Guyana Times - Friday, February 10, 2023

GECOM asks Local Govt Minister to set LGE for May 22

Following the approval of its work plan earlier this week, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has asked Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall to set a date for the conduct of the long overdue Local Government Elections (LGE) in May. This was indicated in a letter sent by GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh to Minister Dharamlall on Wednesday, February 8, which was seen by Guyana Times “…I have to advise that the date currently earmarked for the possible

holding of Local Government Elections is Monday, May 22, 2023,” Justice Singh detailed in the correspondence to the Minister.

Section 35 (1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03 empowers the Local Government Minister to appoint a day for the elections.

Last October, the LGE were set for March 13 this year, but GECOM later deferred it to address issues relating to its registration exercise. This postponement was after court action was filed by Opposition-aligned persons, challenging the process used to compile the

List of Electors, or Voters’ List, for the impending LGE.

“This decision was taken at a special meeting of the Commission held on Thursday, 8th December, 2022 which was held to deliberate on a proposal submitted by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Mr Vishnu Persaud to conduct an Exercise to correct the Registers of Voters for Local Government Elections under Section 24A of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03,” the Elections Commission had explained in December 2022.

Nevertheless, earlier this week, the electoral body approved a new work plan that recommended May 22 as the earliest possible date for the holding of the local polls based on the Secretariat’s capacity.

During a virtual press conference with the media on Tuesday, Governmentnominated Commissioner at GECOM, Sase Gunraj noted that the work plan, which was produced by CEO Persaud, set out the timelines for different activities that must be completed to hold LGE.

“The work plan, of course, has been finalised and we will start to implement it. But as you know with every good plan, it is subject to change… what GECOM will say is that we are ready to hold elections and that readiness will be signified by the middle of March,” Gunraj said.

While GECOM has adopted this work plan, not all were supportive of it. The Government-nominated Commissioners – Gunraj, Clement Rohee, and Manoj Narayan – and Chairperson Singh voted to adopt the work plan.

According to Gunraj, the Opposition-nominated Commissioners Charles

Corbin, Vincent Alexander and Desmond Trotman abstained from voting for or against the work plan.

Meanwhile, in a subsequent statement, GECOM confirmed the adoption of the report and also explained what the work plan entailed.

For instance, the GECOM Secretariat will immediately move to roll out a robust civic and voter education programme, appoint Electoral Registrars and Assistant Electoral Registrars, and extract the Preliminary List of Voters (PLV).

“These activities are directly linked to the preparation of Registers of Voters for each of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). Preparation for the conduct of Local Government Elections commenced in 2022,” GECOM explained.

“In this regard, the GECOM Secretariat had already completed the training of management and polling day staff for all of the Local Authority Areas, and the receipt of applications for and approval of symbols submitted by political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who intend to contest in the elections.”

Only last week, GECOM had decided to adopt a report from the CEO confirming changes to constituency boundaries, moving the Commission closer to holding elections – though not without a fight from the Opposition-nominated Commissioners.

It was decided last year that 14 areas in which boundaries were modified by then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government would be reverted in the lead-up to the LGE when they are held, to allow for better representation.

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GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 10 – no retraction and Saturday, February 11 – no retraction.

Gas-to-shore project

Exxon to recover cost of pipeline by selling gas to Govt

Friday, February 10 –06:50h-08:20h and Saturday, February 11 – 07:15h-08:45h.

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

Light to thundery showers are expected during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 07:17h and 19:37h reaching a maximum height of 2.58 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 13:10h reaching a minimum height of 0.62 metre.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

US oil major ExxonMobil, which is slated to deliver the pipelines for the Guyana Government’s model gas-to-energy project, will be selling gas to the country to recover the cost of the US$1 billion infrastructure to bring the rich gas to shore.

The multibillion-dollar transformational project, being piloted by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government (PPP/C), includes the construction of an integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Exxon will be piping gas from the Liza Field in the Stabroek Block onshore at Wales via pipelines that it will procure, install and maintain. Last month, Prime Minister Mark Phillips told the National Assembly that the 225 kilometres of pipeline will cost US$1 billion.

During a press engagement on Thursday, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair

Routledge disclosed that this cost would be recovered through the sale of the gas to the Guyana Government.

“We will be selling [gas] to… the Government – it’s a Government entity or a company… but only in the sense that this is a pass through to the power. It’s not the country paying, it’s in order to fuel the power station… and take the NGL off.

“…in essence that development is just going to pay for the pipeline cost – nothing more. No, like profit element… Our commitment is to deliver this for the country. And so, the revenues just cover the cost of the [pipeline] development – nothing more… there is no profit element in there at all. It’s purely just to pay for that infrastructure,” Routledge stated.

However, it was noted that Government will not be paying for its share of gas. The pipeline cost will be recovered

only on the Stabroek Block’s co-venturers’ share of gas.

Exxon is the operator of the Stabroek Block and its co-venturers are Hess Corporation and CNOOC Limited.

According to Routledge, the price of the gas has not been determined as yet, but he assured that it will be at

a “very low price” and “very competitive” internationally. He explained that the cost recovery mechanism agreed to stipulates that the price of gas be determined after the pipeline infrastructure is in place to ensure that there is no profit gain or loss incurred.

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ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Recycling centres: incentives for ecofriendly products

Some time ago, the Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall had called for there to be higher prosecution rates for persons caught littering, and this is needed to curb the callous and wanton disposal of garbage that is happening in Guyana.

Littering has always been a major issue in Guyana, and as the Minister had said, it has been a predominant source of pollution, a dereliction embedded in the culture of Guyanese; and so, the call for the City Constabulary to enforce the law against litterbugs is well received and supported.

To quote the Minister: “Anyone who is found dumping garbage anywhere, they’re going to be prosecuted in the proper way, and there will be no obstacles in that prosecution”.

This brings us to recycling, an avenue that can help with the littering and improper disposal of garbage with which Guyana has been battling for years.

Scientific research has suggested that, due to lifestyle patterns of citizens, the earth is being depleted of its resources too quickly to sustain a healthy balance. The earth’s natural resources are being consumed at a rate that reinforces the idea that we are living for today, and future generations will be paying for the consequences as a result of our lifestyle choices.

For years now, calls for citizens here to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner have fallen on deaf ears, and the issue of garbage build-up in and around the city continues to be repeated.

Governments and businesses all over are realising how serious the problem is, and are taking steps towards putting policy mechanisms in place to ensure that the environment is protected from various forms of pollution etc. Recycling, along with reducing consumption, has proven to be an effective way to counter the damage we have been doing to the earth for centuries.

A major part of recycling relates to how best we can recycle much of what we use, instead of turning it into unusable waste. For the sake of emphasis, recycling is important as a means of reducing poisonous emissions into the atmosphere, and also to spare our natural resources.

Guyana has indeed taken some time to get “on board”, while many companies and individuals in other parts of the world are improving their recycling habits by coming up with more ways to reduce and reuse what they use. In essence, while there has been much talk about the need to recycle certain products to save our environment from further damage, in a practical sense, the concept has not yet taken much root here. Only a handful of companies have shown that they are really serious about moving in this direction.

The then PPP Government had made an offer of tax-free concessions to individuals and businesses willing to invest and set up recycling plants for plastics and Styrofoam. This was viewed as a good start, and from all indications, a few companies had expressed an interest in taking up the offer. However, we are not certain how far those companies have actually gone ahead with actual implementation of the project’s ideas.

That being said, if we are serious about maintaining a healthy and clean environment, consumers must demand that businesses engage in practices that are more eco-friendly. For example, consumers must be encouraged to purchase from companies that manufacture more eco-friendly products.

As this newspaper had said before, as part of efforts to spread the message of recycling, a comprehensive education and public awareness campaign would have to be carried out, using every available means. Following this, the authorities should explore setting up recycling centres across the country, since it makes no sense preaching about recycling if the necessary infrastructural support system is not present.

In addition to the positive impacts on the environment, recycling brings in a lot of money for many countries. Companies make huge sums from basically utilising the materials that would otherwise have been thrown away.

Finance Minister shone, but budget debate was dull

Dear Editor, The Finance Minister delivered a good budget in his inimical style, but the 2023 budget debate was uninspiring and dull. I was there for several sessions, and tuned in to some broadcasts otherwise.

Watching or listening to the budget debate was painful, somewhat of a useless exercise. The debate was really not a debate, but largely an uninformed, irrelevant, insipid response; very insipid and unstimulating.

Some of the presentations were dismally boring. Some of the speakers were uncharismatic, dour and morose; others were too stern. There were few stand out funny comments like from debates of the 1970s and 1980s. There was plenty of heckling, actually rabble-rousing, and some debaters were quite nasty; they don’t belong in a Parliament.

Some of the debaters were too combative, pugnacious, and antagonistic. Some of the heckling was very feisty, reminding me of behaviour at the fish market.

The Speaker, on the whole, did a very good job of ignoring some comments from non-presenters (hecklers and rabble-rousers). And he appropriately pulled up some ‘debaters’ who were too personal, requesting their retraction. Aspects of the coarse heckling revealed a low civility in politics.

Debaters were interrupted or drowned out multiple times by jeering and accusations or allegations, some of which were downright nasty and unparliamentary. A chorus of heckling occasionally drowned out presenters.

After a very good deliv-

ery of the budget by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, the response from both sides was not up to mark. A professor in a speech class would fail most presenters. Dr Singh was courteous and focused on unveiling the budget and in closing it. Too many debaters (MPs) strayed from the items in the budget; they spoke of everything but what was in the budget.

Some of the MPs, like Prime Minister Mark Phillips; Roysdale Forde; Anil Nandlall; Volda Lawrence; Collin Croal; Ganesh Mahipaul; Gail Teixeira, Sherod Duncan; Ronald Cox; Susan Rodrigues; Vindya Persaud, Natasha Singh Lewis, Priya Manickchand, Prakash Ramjattan, Bishop Edghill, Amanza WaltonDesir, Vickram Bharrat, Zulfi Mustapha, Lennox Shuman, Indar Deodat, Geeta Chandan-Edmond and a few others, were on point. Their remarks focused on elements in the budget, rather than straying from their remit. Nandlall was his charismatic self.

The Vice President was missed for his usually erudite, penetrating comments, as in previous budgets. The public commented that they missed his soaring presentation on the state of the economy and growing it. Apparently, the VP wishes to stay above the fray, but his PPP supporters love to hear him. The Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton also delivered some good punch lines in his rebuttal, honing in on the budget rather than on alien issues which characterized the presentations of some of his colleagues. He did not allow the heckling and rabble-rousing to distract him.

But most of the presentations did not rise to an informed discussion to win over the public. A budget debate is meant to win over the public with sound, reasoned arguments to items in the budget, exposing flaws or weaknesses or waste (Opposition) or buttressing (Government) their importance. Hardly anyone I interacted with in the public domain was swayed by arguments from presenters on both sides on items in the budget. There were few statements and pointers or anecdotes (except two from the AG about sardines and clapping roti – that evoked laughter) that left an indelible mark on viewers or listeners. The presentations lacked the intellect, sharpness, wit, and humour of a Feroze Mohamed, Clinton Collymore, Forbes Burnham, Narbada Persaud, Hubert Jack, Cheddi Jagan, Cammie Ramsaroop, Winston Murray, Mohammed Shahabudeen, Fenton Ramsahoye, among other stalwarts.

During the golden years of parliamentary presentation, Burnham, Narbada,

and Boysie, among others, sliced their opponents with ingenious facetious one-liners (shrewd, clever, wily, amusing, sharp-witted, jocular, snide remarks) or what are called picong in Trinidad. Those carried sarcasm that evoked much laugher and were memorable. None of the kind was presented during the recent debate. One can’t point to much by the presenters that would be remembered for years to come.

However, one good outcome of the debate was it had none of the nastiness of 2021 and 2022. Both sides have MPs who lack skill in debating. The parties would do well to train or school their MPs on how to debate, and more particularly how to respond to future budgets — stick to line items in the budget. They may want to look at, or listen to, past recordings of presenters during the halcyon days of Parliament in the 1960s thru 1980s. They can also take courses on the art of rhetoric or oratory.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

Is this fair and just?

Dear Editor, I find it quite extraordinary that the Commission of Inquiry into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections has agreed to allow the Attorney-at-Law

Nigel Hughes, representing former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, to cross-examine witnesses who have volunteered to come before the Inquiry and have named Myers for the part

she played, when Myers herself has declined to give evidence before the Commission.

Quite frankly, if I were one of those witnesses, I would point blank refuse to be examined by Hughes. I am not a lawyer, but surely, the decision made by the Commission can hardly be regarded as fair and just.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Welcome to Cabinet: President Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet received more than 80 students and teachers from the Number

56 Primary School in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Thursday for a tour of the Office of the President (Office of the President photo)

Govt withdraws US$200M from Natural Resource Fund

16 of the NRF Act 2021, US$200 million, equivalent to G$41.6 billion, has been transferred from the NRF to the Consolidated Fund to finance national development priorities.

“It would be recalled that, in keeping with the NRF Act 2021, US$607.6 million was withdrawn in 2022 to finance national development priorities, and as part of the Budget 2023 process, Parliamentary approval was granted for a total of US$1.002 billion to be transferred during fiscal year 2023,” the Minister said in a statement.

opment plans. In announcing that withdrawal, the Finance Minister had said, “It would be recalled that in May and July of this year (2022), the Government made withdrawals totalling US$400 million, equivalent to G$83 billion. This brings the accumulated withdrawals from the NRF for the year 2022 to US$607.6 million, equivalent to G$126

billion, in line with approved amount in the 2022 Budget.”

In January of this year, the Bank of Guyana signed an agreement to officially hand over control of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) to the Board of Directors appointed by the President. According to Section 5 (6) (d) of the Act, the Board is required to enter into an operational

Finance Minister

Dr Ashni Singh on Thursday announced that, following the passage of Budget 2023 in the National Assembly last week, the Government has made its

first drawdown this year from the Natural Resource Fund, in accordance with the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act 2021.

The Minister indicated that, pursuant to Section

Exxon to recover..

Once the investment cost is recovered, and there are no additional investments nor impacts on oil recovery, there will be no charge attached to the gas supplied.

Based on studies conducted, Exxon will be able to produce up to 50 million cubic feet of gas per day for this initiative without impacting oil production activities offshore.

“We’re selling the full 50 million cubic feet a day to the Government or a Government entity that’s being established in order to receive the gas, put it through the power station… At that point, the Government takes control of the gas and the associated natural gas liquids and could determine does all of the gas flow into the power station if needed, or does it go into some other kind of industry,” the ExxonMobil Guyana President stated.

According to Routledge, that entity could either be a private or state entity.

While there was no formal announcement or any additional information, it was revealed last month that the Guyana Government has established a special purpose company to manage the gas-to-energy project. In fact, during President Dr Irfaan Ali’s visit to India, it was disclosed that the Guyana Power and Gas Inc. – a wholly owned company of the Government of Guyana – signed a contract with Engineers India Limited (EIL) for the provision of consultancy services with respect to the construction of the two plants at Wales.

With the Environmental Permit being secured for this project last November, Routledge further noted that Exxon was working closely with the Guyana Government, through the Natural Resources Ministry, to iron out the agreements for this project. These include the Field Development Plan and updating the Production

The NRF Act 2021, which came into operation on January 1 2022, represents a significant improvement in transparency and accountability, and the overall management of Guyana’s natural resource wealth for present and future generations.

FROM PAGE 3

Licence for the Liza Field.

According to the ExxonMobil Guyana President, “we came to the country wanting to ensure that everyone benefits. Clearly, it needs to be a winwin-win… It needs to be a win for the investors of course, otherwise, it doesn’t attract investment. There needs to be a win for the Government and its ambition to develop the country and ultimately, for all the citizens in the country. We want what we’re doing here to have a sustainable positive impact. And we do see the gas-to-energy project as a critical part of that. It will deliver secure energy. It will no longer be the same requirement to import fuel oil to the current power plants, and it will be lowered emissions.”

The President Ali-led Government has boasted that the operationalisation of the gas-to-energy project will see current electricity charges cut in half as well as fuel the expansion of the industrial and commercial sectors.

So far, Government has spent $24.6 billion on the start-up of this project. This includes $400 million for the acquisition of private lands to facilitate the laying of pipelines in Region Three and the remaining $24.213 billion was a 15 per cent payment on the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, which was awarded to US companies CH4 and Lindsayca late last year. The total cost of the EPC contract is US$759.8 million.

In addition to the EPC contract, the supervision of the NGL and power plant components of the project will cost another US$23 million.

With a timetable to deliver rich gas to fuel the power plant by the end of 2024 and the NGL plant to be online by 2025, works are progressing on getting the gas-to-energy project off the ground. (G8)

In December 2022, the Government made its third withdrawal -- US$207.6 million (G$43 billion) in oil funds -- from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), which went towards financing Guyana’s national devel-

agreement with the Bank, so that management of the Fund can change hands. This agreement was signed two days after the reading of the 2023 Budget.

The funds from the NRF have their origins in the Stabroek Block – the only block currently producing oil. The Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

GECOM asks Local Govt...

Minister Dharamlall had announced at a press conference in November that changes were made after consultations with communities and residents in the interest of democracy building.

While the decision was made to revert to the boundaries before they were changed in the year 2016, other communities which were previously not captured would be placed under townships and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). In some areas, NDCs will also be merged or split.

Once a date is set by the

Local Government Minister, the Elections Commission will determine when Nominations Day will be held.

In January, GECOM had announced that it will commence a Continuous Registration Exercise from January 3 to May 31, 2023 for eligible persons countrywide.

At Tuesday’s media briefing, Commissioner Gunraj disclosed that the exercise saw some 4711 persons applying to be registered as of February 1, 2023. These persons applied in both category A (18 years and older) and category B (persons between 14 and 18).

FROM PAGE 2

“The total number of persons who sought transfers was 613 and the total number of persons who sought change and corrections, 736 persons,” Gunraj further informed the media.

Additionally, he indicated that May 22, 2023 has been set as the date for persons to come of age and qualify to vote.

More than $780 million was set aside in Budget 2022 for the preparations to be undertaken by GECOM for the hosting of LGE. This money was part of an overall $4.1 billion allocation to GECOM in Budget 2022. (G8)

Lowenfield created “electoral advantage” in favour of APNU/AFC – AG tells CoI

…recalls

Taking the stand on Thursday before the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the 2020 elections was Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, who recalled the series of events from the passage of the NoConfidence Motion against the APNU/AFC Government in December 2018 leading up to the swearing-in of Dr Irfaan Ali as President in August 2020.

Nandlall reminded that following the passage of the No-Confidence Motion, the President and the Cabinet, as per the Constitution, needed to resign and a date for the holding of elections be fixed within a threemonth period thereof, unless an extension was granted by the Parliament.

Nandlall recalled that on the night of the NoConfidence Motion, the then Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo hosted a press conference where he outlined the constitutional consequences of the passage of the motion and committed that his Government would comply.

However, Nandlall informed that the then Government never complied with the stipulation to resign nor did it set a date for elections within the threemonth period, nor did the Parliament extend the peri-

post-NCM in setting date for elections

od.

The AG went on to highlight the various challenges faced in getting a date fixed for elections which included court cases that challenged the legality of the motion as well as the then President’s unilateral appointment of the then Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), James Patterson.

Nandlall told the CoI that finally, on December 31, 2019, after one year of “constant struggle and intense pressure”, the then President David Granger issued a proclamation and fixed March 2, 2020 for the holding of General and Regional Elections.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – the political grouping to which Nandlall belongs – consequently switched full gear into campaigning mode, the AG informed the CoI.

“Electoral advantage”

Nandlall, who was assigned responsibility for the East Coast of Demerara from Industry to Cane Grove, recalled, however, that the then Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield made several decisions which could have created an “electoral advantage in favour of” the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC)

when compared to other contesting parties.

One such example, he cited, was the appointment of polling places in PPP/C stronghold areas.

“…PPP stronghold areas being requested to come out of those villages to vote in other villages which are not traditionally considered to be PPP stronghold areas…

“Guyana has an unfortune and peculiar history of hostilities at election time between the two major political parties and locating PPP voters in that environment caused us great con-

cern,” Nandlall explained. Another development, he outlined, was the insufficient polling stations in certain areas. For instance, Nandlall explained that an

area that has thousands of voters would have “very few” polling places.

This, he explained, would have resulted in voters lining up for hours, and being exposed to ‘sun and rain’, which could lead to them becoming disenchanted and deciding not to vote.

Another instance, he highlighted, was that the location of some polling places were not in any central parts of the village, and therefore, large numbers of persons would have to travel distances to exercise their franchise, and upon so arriving, would have to wait in long lines before they would vote.

Nandlall pointed out that these and other issues were raised with Lowenfield on numerous occasions before there was a “positive reaction”.

Nevertheless, he contended that such positive changes were being made up to Election Day, which meant that thousands of

people, just hours before voting began, did not know where they needed to be to cast their ballots.

Unlawful declaration

Turning his attention to the events after March 2, 2020, Nandlall recalled the unlawful declaration made by the then Returning Officer for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Clairmont Mingo on March 5 at the Ashmins building – even though the tabulation for the region had not been completed. He made specific reference to the fact that Mingo was using a spreadsheet, instead of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) to count the votes.

Nandlall recalled the court proceedings that followed, the judgement delivered, and the subsequent decision of GECOM to move the tabulation process to its Kingston, Georgetown Headquarters.

“constant struggle”

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall testifying before the CoI on Thursday

Protecting...

…the nation??

Pressie – who’s also the Commander in Chief of the Disciplined Forces, which consists of the GDF, the GPF, GPM (Guyana Peoples Militia) and the Guyana Prison Service – just gave a charge at the final Annual Officers’ Conference with outgoing Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess. He made an import announcement for our fastchanging country, fuelled by oil revenues. “Over the longterm, we are looking to develop a modern Air Corps and Coast Guard…it is a critical aspect of national security.” He’s therefore acknowledging the fact that our northern border, which extends 200 miles into the Atlantic, is more than just a nominal factoid. Below those waters are buried billions and billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of gas that are worth billions and billions of US greenbacks!!

As such, we cannot take the threat from Venezuela lightly. They’ve cast covetous eyes at our Essequibo landmass for almost a century, when it was just virgin jungle. Imagine how green their eyes are now that we have all that petroleum wealth off the Essequibo Coast!! So, what do we do about it?? We really can’t depend on any Big Brother to do right by us. It’s all about interests, and right now it looks like our Big Brothers from up North are rethinking their sanctions against the Venezuelans that has brought them to their knees. Who knows how far that rapprochement will go?? After all, Venezuela has 30 times more oil than we have!!

So, it was heartening to hear the Commander in Chief call for our troops, deployed to our western border to take on any invasion from that quarter, be buttressed materially and manpower wise. He was stoutly backed by Brigadier Bess: “We remain deployed on our borders 365 days every year as we seek to defend the territorial integrity of Guyana. Further, we continue to keenly monitor the judicial process at the International Court of our longstanding border (controversy) with Venezuela.” Now, some may scoff at the disparity in size between our forces and Venezuela’s. But, as with so many other areas of life, size ain’t everything. We just gotta look at how Israel’s been more than able to hold its own against the tremendously larger forces surrounding it. That should be our motivator!

Now we know that there are many who want to disrupt our developmental trajectory from within. So Brigadier Bess’s parting words were very heartening: “Our officers and ranks remain on high alert, ready to give support and work with our local agencies to address any occurrence that has the potential to interrupt the smooth (functioning) of society, whether it be civil disturbance or natural disaster.” We hope the provocateurs are listening. This time na lang time!!

…Haitians

After two years of holding up his hands to the heavens like a biblical prophet for some relief for the beleaguered people of Haiti, it would appear that - as has been said“God doesn’t come; he sends”!! And in this case, he sent Pressie to follow up on Jamaica PM Holness’s declaration that he’s willing for Jamaicans to join a UN force to back up the Haitian Police to take on the gangs who’ve held the people of Port au Prince hostage. Pressie says he’ll ensure Haiti’s on the Caricom Heads of Government agenda next week.

Thank God!! Now, your Eyewitness knows the situation in Haiti’s quite complicated. But where on God’s good earth things ain’t “complicated”?? Certainly NOT Guyana!! There are questions about the bona fides of the incumbent Haitian PM, who was installed after his predecessor was assassinated. There are questions about the elite that arranged for the assassination.

OK…but how many more Haitians must die, Jah – and why? - before those questions are resolved??

…Children’s health

There was the headline: “Dhal and rice meal for Akawini pupils triggers closer monitoring by Region Two”!! He remembered his boyhood rebellions against his mother if she dared serve dhaal and rice sans shrimp, fish, or vegetables!!

Sacrilege!!

President Ali broadens Guyana Defence Force's mandate

to use assets for forest monitoring & emergency services

President Dr Irfaan Ali has contended that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) must increase the utilisation of its various assets, to the betterment of the organisation and the country.

One way in which he proposed that the GDF further cement its position in society is by publishing intellectual pieces that would be held in high regard at institutions like the University of the West Indies (UWI).

In outlining his vision for a modern Defence Force, Ali asserted that the GDF has to broaden its role in society, and be more proactive on national issues. In this regard, he contended that the GDF must develop strategies in relation to the food and energy crises affecting the world.

“If, for example, there is a crisis in the supply of fuel, and we don’t have fuel for a period of three-four days, we know the consequences of that. We must not be reacting, because we (would have) identified that as a challenge now. That energy crisis is a challenge, and how do we address this crisis and how we prepare for this crisis?”

The President highlighted that the GDF has some of the most highly educated persons in the region, and he noted that this asset must be fully deployed to the country and organisation’s advantage.

“Per capita, in the military, our Defence Force has the highest level of educational accomplishments, easy…and that is something that we have to deploy to our use.”

In this regard, the President contended that, “This Guyana Defence Force must be putting out position papers and policy documents, and studying intel-

lectual pieces on defence and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“You have the wherewithal to analyze situations. At the end of the Officers Conference, you must be able to analyze the regional security threats and challenges, and put out a paper that other Defence Forces can review and study…it can be used in the University of the West Indies and…in the University of Guyana…that is what is going to set us apart from the rest.”

Forest monitoring

The Head of State said another way which the GDF can expand its capacity and better capitalise on its assets is by having the Air Corps conduct forest monitoring activities.

“The monitoring of our forest is part of our defence challenge, because it is an important national asset, earning revenue. If that is the case, then those working in the Air Corps should find it important and necessary to capture activities, events and circumstances in their flight that must attract the attention of policymakers…but it requires a sense of awareness and a sense of understanding what your larger role (is), and how that larger role fits in…because we can’t have an asset flying every day and only moving people and moving equipment.

“There’s many other things that that asset can bring into us, from a security and development perspective, that we are not capitalising on.”

Emergency services

In further elaborating on the need for the GDF to be more proactive, the Head of State pointed out that the army already has the equipment, vessels, and personnel

that are trained in the provision of emergency services, such as search-and-rescue operations and disaster response and medical emergencies.

Moreover, President Ali called for the GDF to play a role in the development of emergency mapping services.

“In every region, I am

tired with the fire tender turn up and they don’t know where the drain is, they don’t know where the trenches are… Is there a cluster map? How do we develop a cluster map for every region, and then a cluster map for different communities?” he asked.

“For example, GroveDiamond is a massive ur-

ban settlement, where is the cluster map that points out exactly where a trench is, where a drain is, where water source is? And then where is there a water source that we can keep all the time, that we can just go to and use and we mark it off?” he asked.

“We have to develop what we call emergency mapping services for our country…

The President has said the GDF can work along with other agencies, such as the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), or even the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), “to have a full understanding of what they’re doing, and develop strategy maps”.

“The Guyana Defence Force must know where assets are; where the national assets are…and not, in a case of emergency, we’re looking to see who has a ladder and who has a hammer…” (G11)

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the opening of the GDF’s Annual Officers Conference 2023

Withholding funds for IDPADA-G

Govt acted based on numerous complaints from Afro-Guyanese organisations – AG …says groups willing to join legal proceedings

Guyanese. And then when they were told that this money was going to be disbursed to them, their IDPADA-G organisation was then, without their consent, converted (and run by a board).

While a $100 million allocation has been set aside in budget 2023 for the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly - Guyana (IDPADA-G), there are, against what is supposed to be an umbrella organisation, numerous complaints from Afro-Guyanese groups that must be addressed.

This is according to Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, who stressed that while the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is fully supportive of the United Nations (UN) resolution that created the International Decade, the complaints against the local group that receives the funds on behalf of Afro-Guyanese are impossible to ignore.

“The PPP voted in support of this initiative at the level of the United Nations. It cannot be, and it is not in the interest of the PPP, to frustrate this initiative when, at the highest level, at the UN level, it is the PPP that voted to support it. The PPP’s interest lies in seeing this celebration achieve its fruition and its objectives,” he declared.

“When we got into Government, we continued to put money, even in an emergency budget passed in September 2020.

Notwithstanding we were under severe pressure, we approved $100 million for this initiative…we did the same thing in 2021. But we are responsible to the electorate and taxpayers for the manner in which revenue is spent… we have received reports from many Afro-Guyanese organisations across Guyana, and they have a very interesting story to tell,” Nandlall said during his “Issues in the News” programme.

According to Nandlall, these groups have reported to several Ministers, including him, that IDPADA-G has not been including them in the decision-making on how the Government-allocated funds would be used to better the lives of Afro-Guyanese, as per the UN Resolution.

“They have said to Ministers of Government and to me that IDPADA-G was an umbrella organisation that consisted of many small organisations across the country representing Afro-

“And this board of a few began to run the operations, and the other organisations fell away. They were not consulted…and they were no longer part of the planning and management of the organisation. And they have not benefitted from the use of this money. And they don’t know how this money is being spent,” Nandlall said.

According to Nandlall, these organisations are not only prepared to go on record, but have already approached the court to join the court case IDPADA-G filed against the Government in seeking the restoration of the budgetary allocations.

Nandlall has made it clear that sums of money were budgeted for IDPADA-G in both 2022 and 2023. He said that if Government had not wanted to pay the money, there would have been none budgeted for this purpose.

“They (aggrieved organisations) want to be heard, because they are claiming this current construct calling itself IDPADA-G hijacked their organization and converted it into something that they now don’t know and can’t be a part of. And when we look at the financial statements of IDPADA-G, which the Minister had to ask for, then it is reflected,” Nandlall said.

“$40 million per year are being spent on salaries; $6 million spent on refreshment and meals; and $343,000 on grants. Scholarship and training are (under $2 million) out of $100 million. The running cost of the corporation is $90 million out of $100 million. Expenses are eating up the money!”

IDPADA-G and the Government have been at loggerheads since last year, when Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo accused leaders of the organisation of not passing down the benefits of state funding to the people, and misusing the budgetary allocations. After a series of public exchanges, IDPADA-G Chairman Vincent Alexander filed a $159 million lawsuit in November 2022, saying that Jagdeo’s allegations of IDPADA-G’s funds being misused had defamed him and impugned his character, among other things. He also denied “subverting public funds or using a race of people for self-advancement”.

Last December, IDPADA-G also filed a court case seeking the restoration of its $8 million monthly subvention. The group wants the funds to not only be restored, but also its continued payment until the decade officially ends next year.

In a press release to the

media on February 6, 2023, IDPADA-G stated that it was never established with the sole purpose of providing grants to organisations. It explained that it has provided all audited transactions/documents from 2018 to 2021 based on Parliamentary approved budget. (G3)

IDPADA-G CEO Olive Cannings Sampson

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

GDF top brass must understand security challenges in Haiti – Ali

…underscores importance of regional cooperation …urges Army to examine opportunities with Guyana’s RSS membership

In its journey to becoming a modern organisation, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) must understand security challenges around the world and develop strategies to lend support or even proactively respond to any trickledown effects that reach the country’s shores.

This was the position of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday during the opening of the GDF’s Annual Officers Conference 2023, where he called on the organisation’s top brass to understand global and regional security threats such as the developments unfolding in Haiti.

There has been an escalation in gang violence and political instability in Haiti. The turmoil in Haiti has been ramping since the country’s President was assassinated in July 2021.

Reports are that gangs have seized control of twothirds of the capital, bringing human rights abuses and unprecedented malnutrition. In fact, Haiti is said to be experiencing the worst level of hunger in its history, with 4.7 million people suffering from acute hunger.

“It is important that as decisionmakers and leaders in the Guyana Defence Force, that you evaluate these challenges and threats and you evaluate them in the context of the environment in which you operate,” the Head of State outlined.

“It is not that we are not facing the consequence of… threats on our borders. We know what is taking place in terms of Venezuelan migrants coming in, and primarily it’s as a result of the food crisis and social challenges that they have. We have to understand where these crises are heading and how it will affect our work and what we need to do in preparing ourselves for these challenges,” he explained.

Speaking directly on Haiti, the President noted that the country was “in turmoil”.

“Again, we’re seeing tremendously challenges in

Haiti…”

The Guyanese leader declared that the Caribbean must not neglect Haiti, revealing that the matter should come up for discussion when leaders of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) meet for the Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

physically, we’re going to be a prime destination, a target destination for this type of migratory effect of war,” the Head of State outlined.

He also pointed to the war between Russia and Ukraine, and how it has disrupted supply chains around the world.

TURN TO PAGE 15

“I’m sure the Chief of Staff and other Chiefs of Staff in the Region are already engaged on this matter of Haiti, because the regional security architecture has already been advised to evaluate the situation. And it is important that at this Officers Conference, a major challenge like Haiti be part of your agenda in having the general leadership understand what is happening there,” President Ali explained.

Global threats

Meanwhile, the Head of State highlighted how peace and security were under threat globally and the impacts certain developments have had – or continue to have – on society.

“Recently, you would have seen a number of citizens from the African region being trafficked through the entire region and that is a cause for international condemnation, concern, and investigation. As our country continues to develop economically, socially, and

A mother and daughter run past a roadblock during Police protests in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, late January (Odelyn Joseph/AP photo)

President Dr Irfaan Ali and GDF Chief of Staff Godfrey Bess

Parent charged for assaulting teacher

A29-year-old cosmetologist whom Police say had assaulted a teacher of the St Angela’s Primary School in Georgetown has been charged with assault and placed on $50,000 bail.

Ashelle Clement, of Lot 14 Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown, has not been required to plead to the charge when she appeared before the Chief Magistrate at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It is alleged that, on January 12, at St Angela’s Primary School, she unlawfully assaulted Nicasey Barker, a teacher, so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

Clement’s matter has been adjourned until next week Friday, February 17, 2023.

Following that incident, the President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, had called on the Education Ministry to do more to protect teachers.

“The union is here in solidarity with the teachers of this school. This is becoming too frequent, where teachers are being assaulted by parents and guardians; and it is something that has to be addressed forthwith. So, we are going to continue to make the call to the Ministry to take decisive action,” Lyte had told media operatives.

The Education Ministry

has since condemned the physical assault perpetrated on teachers Nicasey Barker and Shawn Marshall, a Graham’s Hall Primary School teacher who was assaulted by a parent on January 11, 2023. The parent involved in Marshall’s case is yet to face charges.

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Saddam Hussain had said in a statement, “Whatever the circumstances, it (assaulting a teacher) is a reprehensible and ghastly act. It is unacceptable, and will not be condoned in the least.”

According to the Ministry, schools are considered safe spaces, and any act of violence is deemed totally unacceptable.

“When parents or guardians are engaged in violent acts against teachers, it goes against established values, norms and expectations. We cannot beat teachers and then ask them to teach our children peaceful conflict resolution,” the CEO had said.

He added that the Ministry would therefore take all appropriate actions to ensure that all teachers continue to work in a safe and secure environment. Such actions, it has been noted, include prohibiting violent parents or guardians from having access to school premises, and transferring any learner whose parent commits any act of violence on any teacher; or any other sanction deemed necessary; while the Police or any other institution or authority would be encouraged to take whatever action the law prescribes.

The CEO has reminded all parents and guardians that in any instance where an incident occurs with a teacher, the matter must be brought to the attention of the head teacher or teacherin-charge of the school or institution.

The phenomenon of teachers being attacked at places of learning by parents or guardians, and even in some cases by students themselves, has been a cause for concern over the years.(G1)

Charged: Ashelle Clement

Herstelling family charged with laundering over $4.1B …arrested at CJIA while attempting to flee to USA

Having been under the radar of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for some time, a three-person family resident at Lot 274 Somerset Court, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara has been slapped with a raft of money laundering charges.

Arrested at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 as they attempted to flee to the United States of America, they are facing 268 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money worth over $4.1B.

This three-person family is comprised of Kenneth Kellawan Ramnarine, a taxi driver; his son Damian Brandon Ramnarine, a salesman; and Kenneth’s reputed wife Yevette Nalini

Saroop, a businesswoman.

The father and son are charged jointly, while Saroop, who is alleged to have conspired with them,

has been charged separately.

Kenneth Kellawan Ramnarine appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, and has been remanded to prison until March 6, after being read 134 indictable charges to which he was not required to enter a plea.

Damian Brandon Ramnarine did not appear in court with his father and/or stepmother on Wednesday. His lawyer Bernard DaSilva, who is also representing his parents, surrendered him to SOCU’s Camp Street, Georgetown Headquarters on Thursday, February 9. When he appeared in court on Thursday, he was also remanded.

Yevette Nalini Saroop

Woman faces retrial for 2014 murder of uncle

appeared on Wednesday before Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate Sunil Scare. She is also facing 134 indictable charges, and was similarly not required to plead to any. She has also been remanded to prison.

The joint money-laundering charges against them have been laid under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. A summary of all the charges read that they knowingly, or having reasonable grounds to believe that the cash in question, whether in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, represents proceeds of crime, converted or transferred the cash in question to conceal or disguise the illicit origin, knowing or having reasons to believe that the said cash is the proceeds of crime, SOCU has explained.

that they may be involved in money laundering activities.

SOCU said its suspicions were primarily honed on the large number of unsubstantiated cash deposits made via Kenneth’s business accounts of Ken’s Trading Enterprise. The sources of funds, declarations submitted to several commercial banks, show that most of the deposits are attributed to the proceeds of sales from biodegradable food boxes sold to local businesses, in particular Chinese restaurants, SOCU has disclosed.

Karimbaksh revealed that a substantial number of wire transfers, amounting to over $3.7 billion, were sent to 22 companies in China under the pretext of importing raw materials to produce biodegradable products, while other sums, totalling over $4.1B, were disguised locally.

He pointed out that investigators did not find any legitimate source of these funds which the accused had wire-transferred out of Guyana. The actions of the accused suggested that they may be operating as nominees for some Chinese businesses, and were also facilitating tax evasion through Ken’s Trading Enterprise.

over three years, monitoring the family and their lifestyles until enough evidence was collected beyond a reasonable doubt.

Having previously been tried and found guilty of murdering her 39-year-old uncle Sunil Ramsundar on Boxing Day of 2014 at Skull City in Patentia, West Bank Demerara, Vishawantie

Ragnauth is facing a retrial at the High Court, after her initial conviction had been set aside by the Court of Appeal (CoA) of Guyana last year.

On Wednesday morning, February 8, 2023, she was arraigned on this murder charge before Justice Simone MorrisRamlall at the High Court in Demerara; her retrial is currently ongoing.

Attorney George Thomas is appearing on her behalf, while the prosecution’s case is being presented by State Counsel Tanesha Saigon, Marisa Edwards, Abiola Lowe, and Delon Fraser.

Ragnauth and her reputed husband, Nyron Thakurdyal, were first tried for the murder of Sunil Ramsundar in 2018, when they were both unanimously found guilty and were each sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment. However, Thakurdyal passed away while serving the lengthy

jail time.

In overturning Ragnauth’s conviction in December 2022, the CoA had cited several misdirections by the trial Judge, including his failure to put Thakurdyal’s defence of self-defence to the jury.

The facts of the matter state that Ramsundar was killed after he attempted to settle a dispute between his sister, his niece Ragnauth, and his niece’s reputed husband, Thakurdyal. At about 22:00h on that fateful day, Ramsundar’s sister was reportedly assaulted by her daughter Ragnauth and her partner Thakurdyal.

Ramsundar had asked his sister why she was crying, and upon learning about the assault, had approached his niece for an explanation.

However, a heated argument had quickly ensued, during which Ramsundar was stabbed about his

body. It was reported that Thakurdyal had held Ramsundar down while Ragnauth had stabbed him. Ramsundar had collapsed on the spot, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

After the duo had stabbed Ramsundar, they had reportedly flagged down a passing car in their bid to run away. By happenstance, that vehicle was being driven by an off-duty Policeman, who reportedly heard Thakurdyal telling somebody via his cell phone that he had just “jook up” someone. That cop had driven them to the Wales Police Station, where they were subsequently arrested.

At the time of his arrest, the late Thakurdyal was reportedly found with a knife in his possession. Ramsundar’s cause of death was listed as shock and haemorrhage. (G1)

According to SOCU Head, Assistant Police Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, reports reaching the law enforcement agency indicate that the trio had conducted multiple suspicious transactions at several financial institutions in Guyana, raising concerns

Investigators at SOCU, including several senior officers, had contacted several prominent businesses in Georgetown during the investigations, which commenced in August 2020, and the businesses and persons the accused persons listed on their source of funding declaration forms have vehemently denied doing such large transactions with them. As a result, SOCU noted, it conducted several covert and overt investigations and operations

Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act provides for establishment and management of a Financial Intelligence Unit; provides for unlawful proceeds of all serious offences to be identified, traced, frozen, seized, and forfeited; provides for comprehensive powers for the prosecution of money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes; provides for the forfeiture of the proceeds of crime and terrorist property; requires reporting entities to take preventative measures to help combat money laundering and terrorist financing; and provides for civil forfeiture of assets and matters connected therewith.

SOCU is that unit of the Guyana Police Force that is designated with responsibility for ensuring that money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes are fully and thoroughly investigated. (G1)

GDF top brass must understand...

FROM PAGE 13

“Why is this important for national defence? We’ve seen around the world the effect of the food crisis and energy crisis. Governments have toppled, large scale protests, and great challenges and difficulties to the security environment as a consequence of this effect,” he noted.

President Ali contended that such developments must be monitored and analysed, as they impact national defence:

“We must understand what is taking place around us globally, regionally, and then look at what we’re doing and how what occurs globally and regionally affect what we do.”

Regional cooperation

Moreover, the Guyanese Head of State underscored the importance of regional cooperation and coordination in combating threats.

“One thing we’ve learnt from the pandemic is how international threats can affect policymaking at the

global level. No individual country was safe until there was an international policy environment that supported the fight against the pandemic and we’ve seen that those countries that took isolationist positions during the pandemic, that they have faced more challenges in the long term than those who collectively battled against the virus,” he noted.

President Ali said it was with this in mind, and in recognition of the need to ensure greater collective security, that Guyana joined the Regional Security System (RSS) in September last year.

In this regard, the soldiers were tasked with examining the challenges and opportunities that come with Guyana joining the RSS.

“It’s a step that increases our expenditure, but also improves our ability to coordinate, connect, and to get better resources in aiding us. So, this is an area too that this Conference must

look at, that is, joining the RSS, the challenges, the opportunities that come with joining the RSS, understanding what the RSS is all about and understanding how our role fit in with that of the RSS.”

The RSS is based in Barbados at the Paragon Centre, headed by many regional army chiefs. It mainly serves as a defence system for the Caribbean Sea, conducting many operations by detecting and combating cross-Atlantic and intra-Caribbean drug smuggling, while protecting the sovereignty of the nations of the Caribbean, providing assistance to Caribbean countries at the request of Governments and is usually the first to respond after natural disasters occur, such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.

It was created in 1982 to counter threats to the stability of the Region in. The body cooperates with the Caricom Regional Task Force on Crime and Security (CRTFCS). (G11)

Dead: Sunil Ramsundar

Remanded: Damian Brandon Ramnarine

Remanded: Kenneth Kellawan Ramnarine

Remanded: Yevette Nalini Saroop

Murder accused Vishawantie Ragnauth

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Figure out what works best for you.ow when your happiness depends on being true to yourself. Get your life moving in a productive direction.

Soon persons may fall through floor at Skeldon Post Office – RDC told …as staff forced to avoid rotten boards in building

(March 21-April 19)

Balance and integrity are mandatory if you want to form a partnership. Detail what you plan to accomplish and listen to the input you receive. Don’t let stubbornness stand between you and your dreams.

Skeldon Post Office is in bad shape, and is in need of urgent repairs. This was told to the Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday.

In fact, it was the second time the issue was highlighted at the RDC.

(April 20-May 20)

Don’t let someone’s actions put a stop to your plans. Say no to demands and head in a direction offering benefits to you instead of to someone else. Take an original approach to an old idea.

Five months ago, Councillor Shurla Scott informed the RDC of the situation, saying then that the state of the building that is used for the Post Office at Skeldon was an eyesore.

(May 21-June 20)

Partner with someone you care about or can learn from, and something worthwhile will transpire. Don’t feel obligated to overspend, pay for others to have fun or seek favors.

On Thursday, she pointed out that the situation has gotten worst and poses a great danger to pensioners, who visit the facility on a monthly basis. Scott said the Post Office is predominantly being used by senior citizens, and she has seen first-hand the dangers posed by the dilapidated building.

(June 21-July 22) (July 23-Aug. 22)

Honesty will pay off. Speak from the heart, and suggestions will be forthcoming. Take heed of how you feel and any health issues or injuries that have the potential to worsen.

A change is long overdue. Refuse to let someone’s hissy fit stop you from doing what’s best for you. Don’t let anger be your downfall. Romance is encouraged.

“I stood in anguish this week when I passed, because I literally saw our seniors testing the floor to identify the stronger boards,” she disclosed. She referred to the building as being in a deplorable state.

“Disgusting condition” were her words in describing the building which houses the Skeldon Post Office.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Focus on fun things to do with people you enjoy. Sign up for a challenge that will lift your spirits and make you proud. Use your energy wisely, and you’ll reap the rewards.

“This has been so for the longest while. Our seniors face a lot of challenges, and even the staff has to work under such conditions,” she explained.

According to the councillor, the building was rehabilitated back in 2013, when $13M was paid to the contractor who executed the project.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Look at how you run your house or how others influence your lifestyle; consider how to ensure you live life your way. Question what’s being asked of you, and let your intuition guide you.

“My point is that we are in 2023, and we talk so much about our seniors. I have seen the work of the Ministry of Human Services; I applaud that Ministry,” she said. “But I cannot ignore that for our seniors every month. I believe that one day we will hear that those pensioners literally passed through the

floor – that is how bad it is.”

She called on the RDC to intervene.

Mention was also made of the deplorable state of the Eversham and Whim Post Offices.

Region Six Chairman

David Armogan, addressing the issue, acknowledged that there are some deplorable Post Offices in the re-

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Stop procrastinating and make a move. Travel, reunions, educational pursuits and separating the positive from the negative in your life will get you back on track. Do things your way.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Emotions will take you for a ride. Step away from situations that cause you grief, and evaluate your options. Stay calm and keep your thoughts to yourself until you are ready to forge ahead.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Assess your financial situation and decide your next move. Supplementing your income with a part-time position or lowering your overhead will ease your mind and encourage you to find prosperity.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

You can dream, but when it comes to getting things done, reason, common sense and hard work will be necessary. Connect with people you enjoy working alongside. Romance is favored.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

gion, and promised to have the relevant agencies informed of the concerns.

He said the responsible agencies need to address the issue so as to bring some level of relief to persons who use the facilities. He pointed out that pensioners go to the Post Offices on a monthly basis to uplift their old age pension payments. (G4)

Lowenfield created “electoral advantage”...

With the court having ruled that the SoPs must be used during the tabulation process, Nandlall explained that Mingo and his team had set up a projection screen with a bedsheet wherein he projected what was “claimed” to be the SoPs.

But Nandlall pointed out that no official present at the exercise could verify the numbers, because the screen was too far away.

The AG explained that a second declaration was made by Mingo on the evening of March 13 and he noted that fresh legal proceedings were initiated against such the following day.

Nandlall recounted that it was at this point that the then President and the then Leader of the Opposition reached an agreement, brokered by the then Chair of Caricom, Mia Mottley, to have a national recount –which was supported by GECOM.

Notwithstanding, a candidate for the APNU/AFC instituted legal proceedings challenging the legality of the decision to recount, Nandlall reminded, as he

recalled other actions that were taken to frustrate the recount process.

These included what he termed as “great sloth” in setting up the venue identified for the recount – the Arthur Chung Conference Centre – as well as the “nightmare” in moving the containers that contained the ballot boxes, and the fumigation of the entire building.

He also made mention of the issue with observers being prevented from returning to the country to observe the recount.

Nandlall noted that during the recount, APNU/ AFC made an issue over the fact that some statutory documents were missing from ballot boxes – an issue, he reminded, he had raised with Mingo since the evening of March 2, 2020.

According to Nandlall, he was informed that the presiding officers of a particular location were putting documents that were supposed to be in the ballot boxes, separately in an envelope to be sent off to Mingo.

Nandlall informed that

he had contacted Mingo on the situation, and it was surmised that there was a breakdown in communication at the level of the Deputy Returning Officer and the Presiding Officers.

Nandlall said Mingo assured that the documents would eventually be properly stored. In fact, Nandlall said his last information on the matter was that the envelopes with the documents were in the possession of Lowenfield.

He told the CoI that he thought the issue was addressed and that it was not until the recount, when APNU/AFC started to create a fuss about the ‘missing’ documents, that the matter came up again.

At this point, Nandlall said he spoke with the CEO who assured that the documents were stored at a GECOM location. According to Nandlall, therefore, the documents were never “missing”.

Meanwhile, he noted that a report produced by the Caricom team – under whose auspices the recount was done – documented that

the exercise was done fairly, transparently, and that the results reflected the ballots cast and that those results generated by recount should become the basis for declaration.

The results, Nandlall informed, showed that the PPP/C won the elections, and moreover, that the figures matched those that were contained in the SoPs that were in the Party’s possession.

Notwithstanding those results, Nandlall told of how the CEO refused to prepare a lawful report for submission to the Elections Commission based on the recount.

According to Nandlall, several court cases were pursued and despite a ruling at the country’s highest court – the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the CEO still prepared a report utilising figures that did not reflect the recount results.

It was not until August 2 – after much battle – that Lowenfield submitted a lawful report which formed the basis for the swearing-in of Ali as President, Nandlall recalled. (G11)

The Skeldon Post Office

Government to play further role in football development

Government is set to have an improved involvement in football development in Guyana, outside of the recently hosted One Guyana President’s Cup tournament.

This was disclosed in a social media post on Thursday, which divulged that His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali met with members of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and other football stakeholders at State House on Wednesday, and was updated on plans for the development of football beyond the One Guyana President’s Cup.

It was also been disclosed that a committee has been set up to explore further development of the country’s national team. The names of the members of that committee have not been disclosed, but Guyana Times Sport would provide those details as soon as they become available.

Present at that Wednesday meeting at State House were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy; President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde; GFF

A meeting in regard to Government’s further involvement in football development was held at State House Executive Dion Inniss, National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Kashif Muhammad; and Director of Presidential Affairs, Mrs Marcia Nadir-Sharma.

Saints S’ Team, GBTI GCC Spartans crowed Bounty/Antonio’s Hockey Champs

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) kick started their hockey agenda very early with their annual one-day Bounty/Antonio’s Hockey Tournament at the Guyana National Stadium.

The tournament attracted more than one team from each club as growth in membership within local clubs continued to be evident.

After a 15-year absence, the Guyana Police team returned to the field with its exciting and unique style of hockey. The Police team was very prominent and successful in the past, and it was heartening to see its re-emergence.

The tournament comprised male and female senior division. Teams were grouped, played a round-robin, and the two teams with the highest points moved to the semi-finals. In the women’s category, the Woodpecker Hikers ladies and GCC Tigers were undefeated. They placed first in their respective groups.

Semi-final action saw the Woodpecker Hikers whipping Old Fort Samurai 4-0. Maria Munroe scored a double, and Shundell Durant and Kenisha Wills each produced a single.

The GCC Tigers took on their sister team young Spartans in a nail-biting finish, as both teams fought to secure a spot in the final. The young Sara Matthias ensured her team was in the lead by scoring twice. However, the Tigers did not make it an easy win for the Spartans, and Princessa Wilkie registered a goal in fine style. The fight for the final spot continued, but the whistle blew with the young GCC Spartans in the final with a 2-1 result.

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The final match of this division saw Woodpeckers Hikers coming up against the GCC Spartans one more time for the day. Earlier in the round-robin, the Hikers

She did not stop there, in the very next minute, Sarah again found the back of the Hikers net. The Hikers ladies pressed up and were rewarded with a few short corners,

tive groups. The Bounty GCC went up against Pepsi Hikers in the semis while Saints Splinters were up against Saints S’ Team.

It was a massive success

ers Saints S and annual finalist Pepsi Hikers battle for the trophy. The Saints men, which were made of national under-21 players, stormed the Hikers, but the Hikers were able to contain them. At half-time, no one had converted.

Three (3) minutes into the second half, loud screams came from the Saints Camp as the Guyana under-21 captain Shakeem Fausette and eventual MVP eliminated the Hikers defence and made a pass to young Jabari Lovell, who made no error in sliding to finish his shot on goal.

ladies had defeated the young Spartans. First half of the match saw both teams gaining opportunities at goal, but the game was deadlocked at half time.

In the first minute of the second half, eventual MVP Sarah Klautky intercepted a Hikers pass and raided the circle, finding herself in a oneon-one against the goalkeeper. Being the prolific player that player she is, Sarah managed to score her team’s first goal.

but could not convert.

As the press continued, the Hikers defence became vulnerable, and Spartans midfielder Madison Fernandes hit a ball through the field to the only player in the Hikers’ half, Paige Fernandes. Paige made no mistake in stopping the ball and running into the circle to find the back of the net. Thus the GCC Spartans won the final 3-0.

In the men’s division, Bounty GCC and Saints Splinters topped their respec-

for the Saints Club to reach this far in this tournament, but they were faced with having to eliminate each other in one of the best games of the tournament.

Both teams fought to ensure they secured a spot in the final. After endless raids on their opponents’ goals, the game expired with neither team converting, taking them into a penalty shootout, from which Saints S’ team emerged as eventual winners.

The final saw newcom-

Hikers did everything to register a goal, but the hungry Saints S’ team held a strong defence. Saints won the game 1-0, making it their first time to ever win a men’s senior tournament.

The GHB wishes to thank the Minister of Sports, Mr. Charles Ramson jr, for taking time from his busy schedule to join us for the presentation. It was well appreciated by the GHB and all club members.

The GHB thanks the Ministry “for allowing us to use the National Stadium, and for the continued support for the development of hockey in Guyana”.

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The victorious Saints S’ team

The victorious GBTI GCC Spartans team

WI 4-Day Championships 2023…

Greaves demolishes Guyana Harpy Eagles on 14-wicket day

By Brandon Corlette in Grenada

Justin Greaves's impressive figures of 5-24 from 18 overs for the Windward Islands Volcanoes put Guyana Harpy Eagles behind the eight-ball on day two of the second round of the West Indies Championships, being played at the Grenada National Stadium.

Greaves’s third five-wicket haul has bundled out Guyana for 169 in 63.1 overs, with Veerasammy Permaul scoring 53. Volcanoes, who had posted 294 all out in their first innings, ended the second day on 48-2, enjoying a lead of 173 runs.

Pacers Ronsford Beaton and Nial Smith ran in with purpose in the final hour.

Jernlani Robinson was induced into a top delivery from Beaton, and was caught at the wicket for three; and first innings centurion Alick Athanaze chased a wide ball and was caught at first-slip off the bowling of Smith.

Athanaze had struck Smith for a boundary, but was removed for 11 with the very next ball, to render the score at 19-2.

Kimani Melius, who had a groin injury, was unable to open the batting. Kaveem Hodge (13) and Ambris (18) ensured no further hiccups as they took Volcanoes to stumps.

Guyanese batting crumble

Guyana Harpy Eagles lost Chandrapaul Hemraj early, when he took on a Darius Martin short-ball and was brilliantly caught in the deep by a jumping Kenneth Dember. The score was at 10-1 in 5.1 overs.

After Hemraj had depart-

ed for four, Tevin Imlach, fresh off a pair in the first round, departed for three, adjudged caught behind off McSween. Imlach stood

then continued to make the ball talk, shaping one away to find the edge of Bramble at second slip. Bramble was removed for 21, after facing 35 balls, to become Greaves's fourth wicket. His departure left the Harpy Eagles tumbling at 68-5 after 29.1 overs. In the same over, Savory went after a wide delivery and was caught by Greaves at the wicket for 20.

Savory, in his second firstclass game, came out post lunch with more intent, as he had played one shot too many.

Kevin Sinclair and Veerasammy Permaul joined forces at 69-6 after 29.4 overs. The spin duo led the fightback with the bat, reaching their 50-run partnership from 85 balls. Permaul played an au-

Rain forced an early tea at 14:20h with Guyana on 1276. Permaul was on 30 and Sinclair on 23. Play resumed at 15:00h, and Permaul be-

for Volcanoes, ended with 5-24 in 18 overs, including six maidens. Seamer John had 2-52 in 14 overs.

Earlier, Windward Islands Volcanoes resumed the day on 292-8 in 78.5 overs, but the innings was closed after 12 balls were bowled in the morning. Preston McSween (01) was bowled all ends up by Veerasammy Permaul, who got a delivery to straighten.

Permaul then created another chance against Darius Martin was dropped by substitute fielder Akshaya Persaud at forward shortleg. The next ball saw Martin

hitting one down Kevin Sinclair's throat at long-on, closing out the innings on 294 after 80.5 overs.

The Volcanoes had required to score 300 runs early in the day to record that extra batting point, but Permaul prevented that. The veteran Permaul ended on 4-70 in 22.5 overs, while Ronsford Beaton had 2-50 in 16 overs, and Sinclair had 2-66 in 21 overs. Nial Smith, who was expensive, had 1-51 in seven overs, and Shamar Joseph had 1-47 in 12 overs.

The third day will be the moving day, when Volcanoes will set Guyana a target.

SCOREBOARD

Windward Islands 1st Innings

Kimani Melius c Savory b Beaton 2

Jerlani Robinson c Imlach b Smith 4

Kavem Hodge c Bramble b Beaton 14

Alick Athanaze c Bramble b Permaul 141

Sunil Ambris b Sinclair 47

in disbelief after that decision from the umpire, as did Matthew Nandu, who was given leg-before for two after facing 41 balls.

Barbadian Greaves who was bowling a disciplined line and length. Nandu departed with Guyana Harpy Eagles reeling at 14-3 in 12 overs.

Captain Leon Johnson faced 19 balls for his five runs, and he was also trapped leg-before to Greaves at 28-4.

Kemol Savory was joined by Anthony Bramble, the latter seemingly trying to hit his way out of trouble. The Windward Islands bowlers kept things tight, and at lunch Guyana were 54-4 in 25 overs, trailing by 240 runs at that stage.

The 28-year-old Greaves

thoritative flowing drive that went for six off Ryan John; a delivery that went over wide long-off.

gan with an elegant straight drive for two. Sinclair flashed at a wide delivery and was caught at the wicket at 1307, ending a 61-run stand for the seventh wicket. Sinclair made a 55-ball 23, including two fours.

Shamar Joseph chased a wide delivery and was caught in the gully for five off a consistent John at 140-8. At that stage, Guyana was required to score 144 runs to avoid the follow-on. Nial Smith left one alone and was trapped leg-before for one, to give Greaves his third five-wicket haul at this level.

Permaul reached his fourth first-class fifty, but was the final man dismissed at 169 in 63.1 overs. The Barbadian Greaves, playing

Justin Greaves c Sinclair b Joseph 21

Tevyn Walcott c Savory b Sinclair 4

Ryan John not out 51

Kenneth Dember c Sinclair b Permaul 0

Preston McSween b Permaul 1

Darius Martin c Sinclair b Permaul 0

(10 wickets, 80.5) (9 extras) 294

FOW: 10/1 (2.1) Jerlani

Robinson 21/2 (5.4) Kimani

Melius 26/3 (7.6) Kavem Hodge

102/4 (23.4) Sunil Ambris

191/5 (38.5) Justin Greaves

200/6 (41.4) Tevyn Walcott

290/7 (74.5) Alick Athanaze

290/8 (76.5) Kenneth Dember

294/9 (80.3) Preston McSween

294/10 (80.5) Martin

Bowling

Nial Smith (7-1-51-1)

Ronsford Beaton (16-3-50-2)

Shamar Joseph (12-1-47-1)

Veerasammy Permaul (22.5-1-70-4)

Kevin Sinclair (21-3-66-2)

Matthew Nandu (2-0-5-0)

Guyana 1st Innings

Chanderpaul Hemraj c

Dember b Martin 4

Matthew Nandu lbw b Greaves 2

Tevin Imlach c Walcott

b McSween 3

Kemol Savory c Walcott b Greaves 20

Leon Johnson lbw b Greaves 5 Anthony Bramble c Athanaze b Greaves 21

Sinclair c Walcott b John 23 Veerasammy Permaul c & b Dember

Joseph c Robinson b John 5 Nial Smith lbw b Greaves 1

Beaton not out

(10.2) Tevin Imlach

(11.6) Matthew Nandu

Amsterdam snags Best Elite Boxer accolade as GBA hosts awards ceremony

The National Sports Commission’s (NSC’s) Association of the Year 2021-2022, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), on Wednesday night rewarded its outstanding athletes, coaches and officials who contributed to its receipt of this coveted accolade.

Among the awardees for Guyana’s Sportsman of the Year 2021-2022 was Desmond Amsterdam.

In remarks made at the awards ceremony, held at the Mirage Banquet Hall, GBA President Steve Ninvalle shared keys to his Association’s success.

“What we have done as an Association is to listen to our athletes. We would listen to our coaches; we would listen to our officials. I can’t say that this is something that is done in every other Association, and I’m not here to accuse any oth-

er Association or to provide guidance on how you administrate,” the GBA boss shared. “But I think that what we have done is to encompass and embrace something that says it is all inclusive,” Ninvalle added.

related, “If we look back in history, we’ll understand that Boxing has always been delivering. We have delivered at the Olympics; we have delivered at the Commonwealth Games;

Ezekiel Bancroft was adjudged GBA Best Boxer

ing that is because our Association has taken a pragmatic approach,” the GBA President added.

adjudged the best Junior Boxer.

Travis

In sharing why it was necessary to reward their athletes, coaches and officials, Ninvalle touched on Boxing’s stellar track record in recent times as he

we delivered at the Pan American Games; we delivered at the South American Games; and in 2024, we will again deliver at the Olympics.

“The reason for say-

As one would expect, Sportsman of the Year, Desmond Amsterdam, has been adjudged the Best Elite Boxer, while Terrence Poole M.S., has been adjudged the Best Coach.

Ezekiel Bancroft was the Association’s standout Schoolboy Boxer of the Year, while Jeremiah Duncan was

The Best Youth Boxer award went to Travis Inverary, while the Association’s Best Referee/ Judge was Jermain Craig.

Other accolades were distributed to Dr. Marissa Parris, Seon Bristol, Elton Chase, Sebert Blake, Harold Hopkinson and Clinton Moore for their contributions to the sport and Association.

Terrence Poole M.S. is the GBA’s Best Coach

Inverary was adjudged the Best Youth Boxer

Justin Greaves got the ball to move away from the right-handers

Permaul came back and ended with four wickets in the first innings

Permaul continued to show fight with the bat