Guyana Times - Sunday June 23, 2024.pdf

Siblings in custody for murder of N/A youth

– victim was strangled, beaten to death – autopsy

Two brothers are currently in police custody as investigations continue into the murder of 28-year-old Tyrone France of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam Berbice, Region Six.

France’s body was discovered on Monday morning along the road shoulder at Heathburn Village, East Bank Berbice, and

an autopsy performed thereon by Government Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan on Friday determined the cause of death as asphyxiation and resulting from multiple injuries. France had been known to the police, having been convicted of narcotics’ possession.

Police had arrested three persons with whom

France had last been seen hours before the discovery of his corpse. The quartet had been at a bar-b-que activity held in Glasgow New Housing Scheme, EBB.

Police Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, has told reporters there is a primary and a secondary scene. He referred to the

location where the quartet had been imbibing as the primary scene.

“It is believed that the incident would have taken place at the primary (location), and then it moved to the secondary location, where the victim’s body would have been found,” Commander Bacchus explained.

Two other persons had been taken into custody on Tuesday, but the Police have said on Friday evening that the five suspects who had initially been arrested have been released, and two siblings are now in custody assisting detec-

tives with the investigations. (G-4)

74-Y-O Guyanese man dies in boat accident in Suriname

The boat wherein the incident took place

Alfred R, a 74-year-old Guyanese man, died on Friday afternoon after falling from an iron staircase into a boat at the Coast Traders premises in Nieuwe Haven, Suriname. His lifeless body was discovered by his colleagues. According to Waterkant News, Surinamese police reported that the victim sustained head injuries which are believed to have caused his death at the scene.

The New Haven police had responded promptly to the incident, and the man had been taken to the hospital, where he was confirmed to have died. His body was then transported to the morgue for further examination and post-mortem examination.

Murdered: Tyrone France

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, June 23 – 04:00h-05:00h and 18:30h-19:00h, and Monday, June 24 – 04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, June 23 – 05:00h-06:30h and Monday, June 24 – 05:45h-07:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Canada stands with Guyana amid Venezuela border controversy – High Commissioner

Making it clear that Canada stands with Guyana in its border controversy with Venezuela, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman, urged respect for international law.

According to High Commissioner Berman, the Canadian Government remains concerned about the state of affairs between the two countries regarding their shared border, and is urging that international law be respected.

“The Canadian Government is concerned with the tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, and we reiterate that we stand with the Guyanese people. We stand with the Government, and we call for respect of international law. In this complex, ever-changing global environment, good relations are paramount, and I can’t emphasize enough the importance we place on our relationship with Guyana,” High Commissioner Berman has said during an event held to observe Canada Day celebrations.

Addressing relations between Canada and Guyana, High Commissioner Berman declared that Canada is committed to continuing the growth of relations between the two countries, and would continue to partner with Guyana on the road to achieving its economic and social development goals.

“We’re doing our best to work side-by-side with Guyana because the relationship between Canada and Guyana is rooted in the deep historical people-to-people lengths that I mentioned. Canada has always been a close friend of Guyana, and we will continue to work with you to

strengthen our relationship and achieve your economic and social development goals,” he pledged.

“Indeed, Canada continues to value and build a relationship with Guyana which we forged since your independence, and which continues to expand and deepen 58 years later. Canada and Guyana not only share a multilateral relationship on the global and regional stage, but, above all, we are bilateral partners on the trade development front, and (we are) friends,” Berman added.

Only last month, Guyana had to notify all relevant international bodies, allies and other partners about Venezuela’s threatening actions at the border. This was after reports surfaced that the Venezuelan Army had built a bridge connecting their mainland with Ankoko Island in the Cuyuni River.

Ankoko Island is shared by the two countries, with each owning half, but Venezuela illegally took over the entire island and also established a military base in 1966, after Guyana gained independence.

Guyana and Venezuela

Community (Caricom) and the Latin American and Caribbean Community of Nations (CELAC), as well as the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Secretary General of the OAS, have been notified of the new developments. Guyana maintains that if Venezuela wants to contest the territory in question, the proper forum is the ICJ, which will decide the issue objectively and according to law.

are currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to determine a final resolution to the ongoing border controversy, in which the Bolivarian Republic is seeking to annex more than two-thirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory. Venezuela has since submitted its counter-memorial to the ICJ for the process to continue. However, even as the matter is being adjudicated, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in April 2024, promulgated the “Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba”.

The Guyana Government has rejected this move, noting that this action by Venezuela is an egregious violation of the most fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS), and customary international law. This action also contradicts the letter and spirit of the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace.

At that time, Governments of the nations of the Caribbean

Caricom has released a statement noting that, in its adoption of “the Organic Law”, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has acted unilaterally, precipitously, and potentially dangerously. In the process, it has: (i) offended “the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela”, dated December 14 2023; (ii) subverted international law; and (iii) signalled possible embrace of an unworthy aggression to achieve its own articulated goals or purposes.

Only recently, the World Court held a meeting with agents of both countries, during which it was agreed that a second round of submissions would be made. The meeting, which was overseen by ICJ President Justice Nawaf Salam, was to determine the way forward since Venezuela submitted its counter-memorial.

The Court is expected to issue an order setting times for the two parties to deliver their submissions after they differed on the deadlines, with Guyana asking for six months; that is, until October 8, 2024, while Venezuela has requested 12 months from Guyana’s October Reply to adequately prepare its submission. (G-3)

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Social identity and conflict

While the PPP has jettisoned Marxism-Leninism from its constitution - and presumably the class-based social structure that predicts inevitable conflict - the social identity approach inherent in the hyphenated nomenclature we have assumed presents its own challenges. According to this theory, every individual divides his/her social world into distinct so-called social categories, and locates themselves and others in relation to them. Based on a cumulative process of locating oneself, individuals can constitute their social identity, i.e., define themselves in social categories such as gender, geographic location, class, profession, ethnicity, etc. In Guyana, we have prioritized ethnicity in politics.

The basic assumption is that people strive for a positive social identity. As social identity is derived from membership in groups, positive social identity is the outcome of favourable social comparisons made between the in-group (i.e., the group to which one belongs) and other social groups. As long as membership in a group enhances one’s self-esteem, that is: as long as social comparisons remain (on balance) favourable, one will remain a member of that group. However, if the group fails to satisfy this requirement, the individual may try to 1) change the structure of the group (social change), 2) seek a new way of comparison which would favour his/ her group, and hence reinforce his/her social identity (social creativity), or 3) leave/abandon the group with the desire to join a 'better' one (social mobility).

For individuals who are members of a minority group, to achieve a positive social identity presents specific challenges, since the majority’s preponderance in most areas of national life presumes assimilation by other groups. In Guyana, by the turn of the 20th century, African Guyanese who had been enslaved to work on the plantations feared the implications of Indian Guyanese - who had been brought as indentured labourers after the abolition of slavery - becoming a majority. In the run-up to independence, Forbes Burnham and the African Guyanese-dominated PNC were handed the state by the colonial power, and he imposed a dictatorship to subjugate the majority Indian Guyanese. This inevitably led to severe contradictions that eventually pauperized the country and precipitated severe ethnic conflict.

Donald Horowitz offers the best-known application of social identity theory to cases of ethnic conflict. He focuses on group comparison between what he calls “backward” and “forward” groups appurtenances of modernity. Members of “backward” groups must decide whether to emulate out-group behaviour to compete, or adopt different coping strategies, such as claiming preferential treatment or compensation if “backwardness” is perceived to have emerged from past injustices and discrimination. “Backward” groups harbour fears of extinction if they cannot catch up with “forward” groups. Their anxiety flows from the diffuse danger of exaggerated dimensions, limits and modifies perceptions, and produces extreme reactions to modest threats.

Horowitz also stipulates a relation between self-esteem, anxiety, and prejudice about conflict. Self-esteem is raised by aggression, especially if aggression is projected on others as justification for own actions, i.e., prejudices about other groups’ aggressiveness produce and intensify anxiety and justify aggression (as self-defense).

Comparisons between ethnic groups centre on their relative group worth and relative group legitimacy, and merge easily into a politics of ethnic entitlement in which the quest for power is both instrumental (power as a means to an end, e.g., averting the threat of group extinction) and symbolic (power as a confirmation of status). This means that in unranked systems, groups will make efforts to dominate and avoid domination by others. What may thus have initially been a conflict over needs and interests becomes subordinate to conflicts over status and the rules of the political system. The intensity of ensuing conflict is, according to Horowitz, a function of the relative strength of group claims: the more invidious the group comparison and the larger the area of unacknowledged claims to group legitimacy, the more intense the conflict.

Unfortunately, even though we have now become a nation of minorities, and each group can craft programs to win elections by treating all groups equally, fears of domination remain that are exploited by power-hungry leaders.

President Ali's warning is timely for the UN Security Council

Dear Editor,

Donna Hightower sang, “The world is in a mess.” As the G7 Summit wrapped up its business in Italy after meeting for three days, the world is far from being in a ‘neat’ mess and nearer to being in a ‘cluttered’ mess. Ravaged with war, starvation, displacement, poverty, disease, deaths, sickness, climatic effects, crime, and corruption to say the least, the free-for-all frenzy created by politics paves the way for furious fussiness in economics. It flaps its wings to erode the basis for sociological welfare. The duel of double identity devours the dignity of sincerity and masks the camouflage of distrust. Even the G7 countries are challenged to shirk the “playboy” image of the ‘rich and famous' and are forced to align themselves with the consciousness of reality, undermining the will to survive by the struggling suppressed countries.

A hop around the globe captures a grim picture. Think about Italy, and what comes to mind is art, opera, architecture, Sophia Loren, and the Mafia’s Don. It was not an act of civility when fistfights erupted in the Italian Parliament in the lower house last week over a government proposal that opponents say will further impoverish the poorer south.

An opposition lawmaker, Leonardo Donno, was sent to the hospital as a result of injuries received on his head and chest. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed his disappointment, “I have no words. We need to set another example, not punches to resolve political problems. It’s not braggadocio, it’s not shouting, it’s ideas that need to be explained well to persuade voters.”

Guyana's Parliament

is famous for many such escapades. December 2017 saw heavy scuffling when police attempted to evict Minister Juan Edghill (then an Opposition member) during a parliamentary debate. Other colleagues were also hurt in the scuffle when they tried to protect him, including now Minister Priya Manickchand. December 2018, Mr. Chandan Persaud (then a PNC Government MP) was cuffed and hassled by his own colleagues when he voted 'yes' with the PPP Opposition in the "No Confidence Vote" against the PNC Government. He had to be whisked out by his friends for his own safety. In December 2021, eight PNC MPs were involved in another disorderly behavior and disrespectful manner when they grabbed the Parliamentary mace and it was broken. A staff of the Parliamentary Office was also assaulted and injured. Those MPs had to be suspended.

India is at a crossroads with her ally, Russia. Sharing cooperation in defense, oil, nuclear energy, and space exploration, India avoided voting against Russia at the United Nations or criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the said time, India, along with Sri Lanka and Nepal are asking Russia to return their fellow countrymen who they claim, have been duped into working for the Russian army and lured under the pretext of giving them jobs and Russian citizenship. Many of the Asians were killed.

In the 60s under Burnham’s dictatorship, many Guyanese fled the country and went to the US and enlisted in the Army when the US was at war with Vietnam. They did so

primarily to gain US citizenship so that they could sponsor their families to escape the draconian PNC government. The Commission of Enquiry from the UN Human Rights Council has concluded that both Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Over 37,000 Palestinians were killed and over 80,000 injured. Some 1,200 odd Israelis died and hundreds injured. Figures for the Russian/ Ukraine war casualties remain fussy and unconfirmed because they are secretly guarded. But the NY Times reported that the total amount of deaths could be over half a million and over 300,000 wounded.

Closer home, Maduro is sounding the war drum. His army has over a hundred thousand soldiers as against Guyana’s 5,000. Should Maduro attack Guyana, Guyana will have to rely on all of her allies to defend this nation.

Earlier this year, the US conducted naval and air exercises with Guyana while Venezuela felt offended. A confluence of Russian, Canadian, and US Naval ships displayed their pride and power in Cuba last week. A Russian Navy Frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine sailed into Havana’s harbour, followed by Canada’s patrol boat and a US first-attack submarine in the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. Havana is 100 miles away from Key West, Florida, home to a US Naval Air Station. Was this show heavier on ‘symbolism than substance?’ The Pentagon, Canada, and Cuba downplayed any risk factor.

A wooden boat carrying

some 270 people capsized with 80 of them drowned in DR Congo this month. River travel is common and preferably to a few roadways. A similar accident occurred last October with over 50 deaths from a boat overfilled with 300 people. Also, this month, a boat carrying 260 Somalians and Ethiopian refugees sank while traveling from the Horn of Africa to Yemen. 49 died and over 160 are missing. So far, some 1,860 people died while plying this route to escape African war-torn countries.

The lyrics of Bob Marley’s song “War” hold great pertinence with war escalating in all directions on the globe, be it of variable nature, military, food, famine, poverty, etc. Putin is threatening the world with his nuclear weapons, and his recent meeting with North Korea’s Leader, Kim Jong Un, is unsettling. China’s claim over Taiwan is a threat to crush whoever tries to split them. Israel’s show of force is devastating in the Hamas, and Africans continue to be displaced by the millions through constant fights over rulership and power. Nicaragua and Venezuela remain a constant threat in Latin America, and Haiti is reeling from gangsterism. Will the world see the likes of a duplication of a Pearl Harbour-type attack and the repercussions of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki victims?

The sober, sombre, and serious tone of Guyana’s President Ali is timely when he warned this week that, “no one is above the law.” The UN Security Council certainly has its hands full, and should take note of this message. Guyana occupies a non-permanent seat.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

This roundabout is under construction on the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge

Finally, the AFC faction of the coalition has returned to its Afrocentric roots

Dear Editor,

The idea that the AfroGuyanese Race is superior to other races is a longheld PNC dogma. I am not talking about taking pride in one’s race; far from it, I believe that all races are of that school. Rather, it is the dogmatic extremism that all areas of power and position belong to the Black Race only. And with that paramountcy of thought, they go about their interpretation of a certain kind of “ownership” of this country.

These are nice-sounding words in the ears of party supporters. However, in a multiracial society like ours, that notion is an expression of rank racism and backwardness. This rooted dogma has held that party together in a rigging mode

for many decades here. However, when the pressures of civilization were brought to bear on them, that course of action was dismantled.

Not to be left undone, The PNC then vigorously embarked on a Plan B, that is: getting those disgruntled members of the PPP who were willing to go along in a partnership with them. Thus began the Alliance For Change party.

The AFC was formed for the sole purpose of grabbing votes from the PPP/C, the target group being Indians; and to achieve that end, they solicited the support of notable personalities such as Charrandas Persaud, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan. These guys

were recruited to tear down the power base of the PPP, while at the same time vigorously convincing constituents to vote for the AFC. In servitude, the Indian component of the new alliance conscientiously carried out that mandate, hoping in the end to turn over copious number of votes into the hands of a PNC/AFC Coalition.

The Indo-Guyanese aAreas of the Sugar Belt saw a comprehensive campaign, where activists went into every nook and cranny spreading the glorious message of the alliance, a “new party” that will bring about change in the Guyana Landscape. Their efforts bore fruit, in that there was a reduction in PPP votes, brought in by the diligent work of the AFC, and not particularly

by the Coalition. The PPP was indeed negatively impacted here. But how much of a change could be brought to bear in a party joining hands with the PNC? The change aspect of that alliance was masked by the domineering attitude of the PNC, there was no way an AFC could exert any influence on that coalition of sorts. So, throughout the tenure of The Coalition, The AFC took on the role of a servile appendage to the greater and more formidable PNC/APNU.

Those who stood for change were utterly disappointed with this position, so, the people waited and watched.

The first signs of a rift came with the historic “Yes vote” of Charrandas, he real-

ized that there was no more sticking around in an alliance that had the signature stamp of The PNC written all over it. For him, a stay in the alliance also meant he had to be subservient to the rigging and corruption of an incorrigible PNC. Charrandas couldn’t take it any longer, so he bolted. With Charrandas gone, the other Indo-Guyanese were saddled with the burden of carrying out the dictates of the autocratically corrupt PNC; it was the PNC/APNU all over again.

So, in recent developments leading up to their party congress, Ramjattan publicly recused himself from the leadership race, leaving it up to Sherod Duncan, Nigel Hughes, and David Patterson to take con-

trol of the party once again. Please note that those individuals mentioned above were diehard PNC operatives all along, only hibernating undercover for a while before finally owning up to their true selves. It meant that the AFC is now firmly “A Black People thing.” How much of a standing they might have in an election is left to be seen, because what we do know is that they have already painted a dismal picture to the Guyanese public, which cannot be erased, coupled with the numerous scandalous accusations facing the PNC, a morbid scenario awaits.

Respectfully,

Neil Adams

Breadfruit getting its deserved attention

Dear Editor,

The headline got my attention: “Massive coffee, breadfruit production on the cards for Region One.” As a matter of fact, it got me engrossed, and why? Well, it’s because of “Breadfruit.” I cannot understand why our breadfruit has remained uncelebrated for so long, and for now, in this little letter, I will celebrate it.

I am so happy that

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has touted plans to restart the large-scale production of coffee and other high-value crops such as breadfruit (but for now, I will leave out ‘coffee,’ even though I am equally elated with it, as I am with the ‘breadfruit’).

I noticed that the President is quite excited, stating (to residents of Waramuri, Region One, (Barima-Waini) that “We

GTU Executives looking for a face-saving way to end political strike

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Teachers’ Union Executive officers, Union President Lyte and General Secretary Mc Donald, are looking for a face-saving way to end the political strike they called since 5 February 2024 in the name of the teachers’ union, GTU, after disrupting the greater part of the school year by neglecting their professional commitment to teach the nation’s children.

Teachers were used for political purposes, and the Executives of the Union are looking for a way out, since the school year is coming to an end. They are hoping to get back to school days before the end of the school year, so that they can be paid for the school holidays.

They disrupted the collective bargaining process with unreasonable demands. The process was there for negotiation, conciliation/mediation and arbitration without disrupting the teaching service.

The Ministry should end this disruptive school year now and proceed to seek a resumption of work on the

first day of the new school year in September 2024. That would mean no pay for those teachers on strike until the new school year, and for those who return to the classroom.

They are conscious of the principle of “no work no pay” but were misled by Justice Sandil Kissoon’s ruling that their political strike was justified and that teachers should be paid for strike days, and for the Ministry of Education to continue deduction of union dues for the Union. This was and is a misjudgment, and is without reference to any applicable law and justified principle.

There is no such law in Guyana. It is a political decision, maybe to gain popularity through a wrong decision, and stating that teachers were given “stone” when they asked for bread, misapplying biblical reference and ignoring the applicable biblical reference, “If you do not work, you should not eat.”

Sincerely, Joshua Singh

want to do some major crops here that are high-valued and that will put you back on the regional map.” He detailed that his government would support villagers with local breadfruit production to meet the demands of local and regional markets.

And why not? The facts, fully accessible, regarding breadfruit, should make us want to really go after it.

It is a staple food in many tropical regions. Most breadfruit varieties produce fruit throughout the year, and both ripe and unripe fruit have culinary uses. The unripe breadfruit is cooked before consumption. Before being eaten, the fruit is roasted, baked, fried, or boiled. When cooked, the taste of moderately ripe breadfruit is described as potato-like, or similar to freshly baked bread. Its versatility is shocking-curried, fried, boiled, baked, roasted and we can go on and on.

On the nutritional side, breadfruit is not only a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and protein, but it also contains substantial amounts of micronutrients

such as calcium, potassium, iron, vitamin C, and B3.

Then it comes in high proliferation, where one breadfruit tree can produce as many as 200 kilograms (450lbs) each season. So, the work will be in the area of the preservation of harvested fruit. We must not waste any at all. I have read that in some places, that the traditional preservation technique is to bury peeled and washed fruits in a leaf-lined pit where they ferment over several weeks and produce a sour, sticky paste. So stored, the product may endure a year or more, and some pits are reported to have produced edible contents more than 20 years later.

What I do propose is that we find ways to market and preserve the breadfruit.

The word from President Ali is that “… we want to replant 5,000 breadfruit plants in the region; so that we can become an important supplier of breadfruit for the country. We are going to move into this production because these are crops that have value on the regional market.” He added “I think there is tremendous

potential in this region and we want to now move to another phase of development where we create opportunities; where we invest in opportunities for the future, where more of the women in our society can earn, more young people can enter forms of entrepreneurship and agriculture is a main aspect of that.”

Editor, what I am so pleased about is that Budget 2024 is becoming more and more of a reality. Back in January 2024, some $527.4 million was allocated to in-

crease opportunities for agro-processors, farmers, and women, and we are witnessing this yet again. I recall the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, stating that “Guyana is promoting the growth of the agro-processing industry, including value-chain development and market expansion for its produce and products.”

Sincerely, Hargesh B Singh

MAKING VACCINES AVAILABLE TO PET CAREGIVERS

Ido not advocate the handing over of vaccines to caregivers (clients of the vet clinic) for them to administer the vaccines to their wards (dogs and cats) – even in the most difficult of circumstances and for the most heart-rendering reasons. A caring client argued that it would be better for someone to pick up the vaccines at the Vet’s Clinic, place it in a correctly cooled container, and translocate via vehicles and aircraft to Morawhanna (Region # 1), and seek the assistance of a visiting Veterinarian or resident Medic to administer the vaccine by injection under the skin or in the muscles of the animal’s hind legs. The caregiver maintained that such an undertaking would be better for the animal, as against the risk of contracting one of the diseases (particularly Parvovirus, Canine Distemper or Leptospirosis).

I am always empathetic

to loving, caring pet owners. In the case of vaccinations, however, with all good intentions and protocols in place for movement of the live vial(s) of vaccine, there are issues that cannot be ignored.

The transport logistics from Georgetown to Region 1 comprise several steps: From the Veterinary Clinic to the Eugene Correira

at Ogle (East Coast Demerara).

The cooler stays the airport for hours (checking in is hours before the flight).

The vaccine, being a “biological”, must be checked in as luggage. The law does not allow the passenger to take a “biological” on board as part of the passenger’s hand-carry. Of course, some leniency from officials may

to be carried on boards as hand-luggage.

If the cool-box with the vaccine is placed on the trailer – with the checked-in luggage – on the tarmac awaiting loading, I tend to think that the temperature in the cooler will not be maintained.

Then, off on air journey to (possibly) Matthews Ridge or

Then via road to the Northwest Morawhanna and the homestead where the animal resides.

Assuming previous arrangements were made, the Medic/Nurse or the Vet/ Vet-tech should be at the residence when the vaccine arrives.

Do you think the quality of the vaccine would have been maintained throughout such a complicated series of events – from the Vet’s Clinic to the homestead where the dog/cat is? Too many ‘moving parts” are involved. And we

held responsible. Allow me to relate a relevant story within this context of giving caregivers or their agents vaccines to administer to the pets not in the clinic. Many years ago, long before the relevant laws were introduced, a client beseeched me to give her the canine multivalent vaccine for her nurse friend at the Linden hospital to administer to her companion animal. Linden is far closer to Georgetown than Morawhanna. Within less than two hours of the pet owner’s departure from my

have not even added the question: Can the Medic or, for that matter, the livestock trained Vet Tech carry out the function on an irascible, moving, uncooperative dog in his domain? Also, what if there is a massive reaction to the vaccine itself, or the application went into the pet’s lungs (or a blood vessel) instead of under the skin? Does the medical personnel have the necessary competence/ medication to treat the animal that has reacted negatively to the vaccine?

I have painted a worstcase scenario associated with giving the caregiver or his/her agent the vaccine to carry into the reaches of our country. It is important for me to provide you with this information. In the event of an abnormal development, whereby the animal dies, the veterinarian, who allowed the procedure to begin in the first place, may be

Clinic, I received a call from the nurse. She had pulled up the liquid part of the multivalent vaccine from the one of the vials and injected the dog ...... and was now asking what she must do with the second vial with the content of solids. Perhaps in her experience of administering vaccines, there was always only one vial involved – with the vaccine being the liquid medium. Her effort to vaccinate the dog was regrettably futile. My cautionary advice is based on over 55 years of experience and on the realism of “Murphy’s Law”. If something can go wrong, it will.

Next week, I will deal with another common request of pet caregivers, relative to sedating the animal that is travelling to a distant place, because of concern that the animal will not fare well during the trip.

ExxonMobil begins exploration for more oil at Lau-Lau 2 well

– 315 feet of oil reservoir already discovered at Lau-Lau 1 well in 2022

Oil giant ExxonMobil

Guyana has begun appraisal drilling at its Lau-Lau 2 well site in the Stabroek Block, where, over two years ago, the company had discovered over 300 feet of oil in the Lau-Lau 1 well.

Announcement of the drilling start-up was made by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Department, and the appraisal is expected to last from June 16 to July 31, 2024. Drillship MODU Noble Sam Croft, which had previously operated on several wells in Guyana, will be undertaking the drilling, with the help of a range of other vessels.

“The well site is situated approximately 110.4 nautical miles (204.5 kilometres) off the coast of Guyana, and covers an area of 0.29 square nautical miles (1 square kilometre)…all mariners are required to stay clear of these vessels, and navigate with extreme caution,” MARAD announced.

The Lau-Lau 1 and Fangtooth-1 oil finds in the Stabroek Block had been simultaneously announced in January 2022. At that time, these discoveries had brought the number of discoveries in that Block to 27. Exxon had announced that the Lau-Lau 1 well had 315 feet of oil reservoir, while the Fangtooth-1 had 164 feet of oil reservoir.

It was explained that the Fangtooth well was drilled by the Stena DrillMAX, while the Lau-Lau well was drilled by the Noble Don Taylor. These are two of six drill ships that were supporting exploration and development drilling across the three blocks operated by ExxonMobil offshore Guyana. ExxonMobil’s Senior

Vice President of exploration and new ventures, Mike Cousins, had said at the time that the discovery not only increased Exxon’s resource estimates, but added to the company’s understanding of the Block.

“Initial results from the Fangtooth and Lau-Lau wells are a positive sign for Guyana, and continue to demonstrate the potential for the country’s growing oil and gas sector, ExxonMobil and our co-venturers in the Stabroek Block,” Cousins had said. “The Fangtooth discovery is a successful result of our strategy to test deeper prospectivity, and the Lau-Lau discovery adds to the large inventory of development opportunities in the southeast part of the Stabroek Block. Both discoveries increase our understanding of the resource, our continued confidence in the Block’s exploration potential, and our view that the many discoveries to date could result in up to 10 development projects.”

Lau-Lau 2 had also been

part of Exxon’s exploratory programme, as laid out in its insurance contract…along with the Haimara 3 and 4 gas wells, the Trumpetfish-1, Bluefin-1, Hatchetfish-1, and Redmouth-1 wells.

While over 30 oil discoveries have already been made in the Stabroek Block since 2015, much attention is also being turned to the gas potential therein, some 17 trillion cubic feet of gas having already been found there, with the Pluma and Haimara wells being proven gas fields. Government is seeking to develop this gas. One way it is doing this is by the Gasto-Energy project, which is pegged at more than US$1 billion.

That project would feature approximately 220 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore from the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to Wales, West Coast Demerara. Upon landing on shore, the pipeline would continue for approxi-

mately 25 kilometres to the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant to be constructed in Wales. The pipeline would be 12 inches in diameter, and is expected to transport some 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of dry gas to the NGL plant, but can push as much as 120 mmscfd.

Map showing the Lau-Lau 2 well site

The main feature of the Gas-to-Shore initiative is a power plant that would generate between 250 and 300 megawatts of power using natural gas from offshore, which would significantly reduce the cost of electricity in Guyana. The aim is to deliver rich gas for the power plant by the end of 2024, while the NGL facility is slated to be online by 2025. Already, the Government of Guyana has identified United States company Fulcrum LNG to help design and develop the natural gas processing facility. (G-3)

The Noble Sam Croft

Dragging…

out PNC troubles

The longer this intra-PNC brouhaha continues, the more it provides more grist for your (insatiable) Eyewitness’s mill; he’s (nobly) thinking of the consequences for our national well-being. He’s that kinda standup guy!! Just when he thought there could be no more turns in this “he seh dem seh” story, up comes the news in the dailies that a group of PNCites have declared themselves to be “elders” and having the authority to “settle the story”!! Along with the women’s arm – the National Congress of Women (NCW) - and the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM).

Now, your Eyewitness had known about the tradition of “elders” in Christian churches -- persons valued for their wisdom, who hold positions of responsibility and authority in Christian groups. Then lo and behold (as the Bible says!), Hamilton Green of the PNC had suddenly started signing his letters to the press with “Elder” as his title. Now, when he first saw that, your Eyewitness’s reaction was that even if the PNC had suddenly been transformed into a bunch of choir boys and girls – miracles can happen, innit?! - Green was the last person he would’ve figured for a candidate!! But then they say the best thief-man makes the best policeman!!

So, who are these other Elders to pronounce judgement on Norton and his accuser, Vanessa Kissoon from Linden, who’d been one of his most vociferous backers in 2014 against Granger’s candidacy for PNC leader!! Up to now, your Eyewitness has heard about past Minister Yvonne Harewood-Benn and past leader and Dep PM Robert Corbin. But don’t Green and Corbin have some strikes against them when it comes to women that would’ve disqualified them if they were being selected for, say, jury duty??

Seems to your Eyewitness that most of the concerns expressed by the Elders are about the survival and strength of the PNC. So, it looks like they’ll be making recommendations that’re gonna focus on that aspect, rather than the substantive allegations made by Ms Kissoon!! Meaning that, most likely, she’ll be asked to act for the “good of the party” – which would be to withdraw the allegation of sexual harassment!! One troubling announcement was an acceptance that the Inquiry would be extended beyond the Congress, and, as such, Norton would be going into the leadership sweepstakes with his feet shackled by the allegations!!

This is akin to the Elders and others having their cake and eating it too!! Norton gets clobbered by the bad publicity, and they get to virtuously smirk that they were seeking “truth”!! Don’t forget that there’s no love lost between Norton and Green, Corbin and NCW’s Volda!! Revenge, they say, is best served cold!!

Anyhow, your Eyewitness has stocked up on popcorn as he awaits more turns!!

…in sugar experts

Pres Ali announced that help is here to assist the new management of GuySuCo to rebuild its depleted resources and bring back production to respectable levels. “There are 12 specialists from Cuba, and seven technical persons are expected from India; (they’re) specialised in mechanisation, field management, agro-management, and crop management. These technical people will be embedded in the management system to support the modernisation and transformation of the sugar industry,” the President said.

Now, what this shows is that the Government is committed to the industry; but your Eyewitness wonders whether their own success in boosting the overall economy would not take away from their goal in sugar. Let’s face it: no matter how they mechanize production in Guyana, our topography and waterlogged soil conditions will place a cap on that element - and people are still gonna be needed. So, the question is: will GuySuCo be able to keep them down in the fields once they’ve seen the bright lights of oil in the new economy?? Choices!!

…teachers strikeout

After striking for some seventy days, teachers are supposed to be back in their classrooms next Tuesday. Their main demand for “retro” going back to 2019 wasn’t accepted. So, what did they gain?? August holiday with pay?

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

Fire guts South Ruimveldt home

Alate Friday eve-

ning inferno at South Ruimveldt, Georgetown has left a taxi driver making alternative living arrangements. That fire, which reportedly started at about 21:00, has destroyed a one-storey building at Canal Place Squatting Area in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

When Guyana Times visited that area on

Saturday, residents related that they had noticed an unusual brightness emanating from the wooden-and-concrete house which had been occupied by the taxi driver, but he had not been at home at the time. They said that upon investigating, they discovered the house engulfed in flames. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) had been

summoned to the area, but by the time the tenders had arrived, the building had already been reduced to ashes.

According to residents, the house had reportedly belonged to the taxi driver’s relatives who currently reside overseas. This publication was told that the property had been under legal dispute, and the driv -

er had been due to address the matter in court. Despite not having seen any unusual movements prior to the fire, some suspect that the building had deliberately been set alight.

Up until news time on Saturday, the Guyana Fire Service had not issued details from its preliminary investigations into the inferno.

9 homeless following Weldaad blaze

Some nine persons are now homeless after a mid-afternoon fire on Saturday destroyed their Lot 22 Weldaad Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) home.

The fire reportedly started about 16:00h. The two-storey building was owned and occupied by 64-year-old Marlyn Fraser, also known as “Baba”, along with her six children and two grandchildren.

Based on reports received, Fraser was in the lower flat of her home feeding her two grandchildren aged four and six when she started to smell something burning.

She immediately sent her granddaughter to enquire, and the child reported that smoke was seen emanating from her mother’s bedroom.

Fraser immediately rushed to the front yard and saw the building covered in flames. In an effort to put out the blaze, residents formed bucket brigades, but owing to the intensity of the heat, they retreated.

Firefighters from the Onverwagt Fire Service responded to the report, but unfortunately, the structure was already gutted by the time they got there.

An investigation was launched into the cause of the fire.

Aftermath of the fire

The aftermath of the fire

Sex and politics in Guyana

PNC Leader Aubrey Norton has been accused by a prominent executive of the PNC, Vanessa Kissoon, of sexually harassing her some years ago. According to Ms Kissoon, Chairman of Reg 10, Sharma Solomon, had asked Mr Norton to give her a ride up to Linden, but, en route, the latter stopped his car, pulled out his gun, and asked what she would do if he demanded sex with her. She claimed her answer was a scatologically-laden “NO!”, and Mr Norton did not persist, but continued to Linden. Ms Kissoon says she was traumatized.

Mr Norton has unequivocally denied the charge, asserting he was never alone in a car with Ms Kissoon. He claims this was clearly an ambush before the party’s Congress, where the election of the PNC Leader is scheduled.

The alleged incident became public, in fact, when another candidate’s supporter wrote a letter to the press about it. Evidently, Ms Kissoon had recounted the incident to some colleagues.

The nation recently had to process even more graphic allegations of actual rape, brought a year ago by a 16-yearold Amerindian girl against PPP Minister Nigel Dharamlall. He was arrested and placed on bail, and sent of leave by President Ali. The child later withdrew her claim, and no charges were filed. However, earlier this year, there was then another charge of rape being committed by the same individual on another young female – this time an employee in his Ministry, which he also denied. The matter was turned over to the police, and he was arrested and placed on bail. The police conducted an inquiry, then announced it had received legal advice indicating that there was insufficient evidence to charge Dharamlall in relation to the rape and sexual assault allegations. The police also detailed a series of “inconsistencies” in the accusations.

These accusations appear to give credence to an aphorism attributed to the sensualist Oscar Wilde: “Everything in the world is about sex, except sex. Sex is about power.” It would appear that whatever the truth of the allegations, they have to do more with individuals possessing power, who seem compelled to utilize that power to satisfy sexual urges. One is reminded of another PNC leader, Robert Corbin, then Dep PM and Min of Agriculture, being accused in 1986 of violently raping the daughter of a prominent doctor/businessman and supporter of the PNC, who had visited his office seeking an import licence. He was suspended from his office by Pres Desmond Hoyte to facilitate a police investigation.

However, then DPP George Jackman threw out the case saying, “I have decided…that after full and careful examination of the results of what I consider to have been a thorough police investigation into the matter, I have concluded that there is not sufficient basis on which I could institute any criminal proceedings against him.”

Both Cheddi Jagan of the PPP and Eusi Kwayana of the WPA asked the DPP to offer details as to what evidence was missing, but to no avail. Corbin resumed his office, and went on to lead the PNC.

But the connection between power and sex – and with no repercussions - was illustrated even more graphically in the new biography of Forbes Burnham by Dr Linden Lewis, in which he “reflected on the libidinal proclivities of Burnham, rumours of which had circulated for years. It seems that the president was quite a philanderer…Indeed, those who knew him well spoke of the crudeness of his approach towards women he found sexually desirable.” As to the consequences of his conquests, his oldest daughter, Roxanne, revealed to Dr Lewis: “I not only have a sense (of the existence of other children), I know most of them because my father made it his business to introduce them to me. There are thirteen. In 1969, he sat me down and told me about the other children… they were all girls.” His first wife Sheila Lataste – Roxanne’s mother – who divorced Burnham in 1967, said about this side of Burnham, “Politics and the ladies got to me, so I just picked up my children and returned to Trinidad.”

In the present accusations against Norton, a selfappointed committee of “PNC Elders” has announced it would be conducting an Inquiry into Ms Kissoon’s allegations. However, we believe it would be best if an impartial investigation by the police and evaluation by the DPP is conducted. At least the form of the law would be followed.

Govt in talks with commercial airlines for possible sale of carbon credits

Months after receiving the first set of certified carbon credits for use by the aviation industry, the Guyana Government has already been in talks with major international airlines on a potential commercial agreement.

This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during a recent press conference held at State House.

Back in February, the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) issued Guyana with 7.14 million carbon credits dating back to 2021, marking the first time carbon credits were issued that can be used by airlines to meet their carbon emission targets for the 2024-2026 period.

According to President Ali, since the issuance of these certified credits, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has engaged in commercial discussions with several airlines.

“And not only did we cer-

tify [our credits for the aviation market], but we have commenced commercial discussions and engagements with airlines for the sale of Guyana’s eligible carbon credits for that market,” the Head of State informed reporters at last Thursday’s press conference.

ART had said that the 7.14 million 2021 vintage carbon credits or TREES (The REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard) cred-

its were issued in recognition of Guyana’s successful efforts to reduce emissions from forest loss and degradation and maintain “one of the world’s most intact tropical forests”.

It marked the first time that credits were issued which could be used by airlines toward their targets in the 20242026 phase of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) global emissions reduction programme – Carbon Offsetting and Reduction

Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

“As a result of the authorisation and reporting to the [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] UNFCCC, Guyana’s TREES credits are eligible for use by airlines to meet their compliance requirements in the first phase of CORSIA, which began on 1 January 2024. One hundred and twenty-six countries are voluntarily participating in CORSIA’s first phase, covering roughly 80 per cent of annual emissions from the aviation sector.

“All participating airline operators with annual emissions over 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions must monitor and report their emissions, and then purchase carbon credits to offset any remaining emissions that exceed a percentage of their 2019 baseline emissions,” a statement from the Guyana Government in February detailed.

Ravi Dev

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Fulbright Scholarship Programme Scholars striving to leave indelible mark on Guyana’s burgeoning agriculture, construction sectors

Illinois University Carbondale, where she obtained a Master's degree in Agribusiness Economics.

programmes that support farmers and agribusinesses, enhancing food security and economic growth.

ty goals and supporting the ongoing diversification of its agriculture sector.”

rights, Keesha further justified.

Fulbright scholars Keesha St. John and Bayeeshmal Ramsundar are eager to share their newly acquired expertise and insights within their respective sectors – agriculture and construction – both of which are evolving at a remarkable rate.

Guyana's agriculture sector is witnessing a renewed spark driven by the region's food security agenda and its goal to reduce food imports by 25 per cent by 2025. With a monumental growth of seven per cent last year, the local agriculture sector is experiencing much dynamism with the expansion of traditional markets and the successful launch of new ones.

Similarly, the local construction sector is undergoing an unprecedented boom in areas of public infrastructure as well as private ventures. The sector recorded 26.8 per cent growth last year, and is projected to expand by another remarkable 23.4 per cent this year.

With both sectors projected to continue with impressive performances, Keesha and Bayeeshmaal believe they can positively contribute to their success-

younger years, growing up in the countryside of La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD). Originally from Albouystown, Georgetown, her educational journey saw her attending the La Grange Primary School and then the St. Joseph High School, where her connection with agriculture science grew.

Recognising she possessed a special skill in that area, she decided to become an agriculture science teacher, and pursued that career at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). She chose the path of becoming an educator, “recognising the importance of education in empowering future generations.”

But her passion did not end there, as Keesha went on to the University of Guyana, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in education - Secondary Agricultural Science, delving deeper into the intricacies of agriculture and its impact on society. Eager to expand her knowledge and contribute meaningfully to the field, the young woman continued her academic journey at Southern

This was made possible through the Fulbright Scholarship programme - one of several United States’ cultural exchange programmes which are offered to Guyanese through the US Embassy in Georgetown.

Keesha was awarded the scholarship in 2022 and had to temporarily relocate to the United States to facilitate her studies. Luckily, she got time off from work – as an agriculture science teacher at Queen’s College. The programme ended in May 2024, and she has since returned to Guyana to continue her career as an educator, which began in 2017.

However, her goals have also been greatly expanded, and the 28-year-old believes she can meaningfully contribute to the country’s ambitious agricultural agenda. “I aim to make an impact on agricultural education in Guyana…sharing my knowledge and experiences to inspire and educate the next generation of agricultural professionals,” Keesha confidently expressed.

Additionally, the young woman intends to work with relevant stakeholders to develop policies and

“I plan to work closely with governmental and non-governmental organisations to design and promote programmes that support the adoption of sustainable farming techniques, improve supply chain efficiencies, and increase market access for agricultural products. By conducting research and disseminating knowledge on best practices, I aim to help farmers optimise their production methods and achieve higher yields, while preserving the environment,” she expressed.

Additionally, she plans to advocate for, and contribute to, the development of educational programmes that equip future agricultural professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation and growth in the sector. “Through teaching, mentoring, and community outreach, I aspire to inspire and empower the next generation of agricultural leaders in Guyana,” she expressed. “By combining my academic background, practical experience, and passion for agriculture, I am committed to playing a significant role in advancing Guyana's food securi-

In fact, from her recent studies, Keesha recognised that a lot more can be done locally to improve the agricultural sector. Among the strategies that can be implemented, she outlined, is more investment in agriculture research and development.

“Establishing research partnerships between universities, Government agencies, and private sector organisations can lead to the development of crop varieties that are more resilient to climate change and pests,” she outlined, noting too that more investments are needed in improved infrastructure.

Keesha also underscored the need to provide farmers with better access to financial services, and to expand agricultural education and training programmes to farmers. “Extension services and workshops can help disseminate information on new technologies, sustainable practices, and market trends,” she reasoned. More is needed in the area of policy support, whereby incentives are provided for sustainable practices and there is a framework in place for the protection of farmers’

Also needed is the strengthening of local and international market linkages to help farmers achieve better prices for their produce, she added.

Bayeeshmal Ramsundar’s Story Ramsundar has similar aspirations for his career as a civil engineer. He told Guyana Times, “It will be a pleasure to work along my fellow Guyanese in the construction industry to fulfill the infrastructure needs for the people."

He grew up in the village of La Belle Alliance on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), where he attended the CV Nunes Primary School and then the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary, before going on to pursue his Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Guyana (UG), and graduating in 2019 with distinction. In 2022, the young man was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to the New York University's Tandon School of Engineering, where he attained a Master’s of Science in Construction Management.

TURN TO PAGE 14

Scholars striving to leave indelible mark....

He and Keesha were the only two Guyanese awardees for that year. Like Keesha, he graduated this year, and has since returned home eager to share his knowledge and expertise in order to improve the local industry.

“The construction industry, unlike other industries, is fragmented, and many times it results in a very combative environment. This situation is not unique to Guyana, but it is one of the main reasons projects are significantly delayed, budgets are blown, and the level of service is not achieved,” he said.

“An area that warrants improvement is fostering a more collaborative atmosphere and better contract management, particularly in private sector–public sector relationships. This approach ensures that Guyanese citizens receive optimal value for their tax dollars," the 26-year-old noted.

Ramsundar had to leave his job as a civil engineer to facilitate his studies overseas, but he is confident of regaining em -

ployment in no time.

“Prior to my Fulbright

award, I was a civil engineer and worked for three years on the Sheriff Street–Mandela Road Enhancement Project… The next step is to start working again in the construction industry and gain experience whilst utilising this newly gained knowledge from the USAbased teachings…and at some point, become a project manager to be able to optimise the delivery of construction projects," he declared.

The Fulbright Experience

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program allows Guyanese citizens to complete a master’s or PhD at a higher education institution in the United States. Founded in 1946, the Fulbright Program now operates in 160 countries, and has provided over 400,000 people from all backgrounds and in all fields the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges. Both Keesha and Bayeeshmaal had fulfilling experiences during their respective programmes.

"My experiences as a Fulbright exchange student have been incredibly enriching and transformative. The programme provided me with the unique opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, engage with diverse perspectives, and expand my academic and professional horizons," Keesha expressed.

"My time as a Fulbright exchange student has

been a life-changing journey. It has equipped me with new skills, broadened my perspectives, and inspired me to contribute meaningfully to my field and community," she added.

Ramsundar said, "Leaving my social life behind and starting anew in a vastly different environment posed the biggest challenge. Fortunately, Fulbright provided ample resources to navigate these hurdles.

Additionally, being in cosmopolitan New York City felt like experienc -

ing the entire world in one place, with numerous international student events enriching my experience of this vibrant metropolis."

Over 120 Guyanese have benefitted from Fulbright scholarships since the early 1960s, and many of them are in the public sector, academia, the arts, business, civil society, media, and education. Applications are now open for the 2025 Fulbright Foreign Student Programme, with August 12 being set as the deadline.

Keesha St John

Bayeeshmal Ramsundar

It is perhaps too early to say whether she would live up to her first name, which means ‘Greatness’, but Makeda Braithwaite is already making her name as a writer of note in the new generation of Guyanese creatives.

She’s a Guyana Prize third-place winner and finalist. Still in her twenties, she’s now a published writer. Her poetry collection, ‘Go Fish, Go in The Pack’, is being published by Bamboo Tree Press, an independent, Trinidad-based press that is run by poet Paula Obe. The cover is illustrated by her father: artist, folklorist,

graphic novelist Barrington Braithwaite.

Makeda received the news around the same time as the 2023 Guyana Prize finalists were being announced. “It’s surreal. I’m still waiting for them to change their mind,” she told Guyana Times.

While one would expect such news to evoke elation, Makeda says she also felt “horror”.

“It’s always horrifying to think of people criticising your work,” she explained. “It’s a type of vulnerability that’s like letting a wound open for the world, particularly with poetry, which I feel is almost soul-bearing.”

‘Go Fish, Go In The Pack’ is a collection of 70 poems, some of which Makeda wrote when she was still a 16-year-old attending St. Joseph’s High.

“I believe my poetry is fresh, because it comes from me and my own unique perspective,” she says. “I write as a Guyanese woman experiencing contemporary Guyana. I dip into our folklore and contemporary issues/culture. I also utilise Guyanese Creole, and slip between that and formal English.”

Dedicated to her craft Makeda knew from quite an early age that she

wanted to be a writer. “I first knew when I was 10. I think I was drawing, and realised I wanted to set a story to the artwork,” she said. Coming from a family of readers and writers, there was always something to read in her house. “I remember being obsessed with Twilight at around 11, and my father telling me that Anne Rice (Interview With A Vampire author) was the contemporary ‘vampire’ writer of the last century. This made me check out her work, and I became a quick full-hearted fan as a young teenager,” she disclosed.

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Writer Makeda Braithwaite

Like her dad, Makeda has a love for the surreal. That was expressed in her short story collection, ‘An Anthology of Shivers’ (Guyana Prize Third Place Fiction Winner, 2022). The collection includes the unsettling ‘The Pastry Shop Around The Corner’, which Makeda describes as being ‘an ode to magic, blackness, and Caribbean food.’ This short story was published in 2022 in Fiya Literary Magazine.

“While a lot of older work is filled with flaws of political incorrectness and downright ignorance of the time, I believe there is still a lot of golden inspiration to be drawn from these works,” she said. “I try to read something new every other week or so, something from a genre I don’t read and (from) a comfort genre.”

She also adheres to the advice of authors such as Stephen King, that a writer seeking to hone her craft must also write a lot.

“I try to write something every day. I have notepads everywhere — in my work bag, at my desk, at home; I even jot in my notes app on my phone,” she said. “I have hundreds of documents with

just a paragraph written in them. Ideas come from any and everything: a conversation, a daydream, or a laugh! Everything comes from another thing. Ideas come from everything!” she explained.

“I am more focused on fiction writing, but I do happen to write more poetry. I find both are equally challenging for different reasons. Poetry is quicker, but more tedious. Fiction is longer, but allows you more room to edit and fix,” she disclosed. Her favourite poets include Merle Collins, Adrienne Rich, and Derek

Walcott. Among the writers she’s drawn to are Anne Rice; Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat, and Samantha Mills. Books that have inspired her are Rotten Pomerack by Merle Collins; Breath, Eyes, and Memories by Edwidge Danticat; The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Sons and Lovers by D.H Lawrence. Her mentors include “every English teacher I’ve ever had, from St. Joseph’s High into my University career; starting with my mother Donna and father Barry. There was also Professor

Funso Aiyejina who had mentored me through a Commonwealth programme during the pandemic for short story writers,” she disclosed. This year is shaping up to be an ex-

tremely productive one for Makeda. She’s working on a contemporary novel as well as another poetry collection. She encourages aspiring writers to “keep writ-

ing! Keep practising, and most of all, do not write in a vacuum. The writer’s greatest asset is the ability to never take rejections or edits personally.”

(Michael Jordan)

Having an uncertain mindset is often seen as a barrier to achieving goals, but for 20-year-old Abiane Saul, a final-year medi -

Guyana Times , Saul recalled that her initial steps toward the competition were on unstable grounds, yet, despite her hesitations, she and her team copped

tion…the group was already there, but he needed a team to participate, and asked if I would be interested,” she detailed.

Without any formal train -

cal rehabilitation student at the University of Guyana (UG), uncertainty became the first step toward triumph.

During an interview with

the Speaker’s National Youth Debating Championships.

“A friend reached out to me and said he was starting a debating team for the competi -

ing, the newly-formed team embarked on preparation for the debate, while Saul remained uncertain about her progress.

“After we got the three mem -

bers for the team, we did a mini rehearsal…we just got familiar with each other and decided who would be first speaker, second speaker, and third,” she disclosed.

Their preparation involved extensive group practice, rather than structured training.

“We did a lot of practising as a group. We would all do our research, come up with our points, and discuss them together. We prepared our speeches, and each had mentors who gave us advice,” she disclosed.

Facing the competition

As the competition commenced, Saul admitted to constantly feeling unsure of what the team’s fate would be. “At first I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, especially with the first debate. We won by default because the other team couldn’t show up for the second round,” she recounted. Their actual first debate came in the second round, which was a nerve-wracking experience. “At the end of that debate, one of the judges encouraged us, and from there we knew we could win, and decided to work even harder,” Saul disclosed. She said encouragement from that judge resonated deep -

ly within the team, sustaining them with audacity throughout the competition, and motivating them with renewed determination.

Overcoming challenges and nerves

Competing was not without its challenges. The young debater admits to struggling with anxiety throughout the competition. “For me personally, I’m a very anxious person, so I was pretty nervous for most of the competition,” she shared.

Time management was another significant hurdle, especially with university assignments and exams coinciding with the debates. “I had to work around these issues,” she explained.

A key moment of growth came when Saul was advised to be more assertive during rebuttals. “I’m a very soft-spoken person, so I was told to be a bit more assertive and aggressive, especially when delivering my speeches,” she disclosed. On this note, Saul recalled that in the finals, her team, the opposition Helpful Hands, faced off against the proposition, Child Rights Ambassadors, which was quite a battle in itself.

TURN TO PAGE 29

Abiane Saul during her presentation

Members of the winning team

Reflecting on this challenge, she recalled, “The debate was extremely challenging. The Child Rights Ambassadors were really good. When their first speaker came on, all three of us were listening and couldn’t think of anything to respond at that moment.”

However, despite the initial uncertainty, Saul and her team managed to pull through, leveraging their preparation and teamwork to secure the victory.

Inspiration and future aspirations

Saul’s advice to aspiring debaters is straightforward and encouraging. “I would tell

them to do it. There’s nothing wrong with trying, and you never know how much potential you have until you do something.”

She emphasizes that starting is the most crucial step. “Just start! When you start, that’s when you’ll make progress and corrections. You may lose some, but you may also win some; and you never know until you actually do it.”

As she looks ahead, Saul remains focused on her studies while acknowledging the confidence she has gained from this experience.

“I’m currently in my final year of university, so that’s my main pri -

FROM PAGE 23

ority right now. But I’m more confident in my ability to pursue whatever goals or milestones I set out for myself,” she has said. In a narrow victory, the opposition team Helpful Hands Youth Group triumphed over the proposing team Child Rights Ambassadors in the final of the Speaker’s National Youth Debating Competition on June 13, 2024. Led to victory by the outstanding efforts of Best Speaker Nygil Drepaul, the team engaged in a significant battle against skilled debaters with limited speaking time. (Mishael

Abiane Saul receiving an award for her participation during the Speaker’s National Youth Debating Competition

Henry)

MACORP celebrates sale of 100th Cat 320GX Excavator with customer appreciation event

MACORP, in cele-

brating the sale of its 100th 320GX Excavator, has hosted a cus-

tomer appreciation event to thank its customers and recognize the company, Chung’s Global Inc., that purchased this particular equipment.

That event, held at the MACORP Headquarters, was attended by customers, employees, Caterpillar representatives and industry leaders, and festivities included an exhibition, product demonstrations, and presentations by Caterpillar Factory and Sales experts.

MACORP’s President and General Manager, German Consuegra, told the gathering that achieving this particular milestone of selling the 100th Cat Excavator is a testament to how the company helps its custom-

ers create value through the quality of its equipment and the best product support capabilities in the market, highlighting some of the main features of the 320GX.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our valued customers, who have deposited trust and confidence in us, and (we) look forward to many more achievements together,” he said.

A representative of Chung’s Global Inc. Ezekiel Jardine, spoke highly of MACORP’s support in helping to build the company.

“We have been in existence for about 25 years, and have now solidified ourselves as one of the top-tier contractors in the country; with the help of MACORP, through our fleet of Caterpillar machines, ranging from the 303 to the 320 GX. They are the

number one brand in heavy machinery across the world. We look forward to a longstanding relationship with you,” he said.

Customers have been exposed to Caterpillar’s latest products and technologies, showcasing the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs. They also interacted with Caterpillar experts to gain valuable insights and best practices relative to the equipment.

As part of the celebrations to mark the milestone event, MACORP is currently hosting a 100th 320GX Milestone sale with 15 per cent off its 320GX and 320 Next Gen Excavators. These excavators come with 24 months’ warranty and are part of the Caterpillar Fuel Guarantee Program.

Sales & Marketing Manager Jordi Pinol presenting the keys to Chung’s Global Inc., the customer who bought the 100th 320GX Excavator from MACORP

Demand for blood will increase as Guyana ramps up organ transplant services – NBTS Head

The Health through the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) will be increasing blood donation efforts for 2024 as the country moves to conduct more organ transplant surgeries.

This is according to the Director of the NBTS, Dr. Pedro Lewis during an interview with the Guyana Times who added that the unit is ramping up efforts to encourage more blood donours.

He added too, that the units of blood processed for 2023 thus far, have surpassed that of the previous year.

According to data provided by the agency, 400 blood drives were conducted last year across the ten administrative regions of Guyana, resulting in the collection of 11,225 units of blood, which is approximately 1,300 units more than in previous years.

Of the 11,225 units, 400 were disposed after being tested for infectious makers like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), among others.

However, for 2024 thus far, some 5000 units were processed for use and according to Dr. Lewis, this

figure highlights the agency’s ability to meet its current monthly quota.

“So we look at roughly about 1000 units a month. We want to aim higher, like 1,200 units a month, right? That's a lot of blood, but of course, you may notice that the amount of development that goes on in the health sector, right?

Guyana wants to do more heart surgeries, now we're doing, in the past, we used to do heart surgeries every quarter, we're doing heart surgeries every month and we got to ramp up our system to suit the needs of those patients,” Dr. Lewis disclosed.

Further, Dr. Lewis ex-

plained that while the National Blood Transfusion Services is working to increase its collection service, investments are being simultaneously for the procurement of equipment.

On this point, he disclosed that the agency recently welcomed new technological advancements aimed at reducing its blood testing turnover time as well as properly storing units.

“So, we purchase equipment basically to increase, the speed in which we do the work, turnover time, I must say, because you don't want to have the blood in the system for a long period. In the past, we used to have a turnover time of four hours. Now, probably in an hour, we could test our samples.”

Surgeries

In 2023, the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) successfully executed some 12, 495 surgeries, of which 876 were elective, 587 minor surgeries, 845 emer-

gency surgeries, and 56 hernias.

Procedures range from the complex spine, plastic, vaginal, skin, neurological, ligament reconstruction, and joint replacement surgeries.

Meanwhile, the orthopedics department provides

care to a total of 2,550 new patients and 9, 356 revisiting patients this year.

This was the result of 17 surgical missions facilitated that year through partnerships with Mount Sinai, McMaster University and North Well Health, and Operation Walk, among others. These initiatives also provided the opportunity for doctors to learn new clinical skills and understand how international institutions function, so Guyana can adopt new medical techniques and best practices.

Director of the National Blood Transfusion Services Dr. Pedro Lewis

Donours at the NBTS

MoH gets 4 new mammogram machines to boost capacity for early detection of breast cancer – Dr Anthony

The Ministry of Health, in a bid to expand capacity for early detection of breast cancer, has this year procured four new mammogram machines. Slated to arrive in Guyana next month, the state-of-the-art equipment has been purchased through a partnership between the Guyana Government and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

According to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, when the machines arrive, they will be installed at four hospitals: the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the New Amsterdam Hospital in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), the Lethem Hospital in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and the Linden Hospital Complex in Region Ten (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Making this disclosure at the launch of the cervical cancer screening programme at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC)

on Friday, Dr Anthony detailed, “The machines are on the way to Guyana, and once we get them, we’ll install them. One of the things that we have decided in the Government is that we want to have good quality equipment, and so we have been converting our X-rays (machines) and so forth to wellknown, established leaders in these fields, like Siemens and GE and Philips. And for these mammograms, all of them are made by Siemens, which would be the highest quality or among the highest quality of equipment that you can have,” Dr. Anthony explained.

The Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) currently houses the only mammogram machine in the public healthcare sector, and Dr. Anthony explained that the additional machines would boost the ministry’s ability to provide adequate resources to screen for breast cancer countrywide, and alleviate the burden of travelling to Georgetown.

“So, in women, cervical cancer is the number two, but breast cancer is number

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony on the sidelines of the launch of the cervical cancer screening programme

one. And again, we have to make sure that there are affordable mammograms. We have started the process of retrofitting spaces in the different hospitals to accommodate this. So, we believe that as soon as the equipment arrives, we’ll be able to install it and start up these services. It will be a good geographical spread, where persons will be able to access these services,” Dr Anthony disclosed.

After the machines have been installed, the minister said, the Health Ministry would be updating the public as to age groups and how persons can get screened.

Orealla-Siparuta gets $14.5M water ambulance

In a significant boost to medical emergency response, the riverine communities of Orealla-Siparuta on Saturday received a new water ambulance to the tune of $14.5 million. The state-of-the-art vessel was officially commissioned by Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, who emphasized the Government’s commitment to improving healthcare in remote areas.

The newly-commissioned river ambulance

Handing over of the new water ambulance came on the heels of a major fire explosion in March that destroyed the community’s previous watercraft in the Corentyne River. In response to that misfortune, the Health Ministry prioritized replacement of that craft to ensure the communities have uninterrupted medical services.

According to Minister Dr Anthony, additional funds were allocated to customize the ambulance, ensuring it meets the specific health needs of the population. This customization included advanced medical equipment, and facilities to enhance patient care during transport.

“This new water ambulance will significantly improve our ability to respond to medical emergencies. It is equipped to handle critical patients, and will facilitate their transfer to the Skeldon Regional Hospital for specialized care and treatment,” has been the communities’ response

Acquisition of the water ambulance is expected to dramatically improve healthcare outcomes for these remote communities, providing a reliable means of transportation for patients requiring urgent medical attention. The initiative underscores the Health Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare accessibil-

ity and quality across Guyana. On March 11, 2024, the Orealla River Ambulance went up in flames while traversing the Corentyne River not far from Orealla. Reports are that eight persons were on board the craft at that time. Thankfully, only one was seriously injured. Gavin France, a Government 10-day part-time worker attached to Orealla Health Centre, had reportedly suffered second-degree burns to the right side of his chest, hand, and face. The other persons who received minor injuries are Pamela Chacon (a wound to her left foot); Ganesh Shivmangal (a wound to his left foot); Berto Jabar (wounds to his right toes) and Brentnal Herman, who received a wound to his right foot. The ambulance was returning from Corriverton, after taking a patient to the Skeldon Hospital. That patient was eventually transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The last river ambulance was acquired in October 2018 at a cost of $22.4 million, and had been used to service the twin villages of Orealla and Siparuta, situated some 50 miles up the Corentyne River.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony with officials

High Court throws out Sgt Bascom’s judicial review case against DPP

– closing door on interdicted officer’s efforts to prosecute Crime Chief

The case filed by embattled Police Sergeant Dion Bascom, against Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack accusing her of overstepping her powers, has been dismissed by the High Court, which determined that there were insufficient grounds for judicial review of the DPP’s decision.

Handing down the decision on Friday to dismiss the case was High Court Judge Damone Younge, who ruled that while not unlimited, the DPP still has very wide powers to discontinue criminal proceedings – such as when she discontinued the private criminal charges Bascom filed against Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, prompting him to take the DPP to the High Court.

Bascom had taken Blanhum to court over claims that during a press conference hosted at Eve Leary on August 17, 2022, Blanhum made false statements against him that subjected him to public ridicule.

According to Justice Younge, in her ruling, however, Bascom presented no evidence to back up his assertions that the DPP acted in bad faith and improperly. Further, she noted that while Bascom claimed the DPP did not reach out to

him or his lawyer regarding the private criminal proceedings, there is actually no legal requirement for this.

“The applicant has also complained of not receiving a response to his letter dated September 29, 2022, requesting the respondent [give] the reasons for her decision to withdraw the private criminal charge. There is likewise no legal requirement for reasons to be given,” Justice Younge said in her judgement.

She cited the case of Gladys Tappin v Francis Lucas (1973), pointing out that the Chief Justice had said that the DPP is not constitutionally required to give any reasons for a decision nor hear any repre-

sentations by someone who has filed private criminal charges.

“The rules of natural justice are, therefore, excluded by necessary implication.’

Based on the authorities already cited, the failure of the respondent to provide those reasons would not be sufficient cause to review her decision,” the Justice noted in her ruling.

Justice Younge noted in closing that while the DPP’s decision to withdraw a criminal charge is subject to review, this only occurs in exceptional or rare cases. In light of this threshold not being met by the applicant, Justice Younge dismissed Bascom’s case and ordered him to pay the respondent $150,000 on or before July

Govt in talks with commercial ....

The statement had included comments from ART Executive Director Mary Grady, who noted that the secretariat was pleased to have worked with the PPP/C Government, to reach this milestone.

“ART was established to unlock finance at scale for countries that successfully protect and restore their forests. We are very pleased to have worked with the Government of Guyana to help navigate the Paris Agreement and ICAO processes and achieve the issuance of the first post-2020 CORSIA eligible credits in the market,” Grady said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was also quoted in the statement assuring future buyers of these carbon credits that they were verified through a rigorous scientific process aimed at ensuring that all social and environmental safeguards were followed.

“Guyana’s CORSIAeligible issuance marks the latest milestone in a journey that we began in 2009 when we set out a vision for forging a low-carbon economy in Guyana – while also building a model for the world on how tropical forests can be maintained. The ART-TREES standard, recognised by ICAO, provided the basis to build the bridge needed between forest coun-

22, 2024.

Sergeant Bascom was among several persons arrested by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) on August 8, 2022, after a quantity of cocaine was discovered at a house on Norton Street, Georgetown.

While a charge for trafficking in narcotics was laid against some of the persons, none was laid against Sergeant Bascom. Bascom subsequently made several Facebook live videos in which he made damning allegations of corruption against several senior Police detectives and prominent businessman Azruddin Mohamed.

Bascom had alleged that Police ranks accepted bribes

FROM PAGE 11

tries’ work within the United Nations REDD+ framework and Private Sector buyers,” Jagdeo stated.

In August 2023, the Vice President had told <<<Guyana Times>>> that there were “broad interests” from major players in the international aviation sector that are exploring buying the country’s high-quality carbon credits.

Last year, it was revealed that Guyana has the potential to raise at least US$2.5 billion from its carbon credits over the next 10 years.

According to Vice President Jagdeo, in a presentation at COP28, Guyana can raise US$2.5 billion over the next 10 years, by tapping into favourable market upsides.

In December 2022, Guyana signed a historic contract with Hess Corporation for the sale of 33.7 million of its high-quality certified carbon credits –

a deal that saw the nation earning US$750 million for just 30 per cent of its forest. In the agreement, a rate of US$15 per tonne of carbon was secured and the Guyana Government has allocated 15 per cent ($4.7 billion) towards Amerindian development.

Already, more than 500 projects that run the gamut from tourism to agriculture are currently being pursued utilising the $4.7 billion, which was given to hundreds of Indigenous villages as part of their share of the US$150 million carbon credits sale.

In addition to its rich biodiversity and ecosystem, Guyana’s total forest cover of some 18.4 million hectares stores more than 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon and removes some 154 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually.

and were “covering up” the murder of Ricardo “Paper Shorts” Fagundes. He later deleted the posts.

Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Crime Chief Blanhum had held a press conference where they debunked Sergeant Bascom’s allegations, calling them “malicious and untrue”.

Additionally, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government had solicited the assistance of the Regional Security System (RSS) to investigate the claims made by Sergeant Bascom.

The RSS, in pronouncing on the matter, had made it clear that there was no evidence to substantiate

Sergeant Bascom’s claims. The team also found that the two live recordings made by Bascom were in contravention of Section 19 (5) (a) of the Cyber Crime Act. Businessman Mohamed, who, from the onset, had distanced himself from the allegations, subsequently filed a $200 million defamation lawsuit against Sergeant Bascom, in which he contended in his Statement of Claim that the words and statements uttered by Bascom are all untrue, false, dangerous, disingenuous, malicious, irrational, unfair, unsubstantiated, unfounded, and baseless, thereby tarnishing and lowering his reputation.

Interdicted Police Sergeant Dion Bascom

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum

High Court Judge Damon Younge

Pres Ali touts joint aluminium plant with Suriname

– as Guyana turns to Fulcrum LNG to monetise gas resources

The Guyana Government has disclosed that United States energy firm Fulcrum LNG Inc is the shortlisted company that would push its ambitious gas monetisation plans, which could potentially include an aluminium plant with neighbouring Suriname.

Last month, it was revealed that a potential investment partner was shortlisted from the 17 Expressions of Interest (EoIs) that were submitted in February to monetise the country’s natural gas resources.

During a press conference last week, President Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed that the selected company was Fulcrum LNG Inc –which has partnered with Governments and companies to develop the necessary gas infrastructure to produce and sell natural gas and LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) to deliver reliable energy while transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.

Fulcrum LNG will now work on developing a gas project, via a tripartite arrangement with the Government and ExxonMobil, which, along with its partners, operates the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where several gas

fields have been discovered.

“That company, with the Government of Guyana and Exxon as partners, will now have to have discussions and we will have to, together, arrive at a model and a plan as to how we will advance this major gas development in our country.”

According to the Head of State, his Government has already identified a technical team that will work with Fulcrum and Exxon to determine the technical and financial viability of a gas project(s), come up with a model, and negotiate a potential agreement.

However, the President noted that while they want to monetise the gas resourc-

es as fast as possible, it is important to first conduct the necessary studies to determine the viability of any future gas development plans.

“We can’t know the level or degree of opportunity until the full analysis – technical and financial analysis –is completed so we can know what [gas resources and how much of it] we have,” he added.

The Guyanese Leader further outlined some of the initiatives that his Government hopes to come out of these plans to monetise the country’s gas resources, which will be independent of the model Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project

is currently under construction and will utilise natural gas from the Liza Fields in the Stabroek Block.

Aluminium plant

Among the projects being considered are a shore base facility, an additional power plant as well as a potential aluminium plant facility joint venture between Guyana and Suriname.

“We have to examine several possibilities. One is the export of energy – the development of an energy corridor to Northern Brazil and to Suriname; …having a trail of opportunities in terms of LNG also and then integrating that into the Regional Energy Security Programme.

“The other thing is that you know, we have 1.5 billion tonnes of bauxite reserves between Guyana and Suriname. So, depending on the cost structure, this might be an opportunity that makes an aluminium plant and the operationalisation of such a project, which will be a joint project, viable now… All of these options are being examined… in the conversation and then a viable option – the most competitive, cost-effective, profitable option will be presented,” President Ali posited.

The Guyana Government has been touting an alumin-

ium plant here since August 2022 – something which the Guyanese Leader recommitted to establishing during the Energy Conference held in Georgetown back in February.

Nevertheless, President Ali indicated last week that the Government anticipates an agreement on a potential gas model by next year.

In the Stabroek Block, some 17 trillion cubic feet of gas have already been found with the Pluma and Haimara wells being proven gas fields. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is seeking to develop this gas.

Back in 2019 and 2023, ExxonMobil drilled for gas at the Haimara-1 and 2 wells, and emerged with varying degrees of success. It was revealed recently that the US oil giant’s drill programme for Guyana for this year and beyond includes plans to further appraise the Haimara 3 and 4 well sites to gauge the commercial potential for gas in the Haimara gas field.

With this drive to push gas development, the Government has already informed ExxonMobil that it

would have to relinquish the gas fields if it did not seek to develop the gas.

In fact, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that Exxon’s upcoming relinquishment of 20 per cent of the Stabroek Block in October this year may very well include the areas with gas potential.

Recently, Jagdeo reiterated that Guyana cannot miss this opportunity to monetise its gas resources. He revealed that Guyana has attracted interest from “deep-pocket” firms to develop its gas.

“There’s a big, very powerful firm that can find the US$10 billion to US$15 billion that you would need to invest in that [gas development] ...When I say US$10 billion to US$15 billion, that’s about twice as much as our total savings gathered in Guyana in the banking system. So, it’s a lot of money,” the Vice President explained.

Meanwhile, the Government released the draft National Gas Monetization Strategy to the public for their feedback last October. (G-8)

7th Savannah Drive promises ‘epic’ adventures

The seventh edition of Epic Savannah Drive, hosted by Savannah Tours Guyana, promises a fun-filled day of adventure for off-road and nature enthusiasts come June 30.

The annual event will navigate through seven Indigenous communities along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, showcasing Guyana’s rich cultural tapestry while promoting community building through tourism.

Under the visionary leadership of Shane D’Andrade, Savannah Tours has transformed this off-road adventure into a growing sport tourism event in Guyana.

Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI), D’Andrade revealed that sport tourism had been his childhood dream inspired by experiences abroad.

pants will get a glimpse of the development of Silica City.

This year, the drive will kick start from Yarrowkabra Village, where participants can look forward to an obstacle course designed to challenge their off-road driving skills, mud races, drag racing, paintball competition, grass-track races, puddle driving and a log-climbing competition.

The convoy will traverse through communities like Sand Ville, Kuru Kururu, and Laluni where partici-

“I realised that we in Guyana have far more to offer, and I came home and started following my passion. We [Savannah Tours] are trying to make it big in Guyana, and it is growing every year,” he shared at the launch on Friday.

In the village of Swan, lunches will be served and an archery competition will be conducted with all invited to test their skills.

This would be followed by a trek into the Intermediate Savannahs, demanding greater technique and skill from the drivers.

Families are encouraged to join, regardless of weather conditions.

“Come out with your family, kids. It is going to

be hot, raining, mud—come with a change of clothes. There will be a creek that we are preparing right now so the kids are going to have a lot of fun,” D’Andrade added.

Senior Events Officer Shellon Nicholas highlighted the Guyana Tourism Authority’s steadfast support of this initiative, not-

ing that, “This type of tourism is a niche market and a staple on our events calendar”.

To ensure safety and medical preparedness, the event will have a medical team, including a doctor on board, as well as a New Vision Labs ambulance and policing groups to maintain order and safety.

Registration for the event costs $10,000 and can be done via WhatsApp or Facebook at Savannah Tours. Detailed rules and guidelines will be provided upon registration to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. The event is being sponsored by the Beharry and Beepat companies, and others.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Owner of Savannah Tours, Shane D’Andrade during the launch of the seventh Epic Savannah Drive

A biker during last year’s event

Dr Dukhi denies any wrongdoing in death of brain tumour patient

– accuses family of abusive behaviour at private facility

The Head of the Neurosurgery Department at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr Amarnauth Dukhi, has staunchly denied any wrongdoing in the death of DeAndra Liverpool, a 31-year-old patient who succumbed to a cerebral cyst on June 10 while under his care.

Liverpool’s family, dissatisfied with her care and diagnosis, has levelled accusations of negligence against Dr Dukhi and the hospital staff. Following an autopsy revealing the actual cause of death, concerns have been raised regarding the accuracy of her initial diagnosis and subsequent medical treatment.

In a detailed press conference, Dr Dukhi recounted Liverpool’s medical history with him, which began on April 24, 2024, at a private hospital. He stated that Liverpool had arrived with her mother and another relative, and was advised to undergo an MRI and additional tests. However, she returned on May 15 without completing all necessary tests. This delay, coupled with a conflict at the private hospital, led her family to transfer her care to

GPHC by May 20.

“They became abusive and hostile to the staff at the private institution. They even visited the medical director with the same hostility... the MRI was reviewed even though they had it since the 24th of May. All the other tests were not done. I explained to them the need and reasons for these tests, because when I looked, I was guided that it was a brain mass,” the doctor recounted.

He further explained that a second MRI was ordered at GPHC, as per standard neurological procedure when a brain mass is suspected. Liverpool received instructions for medication and additional tests, which were critical before any surgical intervention.

“When the patient came on the 20th of May, she was seen by an entire team... we used the GPHC form and we reordered all the tests... the patient left the clinic and was very stable and with no complications. We never saw this patient again until the 10th of June,” he said.

By June 10, Liverpool’s condition had deteriorated, and she was suffering from severe headaches. Her mother admitted to Dr Dukhi that she had not administered the

prescribed medication due to difficulties in obtaining it. He then arranged for Liverpool’s emergency admission, but she tragically experienced a seizure and passed away shortly after.

“She was experiencing severe headaches; I asked the mother of the patient whether she was taking the medication and her mother said to me, ‘I didn’t give her this medication, because I could not find it.’ We did some research and found that was the medication that treats swelling in the brain.”

However, Liverpool’s mother had presented a contrasting narrative. In a video posted on social media on June 13, London claimed that her daughter was not informed about the tests during her visit to GPHC, despite prior consultations with Dr Dukhi at another medical facility.

She also asserted that all prescribed medications were administered to her daughter as directed.

In this light, Dr Dukhi emphasised that the hospital conducted a thorough investigation into the case, reviewing all hospital records related to Liverpool’s treatment.

“We conducted a thorough

Adventure pump station now operable

The newly-complet-

ed pump station at Adventure, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six is now operable and set to be commissioned soon.

This is according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who revealed this during a recent visit to the facility, where he shared details about the pump station’s readiness and its role in improving the region’s drainage system.

The pump station, completed three months ago, awaits only the final installation of a discharge pipe.

Minister Mustapha assured that this final component would be completed within two weeks. “If there is any rainfall or excessive water in Black Bush Polder, the pump will become operable to drain the area,” he stated.

“I am very happy this pump is completed now. This will complement our system in Black Bush Polder, where all the major outfalls: Eversham, Number 43, Lesbeholden, and Adventure, will have complementing drainage systems in terms of the outfalls with the pumps,” he revealed.

investigation of the hospital records. That is what is legally binding and that is what describes our encounters with every patient that we face daily,” he asserted.

He urged the public to avoid making hasty judgments, emphasising the intricate nature of neurosurgical procedures and the importance of a comprehensive understanding before making

conclusions. Dr Dukhi addressed the variance between his initial diagnosis and the autopsy results, explaining that the cerebral cyst identified posthumously was connected to the originally suspected brain mass.

Robbie Rambarran, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPHC, responded to the criticisms by pointing out that Liverpool had received treatment at two other hospitals before her care at GPHC. He mentioned that a family mem-

ber had contacted him to arrange her transfer to GPHC and had later sought a referral letter for treatment abroad, which the hospital was unable to provide.

Rambarran appealed to the public to recognise the many successful outcomes achieved by GPHC, rather than focusing solely on negative cases, underscoring the hospital’s dedication to delivering the highest standard of care under difficult conditions.

Decomposed body of missing Berbice man found in swamp

The decomposed body of 57-year-old Dharmindra Sarabjit, a Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) worker from Lot 10 Caracas, Vryheid Village, West Canje, Berbice, was discovered in a swamp on Saturday, nearly one week after he went missing.

Reports indicate that the Police Operations Room received an anonymous call around 11:45h on Saturday, informing them of a body found in the swamp area at Vryheid Village, West Canje.

thick vegetation. The scene was processed, documented, and photographed by detectives.

The body was positively identified by Sarabjit’s 32-year-old daughter, Amrita Mahadeo.

Investigations revealed that Sarabjit, left home around 07:00h on June 17 to visit a female friend, but did not return. After conducting numerous unsuccessful searches, his daughter reported him missing at the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam on June 19.

Dead: Dharmindra Sarabjit

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha acknowledged delays with some contractors and highlighted measures being taken to ensure the timely completion of projects.

“There are several contractors who are delinquent. We have already started charging liquidated damages on those contracts, and I am hoping that those contracts are completed shortly so we can commission those pump stations,” he said.

He mentioned the termination and re-awarding of certain contracts, such as the

The pump station was constructed at a cost of approximately $500 million and is part of a broader initiative to enhance drainage across the country. “We have several other pump stations that are about 70 to 90 per cent completed. I hope very shortly we can complete those pump stations too and commission them,” Minister Mustapha noted.

Bush Polder Frontline pump station, to ensure project completion.

“We have had cause to terminate the Black Bush Polder Frontline pump station contract that was awarded to [a contractor]. That pump station has since been re-awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration,” he revealed.

The commissioning of the Adventure pump station marks a significant step forward in improving the drainage infrastructure.

As Minister Mustapha continues to oversee these critical projects, the region can anticipate enhanced flood management and agricultural productivity, signalling a new era of efficient water management in the area.

A team of Police Officers arrived at the location where they discovered Sarabjit’s body in an advanced stage of decomposition among the

Mahadeo had also posted a photo on Facebook of one of her father’s boots found near a trench, pleading for public assistance in locating him.

Sarabjit’s body has been taken to Bailey’s funeral parlour, to await a post-mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing.

Kaneville man on armed robbery charge gets $150K bail

Timothy Thomas, a 31-year-old driver who resides at Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD), has been placed on $150,000 bail on an armed robbery charge after appearing before Principal Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court. Particulars of that

Charged: Timothy Thomas

charge detailed that, while armed with a weapon, he robbed Devon Williams at Friendship, EBD on June 18, 2024. Specific details of that robbery were not available, but Thomas pleaded not guilty to the charge and has been placed on bail. He will make his next court appearance on August 5, 2024.

Black

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Dead: DeAndra Liverpool

Dr Amarnauth Dukhi, Head of the Neurosurgery Department at GPHC

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

CANCER

(June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) (March 21April 19)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Check all the boxes before you make a move. Someone will trick you into thinking something is OK when it isn’t. Question, observe and get the facts and figures before you commit.

Take the initiative and get things done. Complaining is a waste of time and energy. Show enthusiasm, and friends and relatives will support you. Romance is on the rise.

An opportunity to experience something exciting will pique your interest and encourage you to take on an exhilarating challenge. Refuse to let anyone stifle your plans or dreams.

Say yes and enjoy the moment. Take hold of an opportunity instead of daydreaming about aspirations. Discuss, plan, follow through and shift your energy positively. Make romance a priority.

Keep your money, possessions and passwords private. Refrain from giving newcomers a chance to take advantage of you. Focus on personal gain and surround yourself with trusted friends and partners.

Take in events or activities that make you think and give you a unique perspective regarding what’s possible. A change will be uplifting. Express your feelings.

Think twice before you make promises. Assess your domestic situation and consider how to reduce expenses. A move or investment looks beneficial and could prompt a professional change.

You’ll come across a great idea or an offer that resonates with you. Don’t let an opportunity pass you by when a change is what you need. Try something new.

Rethink your plans before you proceed. You’ll get a false impression from someone hyping a lifestyle that intrigues you. Don’t buy into someone else’s dream.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Share your thoughts and feelings, and you’ll get valid input to help you decide what’s next. A change at home or to your lifestyle will encourage new beginnings.

Emotional energy will skyrocket. You must offer opportunities, incentives and an enthusiastic presence to attract support. Finding your tribe will lead to magical results.

Be innovative; something you discover will change your perspective, pointing you in a new direction. Put a budget in place, and you’ll gain the confidence of someone you want to join you.

ARIES

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Pickles

AQUARIUS

CAPRICORN

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Hardik, Kuldeep lead India to their 2nd win in the Super 8

India were too good for Bangladesh in Antigua, a total of 196 built by series of quickfire cameos in defiance of a slow pitch carrying them through to victory by 50 runs. If Australia beat Afghanistan, both they and India will move into the final four.

The opening conundrum Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as a partnership has won many a match for India, but at this International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup, they are yet to click. There was even a moment's confusion when they were running between the wickets, Rohit unsure of whether there was a single on to midwicket's right. It was stop-start, but they eventually got the run. The team will hope the same thing happens to them as the tournament goes on because pairing them together at the top of the order is allowing India to pack their middle order with six-hitters. That advantage is helping them post par-plus totals in tough conditions.

Bangladesh's bright spot Tanzim Hasan did as much as he could to mess with that plan. He was Bangladesh's best bowler and he earned that mantle by doing the one thing a big-hitter hates. He was unpredictable. Kohli came charging to meet him, but he confused the batter with change of pace and let him have it with a send-off.

Suryakumar Yadav managed to get a six away first ball, but was overwhelmed by extra bounce the next delivery. Tanzim's slower balls gripped and misbehaved off the pitch. And when he went on-pace, he made sure to hit the pitch hard to extract variation in bounce.

India's counterattack Rishabh Pant was the firestarter. After India went from 71 for 1 to 77 for 3, they suffered nine balls without a boundary. Sometimes, in good batting conditions, that's the price you pay. These weren't good batting conditions. The pitch and the outfield were slow. They couldn't wait till

SCOREBOARD

India (20 ovs maximum)

Rohit Sharma (c) c Jaker Ali

b Shakib Al Hasan 23

Virat Kohli

b Tanzim Hasan Sakib 37

Rishabh Pant † c Tanzim Hasan

Sakib b Rishad Hossain 36

Suryakumar Yadav c †Litton Das

b Tanzim Hasan Sakib 6

Shivam Dube

b Rishad Hossain 34

Hardik Pandya not out 50

Axar Patel not out 3

Extras (nb 1, w 6) 7

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.80) 196/5

Did not bat: Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Rohit Sharma, 3.4 ov), 2-71 (Virat Kohli, 8.1 ov), 3-77 (Suryakumar Yadav, 8.3 ov), 4-108 (Rishabh Pant, 11.4 ov), 5-161 (Shivam Dube, 17.2 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Mahedi Hasan 4-0-28-0

Shakib Al Hasan 3-0-37-1

Tanzim Hasan Sakib

Mustafizur Rahman

Rishad Hossain

Bangladesh (T: 197 runs from 20 ovs)

Litton Das † c Yadav

b Pandya 13

Tanzid Hasan lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 29

Najmul Hossain Shanto (c) c Arshdeep Singh b Bumrah 40

Towhid Hridoy lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 4

Shakib Al Hasan c Sharma b Kuldeep Yadav 11

Mahmudullah c Patel b Arshdeep Singh 13

Jaker Ali c Kohli

b Arshdeep Singh 1

Rishad Hossain c Sharma b Bumrah 24

Mahedi Hasan not out 5

Tanzim Hasan Sakib not out 1 Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.30) 146/8

4-0-32-2

4-0-48-0

3-0-43-2

Mahmudullah 2-0-8-0

Did not bat: Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Litton Das, 4.3 ov), 2-66 (Tanzid Hasan, 9.4 ov), 3-76 (Towhid Hridoy, 11.1 ov), 4-98 (Shakib Al Hasan, 13.3 ov), 5-109 (Najmul Hossain Shanto, 15.3 ov), 6-110 (Jaker Ali, 16.1 ov), 7-138 (Rishad Hossain, 18.3 ov), 8-145 (Mahmudullah, 19.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Arshdeep Singh 4-0-30-2 Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-13-2 Axar Patel 2-0-26-0 Hardik Pandya 3-0-32-1 Ravindra Jadeja 3-0-24-0 Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-19-3

the death overs to make up the difference. Fully aware of that, Pant, who was 12 off 15, burst to life. A lefthander's cover drive is usually a thing of beauty, but the one that Mustafizur Rahman had to endure was something else. It was pow-

Pant caught off the reverse sweep and Shivam Dube bowled neck and crop. He may have given a few runs away, but he never took a backward step. Not even when he had to bowl one of the death overs.

er stripped to its purest essence. It was chilling. Pant hit five boundaries in eight balls and fell looking for another one.

The highlight Rishad Hossain will no longer be denied. Having had to wait, because the culture in Bangladesh does not rate wristspinners, (even as the rest of the world made it plain they were game-changers), he has arrived at this T20 World Cup as their most exciting cricketer. His dismissal of Pant secured Bangladesh their best period of play in the game – 2.4 overs of singles and dots between the 12th and the 15th. He took two wickets as well, both of batters looking to attack him.

a gift from Mahedi Hasan –a long hop with room to free the arms – and that was that. A lot of his power game comes from having incredible strength in his core and in his forearms. That's why he's able to hit even yorkers for boundaries. That's why he doesn't always need a full swing of the bat. That's why he should be a little more adventurous than he lets himself be now. Although he came in only in the 12th over, and had faced only 18 deliveries by the 18th, his

scored at a strike rate of 150 or more. Twenty-eight balls was the longest anyone spent in the middle, because everyone was looking to take risks.

The chase Bangladesh's opening partnership had provided only 13 runs in five previous innings. Given how crucial it is to start a big chase well, they were already at a handicap. Tanzid Hasan, coming off back-to-back ducks, finished less than a-run-a-ball.

ability to access the boundary – each of the fours that came in the last two overs were off his bat – helped him score a fifty.

This was the kind of innings India could never imagine. Even the stats bore that out. Only once before, in their entire history of T20 Internationals (T20Is), had they made more than the 196 they did on Saturday with none of their top five batters scoring a fifty. They're usual-

The half-centurion Hardik Pandya broke India free of their second lull. They were 120 for 4 at the start of the 15th over. He was 6 off 7. Then he got

ly freight trains, slow to start, but steadily picking up steam. At this World Cup, they're finding a new identity. Four of the seven batters who went out there

Litton Das didn't survive the power play, although he was done in by a lovely slower ball from Hardik, who also made sure to drag the offbreak wide of the righthand batter's hitting arc, securing a mis-hit that was caught at deep midwicket. A batting team at 67 for 2 after 10 overs should have put up more of a fight, but Bangladesh ran into Kuldeep Yadav and never recovered. The googly caught Tanzid unawares for 29 off 31. The legbreak had Towhid Hridoy lbw on the slog sweep. And finally, he was also up to task when Shakib Al Hasan was looking to hit him out of the ground. A simple shift of line slightly wider outside the off stump messed with the left-hand batter's hitting arc and had him caught at cover.

Bangladesh actually ended up attacking more balls than India did in this game – 49 to 48 – but a lot of them were panicked swings. It goes to show that clarity is crucial in T20 cricket. Kuldeep denied them that, because they couldn't pick the ball out of his hand. Jasprit Bumrah played his part as well, 15 of his 24 deliveries yielding dots along with two wickets. (ESPNcricinfo)

Rohit Sharma led India to a comfortable win

Hardik Pandya chipped in with bat and ball

Kuldeep Yadav was at the top of his game

Najmul Hossain Shanto was edgy against Jasprit Bumrah

CAC Championships for Guyana this October

Come October, Guyana will play hosts for the 51st edition of the Central American and Caribbean Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships for the first time in 20 years.

The event was officially launched on Friday night at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown headquarters in the presence of CAC Bodybuilding Confederation President Tony Pena.

Speaking about Guyana’s hosting of the prestigious event, Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) President Keavon

Bess touted this year’s hosting as a chance to rekindle

Over 70 honoured as RHTY&SC hosts historic overseas tribute programme

Awardees of the historic RHTY&SC Tribute to Heroes programme

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) on Saturday last created history when it hosted its first-ever tribute to heroes for overseas-based former members and supporters of the Club.

It was perhaps the first time that a local Guyanese cricket club has hosted an award ceremony in the United States of America. This spectacular ceremony was hosted at the Gateway Christian Hall located in Long Island, New York and was coordinated by the local club executives and overseas-based Berbician Tracy Khan and Rick Ragubir. Over 60 awardees received awards from the top cricket club for being founders of the club and for supporting club activities from its founding in 1990 to present.

Club Secretary Hilbert Foster, Organising Secretary/Cricket Manager Rabindranath “Robby” Kissoonlall, First Division captain Clinton Pestano and Assistant Secretary Jonathan Rampersaud were present at the two-hour ceremony.

Foster provided a comprehensive report on the RHTY&SC, which was founded in 1990 by three-times Commonwealth youth service awardee St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic youth club. The main objective was to offer alternative activities for youths away from drugs, crime and alcohol. The Club’s first-elected President was Keith Foster and its first fundraising activity was an oldies dance, while on the cricket field the Club defeated Fyrish for its first victory. The RHTY&SC’s first cricket match at the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) level was at the Under-19 level versus Auchlyne and its first BCB ti-

tle was the Sydney Sabsook Second Division crown in September 1992. The cricket teams of the Club since then have played over 3100 matches winning 2834. The club has produced 122 players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies at all levels and won an unbelievable 123 tournaments across all age groups and formats.

The RHTY&SC has also hosted over 10,000 activities under a wide array of subheadings and has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of persons. Foster stated that the success of the club has been based on sheer hard work, dedication and teamwork. Among the players produced by the RHTY&SC are Assad Fudadin, Kevin Sinclair, Royston Crandon, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Sylus Tindall, Eon Hooper, Clinton Pestano, Sharmaine Campbell, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabiki Gajnabi, Dominique Ricky and Akshay Homraj. Assistant Secretary Rampersaud stated that all of the awardees played a major role in the development of the RHTY&SC from its humble beginnings to becoming Guyana’s most dynamic youth and sports organisation. It received a national award in 2016 and won the Guyana Cricket Club of the Year title in 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2016.

Rampersaud, a national junior all-rounder, stated that the Club was very grateful for the awardees’ input in its development. Among the 70 awardees were USA international player Dominique Ricky and Akshay Homraj along with founding executive Moses Ramchardeen , Alton Hendrax and Errol Hendrax. Other awardees in-

the bodybuilding legacy locally.

“We have a lot of persons that would’ve contributed that would’ve passed away and left the legacy of bodybuilding still on our shores and we know for sure that the hosting of CAC 2024 would rekindle a lot of memories when Guyana hosted CAC 2004, 20 years ago,” Bess shared.

“Since then, Guyana’s participation at CAC has, in my opinion, gone to another level and it would be remiss of me to say that has only occurred in the past five-ten years. We’ve seen the tremendous development of our athletes locally, regionally and internationally over the past 20 years since we last hosted CAC in Guyana.”

GOA President Godfrey Munroe later pledged the Association’s support for the upcoming event.

Munroe noted, “Our support for this event was an easy one, in consideration.

We’re still to finalise the details, Keavon, but rest assured, know that you have an ally in the Guyana Olympic Association. But it’s a premise on several things in terms of setting that legacy that will emulate after these times, in terms of inspiring the next generation of athletes. Show Guyana as a destination that can host top-class and quality events.”

Also indicating support was Director of Sport (Dos), Steve Ninvalle, who related that the hosting will tie into President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision for sport.

“We know that His Excellency, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, his vision is for Guyana to be the mecca of Sport, if not in the Caribbean, in Latin America and further afield and this tournament is part of ingredients that is going into making Guyana that mecca of sport,” the Director of Sport shared.

“Just …[Saturday] we will

have the first edition of the Aliann Pompey Invitational tournament, since 2019, that also is another building block in making sure that Guyana is the mecca.”

Ninvalle went on to assure, “At the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, we would’ve jumped at the chance to support this initiative, this event like we have jumped to support many other sport disciplines.”

The likes of recent procard winner Nicholas Albert, Joshua Alexander, Roger Callendar, Emmerson Campbell, Romel Siland, Aliyah Wong, Melita Anderson, Anna Rampersaud, Trisson Harte, Tracey Anderson, Julio Sinclair, and Anthony McLean are only a fraction of the Guyanese athletes who will compete in the event later this year.

The CAC Bodybuilding Championships are slated to run from October 17 to October 20 this year.

ExxonMobil onboard for InterDistrict Kayaking Competition

cluded former national cricketer Derek Kalicharan, Leslaine Lambert, Dr Alscrick Dendow, Dr Terrence Blackman, Sharma Sukhdeo, Emmanuel Seecharran, Sameer Sadloo, Rick Ragabir, Zahir Ali, Rajendra Sadeo Kieran Nero, Collist Cort, Radish S Singh, Lucille Boman George, KS Singh, Sarah Chinsammy, Joel Pike and Feroz Islam. Each of the awardees received a special tribute to heroes trophy; medal of excellence; and a gift package, including club souvenir-like T-shirts, anniversary pins, key rings and a collection booklet. The Guyanese Girls Rock group hailed the outstanding work of the RHTY&SC and urged members to uphold its high standards. The group’s representative spoke of the importance of working together to achieve set objectives and making a positive difference.

The programme also included stirring renditions of the national anthems of Guyana and the United States and a dance by the New York Saraswati Dance Academy.

The RHTY&SC expressed gratitude to the following sponsors for their support to making the historic programme a success –T&R Construction, Sterling Products limited, ANSA McAL, J’s Supermarket, J’s Printery, Armco Construction, Bakewell, Old Broom Lounge, Lalsa Construction, Cricket Zone USA, Sabrina Busgith, Farook Juman, Metro Office Supply, KSM Investment, Mahadeo Pancho, Anil Beharry, Rick Ragubir, Tracy Khan, Christian Hall, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, T and R Audits General Store, Tropical Isles Roti Shop, Tota Bakery of Brooklyn, and Lucille George.

Oil giant ExxonMobil has confirmed its sponsorship for the Third Inter-District Kayaking Competition for July 13, which is expected to be packed with exhilarating action and supporters.

This competition is expected to run down at the Watooka Guest House which will see participation from 16 districts from North West, Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon, West Coast Berbice, West Coast Demerara, Corentyne, Bartica, Potaro/ Siparuni, Rupununi, North Georgetown, Upper Demerara, Kwakwani, East Georgetown, South Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, and New Amsterdam.

Speaking in an interview with <<<Guyana Times Sport>>>, Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours proprietor Deon Anderson talked up the impact of the collaboration towards the smooth running of the tournament.

“Well, ExxonMobil has come on board, since we started the Inter-schools and now again for the Inter-district, so, definitely, a game-changer so that means that we had to execute the competition with all its elements very inclu-

sively, ensuring that all of the students are catered for, adequately in terms of the meals, their necessary coverage with regard to going live, providing all the necessary accommodation for the students and this inter-district is going to be bigger – meaning that all of the districts throughout the country – and we will be having persons coming from Lethem, Pomeroon, Berbice, Bartica and each person would need to be accommodated comfortably, even before the competition, so Exxon coming onboard ensures that inclusiveness and all of that preparations are put in place,’’ Anderson said.

Each team will comprise 12 participants along with four substitutes to bring the total team members to 16: eight males and eight females. The age categories are as follow: Under-14, Under-16, Under-18 and Open (15+ and up).

The Short Course Race comprises a male single kayak race, a female single kayak race, and a mixed double kayak race: 1 male and 1 female.

The Open Category Long Distance Relay Race will comprise a 400m sprint from Hamilton’s Sawmill to

and stellar performances to win the tournament and they will look to repeat their performance this year.

GBBFF President Keavon Bess

Rigby’s Boat Landing, where the sprinters will then tag their respective partners who will then proceed into the water in a double kayak from the boat landing to the Watooka Guest House. The Rupununi District thrilled all in 2023, as the participants displayed sound judgment

Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours proprietor Deon Anderson

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Chase, Hope help West Indies thump USA for NRR boost

For much of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, USA haven’t looked out of place against any side, but West Indies were a class apart against them. A brilliant bowling performance from the spinners spearheaded by Roston Chase was followed up by a chase that was sledgehammer-like in its brutality.

Shai Hope crunched an unbeaten 82 off 39 balls, smashing eight sixes along the way as Nicholas Pooran helped him finish the game off with 55 balls and nine wickets to spare.

By the end, the contest looked like the first mismatch USA have been on the wrong side of as they ran out of ideas bowling to Hope, who until now had only played one match all tour nament. He would reach his half-century in just 26 balls – the fast est in T20 World Cup history for West Indies – before only speeding up after Jonathan Charles holed out. Pooran and Hope unleashed fire and fury towards the end as the game hurtled to an early fin ish, plundering the last 53 runs in just 14 deliveries.

The game was set up, though, by a disciplined bowl ing performance led by the wily old hand of Chase. Not by any means West Indies’ most glamorous spinner, Chase didn’t even get to bat against England in the previous game. He showed his allround value with a statement performance, though, ripping through the USA’s middle order and breaking the back of the innings.

Akeal Hosein had played his customary role upfront, squeezing USA in the powerplay, while Andre Russell’s

dismiss Andries Gous just as he was beginning to whir into full gear ended up being the sliding doors moment for USA, who, in truth, were never close to competitive from that moment on. West Indies,

SCOREBOARD

ov), 10-128 (Saurabh Netravalkar, 19.5 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W Akeal Hosein 3-0-13-0 Andre Russell 3.5-0-31-3 Obed McCoy 2-0-20-0 Alzarri Joseph 4-0-31-2 Gudakesh Motie 3-0-14-1 Roston Chase 4-0-19-3

West Indies (T: 129 runs from 20 ovs) Shai Hope not out 82 Johnson Charles c Milind Kumar b

b

Roston Chase, Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie Fall of wickets: 1-67 (Johnson Charles, 6.6 ov)

meanwhile, are back with a

Gous’ brief resistance

It seems a long time ago, but for a short while in the second half of the powerplay in the first innings, it looked as if Gous – now the second-highest scorer of this tournament – had turned the tide on West Indies.

Halfway through, it was West Indies’ powerplay, having conceded just 13 in the first three overs.

But Gous, who nearly took USA home against South Africa with an unbeaten 80 off 47, stormed to a flier once more, punishing the length deliveries of Joseph to help plunder 35 off the final three of the powerplay.

It helped USA put on 48 in the first six – their second-highest powerplay score at this World Cup. But with large parts of the middle order misfiring since their early couple of wins, USA needed

USA. Corey Anderson’s desperate run with the bat continued when he was trapped on the back pad plumb in front, before Chase slowed the next one right up, duping Harmeet Singh into lobbing it up straight to point. Chase was wisely bowled out in one four-over spell, with figures of 3 for 19 not flattering him in the slightest.

Gous to press on as he did in the previous game. So, when he holed out off Joseph after a bright 16-ball 29, trouble brewed for the co-hosts.

Chase leads the West Indies rally West Indies did not allow USA to post a big score and take the game deep; they were chasing net run rate as well as points in Barbados. Once Joseph had cleared Gous from the path, Chase

and Gudakesh Motie had free rein to run rings round the rest. A bit of extra turn did for Nitish Kumar, but it was the Chase show from there.

Aaron Jones had just walloped a 101-metre six, but it didn’t stop Chase bravely flighting the first ball of the spell up to him on the stumps. Jones missed and Chase cleaned him up, but it was the double-strike in his third over that truly crippled

It’s Hope that kills USA off There were calls for Hope to be included in West Indies’ starting line-up right from the start. Instead, it’s Brandon King’s injury that paved the way for him to come in, and leaving him out suddenly feels even more perplexing. He lit up his home ground with a sizzling display, ensuring West Indies got ahead of the rate early, and from thereon the contest turned into a run-rate salvage operation. No bowler was spared the brutality of his raw power, and when a heave over mid-off cleared the rope, he brought up a scintillating half-century. But Hope wasn’t fading away; if anything he kicked it up a notch, smashing the hapless Milind Kumar for three consecutive sixes in the ninth over, priming West Indies to the sort of run-rate boosting win they so badly needed. (ESPNcricinfo)

Shai Hope gives West Indies a quick start

Andre Russell celebrates his early strike with Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran hit three sixes in his unbeaten 27 off 12 balls

Andries Gous playing a square drive

Gudakesh Motie struck in his first over

Roston Chase picked up consecutive wickets in the 14th over