Guyana Times - Saturday, July 8, 2023

$3.4B in contracts signed for construction of Tuschen, Hosororo Secondary schools

the completion of finishing works was awarded to K & S General Construction at a cost totalling $137,833,000.

The secondary school at Tuschen will be a fully reinforced concrete structure combined with a circular and cylindrical building outline that is covered in a dome roof. The building will also be branched with several scientific and research

ture works for the dormitory was awarded to Supreme Contracting and Supplies.

The Hosororo Secondary School will have 29 classrooms to accommodate over 500 students. Its science centre will also feature physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories. The TVET centre will have both industrial and home economics laboratories.

The Education Ministry

on Friday signed several contracts totalling over $3.4 billion for the construction of the Tuschen, and Hosororo Secondary Schools in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and One (Barima-Waini), respectively.

This is in keeping with the Government’s agenda to provide universal education to children all across Guyana.

During the contract signing ceremony, Education Minister Priya Manickchand reiterated that the Government is working aggressively to build schools in all regions throughout Guyana to accommodate the growing population while at the same time providing quality education to all.

"For this year, they have to stay in their primary

school or they have to be in the rotation, which is a horrible way of getting secondary education offered because they just can't get a quality secondary education. The reason I'm not as worried as I was last year is because I know by next year September, I'll have schools to put these kids in and in this case, it's going to be in Region One and Region Three," the Minister remarked.

The Minister added that space is a huge concern for the ministry as she noted that they were struggling to place 700 new students into secondary schools.

"In Region Three, we were struggling with placing 700 children. We managed to squeeze them into different places because I knew we were going to get this school for next year. This is a proj-

ect that is very dear to our hearts. We've had a fire in Region One, we’ve had three fires in Georgetown so space is killing us," Manickchand shared.

According to the Minister, under the previous Administration, no secondary school was completed, thus hindering students from being placed in a designated secondary school as opposed to a primary top.

"Not a single secondary school was started and finished under the previous Government. In two short years, we have been able to deliver about eleven schools and that tells you that when we're in office, people benefit. We want to make sure we can give people all over this country opportunities.”

Both projects were divided into six lots. The Tuschen Secondary School is be-

ing constructed at the tune of $864,705,000, while the Hosororo secondary learning institution equipped with a dormitory and teachers’ living quarters is being built at an investment of $2.619 billion.

For Tuschen: S & K Construction was awarded a $285,101,936 contract to complete the substructure works; AS Construction was awarded two lots for the completion of the super structure and external works totalling $340,090,000 while VG Group Guyana Inc was awarded a contract for the completion of all plumbing works to the building at a cost of $29,212,549. Additionally, the contract for the completion of electrical works was awarded to N Balgobin and Sons to the tune of $72,467,910 and

centres, a multi-purpose cafeteria hall, a storage and changing area, and a library and document centre. The school will have 24 classrooms to accommodate over 800 students.

Meanwhile, the contracts for the plumbing work and superstructure work & electrical for the Hosororo Secondary School were awarded to V Group Guyana Inc at an investment totalling $1,658,444,890.

Three contacts for the completion of site development work as well as substructure works for teachers’ quarters and school building were awarded to International Imports and Supplies totalling $692,444,331.

Additionally, a contract totalling $196,319,040 for the completion of substruc-

A student dormitory and visiting area will also be constructed to accommodate 200 students while the teachers' duplex living quarters will accommodate 20 teachers.

The Education Ministry continues on its aggressive agenda of providing a high-quality level of education for all, having signed several multimillion-dollar contracts last month to rebuild Christ Church Secondary School, St George’s High School, and St Mary’s Secondary School.

Most recently, the US$5.15 million Good Hope Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara and the GY$585 million Abram Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast were also commissioned. (Tassia Dickerson)

A 3D design of the Tuschen Secondary School

Minister Manickchand and the contractors after the signing on Friday

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 8 – 09:00h – 09:45h and Sunday, July 9 – 22:00h – 23:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, July 8 – 08:05h

–09:35h and Sunday, July 9 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 08:20h and 21:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.56 metres and 2.46 metres.

Low Tide: 14:22h reaching a minimum height of 0.68 metre.

Guyana seeks US assistance to promote forests as part of Climate Change agenda

– Secretary Blinken lauds Guyana for balancing oil production, climate mitigation

reinvest at least 15 per cent of these earnings into the country’s Indigenous communities.

working on setting the tone to create the policy and enabling environment for stakeholders.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

As the Guyana Government continues to push forests as a critical component in the fight against climate change, the country is now turning to the United States to assist with its lobbying efforts.

This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali following a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday at State House. The US official travelled to Georgetown with his team for a one-day visit.

Speaking at a joint press conference shortly after the high-level engagement, President Ali pointed out that Guyana and the US share common interests in three important areas, that is, food security, energy security, and climate security.

As the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government works to position Guyana as a global leader in these areas, the Head of State noted that they are looking to expand Guyana’s partnership with the US.

“We were pleased to share with the US our credentials on the forests and seek the US partnership in promoting forests and ensuring that the forest becomes an important part of the agenda on climate change,” the Guyanese leader announced.

Nevertheless, President Ali noted that Guyana continues to build its energy sector while at the same time expanding its petroleum production. On this note, he said his Government has also redoubled its efforts towards advancing renewable energy in Guyana and ensuring the country meets its target as it relates to decarbonisation.

Meanwhile, these efforts were recognised by Secretary Blinken, who also underscored the importance that the US places on energy security and climate adaptation.

The United States official lauded Guyana for its efforts to fight the climate crisis as an oil-producing nation.

“Guyana will soon be the highest oil-producing country per capita in the world, but it’s also a leader in forest conservation, demonstrating that it’s possible to prioritise climate mitigation and environmental protection while responsibly using fossil fuel

resources,” the Secretary of State posited.

With 86 per cent of Guyana’s landmass covered by forest, the country is pegged as a global natural carbon sink. In addition to its rich biodiversity and ecosystem, Guyana’s total forest cover, which spans some 18.4 million hectares, stores more than 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon and removes some 154 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually.

Sale of carbon credits Secretary Blinken further lauded Guyana for the historic deal to sell US$750 million in internationally certified carbon credits to the US-based energy giant, Hess Corporation, over the next decade, as well as for the Government’s commitment to

“The agreement that Guyana reached with a private corporation, I think, is of great significance and demonstrates in a very powerful way how Guyana is all at once using responsibly the abundant resources that it now has at hand, while also making investments in the climate future, making investments in transition to renewables. And also, of course, as I heard from the President very clearly, showing a very important and powerful commitment to preserving its forests, which are a resource from which many, many benefit well beyond Guyana,” the Secretary of State noted.

The US Government official outlined that the opportunities are there for other interested private companies to pursue similar agreements in the future.

Already, US oil major, ExxonMobil – which along with its co-venturers is producing oil offshore Guyana –Country Manager, Allistair Routledge has indicated that trading carbon credits is among the options being considered by the company in its efforts to manage climate change.

During Thursday’s joint press conference, President Ali explained that the Guyana and US Governments are

“We are both committed to the issue of climate change. We are both committed on the issue of decarbonisation. We are both connected on the targets we set to achieve the results of 2050. Now, we are creating an environment in which the private sector can also participate. Like [with] the example of Hess Corporation… [which has] contributed positively in the climate change equation, but importantly, demonstrating that a model of carbon credit sales from the forests is one that can be an important part in achieving the targets that we set.”

“So, I would say that the US and Guyana are working together on setting the right tone, creating the right policy environment, and supporting the right type of initiative that would – that will create a platform for all stakeholders to be a part of,” the Guyanese leader outlined.

Gas-to-energy project

Through efforts like the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, the United States is building on the resilience in the Region while supporting a clean energy transition.

President Ali and his Cabinet Members meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his team at State House on Thursday

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Editor: Tusika Martin

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NGSA 2023

The National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results were released on Friday, with an overall increase in mathematics, and science and more importantly the 2023 performance demonstrated an increase in the number of students receiving full score in tested subject area.

Significantly, female students performed better than males across the subject areas.

Over and over again, we have stressed that gender equity has been an issue in society since the beginning of time. In recorded history, it can be found that females in many instances face issues of equity career and education but here in Guyana often times female students are better able to cope with time pressure in exams.

In a study conducted by to test the theory “females show more sustained performance during test-taking than males” a comparison was done in the performance of male and female students and the main findings showed that females were better able to sustain their performance during the test.

We must there re-educate our boys, and change how they perceive the importance of an education.

A renowned Jamaican educator, Wayne Campbell, in offering a solution to have our boys moving from not populating jails but universities and think-tanks, said that as a solution for male empowerment and the economic advancement of the entire family as a unit.

Campbell asserts that “there is also the need to urgently recast our current gender policy. One way of doing so is to incorporate more men in the discourse to shape our national gender policy…we also need to examine the possibility of creating so-called ‘boy-friendly’ curricula, assessment and pedagogical practices. We now know that boys learn differently than girls, and, therefore, we should use this knowledge to refashion teaching methodologies that speak to both sexes in the classroom.”

Therefore, NGSA must be used for what it was designed: identify strengths and weaknesses of the students entering our secondary schools, where appropriate attention can be provided and improvement to the primary schools’ curricula can cater for this also.

Notably also, this year’s exam was historical for Guyana as of the 15,273 students wrote NGSA in May, 287 were Spanish-speaking students and the papers were translated to cater for them.

Over all 3742 students scored in the first quartile, which is zero to 25 per cent; 3,743 scored within the second quartile of 25 to 50 percent; in the third quartile, 3,741 scored between 50 and 70 per cent and finally in the fourth quartile, ie 75 to 100 per cent, 3741 students were in this bracket.

We recognized that Education Minister, Priya Manickchand acknowledged that the students that wrote NGSA this year were in grade three – which is considered a “foundation year” in primary education - when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

A take away from the minister’s presentation to all student who wrote the exams, is that the promised of the same standards in terms of qualified personnel and equipment is achievable in the very near future.

To quote the minister: “Our commitment to you is that whichever school you go to, you will have the same services. Some of that is that students can cross-stream wherever they go and write as many subjects as they want wherever they go. We’re not encouraging many subjects but we’re saying your choices should not be limited by geographical location or which school you attain.”

A crucial component of the children’s success is the teachers. They also sacrifice, have their fair share of challenges, and with some being parents with obvious dreams and aspirations, their challenges but their unfettered commitment have led to their students exceeding at these exams.

Naturally, teachers on Friday felt a sense of comfort and pride that their commitment have been rewarding.

Secretary Blinken’s visit was a brilliant play of signs

Dear Editor,

The visit to Guyana by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, was a major success. To make sense of Mr. Blinken’s la visite-éclair, we need to appreciate that diplomacy is full of subtleties, most of which cannot be picked up by ‘the naked eye’. In what follows, I shed some light on what might be best characterized as the performative dimensions of Blinken’s visit. I also point to some excesses in the Stabroek News editorial of July 7, and some elementary errors in GHK Lall’s column under the title “Goodbye Secretary Blinken: was nice while the visit lasted (KN, July 7, 2023). Let’s get to work.

It is best that we begin with the big geopolitical issues, since these are matters of raison d’état. China is a good place to start, and this is not least because of the anxieties over that country’s determined prosecution of what it claims to be anti-hegemonic diplomacy. More than two decades ago, I labelled the pushback against Western dominance as “structural counterhegemony.” See my book “Counter-Hegemony and Foreign Policy” (SUNY Press, 2001).

Secretary Blinken’s visit to Trinidad (for the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting) and then Guyana, must necessarily have involved discussions related to China’s gambit in Latin America and the Caribbean. But what else should you expect? The US is a global power, and at one time the Monroe Doctrine was the pillar of American policy in this region. The collapse of the USSR put Monroe on the back burner. But China’s Belt

and Road Initiative has given Washington cause and occasion to rekindle aspects of one of its oldest strategic doctrines. What about Guyana?

Stabroek News appears to be upset that President Ali acknowledged China as a development partner and as a country with common values. Now, while the point on democracy is understood, there are numerous historical and contemporary things that Guyana shares with the Chinese. Stabroek News must refresh its memory that Chinese indentured servants arrived here in the 1850s.

But more than that, Guyana and China have had an enduring sense of SouthSouth cooperation. It appears that the Moray House elitists cannot handle the fact that President Ali was forthright in his statement that while American businesses had ignored us, the Chinese were here fully engaged.

Mr. Blinken’s stopover here could not have gone unnoticed by Beijing. In my own view, that is for the two Great Powers to work out.

Another matter of high politics concerned Venezuela. On this score, something rather dramatic happened. The Secretary of State of the United States of America called for a free and fair election WHILE ON GUYANESE SOIL. That is of immense importance from the performative side of things. More than anything else, Mr. Blinken’s Venezuela statement had two immediate effects, namely (1) it categorically affirmed Guyana as a true democracy; and (b) it sent a message to Venezuela that the US and Guyana have shared inter-

ests at the level of national and regional security.

The self-hating, permanently colonized among us can’t see any of this. One of them described Guyana as a “shanty town.” The same genius, however, determined that this same shanty town “…is now of supreme importance to America.” GHK Lall makes the most bizarre recommendation ever offered in the history of Kaieteur News columns. He wants President Ali to do what dictators such as Ferdinand Marcos did for the Philippines at Subic Bay, and what General Musharraf did for Pakistan during the War on Terror. If you do not know, Marcos was paid a stipend for maintaining his military dictatorship. According to Amnesty International, “…70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured and over 3,200 people were killed in the nine years after Mr. Marcos imposed martial law.” Marcos’ wife, Imelda Marcos, had 888 handbags, and 3000 pairs of shoes, and 500 evening gowns. Nice stipend! For his part, Musharraf helped to hide Osama bin Laden at Abbottabad, even while he was receiving [GHK recommended style] foreign aid from the United States. In 2019, General Musharraf was found guilty of high treason for suspending Pakistan’s constitution. What an extraordinary example of brutish betrayal Mr. GHK Lall wants us to follow!

Secretary Blinken could have easily headed back to Washington after the 45th sitting of the CARICOM Heads of Government (50th Anniversary) which he attended. Think about it, President

Ali was in Trinidad and the two of them no doubt interacted. So why bother to come down to Georgetown? The short answer is that the trip was simply a signalling event, a communications ‘spectacle’ yes, but only for those who understand these things.

In case you doubt the place of ‘spectacle’ in diplomacy, let me take you back to a meeting between Napoleon and the Austrian Foreign Minister, Prince Klemens von Metternich, at Dresden in June 1813.

Metternich was a crafty statesman and, in anticipation of a major war, wanted some concessions from France. Napoleon wanted to test Austria’s resolve and his own capacity for hegemonic leadership. He decided to drop his hat. With established protocol then in place, Metternich should have picked up the hat and given it to Napoleon. The Austrian statesman refused, and as the historians would have it, Napoleon knew then that his game was over.

In closing, and without getting too academic (yes, there is such a thing) I should state that what we commonly know as a ‘spectacle’ is more technically a ‘play of signs.’ A sign in linguistics is when something stands in for something else, much the same way in which a red rose might signal ‘love.’ Secretary Blinken’s visit here was a brilliant play of signs, an event signalling far more than what appeared to have happened. Congratulations are in order for the fine staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sincerely,

Dr Randolph Persaud

Education Minister Priya Manickchand and the top performers at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). The results were announced on Friday at the Pegasus Suites' Exhibition Centre

Pres Ali educates US Congressman Jeffries on Guyana's reality …available for further engagements

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday disclosed that during his recent interaction with United States Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, he got the opportunity to school the politician on the reality in Guyana.

Congressman Jeffries is a US Democratic Party top leader in the House of Representatives. He is a representative of parts of Brooklyn and Queens in New York, which is home to a large Guyanese population, and he has been making public statements about discrimination in Guyana – a narrative that is being peddled by the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)

Opposition.

During a visit to Washington DC in July 2022, President Ali had invited the Congressman to a meeting, but he never responded to the invitation.

However, Jeffries was one of the special guests at the 45th Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting, held earlier this week in Trinidad and Tobago. While there, the President and the US Congressman met briefly.

Questioned about the nature of the engagement, President Ali told reporters on Friday, on the sidelines of an event, that he used the opportunity to educate the US politician on the situa -

tion in Guyana.

“We had repeatedly sought to educate Congressman Jeffries about Guyana and about the narrative that may have misled [him]. So, I was happy that I had the opportunity to meet him and to once again invite him to a meeting, and to seek any concerns he would have had, and to educate him on Guyana. And not myself alone, I was happy that other leaders were there to let him have a fuller understanding, a truer understanding, a more meaningful understanding about Guyana and what we’re about,” the Guyanese Leader explained.

Decomposed body of missing pensioner found along Berbice foreshore – family members suspect foul play

The decomposed body of 73-year-old Kamaluddin Abrahim, also known as “the brown clothes man”, late resident of Free Yard, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, has been found along the Port Mourant foreshore on Monday, July 4. He had gone missing on Tuesday, June 28.

The late pensioner had lived alone, but his son Shahazad Abrahim, who resides on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), would visit him on weekends. However, when he visited on July 1, his father was nowhere to be found. The doors were locked, and his characteris-

tic khaki uniform was found disposed at the back of the house, along with his shoes.

Speaking with Guyana Times , Shahazad noted that he became worried after his father did not return home that evening. As such, he contacted his brother to inform him of the situation, and a missing person’s report was subsequently filed at the Whim Police Station.

Together, the brothers searched for their father, but he was not found. Also, neighbours reported last seeing him four days prior to his son’s visit.

“I started asking his neighbours if they saw him, and basically, everybody I

spoke to said they saw him some three to four days before I came…,” Shahazad disclosed. The brothers had also checked at hospitals and in trenches, in case he had fallen into one.

Disturbingly, the family received a call from a funeral home on Monday, informing them that the Police had discovered a body at the Port Mourant foreshore — a place where Kamaluddin would never go.

“That is not a place that my father would ever go. It is a very difficult terrain; very muddy, there is no proper road to go there. My dad had no reason to go there. He was not known for

going there…”, the son has stated.

According to him, family members visited the funeral home and positively identified the badly decomposed body as that of the elderly man. At the time of the discovery, Kamaluddin’s body was clad in a pair of long track pants and a T-shirt; which was highly unusual, as he never dressed casually or left the house without reason, according to the grieving son.

“That clothes do not belong to my father. We believe that someone put that on him,” the son has said. Family members suspect foul play was involved in

Another major boost in transforming agriculture sector in Guyana

Dear Editor,

As the Government is aggressively putting in efforts to ensure that our farmers stay on top of tackling food insecurity, the Ministry of Agriculture is creating a stronger agriculture sector, by making major investments and having many collaborative efforts with regional and international partners and agencies to transform the lives of all Guyanese.

Over the past week, we heard of two more major inputs that are being given to the livestock industry and the cash crop sector, which will tremendously boost the development of our country.

Since the launching of the black belly sheep project in Region 5 by President Ali, where an estimated $600 million (US$3 million) investment was made by the administration, the project has been a major success, and has benefited farmers tremendously.

It saw cattle farmers becoming more interested in making major investments in this sector, to ensure that it remains vibrant and economical. Farmers invested heavily in their infrastructure, and many started their grass fields in order to be self-reliant in ensur-

ing the animals are being best kept and fed.

Since the launching of this project, the Ministry of Agriculture, through its sub-agency the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), has been on the ground providing technical and many other forms of support those farmers need within this industry. To date, since the start of this project, we have not heard of any major problems or hiccups within same.

On July 1st, 2023, the Guyana Chronicle carried an article in which it said the Barbados Minister of Agriculture and Food Security has announced that Guyana will be receiving another 300 black belly sheep. Once again, this is yet another effort and way of boosting the livestock sector. More farmers will be benefitting, and more investments will be done in further boosting this sector.

Also, on July 1, 2023, in an article carried by the Guyana Chronicle under the caption “Approximately 6,000 farmers to benefit from US$3M worth of ‘agri’ inputs”, it was stated that it will be made possible through the provision of specialised extension services, crit-

ical machinery, and planting materials that were procured through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture Sector Development Unit’s (ASDU) Sustainable Agriculture Development Programme (SADP) project.

Again, this is a major investment in the agri. sector for farmers, because not only would they have technical support, but also support in terms of equipment and planting materials.

Through an investment of this nature, the Ministry of Agriculture is again putting our farmers on top of the agenda when it comes to food security for our nation and further afield, by standing by the side of our local farmers towards major development.

Farmers from across Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 will have opportunity to gain from this boost in things such as land tillers, water pumps, drip systems, shade house materials, threshing machines, plucking machines, gestation crates, breeding animals (cattle, swine, small ruminants, black giants), planting materials, among other things to improve

their operations and enhance productivity. According to the article, farmers will be benefitting from technical support in areas such as best practices for both plant and animal husbandry, as well as technological integration in agriculture. This will allow and further encourage farmers to get more into investing in farmlands and cattle rearing. It will help farmers in ensuring that they continue on the path towards better development of the agri. sector in ensuring that we have food on our tables.

This President Irfaan Ali-led administration, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the strong leadership of the Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, MP, continue aggressively to advance the efforts in tackling food insecurity while transforming the lives of all our people.

Since the PPP/C took office in 2020, we have all seen major improvements, developments, and investments in Guyana’s agricultural sector whereby all farmers are benefitting regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.

Regards, Abel Seetaram

Kamaluddin’s death, and believe that he was murdered.

They say that, in the past, persons would break into his home and steal money and groceries. Shahazad recalled a previous incident that occurred back in March 2022, when his father was brutally beaten, chopped, and robbed by a villager. The accused was later arrested, charged, and remanded to prison for the crime.

It has also been revealed that the elderly man had been expected to testify against a neighbour, and family members believe that his death might be linked to that case.

Following the discovery, a post-mortem examination was conducted, but due to the advanced state of decomposition, the cause of death

has been deemed "undetermined."

Kamaluddin's family members hope the Police would find the perpetrator(s) responsible for his death, so the family can get some form of closure. (LaWanda McAllister)

SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2023

06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time

06:30 Cartoons

07:00 Evening News (RB)

08:00 Stop Suffering

09:00 Movie - The Steam Engines of Oz (2018)

10:30 Indian Movie - Shubh Mangal Savdhan (2017)

12:30 Movie - Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New (2023)

14:00 Movie - Dream Moms (2023)

15:30 Movie - Dog Gone (2023)

17:00 Payless Power Hour

18:00 Evangelistic Hour

18:30 Hepzibah

19:00 The Evening News

20:00 Islam for Guyana

20:30 Movie - Gigi & Nate (2022)

22:30 Movie - Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)

00:00 Sign off

Dead: Kamaluddin Abrahim

President Dr Irfaan Ali and other regional leaders engaging US Congressman Hakeem Jeffries on the sidelines of the Caricom Heads of Government meeting earlier this week in Trinidad and Tobago TURN TO PAGE 9

Poultry farmers to access loans from Demerara Bank next week – Pres Ali

sium saw the presence of a number of poultry farmers from across the country, as well as Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, Guyana Poultry Producers Association (GPPC) Chairman David Fernandes and GLDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Dwight Waldron.

This symposium comes a week after a meeting between President Ali and several small, medium, and large-scale poultry farmers at State House, during which discussions had surrounded the current state of the poultry industry, positioning the sector as more competitive and addressing the type of support the Government can provide.

Following a week of negotiations with Demerara Bank Limited, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday announced the imminent rollout of several loans that will be accessible to small poultry farmers to aid them in getting back into production.

During a poultry symposium hosted by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Ali noted that an oft-repeated concern of poultry farmers had been the need for low-cost financing to aid their production.

“We have arrived at the position of loans $500,000 and less for small farmers [at] a 3.5 per cent interest rate; [loans] between $500,000 and $1 million [at an interest rate of] 4 per cent … [and loans] between $1 and $5 million at a 5.5 per cent interest rate,” Ali explained.

He added that a system

is also being put in place to expedite the process for farmers seeking loans totalling $1 million or less.

“Importantly, with a mechanism that we will set up – that includes the Poultry Association, the GLDA, the Agriculture and Finance Ministries, and the bank – for those [signing up for loans] $1 million and less, [the agencies] will look at using letter of assignment, that is if you’re doing contract farming for someone else, as part of the collateral basis to give you those loans, to expedite the pace at which the loans will be granted,” the President added.

From Monday through Wednesday, poultry farmers can return to the ACCC to begin processing their loans. The President noted that the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will facilitate this process alongside the bank.

GLDA’s poultry sympo-

During Friday’s broader discussion on these topics, President Ali remarked that the poultry sector in Guyana must be rebuilt to become more resilient, sustainable, viable, and profitable.

While poultry production is expected to increase globally by 7 per cent in 2023 and is projected to increase by 6 per cent annually until 2025, challenges persist.

These come in the form of pandemic-related and Ukraine-Russia war-associated supply chain disruptions and restricted movement, and concerns surrounding contamination, disease outbreak, and climate change.

President Ali added that rising input costs is another major concern within the poultry industry, with the cost of rice as an input to feed increasing by 100 per cent, soya as an input to feed increasing by 65 per cent, and corn as an input to feed increased by 55 per cent, since 2020.

He remarked that trans-

port and logistics is a major contributing factor to this issue.

“We cannot build a sustainable, resilient, and viable industry if we don’t control this cost. We can eliminate the transport and

logistics cost by building up our own capacity and increasing our own yield and production,” Ali said.

He reiterated that by 2026, Guyana is expected to be self-sufficient in its production of corn and

soya.

Meanwhile, in seeking to increase production, he stated a need to also increase cold storage capacities in the country.

(Pooja Rambarran)

Guyana seeks US assistance...

According to Secretary Blinken, this is reflected in the US Export-Import (EXIM) Bank’s commitment of US$2 billion to Guyana for the country’s model Gasto-Energy project that is aimed at cutting emissions by 50 per cent and lower electricity costs.

This project 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).

The multi-billion-dollar transformational project will see gas being piped from the Liza Field in the

Stabroek Block to onshore in Wales via pipelines that will be procured, installed, and operated by Exxon to the tune of US$1 billion.

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

In addition to financial assistance, the Secretary

FROM PAGE 3

of State pointed out that Guyana can also benefit from the expertise in the US.

“American companies can bring unparalleled expertise, high labor, and environmental standards, and transparency to help power Guyana’s dynamic growth, to advance regional energy security, to deliver tangible benefits to all the people of Guyana,” Secretary Blinken stated. (G-8)

Attendees at GLDA’s Poultry Symposium

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Cocaine in suitcase accused gets High Court bail

heard on Friday by Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry at the High Court in Demerara. Bail has been granted on condition that he reports to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit Headquarters every fortnight, commencing from July 17.

Peniston had initially been charged and remanded to prison by a Magistrate in early March for allegedly trafficking $2.1 million worth of cocaine at his Festival City, Georgetown property. About two weeks later, his attorney had approached the High Court for bail, but that application was refused by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

What’s inside…

…Norton’s dossier?

$2.1 million.

Evidently, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton wasn’t on the original schedule of visiting US Secy of State Blinken. But he was shoehorned in at the last minute for a brief encounter at the US Embassy, before the Secty jetted out of the country after his one-day visit. Having already met Pres Ali in TT at the Caricom 50th anniversary commemoration, Blinken’s visit highlighted Guyana’s growing importance to American strategic interests in this neck of the woods.

Four months after a businessman had been remanded on a narco-trafficking charge, that resident of Festival City, North Ruimveldt,

Georgetown has been granted $800,000 bail by the High Court on Friday. A bail application on behalf of 44-year-old Royston Peniston was

Particulars of the charge against Peniston state that on March 3, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, he had 2.178 kilograms of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. According to CANU, the drug has a street value of

Peniston, called “Fat Joe”, is the owner of the popular Blue Iguana Night Club in Alberttown, Georgetown. On the day in question, CANU ranks had swooped down on the businessman’s property at Festival City and intercepted him with two hardcover suitcases in his possession. A search of the suitcases in his presence revealed a quantity of a whitish, powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. As such, Peniston was arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters.

It would appear, then, that our domestic politics wasn’t on the US’ radar…meaning they’re satisfied that the government in place satisfies their interests!! It’s all about interests, baby!! That the PPP held off the PNC’s outrageous attempt to rig the 2020 elections in front of the entire world, and it took the bravery of US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch to signal that this was unacceptable, allowed Blinken to emphasize the legitimacy of shared DEMOCRATIC values as the basis of our relationship!!

So, what would Norton put in the dossier that he handed over?? He shamelessly played the democratic card, and emphasized there must be a “clean” voters list and the use of biometrics in place for the 2025 elections. By using the word “clean”, Norton’s implying that the present list is in some way “dirty”!! But maybe Norton doesn’t realise that Blinken has a staff that would brief him. Using the other word “bloated”, Norton’s PNC has already gone to the Courts - which told them that it would be unconstitutional to strike off the names of overseas persons on the list that creates the “bloat”!!

The solution is to alter the Constitution to remove the right of overseas Guyanese citizens to vote – and the PNC had five years to do this between 2020 and 2025, but didn’t!! All Blinken and the State Department will do is inform Norton to place his proposal in the form of a motion in the National Assembly!! But Norton and the PNC want to have their cake – the money of those overseas Guyanese, who’d be pi55ed if their voting right was taken away –and eat it too: complaining about a “dirty” list to excuse their inability to garner a majority of votes in democratic elections!!

Ever since Aug 2, 2020 - when Granger reluctantly left State House - his successor Norton and Opposition supporters have been cussing out the Americans for conducting “regime change” – just for supporting the PNC’s call for a recount of the votes!! What incentive is there for Blinken to offer them any support?? Lastly, Norton told Blinken the PPP isn’t “inclusive”, and is establishing a “oneparty state”.

Since they’re winning elections democratically by courting votes from all communities – and especially targeting African Guyanese – doesn’t this satisfy the demand for “inclusivity”??

…the Congressional Delegation??

One aspect of Secretary Blinken’s visit that hasn’t gotten enough attention was the Congressional delegation that was there with him at the Caricom 50th Anniversary meet in T&T. Now, in the American scheme of governance, Congressional delegations are a regular feature, and are justified as necessary to educate the members of Congress on pertinent issues. More frequently, they’re seen as junkets!! Anyhow, this one was led by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries - who should be no stranger to political observers here.

He’s earned a reputation as being very close to one of the PNC’s more rabid supporters from Brooklyn – who dubbed the PPP as “racist”. Jeffries dissed President Ali last year by refusing to meet him in NYC – after demanding that “regime change” Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch be recalled!! Your Eyewitness wondered what he told Sarah when he sat near her in TT!!

With Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who’s also close to the PNC flack, will they be reporting back to Congress that the Biden Administration’s courting an “installed regime”??

…the wheels??

For sure, if the Congressional Delegation had come over to Guyana, they would’ve given Opp Leader Norton a bigger play. But would they have gone so far as to recommend a new “regime change”??

CANU has said its ranks found a quantity of cocaine in suitcases at Peniston’s Festival City, Georgetown property

Accused drug trafficker Royston Peniston

Chinese company invests US$115M to improve bauxite production in Guyana –

Pres Ali says Bosai will be held accountable for commitments

With the aim of mass-producing a higher grade of bauxite, China-based Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc (BMGG) will be injecting some US$115 million into a ‘Maz Project’ that will advance its local operations.

This announcement was made on Friday by Managing Director of the Bosai Group, Yuan Zhilun, at the commissioning ceremony of a new rotary kiln #15 at the company’s mining site in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

Yuan Zhilun explained that there has been a decline in the demand for raw materials, resulting in the sale revenue of BMGG dropping by some 20 per cent last year. With the demand forecasted to further reduce, Bosai is looking to expand its operations in Guyana.

To this end, Zhilun noted that the newly commissioned rotary kiln will not only enhance efficiency but also reduce production costs.

“After the old kilns are phased out, we are confident that the new rotary kiln #15 and the dry kiln #16 will bring about higher efficiency and lower production costs, especially in terms of kiln #15. It is the first new kiln to be built by BMGG since the 1970s. With the capacity of 1.5 times that of our old one, it will take the productivity of BMGG through new heights, laying a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the company.”

With the need to reinforce new ideas and develop new products, the Bosai official noted that the company will soon be launching the construction of its ‘Maz Project’. This initiative will see the company bringing in even more high-powered equipment such as a bulldozer and other mobile devices.

Additionally, the Chinese

company will also be expanding the ship-loading port as well as setting up a new transhipment platform in Georgetown.

Demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development, Bosai will be offsetting the impact of its mining activities on the environment with the installation of a conveyor belt – 90 kilometres from the mining site to the port – to replace the bauxite auto-haulage system.

After its commissioning, Zhilun pointed out that this US$115 million ‘Maz Project’ will see some 400 direct job opportunities being created.

He added that the initiative is pegged to generate approximately US$200 million annually.

This massive investment by the Chinese company was acknowledged by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who noted that while Bosai is undertaking a massive expansion of its Guyana operation, any new developments will be dependent on the company fulfilling

its current commitments.

Among the current planned developments that Bosai has for its operations in Guyana is a 12 megawatt (MW) solar power project. This solar project is expected to start this year and will be used to power the company’s operations.

“This, perhaps, will be one of the largest private sector investments in renewable energy for their own operations maybe in the entire region,” the Head of State noted.

In addition, the Chinese company will also be undertaking the construction of a US$470 million aluminium plant, which will bring hundreds of new jobs to Region 10.

“So, we want to hear your time schedule on the building of that aluminium plant and that will be linked to unlocking new areas. So, we’re not taking the presentation and sleeping on it. We are now going to put you to the test to ensure that any decision is based on achievable targets that

Pres Ali educates US Congressman...

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley; Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves; and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowely, were the regional leaders present during the engagement with Jeffries on the sidelines of the CARICOM conference in Port-of-Spain.

According to the Guyanese Head of State, Congressman Jeffries lend a “listening ear” during the brief encounter. “I made it clear to him that we have all the statistics [and] information, anything that will help him in understanding the truth and the reality,” he added.

The President noted that while the engagement was

not extensive, he did indicate to the US politician that he will be in Washington soon and will open his agenda for a more formal meeting between them.

On his return from Washington last year, President Ali had lashed out at the ongoing narrative, which he says can damage the country’s reputation – something which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has been working tirelessly to repair since assuming office in 2020. “You have all these reckless statements… when we’re advancing the specific cause and results for our country. What are they trying to achieve? I prom -

we’re setting. We want the aluminium plant; you promised the US$470 million investment and now we’re hoping to see a schedule of action to realise this,” the Guyanese leader posited.

Nevertheless, President Ali went on to emphasise that while the Government is committed to ensuring the viabil-

ity of Bosai’s investment, the company must work towards meeting its targets.

“We are not separate on this journey to ensure that this investment is viable. Therefore, we want to see you accomplish the targets that you set for 2023. I notice in the figures that you’re at 132,000 tonnes at the moment. Your target is closer to 470,000 tonnes for the year. So, I look forward to hearing from you on how you’re going to accelerate [production]. I know the kiln was one of the bugbears and now that it is in operation you will have an accelerated moment towards accomplishing that target. So, we’re holding you accountable to that target,” he stated.

However, even as he charged the company to fasttrack its production, the Head of State cautioned the company to ensure the advancement of Guyanese workers and their rights.

“Our policy-making must be one in which investments are not encouraged but at the same time, [must be] one in which the workers’ rights, privilege and their advancements is also protected. And that is the objective of the

policy-making in moving this sector forward,” Ali stressed.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan noted that this investment by Bosai to boost its operations is reflective of the deepening confidence of Chinese investors in the Guyanese economy, especially in the mining sector.

“Cooperation in the mining sector between China and Guyana is significant. Chinese mining companies have made big amounts of investments in Guyana to enhance productivity and export. These mining companies here have created over 2500 jobs for local people, increased their incomes, and help improve their livelihoods,” Ambassador Guo noted.

Bosai has been operating in Guyana since 2007. Local bauxite production has been increasing over the last three years, moving from 608,000 tonnes in 2020 to 705,000 tonnes in 2022 with an average of more than 600,000 tonnes in the last three years. In 2022, Guyanese earned some US$98.9 million in bauxite exports – an increase of 23.6 per cent over the previous year. (G-8)

FROM PAGE 5

ised myself I will not address it but it had to because it must not continue without being addressed…

I have been working hard every single day on the international circuit to build that trust, and bring back that trust and confidence in our country. Let me tell the naysayers something, it is not easy to go into a room to hear about your country’s democracy records and election records as negative against your country. And we have to spend hours dismantling that negative perception about our country. It is not easy and I sit there for hours, painstakingly positioning this country where it rightfully belongs,” the Guyanese Leader had stated last August.

President Ali joined Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan and Bosai Group Managing Director Yuan Zhilun to commission the new kiln on Friday as Prime Minister Mark Phillips and other Cabinet Ministers looked on

29-Y-O construction worker charged with murder of partner, 48

Shivnanand Henry also called “Sunny”, a 29-yearold construction worker of De Groot En Klyne Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was remanded to prison on Friday after he was arraigned for the murder of his 48-year-old partner, Bibi Naseefa Baksh.

The man appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ali-Seepaul at the Leonora Magistrate's Court, where the charge was read to him but he was not required to plead. He was remanded to prison until August 25.

According to Police, the couple would frequently be embroiled in domestic disputes which would lead to physical al -

tercations. However, on the day in question while under the influence of alcohol, the couple engaged in a heated argument which subsequently turned physical.

According to information received, Henry reportedly kicked the now dead woman down their wooden stairs and dragged her onto the roadway, where he continued to kick her. He then armed himself with a piece of wood and dealt her several blows about the body.

After the brutal beating, the suspect and the victim’s daughter assisted Baksh back into the house where she was then taken to her bedroom and helped

onto her bed. Shortly thereafter, Baksh was discovered to be unresponsive.

Upon realising that something was wrong, the victim’s daughter raised an alarm as the suspect fled the scene. The Police were contacted and upon arriving at the location, observed Baksh lying motionlessly in the bedroom.

Visible abrasions were seen on her forehead, shoulder, arms, and knees. Efforts to locate Henry at the time were unsuccessful. However, one day after the murder, Henry was nabbed by law enforcement officers.

Remanded: Shivnanand Henry

Dead: Bibi Naseefa Baksh

GT businessman shot during attempted execution –

40 spent shells found at scene

Popular city businessman Safraz Khan has been shot several times during what appears to be an attempt to execute him in front of his home at Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown.

Gunshots rang out in that Campbellville community at about 20:07h last Thursday evening, before an unidentified man was seen entering the front passenger seat of a silver-grey motorcar and fleeing the scene.

Police have said that the 42-year-old businessman had left his work site at Eccles, East Bank Demerara at about 19:50h in his white Toyota Premio vehicle, PVV 8859, and as he was making his way home, had observed a silver-grey Allion motorcar trailing him. As Khan turned into the entrance of his home and stopped his car, the suspect immediately exited the front passenger

seat of the Allion with a gun in hand, and approached Khan’s vehicle.

According to detectives, as Khan saw the armed suspect approaching his vehicle, he availed himself of his licensed pistol and discharged rounds in the suspect’s direction. Thereupon, the suspect riddled Khan’s car with bullets before re-entering the silver-grey car, which sped off the scene.

Slumped in the driver’s seat, bleeding from wounds on his feet and hands, Khan was immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted. His condition is regarded as stable.

In their investigations, detectives found 27 spent shells of .223 ammunition on the roadway, and another 13 spent shells of 9mm ammunition in Khan’s car. They also found Khan’s gun on the front seat of his bul-

Injured: Safraz Khan

let-ridden car. Bullet holes were also found on a concrete fence, a verandah, and on the garage gate. Another car, a grey BMW owned by Khan, which was parked alongside the other car, had a hole in the right front door.

Police have since confirmed that Khan sustained

gunshot injuries to the thigh and left elbow. CCTV footage that captured the incident is being reviewed as investigations continue.

Back in 2018, Khan had been charged and granted bail in relation to discharging a loaded firearm outside the Palm Court Club on Main Street. Khan, who was 37 at that time, had

appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore, where the charge which was read to him had stated that, on October 28, at Main Street Georgetown, he discharged a loaded firearm within 100 yards of a public way. Khan had denied the allegation levelled against him, and his lawyer Glenn

Hanoman had been successful in making a bail application.

Khan is the brother of Imran Khan, who was slapped with an attempted murder charge following an attack on Romario Balget, called ‘Short Boss’, outside of the Palm Court Night Club on Main Street on October 28.

The shooter as he was entering the silver-grey car after his attempt at execution

SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 share top spot at NGSA 2023

By: Rupa SeenaRaine

Three candidates have tied for the country’s top place at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) 2023 after the results were announced on Friday, signalling a new level of fierce competition at the examination.

Obtaining the highest mark of 506.7 out of a possible 507.7 were Glasford Archer of Leonora Primary School, Anaya Jagnandan of The New Guyana School, and Ritisha Gobin of the Academy of Excellence.

They were offered a place at the prestigious Queen’s College.

At the edge of their seats, the young students patiently waited as their performance was announced by Education Minister Manickchand at the Pegasus Suites Exhibition Centre.

Beaming with pride and a sense of relief, young Glasford is aiming to become a businessman but he is also keen on learning new languages. When asked about his preparations, the lad shared that he used every chance to read and study. However, it was also underlined that

having a study-leisure balance is also paramount.

“I used to be studying

till around midnight and then I will be studying before I go to school. Even in class during my free time, I would be reading a book and then I would take some leisure time before I do it all over again… You should have equality in how much time you’re awake and how much time you sleep,” he expressed.

Meanwhile, standing alongside other top students in the bracket, Ritisha told the media that she was “excited but nervous”.

A brave Anaya detailed that she wants to become an astronomist. Commenting on the exams, she relayed, “The exam wasn’t too easy nor too difficult. It was an average exam that you are

preparing for your whole life…I would study, and do different quizzes and programmes online to help me build my skills.”

In fourth position were five students with 505.8 marks. They were Savanna McIntosh and Relance Marcus from Green Acres Primary School; and Aradhya Ramjag, Samara James, and Arianna Samad from Mae’s Under 12 Primary School.

Young Savanna noted that she was keen to do all of her homework and studied extensively. She added, “The pressure of knowing what secondary school you’re gonna get is gone so it is kind of a relief.”

Sashana Henry of Horsororo Primary School

Diana Hariprashad of Cotton Tree Primary School

Avron Doodnauth of Sparta Primary School

Aaron Anamayah of Cropper Primary School

Annalisa Siriram of Cropper Primary

Aresia Cornelius of Karrau Creek Primary

Jade Archibald of St Therese’s Primary School

Makeda Johnson of St Ignatius Primary School

Ken Mark of Paramakatoi Primary

Selah Erskine of Regma Primary School

Increased pass rates in Science, Math recorded at NGSA 2023

ed in four subjects namely, Mathematics, English, Science and Social Studies.

The examination in each subject area consisted of two papers. (Mathematics132.2; English - 124.7: Social Studies - 125.1; Science125.7).

Some 15,273 students wrote the NGSA on May 3 and 4, 2023. Of this number, 287 were Spanish-speaking students. It is the first year special material was provided to cater to these students.

Positive trends have been recorded for Mathematics and Science at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), while the other two subject areas also saw steady performances.

A breakdown of the country’s performance was provided by the Senior Manager of Examinations Administrations and Security at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Teddy Rajan on Friday. These results represented students who scored 50 per cent and above at the NGSA.

The overall pass rate for Mathematics was 39.87 per cent when compared to 34.77 per cent in 2022 – a significant improvement with upward mobility in candidates securing a perfect score.

The Science pass rate was 55.11 per cent this year - an upward trend from last year’s 46.45 per cent. More candidates obtained full marks than in the last few years. Zero scores and full scores have been reversed positively in significant proportions.

Meanwhile, English recorded a pass rate of 64.47 per cent. Last year, the pass rate was 64.75 per cent. The trend of candidates scoring zero remained relatively flat. There was a 469 per cent increase over 2022 in students scoring full marks in English.

For Social Studies, there was a 0.3 per cent decrease in the performance over 2022 results, standing at 58.57 per cent. More candidates also scored full marks. “The 2023 performance exceeds historical over the current four

years,” Rajan stated. According to the CXC official, females performed better than males across the subject areas.

In terms of performance, some 3742 students scored in the first quartile, which is zero to 25 per cent. Another 3743 students scored within the second quartile of 25 to 50 per cent. In the third quartile, 3741 students scored between 50 and 70 per cent. In the fourth quartile, that is 75 to 100 per cent, 3741 students were in this bracket.

The Education Ministry has continued its collaboration with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to administer the exams, in improving the quality of all national primary grade assessments. Teachers, subject specialists and test development officers developed the test items with the technical guidance of the Caribbean Examinations Council, addressing key areas such as item construction, weighting of items, sampling, and other psychometric elements.

Candidates were test-

Education Minister Priya Manickchand stated that this cohort of students was in the Grade Three level when the COVID pandemic struck - a foundation year in their primary education. As such, a lot needed to be done. This included activities on the Guyana Learning Channel, passing papers online, textbooks for every child, and facilities to extend the lessons and materials for every student beyond the coastland.

The Minister has promised that whichever school a student is placed in, they will benefit from the same opportunities across all regions.

“Our commitment to you is that whichever school you go to, you will have the same services. Some of that is that students can crossstream wherever they go and write as many subjects as they want wherever they go. We’re not encouraging many subjects but we’re saying your choices should not be limited by geographical location or which school you attain,” she assured. (G-12)

3 firemen injured, millions in losses as fire flattens Charity Market

Just months after a horrific fire devasted the Parika Market in Region Three, a fire suspected to be electrical in origin has ravaged the Charity Market in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), leaving three firemen injured and stallholders counting millions of dollars in losses.

The Charity Old Market erupted in flames following a fire suspected to have originated from an electrical meter, placed at the centre of the market. The incident occurred at around 19:20h.

According to a Police report, on his way to the Charity Police Station, a Sergeant of Police observed smoke emanating from the roof in the middle of the market and immediately alert

ed the security guards who were on duty there. The Anna Regina Fire Service was subsequently contacted and water tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Commanding Officer for the Guyana Fire Service

in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Andrew Holder noted that swift action was taken and efforts by the firefighters to put out the blaze were successful.

“Immediately, our two tenders responded very promptly. When we arrived

on scene, the centre of the market was fully engulfed. Efforts by the firefighters to quickly cut off this fire from spreading to the entire building was successful. I must at this point give kudos to the regional authority who would have assisted in ensuring that we can access an unlimited supply of water,” Holder shared.

He further explained that several persons who were attempting to save their goods hindered the work of the officers who were trying to put out the fire.

“Everyone converging on the scene and trying to get stuff out of the building severely affected the firefighters from doing their job. With that in mind, I’m asking persons whenever you see fire-

fighters out there trying to accomplish full extinguishment, kindly give them some space to work. It’s not safe, keep a distance until you’re told you can access whatever it is you’re trying to access,”

Holder highlighted.

Guyana Times spoke with several vendors who are still counting their losses but

called on the Government to provide assistance to help them get back on their feet. One vendor, Chandrawattie Mamoodeen, shared that she occupies two stalls, selling items to enable her to afford her grandchildren a good education.

The aftermath of the Charity Market fire

Minister Benn and other officials at the fire site

Ex-con gets life imprisonment for murder of overseas-based Guyanese

Moore, a clothes vendor, was relieved of the gold chain he was wearing. The injured Moore was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD.

Aman convicted of killing an overseas-based Guyanese who had been a father of two, during a robbery in 2017, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Demerara High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon on Friday.

Following a trial, a jury had found Wayne Anthony Chester, 26, of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, guilty of the capital offence of murder in relation to the death of Purcell Moore Jr, based on witnesses' testimonies and other evidence led by the State prosecutors. That murder had occurred at Craig, EBD on December 20, 2017, less than two weeks after Moore and his wife had welcomed a new baby.

At Chester’s sentencing hearing on Friday, Justice Kissoon remarked that Moore was “brutally and ruthlessly” murdered for property he had worked hard to acquire.

According to the trial Judge, Moore, who had been in the habit of wearing gold chains, was targeted and robbed at gunpoint while he was helpless, defenseless, and unarmed. The robbery and killing was a horrendous act that had brought much pain to Moore’s family and community, Justice Kissoon highlighted.

Moore’s father, a retired Policeman, who had testified during Chester’s trial, died before the court could pass sentence on his son’s killer.

The Judge was keen to point out that, after the robbery/ murder, Chester absconded until he was detained by the Police on January 6, 2019 in relation to an armed robbery committed by a Policeman. In passing sentence, he considered, among other things, the prevalence of persons being robbed and killed for their property. In so doing, he noted that citizens must be able to go about their business without fear of being robbed or killed.

The Judge also took into consideration the fact that Chester has previously been convicted and jailed for five years for robbery under arms, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a loaded firearm with intent, and unlawful and malicious damage to property.

While Chester’s legal counsel, Adrian Thompson, had implored the court in written submissions to con-

sider his client’s youthfulness and his capacity to be rehabilitated, Justice Kissoon said Chester’s prolonged criminal conduct paints a different picture. Although he was found guilty by a jury of his peers, the Judge not-

—Selwin Dawson and Kevin Persaud — were each sentenced by Justice Kissoon to life imprisonment for killing Moore. Though initially indicted for murder, the duo, both 23, had opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. They must spend 15 years in jail before being considered for parole.

In sentencing those men, Justice Kissoon had remarked, “This callous crime and course of conduct displayed by [Persaud and Dawson] must be addressed. Members of society ought to be free to move about… whether in the precinct of the business community in downtown Georgetown, in their neighbourhood, or their homes…”

In May 2019, Chester was jailed for a series of offences, including robbery under arms. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on the robbery charge, three years’ imprisonment for possession of an unlicensed firearm, three years for possession of unlicensed ammunition, another three years for discharging a loaded firearm, and six months

for damage to property. He has completed serving these concurrent sentences. Particulars of the robbery charge had stated that on January 6, 2019, at Conciliation Drive in Tucville, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and being armed with an unlicensed gun, Chester robbed Policeman Cromwell of $512,600 in cash and jewellery. On the same date and at the same place, he also damaged car parts belonging to Cromwell, and had shot at him.

ed, there was not a “shred of remorse, regret, or sympathy” from Chester for the destruction he has wreaked on a family.

The convict Wayne Anthony Chester has been sentenced to imprisonment for life, and must serve 30 years before he becomes eligible for parole. He has also been ordered to enroll in programmes offered by the prison, and has been given full credit for time spent in pre-trial custody.

Senior State Counsel Tiffini Lyken and State Counsel Simran Gajraj, Rbina Christmas and Cicelia Corbin prosecuted the case.

In June 2021, two men

Considering this, he had noted that the sentence of the court must not only fit the dastardly act committed by the duo, but also serve as a deterrent to like-minded offenders. Dawson has since filed an appeal against his sentence at the Court of Appeal of Guyana.

According to reports, Moore, who had returned to Guyana from French Guiana for the Christmas holidays, was returning to his parents’ home from a shop when he was confronted by armed men. An argument erupted between Moore and the suspects, and a scuffle resulted, during which several rounds were discharged at Moore before the men fled the scene. Chester shot Moore twice — once to the head, and once to the chest. During the ordeal,

Convicted killer Wayne Anthony Chester, called “Sharky”

Murdered: Purcell Moore

Convicted killers Selwin Dawson (right) and Kevin Persaud

Justice Sandil Kissoon

McIntosh elected Mayor of NA, Murray Mayor of Bartica

Wainwright McIntosh was elected Mayor of New Amsterdam on Friday. He previously served as Deputy Mayor under the Winifred Haywood Mayorship but received the full support of his APNU Councillors for the post of Mayor.

In addition, Kirk Fraser was elected his Deputy after also receiving the full support of his colleagues. However, the 14seat Council comprises eight members from APNU and six from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

The Councillors are Polliann Shultz, Buster Wright, Venessa Benjamin, Jevaughn Stephens, Cordell Austin, Oneika Ramsuchit, Carol Trim, Quacy Issacs, Joel Amsterdam, Nelson Blake, Nicola Luther and Roopchand Singh.

Previously, the APNU/

AFC had a combined 11 seats while the PPP had three. In 2016, PPP had only one seat on the Council while APNU/AFC had 13.

Following the elections on Friday, a finance committee was also established. The other committees will be set up at the Council’s next meeting.

Mayor McIntosh said under his tenure, residents of New Amsterdam can look forward to improved management of municipal solid waste as he pledged to work assiduously to ensure residents are provided with the services which are due to them.

Apart from that, he said much attention will be placed on the drainage system within the township.

The newly elected Mayor also pointed to the inability of the staff of the municipality to carry out their functions and responsibilities

while emphasising the need for capacity building.

“When our staff is empowered, they are much better able to carry out their functions and responsibilities. Administratively speaking, while we will be looking at things from a policy level, I am looking for more engagement and interaction with residents.”

McIntosh further added that he will have an opendoor policy where residents can feel free at any time to approach him with suggestions and concerns.

“Any concerns or queries you may have, feel free to approach the Mayor’s office. My office will be open to facilitate residents and members of the business community.”

He nevertheless called on residents to hold staff accountable. He said municipal staff members are paid to ensure residents of the

town of New Amsterdam receive service.

“From the Town Clark right down, I am asking residents to help me to hold the staff, especially the administrative staff, accountable,” the Mayor told reporters after the first meeting of the 5th Council on Friday.

In addition, on Thursday, the towns in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) – Corriverton, and Rose Hall Town, met where the Councils were installed and Mayors and their Deputies selected.

The new Mayor of Corriverton is Iman Amin, who previously served as Deputy Mayor. The new Deputy Mayor is Satyanand Ramraj. In the township of Rose Hall, Dave Budhu was re-elected as Mayor with Roydel Lewis as his Deputy.

In both those towns, the Mayor and Deputy are from the PPP.

Meanwhile, in a historic turn of events, the township of Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) will now be led by representatives of the PPP following the just concluded Local Government Elections on June 12.

The town’s new Mayor is Anthony Murray, replacing Gifford Marshall of APNU. The Deputy Mayor position went to Gail Ann Persaud,

also of the PPP. Bartica has traditionally been known as a People’s National Congress (PNC)led APNU stronghold area. Following this year’s elections, both APNU and PPP now occupy nine seats each on the Town Council but the PPP has the popular vote. Previously, APNU and its Alliance For Change coalition partner held the majority. (Andrew Carmichael)

3 share top spot at NGSA...

For Arianna Samad, working with her parents helped her journey towards succeeding at the assessment.

“I feel pretty much elated and proud…I would read not just to brush through but read to remember it. I would work with my parents which also helped me. When I had nothing to do, I would take out a textbook and ready or do some exercises.”

Coming in ninth place with 505.7 marks were four students: Afeerah Ali of Chateau Margot Primar School, Reyad Baksh of Saraswat Primary School, Jada Pike of Winfer Gardens Primary School, and Rhea Jaiserrisingh of New Guyana School.

Speaking with this publication, Baksh shared, “[The results] made be happy and proud. I had to do hard work to get into preparation. I want to get into an engineering profession, between mechanical and aeronautics. I saw people building robots and it kind of inspired me to build things.”

Regional Performance

The cut-off marks were 499.2 for Queen’s College, 496.2 for the Bishops’

High School, 493.6 for St Stanislaus College, 490.7 for St Rose’s High School and 488 for St Joseph High School.

Regionally, Sashana Henry of Horsororo Primary School topped Region One (Barima-Waini) with 498.1 marks while Avron Doodnauth of Sparta Primary School secured the top spot for Region Two (Pomeroo-Supenaam) with 503 marks.

A beaming Deonauth had advice for the upcoming cohort of Grade Six students. “Work hard, focus and most importantly, never give up,” he encouraged.

Topping for Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) was Diana Hariprashad of Cotton Tree Primary.

Annalisa Siriram and Aaron Anamayah of Cropper Primary School along with Jade Archibald of St Therese’s Primary School topped Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with 502.9 marks each.

Aresia Cornelius of Karrau Creek Primary scored 498.3 marks, the highest for Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Meanwhile, Ken Mark

FROM PAGE 12

of Paramakatoi Primary School secured 489.3 marks and topped Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). However, it was not an easy feat, having to assist his family at their farm while simultaneously burning the midnight oil. Now, he is eyeing to become a surgeon and has big plans for his education.

“Although my family has been struggling a lot, I had to stay up very late at night trying to study…I said if I study, I would pass so I spent a couple of weeks studying and when the exams came, I was ready,” Mark stated.

The highest mark of 495.4 for Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was obtained by Makeda Johnson of St Ignatius Primary School. Selah Erskine of Regma Primary School topped Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) with 504.8 marks.

Meanwhile, Claire Glasglow of the New Guyana School was awarded for the best short story while the best letter was produced by Rihanna Chapelle of Tuschen Primary School. Both girls were offered a place at Queen’s College.

New Amsterdam Mayor Wainwright McIntosh and his Deputy, Kirk Fraser

Re-elected Mayor Dave Budhu and his team

Corriverton Mayor Iman Amin

New Mayor of Bartica, Anthony Murray, and his Deputy Gail Ann Persaud (seated)

Reg 1 children benefit from Early Childhood Development programme

Close to 1000 children inclusive of over 300 migrant children in various communities in the Mabaruma Sub District, Region One (Barima-Waini) are beneficiaries of quality early childhood development programmes and family support services.

This was highlighted by representatives of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Guyana during a recent visit to the region.

In a press release issued by UNICEF, it was explained that in 2021, the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development, Canada provided a grant of three million Canadian Dollars to provide a safe and secure environment in Guyana’s hinterland and selected coastal areas, to ensure that children under 4 years old and their parents have access to quality childhood development programmes.

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme is one component of the three-million-dollar project that was realised in several communities within the Mabaruma Sub District

such as Hosororo, Mabaruma Central, White Water, Khan’s Hill, Yarakita, and Kamwatta.

During a visit to the Khan’s Hill Health Post by the team from Canada, UNICEF and regional officers, Community Health Worker Theresa Singh spoke about the benefits the ECD programme provides in the community.

“I have learned a lot through this programme. It is a very good thing within this community. Children are bolder and have an increased

interest in learning and wanting to go to school,” Singh remarked.

“We have also seen increased communication with parent and child…both children and parent work to help each other in the space especially when they come to the clinic. It also helped me personally with my daughter and my nieces…we were taught that as we develop, we should take our learnings to other communities and engage them so others can benefit,” she added.

Govt to soon table Bill to abolish Preliminary Inquiries

has already abolished the use of Preliminary Inquiry.

In this regard, the Chambers said that recently, while in Guyana, Judges of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) hailed this measure as one that has worked with great success in the Caribbean and across the Commonwealth in reducing the backlog of cases, reducing time spent on remand, bringing greater speed, and overall improving the efficiency in the criminal justice system.

Singh explained that Khan’s Hill Health Post was frequented by many migrant families in the area. Though many have moved to other communities, the remaining migrants continue to utilise the space, with many children now at the nursery level. With concerns about the language gap, she noted that the majority of the migrants understand English in the area.

Parents at the event also lauded the programme, noting that it has contributed to their children learning colours, shapes, and numbers to name a few.

Also boasting of the benefits of the programme was Regional Health Officer, Dr Steven Cheefoon, who explained that the region worked rigorously with UNICEF Guyana to implement posts for the ECD programme at some border points of entry within the region to better integrate children into the schools.

“Our matriculation rate from 2021 to now has seen quite an improvement from 12 per cent to 17 per cent. Thanks to this programme we are able to see more children in schools who are more in a state of readiness to start school, including

two autistic children. Because of this partnership with the Canadian Government and UNICEF, we have been able to accelerate development within this region,” Cheefoon said.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Canada, Maninder Sidhu while at the health post noted that, “Canada is proud to support the project, in partnership with UNICEF, to improve access to health and education for boys and girls in hinterland communities in Guyana.”

UNICEF Guyana also took the opportunity to express its sincere appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development, Canada. “We are grateful for your generous contribution to

children and parents of migrant and host communities in the hinterland and select coastal regions and we look forward to future collaboration with the Canadian government,” said Adolescent Development Officer at UNICEF, Jewel Crosse.

To date, 13 health workers have been trained and 804 community stakeholders in Region One have benefitted from ECD parenting sessions facilitated by UNICEF Guyana, and have integrated the ECD strategies into their daily routines. The programme emphasises nurturing care and early stimulation and aims to ensure children, particularly the most vulnerable, have the best start in life.

The Government intends to lay in the National Assembly soon, the Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Committals) Bill 2023 which envisages the abolition of Preliminary Inquiries and the substitution thereof with Paper Committals.

This comes on the heels of a series of measures the Government is undertaking to modernise and make the country’s criminal justice system more efficient.

In a statement on Friday, the Attorney General’s Chambers said that the Bill will be soon taken to the Cabinet as the Government intends to lay it in the National Assembly.

“The Attorney General Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs in June 2023 invited comments in writing on the draft Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Committals) Bill 2023.”

According to the statement, submissions were solicited from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Office of the Police Legal Advisor, the Guyana Bar Association, the Berbice Bar Association, and the Law Reform Commission.

The Explanatory

Memorandum of the Bill said that the intent is to provide for the abolition of Preliminary Inquiries; to provide for the procedure in respect of Paper Committal proceedings in criminal matters; and for matters connected thereto. This Bill is divided into three Parts and contains 24 Clauses.

The Attorney General’s Chambers explained that Paper Committals involve reviewing the evidence and arguments presented by both the Prosecution and the Defence in written form, rather than conducting an in-person hearing.

Under the new system, the Magistrate will review the written submissions and make a determination based on the available evidence, the Chambers further said.

“The Paper Committal process saves time and resources by eliminating the need for witness testimony and cross-examination during the preliminary inquiry stage. This will inevitably save judicial time, reduce the backlog of criminal cases and reduce the prison population on remand.”

It posited that the Bill will bring Guyana on par with jurisdictions across the Caribbean and the Commonwealth that

“The Paper Committal system was introduced into Guyana by the Sexual Offences Act in 2010. It has survived several legal challenges and has worked reasonably well,” posited the Chambers.

In June, the Government announced that the Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Plea Agreement) Bill had been drafted and would soon make its way to the Cabinet and then the House.

This Bill is designed not only to ensure proper sentencing for offenders, but to expedite criminal proceedings and hopefully, reduce the court backlog.

“The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a system of plea discussion and plea agreements in criminal proceedings. Its primary intent is to provide the opportunity for prosecutors and accused persons to meet under specific circumstances and negotiate a settlement acceptable to the principles of justice,” the Attorney General’s Chambers explained.

“This will inevitably save judicial time, reduce the backlog of criminal cases, reduce the prison population on remand while at the same time ensuring that accused persons face penalties proportionate to the crimes committed.”

3 firemen injured, millions...

FROM PAGE 14

“I’m the owner of two stalls and 21 cupboards for myself and my grandchildren for their schooling. I stock it [and] sell so they could have a good education. In one of the stalls, they had to break the door, everything was damaged inside. There’re huge amounts of materials (cloth), school bags, footwear, clothing [and more],” Mamoodeen shared.

In addition, another vendor, Ava Thompson, who recently started to sell at the market, shared that all of her investments were destroyed as a result of the fire.

“I’ve only started selling in the market three weeks now. I made a huge investment in marine supplies along with some other convenience and this is a big loss for me. I do hope that the relevant authorities could do something for us because…it was a real struggle for me to get this far and in a matter of three weeks everything just went up in flames,” Thompson told this publication.

However, injured in the fire were leading Fireman

Tribuwan; Section Officer Springer, who received electric shocks; and Fireman Ramdahin, on whose head an object fell and who received minor injuries. They were all rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital for medical attention.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and other regional officials visited the Charity Market to assess the damage incurred due to the fire.

It was reported that at about 19:20h, the Guyana Fire Service received a call and was alerted to a fire at the Charity Amazon Market, Essequibo, Region Two.

As such, two water tenders along with their crews from the Anna Regina Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the scene.

“The structure involved was a one-flat wooden and concrete building owned by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and occupied as a market, which housed some eighty-three (83) stalls,” the Home Affairs Ministry stated in a release.

Firefighting efforts re -

sulted in the fire being contained to the central portion of the market and the damage being minimised to just about 40 per cent of the building.

A total of 29 stalls were severely damaged by the fire, while 11 suffered water damage due to firefighting.

During an engagement with vendors at the site, Minister Benn made note of fire safety issues within the structure and encumbrances that contributed to the fire and hindered firefighting efforts, respectively.

He suggested that a new market be constructed that is fully equipped with wet riser systems and other means of protection against fires.

During the engagement, vendors decried the state of the market, highlighting silted-up drainage in the area, which made it difficult for firefighters to gain access to additional water.

Information was gathered, and measures will be put in place to assist those affected by the fire.

Community Health Workers at Khan’s Hill Health Post conduct learning activities with children in the Early Childhood Development corner

The high-level Canadian delegation posing with regional heads, UNICEF representatives, community health workers and parents at Khan’s Hill Health Post, where one of the Early Childhood Development corners is located

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

The Early Childhood Development corner at Khan’s Hill Health post in Region One

Regional Amazon deforestation down by a third in 2023, says Brazilian Government

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon fell by 33.6% in the first six months of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's term compared with the same period in 2022, the Government said.

It suggests the rainforest shrank by 2649 sq km this January-June, down from 3988 sq km in those six months last year under President Bolsonaro.

The released Government satellite data has not been independently verified.

Lula has pledged to end deforestation, or forest clearance, by 2030.

But he faces a huge challenge to achieve this target, as the area of rainforest still reported to be lost under his rule is more than three times the size of New York City.

The past few years have seen an alarming rise in deforestation.

The Amazon rainforest is a crucial buffer in the global fight against climate change.

The new satellite data was presented by Brazil's National Institute of

Despite the reported progress in 2023, previous few years saw an alarming rise in deforestation

Space Research (Inpe) on Thursday.

"We have reached a steady downward trend in deforestation of the Amazon," Environment Minister Marina Silva told reporters.

Inpe singled out June as the month that saw a record 41% drop in forest clearance compared with the same period last year.

Lula, who took office in January, has vowed to reverse policies of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who promoted mining in Indigenous lands in the

Trinidad and Tobago signs preliminary energy agreement with Suriname

Suriname said on Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Trinidad and Tobago that aims to increase energy cooperation, and people familiar with the matter said it could lead to natural gas from Suriname being piped to Trinidad and Tobago.

Amazon.

Earlier this year, Lula decreed six new Indigenous reserves, banning mining and restricting commercial farming there.

Indigenous leaders welcomed the move - but stressed that more areas needed protection.

And while deforestation was reported to have fallen, fires were up in the statistics.

In June alone, satellite monitoring detected 3075 fires in the Amazon - the highest number since 2007.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

MSF halts work at Haitian hospital after armed men remove patient

The international medical charity Doctors

Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) has announced it is temporarily suspending operations at a hospital in Haiti after a group of armed men forcibly removed a patient and threatened staff members.

In a statement on Friday, MSF said about 20 armed men stormed the hospital in Tabarre near the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, on Thursday night.

The men took away a patient with gunshot wounds “who was still in an operating room”, MSF said, and they also “threatened to kill” staff members.

“We strongly condemn this incursion, which demonstrates once again the unprecedented level of violence currently raging in Port-auPrince,” the group said. “All trauma and burn care activities at the Tabarre hospital are currently suspended due to this incident.”

Haiti is struggling with high levels of gang violence, which worsened in the power vacuum caused by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021.

The Caribbean nation’s virtually non-existent Government system has made stemming attacks even more difficult, and Haiti’s de facto leader,

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, has faced a crisis of legitimacy as the political process remains in deadlock.

The gang violence has impeded access to healthcare facilities, forced the closure of schools and clinics, and worsened already dire food shortages by cutting residents of gang-controlled areas off from critical supplies.

And in March, MSF temporarily closed another hospital in the violence-plagued Port-au-Prince neighbourhood of Cite Soleil after it said “heavily armed rival groups” were engaged in violent battles “just metres” from the facility. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trinidad and Tobago has been searching for ways to expand its supplies of natural gas. The Caribbean nation can process some 4.2 billion cubic feet per day of gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petrochemicals, but its current output is less than 2.7 billion cubic feet per day, according to Government statistics.

Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi met on Thursday with Trinidad Prime Minister Keith Rowley in Port of Spain, the Suriname Government said, with the countries signing the mem-

orandum of understanding.

The two countries will now move to establish technical teams to conduct feasibility studies to determine the way forward, the Prime Minister's office of Trinidad and Tobago said in a release.

Suriname soon will host a meeting with Guyana and Trinidad to pursue strategic cooperation between

the three countries, the Government added.

The agreement is preliminary, and the people familiar with the matter said it will involve a study into the possibility of building a pipeline hundreds of miles below the ocean to link Trinidad to the South American nation's gas fields. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Catholic clergy report surveillance, beatings

amid Nicaragua's crackdown

The Police showed up two days after a Catholic clergyman at a church near the Nicaraguan capital Managua delivered a Sunday sermon in May that included a prayer "for our priests."

The officers played an audio clip of the prayer and warned: These kinds of things are dangerous, recalled a priest who was at Sunday services and when the Police officers arrived. He asked not to be identified for fear of arrest.

"We tried to explain that this is just normal prayer, nothing to do with politics," the priest said in a video interview. "But they already have proof against us that they can manipulate howev-

Costa Rica charges former President Solis with corruption

Costa Rica said on Thursday it has charged former President Luis Guillermo Solis with corruption, accusing him of involvement in a 2017 improper transfer of Government funds to State-owned Bancredito.

The transfer was made to give the impression that the bank "would appear to have sufficient liquidity" to the benefit of the

Government's image, the Attorney General said in a statement.

Solis, who governed between 2014 and 2018, denied the charges.

"I categorically reject the charges that have been brought against me," the former centre-left leader said in a video posted on Twitter.

"We always acted in accordance with the law, seek-

ing the benefit of the country, as well as the protection of Bancredito's creditors and the rights of its workers."

If found guilty, Solis could face up to eight years in prison, the Attorney General's office said.

Charges over the matter were also brought against Helios Fallas, the former Finance Minister and Sergio Alfaro, the Former Minister of the Presidency,

as well as two senior Finance Ministry officials.

Alfaro denied the charges. "I know I did not commit any crime," he said in a text message to Reuters.

Fallas declined to comment directly on the charges.

"This is a case that has already been prosecuted," he wrote in a text message, saying he would not comment further. (Reuters)

er they like."

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's five-year campaign against the Catholic church has intensified since February, according to interviews with five priests inside and outside the country.

The priests, one in Nicaragua and four outside the country, describe a sharp increase in church surveillance by Police and citizen informants; Police beatings; arrests and expulsions of priests and nuns as well as seizures of church-owned properties.

This week's brief release of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Alvarez raised

hopes for a turning point. But while senior Mexican Bishop Ramon Castro said in an interview that talks between representatives of the Nicaraguan Government and the church are "undoubtedly" ongoing, he held out little hope of a breakthrough. "It's very probable," the Vatican diplomat said, "that we're going to have to pass through more difficult moments."

The escalation continued in March after Pope Francis condemned Nicaragua's government as a "gross dictatorship" and Ortega responded by severing ties with the Vatican.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Rescuers hunt for survivors of building collapse in northeast Brazil

Brazilian rescue workers searched for as many as 10 people missing in the wreckage of a building that collapsed on Friday in the northeastern state of Pernambuco, killing three people, civil defence authorities said.

It said three people had been rescued alive from the rubble of the building in the Janga neighbourhood in the outskirts of the state capital Recife.

The Pernambuco government said on social me-

dia that eight teams were dispatched to the site after civil defence learned of the collapse at 6:35 a.m. (0935 GMT).

It was unclear what caused the collapse. Recife, a coastal city of some 1.5 million people, has been grappling with heavy rains in recent days.

The city and its metropolitan region were put under "state of attention" on Friday, which represents "moderate to high risk," the Government said. (Reuters)

Stuart Young, Energy Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, posing for a portrait during the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Texas, US, March 9, 2023

Around The World OIL NEWS

Oil prices up 3% to 9-week high on supply concerns

US to give Ukraine cluster munitions in US$800 million aid package

The United States announced on Friday that it will send Ukraine cluster munitions - prohibited by more than 100 countries - as part of an US$800 million security package, a move Ukraine said would have an "extraordinary psycho-emotional impact" on Russian forces.

Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security adviser, sought to make the case for providing these arms to Ukraine shortly before the Pentagon formally announced the aid. Cluster munitions could boost Ukraine's counteroffensive to reclaim territory seized since Russia invaded in February 2022.

il prices climbed about 3% to a nine-week high on Friday as supply concerns and technical buying outweighed fears that further interest rate hikes could

Brent futures rose US$1.95, or 2.6%, to settle at US$78.47 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) rose US$2.06, or 2.9%, to settle at US$73.86.

That was the highest close for Brent since May 1 and WTI since May 24. Both benchmarks ended up about 5% for the week.

"We're knocking on the door of a major breakout to the upside. I think you're seeing some short covering here today ... because a lot of people have been betting on the short side, said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

After two months of price consolidation between roughly US$73-77, Brent moved into technically overbought territory for the first time since mid-April.

"The rally over the last week or so ... has been quite strong and backed by momentum - as well as fresh cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia," said Craig Erlam, a senior market analyst at OANDA.

Top oil exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia announced fresh output cuts this week bringing total reductions by OPEC+, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, to around 5 million barrels per day (bpd), or about 5% of global oil demand.

"OPEC+ production cuts are expected to tighten the market, driving supply deficits in the second half of 2023, supporting higher oil prices," analysts at US financial services company Morningstar said in a note.

OPEC will likely maintain an upbeat view on oil demand growth for next year, sources close to OPEC said.

Russia's latest pledge to reduce oil exports will not require a similar cut in production, a Government source told Reuters.

Oil analytics firm Vortexa said there are currently 10.5 million barrels of Saudi crude in floating storage off the Egyptian Red Sea port of Ain Sukhna, down by almost half from mid-June.

In the US, energy firms this week added oil and natural gas rigs for the first time in 10 weeks, due to the biggest weekly increase in gas rigs since October 2016, according to energy services firm Baker Hughes Co.

In Norway, Equinor ASA paused production at its Oseberg East oil field in the North Sea due to staffing shortages.

In Mexico, six people were injured after a fire broke out on Friday morning at an offshore platform run by state oil company Pemex in the Gulf of Mexico.

Also supporting crude prices, the US dollar fell to a twoweek low after data showed US job growth was lower than expected but still strong enough to likely lead the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to resume raising interest rates later this month as it has signalled.

A weaker dollar makes crude cheaper for holders of other currencies, which could boost oil demand.

According to the CME Group Inc's FedWatch Tool, the probability that the Fed increases interest rates by 25 basis points at its July 25-26 meeting is now around 95%, up from 92% just prior to the data coming out.

Higher borrowing costs could slow economic growth and reduce oil demand.

In Europe, decades-high inflation and the impact of war in Ukraine has forced companies to impose hiring freezes and layoffs.

In Germany, a swift economic recovery appeared less likely as data showed a surprise fall in industrial production. (Reuters)

"We recognise that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance," Sullivan told reporters. "This is why we've deferred the decision for as long as we could."

"But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians because Ukraine does not have enough artillery," Sullivan said.

Asked why he was providing the cluster munitions now, Biden told reporters that it was because the effort to defend against Russia had "run out of ammunition."

Cluster munitions typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can

kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades after a conflict ends. Ukraine has asked for these weapons to fire against Russian positions with dugin troops.

The security assistance package announced by the Pentagon included cluster munitions fired by 155-millimeter Howitzer cannons, 31 additional Howitzer cannons, additional munitions for Patriot air defences and anti-tank weapons.

New Penguin drones, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and ground vehicles such as Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armoured personnel carriers were also included in the security aid - the 42nd such US package for Ukraine totalling more than $40 billion since the invasion. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Dutch Government collapses over immigration policy

The Dutch Government on Friday collapsed after failing to reach a deal on restricting immigration, junior coalition partner Christian Union said, a move expected to trigger new elections in the fall.

"The four parties decided that they cannot reach an agreement on migration. Therefore, they decided to end this Government," party spokesman Tim Kuijsten

said, confirming media reports that Prime Minister Mark Rutte would tender the resignation of his Government.

The crisis was triggered by a push by Rutte's conservative VVD party to limit the flow of asylum seekers to the Netherlands, which split his four-party Government coalition when two parties refused to support his proposals.

Tensions came to a head

Britain to tap pensions for infrastructure as Thames Water toils

As Thames Water's financial troubles raise questions about such investments, Britain will next week try to persuade pension schemes to plough billions of pounds into infrastructure and start-ups in its next leg of post-Brexit reforms.

British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt will on Monday set out the Government's latest thinking on getting cash locked up in pension pots to work in the economy.

Britain is trying to re-establish its position in the world of global finance as it feels the impact of leaving the European Union's single market on one of its most important sectors.

Hunt is expected to announce a list of insurers and asset managers signed up in principle to invest more in alternative assets, a senior industry source said, during his annual speech to grandees of finance at the City of London's Mansion House.

The Conservative Government's long-trailed policy focuses on persuading pension schemes to invest a portion of their money in infrastructure, start-ups and 'green' technology.

But the problems at Thames Water, which is battling for survival under 14 billion pounds (US$18 billion) of debt, would leave some pension schemes that had made large investments in it embarrassed, said independent pensions consultant John Ralfe.

"It's not good news for a Government that is banging the drum for companies investing in infrastructure," Ralfe said.

A second senior industry source said they feared some reforms under discussion could introduce unnecessary risk to older, so-called defined benefit pension schemes, though there was some support for voluntary targets on defined contribution schemes where payouts for members were less certain. (Excerpt from BBC News)

this week, when Rutte demanded support for a proposal to limit entrance for children of war refugees who are already in the Netherlands and to make families wait at least two years before they can be united.

This last proposal went too far for the small Christian Union and liberal D66, triggering a crisis.

The Netherlands already has a one of Europe's

toughest immigration policies but under the pressure of right-wing parties, Rutte had for months been trying to seek ways to further reduce the inflow of asylum seekers.

Asylum applications in the Netherlands jumped by a third last year to over 46,000, and the Government has projected they could increase to more than 70,000 this yeartopping the previous high of 2015. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Fukushima: China extends ban on some Japanese food over wastewater release plan China

says it will maintain a ban on some Japanese food imports over the plan to release water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.

China's customs administration said it would also implement radiation tests on food from other parts of the country.

South Korea is also maintaining a similar ban but says the proposed release meets international standards.

On Wednesday the UN's nuclear watchdog said it would have "negligible impact" on the environment.

On Friday Japan's nuclear regulator also gave its approval.

In 2011, a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake flooded three reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. It is regarded as the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

More than 150,000 people were evacuated from an exclusion zone around

the plant, which remains in place. Decommissioning of the plant has also started, but the process could take decades.

Meanwhile the equivalent of around 500 Olympicsized swimming pools worth of water has amassed at the nuclear facility, according to Reuters news agency.

Storage space for the water is running out, but the plans initiated by the Japanese Government and the facility's operator, Tepco, to release the water into the sea have encountered regional criticism - most harshly from China.

"China Customs will maintain a high level of vigilance," China's customs authority said.

Japan's Foreign Ministry said it was considering possible measures in response, according to an unnamed official who spoke to AFP news agency.

China has already strongly criticised the plan - accusing Japan of treating the ocean like its "private sewer."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Ukrainian military serviceman Igor Ovcharruck holding a defused cluster bomb from an MSLR missile, among a display of pieces of rockets used by Russian army that a Ukrainian munitions expert said did not explode on impact, in the region of Kharkiv, Ukraine, October 21, 2022

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Select your words carefully. Choose peace and love over discord and chaos. Put greater emphasis on personal growth instead of trying to change others. Don't share too much information.

(March 21-April 19)

Live with what you've got and simplify your life. Make decisions that suit you. Take nothing for granted and verify information you receive before passing it along.

(April 20-May 20)

You'll make a mistake if you don't listen to your intuition. An outsider will offer false information that can cost you. Fixing up your space to suit your needs will help you find success.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Find common ground with people you want on your team. The input you receive will change how you proceed. Pay attention to what things cost before you agree. Your innovation will make an impression

Your curiosity take you places. Stretching your mind to accommodate your dreams will boost your confidence. Don't act in haste. Go through the proper channels. You may need to rethink your strategy.

Extend a helping hand, and the connections you develop will change your life. Join forces with someone who shares your beliefs and wants to make a difference. Attend a social event.

Refrain from acting in haste. Consider what you want to achieve, and find a unique way to move forward without causing distress or discord. Stick to a budget, even if someone begs you to spend more.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Simplify your plans and refuse to let anger set in or jealousy take charge. Focus on the truth, ask questions and choose to head in a direction that makes you happy. Be yourself.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Share your feelings with a loved one. Update your look, but don't go over budget. Use your imagination to shape your future. Romance is favored. Now's a good time to make plans.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Get the facts. The best way to get ahead is to go it alone and handle matters yourself. Let intelligence guide you, not hype. Be wary of deals that sound shaky.

Don't let the changes others make tempt you to follow suit. You can be supportive without taking part. Spend time and money on something that benefits you directly. Personal growth is favored.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Get together with intelligent people who make you think. An interesting social event will lead to an opportunity that allows you to broaden your financial possibilities.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

ExxonMobil Boys’ U14, U16 School Basketball Festival…

Queen’s College set to capture both Championships

Semifinal action of the ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival in the Boys U14 and U16 categories commenced at the National Gymnasium on Thursday, July 16. Allstar performances from future national talents were showcased.

In the first semifinal of the U14 match-up, Queen’s College secured their place in the final with one point being the decider against the favourites, Bishops’ High School. The score was 12-11.

Points came from both sides of the net, and the score was 9-5 at the end of the first period.

Kwakwani Secondary, of Region 10, booked their place in the final after defeating President's College. They had a massive lead at the end of the first period: 27-2, with Simeon Sinclair and Marlon Mendonca shar-

ing twelve points; and continued to dominate the game by strengthening their lead to 42-7.

Kwakwani had looked to dominate the first Boys U16 semifinal, but suffered a horrible defeat against Marian Academy, who dominated the game in the first period by a score of 28-14, with

Jaden Simon scoring for Marian Academy.

Kwakwani did not go out without a fight. With the game down to the last second and the score being 4442, Jason Simon, who scored 9 points, scored the victory bucket.

In the concluding Boys U16 semifinal of the night,

President's College started the game on a high with a one-point lead at the end of the first period: 15–14, but

Queen’s College managed to keep their composure and blasted the President's College defense to gain victory and secure their final spot. The score: 35-22.

Ezekiel Griffith performed particularly well to put the ball into the basket for 15 points, and Francois Mayers contributed seven points.

Queen’s College will look to dominate in both matchups at the National Gymnasium when they take on Kwakwani Secondary in the U14 and Marian Academy in the U16 matchup on July 16th

The Ashes Series 2023: Test 3 of 5… Series sits on knife’s edge

Ben Stokes’s latest act of defiance and a spirited performance from England’s bowlers have left everything up for grabs after three days of the third Ashes Test.

Just five days after scoring a brilliant 155 in a losing cause at Lord’s, Stokes has again dug deep to give his side hope with a muscular 80 at Headingley.

Despite batting through clear physical pain, he pulled the trigger on five sixes and six boundaries, dragging England back from 87 for five to post 237 all out during a frantic afternoon session. That kept the first-innings deficit to a manageable 26, with a dicey display from Australia’s top order leaving the tourists 116 for four at stumps for a lead of 142.

The England attack was depleted by two, with Stokes clearly unfit to bowl and Ollie Robinson reduced to a spectator’s role by back spasms, but England showed huge heart to keep the game, and the series, alive.

Stuart Broad continued his long-time hex over David Warner, Moeen Ali prised mistakes out of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to reach 200 career scalps, and Chris Woakes chimed in with the wicket of Usman Khawaja.

Australia skipper

Pat Cummins had earlier claimed his best figures in Ashes cricket, brushing off the boos that have fol-

lowed him since last week’s stumping controversy to claim six for 91.

There was a sense of expectation in the air at the start of the day, with England vulnerable on 68 for three, but two local heroes, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, were unbeaten overnight. With Bairstow bearing a grudge following the divisive stumping that sparked fury at Lord’s, and with both men eager to make up for dropped catches on day two, the stage was set for the pair.

Instead, they barely left a dent. Root nicked the second ball of the morning to slip, too eager to play at Cummins with no width available, and Bairstow was not far behind. Tempted to drive away from his body as Mitchell Starc slanted it towards the cordon, he saw his revenge mission fall flat.

Stokes was fighting through the pain barrier to keep the contest alive, moving awkwardly as fresh nig-

gles added to his existing knee problems. He admitted at the pre-match press conference that his century on Sunday took “quite a bit out of me”, and the evidence was there for all to see. His movements were stiff and uncomfortable, and there were plenty of grimaces, but he stuck to the task during a careful stand of 44 with Moeen.

Cummins finally drew the latter into a careless hook, and Woakes was also undone by the short ball, leaving England under-powered on 142 for seven at lunch. A switch was flipped during the interval, and the adrenaline flew during the next 10.2 overs, during which they piled on 95 runs and lost their last three wickets as the game romped along.

Mark Wood got the show on the road by launching Starc for six over midwicket off the first ball of the session. The second was slashed for four, the third

for six more, and when he top-edged Cummins over fine-leg, he had 24 off just six deliveries. That was where his fun stopped, as he chipped straight up in the air looking for more of the same. However, the tone was set.

Starc dropped Stokes on 45, unable to hold on low after making good ground; and it was Starc himself who paid the price, as Stokes guided him for three successive boundaries to pass 50.

An outstanding boundary catch from Smith saw Broad become Cummins’s sixth victim, but the emergence of Robinson at number 11 merely raised Stokes’s temperature.

He blitzed Australia’s stand-in spinner Todd Murphy for five sixes in 14 balls – three back down the ground, one swept behind square, and another picked up from outside off into the leg-side. He holed out going for another big hit, Murphy going flatter and wider.

Despite being down on numbers, England’s bowling unit needed to front up again, and it was Broad who got them on the board in his second over. Plowing a familiar furrow against the left-handed Warner, he earned an equally familiar edge to slip. For the 17th time in this longstanding duel, and the second time in as many days, Broad had won the head-to-head.

A stand of 55 between Khawaja (43) and Labuschagne (33) threatened to drag the game away from a tiring England. When Labuschagne gloved Wood down leg and

Bairstow dropped the catch – his eighth miss of a chastening series – it looked a killer blow. Remarkably, though, Labuschagne slogged Moeen to deep midwicket off his very next ball, and Smith followed close behind. His trademark concentration deserted him after a few short moments, and he flicked the spinner nonchalantly but straight to the waiting Ben Duckett.

When Woakes snapped up Khawaja’s outside edge – and Bairstow managed to hold on – it left things finely poised, with day one centurion Mitchell Marsh (17no) and Travis Head (18no) at the crease. (Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD

England 1st Innings

Zak Crawley c Warner b Marsh 33

Ben Duckett c †Carey b Cummins 2

Harry Brook c Smith b Cummins 3

Joe Root c Warner b Cummins 19

Jonny Bairstow † c Smith b Starc 12

Ben Stokes (c) c Smith b Murphy 80

Moeen Ali c Smith b Cummins 21

Chris Woakes c †Carey b Starc 10

Mark Wood c Marsh b Cummins 24

Stuart Broad c Smith b Cummins 7

Ollie Robinson not out 5

Extras (b 4, lb 3, nb 9, w 5) 21

TOTAL 52.3 Ov (RR: 4.51) 237

Fall of wickets: 1-18

(Ben Duckett, 3.2 ov), 2-22

(Harry Brook, 5.2 ov), 3-65

(Zak Crawley, 13.3 ov), 4-68

(Joe Root, 19.2 ov), 5-87

(Jonny Bairstow, 24.3 ov), 6-131

(Moeen Ali, 39.4 ov), 7-142

(Chris Woakes, 42.1 ov), 8-167

(Mark Wood, 43.4 ov), 9-199

(Stuart Broad, 47.4 ov), 10-237

(Ben Stokes, 52.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mitchell Starc 14-3-59-2

Pat Cummins 18-1-91-6

Scott Boland 10-0-35-0

Mitchell Marsh 3-1-9-1

Todd Murphy 7.3-0-36-1

Australia 2nd Innings

Usman Khawaja c

†Bairstow b Woakes 43

David Warner c Crawley b Broad 1

Marnus Labuschagne

c Brook b Ali 33

Steven Smith c Duckett b Ali 2

Travis Head not out 18

Mitchell Marsh not out 17

Extras (b 1, lb 1) 2

TOTAL 47 Ov (RR: 2.46) 116/4

Fall of wickets: 1-11

(David Warner, 2.2 ov), 2-68

(Marnus Labuschagne, 25.2 ov), 3-72

(Steven Smith, 27.4 ov), 4-90 (Usman Khawaja, 34.5 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Stuart Broad 10-1-36-1

Chris Woakes 9-0-28-1

Mark Wood 10-2-12-0

Joe Root 1-0-4-0

Moeen Ali 17-3-34-2

Pat Cummins celebrating the wicket of Moeen Ali (Jul 07, 2023 ESPNcricinfo Ltd)

The Queen’s College Boys U16 Team

The Kwakwani Secondary Boys U14 Team

The Marian Academy Boys U16 Team

RBL renews sponsorship of RHTY&SC’s Grade Six Summer Camp -

100 youths to benefit

Cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) have, since 2008, been hosting the annual Grade Six Summer Camp for students preparing to enter secondary schools in September.

Hundreds of Grade Six students have participated in this camp, which has been organised by the following cricket teams: Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17, Pepsi Under-19, Metro Females, and Namilco first-division.

This camp has been sponsored by Republic Bank since its first edition. RBL has a branch at Rose Hall Town, and last Thursday, through that branch, the bank handed over its sponsorship for the 14th edition of this summer camp to officials of the RHTY&SC during a simple presentation ceremony.

Club Secretary Hilbert Foster has said the RHTY&SC is delighted to again have RBL on board, and has described the relationship as very fruitful. Last year, the camp was attended by more than 100 students, and the RHTY&SC expects another large turnout this year. The main objective of this four-week-long camp is to assist students to make a successful transition from primary school to the secondary level.

Foster explained that the camp was started in 2008, when parents expressed concern that some students had major problems adjusting to the higher level of education. The camp, which would be conducted by two teachers, would involve lessons in Maths, English, Social

Studies, Science and basic Spanish. Students would also be involved in several lectures on topics of importance to them; including the importance of discipline, peer pressure, drug abuse, classroom manners, personal hygiene, table manners, and how to choose friends.

Each child who successfully completes the camp would receive a school bag and a supply of educational materials. In total, $300K in prizes would be given to top students through food hampers, electronic tablets, bicycles, household items, and watches. The best student, who would be chosen by the teachers, would take home an electric bike. Students would also be exposed to basic coaching on how to play cricket.

The camp would be held at the Rose Hall Town Primary School, and cricket coaches at the RHTY&SC 34th Cricket Academy would visit to encourage the youths to get involved in sport as an extracurricular activity. If they so

Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test series 2023: WI vs India, 3 matches…

West Indies announce Test squad for opening match against India

The Cricket West Indies

(CWI) Senior Men’s Selection Panel has announced the squad for the first match of the Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test Series powered by Yes Bank against India. The Panel has named 13 squad members and two travelling reserve players for the match, which will be played at Windsor Park in Dominica from 12 to 16 July.

desire, the students would also be facilitated to become members of the RHTY&SC.

Foster has expressed his gratitude to the RBL for its support, and has noted that staff of the Rose Hall Branch have been good friends of the RHTY&SC. He, moreover, has reassured the staff that the 2023 Summer Camp would be well organised and would achieve all of its objectives.

Branch Manager Sattie Cox has said that RBL is very impressed by the organising skills of the club and the success of last year’s camp. Republic Bank, she noted, is committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities, and would continue to invest in youth development and in educational and sporting activities. Members of staff would visit the camp on a regular basis, and interact with the students as mentors.

A graduating ceremony would be hosted by the cricket teams to close the camp.

GTA “One Guyana” Open tennis tournament 2023…

Scotland, Leacock advance to Round of 16

The GTA “One Guyana”

Open tournament

2023 is a pillar of the emerging National Sports Academy. This initiative, funded by the National Sports Commission (NSC); the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; and by extension the Government of Guyana, is being staged at the National Racquet Centre on Camp Street, Georgetown.

#4 seed Gerald Scotland has overpowered Rondae Hawker 6-2, 6-0 in their Men’s Open Singles Round of 32 clash.

Scotland took an early 4-0 lead in the first set before Hawker gained some mo mentum and won the follow ing two games. Serving at 4-2, Scotland played a grit ty game to hold serve and take the lead at 5-2 with out displaying any sign of nervousness. Scotland then maintained this momentum, winning the following seven games to claim

victory in his opening round match.

“I felt pretty confident and excited to play my match. I had a game plan, and I executed it well,” he said.

Scotland fired eleven (11) winners throughout the match.

And veteran Leyland Leacock defeat-

semifinalist Benjettan Osbourne 6-1, 3-0 (default) in the Men’s Open Singles Round of 32. Leacock wove a web of incredible slices that dismantled the Osbourne offence, bringing to 5-1 his win in the head-to-head against his opponent.

Other Results

Men’s Open Singles Round of 32: Sandeep Chand defeated Harry Panday 6-2, 6-1.

Men’s Open Singles Round of 32: Phillip Squires defeated Ricky Romascindo 6-2, 6-2.

Ladies’ Open Singles Quarterfinals: # 2 seed Paula Kalekyezi defeated Kizzy Richmond 6-0,

Ladies’ Open Singles Quarterfinals: Shawna Gentle defeated Christin Richmond 6-0, 6-0.

Ladies’ Open Singles Semifinals: Afruica Gentle defeated Kalyca Fraser 7-5,

There is a first-time callup for left-handed batter Kirk McKenzie, while fellow left-hander Alick Athanaze is the other uncapped player in the squad. There are recalls for allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall, who played his last Test in November 2021, and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who was in the squad which toured Zimbabwe but missed the last tour of South Africa in February.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie is unavailable for selection, as he is undergoing rehabilitation from injury.

“We were very impressed with the approach to batsmanship of McKenzie and Athanaze on the recent ‘A’ Team tour of Bangladesh. These are two young players who got good scores and played with great maturity, and we believe they deserve an opportunity,” Lead Selector, The Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes, has said.

“We are without Motie, who is doing his rehabilitation, and this has created an opportunity for Warrican and Cornwall in the spin bowling department. They have both played at Test match level before, and are capable of doing the job,” Haynes detailed.

He added: “We had Jayden Seales here in the camp, and he has made good progress during his rehab from surgery. However, we felt he is not yet quite ready to return, and we don’t want to risk him at this stage. Kyle Mayers was also considered but he has some niggles, and the precaution is not to have him in the rigours of a five-day match at this stage.

“Looking ahead to the series, we know it will be a challenging one as we start the new cycle of the ICC Test Match Championship. We want to build and improve and strive to move up the ladder.”

The West Indies squad will travel to Dominica on Sunday following their ongoing pre-series camp at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. They will have training sessions on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning in the build-up to the match.

The Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test Series powered by Yes Bank will be the first fixtures for both West Indies and India in the new 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. The first match bowls off on

Wednesday at 10am (9am Jamaica/7:30pm India). The second Test, which bowls off on 20-24 July at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad, will be historic, as it marks the 100th Test match between West Indies and India.

Fans can purchase tickets in their preferred viewing locations from the Windies Tickets service, presented by Mastercard, at tickets.windiescricket.com – where they will be able to download tickets securely to their mobile device, or print out their ticket to present for scanning at the entrance point.

FULL SQUAD

Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain)

Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain)

Alick Athanaze

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Rahkeem Cornwall

Joshua Da Silva

Shannon Gabriel

Jason Holder

Alzarri Joseph

Kirk McKenzie

Raymon Reifer

Kemar Roach

Jomel Warrican

Travelling Reserves:

Tevin Imlach

Akeem Jordan

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE: Cycle Pure Agarbathi Test Series powered by Yes Bank

12-16 July: 1st Cycle

Pure Agarbathi Test Match, Windsor Park, Dominica

20-24 July: 2nd Cycle

Pure Agarbathi Test Match, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad start at 10am local time (9am Jamaica/7:30pm India)

CG United ODI Series powered by Yes Bank

27 July: 1st CG United ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados

29 July: 2nd CG United ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados

1 August: 3rd CG United ODI, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad start time at 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica/7pm India)

T20 Internationals

3 August: 1st T20I, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad

6 August: 2nd T20I,

National Stadium, Guyana

8 August: 3rd T20I, National Stadium Guyana

12 August: 4th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida

13 August: 5th T20I, Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida start time at: 10:30am (9:30am Jamaica/8pm India)

656-5544 or 6237805.

BCB President and Secretary of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster

Athanaze is set for a debut

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023…

Unbeaten Sri Lanka crush West Indies

strongly, racing to 31 from their first four overs before Theekshana conceded just two from his first over, and cleaned up Brandon King (10) in his second. The spinner struck again in his third, Shamarh Brooks (2) nicking behind, before captain Shai Hope (2) became his third victim from his fourth over, pinned leg before. Opener Johnson Charles (39) was next back to the hutch an over later, trapped leg before by Matheesha Pathirana to leave Windies floundering on 62 for four.

Sri Lanka have geared up for their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 final against the Netherlands with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over West Indies.

Opening batters Pathum Nissanka (104) and Dimuth Karunaratne (83) did the bulk of the damage to chase down 243, after Keacy Carty (87) had dragged Windies to a respectable target.

Victory means Sri Lanka remain unbeaten in Zimbabwe, and now face one final hurdle in the form of Netherlands to be crowned Qualifier champions.

Pathum Nissanka has hit the third ODI century of his career as Sri Lanka cruised to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies. Nissanka hit 104 runs off 113 balls as part of a 190-run opening stand with Dimuth Karunaratne, and that took the game away from the West Indies. Kusal Mendis (34) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (17) did the rest to easily reach their target of 244, for which Windies had Keacy Carty (87) to thank, after Maheesh Theekshana (4/34) had ripped through much of their top order.

West Indies had started

Carty and Nicholas Pooran (14) led the fightback, as the pair stopped the flurry of wickets until Dushan Hemantha accounted for Pooran, to further drag West Indies into the mire at 81 for five.

Carty, having survived a dropped catch on nine, kept the scoreboard ticking over, and dragged his side to 123 for seven by the time Sahan Arachchige bowled Kyle Mayers (18) and Hemantha trapped Roston Chase (1) leg before.

Late contributions from Romario Shepherd (26) and Kevin Sinclair (25) then pulled Windies towards 250, before Carty fell 12 balls

from the end to leave his side at 243 all out.

Having perhaps been disappointed to let West Indies reach almost 250, Sri Lanka began their chase quickly, bringing up 50 inside nine overs, before Nissanka reached his 10th ODI half century in as many balls in the 16th over.

Opening partner Karunaratne soon followed, bringing up his 50 with four as Sri Lanka cantered towards their total.

Windies tried mightily to break the partnership, rotating through six bowlers

Matthews leads Windies

Hayley Matthews was at it again, leading West Indies with the bat after chipping in with the ball to take them to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Ireland in the second of three T20Is in Gros Islet to sew up the series.

Like in the first game, wherein she was Player of the Match for her 3 for 22 and 42-ball 37 which took West Indies to a last-ball win, Matthews was Player of the Match again here. She first returned 1 for 24 to help restrict Ireland to a modest 113 for 7, and then scored 50

to T20I series victory

in 39 balls, with nine fours, to put West Indies in sight of victory before being dismissed.

Chinelle Henry's 12-ball 22 and Shabika Gajnabi's unbeaten 29-ball 17 finished the job for West Indies in 16.4 overs, very different from how tense it got in the first game, wherein West Indies were chasing an almost identical target of 113.

SCOREBOARD

Ireland Women (20 ovs maximum)

Amy Hunter †c †Campbelle

b Connell 33

Gaby Lewis run out

(Fraser/†Campbelle) 2

Orla Prendergast c

Henry b Matthews 2

Laura Delany (c)run out

(Fletcher/†Campbelle) 20

Eimear Richardson run out

(Fletcher/†Campbelle) 16

Rebecca Stokell run out

(†Campbelle) 15

Arlene Kelly c †

Campbelle b Fraser 13

Ava Canning not out 0

Extras (lb 2, w 10) 12

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 5.65) 113/7

Fall of wickets: 1-14

(Gaby Lewis, 2.1 ov), 2-17

(Orla Prendergast, 3.2 ov), 3-58

(Amy Hunter, 12.3 ov), 4-77

(Laura Delany, 15.4 ov), 5-90

(Eimear Richardson, 17.2 ov), 6-113

(Arlene Kelly, 19.4 ov), 7-113

(Rebecca Stokell, 19.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

"I think we're pretty happy with the result," Matthews was quoted as saying by Cricket West Indies after the match. "Coming into this tour, we wanted to be able to take home both series (West Indies won the ODIs 2-0), so just very happy that we were able to go out there and win convincingly today and secure the T20I series,” she said.

"We had more intent going out today, and we noticed early on that the wicket was a bit better on today, and we went out with the intent to chase down the runs quicker.

“What really helped us today was the fielding, the catches and run-outs we were able to take. Kudos to the overall team for the bowling performance they put on, and the fielders for backing them up," she declared.

Indeed, more than Matthews or any of the other West Indies bowlers - Shamilia Connell and Cherry-Ann Fraser each took one wicket - it was the run-outs that stymied Ireland after they had opted

to bat. The first wicket, that of Gaby Lewis, was to a runout, and the collapse from 77 for 3 in the 16th over to 113 for 7 by the end featured three more run-outs.

Amy Hunter, the opener, was the best of their batters on the day, scoring 33 in 35 balls, with four fours; while Laura Delany chipped in with a 35-ball 20, and there were cameos at the end from Eimear Richardson (16 in 15 balls), Rebecca Stokell (15 in 11), and Arlene Kelly (13 in nine).

Matthews lost her opening partner Rashada Williams (16 in 20) off the first ball of the seventh over, after a 40-run stand which put them on the road to victory. And after Matthews fell, Henry and Gajnabi took West Indies home with lots to spare.

The tour-ending third T20I will be played on July 8, also in Gros Islet. (ESPNCricinfo)

in search of a way through, but the pair proved impenetrable as they brought up the 150-stand in the 28th over.

Nissanka then brought up his century with just under 20 overs remaining, before eventually holing out to mid-wicket off the bowling of Kevin Sinclair.

The fall of this first wicket failed to stem the flow of runs, as Mendis picked up the scoring baton and brought up the 200 with a four, before Karunaratne was trapped leg before by Akeal Hosein. It left Mendis and Samarawickrama to bring the chase home, and they did so in style with 34 balls remaining to send Sri Lanka into Sunday's final with their unbeaten record intact.

Sri Lanka and Netherlands

face off in final

After almost a month of absorbing action, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023 come to a close on Sunday with Sri Lanka and the Netherlands fighting it out for the right to be crowned the champion.

Both sides have already claimed their main prize: a place in India next October for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, but neither would want to end their time in Zimbabwe with defeat.

Sri Lanka were com-

fortable victors when the two sides met in the Super Six just over a week ago, but Netherlands are fresh from their thrilling victory over Scotland, and would hope their momentum can help them to victory. (ICC)

Sunday 9 July – Fixtures

Final

Sri Lanka v Netherlands at Harare Sports Club

Photos:

1. Pooran out

2. Carty

3. Maheesh

4. Nissanka

5. King bowl back page top

Captions:

1. Nicholas Pooran was removed by debutant Hemantha

2. Carty scored his career best knock in a losing effort

3. Pathirana claimed four wickets

4. Nissanka scored his third ODI hundred

5. King is bowled all ends up Pethum Nissanka of Sri Lanka celebrating his reaching a century with teammate Dimuth Karunarathana during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, Zimbabwe 2023, Super 6 match between Sri Lanka and West Indies at Harare Sports Club on July 07, 2023.

Final Sri Lanka v Netherlands at Harare Sports Club

SCOREBOARD

West Indies (50 ovs maximum)

Brandon King b Theekshana 10

Johnson Charles lbw b Pathirana 39

Shamarh Brooks c †Mendis

b Theekshana 2

Shai Hope (c)† lbw b

Theekshana 2

Nicholas Pooran c Nissanka b Hemantha 14

Keacy Carty c Madushanka

b Shanaka 87

Kyle Mayers b Arachchige 18

Roston Chase lbw

b Hemantha 1

Romario Shepherd

b Theekshana 26

Kevin Sinclair b Madushanka 25

Akeal Hosein not out 6

Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 7) 13

TOTAL 48.1 Ov (RR: 5.04) 243

Fall of wickets: 1-36

(Brandon King, 6.2 ov), 2-42

(Shamarh Brooks, 8.1 ov), 3-55

(Shai Hope, 10.1 ov), 4-62

(Johnson Charles, 11.4 ov), 5-81

(Nicholas Pooran, 16.5 ov), 6-122

(Kyle Mayers, 27.4 ov), 7-123

(Roston Chase, 28.1 ov), 8-155

(Romario Shepherd, 34.4 ov), 9-218

(Kevin Sinclair, 44.2 ov), 10-243

(Keacy Carty, 48.1 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Dilshan Madushanka 10-0-49-1

244 runs from 50 ovs)

c