Guyana Times - Saturday, May 20, 2023

CXC confirms leakage of Math Paper II originated in Jamaica Judge dismisses Bruce’s $101M defamation lawsuit against “Guyanese

GPS launches internal investigation into alleged prison scandal Guyana’s parliamentary, constitutional reforms still most progressive in Region – Teixeira

gets bail for raping 15-year-old girl

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Self-confessed drug lord granted US$500,000 bail in US

Self-confessed drug trafficker, Barry Dataram, who was arrested by Federal Agents at the John F Kennedy International Airport upon his arrival in the United States earlier this year, was on May 12 granted bail in the sum of US$500,000.

The US had issued arrest warrants as well as an extradition warrant for the 45-year-old man back in 2008 for drug trafficking. His mother reportedly posted collateral for his bond but he is restricted to New York City and Long Island on home detention as well as his passport and all travel documents had to be surrendered.

Back in February, court documents revealed that between February 2001 and December 2003, Dataram, also known as “Kevin,” “Ledge” and “Fat Man,” together with others, trafficked five kilograms or more of cocaine into the US.

In addition, between February 2001 and December 2003, Dataram together with others, knowingly and intentionally conspired to possess and distribute five kilograms of cocaine in the US.

Further, he was also accused of trafficking over five kilograms of cocaine into the United States between April and June 2003. Other allegations included conspiracy to traffic narcotics into the US, attempting to avoid detection, and responsibility for the offence of trafficking at least 150 kilograms of cocaine

Dataram was also accused of being the leader of a drug trafficking ring that involved five or more persons.

However, Dataram and his wife, Anjanie Boodnarine, absconded Guyana one day before a court ruling in connection with a drug possession charge. An arrest warrant was issued

for them. It was believed that Dataram and his wife entered Suriname through a backtrack route.

Dataram was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment and fined $164 million in absentia after he was found guilty of being in possession of 129.230 kilograms of cocaine on April 16, 2015, at his Lot 661 Silver Dam, Fourth Avenue Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home.

His reputed wife, Kevin Charran and Trevor Gouveia were all freed on the drug charge.

It was reported back in 2016 that the Guyana Police Force was contacted by its Surinamese counterparts, shortly after Dataram and his wife were nabbed. One day after their apprehension, they were handed over to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and members of the Guyana Police Force.

It was believed that the couple

entered Suriname with false travel documents. The documents, however, seemed authentic since they were reportedly issued by the Chief Immigration Office in Georgetown.

Dataram used a passport with the name “David Persaud”. The passport was issued on April 15, 2013, and bears the number R0376916. Dates also suggested that the passport would expire in 2018. On the other hand, Boodnarine entered Suriname under the name “Christine Persaud”. Information on the passport stated that it was issued in January 2016 while Boodnarine was on trial for the possession of narcotics.

The duo was initially arrested after CANU ranks swooped down on the EBD home. During the search, the ranks unearthed the cocaine.

It was reported that some of the cocaine was stuffed in frozen seafood, while the remainder was found to be bricks of raw cocaine. CANU ranks also seized an undisclosed sum of money.

In March, Dataram, during a television interview, admitted his involvement in the drug trade but added that he had never been convicted for a criminal charge.

He was arrested several times but has escaped the clutches of United States law enforcement after an extradition attempt failed.

Dataram also accused a high-ranking CANU official of being involved in the drug trade and added that the rank would take as much as $10 million to allow cocaine to leave the country.

Following the revelation, head of the drug enforcement unit, James Singh had denied the allegation made against his staff while noting that CANU welcomes further public confessions of criminal elements.

Prohibited items found during raid at Mazaruni Prison

In a meticulously executed operation conducted on Friday between 06:30h and 10:30h, authorities at Mazaruni Prison successfully uncovered and confiscated a cache of prohibited items.

The search, aimed at maintaining security and order within the correctional facility, has once again shed light on the persistent challenges faced by prison officials in their ongoing efforts to prevent contraband from infiltrating correctional institutions.

Under the watchful eyes of the prison staff, the comprehensive search operation unfolded throughout various sections of the Mazaruni Prison. This proactive mea-

sure aimed to deter illegal activities and ensure the safety of both inmates and prison personnel.

During the operation, prison officers discovered a range of prohibited items hidden in various locations within the facility. The seized items include improvised weapons, cell phones, and other contraband.

Only a month ago, 13 improvised weapons were among several other contraband items discovered during a raid at the penitentiary. Other prohibited items found were one cellular phone, three nails, four lighters, one bottle of fermented wine, one smoking utensil, 14 cigarettes, and two grams of cannabis.

The contraband found during the prison raid at the Mazaruni Prison

Self-confessed drug lord Barry Dataram

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, May 20 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Sunday, May 21 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, May 20 – 17:05h – 18:35h and Sunday, May 21 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

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

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

High Tide: 16:59h reaching a maximum height of 2.59 metres.

Low Tide: 10:34h and 22:42h reaching minimum heights of 0.48 metres and 0.68 metres.

Oil spill insurance coverage

Production at Liza 1 in jeopardy if court rejects Exxon’s stay application – Routledge

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge has disclosed that oil production operations at the Liza Phase One Development offshore are at risk of being shut down if the Appeal Court does not grant its stay application on the recent High Court order for the Stabroek Block co-venturers to have unlimited insurance coverage.

Earlier this month, High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to issue an Enforcement Notice to ExxonMobil’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Limited (EEPGL), to provide an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or unlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee within 30 days.

Failure to comply would result in the suspension of the permit dated May 31, 2022, the Judge has declared.

ExxonMobil Guyana has since appealed the decision and requested a stay on the court order but according to the company’s President, Alistair Routledge, if this stay is not granted then the entire Liza Phase One operation would be in jeopardy.

“We filed an application for that order to be stayed because we believe if we're unable to secure, as ordered, those unlimited guarantees then obviously the permit is suspended per that order. And then, we will have to stop production on the Liza Phase One facility, which then has significant financial implications for all of the investors but also for, obviously, the country in the sense of revenues that will be lost,” Routledge told reporters at a media engagement on Friday.

He explained that with the Liza Phase One project, using the Liza Destiny floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, currently producing over 155,000 barrels of oil per day, the company stands to lose approximately US$350 million per month if this operation is shut down.

“There are usually some costs associated with shutting down a facility. More chemicals are needed because you won't have the fluids flowing in the flow lines on the seabed and so we need to preserve those. So, there will be other particular costs associated with going into a shutdown, which could be for an extended period of time while the appeal progresses or until such time if it were possible

to secure the necessary assurances,” the ExxonMobil Guyana President said.

Securing unlimited guarantee

On this note, Routledge indicated that the Stabroek Block co-venturers – Exxon, Hess Corporation, and CNOOC – have all reached out to their respective parent companies about providing an unlimited guarantee but there is no assurance that this will be given. Moreso, within the 30-day timeline set out in the court order.

“What we are working on is seeing whether we can secure such a guarantee from our affiliated companies or parent companies, and Hess and CNOOC are also asking those questions of their parent companies and affiliated companies. We don’t know whether we will be able to secure those. That is the question. But that is something that we're pursuing just now in case that order is maintained,” he stated.

According to the Exxon official, there are limited situations whereby his company had issued unlimited guarantees but those were usually contained to exploration activities and not the production phase, where there is already a lot of assets and revenues injected such as in the Stabroek Block, where the United States oil major is on track to commence its third development project – Yellowtail – later this year.

The court challenge, which was filed by President of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) Fredericks Collins and Guyanese citizen Godfrey Whyte in September 2022, only sought to have the EPA implement the liability clause in the Liza Phase One permit. Hence, the Liza Phase Two Project currently in operations offshore, and other potential developments, will not be affected by these pro-

ceedings.

However, Routledge explained that the outcome of this matter could potentially impact those other projects.

The Exxon Guyana President further noted that his company’s appeal to the High Court decision is premised on the fact that it believes that the ruling is incorrect and in contradiction of the provisions in the permit. He contended that the Environmental Permit issued by the EPA clearly outlines what their obligations are including that an estimate should be used.

The permit states: “The forms of financial assurance shall be guided by an estimate of the sum of reasonably credible costs, expenses, and liabilities.”

Additionally, Routledge noted that there is also an obligation to ensure that the affiliates have sufficient financial strength for the amount of the potential liability.

“So, it's very clear that there should be a value estimated that is credible,” he posited.

Safeguards for oil spills

Nevertheless, the ExxonMobil Guyana President further clarified that the company is not pushing back against any safeguards for the country. In fact, he pointed out that there is a ‘long line of defences’ that have been put in place to, in the first place, prevent such events. These include applying new technologies to the design of the wells, training personnel, and strict safety practices.

Additionally, the company now has access to a capping stack – a piece of equipment that is placed over the blown-out well to stop oil from spilling. These can be accessed within five days but as of next year, Exxon is required to have this equipment in the country as part of the Yellowtail Permit.

“So, we've put everything into preventing an incident from happening in the first place… We are absolutely committed to doing the right thing,” he noted.

Meanwhile, in the event of an oil spill, it was explained that Exxon already has about $20 billion in financial resources set aside to respond to such a “highly unlikely” incident.

Business Service Manager for ExxonMobil Guyana, Phillip Rietema, who was also at the media engagement, added that the company has billions of dollars in investments in Guyana, and more to come. Because of this, he explained, the oil major would not want to jeopardise its investments by not upholding its commitment or conforming to requirements.

“So, we're committed to Guyana for decades to come, which means we have all the incentive in the world to prevent a spill. And if something happened, we have all the incentive to clean it up as quickly and efficiently as possible. And so, put aside the financial assurances, the economic incentives are 100 per cent aligned to handle anything that happens so that we can keep operating and keep generating revenues for Guyana and our shareholders,” he stated.

This, according to Routledge, is evident in the company’s recent negotiations with the EPA on a US$2 billion assurance in keeping with provisions of the permit. That agreement is yet to be signed.

“In April, we closed on the wording of financial guarantees to be provided by affiliates of the local companies, that sum of those guarantees from the three companies is US$2 billion… We did a lot of work with [the EPA] and with international experts to come up with that whole valuation. And so, we agreed to the wording [but] can we agree to the value and that is the basis on which we're securing those assurances currently. So, we're working towards [that],” the ExxonMobil Guyana President stated.

(Vahnu Manickchand)

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge (right) and Business Service Manager Phillip Rietema during Friday’s press engagement at the company’s Duke Street, Kingston Head Office

– as parent companies yet to decide on unlimited guarantee

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin

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ICT-based exports

The quest for growth outside the oil sector, to help avoid the Dutch Disease, is thankfully one of the very few things on which the Government and Opposition are in agreement. Very sadly, however, the Opposition has been emphasising primarily the redistributive functional thrust of governmental policies – with an obvious populist eye on the electorate. But while the Government’s assistance programmes to the populace, especially the neediest sections, are positive, it is clear that they see these as ultimately a zerosum activity: meaning that they would be redistributing only a pie of fixed size, and not answering the question “How do we increase the size of the pie?”

While budgets precipitate debates on development but are technically focused on a single year, the PPP Government has signalled, through the implementation of its manifesto blueprint, a quest for longer-term development. This perspective is illustrated by its stress on infrastructure –roads, bridges, new agricultural lands etc, and the gas-toshore project, which are the precursors to a more diversified productive economy. However, we suggest that the Government take another look at an area it had opened up a decade ago: Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D).

At that time, the concerns were about the costs associated with the initiative (fibre-optic cable, OLPF etc), and its domestic impact (improving e-governance, competing with Private Sector providers etc). But its potential to alter the structural foundations of our economy, by opening up the export of services, was neglected. Some still seem stuck in nineteenth-century economic dogma that saw “development” as a transition from agricultural to industrial production, with manufacturing being the prime ‘engine of growth’. Only physical products are suitable for export, and services are confined only to the domestic market, in this view.

But towards the end of the 20th century, developments in ICT effectuated a revolution in delivering services across borders. As a platform for growth and development, the phenomenon was encapsulated as the “3Ts” – technology, transportability, and traceability. “Outsourcing” of services became a catchword, as billions of dollars flowed from the developed countries into the ICT-savvy developing nations. Trade in services is becoming increasingly more viable, with many businesses now dividing their operations across the world.

The rapid growth of China and India, which have been driven by two different political ideologies, has rekindled the debate on the drivers of growth and development. China’s growth is led by traditional manufacturing, while India’s growth focuses heavily on services – representing the two different paths towards rapid development. And India has not been alone in exploiting the new opportunity: In the last decade, services have grown as a share of the world trade, accounting in 2020 for 22.1%, and service exports in developing countries have skyrocketed.

It is very unlikely that we can match the economies of scale to compete with behemoths like China in industrial exports, but with our comparative advantage of English as our first language and a populace that still has a collective drive for education, we can certainly carve out a niche in the ICT service exports. These exports have primarily been in such areas as information technology, business-related transcribing of medical records, data services, call centres, education, entertainment production services, etc.

These services differ significantly from the traditional services which demand face-to-face interaction, but we will not be in a position to exploit this new driver of growth unless we have both the human and infrastructural resources in place to be capable of offering the service. Deregulation of the communications sector and the offering of 20,000 scholarships by the PPP Government address those concerns. The World Bank studies have shown that exports’ “quality” in services is positively associated with growth performance; even 1% involvement generated significant growth. For countries like ours, where businesses are stuck in a “trader mentality”, ICT-based exports would also ensure that traditional service activities gain in productivity from the 3Ts.

Additionally, a host of new service activities would emerge as a result of unbundling and technological innovation.

The Opposition should push ICT, not just handouts.

Sale of Marriott Hotel

Dear Editor,

For full disclosure, I was appointed Director on the Board of Directors of Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) in 2020. AHI is the entity under which the Governmentowned Marriott Hotel is operated. As such, the discussion and analysis presented herein is based on the fact that I am privy to the financial information of the Marriott Hotel.

Much has been said about the Marriott’s sale. In fact, much has been said about the Marriott since the inception, when it was built by the Government.

As I have said on several occasions publicly, one has to understand the background to the Government’s decision to build the Marriott Hotel in the first place. It was never the intention of the Government to build and keep the Marriott for an indefinite period; it was always the intention of the Government to build and liquidate its stake at the appropriate time and for the right price.

The Marriott was built in an era when Guyana was starved for investments, including foreign direct investments (FDIs). Despite the many attractive incentives that have existed since then, the country was unable to attract significant investments, owing to a lack of confidence in the economy, especially in the tourism sector.

The need for hotels of four- and five-star standards (which never existed before) was in keeping with a tourism strategy for the country which was developed three decades ago.

In the post-1992 era, the average annual FDI into the country was less than US$100 million up to 2008, and averaged US$200 million from 2009 through 2017, two years after crude oil was discovered in commercial quantities. From 1997–2001, private sector credit grew by 16%, or 4% on average annually during that period, from a position of $43 billion in 1997 to $50 billion in 2001. And from 2002-2012, Private Sector credit grew cumulatively by 103% from $55 billion to $116 billion, representing 10% average annual growth. These were not significant growth rates in FDIs and Private Sector credit during those years.

In the first bid-round of the Marriott, this author had taken note of an editorial in the Stabroek News edition of April 8th, 2023 with the caption, “Gov’t decision to discard Marriott bids raises questions.”

The editorial cited an unknown “analyst” who argued that all bidders who offered

US$50 million and more in effect agreed to pay 15 years of profit. The analyst contended that, in today’s environment, “the offer price is attractive, considering the ten new hotel projects approved by the Government, and that on Wall Street, blue chip companies’ valuations range from 8 to 12 times annual profits, and asked why the 15+ times profit is not an attractive price”.

Of note, the unknown/ anonymous analyst is referring to the price-to-earnings (P/E) Ratio. For the readers’ benefit, the P/E ratio is a metric used for the valuation of a company that measures its current share price relative to its earnings per share (EPS). This ratio is the price multiple, or the earnings multiple, and it gives an indication of how much an investor is willing to pay for a company’s stocks based on its earnings. The P/E ratio indicates whether a company is undervalued or overvalued, and can be benchmarked against other stocks in the same industry or against the broader market, such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes (globally), or the broader domestic market in the case of Guyana.

However, the range of 8-12 cited in the editorial by the unknown analyst is not entirely correct. A better indication would be derived from examining the average P/E as per the abovementioned indexes. To this end, as of May 12th, 2023, the NASDAQ P/E ratio averaged 27.56 and S&P 500 P/E averaged 18.42. Typically, a high P/E ratio is considered above 20x, suggesting that companies’ stocks are overvalued, or investors are expecting higher future growth rates. With this in mind, the previous highest offer of US$65 million represented 13 times the pre-tax profit and 17 times the after-tax profit, assuming a pre-tax profit of US$5 million and net profit of US$3.75 million. And now, the new highest offer of US$90 million represents 18 times the pretax profit and 24 times the net profit. Thus, the P/E ratio based on the latest highest offer price is in line with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ indexes.

Further to note, there are mainly three broad methods of valuation for companies. These are the asset approach (fair market value (FMV) of net assets), the income approach (intrinsic value), and the market approach (relative value). In the case of Guyana, bearing in mind that the local stock market, and by extension the broader financial market, is an inefficient market (not as efficient and sophisticated

as in the case of Wall Street), and that the Marriott’s stocks are not traded on the local stock market, an appropriate method of valuation needs to be adopted. These limitations necessitate the adoption of a combination of the income approach and market approach methods to determine the enterprise value (EV) of the company. In so doing, these methods entail analyzing the historic trends (backward looking), and a forward-looking projected basis. This means that a number of assumptions on the projected future growth would have to be constructed in which sensitivity and scenario analyses can be performed. Of course, as this is a long-term investment, such analyses will be premised upon the overarching growth and development trajectory of the economy in decades to come.

Again, for the readers’ benefit, enterprise value or firm value is a measure of a company’s total value, often used as a comprehensive alternative to equity market capitalization, reflecting the market value of a business which is distinct from the market price.

Having performed an analysis as described above, this author derived an EV with conservative assumptions of US$74 million under a pessimistic scenario and US$94 million under a cautiously optimistic scenario. Additionally, given that the offer price will be used in part to clear the loans on the balance sheet, this will effectively result in additional free cash flow.

So, assuming that the investor is a private equity investor, the investor will recover the initial invested capital within twelve years with a positive net present value (NPV) assuming a 5% y-o-y growth in net profit. Or, under a more conservative scenario, even if the net profit averages US$6 million one year after the investment and grows conservatively at a rate of 2% annually over the next fifteen years, the investor will still recover the investment cost within fifteen years with a positive NPV at a discount rate of 5%.

Almost a decade later, if the new offer is accepted, this will effectively translate into a return on investment (ROI) for Government of approximately 65%, taking into account the offer price and the profits earned over years since the Marriott has been in operation. Worthy of note is that it is not unreasonable to view this as an extremely decent ROI at this time, because in the current environment, the average profit margin in the global hotel industry is 4%.

While spending time at the Wichabai Ranch Eco-Lodge in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), photographer Luke McKenna captured a young Indigenous lad waking up early in the morning to play with his pet agouti. This photo was submitted as an entry for the Ministry of Tourism’s 57th Anniversary of Independence Photography Competition

First Lady’s “parks” venture has great positives

Dear Editor, “First Lady to build multipurpose parks at Diamond, Tuschen” aroused my interest, as we all concur that, outside of actual economic value, these types of projects offer tremendous benefits in the areas of health and environment, inclusive of the social. The news reported that the ‘ever-active’ First Lady, Arya Ali, launched two projects for the development of multipurpose parks in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The details show that “The parks, which will be located at Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo (EBE) and Diamond/Grove on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), are being developed through the National Beautification Project, which is currently being undertaken by the Office of the First Lady.”

Personally, I think it is time that things of this

nature happen in Guyana. After all, we have the space.

Let me instill in all of us that parks and recreational facilities are there in today’s world because we know that people go to them to get healthy and stay fit.

According to studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (United States), creating, improving, and promoting places to be physically active can improve individual and community health, and result in a 25 percent increase in residents who exercise at least three times per week. I add that the very presence and availability of these places has a great ‘pull’ factor.

Another big plus regarding this venture, according to a study by Penn State University, is that it was clearly established that “…significant correlations (were found) in the areas of reductions in stress, lowered blood pressure, and

perceived physical health to the length of stay in visits to parks.” If indeed ‘health is wealth,’ the First Lady is ‘right on the ball.’ My hope is that we will all capitalise when all these opportunities are handed to us in the near future.

Editor, many think that socialising has to be in a bar or place of celebration. I beg to disagree. These places in the offing will provide identity for citizens to reap multiple benefits as they cross paths and make many new acquaintances as they indulge in ‘keep fit’ ventures. In fact, parks and recreation services are often cited as one of the most important factors in how livable communities are. They offer gathering places for families and social groups, as well as for individuals of all ages and economic status, regardless of participants’ ability or affluence.

Overall, cohesion is

birthed when healthy spaces are used for the proper reasons.

In closing, let me firmly iterate that I am really behind what is about to unfold. I like how it was put over when Lady Arya stated, “I want you to know that once this project is completed, this park becomes yours. So, while it is there for you, the residents to enjoy, you also have to take the responsibility of ensuring it is properly managed.” She added “… both parks will feature recreational and sporting facilities, including a children’s play park and multipurpose court; a multipurpose building with conference hall, library, computer centre, training rooms, cafeteria, and washrooms; and amenities including Wi-Fi, benches, lights, fountains, and garbage receptacles.”

Yours truly, H Singh

Response to Enrico Woolford on GPA

Dear Editor,

Mr. Enrico Woolford has offered a response to my letter on the subject of the recent Guyana Press Association elections, in which he writes that Kit Nascimento “has decided to go into his toolkit to tinker with the Guyana Press Association and declare what should or should not obtain”.

What exactly he means remains unclear throughout his long letter, but it is reasonable to conclude that it is intended to be disparaging. In fact, from all that Woolford writes, we are both very much on the same page when he concludes that the Association “must remain resolute to ensure that any attempt/subterfuge to undermine its credibility /operations is soundly and utterly discredited and abandoned”.

I have said, for instance, that “it remains essential that the Guyana Press Association should recover and restore its credibility in order to fulfill its responsibility to represent the voice and concerns of a free media”.

I part company completely with Mr. Woolford in that it is the Press Association itself which has caused the controversy over the way it has conducted its elections, and sought to defend it by refusing to publish the list of its members deemed to be eligible to vote until the actual elections, bringing the credibility of the entire election

into question. It is unheard of to conduct a free and fair election without revealing, for public scrutiny, the voters list. Ruel Johnson, writing on the same subject, has so aptly put it; “if there were a country which Government conducted a long overdue election in which a small group of incumbents illegally changed voting regulations and produce an inscrutable voters list which not only returned those people to power, but put in place a President whose reelected tenure is bound to surpass constitutionally bound term limits, who was up for yet another term after the renewed incumbency, and who had sole legal control of the Treasury, that country would not fulfill even the minimum governance requirements of a functional democracy”. This exactly describes what the GPA has done.

The GPA’s four-person Executive, when constitutionally five (5) are required for a quorum, have in fact violated their own constitution in conducting the elections, and have brought the controversy down upon their own heads.

The GPA has:

1. Refused to publish a list of members deemed to be eligible to vote. While it has been the GPA’s practice to allow registration and payment of membership fees up to the day of elections, it was never

Sale of Marriott...

Finally, against all of the foregoing, the new highest offer price of US$90 million reflects a more realistic, comprehensive value of the entity, considering the entity’s historic financial performance and future growth projections. This also signals the investor’s confidence and optimism in the positive future pros-

FROM PAGE 4

pects of the economy at large. Moreover, the new highest offer price is sufficient to clear the long-term debt on the balance sheet, and the remainder of not less than a third, will be transferred to the Consolidated Fund.

Yours sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin

the practice to confine this to exclusively on the day of elections, excluding any possibility of prior scrutiny or challenge of the list.

2. Conducted elections without having audited accounts.

3. Conducted their last elections in 2018, five and a half (5½) years ago. Ms. Raghubir sat as President for those five and a half (5½) years. She is, however, restricted to serving three (3) continuous terms in office, leaving six (6) months at the time she ran for elections.

She is now allowed to serve for another four (4) years, which will add up to some nine and a half (9½) years. Is she therefore prepared to resign in six (6) months and call another election?

It is precisely, therefore, because of the importance of the Press Association remaining a credible voice of a free press that I have called upon Ms. Raghubir and those elected with her to put right what has clearly gone wrong.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023

06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time

06:30 Cartoons

07:00 Evening News (RB)

08:00 Stop Suffering

09:00 Movie - The Ant Bully (2006)

10:30 Indian Movie - All the Best: Fun Begins (2009)

13:00 Movie - Red Dog: True Blue (2016)

14:30 Movie - The Game Plan (2007)

16:30 Wheel of Fortune

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 - Better Nate Than Ever (2022)

22:00 Movie - Tetris (2023)

00:00 Sign off

CXC Questions: Maths

By John Keats

O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, Alone and palely loitering?

The sedge has withered from the lake, And no birds sing.

O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, So haggard and so woe-begone? The squirrel’s granary is full, And the harvest’s done.

I see a lily on thy brow, With anguish moist and fever-dew, And on thy cheeks a fading rose Fast withereth too.

I met a lady in the meads, Full beautiful—a faery’s child, Her hair was long, her foot was light, And her eyes were wild.

I made a garland for her head, And bracelets too, and fragrant zone; She looked at me as she did love, And made sweet moan

I set her on my pacing steed, And nothing else saw all day long, For sidelong would she bend, and sing A faery’s song.

She found me roots of relish sweet, And honey wild, and manna-dew, And sure in language strange she said— ‘I love thee true’.

She took me to her Elfin grot, And there she wept and sighed full sore, And there I shut her wild eyes With kisses four.

And there she lullèd me asleep, And there I dreamed—Ah! woe betide!— The latest dream I ever dreamt On the cold hill side.

I saw pale kings and princes too, Pale warriors, death-pale were they all; They cried—‘La Belle Dame sans Merci Thee hath in thrall!’

I saw their starved lips in the gloam, With horrid warning gapèd wide, And I awoke and found me here, On the cold hill’s side. And this is why I sojourn here, Alone and palely loitering, Though the sedge is withered from the lake, And no birds sing.

Questions: What is the poem? How did you know what it was about?

10. B

SEARCH

Pres Ali recognised for pushing food security, sustainable development in Region

agendas related to issues such as regional integration, rural connectivity, social inclusion in the countryside, and gender equality, all of which are central areas of IICA's work, were also considered in the presentation of this Award.

Since being elected President of Guyana, President Ali has exercised his leadership as Head of Government in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet, in which he is responsible for agriculture and rural development, with a mandate to advance the regional food security agenda.

ture industry; the advancement of the livestock industry, and the programme for self-sufficiency in livestock feed with the production of corn and soybeans; updating legislation to increase investment and trade; large infrastructure projects for roads, drainage, and irrigation.

the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders.

In recognition of his advocacy in pushing the Food Security and Sustainable Development agenda, President Dr Irfaan Ali will be receiving an award from the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The regional organisation announced in a statement on Friday that the Guyanese Head of State will be the first recipi-

ent of the IICA Award for Contribution to Food Security and Sustainable Development.

IICA said it decided to present this award to President Ali for his “…leadership in agricultural transformation, food security, and support for building resilient economies in a sustainable manner in Guyana and the Caribbean.”

The President's support and commitment to public

President Ali has launched numerous initiatives focused on ensuring that sustainable agriculture remains a fundamental pillar of national and regional development.

Among the most prominent initiatives implemented by the Aliled Guyana Government that the IICA highlighted were: the Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (AEIP), targeting youth to become agribusiness owners; agricultural processing and value addition; the revival and expansion of the aquacul-

It has also been recognised that Guyana's leadership in low-carbon development has been strengthened under President Ali's leadership, with the South American and Caribbean nation being the first to be awarded ART-TREES credits. This innovative system of carbon credits is designed specifically for voluntary and compliant carbon markets to successfully prevent forest loss and degradation, a process known as jurisdictional REDD+.

At the regional level, IICA pointed out, President Ali's vision is reflected in actions to transform agriculture and sustainable development. Calling for deliberate action to bring to life the regional goal of reducing the Caribbean's US$6 billion food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025, these measures have been adopted by

In addition, it has been noted that the Guyanese Leader has also successfully advocated for the creation of the CARICOM Ad Hoc Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security for CARICOM.

The Guyana-Barbados Food Terminal Regional Food Hub is also being developed, along with various initiatives to address logistics and transportation – another initiative being pursued by the Guyanese Head of State.

President Ali is expected to travel to IICA Headquarters for the Americas in San José, Costa Rica as a Guest of Honour, and to inaugurate the Fortythird Regular Meeting of the Executive Committee of IICA on July 19, 2023. While there, he will be receiving his award.

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the specialised agency for agriculture of the InterAmerican System. It supports the efforts of Member States to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being.

The Institute provides cooperation services through close and permanent work with its 34 Member States, addressing their needs in a timely manner. Without a doubt, IICA’s most valuable asset is the close relationship it maintains with the beneficiaries of its work. The Institute has broad experience in areas such as technology and innovation for agriculture, agricultural health, food safety and quality, international agricultural trade, family farming, rural development, natural resource management, and the economy.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

47-year-old gets bail for raping 15-Y-O girl

Anil Singh, a 47-yearold Bowman hailing from Supenaam Creek on the Essequibo Coast was granted bail for allegedly engaging in 'sexual activity' with a minor.

The charges against him fall under Section 16 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03, specifically involving a 15-yearold girl.

On Thursday, Singh

made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate's Court, during which the charge was formally read to him. He was not required to enter a plea at that time.

Subsequently, the court decided to grant him bail, setting the amount at $150,000. He is expected to return to court on June 1, 2023.

Rape accused Anil Singh

Bartender granted bail in simple larceny

Bibi Faneeza Amin, a 28-year-old bartender of Johanna Cecilia on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was granted bail on a simple larceny charge.

She was accused of stealing from a 65-year-old businesswoman of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast.

During the court session, Amin pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the amount of $50,000. She will make her next court appearance on May 30, 2023.

Charged:

case

The future… …of farming?

Folks might’ve wondered why Pres Ali took time to visit a dairy and meat farm in Qatar…a desert country - which is counterintuitive for a country with 83,000 square miles of mostly vegetated land space!! Well, he was looking at the future of producing food from farms!! With the human population presently at 8 billion – up from 2 billion in 1927, and increasing to 9.7 billion by 2050 –and soil degrading and groundwater running out, there’s gonna have to be a whole lotta innovation to feed all those mouths!

The Qatari farm was born out of necessity – but it shows what can be done when a country has money and political will. Which Guyana luckily possesses right now under the PPP. If it were the PNC, that’d be another story! Just SIX years ago, tiny Qatar and its 2.7 million people were importing most of their food from Saudi Arabia and surrounding Arab countries, like the UAE. In that year, those countries imposed sanctions on Qatar, because they accused the latter of supporting Islamic terrorism against them. So, what did Qatar do?? Went elsewhere, like with Turkiye. But, more importantly, started trying to feed themselves.

They launched Baladna Farms outside their capital of Doha the same year - 2017 - on 240 hectares of desert. They constructed facilities to handle 24,000 cows – starting with 4000 that were flown in from Europe and Australia etc. So how do cows – which don’t perspire well - survive at 40°+ Celsius, which is equal to our 104° Fahrenheit?? Well, how about huge enclosed barns that have artesian wells, enabling the cows to be sprayed with water periodically and cool them down?? And feed?? Hay and other feedstock are supplied automatically to the cows that are in stalls.

Milking?? The cows enter a huge rotator - a largely automatic machine used for milking hundreds of cows successively, using a rotating platform!! That’s what the President was looking at in the pic. With all aspects of cowrearing done with advanced machines, one can appreciate that the packaging of the mild and meat for sale becomes pretty routine. Even the calves are fed automatically from bottles, with milk provided by any cow – not just their mother!! Qatar had already achieved 50% self-sufficiency in this area.

So how does this matter to us?? Well, even though we’ve got all that land, since we also got money, we should look into the cost-benefit of using the Qatar model for dairy and beef. Because of the intensive feeding, caring, milking etc, Baladna’s telescoped the entire production process so that the efficiency - compared with the old open range method - is off the charts!!

Why harvest rice with “grass knives” when we got combines??

…of cow dung

Another point to consider is what happens to all the dung that will still be produced in such mechanised farms. No matter what we do, cows gotta shit!! Grass in…dung out!! Ever since we became conscious of global warming, scientists have recognized that methane – an atmospheric warming gas – is produced spontaneously from cow dung – not to mention cow burps. It’s a by-product of cows digesting grass. That’s why in New Zealand they’ve imposed a tax on cow burps!!

Now, what about the dung? Farmers in India and other traditional communities have long used the dung – and other vegetable waste – to produce methane for cooking by using “digesters”. And the Biden Administration has now introduced legislation that offers tax incentives for American mega, mechanised farms to use the “shit digesters” to produce methane - that can be converted to electricity!! Now, we know that Qatar, being one of the largest producers of Natural Gas – containing methane –doesn’t need this outlet.

But how about us??

…of Venezuelan sanctions

A group of Hispanic House Democrats wrote to President Biden last week, urging him to reverse Trump-era sanctions on Venezuela and Cuba. They cited humanitarian concerns. As if Biden needs justification - in addition to his yen for Venezuelan oil!!

Bibi Faneeza Amin

Guyana’s parliamentary, constitutional reforms still most progressive in Region – Teixeira

Region,” she said adding that many times we look at our country with “jaundiced eyes” when we are in fact very blessed and fortunate.

According to Teixeira, the aim is to work towards returning to the days when parliamentarians could reach a consensus on national issues.

“Don’t take on the fights between the politicians all the time. We want to get back to the days of this Parliament, when in fact, those days have been long missing when as parliamentarians, we could reach a consensus on national issues. That is what we have to work towards now.”

“A country that produces charismatic and visionary leaders of the past, who have produced young, revolutionary, visionary, radical, progressive leaders in between, and who now have young leaders in Government…that are leading this country forward,” she continued.

She, however, noted, “We will be safe, we will be developed, and achieve what I believe is now the golden era of Guyana where we can transform and achieve the best that our people deserve.”

dialogue, collaboration, and respect for human rights,” said the diplomat.

While assuring that the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Guyana along this

Guyanese that in commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Elected National Assembly, “Let us pay tribute to the brave men and women who embarked on this transformative jour-

Notwithstanding its many shortcomings, Guyana is a “very blessed and unique country” with the most progressive parliamentary and constitutional reform in the Region, according to Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Gail Teixeira.

Assembly. That day in history, May 18, 1953, was the first sitting of the National Assembly that was constituted from the April 27 elections of that year.

She noted that the Parliament is the cornerstone of democracy and development.

Although Guyana has not done badly in the 70 years, it has much more to do to uphold constitutional rule, defend democracy, defend human rights and protect and promote human rights, Minister Teixeira was keen to point out.

“I believe, as we leave the 70 years and look back at the history of this country,

In congratulating Guyana on this milestone, British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller highlighted that the nation’s commitment to constitutional and electoral reforms has been commendable, ensuring more inclusive and participatory democracy.

“This is a path that is ongoing and requires collective efforts of Government, private sector, civil society, and of all Guyanese. As

journey, Miller added, “We can address these together to build a prosperous future for all. We will continue to work in partnership with the Government and

ney. May their dedication and sacrifice serve as a reminder of the progress and inspire us in the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

She was at the time delivering remarks at a reception held on Thursday at Public Buildings to commemorate Guyana’s 70th anniversary as an Elected

“Our parliamentary reform is still the most progressive in the Region. The constitutional reform we went through is still the most progressive in this

and look back at the leaders that we have come from and the leaders whose shoulders we stand on now…we are indeed a very special country, a very unique country.”

we reflect on the achievement of the past, we must also look to the future. The challenges we face require a united and comprehensive approach by fostering open

other stakeholders to promote democratic values, strengthen institutions and foster inclusive and sustainable development.”

She, therefore, urged

Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence said that “For too long the National Assembly has been used as a tool of Executive aggression and repression. Therefore, the Opposition will continue to be resolute in ushering in a new dispensation, a new culture within the National Assembly; a culture of mature leadership… a working relationship with stakeholders. General elections were held in British Guiana on April 27, 1953, and they were the first held under universal suffrage and resulted in a victory for the People's Progressive Party (PPP), which won 18 of the 24 seats in the new House of Assembly. The House held its first sitting on May 18, 1953, and the PPP’s leader, Cheddi Jagan, became Prime Minister. (Feona Morrison)

Scenes from Thursday’s reception to mark Guyana’s 70th anniversary as an Elected Assembly

Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira

GPF to educate traffic ranks on implementation of new e-bike law

and is fitted with an effective stopping system controlled by use of brakes, gears or motor control.”

“We’ll hold a seminar with all the traffic persons and the patrol ranks who will be responsible for enforcement and we’ll roll out all enforcement methods that are available to us,” the Deputy Commissioner relayed.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) will host a seminar with members of its Traffic Department on the newly passed motor vehicle and traffic law that seeks to regulate the use of electric bikes in Guyana.

The revelation was made by Deputy Commissioner of Police for Administration, Calvin Brutus as he en-

gaged media operatives.

The National Assembly passed the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Amendment Bill of 2023 on May 10, after the Government proposed amendments to the legislation to regulate the use of e-bikes, which pose great danger on the roadways.

The Bill defines electric cycles as “any motorcycle that has an electric motor,

Following the seminar, implementation of the new law will be the next step and the Force will be working closely with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to ensure it becomes effective.

“It’s now a matter of implementing and making sure that all the regulations are in place, we will first have to work in partnership with the GRA to make sure that this aspect is first in place before our enforcement operation commence,” he stated.

With the new law, electric bikes are subject to the same rules and regulations as motorcycles, when it comes to registration and use. The implementation of the legislation will facilitate the registration and licensing of electric bikes.

Presently, an individual must be 16 years of age or older before he/she can apply for a provisional motorcycle licence and 17 years

or older for a provisional motorcycle and car licence.

An applicant needs to be 18 years of age or older for a car, van and motorcycle licence.

Section 33 (2) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act allows persons who are 16 years to drive motorcycles.

Consequently, the regularisation of electric bikes in Guyana will prohibit per-

sons under the age of 16 to use this type of transportation.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn stated that the rapid emergence of electric bikes over the past years due to their availability and affordability warrants Guyana’s laws to address the use of e-bikes.

Benn disclosed that at the recent Guyana Police Force’s Annual Conference last month, a charge was given to the law enforcement agency to up its game on improving safety and reducing deaths, injuries and accidents on the country’s roads.

According to statistics, 11 persons have been killed and 14 injured from using e-bikes during the period 2021 to date. Last year alone, there were seven electric bike-related road fatalities recorded in Guyana and a few already in 2023.

The Housing and Water Ministry on Friday announced a whopping $507 million contract to develop Tract CHPA (Poke Bridge), Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The contract was awarded to R Kissoon Contracting Service and will see the construction of roads and the installation of pipe networks in the housing scheme.

The contact was announced by subject Minister Collin Croal on Friday during an exercise which saw over 200 persons signing up for their Agreement of Sale and Certificates of Title.

The Minister noted that the multi-million contract has already been invested in first-phase infrastructure works in the past two years. Moreover, a new well will also be drilled in the scheme and electrical networks will be installed.

Approximately 575 persons have been allocated lands at Tract CHPA. Early last month a number of allottees also signed up for their Agreement of Sale and titles during a similar exercise.

As part of the hinterland housing programme in Region Nine, Minister Croal also announced 100

homes (10 each) will be constructed in the following communities: Crash Water, Yakarinta, Quatata, Nappi, Shiriri, Rupunau, Parabara, Shea, Yurong Paru and Tiger Pond.

which can be used to obtain financing from banks to construct their dream homes.

The new housing development in the area was previously allocated to some 543 residents, of which, 400 have so far been able to access their land. The distribution was met with high praise from recipients.

Christopher Sahibdeen was among those who expressed happiness. "I'm so grateful to the Government for the improvement going on in Lethem, Rupununi," he said.

It was reported in other sections of the media that earlier in April the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) commenced the processing of Agreements of Sale for the initial 150 allottees of the Tract ‘CHPA’ Housing Scheme in Lethem.

The Minister previously stated that the process is a critical stage since it gives beneficiaries legal ownership of their land and they can now anticipate receiving their Certificate of Title,

Similarly, Ronaldo Eastman, a teacher at Annai Secondary School, spoke of his joy of having his own place, which will eliminate the need for hotel accommodations.

To further boost homeownership in the region, 58 residents had also received steel and cement housing subsidy vouchers and the Lethem Housing Support Project will provide 600 residents with two-bedroom homes at a cost of $3 million, with the Government contributing $1 million for each home's construction.

These ongoing projects represent the Ministry's investment of over $1 billion in Region Nine.

Deputy Commissioner of Police for Administration, Calvin Brutus

$507M contract announced for infrastructural development at ‘Poke Bridge’

Residents signing up for their land titles during the outreach

The Tract CHPA (Poke Bridge) area

EU reaffirms assistance to strengthen Guyana’s electoral mechanism

– Nandlall boasts of amendments to several Acts to correct deficiencies

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission that participated in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections has offered assistance to strengthen Guyana’s electoral mechanisms.

This disclosure was made during a meeting with Attorney General Anil Nandlall on Friday with a high-level delegation from the European Union (EU) Followup Mission Guyana 2023.

The delegation comprised Electoral Expert Alexander Matus, Legal Expert Anne Marlborough and Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU in Guyana, Evelina Melbarzde.

Based on a missive issued by the AG Chambers, the delegation inquired about the progress of Guyana’s efforts at electoral reform and the implementation of the recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission which participated in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Nandlall in responding, expressed appreciation to the delegation for the follow-up meeting, and for the important role it played during the last elections

to protect democratic and electoral processes.

He nevertheless informed the delegation of a number of measures since undertaken at electoral reform, including amendments to the National Registration

(Amendment) Act 2022 and the Representation of the People Act 2022, which were enacted to correct the deficiencies and fill the gaps within the laws.

“We reviewed what transpired and saw where parts of the leg-

islation were abused, and discretion was exercised in the most arbitrary and capricious manner. Gaps in the legislation were exploited in manners inimical to the electoral process, and we also saw the deficiencies of some

of the provisions and the ambiguities that were exploited and led to interpretations that were clearly irrational,” Nandlall told the delegation.

He also updated the team on the criminal charges instituted against persons accused of wrongdoings during the elections and on the findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that was conducted and handed over.

The delegation also recommended additional legislative changes as well as policies and administrative measures which can have a positive impact on Guyana’s electoral process and democratic credentials.

The Attorney General assured the team that the reforms taking place in the electoral arena are a work in progress that will continue.

Meanwhile, Nandlall reminded that the EU is an important partner to Guyana and that he is grateful for their contributions and as such, pledged the Government’s commitment to the continuous strengthening of the electoral machinery and improving the democratic architecture of the country for the public good.

From left: Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Joann Bond; Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU in Guyana, Evelina Melbarzde; Attorney General Anil Nandlall; Legal Expert Anne Marlborough and Electoral Expert Alexander Matus

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

High-profile inmate Royden Williams escapes from Mazaruni Prison

gunman with AK-47 assault rifle aids in escape

Spanish-speaking female, prison officers being questioned

Mark Royden Durant also called “Royden Williams” and “Smallie” – a notorious mass murderer who was convicted for the 2008 Bartica Massacre escaped from the Mazaruni Penitentiary on Friday.

Williams has been convicted of murders stemming from the Bartica massacre in 2008, when he, along with other gunmen, ambushed and killed 12 persons, including three policemen.

Additionally, he had been sentenced to death in September last year over the killing on January 23, 2008, of Guyana Defence Force member Corporal Ivor Williams.

Based on reports received, Williams was escorted to the visiting area where for the first time, a Spanish-speaking female came to drop off toiletries for him. The visiting area, Guyana Times understands, is quite some distance from the holding cells and as such, the prisoners would normal-

ly be escorted on All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV).

The day in question was no different. Williams was escorted to the area where he met the female and the two had a “smoke” and talked for a while.

He was reportedly handed the bag containing the toiletries and as he was heading back to the holding cells, the ATV came under fire. One of the prison officers claimed that he observed a man carrying a high-powered rifle and suddenly opened fire.

This publication further understands that prison officers returned fire but it was during the chaos that Williams, who was still shackled, ran towards the Mazaruni River and jumped overboard. The alleged gunman followed suit.

They were both collected by a boat that sped off the scene. Miraculously, no prison officer sustained any injuries during the harrowing or-

deal. The Spanish-speaking woman along with the two prison officers who were escorting Williams are being interrogated.

"Prisoner Williams is considered to be armed and dangerous. The public is urged to report any sightings of this individual to the nearest Police station or any prison location to aid in his recapture and the apprehension of his accomplices," A release from the Guyana Prison Service stated.

The Home Affairs Ministry confirmed that Mark Royden Durant, “Smallie”, escaped while being escorted back from the visiting area at about 14:30h.

“The escort party was fired upon with AK-47 automatic rifles from the boat alongside the Mazaruni River during the transfer and during the resulting reported exchange of gunfire; Williams made good his escape. The boat and its occupants proceeded up-

stream, past Itaballi landing, while prison guards and Police in support undertook pursuit,” the release added.

The Ministry stated that members of the Joint Services have been mobilised to effect the recapture of Williams and to capture and or arrest his accomplices.

Following the escape, Shadow Home Affairs Minister Geeta ChandanEdmond expressed grave concerns regarding Williams's escape and the potential risks it poses to the peace and security that Guyanese cherish.

"The escapee is considered to be in the category of one of Guyana's most dangerous convicted mass murderers. Therefore, the little peace and security that the Guyanese enjoy are now at risk. Given our history, this is not a situation to be taken lightly…. Guyanese do not want to relive that intensity and fear,” she said.

As such, she called for the

Escapee: Mark Royden Williams

Home Affairs Ministry to provide updates on the efforts being made to capture the criminal and more so address the breach at the penitentiary.

“I call on the Government, specifically, the Ministry of Home Affairs, to spare no effort in ensuring that the escapee is recaptured forthwith.

I call on our citizenry to be vigilant and alert and to do their part as law-abiding citizens and communicate any pertinent and relevant infor-

mation to the Guyana Police Force”.

“The Government of Guyana must additionally spare no effort in ensuring urgent and complete reform of the prison systems and all stakeholders must be engaged as this is a national issue which demands full participation”, the statement read.

Royden Williams had previously escaped from the Camp Street Prison on July 9, 2017 but was recaptured on October 10 the same year on the Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice.

Meanwhile, the Joint Services and other security personnel are on high alert.

“The citizens in the Mazaruni and surrounding areas are hereby advised to take precautions and remain vigilant as the persons sought are armed and are considered as being extremely dangerous,” the Police stated.

It should be noted that aiding and abetting a prison escapee can result in three or more years of imprisonment when or if convicted.

CXC confirms leakage of Math Paper II originated in Jamaica

The Caribbean

Examination Council (CXC) confirmed on Friday that a recent leak of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics Paper Two originated from an exam centre in Jamaica.

On Wednesday, CXC launched an investigation following concerns that the paper was leaked prior to the administration of the exam.

“The security measures which CXC put in place has led to us locating the country as Jamaica and [an] examination centre [there] where the leak originated,” said CXC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Wayne Wesley during a virtual press conference.

Dr Wesley added that CXC is working collectively with the Education Ministry in Jamaica to determine the next steps in regard to the specific source of the leak, clarifying that Police authorities have not yet been involved but are being considered.

“As a result of the breach and the compromise of the examination, as well as consideration for the mental health and wellbeing of our candidates, timely release

of results, and matriculation requirements, CXC has determined that for this examination, the modified approach will be used to award fair and valid grades.”

This modified approach entails assessment of the

School Based Assessment (SBA) or Paper 03 for private candidates and Paper One, disregarding the Paper Two portion of this Math examination.

While the CXC CEO was unable to identify which spe-

cific countries the leak extended to, he explained that with the use of technology and common chat groups that involve students from multiple countries, it is likely that a number of countries may have gained access to the paper prior to the exam.

As such, the examination body is ensuring that all countries within the Region take the modified approach to this subject’s exam.

Dr Wesley also assured

that CXC is continuing to enhance their security measures to ensure that no future breaches occur, but stated that the integrity of the individuals entrusted with these exam papers and enforcing the rules cannot be fully controlled.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand in a video recording encouraged students who are still sitting their exams to avoid letting this issue interfere

with their work.

“Don't let this interfere with anything else that you are doing right now. You're sitting for other exams, you are still preparing for other exams, go ahead and do that to the best of your ability,” Manickchand said.

"Put this behind you and trust us to make sure your Paper Ones and SBAs are properly counted,” she added.

Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Chief Executive Officer Dr Wayne Wesley during a virtual press conference on Friday

4 more officers selected for ITEC scholarships in India

Four more officers have been selected as part of the Police and military training courses being offered by the Government of India under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.

The recipients are Assistant Commissioner of Police, Fazil Karimbaksh; Staff Sergeant Dork Pompey of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) along with Sergeant Jamal Cambridge and Corporal Dennis Pompey.

The three GDF officers were chosen for a two-

month General Intelligence and Security Course at the Military Intelligence Training School in Pune, Maharashtra while Karimbaksh will take a oneweek course on Economic Offences at the premier Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad.

The four officers recently called on Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa during which they were briefed on the courses, ongoing partnership between India and Guyana and more so, they were advised on the details

and logistics of these training programmes.

The ITEC Programme comprises short-term courses at prestigious institutions in India to selected partner countries across the world. In 2022, 19 officers attached to the GDF were selected to study in India and for 2023, Guyana was allocated 46 slots, of which seven were utilised.

The GPF utilised seven slots last year and three for this year, thus far. The Government of India will continue to foster and build its relationship with the Government of Guyana.

High-level Ghanaian delegation to visit Guyana

Minister for Trade and Industry of the Republic of Ghana, Kobina Hammond will lead a government-private sector delegation from May 19 to 24 to further explore possibilities for trade and investment between Ghana and Guyana.

Other Government Ministers on the delegation will be Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong and Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum.

The delegation will also include the Deputy Ministers of Trade and Industry and of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and a number of private sector representatives.

During the visit, the Ghana Chamber of Commerce will be launched on Monday. The ceremony

will take place on the third floor of the Amici building.

The delegation will meet with Ministers of the Government of Guyana and the private sector over the period May 22 and 23 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. In addition, the team will tour Guyana Shorebase Inc today.

Back in December 2021, Ghanian Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia visited Guyana during which several bilateral cooperation agreements were signed to further improve relations between the two countries.

During that visit, Dr Bawumia and delegation engaged in high-level bilateral discussions at both the Government and private sector levels, including engagements with President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips,

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, and other Ministers of Government.

Vice President Bawumia also meet with members of the Ghanaian diaspora and paid a visit to the University of Guyana.

Vice President Bawumia’s visit follows on the heels of the threeday visit Jagdeo paid to Ghana in October that year where he had held talks with his Ghanian counterpart. Following these discussions, he had announced that Ghanian experts would be reviewing Guyana’s draft local content legislation.

During Jagdeo’s meeting with the Ghanian Vice President, they had also spoke about the initiatives that Ghana implemented to further its industrial agenda and develop its non-oil economy.

Developmental works to begin next week in East, West Ruimveldt

Residents will re -

ceive contracts from the Government to complete work in their respective communities.

Minister Indar informed that Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, will also visit the two communities to address the land issues.

Meanwhile, Minister McCoy told residents that they will not be left be -

hind, especially when it comes to the development of their communities.

“Every single home we will visit. We will engage you one-on-one, break down the issue and let you understand what we are about and we will work exactly on what you need,”

Minister McCoy assured.

Two weeks ago, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill visited East

Ruimveldt, where he noted that his Ministry will be constructing concrete roads in various parts of the community.

Similarly, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha consulted with residents there and noted that vital drainage works will commence by next week. Several outreaches were also conducted in communities nationwide.

Residents of East and West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, will soon benefit from better roads, among a host of developmental undertakings, following a community engagement with Government Ministers.

Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, and Minister within the Office

of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy visited the communities on Thursday to listen to the concerns of residents.

Members of the two communities highlighted issues such as the need for better roads, drainage, and irrigation, the issuance of lands, and jobs.

“A number of addition -

al issues have come to the table, and we will start to follow up on them. We will go back to everyone that we visited, and we will do follow-ups with them,” Minister Indar noted.

He stated that staff from his Ministry will revisit the area next Tuesday, to assess the infrastructural works to be undertaken.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips in discussion with the Ghanaian Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia after his arrival at the CJIA in December 2021

Judge dismisses Bruce’s $101M defamation lawsuit against “Guyanese Critic”

…counterclaim also thrown out

that he is “Mudwata” or whether being identified as “Mudwata” would tend to have a substantially adverse effect on the way persons treated [him].”

Similarly, Rodrigues’s counterclaim, in which he alleged that Bruce through the character “Mudwata”, published that he was a homosexual, was also dismissed.

However, in light of Bruce’s denial and Rodrigues being the only witness in support of his case, the Judge ruled that Rodrigues failed to provide any evidence linking Bruce to the YouTube channel “Guyana Uncut” where the “Mudwata” character appears.

Justice Navindra Singh ruled that the defamation suit filed by photographer Keron Bruce against social media commentator Mikhail “Guyanese Critic” Rodrigues should be thrown out for it failed to produce adequate evidence of why it is defamatory to be identified as “Mudwata”.

Last February, Bruce filed a Statement of Claim (SoC) in which he sought damages in excess of $101 million over false statements Rodrigues made via his Facebook page in which he asserted that Bruce was the person behind the animated character “Mudwata”.

But, in a ruling issued on Friday, Justice Singh held, “[Bruce’s] case is deficient in both pleadings and evidence to enable the court to decide as to whether he suffered any warranted harm to his reputation by [Rodrigues] stating

Since Bruce has denied being “Mudwata”, Justice Singh said that the court had to determine whether Rodrigues has established on a “balance of probability” that Bruce is “Mudwata”.

According to the Judge, the only evidence advanced

Consequently, both matters were dismissed and no orders were made as to costs.

Bruce had claimed that on January 29, 2022, Rodrigues, while vacationing in Barbados, made several false and defamatory statements about him on a Facebook Live which attracted 761 comments, 933 reactions, 33,000 views, and was shared 91 times.

Maintaining that he and the “Mudwata” character are not “one and the same”, Bruce had said that Rodrigues has not presented any credible evidence to the contrary and therefore this cannot be “a matter of fact”.

contempt, hatred, and embarrassment, and had also brought his career as a photographer with the Miss World Guyana Organisation, into disrepute.

ner.

told the High Court that he was fearful so much for his life that he had to hire a 24-hour security service for himself and his family because Rodrigues had threatened that he “would show up” at his home and go live on Facebook.

Bruce was represented by lawyers, Anastasia Sandford and Tamieka Clarke while Attorneysat-Law Marcel Bobb and Esther Osborne appeared for Rodrigues.

by Rodrigues in this regard is that he and Bruce had a conversation in 2017 during which Bruce stated that he wanted to create a cartoon character by the name of “Mudwata”.

He had also denied having any engagement with Rodrigues, whom he described as a “self-proclaimed social media influencer”. The photographer alleged that Rodrigues’s utterances were for the sole purpose of increasing views, followers, and reactions, and for his own personal clout.

Bruce had averred that the comments had caused irrevocable damage to his reputation and subjected him to public ridicule,

Albouystown businessman jailed, fined $7.3M for drug trafficking

Bruce had deposed that his 16-year-old son had also suffered ridicule and bullying from his peers as a result of the “bold” statements made by Rodrigues, who had also accused him of taking photographs of young women and using them in a derogatory man -

Dismissing the statements as baseless, malicious, and grossly inaccurate, the photographer had submitted that they were “calculated” for Rodrigues to increase monetary gains. He added that his reputation is critical to his profession and suggestions of involvement in any such conduct as alleged by a self-proclaimed social media influencer, were detrimental to his career.

Moreover, Bruce had

Meanwhile, the Police have charged Bruce with a cybercrime over the social media cartoon character “Mudwata” and he has been granted $100,000 bail pending a trial.

It is alleged that on January 25, 2021, at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he used a computer to disseminate information about Journalist Leroy Smith, knowing same to be false, subjecting him to public ridicule, contempt, hatred, and embarrassment.

Hunt on for next Miss Guyana Teen Scholar

Aconfessed drug trafficker has been jailed for 54 months and fined $7.3M following his arrest on Wednesday by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

Businessman Anthony Oscar Wilson, 41, of Hunter Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on

Friday and pleaded guilty to the offence.

He admitted that on May 17, he had 18 pounds (8.2 kilograms) of Cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Guyana Times had previously reported that Wilson was busted with the narcotic, which carries a street value of $2.5 million during an operation conducted at

his shop by ranks of CANU. CANU is reminding members of the public that the use, sale, and distribution of illicit drugs is illegal, and persons discovered with illicit substances whether for personal use or for the purpose of trafficking will be prosecuted in accordance with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act Chapter 10:10.

The search has commenced for the next Miss Guyana Teen Scholar as applications are now opened for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 who might be interested.

The Miss Guyana Teen Scholar is not an average beauty pageant but rather a thrilling social and gender development programme designed exclusively for young teenage girls.

It is an empowering journey that focuses on valuable skills, unlocking hidden potential, and more so, becoming a catalyst for positive

change in their respective communities.

Applying to be a part of the experience can be done either digitally or the traditional way of submitting a hard copy of an application.

It is simple, visit the Imperial House Facebook page or scan the QR codes strategically placed at schools and on social media platforms where the application links will be found.

For those wanting to submit a paper application, it should be accompanied by a $1200 application fee and submitted to Medical Choice

Pharmacy on Camp Street and Naked Hangers at 18 Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.

The deadline for submitting applications is June 4, 2023. The 2023 edition of the pageant is proudly coordinated by The Imperial House in collaboration with the Culture, Youth, and Sport Ministry.

Other partners include Branderz Guyana, 55 Photography, Ultra Care Medical Centre, ReminiScent, Naked Hangers and Recover Guyana.

Reigning Queen Mya Saunders is flanked by other winners

Keron Bruce

Justice Navindra Singh

The animated social media character “Mudwata”

Mikhail Rodrigues

Jailed: Anthony Oscar Wilson

The quantity of marijuana that was found at Wilson’s shop

Granger appeals Full Court ruling for Justice Singh to preside over defamation case

Former President

David Granger is adamant that he does not want Justice Navindra Singh presiding over the trial of the $2.6 billion defamation lawsuit he has filed against three daily newspapers and Public Relations Consultant, Christopher Nascimento.

In light of this, the former Head of State is now appealing an April 28 Full Court ruling in which it was ordered that Justice Singh will be the trial Judge and that the matter will be referred to the Chief Justice for her to assign another Judge to conduct the PreTrial Review (PTR).

Granger’s attorney, Roysdale Forde, SC, had gone to the Demerara Full Court to overturn Justice Singh’s decision to hear the claim without the consent of the parties, in particular, that of the claimant, his client. The lawyer had sent an email to Justice Singh indicating that his client did not consent to him being both the PTR and case management conference (CMC) Judge.

Part 38 of the Civil Rule Procedure Rule (CPR) 2016 stipulates that the Judge who conducts the PTR must not, where practicable, be the CMC Judge, or preside at the trial, unless the parties agree and file a consent to the same effect. It also states that the Court may, at any time, on its own initiative or upon application, direct that a PTR be waived, or another PTR be held.

Pending its ruling, the Full Court, comprising Justices Damone Younge and Gino Persaud, had

in February of this year, stayed Justice Singh’s decision because he had already set trial dates.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, April 28, the Full Court found that the hearing conducted by Justice Singh on April 28, 2022, was a continuation of the CMC, and not a PTR.

“This Court also finds that whilst [Justice Singh] has the power to waive a PTR at any time, in the circumstances of this case, and in view of the fact that there was no consent by [Granger] as required by R. 38.01(5) of the CPR, the exercise of his discretion to waive the PTR was wrongfully exercised,” Justices Persaud and Younge held.

In the face of the objection raised by the former Head of State, and the withholding of his consent, the Full Court opined that it was not open to Justice Singh to counter that by waiving the PTR.

At that point, the Justices noted that Granger’s objections should have been noted, and the matter be referred to Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, for assignment to a different Judge to conduct the PTR, after which the matter would return to the CMC Judge for trial.

In light of its finding, the Full Court allowed Granger’s appeal, instructing that the claim be referred to the Chief Justice for a Judge to be assigned to conduct the PTR.

At the conclusion of the PTR, the matter shall be remitted to Justice Singh for trial, the Full Court ruled and made no order as to costs.

In a Notice of Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Forde, however, argued that the Full Court “erred in law when they concluded that the matter was ostensibly fixed for Pre-Trial Review on the 13th day of June 2022, when in fact it was so fixed for Pre-Trial Review.”

“That the Learned Judges of the Full Court’s decision that after a PreTrial Review is held in the instant case, that the matter must be remitted to Justice Navindra Singh for trial is bad in law as Justice Navindra Singh exercised powers of a Pre-Trial Review Judge under Part 38 of the Civil Procedure Rules of 2016,” another one of the grounds of appeal stated.

The Full Court’s decision that the matter must be referred to the Chief Justice for a Judge to be assigned to conduct a PTR is of itself a concession that Justice Singh at first instance con-

ducted and or exercised the powers of a Pre-Trial Judge, Forde submitted. Forde says his client has a meritorious appeal and a likelihood of success.

Statement of Claim

Claiming that his reputation has been tarnished, the former President, in a 134-page Statement of Claim (SoC) filed in May 2021, has accused Public Relations Consultant Christopher Nascimento of launching and sustaining a series of defamatory attacks against him, from March 2020 to August 2020, through opinions published in <<<Guyana Times>>>, Stabroek News and Kaieteur News.

Moreover, he has claimed that the pieces penned by the PR specialist inferred that he was not innocent of any attempt to force fraud on the country, that he lied to the people of Guyana and the APNU/AFC, and

GPS launches internal investigation into alleged prison scandal

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has initiated an internal investigation in response to a social media post titled "Prison Scandal Unveiled," which has generated significant attention online.

Taking immediate action, Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot is determined to address the disturbing allegations that have surfaced.

According to the viral post that was made on Thursday, a convicted prisoner who is serving a 55-year sentence at the New Amsterdam Prison has disclosed shocking details about his relationship with a former member of the auxiliary staff.

The prisoner reportedly released videos on social media, revealing their intimate encounters within the prison walls.

Further, the prisoner claimed that the former staff member willingly participated in filming the erotic activities. It was also alleged that the prison officer smuggled drugs into the facility, which were distributed among the inmates as a business.

However, based on reports, when the situation took a darker turn, the officer allegedly resigned

from her position. Furthermore, it is alleged that she fled with a substantial amount of money acquired through their illicit trade.

While the precise timeline of their involvement remains uncertain, subsequent photographs emerged depicting the alleged officer with a tattoo of an abstract sketch resembling the face of the convicted prisoner.

In response to the gravity of

these allegations, the Guyana Prison Service has launched an internal investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims and take appropriate action. The matter is being treated with the utmost urgency. The Prison Service said it is committed to upholding the integrity of its operations and ensuring the safety and security of all inmates.

that he wanted to remain in Government regardless of the will of the people expressed at 2020 General and Regional Elections.

According to Granger’s counsel, the attacks were “relentless, and displayed a complete disregard for the truth” and suggested that his client was of unsound mind, was a liar, was involved in criminal and illegal activities and practices, and was unfit to be the President.

In his pleadings, Granger has denied accusations that he encouraged and/or supported efforts to move to the Courts, inclusive of the Court of Appeal of Guyana and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), to strip the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, Justice (retd) Claudette Singh, of her authority to produce the election results.

He has also denied that he is dishonest, deceitful, habitually hypocritical, of dubious credibility, wanted to remain in office as President, to rule without any regard or care, regardless of the consequences to Guyana, used invented irregularities to claim a victory for the APNU/AFC and for himself as President at the national elections, and that he refused to accept the election results.

He has also rubbished accusations that he permitted then Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, to argue that the Recount Order was illegal and that he and his lawyers attempted to throw out the recount he agreed to abide by. Additionally,

he has rejected allegations that he permitted Williams to argue that GECOM’s Chairman was obligated to accept the declaration made by former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield. According to Forde, during the election period, his client made several public broadcasts to the nation, in which he communicated to the nation, the diplomatic community, and civil society that: “As President of Guyana and Leader of the Government, it is my policy that any declaration coming from the Chairman of GECOM will be accepted by the Government of Guyana.”

The Senior Counsel submitted that, following the declaration of another candidate as the winner of the 2020 elections, “Granger accepted the said declaration.”

Moreover, Granger has claimed that, as a result of the publications, he and his family have suffered and continue to suffer financial injury, constant grave distress, humiliation, embarrassment, indignity, pain, and suffering.

Besides damaging his character and reputation, he submitted that the “statements have no basis in fact, are malicious, grossly inaccurate, and are intended to deceive the public”. Apart from damages, former President Granger is also seeking substantial costs. Nascimento is being represented by Attorney Kashir Khan, Guyana Times is being represented by Attorney A Dev, and Stabroek News is being represented by Senior Counsel Timothy Jonas.

Justice Navindra Singh

Former President David Granger

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot

Russia and Cuba ink deals to revitalize communistrun island's ailing economy

according to a document from the Cuban-Russian Business Committee viewed by Reuters.

Another deal will create a Cuba-based marketplace for Russian goods, including food and home goods, called Rusmarket, which will also help spur development of more direct and fluid shipping routes between the two countries, the document said.

Girl, 8, dies in US Border Patrol custody, officials say

An eight-year-old girl has died in US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody after a medical emergency, the agency says.

The girl and her family were detained at a border patrol site in Harlingen, Texas when she fell ill, the CBP said.

The agency said she was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead on Wednesday.

as Panama-born Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez.

Navas told the Associated Press that she was travelling to the US with her Honduran parents and her two older siblings, and had been born with heart problems. Her father reportedly told the consul that she had been operated on in Panama three years ago.

Her death appears to be the first in US Border Patrol custody for several years.

ter facility in Florida.

The Government did not provide any information on the medical emergency the girl experienced or other circumstances surrounding her death. It said it would share more details as they became available.

Russian officials and business leaders have signed multiple deals with Cuban counterparts at a forum in Havana this week, agreeing to work together to boost sugar and rum output, assure wheat and crude oil supply to the communist-run island, and overhaul crumbling tourist facilities.

The long-time political allies - both subject to US sanctions - are seeking to cement economic ties by facili-

tating trade and investment.

"(The deals) constitute a milestone in the history of our bilateral and business ties," said Ricardo Cabrisas, Cuba's Foreign Trade Minister, in a speech closing the forum on Friday.

The agreements include a contract for Russia's Prodintorg to supply wheat to Cuba's state-owned Alimport, aimed at "guaranteeing the stability" of supply to the Cuban population,

A third deal states Russian and Cuban intention to revive the decrepit residential beach community of Tarara, whose white sand beaches just minutes from Havana, the document says, are "ideal for enjoying the ocean, fishing and diving."

Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Tourism, Sport, Culture and Communications Dmitry Chernyshenko announced separately on Friday a presidential order to reinstate by July regular flights between Russia and Cuba, suspended since March 2022 due to the conflict in Ukraine. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil investigates 4 more suspect cases of avian flu in wild birds

Brazil is investigating another four new potential cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in wild birds, according to authorities from the state of Espirito Santo, where Brazil's first ever cases were confirmed this week.

After the birds showed symptoms consistent with H5N1, samples were taken from the four, all of them from the Thalasseus acuflavidus species (Cabot's terns), according to a statement from Espirito Santo's Agriculture, Supply, Aquaculture and Fisheries agency on Friday.

The samples are being processed by a reference lab of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in

the city of Campinas. State authorities expect to get test results back sometime next week.

As part Brazil's National Avian Influenza Surveillance Plan, Espirito Santo said it is mapping out "focus areas" and inspecting properties, public or private, where birds can be found.

A case of the highly infectious bird flu on a farm usually results in the entire flock being killed and can trigger trade restrictions. Detection among wild birds does not spark bans under WOAH guidelines.

Espirito Santo is Brazil's third biggest egg producing state and Brazil is the world's biggest chicken ex-

porter. Some 26 birds being kept at Espirito Santo's rehab centre for wild species, Ipram, were culled to contain potential transmission, the statement added.

Ipram is where the weakened shore birds were taken before Brazil announced its first cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza on Monday.

The virus arrived in South America through migratory birds. Normally, these animals will only spread bird flu for around five days but the virus' presence in small sea life the birds feed on may have enabled its broader spread this year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T: Shot man runs through school compound, causes panic

Parents of students attending Providence

Girls’ Catholic School in Belmont were summoned to collect their children even before the morning bell rang on Wednesday, after a gunshot victim entered the school’s compound, sending staff and students screaming and searching for a safe space.

Chaos broke out around 7:45 am, after a Belmont Circular Road resident was shot by an armed man near the Hilton Trinidad hotel along the Lady Young Road.

Officers from the Port-ofSpain Task Force (PoSTF) were alerted about a shooting

at 7:15 am.

The 38-year-old victim told Police he had just crossed the Lady Young Road and walking near the hotel when he was confronted by a gunman who shot at him several times.

As he attempted to escape the gunman, the injured victim reportedly ran back towards Belmont Circular Road and through a track which runs at the back of the school, before jumping the school’s perimeter fence.

Staff and students who were present were startled and ran for the cover of classrooms, screaming as they did so, as the bleeding man ran

through the compound shouting as he made his way to front of the school.

Acting principal Krisal Gorin reported hearing screams and upon checking, she and other staff members saw the shirtless, bleeding man running through the school yard.

As officers later conducted a thorough check of the premises, permission was sought from the Ministry of Education for students to be dismissed, except for those who were scheduled to write the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

It said it would investigate the incident and that the Department of Homeland Security had been notified.

The Honduran consul in the border town of McAllen, Texas, José Leonardo Navas, identified the girl

But it is the second death of a child from Latin America in US Government custody in as many weeks.

Last week a 17-year-old Honduran boy who arrived unaccompanied in the US died at a Government shel-

In a statement, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus said it has asked Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to brief lawmakers on the incident.

"We have a fundamental duty to protect migrants in our case and custody, any death is unacceptable," the statement said. "We cannot go back to 2019." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Barbados’ hypertension rate among highest in Region

Barbadians are among the people in the Region suffering with the highest incidence of high blood pressure, which can lead to sudden deaths and heart attacks.

As Barbados joined in marking World Hypertension Day, Dr Adrian Lorde, during an address to the Church of Christ the King, said while the condition was one of the most easily reversible causes of death, it must be

properly measured, monitored and treated.

Hypertension was the leading cause of death in Barbados and the Caribbean, he said, citing figures of a study done “years ago” showing that 21 per cent of adults in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago suffered with elevated blood pressure. The 2015 figures show that 42 per cent of the adults over the age of 20 years had high blood pressure.

“In Barbados and in the Caribbean, we have higher than normal rates of high blood pressure. Is it because we have more access to medical care? Is it because we are more lazy or we have a good transportation system? Is it because we have more persons who are inactive or we have some obesity in the country? We don’t know and studies are going on to show this,” said the doctor. (Nation News)

Argentina President, protesters slam IMF debt, austerity as economy creaks

it's a crime," President Fernandez wrote in a tweet on Thursday, citing a new Government auditor report that concluded the original deal had lacked the required impact study and not passed through proper legislative channels.

Fernandez, who has criticised the original deal before, called for an investigation "with all the weight of the law."

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez and protesters in Buenos Aires pushed back against the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday amid heightened tensions with the lender as the country faces nearly 109% inflation and dwindling dollar reserves.

The South American grains producer, which has a strained history with the IMF, agreed to a US$57 billion programme with the Washington-based body

in 2018 under former conservative leader Mauricio Macri to stave of economic crisis. That failed and was replaced by a new US$44 billion deal last year.

But tensions have risen as a severe drought has battered grains exports, Argentina's top source of dollars, forcing both sides back to the negotiating table to revamp the deal. Buenos Aires wants faster payouts and easier economic targets.

"More than a debt,

Powerful but divisive Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a previous two-term President, called the original deal "scandalous" and a "scam" of the Argentine people.

Macri and the IMF have defended the original deal as necessary to restore Argentina's economic stability. Critics of the current Government blame it for money printing to fund state spending, which they say stokes inflation and weakens the peso.

The IMF declined comment on the new criticism of the deal. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba's Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Ricardo Cabrisas and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko chat during a forum of Russian entrepreneurs in Havana, Cuba, May 19, 2023

A demonstrator about to throw a stone during a protest outside the National Congress, as members of the Parliament debate the Government's agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in Buenos Aires, Argentina March 10, 2022

Oil slips as debt talks pause, Fed warns of high inflation

Oil prices fell on Friday, as investors worried that US politicians will fail to agree on a new debt ceiling and trigger a default that would hurt the economy and reduce fuel demand.

Brent futures settled 28 cents, or 0.8%, lower at US$75.58 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate US crude for July expiry fell 25 cents, or 0.3%, to US$71.69.

The less active US crude contract for May, due to expire on Monday, closed down 31 cents, or 0.4%, to US$71.55.

Brent and US crude prices nevertheless notched their first weekly gains in a month, with the both benchmarks rising about 2%.

Oil gave up gains of as much as a dollar after Republicans in the US House of Representatives and President Joe Biden's Administration on Friday paused talks on raising the Federal Government's US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling.

The Treasury Department has warned the Government could be unable to pay all its bills by June 1.

A White House official said a deal remained possible.

Markets were also spooked by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments that inflation was "far above" the Fed's objective, adding no decisions had been made yet on the next interest rate action.

"It doesn't look they are going to get the debt deal done today... the chance of a 25 basis point (rate) increase in the June meeting is rising by the day... There's not a lot for the bulls to hang their hats on," said Mizuho analyst Robert Yawger.

Following reports of the paused debt ceiling negotiations and Powell's comments, US stocks, Treasury yields and the dollar all moved lower.

Providing some support for markets, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reaffirmed the strength and soundness of the country's banking system in a meeting with bank CEOs on Thursday, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

US oil rig count, an indicator of future production, fell by 11 to 575 this week, the biggest weekly drop since September 2021, energy services firm Baker Hughes Co said.

Money managers cut their net long US crude futures and options positions in the week to May 16, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said.

While the potential for additional rate hikes increases concern about demand weakness in the United States, prices could rise on higher Chinese demand throughout 2023, said analysts from National Australia Bank.

China's oil refinery throughput in April rose 18.9% from a year earlier to the second-highest level on record, data showed this week.

Chinese refiners maintained high runs to meet recovering domestic fuel demand and build stockpiles ahead of the summer travel season. (Reuters)

G7 tightens Russia

Around The World

Russian forces dig in at Ukrainian nuclear plant, witnesses say

Russian military forces have been enhancing defensive positions in and around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine in recent weeks, four witnesses said, ahead of an expected counteroffensive in the region.

New trenches have been dug around the city and more mines have been laid. Surveillance cameras at the plant are pointing north across a wide reservoir towards Ukrainian-controlled territory.

The Russians have had firing positions set up atop some of the plant's buildings for several months. Nets have been erected in a possible deterrent to drones.

The measures described by two Ukrainians who work at the power plant and two other residents in the city

of Enerhodar underline the risks the war poses to the security of the facility.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of fears for their safety in a city under Russian

occupation.

The Russian plant operator said any possible military action by Ukraine posed a threat to nuclear safety, and that the plant's equipment was being main-

tained properly.

Some nuclear industry experts said they were alarmed and warned that any damage to the plant could have dire consequences for people, the surrounding area, the war and the global nuclear industry.

Petro Kotin, chief of Ukraine's Energoatom nuclear agency, told Reuters he did not believe Ukrainian forces would stage an attack directly on the site and could instead try to force the Russians to retreat by cutting off supply lines.

But there is concern in the international community that the six-reactor nuclear plant, Europe's largest, could be caught up in fighting, particularly as military analysts expect Ukraine to try to push Russian forces back in the Zaporizhzhia region. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Assad gets warm reception as Syria welcomed back into Arab League

After more than a decade of isolation, Bashar al-Assad, the president of war-torn Syria, has been welcomed back into the Arab League.

Al-Assad on Friday attended the regional bloc’s 32nd summit in Saudi Arabia’s port city of Jeddah for the first time since his country’s suspension following the eruption of war in Syria in 2011.

During his speech, he said the summit was a “historic opportunity” to address crises across the region as hundreds protested in rebel-held northern Syria against his participation in the event.

“I hope that it marks the beginning of a new phase of Arab action for solidarity among us, for peace in our region, development and prosperity instead of war and destruction,” al-Assad

sanctions,

looks to cut China trade reliance

Leaders of the world's richest democracies acted on Friday to stiffen sanctions against Russia, while a draft communique to be issued after their talks in the Japanese city of Hiroshima stressed the need to reduce reliance on trade with China.

The Group of Seven (G7) leaders, to be joined this weekend by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, pledged to restrict any exports to Russia that could help President Vladimir Putin's invasion of his neighbour and to stop sanctions-busting.

"Today’s actions will further tighten the vice on Putin’s ability to wage his barbaric invasion and will ad-

vance our global efforts to cut off Russian attempts to evade sanctions," US Treasury Department Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement accompanying a raft of new US measures.

A statement issued by G7 leaders said restrictions would cover exports of industrial machinery, tools and technology useful to Russia's war effort, while efforts would be pursued to limit Russian revenues from trade in metals and diamonds. On China, which G7 powers increasingly see as a threat to economic security, they were to agree that its status as the world's second largest economy necessitated efforts to foster cooperation, an early draft of the final

communique seen by Reuters said.

"Our policy approaches are not designed to harm China, we do not seek to thwart China's economic progress and development," noted the draft, which is still subject to change, calling for "stable and constructive" ties with Beijing.

The draft nonetheless urged measures to "reduce excessive dependencies" in critical supply chains and counter "malign practices" in technology transfer and data disclosure.

It reaffirmed the need for peace in the Taiwan Strait and urged China to press Russia to end aggression in Ukraine. (Excerpt from Reuters)

told attendees.

Al-Assad said Syria would always belong to the Arab world but called for non-interference in the internal affairs of Arab states.

“It is important to leave internal affairs to the country’s people as they are best able to manage their own affairs,” he said.

And in an apparent

swipe at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has backed Syrian rebels and sent Turkish forces into swaths of northern Syria, al-Assad noted the “danger of expansionist Ottoman thought”, describing it as influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood – a group seen as a foe by Damascus and many other

Arab states.

Analysts said Syria’s readmission to the 22-member Arab League is a strong signal that al-Assad’s isolation is ending, reflecting an important shift in how regional actors view the reality of his Government’s survival, in ways that are at odds with the West.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Outcry as Australian police Taser 95-year-old care home resident

An elderly Australian woman with dementia is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after being Tasered by Police at a care home.

Officers were called to Yallambee Lodge in Cooma, New South Wales (NSW), after reports that 95-yearold Clare Nowland was carrying a knife.

The early morning incident has sparked outcry, over what advocates say was a disproportionate response.

The New South Wales Police Chief has said an investigation is under way.

Nowland was found "armed" with a steak knife at the care home - which

is in the town of Cooma about 114km (71 miles) south of Canberra - in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Cotter told media on Friday.

Two officers and care home staff tried to de-escalate the situation, before she began approaching Police - "it is fair to say at a slow pace" - and was Tasered.

"She had a walking frame. But she had a knife," he said.

Family friend Andrew Thaler claimed Nowland was struck twice - in the chest and the back - before she fell, suffering a frac-

tured skull and a serious brain bleed.

Her family are already grieving as they do not expect her to survive, he told BBC News.

Community groups, including the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and People with Disability Australia (PwD), have criticised the police response.

"She's either one hell of an agile, fit, fast and intimidating 95-year-old woman, or there's a very poor lack of judgement [from] those Police officers," PwD President Nicole Lee told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). (Excerpt from BBC News)

A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, March 29, 2023

Leaders pose for a family photo ahead of the Arab League summit, during which they welcomed back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2023 [Handout via Reuters]

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don't share too much information. If you keep others guessing, you'll stand a better chance of getting what you want. Focus on what you can do to improve your situation, and help others as well.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Get in the conversation and let your voice make a difference. Offer an upbeat picture of what's possible and how you can use your skills. Nudge others to ensure you get the backup you need.

(May 21-June 20)

Keep your thoughts and emotions to yourself. Take your time, do your research and approach things with an open mind. A flexible attitude will help you gain interest and financial support.

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

You'll instinctively know how to manage your time. Your imagination will help you decide what to do with money matters. Discuss investments with an expert. Divide your resources if necessary.

Get active; how you occupy your time will affect how you respond to what's happening around you. Pitch in and help, make a difference and make new friends. You'll discover new ways to live.

Check out destinations that intrigue you. A creative approach to how you live your life will motivate you to use your skills differently. Protect your health and well-being.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Physical work will rectify any anxiety you feel. Put your energy where it counts, and you’ll feel better about yourself and your accomplishments. Make a change at home that adds to your comfort.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Don't waste time arguing. Concentrate on personal growth, health and updating your image. A wellthought-out plan and teaming up with someone valuable will help you achieve your goal.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Put your energy into getting things done. Fixing your surroundings or altering your living arrangements will help you gain ground. Choose a simple plan that you can carry out.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Handle money, possessions and health cautiously. Get a second opinion if you don't like what you hear. Take an alternative route if it feels right. Stabilize your home life.

Sit back and relax. Don't feel pressured to get involved in someone's project or plans if things don't feel right. Pay attention to your needs and to what makes you happy. Stop complaining.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Back away from anyone using manipulative tactics to push you in a direction you don't want to go. Put more trust in yourself, and make plans to do something you enjoy.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Tata IPL 2023: Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals…

Punjab Kings eliminated

-Hetmyer helps in the process

It got quite nervy in the end, but Rajasthan Royals finished on the right side of the result in Dharamsala, beating and eliminating Punjab Kings in a four-wicket win, while also keeping their outside playoff chance alive.

While Dhruv Jurel hit a six on the fourth ball of the 20th over to seal the win, Royals’ victory was set up by their left-handed batting trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal (51), Devdutt Padikkal (50), and Shimron Hetmyer (44). Jaiswal and Padikkal dragged Royals out of a sticky position - with Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson failing - while Hetmyer ensured the run rate did not get out of hand at the back end.

Kings had a realistic chance of victory after Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran and Shahrukh Khan overcame a top-order batting collapse to take them to 187. They came into the game needing a mammoth win to boost

KFC/GFF Elite League 2023…

their net run rate, and even though they knew that wouldn’t happen midway through the chase, they fought till the very end, to make Royals squirm.

Royals now set their eyes on Sunday’s action. To qualify, they need Mumbai Indians to lose to Sunrisers

Hyderabad, and also for Royal Challengers Bangalore to lose by at least six runs to Gujarat Titans in the league stage’s last fixture.

Buxton United close Round 1 with 2-0 win over Den Amstel

Buxton United Football Club on Thursday evening stunned the Den Amstel Football Club with a 2-0 victory when they met in a firstround clash in the KFC/Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League 2023.

Buxton United played to a hard-fought win, with goals coming even in the second half of the encounter. In the 55th minute, Seon Heywood found himself perfectly positioned inside the box, and after receiving a pass, notched it into the net to break the ice for Buxton.

Though Den Amstel upped their intensity, Buxton’s Lennox O’Dean found the back of the net in the 76th minute, after beating the Den Amstel defence.

Buxton’s 2-0 victory closed out the first round of this year’s League; the second round is set to begin on Sunday, May 21.

After Round 1, Western Tigers currently lead the charge with 3 points and a +10 goal difference. They are followed by Santos,

A look at the action between Buxton Stars (yellow) and Den Amstel FC

with 3 points and a +7 goal difference. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC, Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC, and the Buxton United FC all have three points, with goal differences of +4, +2 and +2 respectively.

The League continues on Sunday at the GFF’s National Training Center (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara,

where Milerock FC will take on Santos FC from 15:00hrs. On Tuesday, the action will move to the GDF Ground at Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, where Western Tigers and Buxton United will look horns from 19:00hrs. The feature match of that night will see Den Amstel battling the soldiers on their home turf from 21:00hrs.

Shikhar Dhawan had said at the toss that the Kings didn’t mind batting first in Dharamsala, but their top order was blown away early, leaving them reeling at 50 for 4 in 6.3 overs. It began with Trent Boult taking his seventh first-over wicket with a caught-and-bowled dismissal of Prabhsimran Singh, followed by Atharva Taide falling victim to a Navdeep Saini short ball. Adam Zampa then closed out the powerplay with the wicket of Dhawan, lbw sweeping; and Saini added a second when he rattled Liam Livingstone’s stumps, with the batter swinging wildly across the line.

That the Kings batters kept going for their shots despite losing wickets was understandable. For them to have any outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs, they had to go hard in the powerplay in pursuit of a big total. On this occasion, though, they didn’t succeed.

Then came the rebuild, kickstarted by Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran. Together, they hit only two fours and two sixes by the time they had put up a fifty-run stand. At the time, their partnership run rate of 7.69 did not do justice to the good batting conditions, but they were forced to play in that manner because of Zampa and Yuzvendra Chahal’s tidy spells.

All that appeared to change, though, as Jitesh tore into the 14th over, bowled by Saini. Jitesh went 4, 6, 4 at the start, but it proved to be anti-climactic, with the batter out on 44 with the next ball. Nonetheless, their partner-

ship of 64 in 7.2 overs gave Kings hope of a respectable total.

With Kings on 141 after 18 overs, Chahal came to bowl. But the purple-cap holder’s over proved to be the innings’ most expensive, as both Shahrukh and Curran walloped him all over for 28 runs. Then the Kings’ duo rode on the back of some streaky shots to add 18 more in Boult’s final over. Together, they added 46 in the last 12 balls, Kings scored 70 in their last five overs, and Royals were left chasing a tricky 188.

After Buttler had registered his third duck in a row, Padikkal and Jaiswal collected boundaries through the point region, with the Kings bowlers trying to bowl wide. They didn’t let Arshdeep Singh, Curran or Kagiso Rabada settle, and together, they added 73 runs in 8.1 overs. While Padikkal dominated, Jaiswal looked to build his innings while the required run rate also remained in check. However, Padikkal and Samson fell in quick succession, and the Royals slid from 85 for 1 to 90 for 3.

Hetmyer on the go

Hetmyer was quick off the blocks with two sixes, allowing Jaiswal to continue playing his role. Even though Jaiswal fell soon after getting to fifty, Hetmyer carried on to blitz 46 off 28, and Riyan Parag also chipped in with two sixes off Rabada to play a cameo of 20 off 12. However, neither could bring the team home, since they fell late in the game.

That responsibility fell to Jurel, who held his nerve in Boult’s company to seal the match with a straight six off Rahul Chahar in the final over. (ESPN Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Punjab Kings (20 ovs maximum)

Prabhsimran Singh c & b Boult 2

Shikhar Dhawan (c)

lbw b Zampa 17

Atharva Taide c

Padikkal b Saini 19

Liam Livingstone b Saini 9

Sam Curran not out 49

Jitesh Sharma † c sub

(D Ferreira) b Saini 44

M Shahrukh Khan not out 41

Extras (nb 1, w 5) 6

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.35) 187/5

Fall of wickets: 1-2

(Prabhsimran Singh, 0.2 ov), 2-38

(Atharva Taide, 3.4 ov), 3-46

(Shikhar Dhawan, 5.3 ov), 4-50

(Liam Livingstone, 6.3 ov), 5-114

(Jitesh Sharma, 13.5 ov) •

DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Trent Boult 4-0-35-1

Sandeep Sharma 4-0-46-0

Navdeep Saini 4-0-40-3

Adam Zampa 4-0-26-1

Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-40-0

Rajasthan Royals (T: 188 runs from 20 ovs)

Yashasvi Jaiswal c sub

(R Dhawan) b Ellis 50

Jos Buttler lbw b Rabada 0

Devdutt

Shimron Hetmyer was in top form

Archery Guyana’s Independence Open 2023 competition…

Massy proud to sponsor Archery Guyana’s activity

t a simple handing over ceremony on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at the Massy Eccles, EBD location, Archery Guyana were presented with a sponsorship cheque for their upcoming Independence

Open 2023

Competition, which will be held on the weekend of May 27 and 28, 2023 at the Muslim Youth Organisation Ground on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown.

On hand to receive the cheque were Chairman of Archery Guyana’s Competition

Committee, Mr. Jeewanram Persaud, President Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, and Secretary-General/Head Coach, Mr. Nicholas Hing. Presenting the cheque were Ms. Lata Devi Ori, Massy Guyana’s Representative; Massy Gas Products CEO, Mr. Lekhnaraine Shivraj; and Assistant Vice President, Finance and Administration, Mr. Afzal Karim.

Massy is a people-centred organisation with a passion for growth and development, and it is for those reasons that the company is proud to contribute to the sport of archery in Guyana.

Massy is a publicly traded company on the Trinidad & the Jamaica Stock Exchanges, and 2023 is Massy’s Centennial anniversary. The Group has

been operating in Guyana since its incorporation in 1968. “We are all proud of the past, and excited about the next 100 years!

“Our Guyana Portfolio of Companies includes Massy Distribution, Massy Gas, Massy Motors, Massy Services and Massy Stores. We have over 900 team members, and all are Guyanese nationals. The values by which Massy does business, “Massy Values”, (has laid) the foundation for strong relationships with all stakeholders, and to create rewarding experiences.

“The Massy Guyana team is committed to “creating value, transforming life”, and we will continue to reach out through our investment in people, communities and country”, Massy has said.

West Indies ‘A’ team tour to Bangladesh 2023…

- Motie, McAllister among the wickets

The “Return of the Scorpion” pro-am boxing card, initially set for Sunday, May 21, at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, has been postponed to June 3. Venue and composition of the card remains the same.

According to the organisers in a media briefing on Friday afternoon, the reason for the date shift surrounds travelling issues encountered by the two Colombian boxers who are featuring in the main and supporting fights.

Dexter Marques is among a lineup of 4 Guyanese boxers who will enter the ring at the National Gymnasium. The feature fight of the night will see Guyana’s Elton Dharry taking on Colombia’s Ramos Ronald as Darry prepares for a World title fight in June.

West Indies ‘A’ was forced to settle for a draw against Bangladesh ‘A’ as the first unofficial Test concluded at the Syhlet International Stadium on Friday.

Bangladesh ‘A’, who were bowled out for 264 in their first innings, were made to follow on. They resumed from their overnight score of five without loss, still trailing the tourists’ score of 427-7 by 158 runs. Opener Shadman Islam top scored with 64, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy contributed 20, but the hosts were eventually staring defeat in the face as the West Indies ‘A’ attack reduced them to 1327, still 32 runs shy of making the touring Windies bat again.

However, as has often been the case with West Indies teams in recent years, the attack seemed to run out of steam, and was repelled by a late innings’ rally that saw wicketkeeper Jaker Ali Anik scoring an unbeaten 36 and Rishad Hossain 20 in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 55 that led

Bangladesh ‘A’ to safe - ty.

Gudakesh Motie took 2-13, Jair McAllister took 2-48, and there was a wicket each for Raymon Reifer, Akeem Jordan and Kevin Sinclair. (Sportsmax)

L-R: Mr Afzal Karim, Assistant Vice President, Finance & Administration; Mr Nicholas Hing, Archery Guyana’s Secretary General; Mr Jeewanram Persaud, Competitions Committee Chairman, receiving the cheque from Ms Lata Devi Ori; Mr Lekhnaraine Shivraj, Massy Gas Products’ CEO; and Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon,Archery Guyana’s President

“Return of the Scorpion” pro-am boxing card shifted to June 3rd

President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle

Jair McAllister

Gudakesh Motie

NSC’s 40th Independence Three-Stage Cycle Race…

1st stage commences in East Berbice today

The highly-anticipated 40th Independence

Three-Stage Cycle Race will take place in East Berbice today, May 20. It starts promptly at 7:00h at Corriverton, Guyana’s easternmost town on the Corentyne Coast, and keen

ner will bag G$150,000; the person placing second G$110,000; third G$80,000; fourth G$60,000; fifth G$50,000 and sixth G$35,000.

Winners of the Veterans Under-45 and Over-45 categories will receive G$50,000

same day, and the rivalries of the first stage would be continued as cyclists leave the Berbice River Bridge to travel to Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.

The third and final stage will start at 8:00h on Sunday, May 21, in Linden, and the rivalries of the previous day would continue all the way to the finish line on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.

There is a significant rise in the prize money on offer for this year’s twoday event. The overall win-

cyclist will be rewarded with G$60,000, while the leading Juvenile rider will get G$20,000. Each prime prize is worth G$2,000 and 25 will be up for grabs over the two days. Further, each stage winner will get G$10,000.

This race is staged by the National Sports Commission (NSC), in partnership with the Guyana Cycling Federation, Powerade, and Chin Chan Cycle Store of Robb Street Georgetown.

Who won last year’s event?

Team Foundation dominated the event in 2022, with Akil Campbell of Trinidad and Tobago copping the title and teammate Jamual John of Guyana taking second. Notably, Jamual John is currently overseas,

and will not be participating in this year’s event. Upon completion of the three stages last year, the Trinidadian Campbell had an overall time of seven hours, 18 minutes, 19 seconds; followed by John with seven hours, 22 min-

Three-match ODI Series between West Indies and UAE…

utes, 32 seconds. They were followed by Curtis Dey, Kemuel Moses, Jason Cameron, David Hicks, Deeraj Garbarran, Walter Grant-Stuart, Marcus Keiler and Andre Greene in that order to round off the top 10 finishers.

SERIES OPENER MOVED TO JUNE 4th START

The three-match ODI

Series between UAE and the West Indies will now begin a day earlier, with the two teams playing the opener on Sunday, June 4 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The first match was originally scheduled for Monday, June 5.

The West Indies Men’s team will arrive in Dubai on Thursday, June 1. The second match will be played on Tuesday, June 6, and the third and final match is scheduled for Friday June 9.

All three day-night matches will start at 4:30pm, with the toss being at 4pm at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

At the end of the series, both teams will depart for Zimbabwe for their World

Cup qualifying campaign, which begins on June 18.

The all-important tournament will confirm the remaining two spots for the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

UAE vs West Indies ODI series, matches to start at 4:30pm (8:30am Caribbean/ 7:30am Jamaica)

4 June – UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

6 June – UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

9 June – UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

West Indies full squad: Shai Hope (captain), Brandon King (vice-cap-

Grant-

Stuart was the overall top Veteran rider. He clocked seven hours, 33 minutes, 02 seconds, and was followed by Robin Persaud in second and Paul Chooweenam in third.

In the Junior category, Arjoon Sookhai, son of Veteran rider Jaikarran Sookhai, emerged champion with a best overall time of five hours, 58 minutes, 15 seconds, narrowly prevailing over Sherwin Sampson, who was timed at five hours, 58 minutes, 19 seconds. Dimitri Madansir of Suriname came in third. The Juniors did a shorter distance that the Seniors.

Last year’s debutant, Linden’s Clivecia Spencer, was the overall Female champion, having won the opening two legs from Corriverton to New Amsterdam and then Rosignol to Georgetown. For the final leg, Spencer, a student of the Linden Technical Institute, was the lone starter, and the organiser opted against her completing the full course, given it was a foregone conclusion she was the overall female winner.

tain), Alick Athanaze, Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase,

Dominic Drakes, Kavem Hodge, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Raymon Reifer,

Odean Smith, and Devon Thomas.

UAE would want to impress against the West Indies

Walter "One Hand" Grant-Stuart was last year's veteran winner

Clevicia Spencer is the defending female champion

South American U20 Championships in Colombia…

Guyana’s 16-year-old athletics sensation Tianna Springer yesterday ran another personal best time in the women’s 400m at the South American U20 Championships to win gold for the Golden Arrowhead and rewrite her name in the record books in Bogota, Colombia.

Springer broke the women's 400m record held by Brazil's Bárbara de Oliveira since 2009 with a superb run of 53.3s as against de Oliveira’s time of 53.44s.

The 16-year-old had come close in the semi-finals when she clocked 53.53s

Springer adds her first South American title to the 400m CARIFTA Gold medal that she won at the Games in The Bahamas over the Easter Weekend.

Earlier, Ezekiel Newton claimed

Guyana’s first medal in athletics at this year’s South American U20 Championships when he finished third in the Men’s 100m event. Newton ran a personal best time of 10.42s in the race, which was won by Brazil's Renan Gallina, who shattered the meet record with his 10.01s. Ronal Mosquera of Colombia placed second with a time of 10.08s.

The previous 100m record of 10.23s was held by Brazilian Erick Cardoso, and was set in 2019 at the Championships in Cali, Colombia.

Newton now adds the U20 Championships bronze to his South American U18 Championships silver medal earned in the 200m in São Paulo, Brazil last year.

Shai Hope will lead the West Indies ODI team

Tianna Springer