Guyana Times - Sunday, April 23, 2023.pdf

Converting a hobby into a job

Govt discusses areas of cooperation with Indian External Affairs Minister

Construction to open US$6 million fertiliser plant in 2024

India, Guyana form Chamber of Commerce to foster trade between nations

– former WI batsman named President

PS Thomas reportedly slammed into wall, handcuffed during detention in US – now concerned about her family’s safety

Overseas-based Guyanese dies after altercation with brothers

DEMTOCO records 5.8% increase in profits despite illegal cigarette trade – lauds Govt for support, but urges more action

Man beaten to death days after being admitted as patient at Psychiatric Hospital

Banks DIH receives “Made in Guyana” certification

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

Sunday, Apr 23 – 06:00h – 07:30h and

Monday, Apr 24 – 06:00h – 07:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Apr 23 – 05:40h – 07:10h and

Monday, Apr 24 – 06:05h – 07:55h.

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

There will be thundery showers and light rain showers during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Southerly to Easterly between 0.89 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 06:07h and 18:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.72 metres and 2.51 metres.

Low Tide: 12:08h reaching a minimum height of 0.52 metre.

Govt discusses areas of cooperation with Indian External Affairs Minister – collaborations on health, energy & agriculture dominate talks

With the aim of further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations, the Guyana Government on Saturday held discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on traditional and new areas of cooperation.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and a high-level Government team met with Minister Jaishankar and his delegation at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

According to a brief statement from the Office of the President, the President told the visiting Minister that Guyana looks forward to a long, sustained and strong relationship with India.

During the engagement, discussions also focused on areas of cooperation.

Meanwhile, following Saturday’s meeting, Minister Jaishankar tweeted that he was delighted to meet the Guyanese Government officials.

“[We] discussed initiatives in agriculture, trade and investments, health & pharma, energy including renewables, defence, innovation and technology, tourism and development partnership.”

He added that they also “Agreed that opportunities should be more effectively explored through deeper contacts, including business interactions… Also noted the enthusiasm of President Irfaan Ali for Millets after his visit to India.”

According to Minister Jaishankar, the recent visits of President Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to India earlier this year have provided new momentum for the ties between the two countries.

“Natural to discuss cricket on a visit to Guyana – the land of Rohan Kanhai and Lance Gibbs,” the Indian External Affairs Minister added in one of his tweets.

The visiting delegation was accompanied by India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, at Saturday’s engagement.

On the Government’s side, President Ali and VP Jagdeo were joined by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and the Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, at the meeting.

During his visit, Minister Jaishankar also held bilateral talks with Minister Todd. Earlier in the day, the vising Indian diplomat participated in a tree planting exercise to

mark World Earth Day 2023 which is being observed under the theme “Invest in Our Planet”.

However, later in the day, the two Foreign Ministers also co-chaired the meeting of the Guyana-India Joint Commission during which the two sides discussed deepening cooperation in the areas of education, health, agriculture, investment, infrastructure, and energy.

Minister Jaishankar arrived in Guyana on Thursday evening and was welcomed by his Guyanese counterpart.

On Friday, the Indian External Affairs Minister met with Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Dr Carla Barnett, during which they exchanged views for intensifying India-Caricom ties in traditional as well as new

areas of cooperation.

He also co-chaired the Fourth CaricomIndia Ministerial Meeting in Georgetown with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, Senator Kamina Johnson, who is the incoming chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR).

In a tweet on Friday, Minister Jaishankar said during the ministerial meeting they “…discussed our wide-ranging sectoral cooperation, including in trade & economy; agriculture & food security; health & pharma; energy & renewables; infrastructure, ICT & e-governance; development partnership & capacity building; higher education; culture and [people-to-people] do-

mains.”

Jaishankar added that they also exchanged views on vital issues of climate change and disaster resilience; counter terrorism; reformed multilateralism, and closer cooperation at multilateral forums. He said too that an agreement was made to follow up steps taken to further cooperation, including holding the second Joint Commission Meeting later this year.

Later on Friday evening, Minister Jaishankar and his delegation were invited to a dinner engagement hosted by Vice President Jagdeo.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and other senior Government officials also attended the event.

Delegations from Guyana and India discussed areas of cooperation at the Office of the President in Georgetown on Saturday morning

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Deepen Indian linkages

The visit by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subramanyam Jaishankar represents another milestone in the linkages that have long bound our two countries together. In a world that is increasingly appreciative of the power of sharing of democratic values, India’s commitment to those values - in the face of the challenges of governing the most populous and diverse nation on earth - has to be an inspiration to all Guyanese as we grapple with some of those challenges in our own homeland.

Unlike the Western perspective on the nature of society, which is represented by the US’ motto “E pluribus unum – “one from many” - India holds that diversity is inherent in all existence, including societies, and it is the task of Government to manage those diversities so that the society functions harmoniously. All should appreciate the wisdom of adopting that perspective.

We share a common colonial past in which our societies were ravaged and plundered by the Imperial Power - with many of the distortions still extant in the relations of “coloniality” that emerged from the formal colonial relations. While India was a beacon for the entire conquered nations of Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean when it struggled for, and then achieved, independence in 1947, it has continued in that role to those nations as they attempt to become truly independent from the systems of power, culture, and racism that stubbornly linger in the web of coloniality that entangles us all. Indian culture presents a holistic alternative world paradigm.

In the immediate post-colonial era, India took a lead in a “non-aligned” approach - in which we participated - during the Cold War that emerged out of WWII. As the world evolves into a multipolar world in which India is emerging as a significant player, it behooves us to observe their moves as they manoeuvre in this brave new world. Politically, India is a member of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), and though the grouping has not proven to be as effective as was originally envisaged, it remains as a creative alternative in the fast-changing world order.

Economically, with its present GDP of US$3.12 trillion, India has already surpassed its erstwhile colonial ruler Britain – which, ironically, was built on the back of its empire – to become the fifth largest global economy. With one of the highest growth rates in the world, India is projected to become the third-largest world economy – behind China and the US - in the next 15 years. As the present Chair of G-20, India has committed to speaking on behalf of the developing world. As such, the economic linkages that we have forged since the 1960s should be nurtured and enlarged immediately. With our own financing underwritten during that timeframe from our oil revenues, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of India’s experience and growth trajectory.

Take the area of food security, which our Government has already identified as a key pillar in the diversification of our economy, to prosper in the inevitable post-oil future. We have taken the lead in the economies of our 15-member Caricom states to cut food exports by 25% by 2025 (25 by 25), and have already launched several pilot projects in our intermediate and interior savannahs, with corn, soya, and even wheat. India has long assisted us in the development of new rice varieties - being the largest producer of rice of the varieties produced by us.

India has now taken a lead to increase and diversify the production and use of millet – another tropical grain that is a staple in Asia and Africa. It is now assisting Guyana with the introduction of this healthy grain into our food basket. Like us, India has had to deal with the impact of climate change in the agricultural sector, which was boosted by the “Green Revolution”. We can use the lessons India has been forced to learn.

The absorption of technology is one of the challenges to countries like ours, which are attempting to leapfrog the development cycle. But as can be seen from India’s ITEC scholarships, help in constructing our National Stadium, the ferry to Region One, the Ogle-Diamond Bypass Road, the improvement in our Primary Hospitals, etc., India is uniquely positioned to bridge that gap.

A kaleidoscope of bright red, black and gold dominated 2023 Nomination Day for LGE

Dear Editor, The People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) have publicly expressed appreciation for the bold, supportive response they received on Nominations Day. The reactions, without a doubt, strengthen the Party's resolve to work even harder to assure our nation's confidence.

Many are, for the first time, representing the PPPC side of the political divide, revealing an energized sense of objectivity, rather than blind racial or political allegiance. In addition, the commitment of almost two thousand youths, men, women, and more experienced adults from all ethnicities, religious persuasions and the general business environment draws massive plaudits.

Fearlessly, they have stepped forward on the Party's recommended list to contest candidacy for a role in improving the effectiveness of the Councils in the various Local Authority Areas nationwide.

As a symbol, the kaleidoscopic dominance of the red, black and gold was colossal, and was a statement of solid emphasis on the Party's intent to advance the pursuit of the all-inclusive One Guyana Platform, bringing our people together for the common good. More than two thousand quality candidates proudly wore the dominating colours supporting the PPPC recommended list in all six hundred constituencies. Observers and supporters who joined many of the processions to the Guyana Elections Commission's Offices could not help but share the deserving sense of confidence and euphoria in response to a revelation of the demonstrated unity in diversity.

Experience, youth, ethnic and gender balance informed and defined the vitality of the PPPC teams. One can easily rationalise that the PPPC's preparation, resulting in the expanding support within all communities, cannot be understated. President Ali, General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister

Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, and all of the Ministers have continuously embraced our citizenry in every community.

Unsurprisingly, our eminent leaders of the PPPC accompanied their proud guardians of democracy on the streets on Nominations Day. So, naturally, the teams exhibited aggressive but peaceful confidence as the processions marched to present the Lists of Candidates for all the Local Authority Areas.

Notably, the PPPC's willingness to accommodate people of all political divides on their list is heartening, as this country is living the motto of President Irfaan Ali's “One Guyana.” Consequently, the confidence, optimism and vitality we witnessed on Nomination Day sent a clear message of victory on 12th June.

Significantly, in these 2023 LGEs, the PPPC are already enjoying a massive lead, with no contest in approximately fifty percent of the constituencies. The main PNCR Opposition or other shallow coalition support failed to field candidates to contest in these areas for many apparent reasons. This position is not overly unexpected, as many citizens may have become disgusted with the increasingly exposed untrustworthiness of the cabal leadership.

Naturally, one would reasonably anticipate the outcomes above, because they characteristically resonate from the core of the Party's structure and methods. But critically, the unwillingness of their administrators to adapt to fair democratic practices would continuously provide reasons why their rejection is justified.

The coalition with the PNC and the 'United Force' (UF) in 1964 revealed that the PNC was untrustworthy. Further, the alliance in 2015 with the formation of the APNU/AFC was a revelation of total corruption and discrimination, which provides testimony of the PNC's determination to rule only in favour of a chosen few Party 'mercenaries.' As was done

with the UF in 1964, the PNC's refusal to give any space to the coalition partners, even at the local council levels, was bound to destroy any meaningful alliance as an Opposition.

Deservingly, the PPPC are now enjoying the widespread support of the Guyanese people. The party leaders have worked hard and fearless in crafting a moulding framework of openness, inclusiveness, and willingness to work in a transparent and accountable manner that is now materialising a 'One Guyana.'

The massive development and transformation of Guyana is a reality. Among the many empowering initiatives are the successful Housing drive and the accompanying supportive Education and Health Sector push, which will firmly bed the required foundation for stimulating an open and meaningful development platform, changing our lives and progress as a united people.

In addition, the massive infrastructure development targets better roads, improvements in the Drainage and Irrigation system, and expansive but more affordable cheap food production, which is most encouraging. Guyana is rising, and our people are wiser and demonstrating more vital objectivity in political decisions.

Together, the PPPC will continue to develop our country technologically, economically, politically, and socially; thereby creating advantages for citizens and making our country a better place to live.

We must, in one voice, say no to 'Rigged Elections'! Instead, we must sustain, strengthen and encourage the reasons behind the PPPC's kaleidoscope of colours on Nominations Day; and, at these LGEs, unite our people with free and fair elections.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

President Dr Irfaan Ali presented an autographed bat of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team to India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on Saturday at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive in Georgetown, where the visiting official and his delegation engaged in bilateral discussions with Cabinet members

Is the Gas-to-Shore Project advisable?

Dear Editor,

There is no shortage of critics regarding the gas-toshore project. It is healthy and encouraging to have debates on a project of such magnitude, but arguments must be premised on cold, hard facts. There is an urgent need for more rigorous analysis. This brief letter bears the undisputable facts that appear slippery to many naysayers.

The development and competitiveness of the modern economy depend on, among other things, electricity quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. No one will argue that Guyana is woefully lacking in this arena. The country’s rapid development will only exacerbate this inadequacy, unless the Government takes immediate remedial action. Enter the gas-to-shore project.

Generally, the case for a project is established when the anticipated outcome (e.g., creating a new product or service) solves a problem or capitalises on an opportunity. The top 1% of successful projects solve a problem AND capitalise on an opportunity. The gas-to-shore project is one such example. Let me explain.

Solving the problem of inadequate generation capacity

Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL) needs a more reliable baseload generating capacity, the absence of which leads to frequent “blackouts” and “brownouts.” This inadequacy can only get worse as demand increases. With its 350MW capacity, the gasto-shore project would solve this problem; at least in the mid-term, until further demand necessitates additional generating capacity.

Capitalizing on an Opportunity

Fuel to operate the power plant is only free/cheap if that fuel is Guyana’s own natural gas. With trillions of cubic feet of natural gas in its reservoirs, who can argue that Guyana should not seize the opportunity to use its natural gas to help reduce the operational cost of its power plants? Based on the Government’s estimates, using this “free” fuel would reduce electricity costs by a whopping 50%.

Economists will rush to shout that I am ignoring the opportunity cost. What are the alternatives for its natural gas? It could be flared (any proponents here?) or sold. Indeed, the project anticipates selling some of the gas for domestic consumption – yet another benefit to the Guyanese people. But local consumption is not enough to absorb the abundance of natural gas. The alternative would be to export the excess. While that may be feasible from an opportunity cost perspective, it is economically better to consume the gas in the power plants.

I will deal with the project costs and financing in another letter. Suffice it to say that that is one of my areas of expertise; I build project financing models for large enterprises and venture capitalists.

Redundant Generating Capacity

Some may argue that the Government is “wasteful” by ignoring the vast sums already spent on existing power plants. In the context of electricity generation, this argument misses a critical perspective. To ensure a reliable flow of electricity

NY Guyanese Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Fitr 2023

(meaning, when a customer puts on his switch, the power is there), the utility company must have “redundant” generating capacity. That is, excess generating capacity over its maximum demand. Indeed, all reliable power generators have significant amounts of redundant capacity.

Let me extend this argument. What would happen if the project’s power plant became inoperable for whatever reason? GPL’s existing power plants would be there to the rescue, ensuring the continuous electricity supply.

In electric utilities, redundant capacity is not limited to generating capacity; it extends to transmission and distribution networks. GPL’s radial network is part of its Achilles’ heel. If there is an interruption along part of one of its transmission lines, the entire network becomes inoperable. Enter frequent blackouts. More on this concept in another letter.

Conclusion

The gas-to-shore project solves the central problem of inadequate electricity-generation capacity. It also seizes the opportunity to exploit Guyana’s “free” fuel, reducing electricity costs by 50% for Guyanese.

Critics who dwell on the total project costs should reconsider their perspective by evaluating the project in its entirety. In my following letter, I will share my independent project financing modeling costs and analyses, which should restate the argument that the gas-to-shore project is advisable, if not genius.

Yours faithfully, Ash

Deonarine

Dear Editor, Eid-al-Fitr 2023 was observed by Guyanese Muslims and others in New York and another metro area early Friday morning, April 21. Some organizations celebrated the festival on Saturday.

Eid culminates the fasting month of Ramadan, or Rojah, or Ramzan. The holiday is tied to the sighting of the new moon at the end of April, based on the lunar calendar. Some devout Muslims claim the moon was sighted on Thursday evening; others claim it was sighted on Friday; and still others claim it was sighted on Saturday evening. The holiday falls on the day after the sighting of the new moon.

In New York, the school holiday was on Friday, going with the sighting of the new moon on Thursday evening. Guyana also observed the festival on Friday.

Far away from Guyana, Eid was celebrated with fervor and zeal by Muslims in Little Guyana - Queens, New York - at more than half a dozen masjids. Muslims at the several Guyanese masjids or mosques in Greater Richmond Hill observed the festival in traditional style with a continuation of the month-long fasting, prayer, and breaking of the fast with dates, or kajoor and beverage.

This was followed by consumption of vermicelli (vamazelly or sawine), and sirni (or butter-made mohanbhoog), maleda, gulab jamun, jalebi, and other sweets. As they do in Guyana, alms or charitable contributions were doled out to the less fortunate. Boxes were placed in front of the masjids for donations.

Some Muslim-owned businesses doled out snacks to the public. Hacks Bakery on Liberty Ave and 125th Street

doled out coffee and snacks.

For Eid, Muslims took the day off. Masjids were beautifully decorated with greenery, crescent moons, trimmings, colourful electronic lights, and huge signs of Eid greetings. Masjids overflowed with worshippers. The police facilitated prayers on the streets at a few masjids. Worshippers were led in prayers by a head

imam or mullah, assisted by other meijis. Tents were set up just outside of each masjid, or in the courtyard. Celebrants were well attired in colourful traditional kurthas, kamiz, lahengas, sheema, head wears, and Nehru suits.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Guilt, Recovery & Carrying the Ghosts: The story of a litter of cats (Part II)

"Paws" PERSPECTIVE Paws for a Cause - Guyana

Doctor's Note: Paws for a Cause - Guyana ("Paws") is a local Animal Welfare Group operating and registered in Guyana as a Non-Profit Inc. The Group works to prevent animal cruelty, to promote humane, ethical, and responsible pet ownership, to advocate for controlling the animal population via spay and neuter campaigns, to educate the public, and to assist in cases of reported animal neglect and abuse. The Group's work extends beyond dogs and cats, and includes all wildlife in Guyana. Occasionally, the Group will contribute a "Paws Perspective" to the Sunday Times ‘Pet Care’ Column, detailing experiences in animal welfare.

While our little grey kitten was fighting her battles, her three siblings were also going through health challenges - one had a neck abscess; one did not gain weight and is now the smallest kitten of the surviving ones; one began to show symptoms of eye infection though not half as bad as the one we lost. With daily cleansing of the neck abscess and the eyes of the two infected kittens and a good feeding regime, we miraculously were able to save the lives of the three kittens.

Thankfully, two of the kittens have found loving homes. The runt of the litter was Clementine. Her initial adoption fell through, and she later developed “watery” eyes. We did not have high hopes for a successful adoption for her. Further, she tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which increases her vulnerability but does not deny her a healthy life with proper home management and veterinary interventions as needed.

Animal welfare organizations throughout the world operate on limited and finite resources. Sick (but not necessarily terminal) animals in our shelters are less likely to be adopted and have a higher

chance of being euthanized because of their medical needs throughout their lifetime. To provide these animals with a better chance of life, we need help. Your help and our care would ensure that we save as many animals as possible.

Clementine became a “foster fail” and has been adopted by this writer. She has had to be given a course of antibiotics and vitamins no less than 3 times for respiratory infections. Her personality is so much larger than she is. She loves to inspect your work when the litter box is being cleaned, which includes, but is not limited to, checking inside the garbage bag for what we assume can be a mixture of quality control and a farewell to her excrement.

She is so obsessed with her new electronic feather toy that she’ll often run past her breakfast and sit next to the toy, meowing loudly and pushing the feather (which we translate to mean ‘wake up and play!’) until we turn it on, and it springs to life.

She is impossibly serene when she's drinking her medicine and will launch out of your arms if she sees something else more appealing than your hug (the most recent distraction has been a piece of cardboard). She bopped this writer on the nose with her incredibly soft paw because she no longer wanted hugs and preferred to play. She will turn into a drama queen if placed into a cage for a few minutes while her meal is being organized.

Clementine is now gaining weight slowly but is smaller than her foster sister Esmeralda. Their “sisters’” dynamic is unbelievable. Esmeralda loves to jump and climb on the window grill, perching atop arches and jumping from insane heights.

Naturally, Clementine does the same, landing with a distinctive little squeak, except when she went through

a phase of screaming until you rescued her because she had climbed too far up to jump down.

Both have broken into the dog’s food container multiple times. Clementine bullies Esmeralda when they're sharing a bowl of food and perches on your shoulder as you walk around.

If you bend over, she'll find a way to hop on your lower back and take a few minutes to groom herself unable to stand up properly – you simply must wait until she is done.

While Clementine may need eyedrops for the rest of her life, and succumb to respiratory infections, we look at the joy she embodies.

We think about the surprise interactions that soften our jaded view of the world – amidst the worries about Clementine’s survival rate and the state of her eye, a junior friend of Paws recently visited her and instead of balking at the eye, said "Wow! Her eye is so cool!”.

We have come to accept that there are many out there with indifference, prejudices, biases, dislike and even hate towards animals. There are others, however, that place great value on empathy, love and animal welfare. We hope that such people will be encouraged to adopt kittens like Clementine and give them a chance at life. We operate under the philosophy that the most you can do when they are in your orbit is to love them as much as you can for as long as you

can. All dogs (and cats!) go to heaven, some cross the rainbow bridge before they’re even learned to walk or suffer so badly that the bridge is a relief. The ghost of the grey kitten and all the others that have departed this life in our care constantly leave us grappling with grief and feeling drained. Yet, we sign up to do it again and again. We would rather carry the grief and the ghosts of animals that we've loved and lost than carry the guilt of the times we could have helped and didn't.

We hope that this story of a “litter of cats” may inspire you to "Adopt a special needs animal!" or "Be a foster!". If you can't, please consider donating toward the spay / neuter surgeries, vaccines, medical treatment or care of rescued animals. Paws for a Cause’s motto is “you don’t have to be an animal person - you just have to be a kind one.”

There are just so many ways to be kind – and we’re always happy to give you our Paws Perspective on that.

If you'd like to offer comments, support or follow our work, find us on Facebook.com/Pawsforacause. gy, on Instagram @pawsforacause. guyana, subscribe to our YouTube Channel, drop us a line at pawsforacause.20@gmail.com, or visit our website at https://www. pawsforacausegy.com.

Animal welfare is everyone's business. You don't have to be an animal person - you just have to be a

MANAGING OUR E-WASTE

Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to all items of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the parts that have been discarded by their owners as waste without the intent of reuse. As we adopt a more materialistic and consumption-driven lifestyle, fuelled by a fast-paced technology sector, our need for electronic items, has led e-waste to become the fastest growing source of domestic waste.

E-waste includes a wide range of products – almost any household or business item with circuitry or electrical components with power or battery supply. The definition of e-waste is very broad, and covers six waste categories:

* Temperature exchange equipment, more commonly referred to as cooling and freezing equipment - typical equipment include refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps.

* Screens, monitors - typical equipment include televisions, monitors, laptops, notebooks, and tablets.

* Lamps - typical equipment include fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, and LED lamps.

* Large equipment - typical equipment include washing machines, clothes dryers, dish-washing machines, electric stoves, large printing machines, copying equipment, and photovoltaic panels.

* Small equipment - typical equipment include vacuum cleaners, microwaves, ventilation equipment, toasters, electric kettles, electric shavers, scales, calculators, radio sets, video cameras, electrical and electronic toys, small electrical and electronic tools, small medical devices, small monitoring and control instruments.

* Small IT and telecommunication equipment - typical equipment include mobile phones, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), pocket calculators, routers, personal computers, printers, telephones.

A computer had a lifespan of about six years, this was reduced to two years in 2005! Currently, mobile phones have a lifespan of just two years!

Each product of the six e-waste categories has a different lifetime profile, which means that each category has different waste quantities, economic values, as well as potential environmental and health impacts if recycled inappropriately.

Did you know: The volume of e-waste grew by 9.2 Mt (megatonnes) between 2014 and 2019?

Some substances present in electronics, though toxic, do not pose a health risk, once well enclosed in the working device. However, if handled inappropriately or inhaled and ingested, these substances are dangerous to health. The toxic materials present in E-wastes, when exposed to the elements (rain, sunlight, high temperatures) at disposal sites, for instance, may react with components of other wastes and become toxic to the environment and persons in proximity. Also, when electronic wastes burnt in the open, they release toxic fumes into the atmosphere, and those fumes are toxic when inhaled by persons in the vicinity. Chemical elements such as barium, cadmium, lead, lithium, mercury are associated with e-wastes. These have been linked to health effects such as birth defects; and brain, kidney, liver and reproductive system damage.

To address the issue of e-waste management, a number of global initiatives have been undertaken. They are linked to the objectives of the Basel Convention on Control of Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which was adopted twenty-five (25) years ago in Sweden. Guyana signed on to the Basel Convention on April 04, 2001, and the Environmental Protection Agency is both the Focal Point and Competent Authority of the Convention in Guyana. In this regard, the Agency is responsible for ensuring the proper management of hazardous wastes, including e-waste, in Guyana.

What has been done to address e-waste in Guyana?

In Guyana, a strategy is being developed to address the issue of e-waste management and disposal. Thus, in October, 2022 Guyana, in collaboration with the Basel Convent Regional Centre for Training and Technology for the Caribbean, hosted a Training Workshop on Improving E-waste Management Practices in Guyana. Key stakeholders, including Government and private entities that manage e-waste, were invited to participate.

As a follow-up, an Online Validation Workshop for SubRegional E-Waste Management Plan was held on April 18, 2023 to present the findings of the research conducted last year.

Further, given the hazardous nature of some components of e-waste, the local framework used to inform and regulate the management and disposal of e-waste is the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05. This Act grants EPA the authority to authorise developers to collect, store, and dispose of e-waste; or enforce sanctions, if required, on polluters.

Sources https://globalewaste.org/what-is-e-waste/

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit. epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

India, Guyana form Chamber of Commerce to foster trade between nations

– former WI batsman named President …several agreements signed

The India-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) was on Saturday formed, thus paving the way for the facilitation of trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

At a business roundtable at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, which was attended by Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, former West Indies cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan was named the President of the newly established IGCC. Also elected to serve on the body were Azad Ibrahim as Vice President; Steven Jacobs and David Fernandes as Senior Vice Presidents; Saju Bhaskar, Secretary; Shaleeza Shaw, Treasurer; and Sreebala Kumar, Joint Secretary.

This new organisation is an initiative between Guyana’s private sector and India through the impetus of the Indian High Commission. The need for this Chamber was identified during a recent high-level visit to India.

Now established, it is envisioned that partnerships will be built through culture and commerce to serve the

two nations through advocacy, culture, economic development, connectivity, business, and education.

However, also at the event, several agreements were exchanged. One was signed between United Phosphorus Ltd (UPL) and the Agriculture Ministry, another between the Private Sector Commission and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) and CII. In addition, GO-Invest and Decipher Health Records also inked an agreement.

A Joint Business Council between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Private Sector Commission was also announced.

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr Peter Ramsaroop underlined that they are getting ready for the next baseline and fulfilling the vision of a transformed Guyana.

“As we work together to make some of these relationships into new territories in energy and agriculture and manufacturing. The next big wave of Guyana

as we bring our energy costs down by 50 per cent will be in the agro-processing and manufacturing sectors. Everything we have planned for in oil and gas is just the baseline. The next revolution in Guyana will be in the agro-processing and manufacturing sector,” he envisioned.

Linkages

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa stated that new energy has been infused into their bilateral relations since President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo led respective delegations to India this year.

“India has been working very closely with Guyana on various fronts, as they say, the economy is the pillar on which relationships solidify. India's collaboration with Guyana includes but is not limited to bilateral investments and trading energy, healthcare, machinery, pharmaceuticals, education etc. And it has been growing over the years and we see it not only in the spirit of South-South cooperation but also as an opportuni-

ty to enrich our partnership through human resource development, like skills and capacity building under the various scholarship schemes of the government of India,” the diplomat told the gathering.

Guyanese businesses, he added, which have visited India over the past few months have achieved huge successes, which augers well for the direction they are heading.

Leading the Indian delegation is the CEO of UPL Director, who lauded commitment from both sides to establish business linkages,

as India seeks to establish its presence in this part of the world.

“Let me take this opportunity to highlight some areas where we believe the potential for enhanced bilateral economic cooperation in the coming years. First, the recent discovery of oil and gas in Guyana. There is an immense scope of cooperation and collaboration between Guyana and India. Second, agriculture and food processing are important sectors that will ensure food security for the Region. This is also a key focus for the President of Guyana. Thirdly, health-

care and pharmaceuticals, IT, and education are other areas where we can benefit from. Lastly, tourism will be a huge potential for India,” Shroff detailed.

He noted that said they are seeking to also forge bilateral engagement that goes beyond trade, investment, and encompasses innovation and entrepreneurship, and sustainable governance.

Moving forward, there are also talks to have an annual India-Caricom Summit to facilitate exchanges and capacity building between parties.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar; Minister Ashni Singh; High Commissioner Dr KJ Srinivasa and new IGCC President, Ramnaresh Sarwan, with other delegates

Driver critical after losing control of minibus

Divisions…

…in PNC??

One of the fallouts of Nomination Day was the intensification of charges that the PNC was “divided”. The missing “leaders” for mobilising candidates and some who switched sides were manifestations. Now, while folks wearing red shirts might be gloating and rubbing their hands in glee, it’s not just the green-shirted section, but all Guyanese who should seriously consider what this implies, if not reversed.

Adriver is currently bat-

tling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital after he reportedly lost control of the minibus he was driving and it crashed into a steel rail and toppled several times before coming to a halt.

This incident occurred at

Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, at about 03:20h on Saturday, April 22, and involved minibus BAC 6836.

Joel Primo, 27, was allegedly speeding along the eastern side of the East Bank Demerara public road when he crashed into the steel rail of a bridge. Eyewitnesses related that the minibus was

swerving from side to side before colliding with the steel rail, after which it flipped several times before slamming into a utility pole.

Alerted by the sound of the crash, residents living in the vicinity quickly rushed to the scene, where they found Primo and passenger Cynthia De Freitas, 28, in the wreckage. They were pulled from the mangled bus and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, be-

fore being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

De Freitas has sustained lacerations to her back and legs, while Primo has sustained severe head and other bodily injuries.

The young driver was immediately taken to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and medical personnel are battling to save his life even as this accident is being investigated by the Police.

Surely, even the most rabid red shirt understands that if their guys - in and out of office - aren’t checked, the human tendency to throw their weight around’s gonna become unmanageable! Happens in the family, in the village, NDC, RDC, Ministries, and even at the top! With democracy being the dominant form of government for about two hundred years now, it’s generally accepted that a solid opposition is a NECESSARY for accountable governments. So, it’s not that your Eyewitness is picking a side or any such thing – he’s rooting for a stable Guyana, in which he can enjoy some of the good things of life!!

So, what’s with the PNC? Their problem is they haven’t been able to select a leader to effectively fill Burnham’s shoes. Most of the blame is Burnham’s. He insisted on ruling as a dictator, which meant we wasn’t sharing no power with his underlings!! So when he unexpectedly passed on at an early age, his successor Hoyte had to use some pretty drastic measures to hold on to his position. The banishments, expulsions and demotions left the party quite factionalised!!

One influential fella, who dubs himself an “elder” - and saw himself filling Burnham’s shoes - still hasn’t gotten over his expulsion!!

But the biggest challenge for the PNC was being forced to admit that “the dictator had no clothes” when its friendly superpower stopped backing its rigging and it finally had to be wooing live bodies to be actually VOTED in!! Meaning, to finally begin to learn what it takes to be “democratic”!! In the decade in the Opposition after 1992, Hoyte seemed to believe that he could bully the PPP to give up power; but, good for the country, he failed. His successor Corbin was expected to continue in that vein, but – for reasons that still haven’t been fully ventilated – he chose democracy.

And committed political hara-kiri by stepping aside for the “kinder, gentler” Granger to actually return the national power – which he promptly threw away!! He lost the plot, that you can’t pi55 of folks who voted you in – especially when they aren’t from your “traditional” block!! And the PNC needs them more than they need the PNC!! Their present division is caused by the new incumbent leader still not appreciating that message fully!!

They gotta get somebody who does!!

…on Cleopatra’s origin

Well, as if we didn’t have enough tensions in the entertainment world, with Will Smith cuffing Chris Rock at the Oscars and the latter later dissing the former on his new comedy routine on Netflix, up comes an international brouhaha!! It’s all from Netflix’s upcoming docudrama, “Queen Cleopatra”, in which Britain’s Adele James, who’s of mixed heritage, plays Cleopatra! We all know the first-century Egyptian ruler was acknowledged as a great beauty, and was played first by Elizabeth Taylor. Well, to imply that she might’ve had African roots has sparked an uproar in Egypt!!

Egyptian academics are claiming that Cleopatra - born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 69 BC, in a Greek-speaking dynasty - was of European descent, and was not Black. An Egyptian lawyer has filed a complaint demanding that legal measures be taken to block Netflix outright in Egypt, to prevent the show from airing. The complaint claims the docudrama, which drops May 10, violates the country’s media laws.

So what happened to Egyptians being “Africans”?? Racism?? Oi vey!!

…no more on Eid!!

Well, it seems that, this year, there will be no disputes expressed in our letters’ pages on the moon sighting that signals the end of the month of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr!!

Scene of the accident at Land of Canaan

“New sense of possibilities” dawns between India, Guyana – Dr Jaishankar

– says political comfort needs to translate to business comfort

By Rupa SeenaRaine

Anew sense of possibilities at the leadership level has been unravelled as Guyana and India create political cohesion that allows for an exchange of business and investment opportunities.

Sharing this standpoint was visiting External Affairs Minister of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at an India-Guyana Business Roundtable organised on Saturday at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre to strengthen and solidify the bond between both nations through business - one of the first in promoting economic partnership.

Dr Jaishankar underscored that is not just a normal business dialogue but rather one where the fastest-growing economy meets the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

“There is an enormous change actually taking place in both our economies and our societies. And the challenge for policymakers like us is how do we see that as an opportunity, how do we actually find that connects, the touch points and viability in the business case to make the best of it,” he zeroed in.

It follows closer bilateral ties after the visit of President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in January and February, respectively.

“What was still perhaps a year ago, a smooth, non-controversial, friendly, pleasant,

even business-like relationship was suddenly infused by a great sense of energy, a new sense of possibilities that connect at a leadership level, which encouraged so many of us to travel here.”

“As Guyana enters a new era. As it embarks on this very exciting journey on its quest for prosperity and development, there is a possibility that is with strong interest on India’s part to be a partner in this journey,” he posited.

Business comfort

In building a stable foundation, Jaishankar spoke on diversification rather than being exposed to just a single domain. He mentioned the existence of political comfort but the need for business comfort to be fortified.

“We have the political comfort. That I can assure you. What we need today is the political comfort to translate itself into greater business and that business comfort will only happen by

doing business.”

According to the External Affairs Minister, India also views Guyana’s position at the centre of a regional hub as instrumental.

“The Government of India has actually consciously embarked on a policy of envisioning a global workplace that our efforts have been known to facilitate the mobility of Indians wherever there is a market demand, to strengthen businesses across the world,” Dr Jaishankar emphasized.

During initial talks, President Ali and Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi had agreed to explore areas of energy, health, pharmaceuticals, capacity building, agriculture, technology and innovation, defence, and infrastructure, among others.

“Even as we hold our discussions and identify new opportunities, it’s also a matter of satisfaction for us that we are actually seeing a pickup in numbers.”

Confidence

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd lauded these engagements as a reflection of proper inter-state policies.

“When you have policymakers and Heads of State working towards the upliftment of the people and understanding the way the world works, this is what it should look like. We have two nation-states, one from the East and one from the West, coming together

through the forces of globalisation. So, we are taking a very small economy and connecting with now the world’s most populated economy - an economy that is big on endogenous growth,” Todd expressed.

“We’ve long argued that we also want to focus on the leadership provided by emerging from the developing world and India provides us with a very perfect example…It is a shining example of the way in which it was able to incentivise the private sector, becoming a technology hub of the world, exporting a lot of its human capital to the rest of the world,” he added.

At the political level, Todd said Guyana has done a lot to establish confidence and predictability, and assured that the business environment is a very fair one.

In this light, he told the business community, “It’s your turn to figure out what will work, what will not work, what strategies you

should employ…The landscape has been provided because there’s access…We’re working on ensuring that we have the right instruments that will allow for seamless flow.”

Todd emphasised that

work will continue at the policy level to ensure proactivity in responding to the needs of investors and ensuring there is interconnectedness between policymakers and business leaders.

External Affairs Minister of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Officials and the business community at Saturday’s roundtable event

Guyana, India ink Air Services Agreement

– opens market access for airlines of both countries to operate

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Indian High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA), which allows for easier travel between the two nations.

The signing of the agreement is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to connecting Guyana with the rest of the world and will complement the more than 50 Air Services Agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO states for the development of the airlink amongst States.

The agreement promotes international air services between the two countries and an international aviation system based on competition among airlines.

The agreement addresses pertinent matters such as grant of rights; designation and authorisation of airlines; revocation or suspension of operating authorisation, principles governing the operation of agreed services, application of laws, user charges, customs duties and charges,

aviation safety, aviation security, commercial opportunities, cooperative marketing arrangements, among other areas.

The agreement opens investment opportunities and caters to Guyanese-owned airlines to have direct market access to international airports in India and vice versa.

India has an emerging and growing aviation sector. Presently there is no direct flight between Guyana

and India, however, this agreement puts in place the legal framework that opens market access for airlines of both States to operate and enhance competitive air transport services, trade, and economic growth between the two countries.

Guyana and India have enjoyed good diplomatic relations since Guyana gained independence in May 1966.

This signing came on

the heels of approval by the Union Cabinet chaired by India’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi back in February.

It was reported that the agreement will come into force following the exchange of diplomatic notes between the countries after confirmation that they have completed the required internal procedures.

The signing of Air Services Agreement with Guyana will enable a framework for provision of air services between the two countries.

The agreement was signed in the presence of India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd; Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, Ambassador Elizabeth Harper; Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Lt Col (ret’d) Egbert Field, and other technical officials from India and Guyana.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr KJ Srinivasa after signing the Air Services Agreement between Guyana and India in the presence of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd and his Indian counterpart, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar

DEMTOCO records 5.8% increase in profits despite illegal cigarette trade –

lauds Govt for support, but urges more action

Stop blaming Indian indentureds: we were all pawns

There is this recurring claim made by AfricanGuyanese ideologues that Indian indentured labourers undercut the bargaining power of the freed slaves after Emancipation and pushed them off the plantations. It is deployed to justify present day hostility towards Indian-Guyanese.

Ravi Dev

I have pointed out, over the years, that it is futile to play the “blame game” when, in the development of capitalism here, after constructing its base on the back of African chattel slave labour, the plantocracy went on to reintroduce the very form of unfree labour they had used before slavery – indentured labour (then of Europeans). We were all pawns. Unquestionably, the planters intended to undercut the bargaining power of the freed slaves –but the new 19th Century indentured was not the “free labour” the abolitionists had promised. Indentureship was a transition labour regime deployed to continue contributing to what Marx described as “primitive accumulation”, where the worker was still literally “bound” to the plantation for a number of years. The wages of Indian Indentured labourers remained the same during the entire 79 years of indentureship to 1917.

The persistence of the Indian “undercutting” claims suggests that more is at play than careless historiography. As I painstakingly explained in my 1998 “Aetiology of an Ethnic Riot” and continuously afterwards: “It was not Indian labour that broke the back of African attempts to wrest higher wages from the planters. Rather, if labour were to be “blamed”, it was more the Portuguese and, ironically, fellow Africans from both the WI and Africa, who were brought in as early as 1835. The successful strike by ex-slaves in 1842 encouraged the planters to expand their indentureship program.

The ex-slaves called another strike in 1847 at a point of financial crisis for the planters, as their sugar lost its preferential English tariffs in 1846. Encouraged at that point by the indentureship of 15,747 Portuguese, 12,897 Africans from the WI and 6957 “liberated” Africans from Africa – a total of 35,601 – compared with only 8692 Indians, they held off the demands for higher wages.

After 1848, when more than half of the freed Africans had moved into villages and towns, by and large, they had decided to make their living off the plantations. Even though Indian indentureship was suspended between 1838-1845, and then again in 1849-50, there was no movement back to the plantations by the Africans, nor was there any increase in the wage scale.” Available land in Guyana (and TT) was the pull factor for the move. In Antigua, for instance, where this condition was absent, there was not even an Apprenticeship scheme. The continued importation of indentured labourers after 1848 served to depress the wage demands of time-expired indentured and create a reserve pool of “free” labour.

What is also overlooked is the significance of the number of indentured Africans arriving primarily from Barbados and some small islands (40,783) and the “Liberated Africans” from Africa (13,355) compared to the 82,000 local slaves who had been freed. Somehow, the role of these African indentured servants – mostly from Barbados – have been silenced. Ironically, there were several instances recorded of Indian indentures protesting that the West Indian indentures were undercutting their wages! For several decades after the formation of the Guyana Police Force in 1839, most of the policemen recruited were immigrant Barbadians to ensure loyalty. Both Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte had Barbadian forbears.

To summarize, as I wrote in 2004, “It was the working of the systems imposed on us by the British, whether political (imperialism), economic (pre-capitalist) or cultural (cultural hegemony), that kept us all in thrall. Today, we are still busy blaming each other for our mess and not questioning whether those bequeathed systems are not still contributing to our problems. And that we should get busy, as a first step, in modifying them to assist in leading to greater equity and justice for all of us.” Colonialism continues as “coloniality”.

Another storm in a teacup has been made about Indian Guyanese leaders in the 1920s supporting the plantocracy’s calls for Indian immigrants in a “Colonization Scheme” to make British Guiana into an “Indian Colony”. They fail to mention that in each instance, African Guyanese leaders of the Negro Progress Convention also were authorised to solicit immigrants from Africa. Eventually, between 1920 and 1928, 1729 Immigrants arrived from the Caribbean (mainly Barbados) compared to 607 from India. Many sugar estates had “Bajan Quarters” up to the 1950s.

Labelling the illegal cigarette trade as a threat to not only their company but to the country’s business community as a whole, Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) has called for more to be done to arrest this illegal trade.

In a statement proclaiming that they have increased revenue by 5.8 per cent to $7.7 billion, Managing Director of Demerara Tobacco Company Limited, Vijay Singh noted that this illegal trade could grow by 10 per cent by 2024, making it unmanageable in the market.

“The company believes that the rapid increase and far-reaching presence of illegal cigarettes will negatively impact their business, and Government revenues and further in-

centivise criminal activities in the communities,” Singh said.

“The company has seen a similar situation play out in neighbouring Suriname, in which, the trade, left unchecked, ruined the revenue streams for the Government and the legitimate industry,” he further explained.

Singh acknowledged that in Guyana, DEMTOCO

has been receiving support from various law enforcement agencies. However, the Managing Director made it clear that much more has to be done at an accelerated and urgent pace as the illicit traders are increasing their market share on a daily basis.

In the meantime, Singh said that the company remains committed to raising awareness of this issue through active engagement with regulators, the Government, and the private sector. In fact, the threat of illicit trade was also highlighted in his report at the company’s 89th Annual General Meeting.

“Despite the challenges posed by the illicit trade, the company’s premium brand, Dunhill, grew significantly by 11 per cent, driven by continuous inno-

vation that the brand offers which consumers embraced, and its Pall Mall brand experienced a 7 per cent growth,” Singh said.

“Demerara Tobacco Company’s Managing Director urged shareholders to highlight this plight to ensure public awareness is at its peak. The company remains committed to ensuring sustainable growth through continuous improvements in their portfolio, distribution, and retention of the best talent in the market.”

Notwithstanding the threat from the illegal cigarette trade, DEMTOCO was able to record strong operational performance for the second consecutive year, achieving 3.6 percent volume growth compared to the previous year.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

DEMTOCO Managing Director Vijay Singh

PS Thomas reportedly slammed into wall, handcuffed during detention in US – now concerned about her family’s safety

Hours after the story broke that the Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae Thomas-Meerabux, was detained and her phone confiscated in the US on her way to China, new details have surfaced about the manner in which the Guyanese official was treated.

Guyana Times understands that this incident took place at the Maimi International Airport on April 8, 2023, and not at the JFK International, as was previously reported.

The mother of two, who is married to American citizen Dameion Meerabux, was on an official trip, and was at the time travelling with others when she was singled out and taken into a room to be grilled. And even as she was observing the Holy Month of Ramadan, ThomasMeerabux was allegedly manhandled by male officers

attached to the US Customs and Border Protection.

Guyana Times understands that during the threehour-long detention, the Guyanese PS was asked basic questions by the male officers, until a female officer entered the room and took other personal details. Mrs. Thomas-Meerabux feels she was violated.

It has already been reported in the press that Thomas-Meerabux was travelling on a Service Passport, but despite her informing the CBP officers that she was on official duty, she was reportedly slammed into a wall, handcuffed, and humiliated in front of a group of Spanishspeaking citizens.

In addition, her phone, which contained sensitive information relating to Government policies and her own personal information, was confiscated and searched, although she had pointed out that the device belonged to the Government of Guyana and clearance must be given by her superiors before it can be searched.

Moreover, her request to make contact with officials of the Guyana Government was reportedly refused; as was her request to contact Guyana’s Ambassador to the US, Samuel Hinds, an attorney, and her husband. Instead, she was told that she was in US territory, and that her rights to do so were forfeited.

While these events unfolded on April 8, 2023, sources have confirmed that at no point in time was she uncooperative towards the officers, who were allegedly hostile and acted in an unprofessional manner to cause her embarrassment as a Guyana Government official.

Thomas-Meerabux was later released, but reportedly feels she had been victimised, and continues to seek answers on the possible reasons for her detention, since this was not the first time she had travelled to the USA.

Further, in returning to her homeland, ThomasMeerabux had to travel from London to Barbados, and then to Guyana, since her visa has allegedly been revoked.

This incident has undoubtedly taken a toll, not only on Thomas-Meerabux, but her entire family, including her young son who is preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

This PS is now concerned for her safety and that of her family, since she believes she is being targeted for one rea-

son or the other.

Guyana Times understands this matter is engaging the attention of senior Government officials, including President Dr Irfaan Ali.

Contacted on Friday evening, Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, explained that Government has not as yet received any information from the US Government on this issue, and is awaiting a report from the US Embassy in Georgetown.

However, later that evening, the US Embassy, through its Deputy Chief of Mission, Adrienne Galanek, informed, “We don’t have any specific information to share.”

Further, the missive detailed the policy of the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is shared with all travellers to the US, including citizens of that country: “If CBP officers at a port of entry need more information to determine your admissibility into the US, you may be di-

rected to an interview area known as secondary inspection. You could also be subjected to a secondary inspection as a result of a random search.

“Anyone, including US citizens, may be subject to secondary inspection if the CBP officer has reservations about admitting him or her. Secondary inspection is a more detailed inspection to determine admissibility. It allows CBP officers to conduct additional research to verify information without delaying other travellers.

“During a secondary inspection, the CBP officer may ask you detailed questions about your travel plans and immigration history. You may also be asked to produce additional proof of identification and detailed information about the purpose of your visit to the US. Both you and your belongings may be subject to a thorough search. Such inspections may include a search of all electronic information stored on your laptop, cell phone or other electronic devices.”

DEMTOCO records 5.8%...

“The company’s revenue growth increased by 5.8% to G$7.7 billion, mainly driven by improvements to portfolio mix and volume increases, resulting in a 2.5% increase in earnings per share,” the company statement said.

The Managing Director also highlighted that “share price at the close of the financial year stood proudly at G$3,000 representing a 50 per cent increase which solidifies the confidence of our shareholders and commitment of management to deliver on expectations”.

DEMTOCO, which distributes popular brands of cigarettes including Bristol and Pall Mall, has over the years been warning about

FROM PAGE 11

the threat of the illegal cigarette trade. This illegal trade, coupled with tightening regulations, have previously seen the company weather various storms including decreasing profits.

In 2017, the company had recorded a 9.5 per cent decrease in pre-tax profit when compared to 2016. The pre-tax profit for 2017 stood at $2.5 billion. In the three years preceding 2018, DEMTOCO had been recording declining profits. In 2017, after-tax profit stood at $1.4 billion, whereas the company had raked in $1.5 billion in 2016 and $1.6 billion in 2015... all before it started turning its fortunes around in 2018.

Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mrs Mae Thomas-Meerabux

In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down economies globally, Candaycia Richeson was one of many US-based Guyanese who were forced to stay indoors. As such, to find something to pass the time, she began cooking all her favourite meals. In that very month, she posted her first Youtube video showcasing her cooking skills, little knowing that her videos showcasing authentic Guyanese and West Indian cuisine would go viral. In fact, they have become so popular that, in January of this year, Richeson celebrated the coveted achievement of attaining 100,000 subscribers.

This week, she posted her 570th video - on Chinese fried chicken – and it went so viral that it re-

mains one of her most popular videos to date.

Self-taught cook

The former Alleyne’s High School student describes herself as a selftaught cook. Now residing in Virginia, she said that since when she was around age 7, she started experimenting with the foods her mother cooked. She explained that her mother was into fitness, bodybuilding and modelling, and as such, the foods weren’t really to her liking.

“Keeping a healthy lifestyle and amazing body was a way of life for her, so she would cook a lot of steamed foods with little or no salt. That’s when I started taking the food she already cooked and (adding) my own seasonings and sauces to make it taste the way I like,” Richeson said.

By the time she was 10

years old, Richeson was already cooking full meals.

“I basically taught myself how to cook, since I knew exactly how I wanted my food to taste,” she said.

In 2014, Richeson migrated to the United States to start a new life, and it was there that she started to further explore and expand her cooking skills.

Starting on YouTube

When the pandemic was wreaking havoc across the globe early in 2020, Richeson decided to stay at home with her son, who was still in his toddler years. She said she would cook her favourite meals and record them on video.

“I think one of my videos went viral soon after I started, that’s the video of the Chinese fried chicken,” she said. “It started to blow up, and I hit the requirements to get paid on

YouTube, and I started getting paid,” she said.

Payment from this so-

cial media platform surpassed the salary she was being paid monthly prior to

the pandemic.

A grilled chicken salad dish made by Candaycia Richeson

Converting a hobby...

“That made me never have the desire to go out back to work, because if I am making all that money sitting at home, why go and slave myself out at the job? I can work at home in my own time, “she said.

“Candy

Tha Glam Cook”

Initially, Richeson’s YouTube channel started out under another name, “Guyanese Cooking with Candy.” However, she noted that the name seemed too “common”, and she also considered the foods she cooked. “I realise I don’t only cook Guyanese foods; I can cook everything and anything. So, I don’t want to limit myself or seem as if it is only Guyanese food I can cook,” she explained.

Richeson said, too, that she observed several per-

sons using names like hers at the time. “I noticed everyone was like: ‘Cooking with that’, ‘Cooking with this’, so I thought it was too common; so, I decided to rebrand myself,” she added.

She said she loves fashion, and dressing up is among her favourite pastimes. “I love to look good, and my name on Instagram was ‘Glambitious’, meaning glamourous and ambitious. I said I would name my channel ‘Candy the Glam Cook’ because I am all about glam and fashion and I want my food to look glamorous. My food must reflect me. I searched around and I realized nobody has the name, and the rest is history,” she explained.

Richeson said the entire process started out as a hobby, and it still is. “I love what

I do, and if I were to stop being paid, I would still do it,” Richeson said. However, she said she has decided to make a schedule in which she cooks a set number of meals, and she would post videos consistently to YouTube. “I ensure I post around 3 videos per week,” she said.

In addition, she noted that it is better to cook every day, since it is cheaper than purchasing meals on the road. “Now it is more like a job. I treat it like a job, where I have my schedule when it comes to posting,” she added.

The entrepreneur said she records and edits her own videos. She explained that she decided to carry out research on how to shoot the videos, how to edit them, and add voiceovers as well. “I am very efficient…by simply looking at it on video and

learn,” she said.

She describes herself as a jack of all trades, noting that she performs her own hairdressing role in styling her hair. “I don’t go to the salon, I can sew, I can cook, I didn’t attend a school to learn these things,” she said. “Like a phone…simply go into an app, get a sketch video where you can play around with the editing, and that is how you learn,” she said.

For her videos, Richeson said, she would ensure her kitchen is spotless prior to videoing her cooking. “I don’t do live cooking videos. I would shoot every step of the process, I would cut the video at specific times, and then, when editing, I put together all the videos and then add the voiceover, and that’s it,” she explained.

Getting monetised

Richeson said that, in order to make money via YouTube, or ‘monetise’, one must attain 1000 subscribers as well as 400,000 watch hours. “Then you would be invited to the YouTube partnership, where your channel can be monetised,” she ex-

plained. Richeson also has Facebook and Instagram accounts under the same name: ‘Candy Tha Glam Cook’. These both have growing numbers of subscribers.

She said that in Virginia, where she and her family reside, there are no Guyanese restaurants; the foods closest to home are those at the Jamaican restaurants. As such, Richeson cooks her favourite Guyanese foods regularly, and she plans to continue showcasing her skills cooking those foods as well as foods from other countries.

In terms of advice, she says that if one has a skill, one should utilise it to the best of one’s ability. And people should utilise the opportunities which the internet brings.

“I would advise anyone to start a YouTube channel. This social media is ideal for any generation. Pretty soon this is where everything will be. The first step is to simply start. Post anything! Everyone starts off rocky, but you would become good as time progresses,” Richeson has said.

This coconut curry seafood boiled dish is among dozens of foods which Candaycia Richeson has cooked and posted on her YouTube channel

Rommel DeSouza has been fixated on the strings and sounds of the guitar since he was approximately 12 years old, and today his love for the instrument has evolved, through a musical journey that has been filled with joy, excitement and memorable moments, to one in which he has established himself as a musician with a hunger to expand his musical horizons.

“At the age of 12, I started attending guitar les-

Rommel DeSouza’s life revolves around the guitar

able cost, the musician added. That, of course, is apart from his love for music.

French Guiana experience DeSouza recalled his musical journey when he lived in French Guiana and played a variety of French songs. He spent three years working as a musician there – 1992 to 1995 - and also recorded songs in French. This experience, coupled with his business savvy, has led to him establishing a business.

Recording studio

sons at a guy named Steve Persaud in Parade Street in Kingston,” DeSouza recently told Guyana Times. “I used to pay $20 per month,” he said of those early days. “I started to help out with the teaching, so I didn’t have to pay,” he recalled. That was when he officially began his guitar and musical journey.

DeSouza disclosed that he comes from a family which has been involved in music for quite some time. A few of his father’s relatives were musicians, and he not-

ed that, at a very young age, he became fascinated with music.

The last of seven children, Rommel DeSouza was born and raised at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD, and attended the West Demerara Secondary School, where he began establishing himself musically. He said he spent the past 20 years performing live music, and he has been a guitar technician during 10 of those years.

These days, he has switched his career to music production. He says he loves country music and ballads, and began working on establishing a recording studio a few years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic had stymied his plans, but plans for the studio are back on the front burner, so to speak, because he plans to reopen the studio at his home at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, very soon.

“Tuschen is better for recording. It is quiet, and it’s my own place,” he said.

While he loves the country music genre, DeSouza said, his studio would produce a mixture of genres. He said he has not finalised what it would cost persons who may wish to record their songs at his studio. However, he would try his utmost to keep the price at a minimum. “I will be doing my best to keep down the price as low as possible. Might even be working out payment plans,” he added.

One main reason behind the studio’s opening is to give people an opportunity to record at a very reason-

If one were to pass the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) branch at Vreed-en-Hoop, one would be able to see DeSouza’s guitar shop opposite the bank. The business has been there for the past five years, and he sells guitars and accessories at the location. DeSouza also operates a photo studio at the location to bring in added income.

A father of three, Rommel DeSouza has said one of his children is following in his footsteps. His son likes to play the drums, and Rommel has expressed hope that his rich love for music would live on through his children as well as the people who encounter him through his recording venture.

Rommel DeSouza (in foreground) during his early days playing the guitar with the Super Silver Sounds Orchestra

SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Save Soil: How local ‘Earth Buddies’ are uniting to push a global movement

By Rupa SeenaRaine

The Save Soil Movement, a global effort to raise awareness on the world’s attention to the soil has been gaining attention in Guyana – propelled by volunteers who have been determined to shed light on a grave environmental happening.

The movement started after studies showed that agriculture, deforestation, and other factors have degraded and eroded topsoil at alarming rates.

On the global scale, an alarming 52 per cent of agricultural land is already degraded. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has stated that by 2050, 90 per cent of the land could be degraded. On the other hand, the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation has quoted that only 60 years of cultivatable soil is left.

Data shows that, for example, 63 per cent of India’s

soils are under severe stress with less than 0.5 per cent organic carbon, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in the Indian Government has

added. Speaking with this publication, local volunteer Yohani Singh shared some of their work in recent weeks, which includ-

ed a mural painted along the Georgetown seawall to capture the attention of Guyanese, as well as their participation in Earth Hour and Earth Day activities.

“Our first interaction, as Earth Buddies, with the public was at the World Wildlife Fund Earth Hour Vigil on March 25, at the National Park. Since this event, many persons have signed up as Earth Buddies and are excited to volunteer their time and effort in various projects to raise awareness,” she noted.

Sparking awareness

The movement was started by Jaggi Vasudev or Sadhguru, who met twice in 2022 with President Irfaan Ali to discuss these efforts and Guyana’s role in saving the soil.

Last year, the Government of Guyana committed that it would allocate 100 square kilometres of land and, with the help of the Save Soil team, work with the farmers to increase the soil organic matter to three to six per cent. This would craft a demonstrable model for the world on what is achievable and the positive outcomes of securing soil beyond six decades.

Other global leaders are also getting on board. At the United Nations Climate Summit (COP 27) in Egypt, the Save Soil Movement was featured in the G20 Global

to inspire four billion people, or 60 per cent of the world’s electorate to support policy redirections that will in turn safeguard, nurture and sustain soils. The third avenue is driving national policy changes in 193 nations toward raising and maintaining the organic content of soils to a minimum of 3-6 per cent.

Specifically for Guyana, it was outlined that, “Enhancing water availability through adaptive technologies for sustainable water use and management is a key strategy for increasing agricultural productivity and for ensuring food security. Two such adaptive technologies applicable to Guyana are the use of sprinklers and drip irrigation.”

Recommended for Guyana was an Ecological Pest Management (EPM) approach, which increases the strength of natu-

On Saturday, the team participated in a tree planting exercise hosted by the Protected Areas Commission at the Botanical Gardens in observance of Earth Day, which saw the attendance of visiting External Affairs Minister of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Local artists have also come on board to lend their creativity to paint the murals across different locations. Talented artist Bevan Allicock hopped on board when he was approached to paint a mural in support of the local activities along with Eldon Allicock and Sadia Vasquez also displaying their artistic side.

“Another mural will be created by the same artists at the National Park,” Singh also shared.

Land Initiative Panel discussion, as one of the promising global initiatives that can contribute to the G20’s aspiration of reducing degraded lands by 50 per cent by 2040. At the G20 Bali Summit in November 2022, the Leaders’ Declaration contained a major agreement on reducing degraded lands to such figures as well.

Solutions

And what is the solution? To reverse desertification and revitalise the soil, efforts must be made to bring back at least three to six per cent of organic matter in the soil.

There is a three-pronged approach established, which first speaks to turning the world’s attention to our dying soil. Secondly, the aim is

ral systems to reinforce the natural processes of pest regulation and improve agricultural production.

Having identified that excessive rainfall and wind can result in soil erosion, causing the depletion of nutrients in the soil which is replaced by fertilisers, the use of mineral fertilisers should be promoted through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM).

“INM aims at optimal use of nutrient sources on a cropping system or crop-rotation basis. This encourages farmers to focus on longterm planning and making greater considerations for environmental impacts.”

Information on the movement is available at savesoil.org and persons are welcome to join as an Earth Buddy.

The team has created a mural along the seawall to spread the message

Local Save Soil volunteers

Overseas-based Guyanese dies after altercation with brothers

By La’Wanda McaLLister

The death of Ceon Abrams, a 48-yearold Guyanese man living in New York, has left his family devastated and seeking justice after they claimed he was murdered during an altercation on Friday evening at Strath Campbell Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

The altercation was reportedly among his brothers.

However, according to Kelisha Abrams, the now dead man’s daughter, her father arrived in Guyana about a month ago to look after his businesses. At the time, he was staying at his mother’s home in Mahaicony.

The devasted daughter recounted the events leading up to her father’s death in an emotional interview with Guyana Times . She explained that her father had gone to his brothers’ house on Friday evening to ask for the money that was owed to him but instead,

an argument ensued and the situation quickly escalated into a physical altercation.

“They were fighting on the step and the step broke down and one of his brothers went over him and began choking my dad,” Kelisha said. “The other

brother came out with a cutlass and said he was going to kill my dad and he [the victim] managed to get out of the choke after some time and run to the road.”

After being allegedly choked for some time, her father ran a short distance

and collapsed on the roadside. The young woman explained that in Strath Campbell Mahaicony, it is difficult to get transportation, and it was a passing motorcyclist who saw her father lying on the roadway and offered to transport him to the hospital.

However, her father never made it to the hospital alive. Halfway to Perth Village, Mahaicony, which is one village away from where the fight happened, Ceon reportedly went unconscious and fell off the motorcycle. Shortly after, he was pronounced dead at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.

Kelisha’s grandmother reportedly called from Guyana to tell them that her father had been in a motorcycle accident, but she said they soon discovered the truth.

“My dad does not know how to ride a motorcycle and he does not make irrational decisions,” Kelisha said. “So, we were very

confused and then she said, oh, he got into an argument with his brother and he was trying to get away from him to go to the Police station...”.

“After people started telling us what happened, I called her and told her to tell me the truth and she said he only choked him”, she said.

As the family mourns their loss, they are calling for justice and for the Police to thoroughly investigate the matter. The daughter is convinced that her father’s death was caused by his brothers, whom she alleged are now trying to cover up their crime.

“My dad’s brother killed him and they are trying their best to cover it up! I’m begging the authorities to please not let this happen. I already contacted the United States Embassy so that they can help us out with the investigation. I know the Police in Guyana have judica -

tion over the matter but we still contacted them,” Kelisha said.

She described Ceon Abrams as a selfless and devoted father who did everything he could for his family. His wife, with whom he had been together for 30 years, is struggling to come to terms with his death, and his children are also deeply affected.

“I don’t know how to feel, I am a daddy’s girl. My dad did everything for me, he was my world and my whole world got taken away from me. He was the only person I can call on and they changed my life forever. My dad was so selfless and I just don’t know how this can happen to him,” Kelisha cried.

“He did everything for his family.”

As the family continues to grieve, they are calling for justice and for their beloved Ceon to be remembered for the kind, generous, and loving man that he was.

Dead: Ceon Abrams

GAICO Construction to open US$6 million fertiliser plant in 2024

Aimed at reducing the amount of fertiliser imported annually and potentially lowering its cost for farmers, GAICO Construction and General Services is set to open a new blending plant in 2024.

Back in 2022, GAICO began making preparations for the US$6 million fertiliser blending plant in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). While the exact location is yet to be determined, it will likely be situated on the West Bank of Demerara, according to the company’s Business Development Director, Khishan Singh.

The pre-fab plant was purchased from SackettWaconia, a US-based company that designs, engineers and builds equipment for the fertiliser industry.

The components are expected to arrive in Guyana later this year and the plan is for the plant to be up and running by mid-2024 at the latest, Singh said.

“The whole idea is to try to revamp the farming industry, not just in the West Bank but in the country as a whole,” Singh said.

“[We’re] hoping to lower that cost for Guyanese… the main thing is making things cheaper, more readily available and giving

farmers a chance to grow.”

Fertilisers reportedly account for between 15 and 30 per cent of the total operating costs for farmers, and urea and ammonia compounds are claimed to be the most used fertiliser products in Guyana, with the country importing about 45,000 tonnes of these products annually.

Fertiliser blending offers a solution to this by ensuring farmers have the correct ratio of chemicals, such as nitrogen and phosphorus needed, and significantly reduces the time and money spent on imports.

Several other projects with GAICO at the helm

are currently underway, including a US$30 million wharf and lay-down facility being built in Nismes, West Bank Demerara, that as of March, was in its pile-driving stage.

This facility is intended to support the imminent gas-to-shore project by being an offloading site for equipment and materials that will be brought during the course of the project, including the 12-inch pipe that will be used to bring gas from offshore Guyana to onshore. GAICO aims to employ between 60 to 80 persons once this facility comes into operation.

GAICO Business Development Director Khishan Singh

GWI intends to restore Diamond well within 2 weeks

– mulls constructing new well at 6th Ave

er permits it,” Browne said.

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Friday commenced restorative work on the well at Sixth Avenue, Diamond, after its casing collapsed two weeks ago.

GWI’s in-house technical team moved immediately to procure pipelines and other necessary fittings, and estimates that the issue will be fixed within the next two weeks.

Water from this well feeds into the Diamond Treatment

Plant and provides for some 20,000 residents in Diamond and its surrounding areas.

“We know that the residents in Diamond and surrounding areas up to Prospect and Herstelling will be affected with a lower level of service,” Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Shaik Baksh noted while asking residents to be patient.

GWI’s Groundwater and Well Services Manager, Orin Browne, shared that the team will be working to in-

stall the 6-inch and 10-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casings into the approximately 660-feet well, a process he described as similar to drilling a new well altogether.

“We have our hole drilling rig [which is] the ideal machine that will be drilling to get out the sand that has collapsed into the hole [and] bring it up to the surface… we will then proceed to take out the existing [well] sleeve that we suspect is compro-

mised and we will restore it with those casings that we have underground here.”

Though it is a “very technical piece of work,” Browne related that the company’s technical team of engineers, technical officers, welders and mechanics have been trained to get the job done.

“At the bare minimum, on any given shift, we’ll have at least seven persons pushing for 24 hours of non-stop work as much as the weath-

In the interim, another well at the Diamond Treatment Plant is currently serving the affected residents. GWI also adjusted the boundary valves to extend the Eccles service area to supplement losses incurred from this well’s collapse.

This is the second time the well has collapsed, with the previous instance occurring in 2016.

“In 2016, we had a collapse which was using carbon seal casings which were not very good so here, we’ve improved on the casings.

These are top-of-the-line casings that we have here,” Baksh said. “We’re hoping that this will stand up for many years to come,” Baksh related.

He also disclosed plans to build a new well within the current Sixth Avenue, Diamond well site.

“[This would be] so that residents of Diamond and all the areas served by this well can now have a higher pounds per square inch (PSI) [water pressure] so that the water can go higher up into their houses and so on,” Baksh said.

Guyana Water Incorporated Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh and Groundwater and Well Services Manager Orin Browne with the technical team at the Sixth Avenue, Diamond well site on Friday

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casings to be used to restore the well at Sixth Avenue, Diamond

Well to be fixed by GWI at Sixth Avenue, Diamond

APNU Councillor lauds Govt for creating jobs, transforming Reg 5

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Councillor at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Muhammed Ishmael has praised the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration for the work it has been doing in the region.

The Councillor lauded the governing party for creating jobs and building the infrastructure in the region.

Ishmael, who was at the time addressing the RDC, pointed to the road network in his community, Rosignol, saying that many jobs were created to undertake the project.

“Residents in the community have jobs and some of the contractors keep them on. So, it is a very good thing for the community because it has helped to change some of them and changed their lives. I hope that such activities would continue in other neighbourhoods in Region Five in the same manner so that we can get this kind of result that would uplift our community,” he said.

Ishmael, however, pointed out that projects are being executed for the construction of the approaches to streets and as such, asked for the Works Committee to visit those projects.

“I hope when the Works

Chairman comes, he would not come like a thief in the night but inform us so that we would be able to deal with the hiccups.”

Regional Vice Chairman, Rian Pieters explained that it is the aim

of the PPP Administration to have development take place all over the region so that the livelihood of residents can be improved.

“These activities would provide meaningful employment. I want to thank you for highlighting and applauding the Government for the work that is being done to assist the people across Region Five.”

Only recently, the Local Government Ministry donated 10 tractors and trailers to NDCs in the region. This comes at a time when authorities in Region Five have been losing the battle against the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste.

Councillor Adrian Singh referred to this as being a

timely gesture as he called on residents to assist in ensuring that their environment is kept clean.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman pointed out that a waste disposal site is being developed in the

Blairmont area. “Over the next few weeks, we should be able to enjoy a cleaner Region Five.”

He called on residents to support their NDCs in ensuring that they have a clean region.

APNU Councillor Muhammed Ishmael

The approaches that are being constructed in the area

GBA to host 2nd Annual Law Week

– CCJ Judge slated to address symposium

The Bar Association of Guyana is set to host its second annual Law Week from April 23 to 28, 2023, under the theme, “New Frontiers in Law, Preparing for the Future”.

Law Week is a feature on the calendar of many Bar Associations around the world which aims to bring attention and understanding to the importance of the rule of law in society.

This year, the Bar Association will host a mix of in-person and virtual events and outreaches which will build capacity, foster camaraderie and enhance collaborations

with the Bench and other related agencies.

The week of activities will commence with a walkathon today, which will depart from the Square of the Revolution and end at the Court of Appeal via Brickdam and High Street.

On the day thereafter, attorneys-at-law in private practice who have so volunteered will give their time and resources to offer pro bono services through the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic.

Further, the Association in collaboration with Caricom Competition Commission will host a webinar to

build capacity at the Bar on Competition Law and Consumer Policy on Tuesday.

Capacity building will continue on Wednesday with a virtual law conference, which will feature presentations by members of the Bench and Bar in Guyana together with colleagues from the Houston Bar, New York Bar, British Virgin Islands, and Trinidad & Tobago’s Public Defenders’ Department.

On the evening of Thursday, April 27, the Association in collaboration with the Human Services and Social Security Ministry will

host a panel discussion as an extension of the bodies’ Pro Bono 500 Initiative which commenced in December 2021.

During the day, through the facilitation of the Education Ministry,

attorneys-at-law will visit high schools in all three counties to give guidance on the responsible use of social media in keeping with the Cyber Crime Act. The curtains will be pulled on Friday, April 28 with a symposium at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre featuring Hon Justice Winston Anderson, JCCJ, of the Caribbean Court of Justice along with an address by the Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC.

Remarks will be given by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, OR, CCH and

President of the Bar Association, Pauline Chase.

In the evening, Hon Justice Winston Anderson will be the guest of honour at the cocktail gala.

Hon Justice Winston Anderson, JCCJ Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC

Banks DIH receives “Made in Guyana” certification

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Friday issued the “Made in Guyana” mark to Banks DIH Limited to promote the company’s recognition within national, regional and international markets.

Banks DIH received this certification to use the Standard Mark on its wine products, rum products, Demico Premium Ice-Cream, Créme Select Super Premium Ice Cream, Novelty (Frostee), carbonated soft drinks, beers, shandy and Malta.

Head of the GNBS Certification Services Department, Andrea Mendoca noted that “Attaining this ‘Made in Guyana’ Standard Mark for its use on such an array of products is testimony to

what [United States business investor] Elon Musk

has said, that a company is a group of people organised to create a product or service and that product or service is only as good as the people in the company.”

She added that this mark is evidence of the company’s hard work and commitment towards meeting the requirements to attain the certification.

To attain this mark, companies need to meet a list of seven requirements including the employment of Guyanese staff and use of 60 per cent of local raw materials.

Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis received the certificate at the company’s Thirst Park location from the Director of Business of the Tourism

Ministry, John Edghill. Reis described the programme as laudable as it provides the required recognition for a large number of locally manufactured products.

Operations and Engineering Director at Banks DIH, Gavin Todd expressed that the company has always prioritised quality in its manufacturing processes, and thanked the GNBS for its recognition of the Banks brand.

In addition to promoting brands, the “Made in Guyana” Standard Mark programme also focuses on creating competitiveness for certified authentic Guyanese products and a framework for the development of quality systems

within our local content.

The certificate under this programme is valid for one year during which Banks DIH will be subjected to a surveillance audit by GNBS officers to ensure the company maintains the quality for which it attained the mark.

The “Made in Guyana” Standards Mark Programme is voluntary and is available to all local manufacturers who are interested in being certified under this programme.

This is in keeping with the GNBS Act of 1984 which authorises the Bureau to use its “Made in Guyana” mark on products with set criteria that are in compliance with the terms and conditions of the programme.

Tourism Ministry Director of Business John Edghill handing over the certificate to Banks DIH Quality Control Executive Seerani Ramnuath and Banks DIH Chair Clifford Reis

Man beaten to death days after being admitted as patient at Psychiatric Hospital

Afew days after being admitted as a patient at the National Psychiatric Hospital in East Berbice, a man has been beaten to death by patients there.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 32-year-old Dinesh Persaud of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice. According to the Police, he died at sometime between 01:00 and 07:30h on Wednesday at the National

Psychiatric Hospital at Fort Canje.

The dead man’s parents say he had been taken to see a private psychiatric doctor on Monday, and had been referred to the National Psychiatric Hospital. According to his father Devendra Persaud, he had visited his son at the psychiatric institution on Tuesday, and the next morning he received a telephone call to inform that his son had been transferred to

the Public Hospital at New Amsterdam. He said that call had come from the social worker attached to the facility.

According to the Police, an initial investigation revealed that, at about 5:55h on Wednesday, a nurse on duty at the facility was alerted to a patient lying motionless on the floor with blood oozing from his mouth and nostrils. That patient was taken to New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he

was pronounced dead on arrival.

An autopsy conducted on the body on Friday gave the cause of death as shock, with cerebral haemorrhage due to a fracture to the skull.

The Health Department has issued no statement on the incident. The dead man’s mother says the National Psychiatric Hospital has not provided the family with any information. However, Police say they are investigating the incident.

Dead: Dinesh Persaud

'Family emergency' forces Fraser-Pryce to withdraw from season opener

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has withdrawn from the Botswana Golden

Grand Prix in Gaborone on Thursday April 29. According to a statement released by the

organizers on Thursday, the fivetime World 100m champion has been forced to withdraw from

the meet because of a family emergency.

The two-time Olympic 100m gold medalist was expected to open her campaign on the African continent as she prepares to attempt to win a sixth 100m title at the World Championships in Budapest in August.

“I was very excited to kick off my season on Botswana, and while it comes as a disappointment, I will unfortunately no longer be able to compete in the Golden Grand Prix, due to a family emergency,” the superstar athlete was quoted as saying.

The organizers have wished the global track star the best.

“(We) wish Mrs Fraser-Pryce and her family well. Whilst we were looking forward to having

World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has withdrawn from her season opener

Mrs Fraser-Pryce kick off her season in Botswana, we are working on getting another athlete to fill the gap in the Women’s 100m race,” they said.

Fraser-Pryce kicked off her campaign in Nairobi, Kenya in 2022, running a world-leading 10.67. It was the first of seven

times that she ran under 10.70s in the 100m for the season, including at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where she became the first running athlete to win five titles in the same event since the championships began in 1983. (Sportsmax)

TATA IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants…

Gujarat Titans defend 135

-as Ahmad, Mohit lead the way

Agame that was very much in Lucknow Super Giants' hands was snatched from them by the combined efforts of Noor Ahmad, Mohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami. These Gujarat Titans bowlers turned the tables on the hosts when they needed a comfortable 31 to win from 36 balls, with as many as nine wickets left and a well-set KL Rahul in the middle.

The turnaround started with Noor Ahmad picking up two wickets for one run over nine balls; which put the pressure back on Super Giants, as the equation reached 23 off 18. Mohit then sent down a flurry of accurate yorkers and slower balls for six singles, while

off 19, and led his team to 53 without loss in the powerplay with Kyle Mayers, it looked like the LSG captain was ready to take on the bowlers on a slow and sluggish pitch. He and Mayers finished the boundaryladen powerplay on such a good score that the asking rate had come down to less-thansix-an-over. Rahul brought up his fifty off 38 balls, stitched a fifty stand with both Mayers and #3 Krunal Pandya, and looked all set to see his side through when they needed 31 from the last six overs. However, the Titans bowlers dried up the boundaries after the 13th over, and took advantage of Super Giants' slowdown to

quicks. They bowled three of the first six overs of the game, and Krunal even found success when Shubman Gill came down to attack but handed an easy catch to long-off after the turning ball took a leading edge.

Seeing the lack of pace on the pitch, and knowing they needed someone senior to guide the innings, Hardik Pandya promoted himself to #3. Meanwhile, Wriddhiman Saha went all out in attack, and raced to 34 off 24 to push the score to 40 for 1, which was still Titans' lowest in the powerplay this IPL.

LSG's spinners shows up, kind of Saha kept the tempo up by making room and coming down the pitch often, but he became Krunal's second victim when he

Hardik had struck the only six of the innings when David Miller joined him at 92 for 4

took all the pace off the ball, dismissed Hardik in the last over, and kept Miller to just 6

off 12 balls; which, thankfully for them, didn't prove costly in the end. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Gujarat Titans (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

Wriddhiman Saha † c

Hooda b Pandya 47 37

Shubman Gill c Ravi Bishnoi

b Pandya 0 2

Hardik Pandya (c) c

Rahul b Stoinis 66 50

Abhinav Manohar c

Naveen-ul-Haq b Mishra 3 5

Vijay Shankar b Naveen-ul-Haq 10 12

David Miller c Hooda b Stoinis 6 12

Rahul Tewatia not out 2 2

Extras (lb 1) 1

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 6.75) 135/6

Shami bowled a tight 19th over for five runs; and when 12 were needed off six, Mohit pretty much shut the game out with the wickets of Rahul and Marcus Stoinis on the second and third balls of the last over.

When 10 were needed off three, Ayush Badoni and Deepak Hooda were run out while attempting risky second runs, and a dot ball sealed the win for Titans.

Titans are on eight points now, like the three teams above them on the IPL points table, and have extended their unbeaten record against Super Giants to 3-0.

More questions on Rahul

When Rahul raced to 30

eventually emerge victorious.

Noor's second spell started the slide with wickets in consecutive overs: when Krunal was stumped while going for a big shot, and when Nicholas Pooran was caught off the leading edge by Hardik Pandya while attempting a big sweep. When it came down to the last three overs, Rahul just couldn't put away Shami and Mohit's accurate deliveries, and holed out, before Stoinis did the same in the last over.

Gujarat Titans' slowest powerplay of IPL 2023

There were early indications that the black soil pitch in Lucknow was going to help spinners a lot more than the

failed to clear long-on, and fell for 47 off 37. By then, however, Saha and Hardik had bashed Ravi Bishnoi, Super Giants' best bowler this season, out of the attack. His first two overs went for 25 runs.

Super Giants turned to the experience of Amit Mishra, who sent down slow and loopy deliveries which made scoring even tougher. Abhinav Manohar took him on by targeting the long cover boundary, where Naveen-ulHaq took a stunning diving catch, and Titans had lost wickets in successive overs to be 77 for 3 in the 12th over.

Quiet death overs despite Hardik's fifty

in the 15th over, and Titans were in desperate need of runs. Bishnoi and Avesh Khan slowed them down further with tight lines and by taking the pace off; and, curiously, they subbed out Mishra when he had two overs left. It meant Hardik faced Bishnoi in the 18th over, and the Titans captain pulled him for 4, 6 and 6 in a 19-run over that ended a 27-ball boundary drought. The first of those sixes also took Hardik to his first fifty - off 44 balls - of the season, to lift Titans almost single-handedly in the end. Even without Mishra, Super Giants emerged the better side in the last two overs, as Naveen and Stoinis

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’… Linden sees entertaining opening night

Awhopping ten games were played on Friday night in the mining town of Linden when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ tournament kicked off there

Playing at the Silvercity Hard Court in Wismar, Gennasyde picked up the first win of the 2023 tournament when they edged Street Light Ballers 1-0 Robin Wren was the marksman in that contest, striking in the 10th minute

Dark Side enjoyed a 4-0 victory over DC Ballers in the following game Nicholas Gentle was on fire with a hat trick in the 9th, 10th and 11th minutes, while Kwesi Quintin registered the Dark Side’s first goal in the 4th minute

A Guinness Goal (which counts as two goals) off the boots of Dellon Reece in the 13th gave Top Strikers the boost they needed in a 3-0 encounter with Aroaima Andrew Rice was the Strikers’ other goal-scorer in the 4th

The game following saw a stalemate between Universal

Ballers and Coomacka at the end of regulation time However, Universal Ballers went on to taste victory via a 1-0 edge from the penalty mark

A tight encounter between YMCA and Presidential eventually saw the former winning 3-2 by way of a Guinness Goal Jamal Bentick handed YMCA the lead in the 2nd, but back-to-back goals from Shemar Caesar (6th) and Maurice McCurdy (12th) put Presidential in the driver’s seat However, Keyshawn Dey netted a Guinness Goal for

YMCA in the nick of time for the victory

Another goal-fest came when the Top Form-Street Warriors encounter ended in a 5-3 win for Street Warriors

For the winners, Janeve Waldron (13th) and Abani Dow (14th) each netted a Guinness Goal to cut the deficit Shelton Whittaker (9th) was the other goal-scorer for Street Ballers Jamil James (2nd, 10th) and Dariel Adolph (11th) were the goal-scorers for Top Form

Another tense game saw Team Good Luck easing past Exodus 1-0 Delano Sulker was

the man on target, in the 4th minute, for Team Good Luck’s win

Meanwhile, Street Ballers overcame Golden Stars 3-1 A Guinness Goal off the boots of Roydell Arthur in the 13th minute and another from Shaka Lewis accounted for Street Ballers’ three, while Aqun Chester netted the consolation for Golden Stars in the 11th

The penultimate game of the night saw its regulation time expiring with another stalemate However, when Silver Bullets and One Side FC got to the penalty mark, the former prevailed 3-2

Another drawn game at the end of regulation time followed, although Taliban and High Rollers fought tooth and nail In the end, High Rollers clinched the victory 2-1 in sudden death penalty kicks

The Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition has up to $1M in cash and other prizes up for grabs

Did not bat: Rashid Khan,

Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Mohit Sharma, Jayant Yadav

Fall of wickets: 1-4

(Shubman Gill, 1.2 ov), 2-72

(Wriddhiman Saha, 10.3 ov), 3-77

(Abhinav Manohar, 11.4 ov), 4-92

(Vijay Shankar, 14.6 ov), 5-132

(Hardik Pandya, 19.2 ov), 6-135

(David Miller, 19.6 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Naveen-ul-Haq 4-0-19-1

Krunal Pandya 4-0-16-2

Avesh Khan 3-0-21-0

Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-49-0

Marcus Stoinis 3-0-20-2

Amit Mishra 2-0-9-1

Lucknow Super Giants (T: 136 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B KL Rahul (c) c Yadav b Sharma 68 61

Kyle Mayers b Rashid Khan

Mohit Sharma bowled the dream final over for the Titans

Noor Ahmad picked up the wicket of Krunal Pandya

KL Rahul got off to a good start

TATA IPL 2023: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians…

Arshdeep magic trumps Suryakumar magic

-in super fun run-fest

Punjab Kings' innings was going nowhere. After 14 overs, they were 105 for 4, with Harpreet Singh Bhatia batting on 15 off 16 and Sam Curran on 8 off 12. However, in the next six overs, they ransacked 109. Bhatia ended with 41 off 28, Curran with 55 off 29, and Jitesh Sharma with 25 off just seven. That lifted Kings to a formidable 214 for 8.

In response, Mumbai Indians were always in the contest, thanks to Rohit Sharma's 27-ball 44 and Cameron Green's 43-ball 67. Suryakumar Yadav then threatened to snatch the game from Kings with his blazing half-century, and that's when Arshdeep Singh rose to the occasion. He dismissed Suryakumar in the 18th over, and then, with 16 required from six balls, he conceded just two, while breaking the middle stumps of Tilak Varma and Nehal Wadhera with back-to-back deliveries.

The 13-run win took Kings to fifth position, with eight points from seven games. In fact, each of the top five teams have eight points, only the net run rate separates them.

Rohit, Green keep Mumbai on track

Before his heroics at the death, Arshdeep dealt Mumbai an early below by sending back Ishan Kishan in the second over of the chase. Rohit and Green didn't let that deter them, and kept finding boundaries at regular intervals. They hit five fours and three sixes in the powerplay to take Mumbai to 54 for 1 after six overs. The pair added 76 off 50 balls before Rohit spooned a return catch to Liam Livingstone in the tenth over.

Green and Suryakumar press on further

With Mumbai needing 127 in the last 10 overs, Suryakumar didn't waste any time. He swept his third ball for a four, before hitting Livingstone for a hattrick of fours. It was a typical Suryakumar innings: he hit a 26-ball 57 with 33 of those runs coming behind square on the leg side.

At the other end, Green switched gear. In the 15th over, he hit Rahul Chahar for a six and four, bringing up his half-century in the process and reducing the equation to 66 needed from 30

balls.

Ellis and Arshdeep show their skills Green started the 16th over by hitting Nathan Ellis, Kings' Impact Player, for a four and a six. But Ellis had him miscuing a back-of-the-hand slower one, and Curran settled under it near extra cover. Despite that, Mumbai were very much in the game. In fact, Suryakumar's six and four off Curran in the 17th over put Mumbai ahead. With 40 needed from the last three overs, Tim David hit Arshdeep's first ball - a full tossfor six, but the bowler conceded only three off the remaining five balls, one of which also took out Suryakumar. It was a low full toss that the batter flicked towards midwicket, where Atharva Taide leapt to his left to pluck the ball.

David still threatened to pull it off for Mumbai. In the penultimate over, he hit an Ellis full toss for a 114-metre six, but apart from that, he struggled to middle the ball. In the final over, he took a single on Arshdeep's first ball, and then spent the rest of the over at the non-striker's end watching a death-bowling masterclass.

Prabhsimran, Taide revive the powerplay

Earlier, Kings had a quiet start after being sent in. Matthew Short tried to take on Green in the third over, flicking him over

It was even stevens when the last over started, but Arshdeep Singh made sure the result went his team's way

square leg for four. He eyed another boundary on the next ball, but his attempted pull failed to clear Piyush Chawla at short midwicket.

After three overs, Kings were 20 for 1. The next three, however, produced 38, as Jason Behrendorff bowled a couple of short balls in the fourth, and Prabhsimran Singh duly dispatched them over the short square-leg boundary. From the other end, Taide ramped Jofra Archer for his first six. Rohit introduced Chawla in the sixth over, and the two batters each picked up a boundary off him as well, to lift Kings to 58 for 1 by the end of the powerplay.

Tendulkar, Chawla drag Kings back

It was a bit of a surprise when Arjun Tendulkar, who swung the new ball, was taken off after just one over. When he came back for his second, in the seventh of the innings, he had Prabhsimran lbw with an excellent yorker, the ball sneaking underneath the bat to hit the back shoe.

Chawla hurt Kings further with his double-strike in the tenth over. First, seeing Livingstone come down the track, he slipped one down the leg side to have him stumped. Three balls later, he beat Taide on the sweep. The ball hit the pad and went on to disturb the stumps. That left Kings on 83 for 4 after ten overs.

Monumental Milo final...

FROM PAGE 32 ►

YOUNG LIONS OF FOOTBALL

While two quality teams will be on display, spectators are invited to look out for the individual talents; the faces of Guyana’s football future.

Seon Cato of Chase’s Academy, who is set to don the number ‘10’ jersey, is hard to miss in the midfield. Already having 8 goals in the tournament thus far, he has a habit of showing up at critical moments, and will surely be looking to extend his personal tally.

Further, this young football lion has set his mind and heart on bagging Chase’s 4th Milo title.

“I think the team is good. Going into the finals, we’re looking to play hard and win, to carry away the championship once again,” Cato told <<Guyana Times Sport>> prior to their semifinal victory.

Another star to watch on the Chase team is forward Neeiaz Baksh, who has amassed 5 goals in the competition and has a knack of finding the back of the net from the most unlikely of positions.

Another forward to watch is Justin Alcindor, who, as a winger, is another cannon in the Chase’s arsenal.

The Santa Rosa team is equally stacked with up-and-coming stars. Captain Roy Vansluytman is a born leader and an impressive strategist. He has the joint highest goal tally for the Region One outfit, and Chase’s would be well advised to look

out for his powerful strikes from afar.

Then there is Darius Williams, who also has six goals in the competition and fancies the closer shots and penalties.

“I just think we need to touch the ball around more,” Vansluytman has shared with this publication about Santa Rosa’s simple plan for the final.

With this constellation of stellar talent, tonight’s Milo final is a definite must-see.

The third-place playoff, between Carmel Secondary and Mackenzie High, is also set to be an entertaining spectacle. Carmel, who suffered a narrow 2-1 loss in the semifinal, are bolstered by the tournament’s current highest goal-scorer, Ian Daniels (12 goals), and are sure to bring highintensity opposition to Mackenzie High.

Having unceremoniously ousted their rivals, last year’s champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary, from the competition, Mackenzie High appeared a bit lackluster in their semifinal fixture. However, bounce back to dominance tonight could make that semifinal outing a forgettable one.

The Milo final is set for 18:00hrs, while the third-place playoff is set for kickoff at 16:00hrs.

The Milo tournament is supported by Nestle Milo; Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc (GINMIN); General Equipment Guyana (Genequip) and MVP Sports. (Jemima Holmes)

sixes. After a single on the third, Green dismissed Bhatia, but Jitesh launched him for two more maximums to make it 25 from the over.

Curran brought up his fifty, off 26 balls, with a four off

Archer, before getting out in the same over. Jitesh wasn't done yet, though. He hit two more sixes in the final over, bowled by Behrendorff, to take Kings to what proved to be just the winning total. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Punjab Kings (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B

Matthew Short c Chawla b Green 11 10

Prabhsimran Singh

lbw b Tendulkar 26 17

Atharva Taide b Chawla 29 17

Liam Livingstone st

†Ishan Kishan b Chawla 10 12

Harpreet Singh b Green 41 28

Sam Curran (c) c & b Archer 55 29

Jitesh Sharma † b Behrendorff 25 7

M Shahrukh Khan not out 0 0

Harpreet Brar run out

(Tilak Varma/†Ishan Kishan) 5 2

Extras (lb 3, nb 2, w 7) 12

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.70) 214/8

Calm followed by carnage Bhatia and Curran consolidated for a while, scoring only 22 from the next four overs. But then came the acceleration, and how it came. Hrithik Shokeen's 13-run over, the 15th of the innings, was a bad omen for Mumbai, but instead of bringing back Chawla, who had figures of 2 for 15 from three overs, Rohit went ahead with Tendulkar. Curran and Bhatia smashed him for four fours and two sixes, taking 31 from the over, which also featured a wide and beamer.

Two overs later, Green came in for the punishment. Curran started it with two successive

Did not bat: Arshdeep

Singh, Rahul Chahar

Fall of wickets: 1-18

(Matthew Short, 2.3 ov), 2-65

(Prabhsimran Singh, 6.4 ov), 3-82

(Liam Livingstone, 9.1 ov), 4-83

(Atharva Taide, 9.4 ov), 5-175

(Harpreet Singh, 17.4 ov), 6-197

(Sam Curran, 18.6 ov), 7-209

(Jitesh Sharma, 19.4 ov), 8-214

(Harpreet Brar, 19.6 ov) •

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Arjun Tendulkar 3-0-48-1

Jason Behrendorff 3-0-41-1

Cameron Green 4-0-41-2

Jofra Archer 4-0-42-1

Piyush Chawla

Sam Curran smashed 55 in 29 balls

Monumental Milo final on tonight!

Achance at redemption and a taste of glory will be on the line this evening when the Milo Schools’ Football tournament 2023 concludes with its grand finale.

Set for the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown, this monumental clash would involve the best youth talents in 90 scintillating minutes of football showmanship. Both finalists: Region One’s Santa Rosa Secondary and Chase’s Academic Foundation of Georgetown, have played unbeaten in this year’s tournament, and each have five wins and a draw under their belt.

For Santa Rosa, who are new to the competition, tonight’s final is a chance to stun their opponents and prove a point about the quality of schools’ football in the hinterland regions. However, former back-to-back champions Chase’s Academy, who have spent 4 years away from the competition, are the only

three-time champions of the Milo tournament (2015, 2016, 2017), and would have a point to prove with their ultimate redemption on the line. While both sides have cruised through both the Group

stage and the Round-of- 16, their mettle was finally tested in the latter rounds of the competition. In the Chase case, they needed to find the resolve to spur a comeback against Ann’s Grove in last Sunday’s

quarterfinals. And Santa Rosa’s most difficult challenge came in the semifinal, when overcoming Carmel Secondary almost proved to be a bridge too far.

GCB Under-19 Inter-County three-day tournament 2023…

RAIN HALTS PLAY

- Berbice Coach confident of winning double

Heavy rainfall has postponed the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Under-19 Inter-County threeday tournament. Matches in the second round were expected to commence yesterday, Saturday April 22, with Berbice playing Essequibo at Everest and Demerara facing GCB Select XI at Enmore. However, the GCB announced via a media group on Friday evening that the matches have been postponed due to “heavy and persistent rainfall.”

In the opening round of the three-day tournament, Essequibo defeated the GCB Select XI by five wickets, while Berbice prevailed by nine wickets over Demerara inside two days. The dominant Berbice team were crowned champions of the 50-over tournament last week, and Berbice Head Coach Leslie Solomon, in a recent interview, said he is confident of Berbice winning the threeday title as well.

“We have to work on our running between the wickets and the all-round fielding.

Berbice top players Rampertab Ramnauth and Isai Thorne (Brandon Corlette photo) Berbice Head Coach Leslie Solomon tournament

We were outstanding against Demerara, but we still need some fine-tuning in the field, and the bowling in terms of accuracy. The batsmen need to apply themselves more, bat in partnerships and put a price on their wickets. If we could get those together, we will go far in the three-day.

“I am very confident. The only thing that may affect us in the three-day is that some of the players may have CXC during the three-day matches, so we will miss a few players,”

Solomon said.

In the opening round of this tournament, which is sponsored by the Government of Guyana, Isai Thorne and Aryan Persaud were recognized as “players of the match”. Thorne took 7-33 in the Berbice second innings, while Essequibo’s Aryan Persaud took 11 wickets across both innings against the Select XI.

See below summarized scores from the first-round matches in three-day

Essequibo defeated the GCB Select XI by five wickets

SUMMARY: Guyana Cricket Board Select XI U19 scored 209 all out from 71.3 overs (Kevin Kisten 63, Ezekiel Wilson 55, Nityanand Mathura 27; Aryan Persaud 5-69, Myhiem Khan 3-29, Joash Charles 2-28) and 157 all out from 52.4 overs (Mathura 30, Kisten 28, Wilson 25; Persaud 6-53, Khan 2-46, Rajendra Ramballi 1-23) vs Essequibo U-19 134 all out from 36.5 overs (Shaaid

Vieira 34, Theddeus Lovell 32, Ronaldo Schouten 21; Wilson 3-37, Matthew Pattoya 2-5, Chanderpaul Ramraj 2-16) and 233-5 from 80.2 (Theddeus Lovell 67*, Myhiem Khan 50, Shaaid Vieira 50, Persaud 28*; Hemraj 2-43).

Berbice defeated Demerara by nine wickets

SUMMARY: Demerara U-19 scored 122 all out from 50.1 overs (Rivaldo Phillips 57, Mavindra Dindyal 20, Lawrence Pellew 12, Shamar Yearwood 11; Jeremy Sandia

3-33, Jonathan Rampersaud 2-16, Isai Thorne 2-25) and 101 all out from 28.3 overs (Anthon Lim 42, Nehemiah Honenkirk 22*, Yearwood 11; Thorne 7-33, Rampersaud 2-22, Sandia 1-9) vs Berbice U-19 119 all out from 42.4 overs (Tomani Caesar 32, Rampertab Ramnauth 22, Leon Cecil 18; Krisna Singh 3-38, Dindyal 2-18, Honenkirk 2-22, Alvin Mohabir 2-31) and 107-1 from 24.5 overs (Ramnauth 53*, Hemendra Gurdayal 28, Zeynul Ramsammy 24*; Mohabir 1-24).

Captains of Santa Rosa Secondary and Chase’s Academic Foundation, Roy Vansluytman and Seon Cato, get a touch of the Milo Championship Trophy