Guyana Times - Saturday, March 25, 2023

Superior compaction technology being used on Ogle-to-Eccles Bypass Road

Suspension of previous PSC unconstitutional – Judge rules

Page 3

Racist profiling, targeting women for prostitution need to end – Indigenous community

Former Finance Minister’s misconduct trial to start on April 11

PPP to hold Congress later this year or early 2024 – General Secretary

Guyana to benefit from Canada, World Food Programme to advance disaster resilience

File on cousin who shot cop to head with DPP

“We have to fight racism; Police

swiftly” – Jagdeo

SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, Mar 25 – 06:30h – 07:15h and Sunday, Mar 26 – 07:00h – 08:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Mar 25 – 06:15h – 07:45h and Sunday, Mar 26 – 06:40h – 08:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 06:41h and 19:05 reaching a maximum height of 2.75 metres and 2.59 metres.

Low Tide: 12:40h reaching a minimum height of 0.47 metre.

General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Bharrat Jagdeo has underscored the need for Guyanese to fight racism and has called on the Guyana Police Force to go after those who continue to spew racial hate and inciting remarks.

Jagdeo’s statement comes on the heels of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) coming under fire over racist, divisive and inciting remarks made by its senior members, including Executive Tacuma Ogunseye, during a public meeting held on March 9 at Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

During a press conference on Thursday at his party’s Freedom House headquarters, Jagdeo, who is also the Vice President of the current PPP/C Government, called the WPA remarks dangerous and reflective of the racist mentality of the party and its members to score political points.

“They go out and make outrageous comments and hope that the outrageous comments will trigger a public outcry. And they get their names mentioned and the WPA certainly comes alive back on paper. That is their modus operandi and they triggered it again… a dead organisation trying to resurrect itself once again by making these wild statements,” he posited.

However, the PPP General Secretary contended that this is a law-and-order issue since the remarks made were inciting. To this end, the Vice President called on the Police to take action against the perpetrators.

“Now these are pure law and order issues. It doesn’t require just public condemnation, and there has been adequate public condemnation from people and organisations that have integrity, but the Police have to deal with this… These are illegal acts and the Police need to nip them in the bud immediately because they do this for the outrageous value –that’s a benefit to them.”

“But when they’re faced with [breaking] the law of

the country… the Police have to be sent as quickly as possible, file the cases and charge these individuals because if other people do it, the Police will go after them… This is a law and order issue and it requires immediate action. And you’ll see how quickly many of them will retreat,” the GS noted.

Already, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn disclosed last week that there is a “legal review” of the

“If any person or any organisation feels aggrieved, rationally, with their perception in relation to governance…there is representation in Parliament, and there (are) also the courts, the legal system. We should not allow persons to vicariously, in a crowded hall of people, shout ‘Fire!’ or call one set of people to attack another set of people, or to suggest that persons who have arms in a formal Disciplined Services area to turn those perhaps against the State or against (their) fellow Guyanese,” the Home Affairs Minister stressed.

However, despite the mounting criticisms over his remarks, Ogunseye is being backed by his party – the WPA, which has defended him.

have to act impartially.

“If they (politicians) breached the law then the Police have to act swiftly on these matters that can cause a rift among our people. We have to fight racism with every bit of tool that we have in this country. That’s the only way this country can have a sustainable future. We have to fight racism. We’ve equipped the Police with the tool. They have the Racial Hostility Act; they have a whole range of tools at their

statements made and if they are found to be seditious, he contended that “the law will take its course”.

Describing the remarks as “open calls” for “misadventure and distress”, Minister Benn argued that “we cannot have persons who would want to call out in a democratic environment, where there is a Parliament, where there are courts…there are resorts in the Parliament, and there are resorts in the legal system.

He is also receiving support from the A Partnership for National Unity Opposition with the PNCled APNU Leader, Aubrey Norton saying Ogunseye’s right to “free speech must be respected”. The Opposition Leader, who was also one of the speakers at the public meeting, further described the utterances from the WPA camp as just “poor choice of words”.

But according to VP Jagdeo, this age-old issue of racism needs to be tackled in a frontal manner in order to bring an end to race-baiting being used a political tool.

However, even as he sounded calls for the Guyana Police Force to take action on the matter, the Vice President pointed out that the Police often get intimidated in cases that involve political players. But he maintained that the Police

disposal. They have to move swiftly and not be intimidated and have to prove that they’re acting impartially or partially,” Jagdeo posited.

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

(G8)

WPA’s racist comments

“We have to fight racism; Police have to act swiftly” – Jagdeo

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

WPA Executive Tacuma Ogunseye

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Over the years, there have been numerous book mobile libraries, and more so, there was one donated by Rotary Club to the National Library. These are commendable initiatives.

A few decades ago, book mobile libraries, an extension service of the National Library, were scheduled fixtures in parts of the country. The targeted age group of children from out of town, who didn’t have access to the National Library, looked forward once a week in many instances to the arrival of the vehicle, laden with a variety of reading materials, be it a pop-up fairy tale, a simple fiction, or something considered more intense for that grouping.

Entering the vehicle evoked a tremendous sense of excitement, after having waited patiently in the orderly lines. The process, accommodated by courteous and helpful staff, was very simple: borrow a book, read and return by the next visit. Crucial to the success of the service was an interest in reading, developed by both the parents and children. Then there was a prevailing passion for reading, which was serviced by various bookshops within the city and by paid book-lending stalls in some municipal markets.

Access to books was therefore not a major issue; affordability was a different matter. Also, for many during that period, most, if not all, high school text books needed were provided free by the Government, making it easier for the children, and allowing for more focus. Friendly reading competitions became popular, and probably can be equated to a social media challenge today.

During that time, children raced for bragging rights as to who first read a particular edition of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, or the Alfred Hitchcock series. Finishing a series propelled one to the top of the “award podium”. Also, popular fictions were the Marvel comic books, Tintin, Archie, Asterix, Mills & Boon, Louis L’Amour, Enid Blyton, to name a few. Inevitably, there were instances when some were caught up in a good book, and teachers had to intervene for the focus to be shifted to studies.

It was all in good stead, as teachers were not as challenged then to get children to read. Interestingly, despite the competitiveness, books were shared among peers, clearly after the holder had had the first go. In addition, the children almost seamlessly balanced their school work with their reading passion. Of course, it wasn’t every child, but, by and large, a fairly high number.

One can argue that the children then were not exposed to the plethora of technological devices evident today. A similar argument can be made about evolutionary advances and the impact on all, including children and their passions. Some have put it bluntly: that as a result of these advancements, more distractions are therefore created today when compared to the past, citing the lack in variety then.

Others would posit that despite the absence of technologyrelated activities, the children in the past played a variety of folk games as part of the process of enjoyment and passing time. Obviously, while there are compelling arguments from both sides, there is the general concern that the passion for reading has drastically waned, and that today’s children are not reading - either enough or at all - when they do appear to be confined to just what needs to be done school-wise.

Again, this is not suggesting every child, as clearly some are involved in extensive reading. Technology, however, does facilitate reading, and even the option of listening to a book. Of course, many would be financially challenged to access, but the bottom line is: the option to read is part of the technological evolution. That said, some are adamant in their belief that the very technology is responsible for the seemingly scant interest in reading.

Many are of the opinion that one consequence of that said evolution is the reduction in the number of bookstores and book stalls in some markets. Given that it may not be inaccurate to state that fewer books are now available today for access, one can easily state that’s an indication of the decline of interest in reading; however, it may be as a result of the impact of technological advances on related businesses.

Whatever the reasons, the book mobile library is important, not just to reach persons who may not have access to books, but to inspire and drive interest in reading. While the library would be challenged by the more attractive technological options, it needs to be encouraged for possible expansion. The benefits of reading may need to be restated, and maybe through a national effort, the worth of the simple but significant action of fingers turning pages may need to be reiterated.

Unbalanced ‘concerns’ of the GHRA

Dear Editor,

In an unsurprising move, the GHRA found its voice to criticise the signing of the US$35M e-ID card by the Government, saying that there was sole-sourcing in terms of the contractor, and a lack of public consultations or parliamentary oversight.

It would be interesting, however, if the GHRA can show that it is always concerned about such matters, especially in relation to sole-sourcing, by showing Guyanese its ‘statement’ on the matter of sole-sourcing in June 2017, under the previous administration, of $366.9M in emergency

drugs, when the Ministry of Public Health at the time was accused of handpicking the HDM Labs over three other companies that had submitted tenders.

It would be interesting, too, if the GHRA could show its concerned statement when the former Health Minister under the APNU/ AFC Administration was accused of, and even charged with, misconduct in relation to the act between June 2016 and January 2017, instructing his Permanent Secretary to sign a contract between the Ministry of Public Health and Linden Holdings Inc (LHI) for the

Enough is not being done to curb violence against teachers

Dear Editor,

Though it is understandable with veiled messages: enough is enough and teachers will take no more; the somewhat violent actions of the teacher brandishing a weapon in a closed school environment, circulated on social media, cannot be upheld as exemplary, and must be condemned.

Whatever the circumstances which led to the resort to such extreme conduct on the teacher's part, it must be said that her action went too far, and could have resulted in unwanted and unwarranted outcomes. Better sense should

have prevailed; after all, teachers are the moulders of minds. Such a display has no place in society, especially in the school environment.

This by no means places the other party involved in the fracas in a positive light, and their actions must also be condemned.

Violence against teachers in schools has gotten terribly out of hand. This latest incident should serve as a wake-up call, and serve as an indication that enough is not being done to curb violence against teachers.

Sincerely,

Shamshun Mohamed

rental of a property situated at Lot 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, renting this bond for three years at $12.5M monthly for the storage of pharmaceuticals, and $337.5M was paid to LHI without the approval of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.

Then it would be interesting again if the GHRA can show the concerned statement they made when thousands of sugar workers were dismissed and could not feed their families; and on top of that, were not paid their sev-

erance, having to take the APNU/AFC Government to court to get it.

But maybe the GHRA might be able to show their statement when old age pensioners had to once again pay for water, as well as had VAT added to the cost during the period of the APNU-AFC.

But I won’t hold my breath that GHRA would show the statements, because everyone knows none was made, nor were they concerned.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

Life sentences given to convicts

Dear Editor,

It is very disappointing to continuously observe convicts being subjected to very long stretches in prison, including life sentences.

I expect that judges would appreciate that our prison system is not only a penal institution, but primarily a correctional one, and would hand down judgements that take this into consideration.

When one who has committed a crime is incarcerated, the primary purposes, in my mind, are to take steps to make him realise his wrongdoing; try to instill in him proper ways of behaviour, proper use of his conscience in all his actions; and to make him

always keep in mind the effects of his actions on others.

I am so astonished that those in authority should condemn supposed criminals for long periods, without seeming to appreciate that our first duty to those who are accused of wrongdoing is to search for ways by which they can be educated on the proper ways of living, and to help them to regain their proper places in our society.

I would also expect that those who control our prisons are properly equipped in this process, and appreciate their obligations in this process of reformation.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul

ReadingCelebrating 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®): Students performing a dance at the Education Ministry’s sports ground during a Prayer Brunch to celebrate CXC’s anniversary (MoE photo)

Suspension of previous PSC unconstitutional – Judge rules

Finding that there was a breached Article of the Constitution of Guyana in suspending the previous Police Service Commission (PSC) in June 2021, High Court Judge Gino Persaud on Friday declared that the suspension of that constitutional body was unconstitutional.

Head of State Dr Irfaan Ali had suspended the PSC after its Chairman Paul Slowe and one of its Commissioners Clinton Conway—both retired Assistant Commissioners of Police—were charged with conspiring to defraud the Guyana Police Force (GPF) of $10 million.

The ruling came almost two years after the Commission’s Chairman,

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe filed judicial review proceedings, in which he, among other things, contended that the President’s decision was unconstitu-

Chaitra Navratri 2023

Day 4: Maa Kushmanda

Maa Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth night of Nauratri. The Sanskrit words “Ku,” which means “a little,” “Ushma,” which means “energy/warmth,” and “Anda,” which means “cosmic egg,” are the source of the name “Kushmanda.”

Maa Kushmanda created the universe with merely a smile, producing a tiny cosmic egg from which the universe emerged. She provides the light and energy that makes life possible. She is depicted as having eight arms and each hand contains weapons and power symbols.

Her ability to radiate positivity and light is symbolized by her radiant aura, and people seek her blessings for happiness, health, and prosperity.

Mantra for Maa Kushmaanda

Om Devi Kushmandayay Namah

tional and arbitrary.

No unfettered discretion

Although the President is empowered by the Constitution to suspend constitutional bodies, including the PSC, Justice Persaud held that the Head of State does not have an “unfettered discretion” as his suspension powers only exist on the advice of the prescribed authority and/or a decision by the tribunal after the question of referral has been referred to that tribunal.

Article 225 requires the question of removal of a person from office to be put to the President by the Prime Minister and the President then has to act in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in appointing a tribunal. The JSC has been defunct since 2017.

“The tribunal must then do its work. It is the tribunal’s role to inquire into the matter and report on the facts to the President and recommend whether the officer is to be removed,” the Judge explained, adding that the framers of the Constitution created this mechanism to ensure due process and security of tenure so that the members of PSC are not subjected to arbitrary behaviour.

“The removal and suspension procedure set out in Article 225 attempts to insulate the PSC from any undesirable political influence. It offers its members the opportunity to do their business…without having to keep a watchful eye on the mandates and directives of the Executive.”

According to the Justice, the President’s failure to appoint the JSC “proved fatal” as a referral to the tribunal is a “condition precedent” to the suspension of members.

In light of this, he held, “Therefore, the President had no authority on which to suspend the Chairman or any other member of the Commission.”

and noted that there is no evidence to support that the President made steps to constitute this Commission.

Considering this, he said he was of the “considered view” that exceptional circumstances do not exist to invoke the doctrine of necessity. Consequently, the decision to suspend in the absence of a referral to the tribunal was ultra vires Article 225 and unconstitutional.

Nuclear response

On the issue of the criminal charge, the Judge said “Lest we forget, in this Republic, there is an enshrined principle backed by constitutional muster to which every citizen of this country is afforded, and that is the right to the presumption of innocence as set out in Article 144(2) of the Constitution. Mr Slowe has not been convicted of any charges.

“At the time when he was suspended, he was entitled to that presumption. The mere institution of charges cannot amount to ‘misbehaviour’ properly except and until the person has been adjudged guilty by a competent tribunal. Therefore, to act in reliance of charges cannot be a basis to justify the President’s unconstitutional conduct.”

al favouritism, and vendetta. According to him, members of these bodies enjoy security of tenure similar to Judges.

As such, the Judge so declared that the President's suspension of the PSC’s Chairman and other members of that Commission was unlawful; ultra vires Article 225; arbitrary; unreasonable; unfair; violated the suspended Chairman’s and Commissioner’s constitutional rights to the protection of the law and due process of the law, null, void and of no legal effect.

Slowe was represented by Attorney-at-Law Selwyn Pieters, Dexter Todd, and Dexter Smartt while the respondents, including Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, were rep-

resented by lawyers from the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Pieters has indicated that he will be seeking “significant costs” from the respondents given the length of time the matter has been engaging the court and the respondents’ filing of several interlocutory applications. As such, the Judge invited the parties to file submissions on the issue.

The matter has been adjourned until April 14.

Criminal charge

Slowe and Conway, along with other retired and serving members of the GPF have been implicated in a $10 million fraud over duties delegated to them for revising the Police Force’s raft of Standing Orders. It is alleged that they collected payments amounting to $10 million, but never provided the Force with a raft of revised Standing Orders.

In addition, Slowe is facing three counts of sexual assault. It is alleged that on three occasions in 2019, at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, he sexually assaulted a senior Policewoman by rubbing her left leg and foot without her consent.

These matters are pending at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Colour

The colour for this day is Grey. This colour represents balanced emotions and keeps the person down-to-earth.

Lawyers for the State had sought to justify the President’s decision using the doctrine of necessity, averring that the President could not act on the advice of the JSC because it was not constituted. However, Justice Persaud was keen to note that the failure to constitute the JSC “cannot be relied upon to excuse the unlawful act of suspending the constitutional office holders.”

He said the failure to appoint the JSC is the “President’s burden to bear”

“The suspension of the Chairman and other members in the absence of a JSC and constituted tribunal was a nuclear response by His Excellency, the President. The suspension proved permanent and tantamount to a removal from office without due process. The Constitution imbued the President with no power to suspend in the absence of a tribunal and in doing so he acted ultra vires the Constitution and unlawfully,” he added.

The Judge noted that the removal and suspension process outlined in the Constitution is to safeguard members of constitutional bodies from undue political pressure, person-

President Dr Irfaan Ali Justice Gino Persaud Former Chairman Paul Slowe

NGSA Math Questions

PRINCIPAL

Superior compaction technology being used on Ogle-to-Eccles Bypass Road

…Public Works Minister says works advancing, after site visit

Works are advancing on the highly anticipated four-lane bypass road that will link the East Coast of Demerara corridor at Ogle directly to the East Bank Demerara corridor at Eccles.

This is according Public Works Minister Juan Edghill after a site visit on Friday to inspect ongoing works on the major road link project.

Minister Edghill told Guyana Times that works are ongoing from both ends, that is, at Ogle and at Eccles.

Describing the bypass road as a ‘green field project’, the Public Works Minister explained that majority sections of this road are being built on virgin lands, hence, the works ongoing include clearing of the alignment, grubbing works, taking out

the sap and sand filling and draining the area to prepare the foundation required to build the road.

According to Edghill, during Friday’s visit, he had the opportunity to examine the technology that is being used by the contractor, India-based Ashoka Buildcon Limited, for the compaction.

“They are putting a special fabric to ensure that the water is drained so that we could be able to achieve a particular compaction and height of the road. So, we had an opportunity to see that,” the Public Works Minister informed this newspaper.

He added, “Both the contractor and the consultant seem to have a clear understanding of what they’re doing so that we could get this road

in a timely manner… We are satisfied that work is moving and the pace is picking up… We’re not in any jeopardy where time is concern.”

RITES Limited, also out of India, secured the US$3.2 million contract for the provision of supervisory services for this bypass project. Since the road construction is being financed by the EXIM Bank of India, it is a condition that companies from that country execute the various types of works, with assistance/support from local firms.

RITES, an engineering consultancy company, had conducted a 10-month design consultancy, which produced a Detailed Project Report (DPR) outlining the draft final design of the bypass road and recommended a four-lane highway as most

feasible.

Back in 2015, the Indian Government had provided the US$50 million credit line for the road link that

was initially slated for Ogle to Diamond, EBD. However, the project cost was driven up to over $208 million by the previous A Partnership

for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government and the project languished under them.

TURN TO PAGE 11

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and his team engaging the contractor on how to connect the ECD-EBD Road Link through the Railway Embankment

Works ongoing on the Ogle-to-Eccles Bypass Road Project

Trust...

…and the PNC

Let’s face reality in Guyanese politics, shall we?? While the PNC’s doing its darndest to convince us it’s part of a “coalition” – the APNU/AFC duo -- APNU itself is like a Russian Babushka Doll: it is supposed to be a coalition of FOUR PARTIES, with the PNC being just another party from the hood!! Trouble is, none of those parties – separately or collectively! - can muster more than a handful of votes – generally, from friends and relatives!! Granger exposed the enormity of the PNC’s cynicism when two of the paper parties departed and he unilaterally declared that a member from each had immediately created two new parties and become members of the “APNU Coalition”!!

As far as the Guyanese populace is concerned, the ploy of a “coalition” to hide the PNC’s gruesome nakedness is less convincing than even the proverbial “fig leaf”!! With a past as colourful as the PNC’s – your Eyewitness wishes to be kind, he understands their need to hide their warts - for the tactic to work, there’s gotta be some kind of colourable cover!! Which just ain’t here! It’s like when small kids cover their eyes and think people around them can’t see them no more!!

But, make no bones about it, the PNC ain’t no empty paper bag. Ever since the sixties – jumping past the rigging years – they’ve been able to get a solid 40% of the electorate. Nothing to sneeze at!! But maybe that’ll soon be coming to an end. The PPP General Secretary just declared what everyone and their uncle already know: the PPP are going all out to capture the municipalities that were long seen as “PNC strongholds”!! And, of course, also the NDCs. Wasn’t no secret in view of the forays into PNC “traditional” constituencies!! The PPP weren’t going there for the breadfruit!!

The PNC like to boast that they’re for “power sharing”. But the PPP GS reiterated his party’s old, long-held position on the issue: the PNC only want to hold “executive” offices. When it comes to power sharing, coalitions can’t be opportunistically proposed when out of office, but jettisoned the moment they get in!! As the VP, who, as General Secretary, is responsible for party businessincluding elections – knows, with kith and kin in the key state institutions, the PNC’ll be running the Government!! Remember the GECOM caper??

The VP also reiterated that the trust that’s necessary for such power sharing just ain’t there. Not surprising, when the PNC leader lets calls for an insurrection by the army go unchallenged!! If you wanna know what executive power sharing gonna lead to, just look what happened when the Opposition Leader is given the power to veto appointments of the Chancellor and Chief Justice!!

Gridlock!!

…and FDIs

Ever since colonial times, we were convinced we needed foreign direct investment (FDI) to “develop”. Money makes the world go round, and we didn’t have no money. We had resources, we boasted, so we needed money to extract and develop them to bring in money and higher standards of living. Our own Caribbean Noble Prize-winning economist Arthur Lewis pushed the idea.

Burnham, however, had his own ideas – or rather, ideas he cogged from Uganda’s Nyerere’s “Ujaama Socialism”. FDIs would “recolonise” us!! Burnham thought he was clever to’ve just changed the name to “cooperative socialism” to make it “original”!! Anyhow, we know that folly collapsed ignominiously. His successor, Hoyte, dumped the co-op idea and tried to attract FDIs. He didn’t do too well, and it took the PPP 23 years to get things back on an even keel. So, here we have the PPP back in the saddle, after a disastrous PNC 5-year interruption.

And now we have our own FDI spigot from our NRF –thanks to oil!!

…and debt

Back in the day, folks taking credit from a storeowner were said to’ve bought the items “on trust”. They had to’ve been trusted by the merchant for credit to be given. Nowadays, do merchants “trust” the poor??

Racist profiling, targeting women for prostitution need to end – Indigenous community

….as Equality Forum launches report on hate crime

like something entrenched and how do we change this?

How do we combat this?

These are some issues that need serious addressing.”

The report highlighted that Guyana’s Indigenous population is still subjected to racism at the interpersonal and structural levels.

“The term ‘buck people’ is still commonly used among all other racial groups in Guyana to refer to the Indigenous population. Buck originates from the discriminatory lexicon of Dutch colonisers and its present use

is contemptuous, consistent with its history as a denigratory and derogatory term,” the report stated.

Apart from derogatory terms used to refer to Indigenous people, the Chief said there is another major problem at hand – that is – women from various Amerindian communities are being targeted for exploitation and trafficking.

This is happening in alarming numbers in mining areas, with Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) leading the way.

“Our Indigenous females, especially the younger ones and those from broken homes in the villages, tend to be targeted for prostitution and the trafficking of people. It is very high in Guyana and unacceptably high in Region Seven. We have found that in gold mining areas, where there are extractive business-

es, there is this tendency to have high cases of prostitution.”

Klautky noted that complaints have been made to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) but due to the lack of enforcement powers, these matters do not see fair resolution.

He emphasised, “It has an

effect on our people’s self-esteem. Our people are scared to complain. We’re not sure to whom we should complain… We have sent complaints to the Ethnic Relations Commission. Again, we understand that the ERC does not have enforcement powers. All they can do is make complaints recommendations.”

Indigenous people are now taking a stance against the scourge of racial profiling and targeting women for prostitution, which has become a norm in society.

As the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) launched its report on hate crime, Chief of the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples, Colin Klautky pointed towards racially-motivated issues they face quite regularly.

He noted, in most instances, it has become normal but there has to be a way to mitigate this scourge.

“The term ‘buck people’ we find extremely obnoxious…Concerning racism in Guyana, just go by some minibus parks: ‘buck girl, buck boy, where you going?’. It is

Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples

Chief, Colin Klautky

PPP to hold Congress later this year or early 2024 – General Secretary

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has not held its Delegates’ Congress in seven years but according to the party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, arrangements are being made to hold the critical conference later this year or early 2024.

“We discussed this at the Executive [Committee]. The timeline is towards the end of the year or early next year,” Jagdeo disclosed in response to a question during a press conference on Thursday about the hosting of the PPP’s long overdue Congress.

According to the party’s constitution, the Delegates’ Congress is due every three years. PPP’s last congress was held in December 2016 on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two.

General Secretary Jagdeo explained that the

COVID-19 pandemic is one of the contributing factors to the delays in hosting the party’s congress.

At the Delegates’ Congress, the PPP is expected to elect a new 32-member Central Committee as party members – both local and from the diaspora – to discuss critical issues within the party as well as in the country.

Jagdeo said too that of recent, the PPP has been attracting new supporters including young persons and supporters from the Opposition camp.

The PPP, led by President Dr Irfaan Ali, returned to office in August 2020 after losing the 2015 elections to the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

As a result, the 2016 Delegates’ Congress was a major one for the party

during which there was an in-depth analysis of the results of the 2015 elections.

Held under the theme

“Strengthen the Party, Defend Democracy, Onward to Victory”, the PPP had said it was one of the larg-

est in terms of the participation of delegates and observers.

One of the highlights of the Congress was the presentation of the Central Committee Report, which formed the basis for spirited and robust discussions at the several workshops. The main issues and recommendations from the workshops were presented to the plenary sessions for further deliberations, adoption and implementation.

The party had said that the discussions both at the plenary and workshop levels centred on strengthening the party politically and organisationally in order to win the next General and Regional Elections with an overwhelming majority.

“The Congress ended on a high note of optimism and confidence in the capacity of the party to defend the democratic and economic

gains of the Guyanese people in the ongoing struggle against the anti-people policies and programmes being implemented by the Granger-led APNU/AFC regime,” the PPP had outlined.

Now that the party is back in office, Jagdeo, who is also the Vice President of the currently PPP/C Administration, said his party will continue to work hard at both the national and local levels in the interest of not just its supporters but all of Guyana.

The PPP/C has turned its attention to the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) and is in the process of finalising its list of candidates before taking it to the party’s Executive Committee for approval. The party said it will officially launch its LGE campaign next month. (G8)

PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo

WWF calls on Guyanese to observe Earth Hour tonight

…local activities to focus on “Give the Jaguar a Voice”

Today at 20:30h WWF’s Earth Hour calls on individuals, communities, and businesses in over 190 countries and territories to switch off their lights and give an hour for earth, spending 60 minutes doing something positive for the planet. WWF and partners have committed to turning a single Earth Hour into thousands and millions of hours of action and awareness through the world’s largest grassroots environmental campaign, shining an unmissable global spotlight on the twin perils of nature loss and climate change.

Earth Hour in Guyana

In Guyana, Earth Hour events and activities will focus on protecting Guyana’s national animal, the jaguar. In a release, the WWF said that this year’s main activity is the lights-off event slated to be held at the National Park. The event will bring together various organisations from civil society, NGOs and businesses, with a common objective to raise awareness about the key role of jaguars and provide much-needed education about what is happening with jaguars in Guyana. It added that Earth Hour is one of the only platforms for achieving massive reach,

uniting people, and helping Guyanese maintain a positive attitude towards nature.

Additionally, for Earth Hour 2023, WWF will advocate for strengthening national commitment towards species conservation by encouraging the Government to sign onto the Jaguar Roadmap 2030 initiative, which aligns Guyana with the rest of its Latin American neighbours.

According to WWF, the conservation of jaguar habitats is fundamental for the livelihood, and cultural continuity of the people of Guyana.

“The jaguar symbolises our strength as a nation and is a key feature of our national pride. As outlined in the Jaguar Roadmap 2030, conserving the jaguar’s habitat and linking jaguar corridors will significantly contribute to Guyana’s development as it is inextricably linked to Guyana’s national sustainable development agendas stated in the LCDS 2030.

The jaguar’s presence indicates the health of the ecosystems it lives in since the jaguar thrives in rich tropical forests, mountain ranges, and wetlands,” WWF said in a release.

The lights-off event in Guyana is supported by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, ANSA McAL, A&R Jiwanram Printery, and Teleperformance Guyana. WWF has also partnered with Guyana Youth and Environment Network; Protected Areas Commission; the Environmental Protection Agency; Policy Forum Guyana; Guyana Tourism Authority; Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission; Hyde Park Zoo Sanctuary and Tropical Gardens Inc; Guyana Marine Conservation Society, and Sustainable Wildlife Management.

Jaguar Roadmap 2030

The Jaguar Roadmap

2030 initiative aims to mitigate human-jaguar conflict, connect and protect their habitats, stimulate sustainable development opportunities, and support the well-being of communities, particularly our Indigenous peoples who coexist with jaguars. It focuses on strengthening the jaguar corridor, ensuring the connectivity of 30 priority landscapes to

guarantee free movement and long-term survival.

The roadmap was launched in 2018 and is designed to work at the national, regional and transnational levels, and is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Panthera and Wildlife Conservation Society.

WWF said that it has

been working on jaguar conservation for more than a decade across the Guianas, carrying out activities that include monitoring populations and their prey to understand population trends and the ecology of the species. Additionally, it has raised awareness and promoted practices that reduce the human-jaguar conflict.

Superior compaction technology...

However, when the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration took office in 2020, it redesigned the project into two phases to fit the LOC – first from Ogle to Haags Bosch road in Eccles, which is about 48-50 per cent of the project, and then from Eccles to Diamond – in order to fit the US$50 million LOC.

The Guyana Government will be undertaking the extension from Diamond all the way to Timehri where the country’s main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), is located.

It was announced in January 2022 that Ashoka Buildcon Limited won the contract to construct the road, ahead of two other Indian companies. Ashoka has built a number of bridges and roads.

When the US$106 million contract was signed between the Guyana Government and Ashoka in June 2022, the contractor had reassured of delivering the project within the stipulated 24-month timeline.

This project will see the construction of some 7.8 kilometres of road from the East Coast to the East Bank with each of the four lanes being 3.6 metres wide. The highway will also feature a median in the middle and sidewalks as well as several connector roads, especially at the East Bank end to allow for further diversion of traffic.

Asked whether any challenges were raised by the contractor during his site visit on Friday, Minister Edghill told Guyana Times that the only issue that the project is facing has to do with its design.

At the time when the project was conceptualised and designed, it was connecting to the ECD corridor through the railway and embankment, which is a twoland road. However, with the Guyana Government now upgrading that road to a four-lane, discussions are being held on how to connect the bypass road with the upgraded railway and embankment.

“[We have to resolve] how we make that connection –whether by use of a roundabout or turning lanes with traffic signals and the space available. Those are some of things that are being discussed [by the Public Works Ministry and the contractor/consultant],” Minister Edghill related.

Nevertheless, he assured that these changes will not impact the cost of the bypass road project. (G8)

Guyana to benefit from Canada, World Food Programme to advance disaster resilience

Canada and the World Food Programme (WFP) have entered into a new agreement to strengthen resilience and adaptability to disasters in the Caribbean, and Guyana is set to benefit from this agreement.

Country Director for the WFP Caribbean Multicountry Office, Regis Chapman, and Executive Director for Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Programme, Sharon Peake, have endorsed the CAD$15 million Resilience and Enhanced Adaptability to Disasters in the Caribbean (READY) project at the High Commission of Canada in

Barbados.

First announced by Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, at the Forty-Fourth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in the Bahamas in February 2023, the Disaster READY Project aims to improve inclusive and gender-responsive, comprehensive disaster management in the Caribbean region, focusing on vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.

“Through various project activities, Disaster READY will help to ensure that the most-at-risk households and populations are supported

to prepare for, and recover from, shocks. It will also provide top-ups to increase disaster insurance coverage provided by the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF-SPC), to which Canada has already contributed,” it has been announced.

The project will be implemented in eight Caricom countries - Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname – with additional Caricom Member States benefitting from regional project activities.

As the home of the Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence, Barbados would also share in capacity-building initiatives and technical assistance opportunities under the Disaster READY Project.

WFP Representative Regis Chapman shared, “We appreciate the partnership with the Government of Canada to increase the resilience of vulnerable people and contribute to the achievement of gender equality in the Caribbean. We look forward to continuing our support to governments, prioritising those investments that safeguard the lives of women, men, boys and girls against climate, economic and other shocks, while also tak-

ing other vulnerabilities into consideration across all stages of life.”

The Disaster READY Project is one of five new initiatives announced by Prime Minister Trudeau last month. It represents CAD$44.5 million in additional funding focused on biodiversity, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness and recovery to support Caricom in addressing the climate crisis.

Executive Director of Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Programme, Sharon Peake, noted: “Canada is excited to be starting this innovative and people-first programme of support with the World

Food Programme to improve the resilience of the most vulnerable in society.

“Recovery from natural disasters and severe weather events can take many years, and people living in situations of vulnerability are the least able to prepare for these events, which can further exacerbate vulnerability. Canada recognises the severe impact natural disasters and severe weather events have had in the Caribbean region. Through the Disaster READY Project, Canada reaffirms its commitment to support Caricom countries in their efforts to advance resilience and adaptability to disasters”.

Sharon Peake and Regis Chapman reviewing the Disaster READY Project Agreement at the High Commission of Canada in Barbados

Govt to fast-track completion of City Hall Admin Building

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will be providing technical assistance to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) in an effort to fast-track completion of its new Administrative Building, which has been under construction for the past two years.

This was revealed by Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall during a telephone interview with Guyana Times. “We’re going to send the (engineers) for them to have a look at how they can come up with a new construction plan, because City Hall has been unable to get the contract that they contracted to get the building completed. Based on my visit, I’ve seen a lot of work that could have been done with better…con-

struction management, and they could have already

OPR launches investigation after Brazilian national allegedly beaten by cop

ABrazilian national is accusing a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) of severely beating him while he was in the company of his friends and girlfriend on the Kingston Seawall in Georgetown on Wednesday evening.

Wellington Dos Santos told another section of the media that, while on the seawalls, an argument erupted between his girlfriend and the girlfriend of the Police officer, and that ultimately led to a confrontation and then a physical altercation.

He said that in an attempt to make peace, he intervened, but instead became

the victim, as the Police officer started to assault him.

According to a friend of Dos Santos, the Police officer, who was not in uniform, pulled out a firearm and began beating the Brazilian, while also kicking Dos Santos’s girlfriend in the stomach and punching her.

Dos Santos reportedly suffered a broken nose and other injuries, and was taken to the hospital for treatment. It is unclear what injuries his girlfriend sustained.

Following allegations which were made public, the GPF on Friday confirmed being in receipt of the report, and said the Office of

Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation.

“The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is currently investigating a report of an alleged incident involving a Police rank and a Brazilian, identified as Wellington Dos Santos, who was hanging out with his girlfriend and a group of friends at a spot on the Kingston Seawall, Georgetown on Wednesday night”, the Police stated.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, has assured that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

started to use some floors of the building,” Dharamlall shared.

He added that City Council has never really gone through procurement of the best standards, and as such, he believes that this is what is costing the City Council.

“I’m aware that they’re trying to terminate that current contract that they have, but in the meantime, I think we can find ways…to start working on the building,” Dharamlall shared.

However, City Mayor Ubraj Narine, when contacted, related that the Council are still waiting on their legal team to update them on the best way forward.

During an inspection of the facility on Wednesday last, Dharamlall described the situation as “outrageous”, adding that he shudders to think this is one of

the projects that City Hall has pursued, and has still been unable to complete after such a long time.

During a previous interview with this publication, Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore revealed that construction was stalled due to issues with the contractor, Dave Construction Company, who kept requesting multiple extensions.

According to Mentore, construction has been stalled for about a year now. He added that the contractor did a lot of “general work”, but never actually completed a specific phase.

As such, he said, the Council is seeking legal advice on how to end the relationship with the company and hire another firm.

TURN TO PAGE 16

The current state of the City Hall Administrative Building

Body found at Leguan CCTV footage shows victim boarding taxi after being dropped off at CJIA …autopsy reveals victim was struck to head, strangled

As Police intensify their investigations into the mystery surrounding the death of overseas-based Guyanese Roma Dookeran, whose body was found at the Leguan foreshore two Fridays ago, CCTV recordings showed that she never checked in for her flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Instead, she was seen boarding a taxi moments after being dropped off at Guyana’s main port of entry. From reports in various sections of the media, the woman reportedly checked in at a city hotel on Thursday evening.

Her body was, however, discovered on Friday. Manoj Seree, one of the woman’s nephews who identified the body to be

that of his aunt, related that he dropped her off at the CJIA at about 22:45h on Thursday evening since she was expected to board an American Airlines flight

back to Canada.

After learning that she had not arrived home and her whereabouts were unknown, he and other relatives went to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour to check on the body that washed up at Leguan since the photo that was carried in the media bore a resemblance to their missing aunt.

Tragically, he recalled, the body was that of his aunt. The family remains in shock and is now seeking answers. The situation got even worst after an autopsy conducted on the woman’s body gave the cause of death as blunt trauma to the head and compression to the neck.

The examination was conducted on Friday by Government pathologist Dr Nehal Singh.

Dookeran’s partially-nude body was found at the Leguan foreshore in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on March 17. Dookeran, formerly of Pert Village, Essequibo Coast, reportedly arrived in Guyana to finalise several business transactions a week prior to the

discovery of her body.

Police Commander of Region Three, Mahendra Sewnarine, when contacted, stated that detectives are now treating the case as murder.

He confirmed that CCTV footage showed that the victim was dropped off at the Cheddi Jagan International

Airport (CJIA) prior to her body being found.

As such, the Commander said detectives are looking through more airport security footage and are making checks with the airline to find out what might have transpired after the dropoff. Police are continuing their investigations.

Sophia businesswoman, husband attacked, shot by men in tinted motorcar – vendor also shot during home invasion

Two men and a woman are now nursing gunshot injuries following separate incidents in B Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown between Thursday and Friday.

Police stated that on Friday, a 39-year-old Sophia vendor and his family were awakened by the smell of smoke at about 00:30h. Upon investigating, the victims observed smoke emanating from the southern side of their home.

As the vendor opened the door, he was confronted by an unidentified male, who quickly fled the scene after a loud explosion was heard. Soon after, the victim realised that he had been shot in his right hip.

He was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E) of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was treated and admitted as a patient.

And in another incident, a 34-year-old businesswoman and her reputed husband, a 47-year-old minibus driver, were shot by three unidentifiable men during a home invasion. Both victims received multiple gunshot injuries and are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the GPHC. Their condition is listed as stable.

Based on reports received, the businesswoman was sitting in front of their shop in the company of her friend on Thursday, while

her husband was reportedly in the shop.

The man reported that, at about 21:20h, he observed an unknown, heavily-tinted motorcar stopping in front of the shop, and soon after, three men exited. They were all armed with handguns, and their faces were covered with masks.

The armed men reportedly approached the business woman and discharged several rounds at her, after which they turned their attention to the husband and did likewise.

After committing the act, the men re-entered the car, and it sped off the scene.

The couple was rushed to the GPHC, the man having sustained two gunshot injuries to his upper back while his wife received gunshot injuries to the rightside face, the right arm, and to the left elbow.

Following the incident, Police visited the scene and recovered four 9mm spent shells and a warhead.

CCTV cameras attached to the victims’ shop were viewed, and footage was extracted.

Investigations are in progress as Police hunt the suspects involved in the shooting incidents.

Govt to fast-track...

“He did a lot of general work…externally and internally; so, in doing that, we weren’t able to actually complete a phase. We would have been moving to complete the downstairs, which would have been the Treasurer’s Department, and then we have the other departments on the other floor. But we didn’t get the chance to complete any of the phases. Most of the work he did was general,” Mentore explained.

“Most of the work that has to be done is the…finishing work: framing up things and putting ceiling. We have to settle it now, as it relates to finishing work…that in itself takes time, but it also takes money,” the Deputy Mayor added.

Previous reports indicat-

FROM PAGE 15

ed that the building was being constructed in phases. In 2019, Central Government gave the M&CC $75 million for the first phase of construction works. The second phase of construction work commenced in December 2021, after the Government had handed over a $30 million subvention to City Hall to complete the building.

The new building, when completed, is expected to have an elevator, a room for the holding of statutory meetings, and all the vital administrative departments.

Construction of the Administrative Building became a top priority for the municipality because of the dilapidated state of the existing structure, which is unsafe for staff.

Dead: Roma Dookeran

Govt, IDPADA-G making headway on settlement in subvention case

The Government and the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G) are making progress on a settlement in the lawsuit brought by the organisation against the Government. This could see Government reinstating the IDPADA-G’s $8M monthly subvention which was withdrawn last year.

At another hearing before acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC on Friday, one of IDPADA-G’s lawyers, Vivian Williams, told the court he was pleased to report they have been in talks with the Government, which has reaffirmed its promise to support the organisation’s work. This, of course, is through the subvention that was provided in the past.

According to counsel, he has made a proposal to the Government, and is await-

ing feedback. That proposal has been reviewed by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, who has since forwarded same to Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, State Counsel Shoshanna Lall has said. As such, she requested additional time to engage in discussions to arrive at a settlement, which includes a mechanism for the disbursement of the funds.

“I do appreciate that a lot of headway has been made. I am very, very happy to hear that,” Justice George remarked, before informing the parties that if the matter has to go to trial, it would not begin until the last quarter of this year, since her “diary is very full”.

The matter has been adjourned until April 14 at 11am for report.

File on cousin who shot cop to head with DPP

National embarrassment

At a previous court hearing, the Chief Justice had described the dispute over the monies as a national embarrassment, and had urged the parties to consider mediation.

In defending Government’s decision to withdraw the organisation’s grant, Minister Ramson, in court documents, has averred that he has been informed by numerous persons and organisations, and believes that although they are qualified for assistance from the subvention disbursed to IDPADA-G, they were wrongly excluded and deprived of benefitting from it. In light of this, Minister Ramson said, he requested the IDPADA-G to provide detailed records of how the subventions have thus far been applied.

In reply, he said, the organisation’s Chief Executive

Officer (CEO), Olive Sampson, gave the Financial Statements for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

“These Financial Statements provided by the Applicant [IDPADA-G] reflected not only subvention monies, but included all income and expenditure of the Applicant, and further, did not set out a detailed report of expenditure from the subvention, as specifically requested. However, an examination of the same, in my respectful opinion, corroborated and supported the disaffection and concerns expressed by the persons and organisations who complained to me.”

According to him, in 2018, the organisation received a subvention of $68,438,000. In 2019, it received $100,000,000.

In 2020, it received $107,223,607. In 2021, it received $100,000,000. And as at August 2022, it had received $66,666,672.

The Minister informed that $100M has been set aside in the 2023 National Budget to support the activities associated with the observance of the International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015–2024.

Having taken into account the complaints and concerns

highlighted by stakeholder organisations and persons, and given the public’s interest, the Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister added, “I considered that I would be in breach of my fiduciary and statutory duties were I to make further disbursements of subventions to the [IDPADA-G], pending the resolution of those concerns.”

The IDPADA-G, chaired by Opposition-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Vincent Alexander, is ultimately seeking a court order to have its subvention reinstated. According to the IDPADA-G, there is a legitimate expectation, given the money was granted by the Government based on an undertaking in the form of an annual subvention paid monthly. It has noted that the Government has committed itself to an

annual subvention, which began under the APNU/ AFC Administration. The IDPADA-G has rejected Government’s claims that the monies are only benefitting its directors.

By withholding the monies, the IDPADA-G has argued,Government has broken its legitimate expectation; therefore, the organisation is entitled to intervention of the court on the violation of this legitimate expectation.

It has argued further that withdrawal of the subvention is a breach of contract; that the withdrawal is an abuse of power; is unlawful and without basis; and that it was not given notice of the withdrawal, nor was it allowed by the Government to be heard regarding changing the decision.

Moreover, the IDPADA-G has contended that it is entitled to damages. Minister Ramson, Minister Nandlall and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh are listed as the respondents in the organisation’s lawsuit.

The organisation was birthed out of representations made by former President David Granger on August 7, 2016 at a symposium organised by the Cuffy 250 Committee. (G1)

Police Sergeant Jermain Semple

An attempted murder charge was instituted against 27-yearold Fawazz McRae after he allegedly shot his Policeman cousin in the head and left him on a life support machine. Now that Police Sergeant Jermain Semple, 32, of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice (WCB), has passed away, the Police are seeking legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

A Police file on the shooting was dispatched to the DPP’s office on Friday.

On March 15, McRae, of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was charged with attempt to commit murder, two days after he shot Sergeant Semple in the head.

The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison by Magistrate Wanda Fortune when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Sergeant Semple died without regaining consciousness on March 17 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. He was stationed at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).

Reports are that on Sunday, March 12, the Policeman, his broth-

Remanded: Fawazz McRae

er Dervon Semple and his cousin were imbibing at the Crown and Anchor Grill and Bar in Linden.

At about 21:00h, a fight ensued between the cop and his brother. During the altercation, the cousin went to make peace, and a fight then ensued between the Police Sergeant and his cousin.

Police in a release said that as a result, the cousin took out his licensed handgun, a .32 pistol, at about 21:30h, and discharged two rounds in the victim’s direction. One struck the cop in his head, causing him to receive severe injuries.

He was then rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex and due to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to the GPHC.

Police in a statement said the cousin was arrested and the firearm was retrieved, which contained four live rounds in the magazine and one live round in the chamber.

According to the Police, McRae received injuries to his left elbow and right ear during the fight, and was escorted to the hospital for medical attention.

He was subsequently discharged, and charged.

Two .32 spent shells were found at the crime scene. (G1)

Former Finance Minister’s misconduct trial to start on April 11

The trial into the misconduct case filed against former Minister of Finance under the previous APNU/AFC Administration, Winston Jordan, is set to commence on April 11.

Jordan is currently out on $3 million bail after he was charged by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for misconduct in public office and was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on December 28, 2021.

It is alleged that Jordan, being and performing duties of Finance Minister and being the concerned Minister for the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), a company owned by the Government, between February 26, 2020, and July 31, 2020, at Main Street, Georgetown, wilfully misconducted himself by acting recklessly when he signed NICIL (Transfer of Property) Order No 50 of 2020, which was published in the Official Gazette, transferring to and vesting to BK Marine Inc, absolutely, all buildings, erections, stellings, platforms, and further appurtenances, that is to say, Mudlots 1 & 2, F of Mudlot 3, A, B & D, situat-

ed at North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, being over 2.553 acres, for payment of $20,260,276 for the property valued over $5 billion.

It is further alleged that the property being sold at a price that was grossly undervalued to such a degree amounts to an abuse of the public’s trust without reasonable excuse or justification.

The matter was called up on Thursday morning before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

During that hearing, according to SOCU, the Magistrate indicated to the special prosecutor that she was inclined to make a ruling in favour of the defence submissions that were previously made by Jordan’s lawyers, who argued that he was not a public officer.

However, the prosecution had submitted that Chief Justice, Roxane George, made a ruling in the case of Brassington and Singh vs the Chief Magistrate in Application 757 of 2018 that Dr Ashni Singh, who was also a former Finance Minister at the time when he slapped with a criminal charge, was considered to be a public officer and that Article 232 of

the Constitution of Guyana provides that a public officer means the holder of any public office and includes any person appointed to act in such office inter alia.

In light of this, the Magistrate reserved her ruling to advise herself on whether to stop the case without hearing evidence from the prosecution or whether she has to take evidence from the prosecution and then make a ruling at the end of the prosecution’s case.

Consequently, the matter was adjourned to Thursday afternoon. When she returned to the bench, Magistrate Daly informed the court that she had decided to reserve her ruling and

Suspension of previous PSC...

Show cause President Ali had suspended the pair, along with other former PSC Commissioners Claire Jarvis and Vesta Adams – all retired Assistant Commissioners of Police – weeks after the Prime Minister had written to Slowe and Conway, asking them to show cause why the fraud charges against them should not result in their removal from the constitutional body.

By way of a lawyer’s letter, they replied denying any wrongdoings. Instead, they told President Ali that his suspension of the PSC flagrantly violated the letter, spirit, and intent of some of the most sacrosanct constitutional provisions, and strikes at the heart of Guyana’s democracy.

They also told President Ali that Presidents and Prime Ministers, as the case may be, have been impeached for far less in democratic countries. As such, the PSC (the applicant) filed judicial review proceedings, challenging the President’s decisions. However, since the life of that PSC ended on August 8, 2021, the Full Court added Slowe as an ap-

plicant to the case.

“Public interest”

Justice Persaud had, on March 9, 2022, dismissed an application by the Attorney General to have the legal challenge to the President’s suspension thrown out on the basis that the action could not have survived the August 8, 2021 expiration of the life of the PSC.

In his ruling, Justice Persaud had held that the issues raised in the substantive case are matters of public interest. Relying on several local, regional, and overseas case law, he had reasoned that the issue of the legality of the Commissioners’ suspension “…should be heard and determined on its merits, being a matter of public interest.”

To hold otherwise, the Judge had noted, would be to leave the legality of the suspension hanging – never to be adjudicated upon simply because of the inescapable fact that the life of the Commission had come to an end after filing these proceedings.

“This does not seem to me either logical or fair, but rather an affront to fair-

ness; natural justice; access to justice and, indeed, the rule of law. A hearing and determination would serve to bring clarity to the role of the Executive in such instances, and ensure that the constitutionally-granted autonomy of the PSC remains protected,” the High Court Judge had said.

Nandlall had appealed this decision to the Full Court but lost.

New PSC

The members of the new PSC were sworn in on May 31, 2022.

Besides Patrick Findlay as Chairman, Attorneyat-Law Mark Conway, and businessmen Ernesto Choo-a-Fat and Hakeem Mohammed are the other members of the new PSC.

The PSC is a constitutional body, established under Article 137 (1) and was given the authority under Article 212 (1) subject to the provisions of Article 211 (1) of the Constitution to make appointments to any offices in the Police Force of or above the rank of Inspector, and exercise disciplinary control over and to remove persons holding or acting in such offices. (G1)

ing order, passing the title to the purchaser without the payment of any further sum of monies.

According to SOCU, the vesting order stated that the property is being sold free from encumbrance and liabilities and no further sum of money is owed by the purchaser.

ed in a number of “nefarious transactions”.

On behalf of the State, the Attorney General had also filed civil proceedings against Jordan at the Demerara High Court over the sale of the river frontage to BK Marine.

go ahead with taking evidence from the prosecution after which she will make a ruling at the end of the prosecution’s case.

As a result of this, the defence indicated that they would be challenging her ruling in the High Court.

Nevertheless, the Magistrate adjourned the case for April 11, 2023 for trial.

Arrest

Back in December 2023, Jordan was arrested by SOCU, an arm of the Guyana Police Force that specialises in white-collar investigations, as part of investigations into alleged instances of corrupt governmental transactions between 2015 and 2020.

BK Marine, SOCU said, had only paid 10 per cent of the purchase price, that is, $20 million, and Jordan went ahead to issue a vest-

It said that the transport was subsequently issued for the property and the value strangely stated on the transport was $400,000,000. Further, SOCU said that the agreement of sale stated that the title must only pass upon full payment of the purchase price.

However, SOCU contended that investigators have evidence to establish that a facility that is a mere fraction of the size of the State property under investigation, located some seven miles upriver, was sold by a private company for US$17 million. It had pointed out that this was only one of several investigations that implicated former Minister Jordan.

While Jordan had previously denied any wrongdoing regarding this transaction, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, had announced that there were active investigations into a number of suspected shady dealings under the former APNU/AFC Government, and the former Finance Minister had been implicat-

In that case, Nandlall was seeking to overturn the contentious sale of the State property. To this end, he had asked the court to declare the agreement of sale between BK Marine and NICIL illegal, unlawful, null, void, repugnant, and contrary to public policy.

However, last September, Justice Brassington Reynolds dismissed the lawsuit on finding that while the Attorney General is authorised to bring an action for misfeasance in public office against Jordan, he did not, in the case at bar, satisfy the elements of the tort. Referencing a plethora of case law, he held that the pleadings in Nandlall’s Affidavit in Support were misconceived, and, therefore, ruled that the case was an abuse of the court’s process, before striking it out. As such, he awarded costs of $2 million each to Jordan and BK Marine.

Describing it as “one of the most shocking decisions I have ever witnessed in my brief career at the Bar”, Nandlall has signalled his intention to appeal the decision of the High Court Judge.

Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Russia wants demilitarised buffer zones in Ukraine, says Putin ally

Russia wants to create demilitarised buffer zones inside Ukraine around areas it has annexed, an ally of President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying it might be necessary to push deeper into Ukraine if such zones cannot be set up.

More than a year into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin's core war aims remain unfulfilled despite Russian control of nearly a fifth of the country.

Neither side shows any sign of laying down arms. Hundreds of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or seriously wounded, according to Western military estimates.

Former President Dmitry Medvedev, who casts himself as Putin's most publicly hawkish official, said

Russia needed demilitarised corridors around the areas it is claiming - and which Ukraine says it will never accept Russian control of.

"We need to achieve all the goals that have been

set to protect our territories, that is the territories of the Russian Federation," Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said in an interview with Russian me-

dia posted on Telegram.

We need to "throw out all the foreigners who are there in the broad sense of the word, create a buffer zone which would not allow the use of any types of weapons that work at medium and short distances, that is 70100 kilometres, to demilitarise it," Medvedev said.

Around the World OIL NEWS Oil settles down on worries over European banks, US crude reserve

Russia would have to push further into Ukraine if such zones were not established, he said, taking Kyiv the capital or even the Western Ukrainian city of Lviv. Ukraine says it will never accept Russian occupation of its land.

Russia currently controls around 17-18% of Ukraine, including a swathe of land in the east and along the Azov and Black Sea coastline as well as Crimea which Russia annexed in 2014. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US air strikes ‘kill 11’ in Syria after drone kills contractor

The United States military has carried out multiple air strikes

in eastern Syria against Iran-aligned groups that it blamed for a deadly drone

Mexico denies cartels control parts of country, rejecting Blinken's remark

attack that killed a contractor, injured another and wounded five US soldiers.

Although American forces stationed in Syria have been targeted by drones before, fatalities are rare.

The US raids, which a United Kingdom-based war monitor said killed 11 pro-Iranian fighters, were in retaliation for a drone attack on Thursday against a US-led coalition base near Hassakeh in northeastern Syria at 1:38pm (10:38 GMT), the Pentagon said in a statement.

Joe Biden.

“As President Biden has made clear, we will take all necessary measures to defend our people and will always respond at a time and place of our choosing,” the Defence Secretary said in a statement. “No group will strike our troops with impunity.”

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, six Iran-backed fighters were killed in the US attack in the eastern city of Deir Az Zor.

Oil prices settled lower on Friday as European banking shares fell and after US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said refilling the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) may take several years, dampening demand prospects.

Brent crude settled down 92 cents, or 1.2%, to US$74.99. West Texas Intermediate US crude futures fell 70 cents, or 1%, to US$69.26 a barrel.

Both benchmarks rose this week as banking sector turmoil eased. Brent futures rose 2.8% in the week while US crude futures rose 3.8%. Last week, both benchmarks posted their biggest declines in months.

"We're riding along macroeconomic headwinds, and there's a newfound correlation with equities" said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC in New York.

Banking stocks slid in Europe with Deutsche Bank and UBS Group slammed by worries that the worst problems in the sector since the 2008 financial crisis could persist.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen convened an unscheduled meeting of the Financial Stability Oversight Council on Friday morning.

The dollar rose 0.6% against other currencies, which also pressured oil, making crude more expensive to holders of other currencies.

The White House said in October it would buy back oil for the SPR when prices were at or below about US$67US$72 per barrel.

On Thursday, Granholm told lawmakers it would be difficult to take advantage of low prices this year to add to stockpiles, which are at their lowest level since 1983 following sales directed by President Joe Biden last year.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday denied that parts of his country are controlled by drug cartels, responding to recent comments from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken said in a congressional hearing on Wednesday that it was “fair to say” that parts of the country were controlled by cartels instead of the Government.

“That is false,” Lopez Obrador said in a regular news conference. “There is no place in the country that does not have the presence of authorities.”

Blinken had also said that the opioid fentanyl coming from Mexico was killing both Americans and Mexicans.

Lopez Obrador has denied in recent days that Mexico is responsible for the quantities of the drug coming into the United States.

“More fentanyl reaches the United States and Canada directly than reaches

Mexico,” Lopez Obrador said last week.

The comments also follow a report from the US State Department which said credible evidence existed of human rights abuses such as killings by officials, Government-led disappearances and torture in Mexico.

Lopez Obrador had rejected the findings, calling the department “liars” on Thursday.

He appeared to take a softer tone against the United States on Friday, saying that Blinken, whom he called a good guy, was “just doing his job.”

Lopez Obrador has pointed to fentanyl being trafficked across the border by US citizens, rather than undocumented migrants, and blamed the crisis in part on a deterioration of family values and lack of Government support for families.

The Mexican leader also alleged that the outcry from the United States was politically fuelled, coming ahead of the 2024 elections. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US intelligence assessed the attacking drone was Iranian in origin. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said the US then targeted groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, adding that he authorised the retaliatory raids at the direction of US President

The Syrian war monitor added that two other fighters were killed in a US attack on a post near the town of Mayadeen and another strike killed three at a military post near the town of Boukamal along the border with Iraq. The reports could not be confirmed. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Oil drew some support from strong demand expectations from China. Goldman Sachs said commodities demand was surging in the world's biggest oil importer, with oil demand topping 16 million bpd.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said a previously announced cut of 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) in Russia's oil production would be from an output level of 10.2 million bpd in February, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

That means Russia aims to produce 9.7 million bpd between March and June, according to Novak, a much smaller output cut than Moscow previously indicated. (Reuters)

Lula to seek Chinese semiconductor technology, investment in Beijing

Brazil will seek Chinese technology and investment to develop a semiconductor industry in the South American country despite US attempts to discourage association with China in this area, a senior presidential adviser told Reuters.

Semiconductors will be a priority on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s visit to China next week.

His top foreign policy adviser, former Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, said Brazil cannot afford to take sides in growing tensions between China and the United States. Lula’s trip will seek Chinese cooperation in fostering Brazil’s sustainable develop-

ment and digital economy.

The countries are preparing to sign agreements on the Sino-Brazilian CBERS small satellite programme started in 1988, along with accords on production of communications and microelectronics equipment, Amorim said in an interview.

The US Government has suggested that associations with the production of Chinese microelectronics would not be welcome, which could affect Brazilian plans to produce semiconductors amid a global shortage.

“I don’t pay attention to messages. If the US wants,

they can propose bigger and better conditions and that’s it, and we will choose theirs,” Amorim said.

“We have no preference for a Chinese semiconductor factory. But if they offer good conditions, I don’t see why we refuse. We are not afraid of the big bad wolf,” he commented, when asked about US discouragement of technology deals with China.

Lula’s trip to China comes less than two months after he met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, as Brasilia aims for a pragmatic foreign policy balancing ties with its top trading partners despite growing tensions between the two. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Deputy head of Russia's Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, speaking during an interview with Russian media at a residence outside Moscow, Russia, March 23, 2023

Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during a news conference at the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection in Mexico City, Mexico March 9, 2023

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a ceremony at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil March 21, 2023

ARCHIE

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Leave nothing undone. False claims will lead you astray. Verify information before you invest your time or money. Make a point not to overload your plate.

(March 21-April 19)

Don't count on anything or anyone but yourself. Stay focused on what's important to you, and don't stop until you are satisfied with the results. Go with the flow and enjoy the ride.

(April 20-May 20)

Be the busy bee that makes a difference. Your hard work will help others and yourself. Be honest with yourself and the people counting on you; the results won't disappoint you.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22)

Reevaluate and adjust your plans and schedule to fit your mindset. Question your motives before you pick up where you left off. You might want to reassess matters and tweak how you proceed.

Don't stop believing in yourself and what you can accomplish. Create opportunities by doing things your way. Let the creative voice within guide you. Be true to yourself and those around you.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Align yourself with people who share your concerns. Optimize your chance to get valuable information by making the first move and refusing to take no for an answer.

Ease into conversations. Delivering too much information could lead to an unwanted argument. Use your command of language to get what you want without raising eyebrows. Don't sell yourself short.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Pushing forward will be more difficult than anticipated. Use your confidence, knowledge and experience to outsmart any opponent. Don't overlook a solid investment. Love is on the rise.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Spend more time at home, nurturing what you've worked hard to achieve. The little things you do, the kind gestures and compromises you make will change how others treat you.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Face facts, implement adjustments and carry on without delay. Refuse to let others take advantage of you, your skills or your time. You'll gain the most if you pay attention to what matters.

Navigate your way through sensitive situations by being a good listener. You should not put in your two cents until you have all the facts. Review the information you gather.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Be on standby and keep a watchful eye. Avoid getting all worked up over something you cannot change. Anger solves nothing, but kindness will make others take note.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Bartica Easter Regatta 2023…

Team Mohamed’s makes generous contributions

races on Easter Sunday, and this is apart from the businessman again being one of the main sponsors of Deejay Garwin’s second annual ‘One Guyana’ events, which are set for Saturday, April 8, and Sunday, April 9, at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.

Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams has expressed gratitude to Azruddin Mohamed and Team Mohamed’s for their generous contribution, and has applauded them for their continuous and unflinching support to the community of Bartica, and by extension Guyana.

CWI Rising Stars U15 tourney 2023…

Guyana U15 team to begin encampment today

The Organising Committee of Bartica

Easter Regatta

2023, chaired by Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams, has received from Team Mohamed’s a solid financial boost towards the successful hosting of this year’s event.

In handing over its contribution to Chairman Williams, Team Mohamed’s, whose lead principal is businessman and sportsman Azruddin Mohamed, not-

ed that Bartica has always been one of its main business hubs, and more so, the community is close to its heart.

The entity also noted that, over the years, its lead principal has made several generous donations to the community, and has also contributed to the Bartica Regatta – one of the main events being hosted in the township during Easter Weekend. This occasion would not be different, as

Azruddin Mohamed is again on board with the hope of adding fun and excitement to the spectators.

“It is always a pleasure to be part of the event, for the simple reason that we want the patrons to have a grand time… It is a family-oriented event, and we are happy to come on board”, Mohamed has said.

Team Mohamed’s will also be providing cash prizes and trophies for several boat

On Saturday, April 8, there will be the Soca Flash Back concert featuring Peter Ram, Rupee, and Guyana’s own Adrian Dutchin. And the April 9 concert would be headlined by Trinidad’s Chutney King Ravi B, along with Sonia Singh, A.W. Lyrical, Kady Kish and Kharisma.

Team Mohamed’s is, moreover, sponsoring one of the contestants who are vying for the coveted Miss Bartica Regatta 2023 title.

Works progressing nicely at Mackenzie Sports Club ground - venue to host international games

Works are progressing smoothly at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden, a venue which has been earmarked to host international cricket matches in the near future.

Underground pipes and a flood drainage catchment basin are being installed, as are herringbone and perforated pipes. The upgrade includes ICC-standard lights, as the Mackenzie Sports Club ground is being prepared to host practice matches and warm-ups during ICC-hosted games in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Some 250 million has been earmarked for enhancement of grounds across the country, and the Linden ground is among those grounds to bene-

“WE NEED ...

“So, what we do with the local-based players in trying to make them a cohesive unit, we prepare the team in parts. The roles and functions that they have to play in the team we emphasise that in the training a lot. With only 10 players based in Guyana, we let them, in the days coming up to the matches, play the roles and drill them.

fit. Back in January 2023, President Dr Irfaan Ali made the announcement, and works have since been in progress.

“We are right now examining a number of sports facilities in Region Ten, some of which we will upgrade; but, more importantly, in the medium term, we have to build a new stadium for you,” the President had said back in January.

The new stadium being built at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground would complement the $179 million synthetic track being laid at the Bayroc Community Centre ground in Wismar. Last December, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., had said that inclement weather has delayed laying of the synthetic material for the new track.

FROM PAGE 23►

“The overseas players, we scout them. It’s so important for me to go and look at them in their own environment, and see what they’re doing in their club. And we try to keep them in positions and roles as close to what they do in their club as possible.

“We can’t reinvent the wheel, because we only have five days. So, it’s real-

Currently, there is

ly just organizing the team and managing the process,” Shabazz reasoned.

Meanwhile, the players’ perspective was presented by defender Jeremy Garrett, who expressed sheer confidence in his and his teammates’ ability to pick up 6 points.

Garrett said, “We believe that football is on the day; and with the work that we

were putting in, we believe that once we go out there and execute what the coach is asking for, there’s no way that we cannot or will not be successful.

“I think that, heading into these two games, there is a big task on us but there is no pressure. As Maradona says, ‘pressure is for the man that has 13 children and no job; pressure is not

The Guyana Under-15 team is scheduled to begin encampment today: Saturday, March 25, 2023, in preparation for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Regional Under-15 tournament scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda from April 2 to April 13, 2023.

During encampment, from March 25 to March 29, the team would play two practice matches: on Sunday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 28, at the Everest Cricket ground before ending the camp on March 29.

Team members and reserve players are asked to report to the GCB Hostel at LBI, East Coast Demerara for 16:00 hours on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Additionally, the players named in the GCB Select XI (see team below) to play against the Guyana under-15 team are asked to be at Everest ground on March 26 and 28 for 08:00 hours.

Guyana under-15 squad: Dave Mohabir (Captain), Romario Ramdeholl (Vice Captain), Navin Boodwah, Adrian Hetmyer, Arun Gainda, Dhanesh Persaud, Zandon Rose, Razaam Koobir, Sohil Mohamed (wicket-keeper), Jonathan Mentore, Shane Prince, Arif Khan, Emmanuel Lewis, and Trilok Nanan.

GCB Select XI squad: Mickel Sharma (Captain), Nicholas Hall, Kishan Silas, Feeaz Baksh, Thierry Henry (wicket-keeper), Vishal

in football’. So, we just want to go out there, do our best, and try as best as possible to come out successful.”

The Golden Jaguars’ battle against Bermuda will begin at 14:00hrs today, Saturday March 25. Thereafter, the team would head to Barbados for their final game against Montserrat, on March 28 at 17:00hrs.

LAND FOR SALE

Commercial Land for Sale

Pursuant to Order of Court dated the 29th November, 2022 and entered on the 5th January, 2023 before the Honourable Mr. Justice Gino Persaud in Action No.2020HC-DEM-CIV-FDA-489. The Office of the Public Trustee/Official Receiver situated at Lot 91 Middle Street, Georgetown is hereby authorized to offer for sale property situated at Lot lettered 'C' being a portion of Lot numbered 7, being a part of Good Hope, in the La Reconnaisance-Mon Repos Village District situate on the East Sea Coast of the County of Demerara, in the Republic of Guyana bearing 840acs. or 36,590.40 sq/ft forming part of the Estate of Fareeda Nesha Gafoor aka. Fairda Nesha Yassim aka. Farida Nesha aka. Farida Gafoor, deceased. Expression of interest and/ or Request for bids in the developed parcel of commercial land as described above is to be submitted beginning at GYD$182,000,000.00 (one hundred and eighty-two million dollars), the current market value of the aforesaid property. For more information contact 231-7388 or email to admin.publictrustee@ mola.gov.gy.

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only one synthetic track in Guyana, located at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

Adrian Hetmyer

Azruddin Mohammed (centre) handing over Team Mohamed’s contribution to Regatta Committee Chairman Kenneth Williams in the presence of others

An ariel view of the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden

Williams, Omron Smith, Brandon Henry, Elisha Ramdatt, Darwin La Rose, Parmeshwar Ram, Gavin Kisten, Shoaib Gafoor and Joshua Charles.

West Indies Four-Day Championship 2023…

Imlach strokes classy century, but Jamaica fight back

By Brandon Corlette at ProvidenCe

Tevin Imlach has scored his maiden century in First-Class cricket for the Guyana Harpy Eagles, but Tevin Gilzene and Jermaine Blackwood have led the Jamaica Scorpions’ fightback at Providence.

In this fourth-round clash of the West Indies 4-Day Championship, the

Blackwood then drove Beaton straight down the ground on two occasions.

Jamaica reached 28-1 after six overs at tea. Gilzene was pegged back by Beaton with some peppery bowling, but he and Blackwood survived to add an unbroken 166 runs for the second wicket.

The Guyanese bowlers failed to dominate, but credit must be given to the Jamaican batsman.

from off-spin to medium. Chanderpaul, a Test opener who was set for his eighth First-Class century, was adjudged leg-before for 89 made from 249 balls. He

Sinclair on one. Upon resumption, Sinclair and Imlach looked to score quick runs, and Sinclair thumped three fours in his 18, but became Mindley's fifth wick-

Scorpions have secured 1761 after 43 overs at stumps on day three, requiring another 282 runs to win on the final day. Gilzene was unbeaten on 81, while Blackwood was on 66 not out, after twice being dropped by Leon Johnson at first-slip: on 41 and 53, off the bowling of Ronsford Beaton.

The Scorpions began their chase of 458 runs in entertaining fashion. The first delivery of the final innings saw Ronsford Beaton peeling the outside edge of Leroy Lugg as the ball flew into the boundary; but with the very next ball, Lugg stamped his authority with a six over Beaton's head, then Beaton produced a golden ball that got the edge of Lugg, him being taken at the wicket by Imlach to render the Scorpions 10-1.

Imlach scores masterful unbeaten 136

Guyana had resumed the third day on 138-4, with Chanderpaul on 60 and Imlach on 50. Chanderpaul had a slow start to the day, while Imlach was busy at the crease. The Jamaican bowlers worked hard, but these two Guyanese batsmen were rock solid.

Chanderpaul added three runs to his score in the first hour, but with the introduction of leg-spinner Mansingh, Chanderpaul danced down the track and got a sweet four.

Dropped by Jermaine Blackwood at a fly slip on 69, Imlach did not look back as he capitalised on the chance. Chanderpaul was trapped minutes before to Blackwood, who switched

struck 12 fours in his solid knock.

Chanderpaul and Imlach, adding 175 runs for the fifth wicket, took Guyana from 33-4 to 208-5. Imlach ensured he reached his well-deserved century before lunch, as he cut Blackwood for three. The man from the Demerara Cricket Club reached this milestone in 169 balls, and had stroked 12 fours at that point.

Guyana had reached 220-5 in 73 overs at lunch, with Imlach on 101 and

“WE NEED RESULTS” –Shabazz to Jaguars as Nations League resumes

…Garrett confident of Jags’ success

Jamaal Shabazz told Guyana Times Sport exclusively.

He went on to emphasise, “We beat them here 2-1. It was a close game, so now we go there understanding fully that we need to get results. Even though we play away from home and we want to be cautious and at times conservative, there will be moments we will have to take risks to get the result.”

et when he was brilliantly caught at deep square-leg.

Veerasammy Permaul (02) did not last long, as he was trapped by Mindley, who picked up his sixth wicket of the innings.

Guyana continued to pile on the runs, and the declaration finally came at 14:02h with Imlach unbeaten on 136 and Motie on 18. The Guyanese declared their innings closed at 294-7 in 92.4 overs to equip themselves with a lead of 457 runs.

Chanderpaul

In the other match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Leewards lead Windwards by 128 runs. Windwards had scored 353 all out in their 95 overs in replying to Leewards 3829 declared. Kaveem Hodge and Alick Athanaze scored centuries. At stumps, Leewards were 99-5.

In the other match at Queen's Park, Barbados require another 66 runs for victory. Trinidad and Tobago posted 203 and 185, while Barbados scored 271 in their first innings. At stumps, Barbados were 522. Matches will commence at 10:00h EC time today.

SCOREBOARD

Guyana 2nd Innings

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

lbw b Blackwood 89

Matthew Nandu b Mindley 0

Kevlon Anderson b Mindley 22

Kemol Savory lbw b Mindley 1

Leon Johnson c Thomas

b Mindley 2

Tevin Imlach not out 136

Kevin Sinclair c Merchant

(sub) b Mindley 18

Veerasammy Permaul

lbw b Mindley 2

Gudakesh Motie not out 18

Total (7 wickets, 92.4)

(6 extras) 294

FOW: 1/1 (0.4) Matthew Nandu

27/2 (6.3) Kevlon Anderson

31/3 (8.3) Kemol Savory

33/4 (10.4) Leon Johnson

208/5 (73.4) Tagenarine

Chanderpaul 245/6 (80.5)

Kevin Sinclair 247/7 (82.1)

Veerasammy Permaul

Bowling

Marquino Mindley (16-1-54-6)

Nicholson Gordon (15-4-40-0)

Derval Green (21-2-54-0)

Ojay Shields (10.4-1-36-0)

Abhijai Mansingh (19-2-56-0)

Jermaine Blackwood (10-1-41-1)

Paul Palmer (1-0-9-0)

Jamaica 2nd Innings

Leroy Lugg c Imlach b Beaton 10

Tevin Gilzene not out 81

Jermaine Blackwood not out 66

Total 176-1 (43) 19 extras

FOW: Lugg 10-1

Bowling

Ronsford Beaton (11-1-67-1)

Nial Smith (5-1-30-0)

Gudakesh Motie (10-4-27-0)

Veerasammy Permaul (10-4-23-0)

Kevin Sinclair (7-2-15-0)

By Jemima Holmes

Last June, two heavy losses to Haiti at home and away, in the first window of the CONCACAF Nations League 2022-2023, put a significant dent in the Guyana senior men’s national football team’s hopes of going to this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. However, a second-place finish in their group would help them - Golden Jaguars - get a foot in the door, with qualification to the tourna-

ment’s preliminary round.

On this premise, Head Coach of the Golden Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz, has emphasised the importance of the team getting positive results.

“Every game presents its own new challenges, its own formula, its own strategy and tactics to win. Bermuda is playing home now; we expect them to be a lot more offensive. We’ve got to be a lot more compact defensively, and we’re going with a point and at least try to maintain our point,” Head Coach

With just about 5 days of preparation since the Jaguars touched down in Bermuda on Sunday last, the Head Coach detailed the way in which he intended to maximise the Jaguars’ training time. He explained, “The most difficult job in coaching an international team in football today is having to put together the national team in 5 days; and it’s a necessary phenomenon, because players play in clubs all over the world, and you want your best players to play for the national team.

hitting Mansingh for four in his 89 (Brandon Corlette photos)

Gilzene is unbeaten on 81

Mindley picked up six wickets, his best at First-Class level

Tevin Imlach on the pull at Providence

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz having a chat with his local troops

West Indies Four-Day Championship 2023…

classy century, but Jamaica fight back

All change. South Africa have a new captain in Aiden Markram and a new coach in Rob Walter. Rovman Powell has one T20I - along with three ODIs - as West Indies captain under his belt. Both teams would welcome the promise of better days that shine in new beginnings like those.

In their most recent T20I, against the Netherlands in Adelaide in November, the South Africans suffered the most ignominious defeat in even their troubled historywhich eliminated them from running for the semi-finals. The West Indians didn't make it that far in the same tournament: they became first-round casualties in Hobart in the wake of losing to Scotland and Ireland, to finish bottom of their group. So, things can only get better.

But that promise of better days won't shine forever. By Tuesday night, when the third and last match of the series would have been played at the Wanderers, if the rubber has been lopsided, one of these teams would face a similar set of questions as they do now. If the matches are competitive, the series would be considered a building block for the future.

The next men's T20 World Cup is in the Caribbean and the US in June next year. Until then, the format's spotlight would remain firmly fixed on the franchise league scene. Consequently, whatever happens in Centurion and at the Wanderers from Saturday to Tuesday cannot be considered of immediate importance. But it is in series like these - which are played far from the centre of attention, and especially with the

IPL gearing up to flood world cricket's consciousness from next Friday - that valuable investments can be made.

There is some justice in the fact that much the same personnel who were part of both teams' recent travails have been tasked with remedying what has gone wrong. You broke it, you fix it. Indeed, the players themselves should look forward to a chance to do exactly that. Given that the teams are, in theory, evenly matched, they have a decent chance to accomplish that mission.

Where: SuperSport Park, Centurion

What to expect: There's a 61% forecast for showers on Saturday morning, and a 40% chance of a thunderstorm on Sunday afternoon. That aside, look forward to a willing pitch and a fast outfield.

Team news: South Africa: Temba Bavuma, South Africa's captain the last time they played in this format, isn't even in the squad. Their spinner in their most recent T20I, Keshav Maharaj, will be laid up for months because of a ruptured Achilles.

Possible XI: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (capt), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Wayne Parnell, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi West Indies: Shamarh Brooks for Evin Lewis, who is no longer in the squad, looks the likeliest change.

Possible XI: Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Shamarh Brooks, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran,

Rovman

Powell (capt), Odean Smith, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy

What they said:

"Things happen very quickly in T20 cricket, so you want to try to stay as far ahead of the game as you can, as a captain. You try to predict things; try to get a lot of information before the game on certain match-ups that can work in (your) favour. Ultimately, on the day, you have to see what is working for you and stick to that.

If we can commit to those options and not worry about the outcome, we give ourselves the best chance."Aiden Markram on the art of T20 captaincy.

"The guys who have been on the whole tour, it's important for them to feed us with information. And it's for us who have been here for just a short time to adjust fast. It's good that the conditions aren't a lot different from the Caribbean." - Rovman Powell hopes for a smooth transition between whiteball formats. (cricbuzz)

-Match bowls off from 8AM EC time