New Forest village to light up with electricity for 1st time
Husband arrested 2 days after attempted murder of wife
SOCU warns public about fraudsters posing as DHL, Samsung executives
Monkey Mountain Nursery School in Region 8 commissioned VP warns against Guyana’s Parliamentary
VP warns against Guyana’s Parliamentary breaches becoming
normalised …after Bahamas parliamentary mace controversy sparks déjà vu
Guyana which is well-acquainted with contentious moments in the National Assembly, prompt-
any censorship. He should have been censored for lying to the parliament.”
This is likely a reference to Alliance For Change (AFC) point man on energy, David Patterson, who caught flak in 2023 for claiming during that year’s examination of the budget, that the Norwegians had informed the former Government in 2015 that electricity from the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project would cost US 25 cents per kW.
He had also claimed that this cost was subsequently revised to US 30 cents per kW, taking into account the overall cost of the project. However, Jagdeo had subse-
ing Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to issue a stern warning about the risk of such incidents becoming the norm.
His warning comes on the heels of recent events in the Bahamas, where the deputy opposition leader grabbed and hurled the Bahamas parliamentary mace through a window during a heated debate over corruption and the indictment of senior police officers.
It is a moment eerily similar to December 29, 2021, when several opposition Members of Parliament (MP’s) in Guyana’s National Assembly grabbed the ceremonial mace and then engaged in a tug-of-war with parliamentary staff and Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir himself. While these MPs were punished, Jagdeo expressed concern over other breaches in the National Assembly that tend to fly under the radar.
“I think our speaker is a little more accommodating (than in Bahamas). In Guyana’s case the matter went to the committee of privileges. And they agreed on disciplinary measures, which were then implemented. So, I agree with that,” Jagdeo said during his press conference.
“The routine stuff we see in our parliament. What may be an unusual thing for the Bahamas, we see it routinely in our parliament. The distortion of facts, without any consequences. We saw Patterson stand up on the floor and lie about Amaila Falls. Said power was coming in at (25) cents per kilowatt (kW). Without
quently clarified that the cost was always going to be US 10
brought before the Privileges Committee, it was recommended that Jones, Mahipaul, Duncan and Singh-Lewis be each suspended for four consecutive sittings for attempting to prevent the second and third readings of the NRF Bill, and for conducting themselves in a gross, disorderly, contumacious and disrespectful manner, and repeatedly ignoring the authority of the Assembly and that of the Speaker, and thereby committing contempt and breaches of privileges.
A recommendation was also made for MPs Ferguson and Jordan to each be suspended for six consecutive sittings for a similar offence. However, their suspension was higher, since the Committee concurred that they had committed “serious violations which were severe and egregious by unauthorisedly removing the Parliamentary Mace from its rightful position in a disorderly fashion, causing damage to the Mace, injuring and assaulting a staff of the Parliament Office, while attempting to remove the Mace from the Chamber”.
Meanwhile, a similar recommendation of suspension for six consecutive sittings was made against Sarabo-
cents per kilowatt and had threatened to have Patterson taken to the Committee of Privileges.
“So, if we allow people to get away with these things, after a while it becomes normalised. And that’s why I’ve almost moved on mentally from what they say in parliament,” Jagdeo went on to say at his press conference.
The mace grabbing incident in Guyana’s National Assembly, which occurred while the Government was attempting to pass the Natural Resources Fund Bill of 2021, resulted in eight APNU/AFC MPs being suspended from parliamentary sittings for various periods. Those eight MPs were Chief Whip Christopher Jones, Ganesh Mahipaul, Sherod Duncan, Natasha SinghLewis, Annette Ferguson, Vinceroy Jordan, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and Maureen Philadelphia.
When the matter was
Halley, whose violations were found to be “severe and egregious with regard to unauthorisedly entering the communication control room of the ACCC and destroying several pieces of audio-visual equipment, being public property”.
Suspension was also recommended for MP Philadelphia, for six consecutive sittings over her severe and egregious violations, whereby she “verbally assaulted a staff of the Parliament Office within the precincts of the National Assembly”.
The MPs would go on to lose three court cases, in the first two cases the High Court and the Demerara Full Court refused their applications for interim orders that, among other things, would have allowed them to attend sittings of the National Assembly. They then had their substantive case to overturn their suspensions, thrown out in January 2023 by High Court Judge
Damone Younge.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
A tug-of-war between APNU/AFC MPs and Parliament Staff after the Opposition Parliamentarians stole the mace from Speaker Manzoor Nadir in December 2021
Scene from the recent chaos that erupted after the Bahamas Deputy Opposition Leader threw the mace through the window
New Forest village to light up with electricity for 1st time ever this Christmas – Finance Minister
The community of New Forest, East Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is expected to receive electricity for the first time before Christmas.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh confirmed this on Saturday when he met with residents of villages surrounding New Forest.
The last village in East Canje, which is connected to the national grid is Gangaram. The three populated villages that come after and stretch eight miles from Gangaram to New Forest; Speculation, Zorg, and Good Land, like New Forest have never been connected to the national grid.
Addressing residents on Saturday, Singh said it is the government’s principal objective to ensure that the lives of every Guyanese are improved irrespective of where they live.
It was in May that the minister visited the community where he was told that there was no electricity connected to the area. During that meeting, he made the promise that before the year ends residents of New Forest will have access to electricity.
On Saturday, he noted that there were three areas in Region Six where residents had never been connected to the grid. These areas are the Upper East Canje area, the East Bank of Berbice (EEB), and sections of Crabwood Creek (CWC).
The four communities in CWC have since been connected to the grid while the poles have been accumulated for the EBB and planting is expected to commence on Wednesday.
“Where there are even more remote communities like in the hinterland where the villages are far away from the grid and it is not feasible to connect them to the grid because of the distance, in some cases, we have been putting mini-grids like in Moca Moca where have built a mini hydro. In some cases, even a mini-grid because of the dispersion of the population – they live far apart and we can’t have a mini-grid, we took a decision that we will deliver household-level solution. Since President Ali assumed office, we have already 30,000 household-level units; this is solar panels, battery storage, a few lamps, and a fan. We have delivered those to hinterland villages and Amerindian villages throughout the length and breadth of the country,” Singh pointed out.
Meanwhile, in East Canje in excess of 50 families are expected to benefit from the intervention. Singh noted that the poles have already been planted and the wires connected.
“You have the responsibility to wire your own home. GPL [Guyana Power and
Light] will work closely with the residents to make sure that the connections to the homes are made, and the certification and inspections are
“There is some work to be done and we have to organize ourselves so that we can process them together. We will give you all the support
done so that you can get electricity before Christmas.”
The lines to the community have already been powered.
Lines installed
Chief Executive Officer for the GPL Kesh Nandall explained that noted that 9 kilometers of medium and low voltage lines were installed.
so that you can get power to your homes. You will have reliable electricity,” the CEO said.
Meanwhile, Singh noted that while it is about the delivery of electricity to New Forest and nearby villages, there is a bigger picture within which it should be viewed.
“It is a commitment that you would have heard our
President made repeatedly that our government’s principal objective is to ensure that the lives of every single Guyanese irrespective of where they live, that their lives are improved. In some communities it means the upgrading of community roads because historically in some communities the roads have been non-existent – you have seen the thousands of community roads that we have built, in many communities it means building or expanding a school or a health centre,” Singh said.
He also noted that the electricity demand has been increasing as he referred to the New Forest project as being a small addition to the grid.
“There are new housing areas with hundreds of houses that are being brought onto the grid; we have new industrial and commercial investments including things like hotels, factories, warehouses, processing plants, etc. all of whom are coming onto the grid and demanding electricity. This has resulted in the skyrocketing electricity demand.”
The demand for electricity from GPL has moved from almost 100 megawatts to almost 200 megawatts currently.
“This has resulted in the need for more electricity which we have been bringing as rapidly as can.
Earlier this year GPL hired a power ship that is currently delivering 36 megawatts of power and a second power ship is expected to arrive before the end of the year. That ship is expected to have the capacity of delivering 60 megawatts of power. (G4)
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, along with GPL CEO Kesh Nandlall and Region 6 Chairman David Armogan, during a meeting on Saturday with residents of New Forest and surrounding villages
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The Ethics of Responsibility
The ‘Ethics of Responsibility’ refers to the moral obligation to consider the wellbeing and interests of future generations when making decisions or taking actions in the present, with the aim of ensuring the long-term sustainability of human life on Earth. In other words, it is built on a system of ethics, in which decisions and actions must be ethically validated before proceeding. If the action or decision causes harm to society or the environment, then it would be considered to be socially irresponsible.
Moral values that are inherent in society create a distinction between right and wrong. In this way, social fairness is believed (by most) to be in the “right”, but more frequently than not, this “fairness” is absent. Every individual has a responsibility to act in a manner that is beneficial to society, and not solely to the individual.
Moral values that are inherent in society create a distinction between right and wrong. In this way, social fairness is believed (by most) to be in the “right”, but more frequently than not, this “fairness” is absent. Every individual has a responsibility to act in manner that is beneficial to society and not solely to the individual.
The ethicist Jonathan Sacks makes the crucial distinction between the urgent and the important as he brings the notion of social responsibility to the individual level which is critical at this juncture of our history. He noted that “In praise of someone who had died, no one ever spoke about the car they drove, the house they owned, the clothes they wore, the exotic holidays they took. No one’s last thought was ever, “I wish I had spent more time in the office.” The things we spend most of our time pursuing turn out to be curiously irrelevant when it comes to seeing the value of a life as a whole. They are urgent but not important, and in the crush and press of daily life, the urgent tends to win out over the important.
“Happiness, as opposed to pleasure, is a matter of a life well lived, one that honours the important, not just the urgent. This has been confirmed by many recent research studies. One showed that life satisfaction increased 24 percent with a person’s level of altruistic activity. Another discovered that those who had more opportunities to help others felt 11 percent better about themselves. Several studies have shown that the best predictor of happiness is the sense that you have a purpose in life. Those who hold strong spiritual beliefs are typically satisfied with life, while those who have no spiritual beliefs are typically unsatisfied. People who feel responsible for their lives express one-third more life satisfaction than those who feel they lack control. When subjects were asked to choose any of 20 different factors contributing to happiness, there was only one no one chose: financial status. People who own the most are only as happy as those who have the least, and half as happy as those who are content with what they have. The desire to give is stronger than the desire to have. This alone is enough to defeat cynicism and fatalism about the human condition.
“Happiness is the ability to say: I lived for certain values and acted on them. I was part of a family, embracing it and being embraced by it. I was part of a community, honoring its traditions, sharing its griefs and joys, ready to help others, knowing that they were ready to help me. I did not only ask what I could take; I asked what I could contribute. To know that you made a difference, that in this all-too-brief span of years you lifted someone’s spirits, relieved someone’s poverty or loneliness, or brought to the world a moment of grace or justice that would not have happened had it not been for you—these are as close as we get to the meaningfulness of a life, and they are matters of everyday rather than heroic virtue.”
Importance of accurate reporting on oil & gas in Guyana
Dear Editor, I write with deep concern regarding the sensational and misleading headline of an article published in Kaieteur News on December 6, 2024; to wit: “Showing how oil money being spent would be difficult.”
This headline grossly distorts Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s remarks, and fails to reflect the actual message he conveyed, as is accurately captured in other sections of the media under the title “Itemizing use of oil money in budget difficult, but our spending is transparent – Jagdeo.”
In his statements, Mr. Jagdeo clearly emphasized
that while itemizing every detail of oil revenue utilization in a budget can be logistically challenging due to the nature of consolidated budgeting, the Government’s spending remains transparent and accountable.
Misrepresenting such critical nuances risks undermining public trust in Government institutions, and fuels unnecessary confusion in regard to the use of oil revenues — an issue that is of paramount importance to Guyana’s future.
The oil and gas sector represents a transformative opportunity for our nation, but only if man-
aged with transparency, effective governance, and public confidence. When media outlets sensationalize or distort public statements, they do a disservice not only to their readers, but also to the broader discourse on this vital sector.
Responsible journalism is key to ensuring the public remains informed and empowered to engage constructively with decisions regarding how this newfound wealth is managed.
Editor, the result of Kaieteur News' misinformation was, not unexpectedly, the PNCR and AFC scrambling to employ the misinformation to score political points and attack
the PPP/C government. I urge all media entities to exercise caution and integrity when reporting on sensitive matters such as oil and gas. Misinformation or sensationalism in this space risks fuelling distrust, politicization, and division at a time when national unity and informed dialogue are essential. Let us not squander this historic moment with reckless narratives, but instead work collectively — Government, media, and citizens alike — to ensure that Guyana’s oil wealth benefits all Guyanese.
Sincerely,
Anson A Paul
Dear Editor,
I write with a deep sense of commitment to the preservation of Guyana’s history and heritage, and in light of recent developments surrounding the digitisation project of the National Archives of Guyana.
This project represents a critical opportunity to safeguard the records that connect countless Guyanese — locally and globally — to their roots. While it is commendable that efforts are being made to modernise the archives, there remains significant concern about
transparency and the evaluation process for the selection of bids for this important initiative.
A proposal for this project was submitted on October 1, 2024 at 8:50am Eastern Time, as per the guidelines outlined by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).
Adhering to all submission requirements, including timelines and documentation, the bid was dutifully placed in the designated tender box. Despite this compliance, the absence of ac-
knowledgement or feedback regarding its evaluation or exclusion has raised questions about the clarity and fairness of the process.
This concern becomes even more pressing when the urgent need to digitise the deteriorating records of the National Archives is taken into consideration. These records are vital, not only for those tracing their heritage, but also for Guyana’s broader historical scholarship and cultural preservation. The current condition of some archival materials — many of which are unreadable with-
out specialized equipment — makes digitisation an absolute priority. It is also worth noting that meaningful contributions have already been made to this effort by various entities, including the provision of scanners, high-resolution cameras, and technical expertise to support the digitisation process. The exclusion of such committed participants from the bidding process without explanation could inadvertently hinder the project’s progress.
President Dr Irfaan Ali had some fun on the field during an exhibition T20 cricket match with the production crew and support staff from the recently wrapped-up Global Super League T20 tournament. The game took place at the Bourda Cricket Club, where President Ali took on the role of captain, leading his team to bat first and setting a score of 121 after 20 overs. In the second innings, the President took charge again, this time leading his team in bowling and fielding to secure a victory, as the opposing team was bowled out for 115 runs in 19.5 overs (Office of the President photo)
ANUG’s proposals on its seat predicament
Dear Editor,
I kindly ask that you afford me the same space to respond to his latest misinformation missive regarding the call by various Opposition groups/individuals for GECOM to get its act together.
The matter at hand, “the Asha Kissoon blunder”, is but a simple one, which need not be this distressingly protracted if GECOM -- the constitutional agency vested with the powers to direct and control matters regarding elections and political parties that could participate in same -had done its job efficiently and unerringly.
GECOM’s functionalities are unswervingly specific by way of the Constitution, and are more granular in the Representation of the Peoples Act (ROPA) Cap 1:03.
ANUG, LJP and TNM, three new political parties, in 2020 agreed, via a Memorandum of Understanding, to utilize this provision of ROPA to optimize their chance of success. The MOU was made public, and was finely detailed by the press, including the 13 provisions to which all Joinder parties had to adhere.
When the results of the count were calculated by GECOM, the LJP gained 2657 votes, ANUG gained 2313 and the TNM gained 244. None of the three parties was able to gain a seat on their own, but the Combination of Lists was a success in that it was the largest “surplus” of votes by any party/grouping as provided for by ROPA 97(2).
When it came to allocation of seats, the group with
the largest surplus of votes was awarded a seat, since one seat had remained after the electoral quota was tabulated, when all parties were proportioned seats based on their votes and in alignment with ROPA 97(3).
For the selection of a candidate for Parliament, the LJP party Representative of their List (Mr John Flores) extracted Mr Lennox Shuman (an eligible name from the LJP’s list), and along with the accompanying signatures from the other Representatives of the Other Lists of the Joinder (ANUGMr. Jonathan Yearwood and TNM - Dr. Gerald Forde), submitted it to GECOM as per ROPA 98(a).
GECOM then did their part in ensuring that indeed Mr. Shuman came from the right list, and proper procedure was adhered to; and as a result, Mr Shuman’s name was furnished to Parliament for acceptance as a duly accepted Member of Parliament. All was good and well with GECOM, Parliament and the Guyanese people.
When the LJP’s time came to an end, as per the MOU, Mr. Shuman duly stepped down as per the arrangement. The TNM and ANUG had internal discussions, and due to TNM requesting of ANUG to show good faith to allow TNM’s representative to go ahead of ANUG in the event that there was a snap election and TNM did not get a chance in Parliament, ANUG allowed TNM to go ahead.
The name extracted was Ms. Asha Kissoon, who submitted documents to GECOM and ANUG on
Duplicitous DNA
Dear Editor,
The law teaches us not to lie, that is why before giving evidence in a court of law you are asked to take an oath using, whatever the supreme text or Holy Book that one subscribes to. This is meant to reduce the incidence of lying. And this is the problem we are faced with as a nation here in Guyana a lie, the problem of having to face up to daily doses of lies and half-truths, peddled by our political parties.
In fact, the rule is, if you lie to us once then everything else is treated as suspect, now this is the dilemma The Opposition has found itself into, so let us take a brief look into a few of these lying stories of the duplicitous bunch, on the opposite side. In the first instance it was the narrative that the people of this country would never be able to physically benefit from our sovereign wealth, all nice sounding words. Now that the $100,000 cash grant is a reality, The Opposition is thrown into mourning, and the lie they have peddled is now exposed, because the
behalf of her party, showing one Mr Kenrick Morgan as the New Representative of TNM’s list. GECOM, being the body that deals with Lists and their representatives, accepted Ms. Kissoon’s information.
The TNM had had some internal issues, and both the Representative (Dr Forde) and the Deputy Representative (Dr Josh Kanhai) of the list (TNM) had left the party. However, neither of the two gentlemen had resigned or relinquished their positions from TNM and to GECOM.
Dr Kissoon purportedly submitted to GECOM documents requesting a change in Representative of TNM’s list to (Mr Morgan), but the documents were inadequate (not enough signatures, at least half the members of the list of candidates submitted to GECOM pre-2020; which equals to at least 22 signatures of those candidates). Dr Kissoon’s documents only bore 8 signatures, and 2 of those signatures were names not on the original list of candidates submitted to GECOM).
Right away GECOM should have picked up this flagrant violation of its laws in the moment of receiving such documentation, and should have advised that party accordingly. The Speaker of the House, on receipt of the name from GECOM, could have only assumed that proper procedure had been adhered to, and he allowed the member to be elected to the hallowed chambers.
No Parliamentarian from either the governing side or from the major oppo-
payout is a sure reality, moving forward.
One would have thought that they would have been remorseful seeing they were caught in a lie, instead the opposition have become more barefaced in their pursuit of the dissemination of innuendos and misinformation, hoping that it would gain some traction in the minds of the populace.
But the opposite has occurred, no one believes them, so they have moved over to another phase of their false information campaign. They are advocating that the NRF is a bogus setup so formed to enhance the image of the PPP/C Government, then let the NRF be controlled by The Opposition instead. Now, what a preposterous proposal, weren’t they the party who for two full years secretly hid the oil deal from this country? In addition, weren’t they the same culprits who hid the first oil monies (US$18M) that to this day we are searching to find its location? With such a duplicitous performance should we take their word that they have changed or
sition ever questioned the appointment, nor did any political party. Clearly, to now cast blame on the Joinder list for not doing due diligence in interpreting the constitution, when it is clearly GECOM’s mandate, is reflective of one who is seeking glory when he himself, as all others mentioned, is to share this blame for this travesty.
The duplicitousness of Mr. Bhagwandin and his feigned ignorance have no bounds when it comes to realizing political hacking for his next blessing, even though he is a highly remunerated state officer, paid by the public purse.
It only came to the fore for all parties, and Guyana for that matter, that something was amiss when Dr Kissoon refused to step down at the end of her agreed tenure, and took a vow of silence. Dr Forde, being the known Rep of the list, then wrote to GECOM, questioning his status and through what means was Dr Kissoon’s name extracted. Simultaneously, he sent a letter to the Hon Speaker of the House, asking for the recall of the Member. It was Dr Forde’s questions which got GECOM’s CEO to look for Dr Kissoon’s documentation regarding the change in Representative of the list; which, when found, was inadequate.
After much deliberation, the advice of the in-house legal counsel was requested, which proved to be very revealing in that it showed that GECOM may have erred once again in matters involving the Joinder seat. This information has been available to the Commission for over 3
of the Opposition
should we be so stupid to allow such individuals to manage our affairs again? The answer is a resounding no!
We move on to the opposition vociferously calling for a halt to the verification process before a payout, calling it a waste of time and a duplication of information that is already in the system. Now, weren’t these the very same party who vigorously agitated for a new and “Clean voters List,” before next year’s general elections? Yes, it is, their claim being persons have died between the last general elections and the present time, so, let those persons be removed from the list of registrants.
Now, the government is going on that same logic, where verification before a cash payout, meaning, there are persons who would have died or migrated before the payout. So, to clear up any doubts as regards the recipient of the cash grant, there must be a photographic display of a living person before a payout. The Opposition is now talking from the other side of their mouths, vilifying the verification process,
months, but it was only 2 weeks ago (Nov 22, 2024) that the revelation was made public via a press conference.
The solution is simple:
• Admit that GECOM did err on at least two occasions involving TNM. These are in the purported change of Representative, and in allowing the wrong candidate from the wrong list to enter Parliament.
• Inform Dr Forde that he is still the Official Representative of the List of TNM. Once this is done, then Dr Forde’s letter of recall of the Member, sent to the Speaker and received since March 16th, 2023, takes effect immediately.
• The Speaker can then declare the seat open and inform the rightful representative of the right List of candidates (LJP) of the need to fill the vacancy via the right procedure; or, if the LJP is unwilling, to maintain the seat empty until such time that it can be filled, or to the
end of the current life of this Parliament.
• Advise the rightful agencies to investigate if taxpayers’ dollars were/are being collected in keeping with the law and take action forthwith.
• Relieve Dr. Kissoon from her chastity of silence and the stress that the public ridicule brings due to her behaviour.
• Take all of this as a learning experience for GECOM and all public offices, to ensure that all staff work according to SOPs and perform due diligence always.
• Look at Electoral and Constitutional reforms that would add clarity to the interpretation of our laws that govern elections, and improve efficiency, effectiveness, and inclusivity at GECOM.
Regards, Dr Mark France, Chairman, ANUG
Request for transparency and feedback...
FROM PAGE 4
To ensure the success of future procurement opportunities, I respectfully suggest that the tendering process for projects of such national significance adopt measures that promote greater transparency and accountability. These could include:
• Acknowledgment of Receipt: Confirming submissions with time-stamped receipts.
how duplicitous can they be? We are ever so wary of this duplicitous song The Opposition is singing.
Then there is this other drama queen with his fantasy comment of his party winning the next election with a “flawed voters list,” however, if they lose then there will be problems. Now, it is somewhat a good idea to have a dream in fantasy, however real world teaches us a different story. So, let me enlighten this comedian, an election is held for the people to express their free will as to who governs them, and not the other way round, that is, to soothe the emotions of a buffoon or his party, sorry sir, things are not like that in the civilized world.
So, I close by saying we the people are not easily swayed by lies and duplicitous people, we are very concerned with those who are called to lead us, a duplicitous and diabolical opposition is not one of them, Guyanese are much wiser now folks.
Respectfully, Neil
Adams
• Bid Evaluation Reports: Providing participants with feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their proposals. Clear Communication: Timely updates regarding the status of bid evaluations and decisions.
These steps would not only strengthen trust in the procurement system, but also encourage broader participation from stakeholders who are eager to contribute to Guyana’s development.
I urge the relevant authorities to reflect on these concerns, and provide clarity on the selection process for this critical project. Transparency, fairness, and inclusivity are essential in ensuring that the digitisation of Guyana’s Archives is executed to the highest standards, preserving our shared history for generations to come.
Sincerely, Brian Ramphal
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
MISUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS — CONTINUED
Last week, within the text dealing with the misuse and abuse of antibiotics, I had mentioned — among the important considerations — that companion animal caregivers must guard against the unnecessary usage of antibiotics, particularly when our pets are ailing.
This is not an issue that occurs only in Guyana. It is a global problem — needing a global intervention and solution.
Luckily, I came across a paper written by an experienced and registered Pharmacist, Ms. Sandra Khan, Rph, who quite knowledgeably elaborated on this very theme in a document entitled “ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP”. With her kind and generous permission, we are reproducing the following tour-de-force text:
and pharmaceutical scientists, slated October 28, 2022 to focus on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Antimicrobial stewardship is the vigilant and accountable management of agents used to treat suspected
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), a global nongovernmental organization with four million members, comprising of pharmacists
microbes (fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasites) that invade and infect the host, whether humans, animals, or plants. Antimicrobial agents include antivirals, antifungals,
antibacterials/antibiotics, antiparasitics, biocides and disinfectants.
The question is, why is there such an emphasis to monitor how these antimicrobials are chosen, administered and consumed? The answer lies in your imagination of the world before penicillin (first antibiotic) was discovered in 1928, when mankind was threatened by plagues with no line of defense at hand.
Although we currently have a selection of antibiotics from various classes and levels from first generation to Fourth generation, no novel antibiotic has been released. So the pool of reserve is restricted. This is the treatment challenge facing healthcare professionals, to effectively combat established and emerging infections, in spite of resistance to antimicrobial agents.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is caused by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials where the microbes change over time and no longer
antimicrobials, prolonged hospitalization, disability and, in worst case scenario, death.
FIP partnered with the lead organization, the World Health Organization (WHO), since pharmacists are strategically placed to champion the fight against AMR which is considered one of the top ten global health threats against humanity. FIP does not only focus on policy and advocacy but sent strong signals to the global ministerial meeting, indicating that 144 countries had a national action plan to address AMR.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that more than half of the antibiotics prescribed in hospitals were inconsistent with the recommended prescribing practices. The following stats released by (CDC) show unjustified prescriptions in the
(alpha, beta, gamma, delta, omicron, and subvariant BA.2).
These new drug-resistant pathogens which emerge make it near impossible to treat patients and curb the spread of infections.
The direct and indirect consequences of AMR are exorbitant individual and national costs for higher levels
• 79 percent in community acquired pneumonia
• 77 percent of patients with urinary tract infections
• 47 percent of patients who were prescribed fluoroquinolone
• 27 percent of patients prescribed vancomycin injection, the last resort drug
From the practical toolkit done by WHO in 2019 for low- and middle-income countries, the following basic antimicrobial stewardship
infections, skin and soft tissue infections, surgical prophylaxis, and catheter-related infections
• Identify leadership and expertise in infection management
• Establish a drug and therapeutics committee and ensure continuous availability of essential antibiotics through a robust supply chain management
• Establish basic microbiology laboratory facilities
• Regular surveillance of AMR, AMC and healthcare facilities, and hospital acquired infections
If AMS intervention is already established, the continuous quality improvements are monitored by:
• Setting SMART goals in changing how antibiotics are consumed which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
• Establishing a measurement matrix
• Identifying behavioral changes that will be transformative in AMS AMS must be a coordinated program and designed to meet the need of the citizenry in their unique situations, whether constrained by geographical or economic factors. Hence the framework must have a practical approach, taking into consideration those rare scenarios that might occur.
(AMS) interventions were recommended, building on the existing limited healthcare infrastructural system:
• Education of the involved healthcare workers (prescribers, pharmacists and nurses)
• Design a standardized record system to view all patient medications
• Review rationalization of treatment prescribed against documented indications
• Review treatment prescribed for patients with three or more broad spectrum antibiotics
• Review dosage of treatment
• Review surgical prophylaxis treatments either as a single dose or for a 24-hour period
• Develop and implement standard treatment guidelines for common conditions such as community acquired pneumonia, urinary tract
Antimicrobial management is a tall order and requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders such as the general public, the healthcare professionals (including Veterinarians) relevant professional associations and councils, the governing entities such as the Food and Drugs Department (FDD), as well as the national and international policy makers.
The PET CARE column is indebted to Ms. Sandra Khan for her extensive and incisive comments on the use and abuse of antibiotics — reinforcing the imperative of strengthening the collaborative efforts of all the relevant actors in this ONE HEALTH perspective.
For further discussion/ elucidation, you may contact Ms. S. Khan directly at the Medicine Express Pharmacy, 223 Camp Street, N/ Cummingsburg.
Discovery highlights Guyana’s biodiversity riches, global importance – VP 15 new species of fish
The recent announcement that 15 new fresh water fish species were found in Guyana, has been welcomed by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who noted that this may very well be the tip of the iceberg as Guyana is one of the few places in the world where there are large tracts of unexplored, virgin forests still intact.
The Protected Areas Commission (PAC) recently presented the preliminary findings of an inventory it compiled over a 20-day period. During this presentation, Devya Hemraj, who participated in the AcaraiCorentyne Corridor leg of the biodiversity inventory, had revealed that 15 new fresh water fish species were found.
At his Thursday last press conference, the Vice President spoke of the importance of the discovery
“It’s something consistent with what we’ve been saying, that we are a part of the world that is teeming with biodiversity. That you have some of the highest concentration of biodiversity in the world, in our country. And it’s also consistent with the move by the Government of
and its connection to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), particularly when it comes to the protection of biodiversity.
Guyana to enhance protection of diversity, along the lines of the expanded LCDS.”
According to Jagdeo, global recognition and the se-
curing of funds for the preservation of biodiversity are among the five new pillars in the LCDS. As a matter of fact, Jagdeo hinted that the discovery of these new species may be the tip of the iceberg.
“If you do research in these areas, you will find that new species or large amounts of biodiversity in very geographically limited areas. We’re one of the few countries in the world, where we can say we have parts of our territory unexplored as yet, and we’ve kept them in a pristine environment or state,” the Vice President said.
“When you compare that to a lot of the developed world. Like the UK, I think they only have like two per cent of their original forest. I think they’ve cut down 98 per cent of their original forests. You have some new forest. But only two per cent of the original forest. Most of our forest is the original forest, been there for hundreds of years, maybe going back to thousands of years.”
Jagdeo also expressed hope that through the plans to overhaul the zoo, the Government can raise awareness on biodiversity for persons, particularly children, around Guyana. He noted the importance of the next generation being able to recognise Guyana’s biodiversity and the need to protect it.
“For me, that is a huge teaching facility in the botanical gardens, for the children across the country to be able to first hand come in contact with their future. Because it’s up to them to first of all recognise what we have. And then keep it intact. And that’s why we’re paying great attention to that project.”
Last week, the PAC had announced that one of the largest-ever scientific expeditions to Guyana’s rainforest had been completed, during the process of an almost month-long survey to the northern reaches of the Amazon region.
It was also announced by the PAC that the biodiversity inventory of southern Guyana, that was coordinated by the PAC and the Chicago Field Museum was presented at the Umana Yana, Kingston. At the time, fish researcher Hemraj had
explained what their observations were during the survey of the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor.
“Over three weeks, we used a bunch of different fishing gears to ensure we captured as much fish species that we possibly could. From this, we yielded 160 species of fresh water fishes and from this, 15 are confirmed new species or new records for Guyana. What’s even more exciting is that more than 20 of the species that we collected are new to
science,” she had said.
“The Berbice River has a large number of endemic species, meaning that the fishes there can only be found there and nowhere else. So, by including all three headwaters, we are preserving and protecting fish species that are only found in that part of Guyana.”
The expedition into the Acarai-Corentyne Corridor was conducted by 39 Guyanese experts, in association with 17 experts from overseas. (G3)
Researcher Devya Hemraj
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
A scene from the presentation of the inventory at the Umana Yana
Miner buried alive after Aramu Backdam pit collapses
Aminer is now dead after he was buried alive when a mining pit collapsed at the Aramu Backdam, Cuyuni River in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).
The dead man has been identified as 46-year-old Oral Anthony Rouse of 58 Miles Mabura Road, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).
The incident occurred at around 09:30h on Saturday.
Based on police reports, Rouse was employed by a 49-year-old gold miner to work on a four-inch land dredging operation at Aramu Backdam along with four other workers.
On Saturday, the now
dead man and his co-workers were working in a pit measuring 20 feet in width by 20 feet in length by 25 feet in depth. While working, the northern side of the pit collapsed and resulted in the soil to rush into the pit, which completely covered Rouse.
According to the police, the miner was buried for approximately 14 minutes. His co-workers eventually dug him out and transported him to the Bartica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The body is at the Bartica Hospital’s mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
In the meantime, investigations continue into the incident.
TikTok set to be banned in the US after losing appeal
TikTok’s bid to overturn a law which would see it banned or sold in the US from early 2025 has been rejected.
The social media company had hoped a federal appeals court would agree with its argument that the law was unconstitutional because it represented a “staggering” impact on the free speech of its 170 million US users.
But the court upheld the law, which it said “was the culmination of extensive, bipartisan action by the Congress and by successive presidents”.
TikTok says it will now take its fight to the US Supreme Court, the coun-
try’s highest legal authority. The US wants TikTok sold or banned because of what it says are its owners links to the Chinese state - links TikTok and parent company Bytedance have always denied.
The court agreed the law was “carefully crafted to deal only with control by a foreign adversary, and it was part of a broader effort to counter a well-substantiated national security threat posed by the PRC (People’s Republic of China).”
But TikTok said it was not the end of its legal fight.
“The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue,” a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement.
They added that the law was based on “inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information” and a ban would censor US citizens.
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US Presidential Election may also present a lifeline for the app.
Despite unsuccessfully attempting to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, he said in the run-up to the November elections he would not allow the ban on TikTok to take effect.
(Excerpted from BBC)
E…for survival
ntering the 2025 elections homestretch, we witness jaded ritual by the parties throwing their hats into the political (circus?) ring. And this even though the demographics have completely changed since the sixtieswhen the ethnic voting patterns were seemingly set in stone. The PPP and PNC - with support in the larger ethnic blocksare challenged by new parties promising to change the voting patterns and lead the people into a land of milk and honey!!
We can do worse than consider the current activities of ANUG, one of the latest entrants that managed to survive –even if barely by the hair on their chinny chin chin! – their entry in the 2020 elections. To be fair, their hand was forced when the PPP called their no-confidence motion just before Christmas 2018. They were probably preparing to toast marshmallows as they swigged rum punch to loud “Hoho-hos” They were, after all, quite a middle class, long-inthe-tooth boughie lot who clearly felt the rabble in the two major parties weren’t up to snuff!!
So ANUG was launched in mid-January 2019 – the excesses of the Xmas and New Year soirees had to wear off!! Their elder statesman - who’d been ostracised from the PPP after donkey years, and was channelling Jaganpredicted confidently they’d win the elections. This had to be held 90 days after the No Confidence Motion was carried by one Charandass Persaud voting his conscience!! Another ANUG leader - who’d switched from the PNC to the PPP, and had been eased out -channelled Burnham as he decried the ethnic politics that was shafting African Guyanese! The other biggie channelled D’Aguiar as he bemoaned the dilemma of those outside the Indian-African equation!! Retro politics was back!!
Anyhow, ANUG scraped 2313 votes - which wasn’t even enough to earn them one-third of a seat, much less win the elections!! But being chock-full of lawyers, they invoked a little-known clause in the elections law that allowed parties to “join their lists” - and their votes. So they hitched up with a party that courted and received 2657 Amerindian votes, and “The New Movement” (TNM) that received 244 votes - of probably relatives and friends!! This gave then one seat to share, even though their 5214 total was far from the 7000 needed per seat!! Rounding up!!
But a funny thing happened on the way to serving their time…erm…term!! After the Amerindian rep woke up the Assembly with his minimalist covering till March 2023, ANUG decided to have the 244-vote TNM serve their stint of 90 days, then they’d close off to 2025. But TNM balked, by which time the old heads had walked!!
So they have a slate of novices (noviates?) going into 2025!!
…the oil windfall
When your back is against the wall, you gotta be willing to “try a thing”!! Like, for instance, arguing that 33 isn’t the ABSOLUTE majority of the 65-member National Assembly needed to oust the party in power – but was just a SIMPLE majority that allowed them to’ve won the 2015 elections!! How many criminals don’t plead in court, “The Devil made me do it!!” ??
Anyhow, after accusing the PPP govt of handing out cash grants mainly to THEIR supporters, and not sharing out the oil revenues a la their “Buxton Proposal” – the Opposition is now complaining that the PPP’s registration of adults to verify everyone will receive the $100,000 should be jettisoned!! Too much confusion – even though they admit the registration takes only 5 to 10 minutes!! It’s a matter of dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t!!
The Opposition just want to divide the country further by claiming that “once again”, the PPP’s fattening only THEIR supporters!! Gwan da side with that nonsense!!
…American healthcare
It’s universally accepted that the American healthcare system’s the world’s most expensive – driven by health insurance companies that literally suck blood out of stone in rejecting claims of the insured.
After the CEO of the largest insurer was killed, America is rejoicing!!
India and Girmitiyas
The Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit last month precipitated discussion on the relationship between the descendants of indentured labourers from India (Girmitiyas) in their new “Motherland” and “Bharat Mata (Mother India)to use Modi’s words. We can consider this relationship in three chronological stages: the IMPERIAL stage, between the British conquest by 1817 to 1947; the Internationalist stage, between 1947 and the early 1990s; and the Bharatiya nationalist stage, from then into the present.
Girmitiyas were created by the British Imperialists responding to demands from their white plantation owners in their colonies for cheap and reliable labour, following the abolition of slavery in 1838. There was a right of a return passage to India first after five, then 10 years, but 2/3 chose not to exercise it. These Girmitiyas were “othered” as “coolies” in the colonies to become the first “Indians” - losing regional and caste loyalties, but stubbornly holding on to their Hindu and Muslim identities.
Interest in Girmitiyas disappeared from India’s nationalist consciousness after the abolition of indentureship in 1917, for which they had agitated. Like Gandhi, they were horrified to be lumped with “coolies” in the colonies. The flow of new Girmitiyas that replenished the fount of Bharitiya village culture also ceased. There were episodic visits, however, by Muslim and Hindu missionaries, which helped maintain linkages. One 1945 academic paper on Girmitiyas predicted, “…once India comes into her own, she will demand, and, I am sure, obtain, justice for her now discriminated-against children abroad.”*
It was not to be. In the second “Internationalist” stage, P.M. Nehru abrogated the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in 1947 and embarked on his quixotic, anti-colonial, non-aligned adventure. Even as internecine conflict developed in the colonies, he insisted that “overseas Indians” were on their own, and should subsume themselves in Third World solidarity. However, a Cultural Center to disseminate Indian culture was established here in 1972 by his daughter, PM Indira Gandhi. Meanwhile, India had increasingly less relevance in the daily lives of Girmitiyas, and at best became a “mythical” “Ram Raj” of the Ramcharitmanas, not a “homeland” to which they would return. Escapist Indian movies from the 1930s further increased this non-corporeality.
The present Bharatiya nationalist stage was inaugurated with the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its accession to national power between 1998 and 2004 and 2014 to present. In 2003, the first annual Overseas Indian Day (Pravasi Bharatiya Divas) was inaugurated, and a Ministry of Overseas Indians (downgraded to a department within the MEA in 2016) was launched, bringing Indian-immigrant NRIs and Girmitiya PIOs together to collaborate.
A more positive Bharatiya nationalism was unfurled after 2014 under Narendra Modi, and certainly got the attention of Girmitiyas - and the world. In the 2015 PBD, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj summed up the new government’s policy on Overseas Indians in terms of “3 Cs”: to ‘connect’ with India, ‘celebrate’ their cultural heritage and ‘contribute’ to the development of Bharat Mata. But Girmitiyas asked what was in it for them beyond the governmental bilateral programmes? There were some initiatives, like the Know India Programme (KIP), Study India Programme (SIP) and the Tracing the Roots Scheme and OCI card to push the “connect”.
This assertive Bharatiya nationalism is now supposedly the driving force guiding India’s strategy to engage the world. Incumbent EA Minister Jaishankar has asserted: Indians “must rely on their own traditions to equip them in facing a tumultuous world. That is certainly possible in an India that is now more Bharat”.
Now that India finally had the confidence to call itself “Bharat”, many Girmitiyas hope they would unfurl a more nuanced notion of what constitutes a “diaspora” and who exactly is a “Bharatiya”. They hope Bharat would follow the African Union, which declared its diaspora as “Africa’s 6th Region” summarised in the sentiment articulated by two African-origin Caribbean PMs: “I am not African because I was born in Africa, I am African because Africa was born in me”!
However, articulating the new dispensation, Jaishankar explicitly rejected the “political romanticism” of the past Indian “soft state” with a realpolitik transactional approach, viewing all other nations as “frenemies”, This might be disappointing to Girmitiyas who hoped they would finally have a “special relationship” because of Bharat’s new, putatively expansive, culturally-grounded nationalism. In 2020, when the Guyanese elections were being flagrantly rigged against the Girmitiyasupported PPP, Bharat did not issue a strong condemnation, even after the US, UK, EU, CariCom, Commonwealth, etc did so.
SOCU warns public about fraudsters posing as DHL, Samsung executives
The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is alerting the public to a rising wave of online scams involving individuals impersonating high-ranking executives from major international companies.
According to SOCU, these fraudsters are pretending to be John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, and Anthony Hodgson, General Manager of Samsung Co Ltd, in an elaborate scheme aimed at extracting personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims.
The scammers, SOCU explained, entice people with false promises of prize money, claiming the prizes are being distributed on behalf of DHL Express and Samsung. However, SOCU has made it clear that “DHL Express and Samsung Co Ltd do not have any current promotions ongoing. Hence, no prize monies will be issued.”
SOCU is urging members of the public to exercise cau-
tion and skepticism. “If it is too good to be true, it is not true,” the Unit advised. They warn individuals to be particularly wary of any claims suggesting they have won prizes for competitions they never entered.
Further, SOCU emphasised that legitimate prize offers never require upfront payments or personal information.
“Do not provide personal or financial information to individuals or businesses you don't know or haven't verified,” SOCU stated, adding that it is equally important not to send money to strangers under any circumstances.
The public is also being advised against attempting to recover funds or engage with companies they have not directly interacted with. SOCU’s warning serves as a reminder to remain vigilant against such fraudulent schemes and to report any suspicious activities to the
authorities immediately.
This warning comes on the heels of growing concerns about online scams in Guyana. In August, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo issued a similar caution about phishing operations targeting citizens. Speaking at a press conference, Jagdeo described these scams as Ponzi schemes designed to lure individuals into fraudulent investments with promises of high returns.
“It is a scam thing going about,” Jagdeo said. “Please don’t fall prey. They are Ponzi schemes designed to hook you in.” He fur-
ther warned that individuals who lose money to these schemes should not hold the Government accountable.
“If you are stupid and you put your money and they go with your money, don’t blame the Government,” the Vice President remarked bluntly, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility.
As online scams continue to evolve, SOCU and Government officials are urging the public to remain vigilant, avoid unsolicited offers, and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Ravi Dev
New farm lands at EBB Harvest bountiful, but watermelon farmer struggles to find market
Following the opening up of land by the Agriculture Ministry on East Bank of Berbice (EBB), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) for farmers to cultivate, many have started to harvest and it is bountiful but now creating a problem for markets.
Following a visit by President Dr Irfaan Ali to the EBB, Region Six last year, he promised that residents there would undergo massive agricultural development, including new crops and the opening of new land for cultivating rice.
Through the Agriculture Ministry, the initiative saw 75 farmers plant various crops on five acres of land that had been cleared.
The initiative by the
is Grace Wilson of Mara Traith Village. Her farm is at Kaiwa, which is about two miles away.
She planted watermelon as the main crop on the cleared five acres and has started harvesting. She said the harvest is bountiful.
“This produce is from the five acres and we have a lot. We never expected that we would have had so much. The land produced so many and now that we have the
and employing four persons. However, while not being able to give a figure as to the amount of the fruit that would have been harvested over the past month, Wilson maintains that it was “a lot.”
“We don’t normally count to know how much normally hold in a truck but up to Tuesday we took out a truckload to New Amsterdam and we drove around and got it sold. During last week we harvested three truckloads
Government is aimed at revitalising agricultural activity in the area and providing farmers with the support they need to resume cultivation.
One of those farmers
watermelon we don’t have market for it,” Wilson pointed out.
She told this publication that it has been about one month since she and her husband have been harvesting
have not reached nor are near to the peak of production. Wilson said while the initiative by the Government is welcomed, it will soon become even more difficult to get their produce sold as the EBB is once again becoming the main agriculture-producing area in the region.
However, not many farmers there have ventured into large-scale vegetable production. Pumpkins, corn, plantains, and cassava are some
Corporation (GMC) will assist farmers in finding markets for their produce and ensure that they get a fair price. None of the farmers contacted stated that they had reached out to the New GMC to indicate what they expected to produce and when it might be available. The farmers also noted that neither the Ministry nor the GMC had contacted them to inquire about what they had planted or how to secure
from the field for last week alone,” she explained.
Many other farmers of EBB have also utilised a part of the five acres that was cleared for them, to cultivate watermelons. Most of them
of the more popular crops being cultivated by those farmers.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had said that the New Guyana Marketing
markets for their produce. Persons who may wish to make contact with the EBB farmer to purchase her plentiful watermelon can do so by telephone number 700-5499. (G4)
Some of the bountiful harvest from the new farmlands that have been opened up by the Agriculture Ministry
Farmer Grace Wilson
Region 2 RDC, businessman spark holiday cheer with dazzling Christmas tree light-up
The Christmas season in Region
Two (PomeroonSupenaam) was ushered in with vibrant celebrations as two grand Christmas tree light-up ceremonies brought communities together in festive cheer.
On Friday evening, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), in collaboration with the Region Two Tourism Association, illuminated a 15-foot Christmas tree at the Anna Regina Citizen Park. That same evening, the village of Affiance sparkled with joy as Imam Bacchus and Sons Supermarket lit a towering 25-foot Christmas tree, transforming the area into a glowing beacon of holiday warmth and unity.
The event held at the Anna Regina Citizen Park, located opposite the State House, was a hub of excitement as hundreds of residents gathered to witness the lighting of the Region’s 15-foot Christmas tree. The park was adorned with twin-
kling lights and festive decorations, marking the sixth year of the annual tree-lighting event but the first time it was hosted at this venue. Residents were treated to
melodious Christmas carols, captivating dances, poetry recitals, and other special performances that perfectly set the tone for the season.
Children’s excitement
reached its peak as Santa Claus and his helpers made a special appearance, distributing gifts and spreading joy to the youngest attendees. The scene was one of pure magic, with the children’s laughter and smiles lighting up the night as much as the tree itself.
Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva took the opportunity to address the gathering, extending warm Christmas greetings to all present. She emphasised the significance of the season as a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, the importance of family, and the spirit of togetherness.
“Christmas is a season of love, hope, and giving. It is a time to cherish our blessings, share with others, and celebrate the joy of community.” She shared.
De Silva also encouraged residents to embrace the true meaning of the holiday and spread goodwill throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Susan Saywack also delivered heartfelt remarks, highlighting the spirit of giving and camaraderie that defines Christmas in Guyana’s multicultural society. She thanked the res-
idents for their enthusiastic turnout, noting the joy it brought to the children who eagerly awaited Santa Claus. She expressed gratitude to the regional team
Saywack, and Chairperson
De Silva, the tree's dazzling lights were officially switched on, marking the start of the holiday festivities in Anna Regina.
Additionally, in Affiance, Imam Bacchus and Sons Supermarket hosted its much-anticipated Christmas tree light-up, creating a magical moment for the community.
The 25-foot Christmas tree, adorned with glittering ornaments and lights, was the centrepiece of the event, drawing awe and admiration from the large crowd in attendance.
Businessman Aadil Baksh expressed his delight at the overwhelming turnout, noting that the event was organised to unite staff and residents while spreading smiles, particularly among children.
“Christmas is a time of
and the sponsors whose support made the event possible.
“Seeing the children’s faces light up with excitement makes all the hard work worthwhile. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this magical evening. On behalf of the Regional Administration, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”
Together with Prime Minister's Representative Arnold Adams, REO
joy, and this event allows us to give back to the community that supports us throughout the year. I am incredibly proud of my staff’s efforts in making this event a success and bringing happiness to the community. We are committed to making this an annual celebration to bring more joy and excitement to the people of Affiance more so the region. On behalf of Imam Bacchus and Sons, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2025,” Baksh said.
(Raywattie Deonarine)
Spectators at RDC Christmas tree light up on Friday evening
The Christmas trees that were lit in Region 2
“I grabbed my nephew and we ran” – woman recalls moment she realized her home on fire
…as family of 6 now homeless
Afamily of six has been left homeless after a fire gutted their two-storey, wooden-and-concrete home at Lot 14, Company Road in North Buxton, East Coast Demerara at just after 09:00h on Friday.
Family members are left grappling with significant losses, but are grateful they have all escaped unharmed.
Tiffany Aymer, one of those affected, in recounting the terrifying moments leading up to the blaze, detailed, “I was downstairs cooking. Just starting to cook when my father Lyndon Aymer, who was outside, started to call me,” she said. “I ran upstairs and saw a set of black smoke. I grabbed my nephew, and we ran downstairs.”
Lyndon Aymer, Tiffany’s father, who first noticed the fire on the top floor of the building, in describing the scene, detailed: “When I woke up -I was back there -- I saw smoke coming through the door, coming from the back.
I called for my grandson, and my daughter collected him and fled the home.”
Lyndon said that although he attempted to save items from the top flat of the building, he could save only a few from the bottom flat, as the top was already engulfed in flames.
“We couldn’t save nothing! I just managed to save some things from the house”, he lamented.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), in responding to the scene, managed to contain the fire to the house, thereby preventing much damage to nearby properties. An investigation into the origin of the fire is ongoing, but allegations making the rounds are that unattended children playing with matches may have been the cause of the fire. (G9)
One of the occupants of the house, Lyndon Aymer
The house that was destroyed by fire
Husband arrested 2 days after attempted murder of wife
Navin Stoll, a 26-yearold truck driver, has been taken into police custody on Friday between 11:00h and 12:30h; and reportedly, a video and audio interview has already been conducted with him.
During that session, allegations were formally put to him that he had attempted to murder his wife Claurine Prescod-Stoll on Wednesday at Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, but he has chosen to exercise his right to remain silent.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and he is expected to face charges of attempted murder.
Statements have been obtained from the 24-yearold Claurine Prescod-Stoll, a sales representative who resides in the community of Swan on the SoesdykeLinden Highway. She has recounted the events leading up to her horrifying assault in the presence of her three-year-old son.
The incident, captured on video, has also shown her husband repeatedly stabbing her. This video has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread con-
demnation and calls for justice.
The footage showed Navin Stoll ignoring the desperate screams of bystanders and his three-yearold child as he continued his assault until his wife collapsed. He then fled the scene in his motorcar, PWW 4862, leaving his wife’s body draped in blood lying on the roadside at Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
According to reports, the husband had contacted his wife earlier on Wednesday, asking her to meet him at the “Jamoon tree” in Kuru Kururu to collect their son.
Upon her arrival, an argument ensued, during which he armed himself with a knife and inflicted 15 stab wounds to her body. Witnesses were heard on a video recording seen by this publication shouting at him to stop, but he continued his vicious attack. After committing the act, the man fled the scene, leaving his injured wife on the roadway.
She was rushed to the Diamond Hospital, and was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where she underwent emergency surgery. Medical officials describe
her condition as critical but stable, as she continues to fight for her life.
Two days after evading police, the man has been arrested. (G9)
Navin Stoll has been caught on video stabbing his wife on the roadway
Arrested: Navin Stoll
Injured: Claurine Prescod-Stoll
His ears only resonated with the soundwaves travelling out of a Kirk Franklin song for once in his entire life when he was five years old, but this later translated into an array of talented gospel music that made him become a gospel artist who is soon to help the music industry in Guyana.
This phenomenon happened to Renwick Duesbury, and he told this publication all about it during an interview on Friday.
Renwick Duesbury is a Christian recording artist whose music has charted on the Billboard charts, as well as a music producer and songwriter.
He graduated from Full Sail University with a degree in Music Production and Music Business. Born in the United Kingdom (UK), Renwick grew up in Guyana and now resides in the United States (US).
Giving a slight backdrop before this grand vision to incorporate local artists into a bigger stage, he relayed the genesis of his journey.
“I was like 5 years old when I came back to Guyana from the UK. I started singing in church but what drew me in is because my dad had a Franklin CD. The only CD in the house that had the Song Revolution on it.”
He recalled how, within his area in Guyan where he lived, there was an array of music being played
which influenced his style and love for music as well.
Watching the juxtaposition between Gospel music and secular Soca music, he decided to mend them together whilst simultaneously staying true to his beliefs.
“Every Saturday morning, them dudes used to play Machel Montano. You know, just the different Caribbean flavours, right? So, I discovered that I like Caribbean music, but I also like choirs and I decided to just blend the two together.”
However, as he grew, he migrated to the US to enter into university.
When this major transition took place in his life, a grand vision of bringing back his talent to Guyana to do something great slowly grew within him.
Renwick recently visited Guyana on a short music tour, where he gathered a team of foreign musicians and ministered in Georgetown, at the 2024 Hosanna Afro Praise Concert and Youth Explosion, a night of praise and worship in Berbice.
During his visit, Renwick developed a strong desire to help Guyanese creatives and the local music culture gain more global exposure.
With limited time, Renwick gathered some of the country’s top producers: Jarmo TIU, AJ Legendary, Joey2kool, Yonnick Adolph, Selector Andre, and singer Ruth Wilson.
TURN TO PAGE 24
Renwick DuesburyInternational musical recording artiste
Some of the local artistes who collaborated with Renwick Duesbury
Region 6 aiming for 70,000 acres of rice this crop – Chairman
...as sugar production falls short of target
Region Six (EastBerbice Corentyne) is agriculture-based with rice production being the mainstay of the economy. However, sugar and vegetable production also play a huge role in the regional economy.
For the next rice crop, which is expected to conclude during the early part of the second quarter, the region is targeting 70,000 acres for rice cultivation.
This is according to Region Six Chairman David Armogan.
Addressing the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday, Armogan who heads the Regional Agriculture Committee noted that 65,869 acres have been plowed and 30,000 acres have been sown.
“We are hoping that by the end of the month, most persons who are interested in rice production would have already taken advantage of the weather conditions and would have sowed their paddy,” he noted.
There are still 30,930 acres that have been flooded and waiting to be sown.
However, there are some issues that could hinder irrigation in some of the rice-producing communities.
The main irrigation from Lancaster to Hogstye needs cleaning, Armogan said while noting that there is an intrusion of salt water in some of the drainage canals.
“We have been putting on the pumps from time to time to make sure that we take out the salt water from the system because that is a serious problem that we are facing. In fact, the Calabash pump that would normally supply the East Bank of Berbice cannot operate because of the salinity of the water. The water is very salty, as a result of which we cannot pump the water into that area and so that area is in some amount of trouble with regards to irrigation water. They receive their water from the pump at Calabash Creek.”
The chairman noted that tests are currently being carried out in the Canje River to find out the levels of salt in the water there.
Many of the canals along the East Coast of Berbice are blocked and must be cleaned so that farmers will be able to have water for irrigation purposes in order to sew their paddy.
Along the Upper Corentyne where the 52-63 and 64-74 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) are, a pump is currently out of order with just two operable.
The pump operator Armogan said left the pump unattended.
“The pump worked for a number of hours and then the generator gave up. He was out sporting and left the pump unattended. We will have to take disciplinary action against the operator.”
However, in the Black Bush Polder there are six
pumps currently working Armogan reported to the RDC.
Meanwhile, farmers who cultivate lands that are considered as ‘front lands’ along the Corentyne Coast, have to wait until farmers who cultivate lands in the Black Bush Polder would have irrigated their fields before water becomes available to them.
The regional administration said six pumps have been working to take water from the Canje River which the Black Bush Polder farmers and ‘front land’ farmers use for irrigation purposes.
However, some ‘front land’ farmers say that there is pilfering of fuel and the pumps are turned off at night. The result is that weeks after the pumps were turned on, irrigation water has not reached the ‘front lands’ as yet.
The East BerbiceCorentyne region is known for its fertile lands and favorable climatic conditions that support a diverse range of crops and livestock.
In addition to crop production, Region Six is also home to a growing livestock sector, including cattle, poultry, and small ruminants. The integration of livestock farming with crop production enhances the sustainability of agricultural practices in the area, promoting the use of organic fertilisers and improving soil health. The region's agricultural output not only meets local consumption needs but also supports export markets, particularly in rice and sugar. Efforts to diversify crops and adopt innovative farming practices are underway, ensuring that East Berbice-Corentyne remains a vital player in Guyana's agricultural landscape while addressing challenges such as climate change and market fluctuations.
Through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) which is an agency that functions under the Ministry of Agriculture, 608 livestock farmers were visited over the past month and 132 farmers between Number 35 Village and Number 43 Village Corentyne received black giant birds.
Visits were also made to the riverine communities of Siparuta, Orealla, and Baracara by the GLDA.
Twenty-three dairy farmers also received milk management training as the agency seeks to boost milk
production.
Nineteen bee hives were removed over the past four weeks within the region. These were removed from occupied dwelling houses, thick vegetation in close proximity to dwelling houses, and abundant areas.
Meanwhile, as it relates to sugar production, 19,333 tonnes of sugar was produced in the region for the current crop.
Rose Hall Estate ended the crop at 7,440 tonnes of the projected target of 12,000 tonnes, while the Albion Estate is expected to meet its target by the end of the month. (G4)
Region 6 Chairman David Armogan addressing the RDC
Prison officers urged to elevate standards of performance
Prison officers stationed at the Mazaruni Prison have been encouraged to enhance their individual performances through a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
They were given this encouragement on Saturday by the Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, during his end-of-year muster and general inspection of the officers at the facility.
Elliot has underscored the importance of adopting a progressive mindset, and has emphasised that such an approach is crucial for delivering effective and efficient service, not only within the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), but also to the public at large.
“Careful selection and thorough training are indispensable in such a critical public service role,” Director Elliott has said, even as he highlighted that well-prepared officers are fundamental to maintaining a high standard of oper -
ation within the prison system.
Elliot, in reminded the officers of the essential role they play in upholding the integrity and functionality of the country’s correctional facilities, has said, “You are the first line of defence within the Prison Estates. You are ultimately responsible for the safety, security, and supervision of inmates that are under your care; so, you must remain disciplined, and adapt to changes as officers at all times, no matter the circumstances.”
The visit and address of the Director of Prisons has come on the heels of the GPS’ ongoing commitment to strengthen its workforce and reinforce the critical role of prison officers in ensuring the safety and orderliness of correctional institutions.
Earlier this week, the GPS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, announced the introduction of a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) programme at var -
Renwick
ious prison locations across Guyana. This initiative aims to provide inmates and officers with access to five core subjects: Mathematics, English A, Social Studies, Human and Social Biology, and Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM). The programme is part of a broader effort to support inmate rehabilitation and provide officers with additional tools for professional development. A Public Speaking and Effective Communication course for prison officers has also been launched, further underscoring the GPS’s commitment to equipping its staff with essential skills. These developments align with ongoing efforts to raise the standards within the prison system, including plans to revise the entry requirements for recruits. The changes aim to attract highly qualified candidates, ensuring that the GPS maintains a competent workforce that is capable of meeting modern demands.
Duesbury
In just two days, the song Joy to The World was born this team reimagined the classic Christmas carol, merging Caribbean, Afrobeats, and Gospel sounds, and conveying the message of joy that comes with the birth of Jesus Christ Mahli Benjamin from Antigua served as the vocal director, while American sound engineer Jonathan Elder, who has Trinidad and Tobago heritage, mixed and mastered the song.
Amid the recognition of his Guyanese counterparts having talent, he exclaimed that they don’t have accessibility to the industry and the information that will help them to get out there - thus the need to continue working with them to send them to higher heights.
16 days of activism
Coincidentally, interviewed within the exact time frame of the ongoing 16 days of activism, he touched on key things that his spiritual music can do for girls who may
strikes ...
have been hurt from various forms of abuse.
When asked about what his music can do, he highlighted how it can counter mental health, even in the ongoing 16 days of activism.
“My style of writing is that anyone can relate to the music. I can empathise based on my life experiences and show you how God was able to heal, deliver, and restore, my music would point them back to the healer, would be a sense of comfort.”
He added that it can provide redirection and healing.
“One of my songs – No more Detours, means that we listen to people and we end up in a cycle because we got distracted and we lost sight of our purpose however when Jesus comes into your life there are no more diversions.”
Renwick plans to host a series of music education workshops to help the music industry in Guyana however, works are still proceeding for this venture. (Mishael Henry)
Some of the officers who were present at the muster
Monkey Mountain Nursery School in Region 8 commissioned
The Education Ministry has commissioned the new Monkey Mountain Nursery School in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).
start in life.
The Monkey Mountain Nursery School is expected to serve as a model for future early childhood education projects in the hinterland, demonstrating the Government’s unwavering commitment to reducing disparities and improving educational outcomes for all Guyanese children.
ing long distances to access early education services. The school also provides trained teachers who are equipped to deliver high-quality instruction tailored to the needs of young children.
In addition to the nursery school, teachers in Monkey Mountain are being trained online right within the village, enabling them to enhance their skills without leaving their community. Furthermore, a secondary school is currently un-
The modern facility, which accommodates 49 children, a release from the Ministry on Saturday said, adding that the facility provides a safe and stimulating environment for young learners in the hinterland community, marking another milestone in the Government’s commitment to equitable access to quality education.
The school is equipped with modern amenities, including bright and spacious classrooms, age-appropriate furniture, educational tools, and play areas.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, highlighted the importance of early childhood education in shaping the future of Guyana.
Parents and community members have praised the establishment of the nursery school, noting that it relieves them of the burden of travel-
der construction in Monkey Mountain, representing a significant investment in the community's educational infrastructure and ensuring that students have access to continued learning opportunities close to home.
The commissioning of the Monkey Mountain Nursery School is part of the Ministry’s wider effort to expand access to nursery education across Guyana, particularly in remote and underserved areas. This initiative aligns with the Government’s goal of achieving universal access to nursery education, ensuring that every child has an equal
Guyana, China forge partnership to boost standardisation, trade, innovation
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (National Standardisation Administration) of the People’s Republic of China (SAMR/SAC) have entered into a partnership aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of Standardisation.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on Friday, with both
parties expressing their commitment to advancing technical innovation and reducing trade barriers through harmonised standards.
Executive Director of GNBS, Trevor Bassoo, and outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, signed the MOU, which is set to foster collaboration in international Standardisation, information sharing, and the adoption of standards that align with international guidelines, particularly in key areas such as climate change, smart city development, digital technology, and sustainable development.
Bassoo emphasised the significance of this partnership, stating, “This MOU signals a strengthened relationship between the Standards Bodies of Guyana and China. The signing of this MOU is a symbol of our commitment towards improving trade relationships through the development and promotion of Standardisation.”
Further, he noted, “there is a lot we can learn from the people of China, especially in the area of technology and we intend to make the best of the opportunities. We also extend our open arms to cooperate with our counterparts in China and lend support in areas that we can.”
In her remarks, Ambassador Haiyan highlighted “I am happy that we can sign this MOU today. I believe that the signing of this MOU will help to low-
er costs and further improve the quality of our economies, and this is very important to us. This MOU opens doors for potential investments between our countries moving forward.
She added, “This is a significant moment for us, and I am proud to state, this partnership will be mutually beneficial for China as well; there are many opportunities to learn from each other in areas of Standardisation.”
Key areas of cooperation under this MOU include: exchange of information: sharing of national standards, publications, and best practices; joint research and workshops: organising workshops and conducting joint research in specific fields; training: promoting Standardisation capacity building through bilateral training programmes; participation: participate in the other participant’s important activities.
The MOU, a release from GNBS stated, also aims to integrate Standardisation resources into the Standards Information Platform among Belt and Road Partner Countries of Africa, Europe and Asia, fostering greater accessibility and use of standards information by stakeholders.
This collaboration promises to enhance Guyana’s economic and industrial landscape while reinforcing its commitment to international cooperation in Standardisation.
GNBS Executive Director Trevor Bassoo (left) and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan (right) shook hands to cement signing of MOU
By Mishael henry
Ayoung, fearless woman is soon to carry the ever-blazing torch to manage the Saddle Mountain Ranch, located in the deep ends of the Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Ayla Kenyon, who to some may be weighed down by the complexities of a traditionally male-dominated western-style job, which entails leading an almost 500-cattle ranch, managing horses and chickens, and overseeing a top-tier ranch cabin, is dispelling these misconceptions on not being able to carry the mantle.
After all, she does have running through her veins the blood of her mother, who once chased away jaguars with a cutlass to protect her flocks.
Saddle Mountain Ranch, tucked away in the South Rupununi, has spectacular views overlooking pristine natural savannahs intertwined with creeks emerging from the nearby mountains. The family-run business has a rich history of ranching, farming, and vaquero culture. With unmatched support from her father Tommie Kenyon, who is the creator of the ranch, she had the opportunity to catch up with this newscast, to whom she gave an inside look at the gradual transition of legacy being handed from him to his daughter.
Her father Tommie has established the land, and the spot is a very sentimental place for him and his legacy, which started some 36 years ago.
“I came here individually. I came here privately, established myself some 36
years ago,” he stated whilst styling his cowboy hat on his head. He said he wished to stay in the ranch spot for as long as he could, and even be buried there. “I already came here, put my life here; and I want to stay here, be buried here and everything, you know. So, I’m depending on the Government to walk us through, put it that way.”
Amidst all of this, he remains steadfast in the ideology that all of what he has produced on the land is not for the benefit of himself, but for his daughter.
“I’ve owned this ranch for all of these years, but these days I want to lay back and let her take over, because one day I will be gone and she will be the future,” he said.
With the confidence he has entrusted in his daughter, she took the forefront and began to relay her side of the story, and what she would like to see for the ranch.
Thus far, the visionary has already identified areas for enhancement at the ranch. <<Guyana Times>> understands they could only accommodate four persons comfortably, but now they want to expand by adding more cabins and offering more activities.
“We want to embark more on tourism. We want to offer more activities, as I said like camping, fishing and those things, because we have the creeks and the mountain right close by. So, we want to go into tourism more, and we’ll still have our cattle,” she explained.
While ticking off items on her improvement checklist, she also identified marketing as a top priority.
“Recently I came on board, because I can see
what is coming. We hadn’t been getting lots of guests before because we’re not selling ourselves, you know.
We’re not putting ourselves out there, so we have some challenges. We have to work on some things, and
if we want more people too, we have to expand our accommodation,” she said.
Whilst on this path to creating a new legacy for the ranch, they’ve accomplished introducing the internet.
Long ago, one would have had to go to the top of the mountain to get a Wi-Fi connection.
“Well, when we came here first, there were no signals, you know. Now we have signal. We have internet, but it’s currently off. But as of now, more people are getting to know about us, know where Saddle Mountain is.”
Some of the horses belonging to the ranch
From L-R: (Daughter) Ayla Keyon (Owner) Tommie Kenyon, and his wife alongside Tourism Minister Oneidge Waldron during recent Media familiarization trip
Ayla Kenyon
Her father Tommie added, “A little while ago, before the Wi-Fi came in, if you wanted to make a call, you had to go up that mountain to get a signal, and then you’d call who you wanted to talk to. They’d come back home. But, of course, now we’re so integrated. I’m getting a WiFi signal from Brazil, you know, straight across here. So, I’m in contact with the world right now.”
ter chimed in her views and relayed that, thus far, they have an array of products currently.
Back and forth in the conversation of the development of the ranch, his daugh-
According to her, if they upgrade the products, they hope this will mesh nicely with the tourism expansion within Guyana.
“So, we are a ranch; so, we sell mostly ranch-related products. You could do a cowboy adventure, camping, but we also venture into nature tourism, where you can go up the mountain, go hiking, go camping, go fishing. So, it’s really broad, and I think what Guyana has started to offer, with all the direct flights coming in, we’re on a path where tourism is expanding. So, we’re getting ready.”
She also mentioned that, growing up, it was very rare to see a vehicle, and with the increasing popularity of the place, she wants her kids to
experience it as well.
“Before, I remember growing up, we used to listen out for a vehicle to pass through this area, you know. But it’s good. I loved growing up here, the freedom. And I’ve got a little daughter, and I want her to experience the same thing. So yeah.”
Her father also shed light on how few tourists visited the place in the past.
“We don’t get tourists here. You might get two or three during the year. I’m not talking about individuals, but usually it’ll be a couple of people or a family, or something like that. But
there are a lot of issues on the line, because of the region.”
In passing down the mantle, she shared her determination to keep the fire burning brighter, and to add even more fuel to it. While her vision for the future includes expanding tourism and growing the ranch, the core values of Saddle Mountain Ranch remain unchanged. Her father, the founder of Saddle Mountain Ranch, continues to wield significant influence, with his legacy and respect firmly embedded in the operation of the ranch.
Some of the cattle belonging to the ranch
CJIA Commercial Centre 70% completed – Edghill
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), which has seen massive upgrades under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, has a number of upgrades being conducted on it that are at various stages of completion including the commercial centre that is 70 per cent completed.
This update was provided by Public Works Ministry, Juan Edghill. In an invited comment to this publication, Edghill explained that the 70 per cent completion rate for the commercial center was done with 95 per cent of the contract duration completed.
Then there is the work being done on the International Apron, where the asphaltic concrete is being replaced with rigid pavement. This project, which is being done by Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Incorporated, is 38 per cent completed.
Avinash Contracting is also constructing the Administrative Building for the airport and according to Minister Edghill, this component is 40 per cent complete. Back in October, it had been revealed that Avinash Contracting was served with two performance letters and engaged by the relevant personnel overseeing the project’s completion. According to Edghill, the contractor has been making an effort to increase the pace of work.
“Over the last months, we have seen an increase in their
performance as they have increased their resources with an average of 10-16 workers, additional trucks, excavator and roller. Additionally, they work an average of 1012 hours. Notwithstanding, the consistency of the progress continues to pose a challenge,” Edghill indicated.
When it comes to the $890 million administration building, it is envisioned that it will house over 300 airport staff when completed. Edghill explained that since 95 per cent of the 16-month contract duration has been completed, the Ministry is reviewing a revised work programme with a new estimated completion date of June 23, 2025.
“They (contractors) have formally acknowledged that the project will not meet the revised completion date of 23rd December 2024. A re-
vised work programme was submitted on 26th November 2024, indicating a new completion date of 23rd June 2025 which is currently under review. There is an average of only fourteen (14) workers on-site over the past month,” Edghill explained.
The work on the airline offices complex were halted after Trinidadian company Kalco Guyana Incorporated requested that its contract be terminated. The Government has since issued a contract for $1.5 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of the office buildings.
According to the notice, bids will be opened on December 18, 2024. Bidders must submit certificates of compliance from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
The contract for the
airport expansion project was initially signed in 2011, during Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s tenure as president, with China Harbour and Engineering Corporation (CHEC). The then PPP/C Administration acquired a US$138 million loan from the China Exim Bank and used US$12 million from the Consolidated Fund (taxpayers’ money) for the total project cost of US$150 million.
However, upon assuming office in 2015, The project was downsized under the succeeding A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration. But upon resumption of office in 2020, the PPP/C Government reverted to the old proposal and included some new amenities.
As a matter of fact, after resuming office, the PPP/C
Government had inspected the then ongoing works by CHEC at CJIA. This inspection had showed a deviation from the terms agreed upon in the initial fixed-price US$138 million contract.
In light of this, the Public Works Ministry entered into a new agreement with the company for the further expansion of the CJIA as well as completion of existing works. The agreement was pegged at US$9 million and it stated that China Harbour would solely bear the costs for the new works to be executed.
The works would go on to involve an extension of the Airport’s boarding corridor in order to accommodate two more passenger boarding bridges, providing the Airport with a total of six boarding bridges capable of facilitating larger Code D
and Code E aircraft. It measures approximately 305 metres long and boarding bridges will arrive in July.
In October 2024, the Government installed new e-gates at the CJIA, which will not only help to streamline the process for passengers traversing the facility but also enhance security checks to international standards.
The key features of these e-gates include autonomous immigration processing that performs security checks on passports worldwide; validation of chip passports according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards coupled with future support for Guyana’s e-ID and facial recognition technology for identity verification using an advanced algorithm. (G3).
Administration Building during construction at CJIA
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)
CANCER
(June 21July 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) (March 21April 19)
Participate in festive events, socialize with friends or volunteer for a cause. Your input will be well received, but someone will take credit for your labor if you aren’t careful.
Visiting a place you’ve never been before or one that brings you comfort will help clear your head. Walk away from discord and surround yourself with positive reinforcement.
You’ll appear gullible if you’re too accommodating. Refuse to let anyone force you into a vulnerable position. Work alone, initiate your plan and take credit for your achievements.
You’ll devise a unique strategy to advance if you diversify your skills and use your experience and knowledge to outmaneuver any competition. Trust your instincts and follow your heart. Take a fresh look at an old idea, and you’ll find something that can help you make a difference. Love is looming, and sharing your feelings will help you fortify your proposal.
Get out and mingle. The people you encounter will offer input that can help or mislead you. Decipher your objective and implement a positive change. A long-term plan will turn your life around.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Time spent with family and friends will be informative. It’s time to establish what’s important to you and how to turn your desires into something concrete.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19) LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
PISCES
(Feb. 20Mar. 20)
You’ll get the best results by sticking close to home, organizing your space or preparing your surroundings for the festive season. Don’t overspend on others; you can’t buy love, but you can invest in self-improvement.
Talk through any misunderstanding or pending plan with whoever stands in your way. Having the required support when making changes that affect others is essential.
Refuse to let anyone goad you into thinking you can buy love or that they deserve something you cannot afford to get them. A change of perspective will improve your domestic situation.
Set goals and prepare to live up to your expectations and promises. Get moving and get things done. It’s up to you to stay on track and keep the momentum flowing.
Falling short will leave you reeling. Avoid gossip and take precautions before something runs amok. Discipline, resourcefulness and innovation will help you stay on track and surpass your expectations.
ARIES
Peanuts
Calvin and Hobbes
Pickles
AQUARIUS
CAPRICORN
CricketWest Indies (CWI) has taken issue with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) over the absence of these two national boards at its recent directors meeting.
Below are full statements from all entities involved in this issue, detailing their respective positions on the matter.
The CWI position
“Cricket West Indies (CWI) regrets to announce that a quorum was not met for today’s pivotal meeting on governance reform, as the representatives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) failed to attend, having opted not to appoint two representatives as required by the company’s Articles of Association.
Guyana formally indicated their non-attendance, while Barbados did not provide a response.
This marks the second time that both the GCB and BCA have opted not to attend a meeting of the members, the first instance occurring in 2021. All other Full Member shareholders: from Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), and Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB), were present and prepared to proceed.
CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow expressed disappointment over the absence of these two key shareholders, stating, “It is deeply disappointing that representatives from Guyana and Barbados did not see the importance of being present at this crucial juncture for the future of West Indies cricket. Governance reform is critical to ensuring our organization’s growth, sustainability, and ability to inspire pride across the region. This moment required unity and collaboration, and their absence undermines the collective effort required to move forward.”
The meeting was convened to vote on implementing governance reforms proposed by the Wehby Report, which aims to modernize CWI’s governance framework. Due notice for this meeting was issued on November 13, 2024, in accordance with CWI’s Articles of Association.
This session was expected to address significant proposals, including adjustments to introduce term limits, the term durations for the President and Vice President, and other measures designed to strengthen CWI’s governance structure.
Commissioned in 2019, the Wehby Report outlines a comprehensive roadmap to improve CWI’s governance through measures that promote transparency, accountability, and alignment with global best practices. While progress has been made, implementation has faced delays, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key recommendations include restructuring the Board of Directors, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and modernizing operational practices.
President Shallow emphasized the urgency of these reforms by adding, “This meeting was not just about structural changes; it was about safe-
guarding the future of cricket in the Caribbean. Change is never easy, but it is absolutely necessary. We must demonstrate to the cricketing world and our stakeholders that we are committed to improving and evolving as an organization.”
CWI remains committed to the governance reform process, and will explore all options to ensure the necessary steps are taken to implement the Wehby Report recommendations.
President Shallow reaffirmed CWI’s resolve, noting: “The responsibility to lead and inspire rests with all of us. While today’s outcome is a setback, it will not deter us from our mission to transform West Indies cricket. I encourage all stakeholders to prioritize the greater good of the game, and come together to ensure we continue to build an organization that every Caribbean citizen can be proud of.”
CWI will now give members the opportunity to respond to the proposed resolutions in writing.”
GCB-BCA joint statement
“This Statement is issued by BCA and GCB, as two (2) Full Members of CWI, in consideration of the requirement for them to have representatives of each present at the aforementioned time and place at a meeting set to be convened by the Board of the Company for such persons carrying that capacity to vote on the resolution given by the Notice to amend the existing Articles of Association of the Company to extend the fixed term of office of the President and Vice President of the Company from two (2) to three (3) years in the form sought by the Board of Directors of CWI.
We have previously tabled our counter-proposal to have a rotational President and Vice President, as well as a longterm development plan.
TAKE NOTICE of the absence of BCA and GCB to participate and exercise the rights as Full Members of CWI at the above-mentioned CWI Special Meeting of its Full Members, for reasons set out below:-
BCA and GCB agree that1. There are and were no convincing reasons for BCA and GCB to support the sought changes/amendments to the Articles of the existing Memorandum & Articles of Association.
Also, the proposed changes /amendments lack clarity in the form as presented, and for that matter how they will benefit the Company in consideration of its multiple stakeholder base.
2. 3. The BCA submitted proposals on two occasions to CWI, with the latter not even receiving a response. Previously,
CWI, GCB/BCA at loggerheads over no-show at meeting
at the twenty-fifth CWI Annual Meeting of Members, held on 23rd March 2024, the BCA proposal was to stop the infighting through electioneering at CWI, and said proposal was supported by GCB. The current system for electing a President and Vice President provides for horse-trading and nepotism. The CWI-proposed amendments do not include the BCA/ GCB proposal as an option for members to discuss or vote on. CWI continues to ignore the voices of its shareholder reps and Full Members.
The BCA and GCB rejected the Wehby Report on the basis that it seeks to relinquish power from the territorial boards, and is further seen given recent
decisions at CWI. The repetitive meetings under the guise of corporate governance reform attempt to bring parts of said Wehby Report which were previously rejected.
4. In recent years, the Secretariat of the Company has on occasions either forgot or ignored or failed to acknowledge the historical status of, and the contribution made by, its Full Members. Without want of curtailing zeal beyond boundaries, such habitual culture must reverse in the interest of progress.
5. The mandate to provide and maintain an independently operated dispute mechanism for complainants, as required by certain existing Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (“the M&AA”)
of the Company, the Code of Ethics of International Cricket Council (“the Code of Ethics of ICC”), and the Code of Ethics of the Company and the Terms of Reference thereto.”
The GCB on Saturday further released another statement regarding the matter, titled ‘GCB clarifies December 6 Proposed CWI Members Meeting. Only Two Amendments were on the Agenda’.
That statement read, “We were quite flummoxed to read the verbose response from Cricket West Indies (CWI) on the subject of governance changes being promoted by CWI.
The two (2) proposed amendments that were to be tabled by CWI at the aborted meeting of December 06, 2024 were:
1. To increase the term in office of the President and the Vice President from two (2) years to three (3) years with a further amendment that they can serve for three (3) consecutive terms.
2. Introduction of a new article within the CWI Constitution that a nomination cannot be withdrawn save by a notice in writing by the nominee himself/herself.
We maintain our stated position that the proposed amend-
ments are self-serving and cannot and will not change the many issues affecting West Indies cricket both administratively and on the field of play.
Verily we are convinced and have proposed the introduction of a rotating (presidency) and a long-term cricket development plan as a positive and sustainable solution to the debilitations within the administration of Cricket West Indies.”
BCA President, Conde Riley
CWI President, Dr Kishore Shallow GCB President, Bissoondyal Singh
Ballerz Empire are champions of inaugural Rockstone Street Classic
Ballerz Empire was crowned the inaugural Rockstone Street Classic West Demerara Champion, defeating Jetty Gunners 3-1 in the final on Friday evening at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, West Demerara.
Kevin Padmore, Jaleei Alcindor, and Ackeem Pompey found the back of the net in the 10th, 35th, and 39th minutes, respectively. For the loser, Tefon Fraser scored in the 37th minute.
Ballerz Empire, for their efforts, collected $200,000 and the championship trophy. On the other hand, Jetty Gunners pocketed $100,000 and the second- place trophy.
In the third-place playoff, Team Family dispatched the Pouderoyen Brothers 3-1. Teon Jones bagged a brace in the 20th and 40th minutes while Devon Padmore scored in the ninth minute. On target in the loss was Emmanuel Thomas in the 11th minute.
With the win, Team Family collected $75,000 and the third- place trophy. For the loser, they received $50,000 and the fourth- place trophy.
Meanwhile, in the earlier semifinal segment, Ballerz Empire edged Family 1-0 in the first fixture of the section.
Seon Alfred recorded the only conversion of the period in the 32nd minute.
In the second semifinal fixture, Jetty Gunners bested Pouderoyen 2-0. Stephon Jupiter tallied a brace in extra time in the 41st and 42nd minutes.
Tournament coordinator
Esan Griffith said, “It was an exciting conclusion to a wonderful tournament. This is just the beginning; we intend to stage events in other areas to give everyone the opportunity to be a part of this emerging project. We had an incident-free event, which is very important in establishing a new tournament, and we are thankful to the players and fans who supported the initiative, and we can only grow and improve with each edition. We will take the momentum of the West Demerara leg into the other areas that are slated to commence in 2025.”
Complete Results
Final
Ballerz Empire-3 vs. Jetty Gunners-1
Ballerz Empire scorers
Kevin Padmore-10th
Jaleei Alcindor-35th
Ackeem Pompey-39th
Jetty Gunners scorers
Tefon Fraser-37th
3rd Place
Team Family-3 vs.
Fitness Express maintains solid support as Powerlifting Seniors set for today
The Saint Stanislaus College Auditorium will again be the center of attraction when the marquee event of the Senior Championships takes place as the curtains come down on another successful year of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation.
There is always highly anticipated competition among both male and female athletes in this year-ending showdown, as apart from aiming to outlift each other, athletes would be endeavouring to register good lifts
and totals in order to register their intention for international competition.
And maintaining support for this event -- something that had been done for years -- is Fitness Express, who would be sponsoring gift vouchers for the overall male and female lifters. In handing over the vouchers, Manager Ian Rogers said Fitness Express was more than elated to continue its rich tradition of supporting powerlifting, and sport by extension.
“This sport has been
consistently doing well, and we at Fitness Express (are) always happy to reward the athletes for their consistency. The fact that one of your athletes, Dominic Tyrrell, was rewarded as the Runnerup Sportsman of the Year and others were nominated for other awards speaks to your commitment to excelling. This is our way of saying well done and thanks for your support over the year and years.”
For unflinching support provided over the years, GAPLF Executive Member Kiana Benjamin has thanked Rogers, and owner of Fitness Express, Jamie Mc Donald, on behalf of president Franklin Wilson and the executive committee; and has posited that Fitness Express holds a special place in the sport of powerlifting and sports in Guyana, for its continued commitment to athletes’ development and support for administrative progress.
The senior championships would commence at 09:00hrs tomorrow, and an exciting time is anticipated as athletes from a number of gyms in Berbice, Georgetown, Essequibo and West Demerara are expected to be in contention.
Campbell suspended following Super50 final incident …Reifer yet to
respond to charges
Pouderoyen Brothers-1 Team Family scorers Devon Padmore-9th Teon Jones-20th and 40th
Pouderoyen Brothers scorer Emmanuel Thomas-11th
Semifinal-1 Family-0 vs. Ballerz Empire-1 Deon Alfred-32nd Semifinal-2
Pouderoyen Brothers-0 vs. Jetty Gunners-2 Stephon Jupiter41st and 42nd
Having just returned to the Super50 circuit, John Campbell has been slapped with a 4-game ban
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced that Jamaica Scorpions captain John Campbell has been suspended for four matches following a Level 3 charge related to his conduct during the CG United Super50 Final against Barbados Pride on 23 November 2024.
The charge, issued by Match Referee Reon King in accordance with the CWI Code of Conduct for Players and Officials, relates to Campbell’s decision to not attend the toss, as instructed by the umpires. In a letter to the Match Referee, Campbell apologized for the disruption.
“I sincerely regret any disruption caused during the final, and acknowledge that my actions may have been perceived as resistance to the match officials’ decision,” Campbell stated.
“It was never my intention to undermine their authority or bring the game into disrepute. I fully acknowledge the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game and the need for adherence to the rules and decisions of the officials.”
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, confirmed the suspension and highlighted the importance of Campbell’s admission in determining the sanction: “We appreciate Mr. Campbell’s acknowledgement of the situation and his sincere apology. In light of his admission
and demonstrated remorse, CWI has applied the minimum sanction of a four-match ban for a Level 3 Offence as a matter of leniency. This will be served during the 2025 CG United Super50 Tournament,” Bascombe explained. Bascombe also commented: “This decision reinforces the critical role of captains in upholding the values of sportsmanship and respect for the game’s integrity. We trust that John will use this experience to continue contributing positively to West Indies cricket and serve as a role model moving forward.”
CWI also confirmed that no prize money will be awarded, and no match fees will be paid to either team involved in the CG United Super50 Final. This year’s champion was set to receive US$100,000 while the runner-up would have received US$50,000. In addressing the broader implications of the incident, Bascombe also commented on the situation involving Barbados Pride captain Raymon Reifer, who is facing a similar charge: “At this stage, Raymon Reifer has not responded to the charges. Should he not respond, the matter would proceed to the Disciplinary Committee. Our goal is to promote accountability and ensure that all players understand the importance of maintaining professionalism and respect on and off the field.”
Guyana Brewery’s Marketing Manager Seweon McGarrell posing with the victorious Ballerz Empire unit following their victory in the inaugural edition of the Rockstone Street Classic
Action between Jetty Gunners (blue) and Ballerz Empire in the finale of the Rockstone Street Classic
Fitness Express has again made a solid contribution to the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation
T10 Tape ball
finals
GBA hosts Gokarn Ramdhani Memorial tournament Guards, Lil Rams, Mahdia and CJIA through to ERC
he Gokarn Ramdhani
TMemorial Badminton Tournament served off at the National Gymnasium on Friday evening, and intense competition ensued across multiple categories, including Under-13 to Under-19 Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and Open Men’s and Women’s Singles.
In the Women’s Singles, there were notable upsets, with seasoned players falling to rising junior stars. The evening was marked by thrilling matches, particularly in the Open Singles, which had the largest draw and saw many games completed.
While the tournament continued on Saturday, the finals for each category is set to serve off at 17:00hrs on Sunday afternoon.
The Gokarn Ramdhani
Men’s Singles R4 –Jason Stephney vs. Antoine Ramand 21-12, 21-8
Men’s Singles R4 –
Chester 21-9, 21-1
Men’s Singles R32Yonneil Benjamin vs. Mohamed Farouk 21-11, 217
Women’s Singles R16 – Menikshi Jaikissoon vs. Leshaunte Berkley 21-14, 21-7
Women’s Singles R16 – Mishka Beharry vs. Gabrielle Felix 21-11, 21-15
Men’s Singles R32 – Haresh Persaud vs. Christopher Jordan vs. 2022, 21-16, 21-19
Men’s Singles R32 –Omkar Persaud vs. Avinash Ramnarine 21-13, 21-11
Grandison Robinson vs. Ethan Bulkan 21-13, 21-8
Women’s Singles R16
Memorial tournament has received corporate support from Massy Distribution (Blue Water Brand), SOL, the National Sports Commission, and Banks DIH.
PLEASE TAKE THE RESULTS FROM THE FILE IN READ, WHERE THE BOLD IS SHOWN
First day results are as follows: (Winners in bold)
Women’s Singles R16 –Asiyah Eastman vs Ashley Forde 21-4, 21-1
Men’s Singles R32 –Colin Bowry vs. Jonathan Robinson vs. 21-18, 21-16
Men’s Singles R64 –Omkar Persaud vs. Nikolas Pollard 21-18, 21-14
Men’s Singles R64 –Shane Birkett vs. Keon Gonsalves 22-20, 14-21, 2114
– Priyanna Ramdhani vs. Abrianna Tinnie 21-7, 21-4
Men’s Singles R32 – Akili Haynes vs. Anand Persaud 21-4, 21-1
Men’s Singles R32 –Wenyuan Chen vs. Troxley Cutting 21-14, 21-16
Men’s Singles R64 –Kunal Alert vs. Andrew Browne 21-7, 21-6
Women’s Singles R16 – Shivannie Persaud vs. Harshini Muralidharan 2114, 21-16
Men’s Singles R32
– Gabriel Felix vs. Vishal Gopaul 25-23, 21-6
Women’s Singles R16 –Ambika Ramraj vs. Malia Haley 21-11, 21-7
Men’s Singles R32 –Frank Waddell vs. Micaiah Mclean 21-6, 21-5
Men’s Singles R32 –Nkosi Beaton vs. Percival
The 48 teams that have been contesting the Ethnic Relations Commission’s T10 Tape ball Harmony League have now been reduced to four; and those are: The Guards, Lil Rams, Movements Family (Mahdia), and CJIA Warriors.
Considered the best of the best, these teams would be vying for the championship title in the finals of this tournament, which would be held today at the Everest Cricket Club.
The first semifinal will be contested between The Guards and Lil Rams at 09:30h; then the Movements Family would be coming up against CJIA Warriors from 11:30h.
The final is scheduled for 15:00h.
The Guards secured their semifinal match on Saturday in a nervy win over The Organisation from Berbice, but Lil Rams and Mahdia had convincing wins over Kings and CJIA Warriors. The Warriors have progressed to the semifinal by virtue of having the best net run rate of the three losing teams.
It has been announced that FL Sport would stream the two semifinals matches and the final match.
Men’s Singles R32 –Tyrese Jeffrey vs. Grandison Robinson 11-21, 21-14, 2116
Men’s Singles R32 –Avinash Odit vs. Shane Birkett 21-7, 21-7
Men’s Singles R32 –Joanathan Debidin vs. Kunal Alert 21-6, 21-13
Men’s SinglesR16 – Akili Haynes vs. Colin Bowry 2115, 21-11
Men’s Singles R16 –Nkosi Beaton vs. Yonneil Benjamin 21-6, 21-6
Under 15 Boy’s Doubles Semi-Finals – Mohamed Farouk/Joel Rambiriche vs. Nathan Mohanlall/Anand Persaud 21-10, 21-13
Women’s Singles Quarter finals – Menikshi Jaikissoon vs. Ambika Ramraj 21-23, 21-16, 21-11
Men’s Singles R16 –Frank Waddell vs. Jason Stephney 21-14, 21-8
Men’s Singles R16 –Ruel Rambiriche vs. Alok Matadial 21-8, 21-11
Men’s Singles R16 –Omkar Persaud vs. Gabriel Felix 21-14, 21-18
Under 17 Boys Doubles Quarter Finals – Ethan Bulkan/Egan Bulkan vs. Shane Birkett/Percival Chester 21-10, 21-8
Under 19 Mixed Doubles Quarter Finals – Abrianna Tinnie/Anand Persaud vs. Haresh Persaud/Malia Haley 21-12, 21-6
Men’s Singles R16 - Wenyuan Chen vs. Joanathan Debidin 21-18, 21-15
Women’s Singles Quarter Finals – Asiyah Eastman vs. Shivannie Persaud 21-17, 21-8
Player.
Through this initiative, the ERC aims to build lasting connections among participants, promote mutual respect, and strengthen community ties across Guyana.
Latif 14; Tariq Farouk 3-15, Shiloh Adams 2-17) v Kings 84-9 from 10 overs (Sachin Singh 15,
15, Ryan Latif 14*,
Surijpaul 3-15, Thaddeus Lovell 2-12)
The tournament boasts exciting rewards, including a $500,000 prize for the champions, $250,000 for the runners-up, and $100,000 for each of the two semifinalists
Individual accolades each worth $60,000 would be awarded for the Man of the Final, Most Runs, and Most Wickets, with trophies generously sponsored by Trophy Stall. There will also be a prize of $100,000 for the tournament’s Most Valuable
Below is a summary of matches played on Saturday: MATCH 1 SUMMARY: The Guards 175-5 from 10 overs (Sheldon Alexander 81*, Richie Lookanuth 32*, Daniel Ross 25; Vikash Wilkinson 2-25; Andy Ramnarine 1-25) v Strike Panthers 80-7 from 9.3 overs (Alvin Singh 21*, Vikash Wilkinson 20; Christopher Barnwell 4-7, Daniel Ross 1-5)
MATCH 2 SUMMARY: Lil Rams 137-7 from 10 overs (Johnathan Van Lange 50, Shamar Apple 24, Riyad
MATCH 3 SUMMARY: CJIA Warriors 64-8 from 10 overs (Noel Evelyn 26, Shakiel Wong 18; Neiland Cadogan 3-9, Floy Joseph 2-7) v Mahdia 67-2 from 5.5 overs (Ricardo Adams 39, Carlos LaRose 16; Sunil Sarjoo 1-15)
MATCH 4 SUMMARY: The Organisation 62-9 from 10 overs (Ravindra Beharry 19; Keston Harcourt 4-12, Daniel Ross 2-14) v The Guards 65-7 from 7.3 overs (Daniel Ross 34; Carl Gilgeous 2-7, Sanjay Algoo 1-9)
Edge Sports Management aims to assist in athletes’ brand-building – Chelsea Edghill
To improve the marketing of athletes in Guyana, national table tennis player the Olympian Chelsea Edghill has launched Edge Sports Management, which aims to assist athletes to reach the next level, improve on their presentation, and be recipients of corporate sponsorship.
This management entity has significantly highlighted top Guyanese sportsmen and women, with those being Briton John, Ceili Peterson, Jethher Harris, Niran Bissu, Attoya Harvey,
Raekwon Noel, Shakeem Fausette, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Zion Hickerson, Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes.
CEO Chelsea Edghill, speaking exclusively with <<Guyana Times>>, has expounded on the entity’s overall aim toward athletes’ brand development, national federations, clubs, and sporting management.
“So, as it pertains to athletes, we want to help them build their social media and their overall personal brand, and also help
to manage their career planning, ensuring that they get to the level that they want to. In the grand scheme of things, sports management offers sports management services, sports consulting, and event management for national federations, clubs, and sporting organizations.
“We also cater to corporate entities that want to host corporate events as well,” Edghill said. She went on to divulge that the entity’s long-term goal is to be sports advisors and to introduce new sporting technologies on the local scene. Edghill said, “Our goal is to be able to position yourself as the person, the people that you go to if you need advice in terms of sports management, and elevating sports in Guyana. We want to be the go-to source for anything sports management. I think that’s our goal for the next two to five years. It’s also to be able to bring new technologies to Guyana when it comes to sports and sports development.” (Omar McKenzie)
Chatram Nauth
Ganesh
Part of the action on Saturday at Queen’s College Ground
Briton John is among Guyana’s top sportspersons to be showcased by Edge Sports Management
A look at the Badminton action in the Gokarn Ramdhani Memorial tournament
Waramuri Primary on Saturday afternoon pulled off a nail- biting victory on penalty kicks to dethrone Marian Academy as Champions of the Petra-Organised MVP Sports’ Girls Under-11 Schools’ Football tournament.
St. John the Baptist Primary also prevailed over Potaro Primary in the third- place playoff. More details on the conclusion of this tournament will be published in tomorrow’s edition of Guyana Times Sport. In the meantime, this publication extends heartiest congratulations to winners Waramuri Primary and St John the Baptist Primary schools!!
On Saturday, at the world- renowned Bourda Cricket Ground, President Dr. Irfaan Ali led his team to a thrilling six-run victory over the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 TV crew in an exhibition T20 Tape Ball match. Batting first, the President’s XI posted a total of 121 in 20 overs. In reply, the GSLT20 TV crew were bowled out for 115 in the 19th over.