Guyana Times - Friday, May 12, 2023

Sir Mars’ murder

Suspect to make court appearance today after DPP recommends murder charge

Mars collected a knife that was in the car and attacked him. The suspect alleges that he managed to relieve Mars of the knife, and in turn stabbed Mars several times.

The suspect told investigators that after receiving the stab wounds, Mars brought the car to a stop at a location in Providence, on the East Bank of Demerara, then exited from the driver’s seat and walked to the back of the vehicle.

Richards said that while he was trying to retrieve

his phone, which had fallen in the car during the scuffle, his hand touched the lever and accidentally put the car in reverse, ultimately crushing Mars. After realising what had happened, he said, he panicked and fled the scene.

Sir Mars, who was Deputy Principal at the New Central High School in Georgetown, had been a teacher since 1992. His death has shocked the community, and tributes have been pouring in on social media.

Twenty-four-yearold Brian Richard, a resident of the John Fernandes Squatting Area and the suspect whom Police said confessed to killing comedian and educator Kirwyn Mars, popularly known as ‘Sir Mars’, is scheduled to be arraigned in the Diamond Magistrate’s Court today.

Police have instituted a murder charge against this self-confessed murderer after the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended that he be charged with the capital offence.

Mars’s body was found pinned between his car and the fence of an apartment building at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara on May 7. An autopsy revealed that he was stabbed eight times, including to his chest, right shoulder, collarbone, left hand and right elbow, and has given the cause of his death as crush injuries to the chest, compounded by “multiple cutaneous wounds.”

It has been reported that, two days after committing the crime, Richard was arrested at his place of

employment.

He has since allegedly confessed to the murder.

In his alleged confession, he detailed that, on the day in question, he and Mars arrived at the Green City Bar in Georgetown, where they consumed about two cases of beer altogether before departing the bar to travel to Diamond via the Mandela/ Eccles Highway. But on their way to that location, a misunderstanding arose between them and a scuffle ensued.

The suspect related that, during the argument, he picked up a bottle and struck Mars in the head, but in retaliation,

Unidentified man found murdered under Takutu River Bridge

The body of an unidentified man was on Wednesday found with its hands and feet bound under the Takutu River Bridge, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

At the time of the discovery, the body was found in a sitting position, leaning against the concrete bridge. The body was clad in a black long-sleeved shirt and black underwear.

The victim’s hands and feet were bound with multi-coloured rope, and his neck was also tied with what was suspected to be his own pants.

Police in a release stated that marks of violence were seen on the right knee and neck of the victim, leading authorities to believe that he was murdered. The body was transported to the Lethem Regional Hospital mortuary to await an autop-

sy.

The Takutu River Bridge, which spans the Takutu River, the border between Guyana and Brazil, is a major route for commercial and personal traffic between the two countries.

Law enforcement has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist the ongoing investigation as they make attempts to ascertain the man’s identity.

Sir Mars and the suspect leaving the Green City Bar on the day of his demise

Kirwyn Mars

Suspect: Brian Richards

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, May 12 – 10:30h-11:15h and 23:00h-00:30h and Saturday, May 13 –No retraction scheduled.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, May 12 – 09:45h-11:15h and Saturday, May 13— 11:10h-12:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light showers are expected throughout the day and into the night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.79 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 09:50h and 22:51h reaching maximum heights of 2.26 metres and 2.17 metres.

Low Tide: 16:08h reaching a minimum height of 0.93 metre.

Govt working to reignite coffee, expand coconut industries in Pomeroon – more excavators for Reg 2 to aid in development

under those shade houses, we do high-value crops that can give you consistent incomes to support yourselves and expand your own families and prospects,” the President noted.

He further outlined that his Government is serious about helping the people and farmers of the Pomeroon. In fact, he disclosed that his Administration took office in 2020, and it has spent over $2 billion on agricultural development in the Pomeroon.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

The Guyana Government is looking to attract investors to enhance agricultural production in the Pomeroon region. The focus is on long-term, high-value products such as coffee, coconuts and citrus, and there is need to explore new industries, such as cocoa.

This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali while addressing farmers and other residents at Marlborough and Hackney, Pomeroon River communities, during an outreach to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Thursday. He was accompanied by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, along with other officials.

The Head of State indicated that his Government wants to promote sustain-

able and resilient agriculture, and this will see special initiatives being undertaken across the country.

“One of the projects we were working on for Pomeroon is to see how we can get big investors with huge capital to come work with the small farmers, because we want to reignite the coffee industry and expand the coconut and citrus industry…so that the Pomeroon can be an important export location for these three important commodities, including cocoa. We’re now doing some research on cocoa,” Ali stated.

According to Ali, there is tremendous potential in Pomeroon to establish a large-scale local coffee industry for regional and international markets. He noted that of the three main types of coffee beans used around the world, the Pomeroon is home

to the liberica bean, called ‘elephant bean’, which accounts for only two per cent of the world’s coffee production.

“The coffee industry is a high-value industry, and I think we have tremendous potential for the Pomeroon…I don’t know if you know, but the Pomeroon produces liberica… There is a tremendous possibility in us reviving the coffee industry,” he posited.

While acknowledging that these crops take time, and that farmers would need a more sustainable option to cater to their dayto-day earning needs, the Government is also looking into finding high-value crops that can be done under the shade house initiative.

“[We want to] help the small farmers to at least have the shade house that is not subject to the harshness of the weather or flooding. And

Another initiative that the Government is carrying out in the Pomeroon is elevating the level of farmlands to protect against flooding. At least 550 farmers in Pomeroon will benefit from these works, according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha. Each farmer will have at least five acres of their land raised.

During an engagement with the farmers, it was suggested that equipment - such as excavators that have been delivered to the region for this initiative - be made available to farmers who do not want to raise their lands, but have other drainage works to be done.

“I see absolutely no difficulty if the same effort that is required for [elevating] five acres is used to improve the drainage for an entire area… once it does not exceed the [time and resources as] five acres.

“From day one, I’ve been allowing farmers to decide what your priorities are… and that is what we’re working with,” the President has said.

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing residents during one of the meetings

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Rehabilitation and reintegration

As discussions continue for the Government’s overall reform and modernisation programme for the Guyana Prison Service, there has been growing acknowledgment of the importance of rehabilitation and social reintegration programmes for persons leaving the prison system.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn early in this year alluded to this growing recognition when he said during his budget presentation: “We’re talking about a release programme called ‘Fresh Start’ to enable them (female prisoners) to move to gainful employ, re-engage and rehabilitation with the society and with their families. We will do these things.”

This is in reference to the reform of the prison service initiative, which targets the transformation of the prison service from a penal to a correctional service, promotes an environment where custodial safety is assured, and inmates are rehabilitated and successfully reintegrated into society.

According to the Minister, the focus will also be placed on establishing special programmes geared towards reintegrating these women into society.

The Doha Declaration, adopted in 2015 at the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, highlights the crucial importance of the rehabilitation of prisoners for achieving sustainable development.

It is with this declaration in mind, that it is laudable that Guyana is taking steps towards reintegration.

An important-yet-alarming comment by the Home Affairs Minister during his presentation was the fact that there has been a tremendous increase in the entire prison population across the country. According to him, in recent years, the prison population has grown by some 14 per cent, that is, over 2100 new inmates in the system. Crucially, however, the underlying factors that led to this increase must be determined. That aside, it is important to note that female offenders have specific social reintegration needs that differ from male offenders.

Like male offenders but to a greater extent, they face heavy psychological consequences in addition to stigmatisation.

A study conducted in South Africa for the reintegration of women into society after incarceration found that:

1) Trauma victimisation and abuse: female offenders are generally more likely to experience physical and sexual abuse

2) Mental health: Depression, anxiety, and self-harm are more prevalent among female offenders than male

3) Parental stress: female offenders who are also mothers have additional sources of stress and anxiety. Maternal demands may add to reoffending if they are accompanied by substance abuse, poverty, and poor social support

Here in Guyana, poverty and poor social support are of utmost importance in helping women prisoners reintegrate. Already and commendably so, there are numerous skills training programmes offered in our prison system to help lift inmates from poverty once released.

However, in developing this new initiative “Fresh Start”, it is hoped that the authors should examine the impact and quality of existing programmes and if these will have significant economic benefits for women once released from prison. This will allow authorities to determine what impact the current programmes are having and how to formulate appropriate strategies for rehabilitation and reintegration.

According to the Minister in 2022, some 1400 inmates were trained in areas such as block-making, basic agriculture, and culinary arts among others, at a cost of $88.9 million, and it is anticipated that in 2023, a further sum of $100 million will be expended towards the training of 1500 inmates, which will support their rehabilitation and social transformation in preparation for their exit from the prison system.

There is no doubt that the investments as outlined by the Minister are significant and it is for this reason that a proper examination must be done of the current programmes to determine the effectiveness or any gaps or deficiencies.

Rehabilitation and reintegration programmes must contribute in a significant manner to the lives of these women so that they can lead them to a crime-free life.

Media freedom is evident in Guyana

Dear Editor,

On World Press Freedom Day 2023, the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame Mc Coy, stated that “Government (meaning the People’s Progressive Party/Civic) does not dodge the media, and is always willing to engage.” He expanded on this, noting, “We are perhaps one of the most readily available sets of Government officials, especially from the Cabinet level, where we are on outreaches after outreaches in communities…We don’t dodge or hide from the media because we know that you (the media) are playing an important role by pursuing us and seeking answers and wanting information.”

What can I say to this pronouncement? First, in terms of mainstream media, the PPP/C Government has never sought to stifle any entity, and has allowed ‘one and all’, irrespective of personal agendas, to go about their work in a most unimpeded manner.

Yes, Government personnel, including Members of the Cabinet, have had quite a few spats with various media houses, but at no time were suppression, coercion or threats used. All of the fraternities have been allowed to go about their business in whatever way they wanted. For example, even without pulling printed items, the public knows what is the drive of Kaieteur and Stabroek News. Both entities seem possessed with Government antipathies. This is their right, and it has

gone on to an obsessive level, where even if and when events are being covered, opinion pieces reflect biases and condemnation, even for basic everyday peccadillos.

Readers, this takes me back to the erstwhile era of pre-1992. Back then it was the People’s National Congress (PNC) who went to the extreme of controlling the media. I recall when, in 1970, LFS Burnham acquired the national newspapers -- the “Daily and Sunday Chronicle” and the “Daily and Sunday Guyana Graphic” in 1973 -- and merged them as the “Guyana Chronicle” in 1976.

During that very year, “Radio Demerara” was purchased and merged with the already state-owned “Guyana Broadcasting Corporation”. As one local editorial highlighted, “In conjunction with the sycophantic treatment of Burnham, the P.N.C. and its ideology, the media were used to viciously attack the opposition (PPP). The racist line that Burnham and the P.N.C. could not overtly espouse (being protective of their “progressive” Third World reputation) was delegated to the House of Israel. This group fanned the ethnic fears of the PNC supporters of being dominated by the traditional supporters of the PPP by violently attacking them while predicting an imminent racial “Armageddon” in Guyana.

The independent media became vestigial: a weekly four-page tabloid (P.P.P.’s Mirror) and three “eight by seventeen” mimeographed

newsletters (two — W.P.A.’s ‘Open Word’ and ‘Dayclean’ — together with “Catholic Standard” of the Catholic Church). Even these vestiges were harassed continuously by libel suits, intimidation of journalists, and non-delivery of newsprint.

During that horrible era, on 14, July 1979, Bernard Darke, a Britishborn Guyana-based Jesuit priest and photographer for the Catholic Standard, was stabbed to death by members of the House of Israel, a religious cult closely tied to the People's National Congress, while photographing Working People's Alliance demonstrations against the PNC. Guyana's Stabroek News described this murder as "the low point of democracy in Guyana" and, for those in the media, "perhaps the most traumatic event of the Burnham regime. As we all know, it got worse - Rodney was killed.

How different the present regime is, and how times have changed. Suffice it to say no one can truly say that his/ her work journalistically is in a milieu of fear or intimidation.

Today, as of now, and at any time and place, the media are allowed to agitate, investigate, and scrutinise our leaders and institutions. And why not? After all, “Freedom of the press states that expression and communication through published media –like in print and video – is a right, but with its caveat. We all agree that “Common limitations to freedom of speech relate to slander, obsceni-

ty, pornography, sedition, incitement, fighting words, classified information, copyright violation, trade secrets, food labelling, non-disclosure agreements, the right to privacy, the right to be forgotten, public security, and perjury.” For, in a world without journalism, we would be vulnerable to manipulation, and have no way of even knowing, much less fighting back.

I take the side of Kwame McCoy, who correctly and soundly iterated that “The PPP/C Government has posited that, in the wake of recognizing the role of the media in holding office-bearers accountable, it is ‘readily available’ to answer and provide information… (but) contended that his administration also places emphasis on protecting the rights of media workers.”

His succinct explanation is that “We will always be the protector of rights in our country at all times. We will always protect the rights of journalists, media practitioners, groups in our society, and every single citizen of this country; and visitors too. We believe that we truly embody the true spirit and meaning of what it is to encourage and facilitate rights throughout our country… (and thus) in the execution of duties, there will be no interference.”

Long live the dailies -Chronicle, Times, Stabroek, and Kaieteur. Continue to ‘do your thing fearlessly but legally.’

Yours truly,

H B Singh

This Kevin Somwaru photo depicts a section of Kato Village in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) along the scenic Pakaraima Mountain Range

GPA must ensure accountability, transparency and fair elections

Dear Editor, I am seeing very worrying developments in the leadup to Sunday’s Annual General Meeting and Elections of the Guyana Press Association (GPA). These developments must be addressed now if there is to be an atmosphere of accountability, transparency and fairness, and if there is to be a level playing field for all contenders.

The GPA owes it to the society, region, and I dare say the world, to ensure that the elections for its President and the new Executive are not mired in accusations of fraud, voter disenfranchisement, voter suppression, skullduggery, or rigging. It has a duty to ensure these elections are above board, and meet the highest benchmarks of transparency, accountability and fairness; because GPA has said it stands for those things while being committed to democracy and the upholding of the law at all times.

Need I remind the public that GPA has criticised the PPP/C Administration, and to a lesser extent the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Administration and other political parties, for various infractions that it alleges could jeopardise freedom of expression and the press, place the lives of journalists at risk, and limit access to information in the last decade. It also criticised the lack of transparency and accountability of these organisations at various times in its history.

So damming are the developments and accusations I referred to in my opening paragraph that one wonders why the GPA is allowing its “good name” to be dragged in the mud and opening itself to criticism in this manner.

Firstly, the current ex-

ecutive has had ample time to plan for these elections. It has had a maximum of three years to be ready and prepared. So, I find it strange to hear that it cannot supply its Preliminary Voters List (PVL) to the competing parties ahead of voting on Sunday. What is even more perplexing and worrisome is that the GPA allegedly unilaterally imposed, or came up with, a deadline by which members are to have their dues and fees paid or be disenfranchised. It is not stated in the GPA Constitution that the practice of not giving the PVL in a reasonable time or ahead of the elections would result in members being disenfranchised. This practice is illegal, and members of the current Executive must know they are playing with fire by implementing such a draconian rule. If my memory serves me correctly, I recall members being registered as voters and paying up dues even when the current President was contesting in the polls in 2018, up to the day of the elections. So, get the PVL to all competitors who would like to go up for Presidency now. They are entitled to know, even if they are not yet nominated. It is unfair for the current President and so-called Secretary to be the only ones who know.

My experience from what happened in 2020 at the national level with the elections makes me feel as though the padding of the PVL, disenfranchisement of eligible voters, and all manner of skullduggery are taking place in secrecy with the GPA elections.

Secondly, the incumbent President does not command the unanimous support of the media fraternity in Guyana. She is holding on to power, and exercising same, in direct violation of the GPA Constitution.

Where are the documents to support a decision to postpone the elections in 2020?

I would like irrefutable evidence of this in the name of transparency.

This is sheer greed and fighting for power at work here in the GPA. After all, every other media operative who plans to run for president has had one term, that is why I believe it is worrisome and strange that the current president, with a worn-out Executive, would seek re-election. Are there not young, intelligent and promising people in the media and press who want to run for the President and posts in the Executive? If they keep the senior positions among the six-man group, they do not inspire change, enterprise, new ideas, and a paradigm shift of the focus and spirit of this age-old body. There is no continuity in leadership, and young people are deliberately not a part of the process to revolutionise the media; both traditional, new, and social media in Guyana.

Thirdly, the State Media is underrepresented at these meetings and elections because of the biases and one-sided nature of consecutive GPA bodies. The GPA must do something more to incorporate them into the entity, but they are not likely to be part of these elections if there is

an air of secrecy and illegality. I noticed that several prominent members are complaining about the registration process to become a member of the organisation, access to press passes, and other things.

Fourthly, there is the allegation of a lack of financial accountability, which must be addressed apart from the PLV. The Press Association must lay bare its audited accounts, accounts for trips and resources used by the current GPA Executive, as well as a number of worrisome financial practices that ensued during the years 2018-2023.

In conclusion, the GPA cannot want to be wrong and strong at the same time. It must not be duplicitous and hypocritical. It must not be strict on transparency, accountability and democracy in society, but then turn around and exhibit the opposite of those benchmarks inside its own organisation. I want a fair election for the GPA, and that could only happen when the voters’ list is known, secrecy is removed, and all eligible members are registered now. GPA must get its act together!

Yours truly,

Michael Younge Journalist, Communications Professional

CXC Questions: Maths

William WordsWorth

I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced, but they Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee; A poet could not be but gay, In such a jocund company! I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

Questions:

What type of poem is it? What is it all about? How did you know what it was about?

WORD SEARCH

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Guyana-US talks forge “strong” partnerships in energy, climate change – VP Jagdeo …encourages Guyanese to take advantage of investments

An official visit by Assistant Secretary of the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR), Geoffrey Pyatt has led to favourable discussions on longterm partnerships between Guyana and the United States in the areas of energy and climate change.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference on Thursday underscored that both sides were able to engage on areas of mutual interest.

“Both sides expressed the desire to forge a strong, lasting, long-term partnership in the issue of energy, the energy transition, and fulfilling our global commitments on climate change…We discussed key elements of that and how we can achieve all of these goals together in partnership, working with each other,” the Vice President told media operatives.

Pyatt – who was accompanied by Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch; Political and Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy, Brian Hall and Economic and Commercial Officer at

the US Embassy, Thomas Seger – held a series of meetings with Government officials and business leaders to discuss energy security in Guyana, the United States, and the world.

The Assistant Secretary discussed the USCaribbean Partnership to address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030) including the advancement of clean energy resources and resilient energy infrastructure in a timely manner, and on a sustainable and affordable basis.

He also took the opportunity to discuss Guyana’s immense forests, plans for economic diversification, and major infrastructural upgrades such as the transformational gas-to-energy project.

PACC 2030 establishes a framework to elevate US cooperation with Caribbean countries to support climate adaptation and strengthen energy security while building the resilience of critical infrastructure and local economies to the climate crisis.

PACC 2030 will serve as the US Government’s

primary mechanism for regional climate adaptation and resilience and energy cooperation through 2030, as the parties work towards meeting the long-

term goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to Jagdeo, Guyana also gave a com-

mitment that investors from around the world would be given a fair opportunity to participate in the country’s development.

“I assured the State Department that investors here from any country in the world – China, India, etc, will be given a fair opportunity. We’re looking for investments in this country in every sector that will bring benefit to our country and that will transform what are just opportunities into realisable projects,” Vice President Jagdeo said.

At the same time, he positioned that the benefits must trickle down to the ordinary man.

“Whilst they come here and make a good return on their investments, the people of this country, our people have to significantly benefit from these investments. That’s balanced. We reiterated that, that every incentive regime and framework for operating in the oil and gas sector will try to maintain that balance, but progressively, more and more of the benefits, particularly in the oil

and gas sector will have to come to our people,” the former Head of State asserted.

The Local Content Act lays out 40 different services that oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors must procure from Guyanese companies by the end of 2022. For instance, these companies must procure from Guyanese companies 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent of janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services.

The Local Content Act mandates penalties for oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors who fail to meet the minimum targets of the legislation, as well as those who are in breach of the Act. These fines range from as low as $5 million to as high as $50 million. Consultations are, meanwhile, currently underway, with the aim of updating the Act. (G-12)

From left: Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, US Ambassador SarahAnn Lynch, and Assistant Secretary Geoffrey Pyatt

The Guyana Bar Association (GBA) has issued a strict warning against the unlawful practice of law and the advertisement of legal services, with the former being punishable by imprisonment for one year and a fine of up to $500,000.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the GBA noted that it has been monitoring and observing the situation with concern, and reminded that such acts are contrary to the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA). The LPA is an Act to establish criteria for the admission of persons to practise as Attorneys-atLaw in Guyana, to regulate their functions, to provide for their professional discipline, and for matters incidental thereto and connected therewith.

“The practice of law in Guyana without being duly permitted to do so under the Legal Practitioners Act, Cap. 4:01, is an offence pursuant to Section 45(1)(c) thereof, and (is) punishable by a fine of up to $500,000 and imprisonment for one year,” the statement advised.

Similarly, it noted that the advertisement of legal

services in Guyana is strictly prohibited pursuant to Rule VI of the said Act, whether by lawyers or any person whatsoever. According to Part VI (1) of the Act, “The advertisement of legal service in or through any medium is strictly forbidden.”

Touting is also an offence under the aforesaid Act, and is punishable by a fine and imprisonment for six months, the Bar Association has reminded. A tout is defined in the said Act as “a person who procures in consideration of any remuneration moving from any le-

gal practitioner or from any person on his behalf, the employment of such legal practitioner in any legal business…”

The Bar Association has said it also notes the heightened frequency, especially over the past year, of persons who are not duly admitted to practise law in Guyana brazenly advertising the offer of legal services, which in some instances includes the preparation of a number of legal documents touching and concerning, inter alia, divorces, custody, deeds, leases, conveyances,

agreements, land transactions and estates.

“We also note with alarm the abuse by some Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths to Affidavits of their commission, in performing legal services including the drafting of legal documents contrary to the Legal Practitioners Act, Cap. 4:01. With regard hereto, Justices of the Peace and/or Commissioners of Oaths to Affidavits are only permitted pursuant to S. 96 of the Evidence Act, Cap. 5:03, to certify the receipt of such oaths, affirmations, and or statutory declarations. Such commission does not extend to and/or permit the drafting and/or preparation of any legal documents, or in any way permit the performance of any legal service.”

The Association pointed out that it has in certain cases brought the same to the attention of Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, with a view to having the commissions revoked for infringing Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths to Affidavits.

In a stern warning, the Association said, “We therefore caution that persons found to be offering legal services without being duly authorised to so do and/or advertising such legal services will be brought before the Courts to be dealt with to the full extent of the law.”

Members of the public may contact the Bar Office at 231-4464, or guyanabar@ gmail. com or the Supreme Court of Judicature’s Registry to ensure that persons they are engaging with and/or propose to engage with are in fact Attorneysat-Law duly registered on the Rolls of Court and thereby authorised to practise law and offer legal services in Guyana.

Fixing...

…Electoral arrangements??

Your Eyewitness has read that the EU has two electoral experts in Guyana right now, on a threeweek visit, who’re preparing the ground for a visit by EU Parliamentarian Spain’s Javier Nart. Before he arrives, we’ll be having the First Vice-President of the European Commission (EC), Frans Timmermans, jetting in next month -the highest-level EU official even to touch our shores since the Dutch departed back in 1803!! What gives?? They really care about us that much??

Your Eyewitness knows folk wisdom advises that we mustn’t look a gift horse too closely in the mouth…but then he’s also been talking about Trojan Horses!! If you look at the latter in the mouth,maybe you’ll find out their motive!!? Take all that money the EU’s been sending to help us keep out the sea. From where your Eyewitness sits, that could be because it was a European power - the Dutch - who removed all our mangroves to create plantations that provided cheap cotton, coffee, and then sugar for Europeans!! And used African slaves to clear the mangroves - to boot!!

So, what’s all this interest in our electoral arrangements?? Well, the EU did field a pretty big delegation to observe the March 2020 elections, and observed firsthand the PNC trying to do the dirty with the SOPs!! As part of their report, after telling it as it was…they made several recommendations to try to prevent another attack on the foundations by the PNC’s minions!! It’s good that the PPP have already made it very clear that their recommendations are pretty much in sync with the EU’s. That is - fix what’s broken before going off on any frolic and detour, as the PNC wants us to do!!

And what’s broken?? Mechanisms and procedures for dealing with registration, counting, collating, and of course hiring of qualified personnel for GECOM. Campaign financing’s also a big issue - and your Eyewitness must agree with this as a priority item. While this will always be a bugbear - just look at the “lobbying industry” in the US - we gotta try to get some control before vested interests become too embedded.

What we don’t need at this time is another level of difficulty that the Opposition PNC’s been pushing through its proxies. That is, to reject elections as a mechanism for operationalising decision-making in a democratic fashionand imposing some form of “power sharing” that will ensure the Opposition seizes de facto control of power after every election.

And how can this be done?? Just like how it controlled GECOM to try the Mingo rigging manoeuvre.

Through the fact that, like the GECOM Secretariat, the Civil Service and the armed forces are dominated by its supporters!!

…PNC’s thiefin’

The PPP called it, but many didn’t want to listen to them. As soon as they learnt the PNC wanted to lump together their accounts from 2015 to 2020 for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to examine, they smelled a rat. Now, it mightn’t be so much any great analytical ability that led them to their conclusion - merely they know the creature for the past SEVENTY years!! So, it’s just remembering the PNC and its thiefin’ ways!! Starting with thiefin’ elections - and the people’s voting right denied for 200 years - you know there ain’t no limit to the PNC’s depravities!!

Now, because of the PPP members’ busy schedules, the PAC hasn’t been meeting as often as it should. The PNC should be happy, since in every meeting that’s been held…another PNC fraud gets uncovered!! The latest was a contract signed off in 2019 by their Amerindian Ministry before the Tender Board’s award!! Starting in 2021, there was the $33 million fraud uncovered in the Kato SchoolFeeding programme.

What’s lower that thiefin’ schoolchildren’s food!!

…ID for 21st century

In the brave new world we’re being catapulted into by technology, we all gotta have an electronic identity. Our Government’s ahead of the curve. But we gotta be careful of the Big Brother syndrome!!

President of the Bar Association of Guyana, Pauline Chase

Persons engaged in unauthorised practice of law will be prosecuted – GBA …warns against advertisement of legal services

Opposition welcomes EU election follow-up mission to Guyana

Noting the presence of the European Union’s 2020 Election Observer Mission (EOM) follow-up team to assess whether progress has been made on electoral reforms in line with the recommendations of the EOM’s Final Report on the 2020 Guyana elections, the parliamentary Opposition has welcomed this move.

A statement on Thursday from the Opposition stated, “We welcome this EU initiative and stand ready to meet with the follow-up team to advance the agenda on electoral reforms”.

According to the Opposition, it has reviewed the 26 recommendations made in the final report of the 2020 EU EOM to Guyana.

“We fully endorse their objectives and believe, if implemented in good faith, they can greatly improve elections in Guyana,” it

said.

In particular, specific recommendations were supported, which included overhauling the composition and functioning of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) through a national consultative process; the need for a thorough update of the decade-old register well ahead of the next election cycle; the need for clear written procedures for the transmission and tabulation of election results; the mandatory publication of all GECOM decisions, regulatory instruments, and instructions; the obligation for the Commission to regularly meet with stakeholders and the media to explain and account for all major decisions, prohibiting the use of State resources for political campaigning; and establishing a comprehensive election dispute resolution system to ensure effective and

timely remedies throughout all stages of the electoral process.

“We look forward to working with the EU and all other stakeholders on electoral reforms,” the Opposition shared.

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene van Nes had

announced this week that in continuing their contributions to capacity building in local institutions, the EU has fielded a team of experts to discuss electoral reform in Guyana with officials ahead of the upcoming 2025 General and Regional Elections.

Following the 2020 General and Regional Elections, the EU EOM had made a number of recommendations. Of the EU EOM’s 26 recommendations, eight are priority suggestions to review and consolidate the fragmented election legislation and launch a consultation process to overhaul the composition and functioning of GECOM.

Guyana has been undergoing electoral reform, which has been acknowledged by the EU. The group had, last year, reiterated its commitment to support this process as a follow-up to the EOM it car-

Govt working to reignite coffee...

Two long-reach excavators and a pontoon valued at $144 million have already been delivered to the region. Additionally, two smaller excavators are being repaired by the State and will be available to farmers for usage.

President Ali disclosed that, in the next budget, the Government will make provisions to acquire two more excavators for the region, to aid in the development of agriculture.

To further assist with

blocked drainage and desilting of canals in the Pomeroon, tenders have gone out, and will close by this month’s end. However, other works are ongoing to dredge the Pomeroon River.

One farmer pointed out that once dredging works are done, it will bring “tremendous benefits” to farmers, both upriver and downriver.

To get an update on these works, President Ali contacted the contractor via cellphone, and he provided

an update on the dredging.

“We’ve already dredged all the way out to the junction at the mouth of the river, and gone out into the ocean front… We want to mobilise the Cutter Head to do a little bit more widening of the channel, so we’re hoping to do that by mid of next week [and have] the cutting edge to be in the middle of the Pomeroon,” the contractor explained.

The Head of State has cautioned that Government would not tolerate any de-

FROM PAGE 3

lays in these works. “We’re investing in these things so that your lives can be better…and we’re not going to tolerate slothfulness from anyone,” the President declared.

This is the third time that President Ali has travelled to the area to meet with farmers and residents. He also addressed a number of issues relating to school needs and teachers along the Pomeroon River during Thursday’s visit. (G8)

ried out in Guyana for the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The Government passed long-awaited amendments to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) in December 2022, after impassioned debate from both sides of the House and arguments for and against the electoral reforms that ran past midnight. The Bill zeroes in on electoral challenges and loopholes that were evident during the 2020 polls and seeks to address them. Not only does the Bill increase the number of polling places, but it also mandates the Registrar of Deaths to submit the names of the deceased, so they could be removed from the list.

The Bill also caps the number of electors that can be assigned to a particular

polling station, to cut down on the long lines and the subdivision of the regions.

According to Section 6 (A) of the Bill, the polling districts of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) will be divided.

The Bill also provides that the Statements of Poll (SoPs), among other certified forms, be distributed to the Chief Elections Officer and the Chairperson of GECOM.

Additionally, it provides for the Returning Officer to post an electronic copy of the SoPs on the Commission’s website to be publicly viewed. Strict fines and other penalties are attached to breaches of these reforms in the amended Bill.

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Amanza Walton-Desir

$78M fraud allegedly uncovered at GBTI

…former teller charged, released on $350,000 bail

Govt exploring measures to improve road conditions at Kwebanna

Addressing concerns on the deteriorated condition of the Kwebanna road in Region One (Barima-Waini), the Public Works Ministry has assured that efforts are being made to bring that section of the roadway into a usable state.

Rehabilitation is already underway on the said road following a $38.9 million contract signed last year with Renaissance Enterprise Incorporated. In a statement, the Ministry noted that the issue raised does not pertain to the entire roadway.

In recent times, there have been reports of several major frauds unearthed at one of Guyana’s leading commercial banks, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

The sums of money involved amount to over $1 billion and counting. On Wednesday, a former teller at GBTI was charged with swindling the financial institution of a whopping $78 million.

Tenisha Lawrence, 23,

was arraigned before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, and pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that she defrauded the bank of this hefty sum using a computer system.

The Police prosecutor did not object to Lawrence being granted bail, so Lawrence was placed on bail in the sum of $350,000 and has been instructed to return to court on June 13.

“We wish to highlight that our engineers have confirmed with the Toshao that this situation is not representative of the general condition of the corridor and is primarily a consequence of ongoing roadworks being afflicted by inclement changes in the weather,” it was communicated.

Torrential downpours within the area have led to materials placed on the road becoming slushy, which led to a degraded surface, and the possibility of vehicles becoming stuck. It was not-

ed that both short-term and long-term measures are being explored to alleviate

the situation for residents of the community and those who traverse the road.

“We reiterate that our team is currently exploring short-term measures to improve the condition of that section of the road, while we also remain steadfast in developing a long-term comprehensive maintenance plan for the roadway, to ensure the safety and comfort of all road users. This will be done in partnership with the community.”

It was added, “The Ministry appreciates the patience and understanding of the community during this time, and urges all drivers to exercise caution while driving on unsurfaced roadways that may have been impacted by the recent inclement weather conditions.”

Earlier this year, a commitment was also made by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal for the installation of 10 street lights at strategic points along the community’s main roadway to enhance security. More security measures for the community are also in the pipeline.

Guyana remains vigilant despite declining COVID-19 cases – Dr Anthony

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said he was pleased with the recent announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that COVID-19 was no longer a public health emergency, however, he noted that vigilance and precautions were necessary to guard against a repeat of the pandemic.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on the sidelines of an event on Thursday, he stressed that countries still have to be cautious.

“We have to continue to be vigilant. Our surveillance systems are pretty much in place. We have been monitoring cases, although over the last couple of months, we have not seen many cases, and we, of course, monitor hospital data as well, to see how many people would get sick,” Dr Anthony dis-

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

closed.

He noted that the WHO’s responsibility is to ensure that there was an efficient response to the pandemic.

In this case, it was a new

disease and a lot of information was not known on how to address it at the time, with no tests or vaccines or medicines available.

The Public Works Ministry is working to rectify the current condition of the Kwebanna Road

GPA elections

10 media houses call for release of voters’ list amid serious concerns over transparency

…GPA cites ‘confidentiality’ in refusal to release list

At least 10 local media organisations have signed a petition calling on the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to release the voters’ list ahead of the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday.

In the petition, which was sent on Thursday, the media houses expressed “serious concerns” about the AGM, which will be held at the Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown, particularly about membership and the voter’s list.

They explained that in the past, it has been the practice of the GPA to register members and collect their dues on the day of elections in cases where dues had not been paid. In cases where new members who met the eligibility criteria to vote, that is, three working years in the media, wished to sign up and pay the required dues, they were allowed to do so. This way all members eligible to vote could only be known on the day of the elections itself.

“This year, the GPA Executive abandoned that convention and set May 6th as the date for the payment of dues for EXISTING members and have said registration of new members will be approved by the new executive. This decision effectively denies membership to many who are working members of the media for three years (and more) and who wish to participate in the elections,” the petition detailed.

To this end, the media houses said in the interest of

transparency and accountability and to ensure the integrity of the GPA as well as to eliminate any concerns about the credibility of the list of voters, they called on the GPA Executive to immediately release the list of all members eligible to vote at the elections on May 14.

The current GPA Executive is made up of Nazima Raghubir, who is the incumbent President; Denis Chabrol, Svetlana MarshallAbrams (Secretary) and Rawle Toney.

Refusal

Meanwhile, the GPA Executive, in a statement on Thursday, was adamant about not releasing the 110-member voters’ list, claiming that some members have requested confidentiality prior to Sunday’s election.

“The Executive of the Guyana Press Association (GPA) today unanimously reaffirmed that the names of the 110 members who are eligible to vote for office bearers would be made known on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at the General Members Meeting and Elections, by the Returning Officer, Attorneyat-Law Ronald BurchSmith. This is to preserve the confidentiality of a number of members who have requested that their membership remain confidential prior to the elections,” the missive stated.

According to the GPA, the entire process was discussed ‘openly’ and ‘frank-

Harsher penalties for TIP offenders as House passes new laws

ly’ by the Executive and no concerns were raised about the integrity of the process. It was noted too that Raghubir recused herself from the meeting when the names of the eligible voting members were presented to the Executive by the GPA Secretary.

The Association went on to say that “Eligible members shall be allowed to vote in accordance with the GPA’s Constitution for office-bearers to be elected by secret ballot. Every effort has been made to ensure that the elections will be free, fair and transpar-

ent. We have invited a number of observers for Sunday’s process”.

The GPA stated that in addition to continuous registration, based on the now more-than-one-month-old notice for the meeting, numerous media workers have completed their registration and updated their dues. It added that a membership drive was conducted and direct visits to media houses were done as well as options for bank transfers and payment by mobile money.

The GPA further pointed out that while biennial elections, which were last held in 2018, were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant restrictions, registration and renewal were always open throughout that period.

Complaints

Despite this, however, several media workers and media entities have indicated that they were not aware of the membership drive. Moreover, some reporters working in the outlying regions such as Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have also complained about being unable to clear their dues or being allowed to register in order to vote at Sunday’s AGM.

The 10 media houses that have signed the petition are: Guyana Times; LRTV (Berbice); Info10 (Linden), Guyana Standard; News Room Guyana; National Communications Network; MTV News Update; iNews, TVG (Evening) News and the Guyana Chronicle.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud

The Government has taken an aggressive approach towards ending the scourge of human trafficking, with the passing of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill 2023 in the National Assembly on Wednesday evening.

The robust and comprehensive legislation strengthens Guyana’s response to human trafficking, as it is constituted with key mea-

sures that are aligned with global best practices and evolving socio-political requirements.

It seeks to replace the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill of 2005, thereby protecting the rights of individuals and inserting punitive measures that are geared towards addressing the social issue and deterring possible offenders.

Sections of GT inundated after heavy downpours – vendors vent frustration at regular occurrence

Heavy rainfall on Thursday has left several sections of Georgetown under water, and this has severely affected businesses, especially those along Regent and Robb Streets.

The heavy downpours saw vendors scrambling to secure their goods from the rising waters. Regent and Robb Streets are bustling hubs of activity, lined with shops, restaurants, and vendors selling everything from clothing to electronics. However, on Thursday the streets resembled a river, as the floodwaters rose to knee-height in some sections, making it nearly impossible for people to move around.

Vendors at the Bourda Market were affected, and

many had to frantically move their merchandise to higher ground; but some were unable to do so in time, resulting in significant losses. One vendor who sells shoes and bags told <<Guyana Times>>

that she has lost a significant portion of her stock. “I’ve been doing this for over 10 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said. “I tried my best to move my things, but the water came too quickly. I’ve

lost thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, and I don’t know how I’m going to recover from this.”

Another vendor, who sells fruit and vegetables, was more fortunate. He was able to move his produce to higher ground, but he worries that the flooding would impact his sales in the coming days.

“I’m grateful that I was

the flooding situation has been getting worse. “I’m out here from 1989 to now. We had a big flood in 2005, and since then we continue to get flooding. The stands and everything rotted because of the flood. They came, took our names, and promised us that they will give us money all thing to help with the situation, and up to now…”, he said.

many residents and vendors are frustrated that the problem persists.

Citing the failure of the City Council, the Central Government has been trying to address the drainage capacity of the city, with Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, and team visiting certain floodprone areas and making interventions to prevent flood-

able to save my goods, but I’m still concerned about the damage that has been done,” he said. “People are going to be hesitant to come out and shop in this weather, so it’s going to be a difficult time for us.”

Magaby Johanza, another vendor in the Bourda Market area, said he has been plying his trade at the market for many years, and

Other areas of the city, including East Ruimveldt and Kitty, have also experienced flooding, with some residents reporting that the water levels were very high. The flooding in Georgetown is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the city’s drainage system. The authorities at the Mayor and City Council have promised to address the issue, but

ing.

For now, the vendors on Regent and Rob Streets, and other affected areas, will have to pick up the pieces and try to recover from the losses they’ve suffered. They said it is a difficult time for everyone in Georgetown, but they hope that the floodwaters would recede soon, and life can return to normal.

Magaby Johanza, a vendor

Flooding around Georgetown

Alicia Bess-Anderson to represent Guyana at “Miss

Int’l Elegant Mothers” pageant in St Maarten

Standing at a massive six feet, and hailing from the scenic country of Guyana, Alicia Bess-Anderson is preparing to represent Guyana at the Miss Elegant Mothers pageant, slated for St. Maarten on May 13.

Being held under the theme “A Mother’s Prayer”, the pageant is aimed at embracing, recognising and empowering women through pageantry, and uplifting them for their strength and the humanitarian gift of giving birth and life.

Additionally, the pageant salutes women for being true mother figures and role models to their children, because nothing can compare to a mother's love for her child. Their precious gift as women is what makes them unique and special to the world. They are the backbone of every family, and because of them, the world keeps going. It is for these reasons and more that our organization has decided to create this epic event in honour of mothers.

The motive behind this event is for it to be hosted every year in whichever country wins the title.

Meet Miss Guyana

Bess-Anderson is a woman who never walks when she can run, who possesses a humble personality filled with ambition and the qualities of generosity and thoughtfulness. She embodies the philosophy that, with hard work and determination, one can accomplish anything he/she sets his/her mind to.

Following the advice of her favourite author and comedian, Steve Harvey, Alicia encourages fighting for what you desire and believe in, and

doing it through God, because nothing great comes easy, and with God everything is possible.

Coming from a humble upbringing, Alicia is currently a certified HR practitioner who is married to her sweetheart and is the proud mother of an adorable son via birth and a beautiful daughter through marriage.

Alicia considers motherhood a true blessing to experience in her life, and it is her hope to mould and guide her children with the morals and values that would contribute positively to society, similar to what her parents had taught her, especially as it relates to embracing hard work and determination to achieve your goals.

She is the holder of a Master’s in Business Administration, and serves as a Workforce Development Advisor within the Oil and Gas Industry.

No stranger to pageantry, Alicia has participated in several local, regional and international pageants over the years, copping several best prizes and the crowns of Miss East Bank Supermodel 2010, Miss Jamzone 2013, Ms. Global International Guyana 2015, and Ms. PJD2 2014 in St. Maarten, making her one of the first Guyanese to win this coveted title.

She is also the CEO of Prestige Pageant Management, offering pageant coaching services to various pageant franchises and contestants over the years.

Alicia enjoys reading, dancing, and spending quality time with loved ones. She considers herself a woman of substance in the 21st century, and would love to motivate all mothers to develop and embrace the confidence needed to be successful in life.

Hits and Jams Entertainment is set to host one of the biggest signature events of Genesis the Band Independence Weekend - El Dorado StingingNettles.

The beloved Trinidadian Soca group Kes the Band will headline the show on May 25 at the Marriott Parking Lot in Kingston, Georgetown.

Kes the Band have been winning the hearts of fans around the world with their unique blend of soca, reggae, and pop music. Their energetic live performances have made them a household name, and their many hits, including "Hello", "Wotless", "Workout", “Liki Tiki”, and “Savannah Grass”, have become staples of the Caribbean music scene.

Kes the Band will be accompanied by several talented local artistes, making for a night of incredible music and cultural celebration. A part of that lineup is Barbadian singer Rupee, who is set to perform his hit song that was deemed by Billboard Mag as one of the Top 5 Caribbean songs of the 21st century - “Tempted to Touch”. Rupee, who also has Guyanese roots, and also has several other songs in his catalogue, is promising to put on a performance that would light afire the stage with energy and vibes. Hits and Jams first brought Rupee in 2004 for their sold-out event called “Insomnia”.

With her powerful voice and engaging stage presence, Timeka Marshall will also be performing at the upcoming show. The talented songstress from Guyana is sure to light up the stage and offer a memorable experience for all those in attendance. Her inclusion in the show is a highlight, and adds to the already impressive lineup that fans are eagerly anticipating.

Director of Hits and Jams Entertainment, Rawle Ferguson, commenting on the event, said: “What better way to usher in Guyana’s 56th Independence than with El Dorado StingingNettles? True to its name,

StingingNettles is an event that is guaranteed to have everyone moving all night. The event is all about celebrating our love for soca as a people. It’s one of the classiest, well-organised, rum-inclusive events that’s being held at a secure and easily accessible location.”

He added, “The (performers) for this show have always been electrifying. In the past, in addition to Kes the Band, we’ve had Ravi B, Nisha B, Lil Rick, Timeka Marshall and Big Red perform on the StingingNettles stage. This year, we’re making it bigger and better, so partygoers can expect a well-organised event, with impeccable décor, a fun atmosphere, and performances that you’ll remember for years to come.”

The upcoming “El Dorado StingingNettles” concert is sure to be one of the highlights of the year, and will take place at the iconic Marriott Parking Lot in Georgetown, which has played host to countless unforgettable events.

The venue will be abuzz with life since, true to the theme, the décor will feature bees, honey hives, and other picturesque photo opportunities, with hues of golden yellow that are in line with the staple colours of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Eldorado - the exclusive Rum sponsor of the event.

This event is also proudly sponsored by Enet- the official mobile and internet sponsor. Other sponsors include Church’s Chicken, Diamond Mineral Water, Pepsi, Pringles, King Leo; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; and Cricket Carnival.

Guyanese are being urged to not miss their chance to be part of the experience. Early general admission tickets cost $5000 and $25,000 for the VIP experience, and are available online at hjexperience.com.

HJ is expected to release ticket locations soon.

The highly-anticipated Stink N Dutty: Festival of J’ouvert (FOJ) is set to take place on May 26 at the National Park, and the excitement is already building. FOJ, which is the second event for the official launch of Genesis Independence Weekend, promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

This year's J’ouvert promises to be the biggest one yet, with an impressive lineup of musicians, DJs and artistes such as Yung Bredda, Tempa, Salty, and our very own Jumo Primo and DJ Darry!

“It’s a festival, as the name suggests. It combines two J’ouverts in one, and is a day-into-night event that features a stationary and mobile J’ouvert. We want-

ed to give patrons value for their money and a brandnew experience, while giving them the same great thing they know and love.”

Director of Hits and Jams, Kerwin Bollers, has said.

The fun starts with the mobile J’ouvert at 14:00h, and patrons will have the opportunity to party with paint, water and powder, and gyrate to the sounds of all genres of music, but especially soca. The festivities continue into the night, when the experience will be complemented by the performances of regional and local artistes during the stationary J’ouvert.

Organisers have made extensive preparations to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees.

Security measures have been put in place to prevent

any incidents, and medical personnel will be on standby to attend to any health concerns.

Tickets for the Festival of J’ouvert are available online, and start at $3000, inclusive of a T-shirt, novelty cup, free beers, and free internet provided by ENET all night.

There are other premium packages available for both males and females; these include an eye-catching outfit, black backpack, waterproof phone protector, cup, breakfast, and many other tokens for patrons’ use and comfort. For prices and more information, visit hjexperience. com.

Stink N Dutty Festival of J’ouvert is sponsored by Xtra Beer, ENet and Church’s Chicken.

Berbicians are in for a treat come May 26, for the “One Guyana” Independence Day Concert billed for the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground. The event is expected to draw a huge audience in the entertainment-starved county.

Headlining the concert will be Savita Singh from Trinidad and Tobago, with Tony Cuttz, Vicadi Singh, AW Lyrical, Bunty Singh, and a new kid on the block - Simon Naidu.

This event is promoted by Mystic Media Live and Suri’ Authentic Corner. Spicing up things

before the show will be Deejay NYO out of Trinidad; Deejay Garwin and Seen-up, Von Hype, DJ 5 Star, DJ Kiefer, DJ Slata and DJ Dauren.

Tickets for the event cost $2000, while VIP tickets cost $10,000, which include a glass of complimentary champagne upon entry, and finger foods all night. VIP patrons will also have a private bar at their disposal. Sound and lighting are being provided by ZEUS Entertainment.

This event is being supported by Banks DIH Limited and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ban on importation of poultry, poultry products a matter of “national security” – GLDA

...step taken to counter potential effects of bird flu – CEO

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) on May 6 declared that it will no longer allow the importation of poultry or poultry products due to “sanitary and other conditions.”

“Anyone found in contradiction of this notice will be prosecuted in accordance with the Laws of Guyana,” the organisation’s public advisory statement revealed.

When contacted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GLDA, Dr. Dwight Waldron related that this ban is a matter of “national security” and a preventative step taken to counter the potential effects of bird flu that is prevalent in the Americas.

Bird flu is a disease that can spread through entire flocks of domestic birds within days, through birds’ droppings and saliva, or through contaminated feed and water.

“In the Region of the Americas during 2022 and 2023, an increasing number of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5) have been reported in backyard poultry, farm

Dr. Dwight Waldron, Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Chief Executive Officer

poultry, wild birds, and wild mammals,” an April World Health Organisation (WHO) article explained.

Since the first confirmation of avian influenza A(H5N1) in the region in 2014, three human infections caused by this disease have been reported, one each in the United States in 2022, Ecuador in January, and Chile in March, the statement continued.

“Currently, in the region of the Americas, we’re surrounded by bird flu. Every

day, we’re tracking it and it’s getting closer and closer to Guyana,” Waldron said. “In addition to that, we have unstable weather patterns [that lead] to some of the diseases that are endemic to Guyana.”

Waldron expanded that the GLDA has been consistently researching and monitoring this situation internationally and regionally through its epidemiological department.

The GLDA, therefore, is seeking to do a full eval-

uation of this situation across the region–in the Caribbean, South, Central, and North Americas–before importation can continue, Dr. Waldron explained.

The ban extends to frozen and live chickens and their byproducts across small and large exporters.

As this is a regional concern, there is no set limit to this halt of importation. “This is not a case where Guyana alone is fighting against what is happening. It is a concerted effort by all

these countries [within this region] to combat these diseases.”

The CEO further revealed that later this month, he will be participating in a meeting with the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) to determine the best strategies to contain and try to eradicate diseases that affect animals for consumption.

“Locally, what we’ve been doing is reinforcing all of our ports of entry and improving our testing capa-

bilities in our laboratory,” Waldron said. “We’re taking samples on a daily basis, we’ve completed postal surveys looking for those diseases so should we encounter anything, we can move to contain it quickly.”

He added that the organisation is pleading with all stakeholders to understand that this is not something that is unique only to Guyana but is a necessary step to take to protect our food security status.

Guyana remains vigilant despite...

However, all these were developed within a short period, and there is now a better understanding of the disease.

“Having all these new tools in place, countries have worked hard to reduce the burden of the disease. I think that when the WHO looked at all this information, they felt comfortable to make such a declaration that it is no longer a public health emergency globally,” Dr Anthony underscored.

The Ministry will continue to administer vaccines and currently, persons could access a bivalent vaccine.

“We continue to work and encourage people to get their boosters. If they get sick and they are uncertain, they should get tested, and if they are hospitalised. Of course, we will take care of them in the hospital. So, that has been our posture and we will continue to do that,” the Health Minister noted.

In Guyana, to date, more than 73,000 persons were infected with COVID-19, with 1298 dying as a result. Worldwide, the disease has affected more than 756 million people and killed almost seven million.

According to the WHO, as of last week, COVID-19 still claimed a life every three minutes as the virus mutates. The WHO had declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

UG mulls establishing working group to facilitate positive interchange programmes

– as 3rd Diaspora Conference set for May 2025

Following the success of the University of Guyana’s second Diaspora Conference, the tertiary institution is already planning to host its third conference of this kind in May 2025 under the proposed theme “Matters Diaspora- Technology and Diaspora in the 21st Century.”

“[We are] establishing immediately an international multi-disciplinary working group to begin its planning and resourcing,” UG Vice Chancellor, Paloma Mohamed Martin related during the second conference’s closing ceremony.

Marking the University’s 60 years of existence, this

most recent conference was held under the theme “Calling 592: Honouring, Researching, Reigniting Diaspora”.

For three days, the Vice Chancellor explained, attendees and participants acknowledged the loss of Guyana’s human capital through migration and the nuances of the dynamics of diasporic engagement as well as recognised the Guyanese Diaspora’s resilience, innovation, cultural diffusion, and transformation.

As such, a number of actions were identified as immediate next steps to take to advance these discussions.

“Ensure that we are true

to the exhortation of our national poet Martin Carter that ‘all are involved or all are consumed’ for an inclusive work agenda of key aspects of the dominant and subaltern experiences of Diasporas in the Caribbean and Latin America,” Mohamed Martin listed.

She added the need to work with other parts of the world as well in addressing areas of business, culture, the specific roles and conditions of academics in the Diaspora, women and gender, Indigenous people, youth, and those who may not be in the highest socioeconomic strata in these countries.

Keeping the University’s

key focus in mind – its students – the Vice-Chancellor also highlighted plans to establish a working group within two months to facilitate positive interchange between UG students and other youths from the primary and secondary diasporas.

“[A critical action to be undertaken is also] to link and facilitate the continuous exposure of scholars and students wishing to develop expertise in Diaspora and migration studies in order to ensure the highest quality and systematic scholarship and action in this area, in particular the role of technology in matters of the Diaspora,” Mohamed Martin said.

Other key actions include creating an international working group within one month to spearhead the establishment of an International Institute for The Study of Diasporas and Migration at UG; supporting the work of the Diaspora Engagement Unit and other State departments of Guyana through research, training, and discussion and mandating the UG Press to publish selected papers and

abstracts of the conference as the first publication of the UG_IISDM within one year.

Efforts will also be made to ensure all recorded presentations are distributed within a month as a test of a possible new model of conferencing being pioneered by the University as well as work with relevant and interested partners to create a local and regional database of scholarly items to support the existing study, policy development, and actions around the ecology of

Diaspora work.

This most recent conference included a series of discussions and conversations with Guyanese and members of the Guyanese Diaspora at the helm, including the launch of a “Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage”; a session on “Best Practices from Our Diplomatic Partners in Diaspora Diplomacy,” and one on “Reimagining Borders. Reimaging Self: Radical Identity in the age of globalisation.”

Berbice pensioner seeks assistance to rebuild after house crumbles amid heavy winds

ACorentyne pensioner is seeking the public’s assistance after his house collapsed due to heavy winds last week, and he is now forced to seek shelter at a relative.

Sixty-eight-year-old Michael Paddy had been living at his Lot 146 Gibraltar Road, Corentyne house since his boyhood days. He continued living there alone after the passing of his brother four years ago.

“I wasn’t at home. It is a good thing I wasn’t in the house, because the house would have fall and kill me,” he said.

He is hoping for a better house, but currently he is not in a position to fix the house, being a pensioner. “I need someone to help me,”

he appealed.

According to Paddy, the house had been leaning, buthe could not afford to provide the needed repairs.

“The breeze does blow heavy in the night, and I would be lying down and sometimes I would be afraid, saying that it would fall with me inside,” he added.

Since the incident, the Guyana Power and Light has disconnected the power supply to the building.

According to the retired labourer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), he is hoping to get assistance to rebuild. He can be contacted on telephone number 691-8688.

University of Guyana Vice Chancellor, Paloma Mohamed Martin officially closing the second Diaspora Conference alongside Registrar Dr Nigel Gravesande and Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, Bonita Hunter

The house in which the elderly man resided

Michael Paddy in the house

Ruling on oil-spill insurance coverage

Hearing of EPA’s request for stay of execution set for Monday

Speaker rejects Opposition’s motion to discuss ruling, cites sub judice rule

EPA’s behalf. It is unclear if Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam and Attorneys-atLaw Melinda Janki and Abiola Wong-Inniss, who appeared for Whyte and Collins at the trial, are still representing them.

Mahipaul to bring the motion when he fully knew that the matter did not qualify. He added that Mahipaul had just wanted to “grandstand and play for an audience”, a tactic with which the APNU-AFC are familiar.

The Court of Appeal will on Monday entertain a motion by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stay an order made by puisne Judge Sandil Kissoon for ExxonMobil to provide unlimited insurance for offshore oil operations it is engaged in with its co-venturers in the Stabroek Block.

The ruling essentially means that the EPA must enforce the liability clause in the Environmental Permit granted to ExxonMobil.

In his judgement dated May 3, the High Court Judge issued an Order of Mandamus directed to EPA for that state agency to issue ExxonMobil’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Limited (EEPGL), with an Enforcement Notice on or before May 9, for the company to provide, within 30 days, unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or unlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee, together with Environmental liability insurance, as is customary in the international petroleum industry. Failure to comply would result in the suspension of the permit dated May 31, 2022.

On Tuesday, the EPA filed a Notice of Appeal in which it advanced several grounds on which it is seeking to set aside the ruling of Justice Kissoon, among them being that the lower court’s reasoning was flawed, and that the Environmental Permit was in keeping with the law. It wants Justice Kissoon’s orders to be stayed pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

“The trial court erred in law in its interpretation, consideration and application of the combined effect of Clause 14 of the Environmental Permit… and erroneously concluded that the financial assurance to be provided by the third respondent herein, EEPGL, in relation to the said permit was unlimited,” one of the agency’s grounds of appeal outlined.

Another ground states, “The trial court erred in law and misconstrued the Environmental Protection Act and its regulations to determine that the appellant [EPA], a statutory body, had specific statutory powers which in fact it did not have.”

Another contention of the EPA is that the court wrongly ascribed a meaning to the Environmental Protection Act that was contrary to specific provisions in that very Act.

It is also contended that the court “in effect substituted its own discretion as the decision of the appellant when the appellant, at all material times, had exercised its discretion and acted well within its statutory and regulatory powers.”

According to the EPA’s legal documents, the orders granted by Justice Kissoon are coercive, and entirely remove the EPA’s discretion, which would have severe consequences. According to the agency, there would be severe disruption to the national economy if the order is allowed to stand.

EPA has been keen to point out that the very permit at the heart of the case is critically important to Guyana’s economic growth. It argues that should the permit which pertains to the Liza 1 and 2 fields be cancelled, this would have cat-

Justice Sandil Kissoon House Speaker Manzoor Nadir

Whyte moved to the court to get the EPA to implement the liability clause in the permit issued to ExxonMobil for its operations. They wanted the court to ensure Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) takes full financial accountability in the case of harm, loss, and damage to the environment from a well blowout, oil spill, or other failures in the Stabroek Block.

On the issue of whether the EPA acted in breach of its statutory duty and unreasonably permitted Esso to carry out petroleum production operations in the absence of compliance with the terms of the permit, Justice Sandil Kissoon ruled that the EPA has committed an illegality, acted unlawfully, ultra vires, unreasonably, in defiance of logic, irrationally, and without any jurisdiction.

Justice Kissoon, inter alia, found that Esso was engaged in a “disingenuous attempt” which was calculated to deceive when it sought to dilute its liabilities and settled obligations stipulated and expressed in Condition 14 of the permit, while simultaneously optimising production in the Stabroek Block.

other impacts on the public interest and national development.

He noted that the EPA and EEPGL had spent almost a year negotiating a Parent Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement to the tune of US$2 billion in liability coverage, in compliance with EEPGL’s financial assurance obligations under the Environmental Permit and the Environmental Protection Act.

“These negotiations only concluded [recently]. These negotiations and their material details were placed before the Court for its consideration, but unfortunately to no avail,” a statement from the Attorney General’s Chambers had disclosed.

Attorney-at-Law and Government Parliamentarian Sanjeev Datadin filed the appeal on

There are several court cases challenging various aspects of ExxonMobil’s operations offshore Guyana.

Motion disallowed

Meanwhile, at Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Speaker Manzoor Nadir disallowed Opposition Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul’s request to discuss what he, Mahipaul, termed a matter of urgent public importance concerning a motion to discuss oil spill liability coverage.

“The matter did not qualify as a definite matter of urgent importance, since I was of the view that the matter was sub-judice. It should be noted that I had previously ruled that a matter becomes sub-judice if a judge is assigned to the case, a date is given, and the case has reached a stage of evidence before the court,” the House Speaker clarified in a statement on Thursday.

Nadir emphasised that it was “mischievous” for

Moreover, the Speaker said, “I wish to state that at 7:17 pm on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 I received the request from Hon. Mahipaul for the adjournment of the Assembly. I was already aware, through an INews release at 5:10 p.m., two (2) hours before the Hon. Mahipaul’s email, that an appeal was filed. Subsequently, I was informed at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 that the matter was fixed before a judge.”

According to Nadir, since assuming office, he has been consistent with his application of the sub-judice rule.

“Further, even if there was no appeal before the court, the motion would have disqualified itself under the urgency criterion, as the judge had given the parties thirty days to remedy themselves. Had the judgement said ‘immediately’ instead of thirty days, then the Hon. Member moving the motion would have been in order,” Nadir explained.

Harsher penalties for TIP...

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud informed the House that the Bill received extensive work from local and international bodies, as well as wide consultations.

President. This task force is to comprise members of various sectors including immigration, law enforcement, legal affairs, foreign affairs, public health and Amerindian Affairs, human services, and social security.

FROM PAGE 11

Restitution is a legal method for victims to receive compensation for profits that traffickers withheld from them, additional losses they might suffer, and future costs they incur because of being trafficked.

Ganesh Mahipaul

astrophic consequences on the economy.

“Guyana as a nation now earns billions of dollars annually from the petroleum activities conducted on the Liza 1 and Liza 2 fields, both of which are subject to the permit. The suspension or cancellation will have a catastrophic effect on national funds for development, and also the Private Sector which supports the activities on the said Liza 1 and 2 fields,” EPA avers.

In September 2022, President of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), Fredericks Collins, and Guyanese citizen Godfrey

“The insurance obtained by the EEPGL from its Affiliate Company AON UK Ltd, both for the Liza Phase 1 and Phase 2 Projects, does not satisfy the stipulation and obligation set out at Condition 14:5 of the Environmental Permit, or even what is considered environmental liability insurance according to international standards of the petroleum industry,” he held.

In the end, EPA and Esso were ordered to pay Whyte and Collins $1.5M in court costs.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, had pointed out after the ruling that the Environmental Permit imposes no obligation on the permit holder to provide an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or Affiliate Company Guarantee Agreement.

The AG also pointed out that this ruling can have profound ramifications and grave economic as well as

“The objective of this Bill is to provide measures to combat Trafficking In Persons, including children and it sets out a litany of criminal offences with extraterritorial effect and this extraterritorial effect facilitates partnership and cooperation between Guyana and other States to prevent and suppress Trafficking in Persons and of course, it gives a wider scope to punish offenders,” she stated.

With the new legislation, anyone who commits the offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for five years. Conviction on indictment carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

Minister Persaud added that there would also be significant fines, charges, and convictions relative to attempts of conspiracy or complacent acts of trafficking.

“The Bill speaks to the establishment of the ministerial task force. The ministerial task force in accordance with this legislation must be appointed by the

It is to be chaired by the Ministers of Home Affairs and Human Services and this task force is to develop a plan of action that focuses on many important components that deal with specifically Trafficking in Persons and also includes the compilation of a report coming out of data collection to be presented to Cabinet,” Dr Persaud underscored.

Endorsing the bill, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, indicated that restitution was an approach that must be pursued to hurt perpetrators of human trafficking.

“If you hit the criminal in the pockets; if you hit them financially and you hurt them economically, you’ll eventually hurt them. So, in anti-money laundering offences, terrorism, in the trafficking of firearms, in the trafficking in narcotics, and human trafficking, you find that concept has been embraced fully in this bill,” the AG noted.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn revealed that his Ministry’s TIP Unit has made several successful strides in combating human trafficking.

“In 2022, we had 22 cases where people who [were] actively apprehended and interrogated, with some arrested, we had 22 operations with 247 victims screened and interviewed and one conviction archived.

In 2023, to date five cases were put before the courts, 12 operations were conducted, 190 suspected victims interviewed and screened, and two convictions,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, the Human Services Ministry’s CounterTIP Unit has trained 2003 persons to better recognise those who are victims of human trafficking.

Initiatives like these reflect the Government’s determination to safeguard vulnerable people from exploitation and its dedication to ending the social scourge.

Opposition MP

Haiti conflict puts over 100,000 kids at risk of starving to death – UN

More than 115,600 children in Haiti are expected to suffer severe wasting from malnutrition this year, the United Nations children's agency UNICEF said on Thursday, as an escalation of armed violence worsens food insecurity and a cholera outbreak.

That number is more than 30 per cent higher than the 87,500 children UNICEF registered as suffering from the condition last year. It warned of a severe funding gap that "could put the lives of more than 100,000 children at risk of immediate death".

Heavily-armed gangs have taken control of large swathes of the Caribbean island nation, with much of the violence centred in the capital Port-au-Prince, where the UN estimates more than 600 people were killed in April alone.

"The results of this study come at a key time since they will certainly be useful to us in planning our interventions on all fronts, in our fight against food insecurity," Prime Minister Ariel Henry said in a speech.

UNICEF released its study days after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights renewed calls for an international force to support Haiti's fight against armed gangs. Henry's caretaker Government had requested a "rapid" strike force last October.

The US international law enforcement bureau said on Monday it had delivered armoured vehicles purchased by Haiti's National Police, who are also awaiting another de -

Judge frees former Justice Minister arrested for Brasilia riots

The official in charge of Brasilia's public security when Government buildings were stormed by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro on January 8 was freed on Thursday after almost four months under arrest for his alleged role.

Anderson Torres was Bolsonaro's Justice Minister and became the city's security chief on January 2 and took off on holiday to the United States four days later. He was arrested on his

return.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who ordered his arrest to investigate whether his absence had contributed to the uprising, ordered that he be set free, saying Police had done their investigations and there was no reason to hold Torres.

The Judge ruled that he must wear an electronic anklet, cancelled his passports and suspended his right to carry a gun.

Complicating the former

Justice's legal situation was a draft decree Police found in his home when he was arrested that appeared to be part of a plan to provoke a state of emergency to overturn President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's election victory over Bolsonaro. He denied it was part of a military coup attempt.

Bolsonaro supporters have complained that Torres had been illegally held in jail without being charged. (Excerpt from Reuters)

layed order of armoured vehicles from private Canadian firm INKAS.

The international community has, however, been wary of sending troops in support of Henry's unelected Government.

Meanwhile, a grassroots vigilante justice movement known as "Bwa Kale" has gained force in recent weeks, challenging gangs and carrying out summary executions – sparking both optimism and fears of renewed violence. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuela, Colombia to increase military presence along shared border

Venezuela and Colombia will boost the number of troops stationed along their shared border at informal crossings where armed criminal groups linked to drug trafficking often operate, the Defence Ministers of the two countries said on Thursday.

Mexico

cooperating with US to avoid chaos at border as Title 42 ends

Mexico is cooperating with the United States to avoid "chaos" and "violence" on their shared border as US COVID-19 restrictions –known as Title 42 – come to an end, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Thursday.

The restrictions, which have blocked hundreds of thousands of migrants caught at the border from seeking asylum since 2020, are set to end Thursday evening and be replaced with tough new rules.

US President Joe Biden said earlier this week following a call with Lopez Obrador that the shared border would be "chaotic" for a while as the regulations change. Some migrants have rushed to cross ahead of the new rules.

Lopez Obrador said authorities were working in the south of Mexico to "protect" migrants amid an increase in people smugglers offering to take migrants to the United States for exorbitant prices under the promise that the border is "open".

He said his Administration had decided to send the Mexican National Guard to the country's southern border and that they had been given orders to not use force against migrants. Lopez Obrador also urged Biden to adopt "good neighbour" policies and work with countries such as Cuba and Venezuela so that their citizens do not need to migrate. He has long pushed for more US investment in the region to tackle the root causes of migration.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T among the countries with the most cases of hypertension

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) says Trinidad and Tobago is one of the countries in the Region with the most cases of arterial hypertension.

Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO, spoke at a virtual press conference on hypertension on Thursday.

Barbosa said hypertension was the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the main cause of premature deaths in the Region, with more than two million deaths a year. Barbosa said if hypertension was left untreated, it can cause heart attacks,

heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.

Barbosa said the highest rates of hypertension are found in the Caribbean, where it affects a quarter of the population.

Dr Anselm Hennis, director, of noncommunicable diseases, responding to a question from Newsday, said TT has even higher hypertension numbers than the overall Caribbean measure.

“The Caribbean has a 23 per cent rate of hypertension compared to 17.6 per cent overall, while TT has a 25.8 per cent overall rate that follows from 29 per cent in men and 23.7 per

cent in women," he said.

“It has been seen that Western countries have higher rates of hypertension, especially due to obesity, high sodium and salt consumption, alcohol and smoking,” he said.

He said the Caribbean community needs to eat better and have less processed products.

“The Caribbean imports a lot of food. It is necessary to promote changes from an early age, the use of labels with warnings."

Barbosa said for World Hypertension Day on May 17, PAHO will focus on preventive measures. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

The Ministers met in Caracas to discuss the security threat from the groups "who cross the border and carry out criminal activity in both Venezuelan and Colombian territory," Colombian Defence Minister Ivan Velasquez said on a Venezuelan State television broadcast.

The officials did not specify how many troops would be sent to the border, nor when. The border runs for some 2200 kilometres (1400 miles), much of it through remote jungle.

Velasquez also discussed the Colombian

Government's efforts to "hit criminal groups' finances with the maximum force possible" as a way of weakening them, he said.

Venezuela and Colombia reestablished relations last August after Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a leftist, came into office.

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino

said the two countries had worked to "create confidence little by little, even though the process was going to be a bit torturous".

Prior to Petro taking office, relations were frosty, with the two countries' governments trading accusations of meddling in each other's affairs. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T AG apologises to Barbados Police Service

Trinidad and TobagoAttorney General Reginald Armour has apologised to the Barbadian Government and the Barbados Police Service for the slur cast on the island’s Police force, following its assistance to the T&T Police Service in seeking to bring Brent Thomas to justice.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions George Busby had also advised TTPS officers involved to communicate the existence of warrants to Barbados authorities, but no advice was given as to how the rest was to be done in Barbados or how, if arrested, Thomas was to be returned to T&T.

This was revealed by Armour in a statement to Parliament on the matter involving firearms dealer Thomas and the April 25 judgment by Justice Devindra Rampersad.

Armour spoke amid no less than 22 loud objections from United National Congress (UNC) Members of Parliament (MPs), who protested that his statement was sub judice due to the State’s appeal of the

judgment.

Justice Rampersad delivered findings in favour of Thomas, including what he called an “abduction” from Barbados.

At the centre of certain TTPS investigations in 2022, Thomas was rearrested on October 5 in Barbados, where he was in transit to Miami. T&T and Barbados police were involved.

The State last Friday appealed Rampersad’s order. Armour said a further appeal was lodged before the court to have it heard urgently “for national security reasons and to correct the grave errors made by the trial judge.”

Armour confirmed the State has English Attorneys in place in the event it needs to protect T&T at the Privy Council level. (Excerpt from Nation News)

People huddle in a corner as Police patrol the streets after gang members tried to attack a Police station, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 25, 2023 (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol)

T&T Attorney General Reginald Armour

People cross the Simon Bolivar International Bridge from Venezuela to Colombia (Reuters/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez file photo)

Around The World OIL NEWS

Russia denies reports of Ukrainian breakthroughs along front lines

India's Russia oil imports jumped tenfold in 2022, bank says

India's imports of Russian oil rose tenfold last year, according to Indian state-controlled lender Bank of Baroda.

The figures show Asia's third largest economy saved around US$5 billion as it ramped up crude purchases from Moscow.

It comes as Western countries have been cutting their imports of energy from Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. Russia has been selling energy at a discount to countries like China and India, which is the world's third largest importer of oil.

In 2021 Russian oil accounted for just two per cent of India's annual crude imports. That figure now stands at almost 20 per cent, Bank of Baroda said.

India's purchases of oil from Russia during the last financial year, saved it around US$89 per tonne of crude, the figures show.

Despite pressure from the US and Europe, India has refused to adhere to Western sanctions on Russian imports. New Delhi has also not explicitly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

India has defended its oil purchases, saying that as a country reliant on energy imports and with millions living in poverty, it was not in a position to pay higher prices.

Since the Ukraine war began, Europe had imported six times more energy from Russia than India, the country's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a TV interview last year.

"Europe has managed to reduce its imports while doing it in a manner that is comfortable," he said.

Jaishankar added: "If it is a matter of principle why did Europe not cut on the first day?"

With no end in sight to the conflict, some analysts expect Russia to continue to offer cheap oil to Asia's biggest energy importers.

"We expect Russian crude intake to remain limited to these two countries [India and China], sustaining the steep discounts," Vandana Hari, from energy analysis firm Vanda Insights told the BBC.

India's oil refiners will continue to maximise their profit margins for as long as they can, but will simply "go back to their usual crude diet" if the sanctions were to be lifted, she added. (BBC News)

Biden, McCarthy debt ceiling meeting postponed, spending cuts on table

Adebt limit meeting be-

tween US President

Joe Biden and top lawmakers that had been scheduled for today has been postponed, and the leaders agreed to meet early next week, a White House spokesperson said on Thursday.

Aides from both sides have started to discuss ways to limit federal spending, as talks on raising the Government's US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling to avoid a catastrophic default creep forward, people familiar with the discussions said.

"Staff will continue working and all the principals agreed to meet early next week," the spokesperson said.

The aides to Biden, Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell and top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries and met

Russia's Defence Ministry on Thursday denied reports that Ukrainian forces had broken through in various places along the front lines and said the military situation was under control.

Moscow reacted after Russian military bloggers, writing on the Telegram messaging app, reported what they said were Ukrainian advances north and south of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, with some suggesting a long-awaited counteroffensive by pro-Kyiv forces had started.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had earlier said the offensive had yet to start.

"Statements circulated by

individual Telegram channels about 'defence breakthroughs' that took place in different areas along the line of military contact do not

correspond to reality," the Russian Defence Ministry said in a Telegram post.

"The overall situation in the area of the special mili-

tary operation is under control," it said in a statement, using the Kremlin's description of the war in Ukraine.

The fact the Russian Ministry felt obliged to release the statement reflects what Moscow acknowledges is a "very difficult" military operation.

Ukraine says it has pushed Russian forces back over the past several days near Bakhmut, while a fullblown counteroffensive involving tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of Western tanks is still being prepared.

"We still need a bit more time," Zelenskiy said in an interview with European broadcasters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Pakistan top court orders release of former PM Imran Khan

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ruled the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be illegal and ordered that he be immediately released, two days after his detention on corruption allegations triggered violent protests.

After the ruling on Thursday, violence around the country appeared to ease, though clashes between celebrating supporters of Khan and Police briefly broke out near the Supreme Court building.

The Government, however, denounced the ruling and said it was determined to find other legal avenues

to arrest the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Rival factions in Sudan agree to protect civilians – US official

Wednesday and Thursday to discuss raising the debt ceiling, the White House said earlier.

McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol that the delay was not a sign of trouble in the talks, but that he believed the staff negotiators who had been meeting this week needed to continue to talk before the principals met again.

"I don't think there's enough progress for the leaders to get back together," he said. He also said one of the Congress members was not able to make the Friday meeting.

White House officials acknowledge that they must accept some spending cuts or strict caps on future spending if they are to strike a deal, two sources said, while insisting they must preserve Biden's signature climate legislation that passed along party lines last year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Sudan’s warring factions have committed to protecting civilians as well as ensuring the movement of humanitarian aid, according to United States officials, but a ceasefire remains elusive.

After a week of talks in the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah, Sudan’s army and rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed a declaration on Friday that they would work towards a short-term ceasefire in further talks, US sources told the Reuters news agency.

“The two sides are quite far apart,” a senior US State Department official explained, speaking on condition of anonymity. Negotiators working with Saudi and US mediators set a goal of reaching a ceasefire deal in up to 10 days, the official said.

Clashes rocked Halfaya, an entry point to the Sudanese capital Khartoum, on Thursday. Residents reported hearing warplanes circle over Khartoum as well as Khartoum North and the adjoining city of Omdurman, but the fighting appeared calmer than on Wednesday.

In public, neither side has shown it is ready to offer concessions to end the conflict that erupted suddenly last month. The fighting has threatened to pitch Sudan into a civil war, killing hundreds of people and triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Previous ceasefire agreements have been repeatedly violated, leaving civilians to navigate a terrifying landscape of chaos and bombardment with failing power and water, little food and a collapsing health system.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Khan, 70, was arrested in a corruption case by the National Accountability

Bureau (NAB) during a court appearance on Tuesday, triggering violent protests across the country and prompting the Government to call out the Army to help restore order.

PTI supporters have clashed with Police around the country, and people have attacked military and Government sites, trying to storm the military’s main headquarters and burning down the residence of a top general in Lahore.

More than 2000 people have been arrested, at least 11 others killed and dozens injured in the clashes.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ex-Marine to be charged over New York subway death

Aformer US Marine is to be charged with the manslaughter of a homeless man on the New York City subway, the Manhattan District Attorney has said.

Daniel Penny, 24, will be arrested and formally accused today of causing Jordan Neely's death after he placed the 30-year-old in a chokehold. Penny's lawyers say he could not have known his actions to subdue Neely would lead to his death.

The incident on Monday, May 1 was captured on mobile phone footage.

"We can confirm that Daniel Penny will be arrested on a charge of manslaughter in the second degree," said a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in a statement.

"We cannot provide any additional information until he has been arraigned in Manhattan criminal court."

Witnesses said Neely was acting aggressively towards

other subway passengers, but he had not physically attacked anyone before Penny put him in a chokehold.

A video captured by a freelance Journalist on the train shows the former Marine holding Neely around the neck for two minutes and 55 seconds.

Penny told other riders to call 911 during the struggle with Neely, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.

The ex-Marine was questioned and released by Police in New York on the day of the incident.

In a statement earlier this month, lawyers for Penny expressed condolences to the Neely family, and said Penny and other passengers acted in self-defence.

They said Neely's behaviour was "the apparent result of ongoing and untreated, mental illness", which prompted Penny and others "to protect themselves, until help arrived". (Excerpt from BBC News)

A firefighter works at a site of a residential house destroyed by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Malokaterynivka, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, May 11 (Reuters)

Imran Khan

PEANUTS

DAILY HOROSCOPES

You'll get the help you need if you ask for it, but you'll falter if you do everything yourself. Keep the peace and focus on what you do best; everything else will fall into place.

(March 21-April 19)

Discipline and charm will help you make your case. Summon the best people to help you complete your mission. Be the driving force behind your plans. You can expect to overcome any setback.

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

Rethink your plan and consider if it's based on emotions or on common sense. Refuse to let anyone influence you. Make decisions based on experience, knowledge and facts. Take nothing for granted.

Show your appreciation, dedication and love for someone who has supported and inspired you. An emotional situation will escalate due to a last-minute change. Prepare to act fast.

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Look at the possibilities, but don't act hastily. Take time to figure out what's best for you and how to use your attributes to the best of your ability. Focus on your goal.

A practical attitude will strengthen your work ethic and integrity. Discuss your plans and offer incentives to people who can help you. Love is in the stars. Make fitness a priority.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Calculate your debts and put a plan in place that helps you save money or invest in a sure thing. Now is not the time to take chances, but building equity is a safe bet.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Problems that arise at home or within a partnership will cause you to second-guess your next move. Be intelligent and disciplined in your approach. Get along with everyone.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don't let emotions confuse you. Look at the facts and think about the possible consequences of a pending decision. Consider every angle before committing to anything or anyone.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Focus on making money, improving your home environment and feeling comfortable with your life and personal progress. Keep your spending to a bare minimum. Avoid making an impulse buy.

A change of heart will blindside you. Don't take anything or anyone for granted. You'll be disappointed if you let someone talk you into something that makes you feel uncertain.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

The changes you make to yourself and your surroundings or lifestyle will lift your spirits and open your mind to many new and exciting possibilities. Love and romance will enhance your life.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Tata IPL 2023: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals…

Jaiswal and Chahal smash records and KKR

Rajasthan Royals reignited their IPL campaign in spectacular fashion when they brushed aside the despondency of winning just one of their previous six games with a brutal takedown of Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.

Two of their big names stood up in big ways:

Yuzvendra Chahal became the leading wicket-taker in IPL history while bagging his second successive fourwicket haul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal made a two-paced pitch look like a belter while scoring the IPL's fastest-ever

fifty. Having restricted KKR to 149 for 8 after choosing to bowl, Royals chased down their target in just 13.1 overs, lifting their net run rate from an already healthy 0.388 to 0.633, the second best in the league behind table-toppers Gujarat Titans.

It should hold Royals in good stead if they get into an NRR battle for playoffs qualification. They are now third on the table with 12 points from 12 games, above Mumbai Indians, who have the same points total with a game in hand.

SCOREBOARD

Catching sets the tone

Trent Boult was back for Royals after missing their heartbreaking loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, and he immediately made an impact with wickets in his first two overs. He usually takes early wickets by defeating toporder batters with new-ball swing, but on this occasion, he took them with some help from the fielders. Shimron Hetmyer sent Jason Roy back with a sprinting, jumping grab at deep square leg, while Sandeep Sharma ended Rahmanullah Gurbaz's stay at the crease with a diving catch to his right at mid-off.

An innings of two halves

On a pitch where the odd ball was stopping on the batter, Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana made a ponderous start to their third-wicket partnership. The first 30 balls after Gurbaz's dismissal brought KKR just 30 runs, with just the one boundary, and Venkatesh endured a particularly difficult struggle while moving to 11 off 20 balls.

Chahal had already gotten among the wickets before that, having Nitish caught at deep backward square leg in the 11th over to go past Dwayne Bravo and become the IPL's top wickettaker. There would be two more on the night: Shardul Thakur - lbw while missing a sweep in a double-wicket 16th over, and Rinku Singh - caught at long-off in a three-run 19th.

Nitish taken apart

If you bowl the first over for your team, Jaiswal is the last batter you want to bowl to. Coming into this game, Jaiswal had hit more fours (13) and more sixes (two) in the first over than any other batter in IPL 2023. It was interesting, then, that Nitish brought himself on to bowl the first over of the Royals' chase.

third over, driving and pulling and finding gaps as if there were no fielders on the 30yard circle.

Having thus moved to 49 off 12, Jaiswal tucked a single off his hip to bring up the IPL's fastest fifty, going one ball better than KL Rahul and Pat Cummins.

Finish in a hurry

Jaiswal's masterful timing and placement suggested this pitch may have eased up, but Samson showed it still wasn't straightforward to bat on. He moved to 21 off 21 balls at the other end, while having a skied return catch dropped by

Sunil Narine, then he joined the party with three clean, straight sixes off Anukul Roy in the 11th over, and the end was nigh.

All that remained to see was whether Jaiswal could get to his hundred, and it was still possible when the 14th over began with Jaiswal on 94 and Royals three runs from victory. A six would do it, but Jaiswal was going to get the winning runs as quickly as he could, however they came. He shuffled across to a wide full-toss from Thakur, and swiped it behind square for four, to finish on 98 off 47. (ESPNCricinfo)

bat: Joe Root, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma,

Did not bat: Harshit Rana,

Chakravarthy

Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Jason Roy, 2.2 ov), 2-29 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 4.1 ov), 3-77 (Nitish Rana, 10.2 ov), 4-107 (Andre Russell, 13.3 ov), 5-127 (Venkatesh Iyer, 16.1 ov), 6-129 (Shardul Thakur, 16.4 ov), 7-140 (Rinku Singh, 18.4 ov),

However, he started finding the boundary regularly from that point. He hit R Ashwin - who had conceded just eight runs in his first two overs - for a pair of sixes in an 18-run ninth over, and then hit Chahal for two sixes and a four in the 13th over. He was eventually dismissed at the start of the 17th over, for 57 off 42 balls.

Chahal rifles KKR

Venkatesh's dismissal was a classic death-overs wicket from Chahal - a loopy delivery hung wide outside off stump after angling across the left-hander, inviting the big hit that was miscued to a fielder inside the circle.

Nitish is better than part-time, but he hasn't bowled regularly this season. He may have thought his offspin would match up nicely against Jaiswal's lefthandedness, or he may have gambled on buying a wicket if either opener went after him too hard.

In the event, Jaiswal tore into Nitish, going 6, 6, 4, 4, 2, 4 in the second-most expensive first over in IPL history, falling one run short of the record of 27 set by Royal Challengers Bangalore - Chris Gayle, mostly - against Mumbai's Abu Nechim in Qualifier 2 in 2011.

A mix-up in the second over cost Jos Buttler his wicket, but that did nothing to slow Jaiswal down. He picked up a lucky four later in the over, thanks to overthrows, and then hooked Harshit Rana for six. Then he went 4, 4, 4 off Shardul Thakur in the

West Indies "A" team series is opportunity for players to push for Test selection –

says Head Coach Rayon Griffith

By Brandon Corlette

West Indies "A" team Head Coach, the Guyanese Rayon Griffith, sees the upcoming "A" team matches against Bangladesh "A" as an opportunity for West Indies players to push for Test selection.

The men in maroon will play a Test series against India in July, and this redball series which starts on May 16 in Bangladesh is the golden opportunity for players to audition for a Test callup.

In a comment invited by this daily publication moments after the team arrived in Bangladesh, Coach Griffith said: "I see it (the "A" team tour) as an opportunity for all players. It’s for them to be hungry and make progress on this tour. Most of the players were playing the tri- series in Antigua before coming to Bangladesh. This series is the time for players to better their performances and also help them push for a spot in the upcoming (India) series."

Asked about team strengths, Griffith said: "There (are) many strengths surrounding this team. In the batting, we have couple expe rienced players (Test players), some exciting young players, and the spinners which will boost the middle-to-lower order. The bowling department, we have bowlers with different styles, which is a good mixture."

Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Tevin Imlach and Tagenarine Chanderpaul are the four Guyanese players in the squad. Chanderpaul, the current West Indies Test opener, will be aiming

to dominate this series and gather confidence ahead of the India series, while Motie would want to show fitness after his back injury.

Motie, who had the best figures by a West Indies spinner in the history of Test cricket, would also want to display dominance and head

Marques promises entertaining fight

It is by now no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic ‘did a number’ on some contact sports in Guyana, boxing being one such discipline. While the amateur aspect of the sport has been able to get off its feet, there has been only a handful of professional cards.

One boxer who has had to face the lack of competition is Dexter Marques, who, following the signing of his contract for the ‘Return of the Scorpio’ pro-am card on Tuesday, explained how difficult that period and training has been. “It’s real difficult, because I was preparing for a fight before COVID-19, a guy from Colombia, and then soon as COVID-19 come, everything just push back. It give me a real loss; but, you know, you can’t stop what

you got to do. I’m just in the ring, in the gym, doing what you got to do, just waiting for an opportunity to come to get the best out of me,” Marques shared with the gathering at the 704 Sports Club.

He added, “It does be a little difficult sometimes, but you just got to put your best foot forward. I moved up a little bit in weight. Challenging everybody from 122 to 115 now,” the professional pugilist further shared on his shift in weight classes.

At the May 21st event, Marques will be trading punches with Luis Carillo of Colombia in an 8-round Super Bantamweight bout. While expressing his gratitude to the promoters and all involved, the boxer promised an entertaining battle.

Marques said, “First of

all, I want to say thanks. Thanks to the press, the Guyana Boxing Board and the Guyana Amateur Board for making this happen on May 21st. I’m grateful to be back in the ring. I think last year they had a bad decision; but, you know, everybody knows Dexter Marques don’t like do too much talking and stuff. I’ll leave everything to the ring, but come out the 21st of May and see me in better action this go round,” he admonished.

Dexter Marques is among a lineup of 4 Guyanese boxers who will hit the ring at the National Gymnasium. The feature fight of the night will see Guyana’s Elton Dharry taking on Colombia’s Ramos Ronald as Darry prepares for a World title fight in June.

Athanaze, who is on the cusp of receiving his maiden Test cap, would also want to extend the purple patch he had in regional cricket and head into his debut Test with runs under his belt.

West Indies “A” Team arrived in Bangladesh on May 11, and will play 3 four-

day “Test” matches at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS) in Sylhet.

These matches will have full first-class status.

This “A” team tour reciprocates the Bangladesh “A” team tour of the West Indies in August 2022, when the teams drew both a two-match series of four-day first-class matches and also a threematch 50-over series at the Daren Sammy Stadium in Saint Lucia.

Full squad: Joshua DaSilva (Captain), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah,

Keacy Carty, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Akeem Jordan, Brandon King, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer and Kevin Sinclair

MATCH SCHEDULE

All matches to be played at SICS, Sylhet

16-19 May: 1st “Test”

23-26 May: 2nd “Test”

30 May to 2 June: 3rd “Test”

Oceaneering International powers return of U14 Indoor Hockey League

year will see new schools such as Richard Ishmael Secondary and Cummings Lodge Secondary participating alongside regular teams from Saints Hockey Club (SHC), Hikers (HHC), GCC, North Georgetown Multilateral and St Joseph’s High School. The tournament will utilise the auditoriums of Saint Stanislaus College, St Joseph’s High School and Marian Academy, with a different venue being used each week. The league will be held every Friday, with games starting at 4:00pm and concluding at 7:00pm. This Friday the action commences at Saint Stanislaus College.

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has relaunched its Under-14 Indoor League, which is being staged under a new sponsor this year in Oceaneering International. This tournament was initiated in 2017, and was the first of its kind being held in schools. It provided a huge boost to the development of the game, with more than 100 children in competition each year.

Unfortunately, some momentum has been lost, as the tournament has not been held in the last 3 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite this hiatus, the

tournament has proven successful in its goal to further develop junior players. Baraka Garnett and Tahrea Garnett were winners of the Most Goals and MVP prizes respectively in 2017, and they represented Guyana at the Junior PanAm Championships held in Barbados last April. Abosaide Cadogan, who also won the Most Goals prize in the Girls category in 2017, has represented Guyana on both the Junior and Senior National teams since her debut in this tournament.

The tournament is a 4-a-side format with a maximum of 10 registered players per team, and this

Kevin Sinclair

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

West Indies "A" Head Coach, Rayon Griffith

Dexter Marques inking his ‘Return of the Scorpio’ contract

A glimpse of what to expect in the U14 Indoor Hockey League

‘Return of the Scorpio’ boxing card…

Paul, Motie recalled as CWI names WC qualifiers team

FULL SQUADS

vs United Arab Emirates

Shai Hope (captain)

Brandon King (vice-captain)

Alick Athanaze

Shamarh Brooks

Yannic Cariah

Keacy Carty

Roston Chase

Dominic Drakes

Kavem Hodge

Akeem Jordan

Gudakesh Motie

Keemo Paul

Raymon Reifer

Odean Smith

Devon Thomas

ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers

Shai Hope (captain)

Rovman Powell (vice-captain)

Shamarh Brooks

Yannic Cariah

Keacy Carty

Roston Chase

Jason Holder

Akeal Hosein

Alzarri Joseph Brandon King

Kyle Mayers

Gudakesh Motie

Keemo Paul Nicholas Pooran

Romario Shepherd

chance to bowl in those conditions. He is also a capable batsman and good in the outfield. The team played well in South Africa earlier this year, when we drew the ODI Series 1-1 under the new captain. We were encouraged by that display, and we expect them to continue to grow and create that synergy.”

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men’s Selection Panel on Thursday named the squad to participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. The eight-team tournament will be played in Zimbabwe from June 18, as the West Indies look to secure one of the two final places in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to be played in India later this year. Ahead of the qualifiers, the West Indies will play a three-match One Day International (ODI) Series against United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah, the squad for which has already been named by the Selection Panel. Those matches

will be played on June 5, 7 and 9, and will form part of the preparations for the qualifiers.

CWI has given permission to players participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to return to the Caribbean for a short break before arriving in Zimbabwe for the qualification tournament.

There are recalls for Guyanese allrounder Keemo Paul and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who last played in ODIs last July against India in Trinidad.

The squad for the three ODIs in Sharjah also includes four uncapped players: left-handed batter Alick Athanaze,

as well as allrounders Kavem Hodge, Dominic Drakes, and Akeem Jordan.

Lead Selector the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes has said: “Paul is a three-dimensional player who can bowl the new ball effectively, he’s dynamic in the outfield, and he can also make vital runs. He is now fully recovered from injury, and with his skill-set, we see him as a potential match-winner for us.

“Motie was excellent in the Test matches in Zimbabwe earlier this year, where he took 19 wickets, and we anticipate similar conditions for the qualifiers. We believe he will again relish the

Haynes added: “We see this as a crucial tournament as we look to secure one of the two places left in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Therefore, we have selected a balanced team which we believe is well equipped to get the job done in the conditions we anticipate in Zimbabwe. It will be a challenging tournament, it will be intense and competitive, there is no doubt about that.

“In speaking to the players, they are fully aware of the job at hand. We are happy with the preparations and the mindset of the players, and everyone is clear about their roles in the squad.

“For the matches against the UAE in Sharjah, this presents a chance for some other players who are not in the squad for the qualifiers to get an opportunity at the international level, as we look to expose more players.”

Fruta Conquerors to begin title defense in Elite League opener

Reigning champions

Fruta Conquerors Football Club will kick off Season Five of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League against the Guyana Police Force Football Club on Sunday, May 14, at the Eve Leary Sports Ground in Kingston, Georgetown.

Western Tigers Football Club will also play Milerock Football Club on the first day of the much-anticipated premier men’s football competition.

Fixtures for Season

Five were this week sent to the ten participating teams, including Guyana Defence Force Football Club, Den Amstel Football Club, Victoria Kings Football Club, Buxton United Sports Club, Milerock Football Club, Ann's Grove Football Club, Guyana Police Force Football Club, and Santos Football Club.

Teams will be aiming for a positive start to secure enough points to make it to the championship at the end of the sea -

son. GFF Acting Technical Director Bryan Joseph said Season Five will see Guyana’s top players back on the pitch in one of the most competitive local leagues.

“As we draw closer to the kickoff of Season Five of the Elite League, we feel a sense of readiness to deliver exciting football to the fans out there. This is football at its best, with Guyana’s top senior play -

ers competing over the next few weeks," he said.

Joseph also encouraged fans to show their support by attending games.

“Sunday is going to be massive, with the Grand Opening Ceremony inclu -

sive of the March Past of all ten teams at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. We encourage the football fans to come out in your numbers and support the return to Elite League Football,” Joseph added.

More than four million dollars will be awarded to clubs and players. Clubs will play several rounds of football, with the two clubs scoring the most points advancing to the two-million- dollar championship match.

Victorious clubs will be awarded three points, a draw gets teams one point each, defeated teams will be awarded no points on the overall table.

Three points will be deducted from teams that forfeit a match.

Players participating in the two-month league, which will be broadcast on the FIFA+ platform, will benefit tremendously from global exposure.

The champions will automatically qualify for the CONCACAF/Caribbean Shield Championships.

The GFF Elite League is a key part of GFF President Wayne Forde’s strategic strategy to grow the football audience in Guyana, while giving players a competitive platform to showcase their talent.

The Elite League fixtures released by the GFF

West Indies will face UAE before they move on to the ODI World Cup Qualifiers

Oshane Thomas has been transferred to the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (RBL CPL). Thomas joins the Patriots from the Barbados Royals after two seasons with the franchise.

The Patriots will be Thomas’s third CPL team, having also played for his home side, the Jamaica Tallawahs, from 2016 to 2020.

Thomas has claimed 42 wickets at CPL at an average of 24.42 across his 33 matches.

Thomas transferred to St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

The complete squads for the Republic Bank CPL will be announced during the Draft Show, which will be broadcast at the end of June.

The 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will take place from August 16 to September 24 in Saint Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana.

The tournament gets underway in Saint Lucia with six matches at the Daren Sammy Cricket ground between August 16 and

August 20. Home side the Saint Lucia Kings will be appearing in four of those fixtures.

From there the tournament moves to St Kitts & Nevis. Six matches will be played at Warner Park between August 23 and August 27, with four games for the home team, the Patriots.

The next leg of the tournament will take place in Barbados, with the CPL returning to that country for the first time since 2019. With six matches scheduled for the iconic Kensington Oval, and four home

Fruta Conquerors to begin title defense in Elite League

games for the Barbados Royals, there will be lots of excitement about the tournament’s return. The matches will take place in Barbados from August 30 to September 3.

From September 5 to September 10 the tournament will be in Trinidad & Tobago. There will be four home games for the Trinbago Knight Riders and six matches in total.

The final leg of the tournament will take place in Guyana, with the matches running from September 13 to September 24.

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