Guyana Times - Saturday, March 16, 2024.pdf

Way paved for Guyanese SMEs to participate in int’l food expo

…as World Trade Centers Georgetown, Miami sign MoU

The World Trade Centers in Georgetown, Guyana and Miami, Florida on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which paves the way for advancing the interests of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of trade and investment opportunities, including participation in the annual international Food and Beverage Show of the Americas set for later this year in Miami.

At a simple signing ceremony, the MoU was inked by Ivan Barrios, President and Chief Executive Officer of WTC Miami, at its Miami

office with WTC Georgetown Executive Director, Wesley Kirton.

The two organisations outlined the scope of their intended collaboration to include market intelligence and research; support for business-to-business networking; trade policy information sharing; development of strategies for mutual market access for products and services; training and capacity building; and the exchange of trade and investment missions.

In delivering virtual remarks, Chairman of Demerara Distillers Ltd, Komal Samaroo, who is also Chairman of WTC Georgetown, said the World

Trade Center in Guyana has a “critical” role to play in promoting trade with Guyanese businesses and the rest of the world.

“So, I believe our two World Trade Centers working together can further enhance and increase the level of trade that takes place now between Guyana and the US, and particularly at this time as countries look more at their food security, supply chain, on-shoring, near-shoring and all these adjustments that are taking place,” Samaroo said.

He added that the Food and Beverage Show of the Americas is of particular interest to Guyana as several legitimate small and medium sized food producers seek overseas markets.

Consequently, WTC Miami’s Barrios announced that resulting from the MoU, a group of small Guyanese food producers who might not be ready to exhibit could still participate in this year’s show free of cost thereby benefiting from the networking oppor-

tunities as well as meetings and the conference component of the event. These producers will have to satisfy certain conditions including recommendation by WTC Georgetown.

Barrios also advised that there will be a kitchen at the show to facilitate how products are used to prepare various dishes. He added that Guyana is welcome to have a chef participate to demonstrate how specific Guyanese dishes are prepared.

Vice President of World Trade Center, Miami, Alicia Ancona welcomed Guyana’s participation in the event, whether it’s Guyanese businesses exhibiting their products or just visiting to network.

“That’s something, that we work with countries that have not yet been at the show. We encourage them to visit. We meet with them beforehand; we do tours beforehand… to have the opportunity to meet with potential partners as they explore either entering the

US market or exporting globally,” Ancona said.

In thanking WTC Miami for working with WTC Georgetown on the MoU and its eventual signing, Kirton described the agreement as “providing a platform for mutually beneficial strategic initiatives which can benefit micro, small and medium sized enterprises. We must ensure we maximise the potential of this new relationship.”

WTC Georgetown will arrange an outreach to food and beverage manufacturers in Guyana to further sensitise them about the Food and Beverage Show and Conference of the Americas, which will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center from September 1618. This event will attract more than 600 exhibitors and buyers from over 50 countries.

World Trade Center Georgetown – the first in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) region – was initially set to open in February 2023. However, the open-

ing was pushed back to this year as a result of delays in the shipment of building materials and other factors.

Kirton had told <<<<Guyana Times>>> last year that they had received expressions of interest from both local and foreign companies to rent office space at the Center, which will be located on High Street, Kingston.

Additionally, he had noted that WTC Georgetown started some groundwork ahead of its opening, working with local SMEs to ascertain their challenges and what opportunities they were looking for as well as prepare them to access international markets.

Local beverage giant DDL had acquired the licence in 2022 to set up the WTC in Georgetown with the aim of connecting Guyanese businesses with potential partners around the world, to access information as well as new markets through the network of more than 300 World Trade Centers globally.

(L-R) Vice President of WTC Miami, Alicia Ancona; WTC Georgetown Executive Director Wesley Kirton and WTC Miami Chief Executive Ivan Barrios at the MoU signing on Thursday

Govt inks US$23.27M deal with Indian EXIM Bank to buy GDF aircraft

As part of efforts to bolster the country’s defensive capabilities, the Guyana Government has signed a Line of Credit (LOC) to the tune of US$23.27 million with the Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) of India for the procurement of two aircraft for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The agreement was signed on Friday by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, and the Indian EXIM Bank’s Deputy General Manager –Line of Credit Group, Sanjay Lamba in Georgetown.

This agreement represents the latest instalment of the Guyana Government’s ongoing efforts to ramp up the capabilities of the GDF, and has its genesis in President Dr Irfaan Ali’s visit to India’s State-owned aerospace and defence company – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited just over a year ago in January 2023.

Unwavering support

Delivering remarks during the signing at the Finance Ministry, Dr Singh placed on record Government’s strong appreciation of India’s unwavering support to Guyana, and alluded to the two countries’ long-standing relationship grounded in history, people, and culture, and in more recent times, economic and commercial cooperation. In welcoming the EXIM Bank’s representative to Guyana, the Finance Minister also recognised the institution’s instrumental role in facilitating the presence of Indian companies in Guyana, thereby allowing for the expansion of productive capacity in various sectors of the country.

It was on this note that Dr Singh said, “…we want to see more Indian companies doing business in Guyana, we are open to companies from around the world, including, of course, India, and India is amongst the economies that are at the cutting edge of technology, and we want to receive the benefit of that cutting-edge technology.”

Further reiterating Government’s commitment to bolstering the country’s security sector, Minister Singh explained that the Government was investing heavily in strengthening the capabilities of the GDF, in particular, some of its specialised wings, such as the Air Corps and the Coast Guard. He further said that the purchase of the two aircraft was part of the biggest-ever investment in the capitalisation of the Force thus far.

Tremendous efforts

Dr Singh also used the opportunity to thank Lamba and team for the Bank’s tremendous efforts in conclud-

ing the LOC, and acknowledged the efforts of everyone else who contributed, including High Commissioner Dr Amit Telang and the

Budget towards building the technical capabilities and assets of the GDF. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed in

found the following day in the Region Seven forest with only two survivors.

Meanwhile, in addition to building its air fleet, the

team from the Indian High Commission; Chief of Defence of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan and his team; and Chief Planning Officer Dr Tarachand Balgobin, along with other technical staff of the Ministry of Finance.

High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr Amit Telang, during remarks, said that India attached great importance to the relationship it shared with Guyana, and the signing of the LOC was just another means of cementing its partnership with Guyana. He further placed on record that the Agreement was the first-ever defence LOC signed with a Caribbean State.

Meanwhile, Lamba, who is visiting for the first time, commented that working with the Guyana Government has been very satisfactory, and he looked forward to a continued relationship between Guyana and the Bank.

Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Khan, speaking on behalf of the defence sector, recognised the role that the Government of India has played in defence training over decades in Guyana and noted that the signing was in keeping with President Ali’s vision of a strengthened security sector that will help to maintain the peace and prosperity for One Guyana.

With the aim of enhancing Guyana’s defensive capacity, Government has allocated some $42.2 billion of the $1.146 trillion 2024

January that a total of four new helicopters will be procured for both the Army and the Guyana Police Force.

Back in October 2020, the US State Department had approved the sale of four helicopters – two Bell 412Epi and two Bell 429 helicopters – and related equipment to Guyana to the tune of US$256 million.

Only in December 2023, one of the GDF’s newest helicopters was damaged in a horrific crash that claimed the lives of five servicemen. Brigadier (Retired) Gary Beaton; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, and Sergeant Jason Khan were part of a seven-member crew on board the Army’s Bell 412 helicopter when it lost signal near Guyana’s western border on December 6, 2023. The chopper was

Guyana Government also has a LOC with India to acquire marine assets that will be used to enhance the policing of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Last month, Brigadier Khan told Guyana Times that a brand-new Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), which was built by US-based Metal Shark Boats for the GDF, is expected to arrive soon. This vessel will boost the army’s capacity to monitor Guyana’s maritime borders.

The LOC signed on Friday is the 11th such agreement that the Government of Guyana has to date received from the Indian EXIM Bank over the years.

Guyana and India established diplomatic relations on May 26, 1966, and continue to have a robust developmental cooperation programme aimed towards the mutual benefit of both countries. (G8)

Stakeholders at Friday’s signing of the multimillion-dollar agreement between Guyana and the Indian EXIM Bank for the purchase of two aircraft for the Guyana Defence Force

Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and the Indian EXIM Bank official, Sanjay Lamba signing the US$23.27M LOC on Friday in Georgetown

Editor: Tusika Martin

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City Hall obligations

Very often City Hall appeals to businesses to pay their rates and taxes. Doing so, it generally says, will enable administrators to improve the quality of services provided to the city. Whenever City Hall makes an appeal as this, it is often very difficult to ignore it –especially since it touches on the city’s management. Such appeals are routine and reflect the municipality’s inability to get residents to cooperate with it.

This publication respects the statutory obligations conferred upon citizens and urges businesses to pay their rates and taxes. This is notwithstanding businesses not taking a delight in City Hall. Their reasons are understood. The problem is if businesses – and even households –continue to base their reaction to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on sentiments, Georgetown will be in a wretched state. Whether the M&CC is liked or not, it is households and businesses that suffer when taxes are not paid.

The business community, in particular, should step up and pay their taxes. But – and there is a but – inasmuch as paying rates and taxes is a statutory obligation, it is being honoured for a reason. Taxpayers expect authorities to provide them with quality services in return. That has always been the thrust of paying taxes. Further, it is their responsibility to ensure that they receive the type and quality of services they are paying for. To their disadvantage, there is hardly a way available to them to ensure that authorities keep their end of the bargain. This is unfair since authorities have legal recourse against delinquent taxpayers. Local government elections are the only measure available to residents to depose incompetent and inefficient administrators. Regardless of the situation, taxes still have to be paid. It is, therefore, incumbent that businessmen meet with city officials, lay their demands on them and get a commitment on how soon those demands will be met. If City Hall is able to impress residents generally, the latter will be disinclined to default on their payments.

Over the years, taxpayers have not seen the kinds of development they expected. Georgetown continues to battle with garbage; insanitation; strays, junkies and vagrants; petty robberies; and congestion among others. Instead of there being any notable improvements, the landscape continues to deteriorate and the problems worsen, and Government is often called upon to assist. In several beautification projects, which the M&CC should have undertaken, it is the Office of the First Lady and the Government that are funding and executing these initiatives. In many instances, the municipality is unable to pay garbage collectors.

City Hall has a poor track record, which erodes public confidence in its ability to keep a commitment and use taxes efficiently to improve the city. This is responsible for the “chicken and egg” dilemma between the residents and the municipality. Should residents pay their taxes first or does City Hall get its act together first? The municipality does need the money to run the city, so residents and businesses must be large enough to pay their taxes. But they must get City Hall to honour its obligations towards them. So long as they would have paid their taxes, residents have every right to have a go at city administrators for the inefficiency that has suffused them for too long.

Ow Laad! Since when has the PNC loved democracy?

Dear Editor,

The following sentence by Norman Browne is so unbelievable that I did something I had never done: I asked ChatGPT for assistance in composing my narrative. Here is Browne – “The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has long prided itself on its commitment to democratic values and adherence to its constitution” (12/9/2023). I had to check with AI what is meant by “democratic values.” I wanted a neutral source to respond to Browne. I submit that the PNCR does not now satisfy, nor has it ever satisfied, any of the 10 points of democracy listed by ChatGPT.

Below are the 10 points listed by ChatGPT with my own response as to whether the PNCR has ever met them:

1. ChatGPT - Popular Sovereignty: In a democracy, the ultimate authority and power reside with the people. They have the right to make decisions about their government and its policies.

Response – No PNCR government has ever allowed “the people” to have a meaningful say in how government is run. Instead of popular sovereignty, the PNC gave the people a slogan – “The Small Man is the Real Man”, and supplemented that with KSIs.

2. Political Equality: All citizens have equal rights and opportunities to participate in the political process. This includes the right to vote, run for office, and express their opinions freely.

Response - The PNCR has facilitated election rigging for most of its history.

APNU picked up from where the old PNC left off. The younger PNC folks in APNU seem to be more election-rigging zealots than their older comrades. Winston Murray or Deryck Bernard never tried to abscond with the Parliamentary Mace.

3. Rule of Law: A democratic system is bound by a set of laws that apply equally to all citizens, including those in positions of power. This ensures that no one is above the law.

Response – During the 28 years of dictatorship, the PNC as a party was not only above the law, but also above the constitution. Party Paramountcy, remember?

4. Civil Liberties and Human Rights: Democracies prioritise the protection of individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and the right to a fair trial.

Response – PNCR doesn’t qualify for this one. Newsprint was banned; opposition people were beaten up for speaking; there was no freedom of assembly because the police and Rabbi Washington regularly broke up meetings. I personally saw the goons break up PPP meetings, and later meetings by such groups as GUARD.

5. Free and Fair Elections: Elections are a fundamental component of democracy. They provide a mechanism for citizens to choose their representatives and leaders through a fair and transparent process.

Response – This one is obvious. The PNCR (later with the APNU family) have rigged or attempted to rig every election they ever par-

ticipated in, including some of their own party elections. I witnessed the army carting off ballot boxes in the 1973 elections.

6. Accountability and Transparency: Elected officials are accountable to the people for their actions and decisions. This requires transparency in government activities, allowing citizens to be informed about the workings of their government.

Response – In the words of Owen Arthur – “I have never seen such a transparent effort to alter an election result.” The Hon. Mr. Arthur was referring to the PNCRAFC attempt to rig the 2020 elections. The AFC took a short course on election rigging, but graduated with distinction.

7. Checks and Balances: The branches of government are designed to oversee and limit each other's powers, ensuring that no single branch can dominate the others.

Response – The PNCR created a few other branches – the Party, National Service, YSM, New Nation. PNC operatives were placed at every government agency to spy on staff.

8. Military: In a democracy, the military is subordinate to civilian authority. This prevents the military from becoming a political force.

Response – Under PNC Presidents, the military and police and the PNC party were different sides of the same coin. Some of the skullduggery continued after 1992, as pointed out by PPP General Secretary at the recent funeral of Dr. Roger

Luncheon, former HPS.

9. Political Participation and Engagement: A democratic society encourages active citizen participation beyond just voting, including activities like joining political parties, attending public meetings, and engaging in civic organizations.

Response – Numerous opposition activists were assassinated. GAWU was punished for years simply because the sugar workers were not part of the PNC. Under PNC rule, active citizens who fought for democracy lost their jobs, were demoted, or deported to the interior.

10. Peaceful Transfer of Power: In a democracy, leaders are chosen through periodic, free, and fair elections. This allows for the peaceful transition of power from one government to the next.

Response – Easily the worst transgression of the PNCR and their comrades in the AFC. We will know in 2025 what the AFC learnt.

To help steal an election, or to take ChatGPT seriously.

I hope Norman Browne takes a good look at the key points of democracy. He should recognize that appealing to his party to honour its “democratic values” is a torturous proposal because there is no such tradition. He should hand over these points to the lengthy list of names at the end of his letter to the editor cited above. Why not begin with Amanza Walton-Desir?

Sincerely,

Dr Randy Persaud Adviser, Office of the President

President Dr Irfaan Ali petting his pets at State House on Friday during a morning walk (President Dr Irfaan Ali’s social media page photos)

Call for institutionalised Cheddi Jagan Memorial Lecture

Dear Editor,

This month, the country observes the birth and death anniversary of the great Cheddi Jagan. It is time there be an institutionalised annual Dr Cheddi Jagan Memorial Lecture, to recognize the work of and pay tribute to the indomitable leader whose activism rapidly led to independence of the colony of British Guiana.

Emerging as a key orator and prominent organizer, Cheddi became one of the most popular political leaders. He was twice removed from office by the Anglo-American alliance, the only leader to fetch that burden.

There is an annual Eric Williams Memorial Lecture that started in 1999, named after the late former PM of T&T. The lecture draws on the leadership works of the former PM, and its relevance today is in providing an intellectual forum for the examination of pertinent issues in Caribbean and African Diaspora history and politics.

A prominent international figure has annually been invited to speak on a subject or topic of choice. Among prior speakers were the late Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia; Cynthia Pratt, former Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas; Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Beverly Anderson-Manley, former First Lady of

Jamaica; Portia Simpson Miller, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Kenny Anthony, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines; renowned African American activist and UCLA Professor Dr. Angela Davis, an enthusiast of Jagan.

Bharrat Jagdeo delivered one such lecture some six years ago at Florida International University. It was one of his best and most memorable speeches on development.

The late American Secretary of State Colin Powell supported the lecture series and inaugurated The Eric Williams Memorial Collection Research Library, Archives & Museum at UWI, St Augustine campus, in 1998. It was named to UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register in 1999.

Cheddi Jagan had a profound impact on Guyana, as well as on regional independence struggles and development between 1944 and 1997. No Caribbean leader had a greater impact on the independence struggle, and as such, none is more deserving of a Memorial Lecture than Cheddi. His stature and prominence were as influential as, if not more than, that of Williams. And he was more impactful than Caribbean freedom fighters, as the AngloAmericans were fearful of,

Knowledge colonialism and the Third World

Dear Editor, Peruvian scholar Anibal Quijanio’s concept of “coloniality of power” is of great relevance to the relationship between Western academia and the Third World. Coloniality of power refers to the continuation of colonial forms of power relations between the West and the Rest after formal independence.

Edward Burrowes’s letter to the editor (KN 3/14/2024) is adequate proof of Quijano’s contention. Further, Burrowes brings to mind Edward Sai’s contention that cultural imperialism is always assisted by local collaborators. Burrowes draws on a report by a European organization that goes by the name V-Dem, according to whom Guyana is not a full democracy.

Those of us who live here know that Guyana’s democracy is as democratic as any European or North American country’s. Our voting laws and verification mechanisms are stricter than any Western country’s. On the socio-economic side of things, Guyana has a fully articulated set of programmes on human development.

The real problem is

and paid heed to, his radical advocacy for independence.

Like the Caribbean anti-colonial figures, Cheddi supported social causes and was a trade unionist. But unlike them, he was a radical leader who embraced socialism.

Unlike Williams and other Caribbean freedom fighters, Cheddi was a grassroots’ activist, dwelling among the peasants or rural folks. He spent most of his time among the poor and working class, rather than among the elite and urban folks.

Like Williams, Cheddi was an outstanding writer, scholar, and historian (though an amateur one), and a charismatic figure. And he was the leader of the largest political party and trade union in the region.

Cheddi’s political involvement and influence predated several other Caribbean freedom fighters, including Eric Williams who became founder and Political Leader of the People's National Movement (PNM), Trinidad and Tobago's first modern political party, in 1956. The PNM was successful in the country's 1956 national election, making Williams

the first Chief Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Premier in 1961.

With Independence in 1962, Williams became the country's first Prime Minister. He held that position till his death in 1981.

Cheddi’s political movement started before Williams’s, in 1946; and he founded the first modern party in 1950. He became Chief Minister in 1953 and Premier in 1957. He would have become PM in 1961 if the British had fulfilled their promise for Guiana’s independence. Local and international conspirators delayed Guiana’s independence.

Unlike Caribbean freedom fighters, Cheddi was an exponent of socialism as a means to address long-standing economic and social challenges. He was a forceful orator, a major influence in organizing nationalist opposition to colonial rule, and he spread the popularity of the nationalist cause around the colony as well as throughout the Anglophone Caribbean region. He was democratically elected as Chief Minister, twice as Premier and leader of the PPP to lead free Guyana, the latter posi-

Answering questions posed to me

Dear Editor,

that many organizations in the West have arrogated to themselves the right to exercise epistemological power over weaker nations, and the only reason for this is that they can do it. Most of these organizations are staffed by third rate academics, those who failed to get real academic jobs. Most of these outfits have some top ranked scholars at the top for credibility and branding. The dirty work, however, is done by PhD that were either refused tenure or were never hired in an academic position in the first place.

People like Burrowes are the customers and clients of these knowledge hucksters. These neo-colonials continue to investigate, assess, and report on the Third World. Most reports set the basis for Western discipline either through direct or covert intervention.

For those who have managed to decolonise themselves, it is painful to watch this abuse. Guyana is a full democracy, and we do not need affirmation from an obscure organization in Europe to tell us how things are.

Sincerely,

Dr Randy Persaud

In the issue of March 7th, 2024, there was a letter penned by one Jhagroo Persaud. He posed three questions to me. I suppose he was motivated to ask the questions because of my critical comments about the role of the United States in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, among other international events.

In answer to question one, which asked if I have any gratitude to the US Republican Party for…saving democracy in Guyana in 2020?

Answer: Sure, I am very happy for the role of the US Government in those elections. They were truly on the right side of history, and we must give recognition to the US’ firm stance in that critical time.

I wish to note, in passing, the role of the Guyanese people, particularly the PPP. It was that fight - supported by the International Community, of which the US played the leading part - which saw us salvaging democracy in Guyana.

The second question was: Is the current PPP Government making the same mistakes as Dr. Jagan did?

Answer: I don’t know what mistakes Mr. Persaud is referring to. What I do know is that Dr. Jagan was elected over and over again by the people of this country at free and fair elec-

tion was denied him by local conspirators and AngloAmerican alliance.

Jagan served as Guyana’s first democratically elected President. And he remained head of the PPP from its founding in 1950 till his death in 1997. And if we add his leadership to the PPP precursor, PAC, which from 1946 was dissolved into the PPP, Jagan served as leader for over 50 years.

Like Williams and other regional freedom fighters, Cheddi’s speeches electrified the colony, initially all races, and then, with the racial division in 1955, Indians primarily.

He was an icon for Indians, not only in Guyana, but around the region and in Suriname. Cheddi consistently spoke passionately and forcefully to encourage racial unity, though he was not successful.

Analysts described him as an elegant, charming, young intellectual and socialite.

He also participated in the political and cultural activities of the national Indian organization BGEIA. But became critical of the leadership of the organization and left. He grew increasingly attracted to socialism and liberalism, which were beginning to influence the politics and economics of UK and Europe, but less so in America.

tions. He worked tirelessly, and his achievements in difficult circumstances remain unmatched. However, because of opposition locally and internationally, he was thrown out of office. That is one of Guyana’s worst tragedies. In that case, the US was most responsible, which saddled the country with a 28-year dictatorship.

The part played by the local opposition was treacherous, as they fought against our independence.

Arthur Slazenger Jr., one of President Kennedy’s advisors, apologised to Dr. Jagan for the injustice that was done to him.

The third question was: What are the major reasons for the PPP’s loss at the 2015 elections?

Answer: I do not believe that the PPP lost those elections. I still feel that the elections were rigged.

Fortunately, that can still be checked. GECOM has all the ballots locked up in a container, taking up space. I propose that Mr. Jhagroo and the Guyanese people as a whole, in the interest of truth, insist that those ballots be recounted, and then we would know if the PPP did in fact lose the election.

Sincerely,

Donald Ramotar

Former President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

As CM, Premier, and President, Cheddi oversaw national programs of agrarian and land reforms, opening up land for farming, small scale industrialisation, and infrastructure development. He also passionately worked for women's rights, secularism in education and state matters, advancement of education for all at all levels, and social welfare. He initially subscribed to Nehru’s policy of non-alignment, but embraced the Soviet bloc, and was criticized for the latter action. He was both criticized and praised by different academics, depending on their political ideology, for his support for Cuba and the Soviet bloc and communism.

In office, Cheddi’s policies spread free education and self-reliance and the need to eradicate social evils such as poverty and unemployment. He launched ambitious schemes to promote sanitation and potable water and electricity supplies. He governed frugally and wisely, and never wasted resources. And he was incorruptibly honest.

His ideas and experience proved invaluable to his successors in 1964 and 1997. His influence is all pervading in Guyana and the region, and scholars around the globe admire him.

A Cheddi Jagan Memorial Lecture would honour the legendary Caribbean freedom fighter, statesman, and author of several books. I and others organized one such lecture in March 2018 in NY for Jagan’s centennial, where Ralph Ramkarran delivered the keynote address. It should be institutionalized and internationalized like the Eric Williams Annual Lecture series.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

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Page Foundation

Temperature

The unit of temperature is the degree. It is written as a small circle above the number: 25o = 25 degrees. Customary degrees are measured on the Fahrenheit scale. However, in Guyana, for temperature we normally use the metric scale of degrees Celsius. To make it clear which scale you are using, you must add the letter F for Fahrenheit or the letter C for Celsius.

25o C = 25 degrees Celsius.

On the Celsius scale, the freezing point of water is 0o C. The boiling point of water is 100o C.

On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32o F. The boiling point of water is 212o F.

Exercises: Convert

To convert from one scale to the other you use the following formulas:

1) 32o F = __________C

2) 100o C = __________ F

3) 0o C = __________ F

In this fun and easy colour science experiment for kids, we’re going to make rainbow-coloured celery.

Materials:

Water

Jars

Food colouring

Celery

4) 212o F = __________

5) 212o C

be disturbed for a couple of days.

Fill each jar or drinking glass about halfway full with water.

Now add a drop or two of food colouring (different colours) to each jar.

Put one stalk of celery into each jar.

Check on your celery every few hours over the next several days and write down your observations.

How it works:

Instructions:

Place the jars out in a nice organised row in a place where they will not

The celery normally uses capillary action to pull water up from the soil

BY ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE

II

and into the plant. In this experiment, the food colouring attaches to the water molecules and travels up into the celery stalk. Xylems are the small tubes in the celery that carry the water up into the celery.

Make this a science project:

Try this experiment with white carnations. Try this experiment in direct sunlight. Try putting this experiment in the refrigerator. (sciencefun. org)

And now that the rage of thy rapture is satiate with revel and ravin and spoil of the snow, And the branches it brightened are broken, and shattered the tree-tops that only thy wrath could lay low, How should not thy lovers rejoice in thee, leader and lord of the year that exults to be born

So strong in thy strength and so glad of thy gladness whose laughter puts winter and sorrow to scorn?

Thou hast shaken the snows from thy wings, and the frost on thy forehead is molten: thy lips are aglow

As a lover’s that kindle with kissing, and earth, with her raiment and tresses yet wasted and torn, Takes breath as she smiles in the grasp of thy passion to feel through her spirit the sense of thee flow.

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY TO BE CONTINUED

WORD SEARCH

After turning down Govt’s 2024 salary proposal…

GTU now asks High Court to order negotiations for 2019-2023 pay hike

The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has asked the High Court for an Order of Mandamus, mandating the Guyana Government to engage in collective bargaining from 2019 to 2023.

Court documents seen by this publication on Friday have listed Attorney General Anil Nandlall as the respondent and the Guyana Trades Union Congress as intervener.

Among the requests is one for an order directing the Ministry of Education to disclose all correspondences between the GTU and the MoE in relation to collective bargaining discussions, as claimed by the Ministry of Education; or alternatively, to disclose whether or not there are any such documents in existence.

GTU is also asking for a declaration that it has a right to negotiation within the period 2019-2023; a declaration that the refusal to negoti-

ate for the period 2019-2023 constitutes a breach of its right to collective bargaining under Article 147 of the Constitution of Guyana; a declaration that the minutes dated March 7, 2024 created a binding agreement; and a declaration that the agreement arising from the said minutes created a legitimate expectation.

Moreover, the GTU has requested that Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain and Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar be held in contempt of court for “unwillingness and bad faith for refusing to discuss collective bargaining for the period 2019-2023”.

The court ordered mediation between the two parties on February 29, and it resulted in an agreement being arrived at between the Guyana Teachers’ Union and the Attorney General of Guyana on behalf of the Education

Ministry. That agreement outlined that the teachers shall resume work on or before March 6, and discussion shall proceed within 48 hours of resumption of work, and shall be in relation to matters which either party considers relevant for discussion between the Union and the Government, including financial matters.

Following that agreement, teachers resumed work, and the MoE and GTU agreed to table the multiyear proposal 2019-2023 for discussion. On March 7, the Chief Education Officer indicated to the Union that he would serve as the Chief Negotiator on behalf of the Ministry of Education. However, at the next meeting, on March 12, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education then announced that she was the Chief Negotiator.

That last engagement between the GTU and the MoE saw the Permanent

Dead child with crushed head, severed arm found at Eccles dumpsite

Agarbage picker combing through the Haags Bosch Landfill at Eccles, East Bank Demerara on Friday at about 13:00h was shocked to discover the partially decomposed body of a child, which he had initially thought was a discarded doll.

Closer inspection caused him to realise he was staring at the remains of a boy believed to be only a few months old; who appeared to have suffered significant trauma, with his head and face crushed and his arm severed. He immediately alerted others on the scene, and the police were notified.

Speaking with Guyana Times later, he shared that the child seemed to have been of Amerindian descent. “He seemed like an Amerindian baby, and he looked around 7 to 9 months old, because the baby looked big. He did not have on any clothes, and was peeling and he was smelling slightly. When I saw the baby, it wasn’t a lot of garbage around him”, the man said.

He said the area where the body was discovered typically receives 'fresh' garbage only from garbage trucks, indicating that the remains of the child might have been recently discarded.

“It has to be from a garbage truck, because garbage that was being pushed around that time was only from garbage trucks…I think it had to come today [Friday]”, the man has said.

He also shared that it might be difficult to determine which garbage truck

had dumped the body, because the trucks are not monitored.

Secretary indicating that the parties would not engage in discussion on collective bargaining for salaries for the period 2019-2023.

The GTU proceeded to stage a walkout of that engagement, and has since been contending that reneging on the agreement to discuss collective bargaining from 2019-2023 is contemptuous and is a breach of Article 147 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, as well as the agreement.

Walked away

On Thursday, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the GTU has walked away from a threeyear proposal submitted by the Government for salary increases from 2024 on-

wards.

Government has already said it is unfair for the GTU to request pay hikes for years when teachers were at home during the COVID-19 pandemic - those years are from 2020 to 2022; and that the budget cannot accommodate a retroactive increase that spans several years.

These positions have been reiterated by VP Jagdeo during a press conference at the Office of the President on Thursday, when he added that an alternative proposal was offered to the GTU.

Prior to this, the Chief Education Officer had countered claims made by the GTU in its court proceedings: that it was never engaged by the Education Ministry on salary-related issues for teachers. The GTU said its General Secretary

Coretta McDonald had written President Dr Irfaan Ali on April 18, 2023, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the way forward for teachers.

In court documents filed in February 2024 by the GTU (applicant) against the Attorney General of Guyana (respondent), the GTU has disclosed that only non-financial matters had been discussed with the Education Ministry regarding its multiyear proposal for the period 2019-2023, which had been submitted to Government in September 2020.

But Hussain, in his affidavit to the court, pointed out that from August 11, 2020 until January 31, 2024, the GTU and the MoE had met continuously: on average once monthly, sometimes as many as three times per month. Those meetings, he noted, had dealt with the demands of the applicant as well as demands of the Ministry regarding the general welfare and well-being of teachers and the best interests of the education sector.

Hussain also explained that the MoE had “successfully and satisfactorily” addressed 30 of the 41 proposals made by the applicant in the past three years; and of the 11 outstanding requests, two are specifically only to benefit GTU executive members, while two others cannot be granted because they are contrary to the laws of Guyana. (G12)

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, the garbage picker expressed deep shock, admitting that despite being trained to handle such situations, encountering a body was beyond anything he had imagined. He said it was shocking to him that anyone would want to dispose of their child in such a manner.

“When I saw it, I wanted to know what was going on, because I never seen a body since I worked here…when I saw the hair too, cause the child had a lot of hair, I was shocked”, the man said.

Following the harrowing find, the Guyana Police Force removed the child's body to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for further examination.

Investigations into this matter are ongoing. (G9)

GTU President Dr Mark Lyte

The body of the child found at the dumpsite

The area of the Haags Bosch Landfill where the child was found

Teen motorcyclists hospitalised after police chase ends in crash

Two teenage motorcyclists have been hospitalised after crashing their bikes into a pile of crushed stones while attempting to evade police ranks along the Enterprise Access Road, East Coast Demerara, on Tuesday at about 19:25 hrs. Their respective conditions are deemed serious.

According to police reports, the teens: a 17-year-old who was driving motorcycle #CL 7572; and Ramesh Prashad, a 19-year-old who was driving motorcycle #CK 2959, are both from Non-Pareil, ECD.

Initial inquiries disclosed that two police officers were on motorcycle patrol duties in the Enterprise area when they observed two persons on motorcycles

riding in the area without lights. Upon noticing the police, the two motorcyclists rode onto the access road which is under con-

struction, and which leads into the Enterprise backlands where a new housing scheme is being developed.

At the time, the bikers

were proceeding in an easterly direction at a fast rate, and one of them rode into a pile of 'crushed stones' that was in the centre of the road.

Both bikers lost control of their bikes, and sustained injuries to their bodies when they fell on the roadway.

Police ranks reported that they had lost sight of the bikers, and were proceeding in the direction that the bikers had sped off in when they heard a call for help and responded.

Based on the ranks' observations, an ambulance was summoned, and both motorcyclists were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were admitted as patients.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

Wanted Brazilian murder accused believed to have fled to Guyana

Law enforcement authorities of the Roraima Civil Police (PCRR) in Brazil are actively pursuing a male Brazilian national suspected of orchestrating a double homicide in Bonfim, Brazil, on March 4.

Marcelo Magalhães da Silva, known as "China" or "Marijuana," is believed to have fled across the border

into Guyana.

The victims, Union Police Officer Chenyl Atkinson, 63, and her husband José Ribamar Ribeiro, 71, were brutally murdered in their home.

Since the tragic incident unfolded, Bonfim police have been diligently investigating the case. Preliminary findings indicate Marcelo is the

primary suspect.

Despite efforts by the Military Police to apprehend Marcelo at a hiding location, he managed to evade capture; but authorities were able to detain his 16-year-old girlfriend, who is believed to have aided in his escape.

"We are working with sensitive information, which cannot yet be shared so as

Wanted : Marcelo Magalhães da Silva, known as "China" or "Marijuana"

not to harm the progress of the investigations. However, this morning's [Tuesday] action allowed us to serve the arrest warrant against the alleged perpetrator of the crime. The warrant was served in a prison where he is serving a sentence for another crime," explained Brazilian official Rodrigo Gomides.

Authorities suspect Marcelo may have fled to Guyana shortly after the crime, prompting officials to release his photo to the public for assistance in locating him.

Details of the crime

According to information from the Civil Police, the assailant first attacked the victim José Ribamar Ribeiro and inflicted fatal injuries on him, including a knife wound to the jugular. Upon Chenyl Atkinson's return home from work, she was ambushed by the perpetrator. Investigators believe she engaged in a struggle with the assailant, who ultimately stabbed her 18 times with a knife, including 14 wounds to the neck and back of the head alone. The murder weapon was discovered at the gate of the victims' residence.

One…

…Caribbean?

Did you notice, dear reader, that in the pics of our Caribbean leaders’ most recent soirees – isn’t that what they are? – Barbados’s Mia Mottley and St Vincent’s Ralph Gonsalves weren’t as chummy as they used to be with our Pressie? Gotta be the embarrassment of being outed for playing both sides against the middle with Venezuela’s ridiculous border controversy! Now, nothing is wrong with them simpering to Mad Maduro for easing their PetroCaribe debts, but claiming to be an “honest broker” deescalating the tensions aroused by the madman – as Gonsalves did – was more than disingenuous!!

But that doesn’t mean we gotta give up on seeking to tie together our Caribbean into a more cohesive relationship. While there has always been a school of thought that we oughta fulfil our “continental destiny” –even our Caribbean brothers never tire of reminding us we’re in South America, and not REALLY Caribbean – there doesn’t have to be a conflict in the two imperatives.

Geography doesn’t have to be destiny!! And culture’s thicker than water!! Look at how the US, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have their special relationship. Culcha, baby!! Culcha!!

And this is where your Eyewitness feels these leaders should start focusing – culture writ large. Nowadays, culture isn’t just singing and dancing to entertain the plantation massas; it’s a huge business. Let’s take cricket, where the present WI administrators have frittered away our branding! Shouldn’t the leaders get involved to ensure that our cricket regains its number one position in the world?? As the incumbent Chair of Caricom, Pressiewho’s a cricket fanatic – can play a leading role!! As he did with honouring a local cricketer, he can organise a friendly cricket match with the other Caribbean leaders at each of their HoG meetings. HoG is “heads of government”, not the porcine creature that’s neither kosher nor halal!!

Then there’s our music. While Reggae has spread across the world and remains popular – witness the popularity of the Marley Biopic – look at how we allowed, for instance, Nigeria’s Burna Boy to just zoom past us with his Afrobeats!! In the meantime, while our people have developed Chutney – which in actually Indobeats – we haven’t even exploited the BILLION-plus market that’s just tailor made for it!!

During their cricket matches at their HoGs, our leaders should be belting out hits like “Lotay la” or “Dem a watch me” at the drop of a ball!!

Your Eyewitness can go on and on, but you get the idea, don’t you, dear reader? Leaders gotta lead from the front, and since our best product is culture - in which we have a monopoly – they gotta be ready to showcase culture whenever or wherever they have an opportunity.

Shouldn’t they open their UN General Assembly speeches with a calypso??

…people

Most Guyanese don’t realise that, even more than culture, we share our DNA with the Caribbean people, especially Barbados. Right after the abolition of slavery, forty thousand of them came to Guyana - and undercut the bargaining power of the freed slaves. In fact, they were recruited overwhelmingly in the newly-formed Police Force, since they had no qualms in “mannersing” the locals. They quickly intermarried with our locals - but earned a reputation for scampishness.

This was illustrated in a calypso by Lord Kitchner. A Trini and a Bajan, both hungry, decided to scrounge together a cookup - with the Trini providing the meat and the Bajan the rice. But as Kitch recounted, “By this time the pot finish, Trini pick up a dish/ The Bajan say, "No no, no, never happen so!/ If you wanted something to eat, man take a fork and pick out your meat/But if you add one grain of rice, by Christ, I squeeze yuh throat like a vise"!!

Remember the “Guyanese Bench”??

…America

Some folks think that if Trump gets elected to the US Presidency, the US relationship with Guyana would change. Not necessarily!! After Biden squeezed out Trump in 2020, did anything change?? Look how long Sara-Ann Lynch stayed on!!

The pile of stones into which the teens crashed

ExxonMobil finds more oil in Stabroek Block

…Govt reaffirms pledge to manage oil resources for upliftment of citizens

United States oil major ExxonMobil Guyana has announced another oil discovery at the Bluefin well in the Stabroek Block – the company’s first oil find for 2024.

In a statement issued on Friday, the US oil giant said it encountered approximately 197 feet (60 metres) of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone in the Bluefin well, which was drilled by the Stena Drillmax drillship in 4,244 feet (1,294 metres) of water.

The Bluefin well is located approximately 8.5 kilometres southeast of the Sailfin-1 well, where oil was found in October 2022 in the southeastern portion of the Stabroek block.

“Our exploration programme continues to improve our understanding of the block’s potential to drive viable oil-and-gas development. This latest find reinforces that we have the people, skills and technology to safely and responsibly deliver value to Guyana from the country’s resources,” President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, has said.

The Bluefin discovery joins the more-than 30 other discoveries already made in the Stabroek block since 2015.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Government, through the Natural Resources Ministry, has welcomed the discovery, which marks the 49th oil find offshore Guyana.

“Bluefin joins the other discoveries made in the prolific Stabroek Block from 2015 to date. The Government of Guyana reaffirms its commitment to prudently managing the nation’s oil and gas sector for the upliftment of all of its citizens,” the Natural Resources Ministry said in a statement.

The last discovery in the Stabroek Block was made in October 2023, when oil was found at the Lancetfish-2 well. The well encountered approximately 125 feet of net oil pay in appraisal reservoirs, and approximately 65 feet of net oil pay in a new discovery interval.

The Lancetfish-2 well was drilled in 5,649 feet of water, and is located approximately four miles southeast of the Lancetfish-1 discovery well, where oil was found in April last year by the Stabroek Block operator ExxonMobil.

In addition to Lancetfish-1 discovery, the other oil finds in 2023 include at Fangtooth SE-1 in the Stabroek Block and at the Wei-1 well in the Corentyne Block.

Routledge told reporters, last month at a press conference in Georgetown, that the company has plans to drill and appraise at least seven new wells within the Stabroek Block in 2024, including two within the western boundaries of the oil field, named the Trumpetfish and the Redmouth.

Five of the wells are expected to guide the company in assessing the quantity and usability of the natural gas reserve in the Stabroek Block, particularly those in the eastern portion. If the wells lead to commercially viable resources, the company could drill additional wells in the area.

These activities, especially the planned exploration west of the Essequibo River, raise questions about the US oil major’s posture towards the threats coming from Guyana’s western neighbour Venezuela, which is claiming more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass and a port of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where most of the oil finds have occurred.

However, Routledge has reiterated that the company remains dedicated to its Guyana operations, and has expressed, “We remain committed to Guyana and pursuing business here, and delivering on the commitments we’ve made…

“We believe that the contract that we have with the country is valid under the local law…Also, under international law, we have valid rights to the blocks in which we’re participating, and the issue between countries needs to be dealt with as it is being done between the government between the two countries”.

ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has a majority 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block, and is the operator; while Hess Corporation holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest. However, Hess

Corporation has agreed to merge with Chevron, and this transaction is expected to be closed in the first half of this year – a transaction that could be delayed after Exxon filed arbitration proceedings

to claim preemptive rights in the offshore Guyana operations.

ExxonMobil, along with its co-venturers, had commenced production activities in the Stabroek Block in

December 2019. Currently, production has been ramped up to over 600,000 barrels of oil per day at the Liza Phases One and Two, as well as the Payara projects, all of account for the three floating, produc-

tion, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in Guyana’s waters offshore.

The current production figures would be further buttressed by the Yellowtail and Uaru developments, which are already underway and are anticipated to contribute 250,000 barrels of oil each following their respective start-ups in 2025 and 2026.

An application for the sixth development, the Whiptail Project, was submitted by the Stabroek Block operator to the Guyana Government last year, and is awaiting the necessary approvals. This project, once approved, would see Guyana producing just over 1.2 million barrels of oil per day by 2027.

In addition to these six projects offshore Guyana, which Exxon anticipates would be online by 2027, the possibility of having 10 FPSOs operational by 2030 is also being eyed.

The Stena Drillmax drillship has found oil at the Bluefin well in the Stabroek Block

Dead Police Sergeant was shot 3 times - PME results

Apost-mortem examination conducted on the body of Police Sergeant Alex Vaughn, who lost his life after allegedly being shot by a colleague during a police operation, has revealed that he had sustained three gunshot wounds as follows: a graze to the right side of his abdomen; another graze to his right leg; and a wound made by a bullet that entered his left abdomen and exited through his right buttocks. That was the injury that ultimately claimed his life.

The body of the 53-yearold Alex Vaughn has since been handed over to his family for burial, but his partner Jonnel Singh has since called for a thorough investigation into the shooting incident.

In its initial statement on the shooting, the Guyana Police Force had announced that a police constable has been placed under close arrest after he had “unintentionally” shot this police sergeant. The two were part of a police operation mounted to search for prison escapee Akeem Wong, who has chopped 49-year-old David Gomes and his 75-year-old mother Elizabeth Gomes to death in Saxacalli village, situated along the

Essequibo River.

Tragedy struck when a police constable, arriving on the scene on a tractor as part of a backup unit, allegedly discharged his firearm “accidentally” upon disembarking, resulting in Vaughn being fatally shot.

Under the directive of acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, an investigation into the incident has been launched by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), overseen by the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority.

This incident comes in the wake of heightened efforts to capture Wong, who had escaped on February 14 from the Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven (Cuyuni-

Mazaruni), where he was serving a 15-year sentence for rape.

Wong, called “Bin Laden”, and another inmate, Gilbert Gill, were under the supervision of a prison officer, performing labour duties in a ‘wood bush’ when Wong requested permission to go defecate, and was granted same by the prison officer.

About five minutes later, a check was made for Wong, and it was discovered that he had gone missing. Law enforcement officials have since been searching for him.

Meanwhile, David and Elizabeth Gomes have been chopped to death on March 8 in a gruesome incident that took place at their Saxacalli home. It has been reported that since moving to the city, the family would often return to clean their house and surroundings at Saxacalli. However, their routine visit took a sinister turn when an unexpected visitor arrived at their doorstep.

Wong reportedly approached the Gomes residence seeking food and directions. Police have said that Gomes’s six-year-old son related that at about 15:00h on the day in ques-

tion, the suspect visited their home and requested

something to eat, while asking for directions. He was given food, and also took a few drinks with the child’s father.

“The child also stated that he later saw the suspect (arm) himself with a cutlass and (deal) his father several chops about his body. His grandmother (Nellie) went to (her son’s) rescue, and she was also dealt several chops about her body,” the Police release has stated.

The Police have said that after committing the act, the

suspect attempted to wash down the blood, but in the process, he heard a boat approaching, and ran into the nearby bushes, making good his escape.

Law enforcement personnel have also been told by the child that, during the ordeal, the suspect was chopped by his father. The child, the Police said, took his father’s cellular phone and sent a voice note to one of his father’s friends, who in turn contacted the Police. (G9)

“I am willing to go and work” – say mother of 9 who was asked to vacate home …after standing up to abusive husband, getting restraining order

Forty-yearold Willeima Kendasammy, a mother of nine, has been asked to vacate the house in which she and her children have been living, and she says she has nowhere to go. She told this publication on Friday that the move to have her vacate the building stems from her standing up against her husband’s abuse by placing him before the court.

Her nine children are aged 6 months; six years; seven, eight, nine, 10, 12, 13 and 14 years.

She had been given until March 15, 2024 to vacate the East Canje house in which she has been living for the past eight years. The house is owned and

controlled by her husband’s relatives, and she has nowhere else she can go.

She said that even though there is no outstanding bill owed to the electricity company, personnel went to the house and disconnected the power, saying that they were asked to do so to facilitate repairs to the building. And attempts have also been made to disconnect the water supply.

“Ah getting a hard time with the children's father. During my pregnancy with the little boy, he kept putting us out from here. He don’t want to look after his children. Now I get the baby and his mother putting me out of the house,” Kendasammy told this publication.

Dead: Sergeant Alex Vaughn

Prison escapee Akeem Wong

Wileima Kendasammy with eight of her nine children

GTT, WANSAT creating cellular backhaul technology in Guyana

Through a collaborative effort of GTT and the WANSAT, a backhaul of cellular traffic was successfully placed from the hinterland to Georgetown via an international satellite and fibre connection.

According to GTT, cellular backhaul is the process of connecting remote cellular base stations (towers) to a mobile operator’s core network, allowing them to transmit voice and data

traffic to and from mobile devices. This process was first implemented in the town of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) where it was successfully activated, and the last of several remote base stations was successfully activated on March 7, further extending the reach and capabilities of this innovative cellular backhaul solution.

This backhaul process paves the way for increased

efficiency in the operations of rural cell towers and reduces cost optimisation and resource allocation for GTT, the company said.

Chief Operations Officer of GTT Mobile, Randall Hewitt expressed that the achievement was a testament to the dedication and expertise of the WANSAT and GTT teams.

“This milestone not only reinforces our commitment to delivering cutting-edge telecommunications solu-

“I am willing to go and work”...

The woman has said that current circumstances prevent her from working, even as her husband is currently imprisoned. A restraining order was imposed on him after Kendasammy had reported his physical abuse.

“When he drink and come home, he does beat me up. He don’t give me money, I does have to beg my family for things for my children. I

am willing to go and work,” the woman said. The couple had been together since 2008.

Kendasammy said it had been difficult to communicate with her in-laws even before her husband was remanded to prison last year.

She said she had applied for a Government house lot in 2015, and is still on the waiting list.

Anyone wishing to help

FROM PAGE 10

Wileima Kendasammy

Kendasammy can make contact with her on telephone number (592) 659-4953. (G4)

tions, but also positions us at the forefront of technological innovation in Guyana,” he stated. Hewitt then underscored that this continues to show that GTT is an operator who sticks to its word.

Meanwhile, WANSAT, in partnership with GTT, has provided reliable Internet to the family home of West Indies cricketer Shamar Joseph, miles up the Canje River in East

Berbice, Corentyne (Region Six).

Andre Jones, Chief Executive Officer of WANSAT, stated, “At WANSAT, we pride ourselves in bringing innovative technologies and solutions to the Guyanese public.”

Whilst enlightening the public on the leverages made of GTT’s vast telecom experience and WANSAT’s expertise in modern satel-

lite communications technologies, he expressed that this will enable them to provide cutting-edge solutions for the Government of Guyana, enterprise customers, and residential customers in the remotest regions of the country. According to him, this will change the narrative for tens of thousands of persons in Guyana lacking access to high-quality, reliable broadband Internet connections.

Part of the GTT-WANSAT team that executed the build-out at Port Kaituma

Peace pole, mental health benches unveiled by Rotary Club of Garden City (Georgetown)

The Rotary Club of Garden City (Georgetown) on Friday proudly unveiled a peace pole, and peace and mental health benches at Queen’s College; the Aquatic Therapy Pool at the Regional Special Education Needs and Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, situated within the premises of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and the Bishops’ High School.

The mental health benches, the club said, are intended to serve as a safe space for introspection and solitude. These benches also symbolise a commitment to destigmatising mental health issues, and creating inclusive environments where individuals

can find support and understanding.

In a statement, the club said that additionally, amid local, regional, and global challenges, the installation of the peace pole and benches serves as a powerful remind-

er of the importance of fostering compassion, understanding, unity, and harmony in our communities. The benches display words associated with positivity, compassion, and upliftment.

Foundation Director, Dr

Ariane Mangar, organiser of this initiative, noted that "Today [Friday] marks a momentous occasion as we come together to celebrate the unveiling of the peace and mental health benches at these three institutions. These installations signify more than just physical structures; they represent our collective aspirations for a more peaceful and inclusive society. They are tangible reminders of

the importance of fostering harmony within our schools and communities and help to raise awareness about mental well-being. The club intends to continue this initiative at other institutions."

According to the club, by embracing these initiatives, schools and communities not only acknowledge the importance of mental health but also affirm their commitment to promoting peace and unity

among individuals. It noted that as these benches become integral parts of public spaces, they symbolise a shared commitment to compassion, empathy, and the belief that everyone deserves a space where they can find solace and support. With each bench installation, we move closer to creating communities that prioritise mental wellness and offer inclusive spaces for all to thrive.

President Dr Irfaan Ali visited the construction site of the Ogle-to-Eccles Four-Lane connector Highway and was briefed on its progress. This road is a crucial connection between the East Coast and the East Bank of Demerara that will reduce traffic congestion and travel time when completed. The four-lane road is being built from the intersection of the Ogle Airstrip Road and the Rupert Craig Highway on the East Coast of Demerara towards Haags Bosch in Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara (Office of the President photos)

Take regular health check-ups – dialysis patient urges Guyanese amid drastic life changes

Sharing the drastic life changes he has had to make following his diagnosis with chronic kidney disease, dialysis patient Colvin Luthers is urging his fellow Guyanese to take control of their health by undergoing regular check-ups at their nearest health facility.

Making the call during the Health Ministry’s “Health Matters” programme, wherein the focus was on kidney care and treatment, Luthers shared that he has been on treatment for the past eight years.

He disclosed that after experiencing headaches and a persistent hiccup, he chose to visit a doctor, and an examination discovered that his kidneys were not functioning properly. He recounted, “I didn’t know where it would have led me. I was oblivious to the whole dialysis, but after researching, I realised that would have been a drastic life-changing situation to begin with, where I had to walk away and leave my life behind me. It was a complete change.”

Prior to being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, Luthers outlined, he was suffering from hypertension. However, he did not take it seriously, nor did he take medications prescribed by the doctor. At that time, he was residing in Montserrat, but he returned to Guyana in order to have a second opinion on his condition; and it confirmed his previous diagnosis.

Chronic kidney disease is an impairment in kidney functions extending over three months, and despite challenges, Luthers is un-

dergoing treatment three times weekly. Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. When a person has kidney failure, their kidneys don't filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in their bloodstream. Dialysis, however, does the work of the person’s kidneys: removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood.

Sharing his experience, Luthers expressed, “You’re not 100 percent, even after dialysis…There are lots of aches and pains due to treatment; a lot of side effects: headaches, dizziness, tiredness, because you got to use different medications according to what causes the kidneys to fail. I will ask a lot of family members to be patient; to read and understand the sickness, and give that patient 100 percent support, because that matters.

“From day to day, there are certain things that you definitely can’t do that you used to do. For instance, I started jogging, but I had

to stop,” he disclosed.

To persons who are not regularly screened, or who do not pay attention to their health, Luthers encouraged, “I think prevention is better than cure. So, I would like to stress on people to go to the health centres, especially those that have chronic diseases, to follow up with their treatment.”

Advisor to the Health Ministry, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, has called on health organisations to up their game and interest on kidney diseases. The former Health Minister voiced, “We need more attention on kidney diseases. It is a major public health problem, but just like HIV in the 1980s, we continue to neglect this important problem. Here is the crux of the matter: Not only does kidney diseases affect people’s health, bring about premature death and disability, but it serves as a multiplier effect that makes heart diseases (and) diabetes worse. Therefore, it is a public health prob-

lem that we need to focus more attention on.”

Guyana has made advancements in kidney re-

placement therapy, and has become the leading transplant country in the Caribbean. It is expected that this programme would be extended in 2024 with a Centre of Excellence. Dialysis is also made accessible with annual grants issued by Government to the tune of $600,000. This does not include testing provided to each patient, bringing the subsidy to about $1 million per year.

Highlighting that replacement therapy is the last resort, Dr Ramsammy has said that persons with kidney disease, or those who are at risk, need to be identified at the earliest. (G12)

Recreational park to be built at #63 Village, Corentyne

The East Berbice community of No. 63 Village, Corentyne will soon benefit from the construction of a recreational park near that famous beach. This is pursuant to the creation of beautiful spaces in Guyana, apart from creating more recreational activities for residents, as per First Lady Arya Ali’s beautification initiative.

The First Lady was present at the inspection of the area, and during the walkabout said, “Apart from physical development, the skills acquired in playgrounds contribute immensely to a child’s social and psychological development…It also provides an

The area where the park will be constructed at No 63 Village, Corentyne

opportunity for children to benefit from parental guidance…in these activities.”

Having inspected works ongoing in No. 63 Village where the park will be built,

the First Lady has said the recreational park will be equipped with play areas, walkways, pavilions, washroom facilities and lights, among other amenities.

Advisor to the Health Ministry, Dr Leslie Ramsammy Dialysis patient Colvin Luthers

Investing in women is more than a moral or social obligation – Berbice Chamber President

Investing in women is more than a moral or social obligation; it sets the foundation for a society that values equality, innovation, and sustainability.

This is according to the President of Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Samantha Reid, who made this comment while addressing a group of women at an event organised by the Chamber on Thursday in observance of International Woman’s Day, which was held last week.

Reid pointed out that evidence is there in the form of research that societies that empower women economically, politically, and socially are more prosperous and peaceful.

Reid, who heads two businesses, said investing in women’s education, supporting women’s entrepreneurs, and opening avenues for women in leadership sets the foundation for a society that values equality, innovation, and sustainability.

“For Guyana, this principle holds the key to unlocking our nation’s full potential. As our economy grows, especially with the recent expansions in energy, agriculture, and technology sectors, the role of women becomes even more critical. And by creating op-

portunities for women in these sectors, not only do we foster a more inclusive economy, but we also accelerate our collective progress,” Reid has said.

“In recent years, Guyana has made significant strides in recognizing the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment. From grassroots organizations to national policies, efforts are being made to ensure women have the support they need to thrive. We see women leading in academia, in businesses (like many of you here), in politics, and in our communities, breaking barriers and setting new standards. But there’s more to be done,” Reid said.

She said that as Guyana’s

economy continues to advance, new opportunities are emerging, and women must be allowed to participate in those emerging opportunities. Investments must be made in education for girls, in supporting women-led startups, and in ensuring women have equal access to emerging job markets. This, Reid pointed out, would require concerted effort on all fronts.

“‘You can’t just sit down; you have to go looking for opportunities’ is a mantra that has and continues to guide me throughout my career.

Tuschen North households to receive land ownership documents

…as regularisation process progresses

Some 28 households of Tuschen North in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are set to receive their land ownership documents as the Housing Ministry progresses with regularisation of this East Bank Essequibo area.

Residents are set to benefit from development of essential infrastructure, including road construction and utility connections. The announcement was made on Thursday afternoon during an engagement between the residents and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar.

Accompanying those ministers were technical staff from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc.

Minister Croal spoke of plans for a CH&PA team to return to the community in April to facilitate the processing of residents’ Agreements of Sale. This crucial step would pave the way for GWI to provide water services in the area.

Emphasizing coopera-

tion, Croal urged residents to ensure their documents are in order, so that they can ensure a smooth process.

Highlighting the Ministry’s commitment to developing Region Three, Minister Croal also underscored the significant progress made in land allocation and regularisation over the past three years.

Meanwhile, Minister Indar committed to ensuring electricity connections are arranged following completion of the ownership document processing. He also announced plans for the Ministry’s engineers to conduct a comprehensive mapping of the area to determine suitable locations for incom-

ing infrastructural works.

The proposed developments include construction of a new road network, addressing the current lack of road access, and construction of concrete drainage systems.

Tuschen North consists of about 386 lots, and regularisation commenced in 1997. The particular section in focus has been subdivided into 28 lots in 2010, after which squatters began occupying the area.

Regularisation was later done in 2020. There are also persons squatting on the sea defence reserve, which is a zero-tolerance area, and these individuals would have to be relocated. (G12)

Opportunities are abundant; it’s about what and where we are seeking these, and the effort we’re willing to put in,” she explained.

“Hard work and dedication, and the willingness to pivot when necessary have been the cornerstones of my journey,” she declared.

“Identifying what I was good at, enhancing those skills and building upon them led me to where I am today. But above all, it was the pursuit of purpose that drove me. I learned early on not to chase money but to

chase purpose; and indeed, the money followed,” Reid noted.

The exercise saw several women who had made significant contributions to society, and First Lady Arya Ali was on hand to distribute the awards. Among those awardees was proprietress of Church View International Hotel, Ullowtie Bhookmohan, who is also an advocate for women.

In addition, Saraswattie Sripal, who started at a young age selling rice in the New Amsterdam Market and now owns leading supermarkets in the town, was honoured for her role in business.

Other women who were recognized were Stephanie Bowry, a renowned poet and storyteller; Ramdolarie Maraj, who has made enormous contributions to the sustainability of Indian culture; Katherine Archer, an educator who was involved in various facets of community development, including the Municipality; Winnifred Yearwood a former Mayor, teacher, sports official, pastor, and community activist; Barbara Pilgrim, a former Mayor, parliamentarian, community activist, and woman of courage; Onica Ramsuchit who led Guyana's

first female team to international recognition in Canada; and Esther Bruyning, who raised and cared for over one hundred and fifty orphans, including babies.

The Chamber also honoured several of its female members, including Reid.

Meanwhile, banker Denise Bachan, in her delivery at the event, said the achievements and desires of women cannot be established by themselves. She said men would have to play a role if those achievements and desires are to be met.

Bachan called on women to be supportive of each other and to build a strong supportive system. “We have to form (alliances) with our menfolk and other genders in our society, because we cannot do it alone. We need the help and support of our fathers, our brothers, our spouses and our friends to continue along this path. If you check the news, almost every day there is some atrocity against women. So, we need to educate our menfolk as to how we want to be treated, so that they can support their daughters, sisters, mothers, and other womenfolk among them,” Bachan has said. (G4)

Ministers Collin Croal and Deodat Indar meeting with Tuschen North residents

Berbice Chamber President Samantha Reid

Berbice Chamber President Samantha Reid greeting First Lady Arya Ali (Region 6 RDC photo)

Bartica Easter Regatta 2024 to focus on youth, women empowerment

The highly-anticipated Bartica Easter Regatta 2024 was officially launched on Sunday at the Bartica Regatta Pavilion under the theme “Regatta is We Own”.

Chairman of the Bartica Regatta Committee, Kenneth Williams, led the ceremony, un-

veiling a multitude of exciting events aimed at fostering community involvement, with aims for youth and women empowerment.

This year’s Regatta promises an array of diverse activities to cater to all ages and interests. Some new and exciting activities have been added to promote communi-

ty participation and development. Among those activities, youths are in for a treat, as the Regatta would introduction the “Regatta Got Talent for school children” and a special “Spelling Bee for Primary School children”.

Additionally, the initiative “Girls to Women: Girl, Get Up” will empower and uplift girls and women within the Region.

The regatta launch event also saw the introduction of seven gorgeous delegates who are each hoping to cop the title of Miss Bartica Regatta, adding a touch of elegance and glamour to the festivities. The day was complemented by a vibrant Cocktail Reception themed “Vibes in the Tropics”, giving a glimpse of all the exciting activities ahead for the Regatta.

Visitors and locals alike can anticipate a jam-packed schedule

of events, including the sashing of the Pageant Delegates, Regatta in Kingston party, Regatta Beach Lime with Slingers Family, Karaoke Competition, Gospel Concert, Football Tournament, All-Black Street Jam Party, Bartica Land Tours, Grass Track Motorcycle Races, RC Boat Racing, and thrilling Power Boat Races.

The Bartica Easter Regatta holds a special place in the hearts of Guyanese, dating back over fifty-five years. Every year, this event attracts thousands of visitors, solidifying its position as a staple on the Guyana tourism calendar.

To stay connected with all the festivities, visit their social media for the latest updates and behindthe-scenes glimpses of Bartica Easter Regatta 2024!

AFC calls on GTU, Govt to return to bargaining table for swift resolution

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has called on the Guyana Government and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) to recommence talks with the intention of resolving salaries and other key matters at the earliest. Talks between these entities arrived at a stalemate this week.

At a press conference on Friday, AFC Chairperson Cathy Hughes said it is expected that both sides would return to the table, even if that means in the presence of the two mediators appointed by Justice Sandil Kissoon.

“We expect the Government to extend information in terms of when next they can meet and come to the table. It is unacceptable that something of this magnitude, that impacts the entire society and all our children, cannot ensure that the two parties sit and come up with some kind of agreement that is acceptable to both parties,” she expressed.

“There have to be options available. The head of the GTU said they are willing to negotiate, so we have to get back to the table…If the two mediators need to return back to the room, then we suggest that that is maybe a

next step,” Hughes said.

The court had appointed two mediators to engage the Education Ministry and the GTU, and that had led to the resumption of negotiations last week. The two sides had agreed last week to recommence negotiations on the union’s proposed multi-year agreement covering the period 2019 to 2023.

GTU President Mark Lyte, however, said on Tuesday that talks collapsed after the MoE refused to discuss salaries for 2019 to 2023, and wanted only to deal with increases for 2024.

Government has already said it is unfair for the GTU to request pay hikes for years when teachers were at home during the COVID-19 pandemic; those years are from 2020 to 2022; and that the budget cannot accommodate a retroactive increase that spans several years.

Lyte insisted on Thursday that while the union is available for continued talks with Government, those negotiations have to cover the period outlined in the 2019 to 2023 multiyear proposal. He hinted that the Union would be willing to compromise.

After abandoning Tuesday’s

meeting, Lyte indicated during his live broadcast that the GTU would return to the court, since it is believed that the mediation agreement has been breached.

“We are willing to compromise on the years in the multi-year proposal. What that compromise will be is to be fleshed out over the table. The Government has to return to the table to say, ‘We want 2024 and beyond, but we hear you [on] 2019 to 2023’. Come and talk to us! Let’s have a compromise,” he said.

The GTU President has also issued a verbal ultimatum that, if the Government does not indicate before the end of the day that it would return to the table to discuss the 2019 to 2023 multi-year proposal, the union would return to the streets.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand questioned on Wednesday whether it is reasonable to pay salary increases to teachers for 2020 to 2022, when they were at home. She has told reporters that she hopes good sense would prevail in the best interest of the country’s children, and has maintained that there was no breakdown in talks between the MoE and the GTU.

GTU and the Education Ministry in negotiation this week before the

Chairman of the Bartica Regatta Committee, Kenneth Williams, at the launching ceremony (The Bartica Regatta page photo)

The seven delegates participating in the Miss Bartica Regatta 2024 pageant (The Bartica Regatta page photo)

Attendees at the Bartica Regatta launch on Sunday (The Bartica Regatta page photo)

New partnership paves way for increased training opportunities

abour Minister

LJoseph Hamilton and Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Richard Maughn recently engaged in a discussion with representatives from George Brown College (GBC) in Canada to explore avenues for increased skills training opportunities in Guyana, in efforts to boost the workforce and enhanced its capabilities.

Dr Gervan Fearon and Dean Dr Adel Esayed from the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies at GBC were among the official guests present at the gathering. The discussion on

Thursday centred on forging a partnership between the Ministry and the GBC to further the government’s ongoing initiatives in creating an even more skilled workforce in the country.

This collaboration seeks to equip young individuals with the necessary skillsets for employment and also expand the reach of the "trainthe-trainer" programmes.

Labour Minister Hamilton briefly highlighted the Ministry’s achievements, citing a substantial increase in training opportunities for over 11,000 individuals nationwide within three years, compared to the previous Administration’s abysmal performance.

This achievement, he noted, will be enhanced as his Ministry, through BIT, is gearing up to introduce new training courses throughout 2024 to provide individuals with the knowledge and expertise required for more efficient task execution.

He emphasised that this strategic plan will propel the Ministry towards its objective of making technical vocational educational training as prominent as academic learning.

Meanwhile, following the meeting, which was held at the Ministry's Brickdam location, both parties agreed to reconvene in the future to devise a comprehensive plan

that will cater to individuals seeking skills training, aligning with the shared priorities of the Ministry and GBC. The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology, founded in 1976, is a public, ful-

ly-accredited college of applied arts and technology with three campuses, offering more than 170 full-time programmes in art and design, business, community services, early childhood education, construction and

engineering technologies, health sciences, hospitality and culinary arts, preparatory studies, as well as specialised programmes and services for recent immigrants and international students.

Guyana looking at replica of Costa Rica's innovation lab for agriculture

Thoughmany countries lack in their capacity to construct technological aid as it relates to their agricultural sector, Guyana’s School of Agriculture has plans for the establishment of a Fab lab.

The Fab Lab, which is set to be a replica of the one in Costa Rica, will be a digital fabrication lab, with stateof-the-art technology, where online equipment is produced for agriculture. It is set to inspire creativity and promote education and continuous learning through youths and women.

According to the Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, this state-of-the-art replication is set to serve as a tool as it will integrate youths into the agricultural sector. Thirty-five per cent of women and youth are in the Government’s plans to be incorporated into projects such as these.

“There is a perception that young people have

where they think that agriculture is only for old people who never went to school,” he expressed while then stating that projects like these will help change that perception.

The Minster then stated that alongside the establishment of the Fab Lab, other plans are in place as Guyana is set to see the establishment of a brand-new Data Centre. This data centre will provide real time

data to not only persons in Guyana, but within the Caribbean as well.

The Minister made mention that all new proposed plans set to be completed are driven by President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision of making Guyana the food hub in the region. The innovation was supported by the United nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Canadian Government.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton (right) and CEO of BIT, Richard Maughn during the meeting with George Brown College representatives, Dr Gervan Fearon and Dean Dr Adel Esayed

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Regional

Most of Haiti transition council has been named, Blinken says

Most of the nine persons who will sit on Haiti's political transition council have been named by the groups they represent, although a couple are still pending, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said on Friday.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced on Monday he would step down once the council, made up of seven voting members and two observers from different political coalitions and sectors of society, was in place.

The State Department said on Tuesday it expected that members of the transition council would be appointed in the next 24-48 hours, but the process has lagged.

"This is never going to be smooth and never going to be linear," Blinken told reporters during a visit to Austria. "So that's a work in progress, but we've seen that move forward."

The Miami Herald on Thursday reported that five groups had put forward names, but that disagree-

ments remained, with one group presenting multiple candidates.

Political party Platform Pitit Desalin said on Wednesday it was pulling out of the agreement. It plans to install its own council and wants it to include Guy Philippe, who was deported from the US in November after serving six years in prison and is seeking an amnesty for gang leaders.

Blinken participated in

talks on Monday held by a regional Caribbean bloc, along with representatives from Haiti's Government and Opposition, on tackling the crisis in Haiti. Spiralling gang violence has fuelled a humanitarian disaster, cutting off food supplies and forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes.

After Henry announced later on Monday that he would step aside, Port-auPrince was initially quieter, but violence has flared up

Former Brazil military chiefs implicate Bolsonaro in coup conspiracy

The former commanders of Brazil's Army and Air Force told Police investigators that President Jair Bolsonaro summoned them twice to meetings to discuss a possible coup d'état after his election defeat in 2022, according to their testimonies released on Friday by the Supreme Court.

Their accounts place Bolsonaro at the centre of a plot to declare martial law and stop leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva coming to power after he won the election that year.

Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, Bolsonaro has denied attempting a coup in the days

after his election defeat, which he never conceded. He left for the United States to avoid handing the presidential sash to Lula. Days later, his supporters stormed Government buildings trying to provoke a coup.

Bolsonaro's lawyers did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

In their depositions, former Army commander Marco Antonio Freire Gomes and Air Force commander Carlos de Almeida Baptista said they both told Bolsonaro they would not support a coup, defusing any military backing for the then-President's plans.

Both military chiefs implicated Navy commander Almir Garnier Santos in the coup plans. In several meetings, they said, the Admiral said the Navy was ready to back Bolsonaro in a military uprising.

Garnier Santos has not spoken publicly about the investigation carried out by the Federal Police under instructions from the Supreme Court.

Beyond the two military commanders, Police have depositions by three other witnesses who directly implicate Bolsonaro as the main conspirator behind the attempted coup, a Police source told Reuters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Assembly of Southern Lawyers elects new executive

The Assembly of Southern Lawyers (ASL) has elected a new executive.

Leading the association is Saira Lakhan, who was nominated unopposed. She replaces Michael Rooplal, who held the position for five years, but did not seek re-election.

Lakhan has been in practice for 14 years and heads the firm of Magnus in

San Fernando. She is also a senior ordinary member of the Council of the Law Association (LATT) and a certified mediator and arbitrator.

Lakhan proposes to focus on the education development of young lawyers; build on the ASL’s mentorship programme; create and build a vibrant legislative review committee to contribute to new

legislation and follow up on the opening of the San Fernando High Court. She also hopes to attract new members to the ASL.

In his outgoing remarks, Rooplal said the ASL has been vocal about issues affecting the legal fraternity, particularly for lawyers in the South, “on many contentious issues”. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

again in the last two days.

On Friday, a plume of thick, black smoke could be seen billowing out of downtown Port-au-Prince. Local media reported that businesses in affluent suburb Petion-Ville had shuttered and that burning tyres blocked streets in nearby Delmas.

"It's starting off very, very badly," Frederic Boisrond, a sociologist at McGill University told Radio-Canada, pointing to the dissent within the groups proposed for the transition council by leaders in Jamaica.

"Elections are very longterm prospect," he added, pointing to the need, after restoring security, to recreate an electoral roll and reappoint Mayors, Senators and deputies. "This is a huge machine to reinstall. Haiti is in year zero of democracy."

Haiti's last elections took place in 2016 and turnout was reported at around 20 per cent.

Heavily-armed gangs have meanwhile taken over much of the capital, and

rights groups have reported widespread killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence. More than 360,000 persons are internally displaced in Haiti, according to United Nations estimates.

Stumbling blocks

US aid chief Samantha Power announced US$25 million in humanitarian assistance for Haiti on Friday to cover food, essential relief supplies, relocation support, and emergency health care. That was on top of the US$33 million announced on Monday.

A humanitarian airbridge announced by the United Nations was set to operate from the Dominican Republic, but has faced setbacks.

Dominican authorities said they had agreed on an evacuation route with Haiti "exclusively for preventive or emergency exits of Dominicans and staff from missions, and diplomatic and international organisations." This route will be operated by the organisations'

own aircraft, they said.

Blinken on Friday also said an international force intended to restore security to Haiti was moving forward, but that challenges remained.

The force, set to be led by Kenya, has faced stumbling blocks over funding and concerns within Kenya as the security situation in Haiti has deteriorated. Nairobi announced earlier this week it was pausing the deployment and would re-evaluate once a new Haitian Government was in place.

"Once the new council is fully stood up – and again, I would anticipate that happens in the coming days –that process with the force will be able to move forward and then we have a trajectory that has at least the chance of putting Haiti in a more stable place," Blinken said.

"Having said all of that, every single day there are challenges to that process. There are political challenges, there are security challenges, and we're working to address them." (Reuters)

Peru economy grows in January below expectations

Peru's economy grew in January, the Government's INEI statistics agency said on Friday, fuelling hopes the Andean nation can emerge from a stubborn recession this year.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded 1.37 per cent in January compared with the same month last year, when the economy was impacted by protests and social upheaval. The positive figure, however, came in under the 1.70 per cent growth forecast pre-

dicted by analysts polled by Reuters.

January's expansion was led by the construction sector, which grew 13.16 per cent, as well as the critical mining and hydrocarbons sector, which was up 3.96 per cent.

The mining growth was driven by a 4.98 per cent expansion in metals mining. Copper production from the world's number two producer, however, dropped slightly by 0.33 per cent, INEI said.

The country's important fishing sector contract-

ed 26.75 per cent, hurt by a drop in anchovy volumes. Anchovy is critical in making fertiliser fishmeal, of which Peru is a top producer. Earlier this month, the Peruvian central bank's top economist forecast the economy returning to positive quarterly growth in the first three months of the year after four quarters of economic decline, as inflation nears the bank's target range and risks from the El Niño weather phenomenon moderate. (Reuters)

"What is there to retry?" – Vybz Kartel questions need for retrial after Privy Council ruling

Following the Privy Council’s decision on Thursday to overturn his conviction and that of his co-accused for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, Vybz Kartel expressed a sense of victory.

In a statement shared with Fox 5 News’ Lisa Evers and posted on her Facebook page, Kartel conveyed his joy, stating that the Privy Council “understood the assignment and remedied the situation” by overturning the convictions due to juror misconduct.

The Privy Council or-

dered that the case be returned to Jamaica’s Appeal Court to decide whether a retrial is necessary for Kartel and his co-accused Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St John.

However, Kartel questioned the need for a retrial in his statement to Fox 5 News, saying, “I feel victorious in this very moment as the Privy Council in their infinite wisdom, understood the assignment and remedied the situation by quashing my conviction! I am now back to being an innocent man in the eyes

of the law. A grave injustice was done to me and my co-accused in the original trial… and my cries were heard in the land’s highest court.” He added: “I am confident that the Court of Appeal in Jamaica will do the right thing in the name of equity, fairness and justice and free us. Some people have expressed their concern to me that a retrial may be ordered but to them I say (albeit with my limited knowledge of the law) ‘What is there to retry’?”

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein photo)

OIL NEWS

Oil prices dip, but set for weekly gain of over 3%

Oil prices dipped on Friday, a day after topping US$85 a barrel for the first time since November, but prices were expected to finish more than three per cent higher for the week on rising demand from US refiners completing planned overhauls.

Brent crude oil futures slid nine cents or 0.11 per cent to US$85.33 a barrel at 12:16h CDT (1716 GMT). West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 17 cents or 0.21 per cent to US$81.09.

"Supplies are tightening" for motor fuels, said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group. "Prices are at risk to go higher."

But "there are worries the US Federal Reserve won't be able to cut interest rates", because inflation remains above the central bank's target of two per cent, Flynn added.

Cuts in interest rates are seen as opportunities for demand growth in the United States.

Prices had been range-bound for much of the last month roughly between US$80 to US$84 a barrel. Then the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Thursday raised its view on 2024 oil demand for a fourth time since November as Houthi attacks have disrupted Red Sea shipping.

World oil demand will rise by 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024, the IEA said in its latest report, up 110,000 bpd from last month. It forecast a slight supply deficit this year should the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) members sustain their output cuts having previously forecast a surplus.

US energy firms this week added the biggest number of oil and natural gas rigs in a week since September, with the oil rig count also rising to its highest in six months, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in its closely followed report on Friday.

The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose by seven to 629 in the week to March 15. Baker Hughes said oil rigs rose by six to 510 this week, their highest since September, while gas rigs rose by one to 116.

The gains this week have come despite the US dollar strengthening at its fastest pace in eight weeks. A stronger dollar makes crude more expensive for users of other currencies.

Also supporting prices were Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which caused a fire at Rosneft's biggest refinery in one of the most serious attacks against Russia's energy sector in recent months.

"We're continuing to tread water," said John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital LLC, of Friday's activity.

US crude oil stockpiles also fell unexpectedly last week as refineries ramped up processing while gasoline inventories slumped as demand rose, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday.

Lower interest rates cut consumer borrowing costs, which can boost economic growth and demand for oil.

In the US, some signs of slowing economic activity were seen as unlikely to spur the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates before June as other data on Thursday showed a larger-than-expected increase in producer prices last month. (Reuters)

Around the World Israel approves plan to attack Rafah, but keeps truce hopes alive

Israel on Friday approved a potential assault on the Gaza city of Rafah while also keeping ceasefire hopes alive with plans to send another delegation to Qatar for talks on a possible hostage deal with Islamist militant group Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he had ok'd a plan to attack the city on the southern edge of the shattered Palestinian enclave where more than half of its 2.3 million residents are sheltering after five months of war.

Global allies and critics have urged Netanyahu to hold off attacking Rafah, fearing mass civilian casualties. But Israel says it is one of the last strongholds of Hamas whom it has pledged to eliminate and that residents will be evacuated.

In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the US had not seen the Rafah plan, but would like to. He told a regular briefing a Hamas ceasefire-for-hostages proposal was within the bounds of what was possible and expressed cautious optimism about it.

Hamas has presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the US, which includes release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters.

A statement from Netanyahu's office on the Rafah attack plan said Hamas' demands for the release of hostages remained unrealistic, but an Israeli delegation would still head

to Doha once the security Cabinet had discussed its position.

The Israeli statement said the Israeli Defence Force was "preparing operationally and for the evac-

uation of the population" of Rafah.

It gave no time frame and there was no immediate evidence of extra preparations on the ground. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Putin rails against Ukraine as attacks mar Russian presidential election

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of trying to disrupt his country’s presidential election by shelling Russian territory and using 2500 soldiers to try to pierce Russia’s borders, promising to punish Kyiv for its actions.

Polls opened across 11 time zones in Russia on Friday to begin three days of voting with Putin almost certain to secure his fifth term since winning his first election in 2000 with dissent in the country almost

completely stifled. The shadow of the Ukraine war fell across the election with what Putin said was repeated shelling of western Russia and an attempt by Ukrainian proxies to cross into Russian territory in two Russian regions.

“These enemy strikes will not remain unpunished,” a visibly angry Putin said at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, which includes military and spy chiefs as well as the most powerful civilian State officials.

DA’s ex-lover resigns from Trump election meddling case per Judge's order

Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor in Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case, has resigned after a judge said his affair with District Attorney Fani Willis was inappropriate.

Trump and his co-defendants had tried to get Willis disqualified, saying her relationship with Wade – whom she hired – compromised the trial.

The Judge disagreed - but said it did create an "appearance of impropriety".

He said either Willis or Wade should leave the case to resolve that.

Wade's resignation letter admitted no wrongdoing, and said his decision was "in the interest of democracy, in dedication to the American public, and to move this case forward as

quickly as possible".

"Seeking justice for the people of Georgia and the United States, being part of the effort to ensure that the rule of law and democracy are preserved, has been the honour of a lifetime," he continued.

In a letter accepting his resignation, Willis praised him for his "professionalism and dignity", and for having endured threats since joining the case.

In his ruling earlier on Friday, Judge McAfee said Willis had committed a "tremendous lapse in judgement" by engaging in an affair with Wade.

Mr Trump and the 18 others are being prosecuted in Georgia for conspiracy to overturn the state's 2020 election results which they deny. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Putin said there had been four attacks on the Belgorod region and one on the Kursk region – both on the border with Ukraine –by about 2500 Ukrainian proxies. He said they had 35 tanks and 40 armoured vehicles and 60 per cent of the fighters were killed.

Ukrainian officials said earlier on Friday that armed Russian groups based in

Ukraine that are opposed to the Kremlin carried out the attacks in Belgorod and Kursk.

The first day of the election was also marred by disruptions that included dye being poured into ballot boxes, a Molotov cocktail thrown at a polling station in Putin’s hometown and reported cyberattacks.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Ivory Coast hit by major Internet outages

Major Internet disruption has been reported in various countries across Africa.

Widespread outages were reported on Thursday in countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana and Burkina Faso.

Since then, services have largely been restored in Liberia and South Africa.

The cause of the cable failures was not immediately clear, to the frustration of millions of customers around the continent.

"There seems to be a pattern in the timing of the disruptions, impacting from the north to the south of Africa," said Cloudflare Radar, which provides information on Internet connections.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the telecoms in-

dustry, said the outage was caused by damage to international undersea cables running along the West African coastline.

"The cuts occurred somewhere in Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal, with an attendant disruption in Portugal," said NCC spokesman Reuben Muoka.

Sometimes undersea cables can get cut, even by debris, a retired expert told the BBC.

He added: "You can also have undersea earth slides – sections of seabed can become unstable, sending huge amounts of mud down a canyon or gulley."

"Where cables come ashore and are buried underground, they could be prone to accidental or intentional damage."

Whatever the cause, it has resulted in major difficulties for people who rely on the Internet for a living.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Smoke rises following an Israeli strike as Palestinians fleeing north Gaza due to Israel’s military offensive move southward, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at the central Gaza Strip (Reuters/Ahmed Zakot photo)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Take care of details and address any rules or regulations that can interfere with your goals. Review essential documents to ensure you have everything updated and ready to go.

Don’t get confused over what others say. Concentrate on what’s meaningful to you and on the people who are eager to see you succeed. A steady pace will lead to new ideas.

Emotions will fluctuate. Take a moment to sort through your feelings and determine what’s essential. Interference is prevalent, and it’s best if you ignore it until you know what you want to do next.

You have lots to be grateful for, so don’t slow down or waste time on something that doesn’t interest you. Dig in and turn an idea into something that makes you proud.

You’ll be subject to what others want you to do, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow someone else’s lead. Say what’s on your mind, be articulate and stand up for yourself.

Change is in your best interest. Consider your options, and you’ll find the perfect way to reach your target. A short trip, reunion or romantic interest will lead to a new beginning.

Travel, learn, discover something new and make acquaintances. Expand your mind and follow your heart and dreams. It’s time to make things happen instead of thinking about the possibilities.

Show your appreciation to anyone who has helped you out, and you’ll gain respect and support. A partnership will offer something new and exciting. Romance is favored.

You’ll face opposition if you are too open about your intentions. Work alone until you have mastered the ins and outs. You can have fun without going overboard. Pace yourself.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Leave nothing to chance when sharing information. Someone will twist your words to make you look bad. Take advantage of an opportunity to improve your surroundings, but don’t go over budget.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Listen to your heart, not to hearsay from an unreliable source. Change begins with you, not to someone who wants you to be a follower. Focus on home, family and being good to yourself.

Refuse to let anyone stifle you emotionally. It’s time to address sensitive issues and advocate for your desired and deserved happiness. Don’t sell yourself short.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PICKLES

ARCHIE

Champions League quarter-finals…

Arsenal draw Bayern and City face Real

Arsenal have been drawn against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, while Manchester City will play 14-time winners Real Madrid.

The Gunners will host German side Bayern, who have England Captain Harry Kane in their squad, at Emirates Stadium in the first leg.

Meanwhile, this is the third successive season City, who won last year's title, have met Real in the knockout stages.

The first legs take place April 9-10, with the second legs on April 16-17.

Both City and Arsenal play their first-leg fixtures on April 9, with the Gunners at home to Bayern and Pep Guardiola's side at the

Bernabeu.

The return legs take place on April 17, with the

two Premier League sides facing each other in the semi-finals if they win their

ICC makes stop clock permanent feature in ODIs, T20Is

The

clock to help

up over rates will

a permanent

in men's One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is) between Full Members from June 1, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced after its board meetings in Dubai this week.

According to the rule, which has been trialled in international cricket since December last year, the fielding side must be ready to start an over within a minute of the previous one ending. If they fail to do so, they will be allowed two warnings by the umpires, after which a fiverun penalty will be imposed for the third offence and every subsequent one.

"The results of the stopclock trial were presented to the Chief Executives' Committee (CEC), which demonstrated that around 20 minutes per ODI match had been saved in time," the ICC said in a statement laying out the reasons for making the rule permanent.

During the trial period, no team was found to have exceeded the one-minute limit between overs three times in an innings, and so the fiverun penalty has not yet been imposed for this offence.

In addition to the stop clock, there are two other penalties that can be imposed to police over-rates in limited-overs cricket – a fielding penalty and monetary fines.

The fielding penalty is laid out as follows: if the fielding side fails to begin the final over of the innings by the stipulated cut-off time, after

accounting for delays, they will have to bring an extra fielder into the 30-yard circle for however many overs are remaining in the innings. So they will be allowed only four fielders outside the circle, instead of five, for the duration of the penalty. This rule, introduced in early 2022, applies to both men's and women's limited-overs games.

The monetary fine includes a five per cent cut in the team's match fee for every over they are short of the minimum required over rate, after the umpires have taken into account allowances for unavoidable delays. The fine for the captain is double that of his team-mates, and the fines are capped at 50 per cent of the match fee.

2024 T20 World Cup: 10 overs minimum for knockout games

The 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June will have reserve days in place for the semi-finals and final, in case of delays and interruptions. And

each of those knockout games will require a minimum of 10 overs per innings to constitute a completed game. For the group stages, the minimum requirement remains five-overs-per-side to constitute a match, as is the norm for T20 cricket.

2026 T20 World Cup qualification at stake in 2024 edition

The 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, like the upcoming edition, will comprise 20 teams, with 12 automatic qualifiers: the two hosts India and Sri Lanka as well as the other teams that make the Super Eights at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Then, two to four teams (it will be fewer than four if India or Sri Lanka finish outside the top eight in 2024) are decided by who are the next highest-ranked teams in the ICC's T20I rankings on June 30, 2024. The remaining eight spots for 2026 will be decided through the usual regional qualifiers pathway.

(ESPNcricinfo)

respective ties.

In the other ties, fivetime winners Barcelona will play French champions Paris St-Germain, while Atletico Madrid, who are fourth in La Liga, host German opposition Borussia Dortmund.

The semi-finals will be held on April 30 and May 1,

with the second legs a week later on May 7-8.

Wembley Stadium will host this year's final on Saturday, June 1.

Quarter-finals draw

Arsenal v Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid v Borussia Dortmund

Paris St-Germain v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Manchester City

Semi-finals draw

Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund v Paris St-Germain or Barcelona Arsenal or Bayern

Munich v Real Madrid or Manchester City

Arsenal reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 by beating Porto in a tense penalty shootout at the Emirates on Tuesday.

Kane moved to the Bundesliga champions from Tottenham last summer and the 30-year-old striker has

scored 30 times in 25 league appearances this season.

The Gunners lost their last tie with Bayern 10-2 on aggregate, losing both legs of their last-16 meeting in the 2016-17 competition 5-1. They were also beaten 5-1 in the group stage of the previous season's competition, having won the home tie 2-0.

Bayern will not be permitted to have their fans at the Emirates after fireworks were set off and thrown onto the pitch during their last16 match against Lazio earlier this month.

City cruised to a seventh successive last-eight appearance with a comfortable 6-2 aggregate win over Danish title holders Copenhagen in the round of 16.

Pep Guardiola's Treble winners dominated Real in the semi-finals last year, beating Carlo Ancelotti's side 5-1 on aggregate. They were beaten 6-5 over two legs by Real in the previous season's semi-final. (BBC Sport)

World champions Jackson and Richardson to open seasons at Miramar

The anticipation for the 2024 track and field season is at an all-time high as reigning world champions Shericka Jackson and Sha'Carri Richardson gear up to kick off their campaigns at the prestigious Miramar Invitational on April 6.

Both sprinters have been eagerly awaited since their last appearance at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene last September. At that event, Jamaican sensation Jackson concluded her season on a high note by clinching the 100m title for the Diamond League Trophy, with Richardson securing a commendable fourth-place finish.

Jackson, a five-time Olympic medallist and double world gold medallist Richardson have chosen the Miramar Invitational as their platform to launch their 2024 season. The significance of this event is not lost on either athlete, as they aim to make a statement early in the season.

Richardson, who captured the spotlight with her remarkable performances last year, particularly shone at the Miramar Invitational, where she blazed to a wind-aided 10.57

seconds in the 100m. This outstanding feat marked the fourth-fastest time in the history of athletics under all wind conditions, solidifying Richardson's status as one of the sport's brightest stars.

The American sprinter's dominance in 2023 culminated in two world titles at the Budapest World Championships in the 100m and 4x100m relay, in addition to a bronze in the 200m.

Her nomination for the 2024 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year title further underscores her exceptional achievements on the track.

Meanwhile, Jackson, a formidable force in her own right, made her mark at the

2023 Miramar Invitational with a third-place finish in the women's 400m. With five Olympic medals to her name, including gold in the 4x400m relay at the Tokyo Olympics, Jackson is poised to showcase her speed and prowess in the shorter distances this season.

As the Miramar Invitational draws near, all eyes will be on Jackson and Richardson as they prepare to set the track ablaze once again. Their return to competition promises to be a thrilling spectacle, igniting excitement among fans and athletes alike as they embark on their quest for further glory in 2024. (Sportsmax)

Manchester City won the Champions League for the first time last season

Shericka Jackson (right) and Sha’Carri Richardson

RBL CPL creates US$24.5M economic impact on St Kitts

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) created a total economic impact of US$24,590,766 for St Kitts and Nevis during the 2024 tournament.

This is a 300 per cent increase on the figure achieved from the last time St Kitts and Nevis hosted a single CPL cricket event in 2021.

There were six matches at Warner Park, St Kitts from August 23 to August 27, with all six CPL franchises taking part in games in the twin-island federation.

The total event impact, including the value generated for St Kitts and Nevis from the media value from the federation being given extensive coverage on the CPL broadcast, was US$29,801,879.

The tournament filled 9872 hotel room nights in St Kitts and Nevis, made up by CPL’s significant cohort which included players, coaches, administrators, TV and media crews, team own-

er groups, league and franchise event management teams, alongside overseas visitors who arrived to watch the games. A large part of the total economic impact figure stems from the money spent by these overseas visitors, who spend time in St Kitts and Nevis during the event.

St Kitts and Nevis also benefited from the tournament being broadcast around the world, with CPL’s audience reaching 853.5 million total viewers in 2023. As always, the tournament worked closely with the local

tourism authorities to create world-class content which highlighted the many activities that the federation has to offer visitors. These exclusive features and vignettes were shown during the CPL matches, further promoting the tourism message.

St Kitts and Nevis Minister for Sports and the Creative Economy and Entertainment and the Arts, Samal Duggins said: “As the Minister of Sports for St Kitts and Nevis, I am both thrilled and proud to acknowledge the significant economic impact of the Republic Bank

Jamaica's Reggae Girlz slip to 42nd on latest FIFA rankings

… Trinidad and Tobago up to 77th, Guyana at 90th

The effects of the fallout between Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz World Cup players and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), has started to set in, as the country continues to slip down the FIFA/ Coca-Cola Women’s World Rankings, and now sit 42nd.

After achieving an alltime high of 37 and 1589 points in August, following the Reggae Girlz’s historic Round of 16 FIFA Women’s World Cup exploits in Australia, the country’s women’s programme slipped five places and now has 1543 points on the latest rankings released on Friday.

This follows 0-2 and 1-2 defeats to Canada, as well as a 1-2 defeat and 1-1 stale-

mate against Panama, followed by 2-2 and 1-1 stalemates with Guatemala, over the September and December windows. Their most recent fixtures in the February window ended in 1-5 and 0-1 losses to Chile.

By virtue of the slip, Jamaica’s women lost ground on CONCACAF rival Mexico, who inched four places up to 31st on 1668 points. Other CONCACAF team United States slipped to fourth despite their Women’s Gold Cup triumph, while Canada inched one place up to ninth.

World champions Spain remains atop the rankings, with England and France in second and third. Germany (fifth); Sweden

(sixth); Japan (seventh); Netherlands (eighth) and Brazil (10th) completed the top 10.

In other CONCACAF teams’ news, Costa Rica slipped one place to 44th, Haiti slipped two places to 53rd, Panama held firm at 55th, and Trinidad and Tobago inched one place up to 77th.

Meanwhile, Guatemala held firm at 80th, with Puerto Rico making a big move up 18 places to its best- ever ranking of 85th, while Guyana and Cuba both slipped three places to 90th and 92nd, respectively, with El Salvador (97th), the other team from the confederation in the top 100. (Sportsmax)

Caribbean Premier League. The partnership between our Government and the CPL has proven instrumental in enhancing our sports infrastructure, boosting tourism, and creating job opportunities.

“Together, we are not only championing the growth of cricket, but also fostering a sustainable future for our people, setting a benchmark for excellence in the Caribbean region. Their contribution has significantly elevated our profile on the global stage and we eagerly look forward to the continued success and growth of

this partnership, as we continue to cement St Kitts and Nevis as a premier destination for world-class cricket events.”

CPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pete Russell said: “We always enjoy the unique welcome that we get from St Kitts and Nevis, with Warner Park being the home to some of the most famous moments in CPL history. It is pleasing to be able to deliver such fantastic news to the public in St Kitts and Nevis. We always strive to create a strong impact across the region and this is another fantastic set of results.

National Bodybuilding Novices to set Linden alight tonight

Once again, I would like to thank the Government of St Kitts and Nevis for their continued and unstinting support and we can’t wait to return for the 2024 edition of CPL.”

The Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s annual Novice Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship is set to return to the mining town of Linden tonight, Saturday, March 16, 2024, with 20 athletes on the cards for competition.

The Novices will compete in four segments: Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Bikini and Bikini Wellness, with a chance to be added to Guyana’s Central America and Caribbean Championships (CAC) 2024 team, should they be successful at tonight’s competition.

According to the GBBFF, others will also be considered.

The championship will go down at Lichas Hall, Linden with admission set at $1500. The competition is sponsored by Fitness Express, NEW GPC INC and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport (MCYS).

The GBBFF has expressed gratitude to these entities for once again helping to “bring to the hardworking athletes, the bodybuilding and fitness fraternity and the mining town of Linden, its annual Novice Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship”.

St Kitts and Nevis benefitted greatly at last year’s CPL

Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz slipped five places on the FIFA Rankings

Fitness Express’s Jamie McDonald hands over his company’s support for tonight’s Novices Championship

West Indies Championships… Harpy Eagles set 300+ for Barbados on final day

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) retained some amount of control of the fourth-round West Indies Championships match-up against the Barbados Pride after bowling out their opponents well below their first innings target, although not achieving the feat as quickly as they would have liked.

The Harpy Eagles then opted to bat rather than enforce the follow-on, pushing Barbados’s required total over 300.

On Friday morning, the Harpy Eagles took wickets on a consistent basis to keep the Barbados Pride quiet.

Raymon Reifer and Jason Holder went early for 13 from 44 and 4 from 3 balls respectively, before Shane Dowrich set up shop alongside Jonathan Drakes.

Much of Barbados’s re-

sistance came in the form of Drakes who slammed 101 from 204 balls, frustrating the Harpy Eagles bowlers after lunch.

The next best score for Barbados came off the bat of Dowrich, who hit 41 in 62 balls, before he met his demise playing a loose shot off Veerasammy Permaul’s bowling. After Gudakesh Motie sent Drakes packing, the Harpy Eagles cleaned up the remainder of Barbados’s line- up quickly, bowling out their opposition for 230 runs in 68.3 overs.

Nial Smith led the charge for the Guyanese bowlers, claiming 3-54 from 12 overs, while Isai Thorne finished with 3-37 in 11 overs. Two scalps went to Motie for his figures of 2-38 in 21 overs, while Permaul was responsible for the other.

Guyana’s second in-

U15 team undertaking rigorous training ahead of regional tournament

Guyana’s national Under-15 male cricketers on Thursday commenced a one-week camp ahead of their participation in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Under-15 tournament in Antigua later this month.

Coach Latchman Yadram is putting the Adrian Hetmyer-led group through its paces, with training sessions scheduled for March 14-21 at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) facility in Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

In an invited comment, Head Coach Yadram explained to Guyana Times Sport the benefits of the encampment for the athletes to be well-prepared for the upcoming tournament.

“This is in preparation for the regional tournament of fielding, catching, bowling, and batting. We had a practice session yesterday –so, all in all, it's everything in one trying to get these guys to prepare them for

the regional tournament,” Yadram related.

Latchman went on to divulge his expectations of the team in the tournament, which are simply to make the country proud.

Latchman said, “We are hoping that everyone comes together and cooperate, and just getting that the batsmen to go out there and apply the basics, bowlers get the ball in the right areas and pressure teams to get the wickets and that is how we can win for our country.”

Captain Adrian Hetmyer stated that he hopes to maintain his batting form in order to help Guyana perform and become champions.

Hetmyer, the nephew of Guyana and West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, will have prolific opener Emmanuel Lewis

as his deputy in the 14-man squad. The squad features Parmeshwar Ram; Justin Dowlin; Danvir Seegobin; Emmanuel Lewis; Adrian Hetmyer; Rovaldo Pereira; Richard Ramdehol; Khush Seegobin; Sohail Mohammed (wicketkeeper); Shamar Apple; Brandon Henry; Gilbert Griffith; Jathniel Nurse and Arif Khan with Trilok Nanan, Reyaz Latif, Bhomesh Lall, Feeaz Baksh, Kumulchan Ramnarace, Eron Benjamin and Mickle Sharma being the reserves. They will be accompanied by Head Coach Yadram and Manager Yogeshwar Lall.

The Guyana contingent will depart on March 24 for the 50-over tournament, and will compete against Barbados in their first game on March 26, 2024 at Liberta.

Kemol Savory remained unbeaten on 22 from 48 balls as Guyana declared at 136-8 in 32.2 overs, to set Barbados 342 runs, to win the contest.

Jomel Warrican did the trick for Barbados, claiming 3-32 in 9.2 overs, while Jair McAllister and Chemar Holder took two wickets each.

Guyana’s pacers set out to pick a few wickets before

the close of play, but it went the opposite way, as the duo of Kraigg Brathwaite and Zachary McCaskie combined for 31-0 by the close.

As such, Barbados require a further 312 runs while the Harpy Eagles will be looking to scoop up 10 wickets on Day 4.

The final day of the fourth-round match-up between Barbados and Guyana will resume at 10:00h today.

nings saw Matthew Nandu and Captain Tevin Imlach depart early for 1 and 9 runs respectively. After Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s 20 runs from 32 deliveries, Kevlon Anderson and Kevin Sinclair struck up a mini-partnership.

Sinclair a quick 25 runs to the total off 24 balls while Anderson hit 33 off 57 deliveries. Permaul was the next batter to put up a resistance contributing 22 runs and

Women’s Development League…

Pakuri Jaguars 28-0

The Guyana Football Federation’s Women’s Development League Division 1, Round 2 saw an entertaining kick-off on Thursday night as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Women absolutely annihilated their opponents, the Pakuri Jaguars.

The game that marked the reconvening of the Women’s League at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was preceded by a women’s allstar game, which saw players from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Women, Santos, and Fruta Conquerors Women coming up against each other.

In the feature event, GDF whipped their visiting opponents 28-0. The onslaught began in the 11th minute, when Sherlyn Kingston found the back of the net for her only goal. Then, Glendy Lewis netted her first in the subsequent minute, to make it a 2-0 affair; Shenessa Cornelius made it 3-0 in the 19th minute and Jalade Trim, 4-0 in the 20th.

Trim went on to top-score for the GDF ladies, netting a whopping nine goals ( eight

in the 20th, 29th, 42nd, 53rd, 58th, 62nd, 63rd, and 69th minutes respectively, topped off by a successful penalty in the 79th). Lewis followed with an additional seven goals in the 17th, 43rd, 45th, 65th, 66th, 70th and 73rd minutes, for eight overall. Sandra Johnson then found the back of the net five times in the 31st, 37th, 40th, 55th and 57th minutes respectively while Cornelius completed her brace in the

48th minute.

Also registering a brace was Kellyann Niles in the 52nd and 78th minutes, while Glengie Lewis added a solitary goal in the 72nd for GDF’s 28th strike on target.

At the end of the first round of the League, back in January 2024, the GDF Women were ahead, and by virtue of their recent victory, will extend their pursuit of the title in both points and goal difference.

Nial Smith picked up three wickets for the Harpy Eagles

Jalade Trim (on ball) netted nine times for GDF Women

Captain of Guyana’s U15 cricket team, Adrian Hetmyer

Head Coach of Guyana U15 cricket team, Latchman Yadram