Guyana Times - Monday, July 10, 2023

$900M forestry revolving fund

Over 50 applications received, dozens already approved – Bharrat

Since the establishment of a $900 million revolving fund for persons involved in the logging sector to kickstart and expand their value-added production, there have been over 50 applications. Many of these applications are from small loggers and half of them have already been approved.

This is according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat in an exclusive interview with this publication. He

explained that in addition to the applications that were approved and the ones currently being processed, more stakeholders in the sector are expected to submit applications over the coming weeks.

“To date we have close to about 50 applications from small loggers, from the forest loggers’ association and also from sawmillers. Because it is designed more towards value-added, processing. So, we had over 50 applications. I

know for sure that at least half of that have already been approved and the others are being processed.”

“So, it’s a work in progress. It’s a revolving fund, so it’s supposed to revolve. And the bank has criteria and stakeholders will have to meet that criterion. Because we don’t want a failed revolving fund. The idea is that future stakeholders can benefit from this fund too. And at the same time, we can grow the fund,” the Minister said.

Meeting

It was only on Saturday that Minister Bharrat met with loggers and miners from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) at the Linden Technical Institute. Also present were senior staff of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Forestry Commission.

During the meeting, the Minister was accompanied by a representative of Demerara Bank Limited - the bank that helped put together the revolv-

ing fund in collaboration with the Government.

“I would have met with the miners and loggers in Region 10. I had the management teams from GGMC and the Guyana Forestry Commission as well. This is all part of our continuous outreach to different communities across the country, especially those mining and logging communities. Region 10 particularly being a large logging community, probably the highest production from the forestry sector comes from Region 10. It’s important that we engage with the stake-

holders on a regular basis.”

“We took a representative from the Demerara Bank too as we address outstanding issues and clarity needed regarding the revolving fund. There are still some misconceptions with regards the process and who can apply to the revolving fund… it was designed specifically to assist small loggers to grow and increase production and particularly, to move towards value-added,” the Minister explained.

A section of the miners and loggers during the meeting

The head table, which featured Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat (third from left); Public Works Minister Juan Edghill (fourth from left) and GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison, during the meeting with stakeholders

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, July 10 – 23:00h – 00:30h and Tuesday, July 11 – 23:30h – 01:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, July 10 – 10:05h – 11:35h and Tuesday, July 11 – 11:10h – 12:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect light rain showers and clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-Easterly to Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 10:15h and 22:43h reaching maximum heights of 2.36 metres and 2.36 metres.

Low Tide: 16:11h reaching a minimum height of 0.88 metre.

Financing for Lethem-to-Mabura Road on agenda for China visit – President Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali is expected to travel to China later this month and among the topics on the agenda to discuss with President Xi Jinping is financing for the completion of the Lethem-to-Mabura Hill Road.

The Guyanese Head of State made this disclosure during the recent commissioning of new equipment at Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc (BMGG), a Chinese-owned bauxite company in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The Linden-to-Lethem Road project is being executed in phases. Guyana has already secured financing and works are ongoing on the Linden-to-Mabura section.

According to President Ali, Guyana and Brazil are collaborating on completing the Mabura-to-Lethem stretch of the project.

“We’re already discussing with Brazil and other stakeholders – and … this will be an agenda item in China itself with President Xi – on how we’re going to complete the road from Lethem all way to Mabura Hill so we will have a full highway that will integrate the transport logistics of Northern Brazil and Guyana and the rest of the region,” the Head of State noted.

President Ali announced last month that he would be going on an official State visit to China at the end of July to further strengthen bilateral relations with the Chinese Government – one of Guyana’s major international partners.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

The Linden-Lethem Road is being upgraded to an all-weather road, with the contractor being required to produce an asphaltic surface capable of withstanding the heavily laden lorries which currently use the thoroughfare.

Traversing sections of the Linden-to-Lethem Road has been a nightmare for heavily laden lorries, with many toppling off the roadway. The bridges are even worse. Some vehicle operators would have to align the boards before attempting to cross. They do not always make it over safely.

The US$190 million contract was signed in May

2022 with Brazilian company Construtora Queiroz Galvao SA for the construction of the 121-kilometre road.

The project is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) via a US$112 million loan, a grant to the tune of £50 million (US$66 million) from the United Kingdom under the Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (CIPF), and an input of US$12 million from the Guyana Government. This is the largest grant Guyana has ever received from the UK Government.

With a 7.2-metre-wide carriageway, the Linden-toMabura Road is expected to feature a cycle and pedestrian lane measuring 2 metres wide, along with 10 bus stops outfitted with ramps for persons with disabilities.

Additionally, a number of bridges and culverts along the way will be replaced, and some 123 lights would be installed.

In its commitment to this project, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Administration had set aside some $3.19 billion in the 2022 budget for the construction of 32 bridges between Kurupukari and Lethem along the Lindento-Lethem trail.

This leg of the project is expected to last for three years. However, according to the contractual agreement, some 10 kilometres of road should be completed by September this year.

As such, just over a week ago, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill conducted a site visit to examine the progress of the road works being done and cautioned

the contractor against any delays in meeting the timelines.

Edghill met with all the key players involved in the construction of the Lindento-Mabura Road Project. Those at the meeting included the Ministry’s engineering staff, Consultant Mott MacDonald, management consultant Politecna, and contracting Brazilian firm Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A.

During the engagement, the Public Works Minister reiterated the urgency of this project, and the need for it to stay on track and be completed within the contractual timeframe.

The Minister warned that unnecessary delays would not be tolerated, and those in charge would be held accountable.

Following a thorough evaluation process by the CDB and Consultant Mott MacDonald along with other specialists, Construtora Queiroz Galvao SA, (Bid No 5) was determined as the most responsive bid, meaning full compliance with all safety, environmental, social, and health requirements, in upgrading the 121 kilometres of road from Linden to Mabura Hill.

Meanwhile, also accompanying the Minister to the meeting were Permanent Secretary Vladim Persaud and Procurement Manager Andy Mahadeo.

This project forms part of a wider development of the Georgetown-to-Lethem corridor.

But while accessing major hinterland communities from Georgetown will be made easier with this road project, the Guyana Government has been boasting of the benefits it will bring for regional trade.

At the contract signing last year, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, spoke about opening up access to neighbouring countries.

“This project is part of a much wider and more comprehensive plan… We want you to be able to ultimately drive from Paramaribo to Corriverton, to Georgetown, to Linden, to Lethem, to Bon Fim, to Boa Vista and beyond. Not just as a joyride, but our vision for Guyana is one where, if you are a farmer producing produce in Linden, you must be able to load up your produce and drive unimpeded to Lethem to sell it,” Singh.

Works ongoing on the Linden-to-Mabura Hill road in Region 10

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Free movement of Caricom peoples

At the Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, which commemorated the golden jubilee anniversary of Caricom, a momentous decision was made. This was announced by Caricom Chair Roosevelt Skerrit, PM of Dominica: “We have taken the decision to seek to have the free movement of all categories of people to live and work. Obviously, there are some legal issues that we have to examine, and we have given the legal people some months to examine those legal issues and to ensure that they could come to us by the 30th of March to take a definitive position on this. We understand that there are some challenges for some, but we are committed to this.”

This is indeed a momentous decision and for sure there will be “some challenges for some” that must be addressed before the proposed implementation date of 30th March, 2024 – less than nine months away. With the breakup of the WI Federation in 1962 because of the withdrawal of Jamaica – “One from ten leaves zero,” in the words of T&T’s PM Eric Williams – the integration of the ex-British colonies was rebooted as a free trade zone, CARIFTA in 1968. By 1973, this was deepened into the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and finally the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) was launched in 1989. Dutch-speaking Suriname was admitted into Caricom in 1995 and French-speaking Haiti in 2002.

Progress in actual integration of the CSME was desultory at best and in fact was placed “on pause” in 2011 at a meeting in Guyana. On the free movement of Caricom citizens, the CSME merely agreed on a number of categories of skilled nationals which was policed very rigorously. There were periodic eruptions of disagreement when Caricom citizens were prevented from exercising that right. The present proposal to now expand the right to all Caricom citizens –with the exception of Haiti which demurred because of its present turmoil – is, as such, quite revolutionary, especially since it came out of the blue.

In addition to modalities for hassle-free inter-Caricom movement, it was noted, there are several contingent rights that will have to be accorded such as access to primary and emergency health care and education. Barbados PM Mia Mottley, who holds responsibility for the CSME in the Caricom Quasi Cabinet, assured the meeting: “this is what ordinary people want… in a Region that is under-populated”. This assurance will be a surprise to many in light of the lack of consultations within any of the 15 Caricom member states and up to a mere three years ago, the “Guyanese Bench” at Grantley Adams Airport suggested otherwise. As for being “underpopulated”, only Guyana and Suriname qualify for this tag. In the meantime we were informed that the legal and regulatory are being drafted.

Reaction was swift and came from Reginald Dumas, who is regarded as one of the premier intellects of Caricom. He had served as diplomat in the T&T Foreign Service, as Ambassador representing T&T in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and North America; as Permanent Representative to the OAS and as Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2004, he was appointed by the United Nations as Special Advisor on Haiti. The eminent Caricom citizen was his usual forthright self on the radical proposal and went to the nub of the “challenges”: “I think that’s something that might be desirable, but in practice might be a little awkward in the sense that the economic situation in the region is not very good, and if people see others arriving from ¬ other countries to take jobs at a lower rate (salary), then there could be awkwardness.”

As mentioned above, arrangements for free movement within the Community will be ready by end March, 2024. And further, the Caricom Secretariat is to prepare a timeline of actions necessary to complete policy and regulatory work to bring the regional capital market into being by July 2024. We suggest there be a national consultation on this proposal.

Books are losing value in Afghanistan – this scares me

By HujjatullaH Zia

It has been almost two years since the Taliban took over Kabul. I, like many Afghans who worked hard to attain a good education, am struggling. Knowledge seems to be losing its value and books are no longer considered a precious possession.

When Taliban fighters arrived in the Afghan capital in August 2021, many of my friends rushed to the airport to try to leave, seeing no prospect for themselves in their home country anymore. The brain drain was immense.

People with masters’ degrees, PhDs, with multiple published books, professors, educators, medical doctors, engineers, scientists, writers, poets, painters – many learned people fled. A colleague of mine – Alireza Ahmadi, who worked as a reporter – also joined the crowd at the airport.

Before he left, he wrote on his Facebook page that he had sold 60 of his books on a variety of subjects for 50 Afghanis (less than $1). He never made it out of the country; he was killed in the bombing of the airport by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province.

I, too, decided to give away all my books – all 300 of them, covering topics like international law, human rights, women’s rights and the English language. I donated them to public libraries, thinking that in a country ruled by the Taliban, they would be of no value to me.

I started searching for ways to leave the country. Evacuation was not an option for me so I decided to go to Iran, hoping I could find safe haven there like millions of other Afghans. But like my fellow countrymen

and women, I faced contempt and hostility there. I soon lost all hope that I would be able to make a living in Iran. But I did find something that kept me going – my old love for books.

One day, as I walked along Enqelab Square in Tehran, I could not hold back from entering its bookstores. I ended up spending most of the little money I had on books about human rights and women’s rights that I had never seen in Afghanistan. Armed with these volumes, I decided to go back home and try to get back into my old way of life – surrounded by books and engaged in intellectual pursuits.

Upon returning, I started working on a book about the political rights of women within the international legal system and within Islam, which I managed to complete in about a year. I sent my manuscript to different publishers, but was repeatedly turned down because they found the subject too sensitive and thought that getting permission to publish it would be impossible.

Finally, Ali Kohistani of Mother Press agreed to take the book. He prepared the needed documentation and submitted the manuscript to the Taliban Ministry of Information and Culture to request formal permission to publish. Soon after, the committee tasked with book review sent me a long list of questions and critiques that I had to address.

I revised the book along the feedback they sent, but that was not enough to get permission. It has been five months now that we have waited for a final response and my despair is growing by the day.

Kohistani has gone to the ministry many times to inquire about the man-

uscript, with no results. He has told me that he has five other books he wants to publish this year, but none of them have been cleared by the ministry.

Other publishers are also suffering from the arbitrariness of the commission’s decisions and long delays. They say books that the Taliban want to publish and that fall within their ideology do not face the same challenges. They see in this fraught process an attempt to suppress any thought that disagrees with the Taliban’s thinking.

Publishing permission delays and censorship are by far not the only problems Afghanistan’s book industry is suffering from.

Scores of bookstores and publishing houses have shut down in the past two years. In the book compound in the Pul-e-Surkh area of Kabul, which I use to frequent before the Taliban takeover, the majority of bookstores have now shut down.

The Taliban’s decision to ban girls and women from attending high school and university means they are no longer buying books as much. Boys and young men have also dropped out of school and universities, being demotivated to pursue an education that cannot guarantee them a job. This has severely shrunken the customer base of booksellers.

On top of that, the Taliban Government has imposed high taxes on book sales, which have dwindled even further the declining income of bookstore owners and publishers.

Libraries throughout the country have also lost their readers, as fewer people go there to study or borrow books. Various book clubs, literary associations, and reading initiatives

have also stopped their activities. It is no longer seen as a value to own, read, or write books.

Overnight, Afghan book publishing has gone from being a flourishing sector –perhaps the most successful homegrown industry – to a struggling and risky business venture. Afghans have gone from being avid readers to not being able to afford books. I have gone from being a proud author and book owner to a despaired man who has tried and failed to hold on to an intellectual life in Afghanistan.

It is extremely painful to see this state of affairs in Afghanistan – a country with a long literary history and tradition. This land gave the world the likes of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi (also known as Rumi), Ibn Sina Balkhi (also known as Avicenna), and Hakim Sanai Ghaznavi (also known as Sanai).

Reading, writing and disseminating knowledge were always highly regarded in my country. Afghan rulers of different dynasties have respected the freedom of thought and supported learning and knowledge production. Censorship, restricting education and devaluing books were never part of the Afghan tradition or culture.

No country in world history has ever prospered when its rulers had suppressed knowledge, education and free thought. Afghanistan is moving towards darkness and ignorance and that scares me. Killing books and killing knowledge will have horrible consequences for the future of this country. (Al Jazeera)

(Hujjatullah Zia is a Journalist and senior writer in Daily Outlook Afghanistan Newspaper)

The pack rides through a sunflower field during the 8th stage of the 110th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 201 km between Libourne and Limoges, in central western France (Reuters photo)

Government’s big step forward

Dear Editor,

Our Head of State has yet again spoken eloquently on a very pertinent issue, that of the mangrove situation in Guyana. The occasion was the signing of an agreement between the Government of Guyana and the European Union (EU), to establish a comprehensive programme to protect and manage the invaluable mangroves in Guyana.

The word from President Dr Irfaan Ali is that “We have committed to expanding the protected area system from 8.3 per cent to 17 per cent, then eventually to 30 per cent. And these are targets that we are aggressively working towards. These are targets that are integrated into our planning framework, and our policymaking framework.

This amounted to Guyana’s policy framework, that prioritises environmental protection, embracing climate-smart approaches, and harnessing the country’s rich nat -

ural resources to improve livelihoods and foster economic opportunities, and where mangroves are concerned, we need to internalise that mangroves help to mitigate climate change and help people and nature adapt correspondingly.

Let me remind all that although mangroves make up less than one per cent of all tropical forests around the world, they have a critical role in mitigating climate change. Why? Well mangrove soils are highly effective carbon sinks, locking away large quantities of carbon and stopping it from entering the atmosphere. In addition, they are vital in helping society adapt to climate change impacts, reducing the impact of storms and sea-level rise, hence, the resounding voice of the President.

Editor, I think many may have forgotten about the genesis of all this, but it all started as part of the EU/Guyana partnership agreement, signed at the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP

27 in Egypt last year, valuing approximately 4.6 million Euros. This is big. It shows the seriousness that our Government is attaching to climate concerns. After all, “Guyana’s forest spans some 18 million hectares, and the extensive mangrove ecosystems occupy over 200,000 hectares of the coastal region. According to President Ali, “One of the things that we want the project to focus on is those earthen embankments and those riverine areas, where the population might be small, but agricultural output in those areas is very large.”

In this vein, he stressed that “… the project’s scope will also include the monitoring of mangrove seedling planting, the rehabilitation of existing forests, and the establishment of robust nursery programmes for aggressive replanting efforts.”

In his forceful commentary, Dr Ali noted that “Our entire policy architec -

ture, our policy framework is geared around ensuring that we are adopting the best environmental practices and doing everything in a climate-smart way, in protecting the environment, advancing our natural attributes of biodiversity. But more importantly, leveraging these natural assets now for improving livelihoods, creating economic opportunity.”

For the EU’s part, the Commission’s Executive Vice President, Frans Timmermans, was elated, as he was witnessing “… Guyana’s making strides towards major development, noting that the time is only fitting for the EU and Guyana to strengthen their bilateral ties.”

He explained that “One of the ways to cooperate is to help preserve this country’s natural riches which are almost without limits. This is a partnership we’ve just signed so that we can support the efforts of Guyana to strengthen the position of mangroves. Mangroves are such a huge

Rehash of PNC trash talk

Dear Editor, The Opposition Leader has tendered a ‘dossier’ to the American Secretary of State in what he calls the atrocities of the PPP/C Administration in office. It is a document Norton hopes will gain the attention of the USA’s Administration on the "true state of affairs" of the Guyanese people. He later highlighted some of the contents of his ‘dossier’ in a Facebook discussion, which in essence is a rehash of PNC trash talk, laced with the usual racial epithets.

Another one of their acolytes from Linden, one who calls himself a "prophet sent from God," but in reality, propagandises PNC's ideas to the hilt, has also come on board with his set of views of lies hoping to get an audience.

But what Norton nor his pseudo-religious political fanatic are not telling the people, is the fact that the USA is well apprised and advised as to the workings of the PNC Opposition. The American Government is well aware of Guyana’s political landscape where the Opposition is concerned. I am talking about Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, from first-hand information, would have laid bare the brazen and diabolical attempts by the PNC thugs to rig the last General Election.

The Ambassador was present herself in the Ashmins building when all of this was going on, so Norton and his gang of sanctimonious gangsters could bay at the moon for as long as they like, it will not change a thing where the USA is concerned.

I was most heartened

also when President Ali met with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries at the Caricom Summit to educate this Congressman on matters taking place in Guyana. Congressman Jeffries has been peddling PNC’s misinformation coming from dubious sources, I am grateful President Ali could have reoriented his thinking as it regards to the things of Guyana.

I close by saying Guyana will not be deterred by a bunch of claptraps who will try to use every opportunity to peddle their lies. It is high time the PNC and their surrogates get off that foolish negativity path and get on board with our One Guyana plan.

Respectfully, Neil

Adams

contribution to our fights against the climate crisis.”

At this juncture, I need to reinforce the reality that Guyana is also on a pathway to capitalise on its fossil fuel industry. In fact, many have been quite critical of this now burgeoning economic sector. However, these very antagonists are wilfully turning ‘blind eyes’ and ‘deaf ears’ to the world of reality, where co-existence is the name of the game.

Well, the EU Comicon highlighted that indeed ““The ambition of your Government, Mr President, to make sure that Guyana in its economic development, in the development of the fossil fuel industry still maintains its high ambition for climate neutrality, and for maintenance of your natural riches is something we want to be a part of, and I hope we can elaborate very concrete measures.”

Let me expand by pointing out that even though climate change is the biggest threat the world fac -

es, one of those tools is the conservation of mangroves. As we know, there are more than 60 different species of mangroves, all specialized to grow along waterlogged coastlines in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Mangroves are an incredible group of plants, as not only do they have a unique ability to thrive in saltwater environments, but their strong and complex root systems also protect coastal communities and landscapes from extreme weather events, like hurricanes.

I close by reminding readers that one of mangroves' biggest strengths lies in their ability to capture and store carbon. The muddy soil that mangroves live in is extremely carbon-rich and over time, the mangroves help to not only add to this store of soil by capturing sediment but hold it, as well as the carbon in place.

Yours truly, HB Singh

Understanding Variable Expressions

Sometimes you want to solve a problem to find an unknown number. The unknown number is called a variable . Variables are usually expressed as letters. Variables are used with numbers and symbols in algebra , a kind of Maths used to find the value of unknowns. An algebraic expression is a group of letters, numbers and operations.

Example

When you have a variable in a multiplication expression, you do not need to use the x symbol. So 12 x y is usually written 12y. The 12 is called a coefficient, which is a number that multiplies a variable.

Exercises: Express by writing each expression in word form

BY SIR WALTER RALEIGH

[Supposed to be written by one at the point of death]

Materials:

Toilet paper roll

Wax paper

Rubber band

Instructions:

Cut or tear a piece of wax paper big enough to cover the end of the toilet paper roll.

Use the rubber band to secure the wax paper over the end of the toilet paper roll.

Hum into your Crazy Kazoo and enjoy the cool and unique sound. Practice humming songs with your Crazy Kazoo. (sciencefun.org)

Give me my scallop shell of quiet, My staff of faith to walk upon, My scrip of joy, immortal diet, My bottle of salvation, My gown of glory, hope’s true gage, And thus I’ll take my pilgrimage. Blood must be my body’s balmer, No other balm will there be given, Whilst my soul, like a white palmer, Travels to the land of heaven; Over the silver mountains, Where spring the nectar fountains; And there I’ll kiss The bowl of bliss, And drink my eternal fill On every milken hill. My soul will be a-dry before, But after it will ne’er thirst more; And by the happy blissful way More peaceful pilgrims I shall see, That have shook off their gowns of clay, And go apparelled fresh like me. I’ll bring them first To slake their thirst, And then to taste those nectar suckets, At the clear wells Where sweetness dwells, Drawn up by saints in crystal buckets. And when our bottles and all we Are fill’d with immortality, Then the holy paths we’ll travel, Strew’d with rubies thick as gravel, Ceilings of diamonds, sapphire floors, High walls of coral, and pearl bowers. From thence to heaven’s bribeless hall Where no corrupted voices brawl, No conscience molten into gold, Nor forg’d accusers bought and sold, No cause deferr’d, nor vain-spent journey, For there Christ is the king’s attorney, Who pleads for all without degrees, And he hath angels, but no fees. When the grand twelve million jury Of our sins and sinful fury, ’Gainst our souls black verdicts give, Christ pleads his death, and then we live. Be thou my speaker, taintless pleader, Unblotted lawyer, true proceeder, Thou movest salvation even for alms, Not with a bribed lawyer’s palms. And this is my eternal plea To him that made heaven, earth, and sea, Seeing my flesh must die so soon, And want a head to dine next noon, Just at the stroke when my veins start and spread, Set on my soul an everlasting head. Then am I ready, like a palmer fit, To tread those blest paths which before I writ.

WORD SEARCH

800 diplomatic passports among

$2.6B contract signed by APNU/AFC

A$2.6 billion contract that was awarded in July 2019 when the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government was in office, left the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) baffled during a recent sitting. Among the items the contractor was supposed to supply, were 800 diplomatic passports.

During the PAC sitting, Office of the President (OP) Permanent Secretary Abena Moore could not shed light as to why the contractor was paid $325.6 Million from this contract. Nor could she say which, if any, of the 10 items the contractor was supposed to supply, were actually delivered to the Government.

“I sought to get some information from the person who was in charge of this project, but they’re no longer employed at the Ministry. And I would have asked if they could come to give more clarity but I did not get a response,” the PS of the Ministry at the time said.

“The officer that was dealing with the matter, she was more au fait with what was delivered and what wasn’t. So, I can engage her and I can see if we can get some answers to the questions Minister is asking,” Moore, who was also the PS in charge of the then Ministry of the Presidency during the time of the contract, said.

Even the documents

surrounding this contract could not be provided. PAC Member and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira pointed out that the matter came down to the documents involving the project since the contractor would have been provided with a contract to supply the 10 items. She noted that there ought to be documents verifying the delivery of these items.

It was pointed out by the Auditor General that his office was not given any supporting documents for four payment vouchers for cheques totalling $325.5 million, which were prepared but not paid. These monies, according to the Permanent Secretary, were returned to the Ministry of Finance.

However, the contractor was still paid $325.6 million in 2019. No one could say what the contractor was paid for and which parts of

his contract he fulfilled, with the Auditor General promising to do some further checks. When it comes to the state of the contract, the Permanent Secretary explained that her office is no longer responsible for it.

“[Office of the President] is no longer handling the project. I will have to check with my colleague at the Ministry of Home Affairs, given the fact that the Department of Citizenship is now under the Ministry of Home Affairs, on the situation with the Canadian bank notes,” Moore said. She was given two weeks to supply the outstanding information.

Six years

Meanwhile PAC member David Patterson, who was the Public Infrastructure Minister under the previous APNU/AFC Government, sought to clear up some of the mystery surrounding the contract. In defending the project, he said that the diplomatic passports were not being distributed “willy nilly” but rather, were supposed to have been delivered and stored over a six-year period to ensure there was no shortage.

Patterson claimed that $811 million was budgeted in the 2019 APNU/AFC budget, with the rest to have been budgeted in subsequent years, to pay for the contract. The remaining sum would have equated to US$3.7 million, with the total contract

costing US$12.4 million or $2.6 billion.

“This contract is a six-year contract. NPTAB granted the approval because they went to American bank note, they went to a company in India, Chinese and then they went to a German company. The great number of passports were to be delivered in sixmonth batches.”

“The PS wrote and gave the schedule, that every six months. So, 800 diplomatic passports were over the six-year period. I don’t know how they needed them. But every six months, there was supposed to be a delivery. It was all written out in the contract,” Patterson said.

The items in question the contractor was supposed to

deliver were a new Border Management System with 10 APC e-Kiosks, along with five years of maintenance and support; Border Management System Stand-by Site; New e-PICS with five years’ maintenance and support; E-PICS

Warm Stand-by Site; Online Passport Application and Payment System; 398,000 Regular e-Passports (32 pages); 100,000 Regular e-Passports (48 pages); 800 Service e-Passports; 900 specimen e-Passports for on-site training, testing; and the 800 Diplomatic e-Passports.

With both PS Moore and the Auditor General committing to do some further checks for information and supporting documents on the project, it was agreed by the PAC that the matter would be revisited by July 4, 2023.

In his 2019 report, the Auditor General had found a number of breaches with the project. This includes a breach of Section 31 (2) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act, which stipulates that “Each requisition for a payment of public moneys out of the Consolidated Fund shall be in such form, accompanied by such documents and certified in such manner as the Minister may by regulation prescribe.”

Section 31 (3) of the Act

was also breached. This Section stipulates that “No requisition for the payment of public moneys shall be made in respect of any part of the Government unless the Head of the budget agency concerned or an official authorized in writing by that Head for the purpose certifies…. that the work has been performed, the goods supplied or the services provided, as the case may be, and that the price charged therefor is in accordance with the contract or other arrangement governing the work, good or services… ii. where, pursuant to a contract…a payment is to be made prior to the completion of the work, supply of the goods or provision of the services, as the case may be, that the payment is in accordance with the contract…” (G3)

…no document to show reason for $325.6M payout to contractor

Permanent Secretary for OP, Abena Moore

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira

Former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Cop facing narcotics, ammo charges denied bail by High Court

The Demerara High Court on Friday denied bail to a Police Constable, who was arrested in January in connection with the discovery of a motor car loaded with narcotics and ammunition.

Constable Julius Cambridge, 22, was among the three persons nabbed at a roadblock with a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana, and illegal ammunition.

It is alleged that on January 16, at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD), they had 170 grams of cocaine and 9.4 kilograms of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Further, it is alleged that on the said date at the same location, they had two .38, two .40, and 11 .9mm rounds

of ammunition, when they were not holders of firearm licences.

Besides Cambridge, the other persons charged were Police Constable Albert Beresford, 29, who had been stationed at Clonbrook Police Station; and Sheldon Benjamin, 32, of Vigilance, ECD.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges at their initial court appear-

the narcotics and ammunition were found next to Cambridge inside the vehicle.

In his address to the court, Cambridge’s lawyer, Yuborn Allicock, said that even though the illegal items were found next to his client, they do not belong to him.

The everchanging…

…social media universe

ance on January 25 before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court. They were all denied bail and remanded to prison. In March, however, Beresford changed his not-guilty pleas to guilty.

Cambridge’s petition for bail was refused by a High Court Judge on Friday.

At that hearing, State Prosecutor Simran Gajraj objected to bail, citing that

To make his case, the lawyer pointed out that Benjamin is the car’s owner and that at no point was the narcotics or ammunition found on the person or property of Cambridge.

According to him, several persons being in the vehicle give rise to multiple occupancy.

Allicock said that Beresford has accepted ownership of the narcotics and ammunition and has even reaffirmed that his client, Cambridge, hired him to get

to work.

Presiding Judge Sandil Kissoon while alluding to Beresford’s guilty pleas, pointed out that it is a notorious fact that in narcotics matters, the person with the least interest would usually take the rap for the most valuable person in the group.

Justice Kissoon expressed concern about a series of offences being committed from a “single circumstance” with a serving member of the Police Force present before the court.

Though he acknowledged that one is innocent until proven guilty, he said that his disappointment lies with the fact that a member of the Disciplined Services would find himself in these circumstances connected to allegations of this nature.

Justice Kissoon went on to note that Allicock’s argument in relation to multiple occupancy does not give rise to special reasons given that the bag was close to Cambridge.

In refusing the bail application made on Cambridge’s behalf, the Judge said that he found no special reasons as demanded by the Bail Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Act 2022.

At about 2:30h on the day in question, a motor car bearing registration number PAB 7863 pulled up at the roadblock. Benjamin was the driver, with Beresford, and Cambridge, as passengers. However, the Policemen who were conducting the exercise observed that their colleagues in the car were acting suspiciously. As such, they requested to search the car during which one bag containing marijuana and another with cocaine were found.

A further search carried out in the motor car resulted in the discovery of rounds of ammunition.

At the time of his arrest, Cambridge was stationed at the Cane Grove Police Outpost. (G1)

Your Eyewitness must confess that when it comes to social media – even though he recognises it’s the future of news dissemination – he’s not up to snuff as he’d like to be. There’re only so many hours in the day to keep up with his Internet browser and Facebook account that he signed on to so many moons ago!! So he flirts with Twitter and Instagram, but feels he’s cheating on the “long read” compulsion that’s in his bones!!

Anyhow he couldn’t help noticing the beef between billionaires Facebook’s Zuckerberg and Tesla’s Musk – since the former – who also owns Instagram - launched a new app Threads through his parent company Meta to compete directly with Twitter. The loud-mouthed Musk took over the latter last year in a messy stockholders’ battle. He eventually paid US$44 billion for the right to set the policy for Twitter usage and push his own looney philosophy!! He immediately altered the platform’s algorithm, fired thousands and vowed to make it more “unrestricted” –like reactivating Trump’s account – even as he introduced a cost to be a preferred “Blue” customer!!

Threads soon became the fastest downloaded app EVER – with 70 million users in a few days!! Of course it helped that Instagram has 2.4 BILLION users and they can just transfer their account details to Threads!! Facebook’s almost 3 BILLION users – the largest block of social media users in the world -- were also bombarded by Threads info!! Be as it may, we have two of the richest men on planet Earth who got so personal with their business rivalry that they have seriously considered mixing it up in a no-holdsbarred cage fight!! And here your Eyewitness thought the best these two nerds could pull off was a hair-pulling and face-scratching tango!!

But seriously folks, we should be concerned that the Internet is increasingly being dominated by the handful of men who form richest top 1% -- what with owning more than 50% of the total wealth. More insidiously, with their algorithms steering the news we receive, they really control how we think. After all, we can only think about things based on what was put into our heads – or what will be put there by these behemoths!!

So what are we to do?? Sadly, precious little in our little pond!! All we can do is cultivate a permanent attitude of cynicism towards what we’re fed – and try as best as possible to get alternative viewpoints and facts. Then in addition to the big guns like Musk and Zuckerberg who try to control the world’s thinking, there are the local Goebbels who use their social media platforms to create our local reality!!

Evidently, Big Brothers will spawn Little Brothers!!

…armed forces

Back in the day, Burnham had increased our military manpower from a Police Force of 2600 in 1964 to 23,000 “Disciplined Forces” by 1976 that gave us the dubious distinction of having the highest civilian-military ratio in the world. To their credit, the PPP further reduced this ratio – which the destruction of the economy had already started by 1992. Now this doesn’t mean that armed forces are necessarily bad – it’s just that they gotta just protect the country and its citizens!

But how best for our (small) country?? We’ve got a good model from Israel – which has proved that with this aspect of performance, size is also not everything!! The Israelis focused on boosting their military capabilities –not necessarily their military size. And because of this they were able to stave off attacks from much larger armies – to this day!!

Your Eyewitness is pleased that evidently, the PPP has adopted this strategy and continues to improve the capabilities of our armed forces rather than its size. …agro mix

Unquestionably, with our vast land and freshwater resources, we have a comparative advantage in agriculture. The only question is what should we be producing?? The Government’s obviously learnt our lesson on monocropping and now promotes a healthy mix!!

Julius Cambridge

Sheldon Benjamin Albert Beresford

Justice Sandil Kissoon

Filling diplomatic posts top priority for Govt – Todd

In strengthening its foreign policy, a major focus for the Guyana Government, according to Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, is filling the various diplomatic posts at overseas missions.

During a recent live broadcast on efforts being undertaken to foster bilateral relations and position Guyana as global leader, President Dr Irfaan Ali had indicated that Government has to ensure that all of its Foreign Missions are adequately staffed.

“One of the things we have to do in the coming weeks is to ensure all… Ambassadors and High Commissioners are in place, and to ensure we strengthen them to ensure we achieve the types of results that we want to achieve [on the global stage],” the Head of State said.

Currently, Guyana’s Embassies in Belgium and Geneva are without Ambassadors, while its High Commission in India is without High Commissioners.

However, Todd recently told Guyana Times that “It’s a priority for [the President that] we’re to ensure that those posts are filled soon-

est because it’s important for our work within the international environment. We need to have the Ambassadors at post to help us to advance our foreign policy when it is crafted here at headquarters.”

With regards to the vacancy in New Delhi, the Foreign Minister revealed that President Ali has already shortlisted several “suitable individuals who perform at very high standards for us.”

This post became vacant in October 2022 after Guyana’s then High Commissioner in India, Charrandas Persaud was recalled following the circulation of a video which shows him verbally abusing a woman outside his official residence in New Delhi.

While an investigation by Indian authorities found no evidence of misconduct during the August 2021 incident, which only came to light last year, President Ali had emphasised the importance of representatives of Guyana conducting themselves in the highest regard.

On this note, the Head of State had said it is in the “best interest” that Persaud return home.

No timeline

Meanwhile, Minister Todd did not give a timeline as to when these foreign posts will be filled but assured that Government is committed to doing this before the end of the year.

In the Region, Guyana’s foreign consulate in Barbados is currently without a Head. Additionally, the Embassy of Guyana in both Brazil and Venezuela are also without Ambassadors.

But according to the Foreign Affairs Minister, “We will have those posts filled very shortly. It is a priority for the President.”

As part of efforts to strengthen its international relations, Guyana opened its embassy in Qatar back in May – a move which President Ali said will help the two countries to enhance their bilateral ties.

On the other hand, countries are also looking to establish their footprint in Georgetown, where there is massive economic activities being undertaken.

Only last month, the Dominican Republic set up an Embassy in Guyana and a resident Ambassador, Ernesto Torres Pereyra, was accredited to serve out

of Georgetown.

Guatemala is also on record to establish a diplomatic office in Guyana later this year – its first within the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Colombia is also preparing to re-establish their Embassy in Georgetown.

In addition, France is also seeking to strengthen its presence in Guyana and is slated to open up a diplomatic office here in September – the first European Union member to do so.

During his live broadcast last month, President Ali had noted that Guyana’s activism on the international platform is growing from strength to strength.

“Our foreign policy and our foreign engagement have never, ever been so active,” the Head of State noted while adding, “There is absolutely no hesitation from this President and this Government in ensuring that the brand – Guyana, gets the best possible value on the global stage. This comes not only by travelling but by investing time, by reading, by analysing, by having a technical team of people working round-theclock to support what you

want to achieve…”

According to the Guyanese leader, the country’s engagement globally has become stronger. This, he pointed out, is evident in the fact that Guyana is being called upon more frequently to represent on the global stage.

Last month, Guyana was one of five countries elected as non-permanent members for the term 2024-2025 at the United Nations Security Council – an organ of the United Nations that has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Also in June, Christopher Arif Bulkan was elected as a Commissioner on the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) –the first Guyanese national to serve on the 64-year-old commission.

Moreover, only recently, it was announced by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture that President Ali will be the first recipient of the IICA Award for Contribution to Food Security and Sustainable Development.

IICA said this award is being presented to the Guyanese leader in recognition of his leadership in

agricultural transformation, food security and support for building resilient economies in a sustainable manner in Guyana and the Caribbean.

President Ali said “… the economic diplomacy, our foreign policy, military diplomacy, climate diplomacy, food diplomacy, energy diplomacy – all of that is part of the work we’re doing. And because of where Guyana is positioned now, we are called upon in various organisations to provide leadership… With the type of global leadership that we want to produce and the type of inroads we want to make on the global platform, it definitely will require much, much more work.” (G8)

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd

Gunmen rob popular Linden Chinese supermarket

Weekend accidents claim lives of 2 motorcyclists

Two separate accidents claimed the lives of two motorcyclists over the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, Selwyn Archibald, a 38-yearold resident of Linden, lost his life when his motorcycle collided with a concrete lamp post on the Houston Public Road, in the vicinity of Rahaman's Park, Greater Georgetown.

Archibald, who was riding motorcycle CK 5480, was travelling at a high speed when he lost control while negotiating a turn, resulting in the collision.

Videos captured at the scene showed the severity of the accident, with Archibald's leg nearly severed. He was unconscious and emergency medical technicians arrived to transport him to

Georgetown Public Hospital for treatment.

Despite their efforts, Archibald succumbed to his injuries later that evening.

In a separate accident on Saturday night at Unity, East Coast Demerara, another motorcyclist lost his life.

Eone McGarrell, a 26-year-old mechanic from Cottage, Mahaicony, was involved in a collision with a car.

McGarrell, also known as “Joe”, was on his way to Georgetown to meet his uncle when the accident occurred. According to McGarrell's family, the driver of the car was allegedly speeding and overtaking vehicles when the collision occurred.

After hitting McGarrell, the driver crashed into a utility post. McGarrell did not

Dead: Eone McGarrell

survive the accident. The family said upon hearing of the accident, they rushed to the scene and later received the devastating news at the hospital that the motorcyclist had succumbed to his injuries.

Police have since launched an investigation. (G9)

The Long Xing supermarket, a popular establishment famously known as the ‘pink building’, located in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), fell victim to an armed robbery on Saturday evening.

According to reports, two armed men forcefully entered the premises and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, managing to escape from the scene successfully.

While specific details

surrounding the robbery remain unclear, it has been confirmed that a customer, who was shopping at the time, sustained injuries during the incident. This event marks the second robbery to have taken place at the supermarket within a span of just one month.

In response, Police have initiated an investigation with the aim of apprehending the culprits.

Just recently, a group of four individuals, including one armed with a toy gun, targeted a Chinese super-

market in Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.

They robbed the owners of cash, cell phones, and phone cards. The arrested bandit, a 21-year-old man, was found hiding in a trench after a high-speed chase with the Police.

The remaining three suspects escaped during the pursuit. A toy gun that was used in the robbery was seized, along with stolen phone cards and some cash. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing. (G9)

The suspects who allegedly robbed the Chinese supermarket in Linden

Govt to conduct study on high rate of IPV, domestic abuse

The relatively high incidence of intimate partner violence and domestic abuse in Guyana has prompted further action by the Government, with a consultant now being sought to research the contributing factors behind these behaviours.

Under the Support for the Criminal Justice System Programme which seeks to address institutional issues affecting the country’s criminal justice systems, the consultant will be tasked with researching the socioeconomic breakdown of the contributing factors behind the high rate of intimate partner violence and domestic abuse from the period 2013 to 2022.

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the InterAmerican Development Bank GN-2350-9 and will be in accordance with the principles of comparison based on Qualifications of National Individuals (QCNI).

Expressions of Interest applications must be submitted on or before July 18 to the Legal Affairs Ministry, Support for the Criminal

Justice System Procurement Officer, 341 East Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana.

For more information, persons can call telephone: (592)-226-1370 Ext. 204/ (592)-650-8803. Domestic violence remains a major problem despite several interventions at various levels.

For the period January 1 to June 29, Guyana recorded a total of 82 murders of which 33 have been categorised as domestic. According to reports, 28 women were murdered in 2022, the majority by their husbands/ partners. They were either shot, stabbed, beaten, or burnt.

Data from Guyana’s First National Survey on Gender-Based Violence released in 2019, showed that one in every two women in the country has or will experience Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in their lifetime. The survey revealed that more than 55 per cent of all women experienced at least one form of violence.

Meanwhile, recent research found that Guyana has the highest percentage of agreement with keeping IPV in the private realm of the seven countries in the Americas surveyed.

According to a Latin

Shoppers urged to report stores with no refund policies/signs

American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) report, almost 62 per cent of Guyanese normalise IPV and agree that physical violence between couples is a private matter which should be handled by the couple themselves or their families.

The Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Mexico, and Jamaica have intermediate levels of acceptance that are closer to the average 52 per cent while Peru has the lowest rate of agreement at 41 per cent. Acknowledging that domestic violence continues to be a major social problem, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, has said that the country’s Domestic Violence Act 1996 will be completely overhauled in an effort to tackle this social ill.

Proposed amendments to the Act include the need to include expansion of the definitions of domestic violence, including more comprehensive definitions of economic, emotional, and psychological violence; inclusion of batterer intervention programmes and counselling as remedies; and updating the penalties for breach of protection orders.

The Sexual Offences Act 2010 is expected to undergo a similar overhaul. (G1)

The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) is reminding that the law allows people to obtain a refund on goods, noting that no refund policies and signs are illegal and contrary to the Consumers Affairs Act (CAA) 2011.

In a recent notice, the CCAC urged consumers not to hesitate to ask for a refund. “Don’t hesitate to ask for a refund. It’s your right as a consumer!”

The Consumer Handbook states that consumers have up to seven days to return non-defective items and that said items must be unused, not tampered with, and in their original package.

Customers can be charged up to a 10 per cent restocking fee and those defective items can be returned anytime during the warranty period.

It further states that a consumer may return goods if the purpose for which the goods were bought or intended to be used has changed or ceased to exist immediately after the goods were bought.

Section 22 of the Act outlines the process for returning defective goods.

To receive a refund or to return a good, consumers must have sufficient proof of purchase.

When a supplier sells goods or services, it must pro-

vide the consumers with a receipt setting out the purchase price and value-added tax separately; the date the purchase was made; and a description of the goods sold or services provided. The receipts shall be legible for 12 months.

According to the Act, suppliers shall issue a standard and explicit warranty in relation to goods sold or services provided to consumers. A warranty is an assurance or commitment by the supplier or manufacturer that in the event the product becomes defective a form of redress is offered during the warranty period. Warranties must be for at least six months.

During 2022, it was reported that the CCAC resolved over 400 complaints, resulting in more than $107M being refunded to various consumers.

It usually receives complaints across 19 categories, the leads being in the elec-

tronics/electronic services, auto industry, and appliance and construction industry.

The CCAC was established under the Consumer Affairs Act. Its functions include investigating complaints by agencies and consumers and determining if there has been a contravention of the Competition and Fair-Trading Act of 2006 (CFTA) and the CAA; taking prescribed actions should there be a contravention of the law and eliminating anti-competitive agreements. It is also responsible for providing information to consumers on their rights and to enable them to make informed choices; to advising the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce on matters as it relates to the CFTA and the CAA; to institute, participate in, and/or support proceedings before a court of law, including to bring prosecutions where the Commission deems fit.

Consumers can file complaints against defaulting businesses via the CCAC e-complaint form at https:// ccac.gov.gy/. Contact can also be made with its offices in Georgetown and Linden at 219-4410/3 and 444-6411 or via WhatsApp at 625-0557. In-person visits are also welcomed. (G1)

Police must maintain moral strength, fairness …as GPF pays tribute

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) paid tribute to 67 fallen heroes who died in the line of duty with a wreath-laying ceremony held at the Officers' Mess Compound in Eve Leary, Georgetown, on Sunday.

The event, part of the GPF's 184th-anniversary celebration, saw the presence of high-ranking officials, including Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, as well as widows, children, and relatives of the ranks who died participating in the laying of wreaths at the monument.

Deputy Commissioner Administration (ag), Calvin Brutus speaking at the ceremony emphasised the significance of the occasion, recognising the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes to ensure public security.

He stated, "While life is unpredictable, the

Force does not wish to lose any more of its officers in the line of duty in the future."

A 21-gun salute, the Last Post, a moment of silence, and another 21-gun salute were observed during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Minister Benn, in his address, highlighted the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes and spoke of the importance of peace for the country's development.

He said, "The death of the fallen heroes shows the sacrifices the Police Force has been making for its country over the years. For this year so far, two Police officers were added to the number, and this remembrance is fresh again in our minds with respect to falling in the line of duty."

He further emphasised the necessity of peace, stating, "Peace in our country is, of course, so necessary, particularly at this pro-

fairness of mind to protect nation – Top Cop

tribute to fallen heroes

pitious moment in our country's development. Without peace, there would be no progress, no prosperity, and no future."

Benn also called on the GPF to continue working towards maintaining peace and acknowledged the importance of professional training for officers.

Acting Commissioner Hicken stressed the significance of safety and security, acknowledging the sacrifices made by Police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

He remarked, "It should be recognised that being enlisted in the Guyana Police Force as an officer has its challenges. As it takes commitment, we must be able to maintain moral strength, resist opposition, and possess fairness of mind to protect the nation in the line of duty."

The Head of the Force highlighted the efforts

of the Guyana Police Force in honouring fallen heroes through its Fallen Heroes Foundation Inc, established in 2015 in collaboration with the Cops and Faith Community Network.

He explained that the foundation provides various forms of support to families, including welfare assistance, financial aid, and educational assistance for children under the age of 18.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Fallen Heroes Foundation, Bishop Dr Raphael Massiah while giving remarks expressed his belief that the hard work and sacrifice of the fallen officers should be recognised and rewarded to acknowledge their significant contributions.

During the ceremony, words of comfort were offered to the families, relatives and friends of the fallen heroes as a gesture of support and solace. (G9)

Fatal shooting at army base BoI concluded, recommendations “actively being acted upon” – Chief of Staff

The Board of Inquiry (BoI) investigation into the fatal shooting of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier Tevon Daymon, who was killed by his colleague last month at GDF Base Camp Stephenson, has concluded.

During a press briefing on Friday, Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Omar Khan affirmed that the GDF's response to such incidents involves launching a thorough BoI, which has now submitted its report.

The report contains several crucial recommendations, including the provision of counselling services for ranks and the availability of psychologists.

While not divulging specific details, Brigadier Khan assured reporters that the recommendations

have been acknowledged and are actively being acted upon. He said some actions have already been implemented as part of the GDF's commitment to avoiding the recurrence of such tragic events.

“When any incident of that nature occurs, one

of the first things we do is respond but importantly a Board of Inquiry is launched and that report has been submitted and there is a series of recommendations that we are going through… they are being acted upon and

some already have been acted upon,” Brigadier Khan said.

“The Force as a Force will need to review what happen and certainly work towards the prevention of any similar incident,” he added.

The shooting incident occurred on June 12 at GDF Base Camp Stephenson along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, when an argument broke out between Private Daymon, hailing from Block X Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, and his colleague, Private Brian Morrison.

Following an altercation during guard duties, Daymon allegedly struck Morrison with a gun and attempted to flee. In response, Morrison discharged 27 rounds from his AK-47 rifle, fatally in -

juring Daymon. Morrison was swiftly apprehended.

Private Daymon was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was later pronounced dead. Subsequently,

Over 50 applications received...

Assistance

According to Bharrat, the thinking is to steer the sector, which has for some time been producing primary products that are then exported, towards more value-added production. According to him, the revolving fund is seen as a way of financing this transition towards downstream processing of

wood products. According to Bharrat, almost all of the concerns raised by the loggers were addressed during the meeting.

“There were a few personal issues. For instance, people having bad credit and things like that, that we have to engage the bank on to see what concession can be given to those individuals,” Minister Bharrat said.

Last year, with assistance from Demerara Bank Limited, the Guyana Government set up a $900 million revolving fund that is aimed at boosting the forestry sector to meet market demands. President Ali had announced that some $300 million from the State’s coffers has been set aside for this revolving fund.

This sum will be fur-

ther supplemented by $600 million more provided by Demerara Bank Limited. It had been explained that this $900 million revolving fund will carry a low interest rate of four per cent.

According to the Head of State, through a partnership with the Guyana Forestry Commission under the Ministry of Natural Resources, a committee will be established to ensure that persons are adhering to and abiding by what is expected of them, that is, the sector itself and its various associations.

The Government, through the GFC, has committed to continue working with all forest stakeholders to increase productivity in keeping with sustainable forest management practices. When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration took office in August 2020, it inherited a “grossly mismanaged” forestry sector that was on the “verge of collapse. However, through various interventions and initiatives implemented by the Government, this industry has made a turnaround.

Morrison, who is a 25-year-old resident of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, was charged with murder and remanded to prison.

(G9)

FROM PAGE 2

In 2020 alone, the Aliled Administration injected $350 million into the then cash-strapped Guyana Forestry Commission to cover operational costs and wages for staff for the remainder of the year. Strategies aimed at boosting the financial performance and management capabilities of the GFC were undertaken and in 2021, the forestry sector was able to make a positive turnover and manage on its own.

Dead: Private Tevon Daymon

Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Omar Khan

Charged and remanded: Brian Morrison

Architectural design of local law school in the works – AG

…7 acres of land identified, feasibility committee to visit regional law schools

As Guyana moves towards the establishment of a much-needed law school here, a committee has been established by Government to conduct the feasibility study which includes coming up with an architectural design of the facility.

The committee, which will oversee the establishment of the law school here, is chaired by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, S.C., and comprises of representatives from the Finance Ministry, the University of Guyana – Law Programme, and a Chartered Accountant.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Sunday, Nandlall explained that the committee is collaborating with the Council of Legal Education (CLE), which administers legal professional education in the Caribbean at law schools throughout the region under the CARICOM Treaty.

Back in September 2022,

the CLE approved a proposal from Guyana to set up its own law school. The CLE subsequently outlined the requirements that the country needed fulfil including the conduct of a feasibility study, which the People’s

Carbon credit grants

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Cabinet agreed to do.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, the committee is currently working on that comprehensive feasibility study in which they

have to illustrate the number of students the school will attract and accommodate as well as the capacity of the Guyana Government to fund the construction of the facility and its initial operation cost.

“We are receiving guidance from the Council in terms of the operation of law schools in the region which includes the estimated cost and number of students –size and capacity. We’re working also on an architecture design of the entire campus, which will include lands and buildings, parking facilities, etc.,” the AG noted.

Already, Government has earmarked approximately seven acres of land to build this law school.

Nandlall went onto note that as part of preparing their report, members of the committee will be travelling to at least two CLE-operated law schools in the Caribbean on an onsite visit to learn

about their operations.

“We’re hoping to complete the first draft of this document long before the end of this year for Cabinet’s consideration and also for the Council’s consideration… Council will examine the report and hopefully approve,” the minister explained.

At present, the CLEoperated laws schools in the Caribbean are the Hugh Wooding Law School, St Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago; Norman Manley Law School, Kingston, Jamaica; and Eugene Dupuch Law School, Nassau, Bahamas.

For nearly three decades, Guyana has been trying to establish a law school within its jurisdiction as law students are forced to attend the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad. However, only the 25 top law students from Guyana are allowed each year into the programme.

Moreover, the high cost

of living in Trinidad has deterred many persons from further pursuing a legal career but in response, the Guyana Government now offers limited fully-funded scholarships to Hugh Wooding Law School.

Under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Administration, attempts were made to establish the Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence Haynes Law School. However, the CLE was not approached about the project initially and when permission was eventually sought, it was denied in late 2017.

AG Nandlall had previously declared that any law school that is established in Guyana will be done under the ambit of the CLE. This, he explained, will also allow the country to capitalise on the overcrowding at the other institutions across the region. (G8)

Submit more women, youth development projects – Minister to communities

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has called for the submission of more women and youth projects in hinterland communities with the distribution of the carbon credits grant.

She was at the time speaking during Region One’s Regional Toshaos’/ CDC Chairpersons’ Conference 2023, hosted by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Friday.

Speaking specifically on the Barima-Waini area, Sukhai revealed that thirty-seven (37) villages have already withdrawn the monies that were deposited into their bank accounts.

“There’s no problem with finances … when I visit villages, I expect to see a hub of activities, new and spanking infrastructure being worked on, engaging communities and villages. I would like to see women projects on the rise, I would like to see projects relating to young people, youth and sports development, I would like to see that you are paying attention to the elderly,” the Minister stated.

Sukhai also announced

that the Government has already distributed $1.3 billion in carbon credit funds, from the $4.7 billion received from Hess Corporation, for the sale of 30 per cent of Guyana’s forest, in keeping with its promise to advance development and prosperity in Indigenous villages.

With more financial inflows being made available to Indigenous villages, the Minister is urging leaders to execute their projects in a timely manner, so that resi-

dents can benefit.

These include the Presidential Grant Programme, a $10 million COVID-19 investment fund, a $3 billion supplementary fund for Amerindian development that was earmarked at the last National Toshaos’ Conference (NTC), and the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF).

The Toshaos were told to ensure they submit their estimates to the Ministry to receive monies available under the $3 billion supple-

mentary fund. Amerindian leaders were also encouraged to practice accountability and work in the best interests of the people.

“Please start sending your financial reports to the Minister, it is mandated by law, the Amerindian Act,” she emphasised.

They were also reminded that under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, every Guyanese including Amerindians will benefit from the massive transformation the Government is undertaking.

The one-day conference was organised by the RDC, to provide Amerindian leaders with an opportunity to raise their concerns at the regional level. Of the 242 Amerindian villages in Guyana, 165 have submitted their Village Sustainability Plans (VSPs), allowing them to access the monies that are available in their bank accounts.

In a previous interview with this publication, Toshao of Massara Village, located in North Rupununi, Region Nine, Lenny Moses

shared that a portion of the village’s $18 million carbon credit grant will go toward the expansion of a poultry farm owned by the women in the community.

“We have a poultry farm that is owned by the women’s group; we’re going to expand the project. Right now, they’re dealing with broilers, and we’re going to expand and they’re going to go into layers. So, again we looked at creating employment for more women who didn’t have jobs before. It’s a good project; so far, they’re doing well, and that is why we chose to give some money toward that project for expansion,” Moses had told Guyana Times

Meanwhile, Moco Moco Village, which is located in Central Rupununi will invest a portion of its $24 million carbon credit grant to develop a supermarket that will be operated by the youths.

Toshao of Moco Moco, Thomas George outlined that the mini supermarket will aid in teaching youths about business as well as let them earn an income so they can offset personal ex-

penses.

“One of the things we would like to do is upgrade a youth centre we have. We built that a number of years ago for youths to do business in. We did some renovations last year from the COVID-19 investment fund and then now we’re planning to open a mini supermarket. That would be run by the youths of the community, to build capacity for business and management and of course, bring in an income that can be more self-sufficient,” George explained to this publication.

In February of this year, a total of 241 Amerindian communities across the country each received grants ranging from $10M to $35 million. This initiative followed the historic agreement signed with Hess Corporation for Guyana’s carbon credits in 2022, which will see the country earning US$750 million for its forest. A total of $4.7 billion (US$22.5 million), which represents 15 per cent of Hess’s payment for Guyana’s carbon credits, was disbursed in the various communities.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai during the conference

EPA cutting down on emergency response times – Executive Director

…has capacity to respond to radiation emergency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Saturday celebrated its 27th anniversary, with Executive Director Kemraj Parsram reflecting on some of the agency's strides. These include its efforts to cut down on the time it takes to respond to emergencies and building capacity to respond to emergencies involving radiation.

During a ceremony at the National Cultural Centre that featured performances from dance groups and even EPA staff themselves, Parsram revealed that staff have undergone training that will equip them to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. In fact, he made it clear that this continues to be a work in progress.

Parsram explained that the EPA is focused on the “continuous enhancement of our emergency capabilities. Making decisions based on sound science, cutting-edge technologies and organisational excel-

lence”.

Additionally, EPA has several officers who have undergone training with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This includes training in environmental safeguards when managing radioactive sources. According to Parsram, the EPA is operating based on a plan.

“We have a plan. And this plan has several ambitious goals. From preventing harm to protecting environmental officers to ensuring compliance. Continuous enhancement of our emergency response capabilities, making decisions supported by cutting-edge technology and organisational excellence.”

“We have been hard at work over the last few years, going from community to community, coaching and providing support to businesses to comply… fostering partnerships and bettering understanding,” the Executive Director said.

According to Parsram, the EPA believes in proportionate action and thus, the appropriate and proportionate action was at all times taken when faced with breaches of the regulations. Parsram assured that the agency would continue to fulfil its mandate of protecting the environment.

“We will protect our world-class biodiversity by supporting our sister agencies like the Protected Areas Commission and the Wildlife Conservation Commission. We know the EPA over the next five years will ensure a few things. We will ensure that our air remains breathable. And we will reduce emissions in all sectors. We will improve

and protect our water quality in key waterways (that intersect) oil and gas, mining and industrial activities,” Parsram said.

“Littering. We must eliminate littering. Yes, our streets and drains have to be cleaned. We will address this. And in partnership with the Guyana Police Force, we will eliminate noise nuisance. We have to take a social approach to compliance… let us work hand in hand to maintain and ensure a low-carbon and biodiversity-positive future for generations to come.”

The EPA was established after the Environmental Protection Act 1996 was passed in the National Assembly. The year before, an environmental disaster of catastrophic proportions, the Omai Gold Mines dam spill, resulted in the contamination of the Essequibo River after hazardous waste from mining activities was dumped into the river.

Mercury, also known as

quicksilver, is a highly toxic chemical used in mining to bind gold together.

Exposure to mercury fumes affects the nervous and reproductive systems and damages brain function.

Guyana signed onto the United Nations Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013 and ratified the convention in 2014. Over the years, the Ministry of Natural Resources has partnered with the WWF and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to draft a National Action Plan (NAP), which will see a phased reduc-

tion of the use of mercury in the mining sector to complete elimination by 2027 through the implementation of a phased mercury reduction strategy.

The NAP captures a number of objectives and strategies as outlined in the Minamata Convention. These include mercury use reduction, increasing the viability of small- and medium-scale mining, management of mercury waste, environmental assessment, contaminated sites, public health aspects and public information awareness and education. (G3)

Over 50 school breakfast cooks trained ...as 6 new menus introduced by Education Ministry

Fifty-one food handlers who have been contracted to supply breakfast to schools in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) under the Education Ministry’s school breakfast programme underwent a two-day certification programme at the St Francis Community Developers training building, which concluded on Saturday.

The aim was to enhance the ability of persons who cater for the Ministry of Education breakfast programme for primary schools so that they will be able to prepare a variety of dishes at an elevated standard and with the requisite skills in displaying those dishes.

The training also aimed at ensuring that the initiative is not labelled as a ‘feeding programme’ but rather a nutritional enhancement activity and also to ensure students feel empowered.

The curriculum was produced by St Francis Community Developers, and according to the organisation’s President Alex Foster, it is hoped that the complaints that the Ministry receives will be reduced as a result of the enhanced ability of the caterers to prepare food.

The Guyana Fire Service

and the Health Ministry were also incorporated in the training.

The Fire Service focused on providing information on the guidelines needed to be adhered to so as to reduce the risk of fires in the kitchen.

The Health Ministry through its environmental health department focused on the procedure of acquiring updated food handlers’ certificates. The department also focused on the handling and care of food.

Regional Educational Officer Sattish Udit explained that the Government’s break-

He said that over the past school year, the Education Department in Region Six has received numerous complaints about the service provided as it relates to the breakfast programme.

“That is the quality of the breakfast.”

Udit pointed out that for the new school year, efforts have been made to assist service providers with the skills

campaign.

“A part of the Ministry of Education's agenda is to ensure that all of our caterers are trained and certified in food and nutrition. So as part of the September 2023 to December term, we are introducing six new menus to the grade six classes. So we feel that it is very important that we train these private contractors and caterers on the food and nu-

a specific school. Two of the 53 primary schools in the region; Orealla and Siparuta are not part of the breakfast programme as yet.

According to Phagwa, many of the complaints are based on cultural preferenc-

young students that we are dealing with and so the cultural aspect has to be taken into consideration too.” He noted that all meals will cater for certain religious communities that have eating preferences; namely; Hindus, Muslims

fast programme is of tremendous benefit to the region, noting that many students arrive at school without having breakfast.

to provide quality and healthy breakfast for students at the primary level.

Meanwhile, National Programme Coordinator Mahindra Phagwa told the gathering that the training is part of the breakfast programme’s capacity building

trition aspect of these menus so as to reduce the number of complaints that we would receive and to ensure effective and constant delivery of these across not just Region Six but across all the regions.”

There are 51 caterers in the region, each being attached to

es which are now being taken into consideration.

“Oftentimes the first thing that we think of the nutritional aspect but we also need to be cognisant that these are

and Rastafarians. The meals, he said, are all free of meat. The coordinator said caterers will be monitored while noting that consistency is key. (G4)

The food handlers who were trained in Region Six

Executive Director Kemraj Parsaram speaking at the 27th anniversary event

OPM’s innovation challenge

Winners aim to promote increased stakeholder collaboration

The Industry and Innovation Unit’s Innovation Challenge

2023 concluded Sunday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, and this year’s winners aim to promote increased stakeholder collaboration.

The teams competed for cash prizes, as well as the opportunity to benefit from a paid internship at SBM Offshore Guyana. The winner will receive $1 million, while the second and thirdplace finishers will get $300,000 and $200,000 respectively.

Team Infinity Tech Inc was declared the winner of this year’s hackathon, while the second and thirdplace tokens went to Team CasTech and Team Logiq respectively.

The teams were judged on a number of criteria, including design and implementation, innovation and originality, teamwork and collaboration, and they were tasked with developing software to address scheduling issues.

Members of Infinity Tech Rayon Hunte and Lloyd Browman told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that they were elated at this achievement, as it is the result of hard work and determination.

According to a DPI report, outlining the aim and methodology of their app, Hunte said, “One of the issues we found is that companies have their internal mail calendars, but they regularly have to meet with

persons who are external to the company. These external parties don’t have any insight into the calendar. Our app aims to address that.”

Meanwhile, Browman said the intention was to invent something that is different, while ensuring maximum functionality.

“Ideally, we want to encourage collaboration between different stakeholders. We think its use would be beneficial to the current sector, and even those who aren’t particularly into ICT, or Government related. We think that all sectors can benefit from a programme like this,” he is quoted as saying in a DPI report.

Second-place team member Maryam Bacchus said

she experienced a series of mixed emotions throughout the competition, since this year’s journey was more challenging. The 21-yearold said, “When we were first presented with the challenge, it was very different from the previous years’ challenge. Usually, it would be something broad and you would have to create a solution for that, but this year it was a bit stricter. It was a combination of stress and fun. It started to get a bit fun after we started getting somewhere with our project.”

CasTech developed an automated scheduling software, called Emailbot, which aimed to make scheduling appointments and seeking available time slots

more convenient.

During his feature address, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips emphasised the importance of youth involvement in ICTs, in propelling Guyana’s advancement, as well as in piloting the movement for technological transformation.

“You can contribute to the greater movement in Guyana that our Government wholeheartedly supports, and that is using ICT to transform our lives. Our Government is committed to ensuring that ICTs are a part of all sectors in Guyana. We must ensure that our country can leverage the benefits of ICTs and that all persons can access these benefits as part of the fast-paced technologi-

cally-driven world in which we exist today,” the Prime Minister said.

He also commended SBM Offshore for providing the opportunity for employment for three participants, adding that this demonstrates a commitment to the development of Guyana’s youth.

He said this move also speaks to the value of private-public partnerships in fostering development.

This year’s Innovation Challenge is a collaborative effort between the Industry and Innovation Unit and SBM Offshore, and provided a platform for local tech enthusiasts to display their ICT prowess, and foster the creation of innovative ICT solutions to promote Guyana’s development.

Dependants’ Pension Fund commended for outstanding performance …as institution celebrates 100th anniversary

As the Dependants’ Pension Fund (DPF) celebrates 100 years in existence, its Board of Directors and staff were commended for their dedication over the years.

During the anniversary and cocktail dinner Saturday evening, at the Georgetown Club, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh stated that very few institutions have survived for 100 years.

“We must recognise and pay tribute to the architects of this institution. Those who would have conceived it…I can scarcely think of comparable examples of institutions that were established 100 years ago and survived and continued to serve and discharge their functions 100 years later,” Dr Singh is quoted as saying in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report.

Since the establishment

of the DPF, the world has advanced significantly, Minister Singh noted, making it imperative to look at the path forward.

The environment in which the DPF operates has changed as well, altering some of the services it offers.

According to DPI, Singh pointed out that the DPF can adapt, position, and re-invent itself to best respond to the present context in which it functions. These are related to alternate sources of pension and social security.

“But in the current landscape, how do we adapt to the current landscape given the reality that the DPF is almost competing with other institutions that are able to do this more efficiently…?This is to consider what changes are needed particularly in relation to this line of business but even more broadly.”

Since its establishment in 1923, DPF has helped

public employees in Guyana and currently pays pensions to over 2700 people.

Dr Singh stated that

there are over 27,000 contributors and participants in the scheme.

In addition, monthly

pension payments of about $7.2 million are made. The fund’s primary goal is to offer monthly pension pay-

fund.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips hands over the first-place token to Team Infinity Tech

Director of the Industry and Innovations Unit, Shahrukh Hussain hands over the third-place token to Team Logiq

General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong, hands over the second-place token to CasTech

ments to widowers, widows, and children of public servants who have contributed to the

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh presenting a plaque to DPF’s staff

Regional UN experts arrive in Honduras to explore anti-corruption mission installation

AUnited Nations mission of experts arrived in Honduras to examine the establishment of an international anti-corruption mission in the Central American nation, which is plagued by widespread corruption that exacerbates poverty and immigration, Honduran authorities announced Sunday.

Leftist President Xiomara Castro pledged during her campaign to install an anti-corruption commission known as the International Commission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (CICIH). A year and a half after taking office, civil society groups have grown frustrated with delays in the process as the Government and the United Nations have not yet reached an agreement on the scope of a potential commission.

Castro's Government signed a letter of intent with the UN in December to promote the installation of the mission in

Honduras, where US diplomats say US$3 billion is lost annually and local authorities say 74 per cent of the population lives in poverty.

"We are going to start negotiating with the UN mission the conditions for the installation of the international anti-corruption body," Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina told local media on Sunday, adding that the Government "aspires for it to enjoy autonomy to prosecute corruption".

Mottley honoured as Barbados strengthens ties with Venezuela

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was awarded one of Venezuela’s top honours.

The Order of Liberators of Venezuela, first class, was conferred by President Nicolás Maduro.

The two leaders also engaged in bilateral talks, after which two agreements were signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, who is part of the official delegation.

Symmonds inked an Air Services Agreement and an Agri-Food Sovereignty Agreement, respectively, with Minister of the People’s Power for Transportation

and Executive Director of Conviasa, Ramón C Velásquez Araguayán and Minister of Productive Agriculture and Lands, Wilmar Castro Soteldo.

Mottley and Maduro then signed a Joint Declaration.

Earlier, the Prime Minister visited the Palacio de Miraflores, the official residence of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. There was an Inspection of the Guard of Honour by both leaders.

The national anthems of Barbados and Venezuela were played and sung by the Presidential Honour Guard. Each leader introduced the

other to the members of their delegation and then they were entertained by a local entertainment group who played and sang RPB’s “Something’s Happening”.

Mottley, Symmonds, and Caricom Ambassador David Comissiong are among the delegation which arrived in Venezuela just after 11:00h on Saturday on board a Conviasa aircraft, flag carrier and largest airline of Venezuela.

Mottley was met at the bottom of the stairs of the aircraft by Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil. (Nation News)

The length of the mission's stay in Honduras to meet with various sectors was not specified.

The UN previously called for the repeal or reform of a series of laws that hinder the Public Ministry's ability to investigate and prosecute officials and legislators for the misuse of public funds and money laundering. The independence of the CICIH to investigate crimes has also been a key sticking point to negotiations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

FARC dissidents and Colombian Government reach agreement to begin peace talks

Colombia's Government has reached an agreement to begin peace talks with a faction of dissident Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels who rejected a 2016 peace agreement, according to a statement.

A temporary ceasefire between the Government and the dissident faction of the now-demobilised FARC, which is made up of approximately 3500 people and is known as the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), will be discussed.

Leftist President Gustavo Petro has vowed

to end Colombia's 60-year conflict – which has killed at least 450,000 people – by inking peace or surrender deals with remaining rebels and crime gangs and fully implementing the peace accord with the FARC.

"Both parts reiterate the firm intention to advance toward the construction of a Peace Agreement that puts to an end the armed confrontation," the two parties said in a joint statement dated Saturday and published via Twitter by the Colombian Government's High Commissioner for Peace on Sunday.

The statement called

Professor Emeritus Brinsley Samaroo has died

University of West Indies (UWI) Professor Emeritus, Dr Brinsley Samaroo has died. He was 84.

Confirmation of his passing came on Sunday afternoon in the form of a brief release posted to social media which said: "The family of Prof Brinsley Samaroo wishes to advise of his passing today at 12.45 pm. He died peacefully following a brief illness.

for an "integral, stable, and lasting peace with social and environmental justice".

The EMC is one of two breakaway factions of FARC that did not accept the previous peace deal, which demobilised 13,000 people and led to the creation of a political party that won 10 seats in Congress.

Another rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), which was not part of the 2016 deal, is currently in talks with Petro's Government. The parties announced in June that a six-month ceasefire will begin in August. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexico finds murdered Journalist's body

The body of a correspondent for one of Mexico's leading newspapers has been found in the western state of Nayarit, days after he was reported missing.

Luis Martín Sánchez

Íñiguez, 59, worked for La Jornada and had been missing since Wednesday.

His death is being treated as murder linked to his work, in one of the most dangerous countries for Journalists.

Sánchez is one of three Journalists to have been abducted in the state in recent days.

His body was found on Saturday in the village of El Ahuacate near the city of Tepic, the public prosecutor's office said – a day after his wife filed a missing person's report.

Two messages were attached to his chest, but the authorities have not revealed what they said.

It is thought Sánchez was killed between 24 and 48 hours before his body was found.

His disappearance came a day after a teacher and former reporter went missing on his way to work. The whereabouts of the man,

named as Osiris, remain unknown.

The third person to go missing was a man named Jonathan, who the authorities said was abducted on Friday, but was later found alive and "in a good state of health".

Sánchez's death has sparked outrage both in Mexico and internationally.

The Mexican Commission for the Defence and Promotion of Human Rights has called for the authorities to clarify what happened.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

"We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this period and wish to request some private time to grieve. An announcement will be made regarding his memorial service."

Samaroo, a former member of the ULF and the National Alliance for Reconstruction, was

Professor Emeritus Brinsley Samaroo, seen here at the inaugural Adrian "Cola" Rienzi memorial forum in Couva on Saturday, June 17, died on Sunday, his family confirmed

also a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Nariva, Opposition senator, and Minister of Food Production and later of Decentralisation.

He was better known for his work in academia, as he was a former Head of UWI's History Department and published works on local history. (Trinidad Newsday)

Argentina inaugurates key gas pipeline to reverse energy deficit

Argentina inaugurated on Sunday the first stage of a gas pipeline that will carry natural gas from the Vaca Muerta formation in western Argentina to Santa Fe province by way of Buenos Aires province, an essential work to reverse the country's significant energy deficit.

Vaca Muerta, a massive shale formation the size of Belgium located in Patagonia, is seen as key to boosting the South American country's gas supplies and lessening the need for pricey imports. It has the second unconventional gas reserves worldwide and the fourth in oil.

The country, whose central bank foreign exchange reserves have dwindled to dangerous lows, registered a US$5 billion deficit in the energy trade balance in 2022, because it needs to import energy during the highest consumption months.

The completion of the

first stage of the gas pipeline, which starts in Neuquen province and reaches Buenos Aires province, adds 11 million cubic metres of gas per day. This will double when the compression plants are installed in Tratayen, in Neuquen province, and in Salliquelo, in Buenos Aires province.

The inauguration comes as the ruling Peronist party aims to cling to power in upcoming October elections with the country reeling from 114 per cent inflation. Economy Minister Sergio Massa, who often touts the economic ben-

efits of the pipeline, is seeking the presidency in what pollsters predict to be a tight race.

"This work (...) is the beginning of change in the economic and energy matrix of Argentina," Massa said at the inauguration ceremony held at a gas compression plant about 30 kilometres (18.64 miles) from Salliquelo as part of the celebrations for Argentina's Independence Day. "We are no longer going to import gas in ships because we are going to use the gas from our subsoil." (Excerpt from Reuters)

Honduras President Xiomara Castro

Around The World OIL NEWS

India's fuel demand slips in June on monsoon lull

India's fuel demand eased 3.7% in June month-on-month, Government data showed on Friday, as monsoon rains restricted mobility in the world's third-biggest oil consumer.

Consumption of fuel, a proxy for oil demand, totalled 19.31 million tonnes in June, down from 20.06 million tonnes in May, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) of the Oil Ministry showed.

Sales of diesel, mainly used by trucks and commercially run passenger vehicles, decreased about 3.7% in June to 7.91 million tonnes from a month earlier.

In May, diesel sales hit an all-time high of 8.22 million tonnes, as per PPAC data going back until 1998.

"Seasonality is starting to kick in as the monsoon seasondriven demand decline starts to transpire ... compared to June, we expect oil demand to come in only marginally lower in July," said Viktor Katona, lead crude analyst at Kpler.

Fuel demand in India, the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer, typically falls during the four-month monsoon season beginning in June as parts of the country are hit by heavy floods.

"Cyclone Biparjoy also adversely impacted bunkering operations across the country as ports in Gujarat were forced to shut for several days, adding to the seasonal downside," Katona said.

This year, the monsoon arrived on the coast of southern Kerala state on June 8, more than a week later than normal, and its progress was later stalled by severe cyclone Biparjoy.

Gasoil, or diesel, accounts for about two-fifths of refined fuel consumption in India and is directly linked to industrial activity.

Sales of gasoline, or petrol, were about 5.9% lower than the previous month at 3.15 million tonnes.

Cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sales fell 4.9% to 2.23 million tonnes and naphtha sales dropped 15% to 976,000 tonnes.

Sales of bitumen, used for making roads, ticked up 0.8%, and fuel oil use fell 9.8% in June. (Reuters)

Giessen Eritrea festival clashes leave 26 Police Officers injured

Hundreds of German Police have used batons and pepper spray to quell crowds targeting an Eritrean cultural festival in the central town of Giessen.

The protesters were angry that the festival went ahead in Giessen, calling it a propaganda exercise by the authoritarian Eritrean regime.

A Police statement said clashes took place for hours on Saturday, and that 26 Police officers were injured.

Police arrested nearly 100 people and had to stop traffic in the town centre.

The Police statement said protesters threw bottles and stones at Police, damaged some vehicles and ripped down fencing around the festival venue.

They also threw stones at buses carrying participants to the festival, the statement said.

Video on Twitter appears to show crowds of protesters engaged in run -

Russian, Turkish Ministers talk after Turkey sends Ukrainian Commanders home

The Foreign Ministers of Russia and Turkey spoke by telephone on Sunday, a day after Ankara angered Moscow by sending five Ukrainian commanders home with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in what Russia called a violation of a prisoner exchange agreement.

The Russian and Turkish Foreign Ministries said Sergei Lavrov and Hakan Fidan discussed the situation in Ukraine, as well as a Black Sea grain export agreement that lifted a Russian de facto blockade of Ukrainian ports last year.

Moscow has threatened to quit the grain export deal when it comes up for renewal on July 17, saying demands to facilitate sales of its own grain

and fertiliser have not been met.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that he was pressing Russia to extend the deal, brokered last year by Ankara and the United Nations, by at least three months.

The Russian Ministry said the two sides had focused on recent developments around Ukraine, including Ankara's returning detained commanders of Ukraine's Azov unit, which defended a steelworks in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol last year.

Russia captured the city last year after laying it to waste, killing thousands of civilians in a three-month siege. The Azov unit led the city's defence, holding out in the steel-

Asl Tia a cargo vessel carrying Ukrainian grain, transits Bosphorus, in Istanbul, Turkey, November 2, 2022

works for weeks until they were ordered by Kyiv to surrender.

The captured Azov commanders, lionized as heroes in Ukraine and vilified in Russia, were released in a prison-

er swap in September, under terms that required them to stay in Turkey until the war ends. Zelenskiy brought them home on Saturday after a visit to Turkey. (Excerpt from Reuters)

At least 300 migrants missing at sea near Spanish Canary Islands, aid group says

At least 300 people who were travelling on three migrant boats from Senegal to Spain's Canary Islands have disappeared, migrant aid group Walking Borders said on Sunday.

Two boats, one carrying about 65 people and the other with between 50 and 60 on board, have been missing for 15 days since they left Senegal to try to reach Spain, Helena Maleno of Walking Borders told Reuters.

A third boat left Senegal on June 27 with about 200 people aboard.

The families of those on board have not heard from them since they left, Maleno said.

All three boats left Kafountine in the south of Senegal, which is about 1700 kilometres (1057 miles) from Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands.

"The families are very worried. There about 300 people from the same area of Senegal. They have left because of the instability in Senegal," Maleno said.

The Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa have become the main destination for migrants trying to reach Spain, with a much smaller number also seeking to cross the Mediterranean Sea to the Spanish mainland. Summer is the busiest period for all attempted crossings. The Atlantic migration

route, one of the deadliest in the world, is typically used by migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. At least 559 people - including 22 children -

died in 2022 in attempts to reach the Canary Islands, according to data from the UN's International Organisation for Migration. (Reuters)

ning battles with police in the town.

The town authorities had tried to stop the festival going ahead after similar unrest erupted last year, but a local court overturned the ban.

Giessen has about 84,000 residents and lies roughly 50km (30 miles) north of Frankfurt am Main.

The festival is organised by the Central Council for Eritreans in Germany, which is considered close to the Eritrean Embassy.

In recent years Germany has granted asylum to many Eritreansthey form one of the largest groups of African migrants seeking to settle in the EU.

Human rights organisations have documented large-scale abuses by the authorities in Eritrea, including strict censorship, forced labour and military conscription that is likened to slavery. (BBC News)

BBC suspends presenter over alleged teenager photos scandal

Britain's BBC suspended a male member of staff on Sunday following an allegation that one of its star presenters paid a teenager thousands of pounds to pose for sexually explicit photos, beginning when they were 17 years old.

The broadcaster said it first became aware of a complaint in May, but new allegations of a different nature were made to it on Thursday, and it had informed "external authorities".

London's Metropolitan Police said it had received initial contact from the BBC but no formal referral or allegation had been made.

"We will require additional information before determining what further action should follow," it said in a statement.

The BBC said it was a

Biden begins 3-nation tour with UK visit before NATO summit

United States

"complex and fast-moving set of circumstances" and it was "working as quickly as possible to establish the facts in order to properly inform appropriate next steps".

"We can also confirm a male member of staff has been suspended," it said in a statement.

The statement said "it is important that these matters are handled fairly and with care", without giving details on the claims.

The Sun newspaper, which first reported the allegations, cited the young person's mother as saying the unnamed male presenter had paid the teenager more than 35,000 pounds (US$45,000) over three years for the images.

The mother told the newspaper that the teenager had used the cash to fund a crack cocaine habit.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

President Joe Biden has kicked off a three-nation trip dominated by a NATO summit aimed at showing solidarity with Ukraine amid disagreements over Kyiv’s possible accession into the alliance.

Biden departed Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and was due to arrive in the United Kingdom, a key US ally, late on Sunday.

The US President will meet the UK’s King Charles today for the first time since his May coronation, the White House said, to hold talks focusing on environmental issues.

Biden will also meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street. Sunak’s spokesperson said their discussions would likely include the upcoming NATO summit and Ukraine.

“As we face new and unprecedented challenges to our physical and economic security, our alliances are

more important than ever,” Sunak said in a statement released by his office on Saturday.

The main part of Biden’s Europe trip will be the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Tuesday and Wednesday, when the Western allies will discuss helping Ukraine oust invading Russian forces.

But the US President said he will resist calls for promising Ukraine quick entry into the alliance – a move Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed public support for on Saturday.

Biden’s last stop will be in Helsinki for talks with the leaders of the newest NATO member, Finland, and to attend a summit of US and Nordic leaders.

He will be the first US president to visit Helsinki since Donald Trump went five years ago to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

Get along with your peers. The relationships you build will help you get ahead. Don’t hesitate to work extra hours or sign up for events that encourage camaraderie. Enthusiasm will pay off.

Be upfront about how you feel and the plans you want to put in motion. Listen to what others say and think twice before you agree to something that is not within your budget.

(April 20-May 20)

Put your energy where it will do the most good. Focus on home, family and building a solid base to support your dreams, hopes and wishes. Call on those who can offer a different perspective.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Think before making a move. Choose your allies based on their actions. Think outside the box when it comes to work and partnerships. Make the right decision for you and your loved ones.

Make a move or change because it’s the right thing to do, not because someone is pressuring you. Trust your instincts and be resourceful. Don’t rely on others; do the work yourself.

Don’t stop until you reach your objective. Keep records of your expenses and avoid going over budget. A change of heart is apparent in a joint financial matter. Prudence will relieve stress.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

An emotional situation will get out of hand quickly if money or commitments are at the root of your problem. Don’t let an outsider interfere in your personal affairs.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Stay focused on issues that require your attention, and you’ll discover a way to solve problems without upsetting anyone. A change of plans will affect a partnership if you let anger take control.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don’t let anger or disappointment set in when action is your path to victory. Do your best and be proud of what you accomplish. Focus on the bottom line. Start playing to win.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

It’s time for you to implement change. Put a plan in place, and don’t stop until you get satisfactory results. Discovering who you can count on will give you the edge you need.

Bide your time. Examine what’s going on around you. Don’t feel obligated to make a move because someone is pressuring you. Keep your money in a safe place and don’t put up with bad behavior.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Embrace what you want, apply yourself and expand your skills to meet your task. Take pride in what you do, how you present yourself and the changes you want to initiate.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

SATURDAY'S WORD -- HEARTY

Sri Lanka finish ODI WC qualifier with spotless record

It was a match that did not matter, and yet Sri Lanka drove their point home anyway. Stung, perhaps, by

needing to qualify for the 2023 One-Day International (ODI) World Cup, they kept their foot on the throttle despite

SCOREBOARD

Vikramjit Singh 4-0-12-2

Clayton Floyd 5-0-28-0

Saqib Zulfiqar 10-1-59-2

Netherlands (T: 234 runs from 50 ovs)

Vikramjit Singh c Asalanka

b Madushanka 13

Max O’Dowd b Theekshana 33

Wesley Barresi b Madushanka 0

Teja Nidamanuru lbw

b PWH de Silva 0

Noah Croes lbw b Madushanka 7

Scott Edwards (c)† run out

(Nissanka/†Mendis) 1

Saqib Zulfiqar lbw

b PWH de Silva

Logan van Beek not out 20

Ryan Klein lbw

Aryan Dutt lbw

having qualified, dismantling Netherlands by a 128-run margin in the qualifier final.

Despite a late batting collapse where they lost their last seven wickets for 53 runs, Sri Lanka were always on top as their bowlers blew Netherlands away before the chase had even begun.

6

b Theekshana 2

b Theekshana 0

Clayton Floyd lbw b Theekshana 9

Extras(b 4, lb 1, w 9) 14

TOTAL 23.3 Ov (RR: 4.46) 105

Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Vikramjit

Singh, 4.4 ov), 2-31 (Wesley Barresi,

Dilshan Madushanka did the bulk of the damage upfront as he picked up three wickets inside the ninth over, and Wanindu Hasaranga was on the job too, with two against his name by the 12th over. Maheesh Theekshana then took over, picking up four wickets to skittle Netherlands for 105. That meant Sri Lanka had won the qualifying event without losing a single match. Both finalists, of course, had already qualified for the ODI World Cup, to be held in India later this year.

game with little on offer from the pitch for the bowlers. The batters used the sweep liberally against the spin bowlers, especially leggie Saqib Zulfiqar, but when Mendis missed a straight one, Netherlands had their breakthrough.

Arachchige brought up a half-century, while Charith Asalanka's run-a-ball 36 began to set Sri Lanka up for the finish, but a staggering collapse helped Netherlands storm back into the contest.

Dilshan Madushanka picked up wickets in three consecutive overs

35.4 ov),

5-181 (Charith Asalanka, 35.6 ov),

6-183 (Dasun Shanaka, 36.4 ov),

7-190 (Dhananjaya de Silva, 38.2 ov), 8-222 (Wanindu Hasaranga, 44.1 ov), 9-232 (Matheesha

Pathirana, 46.6 ov), 10-233 (Maheesh Theekshana, 47.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Logan van Beekn 10-0-40-2

Ryan Klein 9-1-42-2

Aryan Dutt 9.5-0-51-1

6.4 ov), 3-32 (Teja Nidamanuru,

7.1 ov), 4-39 (Noah Croes, 8.1 ov),

5-41 (Scott Edwards, 9.5 ov), 6-49 (Saqib Zulfiqar, 11.6 ov), 7-85 (Max

O’Dowd, 19.4 ov), 8-93 (Ryan Klein, 21.2 ov), 9-93 (Aryan Dutt, 21.4 ov), 10-105 (Clayton Floyd, 23.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Dilshan Madushanka

Maheesh Theekshana

Wanindu Hasaranga

Matheesha Pathirana

Harry Brook keeps

England’s

Ashes hopes alive in thrilling win over Australia

Harry Brook an-

nounced himself on the Ashes stage with a match-winning knock for England that kept the series alive and delivered another memorable Headingley climax. Brook batted with great maturity as he made a steely 75, taking a decisive chunk out of the 251-run target and set a fire under this summer’s rivalry, leaving Australia 2-1 ahead with two to play.

The Yorkshireman fell with 21 still needed as the third Test descended into nerve-shredding tension, but Mark Wood cut through the anxiety with a feisty 16 not out and Chris Woakes completed a remarkable return to the Test arena by crunching the winning runs towards the

delirious Western Terrace to finish unbeaten on 32.

England’s three-wicket win was achieved despite Ben Stokes’ dismissal for just 13, a soft nick down the legside robbing the hosts of their inspirational captain and the architect of their 2019 Ashes miracle at the start of the de-

Fresh from the high of a scintillating chase against Scotland, Netherlands opted to field first again. Vikramjit Singh struck either side of the first powerplay to remove both openers after a sedate start, but Kusal Mendis and Sahan Arachchige consolidated over the next 13 overs. The scoring rate went up and so did Sri Lanka's dominance in the

A sharp catch by Logan van Beek at point brought an end to Arachchige's innings before Asalanka was run-out two deliveries later. Netherlands broke through Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva to burrow into Sri Lanka's tail, and only a cameo from Hasaranga helped them cross 200. But another flurry of quick wickets at the death brought an end to that stand, and Netherlands had 234 to

chase. The first few overs were as good as it got for them in the chase, as they racked up 25 in 4.3 overs. But when Vikramjit carved a straight one to cover-point, the floodgates opened. Madushanka cleaned up Wesley Barresi, before Hasaranga trapped Teja Nidamanuru in front. Netherlands were shaken as Captain Scott Edwards fell to a careless run-out, and they were suddenly down at 49 for 6.

Max O'Dowd hung around gamely to ensure the total edged towards three figures,

but Sri Lanka had already dispatched the opposition. Theekshana returned to beat O'Dowd's outside edge and knock back his off stump after a gritty 36-run partnership with van Beek. It was the first of four as Theekshana took up the role of mopper-up, trapping each of the last three in front as the World Cupbound Netherlands folded for 105.

These two sides will meet again in a more important contest in India, when Edwards will hope his side can give a fairer account of themselves. (ESPNcricinfo)

British Grand Prix: Max Verstappen beats Lando Norris to victory

cisive final session.

But in Brook they had a new hero, ready to carry the burden all the way to final furlong before passing it over to Woakes and Wood – making an emphatic first impression on their belated introductions to the series.

(Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD

England 2nd Innings (T: 251 runs)

Zak Crawley c †Carey b Marsh 44

Ben Duckett lbw b Starc 23

Moeen Ali b Starc 5

Joe Root c †Carey b Cummins 21

Harry Brook c Cummins b Starc 75

Ben Stokes (c)c †Carey b Starc 13

Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Ben Duckett, 9.1 ov), 2-60 (Moeen Ali, 13.5 ov), 3-93 (Zak Crawley, 19.3 ov), 4-131 (Joe Root, 28.5 ov), 5-161 (Ben Stokes,

Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the British Grand Prix for his sixth win in a row and a record-equalling 11th consecutive triumph for Red Bull.

McLaren's Lando Norris fought off an attack from Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes after a late safety car to finish second to give the 160,000 fans a double home podium to cheer.

Verstappen's eighth win in 10 races this year brought Red Bull level with the record McLaren established in their historic 1988 season

with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

Oscar Piastri made it a great day for McLaren with fourth ahead of George Russell's Mercedes.

Verstappen was untouchable out front, once he had repassed Norris for the lead on lap five after the McLaren jumped ahead when the world champion suffered too much wheelspin at the start.

His victory, which puts his championship lead over teammate Sergio Perez at 99 points, extends a run of Red Bull wins that date back to last season's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

On Verstappen's current apparently unbeatable form, Red Bull will break McLaren's record at the next race in Hungary in two weeks' time and are likely to move far beyond it as the season progresses.

Verstappen reduced this grand prix, like so many this year, to a demonstration run once into the lead.

But behind him the race, static for a long period, came alive after the safety car, called when Kevin Magnussen's Haas caught fire down the Wellington straight.

(BBC Sport)

RHTY&SC cricket teams host annual Basil Butcher Trust Fund programme

The cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) last week started to host activities under the annual Basil Bitcher Memorial Trust Fund programme. The teams under the Trust Fund would host several activities in memory of the late West Indies batting legend who died in 2019 at the age of 86.

The teams – Rose Hall Poonai Pharmacy Under-13, Farfan and Mendes

Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi

Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, and Namilco

Under-21 and First Division donated to several organisations during the week.

The Rose Hall Town Nursery School received trophies, certificate frames and medals for their annual graduation ceremony. The teams also donated six honour boards to schools in the area stretching from Rose Hall Town to Port Mourant . The schools receiving the honour boards were Port Mourant Primary, Rose Hall Town Primary School, Lower Corentyne Secondary,

Port Mourant Secondary, JC

Chandisingh and Corentyne

Comprehensive Secondary.

The Honour Board highlights the top student for each school at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and National Grade Six Assessments (NGSA) examinations. RHTY&SC Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster stated that it was important for role model students be promoted that others would be inspired to follow in their footsteps. The RHTY&SC, he noted, is determined to promote the importance of education to all youths in the county of

Berbice.

The cricket teams also donated five special gifts along with certificate frames and medals to the Mayor and Town Council of Rose Hall Town. The council would use the donated items to host a special award ceremony to honour the outstanding workers in the council under the annual RHTY&SC tribute to Municipality Workers Programme. The Club and the Council have enjoyed a very close and cordial relationship under the mayorship of Dave Budhu. Foster stated that the Club has been sponsoring the programme for four years now and would con-

Inter-county U-17: Berbice Under -17 dominate GCB Select XI

The Berbice Under-17 team dominated the (GCB) Select XI in the second match of the GCB Under-17 inter-county tournament played at Port Mourant.

Berbice registered a 187-run win on the back of half-centuries from Ari Afrizal Kadir, Rampersaud Ramnauth and Kevin Kisten. Player of the Match Sanjay Algol starred with 45 and claimed 3-6 from three overs to help the Barbadians re main unbeaten in the tourna ment.

Batting first, Berbice post ed 264-3 in their 29 overs. The number of overs was re duced was which was a re sult of rainfall in the Ancient County. After the late start, Ramnauth and Kisten contin ued from the first game, add ing 107 runs for the first wick et.

Kisten was the aggressor thumping four sixes and five fours in his 38-ball 54. His partner, Ramnauth was more steady, as he made 63 from 58 balls, an innings which had six fours and three sixes. Kadir, batting at three, struck nine fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 72, while Algoo slammed four sixes and three fours in his 19-ball 43. Dave Mohabir took 2-51 in six overs of carnage.

In response, the Select XI made 80 all out in 22.5 overs. Shiloh Adams made 23, as Berbice ripped through the Select XI. In addition to Algoo’s three-wick et haul, Matthew Pottoya and Raj Tika had two wickets each.

Kevin Kisten and Rampersaud Ramnauth, the dynamic duo

tinue to do so in the future.

One worker from each of the Council departments would be honoured – finance, market, security, works and administration. The Club would also shortly undertake repairs to the Area H Ground under the Trust Fund.

With sponsorship from Pathera Solutions, the front internal fence would be repaired to prevent animals accessing to the ground while West Indies white ball all-rounder Kevin Sinclair

would assist the Club to repair the main pavilion at the ground. The venue has since 1995 produced a total of 120 players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies. The players include Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Assad Fudadin, Clinton Pestano, Junior Sinclair, Shemaine Campbelle, Shakabi Gajnabi and Sheneta Grimmond. Numerous youths over the next few weeks would also receive bicycles and electronic tablets under the Trust Fund.

Digicel Schools’ Football Championships… St Ignatius, Mackenzie clinch Regions 9, 10 titles

The Club would also honour outstanding performers at the National Grade Six exams.

The RHTY&SC Secretary stated that the teams were happy to honour Basil Butcher, because he was a true friend of Guyana’s leading youth and sports club and also a role model/mentor to all the club members.

Butcher played 44 Test matches for the West Indies, scoring 3109 runs at an impressive average of 43.11 with seven centuries and 16 half-centuries. He served as a selector at the national and regional levels after he retired in 1969 . He was the fourth Berbician to play Test Cricket after John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, and Ivan Madray.

St Ignatius were crowned the Region Nine champion while Mackenzie High clinched the Region 10 title when the Digicel Schools Football Championship continued yesterday.

Over at the St Ignatius ground, Lethem, the home side crushed Sand Creek by a 3-0 scoreline.

Romel Ernest opened the scoring in the 11th minute, directing a powerful unchallenged header from inside the centre of the box which struck the crossbar and settled into the back of the net.

On the other side, Sand Creek’s best attempt in the half occurred in the 28th minute as a shot from the top of the penalty box was tipped over the crossbar by the diving goalkeeper.

The hosts eventually doubled their lead in the 37th minute, as Ernest completed his double, slotting home inside the centre of the sixyard box after latching onto a flat cross inside the penalty area.

The score was then sealed

in the 66th minute in the form of Akon Albert under fortuitous circumstances.

Albert’s tame strike from 25 yards in the centre of the field was misjudged by the goalkeeper, as it bounced over his outstretched leg and settled into the lower left corner.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie High toppled Kwakwani 4-0 at the Wisburg School Ground. Led by a Dexter Milo double, Jovon Dennis and Teon Giddings added one goal each to Mackenzie’s tally, to seal the top spot in the region.

Complete Results

Region 9 final

St Ignatius – 3

v Sand Creek-0

Romel Ernest –11th and 37th

Akon Albert – 66th

Region 10 final

Mackenzie High

– v Kwakwani-0

Dexter Milo 2 goals

Jovon Denis 1 goal

Teon Giddings 1 goal

656-5544 or 6237805.

RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster hands over the Basil Butcher Honour Roll Board to CCHS Headteacher Nirmala Hussain

Ryan Kissoonlall hands over donated items to Rose Hall Town Clerk Natasha Griffith

Ari Afrizal Kadir

Petra Organisation’s Jackie Boodie presents the Regional Championship trophy to Region Nine champions St Ignatius Secondary

Labelling the impending visit of former undisputed heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis as a historic moment, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has welcomed the momentous announcement and applauded President Dr Irfaan Ali for his visionary leadership in recognising the celebrated importance of the discipline.

Born to Jamaican parents in Great Britain, Lewis, 57 – at the request of President Ali when he visited Canada, the adopted childhood home of the former champ – will visit local shores in a move that is expected to inspire the current cadre of pugilists and the next wave of combatants.

Dates are yet to be confirmed for Lewis, who retired at the pinnacle of the discipline with a remarkable professional record of 41-2-1 (32 knockouts).

GBA President Steve

Ninvalle said, “This is an invitation for evolution, an invite for advancement. His Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali has once again demonstrated the foresight, and vision in his quest to not only de-

velop individual sports, in this instance the discipline of boxing, but the entirety of the nation’s sporting

Hayley Matthews' all-round power clean sweeps Ireland 3-0 in T20Is

landscape and culture. The GBA commends this initiative, which advances and advocates the government’s position on sports via the construction of the sector and ecosystem via the established approach of inspiration.”

According to Ninvalle, “Local boxing is on the ascendency, that is evidentiary, and the visit of former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, arguably the greatest boxer of his generation, will certainly further ignite the flames of evolution. This visit can act as the catalyst for further evolution and inspiration of the combatants. Moreover, it can serve as the stimulant and facilitator for the evolution of Caribbean boxing, of which Guyana is at the forefront in the Englishspeaking fragment.”

tional profile, as it remains the only local discipline to have achieved an Olympic medal, a feat which is also apparent and recognised in the English-speaking Caribbean by its solitary status also in this regard.”

Guyana is the only English-speaking full member of Caricom to have achieved a medal at the prestigious games in the sport. Cuba, however, is second all-time on the medal table at the Summer Olympiad with a record of 37 gold, 19 silver, and 17 bronze medals.

West Indies Captain Hayley Matthews continued her rich and dominating form against Ireland with both bat and ball, and sent the visitors back home without a win on the entire tour af-

ter whitewashing them 3-0 in the T20 International series. West Indies had won the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series 2-0 after the second ODI had been washed out.

On Saturday, Matthews

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Women Ireland

Women (20 ovs maximum)

Amy Hunter † run out (Munisar) 44

Gaby Lewis lbw b Matthews 0

Orla Prendergast c

Gajnabi b Fletcher 40

Eimear Richardson st †

Campbelle b Munisar 4

Laura Delany (c) not out 14

Rebecca Stokell c Fletcher

b Matthews 0

Arlene Kelly b Matthews 0

Ava Canning b Matthews 0

Georgina Dempsey c Connell

b Fraser 1

Cara Murray st †Campbelle

b Fraser 2

Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 8) 11

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 5.80) 116/9

Did not bat: Aimee Maguire

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Gaby Lewis, 1.1 ov), 2-74 (Amy Hunter, 11.2 ov), 3-91 (Eimear Richardson, 13.4 ov), 4-109 (Orla Prendergast, 16.6 ov), 5-110 (Rebecca Stokell, 17.3 ov), 6-110 (Arlene Kelly, 17.4 ov), 7-110 (Ava Canning, 17.5 ov), 8-114 (Georgina Dempsey, 19.2 ov), 9-116 (Cara Murray, 19.6 ov)

BOWLING

O-M-R-W

Shamilia Connell 4-0-27-0

Hayley Matthews 4-0-14-4

Chinelle Henry 1-0-9-0

Cherry-Ann Fraser 3-0-19-2

Afy Fletcher 4-0-22-1

Ashmini Munisar 4-0-23-1

West Indies Women (T: 117 runs from 20 ovs)

Hayley Matthews (c) b Dempsey 48

Djenaba Joseph c †Hunter b Prendergast 2

Aaliyah Alleyne not out 49

Chinelle Henry not out 13

Extras (lb 3, w 5) 8

TOTAL 18.1 Ov (RR: 6.60) 120/2

Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Djenaba

Joseph, 1.2 ov), 2-87 (Hayley

Matthews, 11.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Ava Canning 2-0-18-0

Orla Prendergast 4-0-23-1

Arlene Kelly 2-0-16-0

Georgina Dempsey 4-0-21-1

Cara Murray 3-0-14-0

Aimee Maguire 1-0-14-0

Laura Delany 2.1-0-11-0

first took 4 for 14 – including a hat-trick – to restrict Ireland to 116 for 9, and then hammered a 34-ball 48 to set up a commanding eight-wicket win with 11 balls to spare. She finished as the Player of the Match in all three T20Is, the Player of the T20I Series, and had ended the ODI series too in similar fashion, having scored a hundred and taken three wickets.

Put in to bat, Ireland were propelled by a rapid second-wicket stand of 66 in 62 balls between Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast after Matthews had trapped Gaby Lewis with her first ball. However, Ireland stuttered as soon as that partnership was broken with Hunter's run-out at the non-striker's end after a deflection off the bowler's hand, for 44, and only one other batter – Captain Laura Delany – scored in double digits after Hunter and Prendergast.

Once Prendergast holed out off Afy Fletcher for 40, Matthews wiped the middle and lower orders out with a hat-trick in the 18th over that reduced Ireland to 110 for 7. Delany was left unbeaten on 14 off 18 as she saw wickets fall around her, and stretched the team score

to 116.

West Indies, too, lost an early wicket and were led by a second-wicket stand between Matthews and Aaliyah Alleyne worth 80 off 61 balls, as it crushed Ireland's chances. Matthews struck eight fours, and fell just short of fifty when she was bowled by Georgina Dempsey in the 12th over. But Chinelle Henry sealed the chase with a boundary, and Alleyne remained unbeaten on 49 off 51, her joint-highest T20I score.

"I'm just happy I was able to contribute to the team win," Matthews told CWI Media after the game. "It was great to see some of the younger players getting the opportunity this series and coming into their own. We've had debutant players perform really well. We've had Chinelle Henry get her maiden ODI half-century then back it up with a second one (in the series), then two not outs in the T20 series.

"I just want to thank all the girls who have supported me since I've become captain. Thank you for backing me up out on the field, we have bigger challenges ahead and I look forward to their support." (ESPNcricinfo)

He further said, “The visit of Lewis, as ascribed as President Ali, is part of the Government’s strategic exertions and initiatives to create a brand for Guyana that also encompasses sport and entertainment. Lewis’s visit is also an acknowledgment by His Excellency of the importance of boxing as an avenue for the development of Guyana’s interna-

“Surely, his visit can only be viewed in a positive light and will add further flavour to the discipline, especially at the nursery level, which is the backbone for the sustained future of the sport in Guyana, and which has undertaken a metamorphosis and overall emphasis in its overarching development under this current GBA administration. The GBA commends the Government of Guyana for this historic and impending veracity, which also highlights not only the societal value and appeal of the discipline but its overall importance in the sporting history of our nation,” Ninvalle added.

Guyana Under-19 girls record win against Leeward Islands

he Guyana

Under-19 girls recorded a three-run win against Leeward Island girls in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-19 girls tournament played in Trinidad and Tobago.

Batting first, the Guyanese posted 102-7 in their allotted 18 overs.

Opener Tilleya Madramootoo top-scored with 43 while Niya Latchman made 20. CheyAnne Moses had 3-18 for Leewards in her four overs.

In reply, Leewards were restricted to 62-9 in 10 overs, to give Guyana a threerun win via the DLS method. Pacer Cyanna Retimiah claimed 3-5 from two overs

in the restriction job.

Guyana Under-19 girls will be in action again on Tuesday, July 11 against Jamaica.

Tilleya Madramootoo

Hayley Matthews bats during the final game

Matthews bagged the Player of the Series award

GBA President Steve Ninvalle

Flashback: Lennox Lewis in action