Guyana Times - Friday, October 21, 2022

Duo arrested with over 2kg of ganja in Lethem

the cannabis seized in the motor vehicle was weighed and amount ed to 600 grams, while the can nabis found at the premises was weighed and amounted to two ki lograms.

These two persons remain in custody, assisting with investiga tions.

As recent as Tuesday last, CANU reported that it had seized a whopping $311 million worth of narcotics for the month of September, according to informa tion released by that drug enforce ment agency. The seized narcotics comprised $294 million, or approx imately US$1.4 million, in ganja, and $17 million, or US$82,000, in cocaine.

Amanand a woman have been taken into custody fol lowing the discovery of more than two kilograms of cannabis at Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Wednesday.

Based on reports received, ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), conduct ing an operation in Tabatinga, Lethem on Wednesday, intercept

ed motor vehicle HD 5840, which they searched in the presence of 42-year-old Sherlon Kissoon of Tabatinga, Lethem and unearthed four parcels of cannabis.

Further investigation led to the search of a residence at Tabatinga, Lethem in the presence of Helena Rodrigues, during which 14 par cels of cannabis were unearthed.

The suspects were escorted to the CANU office in Lethem, where

Most of the seized narcotics were intercepted in Regions Six, Four, and Three, the amounts in tercepted therein being 327.50kg of cannabis and 11.23kg of cocaine.

Cannabis continues to be the narcotic most commonly seized by CANU, accounting for 97 per cent of all seizures.

According to the report, 44 per cent of the total quantity of narcot ics seized was seized on the road ways; 33 per cent of the total amount

of narcotics seized was done in riv erine areas; and 16 per cent of the total amount of narcotics seized was done in residential areas. Airport seizures accounted for 3 per cent of the total seizure, with cocaine topping the list there.

Also, 22 persons were arrested in relation to narcotics’ possession for the month of September. Six males and two females were ar rested for possession of 11.2306kg of cocaine, while 14 males were ar rested for possession of 327.4978kg of cannabis.

The males arrested were be tween the ages of 18 and 58 years old, and the females were between the ages of 18 and 59 years old.

Of those arrested, 13 individ uals were charged separately for possession of narcotics. CANU made out 12 cases for possession of narcotics, consisting of both co caine and cannabis possession; seven convictions, consisting of one for the possession of cocaine and six for the possession of can nabis, were made out, and 96 cases are pending.

The cannabis found during the operation

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, October 21 –02:00h-03:30h and Saturday, October 22 – 02:30h-04:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, October 21 –14:10h-15:40h and Saturday, October 22 – 14:45h-16:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected during the day interrupted by mid-morning to mid-afternoon showers. Expect cloudy to partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to North NorthWesterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 14:05h reaching a maximum height of 2.30 metres.

Low Tide: 07:34h and 19:57h reaching minimum heights of 0.92 metre and 0.90 metre.

Govt sets March 13, 2023 for Local Government Elections

– in accordance with GECOM's work plan

tasked by GECOM with coming up with a work plan for the holding of LGE.

At first, that work plan was supposed to be limited to this year end. However, that has since had to be extended amid successive weeks of what has been de scribed by the Governmentnominated GECOM Commissioners as delaying tactics at Commission meet ings.

LGE are constitution ally due every two years in Guyana and were last held in 2018.

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has set Monday, March 13, 2023, as the date for the hosting of the long-overdue Local Government Elections (LGE) in Guyana.

This was indicated by Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall in correspondence to the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh, on Thursday.

According to Dharamlall, Government is committed to upholding democracy and believes that the holding of local polls is an important pillar in Guyana’s democrat ic political system. It was against this backdrop that the date for hosting the LGE was decided.

“Please be informed that pursuant to Section 35 (1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, I appoint March 13, 2023, as the day on which elections of Councillors for Local Authorities shall be held,” Minister Dharamlall wrote to Justice Singh.

The Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, states that elections are held according to the date set by the Minister.

Moreover, it was noted that an order under Section 35 shall be published in the Gazette appointing March 13 next year as the date for the LGE.

Earlier this week, Justice Singh had written to the Local Government and Regional Development Minister, advising him that based on GECOM’s work plan, March 13, 2023, was the earliest date that LGE could be held. In fact, the Commission indicated that the elections could be held anytime between March 13 and April 24, 2023.

On Wednesday, Dharamlall had told Guyana Times that he would be responding to the GECOM Chair soon.

The work plan in ques tion was arrived at by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud, who was

While the polls were due in 2020, the elections fias co that played out following the March 2 General and Regional Elections that year resulted in LGE being de ferred to last year.

But despite some $1.1 billion budgeted in 2021, the GECOM Chair had indicat ed in September last year that the agency was not in a state of readiness to host any elections since it was in the process of filling several senior posts at the GECOM Secretariat.

Some of those senior posts within GECOM be came vacant after for mer Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; his dep uty, Roxanne Myers and former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo were fired for attempts to sway the re sults of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. They are currently before the courts facing electoral fraud charges.

It was only in December

last that the Commission finally completed the ap pointment of a new Chief Elections Officer in the per son of Vishnu Persaud. Then only last month, GECOM ap pointed Beverley Critchlow as the Assistant Chief Elections Officer (ACEO).

Nevertheless, over the past months, the Elections Commission has been in preparatory mode for the holding of the local polls.

In the missive on Thursday, the PPP/C Government said as part of its commitment, some $2.9 billion has already been allo cated to GECOM for prepa ratory works to ensure the successful planning and ex ecution of LGE.

More than $750 million has been set aside in Budget 2022 for the preparations to be undertaken by GECOM for the hosting of LGE this year.

This money is part of an overall $4.1 billion alloca tion to GECOM in Budget 2022, and was examined and approved by the National Assembly during its consid eration of the 2022 Budget Estimates.

Included in the $783 million for LGE is a morethan-$300 million increase in “other goods and services purchased”, which jumped from $250.8 million in 2021 to $575.9 million in the 2022 Budget.

GECOM only recent ly concluded its Claims and Objections exercise, which captured more than 3000 new applicants who will be eligible to vote as of October 31, 2022, as well as a total of 18 objections to names on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). Additionally, there were more than 1800 re quests for transfers.

At the last LGE held in November 2018, the then PPP/C Opposition had se cured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). This followed the holding of the LGE, in 2016, in which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs.

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the now main Opposition polit ical party, meanwhile re mains tight-lipped on its participation in the next LGE and its minority coa lition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is yet to communicate whether or not it would be contesting the polls.

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall

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

Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Warning to minibus operators

PublicWorks Minister Juan Edgill has sent a strong message to minibus operators and drivers when he recently said that the culture of minibuses flouting traffic laws while operating on Guyana’s roadways must come to an end.

Likewise, the Guyana Police Force has begun a campaign to crack down on drivers of vehicles that are breaching the condition of prescribed fitness, and those who are violating traffic laws.

We agree with Minister Edghill when he said that while the laws governing traffic management exist to ensure safe operation of vehicles, they are not being properly enforced.

The unacceptable attitudes of many of the minibus operators have been a sore point over the years. Much has been said about the loud and lewd music that all, including schoolchildren, are forced to endure on a daily basis. There is no respite, and any objection by commuters is met with disdain, disrespect, and wanton abuse in many cases. It appears that there is no consideration by these uncaring operators that they depend on the commuters for their livelihood. In a country that is becoming more service-oriented, those who buy are given due importance as competitiveness increases. Maybe the time for competitiveness in public transportation, which many believe has passed, is now. The provision of this service is bread and butter for the operators and many owners; however, safety for road users and the provision of better service cannot be continually disregarded.

In an age when the wheel is no longer invented, lessons can be leant from some Caribbean countries that have had the service regularised. Templates can be borrowed from countries that have both private and Government-operated services. The power of choice not just empowers, in this case commuters, but brings competition that generally redounds in better services.

Of course, there is for some the argument of preference for what is currently provided by the minibus operators. The bottom line is that they do not speak for everyone. Those who have been shamed for speaking up against loud and profanity-laced music crave for a service or system that would bring them much-needed relief. Same for the elderly; same for those with illnesses; and same for those who are harassed and pressured, sometimes physically, into a minibus.

Some commuters, based on knowledge, tend to choose the minibus they wish to travel in, so as to reduce the likelihood of being exposed to the blaring music, and to some extent avoid being subjected to indiscriminate driving. But sometimes circumstances may not allow for this – given urgencies, weather, and other related factors. There is also the scenario of the appearance of a “peaceful” minibus before the journey commences, but afterwards the music booms, trapping commuters. While some would disembark, others may not, for good reasons.

In fairness to operators, some are trying to provide a proper service, have shown respect to commuters, and abide by traffic laws. They would have, over time, highlighted challenges faced, including those from touts. While one expectation would be for them to be more vociferous and to advocate for change from within, it appears that the odds are stacked against them. They face peer pressure and pressure to meet their daily target by influential owners of some minibuses, making it difficult to change from within.

Inappropriate mode of dress, running red lights, speeding, not returning the change, some drinking while driving, cutting dangerously into the path of other drivers, demanding with their hands out that they must pass or get in front, carrying way in excess of the number of passengers legally allowed, and using roads that are not authorised as per their road service are some of the indiscretions commuters and other road users are forced to endure from some minibus operators.

It must not only be important for the creation of a friendly and caring image to tourists, but fundamentally to Guyanese, who daily toil and make sacrifices here to pay requisite fares.

The overriding consideration must be the welfare of the commuters.

PPP/C Administration does not discriminate, and is not racist; therefore, does not need an enforcer

Dear Editor, Reference is made to a letter published on October 20, 2022 under the head line “What does being Afro-Guyanese, proud, and PPP really mean?” written by Sherwood Lowe.

The questions he asked in his mis sive do not deserve a response from Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, because they appear petty.

They deserve a response from any crit ical, open-minded and objective Guyanese, who is up-to-date with current affairs and the happenings in terms of governance, Government, and common political party policies.

I wish to state that everyone should be able to freely choose the political par ty they wish to support and/or represent without fear of malice, lambasting, and derogatory terms being attached to their choice. This is under Article 21 of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Guyana is a signatory.

Firstly, the PM does not stand “on guard, constantly vigilant, reversing any acts or decisions by the PPP that deny equal respect and equal access to opportu nities for all”. PM Phillips has no need to, because there are no incidents of racism that I can point to being practised by the PPP Administration either internally or externally towards the people of Guyana; more specifically, the Afro-Guyanese as a group.

Further, there is no willful policy by the PPP Administration that denies “equal re spect and equal access to opportunities for all”. That is Lowe’s imagination at work, and playing games with him, because ev ery single opportunity reaches all the peo ple of Guyana via the same means.

For example, the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant is for all school-age students, and reaches every administrative Region in Guyana, even Regions Four, Seven and Ten. I challenge Lowe to point out where one group is being favoured at the expense of another on this policy initia tive. Further, cash grants distributed to

pensioners, disabled communities and children, Amerindians, fishermen and farmers are all equal opportunity policy measures.

There is no need to be vigilant and on guard. There is no need to reverse any policy adumbrated by the PPP/C. The Administration’s policies are not clandes tine, but are clear for all to see.

Secondly, if Lowe had taken the time to do even a minute amount of research, he would have been aware that it was the Prime Minister who spearheaded a cabi net outreach to the community of Buxton on July 4. Had he only utilised Google’s search engine, he would have seen the Prime Minister himself interacting with, listening to, and addressing the con cerns of residents who were mostly AfroGuyanese.

Thirdly, the PM does not need to call up a single Minister to ensure that fund ing for all RDCs and NDCs is devoid of po litical and ethnic considerations. The PM is a part of the Cabinet, and is privy to all the discussions that take place about topi cal geopolitical issues. He knows the law is followed to its letter and spirit. Again, here ethnic consideration is not a factor in the PPP’s policy measures, and all NDCs and RDCs are funded by law and according to the discretionary need.

Fourthly, if Lowe really wanted an swers concerning the Prime Minister’s advocacy for unity and inclusivity, I am positive that he would have stumbled upon the Prime Minister’s visit to Golden Grove, where he yet again addressed the grave concerns of the people, who were also mostly of African descent.

Fifthly, this PPP/C Administration appears to not be satisfied with the docu ments and explanation put forward by the IDPADA-G grouping. So, if he is seeking to intertwine the PM in this issue, he will not get further answers. I feel the issue is not one of discrimination or racism, nev er mind the fact that some of its princi pals are allegedly accused of being racists and African supremacists, like Vincent

Alexander and Dr Norman Ng-A-Qui. It has to do with accountability and trans parency, as well as making sure that the money is spent on African Guyanese, and not for funding Opposition political groups or elements.

Consequently, the PPP/C Administration does not need the PM to play the role of enforcer. There are people of African descent or Afro-Guyanese at all levels of the party who would not see a pol icy that is potentially being carried out in a discriminatory and racist manner and not say something or object to it.

Also, the PM is just one member of this Administration. I dare say there are hundreds, if not thousands, of prominent and popular Afro-Guyanese who are in the PPP Government and do not see the rac ism and discrimination.

These are questions that Guyanese must first ask themselves before allowing functionaries like Lowe to corrupt and dis orient their way of thinking with vacuous propositions.

Finally, Lowe’s letter has a certain rac ist and political undertone. It is aimed at pulling the PM and PPP into a divisive and ethnic debate when he is consumed by the ‘One Guyana’ mantra and Commission that seeks to promote unity and together ness among all groups of the country.

In the Guyana that is governed by the PPP/C, the colour of one’s skin is not im portant to how the leadership sees develop ment and distributes resources. Similarly, political affiliation does not matter.

I think the PM should continue work ing towards the President’s “One Guyana” initiative, because it is coming to reality, and Lowe will continue to write these ob jectionable letters because they speak to only his base and divisive politics. He ap pears to be the instigator-at-large, and only comes to the fore to comment on these things that have to do with racism and pol itics against the PPP.

Yours truly, Michael Younge

Three young ladies depicting the forms of Mother Lakshmi on one of the floats in a motorcade organised by the Essequibo Prant of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha on Thursday evening. This, along with others, made its way along the Essequibo Coast Public Road (Raywattie Deonarine photo)

People were the centre of everything Janet Jagan did – Pres Ali

Reflecting on the life and legacy of for mer President Janet Jagan, President Dr Irfaan Ali declared that people were the centre of everything she did throughout her political career, during which she was a champion of the working class in Guyana.

The Head of State was at the time delivering remarks on Thursday evening at an event hosted by the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre to cel ebrate the “Life and Work of Former President Mrs Janet Jagan, OE, and her contribu tions to the return of democ racy to Guyana”. The night of reflection was held to com memorate her 102nd birth anniversary.

During his address, President Ali posited that Janet Jagan’s name is forev er embedded in the history of Guyana and her contribu tions to this country could not be erased. Describing her as

a phenomenal woman, he re called that she was a bastion in the fight for the restoration of democracy, a champion of the working class, and one of Guyana’s foremost advocates for women's rights and free doms.

In fact, the Head of State said people were one of the

most foundational pillars for what Janet Jagan stood for.

“She believed that people were: 1, the output – what ever she was doing, the out put must be the betterment of people. And whatever she was approaching to do, the input was people, because she mobilised people to help

her to achieve the output. So, people were the centre of ev erything she did,” he stated.

According to Ali, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – which was founded by her husband, Dr Cheddi Jagan – is still to this day committed to ideals that Mrs Jagan devoted her life to in cluding equality for wom en and improvement of the

working class.

“Janet Jagan was a con stant and consistent agitator for women’s rights. One year after arriving in Guyana, she took up the challenge in sup port of women's rights. The Political Affairs Committee and the Women's Political and Economic Organisation, which she founded, led stri dent and sustained agitation

for universal adult suffrage and for women's rights and empowerment,” he noted.

President Ali added that Mrs Jagan was far ahead of time in her fight for justice and empowerment of women. He said she was not only look ing to gain women the right to vote but empowering wom en politically.

Against this backdrop, she helped pilot and support legislation that secured bet terment for women. In fact, during her tenure as Minister with responsibility for Health, Labour and Housing, she pro mulgated legislation that re duced the hours of work for store workers, most of whom were women, and extended protection for domestics in the face of difficulties from landlordism and poor living conditions, and established housing for working-class families.

TURN

“NY-based Attorney-at-Law” should publicly withdraw the words “wipe out their opponents”

Dear Editor, I write to register my disap pointment with the advice pro vided by Dr. Vivian Williams. Though Mr. Williams is no doubt well qualified, it ap pears as if the press considers him some kind of a wizard, be cause he is, as we are always reminded, a “New York-based lawyer”.

It is not that what the “New York-based lawyer” is saying is incorrect. The issue is that, literally, everything he points out has been wide ly acknowledged, discussed, analysed, and received sus tained attention not only by the Ali Administration, but also by the Opposition. Civil

society actors in Guyana discuss phenomena such as “Dutch Disease” and “Resource Curse” on a daily basis.

Since the advice offered by Mr. Williams is basically ev eryday knowledge in Guyana, I won’t bother giving them any analytical attention. This not withstanding, the “New Yorkbased lawyer’s” comments on agriculture do deserve a sen tence or two.

Mr. Williams seems to be completely oblivious that Guyana’s LCDS 2030 eco nomic strategy is specifical ly geared towards food secu rity, not only for Guyana, but for the entire Caribbean. Mr.

Williams does not appear to know that the Minister of Agriculture has been on di rect participatory outreach es to every major agricultur al region in Guyana. Minister Mustapha and his well-qual ified staff - including engi neers, agronomists, market ing specialists and the like - engage the full spectrum of issues facing the agricultural communities.

Some of Williams’s obser vations on the 2020 Regional and National Elections could only be considered banal. For instance, he seems to be shocked that “…each side [no doubt meaning PPP/C and APNU-AFC] was like ‘we can’t

lose this.” He ruminates that “…the country will now be in a perpetual electoral contest.” Well, as everyone knows, in democratic societies, all po litical parties go to the polls with the attitude “we can’t lose this”. As for the “perpetu al electoral contest”, I must re mind Mr. Williams he is in a country where the election cy cle never stops.

The most alarming and alarmist of the “NY-based Attorney-at-Law” concerns his ‘prediction’ that “…one can ex pect to see signs from political actors using all sorts (sic) of mechanisms to dominate and wipe out their opponents.” Mr. Williams should be cautioned

Ossie Rodgers must be taken to court and be prosecuted

Dear Editor, There is a CCTV video showing talk show host Ossie Rodgers physically assaulting a Bath Settlement woman. It was a despicable act, wherein Rodgers is shown repeatedly slapping the woman.

Now, the next logical thing to happen is for the gener al public to come out in stern condemnation of Rodgers and his violent attack on the woman, but what we see tak ing place is an attack on the Government of Guyana. And one would want to ask: Did the Government of Guyana send Rodgers to commit the act? Is the Government in any way to be blamed for Rodgers's actions? If the an swer is no, then why is this an inordinate attack on the Government?

Well, for starters, one can envision the strange turn of events wherein victims and sympathisers are at odds with the Government. The

unjustified attack is due to the fact that Ossie Rodgers is a talk show host who has en listed some PPP/C members on his shows, so we can see the connection here; but what does that have to do with the Government coming in for blame for Rodgers's disorder ly conduct? And the answer is, ‘None whatsoever’.

However, what the party can do is distance itself from Rodgers's actions and issue a statement condemning the incident, but playing judge, jury and executioner is not a matter for the Government.

Let me say to all and sun dry that this is a legal mat ter, or a matter for the court, a course of action the vic tim needs to take, and stop her media appearances. She needs to stop talking and file a lawsuit against Rodgers. She does not have to wait for the conclusion of Police inves tigations, but hurriedly file a case against him. This is a le

gal matter, not a political is sue. If those who are inter viewing her are worth their salt, they should assist her to see a lawyer so she can file a strong case against Rodgers.

But this is the sorry state of affairs in Guyana, where straightforward matters take on political meaning. But far more important is the fact that these PNC guysRodgers was a strong sup porter of the PNC - must real ise that whenever they come across that political divide, the skeletons they had locked away in their cupboards would definitely follow them, sometimes with embarrass ing consequences; the Bath Settlement incident is a case in point!

The fact is that that wom an never physically threw a punch at Rodgers, but her words were lethal enough to elicit a violent response from Rodgers. We are all familiar with the behaviour of this in

dividual in a prior incident in volving a young woman, and I am certain that it would have been a remark made of his "strange social engage ments" which caused Rodgers to be riled up to the point of violently attacking the wom an. But like we say in creole, "The woman seh, and he in turn should seh back," but to put his hands on her is a defi nite no-no! This vicious and lawless behaviour of his can not ever be tolerated!

It also means that Rodgers leaving for his home abroad does not preclude him from prosecution either. That lady needs to go file a law suit immediately! The camer as are there to bear her out, and let him be punished for his actions. The crime was committed here, and, as such, Rodgers will have to return for trial.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

that this kind of speech act is extremely dangerous. This is the kind of language asso ciated with hate speech, and though not advocated by Mr. Williams, simply introduc ing the words into the polit ical lexicon is tantamount to political irresponsibility. I call on Mr. Williams to withdraw these words; namely, “wipe out their opponents” (quot

ed in Kaieteur News, October 20, 2022, p. 03). What Mr. Williams might not know is that political advocacy often takes the form of ‘predictions’. Among other places, it hap pened in person on Brickdam in the 2020 elections.

Sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud

Janet Jagan during one of the rallies

Page Foundation

Materials

Mandala pattern Popsicle craft sticks

Tracing paper Colour markers

A box-and-whisker plot allows you to look at data to tell where most of the numbers lie. Thus, this type of plot shows the medians in the data.

Example:

Your aunt had purchased some Brazil-made shoes from Home and Beyond for you and your 10 cousins for the New Year. You have noticed there are num bers on the soles of the shoes. You have arranged these numbers in order: 22, 24, 28, 32, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38, 39, 40

Instructions:

1. Glue four craft sticks together to make the sides of the lantern. If you want to add the base to the lan tern, make one more craft stick squa re.

2. Cut 4 square pieces of tracing paper.

3. Trace and colour the mandala pattern on one of the tracing papers.

4. Glue the tracing papers to the wood stick squares.

5. Glue the sides together using a hot glue gun. You can also regular white glue – It just takes little extra time to dry.

6. Decorate the lantern edges with washi tape. Place an LED tea

light candle inside it and you are all set to decorate your house for the festival season. (joysharing.com)

By The BroThers Grimm

The lower extreme is the lowest number in your data. The upper extreme is the highest number in your data. The median of all the numbers in the data is the middle number, 36.

The lower quartile is the median of the numbers below the median: 28.

The upper quartile is the median of the numbers above the median: 38. You have four sections on your line of data: each relates to its quartile mark, and each quartile mark relates to the median. Each quartile contains ¼ of the data.

What is the range of the lowest quartile?

Step 1: Find the lower extreme and the lower quartile: 22 and 28

Step 2: Subtract the lower extreme from the lower quartile: 28 – 22 = 7

Exercises: Solve

1) Draw a box-and-whisker plot for the data set {3, 7, 8, 5, 12, 14, 21, 13, 18}.

2) Draw a box-and-whisker plot for the data set {3, 7, 8, 5, 12, 14, 21, 15, 18, 14}.

TO BE CONTINUED

Omai doubles gold mineral resource estimates in Guyana

deposits contribute to a more-thandoubling of the company’s Mineral Resource Estimate on the Omai property,” OGM stated.

According to OGM, this 1,907,600 ounces of gold (Indicated) Mineral Resource Estimate is a 171 per cent increase over the January MRE of 703,300 ounces; while the 1,777,600 ounces of gold (Inferred) is an 89 per cent increase over the January MRE of 940,000 ounces.

With regard to the Gilt Creek Deposit, which is north of the Wenot Deposit and below the past-producing Fennell Pit, some 1,151,000 ounces of gold (Indicated) at a grade of 3.22 g/t Au and 665,000 ounces of gold (Inferred) at a grade of 3.35 g/t Au were recorded.

Canada-based Omai Gold Mines (OMG)on Thursday announced that its miner al resource estimate across its gold property in Guyana has more than doubled.

In a statement, the compa ny explained that this updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) is based on its two gold deposits – the shear-hosted Wenot deposit and the adjacent intrusive-hosted Gilt Creek deposit – both located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

“This updated Mineral Resource Estimate includes an expansion to the Wenot Mineral Resource, which was announced in January 2022 and incorporates the Gilt Creek Deposit that lies below a former pit that produced 2.4 mil lion ounces of gold. Together, these

The company said an under ground mining approach was ap plied for this MRE. It was further noted that the Deposit is open to depth and holds the potential for lateral expansion.

In relation to the Wenot Deposit, the 756,600 ounces of gold (Indicated) is an eight per cent in crease over the initial January 2022 MRE. This new estimate shows that the 1,112,600 ounces of gold (Inferred) was an 18 per cent increase, while 1.34 g/t Au grade of Indicated MRE was a two per cent increase and 1.72 g/t Au grade of Inferred MRE was a 15 per cent in crease.

For this MRE, a constrained pit approach was applied at the Deposit, which has excellent explo ration potential along the Wenot shear corridor.

“We are extremely pleased with the results of this updated 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate.

People were the centre of...

In addition to more than doubling our NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate in nine months, we were able to accelerate and exceed our goal of bringing the Gilt Creek Gold Deposit and a Wenot Deposit expansion into the company’s MRE before year end 2022,” OGM President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Elaine Ellingham said.

The Wenot MRE incorporated 10,647 assay results from 579 di amond drill holes totalling 81,991 m within the mineralised wire frames. The Gilt Creek MRE, on the other hand, incorporated 7056

FROM

assay results from 46 diamond drill holes totalling 27,997 m with in the mineralised wireframes.

Impressed with results

According to the OGM President, “While modelling and evaluating the historical data on the Gilt Creek Gold Deposit ear lier this year, we were impressed by the extent of the gold-bearing quartz stockwork and dissemi nated mineralisation within this lower part of the Omai quartz-di orite stock. We are pleased that the higher density of drilling with in the upper part of this depos

it allowed two-thirds of the Gilt Creek Deposit MRE to be classi fied as Indicated, and at the 1.5 g/t Au cut-off grade, the 1,151,000 Indicated ounces are at an aver age grade of 3.22 g/t Au. It is sig nificant that mining of the upper 250m of this intrusive produced 2.4 million ounces of gold, illustrat ing the robust potential of this de posit. The Gilt Creek Deposit holds potential to expand both laterally, where there has been limited drill ing, and to significant depths, pro viding the potential for expanding the Gilt Creek Deposit through fu ture drilling.”

“Janet Jagan expanded our understanding of wom en’s rights. She saw wom en’s rights as going beyond something that is enacted in law and the Constitution. For her, women's rights were not paper rights, but must have social and economic dimen sions,” he stated.

The Guyanese Leader fur ther noted that many of the issues that Mrs Jagan fought for back then were still rele vant in today’s society and fundamental to the advance ment of women, and by ex tension, the development of society.

“This is a philosophy which guides us, our party and our government. We are committed wholeheartedly to ensuring not just the politi cal rights, but social and eco nomic rights of women and to especially ensuring that they receive equal treatment,” the President asserted.

Moreover, Ali stated that Mrs Jagan was not only part

of Guyana’s historic strug gle for independence but was a political vanguard in the country’s epic campaign for the restoration of democ racy. In fact, Ali said poli tics was a practice for Mrs Jagan, who was the first fe male President (December 1997 to August 1999) and Prime Minister (March 1997 to December 1997) to serve in Guyana to date.

“She was no book poli tician. She believed and in sisted on going out into the communities to meet, listen, learn and organise. This ex perience allowed her to have a first-hand grasp and un derstanding of the struggles of ordinary people. When she spoke, whether it was in the legislature or party meetings, she spoke from experience. She understood the reality on the ground, and she identi fied with the suffering of the working class.

“Her approach to politics was a practical approach. She was the unfaltering champi

on of the working class. While her commitment to the work ing class may have been in fluenced by her ideological stance, no one could dispute that first and foremost, she was a profound humanitar ian… She was always will ing to help ordinary people and to right whatever wrongs they have suffered. She was a fervent defender of the poor and powerless. Janet Jagan worked relentlessly to im prove their well-being. It was through her exertions that the party was able to build the party's support base at the grassroots. She was one of the ablest party organisers. Her ability to connect with ordinary citizens endeared the public to her and to the PPP,” the President declared.

Mrs Jagan, an American by birth, died in March 2009 – almost a decade after she stepped down from office, which she took over following the death of her husband in March 1999, because of her ill health.

Also present at Thursday’s celebration were several senior PPP mem bers including Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira; Head of PPP’s women’s arm, Indra Chandrapal; former President Donald Ramotar; former PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee and former PPP member Ralph Ramkarran, among others.

Omai Gold Mines CEO Elaine Ellingham

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Denial of Local Content certification

Arguments in Ramps Logistics’ judicial review case against Govt set for Nov 11

Trussed...

…and dumped

Well, just when we Guyanese are able to travel up to Old Blighty without a visa – first time since we cut that umbilical cord in 1966, before when Government department heads used to actually get an allowance to return “home”!! – comes another sign that the old “mother country” ain’t doin’ so good. Liz Truss has made history for a rather dubious reason – she’s now the shortest serving Prime Minister since the office was created in 1721!! And it’s not like she was overthrown, like the PPP back in 1953 after 133 days; she resigned on her own, 45 days after Queen Elizabeth appointed her in her last official act!!

An application filed in the Demerara High Court by Ramps Logistics (Guyana), seek ing judicial review of the Government’s decision to deny the company Local Content certification, will be heard on November 11 by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC.

A case management con ference (CMC) for the ap plication, which was filed late last month, was held on Thursday, during which Justice George fixed strict timelines by which the par ties must file certain legal documents ahead of next month’s hearing.

Ramps Logistics (appli cant) has retained the ser vices of Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo. Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat; Director of Local Content, Martin Pertab; and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, (respondents) are being represented by lawyers from the Attorney General’s Chambers, led

by Solicitor General Nigel Hawke.

In its application, Ramps Logistics has said it is a “Guyanese company”, and contends that Government’s decision to refuse its appli cation for a Local Content Certificate is not only “un lawful, unreasonable and arbitrary”, but breaches the

Local Content Act 2021.

The company has claimed it had satisfied all the nec essary preconditions to be registered, and is therefore seeking a court order com pelling the Government to issue the certificate and reg ister it in the Local Content Secretariat.

The company has com plained that it has been severely affected by the Government’s decision, and is thus entitled to damages against the respondents. In an affidavit in support of its pleadings, Ramps Logistics’ Logistics Director Samantha Cole has deposed that if the company is not added to the Local Content Register, it will be forced to reduce its operations and dismiss a majority of its employees.

Ramps Logistics has also claimed that it followed all the requisite guidelines, but, without any explanation, the Government has denied its application for a Local Content Certificate via an “automated” email.

Besides seeking an order compelling the Government to issue it with a Local Content Certificate, and being awarded damag es, Ramps Logistics is also seeking costs against the re spondents.

In a letter to Ramps Logistics, Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Martin Pertab, has informed the company that among the reasons for the denial of the Local Content Certificate was its failure to provide ac curate information in com pliance with Guyana’s Local Content Law.

Also included in the rea sons is Ramps Logistics’ submission of questionable documents, which did not clearly state the amend ments to incorporation, and the failure to have its Executive Board of Directors be 75 per cent Guyanese.

At a press conference, Ramps Logistics Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaun Rampersad had related that the compa ny divested 51 per cent ownership of its Guyana op erations to Trinidad-based investor Deepak Lall, who has Guyanese parentage, to bring its operations in compliance with the Local Content Law.

Guyana’s Local Content Act defines a local compa ny as one incorporated un der the Companies Act, and is beneficially owned by Guyanese nationals. Beneficial ownership is de fined as owning 51 per cent of the company. Additionally, a local company is expected to have Guyanese in at least 75 per cent of executive and se nior management positions, and at least 90 per cent in non-managerial and other positions.

Lall’s grandfather and father are both Guyanaborn, but migrated in 1961, and, out of Trinidad, the family now operates one of the largest oil and gas com panies in the Caribbean. In fact, Lall’s grandfather was in the petroleum business in Guyana, operating a gas sta tion – Lall’s Esso Station at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), during the 1950s.

So, what’s going on?? A letter writer from Linden - now based in Britain - described the hellhole that “life in London” is becoming again. Like in the 1970s, when it was like any Third World sh*thole! Margaret Thatcher then jumped in with her neo-liberal “austerity for the poor and cake for the rich” policies to pull it from the abyss - and then into prosperity based on making money on money. As the British real economy - producing real goods – shrunk, the City of London conjured up money through the legerdemain of derivatives and such like!! The bottom of that barrel had to fall off eventually, and Liz Truss is simply the victim of a vain flailing to fix what’s broken beyond repair!!

She’d taken over from Boris Johnson, who’d resigned after less than three years! Meaning, with Truss’s successor, Britain’s gonna have four PMs in 4 years!! The question right now is: “Who’ll succeed Truss?” but really it should be: “What policies will succeed Truss’s?”!! She’d just cogged from Thatcher’s neo-liberal playbook to offer all sorts of tax breaks to “encourage” investments - without showing how the Treasury would cover the funds from those taxes. Meaning, the UK was going the way of the US in generating a black hole of debts! The market in which all faith lies in this dispensation hit the roof as the pound plunged and bonds’ interests skyrocketed. Looks like she didn’t realise that circumstances had inevitably changed from Thatcher’s time!!

Truss summarily fired her Chancellor of the Exchequer (and close friend) Kwasi Kwarteng – as if she hadn’t boasted about the policies Kwarteng had implemented!! – and reversed gears. But it was too late, and it looks like Britain has entered the realm of Italy and the Balkans as far as governmental stability’s concerned. Whoever succeeds Truss will be facing a winter of discontent not seen since Charles I was beheaded in 1649. The inflationary ripples from the Ukraine War have already kicked in, and ain’t going nowhere but up!

Nowadays, the resignations of PMs are the new beheadings!!

…and gang-raped

Poor Haiti. At long last, Caricom’s making some noises about the latest disaster that’s been unfolding for the umpteenth time in that unfortunate country!! Ironically (or cynically), those same Caricom countries never fail to hail the seminal role Haiti played in fighting against our common Caribbean history of slavery and its never-ending structural effects. Haiti was the first and only slave society that fought the European colonial power on the battlefield and freed itself.

Only to see that freedom turn to a bitter poison through the interventions of the US and the old power France. Haiti suffered from “neo-colonialism” even when the old colonialism was still going strong!! Anyhow, beleaguered by gangs with greater control of the country than the Government, the US and Canada have finally sent some equipment to bolster the official forces’ response. Nothing like the US$1trillion worth of arms to Ukraine!!

Meanwhile, Caricom has dithered, rather than commit troops. We just can’t cry for Haiti!! We must stand shoulderto-shoulder right now!!

…top 10%?

Xi Jinping seems to be taking aim at the top 10%, who own 70% of China’s wealth and earn 14 times what the bottom 50% does!! Doesn’t look good for a “communist” country pushing egalitarianism, does it??

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Director of Local Content, Martin Pertab

Natural Resources Minister

Vickram Bharrat

(Guyana), Shaun Rampersad

Trinidad-based investor Deepak Lall

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

CCJ says will work diligently, incessantly to build public trust in court …following release of embargoed judgement by AG Nandlall

knowledged the unautho rised Facebook post, and is sued on behalf of his client a full and unqualified apolo gy. The Court has also been advised that the Attorney General, the Honourable Mohabir Anil Nandlall, has also issued an apology on his Facebook page for what was apparently a reckless error on the part of a staffer.”

integrity, impartiality and independence, the CCJ has informed that to ensure the highest standards of confi dentiality and probity are maintained, it would con tinuously keep under re view its policy of sending advanced copies of its judg ments to attorneys-at-law.

Calling Tuesday’s release of an em bargoed judge ment on Attorney General Anil Nandlall’s Facebook page “inexcusable”, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in a statement on Thursday, assured that its Judges and staff will contin ue to work diligently and in cessantly to build the pub lic’s trust and confidence in the regional court.

The CCJ has said that, like some other apex courts, it has a practice of sending advance copies of its judg ments to all the lawyers rep

resenting the parties to a case, and this is done within 24 hours of the formal issu ance of the judgment.

“The intent is to give the lawyers an opportuni ty not to relitigate the dis pute, but to comment on any perceived errors in the draft. The advance cop ies are clearly marked “CONFIDENTIAL”, and counsel is warned to treat with them in the strictest confidence pending the de livery of the judgment,” the statement explained.

The CCJ has made clear it is extremely disappoint

ed to learn that, in a case in which Nandlall was a party, before the formal delivery of the judgment, the result of the litigation was published on the Attorney General’s Facebook account.

The CCJ has said that at a formal sitting to pro nounce the judgment the following day (Wednesday), Justice Jacob Wit drew the attention of Solicitor General Nigel Hawkecounsel for the Attorney General, who was not pres ent for the hearing - to the obvious breach.

“Counsel readily ac

According to the CCJ, the unauthorised and pre mature disclosure of the re sult of the litigation is in excusable, as it betrays the confidence of the Court; and given the fact that it em anated from the Facebook account of the person hold ing the office of the Attorney General, it serves to bring the entire administration of justice into disrepute.

Emphasising that it prides itself on the mea sures it takes to enhance its

Pursuant to the un dertaking given by the Solicitor General, the fol lowing apology was posted on Nandlall’s Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon:

“Yesterday while I am overseas on official govern ment business, an adminis trator of my Facebook page, unauthorisedly, made a post which disclosed some con tents of an advanced confi dential copy of the judgment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the case of Attorney General v Monica Thomas et al [2022] CCJ 15

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

(AJ) GY.

“That judgment was sent by the CCJ, to all at torneys-at-law in that case. As soon as this post was brought to my attention, it was removed. I hereby of fer to the CCJ my sincer est apologies for this grave error. Absolutely no disre spect or ill-motive inspired, was intended, or was con nected with this post.”

Govt sets March 13, 2023...

In fact, at a press con ference on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton was questioned about APNU’s partici pation at the LGE, as GECOM continued its preparation for the host ing of the polls.

However, he main tained that the party would not divulge its par ticipation or lack thereof.

“The question of elec tions has to do with strate gy and tactic, and we think strategically we don’t need to say it at this time. We

FROM PAGE 3

know what we need to say at our membership. We know we have to do – our preparation. We will do that. But we will decide at the right time what we say in terms of participation or non-participation,” he ex plained.

6 orphaned siblings receive house through First Lady's initiative

First Lady Arya Ali to day handed over the keys to a new house to six siblings from the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), who became orphans af ter their parents died a few years ago.

The eldest of the six, Deeyawd Rasheed, 28, col lected the keys to the 910 square-foot house which was built at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Last year, Rasheed con

tacted the Office of the First Lady, requesting a meeting with Mrs Ali to discuss is sues that the family was fac ing. At the time, the siblings were living with a relative whom they claimed had con stantly threatened to evict them.

The mother of the sib lings tragically died of heart failure in 2019. The following year, tragedy again struck when their father perished in a fire at the home where they lived. That house, which

was burnt flat, was built on Government reserves.

The First Lady made a commitment to the fami ly that she would provide them with a new house, con sidering the difficulties they were facing. A piece of land was then acquired and paid for through the Ministry of Housing and Water, and con struction began.

One year after, and with support from corporate sponsors, Mrs Ali present ed the six siblings with their

three-bedroom house, which was also partially furnished.

“We are doing this for you guys because we want you all to know that we care. I am presenting you this house with much love in my heart today because I am happy for you. I am happy that you have your own home, and to know that you will not have to worry about being put out,” Mrs Ali told five of the six siblings who were pres ent.

She encouraged the sib lings to ensure that they remain close and support ive of each other, and that they cherish and care for the house, of which they are now owners.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Rasheed expressed gratitude to the First Lady for fulfilling her promise to them. He said that amidst the difficulties, the siblings remained optimistic that life would get better for them

because the First Lady had committed to helping them.

“So, I want to thank you a thousand and one times, First Lady, for doing this for us. We really appreciate your help, and will take care of this home,” an emotional Rasheed said.

The house was furnished with a sofa, television, refrig erator, gas stove, dining ta ble and chairs, beds, a clos et, night stand, carpets, and centre table.

56 persons rendered homeless from 29 fires in Berbice for 2022 – GFS

Atotal

of 56 persons have been rendered home less as a result of fires that occurred in Berbice thus far for 2022.

This is according to statis tics released by the Guyana Fire Service on Wednesday. Those stats have shown that 29 fires have thus far been re corded in the Ancient County, resulting in the total destruc tion of 18 buildings. Besides total destruction, two build ings were severely dam aged and nine were slight ly damaged from those fires. Moreover, four motor vehicles have been destroyed.

During a media briefing, Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald reported that caus es of those fires ranged from electrical malfunction to mali cious acts. He added that the division has had to respond to 217 calls in relation to fires, of which 44 were malicious false alarm calls. McDonald has

warned that the authorities will move to prosecute per sons who call the Fire Service in pranks to report false fires.

Collectively the fire sta tions in the county of Berbice: New Amsterdam and Rose Hall Town, which are in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), and Onverwagt in Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) make up the Berbice Fire Division. They have re sponded to 84 vegetation fires which were as a result of the weather condition.

Meanwhile, in observance of Fire Prevention Week, McDonald has advised people to be careful when purchasing electrical equipment.

“Whenever you go to buy those electrical strips and so, you should buy those which are recommended by the National Bureau of Standards,” he advised.

Many consumers have been complaining about the

poor quality of some electri cal appliances available on the market. Some have been found to overheat, thereby raising the potential of caus ing fire.

Meanwhile, among the activities planned are sensi tisation and awareness out reaches to businesses and Government agencies, includ ing schools. Also, McDonald had indicated that 30 water hydrants would soon be in stalled in Region Six across the Corentyne.

On Thursday the first one was installed at Rose Hall Town, making it the first time a water hydrant is in that town.

A fire safety workshop was also hosted by the me dia personnel in Berbice on Wednesday. Among some of the issues dealt with were the impact of fires, and the need for education and safety mea sures.

The First Lady in discussion with the siblings

The house that was handed over to the siblings

International Day of the Air Traffic Controller

Steady increase in flights requires more air traffic controllers – Min Edghill

environmental constraints.”

In Budget 2022, the Government allocated $2 billion to the aviation sector to enhance the air naviga tion of aircraft, upgraded the Instrument Landing System (ILS), and the Automatic Dependence SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B) system was introduced to help im prove efficiency and create a safe air traffic control sys tem.

“Individual controllers must provide safe aircraft navigation within the air space. Air traffic controllers must maintain a safety cul

The steady increase in aircraft moving within Guyana’s airspace will require additional human re source support in the form of air traffic controllers to man age these operations.

Taking this position on Thursday was Public Works Minister Juan Edghill as Guyana joined the inter national community in ob serving International Day of the Air Traffic Controller – a brainchild of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATCA).

“Here in Guyana, our Government is conscious of aviation’s importance to our economic development through the movement of goods and people. The avi ation landscape continues to evolve and in this change process, the aviation sector is even more dynamic, thus presenting new opportuni ties and challenges. Guyana must be ready and equipped

to respond to the sector’s challenges,” the Minister outlined.

At the Eugene F Correia International Airport, air traffic controllers service 135 landings and take offs daily. There are 22 offshore flights and 11 landings and takeoffs at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with 50 aircraft overflying Guyana’s airspace.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), through the Civil Aviation Training School (CATS,) has conducted six essential train ing programmes that benefit ed 56 air traffic controllers, among which were 17 being trained as Air Traffic Control Assistance and Aeronautical Information Management Officers.

Edghill continued in his statement, “Air traffic con trollers must constantly adapt to continually evolving procedures, changing tech nical systems and social and

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

ture to keep air travel the safest mode of transporta tion,” he asserted.

As he lauded the work of these professionals in the aviation sector, the Minister noted, “Let’s celebrate the in dividual air traffic controller who strives each minute to give the utmost service to the flying public, to bring them safely to their destination.

As Minister with responsi bility for the aviation sector in Guyana, I also recognise the efforts, salute the accom plishments and service ded ication of all Guyanese air traffic controllers.”

St Stanislaus College gets $5.5M smart classroom

laptop computers, the proj ect saw the rehabilitation of the room include electrical works, renovations to the floor, and the installation of lights and an air-condition ing unit.

In brief remarks, Minister Manickchand high lighted that the smart class room would allow for tech nology-infused learning, and she noted that it would not only enhance the way teach ers deliver lessons, but also the way students learn. Further, she noted that commissioning of the smart classroom is in keeping with the MoE’s vision of incorpo rating technology to trans form the education sector.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Thursday commis sioned a smart classroom at St. Stanislaus College to the

tune of $5.5 million.

In addition to outfitting the classroom with an in teractive board and cam era, along with desktop and

The implementation of smart classrooms is integral to creating equity and ac cess across the country, the Minister has said. She also commended the institution for its blended approach to

education delivery.

A new Board of Governors of St. Stanislaus

Omai doubles gold mineral resource...

CEO Ellingham went on to note that the company’s initial plan was to complete further drilling on the Wenot Deposit prior to this MRE. However, the opportunity to accelerate the inclusion of Gilt Creek into the MRE drove the decision to pro ceed with the updated MRE rather than continuing with Wenot drilling at the time.

Nevertheless, she point ed out that when drilling re sumes later this year, ad ditional drilling at Wenot

would be included as part of the programme and was ex pected to contribute to future Mineral Resource updates.

“The Wenot shear corri dor can be traced eight km (kilometres) across the Omai property. Wenot’s past pro duction of 1.37 million ounc es of gold plus our current Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate is both hosted within about 2.5km of strike along this shear corridor.

Much of the corridor has seen little exploration and

it is one of our priority areas for both our current and 2023 exploration programmes,” Ellingham posited.

2022 Exploration Programme

Meanwhile, OGM said that while the Mineral Resource Estimates have been underway, the explora tion team commenced a geo chemical survey along the eastern extension of the pro lific Wenot shear corridor.

The shear and the central shear contact can be traced

at least an additional five km east of the Wenot pit, across the Omai property and this is a high-priority area for ex ploration. The combination of anomalous gold values in historic auger samples and magnetic data suggests sev eral areas along this trend as holding potential for new dis coveries.

It was noted that trench ing has commenced on the lower flank of Broccoli Hill in the vicinity of a large mag netic feature believed to be

College has also been in stalled Thursday afternoon; and Minister Manickchand

FROM PAGE 7

another intrusive body, sim ilar to that hosting the Gilt Creek Deposit. The compila tion is underway on the ex ploration work completed earlier this year in a number of areas, to refine drill tar gets.

According to the gold company, there are sev eral interesting target ar eas across the Omai proper ty that warrant exploration and it would balance inves tigating their potential with continuing to build Mineral

has encouraged the board members to serve in the best interest of the school.

Resources at the Wenot and Gilt Creek Deposits.

In the past 18 months, OGM said it has been very successful at building a sub stantial Mineral Resource base. For the remainder of 2022 and into 2023, the com pany expects to continue this strategy of expanding its Wenot Mineral Resource in the short term, balanced with pursuing targets with high potential for significant new discoveries.

Minister Priya Manickchand and the Headmistress, teachers, and new Board of Governors of the St Stanislaus College

Education Minister Priya Manickchand assisting two students to cut the ribbon to ceremonially commission the smart classroom

Sterling Products Limited rewards students who excelled at NGSA

Development and Quality Assurance Manager, Robert Ross wished the children well in their secondary school jour ney and reminded them that they were future leaders, not ing that the company would continue this tradition in years to come.

“It is always a privilege to be part of this process, so we must invest in you, because you are the future leaders as you continue to pursue your education,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Chief Education Officer, Davendra Persaud lauded the success of the children.

“Parents, it does not mat

ter which school your child was awarded at the Grade Six Assessment, they can do well wherever they were placed. All schools use the same cur riculum to teach the chil dren,” Persaud noted.

“To the children, make use of this opportunity and be good ambassadors at which ever school you’re attend ing. I know in five years you will make your parents proud at the CSEC [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] examination. You will just need five subjects with grades 1-3 to attend any tertiary educational institu tion in Guyana.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) General Secretary, Sherwood Clarke, who stressed the need for children to uphold values and prin ciples throughout their aca demic journey.

“Defend yourself with principles and values and fo cus on the right things for the development of Guyana,” Clarke urged.

The parents expressed appreciation to Sterling Products Limited for contin uously investing in the ac ademic development of the children.

Inkeeping with its an nual tradition, Sterling Products Limited has rewarded nine children who were successful at the 2022 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Each child received a cash award of $80,000 during a

ceremony at the company’s of fice in Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) last week.

The annual bursary pro gramme has been in place for over two decades and the monetary award is present ed to children who attained at least 70 per cent at the exams.

The awardees were Treon Anthony Webster, Anjali Poliah, Antwon Reece, Kishan Ramroop, Manish Vivaykanand, Naiomie Ramdoo, Romana Shavanie Baldeo, Urecella Chung, and Andrew Ramchandra.

The company’s

Four of the bursary recipients and their parents

The East Bank Diwali Motorcade is set for staging on the evening of Saturday October 22, and it will be followed by a grand cultural extravaganza at the Diamond Tarmac, in which would be featured the Caribbean Hotshot Band, the Dubraj Tassa Drummers, and many other acts.

To date, 15 floats are confirmed to participate in

the small and large categories of the motorcade, and $1 million would be up for grabs in cash and trophies. The floats will assemble at the G3 Building before making their way to the Diamond Tarmac, where they will be judged by a team of experts.

This evening, all roads in East Berbice would lead to the East Canje Ground and the Albion Community

Centre Ground for the Lower and Central Corentyne Motorcades.

On Saturday also, the compound of the Ocean View Mandir at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara would be illuminated as the West Side hosts its annual spectacle.

Meanwhile, the winners of the various motorcades would assemble at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbellville, Georgetown on Sunday, October 23, for the grand event. The illuminated vehicles depicting the various forms of Mother Latchmi would make their way to the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground, ECD 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 inaugural “Rockstone Fish Extravaganza” is set for this Sunday, October 23, and more than $500,000 in prizes would be up for grabs.

Monetary prizes and trophies would be awarded to the persons who catch the biggest fish and the smallest fish respectively, and also to the person who has caught the most fishes. There will also be a fish cleaning and cooking competition.

Apart from the fish-catching aspect of the extravaganza, there will be several side attractions to cater to the entire family. These include bike races, road races, bird watching, and a packed cultural presentation that includes dances, skits and poems. There will also be the boat tours, island fete, Kayaking, and overnight camping.

The Annual Fish Festival was postponed for the past two years because of the

has, however, been planned as a ‘bounce-back’ into regular programming. Those who wish to participate in the ‘Rockstone Fish Extravaganza’ would have to pay $10,000 to enter, and a maximum of three persons would be allowed in one boat.

The fishing expedition starts at 5:30h on Sunday,

return by 14:00h for judging and presentation. There will be stewards on each boat to avoid any conflict that may arise with respect to the respective catch. For those who would be travelling up to Rockstone on Sunday, a small fee will be collected at the check point. The day is expected to be funfilled, with lots of excitement.

The Annual Hosanna African Praise Concert will be held this evening at the National Cultural Centre (NCC). This event is returning after two years of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it features a great line-up of fantastic worship singers. Those slated

to perform are Samuel Medas, Saiku, Lioden Henry, Cardel Hunte and the Peksband. The performers are well known for their ministry in song and praise, and, come this evening, the NCC will be permeated with anointed music.

Those attending the concert are asked to dress in African wear, and there will be lots of giveaways for the best dressed persons. The concert gets underway at 18:00h, and admission to this red-carpet event is absolutely free.

The wait is finally over, and it is now time for three nights of non-stop laughter when the theatrical production ‘Nothing to Laugh About 13’ is hosted at the National Cultural Centre.

The local comedy production opens on October 29 and will run for three days. Taking the stage will be some well-known faces in comedy, as the list includes Michael Ignatius, Leza “Radika” Singh, Linden “Jumby” Jones, Mark Kazim, Mark Luke Edwards, Sonia Yarde and the famous Sir Kerwin Mars, among others.

as the entertainment is set for both young and old. More importantly, it is the first time the event is being hosted in two years.

This year’s production is guaranteed to be a grand showdown, with comedy beyond expectation. The spectacle will include a series of plot twists blended into the presentations, as well as flamboyant costumes to match every character as the cast zooms in on political and other events occurring throughout the year to add to their humorous twists.

Tickets for this theatrical spectacular cost $2500, $2000 and $1500, and are available at

GYSBI, SES receive approval for Local Content Master Plans

stitutions in Guyana to pro vide sponsorships and/or internship opportunities; and incorporating the re quirements of the Act and the Procurement and Bid Evaluation Guideline is sued by the Secretariat into their procurement strategy, among other measures.

GYSBI Deputy General Manager Rabin Chandarpal, who received the approv al from Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat at a simple ceremony on Wednesday, said that since its inception in 2017, GYSBI has focused on the develop ment of local content and creating beneficial opportu nities for Guyanese workers

and vendors within the oil and gas sector.

“We have more than 600 Guyanese current ly employed within our op erations, including a large number of females and 85 per cent of our supply chain, with the exception of special ised goods and services such as the purchase of cranes, go to Guyanese vendors. We want to see value generated from Guyana’s offshore re sources remaining in the do mestic economy and being used to develop the lives of Guyanese. GYSBI has been, and will always remain, committed to identifying, promoting and maximising the capacity of Guyanese

Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) and its sister company, Sustainable Environmental Solutions (SES) on Wednesday received approv al for their Local Content Master Plans from the Local Content Secretariat of the Natural Resources Ministry.

The Master Plans are a requirement of the Local Content Policy, which was passed in Parliament in December 2021 by the Government.

The approval from the Ministry signifies that

GYSBI and SES have both demonstrated, through their Master Plan submissions, their commitment to fos tering local content in their operations by prioritising Guyanese nationals for em ployment; having policies aimed at non-discrimina tion and equal treatment of Guyanese nationals; imple menting training and other programmes to build the ca pacity of both their employ ees and the larger Guyanese workforce; coordinating with industrial and techni cal education training in

Inquest into death of Qualfon employee ongoing

The inquest into the death of 18-year-old

Ronella Benfield, who was found dead in a cem etery at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) almost five years ago, is con tinuing at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts after being put on pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benfield, a reception ist who had been attached to Qualfon, and a resi dent of Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, ECD, was discovered dead by residents on the evening of December 11, 2017. Her hands were resting on her chest, while the pair of jeans she was wearing had been pulled down to her knees.

The teen had left home for work on December 9, 2019, and when she did not return home, her relatives had been under the impres sion that she was working overtime. However, much to their dismay, they received a call informing that her body was lying in the cem etery.

Investigators had been working on the theory that the teen might have been sexually assaulted before her face was bashed in with a heavy object, believed to be a stone. The teen’s relatives were questioned by investi

gators about her social life and acquaintances. Police had even visited the homes of several young men in the area, who are believed to be members of a gang.

According to a notice pub lished by Sueanna Lovell, Registrar of the Supreme Court of Judicature, 24 wit nesses, including Police ranks, will gave evidence in the inquest before Magistrate Alisa George. An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, particularly one held to de termine the cause of a per son’s death and to determine if anyone is to be held liable.

nationals and companies throughout all facets of our operations,” he said.

The two companies had, earlier this year, also re ceived their Local Content Certificates, after satisfy ing the requirements for Guyanese ownership.

GYSBI serves as the preferred onshore support for oil and gas operators in Guyana, offering services ranging from warehousing, construction, supply chain management to expatriate management and customs and logistics services while SES offers hazardous and non-hazardous waste man agement and tank cleaning services.

Several drivers arrested during "Safe Road" campaign in Regions 3,7

Operation Safe Road, spearheaded by the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department, is continuing, and sever al drivers have been ar rested during the cam paign’s rollout in Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

In this leg of the country wide campaign, ranks from the Leonora Police Station’s Traffic Department have ar rested several errant drivers for tinted glass, breach of condition of road service li cence, and obscure ID mark.

Similarly, over at Potaro Road in Bartica, traffic ranks have made the follow ing cases of breach of con dition of prescribed fitness, prohibition of tinted glass, failure to produce driver’s

licence, uncertified motor vehicle, obscure ID mark, motor vehicle causing ob struction, and breach of con dition of road service licence.

Dubbed ‘Operation Safe Road’, the campaign has seen traffic ranks in all the divisions rigorously enforc ing the laws as those relate to making roads safer for motorists, commuters, pe destrians, and the general public.

Some of the common of fences relate to speeding, failure to wear a seat belt, uncertified motor vehicle, prohibition of tinted glass es, unlicensed motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, failure to conform to traffic signs, careless driving, dou ble lines, breach of insur ance, unlicensed driver, and breach of traffic light.

Under ‘Operation, Safe Road’ ranks within various divisions have launched a comprehensive campaign to go after errant owners and drivers of vehicle that com mit these breaches.

A vehicle’s front wind shield, the driver’s side, and the front passenger’s side window can all be tinted, but that tint must allow the penetration of light, accord ing to the Police Force.

This week, Police in Regional Division 4’B’ have pulled over vehicles sus pected of having windows on which extra tinting was ap plied. Also, on Monday, sim ilar exercises were conduct ed by ranks of the Traffic Headquarters at Eve Leary and along the East Bank of Demerara against motor ve hicles with coloured lights and graphic designs.

Another traffic exercise was held on Tuesday on the Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

This move comes just as the Public Works Ministry has launched its campaign for safer roads by releasing a series of videos on how to properly use the roadways and structures like round abouts. The myriad of safety measures around zones like schools include pedestri an sidewalks, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, road markings, and traffic signs.

At the time, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill spe cifically noted that the cul ture of minibuses flouting traffic laws while operating on Guyana’s roadways must come to an end, signalling intentions of authorities to clamp down on such prac tices.

Arguments in Ramps Logistics’ judicial...

According to the CEO, Lall bought 51 per cent shares for $210M, and the monies were earmarked for two major projects for the company – a new car go airline for additional air lift into and out of Guyana, and a new shipping line to move cargo among Guyana, Trinidad, and Suriname.

In October, the Guyana

Revenue Authority (GRA) had instituted 10 charges against Ramps Logistics (Guyana) over alleged ly false declarations made. According to the GRA, these charges, filed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, are in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01, and stem from a re

cently completed investi gation carried out by its Law Enforcement and Investigations Division.

The 10 charges are not the first run-in Ramps Logistics, a Trinidad-based company, has had with the Revenue Authority here. It was revealed in June this year that the company was fined $20 million by GRA

for violating local customs laws.

Ramps Logistics acts as the agent of motor ves sel Seacor Mixteca, and, ac cording to GRA, had failed to report the vessel depart ing Guyana, which violates the Customs Act; hence the fine was paid in lieu of court proceedings being institut ed against the company.

Vehicles pulled in by the Police for breaches

Persons removing the tint from their vehicles

Dead: Ronella Benfield

Guyana Shore Base Inc Deputy General Manager Rabin Chandarpal receives the Local Content Master Plan Approval from Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

NCERD focusing on bringing Maths curriculum “alive”

ences with a balance of as sessment experience…The strands (number and opera tions, patterns and sequence, measurement, geometry and data handle) in the [prima ry] Mathematics curricu lum have been tended to in a way that it brings inclusive learning strategies and as sessment strategies to a bal ance,” he explained.

When the strands are knitted, they create an expe rience with space for learn ing outside of the classroom with culturally relevant ele ments to Guyana.

The NCERD Unit Head explained that students were not placed in a box and forced to learn elements of the curriculum in a struc tured manner. Now, the cur riculum meets the needs of those who absorb informa tion differently and works on ensuring children grasp the concepts being taught.

“We say inclusive be cause we want to make it as Guyanese as possible. We want to make it inclusive in that it caters for all types of learners. In Mathematics, we have to reach out to dif

ferent types of learners. We have different attitudes to learning and children with different needs even though they have the potential. The skills lie in the teachers to meet those needs,” he further explained.

It was shared that in a majority of settings, Mathematics is frowned upon, and is often linked to a previous unpleasing expe rience. This can later create a mental block to the subject. This is being addressed by fostering an enabling envi ronment for teachers to per

form adequately and learn ers to be inspired by the subject.

“What inspires you to learn Math is much more than doing the mundane things or dreary attitude to Math…If you want to ask a question, sometimes there is a level of harshness that cre ates that climate. However, really and truly, it is a beau tiful subject. Great teachers are the ones who stimulate and create that climate for such to happen. Teachers are the facilitators,” the NCERD official detailed.

TheNational Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) has been deploy ing resources and develop ing new strategies to im prove Mathematics delivery throughout the country, and by doing so, bringing the cur riculum alive.

The Mathematics Unit at NCERD is responsible for the development of the cur riculum and other resourc es for the successful delivery of Mathematics to Guyanese learners from nursery to sec ondary level.

During the Education Spotlight programme on Wednesday, the Head of the Mathematics Unit at NCERD, Vishnu Panday un derscored that this subject area played an integral part in the national education

sector.

“NCERD has revised or re-engineered the curricu lum for Mathematics. We have spent quite a number of years doing that. It took a journey from consultations to engagement with educa tion stakeholders to the theo retical perspective of how we will be dealing with Math,” Panday stated.

The new curriculum was built to meet the needs of dif ferent learners in the school system and responds to the new digital age that is tak ing over the world. Hands-on activities in an experiential way are one of the prime fo cuses in the primary sector.

“With that change, we had to respond with this curriculum. Re-engineering our capacity and ability to construct learning experi

NIS staffers undergo customer care training amid heavy criticism

Inlight of a myriad of criticisms levied against the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) in relation to services and lengthy waiting times, staffers on Thursday underwent a Customer Service and Care Training to remedy these issues.

This training was man dated by Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh in an effort to enhance service delivery to the public.

NIS General Manager Holly Greaves told employ ees that as frontline workers at the institution, they had a responsibility to execute their respective duties prop erly and effectively.

“Because of the heavy criticism at the National Insurance Scheme with customer service, you are the frontline workers and you are the ones that have to make the effort to bring about these changes, not only one…customer care. There is a difference be tween customer service and customer care. You have to show the care by looking and making sure that when they appear before you the first time, you make sure that the documents are checked properly so that the claims can be processed on time,” Greaves told staffers.

The General Manager highlighted that NIS provid ed services to some people who depend on these mon ies as their only source of in come. It is unfortunate that many have to return sever al times to the office to make queries.

NIS Director Gillian Burton-Persaud noted that from outreaches to vari ous communities, they were made aware of recurring challenges affecting persons. For the most part, contribu tors and other stakeholders were dissatisfied with the level of service at some point in time.

The training is the step ping stone in addressing the holistic customer care issues before taking action against individuals flouting their duties or performing below par.

The Director under scored, “Where the NIS is concerned, the Board of Directors decided that we were not going to sit every

month, look at reports, pro nounce on it and make de cisions just like that. We were going to work with the entire organisation as a team…We, as a team, felt that it was our shoulders to ensure that we have these situations corrected before we can take further action against those persons who have a very irresponsible and lackadaisical attitude to work.”

The NIS management is foreseeing a turnaround in customer care following this activity, where the mindset of staffers is changed to ser vice the population better.

“The Government is in the mode of ensuring that each and every Guyanese worker is trained as we go forward into a new era of development, as we work towards the goal of a One Guyana scenario. The only way we can achieve those levels of development is if when we are trained, we put what we have been taught

into practice,” she added.

The training was fa cilitated by Head of the Diaspora Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Rosalinda Rasul, who noted that then complaints have been extended to Guyanese living abroad. Many of them had indicated that they were facing difficulties in access ing their pensions, and were getting the ‘royal runaround’ to get their issues sorted.

“We have been receiv ing a lot of complaints from Guyanese all across the globe about no less than NIS… The Honorary Consuls con nect with us and give a lot of complaints where elder ly persons there are not get ting their pension. They’re getting the royal runaround from a distance whenev er they try to access NIS,” Rasul zeroed in.

Rather than fixing indi vidual problems, this is a systematic one that had to be weeded out.

Head of the Mathematics Unit at NCERD, Vishnu Panday

NIS Director Gillian Burton-Persaud

GPSU asks High Court to rule imposed 7% salary increase unlawful

…says Govt refused to meet with Union to negotiate wages

a meeting was convened on November 4, 2020, led by Public Service Minister Sonia Parag, at which no decision was made, as the Minister declared that she had not been mandated to enter into these discussions with the Union.

By Feona Morrison

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has, in the Demerara High Court, instituted le gal proceedings against the Government over what it terms a “unilateral” seven per cent salary increase that was announced last year for public servants.

By way of a Fixed Date Application (FDA) against the Attorney General and Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry (the defendants), the GPSU is asking the court to de clare that, in the absence of consultation between the Government and the Union, the salary increase is con trary to the provisions of the Trade Union Recognition Act, and is therefore unlaw ful.

Among other things, the GPSU is asking the court to order the defendants to en ter into meaningful negotia tions with the Union, in ac cordance with the relevant laws. It is claiming damag es of over $2 million against the defendants for breach

of the terms, conditions and procedures set out in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Union and the Public Service Ministry for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes, as contained in Appendix Q1 of the Public Service Rules 1987 and the Memorandum of Agreement between the Union, the Federated Union of Government Employees, and the Public Service Ministry’s Terms of Resumption of Work, dated June 23, 1999; and for op pressive conduct.

In a letter dated September 1, 2020, the GPSU said it wrote to the Public Service Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, re questing the commencement of negotiations in respect of salaries, wages and allow ances for the year 2020. In the correspondence, it re quested that the matter be treated urgently in order to avoid a unilateral endof-year imposition without the necessary consultation, and it enclosed its proposals within that correspondence.

According to the GPSU,

With no further response having been received and no further meeting having been convened, the GPSU said, by letter dated December 14, 2020, it wrote to President Dr Irfaan Ali, bringing to his attention that de spite its request, no meet ing or conference had been convened, as contemplat ed by the Collective Labour Agreements in force.

Because no declaration was made by the Government in December 2020 in respect to increases in wages, sala ries, and allowances for per sons employed in the Public Service, the GPSU submit ted, it again wrote to the Permanent Secretary - this time on March 11, 2021 - re questing that a meeting be convened urgently to begin negotiations for wages, sal aries and allowances for the years 2020 and 2021.

The GPSU submit ted that on November 18, 2021, without any meet ing or conference having been convened between the Union and the defendants, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

Singh, in an address to the public, announced that the Government had decided to award a seven per cent in crease to Public Servants, retroactive to January 1, 2021.

The Union has com plained that, as at the date of the filing of the FDA, the Government has failed and/ or refused to meet with it to discuss and negotiate the wages, salaries, and allow ances of Public Servants, as is expressly contemplat ed by the relevant Collective Labour Agreements and the Trade Union Recognition Act, Chapter 98:07.

The GPSU, which rep resents thousands of Public

Servants, argues that pur suant to Article 149C of the Constitution of Guyana, in its capacity as the recognised representative of employ ees in the Public Service, it is entitled to be involved in the decision-making process of the State in relation to all matters concerning increas es in wages and salaries.

The union is contending that the defendants “unilat erally determined, declared and imposed the seven per cent increase in wages, sala ries and allowances” without consultation and negotiation with the union, in contra vention of the express pro visions of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Guyana Public Service Union and the Public Service Ministry for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes.

The defendants’ failure to convene meetings or confer ences to facilitate the discus sion and negotiation of issues touching and concerning the terms and conditions of em ployment of employees in the Public Service with specific reference to wages, salaries, and allowances is in contra vention of the collective la bour agreements, and is in breach of the International Labour Organization, the GPSU further contends.

Moreover, the GPSU has submitted that it will con tend that the conduct of the

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag

Government is “oppressive and amounts to an act of in terference or circumvention” to the extent that the contin ued unilateral actions may lead, and have led, to the ap pearance and belief that the Union cannot, and does not, represent the interests of Public Servants.

Besides damages, the Union has submitted that it is also entitled to costs against the defendants. The GPSU has appoint ed Mandisa Breedy as its Attorney-at-Law.

To improve the standard of living of Guyanese, the Government, in November 2021, announced a seven per cent increase in wages and salaries for all categories of Public Servants. Minister Parag had informed that over 20,000 workers would benefit from the pay hike.

David Patterson should acquaint himself with the truth

Ihave taken note of more con cocted lies and false claims, embedded elements of the APNU + AFC cabal, being uti lised by Mr. David Patterson. Not shockingly, Mr. Patterson seeks to divert attention from his failed ad hoc approaches to power gen eration in Guyana during his tenure as the Minister responsi ble for the sector. Instead of his knee-jerk reaction to issues, Mr. Patterson would do well to ac quaint himself with the truth be fore he speaks to the salient is sues surrounding electricity.

Mr Patterson made four main contentions: -

1) That the Government currently does not have a GPL Strategic Plan

2) That when the APNUAFC coalition Government took office, GPL did not have a Strategic Plan in place

3) That the APNU-AFC Administration developed a plan and executed a number of proj ects to enhance the generation capacity of GPL and improve the transmission and distribution network

4) That these projects were completed without financing from any external loans.

Allow me to enlighten readers on the truth relative to the afore mentioned matters.

1) That the Government currently does not have a GPL Strategic Plan

The current Government

in fact approved the GPL Development and Expansion Plans for years 2021 to 2025 and years 2022-2026, and these are publicly available on the GPL web site. It is noteworthy that APNUAFC, while in Government, failed to approve and publish the statu tory Development and Expansion Plans for years 2017–2021; 2018–2022; 2019– 2023, and 2020–2024. In fact, APNU-AFC only approved and published a Development and Expansion Plan for years 2016–2020 (Please refer to attached files).

2) That when the APNUAFC coalition Government took office, GPL did not have a Strategic Plan in place

These strategic plans re ferred in Mr. Patterson’s missive were clearly documented in the GPL’s published Development and Expansion Plan for the years 2015-2019, and were available on the GPL website which was published just prior to the PPP demitting office in May 2015.

These plans are also public ly available for the public to re view on the GPL website https:// gplinc.com/about-us/publica tions/. As an example, the extract below is from the GPL Strategic Plan published under the previ ous PPP Administration for years 2015 to 2019. As can be clear ly seen, the plans outlined were similar to those expounded by Mr. Patterson (Please refer to at tached file).

1.6.1 GENERATION

Investment of US$20.4M to:

• Construct a new 5.2MW, 60Hz HFO fired power plant at Anna Regina.

• Convert the two, 2MW (4MW total) Wartsila units at Anna Regina to 60Hz.

• Construct a new 5.1MW HFO fired power plant at Bartica with three (3) 1.7MW units in two phases.

• Install a 1.2MW HFO fired unit in Wakenaam.

“It is projected that generation from renewable and HFO sourc es will increase to 97.9% in 2015 from 89% in 2014. Production from LFO fired capacity costs ap proximately 39% more than from HFO fired units. The increase in HFO fired capacity and the intro duction of this type of equipment in two of the three “island” oper ations in Essequibo would posi tion GPL to minimise its gener ation cost”

3) That the APNU Administration developed a plan and executed a number of projects to enhance the generation capacity of GPL and improve the transmission and distribution network

The major projects quoted by Mr. Patterson for the upgrade of the transmission lines etc were in fact birthed by the PPP (His Excellency President Donald Ramotar) Administration with funding secured from the EU and the IDB in 2014 for the execu

tion of the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP). Clearly, APNU took credit for the PUUP, which contained the following components: Component I – Strengthening GPL’s Management Capabilities Component II –Operational Efficiency

Component III -Infrastructure Investments for Loss Reduction (Conductor Upgrading, Transformer right sizing and replacement of aged transformers and meters).

Component III of the project was done in two (2) phases – Lot A and Lot B. The upgrade catered to rehabilitating 89 priority ar eas in Lot A and 87 priority areas in Lot B, which will account for approximately 630 kilometres of medium and low voltage conduc tors in the distribution network. At the same time, the meter up grade accounted for approximate ly 39,199 service upgrades using AMI compatible meters (Smart Meters). The network upgrade was intended to reduce technical and commercial losses and im prove reliability of service.

Please refer to the attached link for details - https:// gplinc.com/power-utility-up grade-programme/about-puup/

4) That these projects were completed without fi nancing from any external loans

The significant reduction in world market fuel prices during

the period 2015 to 2016 allowed for the self-financing of these gen eration projects (Bartica, Anna Regina and Wakenaam). The re duction in fuel prices also allowed for the fifteen percent (15%) fuel rebate and the five percent (5%) tariff reductions from which cus tomers benefitted. The PPP Government led by President Donald Ramotar introduced a five percent (5%) fuel rebate in 2015 before demitting office.

The financial records of GPL reveal a starkly different situa tion at the time of APNU demit ting office in August 2020. GPL's loans had increased by more than G$21 billion. This means that, in the five short years that APNU was in office, GPL’s debt increased by 65%. Also, the loans related to the IDB-funded PUUP project were in fact from an exter nal source, contrary to the state ment made by Mr. Patterson.

In addition, when the PPP Government was returned to office in August 2020, GPL’s Government receivables had in creased by more than $10 bil lion. This was due to the APNU Administration not ensuring the timely and full payment of its Government's electricity bills.

Hon Brigadier (r’etd) Mark Phillips Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

Regional

Brazil’s electoral court cracks down on disinformation ahead of Lula-Bolsonaro runoff

Brazil's national elec toral authority is an nouncing moves to crack down harder on online disinformation in a fierce presidential campaign be tween far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and leftist challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) said the mea sures are intended to curb the "distribution and shar ing of knowingly untrue or gravely decontextualised information affecting the electoral process", accord ing to the resolution.

The tougher stance, de fined by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who currently runs the TSE, reflects a more ag gressive approach to a tid al wave of dirty campaign ing that has engulfed Brazil ahead of the October 30 runoff.

The TSE will levy fines of 100,000 reais (US$19,000) per hour for online plat forms that fail to take down fraudulent content after two hours, according to the resolution, which will also ban all paid political adver tising online in the 48 hours before the vote.

The TSE has already or

dered some disinformation videos to be taken down, in cluding ones that say Lula consorts with Satan and Bolsonaro embraces can nibalism. The campaigns have also been ordered by the court to pull online ads saying the leftist will le galise abortion and the in cumbent entertains paedo philia.

The TSE crackdown has raised concerns from both campaigns that it is edg ing into censorship of legiti mate political debate.

The Bolsonaro camp has

complained that the TSE has told it not to run ads calling Lula "corrupt" and a "thief" because bribery con victions that put him in jail were later annulled by the Supreme Court.

And over the week end, Lula allies were up in arms when the court blocked an ad using clips of Bolsonaro talking about vis iting the home of adolescent Venezuelan migrant girls who he suggested were pre paring to prostitute them selves.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

OAS holds meeting after Peru’s embattled President alleges “coup”

ter a meeting in Washington, DC, on Thursday after noon, the OAS Permanent Council expressed “solidar ity and support” for Peru’s Government, “as well as for [the] preservation of the democratic political institu tional process”.

The council also called on all political actors in Peru to show “respect for the rule of law” and said it would appoint a group of OAS Member State representa tives to travel to Peru to as sess the situation.

It was not immediately clear when the team would visit the South American nation.

Jamaica: Man beaten by residents after reportedly robbing basic school in Clarendon

Jamaica: Man beaten by residents after re portedly robbing ba sic school in Clarendon

One of three men who reportedly robbed a ba sic school in Clarendon, was beaten by residents as they made their escape on Thursday morning.

Reports are that a resi dent noticed a vehicle with three strange men in the

vicinity of the Sheckles Basic School and raised an alarm.

Citizens then discov ered that a stove, a refrig erator, a microwave oven and several food items were missing from the school.

As the men attempted to flee, one was reported ly captured and beaten by the residents.

It is believed that the car in which they were travelling ran out of gas and was being refilled.

Several of the sto len items were found in the car. Other items were found in nearby bushes.

The man is now in hos pital under Police guard.

The other two men are said to have escaped.

(Jamaica Observer)

Lack of regional transport high on OECS agenda

Leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) on Wednesday began a two-day summit in Monserrat over shadowed by regional trans portation, climate change and the continued impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the economies of their respective countries.

The leaders from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, had to be accommodated on a special charter to ensure their participation in the summit.

Host and chairman, Premier Joseph Farrell, ac knowledged that the lack of a proper regional transpor tation system highlighted by the collapse of the regional airline, LIAT, had severely hampered the movement of people and goods across the

sub-region.

“We as a region must, therefore, work together and with other interest groups to find a lasting solution to re liable transportation,” he said, noting the efforts of the Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne in trying to revive the St John’s-based LIAT.

“I hope that member states will contribute to the restoration of this intra-re gional travel mechanism. I

stand firm in my belief that as a region we are able to face the challenges that lie ahead,” he added.

Earlier, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who said he had plans in fol lowing St Vincent and the Grenadines in moving away from identification cards on entry into Grenada, said re gional transport is neces sary to ensure closer region al integration.(Excerpt from CMC)

Colombia’s coca crops grew to "historic levels" last year–– UN

Cultivation of the plant from which cocaine is made threatens Colombia’s “cultural poten tial, biodiversity”, UN agen cy says.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) has adopted a resolution to send a mis sion to Peru to “analyse the situation” in the country, a week after President Pedro Castillo accused officials in vestigating him of a “coup

d’état”.

Castillo announced late on Wednesday that he had sought the regional body’s help to foster a national di alogue in a bid to prevent “a serious alteration of the democratic order in Peru”.

In a resolution passed af

In a live television ad dress to the nation on Wednesday, Castillo said he had asked the 35-mem ber OAS to invoke its “dem ocratic charter”, which sets out the body’s mission “to promote and consolidate representative democracy”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Colombian lands plant ed with coca, the plant from which cocaine is made, reached their highest levels in two decades last year, a United Nations agency has said in an annual report.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said on Thursday that the area growing coca in Colombia

shot up 43 per cent from 2020, to 204,000 hectares (500,000 acres) in 2021.

Potential cocaine produc tion also reached record lev els last year at 1400 tonnes, up 14 per cent from 2020, the agency said.

That continued an up ward production trend that dates back to 2014 while the uptick in the area plant ed with coca was the first in three years.

“This is the highest fig ures in our 22 years of mon itoring,” UNODC Andean

and Southern Cone regional Director Candice Welsh told reporters.

She urged Bogota to im prove security for commu nities transitioning to legal crops and increase social spending.

Colombia has long been the world’s largest produc er of cocaine, a highly ad dictive drug that is illegal in most countries, and it has faced pressure, notably from the United States, to crack down on production.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T Law Association meets on Nelson fiasco

The Law Association of T&T (LATT) held an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the on going fiasco surrounding the collapse of the corrup tion case involving former Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and United National Congress (UNC)

Senator Gerald Ramdeen, due to the refusal of the state’s main witness, Vincent Nelson, to testify in the case.

LATT President Sophia Chote SC confirmed the meeting , after Guardian Media queried about what action the body may take in light of growing public anger

over the collapse of the case due to Nelson’s refusal to testify in the matter, pend ing the outcome of a civil ac tion he has taken regarding an indemnity deal he bro kered with former AG Faris Al-Rawi.

“The Council will be meet ing on Thursday (today) on

this matter, so while I may not be able to respond to you by Thursday, you will receive a response shortly thereafter. As you know, protocols es tablished by Council long be fore I became President(sic) mandate that office holder may only speak on matters such as these after the input

of and with the concurrence of Council,” Chote responded via a WhatsApp message.

Chote confirmed that the circumstances surround ing the withdrawal of the charges and all issues which members of the council may determine to be relevant will be addressed.

Sources said the body could also discuss wheth er to take disciplinary ac tion against Ramlogan and Ramdeen on the basis that Nelson, a convicted fraud ster, provided actionable ma terial that supports disbar ment consideration. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Former Brazilian President and current presidential candidate, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva leads a march in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 20, 2022 (Reuters/Ricardo Moraes)

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo delivers a message to the nation after requesting an OAS meeting to prevent “a serious alteration of the democratic order in Peru” [Luis Iparraguirre/AFP]

Monserrat Premier Joseph Farrell

OIL NEWS

Oil near flat, inflation worries counter potential boost in China demand

Oil prices were near flat during a choppy trading session on Thursday, as worries about inflation dampening demand for oil contended with news that China is considering easing COVID-19 quarantine measures for visitors.

Brent crude futures fell three cents to settle at US$92.38 a barrel.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for November delivery , which expired on Thursday, rose 43 cents to US$85.98 per barrel. WTI for December delivery edged down 1 cent at US$84.51 per barrel.

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Both Brent and WTI earlier gained by over US$2 per barrel.

To fight inflation, the US Federal Reserve is trying to slow the economy and will keep raising its short-term rate target, said Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker on Thursday.

The U.S. dollar index pared losses after the comments, weighing on oil prices. A stronger dollar reduces demand for oil by making the fuel more expensive for buyers using other currencies.

"Harker is saying that the war on inflation has just begun," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. "So it seems like the market is getting nervous."

Supporting prices, however, Beijing is considering cutting the quarantine period for visitors to seven days from 10 days, Bloomberg news reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

"That's been seen as a positive demand indicator for the market," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

China, the world's largest crude importer, has stuck to strict COVID curbs this year, which weighed heavily on business and economic activity, lowering demand for fuel.

A looming European Union ban on Russian crude and oil products, as well as the output cut from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, known as OPEC+, have also supported prices.

OPEC+ agreed on a production cut of two million barrels per day in early October.

Separately, US President Joe Biden announced a plan on Wednesday to sell off the rest of his release from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) by year's end, or 15 million barrels of oil, and begin refilling the stockpile as he tries to dampen high gasoline prices ahead of midterm elections on November 8.

The announcement, however failed to ease oil prices, as official US data showed that the SPR last week dropped to their lowest since mid-1984, while commercial oil stocks fell unexpectedly. (Reuters)

At least 150 people were killed during two days of fighting in the latest ethnic clashes over land disputes in Sudan’s southern Blue Nile state.

The bloodshed is the worst in recent months and crowds took to the streets of Blue Nile’s state capi tal Damazin in protest on Thursday, chanting slogans condemning a conflict that has killed hundreds this year.

“A total 150 people in cluding women, children and elderly were killed between Wednesday and Thursday,” said Abbas Moussa, head of Wad al-Mahi hospital. “Around 86 people were also wounded in the violence.”

Clashes in Blue Nile broke out last week after reported arguments over land between members of

the Hausa people and rival groups, with residents re porting hundreds fleeing in tense gunfire and homes set ablaze.

The fighting has centred around the Wad al-Mahi area near Roseires, 500 kilo metres (310 miles) south of the capital Khartoum.

On Thursday, hundreds marched through Damazin, some calling for the state governor to be sacked. “No, no to violence,” the demon strators chanted.

Eddie Rowe, the United Nations aid chief for Sudan, said he was “deeply con cerned” about the continu ing clashes, reporting “an unconfirmed 170 people have been killed and 327 have been injured” since the latest unrest began on October 13.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Around the World

Liz Truss quits after 6 chaotic weeks as UK Prime Minister

Liz Truss quit on Thursday after the shortest, most chaotic tenure of any British Prime Minister, forced out after her economic programme shattered the country's rep utation for financial stabil ity and left many people poorer.

The Conservative Party, which holds a big majority in Parliament and need not call a nationwide election for another two years, will now elect a new leader by October 28 – Britain's fifth Prime Minister in six years. That contest is likely to pit ex-Finance Minister Rishi Sunak against Penny Mordaunt, but could also see the return of Boris Johnson, who was oust ed as Prime Minister in July when his Ministers resigned en masse to force him out of office.

The sight of yet another unpopular Prime Minister making a resignation speech in Downing Street –and the start of a new lead ership race – underscores

just how volatile British politics has become since the 2016 vote to leave the European Union.

Speaking outside the door of her Number 10 office,

Truss accepted that she had lost the faith of her party and would step down next week. The pound rallied as she spoke.

"I have, therefore, spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am re signing as leader of the Conservative Party," said Truss, who was support ed only by her husband, with her aides and loy al Ministers noticeably ab sent.

Allied leaders said they would continue to work with her successor and em phasised the importance of stability.

Truss was elected in September to lead the Conservative Party by its members, not the broader electorate, and with sup port from only around a third of the party's lawmak ers. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukraine war: Iranian drone experts 'on the ground' in Crimea – US

Iran has deployed mili tary experts in Russianoccupied Crimea to help launch drone attacks on Ukraine, the White House says.

The Iranians are train ers and tech support work ers, a US spokesman said.

The Ukrainian capi tal, Kyiv, was struck by socalled "kamikaze" drones on Monday, deployed by Russia but believed to be Iranianmade.

The United Kingdom has announced sanctions on Iranian businesses and indi viduals responsible for sup plying the drones.

"We assess that Iranian military personnel were on the ground in Crimea and

assisted Russia in these op erations," White House na tional security spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

A "relatively small" num ber of Iranians are provid ing technical support and Russians are piloting the drones in Ukraine, he said.

"Tehran is now direct ly engaged on the ground, and through the provision of weapons that are impacting civilians and civilian infra structure in Ukraine," Mr Kirby said.

The US will "pursue all means" to "expose, deter and confront Iran's provision of these munitions against the Ukrainian people", he add ed.

Ukraine identified the

New York court dismisses Kevin Spacey sexual assault lawsuit

The case was brought by Anthony Rapp, who says the actor in appropriately touched him at a party in 1986 when he was aged 14.

Rapp, now 50 and also an actor, filed the legal ac tion in September 2020 and had been seeking around US$40 million in damages.

Spacey has denied the accusations against him.

He is separately facing five charges in the UK of sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

On Thursday, follow ing a three-week trial in a Manhattan federal court, a jury found that Rapp had not proved his claim that Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance.

Deliberations lasted for more than an hour and, af ter the verdict was read out by the judge, Spacey report

edly hugged his lawyers be fore leaving the courtroom.

Rapp says that Spacey was around 26 or 27 years old when he met him at a party at his Manhattan apartment.

In a Buzzfeed arti cle from October 2017, Rapp said that Spacey had picked him up, placed him on a bed and lay down par tially on top of him. "I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually," he wrote.

Taking the stand in his own defence in the third week of his trial, Spacey said he was shocked when Rapp went public with his allegations five years ago.

"I didn't know how this could possibly be true," the 63-year-old said, adding he would not have been sexual ly interested in Rapp as he was underage. (BBC News)

drones – or unmanned ae rial vehicles (UAVs) – used on Monday as Iranian Shahed-136 weapons.

They are known as "ka mikaze" drones because they are destroyed in the attack –named after the Japanese fighter pilots who flew sui cide missions in World War Two.

Russia has used the

drones and missiles to hit critical infrastructure around Ukraine in recent days, de stroying almost a third of the country's power stations since Monday last week.

As a result, restrictions on electricity use were in troduced in Ukraine for the first time on Thursday.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

US charges 7 in alleged plot to repatriate US resident to China

The United States unsealed criminal charges on Thursday against seven Chinese na tionals accused of waging a surveillance and harass ment campaign against a US resident and his fami ly, in a bid by the Chinese Government to repatriate one of them back to China.

The eight-count indict ment, unsealed in a US District Court in Brooklyn, New York, is the latest case by the Justice Department targeting China's appar ent expatriation campaign, known as "Operation Fox Hunt".

The seven individuals charged are Quanzhong An, 55, of Roslyn, New York; his daughter Guangyang An,

34, and five others still in China: Tian Peng, Chenghua Chen, Chunde Ming, Xuexin Hou, and Weidong Yuan.

The lead defendant, Quanzhong An, and his daughter were arrested on Thursday morning. The rest of the defendants remain at large. The United States does not have an extradition treaty with China.

According to the indict ment, Quanzhong An is ac cused of working at the be hest of China's Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection to harass and in timidate a Chinese man and his son living in the United States. The man and his son are identified only as "John Doe-1 and John Doe-2."

British Prime Minister Liz Truss announces her resignation, outside Number 10 Downing Street, London, Britain, October 20, 2022 (Reuters/Henry Nicholls)

Wreckage of an Iranian kamikaze drone shot down by Ukrainians

Sudan: More than 100 killed in two days of fighting

DAILY

HOROSCOPES

Put some muscle behind your efforts to complete certain projects. Hard work and dedication will pay off. Discussions with someone you love will lead to plans that make your life less stressful.

DILBERT

(March 21-April 19)

Tidy up unfinished business and ar range to do something with a friend or family member. Joining forces with someone who shares your world view will help you figure out what you need to do.

(April 20-May 20)

Bypass anyone standing in your way. Stay focused on what's important to you and enjoy the moment. Leave nothing to chance. Distance yourself from manipu lative people. Don't lose sight of what re ally counts.

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Don't share too much information, or someone will find a way to use it against you. Putting pressure on someone you love or work alongside will backfire. Kindness and consideration will pay off.

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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Address any situation you face with stamina, resourcefulness and a plan. Be open to new concepts and willing to learn something that encourages prog ress and the chance to do something that excites you.

Embrace change and make it work for you. Be relentless in learning, preparing and making things happen the way you want. Consider how you earn your living and how you can broaden your horizons.

Take a breather and relax. Once you distance yourself from situations, you will gain perspective and find solutions. Keep personal differences to yourself. Make love, not war.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Take part in whatever is happening around you. If you don't speak up, you won't have a say or make a difference. Treat people as individuals, and you will get help instead of interference.

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

Don't rely on others to pick up where you left off. Take control, finish what you start and reap the rewards. Outside in terference will be your biggest obstacle. Personal growth is apparent.

Analyze how to make your money grow and figure out how to stop others from taking advantage of you. A positive domestic change will take place if you invest in something that lowers your overhead.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

An unexpected change will leave you wondering what to do next. Don't la bor over something you cannot change. Surround yourself with people who share your concerns. Self-improvement is favored.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Rethink your strategy if you know your current path will upset someone you love. A compassionate approach will help convince people to see things your way and lend their support.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

T20I World Cup in Australia…

Holder urges 'mature' Joseph to 'lead the attack'

- and get WI back 'on the right track'

There's a familial feel to this West Indies camp at the moment. On oth er occasions, a limp defeat against an “associate” nation to start off a World Cup cam paign might have been all the spark required for any inter nal harmony to implode.

When Head Coach Phil Simmons seethed at the un professional way his side bat ted, it may have been little surprise to see murmurs of discontent begin to find their way out of that camp. When

looked ting

in vicious cycles.

But when Alzarri Joseph took the first Zimbabwe wick et, his team-mates huddled around him. Jason Holder en veloped him in a warm em brace, placing a tender, paren tal hand on the young bowler's head. Despite most wickets falling to individual bowling brilliance, no bowler has set off on self-congratulatory laps around the Bellerive Oval, the young side huddling together instead, pumping their fists,

11pm the previous night be fore the West Indies players broke free from media duties, but at half past nine in the morning, Holder had been roused to do another round. He might have wondered why the press conference was necessary at all, but, as ever, struck the right, thoughtful notes with his usual poise and eloquence.

At the first mention of Joseph's performance the previous night, his eyes lit up.

"Alzarri should be proud of his progression," Holder said, adopting the sort of solemn tone a father might while talking up his son's achieve ments. "I see him as a leader. He's leading the attack at a young age, and showing great attributes as a leader. His performances don't surprise me, because of the work he's put in. His discipline, dedica tion towards the cause, and his business-like attitude is really great to see for a young player. My simple words to him are: 'Just lead the attack. Get us onto the right track'.

sword, it wouldn't have taken much for the campaign to go bust before it had taken off, with recriminations and disil lusionment circling each other

Wednesday, found himself facing up to a press confer ence of his own. It was past

"That's what he did yes terday, got us that first break through, and that really set the tone. I see him as an im pact player. He's got pace and skill too, and when he has the ball in hand, I expect big things from him. He's now re ally matured as an all-format bowler, one of our only at the moment. It's great to see that progression, and I hope he can fulfill his dreams."

Holder's face never seems to give much away, but even when delivered in the most in scrutable monotone, the pride

behind those words is impossi ble not to spot. For all the plau dits that have come Joseph's way following Wednesday's win, where he picked up a four wicket-haul, it is easy to forget Holder's own sensation al bowling performance and the part he played in freezing Zimbabwe out of that contest. He was full value for his fig ures of 3.2-0-12-3, even if two of those wickets were num bers nine and ten.

There's a reason it's easy to forget: because Holder him self would be the last man to bring them up while talking up a younger team-mate. "We were all pumped up for the game," Holder said. "We knew what was at stake, and the importance of the match. For us, this is just a way of really driving ourself to the right direction. We spoke a lot about attitude, and it was im portant we brought the cor

rect attitude to the game. It was just us showing our love and passion that we've honed through years playing this sport, and it was important we brought the right energy to the game yesterday."

Aware that the side will often be held to the near-im possible standards of the ones that went all the way in 2012 and 2016, Holder has the em pathic intelligence to extend his protective embrace to the under-fire batting group.

"The teams that won in 2012 and 2016 were dom inant," he said. "They had some very big T20 players. This current team, we've still got some young batting stars who've really established themselves on these circuits.

It's for us now to be a lot more senior and spend a bit more time on the international cir cuit. When you look around the dressing room, we've got

a fairly young team. Most of the guys are around mid-tolate 20s. It's a great sign for West Indies cricket. My point was basically us rejigging our T20 mantra to try and estab lish ourselves as a new-look T20I side."

This is the same side that, remember, just days before the start of the tournament, lost one of its brightest batting stars in Shimron Hetmyer to a disciplinary issue. A stray question hinting at that is picked up and brushed aside by the media manager, un willing to sully the mood of a happy family that's more fa mous for its bickering. This West Indies side has been through the whole gamut of emotions over the first two games, and continue to have each other's backs. And with men like Holder and Joseph at their core, why wouldn't they? (ESPNcricinfo)

Ronaldo blames...

Ahelmet trick from Shakeel King was the rock on which Eagles FC of Stewartville built their victory by a huge 7-2 margin over Pouderoyen when the West Demerara Football Association’s (WDFA’s) leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power

Under-17 Intra Association League continued at the Leonora Track & Field Facility on the West Coast of Demerara on Saturday afternoon last.

In the process of record ing their fourth win in as many matches, the Eagles FC handed Pouderoyen their first loss of the league, their having won the previ ous three. And it was King who was royal in his per formance on the day, bang ing in four goals.

He was ably supported with a goal each from team mates Alfie James, Zedane Moore and Jhonatan Jesus.

Pouderoyen got their goals from Teon Kennedy and David Williams.

In the other clash, Bell West notched their first win of the league by recording a sol id 6-1 win over Uitvlugt Warriors, who have suffered their third loss in as many matches. More match es are scheduled for this weekend.

Former England striker Gary Lineker said Ronaldo's behaviour took attention away from United's impressive perfor mance against Spurs.

"That is unacceptable - it is so poor," Lineker said on BBC Match of the Day.

Ex-Wales captain Ashley Williams said: "It was a great night for Manchester United, and here we are again talking about Cristiano Ronaldoeven though he didn't play."

Former England defend er Micah Richards said: "For one of the greats of the game to do that when your team are winning, making it about him, is disappointing."

Richards said Ronaldo's behaviour was "disrespect ful", and he should be al lowed to leave in the January transfer window.

"His manager had prob lems with him at the start of the season, during pre-sea son, and to then carry this on… I just think there is only one way this needs to

go now," Richards told BBC Radio 4.

"They need to come to an agreement in January and they need to let him go. He is undermining the manag er there, so I think it's best if they just part ways."

Former United goalkeep er Peter Schmeichel said Ronaldo would have been aware such behaviour would create "headlines".

"It's the first time I can say that I am disappointed with him. Normally I back him; I understand his sit uation," Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We are in transition. Manchester United are now five manag ers down the road since Alex Ferguson.

We have got Erik ten Hag in now, who has very clear ideas about the way he wants to play football. We need un derstanding and time from everyone.

"We don't need distrac tions like that, and that's a disappointment, I would say."

Jason Holder

Alzarri Joseph celebrating with team-mates

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt

Flour Power U17 League – WDFA…

Eagles hammer Pouderoyen; Bell West trounce Uitvlugt

Eagles FC goal scorers, from right:

Alfie James, Shakeel King, Jhonatan

Jesus and Zedane Moore

A lot more work to be done on Guyana’s Cricket

By Brndon Corlette

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has been under fire in recent times by the local media. From a marketing standpoint, the GCB is producing quantity, but there is a lack of quality, especially in the media releases and social media content.

Before I highlight the fact that the recently concluded inter-county tournament was more of restoring pride for the players, rather than rewarding the players, it was a good start. When asked by media operatives after the final at Providence on Tuesday evening, the GCB President Bissoondyal Singh said he was not pleased with the level of cricket at the senior intercounty.

“There is a lot more to be done. We (GCB) are going

(senior inter-county as an assessment opportunity to improve the quality of cricket across Guyana,” Singh said.

“Well... there is a lot of things we have, it is just to prioritize, which one should come before the other. There is a system in place where we (GCB) are looking to assemble all the female cricketers

the fact that his board took over a broken office and the fixing process is ongoing. He is calling for patience to be exercised. “We need to exercise some patience, because we took over a broken system, and I guessed you guys know it is hard to fix. We will fix it with the minimum financial and human resources,” the GCB

LGC/C&V Caribbean Shipping golf tournament on tomorrow

Competition is just one facet, it is a combination of things that are being done in the backroom,” Singh mentioned.

The GCB boss reiterated

Ronaldo blames 'heat of moment' for being dropped

Cristiano Ronaldo has said "the heat of the moment" got to him in the incident that led to Manchester United dropping him for Saturday's game at Chelsea.

The Portugal forward left Old Trafford before the end of Wednesday's 2-0 win over Tottenham - for which he was an unused substitute.

"I've always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I've represented," he wrote on Instagram on

support my team-mates, and be ready for everything in any given game.

"Giving in to the pressure is not an option. It never was. This is Manchester United, and united we must stand. Soon we'll be together again."

United have said the 37-year-old remains an important part of the squad, but regard this as a disciplinary matter. The game he will miss at Stamford Bridge is a big one, with United just one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea. are reporting he refused to come

Ronaldo left the bench and walked down the

tunnel in the 89th minute, even though United had only made three of their permitted five substitutions. He briefly went into the dressing room before leaving the

Manager Erik ten Hag said afterwards that he would "deal with" the issue Ronaldo had also showed his displeasure at being substituted during Sunday's 0-0

about the progress, as it relates to fixing Guyana cricket, Singh said: “If you are running a 100 meter, we are at 10 meters. There is a lot to be done, and a lot of money needed to get it done.”

While the GCB had live-steaming for all the matches, and the final being livestreamed in the subcontinnent, the promotion of players was lacking. A perfect example where the lack of promoting local players was evident where the GCB created a poster fr the final of the inter-county. It was basic and there was not photo attached. The quality of press releases, the timeliness and

effectiveness is certainly not consistent.

Additionally, sponsors’ logos and name of players on the team uniforms was absent. But again, this is a work in progress, and only time will tell whether this is the GCB way, or they will be an improved way. The recent inter-county tournament was the first of its kind since 2014, and Berbice continued to reign supreme. This year’s tournament featured Berbice, Essequibo, Demerara and GCB President’s XI. Berbice defeated runners up Essequibo, while Demerara lost to Essequibo in the penultimate match.

International all-rounder Romario Shepherd was the most valuable player, and the leading wicket-taker while National captain Leon Johnson scored the most runs. Most of these players expressed delight with the return of inter-county, but some players, including National players did not get the fair opportunity to showcase their talent.

The Lusignan Golf Club is the place to be this Saturday, 22nd October 2022, as the C&V Caribbean Shipping golf tournament is hosted from 12:30pm.

The format of this tournament is medal play over 18 holes and shotgun start, and prizes up for grabs are as follows:

Overall Best Net 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Best Gross Nearest to Flag – Hole #4

Longest Drive – Hole #12

In a statement from the sponsor it was said, "C&V Caribbean Shipping Ltd is proud to support the Lusignan Gold Club for the second year in a row through tournament sponsorship. As a local business, we are delighted to take advantage of any opportunity to give back. As such, we are happy to partner with, and support, the Lusignan Golf

Club, whose recent efforts have seen increased contributions to the sport through kids' golf camps and other worthwhile community activities.

“We take this opportunity to wish the club a successful tournament, and all the participants the best of luck."

All participants are advised to contact the club’s manager on the day of the tournament to collect their score cards, pay their tournament fees, and proceed to their allocated tee boxes to begin play at 12:30pm. Once on their respective tee boxes, players must await the sounding of the horn or siren as indication to begin teeing off.

Presentation of prizes will be held at the completion of the tournament, at approximately 5:30pm.

Persons desirous of participating are asked to contact the Lusignan Golf Club on 220-5660 to register. Registration closes at 5pm on Friday 21st October 2022.

Race on for Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers League title

Crunch time in the Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers’ Schools Football league is imminent as the league enters the final two rounds of competition this weekend.

With Christianburg Wismar leading Golden Grove and President’s College by only a point, and with CWSS having to face these schools in competition, the league has much more in store.

Last Sunday’s final scores in the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers tournament have set up what is expected to be an entertaining close to the schools’ football league.

Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS), with a (4-0) victory over Cummings Lodge, regained first place on Sunday last, after Golden Grove Secondary and President’s College led the league for the past two weeks. The latter two are currently one point behind CWSS, following a stalemate between them, also on Sunday last.

As such, when <<Guyana Times Sport>> caught up with the team captains, there was only one youngster who could express relief.

“We lose a game and then had to train more hard to get back in the competition. Put in some extra work, and we had a great victory,” CWSS Captain Kelvin Hintzen shared with this publication.

On the other hand,

after their draw, President’s College Captain Elton Lewis said, “Well, on the field, our defense was really strong. On the other side, same thing, it was good defending. Our strikers and the midfielders were quite weak, so we didn’t have a chance to score goals.”

In similar stride, Golden Grove’s Captain Kellon Croal commented on the game by stating, “Well, it was a very stiff game. Both of the teams played very well, and hopefully, in the next match, we’ll come out with a win. We wasn’t expecting this; hopefully, the defense will get stronger and play better next game,” Croal added.

Interestingly, Christianburg is yet to face PC and Golden Grove, leaving two mouthwatering clashes for the sixth and seventh rounds of the league. In order to maintain the lead and win their first Guyoil title, CWSS’ Hintzen

believes communication is key.

“We have to get more serious and we have to communicate more. We have to be in the game and communicate more; you know, talk to one another,” the Linden-based captain informed.

For President’s College, it seems a similar undertaking is needed.

“As you could see, our strikers didn’t execute, so we need to train more on that, and ensure that we communicate better next time,” PC’s Lewis explained.

For Golden Grove, getting back to the top of the points table would be all about hard work. “We’re going to train harder. We put in a lot of hard work, and we work on the players who really don’t know to play their positions,” Golden Grove’s Croal said.

The Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers League will continue

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A C&V Caribbean Shipping representative making a presentation to an LGC member

Essequibo showed fight

A collective effort was lacking from Demerara in most games

GCB President Bissoondyal Singh

on Sunday, October 23, at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue.

CWSS (Red) pulled off a necessary win over Cummings Lodge

Allicock, GBA trade punches on South American Games’ issues

Prized Boxer Keevin

Allicock on Thursday morning shockingly re leased a lengthy statement on social media, chronicling his experiences at the recent ly concluded South American Games, which were held in Asuncion, Paraguay between October 1st and 15th.

However, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA)whom Allicock fingered as culpable in his spew of allega tions – took only a few hours to formulate their response to his allegations.

While Allicock accused the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the GBA of not ensuring that a medical practitioner accompany the Guyanese contingent to the South American Games, there were insinuations that the unfortunate end to his campaign resulted from the Guyanese Coaches not carry ing a scale to the games.

Allicock also threw a punch at journalists, whom he criticised for their choice of words accompanying articles of his weight fiasco, which led to his loss in the feath erweight semifinals at the Games.

However, Allicock threw a haymaker at GBA President Steve Ninvalle for not main taining a line of communica tion with the pugilist about his health scare in Paraguay, or his bronze medal achieve ment.

Reacting to the blow, the GBA has in turn denounced Allicock’s insinuations in a se ries of stinging jabs, labelling the boxer as one who, over the past few years, has prob ably benefited the most from their resources.

Recalling this athlete’s allegedly dismal track re cord at attending training sessions, the GBA has al luded to the possibility of a link between Allicock’s refus al to train regularly and his Rhabdomyolysis diagnosis.

While the GBA did hold itself accountable for the ab sence of a medical practi tioner, it has refused to be so singled out, since three other disciplines were represented at the Games.

Moreover, the GBA has promised to hold a full inves tigation into Allicock’s allega tions.

Below are the full state ments from each party:

Keevin Allicock’s statement

SPORTS MEN AND WOMEN DESERVE BETTER. After much thought, I have decided to write on an unexpected and scary event that took place as a risk to my health during my stay in Paraguay for the South American Games 2022. My reason for this bold step is to be an advocate for my self and other sports men and women who are deserving of basic yet fundamental privi leges.

One such privilege in cludes having a physiother apist and a medical exam iner as part of the travelling

delegation to international sport tournaments of which GUYANESE athletes at tend and represent the Cooperative Republic of Guyana without hesitation.

On 11th October,2022 I was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis. The event, like I mentioned, was un anticipated, and in the mo ment, I was at my weakest yet. Unfortunately, Guyana did not have a medical exam iner. Unfortunately, Guyana did not have a single capable person with professional med ical capabilities. Fortunately, assistance was rendered from medical officers of Team Panama until an ambulance arrived. This entire ordeal lasted 30 minutes before the ambulance arrived.

I am taking this opportu nity to reiterate that just as much as we (athletes) under take stringent preparations to give our all to medal at these games, similarly, measures

did not have access to a scale before my weigh-in simply be cause at the time I conclud ed my training the night be fore everyone who had a scale retired for bed while I was working to shed my weight. Now this could have been avoided if the selected Coach found it fitting to bring a scale on the trip, but that was not the case.

10 boxers form part of a delegation, each of the

the relevant persons know better must be done.

Anchored on shared re sponsibility each Associations/ Federations and the Guyana Olympic Association ought to do better for athletes. For ev ery tournament, a physiother apist and a medical examiner ought to be present.

The Guyana Boxing

he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis on October 11th, and received treatment from the medical officers of the Panama delegation until an ambulance arrived, follow ing an ordeal that lasted 30 minutes.

Mr. Allicock lost his semi-final match at the cham pionship after failing to make weight; a reality which he es sentially blames on the lack of physiotherapist, medical per sonnel, and the absence of a scale to confirm his weight, which in his estimation is in dicative of the lack of struc tures to ensure the safety and well-being of athletes.

He also alluded to a strained relationship with the GBA executive, whilst mak ing spurious claims of being “thrown into the lion's den many times before by my own boxing association - some thing I am unafraid to men tion.”

practice sessions must also be juxtaposed.

In comparison, Amsterdam attended 35 of the 43 sessions at a rate of 81.3% while continuing in the same mold, Lewis recorded an attendance rate of 58.1% after attending 25 of the 43 sessions.

2: Mr: Allicock has had a history of such indisci pline, which in February of this year forced the GBA ex ecutive to remove him from Guyana’s team preparing for the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Continental Championships.

10 boxers ought to walk with

grettably, is forced to re

It is lamentable that Allicock opted to utilise the public space rather than nisms and channels that are certainly afforded to him

This decision was made by the GBA Coaches Committee and resulted from his lack of commitment to training. Unfortunately, the aforesaid wasn't an anomaly. In 2019, he was also suspended by the association from national du ties following a similar disre gard for training.

Mr. Allicock was sched uled to represent Guyana at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, but was delin quent in his attendance to training between the May 1-23 preparatory phase. The record indicated that he had only attended 12 of the 30 scheduled sessions under the tutelage of Roldan. This translates to a meagre 40%.

The ‘everyone’s fault but mine’ excuse is worn out, and no longer acceptable.

3: In the last decade, Mr. Allicock has been provid ed more resources than any other local boxer, and was availed access to every ma jor international tournament in the world. This underlines the fact that the GBA has/is leaving no stone unturned re lating to his development in the sport.

4: While the GBA concedes that the lack of a medical practitioner and physiother apist at the championship was unfortunate, this aber ration was a reality lived and incurred by each local associ ation that was represented, and not simply a blemish or culpability of the boxing fra ternity.

place to ensure our safety and well-being.

Apart from the need for sponsorship, which any asso ciation/federation will always advocate for - athletes deserve better!

Let me also make mention of a very silly situation that needs to be addressed, be cause I am of the belief that people should be held respon sible just as I am for ensuring that the Golden Arrowhead is proudly represented. I had to settle for a Bronze Medal at the South American Games because “I lost on the scale”.

THE SCALE. I was 0.1 kg over my weight. I did not have access to a scale throughout my entire stay of my bouts.

I became dependent on bor rowing a scale from the phys iotherapist of the Panama Delegation. I most definitely

unafraid to mention. I have grown accustomed to it, but this should not be so. Rather, I should have a healthy rela tionship with the executive body of the association whose responsibility I fall under as an amateur athlete.

To date, the President of the Boxing Association and the President of the Guyana Olympic Association have failed to reach out to ask of my well-being. I came home with a Bronze medal. If not a word of congratulations, at least ask of my health.

I have suffered from in juries in the past. This time was different and it definitely served as a wakeup call; my body reacted in a way that made me helpless. I wish this on none of my colleague ath letes, and it is why I am mak ing this statement to let all

terday.

Mr. Allicock via a public proclamation on his Facebook page, criticized primarily the GBA and partially, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for the lack of a phys iotherapist and medical per sonnel at the 2022 South American Games.

“My reason for this bold step is to be an advocate for myself and other sportsmen and women who are deserv ing of basic yet fundamental privileges. One such privilege includes having a physiother apist and a medical exam iner as part of the travelling delegation to international sports tournaments of which Guyana athletes attend and represent the Co-operative Republic of Guyana without hesitation.”

Allicock disclosed that

to ventilate any issue linked with the association.

In light of these com ments, the GBA wishes to in form that:

1: Cuban coach Franciso Roldan, who was a vital cog in the preparation of the pugi lists prior to their departure, has documented that Allicock only attended 16 of the max imum 43 training sessions prior to his international so journ. This equates to an at tendance rate of 37%, which certainly isn't ideal ahead of such an important nation al assignment, and possibly warrants non-selection.

For comparative purpos es, but more importantly for scrutiny and transparen cy, the respective examina tion of teammates Desmond Amsterdam and Colin Lewis's participation in the same

5: Mr. Allicock’s attitude towards training, subsequent weight issue and dehydration in Paraguay may be correlat ed.

Emotions are a useful servant but a terrible mas ter. The GBA is certainly op posed to going back and forth on this issue, which has many movable parts, and that gives way, and caters to mass igno rance.

The GBA is in the process of launching a formal internal investigation into the intrica cies and details surrounding the entire episode, to find a solution which is not insulat ed from facts. We also remain committed to the develop ment of the sport, and work ing with all stakeholders to forge a sustainable pathway for the advancement of the discipline.

Keevin Allicock had a lot to get off his chest regarding his South American Games’ experience

GBA President Steve Ninvalle was roped into Allicock’s allegations