Guyana Times - Monday, May 8, 2023

Mohamed’s Enterprise hosts appreciation dinner for teachers

...enough attention not given to educators – businessman

Pres Ali talks up investment

opportunities to drive Guyana’s growth

with Diaspora in

UK

– outlines Govt’s agenda to make Guyana self-sufficient

Govt “actively” working on adjusting teachers’ salaries – VP Jagdeo

Page 14

1 dead, 1 hospitalised after crashing stolen car into utility pole

– 3rd accomplice escapes

Police seek legal advice in death of 12-year-old girl

– 16-year-old uncle remains in custody

ECD man killed while helping to cut coconut tree

Police Prosecutor survives 2nd execution attempt after gunmen open fire on minibus

Permit mandates quarterly reports from Exxon on gas, other resources in Uaru project – licensee to also conduct gas utilisation study

Ogle-Eccles consultant among bidders now vying to supervise works on Linden-Soesdyke Highway – as 4 bids for reconstruction opened

Alpha Hotel murder

Berbice fisherman busted with cocaine at Charity

CPG established to tackle cattle rustling in Mahaicony

...says murder stemmed from woman’s refusal to inform children of couple’s reconciliation …suspect to make court appearance today

Suspect, victim met weekly to spend “quality time” despite being separated – Crime Chief

President Dr Irfaan Ali with prominent members of the Guyanese Diaspora in England, including Baroness Valerie Amos; cricket legend Sir Clive Lloyd and Member of Parliament, David Lammy. The Guyanese Head of State was joined by Kevin Hogan and Sally Gibson

Alpha Hotel murder

Suspect, victim met weekly to spend “quality time” despite being separated – Crime Chief

As Junior Halley, the 50-year-old businessman who allegedly stabbed his estranged wife 13 times and slashed her throat is set to make his court appearance today, new information has surfaced with regards to the reason for committing the heinous crime.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Sunday told Guyana Times that despite being separated for several months, the suspect and the victim, Kim Halley, meet once a week at the hotel to spend “quality time” together.

He explained that on the day in question, the suspect requested that the woman inform their children that everything was okay between

them and that they had reconciled.

But the woman was reluctant to heed to man’s request thus an argument ensued between them which ultimately turned deadly. According to Blanhum, the businessman of Mahaicony, ECD, during the argument, whipped out a knife and fatally stabbed the woman.

After committing the crime, he reportedly joined a minibus and went to the seawall where he offered a “junkie” $1000 for his shirt. At the time, his shirt was soaked with blood. Upon getting the shirt, he went to the Police Officers' Training Complex where he surrendered.

It was reported that the

woman’s lifeless body was discovered last Thursday in Room 235 of the Alpha Hotel on the East Coast of Demerara ECD. Clad in a black bra and a pair of blue short pants, the body was facing upwards and lying in a pool of blood, with at least 13 stab wounds and a slit throat.

A black-handled knife without a blade was found

next to the woman’s body on the bed, while the blade was found in the now dead woman’s hair, covered in blood. Police have said that one of the woman’s daughters related that the 50-year-old suspect, a businessman of Mahaicony, ECD, is her stepfather.

The daughter related that her mother and the suspect had been married, but due to the abuse, her mother had moved to Georgetown about two months ago.

Nevertheless, the receptionist recalled that on the day in question, at about 13:45h, she was on duty at the hotel when the suspect and the woman booked a room. The receptionist recalled that at about 14:45h, she went to Room 235 and discovered the door slightly open.

She opened the door to tell Halley to keep the door closed but instead found the woman lying motionlessly on the bed

in a pool of blood. She immediately raised an alarm, and the Police were summoned.

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) team arrived and pronounced the woman dead. Prior to the discovery, a 19-year-old painter told detectives that he was painting on Thursday at about 08:00h when he saw the suspect at the security hut. He enquired about his purpose there but was told that

he was waiting on someone. At about 13:30h, he saw the now dead woman arriving in a car driven by another woman. Soon after, the suspect and Halley proceeded to their room.

Further, he recalled that at about 14:40h, he heard screams emanating from Room 235, and about 15 minutes later, he saw the suspect exiting the room and making his way out of the hotel.

Uitvlugt smash-up leaves 2 injured

An early morning accident on Sunday at Uitvlugt along the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) has left two people hospitalised, nursing severe head injuries.

The accident involved a minibus bearing registration number PTT 6561 that was being driven by a 47-yearold resident of Zeeburg and a motorcycle that was being ridden by Jamarr Levans, a 21-year-old from Tuschen,

WCD, and pillion rider Kayle Livan, a 17-year-old resident of Cornelia Ida, WCD.

According to reports, the minibus was travelling east along the northern side of the roadway while the motorcycle was also heading in the same direction at a fast speed.

It is alleged that the driver of the minibus changed his course, which resulted in a collision. At the time, neither of the young men were

wearing helmets.

As such, Levans and Livan fell onto the road where they sustained injuries to their heads. They were picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

At the hospital, they were seen by a doctor on duty and later transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where they remain patients.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The incident highlights the importance of road safety, especially for motorcyclists, who are often more vulnerable on the roads. It is a reminder to all drivers to exercise caution and follow the rules of the road to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

...says murder stemmed from woman’s refusal to inform children of couple’s reconciliation …suspect to make court appearance today

Dead: Kim Halley

Alpha Hotel where the murder took place

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, May 8 – 04:15h –05:45h and Tuesday, May 9 – 04:15h – 05:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, May 8 – 05:40h –07:10h and Tuesday, May 9 – 06:25h – 07:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers during the day. Expect thundery showers and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 18:31 reaching a maximum height of 2.56 metres.

Low Tide: 12:02h reaching a minimum height of 0.44 metre.

Pres Ali talks up investment opportunities to drive Guyana’s growth with Diaspora in UK –

outlines Govt’s agenda to make Guyana self-sufficient

In fact, only last year, Presidents Ali and Kagame held fresh talks on cooperation in pharmaceutical production following the disparities in COVID-19 vaccines supplied to developing countries during the pandemic.

Previously, President Ali had stated that, like Rwanda, Guyana is hoping to have a vaccine manufacturing facility set up here sometime in the future especially since the country is aiming to become a medical hub in the Caribbean.

leading provider of sustainable agriculture solutions, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture for the establishment of a 200-acre ‘Millets Model Farm’ here.

The MoU will see UPL Limited providing technological and agricultural inputs while the Guyana Government, through the Agriculture Ministry, will assist with developing approximately 200 acres for the cultivation of millet in Regions Four, Nine and 10.

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday morning engaged with a number of Guyanese living in England at the Guyana High Commission in London.

The Head of State travelled to the United Kingdom last week to attend the Coronation Ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday.

During his engagement with the Guyanese diaspora, President Ali outlined the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s agenda to make Guyana self-sufficient in food, infrastructure, healthcare, housing, and energy by 2030.

According to a brief statement on his Facebook page, the Guyanese leader presented a video detailing his Government’s plans for economic development and initiatives to develop local communities and municipalities.

The President also thanked the diaspora for its contributions to Guyana’s development. In the same breath, however, he reminded the members of the Guyanese diaspora they are an important source of investment, expertise, and ideas that could help drive the country’s growth and development.

President Ali was accompanied by High Commissioner of Guyana to the UK, Dr Rajendra Singh. Also, there was legendary Guyanese World Cupwinning captain, Sir Clive Lloyd among other officials.

The Head of State last engaged the Guyanese diaspora in England back in November 2021 while attending the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 in the United Kingdom (UK).

Meanwhile, during his current visit to London, the President has already held several high-level bilateral engagements with his counterparts from across the world, to discuss poten-

Then on Thursday evening, President Ali and the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, attended a working dinner hosted by the Chief Executive Officer of UPL Limited, Jai Shroff in London. During the event, discussions were held on food security and agriculture.

Shroff was recently part of a high-level delegation that accompanied Indian

Only last week, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha indicated that they are currently awaiting technical support from India to begin the project.

“We have already earmarked some land and I am now waiting on [India’s] side to provide the technical support and also the seed. We will start in a phased approach and I have asked that India provide the technical support and the help and also the seed, so very shortly we will start some form of millet production,” the Agriculture Minister told this publication.

Millets are a highly varied group of small seeds and cereal crops. They are a powerhouse of nutrients, rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fibres. Based on the required environmental conditions for millet germination, Guyana is considered an ideal zone for the growth and development of the seed.

tial collaborations in a wide range of areas.

On Thursday, he met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The areas of discussion during that engagement included the efforts being made by the Government of Guyana to modernise governance systems for improved efficiencies in services, policy formulation and the use of technology to advance these efforts.

The two officials also discussed finding ways to work together in positioning Guyana as a major global player in climate, food, and energy security.

Also on Thursday, the Guyanese leader held bilateral discussions with the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. Their engagement focused on advancing government-to-government collaboration in several areas including energy, technology, health services and urbanisation. Both Presidents have visited each other’s countries in recent years to further strengthen ties between their nations.

External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, during a visit to Guyana last month.

UPL, an India-based

(G-3)

Importantly, millet production would open up additional avenues for economic advancement, providing a new market for export.

Members of the Guyanese Diaspora in England at the engagement with President Dr Irfaan Ali at Guyana’s High Commission office in London

President Dr Irfaan Ali interacting with Guyanese at the engagement

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The British Monarchy

Charles III has now been properly coronated at Westminster by the Archbishop of Canterbury and is king of the Kingdom of Britain, which consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. He has been crowned and given the oath that binds him to the rules of the British Constitution. In all of the thousand years of British history, none of his predecessors have waited as long as he has to ascend the throne – seventy years. During that time, he has been under the microscope of the British press and public, and as such, he is not an unknown figure. A recent poll showed that 3 out of 5 Britons think he will be a good king and this is what matters.

While there has been quite a slew of reporting on the wealth of Charles III and his funding from the State at a time when Britain is experiencing severe economic challenges, most Britons believe that the monarchy contributes more than what is spent on them. There is the symbolic value in having a figure who is above the modern, nasty, and fractious politics that is ripping apart formerly “mature” democracies like the US and even in Britain itself. At a more mundane level, there is the drawing power of the monarchy for the tourist revenue that is so important for the economy.

While most of the world has moved away from the monarchy as a form of governance, in Britain, the role of the monarch has been severely modified into a titular figure with very few real powers. Part of that modification originated from the execution of his namesake, Charles I in 1649 for stymieing efforts of Parliament to reduce his powers. While it is said that “Britain does not have a written constitution”, that only means that the rules under which the country is governed are not in a single book. There are documents such as the Magna Carta and legislation and judgments by the courts, etc. The Magna Carta of June 1215, for instance, was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government were not above the law.

This “unwritten constitution” is actually a plus since it offers flexibility in interpretation that reduces confrontation over explicit rules. As such, Charles III’s most important function will be to represent stability in the British Government in a world that is changing at breakneck speed. He is Commander of the Armed Forces and Supreme Governor of the Bank of England: The Prime Minister and his Government serves in his name. By custom, he will be consulted by the Prime Minister at a weekly meeting and it is here that through moral suasion more than anything else, he will be able to exert some influence over Government policy.

So, what can we expect in this new reign? Nothing revolutionary for starters: Charles III would have learnt from his mother that this emphasis on graduated change is necessary for his own survival and his country. Charles is a very known quantity, being in the spotlight all his life. He is very passionate about the environment and this interest predates the current COP-dominated discourses about saving the planet from global warming. In the early days, he was spoofed for that “hugging trees” disposition. Closer to home, he has been a patron of our Iwokrama Forest conservation project and has visited Guyana in that role. As Britain transitions from fossil fuels to renewables, her Prime Ministers will find a friendly and knowledgeable ear in Buckingham Palace.

On a matter that is very much on our and the Caribbean’s agenda – reparations for slavery, Charles III has indicated he has commissioned a study to indicate the linkages between the British Crown and slavery. Since Charles I issued the authorisation for British merchants to trade with Africa and Charles II later sold the right to trade in slaves, there is no question that the nexus will be verified. This should add pressure on the Government to at least offer an apology.

In the face of sure defeat, the PNC is clutching at straws

Dear Editor, The PNC/PNCR/APNU or whatever the terminology you may wish to call that party is clutching at straws, in their recent nit-picking exercise to derail the soon-to-beheld Local Government Elections. They contend that the list is flawed and riddled with errors; ghosts are on the list.

This is not the first attempt at this strategy, because you will recall that they tried this very same plan of action in the March 2020 election. In that attempt, when cornered with sure defeat, they resorted to the narrative that it was a bloated or ghost election list that brought the PPP/C

to power. But this propaganda theory did not last long because, it was on that very list The PNC's victory was calculated on.

So, in real terms, what they were saying is that the list worked well for them, but not for the PPP/C. That base reasoning strategy could not hold much weight so they are now reverting back to the original plan of calling on GECOM to either "cleanse the list" or postpone the elections. Here again, their reasoning clause lacks merit, as the cleansing of the list was already done in the claims and objection period which saw the PNC not producing a single piece of evidence of fraudu-

lent names on the list. The GECOM Chairwoman attested to the fact that no evidence was presented to the Commission.

The PNC is now engaging a court of law to somehow stop the June 12th LGE. They will not succeed because all avenues to vent their allegations have already passed and we should be on our way to the elections. But what Norton is not telling us is the fact that in this LGE, his party is just about to suffer the most crushing defeat ever, and this is going to come in the municipal areas.

For over five decades, they have held sway in these constituencies and now, all of that is about

to change, they are about to suffer an embarrassing defeat! Last Nomination Day the Leader of the Opposition got the shock of his life when he witnessed hardcore members of his party cross the floor to join the PPP/C's team. That shocker was enough to cause him to now mourn on the sidelines.

The huge problem for Mr Norton and his party is whether to accept defeat gracefully and bow out or, suffer the ignominy of resorting to lies and deceit. Mr Norton has chosen the latter, in that case, his fall will be great!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Signs of a new Guyana – plantain chip factory for Reg 3

Dear Editor,

I wish for some local studies on plantain, especially in the area of wastage. It really bugs me, that something as precious as plantain is taken for granted in Guyana. However, this mindset may change, as I saw recently that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is aiming to set up “An internationally branded plantain chip factory to be located in Parika, East Bank Essequibo…” This is going to be the ‘day.’ I mean this kind of thing is long overdue.

Let me point out a few things.

First, I see imported plantain chips in our shops and supermarkets.

These are not so tasty (at least for me) and they are pricy. I can understand the reason too, as in Canada, plantain price is between US$2.06 and US$1.35 per kilogram or between US$0.93 and US$0.61 per pound (lb). The price in Canadian Dollars is CAD 2.57 per kg. Do the math.

However, there is no need for plantain chips to be imported. Guyana has fertile land mass, the soil type, and enough farmers to ‘jump’ on this venture. So, I am glad that something like a plantain chips factory is in the making.

Secondly, plantains are nutritionally very similar to a potato, calorie-wise, but contain more of certain vitamins and minerals. They're a rich source

of fibre, vitamins A, C, and B-6, and the minerals magnesium and potassium. To me, plantains then should really supplant potatoes. I add that plantains are a carb-rich food and a good source of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain antioxidants that fight free radicals. With good levels of vitamin C, they can also support immune function. Likewise, their vitamin B6 content may reduce cardiovascular risk and improve mood.

Talk about being money-wise and getting value for the dollar, and plantain investment is the way to go.

Editor, I have a third comment and this deals with the holistic approach that the PPP/C is taking.

According to President Irfaan Ali, this venture “… is among a number of massive private business ventures coming to Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).” His vision is that “… the region will grow into a major economic hub for the country …” He explained that because of “… the huge rollout of public and private infrastructure investments in the region, private investment proposals are continuing to come from investors in the region, and his Government is working along with the region’s private sector to facilitate growth.” Well, this is the way it should be. And what is the feeling?

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa and directors of the Miss India Guyana franchise, Hashim Ali and Melissa Pertab-Ali with the winners of the pageant on Friday evening at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD)

Minimum basic high standard must be met at all of our schools

Dear Editor,

This is in response to Saddam Hussain’s letter, “Equity will be used to ensure there is equality in all aspects of education delivery”.

First, I thank the Chief Education Officer for taking the time to respond to my letter which raised a concern over the construction cost of Christ Church.

I was expecting a response from the Ministry of Public Works concerning the disparity in cost and expenditure in the schools. However, the CEO has shown that he is very aware of the construction details.

In the previous letter, I made a comparison between the cost to build St. Rose’s High School vs. Christ Church Secondary School. According to the Ministry of Education, St. Rose’s has a 6th Form, and will be able to accommodate up to 400 students for a cost of $515M, which is to be built by Shandong Dejian International of China. This is supposed to be a “three-storey” building with separate sanitary block, modern classrooms, a canteen block, modern data facilities, laboratories and a lift”. In the same release, the contract for Yarrowkabra Secondary School was discussed. This school will accommodate 800 students at a cost of $790M, and is to have “nine buildings complete with requisite laboratories, designated space for industrial arts, a main lecture hall, and other auxiliary buildings”. On the other hand, Christ Church, which currently has 502 students and 39 teachers, is being reconstructed to accommodate 600 students (per CEO’s letter) at a cost of $805.8 million, according to the engineer’s estimates. This excludes the cost of furniture, which is an additional $35 million to $52 million.

According to the Chief

Education Officer, “The St. Rose’s High School is an extension while the Christ Church Secondary School is the construction of an entire school”. He also said, “The St. Rose’s High School is a two-storied building, on the other hand, the Christ Church Secondary School is three storey”. Based on what the Chief Education Officer has shared, either the scope of the project at St. Rose’s has changed from what was released by the Ministry of Education in September of 2021, or the Chief Education Officer is mistaken.

Quite frankly, I was expecting an informed discussion on class size and the cost per square foot. The Chief Education Officer also said, “Concrete foundation piles will be used for Christ Church Secondary, while wooden foundation piles were utilised for St. Rose’s High School. This choice for Christ Church was made after geotechnical investigations were conducted”.

This statement begs the question as to whether geotechnical investigations were conducted for St. Rose’s High School. Both of these schools are in very close proximity, but given the mentioned change of scope in the construction of St. Rose’s High School, from a three-storey building to a two-storey building extension, maybe the Ministry of Public Works found it not necessary.

However, if the initial scope of the St. Rose’s High School project remains the same, and the Chief Education Officer is mistaken, then it would be prudent for the Ministry of Public Works to ensure that the geotechnical investigations were also conducted for the reconstruction of St. Rose’s High School.

The Chief Education Officer went on further to

say, “The cost of St. Rose’s High School was determined in 2018. The cost of Christ Church Secondary was determined in 2023”. Upon reviewing the bids in 2018 for the construction of a new building to house the school, the engineer’s estimate was $450M and the bids ranged from $344M to $401M. According to the Chief Education Officer, “Little to no work was completed up to August 2020, although more than $60M was expended on the project”. In March of 2021, for the “Reconstruction” of St. Rose’s High School, the engineer’s estimate was $506M and the bids ranged from $462M to $945M. Of these bids that were published in March of 2021, Shandong Dejian’s bid of $515M was not included.

Based on this information, the level of inflation in the cost is substantial, above the inflation rate for the period, and the overage on the project is also above normal. The lack of clarity around the St. Rose’s project does increase the need for the support of the Audit Office of Guyana.

In closing, the Chief Education Officer said, “It is frightening to think that Mr Changlee would suggest that the best students should get the best facilities…”, and then he further said, “No education system allows for such a practice”. Clearly, Mr. Saddam Hussain has not benchmarked other educational systems around the world.

Guyana has limited resources, both in Human Resources (teachers and students) and resources used to teach with and develop our students. It is inefficient and ineffective to take someone who has shown a propensity to learn at a high level and not place that person in the best available learning environment. If this approach is not taken while also main-

taining a high basic standard for all students, the country’s development will be slower than it could have been if the best students were provided with the best learning environment.

Common Entrance or NGSA is used to place primary school students for this very reason. Students are placed together based on their performance, so as to create an environment that will continue to build upon their proven propensity to learn. The teachers are also placed in the schools based on the students’ needs. This is how the school systems around the world have been developed, so as to ensure that there is an effective structured approach to developing our human resources. It is concerning that a top official who represents the Ministry of Education would write such a letter that is clearly out of touch with the reality of the education systems around the world. It is also concerning that the Government can find billions to spend on Tier 2 schools, but not make the funds available to fix the windows and plumbing at the Tier 1 schools in the country. Smelly toilets do not allow for the focus needed in a classroom, especially for those students who are interested in learning the material being taught. This is why a minimum basic high standard must be met at all of our schools. Expansion or restructuring of the school system must be holistic, and include the repair, maintenance and upgrades at the current schools. Clearly, this is a current gap in the investment strategy of the education sector. Otherwise, the alumni of Queen’s College would not have had to be involved in the repair of classroom windows.

With concern, Jamil

Changlee

Signs of a new Guyana – plantain chip...

It is really upbeat, as was reported and observed. Indeed, it can be felt that “[There is] a lot of pleasant excitement about where the region is going and where the country is going. A lot of optimism, and a lot of confidence and I would say it’s a high-energy environment. What I have seen is the confidence in the development of this region, triggering a lot of investment proposals, a lot of business interests and more persons wanting to own their own homes in this region,” President Ali said.

Editor, a new age is indeed unfolding in Guyana. How come some people are not accepting this is beyond me. I mean look at the said region and take note. The thrust is awesome as indeed the government is “ …

trying to create infrastructure in the school system that encourages learning, that promotes learning. The student population is growing rapidly in this region, this may be one of the fastest growing school populations in terms of schools in the region and we are expanding those schools, we are extending, we are looking at new ways in fast tracking the building of new schools also.”

What is really going to create a vortex of excitement is the establishment of the New Harbour Bridge, as this will make the big link, that is “… the connecting of Region Three to Region Four (and this will no doubt) drive investment opportunities in the West Demerara area, since capital and economic actives in Region Four will

become more accessible.

The bottom line is that Guyana is on the move and we need to catch this vi-

FROM PAGE 4

sion.

Yours truly, H Singh

CXC Questions: Maths

By Sylvia Plath

I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions. Whatever I see I swallow immediately Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike. I am not cruel, only truthful, The eye of a little god, four-cornered. Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall. It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long I think it is part of my heart. But it flickers. Faces and darkness separate us over and over.

Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me, Searching my reaches for what she really is. Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon.

I see her back, and reflect it faithfully. She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.

I am important to her. She comes and goes. Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.

In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish.

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

WORD SEARCH

Permit mandates quarterly reports from Exxon on gas, other resources in Uaru project

– licensee to also conduct gas

ExxonMobil received approval for Uaru, its fifth project in Guyana’s waters, only last week and according to the terms set out in the production permit for the project, the company’s obligations include quarterly reports to be submitted to the Natural Resources Ministry on the project’s gas and other resource reserves.

According to the permit, the licensee is mandated to submit quarterly resource and reserve reports to the Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, stating the amount of resources of a commercial value within the project, in a similar manner to the permit for the fourth project.

This includes oil, gas, and natural gas liquids, and “all such reports will be developed in accordance with and to the standards set by the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS),” the permit says.

The operator will also have to cooperate with Government inspections of these reserves when these statements are audited. Such cooperation includes providing reasonable access to data. Additionally, the operator must procure an indepen-

utilisation study

between Guyana and its bilateral partners.

The President had also said this year that if the natural gas reserves of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname are developed to their full potential, these countries could supply the regional electricity needs for a century.

Guyana is currently in talks with a number of countries on an energy corridor, and a regional energy strategy is being crafted. The countries expected to participate in that strategy include Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, and even Barbados, which has natural gas potential.

Meanwhile, Guyana is already developing an integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), as part of the gas-to-energy project.

The project will see ExxonMobil piping gas from the Liza Field in the Stabroek Block onshore at Wales via a pipeline that it will procure, install and maintain. Based on studies conducted, ExxonMobil would be able to produce up to 50 million cubic feet of gas per day for this initiative without impacting oil production activities offshore.

dent, third-party assessment of these resources three years following the date of the first oil at Uaru, which Exxon has said could be as early as 2026.

Provision is also made for a gas utilisation study to be conducted on the available gas and non-associated gas in the Uaru project. The study will consider potential gas production for export, scenarios for the expected local, regional, and international demand for gas, as well as the feasibility of exporting Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and

Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).

This gas utilisation study is in addition to Article 12 (b) of the Petroleum Agreement which states that “based on the principle of full utilisation of the associated gas and with no impediment to normal production of crude oil, a plan of utilisation of the associated gas shall be included in the development plan of each oil field.”

The monetisation of Guyana’s vast gas reserves has previously been described by the Government

as the next wave of economic opportunity for Guyana, seeing as the country has some 17 trillion cubic feet of associated gas.

Work has been progressing on a gas utilisation strategy, which President Dr Irfaan Ali has said will help to open up new opportunities for trade and energy security

The first time President Ali spoke of Trinidad’s interest in the energy corridor initiative was back in June 2022, at the Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit & Exhibition, when he had disclosed that a regional energy strategy that would connect the oil and natural gas producers in the Region is being crafted.

The operationalisation of the gas-to-energy project is expected to result in current electricity charges being cut in half, which would fuel the expansion of the industrial and commercial sectors.

With a timetable to deliver rich gas to fuel the power plant by the end of 2024 and the NGL plant to be online by 2025, works are progressing on getting the gas-to-energy project off the ground.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat hands over the signed petroleum production licence for Uaru to Exxon Guyana President Alistair Routledge in the presence of Production Manager of CNOOC Guyana, Xu Xiangdong (far left) and Hess Corporation’s Vice President of Exploration, Appraisal, and Developments for Guyana-Suriname, Tim Chisholm

Teen pleads guilty to Number 63 Village double murder

27, 2019.

It was reported that he committed the heinous crime at the age of 16. The Judge has deferred his sentencing hearing until May 24, to facilitate the preparation of a probation and other social reports. State Counsel Muntaz Ali is appearing for the prosecution.

Police had stated that Narpatty, 71, owned and resided at the Sun Splash Holiday Beach Resort, which is located at Lot 110 Number 63 Village, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The next… …holiday

Aconvict, who was a juvenile when he murdered Canada-based Guyanese Vivekanand Narpatty and his employee Harry Prashad, was further remanded to prison pending his sentencing hearing which is scheduled for May 24 before Berbice High Court Judge Simone MorrisRamlall.

In accordance with the

Juvenile Justice Act, notwithstanding that the felon is now an adult, he is afforded certain protections because he committed the crime while a juvenile. As such, his name, address, other particulars, and photographs cannot be published.

Last Wednesday, now 20, he was brought before the

Judge, having been indicted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the capital offence of murder in relation to the death of the two men.

He, however, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, thereby admitting that he unlawfully killed the men between December 19 and

On Friday, December 27, 2019, at about 11:20h, the bodies of the two men were discovered on the second flat, in the balcony area of the hotel. This newspaper was told that relatives visited the resort after several telephone calls to the overseas-based Guyanese went unanswered.

According to a relative, upon arrival, persons realised a stench was coming from the building and this prompted them to call the Police. Narpatty had arrived in Guyana on December 16, 2019.

Narpatty’s body was found with two toes from his left foot severed and Prashad, with both hands tied behind his back onto a post on the balcony and the left foot severed from the ankle.

Investigators concluded that the men were tortured before being killed. In May 2019, Narpatty had reported that he had been robbed on several occasions, including once at knifepoint when he came to Guyana. Previously, he had reported that he was robbed more than ten times while visiting Guyana over the past four years.

Over 18 years ago, he opened the Sun Splash Hotel and Resort but the business never did well. He subsequently closed operations and went to Canada but returned to Guyana frequently.

While here, he usually opened the place for business.

There have been complaints that we got too many holidays in the month of May – three. But then, this is the MERRY month of May, isn’t it?? And what better way to make merry than having a public holiday when we can “eat, drink and fight”?? That’s right, Dear Friends, let’s admit that here in our dear Mudland, fighting is one of our favourite ways to make merry!! So we’re done with May Day (where the two union umbrella groups duked it out!!); Arrival Day (where the Government and everybody else duked it out over why the former refused to have “Indian” in the name) – and now we head into “Independence Day”!!

So you’re wondering why your Eyewitness is bringing this up when it’s almost three weeks away?? Well, the Coronation of Charles to the throne of our old colonial power set your Eyewitness wondering about what might’ve been if matters hadn’t unfolded the way it did. By your Eyewitness’s reckoning, while the Brits had some concerns about Jagan, from the MI6 and CIA declassified files, they felt his bark was worse than his bite when it came to blowing up the place like Castro. They were willing to give him a chance and grant independence under his Government in 1962 – like Jamaica and Trinidad.

So yes…what could’ve been if Kennedy didn’t have to prove to his domestic Republican opponents that he wasn’t soft on communism?!! Sure Burnham wanted to be the top dog…but without the encouragement of the Americans to oust Jagan by any means necessary, we could’ve evolved into a situation more similar to Trinidad’s than West African politics!! After all, they had a similar ethnic makeup and a Prime Minister who was au fait with Marxism and who even had a Trotskyite advisor – CLR James!!

Was it possible that Burnham might’ve even have split from Cheddi without the encouragement of the Yanks?? Sure. Burnham was a plotter by nature – if his Siste Jessie is to be believed. He would’ve remained within and continued to undermine Cheddi by hook or by crook. He already had a following in the party – those who believed Cheddi unnecessarily wore his radicalism on his sleeve. As Cheddi inevitably faltered in his developmental thrust without the support of the Yanks, Burnham would’ve presented himself as a more suitable candidate. He’d already done that twice – before being contacted by the Yanks.

What this means is that while, concededly, it might’ve been difficult for two man-crabs to live in the same hole, the nationalist movement might’ve survived and we could’ve moved along developmentally like, say, Malaysia!!

So yes, Dear Reader, your Eyewitness did wonder what might’ve been as that five-pound crown was placed on Charles’s head.

…political earthquake

They say, “do fuh do nah Obeah”!! Back when Burnham first took office with the help of the Yanks, he first tried to hedge his bets against his UF coalition partner by inveigling PPP and UF MPs to quit their parties and join him. He was quite successful. And even when he started to rig his way into power, he kept his door open. In 1976, there was a whole entourage of PPP executives led by Chandisingh and Teekah who took up his offer.

Well, fast forward to the present and the PPP’s making no bones about its willingness to take aboard folks from the PNC. Even ordinary members!! The LGE’s the occasion for the cross-overs, but not the cause. The cause is that the PPP knows that politics in Guyana isn’t “bumper ball” politics but real “hardball”!! You can get hurt by bouncers!!

So, we can expect as the days roll by, more and more PNC bodies decked out in red. Especially since the divided PNC has rolled over playing dead!!

…big thing

Every day we wake up to discover there’s something different in our world. We knew computers would change things. But who expected those pieces of metal could be speaking to us and writing novels?? AI is the future.

Killed: Vivekanand Narpatty

Killed: Harry Prashad Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall

Hope Windfarm Project will be publicly traded – consultant

hopes pilot project leads to increased use of wind in energy matrix

The Hope Windfarm Project, which received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last year, will be a publicly traded venture that will open up opportunities for anyone in Guyana to buy shares.

Dr Frederick Sukhdeo, a consultant with Hope Wind Energy Incorporated, recently sat down for an interview with the state media where he said that the aim is to have a significant portion of the project be owned by ordinary Guyanese.

“We’re looking at investment opportunities from local institutions and individuals, where this company can go more public and shares can be sold for future development to the small man, who can buy a few thousand dollars of shares, a hundred thousand, half a million, whatever it is,” the consultant said.

“The advantage is the rate of return on the investment will be very attractive. We’re hoping that it will come to a minimum of 10 per cent… of course,

it is a low-risk investment. We’re almost assured, because of the technology and operational requirements which will be overseen by highly technical people.”

The project will have four turbines on Hope Beach and two at Chapman Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Each mega-turbine will provide approximately 4.2 megawatts of power, for a combined total of 25 megawatts. Sukhdeo was

confident that wind farms are an ideal solution to supply most of Guyana’s renewable energy needs.

“We have to conceive, at this stage, that this pilot should metamorphose into bigger things for Guyana. More renewable energy. Cause we want to ensure and we have data… our wind data is showing that we could establish in Guyana, in a few years, almost 90 per cent of the de-

mand for electricity, present and future, from wind farms,” he said.

Last year February, it was announced that a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is being negotiated for Guyana to boost its electricity generation capacity with more renewable energy sources such as the Hope Windfarm Project.

During a presentation at the International Energy Conference and Expo in

Georgetown, Hope Energy Development (HED) Inc Project General Manager

John Sydow, had said the company was currently working with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to finalise the PPA.

With six wind turbines along the East Demerara coastline, the Hope Windfarm project is expected to add 25 megawatts of power to the national grid through a nearby substation, thus reducing the power company’s reliance on fossil fuels.

HED has formed a joint venture with international partners to carry out this project, including Vestas Wind Systems – a Danish manufacturer, seller, installer, and servicer of wind turbines. This company will be manufacturing and installing the turbines for the project.

Vestas will also be taking the EPC lead to build the plant and will have a 15year operation and maintenance contract catering for the performance guarantee of the wind turbines as well as the training of three lo-

cal technicians. In addition to the wind farm, the project has a 20-megawatt solar farm.

HED is the project developer and is responsible for getting it ready for construction thus undertaking all the risks. However, after two years when the risk element is eliminated, the project will be handed over to low-risk investors.

These include Vestas and Hope Wind Energy (HWE), which is the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with all the assets and will finance the project. HED will be supporting HWE with the operation and maintenance of the substation and lines.

According to Sydow, this investment model is what is typically adopted for renewable energy projects in Europe, the United States, and other regions around the world. (G-8)

Artist’s impression of the Hope Windfarm Project

Sophia businessman remanded on gun, ammo charges

AD Field Squatting Area Sophia, Greater Georgetown businessman was last week remanded to prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Forty-eightyear-old Leon Garraway called “George” appeared before Magistrate Ruschelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

The defendant was charged with possession of a firearm without licence contrary to Section 16 (2) (a) of the Firearms Act and possession of ammunition without licence contrary to Section 16 (2) (a) of the Firearms Act. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. In the end, Garraway was refused bail and remanded to prison. His next court date is May 16.

It was reported that on

Monday, May 1, a party of Policemen were conducting a cordon and search exercise when they received certain information and proceeded to a house at D Field Squatting Area, Sophia.

While there, Garraway was observed walking onto

the property’s landing with a black and silver object in his hand. Upon seeing the Police, he threw the object onto the parapet.

The Police ranks then contacted him, and escorted him to the area where he threw the object where they found a black and silver Smith and Wesson pistol with the serial number filed off, along with five live rounds of matching ammunition.

When asked if he was the holder of a firearm licence, Garraway responded in the negative and as such was told of the offence committed.

He remained silent. As such, he was arrested and escorted to the Police station. The illegal gun and ammunition were confiscated, marked, sealed, and lodged at the Police station.

4 minibus touts charged for soliciting passengers

Known for wreaking havoc at bus parks, several minibus touts were arrested last week during a Police operation aimed at curbing lawlessness on the roadways.

Police Headquarters said that the four touts, who are in the habit of soliciting passengers, were arrested at the Vreed-enHoop junction, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on May

3. They were told of the offence committed and placed on station bail to appear in court this week. Over the years, uncontrolled minibus touting has become a common practice at minibus parks throughout Guyana, especially in the capital city, Georgetown.

It has become such a norm that many young adults make it their daily

task to earn some income. But such an act is illegal within the constraints of Guyana’s laws and is often viewed as a public nuisance.

Meanwhile, the Police had previously said that this will be a continuous exercise to maintain law and order, giving passengers the right to choose without being pressured/ solicited.

The four minibus touts who were arrested last week

Remanded: Leon Garraway

Ogle-Eccles consultant among bidders now vying to supervise works on Linden-Soesdyke Highway

– as 4 bids for reconstruction opened

The contract for the reconstruction of the SoesdykeLinden Highway has received at least four bids, including a bid from the consultant currently supervising the Ogle-Eccles, East Coast of Demerara (ECD) bypass road.

The bids were recently opened by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). RITES Limited, an Indian firm that signed a US$3.2 million contract last year to supervise the construction of the OgleEccles four-lane bypass road, was among the bidders.

Also bidding for the Soesdyke-Linden Highway reconstruction project was E&A Consultants Incorporated, which is a local company, in association with the United States (US) company Sheladia Associates.

Additionally, a bid was submitted by local company CB & Associates Incorporated, in association with Kuwaiti company Al-Habshi Engineering

Construction. Lastly, the Guyanese company Sizwe Jackson Consultancy Service also submitted a bid.

In October of last year, after several months of waiting, a US$120 million loan that the Government had sought for resurfacing the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, had been approved by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Prior to that approval, a team from the IsDB had visited Guyana on an appraisal mission for the loan request. The IsDB team was led by Atiq Ahmad, Lead Global Transport Specialist – Economic and Social Infrastructure Department, General Directorate for Global Practices & Partnerships of the IsDB.

On the Government side, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill was joined by his Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Vladim Persaud, Dr Tarachand Balgobin, Director of the Project Cycle Management Division at the Ministry of Finance and Patrick

Thompson, Chief Transport and Planning Officer.

During the meeting, the IsDB team was introduced to their local technical counterparts from the Ministry of Public Works. At the time, Minister Edghill had reiterated the importance of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway project and assured the visiting team there is already an accountability system in place to ensure this project is executed efficiently.

Last year, the Ministry’s work services group (WSG) started prequalifying contractors for the upgrading of the existing 72.43km two-lane, single-carriageway, and rural arterial highway.

The scope of work entails milling of existing asphalt surface course, and application of varying pavement structures above the milled sections of pavement inclusive of asphalt, sand asphalt, and subbase.

It also includes fulldepth pavement recon -

struction in certain sections, construction of two roundabouts along the alignment, sidewalk extensions to nine multispan bridges, drainage work, utility relocation, and installation of roadway lighting.

The upgrade to the highway is part of several key plans that the Government has outlined for the Upper DemeraraBerbice region. In January of this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that three new planned settlements will be established along the LindenSoesdyke Highway to relocate scores of squatters currently occupying lands there.

In March 2023, consultations started with residents along the SoesdykeLinden Highway and surrounding communities on the transformative Silica City and were aimed at ensuring persons in geographic proximity are updated on the progress of the project.

Silica City, Guyana’s first smart urban centre,

is intended to be a smart city powered by renewable energy and developed with the Administration’s revised Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Goal 11 speaks to building sustainable cities and communities. Silica City will initially cater to just over 3000 households in

the first five years, and eventually grow to house more than 12,500 households when completed.

Back in January, preliminary works at Silica City had commenced, paving the way for the construction of the first 100 homes. The first phase of the project will see an initial 400 young professional homes being constructed. It was previously reported that the Housing Ministry had already begun shortlisting persons for these homes.

The Linden-Soesdyke Highway

Mohamed’s Enterprise hosts appreciation dinner for teachers

–

The staff of ISA Islamic School was on Friday evening hosted to an appreciation dinner at the Marriott Hotel by Mohamed’s Enterprise.

The main aim of the initiative was to show appreciation to all staff members for their hard work and dedication in providing quality education to children in the various levels –nursery, primary, and secondary.

The school was con-

structed by the Mohameds to especially serve the Muslim community. Presently, the school has an attendance of over 550 children, 25 of whom are also sponsored by the Mohamed family.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the business conglomerate, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, who also served as Chairman of the educational institution, expressed sincere gratitude

to the staff for its commitment and dedication to the teaching profession.

“Teachers have a significant influence on our lives. They influenced me, my children, and my grandchildren, and played a significant part in our successes. They influenced our lives by passing on their wisdom, and they never fail to inspire us to dream, fight, and never give up,” Mohamed told the gathering.

In his presentation, he emphasised that a great teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart while noting that without teachers, there would not

is not simply a professional but friends who prepare us for the real world, and who want the best for their students. A teacher’s place is one of respect and every

work on behalf of the next generation.”

In addition, he thanked all teachers for preparing young minds to compete in the global market.

“They are tough in the form of fathers and loving in the form of mothers, caring for us as if we were friends, strict disciplinarians but always looking out for us. Our teachers are great individuals who have shaped us after our parents and made us wise to deal with the world.”

“For me, teachers are the real VIPs. We need teachers in every step of life and career. On numerous instances, Almighty Allah ordered us to acquire knowledge and learn. Islam lays so much stress on seeking knowledge and; also, on giving respect to the ones who imparted knowledge. That’s why teachers have the highest status in Islam. In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah says: “Allah elevates to high positions those from amongst you who are faithful and those who have acquired knowledge,” (Quran, 58:11).

be world leaders, doctors, scientists, lawyers, philosophers, and other professions.

Further, he added that it is important to recognise and honour the teachers who have devoted their lives to the nation which ultimately leads to the advancement of the country.

He further noted that a teacher is not someone solely confined to the four walls of a classroom but rather someone who exhibits wisdom, experience, kindness, discipline, and compassion.

“Teachers are intellectual and spiritual guides who mentor their students with the purest intention of seeing them spread their wings and take to the skies. One must learn how a teacher

teacher who toils hard for the betterment of a room full of students is someone striving for a better future for the nation.”

Mohamed also noted that in their daily lives, these men and women who educate our children fulfil the promise of a nation that’s always looking forward and believes each generation has a responsibility to help the next.

“Across the nation, teachers who get up every day at the crack of dawn after staying up late grading papers, running through the syllabus, jotting reports, and working their hearts out to lift our youth; I am so grateful to all of you for your passion and your dedication and all the hard

“We can understand the highest rank of teachers from the Quote of Ali (RA) in which He stated: “If a person teaches me one single word, he has made me his servant for a lifetime.”

Meanwhile, he posited that it is unfortunate that teachers are not given enough positive attention, citing being underpaid and not appreciated for their sacrifices.

“So, thank you for continuing to uplift and coach our children day in and day out despite being ungratified and unvalued.”

He, however, called on parents to teach their children to respect educators since Islam does not encourage mistreatment and disrespect in any form.

“Teach your children basic appreciation and raise them to know the importance of educators,” Mohamed added.

...enough attention not given to educators

businessman

Board Directors and teachers at the appreciation dinner

The staff of ISA Islamic School

Business tycoon Nazar "Shell" Mohamed addressing the gathering

President Dr Irfaan Ali engaged Guyanese living in England, at the Guyana High Commission in London and hosted prominent members of the Guyanese Diaspora in England, including Baroness Valerie Amos; cricket legend Sir Clive Lloyd and Member of Parliament, David Lammy

Govt “actively” working on adjusting teachers’ salaries – VP Jagdeo

someone takes the effort to get a Master’s and it’s recognised, they shouldn’t get the same salary as someone who has a first degree,” the Vice President stated.

Last November, President Ali announced that 8000 members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, and the Guyana Defence Force would get salary increases that would amount to over $1 billion.

starting from critical areas where there were a number of anomalies and that is how we are progressing,” the Head of State had related during a press conference.

The government has also maintained that it is focused on advancing the overall welfare of all citizens so that their quality of life improves. This includes ensuring that they enjoy homeownership, improved healthcare services, and adequate in-

frastructure and utilities, among other things.

“We’re working on a progressive plan to improve the overall welfare of every citizen…welfare is not only a matter of salary, whilst we understand the importance of salaries; it’s quality of life, quality of your healthcare, quality of infrastructure, the cost of your electricity, the cost of your water, the quality of your water,” President Ali had stated in December.

Meanwhile, only last, several senior Government officials including Education Minister Priya Manickchand met with the Executive of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) during which they discussed a number of issues including “salaries and non-salaries matters”.

While no definitive agreements were made at that engagement, a follow-up meeting is scheduled for May 17 between the two sides.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has recently reassured that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is actively working on addressing the adjustment of teachers’ salaries as was done for other categories of public sector workers.

In late 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced salary increases for certain groups of public sector employees including healthcare workers and Disciplined Services members.

However, teachers were not in that category but the Government had promised to adjust their salaries.

When asked for an update on this at a press conference on Thursday, Vice President Jagdeo said this is being addressed but he could not give a timeline.

“I’m reluctant to give dates [for a deadline] because the [Government’s] agenda is heavy but it is something that is actively engaging the attention of the Government,” Jagdeo

stated.

According to the Vice President, the salaries of those other categories of workers were addressed because they had major anomalies. He noted that they had to make appropriate adjustments to fix those issues that were lingering for a while.

“What we did in the adjustment last year, is we brought everybody on par… people with the same skills, in the same public sector, were earning different salaries,” he explained.

Nevertheless, Jagdeo posited that the Government is committed to similarly addressing the anomalies in teachers’ salary scales. He further noted that those teachers who are advancing themselves academically will be adequately compensated.

“We want our teachers to be trained. So, we’re moving to have all our teachers trained. And then there should be a salary gradation based on years of service and also on qualification. So, if

Then in December, the Head of State subsequently announced another $1.5 billion in salary increases for over 5000 healthcare workers ranging from 36.4 per cent to as much as 74.7 per cent pay hike.

These increases were in addition to the across-theboard eight per cent salary increase for all public servants that was retroactive to January 1, 2022. At the time, he had said further announcements would be made regarding specific categories of public sector employees, including teachers.

Back in January, President Ali was asked for an update on the salary adjustments for teachers and told reporters that it would be announced at an appropriate time. He reassured that government will not walk away from its commitment.

“Other categories [of public servants] are under examination and adjustments will be announced at the appropriate time… The day will come for teachers… Every category of worker will be addressed. We are

1 dead, 1 hospitalised after crashing stolen car into utility pole – 3rd accomplice escapes

Ayet-to-be-identified male is now dead while one of his accomplices were arrested after crashing a motor car at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD), shortly after stealing the vehicle. The third man reportedly escaped from the wrecked car.

The accident reportedly occurred at about 02:15h.

Based on information reaching Guyana Times , the three men relieved a drunken driver of his motor car in the vicinity of the Soesdyke Junction, EBD. The driver, who was partying, was too drunk to drive home, hence he parked his vehicle in the corner of the roadway where he fell asleep.

After removing the drunken man from the vehicle, the carjackers sped off but while in the vicinity of Baker Hughes, the driver reportedly lost control and collided with a utility pole. As a result of the accident, the driver died on the spot.

One of the men reportedly exited the car and attempted to escape but collapsed due to the injuries he received. He was subsequently collected by the Police and taken to the Diamond Hospital where he was admitted under guard.

This publication understands that after he was dumped out of the car, he

stopped a Police mobile patrol and explained what had occurred. Initially, he told the Police that he was held at gunpoint and relieved of the car but later changed his story to say that the bandits were armed with knives.

The owner of the car has been contacted as investigations continue.

The driver’s body on the roadway

The car that was hijacked

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Civil engineer charged for damaging housemate’s boyfriend’s car

Twenty-two-year-old Vishnu Mangal, an engineer of Surat Drive, Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was slapped with a malicious damage to property charge.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts. Police stated that on April 23, he broke the mirrors and lights of a car belonging to Romario Peters.

As such, Mangal was granted bail in the sum of $40,000 by Magistrate Ruschelle Liverpool and was instructed to return to court on May 29.

The prosecution’s short facts detailed that Mangal and Peters are known to each other. In fact, Peters’s girlfriend and Mangal are currently renting a house at Atlantic Ville, ECD.

On the day in question, Peters went to visit his girlfriend with his motor car, PMM 793, which he had parked in front of the gate. At around 20:30h, Mangal came home, saw Peters at the house, got annoyed, armed himself with a crescent, and ran him out of the house.

Peters managed to escape and hid in a neighbour’s yard. Mangal then went in search of Peters and when he could not locate him, he broke the lights and mirrors

Police seek legal advice in death of 12-year-old girl –

16-year-old uncle remains in custody

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has confirmed that investigators have approached the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on the death of 12-year-old Amanda Smith of Aishalton, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

In the meantime, the victim’s 16-year-old uncle who confessed to killing her remains in custody.

It was reported that the victim’s parents had left her in the care of her siblings on the evening of April 22 to attend a function. Upon their return, however, they discovered their daughter’s lifeless and battered body a short distance from their home.

The uncle, who lived

nearby, was subsequently taken into custody after he confessed that he went to the victim’s house and as

the young girl was heading towards the door to urinate, he stretched out his foot, thus causing her to trip.

As a result, she reportedly hit her head against a nearby wall and became unconscious.

The teenager claimed that after panicking, he picked her up and took her to the back of the yard soon after which, he heard the victim’s brother calling out to her.

In fear, he fled the scene by sneaking out through a door that was left open by the child’s older brother while he used an outside washroom.

Following the child’s death, an autopsy revealed that the child was strangled to death coupled with blunt trauma to the head and face.

of the car with the crescent.

In addition, he damaged the car’s bonnet and rear door in the presence of his girlfriend. Mangal then left the scene and Peters reported the matter to the Police.

When questioned by Police, Mangal only admitted to damaging the car’s mirrors.

Berbice fisherman busted with cocaine at Charity

with a quantity of cocaine in his possession on the Essequibo Coast.

According to information received, Police were on mobile patrol in the vicinity of the Anna Regina Car Park, Essequibo Coast, when they observed four men walking. Upon seeing the Police, the men began acting in a suspicious manner.

As such, the Police exited their vehicle and carried out a search on the men, during which several pieces of cocaine were found in the left-side pocket of one of the male’s trousers.

Govt undertakes massive drainage, road works in NA

ABerbice fisherman was taken into custody following the discovery of a quantity of cocaine in his possession at Charity on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Friday evening.

Based on reports received, Police ranks were conducting a mobile patrol in the Charity area when they observed the fisherman acting in a suspicious manner.

As such, the officers requested to search him and his belongings during which they discovered a plastic bag containing 25 creamish rock-like substances suspected to be

cocaine. The officers also found two smoking pipes in the left-side pocket of the man's trousers.

The man, identified as Ricky Singh, 35, did not deny the allegations, admitting that he had purchased the drugs from someone. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the Charity Police Station, where the drug was weighed and amounted to 6.40 grams.

Singh has been cautioned and charged with drug trafficking. He is expected to appear in court soon.

Only a month ago, a fisherman was arrested after he was found

The man was told of the offence committed and cautioned in accordance with the Judge’s rules, to which he replied “it’s my own, I buy it from a shop”.

The ranks said the man was further questioned about the location of the shop, but he refused to reveal any information and as such, he was arrested, and the ranks then took possession of the illegal drug.

The suspect later gave his name as Lookman Hayat, a fisherman of Good Hope, Essequibo Coast. Hayat was then escorted to the Anna Regina Police Station, where the cocaine was weighed in his presence and amounted to 7 grams. He was later charged.

The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry and the Public Works Ministry have joined forces to undertake road and drainage works in the township of New Amsterdam, Berbice.

These works, according to Vice Chairman of Region Six Zamal Hussain, are being executed through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

This comes at a time when several streets in the township have deteriorated to the extent that they are almost impassable for vehicular traffic.

Hussain reiterated that the massive street resurfacing work in the town is not being undertaken by the Town Council but rather through the two Ministries.

“It is Central Government through the RDC. These works include repairs the GRA Street, Church Street, St Magdalene Street, Cheddi Jagan Street, St John Street and St Ann Street.”

While both the east and west of those streets

are being resurfaced, LFS Burnham Street will only have the western half fixed. The eastern half, currently, can be considered one of the better streets in the town.

Work is also being done to the carriageway on New Amsterdam Technical

Institute (NATI) Road which will allow persons to utilise a secondary entrance to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Those projects are being undertaken by the Public Works Ministry.

Charged: Vishnu Mangal

The cocaine that was found in the fisherman’s possession

Dead: Amanda Smith

A road at Smithfield slated to be resurfaced

A canal being desilted in Vrymens Erven

CPG established to tackle cattle rustling in Mahaicony

Police Prosecutor survives 2nd

execution attempt after gunmen open fire on minibus

Police are currently investigating the attempted execution committed on 42-yearold Police Prosecutor Heamchand Sukhnal, whose minibus was shot at.

The alleged shooting incident occurred in the vicinity of Conversation Tree along the Rupert Craig Highway at about 20:06h.

Cattle rustling has been a longstanding issue in many parts of Guyana, with farmers in various communities expressing their concern about the prevalence of this crime.

In response to this, the Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, has committed to building partnerships and fostering better relations between the Police and members of the public to tackle the issue.

In a recent meeting

Police Station compound, Commissioner Hicken met and interacted with scores

eral issues and concerns affecting their livelihood and plaguing their community.

The meeting addressed issues such as cattle rustling, farming, and other pertinent matters.

During the meeting, residents shared their concerns about the prevalence of cattle rustling and the need to apprehend the perpetrator(s) and bring them to justice.

The Commissioner listened to their concerns and immediately instructed the establishment of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) to work along with Police ranks within the Division to mitigate cattle rustling and other crimes in the community.

According to reports, the Police Corporal, who resides at Craig on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), was on his way to work in his RZ minibus, PHH 6880, when gunmen opened fire.

Police stated that as the Policeman turned onto Rupert Craig Highway from the traffic light at Sheriff Street, he noticed a dark-coloured Premio motor car pull up alongside him.

The prosecutor reported seeing the driver and another male sitting in the car's front passenger seat, and the driver started shouting and pointing at him, although he could not understand what was being said.

Despite feeling uneasy about the situation, the prosecutor continued driving. However, while at the traffic light at Rupert Craig and Conversation Tree, he heard a loud explosion that sounded like a gunshot.

The bullet reportedly hit the driver’s door, thus

causing the glass to shatter and result in a minor laceration to his left ankle.

The gunmen fled the scene at high speed, heading east on Rupert Craig Highway.

A team of CID ranks was immediately dispatched to process the scene, and after conducting their initial investigation, a warhead was recovered from the door of the minibus.

Additionally, one 9mm spent shell was discovered on the northern carriageway of the Rupert Craig Highway in the vicinity of Conversation Tree.

This is the second attempt made on the prosecutor's life, with the previous attempt occurring in November 2021 when gunmen had opened fire on his East Bank Demerara home, leaving his family fearful for their lives.

At the time, Police had suspected that the gun attack might have stemmed from one of the cases he had prosecuted, but it remains unclear if anyone was arrested for the previous incident. Meanwhile, investigations into the recent shooting incident continue.

held at the Mahaicony

of cattle farmers from Mahaicony to discuss sev-

Furthermore, Hicken assured the residents that there would be a heightened Police presence in the area, which would allow them to conduct their business in a comfortable environment. He also pledged to seek the intervention of the Commander wherever there are reports of any kind, in order to have those reports addressed.

Govt undertakes massive...

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The meeting was attended by Commander, Regional Division 5, Assistant Commissioner Kurleigh Simon; Officerin-Charge, Mahaicony Police Station, Assistant Superintendent Leslie Eastman; Station Sergeant Eroy Williams, and other ranks attached to the Mahaicony Police Station.

The residents expressed their gratitude to the Top Cop for his timely intervention and pledged their support to the Police in the development of the community and the fight against crime.

With this initiative, it is hoped that the issue of cattle rustling in Mahaicony and other parts of the country can be effectively addressed through the collaborative efforts of the Police and members of the public.

“Also through the intervention of Mister Dharamlall we are doing a number of drainage works and streets in New Amsterdam; Brown Street Angoys Avenue, Mingo Street, Ross Street, First Street Savannah Park Housing Scheme and the reconstruction of the main access road to Paul Stewart and Savannah Park Housing Schemes,” Hussain listed.

Further, he noted that repair works are also being undertaken on Seecharran and Violet Streets in Mount Sinai. Additionally, a massive drainage cleaning exercise is being executed by the Local Government Ministry.

“Because a lot of drains are blocked up for a number of years, so, we have work ongoing in the entire Glassgow Housing scheme to the canal network; we doing Overwinning, the Savannah Park area, Forty-One Scheme- we are doing the entire area there, we are doing some work to

the entire Angoy’s Avenue – Patrick Dam, Levi Dam, Timmers dam and the other. We are also doing the network in Stanleytown from 31 to 58.”

This, he pointed out is apart from the main drains which were cleared by the NDIA. Only recently sections of the town were flooded following overnight continuous rainfall.

One of the hardest hit communities was Vryman’s Ervin where the water did not recede as expected.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) desilted some canals stretching from Tucburg Park to Stanleytown.

“That network was excavated by the NDIA one a few months ago but the New Amsterdam Municipality failed to maintain that network. That led to the flooding in Vryman’s Ervin, M&TC Housing Scheme and Bernine Scheme.”

Hussain said that

during a site visit by regional officials, it was revealed that the sluice in Tucburg Park was closed a few hours before it should have been closed.

According to Hussain, it was also discovered that one sluice attendant has to attend t two different sluices.

He pointed out that the entire network is now cleared as he called on the New Amsterdam Municipality to utilize the Community Infrastructure Improvement Program (CIIP) workers to carry out maintenance to the drainage system in that section of the town to prevent a reassurance.

While being critical of the Town Council for the way it has allowed the infrastructure to deteriorate, Hussain said the RDC is cooling forward to working with the Municipality and developing a good working relationship for the betterment and development of the country’s oldest town.

(Andrew Carmichael)

The Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken meeting with farmers in Mahaicony

Police Corporal Heamchand Sukhnal

ECD man killed while helping to cut coconut tree

An East Coast Demerara (ECD) man died while helping to cut down a coconut tree on Sunday. The dead man has been identified as 42-year-old George Edwards, a carpenter of Surat Drive, Triumph, ECD.

The incident occurred at about 11:30h on Sunday at Beterverwagting (BV) Housing Scheme, ECD.

George and his brother, Steve – a 30-year-old farmer, were hired to cut down a coconut tree at a residence in BV Housing Scheme.

According to Police reports, Steve went up the coconut tree with a chainsaw to cut the top, while George stayed at the bot-

Essequibo shopkeeper busted with gun, narcotics

tom of the tree with a rope to angle the tree when it fell.

Steve told investigators that he alerted his brother the tree top was coming down, and he heard an impact when the tree hit the ground.

Soon after, Steve observed his brother lying motionlessly on the ground with a reddish substance coming from his mouth and head, which appeared to be blood. “The coconut branches and part of the trunk were resting on his chest,” the Police said.

George was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. However, upon arrival, he was pronounced dead.

Police in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have arrested a shopkeeper after he was found with an illegal firearm, several rounds of matching ammunition, and a quantity of narcotics.

Police stated that the suspect, 39-year-old Troy Fordyce of Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, is known to law enforcement.

According to information received, Police acting on information went to Charity Market Street and arrested the man at about 10:00h on Sunday.

On arrival, the officers observed Fordyce standing next to a corner shop, and upon seeing them, he walked towards the back of the shop, placed a shiny object under a board, and walked away.

The Police apprehended Fordyce and escorted him to the back of the shop, where they retrieved an unlicensed

9mm (.380 auto) pistol and one magazine with several rounds of ammunition from under a board. The serial number on the firearm was filed off.

Fordyce was told of the offence committed, cautioned, and he denied the firearm belonged to him. He was arrested and escorted to the Charity Police Station, where the gun was marked, sealed, placed in an evidence bag, in his presence and lodged.

As investigations progressed, the ranks later escorted Fordyce to his shop at Charity Market Street and conducted a search for narcotics and unlawful articles in the presence of his reputed wife. However, nothing un-

lawful was found.

They then went to the suspect’s home at Charity Housing Scheme for a search to be conducted, to which he agreed. During the search, Police found a crossbody bag in one of the bedrooms.

When checked, eight small transparent zip-lock plastic bags containing a pink powdery substance and one transparent plastic bag containing five pink rocklike substances – all suspected to be Ecstasy (Methamphetamine) – were found in the crossbody bag.

Additionally, three trans-

parent plastic bags containing a quantity of 'Fronto' leaves were also found in a clothes basket in the bedroom.

Following these discoveries, Fordyce was escorted to the Charity Police Station, where the suspected Ecstasy was weighed in his presence and amounted to 6.71 grams.

According to the Police, Fordyce was previously charged with possession of narcotics in September 2022. He remains in custody pending investigation and charges.

The convention on biodiversity

land and 2% of its ocean. This includes the Kaieteur National Park, which is home to one of the world's largest single-drop waterfall and an important biodiversity hotspot.

* Indigenous peoples and local communities: Guyana recognises the important role of Indigenous peoples and local communities in biodiversity conservation and has established Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) to support community-led conservation efforts.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of species on earth at all trophic levels from genes to ecosystems, and includes the ecological, evolutionary, and cultural processes that continue to support life. It includes the animals, plants and microorganisms that work together in a complex web to maintain balance within ecosystems to ensure the continuation of life on Earth.

Ecosystems are responsible for cleaning air and water, providing medicine and food.

As such, healthy communities rely on well-functioning ecosystems and well-functioning ecosystems are dependent on maintaining their biological diversity. However, in recent years global biodiversity loss has been occurring at an anomalous rate. This a crisis that is occurring under the radar and has the potential to endanger our food and water supply as well as our air quality and the existence of invaluable genetically diverse species and their contribution to medicine and other fields of science.

For instance, we can turn our attention to the Amazon Rainforest which

is home to over a quarter of the world’s terrestrial species and is directly responsible for the control of the climate in the southern hemisphere. Biodiversity loss in the Amazon will affect the water cycle, resulting in a calamitous "dieback" of the forest that might convert large portions of the rainforest into savannahs, resulting in even more biodiversity loss.

In addition, we risk the discovery of new species and the loss of the potential benefits that species could provide to our continued survival on Earth. Recognising this, several environmental conventions have been negotiated with the intention of protecting species diversity and their habitats.

What is Convention on Biological Diversity?

Multilateral

Environmental Agreements

popularly known as MEAs are legally binding treaties by Governments to address or mitigate environmental issues experienced globally; in this case the loss of biodiversity. These agreements are no easy feat since they take considerable efforts and extended negotiations for sovereign

nations with variegated interests to commit to environmental actions that have the potential to alter their economic and social development.

It is recognised, however, that countries dependent on the same ecosystems cannot make unilateral decisions regarding environmental management as the earth’s biological resources are finite, complexly connected and crucial for economic and social development. As such, environmental conventions are important because they support worldwide cooperation to address environmental challenges by bringing them to public attention.

They offer a framework for nations to cooperate in promoting sustainable development and environmental protection. These conventions frequently set benchmarks and rules that nations must adhere to, assisting in ensuring that everyone is striving toward the same objectives.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a global agreement that aims to conserve and sustainably use the world's biodiversity. Adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992,

the CBD has been ratified by 196 countries including Guyana, making it one of the most widely accepted international environmental agreements. The CBD is a landmark agreement that aims to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use of its components, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The following are key accomplishments of the Convention:

* National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs): NBSAPs, which are national plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, must be created and implemented by all CBD signatories. NBSAPs, which provide a framework for national action on biodiversity, have been developed by more than 190 nations;

* Protected areas: The CBD has been instrumental in encouraging the establishment and efficient management of protected areas. Roughly 200,000 protected areas have been established as of this writing, accounting for roughly 14% of the world's land and 7% of its oceans;

* Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS): The Nagoya Protocol, a supplementa-

ry agreement to the CBD, provides a framework for fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

To date, over 130 countries have ratified the Nagoya Protocol;

* Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO): CBD produces the GBO, a flagship publication that assesses progress towards achieving the Convention's objectives. The GBO has become an important tool for policymakers, providing information on the state of biodiversity and highlighting areas for action.

* Mainstreaming biodiversity: The Convention has helped to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to integrate it into broader policy frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. This has helped to ensure that biodiversity is taken into account in decision-making across sectors.

Here in Guyana, we have also made significant progress in implementing the Convention.

* Protected Areas: Guyana has designated over 7.5 million hectares of its land and marine areas as protected areas, covering about 20% of its

* Biodiversity monitoring and research: Guyana has an established Centre for the Study of Biodiversity at the University of Guyana, as well as a robust Biodiversity Research and Filming Process administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.

* Access and Benefit Sharing: Guyana has enacted legislation to regulate access to its genetic resources and to ensure that benefits arising from their use are shared fairly and equitably.

For more information on the CBD, visit https://www. cbd.int/

Did you know? The EPA is the National Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity in Guyana, and has a number of functions including the coordination and maintenance of programmes for the conservation of biological diversity and its sustainable use.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

CDB officials and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat at COP

Migrants stranded on Chile-Peru border repatriated to Venezuela

board the flight because they had foreign children.

"Mothers with foreign children didn't get any help, they got left there," Gil said. "Just because their kids are Ecuadorian, Peruvian, they didn't let them through, they didn't leave on the flight. It was horrible."

Chilean and Venezuelan authorities were not immediately available for comment about migrants not allowed to board the flight.

Ecuador committee fails to pass report saying no cause for Lasso impeachment

The oversight committee of Ecuador's National Assembly on Saturday failed to muster up the votes to approve a report recommending against a vote to impeach President Guillermo Lasso over embezzlement accusations.

Opposition politicians have pushed for impeachment hearings on accusations Lasso turned a blind eye to alleged embezzlement related to a contract between State-owned oil transportation company Flopec and a private business.

– long before he became president in 2021 – and that his Administration made profitable changes to the deal based on advice from the comptroller.

The report, which says there is no cause for Lasso's trial or removal, was shot down by five of the committee's nine members.

Despite the outcome of the committee vote, the report will now pass to the plenary of the 137-member assembly, which will decide whether to possibly remove Lasso.

ex-President Rafael Correa – himself convicted of corruption – have pledged their 47 votes in favour.

Other Opposition parties are divided on whether to back Lasso's removal, while his allies have said they have enough votes to block the motion.

Lasso's lawyer has said the Opposition failed to establish what alleged loss of funds took place in relation to the contract.

Chile's Government said that 115 Venezuelan migrants who had been stranded on the border with Peru were repatriated to Venezuela on a humanitarian flight Sunday.

Hundreds of migrants, mostly Venezuelans seeking to return home, had been stranded in the country's northern border after being denied entry into Peru. The incident sparked diplomatic tensions as

Peru sent police and soldiers to the border to block migrants.

"It was difficult, I don't wish it on anyone," Carliana Bravo, 27, said after arriving to Venezuela with a child in her arms.

"It was 12 days of sleeping in the desert, with cold, a lot of sun during the day and the children got burned and ill."

Yuri Gil, a 38-year-old stylist, said that several people weren't able to

In a statement released earlier on Sunday, Chile's Foreign Ministry said the flight was the result of diplomatic efforts with the Venezuelan Government and its "Return to the Homeland" plan.

"Diplomatic efforts will continue with the goal of establishing future flights from different parts of Chile," the statement said, adding that it would also strengthen regional efforts to deal with the ongoing immigration crisis.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Isolated protest in eastern Cuba sparks duelling versions on social media

Cubans in Caimanera, a small port town near the US military base at Guantanamo, took to the streets late on Saturday evening, according to social media and official reports, in the first known anti-Government protests of the year in Cuba.

Videos posted on social media, many shared by dissidents outside Cuba and by human rights groups, showed what appeared to be men in military uniforms and others in civilian clothing clashing with dozens of protesters on a dimly-lit street while onlookers recorded the events with cellphones.

The videos showed the protesters in the fishing village near the eastern tip of the island voicing anti-Government chants and

cries of "freedom."

Tensions have run particularly high in communist-run Cuba for several weeks as a dire fuel shortage has stressed the country's public transportation, power generation and food supply.

The Cuban Government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

But State-run radio Journalist Mabel Pozo said on social media that the protest began when "various citizens, some in a state of drunkenness, yelled statements against the Cuban social process and regarding their dissatisfactions."

Pozo wrote that "security forces and other people contributed to dissuade people concentrated on the

street, who responded and returned to their homes."

Reuters could not independently verify the reports or video on social media or the official media version of events.

Far-flung Caimanera is known in Cuba as the "first trench of anti-imperialism" for its proximity to the US naval base at Guantanamo. The town is more than 12 hours overland from the capital Havana.

Protests in Cuba are exceedingly rare, but have cropped up more often in recent years as economic crisis racks the island. While the country's 2019 constitution grants Cubans the right to protest, a law more specifically defining that right is stalled in the legislature. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gold mine fire kills 27 in Peru

Afire in a small gold mine in southern Peru has left 27 people dead, authorities said on Sunday, in the country's single deadliest mining accident in more than two decades.

In a statement, the local government said a short-circuit sparked the fire in the early morning hours of Saturday in the southern region of Arequipa. Images on local media and on social media showed dark plumes

of smoke pouring out of the site.

The mine is operated by Yanaquihua, a small-scale firm. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"It's been confirmed by the Yanaquihua Police Station, there are 27 dead," local Prosecutor Giovanni Matos told local television on Sunday.

Peru is the world's top gold producer and sec-

Lasso has denied the allegations, saying the contract was signed in 2018

Ninety-two votes are needed to remove him, and lawmakers from the party of

Under Ecuador's Constitution, Lasso could call early presidential and legislative elections rather than face a removal vote. (Reuters)

Bolivian General Gary Prado Salmón who captured Che Guevara dies

The Bolivian General who captured the Cuban revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and became a national hero has died aged 84.

In 1967 Gary Prado Salmón led a military operation in Bolivia, backed by US secret service agents, that defeated a communist insurrection organised by Che Guevara.

At the time Bolivia had a right-wing military government.

An army officer executed Argentina-born Guevara a day after his arrest.

The Cold War between the US and Soviet Union was at its height and

Washington was extremely concerned about communist influence in Latin America, including Che Guevara's activities.

He had left Cuba after the triumph of the 1959 revolution there, to lead guerrilla movements in other countries. He was a key ally of Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro and became a hero for communists worldwide.

General Prado's son described his father as "an extraordinary person", who left "a legacy of love, integrity and courage".

The Bolivian officer who shot and killed Che Guevara was Mario Terán,

who died last year.

After ambushing Guevara's guerrilla group Gen Prado was made a national hero for having defended the Bolivian military regime.

He had led US-trained Bolivian Rangers in a remote jungle region where Che Guevara's group, originally numbering about 120, had declined to just 22.

Since 1981 Gen Prado had been a wheelchair user, after a bullet fired accidentally hit him in the spine. He wrote a book about his 1967 triumph, called How I Captured Che. (Excerpt from BBC News)

State appeals Brent Thomas matter; says Judge "'erred in law"

Brent Thomas, of Specialist Shooters Training Centre Limited.

Justice Devindra Rampersad “was wrong and erred in law” on several grounds in the Brent Thomas matter – including by finding that Thomas’ fundamental rights were contravened in relation to acts occurring outside of T&T in Barbados.

give directions today on filing submissions on compensation to be paid to Thomas who is reportedly seeking damages for breaches of constitutional rights plus vindicatory and exemplary damages.

However, the State is seeking to have its matter deemed urgent and “heard in priority to all other appeals.”

ond-largest copper producer. According to data from Peru's ministry of energy and mines, the incident is the single deadliest mining accident since 2000.

In 2022, 38 people were killed in mining accidents around the country, highlighting safety concerns in Latin American mining. Peru had its deadliest year in 2002 when 73 people died in different mining accidents.

(Reuters)

That is the State’s claim among its 24 grounds of appeal filed with the court last Friday against Rampersad’s recent judgment on the Thomas matter. And more grounds for appeal are being filed today.

The State has sought an order setting aside the Judge’s orders and that appeal costs be paid by Thomas and Specialist Shooters’ Training Centre Ltd (SSTCL) named as Respondents in the State’s claim. This came after Rampersad’s judgment on Thomas’ lawsuit against the State.

Firearms dealer Thomas was at the centre of Police investigations in 2022 and was

rearrested on October 5 in Barbados while in transit to Miami. Justice Rampersad ruled that Thomas was “unlawfully abducted” when T&T and Barbados Police Officers detained him. He said the manner of Thomas’ detention was an attempt to bypass the lawful procedure of requesting his extradition. He halted the criminal case against Thomas.

It was reported that Justice Rampersad would

Last Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said the Attorney General’s office planned to file an appeal of the judgment last Friday. The documents were filed at 11.34 pm last Friday pursuant to Practice Direction #12 of 2022 in the Gazette.

The statement concluded, “The findings and orders of the judge were irrational and/or so unreasonable and/ or perverse and/or was so fundamentally wrong and/ or contrary to law that no court acting judicially and properly instructed as to the relevant law and acting in a fair, rational and proportionate manner could have made such an order.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Undocumented migrants from Venezuela who were in limbo at Chile-Peru border, stand at the airport while they board a special homecoming flight to Venezuela from Arica airport, Chile, May 7, 2023 (Reuters/Alexander Infante)

Brent Thomas

Around The World OIL NEWS

Ukraine war: “Mad panic” as Russia evacuates town near Zaporizhzhia plant

ISS advises Shell shareholders to vote against climate activist's resolution

Shell shareholders should vote against a climate activist resolution seeking faster emissions cuts, proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) said on Saturday, while acknowledging the merits of the proposal.

Shell investors will vote at an annual general meeting on May 23 on a resolution filed by the Follow This activist shareholder group which asks the energy giant to align with the 2015 Paris climate deal.

Scientists say the world needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 43% by 2030, from 2019 levels, to have any hope of meeting the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global warming well below 2C above pre-industrial levels.

Shell aims to cut the intensity of planet-warming gases across its portfolio and the use of its products by 20% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. It has ruled out setting absolute emissions cuts targets, including the combustion of its products.

Measuring emissions by intensity means a company can technically increase its fossil fuel output and overall emissions while using offsets or adding renewable energy or biofuels to its product mix.

Shell has recommended its shareholders vote against the Follow This proposal.

ISS, whose recommendations steer many investors' voting, said Follow This's "argument that intensity metrics are not a substitute for absolute metrics is entirely valid" and is echoed by ISS analysis.

It said the merits of the activist resolution are "fully accepted" but if adopted it would "represent a change in strategy from the one that Shell has adopted" which is why ISS recommends a vote against it.

At Shell's 2022 shareholder meeting, Follow This received 20% of votes, down from 30% the previous year.

In 2021, a Dutch court ruling, still in appeal, told Shell to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms by 45% by 2030 across the entire lifecycle of its hydrocarbons. (Reuters)

Climate change: Vietnam records highest-ever temperature of 44.1C

Vietnam has recorded its highest ever temperature, just over 44C (111F) - with experts predicting it would soon be surpassed because of climate change.

The record was set in the northern province of Thanh Hoa, where officials warned people to stay indoors during the hottest times of the day.

Other countries in the region have also been experiencing extremely hot weather.

Thailand reported a record-equalling 44.6C in its western Mak province.

Meanwhile Myanmar's media reported that a town in the east had recorded 43.8C, the highest temperature for a decade.

Both countries experience a hot period before the monsoon season but the intensity of the heat has broken previous records.

In Hanoi, climate change expert Nguyen Ngoc Huy told AFP that Vietnam's new record was "worrying" given the "con-

Russia has sparked a "mad panic" as it evacuates a town near the contested Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a Ukrainian official says.

Russia has told people to leave 18 settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region, including Enerhodar near the plant, ahead of Kyiv's anticipated offensive.

The Ukrainian Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, said there were five-hour waits as thousands of cars left.

The UN's nuclear watchdog warned a "severe nuclear accident" could occur.

Speaking to the BBC's Newshour programme Rafael Grossi - the Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)said the evacuation of resi-

dents near the nuclear plant indicated the possibility of heavy fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces around the plant.

Although the plant's reactors were not producing electricity they were still loaded with nuclear material, he said.

Grossi added that he

had had to travel through a minefield when he visited the plant a few weeks ago.

Earlier, the IAEA warned in a statement that situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant was "becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous".

Operating staff were still at the site but there was

"deep concern about the increasingly tense, stressful, and challenging conditions for personnel and their families".

It said IAEA experts at the plant had "received information that the announced evacuation of residents from the nearby town of Enerhodar - where most plant staff live - has started".

On Friday, the Russianinstalled regional head Yevgeny Balitsky said that "in the past few days, the enemy has stepped up shelling of settlements close to the front line".

"I have therefore made a decision to evacuate first of all children and parents, elderly people, disabled people and hospital patients," he wrote on social media.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Texas mall shooting prompts Biden to renew call for gun control

US President Joe Biden on Sunday called on Congress to pass Gun Control Bills in the wake of yet another mass shooting that left nine people dead, including the gunman, at a Texas mall on Saturday.

The Democratic President renewed calls for Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as to enact universal background checks and end immunity for gun manufacturers. There is little chance the narrowly divided House and Senate would pass such legislation, although polls show most Americans support background checks.

A girl runs as other shoppers leave with their hands up after Police responded to a gunman who shot and killed eight people and wounded at least seven others at Allen Premium Outlets mall north of Dallas, in Allen, Texas, US, May 6, 2023 in a still image from video

text of climate change and global warming".

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments make steep cuts to emissions.

In Vietnam's central city of Danang, farmer Nguyen Thi Lan told AFP the heat was forcing workers to start earlier than ever and finish by 10:00.

Vietnam's previous record temperature of 43.4C was set in central Ha Tinh province four years ago.

Further west, the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka recorded its highest temperature since the 1960s while Indian authorities said parts of the country were experiencing temperatures that were three or four degrees above normal.

In April, Spain recorded its hottest-ever temperature for that month, hitting 38.8C at Cordoba airport in the south of the country.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Biden, who has made similar pleas before, said the assailant at Allen Premium

Outlets mall in Allen, a northern suburb of Dallas, wore tactical gear and was armed with an AR-15 style assault weapon.

The gunman killed eight people, including children, and wounded at least seven, before a Police officer killed him, Police said on

Saturday.

Mass shootings have become commonplace in the United States, with at least 199 so far in 2023, the most at this point in the year since at least 2016, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The non-profit group defines a mass shooting as any in which four or more people are wounded or killed, not including the shooter.

As of Sunday morning, law enforcement had not released details about suspect's identity or a possible motive. The identities of the victims had also not been released.

Officials said three people transported to area hospitals were in critical condition as of Saturday, while four had been stabilised.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

DR Congo floods: Digging through mud to find relatives

Nearly 400 bodies have been retrieved following floods and landslides that hit two villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last week.

The authorities had previously said 200 people had died following torrential rainfall on Thursday

In several villages close to the shore of Lake Kivu, people have been digging through the mud with their hands in a desperate search for missing relatives.

The Congolese Red Cross volunteers do not have body bags.

They are having to pile up the bodies wrapped up in blankets in the villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi in

Communities have been trying to find bodies among the mud and debris

South Kivu province. It is now three days since the floods hit and the number of dead keeps rising, now

standing at 394. One distraught mother in Nyamukubi said her husband had survived and was in hos-

pital but all her children were gone.

"It's like the end of the world," 27-year-old Gentille Ndagijimana, who also lost her parents and two sisters, told the AFP news agency.

Homes made of wooden planks with corrugated iron rooves were swept away.

In Bushushu village some of the buildings that are still standing are half buried in the mud.

Last week also saw floods across the other side of Lake Kivu in neighbouring Rwanda where more than 130 people were killed.

UN Chief António Guterres said the floods were another illustration of accelerating climate change. (BBC News)

The Ukrainian Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, posted these pictures on Saturday evening of the "mad" five-hour queues to leave the evacuated area

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Deception is apparent. The best way to take advantage of an opportunity is to recognize every facet of the possibilities. Be thorough and you won't be disappointed. Look out for your health.

(March 21-April 19)

Take pride in your work. Communication will be key to an important relationship. Use your imagination to bring about positive change. An adjustment to your living arrangements will save you money.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Focus on learning and finding opportunities that won't compromise your integrity. Go directly to the source if you want reliable information. Be wary of flatterers trying to convince you of something.

Don't take chances. Concentrate on what you need to learn to propel yourself in a direction that interests you. Check in with people who share your interests and have valuable connections.

(June 21-July 22)

An opportunity is only worthwhile if you can use it to your advantage. Don't labor over something that points you in the wrong direction. An introduction looks promising.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Stick to the basics and help others. Share your vision with colleagues, and push hard for your ideas. Don't settle for anything less than perfection. Celebrate with someone you love.

Keep tabs on household expenses. A strict budget will help you avoid debt and save money. Highlight what you expect to gain and map out a plan that will help you achieve your goal.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Trust in what and whom you know, and you'll find the right path. Don't shy away from a partnership, commitment or investment in yourself or your surroundings. Love is in the stars.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don't believe everything you hear. Someone will be eager to mislead you. An emotional situation will leave you at a loss. If you feel uncertain about something, take a pass.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SATURDAY'S WORD -- REPENTED

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Nurture relationships and make your surroundings comfortable and inviting. Be direct and keep situations simple and affordable, and you'll avoid mistakes and interference.

Now is not the time to pick a fight or let others interfere with your plans. A disciplined attitude will help you strive for a healthier lifestyle. Work toward your goal with ingenuity.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

You've got your finger on the pulse; now push forward enthusiastically. Added discipline will help you stick to programs geared toward a healthy, vibrant lifestyle.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Another nerve-wrecking last-over finish saw Sunrisers Hyderabad notch their fourth win of the season, a much-needed one, as they beat Rajasthan Royals in a thriller in Match 52 of TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Abdul Samad provided a blockbuster finish with a last-ball six in a drama-filled last over from Sandeep Sharma as SRH chased 215 to keep their hopes alive in IPL 2023. Impactful knocks from Abhishek Sharma (55 off 34) and Rahul Tripathi (47 off 29) laid the platform for SRH before blistering cameos under pressure from Glenn Phillips (25 off 7) and Samad (17* off 7) powered the away team past the finish line. Earlier, Jos Buttler had put on a T20 batting masterclass to entertain Jaipur with a scintillating innings of 95 (59) while Captain Sanju Samson had played the support act of 66 (38) to power RR to a daunting 214-2.

Chasing 215, Sunrisers Hyderabad got off to a brisk start courtesy of openers Anmolpreet Singh and Abhishek Sharma. Impact

Player Anmolpreet was the chief aggressor with four fours and a six in the powerplay as SRH brought up their 50 in the sixth over.

Yuzvendra Chahal then came into the attack and broke the 51-run stand as he had Anmolpreet caught at deep mid-wicket as RR reached 51-1 at the end of the first six overs.

RR kept things tight post powerplay, giving away just 21 runs from 7-9 overs. Rahul Tripathi and Abhishek then pressed the accelerator button by taking 14 runs off a Murugan Ashwin over. The duo brought up the fifty-run stand and Tripathi too reached his half-century with a thumping six over deep mid-wick-

Samad, Phillips steal the show in blockbuster run-chase

et off R Ashwin. But the wily spinner struck back, having Abhishek (55 off 34) caught at short third man off the next ball. RR brought on Obed McCoy as their Impact Substitute in place of R Ashwin in the 13th over. Tripathi and Heinrich Klaasen though continued to attack and hammered a couple of sixes and a four off Murugan Ashwin to make it a 19-run over.

Klaasen joined the party straightaway, going after Chahal and cracking a six and a four, but it was Chahal who had the last laugh as he had Klaasen caught at long off in the same over to provide a huge moment in the match with the equation reading 57 needed off 24 balls.

Tripathi got lucky as he was dropped by Samson after gloving his pull to the keeper. He rubbed salt onto RR’s wounds by smacking a six next ball.

Aiden Markram opened his boundary account via a pull over fine leg to make it 13 off the 17th over.

With 44 needed off 17, Chahal provided another crucial moment as he struck two blows, having Tripathi (47 off 29) caught at deep mid-wicket and trapping Markram lbw two balls later. He bowled a brilliant over picking two wickets and giving away just three runs to finish with fantastic figures of 4-0-29-4. With 41 needed off 12, Phillips started the penultimate over with a bang, smashing three sixes off the first three balls, off Kuldip Yadav. The fourth ball was slashed past the short third man fielder for a four. Phillips then went for another big one off the next ball, but ended up mistiming it to extra cover where Shimron Hetmyer pulled off a superb catch running backwards. The drama-filled over saw 24 runs scored in the over along with the wicket of the dangerous Phillips.

With 17 needed off the last over, Samson tossed the ball again to Sandeep

Sharma. He nearly struck first ball as Abdul Samad sliced one to short third man where McCoy dropped it and conceded two. Samad then smashed a six next ball, over long on where Joe Root nearly pulled off a fantastic effort. With nine needed off 4, Sandeep finally nailed his yorker as Samad jammed it to long off and scampered through for a couple. The next one brought just a single as Samad mistimed his loft to long off. With six needed off two, Marco Jansen flicked a low full toss straight to mid-wicket for just a single. The drama wasn’t over yet. With five needed off the last ball, Sandeep thought that he had Samad caught at long off, off the last ball and won the match, but the buzzer went off at the ground for a no ball and replays showed he had overstepped. No ball. It was chaotic. With four needed off the last ball, Samad smashed it straight down the ground for a flat six to win a thriller for SRH. It was SRH’s highest successful run chase in IPL.

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bat. They made three changes to the starting XI as debutant Root, Yadav and Murugan Ashwin replaced Devdutt Padikkal, Trent Boult and

Adam Zampa. They named Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Jason Holder, McCoy and Zampa as their substitutes.

Sunrisers Hyderabad made changes to their starting XI as Tripathi, Phillips and debutant Vivrant Sharma replaced Mayank Agarwal, Harry Brook and Kartik Tyagi. Brook, Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Dagar, Nitish Reddy and Sanvir Singh made it to the away team’s substitutes list.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, just like he’s done so far in IPL 2023, went on the attack straightaway with a couple of fours in the first over off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He hit one uppishly which cleared mid-on by inches and flicked one to fine leg where it fell just short of Vivrant Sharma who misjudged it and let it through for the second four of the over. Buttler too found his groove early with a trickle to fine leg for a four before Jaiswal thumped an 88m six into the stands to end the second over from Jansen.

The duo continued to attack as Buttler cracked a four over extra cover off T Natarajan and then Jaiswal hammered a 90m maximum over long on off Bhuvneshwar. Jaiswal hit a couple of fours off Jansen to bring up RR’s fifty in the

fifth over, but the South African all-rounder had the last laugh as he had Jaiswal (35 off 18) caught at short third man off the final ball of the over as RR reached 61-1 at the end of the powerplay.

Samson and Buttler then went berserk against Mayank Markande and hit him for three sixes in an over. Buttler took the attack to Abhishek as well as the duo took 12 runs off the 10th over to take RR to 107-1 at the halfway mark. The duo kept the score-

board ticking with at least a four or six every over as Buttler brought up his fifty off just 32 balls and the duo brought up the 100run stand off just 60 balls. The pair again went after Markande, cracking a six each to make it 14 off the 16th over. Buttler took down Bhuvneshwar on his return with three fours as RR smashed 50 in the fourover period from 14-17.

Natarajan then provided some relief, giving away just five in the 18th over as Samson brought up his fifty off 33 balls. Bhuvneshwar finally broke the 138-run stand as he trapped Buttler 95 (59) lbw off via a successful review. Bhuvneshwar bowled a brilliant over, giving away just seven along with the wicket of Buttler via a superb yorker to trap him leg before. Samson though finished well with a couple of fours and a six off Natarajan in the final over to propel RR to a daunting 214-2. Samson remained unbeaten on 66 off 38.

SRH introduced Anmolpreet as their Impact Player, replacing Natarajan, at the start of their batting innings. (IPL)

SCOREBOARD

Rajasthan Royals (20 ovs maximum)

Yashasvi Jaiswal c

Natarajan b Jansen 35

Jos Buttler lbw b Kumar 95

Sanju Samson (c)† not out 66

Shimron Hetmyer not out 7

Extras (b 1, lb 5, w 5) 11

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.70) 214/2

Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Yashasvi

Jaiswal, 4.6 ov), 2-192 (Jos Buttler, 18.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-44-1

Marco Jansen 4-0-44-1

T Natarajan 4-0-36-0

Mayank Markande 4-0-51-0

Abhishek Sharma 2-0-15-0

Vivrant Sharma 2-0-18-0

Sunrisers Hyderabad (T: 215 runs from 20 ovs)

Anmolpreet Singh

c Hetmyer b Chahal 33

Abhishek Sharma c Chahal

b R Ashwin 55

Rahul Tripathi c Jaiswal b Chahal 47

Heinrich Klaasen †c

Buttler b Chahal 26

Aiden Markram (c) lbw b Chahal 6

Glenn Phillips c Hetmyer b Yadav 25

Abdul Samad not out 17

Marco Jansen not out 3

Extras (nb 1, w 4) 5

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.85) 217/6

Fall of wickets: 1-51 (Anmolpreet Singh, 5.5 ov), 2-116 (Abhishek

Sharma, 12.4 ov), 3-157 (Heinrich

Klaasen, 15.5 ov), 4-171 (Rahul

Tripathi, 17.2 ov), 5-174 (Aiden

Markram, 17.5 ov), 6-196

(Glenn Phillips, 18.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Sandeep Sharma 4-0-48-0

Kuldip Yadav 4-0-50-1

Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-35-1

Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-29-4

Murugan Ashwin 3-0-42-0

Obed McCoy 1-0-13-0

Glenn Phillips slammed 25 from seven

Jos Buttler found form in a losing cause

Royals celebrate a wicket

GCB launches historic academy in Essequibo

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) broke new ground on Saturday last with the historic Academy launched in three Committees in Essequibo.

This event ushered in the establishment of an essential Youth Player Development Programme under the Essequibo Cricket Board's administrative structure, in their committee areas of North Essequibo, South Essequibo, and Wakenaam. The launches were held at Walton Ground in North Essequibo, Zorg Ground in South Essequibo, and Good Success Ground in Wakenaam.

The Academy initiative was outlined in the GCB 5-Year Strategy Plan by GCB President Bissoondyal Singh and other Executives on their ascension to office in 2020. The programme, which required thorough planning, will realise the implementation of 18 Academy Programmes nationwide. Each of the Essequibo Cricket Board’s affiliate Committees will have an Academy Programme. These Committees are North Essequibo, South Essequibo, Wakenaam, Pomeroon, Bartica, Leguan, and East Bank Essequibo.

Similarly, it is intended for the Demerara Cricket Board to have five Academies in their affiliate Associations of West Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Upper Demerara, Georgetown, and East Coast Demerara.

The six Academy locations for Berbice are West Berbice, New Amsterdam Canje, Lower Corentyne, Central Corentyne/ Bush Lot, Upper Corentyne, and Berbice River.

The Academy Programme will place emphasis on the holistic development of players aged seven to 17 years old, covering technical development and skill acquisition activities, physical fitness, applicable medical fitness assessments, laws of cricket, and appropriate lifestyle guidance including those on diet and nutrition, etiquette, and communication exercises with players on

relevant media relations. The Academy Programme will also place emphasis on positive self-concepts, discipline, and commitment, the understanding of group dynamics, and the value of teamwork.

The Academy Programme will be conducted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 15:30h to 17:30h, and on Saturdays from 08:00h to 11:00h. Understandably, there may be slight adjustments in the training time to facilitate the unique needs of the individual Academies. The Academy Programme is the brainchild of GCB President Singh.

At the initial launch at Walton Hall, Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) President Deleep Singh commemorated the event by giving open remarks.

President Deleep Singh, who is also a GCB Vice President and Director of Cricket West Indies, in his remarks, was adamant that the Academy would play a big role in the rejuvenation of cricket in Essequibo. He pointed out that the aim of the Academy was to focus on honing the skills of players who may be lacking fundamentals or to further enhance any possible skills that the young cricketers may possess.

The ECB President was high in praise for the GCB President and other executives, thanking the GCB for implementing the same programme which he viewed as both worthwhile and timely. Also, the ECB President thanked the coaches, parents,

and students (players) for turning out in their numbers to be a part of such a historic event hosted collaboratively by the GCB and ECB.

The ECB President concluded by reiterating that the focus of the Academy on the key areas of development of young players was a huge factor in the effort and drive to nurture and develop the talents of youths aged seven to 17 years old, and encouraged the players to make full use of the opportunity.

The GCB's Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart, during the launch, urged the players across the three Academies to focus not only on the game but also on the process of themselves becoming professionals while giving them insight on how to approach the game. The ex-West Indies pacer pointed out that while the technical aspects were crucial to players’ development, the fact that cricket was considered to be played with 90 per cent of the players’ mental prowess, heavy emphasis must be placed on the players’ ability to consistently execute tasks well. This consistency must suffice within the varied play conditions that will be presented from match to match within and outside of one’s country.

Further, Stuart called on young players across the respective Academies to, over time, show the necessary drivers needed to be a professional cricketer at the local, regional, and international levels. He stressed that outside

of the technical aspects of cricket, like batting, bowling, and fielding, the capacity to execute tasks properly albeit on or off the cricket pitch was essential, as it helped to build one's professional approach to achieving regular success.

Stuart indicated to those present at the launch that the Academy Coaches and other suitable personnel would, in addition to the technical and physical fitness aspects of the game, address the critical related components on the laws of cricket, etiquette, player communication with media, sportsmanship, and player commitment.

Additionally, the launch held in Essequibo on Saturday, April 29, 2023, was graced with the presence of ECB executives and several ECB Coaches from across the Cinderella County, including the likes of ECB Vice President Elroy Stephney, former National Youth Manager Nazeer Mohammed, all of whom appeared overwhelmed with joy by the new Academies which are now opened for players in the Essequibo region. Both Stephney and Mohammed thanked the GCB for its massive support.

The coaches present at the launch noted that with such an Academy platform available, it would be easier for players to refine their abilities by virtue of dedication and training toward attaining set realistic goals that would put them in

a better position to perform consistently well in matches, thereby making it easier for them to become visible to the Committee/Association, county, and national selectors.

GCB President Singh, who could not have been present at the Academy launch owing to another pressing high-level engagement, expressed his and the other GCB executives’ happiness in the realisation of the implementation of a critical component of the Board’s 5-Year Strategy Plan, in the Academy Programme.

He stated, in a speech presented at the launch in Essequibo, that the Academy initiative was given significant priority by the GCB executives, given the identified gaps in the player development pathway and the conceptualised benefits of the Academy Programme to the players. In the case of the former, at times players are selected for national teams with technical deficiencies and lower fitness levels than required in relation to set CWI/GCB benchmarks and their mental application could be greatly improved. Consequently, apart from conducting National InterCounty Tournaments, the GCB has prioritised the Academy Programme to eliminate or greatly reduce some of these aforementioned deficiencies.

The GCB is of the view that the Academy Programme carried out for its intended purpose would assist players

to make the respective national teams with higher levels of technical and physical fitness, and greater levels of appropriate mental application. The latter is necessary to be inculcated in players, since they are required to adapt to various match conditions, whether it be related to pitch, the opposition, and/or crowd.

GCB President Singh thanked the ECB President and other executives, as well as the Chairperson and executives of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee, South Essequibo Cricket Committee, and Wakenaam Cricket Committee, for leading the way in getting the groundwork done to implement the program and urged that they remained steadfast in assisting the GCB through its marketing committee to acquire funds to support and sustain the Academy Programme.

Additionally, President Singh thanked the youth players, and their parents and guardians for demonstrating an interest in being part of the Academy Programme, and reassured them that the GCB would continue to explore avenues that would lend support to the development of the players.

The GCB is encouraging parents and guardians, and corporate Guyana to embrace and support this valuable nationwide Academy Programme.

RHTY&SC pays tribute to medical workers

"Each one of you is the perfect example of a true and dedicated public servant in the health sector. The dedication that I see from you is unmatched and I would like to urge each one of you to uphold the high standards you have set in the past. The Port Mourant Public Hospital is very blessed to have you on its staff and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club [RHTY&SC] is pleased to honour you today under its Tribute to Heroes programme."

Those were the words of RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster as he spoke at the presentation ceremony of the club’s Tribute to Medical Workers Programme at the Port Mourant Hospital on Thursday last.

Six outstanding workers were honoured by the cricket teams of the club for their contribution to the health sector at the hospital, and Foster stated that the RHTY&SC was very pleased to be associated with the public institution.

The award scheme was first introduced in 2014 when Foster

was a patient at the hospital and was very impressed by the attitude and dedication of the staff. The RHTY&SC Secretary was earlier this year again a patient at the hospital and expressed thanks to the dedicated staff for saving his life . Foster stated that he observed that the staff of the hospital were dedicated to fulfilling their duties despite the large number of patients that visit each day.

Those honoured were Doctor in Charge Ghanashaam Sukhdeo; Nurse Melissa Semple; Administrator Bibi Shaneeza

Nabi; Matron Leilawattie Sawh; Yonette Yaw, Head of the therapy unit, and Teola Gonsalves of the Medical Lab. They were all selected by the members of the different cricket teams based on their dedication, discipline, interaction with the general public, and personal attitude.

Each of the awardees received a certificate of excellence, medal of excellence and three special gifts. The club last week had presented the therapy unit with $300,000 worth of gym, office and cleaning equipment to assist the staff in

their rehabilitation of patients.

The National Milling Company, a major sponsor of the club was a co-partner in the effort with a contribution of a stationary gym bike.

Foster, on behalf on the club and different cricket teams, pledged to assist more in the future as the RHTY&SC was committed to the overall development of Guyana, especially in the health, sports and educational sectors.

Dr Sukhdeo, in brief remarks, expressed thanks to the club for honouring staff members and

noted that the club has been a true friend of the hospital. He noted that the staff under his leadership was dedicated to providing standards of the highest level.

Additionally, the cricket teams next week would provide special Mother’s Day food hampers to about 30 mothers at the hospital. The teams who are involved in the projects are Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Poonai Pharmacy Under 13, Bakewell Under 17, Namilco Thunderbolt Flour First Division, Metro Female, and Pepsi Under 19.

Among the players of the RHTY&SC are Kevin Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Junior Sinclair, Kelvon Anderson, Slyus Tyndall, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jermey Sandia, Mahendra Gopilall, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Plaffina Millington and Sheneeta Grimmond.

Every year, the different cricket teams of the club are mandated by management to successfully complete over 100 community projects under a wide range of sub-headings

such as educational, youth development, awards, sports, community development, health, anti drugs, and religious.

The six awardees pose with Saintalene Foster of the RHTY&SC

ECB President Deleep Singh

A section of participants at the GCB-ECB Academy Launch for the South Essequibo Committee at Zorg Ground

GCB President Bissoondyal Singh

“Reds” on WI A team: Anderson, Wickham omission a surprise; Cariah's selection a mystery

By Brandon Corlette

The West Indies A squad has been announced that will tour Bangladesh, meeting their A side for three four-day matches, starting on May 16.

Veteran cricket commentator Joseph "Reds" Perreira shared his views on the team selected, noting that the omission of Kevlon Anderson and Kevin Wickham was a surprise while the selection of leg-spinner Yannic Cariah was a mystery.

“Reds” also noted that the likes of Keacy Carty and Anderson Phillip should not have been selected, since they have failed to capitalise on their chances when given opportunities.

"The major surprise which has been reflected throughout the Caribbean is the omission of Anderson. On the basis that you pick (Kirk) McKenzie, (Zachary) McCaskie, (Jair) McCallister and (Kevin) Sinclair on performance in the Tri-series, why was

Anderson, for his brilliant 153, which had a touch of class and was highly commented on by commentators, how come was that talent not included?"

"I did not see Carty getting in ahead of Anderson. Carty had his chances, and has not taken advantage. He is young enough to come back. Certainly, Anderson should have been on the plane to Bangladesh."

"Wickham like Anderson was unfortunate not to have been included. He played a lovely innings as Anderson. It

is important what we do with these talents going forward," “Reds” explained.

The 30-year-old Cariah, who has 59 wickets in 73 FirstClass matches at 33, and 2994 runs at an average of 28, with five centuries in 120 innings, did not feature in the recentlyconcluded Headley-Weekes Tri series, but he was selected.

"I was surprised that Cariah has been selected again. This is almost a mystery. He has been in and out and has not really performed. The side has

already gotten two spinners in (Gudakesh) Motie and Sinclair. It is a short tour, do you need a leg-spinner which will shorten the batting on a short tour?" the veteran commentator asked.

“Reds” also noted that Raymon Reifer is not the dominant traditional number three as was seen in previous West Indies teams, but his selection indicates he will be the number three for the Bangladesh A tour and beyond.

"The inclusion of (Raymon) Reifer indicates that the selectors have decided that Reifer will be the number three, not only in Bangladesh, but against India, and beyond. Reifer is not a number three that is going to dominate if you had a bad start. Reifer is going to drop anchor, and he may get 20 from 80 balls. He will not dominate, he will put pressure on the batting. I think the selectors made an error. The selectors have not developed a (dominant) number three in the tradition of the outstanding number three the West Indies

have had for a long time," “Reds” added.

Left-arm seamer Dominic Drakes, who showed great promise in the Tri-series in Antigua, should have also been selected, according to “Reds”.

"It was difficult to see why Dominic Drakes was not on the touring party. He would have provided variety to Joshua Da Silva. He (Drakes) would be a better investment than Anderson Phillip. There is a welcome selection of Alick Athanaze and we are seeing the development of Tevin Imlach as a second keeper who can bat. (Akeem) Jordan is an excellent bowler who moves the ball, and McCallister has got pace. Sinclair will go there with a fair amount of confidence, but he must now bowl quickly on those surfaces."

He added: "I am looking forward to see (Tagenarine) Chanderpaul partner either McKenzie or McCaskie."

The gifted Guyanese, who resides in St Lucia, also suggested that the new Cricket

West Indies (CWI) Board should have five selectors, as this will bring more valued ideas to the table.

"I want to suggest to the new board, although I have the highest respect for Dr Desmond Haynes and Roland Butcher, I think it is time we go back to five selectors. We need to have more information and ideas about players. I think it would be a better balance in terms of selection," “Reds” disclosed.

Full squad: Joshua Da Silva (Captain); Alick Athanaze; Yannic Cariah; Keacy Carty; Tagenarine Chanderpaul; Tevin Imlach; Akeem Jordan; Brandon King; Jair McAllister; Zachary McCaskie ;Kirk McKenzie; Gudakesh Motie; Anderson Phillip; Raymon Reifer and Kevin Sinclair

MATCH SCHEDULE

All matches at SICS, Sylhet

May 16-19: 1st “Test”

May 23-26: 2nd “Test”

May 30 to June 2: 3rd “Test”

Notable cricket stars to feature in women's regional tournament

The best women’s cricketers in the West Indies have assembled in St Kitts for the CG United Super50 Cup and T20 Blaze tournaments to be played from today, May 8 to May 27.

The six regional teams have announced their squads to compete in five rounds of 50over matches in the CG United Super Cup and then five rounds of T20 cricket in the T20 Blaze.

Barbados are defending champions in the CG United Super50 Cup and Jamaica the defending champions of the T20 Blaze.

Barbados and West Indies

Women’s Captain Hayley Matthews will miss the T20 Blaze tournament as she has been granted a recovery period after the CG United Super50 Cup as part of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) player workload management. NaiJanni Cumberbatch, the 15-year-old right-handed batter, comes into the squad for the T20 Blaze. Jamaican all-rounder Chinelle Henry will miss both tournaments as she is on a return-to-play rehabilitation programme following her injury in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup in February.

The CG United Super50 Cup matches will be played at three venues – Warner Park, the Conaree Cricket Centre, and St Paul’s Sports Complex. In each of the five rounds, all three matches will take place concurrently. First ball is 10:00h local time. Barbados start their title defence against

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Divas at Warner Park today, May 8.

Warner Park will host all five rounds of the T20 Blaze in five full days of entertainment featuring three back-to-back matches from May 20 to 27.

Each day will see the first match start at 10:00h (10am), followed by an afternoon match at 14:30h (2:30pm) with the final match each day played under floodlights starting at 19:00h (7:00pm). Defending champions Jamaica start their T20 Blaze campaign against the Leeward Islands.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams said: “Our regional women's tournaments will be our focus over the upcoming period as we provide a window for our best female players to showcase their talent. Players and teams will hopefully put in strong performances across both formats to impress for selection to International, A and Emerging Player squads.”

Fans can attend for free at any of the venues, with all matches streamed and free to watch live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel, along with live scorecards and ball-by-ball scoring on the Windiescricket.com live match centre.

FULL SQUADS

BARBADOS (for CG United Super50 Cup): Hayley Matthews* (Captain); Shakera Selman; Kycia Knight; Kyshona Knight; Aaliyah Alleyne; Shanika Bruce; Asabi Callender; Shamilia Connell; Keila Elliott; Allison Gordon; Theanny Herbert-Mayers; Trishan Holder; Alisa Scantlebury and Aaliyah Williams.

*For the T20 Blaze, NaiJanni Cumberbatch will replace Hayley Matthews and Shakera Selman will be the Captain.

Head Coach: Corey Collymore

GUYANA: Shemaine Campbelle (Captain); Shabika Gajnabi; Plaffianna Millington;

Sheneta Grimmond; Ashmini Munisar; Katana Mentore; Cherry-Ann Fraser; Mandy Mangru; Kaysia Schultz; Realeanna Grimmond; Cyanna Retemiah; Nyia Latchman; Tilleya Madramootoo and Analesia D’Aguiar.

Head Coach: Clive Grimmond

JAMAICA: Stafanie Taylor (Captain); Rashada Williams; Natasha McLean; Vanessa Watts; Keneshia Ferron; Neisha-Ann Waisome; Chedean Nation; Jody-Ann Brown; Lena Scott; Sherene Burnett; Shereka Shelton; Kate Wilmott; Nicole Campbell and Celina Whyte.

Head Coach: Shane Brooks

LEEWARD ISLANDS: Saneldo Willett (Captain); Terez Parker; Tyynetta McKoy; Amanda Edwards; Jenisen Richards; Melicia Clarke; Rozel Liburd; Davanna Claxton; Tonya Martin; Chey-Anne Moses; Davronique Maynard; Kimberley Anthony; Jahzara Claxton and Divya Saxena.

Head Coach: Percy Daniel

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

RED FORCE DIVAS: Anisa

Mohammed (Captain); Steffie Soogrim; Reniece Boyce; Karishma Ramharack; Djenaba Joseph; Kirbyina Alexander; Britney Cooper; Shunelle Sawh; Shania Abdool; Samara Ramnath; Selene Oneil; Shalini Samaroo; LeeAnn Kirby and KD Jazz Mitchell.

Head Coach: Gibran

Mohammed WINDWARD ISLANDS: Afy Fletcher (Captain); Malika Edward; Zaida James; Qiana

Joseph; Kimone Homer; Carena Noel; Jannelia Glasgow; Pearl Etienne; Earnisha Fontaine; Tracy Byron; Abini St Jean; Nerissa Crafton; Amiah Gilbert and Namiah Marcellin.

Head Coach: Petra Lynch

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE

CG United Super50 Cup –play starts at 10:00h

Round 1: Monday, May 8

Windward Islands vs Guyana – Conaree Cricket Centre

Leeward Islands vs Jamaica – St Paul’s Sports Complex

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas vs Barbados –Warner Park Round 2: Wednesday, May 10

Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas – St

Paul’s Sports Complex

Guyana vs Barbados –Conaree Cricket Centre

Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands – Warner Park

Round 3: Friday, May 12

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas vs Windward Islands – St Paul’s Sports Complex

Jamaica vs Barbados –Conaree Cricket Centre

Guyana vs Leeward Islands

– Warner Park

Round 4: Monday, May 15

Jamaica vs Guyana –Warner Park

Leeward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas –Conaree Cricket Centre

Barbados vs Windward Islands – St Paul’s Sports Complex

Round 5: Wednesday, May 15

Leeward Islands vs Barbados – Warner Park

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas vs Guyana – St Paul’s Sporting Complex

Jamaica vs Windward Islands – Conaree Cricket Centre

CWI T20 Blaze (all matches played at Warner Park)

Round 1: Saturday, May 20

Windward Islands vs Guyana – 10am

Leeward Islands vs Jamaica – 2:30:pm

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas vs Barbados – 7pm

Round 2: Sunday, May 21

Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands – 10am

Guyana vs Barbados –2:30pm

Jamaica vs Trinidad & Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas – 7pm

Round 3: Tuesday, May 23

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force Divas vs Windward Islands – 10am

Jamaica vs Barbados –2:30pm

Guyana vs Leeward Islands – 7pm

Round 4: Thursday, May 25

Jamaica vs Guyana – 10am

Leeward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago Divas – 2:30pm

Barbados vs Windward Islands – 7pm

Round 5: Saturday, May 27

Leeward Islands vs Barbados – 8am

Trinidad & Tobago Divas vs Guyana – 8am

Jamaica vs Windward Islands – 8am

Hayley Matthews will lead Barbados

Kevlon Anderson scored 153 in the Tri-series but was not selected for the Bangladesh A series

Notable cricket stars to feature in women's regional tournament

East (Coast) Demerara

Football Association

once again proved that they are the best of the lot in the Under-13 age group, becoming the first Tiger Rentals Under 13 League Cup Champions.

The final showdown came under overcast conditions on Sunday afternoon at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, where East Demerara and Bartica were locked in a fierce battle for

the U13 title.

While the two teams took some time to get adjusted to each other, East Demerara were the first to get going, testing Bartica goalkeeper Zico DoSantos on numerous occasions.

However, try as East Coast did, the first half of the final showdown bore no fruit for either side, with the scores deadlocked at 0-0 at the halftime whistle.

In the second half,

Bartica appeared more intentional about their possession and passes, while their opponents remained hungry for a goal.

It was in the 40th minute of the encounter that the first and only goal was scored, off the boots of Kennard Halley and in East Demerara’s favour.

While East Demerara

and Bartica finished first and second in the League Cup Championship, respectively, the Rupununi finished third, by virtue of a decisive 3-0 victory over Georgetown, also on Sunday afternoon.

As such, Georgetown finished fourth, with Upper Demerara, East Bank, West Berbice, East Berbice,

Essequibo and West Demerara finishing fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth in the League Championship respectively.

For individual awards, West Demerara’s David DeCosta, Bartica’s Adrian Samuels, East Demerara’s Amari David and Essequibo’s Jonathan Rodrigues were all recognised as ‘exciting prospects’ in the U13 Division.

Bartica’s DoSantos was adjudged the best goalkeep-

er of the tournament, while Joao Hamlet of the Rupununi was the highest goalscorer with 10 goals in the three-day competition. East Demerara’s Tyrel Walcott was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The tournament was sponsored by Tiger Rentals Guyana and also carried a National inter-Academy Training Centre (ATC)/ Association League, which was also won by the team from East Demerara.

A glimpse of the final game in the Tiger Rentals U13 League Cup between East Demerara (green) and Bartica

East Demerara celebrate their Tiger Rentals U13 League Cup Championship