Guyana Times - Friday, October 14, 2022

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GECOM taken to court over $9.2M in rent arrears for Kingston properties

Robbery suspects nabbed in minibus with loot "Let’s be proud of our rich cultural tapestry" – PM tells Afro-Guyanese on African Holocaust Day ...says Govt committed to inclusivity, valued traditions and customs of all Guyanese Body of homeless man found in Essequibo Coast bus shed

COVID-19 testing for surgical patients being reviewed Electronic Medical Records System being designed for Guyana

Flooding at CV Nunes Primary School forces suspension of classes

In

light of continuous downpours, classes at the CV Nunes Primary School at Anna Regina, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) were suspended after the lower flat was in undated.

Headteacher of the school, Cheryl Peters ex plained that she was forced to send home more than 200 pupils who turned up for school on Thursday, given the flooded sections of the school. The heavy down pour started on Wednesday evening and continued into

Thursday.

She reiterated that since the school was construct ed, flooding has been a ma jor issue wherever there is a continuous downpour.

“Since our school was built, when there is per sistent rainfall in this re gion, the corridors and class rooms are usually flooded and we have to send home our students which are hun dreds... Complaints were made and the regional ad

ministration assisted, but same thing happening.” she said.

Meanwhile, owing to the continuous rainfall over the past few days, the Education Ministry was forced to postpone the chil dren’s Inter-Schools Athletic Championship since the ven ue, the New Opportunity Corps Ground is underwa ter. The event was slated to kick off on Thursday; a new date will be set.

Headmistress Cheryl Peters

The flooded classrooms

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The

October 14

Repairs to DHB rack up $1B – Min Edghill ...vessel’s owner to pay ...probe into mishap moving apace

The

Friday, October 14

06:55h-08:25h

Saturday, October 15

FERRY SCHEDULE

times

WEATHER TODAY

Ongoing

repairs to the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) follow ing last weekend’s collision have already racked up a bill of over $1 billion and according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, the company that owns the vessel will be held fi nancially liable for the exten sive works being carried out.

“It’s a billion and count ing,” Edghill declared.

Asked about the compa ny that owns the vessel being made to foot the repair bill, the Public Works Minister indicat ed that “…the Government of Guyana is very clear on this matter”.

In fact, he revealed that the Panamanian vessel – MV Trade Wind Passion – is cur rently being detained. “We’ve already done all the necessary legal paperwork. The ship is legally under arrest, because we’ve filed all the necessary paperwork,” he asserted.

During the retraction for marine traffic in the wee hours of Saturday, the fuel ship, which was transporting fuel to the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), crashed into the bridge. The damage to the crit ical structure was extensive with at least four spans and a pontoon affected.

At the time, the vessel was heading south and was the last of five vessels to cross through the bridge, which had to be out of commission over the week end and opened on Tuesday to light vehicular traffic. A sched uled arrangement was sub sequently put in place for ve hicles carrying less than 18 tonnes as works continue on the bridge.

Giving an update on repairs to the bridge on Thursday, Minister Edghill was high in praise for the team working to get the structure back up and functional.

“As of this [Thursday] morning, while everybody is seeing traffic moving and flow ing, they’re still working mir acles below – changing out pontoons and doing all kinds of things while still facilitat ing the movement of people and goods to ensure that com merce and people keep mov ing. Those are things some en gineers and technicians want the bridge to be closed to do. But with proper planning and putting heads together, we’ve been able to [open the bridge],” he related to Guyana Times

The Public Works Minister noted that only Thursday morning a repaired wrench was delivered by the contrac tor to the workers to be rein stalled as they prepare to re sume retraction for marine traffic. According to Edghill, getting the bridge functional for vehicular traffic is just one aspect of the work that is be ing done.

“They have to get the bridge functional as well for marine traffic, because it must be able to do the retrac tion to allow for the passage of boats… We’re hoping to get our first retraction maybe [to day] or Saturday and that is why it was important for us to get the wrench by [Thursday]

morning so that it can be in stalled and tested … the rest of it. So, we may very well be able to have a retraction in another 24 to 36 hours,” he explained.

Minister Edghill further pointed out that while signifi cant work has been conducted to get the bridge to a working stage, there was much more to be done. However, he could not give a timeline for these works to be completed and the DHB returned to normal operations.

“We’re working on every thing to make that happen… It’s nowhere near the finish, but significantly advanced, great work is being done by the engineers and the contrac tors,” he stressed.

The Public Works Minister outlined that it was important to have the bridge reopened for vehicular traffic across the Demerara River, and even more important to restore re traction for the passage of traf fic along the waterway.

In fact, he pointed to the disruption to certain opera tions that this situation has caused such as garbage collec tion services.

“Getting garbage to the dump site [in Region Four – Demerara-Mahaica] from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) was becoming a major crisis. In fact, one service provider sent me a notice that they may very well be putting in a claim; it cost them $3 million to get a pontoon to bring their trucks from Parika to Kingston,” Edghill disclosed.

Meanwhile, immediate ly following the collision, a Board of Inquiry (BoI) was set up by the government to look into the incident. According to the Minister, the BoI mem bers started working in the wee hours of Sunday into late hours of the day. So far, they have taken statements and

spoken to more than 35 indi viduals.

“They had seven days to compile their report and as of [Thursday], they are on sched ule and I think I should be receiving that report soon,” Edghill told this newspaper.

Following the incident, lo cal authorities conducted drug and alcohol tests on the boat pilot and the results were neg ative. Reports that the crew was sleeping at the time of the accident had also been de bunked by the Minister previ ously.

In the meantime, the Panamanian fuel ship re mains in Port Georgetown pending the outcome of the in vestigation and the completion of repairs to the bridge.

Over the weekend, President Dr Irfaan Ali in spected works being done on the bridge and reiterated that efforts would be taken to re vise guidelines used by ves sels to traverse the opened Harbour Bridge during retrac tion.

“We also have to relook now at the guidelines. We have big ger ships coming in. We have faster vessels. And the bridge, really, is being nursed along at this stage in the bridge’s life. And we can’t every time there’s an impact – and this is one of the worst impacts we’ve ever had, when this happens then (it impacts) the fragility of the bridge, it needs contin

uous maintenance… But one of the things with the frequent hitting of the bridge is that it is actually devouring all our spare capacity. So, these are the challenges,” the Head of State said.

President Ali further indi cated that Government would be expediting works on the new Demerara River Bridge so as to ease the burden that the current structure places on commuters.

Back in May, a US$260 million contract for the new bridge across the Demerara River, which was awarded to a joint venture led by China Railway and Construction Corporation (International) Limited, was signed.

The new bridge will be a fixed 2.65-kilometre four-lane high-span cable-stayed struc ture across the Demerara River and will feature a bicycle lane. It will also bring an end to closures to vehicular traf fic with a 50-metre fixed high span to cater for the free flow of vessels uninterrupted.

Back in November 2021, Cabinet granted its no objec tion for the Chinese company to construct the bridge using a Design-Build-Finance (DBF) model. The bridge will land aback Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on the east ern side, and at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on the western side. (Vahnu Manikchand)

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

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Safe environment for women and children

Thelocal media have reported on numerous cases involving sexual assault that are engaging the attention of the judicial system. In quite a few of these court hearings, the nation has been shocked to learn of the details which emerged, of how the victims were sexually and physically abused.

In one of these cases, heard earlier this year, a taxi driver from Tucville, Georgetown, who has since been jailed for 11 years, preyed on a vulnerable sex worker. The victim, who in her impact statement said she is a mother of three, described the accused as a “monster”, noting that since the tragic ordeal, “I have a lot of fear, anger, hatred, and helplessness.” She besought the court to lock up the perpetrator for life, so that he could not hurt anyone else.

The rape survivor told the presiding Judge: “I want you to help me to get justice for myself and the other victims, because I wasn’t the only victim of that monster. I would want to kill him with my own hands, because that man destroyed our (her family’s) lives.”

This is just one of a long list of cases of women being sexually violated. While life would never be the same again for the victims involved, it is good to see that the perpetrators are facing justice for these despicable and cruel acts. However, this might just be the tip of the iceberg, as it is widely believed that many sexual abuse cases, including those involving children, are deliberately hidden and go unreported for various reasons.

Sexual violence against women and children is considered to be a gross violation of rights. According to UNICEF, sexual violence can take the form of sexual abuse, harassment, rape, or sexual exploitation in prostitution or pornography. It can happen in homes, institutions, schools, workplaces, in travel and tourism facilities; and within communities. Increasingly, the Internet and mobile phones also put children at risk of sexual violence, as some adults look to the Internet to pursue sexual relationships with children. There is also an increase in the number and circulation of images of child abuse.

A UNICEF study, “Hidden in Plain Sight”, estimates that, worldwide, around 120 million girls under the age of 20 (about 1 in 10) have been subjected to forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts at some point in their lives. Boys also report experiencing sexual violence, but they do so to a lesser extent than girls.

Evidence shows that sexual violence can have serious short- and long-term physical, psychological and social consequences, not only for girls or boys, but also for their families and communities. Those include increased risks for illness, unwanted pregnancy, psychological distress, stigma, discrimination, and difficulties at school.

In Guyana, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) and the Human Services Ministry, along with various nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), have been on the frontline in bringing some of these cases to light. These agencies must continue to work diligently in ensuring that all such cases are brought to the fore, where they could be properly investigated and prosecuted.

The Guyana Police Force is also a key partner in the fight against sexual violence perpetrated on women and children. The Force must continue to provide the necessary training to its officers in order to properly investigate sexual crimes against women and children. Our women and children need to be assured that when violence against them is reported, the law would act quickly to persecute the perpetrators, and that our judicial system would function efficiently and equitably to bring such criminals to justice.

Importantly, too, is that all the necessary support systems must be put in place to ensure victims and their families are provided with counselling, etc, to overcome the trauma of sexual violence.

Women and children, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, cultural or social backgrounds, deserve to live in an environment where they feel safe and are part of loving and nurturing families.

The People's Proletarian President

Dear Editor, They came in throngs, expecting the unexpected, but were not disappointed. They weren’t sure, but were more curious, anticipating what they were yearning for. The precedent was al ready created, and so they were hoping the rest would be routine, a matter of mere formality.

A jovial crowd, hustling and bustling, cheering as they went along, man, wom an, boy, girl, child came run ning, shouting, waving glee fully, hoping to catch his eyes, wanting an acknowl edgment. They wanted to touch him, some shyly shak ing hands while others took delight in proudly pound ing fists, firmly but lovingly.

It was a bright and sunny day, a holiday, and Guyana wanted to relax and enjoy a nice and quiet day; but it wasn’t to be one of those se rene days.

He came not to disturb the peace, but to provide, promote, and protect the policy, principle and philos ophy of peace, progress, and prosperity.

Yes, “the people’s choice” came to meet and greet the community in his walk about, grounding with the residents of Linden, and em bracing all the eager ones who could not help hugging their idol, retaining fond memories for eons to come, so that the story will be for ever told for generations to come. It was a ‘Kodak’ mo ment for many, who took pleasure in posing with this iconic figure, and having their pictures taken in order

for this unforgettable day to be recorded permanently, so that they can beam, boast and brag about this accom plished feat.

Unlike his predecessor -who travelled with a large contingent; ensured that his heavily-financed visit was well announced upfront, so that there would be lavish preparation of food, drinks and entertainment; have hundreds of people encour aged and ordered to line in queues despite the hot sun and long waiting; have large placards, posters and dec orations prominently dis played; have a barrage of Police and security person nel endlessly visible; have areas cordoned off to provide a false sense of security risk; have places convenient ly looking spick and span -this unexpected visitor, who walked the streets like an or dinary citizen, did not come only to pose for pictures, kiss and pat babies, claim votes, stir trouble, fool the people, make false promises and then disappear. This co lossal emblem of trust, hope and faith chose to allow the people to have their say; lis tened to their problems; let them air their grievanc es, complaints, issues and opinions; and then offered suggestions, ideas and rec ommendations in order to alleviate their concerns and provide resolutions uncondi tionally and freely.

He resolved some of their matters on the spot, redi rected some to the correct source for action, and some cases needed more investi gation and information.

The residents were frank and fair, and spoke their minds, happy to be given opportunity to speak with out fear or favour; and they asked questions that were gladly answered. They heard what pleased their ears, and felt satisfied that this simple visitation was not in vain, but was signifi cantly consequential.

They saw the humble ness in a fellow human being who willingly brought him self down to their level in or der to mix and mingle, and not as someone aloof or im portant or official. His smile provided a warmth that made them feel reassured of his presence, and that any promise he made would be sincere. As he laughed and joked, they clutched more to him, and hung on longer to his company, while unfor tunately preventing others from getting as close to him as they did.

Desirous of improving their quality of living, this highly influential figure stated his reason for visit ing, “I’m just here through out different communities today to come to you, to lis ten to you, and to see how we can work together; because what we want to do is uplift all of Guyana.” Politics was a foreign language on that day.

He continued without being aggressive, but hav ing patience while valuing time, by interjecting, “I don’t have time to waste on non sense, on stupid talk and di vision and stupidity; that’s not me.” Being a social worker was closer to home.

He clearly came to the point with clarity, and related his objective: “All I want to hear about is how we bring this country together, how we can love each other, how we uplift each other, (and) how we uplift the communities and uplift the country.”

He showed empathy and understanding by admit ting, “We know every com munity has different chal lenges. That is why today I am here to listen to you.” He wore the cap of the man in the street.

In the end, it was the residents who were over whelmed with joy, and they did express their gratitude without any reservation. One such among those who had gathered conveyed his thanks and appreciation, while at the said time sum ming up the feelings of all by blurting out, “I am pleased and happy that you came by foot, and not by vehicle.”

Linden residents cer tainly were not ungrateful, not in any shape or form. They came, they saw, they spoke, they questioned, they asked; they were answered, they heard, and eventually they were conquered with the love, fellowship, and af fection of the man who sim ply came to extend a help ing hand and asked for nothing in return; the man who preaches and practises the unity of “One Guyana”; the People’s Proletarian President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali.

This Mike Charles aerial shot shows the villages of La Jalousie and Blankenburg on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD)

Corentyne man awaits sentencing for trafficking 65 pounds of ganja

…two others plead not guilty, remanded

A

Corentyne, Berbice man now awaits sentencing after ad mitting guilt to a charge of trafficking 65 pounds of marijuana. His two co-ac cused have been remand ed to prison after entering pleas of not guilty.

Tejlall Tejpaul, called “Bamboo”, a 46-year-old construction worker of Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice; Anand Jagat, called “Driver”, 35, of 136 Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice; and 36-year-old

Tomeshwar Kemraj, called “Rambo”, also of Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice, were arrested by the Police on Monday with over 29,600 grams of mari juana while they were un der a tree.

On Wednesday, they ap peared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Number 51 Magistrate's Court, and Jagat and Kemraj pleaded not guilty to drug traffick ing, while Tejpaul plead ed guilty. They were all re manded to prison, and the

case has been adjourned until October 19, when Tejpaul would be sentenced and the case against the others would be report on.

Background

More than 29,600 grams of marijuana were seized, and four men were ar rested during a Police in telligence-led operation on Monday at Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

During the operation, the ranks covertly placed

themselves at strategic points in the bush about 150 metres from the home of a 35-year-old Black Bush Polder labourer. While there, the ranks observed three men sitting under neath a tree next to a blueand-orange tarpaulin un der which were several bulky parcels.

After observing the three men for over 10 min utes, the ranks tactically advanced toward them, and

Full throttle for the coconut industry - kudos to the agri sector

started thinking when I read that a “$4.3M coconut nursery (was) commissioned at Hosororo.” After all, coco nut is a ‘big deal.’ In fact, the coconut tree, in many places, is acknowledged as the ‘tree of life’, or ‘Kalpavriksha’, be cause of the endless prod ucts derived from its various parts, which contribute to people’s survival on earth.

Coconut is grown in more than 80 countries worldwide, but the truth is that the ma jority of the world’s inhabi tants have not exploited its full benefits and potential. For example, the value-add ed products from coconut in clude coconut water, coconut oil, virgin coconut oil, coconut meat, coconut milk, coconut desiccated powder, and coco nut flour. So, Guyana will not miss out, thanks to the agri culture sector, which is quick ly catching on in this area.

The details show that Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha commissioned a new coconut seedling nurs ery in Hosororo Village, Barima-Waini (Region One). Located in the compound of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and con

structed at a cost of $4.3 million, the nursery would be able to produce some 206,000 seedlings annually. What is nice about this facil ity is that farmers in the re gion would not have to trav el to Georgetown to purchase quality seedlings. This trans lates to ‘ease’ in doing busi ness in terms of cost and trav el. Minister Mustapha also pointed out that the project constitutes part of Guyana’s coconut decentralisation pro gramme.

Editor, I want to add to what Minister Mustapha said as regards the benefits of, and the growing demand for, coconuts and coconut by-products. He stated, “We all know the benefits of coco nuts. The world is also cog nisant of the benefits of co conuts and all of their many uses.” And he is so right. As far as I have read, in terms of coconut oil alone, it is the most favoured opportunity from the coconut tree. It is the healthiest oil available for human consumption, and the best means of reaping all the health benefits of the coconut. It solves many health-relat ed issues within and outside of the body. Coconut oil also helps people lose body fat,

get leaner, and improve their cholesterol levels, hair quali ty, and strength.

The Minister’s list men tions the following: coconut fi bre, oils, soaps, lotions, beau ty supplies, pharmaceuticals, and cooking products. Since Guyana is blessed with fer tility and adequacy of land, I see no reason why its coconut industry would not flourish. I mean, the Government is ful ly pushing for stability and expansion. In terms of the universally loved coconut wa ter, it is ubiquitous, and my hope is that, here in Guyana, bottled coconut water would outsell all other forms of bev erage, many of which are not even close to the health bene fits of coconut water.

Going beyond the lo cal scene, I am glad that the Minister gave assurance to our farmers that “…access to markets will now be a thing of the past…as the Government is currently engaging the CARICOM Member States to remove the non-tariff bar riers to many of Guyana’s traditional products.” This is great, as the demand for co conut is constantly increas ing in the region and globally, and “Guyana is among three of the major coconut-produc

ing countries in the region, producing some 20 per cent of the region’s demand, while the Dominican Republic pro duces some 59 per cent, and Jamaica some 12 per cent.”

To close my little mis sive, I shift my attention to the coconut flour, since regu lar wheat is not that healthy, and many are moving away from it. The coconut flour is grain and gluten-free flour, which is essentially dried co conut meat in powdered form. It packs a whopping 5 grams of fibre per 2 tablespoons, and lowers the glycemic in dex in baked goods (which is a plus for those with diabe tes). Coconut flour is an ex cellent choice for those with celiac disease, gluten sensi tivity, or wheat allergies. The product is made complete ly of pure coconut. The milk must be separated from the meat in order to produce the dry flour. Once the separa tion is complete, the meat is baked at a low temperature to dry it out, and creates a powdery flour made entirely of coconut. Amen! We cannot go wrong in investing in the coconut industry.

the men were taken by sur prise. The ranks proceeded to open the bulky parcels, and immediately observed a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. As such, the men were told of the offence committed, cautioned, ar rested, and escorted to the Police pick-up, along with the suspected cannabis.

The ranks then went to the home of the labour er, who was in the compa ny of a 22-year-old labourer of Market Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice. The ranks searched the house, and a plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis

was found.

The 22-year-old labour er admitted ownership, and was then told of the offence committed, cautioned, ar rested, and placed with the other three men who had earlier been arrested. The

large quantity of suspect ed narcotics was escorted to the Whim Police Station, where it was weighed in the presence of the men, and it amounted to 29,583 grams, or 65.7 pounds.

Meanwhile, the nar cotics found in the house were weighed in front of the 22-year-old, and they amounted to 35 grams. The parcels were sealed, lodged, and handed over to the Station Sergeant.

Tejlall Tejpaul

Police have said that Tejlall Tejpaul, Anand Jagat and Tomeshwar Kemraj were found sitting under a tree with 65 pounds of marijuana

Tomeshwar Kemraj

Anand Jagat

Page

example, two mango leaves, two cherry leaves, and so on.)

or tape each leaf to an index card.

Unit test

cards

Glue or tape

What you need

leaves

What you do

leaves.

out all the cards face down. Take turns flipping over two cards at a time. If you get a match, you get to keep those cards and take an other turn.

The player with the most pairs at the end wins. (rangerrick.org)

By The BroThers Grimm

$8.5B in contracts inked for 7 water treatment plants

Guyana

Water Inc (GWI) on Thursday signed three con tracts to the tune of $8.5 billion for the construction of sev en water treatment plants, taking treated water coverage closer to the 90 per cent target.

The signing was facilitated by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal in the company of other officials and stakeholders. This investment falls under an overall investment of $30 billion to enhance treated water.

Three companies – Sigma Engineering Limited from Bangladesh, Toshiba Water Solution PVT Limited from India, and Hi-Pro Ecologicos from Mexico – were awarded the contracts to construct the plants.

GWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh stated that this development was in keeping with the agenda of having 90 per cent treated water by 2025.

He said these projects take about two to three years and it was expected that they would be completed within the time frame. He added that it was important to support new housing areas and there was a “crying need” for treat ed water given the current 52 per cent coverage.

“Across the coastal belt, there

is a crying need for treated wa ter. At the present time, we have 52 per cent coverage and we in tend over the next two years, this project will be completed. This is a massive investment. Government is putting in the capital invest ment, which is over $30 billion,” the CEO said.

This is part of the plan to es tablish 13 plants with an addition al 10 smaller plants and upgrades to 12 existing plants. Together, 181,000 persons will benefit from these projects.

“You can see the magnitude of

this investment and the magnitude of a project to bring quality water, safe water to the population. It is a part of the Government’s pro gramme. It is a part of the mission of Guyana Water Incorporated,” Baksh noted.

Housing and Water Minister Croal positioned that GWI was re sponding to the needs of the citi zenry. Moreover, it is listening to complaints and making moves to ease the issues faced by con sumers. According to him, these advancements are part of the Government's macro plan that

was formulated when the Ali Administration took office in 2020.

Most importantly, planning for GWI must match that of the hous ing sector, which means satisfying new consumers while supplying new areas. In this Government’s tenure so far, over 17,000 house lots have been distributed – part of the 50,000 lots in five years manifesto promise.

“GWI’s response has to also match the Government’s housing programme. While we are feeling good in satisfying the needs of ex isting customers, our planning

also has to take into consideration, future developments. Believe me, much more housing schemes are coming on stream,” Minister Croal added.

“Likewise, our overhead costs have been increasing, but we are committed to ensuring that our citizens have a better quality of life.”

The water treatment plants are to be constructed in Onderneeming in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Parika, Wales and Lust-en-Rust in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Caledonia, Cummings Lodge and Bachelor's Adventure in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

“We are now able to, as more resources become available, to in vest at a faster rate in this water sector so that even by 2025, we can achieve our targets that have been set,” the Minister explained.

The Government has set clear objectives to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Six: water and sanitation for all by 2030. These include increasing potable water coverage to 100 per cent by 2025 and increasing treated water cov erage. In Guyana, groundwater from the coastal aquifer system provides about 90 per cent of the domestic water for the country.

Electronic Medical Records System being designed for Guyana

TheHealth Ministry is ad vancing efforts to digitise its records with installation of an Electronic Medical Records system soon, according to subject Minister Dr Frank Anthony.

On this note, Dr. Anthony has said the system, which would cre ate more efficiency in the sector, should be implemented by this time next year, beginning with hos pitals.

“There are numerous advantag es to going to an electronic system. One, we can be able to store large amounts of data; retrieve it readily, and have all the patient’s records in one place. But it’s also very con

venient for both patient, doctors, medical staff, and so forth,” he ex plained.

A working group has been es tablished within the Ministry, and it has collaborated with the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York to de sign the electronic patient record system.

“What we envisage with such a system is that the patient, when coming to the doctor, records will be available to that person; and if they go to the lab and they do a lab test, they don’t have to go back to the lab for the results. Those results would be integrated into their patient re cords. If they go do an x-ray or a CT

scan, that imaging would also be in tegrated into the patient’s records. So, when you go to visit your doctor, all your information is available,” the Health Minister said.

This, he noted, would reduce waiting time and save patients a lot of hassle.

Doctors would also be able to ac cess patients’ records quickly, and when a diagnosis is made, a pre scription for medication would go directly to the pharmacists to dis pense medication to the patient.

This is just one of several mea sures the Health Ministry is taking to create a more efficient health care system in Guyana.

GWI officials and representatives of the three companies share a photo op after the signing of the contracts at the

head

GECOM taken to court over $9.2M in rent arrears for Kingston properties

Legal proceedings have been brought against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) over its failure to pay $9,225,000 in outstanding rent to Anand Sanasie, landlord of the properties it occupies in Kingston, Georgetown.

In a Fixed Date Application (FDA) filed at the Demerara High Court, Sanasie has said he owns the transports of the two properties occupied by GECOM — one at Lot 9 Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston, Georgetown, and the other at Lot 31 Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston, Georgetown.

Sanasie has said that, on November 23, 2020, he entered into an agreement of tenancy with GECOM — a constitutional body — for the rental of the two prop erties, and that the du ration of the tenancy for both properties was from

January to December 2021.

He has said it was agreed that GECOM would pay him $1,332,500 per month for rental of the Lot 9 property, and $717,500 per month for rental of the Lot 31 property. Both ten ancies expired on December 31, 2021, but continued on the same terms, except that there was an agreed-up on 50 per cent increase in

rentals in relation to both properties, effective from January 2022 for a period of three years, he added.

According to him, the rent for Lot 9 from January 1, 2022 was increased from $1,332,500 to $1,998,750 per month; and for Lot 31, it was increased from $717,500 to $1,076,250 per month. He said the new rental rates were approved

by GECOM at a statutory meeting held on January 18, 2022.

Sanasie has deposed that while the tenancy agreements between both parties were executed on February 4, 2022, and are still valid and subsisting, GECOM has, since January 2022, continued to pay rent at the old rate, and is there fore indebted to him in the sum of $9,225,000.

Through his lawyer Ron Motilall, Sanasie told the court that he has made nu merous oral and written de mands for the owed rent, but GECOM has refused to pay the sum rightly due to him. As such, he is asking the High Court to grant an order compelling GECOM to pay him the arrears of rent, rent at the new rates, an order for costs, and any further orders the court deems just.

Attempted murder accused remanded on armed robbery charge

Twenty-nine-year-old Curtis Vasconcellos, who is awaiting tri al at the High Court for at tempted murder, was on Wednesday arraigned on a charge of robbery-un der-arms, and has been re manded to prison.

This resident of First

Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleges that on October 2, at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara,

while armed with a dan gerous weapon, he robbed a 50-year-old woman of a cellular phone valued at $37,000 and of $25,000 in cash. The virtual com plainant resides at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Previously charged with robbery-under-arms,

Remanded: Curtis Vasconcellos

Vasconcellos has been re manded until November 4.

In September 2016, he and Orwyn Peters were committed to stand trial at the High Court in Demerara for attempted murder com mitted on Neezam Khan. The charge against the duo states that on June 6, 2015, at Grove, East Bank Demerara, they discharged a loaded firearm at Khan with intent to commit mur der. They were released on bail, pending trial.

According to reports, Khan, a businessman, and several of his colleagues were outside his snackette at Grove, EBD when four men, including Vasconcellos and Peters, rode up beside them on motorcycles. Media reports are that one of the men held Khan at gunpoint and relieved him of jewel lery, cash, and other items, before shooting him in the left arm.

But before the bandits could escape, Khan opened fire on them, killing their accomplice, Michael Grant of Agricola. It was reported that Vasconcellos, injured during the shootout, had attempted to get away, but was later found lying a short distance from the scene.

Yes, we must...

…cry for Haiti

Your Eyewitness returns again to the pain and suffering of Haiti – a member of Caricom – which that body have studiously ignored. So, what exactly is Caricom’s responsibility?? Have they returned to the hands-off, “see-no-evil, hear-no-evil” posture they’d adopted towards Guyana when Burnham’s PNC rigged elections between 1968 and 1985?? Haven’t Caricom learnt that these roosters are eventually gonna come home?? Your Eyewitness is quite disappointed with Bajan PM Mia Mottley - who played such a key role in our PNC elections’ attempted hijacking. With the ear of the international community because of her bravery to speak truth to power, her voice would magnify any Caricom call for some action to be taken.

Ever since twenty-eight mostly Colombian mercenaries assassinated President Jovenel Moise a year ago, the already chaotic situation, with massive gangs controlling the streets of Port-au-Prince, has deteriorated further. Since a state is defined as the institution that has the sole legitimacy to use force in a country, the Haitian state’s inability to rein in these violent gangs can only mean that it’s a most profoundly failed state! Imagine, these gangs – which conduct their own gang wars on the side – have blockaded the fuel terminal, leaving hospitals, supermarkets, and power companies bereft of fuel and having to shut their doors!!

So, what’s President Ariel Henry - who succeeded Moise - doing?? Well, to begin with, he’s widely seen as involved in the assassination plot, and is just as widely seen as corrupt. This corruption from the top has percolated to all levels of Government. They’re now all simply acting as skimmers and grifters who pad payrolls, charge for undelivered projects, and even divert into their pockets aid designated to the poor. It’s very likely that many Haitians might be wishing for the days of the dictators Papa Doc and his son Baby Doc; cause, even though his Tonton Macoute terrorised political opponents, there was at least peace in the streets!!

Neighbouring Dominican Republic has intensified its border patrols, and boatloads of desperate citizens attempt to sail to Florida, or make the trip to Panama, to then trek to the Mexican Border. It would appear they’ve stopped flying to Guyana on their way to the Brazilian favelas (slums), then to hike up to Panama and onwards. But if Caricom has gone silent, what about all those who were so vociferous about the Haitians’ plight in 2020?? Can’t they join your Eyewitness to lobby Caricom to do something?

In the meanwhile, Pres Henry has requested the US and Canada – not the UN – to send troops to take on the gangs. Many Haitians – who don’t support the gangs - feel that Pres Henry must go.

It’s a mess.

…investigate ambulance chicken

While some may’ve given up on Haiti because the rot has been going on for so long, they should be very careful that they don’t allow the same rot to spread here. We know that, under the Burnham Dictatorship – where he had his own House of Israel gleefully imitating the Haitian Tonton Macoute - corruption had become so endemic that some said “corruption was power, and absolute corruption was absolute power”. And we know that Burnham had absolute power.

Obviously, the PPP couldn’t have wiped that out during their shift at the wheel of state – and some of them have surely succumbed and joined the gravy train. To stop the rot, the authorities have gotta ensure that where there’s smoke, any fire found must be “outed”!! And from where your Eyewitness sits, it’s quite clear that it’s gotta be some “big one” who authorised that ambulance to do the chicken run.

The delay in getting names named is worrying. Let’s stop the pussyfooting and find the fire to be put out!!

…big up the Top Cop

With the Top Cop qualifying himself to enter the bar, he’s setting an example that the days of the cop who couldn’t spell “Vlissengen”, and dragging his detainee to Regent St to charge him, are over!

The GECOM Headquarters at Kingston, Georgetown

Guyana, China sign Air Service Agreement – as Govt continues to expand Guyana’s global reach

stated.

In fact, Minister Edghill used the opportunity to lobby the Chinese Ambassador to in vite China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Air China, among others, to

explore flying the GuyanaChina route.

Guyana and China have been exploring the possi bility of civil aviation co operation for years. In 2014, the Civil Aviation

Authorities of the two coun tries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Indonesia. Then, in 2019, the two sides began negotiations in preparation for the agree ment.

The Governments of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China on Thursday inked an Air Service Agreement (ASA) – a move that not only sought to enhance passenger trav el and trade between the two countries but also broaden Guyana’s global connectivity.

The Agreement was signed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, at the Public Works Ministry’s Kingston, Georgetown office.

According to Minister Edghill, this ASA will facili tate air transport connectiv ity between the two nations and develop mutual relations in the field of civil aviation. He pointed out that while Guyana and China have ex cellent trade relations in dif ferent fields, the lack of a

direct air link has been a dis advantage.

“The signature of this agreement puts the legal framework in place to address this challenge. So, China and Guyana would not only be “friendly” and… “distant”, but would become nearer. It is an ticipated that airlines of both countries will capitalise on the opportunities that exist for the movement of people and cargo between the two countries,” he stated.

In fact, the Public Works Minister outlined that there was already significant traf fic of passengers and cargo between the two nations an nually, and the enactment of this agreement would only foster cultural interactivity as well as advance air transport services, trade, and econom ic growth. Further, he not ed that such interconnectivi

ty will seek to ensure that the tourism potential of Guyana is fully explored.

Moreover, the Public Works Minister outlined that the signing of this agreement was yet another step being tak en by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration to expand Guyana’s global reach by establishing new air con nections.

“The signing of this agreement reflects the Government’s commitment to connecting Guyana to the rest of the world… This agreement complements the more than 50 years of services agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) [members], subscribing stan dards for the development of airlink amongst ourselves. We are playing our role in getting that landscape in place,” he

From left: Saheed Sulaman of GCAA; Public Works Minister Juan Edghill; Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan; Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, and another representative from the Chinese Embassy

“Let’s be proud of our rich cultural tapestry" –PM tells Afro-Guyanese on African Holocaust Day

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired)

Mark Phillips assured Afro-Guyanese that the Government was committed to inclusivity and valued the traditions and customs of all

Guyanese.

The senior Government official made these re marks while paying tribute to African ancestors, as he joined the African Cultural and Development Association

(ACDA) at the Seawall Bandstand on Wednesday evening for the 29th Annual Observance of African Holocaust Day, also known as the MAAFA in Kiswahili.

Along with calls for in

clusivity and denouncement of all forms of hate and prej udice, the Prime Minister was adamant that every Guyanese must benefit from the impending wealth of the country.

“There is no place for rac ism, marginalisation, and oppression in Guyana. It is all about development, in clusivity and improving all the lives and livelihoods of all Guyanese, inclusive of African Guyanese.”

Rich cultural tapestry

The Prime Minister point

ed to the importance of pro moting tradition and culture as he urged those present to not only remember their ancestors but to integrate African cultural identity by ensuring that Afro-Guyanese youths were educated and ex posed to traditional customs.

“We must not be stuck in a mode of victimhood. We are descendants of survivors. We are the descendants of the people who were enslaved and who struggled and over came slavery. It means that we, as a people, must now ed ucate our children,” Phillips

said.

He further added: “We have to ensure that the oppor tunities that are presented by the PPP/C Government, all the opportunities are grasped by the youths of Guyana. When we create employ ment, whether part-time or full-time employment, grasp those opportunities; when we provide affordable housing, grasp for those opportunities.

We’ve expanded scholar ships, grasp for those oppor tunities.”

customs of all Guyanese

PM Phillips and Minister Ramson with a group of dancers at the event

Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Culture Minister Charles Ramson Jr during the holocaust ritual

‘Deep Jale’ set for tomorrow evening at Kitty Seawall Roundabout

TheGuyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will usher in Diwali with ‘Deep Jale’ – a cultural extravaganza to be held at the Kitty Seawall Roundabout on Saturday, October 15. The evening will see the murti of the Hindu Goddess Maha Lakshmi being lit up, symbolising “light over darkness”.

The murti would be lit nightly, leading up to Diwali on Monday, October 24, 2022.

In addition, there will be sacred chants and prayers, and a packed cultural presentation, including songs, dances, and poems among other things.

Once again, the talented dancers from Dharmic Nritya Sangh are ready to wow the audience.

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabah, Dr Vindhya Persaud, is also expected

to address the gathering.

After a two-year hiatus, the countrywide motorcade returns on Saturday, October 15, with one also being held in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice. That cultural show will take place at the Johanna Mandir.

This will be followed by the West Coast Berbice event on Sunday, October 16, at the Bath Community Centre Ground, and the Upper Corentyne motorcade at the Tagore High School Ground at Number 63 Village, Corentyne.

On Friday, October 21, all roads would lead to the East Canje Ground and the Albion Community Centre Ground for the Lower and Central Corentyne Motorcades.

On Saturday, October 22, Mandirs along the East Bank of Demerara would assemble at

the Diamond Tarmac for judging and presentations. Also on the same day, the compound of the Ocean View Mandir at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara will be illuminated as the West Side hosts its annual spectacle.

Meanwhile, the winners of the various motorcades would assemble at the Shri Krishna Mandir on Sunday, October 23 for the grand event. The illuminated vehicles depicting the various forms of Mother Latchmi will make their way to the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground for the cultural extravaganza.

Several local, regional and international artistes are expected to perform at the grand event. This will see millions of dollars in prizes being handed out.

The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) will be ushering in the auspicious festival of Diwali by the lighting of the National Diya on Sunday at Rahaman’s Park intersection, Houston. This is the 8th year for this initiative.

The aim of the National Diya- Lighting is to promote, preserve and spread awareness of oneness and national unity. The period of Diwali is one of the most festive times in the Hindu calendar, which means the row of lights.

This year, the theme for HSS National Diya is “spreading light through selfless service”, comparable with our motto, “We achieve by our

own effort”.

Over the past eight years, HSS has successfully hosted this event with a unique and spectacular display of the lighting of the National Diya, and this year is expected to be just as grand.

There will also be a cultural evening of dances and music to portray the significance of Diwali. No festival is complete without some sumptuous food, and invitees would be treated to delicious sweetmeats and tokens.

This event will commence at 18:30h and conclude at 20:00h. The public is invited to this grand event. Entry is free.

As Guyanese prepare for the “Festival of Lights” which will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is putting the final touches to its annual Inter-School Rangoli Competition.

This annual event is being held countrywide, but the Georgetown leg is set for Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar. Rangoli is an art form that originated in the Indian subcontinent. In Rangoli, patterns are created on the floor or on a tabletop using materials such as powdered limestone, red ochre, dry rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder, flower petals, and coloured rocks.

Several schools have confirmed their participation in this year’s event. These include St. Joseph High, Queen’s College, St. Roses High, School of the Nations, Tucville Secondary, Rajiv Ghandi University, Kingston High, Tutorial High, Bishop’s High, North Georgetown Secondary, Marian Academy, New Campbellville Secondary, Cummings Lodge Secondary, Brickdam Secondary and Mae’s Secondary schools.

These schools will be competing for prizes and trophies, as well as for bragging rights for a year.

worship. As such, to educate the public about the various forms, Golden Om has decided to venture into incorporating these forms into the motorcade.

The main view this year will be one of South Indian forms of the Gods and Goddesses. The design depicts the South Indian form of Lord Vishnu, known as Venkatswara; and Maha Latchmi, who is known as Bhumi Devi or Sri Devi.

The float will see Maha

Digicel

Guyana is once again on board the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Shaba’s annual Deepavali Motorcade, which is set for Sunday, October 23, 2022. The event returns after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This spectacle has been an important part of Guyanese Culture for years. People from all walks of life flock the seawalls to get a glimpse of the welldecorated floats that would travel up the East Coast Highway from the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbellville, Georgetown, to participate in the grand event at the LBI Community Centre Ground.

Digicel has been a proud and longtime supporter of this GHDS event, and the telephone giant is again happy to see the annual event return.

However, in addition to its sponsorship for the grand event, Digicel Guyana would also be sponsoring the Golden Om Dharmic Float.

This year’s motorcade would feature the worship practised in several parts of India, including North India, South India, and Bengal/Calcutta.

In Hinduism, Gods and Goddesses are depicted differently in each type of

Latchmi, Goddess of light, wealth, and prosperity, in her full glory seated in a lotus flower. This float is to be one with a garden-like scenery.

The front of the truck would be converted to a chariot scene, with two elephants attached and appearing to be carrying the entire float. There are several other features that are ready to be let out of the bag.

Early screening can detect serious eye concerns, prompt proactive intervention - Dr Shannon Da Silva

Regular eye examina tions at every age and stage of life are im portant, and can aid in one’s vision being stronger and ev erlasting, according to Coowner and Optometrist of Da Silva’s Optical, Dr. Shannon Da Silva.

On Thursday, Optometrist and Ophthalmologists from around the world celebrated World Sight Day under the theme “Love Your Eye”. This annual observance is geared at raising awareness and pro moting good eye health, while advocating for regular screen ing.

Vision impairments are common, but the uncorrect ed vision or lack of treatment can result in cases of eventual blindness and faster progres sion of other life-threatening conditions, such as glaucoma.

According to the Centres for Disease Control, glau coma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve, and can result in vi sion loss and even blindness. Open-angle glaucoma is said to be the most common form of this disease. It is caused by increased pressure on the eye, and often shows no symptoms, hence 50% of peo ple with glaucoma don’t even know they have the disease.

While glaucoma can affect anyone, Da Silva emphasised, certain groups are high-risk, especially those with a fami ly history.

“People may have 2020 vi sion, but glaucoma does not affect that aspect; it affects our side vision, and many of us don’t realise we are losing our side vision because, for

day-to-day activities, we tend to use mostly our central vi sion”, she said.

Early screening and diag noses are thus key in treating this incurable disease. Highrisk patients who visited Da Silva’s Optical on Thursday were given a comprehensive dilated eye examination free of cost. This visual field test allows an Optometrist to diag nose glaucoma and refer a pa tient to an Ophthalmologist for further treatment, who can prescribe eye drops which can slow the progression of this detrimental disease.

Due to the high incidence of non-communicable diseas es (NCDs) in Guyana, dia betic retinopathy is among the most common eye-relat ed illnesses faced by many Guyanese. This condition can develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, es pecially those with uncon trolled sugar levels. Common symptoms of diabetic retinop athy include blurred vision, spots of dark strings floating in one’s vision, or what ap

pears to be dark or empty ar eas in a person’s vision.

“With blood sugar levels being beyond the normal rate, bleeding at the back of the eye occurs, thereby causing dam age to blood vessels in the retina (and), in some cases, irreparable damage to the hu man eyes”, Dr Shannon has cautioned. “While laser treat ments for this disease have, over the years, brought some amount of relief to patients' vision, we need to most im portantly manage our blood glucose levels, and maintain healthy lifestyles by eating the right kinds of foods, such as fish, which is high in ome ga 3, and green leafy vegeta bles”, she advised.

In addition to the free glaucoma checks and free screening for all patients to commemorate World Sight Day, Da Silva’s Optical part nered with two orphanages to offer comprehensive eye examinations and free spec tacles to those in need. The management of the orphan ages applauded the efforts of

the United Kingdom-trained Doctor Shannon DaSilva, who has not only gifted the children with better sight, but for deciding to remigrate to her country of birth some ten years ago to serve the peo ple of Guyana.

“I wanted to take care of both the young and old this year, because eyesight af fects everyone, and it's such a precious organ for us to look after, especially in the age where technology has ad vanced and everyone spends so much time on devices…”, Da Silva has said.

Computer vision syn drome, commonly referred to as digital eye strain, is caused by prolonged use of a com puter, tablet, or cell phone. She explained that exten sive viewing on these devices

makes the eye work harder, thereby making users suscep tible to developing vision-re lated problems.

“We unknowingly slow down our blink rate when we are on these devices, and this encourages the eyes to be come dry; and then the way the light enters our eye is different, because you have this blue light coming off the screens that can cause eye strain and even headaches”, she stressed.

The 20-20-20 Rule, how ever, can aid in reducing eye strain, she enlightened.

“For every 20 minutes spent using a screen, you should try to look away at an object that’s 20 feet away from you for a total of 20 sec onds”, Da Silva counselled.

Da Silva, who describes

herself as an advocate for good eye health, has said she is passionate about patient education, and will continue to use her platforms to share tips on how to care for the hu man eyes.

“Every day, when a pa tient sits in my chair, I al ways encourage them to eat healthily, stay active, stay in formed, and be proactive with their health, as eye-related illness can affect anyone, re gardless of age, sex, or gen der”, she said.

Eye care professionals ad vise that people get an eye test done every two years. Those living with underly ing conditions, such as diabe tes, should check with their Optometrist as soon as pos sible should they experience any change in their vision.

Body of homeless man found in Essequibo Coast bus shed

Police on the Essequibo Coast are investigat ing the circumstanc es surrounding the death of 66-year-old Rudra (only name provided), a homeless man whose body was found in a bus shed at Adventure on Thursday.

At time of the discovery of his body, Rudra was clad in a black jersey and a pair of grey sweatpants, and blood was reportedly oozing from his mouth.

At the scene, Hanswattie

Persaud, a resident of Adventure, told Guyana Times that Rudra had asked that she permit him to spend the night under a shed on her premises on Monday evening, and she had allowed him. She said that on Tuesday, at about 7:00h, he told her that he was not feeling well, and was having difficulty seeing.

Persaud said she had tak en him to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he sought

medical attention but was later discharged. He had last been seen alive on Wednesday evening at about 20:00h at a shop in Adventure.

After his body had been discovered in the bus shed, it was examined by crime scene ranks, but no sign or mark of violence was detected there on. The body has been taken to the Suddie Public Hospital mortuary to await a post-mor tem examination.

Guyana, China sign Air...

At Thursday’s signing, Ambassador Guo stated that this ASA will only serve to further grow Guyana and China’s already strong bilat eral relations.

“Today, as we officially launch the civil aviation co operation, we see the further expansion of cooperation be tween China and Chinese. Guyanese friends often use two words to describe China; one is “friendly” and the other is “distant”. The geo graphical distance cannot stand away from the deep friendship between China and Guyana,” the Chinese diplomat posited.

Ambassador Guo fur ther highlighted that this agreement will not only lay the legal foundation for the deepening of civil aviation

cooperation, strongly sup ports economic and trade cooperation, and facilitate people-to-people exchang es between Guyana and China but will also promote the Belt and Road Initiative back in 2018.

“China-Guyana relations have maintained a good mo mentum of development, and there is still great poten tial and space for practical cooperation in various fields. Standing at a new starting point, I have every reason to believe that with the leader ship of the Presidents of the two countries, and the com mon expectation of our two peoples, China and Guyana will definitely become even ever closer and will usher in one another new milestone in our bilateral cooperation,”

she stated.

The Air Services Agreement signed on Thursday addresses mat ters such as grant of rights, airline designation and au thorisation, revocation, sus pension of authorisation or imposition of conditions, ca pacity and frequency provi sions recognition of certifi cates and license, aviation safety and aviation securi ty, tariffs, among many oth er matters.

Witnessing the signing were Minister within the Public Works Deodat Indar along with officials from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown.

Dr Shannon Da Silva performing a comprehensive eye examination on a patient at her South Road office on World Sight Day

Dead: Rudra

The bus shed wherein the homeless Rudra was found dead

Almost 100% compliance with 45-day requirement to pay local suppliers – LCS Head

Almost all the com panies operating in the oil and gas sec tor have complied with the Government’s new stipula tion that they must pay lo cal suppliers for goods and services within a 30- to 45day period.

This is according to the Head of the Local Content Secretariat (LCS), Martin Pertab.

Last month, the Natural Resources Ministry, through the Secretariat, modified the five-year lo cal content plan of major oil operators to ensure that contractors and sub-con tractors issue payments to Guyanese suppliers within 30 to 45 days following the receipt of a correct invoice.

This was after numer ous complaints were made on prolonged delays, as much as 90 days, in the payments for goods sup plied or services rendered to major players in the oil and gas industry – an issue that had been engaging the Government’s attention.

However, Pertab told <<<Guyana Times>>> via telephone on Thursday that there was almost a 100 per cent compliance with this new payment requirement.

According to Pertab, there is no major issue with compliance by oil operators except for some companies needing time, due to their internal policies, to get on board.

“What happened is that

some companies have in ternal policies; for example, some of them say that their internal policy is that they will make payments in 60 days, some say 75, and so on. So, in order for them to change and provide us with a commitment that they will make payments within that 45-day period, it would take some time for them to go back and have some managerial-kind of discus sions at the higher level to make that adjustment. That is why some of them have been taking some time, but we’re approaching 100 per cent [compliance],” Pertab explained.

Following complaints from local suppliers of de layed payments that were affecting their operations, the LCS had informed com panies operating in the pe troleum sector that their five-year Local Content Master Plans, which were due for submission in May, must to updated to stipu late a 45-day payment pe riod upon the correct re ceipt of an invoice to allow Guyanese companies time ly and appropriate access to contract and payment terms that facilitate com petitive funding and expan sion.

According to the Natural Resources Ministry, this amendment to the five-year Local Content Master Plan is enforceable by law and will now see contractors and sub-contractors operating

in the nation’s oil and gas sector issuing payment to Guyanese suppliers within 30 to 45 days following the receipt of a correct invoice.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat last month underscored the importance of contractors and sub-contractors imple menting this amendment. He reminded that the move promoted local suppliers’ competitive financing and growth through appropri ate contract and payment terms, and was in keep ing with Guyana’s Local Content Act.

At the time, the Ministry had approved the updat ed Local Content Master Plans of several tier-one contractors, including SBM Offshore and Halliburton, who have complied with

this new condition.

The Local Content Master Plans outline the commitment of oil and gas contractors, sub-contrac tors and licensees to prior itise Guyanese nationals for employment; have poli cies aimed at non-discrimi nation and equal treatment of Guyanese nationals; im plement training and oth er programmes to build the capacity of both their employees and the larger Guyanese workforce; coor dinate with industrial and technical education train ing institutions in Guyana to provide sponsorships and/or internship opportu nities; incorporate the re quirements of the Act and the Procurement and Bid Evaluation Guideline is sued by the Secretariat into their procurement strategy; outline the criteria for the supply of goods and provi sion of services relating to their operations; plan ca pacity-building activities for Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies that supply goods and services to the industry, such as feed back sessions, supplier fo rums, etc, and project antic ipated expenditure on local content values.

The LCS’s efforts to crack down on the issue of delayed payments to Guyanese companies come on the heels of complaints from the local business com munity.

One Private Sector or ganisation, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has been at the forefront of raising this and other misdemea nours by operators in the oil and gas sector, with its President, Timothy Tucker previously explaining that this delay in payment was causing local companies to lose profits.

The GCCI has since wel comed the inclusion of the 45-day payment period in the Local Content Master Plan by tier-one contractors. The Chamber also lauded the Guyana Government for creating the obligation and enforcement mechanism of the payment timeline.

The GCCI went on to call upon tier-one contractors to play their part in the devel opment of local content and to operate both within the spirit and intent of the leg islation.

The Government passed the Local Content Act in December 2021, and both

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo have noted that the legislation would be con tinuously reviewed and up dated over time in order to close loopholes that are be ing exploited by operators in the oil and gas sector.

This is significant espe cially since the passage of the local content laws, there have been numerous com plaints about foreign com panies engaged in acts such as contract bundling and us ing measures such as “front ing” to bypass requirements needed to qualify as a local company to tap into benefits tailored for locals.

Contract bundling, the practice of companies ten dering for contracts in a way that excludes small and me dium-sized companies, has been a topical issue for some time. The LCS has already warned that it was cracking down on companies who still engage in contract bundling and this includes denying them the compliance certifi cate they need to avoid a $50 million fine.

Companies failing to reach minimum local con tent requirements in the oil sector are liable for a $50 million fine.

Robbery suspects nabbed in minibus with loot

served that one of her access doors had been prised open.

Mandatory

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday related that a technical committee was currently revising the requirement for surgical pa tients to test for COVID-19 before surgery is conducted.

The team is expected to make a decision on this by next week. This require ment for patients to under go a PCR test pre-surgery was taken after the pandem ic struck.

“We have a technical committee that has been working on this and by next week, we will announce new protocols because of the low number of cases that we’re seeing. If somebody re quires surgery, the surgeons themselves when they are preparing, they are all in PPEs [Personal Protective Equipment], so this is just an additional requirement for them to know the status of the patient,” he related.

The Minister, however, indicated that this require ment prevented people from accessing surgeries when needed, and also contribut ed to delays.

The new protocols will curb such challenges in the health system. The new rules are to be announced by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh shortly.

“What we found some times is, it has become a bar rier, preventing people from accessing surgery that has been planned, causing nu merous delays and so forth. We think that we can change it to make it easier for these patients who require sur gery to be able to access that surgery. The final rec ommendations are being worked on,” Dr Anthony ex plained.

With the changes in the pandemic, Guyana has been removing guidelines that were activated when COVID struck. Earlier this year,

reviewed

testing for surgical patients

Government announced that numerous changes were made to the COVID-19 regulations, paving the way for several of the restrictions to be lifted.

A newly-gazetted order –Public Health (Coronavirus) (No 3) Regulations 2022 –stated that wearing a face mask was no longer manda tory, but is encouraged when in public; proof of vaccina tion is no longer required to enter public buildings, and the COVID-19 restrictions on social activities and gath erings were removed.

Later, the Guyana Government lifted the COVID-19 testing require ment for international trav el.

Persons travelling to Guyana were required to present a negative COVID-19 test, either an antigen or PCR, that was taken within 72 hours of their arrival in the country.

Guyana first implement ed a host of COVID-19 mea sures shortly after the first case of the virus was detect ed in the country on March 11, 2020; and over the past two years, those restric tions have been amended –strengthened as well as par tially removed – in order to fit the reality of the pandem ic in Guyana.

Hours after robbing 67-year-old Diana Agrippa of Good Hope, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), the sus pected perpetrators were nabbed in a minibus with the loot.

The robbery reportedly took place about 10:00h on Wednesday.

Based on reports re ceived, Agrippa secured her home and went to the shop, but upon returning home a short while after, she ob

Upon checking, she realised that several items were miss ing.

She immediately contact ed the Police and reported the robbery. Police received information that the two sus pects – a male and a female – had joined a minibus and were heading to Georgetown.

As a result, in collabora tion with the Vigilance and Mahaica patrols, the sus pects were apprehended at

Enmore Public Road, ECD.

A search was conducted on both individuals during which one Dell laptop, two cellphones, one electronic tablet, two dresses, one pair of sandals, one Dove cream, two deodorants, one portable DVD player, and six pairs of underwear were found in their possession.

Police have also con firmed that the two individu als were wanted for a similar offence. They remain in cus tody pending charges.

With the people, for the people

The senior Government official also stated that the Government would con tinue to work hand-inhand with all the people of Guyana to advance econom ic and social development.

“All the people of Guyana will benefit from all the revenues of Guyana, in cluding African Guyanese. That is the message of the Government of Guyana. There will be no discrimi nation. This Government is promoting inclusive gover nance and development for all the people of Guyana. So join us to participate in im proving the lives and liveli hoods of all Guyanese as we pay homage…during the MAAFA.”

The theme of this year’s commemorative pro gramme is “Bringing into focus the brutal and de

Some of the drummers at the event

structive rape of the conti nent of Africa’s People and Resources”.

African Holocaust Day is observed annually on October 12 and commemo rates the mass murder and enslavement of Africans.

The Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr, along with a number of representatives from African cultural and development organisations and other groups, were also in attendance.

Local Content Secretariat Head Martin Pertab

News

Better telecoms services now evident from liberalisation – PM …GTT to invest $10B to increase Fibre coverage in next 2 years

“We have authorised the installation and operation of additional submarine ca bles, making for a more re silient connection to the Internet. We have also re moved Value-Added Tax on Internet data for residen tial customers, which means that these newly connecting and existing customers will benefit from more dispos

able income,” he shared.

Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Home and Fixed Services at GTT, Eshwar Thakurdin related that the company’s record 100,000 homes connected with Fibre services meant increased ac cess for families in a postCOVID world. Fibre was introduced in mid-2021, pro viding customers with three

to 10 times faster Internet at lower costs.

“It is no longer a want… The Internet is a need and fuel for your lifestyle, com merce, learning and devel opment, and entertainment. Reliable and stable Internet in today’s world is not a luxury. GTT, community by community, will ensure that we increase that access

across Guyana,” Thakurdin related.

He added that the com pany was always staying ‘ahead of the game’ in bring ing 21st-century solutions to customers. Over the next two years, an additional $10 billion will be invested so that 75 per cent of house holds can have access to Fibre by 2024.

Guyana’s best graduating law student at HWLS admitted to Bar …vows to competently, properly represent clients

By Fiona Morrison

Government’s

liberali sation of the commu nications sector two years ago has paved the way for a turnaround in services offered to Guyanese, as the positive effects are now be ing measured.

This is according to Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips while speaking at a Fibre press conference hosted by the GTT Home Solutions and Fixed Networks on Thursday.

“This liberalisation plac es our country on a global standard and encourages ex isting operators to optimise their own services. Today, we see a shining example through GTT in the rollout of its Fibre campaign, which saw the recent connectivi ty of 2800 homes, bringing their total to over 100,000 homes connected with their service,” the Prime Minister said.

According to PM Phillips, issues raised by consumers are examined and are being dealt with at the level of the Public Utilities Commission

(PUC) to ensure that the ap propriate quality of services is delivered and standards are implemented.

“It is enlightening to see our own service provid ers taking the initiative to continue to ensure that the needs of these communities are met through enhanced and expanded services. In today’s technologically-driv en world, ensuring equitable access to ICT [Information Communications Technology] for all is essen tial. We have seen the con sequences of a lack of access to these services during the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, ICTs became a prima ry communication channel,” he said.

According to the PM, Government is continuous ly focusing on transforma tive developments to posi tively impact the telecoms sector. As a result, he reit erated that an ICT master plan was in the pipeline that would significantly enhance the efficiency and productiv ity of Guyana’s Public and Private Sectors.

Mocha resident granted bail on breakand-enter charge

A43-year-old man who has been accused of stealing more than $1.2 million in electrical construction tools has been placed on $60,000 bail fol lowing his appearance before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

Germin Williams of Nelson Street, Mocha, East Bank Demerara was arraigned before the Magistrate on a charge of break-and-enter and lar ceny, contrary to Section 229(a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. He pleaded not guilty as charged, was placed on bail, and his next court date has been set at November 11.

The Police have said that Williams committed the of fence on the property of

55-year-old Neil Wickham of Barnwell North, Mocha, EBD on October 8. He al legedly broke into the man’s property and stole several electrical construction tools valued at $1,270,000.

Five years of legal stud ies were no easy feat for 23-year-old Shawn Shewram. With his track record of outstanding aca demic achievements, having done exceedingly well at re gional examinations, he had had a lot to live up to; and he surely did not disappoint.

He graduated from the Trinidad-based Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) last Saturday with a Legal Education Certificate (LEC) — a prerequisite to practice as an Attorney-at-Law in the Commonwealth Caribbean — and was admitted to the local Bar on Thursday.

His Bar call, which was held at the Demerara High Court before acting Chief Justice Roxane GeorgeWiltshire, SC, was attend ed by his family, friends, col leagues, and well-wishers.

Prominent Attorneyat-Law Nigel Hughes and Attorney-at-Law Stephen Roberts, both from the Law Firm of Hughes, Fields and Stoby, presented the young man’s petition for admission.

Shewram, who completed his LEC (with merit), copped the Government of Guyana Prize for Best Performance by a student of Guyana when he graduated from law school last Saturday. He was also awarded the Book Specialists Prize for being the Second Outstanding Year-Two Student; The Cameron & Shepherd Prize for Best Performance by a Guyanese in Civil Procedure & Practice I, and Civil Procedure & Practice II; The H Aubrey Fraser Memorial Prize for Best Performance in Ethics, Rights & Obligations of the Legal Profession; and The Course Director’s Prize for the Best Performance in Probate Practice & Procedure.

The former St Rose’s High School student was the country’s 2017 top performer at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), and is the first re cipient of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)/ Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Business Studies Award.

He had also placed 10th nationally at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examina tions in 2015.

Following his gradu ation from high school, Shewram gained employ ment at Hughes, Fields, and Stoby, Guyana’s leading law firm, where he gained valuable mentorship from Hughes and other learned lawyers. Recognizing his po tential, the law firm grant ed him a scholarship to read for a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Guyana (UG), which he completed with distinction in 2020, having earned a 3.9/4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

He was also named the UG Law Department’s “best graduating student” for that year. Still on a scholarship from the law firm, he went on to further his studies at HWLS, where he has made the law school’s merit list.

In presenting the pe tition, prominent Lawyer Nigel Hughes informed the court that, besides being an exceptionally brilliant young man, Shewram is very hum ble. Shewram has been de scribed as a “normal citizen”. During his five years at the law firm, Hughes has said, Shewram has displayed a

good work ethic and a thor ough grasp of the law.

Vows

In addressing the court for the first time, Shewram, donned in a black robe, shared that, unlike many of his colleagues, becoming a lawyer was not his childhood dream. Notwithstanding, he said, being an Attorney-atLaw “is a duty that I intend to take seriously, and it is a role that I will execute with the most dedication and dis cipline.”

He has vowed to utilise all that he has learned in both his legal studies and his work experience at the law firm to contribute pos itively to the jurisprudence of Guyana. “I vow to com petently and properly rep resent my clients’ interests, while at the same time obey ing my overarching duty to the Honourable Court. I tru ly hope that I can live up to the high standards of excel lence that have been set by the Attorneys-at-Law who came before me, and I will carry the baton with dignity and humility for the better ment of Guyana,” he added.

Moreover, he has ex pressed gratitude to the multitude of persons who supported him in his stud

ies. As cliché as it may sound, Shewram explained that gratitude, for him, is not just about being thank ful, but also about being able to appreciate how far one has come.

“…to acknowledge those who helped you get there, note the challenges you’ve made along the way, and re turn the same kindness to others who may follow you.”

For her part, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane GeorgeWiltshire welcomed Shewram to the noble pro fession, and told him that given his academic excel lence, she does not doubt that he would discharge his duties ably.

She reminded him to al ways remain a student of the law, while urging him to em body integrity, honesty, and courtesy. As she does in all petitions, she cautioned the new lawyer to be mindful of his conduct at the Bar: to al ways be respectful to clients, the court, and his colleagues.

Though she acknowl edged his academic attain ments, the Chief Justice told Shewram that she is eagerly waiting to see him in action at the Bar table, advised him to always aspire for excel lence, and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Germin Williams

Prime Minister Mark Phillips GTT Home and Fixed Services COO Eshwar Thakurdin

Attorney-at-Law Shawn Shewram (second from right) is flanked by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC (third from right), Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes (left) and Attorney-at-Law Stephen Roberts

NEWS

Oil prices rise 2% on low diesel stocks ahead of winter

Oil prices settled about two per cent higher on Thursday, as low levels of diesel inventory ahead of winter triggered buying and reversed early losses on surprisingly high stocks of crude and gasoline.

Brent crude futures for December delivery rose US$2.12 to US$94.57 a barrel, a 2.29 per cent gain. US crude rose US$1.84, or 2.1 per cent, to US$89.11 per barrel.

Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, fell by 4.9 million barrels in the week ended October 7 , the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said, far exceeding expectations for a drop of two million barrels and bringing inventories to 106.1 million barrels, lowest since May.

That prompted investors to shrug off a surprise two-million build of gasoline stocks and a larger-than-expected-near-10million-barrel rise in crude inventories.

"The most disturbing part of the (EIA) report is that distilling inventories are so far below average. Winter is coming," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. "The market is looking at the big picture, as opposed to the short-term demand numbers that were impacted by the storm."

The US Energy Secretary in August urged domestic oil refiners to refrain from further increasing exports of fuels like gasoline and diesel, adding the Biden Administration may need to consider taking action if the plants do not build inventories.

The EIA warned this week that most US households will pay more to heat their homes this winter. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that US gasoline prices remain too high and he will speak next week about lowering the cost.

Many investors remain concerned that rising inflation will dent fuel demand. The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned the global economy may go into recession.

US consumer prices increased more than expected last month and underlying inflation pressures continued to build, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver a fourth 75-basis-point interest rate hike next month.

JPMorgan Chase & Co Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jamie Dimon warned that persistent and elevated inflation could spur interest rates to rise higher than 4.5 per cent.

Also weighing on prices was a warning by the IEA that last week's Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries-plus (OPEC+) decision to cut supply by two million barrels per day (bpd) may lead to a global recession.

"The OPEC+ ... plan ... has derailed the growth trajectory of oil supply through the remainder of this year and next, with the resulting higher price levels exacerbating market volatility and heightening energy security concerns," the IEA said.

The IEA downgraded its oil demand growth estimates slightly for this year to 1.9 million bpd and by 470,000 bpd in 2023 to 1.7 million bpd.

OPEC on Wednesday cut its outlook for demand growth this year by 460,000 bpd to 2.64 million bpd, citing the resurgence of China's COVID-19 containment measures and high inflation. It lowered its 2023 oil demand forecast by 360,000 bpd to 2.34 million bpd.

The energy market is under pressure as well from the US dollar, which has rallied broadly, including against low-yielding currencies like the yen. (Reuters)

US imposes visa sanctions on 11 people, US official says in Haiti

The United States has imposed visa sanc tions on 11 individu als, Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols said on Thursday during a visit to Haiti, a day after the State Department said it was tak ing action against those who support Haitian gangs.

"Yesterday, the United States designated 11 indi viduals for visa sanctions," Nichols said during an in terview with a Haitian tele vision station.

Around the World

Russia to evacuate Kherson residents as Ukrainian forces advance

Russia says it will help residents evacuate a Ukrainian region it has “annexed” in a new sign Kyiv’s counteroffensive is ad vancing and Moscow is losing its grip on occupied territory.

“The Government took the decision to organise as sistance for the departure of residents of the [Kherson] re gion,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said on Thursday.

The Russian-installed Governor of Ukraine’s south ern Kherson region earlier told residents to take their children and flee.

In a video statement on Telegram, Vladimir Saldo had publicly asked for Moscow’s help transporting civilians to safer regions of Russia.

“Every day, the cities of Kherson region are subject ed to missile attacks,” Saldo said. “As such, the leadership

of the Kherson administra tion has decided to provide Kherson families with the op tion to travel to other regions of the Russian Federation to rest and study.”

“We suggested that all residents of the Kherson re gion, if they wish, to protect themselves from the conse quences of missile strikes … go to other regions,” he said, advising people to “leave with their children”.

Film production company inks deal to bring Jamaican underworld legends to Hollywood

Jamaican film produc tion company Strike Star Entertainment has inked a deal with South Korea’s Story TV to produce a major motion picture based on infamous Jamaican per sonalities of the internation al underworld.

The script is set to be written by screenwriter Paul Eckstein of “Narcos” and “Godfather of Harlem” fame, the stakeholders an nounced in a joint release.

Story TV is best known for its Emmy nominated K-drama hit Netflix series, It's Okay to Not Be Okay.

"We are so thrilled to be in Jamaica and to relate

its well-kept hidden stories to the world. We look for ward to filming in Jamaica and believe Paul Eckstein is uniquely qualified to write this script in order to pro duce an iconic Hollywood film,” Story TV's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SunHae Bae, who was in Jamaica a few weeks ago to sign off on the project, said.

“This will not be the end of our commitment to Jamaica as we expect that numerous television dra mas will follow and flow from our work here with the Hollywood screenwrit er,” Bae said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

US House Jan 6 committee votes to subpoena Trump

The US House of Representatives com mittee probing the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Donald Trump's supporters voted unanimously on Thursday to subpoena the former President, a move that could lead to criminal charges if he does not comply.

The House select commit tee's seven Democratic and two Republican members vot ed 9-0 in favour of issuing a subpoena for Trump to pro vide documents and testi mony under oath in connec tion with the storming of the Capitol.

"He must be accountable. He is required to answer for his actions. He is required to answer for those Police Officers who put their lives

and bodies on the line to de fend our democracy. He is required to answer to those millions of Americans whose votes he wanted to throw out as part of his scheme to remain in power," the pan el's Democratic Chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson, said.

The vote came after the committee spent more than two hours making its case –via statements from mem bers, documents, and record ed testimony – that Trump planned to deny his 2020 elec tion defeat in advance, failed to call off the thousands of supporters who stormed the Capitol, and followed through with his false claims that the election was stolen even as close advisers told him he had lost. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Russia’s TASS news agen cy reported a first group of ci vilians fleeing from Kherson was expected to arrive in Russia’s Rostov region as

soon as Friday.

Kherson is one of four partially occupied Ukrainian provinces that Russia claims to have annexed this month, and arguably the most stra tegically important. It con trols both the only land route to the Crimea Peninsula Russia seized in 2014, and the mouth of the Dnieper, the giant river that bisects Ukraine.

Since the start of October, Ukrainian forces have burst through Russia’s front lines there in their biggest ad vance in the south since the war began. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

AA flight to Barbados aborted after onboard incident

An American Airlines flight from Miami to Barbados had to make an emergency return after fumes reportedly started to fill the cabin.

Flight 338 departed Miami International Airport Wednesday night, but had to return due to a strong chem ical odour coming from a pas senger’s carry-on item, be lieved to be acetone.

Passengers and crew ex ited the plane on the airfield and were evaluated by MiamiDade Fire Rescue, according to the Associated Press.

Barbados Consul General to Miami Rudy Grant, who

was on the flight said the fumes affected many of the passengers.

“This spillage which oc curred on board occurred probably just two seats ahead of me. And the scent of the ac etone was extremely strong. There were some persons who had difficulty breathing, they had to be given oxygen,” he disclosed.

He added that no one re ported any serious complica tions after having the oxygen administered.

The rescheduled flight arrived in Barbados on Thursday afternoon. (Nation News)

Mottley meets with global financial leaders

Barbados continues to take steps towards re forming the global fi nancial system through The Bridgetown Agenda.

This came to the fore on Wednesday as Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley met with global leaders and also joined with Finance Ministers from across the world for the first in-per son Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting since the start of the COVID-19 pan demic in Washington, DC.

Along with a Barbados delegation, which includ ed Barbados Ambassador to the United States, Noel Lynch; Director of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ian

Carrington and Senior Economic Advisor to the Barbados Government, Dr Kevin Greenidge – Prime Minister Mottley met with the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Development, Victoria Ford and President for COP 26, Alok Sharma to discuss some of the goals and objectives of The Bridgetown Agenda.

Mottley also attend ed the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, which took place at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Headquarters in Washington, during the annual IMF/World Bank Annual meetings. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Kherson is one of four partially occupied Ukrainian provinces that Russia claims to have annexed this month [Alexander Ermochenko/ Reuters file photo]

The Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting was held on Wednesday, for the first time in person since 2019

HOROSCOPES

Take a moment to catch up with a friend or relative. What you discover will help you decide what you want to do next. Time spent with a loved one will bring you closer together. Embrace life.

(March 21-April 19)

20-May 20)

Take care of business. Leave nothing to chance or in someone else's jurisdic tion. Be secretive regarding the changes you want to make until you have every thing in place. Try to avoid interference.

Your resourceful nature will help you outmaneuver anyone who gets in your way. Speak up, and be proactive and en tertaining. Adjust your skills to suit the marketplace. Romance is on the rise.

21-June 20)

Problems will mount if you overreact, take on too much or spend money you can't spare. Concentrate on something positive and beneficial to you. Maintain a healthy diet.

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

Spend time with the right people and you'll gain insight into something that interests you. A partnership can make life easier if both parties are heading in the same direction.

Keep your eye on what's happening around you. Someone will be elusive or withhold information. Go directly to the source if you want the facts. You are overdue for a change.

23-Sept. 22)

SUDOKU

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Spend time with people you find mentally stimulating or who share your interests, and you'll discover new ways to use your skills. A trendy new look will make you feel good and attract atten tion.

Find ways to lower your overhead. An innovative outlook will help you find a way to live better. Personal improve ment is favored, but you must be secre tive regarding your plans.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Don't let an outsider lead you astray. Make decisions based on your needs. Lend a helping hand to an expert or el der member of your family and you'll gain an unexpected bonus.

Put everything in its place before you change up your everyday routine. Understanding and appreciating what you already have will help you make bet ter decisions.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Consider changes that will make your life easier. You'll have the freedom to use your skills to build a solid base for your plans. Self-improvement will lead to compliments.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Shake off differences you have with a friend, relative or peer, then go about your business. Making plans to surprise someone will encourage you to find ways to promote better relationships.

(Feb. 20-March

BCCI set to launch five-team Women's IPL in March 2023

The long-awaited Women's IPL is set to become a reality next year, with the BCCI plan ning a five-team tournament for March 2023, immediate ly after the Women's T20 World Cup ends in South Africa on February 26.

The BCCI's proposed plan involves a total of 22 matches, with each squad comprising 18 players, of which a maximum of six would come from overseas.

The BCCI is yet to fi nalise the schedule of the WIPL, but it will be wrapped up before the Men's IPL be gins, which is likely to be at the end of March. Whether the March window has been pencilled in for the long term remains to be seen, but the BCCI said in a paper on the WIPL that it has identified a "clear 25 days Women's IPL window in the FTP cycle".

The inaugural WIPL is likely to clash with the inau gural season of the Women's Pakistan Super League. "It will be a challenge to play the WIPL in the home-andaway format, because, with five to six teams, it is not possible to have a match every day," the BCCI said in its paper on the WIPL, which was sent to the states as part of the wider agenda for the board's annual gen eral meeting, scheduled for Mumbai on October 18.

Where would teams be from?

Unlike the Women's T20 challenge, the precursor to the WIPL, where the teams were assembled randomly, the BCCI will sell the five franchises. However, unlike the Men's IPL, where fran chises bid for teams in a par

ticular city, the BCCI has chalked out two plans for the WIPL. The first one compris es selling teams across six zones spanning the country. A set of cities in each zone has been shortlisted, and com prises: Dharamsala/Jammu (North zone), Pune/Rajkot (West), Indore/Nagpur/ Raipur (Central), Ranchi/

Women's cricket in India became a big talking point ever since they reached the final of the ODI World Cup in 2017 at Lord's, where they lost to England in front of a full house.

In 2018, the BCCI

T20 World Cup, securing sil ver medal in recently held 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, we intend to conduct the Women's IPL on similar lines with the Indian Premier League," the BCCI said in its paper on WIPL.

mestic front was massive, with the paper listing "an

Brazil forward Neymar faces call for five-year prison term over transfer to Barcelona

A

Cuttack (East), Kochi/ Visakhapatnam (South) and Guwahati (North-East).

The second plan involves teams being sold, but with out a solid home base, with matches to be played at six shortlisted IPL venues: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

The BCCI will present the WIPL plan at the AGM next week, but a final de cision will be taken by the IPL Governing Council Chairman - who that is will be decided at the upcoming AGM - along with the BCCI office-bearers.

Exponential growth in participa tion is the reason behind WIPL

Over the next three years, it expanded to a three-team competition.

Voices across women's cricket both in India and globally were critical of BCCI's reluctance to launch a Women's IPL at the time.

The board and several state associations were orig inally concerned by the shal low player pool in women's cricket, but those reserva tions have gradually reced ed now.

"With the rise in popular ity of women's cricket in the country, mainly due to prom inent performances by the Indian Senior Cricket team on world stage, by qualifying for semi-finals in 2018 T20 World Cup, finals in 2020

overall increase of 111% in participation of players along various categories" in the eight-year period be tween 2014-22. A further breakdown listed the num ber increasing by 129% in the senior women's catego ry, and a 92% increase in the Under-19 category.

The WIPL - and the pro posed WPSL - will join the FairBreak Invitational, the Women's Hundred, WCPL and WBBL as T20 leagues that bolster the popularity and growth of women's crick et globally. The WIPL paper also noted that the BCCI had studied both the WBBL and the Women's Hundred models before finalising its plan. (ESPNCricinfo)

valued.

Neymar, 30, has denied the allegations, but lost an appeal in Spain's High Court in 2017, leading to the tri al being brought by Spanish prosecutors. The Paris StGermain player will have to appear in-person for the first day of the trail in Barcelona on Monday, the court said, but it is unclear if he would be asked to stay for the en tire hearing, which could last for two weeks.

The other defendants are Neymar's parents, the two clubs, former Barcelona Presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, and former Santos President Odilio Rodrigues. Rosell has also previously denied any wrongdoing.

DIS, in exchange for 2m euros, acquired a percentage of Neymar's rights when he

was 17. Barcelona said at the time of Neymar's move that the transfer fee was 57.1m euros, of which 40m euros was paid to his family. The investment firm received a 40% share of the remaining 17.1m euros that was paid to Brazilian club Santos.

"Neymar's rights have not been sold to the high est bidder," DIS lawyer Paulo Nasser told a news conference in Barcelona on Thursday. "There were clubs that offered up to 60m euros."

Apart from the five-year jail term demand, DIS is also requesting prison sentences for Rosell and Bartomeu, and a 149m-euro fine. Spanish prosecutors want a two-year prison term for Neymar and the payment of a 10m euros fine and a five-year jail term for Rosell, plus an 8.4m eu ros fine for Barcelona.

Grenadian Anderson Peters is Caribbean’s only nomination

Anderson Peters is the only Caribbean male athlete nominated for the 2022 World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year award. The 10 nominees were announced on Thursday.

The athletes were select ed by an international panel of athletics experts compris ing representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics. It has been another memorable year for the sport, and nominations reflect some of the standout performanc es achieved at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, one-day meet ing circuits, and other events around the world.

The nominees for 2022 Men’s World Athlete of the Year are (in alphabetical or der):

Kristjan Ceh, Slovakia - World discus champion - Diamond League discus champion, throwing a nation

al record 71.27m on the cir cuit in Birmingham - European discus silver medallist

Alison dos Santos, Brazil - World 400m hurdles champion - Diamond League 400m hurdles champion - Ran a world-leading South American record of 46.29

Mondo Duplantis,

Sweden - World pole vault champi on indoors and outdoors - Diamond League and European pole vault champi on - Improved his world re cord to 6.19m and 6.20m in doors, and then 6.21m out doors

Soufiane El Bakkali, Morocco - World 3000m steeple chase champion - Diamond League 3000m

steeplechase champion

- Unbeaten in 2022, run ning a world-leading 7:58.28 in Rabat

Grant Holloway, USA - World 110m hurdles champion - World indoor 60m hur dles champion - Diamond League 110m hurdles champion

Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Norway - World 5000m champion, world 1500m silver medallist indoors and outdoors - European 1500m and 5000m champion - Diamond League 1500m champion in a world-leading 3:29.02

Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya - Improved his world mar athon record to 2:01:09 - Berlin Marathon cham pion - Tokyo Marathon cham pion

Noah Lyles, USA - World 200m champion - Diamond League 200m champion - Ran a world-leading na tional record of 19.31 to move to third on the world all-time list

Anderson Peters, Grenada - World javelin champion - Commonwealth javelin silver medallist - Threw a world-leading NACAC record of 93.07m, moving to fifth on the world all-time list

Pedro Pichardo, Portugal - World triple jump cham pion with a world-leading leap of 17.95m - World indoor triple jump silver medallist - European triple jump champion

A three-way voting pro cess will determine the final ists.

The World Athletics Council and the World

Athletics Family will cast their votes by email, while fans can vote online via the World Athletics social media platforms. Individual graph ics for each nominee will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube this week; a 'like' on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or a retweet on Twitter will count as one vote.

The World Athletics Council’s vote will count for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public’s votes would each count for 25% of the final result.

Voting for the World Athletes of the Year clos es at midnight on Monday 31 October. At conclusion of the voting process, five fe male and five male final ists would be announced by World Athletics. The winners would be revealed on World Athletics’ social media plat forms in early December.

Brazilian investment

The inaugural Women's IPL could clash with the inaugural Women's PSL

Grenada’s Anderson Peters

Inclement weather forces change of venue

…National Stadium to host remaining matches

originally scheduled for Friday, October 14, at the Georgetown Cricket Club at Bourda, will now be played on Saturday, October 15, from 09:00 hours, while the Demerara versus Essequibo matchup, also scheduled for Friday, will now be played on Sunday, October 16, from 09:00 hours. Both matches would be played at the National Stadium at Providence, EBD.

Paiwomak FC needle Strikers

A

The third round and Final of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Male Super50 InterCounty tournament has been switched to the Guyana National Stadium, a release from the GCB revealed on Thursday.

The GCB was forced to make the shift due to heavy rainfall on Wednesday night into Thursday morning in Georgetown.

The third- round fix ture between Berbice and the GCB President’s XI,

The top two (2) teams after the three rounds of matches would play the fi nal under lights on Tuesday, October 18, starting at 14:00 hours.

When action in the GFF/Blue Waters U15 Girls Development League con tinued on Saturday last at the Kwatamang Sports Ground in the Rupununi, the lone team registering a win in the two match es played was Paiwomak Football Club, whose goal was scored by Marianne Williams.

The other match contest ed ended in a 0-0 draw be tween Dream Killers and Three Hills FC.

In results from previ ous matches, Strikers FC

Project “Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”…

Krishna Appiah says delighted to donate to worthy initiative

Krishna Appiah, aka Mukesh, currently of the USA and former ly of Plantation Warren on the Lower East Coast of Berbice, is the latest person to contrib ute to this cricket gear-distri bution initiative jointly owned by Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana.

At a simple ceremony held recently, Appiah presented bats to Beharry in the presence of his cousin Mark Appiah, and in presence of Nando, a friend vis iting from the USA.

Appiah having declared himself delighted to be part of this worthy venture, Beharry responded by expressing great thankfulness for the bats re

Guyana have already benefited from the receipt of three junior gear bags, two trophies, two arm guards, fifteen bats, one box, three helmets, twelve pairs of cricket shoes, ten pairs of batting pads, one bat rubber and twelve pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area have benefit ed from the receipt of two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard club have also each received one box of red cricket balls, while the Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club (RHCCCC) re ceived two, besides fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves, stumps

The Essequibo Cricket Board, and now the Town of Lethem have also been re

Total crick et-related items collected so

far: $250,000 cash, two tro phies, twelve cricket boots, nineteen pairs of batting pads, twenty-five bats, fifteen pairs of batting gloves, nineteen thigh pads, one pair of wicket-keep ing pads, two arm guards, six cricket bags, and three hel mets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear has been donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket-keeper/ batsman.

Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are im portant characteristics of the re cipients. Talent spotting is be

ing done across the country, and club leaders also assist to iden tify same. Progressive and well managed clubs would also ben efit from receipts.

The owners of this initia tive have said: We take this op portunity to thank Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan, Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Kelvin Brijlall, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru,

Dennis Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo, Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies, Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Gajanand Singh, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Ameer Rahaman, Chin Singh, Denesh Chandrapaul, Dr Cecil Beharry, Davo Naraine of UK, and Latch Mohabir and family.

Distribution of cricket-relat ed items would continue. Anyone interested in contributing to this worthy initiative can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875, or Kishan Das on 1-718-664-0896.

got past Three Hills by the lone goal of that encounter, while Dream Killers beat Paiwomak FC 2-1.

The aim of this League is, among other things, to pro vide a crucial stepping stone in the development of young players for the nation’s fe male national teams; accel erate participation among girls in football throughout the country; and provide op portunities for more coaches and other officials.

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Paiwomak FC U15 Girls’ team

Left to right: Mark Appiah, Krishna Appiah, Anil Beharry and Nando

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Tough luck for Guyana as 2022 SA Games approach closure

Thursday was a tough day at the office for Guyana’s contingent competing at the 2022 South American Games in Asuncion, Paraguay. As the men’s and wom en’s table tennis teams and the all-female squash team sprang into action on Thursday morning, vic tories were not written in the stars for the Guyanese.

In table tennis, the men’s team of Christopher Franklin, Shemar Britton and Elishaba Johnson were tasked with taking on Argentina and Ecuador in Group 2 of the men’s team division. On the dis

The Guyanese wom en rallied much longer in their contest against Ecuador, despite again losing 3-0. The sets went as follows: Set 1: 10-12, 8-11, 11-6; Set 2: 5-11, 6-11, 6-11; Set 3: 8-11, 117, 6-11; Set 4: 9-11, 0-0; 8-11.

Meanwhile, in squash, Guyana fielded a women’s team for the group divi sion, comprising Nicolette Fernandes, Taylor Fernandes, Ashley Khalil and Larissa Wiltshire competing in the quarter finals. They lost 0-2 to the Chilean women in their quarterfinal contest. The

taff side, Guyana’s wom en’s table tennis team, comprising Olympian Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings and Priscilla Greaves, were grouped with Chile and Ecuador.

The men’s team did not get off to their assumed dream start, and lost 3-0 to Argentina. The sets they contested against Argentina went as follows: Set 1: 4-11, 7-11, 3-11; Set 2: 3-11, 8-11, 8-11; Set 3: 3-11, 6-11, 3-11.

The fortunes were the same when they went to work against Ecuador later on. Those sets went as follows: Set 1: 6-11, 2-11, 6-11; Set 2: 7-11, 5-11, 5-11; Set 3: 6-11, 3-11, 4-11, in what was another 3-0 loss.

Appearing as though the men’s misfortunes had rubbed off on their ladies’ counterparts, the ladies also came up empty-hand ed, although their sets had some silver linings.

The ladies took on Chile and lost 3-0, with their sets going as follows: Set 1: 5-11, 1-11, 4-11; Set 2: 5-11, 6-11, 7-11; Set 3: 4-11, 6-11, 10-12.

set in that game unfold ed as follows: Set 1: 8-11, 2-11; Set 2: 11-8, 11-8; Set 3: 8-11, 4-11.

Although missing out on an opportunity to ad vance to the semifinals, Guyana’s squash team will look to redeem them selves in the plate com petition. Guyana will play a plate semifinal to day against the ladies

of Paraguay. Should the Guyanese emerge success ful, they will go on to play the plate final against Peru or Brazil, depending on the result of the second plate semifinal match.

Squash is the final sport discipline in which Guyana would go into ac tion at the multisport event. The 2022 South American Games are set for closure on October 15.

Guyanese athletes supporting their peers at the Games (File Photo)

The table tennis team did not find favour on Thursday

Johnson, Bramble dominating the competition

By Brandon Corlette

Aftertwo rounds of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Senior InterCounty 50-over tournament, Berbice are unbeaten, and are leading the charts with eight points. Demerara and Essequibo occupy respective second and third places, having each recorded one win and one defeat, while the President’s XI team are still look ing for the light to guide them out of the cellar.

The dominant perform ers thus far are Leon Johnson and Anthony Bramble. Having scored a composed 51 against Berbice, Johnson followed that up by registering a majestic 153 against the President's XI. And Bramble, the wicketkeeper-bats man who is opening the batting for Berbice, has registered scores of 106 and 62.

Essequibo's Kemol Savory has been the other centurion, having scored 108 against the GCB President's XI.

After their respec tive second round clash, Johnson of Demerara and Bramble of Berbice have been happy with their form. Bramble not ed that the key to his suc cess thus far has been playing a positive brand of cricket.

"It is a nice feeling to score runs in inter-coun ty cricket, more so being able to do it for your county; so, it is pleasing for me to score runs for myself and my team, which I have been doing in my last two games. So, I must relish my opportuni ties,” Bramble has said.

"For me, I remain positive. I always choose the positive option. That is what I mostly told my self throughout that century and through the fifty. Just the posi tivity throughout the innings," Bramble has said.

Sharing his sentiments on the return of senior inter-county crick et (SIC), Bramble has said: "It is a competition that has been away for quite some time. I know that we had franchise cricket, and this is where you have the best teams

playing. It is more competitive and nice having it (SIC) back."

Wicketkeeper-batsman Anthony Bramble has been plying his trade in the United States of America, and that has improved his game. "Playing in the United States, in those conditions where you have to adapt and adjust a lot, (has) helped me mentally, and im proved my game for the last few months, because I have been playing cricket every week," Bramble has said.

Delighted with his form, despite not having played cricket since June 2022, na tional captain Leon Johnson is eager to show his class as a batsman, and his high level of fitness. He reflected

on his outings thus far at the 2022 Inter-County tournament, and ex pressed delight at his form, de spite not playing cricket for some time.

"Feeling quite good! I was very disappointed in the way I got out and the amount of overs that were left on a good batting track, but, as I said, I am feeling in good form, even though I have not played cricket since the Regional FourDay…finished in June. I had a lot of time to practice and get my self ready. It feels good to be back playing cricket,” Johnson has con fessed.

Having scored 153 on Wednesday at Everest, his high est one-day Inter-County score,

experi enced, and he capi talised on that.

"The pitch was a bit tacky at the start. When I got out there, the two seamers were in op eration, and they were bowling pretty well. I just wanted to stick that period out, and I know the (President's XI) bowling was inex perienced. I looked at their game on YouTube a bit, so I know the attack was a bit inexperienced. So, once I played that part out, runs were there for me!” he has said.

The skipper is also happy with

the return of inter-county crick

et, which was last played in 2014.

"Very pleasing to be back playing inter-county. We had the franchise league, but inter-county, you get the cream of the crop in Guyana's senior male cricket. And even at the other game it showed, a very good Berbice side dominated us (Demerara). We never came out the blocks that day. We regrouped, and we saw the effort that we put out today," Johnson explained.