Guyana Times - Thursday, April 18, 2024

Local company eyes possibility of building oil tankers in Guyana

…also looking to develop floating dry-docking facility

Guyana Port Incorporated (GPI), a local company that offers dry-docking and ship repair services, has aspirations of moving into shipbuilding, in particular the future building of oil tankers even as Guyana’s oil and gas sector flourishes.

This is according to Pritipaul Singh Jr, the Managing Director of GPI. He was at the time making a presentation on Tuesday at the 2024 Local Content Summit, held at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.

“In our journey towards enhancing our client’s experience, we have focused on the systemisation of our business processes. We are in dry docking and fabrication services. We are now looking at an immediate investment into dredging. And also, into shipbuilding. So, we want to be building barges, tugs and eventually, cargo vessels and even oil tankers in Guyana.”

“With the dry-docking facility, which we know is of paramount importance right now in this industry, especially for the oil and gas sector, we’ve steadily worked towards developing a joint venture, Demerara Docks Incorporated,” Singh explained.

He also had a message for other business leaders, reminding them of their responsibility to contribute to national development. For his part, he spoke about his company’s efforts to develop its own human resources.

“We all talk about what the Government can do and all the problems that we have. But what can we do as business people, as business leaders in Guyana, to real-

ly build the people who live here and work here, to make them better people within Guyana?” the Managing Director said.

“In 2024, we anticipate that all our welders will be certified and enhancing our operations. Our workforce is our strength. And I’m pleased to highlight that 96 per cent of our employment are Guyanese. In response to the competitive demand for labour in Guyana, we not only offer a good salary, but we also cultivate a company culture that fosters belonging and engagement.”

Established in 2019, GPI, according to its official page, has the only 2000-metric-ton floating dry dock in the country as of 2022. The dock, according to the company, measures 80 metres in length and 16 metres in breadth and can accommodate vessels with an even keel of three metres.

It was further explained that GPI is strategically located 16 kilometres from the mouth of the Demerara River and offers a full range of general repair services including engineering, electrical, propulsion, accom-

modation upgrades, marine fitting, sand blasting and painting as well as outsourced procurement, testing, trials, and class surveys.

Last year, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Komal Singh had sounded calls for stakeholders to work along with the Guyana Government in order to aggressively pursue the deepening of local ports

to accommodate deep-draft vessels.

Speaking at the 31st Anniversary Gala and Awards Ceremony of the PSC, Singh had underscored the need to deepen Guyana’s ports in order to facilitate large cargo vessels on a 24-hour basis. Currently, Guyana has only tidal ports.

Over the past year, President Dr Irfaan Ali has

been pushing his vision to make Guyana a logistics hub in the region. With work ongoing on a paved road through Lethem to connect to Northern Brazil, and with the Corentyne River Bridge to connect with Suriname pending, the aim is to use Guyana as a transshipment hub to get cargoes moved to neighbouring countries as well as to other nations in the region. (G3)

GPI Managing Director Pritipaul Singh Jnr

Guyana Port Incorporated’s facility

Massive road works, other developments for Sophia – VP Jagdeo …over $1B in contracts awarded

VJagdeo

assured residents of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, that they will benefit from major developmental works including road upgrades pegged at more than $1 billion.

He was at the time addressing residents at a community outreach in ‘A’ Field, Sophia on Tuesday. The Vice President was accompanied by several ministers for the outreach that targeted residents in ‘A’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Fields.

“Right now, we’re spending over $1 billion in ‘A’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Fields on road upgrades… We did assessments for ‘B’ Field and maybe in a matter of months, [works will commence and] that will be about $1.3 billion and then we have to do ‘E’ Field too. So’ the entire Sophia will be done,” Jagdeo stated.

In fact, during the outreach some 85 contracts to the tune of $1.069 billion were signed for the upgrade of a total of 41 roads in the

from the contracts.

“You don’t have to get all the expensive equipment. It’s simple construction… The work doesn’t require the presence of heavy machinery – mostly manual labour unless you’re at the point where you have to use concrete mixing trucks and so on. So, it makes

According to the minister, by awarded these contracts to locals within the community, “The monies that is spent by government, taxpayers money, is coming back in the hands of taxpayers… So, the people in the community are assisting to build out the very community that they

three fields. In ‘A’ Field 51 contracts were awarded while in ‘C’ and ‘D’ Fields another 34 contracts, totally some $500 million, were signed.

According to Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, who was also a part of the outreach, these works are being done in phases.

“We’re going to dig up about 29 roads in ‘A’ Field. We’re going to dig up the entire ‘C’ and ‘D’ Field, which is about another 12 roads there and then all the cross streets there,” he indicated.

These upgrades, Indar noted, will be concrete works thus enabling small and even new contractors within the community to participate and benefit

the work easier for people who are now entering into the construction field,” the minister noted.

Engineers from the Public Work Ministry will be monitoring these works and guide the new contractors.

Minister Indar urged the contractors to ensure that they work efficiently so that the road works could be completed on time and not be too much of an inconvenience for residents.

“So, you gotta make sure when you dig up the road, you fix quick because the contract period is only three months. So, when we sign now, three months after we expect it to be finished… Give good work for the money you’re contracted for,” Indar stated.

live in.”

“For ease, try and hire people from within the community. They can come to work early and leave late so you get more out of them rather than go bring somebody or some one of your family from [far away], it

will be difficult for you…,” the Minister within the Public Works Ministry said.

Employment opportunities

With these road works expected to create employment opportunities for persons within Sophia, VP Jagdeo noted that this has been a major focal point for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration since taking office four years ago.

Today, according to the Vice President, Government has been successful in creating job opportunities and the situation has gotten to a point where there is labour shortages now especially in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

“If you’re looking for skilled people and labourers and stuff like that, in many sectors you can’t find workers. We’ve had more than 60,000 people resumed working because we started developing house lots once again [after returning to office]… and that put a lot of people to work to work. We started building home again – core home for people and young professional homes – we’ve put another 15,000 people to work there because of that,” he pointed out.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

A section of the gathering at Tuesday’s outreach

Views

Bullying in schools

The Education Ministry is seeking to address violence in schools even as we continue to see videos circulating on social media of our young children indulging in gravely undisciplined behaviour. Only one day ago, the Education Ministry had said it had cause to investigate a physical assault of a female student at the Queenstown Secondary School. This, however, was done after the circulation of a video recording that surfaced on social media showing five other school girls slapping and bullying a 13-year-old girl of the same school. Unsurprisingly, other students from the same school cheered the bullies on as they carried out the intimidating act.

The fortified position taken by the Education Ministry for mandatory counselling, suspension and transfer of these bullies must be commended. In its statement on the matter, the ministry said: “The Ministry of Education is committed to safe and supportive learning spaces for all students. It’s imperative that schools continue to prioritize the well-being and safety of their students, fostering an inclusive and respectful community where every individual feels valued and protected. It is equally important that these values be taught and enforced in homes across the country.”

Sometime ago, a columnist for this publication, in one of her columns, had asked the question if we are indeed surprised at this stark reality in many of our schools, when violence surrounds young people of varying ages on our streets, on our television screen, on game consoles, on our phones, in our neighbourhoods, and, for too many, even in our homes.

To help curb this escalating situation, which has existed for years and has been hard to get under control, the Education Ministry is continuing in schools its campaigns on bullying and any other undisciplined behaviour.

In some schools in the USA, metal detectors are common as sometimes is the presence of a police patrol on the outskirts. Some may be tempted to ask why, in a country that is rich and is the bastion of freedom and democracy. Others may counter that exactly because of what the country represents, it can afford to have such mechanisms in place. The answer basically lies in trying to curb violence in schools.

Violence in schools is not confined there, and is prevalent in many other places. In Guyana, we have, in the past, seen a collaboration between the Guyana Police Force and the Education Ministry wherein random searches were conducted at schools for potential weapons. Surprisingly, screwdrivers, knives, scissors and toy guns were found during some of these random searches.

An important aspect of the Education Ministry’s collaboration with the police is that the partnership involves discussion on topics of violence, crime committed at schools, gang fighting, offensive weapons, and, significantly, consequences.

Who would have thought that, in the process of getting an education here in Guyana, safety in schools would have become a primary concern?

Solace must not be taken in living in a changing world. Violence, over the years, and its extensive coverage through the media have led to seeming immunity to the gory images, and now make for casual reading.

This must not be allowed to slip into the mindsets of students and teachers. They must be free from such psychological stress, and be able to focus on learning in order to build much-needed capacity for the future of the country. All have an integral role to play in helping to repel this scourge.

While there may be compelling arguments over what may be the reasons why students act the way they do, and the spread of violence, immediate mitigating measures have to be derived and implemented.

Many have argued that parents and guardians need to be more involved and aware of what their children are doing, keeping an eye on any possible worrying signs. While that could still be effective in many ways, there is a challenge as the child approaches adulthood. At that stage, one’s space and privacy could present barriers. There are also social factors that contribute to disallowing such necessary interventions to some extent, which further complicates an already complicated situation.

We support the ministry when on Thursday it reiterated its disapproval of violence in schools as it aims to ensure that “students can learn in a safe and conducive environment.”

The ministry should not hold back its hand on students who breach the Maintenance of Order and Discipline Policy in school, which includes expulsion, suspension, and mandatory psychosocial counselling. We commend the ministry for the quick and tough position it has taken in this most recent incident.

Women of Mashabo and Mainstay villages, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were trained in an Introduction to Tourism for Indigenous Communities and Delivering Quality Service course. This was part of the Basic Needs Trust Fund initiative to build the capacity of beneficiaries of the Women and Vulnerable

GTU is trying to strong-arm Govt

Dear Editor,

The GTU is playing the age-old PNC tactic of trying to bully Government into giving in to its inordinate demands. The GTU is playing the role of a juggernaut that would crush the Government into submission; but that would not happen, because of a number of factors.

In the first place, the teachers were in the bargaining agreement with the Government in which some 27 items were already completed. The remaining 12 items of concern deal mainly with benefits for the executive (non-teaching members of the union), and here is where the rubber hits the road. Coretta McDonald, having her political aspirations foremost in her mind, abandoned the negotiating table and took to the streets, leading the teachers as dumb sheep to the political slaughter.

Though illegal, they stated that the strike would last for ten days; the strike went into two more working weeks. Now, the first question that Coretta McDonald and her crew must face up to is who should pay the teachers for the two extra weeks of strike? Certainly not the employer, who is the Ministry of Education.

The GTU then approached the court, hoping to get redress for an already messy situation. The court sent them back to the negotiating table, where discussions of this nature rightfully belong.

The Union returned to the bargaining table with the same belligerence, making some of the most outrageous demands, which in the event caused yet another breakdown.

We are at the stage where they are awaiting a court ruling on the matter. That ruling, taking all the legal perspectives in focus, would not be any different from previous rulings.

Now, as a teacher myself, I thought it best to do a quick comparison with that which obtains in another jurisdiction here in the Caribbean, particular mention being given to St Lucia.

1. The collection of union dues in St Lucia and all other Caribbean countries is a matter for the union and the worker in question. A form is given to the worker, teacher or otherwise, wherein a voluntary contribution is made to the union. The Government has nothingI repeat, has nothing - to do with the collection of dues for a union. So, teachers in Guyana take note.

2. From cabinet decision of 2003, all teachers employed by the ministry (the same goes for nurses) are not given a pension, they are paid from their NIS contribution. In Guyana, at retirement, a teacher is given a pension as well as his NIS. Payment of pensions is of particular note, because this was a move that directly targeted Guyanese teachers who flocked into St Lucia during the Burnham/PNC years of draconian governance. The teachers’ union president openly mentioned that this had to be done to address a yearly $50M payout to teachers. Subtly, the teachers’ union president was ensuring that none of that $50M comes to Guyana

3. In St Lucia, a wouldbe teacher or nurse pays for his/her own training. And it must be further noted that the teacher who desires such training must be thankful to have a caring and conscientious principal, who would grant that teacher release from duties at school. In Guyana, teachers and nurses are afforded training fully funded by the Government. No wonder Coretta could have made that snide remark that we are training teachers and nurses for export.

4. Untrained teachers, as well as teachers in training, are not paid an August salary. Here, again, it was targeted to catch the Guyanese in that wide net, the Government here knowing fully well that most of the Guyanese teachers coming here were graduates but were not trained persons.

So, while in Guyana the Government seeks to add to teachers and nurses’ benefits, over in ‘the Islands’, they are taking pains at reducing the benefits. What Coretta McDonald needs to know is that the Government of Guyana is doing its level best to upgrade and make for a more comfortable standard of living for its civil servants. However, that has to be done in tandem with all the other workers in that sector. The GTU has to understand that no one sector would be remunerated over and above another. Teachers are no more important than nurses or other workers in the public service. This should be made pellucid to the GTU.

In this regard, the political rant made by the GTU cannot be accommodated.

Groups Empowerment (Tourism Ministry photo)

Caught arranging a ‘pay to play’ meeting

Dear Editor,

Rickford Burke’s first response was that following my social media post (FB), he (Burke) received death threats from a US number, how Burke connects the two unrelated events is beyond me and for more experienced minds to figure out.

Burke’s second response was more telling, however; he (Burke) claimed the letter was a fabrication and that I (Robin Singh) was the one calling people in

Rickford Burke sent letters to Guyanese-American community leaders, inviting them to “Special Meeting US Member of Congress”, Burke was emphatic that “this meeting is strictly confidential and by invite only. Consequently, this invite is for the addressee only, is not transferable to any other person, and should not be shared with anyone else or disclosed publicly”. As with all good Guyanese secrets, the letter immediately leaked, along with the gossip that a sum of money was requested as a ‘donation’ should the invitee take up the invitation. I published the letter unaltered on social media, though I did highlight relevant sections and grammatical errors; the proverbial cat was let loose among the pigeons and it did not take long for the squawking to begin.

the United States Diaspora and soliciting funds for meetings with Members of the US Congress, including Hakeem Jeffries (a known Burke associate); Yevette Clarke and Gregory Meeks and I was under investigation by the FBI! This balderdash was carried by a pseudo-online news outlet, The Village Voice. I found it amusing as I, like most Guyanese, am used to Burke’s fantasies, remember he was assaulted by the marshal serving a warrant until the video surfaced that proved otherwise; then I got to thinking.

It would seem that Burke has been caught arranging a ‘pay to play’ meet-

ing for his friend Hakeem Jeffries, at this point I am unclear if Jefferies was an active participant, but the right federal (not state) investigation would sort that out quickly. New York is too corrupt for a state investigation.

I will be making a formal legal complaint against Burke for his fabrications and defamation in the US justice system, and informing the Republican Leaders in Congress of Hakeem Jeffries's associations and possible misconduct. I look forward to a REAL FBI inquiry soonest.

Sincerely,

Robin Singh

Lack of unity in the PNCR helps to reveal weakness in its leadership

Dear Editor,

After reading Herbert Allen’s letter titled “Ten reasons for retaining Mr Norton”, published in the local press, I am left perplexed. To keep my bewilderment in check, I re-read the letter, hoping to gain some profound insights into Allen’s reasons for retaining Norton as leader of the PNC. Instead, the following is what I found.

Allen portrayed Aubrey Norton in glowing terms as “a PNC stalwart and loyalist for nearly fifty years… [someone who] knows the party inside out.” Given his longevity and knowledge of the PNC, the question emerges as to why Norton is experiencing difficulty in galvanizing support from party loyalists who elected him as leader “just over two years ago.”

As the current leader; and someone who has had time to interact with, and solidify support among, members, one would have expected Norton to experience minimal resistance in retaining the leadership of the PNC. Instead, there appears to be ‘internal fighting and turmoil’. As Allen

puts it, “My PNC political party is rapidly becoming the laughing stock of the Caribbean.” This then begs the question whether a party that is unable to unify its members and elect a leader can succeed in representing a disparate population?

At a minimum, a true political leader is someone who possesses some charismatic appeal, can command the respect of members, mobilize support, and articulate a vision that extends beyond the personal expectations of loyalists or enthusiastic supporters. Could it be that Norton lacks such characteristics? This subsequently proved to be a nagging question. So, I probed for answers. Here are a few things that revealed themselves.

1. Instead of articulating a vision for harmonizing a pluralistic Guyanese society, Norton has seldom refrained from promoting racial politics, characterizing the PPP/C as an Indo-Guyanese party. His Afrocentric approach to national politics has served to promote divisiveness and exclusion instead of a Guyanese unity. And in so

doing, he customarily ignored or debased, rather than supported the policies of the PPP/C Government that serve to benefit all racial and ethnic groups within the country – his supporters included.

2. Often, Norton has referred to the President as ‘installed’. This not only demonstrates some level of disdain for a ‘duly elected’ President, but also suggests an unwillingness to accept the electoral defeat of the PNC. Interestingly, Norton aspires to assume the same office should the PNC achieve electoral victory nationally. Would he then like to be referred to as the ‘installed’ President?

3. Reportedly, Norton has hinted at the utilization of violence as an avenue in ascending political power [published on 1/21/24]. Could it be that Norton realizes the weakness in his leadership, and thereby clutched to remarks that serve to inflame ethnic tension between Afro and Indo Guyanese?

4. A leader’s remarks that serve to stir violence are lamentable, for such utterances signify weakness

instead of strength in leadership. Today’s Guyanese should not be misled by idle chatters of aggression by politicians seeking acclaim, especially since many elderly Afro and Indo Guyanese are still around to call attention to the racial hostilities of the 1960s that nearly destroyed the country.

Norton may have already squandered the opportunity to solidify support among his colleagues to remain as leader of the PNC, but that decision is better left up to the members of the PNCR.

Perhaps, Norton and other PNC aspiring leaders need to be reminded that objective and meaningful political representation starts with the articulation of visionary and impartial policies and practices, and in this regard the PPP/C - under the leadership of Irfaan Ali, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Mark Phillips – has excelled in bridging the racial-ethnic separatism that others seek to exploit for personal political gains.

Regards, Narayan Persaud

Ex-Pres Ramotar should stick to facts, as opposed to expressing unsubstantiated opinions

Dear Editor, I note that two letter writers have already responded to Donald Ramotar’s recent letter on aspects of the sugar industry; albeit not too kindly, since his opinions are at variance with the facts. As such, I shall only address unsubstantiated opinions he expressed about my involvement.

Ramotar explicitly debunked my claim, and stated that the plan for a refined sugar factory was never changed. As a senior member of the Board (1993-2011), can he then explain how come a raw sugar factory was commissioned to great public fanfare in August 2009? Did Booker Tate, the Project Managers, hoodwink the Board of Directors? My original query as to who changed the specifications from a refined to a raw sugar factory still stands.

Regarding Booker Tate, Ramotar was present at a meeting of senior party members in 1996 when I presented a case for the non-renewal of their contract. In addition, he participated in Board meetings when I led several challenges to their modus operandi and recruitment protocols. He should remember, too, that during my tenure, their staff numbers were reduced from 30 in 1993 to 3 by 2003, while GuySuCo achieved its highest production in history for

8 factories (332,000 tons) at that time. Senior staff and workers’ morale was at a pinnacle, and we were well on our way to achieving the 450,000 tons’ target outlined in our strategic plan.

Donald should explain why he allowed increased numbers of Booker Tate staff to return after I left office, and why he allowed the dismissal of a number of senior local managers. The results are well known.

Regarding the Coalition Government, the one interaction that I had was when I accompanied a PSC representative to meet with their Minister of Agriculture and the then GuySuCo CEO on the state of the industry. That meeting was a thorough waste of time, since it was clear that they were not going to change their hopeless and hapless approach. During that period also, I did speak at a public session at Moray House, at which I strongly advocated against the closure of Wales Estate. That presentation was published in the local press.

As a person who was integrally involved in the sugar industry, Fmr President Ramotar should stick to facts, as opposed to expressing unsubstantiated opinions.

Sincerely,

Vickram Oditt

Dear Editor,

As we observe Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Month, it is essential to acknowledge the strides made in this area, while recognizing that significant gaps still exist. While we appreciate the Ministry of Labour's efforts toward safer workplaces, we have noticed a concerning issue that undermines these efforts. The National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health has not been operational for several months.

The absence of this

council is a critical void in our national safety infrastructure. The council plays an important role in creating policies; advising on legislative measures; and ensuring that standards of workplace safety are not only maintained, but also improved in response to new challenges and technologies.

At a time when the role of occupational safety has never been more important, with rapid changes in the industrial sector and increased awareness of workers' rights and safety,

we need a robust advisory body more than ever. The inactivity of the council raises concerns about our commitment to the safety and health of our workforce.

Therefore, while we acknowledge the Ministry's efforts during OSH Month, we respectfully request immediate action to reinstate the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health. By doing so, we reinforce our commitment to the safety of every worker, and ensure that our celebrations are

backed by substantive support and genuine progress.

We kindly urge the Ministry of Labour to address this gap with the utmost urgency in order to reactivate the council. Our workers deserve a productive and safe working environment, and we appreciate the Ministry's continued support in this regard. We have just lost another life to a mining pit; again, one too many.

Yours faithfully,

Seepaul Narine GAWU President

Page Foundation

Tree Diagrams

Example: Exercises: Interpret

At a school cookout, you can buy a ticket that allows you to choose one main item, and one side dish. The tree diagram shows the possible combinations.

1) How many different outcomes are there in the tree diagram?

To find out how many possible combinations there are, count the number of branches. In this example, there are nine branches.

How many possible combinations could there be if you could also order chips as a side?

Add chips as a branch on each item. Since there are 3 items, add 9 + 3 = 12.

2) Below is the tree diagram of the choices at the lunch you are going to attend. If you don’t like salad, how many different meal combinations can you select from?

Backbone model

In this fun and easy science activity, we’re going to make a human backbone model.

Materials:

24 pony tail holders – thick rubber bands will also work

1 pool noodle floating toy

Exacto knife or scissors

1 laundry line or piece of thin rope

Instructions:

Cut the pool noodle into 24 pieces making each piece about two inches in length. Tie a large knot in the end of the rope that will be big enough to prevent it from pulling through the piece of pool noodle.

Now string the pieces together putting a pony tail holder or rubber band between each piece of the pool noodle.

Once you have strung all the pieces together, tie the remaining end of rope into a knot that will not pull through the centre of the pool noodle.

You now have a reasonable representation of a human backbone to use as you discuss this important component of the human anatomy.

How it works:

In this easy science activity, we used simple items to create a backbone model to better understand this critical component of the

BY JAN WAGNER

CONTINUED FROM WEDNESDAY

TRANSLATED BY DAVID KEPLINGER

human anatomy. Our spinal column has a spinal cord. The spinal cord is represented by the rope in our model. The spinal cord is an important part of the nervous system and must be protected. The bones that make up our back are called vertebrate. These are represented by the sections of pool noodle in our model. There are several sections of vertebrate – neck, chest, and bottom. The 24 vertebrae stack on top of each other with discs in between. The discs are represented by the pony tail holders or rubber bands in our model. This enables us to move in a number of ways and directions and still protects and defends the spinal cord. (sciencefun.org)

it treks across the landscape like a circus, the spectacle and curtain at the same time: scenery loft of the great weatherand wandering theaters; bestows upon blonds darker hair, and on the bald the radiance of billiard balls; to the hens it is a cage that doesn’t imprison them. so often divined, yet no church is founded on it. good ears can still hear, if you bend low enough, the songs of humpback whales, glacier calving— one geyser over north america inspires umbrellas to blossom from shanghai to rome. each drop contains the whole book, water, particles, pollen, all the dirt of the world. resurrection—the easiest exercise. meanwhile it slumbers in car tires and from puddles and cisterns stares back toward its own origin, while the trees for hours and hours are immersed in their soliloquies. the soothing swoosh between the radio transmitters. the wind in the forests yet to come. Translated from the German (Poetry Foundation)

WORD SEARCH

PPC flags issues with Belle Vue Pump Station contract

…Finance Minister welcomes report, assures corrective action will be taken

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) has flagged several issues regarding the award of a multimillion-dollar contract to a new company owned by a social media personality but Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh says the findings are a testament to the government’s efforts at procurement transparency and accountability.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the finance minister welcomed the PPC’s report on the Belle Vue Pump Station. The contract for this project, costing $865 million, was awarded in August of last year to the Tepui Group, whose principal is Mikhail Rodrigues- popularly known as the Guyanese Critic.

The investigation was launched by the Commission after an official complaint was lodged by Opposition Member of Parliament David Patterson, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC). According to the finance minister, the Commission’s findings and subsequent report is testament to the government’s efforts to reform the procurement system and make it more transparent.

“The completion of this report by the Public Procurement Commission, is evidence that the in-

stitutions that we have worked for so many years to establish, are in fact operating and functioning and are discharging their extremely important mandates,’ Dr. Singh said.

“It would be recalled that the entire architecture requiring open, competitive public procurement, was established during the previous PPP/C government, when we, along with our other partners in parliament, legislated a number of amendments to our constitution which were brought into our constitution in 2001, which included provision for the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission.”

Singh also committed that the government would act on the recommendations in the report. These recommendations included legislative changes. Other

issues flagged by the PPC related to the company’s lack of experience; having only been registered in 2022; its absence of a bank line of credit; and its failure to submit an audited financial statement.

The company also fell short of its bid security requirement. However, the Commission said it could not do anything about the situation since the contract was already signed. Nevertheless, it advised the project be strictly monitored for performance and if the contractor is found in breach, that the necessary steps, including termination, be taken.

“A quick perusal of the report suggests that it makes a number of observations which we consider extremely important. And it makes a number of recommendations that we consider very use-

ful. And I wish to assure the Guyanese public that these recommendations will engage careful study by our government and by the respective agencies of our government.”

“And where appropriate, will certainly inform future reforms and future actions to be taken, including corrective actions in a number of areas where, for example, observations were made regarding consistency between bidding documents and instructions to bidders, etc.” Dr. Singh also said.

Meanwhile, the fi-

nance minister also acknowledged that the government’s aggressive development agenda may overstretch the traditional, local contractors. Dr. Singh added that one of the government’s objectives is to grow the local construction industry, so that it can better bear the brunt of the development push.

Last year, Belle Vue was one of the projects included in the Ministry of Agriculture’s invitation for bids to construct pump stations across the country. These tenders, totaling in

excess of $2.7 billion, were issued in an effort to further alleviate flooding in the countrywide.

Tepui Group Incorporated was also previously contracted to construct a US$5 million concrete production facility for Mohamed’s Enterprise.

Upon completion, the facility would have produced concrete pre-stressed piles with a length of up to 160 feet, and slabs for bridges and utility poles, besides offering a wide variety of construction services with its state-of-the-art equipment. (G3)

1 dead, 1 missing following fishing boat mishap in Atlantic Ocean

Afishing expedition in the Atlantic Ocean just off the West Berbice Coast turned deadly, leaving one fisherman dead while his colleague is still missing.

Dead is 49-yearold Ramdeo Samlall while 45-year-old Barat Bissoondial is still missing.

Both men are from D’Edward Village, West Bank Berbice and were reported missing since last Friday.

Some four days after they were reported missing at sea, Samlall’s body was on Wednesday morning found at the Belladrum foreshore.

Last Friday afternoon, the two fishermen left a small port at D’Edward for sea. They would normally go out to sea and use hooks to catch cat fish.

They were expected to return the following day.

After they did not return by Saturday night, a search par-

ty was launched on Sunday but proved futile As such, missing persons reports were subsequently filed at the Blairmont Police Station.

Farmers who were grazing their animals along the beach at Belladrum, made the discovery of the decomposed body at about midday on Wednesday.

The body was taken to Bailey's Funeral Home, where his 74-year-old sister Morin Hardial was able to identify the body as being her brother's.

“Me nah see so properly but the people who he went with say is he because he wear on the same clothes and I know him by his beard. He had a big beard and his hair was long. They get all the hair and beard there,” she explained.

Samlall had been a fisherman for all of his adult life. According to his sister, they had not seen each other for more than a year. She said it was another sibling who contacted her on Monday.

“She tell me that she hear that we brother drowned.”

With that information she went to the boat owner and was told two persons went out fishing and neither had returned. Samlall who was the captain of the small vessel has two brothers and five

sisters. Meanwhile, his partner, who is missing, had seven brothers and three sisters.

All of his brothers are fishermen. According to one of the brothers Mohanlall Bissoondial, he learnt of the incident when he returned from sea after spending more than a week.

“When I come I reach about midday and the guys

on the wharf tell me that my brother lost at sea; like the boat brake up and sink and they not finding him. They searching and not finding him.”

He referred to his brother as an experienced fisher. “That is the job we doing all the time. We never do no other job other than fishing wuk.” According to

Bissoondial, in the past it has not been easy for fishers using small boats.

“The water is really rough; you have to be careful in certain vessels out there.

If you can’t get a proper vessel the wave would break up the boat... I really sorry for my brother,” he added. The search for the missing fisherman continues. (G4)

Overhead view of the Belle Vue Pump Station site

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

2 Guyanese shot dead in Suriname S

urinamese authorities are investigating the execution-style killings of two Guyanese suspected of involvement in separate murder cases in Guyana.

Deada are Jerimiah Smith and Oswick Bazillio. Both men were gunned down on a street in Paramaribo, Suriname with reports indicating that they had sought refuge in Suriname.

Bazillio was linked to the murder of Joseph Wilkinson, known as 'Dreddy', while Smith was associated with the recent killing of Clynton Chase.

Both Wilkinson and Chase were victims of separate execution-style attacks, with Wilkinson's death occurring in February and Chase's just last week outside his home in La Penitence. Reports are that Wilkinson was attending a wake in North Ruimveldt when, when about 12:20h he received

a phone call and moved aside to answer it.

Guyana Times was told that a car approached the man, and its occupants’ unleashed gunfire on him before fleeing the scene.

Wilkinson sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and was rushed to a private city hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, Chase, on the day he was killed had returned home from the Kingston Seawall around 22:30h and was met by a gunman reportedly inside his house. His son, "Shacka," revealed that his father had lived alone in the house for eight years.

Shacka rushed to the scene upon hearing about the shooting and found his father lying in front of the gate, apparently shot multiple times. Due to a power failure, CCTV cameras in the area were inactive at the time. It appeared that the assailant(s) had entered the yard through the back fence.

While the motive remains unclear, robbery was ruled out as all belongings were untouched. Despite a phone call suggesting a motorcycle accident, the son insisted it was a deliberate shooting, evidenced by the fatal head wound. The granddaughter discovered her grandfather motionless upon arrival, with police confirming gunshot wounds to his jaw, arm, and chest.

Nevertheless, the Surinamese Police Force has informed their Guyanese counterparts of the double homicide, with Crime Chief Wendel Blanhum confirming ongoing investigations. (G9)

Development…

…gateway closed

Pressie had reason to chastise the local banking sector for not getting with the (developmental) programme.

Now, to understand where he’s coming from, you gotta understand the role banks play in a country vis-a-vis a government’s mandate to deliver better living conditions and wealth to the citizenry. Banks in effect get a licence from the Government to create money when they’re allowed to collect deposits from citizens and corporations -and then offer loans to folks who wanna borrow money for all sorts of reasons – but ultimately to spend into the economy.

Hopefully, a goodly number of borrowers would’ve seen opportunities wherein they could satisfy needs in the society by opening businesses to supply the goods or services that would benefit the targeted consumers. Say, like satisfying the present need for construction of all manner of buildings and infrastructure by purchasing necessary machinery and becoming contractors. Now, banks make their money by paying depositors a SMALL interest and then charging borrowers a HIGHER rate. Hence in the annual reports we read about banks always making “billions and billions” in profits!!

What makes the game even more stacked in the banks’ favour is that, in our fractional reserve banking system, they’re allowed to lend more than the actual deposits on hand!! This leads to a money multiplier effect wherein, for example, if the amount of reserves held by a bank is 10%, then loans can multiply money by up to 10 times!! Banks are therefore literally creating money from thin air!! Regulated, of course, by the Bank of Guyana, where they have to park at least the required reserves. But in Guyana the banks always keep much more than their required reserves, and so have a failsafe means of earning interest without taking any risks.

That’s what Pressie meant when he said the banks are “risk” averse!! They don’t take the risk to actually lend money to entrepreneurs who’ve identified opportunities to make money – and to create employment etc. As such, they’re strangling development - while raking in massive profits by giving depositors peanuts - ¾% - and charging borrowers huge interest on loans – 8.5%!! What a racket!!

Another way the banks game the system is to use their branches in the countryside merely to trawl for deposits – but don’t lend a proportionate amount in those areas. Instead, they park the money in the BoG as described above – and lend to safe borrowers.

So, what’s the Government to do?? Well, they can ask the Bank of Guyana to lower their interest rates to banks for their reserves – presently around 5% - and Treasury Bills rates which banks can purchase for a risk-free investment. The Government can also revisit the idea of a development bank!!

…and nature

Dubal’s widely regarded as a modern success story in which the rulers transformed their desert backwater since the 1960s into a First World economy - by investing their petrodollars wisely and strategically. Those who call us the “new Dubai” – Gubai??! – are hoping that we can replicate their success with our Government’s development plan. As some would say, “From their mouth to God’s ears!!”

Now, while we’re the “land of many waters”, because of their desert environment, Dubai has had to use all sorts of strategies to obtain fresh drinking water – from seeding clouds to desalination plants.

But climate change – which they helped bring about with their huge petroleum exports!! – might’ve just solved their water woes. As your Eyewitness pecks away at his keyboard, torrential rains have inundated the kingdom – flooding streets and the slick, fancy entrances to their skyscrapers. So maybe we’re helping them in a small way with their water challenge when we push our oil and gas extraction to the max!!

One man’s meat is another man’s poison?? …vs whining

While opportunities are abounding for ordinary citizens to get a piece of the action in our new expanding economy, there are those who prefer to gripe and moan about their “their condition”. Buxton Handout Proposal, anyone??

Dead: Oswick Bazillio Dead: Jeremiah Smith

Permanent Forum on People of African Descent Right to education priority for Guyana Govt – Hamilton tells Forum

The right to education provided for in Article 17 of the Draft Declaration is a policy priority for the Government of Guyana.

This point was made by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton as he addressed delegates at the opening of the Third Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland.

Hamilton told those gathered at the forum that Government is keen in ensuring that this right is respected and promoted, as a result, work will continue to ensure that changing realities do not negatively affect access to and the delivery of the quality of education in Guyana.

On this point, he disclosed that Guyana has already attained universal primary education and aims to attain universal secondary education by 2026.

Further, the administration’s efforts to make tertiary education at the University of Guyana free to all qualified locals is moving apace.

“Our government has invested significant resources to these programmes which will benefit our youthful population and facilitate the closure of the skills gap in our job market. This commitment is shared through a variety of programmes across different sectors aimed at empowering all Guyanese,” The Labour Minister said.

The Labour Minister added, the Guyana Government is investing heavily in programmes for all Guyanese, especially those who did not complete their secondary education.

Some mentioned programmes include the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programme, the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) which aimed to offer 20,000 tertiary level scholarships by 2025, and the Women’s

Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), which was launched in 2022; to date over 8000 women have benefitted from training for self-employment opportunities.

According to Minister Hamilton, all the programmes aforementioned offers a broad range of courses from post-secondary, pre-university foundation courses to undergraduate degrees and Doctoral levels.

He noted that the programmes were conceptualised to develop the local workforce and entrepreneurship in order to promote sustainable economic diversification in Guyana.

“I would like to reiterate the Government of Guyana’s commitment towards its transformative development agenda of leaving “no one behind” with a highly skilled competitive and diverse workforce to meet the global demands of a changing world” Hamilton added.

Education budget

The substantial amount of $135.2 billion was made available in the 2024 National Budget for the

advancement of education, highlighting a strong commitment to enhancing the nation’s education landscape.

The funds are earmarked for various projects and initiatives aimed at improving both physical infrastructure and administrative facilities.

This includes the construction of several new schools, dorms, and teachers’ living quarters in Orealla Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Jawalla Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Monkey Mountain in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), among others.

Construction of hinterland schools

Between Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), there are 239 schools serving 32,603 learners.

However, most of the schools are primary schools, with just 13 being secondary schools: three in Region One, three in Region Seven, three in Region Eight and four in

Region Nine.

Though the 13 secondary schools are catering to 7,884 students, there are currently 20,638 pupils in the 161 primary schools.

These statistics were provided by the Ministry

of Education (MoE) feasibility studies, which were made public in 2022. This is the same study that prompt government to devise a plan to construct new schools in the hinterland and other remote areas.

Many of the schools are equipped with laboratories, an information technology (IT) lab, main auditorium, modern class rooms, which are equipped with interactive boards and computers, along with a library among other important amenities.

One such facility is Abram Zuil Secondary which is located in Essequibo Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Outside of building new schools, the sum of $3.1 billion was provided to teachers this year in grants to purchase supplies for their classrooms while another $3 billion will be used to purchase textbooks.

Further, $4.9 billion will go towards the national school feeding programme. This will allow children in hinterland communities to get hot meals, while all Grade Six

pupils will get breakfast.

Moreover, $4 billion will go towards the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) to accommodate at least 6,000 new online scholarships this year.

Free tertiary education

In a move to fulfill its manifesto promise of free tertiary education, government announced earlier in the year that it will begin to wipe out loans owed by University of Guyana (UG) graduates.

It was disclosed that this initiative is part of the many measures being put in place to make tertiary education at the institution free by 2025.

In 2016, a forensic audit into the operations of the UG Student Loan Agency had revealed that over a 21-year period, successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Governments made available to the agency over $9 billion for loans.

The sum of $4.1 billion was allocated in the National Budget to support the University of Guyana (UG) this year. (G1)

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton delivering his address at the Third Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland

2nd Local Content Summit

Look at national, regional development models & position yourselves – Pres Ali urges locals

As the 2024 Local Content Summit got underway on Tuesday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali urged businesses looking for opportunity in local content spaces in Guyana, to pay keen attention to the developmental trends, least business opportunities pass them by.

In his keynote address to the attendees of the 2024 Local Content

Summit, President Ali noted that the importance of persons positioning themselves based on development trends. The development model being pursued by the government and the region as a whole is no secret, and the President’s advice was for persons to pay keen attention to this.

“We have to look at the backward and forward integration. Looking into

the future consortiums and shipping. Logistics. Regional food hub. Agriculture. Marketing. Gas and what gas will bring to us. Building out that whole gas infrastructure will give us the possibility of moving gas and urea into Brazil. The logistics of corn and soya. And it requires conversation and nurturing,” he said.

He also noted that as

Guyana’s brand gets stronger, persons must position themselves to be able to provide services that are in demand. The President warned that with international interest in Guyana at an all-time high, foreigners will see the same opportunities Guyanese drag their feet to take up.

“We fight for local content, but what are you doing for this content? How are you positioning yourself? For the brand to get stronger, you also have to build the brand. So, if you think knocking the brand every day is in your interest, then God help all of us. The brand is already established. Our credentials, from an economic perspective. Let us now harness this brand and say, utilising this brand Guyana.”

“We will sit here and then the knock-on effect will pass you. Somebody is gonna come and open a world class eco-tourism facility, right in the rain forest, with VIP tents. And US$5000 per night. And then you’ll say, if I had only known. Knock on effect. Why can’t we build together, a world class eco-tourism company?”

The Local Content Summit is being hosted at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre and was spearheaded by two women led companies… MBW Energy Support Services Inc. and Prestige Management Consultant. President Ali went on to urge attendees not to use

the summit as a complain forum, but rather to also look at the positives.

“So, as we come together today to look at opportunities, let us not limit ourselves to what happens here, and let us also not make this a complain forum. Sometimes we bring so much negative energy in a room, that the positive vibes escape us. The future is ours. You decide how you shape it,” he said.

Other speakers at the event included Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC; Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, and Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr. Martin Pertab.

The Local Content Summit serves as an interactive platform for discussions on critical issues. This year’s theme is ‘Creating Value. Driving Economic Expansion’ reflecting the

summit’s focus on how local content can act as a catalyst for broader economic growth in Guyana. The comprehensive program aims to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the benefits of achieving Local Content certification and strategies to capitalise on available and forthcoming opportunities.

Enacted in Parliament in December 2021, the Local Content Act was crafted to oversee activities within the burgeoning Oil and Gas sector, to propel Guyana’s economic growth and development. It outlines strategies to foster more business, trade, and commerce opportunities, cultivate a skilled and adaptable workforce, and forge strategic alliances with international companies to bolster Guyana’s participation in the Oil and Gas sector, as well as in complementary and non-traditional sectors. (G3)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

A section of the gathering

Massive road works, other developments for...

Jagdeo went onto to note that these road upgrades in Sophia is part of a promise the current administration made to have all the roads in the city done. This, he assured, will be fulfilled in due time.

The Vice President told the residents of Sophia that the PPP/C Government is very deliberate about national development and is investing in a large number of areas including in the social sectors where they are spending big.

“Government is about planned and balanced in-

vestments,” he noted while pointing to the more than 31,000 scholarships being offered to citizens and the dozen hospitals being built across the country.

According to Jagdeo, unlike the notion that some section is peddling, revenues are not rushing in from the burgeoning oil and gas sector. This, he outlined, will happened in a few years from now and when that time comes then there will be steps taken to further improve lives of citizens. “People think we are

awash with oil money… In this year’s budget, we’ve budgeted about US$1.5 billion to come from oil but that is only less than 30 per cent of the $1.1 trillion Budget. So, if we spend every cent that we receive from oil and gas, it can’t fund 30 per cent of the budget and people think we’re awash with money. This will happen in the outer years, by 2027 when a lot of the amortization of the investments take place then we’ll start see revenue of that magnitude and that scale,” the VP posited.

During Tuesday’s outreach, two meetings were held in Sophia during which the Government officials heard and address issues affecting the residents. (G8)

5

injured as Stabroek Market

nfrastructure investment in …calls for collective leadership

Constabulary’s ness in ensuring Immediate President assessing the emphasised immediate action countability ing infrastructure lenges in the underscored ment's commitment rectify existing ings and prevent incidents in the “We’re right now…the key assets within that are not tained, that a state that ous to the city have to decide dress those

dilapidated

wharf collapses

city not maintained – Pres Ali leadership to manage city

No new staff, extra costs for establishing contract monitoring units – AG

...says scholarships will be offered to prepare Govt workers

As the Guyana Government moves to enforce contractual compliance on public projects, steps are being taken to bolster the state’s monitoring capability and these efforts will not place additional burden on the public purse.

This assurance was given by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, during his weekly programme – Issues in the News.

In recent weeks, government has been clamping down on delinquent contractors and has moved to enforce contract evaluation units at ministries and states agencies to monitor works being executed and hold contractors accountable.

Additionally, the Attorney General chambers will also establish a Contract Compliance Unit to support these other units to go after errant contrac-

tors. The units are tasked with looking into delays in the execution of government projects and instituting penalties including liquidated damages, forfeiture of bonds and other securities, termi-

nation of contracts and further sanctions.

However, there have been criticisms that this was just another smokescreen that is not only a waste of taxpayers’ money but an added layer of bureaucracy. In fact, some have argued that the contractors have consultants and engineers who should be engaged rather than establish new units.

But according to AG Nandlall, the systems in place are “clearly not working in the manner that it should.” To this end, he posited that government had to find new ways to ensure it is getting value for the money spent on these public projects.

“You have something –it is clear and undisputed that it is not working, is a government not entitled to innovate, to make a change in order to get the system to work? ...We will continue to try every day, to endeavour every day to improve efficiency in government so that we can, with greater alacrity and greater expediency, deliver better quality services and goods to the people of our country,” he posited.

The Attorney General further assured that this move to establish a Contract Compliance Unit in his Chamber and similar units within the other ministries dedicated to evaluating the performance of contractors will not burden the public purse.

“This initiative ought not to cost the government and the taxpayers a single extra cent… It is not a decision to establish new units but

to make functional, units that are already established within these ministries and to refocus them in the direction of evaluating and monitoring the execution of these contracts. The intent is not to create another unit or another layer of bureaucracy…

I wish to reject [this] absolutely,” Nandlall stated.

He went onto add, “The new unit which is to be established with the Attorney General’s Chamber will be manned by existing staff in the Attorney General’s Chamber. No new staff is going to be hired for this purpose, at least not at this stage.”

Meanwhile, in an effort to prepare the officers in these units to monitor and evaluate works being executed by contractors on public projects, scholarships will be offered to at least 50 persons.

Consequently, the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) administration has been asked to offer courses in the areas of contract management, contract monitoring and contract evaluation. These programmes will come from the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC).

“Fifty current officers within the government structure will be offered scholarships – 50 one time. And they would be spread across the sectors. In almost every sector, we will select persons including lawyers from the Legal Affairs Ministry… All of that is to enhance the government’s ability and the government’s capacity to monitor, evaluate and enforce these

contracts for the betterment of the people of Guyana,” AG Nandlall noted.

This move follows strict orders by President Dr Irfaan Ali that penalties outlined in a number of government contracts be enforced for companies that continue to default on their contractual obligations. The President’s comment was made at a meeting earlier this month with engineers and project managers from the Ministries of Public Works and Housing to discuss the status of major infrastructure projects.

Since that engagement, Government has moved to terminate the contract of at least one contractor – Trinidad-based Kalco Guyana Incorporated which had abandoned its works on a section of the Conversation Tree to Dennis Street Road Expansion Project.

Initially pegged at over $1.8 billion, the road project was split into two lots, with the first lot having already been completed by S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc. However, the second phase, which was awarded to the Trinidadian company, has been stalled for several months now, and that contractor has been flagged on multiple occasions for poor performance.

Last week, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill told the Guyana Times, the ministry has moved to activate the contract termination process with Kalco. He added that they are also in the process of sourcing a new contractor to complete the road project. A

Attorney-at-Law Domnick Bess, entered a plea of not guilty.

Bess, in a bail application said that the evidence provided by the prosecution, including a video of the incident, lacked definitive identification of Jeriah as the perpetrator.

However, the prosecution objected to bail, citing the gravity of the offense and the virtual complaint job as a law enforcement officer. Despite these objections, Magistrate Nurse granted Jeriah $100,000 bail. The case was adjourned to April 29. (G9)

Attorney General & Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

Junior teachers better equipped for classrooms – MoE

In a bid to ensure junior teachers grasp their roles and responsibilities within the education sector, the Education Ministry recently concluded a two-day induction workshop.

Over 100 teachers who recently graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and will be working in the 28 primary schools within the Georgetown Education District participated in the workshop, which was held at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) located in Kingston, Georgetown.

The initiative, which served as an orientation for

the teachers provided them with pertinent information on the structures and functions of the education ministry and professional conduct, including appropriate behaviour and attire, both within and outside the school environment, among others.

Education Officer, Wendy Johnson, who assisted in facilitating the workshop, explained that the workshop is part of efforts to better equip new teachers for the classroom.

According to Johnson, equipping junior teachers with the skills necessary for success in the education sector is paramount.

On this point, she affirmed the ministry’s com -

mitment to ongoing training initiatives aimed at empowering educators at all levels of the education hierarchy. Thus, fostering continuous professional development and excellence within the sector.

“Based on what we taught them these are the things we expect to stand out among our teachers so that they can represent our profession well, and we are encouraging them to go to our website where everything that concerns teachers, resources for learning that they can implement in the classroom can be found there,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, several teachers shared lauded the ministry for organising the

workshop, which they expressed, helped them understand various procedural and activity-based approaches essential for effective teaching as well as adapt tailored teaching practices to help educate diverse students.

According to Deochand Bridgemohan, a teacher at the St. Margaret’s Primary School, the workshop has helped him develop ways to better interact with students and parents, as well as collaboration among colleagues and school leader-

ship.

“This programme is based on things we should know and put into practice now as a trained teacher now. The way we should perform, the way we should behave, our expectations, how we treat our students, how we treat the parents that approach us and how

we treat the headteacher,” Bridgemohan said.

Sherlyn Pantlitz of West Ruimveldt Primary School appreciated the workshop’s emphasis on professional conduct, including appropriate behaviour and attire, both within and outside the school environment.

Pantlitz expressed opti-

mism about the workshop’s potential to elevate the education system and uphold the dignity of the teaching profession.

Similarly, Anthony Clarkson of North Georgetown Primary shared his enhanced appreciation for the vital role teachers play in national development.

“Both days were really informative, we learnt the benefits of the teaching profession, we learnt the hierarchy of the Ministry of Education. But what stood out to me most was inclusivity in the classroom. For example, all student learning styles wouldn’t be the same, some may be fast learners while some may be slow learners. So, we as teachers have to get different activities and teaching strategies to benefit our students,” Sir Clarkson explained.

Local physiotherapists’ skills being enhanced

The Health Ministry, in partnership with the Palms Rehabilitation Department, has launched a five-day Neurological Rehab Workshop aimed at enhancing the skills of physiotherapists across Guyana.

Led by lecturer and Specialist Physiotherapist, Amy Souster from the University of Plymouth School of Health Professions, the workshop seeks to elevate neurological rehabilitation practices in the region and aims to provide clinical and leadership training for physiotherapists caring for patients with complex conditions.

Director of Rehabilitation and Disability Services, Dr. Ariane Mangar, said that the workshop will benefit scores of participants from across every region, aiding them with new strategies on how to deal with patients when they come into their clinics, while enabling them to return to daily activities with a good quality of life.

“It's a workshop to teach the young therapists how to work with patients who would have had neurological accidents, for example, stroke, Parkinson's disease,

spinal cord injury, children with cerebral palsy. So, it's really to give them proper training on how to work with these patients when they come into their clinic,” she stated. Further, she told Guyana Times that their skills will be enhanced, and the patients will experience better outcomes when they're treated, resulting in better treatment programs for these patients.

Meanwhile, Mangar revealed that the Palms Rehabilitation Department is looking to partner with

a foreign university to continue initiatives such as this. “We're looking also to partner in the future with Plymouth University, out of England to continue initiatives such as these as they will have substantial knowledge on physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy.”

Sharing the same sentiments, the facilitator Souster, said that the workshop will equip all physiotherapists with the principles of neurological rehabilitation of which they will apply in patient care delivery.

"These physiotherapists have the experience in clinical practice, and so I'm trying to support them in applying their theoretical knowledge to their clinical practice", Souster explained.

Participants of this five-day exercise are expected to benefit from areas such as Neuro Primary Issues, Neuro Secondary Complications, Postural Management and Vestibular Assessment.

The Neurological Rehab Workshop has continued for two days thus far and is opened to all physiotherapist throughout Guyana. (G2)

Education Officer Wendy Johnson (source: DPI)

Deochand Bridgemohan, St Margaret’s Primary School teacher (source: DPI)

Scores of physiotherapists at the workshop on Monday

Director of Rehabilitation and Disability Services, Dr Ariane Mangar at the workshop on Monday

Lecturer and Specialist Physiotherapist Amy Souster speaking at the workshop on Monday

Soldier likely died of brain aneurysm & swollen heart – widow changes ‘inconclusive’ PME claim

Hours after the widow of Corporal Leroy Thom, who died during training at Tacama in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), spoke about the inconclusive nature of the post-mortem examination (PME) conducted on her husband, she now asserts that his demise was due to a brain aneurysm and a swollen heart.

This revelation comes amid conflicting reports regarding the PME findings and the handling of information surrounding the incident.

Initially, Caffeya FordeThom contacted Guyana Times to inform that the PME results were inconclusive and that further testing was required.

However, she later reached out to provide “clarity” and has now revealed that her husband died as a result of a brain aneurysm and a swollen heart. This information, she explained, was related

to her by the doctors who “cut open” her husband.

She has no official documentation to corroborate this new claim.

However, an official at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has contacted this publication to confirm that the soldier was indeed found to have had a swollen heart and a brain aneurysm.

The GDF official, however, did not provide additional details regarding the PME results or whether samples were indeed taken for further testing.

When asked for a copy of the death certificate to confirm this new information, the GDF official said that they could not release it. When Guyana Times

asked the widow about the death certificate, she indicated that the family was told they had to wait 10 to 14 days.

Thom, 30, a member of the 2nd Infantry Battalion and resident of Blueberry Hill in Linden, suddenly collapsed and died on Friday evening while in training at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama.

News of his demise was relayed to the family about 23:30h that evening. Family members were contending that they had a lot of questions surrounding the soldier’s death.

At the time, he was undergoing training on the Section Commander’s Course. Following his de-

mise, the GDF had stated that Thom had complained of feeling unwell during a routine training event and had been taken to the Medical Centre, where he was attended to by a registered nurse and medics.

After his condition had deteriorated, a request was made for a medevac, and a team of medical specialists from the Georgetown Public Hospital was air-dashed to the training school. Upon arrival, the GDF said, all efforts to resuscitate the GDF rank proved futile, and the soldier was consequently pronounced dead.

A Board of Inquiry will be convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the corporal’s death, the GDF has said.

Thom had left home on Monday to attend to his driver’s licence and returned on Tuesday morning before heading to work. He was participating in the Section Commander’s Course to secure a promotion.

Thom messaged his wife on Friday morning, stating he was returning to Tacama for training. Later that day, a friend informed his wife that he was in serious condition at Tacama. Forde-Thom claimed she was only officially informed of his situation by the GDF late Friday night.

She said his colleagues had told her that he collapsed while training, complaining of numbness in his foot. (G9)

Police, Army launch “Eyes in the Sky” operation

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have initiated a joint operation in Georgetown called “Eyes in the Sky” on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

This operation involves the use of drones, which may be seen flying low in some areas.

Members of the public are advised not to be alarmed.

“Eyes in the Sky” will run for one month. During this time, there will be an increased Police presence. Roadblocks, stopand-search exercises, traffic enforcement, roving patrols, and raids will be conducted. There will be motorcycle and bicycle campaigns, roadblock operations, cordons and

Dead: Corporal Leroy Thom

Remigrant calls for better police response after home burglarised ...over $1.5M in items stolen

Abusinessman's home in Berbice was burglarized while he was overseas, resulting in over $1 million in items being stolen.

The man, a remigrant is calling on the police to conduct a better investigation into the matter.

Mohan Ramdass said his home was burglarised while he was away in China and because of call restrictions there, he did not learn about the incident until days later.

that someone had broken into his home. On April 13, he arrived in Guyana he went immediately to the po-

The 68-year-old businessman had left his Third Street, South Hampshire Village, Corentyne, Berbice home on February 15 after securing it.

While in Asia, he received a message stating

lice even before going to the house.

“I came in at 3 o’clock in the morning…I say I would report it to the police first before I open the door. So when

the police come and we open the door they took a couple pictures. I had some information as to where some of the stuff was. I got the police to go and they picked up the refrigerator and carried it to the station and lodge it.”

He said the police did not arrest the person in whose house the stolen article was found.

“My brother had reported it a couple days before I got there and when I went to the Albion Police Station, they say no detective was there. I don’t think the police are doing enough to address the problem. I think that when they carried the fridge, they were supposed to carry the lady and lock she up.”

According to Ramdass, more than $1.5 million in

items were removed from his home.

He said it was his brother, who discovered that the building was burglarised when he visited to cut the grass. Ramdas added that he was told that there was an opening in the back fence and that the locks to the door had been forcefully wrenched out.

A microwave valued $78,500, a quantity of hollow blocks mold valued $90,000, an electrical trimmer valued $50,000, along with a stove, 60 pairs of footwear, 85 Polo T-shirts, 22 dress shirts, a music box, and two dozen plates are on the list of items missing.

The list also includes an electric saw and fan, a stove, four cellular phones, and a quantity of car parts all totaling more than $1.5 million.

“I know I can’t retrieve what I lost; it is more than $1.5 million. Thieves don’t get that kind of money. Maybe a lot of the things are already sold. One lady is willing to give evidence that she saw them carrying my fridge across to that house.”

This information, he said has already been given on to the police.

“I am looking for them to

go to jail. I know where they live. They are not in custody as yet. I feel hurt because they took my fridge from that house and carried it to the Station and they did not carry anybody with them,” the businessman said.

Ramdass lived in China for 16 years and returned to Guyana some two years ago to open his business. He runs a block making operation as well as other business ventures.

The businessman says he is disappointed in the police's response and is calling for more responsible action from the law enforcement officials. (G4)

Govt bolstering cyber resilience with modern policy framework

As part of efforts to enhance cybersecurity resilience in Guyana, the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) has unveiled 43 new policies as part of Government’s National Cybersecurity Policy Framework.

This was done at the launch of the NDMA 4-day policy sensitisation seminar hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) on Tuesday. According to the Department of Public Information (DPI) report, this is the first in a series of engagements across the public sector, which will be facilitated by the NDMA.

These cybersecurity policies will provide a strategic approach to managing cybersecurity risks, outline roles and responsibilities for various stakeholders and include mechanisms for incident response.

NDMA’s General Manager, Christopher Deen, underscored the importance of maintaining a robust and modern cybersecurity framework.

He reiterated the significant advantages of adopting modern cybersecurity practices and reaffirmed NDMA’s dedication to collaborative efforts aimed at bolstering cyber resilience across the government.

Cybersecurity experts developed them to protect the Government of Guyana’s information and communication infrastructures from cyber threats, which directly complements government’s vision of utilising Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) resources to provide easy access to government services, facilitate information sharing and promote collaboration among government agencies, and other relevant parties.

Deen emphasised, “By championing a culture of cyber awareness and investing in cybersecurity capabilities, we can col -

lectively mitigate risks, strengthen our cyber defences, and uphold transparency and security in our nation’s digital landscape. This ensures that we emerge stronger, safer, and more resilient in the face of cyber threats.”

Furthermore, Deen highlighted Government’s substantial investments in leveraging technology to propel the nation’s growth trajectory, as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. This commitment underscores the imperative of continuously enhancing cybersecurity measures to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive data in alignment with the nation’s technological advancement.

The participants of this

four-day training session include the Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, and senior Information Technology representatives from government ministries and their sub-agencies.

Deputy General Manager with responsibility for Operations, Orson Smith, called the policies “timely,” highlighting their significance beyond mere business continuity, and acknowledging the critical role they play in safeguarding the sensitive data stored by gov -

ernment agencies. Smith further explained how a robust framework not only protects vital information but also upholds public trust and confidence in governmental institutions.

Furthermore, the Deputy General Manager urged heads of agencies to recognise the myriad benefits of embracing such policies. Highlighting the proactive measures embedded within the framework, he emphasised how its implementation fosters resilience against cyber

threats, enhances incident response capabilities, and promotes effective collaboration among stakeholders.

NDMA remains at the forefront of shaping the future landscape of cybersecurity within government’s ICT ecosystem. With a steadfast commitment to advancing cybersecurity resilience, the Authority continues to work with other government agencies to fortify the nation’s digital defences against evolving cyber threats.

Mohan Ramdass

A section of the gathering at the cybersecurity sensitisation seminar hosted by NDMA

NDMA General Manager Christopher Deen (left)

Regional US is reimposing oil sanctions on Venezuela, officials say

The Biden Administration said it would not renew a licence set to expire early today that had broadly eased Venezuelan oil sanctions, moving to reimpose punitive measures in response to President Nicolás Maduro’s failure to meet his election commitments.

Just hours before the deadline, the US Treasury Department announced on its website that it had issued a replacement licence giving companies 45 days to “wind down” their business and transactions in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member's oil and gas sector.

Washington had repeatedly threatened in recent months to reinstate energy sanctions unless Maduro made good on his promises that led to partial US sanctions relief from October, following an election deal reached between the Government and the Venezuelan Opposition.

The sweeping sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry were first imposed by the Trump Administration in 2019 following Maduro's re-election victory, which the US and other Western Governments rejected.

While Maduro has met some commitments under last year's deal, he has failed to meet others, including allowing the Opposition to run the candidate of its choice against him in the July 28 presiden-

tial election, senior US officials said on Wednesday.

As a result, the Administration plans to allow the current six-month general licence to expire without renewal just after midnight EDT, said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

"We are concerned that Maduro and his representatives prevented the democratic Opposition from registering the candidate of their choice, harassed and intimidated political opponents, and unjustly detained numerous political actors and members of civil society," Miller said in a statement.

The withdrawal of the most significant element of US sanctions relief marks a major step back from US President Joe Biden's policy

of re-engagement with the Maduro Government.

The Biden Administration, however, is stopping short of a full return to the "maximum pressure" campaign waged under former US President Donald Trump.

Weighing on the US decision have been concerns about whether reimposing sanctions on Venezuela's energy sector could spur higher global oil prices and increase the flow of Venezuelan migrants to the US-Mexico border as Biden campaigns for re-election in November.

Struggle to craft sanctions decision

Biden’s aides had struggled to craft an approach that would punish Maduro but not hurt US interests with

Barbados Ambassador calls for global action to establish slavery tribunal

Ahigh-level Caribbean Ambassador said on Wednesday it was crucial to establish a new international special tribunal to seek reparations for transatlantic slavery and its legacies in today's society.

Reuters reported earlier this month that support was building among Africa and Caribbean nations for the creation of such a tribunal on atrocities dating to transatlantic slavery.

For over four centuries at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped, forcibly transported thousands of kilometres by mainly European ships and merchants and sold into slavery.

David Comissiong, the Barbados Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and a well-known

reparations advocate, said a tribunal was needed as there was no international court properly equipped to deal with reparations claims of such magnitude and complexity.

Comissiong was speak-

ing at the third session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) in Geneva. The PFPAD initially suggested the establishment of the tribunal last year.

He said the tribunal would require a "positive decision" by the UN General Assembly, the main policy-making organ of the organisation.

"Let us resolve to put in the international advocacy work to successfully deliver the creation of this critical institution at the UN General Assembly," he added. "Let us all rally around the forum and make this happen."

At the session, representatives of other nations, such as Guyana and Venezuela, echoed Comissiong's call.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

the expiration of the licence that has allowed Venezuela to freely sell its crude, US sources said.

Venezuelan officials have insisted they are ready for any scenario and can weather renewed US oil sanctions.

"We are prepared commercially,” Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea told reporters earlier on Wednesday at the Caracas headquarters of State oil firm PDVSA. “Logistically, we will continue producing.”

Some companies, he said, may be reluctant to invest in the face of Washington’s “unilateral measures”, but most will continue.

Venezuela's oil exports in March rose to their highest level since early 2020 as customers rushed to complete purchases ahead of the predicted expiration of the licence, Reuters reported this month.

Even as it left the door open for companies to apply for specific licences on a case-by-case basis, Treasury warned, however, that "entering into new business, in-

cluding new investment, that was previously authorised" under the expiring general licence would not be permitted.

Since the easing of sanctions in October, Venezuela has made only slow progress toward rebuilding its production capacity, with its crippled infrastructure and lack of fresh investment continuing to place limits on what it can achieve.

The withdrawal of the licence is expected to put a ceiling on Venezuela's crude production growth unless Washington grants enough individual authorisations to make up for it, analysts say.

The Biden Administration is leaving open the possibility that it could eventually temper its response. One US official said the latest action “should not be viewed as a final decision that we no longer believe Venezuela can hold competitive and inclusive elections”, adding that Washington would continue to engage with Maduro’s representatives.

Any activity under the

expiring general licence will have to be completed by May 31. The companies' success in securing specific licences will depend on how permissive the US decides to be.

Certain US authorisations separate from the expiring licence will be untouched, including permission given to Chevron since 2022 to sell oil in the US from its Venezuela joint ventures as well as existing approvals for European firms to take Venezuelan oil.

Among the top US concerns about Venezuela’s electoral conditions has been the crackdown on Maduro’s political opponents, especially blocking the leading Opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado from running.

Venezuelan authorities have maintained an election ban on Machado, who resoundingly won the Opposition primary in October, and the Opposition is currently holding internal negotiations about who could run as a substitute.

(Reuters)

Woman wheels corpse into Rio bank to sign for loan

Awoman brought a 68-year-old man in a wheelchair into a bank branch and tried to get him to sign for a loan, but he had been dead for hours, Brazilian Police said on Wednesday.

Erika Vieira Nunes wheeled the cadaver into the bank in a Rio suburb on Tuesday and told the teller the man wanted a loan for 17,000 reais (US$3250), se-

curity camera video showed.

She held a pen and moved his hand forward to no response.

"Uncle, are you listening? You need to sign," she said, according to the security video, suggesting she sign for him.

"He doesn't say anything, that's just how he is," she said, adding, "If you're not okay, I'm going to take you to the hospital."

Bank staff became suspicious as the man's head kept falling back when the woman stopped holding it and they called the Police, who arrested her on the spot on fraud charges. The corpse was taken to the morgue.

Her lawyer argued that the man died at the bank but a Police forensic analysis determined he had died earlier, while lying down.

(Reuters)

Brazil braces for worst coral bleaching ever

Brazil is bracing for what may be its worst-ever coral bleaching event as extremely warm waters damage reefs in the country's largest marine reserve – threatening the region's tourism and fishing revenues.

With the world's corals now suffering a fourth mass bleaching event in three decades, some had hoped Brazil's reefs would be spared as they were during previous global bleaching events.

Bleaching is triggered

by high water temperatures that cause corals to expel the colourful algae living in their tissues. Without the algae delivering nutrients to the corals, the corals begin to starve.

"I have never had anyone call me about bleaching in Brazil," said Greg Asner, Director of the Allen Coral Atlas programme that monitors reefs globally by satellite.

But huge swathes of corals have turned bone white along Brazil's vast Atlantic coastline from the north-

east state of Alagoas to Rio Grande do Norte, including the 120-kilometre-long (75mile) marine park called Coral Coast.

Four scientists monitoring the corals told Reuters that this year was on track to be the worst bleaching on record for Coral Coast and possibly the entire country.

Sea temperatures have smashed records in the last year as climate change intensifies the El Niño phenomenon that normally warms the globe every six or seven years.(Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro attends an event at the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Caracas, Venezuela, December 4, 2023 (Reuters/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria photo)

Barbados Ambassador to Caricom, David Comissiong

Around the World OIL NEWS

Oil settles down 3% as demand worries outweigh Middle East supply risks

Oil prices settled down three per cent on Wednesday, pressured by a rise in US commercial inventories, weaker economic data from China and US progress on Ukraine and Israel aid bills.

Brent futures for June settled down US$2.73, or three per cent, at US$87.29 a barrel, while US crude futures for May settled down US$2.67 or 3.1 per cent at US$82.69 a barrel, their biggest fall since March 20.

Oil prices have softened this week as economic headwinds curb gains from geopolitical tensions, with markets eyeing how Israel might respond to Iran’s weekend attack.

Analysts do not expect Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone strike on Israel to prompt dramatic US sanctions on Iran’s oil exports.

US crude inventories rose by 2.7 million barrels to 460 million barrels last week, Government data showed, nearly double analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.4 million-barrel build.

Oil prices continued to decline after US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said the text of four bills providing assistance to Ukraine, Israel and the IndoPacific would be filed soon on Wednesday, with a fourth with “other measures to confront Russia, China and Iran” posted later in the day.

“The market was waiting to sell off on indications of calming of tensions in the Middle East ... progress on these bills and a three-day delay in Israel’s response to Iran is helping today,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC in New York.

Top Federal Reserve officials, including Chair Jerome Powell, backed away on Tuesday from providing any guidance on when interest rates may be cut, dashing investors’ hopes for meaningful reductions in borrowing costs this year.

Britain’s inflation rate slowed by less than expected in March, signalling that a first rate cut by the Bank of England could also be further off than previously thought.

However, inflation slowed across the eurozone last month, reinforcing expectations for a European Central Bank rate cut in June.

“A strengthening trend in the US dollar and the ability of crude stocks to increase in the face of reduced Mexican imports and increasing SPR refills are also sending off some bearish vibes,” said Jim Ritterbusch, President of Ritterbusch and Associates LLC in Galena, Illinois.

In China, the world’s biggest oil importer, the economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, but several other indicators showed that demand at home remains frail.

Elsewhere, Tengizchevroil announced plans for scheduled maintenance at one of six production trains at the Tengiz oilfield in Kazakhstan in May. (Reuters)

Israel will defend itself, Netanyahu says, as West calls for restraint

Israel will make its own decisions about how to defend itself, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday, as Western countries pleaded for restraint in responding to a volley of attacks from Iran.

The United States, European Union and G7 group of industrialised nations all announced plans to consider tighter sanctions on Iran, seen as aimed at mollifying Israel and persuading it to rein in its retaliation for the first-ever direct Iranian strikes after decades of confrontation by proxy.

Iran attacked in retaliation for a suspected Israeli airstrike on its Embassy compound in Damascus on April 1. Israel and its allies

shot down most of the missiles and drones and there were no deaths, but Israel says it must retaliate to preserve the credibility of its deterrents. Iran says it

After being stalled for months, Ukraine aid bill heads to vote in US House of Representatives

US President Joe Biden has said he “strongly supports” a new US$61 billion aid bill for Ukraine, arguing it will “send a message to the world”.

The long-stalled measure is one of four that the House of Representatives will vote on this Saturday.

The legislation will also include funding for Israel as well as the Indo-Pacific.

Opposition from the right wing of the Republican party has stymied potential assistance for Ukraine for months.

Some of those lawmakers have sought to tie Ukraine assistance with funding for USMexico border enforcement.

Several Republican lawmakers, including Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene, who wants House Speaker Mike Johnson removed from his post, have already decried his plan.

Democrats and some centrist Republicans have been calling for months for Ukraine aid to be passed quickly, arguing it is vital for that country’s defence against Russia and US national security.

The Ukraine bill includes weapons and other “lethal assistance” for Ukrainian forces.

It also requires cost-matching requirements from other US allies, as well as a repayment agreement from Ukraine’s Government.

The announcement comes on the same day as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was making “an important effort” to beef up Ukraine’s air defences.

Seventeen people were killed and 60 people wounded in a Russian missile attack on the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine earlier in the day.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

views the matter as closed, but will retaliate again if Israel does.

Israel’s Air Force said late on Wednesday its fighter jets had struck the “ter-

rorist infrastructure” of Iran-backed Hezbollah in eastern Lebanon, stoking concerns about a further escalation in clashes across Israel’s northern border.

Earlier, Netanyahu met the German and British Foreign Ministers, who both travelled to Israel as part of a coordinated push to keep confrontation between Israel and Iran from escalating into a regional conflict fuelled by the Gaza war.

Netanyahu’s office said he thanked Annalena Baerbock and David Cameron for their support, while telling them: “I want to make it clear – we will make our own decisions, and the State of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gaza ceasefire talks hit stumbling block, mediator Qatar says

Qatar’s Prime Minister says indirect negotiations on a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages in Gaza have largely stalled.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, whose country, along with Egypt and the United States, is mediating between Israel and Hamas, said talks were in a “delicate phase”.

“We are trying as much as possible to address this stumbling block,” he added, without giving further details.

They have proposed a six-week truce during which Hamas would free 40 women, children and elderly or sick hostages.

The US accused the Palestinian armed group of being “the obstacle to a ceasefire” after it publicly rejected the latest offer over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said 14 Israeli soldiers had been injured, six of them severely, by anti-tank missiles and drones launched from Lebanese territory towards a village in northern Israel.

The Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it had fired on a military target in the Arab al-Aramshe area in retaliation for recent Israeli strikes that had killed Hezbollah commanders and other fighters.

Hezbollah – which like Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US, United Kingdom and other countries – has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces almost every day along the border since the start of the war in Gaza. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Clean-up begins after at least 1 dead in heavy UAE rain, floods

Authorities and communities across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were clearing debris on Wednesday after at least one person died, and homes and businesses were damaged in a rare torrential storm.

The extent of the dam-

age was not immediately clear as emergency workers sought to drain flooded roads across the country hours after heavy rain subsided late on Tuesday.

The UAE saw record rainfall with 254 millimetres (10 inches) falling in less than 24

hours in Al Ain, a city on the UAE-Oman border, according to the national meteorology centre. That was the most since records began in 1949, before the UAE was formed in 1971.

The UAE lacks much of the needed drainage infrastructure to handle heavy rain. It is not uncommon for roads to become partially submerged underwater during extended periods of rainfall. It typically only ever rains a few times a year.

The UAE also frequently conducts cloud seeding operations to increase rainfall. A forecaster from the national meteorology centre denied any cloud-seeding operations had taken place recently.

Bloomberg earlier quoted the agency as saying seven cloud-seeding operations had occurred in the days before the storm. Climate scientists say that rising global temperatures, driven by man-made climate change, is leading to more extreme weather events, including intense rainfall like the UAE storm. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A view of an Iron Dome anti-missile battery, near Ashkelon, in southern Israel, April 17, 2024 (Reuters/Hannah McKay photo)

Palestinian children stand at the scene of a reported Israeli air strike in Rafah, in southern Gaza, April 17, 2024 [Reuters]

Mike Johnson has said that the “world is watching” to see whether the US will stand by its allies abroad

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Pick up the pace, show enthusiasm and finish what you start. Make the most of what you've got, and you will leave a lasting impression. An unorthodox path will change the way you view life.

Keep personal information private. Listen, be attentive and learn all you can from observing others, and it will help you make better decisions. Do what's comfortable for you.

Don't underestimate the power of persuasion. Think carefully before agreeing to something debatable. It will be important to fully understand what you're getting into.

Listen to others; the information you gather will prove valuable. Don't be afraid to put your personal touch on whatever you do. Live life your way and love every second of it.

Calm down, relax and absorb what's recently transpired. A transparent response will encourage others to be honest with you. Make changes for the right reason, and don't take on too much.

Learn from experience and do what's necessary to make life easier. Change will take you to a better place and bring you peace of mind. Direct your time and energy into being and doing your best.

Broaden your awareness and connections. Sign up for something you believe in or want to pursue, and you'll find your tribe. Communication and an act of kindness will open doors.

Act now. Dreaming will frustrate you if you don't follow through. Get involved in something that interests you and discover what life offers. Say no to anyone trying to pressure you.

Trust your instincts and intelligence. Refuse to let anyone manipulate you into something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Choose your friends and hobbies carefully.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Put your energy where it'll get the highest returns. Focus on how you earn your living and handle your cash; you'll save yourself the worry and torment of debt. Enjoy things you can afford.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

A steady pace forward will prove calming and effective. Refuse to get caught in someone's drama. Call the shots, and you'll earn respect. You can't please everyone, but you can satisfy yourself.

Keep your spirits high and control your emotions. Actions speak louder than words, and how you handle people and responsibilities will be key. Be strategic in your efforts.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PICKLES ARCHIE

At the start of the fourth over in the match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, the Titans were projected to reach 169. By the start of the sixth over, they

wickets to spare, and that mattered. Capitals are now in sixth place, above Titans on the points table, because their net run-rate rose from -0.975 to -0.074.

Fall of the Titans

cover. Eventually it became clear why Shubman was so desperate for early boundaries: the ball began holding in the pitch. Wriddhiman Saha went after it, but was too early into the pull, and dragged it onto his stumps. It began spinning. Tristan Stubbs, who had bowled only 177 balls in his 79-match T20 career, helped himself to two wickets in an over with his offbreaks.

Four of the top six had single-digit scores. Rahul Tewatia batting in the powerplay meant that the option of Impact Player R Sai Kishore was sacrificed against the right-handerheavy Capitals line-up to send in Shahrukh Khan. He was meant to firefight. He was the in-case-of-emergency-break-glass option. He returned with a duck.

were trending much lower, at 120. In the end, they were bowled out for the double-digit figure of 89. It was

A slow, low, and turning pitch had the home team spiralling all through

Out stumped even though the wicketkeeper didn't collect the ball cleanly. It was that kind of

Pant is a joy

Right at the start, a giggle was caught on the mic. It sounded very much like Rishabh Pant. He and Gill were just staring at each other, and everybody else was stuck waiting as the Capitals skipper tried to remember what the plan was after winning the toss. "I think we're going to bowl," he said.

Pant took two catches, one required a little more effort than normal from how he needed to dive low and quickly to his left to take it, and then call on DRS to confirm suspicions that David Miller had indeed nicked it.

There were a cou-

ple of stumpings as well, one of which almost didn't

happen. Pant had seen that Shahrukh's back foot was nowhere near where it needed to be. He was beyond excited. That might have played a part in how he made a grab for the ball, hard-handed, and therefore couldn't collect it cleanly. But it didn't matter, because the ball just bounced off his gloves and straight onto the wicket, prompting child-like glee at how a mistake he'd made actually turned out okay.

This is why the world needs Rishabh Pant. A lot of his fans - and India fans - must be thrilled that he's back playing cricket again, because he is a game-changer. But really, he's so much more than that. He reminds people to smile, to enjoy themselves, to have fun just by smiling and having fun himself.

After the eighth over, when Kuldeep Yadav was

upset with a wayward throw, acting like he had suffered a mortal wound, Pant ran down to the bowler, put one hand around his shoulders, and used the other one to stroke his chest. There, there; don't worry, be happy.

He had a good game as captain too, bringing back Khaleel Ahmed for a third over inside the powerplay to see if he could sneak a fifth Titans wicket. That wasn't possible, but a maiden was. For some reason, he bowled Stubbs ahead of Axar Patel, which turned a score of 47 for 4 to 48 for 6. Pant spent the rest of the innings chirping away behind the stumps. It was like he was never even away. (ESPNCricinfo)

14.6 ov), 9-88 (Rashid Khan, 17.1 ov), 10-89 (Noor Ahmad, 17.3 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W

Khaleel Ahmed 4-1-18-1

Jake Fraser-McGurk lofting one down the ground

Mukesh Kumar was the most effective Delhi Capitals bowlers with figures of 2.3-0-14-3

Rishabh Pant appealing successfully for the stumping of Abhinav Manohar

Wriddhiman Saha chopped one on to his stumps from Mukesh Kumar

Countrywide secondary schools’ female football 2024…

GFF/Blue Water National U15 Championships kick off on May 4

The inaugural edition of the Guyana Football Federation- Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls’ National Secondary Schools Championships are scheduled to be kicked off on May 4.

Sixty schools have registered to participate, and more than 1,000 aspiring athletes would be competing for top honours.

Endorsed by the Ministry of Education, this tournament would be the largest girls’ competition in Guyana, and would take place across nine of the ten administrative regions. Schools in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will not participate in this year’s edition.

This tournament is a progression from the GFFBlue Water Girls Under-15 Development League and festivals which were launched in 2022. The 2022 programme of activities played an integral role in stimulating interest in football among young girls and schools across Guyana.

For the GFF-Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls’ National Secondary Schools Championships, upcoming talents would be competing in three distinct stages: preliminary round-robin matches will be played at the regional level; followed by the Round of 16 and 8 group stage matches to be hosted at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown and at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The

The format of the tournament has been designed to ensure adequate playing time for the players. Each player is assured a minimum of six (6) matches, and can participate in a maximum of sixteen (16). Promising players will earn opportunities to train for positions within the national team programme.

GFF President Wayne Forde has thanked Blue Water Shipping “for their ongoing commitment to investing in the youth of our nation,” adding that the championships are “a significant milestone in our ongoing endeavours to expand women’s football in Guyana”.

“This tournament is the beginning of our implementation of the competition phase of the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) programme which was signed into being by FIFA, the GFF, and the Government of Guyana

on May 12th, 2022. We will be establishing a Schools Football Secretariat later this year, and will be introducing additional competitions and festivals for boys and girls at the nursery, primary and secondary school levels. The long-term goal of the GFF is to work closely with the Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders in establishing a well streamlined schools football programme and yearly competition season,” he explained. “This tournament is groundbreaking, as it stands as the largest girls’ tournament in Guyana’s history,(and is) set to be played in nine administrative regions and featuring sixty schools. Over 1,000 enthusiastic young girls are eager to exhibit their talents on a national stage, (which would be) a pathway for numerous promising players to earn selection into

the junior national team programme,” Forde noted.

He revealed that the GFF will be establishing a network of trained tournament coordinators across the regions to administer the matches, and that child safeguarding workshops would also be conducted throughout the competition.

Blue Water Shipping Senior Vice President of Sales and Development, Richard DeNobrega, declared, “BWS Guyana Inc is extremely excited about the launch of the U15 Girls Tournament. We continue to see this tournament grow from strength to strength, and we are happy to collaborate with the GFF on its continued success. The lives of these young ladies will be enhanced, and we will surely

see the talent pool for female football increase exponentially directly as a result of these tournaments. This tournament comes on the heels of other massive strides by the GFF and all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, to ensure that Guyana’s sporting talent in the world stage is further improved and recognized. Congratulations to all the young ladies, and best of luck!” Schools participating in this tournament are as listed below.

REGION 1 (BarimaWaini): Kamwatta Primary; Kwebanna Primary; Santa Rosa Secondary and Waramuri Primary.

REGION 2 (PomeroonSupenaam): Abram Zuil Secondary

REGION 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara): Uitvlugt Secondary, Vreed-enHoop Secondary, Westminster Secondary, West Demerara Secondary and L’ Aventure Secondary

REGION 4 (EAST BANK) (Demerara-Mahaica): Covent Garden Secondary, Friendship Secondary, Soesdyke Secondary and Yarrowkabra Secondary

REGION 4 (EAST COAST): Ann’s Grove Secondary, Beterverwagting Secondary, Bladen Hall Secondary, Bygeval Secondary, Hope Secondary, Lancaster Secondary, Plaisance Secondary and President’s College

GEORGETOWN (North): Chase’s Academic Foundation, New Campbellville Secondary, North Georgetown Secondary, Queen’s College, St. John’s College, and the Institute of Academic Excellence

GEORGETOWN (South): Carmel Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, South Ruimveldt Secondary, The New Central High, Tucville Secondary, and West Ruimveldt Primary

REGION 5 (MahaicaBerbice): Belladrum Secondary, Bush Lot Secondary, Fort Wellington Secondary, No. 8 Secondary, Rosignol Secondary and Woodley Park Secondary

REGION 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne): Berbice Educational Institute, Canje Secondary, New Amsterdam Secondary, Tutorial Academy and Vryman’s Erven Secondary

REGION 7 (CuyuniMazaruni): Bartica Secondary and Three Miles Secondary

REGION 9 (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo): Aishalton Secondary, Annai Secondary, Karasabai Secondary, Nappi Primary, Sand Creek Secondary and St. Ignatius Secondary

REGION 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice): Harmony Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary, Mackenzie High, New Silver City Secondary, Wisburg Secondary and Wismar Christianburg Secondary.

Hayley Matthews named Wisden’s Leading Twenty20 Cricketer in the World Man City knocked out of Champions League by Real Madrid

Hayley Matthews has been

West Indies Captain. We’ve all heard the one about the globe-trotting, six-hitting West Indies all-rounder bestriding the T20 stage. But this tale comes with a twist: a first female winner in this award’s seven-year history. Hayley

Matthews has long been a star of the game – aged 18, she inspired West Indies to victory in the 2016 World T20 final – but in 2023 she produced an unprecedented red-hot run of form. Between February and her final game of the year in October, on three different continents, she won eight consecutive T20I match awards. The previous best was four in a row. During that sequence, she averaged 88 with the bat, at a strike-rate of 144, and 12 with the ball. The pièce de résistance came at North Sydney Oval, game seven in the Matthews

Supremacy. Set 213, West Indies were powered to a record chase in women’s T20Is by her buccaneering 132 from 64 balls, including 110 in boundaries. Her score, a West Indies record, was the first century in the second innings of a women’s T20I; and it came after she had been the pick of the bowlers, with 3-36 for her off-breaks. That the side on the receiving end were the world champions, playing in their own backyard added only lustre.

If 2023 was a banner year for the women’s game, with the inauguration of the Women’s Premier League in India, then Matthews rode the crest of the wave. She was a WPL title-winner with Mumbai Indians, the fifth-leading run-scorer in the competition, and captained Barbados Royals to victory in the Caribbean Premier League, scoring 82 from 59 and taking 2-38 in the final. She was also a high-profile pick in The Hundred and the Big Bash.

Her feats could only sporadically lift West Indies, whom she had captained for the first time in 2022, though she credited the job for helping her, “take

responsibility for my game”.

The first in her streak of match awards came against Ireland at Cape Town during the T20 World Cup, where West Indies ended a run of 15 defeats. She followed that with another all-round display, against Pakistan, though two group wins could not put her side in the semifinals. Ireland were again on the receiving end in July, as West Indies won 3–0 in St Lucia, before their tour of Australia confirmed her status as the ICC’s No. 1 all-rounder. In five days, she smashed 99 not out, 132 and 79 – a total of 310 off 178 balls, with 43 fours and 13 sixes – and took five wickets.

Her overall T20I record for the year read 700 runs from 14 matches at 63 (strike-rate 132) and 19 wickets at 16 (economy 6.84). Across men’s and women’s T20 – domestic and international – her tally of 1,551 runs was topped only by Jos Buttler. Unlike Matthews, though, he was not the leading wicket-taker in the format. The Caribbean had produced another game-changer. (Article provided by the Editor of Wisden)

goal, finally equalising 14 minutes from the end of normal time when Kevin de Bruyne pounced on Antonio Rudiger’s clearance.

It was the least City deserved for their almost total domination, but a lack of the finishing touch cost them, as Real, despite being exhausted and mounting a desperate rearguard action, held out for spot-kicks.

City looked on course to meet Bayern Munich in the semi-final when Luka Modric missed Real’s first penalty, but Bernardo Silva’s dreadful effort and another from substitute Mateo Kovacic were saved by keeper Andriy Lunin, leaving former Chelsea defender Rudiger to step up and clinch victory for the great Champions League specialists.

It ended City’s bid for another Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup - and they must now recover from this gruelling encounter to defend the latter in the semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.

Guardiola’s side count cost of missed chances

City will wonder for a long time how they failed to win this game despite exerting complete superiority over their Spanish opponents apart from the early stages when the La Liga leaders struck through Rodrygo.

The answer is simple - Pep Guardiola’s side piled up the opportunities but could not

take them, letting Real off the hook.

City had 33 shots to Real’s eight, 18 corners to one but they just could not put Carlo Ancelotti’s men away.

And there was always a danger that Real, who have been the great escapologists against City in this competition before, would find a way to get the job done.

So it proved, with the key moment coming when Silva chose to loft an awful penalty straight into the hands of Lunin, shifting the emphasis of the shootout back in Real’s favour after Modric’s first miss.

The home fans rose to their side amid their despair, the Champions League won against Inter Milan in Istanbul last season lost in the most painful of circumstances.

Focus will switch to trying to win the domestic double of the Premier League and FA Cup. This was a top-class display from City simply missing the second goal they deserved.

It was another tough night for Erling Haaland, who hit the bar with a header early on but was kept at arm’s length by Real, eventually being substituted for Julian Alvarez at the start of extra time.

Guardiola must now lift and re-energise City before that Wembley meeting with Chelsea on Saturday evening. (BBC Sport)

named Wisden’s Leading Twenty20 Cricketer in 2023. Alan Gardner looks at the remarkable performances of this outstanding player – a T20 World Cup champion and the present

Hayley Matthews led the Barbados Royals to a win in the WCPL 2023

Rodrygo scored Real Madrid’s opener in the first half

Caribbean Table Tennis Championships…

Guyanaese men’s, women’s teams clinch semifinal berths

It was a tough day out on Tuesday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for Team Guyana at the Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships, both trhe male and female teams suffering losses to Puerto Rico in the Teams’ division.

However, Guyana’s men’s and women’s team rebounded with victories against Aruba and Barbados on Wednesday morning to advance to the next rounds of their respective competitions.

In the men’s division, the trio of Shemar Britton, Elishaba Johnson and

Joel Alleyne went down to Puerto Rico 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon. Angel Narango defeated Alleyne 11-5, 114, 11-2 in the first game, while Britton fought back for one set but still lost to Oscar Birriel 11-9, 9-11, 611, 6-11. Johnson was later overcome by Jabdiel Torres 11-5, 14-12, 12- 10.

However, on Wednesday, Alleyne rallied long and hard against Aruba’s Rudy Raga to pull off a 3-2 win, 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, 1210. Britton cruised to victory against Shaofeng Xie 117, 11-5, 11-2, while Johnson did the same against Bryan Lopes 11-2, 11-9, 11-5.

Britton later returned to down Raga 11-2, 11-4, 12-10 to help his team book passage to tonight’s quarterfinals.

Over in the women’s division, Nathalie Cummings started proceedings on Wednesday with an 11-8, 116, 11-6 defeat of Barbados’ Anthonette Riley, while Chelsea Edghill eased past Kenady King 11-4, 11-2, 113. Young Jasmine Billingy secured Guyana’s game winning 3rd victory by defeating Qodesh Weekes 12-10, 11-8, 11-8.

It was a vast improvement on Tuesday’s performance, in which they

West Indies 4-Day Championships 2024… Harpy Eagles dominate day one of decisive final contest

West Indies Championships title hopes are alive and well in the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) camp after an all-round dominating day against the Combined Campuses and Colleges in the seventh and final round of the aforementioned competition.

At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday morning, the Combined Campuses and Colleges won the toss and opted to bat first. However, they found themselves routed for just 200 runs by a determined Harpy Eagles’ bowling attack.

went down to powerhouses Puerto Rico 3-1. Puerto Rico’s Brianna Burgos outdid Cummings 11-7, 11-7, 11-4, while Thuraia Thomas went down to Alondra Rodriguez 11-4, 11-7, 11-2. Edghill brought up the lone victory of the game against Fabiola Diaz, winning that game 5-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9.

However, she was not as fortunate against Burgos, losing 11-5, 12-10, 11-8. Both teams sprang back

into action on Wednesday evening, with the men competing against Barbados in the Quarterfinals. There Guyana secured a 3-1 victory over Barbados to advance to the semifinals.

Barbados’ Tyrese Knight proved too much for Johnson to handle in the first match, and the Guyanese went down 11-3, 11-6, 11-1. However, Britton levelled the scores after defeating Mark Dowell 11-5, 11-2, 12-10. From

there it was smooth sailing for the Guyanese team, as Alleyne extended the winning streak with a victory over Tre Riley 11-13, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7. Britton returned to seal the win against familiar foe Knight, overcoming him 11-8, 11-7, 11-7.

Meanwhile, the women took on Cuba in the semifinals later.

The Senior Championships will run until Sunday, April 21st.

Massy Women’s CPL confirmed for August 21-29

Nial Smith led the charge for the Guyanese as he destabilized the Combined Campuses’ batting order with two early wickets. Alongside a clinical strike from Isai Thorne, the Harpy Eagles had the Combined Campuses reeling at 9-3. However, a 44run partnership between Shamarh Brooks and Demario Richards brought back some stability to the Combined Campuses’ batting, but it was short- lived, as the experienced Brooks perished for 16 from 27 deliveries to Veerasammy Permaul, after a switch to the spin attack. Richards persisted, an got into his 40s, but did not have the grit to complete the half-century, and he fell for 43 from 83 balls, while the next best score on the Combined Campuses scorecard of 36 off 63 balls came off the bat of Romario Greaves.

bowlers, who nonetheless chipped away at the wickets consistently.

Avinash Mahabirsingh contributed 23 from 45 deliveries, Amari Goodridge 22 from 33 balls, and Jediah Blades 22 off 15; while Jarion Hoyte remained unbeaten on 21 from 28 deliveries to push Combined Campuses to 200 all out in 55.5 overs.

A number of 20-something scores from the Combined Campuses tail proved to be a point of frustration for the Guyanese

Smith ended the innings with 3-45 in 12 overs, while Permaul claimed 3 scalps for 51 runs in 16 overs. Thorne claimed 2-45 in 12 overs, while Gudakesh Motie picked up the other 2.

The Harpy Eagles had their opponents bundled out by tea, and, as such, came back in the final session to cut the required runs in half before close of play.

Raymond Perez was a class act, slamming a brisk half- century in 72 balls. He went on to remain unbeaten on 61* from 89 balls. At the other end, Vice-Captain Kevlon Anderson is also unbeaten on 27 from 56 balls.

Unfortunately, though, Tagenarine Chanderpaul could not stick around, hitting 12 runs before perishing in what was Guyana’s only wicket. As such, the Harpy Eagles ended the day on 114-1 in 28 overs, trailing the Combined Campuses by 86 runs with 9 wickets in hand.

Play resumes at 10:00hrs today for day 2 action.

The 2024 Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) will take place in Trinidad & Tobago from 21 August to 29 August. The tournament will feature three teams: Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders. The tournament will feature six group games before the top two teams meet in the final on 29 August. This will be the first time that the WCPL has taken place before the men’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, with the best female talent from across the region and around the world taking part. The tournament’s host, Trinidad & Tobago, are once again highlighting the sports

tourism potential of the country, as well as giving extra focus to women’s top- level sport.

Pete Russell, CEO of the Caribbean Premier League, said: “We would like to thank Trinidad & Tobago for agreeing to host this tournament, and we are excited to be having the Massy WCPL taking place before we get the men’s tournament underway. The commitment that the Trinidad & Tobago Government has shown to women’s sport has been phenomenal, and we are looking forward to another superb exhibition of world class cricket over these seven matches from 21 to 29 August.”

The Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, Minister of Sport and Community Development, has said: “We

are delighted to host once again the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League, where the extraordinary talent of women in sport from across the region will be showcased. This tournament highlights the incredible skills of our female cricketers, and underscores Trinidad and Tobago’s unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and fostering inclusivity in sport. The Ministry of Sport and Community Development takes pride in spearheading the advancement of women’s cricket and sport tourism in Trinidad & Tobago, and we look forward to welcoming players and fans alike to our shores for an electrifying display of cricketing excellence.” (CPLT20)

Guyana’s male table tennis team also bagged a semifinal spot

The Barbados Royals are the Massy WCPL defending champions

Nial Smith and Veerasammy Permaul took 3 wickets each