Guyana Times - Monday, April 17, 2023

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, Apr 17 – 02:30h – 04:00h and Tuesday, Apr 18 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Apr 17 – 14:35h – 16:05h and Tuesday, Apr 18 – 15:20h – 16:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers during the day. Expect thundery showers and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 14:56h reaching a maximum height of 2.59 metres.

Low Tide: 08:30h and 20:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.69 metre and 0.59 metre.

More technology, mechanisation needed to boost food security – Ali

public-private investment

to reach Caribbean targets

The issue of boosting food security is one that must be tackled from multiple angles, including through the increased use of technology and mechanisation, as well as public and private sector investment.

This was according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a recent Caribbean Association of the World Bank panel discussion. In addition to more technology and mechanisation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger, the President pegged the public and private investment needed to reach the 25 by 2025 target, at US$7.5 billion.

“If we are to achieve the 25 by 2025 target in a very conservative way, the investment from the public and private sector needed would be about US$7.5 billion. That is the total investment. Now on a global scale, if we are to achieve in the timeframe the SDG Two, that is zero hunger, it means that productivity, not production, must increase by 28 per cent.”

“That productivity increase requires the use of technology. Requires mechanisation. We’re already seeing the difficulties in labour intensive agriculture and food production systems,” President Ali said.

In Guyana’s case, President Ali noted that the country has already been taking steps towards increasing its productivity while also collaborating on a regional and international scale. According to the President, the Region knows what medium- and long-term strategies it has to implement. He warned of the negative impact if others in the Region do not prioritise agriculture.

“We took a full analysis of every single country, looked at the competitive environment in every country and we sought to identify low hanging fruits, medium term strategies and long-term strategies… if you look at some of the recent headlines on food security in the Region, it’s a really a telling story,” President Ali said.

“It is important for us to know that if we don’t take action now — and we

are taking action— and we don’t make the necessary adjustments in our budgetary allocation for agriculture and food production, and prioritise agriculture we are going to face a catastrophe in the Region.”

Among the initiatives being pioneered by Guyana is the development of the regional agri-tech campus. This project is being developed along with the Bangalore Bio Innovation Centre in India.

The BBC, according to its website, is a state-ofthe-art translational research and entrepreneurship centre catering to all the needs of start-ups in life science located in the city of Bangalore, India.

President Ali noted that the project will see technology and crop variety being developed that are catered for the Caribbean Region.

Last year, an agri-investment forum and expo was held in Guyana, a joint initiative between the Government and Caricom Secretariat. Government has also said it will be partnering with the private sector to establish a regional food hub.

Government’s focus on agriculture is down to the vision of making Guyana the bread basket of the Caribbean and reducing the regional food import bill. Last year, President Ali had declared that his

Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade and that in the next four years, with the assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would aim to reduce Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent. It was reported in February that member states of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have collectively achieved a significant 57 per cent of the target set to realise “Vision 25 by 2025”. This announcement was made during the first Caricom Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security meeting for 2023. (G3)

…says US$7.5B

needed

Mechanisation is an important aspect of agricultural productivity

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Flank party politics

There is a type of atavistic politics developing in Guyana that has the potential to derail the slow movement of our politics into a less confrontational trajectory: the politics of outbidding. The classic statement on the phenomenon was made by Donald Horowitz: Societies that are deeply riven along a preponderant ethnic cleavage (as is the case in Guyana) tend to throw up party systems that mirror the ethnic divide. However, two types of parties usually appear to challenge the dominant ethnic parties. The first are “multiracial” parties that purport to bring the groups under one banner and the other are ethnic “flank” parties or organisations that push the dominant parties into adopting more extreme ethnic positions.

It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that this type of political mobilisation characterised our political participation – exemplified by the PPP and PNC – after 1957. The dictatorship of the PNC from 1968 to 1992 distorted the political system since its electoral rigging made opposition parties of whatever variety moot. The “multiracial” Working People’s Alliance (WPA), launched in 1974, made a big impact, but foundered after its leading light, Dr Walter Rodney was assassinated in 1980. In 1992, when “free and fair” elections were returned, even though it was convinced it had broken ethnic voting, the WPA garnered a mere 2% of the votes.

In the elections of 1997, 2001 and 2006, the WPA failed to break out of its peripheral role, even as widespread violence erupted when gunmen holed up in Buxton – labelled “Resistance Fighters” by one WPA Executive – took on the Police Force and massacred innocent citizens. The Alliance For Change (AFC) launched as a “multiracial party” in 2005 and did well at the 2006 elections. For the November 2011 elections, the PNC evidently was persuaded by the WPA remnants to coalesce with them and three other “micro parties”— to declare it was now “A Partnership for National Unity” (APNU).

It would appear that after the paroxysm of ethnic violence in the first decade of this millennium, the PNC was reacting to the changing demographics of Guyana – driven by an ethnically differential rate of emigration. Guyana was now a nation of minorities, and it must have calculated a coalition that masked its presence could compete without resorting to extra-parliamentary measures, such as the “mofyaah; slow fyaah” strategy of Desmond Hoyte after 1997.

In 2011, the AFC provided a home for disaffected PPP Executive Moses Nagamootoo. He was able to woo traditional PPP supporters, especially from Berbice, disaffected by the travails in the sugar industry and by incumbency fatigue. APNU and AFC together checkmated the PPP and restricted it to a plurality-controlled presidency. In the 2015 elections, the APNU/AFC coalesced and were able to capture the Government. However, Granger shot the coalition in the foot when he unilaterally closed four sugar estates, throwing 7000 primarily Indian Guyanese sugar workers on the breadlines.

In the March 2020 elections when it realised it had lost, the PNC reflexively launched moves to rig and was supported by the WPA remnants and the AFC, but they had to demit office by August. Since then, however, the WPA remnants, which boasted about its “multiracial credentials” built on the credibility of Walter Rodney, have performatively taken the lead to further polarise the local politics ethnically. They are pushing the PNC into a more “Hoytean” confrontational mode and abandoning democratic politics. Using social media that has now become ubiquitous to speak directly to the PNC’s base, the WPA remnants declared the PPP Government to be creating an “emerging apartheid state” that must be confronted outside of Parliament.

In this way, they are outbidding the PNC within its base so that the latter has to either move in their direction or see its base whittled away. It is quite ironic that the rump of the party of Walter Rodney is reintroducing confrontational ethnic politics. They have promised a “Day of Resistance” on June 12, Local Government Elections Day, which they are boycotting and probably hoping to intimidate voters.

The long shadow of Saddam’s dictatorship in Iraq

By Hayder al-SHakeri and alfadHel aHmad

Twenty years have passed since the US-led invasion of Iraq toppled Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship. The political class that assumed power in Iraq on a promise to do away with the Baathist regime’s authoritarianism and uphold democratic values has failed to deliver.

In fact, it has used the same oppressive tactics deployed by Saddam to protect the ethno-sectarian power-sharing system, known as “muhasasa ta’ifia”, which was established after 2003 and protects its narrow political and economic interests.

The biggest challenge to this system came in 2019 when Iraqis took to the streets en masse to demand political and economic change reflecting the promises they were given in the 2000s. The response from the political class was merciless. It has unleashed a deadly wave of violence and, under the current Government, has sought to use all legal and legislative means to further entrench its repressive grip on power and quash dissent.

Iraqis

fight to have a voice

The US-led invasion of Iraq was premised on the idea that deposing Saddam would allow democracy to flourish and human and civil rights to be upheld. Yet even the 2005 constitution, written by exiled Iraqi politicians and foreign allies who made these promises, contains vague wording, which allows for the easy abuse of civil rights.

For example, it says freedom of expression is guaranteed, but only if it does not infringe on “morality” or “public order”. This, of course, has allowed the arbitrary and indiscriminate use of this provision to muzzle the Iraqi media and Government critics.

The silencing of critical voices along with the deployment of political violence has allowed the Iraqi political elite to rule as it pleases and enrich itself on the backs of the Iraqi people.

But changing one oppressor for another is not something the Iraqi people have been willing to accept. As early as 2011 when the whole of the Middle East was in upheaval, trying to do away

with dictatorships and oppression, Iraqis took to the streets against their new rulers’ failure to provide basic services and a reasonable standard of living.

In the following years, protests continued as the political and economic situation in the country worsened.

In October 2019, years of built-up anger erupted into mass protests across central and southern Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated for weeks on end, demanding not just a dignified life but also an overhaul of the country’s failed political system. The protests also brought to the fore the issues of freedom of speech and human rights, raising awareness of their critical importance.

Despite deadly violence unleashed against the protests by State and non-state actors, demonstrations persisted. The nationwide solidarity they received delivered a major blow to the political elite, which thrives on sowing division and maintaining a culture of fear. It also led in 2021 to an electoral defeat of the parties that incited the violence against the protesters.

Crackdown on freedom of expression

The political forces that were punished by Iraqi voters in the last parliamentary elections for their corruption and participation in the crackdown on the 2019 protests came back with a vengeance last year.

They formed a coalition known as the Shia Coordination Framework, (SCF) and after the withdrawal of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc from parliament, which had won the largest number of votes, they were able to exploit certain constitutional provisions to gain power.

The SCF allied with Sunni parties and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to form the State Administration Coalition and control the Parliament. Since then, the group has launched what can only be described as a “counterrevolution” against important gains made after the October 2019 protests.

The SCF-led Government has restricted the space for free speech and criticism. Articles 225-227 of the Penal Code, which

were frequently used by the Baathist regime, have been used to target civil rights activists simply for expressing their opinions on social or in traditional media. They contain vague and broad language that allows Iraqi authorities to prosecute anyone who “insults the government”, “military forces” or “semi-official agencies” and sentence them to up to seven years in prison.

One notable example of how these articles have recently been misused is the case of activist Haider al-Zaidi. He was sentenced in December to three years in prison for a tweet criticising Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the late head of the Popular Mobilisation Forces, who was assassinated in a US drone strike in January 2020 along with Qassem Soleimani, head of the Quds Force in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp.

In March, political analyst Mohammed Na’naa’ was arrested for criticising Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, while Journalist Qudus al-Samaraie was sentenced to one year in prison for defamation after a senior military officer filed a lawsuit against her. These are just a few examples of a growing number of silenced public figures who dare criticise the political elite and the status quo.

In addition, the Ministry of the Interior has also established a committee to punish anyone who posts “indecent content” online under Article 403 of the Penal Code, which relates to another vague term – “public morals”. As a result of this article, individuals may be sentenced to up to two years in prison for violating a standard that is determined solely by the Ministry’s subjective view of morality.

In February, more than 10 people were arrested based on Article 403, including social media influencers such as Aboud Skaiba, who was later released after a public outcry, and Assal Hossam, who was handed a twoyear prison sentence.

The Supreme Judicial Council, a supposedly independent legal body, has recently come out in support of the Interior Ministry‘s recent push to prosecute individuals for “insulting State institutions”.

Curtailing political participation

One of the most significant gains the 2019 protests managed to achieve was the adoption of a new electoral law. It enabled the new political forces to organise and challenge the status quo, and as a result, about 30 candidates representing these groups entered Parliament.

The political elite saw this as a threat to its monopoly on power. After forming a new government, the SCF pushed for amendments to the electoral law, bringing back a method of calculating electoral votes that favours the parties of the established political class. There was so much opposition to this reform that the Parliament had to vote on it overnight and security forces removed lawmakers who were protesting against it.

In empowering the dominant ethno-sectarian parties, the amended law solidifies the current failed political system and undermines Iraq’s democratic path. It also goes against the shared national identity, which the 2019 protests rallied behind.

Although it has been 20 years since the end of Saddam’s regime, the path to democracy in Iraq remains elusive. Yet it is very much worth fighting for. Although they have suffered many setbacks and face a formidable enemy – a political class that clings to power by any means – Iraqis must keep up their struggle. The 2019 protests and the gains that were achieved – albeit short-lived – have shown the way.

The Iraqi people must continue to push for civil rights, such as freedom of speech, fair elections and accountability, and must keep these issues in the public eye to serve as a deterrent to those who seek to establish a new dictatorship. Even if progress is slow or meets with resistance, Iraqis should not lose hope. Change is possible and inevitable. And this time, it will not be exiled Iraqi politicians and their foreign allies leading it, but young Iraqis and civil society activists. (Al Jazeera)

(Hayder Al-Shakeri is a Research Associate with the MENA Programme at Chatham House and Alfadhel Ahmad is a political writer and researcher in Iraqi affairs. He focuses on issues of social and political changes in southern and central Iraq.)

Hungarian high-wire artiste Laszlo Simet Jr, 63, walks on a tightrope over the Danube in downtown Budapest, Hungary, April 15, 2023 (AFP photo)

All roads lead to the Returning Officers’ offices

Dear Editor,

In compliance with the legal requirements, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has signalled full preparedness to receive the nominated Lists of Candidates from all individuals, groups, and political parties contesting the 2023 Local Government Elections (LGEs). Therefore, Nominations Day: on Monday, April 17, 2023, should have a buzz of supporting activities as the Representatives submit their credentials.

The PPP/C is in its normal consistency mode, and is exuding full preparedness with its all-inclusive list of carefully selected candidates. Therefore, the party proposes and recommends its balanced teams to work and provide leadership and service delivery support in communities, while advancing a definite continuance of influence towards dominating the results at the upcoming polls. However, notwithstanding the recommendations, the party highly regards citizens’ choices in promoting and sustaining our democratic ideals.

The PNC, on the other side of the divide, along with its cabal backing in the APNU coalition, is bereft of meaningful support, and is still trying to find a fault

to challenge the conduct of these elections, or signal its intention to not contest.

It leaves one to wonder what next the PNC/APNU will come up with, in attempting to suppress our collective development as a nation, to support its thematic aggrandisement of a few.

The reasons for the latter are apparent, given the blatant attempts by the PNC+APNU/AFC to steal the Government in 2020. The memories are fresh in citizens’ minds, and severely negatively affect the PNC/ APNU’s ability to find credible candidates to contest the 2023 LGEs.

Whether or not the PNC/ APNU can field candidates to compete in these elections, its targeted delaying tactics will ultimately fail, as this nation is ready to hold the overdue LGEs. Aside from a few pompous vocals a few months ago, when it attempted to derail the elections by trumped up legal challenges, the PNC/ APNU is extremely silent on its preparation to challenge in these 2023 Local Government polls. The PNC has always displayed to its followers that false sense of security: that it can use the Judiciary to frustrate all efforts to hold Elections, and to defend its wrongdoings. The strategy has woefully

failed it, and even served to embarrass the lawyers who have been sympathetic to its meaningless cause.

GECOM has done an outstanding job in preparing to hold free and fair LGEs in 2023. Further, all political parties - particularly the two main parties, PPP/C and PNC+APNU coalition - have fielded a full contingent of scrutineers to monitor the Continuous Registration process and the Claims and Objections’ verification of the List. The preceding augers well for GECOM’s delivery of transparency and openness to the process, and does not leave any room for frivolous legal challenges from the PNC.

On the basis mentioned above, one can easily be satisfied that the final Register of Voters List for these LGEs was prepared correctly, and verified by the political scrutineers, who were all paid. Therefore, we must commend GECOM for following the process thoroughly, and ensuring the proper authentication of all the transactions by the signatures of political party scrutineers. Thus, this Voters List evidences the best possible preparation for holding the upcoming LGEs.

The PPP/C will contest all 70 Neighborhood Democratic Councils and

A quick comparison between CBJ and LFB

Dear Editor, I shall attempt to give a quick comparison between the two Presidents, Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan. It has already been established that Cheddi Jagan, in his quest to build a strong and progressive nation, was first vilified by none other than his own compatriot Burnham, later imprisoned by the Colonial Sovereigns of the day. It was a very deceitful plan by Burnham who knew fully well where the sentiments of the world powers of the day were. For the British, they never wanted a communist dictatorship state here in Guyana, and the Americans, the same policy.

Burnham played that opportunistic “Nice Boy” trick very well, I am talking about the erudite orator guy from Lincoln’s Inn played up to the World Powers of the day in earnest. In that ambience of biasness there was not a ghost of a chance for Cheddi, he was relegated to a place where he could never be a leader of this nation ever.

But was Cheddi the dictator communist Burnham and his international allies made him out to be? Was Cheddi a racist? Well, the answer is he was none of the above, an in-depth analysis of the man and his policies would reveal. Dr Jagan for his own part was a nationalist who wanted his people to prosper and be independent. This could only be achieved

by carving out a developmental plan separate and distinct from the template left us by the imperialists. It also meant that he had to turn to the Communist Block of Countries such as Cuba and The Soviet Union for advice.

Cheddi did make headway with his policies amidst the debilitating odds against him, vivid evidence of this was seen in the massive influx of other Caribbean Nationals into Guyana. This South American country was the place to come to for a better life. During the late 50s and early 60s Guyana, as it were, became overrun by Islanders seeking their fortune here. This was all due to Cheddi’s robust developmental plan.

Ironically, when Burnham came into power there was a reverse in fortunes, as Islanders as well as Guyanese alike were flushed out of Guyana. We ran away under disgraceful circumstances such as lack of jobs with which to feed one’s family as well as a scarcity of basic food items. Guyana at this stage was ranked below Haiti.

We are not going down that road again, which means we are dissociating ourselves from Burnham and the remnants of his party. Their influence was a blueprint for underdevelopment, as that racist state capitalism of Burnham ran riot. That type of backwardness is now done away with in the modern

10 Municipal Councils. The PPP/C’s well-balanced List of Representatives will give it a significant advantage in accumulating votes. In this sense, the party continues to focus on working even harder with ministers, and walking the ground to work with citizens and community leaders, to advance development across the country.

Therefore, following the presentation of the List of Candidates on Nominations Day, citizens countrywide can expect engagements from PPPC leaders and sup-

porters to be intensified in various forms, including meetings and house-tohouse visits. Focal points to these interactions would not be limited to, but likely provide, updates concerning plans at the Village, Neighbourhood Democratic, and Municipal levels; address concerns, where possible; and obtain consultative feedback from the grassroots level.

Naturally, the promotion of candidates comes as part of the package, as it would increase awareness of our

representatives who would be working at the Council level. The approach would also provide appropriate information to enable residents to make rational choices at the polls. It is unlikely that the electorate would waste their ballots, and likely they would vote for the best candidates. Therefore, these LGEs would reveal the well-anticipated feedback on PPPC’s One Guyana agenda.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

Whenwill there be an audit of M&CC?

Dear Editor, Once again, the Georgetown Municipality is in the news and once more for the most dishonourable and ignominious reasons. This time the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has been called in to investigate a conspiracy allegedly involving staffers of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, some Councillors and a contractor, to defraud the city of well over a hundred million dollars.

A number of glaring questions immediately come to mind which I hope that SOCU will be asking of them.

First, were these works that were purportedly done, approved by the council, prior to them being executed?

Second, were these works budgeted for by the council?

ditional 25% to be paid urgently when the contractor was already paid?

Sixth, is this the only contractor seeking to double dip? Or are there more?

dispensation of things. One Guyana is the watchword!

Respectfully,

Neil Adams

As the story goes, a contractor who was hired way back in 2015 to execute works such as weeding parapets, raking up debris, desilting alleyways and street drains, clearing empty lots, cutting down trees, and painting tree trunks and lanterns was found to be attempting to double dip. And this is for no small change but rather a whopping 127 million dollars.

Third, why are these works not being done by the nearly 1000-strong workforce of the municipality instead of being farmed out for exorbitant sums?

Fourth, why did the council’s internal auditor and the internal audit department fail to detect these and so many other scams within the council? What are they being paid for?

Fifth, why is the present council pressing for an ad-

But the big question is, when will this nonsense come to an end? When will the residents be relieved of this albatross around their necks? Will this latest scam see the prosecution of anyone or will it be swept under the carpet like so many others that we have heard of? When will there be a thorough and comprehensive audit of the Georgetown City Council be carried out? We keep asking for audits in the oil and gas industry, why not of the capital city of Guyana?

With thanks, Riley Matthews

NGSA Math Questions

Imposed parking meter project

US lawyers interview potential witnesses in US$100M claim case

Ateam of lawyers from the United Statesbased law firm –Foley Hoag and Associates –were in Guyana last week to interview potential witnesses in the US$100M proceedings filed by Mexican firm, Smart City Solutions (SCS), over the failed parking meter project in Georgetown.

The Guyana Government had announced back in January 2022 that it retained Foley Hoag to defend the country against the case filed by SCS at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) based in Washington DC, US.

While in Guyana, the US lawyers met with Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, on Thursday at the Attorney General’s Chambers on Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

“The lawyers were in Guyana to interview potential witnesses for the legal proceedings. In this regard, many persons who played a relevant role in the transaction were interviewed,” a missive from the AG’s Chamber detailed.

According to Nandlall, the US team will continue to engage the AG Chambers regarding other potential witnesses that they were unable to interview during their visit last week.

Nevertheless, the legal proceedings are continuing before the ICSID, which is an arbitration institution established by the World Bank Group to address legal

dispute resolution and conciliation between international investors and States.

Back in 2016, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown, under the then mayorship of Patricia Chase-Green and then Town Clerk Royston King, had entered into a contract with the Mexican company under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government for the installation of parking meters in the capital city.

However, the roll out of the project had sparked widespread public outcry and massive protest actions in Georgetown, resulting in the project being halted since. As a consequence, SCS is suing the Guyana Government through the ICSID.

In August last year, AG Nandlall had requested supplementary funds for the Legal Affairs Ministry – some of which were to pay legal fees to the US firm to represent Guyana.

Of the GY$100 million approved by the House, $3 million was to be used as a

deposit towards legal fees for lawyers representing Guyana.

In defending this payment, Nandlall had told the National Assembly that the law firm “is of very high international standing” and “has a reputational record before tribunals of that type that would be comparable with any other law firm in any part of the world”.

He went on to explain, during a subsequent episode of his weekly programme –Issues in the News, that the record and other evidential material relating to the claim show that the circumstances and the conduct governing the execution of the parking meter project contract by members of the M&CC can attract criminal liability.

“The requisite procedures laid down in the law under the Mayor and City Council Act and regulations and bylaws were clearly not complied with. A few persons, in my humble view, committed fraud upon the Council by entering into this transaction without the requisite endorsements as mandated by law… The Criminal Investigation Department is being activated and a criminal investigation will now be launched into that matter,” he had said.

The parking meters were active in January 2017, but this was met with strong resistance from the then PPP/C Opposition, private sector bodies, and ordinary citizens, who formed an organisation called Movement

Against Parking Meters (MAPM) – which went on to hold some of the largest non-political protests ever seen in the city.

Amid public pressure, the then APNU/AFC Government finally intervened and suspended the bylaws which paved the way for the implementation of metered parking, thus effectively halting the parking meter project. The project has since remained stalled.

Meanwhile, in January 2018, a ‘Parking Meter Renegotiation Committee’ at City Hall proposed a reduction in the parking fee from $500 per hour to $150 per hour.

Three months later, the then City Council approved

amendments to the bylaws and had even appeared before the then APNU/AFC coalition Cabinet to discuss the changes to the contract, but the then Government never gave the green light for the project to recommence.

However, a new City Council was elected later that year, and current Mayor Ubraj Narine had told this publication back in April 2019 that he was in no rush to reintroduce the initiative.

Although the contract had already been renegotiated, the Mayor also indicated that he would still need to further renegotiate with the investors before moving to reintroduce the

project.

Nevertheless, Nandlall had argued that the parking meter project was entered into by the previous Government due to its incompetence and corrupt practices. He has promised that as long as he is Attorney General, he will ensure that Guyana receives the best legal representation at every forum because citizens “deserve no less”.

Given the serious nature of the lawsuit, the Attorney General has made it clear that the Government will not leave the incompetent Georgetown M&CC to handle the case, because should SCS win, the company can levy on the historic City Hall. (G8)

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and other officials from the AG Chambers engaging the US lawyers from Foley Hoag and Associates

GRA warns against use of unregistered vehicles, misuse of trade plates

Monday to Friday from 06:00h (6 am) to 18:00h (6 pm) —and must not operate on weekends or public holidays. Further, it stressed that the use of trade plates beyond official hours and for an excessive amount of time is an offence.

Recognising… …artistes?

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has issued warnings over the use of unregistered vehicles and the misuse of trade plates on vehicles traversing the country’s roadway.

There are laws governing the use of unregistered vehicles and trade plates and failure to comply will result in the tax regulatory body and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) taking action.

In notices published in the media, the GRA noted that it has observed with concern the increase in the number of unregistered motor vehicles traversing

the public roadways. It has reminded importers, investors, and owners of unregistered vehicles of the terms and conditions of the release of these vehicles from the city wharves, which restrict their use until after registration.

Persons have 14 days to take corrective actions and engage the customs, excise, and trade operations and licence revenue office to have those motor vehicles duly entered and registered.

Failure to comply will result in GRA and the Police collaborating to have such vehicles detained.

Regarding the use of

trade plates, GRA noted further that it continues to observe with great concern, the number of motor vehicles affixed with trade plates that are using public roadways.

In some cases, the tax agency said that motor vehicles can be seen affixed with the same trade plate number assigned to a particular auto dealer.

In light of this, it reminded that trade plates are mainly intended for movement of vehicles cleared from the wharves, to move to premises, and to facilitate registration.

According to GRA, the use of these plates is restricted to weekdays—

Section 21 (1) and (3) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act permits the use of no more than four trade plates to temporarily allow vehicles to drive and move without being registered.

In this regard, it is urging all auto dealers “to take corrective actions immediately to cease the use of trade plates beyond what is allowed and register their vehicles as soon as possible”.

“Failing which, GRA and the Guyana Police Force will collaborate efforts to detain all motor vehicles found in use contrary to the provisions of the law”, one of the notices read while adding that the penalties include the revocation or suspension of dealership licences. (G1)

Your Eyewitness was a little taken aback by the buzz over which Guyanese artistes are – or weren’t –“recognised” by the Government. Now he’d always assumed that artistes had these creative urges from within that just had to be expressed in their work. And that they weren’t driven by the “name and fame” game – much less “filthy lucre”!! Weren’t we all raised on the trope of the starving artiste who gave up everything for his “art”?? Didn’t we learn that writers and such like back in the 18th century invariably lived in “garrets” – cold, damp and cramped attics that gave them permanent stoops??

Now, while in these matters there might be some hyperbole, the reputation was never too far from the truth, eh? Didn’t the Beatles come out of the basements of Liverpool?? And that recent bio-pic of Elvis sure reminded us that he had to claw his way out of the ghetto!! Didn’t Andy Warhol – whose paintings of those Campbell Soup cans are now worth millions (US$, baby!!) bum around in Greenwich Village – with the likes of Madonna and that gang – before they hit it big time?? But why go all the way to the “metropoles”?? There’s the Caribbean example of Marley and the Wailers – along with Jimmy Cliff – who clawed their way out of the Kingston “gullies”, innit??

Now, don’t get your Eyewitness wrong. He ain’t saying that our artistes shouldn’t be RECOGNISED by the Government. But in whining about that recognition, isn’t that in some way subverting the entire idea of “artistic integrity”?? Didn’t our own Martin Carter – universally accepted as our greatest poet – realise this after he took a “wuk” as Information Minister under Burnham. Didn’t he then quit and wrote “the mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it”?? Do all these artistes queuing up for a pat on the head by the Government – or more to the point, being hired for a gig or two – think there won’t be some kinda quid pro quo?? Even Shakespeare had to customise his portrayal of the English Monarchy!!

Now, there were noises made about the Government going all out to honour Letitia Wright of Black Panther fame!! But where’s the comparison?? Letitia had ALREADY starred in one of the BIGGEST hit franchises in modern moviedom!! Honouring her was putting Guyana on the map – and not vice versa!! And that’s the point, innit?? If our artistes were to make it big time on the world stage, the Government would be handing out honours to them faster than you can say, “Bangalee Babu”!!

So, your Eyewitness’s advice to all the artistes lining up for governmental “recognition” is: stop it right now. It doesn’t look dignified – and in fact, it’s downright embarrassing!!

…Chips Guyana

We got a long history of “chips” in Guyana – especially plantain chips and cassava chips. After all, these were the staple basics as far back as slavery – when every plantation had their “provision ground” or “plantain walk”!! Now while they were prepared as “bile and fry”, your Eyewitness is pretty sure some were done as “chips” that could be taken to the backdam to provide sustenance under the brutal sun!!

Fast forward to when Burnham invited the riff raff of America – not only Jim Jones! – to buttress his regime, among them was Rabbi Washington, a criminal on the lam from the law. He formed the House of Israel, that provided muscle to break up Opposition meetings. And killed Father Darke. Well, some might’ve forgotten, but he kept up our “chips tradition” to run his outfit by having his followers sell plantain chips”!!

Now some company will be keeping up our tradition by manufacturing plantain and cassava chips for the local and overseas market!! If they add “sour”, they’ll make a killing!! …Cricket!!

The good folks of Reg 10 are up in arms over the Government’s transforming the Mackenzie ground to ICC standards! We’re honouring the Canucks who created Mackenzie and didn’t play cricket?? But they had a “whites only” policy!!

Increasing demand for skilled, semi-skilled workers – PM …urges Guyanese to take up training opportunities

ditional careers is no accident. According to Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, the Government has been making an effort to get more women involved in these career paths.

“What we’re attempting to do is have women participate in what we call hard skills training programmes. Welders and fabricators, heavy-duty equipment operators. So that is our focus. There is only so many nail technicians you would want to have. The areas of development are where women should focus and that is the type of programme I want to bring to Ann’s Grove and all the areas on the East Coast.”

With the increasing investments and demand for skilled and semi-skilled workers, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is stressing the need for Guyanese to take advantage of every opportunity they can to be trained, especially when the Government offers such opportunities.

During last weekend’s outreach in Ann’s Grove on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips urged Guyanese in general to be cognisant of the increased demand for skilled and semi-skilled labour.

Phillips, who has ministerial responsibility for energy, noted that in addition

to the flurry of investments currently coming on stream, even more investments will come when the gas-to-energy project becomes operational next year. He stressed the need for Guyanese, especially youths, to position themselves.

“The reality is, we have a lot of investments coming to Guyana. Not only in oil and gas. In the mining sector. The construction sector. Small industries. And as we complete the Gas-ToShore Project and electricity becomes fairly cheap in Guyana, more investments will come to set up business in Guyana.”

“So, there will be an increase in the demand for semi-skilled and skilled labour in Guyana. Even nursing, for example, we have a

programme where we want to train 1000 nurses. A lot of young Guyanese can get into nursing. Very lucrative profession,” Phillips said.

The Prime Minister also spoke of the non-traditional employment opportunities that women tend to shy away from. According to Phillips, this trend is being reversed as more and more women are now getting into those areas.

“Masonry, carpentry, plumbing, excavator operator, welding. These are a lot of skills areas that, at present, are short in terms of supply. And based on projections there will continue to be an increase in demand for skills in those areas.”

Meanwhile, the reversal of the trend whereby more women enter non-tra-

It was only recently that President Dr Irfaan Ali had lamented the shortage of labour. During a press conference in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) back in February, President Ali had revealed that all the private entities in the Region Six are complaining about a shortage of labour. In fact, he had said this is a national complaint.

The Head of State, who was wrapping a twoday visit to the region, had said Government is combing across the entire country to find available labour. Ali had pointed out that in the construction sector in Region Six, there is a need for an additional 600 skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

Government is currently on a housing drive as it push-

es to develop 50,000 house lots over a five-year period at an average of 10,000 per year. With the new house lots comes an increasing demand for the construction of houses.

According to Ali, the housing drive, which is national, has created a demand for labour that the country does not have. He pointed out that Guyanese living in the Caribbean might be able

to fill a percentage of the gap in Region Six.

In May last year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had told the diaspora that there is a severe labour shortage, particularly for some types of skills. In fact, he had said that in some cases the Government may have to allow companies to bring in foreign labour to complete an individual project. (G3)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

There is already a labour shortage in Guyana

Speeding Presidential Guard dies in EBD crash

Demerara.

However, Corporal Narine was pronounced dead on arrival at the medical facility.

As the news of Corporal Narine's passing spread, Deputy Commissioner 'Administration' (ag) Calvin Brutus; Head of the Presidential Guard, Assistant Commissioner Edgar Thomas, and the Force's Welfare Officer, Allison Moore, visited the grieving family to express their condolences and offer support.

APresidential Guard

who was speeding while attempting to overtake several vehicles at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, died on Sunday morning after he crashed into a utility pole, having lost control of the Land Cruiser he was driving.

Dead is 24-year-old Police Corporal Avandel Kevin Narine. The young Presidential Guard (PG) was attached to Castellani House.

Reports are that Narine was driving a silver-grey Land Cruiser Jeep, owned by Anter Narine of Alma

Avenue, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown. Corporal Narine was behind the wheel, with three other passengers in the car at the time of the accident.

Those persons were Arvin Enouch, a 24-year-old of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara; Marcia Dundas,

a 23-year-old from Old Road, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, and Cassie Atkinson, a 22-year-old of Kitty, Georgetown.

According to reports, the vehicle was travelling south along the eastern side of the public road at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, at a

fast rate of speed, when the driver attempted to overtake several other vehicles.

However, the Land Cruiser spun out of control and crashed into a utility post located on the western side of the road, eventually landing in a trench on the same side of the road.

The impact of the accident wrecked the vehicle and the occupants were trapped. This newspaper was told that the Police and public-spirited citizens assisted the injured persons to the Diamond Regional Hospital, East Bank

Following the death of the Corporal, several persons took to social media to express how the situation has left a void that will be challenging to fill.

One person said the man was a dedicated and well-respected member of the Police Force.

“His passing serves as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily, and the need for all road users to exercise caution while on the roads. The loss of Corporal Narine is a tragedy that has left many feeling heartbroken and grief-stricken”, the person said. (G9)

Dead: Avandel Kevin Narine

The now wrecked vehicle that the Presidential Guard was driving

Venezuela border controversy Venezuela has until April next year to file Counter-Memorial

putes between states unless those states agree to exercise jurisdiction over this dispute by the court.

However, given the circumstances of this case, the ICJ held that the Monetary Gold Principle does not come into play in this case. Having regard to its finding, the World Court concluded that “even if the Court, in its judgement on the merits, were called to pronounce on certain conduct attributable to the UK, which cannot be determined at present, this would not preclude the Court from exercising its jurisdiction, which is based on the application of the Geneva Agreement.”

Jurisdiction

can no longer raise any more preliminary objections. This was that country’s second preliminary objection.

In its first objection, Guyana’s western neighbour had argued that the ICJ did not have jurisdiction to hear the border controversy case. But in a judgement dated December 18, 2020, the Court found that it had jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by Guyana in so far as it concerned the validity of the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.

settlement after the Good Office Process between Guyana and Venezuela failed. Within the framework of that agreement between the two countries, the Secretary General conducted Good Offices from 1990 to 2017 to find a solution to their border controversy. Guyana filed the case against Venezuela on March 29, 2018.

The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, Essequibo, and a portion of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in which more than nine billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past six years.

Having rejected both of Venezuela’s preliminary objections in the case brought against it by Guyana which is seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is gearing up to adjudicate upon the merits of Guyana’s case.

As such, the ICJ, via a court order, has set April 8, 2024, as the time limit for the filing of a CounterMemorial by Venezuela. It has reserved the subsequent procedure for further decision.

Guyana maintains that this Arbitral Award settled the land boundary between the two countries.

Rejected preliminary objection

By 14 votes to one, the ICJ on Thursday, April 6 rejected Venezuela’s preliminary objection in respect to Guyana not being the proper party to ask the court to bring finality to the issue.

Venezuela’s Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, during oral arguments last November, had advanced that her country was not disputing The Netherlands-headquartered court’s jurisdiction to arbitrate the matter, but instead asserted that Guyana is not the proper party to file the claim.

Her position was that be-

cause the United Kingdom (UK), which she had described as a “land grabber” and had accused of a “cover-up”, was a party to the Arbitral Award which saw Guyana being “given” territory, and owing to Guyana being a former British colony, it was the UK that ought to have asked the ICJ to resolve the border controversy.

But this was refuted by a member of Guyana’s legal team, Professor Philippe Sands, KC, who had argued that when Guyana became independent, the UK gave its consent to the United Nations (UN), and by extension its judicial arm — the ICJ — by way of negotiating, signing, and bringing into effect the February 17, 1966 Geneva Agreement with the power to settle the border controversy between the two nations.

When Guyana gained independence three months later, it joined the agreement as an independent nation alongside the UK and Venezuela, fully taking over the former position of the British in talks with Venezuela regarding the border dispute, he had argued.

Delivering the court’s judgement was ICJ President, Judge Joan Donoghue, who said most of the Judges had upheld Guyana’s position that

the Articles of the Geneva Agreement expressly state that the controversy shall be settled between Venezuela and Guyana.

“In light of the foregoing, the Court concludes that by virtue of being a party to the Geneva Agreement, the United Kingdom accepted that the dispute between Guyana and Venezuela could be settled by one of the means set out in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations, and that it would have no role in that procedure,” Justice Donoghue underscored.

In fact, she explained that the Court observed that the UK did not seek to participate in the procedure set out in the Agreement to resolve the dispute; nor did the parties, Guyana and Venezuela request such participation. As such, the ICJ noted, “Venezuela’s exclusive engagement with the Government of Guyana during the Good Offices Process indicates that there was agreement among the parties that the United Kingdom had no role in the dispute settlement process.”

To amplify her case, Venezuela’s representative had relied on the Monetary Gold Principle — a procedural legal rule that came with the historical practice of the ICJ — which means that international courts are not competent to settle dis-

Further, it unanimously held that the preliminary objection raised by Venezuela is admissible, but by 14 votes to one, rejected it and said that it will go ahead and adjudicate upon the merits of Guyana’s claim. In light of this ruling, the ICJ made it clear that Venezuela

The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, in January 2018 decided that the case should be settled by the ICJ, after exercising the powers vested in him to decide how the controversy should be settled by Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the UK.

He resorted to judicial

Guyana, among other things, is asking the ICJ to declare that the 1899 Arbitral Award is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela, and that the latter is internationally responsible for violations of Guyana’s sovereign rights and for all injuries suffered by Guyana as a consequence. (G1)

The ICJ delivered its decision on Venezuela’s preliminary objection on Thursday, April 6 (Photo by ICJ via https://www.icj-cij.org/multimedia-cases)

Enmore industrial zone project attracts bids from multiple local companies

on land formerly used by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

As far back as 2021, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has been making it clear there are major plans to convert the Enmore Sugar Estate that was closed under the former Administration of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), into an employment hub for the ECD.

five years with the coming on stream of this US$35 million investment.

The company also started a training needs assessment and administrative process last year to employ over 40 workers from GuySuCo’s Enmore Sugar Packaging Facility, in keeping with an agreement with the State to train and employ Enmore sugar workers at the industrial development site.

Wales, was too deteriorated to reopen. As such, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government has since been undertaking several initiatives to create employment opportunities at those estates that cannot be revived to produce sugar.

The infrastructural development of the Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) industrial zone, an important project the Government has said will create numerous economic opportunities on the ECD and create as much as 4000 jobs, has attracted multiple bids from local companies.

The industrial zone is being built in lots one to six, and according to the

bids that were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), as many as ten companies submitted bids. B&J Civil Works bid for lots one, two and three. However, the remaining firms did not restrict themselves.

Abrams General Contracting Service Inc, R Kissoon Contracting Service, R Bassoo and Son construction, Pro Build Hardware,

Sat Sais International, M&P Investment Incorporated, Nabi Construction, R&G Bacchus Mining, Quality Deliverer, Associated Construction Services and J&R General Construction Services bid for all six available lots.

Preparatory work including the clearing of obstacles and construction of internal roads, has already started on the Enmore industrial zone, which will be situated

The private sector has also come on board, with an agreement being signed last year for majority Guyaneseowned joint venture company Guysons K+B (GKB) Industries Inc, which has acquired 55 acres of land in Enmore from the Guyana Government, to establish a fabrication facility that would be offering services to the oil and gas industry.

The services to be offered would include tubular goods, premium threading and accessory services, as well as turnkey manufacturing solutions. Over 500 job opportunities are expected to be created over the next

When the Enmore Estate was closed back in 2017, hundreds of sugar workers from Enmore and surrounding communities along the East Coast corridor were placed on the breadline, like other displaced GuySuCo workers from the Wales, Albion and Skeldon Estates that were also shut down by the coalition regime.

Since it was in the Opposition, the PPP/C had promised to reopen those estates and revive the sugar industry to its once-thriving status. However, upon the PPP/C assuming office in August 2020, it was discovered that the condition of some of the estates, such as

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had assured last year that these initiatives are being carried out in a “studied way” to not only create jobs but also develop those communities that were devastated owing to the closure of the estates.

In fact, at the Enmore Estate, Jagdeo had explained that the Government has allocated a 10-acre plot of land for development that will generate between 500 and 700 jobs in Enmore and surrounding areas.

This, he noted, coupled with the agreement signed with Guysons K+B Industries Inc (GKB), which will transform the Enmore Packaging Plant into a modern oilfield service centre and manufacturing facility, will see even more retrenched workers being hired.

One of the recruitment drives started by GKB for its fabrication facility in the Enmore industrial park

…work being done in several lots

Guyanese businesswomen head to New Orleans for exchange programme

Several local female entrepreneurs will be heading to the United States to participate in a four-day Women in Business Trade Exchange Programme –Advancing Women in Business –this week.

The programme will be held in New Orleans from April 19 to 22, and hosted by the Louisiana District Export Council, Jones Walker LLP and Techniques International.

Director of Communications for the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana, Anita Ramprasad said this is the first Women in Business Trade Exchange.

“It is a reverse trade exchange. Typically, trade missions come from other countries into Guyana and they are hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, the United States Embassy or through a Government Ministry. It allows businesses to participate in various business building session,” she noted.

Ramprasad explained that the business leadership exchange is somewhat different as it focuses primarily on women.

“Through a collaboration with the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana, our partners in Louisiana reached out and planned the event that will afford women the opportunity to

travel, sit and experience a trade mission from a different perspective,” she stated. According to Ramprasad, the women participating in the trade exchange represent various sectors. These include logistics, marketing, consultancy and construction, among others.

“Each of these women is at a point in their business life where they are looking to do what they now do, better; expand, grow or leverage what they have, to venture into something new,” she pointed out.

The exchange programme will see the group participate in busi-

ness meetings, round table discussions and networking opportunities that could further develop their businesses. The delegation will also hold discussions with US leaders and stakeholders on business opportunities in Guyana.

The women participating are: President of the Women’s Chamber Commerce and Industry, Rowena Elliot; Business Development Manager at SocialRank Media/ ACE Consultancy, Arifa Mohamed; CEO/Owner of Signature Move Marketing Agency, Ulex Smith; CEO/Owner of Supreme Laundromat and Office Cleaning Services, Donna Rickford; CoFounder and CEO of Georgetown American University, Dr Melissa Varswyk; Associate Manager at Global Logistics and Business Services Inc, Beverly Whittaker; President/CEO of Global Logistics and Business Services Inc, Nicola Whittaker; Managing Director at B&J Civil Works, Josephine Tapp, and Rampersaud, who is also the Founder/CEO of Prestige Management Consultant.

This delegation was selected after an invitation was sent to business chambers countrywide with the hope of attracting nominees from women-owned and operated businesses. The delegation will leave Guyana on Tuesday.

According to the New Orleans

Chamber of Commerce website, the ‘Guyana to New Orleans Exchange’ programme is geared toward Louisiana companies interested in entering the Guyana market, or firms who are already there and looking to broaden their network.

In November 2022, 22 firms from across several US states including Louisiana visited Guyana to engagement local stakeholders in key sectors such as generation equipment, cybersecurity, automotive, building and construction materials, energy, and oil and gas.

The delegation, led by the Louisiana District Export Council Trade Mission, had a busy schedule of meetings and market briefings to understand the business environment in Guyana.

They also met with a number of senior Government officials including President Dr Irfaan Ali, during which the Louisiana trade delegation learned about the Guyana Government’s efforts to promote investment and economic diversification, explore market entry strategies, foster partnerships, and develop closer trade and investment ties between Guyana and the US.

After more than 30 engagements, the Louisiana delegation was impressed with Guyana’s private sector and the opportunities for partnerships with local organisations. (G8)

MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2023

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Truck driver stabbed to death during robbery at Eccles

Atruck driver was stabbed to death during a late-night robbery at Eccles Dumpsite Road, East Bank Demerara, during a brutal robbery which ended in murder.

Dead is 45-year-old Kerry Sears.

Reports are that at about 21:45h on Saturday evening, the driver along with four others were attacked by motorcycle bandits.

The suspects, Police said, were armed with a knife and gun.

According to investigators, Sears had left his workplace in Herstelling, EBD, at around 18:00h in motor canter GYY2428 to conduct company business at Sarah Johanna, EBD. Following the completion of his task, he was expected to return to the company’s headquarters to conclude his duty for the day.

Reports are that Sears was on his way back, when he stopped on the southern side of the Eccles Dump Site Road to converse with another canter driver, with whom he had previously worked with at another company.

The driver from the oth-

er company told Police that he and other workers were heading back to their company’s parking lot at Eccles when Sears signalled for them to stop.

The driver said he stopped and they all exited their canters and were conversing on the roadway when four bandits rode up on two motorcycles and confronted them with the gun.

During the incident, a 22-year-old porter of Industrial Site, Eccles, was robbed of one cellular phone valued at $25,000 and $16,000, while a 19-yearold worker, who is also from Industrial Site, was robbed of one cellular phone valued at $30,000, and one silver band valued at $5000.

The confrontation allegedly escalated, resulting in Sears being stabbed in the chest by one of the perpetrators. In a bid to escape from the bandits, Sears fled through a street on the northern side of Dump Site Road, where he collapsed and died.

Police and ambulance services were called to the scene where Sears was pronounced dead by a doctor. His body was exam-

HelpBot to complement 914 toll-free hotline

Aiming to advance the existing 914 emergency hotline, 21-year-old Maryam Bacchus demonstrated the usage of HelpBot, a new digital interface for the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Imatter app, on Saturday at We Lift 3.

ed to send their location or pin their location by clicking the paperclip or plus icon next to their message box and choosing their location.

ined and a stab wound was found on the chest area. The body was subsequently taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Parlour, pending a post-mortem examination.

The Police have since launched a thorough investigation into the incident, with several individuals, including the driver and occupants of the other canter, being interviewed and taken into custody for questioning. (G9)

In March, Bacchus represented Guyana at the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status on Women Youth Forum where she highlighted the progress the country has made in promoting gender equality through technology and innovation in past years. The 914 toll-free hotline was launched by the Human Services Ministry in 2020 to respond to victims of domestic abuse at any time of the day.

In conducting research, however, Bacchus found several gaps in the currently existing hotline: some of the information is not easily accessible as making calls during a true emergency can be challenging, some persons who use the number may not be able to hear or speak and some may not be able to read or write.

“HelpBot is a revolutionary new tool that brings out the full potential of chatbots and WhatsApp, it is the first of its kind and it is fully accessible and addresses all the problems I just listed,” Bacchus said.

“HelpBot caters for those that can't read or write, persons who can't talk or see. HelpBot has buttons so that you don't even need to type,” Bacchus explained.

The new digital interface adds to the hotline response available on the Imatter app, which was launched in

2022 to offer assistance and resources related to gender-based violence (GBV) to individuals in need across the country.

In demonstrating how the app works, Bacchus showed that when an individual messages the hotline number, they are greeted by a WhatsApp chatbot that associates itself with the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and are then given three options to choose from: Help and Danger, Safety Watch List and Information Section.

If an individual was to select the Information Section, they are directed to further options including information on the 914 hotline, counselling programmes for survivors of abuse and free shelters for survivors.

“All you need to do is click on the button and you got the information plus it was annotated for you so persons who can’t read have access to the information right there,” Bacchus said. “Information a click away.”

If an individual were to select the Help and Danger option, Bacchus demonstrated, they will be direct-

“You have successfully submitted your live location. Your report has been submitted to a first responder and you will be contacted shortly,” HelpBot responds after receiving a location.

“First responders are the persons responding to these incidents so we created the dashboard for them,” Bacchus explained. “This dashboard has all the statistics and information that the first responder may need to respond to a problem.”

Bacchus added that there is also a map of all the locations of where incidents occur that can be viewed by the first responder in a list format.

“How will we take charge of our statistics?” Bacchus posed to attendees. “Let me remind you what those statistics are: 55 per cent of women in Guyana suffer some form of abuse and 75 per cent of those cases go unreported.”

Persaud commended Bacchus on conceptualising the interface. “That young woman designed that app in one day and saved me thousands of US dollars [and] she said to me, ‘I don't want anything for it, I want to give it to the Ministry for the work it does,’” Persaud said.

“[This will] fill a very important gap in what we have for the Imatter app which gives you all the resources you need in digital format,” Persaud said. “These gaps will be filled shortly and we will have the kind of mega response we need to [address] the very concerning issue of violence.”

Dead: Kerry Sears

Maryam Bacchus

Samville village to be significantly upgraded – McCoy

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy on Sunday said that the community of Samville, which is located in Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke Linden Highway, will soon see many upgrades to its infrastructure.

On Saturday, McCoy, during a walk around the community, engaged with several residents who shared their concerns about the current state of the infrastructure within the community. He shared that his presence in the community comes as part of his usual routine visits, which happens frequently in many other areas along the highway.

According to McCoy, commitments for upgrades were made to residents by President Dr Irfaan Ali, during his last visit to the neighbouring community of Kuru Kururu, many of which are already in the implementation phase.

“One of it [the commitments] was to examine the situation with Samville. And so…the President’s of-

fice had the GPL (Guyana Power & Light) team go in there along with Lands and Survey to do an assessment…for the purposes of treating the electricity issue in that community. So, you will see steps being unfolded over time to be able to have…that commitment fulfilled,” McCoy unveiled.

He further added that on the matter of electricity, he will be continuously following up with GPL until progress is made.

In relation to the up-

Gunmen hijack $2.7M car from Meadow Brook resident

grades of roads, McCoy added that “We should have some roads being done in the community and those of course [will] add to the community’s assets. I believe, I am not absolutely sure, but I think they should be in the tender process in terms of the advertisement stage at this time.”

When the tender process is completed, the contract will be awarded and work will begin.

Some sections of the roads within the community are in a deplorable state, which hinders residents

from traversing without hinderance.

Speaking with this publication on Sunday, a resident shared her struggles with transportation in Samville given the condition of the roads, adding that a taxi was unable to take her directly to her home after being stuck in the sand.

“I usually take taxis when I go grocery shopping, and due to the looseness of the sand the car was stuck and I had to walk the remaining distance home with my luggage. As a result, taxi drivers were hesitant to come

up here again. However, one of the residents recently placed clay soil on that section of the street, so we’re okay for the time being, but other sections of the street are still bad to drive when the sand gets loose,” the resident shared.

Samville is a small underdeveloped community consisting of an average of 400 persons. The community, however, received electricity in early 2015, not by integration into the national grid, but via the provision of solar panels by the PPP/C Administration. Before that, some residents were relying on lamps as their primary source of light at the time, while others were fortunate to have generators.

The package, distributed by the PPP/C, consisted of one 65-Watt solar panel; one solar power GEL battery, two Edison screw light bulbs and bulb sockets, and a switchboard with attached solar power charging systems. Packages were distributed once per household to everyone living there at the time.

This distribution had an impactful change on the

lives of many citizens who were able to transition from kerosene lamps to solar power, which aided them to live a more comfortable lifestyle. With this change, residents were then able to afford the use of electrical appliances such as fridges, TVs, and microwaves, and had access to Wi-Fi systems and more, enabling residents to live more comfortably.

Solar power is energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. Its technologies can harness this energy for the generation of electricity, providing light and a lot more. Photovoltaics, one of the three ways to harness solar power, generates electricity directly from the sun via an electronic process, and that electricity is then used to power anything, from small electronics to homes and even large commercial businesses.

To date, the appliances of most residents of the community are still powered by solar system generated electricity, whereas other residents who moved there following said distribution use generators.

AMeadow Brook, Georgetown resident has been left shaken after two masked gunmen hijacked his $2.7 million worth Toyota Fielder motor car, PZZ 9873.

Michael Reid told reporters that he was proceeding to Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, at about 23:00h on Friday evening to meet an acquaintance when two men signalled for him to stop by stretching out their hands. Initially, Reid said he did not perceive the danger and thought the men might be persons he knew. However, he soon realised the situation he was in when the men pointed a gun to his head and demanded he exit the car.

Fearful for his life, Reid said he was left with no choice but to comply with the bandits' demands. The man claimed that the bandits searched through his pockets and then demanded that he lie down on the road.

He said one of the robbers entered his car, turned it around, and then both men made good their escape, taking Reid's cell phone, cash, bank card, and a relative's Xbox with them.

After the hijackers fled, Reid said he walked to the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost to make a report, but the officers there turned him away, saying the crime did not take place in their jurisdiction. He said he was then forced to walk back to Sophia without any money or means of communication until he saw a friend, who offered him a ride to the Turkeyen Police Station.

He said when the Police visited the scene, they found a few papers and envelopes that the hijackers had thrown from his car.

Reid is appealing to the public to help him recover his stolen vehicle. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the nearest Police station or call Reid on (592) 661-3303.

(G9)

The section of the road at First Street, Samville where clay soil was placed

Coldingen fatal accident Police still awaiting legal advice on death of pregnant teen

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is still awaiting legal advice on last month’s accident at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD), which claimed the life of a pregnant 17-year-old girl, Commander of Regional Division 4C, Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram confirmed on Sunday.

Bibi Mohammed lost her life in the devasting accident which occurred on February

17. At the time, the teen, who was six months pregnant, and her younger sister were on an electric bike when they were struck by a truck bearing registration number GRR 3130, driven by a 67-year-old of Annandale, ECD.

The electric bike was ridden by the teen’s 16-year-old sister, while the now dead teen was the pillion rider.

The truck driver is on station bail.

Police had stated that the truck was proceeding along the Coldingen Public Road when the driver alleged that as he approached the main road, he stopped and observed the traffic before going onto the main access road. He, however, claimed that when he drove off, he felt his lorry “bump up” and upon checking, he saw the two sisters lying on the road next to an electric bike.

Persons rushed to the scene, and the girls were picked up and escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital

where they were examined but Bibi was pronounced dead on arrival. The younger sister had been admitted as a patient while the driver had been taken into Police custody.

Regulations for e-bikes

Traffic Chief Dennis Stephen had told a section of the media that there is no law in place to govern the use of electric bikes since the laws do not include them in the definition of a motorcycle.

He disclosed that the Police are working with agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to implement regulations for the use of these bikes.

Once these regulations are developed, people would require a valid motorcycle licence in order to operate these bikes. In the meantime, Stephen has advised persons below the age of 16 to desist from riding these bikes, especially on main thoroughfares.

UG to host annual Open Day, Job Fair this week

“We would have pushed to have those cycles registered immediately. The reason for that is that, over the last year, over seven persons would have lost their lives using this cycle, and 13 persons were injured. The law is clear as it relates to the age range of persons riding motorcycles, and we believe that if persons started to register those cycles, we would be able to ease most of the persons with lack of knowledge on their part…,” he had told this publication.

He nevertheless added that the Police’s Traffic Department has embarked on a campaign to educate persons on the dangers of these bikes on the roadways. The GRA has since clarified that it is not registering or licensing electric bikes (e-bikes).

In a statement, the GRA had said that should these requirements be implemented in the future, it would inform the public.

“…The Guyana Revenue Authority has not commenced the registration of electric bikes, electric cycles and electric golf carts presently seen traversing the roads in Guyana,” the statement added.

According to the GRA, it is pursuing discussions with its sister agencies including the GPF regarding the requirements for importation, registration, licensing, and related liability insurance for electric bikes. (G1)

The University of Guyana is set to host its annual Open Day and Job Fair from Thursday to Saturday at the Turkeyen Campus and on April 28, 2023, at Tain Campus (Berbice), under the theme, “Advancing Local Content Priorities: Maximising Opportunities”.

This year’s event will feature two main aspects – an Open Day, which will allow all potential university students an opportunity to explore the over 150 programmes that UG has to offer, and also learn about various career paths directly from the university’s faculty and students. Meanwhile, the Job Fair component will provide information on job and internship opportunities being offered by top local and international organisations which will be present to connect with current UG

students, alumni, and the general public.

Students of senior secondary schools across Guyana, all post-secondary institutions, professionals from both the public and private sectors, and members of the public are invited to participate in this year’s event. The event opens from 10 am to 4 pm daily and admission is completely free.

On April 20, at the Turkeyen Campus, UG’s Academic Divisions and Service Units will host information sessions that will allow persons to engage with representatives of the various university departments. And on April 21 and 22, there will be job seminars featuring keynote presentations and panel discussions involving industry experts from the public and private sectors. All interested persons, especially those

Oleander Gardens accident

seeking to enter the job market, are encouraged to attend and engage with the experts.

Meanwhile on April 28, at the Tain Campus, academic departments of the UGBC will host information sessions for potential students, and companies will be conducting interviews for jobs and training opportunities.

Several well-known companies and organisations have already come on board to support this event and will share perspectives on topical issues impacting their area of expertise.

The University of Guyana’s application process for prospective students for the Academic Year 2023/2024 is also now open. Interested persons are kindly asked to access the following link to apply: https://registry.uog.edu. gy/admissions-division/apply-uog.

Victim still fighting for life, CCTV footage shows driver speeding

fore ploughing into Allan, who was at the corner of the road.

ern lane to a complete stop.

New details have emerged regarding the hit-and-run accident on the stretch of road between Oleander Gardens and Conversation Tree, Rupert Craig Highway, which has left the victim fighting for his life.

The incident occurred on Monday evening when 52-year-old Allan Downes of Oleander Gardens, Greater Georgetown, was struck by a motor car while walking along the road. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene after accident, leaving Allan lying critically injured on the side of the road.

Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage from the area of the accident is now coming into clearer focus. The footage allegedly shows that the driver of the vehicle was speeding at the time of the collision, swerving recklessly through traffic be-

According to Allan's family, who have seen the footage, the vehicle was travelling at an alarmingly high speed, making it impossible for Allan to avoid the collision. However, despite this evidence, the family is alleging that the Police had initially made allegations that Allan had crossed into the path of the car from north to south, suggesting that he was at fault for the accident.

In a statement on Saturday, the family said this information was deeply troubling to them, and that the Police had provided incorrect information regarding the accident. They also said they were called to the Turkeyen Police Station, ECD, on Saturday morning, where they were shown the CCTV footage by the Police.

They claim that the video clearly shows that the car was travelling along Rupert Craig Highway when it suddenly veered off to the northern corner of the highway, hitting Allan before swerving to the southern lane and then returning to the north-

“The driver then stopped for approximately 30 seconds before fleeing the scene of the accident, failing to render any assistance. The injuries sustained behind both of my father’s knees are a clear indication that he was struck full-on from behind,” the statement read.

Allan remains in critical condition, and his family is calling for justice to be served and for the driver to be held accountable for their reckless actions.

"I want justice for my father. He was left for dead on the side of the road, and the driver didn't even bother to stop and render assistance. This is unacceptable," said his son.

The incident has also sparked concerns about road safety on the Rupert Craig Highway, with many residents calling for stricter enforcement of road safety laws to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

As the investigation continues, Allan's family and the community are hoping for answers and for justice to be served. (G9)

Injured: Allan Downes

Allan after he was found on the road

Dead: Bibi Mohammed

“We’re trying to get everything right” –Edghill on timeline to replace DHB's Span 9

Public Works Minister

Juan Edghill has said that they looking for an appropriate time to replace retractor Span 9 on the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) with a new structure that has been built.

The new $1.2 billion Span 9 was fabricated by a local company, Industrial Fabrications Inc (InFab), and was completed since 2022. During a recent interview with, Edghill indicated that the new Span 9 is being held at a dockyard up the Demerara River and is expected to be floated down closer to the bridge in the

coming days where it will be stored until it is ready to be installed.

“We’re awaiting now the next suitable tide that we could get it down… It will

come and moor in this area [in the vicinity of the DHB],” he explained.

According to the Public Works Minister, an announcement will be made when they are ready to make the replacement.

“The bridge will have to be closed for a number of days to facilitate the taking out of the entire Span 9 and the replacing of that new Span 9… We’re looking at timings, tide and least interruptions [to traffic]. There have been rehearsals that have been done with both the contractor and the Demerara Harbour bridge staff to make sure that we could get this done swiftly.”

“When Span 9 is removed to be replaced, nothing can pass [on the bridge] because there will be a big gap in the bridge. So, that’s not work that can be done while traffic is flowing. So, we’re trying to get everything right,” Minister Edghill further stated.

Back in March, works were done on Retractor Span 10. This was in addition to other emergency repairs done in February to the ageing bridge that is a critical link between several regions and the capital city as well as main airports.

In February, the bridge was closed for over 24 hours in order to facilitate emergency works to be carried out. These include changing out two static rollers, a transom beam, six panels and the mechanism to secure the

changes.

These works had to be done following extensive damages to the DHB in October 2022 when Panamaregistered oil tanker, MV Tradewind Passion, crashed into the bridge and rendered it inoperable for several days. The incident was said to be one of the most serious collisions on the 44-year-old metal structure.

To date, emergency works conducted on the bridge due to the accident have racked up a bill of over $1 billion. The Guyana Government had insisted that the company which owns the oil tanker should foot the expenses for these repairs.

However, Minister Edghill told reporters last week that nothing has been paid by the company as yet. But he noted that Government is pursuing the matter legally.

Only Friday, the DHB commissioned a multi-functional power barge, which was refurbished from an old barge and is powered by two 300-horsepower mercury engines. It will be used to transport workers, equipment and tools during emergency repairs and/or scheduled maintenance works on the bridge.

This would see the minimising of inconveniences to the travelling public as the teams would no longer have to block traffic or close off the bridge entirely when executing works but would access via the Demerara River us-

ing the power barge.

Additionally, the barge also comes with a lifeboat –both procured at about $73 million.

While the power barge was acquired to primarily conduct maintenance and house equipment, General Manager of the DHB, Wayne Watson explained that it would also serve as a means of transport in emergency cases.

“It was suggested that in the future if there is any need when we have the closure [of the bridge to do works, for example,] for replacing Span 9, this can also be used for taking commuters from east to the west side [and vice versa across the Demerara River]. So, it’s a multi-functional piece of equipment,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Minister had described this investment as cost-saving, adding that it will bring greater efficiency.

In fact, he pointed out that when the bridge was damaged during the October 2022 incident, the rental of barges to effect repairs racked up expenses in excess of $12 million for just a few days of use.

“When we make these kinds of investments… it improves the fact that we can work on a platform on the water and we don’t have to congest the carriageway… so that the traffic can flow, and it has serious cost-savings implications,” Minister Edghill stated.

The heavy-duty machine operator who was electrocuted on Saturday at Number 52 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was at the time of the incident working for a sub-contractor planting poles in the area.

Michael Benjamin, 27, died when there was an electrical feed coming through the pole he was planting.

According to a source close to the Trinidadian firm, which was contracted to plant the poles from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the heavy wind shook the 69-KV live power live bringing it about one foot away from the pole.

At the time Benjamin of Lot 6 Dukestown, Corriverton was operating a hydraulic lift which was holding the pole.

The now-dead man’s mother told this publication that he recently had an accident and as a result, there was a steel plate in his foot.

At the time of the incident, another worker Oddel Kyte was holding the said pole and quickly let go of it after he recognised that it was conducting electricity.

Benjamin had been working with the private contractor for the past six years and was considered very safety-conscious. He was the foreman of the team.

Grieving mother

Wonder Benjamin said she spent several hours talking to her son before he died.

The woman, who operates as a domestic worker in Suriname, said she returned home on Friday to visit her children and returned on Saturday but before she could arrive at her Suriname home she heard of her son’s demise.

“Me and he sit down and we gaff, he say, ‘Mummy, look how long you put in for land since 2002 and you did not get none. You go back again and you put in and you did not get none. When you come back from Suriname you would go to the land office in town [Georgetown].”

The 54-year-old mother said she and her son, conversed from 03:00h on Saturday until 05:30h when she started to perpare to make the trip back to Suriname.

According to Benjamin, she arrived at Paramaribo at about 14:30h and before she could disembark, she received a phone call indicating that her son had died.

At about 12:20h on Saturday, while operating at Number 52 Village Middle Walk Dam, Benjamin was operating the hydraulic lift

and Kyte was holding the Post centering it in a hole. Due to a sudden movement that caused the post to accidentally touch the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) electrical line, Kyte’s body immediately started to vibrate and he get go of the post.

When Kyte when to check on Benjamin, he saw him lying motionless on the ground next to the hydraulic lift.

According to a source close to the firm which was subcontracted to plant the posts for GPL, the men had moments completed planting one pole next to the 69-Kv power line and were about to plant the second one when the incident occurred.

The source said no request was made to GPL to take off the power.

Only recently Region Six Chairman David Armogan made an appeal to contractors and machine operators to stay away from electric lines; pointing out that on many occasions the lines get damaged which results in prolonged power outages.

“It is also dangerous for the persons who are operating these machines. These are high power lines and it can kill the person who is operating the machine if it comes into contact with the lines.” Armogan had cautioned. (G4)

Electrocuted foreman Operator was working for private sub-contractor …“me and he sit down and we gaff” – mom says son dies same day after she left Guyana

The hydraulic lift Michael Benjamin was operating

Dead: Michael Benjamin

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

Brazil's Lula calls for “peace group” to broker Ukraine-Russia deal

Brazilian President

Luiz Inácio Lula

da Silva on Sunday again proposed establishing a group of countries not involved with the RussiaUkraine war to broker peace, saying he had discussed the matter with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping earlier this week.

"I think we need to sit on a table and say, 'that's enough, let's start talking', because war never brought and will never bring any benefit to humanity," said Lula, who has been critical of the United States and the European Union for their role in the conflict.

The Brazilian President told reporters in Abu Dhabi, where he finished a trip to Asia, that he was trying to gather a group of leaders that "prefer to talk about peace rather than war".

He cited Xi and the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both of whom he met this week.

Lula had previously said the group should gather countries not "encouraging" war, adding that nations that are supplying weapons should be convinced to stop doing so.

The United States and the European Union have been providing Ukraine with weapons and other support since Russia invaded the neighbouring country more than a year ago.

Gunmen storm Mexican resort, kill 7, including child

Armed men on Saturday killed a child and six others after storming a resort in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, authorities said, in a region increasingly plagued by drug cartel violence.

Footage widely shared on social media showed the aftermath of the attack in a palm-studded resort in the small town of Cortazar, about 65 kilometres (40 miles) south of the Guanajuato city.

It was not clear who was

behind the shooting that killed the seven-year-old, three men, and three women, Cortazar's local security department said. One person was seriously injured in the La Palma resort.

But in recent years rival drug cartels have been waging brutal battles to control territory and trafficking routes through the state.

Video taken soon after the attack showed shocked adults and children walking past piles of dead bodies near a swimming pool.

"Heavily armed sicarios

arrived and this is what happened," said an unidentified man, using a word for hired assassins as he filmed at the resort in a video shared on the internet.

Reuters could not independently verify the contents of the video.

"After the attack, (the attackers) fled, but not before causing damage to the resort store and taking the security cameras and the monitor," Cortazar's security department said in a statement.

(Reuters)

Germany earlier this year reportedly asked Brazil to supply arms as well, but Lula refused.

Lula repeated that the decision to start war was "made by two countries", appearing to also place some blame on Ukraine, and added that ending it will be harder as more nations would need to be persuaded. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bahamas: 2 bodies found in apartment

Police say a 23-year-old man is assisting their investigations after the partially decomposed bodies of two female family members were found in an apartment on Friday.

“Police responded and, on arrival to the residence, they had to breach the door to get inside as the door was locked. Upon entering the apartment, they discovered two females partially decomposed with what appeared

to be lacerations to the upper body,” Police press liaison chief, Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings told reporters.

A Police statement said that quick response by Criminal Investigation Department officers led to the arrest of a suspect and that the victims may have been dead for more than a day.

The Police have since warned people to be aware

Machel Montano leads charge for Caribbean unity at Wi Fete

There is no denying that many Jamaicans love Soca. And Machel Montano is making sure that never changes.

And he did just that when he led the charge for unity among Caribbean nationals through their undiluted love for Soca at the first staging of Wi Fete at Sabina Park in Kingston on Saturday.

of those with whom they associate.

“I know sometimes we as a Bahamian people, we want to give people second chances – we have to know who they are. At some point, you may hear a voice saying to you this is going in the wrong direction – you have to listen to it.”

The killings come less than a week after three persons were murdered during a 24-hour period. (CMC)

Haitian civil society wants country’s situation front and centre at Regional Symposium

One regional group, Organisations of Haitian Civil Society, is making a plea to Caricom Heads of Government who are flying into Trinidad for the regional crime symposium, to place the situation in Haiti front and centre on the agenda.

The group says it must be prioritised “in order to avert the looming genocide which Haiti is being led into”.

The letter was sent by Myrtha Désulmé, President of the Haiti-Jamaica Society.

“We ask that Haiti be placed front and centre on the agenda and prioritised at the Regional Symposium on Crime and Violence,” she wrote. “The entire world is convulsing over what is unfolding in Ukraine. There are more deaths in Haiti than in Ukraine. In our Caricom sister country, Haitians, too, have a right to live.”

The group is also asking for Haiti to join the multi-country

lawsuit with Mexico, against US gun manufacturers.

“Haiti has also been invited to join the lawsuit. One would have thought that any government facing the level of mayhem which Mr [Ariel] Henry is dealing with would be the first in line to sign the brief. Whether or not Henry joins the brief should be a litmus test which the Caricom

Heads should use to gauge his true commitment to resolving the crisis,” Désulmé wrote.

She said Haitian civil society did not expect Haitian PM Henry to join the suit.

“We are therefore organising to join the suit ourselves, and ask Caricom to speak up for Haiti and back our initiative,” she wrote. (Trinidad Guardian)

“We have to represent for unity. We love Reggae and love Dancehall,” Montano said to the hundreds of patrons at the historic cricket ground after introducing dancehall artiste Agent Sasco to the stage.

“There’s an energy, and Jamaica has the energy right now. I love Soca. We love Soca…We gonna show

the world that they should be here in Jamaica.”

Dubbed the “King of Soca”, Montano, who at Wi Fete performed in Jamaica for the first time in eight years, gave classics from the very start to the end. He had

Sabina Park in a frenzy, and those who were not die-hard fans of the Soca giant before, left the venue with his majesty imprinted on their hearts.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

FARC dissident group says to start peace talks with Colombian Government in May

Dissident Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels who rejected a landmark peace agreement in 2016 said on Sunday they are ready to set up a dialogue with the Government on May 16 to begin peace talks to bring their group, the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), out of the armed conflict.

Leftist President Gustavo Petro – a former member of the urban guerrilla group M-19 – pledged to end six decades of an armed conflict that has left more than 450,000 dead by signing peace or surrender agreements with rebels and criminal gangs, in addition to fully implementing the pact with the FARC.

The EMC is one of two breakaway factions of the FARC and is made up of former leaders and fight -

ers who did not accept the peace deal, which allowed in 2016 the reincorporation into civilian life of 13,000 people who formed a political party and received 10 seats in Congress.

"We announce before the whole world that our delegates to the dialogue table with the Colombian

State, headed by the national government, are already ready for May 16 of this year," Ángela Izquierdo, spokeswoman for the armed group, told Journalists.

There were no immediate comments from Government officials.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gestures during a ministerial meeting to celebrate the first 100 days of his Government at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, April 10, 2023 (Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino)

Machel Montana during his set at the first staging of Wi Fete at Sabina Park in Kingston

A parent, carrying his child after picking him up from school, runs past Police carrying out an operation against gangs in the Bel-Air area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 3, 2023 (AP/Odelyn Joseph file photo)

FARC EP dissident top commander Ivan Mordisco (centre), gives a military salute next to commander Calarca (right) during a meeting with local communities in San Vicente del Caguan, Caqueta department, Colombia (AFP)

Around the World

‘An Easter exchange’: 130 Ukrainian prisoners of war freed

US oil activity in Colorado, Wyoming slips, further slowing ahead

Oil and gas activity in the US Midwest and Mountain West states declined in the first quarter and is expected to continue to slow, according to a survey released on Friday by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

The first quarter's drilling and business activity index decreased to -13 from 6, according to the survey, which polls energy firms operating in producing states like Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma and the northern half of New Mexico.

"Revenues and profits continued to decline significantly and are expected to continue contracting," said Chad Wilkerson, a senior vice president at the bank.

The results mirror a survey the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released last month, which said activity was stalling in the largest US shale field in Texas and oil executives' outlooks across the region were souring.

US oil prices have been volatile in the past month, swinging from around US$64 a barrel in mid-March over concerns of a banking crisis to back over US$80 a barrel after OPEC+ announced a surprise production cut effective next month.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were trading around US$82.45 a barrel on Friday, above the US$64 a barrel executives said was needed for drilling to be profitable. But the outlook for future drilling and business activity also fell to -13, from 19 in the latest survey.

"A lot of uncertainty with the price of oil. Operators are taking a pause to see how the next 3-4 months play out," said one unnamed survey respondent. "Drilling for gas isn't even part of the conversation. We continue to hear from operators that steel/casing cost are still too high with availability limited."

Natural gas was trading around US$2.10 per million British thermal unit (mmBtu) on Friday, far below US$3.45 per mmBtu needed for drilling to be profitable. (Reuters)

Former Indian lawmaker slain live on TV while in Police custody

Aformer lawmaker in India's Parliament, convicted of kidnapping, was shot dead along with his brother while Police were escorting them for a medical check-up in a slaying caught on live television on Saturday.

The dramatic footage of the men being killed was shared across broadcast channels and social media. A gunman is seen reaching over the shoulders of Police to point a pistol at the temple of the former lawmaker, Atiq Ahmed, whose turban is blown off as the gun discharges.

His brother, Ashraf Ahmed, was shot a split second later.

In other footage, filmed by Reuters partner ANI, one gunman is seen firing repeatedly at brother's bodies as they lay on the ground.

The two victims died within minutes, while Police quickly detained three men suspected of carrying out the slaying.

Media reports say the assailants had been pos-

More than 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been released and returned home in a “great Easter exchange”, a senior Ukrainian

official has said, as Orthodox Ukrainians marked the holiday for a second time since Moscow unleashed its brutal full-scale war last February.

Celebrations on Sunday

Four killed, multiple injuries in Alabama birthday party shooting

were subdued due to security risks, with a curfew barring the faithful from customary all-night services. Even so, Ukrainian authorities and ordinary people shared messages of hope, linking the story of Jesus’s resurrection to their longing for peace and a Ukrainian victory.

Dozens of families had special reasons to rejoice, as presidential adviser Andriy Yermak announced that 130 soldiers, sailors, border guards and others captured by Moscow were on their way back home following a “big Easter prisoner exchange”.

Yermak said in a Telegram post that those released included troops who fought near Bakhmut, the eastern mining city that has for months been the focus of

Russia’s grinding offensive. The prisoners appear to have been held by Russia’s powerful Wagner Group of mercenaries.

The group’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was shown telling the prisoners that they would be passed back to Ukrainian forces to mark Orthodox Easter in a video posted on Telegram by his press service.

Some of the men were seen being carried on stretchers by their comrades who walked in a line down a muddy road. A man standing on a tank was seen holding a white flag.

Ukrainian and Russian forces have held regular prisoner exchanges since Russia launched its fullscale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Sudan's army pounds paramilitary bases with air strikes in power struggle

ing as journalists. One surrendered immediately after the shooting, while officers subdued the other two suspects.

They had been among a throng of journalists that had gathered as the two brothers, allegedly kingpins in a local criminal organisation, were being brought, handcuffed from a hospital Prayagraj city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday evening.

After carrying out the slaying, the suspected gunmen shouted Hindu religious chants.

One policeman was wounded during the attack.

Fearing the possibility of violent unrest in the wake of the killings, the Uttar Pradesh government barred gatherings of more than four people across the entire state.

The state Government, controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party, has ordered a judicial probe into the killings. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Four people were killed and multiple others injured in a shooting on Saturday night that was tied to a birthday party in the small town of Dadeville, Alabama, the state law enforcement agency said on Sunday.

A local TV station reported on Sunday that more than 20 people had been injured in the shooting, citing investigators on the scene. The state agency declined to answer questions or provide further detail during a Sunday news conference.

"We're going to continue to work in a very methodical way to go through this scene, to look at the facts, and ensure that justice is brought to bear for the families," said Jeremy Burkett, a sergeant with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The shooting occurred around 10:34 pm on Saturday, according to the agency. Officials provided no information about what led

to the shooting in the town with a population of around 3000, and it was not known if any suspects had been taken into custody.

"What has our nation come to when children cannot attend a birthday party without fear?" President Joe Biden said in a statement on Sunday.

Biden called the rising gun violence in the US "outrageous and unacceptable," and urged Congress to pass laws that would make firearms manufacturers more liable for gun violence, ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and require safe storage of firearms and background checks for gun sales.

Tallapoosa County Schools Superintendent Raymond Porter said at the news conference that counselling would be provided at area schools today, and asked local clergy to help families through the situation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Sudan's army appeared to gain the upper hand on Sunday in a bloody power struggle with rival paramilitary forces, pounding their bases with air strikes, witnesses said, and at least 59 civilians were killed including three UN workers.

The fighting erupted on Saturday between army units loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's transitional governing Sovereign Council, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who is deputy head of the council.

It was the first such outbreak since both joined forces to oust veteran Islamist autocrat Omar Hassan alBashir in 2019 and was sparked by a disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the military as part of a transition towards civilian rule.

Burhan and Hemedti agreed a three-hour pause in fighting from 4 pm to allow humanitarian evac-

uations proposed by the United Nations, the UN mission in Sudan said, but the deal was widely ignored after a brief period of relative calm.

Eyewitnesses told Reuters the army was renewing air strikes on RSF bases in Omdurman, Khartoum's sister city across the Nile, and the Kafouri and Sharg El-Nil districts of adjacent Bahri, putting RSF fighters to flight.

Efforts by neighbours and regional bodies to end the violence intensified on Sunday. Egypt offered to mediate, and regional African bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development plans to send the Presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti as soon as possible to reconcile Sudanese groups in conflict, Kenyan President William Ruto's office said on Twitter.

The eruption of fighting over the weekend followed rising tensions over the RSF's integration into the military. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukrainian prisoners of war pose for a picture after the swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location in Ukraine [The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets via Telegram/Handout via Reuters]

Smoke rises over the city as army and paramilitaries clash in power struggle, in Khartoum, Sudan [Instagram @lostshmi/via Reuters]

A law enforcement officer goes under a piece of crime scene tape, a day after a shooting at a teenager's birthday party in a dance studio in Dadeville, Alabama, US, April 16, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Look at the big picture and consider your options. Staying within budget is crucial if you plan to finish what you start. When in doubt, let your intuition take the reins. Get along with others.

(March 21-April 19)

It's OK to change your mind. Consider what others want, but don't feel obligated if it doesn't fit your schedule or puts you in a compromising position.

(April 20-May 20)

Be careful what you promise. Gather all the details before you sign up for something. Don't give your all for someone else's benefit. Take care of your interests.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

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

CALVIN

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Do what you enjoy most. Take a unique approach to your work, and you'll make a difference and change how you do things. Think big, but stick to your budget.

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Mumbai beat KKR despite Iyer’s century

On a special day for the Mumbai Indians franchise, their home fans were treated to a commanding victory over Kolkata Knight Riders, with contributions from Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Piyush Chawla, and Hrithik Shokeen.

The all-round effort from the Mumbai team overshadowed Venkatesh Iyer’s 51-ball 104 that had single-handedly lifted the Knight Riders to 185. Iyer broke Knight Riders’ jinx of no Indian Premier League (IPL) centuries since Brendon McCullum’s 158* from 15 years ago, but the other batters were not fluent.

That meant Knight Riders finished below par and Kishan’s powerplay dominance (58 off 25) made it even worse for them. Suryakumar, the stand-in Captain, then showed glimpses of his best (43 off 25) with solid contributions from Tilak Varma and Tim David to polish off the win.

There was also a debut for Arjun Tendulkar, the son of Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. He bowled two newball overs that showed promise for the future.

Venkatesh ends KKR’s century curse

Sometimes intent matters more than timing. Or so it seemed in Venkatesh’s case. Walking in after N Jagadeesan fell for a duck early, he hit Tendulkar and Cameron Green for sixes to race away to 19 in eight balls.

He often charged out of his crease, using his reach to

convert length balls into fuller deliveries, and even if he was not timing it, he was clearing the boundaries. He also survived some inside-edges that whizzed past the stumps for four, including the ball that got him to fifty in 23 deliveries.

Sometimes Venkatesh looked a million dollars. Like when he pulled both Riley Meredith and debutant Duan Jansen – Marco’s twin – for sixes in the 11th and 12th overs. At other times, Venkatesh rode his luck with his footwork getting him into awkward positions.

Another six off Meredith in the 14th over took Venkatesh to 94, but he would not reach his century till his 17th, with Mumbai’s bowlers squeezing him and Shardul Thakur with three tight overs. When he got there, he presented a wide grin and acknowledged the crowd.

He could not stay till the end though. In the 18th over, an attempted reverse scoop off Meredith resulted in an easy

catch for short third.

Chawla leads Mumbai’s bowling effort Suryakumar chose to bowl at the toss. Tendulkar took the new ball and got it to swing early. He bowled six dots and finished 0-17 in two overs. Green kept tight lines and Shokeen’s offbreaks to two lefthanders kept one end quiet.

Trying to increase his strikerate, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was caught at short third off Chawla. Then things got heated when Nitish Rana was dismissed by his state team-mate Shokeen. Shoekeen went on to remove Shardul, slog sweeping to the deep and Rinku Singh could not repeat his recent heroics either, making only 18.

It was Venkatesh’s hitting – a total outlier in the Knight Riders’ innings – that had kept them on course for a 200+ score, but Shokeen, Chawla, and Jansen bowled three tidy overs between 15 and

17 to take some momentum out from the batting innings. Russell faced only 11 balls after walking in at number seven and hit 21 unbeaten runs to set Mumbai 186 to win.

Ishan’s burst and Rohit’s “Impact”

Rohit Sharma, who did not start the game due to a ‘stomach bug’, walked in as opener after Mumbai activated their Impact Player. He was very nearly caught-and-bowled by Umesh Yadav off his first ball. For most of the powerplay, he was spectator to Kishan’s thrashing of Knight Riders’ bowlers before falling for 20.

Kishan punished Shardul for 4, 4, 6 through the off side in the second over. He then showed his leg-side play with a four and six off Umesh in the third. When Sunil Narine came in to bowl the chase’s fourth over, he was hit for 22, with Kishan going 6, dot, 6, 4 through slogs. He got his fifty in 21 balls.

Kishan then smashed Varun Chakravarthy for six to move to 58, but when he tried to repeat it, he was bowled.

But the openers had done their job. According to ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster, Mumbai were 30 per cent favourites to win the game at the start of the chase. By the time Kishan and Rohit were gone, Mumbai were 87 for 2 in 7.3 overs – now 70 per cent favourites.

Tilak, SKY bring it home

The blazing start gave both batters the liberty to start

Manchester United go third with win over Forest

Antony scored one and assisted another as Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League table with a clinical win over Nottingham Forest who missed out on a chance to move out of the relegation zone.

The visitors deservedly went in front in the 32nd minute as Antony stabbed home after Forest keeper Keylor Navas had kept out Anthony Martial.

And Antony played through Diogo Dalot, who slotted in United's second with 14 minutes remaining.

The win puts United three points clear of fourth-placed Newcastle United and six points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, who have played a game more than the Red Devils.

Forest, who could have gone three points clear of the drop with a win, stay 17th, inside the bottom three on goal difference.

Antony starred, but it was

Christian Eriksen who was the true lynchpin for United. The Denmark midfielder started his first match since picking up an ankle injury in January, replacing Marcel Sabitzer, who sustained a groin injury in the warm-up.

And alongside Bruno Fernandes, Eriksen helped United dominate the first half with Jadon Sancho and Fernandes having early chances.

After Antony's opener only an inspired performance from Navas and some wasteful

finishing kept Forest in the fixture.

Fernandes saw his free header sail just wide on the strike of half-time and the Portuguese midfielder had a curling effort tipped on to the post by Navas after the restart.

United's win, settled by Dalot's first Premier League goal, was the perfect response to their disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla last time out.

They face Sevilla in the second leg of that Europa League quarter-final on

Thursday before taking on Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday. They were 13th after their last victory when they beat Leeds United 1-0 on February 5.

They had chances in the first half with Taiwo Awoniyi seeing one effort blocked by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and another fly off target from a strong position.

Forest also had a penalty shout in the 19th minute when an in-swinging corner struck the arm of United defender Harry Maguire, but the video assistant referee chose not to overturn referee Simon Hooper's non-penalty decision.

With United 1-0 in front, Felipe headed over from a corner in the 73rd minute, but in truth Forest always looked second best in front of their home supporters.

They face Liverpool in their next match on Saturday where they will be desperately hoping to end their winless run. (BBC Sport)

cautiously, but the big hits came out soon enough, with Suryakumar punishing wide deliveries with cuts for four and Tilak slog sweeping Narine at the start of his second spell for six over square leg.

Otherwise, they were cautious against spin through the middle overs with Rana being forced to use his best bowlers early. When Lockie Ferguson took the ball, Suryakumar brought out some vintage shots, picking

up a full ball for six over fine leg and repeating it next ball over midwicket. Tilak and Suryakumar then picked off Andre Russell for 17 in one over. Their partnership of 60 in 6.2 overs deflated Knight Riders, and after they were dismissed, David made a dash for the finish. His 24 in 13 balls sealed the deal with 14 balls to spare and gave Mumbai a net-run rate boost. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Kolkata Knight Riders (20 ovs maximum)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz †

c Jansen b Chawla 8

Narayan Jagadeesan

c Shokeen b Green 0

Venkatesh Iyer c Jansen

b Meredith 104

Nitish Rana (c) c sub

(Ramandeep Singh) b Shokeen 5

Shardul Thakur c Tilak Varma

b Shokeen 13

Rinku Singh c

Wadhera b Jansen 18

Andre Russell not out 21

Sunil Narine not out 2

Extras (lb 2, w 12) 14

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.25) 185/6

Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Narayan

Jagadeesan, 1.5 ov), 2-57 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 5.3 ov), 3-73 (Nitish Rana, 8.1 ov),

4-123 (Shardul Thakur, 12.5 ov),

5-159 (Venkatesh Iyer, 17.2 ov),

6-172 (Rinku Singh, 18.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Arjun Tendulkar 2-0-17-0

Cameron Green 2-0-20-1

Duan Jansen 4-0-53-1

Piyush Chawla 4-0-19-1

Hrithik Shokeen 4-0-34-2

Riley Meredith 4-0-40-1

Mumbai Indians (T: 186 runs from 20 ovs)

Rohit Sharma c Yadav

b Suyash Sharma 20

Ishan Kishan b Varun 58

Suryakumar Yadav (c)

c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz

b Thakur 43

Tilak Varma b Suyash Sharma 30

Tim David not out 24

Nehal Wadhera c †Rahmanullah

Gurbaz b Ferguson 6

Cameron Green not out 1

Extras (w 4) 4

TOTAL 17.4 Ov (RR: 10.52) 186/5

Fall of wickets: 1-65 (Rohit Sharma, 4.5 ov), 2-87 (Ishan

Kishan, 7.3 ov), 3-147 (Tilak Varma, 13.5 ov), 4-176 (Suryakumar Yadav, 16.3 ov),

5-184 (Nehal Wadhera, 17.2 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Umesh Yadav 2-0-19-0

Shardul Thakur 2-0-25-1

Sunil Narine 3-0-41-0

Suyash Sharma 4-0-27-2

Antony's goal was his first in the Premier League since October 9

Venkatesh Iyer slammed a century in vain

Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav propelled Mumbai

Hetmyer counter-attacks to take Royals clear at No 1

Rajasthan Royals had almost reached a point of no return.

Their chase of 178 was going nowhere at 66 for 4. They needed a further 112 off 48 balls. Twelve of those were to be bowled by Rashid Khan.

You sensed this was perhaps a task too steep, even for someone as pedigreed as Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer. But as Rinku Singh showed the other night at this very ground, it ain’t over till it’s over. Samson went 6,6,6 in Rashid’s third over that went for 20 runs; Hetmyer took the attack at the other end to his West Indies teammate Alzarri Joseph. Within no time, momentum had swung the Royals way to such an extent that not even Samson’s dismissal at

that juncture seemed a bother.

Hetmyer stood tall to bring up his half-century off 25 balls, Dhruv Jurel contributed a cameo knock of 17 that was worth a lot more and R Ashwin came in to smack a six and a four in the penultimate over. All of this brought them within a couple blows of victory.

With five needed off five, Hetmyer sealed a win that seemed improbable at one stage, by biffing Noor Ahmad for six as Royals had come back from nowhere to pull off a heist that took them to the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 leaderboard five games in.

For Gujarat Titans, this was yet another heartbreak, eerily similar to the one they endured against Kolkata Knight Riders last week.

TOURS

VACANCIES

Titans’ chaotic start

Wriddhiman Saha and B Sai Sudharsan were gone inside the powerplay as Titans limped to 42 for 2; the first time they didn’t cross 50 in the first six overs this season. Saha was out to a hoick that had three people going for it, only for a fourth, Trent Boult, take the rebound that followed a collision between Samson and Hetmyer. Sudharsan was run-out at the striker’s end by a yard, after he coiled himself at the bowler’s end; those precious seconds costing him the distance to make the ground.

Hardik-Gill get going

The pair set about rebuilding the innings, and one of the ways they went about it was to try and attack the spinners. Ashwin was hit for 27 in his first two; Shubman Gill used his feet to score against him, while Hardik Pandya took down Adam Zampa. The pair added 59 in just 33 balls before Yuzvendra Chahal deceived Hardik in flight to have him caught for a 19-ball 28.

Titans’ slowdown

The next 30 deliveries following Hardik’s dismissal went for just 31 runs as Royals brought their spinners into play superbly. Titans owed much of their momentum in the end to Abhinav Manohar and David Miller.

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Manohar made 27 off 13 in a game he may have not played had Vijay Shankar been fit. Miller did Miller things – taking the innings deep before unleashing some ferocious hits to make 46. Titans suddenly had 177 for 7, more than they looked like getting at one

stage, but perhaps less than what they would’ve liked anyway.

Royals rocked early Yashasvi Jaiswal was snuffed out in the slips, and Jos Buttler was clean bowled – only his second duck in the IPL – trying to scoop Mohammed Shami. At 4 for 2 in three overs, the Royals needed some semblance of normalcy which Devdutt Padikkal and Samson provided, until Rashid entered and made a splash.

In his first over, he had charging Padikkal slice a wrong’un to short third man. In his second over, the 11th, he had Riyan Parag flay one straight down long-off’s throat.

Samson goes 6,6,6

With Royals needing 112 off 48, ESPNcricinfo’s win probability had Royals at 2.01 per cent. But Samson unleashed some big hits in Rashid’s third over. He got to the pitch to belt the first two down the ground and quickly transferred weight back to pull as soon as Rashid dropped short in trying to mix his lengths.

It’s at this point that Titans introduced Ahmad, the Afghanistan left-arm spinner, for his bag of tricks in place of Gill as the Impact Sub. After being hit for a six and four, he had Samson pick out long-off.

Hetmyer sees Royals home Hetmyer was the perfect foil at the other end, feeding off Samson’s energy with takedowns off his own, more so Joseph. There was a moment when Royals could’ve had Hetmyer, but for Shami who stumbled a few yards in at third man for a catch that may have been straight down his

throat had he stayed on the ropes. Royals needed 62 off 29 then. It’s a moment they could look back at and wonder what could’ve been.

Dhruv Jurel, coming in at the fall of Samson, didn’t take time settling in. His impeccable sixhitting and gamesmarts of using pace to good effect to play behind the wicket helped Royals quickly

bring the deficit down. Titans may have yet sniffed a chance when Jurel went for a 10-ball 17, but Ashwin wielded the long handle off his first two deliveries to bring the target down to single digits. From there on, Hetmyer wasn’t going to let this slip away as Royals pulled off a comeback win. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Gujarat Titans (20 ovs maximum)

Wriddhiman Saha †

c & b Boult 4

Shubman Gill c Buttler b

Sandeep Sharma 45

Sai Sudharsan run out

(Buttler/†Samson) 20

Hardik Pandya (c) c

Jaiswal b Chahal 28

David Miller c Hetmyer

b Sandeep Sharma 46

Abhinav Manohar c

Padikkal b Zampa 27

Rahul Tewatia not out 1

Rashid Khan run out

(Buttler/Sandeep Sharma) 1

Alzarri Joseph not out

Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.85) 177/7

Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Wriddhiman Saha, 0.3 ov), 2-32 (Sai

Sudharsan, 4.6 ov), 3-91 (Hardik Pandya, 10.3 ov), 4-121 (Shubman Gill, 15.2 ov), 5-166 (Abhinav Manohar, 18.6 ov),

6-175 (David Miller, 19.4 ov),

7-176 (Rashid Khan, 19.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Trent Boult 4-0-46-1

Sandeep Sharma 4-0-25-2

Adam Zampa 4-0-32-1

Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-37-0

Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-36-1

Rajasthan Royals (T: 178 runs from 20 ovs)

Yashasvi Jaiswal c

Shubman Gill b Pandya 1

Jos Buttler b

Mohammed Shami 0

Devdutt Padikkal c Sharma

b Rashid Khan 26

Sanju Samson (c)† c Miller

b Noor Ahmad 60

Riyan Parag c Miller

b Rashid Khan 5

Shimron Hetmyer not out 56

Dhruv Jurel c Sharma

b Mohammed Shami 18

Ravichandran Ashwin c Tewatia

b Mohammed Shami 10

Trent Boult not out 0 Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3 TOTAL 19.2 Ov (RR: 9.25) 179/7 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 1.3 ov), 2-4 (Jos Buttler, 2.5 ov), 3-47 (Devdutt Padikkal, 8.3 ov), 4-55 (Riyan Parag, 10.3 ov), 5-114 (Sanju Samson, 14.6 ov), 6-161 (Dhruv Jurel, 18.2 ov), 7-171 (Ravichandran Ashwin, 18.5 ov)

LGC Easter activities a major success – more events on the cards, says Bowling

On Easter Monday and Tuesday, the Lusignan Golf Club opened its gates to the general public to come and celebrate the Easter holidays. The two days saw many from all walks of life enjoying quality time with their friends and family.

According to LGC Secretary Chet Bowling, the two days of events were a resounding success. He explained that from the events, it could be seen that the Lusignan Golf Club continues to be a premier destination for kite flyers all across Guyana.

“The activities ran over from Easter Monday into Tuesday, of which we saw 60 per cent of the capacity

we had on Monday turn out to fly their kites. It was an atmosphere of family and fun, which is what golf and the Lusignan Golf Club is about. People started arriving from as early as 8-9 am in the morning and when the music was turned off by 9:00 pm in the evening, there was

still people coming into the ground,” Bowling highlighted.

He noted that overall, the committee was very satisfied and happy with the results over the last two days. Bowling related that the club also enjoyed working with the residents of the Lusignan community, who were among the highest percentage of those turning out to the event, village-wise. There were also persons coming from Essequibo, Linden and Berbice, just to get a taste of one of Guyana’s premier destinations.

As it pertains to future events, the LGC Secretary said, “We are in discussions, with various organisations

to host similar kinds of festivals and events. We are looking to do something around the Cricket Carnival with one of the bigger telecommunications companies in Guyana. That event would be something along the lines of a festival of golf.”

More importantly, he went on to share that also on the cards would be a chip and putt competition and a summer camp for the children over the summer holidays. Thus, he clarified, the Golf Club is seeking to host more activities whereby the club can be associated with family and entertainment and not just the game of golf.

Sanju Samson scored 60 for Royals

Royals celebrate a wicket

Shimron Hetmyer goes big (Photos: Associated Press)

GCB U-19 Inter-county: Ramnauth and Thorne destroy Select XI as Berbice claim title

scored 20.

Berbice continued to reign supreme at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-county Under-19 50-over tournament.

Led by the destructive West Indies Under-19 duo of Rampertab Ramnauth and Isai Thorne, Berbice were crowned champions after they registered a 117-run win at Enmore.

In the third-round match, sponsored by the Government of Guyana, Ramnauth's classy 90 from 79 balls and Thorne's dominant unbeaten 73 from 29 balls propelled Berbice to 208-3 in 26 overs. In reply, GCB Select XI managed only 91-6 in their 26 overs. Marlon Ramsurack made 24 while Nityanand Mathura

Berbice bowlers shared the wickets with Ayiude Rogers, Salim Khan, Leon Cecil, and Jonathan Rampersaud claiming one wicket each, while Zeynul Ramsammy was sharp in the field with two direct hits, resulting in run-outs.

Earlier, Berbice won the toss and opted to bat first. Owing to constant rain, the match was reduced to 26 overs. Openers Tomani Caesar and Ramnauth added 49 runs for the opening stand. Caesar looked tentative in his strokeplay, and he eventually topedged one and was caught for 12. Ramnauth continued to dominate, and he and Mahenda Gopilall (09) added 39 runs for the second wicket.

At 88-2, Thorne joined his vice-Captain, Ramnauth, and the duo destroyed the GCB Select XI, adding 93 runs for the third wicket. Ramnauth was eyeing a century, but with nine balls remaining in the innings, he swept one to mid-wicket and was caught. The dashing left-hander stroked nine fours and two sixes in his classy 90. Thorne was destructive in his unbeaten 73, as he capitalised on the dropped chances. He slammed six maximums and five fours.

The powerful man from Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Cricket Club was a nightmare for the GCB Select XI, and he left the Enmore spectators in awe.

Berbice ended on 208-3 when 26 overs expired.

Meanwhile, in the other match, Demerara steamrolled Essequibo by nine wickets at Everest Cricket Club. Batting first, Essequibo posted 47 all out in 18.3 overs. All of the Essequibo batsmen failed to reach double figures, and

Trial rules test run set for JJTRC race day at Bush Lot ...”Junior”

excited to test new all-weather surface

Strict enforcement of proper racing protocol will be employed from the next race day, April 30, 2023 at Bush Lot Turf Club (BLTC), Bush Lot on the firstever all-weather surface in the country.

Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) spokesperson Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed outlined, "This surface will be tested, and if successful will transform racing in Guyana. We will be enforcing the new plans agreed amongst the promotion bodies, on a trial basis. This is another first for BLTC."

Mohamed warned.

"Those who believe they could be errant and get off doing the wrong things will be in for a very big surprise. We are calling on all horsemen in advance to cooperate with us, and adhere to the proper racing protocols. Everyone will be a winner at the end of the day's proceedings. If they fail to respect the code of conduct, they will be ejected from the track."

"We have to exemplify our product, so that Government can be satisfied we are serious about getting the sport regulated. … respect of proper racing procedures will be enforced. This is not a social club. Our goal is to raise it to international level. This cannot happen overnight. We have shortand medium-term plans with time frames to achieve these goals," Mohamed expressed.

He appealed to horsemen to be early, saying "be early so that we could brief

everyone before the start of the day's proceedings to achieve changes moving forward."

The proposed interim rules below will be on a trial basis:

1. NO spectators, trainers, or owners allowed on the track while races are running, only officials

2. ALL horses entered to race will have to pass a veterinary inspection before they are allowed to race. Any horse failing the veterinary inspection will be placed on

a Vet List, and will need to come off the Vet List before making entry for their next race.

3. ONLY trainers, grooms, and owners of the horses in the race will be allowed in the Parade Ring when the saddling of horses begins.

4. ALL Jockeys must be at the track ONE (1) hour before the post time of the FIRST RACE. Jockeys reaching late will not be allowed to ride, unless they have a valid reason.

5. ANY horse/s, should the horse/s reach late for the race they are entered in could be subject to being scratched from the race, unless they have a valid excuse.

6. ANY rider found using his whip excessively, or striking another horse in the race with his/her whip will be suspended, and fined.

7. PASSES will be given to jockeys, owners, trainers and grooms to gain entry to the RESTRICTED areas –Parade Ring, Jockey Room, stable area.

their high score was eight by Mohandass Surujpaul. Rightarm seamer Rivaldo Phillips picked up 5-7 in five overs while off-spinner Krisna Singh had 3-6 in 4.3 overs.

In reply, Demerara reached 48-1 in 10.5 overs.

Lawrence Pellew made 20

while Jaden Campbelle scored 17 not out in a winning effort. Joash Charles was the wicket-taker for Essequibo with 1-31 in five overs. The three-day aspect of the tournament will commence on Tuesday.

Matthews' magnificent hundred leads Warriors

Women to Fairbreak Invitational title

Hayley Matthews scored a magnificent hundred in an allround performance to lead Warriors Women to victory and the title over Falcons Women in the Fairbreak Invitational Tournament in Kowloon on Sunday.

The West Indies Women’s Captain was adjudged Player of the Match for her 123 and 2-14 that spurred her team to a 94-run win. Batting first, Warriors Women scored 230-4 from their 20 overs. In reply, Falcons Women could only muster 137-8.

Matthews, who was last out, smashed 11 fours and nine sixes during her knock that lasted 52 balls.

After Matthews’ dismissal in the 15th over, Kathryn Bryce then lashed an unbeaten 52 and Captain Sindhu Sriharsha 25 in an unbroken stand of 75 that took Warriors Women to

their imposing total. Price’s runs came from just 20 balls and included eight fours and two sixes.

Anju Gurung was the best of the Falcons Women bowlers taking 2-43 from her four overs.

Faced with a daunting task of scoring more than 11 runs an over, Falcons Women were steady in the chase, but were always behind the required rate.

Chamari Athapaththu (29); Danni Hyatt (20); Captain Suzie Bates (25) and Theertha Satish (29) all got starts, but were unable to carry on. No other batter got into double figures as Matthews and Bryce (316) did the damage to keep their side ahead of the game and eventually to a comprehensive victory.

Warriors Women lost only once during the tournament. (Sportsmax)

Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed

Rampertab Ramnauth scored an impressive 90

Team Berbice are champions of the 50-over inter-county again (Brandon Corlette photos)