Guyana Times - Saturday, March 4, 2023

Dr Irfaan Ali (left) and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (right) turning the sod at Palmyra, Berbice on Friday for the construction of a state-of-theart, multi-million-dollar Berbice Stadium. At centre is an artist’s impression of the stadium, with President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, contractors' representatives and members of the diplomatic corps standing (Office of the President photos)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, Mar 4 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Sunday, Mar 5 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Mar 4 – 14:30h – 16:00h and Sunday, Mar 5 – 15:15h – 16:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

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

Winds: East North-Easterly between 3.57 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 15:10h reaching a maximum height of 2.3 metres.

Low Tide: 08:45h and 21:11h reaching minimum heights of 1.04 metres and 0.86 metre.

Journey of modernisation Berbice to see advanced hospitals, better river access, industrial hub, US$120M technical training centre – President Ali

…says PPP Govt advanced development even before oil and gas

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration had been advancing development even before oil and gas. This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali.

The disclosure was made on Friday as he addressed thousands of persons at the launch of the construction of the Berbice multimillion-dollar stadium at Palmyra, Berbice.

The Head of State, in outlining developments being realised in Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne), pointed out that the region

jobs, the private sector was dead. The region suffered immensely. That is the situation we came and saw,” President Ali said.

Speaking about developments now being advanced by his Government, the Head of State said that in less than two years after PPP took office, it had turned around the economy of the region.

Journey of modernisation

“The journey of modernisation would see a level 5 hospital offering you the best international care sup-

New Amsterdam.

is emerging from a period of “darkness”, referring to APNU/AFC’s rule from 2015 to mid-2020.

“This is a period which saw not only this region neglected but it was polarised, pauperised; money was taken out of the pockets of people. Thousands of you lost

ported by regional and district hospitals that will offer level four care. You will see a healthcare system that is second to none. You will see plans that are already in train to ensure that the Berbice River is completely accessible throughout the banks and is not sub-opti-

mally utilised with a bridge that impedes the flow now. We are already thinking ahead of the possibility of a new bridge across the Berbice River – a high-span bridge that will have a continuous flow.”

The level five hospital is expected to be located in

Speaking of other transformational projects, President Ali informed about the development of an industrial hub, manufacturing hub, agro-processing hub, the opening up of tens of thousands of acres of land for agriculture, and the building of a new four-lane highway that would go all the way to Moleson Creek. The expansion of this highway, he said, and the development of water treatment plants that would ensure that every home has access to treated water are some of the other plans for the region. He said the creation of jobs, the opening up of new call centres, the building of a first-class – first world training centre which would cost US$120 million and the building of an international hospitality centre are also coming on stream before 2025.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

A section of the gathering on Friday

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Development in Berbice

President Irfaan Ali on Friday referred to the day as a historic day for Berbice as he outlined what he termed the journey of development for Regions Five and Six.

As he launched the Berbice Stadium and multipurpose facility in Berbice, he made reference to Dr Cheddi Jagan and how proud he would have been to witness the development taking place in the region of his birth. His reference could not be more appropriate as, later this month, March 22, is the birth anniversary of Cheddi Jagan.

Jagan was born in 1918 and passed away in 1997. As such, his life spanned some of the epochal events of the 20th century. Starting with the “Great War” that ended in 1917, it ended with the Far Eastern financial crisis of 1997 as a consequence of capitalism’s latest phase - financialisation.

Jagan would have appreciated the historical bookends as much as the intervening “pages” that saw his native Guyana tossed by global forces like so much flotsam and jetsam in the clash between the contending ideologies of capitalism and communism. The year before his birth, 1917, has witnessed two epochal events - giving birth to Cheddi, as it were, since they shaped his life. The first was the end of Indian Indentureship on March 12 by the British, who exploited labour as a bridge between slavery, and the so-called “free labour” dispensation that still enmeshes our bodies. In slavery, human beings were literally property - “chattel” with absolutely no rights. With indentured labourers, they had to provide labour for a fixed period under defined conditions enforced by a penal clause that in effect “bound” them to the plantations.

The second event was the Bolshevik October Revolution that saw the monarchy of Russia violently overthrown and replaced by a Communist “dictatorship of the proletariat”. As the USSR, it presented itself as an alternative to the capitalist world system that had evolved from the mercantilist colonial Empires, and of which Guyana, in the “West”, was a part.

Jagan’s parents were both indentured children brought by indentured single mothers to Guyana, and experienced firsthand the exploitative system on Plantation Port Mourant in Berbice. His father was a “Driver”, which would have placed him in the middle strata on the plantation, between ordinary workers and the Overseers. But as he recounted in his book “The West on Trial”, he witnessed the wretched conditions of the former as compared with the latter. As Jock Campbell, later Chairman of Bookers and owner of the neighbouring Plantation Albion, noted, the stables of the estate mules were like palaces compared with the logies in which the sugar workers lived.

Jagan’s parents were able to send him to a local private high school, and then, in 1935, on to Queen’s College in Georgetown to complete his secondary schooling. There he encountered all the racial and economic prejudices that typified the urban middle class, whose children he interacted with. He left for college in the US in 1938, during the Great Depression, which had driven down wages in the sugar belt and precipitated riots across the Caribbean.

In the US, while qualifying to become a dentist, and augmenting the hard-earned money sent by his parents in Guyana, Jagan was influenced by the racism against African Americans and their lack of democratic freedoms. His political awareness was sharpened as he married a leftist student nurse, Janet Rosenberg, and then returned to Guyana in 1943. Here, WWII had sharpened the contradictions of colonial rule, and the Moyne Commission’s Report of 1939 had already recommended opening up of the political space.

The radical Jagan was elected to the Legislature in 1947 under an expanded but still restricted franchise the same year India and Pakistan won independence, and he spurred efforts here to achieve that status. After universal franchise was granted and elections held in 1953, under Jagan as Leader and Forbes Burnham as Chairman, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won overwhelmingly. And the modern period of Guyana’s political history was launched.

Unfortunately, it was a history of betrayal by Forbes Burnham, as Britain and the US used the bogeyman of Jagan as a “fellow traveler” of communism and Moscow to oust the PPP from office and install Burnham. The PNC rigged elections and maintained a dictatorship for the next 28 years.

Jagan, to his credit, maintained a democratic alternative, and the PPP was returned to office in 1992 after the communist threat collapsed.

His party is back in office upholding his democratic tradition.

Guyana must never again endure “rogue elements” at GECOM

Dear Editor, As our citizens move into full preparation mode for the overdue Local Government Elections (LGEs), the Guyanese nation must never forget the shameless and unacceptable pursuit by PNC riggers to cheat us of our rights and freedoms. In particular, we must never forget the role of GECOM staff who, in the past, blatantly and flagrantly committed unpardonable sins at election times.

Today all caution must be exercised, as it would be remiss for anyone to believe that the “Imperial Grippers” who were at the helm would not be at it again. Without the obvious comfort of the induced and other subtle advantages they had in the former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, the Opposition have raised their ugly heads querying the simplest of things to stymie the run-off of the LGEs.

The Guyanese people must objectively reflect on the history of rigged elections in Guyana. With approximately 40 per cent of our voting population being of age 35 years and considered a youth, there are many who, in person, cannot relate to the atrocities we as a nation faced under the cheating PNC Regime. Our youths’ first ‘out of camouflage’ experiences came in the buildup to, and activities after, March 2020 Regional and National Elections.

The foregoing particularly could be visibly linked to how the Granger adminis-

tration went about the flagrant breach of protocols, precedent, and even legislation to assert a PNC full control at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with the unilateral appointment of James Patterson as Chairman of the Elections Commission.

Of course, under Patterson’s limited tenure, until his stay was eventually uprooted by ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the then-CEO, Lowenfield, was allowed the latitude of intense abuse with protection. This he attempted to continue when Justice Singh was appointed by former President David Granger, and he was partially successful. But, in a framework of justice and fair play, his evils were bound to come to an end.

The impact of the described conundrum created by Patterson and Lowenfield, while being heavily supported by the Vincent Alexanderled PNC Commissioners, resulted in the imbuing of GECOM with many partisan performers. Some were strategically positioned or placed, and others reacted against the usual pressures and fear of being fired if they did not comply.

It is without any fear of contradiction that many in GECOM, who did not leave, may have chosen to comply, gradually changing the status quo of those in control of the Secretariat’s power and influence. Authentic sources among the current staff and some of the staffers who

chose to leave complained of a strategically implanted or converted nest of responders awaiting the directives of their PNC masters. Moreso, the imbalance was strengthened by the refusal of Team Lowenfield to consider rehiring some experienced staff, who were likely to expose their wicked intent.

Naturally, screening of the staff at GECOM must be continued, to ensure the removal of all rogue elements. Naturally, for our nation to stay safe and strong, we must continue to be united in this endeavour for Guyana to have free and fair elections.

The 2020 fiasco, undoubtedly contributed to by the PNC-led clan, was strongly rebutted by united forces in support of democracy and a united Guyana, supported by the strong stand taken by the international community, who fought unflinchingly against the unapologetic tyrants. We therefore cannot allow any infiltrations that are likely to diminish the required fairness and transparency when election matters are addressed.

The PNC+APNU/AFC was fully prepared to take Guyana and make it a pariah state. The Granger Administration carefully went against the Constitution and appointed James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM. He then employed Roxane Myers as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and GECOM catapulted Region #5 Election Officer Clairmont Mingo

to be Returning Officer of Region #4. More than thirty fraud cases were made out against the GECOM staff’s political activists and leaders of the PNC, but there are still the possibilities of remnants.

It begs the question: What and where would Guyana have been if these riggers and miscreants were allowed to steal the elections? Without a doubt, Guyana would have been blacklisted internationally; Caricom would have expelled Guyana, and the Commonwealth and United Nations would have had us on a serious watch list. Fortunately, the genuine and sincere remarks from the many eminent personalities around the world, along with powerful PPP/C leadership and Guardians of Democracy, sent shivers down the PNC spines.

As this nation celebrates its third anniversary under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s Administration, we must be fully aware of all the developments that are taking place in our country. We must be cognizant of the wicked intent of the “Grippers”, who are trying desperately to find relevance in society, while the riggers are trying to prevent this nation from holding LGEs.

Objectivity must be the order of the day when we face the polls in these upcoming elections.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

First Son Zayd Ali selling lemonade at his fund-raising activity on Friday at State House, Georgetown. He raised $1,850,000, all of which was donated to the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) to support their spay and neuter campaign (Office of the First Lady photo)

IPADA-G disagrees with Neil Adams

Dear Editor, Neil Adams’s letter of March 1, 2023 is very instructive, not because of its content, but because of its source and timing. We have been exposed to the letters of Neil Adams, and are therefore acquainted with his thought process and on which side of the equation he sits. IDPADA-G wrote to President Ali in the latter half of 2022, requesting to meet with him. We never received a written or formal response. However, on three occasions he orally agreed to meet. Instead, what eventuated was a public attack on IDPADA-G and its leadership by Second Vice President Jagdeo, followed by deafening and patent silence from the President. The promise to meet has not been honoured by the President. Is this the case of insincere commitment, or was it an edict?

The Chief Justice, on February 27, 2023, followed up on her previous exhortation for IDPADA-G and the Government to mediate their differences. She deferred the hearing of the matter by one month, and explicitly provided for the parties to engage in talks.

On the heels of that exhortation, Neil Adams writes a letter to the Editor, implying that IDPADA-G should not be treated as a representative of the People of African Descent. In other words, IDPADA-G should not be engaged. This flies

in the face of IDPADA-G’s standing locally and internationally; the wishes of 65 African Guyanese organizations that constitute IDPADA-G; and the role that IDPADA-G has played thus far. Given what occurred previously, Adams’s letter raises eyebrows about its real motive.

Having exposed his apparent motive, I will address his contention, because it exposes the mindset of Adams and his ilk. Adams seeks to articulate what IDPADA-G should be, then proceeds to discredit IDPADA-G on the basis that it is not what it should be. In that regard, he built a straw house which he then sought to tear down.

Adams clearly sought to mislead the public on the existence and role of IDPADA-G, but succeeded only in exposing the propagandistic motive of his mischievous letter.

He accuses IDPADA-G of not being publicly accountable. That is a statement anyone can make. But, in this instance, his mischief is exposed. He may also be described as a stranger to the truth, or an incompetent researcher. It is documented and public knowledge that IDPADA-G has fulfilled its responsibility to account; and met all of its statutory requirements, such as: 1. Timely audits;

2. Monthly subvention requests to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport that clearly spelt out the heads under which the subvention would be ex-

pended, in keeping with the approved budgetary allocation.

3. Membership meetings, including one four weeks ago, at which an annual report inclusive of an account of its income and expenditure was presented;

4. Provision of its documents to the Ministry of Finance for an investigative audit for the period 2018 thru 2021;

5. An offer to conduct an early 2022 audit;

6. Public coverage of its numerous activities; and

7. Countless exposures to the media, all in addition to other exposures.

Adams further contends that Alexander, as a politician, should not be the head of IDPADA-G. Here is Adams showing no respect for the unanimity of 17 organisations that initially elected Alexander, and the collective will of 65 organisations that re-elected him. His contention also tramples on the constitutional right of association. Who is Adams to determine who should be in the leadership of IDPADA-G?

Suffice to say that he has presented no evidence to justify this contention, or any of his contentions.

Further, his contention exposes the mindset and duplicity of Adams and his ilk. IDPADA-G would never question the right of Dr Vindhya Persaud, MP, to head the Hindu Dharmic Sabha and be a member of the Central Committee of the PPP at the same time,

just to mention one such example.

Adams can hardly be forgiven for the misinformation spewed in his letter. The Chairman of IDPADA-G never “wrote to the Chairwoman of Caricom to come to Guyana to look into the results of that election” She was, from all indications, invited here by President Granger in her capacity as the then serving Chair of Caricom. IDPADA-G took the opportunity to alert her to the flaws in Guyana’s governance structure in the face of majoritarian rule in an ethnically fractured society. We opined that to merely determine a victor at elections would not solve the country’s deep-rooted problem. This is a position that leading African Guyanese organisations, such as the African Cultural Development Association, have held for some time now. If that is being political, so be it. It certainly isn’t partisan; the APNU did not make that call.

IDPADA-G’s legitimacy as the country’s coordinating mechanism for the International Decade for People of African Descent is unchallenged. No Adams can appoint himself to determine such a matter. He is free, as anyone else is, to disassociate himself, but he certainly can’t stand in judgment on the matter.

Yours sincerely,

Vincent Alexander Chair, IDPADA-G

Open letter to Home Affairs Minister Annual security contract

Dear Minister, I write this letter to make a humble plea to you: to use your office to commence training of the members of the Guyana Police Force to deal with reports of animal cruelty and abuse throughout the length and breadth of this beautiful nation of ours.

Oftentimes we witness some of the vilest acts of cruelty meted out to animals, both companion and food animals, without any repercussion from the responsible authorities. Whenever a report is made, it either is not taken seriously, or not taken at all. I am inclined to believe that some of the officers are not au fait with the Animal Welfare Act of Guyana, while some are oblivious to its existence. When incidents of abuse are made public, and there is an abundance of public condemnation, only then are appropriate actions taken by the relevant authorities.

Abuse is abuse, irrespective of whether it’s an animal or human being abused.

People who hurt animals don’t stop with animals; there is an established link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. Ample research backs

up the finding that there is a direct link between acts of cruelty to animals and violence towards humans; this includes child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, and other violent behaviours.

A landmark 1997 study done jointly by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Northeastern University found that animal abusers are in fact five times as likely to also harm other humans.

Another study found that 16% of offenders started abusing animals, and graduated to violent crimes against humans. However, in many circumstances, offenders start by hurting other humans and then progressing to harming animals.

Both because animals themselves need protection and because of the link between cruelty to animals and cruelty to humans, violence against animals must be taken seriously under the law. No form of abuse should be tolerated in any society. Help us to help the voiceless.

With highest regards,

Anurama Ramgobin

Dear Editor, Annual security contract is a negative bugbear to good services and security services. I write on the above as an experienced tendering company. The constant tendering for security service contracts and other service-oriented contracts is immensely time-consuming, in the opinion of the undersigned, who is extremely experienced.

I am therefore asking the Government and ‘the system’ in place that is responsible for the annual security contract to consider changing it to at least biennial tendering.

Knowing that one can lose a contract when awarded, regardless of its magnitude, is a serious deterrent to security services investing the maximum in an area, especially in the out-of-Georgetown security contract.

If a company wins a security contract or other service contract, and that company needs to acquire more or better equipment, inclusive of vehicles, that company would have a tendency to not want to make that extra investment, knowing that they could lose the contract after a year of service.

Security personnel, in our

Dear Editor, Reading the PNCR's letter to the diplomatic community, one would be tempted to believe that the eviction of the PNCR from the Regional Office at Lethem was an illegal act. However, that thought is quickly erased when one analyzes the circumstances that led to that eviction.

Theirs is the illegal occupation of state property while, at the same time, utilising the state's largesse for their own narrow political events. This is a definite no-no!

This brazen abuse of state property for one’s own narrow ulterior motives cannot be allowed; therefore, the Government did the right thing in evicting them from state premises.

In the past, this obnoxious behaviour manifested itself in several areas of civil life; that is, persons from the PNC blatantly refused to vacate state property when asked to do so. This has been a worrying factor for succeeding PPP/C Administrations, wherein they had to approach the courts to evict them.

One such example that readily comes to mind is Opposition Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul's blunt refusal to vacate state property, which became a sore talking point. This squatter was holding up state property all at the expense of the said state. He even had the gall to petition a court of law to have an extension to his squatting privileges.

Of course, he lost miserably in that ludicrous bid, but this did not stop the PNC from crying the victim’s cry when caught in that illegal stunt of his; and so it has been ever since.

The point is that squatting is illegal, whether on state lands or property. We see it time and time again, where the PNC, who are known offenders of the law, would belligerently turn again and play the victim card - that they were cruelly and unjustly treated, when they are the ones coming to the table with unclean hands. But we are ever so wary of these stunts created and clumsily propagandised by that party. So, once again, I say this nonsensical behaviour has to stop right now!

The PPP/C has always been a peaceful party that prides itself in peaceful co-existence with its opposition; however, the PPP/C will not sit idly by and allow the PNC to do illegal things and get away with it. The PPP/C Administration would put an end to PNC shenanigans, the faster the PNC hierarchy gets this through its thick head the better.

All activities of the state must be done in a legitimate and transparent way. Government as well as the Opposition must conduct themselves in a legal and respectful manner.

Respectfully,

Neil Adams

case, are also very seriously affected, as they have to move from one security service to another within a short period of time, having just learned the ‘modus operandi’ of the one company that just acquired the contract. Before they could breathe and settle in with the new logistics and mechanism, the contract comes to an end and another company is awarded the contract.

Things of this kind seriously disrupt employees, their lives, their families and their future, as there are very few tendering security companies that pay the people’s NIS and ‘pay as you earn’ (PAYE) taxes, and also many which specialise in the theft of VAT (Value Added Tax).

Therefore, this short missive to catch the attention of the authorities is meant to ‘open the eyes’ to the reality of situations. Extending these security contracts from one year to two or three years would create less heartache for the NPTAB, the Ministries involved, and even the security guards and the contracted agencies.

Sincerely,

Roshan Khan

06:00 (Sign on) Inspirational Time

06:30 Cartoons

07:00 Evening News (RB)

08:00 Stop Suffering

09:00 Movie - Sheep & Wolves (2016)

10:30 Indian Movie - Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1 (2021)

13:30 Movie - Love on Ice (2017)

15:00 Movie - Are We There Yet? (2005)

16:30 Assault on Democracy - Mr. Sase Gunraj

17:00 Payless Power Hour

18:00 Evangelistic Hour

18:30 Hepzibah

19:00 The Evening News

20:00 Islam for Guyana

20:30 Movie - Grilling Season: A Curious Caterer Mystery (2023)

22:00 Movie - Armageddon Time (2022) 00:00 Sign off

Saturday, March 4, 2023

NGSA Math Questions

Govt mulls daily reporting mechanism to monitor flow of foreign currency – Jagdeo …says can supply market in case of “sustained shortage”

matter.

However, the Central Bank is contending that there is no shortage and that there is enough currency at the various banking institu tions – something which the Vice President reiterated. He noted that there needs be a system in place as well to promote the exchange of foreign currency among the commercial banks.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker.

On Thursday, the GCCI expressed its dissatisfaction with the BoG’s “lack of action, vision and modern financial policies to improve access to financing for local businesses”.

In light of reports of an alleged shortage of United States dollars in the country, the Guyana Government is going to consider the implementation of a daily reporting system to monitor the flow of foreign currency.

“We’ve been exploring something. I was thinking about this and we have to discuss it with the Finance Minister, that maybe we need a daily balance reported to the Central Bank of currencies purchased and sold, and the daily balance at all the institutions, and then the list of demands. And you will see in most cases, that they are clear [of any shortages], but it’s just that [the US dollars] exist in different institutions,” Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo explained during a press conference on Friday.

Over the past few weeks, several private sector players have been complaining of a shortage of US dollars and recently the Bank of Guyana (BoG) was called out for its inaction on the

“You have not one mar ket, not an aggregate mar ket but every Cambio in this country operates like a mini market within the ag gregate market. So, it trun cates the supply and demand for currency. So, one bank… they would have an abundance of supply, but maybe some other bank may not have the same amount of [foreign] currency at that same time. But if you had an interbank market and they share or people don’t keep money only for their customers like some of the banks do then people would be able to go to another bank and get the currency. So, we have to now work at promoting greater exchanges,” Jagdeo stated.

According to the Vice President, the foreign currency market in Guyana always has seasonal variations such as around the Christmas holidays when visitors come in and there is more foreign currency circulating. Likewise, he pointed out, there are low periods and it is during this time that more foreign currency will have to be supplied to the market.

Supplying market

Nevertheless, VP Jagdeo stated that in the event of an actual shortage in Guyana,

there is sufficient foreign currency at the State level to supply the local market.

“If we believe that there is a sustained shortage, we have the means to supply the market… but we don’t want to supply the market so that the rate appreciates so a few people can get cheaper foreign currency. We can’t do that. It will go against the macroeconomic objective [of the country],” he outlined.

Public disagreement

The local private sector and the Central Bank got into a public spat on Thursday over the availability of foreign currency, US dollars in particular, in Guyana.

Over the past few weeks, there have been conflicting reports from both sides on this issue.

Several companies and businessmen have been complaining about a shortage of US dollars in Guyana.

Among those who have been vocal about the issue is President of the Georgetown

It said that the Central Bank has failed to intervene in the ongoing foreign currency shortage issue, despite the private sector complaining of a lack of US dollars since 2019. The GCCI also called for an independent investigation into the root cause of the shortage, indicating its loss of confidence in the BoG.

However, in response to the Chamber, the Central Bank on Thursday reminded of its core mandate, noting that “The GCCI appears to be of the mistaken impression that the BoG exists to ensure that foreign currency is available to their membership at the times that they demand and at prices that they demand. This is simply not how an open market economy operates, and is simply not how foreign currency availability and pricing are determined where floating currencies are concerned.”

“Who will suffer”

On Friday, Tucker re-

sponded to the BoG, dismissing the Central Bank’s justification on the matter, arguing that “when the private sector businesses can’t pay or have to pay more for money to buy for imports, who will suffer??”

In a social media post, Tucker further posited that “the mere fact that agents for shipping companies have to open USD accounts at local banks, force local businesses to pay their freight in USD in country, shows there’s a major problem, several things will happen… prices will go up, USD shortage will get worst, it will become more difficult to do business in Guyana.”

Only recently, Attorney

General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, stated that companies or individuals cannot force anyone to pay for transactions done in Guyana in foreign currency unless special permission is granted by the Finance Ministry for them to trade using solely foreign currency.

Last month, the BOG had disclosed that the local banking system, with an average monthly turnover in excess of US$500 million, has an adequate supply of US dollars to meet demand.

In fact, it was noted that as of February 22, 2023, the banking system had US$99.5 million available for transactions. While the available funds are not evenly distributed among the banks, the BoG has noted that there is enough to cover the cash flow needs of transactions arising from businesses in Guyana.

Moreover, Dr Ganga had previously indicated that some banks could be “hoarding” their foreign currency which could be the cause for the apparent “shortage”.

As a result, key private sector players have since indicated that they wrote the Guyana Association of Bankers Inc (GABI) to discuss this matter. That meeting is likely to take place sometime next week. (G8)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

GCCI President Timothy Tucker

Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

Where’s...

…the greenbacks??

In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, when Marcellus declares, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”, he’s talking about Denmark's relationship with Norway; but on the symbolic level, he is summing up Claudius's corrupting effect on the kingdom, which is intensified by his unpunished crime. So when your Eyewitness says, “Something’s rotten in the state of Mudland”, he’s thinking about us being an oil rich state with billions of US$ flowing into our coffers, but yet businessmen are complaining about not getting any. Which constipates the entire economy, since we’re so dependent on imports that have to be paid for in US greenbacks! Greenbacks, greenbacks, everywhere – yet not a dime to spend!!

So what’s really going on, eh?? “Corrupting effect”??? Before the oil started flowing, we were warned about the “Dutch Disease”. There’d be so much US$ entering our economy - since we’d be paid in that currency – that in converting it to Guyanese dollars to pay for local goods and services, the demand would make our dollar stronger and stronger. Gy$20 to US$1 sounds good, no? Well not really. If our dollar becomes that strong, it’ll make our exports more expensive – and price them out of the market!! US$100 for a bottle of achar?? And there goes that product, and in arrives Dutch Disease!!

So why the slip between the cup and the lip, when we were supposed to be rolling around in greenbacks by now?? Well, whatever it is…who’s supposed to “check it out” and do something ‘bout it?? “Not us!!” said the Bank of Guyana, “We just let the exchange rate rise and fall by supply and demand”!! But statutorily, the BoG’s supposed to be “fostering domestic price stability through the promotion of stable credit and exchange conditions, as well as sound financial intermediation conducive to the growth of the economy of Guyana.” That’s such a WIDE mandate it seems to cover everything under the stars – when it comes to money!!And for sure, we know that Central Banks intervene for all sorts of reasons – and we ain’t talking about quantitative easing and other such “monetary” policies!! What does maintaining “stable exchange conditions” sound like?? If there aren’t enough US dollars to match demand, isn’t the price of US gonna skyrocket? And destabilise the exchange rate?? As a matter of fact, maintaining liquidity in the foreign currency markets is one of the functions of many Central Banks – especially in emerging countries like us, where capital markets are quite underdeveloped.

And with the Government now being the single largest source of US dollars from oil revenues, isn’t the BoG in a key position to know what’s going on?? Surely, the infrastructural spending isn’t ALL recycled to purchase foreign inputs like cement and steel??

…the home gardens??

Your Eyewitness knows that the enormous rise in the cost of living is having a devastating impact on the “small man and woman”!! Yes, we know that, in Guyana, the burden of coping with poverty falls mostly on the woman. So what to do?? It doesn’t help much to point out that much of the inflationary pressures are externally-driven, is it?? Folks want relief here and now.

And we can’t just look towards the Government. We gotta see what best can be done to tide our poor over until the jobs in the new, evolving economy kick in – and the war in Ukraine ends. Back during the bad old Burnham days, your Eyewitness’s mom turned to kitchen gardens when there was no money to buy food AND no food to buy!! So his mother roped in him and his siblings to take care of the vegetable “beds”, the chicken coop, and some ducks thrown in for good measure.

He whined at the time, they survived intact!!

…the irony??

Your Eyewitness was bemused by the headline: “Wildlife trader gets three years for trafficking in Venezuelans”. Surely, he didn’t think the Venezuelans were “wildlife” - just because they came through the jungles?? How about “Wild cane for wild trafficker”??

Bad decisions by APNU/AFC forced Berbice into poverty – President

speech. In one second, they imposed billions of dollars of taxes on the farmers in this region. New licence fees, rental fees, water rate fees, and lease fees. In one second, they added $10 billion on the backs of farmers.”

The current Administration has since reversed those taxes which were increased and imposed by APNU/AFC.

Additionally, the PPP Administration has provided assistance to farmers in the region by providing flood relief, and developing infrastructure and fertiliser to assist them.

Zulfikar Ally sworn-in as Guyana’s Ambassador to Mexico

Aten-second announcement by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) while in Government sent Berbice into poverty.

President Dr Irfaan Ali while addressing Berbicians at the launch of the Berbice Stadium at Palmyra on Friday said those were the worst ten seconds for the region but noted that there were other short portions that also impacted negatively on the region.

He pointed out that 18,000 households were affected by 10 seconds of decision-making by the then Government.

“One announcement – we are closing the sugar industry. Ten seconds sent this entire region into poverty. I say the entire region because those who sell at

the markets knew what happened to them when those jobs were lost. Ten seconds of their five years destroyed completely the economy of Region Six,” Ali pointed out.

Additionally, he noted that a further five seconds of the coalition’s term in Government took away money from school children which were given to them by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government during its previous term in office.

Some 24,920 school children in the Berbice region were affected while 6878 students lost nutrition when the school feeding programme was stopped by APNU/AFC.

For farmers, he said the devastation was swifter, lasting only one second.

“I timed it in the budget

Meanwhile, President Ali cautioned people not to come in the way of development. He said there are some who deliberately seek to prevent persons from having the opportunity to equally benefit from the opportunities being offered in Guyana.

Referring to some as naysayers, President Ali said they should be truthful to themselves.

“If you have a political ambition, announce it and come into the arena. Don’t hide under different faces. You must be honest to tell people what your true intentions are. This Government believes in that. That is why in our manifesto we said what our comment would be to rice, sugar and the cattle industry – we said how we were going to bring back agriculture, how we would save the farmers, and every single one of our commitments we have stayed to,” President Ali re-emphasised. (G4)

Former President of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AmCham Guyana), Attorney-atLaw Zulfikar Ally has been accredited as Guyana’s Non-Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Mexican States.

Ally presented his letters of Credence to Mexican Ambassador to the United States of America, Esteban Moctezuma. The ceremony, in which Ally was appointed, took place at the Embassy of the United Mexican States in Washington, DC.

Preceding the ceremony, the two Ambassadors engaged in a brief discussion that focused on the further enhancement of the relations between Guyana and Mexico.

Ally, who was admitted to

the Guyana Bar in October 2022, also serves as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Guyana Embassy in Washington.

He headed AmCham Guyana since its launched in August 2018 until September 2021 when he secured the diplomatic posting in the US.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on March 1, 1973, Guyana and Mexico have collaborated in several areas and have signed agreements in areas including trade and capacity building.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a consultative mechanism on matters of common interests including economic, political, scientific, and environmental issues was also concluded. (G8)

Zulfikar Ally was appointed as Guyana’s new Ambassador to Mexico

President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking to Berbicians on Friday

First Son raises over $1.8M in lemonade sale for animal shelter

to our little friends on four feet. I’m sure it’s going to be impactful to our animals. I’m hoping to give the proceeds to the spay and neuter campaign that’s going to be held sometime soon,” the First Lady said.

day (Friday) his dad and I organised his first of many fundraisers to support a spay and neuter campaign by the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA).”

Guyana’s First Son, Zayd Ali, successfully raised $1,850,000 from his lemonade stand sales on Friday. All proceeds from this initiative were donated to the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) to sup-

port their spay and neuter campaign.

First Lady Arya Ali shared that she is happy her son, an animal ambassador, can partake in this initiative, and she will definitely be hosting it again if it means helping Guyana’s

stray animals.

“It’s a lemonade sale… for the animal shelter… Zayd is an animal ambassador and we’re happy to have him as an animal ambassador in the State House as part of our First Family and it’s just him giving back

In a subsequent, social media post, the First Lady shared, “Caring for animals, just as we do for people, is a core value of our family. It teaches us how to be compassionate and responsible - two of the things which our son Zayd is learning at a young age. So to-

Meanwhile, President of the GSPCA, Oliver Insanally said that the non-profit organisation is grateful for the First Family’s support in raising funds to support their activities.

“All this is part of keeping our mandate to help improve the welfare in Guyana. We do receive an

annual subvention from the Government but we also rely on donations to help fund our activities so events like these are very important to us to be able to sustain our operations. We’re very grateful to the First Family for this initiative,” he shared.

The GSPCA is a non-profit organisation that offers a number of veterinary services like vaccinations, deworming, spay and neuter services and more, all at a low cost. They also have an animal clinic.

First Lady Arya Ali and son Zayd Ali handing over a cheque to President of GSPCA, Oliver Insanally

Zayd Ali selling lemonade at his fundraising activity on Friday

Former teacher freed of remaining sexual activity charges

…complainant refuses to testify

Three charges for the offence of engaging in sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust were dismissed against former teacher of The Bishops’ High School, Coen Jackson on Friday after the virtual complainant (VC), a female, refused to testify against him.

The 43-year-old man, who was accused of com-

Johnson had been married to one of Jackson’s ex-girlfriends.

Last year, Jackson faced a trial for these same three charges. But with the jury unable to arrive at verdicts, a mistrial was declared and he had to await a new trial.

The prosecution had contended that the teacher and the complainant started to communicate privately in

stand trial for the offence after a city Magistrate ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against him. Jackson, who had always professed his innocence, had been granted $300,000 bail pending the hearing of his trial. (G1)

mitting the crime back in 2011 against one of his underage female students, appeared before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12-member jury at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara on Friday.

However, according to a statement from the law firm, Hughes, Fields, and Stoby, where Jackson’s lead lawyer Nigel Hughes is a partner, the VC informed the court that she was withdrawing the allegations and no longer pursuing them.

And accordingly, the trial Judge directed the jurors to return formal not guilty verdicts.

This follows his earlier trial in 2022 when he was acquitted by the jury of a similar charge.

“Mr Jackson would like to express his heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to those members of the staff and students of The Bishops’ High School, the Ministry of Education, members of the public, and well-wishers who stood by him during this difficult time,” the statement said.

Jackson, his lawyers shared, is relieved that his position has been vindicated. He has now been cleared of all four charges for the offence that were levelled against him.

He was also represented by attorneys Jerome Khan, Savannah Barnwell, and Sophia Findlay. Attorneysat-Law Simran Gajraj, Latifah Elliot, and Rbina Christmas were the prosecutors.

Jackson had in an earlier civil suit secured an award of damages in the sum of $5,000,000 for defamation of character against Guyanese author Ruel Johnson, who had accused him of preying on the virtual complainant while she was a student.

Reports indicate that

December 2010 via social media.

After some time communicating with each other, Jackson reportedly invited the complainant over to his house under the pretext of watching a “movie”.

The court was further told that it was an inappropriate movie but the virtual complainant stayed and they both watched it. It was then, that sexual contact was allegedly initiated.

Further, between March and April of 2011, the teacher allegedly invited the student over to engage in sexual activity. Jackson, according to statements provided in court, invited the victim, whom he taught economics and business, to his home again on Mother’s Day in 2011, and it was then they reportedly engaged in sexual intercourse for the first time.

The matter surfaced in 2017 after the former student entered into another relationship with a journalist/writer who caused her to realise that she had been abused by her former teacher. In an unsworn statement, Jackson had stated that he did have a relationship with the complainant, however, this began while she was a student at the University of Guyana.

After a Police report was made against the teacher, he was subsequently charged in the Magistrates’ Courts. Particulars of the charges he faced stated that on four occasions in February, March, April, and May of 2011, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 by abusing a position of trust.

The Police instituted charges against Jackson in March 2018. Following a paper committal, two months later he was committed to

Freed: Coen Jackson

High Court Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry

vision is to provide various strains of

– recipient of WIIN grant

Over 200 women have taken the bold step to venture into business, with a total of $16 million injected into their plans from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry through the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute’s Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) business incubator.

The initiative, reflecting a partnership between the Ministry and the World Food Programme, identified participants who first completed a WIIN training course before utilising the WIIN in business workshop.

Following this, the beneficiary completed and submitted their business plan which included a complete cash flow projection and detail on how they would develop their business through the services of the business incubator.

Over 700 persons were contacted and guided on the process of completing the qualifying criteria from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10.

A total of 216 cash grants were distributed, totalling $16.2M. Of this number, 157 new business were registered with 39 renewing their registration and 20 having valid registrations.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud said, “the entire concept was focused on making women win. Win for themselves, win for their families, and win for their future. I want to create a level playing field for you so you can utilise the skills here to capitalise on all opportunities.”

“When WIIN was conceptualised, it had to be accessible and inclusive so that meant you didn’t have to get anything to enter the programme and that was some-

thing I was very passionate about because no woman should feel this programme is so far away from her that she can’t get into it.”

Jeep Landing, Kwakwani resident, Joy-Ann Mecedo, a mother of five, whose husband has glaucoma in both of his eyes, said she is finding it extremely difficult to provide for her family but with this grant and the stepby-step guidance from the Ministry, she is closer to becoming an entrepreneur.

“My husband is 66 years old, and he has glaucoma in

both of his eyes and can’t go into the backdam and work so it is really hard. We used to work but the market closed off about 10 years back…I’m starting a new business so this money will help me get off my feet so I can be a proud businesswoman,” Macedo said.

Meanwhile, 23-yearold Latesha Cadogan, who was introduced to the WIIN training and WIIN in business programme through social media, will be venturing into mushroom production.

“My vision is to provide

various strains of mushroom to supply several industries including the oil sector and based out of my hometown in Linden. This initiative, through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s empowerment cash grant, I will be able to get the start-up I need,” Cadogan said.

She added, “When I did the WIIN in business programme, I was able to put all my thoughts down on paper and they showed me what I needed to do with my business plan. During

the course I got to know indepth what is required for the long term.”

Region Two’s Lavern Corbin, who is embarking on a food venture, expressed gratitude to Persaud and her team at the Ministry for affording her the opportunity to become successful in life.

Among the initiatives afforded by the Ministry to ensure the successful start to the business will be the collaboration with the Commercial Deeds Registry to have a clerk present at the exercise and register their businesses on the spot.

Meanwhile, during the seminars, these women would have been educated on the necessities to secure their National Insurance Scheme and Guyana Revenue Authority compliances.

After completing the registration process, officers from the business incubator will continue to work along with the recipients to ensure their venture morphs into a thriving entity with several follow-ups and support.

Additionally, businesses will be able to access the free marketing and advertising platform through the WIIN app. WIIN has trained over 6000 persons, with a further 6000 expected to be trained in 2023.

Recipients of WIIN financial support receiving their cheques from Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud

“My

mushroom”

…as $16M given to over 200 women-owned start-ups

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cop granted bail on fuel theft charge

APolice Constable accused of stealing fuel from the State-owned Guyana Oil (GuyOil) company was granted $100,000 bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan this week.

Twenty-four-yearold Tyrese Tanner of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, denied the charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on July 5, 2022, at the GuyOil Service Station in Kitty, Georgetown, while being employed by the Government of Guyana, he stole 15 gallons of gasoline valued at $18,343.

The matter was then adjourned to March 14 for statements.

Back in 2021, a probe

into a $745 million fuel racket at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) resulted in two ex-soldiers and a businessman being slapped with conspiracy charges.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2015, and June 30, 2020, at the GuyOil Terminal at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), they conspired together with persons unknown to steal fuel valued at $745,559,430, belonging to the GDF.

Court facts disclosed that the ex-soldiers were authorised to procure fuel from GuyOil on behalf of the GDF. However, a recent audit revealed that during the fiveyear period, the GDF did not receive $745 million in fuel.

It is alleged that they sold the fuel to the businessman.

Also, in 2017, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Office of Professional Responsibility had recommended that departmental charges be instituted against a senior Policeman after it was found that he was fuelling his private vehicle from a depot inside of the Police station compound.

The incident took place sometime in 2016.

This publication understands that the depots are used to refuel vehicles owned by the Police Force or those used to carry out functions of the law enforcement agency.

Police Constable Tyrese Tanner

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan

Sting operation

Real estate agent accused of housing scam on $250,000 bail

Areal estate agent was on Friday charged with the offence of obtaining money by false pretence after he was allegedly caught attempting to collect $100,000 from someone to secure a house lot for them.

Twenty-nine-year-old

André DeFreitas, a real estate agent of Lot 159 Cow Pen Street, Eccles, and Lot 1205 Diamond New Scheme, both on the East Bank Demerara (EBD), denied the charge.

Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, before whom he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, instructed him to post bail in the sum of $250,000. He will return to court on March 17.

Guyana Times had previously reported that the man was nabbed by the Police on Tuesday during a sting operation. Based on information reaching this publication, DeFreitas claims to be the owner of Prime Investments and that he has a contact at the Housing and Water Ministry.

Reports are that just after 12:00h on Tuesday, a sting operation was set up along Regent Street, Georgetown, where a person approached DeFreitas and gave him the money for a house lot.

This publication understands that $100,000 in marked money was given to DeFreitas to secure house lots. Shortly after, Police ranks swooped down and he was arrested.

Just recently, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal had urged Guyanese not to fall prey to fraudsters who promise to get them a house lot.

Croal had maintained that only the Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority is au-

Pensioner fined for trafficking weed

When Vaughn appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to the charge and was ordered to pay a fine of $28,000 or in default serve one month in jail.

Reports are at about 11:30h on February 26, ranks of Regional Police Division Number Two, acting on information went to the home of Vaughn, a supervisor, and requested to conduct a search.

A65-year-old man has been fined $28,000 after Police found 19.6 grams of marijuana at his Lot 115 Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) residence.

While searching the premises in the man’s presence, Police ranks observed a black-handled bag on a barrel to the northern side of the bed. Upon searching the bag, a transparent plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be Cannabis sativa was found.

thorised to carry out such transactions.

“We are also aware that those persons will ask you to pay them to help you get the lot. I want to say this, you do not have to pay anyone to get a house lot,” Minister Croal said.

He said that applications and interviews are done at the regional offices located at Vreed-en-Hoop Neighbourhood Democratic Council (RDC) Compound, Region Three; Anna Regina RDC Compound, Region Two; Fort Wellington RDC Compound, Region Five; New Amsterdam RDC Compound, Region Six; Lethem, Region Nine, and Linden, Region 10.

This warning came on the heels of persons being asked to send money to an MMG account which is falsely being linked to the Office of the First Lady, Arya Ali, under the pretext of payment for a house lot. As such, the Minister urged people to report these unscrupulous characters. (G1)

Former Georgetown Deputy Mayor found dead

in his Georgetown home. He was 56 years old.

The discovery was made by his housekeeper, who showed up at the Lot 120 Parade Street, Kingston residence.

The Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court heard that Stephen Vaughn was found with the narcotic on February 26. He was charged with possession of narcotic for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5 (1) (a) (i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act.

Vaughn admitted to owning the substance and he was arrested and taken to the Anna Regina Police Station along with the cannabis which was later weighed in the presence.

In November of last year, the Government passed amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act which paved the way for the

removal of custodial sentences for persons in possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.

Although custodial sentences have been removed, persons found with one to 15 grams of cannabis will be required to undergo mandatory counselling while persons found with one to 30 grams

of cannabis will be subjected to community service under the Extra-Mural Work Act for a period not exceeding six months. This forms part of the Government’s commitment to reducing the overcrowding of prisons by providing alternative sentencing. (G1)

Former Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Lionel Jaikarran

Former Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Lionel Jaikarran was on Friday morning found dead

He was found at the bottom of a stairway and it is suspected that he may have fallen. Reports are that Jaikarran had complained to relatives that he was not feeling well. When his body was found, blood was seen coming from his nose. There was no breakage to his house.

Jaikarran served as the Deputy Mayor of the capital city from 2016 until his resignation in 2018.

The marijuana that was found in a bag inside Stephen Vaughn’s home

Fined: Stephen Vaughn

André DeFreitas

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Father of 3 killed in interior over $9000 … “I

need justice for my brother”

By La’Wanda McaLLister

The family of a 30-yearold businessman is calling on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to work harder to apprehend a man and his three accomplices, who killed their family member over $9000, at Frenchman Backdam, Upper Demerara River.

Calvin Lyte George, a father of three, was killed on February 24 after receiving several death threats from a man who had owed him money.

Guyana Times was informed that the victim operated a shop in the interior where he sold beverages.

The suspect in question worked at a camp in the area and had reportedly owed George $11,000 since last year after he credited several items from his shop.

According to George’s family, after he asking for the money several times, the suspect paid $2000 of the $11,000 owed. George’s sister told reporters that after her brother was paid

–

sister

that on February 24, George went to the man to collect the remaining sum and an argument ensued. During the argument, George’s wife said he was beaten and killed by the suspect and four other men.

“He called me and told me about the problem and I told him to leave them because people always owe people. He told me that the boy agreed to pay him when he was down [his gold]. So, is went he went to the boy and they had a little disagreement…”

the $2000, he kept receiving threats from the suspect.

“My brother called me two weeks ago and told me that he and this boy have some problems with some money and he threatened to kill him, and that is exactly what he did. He killed my brother,” the emotional sister said.

The family member said

“When I finish talking to him, I went to sleep, and around 7:30pm or minutes to eight in the night, we get a call that Calvin get stabbed up and he dead,” the woman.

According to the woman, her husband was lured to his death.

“A man from the interior told us that when Calvin go to sell the boys them, the boy plan with he friends them and he sent three of them to buy from him, and when he was about to sell

them they all come up and bank him and bore him up,” the grieving woman explained.

After committing the act, the men made good their escape. The family also claimed that they have not heard from the Police since the incident.

They added that George was scheduled to return home on Monday last to celebrate one of his three daughters’ birthday.

The dead man’s sister said she is not satisfied with how the Police is handling the situation and is praying that the family gets justice soon.

“We are not satisfied and

I need justice for my brother. I need the Government to please look into this matter.

I am going to keep standing because I need justice. My

mother is grieving at home and we are all grieving. My brother is very hard-working and we can’t take this no more,” the sister said. (G9)

Essequibo Coast businessman nabbed with ganja

An Essequibo Coast businessman is now in Police custody after he was found with a quantity of marijuana in his possession on Thursday.

Police in the region reported that ranks of the Regional Division acting on information received went to a shop at Anna Regina Old Market Street, on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) at about 10:50h.

The law enforcement officers said the business is owned by a 21-year-old old businessman who resides at Henrietta, Essequibo Coast.

Reports are that upon arrival at the business

premises, Police requested a search, to which the man agreed. During the search, a black plastic bag was found in his right hand. The bag was opened in his presence and a transparent plastic bag was inside with leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The man was arrested and allegedly admitted ownership of the cannabis.

A further search was conducted on his premises but nothing illegal was found. He was taken to the Anna Regina Police Station where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 10.3 grams. He remains in Police custody pending charge. (G9)

Calvin George lying on the ground after he was stabbed

Dead: Calvin Lyte George

The cannabis that was found by Police

Berbice to see advanced hospitals, better river...

The training of thousands of Guyanese to work in the new economy and the rebuilding of community roads along with the expansion of farm-to-market access roads, development and modernisation of the drainage and irrigation system to mitigate against flooding together with the development of industries, rebuilding of the sugar industry and expansion of new opportunities are what the President said are the real plans for the transformation of the region.

“We are not saying that everything is perfect. What we are saying is that we are working to make things better for you every single day,” the President lamented.

“This is not guesswork, this is careful planning, this is a deliberate strategy. We are not abusing ourselves with oil and oil grants. No! We are strategically positioning the revenues from oil and oil resources for the upliftment of the people of our country.”

The Head of State pointed out that increased pension, uniform grants for schoolchildren, Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships, improved healthcare and Government part-time jobs are some of the benefits being delivered to the people of Guyana.

This, he pointed out, was not only realised because of oil and gas.

“Even without oil and gas under the leadership of Dr Bharrat Jagdeo we launched a programme that brought jobs; the Community Enhancement Programme. We launched

a programme that gave the children uniform grants –it is not only a function of money but it is a function of brains and vision.”

“It is not easy,” the Head of State pointed out.

Notwithstanding that, President Ali said that in Region Six, there are numerous opportunities for all as a number of development projects are slated for the region.

The Berbice Stadium, he said, is one such project. However, he noted that when he speaks of development, it is not just taking place in the East Berbice–Corentyne Region, but countrywide.

Nevertheless, zeroing in on Region Six, he pointed out that a single project in the region under his Administration is not even equivalent to what the previous Administration did on capital projects for the entire country in five years.

“In 2020 alone, we de-

livered $1B to this region in COVID grants - 30,000 families benefited from the $22,000 COVID grants in this region alone. In 2012, $250,000 – a one-off cash payment was given to those sugar workers that they sent home. Four thousand persons are now employed under the part-time programme and $150,000 oneoff cash grants was given to our fisherfolk in this region.” He said in excess of $1.4 billion was distributed toward agricultural development, benefiting more than 9000 persons. In less than three years, 7000 persons in the region have benefited from house lots.

“In five years, they did not develop a single scheme.”

The Head of State added that large sums have also been invested in tourism in the region while more than 500 small businesses in the region benefitted directly through the Ministry

of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

“We have set aside more than $3 billion for pensioners in this region this year.”

Speaking of the one-

off cash grant for pensioners which was distributed last year, President Ali said more than 8000 persons in the region benefitted while noting that close to $40 million was given to them in water subsidies last year.

“We have spent hundreds of millions of dollars under the public assistance programme, benefiting more than 5000 persons in this region. We have delivered a $100,000 one-off cash grant to special needs children in this region.”

More than 5000 children benefited from that programme.

Training was also provided for close to 400 single women in the region.

According to the President, heavy investments are being made in education while at the same time improving healthcare delivery in the region.

According to Ali, his Administration has been investing heavily in roads in the region and so far has invested in excess of $24 billion.

As it relates directly to agriculture, the Head of State pointed out that more than 22,000 acres of rice land have been positively impacted by investments made by his Administration. This is in addition to efforts to restructure and modernise the sugar industry where more than $4 billion has been invested since his Administration took office.

“The private sector is once again ignited with energy. This is how we have been working for you. Assure you of a renewed commitment to delivering more and more to you in this region and every single region of our country,” the Head of State added. (G4)

A section of the gathering on Friday

Guyana, India to ink MoU for energy cooperation

…as India’s Foreign Minister to visit soon

in a bilateral discussion on exploration and development, a specific proposal would be made and that will be [examined as well],” he stressed.

The Vice President went on to outline that the agreement will also cater for the strengthening of Guyana’s regulatory capacity and sharing of expertise to build capacity at the Ministry of Natural Resources here.

“India has enormous capacity in many areas and we hope to benefit from their expertise in strengthening the regulatory regime here for the oil and gas sector as well as building capacity in the Ministry of Natural Resources,” the Vice President noted.

On the gas front, Jagdeo said that the Government will be seeking to have consultants from India, as well as other countries, help Guyana establish a

As Guyana builds out its energy sector, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said the country is looking to tap into the vast expertise from India, especially as it relates to building local capacity for the oil and gas sector as well as sourcing of equipment to advance renewable energy initiatives.

This will be cemented in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that is expected to be signed in the coming months. It is likely to be done in Georgetown during the upcoming visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

VP Jagdeo, who recently returned home from a one week visit to New Delhi last week, disclosed that the agreement that the two gov-

ernments will be signing is currently before the Indian Cabinet.

“I can’t give you a date [on the MoU signing] …it has to go to the Cabinet of India and then once it receives their approval, that would be signed,” he told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

According to the Vice President, among the many areas that the MoU will cover is the petroleum sector. He was quick to point out that no agreements have been signed with the Indian Government in this area.

“The MoU will deal with exploring the possibility of trading in crude oil, that is, sale of crude oil. But we agreed with the [Indian] Minister that this has to be beneficial to both countries and it has to follow market conditions. There is no

agreement to sell any oil to India at this point in time and any such agreement in the future will have to be competitive and will have to benefit both parties,” Jagdeo clarified.

Another area the MoU will cover is exploration possibilities offshore Guyana. But according to the VP, these were only talks and no agreements were finalised. In fact, he noted that as was done with other bilateral partners, a framework agreement was discussed.

“The framework agreement will say we will cooperate in all of these areas but when you come to discussing specific initiatives – for example, if they want to buy crude – then they will make a specific offer and we will then assess that offer on its merits… And similarly, if they want to engage

2 bodies found on ECD, Essequibo Coast

The lifeless bodies of two men were found at separate locations on Tuesday and Thursday on the Essequibo Coast and the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

The first discovery was made on Tuesday on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Dead is 44-year-old Fitzroy Ramcharran of Jonestown Squatting Area, Westbury, Essequibo Coast. He was discovered by a search party in the Westbury Seadam Canal, a short distance away from where he was last seen alive.

Upon examination, it was discovered that the deceased’s mouth was reportedly eaten by fish.

No other marks of violence were seen on the body.

The man’s body was subsequently escorted to the Charity Cottage Hospital, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

On Thursday in the vicinity of Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara, Police said that the body a man who is still unidentified was found.

According to Police, the man appears to be between 50 to 55 years old, five feet, two inches (5’2”) tall, and slimbuilt.

They also stated the man seems to be of mixed ancestry. At the time the deceased was found, he was clad in a multi-coloured plaid shirt; a burgundy, blue and white Hollister branded T-Shirt with black pants.

Relatives or anyone with information that may assist in identifying the deceased

The body that was found on the East Coast of Demerara

can contact the Cove and John Police Station on telephone numbers (592) 2292019 or (529) 225-6411 or any Police station. (G9)

National Gas Strategy, which will determine how the country utilises the gas being discovered offshore.

Currently, United States oil major, ExxonMobil, which is already producing oil in the Stabroek Block offshore, is working on its own Gas Utilisation Plan. The Guyana Government plans to use the natural gas discovered thus far for its model gas-to-energy project that will be a power plant and Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant being set up at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

Meanwhile, the pending MoU between Guyana and India will also cover a number of other areas including renewable energy and in particular, cooperation in the solar energy sector.

VP Jagdeo explained that Guyana recently obtained quotations for solar units from India and it was found that the equip-

ment there can be procured at a much cheaper cost. In fact, he pointed out that a one-megawatt unit in India could cost maybe 50 per cent less of what Government is currently paying for a similar one-megawatt unit through a competitive bidding process.

“The trip was more at a practical level to work at bringing the requisite help to many of the sectors now that we’re hoping to develop consistent with Guyana’s plan to give leadership on food security, on the environment and the energy security front,” the Vice President posited.

During his visit to India last month, Jagdeo met with several top Government officials including Minister Jaishankar, Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar and India’s President Shrimati Droupadi Murmu. (G8)

US-based Guyanese busted with 13.4lbs cocaine in milk packets

The cocaine that was found by CANU at CJIA

AUnited Statesbased Guyanese was busted with over 13 pounds of cocaine in milk packets at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

According to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), officers intercepted 52-year-old Cranson Carlson Henry who was destined to travel to the United States.

Reports are that Cranson, of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, and of Rockaway Avenue 11212 Brooklyn, New York, was questioned after seven Milex milk packets containing a whitish powdery substance was seen in his suitcase.

CANU, in a release on the bust, said Cranson admitted to having a quantity of narcotics in his luggage, and as such he was arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters. The sub-

stance subsequently tested positive for cocaine and weighed approximately 13.4 lbs. (6.070 kg), which has a street value of $13.3 million, CANU said.

According to CANU, further investigations led to the arrest of singer Mark Ferdinand, 44, of Samaria Dam, Pouderoyen, who had

been arrested in 2015 in the United States of America for drug trafficking.

CANU noted that Berkeley Ferdinand, the brother of Mark Ferdinand, had been charged by CANU in 2016 for trafficking in narcotics, and had been sentenced to 3 years in prison. Investigations are ongoing.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during his visit to New Delhi in February 2023

US-based Guyanese Cranson Carlson Henry Arrested: Mark Ferdinand

OIL NEWS

Oil settles up on China demand hopes, posts weekly gain

Oil prices recovered from a brief sell-off to gain by more US$1 per barrel on Friday and ended the week higher, driven by renewed optimism around demand from top oil importer China.

Brent crude futures rose US$1.08, or 1.3%, to settle at US$85.83 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled at US$79.68 a barrel, up by US$1.52, or 1.9%. Both benchmarks posted their highest closing levels since Feb 13.

Prices dropped early by more than US$2 per barrel after a media report said the UAE had held internal debates on leaving OPEC and pumping more oil. Prices rebounded when two sources with direct knowledge told Reuters the report was “far from the truth”.

Brent and WTI notched their third biggest weekly percentage gains this year as strong Chinese economic data fed hopes for oil demand growth.

“Crude has been on a rollercoaster today, charging lower on rumours of UAE leaving OPEC+ before reversing sharply and rocketing higher as this rumour was disputed, and crude hopped on board the risk-on rally instead,” said Kpler analyst Matt Smith.

China’s service sector activity in February expanded at the fastest pace in six months, and manufacturing activity there also grew. China’s seaborne imports of Russian oil are set to hit a record high this month.

China, the world’s top oil importer, is getting more ambitious with its 2023 growth target, aiming as high as 6%, sources told Reuters.

The oil market broadly shrugged off a 10th consecutive week of US crude stock builds, and record exports of US crude lent more support to prices, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

The dollar weakened, and analysts polled by Reuters expect the greenback to be under pressure over the next 12 months, which would make dollar-denominated oil cheaper for holders of other currencies.

The European Central Bank was still sending hawkish signals, with ECB Governing Council member Pierre Wunsch saying its key interest rate could climb as high as 4% if inflation remains high. (Reuters)

Half of world on track to be overweight by 2035

More than half the world’s population will be classed as obese or overweight by 2035 if action is not taken, the World Obesity Federation warns.

More than four billion people will be affected, with rates rising fastest among children, its report says.

Low or middle-income countries in Africa and Asia are expected to see the greatest rises.

The report predicts the cost of obesity will amount to more than US$4tn (£3.3tn) annually by 2035.

The president of the federation, Prof Louise Baur, described the report’s findings as a clear warning to countries to act now or risk repercussions in the future.

The report in particular highlights the rising rates of obesity among children and teenagers, with rates expected to double from 2020 levels among both boys and girls.

Prof Baur said the trend

Around the World

Russians pound access routes to Ukraine’s besieged Bakhmut

Russian troops and mercenaries rained artillery on the last access routes to the besieged Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on Friday, bringing Moscow closer to its first major victory in half a year after the bloodiest fighting of the war.

The head of Russia’s Wagner private army, speaking in a video recorded some 7 km (4 miles) north of Bakhmut, said the city, which has been blasted to ruins, was almost completely surrounded with only one road still open for Ukraine’s troops.

Reuters observed intense Russian shelling of routes leading west out of Bakhmut, an apparent attempt to block Ukrainian forces’ access in and out of the city. A bridge in the adjacent town of Khromove was damaged by Russian tank shelling.

Ukrainian soldiers were working to repair damaged roads and more troops were heading towards the frontline in a sign that Ukraine was not yet ready to give up the city. To the west, Ukrainians were digging new trenches for defensive

positions.

Russia’s RIA state news agency released a video clip showing what it said were Wagner fighters walking by a damaged industrial facility. One fighter is heard saying Ukraine’s army is destroying infrastructure in settlements near Bakhmut to prevent the Russian en-

circlement.

A Russian victory in Bakhmut, with a pre-war population of about 70,000, would give it the first major prize of a costly winter offensive, after it called up hundreds of thousands of reservists last year. Russia says it would be a stepping stone to capturing the sur-

rounding Donbas industrial region, an important war aim.

Before the war Bakhmut was known for salt and gypsum mines and Ukraine says the city has little strategic value but that huge losses of troops there could shape the course of the conflict. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Two dead, dozens of Police held hostage in Colombia in protest against oil company

Apolice officer and civilian were killed during violent protests in Colombia’s Caqueta province on Thursday, and 79 officers and nine oilfield workers were taken hostage by members of rural communities, the Government said.

was “particularly worrying”, adding that “governments and policymakers around the world need to do all they can to avoid passing health, social, and economic costs on to the younger generation” by assessing “the systems and root factors” that contribute to obesity.

Reasons include trends in dietary preferences towards more highly processed foods, greater levels of sedentary behaviour, weaker policies to control food supply and marketing, and less well-resourced healthcare services to assist in weight management and health education.

Lower-income countries are “often the least able to respond to obesity and its consequences”.

The findings estimate that rises in obesity rates around the world will have a significant impact on the global economy, equating to 3% of global Gross Domestic Product. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The violence erupted in part of the San Vicente del Caguan municipality, where members of rural and Indigenous communities blocked access to an oil field and set a fire, National Police said, to demand Emerald Energy help fix roads.

President Gustavo Petro, who ordered defence and interior officials to the region, decried the killings on Twitter.

“We have a popular movement which by its exclusion and the influence of groups which want to destroy this Government and subsume Colombia in war, has ended up murdering a young policeman,” he said.

The Attorney General’s office should investigate the killings, while the Red Cross should attend to those being held hostage, he said.

“I expect from the perpetrators the unilateral liberation of Government officials before a new escalation of violence is caused,” Petro added.

The office of human rights ombudsman Carlos Camargo confirmed in a statement a policeman and a civilian had been killed.

Officials from Camargo’s

office were accompanying the police officers and Emerald employees who were being held, the office said on Twitter.

The officer and civilian died from gunshot wounds, Police sources said, adding FARC dissidents who reject a 2016 peace deal are present in the region and could be involved in the unrest.

Protests in areas close to oil and mining projects regularly occur in Colombia as communities push for companies to build infrastructure including roads and schools.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

James Cleverly says Falklands are British as Argentina ends deal

TheUK has insisted the Falkland Islands are British after Argentina broke a co-operation deal and pushed for talks on the islands’ sovereignty.

In 2016, both sides agreed to disagree on the sovereignty of the Falklands in favour of improved relations.

Argentina pulled out of the pact this week and informed UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

The Falkland Islands were subject to a bloody war in 1982 when Argentina tried to stake a territorial claim.

In response, Cleverly tweeted: “The Falkland Islands are British.

“Islanders have the right

to decide their own future - they have chosen to remain a self-governing UK Overseas Territory.”

The 2016 agreement between Argentina and the UK pledged to “improve co-operation on South Atlantic issues of mutual interests”.

Cleverly was informed about the decision by his Argentinean counterpart Santiago Cafiero when the pair met at the G20 summit in India earlier this week.

Cafier called for talks on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.

The UK’s Minister for the Americas, David Rutley, said it was a “disappointing decision” after he had had a “constructive visit” to Buenos Aires.

“Argentina has chosen to step away from an agreement that has brought comfort to the families of those who died in the 1982 conflict,” he said.

The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean. Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands.

Argentina invaded in 1982 in a bid to reclaim sovereignty and said it had inherited the Falkland Islands from Spain in the 1800s.

A brief but bitter war lasting 74 days followedwith 655 Argentinian, 255 British and three Falkland casualties - before British forces regained control on 14 June 1982. (BBC News)

A Ukrainian service member preparing to shoot from a howitzer at a front line, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, near the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine March 2, 2023

Police sit while officials from Colombia’s human rights ombudsman speak with demonstrators who, according to authorities, belong to rural and Indigenous communities and are demanding that oil company Emerald Energy build roads in San Vicente del Caguan, Colombia March 2, 2023

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Do something you enjoy. Socializing will encourage you to make travel plans that lead to personal or professional opportunities. Romance and a lifestyle change are heading your way.

(March 21-April 19)

You’ll have trouble deciding who is trustworthy. Refuse to let your emotions run the show. With a bit of creative input, you can come up with ideas that offer hope for a better future.

(April 20-May 20)

Go the extra mile to help others and see how much it enriches your life. Don’t trust pushy individuals trying to persuade you to do something impulsive or questionable. Focus on personal growth.

(May 21-June 20)

Look over your options and consider what you can do to improve your life. Don’t hold back; share information, clarify what’s important to you and don’t let someone’s persuasive tactics lead you astray.

(June 21-July 22) (July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Show off what you can do. Charm your way into groups or situations that you feel you can help and that can help you as well. Romance is on the rise. Make sure you do things for the right reasons.

Welcome change and take advantage of an opportunity to increase your profile and financial stability. Don’t let an unusual proposal confuse you. Stick to basics and follow through.

You may think you are on the right path, but a tempting opportunity will make you question your direction. Connect the dots and see what develops. A slight change can make a difference.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Expect delays or interference, but don’t slow down or give up. Look for ingenious ways to present and promote what you want to do, and you’ll slowly but surely win acceptance.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Leave nothing to chance. Question anyone who is trying to interfere in your life or plans. Stick close to home and keep an eye on your spending. Nurture meaningful relationships.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Eliminate the mystery surrounding a situation, then you’ll know how to proceed. Spend less time trying to impress people and more time figuring out what others are up to.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Tie up loose ends before you agree to take on something or change for someone else’s benefit. Rethink how you want your life and relationships to unfold, and make domestic changes

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Sign up for something that offers a roadmap to something you want to pursue. Altering how you earn or handle money will determine how well you do. Curb impulsive spending.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023: Aus. vs India, Test 3 of 4…

Travis Head leads charge to seal emphatic chase for Australia

Australia sealed their place in the final of the World Test Championship with an emphatic nine-wicket win over India in the third Test in Indore. India still have their destiny in their own hands; if they win the fourth Test in Ahmedabad, they will be through as well. But anything less than a win means they rely on New Zealand not losing 2-0 to Sri Lanka.

After Nathan Lyon’s 8 for 64 bowled out India for 163 on the second evening, Australia needed 76 to register their first win in the series.

It’s not often that a fielding side on the third morning of a Test has as much hope as India had of defending such a low target.

R Ashwin duly had Usman Khawaja caught be-

hind with the second ball of the day, but Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne made sure India’s hope never really transformed into belief. The two defended well, and once they had their eye in, didn’t hesitate to attack either, taking their side over the line in just 18.5 overs.

While Australia now have a chance to draw this series 2-2, India would still retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having won the previous series between these two teams.

Australia had lost their last six wickets in 11 runs in their first innings. So, Khawaja’s wicket early this morning might have made them a little bit nervous, even if momentarily, with both Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja finding turn, ex-

tracting bounce, beating the bat, and hitting the pads. During that phase, Head and Labuschagne focused on survival; runs were an afterthought. In the first ten overs, Australia scored only 13.

Then came the momentum-shifting moment, or at least it looked like one in hindsight. The umpires noticed that a part of the seam of the ball had come off, and asked for it to be replaced. In the first over with the replacement ball, Head hit Ashwin for a four and six. From the other end, Jadeja leaked two boundaries, one each to Head and Labuschagne. That was enough to deflate India’s hopes.

Four more boundaries came in the next three overs, as Australia raced to 56 in 15 overs.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023…

Travis Head led the way for Australia

Rohit Sharma introduced Umesh Yadav into the attack after the drinks break, but by then the result was a foregone conclusion. There was more interest in seeing if Head could bring up his fifty. He couldn’t, staying

Indore pitch rated “poor”

-after third India vs Australia Test

The pitch at Indore that was used for the third Test between India and Australia has been rated “poor” by the ICC, with Holkar Stadium being handed three demerit points.

The Test ended midway through the first session of the third day, with Australia winning by nine wickets in a game dominated by the spinners.

“The pitch, which was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat and ball, favouring spinners from the start,” ICC Match Referee Chris Broad has said. “The fifth ball of the match broke through the pitch surface and continued to occasionally break the surface, providing little or no seam movement; and there was excessive and uneven bounce throughout the match.”

The ICC rates a pitch as poor if any of the following criteria apply:

The pitch offers excessive seam movement at any stage of the match

The pitch displays excessive unevenness of bounce for any bowler at any stage of the match

The pitch offers excessive assistance to spin bowlers, especially early in the match

The pitch displays little or no seam movement or turn at any stage of the match, together with no significant bounce or carry, thereby depriving the bowlers of a fair contest between bat and ball

The pitch displays exces-

sive moisture, making its playing characteristics unpredictable, or excessive dryness leading to the surface deteriorating.

BCCI now have 14 days to appeal against the sanction if they wish. A venue will be suspended from hosting any international cricket for a period of 12 months if it accumulates five or more demerit points over a five-year rolling period.

Indore was given short notice about hosting the third match of the BorderGavaskar series. Originally, it was supposed to take place in Dharamsala, but that outfield is not yet up to par after being relaid. The BCCI announced the shift in venue on February 13, about two weeks before the scheduled start of the game on March 1.

India prefer playing their home Tests in conditions

that take turn right from day one. That certainly was the case at Holkar stadium, when the home team, having won the toss and opting to bat, slipped to 84 for 7 in just the first session. At the lunch interval, India coach Rahul Dravid was seen inspecting the pitch with the curator in tow.

The captain, though, minced no words when talking about the 22 yards. “Honestly speaking, these are the kind of pitches we want to play on,” Rohit Sharma said. “This is our strength, so when you’re playing at your home, you always play to your strength, not worry about what people outside are talking about.”

Australia’s stand-in captain Steven Smith didn’t mind the conditions either. “I personally really enjoy playing on these kinds of wick-

ets,” he said. “I prefer this than just a genuine flat wicket that goes five days and can be boring in stages. There’s always something happening on these wickets. You’ve got to really work hard for your runs. But it’s showed that the guys can do it.

“Guys can do it; you’ve got to work hard for them, and you need some luck. With this one, whether it might have been a little bit too extreme, potentially from the first ball, I’m not really entirely sure, but it was still another enjoyable,” he said.

But in terms of a balance between bat and ball, the uneven degree of both turn and bounce led to only two scores of fifty or more in the entire Test match. India’s total of 109 was their sixth-lowest in the first innings of a Test match at home. Australia, in their first innings, suffered a collapse of 6 for 11. There were, in all, 16 single-digit scores by the time the game ended on the third morning.

The last time a pitch in India was rated poor was in 2017, when, in the Pune Test, Australia beat India on a similarly spiteful turner. Broad was the one who handed out that sanction as well.

Nagpur and Delhi, the venues for the first two Tests of this tour in 2023, produced surfaces which were rated “average” by Match Referee Andy Pycroft. (ESPNCricinfo)

unbeaten on 49 off 53 balls as Labuschagne wrapped up the game with a four.

Before this Test, Rohit had hinted that India could

request a green pitch in Ahmedabad if they win in Indore. They might have to revisit that now. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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The Indore pitch was rated as “poor”

KMTC 2023 Phagwah Horse Meet set for Sunday, March 19

Horse-racing action is set to return to the Kennard's Memorial Turf Club at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, East Berbice on Sunday, March 19, with more than five million dollars in cash prizes up for grabs.

The feature event is the B& Lower one-mile race, for which Gy$1M and a trophy are the top prize -- donated by the Kennard family. The five other races on the cards are: The G & Lower - to be run over seven furlongs for a winner’s purse of $500,000; the J & Lower - to be run over six furlongs for a winner’s purse of $350,000; the K & L Non-Earners (life-

Top horses will be in action at this Phagwah Meet

time) race - to be run over six furlongs for a top prize of $180,000; the L Open event

– to be run over six furlongs for a top prize of $200,000; and the Three-year- old

Mighty Malt Fitness Challenge 2023…

Maiden class – to be run over seven furlongs for a top prize of $350,000.

The organizers have said the races would be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. In the event there are less than five horses entered for any race, the club reserves the right to cancel or reframe that race, or reduce the prize money, after consulting with horse owners.

An owner must pay at least $5000 for each of his horses entered in a race. The names of the horses not paid for would not appear on the official programme, nor would they be allowed to participate in the race.

Five horses must start a race before the third-place prize becomes payable, and

seven horses must start a race before the fourth-place prize becomes payable. In any race in which only four horses participate, the prize money would be reduced by 25%. And if only three horses start any race, the prize money would be reduced by 40%.

Entries for this Phagwah event would be closed on March 12, and no late entry would be accepted.

Horses can be entered by contacting Dennis Deoroop on 640-6396, Jingo Jagdeo on 618-7278, Basil Bactawar on 661-7815, Fazal Habibulla on 657-7010, or Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316. (Brandon Corlette)

Historic half-million-dollar grand prize up for winners

…Event set for March 12 staging

The Guyana Fitness Games will make a grand post-pandemic return next Sunday with the Mighty Malt Fitness Challenge 2023. A new brand will be backing the tournament, and more incentives await the fittest athletes on competition day.

The Mighty Malt Fitness Challenge 2023 is set to ignite the National Park in Georgetown on Sunday, March 12th, 2023 in what would be the 7th edition of the event.

Athletes would be competing in three categories: Teen, Elite and Masters, for cash prizes and bragging rights as the fittest in their respective categories.

During the official launch of this event at the Herdmanston Lodge on Thursday evening, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC),

Kashif Muhammad, gave the event the blessings of the NSC and the Ministry of Sport. “I didn’t even see the letter, I just saw the ad; but I reached out because I recognize its you guys once again. And, you know, we, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, wanted to be on board. And I spoke to the Minister, he sent his greetings; so, on behalf of the Ministry, we’re happy to associate with you guys, we’re happy to collaborate,” Muhammad shared.

Speaking about the necessary health-conscious aspect of the competition, Muhammad said, “Over the years, you guys have been doing a fantastic job, and we’re extremely happy that you’ve been pushing sport. And also, apart from pushing sport, we think it’s educating the country to become

very healthy, and I think this is most important for us.”

While representatives of sponsors from Bounty Supermarkets, Sterling Products and Tech Pro Guyana were present to voice their support for the event, Tristan Freeman, representing Ansa McAl’s Mighty Malt brand, was more than happy to present the new product.

“As you know, Ansa McAl and the Grace brand has al-

ways thrown its support behind sports; not just mainstream sports, but also the non-traditional sports. We believe that, in the future, the CrossFit Games and these types of sports will be able to solidify itself. So, we’d like to throw our support from the initial stages,” Freeman indicated.

Further, Freeman shared about the fairly new Mighty Malt product: “I’m also excited to launch this product with this event. It’s called the Grace Mighty Malt. It’s a product I believe in and I stand by.”

Event organizer Jordana Ramsay-Gonsalves, giving a peek into what spectators can expect next Sunday, declared:

“The first event will take place at 6am, so not a lot of people will be out then. Our athletes will be thrilled, because they wouldn’t be out in the sun. But it’s going to be an early one, then we’ll come back at 2pm to have the following events.”

She said the first event would include 70 wall balls and a 7km run.

“For the elite athletes, we have five events. We have released three of the five events, and the other two events are surprises. We’re not going to let them know what it is until the day of the event. The athletes who are doing Masters and Teens, they’re going to be doing 3 events respectively, the first two were released, and the third will be a

surprise,” Ramsay-Gonsalves further explained.

The male and female winners in the Elite category are set to receive $500,000 each, a first in the event’s seven-year history. 2nd and 3rd place finishers would be rewarded with $300,000 and $100,000 respectively.

The male and female winners of the Masters category would each pocket $100,000. 2nd and 3rd place male and female finishers are set to receive $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.

The male and female winners in the Teen category are set to each receive $30,000, while 2nd and 3rd place finishers will pocket $20,000 and $15,000 respectively. (Jemima Holmes)

DCB to host trial matches, training sessions for females in Demerara

The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) will host several trial matches and training sessions starting Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Queen’s College ground from 9:00am.

These trial matches will be used to select the Demerara Senior Female Team for the GCB Senior Female 50 overs and T20 Inter-County tournaments.

The trial matches being held on March 11 are for both senior and under-19 females. After the team is selected, several training sessions will be conducted on March 18 and 19 at Queen’s College ground from 9:00am.

Any interested fe -

A look at the Guyana Fitness Games presser. From left: Organizers Noshavyah King, Jordana Ramsay-Gonsalves, Paul Meusa, Orande Dainty (Tech Pro Guyana), Delon Lynch (Sterling Products), Kashif Muhammad, Tristan Freeman (Ansa McAl) and Andrew Xavier (Bounty)

male can contact the Chairperson of the DCB Competition Committee, Ms. Kavita Yadram, on

telephone number 6551010, or Head Coach Mr. Clive Grimmond on 6273280, for any information.

Demerara ladies will be preparing for the inter-county tournament

Milo U18 Schools Football Tournament 2023…

CWSS confident of title retention

– Coach Delon Peters

By Jemima Holmes

As the 9th edition of the Milo Under-18 Schools’ Football tournament commences today, two-time defending champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) – already confident they can retain the titlewill ready themselves to demolish the opposition.

This year, however, that task will not be easy, because the tournament is being contested between 32 school teams from across the country, and their arch-nemesis of yesteryear, Chase’s Academy, is included in that tally.

Asked about having to defend their title against more teams, Head Coach Delon Peters told <<Guyana Times Sport>> exclusively that team members are confident of their abilities.

“We’re still confident! I mean,(as) two-time defending champions, there’s no need to be dejected about what’s going on. It gives us an opportunity to show, you know, make greater prow-

ess and show greater ability because of the fact that there’s more. The more you conquer, the greater the victory,” a confident Peters related to this publication.

CWSS and Chase’s Academy have locked horns in many finals, even outside of the Milo tournament. Accordingly, Peters was asked about that eventuality, and he responded: “This is an opportunity to let the doubters see that Chase is not the pinnacle in this thing; we are! It’s been years we’ve had them back-and-forth; for years!

So, it’s a good opportunity now to show ourselves approved, not just against this school and that school. Be it Chase’s, Morgan’s, we’re ready!

Peters admits that preparation has been an uphill task, since exam season is around the corner. However, because the Coach is adamant that his team can pull off the triple threat, Peters told Guyana Times Sport, “No matter how much you win, the desire is always there to continue winning.

Flashback: Back-to-back champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary celebrating their Milo 2022 Championship with Coach Delon Peters

But then, like I tell anybody, that’s the hardest thing to do: keep winning. So, even to keep the guys motivated, it’s a task.

“We’re trying! We’re trying to keep them focused on the game, because some still have exams that they’re preparing for, so getting them out to practice can be challenging because of assignments, SBAs and stuff,” he divulged.

Trophy Stall golf tournament tees off today at LGC

“But the confidence is there that we can protect what is ours,” the Coach has added.

The Milo tournament

will get underway today, Saturday March 4, 2023, at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown at

11am. However, the CWSS are scheduled to play their first game next Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 14:00hrs at the same venue.

GCB Senior Inter-County Four-Day tournament 2023… Savory’s unbeaten century leads Essequibo past Select XI

National batsman

Kemol Savory has scored a fine, unbeaten century in the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Senior InterCounty Four-Day tournament played at Providence, EBD.

Savory’s even century led Essequibo to a commanding 271-run win against the jaded Select XI inside three days.

Resuming the third day on 95-3, Essequibo blazed away to a total of 297-8 declare after 56 overs.

Apart from Savory’s 100, Guyana Super-50 selectee Quentin Sampson slammed a 38-ball 71 to add 92 runs with Savory for the seventh wicket. Jonathan Rampersaud had 3-64 in 15 overs, as the Select XI

bowlers were taken to the cleaners.

In Select XI’s chase of 393 runs, Essequibo skipper Antony Adams claimed 4-44 in 14 overs, while Malcolm Hubbard took 4-29 in 7.3 overs to dismantle the Select XI for 121 all out in 33.3 overs.

National Under-19 skipper

Alvin Mohabir top-scored with 33, while former Test player Rajendra Chandrika scored 26. According to the GCB, the Guyana Harpy Eagles team to play Trinidad and Tobago will be announced today, Saturday March 4 at a scheduled press conference. (Brandon Corlette)

The Lusignan Golf Club is the place to be as the highly anticipated Trophy Stall golf tournament is hosted today: Saturday, March 4.

Teeing off at 12:30h, this tournament is a Medal play over 18 holes and shotgun start. Prizes up for grabs will be from first to third, overall best gross, nearest to the flag, and longest drive.

Speaking on behalf of the LGC, Public Relations Officer Paton George said, “Trophy Stall has been one of our main sponsors going back over a decade, as they have been working with us

in a truly beneficial way. We get a lot of our trophies and memorabilia from Trophy Stall, and in turn they host a yearly tournament; the tournament is always exciting. This year, we expect the course to play very long, because the ball will not roll out that much.

“We expect a very competitive competition, and winner will definitely have to withstand the conditions.”

He related that while the ground is in good condition, the fairway would be soft, and there would not be much bounce and roll. Further, George thanked Trophy Stall

and said the LGC is looking to continue this fruitful relationship as they progress into the future.

All participants are advised to contact the club’s manager on the day of the tournament: to collect their scorecards, pay their tournament fees, and proceed to their allocated tee boxes to begin play at 12:30pm.

Once on their respective tee boxes, players must await the sounding of the horn or siren as indication to begin teeing off.

Presentation of prizes will be held on completion of the tournament, at approximately 5:30pm.

Monique Allicock, Sales Representative of the South Road branch of Trophy Stall, handing over the sponsorship cheque to LGC PRO Paton George in the presence of LGC Secretary Chet Bowling

Kemol Savory

By Brandon Corlette

Hundreds of Guyanese were assembled at Palymra, East Canje Berbice on Friday, March 3, to witness the launching of construction of the Berbice Stadium by Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali, who disclosed that this multipurpose facility would rival any international facility that is seen on television.

Apart from Government

Ministers and other persons in authority, international and national cricketers past and present graced the occasion with their presence. Among those were Ramnaresh Sarwan, Romario Shepherd, Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin, Steven Jacobs and Lennox Cush.

“These players understand what sacrifices are: all of them came out of poverty to be today leaders and motivators. This

is what this facility (Berbice Stadium) will help to deliver in Region Six. The next set of stars will be here,” President Ali has prom-

ised.

“We are working to bring to Guyana a world-class cricketing format that will see the best players in the world play-

ing here in Guyana, and this Stadium is an important part of that. You will hear more of this, but we are going to bring a worldclass cricketing product to Guyana that will be competitive to any you see on television,” President Ali further divulged.

After the launching, an artist’s impression of the Palmyra Stadium was unveiled, and the President planted a tree to commemorate the launching of the

construction of the Berbice Stadium. The cricketers also planted trees in this regard.

This Palmyra Stadium is slated to have a capacity of 10,000, and the Government of Guyana is partnering with several major players within the oil and gas industry for its construction. Notably, ExxonMobil will play a major role in this regard in the interest of the development of sports in Guyana.

An artist’s impression of the Berbice Stadium

Cricketers Ramnaresh Sarwan, Steven Jacobs, Lennox Cush, Ishwar Singh and Romario Shepherd

President Dr Irfaan Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali points to the artist’s impression of the Berbice Stadium. Also in photo are Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, contractor representatives; members of the diplomatic corps; private sector representatives along with officials from the Regional Democratic Council