Guyana Times - Saturday, April 1, 2023

Sophia man busted with 16.6kg

at N/A Ferry Stelling

Body of missing Rose Hall Estate worker found in Canje River

Construction worker nabbed with over 10kg ganja

Fmr murder accused loses wrongful imprisonment lawsuit against State GNBS acquires $18M laser scanner to verify storage tanks

Fmr Home Affairs Minister Justice Stanley Moore passes

US Embassy announces increase in processing fees for non-immigrant visas

Sophia man busted with 16.6kg ganja at N/A Ferry Stelling

– accomplice allegedly escapes by jumping overboard

The United States Embassy in Guyana on Friday stated that the Department of State has recently announced the increase in processing fees for certain non-immigrant visa (NIV) applications.

With effect from May 30, 2023, the fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2), and other non-petition-based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from US$160 to US$185.

“The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant

visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicant in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from US$205 to US$315,” the US Embassy added.

Further, the Embassy added that other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency fee required for certain exchange visitors.

Visa fees are calculated

based on the results of an annual study of the cost of service. “The fees for most non-petition-based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014.”

Meanwhile, the release noted that visas for work and tourism are essential to President Biden’s foreign policy, and the US recognises the critical role international travel plays in the US economy. Fee information can be found on the US Embassy’s website at: https://gy.usembassy.gov/ visas/nonimmigrant-visas/

A52-year-old resident of 'C' Field Squatting Area, Sophia, Greater Georgetown was on Friday arrested with a large quantity of cannabis at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling. His accomplice reportedly evaded apprehension by jumping into the Berbice River and making good his escape.

Police have said that on

Friday, March 31, at about 6:35h, a rank from Central Police Station was at the Marine Base at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling when he observed two men carrying two bags acting in a suspicious manner as they entered a passenger boat.

As a result, the rank approached the men, identified himself, and told them of his suspicion. He then re-

quested permission to conduct a search on their persons and the bags they were carrying, and one of the men replied, "No problem, sir". Upon searching one of the bags, four bulky parcels wrapped in transparent plastic and containing cannabis were found.

The rank reportedly told the men of the offence committed, but one of the suspects replied, "Officer, we can work out something".

A search conducted on the second bag led to the discovery of seven other parcels containing ganja.

As the rank attempted to arrest the suspects, one of them reportedly jumped into the Berbice River and made good his escape. The other suspect was arrested and taken to the Central Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 16.6 kilograms.

Police are on the hunt for the second suspect as investigations continue.

The ganja that was found in the bags

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, Apr 1 – 02:30h -04:00h and Sunday, Apr 2 – 03:00h – 04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Apr 1 – 13:15 –14:45h and Sunday, Apr 2 – 14:05h – 15:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 13:54h reaching a maximum height of 2.14 metres.

Low Tide: 07:28h and 19:58h reaching minimum heights of 1.19 metre and 1.01 metre.

Presidential outreach services over 4800 persons in Reg 3

- international plantain chip factory among other projects in pipeline - several business ventures proposed as investor confidence booms

garding an old housing settlement in Leonora was also fixed.

The Head of State related that this initiative allowed insight into the priority areas in communities and where budgetary allocations can be improved.

“This exercise allows us to understand the priorities of communities, priorities of the region so that when we develop our budgetary framework in the new year, we will be able to understand in a first-hand manner from the people directly, what their priorities are and what their interests should be.”

LOTTERY NUMBERS

President Irfaan Ali has led another successful 2-day outreach, this time in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) which saw over 4800 cases being logged to be addressed by the various Ministries and Government sectors.

As the Office of the President—Direct Outreach (OP Direct) at the National Track and Field Facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD) wrapped up, President Ali gave an update about the initiative and stressed that his Government is committed to transparency, accountability and the governance system.

In this light, an electronic app has been developed to gather progress reports from various regions to track the Government’s performance. At that time, it showed that some 4838 files were logged and in the process of completion.

“That is 4838 persons would have been serviced over the last two days here… This is the efficiency that we talk about; the type of transparent, open, accountable Government that we’re running,” President Ali affirmed.

Out of the total number, 1771 had already been re-

solved; 1949 were opened to be addressed and another 187 were referred to other agencies.

Issues relating primarily to housing, National Insurance Scheme (NIS), agriculture, education, and business were sorted during the exercise. Within 24 hours, a decade-old issue re-

Investments

Meanwhile, from engagements, there were investment proposals and business interests surfacing in areas such as aquaculture, hydroponics, manufacturing, small hotels, apartments, and real estate.

TURN TO PAGE 7

President Ali opening his office to hear the concerns of residents

Editor: Tusika Martin

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New app & public transport

The announcement by the Home Affairs Ministry that an app is being developed to report crimes occurring in the public transport sector is most welcoming.

This new app would allow passengers to record incidents on public transportation, allowing for immediate access by law enforcement to act swiftly.

It is apt that the announcement was made at the Guyana National Road Safety Stakeholders Forum 2023.

According to the information released by the Ministry, the app would allow passengers to record incidents using their phone’s camera and microphone, and provide a brief description of the situation/offence being committed. This would then allow the Traffic Department to monitor incidents in real-time and respond immediately.

On more than one occasion, this newspaper had called out public transport operators for unacceptable attitudes, which has been a sore point over the years. This behaviour has worsened despite pleas from the public. Sadly, it’s not just one area of concern, but wide ranging within the service they provide, and to other road users.

Much has been said about the loud and lewd music which all, including schoolchildren, are forced to endure on a daily basis. There is no respite, and any objection by commuters is met with disdain, disrespect, and wanton abuse in many cases. It appears that there is no consideration by these uncaring operators that they depend on the commuters for their livelihood.

In a country that is slowly becoming more service-oriented, those who buy are given due importance, as competitiveness increases. Maybe the time for competitiveness in public transportation, which many believe has passed, is now. The provision of this service is bread and butter for the operators and many owners; however, safety for road users and the provision of a better service cannot be continually disregarded.

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

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

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

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

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

Regularisation must be driven by the dire need to raise the standard of service and safety. It must not only be important for the creation of a friendly and caring image to tourists, but fundamentally, to Guyanese who daily toil and make sacrifices here to pay requisite fares.

Dear Editor,

The PPP/C has always viewed, and used, the National Budget as an economic instrument for managing available resources to meet the needs of our people in the communities across our country.

In this regard, the PPP/C Government has continually provided opportunities for the people and their leaders at all levels, viz: the Regional, Municipal, Neighbourhood, Amerindian Villages; private groupings such as the churches, Women’s Groups, Private Sector, and the various Chambers of Commerce etc., to express their views individually and collectively as the Government works with all parties to identify and prioritise the needs of our people in pursuit of their livelihood goals.

Thus, resource allocation through the instrument of the Budget has always been for the PPP/C Government a function of expressed needs, the estimated cost of satisfying those needs, available resources, the opportunity costs, and the ability of those who manage these resources to effectively and efficiently utilise and manage the resources.

A check of the PPP/C Government’s annual national and regional budgetary allocations from 1993 to 2015, and August 2020 to December 2022 -- and may I confidently add Budget 2023 -- would provide empirical evidence of the Government’s continuous determination to perennially allocate resources to meet development needs of the Guyanese people across our ten (10) Administrative Regions; not on the basis of political affiliation or ethnicity, but with due regard to what resources are available at the time; the prioritised needs of the communities; and the ability

of those very communities to efficiently manage these resources.

In this regard, opportunities to access and to share resources were always available to all.

Resultantly, I ask of decent, honest Guyanese perusing this missive:

Who benefitted from improvements in education delivery and healthcare under the PPP/C Government from 1993 to 2015, and August 2020 to present?

Were the benefits confined to a particular ethnic group or supporters of a particular political party? Were the beneficiaries not residents across the ten (10) Administrative Regions?

Would it not be a fair comment if I said that each community, over the period of governance of the PPP/C, received a significant level of social development, viz: schools, trained teachers, health centres, doctors, nurses, Medexes, health workers, beneficiaries of Government funded/sponsored scholarships; new roads/airstrips etc.?

The PPP/C has always sought to enhance the well-being of the Guyanese people; not a few, or a particular group. Who have benefitted from increased allocation of resources? Check the occupancy of our housing schemes; the communities that have benefitted from extended and improved water supplies, roads, electricity, bridges. Not only have those who reside in the various loci benefitted, but also those who must traverse the areas and those who were involved in their actual construction.

When one examines the Budget as an instrument for fighting poverty and improving the quality of life of the Guyanese people, one cannot but honestly agree that the

more than 25 years of PPP/C rule provides an example of how this can be achieved.

The key achievements of the PPP/C Government include not only the improvements in terms of the nature, extent and quality of the social services, infrastructure expansion and economic improvements, but also the geographic spread and distribution of these improvements across our ten Administrative Regions. In the process, Guyana moved from the bankrupted country it was in October 1992 to one wherein its people were enjoying a better standard of living as at January 2023. We managed our resources made available through the Budget fairly, wisely, and efficiently.

Further, we knew that real economic growth in a country came not vide mere taxation, but from production of goods and services, productivity, and job creation via investment, among other things. These are realities we faced.

We are enthused by the fact that the PPP/C Government continues to share and to spread the benefits of our economic successes across the ten (10) Administrative Regions of our country, even as we strive to create more economic opportunities for our people -- opportunities that would lead to more growth and more jobs, even as we continue to invest heavily in social services and physical infrastructure development aimed at improving the lives of our people and opening up opportunities for a better future for us and our children; and even as we strive to rise above the challenges, both internal and extraneous, that surface along the road.

Undoubtedly, the PPP/C’s development plan for our country is guided by the national interest and a commitment to the wellbeing of the Guyanese peo-

ple. Our Government has been working assiduously to create an economic environment that is not only inviting to investors, both local and overseas, but also encourages the active participation of communities in which the investments are made, and to create opportunities for the advancement of those communities.

We have undoubtedly begun to see the benefit and to appreciate the positive changes in our country. Indeed, the changes and resultant improvements in the quality of lives of our people are obvious for all who have eyes to see.

PPP/C national budgets have continually been used, inter alia, to enhance the welfare of our citizens by creating and expanding opportunities for the creation of wealth, and then distributing this wealth among the Guyanese people. The PPP/C has obviously been working to take our country in this direction. It’s all about inclusive governance…no one left behind, unless of his/her own desire. What the PPP/C does as a Government is certainly guided by the national interest and a commitment to the wellbeing of the Guyanese people. PPP/C governance is certainly driven by its public responsibilities, and not by self-interest. It’s driven by a commitment to the wellbeing of the Guyanese people to utilise, inter alia, our oil resources for even greater improvements in the living standard of our people.

Budget 2023 does undoubtedly reflect these improvements to which I refer above.

Respectfully,

Norman Whittaker Fmr Local Government and Regional Development Minister

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud joined former teacher and self-taught pianist Hilton Lewis as he celebrated his 104th birth anniversary at his home on Friday. Minister Persaud spent the time conversing with Lewis and cutting his birthday cake as he recapped his life’s experiences

PPP has always sought to allocate resources to communities across Guyana

Public Service Commission soon to be appointed, JSC to follow – Pres Ali

With mounting calls for the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to be established, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday said that the Public Service Commission (PSC) will have to be constituted before the JSC is created.

The Head of State was at the time responding to questions posed during a press conference to wrap up a two-day Cabinet outreach in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

According to President Ali, the composition of the JSC requires the Public Service Commission to be placed. To this end, he announced that they are “finalising the work” of the PSC.

“There are outstanding issues from Parliament and some other agencies to have the Public Service Commission up… [But] I can promise you very, very soon [the PSC will be constituted,” the President posited.

When the PSC is appointed, Ali pointed out “… we’ll then be able to move to the full complement of the Judicial Service Commission… As soon as that is done, the Judicial Service Commission will come in effect and then we move towards the different matters that the Judicial Service Commission has to

look at.”

Another key issue within the Judiciary is the appointment of a substantive Chancellor and a substantive Chief Justice.

While noting that his Government takes this issue seriously, President Ali contended, however, that the country is not without a Chancellor or Chief Justice.

“We have an acting Chancellor and an acting Chief Justice,” he declared.

Justices Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Roxane George, SC, have been acting as the Chancellor and Chief Justice, respectively, for several years now.

The procedure for the appointment of the Chancellor and Chief Justice is outlined in Article 127 (1) of the Constitution, which states: “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.”

It has been over 21 and 17 years, respectively, since Guyana has had a confirmed Chief Justice and Chancellor. The last confirmed Chief Justice was Desiree Bernard, who served from 1996 to 2001; she also served as Chancellor from 2001 to 2005.

When it comes to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Article 198 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana states that the members must be comprised of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, who will be appointed as Chairman, the Chief Justice, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and any other members appointed to the Commission.

There has been no JSC since 2017. The last Commission was appointed by former President Donald Ramotar in September 2014. The tenure of each appointed member is for three years, therefore, the tenure of the last commission expired in

September 2017.

Among other things, the function of the JSC is to advise the President on the appointment of Judges, with the exception of the Chancellor and the Chief Justice.

The JSC’s powers include the power to make appointments, to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in the following offices – Commissioner of Title, Magistrate, Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar of the High Court, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Registrar of Deeds and Deputy Registrar of

What unjustified attack?

Dear Editor,

It is regrettable that Chris Ram took great (unnecessary) offence to my letter, which sought to engage him in a public debate - or further clarification and explanation from him - in relation to his public utterances on the foreign exchange matter. It would appear that he has instead opted to have a third party respond on his behalf. Unfortunately, the contents of the referenced letter suffer from truth-deficiency.

In my letter, I sought to further develop my position with some analysis, which Ram has failed to do. I therefore take this opportunity to invite him once again to shed some light

and explain further how is it that ExxonMobil is the contributor to the forex issue in Guyana.

I will also add a few more questions:

* What is the total net foreign assets in the banking sector?

* What is the net foreign sector asset of the central bank?

* What measures should the Government put in place to avoid the impact of the Dutch disease, which is a real risk?

* Does he agree with my argument where I said that what he is proposing is essentially capital controls, which is not suitable in a market economy context?

* If Exxon were to have

all of their forex in respect of Guyana’s operation in a local bank account(s), would this not essentially flood the market, which in turn would lead to a substantial appreciation in the exchange rate (Dutch disease)?

* Is he suggesting that the mechanism the Government has put in place to measure the daily aggregate demand in the sector would not remedy the issue?

* Does he not agree that the issue is partially due to the deficiencies in the market in terms of how the players operate?

* Does he not agree as well that the domestic financial market is inefficient and unsophisticated (traditionally), which needs to devel-

Deeds and to such offices connected with the courts or for appointment to which legal qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament.

Only in January, senior officials within the Judiciary lamented the shortage of Judges and reiterated calls for the establishment of the JSC.

At the time, there were 11 High Court Judges – one of whom has since retired – and only three Judges in the Court of Appeal.

Justice George had pointed out that the Judiciary is doing the best it can, given the extremely heavy caseload, in particular, among other challenges.

“I do acknowledge that decisions should be given in a timely manner and we are committed to striving to do so… We can and must do better. Of course, we can; of course, we must,” she contended.

The Chief Justice (ag) pointed out that as it is, a civil Judge oversees a constant docket of about 200 to 400 cases at any one time throughout the year, managing cases for all three counties. The Judges who are assigned to the criminal jurisdiction, she added, are also assigned some civil matters to assist with the case load.

Justice George further noted that the two

Commissioners of Title carry a case load in the thousands for all three counties, while the criminal case load in both the High Court and the Magistrates’ Courts is extremely high.

In addition, all Judges of the High Court also sit at an appellate level to hear Full Court appeals –many of which are filed annually, she stated.

Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by the acting Chancellor, who underscored the need for more Judges to assist in carrying out the mandate of the Judiciary.

She outlined that the complement of Judges has been depleted with the retirements of High Court Judges – Justice Franklin Holder and Justice Brassington Reynolds – in the latter half of 2022.

“Courts exist to do justice and we cannot do justice with machines alone. We need the people and we can only do what we’re required to do if we have the necessary resources… We do not need the rhetoric… We need the Judges. We’ve been hearing, time again, about the JSC soon to be established, we would like to see the implementation and the establishment of the Judicial Service Commission,” Justice Cummings-Edwards had stated.

op at the same pace at which the broader economy is developing? This phenomenon partly explains the market deficiencies and imbalances that are contributory factors to the forex issue, which is largely unrelated to any real shortage of forex in the financial system.

More importantly to note, Chris Ram was part of the Private Sector delegation that met with the Bankers Association and the Central Bank on the forex matter. How is it that his position is in stark contrast with the position of the Private Sector Commission and Bankers Association?

Yours sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin

President Dr Irfaan Ali

NGSA Math Questions

Small joinder parties pull out of upcoming LGE –

TNM’s Dr Asha Kissoon to take up MP post

As the date nears for the hosting of Local Government Elections, some small parties will not be contesting the polls. This has been confirmed by two parties on the Joinder List – The New Movement (TNM) and A New and United Guyana (ANUG) on Friday.

At a press conference, Leader of the TNM, Dr Asha Kissoon engaged the media as she replaces Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman as a Member of Parliament (MP). There, she announced that her party will focus on other priority areas.

“TNM is not contesting Local Government Elections. Our resources right now and the timing are not ideal for us. Right now, we will be focusing on our seat and how we will use it to instigate some policies to help our following,” Dr Kissoon contended.

In addition, the new Chairman of ANUG, Dr Mark France shared the same position, adding that his party would be unable to contest the upcoming local polls but encouraged independent candidates to submit their symbols.

“The Executive would have had discussions on the topic of Local Government Elections since last November when we had our internal elections and it was the decision of the Executive then in consultation with the members that at this sitting, we’re unable to take part in Local Government Elections as a party…We’re willing to support any independent candidate who is taking part.”

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall had set Monday, June 12, 2023, as the date for the holding of the much-anticipated and long overdue

Local Government Elections (LGE) in Guyana.

Section 48 (1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, provides that all political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who are desirous of contesting LGE are required to submit a symbol for approval by GECOM no later than the 21st day before Nomination Day.

Parties on the Joinder List: A New and United Movement (ANUG), The New Movement (TNM) and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) had agreed that the one seat gained would be shared by the three parties directly proportional to the votes gained. This means the TNM will have at least three months in Parliament.

While Lennox Shuman also served as the House’s Deputy Speaker, it has to be voted on to determine if Kissoon will also take up this role. However, she ex-

Presidential Outreach services...

FROM PAGE 3

fast-track the building of new schools.

“We’re trying to create infrastructure in the school system that encourages learning. One of the things we’re doing, because the student population is growing rapidly, is we’re expanding schools and looking at new ways to fast-tracking the building of new schools also,” the Guyanese Leader disclosed.

pressed her willingness to serve in that capacity.

“I’m not eyeing it per se. It has to be voted on. We have no idea how that would go but I do believe that any capacity that I am able to represent my constituency or my following, I will be willing to take that.”

Along with supporting policies that will en-

hance the lives of vulnerable groups, Kissoon is also seeking progress in achieving constitutional reform.

“I will be working on constitutional reform to have us as an independent opposition. I feel that’s important. Once we are able to establish that for ourselves, we can move forward when it comes to motions and policies…I am hoping to institute some change or constitutional reform that gives us that voice, and representation in GECOM and allow us to function as independent opposition.”

The three joinder parties collectively won a single seat in the 65-seat National Assembly following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. The number of votes indicated that of the trio, LJP secured the most votes with 2657, while ANUG and TNM secured 2313 and 244 respectively.

The duration of the terms, according to the join-

der agreement, had stipulated that LJP in the form of Shuman would occupy the seat for two years, six months, and 20 days, while ANUG would serve for two years five months, and TNM for 80 days. The three parties had previously committed to acting as a broker between the Government and the main Opposition. (G12)

Young people aiming to own their own homes were notable from the ‘high energy environment’, the President underscored.

The infrastructure push is creating new challenges, which he said his govern-

ment is building for. It was announced that an internationally branded plantain chip factory will be constructed in the region.

Small ‘irritants’ in the school system were also addressed as well as plans to

Apart from the investments in new highways and the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, Ali reminded citizens from the region that when the gas-to-shore project is completed, they will benefit from 50 percent reduced electricity costs.

Community Development

A total of 14 tractors were handed over as part of a commitment to support the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Three.

In just a few years, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh posited that the region will be unrecognizable as a modern one, with the investments made in infrastructure and community development.

“It would be the unavoidable conclusion that Region

Three, in just a couple of years, will be unrecognizable as a modern region and a major center of economic activity. At the same time, His Excellency recognizes that their little irritants that need to be fixed like community roads, drainage, and other local problems. He has committed to assuring that the local authorities have the capacity to discharge their responsibilities efficiently,” Dr Singh expressed.

The President added that the expansion of employ-

ment, housing and infrastructure has created thousands of opportunities for residents.

In relation to housing, persons with long-standing applications were being allocated while others with outstanding matters found redress to their issues. More than 100 land allocations were slated to be done in the Stewartville Housing Scheme, along with the distribution of Cement and Steel vouchers for qualified persons. (G-12)

ANUG Chairman, Dr Mark France

Persons being tended to at the various public sector agencies

The tractors handed over to the region to support community works

TNM Leader, Dr Asha Kissoon

4 arrested during Police operation at Bath Settlement

Four persons were on Friday arrested during a Police operation at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, in the Fort Wellington Police District.

During the operation, several houses were searched, and the four persons were arrested for various offences.

Police have said that Elijah Gravesande, also called “Redo”, 21, was arrested for possession of a narcotic substance; while

Justice...

…for all

The cannabis that was found during the operation

Ryan Williams, 29, was arrested for break-and-enter. Emmanuel Gravesande, also called “Chukum”, 19, was arrested for simple lar-

ceny; and Joshua Garret, 23, was arrested for simple larceny. Investigations are ongoing.

Construction worker nabbed with over 10kg ganja

A39-year-old construction worker was on Thursday arrested following the discovery of over 10 kilograms of ganja during a stop-and-search exercise conducted along the Fellowship Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

Based on reports received, Police ranks intercepted motorcar HC 7522, at the time being driven by a 47-year-old resident of Lighttown Village, East Bank Berbice, and having four passengers within. A search of the vehicle unearthed several black suitcases belonging to the construction worker, of New

Street Cumberland, East Canje Berbice. Inspection of the suitcases revealed 10 parcels containing cannabis.

The construction worker was told of the offence committed, and was arrested and cautioned, during which he admitted ownership of the cannabis, and insisted that “Red Man” of Canje, Berbice gave him the suitcase to take to another person at Ann’s Grove, ECD.

He was taken to the Mahaicony Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 10,512 grams. He is expected to be charged in the new week.

Well, the writing was always on the wall – and it sure wasn’t graffiti!! It was the unfolding of a system of the rule of law taking its inevitable course, based on its internal logic and imperative for delivering justice. That Donald Trump – the 45th President of the USA, still the most powerful country on earth – was indicted on criminal charges is another shot heard around the world. He was the first-ever former US Commander-inChief to have this done to him. The first shot, of course, was when Americans rose up against the British colonisers and created the first independent republic in the world!! That set off a chain reaction that launched the French Republic in 1789 and the Haitian Republic in 1804. And us in 1970!!

This shot should remind all and sundry that leadersand wannabe leaders like in Guyana!! - gotta be held to the same standards as ordinary folks. It’s the only way to preemptively ward off dictators and dictatorships.

Donald Trump always insisted - by words and deedsthat he was above the norms of society, much less the law. Can you imagine a President boasting he grabbed the privates of females at will – expecting that the shock of the degradation would prevent them from outing him!??! This particular charge came out of a Manhattan grand jury investigating hush money payments to two women – one porn star, “Stormy Daniels” - who claimed to have had sex with him.

The payments became public after he was elected in 2016, and more details were revealed in sworn testimony as Trump served in the White House. His own lawyer, Michael Cohen – who’d been jailed on another matter involving Trump – is one of those who’ll testify against him on the hush payments that perverted the course of justice. The case is being pursued by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, whom Trump insists is “racist”!! Right now, folks in the US are agog at what happens next.

Will Trump be arrested, and have his head pushed as he’s inserted into the back seat of a Police car?? When he gets his mug shot and fingerprints taken? Will they allow him to fix his tousled hair? Will he have to take a “perp walk” in front of the cameras and gaggle of reporters?? We know he’ll be read his Miranda Rights – that he “has the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and what he says can be used against him in a court of law”. Or would he turn himself in and voluntarily self-surrender??

Whatever it is, it’s gonna be a circus!! But then Trump always liked circuses – especially when it increases support for his 2024 Presidential run!!

…in land distribution

For a country of 83,000 square miles – less the area of our half of Ankoko – with a mere three-quarter million citizens, we sure have a lotta squabbles over land!! There are the protests and marches by the Opposition over the removal of squatters – which THEY also did when in office!! Then one particular truculent bully suddenly claims that land - on which folks have been living for generations - is actually owned by him, cause his great-great-great-greatgreat grandfather bought it!! Never mind he doesn’t have any transport, like other folks who bought land after slavery, but it’s his, and by golly, he’ll kick off anyone who claims otherwise.

Now, when Burnham was sharpening his “sharper steel”, he gave out hundreds of thousands of acres in MMA and elsewhere to his supporters. The trouble was…very few of them could be bothered to cultivate the acreage –whether individually or as co-ops. So now they’re subletting the land – against the terms of the lease – see how they’ll be bawling “racism” when Govt acts!!

…for slaves’ descendants

That standard-bearer of liberalism – the Guardian newspaper – revealed that research has shown its founders were – gasp!! – slave owners!! So, they’ll be offering £10 million to Gullas and Jamaicans who are descendants of those slaves.

That’s it??

The ganja that was found in the suitcases

Arrested for possession of cannabis, Elijah Gravesande

Cybersecurity Hefty fines, jail time as Govt irons out privacy laws

As the Guyana Government moves to shift to a paperless economy, efforts are currently underway to develop privacy laws that enhance the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference on Thursday. He said a lot of work has to be done to build a national Cybersecurity Master Plan. That master plan, according to Jagdeo, will have several components including the development of specific sectors that will bring a big impact.

In fact, works are already underway at the Ministry of Home Affairs to automate the services there. An assessment was recently completed at all the agencies under the Ministry with the aim of simplifying and automating their processes.

Another major initiative under this programme is the electronic identification card (e-ID card) project that the Government is pursuing. This will see the biometric data of each citizen being compiled into an e-ID card that will be used for a host of transactions and services.

“We just [signed] the contract to do the ID card with full biometrics that would allow us to develop a whole range of functions and applications from deepening financial reforms to getting better Government services, e-governance based on the database that we will create here,” the Vice President stated.

The US$35.4 million con-

tract with German-based company, Veridos Identity Solutions, was inked last month. In addition to increasing the ease of doing business, the e-ID card will also allow the Government to monitor migrants in Guyana. It will also have internationally-recognised features that will be accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for international travel.

This will tie into the Government’s plans to make Guyana’s airports paperless, using the biometrics from the e-ID card for citizens as well as efforts to boost local security by expanding the Safe City initiative countrywide.

“…The biometrics from the ID programme will feed into the security cameras that are being put across the country. We have a Safe City programme, now we’re doing, a safe country programme. So, you’re gonna have cameras across the country with facial recognition,” he explained.

In light of these initiatives, VP Jagdeo underscored the need for separate legislation to govern the use of the e-ID cards and this includes the relevant privacy laws being in place to protect citizens’ personal data.

“So, we have to do a number of things. We have to go to the Parliament with laws on privacy – they’re being drafted now – that will be giving effect so that the data will be protected and any disclosure of private data, there’d be serious penalties.”

“If you unauthorisedly use the data… you’ll face a hefty fine and a jail term. You can’t be utilising the private data [of others] for that purpose,” the Vice President noted.

Similarly, the privacy of citizens’ medical information will be a top priority as the Government seeks to implement its “one-chart” initiative. This programme will consolidate persons’ medical history onto a shared database that can be accessed by authorised medical institutions – both private and public.

“They will just type in your name or your code and then all your records will come up. So, you can go abroad, you can go here and you will have your whole medical history there and it helps us to do a lot more paperless work. You don’t want anyone to disclose that

information because it’s people’s private information.”

“Many countries have privacy laws. So, we’re working now on those being in place even before we even complete the survey and start issuing the e-ID cards or we start using in a major way, the biometrics, for security purposes and stuff that like,” Jagdeo stressed.

He further outlined that these electronic ID cards will be separate from the ID cards that are being used/issued by the Guyana Elections Commission since the Government does not want to be accused of taking over GECOM’s functions.

“So, we’re mapping all of the processes across Government where people –the public – interfaces with the Government to automate them. So, a lot of work is being done on the Cyber Master Plan to take our

country into a new era but along with all of this, cybersecurity will become more important… If Government operates entirely online, we have to build a cybersecurity capability so that we can protect this cyberinfrastructure that we have. So, it’s a lot of work at the policy level to get that done in Government,” VP Jagdeo stated.

Only earlier this week, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, defended the Government’s decision to sole-source the contract for the provision of the electronic ID card, citing security concerns.

“These are not contracts that can go into open tendering. They involve matters of

social security; they involve national documents that require protective mechanisms that you can’t go on the open market to compete for… That is how it is done all over the world. [Have] You ever seen a Government advertise publicly to buy passports? …We have complied with the Procurement Act in respect of these types of services,” the Attorney General argued.

At last month’s contract signing, President Dr Irfaan Ali had emphasised the e-ID cards will be one of the most technologically advanced and will deliver Government services through the introduction of e-health, e-education, e-security, e-agriculture, and licence processing among other initiatives. (G-8)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

GNBS acquires $18M laser scanner to verify storage tanks

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) as the National Measurement Institute (NMI) has acquired an $18 million Leica BLK360 Imaging Laser Scanner to commence using laser technology to verify storage tanks.

These tanks used to store liquids, compressed gases, or other mediums, are among twelve measuring instruments verified by the

GNBS to ensure accuracy in trade and consumer protection.

Head of the Legal Metrology Department, Shailendra Rai explained that Inspectors previously utilised the physical dimensions of the tank using calibrated measuring tapes and the thickness, to determine the volume. However, the new system will save time and deliver more accurate results “using laser because the equipment is designed with laser technology that does the scanning of the tank. This is also a safer method since inspectors would no longer have to climb on the top of the tanks to take measurements”.

Rai along with Inspectors of the Legal Metrology Department were trained during the period of March 28 to 31, 2023,

to use the equipment, by HDS Technical Support and Training Specialist of Leica Geosystem, Reality Capture Group, Mathew Mizell. Mizell noted that the equipment will increase the integrity of the data provided by the Bureau to clients.

Using a rotating laser, the system collects 360,000 data points per second which are used in collaboration with a panoramic image of the tank to develop a 3D model, exposing not only volume but weak spots, sediments, and deformation of the tank.

“The 3D model is used to calculate extremely accurate volumes and we can then tap into other data like thickness, flanges and so forth,” the expert added.

Verification of storage tanks provides a clear insight into the precise capacity and volume of the tanks and helps companies to monitor stock levels, prevent accidental leaks, and avoid costly decontamination through regular inspections.

In accordance with the Weights and Measures Act 1981, the GNBS provides verification of other measuring instruments including scales, masses and measures, bulk meters, electricity meters, speed guns, breathalysers and others.

Over the past twenty-eight years, the Bureau has consistently increased its verification services and will continue to do so this year, to guarantee accuracy and transparency in local trade and ensure safety and health.

Leica Geosystems Work Flow Analyst Matthew Mizell conducting readings with a GNBS Inspector

GNBS Legal Metrology Department Head, Shailendra Rai

WPA’s Ogunseye surrenders after Police Wanted Bulletin

nity and the dignity of working people of all races, while defending his statement made at the Buxton roadside meeting.

On March 9, Ogunseye made several damning remarks on the Buxton Public Road, East Coast Demerara, while he was addressing a public meeting held by his party. Among other racial and divisive remarks he made at the meeting, the WPA member declared that “the first objective is to get the African team in a state of battle readiness… the Afro-Guyanese Police and soldiers… would stand with Afro-Guyanese in resisting mainly Indo-Guyanese supporting the PPP/C.”

Working People’s Alliance

(WPA) executive member Tacuma Ogunseye surrendered on Friday at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Georgetown.

The Police on Thursday had issued a wanted bulletin for his arrest. That bulletin had stated that the 71-yearold man was wanted for several serious offences, including attempting to excite racial hostility or ill-will.

Accompanied by his lawyers Nigel Hughes and Darren Wade, Ogunseye walked into the CID compound just after 10:00h. The senior WPA executive

did not have much support, except for a few members of his party. About half an hour later, he was shackled by Police ranks and escorted to the Police Force ‘A’ Divisional Headquarters, located at the Brickdam Police Station.

Speaking with reporters, Hughes disclosed that he advised his client to invoke his constitutional right to remain silent, and noted that offences contrary to the Racial Hostility Act are bailable. He said it did not appear that Ogunseye would remain in custody for 72 hours before charges are brought against him.

Meanwhile, the suspect told reporters that his par-

ty is defending the dignity of Guyana and the legacy of Walter Rodney, and regardless of what is thrown at them, they will fight back.

He also accused the Government of disrespecting the assassinated WPA CoLeader Dr Walter Rodney, who was assassinated on June 13, 1980, by setting Local Government Election for June 12.

“They also eyes passed Walter Rodney. They chose the 12th to hold their fraudulent Local Government Elections and to celebrate their victory on June 13, which for us in the WPA is an abomination,” he declared.

He added that this struggle is one for the African dig-

On Wednesday, Ogunseye had proclaimed that should he be charged with exciting racial hostility, he would “plead guilty with explanation”. Although the wanted bulletin stated that he was wanted for several serious offences, it did not detail the nature of those offences.

The statements made at the political party meeting have faced widespread condemnation from a wide cross-section of civil society and Government, including some Opposition

members, such as Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Ganesh Mahipaul, Daniel Seeram, and Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine; as well as Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and other members of the PPP/C.

Although Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton had questioned Ogunseye’s choice of words, he had also defended the politician’s right to free speech.

During a virtual press conference earlier this week, Ogunseye, with the support of the WPA members, said there is “nothing to apologise for or retreat from”, while noting that he is ready to defend any charges

brought against him by the Police.

“We are prepared to use civil disobedience as an effective political weapon… When we look at the lineup of charges they have been uttering, treason seems to be the most severe of the threats,” Ogunseye said. “WPA will publicly resolve that once they come with treason charges, we will not treat it as a legal matter. We will see it as a political matter, and I would go to court and plead guilty with explanation. That is our attitude to the charges,” he said.

TURN TO PAGE 16

– will remain in custody for 72 hours

WPA’s Tacuma Ogunseye

Veteran WPA member Tacuma Ogunseye was placed in the tray of an unmarked Police vehicle and escorted to the Brickdam Police Station

1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Essequibo man gets life sentence for killing vendor during home invasion

By Feona Morrison

Declaring that members of society must be free to go about their business and to be in their homes without the fear of being robbed or killed, Justice Sandil Kissoon on Friday sentenced a felon to life imprisonment for killing another man during a violent home invasion.

He was at the time presiding in the case of The State vs Norlando Brown. Twenty-nine-year-old Brown, formerly of Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast, was indicted for the capital offence of murder before Justice Kissoon at the High Court in Essequibo. The indictment read that Brown murdered Shawn Munilall, 48, on January 10, 2020 during the course/ furtherance of a robbery.

Brown, however, opted to plead guilty midway through his trial, when the prosecution had already called some

12 witnesses.

The dead man’s daughter, Vidya Munilall, in her impact statement, expressed that there are no words to describe how her father’s

witness box fighting to hold back tears.

The young woman described her father as her hero and a wonderful man, adding that he was the greatest person to her, although he was not perfect. She shared that her late father believed in helping others, was hardworking, and had a smile that would light up the entire room.

She added, “I’m a broken person who has lost every sense of normality. Norlando Brown stole not only the life of my father, but the normality and stability and ability to sleep of an entire family. At the time of my father’s death, I watched him take his last breath, and I couldn't do anything to save him. I now have to face the world without the love and care of my father.”

ther back.

While delivering a plea in mitigation on Brown’s behalf, Attorney-at-Law Damien DaSilva said that prior to killing Munilall, his client had an unblemished criminal record.

Highlighting the contents of Brown’s probation report, DaSilva submitted that his client’s family members as well as persons in his neighbourhood have described him as quiet and hardworking.

death has impacted her and the rest of her family. “It has turned my life upside down”, she said as she stood in the

According to her, her dad was not there to witness her graduation from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), neither would he

be there to see her graduate from the University of Guyana (UG), and to witness her marry and have his grandchildren.

While she urged the court to impose a “strict sentence” on Brown, whom she called a “ruthless monster”, she pointed out that a life sentence would not bring her fa-

“Essentially, he grew up in the church. Because of his previous background, he has the capacity of being reformed,” counsel added as he urged the Judge to consider the principles of sentencing.

“The sentence imposed ought to reflect an emphasis on rehabilitation,” he pleaded.

According to him, Brown’s prison report details that his demeanour has been satisfactory, and this shows that he can be rehabilitated into society to make a meaningful contribution.

When asked by the presiding Judge if he had anything to say before sentence was passed, the convict, who appeared in court virtually, stood and begged the dead man’s family for forgiveness.

“I would like to say to the family of Shawn Munilall that I am so sorry for their loss. And I also want them to know that I wasn’t the one who shoot their loved one. I am begging for their forgiveness; I am begging the court also for forgiveness. I am not a person to get involved in criminal activities,” he stated before going on to claim that his involvement in the crime was a result of him being “tricked” by his friends.

In delivering his sentencing remarks, Justice Kissoon was keen to note that the vendor was brutally murdered — shot down and riddled with bullets by Brown and his accomplices.

Based on the evidence, he pointed out, the robbery was premeditated and meticulously carried out. Adding that Munilall was killed in the presence of his family members at his home, where he should have been the safest, the Judge alluded to the prevalence of killings during armed robberies, and noted that it remains of grave concern to the court and citizens alike.

As such, he asserted that the court would not turn a blind eye to this occurrence, and stated that members of society must be free to go about their business and to be in their homes without fear of being robbed or killed.

“This offence remains of utmost concern, as community after community with-

in our nation is confronted with violent, brutal murders in an unparalleled and unprecedented wave of robberies with violence, resulting in killings creating a greater alarm (that) requires urgent condign sentences to bring an end to such violent criminal conduct.”

Considering the factual circumstances of the case, the plea in mitigation on Brown’s behalf, and the serious nature of the offence, he underscored that an appropriate punishment for this heinous act is life imprisonment, and not a definitive term of years. The Judge also made it clear that there were no extenuating circumstances.

In sentencing the killer, he referred to Section 100 (1) (c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, which stipulates a sentence of death or life in prison for any murder committed during the course of a robbery. The Act also mandates that where a life sentence is passed, the court shall specify a period, being not less than 20 years, which the felon must serve before qualifying for parole.

This convict must serve a minimum of 30 years before he is considered eligible for parole. From this tariff, the prison was ordered to deduct the time Brown spent on remand awaiting trial. He was initially charged with the crime on January 28, 2020, and was remanded to prison.

Justice Kissoon further ordered that, during his incarceration, Brown must attend vocational and other educational programmes to aid in his rehabilitation.

The State was represented by Attorney-at-Law Taneisha Saygon, while Brown was represented by defence attorney Damien DaSilva.

Background

Munilall, also called “Chunnilall” and “Paperman,” was killed during the course or furtherance of a robbery at his Parcel 61 Queenstown, Essequibo Coast home.

– victim’s daughter calls killer a “ruthless monster”

Convicted killer Norlando Brown

Murdered: Shawn Munilall

Justice Sandil Kissoon

Scenes from Region 3 Presidential Outreach

Miss World Guyana to speak at World Literacy Summit in UK

Reigning Miss World Guyana, Andrea King, was selected as a speaker for this year’s 2023 World Literacy Summit at Oxford University in Oxford, UK, from April 2-4. The World Literacy Summit brings together leaders from 85 countries representing over two-thirds of the world’s population, all with a single focus – advocating, championing, and educating on the vital importance of improving literacy levels across the globe.

King, who is the holder

of a Business Management Administration degree and is an avid public speaker, will be presenting her Beauty With A Purpose Project, Project Flo (FLO which is an acronym for Financial Literacy Orientation). She recently founded the NGO, Project Flo, which aims to bridge the financial education gap in Guyana under the slogan “Learning Money Before Earning Money”. More about Guyana’s 2023 Beauty with a Purpose project can be found on www.projectflo.gy

According to the World Literacy Summit website, “the Summit is an initiative of the World Literacy Foundation, a global non-profit organisation that works to ensure every young individual, regardless of geographic location, can acquire literacy and reading skills to reach their full potential, succeed at school and beyond. It is the world’s largest gathering of international literacy specialists, researchers, educators, publishers, Government representatives, and more.”

Essequibo man gets life...

Reports are that the man was in front of his yard, having a barbeque with his family when three men – one armed with a handgun and another with a cutlass –scaled the fence to gain entry to his residence.

The armed men attacked Munilall’s wife Rita, who was at the front door of the house. Upon seeing this, Munilall confronted the perpetrators, but the gunman opened fire on him, shooting him four times about his

body. The trio then made good their escape, while the injured man was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Initially, Brown, Delhoya McKenzie, Carlton Carter, Carl Michael Carter, and John Li were charged with murdering Munilall; but, shortly after, the State withdrew the charge against the quintet and instituted a new charge against Brown, his

wife Pamela Joseph, and Li.

On April 13, 2021, Magistrate Esther Sam ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against Brown only, and as such, she committed him to stand trial for the capital offence.

As it relates to Joseph and Li, the case against them was thrown out after the Magistrate found that there was insufficient evidence against them to warrant a committal.

Andrea leaves for the United Kingdom on March 30th and will be presenting her project on April 4th before returning to Guyana on April 10. During her stay, Andrea will meet with Yvette Philbert, Director of Protocol, Training & Regulation, where she will continue her training and preparation for the Miss World competition.

The final date for the Miss World 2023 competition is yet to be announced. Andrea will also make a few media appearances and engage with members of the diaspora, none of which would be possible without the ongoing support and endorsement from the Government of Guyana.

The Miss World Guyana Organisation focuses on

raising funds for worthy causes and mirroring the role and spirit of Miss World at a national level, with an

aim to create and empower role models who will serve as regional ambassadors, enrich the perception of beauty, and enhance a new strength, energy, and spirit for the advancement of women, whilst positively impacting their communities.

Miss World Guyana is not only one of the most holistic and aspiring jobs for any young woman but also one of the most prestigious titles to achieve as an accomplishment. The winner of Miss World Guyana represents Guyana with over 130 other countries at the annual Miss World finals.

Miss World Guyana entrants and finalists support worthy causes and projects through donations and fundraising activities.

Miss World Guyana, Andrea King

GOAL programmes aiding in development of education system in Guyana

Assessments (SBAs) within the three main subjects in his field.

“The programme was very…beneficial to me as an educator, and being a science educator. I was able to integrate the skills that I would have learned from

the programme to execute School-Based Assessments within Chemistry, Physics, and Biology with the use of stimulations and I found this to be very beneficial,” he remarked.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, during

the graduation ceremony of the 2022 class of students of the Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE) on Wednesday, revealed that over 580 students had graduated this year under the GROW programme offered by the GOAL.

She also revealed that of those 580+ students, 88 per cent of them have joined overseas universities for the first time, as she encouraged the graduates to take advantage of the opportunities the Government has to offer.

Fmr Home Affairs Minister Justice Stanley Moore passes

and Swaziland.

The programmes offered by the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) are playing a huge part in bolstering the capabilities of the education system in Guyana, as more teachers complete these courses to advance their skills in the classrooms.

Some educators, who have completed certificate and post-graduate diploma programmes shared with the media how their newly acquired knowledge has helped them to deliver education more efficiently.

Andy Cameron who obtained his certificate in Teaching of Reading shared that he can now assist and better prepare his Sixth Grade students to read more efficiently and recognise words in their assessment papers.

“When I was introduced to the course…I said to myself that this will cause to impact, especially on the boys at my school. Recognising that there is a struggle in reading for the boys. This course that I would’ve gone through, I could’ve taken and built them from recognising letters to recognising the sound of the letter, blending the letters…

putting them together, and bringing out the word. And so, these boys would have changed and now they are reading the questions from the Grade Six assessment papers,” Cameron highlighted.

Additionally, Ms Marsha Parris, who successfully completed her Post-Graduate Diploma in Literacy Instruction shared that she will now be using her advanced knowledge to teach literacy more efficiently and better the lives of her students.

According to Parris, “Literacy is a passion for me. It hurts me when children… go through the system not knowing how to read. What I have learned…is benefiting the students that I teach every day, because I am able to use the techniques, the methods that they have taught me to put into practice.”

Meanwhile, another beneficiary of the programme, Sir Ganda Soodoo, who obtained his Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning with Emerging Technologies, highlighted that as an educator in the field of science, this course will enable him to efficiently execute School-Based

Senior Counsel Stanley Alfred Moore, who celebrated his fifty-second year in the legal profession last year, passed away at his Kitty, Georgetown home on Friday. He was 87 years old.

Moore was born on July 1, 1935 to Olive Isabella Walcott-Moore and Llewellyn Cornett Moore.

This legal luminary was called to the Bar on July 26, 1970. He was awarded a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from the University of London, and was admitted to Guyana’s Inner Bar as a Senior Counsel in 2020.

At the time of his passing, he was a partner at the well-known law firm of McKay and Moore of Lot 1 Croal Street, Georgetown, and had practised criminal and civil law.

Moore has left an indelible mark on the jurisprudence of Guyana, Grenada, Montserrat, The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Botswana,

Moore, who was appointed an acting High Court Judge in 1979, served as Guyana’s Home Affairs Minister under the Linden Forbes Burnham Administration, and as a Member of Parliament from 1981 to 1982.

At home, he also served as an acting magistrate. He also served as Attorney General in Montserrat and as a Judge in several Caribbean states.

Following his retirement, he was appointed a Judge in Botswana and Swaziland, before returning home in 2016 to continue his private practice.

Moore has achieved many notable successes in his career, and despite his age, he still attended court to remain active.

He is the father of Senior Magistrate Alex Moore. This distinguished jurist leaves to mourn his wife Cheryl Moore, an airline pilot, and his children, relatives, colleagues and friends.

Guyanese can soon report crimes on public transport with new app

Anew app currently in its final stages of development is set to change the way crimes are reported on public transport in Guyana. The app will allow passengers to record misdemeanours and incidents on public transportation, giving the Police Force an immediate response to deal with these issues.

Home Affairs Minister

Robeson Benn made the announcement at the Guyana National Road Safety Stakeholders Forum 2023 on Friday where he emphasised the importance of the app in improving public safety and reducing crime on public transport.

“We have to get people to say if you are speeding, please put me off or make a report… this will allow persons to record a matter that is ongoing and send it to a centre for actions to be taken either immediately or later on,” he said.

This will enable the Police to respond quickly and effectively to any issues that arise, ensuring the safety and security of all passengers. The app will also allow passengers to record incidents using their phone’s camera and microphone and provide a brief description of the situation.

“…this will also allow to have follow-ups in respect to these issues. Many people are in buses and situations where they are too afraid to speak out, where they are abused if they say the music

is too loud,” he said.

The Police will be able to monitor incidents in real-time and respond immediately, improving public safety and acting as a deterrent to potential offenders.

While the launch date for the app was not announced, it is expected to make public transport a safer and more secure mode of transport for all commuters in Guyana.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill recently said the culture of minibuses flouting traffic laws while operating on Guyana’s roadways must come to an end.

As such, draft amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, as well as the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill were approved by the Cabinet in March of last year, with a view to toughening up the penalties for drivers who break the laws.

WPA’s Ogunseye surrenders...

“We’re at the street corner, and our understanding of the Guyana street corner politics is: when you go to the street corner, you got to roll up your sleeves. Our language was appropriate for the street corner,” Ogunseye further said. He is adamant that his words were appropriate in the context of “street corner” politics.

Meanwhile, at a recent press conference, Dr Jagdeo called on the Police Force to take action once it determines the law was breached. While he pointed out that

the Police often get intimidated in cases that involve political players, he maintained that the Police have to act impartially.

“If they (politicians) breached the law, then the Police have to act swiftly on these matters that can cause a rift among our people. We have to fight racism with every bit of tool that we have in this country. That’s the only way this country can have a sustainable future,” he declared.

“We have to fight racism. We’ve equipped the Police with the tools: they have the

FROM PAGE 11

Racial Hostility Act; they have a whole range of tools at their disposal. They have to move swiftly, and not be intimidated, and have to prove that they’re acting impartially or partially,” Jagdeo posited.

He went on to say that some politicians deliberately accuse the Police of being partisan so that the Force becomes cautious and would tiptoe around taking condign action against them. This way, he noted, these individuals are allowed to perpetuate their illegalities.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

Senior Counsel Stanley Alfred Moore with his plaque in recognition of his 50 years of admission to the Bar. The award was given to him in 2022 by the Bar Association of Guyana

L-R: Andy Cameron, Marsha Parris and Ganda Soodoo

Former murder accused loses wrongful imprisonment lawsuit against State

there was no evidence disclosed in the depositions which implicated him in the crime. Notwithstanding, they added, the DPP still proceeded with the conduct of the trial against Bailey in light of this admission.

However, the DPP’s Office, in its statement on Friday, noted, “There was not sufficient evidence at the High Court trial because the witness which the prosecution had intended to testify did not testify.

Former Policeman

Colin Bailey - who was freed of his reputed wife’s murder after spending almost six years on remand, and had slapped the State with a $106 million lawsuit for wrongful imprisonment and malicious prosecution - has lost his civil proceedings.

“Former murder accused Colin Bailey today, Friday, March 31, lost his bid to sue the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, for $100M for what he termed unlawful imprisonment and malicious imprisonment,” a statement from the DPP’s Chamber said on Friday.

Bailey’s application, the missive added, was heard and dismissed by Justice Nareshwar Harnanan at the Demerara High Court. Attorney-at-Law Dr Kim Kyte-John represented the DPP. The DPP’s statement did not go into depth about the Judge’s ruling.

In the lawsuit, which was filed in December 2021 by lawyers from the law firm of Hughes, Fields, and Stoby, Bailey, who was incarcerated from February 24, 2016 to October 13, 2021, had averred that he was kept in custody even though the DPP was well aware that there was no evidence linking him to the murder of his reputed wife Sirmattie Ramnaress.

The 58-year-old man had been accused of murdering Ramnaress, 36, between August 30 and 31, 2013 at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

The woman’s lifeless body was found at around 10:00h on August 31, 2013 at her 21st Avenue Diamond, EBD home. Her throat had been slit, her head bashed in, and her hip disjointed. The bottom flat of the house had been drenched with kerosene, and the entire house had been ransacked, which suggested that she had been robbed before being killed.

It was reported that the woman’s killers had escaped in one of her motor cars.

No basis for charge

Apart from seeking ex-

emplary damages for the loss of $8 million in income during his 67 months on remand, Bailey had also asked the court to award him damages totalling $106M for his unlawful arrest and detention for more than five years, and the wrongful preferment of a murder charge against him when there was no basis for doing so.

He had also asked the High Court for a declaration that his arrest and continued incarceration had breached his fundamental right to liberty and a fair trial within a reasonable time, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

After a city magistrate had ruled that a prima facie case was established against him at the close of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on November 22, 2016, Bailey’s lawyers, in the Statement of Claim (SoC), had submitted that their client was committed to stand trial for the capital offence at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.

They contended that the DPP reviewed the depositions from the PI and “wrongfully indicted” Bailey for the offence of murder in the absence of any evidence against him. According to counsel, their client’s case was listed for trial at every sitting of the Assizes from 2016 until 2021. They said they had repeatedly asked the DPP to present the indictment against Bailey during the period of his incarceration, but she failed and/or refused to do so.

According to the lawyers, the DPP finally presented the indictment against their client in early October 2021 before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

The lawyers said that on October 8, 2021, during a Case Management Conference after the presentation of the indictment, Justice Barlow asked the DPP’s representative, a State Counsel, whether there was any evidence disclosed in the depositions which implicated Bailey in the commission of the crime. They said the State Counsel indicated to the Judge that

Formal verdict

On October 13, 2021, the State Counsel had conceded that there was no evidence implicating Bailey in the crime. And accordingly, Justice Barlow had upheld a no-case submission made by his lawyers and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. Justice Barlow had expressed much dissatisfaction at what transpired in this case.

She had told the State Counsel, “I must plead to the prosecutorial arm of the State to examine the material. Examine the committal records, examine all other relevant material carefully, and fulfill the constitutional mandate that dictates that no one should be before the courts unless there is some lawful reason for that person to be there.”

Regarding the aforesaid, the Judge had remarked, “This is not too much to ask”, given that every civilised society must have a system that ensures for its citizens that measure of security. In the absence of evidence, she lamented, a murder indictment should not have been preferred against him.

She added, “There is something fundamentally wrong with a justice system when a citizen can be charged, committed, and indicted when there is no evidence connecting the citizen with the commission of the offence. When that happens, it sends the wrong message to society, and persons believe that the system of trial by one’s peers is broken.

“Persons cast aspersions at the Judiciary because these persons do not know from the inception that the case was doomed to fail.”

Directing her comments at the State Counsel, the Judge had said, “This must not happen again”.

The Judge was at pains to point out that she was in no way trying to blame the prosecutor who presented the matter before her, but was rather requesting the prosecutor to convey the court’s dissatisfaction to her superiors.

The Judge had stated

that presiding over Bailey’s matter was “a waste of judicial time”, since the former Policeman should not have been before the court from the inception, and given what transpired in this case, she would take on the task of getting familiar with depositions before starting trials. She made it clear that she would take “drastic measures” if there is no evidence.

In the end, she had underscored that prosecutors

must be able to stand and present cases that can be properly presented, presided over, and properly deliberated on by a jury if the matter gets to that point.

Another man, Colin Grant, who was jointly charged with Bailey for Ramnaress’s murder, had pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter in October 2021 and was sentenced to 21 years in prison by Justice Barlow.

But he will serve only

eight after deductions for his early guilty plea and the period he spent on remand are made by the Prison Service.

Grant admitted that he and some friends had planned to rob Ramnaress, who was a businesswoman. He had confessed that he acted as the “lookout man” while his accomplices sneaked into the woman’s home and robbed and beat her. (Fiona Morrison)

Body of missing Rose Hall Estate worker found in Canje River

had conducted searches on the homes of some of the crew members for illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, wife of the late Nohar Singh said she had tried to stop her husband from making the trip.

and I tell him that I don’t want fish to eat; we want to see you out here in front of we eyesight. I know how he stay, and I know that he like drink.”

The male body that was retrieved from the Canje river has since been identified as that of 51-year -old Nohar Singh of Betsy Ground, East Canje Berbice, who had reportedly gone missing on Wednesday, March 30.

Details surrounding the disappearance of the man are still unknown. However, Police have detained several persons as they investigate the matter.

According to the man’s wife, Donna Persaud, when he left home on Wednesday, he had said he was going up the river with friends to catch hassar. According to the woman, the men with whom he had left returned on Thursday, stating that Singh had gone missing. Reports are that the man did not respond to calls made for him, and during a mini-search, he was not seen. The crew had then decided to go and report the developments to family members.

Only recently, Police

“I told him that he has his work at the estate, don’t go back to the creek, and he nah hear. I talk to him and take away his bag and his long boots. I fight with he in the house, and he tell me that he still going to the creek because he going and catch some hassar,

According to the 51-yearold woman, on Thursday evening they made a report to the Police that the man had gone missing, and a search party went upriver and discovered the body at about 1:30hrs on Friday in the vicinity of Black Bush Polder. However, it was not until about 11:30h that the body was brought out.

Colin Bailey

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC

Justice Nareshwar Harnanan

Confessed killer Colin Grant

Dead: Sirmattie Ramnaress

Dead: Nohar Singh

Brazil's Lula reschedules China trip, will meet Xi on April 14 in Beijing

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula

da Silva will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 14 in Beijing, his office said on Friday, rescheduling a visit that was postponed last week after he was diagnosed with a mild pneumonia last week.

Lula will leave for China on April 11 and intends to stick to the original agenda, including the signing of some

20 agreements with Brazil's largest trading partner.

The trip's aim is to upgrade relations with China now that Lula is back in office and seek new Chinese investment in the Latin American country. It will come two months after Lula met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, as Brasilia aims for a pragmatic foreign policy balancing ties with its top trading partners despite growing

Colombia raises threat level for deadly Nevado del Ruiz volcano

tensions between the two.

A visit to Shanghai, for the inauguration of former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff as chief executive of the New Development Bank, has not been decided yet, his office said

It will still be a state visit, with meetings with Xi, the Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang, and an event at the National People's Assembly, Lula's presidential office said. (Reuters)

Authorities in Colombia have warned of an increase in seismic activity around the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, a peak responsible for triggering the country’s largest recorded natural disaster, killing 25,000 people in 1985.

On Friday, President Gustavo Petro said the threat of an eruption had increased, amplifying a message the Colombian Geologic Service issued a day earlier.

Jamaica must move closer to energy independence – Senator Samuda

It is critical for Jamaica to move closer to energy independence, says Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda.

“It is the only way you are going to build that pillar that eventually your economy can be built on,” Samuda emphasised.

The Minister was speaking at the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica’s Policy and Regulatory Masterclass – The Climate Approach, held at the Spanish Court Hotel in New

Kingston, on March 30.

Senator Samuda noted that the Government has submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which outlines the country’s strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it calls for a particular transparency and calls for governments to submit these contributions in line with how

they will help the global targets. Those targets are that we will cut 40 per cent of emissions by 2030, and one of the ways we would do that is by ensuring that we get to 50 per cent renewables in that period as well,” he said.

The Minister also pointed to the possible use of renewable energy in largescale projects.

He added that Jamaica also has the prospects for hydroelectricity and significant increases in wind generation and solar energy.

For her part, High

Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic, welcomed the Government’s intention to facilitate the addition of 200 megawatts of electricity generation from renewable sources to the national energy mix, by local and international investors.

“Canada welcomes this announcement, and I hope we will all capitalise on this opportunity to connect and exchange in ways that will redound to the benefit of both Canada and Jamaica,” she said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Puerto Rico solar switch a life and death matter – US energy chief

For

US

Energy

Secretary Jennifer Graholm, the transformation of Puerto Rico's power grid to solar and other renewable power, after hurricanes wiped it out in 2017 and 2022, is an imperative that goes beyond addressing climate change.

When the lights go out in the US territory, rooftop solar panels backed up with battery storage can provide power to keep medicines like insulin refrigerated, ventilators running and phones charged, potentially saving lives during hurricanes.

"This a question of life and death in real terms, in real time," Graholm, President Joe Biden's point person on fixing the island's grid, told Reuters on Tuesday in Orocovis, a remote town nestled in the

central mountain range. "This isn't just a question of nicety (or) climate."

The week-long trip was her fourth visit since October to the island of about 3.2 million US citizens, with more trips expected. Puerto Rico has not typically been a large focus of US energy chiefs.

Between 3000 and 4600 people died after 2017's Hurricane Maria, studies say. Among the worst hit communities were ones with elderly and low-income people. In some mountain towns, the power was out for 11 months.

In September, a weaker Hurricane Fiona again wiped out the grid, heightening concerns about the fragility of a decades-old system dominated by fossil fuel plants.

In streets and town halls, Granholm had a message: the Energy Department has $1 billion Congress approved in December to supply rooftop solar panels. The first batch of funding will go to the most vulnerable, with allocation as soon as late 2023.

While the sunny Caribbean island is well

suited for solar, lessons learned there could have broader implications for the rest of the country.

Orocovis Mayor Jesus Colon Berlingeri said more than 100 people died in town after Maria from health conditions exacerbated by power outages. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“We have an orange alert due to the change in seismology at the Ruiz volcano,” Petro wrote on Twitter. “Mayors must prepare the protocols for this state of alert.”

An orange alert means that an eruption is likely in weeks or even days. Only one level is higher on the four-colour alert scale: red, which means an eruption is imminent or under way.

The Geologic Service issued a bulletin on Thursday announcing the heightened threat level, noting that its researchers had marked an increase in earthquakes, rock fracturing and released seismic energy.

The agency also urged surrounding communities to “remain calm but be attentive” to any developing news about the state of the volcano.

Since March 24, the Geologic Service has documented fracturing around the volcano’s southwest slope, reaching depths between two and four kilometres (1.2 to 2.5 miles) from its peak.

Earthquakes and tremors around the volcano also have been on the rise. The agency noted 6500 earthquakes on March 28, then 11,000 on March 29, and 9600 on March 30 by the time the bulletin was issued.

Most were relatively small, however, with the most powerful reaching a magnitude of 3.1 on the Richter scale.

But residents of the surrounding towns took to social media to share photos and videos of the peak, where ash could be seen billowing out. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Argentina restarts poultry exports weeks after bird flu episode

Argentina has resumed poultry shipments weeks after imposing an export ban after bird flu was detected in the local industry, state safety regulator Senasa said on Friday, providing access to key export markets for the major agricultural producer.

Uruguay approved new export certificates for poultry products from Argentina, Senasa said in its statement following a meeting with WTO-ComPS sanitary officials from the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.

Argentina suspended its exports in late February after recording the first case of bird flu in its poultry

industry in southern Rio Negro province.

The regulator added that deals were also reached to resume shipments of fresh poultry meat from disease-free areas to Russia, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Japan and some African countries.

"Work is being done on sanitary negotiations to restore exports of avian genetics to Mercosur countries and Mexico, in compliance with international recommendations for the exchange of these goods," the statement added.

The South American country exported 227,000 tonnes of edible poultry products last year, according to agriculture secretary data. (Reuters)

Mexico picks 1st woman to head electoral body amid political row

Mexican lawmakers on Friday for the first time chose a woman to head the National Electoral Institute (INE), as the electoral authority faces a bruising struggle with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Guadalupe Taddei, 59, will take over from Lorenzo Cordova amid intense political scrutiny of the body, including attempts by the president to slim down the INE's budget and offices.

Taddei, who was selected via a lottery system, is

related to some political appointees of the President, though Lopez Obrador stressed he was not personally acquainted with her.

"I don't know her, I know her family and they are progressive and democratic people and honest

people," he told a news conference following her selection.

"She is an experienced woman," he added, pointing to her three decades at the INE.

Taddei will oversee the 2024 presidential elections.

The approval of several contentious legislative changes to the INE last month prompted huge marches across the country in protest. The reform was challenged by the Supreme Court earlier this month, however, potentially block-

ing it.

Lopez Obrador has said the reforms strengthen democracy and reduce the influence of economic interests in politics, but critics say they give more power to the Government over the INE. (Reuters)

The Nevado del Ruiz volcano, part of the Andes Mountains about 129km (80 miles) from Colombia's capital of Bogota, spewing ash on March 30, 2023

Cars drive under a downed power pole in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico September 21, 2022

Oil settles 1% higher on tightening supplies, cooling US inflation

Oil prices rose by more than a dollar a barrel on Friday to record their second-straight week of gains, as supplies tightened in some parts of the world and US inflation data indicated price rises were slowing.

The most actively traded Brent futures, for June delivery, settled up US$1.29, or 1.6%, at US$79.89 a barrel. Brent futures for May delivery, which expired upon settlement, gained 50 cents, or 0.6%, to settle at US$79.77 a barrel.

West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) for May delivery settled higher by US$1.30, or 1.8%, at US$75.67 a barrel, gaining about 9% for the week.

Data on Friday showed the US Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, rose 0.3% in February on a monthly basis, compared with a 0.6% rise in January and an expectation of a 0.4% rise in a Reuters poll.

Signs that inflation is slowing tend to support oil prices as this could point to less aggressive interest rate hikes from the Fed, lifting investor demand for risk assets like commodities and equities.

Oil prices were also buoyed after producers shut in or reduced output at several oilfields in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq following a halt to the northern export pipeline.

With prices recovering from recent lows, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia are likely to stick to their existing output deal at a meeting on Monday, sources said.

OPEC pumped 28.90 million barrels per day (bpd) this month, a Reuters survey found, down 70,000 bpd from February. Output is down more than 700,000 bpd from September.

Despite Friday's gains, Brent and WTI recorded monthly declines of 5% and 2% respectively, their steepest since November. Brent settled lower for the third quarter in a row, the first time that has happened since 2015.

The benchmarks hit their lowest since 2021 on March 20 in the wake of large bank failures, and while they have recouped some of the losses since then, they remain well below the levels at which they were trading at the start of March.

"The prolonged economic scarring of the last month will likely slow the economy, if not cause a recession, and lower interest rate expectations are not enough to support oil prices in the short term," said Craig Erlam, senior markets analyst at OANDA. (Reuters)

Around the World

Russia says Ukraine ceasefire now would not achieve Moscow's goals

Russia said on Friday that a ceasefire in Ukraine would not enable it to achieve the goals of its "special military operation" at the moment.

The Kremlin was reacting after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko - Russia's closest ally - called for an immediate ceasefire, without preconditions, and for both Moscow and Kyiv to start negotiations on a lasting peace settlement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Russia had noted Lukashenko's comments and that President Vladimir Putin would discuss it with him next week. But he said Russia's goals in Ukraine could not be achieved at the moment through a halt in fighting.

"In terms of Ukraine, nothing is changing, the special military operation is continuing because today that is the only means in front of us to achieve our goals," Peskov said.

He said parts of a plan proposed by China for peace in Ukraine were "unrealisable at the moment, due to the unwillingness - or rather the inability - of the Ukrainian side to disobey their supervisors and commanders".

That was a reference to Moscow's claims - unsupported by evidence - that Ukraine's Western backers have ordered Kyiv not to pursue a ceasefire.

"These commanders, as we know, are not sitting in Kyiv and insist that the war continues," Peskov said.

Russia has said it is open

for peace but has made clear this would only be on its terms. It says Kyiv must accept the "new realities" on the ground, where Russia has seized and claimed to have annexed more than a sixth of Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine has said Russia must withdraw its troops as a precursor to any peace deal, and says any temporary ceasefire would only allow Russia to regroup for future military action.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

at Ramadan food distribution centre kills 11 in Pakistan

Stampede

Astampede at a Ramadan food distribution centre in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi has killed at least 11 people, all women and children, according to Police and rescue officials.

Several people were also injured in Friday’s incident, which happened when hundreds of people panicked and started pushing each other to collect food outside a factory. Some of them fell into a nearby drain, Police official Mughees Hashmi said.

Residents said a wall also collapsed near the drain, injuring and killing people amid the stampede.

Local media reported that eight women and three children died.

Hashmi said the factory owner who organised the food distribution centre had

Embattled Macron heads to China, leaving burning Paris behind

French President Emmanuel Macron will head to China next week for a rare visit to the rising superpower, in an awkward balancing act between his global statesman ambitions and his struggle to contain embarrassing pension protests at home.

The French leader, whose decision to ram much-disputed pension legislation through Parliament earlier this month sparked clashes and violence in French cities, is trying to keep his busy diplomatic schedule on track.

But the chaotic scenes of burning piles of rubbish in Paris, which were broadcast around the world, have already forced Macron to cancel a state visit by Britain's King Charles, an embarrassment which did not go unnoticed in diplomatic circles.

"It's a very prestigious thing to host the first vis-

it abroad of the King of England, it doesn't happen every day. If you can't pull it off, it's a problem," the ambassador of a European country told Reuters.

"It's clear it is weakening him," another EU diplomat said. "It's hard to measure the impact, but there is one."

The protests, which will see unions stage an 11th nationwide strike during Macron's time in Beijing, come as the French President

is trying to regain the initiative on the war in Ukraine and play a leadership role in Europe.

That hasn't escaped Chinese observers.

"The protests bring a large amount of risk and France needs a diplomatic highlight, especially since it wants to play the role of Europe's leader," said Wang Yiwei, director of the Centre for European Studies at Renmin University in China.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

not alerted Police about the plan. He said local Police were unaware of the distribution, otherwise they might have deployed forces.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is from Sindh province, whose capital is Karachi, ordered authorities to investigate what caused the incident.

The stampede is the deadliest at Ramadan food distribution points since the start of the Muslim holy month of fasting last week.

With the latest incident, the death toll from stampedes at free food centres across the country has risen to at least 21 since last week.

Friday’s incident comes a day after authorities ordered the deployment of additional Police at the Ramadan food distribution centres to avoid

dangerous overcrowding.

Bottom of Form Cash-strapped Pakistan faces one of the worst economic crises of its history. Millions of people are struggling to put food on the table as a cost of living crisis worsens.

Large crowds of people

have been gathering at distribution centres since the Government launched an initiative last week to give free flour to low-income families during Ramadan to ease the impact of record-breaking inflation and soaring poverty. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Syphilis cases in babies skyrocket in Canada amid healthcare failures

The numbers of babies born with syphilis in Canada are rising at a far faster rate than recorded in the United States or Europe, an increase public health experts said is driven by increased methamphetamine use and lack of access to the public health system for Indigenous people.

While syphilis has made a global resurgence over the last five years, Canada is an outlier among wealthy nations in its rate of increase: 13-fold over five years, according to Health Canada. The incidence of babies born with syphilis reached 26 per 100,000 live births in 2021, the most recent year avail-

able, up from 2 in 2017, according to the Health Canada data.

That total is on track to increase further in 2022, according to the preliminary Government data obtained by Reuters.

Babies with congenital syphilis are at higher risk of low birthweight, bone malformations and sensory difficulties, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Syphilis in pregnancy is the second-leading cause of stillbirth worldwide, the WHO said.

Yet congenital syphilis is easily preventable if an infected person gets access to

penicillin during their pregnancy.

Among the G7 group of wealthier nations for which data is available, only the United States had a higher incidence of syphilis at birth: 74 per 100,000 live births in 2021, triple the rate in 2017, according to preliminary figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

People experiencing poverty, homelessness and drug use, and those with inadequate access to the health system, are more likely to contract syphilis through unsafe sex and pass it to their babies, public health researchers said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attending a joint news conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow, Russia February 18, 2022

Women leave with their free sack of wheat flour at a distribution point in Lahore, Pakistan

A protester setting a garbage bin on fire during clashes at a demonstration as part of the tenth day of nationwide strikes and protests against the French Government's pension reform, in Paris, France, March 28, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Keep an open mind, listen respectfully to what others say and offer positive solutions to existing problems. Getting along and maintaining peace will encourage positive results.

(March 21-April 19)

Emotions will interfere with your plans. Turn a negative into a positive. Lay down some ground rules that motivate and inspire others to strive for peace over chaos and love over hate.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Choose to do what's in your best interest. Trust your gut feeling and put your heart into something that makes you feel good about who you are and what you accomplish.

Pick up the pace and knock things off your to-do list. Putting your energy to good use will ease stress and encourage you to change your lifestyle to accommodate pastimes and people you enjoy.

(June 21-July 22)

You don't have to stand alone. Open conversations with people you trust to give good advice. You may not like what you hear, but it will help you. The possibilities are endless.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Pay attention to how you present yourself to the world; the feedback you get will lift your spirits. Changing your surroundings will spark your imagination and give you something to think about.

Idle time will lead to trouble. Keep your thoughts secret for now. Gather facts and assess situations before revealing your intentions. Physical fitness and discipline will pay off.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Refuse to let work problems upset your downtime. Focus on love and personal improvements rather than allowing outside influences to ruin your day. Enjoy a creative activity with a loved one.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

You can have it all if you say no to anyone trying to interfere with your plans. Make changes at home that help you keep track of your expenses. A financial gain is apparent.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Distance yourself from unpredictable individuals. A change you make at home should help you solve an emotional issue. Learn to say no when necessary. Avoid joint ventures, lending and borrowing.

Put your energy where it will do some good. Nurture relationships and your health. Handle money wisely and investigate how to use your skills in an unusual way to bring in more cash.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Change your surroundings to suit your needs. Get rid of things you don't need or use. Giving possessions away will encourage you to do more in your community to help those less fortunate.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Gill, Rashid lead defending champions Gujarat Titans to victory in IPL 2023 opener

Defending champions Gujarat Titans started the TATA IPL 2023 on a winning note, as they beat Chennai Super Kings by five wickets in the opening match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Shubman Gill’s brilliant 63 off 36 balls helped the Titans chase down 179 in a tight finish in Ahmedabad, after Ruturaj Gaikwad had lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium with a whirlwind 92 off 50 balls.

Rashid Khan played a crucial role for GT as well: with figures of 2/26 from four overs, and hitting 10 off 3 balls to take the Titans past the finish line, along with Rahul Tewatia (15 off 14).

Chasing 179, Gujarat Titans got off to a brisk start. Saha and Gill went after the first ever Impact player of the IPL - Tushar Deshpande - who replaced Ambati Rayudu at the start of the second innings, as they hit a six and a couple of fours to make it 15 runs off the second over. Saha played the aggressor’s role as he smashed a pull for a six off Chahar, and the heaved one over mid-wicket off debutant Rajvardhan Hangargekar for a four. The debutant, however, bounced back hard to dismiss Saha (25) three balls later, as Shivam Dube pouched a brilliant catch at third man.

Gujarat Titans introduced B Sai Sudharsan as their Impact Player, as he replaced Kane Williamson who injured himself while trying to take a catch on the boundary line. The Impact player made an impact straightaway, as he flicked the first ball he faced through square leg for four. Gill then gained momentum as he hit a four and a six off Deshpande to bring up GT’s fifty. Sudharsan and Gill hit a four each off Mitchell Santner to end the Powerplay well, as GT reached 65/1. Gill and Sudharsan kept the scoreboard ticking, and brought up their 50-run stand.

CSK needed a wicket at this point. Dhoni brought back Hangargekar, and the move worked, as he had Sudharsan caught behind for 22. Gill, though, continued to play his shots, as he swept one for four off Jadeja and then lofted the next one over extra cover for a spectacular six. He brought up his fifty off just 30 balls.

While Gill was cruising, at the other end, CSK got a big wicket, as Jadeja,

who had bowled really well, cleaned up GT captain Pandya for 8, as he missed his slog sweep. The CSK all-rounder finished with excellent figures of 4-0-28-1.

Gill and Shankar got together and added 27 brisk runs off 17 balls, but then Dhoni brought back Deshpande in the 15th over for another of his bowling changes, and it worked, as he got the big wicket of Gill (63 off 36) after the GT opener had hit him for a six off the previous ball.

Santner and Chahar then bowled tight overs, and gave away just seven and four runs respectively to build the pressure and bring the equation to 30 needed off 18 balls. Hangargekar then gave away just one run off the first three balls of the 18th over, Vijay Shankar released the pressure valve as he thumped a pull over deep mid-wicket for a six. The debutant CSK all-rounder, though, hit back hard and outfoxed Shankar with a slower one, to have him caught brilliantly by Santner at long off. Hangargekar bowled a superb over to give away just seven and take a wicket as well.

With 23 needed off 11, Chahar strayed one down the leg side, Tewatia missed his flick, and it raced away for four leg byes. After a single, Rashid Khan got off the mark in style to release the pressure, as he hammered one over deep mid-wicket for a powerful six, and then slashed one over short third man for a four next ball to bring the equation down to 8 needed off 6 balls.

Deshpande started off the final over with a wide.

Tewatia, the finisher, then launched one over extra cover for a six, and finished the match off in style by smashing a four down the ground to win the game for Gujarat by five wickets.

Rajvardhan

Hangargekar was the shining light for CSK with figures of 3/36 on IPL debut.

Earlier, Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl. Kane Williamson and Josh Little were handed the

Shami was bowling beautifully, and he scalped the first wicket of TATA IPL 2023 in the next over, as he cleaned up Conway with a beauty to register his 100th IPL wicket. Ruturaj, though, contin-

have Moeen caught behind off the next ball, as CSK reached 51/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

Ruturaj though went from strength to strength as he unfurled a couple of beautiful lofts for consecutive sixes off Pandya. He was, however, lucky to survive, as there was a mix up with Stokes, but Gill missed his direct hit.

Gaikwad had given up Rashid then struck a crucial blow, as he had Stokes caught behind after the England all-rounder had smacked the previous ball down the ground for a four. Ruturaj, though, was dealing in sixes, as he welcomed Alzarri Joseph into the attack with a welltimed flick for a six over deep square leg. He then brought up his fifty in style off just 23 balls with another six, as he heaved one over deep square leg for a massive maximum three balls later. It was his fastest IPL half-century, and he ended the over with a six as he heaved one over deep backward square leg to make it 18 off the over.

The CSK opener brought up his team’s 100 as he pulled one over deep square leg for a huge six off Little. The six-counter continued, as he lofted one over wide long off off Yash Dayal. Rayudu joined the party, as he swung one over deep square leg off Dayal for the second six of the over.

Gujarat Titans received a blow in the next over, as Kane Williamson injured his leg in trying to pull off a catch on the boundary line via a spectacular effort.

Josh Little finally broke the 51-run partnership as he cleaned up Rayudu for 12 to scalp his maiden IPL wicket. The wicket helped GT pull things back in the next three overs, which went for just 19.

Gaikwad broke the shackles as he pulled one over deep mid-wicket for yet another six off Rashid. He couldn’t get to his century though, as he was caught brilliantly by Shubman Gill at long on for 92 (50), off a high full toss from Joseph.

One brought two, as Joseph sent back Jadeja in the same over and finished with figures of 2/33, after going for 18 in his first over.

Shivam Dube, who had struggled to time the ball, then hammered a pull over deep square leg off Shami for a massive 97m six. But Shami continued with the short ball approach, and bounced Dube out the next ball.

Dhoni then provided the final flourish, as he smashed a six and a four off Dayal in the final over to propel CSK to 178/7.

Tushar Deshpande became the first Impact Player of the IPL, as he replaced Ambati Rayudu at the start of the second innings of the match. (IPL)

SCOREBOARD

Josh Little 4-0-41-1

Gujarat Titans caps. They named B Sai Sudharsan, Jayant Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Abhinav Manohar and Srikar Bharat as substitutes.

CSK, on the other hand, handed debut to all-rounder Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and named Tushar Deshpande, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, Ajinkya Rahane, Nishant Sindhu as their substitutes.

Mohd. Shami started off well for GT, and got a hint of movement early on as he beat Devon Conway’s outside edge, and gave away just two runs in the first over. Ruturaj Gaikwad then opened the boundary account, as he flicked one through mid-wicket off Hardik Pandya in the second over, and it raced away. Two balls later, he blazed one through covers for the second four of the over.

ued to attack, as he pulled the first delivery from Josh Little for a six over fine leg, and thumped the next ball through backward point for a four.

Moeen Ali then got off the mark, as he slashed one through point for a four to make it a 15-run over. Moeen then took the attack to Shami, as he smacked two fours and a six off a Free-Hit to garner 17 runs from the over.

There was drama in the next over, as Hardik Pandya introduced Rashid Khan into the attack. The umpire gave Moeen out LBW off the third ball, but the batter reviewed it, and replays showed it was pitching outside leg. The decision was reversed.

Moeen then smashed the next one straight back past Rashid for four. Rashid, though, bounced back to

Chennai Super Kings (20 ovs maximum)

Devon Conway b

Mohammed Shami 1

Ruturaj Gaikwad c

Shubman Gill b Joseph 92

Moeen Ali c †Saha

b Rashid Khan 23

Ben Stokes c †Saha

b Rashid Khan 7

Ambati Rayudu b Little 12

Shivam Dube c Rashid Khan

b Mohammed Shami 19

Ravindra Jadeja c

Shankar b Joseph 1

MS Dhoni (c)† not out 14

Mitchell Santner not out 1

Extras (b 1, lb 6, nb 1) 8

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.90) 178/7

Fall of wickets: 1-14

(Devon Conway, 2.2 ov), 2-50

(Moeen Ali, 5.5 ov), 3-70

(Ben Stokes, 7.4 ov), 4-121

(Ambati Rayudu, 12.5 ov), 5-151

(Ruturaj Gaikwad, 17.1 ov), 6-153

(Ravindra Jadeja, 17.4 ov), 7-163

(Shivam Dube, 18.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mohammed Shami 4-0-29-2

Hardik Pandya 3-0-28-0

Rashid Khan 4-0-26-2

Alzarri Joseph 4-0-33-2

Yash Dayal 1-0-14-0

Gujarat Titans (T: 179 runs from 20 ovs)

Wriddhiman Saha †c Dube

b Hangargekar 25

Shubman Gill c Gaikwad

b Deshpande 63

Sai Sudharsan c †Dhoni

b Hangargekar 22

Hardik Pandya (c) b Jadeja 8

Vijay

Rashid Khan was instrumental in Titans' victory

Rashid and Rahul celebrating the win

GCB/GoG/MCYS U19 Boys Inter-club Super-50 tournament…

Countrywide U19 inter-club cricket off to positive start

provided solid support early on.

Radha Krishna beat Scottsburg United by 21 runs at #3 Ground

The home team posted a 1st innings total of 153 in 29 overs, with some collective work being done by Tumesh Hemraj (28), while Neeraj Singh and Yogeshwar Khemraj had 22 apiece.

The Scottsburg bowling was led by fast-bowler Joel Dhanraj (5-30) and spinner Dharmendra Persaud (3-35), who had great outings with the ball.

Dominant Berbice retain Women’s Inter-County T20 Trophy

TheGuyana Cricket Board (GCB) Government of Guyana (GoG) Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS), Under-19 Boys Inter-Club Super-50 Tournament 2023 commenced today, Friday, March 31, 2023, with matches within the respective Area Locations/Associations/ Committee of the three counties, and will conclude with the respective County finals, prior to the commencement of the GCB/GoG/MCYS

Under-19 Inter-County Super-50 Tournament, which is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

Summary of scores:

East Bank Essequibo beat

Bartica by 157 runs at Tuschen Community Centre Ground

After losing the toss, East Bank Essequibo, batting first, posted 227 in 29.1 overs.

Thaddeus Lovell stroked 53 with support from Sarwan Bishram (47), who missed out on a half-century, while opener Shaahid Veira (32) and Mohesh Sookdeo (22), supported nicely.

Fast-bowler Delroy Brown claimed 3-40 from 10 overs, while mystery spinner George Chanderbhan starred with excellent figures of 4-53.

Bartica were then shot down for 70 all out, after some spin magic from Myhiem Khan (4-10) and Aryan Persaud (4-15).

Wakenaam defeat Leguan by 8 wickets at the Wakenaam Community Centre Ground

Leguan were knocked over for a measly 56, with Johnathan Singh hitting 16 as the lone top-scorer, after ball carnage from the pair of Davendra Ansraj (4-20) and Shahid Mohamed (4-23), Wakenaam players who decimated the opposition with clinical precision. Wakenaam made light work of the chase, ending on 58-2, thanks mainly to Gladwin Henry (15), Mohandas Surujpaul (14) and Kumesh Sudin.

Port Mourant defeat Rose Hall Town by 104 runs at Port Mourant Cricket Ground

The home team Port Mourant racked up 187 all out from their 50 overs, thanks to national youth opener Rampertab Ramnauth, who hit 43, and Salim Khan (42), who played a good supporting role.

Bowling efforts came from Johnathan Rampersaud, who grabbed 3 wickets, while 2-33 from Nyron Hicks capped off the top ball performers.

However, the chase never got off to the desired start, after a devastating spell of off-spin from Navin Boodwah bamboozled the opposition with figures of 7-17, essentially single-handedly accounting for Rose Hall being skittled out for 83 runs.

Bartica Easter Regatta 2023

North Essequibo lose by 40 runs to Pomeroon at Imam Bacchus Ground Pomeroon barely mustered 105 all out in 26. 2 overs batting first, with just a lower-order contribution of 20 from Andre Fraser, who hit 20 not out.

Bowling for North Essequibo was led by Quency Sampson, who returned 4-22, with Romal Hubbard bagging stingy figures of 3-8.

North Essequibo, in reply, were razed for 65 runs in just 18.1 overs, after Fraser snared 4-10 with support from Brian Narine, along with Adrey Brown, who chipped in with 2-13 and 2-10 respectively as their team romped to victory.

Bush Lot United beat Cotton Tree Die Hard by 7 wickets at Bush Lot Ground Cotton Tree Die Hard, after taking first strike, managed just 118 all out in 43.5 overs, with top-scorer Rashad Gaffur being run out for his top score of 32.

The three star bowlers: Tulsiram Ramcharan (2-24), Lachman Dhanna (3-11), Budram Lakeram (2-8), were instrumental in Bush Lot's success, setting up a simple chase for the home team to easily reach 119-3 in 31 overs.

Ramcharan then returned to show his class with the bat, leading his team to victory with 47 not out, as opener Justin Doobay (21)

Scottsburg United, in reply, were 132 all out in 30 overs, after 8 wickets between Trevon Doobay (526) and Niraj Singh (3-22) helped subdue their opponents, despite knocks from Dhanraj (29), Persaud (16), and Jerimiah Joseph (14).

Today: Saturday, April 1, 2023, Pomeroon will oppose South Essequibo at the Imam Bacchus ground, while Wakenaam will play East Bank Essequibo at the Tuschen Community Centre.

On Sunday, April 2, 2023, the top two teams in the Essequibo County stage will meet at the Imam Bacchus ground to decide on the Essequibo County Champions for the GCB/ GOG/MCYS Under-19 Boys Inter-Club Tournament, 2023.

To complete the first round of matches in the New Amsterdam/Canje location, East Bank Blazers will oppose Rose Hall Canje at the East Bank Blazers ground, while Tucber Park faces Guymine today, April 1, 2023.

Matches in Demerara will begin on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The respective finals for the County stages of the GCB/GOG/MCYS Under-19 Boys Inter-Club Super-50 Tournament 2023 are scheduled to be played on Sunday, April 2, 2023 in Essequibo; Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Berbice; and Monday, April 10, 2023 in Demerara.

Berbice have again showed their dominance in women’s cricket in Guyana by registering three comprehensive victories during this year’s GCB Women’s Inter-County T20 tournament played at GCC, Bourda.

After a comfortable 9-wicket victory against Demerara in the morning game on Thursday, March 30, Berbice made light work of Essequibo in their second-round match. Essequibo were restricted to 56-8 off their allotted 20 overs. Annalissa D’Aguiar was the only batter to show resistance, top scoring with 16.

Berbice took just 9.1 overs to get to their target of 57, losing four wickets in the process. West Indies player Shabiki Gajnabi top scored with 19. D’Aguiar returned with the ball to take 3-7 off three overs, which earned her the “player of the match” award. With Demerara and Essequibo both losing to Berbice, and their head-tohead encounter on Thursday resulting in shared points because of a washout, it was Demerara who qualified for the final against Berbice with a net-run rate that was superior to Essequibo’s.

In the final, West Indies under-19 player Releanna Grimmond led the way with 55, to lead Berbice to a total of 120 for the loss of three wickets off their allotted 20 overs. Katana Mentore made 24, while Berbice captain and West Indies player

Organising Committee meets with MARAD and other stakeholders

In preparation for the Bartica Easter Regatta 2023, “We Outside”, Regional Chairman of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Kenneth Williams, who also Chairs the Organising Committee for the Easter Regatta, met with representatives of the Maritime Administration (MARAD); the Director of Maritime Safety, Captain Courtney McDonald; competitors of the Regatta, representatives of Farm Supplies Ltd, and other stakeholders.

The main focus of the meeting was to prioritise safety during the boat races, outline maritime proposals, decide on an alternative route for users of the river during the boat races on the 9th of April 2023, mark coordinates for buoys to be placed, outline emergency plans and responses, among other areas.

There was consensus that a notice to mariners would be needed to inform the general public of changes to usual routes, in order to facilitate the boat races, which Captain Courtney McDonald agreed with, and will assist in the requested process.

Chairman Williams has said, “On behalf of the Bartica Easter Regatta Committee, we are especially grateful for the support of the Maritime Administration (MARAD), and look forward to working along with the relevant persons.

“We take this opportunity to invite patrons to return this year for an even bigger and better Bartica Easter Regatta, and trust that the improved safety standards offer some amount of reassurance for persons to come out with their family and friends.”

Further, in addition to

safety boats, medical emergency plans, enforcement of rules and applicable repercussions, and the presence of Inspectors during the event, there will be additional changes made to this year’s Regatta, which will aid in improving the standards of this largescale recreational marine event.

Regatta Football Michael Joseph’s 67th-minute goal from a set play has positioned his club, Rising Stars FC, at the top of Group A in the Bartica Regatta Football Tournament.

Approaching the end of the group stage in the tour-

Shabika Gajnabi contributed 17. Hemma Singh had 1-7 and Emalissa Whyte took 1-28 bowling for Demerara. Demerara, in reply, were dismissed for a paltry 38 in 10.4 overs, to lose by 82 runs.

Trisha Hardat and Sheneta Grimmond both had impressive and identical figures of 3-8 to lead Demerara’s demise. Releanna Grimmond was later adjudged player of the match for her 55 runs and one wicket.

The GCB Women’s InterCounty Tournament will continue on April 4 with the Super-50 format. Essequibo will face Demerara in the first match at Everest. Berbice play Essequibo on Thursday, April 6 at GCC, Bourda. The Demerara versus Berbice encounter will bring down the curtains on this year’s tournament on Sunday, April 9 at GCC, Bourda.

nament, Group A has already confirmed its qualifiers: Rising Stars FC on nine points, and Potaro Strikers FC on six points. Group B qualifiers were set to be decided on Friday night with two final matches: Lazio FC vs AK Galaxy FC, and Beacons FC vs Mil Ballers FC.

Malt, etc. A quantity of Microwave Turntables (glass). Call: 609-0741/667-0887.

Members of the Bartica Easter Regatta Organising Committee, MARAD, and other stakeholders after the meeting

Grimmond collecting her trophy from GCB's Kavita Yadram

Port Mourant defeated Rose Hall Town

West Indies 4-Day Championship 2023…

Hurricanes on verge of win over Guyana Harpy Eagles

-Savory, Permaul lead

By Brandon Corlette at ProvidenCe, eBd

Leeward Islands

Hurricanes are on

the verge of a victory against Guyana Harpy Eagles, despite Essequibo's Prince Charming Kemol Savory and veteran Veerasammy Permaul producing fighting 60s.

At stumps on day three of this final-round match of the West Indies Championship, being played at Providence, EBD, Hurricanes were 81-1 after 30 overs, requiring 63 runs for a win, with nine wickets in hand. Kieran Powell is unbeaten on 47, and Keacy Carty is on 17.

This win for the Hurricanes will put Guyana Harpy Eagles’ Championship win in jeopardy, as they will have to hope Windward Islands lose against Barbados, or rain plays spoilsport.

Earlier, Guyana resumed day three on 48-1. Due to rain on day two, play commenced at 9:30h. Test opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul was the first to be dismissed by the impressive Rahkeem Cornwall. Kevlon Anderson, who looked set for a big score, gifted his wicket to Cornwall when he attempted to reverse sweep Cornwall, at 68-3. The big off-spinner extracted turn and bounce, and was rewarded. Anderson departed for 31 from 45 balls in an innings which had four boundaries.

Leon Johnson, playing his final match for Guyana, went out to bat for a final time. He was watched by his family, friends and school teacher. He also fell to this top off-spinner when he left one alone and was bowled. Guyana had by then slipped to 93-4, and six runs later, Tevin Imlach perished.

The dominant Cornwall also had some loud appeals. Imlach made only two, and Guyana were staring down the barrel of a proverbi-

fightback

al gun named defeat at 995. The Guyanese reached lunch on 158-5, leading by 33 runs at that stage. Kemol Savory was unbeaten on 35, but he retired hurt due to some cramps, while Kevin Sinclair and Veerasammy Permaul stood firm.

Sinclair was looking aggressive, but he fell to seamer Colin Archibald for 31 from 49 balls. He struck three fours and one six. After Sinclair departed, Permaul and Savory displayed grit and determination. Permaul was the enforcer as he added 76 runs with Savory for the seventh wicket.

Before tea, Permaul was

dismissed for 65 from 97 balls in an innings which had eight fours and one six. This was his second fifty of the tournament.

Guyana reached 249-8 after 72 overs at tea. Upon the resumption of the final session, Savory ran out of partners as he recovered from his cramps and ended unbeaten on 66 from 157 balls. He struck five fours and one six.

Cornwall ended with eight wickets in the match; he had 4-58 from 22 overs. He exited the field with an injury, but had already dented the Eagles’ top-order. Seamer Jeremiah Louis had 3-66 in 17 overs, as

Berbice Volleyball Association commences tour to Suriname

Guyana were bowled out for 267 in 79 overs.

The Guyanese had a lead of 142 runs, and Leeward Islands needed 143 runs to win with approximately two hours left in the day. Play will resume at 10:00h today.

Summary of other matches

TTRF vs JS: TTRF 302 & 102/1 (24.2) Mohan 44*.

SCOREBOARD

Guyana 2nd Innings

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

lbw b Cornwall 20

Matthew Nandu b Louis 3

Kevlon Anderson c

Hamilton b Cornwall 31

Kemol Savory not out 66

Leon Johnson b Cornwall 9

Tevin Imlach c Spencer b Cornwall 2

Kevin Sinclair c

James b Archibald 31

Veerasammy Permaul

c (sub) b Louis 65

Anthony Adams c

Hamilton b Louis 0

Shamar Joseph lbw b Gore 12

Nial Smith b Gore 0

Total (10 wickets, 79.0) (28 extras) 267

FOW: 6/1 (4.6) Matthew

Nandu 50/2 (15.5) Tagenarine

Chanderpaul 68/3 (21.5) Kevlon

Anderson 93/4 (29.6) Leon

Johnson 99/5 (31.3) Tevin Imlach

JS 125 & 275 (70.5)

Blackwood 68, Lugg 66; I

Khan 4/47.

Red Force won by 9 wickets.

WIV vs BP: WIV 237

160/6 (46.6) Kevin Sinclair

236/7 (68.3) Veerasammy

Permaul 236/8 (68.5) Anthony

Adams 267/9 (78.5) Shamar

Joseph 267/10 (78.6) Smith

Bowling

Jeremiah Louis (17-1-66-3)

Javier Spencer (9-2-42-0)

Colin Archibald (16-1-52-1)

Rahkeem Cornwall (22-4-58-4)

Karima Gore (2-1-4-2)

Kofi James (13-1-34-0)

Leeward Islands 2nd Innings

Kieran Powell not out 47

Larry Audain c Imlach b Sinclair 12

Keacy Carty not out 17

Total (1 wickets, 30.0) (5 extras) 81

FOW: 46/1 (19.5) Larry Audain

Bowling

Nial Smith (5-2-12-0)

Shamar Joseph (6-1-15-0)

Kevin Sinclair (11-2-23-1)

Veerasammy Permaul (8-1-26-0)

& 225 (73.2) Ambris 79; Warrican 4/58. BP 227 & 28/3 (17) Dember 1/1. Pride need 208 runs to win.

The first-ever border games in Nickerie will be spearheaded by the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA).

The BVA has used the initiative to interact with Nickerie of Suriname to convene the first-ever bor-

der games of this nature.

Attending the activity are the One Guyana female Academy of Berbice and the PMTC Alumni Males, who were the first to represent Berbice through this medium via the Guysuco Apprentice Training

Centre. They departed the shores of Guyana yesterday, March 31, and are set to return on April 3, 2023. They will be participating in a series of matches from tonight, Friday March 31, through to Sunday night, April 2.

Kemol Savory was unbeaten on 66

Leon Johnson had a bat guard of honour from his Guyana teammates after his final innings for Guyana (Brandon Corlette photos)

Permaul playing a stylish cut during his 65 against Cornwall

The Berbice Volleyball Association prior to departure