Guyana Times - Sunday, February 26, 2023

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Minister of State for Overseas Territories, Commonwealth, Energy, Climate and Environment of the United Kingdom, Lord Zac Goldsmith, British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller, and other representatives of the Commission and several Govt Ministers share a photo at the dinner on Friday at State House (Office of the President photo)

$14M nursery school commissioned at Kokshebai, Region 9 …no more long walks through rough terrain to attend school

Young children of the Amerindian village of Kokshebai, South Pakaraimas in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) no longer have to walk miles through rough terrain to attend school as the Ministry of Education built a new nursery school in the community.

During a visit to the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region, Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall travelled to the community to officially commission Kokshebai Nursery School on Tuesday.

The brand-new school was constructed by Osbert Rebeiro at a cost of $14 million.

According to the Education Ministry, the pupils previously had to manoeuvre the rough terrain for more than five miles as they travelled to Taushida, a neighbouring village, to receive an education.

Minister Manickchand, during her remarks, stated

that ensuring each child receives an education regardless of their geographic location remains a top priority for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government. She also told parents that the Government firmly believes that once given the resources, the children of the hinterland can achieve the same success as those on the coastland.

The Education Minister further stated that constructing a school is only part of giv-

ing children a strong education, the other part is ensuring there are trained teachers in each classroom. In addition, she highlighted that the Ministry’s breakfast programme will also be extended to the village, textbooks will be given to each pupil and in July, each schoolaged child will receive $40,000 through the “Because We Care” cash grant programme.

Meanwhile, Minister Dharamlall noted that the establishment of this new school in the hinterland community is part of the Government’s agenda to ensure every citizen benefits from the rapid development taking place.

While in the village, Ministers Manickchand and Dharamlall also commissioned a health facility. This will ease the villagers’ burden of travelling to other neighbouring villages to access basic healthcare.

Also during the visit, the Government Ministers turned the sod for the construction of a modern secondary school at Karasabai – a $1.7 billion investment that will transform education delivery in Region Nine.

The construction of the facility is being undertaken by Avinash Contracting and is scheduled to be completed in two years.

Ministers Priya Manickchand and Nigel Dharamlall joined children from Kokshebai to commission the new nursery school on Tuesday

Guyana intends to expand relationship with French Guiana

…“we’re all part of the Guiana Shield” – President Ali to visiting British Lord

One of Guyana’s foreign policy goals is expanding the reltionship with nearby French Guiana, a fact shared by President Dr Irfaan Ali while meeting British Lord Zac Goldsmith, during his official visit to Guyana.

Lord Goldsmith is the Minister of State for Overseas Territories, Commonwealth, Energy, Climate and Environment of the United Kingdom. On Friday, President Ali hosted a dinner in his honour.

After dinner, the Head of State presented a painting by renowned Guyanese artist Dillon Craig, to the visiting dignitary. However, during the course of their meeting, in responding to a question from Lord Goldsmith, President Ali described the relationship with French Guiana as an excellent one they are in-

ers; you have unlocked the secret of protecting nature while at the same time taking care of the interest of the people who depend most directly on that nature,” the Minister of State had said

first edition of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue, where Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname came together to discuss the development of a common security masterplan back in 2021.

During a trilateral engagement in Cayenne, French Guiana, where Guyana was represented by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, the discussion centred on joint security threats and challenges facing the countries. The dialogue also underscored the importance of shared respective understanding of the regional strategic defence and security environment.

tent on expanding.

“There’s a good relationship. We’re all part of the Guiana Shield. So… we’re now trying to expand that relationship,” President Ali informed the Minister of State during his visit at State House.

Lord Goldsmith has had a busy visit, travelling to Annai, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) only days ago. During that visit, where he was accompanied by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Lord Goldsmith had said that the primary aim of his visit was to seek ways in which they can strengthen the relationship between Guyana and the UK.

Lord Goldsmith also did a recent handover of Information Technology (IT) equipment at the Guyana Forestry Commission, which will support the commission’s work as required under the European Union – Guyana Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade/Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT/VPA).

“You don’t need us to succeed, I can see that… But if we can help in any way… we are at your service and we are here to partner up as much as possible. You are already world lead-

during the handover.

There has been work within the Guiana Shield to improve collaboration, such as the work done during the

The issues of how the countries can collaborate and structure their operational and technical cooperation in the fight against the security threats and other challenges facing the populations, territories, maritime space and interests were also discussed.

Within the framework of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue on security and defence and to develop a common security masterplan, the various sides agreed to exchange views and work closely on technical and operational areas, including increased joined land, and sea patrol missions. Additionally, it was agreed to strive for a global and coordinated approach against illicit trafficking and serious crimes, including drug trafficking, illegal gold mining, environmental crimes and irregular immigration with a focus on anticipation, threat assessment, prevention.

The third area that was agreed to was response and increasing joint attention to the environment and climate change, including security and defence impact on climate change and to help safeguard essential conditions for peace and sustainable development. (G3)

The British and Guyanese sides during discussions at State House

President Dr Irfaan Ali (left) as he hands over a painting by renowned Guyanese artist Dillon Craig to UK Minister of State for Overseas territories, Lord Goldsmith

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Fragility of democracy

In an interview with this newspaper, the French NonResident Ambassador, Nicolas de Lacoste, who is resident in Suriname, reflected on the recent attack on the Parliament there by mobs encouraged by the Opposition under the leadership of former President and convicted drug smuggler Desi Bouterse. The Ambassador highlighted the “fragility” of democracy and emphasized: “All the democratic institutions have to be defended by all means…You don’t attack, you don’t vandalise, the National Assembly; you have to take measures to defend democracy.”

Asked about our democracy, which came under attack when the Opposition supporters withing GECOM attempted to rig our March 2020 elections, he advised, “The most important is to have clear rules for the game, and to have the best of possible electoral codes. I think this is the best way to ensure stability: to ensure that when you have elections, nobody afterwards (is contesting the results); that you have a flow from team to another without any kind of turbulences.”

But this is easier said than done when you have an Opposition such as ours, where their MPs actually carried out an equally vicious attack on our National Assembly from within. They not only invaded the neutral space separating Government and Opposition MPs to prevent a Government Minister and MP from delivering his speech, but removed the Parliamentary Mace from its rightful position in a disorderly fashion, causing damage to the Mace, and injuring and assaulting a staff of the Parliament Office while attempting to remove the Mace from the chamber. Another Opposition MP destroyed the communication equipment of the Assembly. And when later suspended by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, they actually had the temerity to file a suit in the Courts, knowing full well that such matters are exclusively handled by Parliament.

The Ambassador emphasized adherence to the “rules of the (political) game”, and, in doing so, identified the greatest threat to democracy in our country. The fundamental rule of democracy is that, in making decisions, the majority’s views are to be carried out. The task of all parties competing for office, then, is to convince a majority of the voters that they have a better plan for running the country to the betterment of all. There was a time when it could be argued that, with the voters choosing along ethnic lines, parties with ethnic majorities had a built-in advantage. But this is no longer the case, since no one ethnic group even approaches a majority on its own. This was demonstrated in the elections of 2011, 2015 and 2020, when the Government was respectively checkmated, removed, and then its successor removed. This politics of “in and out” quintessentially defines democracy in a polity, and any party where cleavages remain strong would do whatever is in its powers to attract “outside” votes. Which can be achieved via coalitions or articulation of equitable policies.

Our dilemma, however, is that by questioning even the most obvious decisions in the political realm, the Opposition is cultivating a victimhood mentality within its support base. Take the age-old Parliamentary tradition of the No Confidence Motion that had removed several Governments in Britain and India and other jurisdictions. After initially agreeing that “democracy had triumphed”, when such a Motion was passed when one of their MPs voted with the Opposition, they recanted and claimed, all the way to the CCJ, that 33 was not the majority of sixtyfive, even though they were in office precisely through such a majority, and the CCJ was appropriately scathing in its judgement.

But the fragility of democracy is exposed as much when the Opposition is weak as when it is cantankerous. When any Government becomes convinced that it cannot be removed by the Opposition at the polls, it inevitably has the tendency, when acting unilaterally, to misuse its powers. A responsible Opposition must present itself always as a “Government in waiting” to keep the Government on its toes and to make democracy strong. It is our hope that our Opposition will “wise up”.

GECOM's extension of ‘objections’ is very generous

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Elections Commission's (GECOM’s) decision to extend the period of ‘Objections’ is very generously accommodative. The flexibility exercised supports the intent of allowing every eligible person the opportunity to vote in their respective constituency, while removing unnecessary queries concerning the updated Voters List for the constituencies in the various Local Authority Areas.

The context can be viewed from the perspective that several ‘full Claims and Objections were held following the various Continuous Registration cut-off points, allowing political parties and other stakeholders time to raise any relevant queries.

Diligent political and other parties, including those who had attendant scrutineers in the Continuous Registration Cycles, should have already had a status position when the cycle came to an end.

The extension therefore provides more time than the usually notified period for interested stakeholders to raise concerns, and allows the corresponding option of verification to remove doubts concerning the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) that has been posted in relevant areas to serve as public notices in the various constituencies.

In preparation for finalising the Register of Voters

List for the upcoming Local Government Elections, GECOM has exercised discretion. This will also allow all who are eligible to vote in their respective constituencies an opportunity to relook at the extracts from the PLE for the constituency where they reside to identify their names.

This process also allows the public to scrutinise approximately two thousand names of persons who were processed during GECOM’s last Continuous Registration cycle, held in response to queries raised by the PNC/R.

Further, it allows the newly elected Assistant Electoral Registrar in each area some time to become fully acquainted with the logistics required for their respective areas of assignment.

Consequently, with the names of approximately 2000 persons updated to the Register of Registrants, GECOM must aggressively get on with holding of the overdue LGEs. Naturally, any further unnecessary delay outside the cutoff points would likely encourage queries concerning persons meeting the qualifying criteria who are not included on the Voters’ list.

As the entire nation awaits the voting day, GECOM must finalize all arrangements and put the necessary system in place for the seamless holding of these LGEs. It is clear that by attrition and many other rea-

sons, many Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) are not functioning as they should. Importantly, the rapid development at the national level is putting a greater demand on the NDCs to be more proactive.

It cannot be understated how very critical NDCs are to the functioning of our local democracy. They are essential to the delivery of key services and for advancing from the community level, a platform for community citizens to plurally benefit from national programs and initiatives. Importantly, ensuring the maintenance of community drainage, especially in the extended rainy seasons, is a matter of serious concern, since it impacts health among other critical support.

Editor, in hastening to the seriousness of getting things right at this level, permit me to highlight the words of the Hon Minister of Finance, who in his 2023 Budget Presentation said, “We inherited a lethargic system encouraged by the former Government and practised by some Local Democratic Organs (LDOs). Our Government has long recognized that robust local government architecture and systems support more sustainable communities. Consequently, once the LGEs are held, we can consider accelerated community benefits from the implementation of several impacting developmental community

projects”.

Importantly, following notification of readiness from GECOM, the Hon. Minister of Local Government has set the twelfth of June 2023 as the date of the LGEs. And all NDCs are busy preparing their candidates to contest the Elections. The Municipalities are also very much in elections mode. Consequently, GECOM must not allow the Opposition commissioners to propose any further delay.

The Work Plan is in place, and all preparation for the holding of LGEs on June 12th must be done.

GECOM must beware of all the rogue elements that are still in their employment. Election Day staff must be fully prepared, be honest, and hold free and fair elections.

Further, our Government has updated elections Legislation, including the Representation of the Peoples Act (ROPA), with the intent of deterring lawlessness by elections officials in the conduct of their work. The LGEs will also avail the opportunity to test the real impact of the legislative updates, given the need for confidence in the system by all stakeholders.

Let us have LGEs as scheduled, without any further delays.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken enjoying a game of dominoes with residents of Circuitville, Yarrowkabra, Linden-Soeskyde Highway during the community’s fun-day on Saturday. The commissioner was accompanied by Commander Regional Division 4 ‘B’ Mahendra Singh; Commander Regional Division 4 ‘C’, Khali Pareshram; retired Commissioner of Police Seelal Persaud and other senior and junior officers (GPF photos)

Be cognisant of ills, declines in moral fabric of our society

Dear Editor, On February 14, 2023, I was privileged to attend the opening ceremony of the second International Energy Conference and Expo in Georgetown, Guyana. Once again, the coordinator and his astute team have done an exceptional job at hosting the four-day event in an atmosphere filled with the buzz

of economic growth, innovations, and business expansion, with prosperity for all Guyanese and our visiting business executives from worldclass international corporations who are seeking inroads to fortify their pathway to share in the prosperity of our most rewarding natural resource. One cannot dispute that

the Master of Ceremonies and all the presenters were of exceptional calibre, who delivered inspiring, brilliant and dynamic speeches. However, the most impactful speaker to me was none other than the Honourable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. During his speech, Hon. Dr. Gonsalves

Dear Editor,

chose to move away from the traditional political discourse which is often decorated with politics, economics and promises.

Rather, he chose to redirect his thoughts and attention to the audience by highlighting the socio-economic challenges which are prevailing in our society. He has called on the leaders to focus on the impor-

tance of the unique family structure, domestic abuse, assault, divorce, poverty, teenage pregnancy and incest, alarming rates of obesity, high school dropouts, illiteracy, alcohol use and abuse in Guyana and the Caribbean.

I echo Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ appeal, I call upon our educators, our local civil society leaders, our

politicians, and leaders in our religious instructions to be cognisant of the ills and declines of the moral fabric of our society. Do not shy away from the challenging issues. Work on addressing these matters urgently!

Respectfully, Nazar

Mohamed Businessman

Commitment to develop Guyana

It can be said that Guyana’s 9th Executive President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, is blessed not because he was elected to the highest office, but because of having Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips and the experienced former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and a devoted cabinet.

Since assuming office in 2020, President Ali has done an amazing job of maintaining peace and stability in the country, and has rallied the nation to support his policies despite fierce criticism. His success is one for the history books.

He is a prodigious President who is doing everything to develop Guyana, improve the lives of the masses, and make Guyana the envy of not only the Caribbean and its neighbours in Latin America, but to the rest of the world.

President Ali’s strong leadership has positioned Guyana as the regional and global leader on food security, renewable energy, and climate change, all of which could wreak havoc on the world’s economy, especially those in the Global South (Third World or underdeveloped countries).

He has taken Guyana to new heights never seen or heard of before. No one knows what the future holds, but, in a short span of time, Dr. Ali could be considered one of the most successful Presidents, and there has never been any real doubt that the country’s youthful President would lead Guyana to the “promised” land.

However, President Ali’s success can be credited to Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, Vice President Dr. Jagdeo, and his cabinet. As the former chief of staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) from 2013 to 2016, Brigadier Phillips transition from being a non-politician to a politician and Prime Minister was effortless. His progression seems natural and real, especially since he has risen to the occasion, accepted his responsibilities and has so far performed brilliantly.

Brigadier Phillips was an excellent choice as the second in command and since his inauguration as Prime Minister he has unequivocally supported President Ali’s policies to advance the economic, social, and political interests of the nation. He is creative, innova-

tive, original, and inspirational as a leader.

Vice President Jagdeo needs no introduction because is well known. After serving as President for twelve years, Dr. Jagdeo is renowned for his mega projects and his development skills and as an economist.

Regarding education, since returning to the Ministry of Education in 2020, Ms. Priya Manickchand has done an outstanding job. She has transformed and modernized the education system to make courses available online. Such technological changes have significantly improved education and reduced school dropouts. Today, Guyana leads the Caribbean in higher grades at the Caribbean Council Examination (CXC).

In 2022, Guyana had the best performance in nine subjects with improvements in English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, and other science subjects. Much to her credit, Ms. Manickchand and her team are in the process of streamlining and transforming the education system, and they are doing an excellent job.

With Ministers Colin

Croal and Suzanne Rodrigues at the helm, the Ministry of Housing and Water has performed superbly since 2020. They have distributed more than 20,000 house lots across the country, established 44 new housing schemes, upgraded infrastructure in 43 existing housing schemes, reduced settlements from 19 to 13, and built more than 1000 houses.

In this period, several new wells have been drilled, thus making potable water more accessible to the people, especially those in the rural areas of the country. Both Ministers have promised much more in the future. Kudos to them.

Even with huge oil resources, development will take place in Guyana without new and modern infrastructure which is the hallmark of the Ministry of Public Works. Headed by Ministers Bishop Juan Edghill and Mr. Deodat Indar, the Ministry has constructed more than 1000 roads, awarded hundreds of contracts, and facilitated training programme for local contractors.

The Ministry has embarked on major transformational projects, including

building of the new four-lane Demerara River Bridge, and is in the process of establishing an alternative route to the Cheddi Jagan Airport, and modernize the modes of transportation, among other things. So far so good.

In the area of agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture has demonstrated its commitment to the development of the agriculture sector by reopening the closed sugar estates and increasing rice production. With support from President Ali, Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has invested heavily in rice, livestock, and cash crops across

the country to cushion the impact of food shortage and the high cost of living.

The Ministry has also made some strategic investment in the sugar industry, with the ultimate objective to produce more value-added products for domestic and international markets and to make GuySuCo solvent in the not-too-distant future.

Minister Mustapha has been proactive in rationalizing the cost structures and diversifying the sugar sales mix to maximize earnings. According to the Minister, the Rose Hall Factory is scheduled to reopen in October.

Congratulations to Minister Mustapha and his team. Today Guyanese are living in a period of rapid technological and scientific change, and President Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips and the cabinet are dedicated and committed to educate the masses, improve health care, eradicate the disease of poverty and homelessness, heal the racial divide, promote the “One Guyana initiative” and move the country forward.

Sincerely,

Dr Asquith Rose

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GENERAL INFORMATION ON PETS’ NORMAL PHYSIOLOGICAL VALUES

GESTATION

After the egg and sperm cell meet and fertilization takes place, the little ensuing entity (called a Zygote) starts dividing itself and developing into an embryo which will grow into a foetus and then into a fully formed baby (pup, kitten, piglet, etc.) in the mother’s womb, until it is discharged from the womb into the world. The period of time from the conception to the delivery is called GESTATION (the period of pregnancy).

Different species have varying gestation periods. For no other reasons than offering those fans of this column a bit of reference material, I am providing below a Table compiled by the scientists who put together the vets’ reference “bible” – The Merck Veterinary Manual. It makes for interesting comparisons.

Pet owners who are really interested in their pets should keep this article and refer to it whenever they feel the compulsive need to

call their vet on the matter of pregnancy duration. The Table is also for those caregivers who collect these “Pet Care” articles.

Gestation Periods

The numbers in the table shown reflect averages. For example, the dog’s gestation length is given as 56-64 days. But any Veterinarian who has been long enough in practice will be able to recall a bitch (female dog) that had given birth to her pups before day 56 and even after day 64 of her pregnancy.

The message here is that you should not get into the panic mode, if your canine companion has given birth before the 56th day of pregnancy or not yet by the 64th day. Also, I should mention that if there are many puppies in the womb, the mother dog might begin to push them out before the 56th day has been reached.

In any case, you should be in constant contact with your Vet from the time the female companion animal

comes into heat right until the offspring have been born and thereafter. If everything is going good, the first time you will see the Vet should be 3 weeks after parturition (giving birth) when the pups/kittens have to be dewormed.

SOME IMPORTANT NOTES ON PREGNANCY LENGTHS

NOTE WELL: If your breeding programme is planned, then the caregiver/breeder should record the exact date(s) of the mating. This will help in determining the birth expectancy more accurately – for example, if the second mating was the successful one, then the caregiver should expect that the birthing will take place between 63-65 days after copulation (mating) or even later.

When is the pregnancy length too long?

My answer relying on experience and on the same MERCK’s VETERINARY MANUAL referred to above, is that great accuracy may be difficult to achieve – not

lastly because the dates of copulations may not coincide with the date of the actual conception. However,

that the litter size (amount of pups in the mother’s womb) did not show any influence on the length of

if the period extends beyond 65 days, there is reason for concern.

DOG BREEDS AND PREGNANCY LENGTH

Research has shown that the West Highland Terriers (WHITE) have significantly longer gestation periods than most breeds. The scientists have worked out that the variation of pregnancy length between German Shepherds, Dobermans, Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain dogs was not markedly significant.

Further, the same study, interestingly found

pregnancy.

Nevertheless, I should mention that statistics can be very unreliable, especially if the sample size in small and the methodology of statistical analysis used is suspect. Also, the season and a tropical environment during which a female is bred could very well result in varying gestation lengths.

I trust that this article addresses the gestation topic fully. If any caregiver or bona fide breeder needs more information, please contact us directly.

Happy Masharamani to all – revellers and non-revellers.

Govt to engage oil majors on use of renewable energy, green hydrogen …to

lower carbon emissions during oil exploration & production

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has assured that they will continue to have talks with oil companies operating in Guyana’s waters, so that they can incorporate more use of renewable energy and, if possible, green hydrogen during their exploration for and production of oil.

This assurance was given in the Government’s Energy Brief for February 2023. In it, the Government referenced their carbon credentials and also noted that the Government will continue seeking ways in which emissions can be reduced during oil exploration.

“The Government implemented one of the very few taxes on flaring in the world – where beyond the commissioning period, all flaring is taxed at US$45 per tonne of carbon. The PPP/C Government will continue dialogue with oil producers.”

“To ensure that, alongside the above measures, exploration and production operations continue to explore all possibilities for lower carbon technological innovation – including the use of renewable energy in oil production, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and, –

when technologically viable – green hydrogen,” the Government stated in the brief.

Green hydrogen is the use of water as a renewable energy source, by electrolysis of water. Even now, interest in green hydrogen continues to gain traction on the world stage, with talk of its application in the oil and gas sector.

It was pointed out in the energy brief that for 2019 alone, 50 of the largest economies in the world – which account for 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions – increased their support for fossil fuel production by 30 per cent, with total support reaching US$178 billion. Further, the brief pointed out that most of this was in developed

countries who are members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

“The Government of Guyana therefore supports calls for the elimination of such fossil fuel subsidies, especially in OECD countries where subsidies are the most distorting. This will lead to the breakup of the current monopoly-like situation, and the stabilising of price levels. Combined, these two policies can drive the most carbon intensive and least economically-rational oil and gas out of the market.”

“Enabling the remaining post-2050 supply of oil to be the lowest carbon and most economically efficient. At the same time, to drive down carbon intensity fur-

ther and remain relevant in a Paris Climate Agreementcompatible oil market, Guyana will significantly increase domestic policy measures,” the brief further explained.

As the world’s fastest-growing super basin in recent years, Guyana is estimated to have potential resources in excess of 25 billion barrels offshore. In the oil-rich Stabroek Block

alone, which is operated by ExxonMobil and its co-venturers, there are nearly 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

To date, there have been some 35 discoveries in the Stabroek Block, where production activities have been ongoing since 2015, and a total of 40 oil finds for all blocks being explored offshore Guyana. Currently, the Liza phase 1 and phase 2 developments in the Stabroek Block are operating at a combined gross production capacity of more than 360,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) using the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, respectively.

The third development in the Stabroek Block –Payara – is on track to come online by the end of 2023 with a gross production capacity of approximately 220,000 bpd. While this may be the gross production capacity, it is expected that

the start-up will see a much small number of oil barrels being produced. For instance, when the Liza phase two started in 2022, it was producing significantly less than its current production.

Meanwhile the Yellowtail – the fourth development – is slated for 2025 with a production capacity of some 250,000 bpd. Both these development projects have been approved by the Guyana Government.

Uaru is the fifth development and is expected to come online at the end of 2026 with a gross production capacity of approximately 250,000 bpd with first oil anticipated at the end of 2026. The development plan for Uaru was submitted for Government approval in November 2022 and final approval is expected by the end of the first quarter of this year. ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. (G3)

A green hydro platform in the Dutch North Sea (Photo: Neptune Energy)

Brazilians caught at illegal mining camp to be charged

…(political) toes

Two Brazilian nationals, identified as Alexander Felix and Luan Ricardo Braga Silva, will be charged on Monday, for having illegal mining sites at the New River Triangle, South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Saturday said that Felix, who is a helicopter pilot, will be facing four charges, namely: operating a civil aircraft without an airworthiness certificate; interference with an air-

craft; operating an aircraft without insurance, and illegal entry into Guyana.

The second suspect, Silva, who was also found at the illegal mining camp, will be charged with the offence of illegal entry into Guyana.

Three days ago, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) reported that they destroyed an illegal mining camp and seized a helicopter and several other items in the New River Triangle.

According to the report,

the soldiers had gathered intelligence on the mining operation, launched a search of the New River Triangle, and arrested two Brazilian nationals, Felix and Silva. Upon seeing soldiers, several others fled the scene into the surrounding jungle.

The illegal mining camp was secured and cleared by members of the Guyana Defence Force. A shotgun, 10 cellular phones, a gen-

erator, mining equipment, passports, identification cards, and a bank card were recovered. A quantity of equipment was confiscated, and mining tunnels were destroyed.

The Guyana Defence Force has said that the operation was conducted over a period of four days, involved two officers and 27 of their ranks, and was supported by the Air Corps. (G9)

By now it’s clear that Mash is a Government thing. Your Eyewitness wonders how much was budgeted for all the elaborate costumes, music, food, trucks, and everything else that goes with having a good time at Mashramani. And let’s not forget the fun wasn’t confined to the Big Mango (GT!) but was extended to all the (farflung) regions. And it wasn’t confined to the DAY alone, but was preceded by children’s activities all over the place. The kids, of course, didn’t mind – it was a chance to officially skip classes!! And that’s always good news!! We know it gotta be at least a billion! But hey - a billion here and a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money!!

But it wasn’t just the tramping and Mashing that received attention. Your Eyewitness saw this video of two big (and he means BIG!) men tussling at a Mash flagraising function over in (the troubled) Region 4 that was quite hair-raising!! This was the day before Mash, and your Eyewitness wondered whether they weren’t jumping the gun!! But he suspects the usual suspects probably wanted to ‘wine and guh down” in the big parade in GT on the ‘real” day!!

Anyhow back to the tussle - which reminded your Eyewitness of nothing else than when he was back in Lil ABC. He’d snatch the book of his arch-rival Sammy, hold it aloft, and refuse to return it, since Sammy was quite vertically challenged! He enjoyed seeing Sammy futilely jumping up and down! Anyhow, in this pre-Mash affair, it was the Chairman of Reg 4 – a PNC ex-army captainversus the PPP REO!

After finishing his remarks, the Chairman fella noted there was a paucity of females on the programme, and called AFC MP Cathy Hughes to speak. Well…who told him to do that!!?? The REO – a big, burly fella – lunged like little Sammy of yore, to grab the mike – only to have the chair deftly evading him with the mike aloft!! It was quite funny - especially to have the scene reenacted by these two big men!

Now, this Chairman fella was the one who’d reneged on the PNC’s promise to allot the Vice-Chair of Reg 4 to an AFC Councillor. So, was he trying to kiss and make up, since the AFC has kept its word and walked away from the coalition?? Or did he think Cathy would finally reveal all the cloak and dagger work she and Ramjattan did to thwart that Russian agent sent to rig our elections?? Now we’ll never know, and the Chairman fella’s taken the CEO to the Police for assault!!

Your Eyewitness is happy that the statute of limitations has expired for Little Sammy!!

…Russia

Not that the rising prices hadn’t given him the message, but guess when your Eyewitness felt this war between Russia and Ukraine was getting waaaay too serious?? When Joe Biden – the sitting President of the US of A (and yes, he does sit a lot!!) flew over to Ukraine and toured the battle zone to show solidarity!! But then he found out Joe had telephoned the Russians ahead of time that he was gonna visit Zelenski - he had his doubts!! Surely Churchill didn’t dial Hitler before visiting those refugees from Dunkirk??

Anyhow, your Eyewitness is a tad surprised that the European Coalition with the US is holding! He’d thought some cracks would be showing by now, since the energy crunch threw most of their economies into a tailspin. Tells us more about Europe’s fears of Russia than about the “sanctity” of Ukraine’s borders. Germany was once feared even more – and there’re two World Wars to prove that. But they’ve buried the hatchet.

Why not with Russia? They’re Slavs??

…for One Guyana

If the Government’s serious about commemorating Republic Day, then it should be doing what every other country does: have a parade of what defines us as a nation. Leave the wine-down to folks who want that.

The camp that was destroyed by the GDF ranks

The helicopter that was seized by GDF ranks

$900M Revolving Forestry Fund

Small villages to produce furniture for schools in Guyana – Bharrat

…as Fund helping communities

With Guyana having more than 18 million hectares of forest, a portion of which provides climate services, the Natural Resources Ministry is intent on facilitating the growth of value-added industries around the forestry sector whenever logging does occur.

Natural Resources

Minister Vickram Bharrat explained recently that even as they work to keep the deforestation rate low, there is also a need to ensure that the viability of the sector is maintained for those who depend on the forest for a livelihood. He said this is where the $900 million revolving fund is significant.

“That is why you would hear us speak a lot about val-

boost value-added production

“Soon, we will see some of the small villages like Ituni in Northwest, they’ll be producing furniture for our schools in Guyana. And this is something that should be happening. When we realised that we actually have to send furniture into Region 10, we realised that this should not be. When most of our produce in the forestry sector, is coming from Region 10.”

Describing it as the Government’s new project, Bharrat explained that there are many benefits to promoting value-added industries

ue-added, moving towards value-added. It’s simply cutting less trees, but keeping the sector viable. Keeping the jobs going. Keeping the economic activities, espe-

cially in the hinterland regions, going. Moving towards value-added. And we have had significant movements towards achieving this,” Bharrat said.

around the forestry sector. High among those benefits is adding to the overall appeal of the sector.

“We’re working with those communities. That’s our new project that we’re working on, to ensure that we help the communities too. Because it is expensive and the revolving fund would go a long way in helping those communities, along with Government incentives and assistance, to ensure we can move towards value-added in the forestry sector.”

“Which is our aim, because it means we don’t

have to harvest more trees, to keep the sector viable. It can become more valuable by moving towards value-added,” Minister Bharrat further explained.

Last year, with assistance from Demerara Bank Limited, the Guyana Government set up a $900 million revolving fund that is aimed at boosting the forestry sector to meet market demands. President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that some $300 million from the State’s coffers has been set aside for this revolving fund.

A portion of Guyana’s forest

Berbice accident

Detective’s death, a major loss to Berbice – Commander …“he was like a father to all of us” – sister

The passing of a Detective Corporal of Police has been described as a huge loss for the Region Six Police Division.

Detective Corporal Alden Reynolds died on Friday at a city hospital following an accident on Thursday.

Regional Commander

Shivpersaud Bacchus on Saturday said the officer was on duty at the time the intoxicated driver lost control of the car he was driving and crashed into him and his colleague.

“It is a difficult time for us. The corporal was a very disciplined rank and up to his last he was on duty going up to Mara under the stewardship of the Deputy Commander to form a Community Policing Group there…that could not have materialised due to an errant driver and today we are mourning the loss of our loved one,” the Commander stated as he visited family members of the late Corporal Alden Reynolds.

The Commander and a team making up the Cops and Faith Committee visited relatives in both Regions Five and Six.

Forty-year-old Reynolds was on a residential bridge at Heatburn village along with a colleague when a driver lost control of the car he was driving and crashed into the duo.

Reynolds, who was stationed at Whim Police Station and attached to the Criminal Investigation Department, was flung into the air and was unconscious when he landed,

while Sergeant Javon Thomas, 37, who is stationed at Rose Hall Police Station as the Station Sergeant was pinned under the car.

Police had stated that the driver of the car, HD 2816, is a 50-year-old taxi driver of First Street, Edinburgh village, East Bank Berbice.

According to the Police, motor car HD 2816 was proceeding along the roadway at a fast rate of speed when the driver lost control of his vehicle and collided with the right side rear portion of motor car PAC 4187 which was parked on the grass parapet.

Pivotal role in investigations

Regional Detective Officer Rawl Nedd, speaking to the wife of the late detective, said he played a pivotal role in investigations which were deemed as complex, adding that no words can express what they are feeling as a unit.

His wife, Adella John, referred to Reynolds as a dedi-

cated Police officer, saying that he was always in contact with her superiors.

The Commandeer committed to assisting the family. He pointed out that the Commissioner, who already sympathised with the family, is expected to make a personal visit on Monday.

The fallen cop’s eldest sister, Elscia Reynolds, said he was like a father to them.

“Although he was young-

er, he was like a father to all of us; loving, caring – he always stand by our side.”

Another sister, Fran Reynolds-David, overwhelmed by emotions, explained that since the passing of their father, her young brother stepped up and filled in. She added that her brother no longer being around will be very hard for her mother.

“He always look out for us, you can call on him anytime. If

you need something he would never say no, he would always say he would try and get it. Can’t refer to him as a brother, he was like a father.”

The senior Reynolds passed away almost two decades ago under similar circumstances when he was standing on the road’s shoulder and an intoxicated minibus driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a motorcyclist, sending the two-wheeled vehicle into the senior Reynolds.

The Corporal leaves to mourn, a wife, mother and five siblings.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Javon Thomas is said to be in a stable condition in a city hospital.

Police say the driver was arrested at the scene of the accident and taken to Central Police Station where a breath alcohol test was conducted on him and give a reading of 48 and 51 micrograms. He remains in custody and is assisting with the investigation. (G4)

Dead: Detective Corporal Alden Reynolds

Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus and other ranks meeting with the siblings of the late Corporal Alden Reynolds at their home at Number 42 WCB, Region Five

Burnham at 100

Last Monday was the 100th birth anniversary of Forbes Burnham, and not surprisingly, it occasioned widespread retrospective analyses. Burnham and Jagan are Rorschach tests for Guyanese, and if nothing else, confirm our national schizophrenia. While narratives in the present should bring us together rather than further divide us, when these two individuals are invoked, that becomes quite a challenge. As such, it behooves us to allow the facts to speak for themselves.

Back in 1979, the year before he was assassinated by Burnham (now confirmed by an official CoI), Dr Walter Rodney published a pamphlet – “Peoples Power; No Dictator”. He declared Burnham a “dictator”, and explained what he meant, “A dictator is defined as one who wields absolute power…There is nothing big or small which lies outside of his personal intervention.” Rodney compared the Burnhamite dictatorship to Hitler’s totalitarian Nazi Germany, while noting that even though because of scale, Burnham’s strutting around in a general’s uniform was closer to “comedy and farce”, his “megalomaniacal” actions had the same disastrous effect on the populace.

In 1988, in a paper “On the Dictatorship”, I developed the totalitarian claim by using Carl Friedrich’s “seven-point syndrome” abstracted from the experiences of Stalinist Russia, Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. These were a single mass party led by ‘the dictator’; an official ideology; a system of terroristic control; control of mass communication, state coercive institutions, the economy and social organizations.

The personality of the leader is a most crucial variable in the determination of the precise form of the regime. Burnham’s overriding characteristic was his ambition, and this shaped his life from childhood, as he adopted Machiavelli as his guide. Winning the Guyana Scholarship in 1942 from Queen’s stirred immense pride among African Guyanese fighting to climb the race-based social ladder, where the Whites and Coloureds were above and Indians below. He was recruited from England by the Jagan-led PAC after he completed his legal studies as one who could rally the African section for the soon-to-be-formed nationalist P.P.P. He became Chairman of the party under the leadership of Jagan, whose position he craved and fought for from the beginning. The party was an agglomeration of ethnic representatives who insisted they represented the “working class”.

The ambiguities and contradictions inherent in this approach were myriad, but were masked by the electoral mobilization in the first general elections under universal franchise in 1953. They were, however, exposed as soon as victory was won and the “spoils” were to be distributed and exemplified by Burnham’s persistent pursuit to be the leader from 1953; his splitting the PPP in 1955, and his formation of the P.N.C. in 1958. Strategically, he exploited Jagan and other “extreme” leftists’ stance in the era’s geopolitical realities, and rallied the “beleaguered” African and Creole sections.

The dominance of Jagan as leader of the PPP and the entry of Indians into positions formerly dominated by Creoles and Africans raised concerns about the implications of their “minority” status. Their discomfiture was exacerbated by the indignity of being possibly dominated by a group whose culture they had been taught was “heathen” and “inferior”. “The horror! The horror!!” The national ethos defined Guyana as a “White-bias Creole nation” with Creoles and Africans as guardians of its ethos, and inheritors of the nation on the departure of the British. Consequently, after an initial scepticism by the Coloureds pre-1955, Burnham did not have much difficulty in legitimising his drive for power by articulating the fears of the Creole and African sections when he launched the P.N.C. and provided a vehicle to address those fears. Interestingly, Rodney identified Burnham’s “racist attitude to Indians” from the account of the latter’s sister in her pamphlet, “Beware my brother Forbes”, while his wife Patricia claimed “Burnham and his regime promoted inherently racist policies”. One of Burnham’s reasons for assassinating Rodney was the latter exposing his racism during the Arnold Rampersaud trial, and generally attracting broad Indian support.

Burnham’s fusion with the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.)the political offshoot of the League of Coloured People - and Black nationalist Eusi Kwayana in 1958 to create the P.N.C. was a natural development. It combined his support among the lower-class Africans with the strategic support of the urban-based Creole and African middle class. This has since remained the raison d’etre of the PNC, even as today it struggles as the representative of a minority bloc to broaden its support in a now nation of minority blocs.

$14M Nursery school...

communities such as Tiger Pond, Cracrana, Tsushima, Kokshebai and Yurong Paru are currently either not receiving a secondary education or are being educated in primary tops, a secondary department in a primary school.

Minister Manickchand said that the construction of the secondary school is one step closer towards achieving universal education in the region. She noted that the school is intended to deliver a first-class education to students in Region Nine. (G8)

According to the Education Ministry, this project will be instrumental in providing more educational opportunities for students in the region and will transform the quality of their lives. The modern school complex is fitted with 10 buildings. These include the main teaching block and allied lecturing facilities, modern science laboratory for physics, chemistry and biology, TVET centres, combined home economics and cafeteria area, teachers’ quarters and an outdoor sitting forecourt.

The designs of the buildings were completed in November 2022 after a series of consultations.

Once completed, the facility will house and will cater for 500 students in the classroom, and 250 students in the dormitories.

Like those from Kokshebai, students will no longer have to traverse rough terrain daily to receive an education. The new secondary school will facilitate students from Karasabai and all other neighbouring villages.

Students in the Karasabai subdistrict from

Ravi Dev

The newly constructed Kokshebai Nursery School

Small villages to...

This sum will be further supplemented by $600 million more provided by Demerara Bank Limited.

It had been explained that this $900 million revolving fund will carry a low interest rate of four per cent. According to the Head of State, through a partnership with the Guyana Forestry Commission under the Ministry of Natural Resources, a committee will be established to ensure that persons are adhering to and abiding by what is expected of them, that is, the sector itself and its various associations.

The Government, through the GFC, has committed to continue working with all forest stakeholders to increase productivity in keeping with sustainable forest management practices. When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration took office in August 2020, it inherited a “grossly mismanaged” forestry sector that was on the “verge of collapse. However, through various interventions and initiatives implemented by the Government, this industry has made a turnaround.

In 2020 alone, the Aliled Administration injected $350 million into the then cash-strapped Guyana Forestry Commission to cover operational costs and

wages for staff for the remainder of the year.

Strategies aimed at boosting the financial performance and management capabilities of the GFC were undertaken and in 2021, the forestry sector was able to make a positive turnover and manage on its own.

One achievement of the sector in 2021 included getting stakeholders, particularly small-scale loggers back into the business which resulted in the construction boom, and an increase in log production, with over 400,000 cubic feet declared.

Meanwhile, the GFC’s monthly revenue collection was increased from $70 million in 2019 to over $90 million in 2021 while over 100 new concessions were issued to small loggers.

Additionally, monitoring capabilities were advanced with the procurement of more off-terrain vehicles to venture into the hinterland for exercises.

Further, roads crucial to the development of the forestry sector were rehabilitated and new hinterland roads were constructed in Regions One (BarimaWaini), Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Eight (PotaroSiparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) to the tune of over $3 billion. (G3)

Adrian Bassier is GCAA’s 1st certified Helideck Inspector

As the oil and gas sector in Guyana evolves, the need

for a well-trained and qualified work force also evolves. One person in demand is a helideck inspector, an aviator who is

trained to inspect and assess, as well as license, helideck platforms, a helicopter landing area located on board a ship.

In December 2022, Adrian Bassier, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA’s) Chief Inspector of Air Navigation

Aids, Aerodromes and Ground Aids, became the aviation body’s first certified helideck inspector. It was the culmination of four years of training for Bassier, a qualified air traffic controller who has served the aviation sector for some 33 years.

How it started Bassier started his career in aviation with the then Civil Aviation Department in April 1989. He climbed through the ranks at Timehri soon after he started. He became an aerodrome controller at 19, after he completed training at the then Ogle Airport. Later, he completed various aspects of air traffic training locally and overseas, which saw him becoming a fully qualified controller.

While at Timerhi, he was promoted to head the GCAA’s Air Traffic Control Training School in 2004, and in 2007 he moved to the city to the aviation body’s headquarters, where he assumed the post of Air Navigation Services Inspector, a new post which the aviation department created at the time.

Around 2010, Bassier was assigned the tasks of the aerodrome inspector, and the department which he headed was expanding and, as such, he became the Chief Inspector, the current portfolio he holds.

Advent of oil and gas

With the advent of oil and gas becoming Guyana’s major economic earner, the GCAA recognized that there would be a tsunami of aviation

movements, primarily by helicopters. As such, the aviation umbrella body was tasked with facing various challenges, including the training of its personnel to man the sector’s approach to the oil and gas industry.

Among other expected developments, the oil and gas industry’s enhancement meant that many helicopter movements would be made to offshore locations, mainly to helidecks, a heliport on platforms which helicopters land on onboard ships.

These movements by helicopters offshore Guyana meant that the GCAA needed to up its training. And since the movements fell under the portfolio of Bassier, he was selected to be trained for the task.

Bassier, who is a married father of four, made the sacrifice to undergo training overseas in 2018. At the time he went to neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago to undergo training at Chaguaramas. The training was done through an agreement between the GCAA and the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority.

Following that, Bassier and the GCAA’s crowning moment came when he was tasked with inspecting, as part of his training, the Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which was done in Singapore. The collaboration was done with the aviation umbrella body of Ghana.

Adrian Bassier, the GCAA’s Chief Inspector of Air Navigation Services/Aerodromes and Ground Aids, while undergoing helideck training overseas

Joshua and Josiah among 5 identical twins at Port Kaituma Secondary

B y A lv A S olomon

It may be historical, and for some residents of Port Kaituma in the North West District of Region One (BaramaWaini), they may have been surprised to know that there are five identical twins attending secondary school in the com

munity. Recently, as the com

munity prepared to celebrate the annual Mashramani activities, a photograph was posted on the school’s Facebook page. The photograph had multiple shares, as many fans of the page reacted with kind words of love. “I should have gone to Kaituma in my young days,” one fan reacted in tones of joy. “Cheers of joy,” another said.

Among the identical twins is Joshua and his brother Josiah Griffin. “They are in grade seven,” their mother Abigail told Guyana Times . Their mother said that although she heard about the others, she never saw the identical two girls, but she knows of the boys.

Joshua and Josiah Griffin (centre) among three of the five pairs of identical twin students who attend the Port Kaituma Secondary School (Photo: Port Kaituma Secondary School)

Joshua and Josiah among 5 identical...

She said her sons are 12 years old; they were born at Port Kaituma on November 24, and were raised there. In addition, they have a younger brother and a younger sister.

Abigail, who is a single parent, said she feels happy to know that her sons may be part of a historic bunch. She said she was surprised that there are so many twins attending the same school at the same time. “I still laugh at it. My sons look so short,” she said with a giggle.

Shared bonds

She said the boys would sometimes share the same taste when it comes to certain foods. In addition, Abigail said she has observed that when one of the boys becomes ill, the other would become ill soon after the first has recovered. In addition, she said the boys are always looking out for each other. “If one is away for let’s say three or four days, the other would look worried and lonely. But the minute they get back together, they are usually happy together again,” she said of her sons. She said,

luckily for her, her sons do not become ill often, and she noted that she is most thankful to the Almighty for that.

Residents of Port Kaituma noted that the presence of the identical twins within their community has warmed many hearts. “It is something that we always knew, but only now the children are growing and we seeing them more,” a nurse in the community told Guyana Times

Research has shown that identical twins often share an intense bond. The pair is the result of one fertilized egg splitting into two, giving them identical DNA.

In March 2021, the BBC reported that more twins are being born than ever before. According to the report, approximately 1.6 million twins are born each year worldwide, with one in every 42 children born a twin.

According to the BBC, the health journal Human Reproduction reported that the peak was reached because of large increases in twinning rates in all regions over 30 years - from a 32% rise in Asia to a 71% rise in North America.

Joshua and Josiah with their little sister. The boys share a close bond with their siblings, their mother has said

Joshua and Josiah Griffin are healthy twins growing happily, their mother told Guyana Times

Son’s birthday cake inspires mom to start catering business

media platforms. She also noted that during the initial phase of her business, orders were few, but this has since changed with a now rewarding clientele list.

“From there it kept growing… I did a unicorn…cake and it came out pretty good. And everybody advised [me to] post it, [and to] put it out there. So I decided to do that, and starting off business was slow, because at the time I was…co-partner with my sister-in-law who [was] doing event decor, business plan-

ning…event planning and such. So, I remember…we had…one event and somebody couldn’t come through, and she was like, ‘Do you want to take it up?’ [and] I’m like, ‘This is something different, I’m not sure’. But I decided to try it…and it came out good. And she kept telling me, ‘This could be your thing’. So, eventually, after a while, people keep ordering,” Bess shared.

After business started to increase for Bess, she split from her previous business

partner and committed 100 percent of her time to grow her business.

“We decided we’re going to split ways; I’m going to deal with the food and cake and catering…and she does the decor and event planning,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, given that Bess is self-taught, it is sometimes challenging, but she said that her endurance has led her to reaching out to other entrepreneurs who are in the same line of business, or by watching video tutorials.

“It’s been challenging because I’ve never [done] a cake course, I did a pastry course. So, most of the stuff that I do are self-taught. But in all…I [don’t] regret it, because my passion and my…interest [is] within the lines of food. I love cooking, I love catering, so doing the cake, even though [there are] times when I be up whole night…I just feel so [happy], it brings me joy. It doesn’t stress me out, and…I love doing what I do,” Bess expressed.

By Tassia Dickenson

Thirty-year-old Dianne

Bess started her own catering business after baking a cake for her eldest son’s birthday, after her regular caterer was completely booked. Bess Treatz Cake and Catering Service at Harry's Avenue in Friendship, East Bank Demerara was established in June 2021, and will be celebrating two years on June 2 this year.

According to Bess, “Back in 2019…it was my big son’s birthday, he wanted a Godzilla cake…He took so long to decide, [and] when I decided to order the cake, she [Bess’s caterer] was already

booked out, and it had nobody else who could have done the cake. So, I decided to take up the challenge…and I did the cake.

“When the cake finished, I posted it within my family groups and my close friends, and everybody…thought it looked amazing, and that inspired me. Not only that, when my sister-in-law saw the cake, right away she ordered a cake the February month for her daughter’s birthday… without hesitation,” Bess told this publication.

The thriving entrepreneur shared that everyone has ever since advised her to post her work on her social

Cakes made by Bess Treatz Cake and Catering Service

Adrian Bassier is GCAA’s...

According to the GCAA, to access the FPSOs, the crew working onboard must be transported by helicopter, which takes them to the platforms onboard. The helidecks must be certified and licensed, and notably, they require annual inspections as part of their maintenance programme.

Bassier completed in-class and practical training last year December; his last onthe-job training was completed aboard the Liza Prosperity in Singapore. The latter FPSO will be Guyana’s third, and is being completed for operation offshore Guyana.

Family of high achievers

He hails from a family of high achievers. His late father, Dr Dennis Bassier, was a social anthropologist who worked at the University of Guyana. His mother, who was a teacher for most of her life, was at one point the country’s Chief Test Development Officer. His uncles Frank and John also served the public sector with distinction.

While working at the Air Traffic Control Tower at Timehri, Bassier decided to pursue higher academic learning when he read for a bachelor’s degree in public management at the University of Guyana. He was adjudged runner-up

valedictorian, and was awarded the Prime Minister’s and the Chancellor’s Medals after being adjudged best graduating public management student in 2009. He also completed his Master’s in project management.

Bassier has been described as a perfectionist by his colleagues as well as staff who were trained under his watch at the Control Tower at Timehri. With his most recent achievement, his colleagues believe that Bassier’s experience and ability will advance the mandate of the GCAA as the country’s oil and gas sector evolves.

Adrian Bassier, the GCAA’s Chief Inspector of Air Navigation Services/ Aerodromes and Ground Aids

Son’s birthday cake inspires mom...

She also added that her children are her biggest aspiration, sharing that they would always compliment her work and cheer her on. “If I’m doing a cake and they come in, they would be like wow mommy you’re doing such a great job and that cake look nice. I just love it,” she boasted.

In the future, this ambitious woman has plans to have her products in local supermarkets, expand her business and hire staff, and eventually have her very own Bess Treatz bakery.

“My plan is to expand my business and have staff…to have my own kitchen space area and I aspire to have my product out

on the shelves in the supermarket and stuff like that [and] to have my own little bakery, where people would come and just dine and have fresh cake and treats and food,” the entrepreneur said in a cheery voice.

Meanwhile, Bess is also encouraging young people to pursue their passion and follow their dreams, sharing that being your “own boss” is very rewarding though it takes a lot of time, effort, consistency, and discipline.

“If you have any dream, anything that you love doing, once you can do it, do it! Your only limit is you and your mind as long as you start, the God you serve is more than

FROM PAGE 17

capable of making you complete. Because the same God that gave you the ideas is the same God who will send the clients and the customers that you need so don’t give up,” Bess encouraged.

Bess Treatz Cake and Catering offer a wide range of services for all events including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baby showers, date nights, and more. They also cater for both corporate and private events, big or small, with a wide selection of finger foods and main courses to choose from. Anyone interested in booking their services can contact Bess Treatz at (592) 641 6229.

New head office for Housing Ministry as momentum to deliver rises

Housing Minister Collin Croal has announced that construction will start this year for a new head office, having outgrown their current location and amid an increased momentum to deliver Government’s promises.

The Minister shared at an event on Friday that his team has no intention of slowing down.

“Our staff has been growing and that is why we have outgrown our location. That is why, this year, works will commence on the construction of our new head office. The Ministry does not intend to let up on this momentum we have now. We are on an express train.”

Croal added, “This year, we have strategised even

more on how we can improve on our performance as a Ministry and as an agency in implementing our projects because you realise the project team, every day their mandate is increasing.”

The Ministry’s drive to deliver to the people is reflected in their budgetary allocation for 2023, which has increased massively when compared to 2022.

Croal drew focus on this as he said, “Our sector has seen an increase by 243 per cent for this year from over 2021. That has been incremental. Last year, we had a 119 per cent increase in allocation. This represents about $40.2 billion increase in the annual allocations and more work.” Government had signalled that this year would

see, among other things, a major shift to community building and improving infrastructure, which includes

massive spending on community roads and drainage systems.

Of the $72.2 billion al-

located for the housing and water sectors, $54.5 billion was set aside for housing development in new and existing areas across the country

Since taking office in 2020, the Government has allocated over 20,000 house lots in new and existing housing schemes across Guyana. Additionally, more land will be acquired for new housing areas across the country.

The Government, he added, is committed to ensuring that every Guyanese family would realise their aspirations of becoming a homeowner. In pursuit of this, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has taken the approach to open up new lands, put the requisite in-

frastructure in place, accelerate the allocation process, support those who require prebuilt homes, and provide easy access to finance.

In 2022, $28.2 billion was expended on the continuation of infrastructural works in new housing areas across the country including Onderneeming, Charity, Leonora, Cummings Lodge, Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Non Pareil, Enterprise, Experiment, Williamsburg, Lethem and Linden, realising 10,430 serviced lots.

In recognition of the circumstances of deserving cases, the Government has created an innovative homeownership mechanism to facilitate access for all citizens. (G12)

Housing Minister Collin Croal

Kunainama, the online platform selling Rupununi craft items

entities and groups. Craft items have been sold at several pop-up events, including one organized by the local group Upmarket, as well as at a craft day which was hosted by the United States Embassy last December.

By AlvA Solomon

During the first quarter of 2021, some 240 students from villages within the South Rupununi were enrolled in traditional knowledge classes. The classes focused on the youths participating in activities which would revive and sharpen their knowledge of traditional skills, as well as their culture.

But while the youths showcased their skills by creating many pieces of craft, there was need for a market for their products. This led to the creation of the Kunainama, an online platform found on social media site Instagram, where the craft is sold. And the move, which was created by Maya de Freitas, a member of South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS), has seen a steady market of the products, the profits of which go directly back to the villages where they are made.

De Freitas told Guyana Times that the word “Kunainama” means Beautiful in the Wapichana language. “Kunainama is a dedicated platform from where (craft items) can we advertised and purchased online. At the moment, we are selling these crafts at no profit, which means that all profits go to the crafter,” she said.

How it started Recounting the start of the project, she said that, for a long time, communities in the South Rupununi have seen their youths losing interest in their culture and knowledge of traditional skills.

At the beginning of 2021, the SRCS collaborated with village councils of eight villages: Aishalton, Maruranau, Shea, Sawariwau, Katoonarib, Sand Creek, Shulinab, and Kumu to start traditional knowledge classes. At the time, each village selected three skills that they wanted to be taught to

the youths. They also selected three resource persons to teach the skills. Following meetings, the villages chose basket weaving, cotton spinning, arrow making, leather craft, as well as teaching of the Wapishana and Macushi language, leather crafting.

Initially, the lessons were taught only once a week in very small groups, and classes had to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocol, de Freitas said. By March that year, a total of 240 students in 8 communities were participating in the Traditional Knowledge Classes.

She said the students were learning how to weave baskets, sifters and miniature matapees from local materials. Wood crafting also became part of the classes, she noted, and students learnt about different types of wood and how to use these resources sustainably.

Craft groups

The following month, the public’s interest in the craft grew after postings of the craft items were made on social media. As such, the SRCS made plans to create craft groups in the villages so craft items can be made in a group, and the children may be able to profit from their crafts.

In May that year, the conservation group received funding from Cultural Survival, a global non-governmental organization which advocates for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures and political resilience. This allowed the Traditional Knowledge Classes to continue.

In July 2021, de Freitas said, demand for the craft items climbed rapidly. As such, the business entity Baby Cave reached out to the SRCS and offered to provide a space in their store to help sell the craft items. “All the money made from selling the crafts went directly back to the persons who made them,

the children. Babe Cave took the responsibility of sourcing funding for space,” de Freitas said.

In June 2022, Babe Cave informed the SRCS that it ran out of funding for the space at its location, and since all profits went to the

crafters, the SRCS had no available funding to continue the partnership with Babe Cave.

This led to the creation of Kunainama, which continues to thrive online as well as through marketing with several local business

De Freitas has said she is looking out for another order soon as she continues to market the craft items online. She said the goal is to eventually create a sustainable business model. “Where we are able to earn profit enough to have the resources to be able to continue to buy and sell crafts with ease,” she added.

In the meantime, the SRCS continues to facilitate weekly classes in communities where community members teach groups of children Traditional skills in a formal setting.

Maya DeFreitas (right) of the South Rupununi Conservation Society and an official of the US Embassy during a Craft Day event there last December

Several hand-crafted items which were created by the youths of South Rupununi

Parika Market fire

Demerara Bank granting concessional loans to affected vendors

Demerara Bank Limited has announced that a number of concessional loans have been provided to vendors whose businesses were gutted in the recent fire at the Parika Market, where over 160 operators suffered damages.

The fire, which occurred on February 10, ravaged several businesses and left many vendors struggling to return to their daily source of income. The bank said it has been working close-

ly with local authorities to identify the affected vendors in order to offer them concessional financing during this difficult time.

Chief Executive Officer, Pravinchandra Dave expressed, “We are deeply saddened by the devastating impact of the recent fire. As a responsible member of the community, we are committed to supporting those who have been affected by this tragedy and we hope that our concessional rate and repayment terms on

the credit facilities will provide some relief to the vendors as they work to rebuild their businesses.”

General Manager of the bank, Dowlat Parbhi added that most of the vendors did not have accounts at any bank and encouraged them to make full use of this opportunity to build their credit history. He shared that the bank is willing and ready to support their business and other banking needs even after this period has passed. He fur-

ther advised that the bank’s Leonora Branch, which is currently under construction, will bring banking convenience to the West Coast communities and that various banking products and services will soon become more accessible.

The bank has set up a special team to provide personalised support to the vendors, including assistance with loan applications and other financial services.

“Demerara Bank has a long-standing commitment

to supporting the local community, and this initiative is just one example of its ongoing efforts to make a positive impact,” a statement read.

A preliminary investigation from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) revealed that construction workers, who were in the process of rebuilding the market, were welding when sparks came into contact with nearby combustible materials. This resulted in a large fire within the span of minutes, forc-

ing vendors out of the marketing centre. As a result, little was salvaged from the blaze.

By the time the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) managed to put the fire out, the structure was completely destroyed. Complaints were also reported of unknown persons carting off with valuables in the heat of the fire. Since then, Government has ordered that the area be cleared of debris, so as to re-establish operations. (G12)

4 years in jail for Nigerian who attempted to post cocaine

Gift Obioha, a Nigerian national, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday to answer to a charge for the offence of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Obioha, 26, of Laing Avenue, Georgetown, was arrested on February 22 while attempting to post 1.1 pound of cocaine via the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). In the end, he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and fined $723,000 by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) in a release to the media, stated

that on the day in question, while performing duties at the GPOC, its agents intercepted Michael Emmanuel Ude, a 33-year-old Nigerian national of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was attempting to post a box containing several items. A subsequent search of the box, conducted in his presence, led to the discovery of a quantity of cocaine.

As such, he was arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters along with the cocaine, which was later weighed and amounted to 1.1lb (482g), and which has a street value of $400,000. Further investigations led to the arrest of Obioha. (G1)

The cocaine the Nigerian man was attempting to post through the GPOC

Cop remanded on charge of trafficking $37.8M worth of ganja

the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act Chapter 10:10.

Frank appeared at the Linden Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Wanda Fortune where the charge was read to him. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison.

The case was adjourned to April 6.

It was reported that about 03:15h on Wednesday, Police ranks left the Mackenzie Police Station to patrol the Ituni Trail and conduct searches for narcotics, firearms, ammunition and stolen articles.

Darius Frank, a 29-year-old policeman of Half Mile Wismar, Linden, was remanded to prison on Friday on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

It is alleged that the drug was found at Nottinghamshire, and Bosai Junction, Upper Demerara River, and has a street value of $37.8 million.

The charge was laid under Section 5 (1)(a)(i) of

During the patrol on the Ituni Trail, several vehicles were stopped and searched. At bout 10:30h, as the ranks were approaching Bosai Junction on their way to Linden, they observed a silver-grey Fielder Wagon with registration number, PZZ 2796, leaving the trail along the Ituni Road.

Police drove up alongside the motor car and allegedly observed that Frank, an interdicted Police Constable,

Professionalism needed when handling firearms – Benn to private security firms

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn while meeting with representatives of private security firms at the Officers’ Training Centre in Georgetown, on Saturday, highlighted that professionalism is needed, especially when it concerns the handling of firearms.

The Minister, during his brief remarks, pointed out that as part of the security architecture of Guyana, the security services have the responsibility required under the law to be a willing, workable, and effective partner with respect to the mission of increasing peace in our country.

"I want to encourage you to do your work in keeping with our laws," Benn told the group.

The meeting was geared toward discussing the issues and concerns surrounding the private security services and the ways in which the security services can work collaboratively with the Guyana Police Force.

The Minister specifically alluded to instances where officers of security firms would improperly use their firearms while on duty. At the level of the Ministry, Benn noted that more efforts will be implemented by his Ministry to bring better awareness to critically deal with the problems of misuse of firearms.

He said it is also imperative that the firms work together with them in cohesion.

"Make sure your people are well taken care of so they can do the job you hire them to do…I believe that many of you who are running security services are professionals in the area. I believe that many of you have knowledge and expertise with respect to training, behaviour, and culture with respect to the use of firearms," Benn stated.

Last year, acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken issued a stern warning to private security firms whose guards are seen posing on social media, especially on “Tik Tok”, with high-powered rifles.

“This is unacceptable and unprofessional, and this trend needs to stop immediately,” the Top Cop chided.

Hicken said there are instances where security firms would have their officers exposing large weapons while on duty, and this has the potential to create a hostile situation with civil society. He said it can also have negative implications for Guyana’s tourism sector, as well as for the general safety of citizens.

To this end, the Top Cop has said there must be professionalism, especially when it concerns the handling of firearms.

He also commended the private firms for their reduction of the ‘accidental discharge’ of firearms. As such, he urged the firms to take caution and to pay heed to the practical and theoretical aspects of security training.

(G9)

was the driver of the car.

The cops said they instructed Frank to stop the car, which he did, and as the ranks were about to exit the Force vehicle, the officer drove off at a fast rate.

The ranks then gave chase, and as they reached

Nottinghamshire, the Force vehicle drove into a ditch and turned turtle, resulting in three ranks who were seated in the tray of the vehicle receiving injuries.

However, an inspector, a corporal, and two constables continued their pursuit of

the car on motorcycles.

Police said they were about 20 feet away, when Frank was allegedly seen throwing bulky bags from the car into some bushes on the roadside. He then quickly entered the vehicle and was about to drive off but he was stopped.

Police then went to the area where the bags were allegedly thrown and found five large bulky bags containing transparent parcels with suspected cannabis.

The Police Constable, who was the lone occupant of the car, was arrested and escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station along with the cannabis and the car. At the station, the narcotics were weighed and amounted to 113.2 pounds which is equivalent to 51,346.6 grams.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday at about 15:30h, Police ranks returned to Bosai Junction, through a

trail where Frank, whom they arrested earlier for trafficking in narcotics, was seen exiting.

Ranks then drove about 300 metres through the said sandy trail and observed thick vegetation.

The Police ranks said they proceeded to comb through the bushes where they observed a grey bulky tarpaulin, which was opened and the ranks discovered several multi-coloured shopping bags, and brownish/creamish salt bags all containing a number of compressed leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be Cannabis sativa.

It was photographed and the ranks then took possession of the narcotics and escorted it to Mackenzie Police Station where it was weighed and amounted to 249 pounds which is equivalent to 112,900.5 grams carrying a street value of $22.5 million. (G9)

Charged: Darius Frank

The ganja that was found in Linden

Cop Squad Initiative 500 ranks now equipped to handle domestic, genderbased violence

Ministers

Atotal of 500 officers from the Guyana Police Force on Friday graduated from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Cop Squad 2000 Initiative, which afforded them special training to handle domestic and gender-based violence cases.

This initiative is in collaboration with the United Nations and European Union through the Spotlight Initiative, the Home Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Police Force. Police ranks completed special training that equip them with the necessary procedures and practices to handle such reports at Police stations nationwide.

These ranks are equipped with specially marked badges that indicate their special training for these situations.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud told the ranks, “This is the kind of collaboration that ensures that our country can progress to the heights it needs to in a way that every citizen across the length and breadth of Guyana feels safe…You are on a path of transformation where you are the trailblazers in an initiative that ensures that every person who requires that protective arm, that you are the custodian of peace and protection in this country.”

According to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, the resources and training for officers to execute their duties and curb cases of violence in the country is an all-encompassing one, which require partnerships. At the same time, officers carry the responsibility to ensure safe communities and a space where cases can be reported.

“If we cannot protect our women, we would not have the opportunity to have peace in our country. If we cannot protect our children, we will have the vicious circle and the continuous issues of not moving along the progressive path of creating a more wholesome, safe society,” he identified.

The initiative seeks to ensure that once a domestic violence matter is brought to a Police station, it will be handled in a manner that accords with international best practices. The aim was to train 2000 officers from across the length and breadth of the country to address such reports.

To put a heavier emphasis on domestic and gender-based violence, the Ministry had established a 914 hotline, which continues to receive hundreds of calls from the populace. It triggers intervention from both the Home Affairs and Human Services Ministry, as well as other stakeholders. (G12)

Robeson Benn and Dr Vindhya Persaud with the newly graduated ranks from the Cop Squad programme

Children playing with matches caused Louisa Row fire – GFS

An investigation by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has found that the Louisa Row, Wortmanville, Georgetown fire on Friday afternoon was caused after unattended children played with matches - which ignited nearby combustibles and spread to the entire apartment.

Immediate action and expert firefighting resulted in the minimisation of damage to the apartment building that was threatened by fire, the Fire Service said on Saturday.

At approximately 16:06h, the Fire Department was alerted to a fire at Lot C Louisa Row, Wortmanville, Georgetown. Water tenders from the Central and West Ruimveldt Fire Stations were immediately dispatched to the location.

The structure involved was a two-storey timber and concrete building owned by Malinda Prescott and operated as an apartment complex. Apartment One, located on the eastern half of the ground floor, was occupied by 48-yearold Simone Moe and her family of three. As a result of the fire, this apartment was slightly damaged by smoke and water.

Apartment Two, located on the western half of the ground floor, was occupied by 37-year-old Candacy Lowe and her family of three. As a result of the

fire, the apartment and its contents were destroyed, leaving four people homeless.

Apartment Three, located on the eastern half of the top floor, was occupied by 35-year-old Khari George and her family of three. As a result of the fire, this apartment was slightly damaged by smoke and water.

Apartment Four, located on the western half of the top floor, was occupied by 47-year-old Neil Reynolds and his family of four. As a result of the fire, this apartment and its contents were severely damaged.

One jet working via water relay, one jet working from an open water supply, one jet working from a carrier tank supply and subsequently an open circuit water relay were used to extinguish the fire.

On Thursday, a fire also completely gutted a house at 2nd Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara. The structure involved was a one-storey wooden building owned by 44-year-old Balram Singh, which he occupied with his family of three. Two houses located on the eastern and western sides of the burnt building were also affected by the fire, and three vehicles belonging to 43-yearold Poramraj Singh, which were parked under his building, were destroyed by the fire. (G12)

The Louisa Row, Georgetown building was saved from complete destruction

Health Ministry brainstorms funding avenues for pandemic preparedness

…Global Fund can aid strengthening supply chain management

The Guyana Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) on Friday hosted a country dialogue for the submission of a C19RM Portfolio Optimisation Wave 2 Funding Request - a process that allows countries to receive additional funds and align investments with revised priorities through the World Health Organisation.

This dialogue was facilitated in a bid to engage in discussions with relevant Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) attached to the Health Ministry on the needs of the Ministry to which the funding can be allocated.

During his engagement, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said that the MOH would not only be submitting applications to Global Fund, but they would also be applying for funding from the World Bank Pandemic Fund, which aims to help countries be prepared for a future pandemic.

In addition, Dr Anthony explained that the expression of interest in the Pandemic Fund was submitted on Friday. Its focus is on the improvement of laboratories and strengthening the surveillance system, mainly in the regions.

While delivering the summary of proposed activities for the C19RM Funds, Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy noted that with the successful funding from the Global Fund, the Ministry aims to strengthen its sup -

ply chain management to have medicine and medical supplies be procured promptly and flow efficiently through the health sector.

He also indicated that the objectives of the grant are to develop and decentralise a comprehensive supply chain management strategy which will ensure that not only central management for the supply chain is strong but have the regional and local levels of supply chain management strengthened.

He further stated that the grant would also aid in the digitalisation of supply chain management.

Dr Ramsammy identified a few activities from the proposal which included, key investment with strategy and governance, ensuring comprehensive strategies to deal with the supply chain and management; activities that will address forecasting, to ensure efficient medication is available, and there is no over-procuring nor stock out; storage and distribution; along with addressing information system that can be decentralised to the regions.

At the Health Ministry, work is ongoing to develop a strong surveillance network that can be used for COVID-19 and beyond. This is all in preparation for future pandemics and disasters. Since taking office, the PPP/C Administration has made significant investments to increase testing capabilities, and facilities to diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients. (G12)

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony addressing stakeholders on Friday

$80,000 for assaulting cop

Bus driver jailed for 14 months …fined

Minibus driver Okemi Harry, who was caught on camera in November 2022 attacking and assaulting a Traffic Police Officer was on Friday jailed for 14 months and fined $80,000.

Harry, who was slapped with 13 charges last year, appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool and had four of those charges - failure to wear a seatbelt; disorderly behaviour; prohibition of tinted glass, and failure to behave in an orderly manner - dismissed.

He, however, was fined $20,000 for using indecent language; $10,000 for failure to carry a conductor; and $50,000 for resisting a peace officer. He was also sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment for assaulting a peace officer.

Meanwhile, he pleaded not guilty to the charges of careless driving, failure to comply with a Police officer, and failure to wear a seat belt. The matter was adjourned to April 14,

2023, for report.

According to Police reports, Harry was pulled aside by two traffic ranks in November 2022 after he was observed driving his minibus above the speed limit at Montrose Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

He was told of the offence and asked to produce his driver’s licence. While the officer was writing a ticket for the offence, using the information on the driver’s licence, the minibus driver attempted to pull his driver’s licence away, but the officer held onto it.

The man, of Middle Street, Ann’s Grove, ECD, became annoyed and attacked the traffic officer, punching him to the body before putting him in a headlock and wrestling him to the ground.

The Police said two days before the incident, he was pulled aside for failure to wear a seatbelt and he drove away from those officers. (G9)

Essequibo Coast labourer nabbed with ganja

Alabourer from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), is now in Police custody after a quantity of marijuana was found at his shop.

It was reported that about 10:40h on Thursday, ranks in Regional Police Division Number Two acting upon information received contacted the 36-year-old labourer of Phase One Onderneeming Sandpit, Essequibo Coast.

The ranks said they requested to search a shop he operates in his presence, and, during the search, a pink container was found on a shelf on the northern side of the shop. It was

opened in the man’s presence, and three transparent pieces of plastic with leaves, seeds, and stems of cannabis were found.

Another transparent plastic was also found with 27 green zip-lock bags containing leaves, seeds, and stems of cannabis.

According to Police, the suspect was told of the offence, to which he admitted ownership. He was arrested and taken to the Suddie Police Station along with the cannabis, which was weighed in his presence and amounted to 41.8 grams.

He will be charged shortly. (G9)

File photo: The Lance Corporal being attacked by minibus driver Okemi Omali Harry in November 2022

“Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation”

What is World Wildlife Day?

World Wildlife Day is celebrated annually on March 03 in support of animals and plants across the world; and to mark the anniversary of CITES (the Convention on the Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna), the UN General Assembly reaffirmed the natural value of wildlife and its various contributions: including ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic, to sustainable development and human well-being. Every year, World Wildlife Day has a different theme. In 2023, the theme is 'Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’, and the aim is to encourage groups to work together in a concerted effort to create and sustain healthy ecosystems, wildlife populations, and biodiversity.

Why is World Wildlife Day Important?

With increasing numbers of endangered and extinct species, it’s essential to educate people on how we can help conserve the planet, to continue to provide for future generations.

Wildlife conservation is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a coordinated and collaborative effort from a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, local communities, and the private sector. Partnerships are key to addressing the challenges faced by wildlife and their habitats, and to achieving the goal of sustainable conservation.

One important partnership is between governments and local communities. Local communities are often the best stewards of the land, and have a deep understanding of the ecological and cultural values of the forests, savannahs, and other ecosystems. By working together, governments and local communities can develop and implement conservation strategies that are effective and sustainable.

Another important partnership is between NGOs and the private sector. NGOs have the expertise and resources to conduct research and conservation efforts, while the private sector has the financial resources and reach to make a significant impact on the ground. By working together, NGOs and the private sector can leverage their respective strengths to achieve conservation goals.

In addition, partnerships with the media can play an important role in raising awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation, and the efforts being made to protect it.

Wildlife and the LCDS 2030

By working to keep our forests intact, the LCDS 2030 both intentionally and unintentionally keeps our wildlife safe, as a large variety of our plants and animals call the forests their home.

How is World Wildlife Day celebrated?

While the wildlife of our planet deserves constant attention, it’s great to celebrate World Wildlife Day with your children and in schools, to have that opportunity to teach them about how plants and animals rely on our support, and vice versa. This year, like every other year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partners with the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) and will be hosting a Wildlife Day Zoo Fair for the public at the Zoological Park on Sunday, March 05, 2023, from 13:00h to 17:00h. The aim of the Fair is to bring more awareness to the general public on EPA’s role in wildlife conservation and management, and showcase our partnerships within the sector, placing emphasis on the partnership with GWCMC.

On this World Wildlife Day, let us celebrate the partnerships that are working to protect wildlife and their habitats, and let us commit to forming new partnerships to continue the fight for conservation.

Happy World Wildlife Day!

Askin tag is a small piece of soft, hanging skin that may have a peduncle or stalk. They can appear anywhere on the body, but especially where skin rubs against other skin or clothing.

Skin tags are very common and generally occur after midlife. They affect

HEALTH TIPS

SKIN TAGS

men and women equally.

FAST FACTS ON SKIN TAGS

Skin tags are benign tumors of the skin.

• They commonly occur in creases or folds of the skin.

• Methods of skin tag removal include over-thecounter (OTC) therapies, excision, and cryotherapy.

• Skin tags are harmless and often removed for cosmetic reasons.

RISK FACTORS FOR SKIN TAGS

Skin tags appear to be more common in:

People who are overweight and obese

Those with diabetes

Women during pregnancy, possibly due to hormonal changes and high

levels of growth factors

Those with some types of human papilloma virus (HPV)

People with a sex-steroid imbalance, especially if there are changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone

Those whose close family members also have skin tags

Studies have found that skin tags are more likely to occur with:

Obesity

Dyslipidemia, for example, high cholesterol levels

Hypertension, or high blood pressure

They have also been linked to insulin resistance and elevated high-sensitive

C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

This suggests that skin tags may offer an external sign of an increased risk of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease.

CAUSES

It is not clear exactly what causes skin tags, but it may happen when clusters of collagen and blood vessels become trapped inside thicker pieces of skin.

As they are more common in skin creases or folds, they may be mainly caused by skin rubbing against the skin. Some people appear to inherit an increased susceptibility to skin tags.

Skin tags affect people, both males and females,

but they happen more often during pregnancy, in people who are obese, and in people with diabetes.

They have been associated with hyperinsulinemia when there is too much insulin circulating in the blood.

They may appear on the:

• Eyelids

• Armpits

• Under the breasts

• Groin

• Upper chest

• Neck, in the case of papilloma colli

They often go unnoticed, unless they are in a prominent place or are repeatedly rubbed or scratched, for example, by clothing, jewelry, or when shaving. Some people may have skin tags and never notice them.

TURN TO PAGE 38

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family meDicine, enDocrinology/ DiabeTes

In some cases, they rub off or fall off painlessly. Very large skin tags may burst under pressure. The surface of skin tags

HEALTH TIPS

SKIN TAGS

may be smooth or irregular in appearance. They are often raised from the surface of the skin on fleshy peduncles, or stalks. They are usually flesh-colored or slightly brownish.

Skin tags start small, flattened like a pinhead bump. Some stay small, and some grow bigger. They can range in diameter from 2 millimeters (mm) to 1 centimeter (cm), and some may reach 5cm.

TREATMENT

As skin tags are usually harmless, removal is normally for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons.

Large skin tags, especially in areas where they may rub against some-

thing, such as clothing, jewelry, or skin, may be removed due to irritation. Removing a large skin tag from the face or under the arms can make shaving easier.

• Surgery

The following procedures may be used:

1. Cauterization: The skin tag is burned off using electrolysis

2. Cryosurgery: The skin tag is frozen off using a probe containing liquid nitrogen

3. Ligation: The blood supply to the skin tag is interrupted

4. Excision: The tag is cut out with a scalpel

These procedures should only be done by a dermatologist, specialist skin doctor, or a similarly trained medical professional.

Skin tags on the eyelid, especially those close to the eyelid margin, may have to be removed by an ophthalmologist, or specialist eye doctor.

Removing a skin tag at

home is not normally recommended, due to the risk of bleeding and possible infection.

However, very small tags can be removed by tying dental floss or thin cotton thread around the base of the tag to cut off circulation to the tag.

Over-the-counter solutions

Over-the-counter (OTC) solutions are available at pharmacies. These freeze the skin tag, and it will fall off after 7 to 10 days. These may also be purchased online, although it is recommended that professional medical advice is sought before using these treatments.

These medications are similar to those used for wart removal. There is no evidence that removing skin tags encourages more of them to develop.

Miss World Guyana set to launch project FLO

Andrea King, the reigning Miss World Guyana, is set to launch her “Beauty with a Purpose” project on Monday, kickstarting a series of engagements with secondary school students and other stakeholders on financial literacy.

Project FLO (Financial Literacy Orientation) was established to help shape the future of Guyana through education. The initiative focuses on developing cognitive skills in financial literacy for Guyanese youth who are making the transition into adulthood. By educating students in financial literacy, Project FLO aims to disrupt generational poverty cycles by introducing the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours needed for a future of financial stability.

Beauty with a Purpose is the official charity of Miss World and it is a key component of the competition. The charity has raised over £1 billion since its creation in 1972 by Miss World Chairman Julia Morley.

King, who won the local competition on August 21, 2022, believes that “Financial Literacy is

a necessary life skill that plays an integral role in disrupting generational poverty cycles and preventing economic abuse.”

With support from the

Education Ministry, King and her team will kick off engagements with visits to three secondary schools in Region Six on Tuesday, February 28.

Meanwhile, Miss World mul-

timedia competition has started. The Miss World Multimedia Award is one of the major determining factors of the contest, and to win this challenge, delegates have to update their pageant

preparations, advocacies, wardrobe, and much more on their official account on Mobstar. The beauty queen who creates maximum engagement to attract the highest votes, likes, and shares will be declared the winner of this challenge. Guyanese are encouraged to vote by undertaking the following three easy steps: download Mobstar App for free; click search and Type Miss World Guyana or Andrea King; follow, like, comment and share daily.

The Miss World competition is scheduled for May 2023 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Miss World Guyana, Andrea King

Attractive incentives in place for investments in Region 10 – Guyana Invest Head M

The Government, in efforts to spur more economic activity in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), has attractive incentives for investors interested in eco-tourism and the hospitality sector.

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr Peter Ramsaroop made the disclosure during a recent television programme.

Guyana Invest is responsible for facilitating investment in the country, whether it be foreign or local investors.

“If you’re building in Region 10, eight rooms and above, we will give you all the tax-free on your equipment, your machinery, your bedding, your beds so you don’t have to pay VAT on those. Those are incentives we will give to Region 10 to expand operation both in eco-tourism and in regular hotels,” Dr Ramsaroop is quoted in a DPI report as saying.

This is critical as several infra -

structural projects are slated to be undertaken in this region. These include the construction of a new river bridge connecting Wismar and Mackenzie, the Linden to Mabura road link, a new stadium in Linden and some 32 bridges that are being built from Mabura to Lethem.

“Imagine the amount of people, engineers and workers that will have to be here in Linden building, plus work opportunities for Linden,” the CEO pointed out.

While this transformation is taking place, it is paramount for citizens to make use of the opportunities that are being created through the Government’s investment, Dr Ramsaroop stated.

“If you know where the

Mexico to maintain its diplomats despite Peru pulling its ambassador

Government is spending on the public sector side, then the private sector and the citizenry have to then align, and as they align that’s where the benefits come to us and individuals within the region.”

Region 10 has also been identified as one of two regions that will be responsible for developing the hemp industry. Hemp has been identified as an industry that will create hundreds of jobs for Region 10 residents as well as Region Six.

The region is said to be one of the most important regions in the national economy as it has several natural resources including bauxite, timber and the agriculture.

In this regard, Dr Ramsaroop said, “The President’s initiatives are geared towards ensuring Region 10 holds up their component of the national economy… Government must invest and we as a people got to step up and be part of that development.”

exico's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday the country will maintain its diplomatic and consular representation in Peru and vowed to keep communication channels open, while regretting Peru's decision to remove its ambassador from Mexico.

Peru's newly installed President Dina Boluarte announced on Friday the withdrawal of the country's ambassador in Mexico, Manuel Gerardo Talavera, in response to comments from her Mexican counterpart branding her Government as unconstitutional.

Mexican President Andres

Manuel Lopez Obrador told a news conference on Friday that Mexico will keep supporting former President Pedro Castillo, saying he was democratically elected and illegally ousted by a deeply unpopular Congress and Government that "rule with bayonets and repression, with force."

In a television address, Boluarte said the statements made on Friday by Lopez Obrador "violate the principle of interna-

tional law about non-interference in internal affairs."

Castillo is being held for 18 months in pre-trial detention after attempting to close down Congress by decree to avoid an impeachment trial.

The removal of Castillo has sparked a wave of social protests demanding the resignation of Boluarte, the dissolution of Congress, changes to the Constitution and Castillo's release.

At least 60 people have died in incidents related to protests, with many of the victims coming from the heavily Indigenous southern regions of the country.

Human rights groups have accused authorities of using firearms on protesters and dropping smoke bombs from helicopters. The army accuses protesters of using weapons and homemade explosives.

Peru's top prosecutor's office last month said it had launched an inquiry into Boluarte and members of her cabinet over the protest deaths and their handling of the violence since early December. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Man, 77, burnt to death as bandits torch house

A77-year-old man is dead after he was trapped in a fire started by bandits who robbed his family before setting his Chaguanas home ablaze yesterday.

Fire officers said Ramdeo Mahadeo Ragoo died after becoming trapped in his Bridel Road, Jerningham Junction Road, Endeavour home around 11 am.

Speaking to Guardian Media yesterday, Nalinee Samaroo, the daughter of the deceased, claimed the family is involved in a dispute and yesterday’s attack was the third on the family. She said an attempt was made to torch the house in

2018 and again on Monday. She said around 2 am on Monday, some men started throwing Molotov Cocktails at the house and a fire started but it was later extinguished by her husband Mahase Samaroo.

Samaroo said she obtained video footage from a neighbour as evidence in Monday’s incident.

“They walk over the bridge, that was 1.57 (am), they walk on the ledge, and right wey that bucket dey, they bring that bucket and a bag, with 6 channa bomb … 6 channa bomb, right … when they pelt the first one, it didn’t hit the roof, it hit the wall, and the whole house in

ruction, and this is where I get up.”

Samaroo said by the time she shouted “fire, fire,” the men ran off.

A crying Samaroo, who had to smoke a cigarette to calm down during the interview, said the family was again attacked yesterday. She said her sister Neesha Lakhan, who was home yesterday morning, told her two men entered the house and proceeded to rob her and her son before setting the house ablaze.

“This morning they bun up meh father, they kill meh father in the couch, the poor man cyar walk, he cyar see, they burn him up in the

couch for a piece of land.” Samaroo said the family had been on alert since Monday’s attack.

“Me, meh husband, meh brother-in-law, meh sister, we had to be waking whole night, like we wuking (expletive) security, from 12 am to 3.30 am. Them have to go to wuk, you tell me, when everybody sleeping we have to be waking, every noise we hear we watching, look wah happen now.”

Samaroo said a report was made to the Cunupia Police Station after Monday’s incident, but said she was not satisfied with how police handled the matter.

“The police who come

from Cunupia Police Station, he need to take a course how he talking to people because he don’t know how to talk to people.”

Samaroo said no one wants to stay in the house now.

“You go like if your father died in that house and go back to stay there?” she asked.

Latchmedaye “Chandra” Ragoo, the wife of the victim, said two of her grandchildren were in the house at the time. Recalling the moments before her husband died, Chandra said she gave him some food earlier and he went to take his medication.

“He eat and he gone in the

living room to take he medication, and my poor husband didn’t know he woulda die today.”

She said the family had been occupying the land for more than 50 years.

Contacted yesterday, head of the Central Division, Sr Supt Pierre, said Homicide South Region III would be conducting all investigations into Ragoo’s death until further notice. He urged Samaroo to communicate with him or any one of the senior officers regarding her complaint so “some intervention” could take place. Police are continuing investigations. (T&T Guardian)

Magnitude 5.3 earthquake jolts Turkey’s central Nigde province

Amagnitude 5.3 earthquake has shaken the central Anatolian Turkish province of Nigde, the Kandilli earthquake monitoring centre said, just over two weeks after two devastating earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

Saturday’s earthquake had a depth of 7km (4.34 miles) and hit the Bor district at 1:27pm (10:27 GMT), the Turkish disaster management agency AFAD said. No casualties have been reported so far.

Vice President Fuat Oktay said response teams are on the ground to assess any damage.

“There is no negative situation at the moment. May God protect our country and our nation from all kinds of disasters,” he said on Twitter.

Bor is located some 350km (218 miles) west of the quake-ravaged Turkish-Syrian border region.

In the earthquakes that hit earlier this month, more than 44,000 people were killed in Turkey, where 11 provinces were affected, while the latest announced death toll in Syria was 5914.

The earthquakes were followed by more than 9000 aftershocks, and in Turkey, damaged more than 173,000 buildings and left nearly two million residents homeless, according to government data.

Nearly 240,000 rescue workers, including volunteers, continue to work in the 11 quake-hit provinces in Turkey. Some of the areas affected by the quakes were initially difficult to access but recovery efforts continue and casualty numbers are rising as they progress.

There have been no reports of survivors being rescued in recent days.

Some 20 million people in Turkey have been affected by the quake, while the United Nations estimates 8.8 million people have been affected in Syria. Less information has come from Syria where many people were already living in precarious conditions after years of civil war. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A healthcare professional rides a motor scooter on February 19, 2023, next to balloons attached to rubble, dedicated to the children who died in the earthquakes in Hatay, Turkey, earlier in the month [Maxim Shemetov/Reuters]

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

LA snow dusts Hollywood sign as winter storm tightens grip

Don’t get trapped in someone else’s debt. Offer alternatives that require experience and intellect, not cash, to make a difference. Be honest about your feelings.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

CANCER

(June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A positive change will improve your day. Be a team player, share your intentions, set high standards and listen to suggestions. A friendly attitude will win you quality support.

You’ll receive misinformation. Ask direct questions and don’t lose sight of what’s important to you. Put more thought into what you want to pursue next and start making preparations.

Showing interest in others will improve your relationships. Think before you indulge in something that isn’t good for you. You don’t have to impress anyone; offer what’s feasible.

Listen and respond. Take advantage of an opportunity that leads to self-improvement. By alleviating stress, you’ll gain peace of mind and incorporate a new outlook on life.

Embrace change and pursue knowledge. Take pride in the way you handle finances, health and negotiations. The more aware you are of what’s going on around you, the better.

Snowflakes have been falling in Los Angeles, including around its iconic Hollywood sign, as a winter storm tightens its icy grip on southern California this weekend.

San Francisco broke a 132year record low temperature, dipping to 39F (4C) on Friday morning.

Tens of millions of residents in the Golden State are under blizzard, wind and flood warnings.

The storms have blacked out nearly a million properties from coast to coast.

The West Coast’s main motorway, Interstate 5, was partially closed south of the Oregon border.

Los Angeles - a city famed for its palm trees and sunkissed boulevards - is under its

Snow covered vineyards in northern California

first blizzard warning in more than three decades.

On Friday people in the city marvelled at the unfamiliar sight of a snow flurry around the Hollywood sign on Mount Lee.

But elsewhere in Los Angeles, flooding trapped cars in North Hollywood, and of-

ficials warned of widespread flooding in neighbourhoods throughout the surrounding county.

The NWS warned swimmers on the state’s world-famous beaches to beware of “strong rip currents and high surf”.

Mountain communi-

ties can expect snowfall between 2ft and 7ft (60cm and 2.1m). Avalanche warnings have been posted in some areas.

Some weather forecasters around Los Angeles witnessed thunder snow, reports the LA Times.

The rare phenomenoncombining lightning and blizzards - sometimes accompanies intense winter storms.

Other parts of California that will see a rare blanketing of snow include the Mojave Desert, the Santa Clarita Valley and the Inland Empire.

Earlier in the week, the storm dumped snow farther north along the West Coast, including in the city of Portland, Oregon, which saw one its snowiest days on record. (Excerpt from BBC News)

El Salvador begins transfers to ‘mega prison’ amid gang crackdown

El Salvador’s Government moved thousands of suspected gang members to a newly opened “mega prison” on Friday, the latest step in a controversial crackdown on crime that has caused the Central American nation’s prison population to soar.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Your charm will convince others to help you reach your goal. Taking short trips, attending meetings and dealing with emotional or sensitive issues will lead to an opportunity-filled partnership.

See what works best for you and concentrate on getting things done. Changing your living arrangements to make your life easier or your space less congested will ease stress.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Don’t be too eager to act on hearsay. Honesty will be an issue when dealing with friends or relatives. Focus on personal gains, fitness and building solid relationships. Romance is encouraged.

Consider your options and make changes that will improve the functionality of your living space to suit your needs. Set the stage for what you want to accomplish.

Emotions will interfere with your choices. Don’t feel pressured to jump into something for the wrong reason. Ask questions and gather facts. Adopt a minimalist mindset.

Let your imagination lead the way, but don’t jump into something new without thoroughly investigating the cost and time involved. Don’t feel the need to redo something unnecessarily.

“This will be their new home, where they won’t be able to do any more harm to the population,” President Nayib Bukele wrote on Twitter.

Around 2000 accused gang members were moved to the 40,000-person-capacity prison, considered to be the largest in the Americas, early Friday morning.

In a video posted by Bukele, prisoners stripped down to white shorts, with their heads shaved, are seen running through the new prison into cells. Many bear gang tattoos.

Bukele asked his allies in El Salvador’s Congress to pass a state of exception last year, which has since been extended several times, that suspends some constitutional rights after a dramatic spike in murders attributed to violent gangs.

Since then, more than 64,000 suspects have been arrested in the anti-crime dragnet. Arrests can be made without a warrant, private communications are accessible by the Government, and detainees no longer have the right to a lawyer.

Human rights organisations argue that innocent people have been caught up in the policy, including at least dozens who have died in Police

custody.

But Bukele’s anti-gang push remains widely pop -

ular with Salvadorans, and the country’s Security Minister told Reuters it

would continue until all criminals are captured. (Reuters)

BM SOAT sponsors GMR&SC’s Starlet Cup under Renegade Race Fuel Brand

Anew title sponsorship for the Starlet Cup of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC’s) activities in 2023 has been found, with B.M. SOAT Auto Sales and Rentals taking over the year under the Renegade Race Fuel Brand.

B.M. SOAT Auto Sales and Rentals, headquartered at Lot 9 Croal Street, Stabroek, Georgetown, is one of Guyana’s largest vehicle sales and rentals’ providers.

The company offers its clients a wide variety of brands and models to choose from, and to ensure that their needs are met. The company comprises three showrooms in different locations, with

staff that are willing to assist.

Apart from the auto sales aspect of its operations, the company has ventured into the car rental business, and leases vehicles to corporate clients, small businesses and individuals.

The GMR&SC event has been rebranded BM SOAT/ Renegade Fuel Starlet Cup, and it is expected to be one of the feature events of the GMR&SC’s upcoming race meet on March 19.

“Under the Renegade Fuel Brand, we have invested a hefty bit in sponsorship to the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club, for which they will rebrand the Starlet Cup as the B.M SOAT/Renegade Race Fuels Starlet Cup. We

see this as a large investment in motorsport locally, and a chance to give back to the competitors of the Starlet Cup,” BM SOAT Managing Director Rameez Mohamed has said.

“We chose the Starlet Class because, over time, we viewed this as one of the most competitive classes in the GMR&SC Circuit Race calendar. We also notice that it was one of the larger sub scribed groups, where we feel that the action will keep fans on the edges of their seats.”

With this event being re branded, competitors would be paid for every point scored throughout the champion ship rounds, and cash priz es would be given to the top

three overall finishers of that class at the end of the year. Cars competing in this event are also expected

Ethanol, Power-sport fuels, and Diesel fuel.

“Renegade fuel isn’t new on the market here. We have

tuning cars,” Mohamed has said. Persons desirous of acquiring the brands can con5631 or Balram Ramdeo at

CCJ upholds Justice Navindra Singh’s Order on DCB election

he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has dismissed an application filed by Anand Sanasie & Anand Kalladeen challenging Justice Navindra Singh’s decision to order an election for the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB).the applicants failed to establish that their challenge to Justice Singh’s Order had any likelihood or chance of success.

The challenge was filed in February 2021, and the case was dismissed on February 24th, 2023, a release from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has revealed. The applicants were also ordered to pay costs to the respondents.

The CCJ has held that

The applicants Sanasie and Kalladeen were represented by Attorneys CV Satram and Ron Motilall, while the respondents: Roger Harper, Davteerth Anandjit and Bradley Fredericks, were represented by Attorney Arudranauth Gossai.

The holding of the DCB Election in February, 2021 paved the way for

Anand Kalladeen

the Honourable Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., to appoint a Cricket Ombudsman and to have

the long-awaited and much-delayed lawful election of the Guyana Cricket Board, which was subsequently held in March, 2021.

The decision of the CCJ brought an end to almost twelve (12) years of litigation in which Sanasie and Kalladeen sought, in every conceivable way, to prevent a lawful election of the DCB.

Justice Singh had ruled since June 2019 that an election must be held for the DCB in August, 2019 but same could not be held because an appeal was filed

against Justice Singh’s Order, a stay of that Order was granted by the Court of Appeal, and the Guyana Cricket Administration Act was suspended by an Order of a single judge of the Court of Appeal. That suspension of the Cricket Act was eventually lifted by the full bench of the Court of Appeal in September 2020, and Sanasie and Kalladeen withdrew their application to stay Justice Singh’s Order.

The way was then clear for a DCB election to be held.

Sanasaie and Kalladeen,

however, did not stop their quest to stymie the holding of a lawful election, and they appealed Justice Singh’s Order to the Full Court, which dismissed their appeal with costs. They then appealed to the Court of Appeal, and again their appeal was dismissed. Their final attempt to derail the lawful election of the DCB was brought to finality by the Judgment of the CCJ, which was delivered by the Honourable President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders.

Kings beat Clippers in 'crazy' 176-175 game

he Sacramento Kings have beaten the Los Angeles Clippers 176175 in a dramatic encounter which became the second-highest scoring match in NBA history.Kings scored 10 points without answer, to reduce the deficit.

Malik Monk top scored with 45 points for the Kings, while team-mate De'Aaron Fox contributed 42 points in the double-overtime win.

The points’ tallies for both teams were franchise records for them in the NBA. The NBA's highest scoring game was in 1983, when the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184.

The Clippers had a 147136 lead with three minutes 18 seconds left, but the

Monk made a three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left to level the match at 153 apiece, and send it into overtime, with a second extra period needed with the score at 164-164.

Fox gave the Kings a lead they would not lose with 36.5 seconds remaining, while Kawhi Leonard and Nicolas Batum each then missed shots that would have given the Clippers the lead. Leonard was his side's highest scorer with 44 points, while Russell Westbrook added 17 points and 14 assists on his debut for the Clippers.

A second extra period was required with the score at 164-164 in overtime

"I thought it was a great game, especially for the fans," said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. "A crazy game, a lot of momentum shifts."

Bucks defeat Heat 12899 for 13th win in a row

The Milwaukee Bucks have won their 13th game in a row as they produced

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Giannis Antetokounmpo had to go off with a right knee injury towards the end of the first quarter, but his side still completed a win in which Jrue Holiday scored 24 points.

"I'm pretty sure that either on a drive or a screen, or something like that, that he [Antetokounmpo] knocked knees with somebody and just wasn't able to return," said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.

Thompson stars as Warriors beat Rockets 116-101 Klay Thompson starred for the Golden State Warriors as they beat the Houston Rockets 116101. Thompson shot 12 three-pointers as he put in a 42-point performance for a Warriors side without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins.

T

Malik Monk scored 45 points for the Kings

Kawhi Leonard scored 44 points for the Los Angeles Clippers

GCB Senior Inter-County 4-Day tournament 2023…

Imlach's 62 highlights opening day of Demerara vs Berbice

By Brandon Corlette at ProvidenCe

Watched by less than 30 spectators and the full Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Selection Panel, Tevin Imlach stood tall in his 62 as Demerara closed the opening day of the GCB Senior FourDay Inter-County match against Berbice on 228-9 after 86.2 overs.

This four-day format of the Senior Inter-County returned after nine years; and after a delayed start, play commenced at 10:45h. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, bowled the first ball of the tournament to opener Sachin Singh. He was the first to

be dismissed, caught in the slip cordon off the bowling of Romario Shepherd for nine.

Matthew Nandu and Tevin Imlach took Demerara to 39-1 at the lunch interval.

Nandu was unbeaten on 13 and Imlach was on seven. Nandu (15) was then looking to score after facing five dots from Permaul. He scooped one to backward square leg when the score was at 50-2 in 22 overs.

The under-pressure

Akshaya Persaud came in and played a delightful drive past mid-off, but he fell soon after for six. Persaud cut one straight to point off a shortof-the-length ball bowled by Nial Smith, and Leon Johnson joined Imlach with the score at 61-3, and the

duo built a promising partnership.

Johnson was looking compact, but he wasted a good start when he hit a full toss to Junior Sinclair at mid-on. The national skipper made 21, and departed with the score at 92-4 to give Kevin Sinclair his first wicket.

Christopher Barnwell and his Demerara Cricket Club teammate Imlach took the city side to 121-4 at tea, after 52 overs. Imlach, who struggled in the opening rounds, dug deep and showed fight. He reached his half-century with two boundaries, cutting Junior Sinclair to the boundary.

Barnwell thumped a few into the boundary, but he departed for 28 from 71 balls

in an innings which had four boundaries. The senior man was drawn forward off a top

Junior Sinclair delivery, and was caught at slip with the score at 149-5 after 61 overs. Barnwell and Imlach added 57 runs together.

Ronaldo Ali Mohamed came and, looking uneasy, edged one to Kevlon Anderson at slip, and a sharp reflex catch was taken.

Demerara then slumped to 169-7 in 71.3 overs when Imlach was trapped at the crease for 62 from 182 balls. His innings had nine fours. This first-class batsman Imlach failed yet again to convert his fifty into a century, as he was caught on the crease.

Spinners Richie Looknauth and Ashmead

Nedd then took Demerara past 200. Permaul took Shamar Joseph off the attack and came from the bottom end to remove Nedd for 19. Nedd was sharply taken at cover by Kevin Sinclair when the score was at 209-8 in 84.1 overs.

Sankar (13) came and attempted to attack Shepherd. He top-edged a six, but was removed by Permaul when stumps were drawn at 2289 in 86.2 overs. Permaul was the best bowler with 4-47 in 27.1 overs. Looknauth will resume the day on 19.

The second day of this four-day match will commence at 9:30h.

GDA’s “Big Bash” on at National

Stadium today

The stage is set for the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) to hold its Big Bash dominoes tournament today: Sunday, February 26, 2023, at the Guyana National Stadium tarmac at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

This is a Minister of Sport edition of the fundraising tournament, and is the first of its kind to be hosted at the National Stadium. It will bring together affiliates of the GDA with teams from across the country and those from Corporations, Ministries and the Private Sector.

GDA Vice President

Colin Boyce has said the tournament is being sponsored by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr, and is the GDA’s final event for its calendar year. The Trophy Stall of Bourda Market is also sponsoring

the event.

During a simple presentation ceremony on Saturday, Boyce expressed gratitude to Minister Ramson and to Businessman Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall for contributing to the tournament.

Prizes will be awarded to the top four finishers, with the first-place team receiving $300,000 and a trophy; the second-place team receiving $150,000 and a trophy; third- place team receiving $75,000 and a trophy; and fourth place team receiving $35,000 and a trophy. The Most Valuable Player in the final will receive $15,000 and a trophy.

Associations and first division teams are required to pay $15,000 to register to participate, while Ministries and Private Sector teams are required to pay $10,000 as registration fee. Registration will close at 13:30 hours.

Colin Boyce, Vice President of the Georgetown Dominoes Association, receiving one of the trophies from a representative of Trophy Stall

Team Berbice celebrating a wicket

Imlach celebrating his milestone

Imlach cutting one to the boundary

The Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Senior Inter-Country 4-Day tourna ment bowled off in fine style at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara on Saturday morn ing.

While a contest between Demerara and Berbice was on the cards, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad, and GCB President Bissoondyal Singh were all at the stadium for the ceremonial opening of the tournament, which according to the Minister is returning after 9 years.

Ramson jr., had much to share with the players based on a recent meeting with GCB Executives, including his commitment to ensuring the tournament, and by extension the sport, has adequate facilities for play.

“When I met with them 2 weeks ago, we discussed a number of things. The first we discussed was the principle of recommencing this inter- county tournament, but that where the facilities were required, that the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, will make every facility that we have available to the GCB, so that you can play as many games that is required. So that you can select the best team,” the Minister divulged to the players, officials and media operatives gathered.

As Ramson jr. continued to touch on some of the GCB’s recent issues, the Sport Minister highlighted the selection criteria, noting that older players will not be deterred, but selection will be dependent on form.

Ramson boldly declared, “The second thing that we discussed, and that they are in agreement with, is that when it comes to selection of the teams, who get the opportunity to participate at these trials, inter-county, whatsoever, age is not a barrier to whether you get the opportunity or not.

In fact, I see many faces here today who didn’t have the opportunity in the previous selection of the team.”

On the matter of performance, the Sport Minister added, “And I would add as well that its strictly based on performance. And that is something that is very important for us here, from the Government of Guyana, but it’s also very important for you to know that when it comes to examining your own performance, you must also be honest with yourself.”

On that note, Ramson jr. went on to praise the return of former Guyanese star Ramnaresh Sarwan as Chairman of Selectors.

“Since having that discussion with the GCB in relation to the selection of players, they have appointed a new chairman of selectors, and he is somebody who has played the game at the highest level and he was ranked as the best player in the world at some point,” Ramson related.

“That is the calibre of the Chairman of Selectors who is joining us here today, Ronnie Sarwan.”

The Sport Minister concluded, “Just so that you can know that the decisions that are being made on your behalf (are) not… gyaff. These are serious things that we have to do now to ensure that cricket advances in the way that we want it to advance.”

During his time with the mic, Ramson jr. also expressed his confidence in the GCB Executives and the capabilities of Guyanese cricketers.

“Everything that the Government of Guyana does is to advance cricket in general, but cricket is just the vehicle where we’re advancing the interest of you as cricketers,” he shared on that note.

Sport Minister Charles Ramson jr., DoS Steve Ninvalle, NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad, GCB President Bissoondyal Singh, and Ramnaresh Sarwan are flanked by Berbice and Demerara players involved in the 4-Day tournament

Sport Minister Charles Ramson jr.