday.

The Development Policy Loan (DPL) represents the first of two operations in the Central American country, it added, which are designed to support the energy transition, socially-inclusive growth and sustain capital for resilient growth.

Policy reforms implemented under the programme should generate results by 2025, the lender said, adding that this should improve access to energy and Internet in remote regions and help control deforestation of the country's

mangroves.

The project is also expected to help Panama decarbonise its land transportation, protect its ocean, conserve forests and implement more energy-efficient policies, it said.

"This financial operation will enhance Panama's ef-

asylum seekers lack access to basic resources, says IRC

More than nine in 10 Haitians seeking asylum in Mexico lack the resources to cover basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical care, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) aid group said on Thursday.

record 52,000 recorded in 2021.

However, the IRC found through interviews with household leaders representing about 450 people that more than 90 per cent lacked a steady income to cover essential needs.

half said they needed help to afford enough food.

Food and medical needs were among the top priorities for migrants, the IRC said, especially as one in five households said they were traveling with a pregnant person.

forts in establishing the policy foundations to foster the country's sustainable economic growth, low emissions and resilience to climate change," Panama's Economy and Finance Minister, Hector Alexander, said in the statement. (Reuters)

Killer of Dominican Republic Minister jailed for 30 years

Aman who killed the Dominican Republic Environment Minister Orlando Jorge Meera has been sentenced to 30 years in jail.

Miguel Cruz opened fire on Orlando Jorge Mera in the office of the latter on June 6, 2022.

The two men were childhood friends who had fallen out over the failure of the Minister to grant environmental permits to Cruz.

After the shooting, Cruz went to a church and confessed to a priest, to whom he also handed the murder weapon.

The Judges said they had sentenced Cruz to the maximum jail term, because the murder had been premeditated.

As he was a personal friend of Orlando Jorge Mera, Cruz was able to enter the Minister's office without any security checks on the morning of June 6, 2022.

Staff at the Ministry said that they had heard raised voices coming from the office before Cruz opened fire.

The burst of gunfire caused panic among the staff, who ran from the building.

Prosecutors said Cruz shot the Minister 13 times, while the shooter maintained that he had only fired six shots.

In a hand-written letter, Cruz also claimed that he had argued with Orlando Jorge Mera over US$3 mil-

lion that he said he had lent the Minister.

But prosecutors argued that Cruz, who owned a construction company and a gun import business, had gone to his friend's office with the plan to kill him.

The prosecution maintained that Cruz was out for revenge after the Environment Minister had denied his childhood friend environmental permits Cruz's company had requested in order to export thousands of tonnes of used batteries.

The murder of the Minister, who was the son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco, shocked the Dominican Republic.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Leeds exhibition opens honouring Jamaican World War Two veterans

Jamaicans who helped defend Britain during World War Two are the focus of a new exhibition.

King, Country and Homes opens at Leeds Central Library later and includes photographs, keepsakes and recollections.

Alford Gardner, 97, who is believed to be the last surviving Jamaican veteran in Leeds, is among those featured.

His son Howard said: "I hope this exhibition educates people."

Alford responded to an advert in Jamaica encouraging people to join the RAF. He arrived in England in June 1944 – three days before D-day.

After completing basic training in East Yorkshire, Alford was stationed in Gloucestershire where he worked as a mechanic re-

pairing and maintaining vehicles.

After the war, he undertook an engineering training course in Leeds before being sent back to Jamaica at the end of 1947. Unable to find work, he returned to Britain in June 1948 aboard HMT Empire Windrush, settling in Leeds.

Gardner stayed in engi-

Tens of thousands of Haitians have been displaced in recent months as heavily armed gangs have expanded their control over the country, where there are frequent reports of kidnappings, sexual violence, and violent turf wars.

This month, the head of Mexican refugee agency COMAR told Reuters that asylum claims by Haitians were on track to surpass the

More than seven in 10 said they struggled to access reliable information in Haitian Creole, particularly about legal pathways to migration and their rights in Mexico.

Language barriers, as discrimination and lack of space made accessing shelters difficult, the IRC said, causing many migrants to live on the streets or in makeshift camps. Nearly

IRC Mexico director Rafael Velasquez noted that Mexico played a key role as migrants crossed the country in the hopes of reaching the United States.

Although migrants generally consider areas in south and central Mexico relatively safe, this was not the case at the country's northern border, Velasquez added.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The conference on Venezuela’s political crisis, convened this week by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, had an ambitious goal: to relaunch stalled talks between the Venezuelan Government and the Opposition ahead of presidential elections next year.

But after the fivehour meeting in Bogota on Tuesday, diplomats from 19 countries and the European Union had difficulty coming up with a concrete plan on how to get both sides back to the table, political analysts said, raising questions about what comes next.

“The points of agreement represent more or less where the international community was before the conference,” Carolina Jimenez, President of the Washington Office on Latin America think tank, told Al Jazeera about the outcome of the talks.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Government, which oversaw 2018 presidential elections that were widely con-

sidered illegitimate, has been accused of suppressing Opposition voices – a campaign that some fear could ramp up before the elections in 2024.

Meanwhile, the international community and the Venezuelan Opposition have agreed that a free and fair vote could help resolve the crisis in the country, which has seen a mass exodus amid political instability and socioeconomic hardships.

But this week’s summit

failed to outline a clear way to reactivate talks in Mexico that have been stalled since late last year. Instead, points that had already been agreed to were reiterated: the need to hold free elections and to resume negotiations, and the easing of sanctions on Venezuela.

“It was obviously very difficult that in five hours something as complex as the Venezuelan crisis would have been solved,” Jimenez said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ex-PSC Chairmen at odds over ACP's role in Tobago, eastern divisions

neering, married and started a family.

His family believes the exhibition tells a story that needs to be told.

Howard Gardner said: "It was very important work that they did because there weren't enough English people to do the jobs they were doing….” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Collis Hazel’s appointment to lead two Police divisions – the Tobago and Eastern Divisions – in the fight against crime, has drawn mixed reactions from former Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairmen Prof Ramesh Deosaran and Nizam Mohammed.

While they both agree Hazel is fully capable and equipped to lead strategic crime-fighting efforts; with crime on the rise, Deosaran feels each police division requires optimum focus to ensure efficient and effective law enforcement.

However, Mohammed

said Hazel exhibits leadership skills that will make him more than capable of heading two divisions.

But Deosaran maintained that putting Hazel in charge of the crime-ridden Eastern Division raises a question about effective crime management.

He said, “The relatively small island of Tobago shows obvious signs of having an unfortunate and serious crime problem this year and Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher and Tobago Police should now establish the required range of preventive and control measures. This means in this early stage, competent and experienced Police

leadership is necessary for Tobago.

“For such reasons, ACP Colin Hazel’s appointment is quite suitable. He has been a front-line community policing officer as well as in law enforcement for many years in Tobago. In fact, he has been awarded several times for his performance.

“ACP Hazel well knows Tobago’s social geography, the weak and vulnerable crime spots as well as who is who in Tobago.

However, Deosaran said Hazel should be left to lead and manage Tobago’s crime challenges alone, at least for now. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Haitian

“Very difficult”: Challenges abound after summit on Venezuela

Participants in this week's conference in Bogota, Colombia, on the political crisis in neighbouring Venezuela said that further talks are needed to make progress on issues such as election transparency and sanctions [Christina Noriega/Al Jazeera]

Alford Gardner, left, pictured with son Howard, returned to Leeds in 1948

Around The World OIL NEWS Oil prices stabilise after hefty losses

Oil prices steadied on Thursday after the previous day's price drop erased the supportive impact of a surprise cut to Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production targets this month.

Brent crude edged up 18 cents, or 0.23 per cent, to US$77.87 a barrel by 1344 GMT while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 12 cents, or 0.16 per cent, to US$74.42.

Prices stabilised as Russian Deputy Prime Alexander Novak described oil markets on Thursday as balanced.

The OPEC+ group of leading oil producers does not see the need for further oil output cuts, but is always able to adjust its policy, Novak said.

Oil prices dropped almost four per cent on Wednesday as jitters about a US economic downturn overshadowed a largerthan-expected fall in US crude inventories.

US capital goods spending fell more than expected, the latest data showed, and weak risk sentiment spread from the banking sector after First Republic Bank's continued slump.

Data on Thursday showed US economic growth slowed by more than expected in the first quarter, although jobless claims fell in the week ending April 22.

Analysts see weak refinery margins as a major contributor to the recent oil price decline, with oil broker PVM's Tamas Varga pointing to heating oil and gasoil as "the main possible culprit for the outsized weakness".

"Inventories in this product are somewhat reluctant to deplete, possibly due to resilient Russian exports," Varga said.

Russia has increased exports of refined products despite a European Union embargo and oil price cap, sources told Reuters.

Falling refinery profit margins could lead to runs being cut and a further reduction in crude demand, said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

"For now, position adjustments will set the agenda, but with an overall negative bias until refinery margins show signs of stabilising," Hansen said.

Backwardation in the Brent futures curve has flattened to about US$1.95/bbl., having touched US$4/bbl on April 12.

Backwardation, when prices for a front-month loading contract are higher than contracts for later loadings, typically indicates tight supply.

Markets will look for direction from the first quarterly print of eurozone Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, which is due today. The data could affect monetary policy decisions by the European Central Bank when it meets on May 4. (Reuters)

Russian forces try to cut key supply routes in fighting around Bakhmut

Russian troops tried on Thursday to sever important supply routes into the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and thereby put more pressure on defending forces, Ukrainian officers said.

Russian units have been trying for 10 months to punch their way into the shattered remains of what was once a city of 70,000. Kyiv is pledging to defend Bakhmut, which Russia sees as a stepping stone to attacking other cities.

One of those cities further west, Kostyantynivka, was hit by a Russian missile on Thursday. A school, a hospital and residential buildings were damaged and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said people had been injured.

Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesman for Ukrainian

troops in the east, told the Freedom television channel that Bakhmut had seen 13 new combat clashes in the past 24 hours.

"The enemy's main goal in the Bakhmut sector is to cut communication routes," he said.

"But thanks to constant counter-battery combat ...

Sudan’s army and RSF say ceasefire extended but fighting goes on

The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have agreed to extend their ceasefire amid ongoing violence in the capital Khartoum and the western Darfur region.

In the final hours of the repeatedly broken threeday truce, due to end at midnight (22:00 GMT) on Thursday, the army said it would extend the ceasefire “for an additional 72 hours” following mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The RSF also said it approved the extended truce, adding that the proposal came from two diplomatic groupings that include the US, Saudi Arabia, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

On Thursday, warplanes patrolled over the capital’s northern suburbs as fighters on the ground

exchanged artillery and heavy machine-gun fire, witnesses told the AFP news agency.

The previous ceasefire has not stopped the fighting, but created enough of a lull for tens of thousands of Sudanese to flee to safer areas and for foreign nations to evacuate hundreds of their citizens by land and sea.

Together, the army and the RSF toppled a civilian government in an October 2021 coup, but are now locked in a power struggle that has derailed an internationally-backed transition to democracy and is threatening to destabilise a fragile region.

The army claims it controls most of Sudan’s regions and is defeating a large RSF deployment in Khartoum, where some residential areas have turned into war zones.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

we can deliver supplies and evacuate our wounded."

Russia's Defence Ministry reported successes against Ukrainian positions in various sectors, but made no direct reference to Bakhmut.

Reuters was not able to verify battlefield reports.

Ukrainian military ana-

lyst Oleksander Musiyenko said districts were rapidly changing hands in fierce fighting.

"Ukraine is successfully conducting local counter-attacks, making it difficult for the Russians to capture Bakhmut," Musiyenko told Ukrainian NV Radio.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, which has spearheaded the Bakhmut campaign, said he had been joking earlier when he said his men would suspend artillery fire to allow Ukrainian forces to show the city to US Journalists.

Prigozhin, who has publicly lambasted Russia's military establishment over its conduct of the war, is known for his combative style and ironic sense of humour. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jerry Springer, era-defining TV host, dies aged 79

Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer, the TV presenter best known for his raucous talk shows, has died aged 79.

The Jerry Springer Show, which ran for nearly three decades from 1991, brought fights, flying chairs, and the fringes of US society to a global audience.

Springer died peacefully on Thursday at his home in Chicago, his publicists confirmed to BBC News.

Jene Galvin, a friend of Springer's and spokesman for the family, described him as "irreplaceable".

"Jerry's ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the

Emmett Till accuser Carolyn Brant dies at 88

Awhite woman from Mississippi whose 1955 accusation against a black teenager Emmett Till led to his murder has died.

Carolyn Bryant Donham's death at age 88 closes a chapter on one of the most infamous lynchings in US history.

Prosecutors sought charges against her for the killing of Till, 14, up until the year before her death.

Last year they failed to convince a grand jury that she should be put on trial for kidnapping and manslaughter.

A statement from the Emmett Till & Mamie Till-

Mobley Institute said that they "wish mercy on her soul, even as we regret that she never took responsibility for her role" in Till's murder.

"While the world saw the horrors of racism in Emmett's murder, the real consequenc-

es of hatred, what the world will never now see is remorse or responsibility for his death."

The Chicago boy was visiting family when he entered a store in Money, Mississippi, where Donham, then 21,

worked.

Donham accused him of making improper advances and harassing her while she was alone in the shop.

Her husband and brotherin-law kidnapped the boy at gunpoint, tortured him and tossed his battered body into a river.

At Till's funeral, his mother Mamie Till Mobley insisted on an open coffin so everyone could see what had been done to him. Published photos of his brutalised remains shocked the nation.

The two kidnappers – Roy Bryant and JW Milam – were arrested over the murder, but were quickly acquitted by an

all-white jury.

They later admitted to the killing in a magazine interview, but could not be re-tried under US law. Both are now dead.

Donham died in the small town of Westlake, Louisiana, a coroner confirmed on Thursday.

During the trial against her husband and his half-brother, she took the stand and testified that Till had grabbed her hand and propositioned her.

In a 2008 interview with a Yale historian, she recanted the claim, reportedly saying: "That part's not true."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

street who wanted a photo or a word," he said.

"He's irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humour will live on."

Springer's chat show became a symbol of low-brow television over the course of almost 5000 episodes with its chaotic confrontation, swearing and infidelity revelations.

Fellow chat show host Ricki Lake led the tributes on social media, writing: "Just waking to the very sad news of the passing of my longtime talk show rival and friend Jerry Springer. A lovely man. May he rest in peace."

Broadcaster Piers Morgan described Springer as a "TV icon and such an intelligent, warm, funny man".

"Loved working with him on AGT [America's Got Talent], loved hanging out with him (we lived in same hotel for two years), loved arguing with him (he loved his politics), loved everything about him," he added.

Springer was born in the London Underground station of Highgate in 1944 in World War Two.

His parents, who were Jewish refugees from a region of Germany which is now part of Poland, were in the station sheltering from a German bombing raid at the time.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves a cemetery before the funeral of Russian military blogger Maxim Fomin widely known by the name of Vladlen Tatarsky, who was recently killed in a bomb attack in a St Petersburg cafe, in Moscow, Russia, April 8, 2023 (Reuters/Yulia Morozova)

Emmett Till's death was a key galvanising moment in the US civil rights movement

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Keep a low profile; if you are too outspoken, you’ll offend a loved one. Prioritize health, fitness and a nutritious diet. A kind gesture will be appreciated.

(March 21-April 19)

Stop thinking about change and do whatever it takes to get the ball rolling. Focus on your surroundings and make them more inviting. How you live represents who you are. Organize your life.

(April 20-May 20)

Someone will lead you astray if you are too trusting. Listen carefully and decide what’s true or false. Set a budget for home improvement projects that create a safe and friendly environment.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN

AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Gather information, talk with experts and devise a plan that fits into your schedule and budget. Emotional situations will arise that will make it difficult for you to confide or work alongside someone.

Get the lowdown before you share your thoughts and feelings. You’ll make a mistake if you are too quick to act. Make plans with someone who lifts your spirits, and you’ll gain valuable perspective.

Put your health and personal well-being first. Don’t let work-related stress wear you down. Curb bad habits and implement a healthier lifestyle. Distance yourself from indulgent people.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Deal with problems before they become something you can’t manage. Set the record straight and do whatever it takes to keep the peace. A creative opportunity will lift your spirits.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Keep your emotions contained. Consistency will be necessary in situations involving partners. Engage in events that take your mind off work. An exciting opportunity will develop.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don’t gamble or take a financial risk. Avoid big-ticket items and spending to make an impression. Use charm, not cash, to win hearts and praise. Don’t believe everything you hear.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take care of work-related responsibilities before you move on to fun and games. Consider what’s important to you and arrange to spend quality time with a loved one.

Communication problems are apparent. Be mindful of your words. A kind gesture will get you much further than will harsh criticism. Choose peace and love over discord.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Handle money, medical and legal matters quickly. Trust your instincts, ask questions and verify information to ensure you get what you need. Honesty is the best policy.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Antetokounmpo says there's no failure in sports

-after his team’s early play-off exit from NBA playoffs

Milwaukee Bucks

star Giannis

Antetokounmpo has said "there's no failure in sports", after his team's early exit from the NBA play-offs.

After being NBA champions in 2021, the Bucks were knocked out of last season's Conference semi-finals, and then this season's first round, despite being top seed in the Eastern Conference.

After the Bucks' exit, Antetokounmpo was asked if this season was a failure.

"There's good days and bad days," said the NBA two-time Most Valuable Player. "Some days you're able to be successful, some days you're not. Some days it's your turn, some days it's not your turn. That's what sport's about. You don't al-

Madrid Open tennis tourney 2023…

Andreeva, 15, beats Haddad Maia to continue stunning run

ways win, and this year somebody else is going to win. We'll come back next year and try to be better."

Some fans and pundits have accused Arsenal of 'choking' during the Premier League title race, as they have surrendered their advantage to Manchester City. However, Antetokounmpo, who is in contention for a third MVP award this season, referenced Michael Jordan, a five-time MVP between 1988 and 1998, when making his point.

"Every year, you work towards a goal," said the Greek power forward, 28. "There are always steps to success. Michael Jordan played for 15 years, he won six championships, so the other nine years he was a failure?" (BBC Sport)

TATA IPL 2023: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings…

Mirra Andreeva, playing in a WTA main draw for only the second time, has won her past 15 matches at all levels

Russian 15-year-old

Mirra Andreeva's stunning run at the Madrid Open continued with a 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 win over world number 14, Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Jaiswal, Zampa take Royals to the top of the table

After losing their previous two games, Rajasthan Royals not only returned to their winning ways, but also to the top of the IPL points table with a thumping 32-run win over Chennai Super Kings.

After Royals opted to bat, Yashasvi Jaiswal attacked his way to 77 off 43 balls. Super Kings did stage a brief comeback in the middle overs, but late hitting from Dhruv Jurel (34 off 15) and Devdutt Padikkal (27* off 13) lifted Royals to 202 for 5, the first 200-plus total by an IPL team in Jaipur.

Despite nailing his yorkers at express pace, Matheesha Pathirana was unlucky to concede 48 in his four overs, as 28 of those runs came when batters were not in control of their shots.

Super Kings didn't get the start they were after.

Adam Zampa and R Ashwin further stifled them, while sharing five wickets. Shivam Dube was the only one to offer resistance, but it was too little, too late.

Jaiswal leads the way

Although it was an away game for Super Kings, they seemed to have had more supporters in the stands than Royals had. It didn't have any effect on Jaiswal and Jos Buttler though, as they gave Royals yet another flying start. Jaiswal kicked things off by hitting Akash Singh for two fours off the first two balls of the match, followed

by one more in the over. He was even more severe in the seamer's next over, picking up three fours and a six. In between, Buttler hit Tushar Deshpande for two fours.

With seamers going for plenty, MS Dhoni turned to spin, and Maheesh Theekshana bowled a threerun over. Buttler, though, took the spinner for a pair of fours - both times hitting length balls off the back foot over his head - in the sixth over, to take Royals to 64 for no loss. Ravindra Jadeja broke the opening stand with Buttler's wicket, but Jaiswal kept marching on.

Coming into this game, Jaiswal had scored 81 off 70 in the middle overs, tonight there was no slowing down; he smashed 37 off 22 after the field restrictions were lifted.

After a brief lull Deshpande removed Sanju Samson and Jaiswal

in the 14th over to briefly put the brakes on the scoring rate. From overs 14 to 17, Royals managed only 28 runs, and lost three wickets along the way. It was starting to look like Super Kings might restrict them to under 200, but Jurel, and Padikkal, who came in at #6, threw their bats around. They didn't always find the middle, but the runs came thick and fast.

Super Kings' sloppy fielding also helped Royals and left Dhoni visibly angry on more than one occasion, as they ransacked 56 in the last four overs.

Super Kings on the back foot

With Trent Boult picking up a niggle, Zampa got an opportunity, and the leg-spinner made an impact in his very first over. Bowling the last over of the powerplay, he had Devon Conway hitting one to midoff. Ruturaj Gaikwad, trying

to make up for Super Kings' slow start, moved to 47 off 28 balls when he tried to attack Zampa, only to be caught at long-on. And R Ashwin dragged Super Kings further back in the next over, the 11th of the innings, by dismissing Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu.

Dube, Moeen fight back With 130 needed from nine overs, Dube and Moeen threatened a fightback. The pair hit four sixes and a four in the next three overs, reducing the equation to 90 need-

ed from the last five. Samson once again turned to Zampa, and he didn't disappoint his captain. Dube launched him into the stands, and Moeen, too, picked up a boundary, but with his fifth ball of the over, Zampa had Moeen under-edging one to Samson.

Dube, however, kept the fight on. He hit Jason Holder for a six and two fours in the 17th over. In the next, Jadeja took Sandeep Sharma for two fours, but scoring 46 in the last two overs was too uphill a task. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Rajasthan Royals (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

Yashasvi Jaiswal c Rahane

b Deshpande 77 43

Jos Buttler c Dube b Jadeja 27 21

Sanju Samson (c)† c Gaikwad b Deshpande 17 17

Shimron Hetmyer b Theekshana 8 10

Dhruv Jurel run out (†Dhoni) 34 15

Devdutt Padikkal not out 27 13

Ravichandran Ashwin not out 1 1

Extras (b 4, lb 3, w 4) 11

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.10) 202/5

Did not bat: Jason Holder, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa

Fall of wickets: 1-86 (Jos Buttler, 8.2 ov), 2-125 (Sanju Samson, 13.1 ov), 3-132 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 13.5 ov), 4-146 (Shimron Hetmyer, 16.1 ov), 5-194 (Dhruv Jurel, 19.3 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Akash Singh 2-0-32-0

Tushar Deshpande 4-0-42-2

Maheesh Theekshana 4-0-24-1

Ravindra Jadeja 4-0-32-1

Moeen Ali 2-0-17-0

Matheesha Pathirana 4-0-48-0

Chennai Super Kings (T: 203 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B

Ruturaj Gaikwad c

Padikkal b Zampa 47 29

Devon Conway c Sandeep Sharma b Zampa 8 16

Ajinkya Rahane c Buttler b Ashwin 15 13

Shivam Dube c Buttler b Yadav 52 33

Ambati Rayudu c

Holder b Ashwin 0 2

Moeen Ali c †Samson b Zampa 23 12

Ravindra Jadeja not out 23 15

Extras (lb 1, w 1) 2

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.50) 170/6

Did not bat: MS Dhoni (c)†, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana

Fall of wickets: 1-42

(Devon Conway, 5.6 ov), 2-69

(Ruturaj Gaikwad, 9.2 ov), 3-73

(Ajinkya Rahane, 10.2 ov), 4-73

(Ambati Rayudu, 10.4 ov), 5-124

(Moeen Ali, 14.5 ov), 6-170

(Shivam Dube, 19.6 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Sandeep Sharma 4-0-24-0

Kuldip Yadav 3-0-18-1

Jason Holder 4-0-49-0

Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-35-2

Adam Zampa 3-0-22-3

Yuzvendra Chahal 2-0-21-0

Given a wildcard for the clay event, Andreeva became the seventh-youngest player since 2000 to beat a top-20 ranked opponent before the age of 16. Her win over Brazil's Haddad Maia came 24 hours after she beat 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in round one.

Elsewhere, American Coco Gauff beat Spain's Irene Burillo Escorihuela. Gauff, 19, needed only one hour and 17 minutes to clinch a 6-4 6-1 victory, and will play Paula Badosaanother Spaniard - in the third round. Gauff, who also burst on to the WTA Tour as a 15-year-old in 2019, was the last before Andreeva to beat a top-20 player while aged under 16. Following her impressive back-to-back wins, Andreeva will face Poland's 17th seed Magda Linette - a semi-finalist at the Australian Open in January - in the last 32.

"I'm a bit surprised to be in the third round, but also everyone was telling me they are playing the same level as you, they are just more consistent," said 194th-ranked Andreeva. "Their mental level is different, but the game-level is almost the same."

Former world number two Badosa was hampered by a leg injury against Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto, but dug deep to win 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 30 minutes.

Germany's Jule Niemeier caused an upset in defeating three-time champion Petra Kvitova, with the Czech 10th seed losing 7-6 (11-9) 6-1.

A Wimbledon quarter-finalist last year, Thursday's win was a second career top-10 victory for the 23-year-old Niemeier. (BBC Sport)

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Adam Zampa celebrating Devon Conway's wicket with his teammates

West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships 2023… Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc sponsors 2 GuyanaNRA members

With just over a week before the targets are pulled and the usual announcement, “Five minutes to message one!” rings out, the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) yesterday received a further boost to their chances of winning when Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. handed over sponsorship for two more shooters. On hand to receive this timely contribution, which will further boost the confidence of Team Guyana, was Fullbore Captain Dylan Fields and the two sponsored shooters, reigning West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council Individual Champion Lennox Braithwaite, and emerging young shooter Roberto Tiwari.

Aviation Security Manager of Secure Innovation and Concepts Inc., Denzel Hopkinson, in handing over the cheque to Fields, reminded him that the company has, for many years, been very supportive of the GuyanaNRA Fullbore and Smallbore shooters.

“We are well aware of the exploits of our shooters in the Caribbean and beyond for many years now, so it was not a difficult decision to make with regards to supporting you once again. We know that Mr. Braithwaite will go and do his best to defend his individual crown, and we are also aware of the talent that Mr. Tiwari, still a young shooter, possesses,” Hopkinson has said.

Hopkinson has wished the entire team every success in Antigua and

Barbuda, where this year’s championships would be hosted from May 7 to 14 at the Crabbs Rifle Range.

Given that Antigua does not have a Long Range, only the Short Range Championship, along with the Individual competition, would be held. Guyana would be going all out to recapture this prestigious trophy, having narrowly lost to Jamaica in the Land of Wood and Water last year.

Captain Fields, in expressing the gratitude of the GuyanaNRA to Mr. Hopkinson, posited that Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc has been a wonderful partner in shooting over the years, and has made, and continues to make, a sterling contribution to the sport.

“We are very thankful for

Guinness "Greatest of the Streets" 2023 Linden competition…

Silver Bullets, Axe, Speightland forge ahead

this continued relationship with your company, which we know is very strong. It’s our intention to continue to be the best shooting nation

in the Caribbean, and this has not been done by ourselves alone, it is with the committed support of companies like yours that have

Headley-Weekes Tri-Series 2023…

West Indies white ball opener Brandon King was a significant contributor to Team Weekes ending day one of the Headley-Weekes four-day series fixture in a strong position against the West Indies Academy at Coolidge on Wednesday.

propelled us to being the best. We assure you that your continued commitment is well appreciated,” he said.

Everybody Got it, Axe, Speightland, Turf President, Swag Entertainment, Universal Ballers and Silver Bullets were among the winners at the Sivercity Hard Court when the Linden version of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition resumed in the mining town.

Competition night got off to a flying start with a thriller between Amazings and Everybody Got It got. The end of regulation time saw the match being tied 1-1, as Jamal Peters (11th) and Jermaine Grandison (4th) netted for Everybody Got It and Amazings respectively. However, from the penalty mark, Everybody Got it prevailed 2-1.

Axe cruised past Turf Kings in the following game. A brace from Notambu Akbar in the 6th and 12th, and one from Dwayne Hamilton in the 10th, accounted for Axe’s 3, while Kevon Haynes netted Turf Kings’ consolation goal in the 11th minute.

A last-minute Guinness Goal (counts as two goals) from Speightland’s Dennison Sealey in the 14th minute brought the next game to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time. Earlier in the game, Jamal

Haynes had netted in the 5th and 6th minutes for Police’s 2 goals. Speightland eventually triumphed 2-1 on account of penalties.

A goal each from Jermaine Mason and Malachi Todd in the respective 6th and 10th minutes ensured that Turf President prevail over Goodfellas in their encounter.

Meanwhile, another game went down to the wire when Silver City Valley and Swag Entertainment met. Donovan Francis found the back of the net in the 4th minute for Swag Entertainment’s first and only goal, while Robin Adams did the same in the 7th for Silver City. Swag Entertainment eventually won the game 1-0 on kicks

from the penalty mark.

All it took was a solitary goal for Universal Ballers to get the better of Genasyde in the following game. Mortimer Giddings was the marksman for Universal Ballers in the 8th.

A stalemate between Top Strikers ad Silver Bullets treated spectators to yet another penalty shootout. This time it was Silver Bullets who bested their opponents 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks.

In other fixtures on game night, West Side gained a walkover in their intended match against the Bangers.

The teams in this competition in the mining town are battling for $1M in cash and prizes.

King made a 148-ball 92, supporting Zachary McCaskie’s 147-ball 93, as Team Weekes ended the day on 365-7 off 90 overs. Jahmar Hamilton (57) and Kevin Sinclair (52*) also recorded fifties on day one.

Entering this contest, King had an average of 34.84 in 32 first-class games, including three hundreds and 12 fifties. His last four-day appearance came in March last year, when he made an unbeaten 119 for the Jamaica Scorpions against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Stadium.

Speaking about his return to red-ball cricket after the day’s play, King had this to say: “Very happy to be back playing red ball cricket. It’s been a little while. It was great fun batting out there with no time restrictions,” King said.

The West Indies opening batsman got to the crease with his side on 82-3, having lost the wickets of Keacy Carty for 12 and captain Alick Athanaze for a two-ball duck. He then formed a crucial 136run fourth wicket partnership with McCaskie.

“It’s 4-day cricket, so you have time on your side and you want to try and build a partnership to put the team in a better position,” King said. “We kept it simple. The pitch wasn’t doing a great deal, so we just tried to take as little risk as possible while still putting the bowlers under pressure, and it worked out for us,” he explained.

Regarding the team’s plan going into the innings, King said it was simple. “We know that the pitch is generally good for batting, and that in the first session the bowlers would get something out of it. Our plan was always to try and bat through

the first session with as little (loss of) wickets as possible, then bat the rest of the day,” King said. “We weren’t too focused on the number of runs, but we knew that if we batted the whole day, we’ll get a good score,” King added. (Sportsmax)

SIC Inc Aviation Security Manager Denzel Hopkinson (2nd left) handing over the cheque to Captain Dylan Fields in the presence of Lennox Brathwaite (left) and Roberto Tiwari

“It was fun batting out there with no time restrictions”- Brandon King …says happy to be back playing red-ball cricket

West Indies batsman Brandon King

A look at the Axe vs Turf Kings matchup

Speightland (green) taking on the Police

Acquisition of artificial turf crucial to hockey development

–– says Guyana Hockey Board President

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is in desperate need of an artificial turf to foster development of the sport, according to GHB President Philip

else.”

Then explained: “In simple terms: in grass hockey, we receive the ball, we control the ball, and then we move off and execute the

you can get bigger numbers in the sport, you’re likely to find bigger pockets of talent or individual talent that can support the national programme. So, if we don’t get an artificial surface, the world will move away from us very soon. I would say that within another 10 years, it’ll be hard to beat anybody.”

With the right resources, Fernandes figures, Guyana’s potential is limitless, since there is an abundance of talent in the country currently.

“I think that, locally, we do need to broaden our base of coaches, and Robert and I have invested a lot of time and effort simply because we love the game and we have educated ourselves. We have gone to courses, we qualified ourselves, we’ve even gone

Development in local sports…

FIFA-standard lighting for Burnham Park Synthetic Track – Ramson

question, I really believe that, in large part, at least at the Caribbean level, our teams could be top of the Caribbean. If we get proper facilities, we could get to be the top of the Caribbean, based on the talent that we have locally and the kind of coaching support that we have. I see no limit to that.”

When probed about any recent conversation on acquiring an artificial turf, Fernandes said he has had some positive conversations with Government.

“Recently, we have not had any talks with the international Federation. Lots have changed since then. We’ve had more positive talks with the local government, where, in terms of a space to lay a turf and even

Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jr has said he cannot give a proposed completion date for the New Amsterdam Synthetic Track, which is being constructed at the Burnham Park. However, he revealed that the facility will be outfitted with FIFA-standard lighting.

While no date has been set for completion of the Burnham Park Synthetic Track, Sports Minister Charles Ramson Jr says work is moving apace.

However, a second consultant will be needed for the New Amsterdam facility. This second consultant will supervise the laying of the asphalt at Burnham Park.

“…because there are two different contractors with very specific types of skills. That is how the nature of the work is,” Ramson Jr said.

Fernandes.

Guyana’s junior national teams (male and female) have only recently “produced the goods” at the Junior Pan American Games in Barbados. While this can be seen as an achievement for the country’s Hockey, the rewards can be much greater if the fraternity is equipped with the right resources. One such resource is an artificial turf, the effects of which Fernandes recently discussed in an interview.

“Basically, the game, when played on grass surfaces, is a different game,” Fernandes said about the difference between a grass pitch and an artificial surface.

He contended, “When we play on other surfaces, other areas, other fields, the techniques used are different; and so, you’re practising one thing, and when you go to compete, you have to tell the athletes to do something

next action. In international competition on artificial surface, you receive, control and execute the next action all in one motion. That can’t be done on grass.”

And he added: “It can’t be done on bumpy surfaces and flooded surfaces, and you have to train that consistently in order to get good at it. So, it’s a huge difference.”

Explaining how the lack of such a surface, or even an adequate number of facilities, is affecting the sport, he said: “Our ladies just competed against Uruguay. Chile has about 7000 players, Uruguay probably has a similar amount, 7000 women playing the game. Canada has over 10,000; USA, I’m told, has about a million or more women playing the game. On a basketball-size court, how many players can we really develop? This is a numbers game,” Fernandes related.

He added bluntly, “If

and run courses in the region. This is something that we need to do more locally. So that indeed is a shortcoming of ours,” he detailed.

Fernandes commented on other avenues the GHB can take to develop the local game. He indicated, “However, to answer your

Headley-Weekes Tri-Series 2023…

the installation of a turf, but it can’t come too soon. Right now, we’re still at the stage of talking, and I’m really anxious for us to get some tangible progress on this, because it’s actually crippling our sport at the moment,” the GHB President divulged.

According to him, FIFAstandard lighting will be installed at the facility.

Noting that the contract has already been awarded and the synthetic material for the base of the track has already been purchased, Ramson shared, “That’s already in my possession. The reason why we haven’t moved forward with it as yet is because we had to finish the one in Linden, which should be finished over the next couple of days, and then they move on to resurfacing the one at Leonora, which has already been paid for.”

He explained that the reason why the projects were not done simultaneously was because the laying of the synthetic material had to be supervised by the consultant from the German Company BSW Regupol.

“They are there at Linden right now, and then they move on to Leonora to supervise the resurfacing of Leonora.”

He explained that the margin of error in the laying of the asphalt is five millimetres. This is why the consultant must be there to supervise the process.

The synthetic material will be installed after the asphaltic surface is in place.

He said timelines could not be given at this point in time. “Because it has to do with the availability of those two individuals coming out of Germany. But what I can say is that you have two projects that are going on currently.”

Work is currently taking place to build one of the stands at the New Amsterdam facility, and the second project is preparing for the FIFA-standard lights which Minster Ramson Jr said will be installed shortly.

Preparatory work for the New Amsterdam Synthetic Track commenced in 2018, and by the end of that year, phase three of the project, which entailed ground preparations, had begun.

The two initial phases consisted of preliminary works, surveys and the tendering process.

Rain plays spoilsport on day two, after Sinclair's 86

Only 38.5 overs of play were possible on day two of the second fourday first-class match of the Headley-Weekes Tri-Series in Antigua.

Guyanese Kevin Sinclair made a counter-attacking 86 from 125 balls as Team Weekes posted 401 all out in 99.2 overs. In reply, West Indies Academy were 89-2 after 29.3 overs when rain curtailed the day. Team Weekes resumed the second day on 365-7 after the contributions of Zachary McCaskie (93), Brandon King (92) and Jahmar Hamilton (57). The Guyanese pair of Sinclair and Veerasammy Permaul were the overnight batsmen, and Permaul was caught first ball of the day.

Sinclair continued to stroke the ball in brisk fashion on his way to 11 fours and three sixes. He and Nial Smith (02) added 36 runs for the tenth wicket.

bowled

in-swinging yorkers and destroyed the stumps to close out the innings. Nyeem

Young had 3-91 in 27 overs while McKenny Clarke had 3-107 in 17 overs.

In West Indies Academy's reply, Kirk McKenzie stood firm with his unbeaten 50 from 80 balls. He struck eight fours, and this is his second fifty in as many matches. Kegan Simmons (07) was bowled around his legs, and Ackeem Auguste (21) dragged the ball on to his stumps. First match centurion Kevlon Anderson was unbeaten on seven when rain ended the day. Jair McAllister was the pick of the bowlers with 2-21 in eight overs.

Pitman out injured Cricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed that Ramon Simmonds has been named to replace Kelvin Pitman in the West Indies Academy for the ongoing Headley-Weekes Tri Series first-class match against Team Weekes at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Fast bowler Pitman sustained an injury on Wednesday, and has been ruled out of the remainder of the match. He is under the care of CWI Medical Staff.

The change is in accordance with the ICC Rules which govern first-class cricket matches, and was approved by the match officials.

SCOREBOARD

Chanderpaul lbw b Young 25

Zachary McCaskie c Auguste b McKenzie 93

Kacey Carty c Imlach b Clarke 12

Alick Athanaze c Imlach b Clarke 0

Brandon King c Imlach b Clarke 92

Jahmar Hamilton c (sub) b Young 57

Kevin Sinclair b Simmonds 86

Dominic Drakes c Imlach b Wickham 13

Veerasammy Permaul c Anderson b Young 0

Nial Smith not out 2

Jair McAllister b Simmonds 0

Total (10 wickets, 99.2) (21 extras) 401

55/1 (8.6) Tagenarine Chanderpaul

82/2 (13.6) Kacey Carty 82/3 (15.2) Alick Athanaze 218/4 (50.2)

Zachary McCaskie 257/5 (63.3)

Brandon King 331/6 (82.3) Jahmar

Hamilton 354/7 (87.4) Dominic

Drakes 365/8 (90.1) Veerasammy

Permaul 401/9 (99.1) Kevin Sinclair

401/10 (99.2) Jair McAllister

Bowling

McKenny Clarke (17-2-107-3)

Left-arm seamer Ramon Simmonds who was introduced on day two

Guyana can see better results on the international stage with an artificial turf at home

GHB President, Philip Fernandes

Kirk McKenzie pulled towards a fifty as Kevon Anderson looked on