Guyana Times - Sunday, March 26, 2023

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Mar 26 – 07:00h – 08:30h and

Monday, Mar 27 – No retraction.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Mar 26 – 06:40h – 08:10h and

Monday, Mar 27 – 07:10h – 08:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:14h and 19:41h reaching a maximum height of 2.62 metres and 2.42 metres.

Low Tide: 13:15h reaching a minimum height of 0.62 metre.

Crane-to-Schoonord highway project “moving apace” – Pres Ali – says major infrastructural projects driving Reg 3 growth

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday inspected ongoing works on several infrastructural projects in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) including the $11.8 billion Schoonord to Crane fourlane road, which he said is moving apace.

In September 2022, eight contractors were awarded the contract to construct 4.1 kilometres of a dual-carriageway road with a 15-month timeline.

According to the Head of State, despite the contractors starting the project late last year, significant work has already been undertaken. The preliminary works, which include land clearing, and sand filling, are expected to be completed by December.

“The work is moving apace. We’re hoping to have it completed before the end of the year,” he noted.

President Ali added, however, that the project is not without challenges especially given the fact that the large section of the highway is being built on virgin lands.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

“There are many difficulties with this project not only with the terrain and building from swamp… but the movement of sand and the availability of material. A lot of this sand had to be barged in and then trucked to the site. And then we had all of these [which] were mud dams that had to be created to a hard surface to get the material in. So, it’s a lot of engineering and technical work that had to be done,” the Head of State posited.

He further stated that these were compounded by the road traffic and constraints at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, thus causing the movement of heavy material and trucks to be done during the night.

This Schoonord to Crane road, which is the first phase of the new highway to Parika, East Bank Essequibo, will have two roundabout connections at the two ends.

The President explained that “…the engineers had to do some technical work on the roundabout at Crane because there were some old Dutch structures there. So, you will see, actually, the design is reflective of a number of engineering modelling – all locally designed and supervised.”

Ali had previously described the new highway as “urgently required for commuters” who are often stuck in traffic for as much as three hours to get to Georgetown.

He further noted on Saturday, “This highway will not only ease the traffic but this highway now will reduce the cost to the farmers. It will bring more efficiency and reduce the cost of the product, and improve the entire value chain of the lands and the type of economic activities around here.”

“The improvement and increase to the net asset value of families are just enormous. [In] the entire Region Three, and similarly in other regions, where we’re building new growth hubs …you will see that over the next couple of years, as we build out an architecture system and an infrastructure system and an economic diversification programme, you will see that every single region will have roads like this being supported,” he stated.

During his visits on Saturday, President Ali also inspected ongoing works at key sites for his Government’s model gas-to-energy project, which

will see natural gas being piped from offshore to an onshore facility at Wales, West Coast Demerara, which will house a power plant and NGL plant.

The Guyanese leader contended that delivering such a massive project brings new development such as the opening up of new lands for private and public investments, improvement of infrastructure like roads for communities and farmers as well as enhanced services.

“So, it’s not just about the pipeline coming onshore but it’s all of the supporting infrastructure that is critical for the development that would come as a result of [the gas-to-energy project],” he added.

With the region undergoing massive growth because of these initiatives, the President pointed out that citizens are taking advantage of the opportunities that are there.

“This entire area is becoming a service hub. So, a lot of people are already positioning themselves for the service sector [to] support services… [These] support services is from the persons selling from a stall being enhanced, to the persons providing a high-end apartment building or engineering services or welding services or

refrigerating services – all of that will feed into the whole ecosystem that is being built around this project,” he posited.

In fact, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, who had accompanied the Guyanese leader during his visits on Saturday, highlighted the growing need for accommodation to facilitate those who are working on the major projects in Region Three.

“There is a lot of need for housing and condominium for ex-pat workers that we don’t have in Region Three,” he stated. In the same breath, however, the Minister disclosed that already there is an expression of interest from a company to pursue a massive accommodation project.

Additionally, the Guyanese leader noted that in the healthcare sector, Region Three will see the West Demerara Regional Hospital being expanded and modernised. It will also be supported by two sub-regional hospitals along with a major private hospital that is being constructed.

Moreover, several commercial banks as well as food chain and supply chains are also increasing their presence in the region. He added that Government is also looking to enhance the region’s agriculture sector through innovation.

“We know a lot of land from the agriculture side is going into commercial use now so we’re looking to innovate as to how we can use technology to increase the yield and output even as these [other infrastructural] developments are taking place,” he stated.

According to President Ali, these interventions will bring high commercial value to the region and this, in turn, will transfer the wealth to residents.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, during Saturday’s visit

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Increasing trust, reducing distrust

The Swedish-born philosopher and ethicist Sissela Bok wrote, “Trust is a social good, to be protected just as much as the air we breathe or the water we drink. When it is damaged, the community as a whole suffers; and when it is destroyed, societies falter and collapse.” In Guyana, while the PPP accepts there is a need for some more collaborative working relationship with the PNC to reduce our intractable conflict, it insists that some requisite amount of trust must first be present. If we accept as a working definition that trust is a

"belief in, and willingness to act on the basis of, the words, actions, and decisions of another", then we posit that not only is trust missing between the PPP and the PNC, but that there exists a palpable, strong and almost volcanic distrust.

The difference is important.

No one would deny the benefits of trust in conflictual situations: trust between political opponents enhances cooperation, encouraging them to share information and even work together to resolve problems. This suggests heaven to most Guyanese. Distrust, on the other hand, is not merely the absence of trust, which may suggest a possible neutral, non-committal attitude, but the presence of the confident expectation that another individual's motives, intentions, and behaviors are sinister and harmful to one's own interests.

Distrust, rather than the absence of trust, has severe consequences for us. In interdependent relationships such as the one between the governing PPP and the Opposition PNC, this often entails a sense of fear and anticipation of discomfiture or danger. Distrust naturally prompts us to take steps that reduce our vulnerability in an attempt to protect our interests. Accordingly, the distrust of others is likely to evoke a competitive (as opposed to cooperative) orientation that stimulates and exacerbates conflict. Hence the state of undeclared war typifies the relationship between our two major parties, and reduces their mildest engagement to the hurling of vitriolic barbs.

The origin of their distrust is there for all of us to see. Starting from the sixties, when the PNC split the nationalist movement, the record has since not improved appreciably. This is even though, for years, the PPP of Dr Jagan offered “critical support” to the PNC that routinely rigged elections. So, what is to be done? We have to begin reducing the distrust before we can ever begin to build trust. We concede right up front that this is not an easy task. Once in place, distrust forms a powerful frame on subsequent events in the relationship, such that even good-faith efforts by the offender to restore the relationship are met with skepticism and suspicion. The result is a "self-fulfilling prophecy" where every move the other person makes is interpreted as additional evidence that justifies an initial decision to distrust him/her.

One key insight in this area of trust and distrust is the distinction between functional and dysfunctional distrust. Although distrust has generally been regarded as patently harmful, it should be acknowledged that there are potentially valuable benefits of some distrust. All of us have had experiences wherein we misjudged another as credible and trustworthy, only to be exploited. However, distrust can lead to adverse effects as well. As noted earlier, distrust is associated with a lack of cooperation, lower satisfaction and commitment, and possibly even retribution and actively hostile behaviour.

Distrust leads the parties to reduce their willingness to share information and engage in problem-solving in conflict situations -- an approach that usually bypasses integrative, value-creating opportunities. Distrust can also cause conflicts to escalate to the point of intractability, as positions harden and the parties become increasingly reluctant to yield concessions. The negative emotions that emerge with distrust cause the trustor to vilify and demonise the other party – such as the Opposition’s “apartheid state” claims.

In 2015, even though the PPP filed an election petition against the APNU/AFC “win”, they went along and accepted their Opposition role. The present Opposition should start by doing no less to lessen distrust.

The PPP – from Cheddi Jagan to Irfaan Ali

Dear Editor,

Three things have defined the PPP since its founding in 1950. These are (1) an unremitting commitment to the democratic governance of Guyana; (2) building a Guyana that is based on equality regardless of race, religion, geographical location or personal idiosyncrasies; and (3) a non-negotiable undertaking to improve the lives of all Guyanese, but especially working families and the poor.

We submit that since 1950, through the long struggles for national independence and the decades of PNC authoritarian rule , and then during the era of neoliberal globalization that has roughly followed the end of the Cold War, the key values of PPP administrations have stood the test of time. Successive leaders of the PPP/C – since the end of the era of the JagansSam Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar, and Irfaan Ali, have been faithful to the fundamental pillars upon which the party was founded. Allow us to elaborate.

The PPP’s earliest energies were focused on national emancipation from the brutalities of colonial rule, a form of domination perpetrated through centuries of Euro-American global hegemony, much of it based on assumptions of white racial supremacy. The Guyanese people, (sans some Portuguese elements, and a scattering of the highly colonized Georgetown elite), stood together in formelting a mass movement against foreign rule, gathered as they were under the banner of PPP leadership.

The resoluteness against foreign domination was often expressed in the language of anti-imperialism, something for which Cheddi Jagan ended up paying a heavy price.

First removed by Winston Churchill in 1953, foreign interference deepened its hold on the country by installing the PNC and then petted and fattened it for nearly three decades. All through this time Cheddi and Janet Jagan led a dignified struggle for free and fair elections.

Those elections came in 1992, and despite the forced migration through administrative state violence and targeted coercion of thousands of PPP supporters, the PPP/C won. After Cheddi’s death the PNC hounded Janet Jagan out of office, but not without a mighty fight by many of the people now in the leadership of the PPP. The fight to protect democracy continued in full view of the world. It was lead by General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo and the then presidential candidate Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Without these two stalwarts of the PPP, we can assure you that the rigging attempt of the APNUAFC would have succeeded. Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali continued the fight for freedom that Cheddi and Janet Jagan began in 1950.

The PPP has always been against race and racism. All you have to do is read through the multiple books and articles by Cheddi Jagan. The point will be obvious. In fact, Jagan, and the PPP, including President Ali to this day, are often criticized for being too soft of PNC, and now the WPA racialization of politics. Many have criticized Cheddi Jagan for being too dogmatic about class, and consequently, for ignoring race and racism in the political rhetoric and practices of those who peddle regressive (rather than progressive) Black nationalism. Regressive Black nationalism and all other forms of racism have been roundly

rejected by Irfaan Ali and before him, by Ramotar, Jagdeo, Hinds, and not least by Janet Jagan.

The Ali administration is challenging Guyanese of all walks of life to make it their personal responsibility to commit to a non-racial, democratic politics. More broadly, the PPP/C is absolutely open to the constitutionalizing of shared governance but only when the PNC is fully dedicated to, and has established a record of democratic values. Vice President Jagdeo noted in a press conference only days ago (March 24, 2023), that the PPP cannot enter into any partnership with the PNC until such time they embrace democratic values. We believe that one of the first steps in that direction is for the PNC and AFC to renounce a politics based on racial mobilization. In this regard, President Ali’s One Guyana is indeed a symbol. But symbols matter, and it is better to have a symbol of unity rather than one of division.

The economic outcomes that Cheddi Jagan craved are not different from what the Irfaan Ali administration is actually delivering. There are indeed differences in ideological expression, political rhetoric, and on some substantive issues such as the role of the state in the economy. Yet, the goals are the same. No one in their right mind today can claim that the best economic policy should be based on the commanding heights of the economy, or that foreign investment is simply imperialism. Cheddi Jagan himself moved away from that kind of talk, to one based more on openness to FDI, cooperation with the IFIs, and building partnerships with states that were hitherto hostile to national development strat-

egies with significant market-correcting policies.

The accomplishments since President Ali took office should offer not only reassurance that the focus on the poor and the powerless is alive, but also that it is moving at such a pace, even Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan would have been astounded. Below is a snapshot of these accomplishments.

In 1992 when the PPP/C government won the first free and fair elections after decades of rigging by the PNC, Guyana inherited a bankrupt country.

In 1980, our GDP stood at US$600 million which shrunk steadily from thereon to US$374 million in 1992, with a per capita income of US$618. Effectively, in twelve years under the PNC, our GDP shrunk by US$226 million or by 38%.

The total public debt in 1985 stood at $8.6 billion with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 438%.

By 1992, the total stock of public debt moved from $8.6 billion to $275 billion representing a debt-to GDP ratio of 588%. This means that the total debt stock of the country was almost six times the size of our economy in 1992. Imagine what was the level of poverty in those days compared to now.

By the time the PPP/C left office in 2015, GDP had moved from US$600 million in 1992 to US$4 billion in 2014, with a per capita income of about US$5,000. In 1992 it was only US$600.

The debt-to-GDP came down from almost 600% to 38% in the same period.

The foreign reserve held at the central bank in 1992 was US$15 million. In 2015 when the PPP left office, the foreign reserves stood at US$652 million.

This Mike Charles photo shows a section of Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The region is known for the production of bauxite

Ms Janki is seeking to mislead Amerindian people

Dear Editor, I refer to an article by Melinda Janki on carbon credit deals violating the constitutional rights of Amerindians.

Yet again, another commenter has added to the extensive debate on Guyana’s Forest Carbon Credit. She joins her colleagues: Janet Bulkan, the AFA, and Nicholas Fredericks, among a few others, who are trying to mislead Amerindians by uttering falsehood and seeking to take bread away from my Amerindian brothers and sisters.

Before venturing into the meat of the discussion, may I ask Ms. Janki what are the options to gain more benefits for Amerindian people? Does she have a proposal? The VP is on record saying whoever has a better proposal for the benefit of the Amerindian people, the Government will con-

sider. I have seen none, the Amerindians have seen no other than this carbon trading scheme, but perhaps one is coming from Ms Janki.

It seems that sleeping beauty has arisen, or the dead have come to life. First it was the APA and their conspirators, and our learned legal adviser Ms. Melinda Janki joined the bandwagon.

Ms Janki, may I ask where you currently reside? I rather suspect that, like others, it’s not in the interior of Guyana, but in some other destination, where you enjoy a bountiful dinner of steak and wine while others depend on labba curry and rainwater. I am not surprised.

Ms. Janki’s article is grossly incorrect, misleading and not factual, and her interpretation of the Amerindian Act 2006 on Carbon Rights is misguided,

Chaitra Navratri 2023

Day 5: Maa Skandamata

Skandamata is the fiery form of Mother Parvati.

Story of origin: Once when Mother Parvati got angry and appeared in the form of Adishakti to protect her son Kumar Kartikeya, Indra started trembling with fear. Indra started apologizing to the goddess to save his life. Since one name of Kumar Kartikeya is also Skanda, all the deities started calling her Skandamata to celebrate the form of Maa Durga and started praising her. Since then, the fifth form of Maa Durga Maa came to be known as Skandamata, and she was worshipped as the 5th Adhikshatri. Skanda is the older brother of Lord Ganesh.

misplaced, and incorrect. I am calling on her to state specifically which sections of the ACT preclude or prevent the Government or an entity such as the GFC from engaging in carbon trading for the entire Guyana, including Amerindian communities.

May I ask what would have been the response of Ms. Janki and the other previous commentators had the Government excluded all lands held by Amerindians in the ART TREES Carbon Scheme, and therefore no monies would have been

allocated or earned by the villages? You would have heard screams of discrimination and assertions that the Government does not have the interest of Amerindians at heart, and there would have been a plethora of nasty comments in the opposite to what is being said now.

And mind you, Government, using State lands and State forests, would still qualify under jurisdictional scale carbon credit under the ART TREES standard. So, make no mistake, Government

can choose to exclude or not exclude Amerindian lands.

But is this the responsible thing to do: to exclude Amerindians? Again, she is misleading the public into thinking there was no consultation among villages. She contends the Village Council must give approval. Can she state which village, and circulate a copy of the village minutes of the communities that have withheld approval or have rejected the carbon trading arrangement? That is the least she can do to back up her article.

This is the same argument APA and others were barking up, and today not one single iota of evidence to the contrary has been provided.

I am thus calling on HE President Dr. Irfaan Ali to reject Ms. Janki’s missive until she and others like the APA can produce the facts.

Sincerely,

Peter Persaud THE AMERINDIAN ACTION MOVEMENT OF GUYANA –TAAMOG

A letter to David Hinds and his comrades-in-arms

Dear Editor,

It has long since been my opinion of persons the likes of David Hinds that he would finally come to his right mind as the reality of his plight faces him. Yes, it is my firm opinion that amidst all of Hinds’s rants, there would finally evolve some modicum of civility within him as he comes to the place where those revolutionary fiery speeches he has been making would bring him into conflict with the law, and as such he would be called to atone for his utterances.

Having reviewed his position on those seditious remarks, he has now become apologetic and has since said that the PPP/C regime is out to lock him up. Well, sure enough, he would be, if those statements he made are deemed to have been an incitement to violence. Make no mistake, that is going to happen; Hinds would be brought before a court of law to an-

swer to those remarks.

And it is my view that the authorities in Guyana are giving him some latitude on this; that is, until such time after the LGE, before closing in on him.

The reason for this is that neither he nor his comrades can say that the PPP/C regime is quick to lock up political opponents, and that is the reason for them losing the next election. Far from it! I believe the PPP/C is a party that believes in a fair fight, so let him talk his talk as he sinks himself deeper and deeper into trouble.

But lest Hinds or others think they can get away with it, they need to think again, because freedom of speech has boundaries, and freedom of speech has responsibilities. Do not abuse those privileges. I say this on the basis of present circumstances in our society, where people are invading our schools and taking the law into their own hands.

The PPP – from Cheddi...

Today, under President Irfaan Ali, GDP is now US$14 billion with a per capita income of US$17,000 and a debt to GDP of less than 30%, and as of December 2022, our foreign reserves stood at US$939 million.

FROM PAGE 4

specifically intended to protect Guyanese citizens from being bullied.

I am sure this is a spinoff from the incitement given by Hinds and company, calling on society to rise up.

But I would like Hinds to dig a little deeper into his educated conscience and realise that it was the PPP/C who granted him and the party the freedom to assemble as well as the freedom to speak. Prior to this time, dignity was denied them.

How did Burnham treat them? He hounded them like animals. I remember a friend of mine, who was a WPA activist, had to run for his life overseas for fear of Burnham and his armed gang. Others had their homes raided in the dead of night, or had the ignominy of incarceration without a fair trial. So, to turn and bite the hand that cradled you into civilized political

discussion is simply an ungrateful act on the part of Hinds.

I must also remind Hinds that in the country he now resides, he could not, for one moment, take Jesus out of his thoughts to stand on a street corner and preach racial hate, or ever speak of violence, although that society is inundated with racial disparities too numerous to mention. I shudder to think what would become of him should he ever pluck up enough courage to speak in such tones there.

We want to live and develop in an ambiance of peace and progress. Down with all forms of divisiveness! So, to David Hinds and company: stop your foolishness now!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Skandamata is the Goddess of Motherhood and Children

Symbolism: Skandamātā is four-armed, three-eyed, and rides on a lion. One of her hands is in the feardispelling Abhaya mudra position while the other is used to hold the infant form of her son Skanda on her lap. This emphasises the mother-son relationship. Her remaining two hands are typically shown holding lotus flowers.

Colour: Green

Mantra: Om Devi Skandamatayay Nama

Cheddi Jagan would be thrilled with the policies of the Irfaan Ali administration. He would be proud to know that a house is now within reach of a young teacher or civil servant; that all school children are getting a cash grant; that thousands have ($40,000 monthly) part-time jobs to supplement their household income; that young professionals can continue their education with GOAL scholarships; that the price of electricity and cooking gas will drop by more than 50% by 2025; that the income tax threshold is now in excess of $80,000; that the Ali administration removed the punitive taxes levied on agriculture and mining during the APNU-AFC tenure; and that the local content policies related to oil and gas is

Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan struggled with Guyanese indebtedness. If they were around, they would be proud that the current administration has pursued policies that find this country in the black. And finally, Cheddi and Janet Jagan would be proud that their own commitment to environmentally sustainable developed is being pursued with great vigor and corresponding economic rewards, based on Jagdeo’s LCDS of 2009/2010, followed up by LCDS 2030.

We are sure that the current PPP/C leadership offers solid continuity of the vision, ethics, and economic policies of Cheddi Jagan. To the critics we say, please note that Cheddi Jagan himself would not have wanted his party’s rhetoric of the 1950s, 60s and 70s to remain unchanged in 2023.

Sincerely, Dr Randolph Persaud & Joel Bhagwandin

MORE ADVICE ASSOCIATED WITH AGGRESSIVE BITERS

The continuation of the discussion on aggressive biting is in response to comments of many dog lovers, who having read the previous columns on Canine Aggressive Biters, were not bashful in stating that while it is all well and good to document the possible causes, what can one do if one is actually attacked, or even just feels threatened with growls and barks - which signals the dog’s intention to attack and bite.

If the mauling/fighting has already begun, it is difficult to physically stop it. Hosing the aggressor and the victim with water never seems to work, nor does shouting or beating the animal with a piece of wood. But intervene, you must.

Here are some pearls of wisdom that dog handlers/ breeders, colleague veterinarians, and publication on the issue have suggested. I am not endorsing specific suggested actions; some may work while other would not. I dare say it has to do with the type of advances/exhibitions of the attacking dog, and the situation that is unfolding. The following suggestions are not dogmatic

nor represent infallible and guaranteed successful solutions, if one is attacked or threatened.

* Do not run or scream. Stand absolutely still, side on, legs together, with hands in fist to protect your fingers and arms protecting the face and neck. DO NOT MOVE. Dogs have a natural instinct to chase “prey” that run away from them.

* Do not stare at the dog directly in its eyes. Animals interpret stares as challenges.

* You may try a calm but loud shout of “NO” in a firm and confident tone of voice as the dog approaches. Many dogs do indeed recognise “NO” as an admonishment and will desist.

* If the dog stops, and even backs off, you must back away slowly and calmly.

* If the dog is bent on continuing its attack, try “feeding” him your jacket, handbag, briefcase, cell phone case, bicycle or any other object that you can place between yourself and the dog.

* If the dog knocks you over, roll your body into a tight ball with your knees against your chest and use

your hands and arms to protect your face, ears and neck. Once again, the advice is to remain absolutely still.The parts of the body that are least problematic to recover from bites are the forearms and shins.

* If the dog bites, do not try to tug away forcefully as this will tear away muscles and flesh. You can attempt in that instant grab hold of its back legs and lift the entire body which will be sufficient to throw the attacker off-guard. Indeed, some of my clients have told me that they managed to grab hold of the dog’s tail and threw it a distance off, allowing time

for the victim to be scuttled to a safe place. You may quite rightly ask when one is in a state of fear, agitation and panic, how can you remember, much less follow, these suggested actions. I do understand that viewpoint. However, a submissive and subordinating position, may be necessary to save your life. Further, these recommendations have successfully been implemented and documented.

I can share a true-life incident that occurred some years ago here in Guyana. A competent, experienced, and qualified Animal Health

Assistant, who lovingly and professionally cared for her Mastiffs, was knocked over by the pack of huge dogs who ebulliently, welcomingly and energetically (with no malice aforethought) jumped on her as she entered the gate. Within a flash, as if her falling to the ground triggered some latent instinct, the dogs’ behavior changed from playfulness to aggression. The owner did not panic. She managed to regain her upright position and loudly admonished the pack. Her firm, assertive and confident tone was effective. She had taken control of the situation which could have devolved into a less fortunate outcome. Her

husband, un- derstandingly wanted to euthanise the entire pack. She was not in agreement. The dogs were sterilized subsequently.

As it relates to preventative measures to protect you, your neighbours, guests, passers-by, or other dogs, please note the following:

1. Ensure that your yard is appropriately fenced. The fence must be sturdy and impenetrable so that the dog(s) cannot jump over, bore through and/or dig a tunnel to escape under the structure.

2. Always have a commercially available aggression-prevention device easily and instantly available, to

dent occurs or is potentially

ment on canine aggression and expressions of canine viciousness is to state that the selection and training of dogs (Pet Care Article of March 5 and 12, 2023) begin with the education of the owners /breeders on how to be responsible caregivers. sively, since the beginning of this year, on selection pecially if potentially

hood. We also wrote on the socialisation and training of your canine wards (Pet Care - March 12, 2023). Please vice proffered

Millions in developmental works planned for Victoria

– village to get farm access, community roads & heavy-duty equipment

By Jarryl Bryan

Anumber of Cabinet Ministers visited the community of Victoria on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Saturday in a ministerial outreach which saw scores of residents both hear about the development plans for the community, as well as to vent their concerns.

The outreach was led by Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, who informed the residents that the Cabinet’s presence in the community is

also told them about the Government’s plans for the ECD.

“We have about five new housing schemes emerging right here on the ECD and two water treatment plants being constructed here…. I say that to say to you that the East Coast is part and parcel of the developmental agenda of our country. And we plan to interact with you directly as a Government, as we try to equip you and make you part of the transformational changes,” Minister Nandlall said.

He further urged them

and trailer, at a cost of $6 million, has been procured for the community to aid

a mini excavator for the NDC area.

“We’re doing quite a lot of road construction. We’ve developed a [network] of roads across the country. And we have a list of many roads that we’re doing within the NDC area. We also have quite a number of programmes specifically for Victoria, during the course of this year. And I hope during the engagement, we’ll be able to make some commitments specifically for what the residents raise.”

able to work with you to provide greater support,” Dharamlall said.

In the area of agriculture, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha spoke of the help the Government has been giving and will further give to the people of Victoria. According to him, unlocking the village’s agricultural potential is important for the Government.

2023, the Government will work to fulfil requests made by the community including for an all-weather road. This road has been approved and according to Mustapha, the tender is out for the all-weather road that will allow them to access their farmlands.

a testament to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) people-centred approach to Government. He also informed them of the road works that will shortly commence in their community.

“Four roads will be done in Victoria. Third Street, Young Street, Green Field East to West… the Railway Embankment. And we have the East to West bridge on Moravian Street. Those are the lists that we have here but this list is not finite. And that’s why we’re here. We’re going to listen to you and extend this list.”

“This Guyana that we’re working on, another ten years, it’s not going to be as it is now. It’s going to be far more developed. As long as we are in Government, our development will be people-centred. It’s all about improving the lives and livelihood of the people,” the Prime Minister further said.

The people-centred approach of the Government was reinforced by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who pointed to the PPP/C’s governance style, ditching air-conditioned offices to reach the people directly. And he

to equip themselves to take advantage of new and emerging sectors in the country. According to Nandlall, while the community is full of raw talent in various trades, certification is important.

“You have to educate yourself… to equip you to work in these new and emerging sectors. At the industrial complex, for example, we will need all types of technicians. And we would like them to come from the East Coast, but at this advanced age, you will not get employment without certification…. We need you to be qualified, and that is why we are encouraging you to join these programmes,” the Attorney General expressed.

Equipment & farming Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall spoke of the Government’s plan to not only build roads but also listen to the community’s concerns and take appropriate action.

Dharamlall said that over the next few months, some $60 million will be spent on community development. Additionally, he revealed that a new tractor

in garbage clean-up and to help farmers transport their produce. Approval has also been given for

“We’re also spending, over the next three or four months, nearly $60 million within this community alone, for community infrastructure. We have quite a few bridges we’re going to be building. We have some maintenance work on community infrastructure. And beyond that, we’ll be

“When I became Minister of Agriculture, I was in this community here for the first time. And farmers would have requested a number of projects. And to date, we have desilted all the major canals and infrastructure in this community. We have worked with the farmers and we have ensured that they are going back to the land.”

He explained that for

Other Ministers who attended the outreach included Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Social Protection Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Residents of Buxton at the outreach

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall

Govt to challenge High Court ruling on suspension of PSC – AG Nandlall

Following the ruling of High Court Judge Gino Persaud that President Dr Irfaan Ali acted unconstitutionally when he suspected the previous Police Service Commission (PSC), Attorney General Anil Nandlall has confirmed that the ruling will be challenged.

The President suspended PSC Chairman Paul Slowe and Commissioner Clinton Conway in June 2021 after they were charged with attempts to defraud the Guyana Police Force (GPF) of $10 million.

Two years after Slowe filed judicial review proceedings against the President’s decision, High Court Judge Gino Persaud on Friday ruled that the suspension of the commission was unconstitutional.

However, Nandlall stands with the President’s decision, highlighting several instances where the PSC demonstrated biases and impartiality.

For one, Slowe and the PSC’s decision to challenge the legality of the budget passed after the March 2020 elections, Nandlall said, was a choice to align itself with a group of politicians in a politically inspired litigation.

“In my view, that apparent independent organ -

isation [PSC] decided to shed its independence and to take a political alignment, disqualifying itself from holding an office which requires independence and political neutrality,” Nandlall said.

Additionally, the Attorney General explained that there have been several instances of Police officers challenging the manner in which the PSC handled appointments of new members and other officers.

“[Several Police officers] were claiming that they were bypassed for promotions and there were disciplinary charges instituted against them which were deliberately not being heard by the very PSC so as to keep them from being promoted,” Nandlall related.

“It’s alleged by Police officers that [appointment] procedures were abrogated by the PSC and they were moving at breakneck speed to promote one set of officers, disregarding others who felt they were deserving of promotions and at the same time, violating the procedure by which these Police officers have to travel before they reach the PSC for promotion.”

It is against that backdrop that the President intervened, Nandlall said, adding that the issue arose when the Head of State noticed the absence of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and subsequent inability to establish a tribunal to investigate the matter.

“What the President did in the exercise of his executive power and his delib -

erate judgement and because there was no JSC to whom he could’ve turned to establish the tribunal [the next step was to] proceed to exercise this power, which he has, to suspend the PSC,” Nandlall expressed.

Aiming to file the appeal early next week, the Attorney General is confident of the Government’s success, adding that this case brings to question several constitutional issues: the behavioural conduct of a PSC, the type of posture it can take in respect to political matters, the decorum of members of such an organisation and what a President should do when you have JSC that is vacant and you have to establish a tribunal or exercise a power of suspension.

…and students

Wise people say, “Yuh na need flambeau fuh see in bright daylight!!” And, dear reader, what your Eyewitness sees is that the breakdown of order in the political realm is inevitably reverberating in all aspects of national life. Does anyone really believe we can have MPs insisting they did nothing wrong in blowing whistles in the ears of a Minister making a presentation in Parliament?? Or ditto for MPs snatching the symbol of authority of Parliament – the Mace – and knocking down the Sergeant-at-Arms defending it?? And ditto for tearing out the communications equipment.

Hey…MPs and other holders of Government offices have long represented the highest aspirations of our society; would we even dream to be the GOVERNOR and his exalted officers?? For us mere natives, the best we could do – if we tried and tried – was to become a clerk in the Civil Service. Or a tad easier, a schoolteacher!! That’s right folks, they couldn’t get teachers to come out to the colonies, so the missionaries who did come out to save souls started with the young in schools!! – and trained locals to carry on their mission.

So, to the ordinary folks, the school teacher was the closest they got to officialdom. In the villages or in the wards, the teacher represented the Empire. He might’ve earned a pittance, and any canecutter could’ve outearned him – but boy, oh boy, did he have STATUS!! He wore his suit and tie, set standards of behaviour, and was given the highest respect by one and all. The British arranged the school system like the Romans governed their Empire.

At the top was the headmaster – get it?? Head MASTER! Followed by Senior Masters and Mistresses, and then the ordinary masters and mistresses. The students had “prefects” elevated from their ranks to intermediate between them and the “Masters”!! All sorts of rituals – like being literally rapped on your knuckles for having your hair out of place!! – kept the order. Condign whippings were doled out for more serious infractions –like getting your sums wrong!!

Now, we knew Independence would loosen some of all this disciplining; and it certainly did!! But did we expect to get to a point where students – and their parents –can enter schools and assault teachers?? Well, as your Eyewitness said, this breakdown in the educational order is only a subset of the breakdown in the social order - led by our political types. And it happens occasionally from the PPP benches, too!! Remember that MP brandishing that dildo in Parliament??

So, rather than wring our hands and moaning, “O tempora!! O mores”, let us demand that our political elite set appropriate standards for the rest of us.

Or else we’ll see more teachers brandishing those cutlasses!!

…in LGEs

One of the challenges in Local Government Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) is the pittance given to the Councillors!! Your Eyewitness knows that man can’t live on bread alone, but Jeez…he gotta get some bread. And trust your Eyewitness – the fellows on those bodies just can’t even buy stale bread on their stipends. So, many of them bend the rules to make something on the side –which destroys the entire structure of Local Government!!

What to do?? Well, it looks like we have a solution at hand!! Local popular businessmen “Shell” Mohamed has thrown his hat into the ring to be elected as a Councillor in the Eccles/ Ramsburg NDC. Now, isn’t this the perfect fit?

Or what?? Here’s a businessman who has more gold that Midas – so he’ll be insulted to be offered a bribe by any grifter!! And the fact that he’s a SUCCESSFUL businessman means he can get things done in our mudland.

Let’s get some more local businessmen in the LGE race!!

…in the Judiciary

What’s this with the PNC claiming that the Judiciary’s cowed by the Government?? Haven’t they noticed the judgements going against the said Government?? Andas far as your Eyewitness can tell - the PPP flag ain’t flying over no court!!

Attorney General Anil Nandlall Justice Gino Persaud Former PSC Chairman Paul Slowe

Govt aiming to clear infrastructure backlog for new house lots by 2025 – Min Rodrigues

5000 on ECD

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is working to clear the backlog of infrastructural works required in developing communities by 2025 in order that new allottees will be able to take up residency without having to wait for roads and bridges to be built.

Making this revelation was Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues, during a Cabinet outreach to Victoria village on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Saturday.

Often, allottees have to wait until necessary infrastructure such as roads and bridges are built so that they can fully take up residency.

The Minister explained, however, that when the PPP/C took office in 2020, there was a backlog of incomplete infrastructure in housing areas. She assured that the Government is working hard to clear this backlog which will allow new allottees to occupy their house lots immediately.

“Now, the work that we have in terms of infrastructure, you know what took place in the 2015 to 2020 period. There was no budget for infrastructure, in any new housing schemes. So now we have to catch up with that. And that’s why we’re a little bit behind,”

Minister Rodrigues explained.

“But we want to ensure that by 2025, we have caught up with all the infrastructure programmes and rollouts in all of these communities. So, we can get to a point in the future, a few years from now, where people can receive their allocation and go immediately and start their construction. So, we are working expeditiously to get to that point.”

As it is now, the Minister noted that work is progressing speedily to also clear the backlog of persons waiting on house lots. She noted that they haven’t “come to gaff” but to lay out to

the people what their plans are and importantly, follow through on those plans. When it comes to her portfolio, Minister Rodrigues said that a transformation is ongoing.

“When we come into communities, you’ve welcomed us and we come to you in all sincerity and we say to you, these are the things we’re going to do and fix and we fix it. And you can go and check it. Only yesterday I was scanning the Facebook posts and let me tell you the transformation I’ve seen. Just from the comments on Facebook on the Ministry of Housing page.”

“You can check, from

2020, 2021 and part of 2022. You’ll see comments like Minister, we’re still waiting on the house lot allocation. You check now, all the posts under the Ministry of Housing for the last six months. You will see a massive change. The change is, Minister we’ve received our house lots and we’re just waiting on the infrastructure,” the Minister added.

Rodrigues further revealed that since their return to the office, a total of 20,800 house lots were distributed including 5000 on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

In February of this year, 126 contracts were awarded for infrastructural works under the Housing Ministry as part of its work programme for 2023. Among the communities which will see infrastructural developments are Success, Good Hope, Le Ressouvenir, De Endragt, Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Meten-MeerZorg, Stewartville, Leonora, Palmyra and Bartica among others.

However, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves

stated that works on roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, access roads and other amenities for developing areas will be realised.

A breakdown of the works includes $15.4 billion for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); $25 billion for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); $3.3 billion for Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); $9.4 billion for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); $1 billion for Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and $2.1 billion for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). (G-3)

– says 20,800 house lots distributed since 2020, including

Minister Rodrigues addressing the gathering

Minister within the Housing & Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, as she interacted with residents during the outreach in Victoria village

$229M Bamia Drive in Amelia’s Ward commissioned

The whopping $229 million Bamia Drive, at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was officially commissioned on Saturday by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.

This is the first of five major roads that are under construction and rehabilitation in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The construction of the road was a collaboration among the Public Works, Local Government and Regional Development, and Housing and Water Ministries.

A change from the usual asphalted roads, the new 18-foot-wide concrete road is

the only solution to Amelia’s Ward’s drainage issue with the materials more likely to hold up for much longer

against heavy rainfall and water flow.

“Amelia’s Ward never really had any drainage network in terms of building adequate drainage and because of the layout and the nature of the soil, when we have heavy rainfall and water flow, we get washaways and we had to find a solution…as we seek to establish and develop a drainage network,” Edghill related during the commissioning ceremony.

Further, he added that the roads that are being constructed in the mining town are done in phases.

“We must acknowledge that development comes in stages,” Edghill said. “Now that we have done Phase 1 and we have access, we will need to come back and carry out phase 2 to carry the road further in while we [complete] other roads and connectivity.”

He also appealed to res-

idents and road users to be mindful of their driving practices and to follow road safety protocols.

“These are community roads, people are going to be living in these areas, children will be playing in their yards… so users have to be more careful and stop the speeding.”

“We’re not building roads to kill people. We’re building roads to develop the community and we need responsible behaviour and responsible action from the users of the roads.”

Bamia Drive is among a number of other road projects underway in Region 10, including the 122km road from Linden to Mabura which has thus far employed over 100 residents within the region.

“In our programme of bringing development to Linden, job creation is heavy on our minds. A lot of people who worked on these roads are people right from the community because these kinds of roads don’t require so many specialised operators and you could get a labour-intensive environment.”

In addition to ongoing works, back in August 2022, Government awarded approximately $800 million in infrastructural projects to rehabilitate a number of roads across Region 10.

This is in keeping with the PPP/C Administration’s manifesto commitment to improve the quality of community roads and implement an Urban Improvement programme countrywide.

The newly constructed Bamia Drive in Amelia’s Ward

Minister Edghill assisting a resident to cut the ceremonial ribbon on Saturday

Politics: Build bridges, not dams

ANigerian proverb advises: “In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and the foolish build dams.”

Suri Trading commissions a multimilliondollar warehouse at Diamond –

investment tantamount with Govt’s vision to advance development – Pres Ali

Investments are changing the landscape and economic fabric of Guyana and the latest is the opening of a spanking new warehouse at Plantation Little Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara by Suri Trading - one of Guyana’s largest distributors of food, beverage, and hygiene products.

But the PNC and WPA representatives of African Guyanese, who insist we are in a moment of crisis, are not only building dams, but have given explicit and implicit support to eschew democratic elections to remove the PPP Government from office. PNC and Opposition Leader Mr Aubrey Norton left unchallenged a declaration by one speaker that African “kith and kin” in the armed forces would not turn their guns on PNC and WPA anti-PPP street protestors.

Ravi Dev

For me, I marvel at history repeating itself, and hope it will peter out as the “farce” that Marx predicted, since Guyana has had enough political tragedies. As I am doing in the present, between the 2006 and 2011 elections, I had argued strenuously against such street actions by the PNC, warning they invariably descended into anti-Indian violence. The proponents of street action then are the same as today, and they vehemently rejected my advice that the PNC adopt a moderate image to not alienate non-traditional voters. Again, as now, the “radicals” derided the thought the PPP could lose in majoritarian elections because of its Indian plurality.

In April 2011, just before the general elections, Tacuma Ogunseye addressed an ACDA meeting at BV, and in his words, “read the Riot Act”: “Come elections night, when the results come out, Africans must have a share in the Government, there must be a national Government or there will be no Guyana…Once the African people rise up in their great numbers, I dare the army to take the side of the PPP and against Africans. Our sons and daughters would not do that.”

He noted that that newly formed APNU, with the PNC as its overwhelming heft, had promised “shared governance” if they won.

When APNU, along with the Opposition AFC, won a majority in the National Assembly and left the PPP with a lame-duck Presidency, the calls for street protests faded. Similarly, when they coalesced for the 2015 elections and won, the shared governance with the PPP manifesto promise were deep-sixed, and the radicals all accepted positions in the coalition Government. No protests to institute the power sharing “long term solution” were launched. It would appear that what was sauce for the PNC and African Guyanese was not sauce for the PPP and Indian Guyanese. Maybe they felt the kith and kin armed forces might have turned their guns on them for bringing in the PPP?

We are now being lectured about the chasm between the “procedural democracy” of elections and the “substantive democracy” of “shared governance with all parties at the table”. But somehow, this distinction had disappeared between 2015 and 2020. And we arrive at the value of “trust”, which has once again been raised by the PPP as a threshold issue for any deepening of the “inclusive governance” institutions imposed in 2000, after the PPP was bludgeoned to the table by PNC street protests.

The present calls for protests to deliver shared governance remind me of what I wrote in 2011 following Ogunseye’s “Riot Act speech”: “Coming from an individual who had defended the gunmen operating out of post-2002 Buxton (who had massacred innocent Indian children and burnt a crippled wheelchair-bound old Indian man) as “resistance fighters”, it was not difficult to understand the fears aroused by the threat. And it was not just the memories of the gruesome recent past: we are again seemingly in the throes of another tide of criminal violence.”

Having encountered him personally at the most possibly five times since 1999, I cannot pretend to know what motivates VP Bharrat Jagdeo, who has again drawn a line (of trust) in the sand. But I know from that first meeting, when he was a junior Finance Minister, he was quite open to working with the Opposition, having had close relations during his stint at State Planning under Hoyte. I have always felt it was Hoyte’s “slow fyah; mo’ fyah” strategy” and its Buxton “Freedom Fighters” denouement that made him –then President - sceptical of the Opposition’s calls for “shared governance”. Now that the latter have confirmed the “kith and kin” propinquity of our armed forces, that arrangement could logically be seen by the PPP as a Trojan Horse for permanent PNC rule. A dam, and not a bridge.

After outgrowing its Eccles location, the new facility was established and commissioned on Saturday by President Irfaan Ali, who pointed out the macro vision the Government shares and how these investments add to this ecosystem.

“We are now advancing development because developments spur development. Then if we have no roads, we would not have this. If we did not have this, we would not have the housing. If there would be no housing, there would be no demand for your products. This is how it happens. The ecosystem is completely integrated,” the Head of State underscored.

In creating a branded and integrated hub, Ali noted that the country has to work on building its indigenous capacity. But in doing this, filling all employment gaps is critical.

“We have to increase production, increase yield, and our product range. That speaks to quality, construction, and technology, and that is what we’re investing in…Whilst we’re bridging the gap with integration, we are building up the local capacity. And this is not just talking.”

In the aspect of employment, the President shared, “It’s how you view education and how you view jobs. That is a reality we have to change. We came up in an environment where we think a job is too demeaning for

my children…We are short in the labour force. How is it that you increase your net revenue at the end of the month?”

However, Chief Executive Officer of Suri Trading, Frank Sanichara noted that this is a stepping stone to many warehouses that will be constructed in the future. The business would have encountered several challenges and setbacks to get where it is, he emphasised.

“We’re rapidly expanding into our food line. So hopefully within the next year, we’ll be in the process of pro-

curing some excellent food items…We’re hoping to put up a warehouse like this in Berbice because the economy is growing very fast. So, we see that there is a need for it here.” Suri Trading employs over 100 persons. The company continues to grow and has expanded to Trinidad and Grenada with plans to include Jamaica as well. There is also the intention to commence production but Sanichara noted that technical labour remains a challenge.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

President Ali joins Frank Sanichara and his family and other officials to officially cut the ceremonial ribbon

Suri Trading commissions a multimillion...

He added, “Employment inflation is another thing that’s affecting us here. Most of the brains of the country are heading out to the oil companies and the subcontractors of the oil companies and you can’t blame them because they’re being well paid.”

President of the GCCI, Timothy Tucker related that the company has shown resiliency and diversification as he urged for Guyanese products to be on the regional market.

“Do what was not done for you by reaching out to local manufacturers and taking those products

and distributing those as well...Put Guyanese products in those countries.

Work with Banks DIH to be their distributor outside of Guyana. You are the ideal person to be Guyana’s distributor throughout the Caribbean,” Tucker encouraged.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong, expressed that the warehouse is a testimony to Suri’s willingness to go above and beyond to service the local market, and create employment opportunities and confidence to

invest in the economy.

“This expansion will contribute positively to the economic development in the year and provide a significant boost to economic development. In addition, the opening of the new warehouse demonstrates continued growth and success. It reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, investment in infrastructure efforts to keep up with Guyana’s changing market demands.”

According to Minister within the Housing Ministry Susan Rodrigues, businesses can only thrive

in a positive investment climate. In this light, she highlighted the importance of visionary leadership.

“It is important for them to have an economy in our country in which they are allowed to thrive. And that is very, very critical. That takes visionary leadership. A lot of people questioned the investments that we have been making in infrastructure. What to do, we’re coming in here and we see there’s still more work to do,” Rodrigues underscored.

She signalled that Guyanese anywhere in the diaspora can make an ap-

plication online should they want to invest. Through this technology, fairness and transparency in the system is achieved.

“It removes all subjectivity from the system. And so, we are moving towards a Government that relies heavily on technology. We understand the importance of harnessing technology and overall development and in many, many sectors you will see this transition over to digitising everything and this is important for governance for accountability, and transparency,” she concluded. (G-12)

The new Suri warehouse at Diamond, EBD

Dr Shebiki Beaton defying all odds

3While attending the New Friendship Primary School, young Dr. Shebiki Beaton would walk late at night from extra lessons to her home in Buxton, on the East Coast of Demerara, in the company of her mother. The duo would navigate their way under heavy Police and Guyana Defence Force soldiers’ presence.

A crime wave was ongoing in the area, and it was one of several challenges the young woman managed to overcome at the time. It did not stop the determined young lady from excelling at primary school, and later she would gain a place at Queen’s College, where she continued to progress towards her goals.

“While in high school, I remember hiding under our bed in the dark with my brother while gunshots rang out in the streets, some even hitting our roof, and still finishing assignments and going to school the next morning,” the young woman told Guyana Times recently. “I completed SBAs and IT assignments without a computer of my own, and sometimes studied with candles and kerosene lamps. So I always felt I had to go the extra mile to achieve my educational dreams,” the University of Guyana alum said.

Just last week, she clambered to another achievement. Dr. Beaton is on her way to becoming a General Surgeon after

she was accepted into a residency programme at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, a prestigious medical institution in the United States.

Dr. Beaton said she is partic -

ularly grateful to The Almighty following her achievements thus far. “It still feels surreal that I am on this path, but God has made it all possible. He has never left my side, and deserves all

the glory for where I am today. I know God has a plan for me, so I will trust in His will,” she said.

Her parents, she said, invested heavily in her education, and she would forever be grateful to them. “Having parents who invested in my education and a family and community who supported and encouraged me made me want to achieve my fullest potential, so that others like me could believe they could achieve it too,” she said.

The medical journey

Dr. Beaton, who is in her 20s, grew up in Buxton with her parents, Clarence and Bonieta Beaton, and her younger brother, Okeme Beaton. After completing her secondary education at Queen’s College, her prayers for attaining higher education were answered when several scholarships came her way from members of her community.

TURN TO PAGE 15

Dr Beaton performing a surgical procedure alongside Consultant Dr Cox at the Savanna La Mar Public General Hospital in Jamaica

Dr Beaton’s medical colleagues who studied with her at the University of Guyana have also “matched” into residency programmes

Give an Hour for Earth by spending 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet.

Earth Hour, organized by the World Wildlife Fund, is a global grassroots movement uniting people to take action on environmental issues and protect the planet.

Engaging in a massive mainstream community, Earth Hour was famously started as a lights-out event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then, it has grown to engage millions of supporters in more than 185 countries and territories, inspiring individuals and organisations worldwide to take action for the environment, and driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the crowd. As the movement grows, the one-hour lights-out event continues to be the symbol of a broader commitment towards nature and our planet.

GIVE THE JAGUAR A VOICE

Earth Hour in Guyana 2023 will focus attention on the protection of jaguars and the conservation of their habitats. Earth Hour 2023 advocacy and awareness campaigns are intended to enhance citizens’ interest and strengthen national commitment to protecting jaguars through Governments’ signing of the Jaguar Roadmap.

With this campaign, WWF underscores the importance of the jaguar, and will ask Governments to advance implementation of the Jaguar Roadmap 2030 and launch conservation efforts through four pathways: regional cooperation; development and implementation of national strategies; jaguar-friendly productive practices; and sustainable financing.

FACTS ABOUT THE JAGUAR

* Scientific name: Panthera onca;

* Largest wild cat in the Western Hemisphere. Third largest cat in the world, behind the lion and tiger;

* An excellent swimmer and climber;

* Has the strongest jaw and bite of all the wild cats. The name jaguar comes from

* Can kill by piercing the bones of the skull between the ears. With no predators, the jaguar is at the top of the food chain where it lives. The jaguar prefers stalking and ambushing its prey.

It is estimated that nearly 80% of the entire jaguar population (57,000 out of 64,000) live in the Amazon and the Guianas. The sub-populations found outside of the Amazon are threatened because of the small size of their habitat, isolation, lack of protection, and high density of human populations.

The jaguar is already extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay, and is virtually gone in the United States.

JAGUARS IN GUYANA

* The jaguar was chosen as the national animal of Guyana because it represents strength, courage, endurance, and resilience.

* In addition to being an important part of our culture, the presence of these animals helps maintain healthy populations of other species, by keeping ecosystems balanced through natural predation patterns.

* Scientists (from Panthera) reported finding a relatively healthy jaguar density of three to four animals per 161 miles in Guyana's southern Rupununi savannah.

* Guyana’s jaguars can be spotted in their protected areas – can you name them?

The EPA, through its Environmental Authorisation process, Biodiversity Research process, and coordination of the implementation of environmental agreements, will continue to play its role in protecting Guyana’s jaguars. According to Section 4 (7) of the Wildlife Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use Regulations (2019), all wildcats are protected, and it is an offence to collect, hold in captivity, kill, hunt or otherwise molest a protected species.

Sources

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/location/southamerica/guyana/

https://dpi.gov.gy/guyana-signs-on-to-new-roadmap-tosave-the-jaguar/ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/ jan/25/guyana-pledges-protect-jaguars

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

Dr Shebiki Beaton defying...

They included scholarships from the Wilfred Vernon Clarke Foundation, Cimbux, and the Annie Daniels Award which enabled her to attend medical school. Dr. Beaton attained a pass with distinction in 2017 when she read for UGs bachelor of medicine, and bachelor of surgery (UG MBBS) medical programme. She would then relocate to Jamaica, where she is now based, to work at the Savanna La Mar Public General Hospital to begin her medical career.

Love for medicine

According to Dr. Beaton, since her time at medical school at UG’s Turkeyen campus, she was impressed by the surgical knowledge of her lecturers, especially the likes of Dr. N. Rambaran and Dr. Motilal from Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). “I have always been interested in studying and learning

about surgical pathologies,” she said.

After finishing her rotating internship, Dr. Beaton discovered that general surgery was the most exciting of the four core specialties. “When I became a fully registered doctor, I opted to work in general surgery, and I have been there ever since,” she said.

She said she finds, “great pleasure in being able to manage complicated cases or patients presenting in extremis back to health. But being able to learn, perform, and sometimes even teach others a new surgical procedure while knowing that you’re providing lifesaving and often life-changing care to your patients is by far the most fulfilling aspect of my career.”

Dr. Beaton said the hospital in Jamaica is situated in a rural area and statistics have indicated that it has the second-highest murder rate and a high vol-

ume of motor vehicle accidents on the island. She observed that there is almost no shortage of trauma cases, many of which she sees on a regular basis. “Despite the fact that they frequently require many long hours and late-night surgeries, the high intensity and adrenaline of it all are what invigorate me,” Dr. Beaton said.

Prior to being successfully accepted into Morehouse College, Dr. Beaton had to overcome a few other challenges. They included completing the United States Medical Licensing Examination which she undertook during the COVID-19 pandemic. “But having the strong foundation set by the surgeons and physicians from the University of Guyana school of medicine was invaluable. I’m happy to be a part of that rich legacy and I’d likely encourage my fellow colleagues aspiring to this path to value the training they

received and know that they are more than capable of excelling in any clinical domain,” she added.

During her academic and practical exposure to the field, Dr. Beaton has always had the support of a group of friends, who all continue to enhance their medical studies.

“Matched”

“I met the best group of friends during medical school, and we have continued to support each other throughout our medical careers,” Dr. Beaton said. The group adopted the popular catchphrase “Matched” which signifies their individual medical achievement.

Matched is a term used in the United States which means a medical student or practitioner has been accepted into a residency program. Dr. Beaton said her UG colleagues have also matched into internal medicine; some are pursuing pe-

diatrics among other specialized studies, she said.

“Matching into a US general surgery residency in a categorical position is a rarity for an international medical school graduate like me, and amidst a lot of skepticism from other physicians, my friends encouraged me to fight for the spot because they knew of my love for the field,” Dr. Beaton said.

She said that female surgeons, particularly black female surgeons, are still in the minority around the world, despite becoming more common. But she said she couldn’t have asked for a better outcome than being accepted into Morehouse School of Medicine, which is considered a Historically Black College or University (of HBCU).

The institution has one of the top surgical residency programs in the United States, carefully designed to prepare black female doctors like herself, she add-

ed. “I am truly honored to be able to follow in the footsteps of these trailblazers at Morehouse and be a part of such a prestigious group of young female surgeons,” she said.

Dr. Beaton expressed appreciation to her general surgery colleagues, her consultant Dr. Cox, senior registrar Dr. Valdes, and all the other seniors who mentored her at the Savanna La Mar Public General Hospital in Jamaica.

As regards the latter, she said even though she wasn’t enrolled in a formal residency program at the Jamaican hospital, the medical institution ensured she received her surgical training early and that she became skilled enough to handle many cases on her own.

“It still feels surreal that I am on this path, but I know God has a plan for me, so I will trust in His will,” an ecstatic Dr. Beaton said of her medical journey.

Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre – not just tours, but wildlife experiences

Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre, situated on the west bank of the Essequibo River, is not just a resort, but a tourist destination which offers a wildlife experience.

The Lodge is Iwokrama’s operational hub. While remote, it offers all that you could possibly need for a comfortable stay in the forest. Iwokrama International Centre works continuously to further knowledge of nature and the environment. Operations Manager of the Iwokrama International Centre, Rohanie Roopnarine, says the Lodge offers several packages which allow

guests to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

While Iwokrama is a conversation area, Roopnarine explained, it has two sustainable businesses, one of which is eco-tourism and the other sustainable operations. “We have three packages here at the River Lodge, which is rounded with one-night, two-night and three-night packages.

Depending on which package you choose, we offer several tours. They include trips to Turtle Mountain, a rapid, a lake caiman spotting, and nocturnal spotting. There are nine cabins and six single rooms for researchers, because we also offer a place here for researchers to come

and do research,” she added, while further explaining that the Iwokrama forest is split into two zones,

with half being the wilderness reserves. “That is 50 per cent of the area where limited re-

search is conducted, but it is used as a controlled area for the other 50 per cent of the forest, which is a sus-

tainable utilisation area. Both businesses are within that sustainable utilisation area, and the majority of the research is also conducted within that area.

“The jaguar-spotting tour is done in the evening, like from around 5 O’clock, or depending on the time guests want to do it. At one time we did it at 3 O’clock in the morning,” she said.

“The slow drive in the dense forest is about 10 kilometres from the Lodge. The slow drive allows visitors to look out for any wildlife available. The chances are higher to see a jaguar, because mostly you see them at night,” she said.

The Iwokrama Lodge

Women’s Clinic at Bohemia aims to expand services across Berbice

After one year of operation, the Women’s Clinic at Bohemia in Berbice is aiming to expand its services that are offered to 150 patients on a monthly basis in order to promote better women’s health across the region.

The clinic offers specialised care for women and is located at the Bohemia Health Centre.

The doctor in charge of the women’s clinic, Shellon Martindale-Tappin, is encouraging more females to get regular check-ups, noting that this facility places emphasis on privacy and creating a friendly environment.

Dr Martindale-Tappin

explained that they ensure each patient is given sufficient time whenever they visit, so that they can be properly listened to when they raise their concerns. She added that special emphasis has been placed on privacy while keeping a people-friendly atmosphere.

“I think that is what makes us different from other facilities; the privacy is one and secondly, we are very friendly here. We listen to our clients and take time to explain everything from the illness to the medication and every care method that they have to take. We sit and we explain that and even diet and everything that is of concern to our pa-

tients.”

Among the services being offered are VIA inspections, implants; IUDs, which is a tiny device that is put into the uterus to prevent pregnancy; blood pressure monitoring, and RBS checking and counselling.

Dr Martindale-Tappin said persons can also bring along their partners to participate in the counselling.

She and her team work from Monday to Wednesday while on Fridays they make home visits. The friendly doctor related that visual inspection or VIA is one of the more common tests women receive in the clinic.

Dr Shellon Martindale-Tappin examining a pregnant mother at the Women’s Clinic

Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre...

“When you look down into the forest, there are little red faces looking back at you. But you do have a lot of bird species. Our guests that usually come there would come with their bird checklist. In the evening you will see them ticking off the birds, and if they see a species that they don’t know, then they would put it on their list and

chance to actually see them,” she said. She said those animals are rarely found by themselves.

Seeing a jaguar in the forest is one of the high points of the visit. “They are not always there, but you are guaranteed to see other wildlife. Sometimes you see tapirs, you see deer, you see agoutis; these are all other wildlife that you can see on nocturnal spotting if you go out in the evening.

“The caiman-spotting is about a 45-minute tour, and

is done after dinner in the evening. It is a boat tour, so you go out on the river and you shine your torch in the river and you would see red eyes shining back at you,” she explained. According to the Operations Manager, who also plays a part in the Forestry Department, where she does mapping for the department, even though it

is called caiman-spotting, snakes are also seen during those tours.

“I know one time they went out and they saw the Amazon Boa and the Armorial Boa – a beautiful specie. You do see those in the nights as well.”

Turtle Mountain has a 950-foot climb, at the top of which one is guaranteed to see the spider monkey.

they would go and research that bird,” she detailed.

“To get to Turtle Mountain, it is a twenty-minute ride by boat. So, while go-

ing to Turtle Mountain, the chances are that you would see other wildlife, like the giant river otters. They travel in big groups; it is a very beautiful sight if you get a

According to Roopnarine, most visitors go there to see the wildlife, and not really for the tours being offered. The rapid tour allows one to experience nature, and if the water is low, visitors are allowed to go into the rapids.

Iwokrama River Lodge is an eco-tourism gem surrounded by a vast tropical rainforest. The River Lodge is the only establishment of its kind. It has 24-hour electricity supplied by solar power.

The Iwokrama River

The Iwokrama Lodge

Operations Manager Rohanie Roopnarine

Prepare to let your imagination and creativity take flight as the “Smalta Flying High” kite-flying competition returns on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023.

This eagerly-anticipated event invites kite enthusiasts and spectators from all walks of life to come together in a celebration of artistry, craftsmanship and friendly competition. With five exciting locations across Guyana and incredible cash prizes up for grabs, there’s no better way to kick off the kite-flying season!

The competition runs from 14:00h to 16:00h at several locations, including at the Everest Cricket Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown. Other venues

are: Lusignan Golf Ground, East Coast Demerara; Brothers’ Dam, Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo; #19 Cricket Ground on the East Coast of Berbice, and the Reliance Sports Ground on the Essequibo Coast.

Winners of the most creative ‘Smalta-branded’ kites would receive $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000 respectively. Judging criteria include the craftsmanship, visual appeal, brand integration, balance and proportion, and originality and creativity.

To participate in the competition, one needs only to present a receipt of purchase for one case of Smalta.

The “Smalta Flying High” kite-flying competition encourages participants to think

outside the box and showcase their most inventive ideas in the “Most Creative Smaltabranded Kite” category.

With the possibility of winning a cash prize of $100,000 at stake, this is the perfect opportunity for kite enthusiasts to demonstrate their skills and passion for the art of kite-making while adhering to the judging criteria. The other prizes are $50,000 and $25,000.

With an exciting lineup of events, impressive prizes to be won, and a focus on craftsmanship and creativity, the Smalta Flying High kite-flying competition is an inevitable event for the whole family.

For more information, persons can contact +592-6235675.

Women’s Clinic at Bohemia aims...

It is done to detect early signs of cervical cancer.

“If you detect early signs of cancer, you can prevent all of the complications that can come later if you are diagnosed with cancer. If you wait until you have those signs, most times it would be too late for you to do anything about it. So, we are encouraging you to check early – get tested early so can be able to help you in a timely manner,” she pointed out.

The clinic was established so that women can access private and specialised care. According to Dr Martindale-Tappin, many women feel neglected because they cannot afford the specialised and individualised services which they need.

The facility at Bohemia on the East Coast of Berbice offers such services, with close to 150 women accessing the facility monthly.

“We even have some men coming out and that was much to my surprise. We are going to continue to reach out to our men as well.”

Speaking of some of the more personal issues patients visit the clinic with, Dr Martindale-Tappin highlighted sexually transmitted

infections and diseases ranging from yeast infections to bacterial infections.

“A lot of them come with different skin diseases and infections. They also have issues with their breast. Some of them might experience some form of discomfort outside of their pregnancy. They may experience lumps or discharges

from their nipples.” Other issues, she said, include infertility as she referred to it as prevalent while noting that on many occasions it is because of a low sperm count on the part of the male. However, a hormonal imbalance could affect the menstrual cycle which Dr Martindale-Tappin said could affect wanted pregnan-

cies.

“Apart from those issues we have some with domestic abuse; we have persons who are finding it difficult to cope with finances, issues in the family – taking care of their kids. Sometimes they have issues with understanding contraceptives. Some of them actually do not want to make more chil-

dren but then they are afraid of using the methods of contraception that are available. So when they came out, we have time and the right atmosphere to explain to them all the different forms of contraception and together we decide the best method for them,” Dr Martindale-Tappin explained.

(Andrew Carmichael)

The Bohemia Health Centre from where Dr Tappin and her team operate

A nurse examining a patient at the Bohemia Health Centre

Quality control, premium branding showcased at Uncapped Marketplace

the moment is the Bassara collection, which contains shampoo, conditioner, and two types of hair oils. We also have the Khayr baby line which is the first plant-based baby care line in Guyana. We don’t need heavy surfactants. We use very mild surfactants…When we say wholesome wellness, we mean physical health, mental health, and wellness of a whole,” she explained.

One of the newer businesses was Artsy Craft, founded by 27-year-old Raveena Taraman in 2020. It was initially started to cushion her medical school expenses. She has over 15 candle scents, string art, and other craft items.

Quality control and premium branding are being showcased by seasoned manufacturers at this year’s Uncapped Marketplace while new producers are seeking to make their way into the Guyanese market.

The event, which is organised at zero cost to producers by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), has become a haven for local businesses to establish a base in the market.

On Saturday, the event kickstarted at the National Stadium tarmac at Providence on the

East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and those who have been showing up at previous Uncapped have introduced new products or have improved their branding and marketing.

Women-owned businesses also dominated local producers at the exhibit.

Speaking with Guyana Times , GMSA’s Ramsay Ali explained that some 120 agro-processors have been given the opportunity to showcase their products.

“This is the first event for the year by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services

Association. We’ve got just about 120 exhibitors here, all local products produced by Guyanese. We’ve got some of the larger companies also here…If you were to walk through, you would see that there is a significant improvement in packaging, quality control, and extension of their product lines. In the last four years or so, at least 40 of them who started with us are now exporting their products out of Guyana,” Ali noted.

A visit to the booths saw many innovative products being featured, some of which contained only natural ingredients.

Managing Director of Khayr Organics, Earlecia Hieronymo explained that her business focuses on plant-based hair and skin food for men, women, and babies. Her baby line features marigold as the healing component. Chamomile, lavender, tea tree, moringa, and other organic ingredients are used in her products.

Starting in 2020, the business was launched to support the journey of healthy living and wholesome wellness.

“We are currently stocking products in collections and the first collection we have at

“I’m looking for the exposure. This would be a great opportunity for me and it is my first year at Uncapped. The response has been good and a lot of people like the candles. I’m very grateful for that,” Tharman told this publication.

The exhibit featured Iticia Primo, whose idea to make people’s cooking experience less tedious turned into a successful enterprise. She has now specialised in jarred garlic and ginger that is ready to use, pickles, and sauces under the Flavour Me banner.

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Products have been enhanced through improved branding

Quality control, premium branding...

“We have seven products available: pepper sauce, grated garlic, grated ginger, ginger and garlic paste, mixed pickles, and our pickled onions. It’s all organic…I decided why not do it for consumers and a lot of people have given a good response to the idea,” Primo shared.

This year, Marketplace Uncapped featured producers who have already had their products tested. Alicia James of

Body Essentials Organic Skincare Line shared that her hair oil has been a bestseller.

“Our products are licensed by the Food and Drug Department for manufacturing. So, you don’t have to worry about what you’re using on your skin. Body Essentials is a household name now,” she beamed.

At her booth with over 50 products was Sursattie Paul from Grove, East Bank Demerara under her brand, Fresh Packagers. From seasonings to pepper sauces to authentic snacks, she has been creating new products since her launch some 13 years ago.

“When you think about the kitchen, think about

event as she expressed, “At this Uncapped, we get to interact with our old customers and we also get new customers.”

Meanwhile, Radhika Basdeo has successfully set up her business Basdeo’s Enterprise since

all the spices we have for curry, stews, chowmein, and everything for the kitchen. For health benefits, we have sesame seeds, turmeric and chia seeds.”

Paul was elated at the opportunity to reach a wider audience through the

she launched in 2021 and has achieved the Made In Guyana mark issued by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. She offers dried salted fish, spices, achars, and split peas powder among other products on her local line.

Managing Director of Khayr Organics, Earlecia Hieronymo

Locally-made products on display

Radhika Basdeo of Basdeo’s Dynasty

Couple of 53 years among 166 benefitting from free spectacles in Reg 1

Husband and wife of 53 years, Ivan and Juliet Bennet were among 166 persons from Region One (BarimaWaini) who received free tested spectacles from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through the Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU).

A team from the Ministry, led by subject Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, visited the communities of Mabaruma and Moruca on Friday to provide these spectacles to those in need, particularly children, pensioners, and single parents.

The elderly woman, Juliet, related, “It was chal-

lenging [without spectacles].

I’m not young to work anymore and depending on old age pension so I can’t afford it. It is going to improve my

life because although I am old, I am doing needlework, making pillow case, table cloth and so on and these spectacles will help me to

see the needle eye because I punish to thread the needle so it would help me every way and when I go to church it would help me to read because I couldn’t read without it.”

Her husband, Ivan, noted, “For me, I am happy, we used to get visits from the doctors and they didn’t come in a very long time, then was the first time I got my eyes checked and I got spectacles that didn’t last very long and I am happy the Ministry

came in because we had to travel out two or three times if we wanted to get. I must thank the Ministry for these spectacles, I am happy to be able to see very clearly.”

Minister Persaud said, “It is all about making sure that you have good vision, so you are able to study harder and better and be able to do all the work you want to do, especially if it involves reading.”

Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud with some of the children who received spectacles

Couple of 53 years among 166 benefitting...

Samantha Matthews, a teacher from the Santa Rosa Primary School where over 50 students benefitted from the programme said, “We are very happy for this initiative, I know the parents would be very happy because it is very costly to go on the coastland to get these things done and now they get it right in their own area. First of all, some of the children have problems with their eyes and when they do tests and in school, they would complain about the pain in their eyes, and I think now they will have better results and see better.”

Through the DCU, sev-

eral assistive aids were also distributed in these communities to help persons with permanent disabilities to improve their quality of life.

“In line with our poli-

cy as a ministry to ensure persons with permanent disabilities have a better quality of life, we are directly contributing through the Government’s budget-

ary allocation in bringing these aids to you in the form of wheelchairs, walkers, white canes, and more. When I first came here as a Minister, people were won-

dering how can they afford a wheelchair or walker, it was a lot of difficult to access this and I can say from 2020, people do not have to wonder, you can request it and it is brought to you and if you live in close proximity to the Ministry, you can uplift it,” Minister Persaud said.

Head of DCU, Jashudra Seeram explained, “We are elated to see how our programmes positively impact the lives of our citizens. This is in keeping with fulfilling the Ministry’s mandate of service to the people, we were here a few weeks ago to do the testing and assessment in the short-

est possible time, and we are back to fulfill our commitment to ensure persons get the much-needed assistance. As a Ministry, we are happy to be able to see the lives of people improved.”

Meanwhile, over 500 persons across the two locations benefitted from sessions that enlightened them about the services offered by the Ministry such as childcare and protection, trafficking in persons, sexual offenses, and domestic violence and gender affairs.

Persons also utilized the opportunity to seek out advice and clarification on their old age pension and public assistance.

Juliet and Ivan Bennet after receiving their spectacles

ECD gearing up for major transformation in housing, infrastructure

Exciting times are ahead for residents along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), as it is being transformed through infrastructure and housing developments to mirror that of the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

On Thursday last, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues conducted a site visit at the developing schemes of Non Pareil/ Enterprise, Enmore/Foulis and Hope which have been allocated to low-income, moderate-income and middle-income Guyanese.

Upon completion of the infrastructure works in these areas, allottees will enjoy wholesome schemes with access roads and bridges, culverts and drainage networks.

Minister Rodrigues stat-

ed that the Government’s macro-vision for Region Four will see communities on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara connected through major road linkages such as the Ogle, ECD to Eccles, EBD Bypass Road and the Aubrey Barker Road in Georgetown.

The infrastructural growth will improve the socio-economic conditions of the residents and unlock new commercial zones.

From 2020 to present, Minister Rodrigues noted that the Housing Ministry has allocated 5900 house lots on the East Coast of Demerara out of the more than 12,000 house lots distributed in Region Four.

Additionally, the Minister said that over $24 billion was expended for infrastructure development on the East Coast of

EDYOU FM is 1st radio station to stream in Kamarang

Demerara. In relation to the Ministry’s turn-key housing programme, the first batch of young professional homes will be construct-

ed at La Bonne Intention (LBI).

In February 2023, the Ministry also inked contracts for infrastructural

works in areas such as De Endragt, La Ressouvenir, Success, and Good Hope.

Minister Rodrigues also stated that the agency’s first

“Dream Realised” Housing Drive for 2023 is slated to take place in April and will see land allocations on the East Coast of Demerara.

The Ministry of Education's radio station, EDYOU FM is the first local station in Guyana to broadcast in Kamarang and other parts of Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The station commenced its operation on Thursday last as EDYOU FM continues to intensify its efforts in bringing distance education through radio to the most remote parts of Guyana.

The signal is expected to reach riverine communities along the

Mazaruni River such as Paruima, Waramadong, Kako, Jawalla, Philippi, Imbaimadai among others, benefitting thousands of students and residents alike.

Through a collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), EDYOU FM is scheduled to visit Kamarang and surrounding areas to begin distributing radios to schools.

Residents of Kamarang and surrounding areas can pick up EDYOU Radio on 99.9 FM.

Minister Rodrigues in discussion with CH&PA officials

Infrastructural works being carried out in one of the schemes

PSC assured by GECOM of preparedness to hold LGE, guard against rigging

– during Private Sector Commission’s meeting with GECOM CEO

The Private Sector Commission (PSC), having met with top officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), has been assured of the Secretariat’s preparedness to hold Local Government Elections (LGE) and guard against the attempts to rig that permeated the last General and Regional Elections.

In a statement on Saturday, PSC revealed that it met with GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud a few days ago, to discuss preparations for LGE. This meeting comes even while PSC has written to GECOM seeking Local Observer Accreditation status for the LGE.

“The Private Sector

Commission sought assurance that GECOM is organised and prepared to conduct a free, open, and transparent election and that arrangements are in place to guard against any attempt to illegally manipulate the presentation and counting of the Statements of Poll during the process of tabulation as occurred in the last General and Regional Elections,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, PSC Chairman Paul Cheong confirmed to this publication that during the meeting they were indeed assured by GECOM that the Secretariat was well prepared to hold LGE and that its systems would be robust enough to protect against any manipulation

of election results.

Last month, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall had set Monday, June 12, 2023,

as the date for the holding of the much-anticipated and long overdue LGE in Guyana.

LGE was initially set for March 13 this year, but GECOM had deferred it in December 2022 to address issues relating to its registration exercise. This postponement occurred after a court action was filed by Opposition-aligned persons, challenging the process used to compile the List of Electors, or Voters’ List, for the pending LGE.

Meanwhile, GECOM has already been in preparation mode over the past few months as it gears up for the long overdue elections. Also in February, the Commission announced that it has reopened the process to provide a further oppor -

tunity for political parties, groups, or individuals wanting to contest the upcoming LGE to submit their applications for approval of their symbols.

Section 48 (1) of the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28:03, provides that all political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who are desirous of contesting LGE are required to submit a symbol for approval by GECOM no later than the 21st day before Nomination Day.

In this regard, GECOM said in a statement that March 1, 2023, has been set as the date by which a printed and electronic version of the symbols must be submitted to the Commission.

However, it was explained that those political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who have already applied for approval of their symbols, and who would have already received notification that their symbols were approved are not required to reapply.

“Political parties, voluntary groups, and individual candidates are required to submit, on Nomination Day, their respective lists of candidates accompanied by the relevant pre-approved

symbol. In this regard, political parties, voluntary groups, and, individual candidates are advised that their lists would not be accepted without a pre-approved symbol,” GECOM stated.

GECOM has previously indicated that its approved work plan entails, among other things, that the Elections Secretariat would immediately move to roll out a robust civic and voter education programme, appoint Electoral Registrars and Assistant Electoral Registrars, and extract the Preliminary List of Voters (PLV).

“These activities are directly linked to the preparation of Registers of Voters for each of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). Preparation for the conduct of Local Government Elections commenced in 2022,” GECOM had explained.

“In this regard, the GECOM Secretariat had already completed the training of management and polling day staff for all of the Local Authority Areas, and the receipt of applications for and approval of symbols submitted by political parties, voluntary groups, and individuals who intend to contest in the elections.”

Prior to the date for LGE being set, GECOM had decided to adopt a report from the CEO confirming changes to constituency boundaries, moving the Commission closer to holding elections – although not without a fight from the Opposition-nominated Commissioners.

It was decided last year that 14 areas in which boundaries were modified by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government would be reverted in the lead-up to the LGE when they are held, to allow for better representation.

PSC Chairman Paul Cheong

GECOM CEO Vishnu Persaud

Report hearing on costs postponed in Ramps Logistics’ case against Govt

Owing to certain developments, the hearing on costs in the judicial review case Ramps Logistics (Guyana) filed against the Government over the company’s denial of a Local Content Certificate was postponed from Thursday and has now been set for April 12 at 11:45h.

The company, which has been successful in its legal battle and has since been local content certified, has withdrawn its application for damages, and will instead only pursue costs.

At a previous court hearing this month, one of Ramps Logistics’ lawyers, Ron Motilall had informed acting Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George, SC, that talks on

nior management positions, and at least 90 per cent in non-managerial and other positions.

In its application, the company had said that it is a “Guyanese company”, and had contended that the Natural Resources Minister’s decision to refuse its application was not only “unlawful, unreasonable and arbitrary”, but breached the Local Content Act.

“Guyanese company”

Finding that the company had indeed met the requirements for being a “Guyanese company”, the Chief Justice had ordered Pertab to certify the company by noon on November 14, failing which would have resulted in him

had argued that considering this goes towards the company’s conduct, especially since the allegations levelled against Ramps Logistics involved tax evasion.

He had submitted that not being local content-certified does not prevent the company from operating in the oil and gas sector, but rather just limits what it can and cannot do. The Chief Justice, however, in her ruling, had questioned the Local Content Secretariat’s rationale for refusing to grant the company the certificate.

“It’s just a charge; it hasn’t been proven,” she had

told Hawke while reminding him of the presumption of innocence principle in the Constitution of Guyana.

Justice George had reasoned that the company cannot be denied a Local Content Certificate on a basis that is not set out in the Local Content Act and given the above constitutional parameters. According to her, the Local Content law provides a simple regime for registration once a company satisfies the criteria.

After reviewing the relevant documents submitted by Ramps Logistics, the Chief Justice had ruled that

the company had satisfied all the requirements and preconditions required by the law — in this case, being a Guyanese company — for the issuance of the certificate.

“There is no evidence submitted by the respondents to counter the information provided by [Ramps Logistics], which I have concluded satisfies the requirements of the Local Content Act. Mr Pertab, from his Affidavit in Defence, refers to a Form C — a list of requirements that have no statutory basis. He also refers to charges by the Guyana Revenue Authority, which are irrelevant to the determination of an application under the Local Content Act,” Justice George had held.

As a “Guyanese company”, the Chief Justice had declared, Ramps Logistics is entitled to be issued with a certificate, and to be entered into the Local Content Register. She had found that Minister Bharrat had breached the Local Content

Act when he refused to certify the company. The Government had signalled its intention to appeal the Chief Justice’s decision.

Divested ownership

At a press conference, Shaun Rampersad, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ramps Logistics (Guyana), had related that the company divested 51 per cent ownership of its Guyana operations to Trinidad-based investor Deepak Lall, who has Guyanese parentage, to bring its operations in compliance with the Local Content Law.

Lall’s grandfather and father are both Guyana-born, but migrated in 1961, and the family now operates an oil and gas company in the Caribbean out of Trinidad.

Apart from Guyana, Ramps Logistics also has operations in Trinidad and Tobago; Houston, and Miami in the USA; Colombia; Mexico; and Suriname.

costs between the company and the Government have not been fruitful; and as such, the issue remains unsettled.

As such, he requested that costs be assessed in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules.

But with Solicitor General Nigel Hawke stating that the Government remains open to amicable settlements rather than litigation, the CJ had granted the parties more time, giving them until Thursday to report on the status of their negotiations.

Background

After a brief court battle with the Government, Ramps Logistics was issued its Local Content Certificate on Monday, November 14, 2022, in keeping with an order by Justice George.

The company, whose parent is Trinidadian, had initially applied for certification in April 2022, but that application was refused on June 8, 2022 after the Government had determined that it had failed to meet the requirements of the Local Content Act 2021.

The company had then reapplied, but had never received a response. Maintaining that it had met all the requirements of the Act, including being a local company incorporated under the Companies Act and beneficially owned by Guyanese nationals, Ramps Logistics filed judicial review proceedings against Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab (respondents).

The Act defines beneficial ownership as owning 51 per cent of the company. Also, a local company is expected to have Guyanese in at least 75 per cent of executive and se-

being held in contempt of court and fined.

Besides finding that Minister Bharrat had no authority under the Local Content Act to decide whether to grant or refuse certification, Justice George had found that Pertab had considered irrelevant matters in deciding to refuse the company’s application.

The irrelevant factors to which she had alluded included the criminal charges against Ramps Logistics for making false declarations to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which were instituted in October 2022, several months after the company had submitted its application, and a mere five days after the company had mounted its judicial review action in September of that year.

Particulars of the charges stated that between 2021 and 2022, at GRA’s Camp Street, Georgetown Headquarters, the company had made several false declarations for consideration of a customs officer on an application presented for tax exemption on items.

Representing the respondents, whom the Chief Justice held had fallen “woefully short” of countering the company’s application, was Solicitor General Hawke and other counsel from the Attorney General’s Chambers.

Hawke had conceded that Ramps Logistics had indeed satisfied the requirements for registration in the Local Content Register, but had said that consideration of the company’s resubmitted application was halted pending the hearing and determination of those criminal charges.

While the law does not stipulate that a criminal charge is a ground upon which a company can be refused certification, Hawke

Blairmont Estate surpasses weekly production target for 2nd consecutive week

The Blairmont Sugar Estate has leveraged the good weather conditions over the last seven days to surpass its weekly sugar production target by 12 per cent.

This was announced by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Saturday. This is the second continuous week that the estate has been able to surpass targets.

“This is the second time for the first crop this year that this estate has surpassed its weekly target. This good news will boost the income from the members of the sugar fraternity on the West Coast of Berbice as all the workers at that estate secured additional remuneration with the weekly performance incentive,” the estate shared.

Estate Manager

Threbhowan Shiwprasad said the achievement was possible due to the factory time efficiency of 95.5 per cent, against a budget of 93.0 per cent, and minimal downtime of 5.25 hours for the week.

Also contributing to this achievement is the cane quality, with Pol extraction of 92.4 per cent, versus 91.1 per cent budgeted, resulting in an improved Tonnes Cane to Tonnes Sugar (Tc/Ts) ratio of 11.53 per cent versus the

budgeted 13.04 per cent.

Qualified workers who worked 80 per cent or more days available for that week will benefit from another weekly production incentive scheme, which allows taxfree incentives when an estate achieves its weekly production target.

The first crop production target is 16,875 MT of sugar, and 50 per cent of that target was surpassed on Saturday.

“The Executive Management congratulates

the management and workers of Blairmont Estate and urges all grinding estates to strive towards achieving the weekly production incentive. The Executive Management also implores workers to remain focused and committed to consistently achieving their weekly targets, as every effort is being made to harness better weather during March 2023 compared to the same period in 2022,” the statement zeroed in.

GuySuCo was allocated $4 billion in the 2023 budget to begin construction of the Albion sugar packaging plant and to expand the capacity of the Blairmont packaging plant among other significant undertakings, which will increase the value-added capacity of the sugar company. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has invested

GPS promotes family reconciliation with Easter kite distribution

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has launched an initiative to promote family reconciliation by distributing kites to inmates for their children to enjoy this Easter. The kites have been handmade by inmates who have taken part in the carpentry and arts and craft programmes currently running in all prisons.

Welfare Officers at each location encouraged inmates to invite their relatives and children to receive the kites, as well as to spend some quality time bonding together.

The GPS said it hopes to remind families that despite the absence of their incarcerated loved ones, they can still play an active role in their children's lives, especially during holiday periods.

They added that the GPS

is committed to helping inmates become better partners, parents, and citizens upon their release.

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot believes that the kite distribution exercise, a longstanding Easter tradition, will help to foster family acceptance upon the inmates' eventual release.

Meanwhile, Officer in Charge of Prisoners’ Welfare and Corrections, Marielle Bristol-Grant hopes that this initiative will create positive memories for children to cherish with their parents despite the difficult circumstances.

This initiative represents a significant step forward for

the GPS in its efforts to promote family reconciliation and empower inmates to become better citizens.

This is not the first time the GPS has had such an exercise. In June last year, children of prisoners were given a rare opportunity to see their fathers through the GPS “Father’s Day Bonding Visits” initiative.

The children along with other family members were privileged to have a meal with their loved ones and shared some time with them, a privilege that the inmates were hoping to receive.

According to the Prison Service, Father’s Day produces a complicated mix of emotions for the fathers who are imprisoned and they wanted to give them, the prisoners, an opportunity to spend time with their families.

more than $10 billion in the plant and equipment, rehabilitated cane fields at all factory locations, and fostered

private-sector partnerships to increase land under cultivation in the sugar industry.

Autopsy confirms Russel St granny died from blunt trauma to head – grandson for court on Monday

An autopsy performed on the body of 88-year-old Patricia “Patsy” Bovell, who was found among a heap of garbage wrapped in a sheet, revealed that she died from blunt trauma to the head.

Days after the gruesome discovery, the grandson, Yannick Gilpin, confessed that he wrapped his grandmother’s body in a bedsheet and disposed of it in a pile of garbage across from her home. Gilpin claimed that the elderly woman’s death was an accident.

According to Gilpin’s confession, his grandmother often accused him of stealing her personal things, and despite making complaints to other relatives, they told him to leave her alone due to her age. On the morning of Sunday, March 19, at around 04:00h, Gilpin heard a sound emanating from the upper flat of their shared Russel Street, Georgetown home.

As he went to enquire, he heard his grandmother screaming “Murder!” and “Thief!”. However, after checking around, he did not see or hear anything unusual.

Gilpin explained that his left foot accidentally struck his grandmother in the head as he was leaving the upper flat, causing her to fall onto a rug on the floor and sustain injuries. He pan-

icked, wrapped her body in a sheet, took it down the stairway, and placed it on an old fridge. Later that evening, he dumped her body next door.

After Gilpin’s arrest, Police officials confirmed that they received legal advice on Friday to charge him with murder. They also believe that Gilpin is responsible for striking Bovell’s head. Her decomposed body was discovered by her niece on March 22, several days after Gilpin claimed he had taken her to the hospital. Hospital records revealed that Bovell had never been there. Bovell lived alone in the upper flat of her home, which she shared with Gilpin. She has one daughter who resides overseas. Gilpin is expected to make his court appearance on Monday.

Dead: Patricia “Patsy” Bovell

The inmates making their kites

Parika man busted with “poppy” in haversack

Athirty-year-old resident of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was on Saturday busted with a quantity of imported ganja during an operation at Zeeburg Public Road, EBE.

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) stated that on the day in question, Andy Jainandan, who was carrying a haversack along the Zeeburg Public Road, was stopped.

A search was subsequently carried out on the haversack during which five bricklike parcels suspected to be cannabis were found. As such, Jainandan was cautioned and

Arrested: Andy Jainandan

taken to CANU Headquarters where the suspected cannabis was tested and positively identified as imported cannabis known as “poppy”.

Essequibo trio slapped with DUI charges

The narcotics found in the haversack

The narcotics were weighed and amounted to 12 lbs, with a street value of approximately $1.8 million.

Hotel Rwanda hero Paul Rusesabagina freed from prison

Paul Rusesabagina, who was portrayed as a hero in the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda and was serving a 25-year sentence in the country on “terrorism” charges, has been freed from prison after having his sentence commuted by presidential order.

Rusesabagina, 68, was accompanied by a United States embassy official as he was moved from prison to the residence of Qatar’s ambassador in the Rwandan capital Kigali late on Friday, according to two senior officials of US President Joe Biden’s Administration who briefed reporters in Washington, DC.

The decision to commute

Rusesabagina’s sentence followed his request for clemency, Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told Al Jazeera on Friday.

But “no one should be under any illusion about what this means as there is consensus that serious crimes were committed, for which they were convicted,” Makolo said. Under Rwandan law, commutation “does not extinguish the underlying conviction”, she said.

Rusesabagina, an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame, is expected to be transferred to Qatar’s capital Doha and then to the US, Majid Al-Ansari, spokesperson of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

told Al Jazeera on Friday. Rusesabagina has permanent residency rights in the US.

Rusesabagina was sentenced in 2021 to a 25-year prison term for being part of a group responsible for “terrorist” attacks – charges he denied. He refused to participate in his trial, which he and his supporters called a “sham”.

He had suddenly reappeared in Rwanda in August 2020 after years of living in exile. Rusesabagina had boarded a plane in Dubai, believing it was taking him to Burundi but the flight brought him to Kigali instead. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Three men from the Essequibo Coast faced charges of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) this week, with two pleading guilty and receiving fines while the third pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

Allan Baharally, a 46-year-old resident of Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Baharally was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on February 21, 2023, on the New Road Public Road, Essequibo

Coast. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $30,000. The case was adjourned until April 24, 2023.

Govindra Gobin, of West Columbia Public Road, Essequibo Coast, was charged with the offence of driving under the influence of alcohol on March 17, 2023, on the Reliance Public Road. He too appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam and pleaded guilty. He was fined $60,000 or one week’s imprisonment.

In addition, Fazal Andrews, a resident of Lima Public Road, Essequibo Coast, was arrested while driving under the influence

of alcohol on February 19 along the Richmond Public Road, Essequibo Coast. He also appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam and pleaded guilty and was fined $50,000. Andrews was also disqualified from driving for twenty-four (24) months.

The Police are reminding the public to never drink and drive, as it endangers both the driver and other road users. They encourage individuals to make responsible choices when consuming alcohol and to always have a designated driver or utilise public transportation to ensure the safety of all.

Allan Baharally Fazal Andrews Govindra Gobin

Brazil's Lula cancels trip to China due to pneumonia

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has cancelled a high-profile trip to China due to medical reasons, and the March 27-31 visit will be rescheduled for a later date, his press secretary said on Saturday.

The press secretary released a medical note stating that after a clinical evaluation, the 77-year-old Lula was diagnosed with bacterial and viral bronchopneumonia caused by influenza A, and treatment has been initiated.

"Despite clinical improvement, the medical service of the Presidency of the Republic recommends postponing the trip to China until the viral transmission cycle ends," the note said.

The Brazilian Government has informed the Chinese authorities of the postponement and its intention to reschedule the visit.

The trip, which was to include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, was viewed as a

significant effort by the new leftist President to enhance relations with Brazil's largest trading partner.

Lula took office in January. He was initially scheduled to travel on Saturday, but had already postponed his departure to today after being diagnosed with mild pneumonia.

He was going to travel with a large delegation including a half-dozen Cabinet Ministers, plus governors, lawmakers and 240 busi-

Inflation, migration in focus at regional Ibero-American summit

Leaders attending the Ibero-American Summit meeting in the Dominican Republic on Saturday highlighted rising inflation and migration as risks to the stability of the region.

Presidents and representatives from 22 countries have gathered in Santo Domingo for the weekend summit, which provides a forum for leaders from across Latin America as well as Spain and Portugal.

drastically change it," said Argentina President Alberto Fernandez.

Leaders also called for regional collaboration on migration amid thousands of people fleeing Latin American countries for the US border due to economic hardships, rising violence and other challenges.

"Today migration management constitutes one of the great regional challenges," said Chilean President Gabriel Boric. "There is no infallible recipe and any solution requires working to-

gether with countries of origin, transit and destination."

Colombian President Gustavo Petro told journalists he was considering going to Haiti to assess the most "constructive" role for Colombia there. The Caribbean state faces a humanitarian crisis driven by gangs that rights groups say now control most of the country.

The United Nations has urged countries to "urgently consider" deploying a specialized force. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ness leaders. More than a third of the business leaders were from Brazil's farm sector, which sends the lion's share of its beef, soybeans and wood pulp to China.

With the cancellation, attention now turns to the presentation of an eagerly awaited fiscal framework in Brazil, which was initially promised by Finance Minister Fernando Haddad for March, but was postponed by Lula until after the China trip. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The meeting comes as the Region is grappling with stubbornly high inflation and global concerns over the financial sector after the failure of US regional banks Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank this month.

"At this point in time, with so much (of the financial sector) concentrated, with so much speculative play, we should already understand that the current financial system does not have to be helped anymore. We must

Mexico's top court freezes electoral reform ahead of lawsuit

Mexico's Supreme Court temporarily suspended on Friday parts of a controversial electoral reform pushed by the country's President, while also confirming it will consider a lawsuit from independent electoral institute INE that seeks to overturn it.

The congressional electoral reform passed by allies of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador last month was a scaled-down version of a failed constitutional reform he originally

sought, but it still managed to slash the institute's budget and headcount ahead of presidential elections next year.

The court stressed in a statement that it has frozen the articles of the reform challenged by INE. "The case before us involves the possible violation of citizen's political-electoral rights," according to the court statement, which noted the lawsuit also involves constitutional questions that must be settled.

Late last month,

Mexico's Senate gave its final approval to the electoral reform known locally as "Plan B," which critics warn will undermine democracy since it significantly downsizes the INE while giving more power to local officials, many of whom are members of Lopez Obrador's MORENA party.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets days after lawmakers approved the reform, in one of the largest protests so far against Lopez Obrador's four-year-old administra-

US citizens kidnapped in Haiti, US State Department working with local authorities

The State Department in the United States said that it has been notified of the kidnapping of two US citizens who were on a trip to visit family here.

It’s reported that Abigail Toussaint and Jean-Dickens Toussaint, both 33, from the state of Florida, were taken near the capital Port-auPrince and have been held for days.

The couple was reportedly kidnapped during a bus ride.

“We are aware of reports of two US citizens missing in Haiti,” said a spokesperson from the State Department.

“When a US citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as

Venezuela arrests 21 in corruption crackdown, 11 more wanted

An expanding anti-corruption probe in Venezuela has led to the detention of 10 officials and 11 businessmen, the country's Attorney General said on Saturday, adding that arrest warrants for 11 more people have been issued.

currency for official transactions was assigned oil cargoes for sale with no administrative control, Saab said. Many of the buyers did not pay for the oil correspondingly, he added.

they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can.”

In the aftermath of the 2021 assassination of

President Jovenel Moise, gangs have grown in strength, with large portions of the capital and other areas considered lawless territory. (Trinidad Guardian)

tion.

In his two past unsuccessful runs for the presidency, in 2006 and 2012, Lopez Obrador bitterly clashed with electoral authorities, and in both cases claimed he was the actual winner.

The leftist leader who has also pushed budget austerity policies during his time in office has argued that the electoral reform will save US$150 million a year while reducing the influence of economic interests in politics. (Reuters)

The investigation, which began in October, is focused on state oil company PDVSA, a Government entity supervising crypto currency operations, and the Judiciary. This week, it led to the resignation of the country's powerful Oil Minister, Tareck El Aissami, who had served the Government for two decades.

"We are talking about one of the most lurid plots in recent years, which involves officials, businessmen who benefited from corruption and young people - including the so-called mafia women - who participated in corruption and money laundering," Attorney General Tarek Saab told journalists in a press conference.

A Venezuelan entity supervising the use of crypto

PDVSA has accumulated US$21.2 billion in commercial accounts receivable since 2020 including US$3.6 billion potentially unrecoverable, documents viewed by Reuters showed this week, after turning to dozens of little known intermediaries to export its oil under US sanctions.

The 21 people arrested face accusations of appropriation of public assets, money laundering, influence peddling and criminal association. Officials involved could also face charges of treason, the Attorney General said.

In the last five years, Saab's office has investigated 31 cases linked to corruption in Venezuela's oil industry, which provides most of the OPEC country's hard-currency revenue, leading to almost 200 people prosecuted. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US warns China's promises often empty, as Honduras wavers on Taiwan

China often makes promises in exchange for recognition that remain unfulfilled, the de facto US embassy in Taipei said on Saturday as Honduras moves ahead with ending its long-standing ties with Taiwan in favour of China.

The Honduran Foreign Minister travelled to China this week to open relations after President Xiomara Castro said her Government would move to forge ties with Beijing, Honduras being one of only 14 countries to formally recognise Taiwan.

At stake is China's growing footprint in Central America, once a steadfast base for Taiwan and where

the United States is worried about Beijing's expanding influence in its backyard.

China views Taiwan as one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state ties, a view the democratically-elected Government in Taipei strongly disputes.

The American Institute in Taiwan said that while Honduras' possible severing of ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing was a sovereign decision, China does not always follow through on its promises.

"It is important to note the PRC often makes promises in exchange for diplomatic recognition that ultimately remain unfulfilled," a spokesperson said, referring to the People's Republic

of China.

"Regardless of Honduras' decision, the United States will continue to deepen and expand our engagement with Taiwan in line with our longstanding one China policy," the spokesperson added.

Taiwan is a reliable, likeminded, and democratic partner, and its partnerships globally provide "significant and sustainable benefits to the citizens of those countries".

"We strongly encourage all countries to expand engagement with Taiwan and to continue to stand on the side of democracy, good governance, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law." (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attending a ceremony at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil March 21, 2023

Abigail Toussaint and Jean-Dickens Toussaint

Around the World OIL NEWS

Putin announces deal to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus

Oil rig count inches higher as WTI holds below US$70

The total number of total active drilling rigs in the United States rose by 4 this week, according to new data from Baker Hughes published on Friday.

The total rig count rose to 758 this week—88 rigs higher than the rig count this time in 2022 and 317 rigs lower than the rig count at the beginning of 2019, prior to the pandemic.

Oil rigs in the United States increased by 4 this week, to 593. Gas rigs stayed the same at 162. Miscellaneous rigs also stayed the same.

The rig count in the Permian Basin rose by 3, on top of last week’s 7-rig increase. Rigs in the Eagle Ford stayed the same.

Primary Vision’s Frac Spread Count, an estimate of the number of crews completing unfinished wells—a more frugal use of finances than drilling new wells—rose dramatically in the week ending March 17, by 14 crews to 290. This is 18 more than a month ago, and 24 more than a year ago.

Crude oil production in the United States rose by 100,000 bpd in the week ending March 17, to 12.3 million bpd, according to the latest weekly EIA estimates. US production levels are up 700,000 bpd versus a year ago.

At 12:47 pm ET, the WTI benchmark was trading down US$1.28 (-1.83%) on the day at US$68.68, but up more than US$2 per barrel from this time last week as market panic regarding a possible bank collapse contagion eased from the height of the panic.

The Brent benchmark was trading down US$1.46 (-1.92%) at US$74.45 per barrel on the day, but up more than US$2 per barrel from this time last Friday.

WTI was trading at US$69.13 minutes after the data release, down 1.19% on the day. (Oilprice.com)

France bans ‘recreational’ use of TikTok, Twitter, Instagram

France has banned the “recreational” use of TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and other apps on Government employees’ phones because of concerns about insufficient data security measures.

The ban is to come into force immediately, the Ministry of Public Sector Transformation and the Civil Service wrote on Twitter on Friday.

“In order to guarantee the cybersecurity of our administrations and civil servants, the Government has decided to ban recreational applications such as TikTok on the professional phones of civil servants,” Stanislas Guerini said on Friday.

He added that for several weeks, several of France’s European and international partners have adopted measures to restrict or ban the downloading and installation of or the use of the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok by their Administrations.

Guerini said recreational applications do not have sufficient levels of cybersecurity and data protection in order to be deployed on Administrations’ equip-

Russia has struck a deal with neighbouring Belarus to station tactical nuclear weapons on its territory, President Vladimir Putin said.

Putin made the announcement on Saturday as tensions grow with the West over the Ukraine war and as some Russian commentators speculate about possible nuclear strikes.

The deal with Belarus would not violate nuclear non-proliferation agreements, Putin said, adding that the United States had stationed nuclear weapons in the territory of its European allies for decades.

“We agreed that we will do the same – without violating our obligations, I emphasise, without violating our international obligations on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons,” Putin said.

Putin told state tele-

vision that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had long raised the issue of stationing tactical nuclear weapons in his country, which borders NATO member Poland.

Russia will have com-

pleted the construction of a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus by July 1, Putin said, adding that Russia would not actually be transferring control of the arms to Minsk.

He also said he would

deploy depleted uranium ammunition if Kyiv receives such munitions from the West. His comment followed a British announcement that it would supply Ukraine with these anti-tank shells.

Russia has already stationed 10 aircraft in Belarus capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons and has transferred a number of Iskander tactical missile systems, which can be used to launch nuclear weapons, Putin said.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) has warned that nuclear threats were creating a dangerous sense of uncertainty around their possible use.

The longer Russia’s operation in Ukraine grinds on, the greater the nuclear strike risk, ICAN warned last month. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Mississippi tornado and storms kill at least 23

At least 23 people were killed and dozens injured after thunderstorms spawning high straight-line winds and tornadoes ripped across Mississippi late on Friday, leaving hundreds without shelter, state officials said on Saturday.

ment, adding that exemptions can be given for professional reasons, such as institutional communication of an administration.

A string of governments and institutions have banned TikTok in recent weeks, including the White House, the UK Parliament, the Dutch and Belgian Administrations, the New Zealand Parliament, and the Governments of Canada, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Jordan.

Concerns regarding alleged security risks posed by TikTok have most prominently been raised by US lawmakers and national security officials who say that user data gathered by the app could be accessed by the Chinese Government.

Calls to ban TikTok from government devices gained momentum after FBI Director Christopher Wray said in November it poses national security risks.

Late last month, the European Union’s two biggest policy-making institutions – the Commission and the Council – banned TikTok from staff phones for cybersecurity reasons.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Four people were missing following the storms, which left a trail of damage for more than 100 miles (161 km). The tornadoes struck Silver City, a town of 200 people in western Mississippi, as well as Rolling Fork, with a population of 1700, which was hardest hit. Parts of the state remain under tornado warning.

"At least twenty-three Mississippians were killed by last night's violent tornadoes," Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves wrote on Twitter. "We know that many more are injured. Search and rescue teams

are still active. The loss will be felt in these towns forever."

Reeves declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, which he said would remain in effect "until such time as this threat to public

safety shall cease to exist."

Reeves, who visited Silver City, said a request for a major disaster declaration had been submitted, adding that "the scale of the damage and loss is evident everywhere affected today."

President Joe Biden described the images from Mississippi as "heart-breaking," and said in a statement that he had spoken with Reeves and offered his condolences and full federal support for the recovery.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) director Deanne Criswell told CNN that she would be travelling to Mississippi today. Criswell pledged to process quickly the request to declare the tornado areas a major disaster to enable full federal support now and over the long term.

FEMA was already on the ground, she said, adding that the American Red Cross was setting up shelters.

Search and rescue teams combed through the destruction looking for survivors in Silver City and Rolling Fork.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Halt Israel legal reform, urges Defence Minister

Israeli Defence Minister

Yoav Gallant has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt controversial plans for an overhaul of the justice system.

His intervention came as Israelis opposed to the changes held mass rallies across the country for the twelfth week in a row.

Gallant added his voice to warnings the crisis is causing social upheaval and could harm Israel's security.

So far, however, Netanyahu has defied calls to scrap the shake-up.

In a brief televised statement, Gallant described the reform plan as a "clear, immediate and tangible danger to the security of the State".

He said members of the

Israeli Defence Forces were angry and disappointed, with an intensity he had never encountered before.

The law is part of the right-wing Government's contentious plan to limit the powers of the Judiciary, which has led to months of protests.

It includes enabling Parliament to overrule decisions made by the Supreme Court - a move that critics say will undermine the independence of the Judiciary and could be used for political ends.

But Netanyahu says the reforms are designed to

stop the courts overreaching their powers and that they were voted for by the public at the last election.

Gallant's remarks were welcomed by Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who praised the Minister's "brave step".

But far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to sack the Defence Minister, saying he had caved in to Opposition pressure.

Separately, a new Incapacitation Law, which passed by 61 votes to 47 in the 120-seat Knesset on Thursday following a heated all-night debate, prevents a Prime Minister from being declared unfit to hold office by the Attorney General.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he struck a deal with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in the neighbouring country [Vladimir Astapkovich/Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters]

A general view shows damaged cars and structures while emergency crews work at the scene, following a tornado in Silver City, Mississippi, US March 24, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media

Netanyahu is standing trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three cases. He denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt”

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

CANCER

(June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Things will start piling up if you aren’t savvy. Be ready to make a move, change direction or start anew at the snap of a finger. Know your worth, set high standards and finish what you start.

Get everything in place before you start something new. How you deal with situations will affect what others offer you in return. Channel your energy into doing something good for someone.

Your emotions will drive you to success. Feeling compassion for the underdog will give you a valuable perspective. Combine insight with experience, and your advice will be right on the money.

Say little and do a lot. Opportunities will come to you if you spend time helping people. Putting others at ease and protecting those in need will lead to new beginnings.

Don’t move until you have everything in place. Make your own opportunities instead of expecting others to make them for you. Use your intelligence, agility and speed to achieve your dreams.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Keep your feelings to yourself and concentrate on self-improvement and personal growth. What you experience will help shape what’s to come. Change begins with you; success will follow.

Slow down, look around you and enjoy the simpler side of life. A respite will help you recognize what you want to do next. Don’t let anger consume you when kindness is what counts.

Reach out to friends and family and let the experience enrich you. A look at the possibilities and how to bring about positive change at home and in relationships will improve your life.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22Jan. 19)

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Say no to anyone trying to take advantage of you. Stick close to home and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Think outside the box, and you’ll come up with stellar solutions.

Put your heart on the line and confide in a loved one. Asking for help will make life easier. Listen to suggestions without overreacting or taking on more than you can handle.

Put your house in order. Don’t hesitate to put items you no longer use up for sale or pass them along to someone in need. Relief will set in as you declutter your life from top to bottom.

Don’t get depressed when you should get moving. Host an event, do something exhilarating or sort out differences with a loved one. Find a way to make a difference.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Pickles

“NO INTERFERENCE”

-say Ramson & Munroe concerning GOA’s new executives

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has finally seen a changing of the guard after close to three decades, when, on Tuesday last, Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) President Godfrey Munroe was elected President of that body.

The GOA Executive Committee comprises Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle, Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) President Cristy Campbell, and Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) President Phillip Fernandes, who all hold places on the National Sports Commission (NSC).

While this may be seen as a point for contention, Munroe has shot down any such eventuality by highlighting that bigger Olympic Associations around the globe have collaborative ties

with Government.

“I think that’s a myth of somebody’s imagination. But it emphasizes the point that, ultimately, as Minister said, the persons who might be spewing that might not understand what alignment means; and if you want to achieve results, we won’t focus on that,” the newly elected GOA President said bluntly during a courtesy call on the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport on Tuesday last.

“At that committee level, we want to focus on the positive engagements and move forward in a structured manner. So, I would dismiss that,” Munroe has said.

Munroe detailed his position by stating, “The stronger associations, in terms of the Olympic committees that had great success, are the ones that have great partnerships with their

Government. Because, as Minister alluded, you need alignment; resources are key, and how it’s used to benefit the athletes (is) very critical in terms of the strategies that we adopt. And col-

laboration is key to achieving those goals.”

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. shared similar sentiments in pointing out that all those administrators held their presidential offic-

PPP Soesdyke-Timehri-Highway cluster’s 7-a-side football…

es before he was appointed a Minister of Government.

“All of these folks here are leaders of their respective organizations. They were there and leading their respective organizations, some folks even before I got into Government. In fact, every single person here, everyone, was there before I got into Government,” Ramson reasoned.

The Sport Minister further alluded, “A lot of times, when people are looking for something to cling on - where, especially in a competitive situation, they have to clamour for votes and look for votes and know how they’re going to get support - they have to find an argument sometimes, if they’re going to persuade people.”

The Sport Minister went on to share that collaboration between the two enti-

ties is in the interest of what is best for Guyana’s athletes.

“The contention that had been raised in relation to whether any sport federation/ association should have a strong relationship with Government is that it should not be so… They haven’t understood that there is only one objective in this situation. There is only one objective; the objective is: we want our athletes on podiums representing Guyana in the best possible way,” Ramson jr. posited.

The Minister questioned, “How is that distinct in our objectives from Government versus any of the Associations?”

The GOA Executive had their first meeting with Sport Minister Ramson on Wednesday last, following Tuesday evening’s election at Olympic House, Liliendaal. (Jemima Holmes)

Champions to be crowned today

Abraham

walk away with $100,000, while the losing finalist will pocket $50,000. Trophies will also be rewarded to the

top two as well as the highest goal scorer, best goalkeeper, and most valuable player.

Following intense rivalry in yesterday’s opening matches of the PPP Soesdyke-TimehriHighway cluster’s 7-a-side football competition, played at the Banakari Ground in Long Creek, along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, eight villages have made it through to the quarter-final rounds.

Hauraruni will open action against Soesdyke at 10:00h on Sunday (today) as they bid for one of the four semifinal slots. Yarrowkabra will then engage Waiakabra in a clash that would be followed by the Bamia-Kuru Kuru College tussle. Then Swan would do battle with Circuitville.

Respective winners would advance to the semi-

finals, after which the final would be contested between the winners of the two semis.

Yesterday’s intense action saw two matches having to be decided in extra time, with one decided via kicks from the penalty mark. That match saw Bamia eventually overcoming Circuitville 2-0, the Bamia goalkeeper being the hero in saving all four shots that Circuitville took.

An own goal cost Hauraruni the match against Waiakabra in the second period of extra time. However, Hauraruni was still able to make it through to the quarter-finals as one of the two best losing teams in the opening round. The other team advancing via that route was Circuitville.

In other results,

Soesdyke defeated Laluni 2-0, compliments of goals from Mark Barker and Tyrone Khan. Kuru Kuru College won via a similar margin over Banakari, Encosi Morris and his brother Nickoli having crafted that win. The widest margin of victory: 4-1, was recorded by Yarrowkabra over St Cuthbert’s on account of a double off the boot of Terrance Glasgow. Shemar Schultz and Christopher Fung each notched in one to complete the win. St Cuthbert’s consolation goal came from Wayne Wong.

The opening match of the day produced a 2-1 win for Swan-Madewini over Kuru Kururu. The winning goals were scored by Anderson Webber and

GOA President meeting Sport Minister Charles Ramson jr

Webb, the lone response from the losers came from Anthony Roberts. The winning team will

The heavily-touted Soesdyke team will compete in today’s quarterfinal

WI vs SA: T20I Series, Game 1 of 3…

Powell and King's frenzy takes West Indies over the finish line

In his first match as fulltime West Indies T20I captain, Rovman Powell led his team to victory in a short but tense affair in Centurion. After persistent rain delayed the start of the game by two hours, and then reduced it to 11 overs-a- side, West Indies opted to put South Africa in, and were mostly sharp in the field, but still found themselves chasing a steep target of 132.

Brandon King's eight-ball 23 gave them a good start, and Johnson Charles's 14ball 28 built on that start, but it was Powell who ensured West Indies got over the line. They needed 46 runs off 24 balls when Powell took 23 runs off Bjorn Fortuin's second over to bring the required run-rate down to seven an over for the last three overs. He held his nerve when Sisanda Magala took two wickets in two balls at the other end to leave West Indies needing nine off the last over. Fittingly, Powell hit the winning runs with three balls to spare.

West Indies have now won four out of seven T20Is against South Africa in their own backyard, and have a

1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Hosein strikes upfront; Rossouw and Hendricks hit back

When the match got under way, players on both sides seemed keen to get things going as quickly as possible. Quinton de Kock tried to heave the first ball he faced, from Akeal Hosein, over fine leg, but misread the length and top-edged.

Sheldon Cottrell was stationed there, and took a simple catch.

The early dismissal of de Kock didn't keep South Africa down for too long.

delivered on his reputation when he started the ninth over by smashing Romario Shepherd over deep square leg. Miller went on to smoke him through the covers before handing over to Sisanda Magala to face the first ball of the 10th over. Magala swivel-pulled Cottrell for four to start, and then took back-to-back sixes off the last two balls, both slower balls. Miller took back the mantle and scored 14 runs off the next three balls he faced, before he was caught on the deep midwicket boundary

arm seamer was not about to let his opening over end without a wicket. He held his pace back and had Mayers edging a delivery he tried to hit over point in the air. De Kock took the catch.

West Indies finished the first over on 17 for 1, and with King still at the crease. He went on to hit 12 runs off Wayne Parnell's first over, which cost 17 in total, but was bowled by a Magala full toss when he made too much room to paddle it away. West Indies finished their Powerplay on 46 for 2.

Nortje gets Pooran twice, and then catches Charles twice Anrich Nortje, who recovered from a groin niggle that kept him out of the second Test and the ODIs, was introduced in the fourth over, and made an immediate impression. His first ball was full and wide, and Pooran crashed it to Magala at extra cover.

Magala missed the ODI series after splitting the webbing on his right hand, which he got to the ball, but then could not hold on to it.

An annoyed Nortje picked up the pace for his next one, and Pooran nicked off. For the next over, Nortje went to long-on and was in place when Charles hit a full Tabriz Shamsi ball his way. Nortje took the catch but then realised he was going to step on the boundary cushion, so he parried the ball back into the field, regained his balance and stepped back in to take the catch.

A lengthy replay showed Nortje had done everything right, and Charles was out for 28.

Powell power

Rilee Rossouw gave himself three balls to get his eye in, and then reverse slapped Hosein past backward point for the first boundary of the innings. He followed up with a shuffle down the pitch for a loft over mid-on, but his aggression didn't last long. Rossouw was out in the next over when he tried to hit Cottrell over mid-off and only got as far as Powell.

That left it to Reeza Hendricks to take advantage of a three-over Powerplay. He sent the penultimate delivery over deep square leg for six, and then swept the final one for six more, to take the score to 30 for 2.

Middle overs meltdown

Boundary hitting was foremost in South Africa's mind, even as the ball seemed to stick in the pitch a touch, and it backfired on them. Aiden Markram tried to clear deep midwicket off Alzarri Joseph, was too early on the stroke, and skied it to Charles, who took a good catch.

In the next over, Hendricks was premature on the pull, and feathered an edge to Nicholas Pooran behind the stumps. And the over after that, Heinrich Klaasen threw his bat at a wide Cottrell delivery and sent it to Charles at backward point.

South Africa lost 3 wickets for 21 runs, and boundaries dried up. They did not find the rope once between the fifth and eighth overs.

David Miller's finishing ability is well known, and he

with two balls left in the innings. South Africa scored 60 runs off the last three overs.

King gets cracking; Fortuin strikes back King got West Indies' chase underway in the best possible way when he hit Fortuin through extra cover for four, and over deep midwicket for six. Kyle Mayers then slogged to send Fortuin over long-on - and hit a woman in the crowd unintentionally, but South Africa's left-

After showing his intent against spin when he hit a Shamsi googly for six, Powell got stuck into Fortuin, and put West Indies in the driving seat. He sent the first ball of the left-armer's second over past long-off for six, then cleared the front leg to hit him down the ground for four, and ended the over with successive sixes. Powell scored 10 runs off seven balls before the over, and 33 off 12 after that over, and put West Indies in a position from which they should not lose, and they didn't. (ESPN Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa (11 ovs maximum)

Quinton de Kock †c

Cottrell b Hosein 0

Reeza Hendricks c †Pooran

b Smith 21

Rilee Rossouw c Powell

b Cottrell 10

Aiden Markram (c) c

Charles b Joseph 14

David Miller c Shepherd

b Smith 48

Heinrich Klaasen c

Charles b Cottrell 1

Wayne Parnell c †Pooran

b Shepherd 4

Sisanda Magala not out 18

Bjorn Fortuin run out (†Pooran) 4

Anrich Nortje not out 0

Extras (lb 4, nb 1, w 6) 11

TOTAL 11 Ov (RR: 11.90) 131/8

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Quinton de Kock, 0.1 ov), 2-12 (Rilee

Rossouw, 1.4 ov), 3-40 (Aiden

Markram, 3.5 ov), 4-55 (Reeza

Hendricks, 5.3 ov), 5-61

(Heinrich Klaasen, 6.3 ov), 6-79 (Wayne Parnell, 8.3 ov), 7-126 (David Miller, 10.4 ov), 8-131

(Bjorn Fortuin, 10.5 ov) •

DRS

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Akeal Hosein 2-0-28-1

Sheldon Cottrell 3-0-31-2

Alzarri Joseph 2-0-21-1

Romario Shepherd 2-0-20-1

Odean Smith 2-0-27-2

West Indies (T: 132 runs from 11 ovs)

Brandon King b Magala 23

Kyle Mayers c †de

Kock b Fortuin 6

Johnson Charles c Nortje

b Shamsi 28

Nicholas Pooran † c

†de Kock b Nortje 16

Rovman Powell (c) not out 43

Romario Shepherd run out (Parnell) 3

Odean Smith b Magala 5

Akeal Hosein c †de Kock b Magala 0

Roston Chase not out 4

Extras (w 4) 4

TOTAL 10.3 Ov (RR: 12.57) 132/7

Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Kyle Mayers, 0.5 ov), 2-34 (Brandon King, 2.1 ov), 3-66 (Nicholas Pooran, 4.2 ov), 4-76 (Johnson Charles, 5.4 ov), 5-112 (Romario Shepherd, 8.1 ov), 6-120 (Odean Smith, 9.3 ov), 7-120 (Akeal Hosein, 9.4 ov)

Fortuin

West Indies celebrating a wicket

Rovman Powell launching

David Miller batted well for South Africa

Brandon King on the charge

West Indies 4-Day Championship 2023…

Guyana records massive win

-after Jamaica lose nine wickets for 53 runs

By Brandon Corlette at ProvidenCe

Guyana Harpy Eagles, under the leadership of Captain Courageous, Leon Johnson, are inching towards their sixth West Indies Four-Day Championship title.

With one round remaining this season, Guyana recorded a massive 228-run win against Jamaica Scorpions at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. A collective bowling effort which was led by Kevin Sinclair’s 4-37 saw Jamaica losing nine wickets for 53 runs in the final morning of the match.

Jamaica Scorpions resumed the final day on 1761, requiring another 282 runs to win. Tevin Gilzene was overnight on 81 and Jermaine Blackwood was on 66. However, the Guyanese bowlers came out with purpose, and were breathing fire. Gilzene was trapped by the probing

Sinclair for 85, at 182-2.

That 172-run partnership was broken, and the floodgates were thrown wide open. The next over, Beaton found the edge of Paul Palmer and Tevin Imlach took an excellent catch at 183-3.

Abhijai Mansingh joined Blackwood, and the duo added 24 runs for the fourth wicket. Sinclair got one

CONCACAF Nations League…

to straighten and a sharp Kemol Savory took a top catch at bat-pad to remove the brilliant Blackwood for 80. The West Indies vice-captain and Jamaica skipper faced 161 balls and slammed 12 fours in his 80.

Beaton continued to bowl with venom from the northern end, and was rewarded twice in the 56th over. Kevlon Anderson took two

duced to 229-9 in 65.3 overs.

In the next over, Sinclair wrapped things up minutes before lunch when he found the outside edge of Bonner for five. He was taken at first slip by Anderson when Jamaica ended on 229 all out in 66.2 overs. Sinclair ended on 4-37 in 18.2 overs, while Beaton had three wickets and Permaul claimed two wickets. The Guyanese will be playing against Leeward Islands in the fifth and final round from Wednesday March 29 at Providence.

SCOREBOARD

sharp catches at second slip and Jamaica found themselves reeling at 208-6. Axed Test player Nkrumah Bonner was dropped to number eight in the batting line-up after he suffered an injury. He watched Veerasammy Permaul take two wickets in his first over of the final day. The Jamaican tailenders did not “wag”, as they were re-

Garrett, Gordon keep Golden Jaguars buoyed

By Jemima Holmes

Guyana’s senior men’s national team the Golden Jaguars did just what the doctor ordered to keep their CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 hopes alive, pulling off an exhilarating 2-0 victory over Bermuda in Bermuda in their CONCACAF Nations League 2022- 2023 encounter.

Playing at the Dame Flora Duffy Sports Complex in Devonshire, Bermuda, Guyana’s Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz handed the captain’s armband to Emery Welshman, while Kai McKenzie-Lyle (goalkeeper), Leo Lovell, Jonathan Grant, Jalen Jones, Bayli Spencer-Adams, Liam Gordon, Jeremy Garrett, Elliot Bonds, Nathan Moriah-Welsh and Omari Glasgow comprised the remainder of the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Dale Eve (goalkeeper), Daren Usher, Dante Leverock, Roger Lee, Oliver Harvey, Daniel Cook, Harry Twite, Jai Bean, Ahria Simmons, Zeiko Lewis and Captain Nahki Wells made up the home team’s starting line-up.

Though the first half expired with a stalemate, there was entertainment galore, as both keepers, McKenzie-Lyle and Eve, were made to work over time.

Also working overtime was Guyana’s new Captain, Welshman, who had a handful of shots, either going just outside the sticks or being scooped up by the keeper in the nick of time.

Bermuda also had their fair share of chances, but Guyana’s defense was impenetrable.

In the second half, it took the Golden Jaguars only 7 minutes to find the goal they were so feverishly hunting.

A pass from Jonathan Grant found Captain Welshman with three defenders on his tail and losing his footing. However, Welshman was able to redirect the ball near the corner of the posts with a tap of the head in a move that turned out to be an assist for Guyana’s first strike.

Charging forward, Liam Gordon met the ball just outside the goalposts and tapped it in for the first goal, in the 52nd minute.

Jeremy Garrett, who had been completely abashed with himself when his header in the first half hit the crossbar and deflected, finally got his reward 6 minutes later. The play again involved Welshman and Grant, both of whom had a wonderful outing in Bermuda. Welshman’s misdirected set piece from the corner met Grant just outside the parameters of the 18-yard box on the right wing, and Grant sliced the ball back into the area, where it met Garrett perfectly positioned between the sticks. A textbook kick

from that defender again sent the Golden Jaguars into celebration, as the lead

was extended. With the 2-0 victory, Guyana have at least ce-

mented their spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2023 preliminary stage, with

Bermuda being eliminated from the prelims. The Gold Cup is set for play between June 16th and July 16th, 2023.

The Golden Jaguars’ next international assignment will be against Montserrat on Tuesday, June 28, 2023.

Kevin Sinclair picked up four wickets in the second innings Ronsford Beaton bowled with serious pace

The Golden Jaguars outfit, along with GFF President Wayne Forde, were in high spirits following their victory

CONCACAF Nations League…

keep Golden Jaguars buoyed

Cheddi Jagan Memorial cycle road race pedals off today in Berbice

The 23rd edition of the annual Dr. Cheddi Jagan Memorial 55-mile cycle road race is scheduled for today, Sunday March 26, 2023, in Berbice.

It commences at 08:00hrs from outside the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s Freedom House office on Main Street in New Amsterdam, then proceeds to the Springlands Police Station before returning to Babu Jaan School for the finish.

On the upward journey from New Amsterdam, only the ladies and Over-50 veterans will finish at the Babu Jaan School.

Cyclists are asked to take note that transportation from Georgetown to Berbice will depart the "Parade Ground basketball court" on Middle Street at 05:00h.

Defending champion Curtis Dey of Team Evolution was the first to finish on the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, after starting the 45-mile race at Schoonord and returning from Bushy Park in Parika during the last race.

Guyana records massive win

He was timed at one hour, 41 minutes, 34.75 seconds (01:41:34.75s), winning ahead of the Kaieteur Attack Racing pair of Deeraj Garbarran and Andre Greene, Christopher Griffith (Team Evolution), Geron Williams (Team Continental) and Paul deNobrega (Team Evolution) who took second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

For today’s race, the prize structure is as follows:

The late Dr Cheddi Jagan

For each category, the winner will receive a trophy.

•Seniors/Open

1st prize - $45,000

2nd - $35,000

3rd - $25,000

4th - $15,000

5th - $12,000

6th - $10,000

•Veterans Open

1st prize - $20,000

2nd - $15,000

3rd - $12,000

4th - $10,000

•Veterans Over-50

1st prize - $15,000

2nd - $12,000

3rd - $10,000

•Juniors

1st prize - $20,000

2nd - $15,000

3rd - $10,000

•Ladies

1st prize - $15,000

2nd - $12,000

West Indies 4-Day Championship 2023…

-after Jamaica lose nine wickets for 53 runs